General Chat

Hi all, Yes, it's me I'm back. I've been spoilt for a few days and been able to rest. I feel quite good apart from my ears. Now I hear just about nothing. Very annoying when the telephone needs answering! It is raining today, but who cares. I managed to do a little shopping nearby where my daughter lives and now I'm going to stay in the weekend. My daughter was disappointed that I didn't want to go to Antwerp with her to the large shopping centre. But I've said we'll stay with her again and have a day in Antwerp. When I came back I found my granddaughter here cleaning our flat. Was lovely to see her again. My neighbour Annemie also came down to tell me all the latest gossip here. She also fetched me some oranges for making orange juice from the market. So now I'm up to date. Nice to see that Elisabeth and June have been keeping the thread going. I'm anxious to see some of my photos on the tree and other sites. All takes time. See you all tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

I was pleased to hear that you've managed to get a bit of a rest Sylvia ,you will no doubt have recharged your batteries at least a little,so ,areyou ready for the fray again? Oh ,yes june ,work it did,we came home with two dwarf apple trees for the two HUGE pots we have for the patio,and four trays of viola mixed for £4,how's that for a bargain?.What with all the seedlings ,both flower and veggies ,and herbs ,liz and i are going to be busy in the garden for day's ,so if i dissapear ,you know the reason,no chance today cause it's p-------ng down lol.My tomato seedlings seem to be coming away ,so hopefully the seeds i promised susies dad will be in the post by mid november. Fred is making a chicken curry for tea today,and having had no dinner ,i am going to start it in five minutes,so if you want some ,nows the time to pick up your plates and start running,liz is already in the queue mind so i don't know how much will be left ,i do a mean curry ,and she loves it.[the curry ,i mean] I will see you all later.Fred.ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi all, Gone to have chicken curry with Fred???????????????? Sylvia xxx

