General Chat

Teresa I presume that last message was aimed at me????? :-D

*fans self furiously at the thought of .....*

Alas I shall probably be asleep by 9 PM, I seem to nod off over the TV shows I am watching (trying to watch) between 8 and 10 pm, then wake up after midnight to do my bedtime ablutions. S'no good me trying to watch anything on the internet - I fall asleep over the keyboard if there is nothing on TV to fall asleep over !!

I wonder ................ I could use a video tape to record the show off cable radio and listen to it on Friday while doing the housework :-) Sound if not vision.

We still have no working washing machine. I have just printed off a letter addressed to the MD of the manufacturer concerned, for MFH to sign and send. I wont say who it is, but I hope the MD gets the hot point we are making .... ;-)

CC, I am guessing the recipient of your MFH's letter will be sorting your 'prob;em' toute suite :-D. What a cheek to make you wait so long in the first place.

We recently had repairs to our Bosch dishwasher after seeing a notice in a newspaper about a potential fire risk fault.... The fault has been repaired but I seem to remember that we have paid for the same repair previoulsy. Certainly didn't think to query the fault at the time, even though there was smoke pouring out fo the dishwasher one morning :-D. Luckily I was home at the time. Must say, I love my dishwasher, super quiet.

I am off with my fruit today, another fitting for her and 'the' dress. :-). Lordy, hope she is happy with it... I shall go to work and then absent myself for a bit. Sometimes there are perks in being self employed.

I shouldn't say it, but I will, yesterday was a stinker, I went for a walk in the afternoon and nearly wilted. I couldn't face doing any gardening - so I didn't....
I have sprayed one area of grass with roundup :-D. It is dying off before my eyes. We need to replant and are seriously considering ready lawn. How to trian pup not to wee on fancy grass?. Any answers most welcome ;-).

Better get my skates on and actually get to work before I need to leave again :-S

Toodle

Susan

Sniffs, some people are soooo ungrateful!!!! Just think yourself lucky I did not buy the other present I looked at in Boots the Chemist. It would have done your back a power of good, so relaxing.

This snow may soon be heading away from us, it is going to get warmer by a degree or two on Saturday, so hopefully the rotten stuff will melt away.

I am a martyr to the ice on the corner, I shuffle over it, like a penguin. I am terrified on falling over. One hears about broken hips in the snow and ice. And I do not fancy spending a few weeks in the local Horses Piddle.

I have noticed an abundance of children around, so possibly the schools are closed here too. Whatever happened to bundling them up in clothes, and just sending them? Health and Safety I presume.

Ah Mr Bon Jovi is on the One Show tomorrow. He of the pretty hair, superman tattoo and earring. No doubt Matt will be looking nervously at his floor manager in case dear Johnnie says something amiss.

Dear Upsidedown Susan, they used to say rubbing a dogs nose in its wee patch cured it, but I am not so sure.

The dress fittings mean that time marches on dear. Another day nearer, how jolly exciting. I hope you are giving your dear daughter lots of advice, like how to boil eggs etc.

Do you really skate to work dear?

Auntie Petunia

Good upside down morning,

I do not skate to work, in fact it so many years since I put on skates, I fear I am way past skating now.... I did use to enjoy roller skating, as a teenager, friends and I used to hang out at the local rink - which is no more...
Petunia, I fear my daughter is not likely to take on any advice, she certainly knows her own mind, in fact, always has done. We are the same star sign, the Ram!!!. I think you can read between the lines ;-).

And yes, please be very careful on that ice. We certainly don't want you lying about in Horse Piddle :-D..... I so hope your weather improves very soon.
You could always fly down under for a wee holiday :-D. Plenty of beds here you know.

A grape peeler, well I never... CC, aren't you the lucky one ;-). Another useles, err new fangled gadget to put at the back of a drawer.. I said drawer, not your drawers ...

I am orf to be shorn this morning, at last, I can't abide any length on my hair... I do not own a brush or comb, no need :-D. Late to work again... Luckily the boss likes me ;-).

I am going to try my hand at a Massaman curry tonight :-), hopefully we will still be smiling in the morning.

Have a pleasant evening.

Susan

Aaaah skating! I can remember when the Thames used to freeze over, I used to strap my skates on, and orft I would jolly well go.

There was a rather interesting documentary a few years ago, on the Thames. They kept a record of all the bodies that were fished out of the river. Some very sad cases, young gels that had obviously just had babbies. Tragedy was all around.

As you know dear Upsidedown Susan, I have seen you dear. And your gamine cut suits you very well. You have a lovely little face, and it frames it beautifully.

I have had a haircut since we last met, but not as short as you. I do not think that length suits me. I need a bit of length.

