General Chat

Hello my darlings :-) Yes June was moving - so I am looking after the birthdays for her :-) I get very upset at New Year - especially when I hear bagpipes - my dad was a piper - and of course you cant avoid them! BUT I will be chatting to Australia - this is the time my David gets very homesick - again when he hears the pipes. (soppy family or what!) but Miss Isobel will have been up to some mischief and trying to get her Granny She on side and if that doesnt work she asks for her granda lol Hope you all have a peaceful New Year xx

I have been off work to day ,but was up just as early to get some washing out of the way.Then went to the bank to pay something in .had a look at some sales in the local shops ,bought a lovelly cuddle robe towel for a friends daughter who is having her first baby any time now. Then went to the supermarket ,you would have thought we were going under seige!!!Couldn't get down some of the isles,and I for got to go back for some items when I could not get down at first,so we have not got any sugar ,which I will get tomorrow from the little shop near work,its not for me ,its for the men to have with their cereal. Then came home to finsh of cleaning the cooker,John did help otherwise I would still be there,I have to unscrew the glass panels on the doors ,take out the self cleaning lings !!! but being 5'2' I cannot reach into the back of the oven and grill,(It's a built in oven) Nice to see everyone popping in when they can Working all day tomorrow hope its more festive than last year.or I might have to start saving my annual leave to have time off. Take care Brenda,

Hi everybody, Well the thaw has set in here but this is only temporary, so they say, as we're going to get colder weather again. Oh well, have to keep the winter woollies on for a bit longer I suppose. I seem to live in an old pair of woollen trousers and jumper. Daren't do this tomorrow when our daughters come round though or I'll be in for it. I have to dress like a 30 year old again, even though I'm cold. Must put up the heating before they come. My neighbours daughter, husband and small child couldn't fly back to France because not many planes were taking off from Schiphol due to the bad weather. They arrived at Schiphol and had to return here. Her mother had already put everything away - toys, bedding etc. and had to get it all out again. Isn't it nice to have our family back again, Jude, Di, Brenda, Fred, June, and all the others which my memory has temporarily blanked out. May it stay this way. I'm pleased to hear that June has finally moved. June, if you are looking in, drop everything and take a drink for the New Year, you've deserved it gal. Now A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, A Happy New Year to you all, near and far. Hi Bill, surprise, suprise: nice to see you back with the 'family' too. See you all next year. Love, Di.xxx

A Happy New Year to all FNWs, pats for Beckham, Morgan but not snuffles Fred! May 2006 bring many rich blessings. Cheers JA

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE Wherever you are may this year bring health, happiness and peace to all. Have not been feeling up to par lately but it's getting better now, thank you to all of you who have sent me messages, cards, e-cards and e-mails. I will be getting in touch with you all very soon I promise, I can only say for now that they were all much appreciated and had a lot to do with helping me to feel better. It is so nice to see some familiar names returning to this thread, please keep popping in. God bless Love Kathleen

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL<may it bring you all you wish for. loveto everyone,Brenda

Greetings to all the Friends and Neighbours! I wish you all the very best of health and happiness and the most peaceful 2006. Love Elisabeth xx

Hi everyone. A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all. Fred - I made your 10 minutes Christmas Pud - it was delicious and my guests thought it was great. Thank goodness we can get back to some normality - too much food, too much grog and not enough sleep! Had our Roast Turkey Dinner today for 11 guests - the weather had turned really hot and I nearly melted. With the turkey we had roast pot's, roast pumpkin, roast kumera, peas, brussel sprouts, carrots and runner beans from the Garden. The first real picking of beans this summer - will have beans every day now!! Had all the usual trimmings. We then had Strawberry Pavlova, strawberries and cream. Fred's Christ. Pud, Trifle and mince pies. Finished with a delightful cup of coffee. I escaped clearing the dishes and rinsing for the dishwasher by taking the youngest guest Sleyd 7 months, for a walk in the buggy!! I had a lovely 1/2 an hour on my own. Pip and his niece (haven't seen each other for 30 years) had a great time this evening discussing family members and looking at old photo's. Lots of medals gained by Pip's Grandfather . Old Mess Cards, Old photo's of Pip's Grandmother and her family in South Africa. So much history contained in those little boxes that the relatives leave behind. We will be eating out with them tomorrow before they leave for Home - England. Must go now - I am sooooooooooo tired after today's activities. Take care everyone as you step into 2006. Mavis NZ

