General Chat

Thanks Guys for all your concern. I've had several good weeps this arvo and that has seemed to help. I know he's only a cat, but he's been a good and faithful companion for a long time. Anyway, have just received Lotto numbers from Lara (via Tony) and feel really good about it. All things crossed. Lew Lew xxx

Evening Wattlers....You have Email..:>)). Lew. Sorry to read the sad news about your cat mate. Our pets are part of our family. Iv'e had to put a few down myself....not an easy job. Well the grandsons B/party went well last night, but i did suffer..:>(( To much Fairy bread, Party pies and chocolate frogs in jelly, followered by Ice-cream cake......Oooooohh boy...:>(( Its worse than a hangover...lol Poor Barb is around at her mum's tonight, as the death of dad is hitting home with her mother ( Loneliness - Depression ) Its quite sad really as her mum has early Alzheimer's. Her car licence has been cancelled ( test ) and she was assesed not long ago, and is not allowed on the roads. We had to take the car keys off her( without her knowing ) and i had to disable the car, as she is still quite capable of ringing up a service guy to come round and look at the car. So we had to ring R.A.C.V...and everycar car mechanic in the area and explain....not to repair the car. So Barb and her sisters are around her mums with a solicitor ( freind of family ) and working things out. Its always very difficult when one partner dies, and the other is left to cope. I have first hand expeariance, although i was only 41 when my wife died and still sound in mind and body. Barbs mum is 82 and with Alzheimer's there is much to work out what is the best to do. I'm sure many of you have been in this position before yourselves, with parents or family. Not an easy job. Sorry to sound depressing, but Barb is still coping with the loss of her dad...and now this with her mum. Think some extra TLC is needed, so might take her out for Tea and a nice bottle of Wine, over the weekend. Hope everyone is well. Tony Oz...:>))

Tony Sorry to hear of Barbs mother..what a worry for you both.. Do you think a little pet might help,, a bird or fish.. something that dosent have to be fed everyday.. May brighten up her day..Glad the party went off well.. I dont think I could stomache that sort of food any more.. I would take my own vegemite sandwiches I think... Lew So sorry to hear about your cat.. what a shock and you will miss him so much.. he is part of the family..(((hugs))) Jude 3 yv Boy you have done a lot to the house.. and you are going to be busy over Easter.. cant wait to see a after photo as I have a before one..Glad the locals are friendly if not handy with a hammer..LOL Well I had better get to bed so see ya all tomorrow, Love Maryxxx

Good evening everyone , Tony please give Barb my love and tell her thinking off her and her poor mum she must feel so alone even though she has the girls its not the same as your lifetime partner and she probably doesn't understand that he has gone like my nan said 'He said he wouldn't go first' when my pa passed away as though he had a choice but he had doted on her and always did what she wanted but this time he couldn't and she could not understand at all because of the beginning of Dementia we used to explain to her sometimes five times a day that Pa wasn't late he had gone, and two hrs later she would say Dad's late meaning Pa and we gave up in the end as it was no use telling her we just tried to make her think about something else so big hugs for Barb horrible time for her at the moment ((((((((( B))))))))) Tony also tell barb to ask can her mum be given something for the depression a s mum had it when she seold her house she said she was leaving dad behind and was so miserable and the after pleading with them to give her something they did half a tablet a day as she was on heaps of tablets for her heart etc and it was miraculous, she was like a new person. back to her normal self again. Tony, glad your little mates birthday went well sounds like you had a ball Lew it doesn't matter that he was a cat darlin he was your friend and companion and it hurts so much please accept a hug for you and Terry as he must be so upset too , so sad to happen when this should have been a really lovely time for you with retiring and your lovely new house lots of love and cuddles coming your way and do cry it does help to get it out talk to us whenever you are able again ((((((((( xx))))))) Please send positive thoughts for our tattslotto tickets surely we have been in it long enough now to win something LOL Mike and I have won one prize in 35 yrs $400 between 8 of us so will need all the positive thoughts we can get ok as we don't seem to have what it takes. Mary you won't know yourself with a nice little car what are you thinking of getting? Trifley glad to hears the sciatica has eased a bit I have fibromyalgia and can sympathise with you. Oh by the way DI that's cheating borrowing someone elses convict is not allowed as I havnt got any either and not even one I can borrow. Sue walking round now singing Money ,Money Money you'd be really glad you can't hear me I can tell you Shuffles off singing 'In a rich man's world ' lol Hello Reb, Wilson Gwenda Pat Donna Cilla Susan Ian in the west Abigail wa too hope Doug is feeling good Leah Sandra Joodles Jude 2&3 and any one I've forgotten to mention have a lovely happy easter drive carefully if going away and don't eat too much chokky love Lara

