General Chat

Hi Mavis,Sylvia and Fred, sorry to say another wet and miserable day here,not sure how cold it is have not been out yet. Had some girlfriends round last night,had to make do with nibbles from the freeze shop,but they went down well.We had a few vinos and a really good chat ,did not even play Trivial Pursuits which we normally do. Sylvia wish I had a neighbour who wanted to help with housework!!can see what you mean about getting used to it. Fred you really do make your garden seem a brilliant place hope I find ours half as good when I have time to really look at ours.(3 years and counting) John does go out in the rain,but some thing has gone wrong the the drainage on the course and it keeps flooding so it gets closed or only part of it is open.Ho is up in Clevelys where his mother lives,this weekend ,she comes home from benidorm today ,been there since Dec 10th. He puts the heating up and gets shopping in etc. Mavis what a good idea about the Guess who is coming to dinner,sounds interesting,hope your friend is doing ok. have to get the shopping in now ,don't really want togo on Saturday it is so crowded but have somethings arranged when it is my days of next week so can not do it then. Take care Brenda

Hi Mavis,Sylvia and Fred, sorry to say another wet and miserable day here,not sure how cold it is have not been out yet. Had some girlfriends round last night,had to make do with nibbles from the freeze shop,but they went down well.We had a few vinos and a really good chat ,did not even play Trivial Pursuits which we normally do. Sylvia wish I had a neighbour who wanted to help with housework!!can see what you mean about getting used to it. Fred you really do make your garden seem a brilliant place hope I find ours half as good when I have time to really look at ours.(3 years and counting) John does go out in the rain,but some thing has gone wrong the the drainage on the course and it keeps flooding so it gets closed or only part of it is open.Ho is up in Clevelys where his mother lives,this weekend ,she comes home from benidorm today ,been there since Dec 10th. He puts the heating up and gets shopping in etc. Mavis what a good idea about the Guess who is coming to dinner,sounds interesting,hope your friend is doing ok. have to get the shopping in now ,don't really want togo on Saturday it is so crowded but have somethings arranged when it is my days of next week so can not do it then. Take care Brenda

Hello to everyone, Fred asked me to let you know he is having computer problems so if missing that is the reason Always enjoy reading all about your days - not a big poster -usually only enough time to read your, Wattlers news but do post on Canada, left over from the Bill in OZ thread Take care JA

Hi everybody, Dinner parties can be such fun can't they? When we were in Nigeria we used to have Progressive Dinner Parties. One family did the main course, another the sweet, the coffee, cheese and biscuits, etc.etc. and we used to enjoy these very much. Every course had another wine. We weren't so bothered in Nigeria about drink driving, and sometimes wonder how on earth we ever got home, we just crawled sometimes and when another car came along we got off the road. Those were the carefree days. I used to organise all sorts of parties, because we had no television etc. and needed some amusement. The weather here has been nice today but for me still too cold. I have now made an arrangement, over a glass of Amaretto, for my neighbour to do my balcony on Monday. He will have to wait until my pedicurist has gone. She is coming to do my tootsies at 10.00 but will be finished by 11.00 am. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi all ,normal service has been resumed ,lol, i found that my graphics card was shorting out and being a tight assed scot[well ,nearly] i opted to repair it instead of buying a new one ,so it was out with the low voltage iron and heat shunt,but it seems to be working okay now. i spent a few minuts out front last night and got the two rose bushes in before the rain started again. I will be having dinner at the sons again today where we will be planning the easter B.B .Q over there which is coupled with a birthday bash for the daughter in laws sisters eighteenth,so i think it will be a trip over on the metro as i will be having a couple of cans and won't be taking the car Still it rains i am thinking of growing rice it's so wet up here.and they are on about a water shortage,what rubbish,in as much that there is plenty of water ,it's just the lack of resources to collect it all,another failing of the countries water boards,too many years of wasting money paying out bonusses instead of repairing and laying new pipes grrrrrr. Sorry this is so short peeps ,time to get ready and get the bum in gear,but i should be back early.have a nice day all Fred.

