General Chat

*gambolling around Motie Towers*

hello Teresa, if you drive along the Nags Head Road in Enfield, where the reservoirs are, you will see a flock of sheep on the grass embankment. Its cheaper than lawnmowers. But the council still charges a fortune for the rates.

You are right, in "our day" we were expected to bathe the baby at least on the second day, and New Mothers were given a demo. Experienced mothers were left to "get on with it". I wonder why things have changed, and I am sure it cannot be good for the infant to go unbathed given what fills the nappies ....... yeuch !! And I used to nap with the baby sometimes during the day, but for the most part they were good sleepers so I didnt have to take mine into bed with me during the night when they were babies. When they got a bit older - toddler to c.4 - I'd let them sleep with me if they were upset about something for example one night we had a storm which woke and scared the youngest so I let her settle down next to me. She got off to sleep again, but I didnt, cos she gave off one heck of a lot of body heat. When each child got to five years of age, that was it, they were then "too old" to snuggle up with Mum and Dad.

CC

Sorry CC , didn't mean to steal your thunder, it is probably because we are first to see the sun and therefore hear the news before you :-S, or something like that...
Silly, silly boy eh.

Well the drama production was actually various acts, from primary children right up to secondary, a bit of improv and some belly dancing :-D.... Do you know hard it is to stifle laughter in a small theatre???? All in all it was quite an enjoyable evening, the little children were very cute. I would say this was a variety show :-D.

Lesley, you are a bit posh starching your laundry ;-), I don't recall ever using starch, I shall blame my upbringing... What do you starch? I do use fabric sofetner, does that count ;-).

Petunia, I am sure CC will take her responsibilities very seriously ( crosses fingers behind back)... She is more than a match for that Ruby.. Have you heard the old saying, "out of sight, out of mind" ? Works both ways you know. You will be far too busy upon the high seas to worry about the goings on at the Towers... I wonder shall you get to sit at the Captains table?
I see there is talk of a Titanic 2..... Have a lovely trip, I look forward to your journey blog :-).

Oh dear, what a waste of time my workshop was yesterday, the morning tea break was the best part of the morning. That is probably a little unfair. We had to do practical exercises, at one point, the chappy taking the course came to me to explain a calculation, I very nearly elbowed him in the ribs, he was far too close to me for my liking. I had heard him say earlier he has had the bot for weeks, I was thinking keep your bl&*%y germs to yourself man and stop breathing over ME...
Phew :-S.

The sun is out today :-) again tomorrow and then back to the wet stuff... I am so tempted to plant a few plants but frosts are still lurking.. patience me thinks.

We finally got our male fruits car back from the panelbeaters, only to have female fruits car go for repairs. A woman backed into fruits car and did a wee bit of damage. I shudder to think 'what' will be number three !! Good old Dad, he put it right... Male fruit has had my little runabout for some time now, gawd knows how many kilometres he has put on the clock. Oh well, how sad, too bad, never mind.

Have a lovely weekend, Petunia, stay safe and do keep your eyes peeled for blokes on the pull. Remember, if he seems to good to be true, odds on , he probably is ;-).

Toodle pip
Susan

Good evening dear Friends, what a flurry of excitement today with packing, unpacking and general confusion and indecision.

I opened the newspapers today and saw a naked young man! lots of puns about Crown Jewels, but surely they belong to his Grandmama. I cannot think what they mean............am I missing something? Anyway, he is no match for Airmiles. Tutty tut.

How kind of you to give me the recipe for starch Lesley, I shall treasure it forever, and pass it on to Pat-trish-aaaaah she will find more use for it than I. As you know I cannot let any kind of powder, abrasive liquid or dirt sully my delicate skin. Hence I am like dear Lillibet and always wear cotton gloves. But thank you dear, your heart is in the right place. Generally to the left and hidden behind your ribs.

Oh dear Cherry dear, YOUR hands are a little...........erm, hairy! Have you been doing what Father Jack does in his armchair? He has a little libation, and then gets the Hairy Hands. What stage are they dear, two or three?

