General Chat

Mo in Kent
My soup pot has been out today. Can't stand the sight of food LOL.
Only an odd choccy, to say I have had one, and no cream.
And still my stomach is fit to bustin'

Julia in Derbyshire

Hello everyone, bit like you Mo not hungry we had our christmas meal on boxing day and it was lovely we went to our lifelong friends on christmas eve as usual and enjoyed our time together, little did we know our friend of over 50+ years was the last time we would see him , he had a cardiac arrest yesterday morning and passed immedietly we are numb at the moment , we saw his wife and what can you say, so a sad note to end on, J has know him for 50 years he was like a brother to him, in fact he was the one who got J to hospital when he so ill.... we were so privaleged to know him and loved him so much....

Jean x

Oh Jean, how sad for you both. Losing a family member or friend, at any time is sad, but it seems worse at this time of year.
Condolences to you both and your friends wife.

We lost Roly's mum 12 years ago today, and the Christmas period is very hard for us.
Always tinged with sadness, but made up with joy when the grandchildren arrive.

Julia, I hope that the soup pot is full of veggies, and not meat. I could eat a bowl full of it with dumplings tomorrow, but not at the moment. Oooh and a nice crusty baguette to dunk in it.

I was pleased at my comparative restraint on Christmas day. I did eat more than I would normally, but when I came home I didnt have much for my evening meal. I havent put on any weight, thank goodness.

My son will be coming up to camp in the valley over the hill tomorrow, and is talking of climbing Rangitoto on the 31st. He wondered if I wanted to go with them. I have been thinking of going up it one last time, and as one of his 'girlfriends' is apparently a slow walker that will suit me fine. He said he could carry my stuff in his back pack but I told him I would prefer to carry it as he would be miles ahead when I wanted anything.

On the 29th I am going to a park in Pukekohe for a picnic with my daughter, granddaughters, gt grandson and a few other people as a birthday party for the gt grandson (2 days early). If it is wet we will go to his step-gt grandmother's house.

Those so-and-so fleas are costing me a fortune. I have set off flea bombs twice and still they are getting on my bare feet and legs in the morning when I come out here, so I have to keep putting insect repellant on. I think they must be resistant to the stuff in the bombs. Last year I knocked them out with one lot. I will have to sprinkle a lot of flea powder around and sweep it in then vaccuum it up.

Better go and see if I have any flea powder.

That made me itch Huia, such a pity you can't get rid of them.

Jean I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. His wife will need some support I'm sure,as our friend's wife did almost 2 years ago (and still does). It is hard to lose such good friends, especially when it is so sudden, but how lovely that you had a good evening with him on Christmas Eve.

Mo know what you mean re food, we brought cold turkey and ham home and had it with oven chips, that is enough for me, although we didn't have turkey a Boxing Day, J did steak and kidney with dumplings and it was lovely.

Now some good news, we are to be great grandparents next July. Grandson's wife is 13 weeks pregnant and all was well at the scan today. Poor girl has not been very well at all, like Kate she has been in hospital 3 times being rehydrated, we did see her yesterday and she was better, not being sick, but suffering from vertigo. Fingers crossed it doesn't last the whole pregnancy.

Oooh Ann, congratulations on joining the great grandparents club. I do feel for your grandsons wife, being hospitalised with dehydration at a time like this.
Pregnancy doesn't always suit everyone does it.
And Jean and myself can appreciate how having the vertigo, makes you feel, it's bloomin awful isn't it. Bless her, I do hope she starts to enjoy being pregnant soon.
Our new great grandchild is due on the 13th of February. Our grandaughter is enormous, and is suffering badly with heartburn and back ache.
If she thinks this is bad, she has got a shock waiting her, when she does go into labour. LOL

Hioa, you be careful on your trek up Rangitoto. I bet you will be taking some wonderful photo's up there, knowing you that is.
It looks like you have a wonderful few days planned, so enjoy them my love.
Those damned fleas are the bain of your life arn't they. I know it's because you are so far out in the country side,and they like having respite care at your home.
They have a good feed on you don't they, and leave you to suffer the consequences of their bites.
Well done on your constraint over Christmas, I wish I was as good as you. I still feel like a stuck pig lol

Must go and sort out something to eat now, nothing big though I might add.
Bye for now girls, love Mo

Thanks Mo I hope she starts to enjoy the pregnancy soon too. At the moment she is already saying she is never going through this again :-D Poor girl I do feel for her.

wonder how Huia is getting on.