Hi all, Well Fred just you and me again. Don't tell your missus will you? Am I invited to your barbecue? I love barbecues but never go to any now that we live in a flat. The weather here is much the same as the uk, sunshine and showers, well they do bring forth May flowers I suppose. Today Johan and I have been playing the dvd from my new sewing machine and I can now thread the machine and wind the bobbin. It is a super sewing machine, and does far more than I have ever done. Am I tempted to do more? Don't think so as I now have my days taken up to the full. Will keep this short for today - Sunday, my day of rest?????????? Sylvia xxx

hello fred and Sylvia,sorry its so late have been do some searching and lost myself if you know what I mean. Glad you are working again fred you are very handy really aren't you ,gardening ,cooking,repairing pc's BBQ king ,need I go on. Sylvia I am sure you will soon get the hang of the sewing machine,and be running up lots of lovelly new clothes. Sorry to report it was rainging here again,Johns not sure if he is out or not tomorrow as the rain has been to heavy for the course drains to cope with. Tuesday i am starting my quest to find a new car,well new to me that is.So will probably be so confused by the end of the day I will not know what i have looked at. Hope the others are all ok and will be back soon, Have been on the Canada thread a few times and a lot of our old friends are there,nice to see them. TAke care ,Brenda

Hiya Sylvia ,of course you are welcome,any one of you peeps are ,there is always room for a couple more,and this next one promises to be some bash. Hi Brenda,i will be taking a couple of shots of the garden for you once things start to grow and flower again,then yo uwill be able to see why i love just sitting out there in the summer ,looking ,sniffing the flowers and getting a suntan. the new willow out front is already throwing its fluffy ballson the branches,it's a pity in a way that when they are finished this first year i have to cut it back hard ,but it won't grow properly unless i do so it's bite the bullet and do it lol. Lots of the early bulbs are starting to show,but things are rather late this year and we are promised wintry showers today,grrrrrr,so i hope they have it wrong again,cause its lovely and sunny just now. Seeing as i spent five years working on radio and radar gear in the air force Brenda,i can still turn my hand to the odd repair,but i look at the modern stuff these days and shudder,some of these new circuit boards are so tiny that my old hands are too shaky to even contemplate repairs,usually now.,it's a diagnostic and replace job. I remain pretty handy round the house ,which is why the missus keeps me ,i reckon.,if she can find a newer model,i'm in deep s... lol. Off now for a quick look around and then i'm off outside,fork at the ready. see you later,have a good day all.Fred

Hi Brenda and Fred, Seems to me the rest are on holiday, or just too busy to come on the Board. Today Frans cleaned my balcony for me and the weather was very kind to him, lots of sun. I have ringed a date next week for Johan and I to go to the garden centre and buy some plants. I like my balcony to look nice for Easter. I also had a pedicure, so theres my tootsies looking good for Easter too. Mind you nobody will see them as it is too cold for sandals! The weather forecast is good. It is supposed to be getting warmer Friday and the weekend. Heres hoping they've got it right at last. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hello. I like popping in to read, and when time say hello. Pleased your computer is ok now, Fred. (or Badger? ) Amaretto is something I like very much :-)

Hi everyone, Joy, Have you got any of that bouncebackability to spare; I think I could do with a little right now. Still not much change here, and I've decided if I feel no better in the morning, I'm going to the doctors. Its now 17 days for me and about 10 for John. I had to go out today as we were running short of some grocery staples, but I was so glad to get home, and slept all afternoon. This is such a miserable bug!!! We were supposed to go to a friends 50th anniversary party yesterday, but couldn't risk it, as he had a triple bypass 3 or 4 years ago and has been quite frail since. Hi Sylvia, hope you're well again now. You certainly do have some good neighbours don't you? Hi Brenda, Fred and Mavis, and where is June? Busy hanging wallpaper I guess, horrible job. Haven't done any of that for years, but used to in UK, and sometimes Dad would help, accompanied by Mum, a very critical person, and there was always a family fight, as she always told the men they were doing it wrong. We just paint the walls here, and hang a lot of John's paintings, and it looks good, I don't have to help, and there are no fights!!! Hope the weather is good for you now, as it is here. A little rain now and again, but at least it's warm, and the garden is looking beautiful. How quickly it changes, one day all wintry dead and brown, then it warms up and there's green and blues and yellows everywhere. We have a beautiful pair of camellias outside the bedroom window, about 10' tall, one pink and one white, with such perfect blooms. Well, must go ; time for milk and cookies and bed. Take care. Love, Di.xxx

