General Chat

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Hi everybody, Well this is a poor show, nobody else has written anything today, and yesterday there was not much. What a good thing I'm around. The only problem is I'm talking to myself, or am I? I went to the market today and Johan came with me. The weather was bright and sunny, but has now clouded over, but still dry. My friend Annemie's husband is not well and has tablets from the doctor. He is not allowed to drive a car at the moment, so they've had to cancel their trip to Germany. My grandson popped in to pick up his clothes I'd washed and ironed for him. He is off to Prague for a few days with boys from his class. Hope to see somebody tomorrow, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, just to say we are back from holiday, had a great time. The weather was mixed, the firstw eek it rained on three days, the Island looked very different as the rain encouraged wild flowers and grass to grow and it turned from brown to green. I can't write a long post because I am overwhelmed with family for the Easter weekend. I see there has been the usual mix of problems on the board while I was away!! I have read a few of your posts (mostly Sylvia's as she is the most prolific! Jude, sorry to hear about your neighbour. Very sad but she was obviously ready to go, sad for the family though. Elizabeth I have FTM05 but have not had time to really get to grips with it yet, it looks good though. I also have a dark green resin type kitchen sink which I love!!!! (each to his own!) Will try and write more asap, just wanted to let everyone know I am back. Ann Glos

Afternoon all, Good to see you back Ann. I'm glad you both had a good break. I'm sure your sink is lovely - its just that the young one's sink is a little tired looking and very worn! Sylvia - sorry you were left all on your own. I haven't been able to get on the computer as the bread-winner has decided to work from home and takes up all the time. I have just come in from cutting all the lawns and strimming the edges, so that all looks neat and tidy. I just need to attack the weeds now. Lets hope tomorrow stays fine and I can make a start on it. I have dispatched husband into the utility room to sort out a tap which has gone very stiff - hence the ability to do some checking of mails etc! A good ploy! No doubt he will be back soon. I hope everyone else is happy and busy with the family or out visiting. We expect to have a quiet weekend but will probably have some of the family on Sunday, but nothing arranged yet. Elisabeth xx

Hi everyone Its been a very nice day here today. Sorry I didn't get on yesterday, I was rushing in the morning before I went to the Manchester meet, I intended writing when I got back, my train was absolutely packed with people going to Blackpool for the weekend, I had to stand for about half of the way., Then it was too early for me to pick up my granddaughter, so I went home for 30 minutes, then went out again to get her. After having lunch with everyone and toasting Brenda, we went to Old Trafford, Man Utd's ground, we had a tour of the Theatre of Dreams. I thoroughly enjpyed it but was very tired afterwards. THis morning I got up and transferred all the photos I had taken, on to my computer. Then I wanted to transfer the football ones onto Webshots, it took me ages, it was worse than Genes.lol Thank goodness Gaynor and her husband arrived so I abandoned Webshots. After they had gone, I again had a go at Webshots and it was much quicker, just when I only had about four photos to put on, Webshots was having problems and wouldn't accept anymore. So I have now abandoned it until tomorrow. Jude, I hope you have had a better day than yesterday. It's strange how if you hear of one sad thing, another seems to come on it's heels very quickly. You know how Beckham is always bringing me leaves and branches from the garden, today he brought me an artificial leaf from the flowers in the sunlounge, I think he must have got fed up waiting for me to finish on the computer. Ann, Nice to see you back. Sorry to show my ignorance, but what is FTMO5, please? Elisabeth, Its lovely to see the youngsters so enthusiastic, isn't it? Sorry I left you all alone, I'll try not to do that again. I think I will have an early night tonight, although I haven't done much, I am feeling rather tired. Love to everyone, June xx

Hello everyone,had a great birthday yesterday and a lovelly time at the meeeting,didn't stay too long as I had to go to work afterwards. A number of friends called round while I was at work with cards and some great presents,they had forgotten I can be at work till 8pm.so I did not see them and have been busy trying to get them on the phone most of the morning to thank them. Went shopping in the late morning and was so tired when I got back all I did was make sandwiches for lunch and then had a sleep. Have been out with some friends for an Italian meal tonight ,but it was so quiete,we could not believe it .It is usually so busy. June glad you enjoyed the thearte of dreanms.Looking for to the next meeting. Ann welcome back ,rested and ready to go after the holiday? Elizabeth,you always sound so busy with your garden and doing thing for your MIL and other people ,takes my breath away. Sylvia,sorry you felt like you were talking to yourself. Need to get to my bed now,hope the nap this afternoon doesn't stop me getting to sleep and STAYING asleep.Mind you I have had 3 glasses of wine so that might help, See you all tomorrow,love Brenda.Ps take care.

