General Chat

Hi everyone i would like to join this thread ,hav,nt got time to talk right know as we are just going shopping . Val

Hi everyone, I'm not sure what is going to happen here weatherwise, its dull although dry at the minute. Val,(Maid of Kent)You are very welcome to join us, we enjoy hearing what other people are doing, about their families etc. Lou, nice to hear from you before you go to work, enjoy your babies. Jude, I'm sorry to hear that you are having to take Lady back. Its sounds as though it is a clash of personalties, which is very stressful for you. Lady will probably be better going to a home where there are no other pets. Anyway I'm sure she has enjoyed her little holiday with you, so dont feel too bad about it. Elisabeth, I have just looked at my windows, they are fine outside because I have a window cleaner, but I think thats my job for today. Peter and his girlfriend are having a good time, she is seeing quite a bit of the country. I know what you mean about eating up the leftovers, I hate throwing food away, yet you have to provide plenty, you dont want your guest going hungry. Sylvia, Your granddaughter is very good, coming round to do housework, how old is she? Mine doesn't come round as much now that she is working full time. The neighbour you are going shopping with, is this the same one that does your ironing and provides you with trout? Kathleen, That washing will never get dry while it is in the washer, lol. Your menfolk sound like mine, they are willing to do jobs, but its in their own good time. When your son was getting the sander out, I hope he did use it, my grandson has been known to get a tool out and then change his mind. I would think that Brenda is now soaking up the sunshine, lucky girl. Right I'm off to clean those windows. See you tomorrow. Love June xx

Hello everyone - l have a few minutes before going shopping. Been to work today and got my feet absolutely soaked - my leaher walking boots hurst my ankles(new ones) so decided to wear the old ones which are made of canves - grrrrr (squelch!!!!) Lady has gone - hubby and nephew took her back this morning. Nephew had to help us by sitting in back and holding her lead - she's not used to cars and seeing the houses,trees and traffic wizzing by was sometimes too much - she relaxes when going through the forest,more enclosed!! The kennels were very sympathetic and its given them a good insight to the sort of home she will now need!!! l was in another panic last night cause her dinner had'nt arrived!!!!!! we ordered her dry food on Monday,they said it should be with us the next day or Wed - it finally arrived yesterday 4.30 ish, and all we had left was her meal for last night - phew they were lucky!!!!! Its a bloomin great big bag of dry food, 15kg - but will do for the dog of our dreams!!!!!!! Work today was spent mostly inside talking about we are going to be doing through the coarse and teaching each other some basic sign language, as we have a deaf lady with us - mind you she did'nt seem to know alot, so l think we will make it up!!!!! lol - no not really. Ok its shopping time now so will get back to you later. l must say thank you all for being understanding and l am soooo relieved that Lady has gone, it really was best for her:o((( Fat Cat is so relaxed and this morning he was sitting under the bird table with his arch rival Felix Cat from next door, as if they had been buddies for ever - only 2 weeks ago they nearly came to blows - it was as if they had decided to gang up on Lady!!!!! See yeh:o)

Hi June and the rest of the gang, Yes, June the neighbour who did my ironing and provided me with the trout is the one I go shopping with every week to the market. We also go and drink coffee. I say "what we save on the market, we give out on a cup of cappuccino". Nevermind, we have our fun. My granddaughter is 21 years of age and still at school. She said she was tired, but I don't doubt that. In her free time, she is always doing something. This weekend she is going into Germany to a dance party with her boy friend and other friends. We are having a real Indian summer here. It gets a bit nippy in the evenings and early mornings. I went to the market today and bought lots of fruit and vegetables and chicken. I saw beautiful big blackberries and couldn't resist buying a couple of punnets. Tomorrow my ex son-in-law is celebrating 1 year of marriage so have arranged to go round and drink a coup of coffee with him. No further news, looking forward to reading everybody elses news. Sylvia xxx

