General Chat

Four days into 2005 already!! Oh my goodness how the time does fly by these days. First of all, I have not really found out much more about Susan's appointment with the consultant. The cancer has spread into the lymph glands and she has to go for further surgery on 26th January, I have not really had the chance to speak with my d-i-l properly but my son told me that, although the further surgery is needed, it is no worse than that. Susan is a bit upset about having to go back into hospital but is still coping quite well. At least it appears that all the other tests were clear. I am feeling much better now though still have that irritating cough - you know when your throat tickles and you just can't stop coughing. Went to my youngest daughter in Solihull on Friday evening, not all of us were able to make it because of work but two sons, daughter-in-law, Susan and Indira and I made it. We had a lovely time with Joanne and her family. My eldest grandson and my s-i-l both play guitar so in the early hours of Saturday we had an impromptu concert with them taking it in turns to play, they are both very talented musicians. Loads of food, wine etc, and at midnight Joanne threw loads of "party poppers" around to us all, lots of noise, lots of mess and a very happy start to the New Year. Di, so pleased you managed to get rid of Mr.Rat at last but I can imagine how you feel, it takes a while to get rid of that creepy feeling when you know where he's been. Don't think I fancy the idea of those racoons getting in, they can be quite vicious can't they? Brenda, hope your new bed arrives on time and Sylvia I do hope that you finally get your new computer and that the firm stick by their original deal. Fred, June, Jude, Elisabeth, Ann, and everyone else (sorry I'm having trouble remembering all the names) pleased you all seem to have had a good Christmas, I hope that this year gets better. The dreadful tragedy in Asia has caused so much distress around the world, we can only hope that all nations will come together to help alleviate the suffering as much as possible. I hope to catch up on all my outstanding e-mails in the next few days. I didn't get to send out more than a very few Christmas cards this year but hope to write letters to as many people as possible in the very near future. For now sleep well or have a good day. God bless Love Kathleen

Hi everybody. Yes, it's me at last. Don't know where the last days have gone to, but they have, the date on the telephone tells me it's 4th January. Today Johan and I took down the Xmas tree, which was a major operation. Different sets of lights, coupled with lights around the windows all had to be dismantled. I've packed away all the baubles etc. for next year. I've also cleaned the windows. Here in the Netherlands we have such massive windows that I'm exhausted when I've only cleaned one, and I've two, plus small one over door leading on to balcony. I've left all the vacuum cleaning for Linda on Thursday as my health won't let me do that. I did, however, clear some of the needles up otherwise the vacuum cleaner would have been full in no time. I'd just sat down when an old neighbour living on the top floor 'phoned "had I time to come and look at her knitting, as she thinks she has done something wrong". I said tomorrow, as I'm too whacked to try and unfathom her problems. Another neighbour has pneumonia, and I feel guilty that I've not done anything yet to help. Maybe tomorrow, but first I must get some shopping in. My cupboards are a bit like "old mother hubbards". Next week is my birthday and I have to get some shopping in for those who turn up. I used to have everybody for dinner, but now it's just soup and bread-filled rolls. Well, must get something done towards our dinner. See you again soon, Love, Sylvia xxx p.s. Glad Di that you've got rid of Mr Ratty

Kathleen,so pleased things are going ok for your daughter,but you must still be very worried,it is only natural. Sylvia,hope your grandaughter is ok with the vacuuming ,those pine needles can be awful to get rid of. Have been to th edenist and he has fixed my tooth ,he did not take it out ,he sort of filled the filling ,painted it white and said that will do you for some time.s He also smoothed the raw edges down,I have a slight ache but have not had as much pain as I had before. I have to start the tea now,and am not sure if I will be back to night or not. Take care Brenda

