General Chat

AnninGlos

You have been busy, my OH cleaned the windows to our living room and every time he looks at them he sees another smear. The windows are in fact a double glass door and two side panels as well which lead of the varendah where I sit most mornings ,(if the weather is kind) and have my quiet time so not the sort of wooden door we have in the UK. As this cannot be seen by anyone walking buy it is not as strange as it sounds.
BUT the dogs also come into the house that way and have learnt how to jump and open the door...why can't they learn to close the doors I do not know.
Hope your visit to the hairdresser went well I am trying to find one in Winchester so I can have my hair done on the morning of my sons' marriage blessing.

Where is Batsford Arboretum, sorry for being dim.. it sounds a delightful place. You are very organised, knowing each day what you will be doing, we are on the spot of the morning people most of the time.

Well not much more to write about,

so goodnight and happy dreams

Not knowing anything about Batsford Arboretum I Googled it, I must say it sounds lovely.

Please spare a thought for my brother and SIL who were robbed this morning at 3 a.m. by two knife-wielding thugs. Thankfully neither of them were harmed, a very traumatic experience for them both.

We had a couple of showers of rain this morning with rumbling of thunder and lightning. It is a lot cooler to-day.


Val.

Val
I have just had the opportunity to come here today and so sorry to hear that your brother and SIL have been robbed. They n=must have been terrified to wake up and see two people who had knives and no doubt would not have hesitated to use them.
\whilst delighted to read that they have not been harmed physically it must be a traumatic situation to be in.
I shall say a special prayer for them.

It has been quite a busy day as I have finished re varnishing our sitting room and dining room furniture. It has been very rewarding as it all looks so new again. The style is old but nevertheless is always fashionable and made from dark English Oak,. We liked it so much that we brought it to Spain from the UK, our bedroom furniture is the same.

I must say that I am feeling so well again and it is really wonderful not to feel so detached from everything and everyone. I do still have a few times when I feel very low and agitated but haven't had one of those days for about a week now. Please keep the positive thoughts flowing.

Not much more to talk about at the moment but may try to find some more interesting to talk or write about soon.

Ann it is lively to see you on here and hope to hear from you again soon

Bridget, Batsford Arboretum is near Moreton in the Marsh and Chipping Campden on the Oxfordshire side of Gloucestershire.

Is it Winchester UK you are looking for a hairdresser?

Val, I am so sorry to hear about your brother and sister in law. what a shock for them. Horrid to be robbed in your own home.

today we went to a craft fair so I could spend money on lots of lovely bits and pieces for my card making. It was a big fair with loads of stalls and we really enjoyed it.

Tomorrow we will pack for our break in the Lake District and in the afternoon we sadly have to make a visit to a good friend who is terminally ill.

Ann, Thanks for the information about the Arboretum I hope that you enjoy(ed) your visit. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Yes it is Winchester where my son is having his marriage blessed in the Hospital of Cross Church, I have looked this up and it looks absolutely beautiful and the history is amazing. The reception will be in the officers mess.

You are very busy, going to the craft fair and now the lake District. I have driven past and through the Lake District but never actually stopped to have a look around. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Val have the burglars been found and are your brother and his wife recovering from the shock.

Now I have to decide how to cook my evening meal. OH wants pork chops so will now ponder to see what I can do to make them attractive, and easy to cook. I am trying to make our meals more interesting than simply traditional meals. hope that last sentence makes sense.

Bye for now and have a good day

I also looked up up the Hospital of St Cross Church, amazing history, started in 1135 , wow.

Thanks Ann and Bridget for your kind words. The burglars haven't been caught yet and as things are here I will be surprised if they are. I spoke to my brother this morning, he didn't have a very good night. Anyway, he is now installing a security system and security doors and burglar bars which will give them peace of mind. Our alarm is set every night when we go to bed. Actually, would you believe, the townhouse complex my brother lives in is walled with an electric fence along the top of the wall,
but what they did was lift the remote-controlled gate off it's rail to gain entry to the comnplex. I pray every night that we will be kept safe. Sorry to have rambled on about this.

