General Chat

Sallie, sounds like you have a nice week to look forward to with a meet and your birthday celebrations. I have never been to Frankie and Bennys although there is one in Gloucester I think. Hope you have a lovely time.

Huia, it is getting here that we could do with a little of your rain our garden is very dry now and the Lake District is facing drought conditions.

Just a quickie, no calls made yet altho the ex left a message while we were out, so still nothing definite sorted. Wonder what this world shattering news is that the ex has to declare!
Maybe she won the lottery and is going to pay it all lol

Lizx

Went out for the afternoon to Cromer, on the coast, it was lovely weather and I made him buy fish and chips so I didn't have to cook lol Most of the time he was fairly ok but it doesn't wash with me, being nasty one minute and nice the next, I can't blow hot and cold like that!

Sallie, great that you will meet with Dutch, be prepared to interrupt her sometimes lol, or you won't get a word in edgeways lol It will be a great way to celebrate your birthday! Then a meal out on Saturday, lucky you, enjoy it all!

Sylvia, glad you enjoyed your outing.

Huia, hope you aren't getting too much rain, it makes it so unpleasant going out if you have to dodge the raindrops.
Take care and don't get too slim, lol

Mo, my lad is still looking for a better job, without much luck so far.
I will spend Saturday afternoon and early evening with him, probably take him for a quick meal before he goes out to celebrate his birthday with his mates. He is waiting on some news from work which might be a temporary boost for him but I am not tempting fate by saying what it is just yet. Knowing his luck tho someone else will get chosen.

Better get ready for bed, counselling later so don't want to oversleep, o.h. off to work at 1.30 pm till later tonight, maybe 11 or midnight and then 3pm to midnight Tues, Weds and Thurs, oh joy!

love to all
Lizx

Hi all.

It is a nasty wet day today, thank goodness I dont have to go out, apart from a dash down to our mailbox and a walk back up but I will hope for a break in the rain. Not that we get much if anything on a Monday. I will spend the day trying to get rid of a lot of the accumulation of years.

Huia.

ps, accumulation of all sorts of things, including fat on me!

Had a great time last night

as per usual over here, dress code varied from t-shirt and trousers (couple of the men) to "garden-party" summer dress (some of the women). About 10 per cent of the men wore suits, the rest wore blazer or sport coat with trousers.


In other words, I fit right in!


We only knew about 4 or 5 people other than the couple ............ but it was one of those friendly, easy evenings. There were 4 other couples on our table, none of whome we'd known before, and there many silences!!

Food good :)))

The after-dinner entertainment, to begin the dancing was ........... an Elvis Presley impersonator


to be more precise .......................... a Chinese-Canadian Elvis Presley impersonator!

He acknowledged his ancestry with comments about Jackie Chan (quite a famous film star in "action" movies)


He was good!!!




Still cloudy, with little sign of those higher temperatures!


sylvia
xxx

Hi Mo,

It's someone that Michael knows, this chap goes to the same shop to get the scratch cards as Michael buys his cigs. He's seen him there once or twice, apparently the chap lays the scratch cards down on the floor and as he's winning he hands the cards to the shop owner. He was telling Michael he never loses, he always gets at least the £200 back and most of the time a lot more.

On Friday, I'm meeting Dutch and some other GR members in Sheffield.
So I'm looking forward to that, it will be nice to meet them. Alun has booked a days holiday so that he can take me. Jennie and maybe Michael, are going to come with us, and then the three of them are going to Meadow Hall for a look around and have some lunch.

Alun, Michael and a few others from the Model Railway Club are taking a couple of layouts to a church fair on Saturday. Richard and Christie are coming up on Friday evening so that Richard can take some photos of the layouts at the fair. He did the clubs website for them, and is also in charge of it, so he has to add to it.
Saturday evening we are all going out for a meal for my birthday, I've chosen to go to Frankie and Benny's, I really love it there. Alun is the only one that doesn't have anything Italian to eat.

Mo, I'm now going to have a cuppa, lol.

Love, Sallie.xxx

Oooh Sallie I just missed you babe.
How on earth does Richards friend get that much money. I bet Richard and my son dont get that amount. And to waste it on scratch cards is ludicrous. Both our boys are trying their damndest to make ends meet arn't they.
I am sorry to hear that you had a bad day yesterday. I hope everything is now sorted out,and that you are feeling more upbeat.
Don't forget, if you need me,I am here. If you want it,I will send you my phone number. I don't like it when all my friends on here are so down.
Have you anything exciting planned for Friday. Are the family taking you out for your birthday.
Guess what I am just going to have, yep a nice cup of rosie lee.
See you later love. Best wishes to you and Alun. Love Mo xxx

Hello all.
It was good to log on and see you had posted Ann.
I also like going to Wetherspoons for meals. If I am not overly hungry,I enjoy their wraps,they are quite yummy I must say.
When Roly was in Kings College Hospital in 2002,the kids and I always went to the local Wetherspoons,every lunch time. It is only just up the hill from the hospital.
Do you go to boot fairs Ann. I like to go,it's surprising what you can buy at them, and all for just a matter of pennies.

