General Chat

There are some moments in life I will never forget – no matter how much I wish I could. Strangely most of them involve school – and with all due respects to the start of the exams, nothing beats the pain of that first day back at school.

Indeed whatever trauma we went through was dwarfed by the tears of the Mummies with their faces pressed up against the glass of the classroom window, utterly convinced of the end of their world as they knew it.

While we, the new arrivals, may have been lured into a false sense of security, for the more seasoned veterans of the education system, the first day back at school brings with it the dread of knowing what it is really like because we’d been down this road before.

The summer holidays were over, the long nights were drawing in and we were stuck in classrooms and study halls – albeit with breaks for mid-term, Christmas, Easter and innumerable ‘staff service’ days – until the evenings started to stretch again the following May.

Of course, the teachers probably felt the same way but at least they were paid to be there – and they only had to be proficient in one or two subjects as opposed to having a daily inquisition on the whole bloody lot of them.

Not that school was all bad – in fact I remember some of my days with particular fondness even now – but it was that sinking feeling as I walked through the gates that this was my life for the next nine or ten months.

As a boarder, that pain was multiplied because we returned for duty on a Sunday evening under cover of darkness in a car packed with blankets, bed linen and enough clothes to do us until we next saw the washing machine at home - if our parents were rich enough to own such a contraption.

The height of luxury was a packet of Tayto crisps or Kimberley biscuits which we’d have to eat late at night under the blankets for fear of having to share them out with the rest of the dormitory. Deviousness starts young!

Even now those dark winter evenings are as vivid as if they happened this week –although within an hour, once I hooked up with my old school friends, I was usually back in the old routine.

Then there was the smell of the place – an indescribable aroma of chalk, books and decades of schoolboys’ socks – along with the names from the past etched onto desks and classroom walls with compasses.

We had the added ‘benefit’ of a school diet with consisted of everything and anything once it included baked beans, a food form I am unable to countenance to this day because it will forever be associated with those large silver trays that had enough food for ten normal boys or about five boarders. Horsemeat was never mentioned.

Happy days, I think! But I have no great wish to repeat them.

Evening All,

What a day!! I couldn't believe the icy wind when I went off to class this morning. I decided to wear some spongy soled trainers with my heel gel things in them for the NEC as there is a lot of tramping to do. A thin anorak and thin scarf and the plaggy bag to carry them in for when I got hot . (which I did!) I followed my friend home and parked my car at hers. She has the most lovely garden for birds with plenty of shrubs and feeders about. There were Blue and Great Tits, Bullfinches and I've never been so close to Long Tailed Tits before, just like Mel's feeder a few inches the other side of the window. I was so wishing I'd had my camera!! :-S

Once we got closer to Birmingham there was much more snow in the fields but very little falling. Not like when we came out at about 5.00pm when a blizzard of thick flakes was blowing and they made your cheeks sting they were so icy!! :-0 We thought travelling back on a Friday was not a good time to be on the motorways and were at a crawl for a short while, but it was not too bad. Once we got near home it was more like rainy sleet, nothing had settled. We think a lot of people may have been put off by the weather as it wasn't at all busy at the event, which meant it was easy to get around and to find seats when you needed them. There didn't seem to be as many offers as last time I went but I still found things to buy!! :-) It was strange seeing the tv Jew*llerymaker ladies there, they looked smaller than on tv!! lol.

What a night you had Frank!! I didn't sleep until about 3.30am, but had a quieter night than you. It amazes me how the brain can be so active when you are asleep!!

The easter eggs you've got sound lovely Liz......the children will love them.

I think we are all waiting for a bit of warmth and sunshine to crack on in our gardens. They have all the bedding plants for sale at our local nursery but it's no good buying them yet.

I hope the weather eases up a bit before you travel for the funeral William. It's not the weather you want to be out in for a burial. I'm glad the Happy Little Bunny cheered you both up! :-D

Mel, the weather looks dreadful down your way. That poor woman whose house was damaged. You'd have thought there would be some way to to go in safely.

