Party room- a place for fun, pity, commiserating, or any other thing you come up with

[Mark N]

I thought the fireworks here in the PP room were a big improvement this year. The colors were more spectacular and the booms much louder. I hope everyone had a good time. Back to reality, after dealing with a Summer cold and my adverse reaction from my generic Cymbalta I have had three days of generally feeling pretty good. I only got 2 hours of sleep last night so the streak of good days is in jeopardy. Hopefully I will catch up with my sleep this night as we are getting together with the kids and granddaughters tomorrow for our SIL's Bday. If anyone is around please pick up around the room as the fireworks left a mess and it is too much for me to clean up in one visit.

[Mark N]

I am not ready to close the door of the PP room yet but it is getting to be a quixotic task. My wife and I went out for an early morning walk and ended up at the kids house so we visited with the granddaughters for a bit before heading back home. It was a steam 96 degrees today so after getting back home I went out and mowed the yard, after resting, then decided to grill steaks for my son and I [my wife doesn't eat steak]. I was taking it easy this afternoon when my wife called out and said the kids were dropping the girls off while they did their grocery shopping. Both girls were a treat but the 2 yr old started to get grumpy as the afternoon wore on and no nap occurred. All in all I have had the best 4 days, I have had in years, this week. I guess it just felt good to be over the summer virus that had me and our household feeling like death warmed over for 5 days.

[mickinuk]

Just dropped by

Found my way back here almost by accident, so I thought I'd have a little look around to see how the old place is. What a shock! I didn't expect to find Mark sitting alone in an empty room with the doors and windows hanging off their hinges and tumbleweed blowing around outside.

There were no spectacular fireworks, old friend, just a few home made sparklers made from matches stuck to bits of wire using ear wax. But you did your best and I take my hat off to you for that.

I've got to admire your tenacity, Mark, keeping the old place going practically single handed on the off chance that someone might pass this way and maybe tell others about it. That "Facebook Freeway" they built along with the great "Twitter Toll Road" have taken all the traffic away from these parts 'cos people can move so fast through lots of instant responses all lit up with photos and videos. Okay you drive through a constant barrage of advertising hoardings but you don't have to plan your trip or worry about them ol' hillbilly moderators. By the way do they still live in the old shack that looks down over the town? Strange folk those moderators. I heard they never marry anyone related closer than sister or brother, but I ain't so sure.

I don't know what can be done to renovate the old place. I guess anyone passing through would take a quick look and just keep on going. There just isn't enough going on here to induce them to stop for long.

May be I'll hang around a while and see if I can help out, but I ain't optimistic. It'll take more than a few old timers sweeping away a few cobwebs from time to time to get the old place back on its feet. What's needed is some new blood, but you've got to have something to appeal to them to get them to stay.

I'm just going to have a mosey around to see what's been going on around here since I've been away. Sure is quiet.

Mick

[mickinuk]

I had a good look round and found this old relic. Not much use now but it gives a glimpse of how things were in the board's hay day.
Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[mickinuk]

I had a good look round and found this old relic. Not much use now but it gives a glimpse of how things were in the board's hay day.
Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

I found Guido sleeping it off under a tree. By the number of tequila bottles, I'd say he's hitting it pretty hard these days. If he's still on the payroll, fire him immediately, if not buy him another bottle of tequila and move him out of sight.

I can't see how the board can reinvent itself without having something "immediate" to offer like a FAQ for spinal conditions for example. Remember Chiro? Pity we can't find his excellent guides which he wrote for us years ago. Lost in the ether I suppose.

I'll keep looking and thinking.

Guido fetch me a scotch....... Oh yeah we just fired him. Guido you're reinstated!

Mick

[Jo6]

Welcome back old timer! You probably don't remember me, but I remember more than you might think.

Hi Mark, so good to hear you have had a few good days at least. We love those granddaughters, eh? Such joy and when I need a cheering up I make some calls.

Ok, sorry I didn't make it 4th of July. I watched the fireworks downtown Greenville from my hospital bed. Yes, in the hospital again, just the 3rd or 4th time since New Years. I've had pneumonia for at least 3 months. they send me home before I'm well. Coronary Artery Disease is no fun either, but it is pretty well holding its own.

Nuff of grumbling from me. I've missed everybody. Has anybody heard from Kat?? I hate it when people leave and not a word from them ever again. Does anybody remember a lady named Tootsie? She was a great lady. Without a word she disappeared. I kept writing her, nearly 3 months, then I posted a APB hoping to hear from her. Well stupid me, never crossed my mind that she could have died. Well, her dear husband sent me an email telling me she had passed on about 3 months before.

So the past 2 years I've spent much time in the hospital. As soon as I can I try to get word to somebody at BT. It isn't always easy. I V's hanging everywhere, heart monitor hanging around, I guess I'll have to learn to type with my toes!!

