General Chat

Hi Everyone!!! I Guess you all thought i had disappeared into the wide blue yonnder never to be seen or heard of again, but immmmm back!!! I have been looking in occasionally, just not adding, thanks everyone for the emails, makes me feel a bit in touch with the wattle news. I have missed catching up and hope to get more time soon. I havn't even been able to do any family tree stuff for soooo long. OH and i have been very busy working all the hours we can and when not doing that, heading out to the farm to try to catch up out there. We have managed to make a bit of hay this year, not much, but enough to cover the costs. The rest of the crop looks a bit sad, but thats farming in drought conditions. Hugs to all who need one (and who doesn't). Take Care, Wilson

lol.....We have a Stowaway living under the house, and he/she is doing it rent free......cheeky devil. Was lying in bed last night, and could hear... thump..thump, coming from under the house.Forgot about it this morning, and was going to investigate said Thumping........ Just been out with the torch to check underneath, and a little fox is curled up avin a kip. They are common where we are, and are coming up out of the Creeks and bush area around Warrandyte. Ever since the Freeway was started, and now with them extending through to Dandenong, we are seeing more and more. Also, been seeing a few Wallaby's jumping around late at night in the built up suburbs of outer Melbourne. Tony Oz...:>))

~~to Jeff Jude and Jood (this could get confusing lol) I have NO idea why you check numbers when I'm around. PMSL ;-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hi Wattlers, OK fess up - whose mum followed that cr*p back in 1955 - mine didn't so there was never any hope for me. And if I've slaved over getting his meal ready and he doesn't come home at all am I sposed to just let it go and not say something - ohhh pulese Won't get on my soap box about the education system as I am constantly on about it at work - have had some doozy of arguments too. I have been critical of the education system since I left HS learning a load of rubbish that I have never needed again - nothing has changed - there aren't enough teachers to teach the alternative subjects so unless they get in quick they are relegated to subjects no-one else wanted to do. All round the world we need more tradies because some idiot decided Uni was the way to go - who remembers one Oz PM who said we needed to be 'the clever country'. Anna - thinking of the family of the young lad. Vonny - have a great weekend - enjoy the new toy!!! Tassie - all the best for Tamika - hope she's feeling better too. Nice to see Trifley & Fluffy back (((((hugs))))) for you both. Better go get some food and settle down for Midsomer. Enjoy your evening folks~~~~~~~~~~~ Gwenda

Hi all Well it's Friday morning here still, and I'm really hungry, but two hours to go before lunch (unless I raid the tuck-shop) lol To those who have lots of exciting things happening this weekend - have a good 'un To those who aren't - find a good 'un. And to those a bit under the weather.. have a hug (()) Might be around later, if not it'll be another time tc jeffster

Jude (Flakey) - I'm giggling here, as soon as I saw Cat person, I immediately looked at the numbers also .... lol Have a great weekend - I do have your mobile - so if we win the biggie, I will text you. Jood

Having an early night tonight, have to be at the airport at 6:15 for my meet with 2nd cousin in Syd. Then a 21st in Melb tomorrow night. Sunday is a day in the city ,market then lunch at the casino for my sisters birthday. So will catch up on Monday, unless we win lotto. I;ll have my mobile if we win big. Have a great weekend everyone Flakey

Morning Cat, why is it whenever you appear the first thing I do is check the numbers...lol Flakey

Morning everyone :-) Pretty quiet here at the moment, the kids are still asleep lolol :-))) Don't know about this housekeeping thingy you're all talking about but if it means cooking meals from scratch and having a house free from clutter then I've failed miserably lolol. Tassie Hope Tamika enjoys her 'first' day at work :-) Anna how tragic, so sad, sending thoughts to his family and friends. Mary what are water jerks??? Trifley thinking of your friend and sending (((hugs))) to you. Vonny enjoy your weekend Tony good luck to your daughter, it will be hard but if it's what she wants then it will be worth it. Pam(((((((hugs)))))))) I, myself, left school with no decent qualifications but am back at college doing an access course which will enable me to do a degree at university. I agree with what has been said about putting kids under so much pressure. Over here kids are also put under pressure then you have people saying that exams are getting easier, the implication being that todays students aren't as clever as those of a couple of generations ago, grrrrrrrrrrr. Sometimes people just aren't ready for academics at around the age of 16, I know I wasn't. Others are more suited to non academic careers and it's about time this was realised. Over here we are crying out for tradesmen such as plumbers all because some idiot decided to abolish apprenticeships and encourage people to stay on at school. *Hands back soapbox* Must get on. ~~~~~~~~~~~~to all Catxx

Hi All, gone all overcast here, wonder if we'll get some rain; rain? what's that? Here here Tony and Lew I totally agree with you, so many kids get pushed into going to Uni and are just not capable of coping. I wonder if having a gap year would help some of them. Started this about two hours ago, then had some visitors, can't remember what I was going to say now,lol. oh yes, a lady called Melanie put up on the gens that she is suffering from this awful itchy rash sounded so much like what I had and still have slightly, that I responded to her, don't know if I helped at all, might pm her and ask her more about it, poor lady, she's had it for nine weeks now, mine lasted for six then slowly started to get better. Another pause of an hour or two, phone's not stopped ringing then we had dinner. might just post this then go and catch up on any msgs. that have come through. Looking foward to the quiz Tony, missed out on last weeks. Luv to Pam and Trifley.xx cheers Jillx

Hi Peeps. Lotto has been sent....:>)) Good luck. Tony Oz...:>)))

Happy sailing Vonny - slip slop slap 'n all that - wear a hat lol Look forward to lotsa pickles on your return. Jood

