General Chat

I'm here, sorry not beeen on for a few days.

Greenfingers, your dress sounds beautiful, a special one off too, made by your grandmother. She must have loved seeing you in it as much as you loved wearing it.
Sorry to hear about the abcess, I know from esperience that they can be painful and energy sapping. I hope that the anti-biotics have now done their job properly. The scrambled eggs sound lovely, well done O.H.

Valerie, what a shock to have a hears pull up outside your home. I bet that it started the heart beating faster. I wonder if the neighbours saw, and if it worried them too. It is funny after the event though.
Lake district is lovely, but it can rain a lot. Well, it has to, so as to keep the rivers/streams flowing, the lakes full and the grass green. I remember being there around Easter in 1971, it was warm and sunny in the valleys but there was still snow on top of some of the hills/mountains, wonderful!

Mary in Spain, I would prefer it to be a bit cold, as I reckon that it is easier to warm up than it is to cool down. I much prefer cool nights, as it is much easier to sleep. I reckon that I would be a pool too if it got really hot here.

Bridget, you must have been very worried about Jet. When I rad that the dogs were going to have their hair cut, I thought that it was good news, as it would be a bit clooler for them both. How unfortunate that Jet was cut when having his hair done. At least they have apologised and given him an anti-biotic. Hope that he is now fully recovered.

The special offer from Ans--y was a free look at Wills made in London (which didn't concern me) also a look at Probate Calendars from around 1861 to1941, which did.
I have been franticly trying to find the years of death (many for the in-law part of the family) so that I could check Probate Records to see if any of them had made a will.

Quite a few had done so it was a useful exercise. The probate also gives the date of death, the address at the time of death and the name of the executors, as well as the total value of the effects (which I think may be estimated). So quite a lot of useful info.

I am lucky in that Birmingham Library has Probate Records - up to 1972. They are stored under the year of probate and then alphabetically.
The books can be big and heavy, so not a task to undertake when feeling a bit weak.
Unfortunately, a new Library is being built. I understand the the Archives and Records part of th Library will be closed at the end of this month.
So a limited time to try to get info. The new Library won't be ready for ages (over a year!!) So I am a little disgruntled at the moment.

Went in on 30th June and that part of the Library was closed.
Managed to go in again on friday and got quite a lot of useful info.
However couldn't find a book of baptisms and burials from my local C of E Church, which was there a few weeks ago. I am hoping that it is misplaced rather than some nasty person has walked off with it (which sometimes happens!).

If you have got name year of death I can try to do look ups for you (if and when I am able to get i to the Library again).

All for now,

Tess

Here I am! Coolish again to-day but not unpleasant at all. Expecting more visitors on Friday, my biggest problem is always what to feed them!

Bridget, about the things you would like to do and never will - I identify with 2, 3, 5 and 6.. I have never learnt to swim and fear the water. When our children were young my friend always said I was the only one she wold trust to take her daughter to the beach. What I wouldn't give to be a couple of sizes smaller, and I am afraid I am the eternal worrier and I do it so well! I would love to visit England, the places my ancestors were from and then. the Lake District which has always sounded lovely

I count my blessings eveyday, to have a roof over my head, enough to eat, to be warm in the cold weather and a caring family , so many people have none of this. Also not having serious health problems and being able to look after myself.

Yesterday we went out to a late breakfast/early lunch to a new place in town, it was really nice and the decor was tasteful and no loud music which was a plus.

We have been invited to an 80th birthday party next week and I really have no idea what gift to get, nothing alcoholic as this chap doesn't drink alcohol.

Being Sunday I am now going to settle with the crosswords.

Hope everyone is keeping well.


Val.

11.20 a.m.

Well it looks as if everyone is very busy, on holiday or simply having a break from here, however I thought I would stay and write about something.
It is pleasantly cool here today and the birds have been singing all the morning. The forecast is thatvthe temp will go down forca few days to about 28 to 30c so some respite.

I that some people are on holiday, or have visitors and others are simply busy, or just taking a break.

