General Chat

Either the missus is snoring ,or the garlic is disturbing her sleep so i have come downstairs for a while out of the way. Never mind Brenda,i can still remember in the far distant past,swapping shifts every few days in the forces,by the time we had gotten used to mornings ,than we were put onto evenings,then after a few days onto mornings and nights,it used to be a bit confusing at the best of times. What do you need a card of a bike Sylvia,?you can call up a picture of all designs of bike on the net,from pedal to motor bike,of course ,a racy lady like you would prefer a motor bike i bet, and there are some lovely pic's of racing cars too ,just for a change. it looks like i am going to go and rescue the son today for a few hours,he is on holiday for the week,supposedly to do the decorating,but the missus [his ] is bending his ear,and the kids are not helping in the evening ,so i think a little fishing may be in order. There is a looooooverly moon out back,and it's a little too cold otherwise i would have the telescope outfor a while,but my finger ends are a bit sensitive to the cold these days, and they don't take too kindly to dropping. Well,i'm off for a quick swan about before i go back to bed,take care all of you still up,and to all you still at work [tough luck hee hee. See ya later peeps.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Either the missus is snoring ,or the garlic is disturbing her sleep so i have come downstairs for a while out of the way. Never mind Brenda,i can still remember in the far distant past,swapping shifts every few days in the forces,by the time we had gotten used to mornings ,than we were put onto evenings,then after a few days onto mornings and nights,it used to be a bit confusing at the best of times. What do you need a card of a bike Sylvia,?you can call up a picture of all designs of bike on the net,from pedal to motor bike,of course ,a racy lady like you would prefer a motor bike i bet, and there are some lovely pic's of racing cars too ,just for a change. it looks like i am going to go and rescue the son today for a few hours,he is on holiday for the week,supposedly to do the decorating,but the missus [his ] is bending his ear,and the kids are not helping in the evening ,so i think a little fishing may be in order. There is a looooooverly moon out back,and it's a little too cold otherwise i would have the telescope outfor a while,but my finger ends are a bit sensitive to the cold these days, and they don't take too kindly to dropping.[the telescope ,not the fingers] Well,i'm off for a quick swan about before i go back to bed,take care all of you still up,and to all you still at work [tough luck hee hee. See ya later peeps.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone. Nice and warm and sunny again here thankgoodness. Went to Mahjong this afternoon - did well I actually made $23,000 - unfortunately it is only 'pretend' money!! We have great fun each week. Just 8 ladies play. We are not competitive just enjoy each others company. My Grandson is sitting his 'big' exams this week. He seems pretty comfident although he awoke this morning and felt sick. Nerves I presume because he went to school and TXT me to say he thought he did Okish. Tomorrow we are babysitting in the afternoon (the little 6 month old foster baby). Looks as though he will be with Sue until Feb/March time at least. We are looking forward to the Rubgy again at the weekend. Watches the Netball (NZ v Jamaica) this morning. NZ had a big win. Since living in NZ we have become very sport minded. Still haven't finished my Christmas cards. Went to Valentines for tea today in Tauranga. Had some gorgeous prawns - really big. Lovely Mussels and Oysters too. Pip went for the really interesting food - ham, beef and veggies!! But he did have Pavlova and fresh fruit salad after. I'm rambling on so will say goodnight again or Gooday Mavis NZ

Well started my christmas shopping today in earnest that is,as I have a few bits already.I am doing my dads shopping as well so have to remember two lists ,do take it with me but it is usually at the bottom of my bag when I need it. Hope you rescued your son ok Fred,have the same problem with my fingers and the cold,am wearing my gloves to drive in again now. Mavis,I'm drooling about those prawns ours,even the king prawns are tiny compared to the ones in NZ and Oz. Must get an early night tonight as I am meeeting friends for lunch and need to get some housework done before I go out as I will not get it done when I get back. Brenda

Didn't realise it was so long since I put a message on here. Just a brief one for now as I only came down to make a drink, my brain won't switch off and having trouble getting to sleep. You have all been busy as usual, hope everyone keeps well it is turning very cold now except for those of you looking forward to your summer. June, hope you soon get a buyer. How disappointing it must have been for you to have the original buyer back out at this late stage. We are all well, Susie is doing very well and managing to do all her own shopping now. Kettle is boiling now so will say goodnight and God bless to you all Love Kathleen

Morning all,and Brenda who is making me droole with the mention of prawns,have you tried the languistinies instead ? dearer than prawn,simular in taste but humungous in size compared to our shrimp and prawn.yum yum. I am so pleased to hear that Susan is much better Kathleen,looks as though i had better get those skates out[gulp] that must be the best christmas present you can have wished for. the sun is now shining so i think i may go out and wash the car before it gets too cold again.see you all later.Fred.PyfA&G&G&S.

