Here's some California sunshine sent your way, in hope to ward off some of winter's gray!“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.”
--Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(credit for quote goes to Peajay)
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«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 1005 Newer› Newest»Over here we manage an air-con car but house has to make do with opening the windows. The temp today has been about 4ºC and all the snow has melted (much to Murphy's chagrin).
It was about 22C if my calculations are correct. My Canadian friend gave me the math formula for C to F.
We'll have another freeze or two before spring...there's still hope for a few more fires to read by, while sipping on hot chocolate!!!
Mmmmm, with marshmallows floated on top. Sorry it always seeems to come back to food.
doesn't it, though, esp chocolate!!! :D
Yes, someone very nicely bought me a box of Hotel Chocolat Exclusive Edition chocs this evening, which I have so far gazed at but not sampled, how's that for will-power!! ;D
Bravo!, but please don't tell you'll dose them out in small increments..ah jest go fer it...jest dinnae make yersel sick!!! ;)
Na, will haf ta wait 'til tomorrow as off ta ma beid and can hardly max oot before then (and choccie smudges on the shhets may not be a nice look!) ;/
Speak tomorrow if you're nay working, if you are then don't work to hard. :) G'nite-n-godbless!
g'nite Peajay!! :))
AJ, Please check out Sunday's article..."More sex please ...we're Scottish"
Horrible/Doreen has given you the, ahem, difficult task of livening things up!!
"JG...wouldnt worry about it I am sure AJ will be along shortly tae gie it laldie!"
ok, I'm still unsure about JG...bloke or no.....see this article 'Health check call for 'zero models'" comment #9
ok, one more,same article, regarding #4 comment...."You are starting to sound like a certain Corbett Hunkers Scottwebb....echoes of his particular turn of phrase 'built for it'....all you would have to do is substitute 'Filly' for 'Chick' and the deals' sealed."
sounds like she/Doreen/Horrible really likes you AJ, she's always mentioning you!!!
no doubt Corbett will respond with something like, "well, hon, that just means more cushin for the pushin!!"
Of course, being a lady I would never think of such things!! :)
You're still no1 Mel, despite hot competition from HC!!!:)
I'll have to check these things out later - still painting (glossing):(
Hi all!!
AJ, I know!!! ;)))
There's some funny articles today, the chocolate one, and the zero size one (saw you Peajay)
I haven't blogged on any this morn, no quips come to mind at the moment...it's more fun with ya'll there, anyway!!! :))
Enjoy your Sunday!
AJ don't work too hard!! (but I bet it will look great when you're done!!!)
Hi guys, sorry to have been slightly subdued, but chores had to be done!!:)
Hope you've all had a good weekend and I'll be checking out the 'hot' issues of the day for the next wee while!!:)))
I am reading as I can, to catch up with all ya'll's postin this eve...was out spending money today, :( ...but children need clothes!!
(and was purchasing supplies for a wood fort to be built!...will explain later)
anyway....AJ, now don't be too hard on JC, remember He liked Mary Mag (honourably of course)
well, back to my Cabernet and chocolate, and maybe smoke another Montecristo Buena Fortuna! :D
will catch ya'll later on your Monday!
I always wanted a wooden fort when I was wee!! Trouble would've been the bonfire that probably would have transpired!!:)
Good Morning!
AJ, My tween (son) has been talking about a fort for the last 2-3 yrs (I'm reminded that it's My fault, encouraging him!! ;))
...so, the tween one day, drew up 'plans' ( he wants to be an archit. engineer)....who can fault a kid for trying that hard??!! :))
...the fort will also serve as part shed, and later animal pen to serve the dollar investment ;)
How are You this morning??!! ;)
All bonfires will be monitered of course!!!! ;)))
I'm fine Melanie, although the weather the last few days has been horrendous - wind and rain....yuch!!:)
The fort/shed/enclosure sounds a great idea!!:))
Your tween seems pretty forward thinking!!:)
the tween will be helping to build, and hopefully learning some carpentry skills :)
Don't much like wind, can't stand it when it blows here...rain, well obviously not enough here!!:( Don't think I'd be much for dancing in the rain out your way, though!!! ;))
I suppose we've put it in the kids minds as to 'what do you want to do with your life'...sort of get them on track to developing ideas etc of what they want to do and how are they going to get there.
That's a great way to bring up the kids Melanie! Encourage self improvement from an early age! The world needs more parents like you guys. I suspect Anna will think along the same lines, I certainly will encourage the Mish and any further additions.:)
It would seem she knows where she's going, already!!!:))
Well Lanna replied to you, AJ!! But I'll only go so far on those public (more public) forums!!! my did you put some bait out there, I couldn't resist!!
the Mish sounds wonderful, energetic and inquisitive...no doubt she'll want to try everything!! You and Mrs AJ seem good parents as well, and I think will challenge and direct Mish so she'll flourish!!! :))
We hope so Melanie!
Nice of you to say so!:))
Hi Anna! :)
have to step away for a bit, but I should be back before you leave for the day, AJ.
Hi all,
Just got back from the cinema..Charlotte's Web ... it was quite good ..KK enjoyed it. I thought it was a bit like Babe but not as good!
It didn't have that great song for a start:
If I could make a day for you
I would make a day, golden and blue.
I would make that day last for all time
etc, etc :)
Did you watch the France/Ireland match AJ? It was very good .... they could both teach the other teams how to play!
Speak to you later, Melanie :)
Nae rugger at the weekend - just painting! :(
But I would imagine it would be a great game - both flair teams and not the war of attrition that England, Scotland and Wales play.
Italy are just simply... mince!!
I thought Italy played quite well .... I thought England were boring even tho' they won. They just never seemed to 'get it together'.
