General Chat

Hello everyone
Have been meaning to add on here but keep forgetting.
How is Lily? I have'nt seen you for ages love, you ok?
Nice to see you Eileen, hope you are well?
Liz, how's things?, thank you for takingf the time to let us all know how Mary is.
Mary hope you are resting (well as much as this is possible with your lively brood.
Ann, hope you are ok, any holidays planned?
Gail, glad to see you have been treating yourself, I got my legs waxed once, nearly walked out of the place with one smooth leg and the other very hairy it was sooo painful. Maybe make it a regular treat for yourself if it makes you feel good.
Hi Deanna, are you all recovered now from your chaotic time with getting the new kitchen?
Hazel, how are you?
Carole you ok? xx
~~~ to Dutch, give me a ring sometime if you can and let me know your plans x
Love to everyone who I have'nt mentioned personally xx
It has been mad here, we did'nt have a great deal of snow but the roads were so very dangerous, not even sure if the main roads had been gritted, so P's school was closed last wed and no transport because of the contidion of the roads thurs and fri. Monday he has a massive meltdown on the bus and they had to take him off and I had to collect, he was then banned from the bus until a risk assessment could be carried out. He is a lttle monkey!!
So I have been taking him to and collecting from school this week, one hour each way in rush hour !! We hage had the risk assessment now and he has a new harness for the bus and when his wheelchair straps are fixed he will go in on his chair.. Please P behave today, I will be waiting with baited breath at 3pm to hear that he has gone on the bus ok, if not then we are stuffed because they will ban him again.
So there is my rant, not much else been going on, I have not been great but managing, just.
Love and hugs to you all
Claire xxx

Hi Gale, it has been very quiet on here hasn't it. All getting over Xmas!

So my friends and ciber family, either you are all on top of the world, or deep under it with depression. Either way it is just far tooooo quite on this thread lately.

I miss reading about everyone's day.

OH is back at work after holidays, I get the remote control back of a night, yeah. We are now just waiting for the carpet to be laid next week then we will have a bedroom again. So sick of the fold out. Hopefully it will last another 12 years before it need re doing. Still need to find a nice bedspread, will just look around when we get away. Wish I could still sew, easier to find material and make it, those days are no longer. Still need to sand back the timber sides of the bed, and re varnish it. My very old cat did the damage, trying to get on the bed, when she was not able, now she has chosen the bathroom mats to sleep on. Though, if I have clothes on the floor sorting to wash, she will decide to sleep on anything that I have worn. When a cat gets to 20 years old, you do not make a fuss, if she is comfortable, who am I to argue. She is a black Manx. Beautiful cat.

Love and hugs

Gail

Sorry haven't been on much, there seems to have been so little time.

Good to see you all still here.

Eileen I haven't done much research for a couple of years now, I get too engrossed on the boards. Did do a bit tonight, following up on an old bit of information. Getting the bug again.
Hope you are ok Eileen x

Mary it was good to talk to you. I always worry you will be too busy so put off calling you. Thinking of you all x

Clairejo are you ok? x

Y Caz how are you doing? x

Ann Hazel Deanna Liz Gail (oh I love your hair) ~~~~ xx

Ali hope it he;ped you to let off some steam! xx

Haven't spoke to Lilly for ages, but Dutch has. ~~~~ to you both xx

Dad has been for ECG today, to see if he needs a pace maker.

Aunt is having a visit from the manager of the home we are hoping to get her in, to see if she fits their criteria.

Now our very good friends Dad is in ICU after tow ops' in three days.

Thank goodness for anti depressants!!

Deanna, which pictures were you looking at? I am curious now. I get far too often 'bad feelings' which really unsettle me, not knowing why or how etc.

Anne, my family history is more sad than intriguing. Having read all the mails received from several cousins etc. and read between the lines, as it were, I can see and feel why some things are not 'mentioned' anymore, much though I want to know.....my sister is not in the least interested, wish she was, but can't say I blame her.The Scottish side were a strange folk. maybe the Irish side wasn't much better either, but at least I knew most of them up to a certain date...It would be nice to know who I looked like, how their health was etc. though...no-one ever really told me anything, I had to try fill in the gaps myself over the years.Not easy to do when you have so little to go on, is it?

