Weekly Chat, Sunday June 5, 2011

Cirrus: I'm so very sorry about your friend's circumstances. It's so tragic when a person is ill and vulnerable, and family members won't behave ethically and compassionately.

Rest assured that you have been a very kind and loyal friend to her. And, trust me, friends like you are very rare these days. Most people turn tail and run at the first sign of adversity.

I'm sorry that she forgot your scheduled lunch. She's probably not thinking clearly at all -- what with her physical decline and the stress that she's under. You showed great wisdom in waiting to respond. Congratulate yourself on being a person of good character and values!

Evening all: Out early to pick up grandson from bus, then to dentist, then to gym, then to Santa Maria (where grandson is living with friends until he moves in with girlfriend), where there just happened to be a Target and a TJMaxx. Spent ages puttering up and down the aisles, reading labels, inspecting new products, stocking up on hand cream, detergent, etc. Also bought T-shirt for me., tiny little sunhat for Ms. Delilah, and a Kit Kat (also for me - needed a sugar boost). Then whizzed home to toss dinner on table and out the door to the Rose Society meeting.

Question: On the Forums page I see little red "sunbursts" on the yellow stars by the "Latest post by...." lines. Anyone know what they are?

dibnlib: Outing sounded nice until you ran into ungracious waitstaff at fish and chips place. Good for you talking to manager; too bad the other couple didn't say anything.

Lynette: Deputy Manager sounds like she needs a course in management!  Apparently he/she has never heard of "constructive" criticism. Seriously! Or,  as Cirrus generously suggests, perhaps is having personal problems....

Bettyboo: Your OH's job sounds lovely (I'm sure it's hard work though).

Alan:  Sorry you missed the Black Hairstreak again!

Diane: Thanks for Rothes update. Do hope the apples show up! Ah! See we almost crossed posts.

Cirrus: Hmmm - doesn't sound like Brenda's son is paying much attention; that would worry me - is DiL worried that Mom in Law is spending too much of their money? Not a very charitable thought I must admit. And what a shame about your lunch - is her health affecting her memory do you think? (Credit card "swipe" comment  v. funny!)

Lindybird: Not a big orchid person myself - I like leaves on my flowers! Still, sounds like yours was a great buy. Love that avatar - too bad we can't really see them!  :-(    I also loved the politicians "bolthole" comment. A good place for them if you ask me.

Quietwoman: Maybe we should start a class on "how to be nice" for all these difficult people (Deputy Managers, nurses, etc....)!  

OG: Do hope you feel better soon!

OK guys. I'm off to bed; must stay home tomorrow and do laundry, grocery list, all that fun stuff. Thanks all for posts and take care.

Annette   The sunbursts tell you that there are posts on the thread that you have not read.

Good morning everyone

Ah, I wondered about the starburtst too Tiger. Ta for that . And you're quite right. I've copied Scylla's dawn pic for a mug  LoL. I've been watching Lima again (thank you) and amazingly amid ALL the horrendous traffic noise I could actually hear bird song (I think   ? )  What's easier to navigate Tiger?  Please  Yes, Happy Birthday to HRH - I have a  friend with a birthday today too - must go and give her a call .

But first, I must let you all know that I've been in touch with Brenda. All is well between us, I just don't know at the moment when I can do a ''re run'' with lunch. Hopefully, the week after next as next Thursday I'm out to a free meal at the Holiday Inn near where I live  - a guest  of World Compassion Trust that I support. (I'm sure we'll be invited to donate of course but it will be nice to meet other partners and have an indepth update on various ''projects'' we are supporting. My heart (currently) is for the Afghan widows and orphans.
Thank you all so much for your understanding on this issue, it just breaks my heart to see Brenda llike this.

Have a wonerful time Margo and give my best to 'The Family  :) 

I too enjoy your Avatar Lindy and despite the small size, your poppy is clearly discernable

Wendy, how I agree about the Nimrod !  A great work horse of the RAF. I too regret Kinloss - although many many years ago I lost a friend on a Shakelton mission (they flew in to a hill side in bad weather).

How's the progress on the CH Lynette?

Hi Diane - what a wealth of wildlife you have in your 'garden'. Your tale of the wasps is fascinating.

I do hope your bad sleep pattern has broken OG   - nothing is the same with  such a lack of sleep - it makes it difficult to cope with even the usual day to day things.  I too wish you a great holiday and hope you come back refreshed and rejuvenated .

Oh my, Annette - another dose of fires !! It's seems like only yesterday we were hearing about them. Please stay safe. Trust you had a good time at rose society.

Don't have Windows 7 so can't play guitar, oh well.  :(

I'm ''in'' to butterflies too Alan so envy you being in with a chance of seeing a Black Hairstreak . I'm ''in with a chance'' of seeing the  Large Blue, but haven't so far.

Off to call my friend and wish her happy birthday.

Morning Everyone.  A little sun is out, here, and I don't think it will be too bad a day, weatherwise.  Going to risk putting out some laundry on the line, anyway.

