General Chat

Hi Dorothy and all who are looking in,
I am well on the way to being fit again. My hand is not painful any more, but I am afraid I have tingling fingers and a pricking sensation. I have to see the surgeon on Wednesday to have the stitches taken out, but the wound doesn't look right enough to me. We shall see.
Today Johan and I have been all day in Amsterdam at the University hospital there. We left here at 9.45 this morning and came back around 5.00 pm. It is so tiring. They kept asking the same questions over and over again to Johan. He is going to have his eyelids lifted, but because of being diabetic and his age- 82 - will be in hospital for at least 2 nights.
I saw my old skin specialist - the one who treated me for skin cancer - and he recognised me and came specially to see how I was. I really liked this specialist and am sorry he is now working at the University hospital, but it is progress for him and he is young - could be my son - or grandson????????
Weather permitting, I will try out my scootmobile tomorrow. I don't like Johan doing the shopping. I've already sacked him as cook and told him he will never make a cook. He agrees. No ill feelings there.
Sylvia xxx

Goodmorning ALL !!! today they are forecasting rain hail and perhaps snow on hills Its far too late in season but may not be as bad as forecast.Every thing in garden is coming along and its time to pull out spring plants and replant with summer annuals Christmas here I like traditional meal, lamb ,new potatoes ,peas Broad beans and pud or pavalova and fruit salad . But our children are much more inclined toward BBQ So it depends what their families are doing Going camping before or after xmas or dining with other Inlaws May be a quiet day at home when hubby and I will prob cook tradional anyway .
In town they are hoping to have a meal for those who otherwise would miss out No Im not thinking of going !!but would quite like to volunteer to be a helper. I have an appointment with surgeon this week so will see what happens then I love baking and cooking I used to work in health food shop doing baking muffins bread etc
Margaret

hi well we are on the same time again brenda as we put our clocks back last night the cats were not amused they tried to get me up at 7 instead of 8. anne went on a overnight trip to llandduno I am sure I spelt that wrong) her ladies club had their xmas outing. so I shall expect a phone call from her later to-day. to-day is rather dull and looks like it might rain but it is 10 degree's so that is not bad, the sister in clagary may get snow to-day rather her than me. I have to agree with brenda fred can you fit one more in at xmas that menu as I have said before is wonderful, frances if you have said I have forgotten where abouts do you live and where did you use to live in england, anyone have any news re sylvia is she home or in hospital well it is time to get going on my day by for now dorothy

Hi everyone,its really sunny here but really cold as well,the cars weren't frozen but almost.
Just made a sheppards pie for dinner with sprouts and carrots,will just need warming up when we get back from dads later.
Have had to rethink my time table etc for the week due to all the changes to the rotas at work.Not a lot of happy chappies at work at the moment but we can only try it and see how we go on,at least there are no redundancies------ well not yet
Dorothy finished the book it was really very good.will look out for his new one next year.
fred any room for a little un at your at christmas??
It always sounds sogood.!!
Frances and marageret what sort of Christmas do you have BBQ or Roast turkey.
See you tomorrow
brenda

Morning everyone,it's been a cold night here ,with lots of spiders webs showing on the hedges with all the dew running onto them,reminds me of my schooldays when i used to collect them in a hazel twig made into a hoop[much to the spiders disgust]
Sean has now gone back to camp ,but hopes to fly back again for Christmas,when ,hopefully we will have the house to ourselves again.
There is a house in the offing ,with Stephen and Ann going to view it on Wednesday.
Christmas is going to be a quiet one this year,with the place to ourselves and Sean,,only Martin and Chris coming Christmas day.
Sean was so good while he was on Leave,never once complaining at the loss of his room ,and his having to sleep on the settee,so we have to make it up to him somehow.
The Christmas menues are already planned and sorted ,so i intend having a lazy time of it lol.
I am off now to go out back and pick some veggies for dinner.Fred.