Hello everyone - sorry not added to the thread much recently, l have been around looking at the other threads though and made some replies, get downstairs and remember l have'nt been on here - derrrrrr!!! lol The weather changed today, it was very windy for a while and got quite chilly. We had 2 new tyres fitted on car this morning,then booked its MOT, then had lunch in a village pub - very nice:o) Fred - no l did'nt get Madoc anything else, he had food treats though, l will be looking for more soft toys tomorrow (if l can remember!!) Di - so pleased you have got rid of Ratty:o)) Kathleen - we will be thinking of Susan on 26th January. You rest up now, ok? June - you mentioned Webshots, can you let me know the addy so l can take a looksie at your ceramics and what paints do you use - do you oven bake them etc?? Is'nt it amazing how much money the world has given to the Tsunami victims and there is so much more to come, what with concerts and jumble sales and fundraising of all kinds.People working togetherr especially the rebels in Sri Lanka - lets hope that some good can come from the devestation, in the respect of people/countries working together more for a safer happier world. Well folks thats it for:o) Ann - you put me to shame, l've been talking about sorting drawers and cupboards for months, everyday l say l will do it, everyday nilche - must get out of being so lazy:o((( Jude sarf wales xx

I saw a dog on tynemouth beach yesterday and thought Madoc straight away Jude.the welsh collie was with a teenager playing ball,and after i was watching for a few minutes the lass decided to tease the dog by pretending to throw the ball and hiding it behind her back.She did this a couple of times and the dog backed off a bit and then launched itself at her ,hit her in the chest ,she fell over and the dog took the ball out of her hand and just sat down and looked at her,with the ball by it's feet ,tongue lolling out.Liz and i were in kinks,and to give the lass her due she had a chuckle too ,but i bet she won't try that one again.Who says that dogs don't have a sense of humour.Fred.ptfg.

Morning all,have to be out early today need to sort some cheques out at the bank,which is in town .I am on work at 5pm so want to be home just after lunch,I get very tired after this shift so don't want to be in town any longer than I need be. I am thinking of changing banks as it is a bit of a problem having to go to town to the only COOP bank in the area.It was ok when I worked there and when I was not working at all,but now I am working again it can be a problem.Still I usually meet my friends for lunch so thats nice. Di sound like you get rid of one trouble(Mr Ratty)and ger another,the raccoons!!Hope Johns check up goes ok.I wish we had somewhere nice and open to walk our dog,it would not seem like a chore then.We can only wlk him to the park where they have a penned off section for dogs.It is in the woodland area of the park and Max really enjoys it ,but it is not as good as where we used to go ,but they are building a housing estate thers now!!. Fred reading your message about watching the girl and her dog made me chucklel as well,laughter is a wonderful thing. Jude I am sure Madoc really enjoyed his first christmas with you and the fact that he is with you and is loved, is the best thing he's ever had. Speak to you all tomorrw ,take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, I cant stay on long, I want to get the rest of the decorations away today, the ceramic ones are now wrapped in bubble and packed away. Kathleen, sorry to hear Susan has to have more surgery but I'm sure all will be well afterwards. Sylvia, I too am wondering where the time has gone, it doesn't seem 5 minute since I was getting the decorations out. Brenda, I'm glad your tooth has been sorted, hopefully the dull ache will go. Iam fed up with these banks, mine has closed where I live and have to go in the car to get to it now, not even on a bus route, the Building Society has done the same thing too, but why should I moan, I'm only a customer. Jude, the addie for Webshots is - http://daily.webshots.com/?7159 I had a kiln for years and fired my own, it started out like runny mud, then I poured into plaster moulds, cleaned it up fired it. Sometimes I glaze them but I prefer to paint them with acrylic paints. Fred, I love watching children play, I also love watching dogs play but get the two together and its a treat to watch. Di, How does Ross react to the raccoons and how do they react to him? Well I've had my Coffee now so must get cracking. Love June xx

