General Chat

Hi all, What a terrible wet day it has been today. I did make the effort and went out on my scootmobile. I bought some fresh herring for my neighbour whose husband came home today after being paralysed with a stroke a couple of weeks ago; I didn't go and see him as I guess he will need to adjust not being able to talk and may feel a bit awkward. I still haven't got the cover for my scootmobile. The bidding went too high for me. I have started bidding on another one now, so keep your fingers crossed. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

was enjoying a nice sleep,when my son came home fromhis christmas night out at3am,puts the tv on rather loudly and falls asleep on the sofa.!!! i was woken up went down stairs sent him to bed after waking him up.He had also put his uniforms in the wash as he needs a clean one for work (he thinks he will get up ok at 8am?) so I have stayed up and put them in the dryer for him,will see if he gets up now . Have been on here a while looking for a verse for my dads 80th birthday, my friend is making a card for me,but I want to do my own verse.,did like one in a card in a shop but couldn't remember it all .Might try and get a few hours now,luckily its not my saturday to work.!!! Brenda

Hi all, I think everybody is busy with Xmas as this thread is so quiet. My daughter and her partner came this afternoon which was nice. I haven't been doing too much, just making some bread. Have put the Xmas presents away in the cupboard so that I have more room to move in my workroom. Tomorrow I think we will buy the Xmas tree as the weather should be good, but the rest of the week is bad, lots of rain etc. and I don't fancy paddling around in the wet sorting out a Xmas tree. Have a nice evening, and see you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone. I'm back again!! What a busy time of year - will be glad when the New Year arrives! Sylvia - do hope you will be well enough to enjoy Christmas. We had a bit of a shock yesterday. My Grandson Christopher who is in the Army collapsed and was rushed to hospital - they thought he had Meningitus - did a lumber puncture etc., Suggested my daughter and her husband fly down to the South Island to be with him - which they did. The results came back early today and it is just a very accute virus. Phew did we panic last night. All is well that ends well. The army really look after their men. Pip and I have been looking after the other two boys while Mum & Dad are in Christchurch. That's what grandparents are for I guess! The weather is great here now - summer has arrived at last. Tonight I went out for dinner with 5 girl friends. Went to the Lobster Cafe down by the Marina. Very expensive but a beautiful meal. I started with Crayfish, Prawns and Scallops with a tasty salad. Then more crayfish and prawns with crispy bacon and another salad with a very hot dressing. Then Espresso Creme Brulee with Brandy and cream. Yum. A couple of Vodkas too. Pip[ hasn't been too well of late. Having a chest xray on Tuesday. His cough isn't so good. Is on Antibiotics again. His breathing isn't good at all. The inhalers work temporarily. But with almost the whole of his left lung gone it is no wonder. Must go now. 11.30 p.m. Hope to sleep better tonight. Awake most of last night worrying about Christopher. Goodnight. Regards Mavis

Hello from a rather wet Manchester ,mind you the sun IS trying to escape from behind the clouds. Should be getting ready for going to work on at 4pm today til 8pm ,thought I would have time for doing loads this morning,but things seem to take me so much longer these days.still I got a few things done. Mavis what a shock about your grandson,so pleased it wasn't so serious ,hope he recovers soon.Hope Pip is better soon as well. all i keep getting these days is bad news about everyones health.Sylvia good luck with your tree hunting,fancied a real tree myself this year but the prices are really high .For the amount i thought I'd pay we would only get a three foot one and we have not got a table to put it on.So old faith full ,the plastic one will be coming out of the loft this week. Time to go and get ready.See you all tomorrow,Take care Brenda .