The France/Ireland match was in a different league altogether than any of the others so far. Good, entertaining, flowing rugby.
Mind you it helps when you don't care who wins!!
I'm envious of your rugby watching...will have to see to some satellite!!! :))
Got to go soon! Speak to you all soon!:))
Have a good eve, AJ!!
Anna, Babe was a great movie,haven't seen CW yet. Do you remember the scene in Babe with the animals looking in the window at the Telly...
I used to let my horses run on the property and the cross fence came up to the side window...one day, yes indeed, I turned around to see two horses and two dogs looking in the window...I have expected to see our ducks and chickens,too, but alas no!!! I think the kids and I were watching Tom n Jerry at the time!! ;)
Hi
Saw you on the Camilla story AJ.. doesn't seem to be much else to comment on today.
I can't believe we're getting told about Camilla's op....... I find it a bit intimate to be honest... surely its a private thing... not headline news. Apparently, Clarence House told the press about it .... so they put it in the public domain. Poor Joe Public...
Melanie..... re your animals telly watching. When I was a youngster my uncle had a farm in Ayrshire and they had a couple of ponies for the kids. Well, the ponies' field was just behind the kitchen window and the grey Welsh pony used to regularly come up and scratch his backside on the window ledge when we were having our meals.
Obviously, not as cultured as American horses!! :D
Hi Anna,
I feel the same way...it is deeply personal to most people.....if they're being advised that putting this out to the public is somehow a positive thing, well give me strenghth!!!
AAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH
I feel better now!!:))
I like the horse stories!!:D
Exactly AJ... the only thing in their defence is if the press is not told, find out she's gone into hospital and then start making up lurid stories about why she is there.
I have no great love for Camilla ... but she has always struck me as a very private person... she is probably deeply embarrassed about this.
What price fame and fortune.... sell your soul to the devil ... the media in this case! :)
Anyway ... got any interesting stories about animals?
Check out the Union blog ... Duncan and I are best friends now... ! :D
Its over 900 on that blog ... will it get to 1000?
I'll be there for the 1000, the question is will you?
Animal stories - can't think of any, apart from doggy stories!
As for Camilla, I'm sure they could've just said nothing and ignored any media speculation!
SLT today, so it's even quieter than usual!:))
Duncan obviously got tired of spikey Joanna giving him a doing every time he posted!!:DD
SLT?
I've posted on the skinny models board.... Media 1 is an eejit... or maybe just a wind up merchant.
Wasn't yesterday's article about size 0 as well?
You're right about Camilla ... they could have just pulled up the drawbridge like they've done in the past!
I mean for all we know the Queen might have had the same sort of thing done. But at least she had the dignity to keep it to herself and spare our feelings.
Its the sour grapes comment on there that gets me a bit. Isn't that what endiometritus is supposed to look like close up? Too much information!!
Get you asking Janis out for lunch... There's plenty of nice restaurants in that area ... near the British Museum... you'll have a lovely time!! :D
Are you going to bring a little London double decker bus back as a souvenier for Mish?
You'd better bring something very, very, very expensive back from Bond Street for Mrs AJ... if you're having lunch with another woman!! :D
I wouldn't buy her anything sharp!!!
SLT - Sector Level Training - the guys are in greens and playing at sodgers, living in tents(in the hangars!!!) and hating every minute of it!!:DDD
The reason I asked Janis out was to try and goad Duncan into an attack!!:)) He keeps going on about trolls - infact he appears to study the subject!
You asked her out because you can't help yourself.... you're an incorrigible flirt!! :D
Duncan is certainly obsessed with trolls ..... do you think he wrote all that stuff himself or did he cut & paste off the internet?
He says he's got a list..... who was that comedian who used to keep a list of people who offended him? Used to say to his oppo "put his name down" etc, etc.
It'll come to me ...
Maybe Duncan works for the Scotsman... No, he slags them off too much as a unionist rag! Unless its all just a cover of course.
Ok Ok, I've got a problem, haven't we all? :D
I remember the act, but I can't remember..... - maybe Charlie Drake?
Did you like the soldiering part of the RAF Anna? Did you ever shoot yourself in the shoulder? :))
Good Morning!!
AJ, doggy stories are great too!
Hi Anna, I liked your story!
Hi Peajay, hopefully not working too hard!!
Hi Melanie,
Up with the lark?
There seems to have been a misunderstanding with Janis...don't you worry about it!:)
Wotcha doing today?
Are you having guilty pangs, AJ!! ;D ...so which article was this, so I can look at the evidence?..... :)
Just up and getting coffee...I answered your wine with some dark choco. and a nap in the hammock
Read the union blog Melanie..... near the bottom ... where AJ is asking Janis out for lunch ... in London.. no less!!
After the 2 of them have been to some exhibition.... :)
Tsk, tsk..... what a boy!! :D
Don't ask AJ for doggie stories .. Melanie.. .I've been trying to ignore that comment... maybe its just me but I've got a feeling they're going to be rude :D
No, I didn't like the soldiering part of the RAF ... AJ... bit too macho for me :(
Plus I could never get the NBC suit to look stylish ... and green was never my colour :)
I once went clay pigeon shooting at RAF Cottesmore and ended up with a massive bruise on my shoulder from the recoil of the gun.... never again.
Anyway you can't even eat those pigeons..... waste of time.... but it was an afternoon off work so not all wasted!
Anna, I had the same shoulder issue, and have never gotten in to shooting skeet. I was never in the military, but have done enough camping/backpacking... in the dirt sleeping...I think I'll stick with hotels, much easier on the back!! ;)
Agree about the hotels Melanie... I like my comforts... shower, bath, coffeemaker, kettle, hairdryer... etc, etc.