Hello eveyone Sylvia, so sorry to leave you all alone but no you are not talking to yourself. I did manage to get to read your messages but was really not in the right mood to post one myself. A young friend of mine had a very traumatic evening and was on the phone several times. She had the unpleasant experience of having to identify a young boy who had been killed and he was carrying an ID card in her son's name. Fortunately it was not her boy but he was someone's son. It was all very upsetting for her and I could only help at the other end of the phone as she is too far away for me to get to her quickly. Won't go into all the details as it is all too unpleasant but the ID was a duplicate as her son still had his. So you see Sylvia, your message did help me to channel my thoughts to something more pleasant. Welcome back Ann, pleased you enjoyed your holiday. Brenda, sounds like you enjoyed your birthday although it was such a busy day. Elisabeth, amazing how the weeds will grow no matter what the weather. Even a drought doesn't seem to stop them but at least you have some decent grass to cut. I have killed most of it in the back garden ready for 'somebody?' to dig it, level it and plant some new seed. June, Mum's taxi service never seems to stop does it? What a shame that when you get the chance to use the train it is too crowded to be able to relax and enjoy the scenery. It sounds as though the meet-up went very well - as always. Jude, what a sad time it has been for you. Hope Madoc has cheered you up, bless him, I'm sure he has done his best. Look forward to hearing more of his antics and Fat Cat's more laid back approach to life. Fred - where are you? Hope you and Liz are keeping well. Have you been cooking anything exotic lately? Susan has now lost all her hair - she said 'actually I have quite a nice scalp' They have been experimenting with scarves for when she doesn't want to wear the wig. At the moment she says her head feels a bit cold so has to keep it covered even in the house. I am off to bed now as I feel quite tired and my eyes are giving me some problems, feeling itchy and sort of prickly. Goodnight and sleep well God bless Love Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,and everyone else, i hav'nt been far away,only a bit busy out in the garden ,what with all the work to do ,and the patio to finish. I have been in hiding as well ,after my exploites with the new mower ,but i'm not going to shame myself again,so if you wan't to know what i did ,you will have to check a few other threads to find out lol.[check it out peeps ,it's a corker ]. I hav'nt been cooking anything special for a while ,we had all the grandkids ,and parents for dinner today ,but i cheated ,did all the meat yesterday,beef ham ,and turkey crown ,and cut it ,and fridged it ,so that all i had to do today was the veggies,roast carrots,and parsnips,with caramellised shallots and red onion.Spring cabbage [steamed],caulie,and sprouts .Country style stuffing balls,[cooked in the mike cause they taste much better],parsley sauce ,home made ,and cranberry sauce ditto.and of course,lashings of gravy,it wen't down a treat judging by the empty plates,it would seem that i have a way with the ham ,cause the kids keep asking for more,lol. The grown ups then sat in the garden planning the first b,b,q of the year, whilst the kids opted for a couple of dvd's. I must get the back lawn cut this morning so that i can get the feeder put onto both of them, to kill the moss and few bits of weed,then i can get on in the greenhouse and help the missus with some potting on.In the afternoon we will be taking the daughters chicken roasts up for our dinner tomorrow along with some of the ready cut meat from the fridge,the rest of which will go in the freezer till we fancy a bit for a dinner or tea. Well ,thats about it for now ,i think it's choccie drink and bed time ,cyal .Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi everyone, We have another lovely day, best to keep off the roads though, the motorways near us were very busy yesterday. the M6 was bumper to bumper, what a way to spend Good Friday. Brenda, I'm pleased you had a good birthday, I'm surprised too that the restaurant was quiet, mind it is the end of the month for those who are paid at the end of the month. Yes I'm looking foreward to the next meet but I do like meeting in a pub as against a restaurant. Still if they decide to go to a restaurant we can always meet in a pub first. Its just that in a pub, we seem to move around and talk with everyone better. Kathleen, How awful for your friend, that must have been the worst moment of her life. I have now got more used to going by train and as you say, it is more relaxing. I hate driving in towns and cities, it is all the one way systems that get me down. I can imagine Susan will feel the cold on her head, because I know how hot I get in summer with mine, I keep having to have it cut short. Fred, It sounds as though you had a banquet, its lovely having a family gathering isn't it. This morning, Gaynor and me have been talking to Nick, who nows lives in Denmark, it was good having a 3 way conversation. Tomorrow, we are having a family meal at Gaynor's house. Hi to Ann, Elisabeth, Jude, Sylvia and everyone, I hope you have a loveely Easter. Love June xx