Hi Gang ,just a few lines as I am at work,our pc or rather the mouse is not doing anything so David is to see to it tomorrow.
Hopefully will be back tomorrow or Monday .Brenda

Hi all
Brenda, my mum still lives in the u.k. and just had a holiday in corfu using the insurance from Tesco's she said it was great value. Saturday lunchtime here, just got back from the dreaded shopping, absolute madness, ok so now for the 2nd load of washing for the week :) Ohhh and by the way I am an ex Brit, well still a Brit, just living in a wonderfull country, I do come home quite a lot, as my family still live there, was there last year, thinking about another trip soon, get really home sick this time of the year, xmas coming up, am actually going to ring mum tonight, got to get her to make a trip to Morrisons for me, to get the Family Tree Builder 2005 version, shame poor thing, I am always sending her on little excursions for me, if I can't buy what I want here. Anyway all, you all take care and enjoy your lovely cool weather, while I am dying of the heat, still can always turn on the air conditioner :)
Frances

goodmorning everyone welcome francis from far away at least from me over here, to-day is a lovely fall day the rain has gone and the tree's are still showing the lovely colours though the wind has blown a lot away. brenda glad to hear that you are seeing the consultant maybe this will move things along. to-day I am popping to the shops and of course the library they have five books in for me, a couple of new mysteries and one by pres clinton and one by an american journalist if it sounds like I am going highbrow not really just a slight change of pace. the youngest grandson has a hockey game at 7-35 to-morrow am that is so I don't think I will be getting up for that next sat it is at 8-35 may make that. fred my chicken dinner turned out great but not up to your menu from the other day I am still thinking about that one. well should get ready so by for now dorothy

Hello everyone its dry and cold here in Manchester today the sun is doing its best but is very watery ,if you know what i mean.still no word from the hospital ,so i phoned them and will be seeing the consultant on Nov 23rd about my results from the scan. Been trying to get the holiday insurance sorted out one quote was £360 and one £76. big difference ,ust trying to see if the cheaper quote is a good company.It through Tesco with UK insurance any one heard of them.
Have to go and get the weekly shop.
Nice to have you with us Frances,have been to your lovelly country twice but only seen Victoria and NSW,and a bit of the Gold Coast.
See you all soon
Brenda

Hi all
well still no sign of rain,it got cloudy, but noooo nothing, so now hubby (Rick) has come up with a momentos idea, he thinks we should put 44 gallon drums at the end of every down pipe, mmmm nice look to the house, cheaper than a rain water tank though, could be artistick and paint scenes on them or something, it's now Friday night here, so looking forward to a great week-end, xmas shopping, house work, washing (only the second load for the week, saving water you know) and then maybe a barbie on Sunday, when all the kids come round, mmm relax glass of wine, sounds good to me,

You all have a great week-end

Frances

Hi I meant welcome Frances It must bethose grey cells failing again!

hi everyone well fred you have gone and done it again I read your message twice all that lovely food it sounds wonderful, brenda glad you enjoyed the book I am looking foreward to his next one it is always great to read a book by someone somewhat local, he said if i can't find his next one over here he will send me a copy I thought that was very nice of him, last night went well with trick or treating lots of great costumes the children came home with lots of candies. raining to-day but we can use it fred I have a small chicken in the oven for my supper the local store had one of the buy one get one free specials on I seasoned it an stuffed it with onions so it at least smells good we shall se how it tastes the computor is behaving at the moment long may that last by for now dorothy

Welcome Brenda I like to read the chat on this thread too Can understand the problem you must be having with water or the lack of it especially with your heat
restriction here is only as far as garden watering goes in summer but even this allows us some time to water alternate days
Margaret