The only good thing about being on exercise for me was that I always lost weight.... the food was so revolting that I just used to live on biscuits and cuppa soup. So not all bad :)
The dog comment was innocent, thank you very much!:\
I know AJ, sorry if my joking words didn't translate well...it's a fun-lovin insult if you will, at least in my neck of the woods!
Anna, I was once on a 12-day 'hike' (in my twenties)...the first meal of the eve...hotdogs...there were 10 in a package....there were 12 of us...and the food got worse after that. slight misinformation in the food prep for the logistics people!! :((
Anna, PMAMs ???
AJ, am I forgiven? :)
AJ.... sorry ... about suspecting you of having rude doggy stories.. its my bad mind!! :)
Melanie.... you should try some of the stuff they put in the compo rations.... yuk..
Mind you, a lot of the guys seem to love it...... Mr A does... what does that say about my cooking?
I don't think it was your comment that upset him ... Melanie.
It was mine........ never mind AJ.... I know you're just an innocent wee boy really.....never let a smutty thought cross your mind!
Yeah right :D
Just remembered who it was I was thinking of with the list of names. Did you ever see the film set in Ireland "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne. His girlfriend's brother is a big, bald fella and there is a little man who keeps a book for him.
"Put him doon in the book"
"Right Squire Danaheagh"
Of course you're forgiven! I couldnae stay mad at ya, if I tried!!:))
The MRE's (meals ready to eat) were always accompanied with brought along Tobasco...to make them edible, I've heard
Anna, he's had to have been joking with you!!! Or maybe it was guys out soldiering, we're tough, it was all good??? :/
I think its the Scout 'man of the woods' mentality that comes out in them when they're eating compo!!
I've seen guys really wolf it down and then eat mine as well....
Mind you... I always lost weight when I lived in the mess as well .... maybe its something to do with institutionalised cooking ... a bit like school dinners!!
I looked like I'd been to a fitness farm after 4 months in the Falklands :)
Anna,I remember the boy, but can't remember his name!!
Anna,
Did you have a good relationship with the Mess stewards? I believe it's in the Officer's interest to be nice to stewards!!!
PMAM....... is Paunchy, Middle-Aged Man!!
Don't tell Media 1.....
You're not included in that btw... AJ... you might fit the middle aged but you don't look paunchy!! :)
Gosh... that's another compliment from Auld Anna. :)
Not that nice.... AJ!! ;)
ooh Media one is at me on the zero blog, I'm shocked, he usually ignores me esp after Peajay and I ganged up on him a bit on some dog story ages ago!! ;))
Anna, I guessed Pestering Mesothithic Adolescent-like Male....do you think Media will like that one???
Good guess, AJ; Scaramouche's wife had a funny one too!!
good 'joke' put forth, Anna, makes for some funny 'comebacks'!
Anna, William Wallace sent you sort of a Valentine...with a very nice compliment!!! :DD
it's on the London Fashion article post #100
Anna, you've been sent a Valentine Card by Wee Wullie on the zero blog, ain't that sweet.
Saw you all on the Union debate for today...wow, some interesting 'talk'!!!
Hi Peajay, yes, Will was very sweet and charming, wasn't he!!...Mr A would be jealous for sure!!! :D
Crikey... William Wallace is a bit of a charmer isn't he?
I feel quite flustered ;)
Are you blushing Anna? ;)
My fingertips are Peajay :))
The funny thing about this is that it started with me having a go at him about calling himself William Wallace. I thought I was quite scathing but he took it as a joke.... even the bit about painting his face blue.....:)
I do like a man who doesn't take himself too seriously
I didn't realise this was the year of the Rat ..... just noticed someone mentioned that on the 0 blog.
Nice cuddly rats of course :D
Sorry to disappoint but cuddly rats don't happen until next year 2008, this year is the Year of The Pig!!
I think it's all very sweet, just don't castigate AJ for flirting anymore as the Valentines will be used as evidence against you. :DD
AJ needs to be castigated Peajay.... he could give master classes in flirting.
Anyway I didn't send Wee Willie a Valentine did I? :)
I've hardly encouraged him at all... I just advised that he used waterproof blue make-up in inclement weather!
Are they cuddly pigs?
Are any of our fellow bloggers the year of the pig?
(I was going to say are any of our fellow bloggers pigs... but it seemed a bit rude) .... :D
Make up tips, that's how it starts you know! :)
Anna, I'm only a bit a pig when it comes to chocolate-mocha icecream!!! ;))
that's alright about castigating AJ; when you're done with him, I'll be here to patch him up!! ;))
Hi Peajay!!! :D
Chocolate mocha ice cream .. that sounds nice :)
I'm quite fond of vanilla myself... but I could cope with choc-mocha as well.
The only ice cream flavour I really dislike is mint choc chip
:(
Anything else ..... bring it on:)
Anna, no one is the year of the pig, here...I'm the year of the dragon
Well, agree about the mint... it's too much like toothpaste :/
You gave a nice answer to William!!
...did you like some of the other PMAM generated words
My Dad was a dragon..... KK is a tiger....... and Mr A is a rabbit!
Do you make your own ice-cream Melanie? I was watching a cookery programme the other night and someone made whisky and ginger ice-cream.... it sound very nice. There was a lot of cream in it tho' ..... never be a size 0 eating all that! :D
I thought the PMAM responses were very good.... I still think Media 1 is a wind up merchant and tries to deliberately antagonise.
I wonder if he is Voldemort as well.