Hi all, It's me again and now with some good news - our new computer is being delivered tomorrow instead of on Monday. This means of course that I may not have access to this Board for a few days until I get used to the new one. I don't like this bit at all, but the computer I now have is not trustworthy any more. Sometimes I can type for hours and then it just shuts down! I have been shopping today and bought a bunch of pink roses as my room looks so bare without the Xmas tree and all the decorations. I've been trying to find out who is coming on my birthday, but it's not very easy. I know that Johan's youngest sister isn't coming as she has a course on that date. I never know how much food to have in the house on my birthday as most people are still full from Xmas and New Year. I went up to see my elderly neighbour this afternoon and gave her my opinion on the woollen hat she has knitted for a teenager. On the way I called in another neighbour who has pneumonia and found her walking around in bare feet! I offered to help with shopping on Friday, but her husband has a car so can better do the shopping than me, anyway perhaps there is something else I can do. Linda my granddaughter is coming tomorrow, and this time early so that will be the end of the Xmas tree needles. Glad to see everybody back on the thread. Love, Sylvia xxx

Me again :o) Fred - l bought that Mad dog Madoc a fluffy tiger pencil case today, its really cute,no stuffing to worry about. l put some of his biscuits in it earlier to see how long it would take him to get them out, we left the zip partly open - it took abit longer than l expected and we had to open the zip more!! it has plastic eyes and nose so will remove them later. Brenda - so pleased your tooth is sorted, nothing worse than toothache:o(( June - l have seen your christmas ceramics, they are wonderful, how clever:o)))))))))) Love the tree and ducks:o))) what l was asking before about the paint was: l am painting tiles that were left over from the bathroom, with ceramic/glass paints and it says to oven bake to set the paint, yesterday the one that had been baked was still not set,but it seems to be now. l was wondering if you knew how long to bake and what gas number - but l think l am ok now!! Guess what - it rained nearly all day today, really miserable:o( Spent the afternoon with sister doing the charity shop rounds. Boutght 2 more packs of christmas cards (l have enough now) and a new shoulder/bum bag from National trust sale £5.00 - really hope this one is ok, the last one l bought is enormous (Milletts) and nearly touches me knees!!! lol Hubby is off to London on Saturday to stay with daughter, they are both going to football match, l was going but thought it would be nice for him to enjoy her company for the weekend without me - cause back in Sept l stayed with her when l visited godson in hospital - WHO by the way is doing very well, he had a visit to London about 3 weeks ago and Dr was very pleased. Still flicks a foot out but it is improving, his back is curved but it should'nt get any worse - thank goodness:o) Sylvia - a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you next week, which day is it???? Hope your neighbour soon feels better. Hope everyone is well, sorry if l have'nt mentioned everyone. Kathleen - still thinking of Susan. Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everyone, We have a "nothing" morning this morning, no sun, rain, wind, frost, just nothing at all. Last night as I crossed the bridge over the Motorway, the gritters were out and I thought we were in for a hard frost this morning. Sylvia, Glad to hear your computer will soon be with you, I wouldn't think you will be off line for long. I often walk round in barefeet, I have a rather thick carpet in my lounge and dining room and I like to wriggle my toes in it. Jude, I'm glad you enjoyed looking at the ceramic ornaments, some of the moulds (like the ducks and Christmas Tree) are no longer in production. I'm afraid I haven't tried putting paints on tiles so couldn't have helped you there. I have Sylvia's birthday down as the 11th January, so will be putting a thread up nearer the time. I took all me decorations down yesterday, but have still got a couple of things to squeeze into the cupboard. I had a terrible night last night so am seriously considering going back to bed. Speak tomorrow. Love June xx