I sat outside having my first coffee of the day and thought how lucky I am. Not rich, but have enough to live a reasonable life, unlike the starving people in many parts of the world.
I have a caring husband and we still love each other, whilst some people are in turmoil, emotional pain and some are abused by their partners and family.
I have a roof over my head, whilst some people are homeless and destitute
I have children who all have jobs that they not only earn fairly good money but which they chose and enjoy.
I have wonderful grandchildren and whilst we cannot see each other every day , we are in contact all the time.

I am not boasting. But simply thought how privileged I am.

Things I would like to do and never will.
1. Go to China, so much history and I know so little.
2. Learn to swim or at least stop having such fear of the water.
3. Be a size 10 or 12 again instead of 20 something.
4. Write a book and have it published.
5. Have enough money to be able to make a difference in some peoples life.
6. stop worrying about everything and everyone

Enjoy your day everyone and hope to hear from you all soon.
:-) :-)

Good morning to you all. How are you all?

What a busy time of year it is. We all seem to be trying to do so many things.
To anyone who is not feeling so good, I hopevthat you will soon be well.

Green fingers, are the antibiotics working yet, hope you are feeling better and that your books have arrived. I have just downloaded the Alchemist, it looks good. Has you or any one else on here read it?

Ann in Glos. Sorry if I upset you because I was too hot, but sometimes the heat drains my energy. I wonder is it easier to be cool and make oneself warm or be hot and make ones self cool.??

Tees, what was the special offer on a....try? If there was an offer I am cross with myself as I have a tree on there as well. Speaking of which I wonder if anyone can help / advise me. My A..........y tree is inaccurate as in the beginning I was silly enough to trust peoples suggestions without checking! Can I delete it and start again, or can I delete groups of people so I do not have to start again...hope that makes sense.

Val, hoping that you are well, looking forward to hearing from you.

Yesterday Jet and Joe had their hair cut. This time they went to the new Vet and Care place which I mentioned previously. It is very close to home so far more convenient for us and cheaper. Oh went to collect them at the agreed time and should have been back within 15 minutes. He was late. He arrived home about 45 minutes later and both Jet and Joe looked much better although the cut was not quite as good as before. Then OH explained that the vet and his staff were concerned and very apologetic as whilst having his hair cut Joe had been cut, need a few stitches and was given antibiotics.
No charge for the treatment, half the normal cost for the two cuts. Nevertheless it was a shock,

Jet has to go back in 10 days for the stitches to be removed. Pleased to say that he is in fine spirit, and being his normal self.

Well time to do some housework, decide what to have for dinner etc.

Oh yes just remembered. Has anyone ever done Tichi . Hmm I know it isn't the right spelling..... I am just starting this so advice etc welcomed.

10.15 hrs Spain

Have a good day everyone.
:-) :-)

Berona, tranquility.......I have always found that just saying this word, gives tranquility. Is tranquility something we can learn or is it simply part of our makeup.?
I hope that your books arrive soon.
Ann, I like to think that I was exposing how the weather was / is affecting us, rather than complaining, so sorry if that is how my message came across.

Greenfingers, I hope that you start to feel the benefit of the antibiotics soon and you start to feel well again.
It was quiz night last night, about 20 of us turned up, and it was great fun. There are normally four of us who play together but two opted to be with another team as they were all going together to watch a parade at 23.dismissive. However there was a couple I had not met before so we jointed them and had a great time. We came second loosing by one point, we were delighted by the result.

During the interlude we chatted away, and found some strange co-incidences between the three ladies, including me.

1. We are all nurses ( or recently retired nurses).
2. I trained at The London Hospital, and the new lady had specialised there and now teaches at a high level at The London.
3. The other lady trained in Birmingham and that is where the new lady had trained as a midwife.
4. The three of us all knew three of the people we had worked with, even though we are in different age groups.
5. Are ages are quite different, a) is in her mid 70s, b) me, is 65, and (c is in her mid 50s.

Next we started to talk about where we we born, one in London, one in Canada and I have forgotten where the third person was born but nowhere near the other two.

