Absolutely Anything Else

I am very sorry to hear about your MILs passing.

My she RIP;

She hung on a long time considering how ill she was.

Hard to say any real words of comfort. The next few weeks are full of different emotions.

My bread machine also does it all just pout everything in and out comes a loaf.

Too bad it is in storage.

I like a loaf from Lidl. I find Aldi,s bread to be too soft and get stale within a few days. A loaf  lasts  for nearly a week.

Trying to not eat too much glutten and my husband does not need the carbs.

For years and years my breakfast was nearly nothing; A English muffin with peanut butter on top and a cup of coffee;Always went start to the gym and it was hard to exercise on a full stomach.

Now days we take our time eating, I wait a couple of hours then exercise.

Half our normal breakfast is all veggies; peppers, avacado, tomato, baby spinach, radish, one egg boiled, fried or in an omlette, one slice of toast tea, green or Earl grey. Start out with a shot of homemade apple cider vinegar, and finish with a handful of vitamins.

Today was simple, ran out of bread! Oatmeal with honey, ground flax seeds, 1/2 a small apple and half a banana with a dash of milk.

I wish I could find English muffins here; so far I have never seen them for sale.

.

I am very sorry to hear about your MILs passing.My she RIP;She hung on a long time considering how ill she was.Hard to say any real words of comfort. The next few weeks are full of different emotions.

Thanks.  It was just inevitable.  Of course there's a lot of dashing around now organising the funeral.  I think that's not fun financially as it's going to cost something like 2M HUF.   My parents were much more organised. They paid for their funerals well in advance (at least 10 years in advance) and there was nothing significant to pay when the time came - just a few hundred.  It was dead easy (ho-ho).  Just called the funeral people and within 2 hours, it was underway.  And they were very nice about it.   Without them paying in advance, it would have cost perhaps £5-8K in the UK. I really don't know how much things cost there any more so it's a total guess.

My bread machine also does it all just pout everything in and out comes a loaf.Too bad it is in storage.I like a loaf from Lidl. I find Aldi,s bread to be too soft and get stale within a few days. A loaf lasts for nearly a week.Trying to not eat too much glutten and my husband does not need the carbs.For years and years my breakfast was nearly nothing; A English muffin with peanut butter on top and a cup of coffee;Always went start to the gym and it was hard to exercise on a full stomach.Now days we take our time eating, I wait a couple of hours then exercise.Half our normal breakfast is all veggies; peppers, avacado, tomato, baby spinach, radish, one egg boiled, fried or in an omlette, one slice of toast tea, green or Earl grey. Start out with a shot of homemade apple cider vinegar, and finish with a handful of vitamins.Today was simple, ran out of bread! Oatmeal with honey, ground flax seeds, 1/2 a small apple and half a banana with a dash of milk.I wish I could find English muffins here; so far I have never seen them for sale.. - @Marilyn Tassy

I don't really know what English muffins are.  I cannot say they've ever been on the menu in the UK but I've heard people talk about them.  What we mainly eat which could be similar would be crumpets.  These are really nice toasted with marmite (only that, not vegemite or some imitator).  Another fave might be Scots pancakes.  These are really good, especially with raisins in. And melted butter. Maybe a bit of jam (zero sugar!).  Anything with raisins in has to be good.

Your brekkie sounds nice.  Like muesli.  I have to avoid muesli as it has too much sugar in it.  Lidl does a low sugar version in the UK.  I could make my own I suppose. Breakfast cereals are a bit of a problem.  If I have them, it's Weetabix as they are quite low in sugar.  With very cold low fat milk.  Makes it into a kind of porridge if you leave it long enough. Diabetic rule is things should be below the limits of 2.5g / 100g.  Weetabix is a bit high in carbs though. 

I stay in hotels a lot and 99% of hotels do not do anything which is healthy or caters for a different diet needed because of medical conditions.   So pay for fancy places with brekkie included and cannot eat most of it.  Eggs are always the best bet - no sugar in them.   Minimum brekkie is coffee or tea plus orange juice and a banana (quite bad for sugar).   These days I can quite happily miss brekkie if I can get my cup of tea.  It's the drink of the gods.

2 million for a funeral in Hungary is a big blow out.

I thought it was allot cheaper then that.

5 years ago we jumped into a cremation office for a friend to find out the price for a simple cremation. We were quoted at 100,000 forints plus urn. I looked at those on display, 15,000  was average.

I know when my MIL passed in Erd, they had a big Catholic service. My husband  said that it was a joke but he paid just out of respect for his mother to have the priest wear his high hat; The higher their hat, the more it costs!

I did not come, he flew alone from the states.

I was surprised yeaers ago when one of my cousins shared a photo of our Ruysn grandmothers grave in Conn.

She passed in the 1940s;  Still has fresh flowers and is neat and trim. She was buried in a Catholic cemetary.

I know they did not have allot of money then and had 8 children to care for. At least my grandfather did it up for his wife although I heard he was a bit of a self guy.

Sadly they had a big funeral for her but he could not afford to care alone for the 5 or so left still at home; My 2 youngest uncles had to go into a children home. One was only 3 at the time.

I met them both from what I remember when I was 19 and in Conn.

Hate to say it but they both were the most mentally stable of all the children!

So much for foster care horror stories.

My other grandmother was sadly buried in a paupers grave, heard they tore it up later on and made a highway of the plot!

In Simi, Ca; where I grew up, my mother told me many of th homes were built on former native burial grounds.

One night she swore she saw a native warrior walking in our back yard! IDK, she liked her wine but she was also pretty much a well grounded person, no flights of fantasy with her.

No poltergeist activity, thank God!

Yes, crumpets are probably English muffins.

My sisters were on a scones kick for awhile, those are nice as well;

Slept late today so had more of a light brunch then breakfast.

I am hardly ever hungry post cancer treatments but force myself to eat and keep my weight up. 54 kilos or sometimes less.

Balanced diet, loads of fresh veggies with every meal.

Did a big vitamin order but too lazy today to pick it up.

I am trying to get my SIL to start giving my brother more supplements and vitamins. She said he takes a mult vitamin but those are crap.

Black seed and oregano oil are great to kill off infections. ATM they took him off his antibiotic drip and are just doing blood tests on him to watch his sepsis.

I know he may just need a tiny boost with supplements to get him out of the woods. Can not hurt to try.

There are allot of snake oils out there but allot of helpful cures as well.

Lots off odd topic news events.

That 57 year old Russian women stowing away on that Delta fight to France. from NYC.

Many people say they should just send her back to Russia!

Hanging out in the toilet during the flight. Unreal, hard to believe she got that far.

Next time I am asked to removed my shoes to fly I am going to really be mad!

My beloved brother worked for American Airlines as a mechanic for 30 years until his death.

Worked for a few other airlines at the start of his career.

I never knew anyone who knew exactly what job they wanted as a child and went and did it.

That was the only job outside of being in the military that my brother ever had.

We are a real Heinz 57 mix of different cultures in my family and my brother could pass as a native American with his thick black hair, dark complextion and handsome facial features.

He had high security and often worked alone on repairs of planes, even moved them here and there by himself on the tarmac.

Everyday for 30 years he had to show his high security badge to enter his work area.

No problem, the problem was he sometimes walked with a co worker that had no clearance at all,they were let in virtually just because they were fair haired and light skinned.