Hi everyone, I haven't forgotten you, I hope you are all keeping OK. We have finished the wallpapering, well in my lounge anyway, now new light fittings need putting up and I would love a new carpet, need to have a peep at the old bank balance.lol My PC has been unplugged on and off, hopefully it will only be unplugged once more, if I get a new carpet. The new bathroom suite is now installed and the tiling is nearly finished, we only have 3 more bedrooms, the other shower room, the kitchen, the big lounge and the hall and stairs ro go! Take care everyone, see you soon. June xx

Hi ,June,Joy,Sylvia,and all the rest of you. Fred is sitting here with his hot drink,waiting for the missis to stir her stumps 'cause i think i will take her to Morrisons at tiddly Bay this morning ,and from there to my favourite cafe for elevensies before an amble along the beach it's that nice out. A few more days of this and the gardens will have dried out enough for me to start putting in the rest of the bulbs and stuff,this should be the finish of it all as once they take there will be no need to plant again ,everything should mulfiply on it's own year to year and all i will need to do is keep on top of the weeds[dream on lol] I notice the kale is starting to go to seed ,but it hasn't done badly,it's kept me in fresh greens since last september and i will for sure be starting some more this year,along with some other veggies that don't take up too much room. I am still intending to grow two large tubs of tatties ,put in at different times to increase the cropping time,and am toying with the idea of growing new potatoes as wellprobably charlotte which i really like. the greenhouse is now well away ,seeds sprouting everywhere ,and the easter cactus is in full bloom,the bulbs i was supposed to put in for christmas but forgot[oooops] have also bloomed in there ,some lovely Hyacinths so when they are finished i will find a little spot onone of the borders and put them in,ready for next yearTime to do a shoot folks,have a nice day all Fred..

Hello again from down under. Fred - you say you plant tatties in tubs - any hints on this. Do you use potting compost? We are also about to plant daffodils etc - it is only autumn and they usually bloom during winter. Tulips I have given up on. You need to put them in the fridge for 6 weeks before planting as they like the cold. The climate is really too warm for them. Freesias do very well - I love the perfume and the vivid colours. Went to the Doctors today - a follow up on my arm problem. I have to have a bone density test as I have osteoporosis - just started! More pills and more xrays. Such fun getting older lol. Have just been on the web cam to friends in Devon. Picture good and sound good this end but our friends could hear but not see us. Will try again next week. Have been tidying up all my CD's in my little computer room (spare bedroom really!) Lots of new labels needed - I need another rack or two as well. Not a spare space to be seen at the moment so must get busy tomorrow. Must be lots of paper etc which I can throw away!! Made some yummy ginger biscuits again today - very popular - with me anyway!. Have some Bananas to use up so tomorrow will be Banana Cake day. Lemon icing on top. Must go now - I have read with interest all your 'letters'. For those not feeling too well - chin up, keep smiling and before you know it you will be on top of the world! Goodnight Mavis NZ

Good morning everyone,what a lovelly lot of messages to come on anfd find,should really be getting dresses as I am still in my pjs ,going out soon to look at cars,will have to curb any whims for any i see ,as we need to have a good look round for the best deal,according to John.!!! So pleased you are all ok ,but hope you get even better soon Di,do go to the doctors and see what he says. Mavis what a shame about your arm,it seems every year they discover something else for older poeple to suffer from. Sylvia was going to have my toes done next week ,but need to buy some new sandals first,to show them off,but like you said we do not have the weather for sandals yet., Fred ,will look forward to the photos,might send you some of ours when John has finshed the big tidy up he is planning. June,not long then til you have finshed the decorating LOL,my you have been busy,Like to come and help us later in the year when we are planning on some LOL See you soon ,Brenda