I presume you are staying on at Motie Towers while I am away dear? You seems to have taken up permanent residence here, and while it is nice to have visitors, a little too long and the novelty wears off. Saying that............I do need someone to look after dear Pat-trish-aaaaah. I fear she would send poor Mrs Berry around the bend, offering to help her all the time. Plus as I am still paying her, I feel Mrs Berry should be cooking for someone. So stay put dear. Only your home comforts are now spilling out into several rooms, and think we agreed you could only inhabit one!

Now, a bit of disturbing news, especially as I am to depart on Friday...............Cousin Ruby and that slimeball husband of hers are to descend on you at the end of next week. Apparently she is on an errand of mercy. A cousin of hers [on her fathers side, whoever HE was!] has passed away, and she is, as far as she has been led to believe, is the only living relative.

I can fairly hear the pound signs chinging up in her eyes. Apparently this cousin of hers was a widow, and owns a house in Cheltenham. Which I hear is quite rural, and the property there is quite expensive.

She believes she is doing us a favour by descending on us, expecting us to put her up! She is also bringing her new maid with her, the old one quit in disgust over an incident with a bunch of carrots. Dont ask!

Cherry...............come back dear...............I know it is a lot to ask..............no, I promise they will not overstay their welcome..............yes, I will ask Mrs Berry to cater to your every whim..................yes, you can eat in bed..............no I promise not to moan if you drip butter on the sheets.............yes you can play your CD reasonably loudly................yes you may get Pat-trish-aaaaah to ferry you around in the tuk-tuk................OK you may use the fine china instead of the plastic beaker. OK? Are we agreed? Good!

Flustered
Auntie Petunia

Hallo Auntie, FTE will not be pip pipping yet, her ship comes in in October I think. Oh dear my litle faces have gone again :( I look foward to hearing all your adventures. You could tweet or keep a blog of your high sea adventures. Of couse they have the internet on board so you can catch up that way :)

Sheep Cherry, there are plenty about, many many of them on holiday all fluffy and white like little cotton wool balls on the hills and in the valleys.

A workshop Susan, what fun, we get tea and tea at ours! I hope you did not fall aslep, these workshops can get very warm and makes one nod orfff at times. :) :)

Lesley did I read that baby E was not to be bathed for a week? My friend had two grandchildren born this year at the same hospital that Baby E was born in. She said the same, no bathing for a week??? why is this, when FTY was born 14 years and 9 days ago we were given a demonstation on how to bath and wash their hair. How strange. I will have to enquire next week when I go back to work.

Trends change in baby care. I must confess that FTE slept in the bed with us at times, the potty training which was almost impossible went out of the window with the potty, and I never really fitted in to the mother and baby set as I went back to work when FTE was 12 weeks old. That was the length of maternity leave in those days. Ma and Pa looked after her. With FTY I went back after 6 months, a bit longer on the mat leave and he got chicken pox in the first week of going to nursery!
I did try the dummy with both but they were having none of it. Luckily having summer babies made the night colic run a little easier :)

Orff now to watch the hairy bikers loose weight in a while :)

Teresa

*snatches the lanolin and rubs into beleaguered paws most gratefully*

thank you Lesley :-). At least someone around here appreciates me :-D

Saw the ortho specialist this morning for the three month check up, he wants to see me again in six months time to discuss the other hip. He said judging from the xray I had done in January that its degenerated enough to warrant surgery, how did I feel about that? I said the post op paperwork I was given in April said to allow one year for recovery re the other hip, and although my right hip hurts its not as excruciatingly painful as the left hip was. the doctor said he thinks my right hip has fused - ankylosed ? Teresa will know the right medical term .... and sometimes fusing can reduce the level of pain felt. So, we are leaving it for six months which suits me for the time being.

oh dear ..... the lanolin is making my hands go all woolly ....... ;-)

baa'ing softly
CC

Good Afternoon Ladies

Auntie Petunia I make my own starch ;-) it is very easy all you need is corn starch water and 2 drops of your favourite essence or lemon juice :-)

Passing CC a tub of lanolin and some cotton gloves <3 for her poor hands that have been damaged while polishing others luggage :-|

Hello Teresa I'm glad to hear you had a good holiday in beautiful Wales :-)

Cashflow workshop :-S :-S :-S I do hope your bank provided you with tea and cake :-) Susan was the drama production a success :-D

*glares at Susan*
I was going to mention the Crown Jewels and you have stolen my thunder! Yes indeed our young prince has been a naughty boy. I know lads have to let off some steam occasionally, but ........... And to think he is second in line to the throne at the moment!! The Queen cant tick him off really - we all know what Philip got up to in his heyday. :-D The stories are still circulating, all these years later.

