General Chat

Morning All,its a mild day here as well,hope it stays that way.#Hope Dorothy is still taking it easy and getting her back better,Sylvia always makes baking bread sound so easy,last time I tried it I ended up with another rock for the rockery. Fred,the stew sounds delicous,we are on chilli con carne and rice,but John is making iy as i am on work at 4pm -8pm. Just going to do a bit of shopping and get some photos done I haven't got to grips with my new photoshop eement at all. Brenda

Hi all, Yes, Brenda, making bread is so easy, I do it every week now. I wish I could eat chili con carne as I love it but the specialist has advised both Johan and I not to eat it because of our intestines. Don't feel like writing tonight. So ta ta. Sylvia xxx

SYLVIA sO SORRY YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO CHILLI i LOVE IT BUT JOHN ISN'T THAT KEEN REALLY SO I MIGHT GET HOME AND FIND SPAGGETTI ,SORRY FOR THE CAPITOL LETTERS THE KEYBOARD IS STUCK. BRENDA T I

Hi everyone Looks as a lot has been happening over the past few weeks reading through the various comments. I mentioned that my niece was having a baby, yesterday being Monday 19th her daughter was born by c-section. Lia was working up to last Friday and went away with her partner to Taupo for the weekend went she went into labour some three weeks early. The hospital flew her to Rotorua where the birth took place. This is the first great-niece in my family and for Gayle it brings the number of great-nieces/nephews to 14 (she has 13 with her family). The phone was ringing all day what with that news and sorting things out for our son. The weather in New Zealand is still hot and these balmy days are to continue for awhile. Its nearly impossible to sleep because of the heat but stll one must sleep. John

Good morning John,Sylvia ,and Brenda,i have just had a nice suprise after the slowness of these threads over the past week,clickeed on here ,and bam,instant connection ,lets hope it lasts . We have a nice morning here and are both cheerful despite having no heating or hot water ,because Liz reports this morning that the bulbs in the borders are starting to show leaves. The crocus and snowdrops are now dying back but the rest of the garden is coming to life. We even had a couple of song thrushes come in to feed this morning along with the usuals ,so i am hoping they decide to stay around for a while ,maybe even become residents. It will be two weeks before we can get an engineer out for the boiler ,but with the milder weather coming ,and the gas heaters we have it isn't a problem,and won't have to pay for the repairs ,it's all covered by insurance along with the electrics in the house.,but at least ,if the electric ,or water goes off ,they come out within two hours We won't be having pancakes today ,seeing as they don't taste too good without sugar ,and i can't have it. Instead ,i will bake some tatties in the oven ,take out the insides when cooked,mix with bacon pieces ,cheese and plum tomatoe,put the filling back in and top with extra cheese,and bake for a further half hour. I think we will also have some of the leek and potato soup out for starters as well. Have to go ,but will be back later to see if the ease of getting on here this morning was a fluke or not lol. Fred.

hell everybody thankyou all so much for the kind messages, happy to report that the back is on the mend, but the leg is still very painfull but I guess it will take a little longer to completly mend. oh fred your menu in place of pancakes had my mouth watering you are a great cook, so some of your plants are dying the snowdrops etc, hard to imangine we have so much snow I am not sure they will work there way up over here, though to-day is 2 degree's almost a heat wave. when my friend and I were home almost 2yrs ago she bought some snowdrop bulbs in tesco and they have come up over here a first for her. not sure if we were supposed to do that but they were in a sealed bag so I dont think it hurt anything. well I have been up for about 4hrs so I am going to go and pop back on the bed for a while, but once again thanks for the messages bye dorothy

Morning everyone ,not too bad this morning the weatherman says,with the temperatures up to fifty by this afternoon. Glad to hear you are feeling better Dorothy,but you take it easy for a while,these things take a while to settle down. Who else has seen J A's photo's of the Mudgee get together? they look a great crowd don't they? it must have been a load of fun to be there ,in the warm and plenty of cold tinnies. i have to be off straight away,we bought one of these portable halogen heaters yesterday to use in the kitchen till the boiler was mended,got it home and unpacked it to find it was not working [groan] so,off back to the town again to get it changed.,See you later.Fred.

