General Chat

Hi all, Well a horrible damp, misty day. Johan and I took a taxi to a large shopping centre not too far away. I bought lots of candles, serviettes, and then went into the Garden Centre. I bought odds and ends to make up my Advent Wreath. Full of Xmas odds and ends, but so far no Xmas trees! Kathleen, my toe isn't given me any more pain, but is black with a large piece hanging off. Doctor thinks it's ok, so I suppose it is ok. Linda, my granddaughter has a bladder infection so didn't come today. Apparently she has pain in her lower stomach. No more time, but hope soon to be able to write more. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone,been on the pc. all morning scanning in photos and did not realise the time until John has arrived home from jury service,. I am on work at 2 and need to wash and change so can not stop but I see I have a lot of cathcing up to do, Just wanted to say we have a lovelly sunny day here but still on the cold side,speak to you later <take care Brenda

Good morning everyone. It is a nice bright day so far, a bit cold but dry now. We had some heavy rain during the night, all gone and a clear sky for the most part. Di, your walks sound so interesting with so much to see and your descriptions of it all bring it all to life. We have had the Canada Geese flying over - in perfect formation, they are lovely to see. But usually it is a 747 or whatever leaving a trail of smoke behind, we do miss seeing Concorde even though, if you were too close it could feel a little uncomfortable. The vibration could make you feel very weird and best to cover your ears!! I found some of my (very) old patterns recently, mostly Simplicity but I like the Vogue ones nowadays, haven't seen any of the others you mention. Sylvia, how is your toe now? Pleased to hear your physio is working for you. I love the idea of being able to jump out of bed - haven't been able to do that for quite some time. These days it is usually 5 minutes thinking about it and then a gentle roll over to get my feet on the floor first. Oh the joys of age!! June, I don't remember the park you mention, which direction is it? I would no doubt find everything very different now, it is so many years since I was there. Though the TV advert for Clarks shoes - do you know the one "Preston is my Paris"?, I recognise that area of the town although it has changed a bit. I hear from Peter as well, though I have only received photo's from him recently, but my fault I haven't e-mailed him for a while. I did come on the site for a short time last night but was not impressed with the way things were shaping, far too much bickering and back-biting going on, so I went to bed. Later I thought I should have put a message on here just to bring a nice friendly thread to the fore. Have to do some work on my tree now as I have had another contact, again on my paternal g.mothers side. This lady has only been doing the family tree for two days (I think she means on this site) so was really pleased to find a link so quickly. Mary, Lesley, Brenda, Lou, Fred, Jude & Elisabeth (where are you two hiding?) Hope you all have a good day, catch up with you all later. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everyone, It's dry this morning so it looks promising. I have come on here first this morning before I get side tracked. Yesterday when I took Samantha to work, the traffic was bumper to bumper, it was horendous, she got in the office for 9.45 instead of 9, I counted 7 lots of roadworks, most of them major ones too. Then I picked Gaynor up, we were downloading some discs etc, everything seemed to take longer adjusting to the XP sustem. We both have this cold which doesn't help when you have your head forward. Fred, I'm glad you are still with us, have you finished packing yet? I am a bit puzzled what swiffering means too. Di, What I would give to have whales and seals swimming around. It sounds such lovely countryside where you live. Lesley, I feel the same about rain, it is very depressing. Hope you sort out your trip to Yorkshire to see your dad. There will probably plenty of rain there too. Sylvia, All these shootings, it seems to be a world wide problem, all so senseless. I think as you get older, it depresses you more, sometimes I find myself nearly in tears at what one person can do to another. Mary, I have had the same problem with LDS. I'll have to give them another try today, its useless trying at the weekends, there are so many people tracing their family tree these days which is good in one way, but I dont think the existing sites can cope with the volume of people. Brenda, I know what you mean about getting sidetracked, it has happened to me this last day or two. I have now made a list of jobs to do. Monday morning we went walking in Cuerden Park, which we are on the edge of, (pity the M6. M65 & M61 all cut into it.) we took the dogs who thoroughly enjoyed it, I think everbody and their dogs had turned out it was such a lovely day. Di, the main reason for going to Cuerden was to take some pictures for Peter Dudley, we are in contact most days. He's still busy with his photography and Betty with her line dancing. If you remember, they got married at the same church as me and used to to live in the same village and we have mutual friends, (unfortuneately some of these friends are no longer with us.) I forgot to tell you (I think) Gaynor had an email at the weekend from her cousin (my brother who died, his daughter) we haven't had contact for over 25 years, she saw Gaynor's name on Friends, she has just started the Family tree too. There have been a few emails flying backwards and forwards this last day or two. I will leave you now, its nearly time to commence battle with the traffic again. See you tomorrow Love June xx

Di ,loved your letter ,but ,what the heck is swiffering,,i take it it is some form of housework but can't work out what it's about ,but you do sound as though you have been really busy over there. It's all right for you lot ,nice and warm and somewhere dry to hang your washing ,some people have all the luck.Fred.ptfg.

