Hi Dita and all

[Penny]

Must agree about the offers. Drives me crackers. The same at Sainsbury. We have loads of great tits this year Dita but the ones in and out the box are blue tits. Had some five lovely babies last year but all died due to the awfully cold weather, we are keeping fingers crossed for this or next year. Will keep you informed. cheers Penny

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, everyone. I've just realised the post I put up here yesterday has vanished! Ooo-er. I wonder if GCHQ has snipped it to analyse for terrorist intent or something? If so, they'll get very bored indeed. I can't even remember myself what I said but nothing much has been happening here except it's got ridiculously cold and quite rainy. I had my electric blanket on last night - unbelievable, really.

I get fed up with all those offers, too. Not only does it encourage you to buy (and then probably waste) stuff you don't really need but it makes shopping such a hassle. Whether you're doing it on line or in the supermarket, you feel obliged to do constant arithmetic, trying to work out if 3 for 2 of this brand is better value than Buy-1-get-1-half-price on that brand or maybe you should just buy one of their own brand instead... Grrrrr. Me, I just want to get my stuff and get on with my life.

For anyone interested, I've just put some of my Hampshire pictures on the photography thread.

Lucy sends purrs to Trixie; we're delighted to learn she's in a forgiving mood and prepared to snuggle on your lap again. Just a thought, Vannin and maybe a bit late for this year, but have you looked into the possibility of homeopathic treatment for her allergy? If you have a homeopath locally, it could be worth having a chat with him/her as these remedies often work very well on animals.

[Penny]

Strange about your missing post of yesterday. It happens to me quite often. I type, read and sometimes think. o.k. and off without pressing enter button. Pleased all o.k. cheers Penny

[vannin]

.

Lucy sends purrs to Trixie; we're delighted to learn she's in a forgiving mood and prepared to snuggle on your lap again. Just a thought, Vannin and maybe a bit late for this year, but have you looked into the possibility of homeopathic treatment for her allergy? If you have a homeopath locally, it could be worth having a chat with him/her as these remedies often work very well on animals.

Good morning everyone. Brrr!

Andere, thank you for the suggestion, but I don't think there is a homeopath around here. I recall my friend trekking to London to see one, so that needs most of a day.
Earlier in the week you described the hiatus when you first had to take Lucy to the vet, and it reminded me very much of Trixie's first time after coming here from the RSPCA. She was a year old and, as the final shot of the initial course was required, they had made a prior appointment at her original vet in Chalfont St Peter and the local RSPCA lady was to take her there and back. My daughter, s-I-l and (then) baby were here, and I had not been able to catch Trixie. The lady arrived, not in the best of moods, and there were four of us around the room trying to herd the poor cat towards her basket. She had lived here a month and I bet she wanted a new and kinder home that day.

Viv

[Penny]

Morning Dita and all, Hugs and kisses all round animal friends .Hope all are well and calm today. Weather not very nice, very dull. Just put in a couple of loaves, young gardener phoned last night to say he was coming this evening, always rings in plenty of time for me to make his loaf. Nothing planned today, hubby has two clinic appointments so rather messed up the day. Just preparing to make some little cornflake and nuts (non cook) cookies. Bought a box of coco pops for grandson, wrong type grandma - I only eat special K. Serves me right, always trying to please. Hope pussies and doggies are o.k. Been for walkies yet Dita. Have a super day all and take care. cheers Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny and all. Had to go to town early, it is rare we go now-a-days unless needs must, which was today, so many shops no longer open since the last time we went, the place almost empty apart from these pound shops, Greggs, phone shops, charity shops, noticed also 2 jewellers had also closed. The town is almost dead on its feet. Rant over. Just about to take doggie for walkies Penny, she needs a cuddle first from you. Poor little pussy cats, this hot summer has not been very kind to them, hope now its cooler problems cease to be such a problem. You have much patience to do so much baking Penny, I will admit to doing as little as possible these days, but always enjoy doing my bit for family when they come visit. Take care Penny and all.

[Andere Richtingen]

