General Chat

Evening all:o) Anne (Belfast) what a lovely christmas pressie from your daughter to her nan, oh bless, thats lovely!!:o))))) Must admit l have'nt quite got the christmas spirit yet, it will show more when l start wrapping presents! - but christmas seems to come round again so quick, don't you think?? Sylvia - you put me to shame as well, can't keep up with you, slow down for goodness sake:o) lol Di - not heard from you,are you ok??? Elizabeth - hope you are ok, if we don't hear from you before christmas, hope you have a nice one:o)) Kathleen - how are you and your daughter?? was'nt she at the hospital today?? take care, loads of love and hugs coming your way:o) Fred - l have'nt suffered from agraphobia, fortunately - my problem seems to be the getting out of bed in the morning and then to get me bloomin skates on, so yeh Monday & Tuesday were good cause l had them skates on allday!!!! lol, today feels like l'm wearing heavy hobnail boots:o( tomorrow l have promised to go to charity shop, so will wear the skates to bed!!! lol That Madoc - oooooo he needs sorting, he ran out of front door as we were going to the shops and disapeared into neighbours garden - he knows exactly where the cat food is!!! lol lol - l had'nt realised how loud my hubby can shout - Madoc completely ignored him though - lol lol lol. Been much colder today. l fed the birds this morning and had to go back in for a coat. Longtail tits are back, they love my biscuit,oats and suet mix. My daughter is in Prague now for a few days, bet its cold there???? Ok thats it, nite nite:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everyone,was working til 8 tonight but have had one phone call after another from family and friends re birthday arrangements and one thing andanother,so could not get on here until son had gone to bed. Went to the dentist and it seems my tooth has cracked,the filling is fine so I am going to have to have it out,and the only day available is the day before christmas eve,or wait until January.I have taken the appointment and will have to sort things out at work,as I am due to work at 1o'clock that day. june glad you are still getting about ,you will feel redundant when your family can drive themselves. Jude know how you feel about getting up felt like that for awhile last year. Anne,think that chicken presant is really original and well done your daughter for thinking about it. Sorry folks eyes nearly on chest now,see you all tomorrow night,son allowing ofcourse.apologie to anyone missed. take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, Just a quick word before I take my grandson to work on my way to picking up Samantha and Gaynor to go shopping. Then this afternoon, I have a hospital appointment, a follow up to last times. Yes Brenda, you are right, I will be moaning then that I never see anyone. I'll go now and then come back later. Kathleen, Elisabeth and everyone, thinking of you Love June xx

Hi everyone, Sorry this is going to be brief. Am taking Susie shopping as she wants to get stocked up before going into hospital on Tuesday. More or less managed to get the furniture moved around and it all looks better now - pity the room did not get redecorated as was planned. I'll just have to put lots of decorations around to make it look better. Still haven't done my Christmas cards yet - that will have to be this evening. You have all been very busy, seems that you are all set now for Christmas - I still have presents to buy, I'm bound to forget some so I think I will make a list this evening. Please keep the prayers going for Susie, she goes into hospital on Tuesday, operation on Wednesday. Will try to add another message soon, meanwhile hope you are all keeping well and happy. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everyone, Kathleen, never mind about the room not getting decorated, if it had been, you wouldn't have wanted to stick things on the walls. Even though I started my shopping early, I still had to get another present this morning and have still got another to get. I think about you and Susie at least once a day, little things remind me of you, such as going over the bridge into Preston, (which I have just done) or seeing someone who has a similar problem (both my next door neighbours), you are both in my thoughts and prayers constantly. Take Care Love June xx

Kathleen Still praying for susie and thinking of you both. I am sure no-one will notice that you haven't decorated if you stick Christmas decs everywhere. June Yes I am old enough to have grandchildren I have 5 and the eldest is 16 (your other thread). Sylvia, you are a busy little bee and still manage to come on here and write more than most of us. I hope that Johan gets the lights fixed for you. Jude, is it next Wednesday you go back to work 9as a volunteer)? Madoc has obviously earmarked where he can get extra food. There used to be an elderly cat over the road, sadly no longer with us, his owner works and Lucky used to treat our houe as his second home, and Holly's dish as his own. She used to sit and watch him eat, yet she would never let any other cat into the conservatory. I often used to come home and find he'd sneaked in before i went out and was asleep on the spare bed!! we missed him when he went. Not done much today, walked round for the papers, stopped at the local garden centre for a coffee (Tony was at golf). Wrapped up a few of the family presents. Still quite a few to do. Take care everyone ann Glos

