General Chat

Just a quick message as its too early for anything else.Hope you al have a good weekend.speak to you soon Brenda

Just a nudge so we will not disapear all together,

Hi everyone The Praise Be (NZ version of Songs of Praise) recording went like clockwork last week with both congregation and several choirs. Overall 20 songs were recorded but only 10 will be shown in the city special in a few weeks. The other 10 will be slotted into different Praise Be episodes during the year and will be seen for years to come. Brenda you 'll have come to NZ to see the programme. Heard from Bill in OZ, he has arrived in NZ and he has emailed me on GR saying that he is in Raglan and in his words 'waiting for his junk to arrive'. Brenda - us disappear, NEVER! John

Morning everyone,Poor Sean is still in bed this morning ,the grandbairns were all over him like a rash all afternoon and he was worn out by the evening.. He spent a couple of hours putting his site in to the computer and than loading his two strategy games and by the time this was done he went to bed,but having said this ,he came off shift the morning he flew ,so he never had any sleep Friday. Our two thrushes have a heck of a mess on the patio while they are collecting mud from the planters we left out at the end of last year,the wife being a city girl wanted to know what they were doing and would i move the pots please ,to which i said NO,Liz was a bit taken aback,but once i had explained that a lot of birds including blackbirds and thrushes use it to line their nests with ,she was fine with it. There was a nice little crowd of spuggies in this morning too ,feeding and collecting their nesting materials ,so things out here are getting interesting again. I havn't seen snuffles out back this year but i know he is around out the front because i can see a few calling cards on the borders,i think he is now too big to get under the gate rto get out back,but never mind,i will still get to see him once in a while when he comes out at night. I think i will do a stir fry for dinner as Sean is very fond of them,i have some nice chicken strips in the fridge that we didn't use up on Saturday and there is plenty of veggie and herbs in the garden and some nice bean sprouts in the freezer. Off for a swan about the boards ,enjoy your new week all lol.Fred.

Morning everyone,we have a lovely spring morning here,shame I have to goto work,!!! still two years at the most to work,unless the lottery comes up ,. John glad the recording went well and you enjoy watching it as well. I am hoping to get to OZ when I am 60 in two years ,you never know It could be extended !!!! Had a sort of 'date' with Bill arranged on Mornington pier where my friend lives,will have to take a rain check and see him in NZ.LOL Off to work soon,brenda

hi one and all fred I have just put to-gether a beef stir fry for my evening meal it is smelling quite good, to-day it was 18 degrees and the sun was shining it has melted some of the snow and the big bay near us the ice is starting to melt they have pulled off all the ice fishing huts, but to-morrow it goes down again but to-day was great. tuesday and wednesday I will be looking after the three granchildren after school it is almost two weeks since I have seen them I am having withdrawal symptoms. the other gran did all of last week to give my leg a rest. the oldest one has a last minute hockey tournement this week my son is not happy about it as he has business in montreal on thursday and will have to fly out early and dash back early but it is the end of the seaon and the powers tht be made this decision without asking all the parents, bryan will be please as he will get friday off from school as it goes for three days, well that is it for me I shall try and get on line to watch coronation street and see what happens to tracey bye for now dorothy

Hi Everyone,just showing John something on the pc and checking on here,feeling really sorry for myself ,really bad head full a cold, earache etc,taking a day of work,Dorothy that stir fry sounded wonderful ,did you enjoy,hope you have a good time with the grand children,and glad to hear you are almost back to normal with your back and leg. Going for my lemsip now,speak to you all again.brenda

Hi all, Well have been doing odds and ends again today, such as ironing, and cooking. I didn't have to sleep during the day today, but did have a sleep after dinner. Im getting itchy feet and would love to go away on holiday but I know I am not yet fit. Anyway I have to see the surgeon tomorrow to see what he says about my wounds etc.etc. and if they found anything else when they took my piece of bowel away. I hope not. Although the weather is lovely and sunny it is still too cold for me in the flat without the central heating on. Anyway it's nice to be back with you all again. Sylvia xxx

