General Chat

Hi everyone, Its a little dull and damp here, although its not raining at the moment. Maybe it it will brighten up so that I can hand some washing out. Last night, I think there were more fireworks being let off than on the 5th, they went on till well after midnight. Nick said he thought the police were out in town yesterday because of the football match, evidently, when the two teams have met in the past, there has been trouble, Sylvia, we appear to be having very similar weather, a very mixed bag! I should be updating my address book too, ready for sending Christmas cards. Di, I'm sorry the bickering spoilt your day, some of them do act as though they are in the school playground, when will they grow up. As Bill says, why cant we be one big happy family, we can have differences of opinion without getting nasty about it. Kathleen, You do have a lovely family, at least you will have room to move now that Chris has been to the tip. My one regret is that I have only one child, she is very good and helps whenever I ask but all the work falls on her shoulders, there is no one to share it with. Fred, I can understand Liz being upset about moving after all these years,its all the memories you leave behind. I'm sure you will be very happy at your new home once you have settled in. I dont envy you over the next week, moving is such an upheaval, by Christmas you will be sorted and snug again. Good luck with the move. I hope you all have a good day. Love June xx

i'm realy glad to hear that you are enjoying your new bed Kathlene.i must admit to loving a good ,hard mattress, and luckely ,so does the wife.and yes it is so much easier when you have good family.All mine were great ,my in laws were fantastic ,and my kids are a godsend. my missus is very upset just now ,what with moving on thursday,after all we have been in this house 33 years in jan,and all the bairns but one were born here.But as i said to her ,we are in a town house ,she has empysema and ostio porosis of the spine and very soon she will be in bother getting up and down the stairs ,so in a way the demolition is a godsend to both of us. I will be doing a last sunday roast here today ,nothing special,a b/m turkey breast roast with the usual trimmings and a little spotty dick for pud[a bought one ] as it's one pud i louse up every time i do it,but i tell a lie cause i ruin a steam sponge too which is my favorite and have to get the missis to do.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everybody - at last the firworks have stopped and it is all quiet at lost. A very dull and overcast day, a bit chilly but then as Sylvia said 'tis November the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!! I had a wonderful night, woke this morning and no backache absolute bliss. Also it is higher than my old bed so much easier to get out of. I do have a lovely family, they are the best. Help each other out with things like rewiring, installing central heating etc, though they often don't meet up for a while it only takes a phone call. They all live close by except for my youngest daughter who is in the West Midlands but even then she and her husband only need to be asked. I feel very blessed and very proud of them all. Di, I saw that thread and felt very upset for you. It was all so unneccesary. I do hope it didn't distress you too much. Hopefully Pan will either catch Mr.Ratty or frighten him away. I remember, some years ago, opening the shed door to see several rats. There was a small wood at the back of the house and they apparently came from there. I shut the door very quickly and didn't open it again for more than a week - and there they were - all dead!! I often wondered if I had frightened them to death. I used to make ginger biscuits years ago but the mixture I made was spooned on to the baking sheet, just a teaspoonful and they spread into a sort of round - have forgotten the recipe now but they were delicious. I love gingery things and sometimes treat myself to some stem ginger in syrup, I tell myself it is an aid to digestion and therefore more medicinal. June I hope you enjoy your trip to Wakefield, lovely to meet up with other members again and always nice to meet new people. We will not mention the kitchen :-( :-( well not for a day or two anyway. Chris had his last 4 day shift off plus his usual 4 days off - supposedly to finish the painting. Still he has made a few trips to the local tip to get rid of some of the junk I have cleared out and the charity shop with those things that might be of use to someone else. It will get done - or so I am told. He goes back to work on Tuesday so there is still hope! Fred, pleased your move will be quite soon and it all seems to be organised now. Then you will just have to unpack all the things you have spent so much time packing, but that will be much more satisfactory. I wish you both the best of luck and much happiness in your new home. Sylvia, I hope your granddaughter is recovered from her bladder infection. That can be really wretched, hopefully the antibiotics will clear it up quickly. Did she find her passport in time for her trip - I have forgotten where she was going to. Hope she enjoys herself. Brenda, you are such a busy bee you make me feel dizzy. Hope all is well with you and you enjoy the trip to Wakefield. Of course you will all be home now - quite forgetting that it was today (or yesterday now). To anyone I haven't mentioned, I hope you have all had a good day, I have a couple of e-mails I really must do before I go to bed. Goodnight all, sleep well (I will!!) God bless Love Kathleen ps. Di, I did try doing that photo again but messed it up so will get Chris to supervise me tomorrow - I promise.