He always had to show his badge even when the same guard was at the gates day after day;

I wonder how that women just waltzed in and sat herself down in the loo without anyone taking notice?

I have a feeling it is a set up, just to justify harder checks in the future for travelers.

Not sure what is going on in S; Korea either, martial law??Sounds like a great time to be booking your next vacation!

Lots off odd topic news events.
That 57 year old Russian women stowing away on that Delta fight to France. from NYC.
Many people say they should just send her back to Russia!
Hanging out in the toilet during the flight. Unreal, hard to believe she got that far.
Next time I am asked to removed my shoes to fly I am going to really be mad!
My beloved brother worked for American Airlines as a mechanic for 30 years until his death.
Worked for a few other airlines at the start of his career.
I never knew anyone who knew exactly what job they wanted as a child and went and did it.
That was the only job outside of being in the military that my brother ever had.
We are a real Heinz 57 mix of different cultures in my family and my brother could pass as a native American with his thick black hair, dark complextion and handsome facial features.
He had high security and often worked alone on repairs of planes, even moved them here and there by himself on the tarmac.
Everyday for 30 years he had to show his high security badge to enter his work area.
No problem, the problem was he sometimes walked with a co worker that had no clearance at all,they were let in virtually just because they were fair haired and light skinned.
He always had to show his badge even when the same guard was at the gates day after day;
I wonder how that women just waltzed in and sat herself down in the loo without anyone taking notice?
I have a feeling it is a set up, just to justify harder checks in the future for travelers.
Not sure what is going on in S; Korea either, martial law??Sounds like a great time to be booking your next vacation! - @Marilyn Tassy

Last time I was in a USA airport, they (TSA) said I didn't have to remove my shoes if I was over 70 or something.  Presumably because it'd be harder to bend down.  They were generally unfriendly but they always are.  If they even crack a smile or speaks kindly, one remembers as it's so unusual.

I find the entire USA airport experience to be very odd.  It's an old story I complain about.  If one is transit, it makes no sense to enter the country with all that queueing, quizzing and fingerprint scanning by the border cops.  It can take hours to get through the border and then one has to immediately go back into departures. What's the point? I now avoid any transit via the USA.   Canada is not much better now.  One has to be very careful because some airlines do not say there's intermediate stop in the USA.

Anyway, events are epic this morning as Assad has gone from Syria. I worked in Syria before the war(s) there and it was a great place. It was tragic to see the destruction of so much history.  I would be happy to go back there if it was stabilised and continued to be secular.   It was a good place for expats back then so long as one had protection of a Western government or an NGO.

A big question is if Russia will lose its base.  It's kind of interesting they didn't really get involved.  They must have done a deal with the insurgents.  And of course, they are spread thinly with their war in Ukraine.  The big loser might be Iran as they've lost their allies in the region.   I wonder also what the Kurdish will do.  They've got a defacto state there. Turkey isn't going to like that and may stop that continuing. 

Unfortunately, we live in interesting times.

My husband usually tries to not hear world news, Only subjects about Hungary that he may need to know.

Yesterday he was really into the news with Russia and White Russia having talks.

He is getting a bit paranoid about being ready to escape if needed before the whip comes down.

Not like him at all to worry about his future or world events.

He sometimes lets his mind go to dark places;

Like hearing something about properties being taken away from people and forcing owners to pay rent . Like back in the old dark days.

I listen but try to not hear, he experienced those things happening and as they say, history repeats itself.

With the forint being so low selling ATM is not a great idea, besides who has the money to buy properties right now?

We considered buying a small place for our son but since he is not here in Hungary, it is just another pipe dream.

2 million for a funeral in Hungary is a big blow out.I thought it was allot cheaper then that.5 years ago we jumped into a cremation office for a friend to find out the price for a simple cremation. We were quoted at 100,000 forints plus urn. I looked at those on display, 15,000 was average.I know when my MIL passed in Erd, they had a big Catholic service. My husband said that it was a joke but he paid just out of respect for his mother to have the priest wear his high hat; The higher their hat, the more it costs!I did not come, he flew alone from the states.I was surprised yeaers ago when one of my cousins shared a photo of our Ruysn grandmothers grave in Conn.She passed in the 1940s; Still has fresh flowers and is neat and trim. She was buried in a Catholic cemetary.I know they did not have allot of money then and had 8 children to care for. At least my grandfather did it up for his wife although I heard he was a bit of a self guy.Sadly they had a big funeral for her but he could not afford to care alone for the 5 or so left still at home; My 2 youngest uncles had to go into a children home. One was only 3 at the time.I met them both from what I remember when I was 19 and in Conn.Hate to say it but they both were the most mentally stable of all the children!So much for foster care horror stories.My other grandmother was sadly buried in a paupers grave, heard they tore it up later on and made a highway of the plot!In Simi, Ca; where I grew up, my mother told me many of th homes were built on former native burial grounds.One night she swore she saw a native warrior walking in our back yard! IDK, she liked her wine but she was also pretty much a well grounded person, no flights of fantasy with her.No poltergeist activity, thank God! - @Marilyn Tassy

The price of the funeral has come down a bit now by shopping around.  It's 1.8M HUF now.  This is bigger than a simple cremation. It's going to be transport of the body, the coffin, the cemetery plot, the grave diggers, pall bearers etc.  But not the wake.  The plot itself has cost 130K HUF.

Mrs F says they do the digging manually. I was very surprised. 

When my Dad was buried, they used a back hoe.  If they'd used  manual techniques, it would have taken them a week.  He was buried under a tree so they had to get through some roots.

Over in the cemetery where my MIL will go, there are no trees and they could get a small back hoe in there.  We had a back hoe working in our garden and it would make short work of a 6ft deep hole.

Meanwhile, we're expecting maybe 60 guests.  As my MIL was a teacher, she knew a lot of people - teachers, pupils and many others in the village.  It's going to be quite a big event.  People are even coming in from long distances like Switzerland.

My UK friend's wife died a while back.   There was no service as all relatives were dead and no-one else to invite apparently.  There could have been only 4 mourners including my friend.  So it was just cremation and ashes to be spread at the crematorium.  They just sprinkle them around the manicured gardens.  No stone or memorial.  I found that a bit odd.

I can understand a big funeral if that many people are coming.

Food and drinks afterward I suppose.

Hand digging, sounds a bit special, very old style.

Last funeral I went to was just that memorial in Buda down in the catacombs when our old friends ashes were placed in a crypt with his parents ashes.

So dark dank and depressing down there.

Gave me the real creeps.

That guy from Omega came and hung out in the back in the shades. Our friend had been a drummer in the band before they hit the big time.

Everyone was going to a bar afterwards but we just wanted to get far away from it all.

Too depressing to have small chit chat with anyone.

Weird thing was his wife used to be a porno actress here in Hungary. That is how he met her! He was the cameraman!  He is the guy who was set up and robbed of his cameras by his so called friends in Ca;

I always ask my husband why just about everyone he knows is or was either a shady person or an out right criminal!

He only met nice hard working people from my side!

My husband is neither a criminal or shady so what is up with that?

No one in Hungary is coming to my funeral so not even going to bother with more then the min;

Used to think being buried under a tree or in a forest, near some meadow with water around would be nice but really who cares; Just let me fly in the wind;

Forget that music dudes name, Adam something I think;

Hung in the shadows but he was wearing shades.

