General Chat

Hi all Kathleen I didn’t mention earlier that I am thinking of you and Susan. I do hope things start to pick up now the Chemo is finished. Yes it is really starting to warm up here, only occasionally I have the heater on during the day as we are getting warmer temperatures of up to 18 and most nights are only getting about 7. There are a lot of blossoms on the trees and along with that are the dreaded bees. I know they do good but I can’t stand them. I swear they head straight for me, when I was young we had a houseful at my Nan’s and a bee flew in the door past everyone else and straight to where I was sitting. As for going everywhere with Gaynor Bear, its funny how people think you are a bit silly, when you do something that is not always seen, until they realise that you are doing it for a good cause. Judy, I know what you are saying about the patience being a bit thinner now that we are a bit older, I find myself about to tell them off for making a noise, and then I stop myself for a moment and think to myself, well they are not fighting, they are only playing noisily. They are reasonably close to each other with their ages so they get along pretty well. Between us we have a 16year old, 14 year old, 13 year old, 12 year old and two 11 year olds. But they can be as noisy as younger children. When they are noisy I just say to myself it is not long til night time when they go to bed and I can sit down and relax for an hour or so before I feel the need to also crawl into bed.

Hi everyone, Sorry I haven't been around but I'm sure you didn't want me passing my germs around and moaning about my cold. Yesterday I received my reminder about my flu jab and it reminded me that I always have a cold when the jab is due, proves that my body clock is still working, lol Kathleen, Fingers crossed for Susan, I hope she fells better each day, I bet she will be pleased to see this year out and another New Year start. Mavis, Its amazing the little things you remember when you start writing down your memories, I hope to add a few photos too, although I have lost a box, I'm hoping they come to light during the removal. J A. Enjoy your holiday and rest. Judy, I enjoy looking forward to summer and BBQs, I dont really look forward to winter although I love Christmas. Sue, Your house and family sound such a happy one and having extra children doesn't seem to put you out at all. Fred, Are you getting your own back and slapping my hands, lol? I did welcome Mavis and so did others, so der de der der! lol I have to take my granddaughter to work now, so see you soon. Hi to those I haven't mentioned. June xx

Hi all,Fred stands corrected and slaps his wrist [again],but you must admit ,it provoked a good response so i won't apologise apart from the ones who have had a miserable last two weeks with colds and other upsets so there. Trouble is ,i am trying to keep up with this and that,cope with the garden, housework ,research and i think it's time to slow down a bit. It's a lovely day here again,sunshine ,quite warm for the time of year ,but it is rather windy,hee hee,i was sitting in the back garden eating a roll with cheese in[ my dinner] i put the roll on the plate and reached for the can to have a drink and the plate started to slide across the table,Fred promptly puts down the can ,and reaches for the plate to rescue the lovely ,fresh roll ,and the can gets blown over grrrrr,it's okay ,i get the message,no more dinner outside till the spring. I am looking forward to next weeks holiday more and more now,and am getting my fishing gear fitted up ,ready to do battle with the pike,which i'm told can be pretty big on the broads,so i'm hoping to break my record for the biggest caught. I am getting fed up of missing calls because i hav'nt got my earphones on ,so as soon as i finish this missive,i will be putting the speakers and mic' back into use,and then i can play my music and chat at the same time. Both of us will be keeping our fingers crossed for Susan,and it would be a lovely birthday present for me if the lady gets the all clear in november,she deserves a huge slice of luck after being brave for so long. hope this finds every one starting to look forward to the weekend,and just think,it's one week closer to Christmas lol. Fred.PtfA&G&G&S>

Hi all, Just been checking up on you all and read your messages. Maybe write tomorrow. Sylvia from holiday address xxx

Hi Everybody JA lovely to hear mention of Mr D, Ripley sends her love,both she and Anna miss hearing news of THEIR friends and often think of Beckham.Bonnie,Tortoise,GP's,Milo etc. Sue,your mention of bees reminds me of a news item which said that the lovely bumble bee was becoming scarce in the UK.No doubt due to the insecticides being used willy nilly. We have the Bumble bee here (I think they are lovely little beings but always treat with respect) I understand there aren't any in Oz. June I have never experienced an English Christmas but can believe it is quite lovely.Such the opposite of ours where it is usually too hot to enjoy the usual Christmas fare. It took my husband many years to get used to the difference. Sylvia and Johan hope you both are enjoying a welcome break. Won't be long and Brenda will be back from her holiday, look forward to hearing her news. Happy thoughts to you all JudyNZ