Hi, all . It was a wee bit warmer here earlier but seems to be getting cold again now. Surprising how early it gets dark,too. Where did Summer go?
Like you, Dita, I had to go into town this morning. We're off to Berlin for a long weekend and I saw that Debenhams are having a suitcase sale so I decided to treat myself to a decent rigid case with 4 wheels to make life easier on the u-bahn when I get there. I'll see it coming on the baggage conveyor, that's for sure, cos it's bright yellow. Well, who said luggage has to be black? We only ever take the car into the town centre if we're going for something heavy or bulky because the parking charges are outrageous and the bus service is pretty good. So off I went to the bus stop, trundling my new case and, wouldn't you know it, the bus was bulging at the seams with folk with shopping trolleys and dozens of carrier bags and there was no space in the luggage rack for my case so I took it to the wheelchair-parking space and stood there leaning on it to stop it rolling about. Another woman with a shopping trolley did the same. We both knew we'd have to move if someone wanted to get on with a wheelchair but that wasn't a problem. The problem was the woman with a pushchair the size of a Smart Car who marched aboard, determined to ram the thing into the tiny space that was left. She ran over my foot and I told her to fold the **Asterisk** thing before she really hurt someone. She wouldn't; insisting it was her right to leave it there - despite the notice saying pushchairs may have to be folded. Drivers rarely interfere in these sort of arguments unless someone's actually getting thumped. Pushchair-woman then goes to sit at the back of the bus, leaving her grubby sprog to wipe his sticky hands up and down my trouser legs all the way home. What on earth is the matter with these women? Why can't they fold their blasted pushchairs? My mother did it. I did it. It's not difficult, for goodness sake. Are they born anti-social or do they have to practise??!!
Sorry - rant over now. Must watch my blood pressure ....

[Penny]

You have my sympathy. One of those days. Never mind, over now. Enjoy the rest of the day. cheers Penny

[Penny]

Morning Dita, and all. Big hugs and kisses all round for doggie and pussies. Nothing except weekly shop today. The little cookies came out very well yesterday so coco pops not wasted, Due to rain, young man rang and hubby put him off coming to do the lawns. So, I ended up with two spare loaves yesterday. Sliced them and put in fridge. Pity you are not closer Dita. Have to make some this p.m.as young man is coming, hopefully, in the morning. Do any of you have The Mail newspaper. On the funnies page, a wife is talking to her husband who is sitting in a chair. I laughed so much, I pointed it out to hubby at breakfast table and said, they are talking about us in the paper. Talk about dirty look. He unfortunately has no sense of humour. He is just coming down from his computer room so will have to go and make his morning drink. Take care all and have a good day. cheers Penny Have a good walkies doggie. xxxx

[Andere Richtingen]

Dear all - feeling much more mellow today. Sorry about the rant yesterday; OK now. The weather is weird, a mix of bright and sunny then completely overcast and very, very humid -ugh. I've just taken Lucy K to the cattery for a little holiday and I shall soon be packing for the trip to Germany. Not taking my netbook (I don't think I'd have time to use it, anyway with the itinerary that's planned!) so this'll be my last posting until sometime next week.

Good wishes to all cats, dogs and forum users - have a good weekend, all.

[dita]

Hi Penny, Andere and all. Dull, dry here today, have just come back from a funeral, seem to be getting lots of practise of late, off to another tomorrow at exactly the same time as today. Would have been very happy to sample one of your loaves Penny, will have to move nearer, doggie would be pleased too, more cuddles Enjoy your trip to Germany Andere. Will have to have a look at the Mail, know what you mean about sense of humour, I spend most of my time laughing with myself waiting for a reaction, even a little grin would be nice. Gonna peep in freezer to see whats on offer for tea, after a little game of football from her who sends big hugs to you. Keep your chin up Penny Andere and all.

[Penny]

Will just say Good Morning all for now. Thinking of Dita. Hope all goes well and not too upsetting. Penny

[dita]

Hi Penny, we've just got back from funeral, been nearly all day job one way and another. Poor doggie needs your hugs today, she's been neglected a bit, can say we are paying for it now we have returned. 2 funerals in 2days is not very nice, but needs must. Thanks for your kind message Penny, quick doggie walk, then a cuppa for us now. Take care and keep your chin up and all

[Penny]

Thank goodness all over. What a week for you. Fingers crossed for good ones from now on. Big hugs for doggie and extra cuddles for being a good dog today.
Been a bit busy, did roast pork for lunch and then cooked and prepared 3 lb of mince for savoury dishes to put down in the freezer. The young chappie came early to do the lawns and was he pleased that I had a loaf and some little cookies ready for him. Decided on a salad (debatable) tomorrow as I need a morning baking some scones. Have run out of home made and hubby not keen on shop bought. All go. Big kisses for pussies, hope all are well and appreciating this cooler weather. Take care all and have a good weekend. cheers Penny

[vannin]

The only good thing about this wet weather is the cat staying in most of the time, so avoiding those persistent varmints!

My living room has just been decorated and exterior painting of the garage, porch door and side door. I had dreaded all the before and after, so much to be shifted out of the room. But the outgoing went well, the room and the doors now look beautiful, and a man came to clean the carpet yesterday. For a short while, I was looking at minimalism and quite liked it. But by now I have re-shifted a lot of the stuff back again. You know, two bookcases were emptied of their books which were put in boxes in the garage, pictures off the walls and ornaments packed in boxes, then I cleared plenty of contents of the sideboard and bureau to make them more easy to move, and have now put them back. Poor Trixie didn't know whether she was coming or going. She thanks her well-wishers for the kisses.

Viv