Hi All June hope you feel better after catching up on your sleep. l could'nt sleep at first last night, then was well away in dream land when the phone rang - it was 6.15am and it was b.i.l from USA to say he'll be here on 12th Jan - blimey oh riley!!!!!! he'll be here for about 10days, on his own and back again in Oct/Nov with his partner - not so long agao he had no interest in coming back to UK,now we can't keep him away - BLESS HIM - its great though cause next week he will have quality time with his brother (hubby). l have quite a few tiles left here by the previous owner,so thought l would try and make use of them - we'll see though!! Yesterday afternoon l could smell what l thought was cats wee, it was'nt there all the time but wafted past me everynow and then - my sister smelt it as well - we went round picking everything up, smelt the dog and cat - the one thing l did'nt check was the dogs bed, when l lifted the cushion out it was sodden right through, can only think the dog did it when l went out with sister in the afternoon, even though he'd had a walk and twice round the garden - its hanging on the line now dripping having been scrubbed!!!!:o((( hope he's not going to be upset whenever we go out now:o(( Its quite a bright day today, my ironing pile has grown considerably so must sort it out, especially now cause l'll need sheets etc - the ironing brd is in the back bedroom which has a lovely view, so will get a drink a sarnie and try to catch up. Take care everyone:o) Great news that Strump has managed to get a flight to help in Thailand. jude sarf wales xx

Hello everybody, I'm here with new computer. What a treat. Took a bit of getting in to at first, but with my granddaughters help we've made it. I think I've lost all my old e-mails and e-mail address list, unless my son put them on his hard disk for me. I had forgotten. The only thing I'm worried about is the people I've been trying to help. I'll have to put on a thread for them to e-mail me I supposel What a blustery day it has been. We had a lot of rain during the night, but during the day the sun came out and it looked quite Spring like. Whoopee! I feel like a Spring lamb now with my new computer. I was up very early this morning and had made bread and juiced 2 kilos oranges before my husband appeared. I changed the beds and ran a few washing machines. Now only remains the ironing. Of course when the computer came, all household activities stopped! Not much more news, so until next time, love, Sylvia xxx

I only seem to have time for a few quick lines these days ,I am determined that i will sort out my time ,with doing more hours at work I must be organized. June hope you got some rest and that you have sorted the dog problem Jude,Sylvia you seem to be ok with your new pc. Am going straight out from work tomorrow night,so will not be back until Saturday.Take care ,Brenda

Well I thought I was ok with my new computer but haven't received any e-mails today - that can't be right! I feel something is wrong. Help, help, help! Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, I;m feeling a bit better today but still very weak, I obviously have picked up some bug,where on earth do they come from? Sylvia, I have just emailed you, so that you will know whether or not your computer is receiving them. Jude, you are going to be very busy then with your bil coming over, January is usually such a dreary month but now you have something to look forward to. Brenda, just enjoy yourself, you can chat to us any old time, we will still be here. thats it I'm coming over all hot and sticky again, I'll see you all soon. Love June xx

It's working, and here I am again everybody, Just received several e-mails so am thankful for that as I cannot live without them - I'm just hooked on them! It seems my husband and I are divided on this computer. We can both access apart. Is this the first step to breaking up. Oh gosh no, and we're having our party in March! I installed Zone Alarm today and this holds things up a lot, but I suppose if I want security I'll have to put up with it. It wouldn't allow Internet Explorer to be accessed either. It seems I have a lot more to learn than I'd first thought. I want to get on with things and am being impatient. I had an e-mail from Di and she is in bed with a nasty cold. Knowing Di, she'll soon be back with us though. My granddaughter Linda connected the computer, and she hasn't even learnt at school about computers, all self taught. She came to help in the house around 11.00 am and then the computer came. I'm afraid the housework came second place from that moment onwards! She left here at 16.30 pm. I went out today on my scooter but my friend/neighbour wouldn't come as she said there were storm warnings and it was very blustery. I went out as it was dry. By the water it was extra windy, but I don't mind that at all. Actually our weekly market was only half its normal size though. Well, will close for now, keep well, Love, Sylvia xxx

You will find zone alarm will soon load up faster as it learns Sylvia,and you will be a lot safer on line with it.If you are running xp ,don't ever shut it down whilst online.you can go into programme control and tell it which sites to allow or bar[including internet explorer] glad you had a nice festive season,my grand kids decided they wanted their bread pudding along with the other festive treats for the new year ,so with that and the other treats i was kept pretty busy in the kitchen.Fred.ptfg.