Huia, I am pleased that Peter came up to see you. I feel a lot happier when I know that you have had company.
Peters a silly so and so, leaving his chilly bin behind. I think it's what we would call a cool box.
They are so handy when you go out for the day,to keep the food chilled,so that things like sandwiches dont go all soggy.

Liz my love, take a tip, and just ignore Mr Cheerful,let him sort his son's out
just as long as you don't have to go short because of his pigheadedness.
Completely blank it out,and just get on and do whatever pleases you,without allowing it to stress you out any more than neccessary.
He doesn't appear to take any notice of what others say to him anyway,does he.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I didn't get on here yesterday, it wasn't a very good day for me, we had a bit of a family problem which I was upset about---but by late last night it was sorted, thank goodness!

Sylvia, pleased to know that your weather has got a bit better than it's been. Let's hope that you'll have some really nice weather when your family is staying with you.

Huia, nice to hear that you've had a visit from your son, I'm sure you felt a lot better after his visit. Going out to lunch is lovely, especially if you don't go out to lunch very often, it makes a nice change from cooking. Glad to know that Phil has been more alert, tha last few times you've visited him.
Seeing him more alert, must make you feel better at the end of each visit--it would be nice if he continues like that for a good while.

Liz, I'm pleased that you didn't have any problems having a refund on the things you bought from Bon Marche. There again, it's all about customer service, the manager doesn't want to lose your custom altogether, so he had to be okay about it. Although I'm sorry to say, that isn't always the case with some shops, sometimes some of the staff can be quite abrupt and not at all helpful. At least they are in the minority!
The son in NY, certainly sounds as though he's an attention seeker, he obviously wants his own way, I feel sorry for his wife, it can't be easy for her.

Debbie, you're certainly very busy, still it's nice to get involved with all the things that the children do. Hope you've all enjoyed your weekend.

Marie, hope you are all okay there, and that the weather is not as cold as it's been for you.

Ann, I thought perhaps that you were busy making cards. Glad to hear that you had a nice day out at Cheltenham. It's many years since I was there, I think it was when I was in my teens, so I'm sure I wouldn't know the place
now.

Jean, I hope you are starting to feel better than you've been--also hope that both J and D are okay. Thinking about you all!

Mo, I thought perhaps that you were away this weekend, when I didn't see you on here. I know you said you are going away sometime in July, but I wasn't sure of the date. Glad to hear that you, your daughter and your granddaughter all enjoyed your girls night out. It made me chuckle when you told us about your granddaughter's 'big win' on the one armed bandit.
Michael was telling us, that he knows someone that isn't working and when he gets his benefits, he buys £200 worth of scratch cards, and always wins at least the £200 back, but generally he wins up to £800 and he once won over a £1,000.
Well we wouldn't even think about doing that, we would probably lose the lot, and then where would be.

I'd better go and make us something to eat, and then I'm going to make some cards. I'm going to use my new Cuttlebug, just hope that I can use it alright. If you all hear a big scream, you'll know it's me.

Speak to you all soon.

Love and best wishes. Sallie.xxx

Seems the next couple of days are going to be the deciding time for this visit by son and possibly d.i.l. but I just wish I could walk away and leave him to it. Have had enough and I know the future d.i.l. is fed up with it all too, and the son who is getting married. Bet he wishes he had never suggested his bro being best man, but he thought he would have a job by now and be able to at least pay some of the fare or find spending money.
What a family - I rue the day I ever set eyes on o.h. or the rest of them!

Lizx

Hi all

Just looked up chillybin, what a super word for a cool bag or box lol I guessed that was what you meant Huia but wanted to be sure lol So glad you got out among people and had a chat and a walk, as you say it all helps a lot.
Pleased that you are finding Phil a bit more alert, bless him, it makes you feel it's worth visiting then and you come away feeling better about seeing him like that than sleepy or hunched up in a chair.