I am a Scorpio dear, very passionate with a sting in my tail. So watch out people!!!

The thaw is predicted dear, with a notice of flooding. It never rains.......................

Auntie Petunia

H'Good Hevening ladies, and dear readers. I have just returned from an Hevening Hout. We had an Anniversary Dinner at a carvery. The meal was finished off with a free dairy ice cream. Oooooh my cholesterol levels ..... We took MIL with us, to thank her for all the laundry she's been doing for us. And it ainnot over yet.

Susan it will probably be a week before the MD who was given a hot point from us, will get to read that letter. If it reaches him. Many MDs, as you know, have super-zealous personal assistants to redirect all mail ...... some might call it delegation, but its also known as Passing the Buck.

The same company have, ironically, written to us saying that our dishwasher might be a fire risk, because they've identified a fault with a module in it, and they are offering to replace the module for free. Go figure - they can get modules but not drums. I reckon that they are prevaricating re the drum because they know if the machine isnt repaired within 21 days the warrantee people are obliged to give us a new machine. Ergo - why bother fixing it. Grrrrrrrr.

Well, we have decided that if push comes to shove we will accept the new machine, but will cancel the warrantee on the dishwasher, and whichever appliance breaks down first ....... will result in us purchasing two Miele appliances toot sweet and never mind any unexpired warrantee. We've had enough of this company.

We had a stinker in the house just now but it wasnt the heat outside - its cold and dark and trying to snow some more. No. The stinker was the cat, who hadnt long come in from a couple of hours outside so she'd had plenty of time "to go".

My Oldest Child once went for an interview at a certain furniture store, where the interviewing manager said that toilet breaks were not encouraged during shifts, and in fact a young man had been out for a curry the night before and had started work at 8 am and it was coming up to lunchtime and he hadnt taken a toilet break in all that time. My Dear Child replied "more fool him, then" and stood up and walked out of the interview.

I couldnt possibly name the company concerned, but they are known to be a Dodgy Furniture Store !!! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Petunia dear lady what is the matter? Has someone been ruffling your feathers? Who is that ungrateful person? Did I say how much I love the very useful Grape Peeler you gave me for my birthday? It's so vintage, its almost an antique. I should imagine they sell for pots of money on Hee Bay. Thank you again dear for the most thoughtful gift.
*thinks ...... has she turned into a mind reader because I didnt say anything to anyone*

It warmed up a bit where I am today, enough for me to get the car off the drive and run some errands locally - once I uncovered the roof of the car which was several inches thick with the white stuff, I ended up using my walking stick to knock the snow off cos I couldnt stretch my arms across. Fortunately I was able to move around without slip-slidin' away on the ice, as there was enough thawed sidewalk for me to slither along on. I will comment, tho, that today my feet hadnt felt this cold outside, since 1963.

I have had a nasty shock - the building society are changing the rules of my current account which means unless I can find two direct debits to set up, to be outgoing each month, I lose my Bonus Payment. Its only £60 a year, but on a state pension I cannot afford to lose £60 a year. I shall be reviewing my finances soonest but how can I conjure up two direct debits I dont have. *Sighs*. MFH put a Peseta (smaller than an old Half Pence piece) in my copper coin box; that wont go very far.

Yes it is the schools being scared of Health and Safety and possible compensation claims from parents should Little Johnny be hit by a snowball thrown by Little Class Thug. MFH keeps praying for snow so he can get days off work while still getting paid. I remember the bad snowy winters of days of yore, when we bundled up and turned up, even if we did get chilblains. These days, the kiddie winkies want counselling if they see one snowflake.

Jon Bon Jovi on the One show? *faints*
He's not likely to say anything amiss, because he doesnt like answering questions on his business dealings and seems to like controlling the chats. I know what he's like ..... he doesnt take one step across the stage or wiggle his buns without rehearsing it carefully first, but it doesnt blind me to the fact they put on a damn good show. But I do remember him being in a bad temper on Top Of The Pops years ago, he thought they were gonna sing Live but after they set up to play they were told they'd have to mime to their current hit. The look in his eyes ....... was enough to turn the air blue.

Afternoon Ladies


Mr Bon Jovie seems to be everywhere all the time just like Claire Balding ;-)

Fact for today. mr Bon Jon Jovie and his beat combo have never had a number one single in the British charts. How strange I would have though they would have.

Back later or sooner in the next couple of days :-D


Teresa

hi Teresa; nope - Bon Jovi have never had a number one single. They once did a Christmas single which I think got into the Top 10. But, their albums sell exceedingly well !! And they have a Facebook page :-D

They're not really bothered about the singles market, as they are a live act and they focus on selling albums mostly. I guess there is more money to be made out of album sales.

is it me, or is it getting colder again ....... I had better check the heating system as I feel quite icy. *shivers*

Morning Ladies and peeps,

well, tis morning here :-).

