General Chat

Hi everybody, Sylvia - surely a good excuse to have another party in 2006? Though it could be a bit expensive in both time and money, on second thoughts best keep it just between us. Do you think any of your family will realise? Fred, I hope your move goes smoothly, it is hard to leave somewhere that has so many memories but you can take your memories with you. Do make sure you have a photo of the old house and once you are settled in the new place, with all your familiar things around you it will soon feel like home. I'm sure we all wish you many years of happiness in your new place - and an easier life without all those stairs to climb! My back is definitely appreciating the new bed, wonderful to wake up and not have backache before I even get out of bed. Ann nice to see you back and pleased you enjoyed your holiday. Envy you the tan though - I just go like a lobster. Christmas is coming very fast, only 7 weeks to go (I think!) Lou, what a shame you were unable to enjoy the BBQ, I do hope you are feeling better now. Brenda, I prefer to do the cooking by myself, it's silly I know but I get flustered if there is anyone else around me in the kitchen. Do like help with the washing up - though I have a dishwasher but there are some things that have to be washed up by hand. I must admit to enjoying having a meal cooked for me though. Di that photo should be on it's way to you in a few minutes - I have been practising so hopefully will get it right this time. After a very overcast and rather damp day, the forecast for tomorrow is a bit brighter. I hope you have a brighter day in Preston June, and hopefully the fireworks will stop now. It was so noisy last night. Is Beckham upset by them? When I had Kyzer he hated it, he and the cats all used to curl up together in the corner. I'm sure he thought the cats would protect him!! We haven't seen Anne in Belfast for a while and where is Lesley? Jude, hope you are feeling better and will come back on here soon. Sleep well and apolgies if I have missed anyone. God bless Love Kathleen

Morning friends, Belfast today is wet and cold, dreary old winter morning. Think I will just keep the blinds shut for another wee while! Ten more minutes and I will have the house all to myself, John is on the early shift this week, and the two teens are heading out to school, big son is off to work. Peace will reign!! Just me and the wee fat dog and a cuppa, what more could I ask for?? Christmas is now well and truly on the way, I am starting to get myself organised (I hope). List upon list is making its way into my notebook, and bits and pieces are being stashed away out of sight. Have to laugh though as when John and I head out together, the others just nod and look at each other and say "CB" (Christmas business!!!) Although my lot are now teens and twenties they still love the little rituals and traditions that we as a family have formed over the years. No themed trees in this house, it has to be all the decorations collected over the years that decorate the tree. Selection boxes on Christmas morning are a must, tins of Roses and Celebrations just aren't the same (apparently) as swapping bars for your favourites!! Bottles of Schloer grape juice (known in this house as childrens wine) After Eights, Jacobs assorted biscuits for cheese, turkey, baked ham, M & S biccies, shortbread, mince pies (home made) Christmas stuffing (home made), mulled wine, Gaelic coffee, these are the items that go to make up the "Christmas Feast". When my eldest boy was about 6 yrs old this was what he named Christmas Dinner! We still slip into thier rooms and fill thier stockings, and of course there must be chocolate coins in there. The Christmas pic-nic was a big part of our preparations, when we would go to the local forest and choose our tree, followed by hot chocolate, crusty baps, and shortbread. Then off for a good long walk around the forest with a candy cane to suck on the way! Last year a shortage of trees meant they cancelled the forest sale, and horror of horrors we bought a "FAKE" tree. We still haven't been forgiven! I think it is time for a new crib, as the most important Christmas guest (the baby Jesus) has long had a broken arm. I would have liked to paint figures myself, but have been unable to get a set. The only ones available in my ceramics class were bears in a stable setting, I didn't like them!! To all I hope you have a lovely day, and that your weather is better than mine!!! God Bless Anne

Goodmorning everyone,sorry i did not get back last night after the phone call I had to finsh doing the meal,and had a headache,so didnot come back.Anne in g ,glad you had a good holiday,we have been thinking of holidays for next March but as my friends FIL is ill things are on hold. Anne in Befast we have not had a real tree for years ,due to the mess we had each time the tree was knocked over by the animals,(cats and dogs).My best friend always has a real tree and it really does look better,what ever I put on it,it is not the same. Sylvia,my ex mil did the same has you when it was their 40th wedding anniversary and only the close family realised ,they did not say anything to upset anyone and the party was great. Di hope you get Mr Ratty sorted soon,think I would prefer him than the snake!!! glad things have settled on the other threads.Don't tend to read too many these days Kathleen hope you are still enjoying the bed. June,will be in touch about the pub this week . Fred hope the move goes well I have only moved once ,that was enoutgh. Have to take some stuff to the charity shop,should give me more room in here and cupboard space, ,Take care ,Brenda Ps apologies if I have forgotten anyone,

