Absolutely Anything Else

I am not sure but think my one cousin can read Cyrillic;She speaks fluent Russian. Took it in collage plus her grandfather was a Russian Orthodox priest in Conn.Their services were held in Russian;She blew my mind when she visited Vegas; We checked her into a hotel and the staff was Russian; Out of nowhere she is cracking jokes in Russian and chatting away;Hidden talent. She now travels between the east coast and Texas where her daughter lives; Not sure how many Russian speakers live in Huston.Strange thing too is she is a Hindu, her husband was from India. Super smart lady was a recovery room nurse at John Hopkins in Maryland. Her husband was a professor of economics at some Maryland uni.She owns half a fish farm now through he husbands investments.My friend who now lives in Vegas as allot of family craziness going on.Her grand daughter is 15 and just broke up with her boyfriend because he wanted her to send him naked photos and she refused;Good on her!!Well her dumb school friends that she would do herself in so they called the school and police! My friends daughter had to rush to her school and just one big silly hassle;All that over some silly boy?? No wonder my mother would not let us date until 16 and defo no going steady with anyone;Guess these days the teens are under pressures we never even thought of in our school days;Only had to worry about not getting beat up in the school WC by the wrong gang.Think it is time for her to find new friends as well.Guess we are not missing much by not having grand children; - @Marilyn Tassy

Indian has had a long association with Russia.  No-one was that bothered about that but now I begin to think their engagement with Putin is something Westerners should view with distaste.  Not that any of those countries care much. India and China are buying cheap oil from Putin and re-exporting it in contravention of sanctions.  Put me right off all those countries effectively subsidising Putin's landgrab.   

There's an Odessa in Texas so maybe that has some Russian connection although the original Odessa is in Ukraine.  It's supposed to be a very nice city.

Perhaps your friend's grandaughter was involved in some kind of "swatting" incident by her friends.   I expect the boy asking for the nude photos could find himself in court on sexual harassment charges especially if he's older than her.  Pressuring an under age child to do stuff over the internet is going to bring the authorities down on him like a ton of bricks.  Virtual world enters real life!

Weirdly, fish farms have turned up in my life several times - even internationally.  I used to work with a guy who owned a fish farm in Kenya.  He had quite a large operation with 5 or 6 employees.  There was a massive storm and a load of material came down a river into his fish farm and destroyed it.   His losses were substantial and I remember his fretting over his fingerlings. I also know someone (who I sponsored a bit) to go to the UK as a quasi-refugee and then university, then get a job on a fish farm in Scotland.  And oddly my brother used to supply gear to Ian Anderson (singer/flutist in Jethro Tull)'s Scottish fish farms.  Anderson sold out his fish farms back in the 1990s.   I was also at a fish farm in the Bahamas. It was on an outlying island. I was just killing time before a meeting and just asked the taxi driver to take me somewhere interesting.  He took me to a fish farm and the local manager showed me around. It was remarkably and surprisingly interesting! 

We don't have any grandkids but the two oldest are shacked up with guys for the long term and nudging 40 so if they want kids, they'd better get on with it!  I used to be against grandkids as it would make me feel old but then again, I'm beginning to think they would be nice now. I look at grandparents taking their grandkids for walks and wonder.   I asked Mrs F if she would be a grandparent to my  two eldest's children but she said, no.  She's not the eldest ones' mother but has known them for 30+ years, since they were small kids.  But she says she's going to be just her name without a title.  I suppose the grandkids will work it out and it will be just normal for them.

Mrs F told me work is shutting down now for Xmas and New Year.   I think possibly I will do the same or just do part time stuff up until say, 23rd.   I've got some reports to tidy up. We're going to the shops this afternoon. I am not looking forward to the crowds.   

Got some good news from my brother in rehab.

First thy moved him to a peaceful room with just one other man who is quiet.

His sleeve, think that is what he called it is almost fully re    dy;*He stood on it for awhile without having to hold onto the bars; Had his balance.

A few more adjustments and he will be able to start learning to walk on it next week!!

He is having a imprint of Jimi Hendrix casted into his new device, leg, sleeve, whatever they call it.

Weird thing which I am a bit mad about is his wife is spending 3 weeks in AZ with her grown son in her condo so my bro will be alone all that time.

Hope my husband is wrong but he says she may have a side guy by now; IDK, she is not in the best of health herself, allot she did look allot like Pam Anderson, cute little blue eyed blonde type.

She not my business but still 3 weeks in a mad house alone , not cool.

I think my friends GD BF is also 15 years old, just do not know why they wish to grow up so fast; It  is not like they are ready to take care of themselves or even know their own minds.

More like being out of their minds.

Happy shopping, good luck with that!

PS, plan is for my bro to go home for New Years!!

Got some good news from my brother in rehab.First thy moved him to a peaceful room with just one other man who is quiet.His sleeve, think that is what he called it is almost fully re  dy;*He stood on it for awhile without having to hold onto the bars; Had his balance.A few more adjustments and he will be able to start learning to walk on it next week!!He is having a imprint of Jimi Hendrix casted into his new device, leg, sleeve, whatever they call it.Weird thing which I am a bit mad about is his wife is spending 3 weeks in AZ with her grown son in her condo so my bro will be alone all that time.Hope my husband is wrong but he says she may have a side guy by now; IDK, she is not in the best of health herself, allot she did look allot like Pam Anderson, cute little blue eyed blonde type.She not my business but still 3 weeks in a mad house alone , not cool. I think my friends GD BF is also 15 years old, just do not know why they wish to grow up so fast; It is not like they are ready to take care of themselves or even know their own minds.More like being out of their minds.Happy shopping, good luck with that! - @Marilyn Tassy

I hope he's OK on his own in the condo.  Maybe it's a bit of a test to see if he can manage. I think he will be able to do it - he's got determination and grit.   Lots of people live with one leg and manage pretty well.

Mrs F had a relative who got gangrene in her leg and refused to have it chopped off.   They did warn her it would be fatal if she didn't  have it done.  In the end  she died from it.   

Better one leg than dead. 

Maybe your bro can moonlight as a pirate at a theme park. There could be an upside and a new career.  Not trying to make light of his illness.  Just thinking of new possibilities.