Anyway, good to see you Mark and you too Mick. We'll get this place going, we just have to remind people that the party room is needing real live people. As for Facebook and twitter, I have no use for either one of them. I have seen way to many bad things there, I can do without that trash. If someone wants to go there I'll introduce you to all my relatives. One of them set me up an account, even put a picture of me on the thing. Boy was I boiling. Facebook would not delete my account. I know it has a please where you can do this, but guess what? Before I could log off I have a message from Facebook welcoming me for joining Facebook.

Sorry to sound so down. I love BT, have been here since 1999. So, let's remind people that this thread is here and thriving. We can hope, eh?

My love to all, Julia s

[Jo6]

OK, stuck my nose in for a few, didn't see anybody, but I know they are here somewhere. Maybe vacationing? I do hope all enjoy their summer.

Mark, hope the 4th didn't wear you out. Life is good,eh? Sure it is. Hope to find someone to help me clean up the Party Room. you know guys, women aren't the only ones that can cook and clean. Mr. Jo does all the cooking and cleaning here. I hit the jackpot when I found him. He really is a good husband.

well, hope to see more people here when I return. my love to all, Julia

[mickinuk]

I certainly do remember you Julia!
I'm so sorry to see you are continuing to have health problems and I hope you find some relief soon. It's no fun at all to be feeling unwell all the time especially when you have to put on a brave face for others. It's good that you've got Mr.Jo well trained. It's really important to know you have support when you need it.
I became a grandfather for the first time on Saturday last (12th July). It's a strange feeling!

Guido didn't bring me the scotch I ordered. I think he drank it himself!

Mick
P.S.
I found Dr. Doug Gillard("Ghirogeek") has his own website, chirogeek.com with all the stuff he used to share with us plus some new stuff. All very interesting.

[Mark N]

Hi Mick and Julia, I was off line as we were up North to my wife's father funeral. Our son was sick and I was asleep a good part of the time but made it to the main events. Our daughter's family stayed in the house, one of the in-laws trying to sell their house and let us stay there for four days, so the granddaughters were around all the time bringing joy most of the time. The two girls were very good on the drive going up and coming back home. I had to bite my tongue a bit because my wife and her sisters saw their dad as the best man in the world despite growing up being beaten and developing emotional issues as he and his wife withheld affection. I never wanted my kids to worship me like my wife did with her dad. I just want them to see me as a good dad but a man with some shortcomings so they would be normal and having a good give and take relationship with me.

Julia, sorry to hear about all the time in the hospital. You know Guido is suppose to make deliveries to our hospital rooms for drinks and food the hospital won't allow. Grandchildren are a treat and bring such joy into our lives at least when they are young.

Mick, sorry about Guido, he has been told about not drinking our drinks but he must be having a relapse again. Congratulations on becoming a grandfather. Spoil that grandchild and have a blast playing with your grandchild.

[mickinuk]

Hi Mark!

[IMG]guido[/IMG] I caught him at it this time! It really is [B]too[B] bad.

Sorry to learn of your recent travails. Everything changes and everything stays the same, as they say. Attending funerals is one of the dubious joys of getting old, as I've discovered.
My ex-wife was badly scarred psychologically by abuse at a very young age by her step-grandfather. It left her emotionally damaged and insecure. Her unpredictable behaviour and violent tempers were a direct consequence and contributed to our eventual break up. It is extraordinary how much those sort of experiences can affect a person's life even decades after the event. It's tragic.

I've got both my sons living with me again. The younger one had been living in Scotland since 2003 studying computer science. He (foolishly) dropped out of university just before his final year when he fell madly in love and sailed off into the sun with his sweetheart. Sorry this is Scotland we are talking about. I meant walked off into the rain. Anyway, long story short he is now back in London with me, without aforementioned sweetheart and back to his studies having been accepted by the Open University.

My older son has been working in the far east for 9 years and came home expecting to fall into a good job straight away. He believed that being fluent in Mandarin and having experience of working for a Chinese company would give him an edge in the labour market here, but so far has not been able to find a job. He is thinking about going back to Taiwan where he was previously working for a software development company.

Enough for now.

Mick

[Mark N]

Hi Mick, yes the more things change the more they stay the same as funerals will be more common as we age. Your ex is much like my wife was for many years in our marriages despite she adored her father. She was physically abused, at the time it was called discipline, and emotionally abused by her parents but they brainwashed the kids so much they think it was normal. I dealt with the insecurity and all the conflicts that happened but I was committed to stay with her and things are much better now. It is odd how things so long ago still affect some people. I grew up with many of the same things but was determined to be different than my parents. I had to teach my mother how to say I love you when finishing a phone call or visiting. I made sure my family knew how to say it to each other but don't get me wrong I have my own faults too.

I am glad your sons knew they had a place to land when they needed it. Are you still driving a cab, I have watched a couple of shows about how much you have to do to get a license. I hope your sons can follow their dreams and have the jobs they want. I would think any software developing company would hire your one son but you never know what they are thinking.

