General Chat

Hello everyone, Anne so sorry to hear that you have lost your father, wondered why we haven't heard from you for a while. It's a sad time but he will be with you always in your heart. Not going to be much of a message, I have been told to do some relaxing - my blood pressure is up and I have to see the doctor. The nurse said it is obviously down to stress as it has been steady for over 2 years. Amazing that for all my life until about 3 years ago I had very low b.p. then for a few years following an operation it was normal then suddenly I was told I had high b.p. and have been taking tablets ever since. Been ok until now. Will see the doctor next Thursday by which time I hope I will have managed to relax a bit and get it down again. Will be back this evening when I hope to post a longer message. Meantime I hope you all have a good day. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everyone Its dry here but I have just been told to expect snow this weekend. My next door neighbour has just called in, which she doesn't do very often, ( she is the one that has had similar treatment to Kathleen's daughter) she had her operation last August and has had the chemo etc since but she is feeling better now and is starting back to work next week. I dont think I am going to get much done today because another friend is coming this afternoon. Elisabeth, The photos as still interesting though because in some instances I could recognise places. I hope your M i L went on alright at the eye clinic. Fred, Its all go, isn't it? Glad you got your heater but dont forget the bird table. Ann (Glos) I hope the weather improves for you in Teneriffe, it would be annoying to be away in wind and rain especially if we were having good weather here. Your Biograhies sound very interesting. Brenda, Will your son make me one too, please? I miss Nick making mine. Why is it some of these doctors have such an obsession with weight, sometimes I think they are so obsessed with it and dont look further. (That was said to me by a doctor) Anne(Belfast) I am so sorry to hear about your Daddy, I hope he wasn't in pain. Love and hugs to you. Kathleen, Blood pressure is a funny thing, mine was low, went up when I had Gaynor then down again, but a few years ago went up again. I think a lot is to do with stress. I hope Susan is feeling a bit better, then you can relax a bit, too. Take care. Well I had better make a move before my friend arrives. Love June xx

Hi all Anne (Belfast), sorry to hear about your Daddy. but I love the thought that he is up there helping you trace your rellies, maybe that is why I managed to get on so well once my Dad died. never thought of that. June, yes the paper tells us today that snow is on its way from siberia, getting to the North, especially the N East, on Saturday/ Sunday, then the rest of the country on Monday. Apparently the few days before will be very mild fooling plants and animals into thinking it's spring. so on Friday we have to run around the garden calling out to the birds -'don't do it, it's too early'. Only joking of course. we are not going to tenerife, our daughter is there at the moment, we are going to Lanzarrote, where it is almost certain to be windy, but hopefully warm. Kathleen, take it easy then and hopefully the BP will come down. I don't know why my BP suddenly went up when I got to 60 either, it had always been normal until then, now I take medication and it seems to be stable. Ann glos

I felt guilty last night June so i slipped out to b&q and got one ,you should have seen her face when i put it on her lap.Anyway it's together ,and on the lawn,but so far there are no takers ,it will take a couple of days for the birds to get used to it.I must remember to put a fat ball on a saucer onto the table as well my robin can't seem to get the hang of feeding off the wire feeder if you will pardon the pun, maybe i should wire a perch to it with a bit of cane.I have just seen the long range forcast so it looks as though i got a new heater just in time.Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.