Hi All Judy, I am not sure about the mainland if they have bumble bees, but here in Tassie we have had them for a couple of years. I am not sure how they arrived in Tassie, whether they was brought in for a particular reason, or if they just might have flown over from NZ by themselves. I am not worried about the bumble bees they look funny, and some people over here are calling them V8 bees, because of their loud noise when they fly. Do bumble bees sting? I am only scared of normal bees and Wasps. I have only been stung a couple of times by a bee when I was young, so I am not sure what started me being afraid of them. We had a wasp nest in a bank of a front yard 2 doors down fom where I lived when I was a child. The parents had poured something in the nest and boarded it up. Us children was told not to go near it, well one day I went out with my Nan and yes you guessed it the other kids moved the boards and they all got stung, some many times. I am not sure if that is what made me scared, just knowing what can happen. Or maybe I am just a softy, but then I also hate spiders, even Daddy long legs. Well must go and catch up on some rest now that our home is 3 children less, with Davids children gone home today. June you are right, weare a happy family when we are all together. They will be back on 21 Dec for Christmas. Hello to all who I havent mentioned

nudge

Hi to you All Sue I can understand your fear of bees.Our eldest daughter was stung when she was only 5 yrs,luckily we were quite close to a doctor's surgery as her face was swollen within 30mins and she had difficulty in breathing but within moments of having an antihistime injection she came right.Poor little lass had to have a course of inoculations but as she had had such a fright,she never complained. I believe the bumble bee does have a sting but unlike other bees it doesn't lose it, however,they are not aggressive and I love to watch them. I do curse the day our forbears brought wasps to these shores however,they serve no worthwhile purpose and I have seen a paper wasp carry off a monarch butterfly caterpillar, ugh !! Well off to pull some more weeds,these days are so lovely ,it is nice to be outdoors.My recent illness has left me like you Fred,limited to what I can do,however I am learning to adjust and control my frustration by exploring other avenues of enjoyment,being on this thread is one of them and what a lovely excuse !! Regards to all JudyNZ

Hi everyone Some years ago when we had a swimming pool and I was sweeping it a bumble bee stung my foot right through the sock. I didn't take much notice at first and soon I could hardly walk on my good foot. My son took me up to A&E and was told to take antihistamine. These days I steer clear of bees and wasps. I was just looking at one of the other threads about the Sudoko craze, I not the only person addicted to it. John

Hi all. Would like to join your thread was on one before but under Rupert from NZ, recognise a few names from back, Changed my name as I think i am a bit of an old chook. Well past my best before date at anyrate. Will write more later as food has just been thrown into the coop and best go get some. Regards and all the best to everyone on the thread

Hi Everyone, Sorry I have been missing again, its another week of haveing thinga to do, posting parcels, photoing road signs etc. Welcome Rooster Guy, I'm past my sell by date too so dont let that worry you, You are as old as you feel ( I wont complete that saying, lol) John, I must be thick, I just cant get into this Sudoko, yet I like Code Breakers and word puzzles. I will have to have another go when I have time from writing my memories. Sue and Judy, I always give nees and wasps a wide berth, My daughter is terrified, one summer they were just attracted to her, they would go inside her clothes, she stopped using perfumes etc.. In the end we put it down to the medication she was on because she didn't have the problem before or afterwards, but she is very wary now. Judy Beckham and Bonnie are fine, although Beckham keeps getting a little upset when all these boxes appear. Tortie is very slow now and hardly eating, she must be getting ready for her long sleep. Atleast is she is asleep when we move house, ut will be easier for us to keep an eye on her. Sylvia v O, I hope you and Johan are enjoying yourselves and keeping out of mischief, lol Fred, you didn't mention any nice warming soups today.Would you please print the odd one on now and again please? Kathleen, I hope you and Susan are coping, I've got my fingers crossed for you. Off to take Sam to work now so speak tomorrow. Love June xx