Hello all, Dull, overcast, blustery, cold and an hour ago some rain and then a real downpour of hailstones. However Thursday afternoon, for about 2 hours, it was bright and really springlike. Noticed today driving down the main road here that the blossom is now out on some of the trees, a welcome sight as surely spring must be on the way. Have been busy for the past couple of days ferrying Susan around to the shops, school (for the Parents Evening for g.daughters options) and today she went to a social day at a sort of Drop-in centre, so had to take her this morning and collect her this afternoon. Mustn't forget to tell you my step-g.daughter had a baby daughter this afternoon (Friday), the first of the three expected during the next few weeks. My neice is due to have her baby (she knows it is a girl) next month and 2 weeks later my nephew's wife is due to have her baby. Don't know the weight of the baby yet and they haven't decided on a name for her though I think they might have one or two in mind. Today (Friday) my 55th wedding anniversary, brings back some very happy memories and, of course, some sad ones as well. On 20th of this month it will be 23 years since I lost my husband. This month is one of many emotions, we have deaths, anniversaries and birthdays, my son's birthday 12th and a g.daughter and g.son on the 23rd and 24th. Now the new baby to bring us much happiness, my 3rd gt.grandchild. That makes me an ancestor!! Oh dear!!!!!! Now where is Jude? I know she may be limiting her time on here but I hope we will soon get some more stories of Madoc and Fat Cat. Sylvia, pleased you enjoyed your few days relaxation and I hope your ears get better soon. It's horrible not being able to hear properly. How is your cough now? Do hope it is better now. What a lovely girl your g.daughter is, she sounds delightful and such a kind-hearted young lady. June, I had to laugh about the burglar alarm but it must have been really worrying thinking that it wasn't working properly. When I stayed with my daughter in Solihull last year I woke the whole household at 6.30 in the morning - I forgot the door to the conservatory was alarmed. I'd made a cup of tea and I like to sit out there when it's early and watch the birds and just look at the garden. Normally I would have turned it off because I always open all the windows first thing but for some reason that morning I didn't even pull the curtains back. Elisabeth, you reminded me of a time when my boss gave me a lift home in his sports car. Many years ago now, the seats were low and tilted back - I got out of the car and my skirt fell down!! Don't know who was more embarassed him or me and it was in the middle of Richmond High Street. That was back in the days when skirts fastened with press studs - do you remember those? Your poor Mum must have wondered what was going on when your car kept beeping at her. How is she now? I hope her eyes are better. You are so right about letters, these days the postman only ever brings bills or junk mail - and sometimes not even for this address. Last week I had stacks of mail and not one item was for us, I had to go round 3 streets to deliver it all to the right houses. One of my sons has a dreadful cold, his sinuses are blocked and he has developed an infection in a tooth that has a root filling. His poor face is so swollen, he looks like a hamster. He's in a lot of pain, has antibiotics and pain killers but they don't seem to be helping much. Trying to get him to eat something is difficult as it hurts too much and now he can't even open his mouth properly. Managed to persuade him to take some soup earlier on, not his favourite thing. Don't think he would even fancy your curry Fred - but if there's any left I'm quite partial to a good curry. Glad your little ploy worked, sounds as though you did quite well at the garden centre. I love violas, my favourite nursery has closed down I think. It was a small, family run place and I worked there for 5 years. What sort of tomatoes do you grow? I used to grow a lovely variety, not quite as small as cherry tomatoes but I can't remember what they were called. Haven't grown any for the past two years so I must do so this year, nothing like going out and picking them as you want them. I've forgotten now, did you say you got some apple trees? Either age or the time is catching up on me. I will wish you all a good night, sleep well. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everyone, Its a lovely sunny day again, thank goodness the wind seems to have dropped. I have to take my granddaughter to work shortly, with it being a hairdressers, she works Saturday but gets Monday off then goes to college on a Tuesday. Yesterday with it being Red nose day they all had matching T shirts, which they had designed themselves and went in early to do each other's hair in these elaborate styles. Fred, You seem to have got a bargain there with your plants, I think I will call on my way back from taking Sam to work, (we have a large B & Q here) and see what there is. With having my house up for sale, I dont want to spend too much. I've missed out on the curry again, DRAT. Elisabeth, I agree, it's lovely to receive a letter but I'm afraid I'm guilty of emailing too. I do hate those forward jokes, more so after receiving that one a few months back that blocked my emails. One of my Canadian friends keeps sending me those and I would rather have a short note telling me how she is really. I have had a laugh at Auntie struggling to get in and out off her car seat, it reminds me of myself, some days my legs dont behave themselves and if I am in the back seat of a car, the ones that the doors dont allow much room . I have to help my legs in. Welcome back Sylvia, I have missed you. Sorry to hear about your ears, when I had that cold my ears were affected too but the antibiotic did clear them eventually. You will have your visit to Antwerp to look forward to, you are probably better waiting for the good weather. Kathleen, I haven't noticed the blossom out here yet, but yours does tend to be before ours, I can remember when Gaynor lived near Dunstable, theirs was always ahead of ours. I'm glad to hear that Susan is getting out and about, that will do her good. Congratulations on the birth of your Stepgreatgranddaughter, I hope I worked that one out correctly, you have got a busy time for babies! And other anniversaries. Occasionally I still forget to switch off the alarm before I open the door, mine is planned that I can go in my sunlounge and still have the alarm on. I hope your son is soon better, sometimes the infection gets in your bloodstream and makes you feel very miserable. Kathleen the stripper, now thats a headline! lol Take care everyone. Love June xx

Hi all, Just a quickie. I was up at 4.00 (in UK 3.00 am) am this morning. It's those wretched ears of mine, interrupts my sleep now. I didn't sit still though. I made bread and juiced up 5 kilos oranges, and have now made a pizza. I have had a couple of washing machines going too. I now want to make a cake. I too love to receive post. I do have friends in Finland, Australia, Canada and America as well as England who still send me post. I like e-mails, but as Elisabeth says, it's nice to receive a letter too. I can sympathize with your son Kathleen. I have never, no never, ever had such a cold as I have had this year. It must be the worst virus there ever was. I hope that he is improving but as I know it takes time. I always pooh pooh the idea of being ill, hate going to the doctor, but had to this year. My hairdresser will be here around 2.00 pm. I have washed my hair so she will have to dampen it down a bit before she can blow dry it. Now, maybe I'll come back this evening, but for now, cheerio Sylvia xxx