Forget that music dudes name, Adam something I think;
Hung in the shadows but he was wearing shades. - @Marilyn Tassy

Mrs F will know that Omega person's name.   When the keyboard player died (I think) we went to the memorial set up in the park opposite where he lived.  There were hundreds of candles.  Mrs F is a lifelong fan of the band. I don't rate them myself.  They were or are a one hit wonder to me.

I think the keyboardist's son runs a music venue in Balaton.  It's open mainly in the summer and they have bands on each day during the season.  One of my kids has a friend who might play there during the summer - don't know more than that.

I will have said before....

Weirdly we were in hospital getting vaccinated for COVID when Kóbor the lead singer died.  He was a very misguided person.  He refused to get vaccinated and then caught COVID and died there.  If he'd had the vaccination, he might have survived.  Chances are he would have been OK.

We thought it odd as we were downstairs in the vaccination queue and there was a radio was playing normal music and they switched to Omega.  Mrs F said, oh, that's Omega.  When we got home, it was announced he'd died.  So we must have been there right then and then when he passed!  Weird coincidence.

I can understand a big funeral if that many people are coming.
Food and drinks afterward I suppose.
Hand digging, sounds a bit special, very old style.
Last funeral I went to was just that memorial in Buda down in the catacombs when our old friends ashes were placed in a crypt with his parents ashes.
So dark dank and depressing down there.
Gave me the real creeps.
That guy from Omega came and hung out in the back in the shades. Our friend had been a drummer in the band before they hit the big time.
Everyone was going to a bar afterwards but we just wanted to get far away from it all.
Too depressing to have small chit chat with anyone.
Weird thing was his wife used to be a porno actress here in Hungary. That is how he met her! He was the cameraman! He is the guy who was set up and robbed of his cameras by his so called friends in Ca;
I always ask my husband why just about everyone he knows is or was either a shady person or an out right criminal!
He only met nice hard working people from my side!
My husband is neither a criminal or shady so what is up with that?
No one in Hungary is coming to my funeral so not even going to bother with more then the min;
Used to think being buried under a tree or in a forest, near some meadow with water around would be nice but really who cares; Just let me fly in the wind; - @Marilyn Tassy

I think it's all a bit OTT and unnecessary.  I don't think the deceased gives a damn.  They could be cremated and ashes go in the Duna.  Job done.  Some fancy nonsense like chucking the ashes out of a helicopter is just daft.

I think old school people from Hungary had to do a lot of ducking and diving just to survive, so there was always a bit of living on the edge.  The authorities could swoop in any time.   So opportunities and risks had to be taken.  It brought about a bit of the entrepreneurial spirit and determination.  This is why I think Hungarians of that age, during communist, when they got out, they always did well outside of the country.  The same thing is going on now - HU people have to leave to be successful.  The only way to do anything in HU nowadays is to have an OV sponsor.

I bet OV is wondering about Syria.  I am sure they'd have had some investments and murky business there with the Russians, Turkish and others.   Assad, Putin etc will have been storing their billions all over, including Hungary.  Rumour has it Assad went to Moscow.  He'll be paying the Russians for protection.  Assad's wife is from London. I bet she goes back to London where she can maintain her privilege without paying a premium.  I expect a lot of Assad supporters are looking for a way out right now.   Israel will be rubbing their hands with glee and Iran will be crying into their breakfast.  Meh.

Lots off odd topic news events.
That 57 year old Russian women stowing away on that Delta fight to France. from NYC.
Many people say they should just send her back to Russia!
Hanging out in the toilet during the flight. Unreal, hard to believe she got that far.
Next time I am asked to removed my shoes to fly I am going to really be mad!
My beloved brother worked for American Airlines as a mechanic for 30 years until his death.
Worked for a few other airlines at the start of his career.
I never knew anyone who knew exactly what job they wanted as a child and went and did it.
That was the only job outside of being in the military that my brother ever had.
We are a real Heinz 57 mix of different cultures in my family and my brother could pass as a native American with his thick black hair, dark complextion and handsome facial features.
He had high security and often worked alone on repairs of planes, even moved them here and there by himself on the tarmac.
Everyday for 30 years he had to show his high security badge to enter his work area.
No problem, the problem was he sometimes walked with a co worker that had no clearance at all,they were let in virtually just because they were fair haired and light skinned.
He always had to show his badge even when the same guard was at the gates day after day;
I wonder how that women just waltzed in and sat herself down in the loo without anyone taking notice?
I have a feeling it is a set up, just to justify harder checks in the future for travelers.
Not sure what is going on in S; Korea either, martial law??Sounds like a great time to be booking your next vacation! - @Marilyn Tassy
Last time I was in a USA airport, they (TSA) said I didn't have to remove my shoes if I was over 70 or something. Presumably because it'd be harder to bend down. They were generally unfriendly but they always are. If they even crack a smile or speaks kindly, one remembers as it's so unusual.

I find the entire USA airport experience to be very odd. It's an old story I complain about. If one is transit, it makes no sense to enter the country with all that queueing, quizzing and fingerprint scanning by the border cops. It can take hours to get through the border and then one has to immediately go back into departures. What's the point? I now avoid any transit via the USA. Canada is not much better now. One has to be very careful because some airlines do not say there's intermediate stop in the USA.

Anyway, events are epic this morning as Assad has gone from Syria. I worked in Syria before the war(s) there and it was a great place. It was tragic to see the destruction of so much history. I would be happy to go back there if it was stabilised and continued to be secular. It was a good place for expats back then so long as one had protection of a Western government or an NGO.

A big question is if Russia will lose its base. It's kind of interesting they didn't really get involved. They must have done a deal with the insurgents. And of course, they are spread thinly with their war in Ukraine. The big loser might be Iran as they've lost their allies in the region. I wonder also what the Kurdish will do. They've got a defacto state there. Turkey isn't going to like that and may stop that continuing.

Unfortunately, we live in interesting times. - @fluffy2560

Long time ago now, but I was transiting through IAD courtesy of Her Majesty and thought I would expedite matters by going through the US passport queue.  I really should have known better than to try and convince the goon that the guy waving his passport was a genuine citizen and not some idiot in a British Army uniform trying to jump the queue.  Nor did it help to try and show a NATO Travel Order and ID card.  He then totally lost it when he realised the box I was carrying was my gobbly-box from the aircraft that still had a banana and sandwich in it; I was destined for the lock-up except the RAFLO was passing who rescued me.

Lots off odd topic news events.
That 57 year old Russian women stowing away on that Delta fight to France. from NYC.
Many people say they should just send her back to Russia!
Hanging out in the toilet during the flight. Unreal, hard to believe she got that far.
Next time I am asked to removed my shoes to fly I am going to really be mad!
My beloved brother worked for American Airlines as a mechanic for 30 years until his death.
Worked for a few other airlines at the start of his career.
I never knew anyone who knew exactly what job they wanted as a child and went and did it.
That was the only job outside of being in the military that my brother ever had.
We are a real Heinz 57 mix of different cultures in my family and my brother could pass as a native American with his thick black hair, dark complextion and handsome facial features.
He had high security and often worked alone on repairs of planes, even moved them here and there by himself on the tarmac.
Everyday for 30 years he had to show his high security badge to enter his work area.
No problem, the problem was he sometimes walked with a co worker that had no clearance at all,they were let in virtually just because they were fair haired and light skinned.
He always had to show his badge even when the same guard was at the gates day after day;
I wonder how that women just waltzed in and sat herself down in the loo without anyone taking notice?
I have a feeling it is a set up, just to justify harder checks in the future for travelers.
Not sure what is going on in S; Korea either, martial law??Sounds like a great time to be booking your next vacation! - @Marilyn Tassy
Last time I was in a USA airport, they (TSA) said I didn't have to remove my shoes if I was over 70 or something. Presumably because it'd be harder to bend down. They were generally unfriendly but they always are. If they even crack a smile or speaks kindly, one remembers as it's so unusual.