Well, I took the two piece outfit back to BM and the Manager was really nice about me returning it despite him having gone to such efforts to get the next sized top for me. He did threaten to stop me leaving till I had spent the equivalent amount of the refund tho lol

Had a browse round Bhs, there is only one of those dresses left now and not in my size so good thing I got it when I did. I couldn't get a shrug tho, not there or BM - all sold out = but lots of nice things in Bhs sale including my favourite toepost sandals in various colours, reduced to £8 so I bought a pair of each colour but might only keep two pairs, and take the really light coloured ones back. I first got a pair of this style and make of toepost sandal about 16 years ago and they wear so well, are very comfy and very practical. I can wear them in the rain in summer or on the beach, including paddling in the sea and then a quick rinse and they look as good as new. I am still wearing them this year.

Got home to make dinner and the idiot was in a bad mood, told me one of the reasons he hadn't said he would pay for American d.i.l. to come over straight off was because of the state of the house, now this is what I was dreading and he has left it very late to say this. He rang the son in NY who was then going out on a boat trip with his inlaws so didn't want to talk, just relax!!!! Seems he went out looking for work all day Friday and could have a job working nights but isn't sure about it, well if I had been sponging off a women with two children, I would work anytime if it meant bringing money into the house especially if there was a chance they would have to move in with inlaws if no job materialises soon, and give up the home they have lived in for a long time. I can't believe this girl even expects to come here with no spending money yet leave her children behind, she should stay put and give them her time while S is away so anything she has goes to them, or am I the odd one for thinking that?
There still doesn't seem to have been any discussion with whether she wants to come, it's S wants her to come with him.
Then apparently the son who is getting wed called o.h. and said he was stressed over it all, and when was his father getting his new suit (he is already paying for a suit for his brother if he is here as best man, and all the matching ties for himself as groom, best man, father of the bride and so father of the groom, never heard of f.o.t.g. wearing matching outfit before unless it's top hat and tails do which it most definitely isn't. O.h. never wears a suit, he bought one when the son graduated in 2004 and has worn it for one funeral and one other do since. Son who is getting wed said his mother would be calling o.h. today, but son wouldn't say why, said he wouldn't pre-empt her call so o.h. told me he is sick of her trying to call the tune and will tell her to f.off! I am stuck in the middle and was told not to bother about it all, he is in charge and will do what he has decided, regardless of everyone else. This means that he will now be spending a lot of his money towards his mortgage early repayment which is something that he goes on about constantly and will be working more overtime, so tiring himself completely and taking it out on me!
He then went on to say that if I wanted a holiday I had better sort something out. i said the time I wanted to go away was passed now, and it's not much pleasure going anywhere in this country in Sept, with the nights pulling in and me having to drive if we go out and cook every evening as I do at home. Last year in Corfu was great and he enjoyed it and we ate out most evenings and had a wander in the warmth, even tho it got dark around 8.30pm there but he hasn't renewed his passport and doesn't seem inclined to. When I mentioned that he said he has never liked the hassle of going away and only did it when his ex booked somewhere and took the money from the account to pay for it, from then on he would organise the driving, what time to leave, what to take and all the packing and where to stop on comfort breaks etc etc When we have had holidays I have tried to get him to share the choosing, presenting him with choices and we decide together and then he pays lol but I do all the other arranging etc and the packing.
Now he says he has always felt that he would rather stay at home and isn't bothered about going anywhere else.
Boring old s*d! Not the way he seemed when I first met him and he was on about taking me on holiday.

Huia, antique fairs are an interesting place to while away a few hours even if you don't buy aren't they. It fascinates me to see what other people buy.

Debbie, I expect your knock was a shock even if you were not hurt. Your roads are very narrow aren't they? One reason we don't hire a car when we are there. Glad you were OK anyway.

Mo I suppose 20p is better than nothing Lol!!

Sallie, I have been reading but not posting, sorry, yes we are fine thanks, been shopping in Cheltenham today, it was quite pleasant, sunny and not too hot but nice and warm if that makes sense. Crowded though, the world and his wife seemed to be out. Had lunch in Wetherspoons, I had ceasar salad,
Sylvia, before long you will be complaining that it is too hot I'm sure.

I didnt buy anything at the antique fair. There was nothing that I fancied. Not that I went with the idea of buying, unless by some miracle there was one of my granddads paintings, but most unlikely. I went mainly to get out of the house and among people. I did bump into a woman I knew many years ago so we had a little chat. I had to park some distance from the venue but it was a nice sunny day and the walk was good for me. I really must keep up with the exercise, it does make a difference.

Peter came up last weekend and he took me out to lunch on the Saturday and then we visited Phil. When he left on the Sunday afternoon he managed to leave his chillybin in the kitchen. I told him he is as bad as me and Phil. I visited Phil again last Wednesday. He seems to be a bit more alert these days, not so sleepy. I will be visiting him again today.