Hallo all, Well I went to my doctor today and now I have to go to an internist. She told me to get an appointment within two weeks, which I tried to do via internet, but couldn't. Doctor said if I couldn't then she would try herself, so I guess there is some urgency in this. Haven't done much today in the house, so it was good that I had my help. It has been pouring with rain all day today, so I was glad we didn't have to go out again after the doctors. Tomorrow no doctors or appointments so think we will get the Xmas tree decorated and the rest of the Xmas decorations. See you all tomorrow. Don't work too hard Brenda. Sylvia xxx

Weather today,wet,cold and miserable. The heating has not come on yet so it is freezing in this room,don't think I will be on here much longer.Nearly finished the christmas shopping.Will do the food stuffs on either 22/23 Dec.Still not sorted out the christmas tree! Mind you we do have a plastic stand by in the loft.My friend was telling me last night that she has just discovered that her christmas tree and a big box of decorations had been stolen from her garage when it was broken into in the summer,she had forgotten she had stored it there last year instead of the spare room.She was laughing as she said they took the box with the tree but not the stand for the tree so it will not stand up,and they did not take her lights.She is thinking of just putting the lights round the window as she is not in the right mood to buy another tree,she'd rather wait for the sales. Need to go and get some warmth ,hope to be back later,Brenda

Hi all, Well we have had another lovely sunny day today. Johan and I decorated the Xmas tree, put the lights round the window, etc.etc. The flat does look lovely and bright now.I only have to get the crib out and arrange the scene. This is short and sweet today, but it does help keep the thread going. Sylvia xxx

hello brenda and one and all just read the latest messages, sorry that it is so wet and cold brenda to-day over here we also had rather damp weather but I like it better than snow storms. to-morrow wednesday I have two friends driving up to see me as the weather is ok for them to do so it does make quite a change from me driving down all the time. We will go to the english pub round the corner for lunch they do really good meals and not to expensive, I suppose they will drop in at the casino on the way back to brampton for a mild flutter, when we go as a buch we only spend 20 dollars and if we win ok if not well we had a few laughs. My son returned from vancouver around 4pm to-day he left on sunday for a meeting it is like going to england and then turning round one day later and popping back over here, anyway it was good to see him home safe and sound he hops planes like people hop buses and sometimes I do worry for him. well it is time to go and watch a bit of tele the two scottish lads are on to-night decorating something or other i quite like the show bye for now dorothy

Afternoon everyone,sorry to say it isstill wet ,cold and miserable here. Have been odering some certificates as I have at last found the deaths of my Gt grandparents on my dads fathers side. Have also found my gt grandmothers on my mothers fathers side(her husband does not appear to have been born or died ,just married and had children!!) Willkeep looking for the others. Seems like evryone has other things to do,.I have some more gifts to wrap and menus to sort out for over christmas,but some arrangements have yet to be finalised before I can sort those days out. Going for cuppa now,might have a milky coffee,(no cake). Take care brenda

Well another dry day here today with some sunshine. Johan and I went for our 3-monthly diabetes control. With me he didn't do much when he heard that my blood is not good. He did weigh me, however, and I have lost 4 kilos in 3 months. Why? I have enough to lose, but not like this. I cannot walk from one room to the next without gasping for breath. I have an appointment with the internist for 9th January, but my own doctor thinks that too long to wait and has arranged with the internist for me to have photos and give blood again before the appointment. Apparently there is some urgency involved. I have ordered myself two extra nightgowns in case I have to go into hospital. I am just doing the minimum of work, such as washing and ironing and cooking. I am so glad that I have a good help in the house for 3 hours a week. Not much other news, so see you tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi evryone, Sylvia,hope you do get to see the consultant sooner than the appointment,seems your doctor wants the best for you.hope everything goes ok/ Weather rather damp today.and still miserable. Working this afternoon,need to get a move on. Brenda