Evenin' wafflers Lara....because I come from such a long line of upstanding people I have to get my chance at a convict any way I can. Any way....if you have to have someone of notoriety, who better than Fletcher Christian? When I'm on Norfolk Island in September I'll see if I can find one for you pmsl :o) Thanks for the lotto numbers....fingers X X X Lew Lew....what do you mean '..JUST a cat'. Our 11 year old Burmese cross, Winnie, is a member of the family and I would be devestated if she died. I know how you feel. Let yourself grieve for Chester. Both he and you are worth it. Tony....thanks for sending the lotto numbers on, don't know what we would do without you mate. Please give Barb a hug from me. I understand what she is going through. My poor mum was also an Alzheimer's sufferer until taken by a ruptured ulcer. It is often worse for the family than it is for the person. I'm off to bed shortly so I'll give a big ~~~~~~wave to you all and bid you a good night. love Trifley Queen of the Nile

Morning All, still a bit weepy this morning, but my dear friend from the office has just gone into labour with her first child, so I'm having the full range of emotions! Tony, that's so sad about your MIL. She must be very confused, but at least she has her loving children to rally around her. Yes, take Barb out for a nice dinner, she sounds like she needs the break. Let's hope our numbers come up on Saturday night. Keeping all me bits crossed. Well, off to the office - only 11 Fridays to go!!!!!! Lew Lew x

Good morning all, beautiful day on the Bay. We sat out on the balcony with breaky this morning watching the sun play in the light clouds as it made its way into the day. We had the changing of the guard as one ship left and another arrived, and all those early morning flights from O/S arrived to a spectacular sight! Back to normal at Port Botany, only three giraffes reaching for the skies!! Had great tiime yesterday at lunch with my friend, we were in the Navy together ?? years ago, and dont see one another very often - she was just in town for the day, if I had gone to records office as planned yesterday I would have missed her, everything happens for a reason! Packed my lunch when I packed Rays, ready for the treck out to Kingswood - wont forget my readers ticket this time (didn't have the head screwed on right last time I made the treck). Fingers crossed for me that gtgtgramps will has mention of Denmark because we know he got money sent over regularly from a family estate. Hope I can give an Easter pressie to those who have asked for lookups! Lew, so sorry you have lost your Chester, makes it so much harder for you, knowing that your good friend suffered. I know how deverstated we all were last year when we lost our Muffy, selling the house up home is a lot easier to contemplate knowing she is not there any more. Hopefully by the end of the day your friend will have her new bub, (just love the smell of new babies) and you get to have lots of aunty Lew hugs . . . and no, dont ask her to call the baby Chester !!! Celebrations tonight, do it right with a nice Mudgee Red. ((((hug)))) Jude the travel addict - have a wonderful time in London with your daughter, should be alive over Easter, I remember seeing the program at Covent Garden for the Easter street entertainment, it looked like it was non-stop! Glad you had a good birthday party 'Pop' . . . our boys were the only ones that ever called my Dad Pop - it was Grandma & Grandad to the multitudes . . . when Glen was a wee thing he was in his high chair eating a banana ( making a right mess) Mum & Dad were up in Rocky on holidays with us, Gleno was saying 'Nanananana' and my darling Mum decided he was calling her 'Nana', so that was it from then on they were Nana & Pop just to our boys. I had some good giggles at Mum at the time, but now I'm really pleased for the boys that they had a special tag for them - both boys have said how it makes their relationship with their grand parents feel a bit special. Big hug for Barb, such hard stuff to go through, like you said lots of TLC - best medicine. I understand completely about the car - with my aunt it was the stove that had to be disabled, and warn all the electricians in the district. Trifley, glad your getting some relief from the dreaded pain - keep up the stretches! I'll keep an eye out for a stray convict for you today. Valley Jude, your reno job sounds great, brings back memories - you know you will never be finished dont you! Have a great weekend with grandson Lara - hope he catches lots of fish! Well were in it . . . so we have as good a chance as anyone else to win it - I want two weeks in the Dover records office reading the old newspapers thanks! (and I'll probably need new glasses after that ). well nearly time to hit the road - all the busy people are well on their way to work, I tend to not want to take any of the road space off them at this time of day. Have a good one . . . to those who are travelling on the weekend, take special care - have a wonderful Easter all, hope it is full of family, and no stress (hehehe) !! We are haveing a quiet one - Ray sent most of the staff off yesterday and they wont be back until after Anzac Day, so he needs to stay close by - (Indonesias dont have holiday on Monday). Hope the Easter bunny brings your favourite chocolate !! cheers ! luv Laurie

