General Chat

Lovely poem Val.
(But I am not admitting where the brandy went!)
We haven't had a power cut here for ages (I am now crossing my fingers). I have an electric cooker etc. so would be a bit lost in a power cut.
Have got some candles and a big box of matches, stored in a special place, so that I can find them easily if the lights go out.

My sister and bro-in-law, had a "power cut" a couple of Sundays ago. However, they did get prior notice. so went into town for lunch and a concert. Power was back on by the time they got home.

Bridget, sending positive thoughts to you and your son .

Tess

Bridget, whatever the problem I am sending positive thoughts to your son that the sun will soon shine again for him.

For Bridget -

Rainbows appear after mighty storms
When things look their worst
Just when skies are darkest gray
Out of heaven the rainbow bursts.




Val.

Val
Thank you for your kind words. I have promised my son not to discuss the situation in a public forum, but sufice to say that he has been hurt over a number of months and not just emotoinally. I was shocked!

So sorry everyone if I am not very positive at the moment. I know it will pass I just need a few more days to recover.

Bridget I do hope things work out for your son.
Mmm Tess, I wonder where that brandy went!!!!
The cherry cake went down well. We had no electricity on Sunday from 6a.m. till 6 p.m. as the electricity provider was doing maintenance. Couldn't even have lunch out as the restaurants all rely on electricity for their extractor fans. I just managed to make a cup of coffee before the power went off. We do have a little gas cooker so were able to make tea and something to eat or I should say Jimmy did, I don't like working with gas.

I also love Horlicks Tess and have some each night before I go to bed, probably part of the reason I'm spreading!!! You are fortunate to get your hair done for a low price. A cut and blow dry cost me R160 (about £16).

Cloudy and cool here to-day but still no rain.

Take care.


Val.

Hope all goes well for your son Bridget. I know that things can be very upsetting, especially when we (as parents) fell helpless.

Welcome to the world, little Zee's cousin.

I hope that Zee (and all the rest of the family) are able to meet her soon.

I am remembering to take my meds. most of the time. So feeling ok at the moment.

Val, I hope that Jimmy enjoys his special cherry loaf, and that you enjoyed the chicken casserole that he made.

I remember taking a little bottle of brandy to school, to drop into the Christmas Cake (after it had been baked) and have to confess and not all the brandy reached the cake!

I think that having your hair done can often make you feel better, I'm always cheerful about getting it done at such a low price. Also feel useful, as the students are getting useful experience.

Time to make my mug of Horlicks and do my hot water bottles.

Good-night,
Tess

Val
I hope that your husband enjoyed his birthday and hat he enjoyed his birthday cake.
Tess your description re your grandmother water barrel reminds me of my relatives in finglas in the 1980s and my fathers innsistence that we always had a water barrel which was used to water his plants.

I am sorry I haven't been on here much but have had toi give some extra love and support to one of my boys. I cannot put details on here but sufice to say it isn't only women who are abused by there partners.

Did I already tell you all that I became a great aunt again two days ago, a cousin of baby Z and she looks wonderful and was two weeks late.
Well this is all I can manage at the moment so please help to keep this going

Positive thoughts to you all

Just a few words from me,

Remembering your meds. Tess?
I had my hair cut this week and I feel so much better, I always feel so untidy when my hair gets too long and wispy as it is very fine and thin!

Very blustery again to-day, wind is to be expected at the sea but this wind is really awful, the washing is all tangled around the washline.

Jimmy's birthday to-morrow, so this afternoon I will be making a cherry loaf for him as it is his favourite. At the moment he is busy making some chicken casserole for lunch.

Am now going to pour some brandy over the christmas cakes.

Take care.


Val.

Just a quick Hi.
I have remembered to take all my meds this last couple of days. So feeling a little calmer.
Did a "big shop" yesterday, with the help of Ring & Ride, a door to door minibus (great).

Today got the ordinary bus into town, to have my hair done at the College. A lovely new hair style for £9 (a third year student)
Also had my finger nails painted purple ( following a hand massage etc) for only £1 - the money from this going to children in need (so I pd a little more).

Cold but dry in Birmingham, must remember to take my gloves with me next time I go out.
But perhaps I ought to sew a pair of gloves to a length of elastic, so that I can thread it through my sleeves and actually come home with both gloves!

