Morning everyone..It's a new week...11/08/2014

First topic message reminder :

Good morning all from a frosty but bright morning
It's showing the blizzard in California with snow and now floods, soil banks on the edge of a road being washed away with a campervan and a large tree falling into a flooded river
Kitchen's open kettles on

   Bond stop trying to find the key to my money box.

Oh can I have  some trifle and cheesecake?       pretty please.

Yes Bond it's the bridge near  the transport museum......oddly enough Choccy P asked me the same question.

Been watching the skating and now I'm watching  Endeavour..

There you go the Motor Museum.

If I'm not mistaken that the bridge by the transport
Musium in Coventry Vicky

Thank you all ,a nice pub lunch with the kids
Now the country has no money or should I say the
People of the country have no money,well this is a big pub restaurant and even seat end table was taken besides the people drinking and snacking in the bar,so who's got all the money,
Salted caramel cheesecake and Tesco's trifle,
Kettles on

As each Anniversary comes around it becomes more precious.
Happy Anniversary  Mr and Mrs B 
with lots of love from California. 

Congratulations to Bond and MrsB

Good morning all from Atherstone it's a cold one here ,the kitchen floor is cold this morning so it's fluffy boots on me thinks
Breakfast and it's cornflakes and warm milk plus pancakes lemon juice and Syrup coffee tea and may be a large lemon and lime for later

I know there will be Eton Mess and that works well in a doggy bag plush salted caramel cheesecake
Another lovely avatar Vicky very glam

Bring doggie bags in please Bond.

We always get tea and coffee but today I thought I'd have a berry muffin......Sunday it's usually Greggs but they can't warm up their Steak Bakes which I always get, so I don't know what to do.....might go and look at wallpaper and ceiling paper for when the work starts, then it'll be kitchen floor tiles, we're getting ceramic tiles again. We've not had a date for starting but I don't think it'll be long, Big job. ......oh well.

Yes 51 years and you look just the same
It's been ages since I've been in a McDonald's
It must be before COVID in the Coventry centre one
Pancakes in the morning then the family are going to the Newdegate Bedworth for eats then puddings at Johns, so cut back next week

Oh I've added a bit to my last posting Bond, underneath you.

McDonalds do really nice berry muffin.

Ok a cuppa all ready
You smell nice ,
Could they be on their way up ?
Where is Berry muffins

Well said Bond         don't know who the other bird is though.
but thank you anyway.

Yes we won 4-0 and we've gone up to 8th place.   and we  march on and up.  

Hey I'll have a cuppa though.......we  went out and I had a Berry Muffin so a cuppa will be fine.....in fact lovely.

BTW Bond Congrats for tomorrow.......don't talk in your sleep and tell MrsB about the 2 birds. 51yrs though, and yet it feels as though it's 30 years I bet, if that.

This is not going well can we talk football the city won 4 : 0
I don't know what to say but Vicky seems to be getting the rough end of the stick now
She has come back in can we leave it at that and talk about the weather
It's a bit late here for hot cross buns but I'll do some if wanted
Teas made

You are not understanding anything I said.
You are just in the mood to not cooperate. 
How about Bond and I? 
Where do we stand if you drop out?
What happens if Carole drops out? 
I want to know what your aim is by continuing
to fight this fight.

You felt highly embarrassed by Carole actions on 
that one occasion, I would imagine. That is no excuse
for responding the same way now when nothing wrong has 
been done as far as I know.

We were all worried about you, do you not get that?
Cannot you believe that?

You are taking anything you can use to hurt peoples
feelings just to make you feel better.
Tell me what has been done to make you feel this way.

You just keep twisting all that has been written so far. 
You, who are so particular about correctness. 

There are two sides to everything and I want to know
what your side really is.
Maybe it will help me decide if I want to continue here.
I want to know what is making you act this way.
You are very angry I can tell, but what about, I don't know.