It's good you don't have to get Chester to take meds for blood pressure Jane. I can just picture you in the garden with the head light on and waving the receptacle in your hand!! lol.

What brand of butter was that advert for......'no buts it's got to be butter!'

Ann,I'm so glad you got there and back safely .I have to say I was a bit worried about the weather for you.Sounds like a good day :-DI missed a call from you and you missed one back from me lolol.Yes it was quite a picture this morning in the half light with me in my dressing gown ,garden shoes ,head light,and little collection pot hovering under Chester's man bits.At least I don't have to do that now for a fair while.

Dermot.My friend Fitz would know just what you mean when talking of Boarding.He was at a Catholic Boarding School and has some dreadful stories.I read some of his letters that he sent home to his parents the other day.I think he was about aged 6 or 7.It was quite sad really as he obviously was feeling very homesick and being treated very badly by a couple of the teachers/monks.One dismissed because of his behaviour. :-S
My school days are mainly good memories even though I was not a model pupil
and couldn't wait to leave at the age of 16...I know I could have done better(as my reports always said),but I just wasn't interested.How I regret it now!.I am so pleased that both my children were more focused and were keen to do well .Both have good Degrees from Uni.I had a couple of O'levels and a bunch of CSE's
It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I became sensible and went into Nursing.(The best thing I ever did) I loved it :-D,and then of course I met my OH and it was the Dr and Nurse thing :-D :-D and 32 years on we are still ticking along.

Dog needs out.I will see if it is snowing again....It looked more sleety an hour or so ago.

Turning to snow now!
Night Night x

Morning All and Evening Kim,

Dry this morning but still overcast with grey clouds and a wind.

Dermot I think my best day at school was the day I left at 16. I hated it. I left with no O'levels or CSE's or anything else for that matter except a great releif that I never had to go back. A couple of weeks of the summer holiday working voluntary at the bowling alley in Wanstead and then to work at the PDSA as a junior office worker. I loved it getting paid at the end of the week for the work down unlike school where you worked away all those years for nothing. I earnt £3 a week when I started.

The lake has gone from the corner of the orchard today and the patio is drying out in the wind. I wonder if I should change the beed and get that washed?? Will it dry?? as I don't like having sheets hanging around wet or the window open in this wind to have the dryer on.

William I am pleased you don't have to drive all that way for the funeral. You both take care now and give little Happy Little Bunny a big kiss from me. Dear little sole <3

Hope none of you are snowed in this morning!! We're not!!!!!!!!!!!

I have just put some socks on and see my knee I banged last week is not yellow but it still hurts like crazy.

Dermot, I too went to boarding school, an C of E Convent from the age of 11 -171/2! I think mostly I was happy there and made a lot of good friends. We were allowed home for the w/end once a month from Fri-Sun evening except 1/2 term when we went back on Monday, and as we only lived 20 miles away I was able to always do this. My parents always came for any and every play, sports/open day, concert etc + letters and post cards went both ways every week till the day I left!, so I can't really say that I ever felt deserted! I would describe my time there as a love/hate relationship!! I failed my 11 plus spectacularly and being an only child, it was decided that a small low key (academically!) school was the place for me. It was a bit daunting at first, but mostly the Nun's and lay staff were kind and certainly you were allowed to work at your own pace without feeling too stupid!!! As I got older things on the academic front improved and I even managed 5 O'levels and one A!! sadly not a science or maths subject to be seen, but at least I was able to get into Secretarial College and eventually got a job in a University Dept at Oxford, which was brilliant as they had a super library!!
Really foul day here, Millie for a check up this afternoon, otherwise a day at home!!

Morning all,/Evening Kim,

Snow, Snow,Snow. It started last night and still a bit this morning out FOUR INCHES. The bird feeder is dancing about in the garden, with all the little birds on it.

