Absolutely Anything Else

Surprised those scooters do not come with an anti theft device.Sort of expensive to have stolen.I know my brother was so upset when his pricey racing bike was stolen, I am sure he had locks too.Keep all the paperwork and engrave your boys name on it; Maybe it can even be registered at the police station or city hall?In the 80s my stupid sister did something smart;She bought a new bike and kept her paperwork on it;She engraved a number and her name on it; Registered it at the local police dept.It got stolen anyways but a year or so later she saw a Mexican guy riding her bike; He parked it at a store as she followed him in her car. He went in the store while she called the cops; He was busted right there. He got off in court but she did get her bike back a little worst for wear.Of course our city has a small population of about 100,000 people, probably was even less in the 80s.A few months go on the subway 2 guys were all excited about an electric scooter they had with them; The vibes were they stole it, sort of could tell, one scooter, 2 guys, one overly excited about it. Probably were going to resale it in another district hence the subway ride with it.People are desperate these days for anything. Yes windy weather makes for no fun at the lake unless you wind surf.Going to try this week though,need some sunshine and fresh air.Hungarian humor is different, sometimes it goes over my head too.Well not just humor, allot of things go over my head!On the sister front, not good.The younger one I am guessing got her gov; food stamps in order.They were in an Aldi store and the younger one said she was done, her list was filled; Older one got in line to check out. Younger one kept shopping and shopping then yelled at the top of her lungs at the older one! Real classy behavior!Then she was calling the older one names in the evening thinking she could not hear her.IDK, it is defo time to take legal action; I know the older one would not stand this from a stranger in her home.Time to cut family ties, no shame in it, she tried harder then anyone would.Older one sent an email to the country but I know that is useless,sure they have thousands of people contacting them for help.The older one thinks it is her Christian duty to help. I told her she can ask someone from her church to come over and do an exorcim but otherwise her demons have taken over.She need to start official legal means, going beyond the point of being kind to being abused.I will not help the younger one at all, can see it is pointless and harmful to one health to try to wake her up to reality.She should just go to a shelter and best case find a homeless man to share food stamps with; How sad.I started to watch a short news clip about a country official giving advice to elderly people who can not pay their rent , she suggested they take in homeless people to share.costs!! If they were willing to pay they would not be homeless in the first place!More like telling older people to be suckers and let strangers abuse them and steal off of them.I know there is a war on the poor but this is too much! - @Marilyn Tassy

No, there's no obvious security device on the scooter.  No key or anything, just a button to press to power it up.  It's a pricey thing so it'd be stolen in minutes.  The only thing we've seen online is a bicycle lock. No PIN or secret code or Bluetooth unlock.   A bike lock can be easily defeated.  It looks like a good well made scooter so highly desirable to steal it.  No tracking device either.    Anyway, we've all be trying it out down here at Balaton and it's quite fun.  I just went down the street at 25 km/h to the beach to check out if anyone was swimming and they are, despite it blowing a gale and temperatures being lower.   Won't be better until the weekend.  I am not bothered about it being cooler.

I am not so interested about going swimming but we're thinking of Heviz Lake tomorrow.  I can get a discount for being over 60.  3h ticket would be 4000 HUF.  The building you see in the pictures is all closed down.  It's not safe for people.  Great, paying for a warm bath and not even the iconic terrace to sit on.  But it might be good for my joints as the water is supposedly good for it.  There's a hospital on that site for those kinds of ailments.

I'm hearing that it'll come to a head with your sisters.  Maybe the church can take on the younger one?   Put their religion where their mouth is.   It's no good the younger one, dragging down the older one.  It sounds like survival is going to overtake good manners.  Perhaps she can live in someone's basement or get a job with built in accommodation? Like a janitor or something simple - emptying bins, sweeping up, putting out chairs, changing lightbulbs.  Nothing too taxing.  But ultimately, will not be your older sister's "responsibility". 

We're going to make a dash back to Budapest Thursday to get my vaccinations up to date. I might have to go somewhere next week - not the island I mentioned - but an African country but also a holiday destination.  I've been there many times so it's all deja-vu even though the last time was 10 years ago.   Things have gone very strange with getting things like vaccinations.  Have to make appointments at the government vaccination centre.  Used to be able to just turn up for on-the-spot appointments.  But nope, they only work part time.  Just tracking the government centre has been difficult as I haven't been there for about 8 years. Another web site purports to be the "national centre" but it isn't.  For say, Meningitis vaccination, it's like 4000 HUF difference between the government and fake government vaccine centre and 3000 HUF between the government doctor and the fake national centre offer.  It's worth noting this kind of tricky behaviour here.  And then there's travel insurance.  That's a total rip off in Hungary. 

Have not been to Hevis in years, just such a long ride for  a day trip.

My son spent his Honeymoon there in the month  of Jan; Not busy and prices for hotel and everything were decent. 25 years ago that is!

I am sure a solution to locking the scooter up will happen. Sounds fun.

We will brave the winds this week, 3 more weeks till the 20th so it is now or never time.

The loon has a job interview at a Walmart, think today.

Prayers going up to heaven she does not blow it as she usually does.

She overshares and it turns the interview into a weird thing.

One of her first jobs was at the local Walmart when she was a teenager. She lasted about a week, she was too slow and also never listens to directions.

This will be her test!

Holiday prep almost done, just a few things to get that they don't sell in Holland, like mouthwash, toothpaste etc!!!  Yeah, really.  We even got a roof box so we can get those extra things in.

Holiday prep almost done, just a few things to get that they don't sell in Holland, like mouthwash, toothpaste etc!!! Yeah, really. We even got a roof box so we can get those extra things in. - @Cynic

I found Poundland is good for cheap mouthwash, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  Where else can you get 3 toothbrushes for a £1?

We've got a massive roof box. Its 700 litres in volume, really long and made by Thule. It's an interesting design.  It opens either side which is convenient.  If I put it on my 4WD hobby car,  we need a step ladder to see inside.  On the other hand, it's really difficult to store when off the car. But we can get long items like gardening tools in it, canoe paddles and bits of wood. More useful than one might expect.

Have not been to Hevis in years, just such a long ride for a day trip.
My son spent his Honeymoon there in the month of Jan; Not busy and prices for hotel and everything were decent. 25 years ago that is!
I am sure a solution to locking the scooter up will happen. Sounds fun.
We will brave the winds this week, 3 more weeks till the 20th so it is now or never time.

The loon has a job interview at a Walmart, think today.
Prayers going up to heaven she does not blow it as she usually does.
She overshares and it turns the interview into a weird thing.
One of her first jobs was at the local Walmart when she was a teenager. She lasted about a week, she was too slow and also never listens to directions.
This will be her test! - @Marilyn Tassy

We're already halfway to Heviz, so it's not a big deal for us to drive an hour there.   There's a deal there, pay for 3h and get 4h.  I'm not sure I can stand 4h "at the pool".   I get bored after 1h in the lake.  I am not sure how it's going to work out.   I really do not like sun bathing at all.  I'll go for a swim though but not sure I care that much.

Yes, post the 20th, the weather will be a changin'.  This is indeed the last few weeks.  Last night, in this place, by 10pm, it was dead as a dodo.  The high winds and colder temperatures had scared everyone off the streets.  Even the pub was closed, everyone had coats on!   But this morning, there's no wind, it's really sunny and much warmer.  Water will still be cold in the lake.

I would think it would be really hard to fail a job interview for Walmart.  I bought some socks there once, back in the 1980s.  They lasted a long time.  I cannot see her getting the job if she's behaving off the wall and not listening.   I mean, it could be dangerous around machines in the warehouse or even on the shop floor. 

One of my relatives has delusions of grandeur.  If that person went there - to Walmart -  a load of time would be wasted trying to reorganise their years and years of trusted methods to get stuff done.  I've tried to say, keep your head down, don't upset the system, do what they say, don't argue, get paid, go home. 

No matter how many times I've said, stop daydreaming and get real, you're not a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company when you're stacking shelves in a supermarket.   Yet, just the other day, more BS was coming out about going back to university, to do this, to do that and this is in that person's mid-50s with obscure medical issues.  Being CEO ain't going to happen.    Working life being over is not that far away.   