Just so we get things straight, Susan contacted me not the
 other way around! I am glad she did. 
We both agreed that this situation needed to be sorted.
How to do it is really up to you and Carole.
I am just trying to mediate and trying to be grown up
about it. 
I am used to mediating between couples.
It's not win or lose, Its coming to a solution that both
parties can live with. 
I cannot divulge what each party tells me but I 
try to approach it from both sides. I try to be neutral.

I must end here because I have errands to run.
Living alone means I am the only one to rely on to
get things done here. 
I want you to know that my door is always open, 
like my hand is always ready to reach out.

DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHEN I WROTE THAT I ASKED CAROL NOT TO POST!!!!!

"So you are punishing us all which I don't think is right" isn't that making it my fault, I'm not posting so I'm punishing you all, not another person who's also not posting but me.

I never said that you were at fault for anything!
Your pride was hurt and you were embarrassed. 
I get that. 

I was not aware of what happened until afterwards.
I am not condoning anything that happened. 
I am not trying to make it about right or wrong.
I was just trying to make you aware of your reaction
to the situation is all. 
Do not kill the messenger! 
I said let's handle it like adults. 

It was in street terms a Cluster**** all the way around.
I was just trying to get you to look at it from the other side.

If someone I cared for, suddenly was gone and I did not know
what happened. I would  try everything to find out what had 
happened, even if it meant swallowing my pride and being out 
of my mind with worry. It's called a panic attack. 
Please look that up. 

I probably would have acted the same way in the same circumstances.
It' has cost us everything we call home to be here.
I am even further away than the east coast! 
Making contact with people on a chat site is my idea of connecting
with all that we are missing. Life is so different here.
So just maybe we have adapted to American life while our husband's
had a steady job and our children were in school here. 
but friends are friends no matter what nationality they are.

Carole is not posting because I asked her not to.
I was trying to let things quieten down. 
You both are trying to continue the argument until Kingdom come.

Please do not put words into my mouth that I did not say
or meant.   I am trying to be sympathetic to both of you.
I am trying to mediate here not take sides. 
If you want to twist my words or meanings, there is nothing I can do
to stop you. 
There are NO winners in this contest, we all lose. 

I am going to suggest that with all that you have been through
health wise, you sound depressed which would be natural.
Have you thought of seeing someone for it.

I am NOT suggesting anything other than trying to help.
so please do not make anything more of it.
(In our support group, on doing an evaluation of a new member
we always ask that question.) 
I cannot tell you or Carole how to live your lives.
I cannot make decisions for you.
It's your choice that makes or breaks this site.
I have had no breakfast yet, that is how important this issue is
to me. 
I do not want to give up our chat site but it's out of my hands.

My Daughter and husband got home safely but SIL is going to see
a doctor today as he is quite ill. It's not Covid though, Thank God! 
He can barely stand let alone walk. He had a spinal fusion done
years ago and its now causing arthritis.

He cannot take pain pills as he is also in recovery like my daughter.
no opiods allowed, almost constant pain every day. 
he should be in a wheelchair by rights but he will not accept one. 
Both fight to live every day of their lives .
They must fight their addiction and fight their health problems
24/7 and they just did a 1,000 mile round trip to spend three days with me!
I prayed for years for my daughters recovery and it finally happened.
I pray for this issue to be resolved for both of you.

Hi it's ok I haven't thrown myself under a bus
Stick with the large orange juice I'll give you a hug
Strawberry cupcakes from the co op
We went to a greasy spoon cafe for a full English with some builders for a anniversary breakfast
I know what a lady wants ,

My fault Margaret? Well it would be.......not Carole's who also hasn't posted but mine.

Oh and btw I went into hospital on the 8th feb and no cross words had been spoken until once again when I came out of hospital and read what Carole had said to Malc "Nobody was ALLOWED to ask my family what was wrong with me" and I said that wasn't true, only her.....but hey I had never said to any of my kids or David"You mustn't speak to Carole" their decision has nothing to do with me. But I've said that on here over and over and over again but you don't seem to get it, maybe now Susan has told you Margaret you believe it.

And yes you have offended me..........you post on here you want me back and then in the same posting you have a go at me. and if you think you haven't read your postings

Now Bond I'll have a large white wine I'll get drunk and giggly but hey I need a laugh.