Hi All - another quickie!!! Anne - loved your message about christmas,sneaking into the kids bedrooms with xmas stockings:o)) We used to try and do something different each yr - once my nephew and myself decorated an old picnic basket and made it look like a sledge packed with parcels - we covered it in cotton wool etc, kids loved it:o) Brenda - we hope to have a real tree again this yr,but no idea what Mad Madoc will do!!!! Last yrs tree was from the yr before,but it got too big then died:o(((( Hope your friends fil is well soon. Sylvia - what a nelly, l won't tell anyone.Just enjoy this one and arrange another next yr:o) Kathleen - So pleased your new bed is helping your back,your right nothing worse than to wake up with back ache. l like help with the cooking, as long as its not my eldest sister,she loves cooking and does everything by the bloomin book - l don't, l ususally throw things together and hope for the best!!!!!!! lol Lou - let us know how the new babies get on.l helped out in the charity shop today(really enjoyed it as well) and a lady came in with a new baby that she was child minding, he was'nt new born though - she said he'd been really upset at first,but was settling down - bless him he did look abit sad in his buggy!!:o( How are you now, feeling better l hope?? Elisabeth where are you,hope you are ok?? l am much better,seem to be improving each day now.Made myself get up early this morning and went to the charity shop - once l was in the car l was fine - daft bat!! lol Right now Madoc is being a pain in the u - no - wat, he keeps scrating the kitchen door,he's done this now for the last 3 nights, we tell him off but he gives you that sad soulful look - l hate it. We would have him upstairs but one we're not supposed to let him run up stairs and 2 when we go away not everyone likes him in the bedrooms - mind you we always had Lady in our room!!!! Ok off't now, try and read - might even end up letting his lordship upstairs!!!! lol Nite nite - hope l have'nt missed anyone. Jude sarf wales xx

Jude,Madoc needs a cuddly toy for bed ,a bit like a bairn ,once he is on the wrong side of the door he is alone ,and lonely,just a matter of finding out what will settle him down at night.Poor madoc,he has bonded good style and then get's seperated from his missis.lol.fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone, It is still dark outside so I dont know what the weather is like except that it isn't raining. I have decided to nip on here quickly because yesterday I had 2 attempts and got interrupted, then after tea I fell asleep, this year I am finding it hard to adjust to the clocks being altered. Lou, I'm glad you are feeling a little better, I will see you Saturday and we can have a good natter. Di, I hope your fog has cleared by today so that you can get your photos taken. You did get a good bargain with the ink! Jude, I'm glad you are on the mend, poor Madoc, he must be lonely downstairs all alone, I'm also one that has my dog in the bedroom. Brenda, I hope your friend's FIL is soon better for his sake and so you can make your holiday plans. I hope the pub is ok, it doesn't have to be luxurious as long as it is friendly. Anne (Belfast), Your Christmases sound lovely, I tend to go overboard too but it is a special time of the year. Kathleen, Its surprising how much different a bed can make, glad yours as done the trick. Beckham isn't frightened of the fireworks but he keeps running outside barking. Sylvia, I cant believe it, you getting the years wrong, never mind there's nothing to say you cant have a 49th Wedding Anniversary Party, just say you are practising for the 50th. Lol Ann,(Glos), Your holiday sounds fantastic, Yes I can imagine your tan, lucky you. Now its down to the run up for Christmas or have you already made a start? I cant believe this, I've actually written a message without interruptions! The man that services my car is coming round this afternoon, There is a red light flashing on my dash board which is worrying me, another bill before Christmas! Yesterday I had more photos sent, but couldn't open them, this happened last week too. I have yet to solve that problem. Love June xx

Hi Bill, We've done it again! Typing at the same time as each other. People are going to talk if we keep doing this. lol June xx