Afternoon all Fred, I’m glad to see you managed to get your heater, and even more pleased you did get the bird table too! We have to look after our little friends, they are so busy at the moment. I spend hours looking out of my patio doors at the antics, arguing over food or fighting over a mate. It is fascinating. Ann, I’m sure you will find some interesting pictures of Belper. It is lovely to see the old buildings in some of the photos. June, hope you enjoyed the visit from your friend. It’s always nice to catch up with other people’s news and see how they are getting along. Is she into family history too? Kathleen. Sorry to hear that the blood pressure is up but I suppose with all the worry you have had recently, it is not surprising. I do hope Susan is making progress now and is feeling a little better from the surgery. I am sure she will feel a little rough with the treatments, but it will be worth it. Anne (in Belfast). I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your father. I am sure he was a wonderful man, and loved you so much. (Fathers and daughters have a special bond, I know!) Treasure the happy times, you will have so many happy memories to help you in the coming days. Brenda, I hope the sneezes didn’t develop into anything nasty. You will have to have lots of tlc from your son! We had a good trip to the hospital yesterday, and the consultant was very pleased with Mum-i-l. He didn’t want to see her for 3 months, but I pointed out we have an appointment for 2 months time, for different problems with the other eye, so we left it at that. She now has to wait a further 4 weeks for an eye test for new glasses, so is a little down about that. I’m sure we will get through the time quickly with lots of talking books and the use of the cheap specs for short bursts of reading. Time to prepare something for the evening meal. Love, Elisabeth x PS Where is Jude? I do hope she renewed her membership. I look forward to hearing about Madoc and his antics.

Hello everyone,have had to do some maintenance on the pc tonight with instructions from my younger brother. I need a new security thingy as the Free one I had, has been withdrawn and the new one is not as good,I am told. I have to sortone out ASAP . Anyway had to see what you have all been up to, Fred you are such a lovelly man,cosseting those seedlings and the birds,and a film for the wife !!!well done.hope you sleep tonight now. June it's nice to have friends round,mine don't sem to be free when I am these days.takes age sto arrange things. Anne (glos) I have seen the weather about tenerife It has two weeks to improve,but really hope your daughter is having a nice time. Anne (belfsat ) so sorry about your daddy,you are right about the help with rellies I have been talking to my mam alot lately(she passed awwy 4 years ago) and have suddenly found more great aunts and uncles than we knew about. Kathleen,take care and try and relax please ,stress is an awful thing,it takes hold without you realising . Elizabeth,glad to hear m.i./l on the road to recovery,bet she feels tons better in herslef as well. Take care speak to you all tomorrow. Brenda

Brenda,if by your thingy lol,you mean anti virus software ,try avg-7,it's free and effective and if your after anti spyware there are still a couple of good ones to be had.,spyware blaster for one.you can get a free version of a firewall from zone alarms too ,if you want to protect your puter against hackers.I was in kinks this afternoon watching a pair of blackbirds,mated by the look of it,the male was looking quite henpecked,he keepes getting put in his place by the female[ouch] ,it's okay ,liz heard me snigger and threw a cushion ,so i had better change the subject before something harder comes my way,like a shoe .I have my daughters brood coming tomorrow so i had better lock up the breakable stuff,they have a habit of running around ,and i can't chase them so i lock away the fragile stuff and let them get on with it,Roll on the spring when i can take them on safari to the beach again ,where they can run riot and please themselves as to what they do ,within reason..It's quite comical really ,like something out of the simpsons,we all turn up ,and everyone else runs for cover he he Well it's time for me to see if i can get a bit of sleep,nite all,have a good day.Fred.ptfg.&a&g&s.

Morning Fred,and anyone else who looks in. I did have AvG 6 ,but that has stopped and i have ben told by others that version 7 is not as good,I have now installed a trial version of zonealarm,with anti spam,as I have stopzilla which is up for renewal soon,so thought getting them together might be better,we shall see. Doing this and answering two phone calls from my sisters has taken from 9.30,and I am supposed to be going out this morninmg!!! Speak to you all later,Brenda