I've had my relative trying to say they'd follow my career path which was a random series of events but I did obtain specialist expertise and knowledge over the years.  I'm hearing from that relative, "I'll do a course, then I'll be an expert" in this that or the other.  It took me 30+ years to get my knowledge, so just doing a weekend course isn't going to work.  And you need basic skills.    Experience counts for much and you cannot teach it. 

Somehow some people's lives are more a work in progress than others.

Holiday prep almost done, just a few things to get that they don't sell in Holland, like mouthwash, toothpaste etc!!! Yeah, really. We even got a roof box so we can get those extra things in. - @Cynic
I found Poundland is good for cheap mouthwash, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Where else can you get 3 toothbrushes for a £1?
We've got a massive roof box. Its 700 litres in volume, really long and made by Thule. It's an interesting design. It opens either side which is convenient. If I put it on my 4WD hobby car, we need a step ladder to see inside. On the other hand, it's really difficult to store when off the car. But we can get long items like gardening tools in it, canoe paddles and bits of wood. More useful than one might expect. - @fluffy2560

Our old box was a Thule ski box, we gave it to our daughter as we didn't need it any more, that was until Mrs C decided otherwise.  Our new box is much smaller than that - there is a limit to how much hagelslag we should need; when we had our garage roof renewed, we had a storage area made for our old box; the new one will fit in there easily when I re-organise the garage into a skip after the hols.

Our old box was a Thule ski box, we gave it to our daughter as we didn't need it any more, that was until Mrs C decided otherwise. Our new box is much smaller than that - there is a limit to how much hagelslag we should need; when we had our garage roof renewed, we had a storage area made for our old box; the new one will fit in there easily when I re-organise the garage into a skip after the hols. - @Cynic

Our roofbox sizing is mainly determined by all the junk we need to take to Mrs F's family holiday house.  There's no storage, so we literally have to remove everything at the end of our week.   And if we had visitors tagging along, we'd be overwhelmed.  We already bring two cars, one with the box, one without.  We've got a canoe, a paddleboard, compressor (to blow up the canoe and paddleboard), pump tyres for bikes, bikes themselves plus the dog and the cat, tent for overflow storage. electronics, food, sleeping bags and blah blah, it's endless.   

It's only 130km from home so if we really forgot something, we can go home and get it. 

I really want to redo our shed to get the storage right but politics is butting in.  Hard to believe it.   Mrs F says we shouldn't invest any more money in HU unless the government changes.   Otherwise, we're doing up our house for Russian officers when they arrive back invited by Commissar cum Oblast Governor Orban.   It's a dark view but has some potential truths in it.   I planned to built a bit on the side to extend it, create a small bathroom (loo and sink), put in a proper insulated roller shutter garage door sized with built in access door, new windows, gallery with steps up (or ladder) for storage, all new roof timbers, Velux windows and tiles.  We'll also insulate it and I might install a heat pump and wood burner so it's usable during the winter.  With the right design, it could be even habitable. We already have sewage, water and electricity there.   Maybe next year if the politics are right.  I am still having a delusion to install a car lift as well but it makes me wonder if I'll be working on cars still by the time I'm 70 (only 5 years away).   It's a bit of a shame we don't have more land, we're limited to 20% built in area and I'm about 8m2 short to add enough to make a garage.  We could build illegally and then wait 10 years and then it'll be automatically OK.  That's the rule here.

I have landed about 99 percent of any job I wanted and a few times were hired by just standing there!

My husband teases me to death saying it is easy for me to get a job but difficult for me to keep it.

I get bored to death in an hour and start thinking WTH am I here for?

Needless to say I was always an easy rehire; Classic underachiever. Not saying I am the bomb but...

I do show up with a fantastic positive attitude and smile and listen to  clues, who not to talk to, who to charm, who to avoid at any cost.Basically how to get along.

One reason I do not understand my half sister not getting hired. Thought we came from a charming family, she missed the boat!

I once took my DIL to the state line casinos to get her the first of dealing job. They hired me instead even though I was not even looking for a job; I of course declined.

I swear, if I had only known sooner I would of moved to Vegas in my 20s and been able to retire in my early 40s.  I was considered OLD at 43 when I started dealing.