Hi everybody, Well today has been so different with all your e-mails to read, some sad cases of course, life isn't all a bed of roses is it? Yesterday evening I was at the computer sorting out a virus programme, kept getting the message that my e-mails had a virus, but managed to sort it out, and hey presto today everything's fine. I also am trying to attach a photo to a next to send out to all our friends and family to thank them for cards, etc.etc. but cannot seem to do it. I have a lovely photo from the party and want to include it in the letter. My husband has tried too, but he doesn't know much about that sort of thing. I suppose I'll have to get my thinking cap on again. I can print the letter, or I can print the text, but not together. I have put all the photos from CD Rom onto a file, and then picked one out, via paintbox. Ah well, I know what I have to do tonight, after I've watched the Lotto show! I wish I had all the energy that Fred has for cooking. You must have an enormous cooker Fred, as well as large pans. Do you have a dishwasher? Have a lovely Easter Sunday and Monday everybody. Here it is cold and rainy at the moment. But then again Easter is usually bad but just you wait when Easter is over the nice weather will come, then you can get out your Easter bonnets girls! Sylvia xxx

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Hi Everyone,seems I just got beaten to here by Sylvia doing her 'n'.Hope you sort the picture and email out Sylvia. Had a walk round the market today at Bury ,had a bit of trouble finding a carpark space and had to go on the multi storey ,which is dearer andcan be very tight in some spaces. Thought it would be busy because of the carparks,but it seems they have closed one down to develope!!!We will have to be there earlier in future. Kathleen the ladies on the chemo ward who are being treated along side my dad have a variety of scarves,hats and caps as well as wigs.some of the wigs are that 'real' I have only just realised after 3 months that they are wigs.A number have said how they really do feel the cold now. Your friend must have been in a state ,but at least she has had a good ending. June ,I just hope I can make the next meeting were ever it is. Fred,you make my leg of lamb,roast spuds ,spring cabbage,broccoli and cauliflower sound really mundane next to your spread.I get really nowty if things go wrong these days ,so don't go in for to much hassle if I can help it.You must be ever so organized and patient. Have to watch a dvd now ,I got four out of the library and have to take them back Tuesday.I will have square eyes by then. Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, The weather is dry but the sun hasn't wakened up yet, maybe it doesn't realise we have altered the clocks, lol I have just been sat here wondering what has happened to Friday and Saturday, for the life of me I cant remember what I have done, it must have been very boring. I dont know where I am going today, I know I am ending up at Gaynor's for dinner, I will look forward to that, both John and Gaynor are brilliant cooks. I have just remembered one of the things I have done during this last couple of days, is to to transfer the photos I took on Thursday at Manchester onto Webshots. Sylvia, Not that I am an expert at these things but could you transfer both the letter and the photo on to a word document and then email them. I hope you manage to sort it out, I'm sure someone on the Tips Board will be able to help you and at least they dont have aggro on there. Brenda, yes I will be at the next meet, fingers crossed, where ever it is, its just that there isn't always room to move around in a restaurant and you know what I'm like for keep getting up for a chat and to take photos. By the way, I was sorry to rush off on Thursday but it was too good a chance to miss. What did the rest of you do? I hope you managed to watch at least one of your DVDs. I hope the rest of you have had a good Easter so far and enjoy your Easter Sunday. Dont eat too many chocolate eggs. Love June xx