Hi everyone, It started off dull and damp this morning but now we have brilliant sunshine. I have just been to Asda to stock up for the weekend in case we have bad weather. Ann Glos. Sorry I put Teneriffe, I knew it was Lanzarote because I remember wondering how some of my friends are getting on that live there, I haven't seen them for years. Fred, Good on ya slipping out to get the bird table, make sure it is anchored down well, I used to have one of those made from logs, it was very heavy to move but the gales managed to blow it over one year. We cant have the little robin going hungry can we? Enjoy your grandchildren, brings back memories, I used to take Gaynor on Lytham Green and let her run herself silly, while I enjoyed the stroll. Elisabeth, the friend that came in the afternoon is doing her Family History, we both started at the same time. She brought some along with her that she was stuck on and manage to solve a few mysteries, so she went home a very happy lady. The friend that came in the morning said she enjoyed talking to me because I didn't mention cancer, she was having to see less of some people because they kept asking her about it. I just say, 'How are you' as I would to anyone and then leave it to her as to how much she wants to say. Brenda, Yes I have done well this week for friends visiting, I find that its all or nothing, but I still enjoy seeing them. Which security system has been withdrawn? I haven't noticed my Norton doing its usual scan, must look into that. I hope you dont spend all your money.lol Well going to have some lunch now, Love June xx

Just a quickie My pooter would'nt let me on the net at all yesterday, so l was very miffed!!!! Just about to have lunch then off for an interview (2.30pm), so really can't stop. Will try and gt back later:o)) jude sarf wales xx

Hi everybody, Yes, it's me again back to normality, well nearly. We left Vlissingen at around 10.00 am and was home around 12.00 noon. I started last night with a sore throat and don't really feel so good, but I'll survive. I had planned to go to the supermarket on the way home but said to my husband that he would have to do it. When we arrived at the supermarket, who should come along but our granddaughter Linda on her bicycle. She said she would help Johan with the shopping. How sweet of her, but then again that's Linda, always ready to help, like her mother. Since I've been home I've set the breadmaker going and also a washing machine and read through the post. I couldn't wait any longer to get back on the pc. I had an e-mail from Di who sends you her love and she is feeling good, doing lots of sewing and walking the dog every day. Center Parcs was situated in a very nice area. We went out for drives around local, picturesque villages. We didn't use any of Center Parcs services really. Only one day we had a coffee and a pancake at lunch time. Our cottage looked out over the water. There was a bitter cold wind and the poor ducks were having a job to keep in one place. Tuesday was not so much wind and much more sun. Wednesday was also nice and sunny. Thursday milder. This morning it started to snow when we left, and when we arrived home it began to snow here too. It's nice to be home again and on the pc. Love, Sylvia xxx I have read all your threads and thanks for the offer of a sofa or two to kip down for the night.

Good afternoon all, It is raining now, though it has been a pleasant though blustery day. I think by the very black clouds, we are in for a wild spell of weather, and the forecast is for snow! Sylvia, I am pleased you had a happy time when you were away and didn’t get blown across the North Sea. We had rescue services on standby and lots of warm beds at the ready, depending on which bit of the coastline you arrived at. Jude, Good to see you popping in there. We look forward to hearing about how your afternoon has gone. June, I can understand your friend not wanting to be constantly asked about her condition. It must make it more difficult for her to have a normal conversation with everyone. No-one wants to be reminded constantly. Brenda, I hope you have got your ‘puter sorted out now. I wouldn’t know where to start with such things. I am a complete dunce at anything more complicated than just typing.. I constantly get stuck and often just switch off and wait for some help from anyone who pops by! Fred, I agree the birds are fascinating. I could spend hours watching them, though if I do, I can’t use the computer at the same time!! I had a surprise at lunchtime, watching the News and half looking out of the patio doors. I am sure I saw a mouse take a zigzag path across the patio and head for the shrubs at the side of the door. It seemed to have come from the garage, where we do have a problem with them. I haven’t seen them venturing out in daylight though. Must go and check the traps and see if they have been sprung. I don’t like harming them, but they do so much damage. (We had friends, some years ago, who had an old sportscar in the locked up garage and found that over a couple of weeks, they had destroyed the interior of the car completely.) We do worry parking a nice warm car on a winters night, they might take up residence in it. They have already destroyed a vinyl record box, and most of the sleeves of some old LPs, and the foil from a couple of bottles of sparkling wine. Perhaps if they had gnawed through the wire too, it would have been a case of flying mice as the cork zoomed across the garage. Time to run the hoover around, to make it look as if I have been doing something other than looking at this screen all day! Elisabeth xx