Morning peoples,it dosn't look too bad here this morning ,the sun is trying to get out and it promises to be a nice afternoon . Hope you get your good news tomorrow Sylvia,that alone will help you recover more quickly,and the improving weather will help no end too. We wwent to the sons last night where we had the first B B Q of the season had a couple of nice sausages in finger buns,a beef burger with onions and chilli sauce,a couple of bits of beef strips ,and a couple of chicken pieces,i even managed to find a couple of cans of alcahol free lager,leaving a can of the real stuff 'til i had put the car to bed. We are doing Seans Sunday dinner today seeing as he goes back on Friday afternoon, I got a pork loin joint out of the freezer last evening and took it off the bone this morning,cut the skin in a few places ,and stuffing them with slices of garlic clove twigs of rosemary,and rubbed the skin with a little salt befoe adding some honey glaze. I will be doing some new potatoes ,brussel and sweede for veg',along with some roast carrot, sweet potatoes and shallots. The pork was his choice because the cooks in the forces now don't know how to cook anything else but chicken ,a lot different to my days in the forces where we had some of the best cooks around,but ,i suppose thats progress for you. Well short and sweet today,time to prepare the rest of the dinner and get the joint in the oven.See you later this afternoon if Sean will let me on the puter lol Fred.

Morning all:o)) Hello Sylvia - good to see you - just take it easy though, the little naps will do you loads of good. Everyone seems so busy. Brenda - l saw further down you had a head cold coming, hope its gone. perhaps you need a tonic?? Fred - l was in the fish & chip shop on Saturday and low and behold the blackbirds that we's seen nesting a few weeks prior now have 2 babes - they were both busying themselves with feeding, and the mum was cleaning the nest and fussing - hope they survive as we have a colder/wet spell on the way and the nest is not protected - they built it on the remainder of ivy that had been cut back - fingers x'd. Madoc is doing really well - we are at fault if anyone now cause we don't keep the training up, l get cross with OH cause he slips back into some of the old routine and l just get frustrated. But he is so much better. Te other day with the nice chap went really well and we know how to deal with a simular situation. Fat cat has been sick a few times, roughly once a week since we got back from hols. He was booked in at vets yesterday for a dental check but had a blood test instead cause he was sick on Sunday - the blood test came back fine (phewwww). This might be because we have changed his food about recently - some weeks ago OH got the wrong stuff (Wh-----s!!!!), which Fat cat never liked, anyway we tried him with it (but we did'nt do it gradually) and he ate some then he would'nt etc (like cats dooooooo) so he's now back on his usual (F---x) and some dry food (again we did'nt do it as gradual as we should av) - we have to give it a month to get back to normal with food, then if all ok we can get his teeth sorted. Really don't know why l did'nt do it gradually, l usually do because l know that animals can't always take to change straight away - it can really upset their tums. Gave Madoc one of his chicken wings yesterday, UNCOOKED because the bones are soft that way - he is so funny with it, he walks around the garden, then drops it and walks away, then back again and licks it - l ended up putting a blanket on the patio and peeled the skin off for him to get him started - he soon polished it off:o)))) Ok must go now have to shower, sister will be here in a couple of hours. Take care jude sarf wales :o) xx

hello everyone good to hear from sylvia you soon will be feeling 150% it just takes a little time, it is 9am here and just had breakfast but just finished reading fred's menu for his dinner for his son, it sounds wonderful what a cook. jude your animals give so much pleasure reading about what they get up to, we have a big alert on cat food over here quite a few cats have died also in the states they found the cause of the renal failure was a form of rat poisen in the cat food , so many brands have been recalled costing the company many millions of dollars, but it does not bring the dogs and cats back(also found in dog food) a few brands are supposed to be safe my two have been dining on regular tuna for a few days that is usually a treat. spent time with the grandchildren yesterday it was great. the youngest is trying baseball this summer not soccer so I was pitching to him to practise his catching not one of my better talants. Laura is playing soccer again she is quite good runs well. and the oldest is going to try golf both his parents golf so he wants to try it, they give lessons for about six weeks. plus they are off to camp for two weeks in july/august it is a christian wildernes camp. washing in the lake etc and overnight camping in the wilds not my idea of fun. but their mom went to that camp and always enjoyed it. anyway I am off out to look for easter eggs for them I am going to the british store she usually imports some and they do taste better bye for now dorothy

Good afternoon everyone,what a lovely lot of messages to fine.My cold is still here,have runny nose ,red eyeserache ,but no aching joints etc,have been off work two days as i have also felt really weak.and my leags have been like jelly.Hope the worse is over as Thursday and Friday are my days off and i have things arranged. Sylvia,really good to see you back with us,just take it easy ,getting back on your feet.I am sure you will hav good news from the consultant. Jude,so pleased thetraining is working,John took Max for training years ago and was told by the trainer ,its the owners who need the training really,John did not take kindly to the way he was spoken to (he disagreed with the trainers methods)and wouldn't go back after a few visits. Dorothy ,how awful about the poisoning ,they must be sick to do something so bad, Fred ,enjoy Seans sunday lunch,weare on chicken casserole and baked potatoes should have done some spring cabbage but have been on here too lomh.!!!! will be getting a smacked wrist. See you all soon take care ,Brenda