Hi all,and hello again to Ruppee,long time no see ,come on and join the other old chukk'es lol.,there are plenty of us on here,Elisa wised me up to who you were by the way ,so you can blame her, hee hee. I will have a word with the wife June,and get you some new soup recipies ,i have a few if you would like them,i tried some last night ,and got my wrist slapped[this is getting to be a habit] again sniffle.cause i wanted MORE,i felt a bit like Oliver.with Liz waving that stick again,you know ,i don't know why some one never mentioned any thing about burying that stick while i was busy in the garden [rotten lot]. She is starting the christmas pud's when we come back off holiday,and the cake ,so if anyone would like the home made chissy puds instead of the shop bought ones with gravy in [ugh] just ask. The sun is out the ,sky is blue and i'm going in the garden shortly ,don't know about you. sorry folks ,a mad half hour is coming on. We have started packing a couple of bit's and pieces,ready for Saturday ,and i'm getting a bit exited now,i can almost smell these fish[or is it the tea] never mind ,as elisa suggested ,i will have the camera with me to take a piccy of the caught fish ,so ,if no photos ,no pics,and don't worry Elisa,i can't cheat,you can't buy pike in a fishmongers,and you can't catch cod or whiting up river so i CAN'T cheat lol. I have two new programmes on the puter where i can call up street maps ,photo's and web cam's in aus and new Zealand now so i will be sniffing out those summer B.B.Q.'s you will be having,and watching out for any free bee tucker,and may request some recipie ideas from over the pond. What do you all like for your christmas dinner over there? i bet ,in that heat you can't be bothered with the traditional roast and what have you ,so someone please tell us brit's what you enjoy on the beach or in your gardens on the 25th. .I don't think i will be looking for any internet cafe's down there it's goin' to be a fishing holiday ,as in chill out time ,eighteen hours fishing ,and six sleep lol.i intend to recharge the batteries ,and ENJOY myself.have a nice afternoon all ,see you tomorrow ,Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi All Welcome back Rooster Guy. John NZ I tried a Sudoko online yesterday, the second time I attempted to do one, the first time I couldnt get it right, but yesterday it all fell into place, so to speak, so I may have another go today. I watched David's eldest child do them while she was here last week, and decided to give it another go. Fred, no sorry I wont be putting in an order for Xmas pudding lol. I can not stand fruit cake or puddings with fruit in them, even the smell of them when they are hot doesnt agree with me. So my poor David who likes Xmas pudding has to rely on my mum cooking him a little pudd all for himself. She wraps it up in Christmas paper and give it to him as a Pressie. He has never complained and always looks forward to his little pressie, he doesnt leave any of it so it must be nice. The only time I ate Xmas pudd was when I was pregnant with my first child, when I asked for some pudd the whole family (about 30) looked at me in disbelief, I dont know how I ate it, it was the one and only time. For Christmas we all go to Nans for Christmas dinner, we have to have roast turkey and ham along with roast spuds and also boiled new potatoes and other vegies. Then there is the Chrissie pudd and other sweets like pineapple snow, meringue, cheesecake and I mustnt forget my sweets, because I dont like pudd I have some stewed Kentish Cherries and cream, and then I have a bowl of fresh Raspberries and Cream. Last year one of Nans daughters suggested that we have a cold Christmas dinner or a BBQ, well the reaction from Nan was unbelievable, I recon they would have heard her down the end of the street lol. Lucky she isnt as violent as Liz, otherwise the one that mentioned the stupid idea would have wore her walking stick like poor Fred does sometimes lol. There is only one Christmas Dinner that you have and thats the end of story, no matter how hot it is as far as Nans concerned. Well not that I have taken up all this room on the board I will go now. Hello to all who I havent mentioned, hope you are all well.

Hi everyone, Its a bit wet here this morning, its a good job I got my washing dry yesterday, we do have a tumbledrier but I prefer the washing dried outside, Fred, I look forward to soup of those soup recipes, with this cold weather coming on, they will be just the job, Do you freeze them, I know Sylvia has talked about freezing soups. Sue, I agree with Nan, there is only one dinner to have on Christmas Day, and that is Turkey and the full trimmings, mind I do admit to having a side salad as well. I dont eat Christmas pudding though, its too sweet for me. Even in hot weather, I still like a cooked dinner, I like BBQs too but not on Christmas day, Now I am giving my age away, lol Everyone is now stirring ready to go to work so I had better leave you all. Brenda should be back from holiday shortly. June xx

Hi Everyone,Brenda is back!!!!! Had an absolutely brilliant time,weather,food .hotel everything great. Have spent nearly an hour reading all the messages from when I went away to Tennerife,glad to see new face welcome Mavis and Rupert. Now going to watch Coronation Street ,doing it backwards as I have to wait for the video my friend has hopefully made for me.Its alaso been a long day and after that i will probably have a bath and bed. Love to all Brenda