Morning all Easter is upon us - seems to have snuck up all of a sudden. Hope you all have a safe and restful time and that there is lots of chocolate!! Lew - it's the circle of life isn't it. Your beautiful Chester has gone yet there is another new life coming into the world waiting for lots of love. Be kind to yourself - such a range of emotions to deal with. ((hugs)) ANd Tony - such a difficult time for Barb. My Mum had dementia and it's such a sad and difficult time. I remember reading a book written by a daughter who had cared for her Mother with dementia and the title was 'I never got to say goodbye'. What she meant by that was that loved ones with dementia slip so slowly into confusion etc that there is not one moment in time that you can say - 'This is my Mum/Dad with the personality that I have known and loved over the years' and 'This is the new Mum/Dad who is just as beloved but is different and not recognisable as the person they were before.' It is almost as if you are giving up your role of child and becoming the parent to them and there is grief, hurt even anger at the change of roles. All of a sudden the person you depended on for so long is dependant on you. For me, it is in the past - my Mum died 12 years ago - but the ache is still there. And there are things I would have done differently - but we can all be wise in hindsight I guess. This weekend is the big reunion of my mother's family at Goombungee - only about 50 k's from where I live. It will be interesting catching up with known and unknown rellies. I'm really looking forward to the family history book they have produced. One rellly works in the Family HIstory Centre in Brisbane so has access to lots of great 'stuff'. Still no resolution of my son's search for a rental house. I am really stressed about it. They have applied for a few but have not been successful. If I am feeling stressed, I can only imagine what they must be going through as my son has depression and it is harder for him to cope with a crisis like this. Am looking after little grandson quite a bit to give them a free go at looking for places. Jude 3 - looking forward to the photos - you have certainly put some bloood, sweat and tears into the place. Good luck Laurie at the records office - hope you find gggrandfather's will. How lovely for you to catch up with your old navy friend. Amazing how you can see real friends infrequently and just start up where you left off. Trifley - glad the sciatica is better - hope it leaves you alone over Easter. Susy Q - haven't heard from you lately - hope you are keeping well and that broadband is not too far away. Rebs - you are ominously quiet - what are you up too??????????? Hi to everyone else. Shall pop in again sometime over Easter - keeping my fingers crossed for a lucky night on Saturday. Thanks for the numbers Tony. Lara - that singing is 'interesting'!! Don't give up your day job!! Cheers Anna

Happy Easter fellow wattlers, So glad you are feeling a little better this morning Lew. A new bubs how exciting - you forget how small and and delicate a new born is but so nice to give cuddles to - and then hand back when they cry! Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for Saturday night - I want to do a Lew Lew and have a few months off! Winning lotto is the only way I can see the way clear to do so my OH wont let me retire - I keep trying to get the sack , I even sleep with the boss (OH) and he still wont let me out of here - lol. He says I would be bored - huh I don't have time to come to work with all the things I would like to be doing. Phone is sooo quiet today and only 1 car in for service and repairs - its eerily strange. We are normally inundated with last minute jobs for people who have decided they are going away and they must have things done today. Does mean I can catch up on FH and update family tree with some new finds though. There has to be some bonus. I hope Sue has bought some winter woollies with her to Melb, its not looking too brilliant today. Yesterday was glorious, today 23 and expecting rain (sorry sydneyites) Friday and Saturday - yeah no watering the garden. Hope the weather picks up for Sues sake and she has a great time here. Thanks for lotto numbers Tony - hugs to Barb , we had MIL with Alzheimers and she passed away Feb last year, very confusing time for her but terribly distressing for the family our thoughts are with you. Sounds like you need a few VB tablets and a lazy weekend to help you recover after all that partying at the 5 yr olds! So glad it was a success. Not looking forward to being on the road this easter, but at least only have a 100km trip, although its all the idiots that share the road that are the worry, the Black Spur is going to full of traffic heading to Eildon for the weekend. I am looking forward to having 4 days off though. Had some lovely photos in the mail yesterday of my 'adopted ' grand daughter ( my kids wont have any, so my daughters friend allows me to share her daughter) who lives in Port Douglas, she is the one I was finishing off a quilt for ( I think Vonny asked about it - and I forgot to answer her) , its now being quilted and she will hopefully have it in May. Have of course now started another one - this ones for me (finally). glad to hear you are on the mend Trifley, take care and don't overdo it . Well I have waffled enough. I'll try and look in later Hi to everyone/waves jude 3 (the one that stays mostly in Melbourne! - well victoria anyway!) Have a lovely weekend, take care, stay safe and don't eat too many choccies.