Hi all, Well Autumn is here with a vengeance. The heavens have thrown just about everything at us there is to have. Wind, rain, hail, sun, thunder, lightning, rainbows, but no snow as yet, although we have been warned for slippery roads tonight. Who knows what we might find when we wake up tomorrow morning. The people in the house across the football field (looking out from my bedroom window) have their house lit up for Xmas. It does look nice and bright on this dark, dismal evening. Yesterday went to the cardiologist and I have to have another echo before he decides what to do with me. He thinks my heart valve is deteriotating slowly, whereas Johan's went rapidly and he had to have a operation but maybe I will outlive the heart valve. Just have to wait and see now. Oh to be young and healthy again. Haven't done too much today only changed the beds and washed the duvets, but cannot get to my ironing machine because of all the rubbish I've made there making cards. Must tidy up a bit. This Sunday is the first in Advent. Should get out our Xmas star out and hang in the window, if I can find it! Tomorrow is market day again, so hope the weather is a bit kinder to me. Please, dear Lord, I've been good! See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, This the 3rd day I have typed a message but for the last 2 days, I have had trouble adding the message, so lets hope I have better luck today. Kathleen, Lovely to hear from you again, I'm so pleased Susan is getting better. Sylvia, I'm sorry you are having problems too, take care of yourself. We have sold the house again, so hopefully this time everything will be alright. The man that is buying it had a similar thing happen to him, it seems to be quite common these days. It is time that something was done about the way we buy houses is this country, The Scottish way is much better. I will be off now, I have still to bath Beckham June xx .

Hello everyone We have a sunny day. The big news down here is that New Zealand will be hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup, I got told that by Gayle when I woke this morning. I am not a rugby fan just have a passing interest. I said that the big game would be played in my old town and thats in a farming district. Joking aside the matches will be in the main centres with the motels and hotels booked out, no doubt some will use camper-vans. Christmas is almost on us - 37 days and counting down. Gayle and I bought our presents to each other over the past week, our son will be difficult as what does what buy a 31 year old. My Mum will received a box of goodies and a family present for each of my brothers, whereas my wife's family stopped giving presents years ago. This year we are having Gayle's sister and brother join us for Christmas and follows a suggestion from her sister to have this time following the death of their other brother in June. Following Boxing Day we will head to Mum's for a late Christmas and New Year celebrations. John

Hi everyone, Its very cold here today, yesterday the car windscreens were frozen over, I was talking to Carol in New York State last night and she says they had snow yesterday. Kahleen, In case I dont manage to get on tomorrow, Happy Birthday, I know you are over 21 now. so the world is your oyster. Have a good birthday. I have to go and pick my prescription up from the doctors today but I will leave it until later when the sun has warmed things up a bit. Yesterday, my daughter and me went to our local Garden Center for our lunch, they have some lovely decorations in for Christmas but we didn't buy any because of moving. Well I had better go and get dressed now, I hope to see you all tomorrow. June xx

Thought I had better add something while I can ,when I can get on here things usually go so slow,so I am surprised it got me here so quick tonight,maybe it is too cold for a lot of people. June good news about the house will keep everything crossed,Kathleen,good to see you again and such great news about Susan. John do you have traditional christmas food or is it a BBQ? Sylvia,hope you get good news from the doctor,and you don't need an op. Fred never had liguistines? but will look out for them when i go to the fish market next. Working tomorrow and the heating as broken down where I am working ,so have been told to put my thermals on ,we can not close it seems as we provide a service.!! Take care Brenda

