General Chat

evening all,well its not too warm here either,put the heating on all day today!! glad you can get your van heated fred,please do not worry if you don't make it to Bury Fred like you said it will be there next March, Liz's
health is more important.
Nipped out to my neices this morning and was glad to get back it was sunny but cold!!
Glad you enjoyed the meal dorothy ,we have found prices for our lunches are creeping up as well so we are not having starters now helps the waist as well.!!!
Got another cake done today only two more to go!!
don't think I will be doing them next year my hand and arm are still aching with the mixing,my mixer will not hold all the mixture when thefruit is in as well.
Need to watch my programmenow brenda

hi good morning from a misty barrie it is going to warm up again will even be 21 to-morrow crazy weather, sorry to hear that liz is not well fred but hope you enjoy the visit to fleetwood how kind of the owner to move you to a warmer place and like brenda says bury can alway wait I don't think it will disappear fleetwood brings back very happy memories for me. brenda wow you have been busy doing your cakes puts me to shame I don't do them any more I cheat and buy them. don't have much planned this week Ian has a day off school to-day but his dad is working from home to-day so my services are not needed, andrew was very tired when I saw him on friday he had been on and off planes every day last week early morning 5am flights etc he earns his money I tell him.my sister flies back on thursday she is visiting friends in oakville to-day, suddenly realized I need to think about sending xmas cards but some folks I am just going to phone ie. the ones in england I can chat for 20 minutes for the price of a overseas stamp daft really and some the older cousins are getting on in their 80's so it is nice to hear the voices at least for me it is. well off to do a bit of house work bye for now dorothy

Hi all,its been really cold here today ,but the sun was so bright it was really awkward to drive in it.
Tomorrow is going to be warmer ,but will be wet.! we are at the dentist for out check ups tomorrow and should have been meeting friends for lunch afterwards ,but it looks like we have to take a rain check from them.
Not sure if we will still go out for lunch or if we will go shopping ,we both have a few birthday presents we need to get ,so might nip down to the Lowry shopping Mall..Your sister is going a lot of visiting Dorothy,can't say i blame her while she can,hope your son can slow down some what sounds really hectic, and I know what you mean about the christmas cards,the post costs so much these days ,I will be sendinga loy less than normal and they will be second class sent before I go away to make sure they get there!!!.Hope Fred and Liz are ok in fleetwood,and Liz is feeling better with her new medicines.
Brenmda

Just a quick one peeps ,before i let Liz loose on the puter,lol.
The new med' seems to be working,but it will take a while as she was pretty bad after the old med's didn't work when she took them.
Looks like being a very wet day here ,but Chris is looking forward to his tram trip so much that i will take him tonight no matter what,my hip and leg are playing hellbecause with Liz being unable to go out ,i havn't been out much either ,so the old pin has had no exercise ,he he.
Time to go ,i will make a cuppa while the missus gets to do her emails.Fred.

goodmorning from a very sunny barrie yesterday we were told we get a huge wind and rain storm but most of it passed us by though we did get some rain but to-day it will be nice as I said the other day the weather is crazy but anything is better than snow. to-day I am off out with a friend to several shops the library and coffee at a new place that has just opened, it is next to a new charity /thrift store apparently they recieve new stuff end of lines and over stock you can fill a big shopping bag for only 5 dollars the lady that is going out with me has had a lof of fun in there coming home with some lovely new name brand stuff so I thought I would have a look around.brneda she says you roll up the clothes and can really stuff the bag. also she wants to go to costco it is a big barn of a place that stocks everything you can think of in bulk big savings for families. andrew and lindy have shopped there for the family, I went with chris the week she was here they have a box of french onion soup 6 to a pack frozen and it is so good. good ideas for xmas and the butcher is very good so we will have a walk around and see what we can spot, of course if you live alone the idea is to go with someone in the same situation and buy things like toilet rolls ie. 64 in a box and split the amount and cost tissues etc .thurs to sunday the place is packed so hopefully to-day we can have a quiet walk around I don't like crowds anymore, spoke to chris last night she was enjoying her visit with her friends in oakville they had gone to niagra on the lake for the day lovely spot not far from the falls kind of old world with great little shops and resturants I usually take visitors there well time to get this day on the way hope fred and liz are feeling allright and the weather warms up for them bye for now dorothy

Hi everyone,we have hada really nice day today ,some dark clouds and therain did look like it might come down at one point but up to now its stayed dry.
I hope your day went as well as you wanted sounds a good way to spend a day to me.We have costco here as well.

sorry about that ,not sure what I did!! Finally met Fred and Liz ,near the cheese stall,which we resisted! but succummed to the black puddings ,had a good walk round the market and some of theshops ,had a cup of tea and a chat.Liz had done really well but got tired and so they left near lunch time,I meet my friend and had a cup of coffee and bought a few things for birthday presents and some cards.Fred nad Liz and their grandson and Lizs sister and brother in law very impressed by the market!!and said they would come back. Did you fill your bag and get some bargains Dorothy?
Must go need to check on tea, Back tomorrow,take care brenda.Ps thanks for the tea fred,It was good to see you all hope you got home ok. Brenda