Shops I'm still trying to dodge. I managed to just do a bit but it was all for practical reasons. I can work today so that'll mean I don't have to do it.  I should be so lucky.   Finding a bit odd for Xmas and New Year to fall mid-week as it'll feel like two weekends in short succession.  As I said, this year I'm grinching it big time.  Literally no-one is getting a present from me! I'm not getting sucked into this kind of pointless tit-for-tat present exchanges!   Don't need socks or smelly stuff!

If I receive a present, it has to be something useful like tools or maybe some welding rods, possibly some new suspension bushings (UK: bushes) for my hobby car.  That'll be an adventure - these new bushings will need to be sent from Canada.  Or I can get them on US Amazon.

We've only sent 3 Xmas cards and that was in response to being sent cards by others.  It's Xmas and New Year Greetings by WhatsApp and e-mail.

My bro is still in rehab, hope his wife will be back in town before he gets out.

That would really be too much if she was not there for him after all he has gone through.

I was angry last night, thinking of her having a holiday in AZ while he is alone in rehab.

Her son is living in her condo in AZ since he is getting a divorce. She would rather be with her son then her husband? IDK; I know her health was giving her some problems and she is overall a selfish person; When her parents died she had my bro leave for 6 months while she spent over $300,000 on herself!

Yes, the word is selfish for sure!

It is hard to witness other people lives and mistakes and not get involved;

I do not know her well, only met her and handful of times.

His 3rd marriage. All with selfish women.

I wonder if his father had lived longer if he would of grown up wiser?? He was 9 when his father died.

We went out yesterday, the sts; were packed with cars and the sidewalks with people everywhere.

Guess many have a long holiday ahead of them and are heading out of town?

We are not buying anything either for xmas, I no longer want anything to do with holidays;Maybe just a nice meal but even that is not so important.

Nice not to worry about what to buy someone or have expectations.

My bro is still in rehab, hope his wife will be back in town before he gets out.That would really be too much if she was not there for him after all he has gone through.I was angry last night, thinking of her having a holiday in AZ while he is alone in rehab.Her son is living in her condo in AZ since he is getting a divorce. She would rather be with her son then her husband? IDK; I know her health was giving her some problems and she is overall a selfish person; When her parents died she had my bro leave for 6 months while she spent over $300,000 on herself!Yes, the word is selfish for sure!It is hard to witness other people lives and mistakes and not get involved;I do not know her well, only met her and handful of times.His 3rd marriage. All with selfish women.I wonder if his father had lived longer if he would of grown up wiser?? He was 9 when his father died.We went out yesterday, the sts; were packed with cars and the sidewalks with people everywhere.Guess many have a long holiday ahead of them and are heading out of town?We are not buying anything either for xmas, I no longer want anything to do with holidays;Maybe just a nice meal but even that is not so important. Nice not to worry about what to buy someone or have expectations. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, well, we can pick our friends but not our relatives.   Who knows what is going on between couples.  There could be all sorts of hidden agendas and goings on.  I do think she'd be better off bringing the son over and then the two of them could help your bro out.   But everyone is different.  I'd view it as a family duty personally.  I often have this discussion of obligation with certain family members back in the UK. Some of my family members back there refuse to step up but there's been history .  I'm sick of hearing about it so I stick to basic matters with them.  I know what they should do but they don't!

We're in a strange position this year.  The MIL is buried now and this leaves Mrs and her brother without a close relative.  We're the only ones with kids and I hope basically normal.  Here in HU, there's just perhaps, 1 or 2 of the old generation left now and they are really decrepit and wobbly or mentally incapable.   So we'll be seeing a lot of her brother I guess over the holidays.  He's in his 50s and on his own now.  He broke up with is GF a few months ago as she was some kind of psychopath.  I say that casually.  My nephew also is married to one too.  So god knows what is going on over there during the holidays.  Nothing like Xmas to bring out the worst in people.

Mrs F is now planning a shopping day today.  I'm refusing to go to Tesco.  I would be willing to go to Lidl or Aldi, Auchan and Obi.  But anywhere else, nope, not doing it! I've got car repairs to do but getting the spare parts is going to be difficult. And it's really cold!  Be hard to hold the tools in this weather.  And snow is coming!

My brother has always attracted cute women with mental issues;

His first wife was his GF in school, she was 15 and he 16.

My mom thought he was too young for a relationship but she seemed so adult for her age. Helped her overweight mother with running the house, we so mature for her age... Bla, Bla, now she is a resentful drug addict. They tried to do my bro in while he was in the ICU. Meth heads;

She lives in a trailer with his adult son and her BF. Terrible, my bro visited them before he fell ill; My bro is sweet, saw their situation, bought his son new clothing and bought them a generator, spent allot trying to help them out.

She turned bad right after they married, was having an affair with their apt; manager.

Second wife was really pretty and had a cool job working in the music industry as a record co; host, Would book hotels for bands, make sure they had what they needed  while in Hollywood.Take bands out to dinner etc;She had a super personality, I liked her but after what she did I changed my mind.

She was a few years older then he is. His young music friends saw her as a easy way to get into the music industry; My bro traveled allot back then as a part time roadie, he had a so called normal job too but did weekend gigs etc;

Worked with many bands setting up their equipment, Stevie Nicks, Iron Maiden and they like.

Came home from his normal job working for the state of Ca; good paying job in the schools as a janitor.

Found his wife in bed with his BFF; Threw his friend threw a plate glass door and spent 6 months in jail for it; His wife had Mexican mafia family connections and they made sure he spent time away; Got out of jail to find his wife sold his BMW and their home and all his music equipment, even photos of his deceased parents.She spent all the money on plastic surgery, she did not need it but wanted to stay young looking.

Now no: 3, a little old school teacher he met a his city job, lost the higher paying state job because of his arrest. She seemed normal enough but  then again when she tole me her first husband was gay and she did not know it for 10 years, it sort of blew my mind. She loves to waste money, hers, his or anyones. He has a long scare on his throat from his jail time, did not want to share much about it but said he held his ground;

IDK,he should fly solo in my opinion. He sure knows how to pick them!!

I guess I am over protective, he is 14 years younger then me, I used to wash him, feed him and change his nappies. He deserves better then these women at least in my mind he does.