IDK, perhaps these days I would be lucky to get hired at Walmart myself!

I really hope she lands that job because I want some positive news from her.

Mad at myself, was up before 6 am to get out to the lake on an early train, looked out, saw the wind and said another day.

Turns out it is very nice outside;

Hope D day is tomorrow or Friday!

I like Hevis but to me it is more of an off season spot; The water is so hot and it wears ya down swimming in a bath tub.

Super nice though.Probably better for RA then for OA. My MIL was sent to the hospital there for a couple weeks in the 70s for her RA in her hands.

Our first trip to HU , my in laws took us all around Hungary.

4 adults and a toddler in a Trabant on the old Balaton road.

Went to Hevis, no one was there. It was a chilly foggy day, my MIL watched the baby so we could swim and enjoy the lake. Swimming through fog, water lilies all around; Out of the mist and old man, well into his 70s or older came out of nowhere in a old wooden row boat. he was the lifeguard!! He was wearing a suit too!

He chatted with us and said be careful the water was deep; I forget how deep 90 meters or perhaps 90 feet; Deep enough to scare the pants off of me!

Great memory.

Miss those old style Hungarian things.

Made stuffed peppers and juiced beets with carrots, messy but tasty.

Bought a huge bottle of collagen powder at the mall. Suppose to build muscles in aging bodies, time will tell...Can not live forever but we are trying!

Heviz:

Water was 33C and the air temp about 26C.  It's not as warm as it should be.  What I didn't like is that there's nowhere just to sit in the water.  One has to float in a ring or hang on to a wooden support.  It's pretty deep - between 2m and 38m.   I paid 4000 HUF with over 60s discount for 3h.  Others cost 4500 HUF.   I am not sure it's worth it.  There are better places with better facilities.

Have to double check what the wind speed was today but it was strong.

Went to lake Velence, went to the free strand this time since it was so widny, I thought it would not be busy there.

I was right, no one in the water at 10:30, by 12:45 perhaps 8 people in the water.

I swam for just a super short time, about 10 mins; So windy, cold and choppy.*Froze half to death after get out;

The wind picked up even stronger around 11:30 till noon;*We decided to call it a day and head home;

My husband did not even put his toe in the water.

Real bummer but still relaxing and we got a full load of vitamin D.

Hevis is nice but for me, best to go there when it is cooler and the hot water is a treat.

I do hope the next few weeks are more summer like.

No news yet on the Walmart job. I doubt my halfie has the self discipline to work a 40 but perhaps it is a part time job?

Heard it paid OK at $18; an hour in the deli dept.

She is creative and knows how to decorate cakes, took a course on it but I also know she works slow.

Even if 2 hours a day, it is better then selling you plasma.

Have to double check what the wind speed was today but it was strong.Went to lake Velence, went to the free strand this time since it was so widny, I thought it would not be busy there.I was right, no one in the water at 10:30, by 12:45 perhaps 8 people in the water.I swam for just a super short time, about 10 mins; So windy, cold and choppy.*Froze half to death after get out; The wind picked up even stronger around 11:30 till noon;*We decided to call it a day and head home;My husband did not even put his toe in the water.Real bummer but still relaxing and we got a full load of vitamin D.Hevis is nice but for me, best to go there when it is cooler and the hot water is a treat.I do hope the next few weeks are more summer like.No news yet on the Walmart job. I doubt my halfie has the self discipline to work a 40 but perhaps it is a part time job?Heard it paid OK at $18; an hour in the deli dept.She is creative and knows how to decorate cakes, took a course on it but I also know she works slow.Even if 2 hours a day, it is better then selling you plasma. - @Marilyn Tassy

We were in Balaton Lake yesterday afternoon and huge clouds loomed over us and the wind picked up.  I'm going to have to say it again, what's going on with the wind here?  One moment, it's like we're becalmed and the next minute, it seems like a hurricane is blowing.   It was about 26C air temperature and maybe a bit the same in the water.  I was on the paddleboard but due to the waves, I could only use a canoe paddle and not stand up despite it being a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP).  As it was a bit cold as well, I had my shorty wet suit on and that gives me more time in the water than someone without a wet suit.  But mine is very thin at 1.5mm and I reckon this time of the year (or weather), we need a few more mm, like 4mm which then makes you feel like the Michelin man.

