General Chat

Hello all, hope you are all well. Not much to tell you today I'm afraid been out and done some grocery shopping, and thats about it. Mind it has been a beautiful day blue skies and sunshine and warmer than of late. Long may it continue. Was thrilled earlier though have managed to keep a Stephanotis growing through the winter (bar a few leaves that went yellow and dropped off), well in watering it today on close inspection it has has flower buds. A 1st for me, am very proud!!! Not known for my houseplant /gardening skills he he. Good night to you all, hope you have a good day ahead of you all. Penny

Hello Everyone. Sorry I haven't been on for a while. OH is improving every day is now going for short drives which is a very good sign. Weather not too bad here in Wiltshire. After suffering from painful joints in different parts if the body for quite some years now our new family GP has finally told me what the diagnosis was and at last I don't feel as though I am the only one who has this kind of arthritis. Dr has put me on a course of steriods to see if they will calm down the swelling and pain I have been suffering in my hands and feet over the last couple of months.

It has been very interesting reading the stories about housework in days gone by we really don't know how easy we have got it now with all the gadgets we have. When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's my parents did not have many mod cons and we had to do the housework with a sweeping brush and scrubbing brush. They did have a washing machine but it had a tub and a mangle we used to put the clothes through to wring them out.

Last weekend went to Bedfordshire and spent some time with my oldest son and my daughter (separately) lol, youngest son at work so wasn't able to see him.

Got to go as it is now 23.47 here in the UK.

Very tired so will not be on here for long tonight.
We had a great time meeting up with people we have met since living in Spain. Had a fun St.Patrick's day, a bowl of delicious homemade soup with veg, lamb and pearl barley as its base with home made bread, followed by Gammon and potatoes (a true Irish necessity ) and lots of veg,.
Lots to drink and then of course the crac started. (crac is the word used for good conversation, discussion etc).
So not much to say except have a good night and maybe we will have some more postings tomorrow!

21.10hrs in Spain

Going out for a St. Patrick's day lunch and afternoon. Will tell you all about it later.
CaptainPugwash
Welcome to our thread, we look forward to reading your messages and I fully understand about being more of a night person than day person.!!
Val, I am sorry but I had to laugh at the fluorescent light escapade! Hope all is well now.

11.22hrs Spain

Morning All,

Good news for my brother this morning is the culprits have been caught, with some of the stolen items still in their possession. We are very surprised that they were caught so quickly.

Bridget here is another smile for you - last night I was working at a computer in my daughter's workshop, my husband came in to change the fluorescent tube in the light which was just above my head, well there I was minding my own business when there was this mighty crash and both the tubes came crashing down on me! The light fitting had broken,
at first I wasn't too impressed but after a while I saw the funny side of the situation.

Things are very quiet so there is not much to write about - even mundane things!

I will look in again later if I can as we are having internet problems again - a break in a cable somewhere between Cairo and Alexandria.


V al.

Hi all, thanks for the welcome.Not the Captain you know Spanish Eyes, I'm female and from the UK. I'm a night person, dont function well in a morning, much better in the evening. I'm retired (just wonder how I found time for work) he he. Do all the usual things that need doing round a house, and the rest of my time is taken up with card making,knitting and sewing, and of course my kids and grandkids!! Weather here dull also but at least not wet!! Take care all.

It looks as if everyone has been busy today and that includes me!

Goodnight everyone, I will be back tomorrow and the rain has stopped!
21.25 hrs Spanish Time

Val

Thanks for the quick update and for letting us know that your BP is OK.
I also love the smell of newly mown grass, unfortunately we do not have grass in our garden for several reasons, it is very difficult to keep the grass here looking like a tennis court, 9we had wonderful lawns in the gardens of our previous house in a place called Frinton on Sea in Essex, but here it is coarse, costs a fortune to maintain and often in the summer it becomes burnt.
So we have tiled areas with lots of beds for flowers and dozens of pots. Our hedging is on one side and at the bottom of the garden, the other side is a rather nice white wall with a beautiful balustrade. (I would say that because we built it! We have a gardener who cuts all this twice a year and in April or May, not sure which yet he will visit to reduce the height of the palm tree and remove all the pods and I would like it to be reduced in height this year as well, but will have to wait to see how much it will cost.

Hope the person at the door was a nice surprise!

A very warm welcome to you Captain Pugwash and I hope we will see you on here again.

It is overcast here to-day, the garden service has just been to cut the grass - not that there was much to cut because of the drought - and I love the smell of the freshly cut grass. The sea is very quiet to-day.
Hope your weather improves Bridget,.

Had my BP checked this morning, not too bad so will not concern myself.

I will say goodbye for now as the doorbell has just rung.


Val.

nudge

Welcome Captain Pugwash

Are you our Captain Pugwash in Pe....ola? If not you are still very welcome.
as you have been reading this for sometime you will know that we talk to each other about virtually anything and support and help each other whenever it is needed.
Virtually any subject can be discussed and commented on from the inspired to the mundane.