Hi all, Well, the weather isn't too bad, some sun, some rain, but cannot grumble when it's November. I've had an easy day. Started the large crossword puzzle in our daily paper, then made bread, and after getting breakfast and lunch I had a shower and dressed. I knew my neighbour was occupied and wouldn't pop in, so didn't bother getting dressed early. I've been sorting out our address list. I had typed it all out, but needed to check telephone numbers, e-mail addresses etc. change of addresses. I can then throw out a lot of old paper! Did iron a few shirts of my husbands - only 4! Well will close for now, love Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, When I got up this morning it was raining, it has stopped but it is so dull and depressing. I have just dropped Nick and his friend off in town, there is a large police presence, I hope it is just a football match and nothing serious. The police were all around the railway station too when I went to get my tickets for Saturday. Next Saturday I am going to Wakefield to the Family History Fair and meet up, it will be nice to meet up with some members I have already met and others that I haven't, I will be able tp put a few more faces to names. Di, You sound as though you have had a stressful day I hope you are alright. Has Ratty been giving you problems again? Kath I hope you got a good night's sleep in you new bed, what lovely children you have. I daren't ask how the kitchen is doing now ! Bill, I hope the water levels dont rise anymore,it was a good idea to stock up with food. I agree with what you said about the fireworks, some of them are so loud, sometimes I wonder whether it is gunfire, not that I can tell the difference anyway. I hope Jude is getting better, Gaynor has put a thread on as well asking where she is. To all our other friends, I hope you are happy and well. Love June xx

So ,kath is going to bed with a satisfied smile on her face ,and all cuddly and warm.well why not ,for your kids to spoil you in this way can only mean youv'e spoilt your kids too ,so you deserve it don't you? ,enjoy the bed and the attention,it's a nice story in this day and age ,i loved it.Fredptfg.

Hi everyone - nice to see you again Bill. As it is late this is only a short message but wanted to share this. I have been in dire need of a new bed for a while, the one I had was not doing my back any good, one of the legs had split and was not supporting the base which was a folding one so there was a distinct sagging in the middle. Well today I answered the door to be greeted by two men delivering a new bed for me - an early birthday present from my children. Of course it was a total surprise (I had been looking but at around £650 or more a tad too expensive for me). Luckily Chris was in because they were waiting to take the old bed away - mad rush to dismantle it and I could not believe the dust underneath!!!! So now I am off to spend a few hours sleeping in my nice new shiny bed with a lovely cream and gold bedhead. Goodnight all - sleep well or have a good day wherever you are. God bless love Kathleen

Hi everyone, I hope you are all alright, I dont know where the day has gone to, (That sounds silly doesn't it, as though a day could go anywhere.) I saw my friend this afternoon as usual, we decided to stay in and paint, otherwise they are not going to be ready for Christmas I wont be seeing her next week because she is away for a few days and I think she is panicking that she wont have her tree finished in time. Jude it is nice to have you back, it will do you good to have your son and his wife and her mother over. I'm pleased Madoc has settled in so well, hope his leg is soon sorted. Di, I hope you catch the rat soon, even when you are asleep, you wont be completely relaxed. When I had the mice, I felt as that it was an invasion of my privacy. hope he gets the message soon. Mary, hope you enjoy your trip, I'm sure you will be sad to see the van go. it sounds as though you have had some good times in it. Lou, I share your feelings about fireworks, I can just about stand them when I'm watching from indoors. Sylvia, What a relief for you now that the decision has been made about the Hall. I'm glad yo hear you are walking better too. Brenda, Enjoy Cleveleys, I still miss it, should be over there myself in a week or two. It sounds as though the fireworks are subsiding a bit, so I had better let Beckham out now, See you tomorrow. Love June xx

