General Chat

Hello all, Just to say I have been popping in to read all your messages, I am keeping well though life is a bit stressful just now. Without going into too much detail Susan has problems, she has long term medication which seems to be conflicting with the cancer medication. We hope her doctors will be able to sort this out. You are all keeping very busy, as usual and it is so nice to see old friends popping in now and then. I think I would like to try a little of that hot weather our Down Under friends are experiencing, at the moment I am freezing. At least it is dry today but very cold. Will be back again soon, hopefully things will be much better before too long. Meantime I hope you will all stay well and happy. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everybody, Well I'm not the first, and won't be the last to post today. I just had to tell you that I fell out of bed again this morning. That soon woke me up. I fell on my left wrist, but haven't done any damage, fortunately. Silly me, I cannot get used to not sleeping on the edge of the bed. I have done this since childhood. I shall have to get Johan to buy me a child's bed I suppose! Back to childhood. Which reminds me of a story in our paper today about a grannie speeding here at 180 km per hour. She must have gone past here too. The police had a job to catch her and were amazed to find this little old lady. She has lost her driving licence and not likely to get it back at her age. Another laugh for you today: A WELL-PLANNED LIFE Two women met for the first time since graduating from high school One asked the other, 'You were always so organised in school, Did you manage to live a well-planned life?' 'Yes, said her friend' My first marriage was to a millionaire; My second marriage was to an actor; My third marriage was to a preacher; My fourth was to an undertaker; Her friend asked, 'What do those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?' 'One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go: Yes, I too thought this was funny. Have a nice day everybody. June, I'll look up those spices for you. Sylvia xxx

Hi everybody, Well here I am again all alone and left to my own resources. Have a nice holiday everybody. Today I went shopping on my scootmobile and the weather was colder than I had thought. It is a good job that I have a hood on my windjack. I don't know why but everybody else had decided to do their shopping today too. The supermarkets had long queues. I visited my Maroccan friend who has opened a greengrocers and he gave me a new apple all wrapped in special wrapping. He said I must try it. I have cooked a lot more stewed pears in red wine for the freezer and also cooked some chicken. Nobody is buying chicken at the moment because of the bird flu and it was going very cheap. I bought a kilo and cooked it straight away. This bird flu scare is awful. In Germany, which is not far at all from us ,they have found a buzzard and a seagull with the infection. Well we have buzzards here in the woods, so it makes me wonder how long it will be before we have it here in the Netherlands. Will keep this short. See you tomorrow Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia, Now you're not alone, although I guess by now you're in bed. Where is everybody? I'm busy sewing drapes at the minute, so haven't been around much. and can't stay long, but I just wanted to check in and sat hello. The drapes are going to look lovely in the living room when finished, if they don't kill me first. All that heavy fabric is so hard to hold and manage. Keeps getting all twisted and under my feet, and tripping me up, and I'm getting very ill-tempered, unusual for me because my second name is Pollyanna.....not really, but my family has been known to call me that on occasion. Had a lovely dinner at our niece mercia's on Saturday. Standing rib roast, asparagus, roasted assorted veggies, and a gravy that is just wonderful; it's made with a full cup of peppercorne, and then it's drained off of them, and it has a flavour out of this world. She brought that recipe back from France. I had a quite uncomfortable night Saturday as I over indulged, but it was worth it. Lovely to see you again, Kathleen, and I hope things will turn around for you soon. You deserve some peace of mind. Hi to everyone else I haven't mentioned. Hope you're all well and happy; don't need to say busy, because I know you're all scurrying around doing too much as usual. I spent the morning gardening, and now must get back to the drapes. See you all soon. Welcome back Fred, if you're on dry land again. Love, Di.xxx

Good morning everyone,didn't realise I hadn ot left a message for so long.Been busy getting this tidying up done,mind you to look at it its worse than ever. Also been altering some trousers ready for the holiday,must be shrinking as even the short ones need shortening now. Sylvia in OZ Its bright and breezy outside only been to the bin,and its was cold.Itis also doing its best to have a down pour but the wind must be moving it on. Kathleen,hope Susan gets sorted soon,my dad ia doing ok but has a few 'normal' health problems but gets a pain that his doctor wants him to mention when he goes to the hospital next.He has told them and they say see your gp so it isn't getting resolved will have to have a chat when we go next month. Di I am not enjoying these trouser alterations so I can understand your frustration with the drapes,but I expect they will be worth it. June have got everything crossed for the meeting but not feeling hopeful as I am doing some really different shifts ,which are not making me hopeful. Sylvia V O. really had a giggle at your little ditty ,just the thing to brighten things up thankyou. Have to go need to get ready for work Brenda

