General Chat

Good evening dear Ladies, I am also returned to you all.

I have risen from my sickbed, I have had a certain kind of malady dears. One that appears, if the tinternet is to be believed, is akin to Arsenic poisoning. Do you think someone has been soaking fly papers?

I know this house is old, and may be in need of decoration in the East Wing. But surely the paint is not from the Year Dot.

No, dear Cherry has gawn for the time being. I don't know if she can still watch along with the silent majority. Who are these people who look, but do not speak? Come forward dears, or forever hold your pieces!

Belated birthday wishes dear Lesley. You are but a mere chicken dear, compared to me. {actually I think dear Teresa is the baby of the group, but I could be wrong]

Dear Susan, it seems that one of your players of the oval ball game is getting himself in trouble............................concerning a Wig? He is being sent home in a rowboat I think. You have some colourful names in your squad do you not? Digby is a particular favourite of mine.

Teresa, I bet you starch your dress and apron dear. One knows of a male acquaintance who has a particular soft spot for Angles of Murphy. The rustle of the uniform I believe!!!! Tut, tut and tut again!!!!

Those naice Rossi and Parfitt fellows are now squeaky clean dear. One remembers seeing them when they wore colourful suits, and had 'mod cut' hair.

I must say.................................I may have shifted my alliances to a certain Mr Jason Isaacs. He has a certain earthiness about him. And he certainly looks better without the blonde wig.

I am feeling better already.............................

Toodle all
Auntie Petunia

Morning Ladies,

How nice to see you back Teresa, you have been a busy gal. I think I would agree with you, gardens are a better option for visiting...
Is FTE on the same ship this trip?. I hope she is collecting photographs along the way.

Well fruit, pup and I had the most harrowing experience yesterday. We were walking pup along a much trodden route. Fruit and I noticed a nasty dog in someone's garden, with a very low front fence. Next thing the dog noticed pup, leapt the fence and all hell broke loose. Our poor pup was set upon, we both started screaming at the top of our voices, out of fright but to also alert the owners. They, along with neighbours came out, blow me, if they didn't let another dog out their door, it too joined in the chase. We were frantic. Our pup was still attached to her lead. She ran for her life and I think that was her saving grace, she can run like the wind. The owner set off chasing its b....y dogs, Fruit set off, I too tried to run - not very successfully. Our pup came running back to fruit and I with the dogs still giving chase. In the end, the owner came along in a car and got one dog into the car. I cannot remember how the other dog got called off our pup... We rang dog control who promptly went to the offenders, lo, the dogs had been removed from the property and the ranger was told they were just visiting, were her sons dogs and she didn't quite know where he lives, blah blah blah..... Our pup was very troubled as you can imagine. She was bleeding from two toes and last night fruit noticed a puncture wound on her chest. Off to the vet we go this morning. The ranger could only issue a rushing order on each dog, hopefully the vet will attest to our pup being wounded and then the dogs can be impounded - If found :-|.

Now I have seen for my very own eyes that no command would have called those dogs off. They were on a mission and out for the kill. I never ever want to go through that again. I have seen on tele, reports of people savaged by dogs, my god, they must have been absolutely terrified and traumatised by their experiences. Sadly, we are running out of safe places to walk our pup...
After fruit and her OH rescuing a 'stray' and lavishing it with love for the 24 hours before it was claimed - what happened to pay it forward :-D :-D

I have a day off today and am heading out of town, a little retail therapy might be in order....

Petunia, hope you are feeling better and not missing our CC too much?. How goes the maternity unit?. Do you think Kate might like to avail herself of its services?. I do read in the paper, twaddle about Kate looking into practising a natural type birth. Don't all prospective Mum's think the same - until the pain kicks in :-\. Who needs the Lido wing when you can have a room at the Towers?. Imagine, you could have a royal babbie named after you :-). I can just see it, Princess Petunia or Prince Pet :-D.

~~~~ to Lesley et al,

toodle,

Susan

By the way Ladies, I will not be in the line awaiting that nice Gentleman walker Mr Tennant. He is a very good actor and seems a nice man but a little too thin and not quaite my type. Now if Mr Firth is about I would be at the front of the line :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

I am just wondering if I like the new song by the popular beat combo of Mr Rossi and Mr Parfit. Im not sure if it is anoying or not :-S :-S :-S :-S I saw tham on the one show and have seen them in concert. They seem very nice geezers :-D

Cooooeeeeee, Im back Ladies :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

I have been away and astray, on holiday, at paid toil and nagging FTY on a daily basis to do revision for the GCSEs which are being taken a year early. Mr Gove is changing the exam system again and I think the School was keen to get as many of the dear Fruits through ASAP. It now transpires it will not change while FTY is there but hay ho.

We have also had the Tasmanian Devil to stay. I think FTE found him on her travels. When she opened her many bags and suitcases out he popped. The mess and muddle just left me speachless. I understand he also popped out of the case when FTE stayed at MIL and a Friends house ;-)

FTE had a wonderful time. The Fruit and Tasmanian Devil are now sailing to the Baltics etc. They will return at Christmas time. I will pack the dear litlle TD up and send him to the East wing with you Auntie, or maybe Evangaline may like to house him for a while. That would keep her busy ;-)

I see dear Cherry is no longer lodging with you Aunty, maybe we could pop up and stay a while. Im fed up with cooking and cleaning and nagging. A little rest would be nice. :-D