Hello again everyone,son is not home yet so i am taking advantage, June it is the Free AVg version 6 system that has been with drawn,it is replaced by version 7 ,but I have been told it is not as good.Anyway I could not down load it I kept getting warned that it was not signed or something. So I downloaded a trial version of Zonealarm for two weeks and will see how it perfoms before I buy.itwas recommended by ntl so should be ok. Sylvia welcome back ,hope you feel better soon,but glad you enjoyed your break.thanks for letting us know about Di. Jude,how did the interview go,had my fingers crossed earlier on this afternoon. Elizabeth,my friend had mice in her garden shed and she stored some kitchen things in there, washer ,fridge etc after they had redone the kitchen ,the idea was to sell them as they were not that bad.This they could not do as the mice got everywhere and chewed wire ,rubber sealents, they did not actually get in the fridge but my friend was embarresed about it all,so sent them to the tip. Want to watch Corrrie then eastenders tonight so going now,probably sunday when I am back again.Brenda.

Hi brenda ,i managed to load avg 7 last night okay and did'nt get any warning ,so i can only assume that it's something to do with your settings.I can recomend zone alarm,iv'e had it two years and the only time i got a worm was when my grandson shut it down to download music grrrrrr, but i got the puter sorted and put a password in to stop anyone shutting it down again ,or changing any of mysettings,without my permission.The programme will also stop any hackers from getting into your system.Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi brenda ,i managed to load avg 7 last night okay and did'nt get any warning ,so i can only assume that it's something to do with your settings.I can recomend zone alarm,iv'e had it two years and the only time i got a worm was when my grandson shut it down to download music grrrrrr, but i got the puter sorted and put a password in to stop anyone shutting it down again ,or changing any of mysettings,without my permission.The programme will also stop any hackers from getting into your system.Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi all l have'nt read all your messages properly yet but l have copied and pasted them. The interview went ok - its a smaller version of Wilkinsons, they sell all sorts from stationary to furniture,shampoo to towels etc. They are looking for 8 members of staff, so far l am the only one looking for part time and they had 3 more to interview after me. They want more part time,so that may give me a chance. l have to wait now!!! if by any chance l get offered this l will take it - l have sent off for another job,which is assistant manager in a charity shop, but l don't think l want that hassle anymore, have been manager before and there is toooo much stress!!:o( Mad dog Madoc and Fat Cat - Now Fat Cat was/is one of these cats that tolerate dogs - well l've seen him and Mad dog almost kissing - just wait till l tell his mates on the block!!!! lol can't believe how friendly they are - mind you Fat cat will still give Madoc a left hook if necessary lol Madoc is still pretty good on the lead, so much easier to take to the local store - until l tie him up outside!!!! he then makes an awful noise, grabs my arm and nips!!!(not hard), with the temptation of a biccie l shout WAIT and make him sit,use my hand as a signal to WAIT - he just looks at me all soppy eyed and starts again!!!!!!!!!!!! as l walk away (very embarrassed) he grabs my arm again (now imagine this poor women and a squealing dog) and barks. AS SOON AS l GET INSIDE THE STORE he stops!!!!!!! what shall l do next time Fred?????? l could try ignoring him completely,but its not easy - lol - he's sooo gorgeous. Fred did you ever see a photo of him?? Guess what - it rained today!!!! My sister and l are off to the garden centre's on Sunday, l would like to get some wooden posts to make a backing/screen for plants to grow up/against (Delphiniums etc), the sort of thing l mean is the ones that can be 12ft long and sawn down the middle so one side is flat.We would cut the 12ft one into 3 or 4 and have staggered bits. l'll have to put a piccie on GC Photos now and after, so you can see what l mean!. Ok l'm off now to send some emails, one of which is to except an invatation to a wedding in July, thats 2 in July now :~) Sylvia - l do hope you had a lovely break, l must go now and read all the messages over the past few days Nite nite:~) jude sarf wales xx