Hi everybody, I must tell you about the dream I had last night. Well I dreamt that Johan and I were in the Middle East and the inhabitants knew that there was a large earthquake imminent. Johan and I decided that we'd take a plane and get out, even though it meant travelling half way round the world. I woke up with a start with lights shining on me from outside. I must tell you here that I sleep with the curtains open as I have claustrophobia. Anyway the flashing lights were from the Council's tractor throwing salt on the roads. Yes, we had several degrees of frost last night. Now today have made a couple of loaves of bread and a flan aux oeufs with raisins. Also ran a couple of washing machines and made some more cards. I sold all the cards I made for the neighbour. She wanted 3 birthday cards and I made 4, and she liked them so much that she took all 4. Tomorrow is the first in Advent. The only trouble is that our Star which we should hang up is packed away with the Xmas decorations, and Johan doesn't want to get out the Xmas decorations yet. I think Fred's spelling of the gambas or langoustines was wrong. Anyway both are very tasty, aren't they Fred? See you tomorrow Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, I dont think it is as cold thic morning although there is still frost on the cars The dogs wakened me early this morning, I think they have had a chill or something, they were both off their food, so if they ask to go out, I daren't ignore them at the moment. Yesterday I didn't venture far, I took my granddaughter to work in the morning and picked her up in the afternoon. I scanned my Certificates,(Birth, Marriage and Deaths), I dont want to lose the 'real' thing but at least I have a backup. Brenda, I hope you didn't get too cold without heating at work, I hope you had some hot soup brought in. I remember working at the polling stations and one time it was very cold there, one of my neighbours brought her travel rug out of her car to me and another came back with hot soup, another with fish and chips.I had quite a feast! Sylvia, What exciting dreams you have! The most exciting one I have had lately is of us building a still room on to the kitchen at the new house. That hasn't even been discussed but could actually be done quite easily. I think everyone else is keeping in out of the cold lol and those in Oz and NZ are probably sheltering from the sun. Whatever you are doing, enjoy yourselves. June xx

Didn't think I was going to be able to write a message tonight it has taken ages to gethere. Sylvia hope you are over your dream now ,and good luck selling your cards.My friedna and her friend have done cards for a couple of years now and are very popular.So much so that I have to order months in advance. June had cuppa soups in the library and was doing a lot of straightening and tidying up,not that it was needed ,but had to keep busy and the sun was streaming in the windows on that side of the library,so it was ok there.But most of the time we had to be at the counter or junior library which wasn't in the sun. The boiler is being fixed tomorrow so it should be ok when I am there on Tuesday Going for a cuppa now,then have to do a bit of ironing. Brenda.

Hello Brenda, June, Fred, Sylvia and others We have an overcast morning and rain is forecast later in the day. Christmas Day tends be quite hot so the traditional Christmas fare has gone by the by. I remember when I was young it was full on Christmas food particularly when we went to my grandparents. Gayle also had the traditional Christmas fare. These days we mainly have cold meals and salads with new potatoes, desserts would be fruit salads, pavalova, ice cream and one must is still Christmas pudding and custard. Reading about your dream Sylvia, Gayle and I are planning to move in a year or so and one night she dreamed about our new house. She told me that the house had a conservatory and that all the furniture was there. She said that part of the four-piece lounge suite was in the conservatory, our bedroom suite was set up as it is now including our collection of teddy bears. Anyway when asked where the house was she didn't know, I said go back to sleep and find where. Strange how dreams can become reality. June - sheltering from the sun, well some people do. Melanoma is something those who lie in the sun should watch out for. My mum has had several melanomas removed and thats not good. John

Hi everyone. Like John it is too hot to have the traditional christmas fayre. We too have cold meats with salads etc. Lots of yummy fruit, pavlova's etc. When we first came to NZ we did have roast turkey etc but didn't cope with the hot kitchen!! This year we will be in Tauranga with my son in laws rellies. A good crowd get together each year and we take it in turns to be hosts. With so many people we don't have to host too often!! Have just come home from our monthly Probus Meeting (for retirees). Instead of a guest speaker we had a display of arts and crafts by our members. The talent is so good. Lots of wood turning etc by the men folk. Good to see. Cross Stitch, Quilting, knitting, painting - both pictures and china, teddy bears, photography, cards and more. We have this show every 3/4 years and it always proves popular. We have so many 'eating' events coming up now that Christmas is getting nearer. On Monday we have a breakfast get together. 50 people. We have a dinner for all the residents of our street - at a hotel in Tauranga. We have our annual Probus dinner at Daniels restaurant. Entertainment as well as food! Our Mahjong group have a luncheon soon. We have a bowling clup dinner. Will hate food by the time Christmas Day arrives!! Time to say goodnight again. Mavis NZ