His current wife looks allot like Pam Anderson, the same sort of face and body type. Getting older now though;Are not we all? My bro used to look like Val Kilmer like when he played Jim Morrison, before he got ill with throat cancer and fell apart.

Outside and inside of a person are two different things; Like the old song goes, If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty women your wife; With few exceptions I,d say!

My brother has always attracted cute women with mental issues;
His first wife was his GF in school, she was 15 and he 16.
My mom thought he was too young for a relationship but she seemed so adult for her age. Helped her overweight mother with running the house, we so mature for her age... Bla, Bla, now she is a resentful drug addict. They tried to do my bro in while he was in the ICU. Meth heads;
She lives in a trailer with his adult son and her BF. Terrible, my bro visited them before he fell ill; My bro is sweet, saw their situation, bought his son new clothing and bought them a generator, spent allot trying to help them out.
She turned bad right after they married, was having an affair with their apt; manager.
Second wife was really pretty and had a cool job working in the music industry as a record co; host, Would book hotels for bands, make sure they had what they needed while in Hollywood.Take bands out to dinner etc;She had a super personality, I liked her but after what she did I changed my mind.
She was a few years older then he is. His young music friends saw her as a easy way to get into the music industry; My bro traveled allot back then as a part time roadie, he had a so called normal job too but did weekend gigs etc;
Worked with many bands setting up their equipment, Stevie Nicks, Iron Maiden and they like.
Came home from his normal job working for the state of Ca; good paying job in the schools as a janitor.
Found his wife in bed with his BFF; Threw his friend threw a plate glass door and spent 6 months in jail for it; His wife had Mexican mafia family connections and they made sure he spent time away; Got out of jail to find his wife sold his BMW and their home and all his music equipment, even photos of his deceased parents.She spent all the money on plastic surgery, she did not need it but wanted to stay young looking.
Now no: 3, a little old school teacher he met a his city job, lost the higher paying state job because of his arrest. She seemed normal enough but then again when she tole me her first husband was gay and she did not know it for 10 years, it sort of blew my mind. She loves to waste money, hers, his or anyones. He has a long scare on his throat from his jail time, did not want to share much about it but said he held his ground;
IDK,he should fly solo in my opinion. He sure knows how to pick them!!
I guess I am over protective, he is 14 years younger then me, I used to wash him, feed him and change his nappies. He deserves better then these women at least in my mind he does.
His current wife looks allot like Pam Anderson, the same sort of face and body type. Getting older now though;Are not we all? My bro used to look like Val Kilmer like when he played Jim Morrison, before he got ill with throat cancer and fell apart.
Outside and inside of a person are two different things; Like the old song goes, If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty women your wife; With few exceptions I,d say! - @Marilyn Tassy

Ay caramba!

That is one convoluted life there.  I didn't realise Wife 1 was the meth head you mentioned before.

I could come up with all sorts of statements,  like "if you're in a hole stop digging".   Or "lightning doesn't strike twice" (normally). They usually say "doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result is the definition of madness".

I think you could be right, floating his own boat could be the way forward.  One could still be in a relationship without the paperwork.  Keep it arms length and easy to walk away from.

One of my relatives used to be in relationships with abusive guys.  But abuse takes many forms.  Usually they were psychological manipulators or possibly drug induced misogynists/woman haters or just the plain indifferent mysoginists who insist on being the boss.  Somehow being degraded is part of the validation.  Very weird psychological/pyschiatric diagnosis in there somewhere.  But maybe there's  some mutual dependency in it.  They both get something out of it.

We went to Obi and it wasn't that busy.  Mrs F was in the supermarkets and incredibly Aldi had completely run out of milk!  That's just weird. Maybe they'll get some in before the snow starts.  We're supposed to have a good pile of it by Christmas Eve.  Bit if snow already fell here.

It is easy I suppose to be a, armchair quaterback, as they say in the US.

My bro I am sure would be a different person if he did not lose his father at such a young age. Looking for love in all the wrong places.

His wife is spending the 3 weeks in AZ with her 30 something son. He is staying there whild going through his own divorce.

3 weeks with your adult son is a bit long to me. I also was wondering why they can not be in Ca; and visit my brother.

Once he gets back on his feet, pun intended, he may need to make some changes.

He even mentioned visiting me in Hungary, not  sure that is possible but time will tell.

His wife made a pretty good income before retiring, she was even doing some part time work recently too;

One tax return I saw from her was a few years old and stated $119,000 abouts; Teachers do get paid good;

My bro made about half that much working in the same school.

They are always cash poor, she is insane with wasting;

I think my husband and I live below our means while most everyone we know spend more then they should;

Makes me think we are the wrong ones at times;

My friend in NV invited us to pizza, one pizza, one beer, two glasses of wine and one coke, she got a small side salad, Over $120.00 at lunch time; This was 7 years ago too;

I probably would of just invited them over and got a coupe of Little Caesers pizza for $6.00 each and bought a 6 pack and a bottle of wine.Take it all to the park and chill out in nature.

They moved back to Vegas about a month ago to save money;

Not happening really; Ordered items that were stolen , paid $800.00 to a plumber to hook up their stove, he did not finish the job and turned off their hot water by mistake; The guy tore a hole in their wall where her husband had just painted too; Her husband had to run around getting pipes and doing the job himself. painting the entire apt; He just finished painting that huge home they sold and now he is still at it.

He must be a pro by now;

She tossed out everything, left it behind, bed, stove, washer, fridge etc; Bought all new; She had nice things but had to get new, just because she could. Now she is going to spend $6,000 on a dentist; 2 crowns with root work and a bridge. A tooth that has been missing since she was 16! Never even noticed it myself; Like at age 69, in a wheelchair and mostly a shut in, she needs a new tooth to look better??? It is their money but it bugs me to be around unpractical people.

I turned down may invites because she freaks me out with spending on silly things. Has to go to the best bakery in town and get a slice of cake, later complains her stomach hurts because of the cake Just endless how it goes. She is one of the last of the old gang so I put up with it to a point.

I know it is strange to see a persons tax return; My cousin in Conn; who knows all about the family roots, translated letters etc; Love to dig deep into things. Like our own Nancy Drew.