Me again........ Sylvia - your granddaughter sounds a gem, very like my daughter who is a few yrs (8) older.Please, please send your friend over here to do my ironing, l could keep her busy for about a week!!!!! Elisabeth you could do with her help as well,you're always ironing!!! lol Home baked bread - mmmm l can smell it now!!!:o) June - did you do much ceramic painting the other day - the original owner of this house left some floor and wall tiles and l started painting flowers and Indian heads on them. What do you paint?? l must also start to think my xmas wreaths, look for ribbons and sprays!! Brenda - do hope you are having a fab holiday:o) Val Maid of Kent - welcome,l'm sure everyone will agree, the more the merrier:o) Lou - that was short and sweet - hows work?? Christine - well done with the 5k. Hubby used to do 5's and 10's and ran regularily every Sunday and Tuesday for a few yrs - but not done any for about oooooo 3yrs now - he even ran in the 1997 London Marathon, we were all so proud - so keep it up, l get in right old staight running up the stairs!!!! Crista - what u up to??? Oh well Lady should be tucked up now bless her, just hope someone comes and takes her home soon. She would make someone a wonderful obedience dog - now that probably sounds stupid me sayng that after all l have said about her and fat cat - But away from him and she was very obedient!! Did l tell you about the 15kg bag of food - oh yeh l did - gawd l do hope we find another dog soon, l had to open it this morning and don't really want that lot to go off't. Work - about half an hour before home time we took a look at the Saxon house that has been erected on the site where l work - its there for educational purposes (schools come and stay at the main house), at some stage our students are going to light a fire in there and have ago at making fences in miniature. We also took alook at the stones (sulster - l know nothing about these) and the carvings, amazing!!! My sister left about half an hour ago they have just got back from holiday in North Wales - like us it rained most of the time.Wounder what it'll be like in the morning, we might go looking at some more dogs,but not rushing. Hey Fat Cat is rolling all around my feet, think he's trying to tell me something:o) Nite all:o) Jude sarf wales

Before l forget - GODSON is home, he came home last night, rang us as soon as he got in, bless. Drs are very pleased with him, he could be back at school in a week.Before the op they said it could be 3 weeks.He definately has a curviture of the spine and one foot sort of flicks out,but the foot could improve, all this because the doctors did'nt notice before and said he had constipation - fortunately he's a perky, cheeky chappy:o) Jude sarf wales

Jude, Just spotted your message, I'm so glad he is home and progressing nicely. Give him an extra hug from me when you see him. Love June xx

June - l will, he will appreciate that:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everyone, Hi Jude, So fat cat won out! What a shame. We had our cat before we got our dog but they seemed to be able to work it out. The worst bit was in the food dept. The dog knew he had to wait till the cat moved away from her dish before he could have a go at it. The London Marathon would be a great experience - so many people taking part. I ran Boston in 1991 - it was just great to get to the finish! I was thinking I can't go half way around the world to take part and not finish.

Hi everyone, Jude, sorry to hear that Fat Cat and Lady didn't get on. My neighbours had found 2 gorgeous kitten the other week. They were so cute even my husband said he thought we should have them and he's not really a cat person. They were very sweet but I had to think of Boris, or Bobo Cat as I call him. I think he is a "only cat" also. He HATES cats with a capital H. I only have to say the word "pusscats" and he starts going nuts and will run toward the window. Had my hair cut today. It's expensive but my stylist is so good. I found her recommended on a curly hair website. She was so popular you had to book an appointment 4 months in advance until she increased her rates and people started cancelling bookings. Weather hasn't been too great here. We're usually dry until October when the rain comes but we've been wet on and off since the end of August. I'm playing golf on Sunday so I hope there are a few hours without showers. Got locked out of the house the other day by my husband. He went off to play football and locked all the doors while I was working in the garden. By some struck of luck, I had left the garage door unlocked and so was able to get the step ladder and climb up on the first floor deck and get in through the door I had left open for the cat. Brenda, I hope you're sleeping okay and not too stressed out from work like you were this time last year. John might be right. Smacking some golf balls will help you de-stress. Christine, I don't think I will get too fit playing golf. Your running sounds like a much better idea. Must go off and do some washing now. I could do with borrowing Sylvia's grand daugher! Have a great weekend, Crista

Hi everyone When I got up this morning, it was pouring down, it looked as though it was here for the day, but now we have brilliant sunshine. My tortoise has just come out looking for her lettuce, she doesn't come out when its raining. Hi Mary, glad you popped in to see us Crista, 4 months is a long time to wait to have your hair cut. She must be very good. I think Golf is a great exercise, I hadn't played long when I found I was expecting my daughter, so I had to give up and I have never got back to it. Jude, I paint ceramic lights and ornaments, I'm running out of space to put them now. My daughter and myself used to have a studio where we gave lessons, its very relaxing. Now I have to decide what to do with the rest of the day, I was going to a garden centre to see what was available in the way of plants. Then when it was raining I gave up on that idea and thought I would do some research, but now its brilliant sunshine again! Decisions! Decisions! lol First I am going to have a cuppa, while I make up my mind. See you tomorrow. Love June xx