Hi everybody, Well I visited the surgeon who removed my tumour today and he gave me the good news. I don't have to have chemo treatment because they have taken the tumour away cleanly and no further problems. I still have one wound which is leaky so have to go back to the surgeon again in two weeks time. The big wound is round my navel which is where they managed to take away the piece of intestine with tumour. I only have only problem and that is diarrheo (spelling?) and this makes me uncertain of going too far away. I am not allowed to take any medicine for this as the surgeon says nature must take its own way. I am getting itchy feet and want to book a few days away sometime after Easter. What lovely Spring sunshine we've been having. I want to try and go shopping tomorrow for a few odds and ends to decorate the flat for Easter, lots of yellows etc. Nice to read all your contributions and thanks always for your kind messages. Sylvia xxx

Hello everybody, Sylvia, so pleased to hear that your operation was succesful and no chemo needed. Now you just rest a bit and give yourself a chance to recover, it's still early days. Hopefully some nice weather soon and that always helps especially if you manage a few days away - to rest!!! Brenda hope your cold clears up soon, it's miserable feeling so wretched. Seem to have almost recovered from mine just a bit lacking in energy, still a bit of sunshine will help. Of course the forecast for the next few days is cold and wet :( We seem to have lost a lot of our birds, been plagued with a load of magpies so they have frightened all the others away and they are so noisy. Was looking out of the window just now and a fox strolling down the road spotted me, he stopped and we stayed staring at each other for several minutes before he moved on but then he turned and came back to stare at me again for a while Maybe he thought I might be going to feed him, one of the neighbours does. My granddaughter is taking her GCSE's and is so fed up, because the school has such a big turnover of staff the teachers keep leaving and losing the course-work that has been done so it all has to be done again. What a way to to encourage youngsters to stay in education, luckily she is determined to continue, I just hope all her hard work is rewarded. I trust that when she gets to college things are better. Have some e-mails to deal with so must get them done. Take care God bless Love Kathleen

Just aquick hello today,feeling tons better but sooo tired for some reason.Glad everything was ok Sylvia,but please take it easy. Nice to see you Kathleen,yes some sunshine is just what we need,but now I feeel like going out its raining!! How are the family?hope your grandaughter does ok with her exams,it must be so frustrating with all those changes. Hope everyone else is ok have to get the tea on now,Brenda

Hi all:o)) Must just tell this:o)) As you know we went to America for 3 weeks in Feb. Met up with a cousin that l'd never met before and my half sister and brother whom l had'nt seen for about 30 or more yrs. My cousin (in New York) said she was hoping to visit here in 3 weeks, thats 3 weeks from when we were in US, then decided not to - then said she was in need of a break and was going to book a flight last week to come here tomorrow (Fri) - we were all getting really excited as this weekend is my daughters birthday and the whole family will be here, also panic cause l had'nt got room for her here, any way sister said she could stay there - THEN l then got an email - she's been really poorly with flu, so not coming. Luckily she had'nt booked the ticket. When we met up with my sister in Denver it was very very emotional - seeing my brother again was even more emotional - sadly he's in a residential home now (47yrs old), having had a tumour on the brain.His long term memory is still good and remembers us girls back in the UK. He sobbed when he saw me and as you can imagine so did l. Anyway my sister has a lovely daughter of 20yrs and 2 gorgeous boys.The boys both autistic aged 5 and 7yrs. Its the eldest ones birthday tomorrow, my sister and l sent a parcel. He loves the stars, moon etc so l sent a lovely plastic poster of the planets and sister sent a book of the same. He just loves them - the poster is already on the wall and he's completey stumped his mum cause he's reading the book!!!!!!!! l also sent 2 hoodies, one for his brother and he won't take it off. One of the things autistic children tend to do is have fixations - so for the time being it will be the poster and the hoodies:o))))) Thought you'd like to hear that - l was so chuffed when l read the email this evening and as usual l cried. Madoc is a gem, he's been sooooo good. He's ignoring other dogs on leads (at the moment), not making such a din when its walkies time, wish he'd be quiet when the doorbell rings - ooo he's so loud. Sylvia - so pleased everything is going along so well - your a tuff old bird ))))) Dorothy - which brands of food was that. That must be really worrying for animal owners!! Take care all:o)) jude sarf wales :o) xx

