General Chat

Thank you Bridget and I am pleased that you finally found happiness.

Oh Ann
I really enjoyed reading thois posting of yours as to a very large extent these are the same thoughts as my OH and I have but when we married 18 years ago He wanted to show the children that a card or written message was simply a pleasing ting to do provided that love was constantlky being shown in exactly the way you have discussed. My OH I have known since he was 14 and I was sixteen, with both married others and he divorced his wife after 16 years and gained custody of his children, very rare then. I divorced 18 years ago this month and OH was there for me in all practical ways, taking the boys to cricket, swimming etc as he is part of the previous husbands large family fo cousins aunts etc.

No one was more surprised than me when he told me we would get married and I said "Ok, yes IThink that is a great idea". All six children were delighted and still are.

So I understand completly what you have written and if I had to choose between a once a year card and a real loving husband who helps just as you have described, who shows his love throughout the year, in good times and bad times, in sad times and happy times, then I am standing there with you.

Bridget

You asked for thoughts on Valentine’s day Bridget. I am old enough not to worry because I won’t get any cards, but young enough to remember the anticipation of wondering if the postman was going to bring any.
In my memory trunk (a large cabin trunk), I have an old fashioned scrap book full of cards that my OH sent to me when we were a lot younger. That was before he decided that it had become too commercialised and he stopped buying cards. After a few years of me buying and not receiving I decided to join him so now there are no valentine’s cards on our mantelpiece.
A few years he has managed to get a bowl of miniature daffodils in flower for Valentine’s day, but I don’t think the weather has been kind to him this year.
I really don’t worry about the lack of a card and I wouldn’t want him to buy flowers this time of year because I get annoyed when the price goes up. After 54+ years you realise there is more to romance than a card with a heart on. He is thoughtful and kind, demonstrative sometimes and I know he loves me still. He does the ironing, cleans the floors, sometimes cleans the bathroom and cloakroom, he does the gardening and cleans my car. He loads the washing machine and dish washer and empties both. I’ll settle for that and I wouldn’t change him for somebody who thought romance was buying a flowery card once a year. Oh and this year valentine’s day is on a Monday...... golf day!!!

Heelo everyone I hope that you are all having a good day.
I am beginning to feel more like my old self but have been told not to worry if it doesn't last and aI take a down at sometime as it is all part of the process.
Wel I have been wondering what subject we could write about as we used to do.Has anyone got any ideas?

Today the weather has been somewhat mixed, from grey sky and sea to sun and grey sea!! It isn't cold for the time of the year but looks dismal because of the Grey factor.
Business in Peniscola has certainly been affected due to the recession and many shops have closed, some of the supermarkest within 10 km are suffering very badly and one wonders what will happen next. I hope that the summer brings a good crowd of people just to help the economy.
The phone hasn't stopped ringing since I arrived home from friends we have made, mostly English but some Spanish saying have I reall retired for good and so pleased to hear that I am back.

Well this message is just typical of my state at the moment, rather scrambing from one thing to another But at least I am back.

How about writing somethong about Valentines Day.... I have few thought going around my head now so give me your suggestions as wel and then we can decide.

I am going to make some coffee but will peep in again later this evening

Best wishes to you all

Bridget

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Anninglos & Joy
Thanks for the replies wich are much appreciated.

Today the weather was very poor this morning I could not see the sky for the heavy mist and it was very damp everywhere, when i had my first cup of tea this morning. So instead of starting the house work I went back to bed and played some games on my Comp!!! It was very relaxing and made me smile because I haven't done that for a very long time. Of course it also meant that I could not sit outside and contemplate as I used to, so whilst OH was downstairs on his comp later in the morning I
made some tea and sat and thought about as many people as I could remember and sent positive thoughts for them all.
I did mundane things such as the ironing, made a light lunch and then we listened to some music.
So all in all not much to write about today. The sun has just peeked through whilst I have been writing but it is still chilly outside and the sky is still grey.
Not sure what to cook for our evening meal so am thinking of a pasta dish as they are so easy.

