General Chat

Morning all, Returned from Winnipeg last nite in a snowstorm!!!
The weather office said it was an" Alberta Clipper" and Wow was it ever.
At times the wind was so strong it actually rocked the bus, which was a huge Greyhound type.
Got home absolutely worn out, cup of tea and into bed, shopping is loads of fun but also lots of walking. Had a great time tho' didn't win at the Casino just enjoyed all the ringing bells etc.
They didn't get any of my money either hee hee.
Christmas is all tied up in neat parcels so it can come any time.
Had a fun 4 days, now happy to be home!!!
Will catch up on all the news later, after my breakfast. Edith XXXX

Morning Edith,and the invisible Les' ,lol,Fred has now finished all the prep' for the days dinner,and now need to go out to find a 2 gallon plastic container for tomorrow.
The water board are working on the mains again ,and A ,may have to turn the water off from time to time,and B,when it comes back on it may be dirty ,and unfit for drinking until the system is flushed out,so i have to stockpile drinking water just in case.
Liz is well enough now to tackle the washing today ,just in case dirty water tomorrow means washer problems.
We may not be very far behind you with the Snow Edith ,the eastern side of the country ,and the north are supposed to cop it ,the middle of the week ,with weather coming over from Scandinavia ,brrrrrr ,lots of snow and ice supposedly on the way,but i have to say ,with the house now lots warmer with the sorted windows ,and having plenty of supplies in ,i ain't much bothered.
I did manage to get another bag of salt & grit in for the drive anyway,so i can get the car out onto the road in case of emergency if needs be.
After getting the veggies ready for the dinner ,i STILL have two meals left in my football ,he he ,that was ,and still is one hell of a cabbage ,and i will be growing them again next year ,they are a white variety ,suitable for making our own coleslaw.
Can't get much done outside these days with the ground being so soggy ,so i brought down the Dell tower yesterday afternoon ,and reformatted the hard drive,starting with a new [raw ] partition ,and then re installing windows x p from the disc supplied by Dell.
Noticed that the four i d dvd /cd programmes were back in ,so i can use the two writers and re writers okay ,and took it over to the other, in use tower belonging to Liz and slide it in next to the other ,ready for use ,lol,that's three hours put to good use [ wonder what i can do today?
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend,catch you later Fred.xxxx

It's no name again. I scanned my computer, put in all and any updates I could find and now let's see what happens. How very annoying. I did send an email to GR....they have not replied. Ah! well invisible I am or maybe not when I hit submit perhaps my name will miraculously appear.
Snow here, just a skiff but about 2/3 inches in Nanaimo. We cannot find winter tires for our van....they don't make them so that is also aggravating. A shop in Nanaimo told Norm they could order them from Toyo and could install them on Saturday. So yesterday we set off into Nanaimo only to find the shop closed on the weekend....our Normie was not best pleased!!!
Keep well.
Lesxx

Hi All
Lesley so sorry to hear about your young friend such a tragedy.

Can I ask for help from the Aussies on the thread and possibly the Canucks can help as well.

I just discovered a branch of my family that came to Canada and then emigrated to Australia.

Davina Pearson married William Elliot Preston and I have them on the 1916 Canadian Census in Manitoba. Davina next shows up in Australia with the children but no William unless he is off somewhere other than with them.


A Davina next shows up in Gunnedah, Gwydir with a John Charles Mills and with children with the same first names as her Preston children but with Mills as their last name on the 1936 Australia (NSW) Census. She is a cook by profession which is consistent with her Canadian info - coincidence or are these my folks.

I cannot find emigration records for the family going to Australia from Canada
I cannot find a death anywhere for William Elliot Preston
I cannot find a marriage to John Charles Mills for Davina.

Anyone got any ideas!!!!

Veronica

I posted the same info onto the Records thread and have all sorts of replies.

Looks like I am going to be busy. Also, Euphemia Pearson showed up today as a result of another email!!!

regards

Veronica

Morning all, Managed to get all the gifts sorted for wrapping and sending off, so now have time to get the cards etc. done.
We have now gotten another foot of snow so winter is here for sure.

Yes, Veronica folks on here are very helpful. Sorting and recording it will
take time but is so fun.

