General Chat

hi everyone. Will not be around for a few days - too busy!! So would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year. Love Mavis NZ

Hello all, First chance I've had to get on the computer, two sons have been monopolising it for days but for one it was all work and the other was doing all the necessary 'housekeeping' to keep it running smoothly. Nothing very exciting to tell, seem to have spent most of my time playing catch-up, am so behind with everything this year. At least I have managed to get all the windows cleaned properly and I do believe I'm winning the war against the spiders and their webs, seems as fast as I clear them those busy little creatures spin more. We have been lucky with the weather, mostly it has been quite bright although very cold and lots of frosts. Don't mind that as long as it isn't wet and windy. Most of the Christmas shopping is done, a new radiator for my car meant less money to spend on presents but I need the car so that I can do some work to earn a bit of extra cash - bit of a vicious circle really. Will be back tomorrow - or maybe I should say later today!! Goodnight for now and God bless Love Kathleen

hello everyone,i am typing this one handed ,i am holding the cat down with the other,normally he sits at the side of the monitor watching the cursor.but tonight he keeps jumping on my knee,so i am holding on to him,hence bad grammar,etc, going to be busy tomorrow,lots tp deliver and then foofstuffs to buy. you seem to be lucky with your cleaning lady sylvia. john any room for another,your meal sounds great,we will be on beef and turkey ,sprouts carrots cauiflower and dry roasted potatoes,with stuffing and maybe yorkshires ,we don't normally have dessert,no room,but i am thinking of a fresh fruit salad,will see what is available when shopping. may i take this oppourtunity to wish all of you a great christmas,love brenda

Hi everyone Where has the days gone? Christmas in three days and soon it will be 2006! Presents are stacked under the Christmas tree and no one has felt to see what's in them - strong willpower, but we do have a lot a gifts for the three of us to open. We have finally finished our Christmas present purchases and it just buying eats for Christmas Day with Gayle's family. Craig, our son, got a big cooked ham on the bone and to that we have new potatoes, a very healty coleslaw, avocado, rice salad, beetroot and carrot salad. Mouth starting to water? The dessert will possibly be fruit salad, strawberries and ice cream. For afters we will probably have plunger coffee. That's our festive meal in a nutshell. On Tuesday we will be heading to my mother's with the leftover ham for a belated Christmas dinner with her and some of my brother's family. Their eldest child is on her big OE and is presently in London for Christmas so we may get a chance to chat on phone. Craig will be texting his cousin at some stage over the next few days. If I not back on GR before Christmas - do have a happy Christmas and all the best for the new year. John

Hi everybody, Well I had my dear little help today, and she actually brought me a Xmas present. This is only the second time she has been to me! She tells me that my flat is super clean. I told her that is the way I want it to stay too. This afternoon Annemie and I went to the village and drank hot chocolate and a huge sausage-like pie. I didn't feel like anything sweet. The weather is very cold and murky so was pleased to get back home again. See you all again tomorrow. You're doing well Brenda. Haven't heard from June, I wonder if she has moved and not told us? Sylvia xxx

Well Sylvia ,two out of three isn't bad,I have been wrapping presents and writting cards.Don't make many mince pies these days and will do them on Saturday. Only have three presents to wrap now and will do them on Thursday when I have the house to my self and will not get spied on(they are for John and david) Will also deliver the presents for my nephews and neices on Thursday and hopefully get most of my shopping,then a few fresh things on christmas eve. Have to check something before bed ,so I will say goodnight.

Hi everybody, So I'm the first on here today and it is past 8.00 pm. I wonder what you are all doing. I picture you all wrapping presents, writing cards and some making mince pies. That is all behind me now so I have time. In fact, I said to Johan shall we go and see where Linda works on Thursday as we don't have anything else planned and Linda would like us to see where she works (Linda, granddaughter). Tomorrow I have my help for 3 hours and then in the afternoon going to drink coffee in the village with my neighbour Annemie (we were going today but Annemie called it off). On Friday I have the market - on my own. I don't really need much but have promised my hairdresser to get her a piece of cheese so must go. The weather is so dull and grey. How nice it would be to see a blue sky. Now have a nice evening whatever you are all doing. Sylvia xxx

Hello everyone,looks like everyone is still busy doing things for christmas ,which is what I should be doing,need more wrapping paper as I have used all what I had,everything needed more paper than I thought as althougth in boxes and some were books,they wasted alot of paper from the roll. Dad has not been well this week end with his arthritis so we have been going over to him but he still insists he does not need help.!!!! Might try and get an early night as was working till 8pm and on again at 9am,luckily have done a lot of ironing this morning so not worries there. Speak to you all soon Brenda