Never mind, I am trying to just live in the present, much though I would love to have questions answered about the past. There is only one very old uncle left, who has hardly any memory about his childhood in Ireland, as he was too young when his dad died, then his mum.....all so sad.

Treasure all info you have on your rellies, it is so important.

Take care.

Eileen xx

Eileen, that was not boring at all your family history sounds intriguing but you seem to have most of the facts there. I always use sub titles and there are some hilarious mistakes. I assume it is done by sound recognition and so many of our words sound similar.

Deanna, I you can go on the GR writers thread you will see we don't seem to have the correct e mail for you, there is a 2 missing but you need to let at least one of us know where the 2 goes.

I was looking at you pictures yesterday Eileen.
I think of each of you and often feel bad because I am not always here.
Yesterday, or the day before, I was feeling really queer... you know the feeling you get when you think something is going to go wrong?
Well that was me... and I felt really weird. Not a nice feeling at all.
However. I am still here, but my back is bad and I am going to sit in my comfortable chair, get warm, and read.
Look after yourselves.
If it is too hot, put a fan on. If it is too cold put a fire on...
I am off to relax and see if my back clicks back into place.

Hugs for all.
Deanna XXXXX

Good afternoon everyone,

Snow is still thick on pavements and side roads, but, it could be slightly thawing...had to laugh at the subtitles on BBC tv. news, they often contain hilarious mistakes, take the word 'thaw'for instance, it said 'throp', which confused me for a bit....so it is going to throp in the UK. Always good to know.lol.

Deanna, I often think of you, am just a bad 'mailer'...also think of other members who have kindly kept contact with me.

Anne, I am still 'tinkin' tauts' as an uncle used to jokingly say (thinking thoughts) about staying with GR or not.Have another month, I think. After saying this and trying to make up my mind, I actually got a message from a second cousin (Scottish) last week asking if I used Skype...haven't heard from her for more than a year....coincidence or what? She says we can chat, even better if I use a webcam-as IF, folk would be falling off their perch if they saw me first thing of a morning...ANY time really.Lol
So, am still tossing up what to do.
Yes, I have had help in my search along the way, but, I just lost interest after a while, especially when the barriers were thrown up around certain facts which seem to be taboo. to mention, even after all these years.My old schoolfriend very kindly got stuck in and managed to track down the death cert. for my brother.Very diff. because he had changed his name by deed poll.I went over as soon as I heard of his untimely death in '79, had to stay over in the UK until his body was released for cremation, but the actual post -mortem didn't take place until next year july...at least we finally knew how he died, small comfort, but still.....
My eldest daughter & her husband managed to track down where my father lived and died 10 years later, also how....it is my father's first family I would like to find out about, also would like to know about all the (probably many) children he sired after scarpering when I was a baby. Only found out he was still married to the mother of his first 2 children, i.e Margaret and Mary, (same names as my mother and aunt who lived over here with me-another coincidence?) last year,Knew before this that his daughter had a relationship with a first cousin.They had a son who died at one year old..all so sad..but it is the thing that everyone is keeping mum about.So, I just gave up...

I didn't plan on posting such a long,boring message.Will keep them short in future.

Take care and keep warm.

Eileen xx

Good to see your news Mary. Just you go on resting your wrists and I hope the op can happen soon. We had our walls insulated three years ago and have really noticed the difference, especially this winter when it is so cold. A lot of the time we run our heating at 18 degrees and it is plenty warm enough, we also leave it off from 0930 until 12 o'clock, sometimes later.

Gail your hair sounds pretty and I am so pleased that you felt spoiled, nothing like it is there. That is a good price for leg waxing. I used to have mine done but gave up a few years ago.

Big Hi to Mary. When we did some large renovations a few years ago, the parts of the house that were not double brick, were insulated, walls and all. I used to nearly sit on the fire place in winter to keep warm, now at times have to open doors and windows as it is too hot, even though the fire is turned down to the lowest setting. In summer it is great as they house stays fairly cool when the air con is on. I hope Gareth settled down for you.

My hair turned out well, and now cannot be sat on. The colour is nice. I do not have a problem with my grey hairs, as they blend in with my mousey colour anyway. Hairdressers do however have a problem with my grey hairs, though not that many. Had my foils done in a bright copper, which is very pretty, and they dye was permanent. They talked me into having the rest dyed as well, but I would only allow a semi-Permanent as not very sure about having the lot done. It is okay, but would not have it done again, as the colour is just a bit too dark for me and I miss my grey, which I assure you I have earn't. So will not have that part done again, the copper foils I will have done though.

Also for the first time ever I had my legs waxed, also at the hairdressers. I think I would like to continue to have my legs waxed, it is a major chore to shave them, so do not do it often now. I also felt great and spoilt. Cost of leg wax $25, about 14.40 pounds.

The last couple of days our lovely dog has been sleeping in the kitchen or laundry, during the day. He is about 10 years old and the heat has been really slowing him down. It has also been very humid, about 80% humidity with temps of 37c. So a bit uncomfortable, hopefully some rain is on the way. Night time temperatures are between 18-20 c.

Love and hugs

Gail


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To our Y/Caz

Mary contacted me earlier and asked me to pass this on:

Thank you all for your caring and support, I've been told my life is like a 'soap opera'. Somedays it does feel that way - and we haven't reached the re-runs yet . . . .

We have lots of snow, Sarah hasn't had a seizure since starting the new med(and taking it), gareth is generally MUCH calmer, except his arms are dong double-time flapping, meg isn't going to work right now as it's too far in the snow, I'm begging off work too and may not go back,Colleen is doing very well in school, average over 80%, minimary is LOVING her baton-twirling class once a week, and Em is dancing up a storm . The dogs arrive in a month,hopefully.

We had insulation blown into the walls upstairs yesterday and he did the attic too,and the roof over my little sunroom where my desk is. within an hour of completion we realised that the temperature was hugely improved. There are a lot of 1 1/2" holes in the walls but he is coming back to plaster over the putty and C will sand & retouch with paint.

I cannot beleve the difference. it has meant C has had to sort a lot of 'stuff' which has accumulated over years. She left home in 1991, to avoid her step-father, and basically hasn't got sorted since, as her ex moved them from place to place and her boxes came with them.

So we are all OK, I was very saddened when my long-term friend died last week but my mood is improving a bit now, when the sun's out.

awaiting surgery for my wrist when it can be arranged, seems a slow process. I am so cross with myself that I basically ignored the symptoms for the best part of a year, now, belatedly I am trying t ensure it doesn't become more inflamed, and further jeopardise the end results.

had a nice chat with Carole (Tink)yesterday, in the middle of Gareth having a meltdown, seems he thought we were moving when everything was covered with sheets and there were lots of bags and boxes around to keep out the dust with the insulation. Thanks Carole for calling, I hate being out of the loop, so to speak.




Mary, if/when you manage to read this, I send you my love and a big hug and hope things go well at home and the dogs come on time, so you can start to relax a little once the children are used to them and have new 'carers'




I did put it on a seperate thread but only Susan spotted it so have added it here too.

Lizx

Alison, could it be that B's son is feeling guilty so tries to assuage the feeling by offering 'practical' help. I wouldn't let it get to you too much, you are obviously doing a great job looking after his dad and maybe he feels misguidedly displaced. A shame though as you did have that good talk with him before.

Gail I am pleased that you have got the carpet that you are please with. Nearly there then, I am sure the room will be a joy when it is finished and wonderful of your OH to give you free reign.

Alison, boy do I know that feeling well. What a joy (NOT) it is when someone else tells you how to live your life. You MUST do thing they tell you as they are so much smarter, more brilliant than we are.

Just try and tell them how to live there life and you are the worst person in the world. Not that I would have the nerve/hide to do that anyway.

You are doing a great job looking after B, and your daughter, just keep doing what you are doing. Opps, sorry told you what to do. You have managed so far with out his advice and input, you will continue manage without it.

Take care

Gail

Just when you think you are going alright. A few weeks back B's eldest son rang, he naturally wanted to talk to his father but B wasn't in any kind of mood to talk to him so I did and it was a great chat. We haven't been 'allowed' to see him and his family for years, always excuses made as to why they or we can't visit. It was the first real talk I've had with him for years and it was great.

A couple of days ago he rang back to talk to his Dad and against my better judgement I passed the phone over. Big mistake. As soon as he asked B about his (very, very) high blood pressure and was told that B had been on medication for a year he started in on him. He told him he should get off the medication, change his entire lifestyle, look at alternatives and so on. B told him to stop treating him like an idiot, we have looked at other ways to manage it, he didn’t go on medication for 6 months after he was diagnosed. I ended up having to take the phone away from B and talk to his son. He started in on me then about what we shouldn’t or should do. I was so astounded that he thought he could tell us what we should be doing without and even asking if we had looked at anything else.

I know he was meaning well but to lecture me was just not on. I live with all of B’s medical conditions every day and I am the one who looks after him. I couldn’t believe that his son was telling me what to do, he commented that we didn’t know him (wonder why) and that he had learned a lot. Well, he doesn’t know us either anymore. It was so frustrating. He saw fit to lecture both of us but then as soon as I made comment about B being my whole life (well with our daughter) he suddenly didn’t want to hear that. I’d probably not be so upset about it except hat h falls for any fad going and if it works for one person then he thinks it will work for all. I’m pleased that’s he’s worried about his dad but feel that he should be talking in person, looking at all the facts and not just telling us what to do because he thinks it’s right.

Thanks for listening.

Well ordered the carpet today and will be laid at the end next week. Ended up with a lady helper who understood 1880's houses and the colour I wanted, picked the second carpet she showed us. There were so many to choose from and the carpet guy kept showing us very pale cream and bone colours, must have looked at a 100 of these and kept saying no, and he kept up with the pale shades until the lady said she knew what I wanted to show off the timber in the room. Plus this guy was showing us only the very cheapest in the store, so we must look like we are very poor. As OH gave me free rein to choose, I was still careful, chose middle of the range in price, and ended up with exactly what I wanted. Colour very close to paint, and matched paint sample and curtains, as I had these with me.

It has been very quite on here the past few days, just because you are all snowed in does not mean you cannot get on your PC.

Carole, hope your family in Florida are okay, as also snowed in today. Now that is scary!!!!

Thinking of everyone and hope you are all okay.

Love and hugs

Gail

Carolina, you and Me too.... I have not been on much lately.
It is so cold in here with my pooter so I would rather sit in the living room with the heating, and read.
Think of you all the time folks, please believe that, but often when I come on, it is cold, I have so many e-mails to answer (not a complaint) and I work in 'fits and starts'. If I didn't I would freeze.

Maxi Mary... My husband would say... That Mary doesn't have her troubles to seek, does she?
And He would be right.
When I think, Mary could do with a break, I sure as **** did not mean a leg!
Bless you Mary, you live your life helping other people and its time you had a helping hand... a serious one.
And losing your friend too.... life is just not fair Mary is it?
Bless you.

Love and hugs,
Deanna XXXXX

hi all im sorry i haven't been on for a long time i just want to say thank you to all my friends for the ongoing support and love i have had at this very difficult time


love and hugs carolina x x

Hazel, your Mum would understand and wouldn't want you to go out and risk having a fall. You can think of her whereever you are and have flowers if you can get them, at home so that every glance or smell brings your Mum to mind.

Take care
Lizx

It would have been my mums 83rd birthday today. I miss her so much.

I was hoping to go and put some flowers down for her where her ashes are. But cant with weather like this.

But lets hope next week isnt bad and i can do it then,

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}for you all who needs them

Take care if you have to go out.

Hazelx

I copied it on here Liz because this is the thread that Mary's friends always read and also Mary herself, it is no trouble to copy and paste it and doesn't matter if it is in two places. You don't have to worry about putting it on here if it is easier for you to just add it to your thread.

ClaireJo, so pleased that you can feel P is secure in the house and unable to escape. Hope that the transport is back on for you soon.