Huia.

Right I will try again,this is the second time of typing,I just hope I dont lose it again.
Sorry I was not around yesterday, but I went to bingo with my daughter and grandaughter. This is the grandaughter who's18th birthday we celebrated not long ago.
She really enjoys going. But it was so funny, she had never been on the one armed bandits before. And she had a win,when she asked us very excitedly how much she had won,we had to laugh,because she put £1.00
in the machine,and had won 20p. LOL
Needless to say,we never won,but we had a nice girls night out.

Thank the lord you were not hurt Debbie. But as Roly keeps telling me,every time I reverse into the small brickwall next to our drive,it's only a piece off metal,and can be repaired,just as long as the person doing the driving is not hurt.

Sallie we go away next weekend. But don't worry, the hotel has got internet connection,so I wont get withdrawal symptoms.

Did you manage to get your money refunded Liz from BM.
It sounds to me,like the son in NY turns a deaf ear to what is being said, very much like Mr Cheerful.
I tend to do that a lot here as well,when im indoors starts.

Huia did you buy anything at the antiques market.
How is Phil doing. I hope the family are well. Has your son been up to visit you lately.
You take it easy on that excercise bike,you dont want to end up saddle sore.

Sylvia, would you like me to parcel up a bit off this heat for you. God it's just been so hot and sweaty.
Trying to sleep of a nightime is a nightmare,it's just unbearably hot and humid.

((((((((((Hugs for JEAN,MARIE, ANN)))))))))
Bye for now girls, take care. Love to all Mo xxx

I am sure I don't really deserve any sympathy. After all, it can be fixed on the car and the garage have ordered me the spare bits - Liz, I like the scrapyard idea but not sure how to do that and my friendly garage up the road are always so very helpful. Total parts & labour £35.00 so not too bad.

No, the lorry didn't stop but they probably didn't realise what had happened. I just scraped the hedge, and the mirror would usually just bend in on itself, but there was a branch sticking out which if I tried a million times again I wouldn't strike it. One of those things.

Liz, you have always favoured the BHS dress, so it must be "The One" for you to wear. I do hope all the arrangements finally fall into place - what a family!!!

All well here on this gloriousy sunny morning. Peter has taken Luke & Matthew and a friend of Matthews out on the boat all day. They left home at 5am. Daniel slept at a friends house and has just got home and I have been updating athletics records whilst Sophie has been lounging around the place.

We have a big Athletics competition all day tomorrow and I am checking all the athletes in, like In did on Thursday night. It is something I know how to do and I am reasonably well organised with a system which seems to work.

So, I'm off now for the rest of the weekend.

Have a good one.

Debbie xx

LIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

LOOK AT THE TIME

GO TO BED



ar but lets have tea first (_)? (_)?

Hope you get some warmth soon Sylvia, meanwhile I will keep the tin helmet handy lol

take care
Lizxx

Hi Mo and everyone


The sun is finally shining, but it is still cooler than normal. Maybe we'll get some heat next week!!

Not much excitement going on here

Debbie ......... that was a near miss for you!


Liz ........ keep your head down!!!



sylvia
xxxx

Hi Deborah, hope you are just angry and not too shaken up, that sort of thing can be scary.

On New Year's Eve we went to the city and o.h. got a strop on over something I said in the wrong tone of voice, and made me drive back home despite me saying I didn't feel up to driving, I was tired and had had the fall and bang on the head before Christmas and knew I wasn't 100% well. Because of the chronic fatigue I don't usually drive if I don't feel competent. It was snowing, little pulic transport, and I knew if I didn't drive we would end up stuck in the city for ages getting colder and colder so eventually I started driving. On the way idiot face started arguing again and distracted me and with the snow coming down fast and a bus stopping ahead of me from the opposite direction, I thought to let me through past parked cars, I carried on only to hear and feel a big clunk and knew I had caught one of the parked cars. O.h. started screaming at me that I always drive too close to parked cars (I don't normally) but wouldn't let me go back to see what damage I had done to the other car, I could see our mirror hanging off, just the same as yours. The next day he managed to tape it up and later he went to a reclamation yard and found the right parts inside another mirror, wrong colour casing tho. He was able to swop it all round so we now have our old casing with the new wiring etc in and the mirror is where it should be, I am not sure it works so well for adjusting, I daren't mess with it so leave it to him but at least it's back on and only cost £15 for the secondhand part.
Maybe yours can be fixed the same way Debbie. I still feel bad about the car I hit as I must have clonked their mirror off too or given it a real bang anyway. I was in bits when I got in as he yelled all the way back here and it ruined New Year's Eve, not that it's ever much cop with him falling asleep in the chair and me sitting there on my own as always, boring old f**t he is!