Evening all, I don’t know where the day has gone, but I didn’t get onto the computer today at all. I have finished my crossword (Telegraph General Knowledge) so I have achieved something. The new dishwasher is plumbed in and working fine and the old one was transported to the tip this afternoon. I was surprised how busy it was there, perhaps everyone has started their spring cleaning!! Our son has just been on the phone, trying to sort out a guest list for his wedding. It has been decided that it is unlikely that people will readily travel half-way across the world to the actual ceremony so they are working on a second reception here, for all the family and friends.. I suppose a few may surprise us and decide to go to the States but not many. (It is looking like an expensive year!! Perhaps I should not have had a new car and a new dishwasher!) My brother rang about 7 pm to tell me his cold is getting worse so he was off to bed. It must be a really bad virus which is around just now, as everyone seems to be getting it. He rang yesterday to say he wouldn’t come to see us today, but that he wasn’t feeling too bad, just a heavy cold. Kathleen, I have been thinking about your wedding anniversary coming around. It must be difficult for you after so many years, and the anniversary of your husband’s loss. You will have to look at the good times, with new babies to cuddle and fuss over. Fred, Your garden will be wonderful. Mine still has a few primula flowering and is now covered in hundreds of nodding daffodils. I think the previous occupant must have planted such a lot, and after 12 years of us here, not putting any more in, they keep on multiplying. I have dug up lots and given them away, but it is still very full. I will be round with a bunch, next time you are making curry. June, Your burglar alarm story reminds me of when I set ours off by accident and could not get it to stop. It was when the boys were still at school and I had to ring and get them to send David home in a taxi, to fix it. He was a very clever, technical young man, and sorted things like that out so often. I was in a real panic as my husband was out of the country and I didn’t know what else to do! (It was even more embarrassing, as I was a governor of the school at the time! Well, it was a Physics A level lesson he had to miss!) Sylvia, I hope you are beginning to feel a little better, and that the orange juice and its Vitamin C will help you! Can’t think of any more news. Back to the tv to watch Acorn Antiques,. Elisabeth X Where is Jude??

Hi all l really will get back tomorrow:o) honest!! l lost internet connection for 2 days, my neighbour has just got it sorted, it was the firewall,he said it was too high!! and then he would'nt stop talking, bless him though, he was very helpful and is going to install more ram or memory!!! l have been pacing up and down since Thursday morning,its given me more time to other things but blimey talk about withdrawal!!! lol Back tomorrow:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hello all, Just a brief message for now. Not been too bad a day, brighter than recently but still windy and cold. The new baby was 7lb 3ozs and was a quick and easy birth apparently. That was good news as there were some concerns a few weeks ago, thought it might have to be a C section but the little one turned herself round and there were no problems. Both Mum and baby are very well. Di e-mailed a picture of her lovely daffodils, they looked so pretty and absolutely perfect. Seems Twassen is having some nice spring weather. My son has been given some more tablets to take to try to get rid of the infection in his tooth and his sinuses. He did have scrambled egg this morning but it wouldn't stay down. This evening I made him some fish and mashed potato, that seems to have been more succesful. He is still in a lot of pain and is very uncomfortable, hopefully when the new tablets kick in it will start to get better. Have a good night and sleep well God bless Love Kathleen

Hello Everyone, Got back about 6.30pm on Friday to the house had a lovely cup of tea and a sandwich ,made a few phone calls and then went to bed at 8,30 as I was so tired. Managed to sleep until 8.15 am Saturday,then spent the day unpacking ,washing and shopping. Had a lot of calls from people asking how we had enjoyed ourselves which was nice. We had a nice relaxing holiday ,missed all the rotten waether they have been having .Had some lovely meals ,a few drinks and walked our 10,000 steps a day so we did not do badly. I was tired again so came up to bed at 11. Fell asleep ,slept for almost two hours then woke and could not get back to sleep again. Have read over the last couple of days messages ,glad you are all ok. Slyvia,hope you get rid of that virus and are fully recovered soon.Not long to your party. June,just caught the bit about your house being up for sale,I thought you hadn't bee there long? Elisabeth,John gets his new car next week and you have me wondering how the seats are in it,as I only had a quick 'sit' in it in the showroom.!! Kathleen,conratulaions on the new gt grand daughter any news on the name yet.Susan seems to be doing ok.? Jude looking forward to hearing about Madoc ,how did you do with the job you went for? Fred,sorry I missed the curry,like a nice mild /medium curry myself. Have found 9 emails waitmg for me so must go and reply while I can,think my son has been anchored here while I have been away. See you all tomorrow.Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, Its lovely and sunny again today. Yesterday I went and bought some primulas and pansies and it was warm enough in the afternoon to put some in my hanging baskets and containers. I still have some more to put in today, I have only put them in the containers that I can take with me when/if I do sell. I had to buy some though, I hate seeing the garden without flowers. Sylvia, I hope your ears are improving, if they dont soon you must go back to the Doctor. Its so miserable when you cant hear properly. You have been energetic doing your baking etc. so early too. Elisabeth Glad the dishwasher is now plumbed in, have you mastered the workings of it yet? Yes it sounds like an expensive year, but an exciting one. You did right to change your car and dishwsher, you deserve a few comforts with all the running around looking after folk the way you do. Jude, Lovely to have you back. I'm glad your neighbour managed to sort your computer out. I hope Madoc is still playing around. We knew you would come back when you could. Kathleen, Your poor son, he is really having a hard time of it. Lets hope these tablets work. Glad to hear Di is ok, please give her my love when you next have contact, I miss her stories. Brenda, Glad to have you back and that you had a good holiday. I hope you managed to get the half day off so that you can come to the Manchester Meet, Bren is doubtful too. I will have to sign off now, my back is aching, as I am sitting on a diningroom chair, last night my computer chair decided to give up on me it sort of leaned over to one side, so I will borrow Nicks for the meantime, Cant wait for tomorrow he's coming home for a couple of days. Love June xx