Happy Easter, Sad news about the Pope not being able to speak his part at Easter and also Prince Rainier being so ill. I fear that these two will not last the Easter out. I managed to sort out my picture and letter. I am a real stickler when it comes to problems. I spent hours at it, but finally came up with an answer. I've now run out all the letters and just have to put them in envelopes. I wish I could put photos on here but we cannot. I don't want to become a member of Photospage just to put some photos on site. I'm not doing anything special today, but tomorrow we are going to go out, primarily to look for some new floor covering for my kitchen. As these sort of shops are open on Easter Monday and I want to get out of the house, we'll go and look. The weather is bright, a little sun, but to me still too cold. The little blue tits come to eat by me and are living by my neighbours. They do look in the little birdhouse, but only to pick the insects from inside. Have heard the robin around and blackbirds. Far too many magpies here. Have a nice Easter, Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia, I'm glad you managed to sort your letters and photos out. I have just tried to put some photos on the GCPhotospage but it wouldn't let me, so I will have to try again later. I too wish you could put ohotos on here for others to see. Enjoy the rest of the Easter holiday. LOve June xx

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Hi June ,Sylvia and anyone who looks in later,hope you are all enjoying your easter day, June our weather turned really cold and wet ,very light drizzle ,but enougth to make you feel miserable. Been to my dads and had a chat ,then took my sister to work to save him doing so,when I got home David and John had cooked lunch between them(I had cooked the lanb earlier) so it has been a very easy day up to now. Going to watch the second DVD in a while,watched one last night and was really puzzled by it ,still it was better than tv ,I suspect. Have not had any easter eggs at all this year and only a small box of chocs for my birthday,and cannot say I have missed them either. Johns making coffe and we are having the hot cross buns we did not have on friday so I will see you all tomorrow.Take care Brenda

Yep Sylvia ,we do have a dishwasher ,but it's getting on a bit and is awfully slow ,it's called a Fred. I only had to cook for twenty all told and have a normal sized oven,it's a matter of cooking all the meat the previous day,which leaves the cooker free for the roast veg and potatoes,the stuffing i do in the mic because it tastes so much better and it dos'nt go dry. The other veg i steam and we have two ,three tier ones ,one little for when there is just the two of us ,and a large one for company ,but at easter and christmas i tend to use both,and that gives me plenty of pan space.It all boils down to [pun] being organized ,but if i can't do that after thirty odd years ,i will never get the hang of it. We only came home from our day at the daughters a short while ago ,and i got straight on with the cockaleekie soup ,made from the bonesof the meat and scraps thereof,it will do us for a dinner tomorrow ,and the rest will be split into tubs and go in the freezer for another day when i'm feeling lazy and don't want to cook,i love doing it ,but even i get cheesed off with it once in a while. enjoy whats left of easter everyone ,i am going to have a lazy day tomorrow and wont be up till eight ,hands up who forgot to set the clocks last night?i did remember this time lol.Fred.Ptfg.&a&g&s.

Hi all, Last night when I went to bed I smelt burning and thought to myself oh somebody's had their open fire on in one of the houses near us, but reading the news this morning I know why. Apparently in Germany they have the Easter fires and because of the low clouds and mist the smell of burning has been hanging over our area. Lots of people have called the police. Yes, Fred you really are organised. I used to love having lots of people to eat, but get a bit panic stricken these days. I had a piece of shoulder of lamb yesterday and didn't know how to carve it. My husband never attempts that sort of thing. They have different cuts of meat here. Well today I see some rain and mist. Doesn't look good at all. Have a nice day, better stay indoors! Sylvia xxx

Just a quick visit and message today as I am feeling really tired,don't ask me why as i don't know haven't done anything very tiring all weekend, but even after having a couple of hours extra in bed I am feeing worn out.Hope it is not the start of this fluey thing which is doing the rounds. Be back tomorrow night as I am at work(Ihope) all day . Take care Brenda