Good morning everyone, Jude, so pleased to hear that your godson is home and doing so well, must be a great relief for you all. So sorry to hear that Lady had to go back to kennels, but you did try and it has given her a better chance to be homed where she will be the only pet. Well getting out the sander was a red herring - he didn't actually use it on Thursday!!! However the good news is that yesterday 5 drawer fronts were sanded and the first coat of paint applied. They will get the second coat today and I am told that he will do the doors one at a time - there are 10 single doors and two double (hinged) doors and he goes back to work on Tuesday!! Gently hinting that it might be a good idea to do at least 2 at a time :-). Chris is a bit of a perfectionist so he takes his time but at least the job is done properly - eventually. On Thursday he put up the new light which means I can now see what I am doing whereever I am working in the kitchen. Of course he said "it will only take 10 minutes" actually took 90 minutes because it was quite awkward to fix being close to the ceiling. The old dark varnished beech doors will now be a pretty green - it's called Tern. It was all originally fitted over 20 years ago and looked lovely at the time but much better now it is being updated. Indira and her mum have gone to France with my sister, they went yesterday and will be returning (I think!) this evening. Susan said they were going on the ferry but I think my sister would have booked on Eurostar. Today I am going to take some cuttings from my lovely choisya, it has really outgrown its space and I have to cut it back quite drastically. I would hate to lose it so need to have some cuttings to replace it should it not survive the heavy pruning. It is my lovely golden globe of sunshine on those dark, dismal winter days. I love to press the leaves and get that lovely lemony scent. It has a clematis growing through it, a dark magenta colour which this year gave my neighbours the benefit as it grew more over their side than mine. The forsythia has gone berserk and looks very untidy so that also has to be chopped back - again I shall take cuttings just to be on the safe side. It is bright and sunny but very windy - I opened all the windows first thing and everything blew everywhere. All my paperwork, which I had sorted ready for filing is now a bit of a jumble again. There are a few dark clouds coming up so I suppose we might have the odd shower, hopefully they will blow over though. The fireworks have already started, last night we had a couple of hours of them, fortunately not too noisy but some kind soul made a very big bang about 4 am. Must hang the washing out now - it does dry better on the line!!! Hope you all have a lovely day. Kathleen

Afternoon everyone:o) The sun is trying soooo hard to come out,but there are still loads of murky clouds around - l will put the washing out in a mo cause its blowy. Dilys - did you email me some weeks ago, if so did l answer you, if not, l am sorry and can you ask me the question again please?? :o) Thank you for the message re Godsons op - yeh l'm sure he will be fine now,its just so bad of the doctors originally that did'nt pick any of this up:o(( Kathleen - yes our thoughts exactly re: Lady, hubby had to fill in a form telling them what we knew, as if we had taken her there in the first place - someone is probably looking at her right now or even walking her:o) We have seen another dog today,but will tell you more about him next week when we have seen him again.He's only been there 2 days - fortunately they know alot about him and its good - so chapter 2 next week!! Crista - l can't play golf,snooker,tennis etc to save my life - l can't focus on the bloomin ball or its destination!!!:o)))))) lol Good for you though, its good exercise!! Fancy getting locked out!!! lol. l thought you were talking about a dog that did'nt like cats,but have just re-read your message,its a Cat that hates Cats. It was so funny yesterday morning when Fat Cat and Felix (next doors) were sitting next to each other,they have always been in fight mode when in sight if each other!! June - arrr, so do you sell your wares, or is it just for pleasure now. Anything like that is relaxing,when l have my store room sorted l won't have any excuses not to start arts/crafts again. We now have the tube of silicon filler to bung up the fairly large gap in the corner,its almost floor to ceiling,if that works then we can start to move puter up there - yyyyesssss. Did you buy any plants - l dare'nt go to the garden centre, l will come back with something and nowhere to put it.Still got area's that need organising and weeding before anything else can be planted:o(((( love garden centre's too! Ok thats it - thank you all of you that have put messages re the dog - we feel quite happy now that it was the right decision, probably if we are honest the wrong one to bring her home in the first place. l am just about to ring God son - apparently on the way home they stopped for something to eat and he fell over - it was cause of this foot that flips out now, he sort of tripped over it,bless him:o) Cheers everyone and hope l have'nt forgotten anyone, probably have:o( ooo l do feel better now:o) Jude sarf wales x