Hi everybody, Another bad night for sleeping. I was up at 2.45 am - in bed around 1.00 am. I thought the clock said 8.15 am. I returned to bed until I couldn't stand it any longer and was out at 5.00 am. This is not like me as I usually sleep like a log. Will see the doctor tomorrow again, as I have difficulty in understanding anyone on the telephone, and I think Johan is speaking double dutch to me, perhaps he is on second thoughts! Apart from getting breakfast and running a washing machine, I haven't done very much. When I've finished this I think I'll do the ironing. The weather isn't worth getting out of bed for, it's raining and dull - ugh! I had the same e-mail from Di this morning, full of daffodils, how sweet of her to send it. Have a nice Sunday everybody, till tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Morning:o)) Its another lovely day here, the past 3 days have been lovely, we even mowed the lawn on Thursday!! Madoc tried to help but as you can imagine was'nt very helpful!!! He took a dislike to the mower,but only for a second (fortunately).He attacks the hoover sometimes, again only for a second or so and fortunately his teeth are blunt!!!!! He then found his old rugby ball (we found it on the boys school sports grounds!!), actually l think it was Ladies?? We had the ball and played piggy in the middle - Madoc being the piggy,until he caught it and that was it, it took ages to get the darn thing back.He ran rings round us, up and down the lawn, screeching round us at 100 mph, so quick and agile - such fun and gave us much needed exercise. He's in his usual place on our bed with Fat cat. Took more (M O R R R E ) photo's of him the other day,lounging against Vics legs on the sofa. He listens to every word we say, especially Vic and especially round about 4pm.He's at Vic's side everywhere he goes, if Vic sits down,Madoc will push his nose into Vics hands or rest his head on his lap and when he's really p----d off and desperate he'll jump on Vics lap. The other day we caught him and Fat Cat really playing in the back garden, (l could'nt get my camera), it was so funny,but in the end Fat cat told him off!!! At last l have put the bulbs either into large pots or the garden, they've started to shoot up already, poor things must have been desperate. Kathleen - l do hope your son's tooth problems is soon sorted and so pleased to see Susan is getting out:o)) Sylvia - l do hope you soon feel better, why don't you just rest for a day, your always so busy, which is good don't get me wrong,but perhaps you need a rest!!??? hope the doctor can sort you out:o)) Its awful if you can't sleep,it messes up the rest of the day. Brenda - hey, good to see you and pleased you had a good time:o) Elizabeth - how is the new car?? My sister had a new R Wagon a few weeks ago, its great (she had one before), lovely to drive etc except for the HOOTER!!! There are 2 pads,one each side of steering wheel and they are sooooo sensitive. She's always slightly touching it and making a noise, abit embarrasing cause people think she's getting annoyed with them etc!!!! It was our son's 28th birthday yesterday, we sent him cash which he's putting towards some courses, which is brilliant. He's very happy and feeling very good, which is brill as he had such a bad start in his teens - we are very very proud of him:o)))))) His wife is off to New Orleans next week so he'll spend the weekend with us!!! :o)) yippee, the following weekend we go to our daughters - yippeee, are'nt we lucky:o) Someone asked about the job - narrr did'nt get it, will keep looking. Ok thats it, sorry for not mentioning everyone. Do hope everyone that is feeling poorly soon feels better and to take care. Fred - hope your garden is ok, sounds like it will be great. If mine starts to look good l'll put some piccies on the GC site. (thats if l remember)!! Lobve Jude sarf wales xx

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Morning everyone, came on the computer at 7.30 this morening.I had a lot of emails waiting when I came home so was surprised to find even more waiting today,I did not get chance yesterday to come on here.So it has taken me this long to reply to them all ,but it is nice to get emails and normal mail as some said the otherday.I also had a couple of easter emails and am thinking of joining one of thsoe ecard companies. Will be back later as I am not dessed yet and the dog needs to go out. Brenda