Mrs F has told me Velence has become very polluted.  There's overdevelopment around the lake (and around Balaton) and everything is under pressure, including all the utilities.  I remember last time I went to Velence, I cycled around the periphery and at the beach, there were a lot of dead fish.   Some nice houses to look at but no reason to go there in my mind.  I suppose its popularity is much to do with accessibility from Budapest.

We're slowing down here at Balaton.  Our time is coming to an end for this year.  We'll leave Sunday.  Weather forecast is showing heavy rain Saturday night/Sunday morning.  No point in hanging about if it's raining.   I have stuff to do at home anyway.  It looks like I'll be off to Africa next week, if I can actually get on the plane.  It's really hard to get there at the moment - as the season is nearly over - and the journey times are stupid. Last thing I want to do is hang about at an airport, even if it's a nice one.  My transit would be IST(anbul).   Alternative is BRU(ssels).   Don't care to be in either of those places.  My colleague is there but he'll be gone by the time I arrive.  I'll just have to wing it and do my bits without anyone else to back me up.   It is what it is.

Cake decorating is a good skill.   My mother used to do wedding cake decorations.  She studied it at night school. I think she liked it and didn't do it for money.  She also baked the cakes and did all the base icing etc.  Really her cakes were all the same - really like Christmas cake with marzipan and icing.  Made all the flowers and fancy bits etc.   We inherited all her tools etc.  They're with us, in a box, no-one really looks at them.  I also have perhaps 1/3 of my Dad's tools.  For some reason my Dad gave most of his tools to his grandson (my nephew) who no longer works on cars to any great extent.  I asked for them back but we never got around to it.  If I ever drive from the UK back here, the maybe I can take them away.  I see them as heirlooms rather than actual tools.  Others might see them as junk.

My son shot off on his scooter last night to hang out with some friends up the coast - all on electric scooters.  Didn't take his helmet.  He'll look a bit daft with a dent in his head for the sake of looking cool amongst his peers.  I was a motorbike rider so I know a bit about safety on two wheels. 

I've told him about the "lifesaver", which is always to look behind you before turning.  It's second nature for me even though I haven't had a motorbike for many years.  I still do it, even on my bicycle.   I always wear my helmet.  Concrete vs flesh - we know which one always wins.  On the other hand, this is building road sense. It's really useful for passing the driving test.

Yes, the wind is crazy this summer;

3 more weeks of HU summer and it feels like it has not started yet.

I am OK with Velence because even that short train ride wears us down.

All that rockin and rollin;

The water level was higher yesterday then it was a couple weeks ago.

We will get to Balaton this season, just not sure when with this weather.

Funny coming home yesterday on the train;

A old worn out looking guy with bags of books with him sat alone across the aisle from us.

As we pulled into the station in Kelenfold he asked us if we were in Szekesferfevar yet!

Oops!

They did not even have bike helmets when I rode my bike. It was dangerous;

Once, age 9 I was full of myself and took my bike up a steep road, had to make a really sharp right turn at the bottom of the road. Turned wide because of the high speed, hit a huge oak tree, fender then head first.

Saw the little birdies flying around and around, like in a cartoon. My bike peddles were spinning so fast, made a dent in the front fender, I must have a hard head; Got slammed by low rider chicks with a 3 inch thick history book in HS, fell off a horse and was knocked out cold for hours;

IDK, maybe I have brain damage or it is my new normal?

I scared myself good hitting that tree head on.Never told anyone, no one asked about the bike dent either.

Well on the Walmart topic, good grief, older sister drove the younger one for her first interview; OK, went to the wrong store!!! Classic do not want a job move!!

Seems they made it over to the right store in time for the interview after all.

Was warned to not tell them about selling plasma.

Well she could not shut her mouth; After the interview was winding down looking good so far, she had to mention she sold her plasma on the side and it would not be a problem!

WTH, why not mention she loves basket weaving or is a basket case!

Never offer info that is not related to the job unless asked and even then filter it out first!

She was told they still need to interview a few more people. Code for get lost!

She really has no desire to work it seems.