Hi all, Hi Di, nearly missed out today as well, as I've friends coming for lunch, but I rose early and have time to spare. We cannot have June and Bill becoming an "item" can we? Nastiness on the Board seems to have died a natural death. Somebody is always looking through my threads, seeking problems. I will not get into an argument though. We had quite a frost last night here and it is still quite dark outside as I type this. Glad I'm in all day. I couldn't afford another party in 2006. This one is taking a large slice out of our capital. We've decided not to go to Gent in Belgium next week, as at end November/beginning December I want to go to Calais, and as my husband rightly says, Gent is halfway to Calais, so we will combine the two. That will probably mean a week away. There is one good thing, and that is that it won't be too busy at this time of year. I expect there will be a lot of British people in Calais stocking up with booze for Christmas. Why do some always think of Christmas in terms of drink? I think that in Spain it is nice in that the children have their presents 6th January - 3 Kings. Much more appropriate than Xmas. Here in the Netherlands the children have 6th December when St Niklaas brings them presents, but nowadays being a commercial time, children get presents at Xmas as well. When our children were small, they had presents from Johan's family at St Niklaas and from us at Xmas. My granddaughter came yesterday to help me but she is not 100% yet and will have to go back to the doctor. She hasn't found her passport yet and will have to have another one quick as she goes to Spain next week. She said she will have another look in her room first. She brought with her a pile of my grandson's shirts for me to wash and iron. Feels like a laundry here. Well will close for now, wishing all those who are not feeling too well at the moment, better health, and keep smiling! Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone on a dull drab drizzly Gloucestershire day. Still feeling the lack of the sunshine. Thought i would try and write a bit more today, despite the fact that the jobs are still piled up - still two loads of washing at least to do, it is never ending. anyway, managed to get all the correspondence sorted so that is one thing. I am only going to answer the most recent postings as i got a headache ploughing back all the pages I missed. sylvia You will always get sparodic items of nastiness on the board, all to do with the spoken word being easily misunderstood. Loved your 'senior moment' at getting the year wrong, you will still enjoy the party anyway. I don't think I could be bothered to drag all the way over to Calais for the Christmas drink, and they come back loaded with the stuff, they must be 'out of it' for most of Christmas. dutch children are on to a good thing then aren't they ith 2 lots of presents. June You were up before me as well, i am ashamed to say that I didn't wake up properly until 9am this morning, still suffering from the clocks change and from not getting to bed until 2am on sunday. I had sort of made a start on Christmas before we went away but still have quite a few family presents to buy. daughter is not so bad as we make up lots of little presents for each other and I collect them all year, i do the same for SIL, they seem to enjoy the novelty. One Grandson wants money so that is easy, another wants mainly money with a small present, the other has yet to give me a list. I haven't got anything for Tony yet and he still doesn't know what he wants. My main problem is finding time to make the cards. I like a clear day as it is annoying to keep stopping and starting. about your photos downloading on e mail, have you checked the thread where you queried this as there are a couple of suggestions on there from Judy in the States. Jude: Poor madoc, did you sneak him upstairs in the end, do hope his leg is better soon, I missed that, i knew he had a bad leg but did he have to have an op on it? I am pleased that you had a good day at the Charity shop, and that you enjoyed it too. sorry our meet fell through for this week I was looking forward to it, never mind I am sure you will be able to get the car again sometime and we can re-schedule. Di, Hope you have lost the rain and have some sunshine now, not that we have here, it is really dark and I have the lights on already. Bill, good to see you on here, hope all is well with you, miss you and Peter on the boards as I don't tend to go on the Oz thread. Kathleen, anne from Belfast, Lou, Fred and Brenda, sorry not to have personal messages for you, as more people join in it is difficult to answer everyone, but it is a great thread for chat, I love it. Cheers Ann Glos

am nudging this thread up as it took me so long to find it and I've already contributed today. Sylvia xxx

sylvia, I usually just put 'friends and neighbours' into search and it comes straight up ann glos

Hi all:o) Sylvia - l do the same as Bill & Ann and hey presto!! Thank you Bill, its good to be back:o) You still travelling?? l don't read any of your other threads,its a job keeping up with this one! Ann - will try and arrange a get together before xmas and get Vic to arrange a lift:o) The Madoc situation is : He had xrays (l think u were on hols) which showed he had had a break which was not healed,after approx 18mths,plus another injury - vet thinks he has a ligament prob. We are waiting for a date to see another vet,he's in Bristol.Madoc still limps,especially after along sleep,cause his leg is stiff.Still not got the cheque from RSPCA,we rang them on Saturday and they said they were looking into his medical history!!!!!!!! We had to get up 3 times to him last night, finally left him in lounge and he settled. His old owners kept him in the kitchen and up till now he's been fine - but also we're not supposed to let him upstairs, he goes mad and he's supposed to rest his leg - ha ha!!!! once its sorted we'll probably have him upstairs,blow everyone else - the look he gives us when we leave him:o((((((( Ok thats it for now.Sorry l have'nt mentioned everyone.Take care:o) Nite nite. Jude sarf wales xx