As usual Fred your busyness amazes me. Good to hear Liz is back to her old self and hope stays well.

Les, I see you got snow as well, and it looks like that Arctic high is going to get you too!!!! With the wood stove and Norm stuffing the wood in you should stay warm and cosy.
Saw a booth at the big Winnipeg craft show where a lady was selling aprons, not anywhere near the style yours have. She wanted $68. for them but they had no style and the fabric looked like old flour sacks. She had a lot of them so I don't think they were selling.!!!!!

The show had 320 booths and the variety of crafts was good although they did have a lot of jewellry. I think you would need 2 days to see it all.
My legs quit long before I did. hee hee.

Must get on with the day, laundry etc. Bye for now Edith XXXXXXX

Hi Everyone,
I let my membership lapse for a bit but am now back on board.

Just a quick note to Les to tell you I am thinking of you and Norm today for Malcolm's memorial. I saw a piece on him today on the news and he looks a lovely man. Special thoughts to you all.

I will be back later hopefully.

Teresa in minus 24 Black Diamond

Hi All, a good thread.

Today is rainy and freezing too if anyone wants to know, . It in Ottawa. Ont.

Just back from thr UK visiting inlaws. brought a cold with me cant shake it YET.

JC in Ontario

Welcome JC, we are a great bunch of folks. We've been nattering at each other for about 8 years now and still going strong. Join in often.

Norm and I set off to Nanaimo at 10 this morning. By the time we reached the Island highway it was white out conditions and we slid into the right hand lane. People in the ditch everywhere. So we crawled for 30 minutes to the next exit and headed home. A gruelling drive, idiots everywhere and blizzard conditions. So we will not make Malcolm's Celebration of Life. Norm had spent the last week putting together a photo tribute which he is now trying to email thru to the port Theatre so that they can still show it. There were about 500 people expected from all over....I think many like us will not be able to get there, perhaps we will have another smaller one in the spring. So sad and such a huge loss.

The four of us used to cook like crazy when we got together and yesterday saw me in the kitchen having a filo frenzy. I made cornish filo pasties and filo samosas. A big pot of soup and all we needed was Malcolm and Heather.....so very sad.

Dunno if my name is back. I guess lots of us are nameless. GR emailed me and said oh! you cannot please everyone...er! no!... but you could find my name and give it back to me.

Later Lesxx

Morning from a ruddy cold ,wet Newcastle ,where we are awaiting the Arctic weather too which will reach us around Thursday,but not to worry ,i have done a Les and Edith ,in stocking well up on dried produce ,and fuel ,he he.
I Have two big bags of a rock salt ,grit mix for the drive as well ,so ,no matter what ,i will be able to get the car up the slope onto the road ,but ,what it will be like after i get through the gate remains to be seen ,he he.
My Fushia ,and 'Mums are still hanging on ,and still flowering bless 'em.but i reckon the snow will put them to sleep until the spring.
We had a phone call yesterday morning from Argos ,saying the Saturday delivery was off ,and could they deliver straight away, could they? i should co co,lol,and our beutiful new mattress arrived within two hours,was on the bed within four ,and we had a lovely read before going to sleep in perfect bliss,and i am thinking of ordering another now while the offer is still on,they are [Silent night] one of the best around ,and are supposed to keep their shape no matter what for five years.
We get nuggets here as well Les' who reckon they can drive in snow ,when in reality they have problems in heavy rain,stamping on gas pedals and brakes ,and hauling hard on corners ,instead of being gentle ,of course they skid ,and pile into the roadside ,or worse still other cars or trucks,high time ,in this country for people to have to have lessons in ice driving ,it would save many lives.
I was taught to drive a double deck bus on a skid pan in London,and drove in the pyrenees in winter later ,while in the forces ,but i STILL don't drive in it unless i have to ,not because i am frightened of slippery roads ,but because of what other idiots around me are getting up to ,he he.
Hey ,it's nice to see people returning to the fold,and long may it last,the more the merrier say,i .
Time to go now ,the missus needs her cuppa ,and the cat is sitting at the cooker waiting for breakfast,i am having pan fried Gilt Head Bream for brekkie and Hissy knows when fish is on the menu ,she gets her share, the little madam ,knows the word FISH alright ,lol.and i have to spell the word out to liz or the cat starts the [feed me routine] and dosn't let up easily.
Catch you all later ,Fred.

