General Chat

Hello to all, it looks as though it might be a bit brighter today weatherwise. The past few days have been very dismal, though a couple looked promising very early on by about 10 am the grey clouds had taken over. Thankfully I am sleeping better now. This weekend I had Indira staying, Susie spent the time with friends and I think enjoyed the break. Tomorrow she goes for more tests, this time I think it is the mammary scan - they changed things a bit and that worried her but mostly she is coping well. Indira is doing ok, but she does want more cuddles than usual. Next week she will be going to France on a day trip with the school and will stay with one of her friends the night before and the following night so that will help as this is when Susie goes into hospital and has the operation. Christmas is catching up with me too fast, I am trying to get myself organised but nothing seems to be working out as it should. I have moved furniture round in my living room and it still doesn't look right - now how have I managed it before? I usually put the tree in the window but for some reason it doesn't look as though there is room. Think I know what the problem is, I have moved the TV from the right hand side of the room to the left - who would imagine that would make things so difficult? It all rests on where the power sockets and aerials are - oh well I'm sure I will work it out over the next few days I did do a little bit of shopping at the weekend but most of the time was spent trying to get in and out of the town centre - what a nightmare - the traffic was horrendous. The only reason I went on Saturday was because I needed to go to the bank, the first branch which is nearer was closed. It took an hour to do a journey that normally takes 10 minutes. Spent ages looking in book shops for a book I had seen as just released and available from W H Smith - no it wasn't!! Then another bookshop looked it up for me - and gave me 6 alternative titles, I couldn't remember the exact title so couldn't order it as that would mean paying in full and was not refundable if it turned out to be the wrong one. Now I can't remember where I saw it mentioned. Back to the drawing board for that one I think. Indira went shopping with her friends, came home and got all her gifts wrapped and safely put away in the very Christmassy carrier bags she had bought. We also have three birthdays this month, one was on the 1st, another on the 18th and the third on 22nd - mustn't forget the birthday cards!! I keep meaning to do my Christmas cards, really must get on with those as some have to go abroad and last posting day will be here before I know it. William has sent me a video of the meeting at Swindon, I haven't watched it yet but have heard from others who have and they all say it is very good. We did all have a good time although with so many people it wasn't possible to speak for long with everyone. However I did chat with Terri, Santa's Cleaning Lady - what a lovely lady she is and her husband Ray is the same. I must go and get on with some work now - later I will try to catch up with my e-mails. Have not felt able to do much on the computer for a few days. Generally I am now running around trying to catch up with myself, feel a bit like Jude's Madoc - running around in circles. Hope everyone has a great day - and Fred please take it easy, lovely to here that you are feeling good. Can beat you on the cooking Christmas Dinner - last year (when I went to my youngest daughter) was the first time I didn't cook since 1951. Love to you all God bless Kathleen

Hi all, I've just put a new thread on the Board called "I'm very well, thank you". I'm sure one or two of us can relate to this poem. Do read it. So Kathleen, you have the same problem as we do. Oh, how did we fit a Xmas tree in last year and where did we have the Xmas stall, and the Xmas cards - oh yes, hanging in the windows. It's two weeks into Advent and my Advent star is not hanging! Whatever have I been doing every day? I made two lovely decorations for our tables this morning. The one on the big table is with 5 candles (4 red and 1 white) for Advent. and the other with all sorts of decorations - all from Mother Nature! Hope everything is going well for your daughter Kathleen. So Di, looks like Ratty is staying with you for Xmas. You will have to get a large supply of turnips in the house. Must be cheaper than cheese though! I asked my daughter yesterday on the telephone whether she had planned on us joining her for Xmas. It seems that she has to work on Boxing Day and we would be alone with Henk. Normally no problem, but there has been a bit of friction in their household. This year Henk's two sons married. Well, one of them came up to his father at the wedding and whispered in his father's ear that he didn't want Janet on the wedding photograph. An awful ordeal for Janet. She was so upset as she has done everything for those two sons of Henks. Last Xmas they were both invited. I've a feeling that Janet is not inviting them this year and makes it a bit difficult for her to invite us. I've told her that we don't mind being on our own at all. I don't want them to argue because of us. I may ask my son to join us for Xmas, otherwise, there are so many things we can do. Will close for now, love Sylvia xxx