Afternoon Francis,Dorothy,Brenda,Sylvia,edith,Mary.John and anyone else i have forgotten.not a bad day here ,a bit damp ,but pretty mild.
I had to go down to the doc's to pick up a perscription and got waylaid by one of the receptionists ,with the end result ,Fred ,and Liz have had their flu jabs .
I like this doctor of ours ,it's quite fun really you go in for something and always land up getting clobbered for something else.
Our Curry went down very well last nigjht ,two of the kids wanted a chinese ,while the rest of us wanted indians ,so we did a pot of each,complete with popadoms ,naan bread and chappaties
Tonight i have done an oldy that we all like,minced beef ,dumplings ,mashed tattie,little new potatoe roasties,cabbage,and sweede all with onoin gravy.
Seeing as Sean goes back to camp Saturday ,frfiday we have another christmas dinner ,in case he dosn't make it back on the 25th.
Fluffy roast potatoes ,mash ,sausages wrapped in bacon,parsnips ,cauli,and fresh peas,turkey breast homed made stuffing ,apple sauce ,and a little roast leg of pork.,complete with a home made christmas pud and cream.
Stephan and ann are down the council today seeing about them being on the street next Friday,when they get on the phone to me ,as they will .i will just tell them that the few weeks they reckoned on has grown into three months and i have had enough,it's making me short tempered and ill ,and the wife can't cope any more with all the extra housework and lack of space.
This is the second time we have had to help out in four years with one or more of the family ,but ,sorry to all ,we can no longer cope witjh this sort of hassle,and wev'e more than done out bit,we need our own space back before we become really ill with it all.
So there you are Sylvia ,in a small way ,we know how much worse it must be for you ,we at least can see light at the end of the tunnel,and i only wish for your sake ,you had such an easy solution..
I am looking round now ,for one of these slow cookers like our mary has ,i would really like one of the old sort that you put on the gas cooker,but all i can find at the minute is an electric one,so i may have to settle for one of these.
As regards salting it ,i can use our big jam pan with lid ,which can sit in the unheated greenhouse ,or shed for the fortnight it takes to prepare,but is no good for the cooking of, the top of the oven being stuffed with pans and whatever,although it may pay me to cook the beeef on Christmas eve ,when the top of the cooker would be free for a jam pan,hmmmmm,that may be the answer.
The local butcher has promiseed me a good ,lean piece of pot roast ,ideal for cooking this dish,he says about 8 pound in weight,should be spot on..and the turkey is well organised ,being delivered two days before the day,so ,all looks well.
I have to strip all the cobs off the corn tomorrow and get the kernals blanched and put into a bag for the freezer,and there are a load of small beetroot to come out of the garden as well.and i have a few late variety of cabbage nearly reeady, plus one special one earmaked for christmas day,a nice drumhead,yes ,all is coming together nicelly,so ,any thinking of turning up for dinner had better get their orders in ,no takaways allowed lol.
We have to go and do a little of the special shopping tomorrow ,so i reckon it may be pretty late before i get on again .
The sparkie never got back on the phone to me for a start date so i reckon he wasn't really interested.but no matter,i di a little more phoning around and got another fella to strt the jobon next wednesday,do the box ,replace all the earth wires with the new stuff of the required thickness put a new one from the box to the cold water pipe just inside the back door,test all the curcuits ,and make out the two certificates needed for the council,and the household pack,and inform the electricity council that the work has been done by a certified installer.all for £300 ,so i have even saved £100,on the original estimate ,so ,liz can have her new front room coffee tables for christmas ,on top of her other stuff.
Well,time to go and start the tea,have a good evening all,catch you all tomorrow.Fred.

Hi everyone
Is it ok if I join your thread, have been sitting here reading all about you all. I am from Brisbane Australia, where we are heading into a very steamy hot summer, and in the middle of an horrendous drought, can you imagine 4min showeres, can't wash your cars, can't water your garden, no paddly pool for the grandchildren, "what do I tell them" ahhh stick them in the bath with the rubber ducky, then bucket the water out for the garden and the car wash, lol

Regards

Frankie

Morning everyone,hope your pc stays ok Dorothy,if yours is like ours it has a mind of its own.!!!
But it has not really given us much trouble in the 4 0r 5 years we have had it.
I am still learning things on it and about it even now.!!!
I am really enjoying that book,am sorry I did not buy it as I could loan it to my friend as she is into crime books and loves football,might buy it her for christmas,!!
stillnothing about my operation am getting more than fed upnow ,will be phoning them again later or tomorrrow if I do not hear today.(Post can come at any time these days)
Need to order a winter jacket for John for christmas ,so will say hope everyone is ok and see you all tomorrow.
Brenda

hello everyone well I do not know what happened but the computor appears to have fixed its self!!!!!!!!! so long may this last, my goodness everyone is really cooking up a storm it all sounds very delicous. not very much new over here the weather has gone strange again back to being warm 70 to-morrow but very cool at nights, last eve I went with the family to the local museum they had an event night for hallowen lots of games and then when it was dark a trail through the woods with lots of dark and scary moments, the children wore the costumes they will be wearing to-morrow for trick or treat. fred I am sorry that missy did not return home after all as you say perhaps someone is looking after her, has any one heard from sylvia has she had the op. brenda you are right it is his first book I do hope that you enjoy it. well speaking of books I am off to make a coffee and finish stephen booths lastest dying to sin it is quite good have not figures out the end as yet bye for now dorothy

Just a quick message from a sunny Manchester,but rather chilly.really autumn now.
Casseroles and stews etc for teas this week I think.
Too cold for salads without having jacket spuds etc.Take care Brenda

All this talk of Nice food cooking !! Its salad time for us most days easy to prepare after a day in the garden But I am lucky Hubby does like cooking and prob cooks as many meals as me When he retired he got in the kitchen said he could have it!!! now we share He can do most Things BUT not ironing ! nice day again but very windy Im getting very pleased with my Fuchsia houses and now Its washing empty pots
Margaret

hi everyone,haven't got long had to change my teabreak and now we are really busy ,hope everyone is ok ,see you tomorrow.brenda