General Chat

Hi Sallie.
Did you watch the final off dancing on ice. I think the right person won. Hayley is such a good performer and deserved the trophy. Mind you I was pleased that Gary was in the final with her. Did you see his little girl,ahhh
she was so cute,and loves her daddy.
Alzheimers is such a cruel disease,taking hold off people the way it does,
and shutting down their lives as they knew it. I do feel for the partners off sufferers,like our Huia.
Like you,names can be confusing around here as well. Both my sons have named their sons after themselves. So when you shout out their names you get two people answer at the same time. It was not so bad when the children were babies,but now that they are growing up,it causes a lot off confusion. Especially at christmas,when they all come to our house at the same time.
I am off to bed now. Still trying to adjust to the time difference. Have taken my paracetamol,and cough mixture,hoping for a good night.
Night god bless. Love Mo xxx

Sally, your family will have to refer to Big Al and Little Al or Alwun and Altoo or Alyou and Alay or something like that. Likewise other families with 2 people with the same name, think of something creative to distinguish between them.

Huia.

Hi everyone

we're certainly in early spring here ............ including April showers!!!


Mo ....... a lot of people were in real evening dress, others just nicely dressed. A lot of the men, including OH, wore dinner suits with bow ties. Others wore suits .... and that can be considered dressing up over here!!!!

No plans for Easter for us ................. OH sings in the church choir, and we rarely go away. We'll just have a quiet weekend .... and get ready for going to see the new family on April 8.




sylvia

Hi all, bed in a mo so I can get up for counselling, and yes, he is cycling so I have the car.
Huia, yes our clocks sprung forward yesterday, I like it when they fall backwards and I get an extra hour, I have always loved my bed lol Preferably all to myself these days too, lol, but he won't be getting up yet as he is on the late shift.
I am sorry you have been back in hospital Julia, and do hope something can be done to help you after the barium meal maybe shows what's happening?
Mo, I should have been born into the Wright family lol, I hate not having the last word and being right lol
And I also have to fend for myself, it doesn't matter if I stay in bed cos of the fm being painful and I finally crawl down to get a drink if he has forgotten me, I still have to sort out and cook and serve dinner, and usually wash up too. He is useless, he means well and brings a drink but then gets engrossed in something and forgets I might need another drink or a snack, till I come down and then it's Oh but I was about to make you a cuppa ..... yeah, course you were!

Jean sorry you aren't feeling so perky love, I wish you could get something done about the noisy neighbour, it can't be good for the child or is that farmed out for the night?

Best get to bed, take care all and have a good day
love
Lizxxx

Hello everyone, Hope the weather is kinder were you are then here it has gone very cold and wet, even forecast some snow....try not to do snow......

Liz, thanks for your concern, I think I am not getting into a deep sleep so any noises wake me up..living on one of the busiest roads in england doesnt help. we have good double glazing and we have a small garden at the front, but we are at traffic lights, why do drivers think they have to keep reving the cars and putting music on at full blast then open the windows....Hope your session with your counsellor has been fruitful...

Sylvia,your evening out sounded good, when you go to see your family is it the long train journey?

hope you are feeling better, Mo, perhaps you could do with a pick-me-up.
sending (((((((((((( X )))))))))

love Jeanxx

Hi girls,from a very snuffly me.
We have nothing planned for Easter either Sylvia. Mind you it's just as well
the way we have been feeling.
When we go to deliver the Easter eggs,to the grandchildren,I will have to stand at the front doors with a mask on,and not go into the houses. Definately dont want the littlies to catch it. So I wont get my usual cuddles.
Liz,we must stop meeting like this ya know. I talk to you over on the friendlies thread as well.
Dont worry girls,we are a pair off gas bags really,arn't we Liz. lol
How did it go with the therapist today. I didn't realise that you did not go last week. Was it Mr chauvanist that stopped you from going. How will you get on next monday as it's a bank holiday isn't it.
I am luckier than you,I have my own bedroom,so don't need to worry when Roly gets up,as it does not disturb me.
Jean it has been horrid here today as well. Very wet and windy.
I am a bit dissapointed today,as my friend who I normally meet every day
for a coffee,phoned me this afternoon,to say that the Meridian news,had been filming in our local precinct,and that she would probably be on the news in the next couple off days,as she was in the background when filming was going on. She was asked if she wanted to be interviewed by our local M.P,but declined the offer. NOW,had I have been there,I think I would have let rip on quite a few subjects. You all know me,I can't keep my mouth shut. lol
Got to go for now,but I will be back later. Bye for now. Mo xxx

Hi all


we had the most incredible weather today (Monday) ................... downpour, sun, downpour, sun, on and on all day long. The high temperature for the day was 9C, set at 2am! It went downhill from there, and was 5C at noon!!!