Good afternoon everyone,it was a nice bright wintery day early on ,but has gone down hilll fast,and is now grey and miserable. Di ,that guest of yours is very clever and you must be making him feel to much at home!!.Hope you get the result you want soon. Kathleen glad Indira seems to be coping ,she like the rest of you have a lot on your plates just now,but I suppose the more "normal" things are the easier it is? It goes without saying that you are all thought about and prayed for. Sylvia my friends sisiter in law has wanted them all to out for christmas lunch for years,and was nearly booking it until her husband put his foot down,it would have cost £45,per person for christmas lunch,plus a glass of wine.He has cooked the lunch when it is their turn to have people round and inthe years in between their daughters or my friend have cooked it,so she does not actually do any cooking christams day. Like he said they can do the whole family for lunch for the £45 . Fred you keep looking after yourself, I'm so pleased you can do your christmas meal yourself as well. Have to start wrapping christmas presents now,this is when I find out who I have forgotten!!! If I have not mentioned evryone my apologies. Take care ,love Brenda

Hello everyone. Not been on this thread for a couple of days sorry, not had much tow rite about either really, just shopping and washing and more shopping!!! I did come on the boards last night, what an uncomfortable evening that was, i was almost afraid to open my mouth. All OK now but people do get so intense in these debates. I have posted all my cards now - to get them out of the way and beat any last minute post strikes there may be! Posted my sister's parcel this morning, I had been hoping to deliver it as usual but she is away the weekend we go dwn to hampshire to deliver the presents. it put nearly £3 on the cost of their presents with post and packing materials. i would rather spend that on the present not the royal mail. I have now started to wrap my other presents but it is a long job as there are a lot of them. They are all bought which is one thing (at least I think they are, like brenda now is when i will find what i have not bought. Fred, that was a lot of meat, how many will that feed? We will be at our son's for Christmas, i will probably get to prepare the vegetables!!! --Peel potatoes and prepare sprouts (son loves sprouts, always has - strange child that he was. daughter always hated them and liked cabbage, he didn't like cabbage!!!) jude i have never walked up the Kymin either, you will have to tell me if it is worth it when you finally do it. had to chuckle at you scraping the mud off before going intot he shop. well done for doing three hours and good luck on Wednesday, you will be fine. Kathleen, nice that Indira is close to you, she needs someone to give her a few hugs these days. still keeping you all in my thoughts. June, how big are your ceramic ornaments, not sure what they are, are they houses or figures of people? And you say wired up so they must light up. Can you put a photo on the photo page? Brenda, I bet they all had a good giggle in Ann Summers, some of the 'objects' are very strange. george -have you found that scarf?? As my Mum used to say, good job your head is screwed on!! Di maybe you have been doing too much if you are feeling tired, hope you feel better today. You obviously have a very intelligent rat visitor who is well up on rat trap technology!!! Hope you catch it soon. Hope I haven't missed anyone, tried hard not to. Looking forward to Wednesday when we have the seniors Christmas dinner at the golf club with entertainment, haven't been out for ages. we were having breakfast in the conservatory on Sunday morning (it looks out over the garden) when there was a flapping of wings and something went down amongst the shrubs. I thought it was a pigeon as we get quite a few here. Another rustle of wings and sitting on a piece of trellis about 4 foot from the conservatory door and looking at us was a kestrel, quite a big one too. It sat for a couple of minutes then flew off. It was either after a field mouse or a sparrow but it didn't catch anything. Quite a surprise though Ann Glos

Hi ann,the meat has to do christmas day ,boing day the following sunday ,new years eve and new years day.true to form there will be at least sixteen for each meal and what i tend to do is cook the night before ,apart from the beef ,done on the dayand make use of the oven to reheat as i do the veggies and trimmings.Christmas day is at the daughters,boxing day at the sons,the following sunday at home ,and new years at the other sons.but they will have to see to the transportation of the goodies cause i can't drive until the new year,but this does mean i can have the odd can of lager without worrying about the traffic police. I only hope i am going to have the energy ,but i will give it a ruddy good go..I'm off for my shower now ,but i may be back later on.Fred.ptfg.