Hi everybody, Well life is feeling better now as my Xmas cake is finished, all ready to be eaten. I put the marzipan on yesterday and iced it today. Ok, I know I should have left it a week between marzipan and icing, but not much time left now, and cannot leave everything until the end of the week. Tomorrow my pedicurist is coming to do my tootsies, must have good feet for Xmas! After that Annemie, my neighbour, and I are going to town/village to drink coffee together as we've not seen much of each other lately and she is going away on Friday for Xmas in Germany. My granddaughter Linda has a free day tomorrow and is coming round. Not much news really. The weather is cold and bright, but should be getting warmer. So no white Xmas. Well who wants snow anyway! See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone. What a lovely surprise Fred when I looked in my mail box. What a delightful little cottage! Many thanks - very thoughtful of you. Good to see the snow - we never have any in this area. It is so hot and humid still - maybe some snow would be nice!!!! We have been out again tonight to follow the christmas light trail. It is pretty good but not as spectacular as last year. Out for lunch today at the Cosmopolitan Club. 80 senior citizens - the club give a subsidised meal each year. Very good. Real Christmas Fayre with as much free wine as you like!! Tomorrow morning is our Probus Club wind up meeting for the year. We will be having a sing song of Christmas Carols and maybe even dancing in the aisles!! All the ladies are taking a small plate of Christmas Goodies - with 150 members we should have a good spread! Took loads of photos at the luncheon today - they look good on the screen but when I printed one off it was so dark. Tomorrow I will have to see what I can do to lighten them. Bit dissapointing really. But then I am no David Bailey!! All for tonight - talk to you soon. Mavis NZ

Hi sylvia Glad to hear that the pastry is okay,if you find it's a bit rich with all butter ,use half and half with a good marge,ideal for a meat pie,whereas the rich is ideal for fruit fillings.i came on actually to ask [politely'for Trudy to CHECK,your email lady,there is a card waiting for you lol,well ,i couldn't leave those in new zealand out could i. Seriously Trudy,if it hasn't come through.i have tried twice and i sent it early in case you are going away over the festive season,so if it isn't there your addy must be wrong ,and in that case ,can you please send it again.ta muchly . have the tea on early today cause the missus iswathing soaps this evening so i am going to put a film on the puter ,ans won't be on till around eight,by which time some of you will be in bed,and some won't be up lol. looks like you and me tonight Sylvia so i hope you have a bit of card writing to do ,or a good film to watch,see ya all later.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everybody, Nobody at home today? Yes, I am. I have been baking bread, two 9-cereal and still have a white one to make before I go out tonight. I had an unexpected present today from a friend in Finland. I hadn't heard from her for a year, so never sent her a present this year. I will have to send something in the new year. I did send a card, but didn't like to risk sending a present in case she had gone back to the uk or something else. I also had a lovely letter from an ex-colleague of mine, a writer, editor. He is in his fifties and a short while ago met this teacher in France and married her, and prompt a baby. Now he tells me they are expecting their second. He is a lovely fellow, but very eccentric. It is a pity that their children will never know young parents. He writes for magazines and also writes music for the church - Russian Orthodox Church. That is what Xmas is all about - surprises for me. Must get us something to eat now., See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, Well today Johan and I visited our youngest daughter Susan and took their Xmas presents. I like going there as it is the village where we used to live - for 20 years - and can see all the changes that have been made. There was a gale force wind blowing and very cold, but dry. I've been trying to think what else I have been doing today, and apart from visiting a shop have done nothing. Help, what a waste of time! At this time of year our national and local newspapers have lots of puzzles with goodies to win. I have won several things. In fact last year I won something but it wasn't worth picking up so I left it. Now if it was a holiday in the sun then I'd take it! Did I tell you Fred that the pastry turned out fine. I used all butter, and the butter was of the best quality. I have another butter in the house but it is only suitable for frying, gives off too much moisture. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Just a quick hello tonight as I am off to my mates for a little christmas get together with my girlfriends.There are 8 of us who worked with each other on and off for over 30 years ,mostly retired but still in touch.We go out for each others birthdays and have a get together at my friends house in early December,we are abit late with this one. I am trying to wrap up a couple of presents ,was going to do it last night but put them in such a safe place i couldn't find them LOL.Found them now so need to wrap them,then have a bath and put my informal glad rags on. Working tomorrow so can not have too many drinkies.But will enjoy myself whether or not I have a drink. See you tomorrow. Brenda