Only ...............days to Xmas. Of course you know, don't you? Well I don't, I thought Xmas Day fell on a Wednesday and am all muddled up with the days. Is this what they would call a senior moment do you think? God forbid it isn't a sign of dementia! Glad to hear that you have an appointment at the dentist Brenda. Fancy, the day before Xmas. Anyway you should be ok with a new filling ready to greet Father Xmas. Johan managed to fix up all the lights today. We have two sets of lights in the tree, one set flashing and one not. The third set won't go at the moment. We have lights round the windows, we have two wooden ornaments which Johan made and fitted with lights, and not to forget our large Advent star. Our sitting room is all lit up - lovely. The only thing that is needed now is a good tidy up and Linda to come and vacuum the room for me. Anyway, who's looking for dust and dirt at Xmas? So Kathleen, your Susie should be feeling more at ease after her operation. Before an operation you are naturally feeling tense, but when you awake from the op. there is such a wonderful relief to know it is all over. God bless her. I went to the market today, and everybody kept saying to me "Cold, isn't it". I kept replying "no, it's nice, it's dry". I have a big red woollen coat and big red plaid scarf and beige woollen hat. Quite a sight to see scooting along I suppose. Anyway I always meet nice people. I wanted to post some more Xmas cards today and didn't fancy going into the post office again, and the cards won't go through the letter boxes (our post office has half sealed all the letter boxes, for fear of fireworks being pushed through). I asked a middle-aged couple (seeing that they had a letter in their hand), if they were going to the post office, and they said yes. I asked if they would take my bundle of cards, and they said yes. Another of my problems solved. I meet kind helpful people everywhere. If I go into a supermarket and can't reach something, then there is always someone willing to help me. I always begin with "hallo, young man" and "have you a long arm". We have another State funeral here on Saturday. The father of our Queen (Beatrix) father will be buried. Poor Beatrix also lost her mother, who used to be our Queen Juliana, earlier this year, and her husband a couple of years ago. 3 State funerals in a few year's time. Prince Philippe of England will be coming. It begins around 09.00 am and finishes somewhere around 15.00 hrs. The funeral will be a military one. Well, I think I've gone on long enough for one day, don't you? See you tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Evening all:o)) Ann - well it should have been this week,but l did'nt have transport, Vic needed car for work and as he gets paid l thought he should have the car. Actually after a week of thinking, very thoughtful thinking l have given in my notice this morning - a number of things have happened this week to contribute to my way of thinking, one being transport - l can only get to work if Vic does'nt need the car for his work and can't get a lift.The college is having a few problems and redundentcies are going to be quite high in the new yr, even though my boss has said today that "if l want work at the college in the future please phone her". This way she knows where she is and l know where l am.My son sent me an email the other day which brought tears to my eyes and made me think very seriously about me. Of all things he has handed in his notice,he's very very fedup with being messed about at work and is spending quality time with his wife before she flies off abroad for her job - oh dear not a very good couple of days for us. Sorry to be low, l am sure l will be back to me old self very soon. Take care everyone. Kathleen you are all still very much in my thoughts:o))) Fred are you ok???? Jude sarf wales xx

You do what you think is right Jude,it's time to put yourself first,and i'm sure things will sort themselves out soon.You will now have quality time for yorself ,and family and it's time to start enjoying life again.go get um .Fred.ptfg.

Morning all,(sound like Dixon of Dock Green). Up early due to tooth ache,having cup of tea and painkiller. everyone is so busy getting ready for christmas,but finding time to add a few lines on here,which is really nice. Jude,like Fred says do what you feel is right for you.Last year I was on sick leave for 4 months,and decided during that time that I could not face going back to work,so I took early retirement.I felt an almost instant improvment when I had made my mind up.I don't regret it at all,money is tighter ,but it is not evrything. Kathlee,Susie sounds like she is doing ok at the moment getting the shopping in etc,you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Sylvia,you really do get about on this scooter of yours sounds good,and your description is so life like. June,sorry about delay on sending photos will do so this week and. Fred nice to see pop in now and again. Ann wish we had a garden center I could walk to,our nearset is B&Q !! Out and about to again ,see you all tomorrow. take care .Brenda