Julia, I hope you have had some good days lately. I know I am still trying to recover from all the travel but I think I will get back to having more good days. I have a deep tissue massage tomorrow so I am looking forward to that. I just wish I could do it a couple of times each week but at $50 hr it gets expensive in a hurry. Stop in any time both of you as company is always welcomed in the PP room.

[mickinuk]

Still driving a cab

[IMG]canal peace[/IMG]The plan was to retire at sixty, buy canal boat and spend my twilight years cruising our wonderful inland waterways, but alas circumstances change and I have no boat, no house and no prospect of retiring in the near future (unless my boys come up trumps in the job market and decide to look after their poor old Pa).

Driving the cab is the thing I do that gives me most back trouble these days. I have to peel myself out of the seat and walk about for twenty minutes before I can straighten up to any extent. I try not to drive for more than a couple of hours at a time without stopping for a while and having a wander. My fellow drivers often comment that more often than not, they see me out of the cab rather than in it. I always joke about "pacing myself" or "giving the youngsters a chance to earn their money" etc., but the brutal reality is, like all spinies I have to nurse myself along to stave off the next problem that is just around the corner, waiting to happen.

Having said that, all things considered, my health is holding up pretty well and I am most thankful for that. I keep myself busy growing fruit and veg on my allotment plot and try to ride my bike rather than driving, whenever I can. Every little helps.

And now I'm a grandfather too! What a strange feeling that is. I will try and post a picture of my gorgeous daughter and gorgeous granddaughter but I don't have much luck in that department. I could just ask my computer literate sons for advice but they will just rattle off a foray of instructions generously laced with jargon which I will have forgotten before I am back in front of the computer. Why is it that different things happen when I press the keys than when they do? I am sure I am pressing the same ones as they told me to. If I go back for more assistance they just look bemused and indulge in even more incomprehensible computer speak while I nod like an idiot, not understanding any of it.

Then I give up and wander down to my plot to do some weeding, which I don't like but do understand.

Mick

[Mark N]

Mick, here's hoping your sons hit the jackpot and favor their dad with retirement money. I am making some moves in the stock market to improve my wife and my retirement. We have a stable income set up when the time comes; but I want to gamble that we can take a bit and have a chance at a much bigger outcome.

Being a grandfather is a great job as far as I am concerned. My two granddaughters live in our town so we see them often. I hope you get to see your granddaughter often as they bring such joy to our lives. I had to laugh at your description of your sons telling you how to do things on the computer as my son does the same to me. I think it is just their way to feel important to us as there are many things we could explain to them that they wouldn't understand at all. Little do your sons understand how many streets and locations you have to know just to be a taxi driver.

I am glad to hear you still have a plot for planting your vegetables and you are able to keep up with the weeding. I have cut back and now just do the trimming of our bushes along with keeping our small yard mowed.

Take care and pace yourself at work.

[Jo6]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, a granddaughter!! Congratulations Mick! they are such joy. I'm working on my great grand's and they are even more joy than the grand's were growing up. My oldest grand son is thirty. He lives in Chicago. He came down with his wife the 4th week. I was in the hospital, but they were such joy it really did me good to see them.

Mark, I hope you have some good days for awhile. I think about you and your lost days. I think I understand what you mean when you talk about it. I hope they are somewhat better now. It's good that Penny is doing good too. Sometimes just seeing the grand's cheers me up. They are a joy!

Mick, I know driving is very hard on the old spine! I'm afraid I would be such a whimp when it comes to driving. I haven't driven in over 2 yrs. and I really am beginning to miss it. I'm still on Keppra/1000 mg a day. There seems to be no end to that. Will probably have another EEG soon, but I'm not getting my hope's up too high.
Mick, just you be careful and not hurt that spine more.

You know, the kids grow up, they leave home, then they come back home *badmood it gets very old sometimes. Thank goodness they are all out on the're on now. Hope it stays that way! I love them, but too much togetherness is more than I can handle these days. I have 3 sons and one daughter. My daughter is a physical therapist at the hospital I go to. She has been a great help in getting all the Home Health stuff going.

Gotta get ready to go to Cardio. Dr. this afternoon so I better get running. It's good to hear from you both. I'm hopping more will start back popping in more often. Take care and take care of your self first because you can't help others if you don't take care of YOU first!

my love, Julia s

[mickinuk]

Thank you Julia for your kind thoughts and encouragement and looking at your posts, you might just be the "go to person" to learn how to post pictures etc. providing of course you do it in a language I understand (i.e. not computer speak). My efforts don't actually appear even though I'm sure I follow the instructions to the word.

The old party room used to be such a fun place and even though I didn't post there very often I used to love reading the witty banter, heartfelt venting and occasional lunacy. It was always a nice distraction.

Mick