General Chat

Hi everyone. Wow - good to have a break from all the cooking and eating!! Went to Valentines Restaurant in Tauranga two nights ago for tea. A lovely Smorgasboard - loads to chose from but I always seem to home in on the Sea Food - particularly the prawns. Pip is a roast meat and three veg. person. It was a farewell 'do' for Pip's niece and her husband before they fly back to the U.K. We will miss them. Tomorrow we have two of our grandsons coming for the weekend - 12 and 16 years. Good age - can occupy themselves. If the weather is still nice and sunny we will walk to the beach. We have a lovely white sandy beach 15 mins. walk away. Never crowded. Will have to go shopping in the morning to stock up with food for the hungry teenagers! Sylvia - you seem to be so busy all the time - you must have lots of energy! June - do hope you have settled in your new home O.K. Look forward to hearing your news. It is good to read everybodies news. Maybe I am just nosy!! I don't think so, just interested. Will say goodnight for now. Mavis NZ

Had a very busy day off today,got up a little later than normal,was just about to have my breakfast when I realised it wasthe paper bin/tin can bag day today.So had to rush round and get them out on the pavement as they can be picked up anytime between 7.30 am and 4pm.Our council have brought in these new bins for us ,we now have four ,normal rubbish black bin,every Wednesday.Waste paper blue bin /tins cans white plastic bag every other Thursday ,starting today .Glass bottles/ jars brown bin every other Monday starting a week on Monday.Garden rubbish green bin every other Monday starting next Monday After that, sorted out some washing and put on the washer. Went to the hairdresser to have haircut. Came home emptied washer put some items in dryer some on hangers round dining room. Go out to meet my sister to go to bedding outlet ,for some sale items,did very well so did my sister. Was going to a new supermarket after lunch but my sister wasn't well ,so I came back home and went to local supermarket ,get a couple of more bargains at shops near supermarket and another in the supermarket.So all in all a good day. That was until I realised The tuna I was going to cook for tea was still frozen solid and would not be ready in time.I had to use some chops that I had bought fresh and hadn't yet put in the freezer.So all was not lost. Have just got to iron a pair of trousers for work tomorrowand then I am off to bed wirh my book and a cup of hot chocolate. Night night Brenda

Hi Brenda, Kathleen & Mavis, A quick message before Coronation Street comes on. Can't miss that, although it's all rather depressing at the minute. We're months behind you, so Cilla (the mouth) and Les (the layabout) have just returned from Spain, and the saga of Ian & Sally still continues, (is she completely bananas?). Then there's the Angela in gaol situation;will they never let her out? Exciting evening here with the Canadian junior hockey team winnning the gold. I bet the town is going crazy at the minute. Glad I'm not down there! I'm not a regular sports fan, but whenever we have a sporting team of any kind in the finals, I like to watch them win! Hope you're okay Sylvia. It's not often you miss a day. I hope June has settled into her new home. What a time to move, winter; and Christmas at that!! Look forward to seeing you back and hearing all about it. Brenda, you had a busy day today. We too have separate bins for cans, glass and plastic, and platic bags, blue for newspapers and yellow for other paper. The garbage men often don't think about the fact that the wind could blow the empty bags away, so they're forever getting lost, and they always seem to manage to leave a little garbage behind, on the driveway or on the road! I had a very lazy day today. Got up at about 10.30, took Rossi out to the park, picked up pet food, made oven baked fries, baked beans, grilled bacon and eggs for lunch, then watched the hockey. Then I made a smoked salmon and Ricotta spread with capers, for open sandwiches for tea. Delicious! John, the open sandwich specialist heartily approved. Kathleen, are you still sleeping well at night in your new bed, or are you still a night owl on the computer? Sounds like you'll have to do a little whip cracking around your sons, to get the kitchen finished. I hope Susan is doing well. And how is Indira? Mavis, how long have you been in NZ, or were you born there. I was assuming not as you mention UK relatives. Hi everyone else not present. Hope to see you all again soon. Now I'm off to do a little knitting and watch a little telly. Then I'm off to bed with a good book. Goodnight all, and God bless. Love, Di in Tsawwassen.xxx PS. Isn't Crista's baby beautiful?