Another day nearer to Xmas. Johan and I bought a new computer today via internet. It was a special offer - DELL - They will deliver it 8-10 days and no delivery charge. My son is coming for Xmas so he can help Johan install the computer. Adriaan has a lot of additional software which he can download for us too. He knows such a lot about computers, so will be a good help. I woke up so late today - do you wonder at it when I don't go to bed until 1.00 am - but really I have so many things to do that I get cross with myself. I won't set the alarm clock though as I tell myself that my body needs the sleep otherwise I'd wake up earlier! Make sense to you? I've spent the day doing odds and ends: a woollen wash on the washing machine, set up our crib, ran out some invitations, and inbetween prepared our meals. I've sorted out our clothes for tomorrow's party which our neighbours are giving in town. I've a really glittery top and long black trousers, black lacquer shoes and black net knee stockings. Actually you cannot see the stockings very much, but they look good. Anyway, as my grandson says, granny doesn't look like a granny because I always try to dress modernlike. Oh yes, I spent a lot of time in tears watching the funeral of our Prince Bernhard. It was very moving, very military. He had planned a lot himself before he died. His youngest daughter sang a Mexican song which was a favourite of his. His four daughters were all in white with a touch of mauve. He chose Faures Requiem in his list of music, which is one of my favourite pieces of music too. Prince Philip was there, but no Elizabeth. Why do the Spanish King and Queen always come together, as well as other Scandinavian countries kings and queens and Philip alone? Looks strange to me. Didn't see any message from Kathleen, Di or June today. They are probably too busy. Somebody has to keep the thread going though. Oh yes, what about Brenda, who set up the thread, where are you? Sylvia xxx

Hi, Just a quickie. Jude, I am sure that you will have done the right thing. You have to follow your instincts on hese things and the transport was obviously one more thing to cause you problems. I am sure that you will enjoy working in the charity shop and you'll manage without the money. treat it as early retirement and get your health back on track. Sorry to hear your son has given up his job, hope he finds something he can be happy with. I don't think i knew his wife was going abroad, is this a long term job or short term and can he go with her? Sylvia, your home sounds very 'sparkly' with all the lights now. Hope you enjoy the party, your outfit sounds very smart. Brenda, your tooth really is giving you problems isn't it? wouldn't your dentist call you in if they had a cancellation? As it is paining you so much. hello Fred, still increasing the walking? A bit cold for it at the moment isn't it? Not done much today, just grocery shopping, felt a bit 'under the weather' don't know why. hope to be OK tomorrow as we are out for lunch at Ross on Wye with friends from Redbrook (near you Jude). Bye for now. Ann Glos

Hi everyone I am here early this morning otherwise someone either speaks to me on messenger or I get visitors, I'm not complaining about visitors but I dont always remember what I was doing when I get interrupted. I did a little of my family tree yesterday, its funny how some days, you sort of get "on a roll" and others you cant get anywhere. Yesterday I had wanted to complete my wrapping but as my granddaughter dropped in on me and what I was wrapping was for her, I couldn't do it, so I must do it straight after this before she comes around again. Ann (Glos) I hope you enjoy your lunch and catching up with the news with your friends. Sylvia, You are very lucky having your son to help set up the computer. I agree with you that you should wake up when your body is ready to wake up, after all we shouldn't be disturbed by an alarm, we've had our time of "going by the clock" Your outfit sounds very smart and trendy, my granddaughter tells me that too, but shouldn't we dress trendy, I've always enjoyed clothes as did my mother. Brenda, Have you asked the dentist to contact you should he get a cancellation being as you are in so much pain? Dont worry about the photos, you have enough on your plate, you send whenever, there is no rush. Jude, I too think you have taken the right decision, just relax and enjoy life. Try not to worry about your son, I'm sure he has given thought to what he is doing, I know thats easier said than done, you always worry. Kathleen. still thinking of you. Well I had better get on and wrap those presents. Love June xx

Welcome back Mary

Hi all - just a quickie as we about to go out and watch footie on the BIG screen - l don't even know who's playing, l just go for the drinks!!!! lol l am fine and pleased l have made the decision to leave work, l will need to find another part-time one though. Son is ok as well and is coming here on Tuesday afternoon for a couple of days. He'll really enjoy walking Mad dog Madoc!!! probably get me out as well!! lol Welcome back Mary - sounds like you have had a lovely time, those Eagles!!! Ann - Zoe often goes away with her job, l did'nt know she was off to New York again though, oh yessss she'll be back for christmas, should be back this week. We see her on 19th as we have been invited to a meal,compliments of the manager from the wedding reception hotel, after their mishap at the wedding!!!!!! approx 10 of us, so they should too!!! Fred,Ann and June thank you for your kind words re: me job! Fred,its always nice to see your name on here, hope you are both well:o))) Kathleen - thinking of you both:o) xx Di - l have seen your lovely photo's on the GC site:o)) Sylvia - hope you are resting this weekend. Anne - how did the shopping go with daughter (was it you??)?? Stay busy, people!! Jude sarf wales xx