If I have offended you, please tell me.

I will tell you the truth, Susan and I had a little
talk. she loves you so much that she wanted to
find out if there was a way to mend fences.
I feel the same way. I want to mend fences too. 
I understand your feelings but surely, we can act like adults,
and work it out.
This is the only site I  have too.
So you are punishing us all which I don't think is right. 
I have no idea what you are reading into what I put on here.
What did you see that upset you so much?
I think you are depressed and I don't blame you. 

Maybe its recapping all the last posts before you got sick.
I have no way of knowing, I am not a mind reader. 
I stick to the motto of the site, which is Here today, gone tomorrow.
I am allowed to have my own thoughts about things 
which mostly I do not put on the forum.
Or message them To Carole, despite what you think or think you
know. 

I would like it to be the kind where its not "She Said this" 
Thats already as cold as last week's fish and chips.
To heal we need to move on. 
I said I forgave my child and I forgave myself and put all
that was said in anger behind us. 
I do not have a record of it to throw in her face. 
I would not want one.  I don't need one. 
All I care about is my child celebrating her 61st birthday today.
after being clean and sober for 28 years. 
Even though she has had Crohn's since the age of 18. 
It's got nothing to do with who is right or wrong, that does not
matter. You forgive with your heart and soul or you are not forgiving 
at all. 
I do not belong to any religion but I have my belief in a higher power
that is stronger and wiser than me who guides me every day.
We should love each other as ourselves.  
Think about those who are in more pain than you are.
who do not have half the worldly items that you have. 
who are not blessed the way you are. I do.
Please read this all the way through before slagging me any more.

You won't lose me I'm in for the long road
I've got the Zimmer frames with go fast stickers
For our chasing around the old folks home
Tomorrow is our anniversary 51 years

You just felt that's what I was saying.......   .

Oh and the only problem I had was me feeling really down and coming on this site to my friends after reading bursting into tears and saying   "Stuff it then"    I feel ......oh I can't go on all this       You know this is the second time since I've come out of hospital that I've come on here .....read....and burst into tears..   and you can think what you like Margaret. This is not the only website Carole goes on but it is the only one I go on....so I'm cutting myself off from this open forum.

And the one friend I have.....Bond.

It just felt that that was the statement you were making by
not coming on here if Carole was on it. 
Off in the mists of time I remember you saying that your daughter
was the one to contact if it was anything to do with your health.
Is that right or am I imagining it? 

I have had my hands full with other problems.
High winds took down an 8" wide tree branch on my street tree.
It's in a strip between the curb and the pavement and was
halfway across the street. 
Only problem was that this city had trees down all over the place, 
as nearly every street is lined with trees! 
busy main roads got priority. 
The crew showed up at 10pm with all the equipment to cut it up and grind it.
A day went by, and another tree branch came down, about the size of the
first one. 
No damage to the house or my cars thank goodness.
 
Melanie and her husband arrived safely but Jim was coming down with
something but he did test negative for covid. 
He stayed in their room at the hotel as My daughter did not want him anywhere
me. 
Being a typical stubborn man, he would not go to the clinic just down the road,
from where they were staying. 
Melanie kept testing him and borrowed my thermometer and he tested negative,
both times. He had the flu a few weeks ago but this looks like the flu again!
Melanie left him to suffer alone yesterday but did check on him while we spent a lovely day
going to one of the favorite local restaurants that the kids used to like and every
time either of them visit, we go to those places. This one is Mexican, it's been run by the
same family for many years. 

At this moment they are getting ready to leave to return to their home.
It involves the hillside highway known as the Grapevine. Sun is out and the
road crew have been clearing snow off it all through the night so if the
wind cooperates it should be plain sailing. 
It's also My daughters 61st birthday today!  Not much of a birthday but
we do not have crystal balls on these matters. 
I had my vision driving test scheduled for the day the storm broke here!
Its chaos here when it rains 2" in one day, driven by wind.
so cancelled and rebooked it. 
I will not risk going on one of our freeways in the pouring rain with
delivery trucks speeding to get their load delivered so they can go home.
It was purely a safety issue. Part of the test is I have to prove that I have the
skill to drive on them or I get banned from driving on them at all!