Of course, today was the day I had to go to the dentist, and of course it was pouring with rain when it was time for me to leave the house. Decisions, decisions ............ would I get wetter walking over there (15-20 minutes), or by taking the bus (2 buses, 2 bus stops, without shelter, possible 10 minute waits at each one)???

I opted for the walk .................. arrived and announced myself to the receptionists as "here's the drowned rat"! The top of me was dry (umbrella and waterproof jacke), but I was soaked from the b*m down!

Good news was ................. cleaning and polishing only, no problems found. Go again in 6 months

Meanwhile OH was at his dental specialist, having the stitches taken out from the big job 2 weeks ago. He has to go again on Tuesday, and again a couple of days after we get back from back east.

I didn't tell you ............. he was there last week, the morning of the Masked Ball. Two teeth investigated on the lower jaw, same side as the implant. Both teeth can be saved. BUT tooth investigated on top other side of jaw ..... implant will be needed. So ........ we went to the dinner with him having both sides aching! Plus of course .................... an unknown amount of money due some time in the future.


Jean .... we go to see the family on April 8, there for about 10 days, then the long train trip home



Got home from the dentist to a letter from England ........ the husband of my favourite cousin died on March 18th. Rapidly progressing Parkinson's. He was fine 2 years ago, with no sign of it. They had to move from their 5 bedroom 2 storey house last autumn, to a bungalow in the hope that he would be able to stay. Cousin had to let him go into care soon after Christmas 'cos she could no longer manage ...... and she was a trained nurse. He was 75/76 ...... and they met at the age of 5 in kindergarten, neither ever had another boy/girl friend, and they married when they were about 21/22. We'll miss him.




Little "what do you think of this" story for you

J&M have 2 cats, brother & sister, now about 7 years old.

This morning I asked how the cats were responding now that the new "inhabitant" of house had been around for several weeks.

The male cat doesn't really like loud noises, and almost since they have had him has apparently had a special little cry that he has used whenever they have had an argument, when J has cried, or when she has raised her voice to shout from one room to another ........................... he goes towards her (usually but occasionally to M), looks up at her and then gives this little cry that he does not use at any other time.

Now he is using that same cry when MJ cries.

A couple of days after being brought home, MJ was being changed, and crying .............. both J&M were there, cat came and stood between them. Looked up at J and cried, looked up at M and gave that cry, then looked up at the change table, gave that cry. Then repeated the sequence


This morning (Monday), J left MJ asleep while she went to the bathroom, cat came to the bathroom door, gave that cry, went away, came back, cried. J opened the door ...................... and MJ was crying.



Take care everyone

sylvia
xxxx

My sympathies on the death of your cousins husband.

Lovely cat. Ours used to always go to my OH except if she wanted food. When OH was admitted to hospital she would sit at my feet and look up at me as if asking where he was. If I was feeling unhappy she would come and sit by me. I read in the newspaper last year about a cat in a resthome who would curl up on the bed of anybody who was about to die. They seem to have 6th sense.

Huia.

Hi Sylvia,

how perceptive of the cat to look after baby MJ now, it's lovely when animals form a special bond with people. I had three cats when my son was born, one had adopted me when I was pregnant and the other two had been around longer - 8 years. They were all so good, they never went near the Moses basket or cot when my son was in there, but would snuggle down when I took him out and they got in his place lol

Mo, I'll give you gas bags lol Actually I am not sure how we would cope if we met but then Marilyn and I meet for coffee and somehow we let each other get a word in now and then lol I am one of those people who will talk to anyone I meet, on a bus, at the stop, whereever, and it doesn't matter what age or sex either ! Just a nosey gobby cow I think lol

Jean, I know all about not getting deep sleep, haven't had a good refreshing sleep for about ten or more years, part of fibromyalgia. Yesterday I wanted to get as much sleep as poss before I had to get up and get ready for counselling, and o.h. sprayed his deodorant on in the room he uses as a dressing room, I keep asking him to take care with it but he doesn't, it wafts about everywhere and the smell wakes me up! If he cooks something for his pack up, like a pizza or such, I smell it and wake up! Most odd, and very annoying!