I have just been watching the tsunami on Sky News, absolutely awful, such devastation. I keep asking myself why are all these terrible disasters occuring.. Nothing one can do about the forces of nature.

Our friends are due to arrive in Australia now, our time, the start of their two-month holiday, I hope they will have a great time.

I still haven't finished my table!

Tess, if you look in here , I hope things are going well with you.

I shall say bye for now.

Val.

I am glad you mentioned Tess val. I hope she is ok. I know that she has periods of ill health. Thinking of you Tess and hope you are well.

Val, it must be frightening to live somewhere that the burglars are so persistent. Fancy lifting the gates off. Were any other houses in the complex burgled?

Bridget the Lake District is beautiful, we are looking forward to it.

Ann, the frightening thing is that burglars have no respect for life and will kill for a few rand or a cell phone. No other houses were burgled. My brother's unit is the closest to the entrance which is probably why the picked his.

And I suppose the police have given up? Oh well, at least your brother and his wife were not harmed.

Hopefully they will still be working on it. I am very grateful that they are OK.

Good morning from a very wet Peniscola.

It started to rain in the middle of the morning yesterday and then it just became heavier and heavier. I can hear the rain even with the doors and windows shut and all the security guard shutters down. We do leave a small opening for Jet & Joe our two Cocker Spaniels so that they can do what is necessary.
When OH awakes I shall go into the small sitting room off our bedroom and look out to see what the view is like, I suspect that all I shall see is rain. At least we have plenty of food etc in the house and with our computers and TVs plus many books, and DVDs and music there is no need to be bored. I just send a prayer asking that the electricity does not go off because that does cause problems, I am not sure how much gas we have for the BBQ that we could use for cooking. It could come to a day in Bed with duvets and books........has been known before wen we had torrential rain for 3 days. Some of the newly built house just a mile or so away suffered terribly with house being severely damaged, gardens disappearing and walls and foundations having large and long cracks. Thank goodness at least our older house built about 40 years ago is very sturdy and protected by being built into the mountain.

Val, I do hope that you brother & SIL are beginning to get over the shock and were insured for any damage. I have heard that this type of incident is not uncommon in SA, would you agree with this?, I simply cannot imagine how terrifying the burglary must have been. What do you believe is the cause for such disregard for people and their homes...?

Off to hhave a coffee now

Hope to bee able to come here later today]

Ann, I hope that you have a good day and are enjoying your visit to the Lake district, I look foreward to hearing about it.

Bye

I found this on the internet, thought it may make us smile

Monday

Working from home, it's not unusual to still be in my trackie-daks at lunchtime, but not today! This morning I ditch my jog (a man should not have to wake up to a sweaty wife) and set about making myself look pretty.

It's not easy. After much head-scratching I opt for a dress (yes, I own one!) pearls and a ribbon in my hair. I go into the kitchen and the kids laugh. The eldest makes me promise not to drive her to school. Hubby grins and gives me a playful pat on the bottom.
I refrain from punching him.

Doing the dishes by hand after breakfast, it dawns on me I'll have to wear the dress all day. Already I'm uncomfortable. But The Good Wife's Guide is very definite about the need to greet your husband in the evening looking prettier than you did that morning.

In the meantime, I decide to busy myself with a feather duster - but alas, I don't own one. I rent The Stepford Wives on DVD instead and kick back with a glass of wine. Well, the Guide says I must be 'gay and interesting' for my husband and that's not going to happen sober.

Thankfully, my husband rings in the afternoon and says he won't be home until late. Off comes the dress and lippy. And I'm deliberately not unhappy because, as the book says, 'Never complain if he comes home late. Try to understand his world of strain and pressure.'

Tuesday

Today is all about housework. In the '50s, housewives seemed to take pleasure in domestic duties and I suspect my hatred of housework is just a case of poor attitude. If I approach it in a happy way, maybe I'll have a rollicking good day.