Sop far this morning I have checked my emails, made my first cup of coffee for the day, can hear the birds singing and chirping so believe that the weather is improving, cannot hear the rain pelting against the walls, windows and in the pool, but have not opened the shutters yet. Now one cannot be more mundane than that,

To every one else I hope that you will all send a welcome to Captain Pugwash and to encourage him /her to write back and make him/her welcome.

I wonder if this person is simply awake at night or do they work at night....?

To every one else I look forward to reading your daily input

Bye for now

Good evening Spanish Eyes, have not added to this thread before but have been reading it most nights for a long while now. Dont know what I'll be able to add, but I will try to when I can. Must keep it going. I do hope your rain stops soon. Take care all.

nudge

At last I have
a) the time
b) a computer which is working
c) belief that the rain may have stopped long enough to write something worthwhile.

We planned to go shopping today for fresh veg and a few Bits & Pieces

However the weather determined otherwise. We ar having amazingly wet weather here. It has rained most days for the last 10 days and I mean rain, not soft rain, not flash rain, not warm rain but relentless hours and hours of rain which is falling so fast that it is obliterating the surrounded gardens, houses, cannot see the sea, or the castle, We can hear the rain running through the channels between the houses, and I am only to grateful that we do not live lower down and in town.

Last night I cooked a beef casserole and realised that I did not have any onions left so had to use a chopped up leek, not the same I know but better than nothing. So I made a list of what we need to buy BUT absolutely no chance to get out today. Have already defrosted the liver and bacon for tonight so again no onions!!

I have decided that we need more "just in case" foods so if anyone wants to make some suggestions they will be greatfully received!

Because the weather was /is so bad at times we loose internet connection, I have just checked the weather forecast again and it is not looking good, so if you do not see me on here you will all know why.

Val I will say a litle prayer for your visit re your BP check, let us know how you are.

I must clean my big freezer some time soon.

Bye bye everyone , hope you are all well.

It i a lovely morning here. I was up early, had a cup of coffee and then cleaned my deep freeze, it's not a job I like but I feel good once I have finished. Next job to tackle is the fridge.

Nothing spectacular going on to-day, just a trip to the supertmarket for some yoghurt and then we shall be making pizzas for lunch. If I am not too lazy I would like to carry a few buckets of water for the lawn at the front.

Have a lovely day.



Val.

Hello,

To answer your question Bridget, many of them are very poor and live in shacks but they do not all turn to violence and thuggery, many are poor but decent people who try very hard to find employment. They don't or won't realise that continually bringing more children into the world doesn't help.

When we came to live here about 16 years ago we didn't have to look over our shoulders all the time, but even in this little town their is a lot of crime now. Corruption is rife in both local and national government and whistle-blowers get fired. Enough moans about that.

No laughs over towels to-day - I made sure I was putting out a bath towel, for myself I prefer a bath sheet.

Sad news for my friend and neighbour is that her chemo has been stopped as the oncology doctor said it was not working for her. This was her 4th lot of chemo. She is very disappointed as she was so sure that this time it would work and she would improve.

I think it is time for me to have my BP checked as I seem to be getting headaches, perhaps a change of medication is needed although I already swallow three tablets every day. I have had this problem since I was 28 years old so am quite used to it being out of control every now and then.

I watched footage on Facebook of the Japanese tsunami, this was something I had not seen on the news, the dialogue and the captions are in Japanese so I could not understand. It is really scary to see buildings being washed off their foundations and being carried away by the water.

That's all for now.

Enjoy the rest of the day.


Val.

Good morning everyone,

Hoping that you are all having a good day, It is nearly mid day here and the weather is appalling, no other word can describe how cold and wet it is. The rain started again at about 04.00hrs and was so heavy that the noise wakened me and OH and it has not stopped! This weather is apparently going to be for at least the next three days.
So plenty of time to do my research.!!

\no exciting news or even interesting news from me today so will try to finish the sorting and filing of my paperwork I am about 3/4 of the way to having a controlled system for each family name. It will be nice too have it finished.

Take care everyone

Good morning everyone,
the first piece of news is the rain has stopped,!! I have only opened the blinds a little but it looks brighter today, so long may it last.

Val the paragraph about your husband made me giggle so thank you for my 1st giggle of the day.
Pleased to hear that your brother and his wife are moving forward. Are the indigenous population really so poor that their only thought is burglary, I recall about 12 years ago employing a white South African for the Role of a nursing Home. I went to a meeting with him and as we were going along in his care i looked down and there was a handgun in one of the pockets. I nearly died of shock. I discovered it was loaded and he kept it for security. I explained that if he were caught by the police he would be in serious trouble,,,he was shocked as he did no feel safe unless it was in his view. How very scary and sad.

Anninglos
Hope that you have a good day and that we hear from you again soon.

Maybe some others will have time to send messages soon.
Out for lunch today and then will be watching Football with OH as he has asked me, so being a very good wife I replied "Of Course"

Actually he is looking after me so well I thought I should accept his plea!

Have a good day and hopefully some relaxation time.