Edith, I am wondering if the apron craze is slowing down as I did not sell a lot at the fair here. Now I am in another next weekend and am thinking I may put a wee ad in the north island paper, altho in this weather who would drive thru the mountains to get to us.

News says that we got about 8 inches of snow in an hour and a half yesterday. It went down to minus 16 overnight which means that many of my garden perenials will have died off....again!! Originally they said it would warm by thursday but now Norm has just read that we will get freezing rain/sleet on thursday and more snow after that.

The main highway into town was closed for awhile yesterday as there were truck/trailers jacknifed all over it. The main road in both directions from where we live was closed because we have lots of ravines and everyone was just pooled at the bottom and could not get up the other side. Even a police car slide out of control and smashed into a concrete barrier....such fun.

So needless to say we are on foot and going nowhere!! I HATE snow!! Bella on the other hand is in heaven and comes in with huge clumps of ice sticking to her fur....such a girl!!

Hi Teresa...waves!!

More later.Lesxx

Morning to all,from The Frozen north ,as my sister always called any county and town above Manchester,lol.
We awoke this morning to our first snow of the season ,and so ,it's a stay indoors day ,he he,no garden in this that's for sure ,can't even lift parsnips for a meal ,as they are frozen in ,well and truly.
I don't mind really,the frost gives the parsnip,kale and brussel ,a tang they don't get otherwise ,which is why i plant a late variety.
Seems like Bella is like Hissy ,he he ,she was bounding over the snow as it got light here ,and then rolling in it , he he ,i was shivering indoors just watching her,crazy moggy,i reckon the two of them would make a good pair Les'.
Have to go for now ,the puter is waiting to do security updates and gets grouchy if i postpone it too often,i think the puter has to be female ,gets upset awfully easily,Catch you later ,Fred xxx

More snow for us today, maybe 10 - 15 cms......great!! not!! I shovelled yesterday and Bella did the snow dance.....first you growl at the snow shovel as it piles up snow, then Mom hoists the snow over your head, and then you run in a barking frenzy all over the yard waiting for the next shovel full....silly girl. Now Ollie has a better idea. He just spends the entire day curled up in front of the wood stove.
Fred I still have veggies in the ground and I am hoping that the snow is protecting them.....guess the celery will be all wilted tho??
Norm went out doing errands yesterday and did OK with our all season radials but we certainly would not be able to drive out of the valley with them....and no 14 inch lite truck winter tires to be found anywhere.
Am sewing today for the next fair.....still have masses of material!!
Later Lesxx

Morning all, We join you in lots of snow Les. We now have more than we did last winter. We've had 4 days of heavy snow and more to come according to the forecast.
A white Christmas for sure and I know a lot of folks are happy, skiers,snowmobilers etc.
Busy weeks coming up in our town, Christmas dinner for Seniors. a bazaar, Community Christmas choir, carolling, Christmas Craft sale so something for everyone.
Stay well everybody, see you soon. Edith XXXXXX