hello Everyone,came on here nice and early this morning to do you all am essage and got sidetracked by a phonecall again!!! this time before I had even finshed reading the messages,anyway here i am. The weather wasn't that bad at first today, then just as I was driving to work the heavens opened for about a half hour ,then it looked ok from inside the library but was told it was cold and windy out. It is usually fairly busy today at the library I was working at ,but maybe the weather put people of as it was not as busy as normal. Jude Madoc might need a companion, our old dog had a blue and white rabbit which he treated like a baby and took to bed with him. My friends FIL is still very poorly seems he has been having a series of mini heart attacks which have only just been detected. I am not going to mention any more names as I am tired and will probabley (is that a word?) mix it all up,so I will be here in the morning . Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, Its another dull start to the day, I just hope it improves I am fed up with this weather and we have a long way to go yet. Marly, Welcome to our thread, I have just been reading your message on Bill's thread, we seem to have similar tastes in TV programmes. Lou, I have now got my tickets for Saturday, we have decided to get there a bit earlier than at first planned, Gaynor is wanting to look around the Family History Fair first, but we'll catch up with you at Brewsters anyway. Brenda, I think you could be right about Madoc needing a comforter. Bill, Morning, I have just been in on your thread. Jude, I think Brenda is right Madoc needs something to cuddle up to, Beckham has a fluffy little dog that barks. He goes to sleep with his paws around it, I was worried that it would start barking in the night, but it doesn't. Maybe Father Christmas could bring him one? Ann (Glos), The worst part of a winter holiday is coming back to this miserable weather. I dont think Peter is renewing his subscription to Genes but I'm still working on him. Sylvia,The children around you do very well having sweets one day and then presents later.I hope your granddaughter improves enough to enjoy her visit to Spain and that she finds her passport too. Has anyone heard from Elisabeth lately, I hope she is alright, I enjoy her messages. Well I had better get dressed now ready to take Samantha to work. Love June xx

Hi everyone,we have a dry but miserable and cold day here today.At least I should not be sweating when I do some ironing later,I am on work at 4-8pm today not to keen on this shift,you do some house work and/or shopping, have to stop and get ready to go to work and then feel more tired than usual in work as you have already been working at home.I get througth it as it is only a 3 or 4 hour shift.But I could not do that shift continuosly,I only have one a week, if that. On a course tomorrow so have to go to the main library in town,hoping to get a look in the local interest section at the records,if I get in town early enougth. Glad you are all busy and keeping well ,speak to you tomorrow night.take care Brenda PS welcome Marly.

Evening all, writing this on the laptop in the lounge so watching TV at the same time, so excuse any mistakes! We had quite a busy day today, last two lots of washing and Tony did all the ironing, bless him. We went to Tewkesbury Morrisons this morning to restock the cupboard, got quite a few bargains too, two for one packs of chicken thighs, reduced salmon etc. trying to cook low fat meals to get our weight down a bit more. We put 2 pounds back on in Lanzarote, having lost 5 pound before we went so have to lose that again. We have switched to Morrisons because Sainsbury's in Glos always had stock missing, and I am not keen on the Tescos in Glos. I spent the afternoon making a few more cards, made 14, mostly photo ones but a few stamped. June, please continue to work on Peter, he is well I trust, and his wife? I haven't heard from Elizabeth either, I must e mail her and see if she is OK. Marly It is you, I saw you on another thread but wasn't sure if it was someone else with the same name. So pleased to see you back. Have you heard from Sue in Wilts lately I seem to have lost touch. Jude, OK you come up with another date sometime. How did the counselling go? Poor Madoc, I hope you can get him sorted soon. Yes the idea of a toy to 'cuddle' sounds good, try it, I am sure you could pick one up at the charity shop. Lou, enjoy your day out, I envy you. Brenda, I envy you working in a library, surrounded by books, my idea of heaven - I read 11 on holiday! Di, according to your description of where you live your name should read 'Di in Paradise'. I have enough trouble getting motivated to bake for humans let alone baking for pets, however much I love them! I am watching About a Boy I like Hugh Grant. Sylvia, did your grandaughter find her passport OK? A worry for her. Bill, yes, could put it on favourites, didn't think of that. Goodnight now, sleep tight Ann Glos

