General Chat

Hi everyone

Gerard :-D :-D We have hid the books :-D. Glad money is being sorted now.

Bridget glad you saw granddaughter.Hope all is well with them all

Its freezing here like it is most of uk. I have my hot water bottle in bed with me. Plus lots of layers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to everyone Keep warm. Take care if you have to go out.

Hazelx

Bridget - I don't think there is one definite answer to your question about girls being more difficult to rear than boys. I think it depends upon a lot of things - the personalities of both children and parents and whether they blend or clash - also the amount of time the parents have to spend on the children - if they have plenty of time to be with them or are they busy?. The position in the family could have it's problems (middle child, baby of the family, etc). I had three boys, then one girl.

I do believe that I was lucky in having a husband who could manage the boys. He involved himself with their weekend sports and later with their choice of following one of the avenues of engineering. He was an engineer.
My girl was never a problem for me. She is now 41 and is close to her 14 y.o.daughter just as I am to her. One daughter in law is a 'gem' - an only child who still thinks (after 16 years) it's great to belong to a 'family' whilst still being very close to her own Mum. Her dad died while she was young. The other two DIL's come from a broken family and a family which is always fighting about something. They think we are queer because we don't fight - never have fought. It's just not our style - so we don't see much of them - not that we mind that.

I know this is a long way of saying that everyone is different, but if you feel that you want to be closer to your daughter - why not talk to her about it? Work out something between you so that you can get closer. If anything 'bugs' you about each other, be honest and say what it is, so that it can be ironed out. Take her into your confidence and tell her any 'secrets'. Let her see that you trust her. Knowing that someone trusts you implicitly, is a good way to being close to them. You will probably find that your daughter also wishes she was closer to you!

glad to hear everyone is OK. Glad you saw Evie, Bridget.

snow has been threatened but we will see

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Jan X

Hi Bridget no problem. Would it be possible for you to just send a 'received' e mail so that we know that you have got them, otherwise it is a bit dispiriting not knowing. As long as the e mail address is OK. On the other hand, if you are too busy would you prefer us not to send to you until you have more time?

Thank you for the news on Izzy, people on her thread were concerned they had not heard. Would you copy that to her thread please? Or do you want me to do it? :-)

Oh dear!
Many apologies to AnninGlos, I am on my knees asking for forgiveness !!

Yes I have been receiving the stories and they are all so ver good, in fact a sent a message to the person who wrote about Ireland, it was so well written and brought back so many memorries.
There has been quite a lot going on in the family which has taken up most of my time.
I will try harder to do what I should, so can only say sorry :-( :-(

Gerard, good luck with your quest for work, keep us informed.

Berona, look after your self, keep warm.

Now here is a little question for you all, dear Cyner Friends. Are daughters more difficult to bring up than boys and does this last forever....??
I have an excellent relationship with my sons and the wives/ girlfriends but no matter how much we love each other my daughter and I do not have the same rapport........

Well the wind is still blowing hard, the sun is still shining, and it is still cold, but I must go and do some housework and check tha no damage to my trees and plants.

Bye bye for now.


Bridget

PS. For those of you who remember Izzy and her son who suffered dreadful injuries whilst serving in tne Army .

I am in fairly regular contact with Izzy and she asked me yesterday to let you know that she is well but working almost full-time on the Invicta project . Her son still requires more surgery but the good news is that he became engaged at Christmas. No wedding planned yet.

:-) <3

Bridget are you receiving the writing group pieces. If not have you changed your e mail? Have you checked your spam. I have sent out many pieces and not heard a word from you so wondered if they were reaching you.

Gerard - I'm pleased to know that you are receiving good news and hope that one of the job prospects eventuates.....If not - keep trying. Sounds like you are getting close to having good luck.

Dec to Feb is our Summer. I have never before known it to rain here in Sydney in January, but we have had plenty in the inner city and now, floods in northern NSW and drizzly rain where I am (we don't usually get much rain, even in Winter). Last week, I couldn't sleep comfortably because I was too hot and threw the bed covers down, leaving only a cotton sheet on me. Then, last night, I had all of the covers on which I used throughout the winter (bed socks too) and I awoke because I was cold! I didn't wake during the winter because I was cosy with the same covers on. We should be getting temps of 32 to 40+ but all we get is 21 to 23. I find myself checking the weather forecast before going to bed, to know how I should dress for bed and what covers to remove or keep! I've never had to do that before.

Hi Everyone

Well things are looking up, even though it is bloomin' cold at the moment.

Firstly our money has been sorted and backdated, secondly the Council Tax problem is being sorted too (hopefully), the last problem is the job. Good news there, I have an interview tomorrow, I am a bit pessimistic, but OH gave me good news this morning that the possibility of working with her was getting closer, as my government clearance is nearly complete.