Hello everyone. Di - we have been in NZ 12 years this month. We came from Hampshire. I was born in Godstone, Surrey and Pip was born in Tidworth, Hampshire. My daughter married a Kiwi - we came on holiday 6/7 times and decided we would like to retire here. We love the warmer weather. Been busy today - took youngest grandson to the shops - wanted to spend his pocket money. Bought a kite, so when we got home we spent an hour or two flying the kite. It was nice and windy so it went well. Then had tea - crumpets with butter and grated cheese. Yummy. Then doughnuts with cinnamon sugar and a chocolate dip. I really will need to get some exercise!! I keep telling myself that you always get 'larger' as you get older!! Do I believe myself - no!!! Goodnight again. Mavis NZ

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yes I have moved at last, but that solicitor 'played delaying tactics' right to the end. On the Tuesday he had let the completion go through for the house that my buyer was selling. Then the buyer arrived at my house with all his furniture but his solicitor hadn't got together all the money for my house, and they missed the Banking times. They were sat outside with all the furniture, I was inside with all my furniture packed ready for going but couldn't move. At 4.45p.m., my solicitor rang to say that she had got licence for us to move, and the money would exchange hands on the Wednesday. ( That solicitor was even late transferring the money then) My pleasure was shortlived as I then found out that the removal firm that was moving us, had taken on another job, thinking that we wouldn't be moving on the Tuesday. We managed to get another removal firm but they got held up. The man who owned the removal van that had been outside most of the day came forward and offered to bring another small van to move our downstairs furniture, so that he could move the buyers furniture into the downstairs rooms, Then they moved our bedroom furniture, so at 9.50p.m. we moved. Talk about a moonlight flit, lol It must have spoilt the neighbours fun, not seeing the furniture come in and out in the dark.! Di and Jude, its so lovely to hear from you again. Elisabeth, thankyou for your very newsy email, I will reply shortly. Sorry everyone, I now have yet more boxes to unpack. Take care. Love June xx

Hi All,June so glad you have finally made your move,hope all is plain sailing from now on in. It's great to have you back on line,we have missed you.How did the dogs take to the new house? and the tortoise. Di ,was really tired after all the comings and goings yesterday,had a pretty busy day in work to day as well,so really tired tonight with a headache to boot as well.Just feel really off,hope I haven't picked up the bug David had over the new year.Not in work tomorrow neither are John or david ,so we should get a lie in. Mavis never thought of cheese on crumpets,will try that over the weekend as we have some crumpets in at the moment.Flying a kite sounds very energetic to me!!! Kathleen,I have a bag full of wall paper bought 2 years ago to do the dining room,it is still not done,have told John it has to be done this year,but I have gone of the paper now and want some more,which is causing ,'whats wrong with that ,why buy more' will use the paper some where else eventually. Going to have a painkiller and a cuppa now .to try and get rid of the headache. Speak to you all soon,Brenda