I find the entire USA airport experience to be very odd. It's an old story I complain about. If one is transit, it makes no sense to enter the country with all that queueing, quizzing and fingerprint scanning by the border cops. It can take hours to get through the border and then one has to immediately go back into departures. What's the point? I now avoid any transit via the USA. Canada is not much better now. One has to be very careful because some airlines do not say there's intermediate stop in the USA.

Anyway, events are epic this morning as Assad has gone from Syria. I worked in Syria before the war(s) there and it was a great place. It was tragic to see the destruction of so much history. I would be happy to go back there if it was stabilised and continued to be secular. It was a good place for expats back then so long as one had protection of a Western government or an NGO.

A big question is if Russia will lose its base. It's kind of interesting they didn't really get involved. They must have done a deal with the insurgents. And of course, they are spread thinly with their war in Ukraine. The big loser might be Iran as they've lost their allies in the region. I wonder also what the Kurdish will do. They've got a defacto state there. Turkey isn't going to like that and may stop that continuing.

Unfortunately, we live in interesting times. - @fluffy2560

Long time ago now, but I was transiting through IAD courtesy of Her Majesty and thought I would expedite matters by going through the US passport queue. I really should have known better than to try and convince the goon that the guy waving his passport was a genuine citizen and not some idiot in a British Army uniform trying to jump the queue. Nor did it help to try and show a NATO Travel Order and ID card. He then totally lost it when he realised the box I was carrying was my gobbly-box from the aircraft that still had a banana and sandwich in it; I was destined for the lock-up except the RAFLO was passing who rescued me. - @Cynic

So cool,like a old tile British drama movie.

I admit they hire so     many robot humans at the airports.

No wonder I was not hired as a hostess although I gave it my all.

One airline said I was too tall, another some other lame excuse.

IDK why but in my early 30s I really wanted to work for the airlines as my brother did.

I even asked him to help me get hired a a cleaner on the ground crew. he refused because he told me they required the staff to clean the toilets and the pumps; cesspool type drainage system<; <<<my niece also refused to help me get hired where she worked in Vegas     as a cleaning crew member.

I guess my family believes I am ,too good to clean the WC. I wish my husband was on the same wave length!!

My friend in Vegas is OK in her retirement years because her husband was a baggage handler for American Airlines. Anyone who could lift 50 lbs: all day long could do that job.

Not exactly a skilled job but he seems to get the same perks as my brother who went to school and was trained in the USAF .

Union jobs are great for unskilled workers of they can get the gig.

On another topic; IDK what happened by both my husband and I thought today was Monday!

Got downtown to take care of some matters and all the shops were closed; Then we found ourselves surrounded by thousands or so of Santa!! Guess they had some sort of Santa parade today downtown; AKA Satan parade.

On the bright side, we gained a day!

So cool,like a old tile British drama movie.I admit they hire so   many robot humans at the airports.No wonder I was not hired as a hostess although I gave it my all.One airline said I was too tall, another some other lame excuse.IDK why but in my early 30s I really wanted to work for the airlines as my brother did.I even asked him to help me get hired a a cleaner on the ground crew. he refused because he told me they required the staff to clean the toilets and the pumps; cesspool type drainage system<; <<<my niece also refused to help me get hired where she worked in Vegas   as a cleaning crew member.I guess my family believes I am ,too good to clean the WC. I wish my husband was on the same wave length!!My friend in Vegas is OK in her retirement years because her husband was a baggage handler for American Airlines. Anyone who could lift 50 lbs: all day long could do that job.Not exactly a skilled job but he seems to get the same perks as my brother who went to school and was trained in the USAF .Union jobs are great for unskilled workers of they can get the gig.On another topic; IDK what happened by both my husband and I thought today was Monday!Got downtown to take care of some matters and all the shops were closed; Then we found ourselves surrounded by thousands or so of Santa!! Guess they had some sort of Santa parade today downtown; AKA Satan parade.On the bright side, we gained a day! - @Marilyn Tassy

It will be Monday soon enough. 

I'm flying back into HU late tonight and Monday will be recovery.   For one reason and another I have to wait at the airport 4h before I can even check in.  The weather is dreadful. I wouldn't be surprised if the plane was cancelled due to the high winds.  Apparently high winds are coming Hungary's way as well.  I also took my first ever Uber as well. It worked OK but they sure skim a lot off the drivers.

I'm looking at Xmas decorations and BS and I just think, what a load of rubbish.  It's all Grinch stuff.  I think I'm going to put cotton wool in my ears so I don't have to listen to anything jauntily nauseating Xmas themed.

Definitely Grinch this season!   

I used to about lose it towards the end of an 8 hour shift in the casinos this time of year.

None stop Xmas music on a loop!

After awhile though, you tune it out but once the horrible Jingle Bell Hop song comes around...

4 hour wait in the airport for a short flight is terrible.

On our way to Ca; from HU in 1978 was had a 6 hour delay;

The problem was I was not thinking about that happening and did not plan for my 2 year old. Nap time, nothing for him to drink etc. I no longer nursed him so had to find him some airport milk;

Sort of was no fun.

On another topic speaking of nursing, my mother said my father nursed until he was 3 or so!

Guess it was more common back in the old times in poor countries to do that?

I know many women back then also used nursing as a form of birth control.

I see J Z the rapper is going down with Diddy.

I had enough of that insanity and have not keep up on the goings on for weeks now.

Guess it will be all over the news cycle again.

Hopefully we got it right today, it is Monday??

Time to run some errands in the rain;

Hopefully we got it right today, it is Monday??
Time to run some errands in the rain; - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, we've got a full 24h of Monday today.  Some of it has already gone of course. 

I had not anticipated rain today.  But it doesn't seem quite so cold here.

I've just paid for the MIL's funeral so at that kind of money, it'd better be nice weather on that particular day.

I used to about lose it towards the end of an 8 hour shift in the casinos this time of year.None stop Xmas music on a loop!After awhile though, you tune it out but once the horrible Jingle Bell Hop song comes around...4 hour wait in the airport for a short flight is terrible.On our way to Ca; from HU in 1978 was had a 6 hour delay;The problem was I was not thinking about that happening and did not plan for my 2 year old. Nap time, nothing for him to drink etc. I no longer nursed him so had to find him some airport milk;Sort of was no fun.On another topic speaking of nursing, my mother said my father nursed until he was 3 or so!Guess it was more common back in the old times in poor countries to do that?I know many women back then also used nursing as a form of birth control.I see J Z the rapper is going down with Diddy.I had enough of that insanity and have not keep up on the goings on for weeks now.Guess it will be all over the news cycle again. - @Marilyn Tassy

It's very annoying for "civilians" but hearing that schmaltzy Yuletide BS all day at work would be dreadful. Oy vay!