Hope you all enjoyed your new year celebrations whatever you did. I had my dad round to dinner which is a celebration in its self,he hardly goes to anyone these days. We had a lovely meal if I say so myself .anda little glass of wine and a nice chat and cuppa afterwards. He did not stay very long but it was lovelly to have him here. Johns mother is on holiday in Benedorm,so we will be writing her a nice letter tomorrow,she phoned us on Friday,to wish us a happy new year. Mavis not heard of some of the veggies you mentioned but they sound great.no wonder you went for that walk. Elizabeth,lovelly to hear from you ,drop in any time to browse or leave a message if you feel like. Not sure what we are doing tomorrow,so not sure if I will get on here.LOve Brenda

Hi every, Well a belated happy New Year from me, last but not least, and better late than never are words which come to mind. I've no reason for being late, just didn't get round to posting that's all. Honest Joe, that's me! Well I have friends coming for lunch tomorrow and as usual Johan, my dear handyman, has had the sitting room upside down. Records, CD's all over the sitting room floor. He has been putting a new cable on the television. Could have done it a couple of weeks ago, but didn't. It is always the same, just before Xmas, a birthday, or just friends coming, things have to be turned upside down. Moan, moan, moan, but I think I have cause to. I don't think I'll ever get used to it. People tell me that it is nice that Johan is so handy, but I doubt it sometimes. Well must get some dinner ready now. Sylvia xxx

Hi everybody, Nice to see so many old faces here, meaning that in the familiar sense, not wrinkled! Sylvia, my handyman not only leaves things all over the place, the words, 'Where's my...........?' echoes continuously when he's working, and many of his projects in the past have ended in chaos, and eventually rolling on the floor laughter. I could write a book! So far so good this session and the kitchen floor looks fantastic. Mavis, your meal sounds fantastic, and definitely needs to be followed by a few days of vigorous jogging. Good to see you, Kathleen and Elisabeth, and hope this year will be good to you both, better than the last couple were. I hope Fred and Liz are feeling better now. Fred has sent me his Xmas pud recipe and I'm looking forward to trying it. Also sent me some soup and other recipes which I must study today; it's been so chaotic around here the past few days, I haven't had a chance to do anything much, except keep out of the way as much as possible, but stand by in case I'm needed. I'm now going to have a quiet day, knitting, reading and sorting out some of my genealogy notes, to refresh my mind about the families; which is which and who belongs to who. After a while I start to get them all confused! I'm hoping my stove will be back in operation, as I'm getting tired of store bought pies and quiche and samosas. Want a nice smothered steak today. Here's to another successful year ahead for FNW, Brenda. Love, Di in Tis Was.xxx

I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed your presents. Do have a happy new year, just notice Bill has popped in too. John

Good evening everyone,well it was back to 'normallity ' today . Was in a right rush this morning couldn't find things where I had put them on Saturday and then remembered that I had help in the tidying up over the weekend and have no idea where things have been put,but as I did get some help I suppose I should not grumble. Di I have been trying to make sense of some of my family notes all weekend Ihave an idea I might have got a couple of wire crossed.Hope not as a lot of research might have been done in vain. Have to send a few emails tonight so can not stya long as i also have ironing to do. Take care Brenda