Hi peeps,and Sylvia,i don't know ,wat you like, even picking fights with your mixer,but ,as Brenda says ,you need to take care with the cut,there are some nasty bugs kicking about these days. You need to have a good look at your mixer too, there should be no sharp places on blades or hooks,so you may need to find some new ones ,or if it's a new one ,complain to the makers and ask for a free replacement,after all ,it is not in their interest to sell defective goods to the public. If you get too down Brenda,you are more than welcome here ,maybe you need a change for a few days ,and we arn't that far apart,only two hours down the road,as the christmas crow flys. Iv'e just been telling my hedgehog off on the other thread ,and lo and behold iv'e just seen it scamper across the garden into the kale ,so i suppose he has a hidy hole there somewhere,i did wonder because a load of straw that i put out has gone,so there is a warm nest somewhere close by. Time now to take the missus her breakfast ,then ,it's off to pick up the daughter for the last of the christmas shopping.see you all later on i expect .Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hello everyone, Kathleen,you are not the only one who has trouble finding and getting on here these days.I have given up getting everything just so for christmas.noone comes here they all go to dads,johns rellis stay at home as they have grandchildren and his mother is in Spain. June,hope you have good news soon about the move,glad your feeling better.I will let you have John and David when they have done mine,its not done yet ,they are making noises already about things they must do outside on sunday. Mavis whata wonderful thing to find your relli with so much knowledge,like an early christmas present. Sylvia,do be careful with your baking,little things like that cut can turn nasty. Fred glad you are waiting fot your son,we had to get the delivery men to do ours it was so heavy. take care Brenda

Hi everybody, Well I went to the physio today and got there early around 12.10 pm. The physio kept me waiting until 12.45 pm. I could hear all the physios laughing and talking so I was getting more and more frustrated. When she eventually called me in I said 'I was just going home as I thought I had the wrong day'. Well, that put us on a good footing. I couldn't say anything good any more, nor she to me. We are after all paying these physios and they keep us waiting - yes, I'm still annoyed. On the way home I did some shopping and faced a gale force wind whilst on my scootmobile. Good job I've got a few extra kilos otherwise I might have flown away! I decided to bake some mince pies this afternoon. I had to do it today as tomorrow Johan and I are going to our youngest daughter and I want to take her some. My children love mince pies but I am the only one who bakes them. I cut my finger rather badly on my mixer - on the blade, blood everywhere. It is even difficult to type with all the packing I have on my finger. This is what you get when you try to do too many things at the same time! I also did some ironing inbetween which I didn't get round to yesterday. My neighbour from the third floor came down to invite us upstairs on Saturday evening. Nice, of course, we'll go. Her husband is also into genealogy! Well will close for now. See you tomorrow. Oh June, I feel for you still not having a date to move. How is Beckham? Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been around for ages, I feel everyone must be bored stiff with my house move. We still haven't agreed on a date! Also my grandson is back with us, my daughter went over to Denmark to help clear the flat. I have had a type of flu, thank goodness I had had my flu jab, now to crown it all, my daughter is in agony with toothache. The dentist, after a lot of pleading will see her this afternoon. She is registered with him but that didn't seem to make a difference. I have a lovely newsy email from Elisabeth this morning, I expect most of you will have had one too. It was lovely to hear from her and find out all her news. Kathleen, Dont work too hard , the windows will wait, after all people will be busy looking at you decorations not your windows. Brenda, I hope your dad is well, could you send John and David down to help with my cleaning, please Sylvia, your bread sounds lovely, we haven't even thought of buying Christmas food yet Mavis, I was going to ask for some sunshine but it sounds as though you have run out at the moment, lol Fred, we may be dropping in on you for Christmas Dinner, lol I will take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I dont long how long I will still be on line, on the other hand, I may be still here until after New Year. Take care everyone. June xx

Hi everyone. Bad weather here again today. Hope it gets better for Christmas Day. Had a lovely surprise today - received a card from a lady I worked with in the UK 14 years ago and she now has email. Will be great to keep in touch. Lovely caring person. My daughter popped in for morning tea today with her foster baby. We will be looking after him all day tomorrow. He is no trouble so jobs can still be done. Fred, I would like your Christmas Pudding recipe please. Sounds good and easy. I haven't made the soup yet - it has been too hot and humid to enjoy soup! Had contact from a relation of my mothers who I have never heard of. He has today sent me a family tree with all my mothers family on. My mother was one of 13 children and I didn't know a lot of the names - now I do. Isn't the internet wonderful? Thank you to GR. Must go now so goodnight to everyone. Mavis NZ

Hello all - at last I have been able to read all the messages, it is sometimes so difficult to get on this thread. Does anyone else have this problem? It takes so long and I find I often have to give up - it's so frustrating. My preparations for Christmas are all behind, I haven't even finished my cards. Have a few presents but still loads to do. Hopefully the weather will stay dry long enough for me to get all the windows cleaned so that I can think of putting up the decorations. I want to move all the furniture round, don't do that as often these days it's too tiring - no stamina that's my problem!! Have been feeling a bit down in the dumps lately, think it's everything catching up on me - will be quite pleased to start a New Year as this one has been a bit wearing. Still, hopefully that is all behind us now. I had a bit of a cold which has now turned into an irritating cough but it isn't too bad just annoying. Went to my daughter's in Solihull for my second g.son's 21st birthday party. Had a great time, hardly seems anytime since her two boys were babies and now both are over 21 - how time flies!! It was to be all the family but three of my sons were called into work which was a bit disappointing . My eyes are feeling rather tired and sore now so will have to wait until next time to write more. Meantime I hope you all keep well, June I hope you get good news very soon about your move. Goodnight & God bless Love Kathleen