General Chat

Just thought I would update my profile picture with our cake - finally decorated - A Merry Christmas to everyone
<3 :-) <3 :-) <3 :-) <3
Gerard

Love it Gerard, a really happy cake.

A happy christmas to you and yours and I hope 2012 will be a good one for you.

Page 99 ! wow.,

I am amazed and delighted that we have gone this far. Thanks to everyone who has ever posted on here. I wonder if we can manage to get to page 100 in time for the New Year, wouldn't that be wonderful?!

Gerard, love the cake decorations, mine is somewhat different with fir trees, a sledge with a hopeful child in it, a few fir tees, and of course Santa Clause.
I have a nativity crib on the mantel piece, it is rather old now, about 40 years but could never through it away because of all the memories.

Have decided to have scrambled egg with smoked Salmon and a glass of Champers as our breakfast on Christmas Morning, then we have the Lunch at the English Bar and various Sandwhiches etc for the tea, we will be back home quite late I think!!

Boxing day, not sure what to cook, so may have a cold meats etc, depends on the weather. Again all suggestions welcome.
New year food is planned and bought and it looks now as if a few friends will be joining us.

Well all that talk of food is making me hungry....so coffee and cake seems to make a good reason to stop writing for!!


<3 <3 :-) <3 :-)

Bridget your Christmas plans sound lovely..... And the food as well :-D

I am sure that we could make the 100 by New Year.

Just thought. If you are in touch with Val in S Africa could you wish her a Merry christmas from me please Bridget.

Glad we are near 100 !!! I know I have not been on here long, but I feel I am among friends....its very nice to feel that way...love the cake Gerard...Bridget OH and I will be having the smoked salmon on Boxing morning......our turkey cost an arm and a leg...so maybe next year 2 chickens !!!

Anyway, Happy Christmas everyone

Love Jan

Hope all is well with everyone and all Christmas plans are running smoothly.. My plans took a turn for the better this morning, when my daughter made me proud Grandma of my 4th grand-child a gorgeous little boy. Have a great time all, join you again after Christmas.

Your lovely messages about this thread are a delight to read, thank you. Did you all know that when talking to friends I call you al my "Cyber Friends"?

I am truly delighted that we have remained together through good and difficult times, just what friends should be.

Our Lunch yesterday was superb, champagne to start with a variety of nibbles, Smoked Meats as starter with an alternative offered but everyone had the Salmon. Turkey with all the trimmings and veg, super gravy, roast potatoes etc etc. Then a sorbet to clean the pallet and on to the home made Christmas pud and mince pies with all the trimmings, with as much wine and drinks that anyone wanted. Lots of chatter, laughter and fun. Then came the excellent coffee and nibbles.

The weather was good with the sun shining, but not hot enough to stay outside for two long. So much chatter created by just 20 people !! But some we had not seen for a while, some going back to UK for New Year and the suddenly it was 21hrs and OH decided it was time to go home. A few others had left before us...so home we came and of course Jet & Joe had a special bag of food from the owners of the bar, which I am pleased to say that J & J quickly devoured.

TV was we thought, pretty awful for Christmas, but we found a film to watch but fell asleep!! We had a few nibbles with a glass of wine and then a cup of tea and off to bed we went.

I woke suddenly and thought we had overslept but when I looked at the clock it was 04.00 hrs!! I could not believe it.


Well went back to sleep and now at 10.30 hrs I am going to say, I hope you all had a wonderful time and have a great day today.

Anon Glos I have sent a message from all of us I will let you know when I hear from her.

Bridget who is just a little tiny bit hungover!!







:-) :-) :-) :-) :-D :-D <3

Totally stuffed from yesterday - just taken OH some tea and crumpets for breakfast. Now I remember why I am not too keen on a proper Christmas!!

Nut Roast was lovely as were the parsnips, not had those for about 20 years!, Brussels with chestnuts yummee. Pleasant bottle of wine, and a couple of nice G&Ts later in the evening.

OH bought me some CDs a couple of church music albums, very restful, and the latest Hits compilation by 'The Feeling' and eight soft toys for my collection - a Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Eyeore, Rabbit and Owl (No Christopher Robin though - or is that me?) I am just a big kid really (seven going on 64!)

Bridget you were right about the TV, we saw Michael McIntyre's Christmas Road Show - very funny and HIGNYFY and Graham Norton and that was it.

I think my team's football match has been postponed until tomorrow because of the tube strike, inevitable really, with sixty-thousand people descending on the stadium.

OH and I went to three wonderful services at Church - firstly Christingle in the afternoon, lovely to see so many children in church followed Carol singing on the top of Primrose Hill and then outside the pub. Midnight mass was special and the 10.30 service yesterday, we had a preacher from Georgia USA who was very amusing and inspirational.

I am sitting on the sofa, Christmas is still all around, and I am drinking my second cup of tea of the morning.
Carry On Christmas Everybody
:-) <3 :-) <3 :-) <3 :-D

OH is down at the bar as the owner has kept it open so that those interested could watch the West Ham Football match. I was invited and wanted to go but I was so tired that OH has gone by himself and I have had a nap. At the moment WH are in the lead at 1 - 0 so keeping my fingers and toes crossed that they do not do anything silly.