Hi Di, Kathleen, June and others, Di, I have used Burda and Neue Mode patterns in the past - yes, German and very good. Have been trying to use up a lot of eggs which I bought, So I made two fat-free sponge cakes which I've now frozen in. Next week when I have visitors will take them out and fill with fruit and cream. Ran a washing machine of 40 degree washing. Heard from my neighbour of another shooting in Amsterdam. A film director, not really liked by us, but that is no reason to kill him. Apparently a Moroccan moslim did it. Where is it all going to end. This is going to create a great problem in Amsterdam where Theo van Gogh (the producer) lived. Theo had just finished a film over a popular politician of ours who was murdered last year, whose name was Pim van Tuyn. It seems there is no more freedom of speech allowed!!!! I feel very upset about all of this, so will close for now. Greetings, Sylvia xxx

Hi ,well everyone is still busy judging by the lack of messages since my last one. June hope to scan the photos from the last meet tomorrow,got sidetraked with other piccies today and to night.Can you send me your correct email address as the last one I sent you from my address book didnot work. Not done any research tonight ,busy with the photos trying to remember what to do each time without prompting,think I might have it sussed now !!!. Need my sleep now ,my eyes are feeling a little strained. Speak to you tomorrow,take care brenda

Hello everyone,this is just a quickie as I am trying to sort out my photos and emailing them while I am in the house on my own,should be dusting and polishing but ,i am here instead. Glad to see everybody is busy ,you all sound so industrious. Will try and get back later as my son is out at a football match tonight so the pc is allmine all night !!!!! take care ,Brenda

Well you do all seem to have had a very busy weekend. I have recovered now from my visit to the TNA, just wish more progress had been made. Mary the LDS Family Search site has to be bullied into submission!! Ignore the "site unavailable for maintenance" as this has been happening for some time. If you just keep pressing the "Search" button, hopefully you will eventually get some results. I haven't had any problem with dates, in fact I have found some from both Pallots Marriage (1824) and Birth registers (1800) complete with images. They do update the site so it is worth going back and rechecking. I think I may have finally found my g.mother's birth on there - but with her name as Rose instead of Rosina. Give me the dates and I will have a look for you. Yesterday I was taken out for lunch which was great, no cooking and a very enjoyable meal. Just a small pub but with a very pleasant eating area, very light and airy and away from the bar. They serve good home cooking, means you wait a little but everything is freshly prepared - except of course for the roast meats and things like Winter Stew - which looked and smelled really delicious. All vegetables are freshly cooked as are the Yorkshire puddings - well worth the wait. It is really dull and overcast and has turned very cold - I am freezing here so will come back later as I must warm up a bit. Hopefully will make it this evening - unless Chris decides to play Chess with someone on the other side of the world. That can go on for ages, especially if they have a little chat afterwards. Catch up with you all later. Love Kathleen

