Weekly Chat, 6th December 2009

See that Annette has been too busy perhaps, to start a new week, so I'm doing the honours. Rather wet in this part of the world this morning, so doing lots of tidying & Christmas preparing stuff.

  • Welcome to 'Heron77'  &  also to HilaryH,  who are new members of the Osprey Group today, I think.

    Wow!  a proper countdown Clock for us to drool over - won't be long now folks!   Thanks for that Alan, & for the reindeer photo. It does look cold in the Cairngorms, there.

    Don't know how many coats I have as I keep them in different cupboards: do you mean winter ones, summer ones, raincoats, dog walking coats, 'best' jackets, gardening fleeces, blazers, cagoules......oh dear, hope my OH is not reading this as I've already lost count myself......

  • Annette:   Hope you got the Christmas tree sorted out, & don't have to dash off to the shops for another! Went shopping myself this morning, & it was really busy. Bought more than I meant to, then ran out of money & had to flash the plastic (again...) Every year I say I'll be organised & mean, & spend less, but end up being more extravagant <sigh> .

    Margobird:  Hope you're wearing lots of layers to keep out the cold - sometimes I answer the front door to people & they probably think I'm just on my way out, as I've so many bits of extra clothing on!

  • Wattle and Diane -  thanks for cat pix comments, sorry I did not realise you had put one ages ago Wattle.  Diane, Ted wasn’t very dignified when he was shaved!

     

    I have a countdown clock now, too. Mind you, I don’t think they’ll be arriving in the night as mine says at the moment!

    Terry in Cumbria

  • Alan: I sponsored a reindeer in the Cairngorm herd for about 10 years - well, several reindeer actually.  The first one died suddenly aged 9 and his replacement was knocked down and killed by skiers heading home from the slopes.  I let my sponsorship lapse after that - thought I might be a jinx.

  • Hello, all.  Been busy all day so have just caught up on all the posts.  It's just been made public here that there is a female White-tailed eagle in the north-east of Northern Ireland.  She is one of a number released in Killarney, which is the south-west corner of the island of Ireland.  Her exact location is being kept secret, for obvious reasons.  Apparently another, possibly male, was shot in the centre of NI very recently.  The news of the female's presence is very exciting and we can always hope for a suitor come the Spring.  BTW, Alan's estimated date of arrival  for EJ is my birthday!

  • Here is what you see if you download the countdown clock. I think it needs a little bit of work.

  • An extra reason for you to anticipate it, patriciat!  Exciting about the white tailed eagle, saw one on the TV recently & they are so beautiful.

  • Roof trim men had a mishap yesterday – I thought it was on the garage and I wouldn’t have to look at it, but it is right by the front door where a chunk of harling came off!  They have patched it and OH says it is “not as bad as it might have been”.  I am a bit of a perfectionist, and am scared to look, so have so far said I’ll wait till the repair has had time to fully dry out!  They finished today and OH signed off the work.  I just wish we had some good old-fashioned workers – these boys come out of college with the theory, but just don’t know the finishes they would learn from an experienced man if they still did apprenticeships … sorry, rant over! 

     

    Next job will “just” be replacement garage door with remote control, then painting the window frames outside.  Meanwhile OH will do the inside window frame and door in the ensuite.  I used the en-suite today – warm and cosy (actually now turned the under floor heating down a bit), convenient and I felt very safe with my special non-slip tiles and all the support bars. Also plenty of storage in cabinet drawers.

     

    Gary – could your dog tell that you had been associating with a Great Dane?

     

    AQ – love the Honeyeaters – and it’s healthy to have a longer lawn – much better for insects and therefore for birds too!!!

     

    Sandy – sounds like a decorating marathon this winter – and even plastering, how brave!

     

    Auntie – so pleased you have ordered the book.  I think your English language skills are wonderful, but understand why it was easier to order on credit card from Amazon.  Loved the “Poro” picture - do Reindeer have several stomachs and chew the cud like cows do?

     

    Margobird – frost then sunshine here too – seems pretty widespread through the UK today and through the weekend – although maybe more misty in the eastern parts.

     

    Annette – your “Google journey” looking for reindeer, elk, moose etc sounds interesting, but I always find it’s difficult to know when to stop when every site seems to link to about fifteen others!  Hope the Christmas tree lights are sorted.

     

    Alan – are you going to paste the clock in every day now?

    Patriciat – Sorry about your adopted reindeer in the Cairngorms.  That’s one of the attractions we didn’t visit when we went three years ago – maybe in 2010 …  Hope EJ makes 25th March a special birthday for you next year!!!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Hi Lindybird

    HilaryH  is really ME, Maureen.....I'm back.  I missed you all!!!

    Got home from hospital two weeks ago and am trying to get to grips with this new computer. I have for gotten my passwords and signed in as a new member until I get it worked out.

    My stay in hosp. was OK but not the best.....had chest infection which developed into pneumonia...not nice.

    Unfortunately the doctors also found that I have Cancer of the Pancreas which is untreatable.....6 - 12 months I have been given. But I am remaining positive and shall fight this tooth, CLAW and nail.

    It is great to be back chatting with my friends.

    Take care

    Maureen (alias HilaryH) xxxx

  • HilaryH said:

    Hi Lindybird

    HilaryH  is really ME, Maureen.....I'm back.  I missed you all!!!

    Got home from hospital two weeks ago and am trying to get to grips with this new computer. I have for gotten my passwords and signed in as a new member until I get it worked out.

    My stay in hosp. was OK but not the best.....had chest infection which developed into pneumonia...not nice.

    Unfortunately the doctors also found that I have Cancer of the Pancreas which is untreatable.....6 - 12 months I have been given. But I am remaining positive and shall fight this tooth, CLAW and nail.

    It is great to be back chatting with my friends.

    Take care

    Maureen (alias HilaryH) xxxx

    Oh I am so sorry. It is good to keep positive.