Wee Willie is probably growing as we speak!!:D
The atmosphere, the chemistry, it's all happening on the Scotsman!! Valentine Cards flying aboot willy nilly!!:D
I think the whole size thing is ridiculous and unhealthy, esp for young girls;...healthy eating, heathly exercise......you know the speech!!! :D
oops the size thing....I WAS NOT referring by any means to any certain wee or otherwise willie
Hi Melanie
Favourite ice cream flavour is probably almond with marzipan chunks. Mmmmmmmm! We have an ice cream maker so any flavour is possible and only takes 30 minutes.
KK has made a Valentine's card for one of the girls in his class!
They are on half term at the moment so we are going to post it thro' her letterbox tomorrow.
It was all his idea .... nothing to do with me .. I was quite taken aback when he told me!! My wee boy ... you're too young to get involved with wimmin!!
He's also enclosed a plastic dinosaur as a present for her!! :D
How romantic can you get?
Hi Peajay,
No point talking about ice cream, Melanie is thinking of a different sort of dessert!:)
The Sgt Mjr's in trouble tonight!!:D
Hi Anna,
That's really nice of KK! I wonder how I'll deal with Mish Mash's admirers!!;)
Whatcha getting Mrs AJ....for Valentine's Day AJ?
Hiring a plane to write "I love you" in vapour trails in the sky?
Wrapping yourself up in a big red ribbon?
Or are you just sticking to some flowers from M&S and a bottle of champers?
AJ, I'm hopeless, That is never far from my mind!!! ;D
psychologically speaking, Anna, what were the subliminal characteristics attributed to the Dinosaur, I wonder??! :)
Why does everything have to retreat to that level AJ, we've already been through the nine & a half weeks discussion with little conclusion. (Being the person who has to take care of the laundry in my house, my concern always comes down to getting choccie stains off the sheets etc.) :DD
AJ, the SgtMjr has a shotgun you can borrow for any of Mish's potential suitors in the years to come
Well, Melanie... the little girl in question is a bit of a tomboy and has earned KK's devotion because she likes dinosaurs, pirates and Dr Who....
She knows at the age of 8 how to get her man...... What a gal!! :D
if I can find it, I'll post it; we have a really funny "application to date my daughter" it's a riot!!!
Roses are bought, card about to be written and Campers in the fridge!!
I'll tie the red ribbon in the morning!!!! ;)
Oops,
I'll evict the campers and put some champers in the fridge:DD
You romantic old thing AJ...:))
I'm sure Mrs AJ will be delighted :)
Peajay ..... you're baiting Duncan on the union blog... poor old Duncan he'll explode all over his keyboard tomorrow!!
Fairfax is battling away as well.... 2 learned graduates on there tonight.... impressive!!:)
I thought MacBlog was funny tho'.. but Fairfax seems to be a match for him.
Its at 951 .... wonder if it'll get to 1000...
Anna, no to home-made icecream...and KK sounds like a wonderful young man!! Good for him!!! (and with, obviously, good upbringing!!):D
AJ ..... was it a bunch of Scout Campers singing 'Ging Gang Gooley etc etc' in your fridge?
AJ, make sure the heat is on in the house...red ribbon only, tsk tsk, you might catch a chill!!
is this 500
Knickers..... missed it again..!
Help, for a next photo!!! What should be the theme...we'll be at a 1000 in no time!!
Something spring like... :)
Anyway must go to beddy byes.... night, night all :)
nite, Anna!!!
It's officially Feb 14th for you all...Happy Valentine's Day!!
Night Anna,
They had to go....pitching tents in the butter dish!!....whatever next?!:))
xxxxx
PS that's for everyone!
It was to mark Valentines day!! Don't run away!!:)
Anyway I'm off tae ma scratcher!
not running away, AJ...just some household have to!!
Hi all!!! bit of late eve reading, somewhat disturbing, because I know that what is reported and what is truth are not always the same...I'm referring to the article "Is Britain the worst place to grow up?". I could pick apart the USA as well, for some of the issues...so I was wondering what you thought!
Well, I'm off to watch a movie, so I will chat with you all, later!!!:)
I get fed up with those sort of articles...... the guy Wee Berty is right... people do demonise youngsters. I remember it happening when I was a teenager... but it seems to be even worse now... with all the nonsense that the media spews out.
no doubt I will be late to the party for your afternoon...will give you a hello, after I 'crawl' out of me scratcher!!! :))
Apparently much of the report was based on figures for teenage pregnancy and youth related issues that date back 7 to 8 years, the government is saying that things have so improved since then that this report is unsubstantiated.
However, our experience is that many of the children in the locale are an unfortunate product of their background.
I hate to say it, but I can see why the UK rates so badly. There seems to be a downward spiral concerning kids in this country!
I think it's possibly because they have too much access to outside influence - mobile phones, Bebo accounts, etc The family is no longer the focal point for some kids and they're allowed too much time to pursue things that can be an unsavoury influence!
Would you let your 15 year old daughter have unlimited access to a PC and the internet? My brother has a is currently paying a heavy price for the lack of guidance!! She's rebelling big time!!:(
Completely agree AJ and I don't think that you can blame their schooling either, respect for other people and property has to start at home.
Yeah, but I think kids have always rebelled .... I did and my elder sister did.
Compared to the way our parents were brought up during the war years and early 50's .... we had a lot of freedom.
My Dad started work when he was 13/14 as a runner for a printing works. Childhood was short then, its only in the last 30 years ... that childhood seems to have lengthened.... a lot of them do seem to have it easy... but then I think every generation thinks the ones after them have it easy.
OK ... things might not be hunky dory now.. but then, I don't think they ever have been. I don't want to turn into one of those people though who are always moaning "about the youth of today.... Bah!!"
There are kids that have gone off the rails but there are a lot of nice youngsters out there as well.. and I think now is a tough time to be young with all the goldfish bowl media and government interference. Most of us are frightened to let our kids out of our sight and that is not healthy .... for them or us.
Anna,
I absolutely agree, it's been a process over the last 30 years! Only the last 10 or so years, the media revolution has accelerated the decline.
You are right, there are plenty of good kids, but there are many more pitfalls to dodge these days. When I grew up there wasn't such a thing as a drug culture amongst 12 year olds, there is now!!
Peajay,
I think that's correct as well about schooling starting in the home. However the PC brigade have really hamstrung schools by way of dilluting their disciplining powers! Our local comprehensive is in chaos and, unfortunately I'm not exaggerating!!
That's very true about schools AJ. What gets me is the amount of rigmarole and red tape that the schools have to go through.
A teacher or teacher's assistant cannot comfort a crying five year old who has fallen over in the playground for fear of being sued by some zealous parent and accused of paedophilia. It is getting harder and harder to get men into teaching especially in the primary system and boys, especially, need positive male role models and a firm hand on occasions.
I think the over feminisation of education is to blame for a lot of our problems, and the paranoia about child abuse and health & safety.
This county (Cambs) in particular has gone completely over the top after been criticised following the Soham murders. I have, now had 3 police checks for previous convictions, one for vulnerable adults and 2 for kids..... what a waste of money and my time the last 2 were. There must be a cheaper and less time consuming way of going about it.
In any case none of it would have made any difference in the Soham case. It was Huntly's girlfriend who worked with the 2 girls and she was the reason they went to the house. She had no convictions and anyway there are no checks that legislate or protect against the first time offender.
You can't take photos of your own kids in nativity plays and don't even think about getting a video camera out. The police will be called in to arrest the pervert!! It is absolutely ridiculous and it does make me cross.
good morning!!
Meant to ask AJ... how did the Valentine's go? A success I'm sure!! :)
KK took his card round to his (girl) friend's house this morning. She brought one round to him this afternoon ...... and she enclosed a chocolate biscuit and 2 chews with her card. :)
They're playing footie out the back at the moment......... like you do on Valentine's Day!! :)
Did you get the manage to get the campers out of the fridge?
I'm about to embark on a night of romance and mutual gratification!!:)) My offerings were well recieved this morning, but I HAVE still to recieve MY gift!!!!!
Enjoy yer day all!!
KK sounds a wee belter!:)
Bye, AJ, enjoy your eve, I'm sure Mrs AJ will be sayin thank you in a kindly way!! :D
Ooh la, la AJ..... :)
Hi Melanie,
Has Sgt Mjr given you any surprise Valentine's gift yet?
Mr A has been away for a couple of days ... he's been at a seminar and conference in Oxford. He said that the after-dinner speaker they had could bore for Britain... he talked for an hour and a half from 2100 to 2230!!. Luckily, Mr A and a couple of his colleagues were sitting near the back of the room and managed to sneak out to the bar at about 2215......! :D
Anyway, apparently the roast chicken dinner at the hotel wasn't as good as mine .... bless him... he knows how to pay a girl a compliment!! :)
Well, sort of combined late-anniv/Valentines...had dinner out last nite, then watched a film...my late nite ramblings were vino induced!!
I'm now moving, albeit slowly, to get ready to head up north to the Napa Valley, we're staying till Friday. We'll stay at a Bed & Breakfast and have a small tour of the wine country, do some tasting.
This is the first non-working get away for both of us in a long time, so it will be nice!
Lovely sounds very nice... your getaway...hope you have a great time. :)
We're going out for dinner with Mr A's family on Saturday night in Northampton. Its his brother's 50th birthday ... so should be a nice eve.
KK is staying at my mum's for the the night :)
Everyones out trying to capture the romance and there's little old me all alone and now excommunicated by Duncan (life as we know it has surely ended) ;)
I see you're persona non grata with auld Duncan ... Peajay...
Oh well, it'll be tough but you can pick up the shattered pieces of your life and move on from this setback!!
No chance of a Scotsman flirtation there then....:D
What about Fairfax?
I have a major problem with maths so he's really not my type. ;D
AJ ..... you probably won't see this until you surface tomorrow ;) ... but JG and Horrible Cankers are missing your input on the Cleopatra coins blog......
By gum, lad..... you've fairly fettled the lady posters on the Scotsman!! :)
That'll be Fairfax not Duncan, I'm holding out for forgiveness there. Do you think he might relent and speak to me or do you think I might make it onto his list!! :DD
Well Peajay... I don't know who to suggest..... anyone else, apart from Dunks, taken your fancy?
Andrew Allan? A bit pedantic but basically OK.... I think!
Maybe a nice American or Canadian? :))
I think you might well be on his list now Peajay... kind of a compliment really..... you're in good company anyway.
AJ, Fairfax, Mike C, Janis... all nice people .. so I shouldn't worry too much.
Try and get some sleep tonight :D
Off to ma beid now, g'nite Anna and Happy Valentines to you. :)
The evening was delightful, and the 1000 was achieved with extreme panache on the Union blog!
AJ.... I just had a feeling that you were lurking about waiting for the 1000........ very sneaky!! :D
I had to go to bed ... it was getting late... obviously you were keeping one eye on your PC whilst wining and dining Mrs AJ.. :))
Horrible Cankers and JG were missing you :)
Actually, I fired up the laptop, did my usual wheech roond the sites and the thing was sitting at 999!!!
I seem to have made an impact there!!:)
How was your evening Anna?
btw,
I remember A J from England now!!:D
Sorry, just re-read an earlier post from you!!