Evening all - sorry not been around for a few days. We were out at sisters yesterday for dinns, today been to the charity shop and again tomorrow. l have read back the last couple of days but will never remember all of the messages, so here goes with what l can remember: Ann - we have driven up to the Kymin but not been inside.We usually walk in the fields and pat the horses.Twice now we have walked in a large circle through the fields down the bottom,through the woods and onto part of Offers Dyke (have l spelt that correctly??), exhausting cause half of it is up hill, well exhausting for me cause l'm not fit!!! lol Di - that Mr Ratty really is taking the micky now- lol lol Hope you're feeling less tired now, l usually get up and then yawn for the rest of the day, come bed time l'm not tired!!!!! Kathleen - give your grand daughter a big hug from us, bless, this must be such a difficult time for her. Being with her friends will be good for her. We will be thinking of your daughter as before and of you!! take care! Sylvia - yes l have seen your new thread, did'nt read it all, will do in the morning:o) Did you drive the route to the place of the party?? Very difficult for your daughter re the situation with her step sons, what does her husband think, did he actually agree to her not being in the photo's?? What was your website again?? June - how big are your xmas ceramics, can you put a photo on the msn photo thingy?? l think we were the lucky ones when we found Madoc. He has a new toy, its a monkey,with no stuffing, which is good cause he can't pull it out and make a mess everywhere,lovely soft fabric and a squeeky squeezy bit - he loves it. He walks around the house with it in his mouth talking to it,all muffled cause he has a mouthful!!! lol. It was really much too nice for a dog but as it was only 85p wellllll why not:o)) Fred - NOW YOU take easy, gawd we don't want you back in hospital.Do hope Liz is feeling better. Sounds like you are both going to have a fabulous christmas though. Take care:o) Its been much warmer today, abit damp at times though,lets hope its nice tomorrow,need to get some washing out!! Did any of you watch "Celebrity Get Me Out of Here", l have'nt laughed so much in ages, the tears were streaming down my face.lwas pleased Joe won,but would have been just as pleased if Paul had. Soooooooooooooo pleased Janet got chucked out -0000000000 she would drive me mad:o)))) Take care everyone,sorry if l have not mentioned everyone. Oh yeh George - l do hope you find that scarf soon and good luck with your work experience after christmas:o) Nite nite Jude sarf wales xx

I will be fine jude,i have a chair in the kitchen,and if it gets a bit too hectic i will be sitting down and getting the deputies on the go .What is mad madoc getting for Christmas then ,a nice ball to play with or a cuddly toy?.i could save him a beef bone but it would be a bit smelly by the time it got through the postI suppose most people will be starting to gear up now ready for the big day.When you look at it ,you spend a month getting this all ready ,and bang, it's all over for another year,we must all be mad,but it's such fun on the whole.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone, Its still dark outside so I dont know what sort of day to expect. This last few days have been dry and sunny so I have managed to have the washing out. I think I have just about finished my Christmas shopping, unless as Brenda says I discover I have left someone out, when I start wrapping them. Fred, just be careful you dont do too much, I can just see you sat in a chair giving out directions! I'm not sure which I enjoy most, the preparing or Christmas itself, I just enjoy this time of year. Jude and Ann, Some of my ornaments are about 15inches high, I will take some photos and try and put them on the photo page. Most of them do light up. Brenda, I've just realised I haven't sent my email addie to you, i'll do it before I forget. Sylvia, I've had to have a shuffle atound with the furniture too, to fit the tree in, anyway I've finally decided and I'm not moving it again. Di, Mr Ratty has really outstayed his welcome, I'm afraid I would be calling in the Council to deal with him now. Kathleen, Yes I try to avoid going shopping at the weekends, as you say you spend more time sat in the traffic than you do shopping. I hope Indira enfoys her trip to France, it seems quite a few schools are going on trips at the moment. My thoughts are with you all, I hope things go well. I'm not going to say what I intend doing today because everytime I do, some thing crops up to change my plans. Yesterday I took Samantha to work, then on the way home, called to pick up Gaynor to take her to the doctors, the bank and the post office, as I was near Asda, I called in for some shopping, couldn't get all I wanted there so called in B&Q as I was passing, went home and realised it was after 12 and I had started the things I wanted to do. I'm off now to get dressed and take Samantha to work, see you later. Love June xx