She must have the dirt on everyone!

Gosh I must seem a bit petty worrying about how people spend their own money.

My homeless half sister treated the older sister to a movie night;

Said the movie house was empty.

Saw that childrens film Mustafa. IDK 2 grown women sitting alone watching a childrens film?? To each is own.

My halfie is selling her blood plasma for cash and buying movie tickets with it!

Small things like that drive me nuts.

My Vegas friend has also lost it, she bought a bag of bird seed and posted it to her old neighbor to make sure she will feed the wild birds this winter. I am sure in the wild they can adapt without her buying them seed.

God complex? As if the birds will all die off without her seed.

Waste of money. She could of even just sent the funds to buy seed but no, has to make a show of it.

My friend went through the  money from a huge piece of land her father left her, a home her mom left her and a house her MIL left them less the 8 years ago. 2 properties in Ca; and one in Or.

Took her brother who she dislikes out to a $500. dinner in Vegas and then complained about it forever.

We met her bro, he seemed really nice.

I am wondering if perhaps I am taking being thrifty too far or has everyone lost it?

I used to be wasteful very wasteful but knew I was making money and so was my husband.Selling blood plasma and collecting  SS is not a job;

Off to the races today, last min grocery shopping at Tesco, let the games begin!

Gosh I must seem a bit petty worrying about how people spend their own money.My homeless half sister treated the older sister to a movie night;Said the movie house was empty.Saw that childrens film Mustafa. IDK 2 grown women sitting alone watching a childrens film?? To each is own.My halfie is selling her blood plasma for cash and buying movie tickets with it!Small things like that drive me nuts.My Vegas friend has also lost it, she bought a bag of bird seed and posted it to her old neighbor to make sure she will feed the wild birds this winter. I am sure in the wild they can adapt without her buying them seed.God complex? As if the birds will all die off without her seed.Waste of money. She could of even just sent the funds to buy seed but no, has to make a show of it.My friend went through the money from a huge piece of land her father left her, a home her mom left her and a house her MIL left them less the 8 years ago. 2 properties in Ca; and one in Or.Took her brother who she dislikes out to a $500. dinner in Vegas and then complained about it forever.We met her bro, he seemed really nice.I am wondering if perhaps I am taking being thrifty too far or has everyone lost it?I used to be wasteful very wasteful but knew I was making money and so was my husband.Selling blood plasma and collecting SS is not a job;Off to the races today, last min grocery shopping at Tesco, let the games begin! - @Marilyn Tassy

We have an expression in the UK "sending coals to Newcastle".    In Newcastle, they had lots of coal mines so the idea of importing coal was kind of ridiculous.  Sending bird seed by post is a bit weird.  Don't they have bird seed available there?

Mrs F feeds the birds here and at the MIL's but she likes watching them.   We've got an camera in a bird box so we can see what they are up to.  But obviously nothing is going on now as it's winter.  But strangely and unusually, a bird is always in there at night. I think it's just more comfortable and warm in there.  The camera puts out some small amount of heat which might just make it cosy in a small box.  I keep planning to improve the bird box cameras so we can see more detail.  I'd really like two cameras for the box.  One showing the birds going in and out and one "in the nest" so we can see details on the babies.

Money is always divisive.  I see people spending money on nonsense and I wonder why they do it.   But each to their own.  If you've got money to burn, I suppose spreading it around is quite generous.  But depends what you spend it on - I mean donating to Donny has to be the most ridiculous thing to be generous about. 😮

Mrs F and our No. 1 HU Fluffyette have gone to the shops (again). I'm trying to delegate present buying to our daughter. It's the height of laziness but still trying to assuage my guilt on being a total grinch.  At the moment, I don't even want to go in the garden to brush the snow off the paths/cars.  I've got to put some lights up in the garden but I can hardly be bothered to do that. I should do it really.  Few people have put decorations in the street this year. 

Update:  I have done the lights, paths and the car windows.  But now it's snowing again.

No snow in Budapest.

I would not mind a bit of it since the dry dark gloomy weather is the worst.

My husband always says what the heck is he doing here in this unhealthy weather. We need more sun. We went to Tesco yesterday, was not difficult at first, I told myself to chill, nothing is that important etc;

All was fine until we headed to the underground parking with our cart.

The converyor belt that leads down and holds the carts in place was broken. Headed to the lift to get to the underground;

Waited like a normal person with just a young couple arriving just before we did; Slow lift, about 8 more people showed up and they all squeezed themselves in before we could get the cart in. Had too much heavy water to just lug in by hand so needed the cart.

I just looked at the rude people and had to say, man, we were here first as the doors closed. A women had a look on her face like she just woke up to the situation. I was about to call to them, A very Marry Dang Xmas to you all but doors closed to soon; I can have a big mouth at times when I see something is not right.

Other lift arrived, we got in alone I moved the cart so we could get out easily; Husband must of hit the wrong

button because we had a joy ride up and down for about 5 mins before we got to our floor! So many people cramming in , sucking up all the air!

Little things like that get under my skin, big things I hardly notice.

Best to stay far away from people if possible.

After working with the public for years, I just can not take them all at once any longer.

Yes, I was wondering if I am the insane one of if just about everyone we know has lost it; Paying for shipping on bird seed? Her BD is a week before mine and her daughter mailed her a set of pajamas, so for Xmas she mails her daughter; a set of pajamas; I guess Fed Ed loves them!

She knows something though that I do not know; Her husband is working none stop at her every whim; Now he temp stopped painting and is changing all the electric shocks in the flat, putting in dimmer lights, hanging up new ceiling fans.  I swear it took me a year to get my husband to re stick one little tile square that fell down;

I do hope she allows her husband a day off for the holiday!

Mu husband jokes that she probably only gives her husband some peace when he is busy;

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!!

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy

I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy
I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?
- @SimCityAT

I am using a chrome book.

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy
I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?
- @SimCityAT
I am using a chrome book.
- @Marilyn Tassy

Are you able to do a screenshot?