O-ho financial workshops ...... I wonder how much der wunderkind got paid for that. If your banks are owt like ours, there will be some kind of Performance Chart, based on percentages of customers suckered in to investing into high risk gilts and stocks n shares. My bank keeps inviting me to have a Financial Review. What with. I am not risking my Funeral Fund which currently sits in an ISA which is a very safe place (well - at the moment). And I am certainly not going to lose my state pension in these high risk investments.

Thank you the cat is fine now :-D

What was the performance at the Drama Club tonight?

CC

Petunia dear, the shopping list that Mrs Berry and I gave to poor Pat rish aaaah did not require her to venture anywhere near the North Circular. She was only supposed to visit Kossofs Bakers in Muswell Hill to buy two Cholar loaves and some egg rolls, strictly kosher of course, and then visit the Egg Stores in Stoke Newington High Street to purchase some rollmop herrings. May I suggest you question her again? There is more to this than meets the eye. Because she was singing Born To Be Wild all the next day, until you returned home.

Yes I know your valises have been polished. Look at the state of my hands!!

So - you are off on Friday eh? Well dont worry about a thing. Mrs Berry and I will manage admirably, we have Plans and lots of polish and air freshener. You wont recognise your house when you return :-D

We will be at Southampton Docks, to see you off :-D

CC

*rushes up and grabs Teresa in a bearhug*

how lovely to see you are back. I have been at my wits end, placating Petunia and pacifying Pat rish aaaah.

Lucky you being Cool. This last weekend was a scorcher and my poor garden has positively wilted and some things look so scorched I'm sure they will never recover.

Re the quicksand - OH in spite of his SatNav took a wrong turning, a little road before the road that leads to the zoo. I had the impression it was some kind of quarry, or sand & gravel, company but I could be wrong, I dont know the area. I just remember seeing a sign warning of quicksand, down this wrong turning.

Alas I did not see your FTE, and her gang from Oop North. I was too busy trying to keep my feet firmly on the ground and the rest of me upright, while all the toddlers were running amok and screaming trying to trip me up. Your Fruit and her Friends must have been feeding the lions while I was admiring the penguins. For some reason, I didnt get to see the lions or hyenas, I didnt see the sign post for them.

CC

Lesley I was put in a difficult situation because he'd worked past the two hours I'd agreed to pay him for. As I said, I have other irons in the fire and will make it very clear that their two hours must include enough time to pick up the clippings ..... as you suggest, while I look for the money.

Both mine had dummies. I heard all about the evils of dummies, but had two SCREAMERS !! - I'm sure they were heard in Glasgow - and I often say : if there is no dummy then a baby will find something else to suck, and its not possible to remove a thumb. But, you can remove a dummy.

Its said that there is no such thing as a bad dog, the problem is bad owners. But some dogs do have mean natures. However if the owner only encourages that bad nature they have no business keeping a dog in the first place, and should face the consequences. I'd opt for putting the yobbos in a confined space and send in a pack of dobermans. Oh ... someone is crying "human rights"!!! I wonder why the victims of crime have no human rights.

Many moons ago ..... I had friends who kept two dogs, one alsation and one doberman. Both were supposed to be guard dogs. I assumed the "alpha female" position from the start, and had no trouble with either dog ever. But, another visitor to these friends house used to squeal in terror every time one of the dogs walked past her. Guess who got her ankles nipped. Nope, wasnt me. Oddly enough I was terrified of dogs when I was a child, it wasnt until I was 14 that I discovered the secret of dog management.

CC

Morning ladies - well, it is here,

Lo, there is a bright ball in the sky, gawd it is the long lost sun :-). hurrah !!

What a cutie Emilie is, glad to hear she is more settled. No doubt she is sprouting like a little mushroom.