Oh dear, I couldn't tell you what songs Bon Jovi sing..... Once upon a time I would know all the artists, names of songs etc. Must be getting older :-D, though I have a pact with myself to grow old 'disgracefully'.... I wonder how easy that will be, having been a goody two shoes all my life :-P.

As the eldest, I was always told "look after your brother and sisters", luckily for my parents, I was a good girl.. I wonder if being the eldest helps shape who you are ? Though I firmly believe your personality is formed at conception.. When I look at my siblings, we all come from the same stock but are very different. :-) :-) :-).

How very deep and heavy for a Friday morning.
We are away tomorrow for a long weekend. Hope we have plenty of sunshine.

Have a lovely weekend,

Susan

hello Susan, if you want to know anything about Bon Jovi - just ask me :-D

I've been growing old disgracefully for some time now ...... ;-)

I'm also an eldest child and I too was often told "look after your little sister". I think it shapes us to the point that because we are given responsibility from a young age we do grow up to become very responsible adults. The die was cast ..... and all dat jazz.

My sister and I are Chalk and Cheese. Just like my own offspring are. Genetics is a strange thing eh?

am sitting here waiting for Mr JBJ to appear on the One Show. I should be doing other things .....

Enjoy your long weekend and I hope its a cooler one for you :-)

There seems to be three camps who are hogging the television and radio these days dears.

1. Clare Balding - lovely gel but in danger of overkill.

2. Mr JBJ. He is giving a live concert tonight, one can access it via the Tinternet.

3. Madness. Messrs Suggs and Woody have been chatting constantly on all radio stations.

Where is Malcolm Roberts or Matt Monroe when you need them. I do so like to hear Matt Monroe, He has a silky voice. He was a bus driver on the No.27 bus doncha know.

Ah eldest children. I too was an eldest child over in India. Alas my little siblings succombed to Beri Beri and that was before immunisation. Very sad. So I only had little ones hanging on to my coat tails for a little whiles. And yes, I was Goody Two Shoes too. I am thinking of having red streaks put into my silver locks, what do you think? Patriotic or Puerile?

Keep warm dears, draw your chairs up to the fire, and we will chuck another tree onto it.

Pippity Pip
Auntie Petunia

oh my word. Look at the icicles hanging off the end of my nose. It never fails to amaze me how cold Motie Towers can be, when Pat rish aaaaah has retired to her suite of rooms, Mrs Berry has gorn home for the night, and dear Petunia hogs the log fire but dont tell her I said so. How much colder can this winter get?? Enough is enough - first thing in the morning, that Ark is going to be chopped up.

Ah there are you Petunia dear, you do look cosy. Is there room for little old me to perch in front of the warming flames? While you were off doing your various good works this afternoon, I spent a blissful couple of hours wandering in and out of the charity shops, finding bargains. I've come back with a HUGE piece of coral for £5, a Myth & Magic wizard for £5, a paperweight for £1.50. I also found a milk "jug" which is one of those blue glass dishes in a chrome setting which cost £3.50 ..... I already have a small collection of these but can squeeze in one more, and the charity shops have some moolah. Everybody's happy.

What do you mean dear, you're not happy? I assure you, I will keep all my charity shop bargains in my room so you dont trip over them -:D

Look, dear, it was only a couple of cardboard boxes and you really should mind where you're stepping in dark corners. Perhaps if the lightbulbs were a little brighter?????? My Hee Bay purchases must come in cardboard boxes or everything will be smashed in the post. Yes dear it makes a change from being lost in the post.

Let me bring you some camomile and honey tea, and we can talk about your proposed red streaks in the silver then .........

PAT RISH AAAAAH !!!!! your grandmother needs some Kalms ..... !! ;-)

Good evening dears, thank you Cherry dear, I am very calm, and do not need herbal hokum. I am very calm dear. I am doing my pilates. Stretching and bending, can you not hear my old joints cracking? Deep breathes...................in and out................and bend....................and in through the nose..................and out through the mouth........................huff, huff, and rest. There now, all is right in my mind again. So much so, that I shall personally throw those boxes downstairs if they are not moved from the landing on the first floor. Better still, I shall asign the box room to you for your china dear. Anything rather than have boxes of all shapes and sizes littering up the fire exits.

Now, here is the plan to get rid of the Ponsonbys. As you know they are not PLU, not at all. They are social climbers and all show. I think actually She Who Must Be Obeyed, was working for an airline at one time. And The Mouth of the North, has a certain charm to him, if you like that kind of thing. But................they will have to go.