Hi everybody, Nice to see 'old' faces returning to the thread. Di, was going to send you an e-mail to see where you were. I think we all need a good dose of sunshine. According to our forecasters the weather should change on Friday and then more sun and no more frosts - hoorah! My daughter's partner has been having a couple of days in bed, just sleeping. Janet said he won't go to the doctors and is going back to work tomorrow. This is a man who is always full of energy and a workaholic. I'm wondering if there is this bug going round. I now get up early every day. Some months ago I couldn't get out of my bed in the morning, but now wake up too early. Why? This morning I was up at 4.00 am. i didn't go to bed until 1.00 am so a pretty short night. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Well ,here we go again,we got home soon after one this afternoon and it was nice and sunny and we decided an hour weeding in the garden was called for,so out we went trowels and buckets in hand and got cracking. At least now the back border of the front garden has been weeded and we found a huge space at the top end with nothing in it apart from weeds which got removed,but seeing as we had a splurge in march with bulb buying we have a hundred iris bulbs and two hundred other bulbs looking for a home so i will have to get cracking and get them in. The two tubs for the tatties are in place with six inches of soil and potting compost in the bottom,ready to take the tatties.making sure the pots have holes in the bottom for drainage. My pots are the same size as plastic dustbins,but a little bigger ,or smaller work as well. i use a good potato such as charlotte,place six tatties round the bottom leaving two inches between the tatties and the sides of the bin,cover them up about six inches deep and wait till the leaves show,then cover them up again [just and keep doing this untill the bin is filled to the top].keep the peat compost soil whatever, nice and moist throughout and wait till the foliage goes yellow when you stop the watering,,cover with the lid at this point, and if you plant in june ,you have beutiful new potatoes for the table at christmas,sluuuurp.this for Mavis Anyway i digress ,we finished for the day outside ,and came in and sat reading and i happened to look up half an hour later to find that the greenhouse vent had shut itself and it was snowing eh,i doooooont beeeeelieve it,where is this ruddy spring,here one minute and gone the next,at this rate Brenda ,it will be next year before you get these photies lol. have to go now ,we are having Mazzie oggies for tea ,and boy ,do they smell good ,along with thickened left gravy from their making,carrots and garden peas. See yer later peeps [burp] lol Fred.

Just popped on after checking a holiday price for a friend and wonder what Moggie tatties are Fred sound wonderful at any rate. glad to see other peeps about ,willbe back tomorrow have to phone my friend before she goes on night shift at work. Brenda

Hello again, it has taken ages to catch up on all the messages but nice to read about all your activities. I have been very much under the weather for a while but thankfully am now on the mend, it takes so much longer to recover these days - the joys of getting older!! The weather does seem to be brightening up though we have had a fair bit of rain (where is this drought they keep telling us about?). It has turned a bit colder again but the forecast doesn't look too bad and I think it is supposed to become a bit warmer. We had a computer break-down, luckily I managed to get all my stuff on disc but forgot to save my favourites so now I have to try to find as many of the interesting and useful ones that I can. I also lost MSN and am having a bit of trouble getting that back. Having spent so long catching up on things it is now rather late so I will say Goodnight for now. Love Kathleen

Hi all, Nice to see you back again Kathleen. It is just a few of us oldies who keep this thread going. Glad you are feeling better, and see that you stay that way. Fred you have been busy, and now tatties being grown. You will soon be self-sufficient and won't need the shops soon. You'll have to buy a cow for the milk. I suppose you could use soya milk. I went out today as I had to pick up some more tablets for myself so decided to stop at the supermarket on the way back. Oh that cold wind really made me get inside quickly. Well tomorrow is our granddaughter Linda's 24th birthday and she will be coming round for a short while. She has taken a day off work, and her mother is coming and then she will see her friends/boyfriend and celebrate with her father in the evening. I will hear all about her new house, how far they are with the decorating/rebuilding and when they hope to move in. Unfortunately it is not as near to me as she is now. Now see you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx