General Chat

true story. After one of the very bad floods along the Hawksbury River, someone got a Casurina tree that had been washed down and exibited it as an art work. They poured honey over the roots and called it 'Tree in Honey' !!! Vonny

Just out of curiosity, when it gets real hot, like we've had, you know days on end over 40C, doesn't fat melt and, if so, where does it go?? Can't stay for long. That mob in the naughty corner have turned Crewella into a frog!! A very attractive one, but none the less. Lew Lew xxx

Don't know where Rebs is :(( Have sent a GR message to her. I hope it is only because she is off enjoying herself that she is neglecting us. I haven't looked on any of the other threads....perhaps she has found another mad lot on a pommie site and has forgotten us? Art...I used to volunteer at a local art gallery and some of the stuff which came in through those doors was AMAZING! We had one thing which was a piece of perspex with scribble on it in red chinagraph pencil! They called this art! Art, my old aunt Fanny could do better. We should have a comp on Wattlers to see who could do the worst piece of art. It would be a scream :) :) :)

Wine Trifely, If saw my efforts at art you would know why I stick to walls! I aint no Rolf Harris mores the pity. I'm much better at using a sewing machine to create art. Do you think Rebs is sewing her fingers to the bone? jude 3

Oooohh 3.6kg of fat looks ugly. Where do you think it goes when you lose it? Is there some big, wobbly place where all the fat in the world goes? Yup , to my hips. Sue...if the water gets a bit boring just add a small nip of something to make it taste better. Jude 3 - Paimting, painting walls, blinds etc. Isn't that how Rolf Harris started? You never know...there could be money in it. Call it performance art.

hello all sue you are a marvel 3.6 kg is alot to have lost in eleven days you are terrific ok go and get 3.6 of fat from butcher or margarine and have alook at it I wish I had the get up and go to do it as I'm steadily going up again and even though I have walked alittle way for three nights in a row my knee gave me hell last walk and could hardly make it home again ,lol nOT a laughing matter as I'm a lot fatter than you and health wise a heart attack looking for somewhere to happen so you keep it up it great. I have sent a email to Reb to see whats up hope she'll answer soon have to bye again now as so hot and have to get some work done too love Lara

Arvo Wattlers, whew I was getting worried that no one was around- checked thread at 8.30 this morning and then about 10.00 am ( did'nt get a chance to add anything) and found Devily's message. Then didn't get back until a few moments ago (3.15pm) and we are back in business! Oh Sue its such a pain when the bathroom is out of action, but think of me the cottage has no floorboards (except for 2 in middle of the room, when we go to the loo our feet hang in mid air, stepping out of the bath is a challenge, and no going to the loo in the middle of the night with ones eyes closed - its life threatening! lol. You will love the new paint job when its finished though, I don't mind the smell of paint in the summer when you can open all the windows, but then I love to paint, Ken always says don't stand still when I have a paint brush in my hand - or you will get a paint job as well. I have been known to paint vertical blinds (didn't like the colour and couldn't afford new window coverings ). Congrats on the weight loss keep up the good work! OH and I have been on a diet for a week I lost 1 kg - he lost 3 - its not fair. (its probably the lack of liquid malt (ie VB) thats helped him. WT don't you just love the way big companies expect you to accept the fact that they can s***f (read mess) you around and not take any responsibility for it. Lost paperwork - bah humbug!!! I had an internet provider (P****s T****om ask me for updated credit card details so as to put through 1/4 'ly payment, dear OH changed the details ( you don't want to confuse these companies as i found out) from my credit card to his. Big mistake. Still took 1/4'ly payments out of his account but then took $110 out of my credit card (which they weren't supposed to have details of ) it took 3 months to sort it out with the money still going out of my account each month. I faxed through 4 copies of credit card statements - rang every day sometimes waiting for up to an hour to get through.But did document time, person I spoke to each time. Bank could'nt do anything to stop debit, and P****S wouldn't let me speak to a supervisor, they 'would ring me back' huh! I threatened in the end with ombudsman and finally got accounts department supervisor. She still took 4 days to sort it out and re-credit my account. Do I like direct debits ? you must be joking!! Don't you just love re-arranging the furniture, although my other half would probably like to sit having a beer while he watched rather than providing the manual labour. But a change is as good as holiday ( well actually it isn't come to think of it - we should have all gone with jude 2 to Qld, and be relaxing ! rather than shifting furniture). Its a bit worrying Reb's is missing, maybe you are right Sue she has met up with Pommy Mike and they are doing a bit of revelling, or maybe she is sewing again. Hope we see her back soon. Vonny it will be nice to have you computer back again, I can only get on the net at work, youngest son always commandeers our home one as he freelances as well as last year at uni. Its sooo good to get a hot match that connects, as well as saving some research you get to meet more of one's extended family. Well (inbetween customers) it has taken me an hour to get this finished, nearly home time. catch you tomorrow. Jude 3

Hi Wattlers You all seem to have been busy - keep it up - it is good for the soul. Took Tony & Lew Lew's advice and had some wine without the trifle. Stood in the lounge room with a drink in one hand and waved the other around directing furniture. Had a wonderful time. Hubby is not quite convinced that this is the best sort of therapy for bottled up anger but because he is a dear he did it anyway. :} Favourite nephew & his wife dropped in and added their 2 cents worth to the re-decorating. A jolly time was had by all (except maybe hubby). Sue...keep up the good weight loss girl! Remember, slow & steady wins the race. You will be looking slim, trim & sexy in no time. Next episode in the enthralling case of....'The Wheel & the transport company' Received a phone call this morning from the tyre company. They have spoken to the Nationwide Transport company to be told.....da da da (drum roll)...'Sorry, we have lost the paperwork. Could you fax it to us again?' LOST, how could they lose the paperwork? My God, how do these people run such a big company if they go around losing paperwork all the time?? {Trifley yells,almost losing her cool) Stay tuned folks. This farce will be worth telling to your grandkids! Adding my concerns to the growing list. Where is Rebs? Is she ok? Does anyone know where she is? She hasn't gone skiing in Canada has she? See y'all later. WT

hi all (them's that are around!) I have been reading but not contributing as was a bit snowed under with youngest son getting organised - and hogging my computer! I'm not used to sharing anymore :) Guess what - hot matches came up trumps! First time for me :) Found a whole branch of hubby's side AND.......... he has a link to a second fleeter!! (another convict :) lol Still have to check all the info but it is pretty well documented through several sources. There is even a portrait of his great x4 grand mother in the NSW archives somewhere. I have to track it down. Sooo exciting. Maybe Rebs has reformed??? (hope she is ok) :( We love you Rebs, just as you are :) Catch you later, just going to browse. Vonny

Afternoon Anna & Sue. Thunderstorms in Mudgee overnight and forecast again for this arvo. I love 'em! I think the naughty corner have been soooo bad, that Rebs needed a timeout! Missing hubby a bit Anna, but it's nice to have some time to myself. You know, paint nails, do eyebrows, all of the girly stuff. Good for you Sue losing that weight. Taking it off slowly is the best way. Just remember, that's how you put it on. I too am not a great water fan, but I force myself for my kidney's sake. Nothing planned for the weekend, except for going to the new house to see what the builders have been up to. All very exciting. Chat with you all over the weekend Lew Lew xxx

Afternoon Anna I wont say all as it looks like it is just the two of us so far today. Yes I am happy with the weight that I have lost as long as I can lose that much for the next few fortnights I will be happy. Our school has just gone back as we still are working on a 3 term year, it sounds silly as we still have about a 10 day break for easter but it is in the middle of term 1. The government has sent out a questionaire on whether we want a 3 or 4 term year, I know I would prefer a 4 year one as it would then be easier with Davids children living in Vic to work out holidays as they would be about the same time. At the moment Davids children come over in the september holidays and mine are at school, so we are trying to get his to go to bed at same time as mine even with them being on holiday or mine want to sit up with them. Also my girls were ready and looking forward to going back to school for about the last 3 weeks as they were getting sick of nothing to do, or more to the point getting bored with thhe things they had been doing, they even got tired and bored with the computer. I am like you Anna I do hope Rebs is ok, it is very quiet here, with some away on holiday and some at work while others have just gone AWOL. Hang on a minute when is Mike due to arrive here from England? Do dont think he has kidnapped her so they have a personal guide lol? I cant remember when they were due to arrive. Well landlord was here when I got back from my walk so I had to put up with a bath and not a shower. The have pulled everything except bath, sink and toilet out of room and scrapped back the old paint wash walls and started with the filler and undercoat the ceiling so I have got all doors open to try and stop the build up of paint smell, it will be good when it is finished, as the old paint was peeling off the walls and there was a bad problem with mould so a mould inhibitor in the paint we are hoping will do the trick. Cheers Sue

Morning Wattlers I am up a bit earlier today so I can get a bit of work done, go for my walk and have my shower befor 10.00 as landlord is coming to strip paint in one of the bathrooms and repaint it. We only have shower in this bathroom the other one only has a bath, I prefer showers but if need be we have bath to use if other one cant be used for a couple of days. Im going well with my diet, still hate water but I am drinking it and walking every day, in 11 days I have lost 3.6 kg, not a lot but I dont mind if I lose it slowly. It is going to be another hot one today forcasting 27 but that was the same as yesterday and it finally got to 31, it only dropped to 17 overnight so yes we had a muggy night as well as Vic, they are also forecasting thunderstorms late today, typical as I have to drive a bus to Hobart early tomorrow. Anyway must go and do girls lunches ready for school. Catch you all After. Cheers Sue

Evening peeps. Just passing through, and thought i would drop off these two links. Quite good for people searching in India. Found the marriage of my Grandmother's parents on it, so hope they might help someone. http://www.search.fibis.org/ http://users.rootsweb(.)com/~indwgw/Bengal/Calcuttagroom.htm Av a good day to-morrow. Tony Oz :>)) ps. Very warm and muggy night in Melb.

Evening All It is still hot over here, have sent girls to bed, so they can try and get enough sleep for school tomorrow probably be awake for hours with the heat. It is definately sleep on top of bed with windows open. Lara apart from our heat at the moment, what did that last line say about when H..L freezes over Tassie would win the pura cup ........ Well we havent won the cup but we beat the top of the ladder team in Victoria lol. Just had to add that as I saw it on news tonight otherwise I would have known anything about it. But I did See Ricky Ponting take a specky catch the other day. Cheers Sue

Evening all, just about to sit down to a sushi dinner - yum. Winey, sounds like you've had a tough time of it. And you too Tony. I just reckon in this day and age if someone can find some way to shaft you, they will! Insurance companies in particular seem to always try not to honour their obligations! How's the furniture rearranging going WT? Hope it helps relieve the stress. I find ordering the OH around does wonders for the health. Hope everyone has a great evening. Ciao for now Lew Lew (aka Leweegee)

Hi Tony Sounds like a good scam to get new tyres for free!! One thing these big companies work on is that you will get sooo frustrated and upset you will just cave in and accept what they say. Well not this little black duck!!!!! I don't care if it is only $500, I am going to fight them all the way. I have been like you, cool, calm & collected and polite with a smile in my voice. Yelling & screaming just gets people's backs up. But I will prevail!!! Nothing comes between a mother & her child particularly when right is on her side. Trotting off now to supervise re-arrangement of lounge room furniture. I am so wound up I need some release so I am getting hubby to move furniture. Work....I love it! I could watch it all day! Oooo Rooo Trifley

arvo to anyone who is around, Trifley I'm with Tony - definately a wine without the trifle for you. These big companies just love to pull their weight, but stick your guns on this one. We had a nationwide freight company ship a motor from sydney to melbourne or thats we thought until it turned up at same name suburb in Perth WA! As well as me being not best pleased you can imagine the kerfuffle telling the customer! Did get it eventually - a week later, with 6,000 or so extra kms on the clock - without it being in a car! Tony good tip re the hire car company, although now with having digital technology we always take pictures of the car when we pick it up as well as filling in the sheet. B****T Company tried stinging us for existing damage on last trip to NZ and we just whipped out the photos, also had arranged to drop off at airport when hire completed and they tried to charge us an extra $88 - which was not mentioned at the time of pick up, 'no sir no extra charge for leaving at the airport'. B******S. You have to 2nd guess them all the time. Well have kept up with all the messages today - just, but off home now. Have a good night jude3

Afternoon everyone. Nuther warm day in Melb. 30c....but supposed to be a cool change later on. W.T.....Sounds like you need a Wine without the trifle mate. The duck shoving from one dept to the next, always builds up the blood pressure. Have had similar experience myself, and it seems its never anyones fault, but please hold, and i will put you through to this/that dept. ( that knows nothing about it ) When we were in U.K last year we hired a car from a very well world wide known car hire. When we received the car, the car hire give you a small sheet of paper with a picture/drawing of the car and the damages listed/marked on it with small crosses, so you can see where the car was damaged through previous drivers, and you are not libel for the damage already on the car upon its return to the car hire. After we were given the keys, we walked around the car checking it for any marks that were not listed on the sheet. All was o'k............After our 7 days from York to Heathrowe airport we pulled into this car hire bay to return the car. There were 4 inspectors waiting to check the car over, which we found unusual, as this was our 3rd hire from the same company in the U.K.......One from Cornwall to Gloucestershire.......One from Dublin,Ireland back to Dublin after a weeks hire, and the 3rd from York to Heathrow ( airport ) The first two hires, all we were required to do was drop the keys of at the office ( no inspection of the car to see if it was damaged. )....but the one at Heathrow we were grilled.......and the four inspectors ( from the car hire )...walked around the car ( didn't even look inside it at the upholstery to see if we had damaged it? )....but we noticed, immediately as we drove in they all seemed to be looking at the tyres..?? ( not the body of the car ) One inspector called me over and pointed to a small cut in the tyre, and informed me to follow him into the office, as i would be up for the cost of a new tyre. Well after i had calmed Barb down....Yelling at the top of her voice....#^$%#$%^^$## ....B*****RDS( cos ya dont upset the Irish blood.......lol ) I said ya gotta be jokin mate...thats normal wear and tear on the road....and its quite possible i ran over a peice of glass or stick or something, i said. Sorry Sir.....but its not maked on the sheet of paper that you got when you picked the car up, and you should have checked theTyre's........Well i must admit i didnt check for Tyre damage as i thought it would relate more to Body damage of the car.......Anyway, there was a Yank at the counter with me, blowing his cool over exactly the same thing ( Tyre damage )...and he was letting them have it good and proper. I was a bit cooler, and kept me hat on, as i could see that the Yank was gettin nowhere. I just agreed with the car hire people, and got freindly with the staff... ( Barb was looking at me stupid like )...and still fuming, wondering why i wansn't blowing my cool, like the Yank. I thought to myself this is a scam to replace Tyres on these cars when there returned by the clients, so they get a Tyre changeover fully paid for by the client.....Hmmmmm I told them i was an Ozzie........and worked for a large newspaper company in Australia ( advertising journalist )...........Never heard a thing ya know about that Tyre, nor did i ever pay for it to be replaced.................Peeps hate bad advertising i reckon.......:>)) I wonder how many more peeps, they got that day. Sorry for the long story, but if you hire car, check for damages on the Tyres as well as the car body, before you drive off. A mistake i wont make again. Tony Oz :>))

I am hugely p****d off and I don't care who knows it!!! { Trifley paces up & down, yelling & waving arms about in maniacal manner}. I have been trying for over 2 weeks to organise an insurrance claim for a damaged wheel which was delivered to us. Our son ordered 4 new fancy wheels for his car, they arrived on Jan 25th...the day before the public holiday. One of the wheels was damaged in transit. We let the company which sold them know on Frid 27th. Photos of said damage were emailed to them and they started ins proceedures. A rep of the company which transported the wheels finaly said 'We will not process the claim because we were not informed within 24 hours'. The wheel company & I have spent the last 3 days being duck shoved from one department to another because no one knows about it or 'it is not my section'. At last, after 40 minutes going from one dept. to another ON STD CALL, I have just spoken to a young man in 'customer service' in Brisbane who is going to follow it up. Once this is finalised to my satisfaction ( & it had better be!!) I will tell any one who is willing to listen NOT to use this Nationwide Transport company if they want anything moved!

Oh Devly, was I suppose to be looking at what colour they were wearing . . . . sorry didn't notice! luv Laurie