Well o.h. tried calling the son this afternoon but got the wife, as hers is the only phone they have so it's hit or miss whether son is within distance of the phone. Apparently he was out doing a small casual job and they are going to stay with her family for the weekend, I think they do it a lot so the grandparents see the girls, 6 and 8 ish, and so they get fed perhaps! She said things were very stressful but o.h. didn't take the opportunity to ask her what she thought about coming over here. He is going to try and get hold of his son on Saturday. Later he went online and found an email from the son sent earlier on Friday reiterating fares he had found for both of them to visit, it was sent to o.h., his ex (who is home from holiday by now I think) and the son who is getting married. So what part of 'We can't afford for you both to come' doesn't the scrounger understand?
I bet his mother will start creating when she finds it's been suggested only the son comes over, I would love to know what the NYwife thinks. As far as I can see, it's the NYson who has dominated everything and this is supposed to be his brother's and brother's future wife's time, not the scounger's. As always he has ended up the centre of attention! Spoiled brat! When I commented on the fact NY son isn't getting it, I got told to keep out of it all so I will, but doesn't stop me talking to son getting wed when o.h. isn't around.
What a stupid lot they are!

Huia, good luck on the bike, it's a great idea to use it, gets your circulation going and tones you up a bit eh? O.h. got an exercise bike from his dad for his birthday one time, only cause his dad didn't want it any more lol but it ended up being draped with washing to dry off in the spare room and now I have all my things shoved in there so it can't be accessed even for laundry!

Sallie, I am going to take the outfit back to Bon Marche for a refund and keep the Bhs dress I think, will have a quick look round other shops in case I see something I like better but think it will be ok, o.h. paid for it so need to get some shoes and a bag and a shrug or little bolero/cardi to cover the shoulders etc.

Will try and get a pic and send some of you so you can tell me what you think. I realised I liked the pattern of the material of the other outfit better than the actual design of the outfit and the dress I can wear again whereas the outfit from BM isn't really me so probably wouldn't get worn again. Altho almost twice as expensive, the dress will be more useful to me.

Better catch up with some more emails etc, so behind so apologies if I haven't replied to some of you yet

love
Lizxx

~~~~~to Sallie and everybody. I am still around and look in at the threads, but just havent felt like adding. Not much happening here anyway.

I have decided (well I already knew it) that I need more exercise so yesterday I got on my exercycle which I bought early this year but had barely used. I felt more alert afterwards so intend to have a short spin on it several times a day. I have also decided to go to an antiques fair today. Better finish my breakfast now.

Huia.

Hi All,

Oh Debbie, sorry to hear about your accident, as you say it's the cost of getting it repaired. As long as you weren't heart, that's the important thing. Did the lorry driver stop to see if you were alright? I hope he did!
When I was younger ( many moons ago ) I had two friends, both named Ruth. I quite like the name, they were both really nice people, so I think I always associate the name with them. Hope you have a lovely weekend with your family.

Liz, glad to know that things are quieter at home for you at the moment----I hope for your sake they will stay that way. I don't know how OH's son in NY, has the nerve and the cheek to expect his family to pay for both him and his wife to come over for the wedding. He must think that you're all made of money. It would be nice if we all had a money tree and could just pick it off as we needed it. I wish! Have you got your wedding outfit all sorted out now?

Mo, I like the the name Phoebe. All the older kind of names are coming back. Jennie's friend, Laura has called her seven week old little girl, Gracie Ruby. Chloe wanted to call her new sister Ruby, so Laura compromised and put it as her second name, she didn't want Chloe to feel left out, which I thought was nice. When do you and Roly go away for your weekend break? The break will do you both the world of good.

Sylvia, I hope your leg is feeling a lot better now. Also hope that you are having better weather there.
I too, find it amazing the the Queen and the Duke can get about and do so much at their age. I like the Queen but not keen on the Duke, he always seems to open his mouth about something, when he shouldn't. I think sometimes Charles is going the same way as his father. Perish the thought! lol.

Huia, I hope you are okay, as we haven't heard from you for quite a few days.

Jean, are your change of tablets working any better. I hope they are, and that you'll be back with us all soon. Take care!

Joyce, that is a lovely poem, very true and from the heart. We are all here for one another and it's nice to know that.

Ann, we don't see you very much now. Hope both you and T are alright.

Marie, hope you and your family are all okay, and that the weather is a bit warmer than it's been.


It's time for our dinner now, so I'll speak to you all soon.

Love and best wishes. Sallie.xxx