Beatrice has a wheeze she may well put into action. As you know she is very familiar with organs, and knows her way around. Each organ has a bellow to pump the air through to the pipes. She knows of a way to slightly bring the bellow action into disarray. Thus making an awful racket. The dear vicar is a stickler for pure music, so this may well put a fly in the ointment. We shall see................I shall let you know.

We are expecting snow again tonight, so batten down girls. Then hopefully the temperature will rise a little over the weekend. I do hope so, I am getting bored with all this white stuff already.

Keep warm ladies. And for those north of the border.
Happy Burns Night

Auntie Petunia

good morning ladies, the sun is shining on the righteous ..... and right into my eyes ;-) We seem to be experiencing a bit of a thaw here, and long may it last with fingers Xd that the meltwater doesnt create new problems.

Well as you can see Petunia, I have removed all the boxes that my Hee Bay purchases arrived in, and very shortly I will be stamping them flat to get them to the recycling dumpsters, along with the pear cider bottles and the mineral water polybottles, and all the old newspapers that YOU have finished with that are so out of date they are ancient history now. I never did work out why you insist on keeping old newspapers in the cloakroom, piled to the ceiling in that way. Perhaps I should re-baptise myself as Recycling Queen.

Of course I heard lots of cracking and breathy sounds but I thought the neighbourhood peeping tom was up to his tricks again. So it was you doing Pilates? You really must be more careful dear, if the draught blows in thru these old sash cord windows then you could stick like it.

Yes I was a bit concerned about Beatrice's wheeze, I thought she must have been a heavy smoker at one time. Has she tried sucking Zubes?

I have a better idea. Send Pat rish aaaah around with a "peace offering" cake. While she is in their house, she can ask to use the Facilities, and while she is in the Facilities she can deposit a fresh frozen kipper in the gap behind the basin pedestal, wedged firmly in. After a week, that kipper will be *Ripe*. The Ponsonbys will then think they have a drainage/sewerage problem, buy lots of Oust which of course wont work, and they will put the house up for sale and move away. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

the penny has just dropped - Petunia dear, it was YOU who went around with a spray can of white paint, highlighting all the potholes on the Queens highways. How thoughtful of you dear. Now the relevant local authorities will know where the repairs are needed. Just a pity you didnt have enough spray paint left to highlight the potholes on your driveway ......... ;-)

where is everybody? Petunia has gorn missing again, I expect she is kicking up a rucku ... errrrrr....... involved with church works and plotting against the Ponsonbys.

Pat rish aaaaah is missing. I suppose she went to the supermarket for a fresh frozen kipper and got lost coming home.

I shall sit here talking to myself. I'm very good at that. Its the best way to get an intelligent answer.

Today, I got my birthday drive to Sawbridgeworth, a week late but we were snowed in last week and better late than never. I found some delightful bargains including three cute G ..... l bunnies, all at a very reasonable price and cheaper than Hee Bay. Speaking of which - there was another auction, bidding for a particular Carlton ware plate which opened at 99p and the bidding ended today. Well, someone made an early bid. I bid a few pennies more and I do mean pennies, it came up to £1.04, and when that low bid was accepted I entered a maximum bid for a much higher figure. Of course I then had the stress of sitting there watching the minutes on the site clock counting down. Whoever the other bidder was, they didnt come back, and I got this plate for £1.04 plus postage, all told less than £5. I am very pleased, indeed, ecstatic - a very similar plate on Buy It Now is retailing for £50+ and no takers yet.

I'm now watching some other plates on Bid ...........

I saw some Carlton ware plates at Sawbridgeworth, various designs including Foxglove but I didnt buy any. What I want are the rare ones which are seling on E Bay at the moment.

I found a Bambi and a Trusty, both Wade Whimsies, so bought those - cheaper than E Bay. Also two pairs of Delft clogs, cheaper than E Bay. I found a delightful red brandy glass with barley twist stem for £5. A red spill vase. A white Chokin plate in a design I didnt have. A small white Chokin vase (to pair up with one I'd bought previously). And, the most beautiful green glass fawn, so delicate, I dont know who made it, but it goes very nicely in the display cabinet in the dinette which has green walls. Not a cheap day out, but very interesting none the less.

A few weeks ago I'd seen a blue fawn in the junk shop and thought I'd like a green fawn for the dinette. I may not be made by G ......l, but I'm one happy bunny tonight :-D

We went through Harlow to reach Sawbridgeworth, and where the river runs through, by the A414 at Eastwick, its running very high. There are two fields on that same bit of road, and both MFH and myself remember years back when sheep grazed there. For some years now its been very soggy with pooling water, enough for gulls to swim on. Today, between the rain and the meltwater, those two fields are not just a pond but a bloomin' lake.