Hello everyone,sorry i did not get on yesterday ,busy day at work and was tired last night also had a few phone calls from my friends and sister. Dorothy glad your back is on the mend,take care of your self,John nice to hear from you and with such good news,newbabies are wonderful news. fred once again you have had us drooling with your menu,you should write a food column.hope the boiler is sorted soon. should be my day off todat but I am doing a few extra hours at tea time due to sickness. Went to meet some old work mates at lunch but only three turned up!! still it was good to catch up. Johns just made a brew soi am of downstairsfor that. On a 12-8pm tomorrow so might not be back till Friday. Brenda

Hi all, From a wet, miserable Netherlands and glad to draw the curtains so I can't see out any more. Went to the hospital again today to see the cardiologist and then a pre-operative talk. I get fed up with them telling me what a risk I am in having the op whereas there is no alterntive. I know I have diabetes, some kilos too heavy, heart valve not working properly, and then my age. Why don't they mention things that are in my favour, for instance my blood pressure is perfect, my cholesterol is perfect, cannot change age. It is two weeks today that I go into hospital, a day before the op. I told them I wanted to go in a day before to be a bit settled in first. I am going to get astronaut food fed through my nose, apparently patients heal better this way. Won't bore you any more with my aches, pains, moans and groans, but have a lovely evening. Sylvia xxx

I know i am a lot younger than you Sylvia,but i went in for a triple bypass ,with copd ,pvd,diabeties high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels ,and sailed through the op. All the pain they reckoned to have after the operation in my case did not materialise and apart from a little discomfort for a few weeks afterward when moving too suddenly i felt fine. So go ahead knowing that it is karma as to how the op goes,if it's your turn to be called ,then that's it,but your general health despite your age, gives you a heck of a good prognosis. . One old girl in with me at the age of 82,lives round the corner from me with exactly the same trouble as you and is great ,going to the shops for an elderly sick neighbour as well,she is fitter than me. I got the heater changed and bought a few bits and pieces at the local supermarket as well ,a huge punnet of chestnut mushrooms ,two pound in weight so i reckon it's time to make soup again,hee hee,i was already going top make tomato tomorrow ,and now have two sorts to do Still the weight comes off ,so i am on a salad and low fat diet for a while ,i want to get down to 12c stone ,at which point i will be well satisfied. i'm off now for a look round the boards ,see you later ,be good ,and take care .Fred.

waited ages to open latest message but it took so long have had to just reply by saying good morning everyonesee you tomorrow

Yep,Morning Brenda,goodbye Brenda lol,it takes an age to get on here just lately,but as luck would have it ,i'm waiting for a gas delivery before i go through to the sons for the day. It isn't at all nice here this morning ,like the rest of the country it seems everywhere ,cold ,wet ,and miserable,even my blackbird is cowering down next to the window trying to keep warm. We bought a new seed feeder yesterday ,and now have three feeders on the rotary line ,and two on the bird table with a selection of seed and nuts ,and the fatballs in their special container. The birdbath ,i cleaned out yesterday and half refilled with fresh water out of the rainbarrel,much better for the wildlife than tap water which has been known to upset them,because they arn't used to itbut it must have rained some overnight because it's now full to the brim. Hope everyone is fit ,well and looking forward to the weekend See you later ,be good ,and take care .Fred..