Afternoon everyone, I made a late start today, I woke about 4 am but then must have been in a deep sleep and didn’t wake up again until 8.30!! Most unlike me. I have done my dash around the shops and with being later bumped into so many people I don’t normally see, I was a long time. (I had filled the washing machine before I went out and have just found I forgot to press the on button. So annoying!!!) Brenda, it is good to see your safely back and hope you feel rested. I hope you get on well with the new car. I am so enjoying mine now and it just went over 200 miles this morning. The problem with the seats is that they have sort of raised edges and that was the problem for Auntie, she is just so tiny. Jude, So that was why you had disappeared, these new fangled things can be so annoying. It was good to read more of Madoc’s antics. He sounds such good fun and what a good thing you found him. Sylvia, I do hope you are feeling a little better and that the antibiotics are improving things for you. It is so funny you saying that Johan is talking double dutch to you! June, How busy you have been with your hanging baskets. I have to admit I gave up with them years ago and stick to pots, of which I have far too many. I end up cursing them when they need watering. I hope by now your grandson has arrived. I did see something about Gaynor saying his flight had been delayed. Kathleen, I hope your poor son is now getting some relief and is able to eat a little. He will be feeling so weak from lack of food. I’m pleased you have had a picture from Di, she has such a wonderful garden as I remember. I must look out her mail address and drop her a line. I hope Susan is coping with her treatment and that her daughter isn’t finding it too traumatic. Perhaps she can have a good time with all these extra cousins! Elisabeth xx

Hi everyone The sun was out earlier but has now vanished, Nick did arrive eventually but ended up about an hour and a half late. He had told me yesterday that he couldn't wait to have one of Asda's curries from their Curry Pot, so thats what he's getting for dinner. Its been a lazy day really,we came back here after picking up Nick and I cooked bacon and sausage etc. Beckham was over the moon to see him but at first he didn't know who to go to first. Then we decided to go to Asda while Nick went to see his long time friend from schooldays. Sylvia, I hope you had a better night last night and that your ears are improving. Jude, Now I know who has been keeping you busy. Blame that Madoc, bless him. You have two lovely weekends ahead of, enjoy yourselves. Brenda, It does take a little while to catch up on everything when you have been away, it would be awful to come back and there be no mail. Elisabeth, I often forget to switch the washing machine on, cant think why but its very annoying.. You must have needed the sleep if you slept that long. Kathleen, I hope your son and Susan are improving, I bet you make a good nurse. I think I will go and see if I can sneak 40 winks, I kept waking last night, it was like waiting for Father Christmas. Love June xx

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Hi all Mad Dog Madoc and his dad have just gone out for walkies:o))) As soon as Vic drove up the drive Madoc's head shot out the cat flap,the other end waving and wiggling like mad!!!!! Vic was later than usual and Madoc knew it, he kept coming up to me either pushing me or jumping on my lap everytime l sat down - l was trying to do some knitting, but oh no the lump would'nt let me!!!! been out in the garden again playing silly devils with his rugby ball, l tell u he's soooooooo quick - he'll have fun at the weekend with Dan:o)) Its another lovely day here, they say its going to be much warmer by the end of the week:o)) Sylvia - l do hope you have been to the doctors, l saw you had nudged this thread. Hope you are ok?? and Johan?? June - bet you are all pleased to see Nick, l saw Gaynors thread about him coming home:o)) l have abit of a funny throat today and last night l started to ache - so if l'm not about for a couple of days you'll know why:o(( could well be nothing though. Take care everyone Jude sarf wales xx

Hi all, Although I was up early, I don't feel too tired today. Johan and I went to our wholesalers today to stock up. We needed lots of things in bulk. I have a card for this wholesalers and not everybody is allowed in. It is for people like shopkeepers etc. I managed to get a card years ago when I did bed and breakfast and have never given it up - sh sh I asked Johan to phone the doctors for me as I cannot hear anybody on the telephone. I went to the doctors and she said my sinuses are still inflamed. I now have more ear drops, nose drops as well as a puffer for my lungs. What a state of affairs! Hopefully this is my last visit to the doctor for a while. The weather here today has been marvellous, and so to hear can only get better - more sun, higher temperatures, just what I need. With all this nice weather I'm dying to get my balcony decorated with flowers, but first my neighbour will come and clean it properly for me. In the winter we get a green algae over and he scrubs it for me. Yes, I'm so lucky to have such kind neighbours. See you all tomorrow,Sylvia xxx