So I sweep (not vacuum), mop (but not with my electric-steam version) and clean the bathroom, applying elbow grease with a fake smile. Things sparkle that have never sparkled before. I honestly feel proud of my work and wonder if anyone will notice.

I want invite my neighbour over just so she can see my handiwork and feel her own efforts wanting. Were '50s wives this competitive? Most of all, I want my husband to walk in and declare himself the happiest man in the street. But my kids have other ideas and by the time he gets home, the house looks like a bombsite and I'm screaming like a banshee. Tomorrow will be better, I vow.

Wednesday

It's shopping day and I'm feeling excited! Gone is my usual list of processed foods and in its place I'm ready for some home baking.

I waltz around the shops buying flour, eggs, butter and raw ingredients. I also invest in a duster and an apron - until today, the only apron in our house had large plastic breasts on the front.

At home I start baking, patting my cheeks with flour to keep me in the mood. I bake enough muffins to sink a ship and finish just in time to 'take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives home.'

That night I resist the urge to tell him about my day and instead listen eagerly to his tales of corporate skulduggery and gossiping secretaries.

After a while, I shove a large muffin in his mouth.

Thursday

I haven't used my car in days. I've taken the kids to local parks and walked everywhere. I'd have lost weight if I wasn't eating so many homemade cakes.

I need an opportunity to show off my new talents, so I invite the family to dinner. Normally this would involve pizza and beer, but instead I serve casserole, dumplings and a vegetable bake, all with a cheerful twinkle.

My family, predictably, exploits me. If I have to get my brother one more helping of homemade lemon meringue pie, I'll throw it at him.

My husband, meanwhile, is growing amorous, apparently turned on by my slaving. When the family finally leaves, he gives me a come-hither look and I try my best not to look exhausted.

Friday

This waking-up-pretty routine is starting to grate. Surely 1950s housewives had daggy days?

I open the fridge and discover leftovers - an easy night ahead! But this is not the thinking of a domestic goddess. 'Plan ahead to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return,' the Guide insists. 'Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the welcome needed.'

As it's my last day as a '50s housewife, I take some time to reflect. Frankly, I'm exhausted. I've walked miles. I'm no happier, but my husband and kids are. They've loved the home baking, park visits and the amusement of Mum looking ridiculous.

My husband, who's had a hard week, appreciated my extra attentiveness and the sense of calm each evening. The family is happy, even if I'm not, but a little selflessness is good for the soul.

Goodmorning everyone , it's an overcast day here to-day, and the sea is smooth. Wondering what the day holds for us. I love watching the rain - when it rains that is! There is nothing one can do about the elements.

Thanks Bridget, my brother and SIL are over tjhe shock now but unfortunately no insurance for the damage to the front door and the cell phone, as here to get insurance one must have security doors and burglar bars. He is feeling harassed at the moment, but that will pass, as he must now get a new driver's kicence and a new Identity Card as these were in his wallet which was taken. He says he will feel a whole lot better on Monday when the security system has been installed.
I totally agree that this type of incident is an everyday occurrence in this country, but they were really very fortunate (as strange as that may sound) as they were not physically harmed, as this is what happens 9 times out of 10.

The piece about the housewife put a smile on my face.

We had a really good laugh this morning, my husband came out of the shower and said to me, we really must go and buy some new towels. I replied that we had stacks of towels in the linen cupboard, what was the problem, well I was told, I cannot dry myself with this little towel and showed me the towel he had, I had mistakenly put out a hand towel for him! When I had finished laughing I went and fetched him a bath towel.

Hope you all have a lovely day.



Val.

Good morning everyone,
the first piece of news is the rain has stopped,!! I have only opened the blinds a little but it looks brighter today, so long may it last.

Val the paragraph about your husband made me giggle so thank you for my 1st giggle of the day.
Pleased to hear that your brother and his wife are moving forward. Are the indigenous population really so poor that their only thought is burglary, I recall about 12 years ago employing a white South African for the Role of a nursing Home. I went to a meeting with him and as we were going along in his care i looked down and there was a handgun in one of the pockets. I nearly died of shock. I discovered it was loaded and he kept it for security. I explained that if he were caught by the police he would be in serious trouble,,,he was shocked as he did no feel safe unless it was in his view. How very scary and sad.