Good morning everyone ,and Madoc,well done with being so good for your mummy,and you keep letting the people outside know that you are there too never mind what mummy says lol,she may be glad of your protection one day. Hope you have been getting plenty of treats too during your training ,where you have done so well. I hope fat cat is still doing well too Jude,and that he is soon back to his normal boisterous self. I am sooo pleased for you Sylvia ,what fantastic news,now all you need do ,is take it easy for a while to give yourself time to get better,time for lots of tlc,and sitting outside in the sun in a chair whith lots of cool drinks. Poor Brendsa,you seem to have had those sniffles a long time now and it isn't easy when you have to keep going top work while you are feeling off colour. Well i dispare with Seanafter last night,hee hee,Liz decided to check with the airfield for his flight time today so that we could get him there in plenty of time,only to find out his flight is on SATURDAY,cor,the mind boggles,lol,this is the lad who controls the aircraft on the ground from the time they land ,to the time they reach dispersal and can have a dozen or more aircraft taxing in at any one time,and i have visions of aircraft shunting each other up the bum,and horrified pilots jumping out of cockpit windows to avoid the coming crash[a bit like the A 1 on a monday morning.] He ain't half had the mickey taken out of him this morning ,i kid you not . Seeing as we now have another day as it were we are off to the dump again to get rid of the old table that was in the greenhouse until yesterday[fear not Mary, you have sa brand new one so you can still have a seat and have a place to put your tea and bikkies for elevenses. We will then call in at the metro centre on the way home before going to Stephens for tea,Sean wants to see the kids again before he goes back to cyprus.His scuba gear arrived on camp a couple of days before he left on leave so he will be going out on the boat every spare minute i expect,what with that and his rock climbing he is going to be busy on his days off. Hope everyone is ready for their weekend off ,i know i am,i only hope the sun will return though ,i could do with some more sun on these white 'orrible knees of mine. See you all later .Fred.

Hi Folks,sorry about thia but short and sweet again,Have been looking on line for a good deal for a holiday later in the year. Then read my emails and was given some rellies info that I just had to look at!!! Am of out with me mates to night to celebrate my birthday whic was last week but we could not all get out till tonight. going for a nice long soak Jude what a lovely thing to have happend with the book and the stars and hoodie.Well done to madoc and yourselves off course. Fred was reminded of my old supservisoer and her husband On holiday in Florida,one of them flydrive things,They had got back to the garage to give back the car and was expexting a trnasfer to a hotel for the night as the flight was early morning,what a surprise when they were told you have come back a day early.!!!!So they had to load the car again and go and find a motel for another night ,she had been mis reading the date all the time they were there,!!!! .She still gets her leg pulled,See you all soon love brenda

Hi everybody, Well I had to go to the lung specialist today and now have several appointments to have a scan etc.etc. No chance of getting away until May as I see it. I don't know what to think of the lung specialist as he told me not to drink so much as my legs are holding water. Every doctor I have ever seen says I don't drink enough, so who is right? When I hear these sort of things I lose faith in the specialist himself I am afraid. My hairdresser came with a lovely little bag of hyacinths for me. It is a pea green bag decorated for Easter and contains 3 hyacinths bulbs. She is so pleased for me that everything is going so well that she brought this plant. I do believe that we might get nice weather for Easter which is very unusual. Jude, has Madoc met up with the puppy next door yet? Sylvia xxx

Hi peeps ,from a slightly warmer house where the spring seems to be returning at last. Sylvia old friend,where you take the advise of a lung specialist is to do with lungs and breathing problems,apart from that he is not qualified to give advice on say heart problems or dietric problems,if he persists ,tell him to mind his own bussiness. If you have water retention problems go to your dietric specialist and seek help,and if you arn't being treated at the moment for it ,go rto your doctor and report it to him ,or her.,it's easily treated by tablets and shouldn't be a problem for you. I was through at the sons yesterday and had a good time ,i wen't out of the front room to make myself a cuppa[ the rest were on lager] and came back to find Liz under Mia on the floor having a fun fight,,complete with loud growls from the dog ,and muffled giggles from Liz,and on the settee was Sean covered with the bairns crying for help [not rudddy likely lol] i sat back in my chair and let them get on with it. Stephen has had enough of the mum in law and here interfearing ,and the school letting bullying go on ,on a huge scale,so they are going to move over this end of the town in the next few weeks ,which will suit us,as they are a lot closer if they need us for anything,and i can take Mia out for walks ,and get my exercise at the same time. I reckon this next week i can at last get started in the garden properly and get it sorted out. Time to go now ,time i had the dinner on see you later,Fred.