And where is Sallie? Not seen her for a while, off visiting maybe, or perhaps she got lots of lovely craft stuff for Christmas and is playing with it.

Not seen Jean either so hope she and Jeff are ok. I expect she is supporting her widowed friend. Come back soon Jean.

Not raining yet today, was quite nice this morning and T managed to get into the garden to put up a bug box he was given for Christmas. dark clouds looming now though. I shall go and have lunch then might have a play with some new craft stuff.

Ann, how does the bug box T received for christmas work? I presume it's for collecting bugs for the birds etc.

I believe Sallie said that her son would be with them christmas day, and that he had to go back to work on the Thursday.
Also I think they were going to their daughters for a few days.
Hopefully she will be back with us soon.

And Huia, is probably getting ready to go mountain climbing with her son tomorrow. Yesterday they had a birthday party for her G Grandson. It doesn't seem a whole year since he was born.

It's been a lovely dry day here today, but still chilly. I wish now that I had done the washing, it would have dried lovely out on the line.

Tea time now, so see you all later. Love Mo xxx

Hi there. Just a quick one while waiting for my son to pick me up.

Marcus actually was b on 1 Jan but we had the party early to fit in with everybody.

Yes, off to climb Rangitoto today, the last day of the year. We have to drive to Devonport on the North Shore (easier to get to the ferry there than in Auckland). The ferry leaves Devonport at 9.35 and we will be picking somebody up in Papakura on the way, so we hope to have plenty of time to find parking in Devonport. I hope I havent forgotten anything. Sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat (to keep the rain away), lunch, lots of water, camera.

Must go.

Morning friends, Huia, I look forward to hear about your day out and also see some of your pics,
I hope you all had a lovey christmas and got some great gifts too...
I pray that the New Year will be a healthy one and that your memory box will be overflowing , as we get older our memories become very precious, to us...
we are waiting to here when the funeral of our dear freind will take place, always a hard time to contend with, but has to be done...

I wish you all the best year ahead for each and everyone, sending love and prayers to our friends over the water, and special thoughts to those who need hugs (((((((((((((((((((((( X )))))))))))))))))))
thank you all for your loving friendship over the years, long may it continue ,
take care one and all love Jean xxx <3

Happy New Year everybody.

I will relate the story of my big day out on the last day of 2012 later on. It was quite a day! I really need to go walking again today (in shade) to get rid of some of the stiffness. I also need to improve on some of the photos.

Happy new year everyone, glad you made it Huia and I look forward to hearing about it and seeing the photos. Well done, hope the stiffness soon goes.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR to you, heres hoping this year is a healthier one for us all.

We are having a lazy day, while we wait for the rest of the family turning up, to wish Roly a happy birthday.
Only the two boys to come now. Perhaps the eldest son is still recovering from the celebrations last night. But the youngest, is at work till 8 p.m tonight, so was unable to go out and get merry.

What an awful night of television last night. The highlight of the evening, was the Graham Norton show.
Years ago, we looked forwards to seeing the children being visited in hospital on Christams day, and New Years eve, was a proper Hogmanay night, with a good sing along, but now these days. Sooo boring on all channels.

Bye for now my friends, enjoy the rest of your day. Love Mo xxx

The photos of my Rangitoto climb are now on FB and the story is now on a new thread on Gen. chat.

I will have to put up one of the photos as my avatar for you Jean.

Thank you Huia, it looks lovely and sunny too whatever that is :-D its official now were we live is one of the wettest places in england :-0 so who can put me up for a few months ? it is quite dark and miserable now most of the day so we are all feeling low....hope all is well wherever you are....