The counselling went well - she is picking up a lot of things from what I am telling her about my life so we know where to go a bit now and I hope she can help me let go of a lot of things and boost my self esteem which is what she thinks is the problem. I have to miss next week being Bank Hols but then should have a straight run till May B.Holidays.
I will keep you posted.


Must get to bed, nearly 5am

love to all, hope the colds and sniffles go and you all have a good day

Lizxxx

Hi Everyone,

Sylvia, so sorry to hear the sad news about your cousin's husband. I hope he died peacefully and that his family were with him. Pleased to hear the good news for you at the dentist, but sorry you got soaked on the way there. I'm sure you felt very uncomfortable and were glad to get home.
Our Golden Labrador was nine years old when Richard was born, he would only have to make a noise and she would come and let me know, by giving a very quiet slight bark. Whenever he was asleep, she would lie on the floor at the side of the crib or pram.

Liz, nice to hear that you had a successful time with the Cousellor yesterday. I've had a couple of days where I've been feeling a bit down, but I'm sure it will soon get right again.

Huia, hope all is well with you. Just wondering if you are still in the choir?
I hope you'll find Phil as well as can be expected, when you next visit him.

Jean, hope you are managing to catch up on your sleep. I think it'll be a good idea for the threee of you to invest in some ear-plugs. Have you made any more cards yet? I'm more likely to get inspiration from you, than you will off me, I'm just a very raw learner. The cards I've made are okay, but nothing special---Alun has scanned them into the computer, so I'll get him to send the images to you and Ann. I don't know how to do it myself, if I try and do it , I'd probably lose the whole lot.

Mo, I hope both you and Roly are feeling better, and will be able to deliver the Easter eggs to your grandchildren. It's a shame you missed the filming in the precinct, we could all have seen on the TV, and told people that you are our famous friend. Oh well, never mind, maybe some other time! Hope you managed to meet your friend today and go for your usual coffee.

I noticed that we haven't heard from Julia since her last message telling us that she was home, I hope she's alright. I know that she finishes on the computer late afternoon to early evening, so don't expect to hear from her until tomorrow.

I hope that Ann and T are having a good holiday, and are having better weather than we are here.

Debbie and Marie, I hope all is well with both you and your families.

I'll speak to yo all later.

Love and best wishes. Sallie.xxx

Sally, I decided last December that I would not go to choir any more unless they were doing something extremely exciting, or were really desperate for second sopranos. I didnt enjoy coming home to a cold dark empty house at 10 pm each week.

Tomorrow (Thurs 1 April) Phils hospital is having an Easter party. 'Entertainment, Raffle, Afternoon Tea. A plate would be appreciated.' I will go, I just hope he is awake and more or less alert. At the Christmas party he just slept.

Phil had an alsatian dog at the time we married. When our son was born a year later I was a bit worried but the dog was fine. Then one day I saw the dog sitting at the far end of his chain looking up at me pleadingly, and our sons feet sticking out of the kennel! I dont know if he had crawled in there to get any bones the dog might have tucked away. Son was only 12-15 months old at the time. I was so relieved that the dog knew that he mustnt hurt him.

Huia.

Huia, sorry I had forgotten that you gave up choir last December. I hope all goes well at the Easter party, and that Phil will be awake and alert, as it will be so much nicer for you.

Having read both your and Sylvia's post, it just goes to show how good the pets are with the new members of the family. Like you, I was worried to start with, as Tammy had been our 'baby'
for nine years, the day we got home from hospital I let her sniff Richard and lick one of his legs, and she was fine with him. We had no trouble with her, not even when he was toddling. She was a lovely natured dog! It was good that Phil's dog knew that he mustn't harm your son. It's a pity you didn't take a photo of son's legs sticking out of the kennel and also the pleading look on the dog's face. Of course the first thought was to make sure that your son was safe.