Not following Diddy and JZ but I am following Guiliani this morning.  I think he owes $150M   

He's really getting it at the moment as he's close to contempt and being jailed.  It could be OK.  He could be doing time with 3 squares a day, free healthcare and plenty of new friends to keep him company. 

Yet Rudi is still singing the praises of the Teflon Don.  Perhaps he expects Donny to have bailed out his friend by now, either with a government position or just plain cash.

Oh no, wait a minute, Donny is on the hook for $500M for all his court cases.   Those haven't gone away.  If he doesn't die in the saddle through stress, he's still got to deal with all that stuff post 2nd term. 

Looks like knowing Donny makes you poorer not richer.

I guess this would be schadenfreude served with a bit of a delay.

Those in the 1% do not need to worry about paying back any money.They can just get more printed.

Music,my bro in rehab wrote me.

I wish he was sprung and could get out of there;

One of his rommies had dementia and talks crazy to himself all day long and the other guy is a heavy Mexican man who spits where ever he pleases, uses to loo with the door open and starts playing his ethnic music at 6:30 am everyday!!

Bro put in a request to move into another room but for now...

He is not violent but is daydreaming of slapping the guy around in his sleep!

I reminded him how the military does it. Put a bar of soap in a sock, leaves no marks!!

He is patient but months on end with these guys has to me murder on ones mind!

Those in the 1% do not need to worry about paying back any money.They can just get more printed.Music,my bro in rehab wrote me.I wish he was sprung and could get out of there;One of his rommies had dementia and talks crazy to himself all day long and the other guy is a heavy Mexican man who spits where ever he pleases, uses to loo with the door open and starts playing his ethnic music at 6:30 am everyday!!Bro put in a request to move into another room but for now...He is not violent but is daydreaming of slapping the guy around in his sleep!I reminded him how the military does it. Put a bar of soap in a sock, leaves no marks!!He is patient but months on end with these guys has to me murder on ones mind! - @Marilyn Tassy

I am sure Donny and Rudi can drag it out for ages but Rudi's lost his place in NYC and some other stuff.  I suppose people in that position dish out assets to relatives for safe keeping. There are some allegations in the media about that.  Donny is likely to be in trouble.  He could lose NYC Trump Tower and some of his golf courses. That would be quite amusing to see.  Moves the dial on my schadenfreude indicator. I wonder if Guiliani or Trump would meet a bar of soap in a sock when they are banged up.  I could make some cracks about needing lubrication in the shower.  Bit obvious to make those jokes. 

I quite like Mexican music but I don't think I could take it all day.  I'm watching a TV show (Yellowstone) which is set in Montana and sub-plots in West Texas.  It's ranching meets big business.  It's cringeworthy for the C&W music. What is it with West Texas?  There's no Mexicans in the show at all.  I thought West Texas would be full of Latinos.  Over here in Europe, we'd be thinking of that culture as like Spain and we all go on holiday there.  Maybe it's different in West Texas to what the way I imagined it.

My MIL was in a ward of cancer and dementia patients.  One of the dementia patients would talk incessantly about maintenance of the building.   Repeating the same thing every couple of minutes. Mrs F's aunt is on that same dementia trip.  She asks the same question 9 or 10 times during a short meeting.  Superficially she looks perfectly sane.  Her daughter is now living with her and supervises her day to day.   Everyone is playing "easy dementia".  It comes down to agreeing with everything they say because 2 minutes later, they've forgotten what they've said. 

Mrs F is busy with funeral arrangements.  Lots of paperwork to do.   The fees for the plot in the cemetery is for 20 years. I am really surprised. I thought it would be 100 to 120 years.  I believe that's the length of time in UK.  Mrs F has to do the inheritance thing to get the house and land assigned to her and her brother. That'll take months.  I cannot see anything really happening until March 2025 at the earliest.

I was working until about 2am as I had a deadline.  I'm having an unofficial day off.  I'll just read e-mails and maybe not answer them until tomorrow.    I should have picked a better day off as it's miserable out there.  My barometer is showing higher pressure and sunshine.  Where is it? Somewhere near Rome maybe as it's not here above our village.

Yes it is just 20 years, guess you can add more time later?

Not sure what happens after 20 years ? They toss you out or just smash you into the ground and put someone else on top?

Makes me wonder because there are headstones from hundreds of years ago. maybe their contract was different at the time?

In the graveyard where my parents lay they have a section from the pioneer days,graves from the early 1800s;

As a teenager, my friends and I would lift a bottle of Boones Farm Strawberry Hill wine and sit in the graveyard drinking;

Terrible really, of course we did not damage the graves but still, what a place to hang out.

There is one grave that really got to me; Located near Szekesfehervar.

The 8 year old daughter of a doctor who passed in the mid 1930s;

Just so beautiful and so sad. A statue of her in her little dress with a ball in her hand and her little dog at her feet;

Speaking of graveyards, IDK if it is quirk my husband says or if it is a saying in Hungarian;

When someone is acting the fool and rude, he says the graveyard is empty.

Like zombies or wishing someone to take a deep sleep?

I could of used that saying yesterday in fact!

Stood in the afternoon thinking the line would be shorter by then, to collect our gift cards;

It was freezing to me just standing for a good 30mins or longer, forgot our watches.

Some nutty older women, had to be in her 80s was behind us;

She brought along a shopping trolley with wheels; Kept creeping up so close that she bumped me with her cart at least 3 times; I changed spots with my husband, not sure how many times she rammed into his heels;

Ok, all good, decided to jump into Lidl since it was right there and that was the store we got the gift for.

Would not you know it, there she comes just around the corner from the dairy section with her trolley lugging behind her.

Get in line to check out, move, her she comes again squeezing behind me to leave the store with her trolly and not bothering to buy anything.

I have a thing for personal space, she was getting on my last nerve.

.The graveyard was defo empty yesterday!

Yes it is just 20 years, guess you can add more time later?Not sure what happens after 20 years ? They toss you out or just smash you into the ground and put someone else on top?Makes me wonder because there are headstones from hundreds of years ago. maybe their contract was different at the time?In the graveyard where my parents lay they have a section from the pioneer days,graves from the early 1800s;As a teenager, my friends and I would lift a bottle of Boones Farm Strawberry Hill wine and sit in the graveyard drinking;Terrible really, of course we did not damage the graves but still, what a place to hang out.There is one grave that really got to me; Located near Szekesfehervar.The 8 year old daughter of a doctor who passed in the mid 1930s;Just so beautiful and so sad. A statue of her in her little dress with a ball in her hand and her little dog at her feet;Speaking of graveyards, IDK if it is quirk my husband says or if it is a saying in Hungarian;When someone is acting the fool and rude, he says the graveyard is empty.Like zombies or wishing someone to take a deep sleep?I could of used that saying yesterday in fact!Stood in the afternoon thinking the line would be shorter by then, to collect our gift cards;It was freezing to me just standing for a good 30mins or longer, forgot our watches.Some nutty older women, had to be in her 80s was behind us;She brought along a shopping trolley with wheels; Kept creeping up so close that she bumped me with her cart at least 3 times; I changed spots with my husband, not sure how many times she rammed into his heels;Ok, all good, decided to jump into Lidl since it was right there and that was the store we got the gift for.Would not you know it, there she comes just around the corner from the dairy section with her trolley lugging behind her.Get in line to check out, move, her she comes again squeezing behind me to leave the store with her trolly and not bothering to buy anything.I have a thing for personal space, she was getting on my last nerve..The graveyard was defo empty yesterday! - @Marilyn Tassy

20 years rental for a grave seems to be too little to me. 100 years must be standard for everything underground to be gone and for distance in time and relatives remembering.  In the UK they take the stones and stack them upright around the edges.  I don't think they necessarily reuse the plots for maybe more than 100 years.  If they dug up bones, I think they'd bury them elsewhere in a giant hole.  Just guessing.