Hi Troops,as Brenda says we had a good time at the market,and did indeed resist the cheese stall ,wow ,i have never seen so many different types of cheeses ,from so many places as we saw this morning.don't mind admitting the old juices were flowing.
The meat and fish market were a revelation ,so many fresh types of fish from Swordfish ,through to the lowly Whiting fillets and the prices i couldn't believe ,much cheaper than at home ,these Mancunians are spoilt for choice ,lol.
Liz did very well to be only half way though her course of anti biotics ,and only the second day into her steroids,bless her ,she is already planning a return trip in March next year ,when she is up to an extended walk around.
The in laws were very impressed as well ,and i think they will be back within a few weeks ,lucky blighters.lol.
I am saving my black pudding bacon ,sausage ,egg and bacon ,with some chopped tomato ,for dinner tomorrow ,before we take the Grandson to see his lights ,and ride the trams for the evening.
Looks like i am on tea duty again,soi am off to get it done,catch you all later ,Fred

Hallo all,
I don't expect you will remember me at all, but haven't been on here for a number of weeks due mainly to ill health. Anyhow, seem to have pulled myself together to be able to cope with life again. I've been reading all your letters and I have enjoyed doing so.
Gosh, hasn't winter set in early? I remember last year and the year before us having snow, and wonder whether we will have some soon??
I went into a shop today - bit like Woolworths - and they were unpacking Xmas goods, Xmas, that seems to come here quicker each year.
My eldest daughter and her partner are in South Africa for a few weeks so I must write a short letter and send to one of the hotels they will be staying.
Will keep this short, wishing everybody the best. Sylvia

goodmorning oh gosh I could see you all in my minds eye at the market so glad you made it fred and liz and that you got to meet brenda and of course that you so enjoyed the market it is still great after all these years. glad to hear that liz is improving keep up the good work liz, yes brenda I had a good day yesterday but did not buy anything at the thrift shop as I did not see anything that I really liked but it was interesting to see what they had, I think the new stuff had been picked over the day before, but did try out the new coffee shop next door, good coffee and we had a western on a cheese bagel it was very good (Ie. eggs onions red pepper) I would go back there and all the sandwhiches none were over 6 dollars ours was only 3 dollars. then we wandered around quite a few shops so it was a good day out plus of course a quick trip to the library, it is almost 9am and chris will be leaving totonto to go to the airport about 1pm her flight leaves at 3 she gets in at 5-30 her time 7-30 my time there is a 2hr time distance between barrie and calagary. to-day is cloudy and over cast we had very high winds again last evening so a lot of the leaves are off the tree's I think that I shall have a low key day to-day though I am going to cook a turkey breast for supper with scalloped spuds and some yams that need to be cooked up I feel in a cooking mood which is strange for me, glad to hear from sylvia and hope that you keep on the mend sylvia and keep us updated on all that you are up to bye for now dorothy

Hallo all,
Well I had a lazy day today. I was just under the shower when my neighbour popped down for a chatter. It was getting late so put on a clean nightgown and my dressing gown and decided that was how I was to stay for the rest of the day.
The workmen are installing a new lift in our block of flats so if I want to go out I have to walk to the other side of the flats. I have asked Johan if he would go to the market for me tomorrow and he agreed.
It is still cold and damp everywhere so I prefer to stay indoors with the central heating on.
I can make a few more Xmas cards as Xmas will be here shortly.
Hope you are all well. Sylvia xxx

Hi all,sorry its so late but I was busy earlier making another christmas cake,only one more to do,and thats going to be a dundee cake ,hopefully!!
Glad to see Sylvia back with us again,hope your health coninues to improve.Fred I am so glad you all had a good time yesterday,I did as well.After you went I met my friends and had a spot of lunch with them.
I have deceided that i must get to the market at the same time we did ,as it was good being able to walk round when its not as crowded.
Went in to Manchester today to see a friend I worked with at CIS had a good chat and look at some tops for the holidays but did not buy anything want to see how my diet goes first,
Just food shopping and errands tomorrowas well as ironing etc.Be back after that.Brenda

Morning all.slight change of plan .Am trying to book tickets for the Take That concert at The City of Manchester Stadium next Jun,but can not even get on their website,will try for a little while but have things to do and can"t spend all day trying.Hope the weather is better where you are as it is grey and miserable here.
Take care Brenda

Mornin' all you busy people ,lol,he he ,what a lazy personi am this week ,one person starting yet another cake ,and another making Christmas cards.
What is Fred doing ihear people asking ? zilch .nada.or,nowt,as the yorkie say, he he ,all i have done this morning apart from packing one case ,is go across to the owners lounge for breakfast,and allow time for Chris to spend some of his pennies on the slot machines.
Brenda is selling herself short Sylvia ,this lovely lady showed us round the market at a pace Liz could cope with ,and showed us a lot of things we would have otherwise missed,spending time on us while she could have been doing her own thing,not too many people left like that these days.
Chris too is growing up fast ,he took one look at the prices to get into the tower ,turned to his Nana and said.no way Nana ,i will wait until next year when it's free to get in,and later in the early afternoon seeing that his Nana was sore and tired he knocked waiting out to see the lights on the head too ,suggesting settling for his tram ride along the front ,all the way to Fleetwood ,where we changed to the bus and came back to the caravan park.
This says a lot for the lad ,who i am more and more proud of ,his dad too,who has obviously brought him up in the right way.
Good luck with the tickets Brenda ,lol,i looked at the silly bu****s last night on the news ,and thought ,naaah,Brenda isn't daft enough to go to those extremes ,glad to see you had more sense foreby.
Have to go and get the dinner ready ,catch you later,Fred.