Yes, it's me again. A pinch and a punch the first of the month we used to say at school! We always have our sirenes tested on the first of the month at 12.00 noon so we cannot forget it is the first of the month. The weather is dull today, but I cannot go out as Johan is fiddling around with my scooter. He wants to make it foldable for when we go down to Calais. I've told him I want to go there at the beginning of December as there is a huge shopping mall there, which includes Sainsburys and Tescos, as well as all the large French shops. My husband hates shops, but is coming with me because I really want to go. I wanted to go to Amersfoort tomorrow with my neighbour but she is busy. She is a real German. Her sister is coming on Saturday so everything has to be shipshape. Her husband is even painting one of the doors which leads on to their hall. Her bed is made twice a day!In the morning she takes all the cushions etc. off and in the evening her husband makes it all up again. Her husband isn't allowed to read the newspaper in the sitting room. He certainly isn't allowed to smoke in the house. He sometimes comes down to me. I don't like smoking either, but I'll never turn anyone away. I like company too much. The more the merrier. My physiotherapist is really helping me. I can almost jump out of bed in the mornings now. I've done some dusting today and tidied up the sitting room, but don't feel like housework. You can't see the dust with this dull weather. My daughter phoned me yesterday evening at 10.45 pm. I wondered what on earth was wrong. Apparently my granddaughter who lives here with her father had a lot of pain and thought she had appendicitis. Her father told her to go to bed. Anyway, my daughter asked if I would phone Linda this morning and if necessary go round to her. I did telephone, but Linda said she felt a bit better. I thought my problems were over when the children left home, but now have the grandchildren. Anyway, isn't it nice to feel wanted? Greetings June, Di and Kathleen, having to miss Fred at the moment, but he'll turn up again one day. Have a nice day, as they would say in America! Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone Its a dull dry start today but looks promising. Last night I had the young children from around calling to "trick or treat", they had such lovely costumes on, I never thought to have my camera ready, I was so busy handing out sweeties. I have the same problem with my camera and photos, when I have mastered something I have to it down straight away because if its a few weeks before I do it again, I will have forgotten how to do it, so I have set up a file of notes now. Kathleen, the Mormons have built a beautiful church just further up the road on the outskirts of Chorley. There they have a Family History Centre, which is very good but sometimes even though you have to book the "readers" I have arrived and they have all been taken. They do eventually move away, but let you know that they haven't really finished what they were looking up. Mary, The LDS site have been doing maintenance to the site, so maybe you will have a bit more luck in a day or two. I have now got my clocks right, its my body I'm having problems with and Beckham doesn't help, how do you tell a dog about the clocks. Brenda, I look forward to receiving the Manchester photos, especially as I only got 3 because the rain got in my camera. Its not long now to the next meet up. Lesley, what clever ideas you have for your cards, when I receive cards that are unusual, I keep them and bring them out each year. Sylvia, your husband did well with the CDs, have you listened to them yet? The Hall sounds nice and cosy and personal, just the thing for an anniversary. Also you will enjoy adding your own ideas to the catering. Di, I'm glad your bathroom is finished, I usually place paint cans etc around the door posts, to stop the pets rubbing against them because dogs and cats are always curious and want to join in. I always put flour on my baking board too, I dont see how you can do otherwise. I have just been to look at the Canadian thread, its doing very well. I've just seen the time, I had better get moving, see you tomorrow. Love June xx

Good evening all, Well had a busy day - hey I thought Sunday was a day of rest! I let my husband go on his own to the library where they were selling off books, videos, CD roms etc. Well, fortunately he only came back with CDs. I love Gregorian church music and he came back with one and another of Davids Psalms from Cambridge College choir as well as Julio Iglesias and son Iglesias - what a choice! I managed to prepare our dinner whilst he was away. This afternoon we went to view our umpteenth hall for our party next year and now we've decided that this is it. WHY, you may ask, well we get the hall free! Is that the reason why I wonder. Anyway it seems cosy with dimmed lights and tablecloths on all the tables and candles. An apart area where Johan and I can sit on the throne, so to speak, to greet our guests. Most of the catering will be done by the owners, but I'll add some finishing touches. Does anybody know where I can find nice headings for the letter I want to send everybody. I thought of having our wedding picture on the left top and the Dutch and English flags, maybe crossed in the middle and the words somehow 80th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. Anybody any ideas? My son is going to give me his scanner and is buying himself a new one. I'm not very good at all these things with the computer, so would welcome ideas. Looking forward to hearing from you. Sylvia xxx

Good Morning/afternoon All,sorry to be late,took advantage of the extra hour and had a bit of a lie in.Have spent the rest of the morning trying to tidy this room again,why is it that everyone puts things in here just for a while to sort other rooms out and I end up sitting at the pc in a tip? Was working yesterday and then went to a Ruby wedding celebration,which was brilliant.I have been looking forward to it all year and really enjoyed it. June/Di have lots of photos to scan and have been using my digital camera, but like you Di couldn't remember everything as it was so long since I had used it.I realised what I was doing wrong to transfer my pictures to the pc.But now I am being told there is aproblem with the devise?Don't know if it is the memory card or the camerathat if damaged,I have had the photos that where on the memory card developed and that was fine,June some good ones from the last Meet in Manchester,I will try and scan them to email you.I am hoping to go to town on thursday to the main library ,which isn;t far from the Chinese and will visit the pub I ytold you about ,it is called The Old Monkey!!! Mary could have been me on the beach on my first visit,but we couldn't get of the coach on the second one,apart from running into a restaurant for morning coffee.I love Sydney ,stayed in Kings Cross on my first visit ,did not know what it was until my friends husband told us,Was at Sullivans Hotel on the second ,it was good.We walked down town most times and soaked up the atmosphere ,visited Paddys Market,Darling Harbour,and of course the Opera house and loved walking round the rocks.Hoping we can do it agin when we get to 60.or before if the lotto comes up. Sylvia,glad you enjoyed the birthday party and get something sorted for your own party.The friends who had the "big do" last night had to book the room nearly two years ago to get the date they wanted. Kathleen I think I will have to visit more records places to start getting results on the family tree again.My grandad was in the army in the first world war,but I don't know which regiment or anything,where do I start? Les lovelly to have you with us again,just add your messages when ever you can. Well have to go,Johns mother is down today from Clevellys and visiting his brothers house as his daugher and her husband have come over from Yorkshire with their new baby . We are going over when we get a call to say they have arrived,then we are going to my dads,so I had better get changed and perhaps wash my hair I had mousse and hair spray on last night but I hate it so I usually get it washed off asap. Sorry if I have not mentioned everyone,Take care Brenda