I was cheesed off because you were using my real ID!!:))
Anna,
You've got to click on the Mary Ann Lovat Fraser web site on the Union blog! Tell me what you think!!:)
Actually, AJ from England was on there before you showed up and usurped my position!!
I was quite annoyed with you at the time.... which is why Anna has a pop!! :)
Anna Joanna = AJ :)
That should read 'had a pop'
I wonder if that board will get much further.... ?
Its been going for ages.. and is getting a bit slow to download.
I'll go and have a look at the Mary Lovatt thing.
I've just been to have a look at the Mary Ann Lovatt thing.... she's a fruity, fruity nutcase!! :)
On her list of friends she's got the Queen, Prince Charles and Mr Bean?
Wierd ... or what?
Mind you, AJ, seeing as you're researching early Scots history ... you should maybe get in touch with her and she'd be able to tell you all about the love affair etc, etc !!!
She seems to think that Great Britain was formed in 10 something or other .. and has completely ignored the Norman Conquest... very odd.
She looks a bit odd tho' don't you thing? Or am I being horrible?
I notice that none of Mary Ann's friends have commented .... you'd think Queenie could have dropped her a line at least...
With friends like her etc, etc.....
Yes, she seems quite a character!!:) Not doing well for 51 though! I'd rather not make contact, she has friends in high places and my life could become difficult!!:)
I stand corrected, I was indeed the usurper! Perhaps I should have stayed as Wee Jimmy Krankie!!:))
I think I started posting in July 06, how long have you been at it??
I started during the World Cup.... was that June?
There had been a lot of stuff in the press about Scotland not supporting England etc, etc, so I googled it and the first hit was the Scotsman.... When I realised you could leave comments well..... I was away...
The rest as they say is history...
Are you after a fecht on the Union blog btw?
I've put you back in the closet ... just like old times :))
If you contact Mary Ann... she might put you on her list of friends ;)
Bit sad really
I looked up Malcolm III and he was a Scoto-Gael not a Scoto-Norman so I'm not sure what she's on about.
Robert the Bruce on the other hand was Scoto-Norman and Scoto-Gael and he was related to all the other nobility and royals who were Normans .... as you very well know!
I thought Mary Ann was a little bit of a scary chick and felt she may have been over egging the pudding with her abilities: British Historian, Midieval Artifact Collector, Writer Novelist, Artist, Composer, Lyric writer, Poet, Musician, Gourmet Cook, Product Specialist.
Bit concerned about the last one too. What could that be?? :DD
Very good Anna Joanna!!:))You're a cheeky wee thing when you get going!!:))
What about her photo - scary wumin or what? No oil painting myself mind!!:)
I thought you were a comments board veteran!!!!! I used to make allowances for you, because of your lofty position in the posting pecking order!!:D
What's midieval?
Could a product specialist be a shoplifter?:))
AJ ... you made allowances for me.... getaway ... when was that!!?
I think a lot of people started on the Scotsman board when the World Cup was on... and some of us saddo's just clung on!! :))
Btw: I think Ken is taking us seriously... :)
Hi Peajay,
Yeah, wonder what kind of products she specialises in ...
Ah well, it takes all sorts :)
Hope you didn't cry yourself to sleep last night over Duncan ... there's plenty more fish in the Scotsman sea and pebbles on the Scotsman beach. ;)
I've learned quite a lot about old Rob the Bruce today... did you know that he invaded England as far down as Yorkshire? He also invaded Ireland as well... you see they were all the same ... out for what they could get ... and they still are.
Flaming Blue Bloods... :(
Yeah we took the Isle of Man as well. It was his brother Edward who invaded Ireland but had back up from Robert!
They were a blood thirsty lot. What's was clever was the fact Edward II would send large armies into Scotland most years and wouldn't find anybody to fight! Meanwhile Carlisle, Newcastle and Durham were being raised to the ground. Clever tactics, which eventually won the day!:)
However, I wouldn't advocate that sort of thing these days. Although we do have the nukes in Coulport and Faslane!!:))
Clearly she doesn't specialise in beauty products! Miaow!! ;)
Midieval is the study of history for those not full quid!
Anna, sleep overtook me swiftly last night despite my heartbreak. I'm not sure I can go on but will valiantly try. :D
It was the paternal line AJ ... I've just checked again..
Mind you its all interesting stuff .. what a mix up!!!
Speak to you later... looking forward to another verbal punch-up, my dear chap... did you like that?
I liked the bonnie lass... my Grandfather used to call me that :)
Brave words.. Peajay.... brave words.. I'll be thinking of you... :)
Speak to you later too!! :)
Right Anna,
Bruces claim was through his family marrying into the Canmore dynasty!!! OK, several generations earlier, but it was through the female side (Isabella: daughter of David Earl of Huntingdon who was a son of David I and therefor a Canmore).
I'm really not sure who is right!!:))
Are you?
Wouldn't the Lord Lyon's Office only uphold claims pertaining to the Paternal line?
Peajay,
Stop taking sides, but that's why I offered a compromise to Anna!
Luckily the issue is as clear as mud!!:( :D I'm trying to say the claim is paternal, but becomes maternal!! Does that make sense?
I've totally lost the plot now AJ...
He was descended from David 1 but .. he was also connected to the Normans......
Lets face it .... the Norman nobility were in control of the whole country by then .... that's why they were so ruthless.
I think we'd better cool it on there tho' .... we're in danger of getting kicked off!! :))
Sorry AJ, I wasn't taking sides just more trying to clarify the muddy waters, it seems a little heated, this is not a win-win situation. :D
The thing is AJ.... David Earl of Huntingdon had to be a Norman...after the conquest all the Saxon lords were killed or assimilated.
There were no earldoms or nobility who held estates in England who were not Normans.