Anninglos
Hope that you have a good day and that we hear from you again soon.

Maybe some others will have time to send messages soon.
Out for lunch today and then will be watching Football with OH as he has asked me, so being a very good wife I replied "Of Course"

Actually he is looking after me so well I thought I should accept his plea!

Have a good day and hopefully some relaxation time.

Good morning everyone,

Hoping that you are all having a good day, It is nearly mid day here and the weather is appalling, no other word can describe how cold and wet it is. The rain started again at about 04.00hrs and was so heavy that the noise wakened me and OH and it has not stopped! This weather is apparently going to be for at least the next three days.
So plenty of time to do my research.!!

\no exciting news or even interesting news from me today so will try to finish the sorting and filing of my paperwork I am about 3/4 of the way to having a controlled system for each family name. It will be nice too have it finished.

Take care everyone

Hello,

To answer your question Bridget, many of them are very poor and live in shacks but they do not all turn to violence and thuggery, many are poor but decent people who try very hard to find employment. They don't or won't realise that continually bringing more children into the world doesn't help.

When we came to live here about 16 years ago we didn't have to look over our shoulders all the time, but even in this little town their is a lot of crime now. Corruption is rife in both local and national government and whistle-blowers get fired. Enough moans about that.

No laughs over towels to-day - I made sure I was putting out a bath towel, for myself I prefer a bath sheet.

Sad news for my friend and neighbour is that her chemo has been stopped as the oncology doctor said it was not working for her. This was her 4th lot of chemo. She is very disappointed as she was so sure that this time it would work and she would improve.

I think it is time for me to have my BP checked as I seem to be getting headaches, perhaps a change of medication is needed although I already swallow three tablets every day. I have had this problem since I was 28 years old so am quite used to it being out of control every now and then.

I watched footage on Facebook of the Japanese tsunami, this was something I had not seen on the news, the dialogue and the captions are in Japanese so I could not understand. It is really scary to see buildings being washed off their foundations and being carried away by the water.

That's all for now.

Enjoy the rest of the day.


Val.

It i a lovely morning here. I was up early, had a cup of coffee and then cleaned my deep freeze, it's not a job I like but I feel good once I have finished. Next job to tackle is the fridge.

Nothing spectacular going on to-day, just a trip to the supertmarket for some yoghurt and then we shall be making pizzas for lunch. If I am not too lazy I would like to carry a few buckets of water for the lawn at the front.

Have a lovely day.



Val.

At last I have
a) the time
b) a computer which is working
c) belief that the rain may have stopped long enough to write something worthwhile.

We planned to go shopping today for fresh veg and a few Bits & Pieces

However the weather determined otherwise. We ar having amazingly wet weather here. It has rained most days for the last 10 days and I mean rain, not soft rain, not flash rain, not warm rain but relentless hours and hours of rain which is falling so fast that it is obliterating the surrounded gardens, houses, cannot see the sea, or the castle, We can hear the rain running through the channels between the houses, and I am only to grateful that we do not live lower down and in town.

Last night I cooked a beef casserole and realised that I did not have any onions left so had to use a chopped up leek, not the same I know but better than nothing. So I made a list of what we need to buy BUT absolutely no chance to get out today. Have already defrosted the liver and bacon for tonight so again no onions!!

I have decided that we need more "just in case" foods so if anyone wants to make some suggestions they will be greatfully received!

Because the weather was /is so bad at times we loose internet connection, I have just checked the weather forecast again and it is not looking good, so if you do not see me on here you will all know why.

Val I will say a litle prayer for your visit re your BP check, let us know how you are.

I must clean my big freezer some time soon.

Bye bye everyone , hope you are all well.

nudge

Good evening Spanish Eyes, have not added to this thread before but have been reading it most nights for a long while now. Dont know what I'll be able to add, but I will try to when I can. Must keep it going. I do hope your rain stops soon. Take care all.