Well ladies, when you do look in, I hope you all had a pleasant weekend :-)

BTW - I wont be moving to Eastwick. I dont want to be accused of being a witch :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Jumps up and down excitedly and hops on one leg!! Tra la la la, they are going, they are going!!!!!

Coughs, and smooths down skirt and straightens hat. Her-hum! Did I tell you dears? The Ponsonbys are leaving town. Oh dear, how sad, never mind. Titters.

Well as good as her word, dear Beatrice managed to take a few pointers from me, and a few from dear Cherry re. the kippers.

Somehow, she managed to secrete two pairs within the organ, and left the heater underneath running. So far, so good. When old Ponsonby sat down on his organ on Sunday, he pumped the bellows, and let rip. And out came the most horrendous smell this side of Harrogate. I do believe I have never, ever smelt such a vile smell in all my life. The more he played, the more the odour wafted around the vaulted ceiling. The vicar far near choked himself, the choirboys got the giggles, and the congregation left sharpish. Nevertheless Mr Ponsonby kept on pumping, and the smell kept on wafting. Old Mother Ponsonby was up those backstairs like greased lightening to turn off the bellows. It turns out that he has no sense of smell, and could not be enriched with the odour like the rest of us.

Unfortunately one of the choirboys got the blame, but that is by the by. The Vicar who has no sense of humour at all, did not see the funny side of it. He was incandescent with rage, Ponsonby was mortified, his wife was humiliated, and the congregation got a good laugh. So all in all, it was a good result.

I shall coax the vicar to reinstate that poor choirboy, although he is the most awful little prig. Beatrice is to be organist. Nothing she likes better than sitting at the organ tinkling the ivories. I am now Head Flower Arranger, and all is right with the world.

Ooooh sorry dears................how are you all? Now that the snow is melting, we are in danger of floods. Ark at the ready.

Pat-trish-aaaaah is in bed dear Cherry, she has a cold in her btm. She will insist on going to Essex of a weekend, and wearing silly little skirts. Sighs.

Chuck another log on the fire Cherry dear. Tis still a little nippy out there.

Still more trouble in your corner of the world dear Upsidedown Susan. We hear of flooding down there too. How is the dress fitting going dear?

I hope that dear Teresa and Lesley are not too chilly on the east coast, they seem to be getting it worse than we.

I believe we are having curry tonight dears, aaaaah it takes me back to my childhood in India when we had PROPER curry, not the facsimile we are having tonight.

Keep warm dears.

Auntie Petunia

Petunia dear, do sit down and calm down, you will strain your joints leaping up and down like that and all this excitement is not good for you. Oh dear I do not like the way your hat is bobbing around on your head ....... your head will fall off your neck at this rate.

So, the kippers went into the organ eh? It doesnt take long for decomposing fish to pong. After such an embarrassment as that, I expect the Ponsonbys will be leaving town poste haste. Fancy blaming a poor innocent choirboy. Still, if the congregation saw the funny side of it, then there's no harm done, and the vicar should just acquire a sense of humour.

I didnt realise Pat rish aaaah was in her room with a chill, but all these short skirts worn in Essex are not de rigeur at this time of year. The gel will learn, one of these days. I remember my dear lady GrandMamma commenting on my cousins brief unmentionables in the 1960s, she said my cousin would get a severe chill in her nether areas. Whether or not my cousin did, I cannot say, but she left England for warmer climes and now resides in South Africa where she has a gardener and a daily maid, and a swimming pool in her back yard, and regular visits from meerkats.

Errrr Petunia dear - didnt you notice? The Ark is no longer in your back garden. No dear it didnt float away all on its own. I was forced to chop it up for firewood. Well dear I didnt think your neighbours would appreciate me chopping down their cherry trees to keep you supplied with logs for the fire on a cold winters night. If only you could persuade the coal man to come back with his bags of nutty slack, dear - Pat rish aaaah could be chained up during those visits surely?

I think I will pass on the curry thank you dear, I have some TV viewing planned and do not wish to spend the night being indisposed. That curry I ate in 1967 at that restaurant near St Pauls Cathedral put me off the stuff for life. Mrs Berry left some smoked salmon in the fridge, and there is a bottle of champers ready opened, so I shall shift for myself. Again. At least it makes me feel like one of the family, and very much "at home", not having to ask if I can fix myself some food.

The wind is howling out there, so strap yourself in, I think we are in for a bumpy ride t'night.