Hi all, Yes, me again. We're having reasonable weather here, a little sun and a little rain. If my daughter had stayed with her husband they would have been 25 years married today. Anyway my ex son-in-law has now remarried and has his first wedding anniversary tomorrow. What a funny thought, lst time married on the 18th and 2nd time around on the 19th. Johan and I went to see them with a bunch of flowers. He was after all my son in law for 23 years and is the father of my grandchildren. He still is very helpful to us when he can. So I have 3 son in laws now! When I was buying flowers for Jan I saw lovely Autumn wreaths for putting on your front door and a small edition for the table. They have miniature wild apples and all Autumn colours in. Last year I bought one and it lasted months, until the birds were hungry and they started pulling the berries out. We had to have our central heating on yesterday evening and also this evening. Must be careful as we have just had our bill in from last year. Last winter was our first winter home for 6 years (in Spain before). We pay gas/electric every month, but we went over the top last winter and have to pay 550 Euros extra. We don't get help with our heating like the OAPs in Gt Britain. I can't be cold, so will have to cut down somewhere else. I wonder whether Di is reading any of these messages. I do miss her letters on the Board. Hi Di, let's hear from you. Have a nice evening all, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone We have had heavy rain during the night but now the sun has come out. I keep putting the heating on for a couple of hours each night, just to take the chill off. Lou, dont worry about the bathroom, its not going anywhere, it will still be there next weekend. Just like a man to want to walk around a muddy field looking at bikes, I used to get dragged round marinas looking at boats. Sylvia, we seemed to be having similar weather. I like the idea of Autumn wreaths, I always get a Christmas one, but an Autumn one would have such lovely colours. I miss Di too, she has such a lovely way with words, when I'm signing off, I think of her, maybe she will pop in on a guest appearance one day. Jude, I sell very few of my ceramics now, these cheap ones that are in the shops, I must admit they are very pretty, have taken away the trade. I do have one pub/restaurant, that has bought off me for 14/15 years now, he always asks if I have anything new. He compares the ceramic ones to a Rolls Royce and doesn't like the cheaper ones. I didn't go the Garden centre after all, I knew I would spend money if I did, I looked through a 1841 census, it was hard on the eyes because it is an actual photo of the handwriting. I hope your Godson is soon better,another friend says they have 2 in the same family and yet there isn't any history of it previously. The older one has had his op and the younger one goes in before Christmas. Dilys, I keep saying that if I didn't have to buy food, I would be rich. Having said that, my favourite hobby is eating out! Kath, your kitchen is going to be very smart. I hope he does get the doors done before Tuesday, otherwise it will drag on again. I have one side of the garden that doesn't get much sun, I have my bird bath and wishing well there, but this year my next door neighbour planted a clematis her side of the fence and I have had the benefit of it. Looked very pretty weaving over the well. Hi to everyone to everyone I haven't mentioned. Love June xx

Morning all:o) Dilys - as l sent this message your message came up - welll! lol - thank you:o) Its really quite bright here this morning - the sun is peeking over the hill from north/east - so no excuse for doing nothing today. Lou - so pleased work is good. Enjoy your BBG today,l'm supposed to be at grt nephews christening,had to say no at first cause of Lady(2) then realised hubby is working anyways - derrrr. Is this motor bikes Cliff is looking at - gawd that brings back memories of me on the back of a Norton 350cc, my poor mum would have a fit as we took off at 1,000mph and me with me war paint on!!! lol(black eyeliner and v-pale pink lipstick,almost white) - l felt like the bee's knee's.We'd go to Brans Hatch,but l did'nt dare tell her till l'd got back:o( or should it be :o)!!! Sylvia - thats so nice you keep in touch with your s i l, if only more m i l's could/would, but then alot of s i l are'nt as nice as yours:o) l will have to look for bits of wild fruit etc for my wreaths, l thought l might try and sell them to neighbours - last yr they made lovely comments about the one hanging on my door! Dilys - l found the original email from you and have replied via GC:o) Godson is fine, full of cheek on msn last night, we were talking about his christmas present - he's sort of into model trains,so might be getting him another engine. His sister will be 17 in a few weeks,can't believe it - she'll actually be able to learn to drive,gawd help us!! lol, actually she is very sensible girl, quite wise too for someone so young and a lovely person(hope she's looking in here whilst all these compliments are flying around)! Ok must go,hubby needs his work t-shirt ironed - l know, l know - thats leaving it abit late, told you l needed your granddaughter to help me Sylvia. See yeh - take care all:o) Jude sarf wales x