Hi everybody, Nice to see that I am not alone again. Di, I wish I had a sewing machine to work with. My sewing machine has given up the ghost. It was a Husqvarna and I didn't have it that long. I now have to find another one. I will try for a showroom model as at my age buying a new machine isn't really worth it. My trust household help arrived today complete with two big boxes of food. She had cooked some Surnaamse/Indian food for Johan and I. It was paprika/garlic chicken and a sort of wrap made from flour, potatoe and egg. It was delicious and we have enough for tomorrow as well. Just need to heat it up in the microwave. I had cooked some chicken the day before so that has to be stored in my fridge and I had done potatoes this morning before she came. I have cooked these and will fry them up on Friday. I am so lucky to have such a help, she is always cheerful, works non stop from 10-13 hrs and doesn't want anything to eat or drink in that time either. She is paid the minimum. I cannot give her extra because my ex son in law's wife has her too and it was she who sent her to me. It seems that we cannot expect Spring for at least another week. I do hope it will be better in March. I remember - how can I forget? - on the 17th March when we were married we had lovely sunny weather. Anybody listening up there, can we have a repeat of this weather please? Ship ahoy, hi there Fred, are you actually out on a boat in this weather. Better be careful you don't get stuck in the ice? Now everybody, have a nice evening. Sylvia xxx

Hello everyone, You all seem very busy. I haven't scraped anymore paper off the walls, I really must get down to it again. I intended starting again Monday,then Tuesday and now I still haven't got back to it, But the plastered wall is nearly dry enough to paper so I no longer have an excuse. Tomorrow I am going to Blackpool to have lunch with some Genes friends that are staying there for a couple of days. I also went out for lunch today and that is why I didn't get any decorating done. Nick has finished his room now, it looks very nice, so now he is going to paint the ceiling in Gaynor's bedroom. Hello Kathleen, its lovely to see you again, I hope Susan's problems, are soon sorted. I agree, I could do with some of the warm weather from Down Under. Sorry a friend has just arrived, I will see you later June xx

Hi June Sylvia and Brenda and absent friends, My machine is a Husqvarna Sylvia, and I was planning on it lasting the rest of my life, that is , up to 30 years more, as it was pretty expensive. (They'll have to prop me up in a chair if I make it to 105, but I'll still be sewing!!!) Seriously I've had mine now for 7 years, how about you; I hope a lot longer than that?! Hope you manage to get it fixed. I'd be lost without mine. It was warmer here today, so spring is heading our way and probably your way soon too, all of you across the pond. One thing I've discovered about tidying Brenda and that is, it always looks worse before it looks tidy. It does with John with a vengeance; in fact there should be a notice pinned up,'Hard hats to be worn in this area'! The floor is littered, and things he put out of the way , up high somewhere come crashing down and when he takes down shelves, there are frightening bangs and crashes. The poor cat walks around with eyes like saucers, thoroughly spooked. I guess your decorating and renovating is going to be a long term project June, as it sounds as though you have a lot of plans in mind, but isn't it fun to start from scratch and choose the things you like and put it all together and feel so satisfied when you can sit back and look at the result of all your hard work. That's the way it was for us when we moved here 7 years ago. Sylvia from Oz, I saw the picture of your granddaughter on the photopages yesterday, and she is beautiful. I hope you get to be with her and hold her close soon. Hope too that you're feeling well, and that Norman is behaving well so that life is running smoothly for you. Well, I've almost finished my drapes, but have put them away for tonight, as I'm feeling rather tired after spending about 7 hours at them today. I should finish tomorrow. Goodnight. Love to all, Di.xxx

Hi everyone. Good to read what you have all been up to. All the sewing and decorating etc makes me feel lazy. We are off at 6 a.m. tomorrow to Wellington for a few days - the weather is still good so we should have a lovely trip down. Pip had a good report from the specialist regarding his lungs. He has prescribed 10 days of Prozac to try and stop the coughing. I bumped into the workbench Tuesday evening and had to go to A & E at midnight. 4 hours later I was on my way home! My arm was so swollen and painful. Not broken but a burst blood vessel - now have it tightly strapped and on strong pain killers. Could do without this just at the moment. Fred - do hope you have caught lots of trout - please send me one!! We have a large lake - Lake Taupo - about 1 1/2 hours away which is renowned for it's trout. We did have a boat but when Pip became ill we decided to sell it. Not that I was a keen boatie. I hated being out on the ocean. Especially when I didn't catch any fish! Must go now - early to bed and early to rise tomorrow. Regards Mavis NZ