Hi all:o) Bill - oh yeh:o) lol Ann - counselling was ok, did me usual blubbering!!! what was the Hugh Grant film like, Vic did'nt want to watch it:o(( so we watched Alan Titmarsh,which was good:o) Will try and come up with another date - actually l have the car next week - how about Tuesday lunch time. Monday l am in Bristol to have my hair cut,or possibly Wednesday afternoon,will have to check with sister though!!?? My sister comes here on Wednesdays and we rumage round all the charity shops - bought 2 pairs of trousers(next & Liz Claiborne from usa) and a zip up cardy M & S,plus a new pr of trousers from Dorothy Perkins.Charity shop came to £14.00, eee by gum l'ma happy bunny:o) l was supposed to get Madoc a cuddly toy,l threw his other one away only last week (a large pink duck!!) it had been chewed and sucked and mended - he never took it to bed with him though. If you could have seen him earlier, l left the stair gate open and he sneaked up with Vic!! Vic heard me coming upstairs and l could hear them hiding under the covers - he kept telling Madoc to be quiet cause mum was on her way - as l walked into the room it was all quiet, so l called him in a low voice - he went potty,he knew he should'nt have been there,but he was so excited,squeeling and jumping all over the bloomin place - one of the reasons why he has to stay down stairs:o((( Last 2 nights he's been fine,he's in lounge with the cat,so he has company.He loves the cat (Fat cat) but he clonks him on the nose - but Mad dog Madoc just comes back for more Marly is that YOU????? how you doing????? Brenda - hope the course goes well. Ok off't now to drink me hot chocolate and read the papers in bed.Definately feeling more like the old me:o)))) Nite nite Jude sarf wales xx

l'll make this one quick as l have had the iron on for half an hour and not used it yet!!!! Vic does'nt realise yet - lol (won't be lol if he does find out - lol lol) Reason for message : The vet rang this morning to say he'd spoken to vet in Bristol.He has seen the xrays and thinks Madoc has had any injury of some sort since a PUP!!!!!! he also thinks he may well have probs with both HIPS!!!!! the ligament prob could be the pup injury,not sure and of course the injury from the road accident. We will be ringing the RSPCA insurance in a mo or 2, cause we really need there go ahead now.We will still take Madoc to see the Bristol vet,so atleasst we'll know more of whats going on and what can be done - FINGERS CROSSED that rspca are obliging,nice,caring lovely people!!!!!!!! jude sarf wales xx

Hi all, No time anymore yesterday as I returned home 11.30 pm from my son in Amsterdam. We enjoyed ourselves with his new scanner. We've put some photos on our website and GR site. This morning I went to the hospital to the cardiologist and he says my heart valve is not worse and I don't have to go back for a year. They just want to keep tags on me. I have to go to my ex son in law's new wife's birthday in 1/2 hour's time. Not going for long, just for a coffee etc. The weather is cold here, but the sun is shining. Will keep this short, have a nice day everybody! Sylvia xxx

Hi All, Sat in a store in Cheltenham having a coffee and waiting for the expected 2 minutes silence, but nothing happened, no announcement and the hour appeared to pass people by as they carried on shopping and chatting! very strange and unusual, we assumed they didn't have a means of announcing it. Hi Bill, glad you got home before the rain got you. Sylvia, nice to see that you still keep in contact with your daughter's ex husband. We lost contact with ours although we all parted friends. My daughter's second husband's Mother (if you see what I mean) still goes to spend holidays with his ex wife and daughter and husband went to his ex wife's wedding. Nice to all stay friends, life is too short. Jude. Hope you can now get madoc sorted. Hope the RSPCA were really nice people! I chuckled at madoc and Vic hiding under the covers, daft thing!!! I am so pleased you are more your usual cheery self today - great, long may it continue, maybe the counselling did work then? If it is OK with you the 16th is fine with me. Please confirm definitely wont you. Les, nice to hear from you, will try and catch you in Di's thread. did a bit more Christmas shopping today so feel i have caught up a bit now. Had a lovely lunch in a new Italian restaurant in Cheltenham. Delicious lasagne and garlic bread, can you smell it? tony had spag bol and garlic bread. Cheers Ann Glos