~~~~~~~ to Cherry if you are looking in :-D

Thankyou Susan for sharing the lovely photos :-) We have two weddings this year to attend and one next year. I do love a wedding.

Lesley, hope you enjoyed the gardens. We went to a ralley near by. I didnt realise it would be full of old cars, tractors and engines :-| It was also £6.00 per person to get in. I thought it was £6.00 per car!!!!!! Oh well it passed a couple of hours. I think the gardens sounded a better option. :-) Belated Birthday Greatings. I am 49 now and will be 48 next year ;-)

Im off now to tackle the ironing. i have been at paid toil today and need a garment to wear tomorrow. Call me old fashioned but I still wear a dress and like it to be nice and crispily ironed :-D

toodle pip for now


Teresa

Happy Belated Birthday Lesley :-) :-),

Sorry I missed it, we could have had a cyber party. Hope your family spoilt you rotten??. If not, why not ??.. I know it is rude to ask a lady her age, just whisper it quietly ;-). Age is only a number - I am convinced of that. My Mama doesn't look into mirrors, she doesn't recognise the senior citizen looking back at her ;-).

Thankfully the stray has been claimed tonight. Though I am a little annoyed with the owners. Farmers..... they need to feed their dog a bit more than they are presently. My fruit gave pup a nice big feed before she left. Would you believe, the stray came back to my fruit and her OH and gave them each a little nudge before she left :-\ :-\.

We had the weirdest weather today, a foggy morning turned into a sunny day, then about 2pm the fog rolled in again and it was so bleak and grey. Uggh, not too my liking at all.

Petunia, are you feeling any better?. I do hope so. You are needed dear, at the helm....

Time to start cooking our dinner,

byyeee, have a great day

Petunia dear it really hasn't been your year for ailments, I hope you are feeling much better soon x <3

Fieldays :-S Susan I'm wondering are they are like our agricultural shows, showing and judging of farm animals, all the latest farm machinery and anything farm related or field trials when the ability of working gundogs is tested.

It sounds as though The Hello Auntie banner could have come in very useful at Saturday's match :-D

I'm feeling very down today :-( ............................ it's my birthday :-( ............................ a big one :-(.......................... yes I'm 49 again :-D

Hope there is a happy outcome for the stray.
Lesley x

Corks, corks, get your free cork here :-D...

I did suggest you watch out for that little madam, Petunia... I hope you are feeling better now?. You could always play her at her own game ;-).. Could Patrisshhhhaaa not be your official taster??.

Lesley, you wouldn't have spotted me as the people in front of us kept standing up :-| :-|.. very annoying indeed. Two men, three women and five children.. The women and children should have stayed home for all the notice they took of the game...

Fruits husband came home with a stray dog last night, as he was driving home from work, he spotted what he thought was their pup. it wasn't , but very similar. Poor dog is a bag of bones. She was most grateful for food, a flea treatment but no so grateful for the bath :-D.. She slept in the kennel - our pup now sleeps inside.. Fruit will take her to the vet this morning to see if she is micro chipped, if not, it is off to the SPCA for the dog. OH doesn't want a dog and not fair on pup to bring another dog into their house. She seems to have a lovely nature. Hopefully she can be re homed. June 1st is changeover for farmers here, perhaps she is new to the district and got lost, she has no collar though.