Hi peeps,old Fred isn't ignoring you honest,but that ruddy flu injection has knocked me and Liz to hell this time ,but we can't complain ,it's the first time we have had an adverse reaction like this. I have spent nearly three days in bed,coughing, sneezing ,shivering,and have a nose to rival rudolph,lol. The only bright side is that it should be clear and gone before the festive season starts,but ,if it isn't i will go back to the doc's and demand a refund, hee hee. I hope you get some good news at the hospital Sylvia,it's about time they got you sorted out ,i hope ,in time for Christmas. Poor old Les too i thought our weather here last night was bad ,got up this morning to find the bird bath way up the garden ,on it's side but luckily not broken,but we got off lightly ,no missing shingles and holes in the roof requiring tarps' laid in place to stop the water. I hope you have a far better year in 07 Les,you seem to have had far more than your fair share of downs in the last ten months,and how you stay so cheerful is beyond me. Hi to everyone else,normal service will be resumed as soon as possible but for now i'm going to join Liz in bed lol,.no ,if it was thirty years ago i would have made some ribald comment ,but now that sort of carry on is just a faint memory [sigh ] Mr D seems settled again thank goodness and our Mary seems to be having a good time,so i will away to my bed for now . See you tommorow all.Fred

Hi all, Well looks like I'll still be here for Xmas. I have an appointment for photos on 5th January and have to give blood before sometime. I have an appointment with the interniest on the 9th January. I don't know how low one's blood can get before they take action. 4 kilos less in 3 months is not too bad either. It is a good thing I have a few kilos to lose. On the brighter side now. Annemie and I went to the shops today and I bought myself some nice new shoes. The girl had nothing to do so she got half the store out for me. I wore my thickest socks so had to get a shoe which fitted over the socks. I also went to the police station and reported the loss of my gold ring. This time not lucky. Whilst I was in the station I had a word with the policeman and asked if the policemen could see that the rules are kept to in our shopping street. We have large boards saying 'forbidden for dogs'. but we are getting more and more. He said the police cannot be everywhere. I then said I had spoken to a policeman and he said 'are you afraid of dogs?' I said that that was not the point. Today I saw a large amount of dog sh.... deponeerd outside our spectacle shop and this made me so cross. I also told the policeman that I had spoken to two policemen and mentioned the dogs and later saw them talking to a lady with a dog, but not reprimanding her. We can but try! I am going out again tomorrow to the market so hope the weather stays fine. The houses around here are looking very festive and brighten up the dark evenings. Get well quickly Fred. Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia ,and thanks for the message ,it perked me up a little ,cause i am up this morning ,still sweating at the slightest exertion and still feeling a good bit yuk lol,but i AM feeling better than i have done for a few days. We have a funny sort of morning here in newcastle,dry ,pretty mild and i know it can't snow ,but the clouds and sky say it will so we don't really know what to expect . As soon as i pluck up the energy i must go out in the garden and pick up the bird bath which is still laid on it's side up the top end of the garden,but i am not going to complain about our weather again. I have three versions of yahoo on my puter showing the states , and Oz ,new zealand ,and not forgetting canada,and they all have horrendous weather ,through heavier than usual snowfall and storms in canada,floods in many parts of the states,drought in Oz and weird swings in the weather in new zealand ,so i reckon that apart from some of the u/k with flooding and the tornado in london ,we have gotten away lightly,in the old country,but even our weather is changing a lot. Well ,i have to go out for a while ,some things to do in the town ,but i won't be taking the car out feeling this way.so i will use the bus and metro to go to the bank ,cap in hand lol,and plead with my bank manager to find he has made a mistake and owes me thousands [ i wish] no ,it's only to pay a couple of bills before i get a couple of nasty letters,most of my bills i pay direct debit,[saves all the hassle] Anyway ,i will see you later folks,nice to be back on my feet again.Fred.