Val, my Irish grandmother used to have a rain water barrell, which also caught the run off from the roof, this would have been used for washing.
Of course, there wasn't a shortage of rain in Ireland, but they didn't have any water/plumming in the house.
Drinking water was carried form a spring, a little way from her house. Cooking (and boiling a kettle) was done on an open fire.
I remember that the water from her hot water bottle was reused every evening.

Tess

Congratulationns Val you posted the 800th posting well done so now we aim for the 900th, who will it be I wonder?
I will be back during the weekend
Take care everyone and I hope that there are lots of things for me to read.
Bridget

We went to Port Elizabeth to-day to collect some things for my daughter and it was very hot there. As we travelled the clouds were dark and I thought it might rain, but it didn't.

We had some nice rain here last night not sure if there was any in the catchment area. I have suggested that we put up a tank as we can then catch some of the run-off from the roof when we have these local showers, we will then have water for the garden.

Enjoy your son's visit Bridget.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the day.

Val.

No one on here today,
I have not had an opportunity to write anything today and may not tomorrow. One of my sons is here with me at the moment but agreed not to discuss his concerns so if I am not here please continue keeping this going and I will be back in a couple of days.

Bye for now
Bridget

Tess, I hope that you enjoyed your meal. Please remember to take your pills, maybe you should set your alarm clock for a certain time each day, it might help.
I am feeling quite good today and I think, if my brain is working that it is 84 days until I finish working.Sounds so much nearer than when in the hundred plus numbers,
I cannot stay on too long this morning as have to go to work but will be back this evening.
I wish everyone a happy day.

It is raining hard here and the forecast said it will be worse tomorrow, so we may end up like Noahs Ark at this rate!!

hello everyone,
I have been away for a few days and deliberately did not take my Ipad or my lap top as I decded that I needed a complete rest. Mind you that did not mean that that I wasn't wondering what you ahd all been doing.

I drove from hastings area to Frinton on Sea and it took me 4 hours becuase I went on the M25 and of course it had road works for miles so I missed my turn off and then went all over the plcae before I found my way back....what a waste of time that was. Anyway friends expressed great delight when I finally arrived and we went out to see Bucks Fizz and Brotherhood of Man live at Clacton Theatre. Not normally my kind of music but it was very good fun.
It was sad that only half of the theatre was full but most of the attendees were obvioulsy great fans and new all the songs.. The oldies still enjoy their music!

On Sunday my friends had invited 4 other couples we were close friends with when we lived in Frinton and we had a very good lunch and some wonderful debating and discussions. The wine flowed so I did not drive back until earlier today. The weather was truly appalling and the M25 and the A21 were pretty difficult to drive on but most motorists were being careful and sensibly, I must say that the rain fall was very high.

Well that is about all for now will be back again sometime tomorrow. Goodnight and have happy dreams

Bridget

Tried to post a message earlier today - but lost it somewhere!

I sometimes wish that fireworks were illegal here too Val.
We seem to have quite a lot in my neighbourhood. Possibly because it is a built up area, so lots of people. As well as that, at this time of year fireworks are used by those celebrating Diwali (The Festival of Light) as well as all those celebrating guyfawkes/bonfire night.
I would musc prefer it if we only had fireworks at organised displays. This would seem a lot safer, as well as less annoyance to anumals and those people who dislike loud noises.

Went to the local shop this morning, as I am running out of wholemeal bread. It seemed that they only had white bread left, till I glimpsed the words "wholemeal bread" on one loaf. Delighted, I grabbed it quickly and paid for it.
However, when I got it home I saw that it was in fact white bread, and what it actually said was "have you tried our Tasty Wholemeal "
I'll get my son to eat the white bread, as he isn'y as fussy as I am.

Items on the shelves of said local shop, reflect the ethnic diversity of the people locally.
So I also bought some Ciastreczka a cakey/biscuit slice type of thing which has peanuts on the top and some chocolate in another layer.
I haven't tried them before, but will let you know what I think when I have tried them.

Son has just phoned to say that he will be taking me to a local Chinese Buffett Restaurant this evening (as much as you can eat for £10.99
So I will have to get ready - don't want to show him up do I?