I dunno, hanging around the graveyard is OK to me.   It's quite relaxing or even touristy to walk through graveyards and look at all the famous or otherwise gravestones.   Bit of a hobby in the UK (London anyway) - some very famous historical people buried there in Highgate cemetery, including Karl Marx, George Michael and others.  Some magnificent tombs there.

I was visiting my great-great relatives graves last weekend and my niece asked me if I felt some kind of ethereal connection to them. I'm an absolute non-believer but I have to say I did feel somehow I was walking in their shoes - in the streets anyway.   They didn't know me obviously and I didn't know them.  But one has to think that perhaps, that if they did know their descendants, they might be surprised, even pleased to know we remembered them or pushing it, how we turned out.  I was very surprised how nice their village was. I'd never been there that I could remember.  It turned out to be quite nice.  I was thinking dank mining town but it was quite OK.

I don't know that Hungarian saying but I'll ask Mrs F when she gets back - she's full time on funeral arrangements. 

I'm setting up a slideshow on the computer and we'll have a rotating set of pictures going around showing the MIL's life history.  Despite all that, life continues on.  Post funeral and the wake (it'll be ~2h maximum, not dragging it out), I'll have to bring the kids back home as they have their social programmes and Mrs F will finish off hobnobbing with the mourners. Or are  they witnesses? Observers? Dunno what they are?   

You're lucky to get vouchers.  We don't get anything.  I guess because neither of us are retired.  I'm closer to it but I'm sort of half on working to rule.  I don't like working now. Just had enough and I've absolutely lost all interest in it.  I just need those lottery numbers to come up and I'd be off immediately.  Mrs F is talking about a holiday.  Maybe we'll do that.  Perhaps go to Asia for a couple of weeks, walk on the beach, lay in the sun, eat some nice food.  Mrs F is really showing signs of exhaustion.  Kids can look after themselves.

I'm avoiding the shops completely right now.   Everyone is mad at Xmas.  Roll on Spring!

Yes, avoid the shops at all costs!

Just got in from arun through Arena Plaza;

My BD is in a few days and I thought today would be the perfect day to buy the one little item I wanted from the Body Shop.

No luck, second store we checked out and they are out of Musk Oil;

.

Will check back in Jan.

when they restock;

Bummer having a BD so close to the holidays.

No fair!

Could not find a thing I needed or wanted otherwise.

I dislike crowds so much that even when I have ,free range to spend a bit, I dislike it.

You can check out on U tube the channel called, Ask a Mortician.

She gets down and dirty with the little secrets of the business.

Off beat and funny as well.

She opened her own funeral home and gets the cold hard facts with humor.

We also want a holiday but when I think of travel, it puts me off so much.

Just beam me up, do not make me go to an airport.

If your boy is under 18 he should be getting a gift card, at least in our district.

When my MIL turned 80 they brought out to her home flowers and gifts.

Doubt I will hold my breath for another decade waiting!

Growing up my mum always made homemade bread without a machine. But when her arthritis got worse she did buy a machine. The bread was fine, but nothing like the real thing if you get my drift. - @SimCityAT

I make my own bread and its better than the bread my partner buys.

Someone gave me a brand new breadmaker. I have not got a clue how they work. The paddles embed themselves in the loaf . Supposedly.

Growing up my mum always made homemade bread without a machine. But when her arthritis got worse she did buy a machine. The bread was fine, but nothing like the real thing if you get my drift.  - @SimCityAT
I make my own bread and its better than the bread my partner buys.
Someone gave me a brand new breadmaker. I have not got a clue how they work. The paddles embed themselves in the loaf . Supposedly. - @anns

Ours has got a rotating part at the bottom of a sealed metal "bucket".   So the ingredients go in together, then you press the button and it'll mix it all up in a kind of mixing/kneading action.  The machine then lets it rise and then it'll bake it as well. All on automatic.  The bread is just fine in an emergency but I'd prefer the HU shop bought fresh bread over the self-made stuff.   The loaves do have holes in the bottom and you have to get the paddle out.  It's not a major difficulty.

Yes, avoid the shops at all costs!Just got in from arun through Arena Plaza;My BD is in a few days and I thought today would be the perfect day to buy the one little item I wanted from the Body Shop.No luck, second store we checked out and they are out of Musk Oil;.Will check back in Jan. when they restock;Bummer having a BD so close to the holidays.No fair!Could not find a thing I needed or wanted otherwise.I dislike crowds so much that even when I have ,free range to spend a bit, I dislike it.You can check out on U tube the channel called, Ask a Mortician.She gets down and dirty with the little secrets of the business.Off beat and funny as well.She opened her own funeral home and gets the cold hard facts with humor.We also want a holiday but when I think of travel, it puts me off so much.Just beam me up, do not make me go to an airport. If your boy is under 18 he should be getting a gift card, at least in our district.When my MIL turned 80 they brought out to her home flowers and gifts.Doubt I will hold my breath for another decade waiting! - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes our lad is 15 so he should be getting free stuff.  But we're outside of Budapest, so we're not "city", just in the burbs, despite Budapest city limits being 200m away from here.   There's a hospital here and I can see it from our house.  The boundary of Budapest city goes around its edges.   It's like an island of Budapest jutting out into our village.     Anyway, they aren't going to give us anything for nothing around here.

I was thinking about your Musk oil.  That's not Elon Musk oil is it?  If so, oh dear. I saw Donny has produced his own set of fragrances called Fight Fight Fight.  Not a good name and who wants to smell like a late 70s nutter?  But it's any old scam with him to try and leverage cash from his supporters.  It's just as cynical as his King James Bible sales job.  I wonder if he's going to take the President's salary now he's around $500M in the hole due to his court cases. He might need that cash when he's panhandling next to his ex-home of Mar-a-Lago in Florida post-settlement/post-Presidency.

I'm not planning of doing any Xmas shopping at all.  No-one is getting any physical presents from me. I'm grinching it big time this year.   I did however contribute money to a homeless charity - the kids are thanked for their Xmas contribution to a homeless welfare fund. I've done that for several years.    Despite my best efforts however,  we bought a turkey at Auchan today.  It was 14K HUF!  IMHO, that's far too much money for a turkey.  It'll be turkey for a week afterwards.  The dog might be pleased - but she cannot have chicken/bird bones but she can have the offcuts.  She'll think her ship has come in.

I might spend some Xmas hours on Ask a Mortician.   By next week, it'll be all over once the MIL is planted and we'll lose interest as normality returns.  We were at the MIL's today and Mein Gott, that is going to take a month of Sundays to clear out.  It's really difficult to know where to start over there - just overwhelming. We won't even be able to give it away.  I think it all just needs dumping in a skip (HU: kontener).  It'll be March before anyone even thinks of really starting there.

We also do not buy holiday gifts.

We purchase throughout the year as needed and not just on one day or two per year.

I never enjoyed holidays much, even as a child.

Too many high expectations that were dashed.