Hi Everybody Well,tonight our clocks go forward an hour and we all start to adjust again(including the poor old milking cows)but I think the majority of us really love it. Welcome back home Brenda.look forward to your report once you have recovered from the jet lag. Great to hear from you again Rupee,have you news of Bill,Mary etc do miss their 'chatter'. Fred, our Christmas is rather a mixture of old and new,the whole family get to-gether,often difficult as with 3 nurses in the family,someone is usually working so we have a celebration on Boxing Day also. For Christmas dinner we all share the work load and usually have roast lamb(sometimes turkey)with all the trimmings roast veg etc.plum puddings,I still add a coin to each helping - used to be threepence,then sixpence now five cents but as they are going to do away with our 5 cents heaven knows what we will use next year ! Trifle is a must and chocolate log.,fruit mince pies and Christmas cake BUT the best day of all is Boxing Day,there is so much food left over,lamb,turkey,chicken,salads etc. we all have time to just sit back with a drink of choice and enjoy each others company. Regards to all JudyNZ

nudge from sylvia on holiday

Morning All,had to put the heating on today as I feel so cold,don't know if it is the big difference in temps,just getting back from holiday or me coming down with something as I have been coughing a lot and had an head since we got back. Well most of the washing is washed but not all dried. Judging by the layer of dust etc don't think David found the polish and duster while I was away,he did find the vac and did some vaccing and also kept all his pots and pans washed when he cooked anything for himself ,so shouldn't complain. My nephews wife had a little girl,10lb 8oz,names Annabelle Jane Lois,after people in each family I am told. We had a bad start to our hoiliday as my friends case got left in Manchester ,she had to wait 24 hours for it.luckily her sister was also on holiday at the same place so she lent her some items of clothing for the night. It did not get any better for her , her father died on the Tuesday and they had to fly home a week early to make arrangements etc. He had been having tests but nothing was apparently serious when they left,he just sort went to bed and died peacefully in his sleep. That put a bit of a damper on things but we still enjoyed ourselves as best we could. Will give you more information on the holiday tomorrow,hope you are all having a good weekend. Take care ,Brenda

Hi everyone, Brenda, I am so glad to see you back, glad you have managed to get the washing done. Have had a couple of queries about the next Meet so when you have settled down, we will have to have a chat. Sorry to hear about your friend's father, that must have been quite a shock. Sylvia v O, you should be enjoying yourself and not thinking about us, lol Judy, I enjoy Christmas Day but it is a lot of work whereas, as you say there is such a lot of food left over, we can all chill out and just help ourselves when ever we feel like it. We always used to have bubble and squeak, fry all the veg together and have some cold meat with it. The sun is out today and its looks lovely outside, I will soon find out how warm it is when I hang the washing out. Have a nice day. June xx

Hi everybody, Yes, it really is me back full of beans. Oh, it is so lovely to be back in one's own home again. My daughter's house has all the mod cons - in fact too many! If you have a shower there are about 10 knobs to turn and I usually get a cold shower in my face. I have only one at home and that suits me to a tee. I wouldn't dare get into her bubble bath or I'd still be in there now. It is big, the bath, but I'm big too! I couldn't get her new cooking plate working - an induction one. I only have a ceramic one and that suits me fine. We made do with take aways and microwave and survived. On the first day in Eindhoven we took it easy and went out in the evening to do what they call a 'lichtjes tour', which is a route set out round the town with all sort of things lit up and lots added. The founder of the lamp bulb's son was 100 this year and they had a silhouette of him in a prominent place. Eindhoven is Philips, lots of different Philips factories and not forgetting PSV football ground. Fritz Philips still goes to watch football, even at 100 years of age! On Tuesday we went into Germany but we were both tired so didn't do too much. On Wednesday we visited Johan's sister of 82 years of age who has had 2 strokes now and is learning to walk again. Thursday we went shopping in different places and Friday visited the wholesalers as I needed one or two things. We came past Bata village. Yes, this is where BATA shoes originally came from and the village is called Bata village. I managed inbetween to do Janet's last washing and ironing for her and made her beds up for when she comes back Tuesday in the night, probably around 4 o'clock in the morning. She has to begin work at 9.00 am. I bought flowers and generally tidied up for her. Johan has to see the cardiologist on Wednesday evening, so then we'll hear more of what is going to happen. I do hope it is not another operation. I have such vivid memories of his last operation. Now he is 10 years older. Now, that's about my say for today, it's been nice reading all your news too. Sorry Brenda that your holiday wasn't such a success, but a change is as good as a rest. Sylvia xxx