Hi everybody, Here I am, alive and kicking. I went out on my scootmobile today to the market but underestimated the cold. Yes, it was just as cold as yesterday and I was glad to get home again. My hairdresser came at lunchtime, so looking nice and tidy again. This afternoon I baked a dutch apple tart, which involves quite a bit of work, so that's ready for the freezer. This thread is just like old times again isn't it. If I mentioned some names I am sure I will forget somebody, so I had better not mention any. But there are those whom we've not seen around for a long time. Welcome back boys and girls, we're glad to have you. I got to the market today and went to buy some cashew nuts and found I'd forgotten my purse. Oh, that's a long way back again to my house! I was fortunate that I have a pocket in a bag of mine and keep a credit card in there so I could pin some money. It was a bit awkward coping with the small change but I managed. Shan't do that again, or will I? Fancy that, it is almost 11.30 pm, oh where do the hours go to? Will see you all tomorrow. I know I won't be the first, but I hope not the last either. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, June it is lovely to see you again. it sounds as though you have had a very stressful time lately with your move. Hope you'll soon be happily settled in, and back with Friends regularly. Are you still living in the same area, or moved to a new town? We've just got back from one of our very infrequent trips to downtown. John wanted to take a look at a home renovation he designed while it's still in the early stages. This is a small, older house in an older area of Vancouver,which is currently being spiffed up ( or tarted up). The neighbourhood stores are gradually going more upmarket, and many of the houses are following suit. This one had one floor with very small rooms and a rented out suitedownstairs which would only suit a person of about 5'.!! So John designed an extra floor upstairs to accomodate bedrooms and bathroom, and the main floor has been totally gutted and a large living room and kitchen and diner is going in.We've been invited back to have a wee dram with them when it's finished in about 2 months time. I love all the design shows on H&G on TV, especially the English ones. The 2 fellows who buy and renovate homes, building up to a 1,000,000 sale, and the one with the couple who have to choose one of 3 hot properties and guess the price to win it. But my favorite is the fellow who advises people how to make their home saleable. He is so rude at times! Anyway after that we went to Ikea to get 2 mats for the kitchen, by sink and stove, as advised on the tile package, and then to the restaurant there, but it was like a zoo in there so went on and found a quiet restaurant, where I hadmy favorite Thai Chicken salad, and John had a chickenburger and...(don't tellthe heart specialist), fries. John has an appointment with him Monday, toget the results of his pre Christmas stress tests. Then we headed speedily back down the busy freeway, and out of the tunnel onto the lovely Delta flats and home to peaceful, civilised Tsawwassen! Now I'm going to spend the evening vegetating by the fire with a good book my knitting. I hope your headache has gone by now Brenda, and that you've enjoyed your lie in. I'm from the south too Mavis. Grew up in Brighton and went to college and taught in Pompey. Most of my relatives are now spread along the coast from Hove to Portsmouth. Used to love crumpets, and could get them here, but haven't seen any lately. Must look out for some. Sylvia, join our gang. John and I haven't got one good head between the pair of us. Don't know how we manage to find our way home. lol.. Must go. Love to you all, Di in dreary Tis Was (but the sun did peep through briefly)xxx

Hi everyone, Its very cold here again. Di, I have only moved about half a mile away. My daughter, son in law and 2 grownup grandchildren have all moved in together. We have liked the look of this house for years, it was a 3 bed semi with a lot of land, the owners built on another 3 bed semi, so it now has 6 bedrooms and 2 lounges plus the usual. We use 5 bedrooms and the other one as a computer room with a sofa, television etc for the grandchildren. It means we can all get away from each other if we want to. Beckham and Bonnie love it, they have a large garden to run about in, the first thing that my s i l did, was make it safe for them. Tortoise is still fast asleep, she will wonder where she is , when she wakes up in the spring. Sylvia, I am in your club too, I find I forget thimgs a lot these days, I walk into another room and wonder what I went in for. Brenda, I hope you have made a resolution to slow down a bit. How is your dad these days? Yesterday , I unpacked another 3 boxes, so I am gradually getting there. I just hope I can remember where I have put everything. lol I think I had better go and check on my granddaughter, I gave her a call at 7.30 but she hasn't made an appearance yet, its now 8.13 and she has to be at work for 9. So see you all tomorrow. Take care everyone. June xx