What do you think the legend of the Saxon Robin Hood and the lesser known Hereward the Wake was all about.
Saxon Lords trying to resist the Normans... and regain their estates and failing basically.
Joanna - I think the Normans liked the Scots and David I's grandson was able to marry into lucrative Norman or an assimilated Saxon family.:)
Wasn't the Robin Hood story based on William Wallace? :))))
Lets not go doon that particular road :D
This is good though, I've certainly expanded my knowledge of the claims of the Balliols and Bruces - this will tie in with my studies very nicely!:)
So thanks Anna!
I tell you what AJ... I've always been a bit wary of that part of history .... the Normans and the later War of the Roses in England and the Scottish Wars of Independence earlier on..... but its really quite interesting... a new avenue to explore.
Amazing how connected they all seem to have been. I knew the later royals and nobility married each other but I never knew how really inbred they have been for centuries.
It explains a lot!! :)
I think I'm wrong about David, Earl of Huntingdon ... apparently he was one of the few Saxons who did keep his estates and title after the conquest.
Anyway when it all boils down to it... you've got to agree they were a ruthless lot.... and some of them still are.
I would always agree with that Anna! Didn't Prince Philip ram Di's car in the Parisiene tunnel!!
Sorry, that's maybe not funny for you guys!:(
Well, Phil & Liz were related to each other... and Charles & Di were related as well..
I'm not trying to slag old Brucie off for the sake of it btw.... I just think that all of these people looked after No1 first. that's why they became the rulers. That Camac bloke was a soppy, sentimental old fool .... and his forgive but never forget line annoyed me..... which is why I had a go at him in the first place.
He's a pupil of the Mel Gibson school of history.
Sorry Peajay, I've been too busy trying to score points against Anna, I haven't said hello properly! We aren't really arguing(well I hope not), we're just re-visiting our turblent and vociferous past!!:))
You do seem to referee quite a lot!!:D
btw, did you notice Anna admitting she was wrong!!!!! That was worth 50pts - Scores on the doors: Anna 13750 AJ 50
Gnite all
Speak to you soon
Hope you've had a good time Melanie!:)
Night AJ :))
I do enjoy a good verbal tussle with you :))
Btw:
Have a look a this tomorrow...
http://www.nndb.com/people/593/000114251/
1st para .... makes it clear that his claim was thro' the paternal line of Robert the Bruce not thro' his mother's (maternal) line.
You can grovel tomorrow ;D
Sorry, Peajay didn't mean to ignore you.... but I had to nail that varmint!! :)
That's me finished on that blog now... its getting too long and unwieldy and we're right off the subject so we'll probably get kicked off soon. :(
Hi all!!!
I managed to wrangle the laptop from the SgtMjr!! :))
How are you all??!!
Napa is nice, first time here to visit rather than drive thru...over 400 wineries with more over in the town of Sonoma! This was a last minute get away (we had talked of going to Vegas)so we only went to one winery, a fav of ours, Chateau St Jean. They actually have tours in Napa/Sonoma for wine tasting at various wineries where they drive you, or you go by train. There's also some nice Italian restaurs. in the old town, with excellent tiramasu!! The funny thing is, with our dinners, we drank Australian wines!! ;)
will catch up with you all this weekend...am enjoying myself, but missing our chat time!! Speak with you soon!
Anna,
You're playing into the hands of Royster in the Union blog!!!
Melanie,
You're sorely missed here too! We just fight and Peajay has to break it up!!:) So haste ye back!
btw, there was a John Hastings who was a contender for the throne of Scotland in the late 13th C. Does that interest you?
AJ.... stop trying to get Melanie on your side.... you already have all your pals on the Union blog.
Can I be in your gang in the playground.....? Pah!!
Anyway, despite the fact that Andrew Allan is now claiming credit for Da Vinci..... I've had enough of that board...
Royster's right about the warlords but I'm not going to reply to him, either...
I'm on the abortion one now instead ...... agreeing with Dave from Barra :)
You caused any trouble anywhere today?
Sibling rivalry AJ.... just like Scotland and England. :)
Btw: I was going to make a comment about Elizabeth I being beloved of the English.... Good Queen Bess, Gloriana the Golden Age, saving us from being Spanish etc, etc... but she was a complete despot too... they all were!!
The thing about Elizabeth was her ginger hair, so she was probably Scottish!!:)))
Enough of that!:D
Abortion blog, I'll have a wee look.
I've been on the Libdem/SNP blog, but nothing controversial.
I wouldn't have thought this previously, but I'm obviously a moderate nationalist! Some of my fellow countymen are a bit too anti-English for my liking. They are missing the point and that worries me a little!:(
You're right AJ.... they are the ones that worry me too.
We've said it before but if the only reason for Scotland to go independent is because of England .... its going to be hard to make it work.
It needs to be done for Scotland and a belief in the future of Scotland..... England shouldn't even enter into the equation.
Lizzie I ..... daughter of Henry the bloodstained lecher and Anne the whore took her ginger hair from her father's side of the family....... maybe it was those ruddy Normans again or perhaps Henry's mum had an away day to Scotland 9 months before his birth!! :D
Its getting heated on the abortion blog.... Horrible is on there ... going on about burst condoms.... EeeW ... too much information!! :D
And she ticks me off!!
The abortion issue is pretty difficult to debate - but I do think anything over 18-20 weeks is questionable at best!!
It's a good debate though!! HC is the champion again!:))
I think Bill is a definite pro-life supporter ...his views on the morning after pill are a bit extreme. But then, it might be because of his religious beliefs .... altho' he doesn't say that.
I get the feeling he might be a animal rights type person as well.
Some of them are very extreme.