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy
I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?
- @SimCityAT
I am using a chrome book.
- @Marilyn Tassy
Are you able to do a screenshot?
- @SimCityAT

No, I am a compete idiot when it comes the anything to do with computers.µI is all good, I make typos all the time and hope everyone understands. Being lame with with gadgets and typing fast is not a good combo. Plus My notebook has a French keyboard so I often hit the wrong keys out of habit. Can switch to an Eng; keyboard but too lazy to redo all my pass codes.

Not much hope for me to join the 21st; century!

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy
I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?
- @SimCityAT
I am using a chrome book.
- @Marilyn Tassy
Are you able to do a screenshot?
- @SimCityAT
No, I am a compete idiot when it comes the anything to do with computers.µI is all good, I make typos all the time and hope everyone understands. Being lame with with gadgets and typing fast is not a good combo. Plus My notebook has a French keyboard so I often hit the wrong keys out of habit. Can switch to an Eng; keyboard but too lazy to redo all my pass codes.
Not much hope for me to join the 21st; century! - @Marilyn Tassy

French keyboard is considered one of the most difficult to master.  Along with the even worse Chinese and Japanese.  But they are used to it. 

But for English, get some sticky labels and stick the right characters on the keys or get an external keyboard.

Fed Ex gosh,All I want for Xmas is my edit to work again!! - @Marilyn Tassy
I've checked and edit is working. Are you on a tablet, computer or cell phone?
- @SimCityAT
I am using a chrome book.
- @Marilyn Tassy
Are you able to do a screenshot?
- @SimCityAT
No, I am a compete idiot when it comes the anything to do with computers.µI is all good, I make typos all the time and hope everyone understands. Being lame with with gadgets and typing fast is not a good combo. Plus My notebook has a French keyboard so I often hit the wrong keys out of habit. Can switch to an Eng; keyboard but too lazy to redo all my pass codes.
Not much hope for me to join the 21st; century! - @Marilyn Tassy
French keyboard is considered one of the most difficult to master. Along with the even worse Chinese and Japanese. But they are used to it.

But for English, get some sticky labels and stick the right characters on the keys or get an external keyboard.
- @fluffy2560

I can perhaps switch this over to English but the keys are still located in different spots. My husband set up my passcode etc; In the French keyboard and if I switch to English I may have to reset everything from the start. Lazy and have experienced enough computer hassles to not wish to look for trouble. I will live with it until at some point I buy another American laptop.

I only do light things on here like make posts, look at my mail and watch U tube. No heavy brain activity being done on my side!

But for English, get some sticky labels and stick the right characters on the keys or get an external keyboard.
- @fluffy2560
I can perhaps switch this over to English but the keys are still located in different spots. My husband set up my passcode etc; In the French keyboard and if I switch to English I may have to reset everything from the start. Lazy and have experienced enough computer hassles to not wish to look for trouble. I will live with it until at some point I buy another American laptop.
I only do light things on here like make posts, look at my mail and watch U tube. No heavy brain activity being done on my side! - @Marilyn Tassy

You could just get another keyboard.  I suppose your Chromebook device supports it. I am not sure they make Chromebooks any more. 

But anyway US keyboards are available here as I have bought one in the past.  Definitely available mail order.

So long as you wrote your password down (I know, bad security),  you can retype it.

I don't really look at the keyboard these days. I can pretty much type without looking until I need a special character. I'm not a touch typist - just a long time user of keyboards.   It takes me a while to get used to new keyboards but not more than a week.

I can perhaps switch this over to English but the keys are still located in different spots. My husband set up my passcode etc; In the French keyboard and if I switch to English I may have to reset everything from the start. Lazy and have experienced enough computer hassles to not wish to look for trouble. I will live with it until at some point I buy another American laptop.
I only do light things on here like make posts, look at my mail and watch U tube. No heavy brain activity being done on my side! - @Marilyn Tassy

@ and " are different, and the UK Pound key is available, but Chromebooks have a US physical keyboard layout as standard.

It's easy to get used to.

Spellchecker is set separately so that's no issue.

Chromebooks are faster than Windows, especially that bloody terrible monster we know as Windows 10. Most people would be better off with Chromebooks but the world's population has been brainwashed into knowing Windows is better.

However, Chromebooks may end up as Android because the US government has a hard on to break up Google.

That's not really a serious problem as users will end up with unbelievably powerful Android devices with loads of ports, and still be far more efficient than Windows can ever manage.

Added. Passwords and PINs won't change.

The only issue is if you use special characters that are only available on language specific keyboards.

Google will remember then anyway as long as you have that feature turned on

Chromebooks are faster than Windows, especially that bloody terrible monster we know as Windows 10. Most people would be better off with Chromebooks but the world's population has been brainwashed into knowing Windows is better.However, Chromebooks may end up as Android because the US government has a hard on to break up Google.That's not really a serious problem as users will end up with unbelievably powerful Android devices with loads of ports, and still be far more efficient than Windows can ever manage. - @Fred

Even worse is Windows 11. Windows 10 seems positively benign compared to W11 and the outrageous HW requirements (TPM).

The US government attempt to break Google is currently only to get them to sell the browser Chrome. That's pathetic. They really need to get Android away from it as it's integration with Google is looking far too monopolistic and dominating in the mobile sector.

Added. Passwords and PINs won't change.
The only issue is if you use special characters that are only available on language specific keyboards.
Google will remember then anyway as long as you have that feature turned on - @Fred

Yes, that is pretty much the deal.

My husband is forever changing codes, passwords etc; drives me nuts at times. Sometimes he even locks himself out!

Next time I visit the states I will probably buy another computer or bring our sons over, he left his because it was too much hassle to bring to Japan with him at the time.

As far as I know he never went to the dark web so it should be good to use.

My deceased sister was timed on an electric typewritter; 120 WPM without typos!!

She was a super office worker.

Even fixed the offices computer after the repairman could not get it right.

Days of word perfect;

She also knew shorthand.

Most horrible thing for me in HS was being placed under the same teacher for short hand that my sister had 5 years beforehand. She came to our school from another one so never expected to have the same teacher.

I asked for the class but as usual, they always seemed to not give me the classes I requested until 6 weeks later when someone dropped out and they had an empty slot.

Happened in my shorthand and German classes. Not easy to be so far behind everyone else in class and catch up overnight.