Gave up on Santa around age 6.

I do not think I would be st children with holidays and lies if I could have a redo.

Have not had turkey for years now. I like goose better/

Today is my 70th. So strange, first thing I did in the morning is look in the mirror!

Was expecting some big change overnight!

My husband was joking     and said I was no longer a spring chicken, I told him yes, now I am a silver fox.

Just kidding, it is getting very strange to keep age numbers since we all never grow up really.

Was going to head to yet another Body Shop for my oil but na, I am now mature enough to wait.

Not worth ruining my day with a crowd of crazies in the malls.

Going to see if the bakery is open to get hubby a few slices of cake, I am going to indulge with some ice cream and a bottle of bubbly.

Wow, bring on the clowns!

Very nice to teach your children to give rather then to receive.

So many go without who are in real need.

Very nice to teach your children to give rather then to receive.
So many go without who are in real need. - @Marilyn Tassy

Kids didn't really have a choice as I did it without asking them.   They know I do this but I remind them each year that someone thanks them for helping.   

It's shame people have to give anything. It'd be better if no-one was homeless or sick or had any problems whatsoever!

My major concern is that the kids' gift is going to go to an actual person who needs it and not skimmed off by bureaucracy.

We also do not buy holiday gifts.
We purchase throughout the year as needed and not just on one day or two per year.
I never enjoyed holidays much, even as a child.
Too many high expectations that were dashed.
Gave up on Santa around age 6.
I do not think I would be st children with holidays and lies if I could have a redo.
Have not had turkey for years now. I like goose better/
Today is my 70th. So strange, first thing I did in the morning is look in the mirror!
Was expecting some big change overnight!
My husband was joking   and said I was no longer a spring chicken, I told him yes, now I am a silver fox.
Just kidding, it is getting very strange to keep age numbers since we all never grow up really.
Was going to head to yet another Body Shop for my oil but na, I am now mature enough to wait.
Not worth ruining my day with a crowd of crazies in the malls.
Going to see if the bakery is open to get hubby a few slices of cake, I am going to indulge with some ice cream and a bottle of bubbly.
Wow, bring on the clowns! - @Marilyn Tassy

Happy Birthday!  I hope you have a great day!

Goose and duck are a bit greasy but I know what you mean.  I don't really like the waste with buying a whole turkey.  There's always various serving suggestions like turkey sandwichs, salads and wot not.  And it can all finish with a soup with turkey broth.  The dog can get some bits leftover for a couple of meals.  She's not fussy.

Mrs Fluffy showed me her fake perfume.  Apparently you can send or take a fragrance to them (somewhere, maybe in Budapest) and they'll fake you the same fragrance in a different bottle.  Maybe even they have off the shelf stuff emulating every type of popular perfume.  This is a world I do not know about.  I'd be suspicious about online ordering, it could contain all sorts of horrible chemicals.

I'm thinking dog walking. It was almost sunny this morning but now it's clouded over and it's got colder.   People look really wrapped up with hats and gloves on.   It's not showing rain right now but it looks like Mordor out there.  The days being so short is not good - DST is a nuisance.  If I set off after a late lunch, it'll be twilight by the time I come back.  Sometimes I have to miss lunch in order to fit in the pooch's perambulations. The days are still getting shorter for a week until 21st.  Then we'll get gradually brightening days. 

Thank you for the well wishes.

I should get ready to go out before it does get dark.

If you remember  please ask Mrs. Fluffy the name of that perfume making shop.

The Body Sop back in the 70s and 80s used to have a body oil bar; They would mix and match to order and they also sold about 40 different blends of their own;

Now they are down to just 2 smells;White or Black musk; Boring.

There is a movie called: Perfume, a tale of murder and perfume.

Not the smell of an old man but young virgins.

As if...

For our Dobermans BD in July we once grilled outdoors a whole chicken just for him;

Removed the bones and let him eat as much as he wanted.

Little piggie ate it all, 30 mins later it all came back up!

Thank you for the well wishes.I should get ready to go out before it does get dark.If you remember please ask Mrs. Fluffy the name of that perfume making shop.The Body Sop back in the 70s and 80s used to have a body oil bar; They would mix and match to order and they also sold about 40 different blends of their own;Now they are down to just 2 smells;White or Black musk; Boring. There is a movie called: Perfume, a tale of murder and perfume.Not the smell of an old man but young virgins.As if...For our Dobermans BD in July we once grilled outdoors a whole chicken just for him;Removed the bones and let him eat as much as he wanted.Little piggie ate it all, 30 mins later it all came back up! - @Marilyn Tassy

Doggies will scoff until they are sick.  Ours would do it too.  She's overweight so a bit of slimming would do her good.  We're trying to limit her food intake to 80% of what she normally gets to try and get that weight off.   She looks slimmer and better for it.

Turns out I'd got the wrong end of the perfume tester stick.  Mrs F says you just Google for fragrances by typing in "Calvin Klein like" and that'll bring you up some options from different places to get stuff.  There's no one special place. 

I think you could go to one  those fake perfumeries  in Asia and they'd mix it up there and then.  Here, in HU, apparently Lidl had some approximations to brands like Zara and it was a very popular buy. 

We have some but I've no idea if it smells anything like the original. I'm not the sort of person who buys that sort of thing so I haven't a clue.  Hence my utter misunderstanding of what was going on. 

No problem.

Most perfumes do me in;I have allergies to many smells.

Old Hippie at heart, my fave is still Patchouli with Sandal wood and Musk close behind.

Yesterday we went into Lidl and I did check out the sent sprays they carried; Just smelled the bottles, did not want a sneezing attack in the store. Too sweet for my nose.

My husband thinks I am crazy but years ago I perfered his aftershave to perfume.

Still a fan of Jovan orange musk, do not think they make that any longer.

My mom loved Channel No.5.Always knew what to buy her as a personal gift.

We had a nice walk around but the bakery was closed. No matter, came home and made myself a fruit cake.

Our Dobbie got slim and trim when he was at boarding for 6 weeks. Looked really fit like a show dog. My husband and I used to get into it because he over feed him. mostly treats he shared with my husband, bacon or a sausage.

I was so mad once because he got him sick.

It was a super hot summer day and I was taking him to his obedience training class.

I never feed him before class.

Well, my husband brought home some Chinese... He gave him a large portion before class.

A few mins. into the class he got sick in front of the other 15 or so dogs and their owners, what killed me was the look on the trainers face. Like WTH do you feed your dog.

No problem.Most perfumes do me in;I have allergies to many smells.Old Hippie at heart, my fave is still Patchouli with Sandal wood and Musk close behind.Yesterday we went into Lidl and I did check out the sent sprays they carried; Just smelled the bottles, did not want a sneezing attack in the store. Too sweet for my nose.My husband thinks I am crazy but years ago I perfered his aftershave to perfume.Still a fan of Jovan orange musk, do not think they make that any longer.My mom loved Channel No.5.Always knew what to buy her as a personal gift. We had a nice walk around but the bakery was closed. No matter, came home and made myself a fruit cake.Our Dobbie got slim and trim when he was at boarding for 6 weeks. Looked really fit like a show dog. My husband and I used to get into it because he over feed him. mostly treats he shared with my husband, bacon or a sausage.I was so mad once because he got him sick.It was a super hot summer day and I was taking him to his obedience training class.I never feed him before class.Well, my husband brought home some Chinese... He gave him a large portion before class.A few mins. into the class he got sick in front of the other 15 or so dogs and their owners, what killed me was the look on the trainers face. Like WTH do you feed your dog. - @Marilyn Tassy

I remember Sandalwood as being often used.  Mrs F loves Chanel versions although I don't know about No. 5.  Our daughter is quite keen on her joss sticks.  Smells like some kind of hippy den in there.  Opening a window once in a while would help.  Especially today as it's sunny and surprisingly warm at +10C. 