I hope you get that job Jude,it sounds just up your street,and will give you another interest,mind you i don't know how madoc will take to the idea of the missus going out without him three times a week.i would'nt worry about the shops with him either ,he will soon get used to the idea,and as for him and the cat,in a few weeks they will be curled up together in front of the fire if they don't do that already.I'm relieved to see you still aroundtoo at least i can get more news of madoc,and better yet the other furry member.It sounds as though we could do with a photo of the two together.Cyal.Fred.ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi everyone, nice to see you back again Jude. We have had a couple of really wet and miserable days though it did start off quite bright this morning but that didn't last long. Sylvia, hope your sore throat goes away, keep warm and stay inside for a day or two, don't want you getting sick. Hope you enjoyed your holiday. What a lovely girl your granddaughter is. Elisabeth, hope your m-i-l has finished with the eye drops now. Sorry I seem to have lost the plot a bit here, does she only need the glasses to read or does she need them all the time? Hope you are keeping well and will feel up to working in your garden again this year. Fred, I love watching the birds in the garden but it's a bit of a race between them and the squirrels for the titbits I put out for them. Have to be a bit careful again now as there seems to be a new generation of cats arriving in the neighbourhood. A while ago all the cats seem to disappear, all grew old at the same time I guess but now people seem to be getting new ones. We have had one or two stalking around the garden and frightening the birds away. June, I don't seem to get many people dropping in any more, they have either moved or sadly passed away. One friend who lives close by is suffering from diabetes now and, being very overweight, is having problems walking. Just a few words about Susan, her treatment starts with a course of chemo on 4th March. She will lose her hair so next week is going to be fitted with a wig. Her chemo is in two parts and the radiotherapy will be done in conjunction with this. Afraid the idea of it all being over by summer was a bit optimistic, the treatment will last until at least September. A little bit of bad news, a little lump she has under her eye might be cancerous - has to be checked. Next Friday she will have an MOT - full body scan, bone density scan etc. a full day at the hospital. Hope she passes !!!! Sorry if I have missed anyone, feeling a bit tired and my brain is just not working properly today. Take care everyone God bless Love Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,thanks for the news about Susan,i hope all will be well,and please tell her Liz and i are still thinking positive thoughts for her.I dont have a problem with the cats,or dogs,i did buy one of those electronic devices ,and it works on a rechargable battery,one or two cats have started to come in the garden ,got a few feet in ,and then they about turn and scoot off so it seems to be working. I got it sale price from b&q for £20 and it's worth every penny,no cat droppings and no scared birds,mine are getting spoiled rotten by the way.My robin is now happy,as one of the new feeders has a very small perch which it can use to get at the seed,but any bird bigger than a sparrow can't feed on it ,the other small birds have three feeders with no perches at all so they have to hang, and that excludes the starlings,,so they and the big birds have to feed on the ground or on the table,i even have a thrush who loves peanuts ,[strange].Sylvia ,you take it easy till you get over what sounds like a head cold,you don't want that so soon after the last problem.Fred.ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi everybody, Nice to see Jude and Fred back again, and the nice messages to me on my throat from others. Well I couldn't sleep at all last night. I took a few Paracetamol and some throat tablets, but a cold just has to take its course. I cannot concentrate on doing much, so thank God for the pc! I ran a couple more washing machines and did some ironing, but dinner will be odds and ends left over. Can't help it, can't rustle up any enthusiasm to get into the kitchen. Johan keeps making me cups of tea with honey. I cannot even face coffee! Enough of me. It was nice to hear about Madoc again, we have missed all his adventures. Hope your daughter is ok now Kathleen. What a worry everything is. It's the waiting for the results which is the worst and not knowing if everything is ok. Another cup of tea - yes, and then it will be time for snooker I hope. How I am willing my life away. Have a nice evening, Love, Sylvia xxx