I have dropped from an awful size 22 to size 18 in the last few months and when i put on a pair of my new size 18 trousers this morning they are also to big now! Perhaps I will be able to be slim by the time the 2 weddings in May and June. I have not been dieting and have 3 meals each day a breakfast, usually egg on toast or a bacon sandwhich or a bowl of fresh fruit, haven't bought biscuits for ages so do not have any with my tea or coffee, then I have either a main meal or a light meal at Lunchtime or in the evening. I still eat a little chocolate but as I prefer the 70/80% I have never eaten a lot of chocolate, Cheese has been my downfall, I think,

tonight we shall have Pasta, last night we had Sausage casserole, and the Yogurt. I must say I feel a lot better for the weight loss but please do not worry because I will not be writing about it too often.

Has anyone an idea for our next thread project as we used to do??

Bye for now as it is nearly time for me to do the ironing whilst watching one of the afternoon programes. Val, how is your friends wife getting along?

Well, you are a long way from Sandrock now :-)

You are back home and that is good, and I am so pleased to read about the letters and about how all is well :-)

How lovely to have those letters from your children Bridget. I think we all underestimate how much our families think of us. We know how much we love them and don't stop to think that that love is returned.
It is good to see you settling back into your 'life' again. Well done you.

Today the weather has been a very mixed here in Peniscola. When I woke at about 6am the sky was a mix of everyshade of blue you could imaginge and the Castle was swathed in bright sunshine. I made a cup of coffee and sat on the Veranda, (had to put my UK dressing gown though as it was not very warm) and at that moment I knew that I was back home for good. I did not linger although i did have time to try and remember all those who are in despair, have a concern about themselves or a family / friend and those who have lost a loved one.
I then went to my comp and sent w a personal letter to my 4 natural children and to my 2 step children and explained exactly what I have experienced in the last 6 months and whay i had not been able to share this with them.
OH my goodness what amazing and heart wrenching replies i have had so far from three of them. It has certainly taught me just how much they care, how understanding they are and have been and what a great family I have. I am also very close to my eldest neice and I also sent her a soimilar message. All I can say is that I haveprinted these replies and if I EVER feel down again i shall take these out and read them to myself.
Well enough of my ramble. OH and I went food shopping today and when we left home the sun was shining brightly and we only drove about 4K when we reached the supermarket and the sky was grey and the mist got deeper and deeper, by the time we got home we could hardly see a hand in front of us, the roads, pavements etc were/are still very wet and the forecast is for this weather to last for 2 or 3 days.

Oh well I shall not have any excuse for not fifnishing the spring cleaning,

Time to stop now so i hope someone manages to see this thread soon

Take care
B

a quick good morning whilst i have a coffee. i am a little better now so will be back today to write some more. to dark still to write about what i can see, so bye for now
bridget

Now that you are at home with your husband and your dogs Bridget things will slowly improve, take things a day at a time. Lovely to be back in your own surroundings.

It is now 7.30pm. and after another scorching day it is a now little cooler. We had a bit of thunder and a few flashes of lightning and a few drops of rain, enough to wet the grass and the plants. I have absolutely no energy when it is so hot, maybe that's an excuse hey? Went out to buy a new ceiling fan for the bedroom but the only ones available cost R800 which I thought was too expensive, so will go through to Port Elizabeth next week and get one there.

Have an enjoyable evening all.


Val.

Oh Ann how reassuring to hear from someone else who can become so worried and a complete wreck at the thought of driving! In the UK I can normally drive anywhere but driving in Europe has beaten me for the last 6years and I can understand that at times OH sometimes gets frustrated by it. I have promised myself that I will start driving locally, before the holiday crowds start to arrive just to see how it goes, this would let OH have the chance to have a couple of pints whilst watching West Ham in the local bar!

I do feel that he deserves it. I will let you know if I can manage it or not.

Today the sun has taken sometime to come through but at last it is here and the sea is a beautiful shade of blue. I can hear some birds tweeting but cannot see them. Everything is so still and peaceful here which is why we like living here. That is not to say that we don't have fun and once a fortnight about 8 people came around and we all watch a film, have a supper together and the obligatory drink or two and often several couples will stay over.