Hi all - this shoud be a quickie as l still have beds to make for son,his wife and her mum arriving tomorrow morning ish!!. Sylvia - thank you. So pleased the therapy is working and your walking better,take care. You're always cooking - its not one of my favourite things,but at the same time l wish l had gone to cookery classes!! Brenda - thank you. Enjoy ur weekend break. Lou - so pleased alls well with everyones jobs. All enjoy the fireworks and BBQ's. Mary - you've done so much travelling,how lovely.Bet you could tell us some good tales?? Di - thank you. Madoc sometimes gets on the sofa(we try to say NO!!) especially with the fireworks making so much noise, fortunately he's not really fretting, but very unsure about them. l rang a dog trainer today to help with his behaviour at the vets and when he meets other dogs - she suggesting the first thing we do is get her dogs to sit or lay down in the training hall and get Madoc to walk round them etc., eventually without paying them any attention!!!! then reverse the proceedure,he must sit at my side!! when he's real good at this we can take him into the main training classes and socialise - BUT we can't do any of this until we know what the other vet wants to and when. She charges £10 per hour!!! blimey oh riley - another lady charges £65 per hour,but that included coming to the house! Its been another lovely day today,did'nt get all l wanted done,but most of it.This weekend seeing our son and next our daughter,can't be bad. Ok thats me done - THANK YOU ALL for your welcome back. Hope all are well,take care:o) including anynames l have'nt mentioned. Jude sarf wales xx

Hello evryone,was going to write a nice long message tonight but after printing out some photos that took ages and replying to emails I have not the time as I am going out with friends to our local Italian restaurant as it is my friends birthday. Tomorrow I am not working but we are going to see Johns mother in Clevellys for the weekend.(that is a little coastal resort between Blackpool anf Fleetwood for those who don,t know.) So I will not be on till Sunday evening,Take care,love Brenda.

Hi Mary, Di, Brenda, Lou, and anybody else who is watching. Was up early for my hairdresser who came at 9.00 am. My neighbour and I then went to the market, but we had no time for coffee as my neighbour had a lot of shopping to do. With her sister coming tomorrow, everything has to be spic and span. Flowers in masses to decorate the house. I buy flowers every week, but she only buys them when she has visitors. Arrived back home around midday and had a sandwich and coffee, and then it was time for my physiotherapy. I am walking better by the day - hoorah! I did some ironing again and made another quiche - broccoli and danish blue. I'll freeze it in for my son. My ex son in law came round for a drink around 4.00 pm. It was nice to see him again. Will close for now, love Sylvia xxx

Good evening everyone,It is now wet and cold outside after a lovelly morning and not so lovelly afternoon. Did the weekly shop this morning and wished I had gone to another supermarket.They are building more shops round the exsisting Asda and have taken half the parking places to do so.More shops and less space it is mad. Went to town this afternoon (intending to go to the library,bit of a busmans holiday ),but ended up walking round the shops,looking at christmas things. Then went for a chinese meal with two friends the restaurant at 4.30 was verrry quiet as you can imagine .but we could chat away and hear each other. Frances ,welcome,any time you want you can come onboard and leave a message .I got started in GR as I couldn't sleep,not doing bad at the moment. Lesley we do have things like the swiffer as kathleen has said I have laminate tiles in the kitchen and have one for there ,mind you with two cats and a Germand shepard I know what you mean about the number you can use.The one we have is like a sponge base that you replace when worn down. Nice to see you Crista,glad you are still enjoying the golf.John is hoping to get a game tomorrow ,the first in 6 weeks. Di ,you are having trouble,when we had little visitors and even the cats couldnot get rid ,we bought some of those boxes June has mentioned from the local DIY place they did work as the bait went but we did not see anything else. we won £10 on the lottery last week ,first time this year i think.It is the lottery 10 birthday soon and they are having a special jackpot. It is bonfire night tomorrow and you would think it was tonight ,I'm sure the law changed so you couldn't buy/sell them early. Hi Jude,great to see you ,don't worry about leaving messages,just do so when you can and want to.So pleased Madoc is settling ,hope you can get his legs sorted. June,Anne ,Kathleen,Fred Sylvia and anyone else sorry if I have missed you out .Have to finshe the ironing (well have only done a few things really) else I will have nothing to wear ,that fits and is warm, Speak to you all tomorrow Take care .Brenda