Happy Easter all and I hope to bunny will be good to you. Well it's finally raining here in Mudgee and I'm sure that it's Chester letting us know he made up it there! Better get back to work - 11 Fridays to go. Lew Lew :-)))) xxx

Afternoon Wattlers Well it is a yucky day today, raining most the time, I have done all the last minute things, I had a break for a moment and was looking out by bedroom window at the road, with all the traffic, nearly as bad as peak hour traffic in Melb lol. Well not quite, but cars were bumper to bumper in the 2 lanes heading towards our shopping centre. I was only thinking I am glad I am not out in it today. Then just a while ago we had a visitor who wasn’t too happy as he was driving down the road when the car behind him didn’t stop when he did and run into the back of them which pushed them into the car in front, so they have got a dent in the tailgate which now wont shut properly and a broken grill, headlight and bonnet wont sit how it should. Anna, Hope your son soon finds a place, it is no fun to be in that type of situation. Hopefully the new owners will hold off until they find a place, especially if they realise the rental situation there. Also I hope your family get together is a great success with a lot of sharing of information. Jude YV3 Yes we have got our winter woollies packed. I have got my clothes all ready, apart from a couple of items that are on the line under the veranda trying to get dry with the rain, so I can pack them. David will get his things ready tonight, although we will still be here tomorrow, we will be busy at my Nans and catching up with the family. Tony sending hugs and wishes to Barb and family in this hard time. Thanks for the Lotto numbers. If we win this weekend I will have to hunt all you Vics out and have a drink. Lew sending hugs to you too, it really would put a damper on your new house and retirement plans, just when everything is going along great, something has to come along and spoil it. I may pop in before I go, but if not have a great Easter, I will catch up when I return. Cheers Sue

I'm off home , early day - yeah! Where is everyone today? Sue glad to hear you are organised for your trip, if we win tomorrow night I'll come back from Alexandra to celebrate with you. lol Have a good weekend, hope all your teams win. byee jude 3

Hi Wattlers, I hope that it is true 'A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved' Lew, I am very sorry to hear about poor Chester. He wasn't just a cat, he was very obviously an old and dear friend, and it is only natural that you should be feeling grief. Like others I too have lost very close pets and it is never an easy time. Tony, please give Barb a hug from me. I am lucky in saying I have never been in her position, but I am sure this will be a very difficult time for her. I got the numbers thanks, here's hoping. Well, I have now put in my order for Broadband and Hopefully I will recive the modem after Easter. I just hope that it is as good as I am expecting and that they don't send bagpipes with it. I hope that every one has a really happy and safe Easter and you can all have my choccies because I don't eat them. We are staying put, don't like to be out in the holiday traffic. That's a good part of being retired, you can go out weekdays when everyone else is at work or school. I will be about over the holidays so don't forget to let me know how much we have won. Love SuzyQ

Afternoon Wattlers. Not to bad in Melb.( warmish ) but no sunshine and only the odd occasional peep through the grey clouds can you see blue sky. Thanks for your well wishes for Barb and her mum. I suppose the good thing is we only live 1km from her, and someone is always checking on her to see if she is o'k. We are thinking of having the Gas oven replaced for her, and having hot/plate elements installed. The suburbs around Melb are starting to fill up ( traffic wise ) as peeps head out of city for the country area's with luggage and bedding piled up on the back seats, and kids bicycles tied to the rear heading for their favourite holiday destination. Seems more people on the roads at Easter rather than chistmas to me, and i guess its a last chance holiday before winter sets in. We are staying put this year, and not going away, as our trip in June is not far off. Our youngest ( Sarah....Barbs 1st......my 5th ) has gone camping with her big sisters, soooooo...we are kid free....:>))))) and that means........p.p.p.p.p. peace...:>)) and bliss. Sue ( Tassie) have a safe and great trip to Melb. mate, and perhaps the roads will be empty????...with everyone heading outa Melb, so maybe a good time to come to Melb....lol Every one else thats travelling, have a safe trip and a happy easter to all and your families. Lara. Hope your going to sing.....:>)) if i gotta bring me guitar to Yarrawonga. Maybe we can do a duet, and give out free ear muffs to the other Wattles..... I wont need them as I'm already partially deaf anyway. It could be good, as i wont know what I'm playing ( on Guitar ) and wont hear you singing, so wont know if wer'e in tune or not, and if everyone else is wearing ear muffs, they will just think we sound great anyway........LOL...:>)) Well have a great easter everyone, and stay safe. Tony & Barb......:>))