Very foggy morning here today. Looks like the sun is trying to come out. OH is off to Fieldays on Saturday (yawn). Not for me, though he insists I would like it.. It is an annual event in Hamilton, all things agricultural, vehicles, home 'stuff', all manner of things.. Maybe one day I will go along, not this time though.

~~~~~ to Teresa, hope you are well?

Susan

Oooooh good evening ladies. I am proper poorly.

I wonder if I ate anything not quite right yesterday. I have had a tummy upset all today, and have been nauseous too.

I am sure that it was not Mrs Berry's luncheon, as Beatrice ate that too. The only difference between us, is that I ate some of Evangeline's cakes...............................................

Excuse me ladies while I pop to the little girl's room.....................again!

Good Evening Ladies

Never fear Susan I am here .................................. thank you for the beautiful wedding photographs :-D now were did I put my laced edged handkerchief?

Susan I didn't see you waving your banner at the rugby match :-|

Auntie Petunia our church is also adorned with beautiful flowers this weekend ....... it was our villages annual open gardens today ...................not mine :-S the church was accordingly dressed to impress all the visitors :-D I dragged MOG around to look at the gardens with me and again I bought several plants, a lemon drizzle cake, a toffee cake, home made marmalade's and a chutney I have never heard of, quince cheese .............. mmmmmm it is delicious:-D

~~~~~~~~~~ to CC if you are looking in. x

Nite nite one and ALL
Lesley x

Morning ladies,

Petunia, what a racy little fascinator. Very saucy indeed, you wore that to Church? Oh no , I see, the weather stopped you airing your new outfit (phew)..

I should watch out for Miss Evangeline if I were you, she may not be the little dormouse you think she is... I trust you have found a space for her on the rota?. Good help is hard to find these days as you are aware, In fact, even bad help can be hard to find.

The rugger was good, we won, but fruit and OH were not overly impressed with our boys... It may be a long season ahead.. We watched the second half of the Lions - Reds game. Much more exciting, shame about the rain. We had a glorious day on Saturday, it didn't last though, wet on Sunday and today is cold, wet and miserable. I have been seduced by our lovely Summer and Autumn. Winter has arrived and smacked us all around the ears to remind us of her wrath.. Oh well, roll on Spring :-).

Now, how do I fashion a luncheon for Oh out of an empty pantry?. I may resort to buying our lunch today... Frightful waste of money but needs must.

We trundled over to our married fruits for our dinner last night, a very nice meal and a lovely pud too.. What a treat to not have to cook.

I wonder where Teresa and Lesley are hiding. Yoohoo girls !!

I had better get a move on with my day, hope the sun comes out to play for you all today.

Susan

Good evening dears,

What a long time it is in cyber land, for us to fall to Page 4.

Beautiful pictures Susan dear. I reiterate, a very pretty gel and her handsome beau. I do so love nuptials. As you know I have not been blessed to walk down the aisle.

Church this morning was a festive affair. It was not my turn to do the flowers, we have a new 'mousy' little thing who has joined us, I do so like new blood, I can mould them in the ways of the Church.........................

Dear little Evangeline, she is the new gel, she has just moved into the district, so I thought it was only right and proper that I take her under my wing.................

I could see her finishing off her display when I took into the condiments for tea and coffee this morning. So of course I ventured over to introduce myself.

'Good morning,' I said breezily, and I manhandled the coffee and teapots into the vestry. 'I am Petunia Mortimer, and I am in charge of the rotas concerning the church duties, dear'

She turned and lifted her eyes from her carnations, and a little smile hovered on her lips 'Oh,' she said 'so YOU are Miss Mortimer................'

Do you know, I felt my chest swell with pride that my reputation had proceeded me. Of course, I felt compelled to point out the error of her ways, concerning the display, and suggested that perhaps she might like to borrow my secateurs.

I think perhaps she had used the shears before, because the deft way she wielded the blades, with gritted teeth was a wonder to behold. I had not seen such dexterity since Edward Scissorhands.

I suggested that she might like to help with the tea and coffee after the service, and she said that she had indeed made cakes for us to eat.

The dear Vicar gave a rousing sermon, it put fire in our bellies. So much so, that we all rushed out into the Vestry for refreshments.

Dear little Evangeline was at the other end of the table, and I distinctly heard her mention something about an 'old bat'. I am surprised that she has been to the top of the belfry already, as the Vicar usually only gives guided tours to his more.............constant helpers.

Dear Beatrice is more confident now with the organ. And we sang a rousing All Things Bright and Beautiful. The dear little children from the school attached to the church were in the choir stalls today. They were singing gustily, and their dear little mouths were as if they were chicks waiting to be fed by their Mama.

Beatrice came back for luncheon, and Mrs Berry did us proud. Roast beef with all the trimmings. Now that dear Cherry has left, there is so much more to go around........I do miss her, the old homestead is a great deal quieter without her.

I do hope the oval ball game was in your favour dear Susan, I have not seen the results.