Berona - Global warming is to blame - people are complaining about the cold here but when you tell them that it is Winter they glare at you as if you were the moron. I don't know what they are expecting in February, but some are still dressed for summer (Hot pants, short skirts and T-shirts)

Bridget - great news about little Evie - I have Skype but no camera or microphone, but it is great for chatting.

Hazel - Knock, Knock ? Who is there? Sam and Janet! Sam and Janet who? Sam and Janet evening, you may see a stranger, you may see a stranger cross the crowded room!!

Talking of dieting - OH and I are following Weightwatchers on Line, (me reluctantly) as from yesterday. Last week we both lost weight without trying, so we expect good news when we are trying. Weigh day is Wednesday AM. Always best to keep to a particular day and time, as your weight can vary from day to day and hour to hour!

Mary - thought I'd mention, OH and I have "let's keep that it might be useful" bug, our spare room is full of spare stuff - mind you some of it has come in useful!!

Haven't been to voluntary work this week, unfortunately the centre is too cold for me (they can't afford heating) and my bad ear has been playing up (must be the cold wind)

Love to everyone, prayers for those that need them, keep warm (cool if you are Berona) keep smiling :-)

Lots of love
Gerard <3 <3 <3

Good morning all from a damp cold Costa Blanca. February is known to be the coldest month and the temperature is set to drop to low 50's - but still not as cold as UK.

We have decided to go to the UK in May for a few days for my mom's 89th birthday - only told our sons at moment but once I have found flights will let mom and my sister know. So that is something to look forward to.

How great to see your new grandchild Bridget - modern technology is wonderful. I expect you will be booking flights to UK soon.

Yesterday I had the 'thrown away' bug - it is surprising how much stuff you keep in cupboards that is no good. Found a few canisters without lids - know what use are they - hubby said I will have them they may be useful !!! So I told him he could keep them so long as it was not in my kitchen cupboards !!!

Today is food shopping day so will have to make a list of what is needed. Hopefully Saturday we are going shopping to see what the Sales have to offer . assuming they are still on. Also want to go to Iceland to top up on a few English items I need - like Oxo cubes and red kidney beans for chilli. I am sure I will find something else I want too - usually buy a couple of tins of corn beef.

Well have a good day everyone and take care

Love Mary xx

That must have been wonderful for you, Bridget - to see the baby so soon and so clear, too!... When my youngest grandson first saw me on the computer, he tried to climb into their screen to get to me!

We are having a strange summer here in Sydney. I have never known it to rain in January before and we have had lots of rain. Only light showers here where I am, but they have been happening often. We also usually have temps of 30+ - up into the 40's on occasions - but not this year. It has rarely reached 30 - and yet, we had the mildest winter I have ever known too. I'm sure that if this continues, it will only be a few generations away that the Brits will be going to the beach at Christmas whilst the Aussies will be playing in the snow!

I saw my granddaughter this evening.....she is tiny but beautiful, and was being feed by her mum and my son was looking very tired and very happy.
Evie is tiny, it so obvious as she has lost more than a pound in weight but this was due to her weight at birth being a lot of fluid and her parents were told that she would loose quite a lot of weight. The nurses are visiting everyday so no concerns about her being monitored. My daughter in law looks very proud and soooo tired, in fact both parents look exhausted ........

It was amazing to be able them so clearly.

Jan, do make sure that you keep warm, and you Hazel,,,,I have several layers of clothing on as I find that tjis is much warmer than a thick jumper or Cardigan. I also wear warm slippers they look like low boots....I think younwill know what I mean... It is my hands thatnget so cold I have even wondered if I can buy gloves without full fingers....does that make sense...?? I have arthritis in the offending fingers and they are bending in one direction...but I consider myself lucky compared to many other people.

Well time to go, wishing you all happy days and good health


Bridget

Weather very cold and dulllllllllllll horrid

Haven't done anything worthy today,, just keeping warm

Hope you are all OK

Jan X

Good evening to all my cyber friends.
A sunny but chilly day here but we ventured out and had a walk along the sand and watched the sea and the boats which looked a long way in the distance. Then we met some friends having coffee in one of the coffee shops still open and spent about an hour or so just chatting about anything and every thing but not of great importance. Just relaxing.

My son and daughter in law are going to chat with me on Skype at 7pm UK time so hoping to see my dear little granddaughter it will be the first time I will have actually seen her......lots of Photos though so must not complain.

We had 10 people for our film night last night and it was a good night.

Well that is about all for now so wish you all a pleasant evening and I will be back tomorrow

Bridget :-)

Morning everyone

Was going out today to TNA centre at Kew but body not working today.So hope i am ok Thursday so i can go then.