Hello Teresa, glad you had a nice holiday. Your lungs must be bursting with all that lovely fresh sea air ? Did you sleep like a log?

CC, I hope your puddy didn't get too frazzled at the vets? Fruits puppy loves it, know just which cupboard the doggy treats are kept in :-D. Greedy mut she is.

Oh dear, I hear on the radio, Prince H has been a little naughty on his wee visit to Las Vegas... I wonder if his grandma will want to 'speak' to him on his return, remind him of his duty to uphold the family name and all that :-D, what a silly boy he was. Imagine photos, of his crown jewels, splashed who knows where... Somehow I don't think his granny will be too amused, do you?

I trust you have your house to rights now Petunia? A friend of mine once left young teenage boys at home, on her return - to a perfectly tidy house, she knew the minute she stepped inside, there had been shenanigans during her absence.
When will orfspring learn that mothers know everything ;-).. as do maiden aunts of course..

I am off to a three hour presentation by our bank this morning, technically called a 'workshop' :-(.How to manage your cashflow.... What cashflow eh :-S. I might get a nice cup of tea and wee cake maybe?

I am off out this evening with fruit to the local drama clubs production, lets hope it is worth the grand entry fee of $5.00 :-D.

I am not here,
Toodle pip

Susan, orf to learn how to count dollars and cents ;-)

Good evening dear Friends,

How lovely to see you back Teresa dear, so pleased you had a good time, if a trifle chilly. Refreshing eh?

Lesley, I really do appreciate a freshly laundered lace-edged hankerchief being fluttered at me. Do you use box or spray starch dear? Little Baby E. looks as if she is concentrating very hard on sleeping. The dummy can be removed when she drops off to sleep. One must do what one needs to at times, as you well know. I agree with you dear, tis not the dog, tis the owner.

I have quizzed Pat-trish-aaaah thoroughly dear Cherry, and she seems to think that she was not the cause of the disturbance at Motie Towers at all. She simply says that she was given a shopping list by you and Mrs Berry, which took her onto the North Circular, she dropped into a Cafe for a little light refreshment, and these young people followed her home, singing Born To Be Wild..................

I shall have to get industrial cleaners in to rectify this mess. Especially as I am orft on Friday..........

Yes, on Friday we begin our Cruise. I have had all my valises cleaned and polished, clothes ironed and pressed and the jewellery got out of the Bank. We will be off!

Teresa dear, I expect your dear daughter at the top of the gangway to pipe us aboard.

Southampton here we come!

Reading Itinery
Auntie Petunia

We are back :-D

I have read of all the goings on at Motie Towers down under and nearest to home with Lesley.

What news of a heat wave. We were cooler than a foxes glacier mint in the valleys and beaches of the Pembrokshire coastline ;-) we had a lovely time in a lovely location with beautiful views. It only rained for one day and the rest of the time it was at night.

FTE was at Colchester zoo on the day you were there Cherry dear. She had the friends from up North down and decided to take them to the zoo. Did you see them Cherry, she dragged them everywhere to see everything. We were gold card members when the fruits were younger so she knows the place like the back of her hanOh the tales we could tell :-D :-D :-D. We live half an hours drive. We are orff again next week so I will look out for the quicksand sign.

Will be back later

Teresa

Regards your gardener CC I think I would suggest to him (very politely of course) that he could be picking the droppings up while you gather his money, which you should do very slowly :-D

Yes that is baby E when she was 4 days old <3 ma and pa have now given her a dummy which is a big comfort to her and has made her a lot more settled :-)

People talk of certain breeds of dogs being banned :-( I think it's certain types of people that need banning :-|

Lesley

Petunia dear I have a little quandary and would welcome some of your most esteemed advice, please.

One's First Husband, when he dries up the cutlery, manages to put the knives and forks into the appropriate separators in the drawer. However - the knives are jumbled up and the forks are jumbled up, none of them pointing in the same direction. And I cannot bring myself to tell you what he does to the teaspoons, but that drawer is a MESS.

Now - should all the blades of the knives, and all the tines of the forks, be facing north or facing south?