I hope I eat my words and they hire her, I mean perhaps no one else wants the job.

In any case after age 60 no one wants your plasma, blood even if donated for free.

She is running out of time.

Africa, how exciting. It is a long haul though.

Hopefully the weather will be nice and some fun can be had besides just working.

Yes, the wind is crazy this summer;3 more weeks of HU summer and it feels like it has not started yet.I am OK with Velence because even that short train ride wears us down.All that rockin and rollin;The water level was higher yesterday then it was a couple weeks ago.We will get to Balaton this season, just not sure when with this weather.Funny coming home yesterday on the train;A old worn out looking guy with bags of books with him sat alone across the aisle from us.As we pulled into the station in Kelenfold he asked us if we were in Szekesferfevar yet!Oops! They did not even have bike helmets when I rode my bike. It was dangerous;Once, age 9 I was full of myself and took my bike up a steep road, had to make a really sharp right turn at the bottom of the road. Turned wide because of the high speed, hit a huge oak tree, fender then head first.Saw the little birdies flying around and around, like in a cartoon. My bike peddles were spinning so fast, made a dent in the front fender, I must have a hard head; Got slammed by low rider chicks with a 3 inch thick history book in HS, fell off a horse and was knocked out cold for hours;IDK, maybe I have brain damage or it is my new normal?I scared myself good hitting that tree head on.Never told anyone, no one asked about the bike dent either.Well on the Walmart topic, good grief, older sister drove the younger one for her first interview; OK, went to the wrong store!!! Classic do not want a job move!!Seems they made it over to the right store in time for the interview after all.Was warned to not tell them about selling plasma.Well she could not shut her mouth; After the interview was winding down looking good so far, she had to mention she sold her plasma on the side and it would not be a problem!WTH, why not mention she loves basket weaving or is a basket case!Never offer info that is not related to the job unless asked and even then filter it out first!She was told they still need to interview a few more people. Code for get lost!She really has no desire to work it seems.I hope I eat my words and they hire her, I mean perhaps no one else wants the job.In any case after age 60 no one wants your plasma, blood even if donated for free.She is running out of time.Africa, how exciting. It is a long haul though.Hopefully the weather will be nice and some fun can be had besides just working. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, absolutely, don't volunteer information they don't need to know.   That's a basic thing one has to know when dealing with any bureaucracy - government or businesses.   I suppose she'll be OK, what with all the illegals being deported by the Mango Mussolini.  There will be shortage of labour and they'd hire a cat and dog to fill the head count.  Ok, not a cat and dog and specifically not ours.  They are useless at instructions and fundamentally lazy.  Hmmmm....sounds like some people!

I didn't know there was an age limit on plasma or blood donations.  I am not sure there is one here or in the UK. I think possibly over 80, they'd not want to do it.   

I came off my motorbike once and hit my head on the kerb.  Luckily I was wearing a helmet as that's compulsory.  It was low speed but I did feel a bit out of it for a moment. I was silly, driving too fast, it was raining and the skidded on a drain cover.  They are so dangerous when wet.  If you look at motorbike tyres, the amount of rubber in contact with the ground is only about the size of the palm of your hand.   And drain covers are like ice.   I think all driving should be defensive.   

And oh yes, the other 15-16 year old scooter friends were swigging on palinka.  Like WTF?  Drinking and driving?  Even if just a scooter. It's a very silly thing to do.  I've told them.  Mrs F has told them.  But meh, they think they are invincible like all teenagers.

I cannot see myself going to Africa next week, there's just no space on the flight.   The prices have gone crazy. I don't want to go there and spend any more time there than is necessary.  I mean, go there and hang out for the weekend, no thanks - just want an in and out on working days with minimal time wasting. Like arrive on a Sunday night, clear off on a Friday evening.  Looks like no hope of that.  I can do it but it'd take me 24h to get back and 12h would be hanging about in an airport.  WTF?  That's nuts.

If you're going to Balaton, you're right, you've got 2 or 3 weeks to get in there.  Siofok or Balatonfoldvar is probably your best bet or somewhere around there on the South shore.  Shallow and sandy.

IDK, my sister usually only writes to share negative news.

I sent the family a set of photos about 10 days ago.