Carolyn called yesterday afternoon to say, she has two tickets in a box at the Royal theatre to see the MOUSE TRAP for this afternoons performance at 2.30 pm So the girls will be off about 1.45 to get parked and settled in before it starts. HOME ALONE again.

What a farce the football was England won 8 - 0 lost interest after the first half, and just keept flicking over to see the score.

That poor woman in Looe, she only went back to her flat Thursday night, went to bed at 8.00 pm and then the mud slide, What a horrible way to go. The council had been warned about it, but hadn't done anything about it. LEGAL CLAIM there then.

My Broadband has gone completely, I can't get any Emails, and I usually get 20/25 a day. There is going to be a big back log when and if I get it working. Will have to have a word with the young neighbour, see if he can sort it out.

Jan spoke to her G'daughter on Skype this morning and show her all the snow. She said "I want to live there" she's in Torquay, and they haven't had any, in fact yesterday they were out in just a light coat.

Brunch time. Eggs Bacon fried potato, and toast, mushrooms, tomato's and another cup of tea.

Piggy will be back later.

Morning/Evening All
I think we have about 2 to3 inches of snow.Thats plenty.I feel so bad for everyone who had had the blizzards ,drifts and no electricity.Chris has gone to work.I imagine there will be some patients who won't manage to get there so hopefully an easy morning for him.
The birds are busy filling their tummies with all the seed etc I have just put out.The Squirrel must have chewed through the rope on the Coconut as it was on the ground.One of the Moorhens was having a right old feast lol

The grate needs doing :-S

Are we missing Fiona now? Or have I just not seen any post?

Morning everyone,Evening Kim,

Just a few flakes of snow here this morning they are like little feathers coming down, you both had quite a bit then Jane/ Frank.

Not going out again today ,we just nipped out to have a look at some work top for the kitchen and that's it for today it can snow all its likes now !!
The blue tits have been on the feeders four of them, they are pretty little things ,hubby is going to make me another nesting box for them we had one years ago and they nested in it .

Ann, sounds as if you enjoyed your day ,i wondered if you would go with all the snow.
I must start on some jewelry making ,i keep buying beads , but at the moment i'am crocheting a bag.
http://meladorascreations-com.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=13107447
Mine will be black ,dark purple and cream .

Better go and give my soup a stir , i've made Leek and Potato today ,just right for a cold day .

I can remember that I earned £5 a week when I first went to work in Sept 1961. I gave my mother 30/- for my keep, I shouldn't think, even in those days it went anywhere near covering the cost of board and lodge, including driving lessons!! I did do my own ironing and make my own bed, but that was about it - so I think I got a bargain!!!! Eventually I went up to £10! but the board and lodge stayed the same, I guess 'principle' and learnng about 'managing money' was the driver here. My mother was a great one for 'lessons learned'!!!! Mind you, I was the same with our two when they went to work, and to their credit they never balked or complained on housekeeping day!!
Raining here now, at least no snow, just completely miserable!!

Having trouble again. Can't get to the last page.

Still can't open Emails, any sugestions how to fix it. ??? I've had my neighbour in and he spent a good half hour trying, with no luck. It's no good me ringing BT as they will get me so confused, I would not be able to follow their instructions.

No more snow, it's just lying there, and it's getting colder. Ros and Carolyn will call at Tesc'# on the way home to get odds and sods. Then that will be us for the weekend.

Ros is bring in some scampi for herself and I have a wing of skate, that I have got out of freezer for tonight. So no going out for takeaways. No point in taking chances in this weather.

Loin of Pork out of freezer for tomorrow, I will do all the Veg in the morning.

How is Chester today Jane, ??