Hello all, Yesterday was a lovely day, sunny and bright and not too cold. Went to Kew to the TNA and it seems the world and his wife decided to do the same. It was very busy, a little annoying because people were not taking the little boxes to indicate which viewer they were using - you are supposed to leave it in place of the film you remove for viewing and then go to the appropriate viewer, which should be free. Not so - three times I found someone was already using it because they hadn't taken the little box with the number on. It also means that sometimes people forget where they have taken the film from thus making it difficult for the next person to find. Didn't make much progress, although I did find my Uncle, that is my Dad's younger brother, who had also joined the army at the age of 16yrs and 22days. He was found out after serving 66 days so was obviously less convincing than my Dad who got away with it for 4 months! That has given me his exact date of birth as well as an indication of when he joined the Royal Navy - which he did when thrown out of the Army. Didn't find my Dad's second attestation papers but have found that there are 4 films in all and I had only looked at two. The staff are very helpful and told me when I go again to ask them and they will help me find the correct films to look for. I came away from there with a headache and achey eyes, it did mean I didn't have time to do any other lookups but I will be going to the FRC at Islington next week. So, Mary, I should be able to find out something about your g.father from the records there. I will also be going to the LMA the same day so can check there as well. Picked up some leaflets on how to find members of the Police Force which will help. Kew is closed next Friday as there is a Public Service strike - in protest at job cuts. Saturday, did a quick trip to the local LDS Family Centre and confirmed the Registry Office to get my parents marriage certificate. Felt too tired to do any more looking there - it wasn't very busy but some of the films there are very difficult to read. The clocks go back in a few minutes now - so I am going to do the main clocks now and then go to bed. I will sort the rest out when I get up. Sleep well, will catch up with you all again tomorrow. God bless Kathleen

Hi all, It is a bit late but I don't want to go to bed or I'll wake up too early. I've been in Rotterdam all day for my sister in law's birthday. I met up with lots of nieces and nephews whom I'd not seen for years. How they've grown, especially my favourite niece's two boys of 18 and 20 and their sister of 15 - my niece died of cancer in her early forties but had suffered many chemo cures etc. and told the children she was dying and taught them cooking etc. They are such lovely young people and a credit to their mother. Their father was headmaster of a school but gave up his job for a while and only works part time now. The weather has been lovely again, but we had mist this morning. I don't like travelling when it is misty. Tomorrow we are going to the library in the town where they are selling off old library books. I dread to think how many books my husband will come home with - another bookshelf badly needs adding if there is room. After that we have an appointment to see another location for our party next year. Still cannot make up our minds. Pleased that the clocks are going back tonight, as I feel like collapsing at the moment. See you tomorrow maybe. Love, Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, It looks a bit dull at the moment but at least its dry. I hope it is going to be sunny this week because I want to go out in the country and takes some autumn photos for my Australian friend. The trees are turning those lovely autumn colours and I dont want to miss them. We have Cuerden Park near us, that is where all the protestors where when the motorways were being built. I can understand why people protested because there are some lovely walks through there and first the M6 cut through and then a few years later the M65. Anyway that is where I hope to go, weather permitting. Di, I love reading your messages, you describe things so well. I can imagine Ross saying to himself that he is glad to get out for a run, there is clutter all over the place with these repairs. I can understand the authorities keeping dogs off a beach, but they should set aside one beach for dogs, after all its cruel if they cant run wild sometimes. Lesley, nice to hear from you again, you all seem to have enjoyed your meetup, I hope you are planning another. I am waiting to hear about making cards without spending too much money, sounds intriguing (dont think I spelt that right), I have just realised that I haven't put my clocks back, so instead of it being 8.45 its 7.45, still the reason I got up was because I couldn't stop coughing and also Beckham wanted to go out. He doesn't understand about British Summer time, it is going to take a few days for him to understand. No wonder there aren't many messages on the board. Silly me. The sun is now peeping through, so it looks as though we are in for a good day. Love to Jude, Madoc and everyone, I'll see you tomorrow. Love June xx PS. I have just remembered its Saturday not Sunday so the clocks aren't wrong, glad I didn't go and alter them all. Oh the joys of old age !!