Hi everyone, Sylvia and Fred - get well soon. Better this week than next! How do you keep so active Sylvia? I admire you. Yes Fred - the weather in NZ has been all over the place. The last 3 days have been hot and sunny so maybe summer has settled in at last. Will be hot in bed tonight. Our Grandson is on the mend but still on Army sick leave. We look forward to seeing him on the 23rd Dec when he should be on leave for 3 weeks. We haven't seen him for a year - a man now not our Grandson!! Searched all the video/DVD shops today for a particular fishing show videa for my son in law. The last shop we went to had just one copy left. There will be 3 more volumes after Christmas. Will get Volume 2 for Kevin's birthday in February. My Begonias are looking great now - the sunshine has opened them all up. I bought one or two new ones this year - couldn't resist! Our lawns are brown and crispy - we have watered them but the strong wind and the hot sun are a problem. Happens every year. Fred we have a little Thrush who visits each day - he has lost his tail - still seems to fly O.K. He is so tame. We have lots of other Thrushes but they are not brave enough to peek in the door. He is really cute. Must go now. Will be sleeping with just the sheet tonight I fear. Regards Mavis NZ

Afternoon everyone,Sylvia glad you are getting things sorted health wise,and I agree with you about dogs,we have a dog ,he is not let out alone and is not allowed to do his business out of the garden,We have a special bin to put it in as we have no grass. Fred hope your cold is better and you managed to pay the bills. I have sent some cheques early due to the christmas post,otherwise I might get charged.Most bills like you are paid dircet debit ,but these are catalogue and credit card payments,which I don't have balances on all the time. Mavis,glad your grandson is on the mend,and that your weather is ok.we have another wet miserable day,but it isn't windy. Going out to my friends tonight for a girls night in,she is doing Tata hash and pickled red cabbage and then mince pies with cream.Can not have too much to drink am working in the morning. Time to go as I am on my tea break in work and times up. Take care ,Brenda

Hi all, Well the weather was again dry so went out on my scooter, wearing my nice new shoes. They kept my tootsies much warmer too. All I need now is a special blanket to put over my legs, but I am bidding on the internet at the moment. Didn't do too much shopping, every time I go out I buy something extra to save next week. My hairdresser trimmed up the ends on my hair and then gave me a blow dry. Not that I am going anywhere, but I like my hair done every week, my little 'flutter' so to speak. Johan still cannot get everything to work on the DVD but so long as I can tape my programmes I'll be happy as I cannot always sit down and watch television during the day. For instance I like to watch 'Neighbours', so that is taped. Now ta ta for now, have a nice evening Sylvia xxx

hi brenda tata hash and mince pies and cream you had me drooling hope thaht you had a good evening, had a call from my cousin in london re my uncle in stretford (89) being in hospital since nove 8th with broken ribs due to a fall and has since had two bouts of a hospital infection, she only found out yesterday when the cousin his daughter finally phoned her. families I ask you, this uncle is my last connection to my dad they were 11 yrs apart in age but so much alike when I came home I always went to see him. I guess theywon't let him home till he is stronger his wife is not well I guess my cousin who lives in cheshire has moved in with her mother. my aunt will not move from the house she has lived in the same house since being a little girl . anyway that has been my day so you can see why your menu sounded so good goodnight from over here bye dorothy

Hi all,and hallo to Mavis and her little feathered freind,but he hasn't lost his tail Mavis ,you have one of this years fledglings visiting your garden. If he ,keeps on coming in you will notice the tail growing over the next few weeks and see his brown feathers slowly darkening to a beutiful dark brown. They can grow very tame rtoo if treated with kindness ,mine ,in the summer will come in under the rtable where we are sitting on the patio and feed quite happily on the morsals we throw them. I had a family of sparrows come down onto the big lantern this morning shortly after i opened the blinds squabbling over the peanuts lol.there are plenty to go round but that's sparrows for you i suppose. I think they all come in to feed at first light to avoid the sparrowhawk in the area,i havn't seen it for a few days but i'm told it's still around . As you can tell ,the garden birds still play a big part of my life in retirement ,and next spring i can see Liz and myself going onto the moors over the back with a picnic to watch the wildlife once in a while from the birds and rabbits to the deer ,foxes and stoats ,we do have quite a selection in the area. It looks like being a nice day ,so i think i might have a few minutes outside with a pair of shears and tidy the top of the hedge a little ,something that will keep me occupied for a few days ,a little at a time.. Off for a spot of brekkie peeps ,so i will see you all later on .Fred.