Well she embarrassed me to death by calling me out in front of everyone and saying, I can not believe you are Myra,sister, she was my best student ever in all my years and you are the worst!

I hated her at that moment and just dropped the class.

We all have different talents, still waiting to find out what mine are!

Added. Passwords and PINs won't change.
The only issue is if you use special characters that are only available on language specific keyboards.
Google will remember then anyway as long as you have that feature turned on - @Fred
Yes, that is pretty much the deal.
My husband is forever changing codes, passwords etc; drives me nuts at times. Sometimes he even locks himself out! - @Marilyn Tassy

I'm always doing that too.   

It's very hard to keep up with passwords without writing them down in some way.

I don't even remember my bank passwords as I use fingerprint recognition on my phone.

Added. Passwords and PINs won't change.
The only issue is if you use special characters that are only available on language specific keyboards.
Google will remember then anyway as long as you have that feature turned on - @Fred
Yes, that is pretty much the deal.
My husband is forever changing codes, passwords etc; drives me nuts at times. Sometimes he even locks himself out! - @Marilyn Tassy

I keep a Google spreadsheet with offline availability.

That means I can access it from any of my devices. Clearly that would be a bad idea but the codes are encrypted in an easy to remember way.

For instance (and this is made up) the code for my UK bank would be Dd6<S8><phone box>

That tells me the password is a Don<caster>don<caster> and the telephone number of a phone box I used to call because it was outside my girlfriend's house, with all six numbers

Dondon*123456

S8 = Shift 8

<S1>would be !, and so on.

The sheet would remind me of the password, but give nothing away as nobody else would be aware of what it meant.

It sounds difficult, but it's very easy as long as you use places and numbers you can easily remember, but nobody else could guess.

Added. Passwords and PINs won't change.The only issue is if you use special characters that are only available on language specific keyboards.Google will remember then anyway as long as you have that feature turned on - @Fred Yes, that is pretty much the deal.My husband is forever changing codes, passwords etc; drives me nuts at times. Sometimes he even locks himself out! - @Marilyn TassyI keep a Google spreadsheet with offline availability.That means I can access it from any of my devices. Clearly that would be a bad idea but the codes are encrypted in an easy to remember way.For instance (and this is made up) the code for my UK bank would be Dd6<S8><phone box>That tells me the password is a Don<caster>don<caster> and the telephone number of a phone box I used to call because it was outside my girlfriend's house, with all six numbersDondon*123456 S8 = Shift 8<S1>would be !, and so on.The sheet would remind me of the password, but give nothing away as nobody else would be aware of what it meant.It sounds difficult, but it's very easy as long as you use places and numbers you can easily remember, but nobody else could guess. - @Fred

Yes, that algorithmic approach is quite popular.   

There's also the possibly of storing the passwords encrypted in the browser and export it to a text file, encrypt it say, with 7Zip (it's free) and store in the cloud.

The mobile phone is the usual way these days (at least in Europe) but it all falls down if you're unable to get a signal or access WiFi or if your phone is broken.  I was in Asia and I couldn't pay my hotel bill as my card issuer thought it was a scam and I could hardly get any response on their app due to horribly bad Internet.  In the end, I had to phone them but it took about an hour and I was on the way to the airport.  Very close thing.

I severely damaged my Samsung mobile phone this year - a brick slid off a workbench I was welding on and my phone was balanced on a paint tin on the ground.  The brick totally smashed the screen but the phone did work to a degree.  I had to buy a new screen so I could just see enough to press the buttons and transfer the phone data/setup to new phone - it took me 3 days to get the new phone delivered.  Surprisingly, that worked extremely well.   But it took about a day to get it work properly.  During that time, I could no banking transactions or get any fingerprint authorisation to access certain web sites.  While I didn't have a phone, I almost felt naked and isolated.  Just that made me concerned about how dependent I was on the thing.

My husband has one code that has over 50 charactors!

I give up!

He is ultra paranoid about hackers.

He watches too many videos on scam artists.

He says the banks are not to be trusted either.

My friend in Vegas now says their large screen tv is too large for their new condo so needs another one!

My gosh, it might of been cheaper if they never moved!

Their new stove which is still not totally hooked up is too large for the kitchen and she can not open the dishwasher without hitting   the stove;

IDK, her poor husband can just not win. He needs a tape measure before buying another thing!

Took a nice walk yesterday, so quiet on the sts;

My husband has one code that has over 50 charactors!I give up!He is ultra paranoid about hackers.He watches too many videos on scam artists.He says the banks are not to be trusted either.My friend in Vegas now says their large screen tv is too large for their new condo so needs another one!My gosh, it might of been cheaper if they never moved!Their new stove which is still not totally hooked up is too large for the kitchen and she can not open the dishwasher without hitting the stove;IDK, her poor husband can just not win. He needs a tape measure before buying another thing!Took a nice walk yesterday, so quiet on the sts; - @Marilyn Tassy

50 characters is a good long password.  But usually they stick to say, between 8 and 12 or similar. And you need characters like $!*^ etc in it and upper and lower case. 

A fairly typical scheme is to replace certain letters with numbers - so if the word (for the password) is something like Cinderella, you'd make it C1nd3r311a!   It's not impossible to break but it's a lot harder.

Why doesn't your friend put the TV on the wall and not on a stand?   If it's up on the wall, its out of the way.  We've mostly got our TVs on brackets.  And yes, best if they get a tape measure.  I've just cleaned up my tool boxes and I found I had 6 of them.  But I couldn't find any of them previously.  I could have ended up making it 7 tape measures.

We're taking the Muttley* walkies today.  Mrs F has been busy all week with cooking and stuff.  So she's now not doing that and we have time for outside.  It's such a lovely day, we should be making the most of it.  I was working yesterday AM on a report so I need to get back to the holidays as well.

I'm in too minds about New Year's Eve.  Should we have fireworks or not?  So many people complain about how it frightens their dogs and cats but ours never bats an eyelid.  I am sure she notices but doesn't care.  Lives in her own dream world anyway.  Weirdly she was frightened of kites, paragliders and hang gliders.  Obviously natural fear of eagles etc. Never thought about that before.  Not so worried now but when she was a puppy she was very concerned.

*that's not her name, it's the silly season.

