General Chat

Where are you all - Jude, June, Brenda, Kathleen, Fred and uncle Tom Cobbly and all. I am so happy today as my grandson telephoned me to tell me he has passed his examinations. He had to re-sit the examinations yesterday. He had only failed theory, practical was ok. He only has to go to school once a week next year and the rest of the days allowed to work in this prestigious restaurant near Schiphol airport. They are apparently pleased with him there and he has been doing two days a week apprenticeship there. They are so happy with him that he could work 7 days a week if he wanted. Who knows he maybe a new Jamie Oliver, or one of those cooks on tele! The weather has been very wet and windy today, but we did see the sun come through late this afternoon. I've spent the day tidying up paperwork and making my e-mail address book up to date - very necessary! See you all tomorrow Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, This morning I thought we were in for a lovely sunny day but before lunchtime it started to rain. Fortuneately the washing was dry enough to iron. I have been looking on another website, The Times Archives, I have been trying to find out why my grandfather changed his name but there was one person named but unfortunately it wasn't him. I also took my PC round to my grandson's friend for him to look at it, so here's hoping it will soon be working, then I will have to get the laptop working too. Fred, I agree with your remarks about Norton, I keep hearing more and more people moan about them. I'm sorry to hear about your car, something similar happened to us once, the mechanic had forgotten to replace the cap and we lost all the oil and the timing chain was ruined. Sylvia, Oz, Your shepherds pie, pumpkin etc sounds very tempting, if I lived nearer, I would be calling in. Brenda, I'm glad you are feeling better, our doctor's appointment system has changed too, if you want an appointment for that day you have to ring at 8 a.m. and your cant book appointments for the next day. Sylvia v O, You seem to be having very similar weather to us at the moment. Where has summer gone? Congratulations to your grandson, I look forward to seeing him on TV. John, you are having the cold rain too and next they will say we are short of water. I still haven't looked for Sudoku, I dont know where the time goes. Jacqui, Sounds like the young men are having the time of their life, I bet they feel like royalty. Well. my daughter is just pouring a drink so I think I will join her. See you all tomorrow, June xx

Hi All I havent been on here for a couple of days as I have been busy hunting for those elusive rellies. I see where some are getting rain, and some more than others. We have not had a lot of rain in the past week or so. But the governments and councils are at loggerheads at the moment in regards to our water levels in the dams and possible power shortages if we dont get rain. It sound so silly as the last couple of years there has been a big push to get people to change from wood heaters to electric heating, due to the bad air quality we have in my area due to woodsmoke. Now that quite a few people have taken up the incentive that the government offered and put electric heating in, we are now looking at a shortage in power due to lack of rain and the dams only being about 23% full, much lower and they wont be able to run the power stations which generate the power we need. The councils have been warning us for the last 12 months or so that this may happen if we dont get some good rains but no one was listening until now. Oh well I've bored you enough for now I will go and do some more hunting. One last thing if anyone has too much rain, try and send some my way, otherwise I may have to start rugging up in blankets and possibly limiting my time on here if we are rationed with our power :-((

Hi everyone, Sue, These governments make me laugh, I'm sure they try to persuade you to use one commodity then another just to let you know they are there. It must costs millions each time to promote a product, then get everyone (nearly) to change over. Here in England, we have a change of county boundaries every few years, this is supposed to save money but in fact it costs thousands. Well I'll get off my soapbox now. Take care. June xx

I'm glad to hear that she is okay Marly ,as you say ,thank god for the carful drivers ,one of the other sort of muppets ,and the outcome would have been different ,it's a pity the police can't visit him and thank him for being so responsible for his actions. Fred.PtfT&A&G&G&S.

Hello again everyone.I hope you are all well. Norman has got 'flu now so he is being a real pain. Thank you Fred for the recipes, sorry I haven't replied before. I haven't tried any of them yet, but I will do as soon as I have time. We have had the coldest day of the year here today and it is going to be even colder tonight, probably minus 1C. Actually I quite like it as it gives me a chance to wear a coat, something I haven't done over here very often. I won't have my day off tomorrow, as Norman is not well enough to go out on the bus, as he usually does on Thursdays, and I shall miss it. June, We have had Steak Pie for tea tonight, homemade, with mashed potatoes, peas and carrot and swede mash. For dessert we had Treacle pudding and custard. How does that sound? Well, I must off here now, so will see you all soon. Take care and love to you all from Sylvia in Perth WA XXX