Was feeling rather anxious earlier, then realised that I hadn't taken my anti-anxiety pills for a couple of days! Perhaps that had something to do with it ..

all for now,
Tess

Hello, to-day has started out cool and cloudy but I think in a short while it is going to be quite hot.

Hope you are feeling a little better to-day Tess.

I baked my Christmas cake on Friday and yesterday I baked another one which I will give to a friend who doesn't do much baking any more due to ill-health. They both look very nice, I don't do icing as I don't like marzipan, though if I am feeling energetic enough I might try my hand at icing the one for my friend.

Our Matrics (that is their final school year) start writing their exams very soon, after which I guess the town will start filling up with holiday makers.

Fireworks are illegal here, so Guy Fawkes night was quiet, we did, however hear a couple of bangs.

Have a pleasant day.


Val.

Page 53, my goodness I had no idea that this woud last so long. We have had our quiet times and our busy times, Our sad times and our fun times but best of all we are talking to people whom we would never have known about except for this thread. so a very big Thank You to everyone.

Maybe we should nudge some of the others who have sliped by the wayside, and give them a chance to return

Good night

I still keep dropping in here to read all your posts.

The arts Festival sounds fantastic. If I lived closer I would be trying to get there!

Bridget, Frintin sounds good too, you must have enjoyed living there. Will be thinking of you enjoyinf yourself this week-end. 4th Feb will soon be here, it really is count down time. Looking forward to hearing how the weekend goes.
Have enjoyed reading about Peniscola, have even Googled Images, just to remind myself how magnificent it all looks.

Val, so sorry to hear about you niece, as you say, her life has been rather sad. it must have been difficult for her too. I hope that you have a giid visit with her.

I was interested to see about "The Festival of Lights"
In Birmingham last Sunday (31st October) there was a Diwali Celebration, called "The Festival of Lights" this is one of the main Festivals in the Hindu religion.
This year there was a big celebration in the National Indoor Arena, which would have included, music, dance, foods, arts and crafts etc.
I would have loved to have gone to join in or watch, but was just not (quite ) up to it.

I will keep reading the posts, so keep them coming ladies.
Will try to join in a little more too.
Hope that you all have a good weekend, including the "Holiday Ladies"
Tess

Goodmorning.

The day started out cloudy and humid with a very few drops of rain, now however, the sun is shining and it is jolly hot.

Please Bridget do write and tell us alll about your weekend at Frinton, I am sure you are going to have a great time. Food, wine and lots of laughter sound good to me - enjoy! February will be here before you know it.

I am thinking of visiting East London(SA) later this month to visit my niece who is not very well at the moment (it was her father who died in June). She has had a very sad life having fractured her skull in a motor accident when she was nine years old., this left her paralysed on one side, she speaks with difficulty and her mental age is about 9, and prone to violent outbursts. She has spent most of her life in institutions as her parents were unable to cope with her at home.. The Matron at the Home seems to think that she has now suffered a mild stroke. Her father was her world she misses him so much.

There is a Country Estate on the outskirts of JBay which is going to be turned into a world of lights in mid-December. This festival, "The Festival of Lights", will have stallholders who will be approved according to the quality of their products. There will also be a farmer's market, well-known artists will be performing. The main attraction will be a light display. It all sounds very nice and will be well attened I think because it is in the middle of the holiday season when thousands of visitors flock to town..

Do have a lovely day.

a cup of tea sounds fine at anytime Val. I have really enjoyed reading your descriptions, you have certainly made me "picture" the places you have written about.
I will be writing again but most likely not until sometime next week. I am very busy at work, and I am going away for the weekend to Frinton, I have been invited too stay for the weekend with my former neighbours and am looking forward to seeing them,
They have arranged a dinner party with four other couples who live in the same road so we will undoubtedly have great food, good wine and lots of fun and laughter,
Maybe I can write about my weekend when I am back here.
I have just checked the date and am delighted that the time is passing by fairly quickley My last working day here is 4th Feb..
Well time to go and have that first cup of tea today
Take care of yoursekves and I will be peeking in each day to see who we hear from


Off to put the kettle on now.....
Bridget