General Chat

Disappointed you didn't go fishing Linda - not my scene either lol,
not much you can do at this time of year, but nice to be waited on, and have a change of scenery for a couple of days - and you got some Christmas shopping done............

Diane...... Any good filler will do, but you will need a few tubles, and a gun to squeeze it out of the tube. If the gaps are very wide you may need to put thin strips of wood between them to hold the filler. This house is 100 yrs old, so we have old floorboards with wide gaps that I filled before covering.

Tec

Goodnight Linda,
Sleep well, keep warm,

Tec

Goodnight Linda keep warm and pleasant dream's, catch you again soon hun.
Tec I will say goodnight to you too as I'm haveing problem's with internet, it keep's disconnecting so before it doe's it again I will go
Keep warm Tec and give my best to OH

Diane

Diane, You can get brown coloured filler now, that would be better on floorboards.
The floorboards in my bathroom were very eneven, with being dragged up over the years for re-wiring, and plumbing etc. I bought these rubber interlocking squares, like a jigsaw, they are about half inch thick. I then covered with vinalay floor covering. Fabulous to walk on in the bathroom, warm and soft......cured the problem

Tec

Hi All,

Thanks for the messages. I'm a little better, but a bit weak and still can't eat. Have lost another 2 kilos - gotta watch I don't get put in hospital. That's all I need.

Am only on quickly - find it tiring in front of the computer screen. I now have a 3rd medication - it knocked me right out last night. Might keep it for night time only.

Hope you're all going well.
Cheerio
Still drained Ali-Cat

Yippee got back on here, been having trouble with reply button.

Hi to you too Alison, glad to hear your feeling a little better today hun, please don't loose anymore weight hun or you will disappear lol, keep on fighting and being strong, we are all with you and wishing you all the best, keep beautiful and strong as we all know you are a fighter
Think of all those lovely meal's you can have when all of this is over hun
love and hug's from all on the thread

Diane x x

Hello All

Good to 'see' you Alison and that you are feeling a little better. Hope you are feeling better enough to eat a little more. xx

Diane... We are not near the fires but the smoke was really thick here yesterday morning. They did say that it would be the same this morning but I slept in and missed it ..lol

Off to have the old eyes tested today..need some new glasses. Then going to make a start on Xmas shopping. Feeling a bit bah humbug this year not sure why.

Hope all is well with everyone...Hugs for those that need them..((())).

xxxxx

Hi Janet, I'm still around because of not being in work, ( week off ) hope you find a pair you like, I too need to have mine tested but will have to wait until I can afford the eye test and a new pair of glassess, hopefully that should be around the end of January. Hope there are no more fire's in your area, it must get quite scary at time's and a worry to you and other people were you live. Speak to you again soon I suppose I should go to bed now as it is now 1-35am my time.
Bye for now

Diane

Hi Diane.

I hope you enjoy your week off and take some time out for just you.

Finally chose a pair after asking all the sales people which ones looked better. The bad news was that i needed bifocals which I thought I might have needed. Will be ready for me after Xmas. I am a member of HBF (private health cover ) so was able to get them a little cheaper and the eye test itself is covered my medicare.

Hope all those sleeping are having a peaceful sleep and those out and about shopping take care.

xxxxx

Hello All:-))

We are currently sitting at very hot 39 degree's, its very windy and now overcast. There's rain forecast for tomorrow, so that will be a welcome relief!!!

Hello Janet, good luck with your Christmas shopping, I hope you don't have to battle the crowded shops too much!!

Welcome back Linda:-)) Glad you had a lovely break in the Lake District, even though it was raining. I reckon there is nothing better than being inside... in front of a nice warm fire reading a good book, BLISS!!!!

(((((Hugs))))) to Ali....Stick with it hun, we're all with you 100%.

Hello to...Sue, Berona, Persey, Lynda, Pat, Diane, Big Al and Uncle Tec.

Off to play with neglected tree!!!

Carole xxx

Sorry I dipped out on your earlier - I had a phone call, then realised I had to go because I had an appointment with the hairdresser.

Nice to see you posting Alison. Take care, dear. Don't over-do it. Just keep counting down to the end of this treatment! We are all with you all the way, so although we want to be kept informed, we don't want you to hurt yourself getting onto the computer. Just do what you can, when you can.

Not sure of the temp - over 30, I think. Ever since I came home, I have stayed in with the aircon on, keeping cool. Hope you are keeping warm!

Alison, fantastic to see your post, even though you are probably feeling as crook as a dog.

just remember, you are always in our thoughts, and of course our best wishes to you and your family for a happy, and hopefully nausea free Chrissie.