As we chatted about where we had lived it became apparent that we had all lived in or near to the same places at some time, including overseas,

As we mentioned where we had lived I mentioned Wanstead on the edge of London /Essex. Well our new friend suddenly said " I have a very good friend who lives there" and she gave an address ......wait for it.....two doors from where I had lived for about 16 years and new this person.!! To prove this I gave her the lady's name her husbands name, occupation etc and told her how the doctor husband had saved my daughters sight when she was just a few months old.
Unfortunately our new friend is returning to the UK today! So we have exchanged email info and look forward to chatting, I must try to think of a name for the three of us. Any suggestions??

It is quite cool here at 08.10 hrs, and there is a slight wind, I am not sure yet if we are in for another very hot day. Sorry Ann, I didn't mean to moan.
Berona, the thought of 2c makes me shudder. It can be very cold here in the winter, and houses are not built to cope with the cold, and with tiled flooring throughout the house we use rugs. We have a wood burning fireplace which is very efficient but only in the main living room.

Time now for a coffee, so have a good day everyone,

Bridget
08.18 hrs Spain

I hope for tranquility each morning when I wake. Don't always get it, of course, but I can't complain.

Ann - I'm still waiting for delivery of my books. Hope they are not too thick!

Hang in there, Greenfingers. Your antibiotics should be working by now and I hope they are giving you some relief. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

We had a temperature of 2c this morning. It's about 12 now and should reach 16 maximum by lunch time. We had very strong winds for two days, but they have abated now - so I'm off outside to take advantage of my protected courtyard while it lasts! Once the sun goes down (5pm at the moment) the temp drops and darkness descends. We don't have twilight. Of course - it's mid winter, so we can't expect any better. It could be worse (rain).

Greenfingers I hope the anti Bs will soon be working for you.

I know we are never satisfied but oh to be complaining because we are too hot. We don't get enough warm weather here for me. today it is rainy and grey and not very warm at all.

Tranquillity:- Peace of mind. To be serene, to have no worries, to relax. To be calm.

Thanks for al your good wishes, the anti-bios haven't kicked in properly yet so still sore and not sleeping well, hope to be feeling more lively tommorrow XX

Sorry bI haven't been on here lately. Have just caught up reading all the news. Am going out in a few minutes. Will bbe back later today (or tomorrow or Saturday!) to chat properly.

Have been spending time on-line taking advantage of Ans----T special offer, which lasts till tomorrow.

Tess

Just noted that we are now on page ......wait for it .....75, wow, I never imagined that we would reach this number of pages, so THANK YOU TO EVERY ONE for keeping this thread going.

Bridget :-) :-) :-0

Mary,
So pleased to hear from you again. I think you are further south than me so I can imagine what your temps must be!! HOT I am sure does not really explain what it is like.

Thank goodness our home is built into the rock of the mountain which does help to keep the lower floor cooler but can also cause damp now and again. So far in the 7 years we have lived here we have only had a problem in one winter when we even had a sprinkling of snow. I would not want to live at the bottom of the hill as all the rain goes through water outlets and simply go down to the flat level!!

We are good at preparing everything for BBQs but hopeless at cooking on a BBQ. This is why we have so many friends who come and do the cooking.also our pool is large and we can all get into it. I think about 8 to 10 have been in altogether, but not swimming, simple sipping wine in plastic cups and enjoying being in the water.

We are thinking of buying a table tennis set for the higher level area, which is at road level with a high wall between our home and the road. My OH used to be a very good player, in fact he is / was very good at any ball sport and darts and is very competitive. Has anyone got experience of an outside table tennis. We had one in the UK but we had a games room in the garden so it could be used all the year round.

I think that is all now, so have a good day everyone,I am now going to the Culinary board.

12.35 hrs Spain :-D

Hi All
Sorry I have not been adding for a few weeks but I think I am a puddle ! I agree with Bridget oh boy it is HOT. My problem is I leak without doing anything - when I do the housework I leave drips everywhere !! Still weekends are good when we go in the sea and have breakfast on the beach afterwards. Also having plenty of bbq's which hubby does all I have to do is salad etc. The problem is bbq is on roof terrace which is our only large outside space so it is up and down 2 flights of stairs. Must admit I try not to forget anything.
Greenfigers hope you are feeling better today.
Well this room is so hot I am off downstairs to sit in the small courtyard and hopefully cool down a little.
Take care all
Love Mary xx

It is just aFter 8 am and the weather this morning is cool with a light breeze which is welcomed with open arms as the last few days it has been very hot indeed. Jet and Joe are still asleep as is OH. The trees are swaying and occasionally I can hear a dog barking in the distance. I wish that I knew more about birds for this morning they are coming closer to the house, I must have seen at least 4 different types of bird. I can also hear the songs. A beautiful morning.
The sea is looking quite dark but calm, and the fishing boats went out early this morning. I find the views and peace and quiet here very therapeutic at this time of day. Does anyone else have a time of day that is special to them?