Hi everybody, Well I was up very late this morning. I was in fact awake, but kept waiting for Johan to bring me my cup of tea, but he was late too. We had breakfast around 10.00. This is what winter does to you. It is so dark and cold that you think it is the middle of the night. Anyway after breakfast I got moving and started off with a washing full of white washing. I then baked a fat=free sponge cake, which I have frozen in and will take out next week and fill with whipped cream and tart filling. I have also made a batch of small cakes with cranberries in. Delicious. I have frozen some in otherwise they'll be gone in no time. So pleased to hear that you are settling in ok June. When Johan and I moved here we had boxes for weeks in our sitting room. We unpacked gradually. We always said so long as we have a bed to sleep and a place to cook we're ok. Have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi all, Yes, its me again. I see I am the first to add to this thread today. Today it is dark, dismal and depressing weather. Can anybody add to this three 'ds'? I have to make a card for new grandparents today, but otherwise am free to potter around - lovely! Now everybody have a lovely, peaceful Sunday. Hey, Fred, where are you - not camping I hope! Sylvia xxx

how about Damp,Disgusting and dirty Sylvia? i can think of a few more too lol.,Fred is recovering from his shopping trip from darkest santa land and the goodies are hiddden upstairs till next december.nothing othe to report seeing as i wrote my missif on the other thread today,i am off now to do some housework before that stick comes out of the corner,see ya all later.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, It looks as though the rain has stopped, might even turn out to be a lighter, brighter day. So depressing when it is dark and dismal all day. Di, I am sleeping much better though not at all last night - I gave up just before 6 this morning and got up. Chris was getting ready for work so I made some tea and then came on here to catch up on some things I needed to do. Not too many nights like that these days but I do tend to be here quite late, not last night though I was tired so went to bed and read for a short while. Eyes drooping so settled down to sleep - only to become wide awake and sleep just eluded me. I shall probably fall asleep if I sit to watch a TV programme this afternoon. Brenda, I also have wallpaper bought to do the hall and stairs at least three years ago. They did paint over the existing paper though so I suppose something was achieved. The bin men are outside - so embarrasing - they are emptying all the bottles collected over Christmas. Mind you it is a month since they last called and it does include empty pickle jars etc. The box was full. June, pleased to hear you finally managed to move into the new house. What a nightmare that must have been. Still all's well that ends well. I hope you have many happy years there. Sylvia, quite recently I went shopping and stopped to put petrol in my car first - only to find I had forgotten to put my purse back in my bag. Just had to go in and tell the cashier prepared to hand over my keys until I got back with the money. However she said 'No problem, we have your reg.No. just give me your name and address, sign this and bring the money back within 48 hours' I was back in 15 minutes and very grateful that I had not had to walk home and back again. That was our local Tesco. Fred, do you really mean you have done your Christmas shopping for this year already? You are so well organised - my intentions are good but it never works out according to plan, I get sidetracked all too easily I'm afraid. Mavis, crumpets with cheese, I must try that instead of strawberry jam. After years of trying to put on weight I now find myself wanting to lose a little, especially around my middle. It sounds as though you have the best of both, lovely countryside and close to the beach.. Surrey is getting very urbanised now though there are still a few places left that have not been spoiled by large office blocks and motorways. My apologies if I have missed anyone, I don't think my brain is fully functioning today. It has taken me ages to type this, stopped to make tea, draw back curtains, turn off lights. I think I started about an hour ago. I am getting impatient, one of my Christmas presents was 5 certificates which I desperately need to continue my research. The requests were only posted last Wednesday and I am watching for the postman each day although I know it is too soon for them to arrive yet. Hope you all enjoy a good day God bless Love Kathleen