Hi everyone, I am feeling a bit better today but have terrible backache. Severe gales here also, lorries have overturned on the motorway just over a mile away, I was going to try and get to the shops today but I have to cross the motorwaybridge where one of the lorries as overturned so think i will have a rethink on that. Sylvia, glad the emails are sorted out, it will be a little frustrating for a day or two while you sort things out but worth it in the end. Fred, nice to hear the grandkids are keeping you on your toes. Jude, near where Peter lives they have had fires (caused deliberately they think), but they are both safe, though the freezer had defrosted with the lack of power, Betty was trying to salvage what she could from the freezer but of course Peter was taking photos.lol I you look on Webshots, he has got them on there, they are very sensational and very frightening. Well its time for a rest again my back is rather uncomfortable. Take care everyone. Love June xx

Hi everybody, I hope your back is now better June. What weather we are all having. Living near the water, the wind seems to blow harder here. My two wreaths I had hanging outside managed to blow themselves on to the balcony and are now caught up in the Xmas tree waiting to be thrown away. All in good time I say! Some friends turned up for coffee today and brought me a beautiful bunch of yellow roses for my birthday. These friends were with us for several years in Spain, and this is their first winter here for 12 years. Tomorrow my ex son in law and his wife are coming for coffee/drinks - also for my birthday as they cannot come on Tuesday. My birthday seems to last for ages this way. It seems that the family won't be coming. My brother in law is waiting for a new hip and has too much pain, another sister in law has a course to finish and another sister in law has other commitments. At one time I used to have a house full, but they are all dying off, sad to say. Anyway, I'll have the children and grandchildren and neighbours in the evening, so I'll not be alone. I usually bake myself, but didn't feel like it this year so I've ordered at the patisserie in the village. Johan will pick up the cakes on Tuesday morning. So Fred, so now you've made bread pudding at last, was it nice? I love it, but must lose some kilos as I have to see the diabetes specialist over a couple of weeks and I am really short of breath now. I don't know whether my heart valve is worse or that I've put on extra weight. Oh to be fit again. I found my e-mails on Johan's site. Apparently I've not had one yet. Also we cannot get the printer to work. I know they are only teething problems, but annoying. Where is everybody, Jude, Brenda, Di I know is ill, but the rest of you, where are you, only looking and not contributing, shame on you! Let's all get together soon, love, Sylvia xxx

Evening all:o)) Well we have been lucky with the weather, had some windy sessions but nothing bad. The dog situation - l think it was the cat that wet the bed, it's more that kind of smell, has'nt happened again fortunately. The only prob l had was washing the bed, l scrubbed it in the back garden hung it to drip then had it against the heaters and as it dried so the smell came back - so then had a fight with it in the bath, it still smelt so another fight to get it in the washing machine - its now drying by the heater again. Its one of those spounge oval beds with a seperate cushion in, everytime you fold a side down it springs right back up - the dog found it amusing, he was trying to get in the bath with it!!! lol - anyway l bloomin hope it does'nt start smelling again,if so l'll have to get new one:o(( Fred - how are you, you seem to be back to normal, cooking bread pudding (yuck) and l see you on the boards quite abit. How is your wife now?? June - l have made the bed for b.i.l and cleaned the room,including the window in and out, so all spick and span, just need to put a few things away in dining room and get rid of the ironing!!!! (like hide it!!! lol lol) Have looked on Webshots but can't find Peter's albums, can u email me his username or what ever u call it:o) How is your back now, saw it was playing up earlier on - take it easy and rest thats the best medicine for back probs. Sylvia - you take it easy as well, you always wear me out just reading your messages. Hope you soon sort the puter and emails start rolling back in:o) l have Zone alarm and its very good. Brenda - hope your well, just pop in when you can,thats what l do, although l do tend to look, read the messages and forget to reply - its me age l'm getting so forgetful:o( Anyone else that l have forgotten, sorry and hope you are all well. Di l see you are poorly again,get better soon. Jude sarf wales xx