Hi all, Thanks for those kind remarks Fred. One day I am on top of the world and the next day down, it is the waiting that is killing me. Trying not to look too gloomy for Johan's sake. At 82 he never thought he would be doing his own washing, but I have shown him one or two things so he should be ok. I bought Johan's birthday presents today - two books. One is called 'Toilets all over the world'. It is a funny book I think. The other is more or less to do with what he is doing at the moment and that is writing his life story for the grandchildren. This thread was a long way back today and sometimes so difficult to access. It has been a lovely sunny day today so have been out on my scooter again. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, Reading all the messages I see that others have had a problem with the thread. Seems to take ages to open and sometimes times out - by the time it works and the previous messages read I've lost my internet connection. Don't know why that happens (one thing GR are not responsible for). Not feeling 100% have had a touch of flu complete with tummy bug but getting better now. Just feel a bit like a wet rag. Sylvia have been thinking of you, the waiting is the worst part and can really get you down. Doesn't help when the medics are so negative but you are a positive person so keep thinking that way - we will all be sending you positive thoughts. Brenda, sorry you seem to be having trouble with sleeping again. Hope it gets better for you soon. Fred, you make sure you keep both you and Liz nice and warm. At least we aren't having snow and frost just now. Hope everyone else is keeping well. Must go and get a drink, my throat is still a bit sore and gets very dry. God bless all Love Kathleen

Hi there Kathleen,nice to see you but sorry to hear that you havn,t been too well. Afraid it is Gr though,they keep getting more and more people to join the site, and not updating their puters causes a bottleneck,but it's noticable that it's only the long threads like this one ,and a few others,but there isn't a lot we can do about it until they get their fingers out . We got home last night to find we had no power,the numb nuts over the road had cut the cable yet again ,so Fred is sending the parent company a letter on behalf of this block of houses demanding compensation for all the hassle they are causing us what with the water and the electric being disrupted all the time.. One lighter side of it thoug hwas remembering the old days just after the war when we got power cuts every week in the cold winters when demand outstripped supplies. Last night we were back to candles everywhere and gave up early on ,and went to bed for a read. With the central heating off as well ,it was out with the old camping kettle last night and this morning ,boiled up on the gas cooker ,and taken upstairs for a wash and shave. Living in Totteridge in a council prefab we used to have to light a fire and wait two hours for the water in the tank to heat up ,so it was kettles there every morning to have awash before going to school. There were of course ,no immersion heaters ,or water pumps in those days to circulate the water ,so the upstairs radiators never ever worked in twenty years,and even the downstairs radiators never got beyond lukewarm.It was a cold house,but it was a happy house,and last night as i snuggeled down,the candle light guttering on the walls ,i sort of slipped back fifty odd years and felt like i was back in Bucks again,[happy days they were]. It isn't too bad here this morning but it is rather damp and dull,so i am loing to do a little housework now and then go to the shops while it's dry.see you all later.Fred.

goodmorning rom a bright and sunny but very cold part of canada I hope all of you that have been under the weather are feeling better, fred you are having a hard time with all the problems with heat and light etc . I had a better day yesterday but still am not pain free, but this afternoon I am going to the doctors andrew is coming over to drive me, not sure what the doc can do but my son will feel better if i see him. the docotor was away last week so he is even seeing pts on sunday morning he has his office in his home quite the spread, but he is a very nice man and quite funny at times. we get on as I am very seldom there . retired nurses can be a pain at times no pun intended, well I have been sitting for about 10minutes so better go and lay down again bye for now have a great week-end now, brenda I am just going to call anne in bury she will have been up to the market I am sure bye dorothy