Evening all,Fred it was a pleasure to show ,you Liz and the family around Bury,heres to the next time,,Hope you had a good journey home,and are now relaxed and cosy in your own home.Hope Liz continues to have a good recovery.
Had a trip to the library to day to see why I have been waiting so long for some books i have reserved.Some I know are new so will not be out yet but some should be here and are not my friend will check on why they are delayed.Also had a walk round Sainsburys and got a couple of bargains in their half price sale,Will make the last of my cakes tomorrow and then will just "fed" them till december when they will be iced.

Should have said have a good weekend whatever you are doing,Brenda

Hallo all from a wet, murky day here in the netherlands. I've spent the day indoors just doing what I want to do. I made an apple/cinnamon cake and some dark brown bread and did some handicraft work.
My granddaughter has phoned to say she is coming for dinner on Tuesday evening when she has finished work. Just had a card from her mother - my eldest daughter - who is holidaying in south Africa. She is travelling round in a group and is fortunate that the group is very nice and they are laughing a lot and enjoying all the scenery. It is Spring there.
Who has made their Xmas cake?
Keep well Sylvia xxx

Morning to Sylvia,Brenda,and everyone else hiding in the wings,from a very cool but sunny morning up here in what my sister always called the frozen north.
A sign of the times with all the perv's perhaps ,or maybe just the cold ,but we had on visiters last evening ,something that has never happened before,and funnily enough we missed the usual knocks at the door.
Yes sylvia ,i think it's time i made some bread to keep my hand in,but ,apart from that ,we don't make sweet stuff any more because it's a waste of time ,so we tent top buy when bairns are coming,but must admit ,i miss my wifes baking ,a slice of chrissie cake and a large lump of Wensleydale cheese was a favourite of mine for years [don't knock it until you have tried it].
We had a little mixed grill for tea last evening ,and Fred was a little miffed,no Bury black pudding [sniff] the scot's stuff isn't too bad ,but Newcastle's is NAFF ,lol,roll on march ,when the freezer is down ,and i persuade Brenda to take me to market again ,and buy a load to take home with me, he he.
Well it's shopping today after we get the washing done and hung out,and then i will trim the top of the high hedge which will complete the front garden for this year ,then i will get started on my window which will do until spring ,as the other windows arn't too bad .
The binmen are going to love me ,lol,the recycle [garden bin is ready for tomorrow morning ,and it's so full the poor thing is creaking on it's wheels,please Father Christmas ,can old Fred have a garden refuse burner for Christmas ? so that i can have lots of free potash for my veggies ,and save the bin men some grief. he he.
Liz has managed to get an appointment for 11-20 this a m ,to see if she can have another course of tablets ,she is quite a bit better now ,but has a way to go yet.
Can't make up my mind what to do for dinner tomorrow ,try the new Halogen J M L cooker ,for which i have to pick up the skewers and crisping pan + cookbook which is at the post office to pick up,or settle for the slow cooker and a hotpot,Decisions ,Decisions ,perhaps i should ask the second chef ?
Time to go now ,but i will be back later when work is finished for the day.Fred.xxx

Hello everyone its been a nice enougth day again here at least it was dry if a wee bit chilly!! had to nip to town to get a birthday present made it there and back in two hours mind you no stopping for a cup of tea or seeing anyone for a chat!!.Got what i went for and some fresh fruit,and came home,John had just gor in and was warming up some tomato soup,it was good even if it was tinned.Buses had a diversion on due to road works so had to go to the next bus stop ,which is where i used to get the bus home when I worked in town,got me thinking about people i have not seen for years!!
Next time i go to the market Fred i will see if they do a postal service!!
the vacuumed packed sliced puddings are sold in some supermarkets round here but don;t know about further afield.
all the cakes are now made apart from the Dundee cake which I am not sure about yet. Going for a cuppa now then to deliver that birthday present,see you soon ,Brenda

goodmorning everyone from a sunny but cold barrie glad to see everyone on line good to hear from sylvia, glad you liked the black pudding fred I can even buy it over here the odd time at the english shop it does come in frozen and in slices so maybe brenda can find out if it can be shipped to you, your grandson sounds like a great boy and so helpful to liz it is nice to see in this day and age. not been up to much other than going around to see what I could find for laura's birthday did find some girlie stuff so I hope that she will like it I am sure that I wrote a long message the other day but it seems to have disappeared I will have to have a think about it. going to do some chore to-day bye for now dorothy