Hi all, Well a showery day but rather muggy. Had to go to the hospital today, and I more or less knew the verdict before he told me. I have a skin cancer. I don't think, and he (the skin specialist) doesn't either, that it is too bad. Anyway I have had it months so will be nice to have it taken away. This will be on the 18th July. I'm afraid my husband looked quite shocked when I told him it was cancer. It is now six years since I had womb cancer and all the radiotherapy, but I assured him this is nothing. After that we went into Utrecht to the retail shop and stocked up with a lot of necessities. I fell asleep in the car coming back. I seem to do this a lot these days! I was on the computer and Johan was waiting for his dinner, and because of his diabetes he told me had to eat something. Well I had some leftovers from yesterday, so hurrah for modern technology - the good old microwave! Have a nice evening everybody and see you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hello all, Well Susan is home now, they said she could come home on Tuesday but allowed her out on Monday evening as my daughter in law was collecting her and wouldn't have been able to get there until Tuesday evening. Still on antibiotics but she is looking so much better and enjoying the respite from her other treatment. That will start again next week and though not looking forward to it, should be finished by September so not long to go now. Sylvia, sorry to hear of your problem and I do hope it proves to be as you and your specialist believe and soon cleared up. I don't fall asleep in the car - just as well as I am driving it!!!! but I do find myself dropping off in the chair if I sit down for a while. I often sit to watch a TV programme and realise I have dozed off and missed it all. June, any luck with your house-hunting? Odd isn't it that when you are not looking you usually see lots for sale that would be suitable but once you actively start searching there seems to be nothing at all. I hope you find something soon. Brenda, have you done anything that could have caused that pain - like lifting or moving something heavy? My favourite trick is to move the furniture around tending to forget that I'm a bit older now and shouldn't do it. I hope it gets better soon. Fred, Marly, Sylvia & Norman and everyone else (sorry I'm not sure I can remember all your names), I hope you are all keeping well and Marly hope your daughter soon recovers. The novelty of a plaster cast would soon wear off once the itching starts - and you can never quite reach the spot!! Thank goodness there are some careful and caring drivers around. Goodnight all, sleep well God bless Love Kathleen

Hello all sunny but cold Sylvia oz was very right very chilly here in Perth. Off to take my grandson to a soccer coaching clinic . Saw a leaflet at the school I work at told my daughter and she asked me to book him in. That reminds me she owes me $120 on my credit card. It is a shame that all the clinics are the other side of town not on the eastern side. So many kids miss out which is a shame the hills are too far away. Jordy is lucky his other grandad took him for two days me tioday and his father is taking a afternoon off to take him friday.(He has his own business). He loves it included a fantastic soccer top Perth Glory socer ball and the Perth Glry players will be there today and tomorrow. Thankyou to the members who asked after my daughter she is feeling better now. Joanne is making a airoplane costume for young Jacobs 4th birthday on saturday. I am surprised but this is what he wants. I am making his birthday cake plus he wants those decorated patty cakes with lots of frosting and made into spiders and so forth. Isabella will be two and she is having her special day she went through the cake book and CHOSE her own cake it is a chocolate hedehog icecream cake. My kids were a week apart so I used to have combined parties . We used to have over 40 kids. But Joanne wants them serperate. Now I feel guilty she never said in all the years she wanted her own party. I have a week off in the school holidays and have done hardly anything been so lazy. I was going to do wonders. One of the jobs was to sort out papers in the study and put all the geneology papers in order. I must have tunnel vision when I come in here I head straight for computor. Actually I did have a good day yesterday my friend and I went to mandurah. My friend had contact with a 92 year old relative on her fathers side. Grace was so clear and well spoken(Hope I am like that when I am her age) gave dates ,copies of old marriage certificates, photos. My friend had sent them a form which they list all their parents and so forth.( I am so jealous.. not realy)my friend has researched so many arms of her family. All in Australia. Also relatives in the Eastern states who have given information from the german side and who had been to the church where they were all baptised and married still there after hundreds of years. It was a wonderful day I was so pleased for my friend. A funny thing that when my friend was in Europe she was in the same area and did not know that is where they all came from. It was lucky because Graces daughter was there and she said do you know so and so she is researching this part of family and gave her a address. She also took forms to send to other family members. We also saw another relative from the other side and they swopped information, plus they were going on a trip up to the Northern territory. My friend and her husband had done a trip around Australia and was able to show them photos and give them places to see and what to avoid with their vehicle. Also we fitted in a visit to a friend of ours who was in Kalgoorlie/Boulder with us years ago and we kept in touch. It was lovely because the Mandurah friends mother who is 82 was over for a visit . We saw the Mandurah friends granddaughter who was a month old I had already sent a present but my friend bought hers with her to give. So we drove round to see new baby had a cuddle. I wish I had taken my camera because there was greatgrandmother,grandmother,mother,and baby Abby-Rose. My Mandurah friends two sons are 34 and 28 I think she was wondering if she was going to be a grandmother because she had her children late. Now I read this and remember how rushed it was there were others to visit but not enough time. It was a fantastic day we enjoyed speaking to people we had not seen for ages had laughs. I took some wine for the old lady to have with her dinner she was very pleased with that. Sorry this is the longest I have ever posted on the net which has not been geneology. If I have waffled on to long forgive me. I just feel good today. Kindest regards Pam