Afternoon people's,i have just finished making myself a nice rice salad for my teas over the next few days,and tonight i will be putting a little over my jacket tatties,which sometimes like tonight ,rather than prong them witjh a fork i have cut a crosss into the top of each leaving the heat of the oven to peel them back ,and open ,ready for the salad to be dropped on the top. The salad i have made with basmati rice,half a cup,mixed with a little sliced green grape,chopped walnut,chopped spring onion.red onion,chopped apple a few sultanas,along with two garlic cloves,a little nutmeg,salt ,groung black pepper,balsanic vinager and a little lemon juice.Adding a few chopped almond last of all. I know it sounds complicated ,but it isn't and only takes a few minutes to make ,is totaly fat free ,and veeeeery tasty. Martin and Chris are coming to dinner tomorrow ,so i will be doing a roast chicken with a difference,.chicken cut into quarters cleaned in cold water,and put into two large squares of cooking foil smother with honey,chopped garlic and rosemary to taste , place pieces of parsnip,carrot,with shallots rolund the pieces of chicken, and a good soaking of a good white wine.and rolled into two sausage shaped parcels ,and placed in a deep tray before putting in the oven.They need to slow cook,around 150 f for four hours,taken out of the oven at regular intervals to turn the sausages ,ensuring the resulting liquid coats all of the chicken, Make sure you rally seal the sausages though or you will lose all the juices.. The result is lovely tender beutiful tasting flesh which will fall off the bone.. Believe it or not ,i tried this on my gas B B Q last year with much the same result,it didn't last two minutes ,sooooo moist on a barbie that it was a real eye opener to me. Liz dosn't like rice salad though so i have made her a chicken jalfrazie instead ,not too hot ,but sweet and spicy ,just how she likes it. We tend to have little meals through the day ,and have a bowl of soup for supper with a slice of bread. It's been a funny old day up here today weather wise,it keeps clouding over and looks a lot like snow,but hasn't so far,but the missus isn't bothered ,we are warm enough despite the loss of the central heating,have a teli and player in the bedroom ,so as a last resort we will snuggle down in bed and watch a film or read a book Whatever ,spring is just around the corner and then we will be well away.lol. The missus is watching her quiz programmes again ,so i will repair to the kitchen and fire up the oven prior to cooking tea,then ,housework done ,dinner out of the way, i will select a dvd and settle my rear end down for the evening. See you all tomorrow . Hope everyone has a nice weekend .Fred.

Hi all, Well if there is one thing that brings the best out in men is when their partner is sick. I was on the pc tonight and wanted to get something in my hobby room and found Johan folding up washing. I didn't know what I was seeing, really in 51 years of marriage he has never done this before. I showed him how to operate the washing machine and drier today and he thought he'd finish off the process by folding the washing. I'll have a peep soon to see if he has put everything away in the cupboards. I must admit he has folded things so nicely, puts me to shame! Maybe I shouldn't have cooked all those meals for the freezer and let him try his hand at cooking! Just a thought. Sylvia xxx

Hi peeps ,i'm just waiting for the son to arrive for his dinner,and thought i would add a few lines. Yohan is now showing his full mettle Sylvia,well done to him.My mother in law spent thirty years nagging her husband to do things right and come the finish ,Tom' got that sick ,he never raised a hand again in the house or garden,and the mum in law spent the next twenty years complaining because he wouldn't help round the house ,hee hee,some women are never satisfied lol. I try my best ,and if Liz ever comments on my efforts i remind her of her mum and dad,end of story I have done a chicken soaked in orange juice for today,and now have another in the oven for tomorrow. Tea time .i have some lovely bread rolls ready to go in the oven ,and have beef Haslet and ham for meat fillings ,but i have made some sardine and egg mix for me mixed with a little garlic and tarrigon [don't knock it peeps ] it's lovely. I also made some egg and cress for chris because he loves it.Must go now as the company has arrived ,but will be back this evening.Fred.

hi everybody oh fred you have done it againyour menu's are just wonderful who taught you how to cook, the doc told me i have trapped three nerves in the back at L3-4-5 so hence the problem with the leg and back, booked a cat scan and physio for when I am more mobile and pain pills, so we shall wait for it all to improve, nothing much new over here the children are keeping busy, with swimming and hockey I think that they are going ski-ing to-day, and they are coming to visit me to-morrow. my son told me that Ian the youngest who will be 8 in april is going to be tested as the school thinks that he is very bright, and advanced for his age he does seem to be ahead in most things and is finding school somewhat boring. so we shall see what happens with that. hope you all have a good week-end bye dorothy