Hi all, Welcome back Jude. It sounds as if you've been doing too much. Try relaxing a bit more, and if you're tired, just lie down and go to sleep, it will do you good. Ann, so you've got your Xmas biccies in, I wish I could get English biscuits here. We get some nice biscuits, but not so much choice as in Gt Britain. I still don't know what we're doing for Xmas. Last year we went to my daughter in Eindhoven. I don't know whether she is expecting us this year or not. I don't mind having Xmas alone with my husband for a change, but I don't suppose that will happen. There is usually good television on at Xmas too! I have been very busy today. Started off with changing the beds and washing and ironing. I made a Dutch apple tart. I must give you the recipe sometime as it is really delicious and much better than an English apple tart. I also made a ham and cheese quiche. I had just got the quiche in the oven when my granddaughter 'phoned and asked if she could come round for a cup of tea. She said she was feeling a bit better and was on a penicillin cure. She hopes to be well enough to come and help me again on Monday (her free day from school). She is going to Barcelona with her school on the 15th November so am glad she is coming in again before she goes. It was nice to sit and talk to my granddaughter alone. My husband was on the computer in the computer room! We have now put down a deposit on the hall we are hiring next March. Sounds so far away, but things soon get booked up. My neighbour came down later in the afternoon and had a lot to say as I hadn't seen her for a few days. She has her sister coming from Germany with new friend, so the whole flat has been cleaned out and windows sparkling. Even the inside of the front door has been painted. They are only coming for lunch and then going to a hotel for dinner and sleep. So Bush is in again, what a pity, but then again who is Kelly? At least Bill Clinton was able to make a speech, which is more than Bush can. So everybody is contributing again, which is nice, let's keep it that way. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hi there everyone l'm here for a wee while!! Sorry l have'nt been back for so long but still not 100%. Dr has signed me off for another 2 weeks,it was a different one today, he actually asked if l wanted 2 months - blimey, l asked for 2 wks and he's booking counselling for me:o(( l've got depression and l get in a panic about work - l feel sick,have the runs and my stomach churns something awful, l get a rush of anxiety or panic rush through me and l can't get up in the morning - daft or what, l thought l loved my job, so we need to find out why this is happening! l'm definately better this week though and hope to contribute here abit more often now. Madoc is still lovely,he rushed up on the sofa just now cause of the fireworks, not toooo keen on themm!! Took him back to vet on Tuesday, he's still walking badly. Vet says there is definately other damage there,so he's referring him to a vet in Bristol who specialises in this area:o) RSPCA have said that xray fee's are in the post, mind you that was 3 weeks ago!!!!!! atleast they have'nt said no!! another phone call due l think! Been trying to keep busy here have sorted the garage, l can move around in there now.Next job is to sort this storeroom, we still have packed boxes from 2 yrs ago when we moved here - l'm sure l could fill the car and go to a carboot sale! Also been trying to draw again,but really need to feel in the mood for that - but atleast l have made a start:o) Hello Di, nice to see you back:o) l have looked in everynow and then but not really read any of the messages properly, so much to catch up on, l will try and read them from now. Our son his wife and mother in law are coming on Saturday,yippeeeee!!.Daughter in law got back from Washington USA this morning and you can probably imagine we have all been worried for her what with the latest threat from Bin Laden. Then the following weekend our daughter and partner are coming, which is also yippeeeeee!!! Lovely weather today - should have done some gardening,but watched telly instead until an elderly neighbour (81) called and asked me over for coffee - bless her!! Right thats it for now - hope everyone is well,take care:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi all, Will add more tonight, but must get dinner. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, We have a lovely sunny Autumn morning here, I have just hung out the washing so it should be dry when I bring it in. I was on MSN messenger early this morning nut now I cant get back on. Hi Crista, nice to see you, Peter is fine, we were talking yesterday but twice the internet went down on us. Poor Peter had to suffer all my coughing, I did keep switching off the mike but wasn't always quick enough. Kathleen, Cuerden Valley is going towards Chorley from Bamber Bridge, thats probably why you dont remember it. Cuerden Hall is now the Sue Ryder home, there are picnic areas, a lake and a stream with quite a few ponds with ducks etc. It became famous when first the M6 was built and more lately the M65, people were living in old farmhouses and up trees etc. to try and prevent the motorways being built. Its a lovely place to walk very relaxing and peaceful despite the motorways being so near. Di, A couple of years ago I had mice,it made me so ill, we caught 1 in a trap, another ran up Nick's friend's sleeve when he cornered it then the other just wouldn't be caught and it found its way into my bedroom. Anyway I called the local health department and their man came and put boxes down, it cost £30 but it was the best £30 I've ever spent, at least I could have my own bedroom back. I gather there was another little upset on the board last night but missed it thank goodness, its seems to have blown over now, I hope. Lesley, This is early to receive a Christmas present, I'm afraid I cant match that.lol Brenda, I'm not surprised you are tired with all the running around you do. Anne,Belfast, Yes I've started on my Christmas presents too, as soon as I hear someone say they would like something, if its within my budget, I get it. I cant bear the pushing and shoving in town at Christmas. My poor old back starts aching, it just isn't worthit. Mary, How do you manage to clean the van like that, you'll really need that holiday when you do go. Sylvia, Thankgoodness that toe is better, you have been in pain a long time. I hope Linda is soon feeling better. How long is it now to her holiday? Hi Jude Elisabeth Fred and all, I know Lou is alright I was talking to her last night. well I had better get some housework done. See you tomorrow Love June xx