I rarely take photos lately and have a hard time getting my husband to download them and send them over to me to share.

Sent them to all my cousins, son, friends.

My sister in law wrote me too.

My own sister said nada about the photos.

I sometimes think she dislikes me;

I have not sent photos for over 4 years and it was sweet for everyone who answered me to say we look the same as years back.

I was wearing some interesting jeans in our city park photos, sort of black and white spotted jeans, sitting up on the playground workout bars like a child doing the splits. I hate boring shots!

Since being ill I have not been as playful as in the past.

Photos at Velence holding a folding fan, never think over any photos before posing, just a free for all in the moment. Never touch up my face or even comb my hair first.

My husband said my sister is envious because I am skinny. That is weird if true.

Sort of feel hurt though, thought she would be the first to mention it was nice to see me after all these years.

Hot out today, got to the farmers market a bit later in the morning then usual.

Too hot for me.

The prices were not any better then the normal shops for most produce today;

Got nice red peppers for 600 a kilo and they are fresh looking, not all wrinkled and old.

My chard man ran out of chard; Early morning deal for that.

Looked at the pile of used clothing, found my spotted jeans there a few months back with store tags still on for only 500 forints, fit perfectly too;

Today I found a very gently worn pair of Pull and Bear white bell bottom jeans for 500.

No stains, no nothing wrong, fit perfectly too. I had to look up if bell bottoms are still in style, well looks like they are this year but no matter, have to make your own style.

I love thrift store shopping and it is great to find steals for just a few bucks.

I wonder if I am now willing to pay full price for jeans in the future? In storage in the US my husband still has an unused pair of Levi white bell bottom jeans from the 1970s. IDK the size,super skinny as he used to only weigh in at 138 lbs. I wonder if those would sell on Amazon for anything?

15 and palinka, not good; Too strong for them.

We used to lift a bottle of Boones Farm Strawberry Hill wine at 16 but 5 girls and one bottle was not going to do much damage. Have to be careful about who influences your son for the next couple of years. Friends come and go at that age although one thinks they will be buds forever.

IDK, my sister usually only writes to share negative news.I sent the family a set of photos about 10 days ago.I rarely take photos lately and have a hard time getting my husband to download them and send them over to me to share.Sent them to all my cousins, son, friends.My sister in law wrote me too.My own sister said nada about the photos.I sometimes think she dislikes me;I have not sent photos for over 4 years and it was sweet for everyone who answered me to say we look the same as years back.I was wearing some interesting jeans in our city park photos, sort of black and white spotted jeans, sitting up on the playground workout bars like a child doing the splits. I hate boring shots!Since being ill I have not been as playful as in the past.Photos at Velence holding a folding fan, never think over any photos before posing, just a free for all in the moment. Never touch up my face or even comb my hair first.My husband said my sister is envious because I am skinny. That is weird if true.Sort of feel hurt though, thought she would be the first to mention it was nice to see me after all these years.Hot out today, got to the farmers market a bit later in the morning then usual.Too hot for me.The prices were not any better then the normal shops for most produce today;Got nice red peppers for 600 a kilo and they are fresh looking, not all wrinkled and old.My chard man ran out of chard; Early morning deal for that.Looked at the pile of used clothing, found my spotted jeans there a few months back with store tags still on for only 500 forints, fit perfectly too;Today I found a very gently worn pair of Pull and Bear white bell bottom jeans for 500.No stains, no nothing wrong, fit perfectly too. I had to look up if bell bottoms are still in style, well looks like they are this year but no matter, have to make your own style.I love thrift store shopping and it is great to find steals for just a few bucks.I wonder if I am now willing to pay full price for jeans in the future? In storage in the US my husband still has an unused pair of Levi white bell bottom jeans from the 1970s. IDK the size,super skinny as he used to only weigh in at 138 lbs. I wonder if those would sell on Amazon for anything?15 and palinka, not good; Too strong for them.We used to lift a bottle of Boones Farm Strawberry Hill wine at 16 but 5 girls and one bottle was not going to do much damage. Have to be careful about who influences your son for the next couple of years. Friends come and go at that age although one thinks they will be buds forever. - @Marilyn Tassy

What a load of rubbish down at Balaton.   The weather turned.  I did about 22km cycling yesterday and I was a bit tired.  And then, I got back and the heavens opened and it chucked it down complete with light show and rumbling.  Well, that's it for this year.   We'll go back maybe end of September or October to do some gardening.  Then, the place will not be visited again until maybe April next year.  Someone might mow the grass but I don't think it'll be us. Plenty of others should be on that particular job.   That's the trouble with shared ownership - everyone uses it but no-one is responsible.