I've just been reading the last couple pf pages and having a quiet chuckle to myself as the posts were all from Brits on an Aussie thread!

Linda, welcome back. It brought a tear to my eye reading about the devastation that the weather has caused to the Lake District.

The gazebo is finally up! We did have to dismantle it at one stage as the cross bars had been put on upside down!

Well it was made in the Northern Hemisphere (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!)

Allan

Hello whoever is around.

Allan - does your gazebo look like a band rotunda? I juth wunderd.

I think Tec's idea of caulking is a good one Diane it works really well. I know what he means about the jigsaw puzzle underlay type stuff. When we pulled up our carpet and old underlay the draught was coming through the floor boards and the new underlay is all speckly coloured and is made out of recycled plastic - it is very efficient and even walking on that before the carpet went down was a lot better than our old lot.

Hi Janet you all over with studying or do you go back for more next year after the hols?

Welcome back from the Lakes Linda - I'm with Carole - nothing like a good book and a warm fire - thought most places have central heating now and it whilst it keeps you warm does not have the same appeal.

Well done Alison - you will get there - eat a little though please and then rest a little and so on and so on. I will be thinking of you as I turn out my reading light tonight. xxxxx

Was watching Robin Williams earlier (he is here promoting a movie) and he was doing different accents and he does manage a passable NZild accent - he reckons our accent is like an Australian accent on Prozac.

Pxx

Just popping on to wish all a Merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Now if you will all join me in singing our Ozzie Christmas national anthem.......:>))

Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It's summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts & thongs

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE

Engine's getting hot
Dodge the kangaroos
Swaggy climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE ..........O'i

Merry Christmas everyone.


Tony, in a very warm 39c Melbin.......:>))

Hello everyone, I loved the song Tony, but Christmas should be freezing cold and snow. It is quite a bright morning here, a lovely five degrees. I have just checked the forecast and tomorrow morning, it says heavy snow showers.

Lovely to see you posting Alison, even though you are feeling so bad. It won't be too long now and then it will all be behind you and you can concentrate on having a good time with your lovely family.

You must be feeling good now your exams are behind you Janet and naturally you will have passed with flying colours!

I did have a lovely break with real log fires thanks Perse , Carol and Allan. I love the Lakes, the scenery is so dramatic. Lots of the old country houses are now hotels and are wonderful to stay in. Log fires and comfy lounges full of old sofas to relax in. Lots of staff to tend to your every need at exorbitant prices of course. I would have loved to have owned the houses when they were first built,what a life that must have been. Having said that, this particular one was built for a colliery owner from Durham, although he did seem to have owned lots of Lancashire collieries as well. So the house was built on the backs of my poor ancestors who were toiling down his mines no doubt.

Diane, as it is 11am, I hope that you are still in bed, just snoozing and really indulging yourself.

Hello Tony
Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!!

Still no cool change in the west, yet!!

Here's one a friend sent me the other day.

An Australian Night Before Christmas


'Twas the night before Christmas;
there wasn't a sound.
Not a possum was stirring; no-one was 'round.

We'd left on the table
some tucker and beer,
hoping that Santa Claus
soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
while dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;

and Mum in her nightie,
and Dad in his shorts,
had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the house
a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging
woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door,
peeked cautiously out,
sneaked onto the deck,
then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze?
but a rusty old ute
pulled by eight mighty 'roos.
The cheerful man driving
was giggling with glee,
and we both knew at once
who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth
it's all dinki-di,
those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.

Santa leaned out the window
to pull at the reins,
and encouraged the 'roos,
by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty!
Now, Shazza and Shane!
On Kipper! On, Skipper!
On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank.
Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree.
Be back in a wink!'

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,
with the ute full of toys,
and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree

and jumped to the ground,
then in through the window
he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks
and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker
was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts
and old thongs on his feet,
and a hat of deep crimson
as shade from the heat.

His eyes - bright as opals -
Oh! how they twinkled!
and, like a goanna,
his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over
a round bulging belly
which shook when he moved,
like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies
he had flung from his back,
and he looked like a swaggie
unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word,
but bent down on one knee,
to position our goodies
beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes
for us two.
and for Dad, tongs to use
on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package
he left for our Mum,
then he turned and he winked
and he held up his thumb;

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud
as they swooped past the gates -

'MERRY CHRISTMAS to all,
and goodonya, MATES!'