Hi all, Well last night my daughter, her partner and our grandchildren turned up, so it was coffee, tea, drinks etc. This morning we had friends for coffee and lunch and they were just about to go when my ex son in law turned up with his new wife. It's been a day of non stop tea, coffee, etc. Anyway it's nice that everybody still wants to come and see us. I've asked my granddaughter to come and eat with us on Thursday, as she put on her Xmas card that she misses us and it would be nice if she could eat here more often. Of course she can! We're going to take the Xmas tree down tomorrow so that my help can vacuum the floor where the tree has been. I've asked my help to come on Friday next week, as Wednesday is my birthday and cannot have her cleaning when I have visitors. I always come up for air after my birthday! We've had a lovely dry sunny day today but quite a frost at night. Lovely to see you're staying with us Di. I wonder how June and Beckham are getting on. Looking forward to hearing from her. Poor Brenda, back to reality and work again after the holidays. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi Wasn't going to come on here this morning as I have been sorting out a cupboard in the dining room,so i could put what I didnot want into the bin to be taken away today,(it is bin day here).However I needed to get an email of to a friend who is easier to contact via email at work.So I have come on just to see who is about and say hi. Not sure if I will be here tonight working 12.30 til 8pm so more likely tomorrow, LOve Brenda

Hi all, I've got an 'off' day today as I couldn't sleep. I am already worrying about my birthday next week when I get Johan's family, what's left of them, for coffee, then soup and rolls and in the evening my daughter, her partner, my granddaughter for dinner. In the evening my youngest daughter and her husband and the neighbours. It is all the shopping and not knowing what to cook what is bothering me. How on earth did I cope when I worked, did all the shopping with my bicycle and had far more people to dinner? It must be my age telling on me. I have to do the shopping tomorrow and Friday as I have other appointments to attend to. I also have to bake cakes for by the coffee. God give me the strength! Nice to see you Brenda. You certainly work long hours. Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia, Brenda and John in NZ, and where are all you others? Still sleeping off the New Year celebrations? Sylvia, I don't know how you cope with all that cooking and entertaining. Cooking for 6 on Christmas day just about did me in, and I'm not alone, because all our friends who still live locally and/or are still alive, now visit with each other by meeting for lunches in pubs or restaurants, often just starting out at each others' houses for drinks. You must have a very calm, stoic personality and an abundance of energy. Getting the kitchen floor renewed inspired me to reorganise things a bit, and dispense with a few items to make more counter space, and reading Brenda's message has now inspired me to set to work on the cupboards throughout and do a little minimalising-I think I'm a bit of a pack rat, as well as being a garage sale addict., and at my age I think it's time to become a minimalist. Think we'll have a garage sale in the spring and then dump the rest at the thrift store. A belated happy new year to you John in NZ. I guess you're all basking in sunshine. It was sunny here this morning, but of course the cold has returned with it. At least it's stopped raining, just hope we don't get snow; rare occurence here in Tis Was! Have a good day or evening all, and look forward to seeing Bill, Jude, Kathleen, Elisabeth, Fred and She, as well as others again soon. Love, Di.xxx

Had to check something so popped on to say ,night night sleep tight ,for those going to bed and have a good day to those just getting up,Love Brenda

Hi everyone, Di, I have to agree with you reading about Sylvia's activities makes me wonder where she finds the energy, I can feel tired just thinking about it!! My excuse is I am a few years older :-( At least John gets on with the job and finishes it, I am still waiting to get my kitchen finished off - yes it's still only half painted!! Brenda you seem to work quite long hours sometimes, but if you enjoy the job it makes the time go faster. I do hope June (and Beckham) are settling into the new house, must have been quite an upheaval at Christmas time but after waiting so long they must all be feeling happier. It will be good to see her back here again. Nice to see Jude (and mad dog Madoc), hope you will pop in again soon Jude. John and Mavis, good to read about your different Christmas menus, it all sounds very appetising. Some of the fruit and veg sounds intriguing - things we don't get in this country. Fred and Liz, I hope you are enjoying a bit of a rest after all your hard work in the garden and over the Christmas - all that cooking!! Bill good to see you dropping in again. Chat to you soon. Elisabeth, I will be writing to you. Nice to see you on here, hope you will pop in again. Time to go now. My apologies if I have missed anyone but I have read all the messages and love to hear all about your activities. Goodnight & God bless Love Kathleen