Wish us luck as you wave us good bye................. Just heading out the door to Sydney tonight (sister's) and Gosford tomorrow :) Hz, John is still in raptures over the maps :) Guess what - we bought a camera today!!! A digital one that sings and dances and is about the size of a fat credit card! So I guess we get to play with it this weekend :) * Our credit card isn't fat though after paying for it* :( ~~~~~~~~~~~~ to all Vonny

Tony ...have emailed you Flakey

I feel a Martoonie coming on, Back later, Love Mary xxxx

You don't even have to go to Uni to get anywhere. My son in law quit half way through Uni as he couldnt bear to be away from my dd. His family were shocked, both Uni peeps, as his brother became a chemical engineer, another a doctor, and his sister in the hotel marketing game. Son in law started off in various finance, credit card companies, and is now high up in management of credit cards (probably not the right term - but something to do with it). (Funny part was, he was doing agricultural science at Uni lol) My son was made to do a trade which he loathed (spray painting cars I think it was) - he now works as an audio technician, self taught. Jood

Well Tony that was a big speech for you and I agree. You have no idea the trouble we have had in the past when a 16 yr old wants to do an apprenticeship and the school gets in the parents ears and trys to talk them into staying at school. Some kids are better off learning on the job, they cope so much better than at school and the majority of them are great tradies. Now I have a confession........it seems I am a complete failure as a housewife. ....CUWL but do I look worried.......NOPE have to unpack the groceries...all those pre-prepared meals, packet cakes & bickies....lol back later Flakey

Hello everyone, There's a race meeting in Albury tomorrow and the town is filling up, it is very busy, I am keeping up with the reading but no time to spit lol. Glad your package arrived Vonny, yes our local paper is a good one, I though you might enjoy it. To Shazz, Sue, & Laurie, expect snail mail soon. Anna how terrible everyone must feel about that poor boy. An anguished time for those close to him too. DD15 HAS got a job! I ruined last week for her by taking her to the gym after school, so this week she insisted on being home after school, and sure enough got a message to come in for two hours. She is working for the management of the shopping centre next to us. They run a kids club and do promotions and DD's friend works there already. They get to be the Reginald the Fox mascot, and hand out goodies to the kids, and behind the scenes they stuff envelopes for mailouts and do the Birthday Club cards etc etc. It's cash in hand which I don't mind at this stage. She's stoked! From now till Xmas they will work Thurs nights and Sat mornings! It's a start. Had good news a couple of weeks ago, seems we are due a tax refund for the first time in years, then today the bad news, our 1988 Corolla is terminal, cracked piston etc etc. Advised to take it to the wreckers. Now need to buy small second-hand car to fit the tax return dollars lol ! OH not too impressed, I think he had a few other plans for the refund money. Have a nice weekend everybody, it's sunny but surprisingly cool here still, and windy today, yuk. Tip for the Cox Plate tomorrow I'm told is Honour in War! ~~~~~~~~~~ to all, Hz

Arvo Peeps.Talking about School pressure..... Early finish today, as have a meeting with Sarah's co-ordinator. *Borrows one of the Soap boxes* On the phone last night talking to 3rd youngest daughter, Melanie.. ( Mum with one child and one due in 4 weeks time ).....who is 30 years old next month. We were discussing School, and she was telling me how sorry she was for not staying at School and going right through, but myself as a widowed dad with 4 Teenage daughters at the time, money was the big issue. ( Isn't it always ...lol ) Melanie left in year 9 and worked at various places - learning along the way. She worked in Various restaurants and Cake shops ( Food industry ) till she was 25, but along the way through hands on expeariance obtained an appenticeship in Pastry Cook. As a home mum now with a family, she makes and decorates both Engagement and Wedding cakes, and made both her elder sisters Wedding Cakes. She now wants to expand and she is going to do a Tafe course to gain a degree in helping problem children ( told her she can start with her baby sister Sarah....LOL ) and asked my opinion. I said, go for it....and good on her. Dont know how she is going to cope with having a new bubs and doing this course, but apparently ( and dont quote me) they can cater for mums with baby's and still do the course.?? She sounded very determined that she didnt want to just sit back( House bound mum ) and let the world go by, but wanted to get off her backside and do something. So i guess, just because you dont finish School at the highest level, there are still oppotunities for you as an Adult, and to my way of thinking you cant beat hands on experiance. This dosent work for everyone of course, as we are all different make ups, and you still need the Scholars and the paper work, and admire the kids that can get right through......... but as a Tradie myself with a School level of grade 6 ( Primary ) its all about pushing yourself, and confidence in your own ability to succeed.( Good Parenting, and the occasional pat on the back ) I personally beleive ( my thoughts only )...many of these kids that commit suicide, dont beleive they have the ability to succeeed in what they strived for at School,( Pressure ) and failure is not an option in this day an age. I will never push Sarah to finish School, but i will help her along the way to be successeful in her aproach, and her attitude, to be whatever makes her happy. Rather her be a 'Happy Check out Chick' than a miserable Bank Manager........and aren't Bank Managers a miserable lot.....LOL None of my girls finished High School, but One is a Manager at a Hotel, with a Licence for Gaming. One is a qualified Hairdresser (did her appenticeship with Barb )..and One a qualified Pastry Cook who now want to advance herself........all mums, and all working independantly. Very proud of all my girls. Think a lot of support and kind words to your kids still goes a long way. Sometimes ya can wring there necks, and i have the scars to prove this from my own Parents. Best wishes to all the Sickies. Time for a coldie....:>))) Tony Oz....:>)))

Afternoon All SuziQ yes I was just reading that house keeping item and OH was reading it too and he asked where the good ol' days have gone .............. I biffed him under the ears and he is getting tea for us tonight lol. Cheers Sue