And a Kiwi one as well:

Twas the Night before Xmas
and all through the bach
Not even a weta was making a scratch
Woolly socks were hung
by the pot belly with care
In the hopes that Santa soon would be there

The children were snoozing
in a light summer's breeze
Whilst dreaming of spongy pud
and lime green cream freeze
And dad in his walk shorts and me in my jandals
Had just settled down for a couple of handles


When out on the lawn I heard such a ruckus
I sprang from my Lazy Boy
to see what the fuss was
I ran to the sliding door, gasping and wheezing
Threw open the curtains and upped the venetians


The moon on the sand and the Trailer tarp
Lit the beach up just like Eden Park
But still when I saw, I thought I was asleep
A miniature Kingswood,
pulled by eight tiny sheep

With a little old driver, sipping a Fanta
I knew in a moment, it had to be Santa
Faster than Phar Lap on steroids they came
And he coo-eed and shouted
and called them by name

Now, Kevin! now, Sharlene! now,
Rangi and Beck!
On, Darryl! On Shazza! on, Bilbo and Shrek!
To the top of the Pagola, to the top of the wall
Get in behind, Get in behind, Get in behind, All!


As sandflies around a bar-b-que fly
When they sniff the sizzlers and take to the sky
So up to the top of the bach they flew
With a boot full of toys and Santa Claus too

With a handbrake stop, they arrived on the roof
Four Goodyear tyres and 32 hoofs
And as I quickly turned and ran to the lounge
Out from the chimney
Santa came with a bound

He was wearing boardshorts,
and gumboots on foot
And his Mambos were covered
in six-month-old soot
A bundle of toys he had on his back
As if on OE with a brand new Macpac

He looked like he'd come from the beauty parlour
With rosy red cheeks like pohutakawa
A gorgeous big grin and white as white hair
With wee little tufts growing out of his ears

He had a broad chest and a round beer gut
That shook when he laughed like Jabba the Hutt
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly hobbit
And I laughed when I saw him, I couldn't stop it

He gave me a wink and a bonza thumbs up
And I quickly realised he wasn't a nut

He went straight to the socks
without saying a thing
And filled them with barbies
and Shrek 2 keyrings

Then giving his nose a jolly good scratch
He flew up the chimney with an almighty flash
He jumped in the Kingswood
and cranked the ignition
And then they took off,
like some NASA mission

But I think I could hear, as he drove out of sight
"Merry Christmas to all,
have a bl**dy good night!"

Hiya Carolee and Persephone.

Loved the Chrissy poems......lol
There are some good ones around.

Linda. Cant say i have ever seen a White Christmas, but it would be a novelty to most Aussies. Cant say i have ever seen much snow either. Possibly twice in 60 years.
Most of my teenage years were spent growing up in central N.T ( Northern Territory ) and the nearest snow would be thousands of miles away.
The closest i can get is the froth on top of a beer glass....:>))

Do you make little mini snowmen on the top of your beer Tony?

I thought that the songs were funny.

I am waiting to go out to a Christmas meal. This one is 8 for 8.15 which is rather late, I think I will be ravenous by the time we get any food. I suppose that I had better think about putting my glad rags on soon, I don't think that jeans and a fleece will be acceptable. It is so cold though, that I feel like wearing a fleece.

Good morning/evening friends.

Tony - nice to see you again and thank you for the Christmas greetings. Love the Aussie Christmas song - I'd forgotten most of the words. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas, Tony. Stay safe.

I don't think I've heard Carole and Persey's songs but I enjoyed them:-))

Carole - I've heard on the news that there was a fire near Ballarat lit by a 14 y.o. boy. A lad of that age must know the destruction a fire can cause.

Linda - when we went to the Lakes District a few years ago we stayed in Windemere for a couple of days then caught the car ferry over to Coniston Waters. We drove through some lovely places and it remains one of our favourite places in England.

I finally knocked my Christmas shopping on the head. Yesterday was a very busy day but I managed to buy the last of the gifts and non perishable food. Now I just need to buy fresh food next week and Bob’s your uncle. The shops were busy but I don’t think people are buying much this year. Perhaps they are just being more selective. I visited our local fish-market yesterday to place an order for Christmas eve but they told me that I couldn’t put in an order for less than $100 and would have to pay 50% of the order. They have never done that before and when I asked why they said that last year they were left with seafood they couldn’t sell. Unfortunately that means I’ll have to go down at the crack of dawn and wait in line.

I picked the grandchildren up from pre-school yesterday afternoon and looked after them for 2 hours before their mum came home from work. They were so funny and had to show me every bauble they had put up on the tree including the ones they had made. I then had to read them a story from a Christmas book and watch a Christmas DVD. All in all a very Christmassy day:-))

Sue xx