Hi Everyone, Just a quick message from me.... Everyone is pretty low today in Oregon with Bush getting in again. The cashier at the supermarket was very depressed with it all. Di, It was dry here today also. We had a lot of rain yesterday. In a way, I actually prefer the wet weather because I like the humidity and the warmth it brings. This time of year the dry days are also chilly. You have to sort that rat problem out. If you see one there are probably more. Can you shut Pan in the kitchen for the night? I will have to send Boris up there. He would love it as he's an indoor cat and only get his paws on moths and spiders. Went golfing today but now that the clocks have changed we played the last few holes in the dark. Have to make the most of the dry days now. Haven't seen Jude or Elisabeth for a while. What about Peter? Nighty night, Crista

Just a brief comment for now. Di!!!! How awful, little meeces are bad enough but a rat is bigger, you get the feeling that the wretched thing is going to suddenly appear every where you go. I remember reading that if there are cats in the house they won't come in but I know that's a fallacy, lets hope Pan frightened him enough to make him leave. We do have something similar to the swiffer - can't remember what it's called now but they advertise it a lot on TV. I'm off to bed now, will be back later. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everyone,well I don't know if this is tonights message or tomorrows looking at the time,I am still doing my photos on the scanner and have had numerous phone calls again tonight as welll as visiting my friend for her birthday. mary hope you are not to tired to enjoy the trip after all your preperation.i did a bit of panning when we went to Bendigo? we went on our first trip with our friend who live in Mornington Victoria,they lived nearer to Melbourne then,we did the Great Ocean Rd ,whata wonderful place,want to go back there someday. Di haven't bought a pattern for years,last one I used was from a womans monthly magazine which printed them free,but as I put weight on I could not use them as I was hope less at making them bigger.Sorry all those shootings are upsetting you Sylvia,we have had some here and you do feel threatened in your back garden so to speak. Fred /June, I think swiffing is a special sort of mop/brush for wooden floors which polishes as well,Di will put us right I am sure. I have nmade a few notes of all your messages ,so I could reply ,but I am so tired I can not keep my eyes open so Please forgive me ,June,Kathleen,Ann as I will have to go to bed,see you all tomorrow.Take care Brenda