I am glad you are back with us again Vicky. I hope you are recovered
 and back to good health once more.
You all are such dear friends now. 
You are like flowers in a garden, each one different
but still beautiful in your own way.

Don't see too many real hot cross buns here and if you do,they have
icing crosses on them!  I like mine toasted with just butter.

Jam on the bottom is Cornish.

Just butter it is then ,I did a great one with jam and cream like a scone with jam on the bottom
I don't know if it Cornwall,Devon ,or Dorset but very nice

Just butter please.......and a cuppa.

,hi Vicky lovely to see you back and with my favourite photo of you pretty almond eyes
Funny enough I've just toasted a hot crossed bun
For Emmett so I'll do you one and a cuppa
Just butter or butter and strawberry jam

Ok I'll have a cuppa and a fruit scone.....or a hot cross bun, though don't stick that sharp knife in it and it wouldn't be so cross.


Right ....Margaret may I ask you who said my rule was that you and Bond must turn your backs on Carole for me to come back? Seeing I've never said anything of the sort I'd like to know. I've never said "Tow the line or else" or implied.it.

Good morning all from a cold Atherstone but not like the weather and snow that the news is showing from California with white outs
No Emmett today not untill later this afternoon as this week has been his first week of nursery school at Dixes school Market Bosworth.
Kitchen is open and the kettles on

Hi all , warning out for the bad weather in California?

Good morning all from Atherstone it's a cold morning here and the nice lady says it's going to get colder next week,
So the kitchen is open and the kettles on,
Off to the Leading Players later,
I don't know if I will be needed today , I've made another half dozen masks but what will they do with them I don't know ,a little short sketch is what I would like but we will have to see
If I'm not needed it's back home to maybe paint a door,
For all you DIY folks some years ago I painted the lounge door in brilliant white oil based eggshell and the frame in brilliant white water based eggshell ,this now shows how oil based will yellow over time and water based didn't
And it's just starting to show so it'd a case of now paint in water based,
Here ended the lesson for today
Drinks made

white rabbits x 3
and a pinch punch first of the month
and no returns.
St Davids Day also I believe. 

I do hope Vicky saw my page yesterday.
Its right out of my training book for Al Anon. 
It's not just a self -help group for friends and family
of alcoholics, it teaches a better way of living for anyone
dealing with situations beyond their control. 
Once a road has been chosen, it is hard to make a U 
turn and gets harder as time goes by. 
It can be done though. 

I still hold out my hand in friendship.
Just the way I did with my daughter after many years
of hostility between us. 
It was only in recovery that she came to understand
where it came from. I did my share of misunderstanding 
and handled things the wrong way. 
I made amends and so did she. 
They arrived only an hour late yesterday so not bad.
Waiting for them to arrive from their hotel this morning.
Its only down the road aways but it gives us both some rest time
alone if we need it. (They also get a free breakfast!) 

We are all different and have different needs. If
we honor those needs in others we are honoring ourselves and
honoring our higher power.

White rabbits x 3 ,
First of March
First day of spring soon be Christmas
Kitchen is open and the kettles on

That is one job I need doing but need the ceiling exhaust fixed first.
Have to wait for the rain to stop and let it dry out. 
"kids" will be on their way soon and should arrive about 2-3 pm.
IF the roads are clear!  

8 am here should be 4pm UK time. 
They are forecasting light rain showers here today. 

It was just such a storm like this when we lost part of our hill.
It was scary to say the least, but it was terraced and is still
holding up quite well after all these years. 
They used railway ties. which are treated to with stand most
things, even Termites! 

I do wish Vicky would join us again as this feels like we are missing
a leg on a four- legged stool.

Foolish pride can only go so far in this life. You know what they say,
Pride goeth before a fall. 
It ends up alienating people who you classed as friends for years. 
Just because one person did not obey your chain of command!
It just seems so silly to me. 