Hi everybody, Well it has been a day of doing odd jobs for Johan and I today and I spent the whole afternoon at my genealogy until I was sick of it. I don't have any cooking to do, just warming up which is unusual for me. My sewing machine is finished Di, it was the wheel which you turn to change from zigzag to normal stitching. It costs so much for repairs that it is not worth it any more. I'm looking for a good secondhand one, hopefully a showroom model. I will have a Singer or a Pfaff this time I think. My husqvarna was not so old - at least I don't think so - about 15 years. I thought I had it for the rest of my days too. I wish I hadn't thrown my singer machine out now. There is a bitterly cold wind blowing outside but no sign of snow yet. I hope to go to the market tomorrow. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Just a very quick hello as I have a very bad headache today ,was ok this morning went out came back with a bad tummy went for a little lie down and have woken up with a terrific headache.ALso feeling very cold,hope I haven't picked another bug up.Speake to you all soon,Brenda Ps nice to see our SHE on tv this morning

Hallo all, Poor Brenda, when you do have time to yourself you are ill. Let's hope that it is a mild attack of something and you are soon on your feet again. Headaches can be very debilitating. Today I went out on my scootmobile and the icy wind was treacherous. I had frozen fingers and toes. I was soon home again and did some more sorting out of my 'tree', trying to match families and throwing bits of paper away. I'll get there one day. Well Brenda you and I are keeping the thread going at the moment. See you all tomorrow Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, Today is very cold, there have been some fainthearted attemts to snow but not enough to cover the ground, Brenda I hiope your headache is better now. Sylvia, I dont think you should be out on your scooter when the weather is so cold. Yesterday, I went and had lunch with 5 of my Genes friends, it had started out as 3 but 2 more joined us, it was very enjoyable..That was twice I have been out for lunch this week, must watch my weight, lol This morning, I ventured out to the hairdressers but I dont think I will be venturing far today, it's too cold. I have been looking for links with my tree but I'm not having much luck there either. I cant wait for the warmer weather so that I can get out in the garden and arrange my garden ornaments etc. that I brought with me. I bought a garden hammock too at B&Q that was in the sale for some ridiculous price and that hasn't been unpacked yet. Which reminds me, I went to B&Q a couple of days ago, they had some wall lights reduced from £25 each to £5 and the matching centre light Reduced from £80 to £15. I didn't buy them, now I am wondering if I should have done. They certainly have bargains there. well I suppose I had better go and play with Beckham, he has his ball and keeps dropping it onto my chair. June xx

Hi everybody, Well I didn't post yesterday as I was tired after being in the kitchen baking all day. I started off with making the weekly bread, then made a fatless sponge cake and then a Dutch apple tart, It's not the cooking but the clearing up afterwards. I am so good at making a real mess of the kitchen. I really need a maid behind me. I can dream! June, I hadn't forgot you about the herbs I used in Babi Panjang, but we buy these all made up by Conimex. If you send an e-mail to Conimex : www.Conimex.nl they will send you a recipe book in English. I have books from them in English and Dutch. You can now buy Conimex products in the uk as I have seen them. My daughter and her partner turned up yesterday just when I'd finished cooking - hadn't finished the clearing up though. So had to stop everything and talk to them, My daughter is full of the Carnaval atmosphere. She is making a glittery jacket to wear on Monday. She always makes things the last minute. Most firms in her district are closed and the employees have 2 days to celebrate Carnaval. It is one big party of drinking and dancing. My daughter has reminded me that we are all going to eat out on our 50th wedding anniversary. That is the 17th so won't be long. Then Johan is 81 on 22nd March. This is why I have been baking cakes as I know I will have visitors. Also this Friday I have friends in for coffee then lunch. Now I know where the weeks go to! It is a good thing that our Mother's Day is in May! I must fold up some washing and do some ironing today as I don't like to begin Monday with being behind with my washing and ironing. Tomorrow Johan and I have to go for diabetes control. Have I put on weight or lost? He doesn't have to tell me, I know! My granddaughter Linda is eating with us again on Wednesday evening, so must make something nice for her. Now everyone have a lovely Sunday, even if it is cold, at least it is dry. Haven't seen the snow yet. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone , Its a busy day here today my son in law has been potting those lights that are sunk into the ceiling in the hall, so he is just finishing off. Gaynor and me are going to plant some primulas that we bought a week or so ago, The lofts have to be cleared as we are having more insulation laid in there. Then maybe some decorating. Sylvia, I will look for that website for herbs, thanks for telling me. Sorry have to go now June xx

Hi peeps,just a few lines to let you know we are back and had a nice holiday even if it did go somewhat wrong and we landed up on the wrong side of the country as it were. Off shopping now but will be back later for a proper chinwag ,that's if i can get sylvia to leave her kitchen for a few minutes and get june out of the garden as well.Fred.