I would definitely like to see the abortion limit lowered to 21 weeks for elective abortion. I would like it lower than that... but I don't think the Government would ever pass a lower gestation limit.
Bill is being ridiculous! He seems OK on other subjects - reasonable!! On this one, he's ultra extreme. He will have a problem with 'male self pleasuring' too, no doubt!;)
I'm starting to wonder if Bill has backed himself into a corner on this one.
Mind you, maybe not... he seems pretty knowledgeable about how the MA pill works.
Before I had KK - when I was in my early 20s I was pro-abortion ...
But, I did change after I had him ... you realise that the embryo, foetus whatever .... is life and is a human being... and my view changed somewhat.
I refused the tests for Down's Syndrome when I was pregnant at 38 (in a high risk group) because I couldn't have had an abortion if they had found something wrong with him and I wouldn't risk a possible miscarriage after testing. Mind you, I had already lost one baby before KK so my view was coloured somewhat because of that.
But, I could never advocate banning abortion I just would like to see the elective abortion time lowered to 21 weeks.
Dadd's little girl.... thinks you & JG are woman hating lesbians ... on the abortion blog!! :D
Hello!
Hope you're all enjoying your Saturday!! Will have to respond to some of the banter later on!!
will speak to you all soon!!
Hi Guys,
Sorry I've not been in touch, but the weekend has been pretty busy, as I'm sure you are!:)
Haven't even checked out the Scotsman, but I'll try and add some nonsensical mince later!:))
Gung Hay Fat Choy to everyone.
(^_^)
and the countdown for the 600 begins.....
good morning to your Monday!
Peajay, was that for the Chinese New Year?!
busy weekend here too!! See you all with my morn!! :)
Hi Melanie,
Getting back to normal now - we eanded up having quite a few visitors on the Saturday and was just busy on the Sunday doing fam stuff!:)
I was engrossed in the SAP Open in San Hose - my man Murray triumphed again!!:)) I didn't make ma bed until 02:30 - so very sleepy at work today!!:)
Never known Anna to be so quiet!!
Is it Monday blues, and no one feels like typing?!! :(
My time off/vacation ends today, so I'm not wanting to hear that alarm clock as well tomorrow!
It's actually wind and rain here today, so I'm glad we had our outing yesterday...
AJ, how funny, must have felt the mental vibes!! Hello!!
right about Anna....hope all is well Anna!!!??!!!! Return to us soon!!!!
Melanie,
You felt the hot cyber breath on the back of your neck!!!;)
AJ, you must be tired, you had to censor yourself, on the autism blog???
:D AJ, you've left me speechless with your last comment...whatever I say will surely get me in trouble, you ogre!!! ;)
Well, the rain's coming down, I've started a fire (in the fireplace not the kitchen!) and I'm sitting here with my cup of coffee thinking of Ogre breath that has the fragant hint of Baked Alaska...or was that Tiramasu!!? :)
I think it was the spaghetti Bolognese last night - too much garlic!!:D
Yes I didn't read the article fully and afterwards realised it was discussing kids viewing habits!! So my comment suggesting people should watch viewer participation orientated channels, like the Playboy channel, was inappropriate!!!:DD
So I censored myself!!:)
The weather here is really mild and we have no call for our real fire:( It was only around Xmas we actually used it. Can't see us using it now!!
speaking of garlic...the restaurants in Napa old town were mostly Italian and very good!
I've a list of the wines we tried, so I'll have to post it later. We actually didn't do much wine tasting/drinking...it was more like get away from the rat-race!
AJ, for me, it's any excuse for a fire, esp a rainy day! Of course, most of the firewood we have this year is from felled trees from various jobs, aka free wood, otherwise I'd probably be more mindful.
Hello
I had a busy weekend also :) and I had to work today... no chance to blog anywhere... I don't know what things are coming to! Real life interfering with blogging... it can't be right :D
We went to Mr A's brother's 50th birthday dinner in Northampton on Sat night. It was at a Morrocon (sp?) Moorish restaurant. I've never been to one of those before... we had a fab night. There were belly dancers and they were great.... they did a few dances then they go around getting everyone up to dance.... so we all had a jig... great fun!! You have to have had a few drinks first tho'!! Its not as easy as it looks either, I was completely rubbish .... stiff as a board. Mr A was better than me.... old swivel hips!! :)
The food was different as well ... there were 11 of us and we decided to go for the 'Discovery' Menu. So, they brought in big platters of starters and then later on the main courses. Some of the food was recognisible ... but some of it .. was guesswork!! :) Could have been eating sheep's eyeballs for all I know :)
Recommend it for a night out tho'
Hi Anna, we've been holding down the fort until your return...glad to know it wasn't mad-bird-itis or whatever that was keeping you away!
have been to a Moroccan rest. before, ages ago, it was good, but...not near as fancy as the one you went to, it seems!
AJ, I knew of that Hastings fellow, and I can't say yea or nay as being related...not that I'd want to admit it...they all were a bit hungry and thirsty lot...for power and blood, that is!!
Haven't been blogging anywhere, just reading
don't disappear on me, folks!! :)
AJ, I suppose one could say it's good the weather has been so mild for you!! Some of our family here in the US has been shoveling snow! :/
Do you have only wood fireplaces, or has one been converted to gas/petrol? We decided against doing that.
One of our niece's has just got back from New York ..... she was at the dinner on Sat night .. she said it was freezing over there, says shes never been so cold in all her life!!
Mind you, she's only 22 ... so I don't suppose she does remember hard winters here.
Anna, it was freezing!!, my cousin works there every other Tues...she called me the other day...I think her teeth were still chattering from the walk from the Rest. to the hotel!!
AJ, you're away home soon...have a nice eve!
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