Hello friends, hope you are all keeping well. Not long in after taking Lady for a walk in the rain. She doesn't usually like venturing out and getting wet, but the didn't hesitate tonight and was out the front door like a shot. With all the fireworks going of the past lot of nights, we have had to keep her inside, and I think she has missed being able to go for a wander in peace. It has been very mild here the past two days, wet at times, but none of the frosty nip that we had last week. Going over to the doctor's today, we went "over the hill", and the view over Belfast Lough was truly wonderful. We sometimes forget to appreciate our beutiful scenery and take a lot for granted. Looking over Cave Hill and glimpsing Belfast Castle through the trees was like looking at a picture postcard. Got my flu injection - at last. There had been a short supply here in Belfast, but I didn't even have to ask for it, my GP just told me to roll up my sleeve while I was there. I visited my Dad on the way back, and waited for the "MouseMan". Dad had little furry visitors a week or so ago, and I wanted them sorted, didn't want any surprises when I was doing his cleaning! Mr. Mouse Man left his little boxes about the house with poison in them, hopefully this will yeild results. One interesting point which he mentioned - we had bought Dad one of those electonic gadgets which you plug in and are supposed to discourage mice and all sorts. I asked how effective they were, he told me they don't hold great store by them, as they have been unable to get any reliable data about them. Some people he felt were being exploited by ruthless retailers, one lady was told she would require one in each room, it cost her a fortune and she still had mice! Next step was visit to optician for Dad's new specs, his first pair since having a cataract removed recently. What a difference that made! He was so pleased at the improvement in his sight, and at being able at last to get new reading glasses, now he can do all his puzzle books again. Pity we had to end up paying privately for him, when he had been unable to depend on the NHS at his time of need. Was really busy today, next stop was into town with No. 1 son and met up with No2 son. Lunch for three, and my purse was considerably lighter, a visit to Marks and Spencers food hall and it was definately a LOT lighter, student food parcels don't come cheap!! First of the Christmas goodies bought today, 2 boxes of M & S biccies to put away for the big day. I had to laugh though at the reaction of my 20 & 16 yrs olds when I purchased my biccies, they declared it was starting to feel a bit Christmassy now the first supplies were being stored away. I was also accused of "murdering the christmas spirit", my crime?? buying an artificial tree last year. Ever since they were tiny we have visited a local forest and bought a real tree, and then had our Christmas PicNic, a family tradition. Last year there was a shortage of trees, and a notice in paper informed us that there would be no sale in the forest. Well they were so disapointed! We then spent £100 on an artificial tree, and were made to feel like Scrooge!! It's amazing how quickly the Hallowe'n stock has been cleared from the stores in town, now all the Christmas stuff is really in your face so to speak. Over the next few weeks I am really going to try and get all the pressies out of the way, I hate rushing in town at the last minute, and getting stressed out. Time to make hubby his supper as he is due in about 20 minutes, hate the late shifts, as I feel all I do is cook all day! Oh I must ask has anyone got any recipes for tasty traybakes? Various things coming up and I need to whip up something quick and easy to feed visitors, or to give to my lot to take to school for fund raising or parties. Get fed up making the usual caramel square, rice crispie buns, 15's, lemon fingers, and vienese whirls! Hope you all sleep well, or for those who are just beginning their day, hope you enjoy it. God Bless Anne