Hi all, Nice to see you back again Fred. Where the ...... have you been to. Fancy ending up at the wrong end of the country. Buy yourself a routemaster! I've been for my diabetes control today, and everything more or less ok. Have to return in three months' time. They are now starting to check everybody's cholesterol and even if you have no problems you must take tablets. Something about preventive measures for heart problems. Well it's a good job somebody is keeping an eye on us I suppose. I have been sorting out more genealogy papers and throwing away odds and ends. I'll get there one day I hope. Have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi Everyone, A quick drop in to say hi, as I've not been around for a couple of days. When I'm not doing or making something I feel so tired, I just flop on the chesterfield, and fall asleep for a short nap...and 2 or 3 hours later John wakes me up with a cup of tea!. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact I was 75 today! John took me out to lunch to the pub, and then he drove me into Richmond so I could go to the fabric store, as there was a lovely little jacket in pink tweed on the cover of Vogue magazine last spring, and I've decided it would be nice to slip on, on chilly spring and summer days. Couldn't find anything on the internet, so tried the store and ended up with a beautiful piece of fabric in a creamy yellow with a touch of white and sage green, and another pattern that caught my eye, so now I'm set to make 2 jackets. After I've made the cushions, and sewn up a sweater. The 2 sweaters and hat and scarf sets that I got wool for on the internet will have to wait till the fall. Very mixed weather today, sun shining on Tis Was in the morning while dark clouds hovered all around the edge of the skyline, but it was beautifully balmy, so I think spring is starting to make an appearance, and it's usually a little damp here on the west coast in the spring, which doesn't do the roses any good. I have dormant sprayed though so hopefully they'll all give us a good show this year. Can't remember if I told you my Grandson came round to show us an engagement ring he'd just bought for his Jennean. No news though on whether it's been accepted, or whether there are wedding plans yet. Hope not as he's only 19! Hi Fred, and how did you like Wroxham. We lived in Hoveton, next door, in 1984 when we spent a year in uk, and shopped in Roys. John's a Norfolk boy and says there are several of the Roys live in his area too, Burnham Market, where they farm. After Hoveton we moved closer in to Norwich and spent a few months in Sprowston, in the Blue Boar pub, where his cousin was manager. Spent a lot of time getting to know as many of the villages and pubs in the Broads area as we could!! A beautiful part of UK. I hope you're feeling better Brenda, and have got rid of that headache. Do you have glasses? Maybe you need to have your eyes tested; could it be eye strain? Hi too June and Sylvia, and other absent friends. See you all again soon. Love, Di.xxx

Morning peeps,what a lovely one too ,the sun is out ,it's quite mild,just what i expected seeing as i am now home lol. You must be joking Di,feeling tired after doing plenty?,[i wish] i am only 62 sixty three in november ,and you make me tired by just listening to what you are doing hee hee. Sylvia,i didn't get lost exactly ,there was a change of plan shortly before we left home ,and then the weather turned nasty on us on the road,i have described the mess fully on the other thread if you want to see exactly what went wrong. Not to worry ,i found a couple of new feathered friends,and got some smashing footage of them on my cam corder,which i need to put onto disc. I have to go shopping shortly but will be back later,i have a couple of new programmes to try on the puter,and i will be doing a bit more research ,which is at last moving along a little better ,thanks to a good few people on here,whick is another reason for trying the programmes,they will enable me to help a few othe people as well as myself,which is why i like this site so much,lots of friendly advice ,and swapping of info. Don't know if any more of you peeps have ever been to wroxham as di has done ,but she is right ,Roys i always make a point of ,they sell really fresh produce as well as frozen and tinned goods,and over the main road they have a fantastic toy department,it's like alladins cave ,lots of goodies ,but beware you young mums ,taking your bairns in there is fatal,lol,tots of trantrums as they are dragged screaming and kicking back out of the doors,i kid you not.you can see it every few minutes ,lol. Liz is standing at the front room door now tapping the old foot and giving me those looks again ,so i had better go before SHE starts having a tantrum too [ouch] sya later .Fred.

Hi everyone. We are back - had a great time in Wellington with our Grandson and then on to Napier for two days. In Wellington we went to the Te Papa Museum - was very interesting, very Maori orientated but so interesting. We could easily have spent a whole day there.We loved Napier never been there before - fell in love with the place. So interesting. Stopped at Lake Taupo for lunch on the way home and then called in at our daughters in Te Puke and we stayed for tea - roast lamb - beautiful. Got home to sort through all the junk mail and listen to numerous messages on the answer phone and then to the Puta 17 messages in all. Tomorrow we are going to a picnic with our Probus club friends. In the garden of Fernlands Spa and Hot Pools. Lovely setting. About 50 people will be there. Lots of them go into the hot pools to help their aches and pains. The pools are sheltered from the sun by large Punga Fern Trees. We will all take finger food to share around. And of course a few bottles of wine will no doubt be consumed!! Must go now - early night needed after our long trip home today. Goodnight Mavis NZ PS I said in my last notes that Pip was on Prozac for his cough - this should have been prednazone.