Hi everyone. I've been bust scanning photos again and I still haven't finished yet. Sylvia, Sorry your day hasn't gone to plan, mine seldom do either. I hope your granddaughter can find her passport, its a shame after she's worked so hard. Brenda, I wish I had been there with my camcorder when you were jumping up and down. You are off to another party, you are always on the go. Keep it up girl! Mary, I used to have my own kiln, Gaynor and I had a studio/shop were we had classes for both children and adults, but now I just paint as a hobby. I have one friend in an afternoon and another friend in an evening that paint as well. Then I usually play around with photos another afternoon. At the moment I'm at a standstill with my Family History, so it looks like I may have to do a bit of housework. lol Di, I haven't looked at the creative cards CD yet, I'll have to wait until I have a bit of time. I had a chuckle at the thought of you sat on the throne with the rat/mouse peeping at you. It reminds me of when I worked at the Town Hall and mice dropped in from the fluorescent lighting. Anyone would think its November the 5th here with the amount of fireworks that are being let off. I'm off now, I'll see you all tomorrow hopefully, Love June xx

Hi everybody, Oh how lovely it is to see our Di contributing to this thread again. Keep it up! I had to set the alarm clock for this morning as my hairdresser was coming at 9.00 am. It's a good thing I did, because even then I switched the thing off and lay in bed for another half an hour. I was just getting breakfast when my hairdresser 'phoned to say her mother had died and she was coming a bit later to me. I wish she had 'phoned me earlier, but she is always so good in coming to me, so it's a bit of 'give and take'. My friend and neighbour didn't want to go to the market today, and really I didn't need much, so I gave it a miss. I did, however, have to go out and get some money. I also went to my second session of phsyiotherapy. I have been feeling non too good all day, headache, diarrhoea, sickness (aftermath of my anti-'flu injection maybe), and my physiotherapist told me I shouldn't have gone to him as he won't be able to tell if he is helping me or not. I feel as though I might as well have stayed in bed! I'm not one for staying in bed, so thats that. Finished off some ironing and got the dinner, then lay down for half an hour. Di, don't you mean "Spotted Dick" pudding? Not "Spotted dog". Mary, I live in the Netherlands - since 1968 now, so have lived here longer than I have ever lived in England. Tomorrow Johan and I are going to his sisters birthday in Rotterdam. We shall meet up with other members of the family, some of whom we've not seen for a while. I had an e-mail today from my daughter's new partner Henk. He tells me has now bought Janet an overlock sewing machine. Janet's birthday was in June, but they were rebuilding their house and didn't get round to presents. I suggested to Henk on the quiet that he might like to buy Janet this machine. I knew it would cost him quite a bit of money, but on the other hand, I know he isn't poor, nor would he mind. I'm so pleased that he has taken up my advice. I'll have to ask Janet what she wants for Xmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've just heard that my granddaughter has lost her passport, more money for her to pay for another one. We're still having beautiful weather here, cold at night, sunny during the day ideal! Well will close for now, Sylvia xxx

Hello Everyone,well I really enjoyed the concert last night ,I was 21 again and would have been up dancing in the isles had there been room.I sang nearly every song with him (mostly in my head)and was screaming and shouting for more at the end ,very lady like I must say HeHE. I went for the weekly shop today ,and it took almost as long again as normal due to them re arranging the shop again. It is mostly Halloween and Bonfire night that they had things out for,but they also have lots of Christamas stuff as well. di I have looked at the card making as well and have decided to leave it this year.I will ask my freind to help as she has done some for a while now.She does hand made and computer ones as well. Mary ,have been to Manly twice now and the change in the weather each time was tremendous,first time brilliant sunshine ,second heavy rain and high winds. The second time we also got to Bondi and I have a picture of me and one of my friend being almost blown away by the wind on Bondi and we are in our shorts and vests as it was nice when we set out!! we had to buy sweaters to say warm and an umberella. Working tomorrow and out at a freinds Ruby wedding anniversary party tomorrow night ,so might not get on here until Sunday. Take care,Brenda

Hello Everyone,only on here to see my emails before going out to a concert. I am going to see Gene Pitney ,he has been one of my favourites for years,went to see him on my 21st and he gave me a kiss!!! was I in seventh heaven!!! Off work again tomorrow but will get on here sometime, So pleased you are all doing well and seemingly happy,take care brenda