Hi all, Hurrah Johan is away for a few hours. He had to go to the opticians first - once a year for diabetes patients - and then the cardiologist. He will be away for a few hours so I have cut him sandwiches, flask of coffee and he has a book and the daily newspaper. Now I have time for myself. I began with baking a white loaf of bread, then changing the beds and washing the covers. Now a little rest at the computer then further making a brown loaf. Oh what the heck are we going to have for dinner? The sun is shining - which was not forecast! Now everybody have a nice day. Sylvia xxx

Hi All We have just had breaking news in Tassie about explosions in London, Travistock Square and underground bus lines. Public transport has been suspended. This is shocking news. My thoughts are with you all in the UK and hopefully our FNW'S and their families are safe, and no one has loved ones caught up with the expolsions. Thinking of all in England.

Got in about an hour ago to see the terrible happenings in London. God bless all over there. Pam

For those of you who know that two of my sons work in London on the transport systems. Both are safe and well, Phil (on the underground) is on night shift so was home and Ken (buses) well the bus was one of theirs but he has been unable to find out anything because communications are very difficult. He is at home having a day off. Praying for the safety of all your families. Love Kathleen

Hi all, I had a phone call at lunch time today and it was my granddaughter Linda. She said 'have you heard the news'. I said 'no'. She said put the television on and she cut off and phoned me again later. I had in the meantime switched on the television and saw the shocking pictures of the bombing. My heart goes out to those who have been killed or injured and those dear ones left behind. This is London, my birthplace and therefore very close still to me. Mind you there are not many Londoners, or for that matter British, still living in London. So the same tactics have been used as in Madrid - bombs on a train in the busy rush hour. Our airport at Schiphol has been put on alert more than once. You cannot tell a terrorist from a traveller, or at least I wouldn't be able to. I tend to suspect any coloured person these days, which of course is all wrong I know, but I am sure that I am not alone. Better safe than sorry I say! Have kept myself busy baking white and brown bread and changing the beds. I fell asleep in the afternoon again. I had to get up early as Johan had to be at the hospital early this morning. Good news on his side. He doesn't have to see the cardiologist until 2007! He will be 82 then. Even though his heart rhythm isn't good, they don't know why but the cardiologist is a good person. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

My friends I have some very sad news, some of you will remember Max, until recently a long time member of this site. Her parner Jason has been killed today, he was on the train in the first explosion this morning. All day she has been frantic with worry, unable to find out anything but knowing he was travelling to Liverpool Street. It was about 9 oclock this evening that she heard that he had died. There is no further news, it may be that he was the badly injured passenger who died in the hospital late this afternoon. Max has been my very good friend for a long time now and my heart is aching for her. Only a couple of days ago we talked of meeting up to do some research and talk about their planned move to a new house in Essex. Please spare a moment to say a prayer especially for her. Love to all Kathleen

Hello My prayers go out to you Kathleen, Max and everone who knows anyone caught in the disaster, or has been affected by it. It shows no one is safe and it could also happen in Aus as easy as anywhere else in the world. God bless us all.

Dear Friends There is very little one can write today. The horrible shock that we received on our news last night has left the world both sorrowful and desperately angry at the horror caused by evil,evil people. Our first concern was for our grandaughter who is working in London and the relief to know she was safe then our thoughts turned to the many victims,their families and friends. Our sympathy is with them all and particularly your friend Kathleen. When tragedy strikes like this I don't think that there is a corner of the world that someone is not touched,either by personal grief or sympathy for all. Fondest regards to you All JudyNZ

Dear Kathleen MY heartfelt sympathy to your friend Max on the senseless loss of her partner Jason. We are all reeling here in Oz about it and as someone said it can easily happen here so we cant be to complacent. Max is lucky to have a friend such as you, she will need all the support she can get. I just pray they catch these evil people, because that is what they are. MY sons fiances friend is in London and she rang her parents here and said she had taken the day off work because she felt a bit sick. She would have been on the bus that was bombed. It really does make one think! You are in our prayers. Lynda Queensland

I haven't read through all your messages but just wanted to send out my prayers to Max, Vicky and Jason's family. (I had mailed Max before I went to bed, after talking to her during the day on email. The tragic news of Jason was in her email to me when I just logged on.) xxx

I am totally confused, but would just like to let you know that I have had an email from Max. Jason is alive!! It seems the message she had yesterday was wrong. He is injured, in hospital but she has been to see him. She thanks everyone for their messages. With thanks Elisabeth xx