Well I must go and make us a cuppa now! Speak soon and take care.

Love, Sallie.xx

Hello girls.
Sylvia, animals behave strangely sometimes. When my first grandaughter was born,we sent our daughter into the house first,and we sat in the car. The reason we did this was because they had a dog,and it had been their baby since being a pup. When we entered the house,the dog tried to grab the baby from our arms,and was going absolutely potty.
We ran from the house with the baby in our arms,and so did our daughter.
Her partner was given the option,off either the dog or the baby and our daughter.
It took him three days to make his mind up. He was ringing us up late at night crying,that he did not want to get rid off his dog.
In the end,he came to his senses. But we could never understand,how he could put his dog before his child. He was not a small animal either,and he could have killed our grandaughter,had he got hold off her.
Liz, I am so surprised that you and Marilyn could draw breath,when you met up. Did you know that she is flying back home on Monday. I wonder how long it will be before her next holiday. She's such a lucky so + so.
I bet she will be back in your neck off the woods again very soon,baby sitting.
That's enough from this gabby cow,I could talk for England I know. lol
Sallie the filming from our local precinct,has not been aired yet. I watched it tonight,thinking I would see my friend.
Yet another day stuck in the house for me. Still coughing and sneezing all over the place,head still throbbing. I am going stir crazy. Apparantly this is a virus thats going around locally. Trust me to get it.
Keep your chin up Sallie,keep fighting the depression. Don't forget we are all here for you,and for Liz. Should either off you need to off load,or shout at anyone,yell at us,we have broad shoulders,and can take it. You don't need to tell us what the problem is,just that you need a diversion,and we will try our damndest to divert your mind off your troubles.
Hello our Huiathebird. How did the Easter Party go. Was Phil awake and alert. When you said that you had to take a plate,did you mean a plate full off food,or just a plate to eat off.
How sad that you gave up the choir. You used to really enjoyed going. But I can understand your not wanting to get home to an empty house.
Well it's very quiet at Jeans end today. I hope that they are both o.k.
Ann should be enjoying her holiday,as they have gone abroad I believe. So
their weather should be good. Not like here in the U.K.
A big ((((((((Hug to Debbie and Marie))))))))))))
Speak to you tommorrow night. Best wishes to you all. Love Mo xxx

Oh Mo, dont you know what the expression 'bring a plate means?' I thought everybody knew that it meant a plate with food on.

Actually I dont miss choir, apart from the social aspect. I have trouble hearing what a lot of the conductors are saying as I sit at the back. My hearing aids are no use as they are not selective. And a lot of the choir members do not 'do their homework' in between practices so we have to go over stuff again, or they miss 2 or 3 weeks and we have to re-do stuff for their benefit. I always learnt the music at the beginning so I could just get the expressions the way the conductor wanted, but s/he was always spending time teaching people the basics. I got rather bored. Now if there was a daytime choir of people who do their homework I could join that.

With regard to dogs and new babies, perhaps it depends where the dog is in the heirarchy of the family. I enjoyed watching the programmes where that Victoria somebody would help families who were having problems with their dogs. It was always the owners who were the problem with the way they treated their dogs. At least Phil knew how to train dogs. He spent about 2 years working in the greyhound kennels at Wembley then did his National Service with the War Dogs Training School.

Huia.