Hello everyone, It's great that more people are joining us but I will never remember the names of who said what so forgive me if I get muddled or don't mention your name. Well yesterday turned out to be wet and miserable after all so the garden went unpruned. However the kitchen should have most, if not all, of the doors and drawer fronts painted before Tuesday. The sander was working well yesterday and the first coat of paint applied to the 8 drawer fronts and 2 doors - hope it stays dry long enough today to get the rest of the doors sanded. The painting can be done inside. Got the colour completely wrong, I said Tern should have been Fern but that is not the one we finally decided on. A very pale green called Refresh, looks very good. The edges of the cupboards will be a dark green gloss to match the gas hob. This morning was bright and sunny, quite warm as well but has again clouded over now. The squirrels have taken over from the birds to play football on my conservatory roof - they sound as though they wear hobnailed boots!! They do make a mess, the birds drop chunks of moss and the squirrels cherry stones (from next doors garden). Love the sound of an Autumn wreath, I think I might try making one. I always have one at Christmas but would be nice to perhaps set a trend, maybe my neighbours would copy the Autumn wreath idea. Not as artistic as Sylvia and June but I can try - would be pleased to get a few hints. Jude, you asked me a while ago about some of the people we used to chat to - remember Sueme, Marly, Hevi, Jean Kealy, Ros from Redditch, Beryl from Darlington, Bert from Loughborough - can you remember the name of his dog? Think it was Shep. Don't think we see them on the boards anymore. Still in touch with some but not all. Well the sun is showing again so I think I will go and make a start on that pruning. Hope you all have a nice, peaceful day. Love Kathleen

Hi all, Well it's a beautiful day again today. I've decided that Sunday is a day of rest and am not doing much. Mind you I've made bread and run the washing machine once. Also the last couple of pieces of ironing. I feel that it is time for sherry, but don't usually start until 4.00 pm. I could excuse myself because it is Sunday I suppose. Went round to my ex s.i.l. and his wife yesterday. Karin's two daughters were home and the youngest showed me her new clothes. It's nice how they accept me too. I always give them a kiss and a hug like I do my own grandchildren. They also get Xmas presents from me - not so much as my own grandchildren, otherwise they might get jealous!! I saw my grandson for a short time, as he was off to Center Parcs to work. He helps out there in the restaurant weekends and holidays. He is going through a difficult period at the moment. It's my belief that he hasn't a girlfriend and dearly would like one. He has had girls, but they've come to nothing. He is 18 and also misses his mother at home. Karin does her best, but it's his mother he wants. My granddaughter was down in Eindhoven with her boyfriend recovering from a dance party in Germany. She will be staying there tonight as she is free from school tomorrow. She is hoping that her mother will go with her to buy some new clothes (and pay for them too I bet). My granddaughter told me she wanted new clothes. I only hope my daughter will go with her, but she (my daughter) herself is working a lot at the moment. I love to hear all your news Jude, Ann, and ?????? how my memory collapses now. Have a nice Sunday, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, Its wet and windy here today, its what I call Illuminations weather, when I lived in Blackpool as soon as they put up the illuminations the wind blew them down. Sylvia, you say Sunday is a day of rest, but if you do all that on a Sunday, I hate to think the amount of work you get through during the week, you put me to shame. Kathleen, I remember those names you mentioned, where have they gone? Everytime we have controversary on the site, we seem to lose someone. I was a member for 9/10 months before I ventured onto the chat board or Members Board as it was known then, anyone looking in nowadays, when there is an argument going on, could be easily put off joining in. There used to be some very good tips put on the board then and I printed them off and when I get them out and see the person's name that put them on the board, very often they dont appear anymore. Yesterday I didn't bother venturing out, I looked through a census instead, very hard on the eyes! Then my daughter and family arrived and John repaired the lights in my garden that Beckham had accidently pulled out, fortuneately they are very low voltage so no harm was done, but I will make sure he cant do that again. I think I will have some breakfast now, having put the bins etc out, I hope you all have a good day. Love June xx

Hi all, What a wet blustery day it has been today. Before the rain started I managed to clear my balcony a bit. I cannot do it all in one day anyhow. I cleaned my relax chair and that's been stored away now for next summer. I read on the calendar that Thursday (I think) is the first day of Autumn, so Autumn has arrived early! My neighbour came down for a chat. She had nothing more to do as she did her housework over the weekend. Anyway, I always make time for people, even if I'm busy. My daughter will be popping in tomorrow as she is going to the hairdressers here. Will be nice to see her again. This is the daughter who went to England with me. Yes, isn't it a pity people put on threads accusing another of this and that. Why cannot they live in peace! I had an e-mail from Di today, so was very pleased. She has been put off with all the nastiness that goes on. I wish she'd come back. This is at least one friendly thread, let's keep it that way. Not much to say, but must keep the thread going. Sylvia xxx