Funny, the only thing my Doberman was afraid of was small dogs.

Our neighbors toy dog came only up to my dogs hock joint and man was he nervous. Made whimpering noises too.Perhaps the little dog had a Napoleon complex and terrified other dogs?

Idk, my friend and her husband have been under allot of strain. Moving medical issues and going from a large 2,500 sq foot home to a small one bedroom condo.

She used to just hide out in her office when her husband was working but now, she just sits in her chair and watches the action. I bet she has to bite her tongue now;

They had their anniversary yesterday and were mad at each other; Sad;

They had a package stolen from outside their door;*She saw the package delivered but he husband was napping so she waited for him to wake up.µGot a message on her phone about activity outside their door and she saw some guy taking the package.Woke her husband up, he ran out but too late; besides not worth getting hurt over a package.

It was some medication for his ears, some meds for her stomach and some lip balm.

Hopefully the dirty thief will get an ear ache, tummy ache and a cold sore all at once!

IDK, read the other day that in my sons old neighborhood in Vegas that someones wheelchair was stolen from the front doorway. Now that is a new low;

Was a decent area when we lived there,car break ins, stolen packages seem normal now.

No news on setting up their tv set. Ours in on brackets on the wall as well;I almost never watch it but it is a nice decoration;

The black screen or magic scrying mirror on the wall.

Brain washing machine and misinformation device.

Yes, the weather is nice, walked a bit yesterday, had plans on going to the farmers market this morning but my tummy was acting up. I never learn, ate a bag of chips last night, not good, too much oil for me.

I used to have a cast iron digestion but those days are gone.

Back to my friends husband, poor guy he now has cancer on his face, right around the area where he was treated for throat cancer  4 years ago. I can understand how they are snappy with each other ATM.

He will start MOHS treatments soon.

I feel bad for them, if anything should happen to him where does that leave her? Might have to move into a care center as living on her own is not a option.

I know she is a bit bossy so it would be hard to get anyone to live in with her.

Plus they bought a one bedroom, against her daughters wishes.

Well on that happy note, everyone enjoy the day!

Funny, the only thing my Doberman was afraid of was small dogs.Our neighbors toy dog came only up to my dogs hock joint and man was he nervous. Made whimpering noises too.Perhaps the little dog had a Napoleon complex and terrified other dogs?Idk, my friend and her husband have been under allot of strain. Moving medical issues and going from a large 2,500 sq foot home to a small one bedroom condo.She used to just hide out in her office when her husband was working but now, she just sits in her chair and watches the action. I bet she has to bite her tongue now;They had their anniversary yesterday and were mad at each other; Sad;They had a package stolen from outside their door;*She saw the package delivered but he husband was napping so she waited for him to wake up.µGot a message on her phone about activity outside their door and she saw some guy taking the package.Woke her husband up, he ran out but too late; besides not worth getting hurt over a package.It was some medication for his ears, some meds for her stomach and some lip balm.Hopefully the dirty thief will get an ear ache, tummy ache and a cold sore all at once!IDK, read the other day that in my sons old neighborhood in Vegas that someones wheelchair was stolen from the front doorway. Now that is a new low;Was a decent area when we lived there,car break ins, stolen packages seem normal now.No news on setting up their tv set. Ours in on brackets on the wall as well;I almost never watch it but it is a nice decoration;The black screen or magic scrying mirror on the wall.Brain washing machine and misinformation device.Yes, the weather is nice, walked a bit yesterday, had plans on going to the farmers market this morning but my tummy was acting up. I never learn, ate a bag of chips last night, not good, too much oil for me.I used to have a cast iron digestion but those days are gone.Back to my friends husband, poor guy he now has cancer on his face, right around the area where he was treated for throat cancer 4 years ago. I can understand how they are snappy with each other ATM.He will start MOHS treatments soon.I feel bad for them, if anything should happen to him where does that leave her? Might have to move into a care center as living on her own is not a option.I know she is a bit bossy so it would be hard to get anyone to live in with her.Plus they bought a one bedroom, against her daughters wishes.Well on that happy note, everyone enjoy the day! - @Marilyn Tassy

I've not received any updates at all since last week.  Either no-one is posting or something's up at HQ with this service.  Maybe we're all boring and have nothing to say.  Well, it was Xmas and New Year.

The dog has become less engaged with other dogs as she's got older. I think it's just experience.  She's up for playing and chasing but soon gets tired.  I do wonder how trained dogs have discipline not to even sniff other dogs.  She's too friendly and inquisitive and we've had a couple of close calls with potential injury in fighting.  I think the other dogs thinks she's too forward in trying to be friends.

Moving into a single bedroom condo is a way to reduce costs and be closer to services.  When I look at my parents downsizing, it was a slow and almost a grind of a process.  They went from a 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom house (all kids gone by then), then to an apartment in a block overlooking the sea, then to an apartment in an elderly people's housing block with a warden and that was their last move.   Mrs Fluffy were thinking about our own house  and we think we could divide it into 2 apartments - one two bedroom and one one bedroom.   Not that we're planning to do that right now - kids will have to be long gone and I'd like a pensioner (right now if anyone is listening, Monday 6th the fight begins again).   Anyway, our kids have to go and live in the UK for about 3 years if they are to pass on their nationality to any of their kids - stupid nationality rules.  The point being, they won't be here to help us with much.

We're wondering still about the MIL's place.  We're thinking on that one, it'll take max 3 years to do something with it - 1 year to get the legal papers done, 12-24 months to rebuild it. Either split it into two apartments, two "town" houses, sell it or renovate it as one house.   We just don't know yet what to do about it. 

I think we could do something like gardening starting with cutting down the crazy dangerous large trees.  I've got a bit of a thing about people's crazy big trees in their gardens here.  They block all the light and if they fall over, they'll take part of your house out.   My neighbour has massive trees in his garden.  They are going to take out my shed if there's a storm.   Luckily he looks like he's got money.

Maybe your friend should have had their packages delivered to a collection box.  These are a really good idea. And it wouldn't get stolen.  Downside is you have to go to the box to collect the item.   We're getting a package from DPD today (car parts) and they don't seem to have any collection boxes near us, so very inconvenient.  I will have to wait in and I had planned to take the furry friend walkies. If others here bother to answer the doorbell, like take their earphones out and turn down the music, then it might work out for walkies.