Hello All, Just got home after a lovely relaxing lunch with our friends at the Castle Hotel in Ross on Wye. Prawn cocktail (because they had run out of avocado and prawns, carvery and I had the delicious beef, rare, with cabbage, peas, swede, yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes (could have had boiled as well), then I was quite full so opted for creme brulee although the tiramisu, banoffi pie and sherry trifle all looked lovely. Acouple of glasses of red wine and a whisky, then a coffee and a chocolate. Shant want to eat again today!! We sat down at 1pm and left the table at 3.15, caught up on all the family news, holidays etc. very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Was supposed to be wrapping presents but came on here instead. Jude, enjoy your two days with your son, nice to have him to yourself for a while. No doubt you are looking forward to your meal with them as well. I am sure that you will find somewhere else to work part time when you are ready. maybe somewhere within walking distance. June Hope you got your pressie wrapped eventually. Take care everyone, i'll speak again tomorrow. Ann glos

Hello everyone, The dentist is working short handed- apparently. One of the partners left and one is ill, so there are only two doing the work of four.I did think they might have a "temp" and my friend who uses the same practice said they did but only two days a week!!So I was lucky to get in when I did ,and don't hold out much hope of being called in early,but would go if they did.The pain comes and goes,it seems that when you are in bed you tend to feel tooth ache more because you are lying down.!!Anyway it was not that bad last night as I had another pillow,so there must be something in the story. Managed to get some windows cleaned today and changed my net curtains. was trying to print off my tree to show my dad ,he will not come here to see it on pc,but it will be on lots of sheets of paper even had to change printer to landscape.Anyway it was taking to long so I will have to do it again. Sylvia you sound all ready for christmas ,hope the party went well,like th esound of your new pc.By the way I was just in front of you on the boards yesterday. I must be loosing weight ,if you missed me LOL. Ann/June if the dentist calls I will go,but he did apologsie for the fact that it would be a while before he could see me.It needs a long appointment as well. Jude ,nice to hear you sound so positive. Nice to see you back Mary,the pc in the library where I work are slow ,we get lots of complaints from the users.But as the service is free ,I think they are lucky to have access. Time to get tea readyu.see you all tomorrow.take care.Brenda

Hello everyone, How are your Christmas plans coming along? I had a nightmare a few weeks ago that is affecting my plans. The batteries on my Palm Pilot died and it’s not backed up on my laptop because my hard drive crashed too. Can you believe both happened at the same time? I am going to be in serious trouble this Christmas with addresses! It's not just the addresses but I had birthdays and children's names and birth weights in the notes too. Some of that is lost forever. Sylvia, am I correct in thinking you live in Almere? One of my friends lives off of Buitenhof. Is that near you? I was lucky because she was listed on the Dutch white pages. Kathleen, thinking about your daughter tomorrow. Crista

Hi everyone, Its another dry day but a little cold. The washing is out anyway. I took Samantha to work then went to the docs to pick up the prescriptions, then took Gaynors to her and now its nearly lunchtime, so thats another morning gone. Jude, I envy your daughter in law, travelling around with her job, the most I did was travel around England occasionally. I wonder if we will be travelling to the moom one day, lol Enjoy your meal on the 19th. If you get chance get a doggy bag for Madoc. Ann(Glos), That sounds a lovely meal, no wonder you didn't need to eat again that day. I have now wrapped all my pressies, I'm not buying anymore, really I'm not. Brenda, No wonder your dentist has such a long waiting list if they are that short staffed. Crista, Nice to see you again. What bad luck you are having, I hope you have your addresses etc written down elsewhere. Its a pity about the birth weights etc. I hope you find some way around the problem. Hi Mary, I hope you have now managed to clear the caravan in between the storms, I'm not a lover of the dentist either after having a horrible experience as a child. The people at the bus stop outside the surgery could hear me screaming and they clapped when I left!! Fred, I hope you are taking things easy. Di, I enjoyed looking at your photos too, its better when we know what people and places look like when we talk about them. What's the news on Mr. Ratty? Kathleen, I have my fingers crossed for tomorrow, my thoughts are with you and Susie and all your family. I am now going to look at a light I have, the bulb needs changing and I believe its rather complicated to get into, so here goes. See you tomorrow. Love June xx

Like June has said already it is dull and cold but dry here in the north. Have been out early finshing ,(hopefully) the christmas shopping. Have been sticking (almost) to my budget and now feel a bit tight about some of the gifts I have bought.However I am determined to stay "almost" on budget this year, so am resisting the urge to buy a few "small" items, to make up the other things. Kathleen my thoughts will be with you and your daughter tomorrow. Crista ,what a pickle you are in ,its one of those things that will not happen isn't it,I still have an old address book and have started writing email addresses in there as well ,as I wiped out my email address book somehow earlier this year. June,you have been a busy bee today ,as you say to me take it easy. Mary,hope your weather improves ,and you can sort out the caravan . Need to get on with the wrapping of christmas presents ,then this room might not look like jumble sale!! Back at the hospital tomorrow,then at work 12.30 -8pm ,so might not get on here till Wednesday.Take care ,brenda