We have a glut of fruit at the moment and yesterday I gave three friends a bag of oranges, lemons, limes and apples. I had not grown the apples, they came from next door, but the rest were from my garden.

My pear tree now has about a dozen lRge pears on it but as it is so long since I grew pears I am not sure when they are full ripe.I am looking forward to eating the first one picked.

Has anyone got any ideas about what is easy to grow during the winter, herbs, spices, veg etc.

L..e my eldest son has confirmed that his trip to India to provide drinking water holes so that more people can survive and become self sufficient is beginning to gather some momentum, this son is always so aware of people who are living in awful conditions etc and feels he must do something to help.he has no real interest in personal items, but never seems to be lacking in genuine friends and the number of letters he has from people thanking him astounded me when I was shown them by his girlfriend.he even has three from the Spanish Police which he never mentioned to me.
I am so lucky to have children who whilst they want a pleasant home also remember those less fortunate than themselves. They are far from perfect though and have caused some of my grey hairs!!

Someone asked me yesterday how would I define my view of tranquility, what does tranquility mean....I said I would think about it and ask some other friends, spool "what is tranquility for you,how would you describe it,"

Greenfingers I hope you Re feeling a little better today, Valerie,I hope that you are well.

Tees,where are you and how are you?

Best wishes to you all

Forgot to say that I did my quiet time earlier this morning so if you would like me to add anyone one to my prayers and positive thoughtsm
, p,ease let me know.

08.40hrs Spain

Greenfingers, I hope that the antibiotics kick in quickly and that you start to feel better. I am such a coward re visiting the dentist. Isn't it helpful when our OHs are able to help?

Valerie, you must have been rather surprised to see the hearse draw up and head for your house......

Guiness cake is now cooking in the oven, and OH has told a friend that I will make one for them for tomorrow. Men!

The weather here is getting wRmer and warmer day by day,dare I say a little rain would be welcome...... Overnight would be good.

Greenfingers perhaps you should put you husbands way of cooking scrambled egg, it is not as easy as it sounds, to produce a really good scrambled egg.

Well oh is now taking Jet and Joe for their evening walk so I must get the coffeepot on, so goodnight from me.

20 23 hrs Spain

It was rather disconcerting having it pull up in the driveway.

Sorry your are not feeling well to-day Greenfingers, hope to-morrow will be better.


Val.

Hi Not feeling so good today, had an emergency appt at the dentist, cos I have an abcess !!!!!!!!! So now on anti=biotics, eating baby food...no seriously my oH makes the most wonderful scrambled eggs, its out family cure all....bless him...hope to be feeling better and sleeping in the next few days

creepy I'd say Val, having a hearde turn up outside your office/home.

Ann, the computer belongs to an undertaker, but so strange that they brought it in the hearse or didn't ask daughter to collect it.


Val.

4.58p.m.

Glad you enjoyed them Val. Maybe gives you some idea of what the UK is like this time of year.

Any idea why the computer was delivered by hearse? Very strange.

Have had some problems getting onto the site to-day.

Have just returned from doing the weekly shopping, the visitors all gone, oh all the washing. I had so many towels and the weather is not goodfor drying at the moment, cloudy and cold, so after washing the towels I decided to send them to the laundry to be dried.

Our laugh for the day - my daughter has her workshop attached to our house and to-day she had a computer delivered here in a hearse! Not sure if that was symbolic of the state of the computer.

Good to hear that Jet has recovered Bridget.

Ann, I had a look at your photos, stunning!. You have a beautiful garden, thanks for the opportunity of looking at the pictures.


Val.

3.11p.m.