Morning all.Just in from getting the grandsons car into the garage,and have now an hour before going to pick it up again. The crumpets are lovely with cheese ,and even better with a little marmite spread on before the cheese,they then melt together, looooverly. I havn't got all the shopping done peeps,just a few items that are down in price,Liz will have me in the shops a couple of times a month now until we have everything in.it is so much better i suppose than leaving it all 'till the last minute. The weather is canny this morning ,so Liz has done the lads washing ,ready for him to pack for the journey back to camp,and from there direct to the gulf.where he will spend the next few months enjoying the heat and coastal waters while off duty [ lucky fella.].oh to be young again.lol. I have the soup recipie ready to send so i think i had better go to it before i forget ,see you all later ,Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi all, What a lot of early birds today. Fred, you are the same as me, thrifty. I also have bought some presents for next Xmas already, and birthday presents. If I see something which I think is worth the price etc.etc. then I buy it. Kathleen, I also have an off night when I cannot sleep too; I keep turning over and over things in my head. Mostly when I have been too busy. I always sleep double the following night though. This morning have been to the physiotherapist and on the way home dropped in to the supermarket. They had run out of whipping cream and had thrown lots away because the date was over. I will now have to ask somebody else to get me some. Our car wouldn't start this morning because of the cold. Johan was going to buy a new battery. Our other one was 6-7 years of age, so hasn't done too badly. The weather here is very cold and frosty. The car roofs and windows all had lots of 'Jack frost' over them this morning, and it was a window scraping morning. Well will get some ironing done now whilst Johan is away. He has gone to a New Year's reception of the Pensioners' Bond in town and is dropping in at the library on the way home. Once in the library, I know he will spend some time there, so I am ok. Have a nice day everybody and see you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

I had not realised I had not been on for a few days,how time flies. On a different shift pattern again this week,working most days but on shorter shifts,didnot fancy it at all at first but it might be better really,as I should not get as tired. I will not mention you all by name as I have to print off some photos and get them posted.so haven't much time. You all sound like you are over christmas and getting back to normallity,whatever that is June my dad is doing ok he does not have to go back to the hospital until March.which is good.He has his normal aches and pains ,but who doesn't.!!! The friends we go on holiday with are putting their house up for sale and buying a bungalow .It all fell througth last year when the sellers of the bungalow pulled out,but are selling again and gave them first refusal.Keeping everything crossed for them as my friend is really keen on this ,as you can tell. Spaek to you all tomorrow. Brenda

Hi Everyone, Well, I can't be first on in the morning, as I'd have to stay up till midnight, but hopefully I can be first read in the morning, so here I am. John got the results of his post heart op tests at the nuclear medicine centre in December, today, and thank goodness they were good. All the arteries are still open and the blood is circulating fine and Dr Dong, (isn't that a lovely name!) said his heart should last him well for a good few years yet, although the lower part of the heart has sustained some damage from the heart attacks. Although he does indulge himself occasionally we have cut out the store made cookies, high MF cheeses and fried bacon and eggs, and it seems to be paying off. I made a lasagna this week with all low fat cheeses and soy hamburger. I think I told you last time I made a dish with soy he enjoyed it until I told him what it was and he then refused to eat it, so this time I didn't tell him, and he loved it, and to tell the truth with a rich tomato sauce in the dish, you'd never know the difference. Have had 2 sleepless nights, last night being the worst; woke at 2, couldn't get back to sleep so read all night. So when we got home today I went to bed and slept for 4 hours. Now I probably won't sleep tonight. June your new home and garden sound lovely, as do the living arrangements. As you probably know we bought a house with our son, and it was such a comfort to have him upstairs during the past year. Also I know he's glad to have us here with Ross all day, and at times when he's away for a few days. There's a lot to be said for extended families sharing a home. He has a lovely new lady in his life too, who wants to move in and who loves gardening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! How are the rest of your family at gardening; it sounds as though you'll be needing some help. Hi Sylvia, Here are three more d words for you; how about dull, dismal and dreary! All of those and yours and Freds apply to Vancouver this winter. Apparently we are about 6 days away from the record of 28 consecutive days rain, for Vancouver. However all the people interviewed by the weatherman on TV seemed quite happy about it as long as it didn't snow, and as one person pointed out, this is a rain forest area, after all, so get used to it! Fred, marmite and cucumber sandwiches are delicious for lunch on a hot summer day, but I don't know about cheese and marmite. I'll give it a try sometime. Kathleen, isn't it too bad that the weight always goes on around the waist and tum first; I could best do with some on my cheeks (the facial ones) and upper arms. I found a great buy and fit in jeans yesterday, so bought 2 pairs, and now I daren't put on any more weight; 125 to 130 at the minute. Brenda, it sounds as though you'll be well in need of your vacation in the Canary Islands in the spring. Do you go there often? We left England in '61 and before that Brits weren't as great travellers as they are today, so I'd never been out of England. I was planning a hitch-hiking trip around Europe with friends, but got married instead. Now I prefer to stay here in Vancouver in the summertime. Must go; Corrie is on. Love to all, Di.xxx