Hi everyone.
Huia,I can understand your frustration,with your old choir. There is nothing worse than,people who do not take their commitments seriously. And after
all it is a commitment,when you agree to join a pastime like you all did.
It would be lovely if you could find a day time choir,as I know you really enjoyed your singing.
I don't know if you have ever heard off a woman called,Barbara Woodhouse. She was very famous over here,for her work with dogs. She
had her own programme on the t.v,teaching people how to train their dogs.
She died many years ago now,but she was so well known way back then.
Did Phil work at Wembley greyhound stadium.?before doing his National Service.
Sylvia,is Viv still doing looks ups for people,only I have not seen her posting for a long time now. Not long now till you see young Matthew. I bet the pair off you cant wait.
I know our Jean is clever at her card making,but I did not realise just how clever,till today that is. Jean it is absolutely fabulous,thank you so much.
How are you all at your end off the country. Have you had any snow yet.
We have escaped it at the moment,so fingers crossed that it will bypass
us.
I hope that Liz is o.k,as we did not hear from her last night. Or should I say,
this morning. You are definately a night owl Liz.
When did you say that you have got the OH sons wedding. Did you get your outfit sorted out. I hope you stung OH for an expensive one.
Sallie,how are you and Alun keeping. Has Richard had any luck yet with getting a job.?
My son has still not managed to find new employment. He is still insistant on doing bar management. But his licence no longer covers him for this area. And that means he would have to move right away from here,and he can't do that because off the children.
Hi to Marie,Debbie and off course Ann for when she gets back from her holiday. Oh and not forgetting Marilyn.
Love to one and all. Mo xxx

Hi All,

Mo, I hope you are feeling a lot better today. It's a cold day here, we did the weekly shop earlier on today, so it was nice to get it over and done with. Alun has been home from work about 2 o-clock, every day this week. It's been nice to have him home early. Richard still hasn't got a job, and it's not for the want of trying--he applied for ten jobs on Monday and nine yesterday. The late at the Employment Office is very impressed with the amount of jobs that he's applied for, but as Richard told her, at the end of the day he still hasn't managed to get one.

It's been quiet on here over the last couple of days, although a lot of the other threads are the same.

Love to all our friends on here, and hope that you are all well.

Love and best wishes . Sallie xxx

Hi all


Just a quick posting, as I eat a sandwich for early lunch ..... I have to go to the doctor's early this afternoon. He wanted to check my bp before we went away. It's been bouncing around a little. Plus I want to make sure I have enough of the painkillers for our trip.


Mo .......look for Fanny By Gaslight!!!



What surprised me about the cat was that it was a CAT that was doing the checking, and the male cat at that! J said he seems to use his little cry to say "please stop the noise", and he's figured out that J&M are the ones who can stop MJ's cries!


s
xxx

Hi, everyone, I woke up to snow this morning ,but thank goodness it didnt stay long but has gone quite cold now, and wet... I have been doings some more cards trying new designs and sorting out the scrapbook papers I have boxes full of them, so I have cut some up and made cards which I will tart up a bit, I keep finding stuff I forgot I had, packs with card in and templates too there is one really lovely set but no instructions, I will get J to help me work out how to do them, he used to be a Draughtsman so is used to reading graphs and such like, glad you liked it Mo... Sylvia, you have reminded me to go and have my B.P. checked I dont go as much as I should, but the medication I take seems to do the job , its always o.k.
next thing in April 15th is the glaucoma clinic , always get a bit tense when that is due, I have awful fear that my eyes are not good, but they are usually o.k. now ...so fingers x

Sallie, how are you, hope you are feeling better , I am going to take pics of my cards so will send you some, see what you think...it will be a little while yet though. I will tell you when I do them...

Huia, I was upset when I had to give the choir up, couldnt breathe properly, still struggle, so I can sympathize with you. lets hope you can find a daytime choir....

Happy Easter to everyone hope the weather bucks up...

Love Jean xx

After my last post I remembered another reason for giving up choir was the fact that I have been having increasing problems with holding the folder of music. I injured my left hand (ball of thumb) when I had a fall many years ago and it has been getting quite sore, presumably arthritis. Last year it was very bad in the cold wet weather, I was wearing mittens all the time, even in bed. I cant hold anything heavy. I dont know if I would be confident enough to sing all the songs from memory. Usually I dont need to look at the music in a concert but if I dont have it there I am scared of having a 'senior moment'.

Huia.

I went to the Easter Party today. Phil was on his feet walking around (after a fashion) when I arrived. One of the carers sat him down so I could sit by him. There was a man with a guitar and recorded music, and he sang, and the carers were dancing with some of the residents. One of the female residents was good at picking up the moves that her carer was doing, hula type etc. After the entertainment we went through to the dining room and filled a plate with our choice of food from the vast array on the table. When I returned to the dining room later it looked as if nobody had touched anything, there was so much there.

Huia.