Lesley dear, I hope you are well, and as we have discovered you have a fulsome family, you have seen something of your descendants over the weekend. Or have you too had a quiet time? Lovely to have children to stay, but it does sometimes upset ones routine.

The weather has been rather grey here today. Great dark clouds buzzing across the sky. Rather inconvenient, they promised sunshine, and of course I had a new outfit to wear. I shall post it, so that you can see if for yourselves.

You know how I like to give everyone my experience of good taste and couture.

Pip Pip all
Auntie Petunia

Dear Ladies,

Susan dear, I have not downloaded the photos yet, as I have not had time, but I will set aside tomorrow morning to look at them properly. I do so love a wedding, and the previous photos showed your fruit to be a very pretty gel, and her handsome beau.

I too used to knit bootees, I had a pattern that were like shoes, very dainty they were too, but a bit tricky. I am not a natural knitter ladies, I cannot do anything else except knit, whereas my Mama, could knit, hold a conversation, chew a toffee and read a book at the same time.

Have a lovely weekend ladies, and I hope you enjoy whatever you do.

Auntie Petunia

Petunia, I may or may not perform a Haka..... depends on how many vino's I consume prior to the match :-D.. Do you think if I suck a peppermint loudly I will perhaps not hear the 'wind'. One can be a little too close to the action doncha think..

Oh my Lesley, you were a very busy young Mum weren't you. !!. There a re three and a bit years between mine, with one lost in the middle. I always thought I would have like four children, silly misguided girl I was back then ;-).

I must say it can be a bit chilly around the old lugholes after a shearing but one muddles on through because one is too vain to don a hat :-S.I can't be doing with messy hair, one of my pet hates. Hair flattened to my scalp is not in the least bit becoming..

My male fruit has arrived home to accompany us to the rugger. He is a font of knowledge on the game (yawn),. I just go for the day out ;-). He and his papa can talk all the rugby they like, just give me a vino and sit me in the corner. We get to ride the train out to the stadium. So what you say, so yes I say. Trains are a novelty here, not like you people ride trains. Which might I add, I love.

OH has just walked in the door, best go and feed him.

I used to be able to knit bootees, not sure I still have my kneedles or else I would be knitting up a storm for the new babbies... Probably the old soldiers are a dab hand with a needle and thread?. I could provide the wool, after all, we have three million sheep here, all covered in wool, though they probably need their coats for a few months yet. ;-).

Have a lovely day today and a pleasant weekend.
Susan,
kamate kamate

Good evening dear Ladies,

Ooooh dear Upsidedown Susan, you are not a fan of the wind! Neither am I dear, I find a little bicarbonate of soda, or a little peppermint does the trick dear.

You are being shorn AGAIN dear? You really don't like your hair long do you? I find that I cannot wear my hair too short dear, it sticks up all over the place. But your gamine cut really does suit you dear.

Strange to think that you are going into your Autumn/Winter dear, we are only just getting warm weather.......................at last.

Have a lovely time at the Rugby dear, will you do the Hakka?

Lesley dear, you do make me smile. Little uniforms for the babies, whatever next dear? I think there may be some little Babygroes that we can stitch badges on, and wings, and suchlike. What a wheeze!!!

I have nothing but admiration at your childbearing dear. Three children within quick succession. Pin a medal on that lady!!!

I do hope that dear Teresa is not working too hard. I know she does funny shifts.

I hope the sun is shining on the righteous dears.

Toodle Pip
Auntie Petunia

No twins for me Susan .............................. our eldest and second eldest (the one with middle child syndrome) are one year apart all but one day then I had a rest and waited 16 months for the third fruit :-D my brother's wife beat me though :-| she had twins then another eleven months later.

Is there any chance you can wave a Hello Auntie banner at the rugby match :-D that way we'll be able to pick you out in the crowd.

Auntie Petunia will the babies born at the Home for Old Soldiers and Sailors have to wear mini uniforms ................................... how cute.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Teresa <3

Oh Petunia, we shall miss CC and all the trouble she caused, err, I mean fun she brought to each day :-).

I think a birthing unit in an old folks home is a marvellous idea, don't ask me why though.. One little suggestion, separate refrigerators perhaps?. Can you imagine the ruckus should the bottles get mixed up?.. You would have Children's services on your case in a jiffy. I wonder if a baby can tolerate rum in its milk???

Lesley, do you have twins?. I am trying to do the maths and I can't make it work?
My youngest siblings are the same age for three weeks each year :-D..