Hi everyone, It feels very cold again here, someone has said that the forecast is snow for this coming weekend. Its very pretty on Christmas cards but not for driving around. I hope it isn't snowing when we move house Brenda, I hope the staff took turns to be in the warm rooms,lol John, I'm pleased to hear that you keep one of the Christmas traditions by having Christmas pudding. I cant imagine getting stuck in to a full Christmas dinner though in the heat. The sun is another one of nature's gifts that we have to treat with respect. Mavis, I have just been reading Len's thread about people who have retired and what do they do all day. They should all read your message and they would soon realise that there is lots of things to do if you want to. Personally I dont like tying myself down to regilarly meetings, I like to be free to do things at the drop of the hat. Of course, some things I do have to plan ahead for. Well I had better get dressed now and decide what is the job for today. June xx .

Good afternoon everyone,I would love a change from roast turkey and roast spuds etc ,but the climate doesn't lend itself to it.Mind you its all cold on boxing day .Which is a real easy day for me anyway. Its been really cold and frosty this weekend and foggy as well today. We are out to celebrate Johns mother 78th birthday tonight ,so hope the fog clears by then. Have had a lot of emails to reply to today and need anice warm cuppa,have put the heating on once ,then John turned it off as he is putting up a new curtain rail in the living room. and was getting too hot. See you al tomorrow ,Love Brenda

Hi everybody, Well not a dream, but nearly a nightmare! I woke up this morning, thinking I'd heard the alarm clock. I had a shower and then looked at the clock - just 10 minutes to 6 o'clock. No wonder Johan hadn't stirred out of bed! I had this meeting at the Town Hall with the three wise men, in reality two women and 1 man councillor. I had to start off the discussion and when the councillor was talking I was not to interrupt him - ooh difficult when they are trying to take something else away from us older and handicapped folks. Anyway, I can use my new taxi budget, formerly for a whole year, in the month of December. I can finish it as they are starting a new system in January. What, another new system? I don't know exactly what it will entail, but I bet I end up losing out somehow. There may be more of these meetings in store for me. Who knows. Our New Town Hall has numerous winding passages and I had enormous fun winding in and out of these in my scootmobile. I don't think they've ever had a scootmobile there before. One man was amusing himself with me searching for a special conference room, I promptly told him to stop laughing at me and tell me where this room is. Cheek of the man! This afternoon my son in law and grandson came around with their dirty washing as their washing machine has broken down. They have a mechanic coming in tomorrow, but with 6 in a family they have a lot of washing. I've told him to come in if I'm not in tomorrow and do his washing. I have another meeting tomorrow. This time with the medical people for an invalide parking ticket. I paid for this ages ago and never heard any more, so Johan phoned up. Yes, did you guess, they've made another fault and we'd been forgotten. They phoned back in the afternoon - got them worried now - and told us that they've had a cancellation and could I go tomorrow. Of course I couldn't say no or I would go to the bottom of the list again. I had to phone my hairdresser and put off the permanent I was going to have. Fortunately she can do this on Thursday - another tight day with a physiotherapy session beforehand. Wednesday is still ok for our trip to Germany - that is if the weather stays fine. ........................and people want to know what we old 'uns do the whole day! Well if I don't stop now this will be a book. So see you all tomorrow with the next instalment. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, Where is everybody today. Oh, I know where Fred is, he has gone to see Father Xmas for a preview of what Santa has in his sack for him. But the others, June, well she is still house hunting. Now far better to build a piece on your existing house. I'm sure Beckham would prefer this too. Brenda, is working too hard, or is she reading too many books! I have been on 'trial' again today. I had to see the Council's doctor and answer questions he put to me. Why did I want an invalide parking ticket and what medicine do I use? It felt like a murder trial. Now he is going to write to my own doctor to see if I have been telling the truth. Then the Council will decide whether or not to issue me with a special card. Oh well, that's now over. Tomorrow Johan and I are having our day to Germany - much better. My daughter phoned today and we have made a date to go shopping in Hilversum. This is where we always went shopping before I moved. A lovely big shopping town. I am leaving Johan a couple of nights in December and staying with my daughter and we will then go to a big Craft Fair in Eindhoven. Now that's something to brighten up these dismal days. Now I hope to see some more letters tomorrow. So cheerio for now. Sylvia xxx