Like with most of you its freeing here. Got heating on but not making room very warm :-(

If i start feeling better later going to library again as trying to find a picture of some houses that is on a death cert but cant find any record of them, lady at library was very helpfull yesterday, i didnt have date of death so got that now so will go back to her later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to everyone

Keep warm

Hazelx

Sorry haven't been posting, busy with various things at home, and had to try out the new family tree on here. if you haven't got it yet, you will be amazed at how easy it is to use.Far better than before.

Hope mother and baby Evie doing well

Jan X

Good morning Bridget. Firstly, are you receiving the writers group offerings OK? I haven't had any replies and wondered if your e mails were not getting through.

Secondly, I did see a report in a paper that it is preferable to eat your five a day as whole fruit/veg as pulverising them takes some of the goodness out.

a fairly dull day here but we are going into town. Will probably be crowded as Gloucester ar playing rugby at home against Cardiff. :-D

Good morning to my cyber friends and particularly to Berona and Gerard for your info about loosing weight and being a vegetarian,
I think we will just continue the way we have lost the weight so far.
OH is really enjoying his smoothies, this has increased his fruit content and he is even making veg smoothies. I prefer my fruit just as it comes!
We like most veg and eat both meat and fish and I make soups from scratch.
We are finding that we cannot eat as much as we used to which I think is a good thing.
We had new friends visit us yesterday, he is a Quiz master at a local mobile home centre which is a huge place and offers much more than mobile homes. There are holiday and long let apartments, bungalows, static caravans, almost all sports with the exception of full size football.
We are going to see the gym and see if there is anything that I can do..NOT swimming as I find it so frightening.....I know it is stupid and I have had over 50 hrs of swimming training but.....thought that some other form of exercise must help. There is even a doctor on site.

The weather is not very pleasant grey sky, lots of rain yesterday, cold, and gloomy. OH is watching cricket live on TV, Jet and Joe have been out for a walk but soon wanted to come home,!!!! They are now back in the house curled up on the blankets.

No other news so will sign off for now, just wondering if there we should try " debating a topic" as something different......all replies welcomed.

Take care

Bridget

Hi Bridget
I have been a vegetarian since 1987 and to be honest it doesn't help my weight at all - chocolate, cakes, biscuits and cheese are all vegetarian and have loads of calories. Of course when I am sensible, I eat rice, potatoes and pasta rather than bread, and use tofu and Quorn. Probably the best bet for dieting and health is to cut out meat altogether (including poultry), but still continue with fish. I was a Weightwatchers consultant for over twenty years, and the basic premise for losing weight is calories in should be less than calories out. Women should aim for between 1200 and 1600 a day and men between 1800 and 2200. Each day should include 30 minutes of activity and twice a week an extra 30 minutes. The average woman uses about 2200 calories every day and the average man about 3300 calories. A weight loss of 1-2 pound each week is excellent and any more loss means that not enough calories are going in, and can cause tiredness and illness and bad weight loss (muscle not fat). Men will lose more (about three pounds)

Gerard :-)

My views are not authentic, Bridget, but here goes.
I have learned that you need to have protein. Red meat at least four times a week and fish twice is a good start.
I suppose that if you don't want to eat meat, as long as you eat food which has protein in it, that would make up for it.
As for being healthier for it - I don't know the answer to that. People who I have known who try it, don't seem to get the desired result.
I would say, eat how you want to eat - but check the nutritional value of everything to make sure you get what your body requires.

Well dear Cyber Friends,
I am now getting used to having a new member of my family. My son looks as pleased as punch as we used to say, in the photo where his daughter is sound asleep lying on his chest.
Not sure when mum and baby will be home but quite soon hopefully. Over the weekend I hope to be able to book a flight to the UK .

Had a lazy day today, slow cooked our lunch made of a variety of meets which are sold together in a pack ready to make soups / casseroles. I then chopped up and added all the bits of veg we had, a few carrots, coupleof unions, the stalks of the asparagus, some mushrooms, lentils and home made stock. It was delicious even if I say so my self. We had crusty bread with it. As it is Quiz night tonight we will have a supper of chips, ( which I must not eat!) and some sandwiches egg, tuna, and ham. I will have a couple of the egg and ham and that will be equal to two pieces of bread!

I bought a track suit which was the next size down thinking that it would fit in about another month....I am wearing it today and it is fine ( shhhhhh) it is a size 18 and I started at an even larger ( SHHHH) 22 /24!
Aiming now for another few sizes and I think that may be more difficult.

OH asked me today if we would be healthier if we were Vegetarians......the honest answer was " I do not know" can you please give me your views. Thanks.

Nothing else to add today so will say bye bye for now

Best wishes to you all

Bridget
:-D :-D <3 :-D