Hi everyone,it has taken me ages to get on the site tonight don't know why and then ages to read a few other threads to get here. well haven't starte dthe wrapping but have posted the cards,and bought more stamps incase I get any I have forgotten. Ann I wasn't with the others when they went to Ann Summers,they waited until I had left them !!!! I went to M&S (needed the ladies)and my sister had shopping to do.We did well with some of the shopping as there was 40% off some items and then on that day they had a further 20% off. Fred you enjoy your christmas but like Jude says don't overdo it. Son is calling me down for a drink of tea,his way of saying come in no 1 ,your time is up. Sorry to anyone I havenot got round to.Be back later tomorrow night,working all day tomorrow. Take care ,Brenda

Yippeeeee - l walked to the charity shop AND BACK!!!!! lol really enjoyed myself as well. Its been abit damp here but not cold, would'nt have dried the washing so left it in the machine - must sort it in a mo:o(( Fred - l can imagine you giving orders as well, with one of those loud speaker thingies!!! Thanks for offer of the bone, l'm sure Madoc would love it smelly or not, but the postie might complain!!! lol. Erm pressie for Madoc - don't know yet, will have a look in the pet shops for treats and charity shops for a cuddly!!!!! June - 15" quite big then, yes would love to see piccies:o) l have'nt written all my cards yet, nearly got all the pressies just a few to get now:o) Ann - thank you for the card,its lovely, love the horse. How many did you make. l really ought to make some next year - but bet l don't!!! Kathleen - hope everything is ok your end. Hugs to you all. Hello all of you not mentioned:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everybody, Well I've read all your threads, but don't ask me to reply individually, especially today! I'm really knackered, good and true. Johan and I went out early having previously made a plan of all the things we had to do. First our cartridge (colour) for the printer had to be refilled, but came past the Do It Yourself Shop, so husband stopped there. Wanted two bolts, weighed them 3 and half Euros. Decided against buying, went on to another tool shop near the cartridge refill shop, and hey ho saved ourselves 3 Euros.They cost only half a Euro! We then went into town, and I bought myself a new black handbag (wasn't on my list to buy), but hey it's Xmas. Then went on to buy some gift vouchers in the best perfume/make up shop in town here, then on to the record shop and bought more gift vouchers. These will help fill in for people I can't think of anything more to buy them. I had time over, so went into a clothes shop, and went totally mad. I bought a pair of black dress trousers, a glitter black/red top, a turquoise jumper, another black top (none of these were on my shopping list). I didn't try anything on, so if they don't fit will have to go back again. I then bought some hot apple dumplings and met my husband in the library (where we had arranged to meet, although I was 30 minutes late). We sat eating these dumplings and hot chocolate in the library. Then our last stop was the garden centre. We found a lovely Xmas tree and I bought some odds and ends for decorating and a Xmas star - or at least we thought we had picked up the box with "star" on, but turned out to be an "angel". My husband now has the job of changing it. My Advent star is now more than 2 weeks late in being hung up, so another few days won't matter. Our old Advent star was really past it. I telephoned my son tonight and asked if he would like to come to us for Xmas. It will be nice to have him for a change. My daughter's friend Henk should never have agreed to go on the photograph without Janet, but who am I? I am keeping out of things. I know my daughter is being stubborn, but I also agree with her about refusing to ask the boys for dinner etc. again. Of course Henk will also be stubborn. They must sort their own problems out. Somebody asked my website, here it is: http:www.xs4all.nl/~humaan/rosman We're now adding photos etc. See your tomorrow, love Sylvia xxx