I am not yet ready to start writing every early morning as I used to but with the enormous support that I have had from my family and from so many people on here I feel that each day aim improving.

Have a good day and I hope that the weather is becoming more clement for everyone.


Hugs to you all for the way you have kept this thread and me jogging along

B

Bridget I said it because I would be the same. I hate driving and rarely drive more than a couple of miles locally yet I used to drive regularly from hampshire to Devon when younger. Just the thought of having to drive anywhere involving a motorway would have me feeling very anxious and ill, and if there was a skight chance of the road being icy I would be terrible. What a wuss. Nervous of icy roads because 45 (yes that's right 45) years ago I skidded our then car an MG Magnet on ice, neither I or three year old daugher were hurt and only a fog light broken as it hit the bank by the side of the road. But ever since then, mention of icy roads has me in a tiz. So i knew where you were coming from.

Oh AnninGlos, you hit the right button about the driving.....it sounds so silly especially as years ago I used to drive allover France, Italy, Germany, Portugal,America and all of the UK, without any worries what so ever but now I am a wreck simply thinking about it. I did drive the car to OHs sons' and kept Son on view with OH behind me all the way. However I simply froze at the thought of driving again and so dear OH drove all the way from Amsterdam to where we live a journey of 15 hours because of the appalling snow, ice and fog! The wipers stuck to the windscreen, and you can imagine how that felt. But here we are now in our own home with our dogs, friends have phoned, family have phoned and I feel so relieved.
Sorry cannot say any more as OH wants me to watch a film with him
So until sometime tomorrow

Take care

Bridget

Sorry you were unwell leaving UK Bridget, was it the thought of driving?

Anyway I am pleased that you are home and now you can relax and enjoy life in sunny spain.

Hello everyone,

I am home! We arrived at 01.00hrs and we passed our house sitters who where returning from town. I feel wonderful and so delighted to be at my home, with my husband and our dogs Jet and Joe. We slept well, woke to the sun shining through the room, and the sea sparkling.

My oh was wonderful and did all of the driving because I was so anxious.

Now we are unpacking etc and I will be on here each day very soon.

Thank you everyone for being so kind, supportive and the bat cyber friends anyone could wish to have.

Bridget

I do hope you are feeling better now Bridget, are you safely home yet?

Yesterday afternoon a younbg chap drove past our house with three dogs on the back of an open truck, one of the dogs fell off the vehicle. My dauighter picked it up and took it to the Vet. I stopped the owner (we don't know him) when he drove slowly along the street later obviously looking for his dog, told him where it was and off he went. But do you know that when he got to the Vet he refused to let the Vet examine the dog, my daughter needless to say was quite upset by his actions as the poor animal may have had internal injuries. We'll never know.

The cyclone which Australia was really frightening, gee those people have had more than their share of disasters. I can't even imagine what it must be like.



Val.

Good morning all
Sorry to hear you were not too good when leaving UK Bridget but seeing your grandfaughter must ve lovely - nothing like a 2 year old to keep you on your toes.
I am sure that when you get home and are greeted by your 4 legged friends you will feel marvellous.
Have a safe journey back to Spain and enjoy
Love Mary xx

Hello everyone

I am in Amersterdam visiting one of my stepsons, although to me he is a son, and his partner and lovely daughter who is nearly two. It is the first time we have been to see them since they moved into their new house and it is beautiful. They are coming to visit us in June.
I was in a dreadful state when leaving UK but with great help, support and love from my husband I am beginning to feel a little better. We are not driving straight home but will take another one or two stops. I am still not confident enough to drive yet but hope I will be soon.

OH is being such a great support and I do not know how I would manage without him.

Thanks for keeping this thread going, it means a great deal to me and you're all great "pen pals"

Bridget

I have just watched a short video of a Swiss Drum Corps at the 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo absolutely amazing, what precision .

It's a really lovely day here. Was up at 5a.m. but it is getting light later now.
Life should be less hectic now that my brother has returned home.
Hope you are having a good time Bridget.


Val.