So tomorrow we are back to normal, whatever that is, until the Spanish have their Christmas Celebrations on Twelth night...
OOOH NO Birmingham just got a goal....and very close to a second one. Must stop writing and cross my fingers and toes willing West Ham to get another goal,

Bye bye

Bridget

:-( :-(

We too had a lovely day yesterday, my new son inlaws dad joined us and it was a lovely family time..havent eaten much today,had omlette this evening, have to pace ourselves!!!!!!1


Jan

Well, that's it for another year! We had a full family get-together on 18th, as we now have to share our children with their inlaws - and this year, it was the in-laws' turn to have them on Christmas Day.
On the actual day itself, I was at daughter's home and joined by her in-laws, who are in the same situation as I am with sharing their children. So, we had two days of Christmas fare - with so much festive food that I didn't feel I would be eating again for another week!
Add to that the fact that I received two presents which contained chocolates - and need I say more??? Back to the diet when the chocolates run out - which will be very soon!!

The sun is shining, the town is quiet, Jet and Joe are sleeping and snoring and OH is reading his book.
West Ham had a draw last night and all in all it was not a partcularly good game, but to have a goal against them just about 10 minutes from the end was a disgrace

We are staying at home today, no gassing around for I need to vacuum everywhere upstairs where we spend most of our time. I have not done much housework in the last two days...well nothing really apart from washing up!! No point in using the dishwasher for just two people.

Christmas does not end today where we live as the Spanish consider 12 th night the most important date. The parade is normally fantastic, the three wise men arrive, sweets are thrown to the children and adults and this is the day that presents are given.

I really enjoy New Year and we stay at home. On the balcony we raise our glasses as the bells ring out and have to eat 12 grapes, one at a time, whilst the bells ring......I have never got to actually finishing this...it is more difficult than you think.

Is anyone going to the the sales in the UK? I used to go to Harrodsburg every year to buy my children clothes which I would normally not have been able to afford. First husband bought me a beautiful mink coat one year....wish I had not donted it to a charity about 10 years ago.....here in Spain the ladies still wear there's.

Looking forward to more entries, will try to get back later to day.


Meanwhile please enjoy your day

Bridget

Morning all
Hubby back t work this morning and I too must do a little housework. We had our next door neighbour around Christmas Eve for a meal - I did a load of tapas with a large bowl of salad and crusty bread - it went down very well and we finished with homemade mince pies. - well they did I do not like them. Christmas day we were on our own - first time for a few years - and had a very pleasant day - went for a walk in the morning and sat outside a bar watching the sea and some large rollers.
Yesterday did not do too much - did go down the town for a walk - had some lunch and fell asleep for an hour.
Like you Bridget I have never managed 12 grapes - wonder if anyone has.
We will be staying in New Years Eve with a bottle of champagne and of course the famous grapes.
5th January evening, weather permitting, we are going to see the parade - which I really enjoy seeing the children's excited faces.
Well enjoy your day
Love Mary xx

To everyone

I had a message just a short time ago from Val who no longer is on the board but we have stayed in touch.
Both Val and her husband are fine and had a very enjoyable Christmas with friends visiting. Her garden is doing well and she often thinks about us. Their health is good, just the usual aches and pains that most of us older members have from time to time.


Val sends her wish of good health to all of us and a good New Year.

I have promised to stay in touch and we will be writing to each other once a month. I will report back each time.

It is rather cool here to say the least....the trees are beginning to sway, and Jet and Joe are snuggled up to me as I write this. TV is rather boring, maybe it is the time of the year. So sad today when I heard that one of the well known chefs from Australia had lost his wife and three daughters in a fire at home and has suffered 40 percent burns himself. It doesn't bear thinking about....

Bridget

Good heavens Bridget we use the dishwasher all the time for just the two of us. Life is too short to spend it with hands in the washing up bowl. We do was some things by hand but otherwise run the dishwasher every two days.

Hi all

I am home until Thursday then back to Teris for another few days.
I got back home today, so glad to be home again. Ddint enjoy christmas, long story. Did try to enjoy it but just hate it all would have been better at home by myself.
Twins are doing well as you can see from picture that was taken yesterday. Tried to get picture of all grand kids but as always with little ones dont always want to have it taken.

Not read much of anyone notes. So just want to say sorry to any of you that didnt enjoy it like me,hope anyone who was ill are feeling better. And glad for those who had a great one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~to everyone.

Take care
Hazelx

I'm always glad when Christmas and New Year are over. I have been a widow for twenty years now and have got on with life, but when this time of year comes around, it brings it all back to me. My soulmate died on 22nd Dec and the funeral held on 29th, so although it doesn't seem like twenty years to me, I make the best of it and am glad when it has passed.

I live on my own these days and I have a dishwasher. The one thing I promised myself was that I would have comfort in my old age - and I use my dishwasher about every three days - I have my air conditioner on whenever I feel cold or hot - and I cannot bend or stretch to hang out clothes - so I use my dryer! I know it's not what the government advises - but I 'conserved' energy in the days when I couldn't afford to buy the appliances or pay the electricity bill - so I'm making up for it now.

Sending you a ((((((hug)))))) Berona and lots of thoughts as this time of year must be so sad for you. I don't blame you making yourself comfortable, if you can afford it you have all the things you need to make life easier.

Hazel, so sorry that you didn't enjoy your Cristmas.

Thank you Ann. I count my blessings. I have four wonderful children and during those last twenty years, they have found partners and now have families of their own. They are all good people and good to me - so I really can't ask for more than that.

I received a Kindle for my birthday and ordered the two Greaders' choices, but mistakenly ordered one as a audio book. I had to get my DIL to download it for me because I didn't have a WiFi connection (I do now, thanks to Xmas!) then got a surprise when it started talking to me! Each time I try to run it, I feel myself going to sleep! I don't think I will be near finished it for the review date. It was great reading the other book. So different from holding "London" - with more than 1300 pages - made my wrists tired!