Hello Friends, haven't been on pc for a while, so have enjoyed reading over all your messages. As usual you all seem to have been very busy. And as usual I won't remember all your names! Fred I am so pleased to see you are well on the road to recovery, and planning the Christmas menu! But take care not to overdo things! Sylvia how do you manage to fit so much into your days? You put me to shame!! Glad to read how Madoc is progressing and settling in, I hope he continues to thrive. June, ceramics can start to take over can't they. I have given away quite a few pieces this year - but have also painted some new pieces, so I am no better off!! I have been busy shopping and trying - not very sucessfully to get organised for Christmas. John is on nightshift this week, so no help there. He really is struggling to get some sleep, wish there was something he could take to help him unwind. He won't touch any of the herbal remedies which I use, he says they taste awful!! Most of the presents for the family I have now in, quite a few I bought online, even with postage it was cheaper than travelling into town, and of course I didn't have to lug them home. The worst chore is yet to be done, taking my 14yr daughter clothes shopping, Lord I hope I find my Christmas spirit that day! Our decorations still aren't up, the boxes are all over the place, but no school tomorrow, so hopefully all will be done then. Once they tree is up and sorted then I may start to feel "christmassy". Am I the only one to be missing that feeling at the moment. I find it hard to believe that we only have two and a half weeks to go. I think maybe because Christmas stock has been in the shops since September, I am just sick of the sight of it. My son is playing with in the youth orchestra concert next week, so going to that should lift the spirits a bit. I must start clearing out all the Christmas catalogues that have piled up over the last few week, but I do love browsing through them, even though half of them I never use. Using the internet was a good idea, only problem now is parcels are going to start arriving, and I have to stay in to recieve them! I had a good laugh tonight when my daughter told us that she was getting her Nan chickens for Christmas. She had decided to make a donation to a charity in her Nan's name, this would enable the charity to supply a family in Africa with 2 chickens. My husband's face was a treat to behold when she first mentioned it, I could see him trying to figure out how the heck his mother was going to be able to keep chickens!! Well it is getting late, and much as I have enjoyed the peace and quiet, I must get to bed. Take care everyone, and God Bless. Anne xx

Hi Anne, nice to see you back againJude glad to hear that you are getting along a good bit better now,I know what you mean about the getting out satisfaction as some years ago i was hit by agrophobia and did'nt leave the house for months ,then all of a sudden it wen't and we never did find out what brought it on.I'm managing a good mile a day now and don't feel nearly as tired,in fact i'm back to normal in respect that i'm up for an hour overnight,weird that is.Fred.ptfg.

nudge will write later otherwise thread gets too far back Sylvia

Hi everyone,very quick message again tonight i am afraid.Should have come on earlier but was sorting something out ,now son is pacing on the landing to get on here.I need to phone a friend about some arrangements and she will not be available after 7.45 pm. Busy day tomorrow and have to go to dentist managed to get an emergancy appointment as the tooth is making it'self felt again. Be back tomorrow. Haven't seen June or Di lately.Take care Brenda

Hi all, I've had another busy day. Johan gave me a cup of tea in bed and it was already past 9 o'clock. Our house looks like a bomb has been dropped on it. We have boxes of decorations etc. in every room. I first made bread, whilst getting the breakfast ready. Then Johan got down to sorting out our Xmas lights. We now have lights across our sitting room windows - which are very large windows, as are the rest in the flat. We also have our Xmas star up. The Xmas tree is standing on our round table, but Johan was too tired to fix the lights in it, so the job has been put off until tomorrow. When he has done that it will be my job to decorate the rest of the tree. Our Xmas cards are hanging in the windows too. Yes, our house is looking really Christmassy. That's the way I like it! Linda came this afternoon and asked if she could stay to dinner. Of course, she could. She had to work from 6-10 this evening and if she didn't eat here would only have a sandwich. She is going all the way to Breda tomorrow to give a cuddle to her friend's two kittens. Her friend has two kittens and has gone on holiday, so Linda goes now and again to see them. She was there on Sunday with her boy friend. They were allowed to sleep there. It takes a couple of hours to get there. The girl's mother feeds the cats every day, but Linda feels that the two kittens need playing with. That is just like Linda! I hope to be able to do some printing tomorrow. I have finished my annual letter which I put in with my Xmas card. I only send it to English speaking friends as I cannot be bothered to type two letters. I will try and get to the post office with two parcels which I have partly wrapped, just need a bit more string on them. My neighbour cannot come with me again this Friday to the market as she has a funeral to attend, so I will be going alone. I have agreed to buy some cheese for my hairdresser as she has no time to go to the market this Friday. I can see my mobile scooter overflowing with shopping this Friday - I hope there's room for me to sit! I tried on the clothes which I bought yesterday, and they all look super, apart from the trousers. I will take these back on Sunday (the shops are open this Sunday). Because we have a party on Sunday in town, I will be there anyway - another problem solved. Johan will have to take the Xmas angel back tomorrow. I can see us with another busy day. Judging by this thread, I think I am not the only one who is busy.See you tomorrow. Love, Sylvia xxx