My higher power says I must forgive sins. 
All people are mortal and make mistakes. 
None of us is perfect. 
We all have weaknesses in our make -up.
maybe because of what we saw and hear as a 
small child. 
I cannot watch horror movies as it brings back the
nightmares I had that I was dosed with sleeping pills
to stop the screaming in my head. 
This was at the age of 6 or 7. 
My Dad was a functional drunk and beat up my Mum and 
me for no reason. 
I have worked through all this at my support group 
over the years. 
Most children of alcoholics are affected in some way. 
It skipped Peter and I but got my daughter instead. 
She has been clean and sober for going on 28 years,
In that time I learned how to as we call it "being in the
moment" It means focusing on the here and now. 
Not using the past to punish people over and over again. 
I forgave my daughter and she forgave me and that's all
that matters. 
She did not live my life and I did not live hers. 
We settle our differences by calmly talking about them.
we meet as equals with a big hug! 
She and her husband are driving down here today to be with me
for her birthday. It will be 500 miles of hard driving due to the weather.
 If I don't get to post you will know why.
Its all up and running today. 
I wish you health, hope and love.

It's been a bit like you ladies and washing your hair to go to the hairdresser love had the cooker out this morning to clean the side as the man is coming today to clean the cooker
£60 for just over half hours work not bad but the cooker does look like a new one now

Good morning all from a damp Atherstone it's not raining just wet air ,
I am out of sink wit getting up reading later posts from last night , Carole in about 10:00 to 10 :30 our time , Vicky in at lunch time or on her return from tea and cake ,Marg in around 5:00 and me popping in any time in between so
Kitchen is open and kettles on

The utility people have been working through the night, 
trying to get everything up and running again, still have at least 
nearly 2,000 without power! Thats just Edison.
the DWP has its share of power out too. 

One of our local mountain areas still have not had the roads
cleared so no one up and no one down, they are cut off! 

Our next storm is gradually approaching and should be here
later today. The grey clouds are coming in already. 

Had a scare last night, woke up to the smoke alarm beeping!
It was the warning of battery dying not a fire! 
I had to get the step stool out to take it down to stop it beeping!
 A third night with disturbed sleep. 
At least I have my WiFi back 100% with a little help from Ian 
before he went to bed over there. 
He messaged me at nearly midnight my time, he had just got up! 

On one camping trip out to the Mojave Desert with my Girl Scouts we
saw the Nothern lights and our First Aid lady took some pictures
for the rest of the staff. 
It's pretty rare to see them this far south but i guess the conditions
were just right.   
 During the rain here, there were rainbows appearing
 as the rain clouds moved on. 
Only one clap of thunder but the lightning came ashore north of us.


I do hope Miss Vicky is recovered from her illness.
Although she is not talking to us, we still care about her like any human
being would. We are not heartless, just confused about her personal rules.
If that is what it takes to stay friends,I am all for it! 
ttfn xxxx

Good morning all from Atherstone it's a colder morning here then it has been as it was a clear sky last night and lots of pictures of the northern lights , wonderful colours,
I'm out to see my old work mate ,the one who brings the books so out and about later .first the kitchen is open and the kettles on
Hope you are on full power today

I know its late for you but have been dealing with a computer problem since last night.
It was like living in a haunted house yesterday! 
Light bulbs flickering and going out and coming back on again on their own. 
After it got dark the power went out completely for a few minutes, 
and then came back on. Including the furnace which I have not been using as the fan
on it uses too much electricity! 
I noticed at that point that there was an Edison electric company vehicle outside,
so they were adjusting something on the power pole in my back garden remotely,
It could have been one of the transformers.
Anyway, back in business again.
the second branch has been taken care of by the city crew and left me with a tree that looks 
like it has been sliced down the middle! 
see you tomorrow (I hope) XXXX

A new Endeavour first in the last series
No more Endeavour,
Time for bed I'll open the kitchen in the morning

Good morning all from a frosty but bright morning
It's showing the blizzard in California with snow and now floods, soil banks on the edge of a road being washed away with a campervan and a large tree falling into a flooded river
Kitchen's open kettles on