Ann, I went to Range today they were just putting some sale stuff on a table it was rubbish, however I got quite a few bits and bobs including a goody bag for a tenner and I must say it is a very good one.nice selection of items inc some clear stamps which are lovely also the latest mag and there is a great set of clear stamps on that too...ideal for mens cards...they also have new dies.
I got a folder thats a bit differerent....... I finally managed to add a comment on your blog it took me three goes but did it....

closing down for tonight see you anon.... love Jean xx
Anyone heard how Sallie is I hope all is well with her and the family.....

Hi Mo
xx


and everyone
xxx



I wish you all a Happy, Prosperous, and Healthy New Year.


We got home from our trip yesterday (Wednesday), and are still trying to sort everything out .........

.................... plus, I have come down with a rotten cold and dry cough. I feel terrible!

I haven't slept well for the last 3 nights ............ I did go to bed this afternoon, and was there almost 3 hours.


We had a good time overall over Christmas and New Year, although there were some very uncomfortable periods while with my daughter, caused by the son-i-l. We almost moved to a hotel at one point.

New Year on the train "somewhere in Saskatchewan" was fun ................ lots of jollity and laughter. We went to bed about 12:30 am, but I gather some young folk (late teens and twenties) were there until 2:30 am!


Talk about a small world ........................ everyone chats on the trains, one of the very nice things about train travel.

OH chatted to an Australian, found out he was an academic, and then that they knew about 9 people through their research! Contact will be maintained.

Later, we chatted to a couple from BC, charming pair ........... turned out the woman was a family doctor, had trained at the Family Practice clinic we go to, and is still connected with them. She was interested in hearing of the writing workshops that OH does, and in the ethics he does ................ contact will be maintained!



Contact will be maintained with you lovely people. Many many thanks for your friendship.



I haven't read back yet, but I will do



take care everyone



s
xxx

Cooe Sylvia, it's good to have you back home with us.
Sorry to hear you have come home with a rotten cold. It's the coughing that gets you though isn't it it keeps you awake most nights.
What a pity that your SIL made things uncomfortable for you both, but then you are used to his behavior arn't you, it's just being able to put up with it for longer periods.
I don't envy your daughter having to live with it full time.
How was little man? I bet you noticed a big change in him.
What a wonderful coincidence meeting up with the people on the train, who had things in common with you both in one way or another.
Thank you for your companionship throughout the past few years, and heres to many more of them.
And may I also wish you a very happy new year.

Jean my lickle love, you know you can come and stay with me at any time....but I have to warn you, we also have had pouring rain, and if you want a shower, it has to be taken in the back garden...but we do supply shower gel and towels. lol
It's so depressing looking outside, we have had the lights on inside the house since 3.30, and it still hasn't cheered me up boo hooo.
We need a bit of sunshine to brighten our days.

Talking of Sallie, if we don't hear something from her soon, I shall have to send her an E.Mail to make sure she is o.k.

Huia, I loved your photo's. How is your Phil doing now. And have those rotten fleas gone yet.?

I hope to speak to you all tomorrow. Love to all Mo xxx

Huia your photos are lovely, I have looked at them again.

Jean you made me chuckle. You said you had just been to the Range and they had put stuff out on the sale table and it was rubbish, but you managed to get a few bits and pieces. We do persevere don't we?

Mo, do you really really want Jean to stand in the altogether in your garden to have a shower??? Cruel lady :-D

Sylvia, welcome back, glad the trip went well, especially New Year which does sound special. Pitty there were some uncomfortable moments over Christmas, often happens when family are together any length of time. Is your SiL awkward when they are on their own do you know? How was littly, not so little now I assume? :-)

Sallie SALLIE, where are youuuuuu??? :-| :-S

Ann, I am a cruel woman, but I will stand by with a towel for Jean, plus I will sing her a song....." I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, watching our Jean, I'm happy again" lol
Ooh she will kill me wont she.
I do promise to make her a nice hot cuppa afterwards. But dont tell her that I am going to be selling tickets,( snigger snigger) I know she's game for a laugh is our Jean. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Naughty, NAUGHTY Mo. But I'll have a ticket please :-D :-D :-D