Sorry I haven't been on today, another hectic day, I will see you all tomorrow. June xx

Hi everyone Its still dark outside, so I dont know what the weather is like. Yesterday was another busy one, I took Samantha to work then Gaynor had an appointment, called in a couple of shops had a hot chocolate and went home and that was another morning gone. I wont know what to do with myself when Gaynor is allowed to drive again and Samantha has passed her driving test. I have posted my cards and wrapped a few presents, I must wrap a few more today. I am also seeing my friend this afternoon. I am looking forward to just sitting down and talking with her, it will make a change from all the rushing around. Sylvia,I know what you mean about the place looking as though a bomb has hit it. I could do with Johan being here to make me a coffee, lol. Brenda, I'm still here, get that tooth sorted, you dont want toothache over Christmas. Fred, I cant imagine you having agrophobia, I have heard other people say that it appears one minute with no warning at all and then just as suddenly goes. Anne (Belfast) Ceramics is another addictive hobby isn't it, since I have got rid of my kiln (It had broken down) I have been buying pieces to paint, these places are closing down, one by one and we are finding it hard to get them. So I think after Christmas I will still do some painting but I am going to make cards as well. You have a very talented son, playing in the Youth Orchestra! Jude, I'm pleased you are feeling better, you sound more like the Jude we know now. Not all of the ceramics are tall ones, its mostly the Christmas trees that are that tall. I have just finished a Christmas tree that has little snowmen climbing up it, it also lights up. I will get round to taking photos of them, so you can see what I'm on about. Ann (Belfast) How about you taking some photos too, then we can see the things we have both painted. Di, I hope you have got rid of Ratty! Merry Christmas to everyone. Love June xx

Hi everyone, I am not going to attempt personal replies to everyone this time, there were some very interesting long posts and I have enjoyed reading them all. Will say, Brenda, hope the tooth is fixed for you, filling or extraction? Anne, nice to see a note from you, don't envy you shopping for clothes with your daughter. Evryone else, nice to see you on here and have you noticed the board has a much better atmosphere today and I love the Art thread. Went to the senior sections christmas dinner last night at the gold club and had a good evening. The meal was Ok but not spectacular but it is always difficult when there are 100 to serve. We had a man on the keyboard 9he has been there before, he leads a good singalong of old songs and carols, and plays for a bit of dancing too. A favourite is the war songs medley (pack up your troubles etc) and the dambusters. we all have small union jacks to wave - hilarious. ( the general age of this group is 55 to over 80). this morning we went on the bus to Cheltenham for a look around, had a snack lunch in an Italian restaurant, I had a lovely prawn pannini. came home and spent the past gour reading the board. Take care everyone. Ann Glos

Hi everybody, Not seen Di for a couple of days, busy as usual I suppose. How are you Kathleen, and of course your daughter? June, you seem to be enjoying yourself, dinners and lunches. I set the alarm clock today - ugh, how I hate that noise. I finished wrapping my overseas parcels and ran out my annual newsletter on the printer to add. Surprise, surprise, I went to the post office, and there was nobody before me. I posted a lot of cards as well as the parcels. I cannot post all my cards as I need to add our party invitation, but that still needs the finishing touches to it. Johan met me at the supermarket today and carried (in the car) a lot of heavy shopping home for me. I was having a job in the supermarket trying to manoeuvre between the rows of goods because I had such a heavy bag. I have been getting a lot of food in in case we get bad weather, then I can hibernate. Johan couldn't get the lights working for the Xmas tree. So still a bare tree in our sitting room, but we do have lights around the window, and not forgetting the Star. We do have a small set of lights in the tree, but they are so small, looks so bare. Anyway, he'll have another go tomorrow. Johan also took back the angel and bought another star for the window. I changed the beds and washed and ironed the bedding - not put in the cupboard yet as my neighbour came down for a chat. Tomorrow is market day and it looks as if I'll be going on my own. Oh well, that's life! Maybe I'll meet somebody nice, who knows! I bought a couple of books for Johan for Xmas as I had some time to look around. It was so cold out today and a bitter cold wind. My forehead felt as if it were frozen and I scooted home with my gloved hand against my forehead. I hope somebody else joins us soon, because the thread keeps getting way back and difficult to find. Till tomorrow, Sylvia xxx