I thought about chainsawing some logs but it's really windy and I should do some work - end of the year.  Maybe I'll get it done after the funeral.   We've got probably 4 tonnes of wood now after collecting yet more logs from the MIL's garden.  We're just not burning it fast enough.  It has been cold but not cold enough to break out the wood.

I made some minestrone soup the other day. My first attempt.  It was OK but I need something with more oomph in it.  I found it had a little less flavour according to the recipe.   I'll make it again, I'll use ham/bacon stock cubes and Mrs F thinks frankfurters would help although I'm thinking smoked bacon or maybe smoked paprika.  Might be my age but I need stronger flavours.  Too subtle and it's just dull and boring.

We had some minestrone left over and we mixed it with dry dog food and gave it to the furry friend.  She seemed quite happy about it  but she'd eat anything anyway.   I walked her yesterday and she's definitely looking slimmer.  Eating human food doesn't seem to upset her but one must be careful.  Some stuff is poisonous.

Our doggy is throughly pampered compared to the neighbours.  Their dog is outside all day and night all weathers chained up.  Other neighbours have complained directly to that neighbour that they aren't looking after it properly.   There were excuses but none of them wash.  Things have changed over there with that neighbour - I think they got divorced and  the garden is becoming overgrown and unmaintained.  Just symptomatic of domestic malaise.

Mrs F doesn't need to make fruitcake.   She's already got plenty.  Me, the kids, the dog and the cat!

(sorry, couldn't resist - what the kids call "Dad jokes")

I am probably one of the few people who are glad to get fruit cake as a gift.

I just made a personal version of a basic golden cake, added orange peel, nuts, dried fruits and kept my fingers crossed.

Baking is not my thing really.

Good enough with some tea or milk.

Well yesterday we ran out to the Westend area for a quick errand.

Was my day I guess;

The Body Shop was right there and they had 2 bottles left of my musk oil.

Business must be slow, they offered me 20% off if I bought the two.

In my younger years I may of done that and gave a bottle away but nowdays, I wonder at times if I will live long enough to finish up one bottle!

Got a little ego boost to boot;

On the subway home a young ticket agent stopped me and asked to see my ID!!

He looked uncomfortable after I said thank you etc; My husband had to open up and say, she turned 70 yesterday! No need to say that!

Nice if I was stopped more often and asked for my ID.

I am probably one of the few people who are glad to get fruit cake as a gift.
I just made a personal version of a basic golden cake, added orange peel, nuts, dried fruits and kept my fingers crossed.
Baking is not my thing really.
Good enough with some tea or milk.
Well yesterday we ran out to the Westend area for a quick errand.
Was my day I guess;
The Body Shop was right there and they had 2 bottles left of my musk oil.
Business must be slow, they offered me 20% off if I bought the two.
In my younger years I may of done that and gave a bottle away but nowdays, I wonder at times if I will live long enough to finish up one bottle!
Got a little ego boost to boot;
On the subway home a young ticket agent stopped me and asked to see my ID!!
He looked uncomfortable after I said thank you etc; My husband had to open up and say, she turned 70 yesterday! No need to say that!
Nice if I was stopped more often and asked for my ID. - @Marilyn Tassy

I like fruitcake myself.   I also liked Christmas Pudding.   I don't know if that exists elsewhere. It's incredibly rich and a total sugar bomb.  Out of bounds for me so until someone does a sugar free version, I'm out of luck.

I suppose being 70 means free travel on BKV, so that's why your hubby jumped in.   

Meanwhile, yesterday, we had the funeral for my MIL.   Weather was good at around 11C but there was a cold wind. It was freezing in the church.  We had a RC Mass for the MIL. I don't know anything those rituals and neither do our kids.  I had to wear my gloves inside the building. Absolutely freezing cold in there.

But anyway, she's now firmly planted in the ground.  It was a little surprising as perhaps 40+ people turned up for the actual burial and maybe 30+ came to the wake.   There were a lot of flowers so that was impressive.  We'll have the stone to put on but that'll be a year away.  That mainly draws a line under that particular thread of the HU side of the family - all that time and effort.  Never mind.  Today is another day.

Elsewhere, I just found out my Mum and Dad's granite headstone is being shipped from China. From China!  No wonder it will take 6 months to arrive.  We've got loads of granite in the UK. Mountains of it.  How could it possibly be cheaper to ship granite from China to the UK?  Having Google'd it, it's not only the UK with a shortage of headstones, the US is also importing headstones from places like India.

I think these past 4 or 5 years, we've spent far too much time in cemeteries.   We've had 4 funerals in that period - my parents and Mrs F's parents.  Unfortunately, there are more to come as the previous generation are not spring chickens and a couple of them look quite dodgy.

If my back holds up, I might take the doggy for a walk as the weather is rather good. And there's not much breeze.

May your MIL lay in peace.

Graveyards...

In Kunkowa, Poland it was the perfect day for grave searching.

My 2 cousins, my husband and I were searching the old church gravestones looking for relations. St; Lukes orthodox church built in 1885 or so. One of those cool wooden churches in Poland.

All hand made without the use of nails.

Nada, most headstones were in Cyrillic but none of the surnames rang any bells for any of us.

Dark rainy gloomy day in the graveyard; Very gothic and fitting.

Puts one in a mood for sure.

It was a rather old graveyard so perhaps people were buried elsewhere;

I swear every 5 mins there was another wooden church and graveyard in that area;

In Ruysn culture they do not say hello, they say, He has Risen, super religious.If we had been raised there, we might of been burned as witches!

May your MIL lay in peace.
Graveyards...
In Kunkowa, Poland it was the perfect day for grave searching.
My 2 cousins, my husband and I were searching the old church gravestones looking for relations. St; Lukes orthodox church built in 1885 or so. One of those cool wooden churches in Poland.
All hand made without the use of nails.
Nada, most headstones were in Cyrillic but none of the surnames rang any bells for any of us.
Dark rainy gloomy day in the graveyard; Very gothic and fitting.
Puts one in a mood for sure.
It was a rather old graveyard so perhaps people were buried elsewhere;
I swear every 5 mins there was another wooden church and graveyard in that area;
In Ruysn culture they do not say hello, they say, He has Risen, super religious.If we had been raised there, we might of been burned as witches! - @Marilyn Tassy

Maybe the "He is Risen" is the same as Austria and Bavaria saying "Gruss Gott" (Greet God).  I'm a hypocrite as I join in with those things but have my fingers crossed between my back.

Cyrillic is quite difficult but it's possible to decipher things phonetically once past that.  And Google Translate allows you to translate signs from just a picture or using the phone camera. It doesn't work very well but sometimes better than nothing.  Some countries have given up Cyrillic and replaced it with Latin versions.  Imagine the confusion of that!

Romania has wooden churches.  Some of them are works of art but they are quite small.  I was in the hills there quite a few times walking with Mrs F before we had kids.