We have such high winds today, I am not a fan of the wind, especially not during the night. By the time I get home from work this afternoon, the trees should be bare of their leaves. :-(. I will chase them around the garden with my rake. We use the word garden to describe our whole 'section' , not just a particular 'garden bed'..

We are off to the big smoke on Saturday to watch the oval ball game. Our All Blacks are playing France. Must look for my hat, gloves, scarf, thermals :-(. Why do we do it?. One of our local lads is now playing for your Lions. :-).

~~~~~ to Teresa, hope all is well dear.

tatty bye Petunia and Lesley, have a lovely evening

Susan

Well I must say dears, it is very quiet at Motie Towers!

I no longer hear warbling along to Les Mis, or as I like to call it................The Glums. There is no tippy toeing around less I knock Whimsies off the shelf, and of course the food consumption has gone down!

I know I still have Pat-trish-aaaaah here with me, and dear Mrs Berry and her daughter Holly to provide us with the food. And of course there is Octavia, Georgianna and Beatrice who pop in on a regular basis, but I had got use to Cherry messing up the place, and causing general mayhem.................aaaah well!

The Parlour has been very warm today, and I had to close the curtains to keep the sun at bay. The sun was playing on the curtains, and casting a very strange organge light into the room. I swear I saw the eyes on the full size carboard cutout of dear David, move..........................oh dear, did I say that out loud?

I have contacted the Home for Old Soldiers and Sailors, and mentioned that they might like to open an Annexe for Bertha and her pregnant ladies. They agree that if I was willing to stump up, they would be willing to make some land available. In the meantime, they will make one of the men's ward available for her ladies in waiting. I think it will be nice for the old fellows to see the new ones, and it will give them a lift of spirits. Make a change from the bottles of rum they think we don't know about!!!!

Take care dears, and the offer is still open to our silent watchers......................


Pip Pip
Auntie Petunia

Oh I didn't realise CC was saying cheerio, so long, I'm out of here :-S hope this is not The Last Goodbye :-(

I'm free to help out in maternity as soon as winter arrives ..................................... do you think the babies can wait till then :-D

Me please I would love to see the wedding photographs ........................................ ........................my turn to get the lace edge handkerchief out.

Now my Dear Dear Auntie Petunia do you really begrudge a slip of a gal such as myself having a pinup? albeit a pinup of YOUR man.

Our bundle of joy is just that :-D I do have to ask how I ever coped with three fruits under two and a half :-S now I find it sooooooooooooo hard to cope with one under one :-(

How are you Teresa .............. has FTE returned to the seven seas yet with her cases bulging with new purchases :-D

#waves a lace-edged hankerchief, and uses another to wipe eyes, and blow nose#

Goodbye Cherry dear, goodbye.

Cherry has packed her trunk, like Nellie the Elephant, and has left Motie Towers. She has taken all her boxes from the South American river company, her books, her CD's and all her china.

We will miss her.......................sobs.

Lesley dear, I have told you before, woe betide you if you contradict me dear, David is mine! By the by, how is that little bundle of joy of yours? Well and blooming I hope.

Susan dear, I should be delighted to receive the photographs of that very pretty daughter of yours, and her beau.

Cherry may have left, but Bertha is still with us. I shall have her out spit spot. Trying to turn my home into a Nursing Home..............I will not have it.

So...............................if there is anyone from our silent watchers who would like to join us, please do. We do not bite, and you will be welcomed with a cup of refreshing tea, and a bikkie or two.

I look forward to receiving you.

Auntie Petunia

Oh no, has CC left the fold already?.... I have been missing and seem to have missed CC ~~~~~~~~ toodle pip.

Then again, I might be totally wrong and she will be back :-)..

A birthing wing indeed... Yikes, no wonder CC departed. One crying babby is more than enough, a wingful, I cannot imagine the noise :-S. Perhaps Teresa could move in and be Matron?? Lesley has experience with babbies, she could help out too. Me?, oh no sorry, I am too far away to take a shift or two ;-).

Petunia, another photygraph, a rather doe eyed young gal. Very pretty...

Speaking of photygraphs, I have the official wedding pics. If you would prefer not to receive an email, please do let me know. I shan't bombard you then, :-D

After a full long weekend toiling in our garden, it is time to return to 'work'.... We have been pruning over grown trees. Probably the wrong time of year but too bad, tis done now.. OH also attacked the bamboo one silly neighbour planted, said Bamboo has run riot and was blocking our afternoon sun... Last time I set poison on the bamboo and ended up killing my beautiful flowering Cherry tree.. Oops,

I am to be shorn again this morning so had best rattle my dags and get a move on.

Toodle,

~~~~~~ to all
Susan