Goodmorning everyone , it's an overcast day here to-day, and the sea is smooth. Wondering what the day holds for us. I love watching the rain - when it rains that is! There is nothing one can do about the elements.

Thanks Bridget, my brother and SIL are over tjhe shock now but unfortunately no insurance for the damage to the front door and the cell phone, as here to get insurance one must have security doors and burglar bars. He is feeling harassed at the moment, but that will pass, as he must now get a new driver's kicence and a new Identity Card as these were in his wallet which was taken. He says he will feel a whole lot better on Monday when the security system has been installed.
I totally agree that this type of incident is an everyday occurrence in this country, but they were really very fortunate (as strange as that may sound) as they were not physically harmed, as this is what happens 9 times out of 10.

The piece about the housewife put a smile on my face.

We had a really good laugh this morning, my husband came out of the shower and said to me, we really must go and buy some new towels. I replied that we had stacks of towels in the linen cupboard, what was the problem, well I was told, I cannot dry myself with this little towel and showed me the towel he had, I had mistakenly put out a hand towel for him! When I had finished laughing I went and fetched him a bath towel.

Hope you all have a lovely day.



Val.

I found this on the internet, thought it may make us smile

Monday

Working from home, it's not unusual to still be in my trackie-daks at lunchtime, but not today! This morning I ditch my jog (a man should not have to wake up to a sweaty wife) and set about making myself look pretty.

It's not easy. After much head-scratching I opt for a dress (yes, I own one!) pearls and a ribbon in my hair. I go into the kitchen and the kids laugh. The eldest makes me promise not to drive her to school. Hubby grins and gives me a playful pat on the bottom.
I refrain from punching him.

Doing the dishes by hand after breakfast, it dawns on me I'll have to wear the dress all day. Already I'm uncomfortable. But The Good Wife's Guide is very definite about the need to greet your husband in the evening looking prettier than you did that morning.

In the meantime, I decide to busy myself with a feather duster - but alas, I don't own one. I rent The Stepford Wives on DVD instead and kick back with a glass of wine. Well, the Guide says I must be 'gay and interesting' for my husband and that's not going to happen sober.

Thankfully, my husband rings in the afternoon and says he won't be home until late. Off comes the dress and lippy. And I'm deliberately not unhappy because, as the book says, 'Never complain if he comes home late. Try to understand his world of strain and pressure.'

Tuesday

Today is all about housework. In the '50s, housewives seemed to take pleasure in domestic duties and I suspect my hatred of housework is just a case of poor attitude. If I approach it in a happy way, maybe I'll have a rollicking good day.

So I sweep (not vacuum), mop (but not with my electric-steam version) and clean the bathroom, applying elbow grease with a fake smile. Things sparkle that have never sparkled before. I honestly feel proud of my work and wonder if anyone will notice.

I want invite my neighbour over just so she can see my handiwork and feel her own efforts wanting. Were '50s wives this competitive? Most of all, I want my husband to walk in and declare himself the happiest man in the street. But my kids have other ideas and by the time he gets home, the house looks like a bombsite and I'm screaming like a banshee. Tomorrow will be better, I vow.

Wednesday

It's shopping day and I'm feeling excited! Gone is my usual list of processed foods and in its place I'm ready for some home baking.

I waltz around the shops buying flour, eggs, butter and raw ingredients. I also invest in a duster and an apron - until today, the only apron in our house had large plastic breasts on the front.

At home I start baking, patting my cheeks with flour to keep me in the mood. I bake enough muffins to sink a ship and finish just in time to 'take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives home.'

That night I resist the urge to tell him about my day and instead listen eagerly to his tales of corporate skulduggery and gossiping secretaries.

After a while, I shove a large muffin in his mouth.

Thursday

I haven't used my car in days. I've taken the kids to local parks and walked everywhere. I'd have lost weight if I wasn't eating so many homemade cakes.

I need an opportunity to show off my new talents, so I invite the family to dinner. Normally this would involve pizza and beer, but instead I serve casserole, dumplings and a vegetable bake, all with a cheerful twinkle.

My family, predictably, exploits me. If I have to get my brother one more helping of homemade lemon meringue pie, I'll throw it at him.

My husband, meanwhile, is growing amorous, apparently turned on by my slaving. When the family finally leaves, he gives me a come-hither look and I try my best not to look exhausted.

Friday

This waking-up-pretty routine is starting to grate. Surely 1950s housewives had daggy days?

I open the fridge and discover leftovers - an easy night ahead! But this is not the thinking of a domestic goddess. 'Plan ahead to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return,' the Guide insists. 'Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the welcome needed.'

As it's my last day as a '50s housewife, I take some time to reflect. Frankly, I'm exhausted. I've walked miles. I'm no happier, but my husband and kids are. They've loved the home baking, park visits and the amusement of Mum looking ridiculous.

My husband, who's had a hard week, appreciated my extra attentiveness and the sense of calm each evening. The family is happy, even if I'm not, but a little selflessness is good for the soul.