Hi di [eeeeehhh] that rymes ,lol.I am so glad to hear that the news of Johns ticker is good ,you will have to start grilling the bacon to take all the fat off it,and go on to hearty,or columbus eggs which have no colesterol in ,and have omega three and six in,John can have as many of those as he likes. I have one of those eggs for breakfast boiled ,three times a week and never get tired of the taste of a boiled egg with fresh made bread cut into soldiers.hee hee. I too have to give the cookies and choccie a miss ,but there are so many other things to snack on that i don't really miss them at all. You do seem to be having more than your share of rain,but it's one of those things i suppose,it would be worse still if you had none at all,and even Canada and the likes will have to get used to climate change,and besides ,spring isn't far away now,then all the bears will come out of hiding ,and you will have more pressing problems.lol. Seems Mary has had her fair share of rain as well,i notice she is staying cheerful though and is doing so by watching the national game a lot ,[sigh] the only thing we have to watch at the moment is football ,but every so often we have a bit of exitment like watching Man u,getting stuffed heee hee.oh ,that did make my day,the only thing missing was not getting a look at fergies face,it must have been a picture,a bit like a bulldog chewing a wasp lol. I am up early by the way cause i have to go to the daughters at nine thirty to have my big centre parting cut ,and take her shopping which we do most weeks ,on tuesday. I havn't even looked outside yet to see what the weather is doing,but i don't mind really,the daughter will either want to go to Asda,or the centre at Cramlington,both under cover. Well ,i'm off for now but will look in later this afternoon,have a good day all,and take care.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, Its horribly wet and windy here today, definitely not a day for being out of doors. Sylvia, I wish I could stay asleep until late in a morning, I always seem to wake early regardless of winter or summer, though I must admit, one morning just after moving house, I did manage to sleep until 8 a.m. Kathleen, I feel embarassed too when they come to empty the bottles, jars etc. I think there are other people that are the same though. Di, I'm glad that John's results were good, you can now relax and enjoy yourselves, Funny that you should mention the weight around the waist and tum, I have the same problem, wher did that 22 inch waist go? Brenda, I too thought that I had posted yesterday but apparently not. Yesterday I went and bought a chair for my 'snug', its smaller than an arm chair, with having my desk in there, I haven't really got the room for an arm chair. The family keep teasing me that I could have a smaller desk or worse still get rid of my PC. No chance is I have enough money left over, I may buy a new PC. lol Sorry if I have missed anyone but I will have to get dressed ready to take my grand daughter to work now. See you all tomorrow. June xx

Hi everyone. Great to have lots to read today. We are all grumbling because it is so hot, sunny and humid. We love the hot sun but not the humidity. I too have bought one or two bargains for Christmas. Just had an email from Pip's niece and her husband who have just arrived back in the UK after a holiday inNZ. Steve wasn't so good on the second leg of the journey from Singapore - Ann says that will teach him to have a hot curry in Singapore! No sympathy for the poor guy!! They hope to come again in 3/4 years time which will be great. They really enjoyed the scenery - still lots to see. My grandson goes back to Army Camp on Thursday. Has been great to have him around for a couple of weeks. Can't wait to get back - we think he has a girl waiting for him!! Bought two more Begonia plants today. Lovely vibrant colours. One is Apricot and the other Red. We have a lovely show this year. The hanging baskets particularly look really nice. Must go - bed time again. I too am a bad sleeper. After about 3 hours I am awake and ready to get up. Mavis NZ