A busy start this morning so have only just come online. Pity the webcam is down on the LG Site  :-((

Had a nice lunch out yesterday with my Friend - we went to a little cafe where we enjoy their open sandwiches, and we shared a big pot of tea and talked about our children and the state of the world.  Then pottered around a lovely shop full of bits and pieces, where I bought a board book from the "Nutbrown Hare" range for my grandson, and a mug with tractors printed on it for my OH ( sshhh - its for his Christmas stocking!)

On the way there, had remarked about a very dangerous crossroads on a busy road, as its a notorious danger spot - later, when My OH came home, he told me that he had seen two cars completely written off at the side of the road there, not half an hour after we had passed by....

Must go and Do Stuff - write replies to the above later.  Have a Good Day!

Morning all ... lovely sunny morning here ... hope it lasts! Not a lot planned today ... have to make a couple of birthday cards ... bit of HW :-(

margobird ... I hope you have a wonderful time next week ... I don't doubt that you will! What a treat to meet some of the others from on here too ... just wish I lived a bit closer :-)

OG - I hope you are feeling better today and that you had a good night's sleep.

Cirrus - glad that you got sorted out with Brenda. Your meal at the Holiday Inn sounds good, and to meet with like-minded people!

Linda - just love your avatar poppy ... glad we saw a 'big' picture of it. I like poppies too ... but strangely haven't got any in the garden ... must rectify that! I really enjoy seeing fields full of wild poppies, but see them less and less round here now.

Tiger - thanks for info about the starburst ... I wondered too. Looking forward to seeing the dog photos Great link to Lima and her babies ... thanks.

Diane - I've been thoroughly enjoying the wasp saga ... looking forward to the next instalment    :-) I hope your weather cools down a bit ... both for you and your 'critters'. Some areas in the UK are now officially classed as Drought areas. We never get water restrictions in my area because we get our water from Kielder Reservoir ... its huge ... the largest man-made lake in Europe!

Thanks to everyone for chat etc. ... must go and do things.

Take care.

Trying to get so much done this morning. No hope of hanging washing out as it is raining but still not enough, as the local farmers have been asked to stop watering their crops this morning !

Diane, Thanks for your wasp update. I am learning a lot from your reports.

Alan, I had to google the Black Hairstreak. Sorry you didn't spot one.

Cirrus, There is really nothing you can do about your friend, when the family have control of her money, unless you can prove neglect and I am sure you don't want to go down that road. I do wonder though if this is something they have arranged amongst themselves or it has been proved that she can't cope with her own money and it is all legal. I think you have always done a fantastic job caring for her and so glad you had your phone converation with her.

Dibnlib, I was thinking that maybe 'the waitress' was the manager's wife or daughter. Good that you enjoyed the rest of the day though.

Lynette, Shame that your daughter feels that she must change jobs, probably the right decision though.

Margo, I don't think I need to say have a brilliant time at LG. I am sure you will. Don't forget your phone charger !

OG, I hope you have now recovered enough energy to enjoy your holiday. I hope both you and Eagle Eye have a great time.

I really must go and do some shopping.

A very quick hello to all and then off again. Going away again tomorrow, up to Northumberland this time. Lots of jobs to do first.

Margo I know you will love it at Loch Garten. Have a good and safe journey there and back.

Good morning all and this will probably be my last contribution to this thread until I get back from LG.  Still a few last minute things to do and it is amazing how much time all the little things take.  Had a very serious heath fire here yesterday about 3 miles from us.  It even made the main news last night.   40 homes had to be evacuated as it was so serious.  It was very windy at the time so it spread very quickly.  Probably started deliberately, we get them every year,  Will have caused untold damage to ground nesting birds and some very rare lizards that we have there.   One of the fireman managed to rescue a lizard but many will have probably perished.  I believe they are still there this morning damping down and fortunately we have just had a couple of very heavy showers accompanied by thunder so hopefully that will help them as well.  I was going to put washing out but we can smell the smoke and anyway even without that it would have got soaked.  Just cannot understand the thinking of some young people nowadays 2 youths were observed in the area but I doubt they will catch them.

Cirrus  so pleased you have now spoken with your friend, know how you felt yesterday.  Hope the delayed lunch date will go ahead eventually.

quitetwoman there have been some simply horrific stories about care for the elderly just lately.   A problem that does not seem to go away. 

OG sorry you are had such a bad night.  Hope you will feel better when you have your injections again.  Nothng worse than sleepless nights.

Lynette bet your pleased now that CH is just about up and running and the luxury of some hot water last night.    Don't worry about sounding off, good to let off steam as it must have upset you to think of your daugher being treated in this way.  Hope she will be able to get another placement.  Thanks very much for your good luck wishes. 

WendyB so far I have slept very well, so much excitement must be tiring me out.  Don't know about tonight though, could be more difficult.  OH says I have to go to bed early in case I get a night shift duty on my first night there.

patriciat  off tomorrow and looking forward to seeing osprey family, meeting Wendy. Heather, rosiemac and dibnlib.

diane thanks for another update on the wasps, did you get any storms in the end.

Lindybird Lovely pic of your new avatar.  Glad you enjoyed lunch with your friend and had a little shop as well.  Xmas gifts already, you are organised.

DjoanS I know I am going to have the time of my life at LG.  So pleased that I took the plunge and volunteered.

Sorry I have probably missed people out but look after yourselves and will see you when I get back.