Sorry to hear your friend's hubby has cancer. Was he a smoker?  It's not a good idea of course. Bloody older age.  Who needs it?  And youth is wasted on the young. 

At least it's sunny here now. 11C expected Monday. I can get on with the hobby car repairs. I still need some bits - windscreen wipers.  I'll have to get the front wheels off - my shock absorber rubbery bits/bushings at the top end have disintegrated.  It's taken 10 days to have the parts delivered.  One of the most difficult things here is trying to find the name of things.  Mrs F hasn't got a clue.  It's really difficult to look stuff up without knowing the name of the item in Hungarian. 

I've discovered a picture - pencil drawing from 1970s - in my Mum and Dad's belongings.  I've put it in an Ikea frame and I'd better go and screw it on the wall.   

@fluffy2560

It has been quite for the last few days, no one has posted anything and as you have said it's Christmas and New Year, so not much does happen.

@fluffy2560
It has been quite for the last few days, no one has posted anything and as you have said it's Christmas and New Year, so not much does happen. - @SimCityAT

Christmas and New Year isn't what it used to be. 

I suppose it gave me time to tidy up, do stuff I don't normally do and for that I should be grateful.

I'll have to rejoin the hard of thinking again on Monday.  I'm not looking forward to it.

IDK why but I just not have been into posting lately.

Been busy doing allot of nothing!Yes; my Vegas friends husbands health was weighing hard on me for a couple of days. I tend to take it to heart when my friends and loved ones are not doing well;

I had to digest it for a few days, give it up to God as they say.

I gave her all the tips I know to beat cancer, which might not be much but that is all I can do.

I should actually take my own advice.

Thought my brother was going home from rehab any day but when I asked his wife she said they delayed making his new leg due to the stupid holidays.

Weird she mentioned an extra 3 weeks as she went out of town for 3 weeks..; OK, not going to get paranoid and blame her but, what??

I want him out of there before the next plandemic starts.

My husband said in the countryside here in HU they are now restricting visiting hours in hospitals and making visitors wear masks. Sounds like plan B is starting up?!

Went out today to the farmers market, very calm and super quiet today. Not much to purchase that can not be bought for less in a normal market.

Did manage to fine fresh rose hips to make tea with which is nice.

Not sure how these vendors set their prices, like black radishes were going for 800 per kilo while at Lidl they can be found for something like 599 per kilo.

Not sure if these vendors grow their own produce or if they think we all are fools?

Not a fan of going to the cinema lately but there is a new film out that I am interested in viewing. Staring Adrian Brody, about a Hungarian architect who came to the US in 1956.

The name slips my mind at the moment.

I see the forint has gone so low these past few days that I am not sure it is a great investment to spend allot on repairs on a property; Maybe in the long term but not ATM.

Hard to know the right moves at the right time unless you are an insider.

Made fresh beet soup today with left over deer paprika and a side of veggies Not very exciting but hopefully part of my anti cancer diet.

Enjoy the evening all!

Does it really take a year to get a title from an inheritance here in Hungary? That is slow going!

Might have to look more into that. Hate to be stuck in limbo someday, never know.

Suppose to warm up tomorrow. I swear it was freezing out yesterday at the farmers market. The wind chill was something else.

Yes, my friends husband now has skin cancer and had that MOHS out patient surgery last Monday.

I started to watch a video on it but it was too gruesome for me; They cut out small bits of flesh, ouch!

The dermatologist told him it is a fast growing type and if it comes back, it will kill him;

Not your everyday pre skin cancer type issue for sure.

So strange since he had only stage 1 throat cancer 4 years ago, now this aggressive one.

My husband said if it was him, he would just fly off to Hawaii and be left in peace until the end;

Wow,OK, my friends husband can actually go anywhere for just the tax fee since he retired from American Airlines; Just was a baggage handler but still got all the union perks.

I did not have the heart to tell my husband that our friend can not travel because his wife still has painting and repairs for him to finish first! he thinks my  friend is way too much on her husband, maybe so.

Just sad really.

Does it really take a year to get a title from an inheritance here in Hungary? That is slow going!Might have to look more into that. Hate to be stuck in limbo someday, never know.Suppose to warm up tomorrow. I swear it was freezing out yesterday at the farmers market. The wind chill was something else.Yes, my friends husband now has skin cancer and had that MOHS out patient surgery last Monday. - @Marilyn Tassy

I wasn't really talking about just the title, it was more than that.  I was kind of rolling it up.  If you're thinking of your flat, it'd probably take much less.

For MIL's hacienda (ho-ho) it will probably take 4 months to get through the inheritance/title paperwork and the land registry update, 3 months to decide what to do with the place and hire someone to do some outline plans, maybe 2 months to full elaborate the plans for the local government (assuming the plans can be agreed) and 3 months to get permission to build/rebuild/demolish/whatever.  I think - might be wrong - it's then 7 years to finish any building work. 

It's quite a large job but I don't have any fears about doing it as we did it here and we got through it.  We had contractors. I was in my mid-50s back then.  But I don't see a problem really.  But Mrs F has other thoughts and think it could be too much for us.    By the time we'd finished the project, I'd be closer to 70 that 60.  Mrs F is not quite 60 yet.  Probably would be the last building project we'd do other than my own outbuilding (needs new roof/windows).

My MIL had a large family house and a substantial garden in the middle of a village.  It's in a compound with other related family houses. It's quite complicated as we'll have to put up  fences between the different houses.  We don't need permission from local government for that.  We just need a surveyor to come and put in some boundary pegs, hire a contractor and get the fence put in. I think there's some trees on the boundary and possibly one  of the outbuildings is on the boundary.  So that's a little complicated as it'll involve some discussion with the other family members.

Skin cancer surgery is usually very successful.  My Dad had a touch of it from living in Australia during the 1950s.   They just chopped it out and he never had any further problems.  If they get it early, then there's a good prognosis.

Thinking about dog walking despite the cold. 

@fluffy2560

It doesn't matter what country, it really does come down to how fast they are working. When my great aunt died it took 18 months for them to work out the inheritance. Some solicitors are bloody useless.