Afternoon,all you lucky people in dry ,warm areas ,he he,coooo ,am i glad we decided to go out and do some stocking up for the next two weeks ,we brought two extra bags of plain flour ,two cartons of dried yeast ,salt ,pepper ,the usual veggies but double the amount ,and a few things like extra eggs,and four cartons of long life milk.
We had to dig the car out to go ,and by the time we got home it was snowing hard again ,and by going back into the drive arse first ,we Just managed to get it in and park up before we were hit by a blizzard.
This morning i couldn't even see the road out front and we decided ,we were staying in ,lol.
The daft elder son has decided to go down to Reading despite the conditions ,and i have told him ,that being as we had a snow untried new car ,there was no way we were doing another rescue mission for him,if he breaks down in this while on the road ,going ,or coming back ,he is on his own.
Had a bit of a family crissis a couple of days ago ,aand it seems that the daughter and hubby are splitting up,the idiot of a husband is only working part time ,is constantly dragging the family further into debt ,and to cap it all ,he has managed to persuade his sister to stand as a cheque promissie and has brouight a new car on the never never.
The daughter has said ,he is on his own ,and if he defaults she won't bail him out again ,will kick him out and waive the mortgage and declare herself bankrupt ,all because the numbskull is in denial ,and won't see he is getting further and further into debt.
The daughter and two children can come here until they get another house,i did after all do it for the youngest son ,and couldn't refuse to do the same for her,but the son in law is on his own ,bloody fool.
Mary wouldn't know her chalet ,he he ,it looks like a pukka one now ,a foot of snow on the roof ,and ice hanging over the eaves.looks a little like Santas cave .
Hissy wassitting next to the shed a few minutes ago when the snow ,warmed a tad by the sun slid off the roof ,and puddy tat disappeared ,he he ,she wasn't at all pleased when she shook herself free,yowling and spitting left right and centre ,even giving me a dirty look because i was laughing at her ,lol.
We decided on Sunday dinner a day early because the wife has promised us a cheese bake tomorrow ,yum.
So today we are having a 2 kilo chuck', home made stuffing ,roast tatties ,onion ,parsnip,sweet tattie ,cabbage ,sprouts aand mash ,along with a nice onion gravy.
Have to go anyway ,time i got the parsnips and onions in the oven.
Catch you later peeps ,have a good weekend all .Fred.xxxx

Hey Fred, I have a beef stew in the slow cooker. Gonna try some slow cooker dumplings this time as well. Tell me about the cheese bake?
Our snow has turned to rain and it is slushy everywhere and slippery in the mornings. I hope it rains like stink today and then we will almost be back to a regular winter. Still no snow tires for us.....we are now thinking that we will have to sell our van and buy another vehicle....and then I don't know how we will camp....
Edith, Teresa and Veronica are you watching Come Dine with me Canada. What an ugly bunch they have been so far most of them with no manners or basic cooking skills. liked the Brit version much better.
Have a good weekend.
Lesxx

Hi Lesley

No, not watching Come Dine with me Canada - I don't like that sort of show its all such a set up and phony. I did catch a couple of episodes of Battle of the Blades on CBC, my youngest daughter was staying and I watched it with her. Me, I'm mostly an HGTV, History Channel & Discovery channel person - but not Mike Holmes. I also love Antiques Roadshow - the British version on BBC-Canada.

I am watching the weather very closely, I hope it changes before December 6th as we are flying via Amsterdam, Keith on to Liverpool and me on to Edinburgh. I was supposed to take the train up from London but the itinerary changed and Keith and his colleague are doing things the other way around.

We had our first snow today - just a few flurries but lots of wind. The grandkids came today with their Mum and Dad and have decided to stay over until tomorrow so Mum and Dad have gone off home alone.

Looks like Fred has got everything under control up in Newcastle they certainly won't starve will they?

Off to tuck the grandkids into bed

Veronica

G'Day to all you chilly people from the northern hemisphere.
Fred while you're cooking up your vegies my cabbage, carrots, onions, sugar peas and capsicums are all going into a salad.
Our weather is going to be in the mid thirties for the next few days but rain is forecast for Saturday - that little sister of mine is bringing the UK weather with her - GRR!
I hope that everyone is keeping well and I'll try to be a more frequent visitor to the boards but FH keeps getting in the way along with lawn bowls and darts.
I must go now and have some lunch then head down to the sports club to finish the minutes of the last Board meeting.

Best wishes to all,

Ian

Fred,is on snow clearing duties,over a foot of snow on the paths and drive.normal service will be resumed as soon as .lol.xxxx

Morning everyone, Hi to Ian, good to know you are O.K and "warm" .
Fred, Know what you are dealing with as it is common in my part of the world from Nov. to March. I think the big difference is we are prepared for it and have all the tools.
Last week the stuff came down for 4 days and the plows were out round the clock to keep the streets clean. We are allowed to have studded tires again and they sure make for a better drive in winter. Stopping on ice is
needed in some areas so it's much safer.
Les, I have tried to watch some of the cooking shows but like you they just make me upset. They can bring back Julia Childs any time. She was a cook but also very funny.
I see Jack is in Ottawa and their weather is about the same as ours. Haven't heard if they got all this snow as well?
Good to see you back Teresa. It is time for me to get started to-day so it's bye for now. Stay well all. Edith XXXXX