And, how do I force a gardener to pick up the droppings, when he has already been told to pick up the droppings ..... then goes and works a few minutes past his time so is in a rush to leave once he's got his money, instead of allowing time for clearing up properly before his allotted time ends?

CC

*waves lace edged handkerchief back at Lesley*

I like your Avatar, no doubt that is the lovely little Emilie. A heartbreaker already !!

CC

Good morning everyone.

Petunia dear, I barricaded myself into the Orange Room, as I could not reach the Primrose Room in time. or was it the Green Room. Who am I? Where am I? As a result of my self imposed incarceration until the Hells Angels left, I have no idea what they got up to, nor ... who let them in !!!!! But, I suspect Pat rish aaaah brought more back with her from her hippy sojourn in Essex, than a strange hair style. She is very quiet as a rule. You know what "they say" about the quiet ones .....

You can talk to Pat rish aaah, dear. She is not my responsibility. Not after the unfortunate Lampshade incident.

Oh that cat ....... I'd made an early evening appointment, thinking the dear cat would not come home last night, as is her wont, in which event she usually rolls up mid-afternoon for something to eat, and I planned to lock her in the house at that time. But she did come home ergo was at home all night until I awoke, and I had strict instructions not to release her into the wild blue yonder under any circumstances. Upon rising, one's first husband locked her into the box room whereupon said kitty used her litter tray (phwaawwrrrr the PONG) and MFH will clear up that mess when he returns home, he said. MFH promptly phoned the vets to see if they could see the cat earlier than this evening. They said yes, they had a free appt, bring her along now. So orf they have jolly well gone, to the vets, and no doubt puddytat will be in a right strop when she gets back home and will go and sulk in the garden for the next 24 hours. But, at least she will have had all her appropriate boosters.

Ohhhh ... I do not like to know what mindless yobbos do to small helpless defenceless animals ..... every time I read the news on Sky there is yet another reported incident of animal cruelty and my blood pressure goes so high I'm now flying on Pluto.

*dreaming of walnut whips and toblerone bars*
CC

Strolling in waving my (clean) lace edged handkerchief to everyone :-)

Strolling out still waving my handkerchief muttering :-( I will return :-D

Mmmmmmmmmmmm coffee walnut whips <3

Good evening dears,

Yes please do send a little water down the cyber hatch we could do with a downpour to freshen things up a little. We have been very sticky here the last few days.

Ah poor puppy, I do so hope he is better soon. We had a case in the paper a few weeks ago, where some yobbos put a kitten into a phone box, and then put in a couple of bull terriers. Needless to say what happened.............what is matter with these people? Mindless violence and a blood lust. Very sad.

Ah yes, our meeting earlier in the year. When you were with your gentleman walker. It was VERY cold that day, and bleak. I nearly did another turn of Trafalgar Square just to keep on the bus. It was a good job I knew of a welcoming hostelry to get the chill out of our bones.

Cherry dear, I wondered why a found a skull and crossbones ring in the hallway. Hells Angels indeed! Tutty tut. I am most displeased. I was so very tired last night, and hungry. There was no food in the house, the Lotus Flower had to supply nourishment for me. I turned the light out before I got into bed, and disrobed by candlelight [so much more flattering] and then slid between the sheets................I found a bandana pushed down to the bottom of the bed. It was covered in oil and grease. My wonderful linen sheets soiled. Please dont tell me my bed has been desecrated!!!!!!! I also found a couple of nuts and bolts under the bed. Has someone been riding a bike up and down the stairs?

Good luck for your puss Cherry. Will you have to sedate her to get her to see the Vet?

Ah Walnut Whips, lovely. I also used to like Fruit Salad and Black Jacks. Wonderfully sticky around the teeth, and also Sherbert Fountains.

Ah happy days............

Dreaming of Milk Tray Bars
Auntie Petunia

*begs on bended knee* Susan I will be happy to take all the rain you can bottle up and send to me! thank you :-D My poor garden is looking quite scorched.

Fingers Xd the puppy wont need eye surgery. Our cat is due to have her booster jabs tomorrow - if we can drag her in from the garden to keep the appointment.

I well remember walnut whips - like so many of these goodies its a case of two minutes on the lips and a lifetime on the hips.

CC