General Chat

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

Welcome back Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi everybody, Not seen Di for a couple of days, busy as usual I suppose. How are you Kathleen, and of course your daughter? June, you seem to be enjoying yourself, dinners and lunches. I set the alarm clock today - ugh, how I hate that noise. I finished wrapping my overseas parcels and ran out my annual newsletter on the printer to add. Surprise, surprise, I went to the post office, and there was nobody before me. I posted a lot of cards as well as the parcels. I cannot post all my cards as I need to add our party invitation, but that still needs the finishing touches to it. Johan met me at the supermarket today and carried (in the car) a lot of heavy shopping home for me. I was having a job in the supermarket trying to manoeuvre between the rows of goods because I had such a heavy bag. I have been getting a lot of food in in case we get bad weather, then I can hibernate. Johan couldn't get the lights working for the Xmas tree. So still a bare tree in our sitting room, but we do have lights around the window, and not forgetting the Star. We do have a small set of lights in the tree, but they are so small, looks so bare. Anyway, he'll have another go tomorrow. Johan also took back the angel and bought another star for the window. I changed the beds and washed and ironed the bedding - not put in the cupboard yet as my neighbour came down for a chat. Tomorrow is market day and it looks as if I'll be going on my own. Oh well, that's life! Maybe I'll meet somebody nice, who knows! I bought a couple of books for Johan for Xmas as I had some time to look around. It was so cold out today and a bitter cold wind. My forehead felt as if it were frozen and I scooted home with my gloved hand against my forehead. I hope somebody else joins us soon, because the thread keeps getting way back and difficult to find. Till tomorrow, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, I am not going to attempt personal replies to everyone this time, there were some very interesting long posts and I have enjoyed reading them all. Will say, Brenda, hope the tooth is fixed for you, filling or extraction? Anne, nice to see a note from you, don't envy you shopping for clothes with your daughter. Evryone else, nice to see you on here and have you noticed the board has a much better atmosphere today and I love the Art thread. Went to the senior sections christmas dinner last night at the gold club and had a good evening. The meal was Ok but not spectacular but it is always difficult when there are 100 to serve. We had a man on the keyboard 9he has been there before, he leads a good singalong of old songs and carols, and plays for a bit of dancing too. A favourite is the war songs medley (pack up your troubles etc) and the dambusters. we all have small union jacks to wave - hilarious. ( the general age of this group is 55 to over 80). this morning we went on the bus to Cheltenham for a look around, had a snack lunch in an Italian restaurant, I had a lovely prawn pannini. came home and spent the past gour reading the board. Take care everyone. Ann Glos

Hi everyone Its still dark outside, so I dont know what the weather is like. Yesterday was another busy one, I took Samantha to work then Gaynor had an appointment, called in a couple of shops had a hot chocolate and went home and that was another morning gone. I wont know what to do with myself when Gaynor is allowed to drive again and Samantha has passed her driving test. I have posted my cards and wrapped a few presents, I must wrap a few more today. I am also seeing my friend this afternoon. I am looking forward to just sitting down and talking with her, it will make a change from all the rushing around. Sylvia,I know what you mean about the place looking as though a bomb has hit it. I could do with Johan being here to make me a coffee, lol. Brenda, I'm still here, get that tooth sorted, you dont want toothache over Christmas. Fred, I cant imagine you having agrophobia, I have heard other people say that it appears one minute with no warning at all and then just as suddenly goes. Anne (Belfast) Ceramics is another addictive hobby isn't it, since I have got rid of my kiln (It had broken down) I have been buying pieces to paint, these places are closing down, one by one and we are finding it hard to get them. So I think after Christmas I will still do some painting but I am going to make cards as well. You have a very talented son, playing in the Youth Orchestra! Jude, I'm pleased you are feeling better, you sound more like the Jude we know now. Not all of the ceramics are tall ones, its mostly the Christmas trees that are that tall. I have just finished a Christmas tree that has little snowmen climbing up it, it also lights up. I will get round to taking photos of them, so you can see what I'm on about. Ann (Belfast) How about you taking some photos too, then we can see the things we have both painted. Di, I hope you have got rid of Ratty! Merry Christmas to everyone. Love June xx

Sorry I haven't been on today, another hectic day, I will see you all tomorrow. June xx

Hi all, I've had another busy day. Johan gave me a cup of tea in bed and it was already past 9 o'clock. Our house looks like a bomb has been dropped on it. We have boxes of decorations etc. in every room. I first made bread, whilst getting the breakfast ready. Then Johan got down to sorting out our Xmas lights. We now have lights across our sitting room windows - which are very large windows, as are the rest in the flat. We also have our Xmas star up. The Xmas tree is standing on our round table, but Johan was too tired to fix the lights in it, so the job has been put off until tomorrow. When he has done that it will be my job to decorate the rest of the tree. Our Xmas cards are hanging in the windows too. Yes, our house is looking really Christmassy. That's the way I like it! Linda came this afternoon and asked if she could stay to dinner. Of course, she could. She had to work from 6-10 this evening and if she didn't eat here would only have a sandwich. She is going all the way to Breda tomorrow to give a cuddle to her friend's two kittens. Her friend has two kittens and has gone on holiday, so Linda goes now and again to see them. She was there on Sunday with her boy friend. They were allowed to sleep there. It takes a couple of hours to get there. The girl's mother feeds the cats every day, but Linda feels that the two kittens need playing with. That is just like Linda! I hope to be able to do some printing tomorrow. I have finished my annual letter which I put in with my Xmas card. I only send it to English speaking friends as I cannot be bothered to type two letters. I will try and get to the post office with two parcels which I have partly wrapped, just need a bit more string on them. My neighbour cannot come with me again this Friday to the market as she has a funeral to attend, so I will be going alone. I have agreed to buy some cheese for my hairdresser as she has no time to go to the market this Friday. I can see my mobile scooter overflowing with shopping this Friday - I hope there's room for me to sit! I tried on the clothes which I bought yesterday, and they all look super, apart from the trousers. I will take these back on Sunday (the shops are open this Sunday). Because we have a party on Sunday in town, I will be there anyway - another problem solved. Johan will have to take the Xmas angel back tomorrow. I can see us with another busy day. Judging by this thread, I think I am not the only one who is busy.See you tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx