General Chat

Hi, nice to see all the newish posts. Thank you for your kind thought, Claire.
Yesterday I wrote quite a long message in answer to Alison in Oz but managed to delete it. I hit "Reply" instead of "Submit" and it was gone.
Alison, I think it's a lovely idea to talk to your deceased parents etc. I have also been told that you can even write them a letter. This is something I haven't done, but might one day.
What an amazing coincidence about the dragonfly. I can understand your excitement.
I think both Liz and Eileen are right about wasps. When a bee stings, it leaves the barb and the stinging organ itself behind, and the bee is so badly injured that it dies, or so the folk tale goes. Wasps are different. They inject venom. My guess is that the venom is formic acid, and when it is localised it is incredibly painful, but when sucked out as described by Liz it is diluted so much by the saliva that you scarcely taste it. That's my twopence worth, anyway.
Mary, young Gareth seems to be making progress with a capital P! I loved his obsession with lining up the water bottles. Sure, it's not "normal" but it kept him happy. Same with helping with his spade. I bet he loved being on stage with everyone watching, if he was aware of this. I know that sometimes he would be in a little world of his own.
I smiled at Deanna's complaint about the cold. I have felt a bit miserable but not depressed as we have had a lot of grey days recently, but today was sunny and 23. The warmest day this month! Low 70s for those in Farenheit lands. But cooler whether is coming as it's only 7 day to June!
Commiserations to Gail. I wish your cold-flu would go away. And Hazel- any news of your (her) move? Colin

Claire, I hear your frustration with being up in the night. It is SO familiar.
Gareth and Sarah both do night performances too. They have both slept much better since I bought them a trampoline 2 weeks ago, and they can wear off energy before going to bed.
I am fit to be tied over the trampoline, their absent father has announced this weekend that he has bought them one and he wants them to have the one HE bought, which he says he can't take back. He walked out on their visit on the w/e because of anger that I had bought one. Now he's wanting Colleen to dismantle this one and put up his!! I don't want to be in the middle of the situation either, but he's already called me (first time in 4 years). I can feel my blood pressure mounting even as I write this. Anxiety was always a big issue where he was concerned, waiting for the next blow-up.
As far as I am concerned the important thing is that the children NEED to bounce, they are what should be the focus. he should be grateful they have it, he never mentioned he'd bought one until Mary told him they got one.
Sorry to rant, it's all about his wanting control.
I've had a long sleep and am somewhat less stiff this morning. Not going to garden before work, don't want to add further aches and pains to the collection.
Colin thanks, Gareth just loves to move to music and gravitates towards it. At the church, they have a drummer and some percussion some weeks, and he is always trying to get up there with them, wants to be part of the group. He loves to link arms with Em and do leg-kicks to music (like the chimney sweeps in Mary poppins, he knows all their 'moves' and dances with them.)
Alison I hope you are feeling a bit better today. When I was grieving for my father and one son, several years after the fact, a counsellor had me write a letter to my Dad to say all the things I thought were left unsaid. It WAS very cathartic, and healing began. I still remember him, but now am more inclined to think of happy or humourous memories. I still struggle with the loss of my son, especially as the date nears.
Thinking of you all, can't write a long list, you know who you are, just don't want to leave anyone out.
hugs
Mary

Hi everyone, I am really tired so apologise for all the emails and pms I owe replies to, am juggling things at the mo and it's stressful, o.h. only went back to work yesterday after the weekend, and took the car so I couldn't go out and do what I had arranged to do, which was move some stuff I had in storage, the shed it is in has to come down as it is rotten and the chap I rented it from hasn't been very fair, he said I could go back to it afterwards and they would find somewhere for my things while it was done, when I called the other day he said diffferently and apparently because there is asbestos in the shed so it will cost more to remove, he says he will probably have to put the charges up and doesn't know when it will be ready. A friend has agreed I can put the things in her garage temporarily while I sort something else out but it is hardly my fault the shed was so bad, I couldn't see the outside at the back where it is rotten, as it was lined inside so am now back where I started really. Bit of a waste of time, I was hoping to use it as a sorting area as it was within a yard so not in public view as most garages are. Have to bring the things to my friends garage a few doors up but only when o.h. is out so he doesn't know, and she has her house for sale so is only a matter of time till she goes, altho she is asking a lot for the bungalow so might be a while yet, I hope. She is only moving out of boredom so not a major problem if there is a delay while she tries to get the price she wants.
Anyway, must try and do it today or tomorrow so there is no hassle from landlord and so will say goodnight and wish you all a better day today, love and hugs
Lizxxx

Had to make the very difficult decision to have one of our beloved cats put to sleep today. He had kidney failure and even though I knew it was coming and was doing the right thing, does not make it any easier.

He used to follow me every day when I fed the chickens, he always got there before me, the last couple of weeks I have had to wait for him to catch up, and I am not very fast. He was a loving friend and I miss him so much already. We brought him home with us.

I am very down today.

Gail

Oh Gail,

So sorry to hear about your cat. I hope you have somewhere beautiful to place him to rest. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Alisonxx

Gail I'm so sorry about your deeply loved cat. I know you will feel lost without it following you about. You had to make a disission and what you did was for the best reason. Puss is now at peace xxx

Liz sounds very stressfull for you. Hope everything works out soon xx

Alison nice to see you there xx

Just a quick look in before I go to work. Yesterday was a real struggle. I think it was with the bank holiday long weekend.

Love to you all

Good afternoon everyone,

It is very windy here, but dry, what is most important.From tomorrow onwards, we should be having warm, sunny weather, which should lift the
'black clouds' a bit.

Gail, I know how you feel about losing a beloved cat. My cat Lapje had to be put to sleep in the same week that Lady Diana died.Odd way to remember my faithful old lady. I was there for her birth, she was such a loving animal. loved nothing better than being carried around on my arm, with her paws around my neck-STREWTH! She too, had kidney failure.Terrible decision to have to make when her time came....It took me ages to get over this, because my mother had died only a couple of months earlier, and my aunty (both lived with me over here in Holland) was living temporarily in France with my eldest child, who has since become completely handicapped, so things were already stressful enough. Lapje's death was such a blow, on top of all the other things.I could hear 'hear' her walking through the room, as she couldn't draw her claws in anymore, for years afterwards.Gulp!!!! All my children were broken up by this, as they too, had klnown her from her birth, and loved her to bits.Very special cat. I never had one after this, only took on my youngest's eldely cat Hanna when she couldn't look after her any more, Hanna being a really old lady who needed a lot of TLC, more so than most cats. Had to have her put to sleep also after about 5 months. I dare not have anymore cats since.


My sincere thanks to all those who have sent me such nice,kind e-mails and p.m's. Sorry, but I am still doing battle with my demons, and hope that things will settle down soon.

The meds. I am taking for the thyroid problem are still not sorted. This is going to take time and patience. At first it seemed to go sooo well, but then the thyroid started working the other way round. Instead of being far too rapid, the meds. made it work far too slow.So, it is a case of trial and error. Hope things start to work out as they should in another couple of months.

Colin, what you say about bee and wasp stings is true. Poor old bees, oonce they sting you, they die. I hate the idea of this. Wasps, the little b*****s are another kettle of fish. They can sting you and continue on to do the same to other unfortunates....rotten s**s. Have had far too many encounters with them, and lost the battle, even though I never panic and wave arms or anything when they approach me, which they DO.

Went to visit my daughter in her Dacha, as she calls it, (she is married to a Russian, and is the one who drove her car into a ditch months ago), on sunday, the hottest day so far.It took 'only' about 2 and 3 quaters of an hour to get there, with 4 differnent train changes, the way back took me from 18.00 until 21.40, so my brain, or the poor excuse for a brain, was fried, so to speak. Terrible journey. All trains were completely packed, you almost had your elbows in each other's nose, so to speak, and ALL were delayed, which meant missing all connections. Can't say I will be making THIS journey often.PHEW. Have to admit that the area was great, really peacful, almost old-fashioned, but the journey....

My youngest g. son is coming here for 3 days and night next month, whilst his parents go away together for a while. I love him to bits, but he is an extremely difficult little child. Have ever come across this before with any of my own children or g.children. The last g.grandchild I had for very long periods was such a difference. Mid you, I was about 9 years younger then. and he was a very easy child.......

Hope everyone is having a much more peaceful, happy time now, with (hardly) any stressful ordifficult times.

Good luck to you all and P.G you all are able to relax and enjoy life...


Love. Eileen xx

Forgot to add, it is my eldest's ( the handicapped daughter)birthday tomorrow.Can't phone her because there is something wrong with her phone.Isn't it always the same?

Very windy here, the doors are all banging due to badly fitting frames.

Sleep well.

Hi Claddagh, wish your daughter a very happy birthday from me when you can get in contact with her, please.
Talk soon.
Lily.

Hi Eileen, hope you can make contact with your daughter somehow to wish her birthday greetings and also hope she has a nice day. Seems many of us have been affected by the loss of our much loved pets, special thoughts to you Gail, with your recent loss - it's so hard to make the decision we know is right. I miss all my pets, my cats who were all such different characters and my dog too, not been in the position since to take on more pets and it does make you wonder if you can cope with further inevitable losses doesn't it?

I managed to move most of the things yesterday afternoon, took two trips, had to throw out a book which the rat had chomped on, but luckily most of the other things showed no sign of any damage or such, so wiped everything over with wipes containing bleach and have put them in my neighbour's garage, I have to go back today for the rest as next week o.h. will be around in the afternoon and would see me going in the garage up the road. The work is being started on the 8th and they still haven't decided quite how to replace this old timber garage, he is saying portakabin, brick building, shed etc etc so I am not sure if it will be something I can afford to rent, I think he will want too much money. I felt sick with the stress of dealing with everything, complete panic there on my own and could have run screaming and crying from the place but had to bite the bullet and do it, so hope I can get the rest today and also do the many errands I have to do, have a busy few days ahead so won't be able to get there until next week if I don't get it cleared today.

take care everyone, I keep you all in mind even if I don't get in contact individually at the mo.

Lizxxxx

Dear Gail I know how heartbreaking it can be to lose a beloved pet, sending you a big hug.
Eileen hope you are able to get in touch with your daughter, I join in sending her good wishes. My daughter Meg has a b'day tomorrow ,she's challenged, and tells me "I don't feel old" at 39!! Honey, you don't know 'old' yet . . . . .
It's chilly, windy and rainy today, depressing weather if I look outside. Have a cuppa, and a slice of forbidden (we're only supposed to have gluten-free in the house) olive bread, then a nap. I am really tired even after one shift, thanks to my ballet over the tomato cages a few days ago.
Liz - please note - 2/3 of my desk is clear, the other 1/3 is today's goal - good for you moving the stuff.
off to rest for a while.
Mary

Hello all, sorry I haven't been on here for a while, I am down in the dumps and didn't want moan.
Gail I am so sorry for you losing your pet, I remember losing our beloved old lady nearly three years ago, it's an awful time, but he knew he was loved. I hope your flu clears up soon, you must be so run down that you can't fight it anymore.
Mary I am pleased at you clearing your desk by 2/3. I remember when you started on here how you had an aversion to opening envelopes and such. What a life you have, I love reading your posts and wonder how you manage it all. I don't think I could do half of what you do, and work as well. Best wishes to your daughter tomorrow, I hated my 39th, thought it was the start of middle age.

Eileen I wish they could sort your thyroid out for you quickly, I know how I felt before I got treatment for underactive one. Belated birthday wishes for your daughter, I hope you managed to get in touch.

I had a lovely surprise last week, answered the phone to find Joyce P on the other end. It was so good to hear from her again, she reads this thread sometimes and keeps up with us all and thinks about us, but is not up to posting yet. Toby still takes her for walkies up and down the crescent, I miss hearing her stories about him, and just life in general.

I can't type any more now as my fingers are screaming at me to stop using them. I can't name everyone but think about you all every day, I'll be back to normal soon I hope. Still got a lot of unpacking to do but can't be bothered yet.

Love and hugs to all.

Caz xx

Hi

How is everyone? Had a few more ancestor certs arrive.

Ben

Hi everyone

I wont be around for awhile as moving Saturday.

I wont be on internet for awhile about 10 days, i hope its sooner. but they take they time to sort it all out.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}for everyone.

Speak soon

Hazelx

Hi Everyone,
Carole i will pm you after Sunday.
Liz, good for you, i was thinking of getting rid of my books , bringing them into a second-hand book shop,getting some money for them as some of them have not even been opened yet but then i think NO cannot before i read them, have lent some out to "friends" but never gotten them back so went to book store and bought same ones again.
MaxiMary, i hope that your daughter Meg had a very happy birthday 28th.
Went into town yesterday and signed a book for all victims of abuse in schools, homes ect. in Ireland 1940s----1990s.
Then went down Harry Street of Grafton Street (posh area) to see the Famous Statue of Philip Parrish Lynott.Missed the strret twice as i had never been around that area before, but it is near Dawson Street where the Mansion House is (where we signed the book) The Lord Mayor lives there.
YCaz it is great to see you on here i will pm you to-morrow, please take it easy, the unpacking will eventually get done as you need it.
Has anybody heard from Joyce (Dutch) as she said that she would pm me, i know that she had a few accidents(falls) and the last thread that she had up was to say that she was doing her packing and another one for Kerry who had lost her dad and his Furenal was one during the week.
Clairejo i hope that you have recovered from the children off school for the Whit week-end, we have our Bank holiday week-end this week coming.
1st june.
Claddagh we have just got a new bridge from Holland to be put over the river Liffey should be finished i think in Sept. I have forgotten the name of it at the moment but will tell you when i remember.
To anybody end everybody that i did not mention i say HI, and take care, will talk soon again.
Bless and take care, sleep well.
Lily.
Edit forgot, Good luck in your new home Treehunter, i hope that it brings you the best of luck.Take care.

I still have not caught up on posts but thinking of each and everyone of you.

Still down with second dose of flu, have had enough and back is very sore as well from constant coughing, I think I am just so low from it all now I cannot see the wood for the trees. I also think asthma is back with a vengeance, usually can control it okay but difficult with constant infections.

I am still in the land of the living, the dreaded h@$#eW%&k has not been done now for weeks, but guess what? it will still be there when I feel better.

Love and hugs

Gail

Hi all, got my things moved, so will sleep better tonight, the last couple of nights, well mornings, I have woken up every hour or so, worrying about getting the storage area empty but now it is done and I have moved the things out so will have to sort lots of the papers out and throw most away I hope, newspaper cuttings etc etc and then decide what I need out of the rest, as well as sort out the rest of my stuff in three other garages and my house! It is so hard tho, Mary has done much better than I have - makes me feel very guilty with all Mary has to do at home as well and at work.

Hazel, lots of luck in your new home, you have been waiting long enough so hope it is all you want it to be.

Caz, take care and have a lovely Anniversary.

I meant to call Kathy by the Sea and haven't had a chance, hope to talk to you soon love, if you are looking in,

take care everyone and enjoy the warm weather.

love
Lizxxxx

Wow!!! Caz in Yorkshire is back on air. Great to see you, Carole.
And Hazel is moving at long last. Good luck, mate. I know you have wanted to get out of MK for months (years?). Without being too specific, where are you going?
Just to rave on a bit:
It's great Ben is getting certificates. Been there and done that for my ancestors, now working on rellies and more distant connections. Slowly, as I don't want to spend a fortune.
I need to catch up with my mother's sister, who has done some work on her ancestry but I really don't know how much. She has some Australian certificates but I am not sure which ones (I have some also). She cannot afford GR, Ancestry, Scotland on line etc but if I could get to her place for a longer break I could log on with my user names.
Expect you to feel better, Gail. At least it's not the human/bird/swine flu ... is it?
Eileen, I would love to go to Ireland one day. After all, that is where several of my ancestors came from. And no, they were free settlers, NOT convicts - well most of them. One was convicted and transported by a court in Roscommon for being an Irishman. His crime was "ribbonism", which I interpret as being a member of a ribbon society. A crime in 1820. Fourteen years, but realistically there was never any prospect of returning home. So they stayed.
His death in the parish record gives his occupation as farmer. He may have been a tenant rather than a land-owner but I will chase that up in electoral rolls. One day.

I forgot to mention and thank everyone for understanding about my puss, was looking for him yesterday while feeding the chickens, then put some of his favourite food out for him, it will take some time to get adjusted to.

Colin do not think it is pig flu, maybe bird flu with all my chickens. :))) The flu has been bad in my area over the past few months and everyone that gets it has it for many weeks. Luckily OH has the flu jab and only had a mild dose of the same flu. I had a dose of the hanger on flu then got a different one on top, so has made me a bit sick. If I did not cough all night and was able to get some sleep I am sure I would feel much better.

The biggest percentage of my ancestors came out as convicts, a very few that did not. I does make it interesting though. I have been using a 'Transcription Agent' as it is cheaper than ordering the certificates. I do love having the certificates when I can afford them though. For the early church records that do not have much on them I only pay $12. I am waiting on a batch now and it is still exciting, so understand how Ben must feel. I think we are all the same though and the excitement does not wane.

My Convicts were sent out for being very naughty. Not just for belonging to a society.

Must go and try and fold up last weeks washing.

Gail

LIZ please do not feel guilty because I've taken some small steps. It took me weeks to start. There's still a lot to do, I am NOT out of the woods yet.
I often look at stuff I've moved from place to place, and when my mood is 'up', I can rationalise that it's nonsense to hang on to it all, then I'm 'down' and it all gets stuffed away again. I've "cleared" a few antique pieces of china recently when Gareth had a meltdown and threw some of my little china teapots onto the ceramic tile floor before I could catch him, one was from Llangollen, one from Carmarthen, both my grandmother's. Weeks later I can say I had years of pleasure from them, I'm sad they were broken, but monetary value means nothing as I would never have sold them. Not sure what the future will hold for some of the other family treasures - they aren't safe around Gareth and looks like neither Meg nor David will have children. So perhaps I should get rid of some now, before the risk of more breakage. The miniature teapots had been safe in a glass-fronted cabinet, until Gareth rammed his head into one of the doors. Now they are easily reached.
I remember my mother saying 'please don't give me any more things, I've reached the point of giving stuff away, rather than taking in more'. I didn't appreciate that comment at the time. Now I understand, intellectually, but emotional self has a problem letting go.
I'm off to bed, perchance to dream.
'Night all.
Mary