WEEKLY CHAT (non-osprey) SUNDAY JUNE 21, 2015

Good grief! Another week!  

In case you missed it, Heather is now grandma to a little girl (as yet unnamed); Rita and tortoises have arrived safely at daughter's but tortoises got up to mischief; Diane is finishing up her freelance assignment, AQ's car floor mats have disintegrated, and OG has been doing the ironing.  I've been out in the garden - how unusual. Anyway, it's all happening!

Have a good Monday all - it's the longest Monday of the year, so make the most of it..

  • Hello Everybody - Nice warm weather down here.  Arrived in Solihull after a very busy journey down the motorway.  The weather is very warm here today and the tortoises are really enjoying their holiday with the freedom of the garden;  my son has three as well so that makes eight tortoises altogether!  we also have two dogs and a cat here as well.     We have been to Packwood House (National Trust) today and I took photos  of some lovely plants in the garden and bought my son a couple of plants in the shop.    We also had a very nice lunch which was slightly peculiar as there were two salads up on the Board and we chose one of them but when it arrived it seemed to have all the ingredients from both choices!    Salad leaves, black pudding, bacon, walnuts, Wensleydale cheese and a poached egg.  

    Heather - Glad to hear that you arrived home safely, and that all was well while you were away.

    Must just say that I really like Butteries, the bakery that delivers to my village shop makes really nice ones and I am afraid to say that I have them quite often!

    Hope All are well, will probably be back posting tomorrow, there so many of us in this house all using our I pads at the same time that the connection does not always work properly!

  • Hi everyone,

    I've just been clicking 'like' on your posts, it's only 7pm and I'm so tired! Sorry no proper replies.

    I had a long phone chat with MARGO this afternoon. She is still in the doldrums, her physical limitations are getting to her and she feels so much for her OH who is holding down a more than full time job as well as doing gardening and housework at home. Now, guys, she told me to tell you that she is being a miserable old bitch.(She and I are sorry if language offends anyone).  I have reassured her that we all understand how she is feeling and send her lots of hugs.

  • Thanks for the news of dear Margo, Heather.  Of course we all understand, and I'm sure if it were me, even stronger language would not always express my feelings.  Thanks for transferring lots and lots of our best {{HUGS}}

  • Hello  Everyone. Just read all your posts. Family life has been rather hectic. Our son and his wife are now in Singapore and their dog, Penny, leaves on tonight's flight. I guess I must have been so stressed about it all, although I stayed in control on the surface. I feel so tired this evening.

    The weather here has been lovely and sunny today.

    Heather, Thanks for your message about Margo. Sorry she is still feeling ' down'. I haven't spoken to her since last week, although she did send me an e-mail. I can understand why she feels the way she does, but she is not ' a miserable old bitch," although I can hear her saying that. 

    I will give you a ring, Margo. I did laugh at the the picture of Billie. X

  • Brenda: I'm sorry you have to be away from your son. I'm sure you can stay in close contact with technology.

    Japanese Peony
    Labeled Public Domain (Copyright-Free)

  • Thinking of you this evening, Margo! My grandmother always grew these flowers in her garden.

    Zinnia
    Labeled Public Domain (Copyright-Free)

  • Annette: I have several replies to posts from you, but my brain wouldn't function tonight to type them on the page! LOL My freelance project is done and dusted (1,800 pages edited!), but I don't seem to be bouncing back from the long hours and stress. Hope your new air conditioner is working well. Wish I could send you some of our relentless rain.

    Lindy: Lovely photos of your holiday.

  • Evening all:  Cleaned the fountain today - we used to do it regularly, but haven't done so for some months and oh! - what a chore. All kinds of mineral deposits on the pump that I finally managed to budge with toothbrushes and plain old vinegar.  Ugh. Won't let that happen again!  Anyway, it's back in service and the birds are thrilled.  Another busy day tomorrow - seeing daughter in the morning, then have to go to the AutoClub to take care of paperwork relative to one vehicle or another, then grabbing a bite with a friend before we go to a community meeting in the evening. Phew.

    Lindybird: Those are lovely photos of Llanberis - what's that wild flower?

    Heather: Welcome home; Sam sounds like he's going to be a fab big brother. Thanks very much of letting us know how dear Margo is doing.

    Margo: So sorry you feel so cranky and out of sorts, on top of fretting about your OH.  I have days when I've described myself in similar terms!!  It must be hard to be positive when you're tired of being tired, but please know we love to see you, even if you just want to have a good old moan. I'm sure your OH isn't half as bothered as you.  Give yourself a huge hug from us all..

    Rita: How do you tell the tortoises apart; do they answer to their names?  :-)  Sounds like something went kerpooey in the kitchen at Packwood House!

    Brenda: Aah/// do something nice for yourself this weekend - then start planning that trip to Singapore.

    Diane: Those cards for Brenda and Margo are really gorgeous!  Hurray for finished freelance work! Don't worry about responding until you're up to it, but in the meantime, I'll trade you some cool air for the rain.

    Off out early tomorrow morning. Have a good Thursday all.

  • Good Morning: Nice to come on & see the lovely bright cards for Margo and Brenda, Diane. Hope you can sit back and go "phew" now that your project is done! Brenda - Can't imagine how you're feeling, it must seem strange that they have now gone but the world is a much smaller place now. I'm sure it won't be long until you whizz over to visit :-)
  • Annette - the flowers are rhododendrons which have spread wild all over the place. We saw a lot of colour on this trip & I'll post some more pics later of the plants we saw. Hope you manage to enjoy the more pleasant bits of your busy day. We have three bird baths and they are often covered in green sludge which we have to scrub off, but not as fiddly a job as your lovely fountain!