Hello Wattlers – You have rain – or should I say WE have rain. At least in Sydney and the Blue Mountains and in between. It hasn’t arrived at Wollongong yet tho amd according to my B.O.M. map it is heading out to sea now. I hope the traffic slows down on their way out of town as the roads are always slippery when we haven’t had rain for a while. Im staying put over Easter, but I will sneak down to the hospital tomorrow (of course). I live very near to one of the main highways that lead out of town – at least I know the road well, but it’s the other drivers !!! <late news – crash on that same highway just a little while ago – mini bus over turned :-(( > Well meet the new grandma – my daughter had her first baby today – a boy – Lucas Robert, a whopping 8 and a half pounds (breech, caesarian) – she had an epidural and then suffered an epileptic fit (never had one before). I hope she is ok. She wasn’t up to seeing anyone today and I can understand why. Will pop down tomorrow. I’m kinda floating on air today – wonder why? Good luck to all for Saturday night – have a great Easter everyone – safe trip Miss Travel Addict and everyone who is going away. Special hug for Lew lew and Barb and WHERE IS REBS???? Jood

Congratulations Joodles on being a grandma. It is sooooo much fun. Sorry to hear that your daughter had such a rough time. I hope she recovers quickly. No rain here to speak of - we had a few drips this afternoon - that's all. Tony, hug to Barb from me too. Such a difficult time. My mum died unexpectedly after a short illness at only 69 and I miss her so, but we did not have this long drawn out sadness. I am not sure which is hardest - maybe both are but in different ways. Happy and safe Easter to everyone. We are staying put also. My sister and family are coming down tomorrow afternoon. I think they hope that everyone would have left Sydney by then. :) Have to go shopping tonight as I have been sooooo busy this week that I haven't had time to think of food for the weekend visitors :0 better go - just leftovers for dinner and have asked hubby to come and do the shopping with me! Vonny

Vonny thanks - Im not a new granny - I have four grand daughters 2 in Qld - 13 & 9, and 2 in Bendigo 6 & 7, but this one is in NSWWWW's !!!! My kids were very very late in having their offspring! Jood

Jood, Thought I had read about grand children for you but decided that I must have it wrong. It IS fun havng them just down the road and round the corner so to speak!!!! :) enjoy.

Hi Wattlers, Firstly wishing you all a Happy Easter, safe travelling to those venturing on the roads, and may the Easter Bunny bring you lots of nice choccie– for those who are still eating it – like me – lol Lew – so sorry to hear about Chester. I have shed lots of tears over the years for all our pets – they are so much a part of our family. Joodles – congrats on your grandson – how exciting. Hope your daughter is on the mend too. Tony – give Barb a hug from me – such a horrible disease. Let’s hope our numbers come up this weekend. Sue – have a great time in Melbourne – hope the weather is kind. Anna – hope things look up for your son – very stressful for you all – no matter what age they are our children will always need us. Better get some food going here. Will be able to pop in again tomorrow, but working Sat/Sun – hopefully we will sell all our Easter goodies by Saturday. Of course if the shops are open the shoppers are out – doesn’t matter what the day is. Hi to SusyQ, Lara, Rebs (where ya hiding), Trifly, Mary, Vonny, Heather, Jude 2&3, Laurie, Shazz, Donna, Sandra – gosh hope I haven’t missed anyone – sorry if I have. Waving ~ ~ ~ ~ as I head to the kitchen Gwenda

HI everyone Not feeling very cheerful tonight ...I just saw my lovely caravan drive away and I didnt know how much I ,loved it..I thought I would be happy to see it go but when I saw it drive away I had a little weep..I have had such good times in it ,,, it was like a part of my life closing ...which made me feel very sad. Sorry to seem sad as it is nothing to what some on here have felt lately but it is amazing how circumstance changes ones life..and mine has had a big change in the last 10 months.I sold it to a very nice man and I know he loved it as much as I did... You would think it was something alive but it was a way of life we have had for 10 years and I think that is what I feel the most.. the end of an era..so to speak.. Will be back tomorrow in a happier frame of mind.. Love Maryxxxxx