Liz, Yes the one thing we all did on Thursdays was to pay Mum the housekeeping, it wasn't the world, but most of what I earnt, and I think the same for my brothers and sisters, and Dad always put his paypacket on the kitchen table. Mum would buy his tobacco and papers etc. and give him "Pocket Money" Both Harvey and Conrad payed Ros for board and lodgings, How much I don't know, that was her domain. My money went into the Joint a/c and we drew on that as we needed it. Never Hers and Mine and that has gone on for the past 36 years. and no doubt for the rest of our lives. Even though she has her pension and dissability allowance paid into her own A/C. She uses it to buy food etc. She just bought the new tyres for the car and MOt. So it's share and share between us.

The Dreme# thingy arrived today, after a lot of trouble. The Blood# postman still delivered it to next door, even though it was suppose to have a signature. The neighbour slipped it through the cat flap. The postman could have done that on Tuesday, I have sent a stong complaint to the POST OFFICE.
I understand he's only a temp. so perhaps that's why he's not bothered, if the mail goes to the righjt house or not. :-| :-| :-|
You would think will all the people unemployed, he would treasure the fact he has a job. MOAN OVER.
Mandy you seem to be lucky out your way for snow. It would appear it's coming right down the middle of the Country., and missing the coast.

It's started to sleet here, very fine, but with the wind I am sure it will build up. WINTER DRAWS ON GIRLS. and come to think of it you BOYS TOO. !!! Flakes now getting bigger, so i'm off to the armchair with my book and peace and quiet.

See you later.

We have quite a bit of snow here and it is still coming down .Thank goodness I live me in the south..Some of you must have a lot of snow.
Max was at the vets first thing this morning.. Still has to wear his lamp shade for a little longer. The nurse said to pop back in a weeks time..We mentioned we are there on weds to have his stitches out..He doesn't have any on the outside
...Has internal ones.Just glued or something....Why did they give us that appointment then ???

They have been out in the snow ....soon came back in.

I have been catching up with a few tv recordings....I have hoovered and washed my floors..They are all wooden downstairs..Doesnt take long for wet prints to cover them again
Take care and wrap up warm <3

max and mocha eating http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

I don't get the pages thing.When I click on the the thread it will come up as your post Mel saying how the thread was scrubbed twice,then I just click on the Post Date and bingo up comes the last page and post.

I just nipped out to get some onions.I was so cross with my self that I had used all of them.This is why I always kept a bag of frozen chopped onions just for this reason.But they were in my old freezer .Must put them on my list.

It is really horrible outside.Its very fine icy snow that stings your face,and our front drive has about 2 inches of slush.Dicey later I think .Luckily no postman or milkman tomorrow.

No Fiona again today??.......

I hope David is recovering from his last op <3..

Frank.I bet the girls are enjoying the Mousetrap this afternoon.

Well, back from the vet, and all is well with Millie! Her eyes are much better but still need ointment for another week; fingers crossed, that will do the trick.
I couldn't get on line this morning Frank. I'm on Hotmail which has now turned into 'Outlook', which is a real pain, as the site is .'different'. and has had to be re-learned!! I usually click 'sign in' and that takes me to it, but not this morning! so I typed 'Outlook' into Google and that did the trick!! You probably already do that, but if not, might be worth a try!
We share everything on the financial front too, ups and downs! - have done for years, although we did have our own Isa's at one stage, but it's just simpler having everything 'under one roof'

Oh Pat ! That clip is sooooooo funny .(I have to admit I have seen it before ) but It is so clever and hilarious.Thanks :-D :-D
If Max has no external stitches .The internal ones will just be dissolving ones :-S lol

Now I have discovered someone has had the single cream (that I need for meal) .I refuse to go out again ,so it is down to James :-D :-D..Still snowing .There is a Robin doing handstands in the coconut.It must be nearly empty.Good job I have a new one.I will brave the elements and go and replace it :-D

I hope it is warm in the theatre for Ros and her friend.

Done some ironing this afternoon after lunch.

Just having a look about now.

Still no snow here for us..................and it has been dry all day but with a biting wind that freezes your socks off.