Photos are a problem for sharing.  We have many digital ones, including pictures of people's ears and hair in front of the lens.  They all get filed away here and online.  They go back 20+ years.  There's no index or description of any of them.  I am not sure how to handle them either.   Do you file them under date or subject? No idea.  Someone needs to go through them, deleting the trash or bad ones.  We just save all of them which is horribly inefficient.  And we're effectively paying to store digital trash.  I'd like our art student daughter to take them on.  It's really important to index them otherwise there will be photos the kids inherit and not know anything about them!   It's the same with me.  My nephew and niece have all sorts of weird interpretations of old, unindexed and unlabelled photos.  And now my Mum and Dad have gone, no way to find out. 

We've got boxes of clothes, some unused. I've just stopped buying stuff.  Now I don't go to work, I just don't need stuff like shirts and ties.  But since I might have to go on a job, I'm having to check what I've got to survive a more formal setting.  I haven't worn a tie for years now.  If I'd have my way, I'd go in a T-shirt, shorts and Crocs.  I've got two boxes to go through and take to a charity shop or a recycling box or something.  All good stuff and some of it hardly worn.  I've lost some weight so the waist size is no longer right - verging on the  plus side.

Anyway, I'm back at home from Balaton and I've just heard the others arrive with food!  Yay!

Interested to know if the Walmart job was offered to your sis?  Maybe they saw through her self-destructive interview and decided to give her a chance!  Sounds a bit optimistic!

I've got my dad visiting; he has been here since Thursday, and I am already worn out. The amount of walking I've done must be miles. He leaves on Tuesday at 8 pm. Has been good to see him, though, and have been to 3 free music concerts that have been really good. He even wants to book a couple to perform in the UK.

Off tomorrow to see some dear friends of mine in the mountains for lunch, a lovely Scottish couple that I even call family, well, call Cath "Mom". The last time I saw them was way before COVID, and my best mate, who is Welsh and lives nearby he will be joining us, although I do see him often as he stays over if he has a late lecture at the Uni and has an early one the next day because its 20 mins away and he lives an hour away.

I've got my dad visiting; he has been here since Thursday, and I am already worn out. The amount of walking I've done must be miles. He leaves on Tuesday at 8 pm. Has been good to see him, though, and have been to 3 free music concerts that have been really good. He even wants to book a couple to perform in the UK. Off tomorrow to see some dear friends of mine in the mountains for lunch, a lovely Scottish couple that I even call family, well, call Cath "Mom". The last time I saw them was way before COVID, and my best mate, who is Welsh and lives nearby he will be joining us, although I do see him often as he stays over if he has a late lecture at the Uni and has an early one the next day because its 20 mins away and he lives an hour away. - @SimCityAT

Sounds good.  I hope touring from Austria is a lot easier than from the UK to the EU. 

I listened to a Brexit phone-in yesterday and it's really still a problem for British bands to work festivals in the EU.   The paperwork is daunting.   

Our daughter was watching Franz Ferdinand at the Valley of the Arts festival and she took a photo of their tour truck - it was Irish registered. I've heard that known bands keep their tour gear in Ireland to avoid the paperwork.   

My Dad was in his 90s when he came to Hungary. It was way too much for him and for us.  It's probably the most stressful trip I've had supervising someone  Oddly, he insisted on playing dumb as he thought they'd say he was faking his slow walking etc so he could have a wheelchair and it'd cost money.  He was also very deaf and couldn't respond to prompts - he wasn't intellectually incapacitated at all.  Just isolated.  It was OK in many ways that we got him here but really, it wasn't worth it for him or us.  We live on a hill and his legs were not that good.  We drove him around a fair bit but he kept nodding off.   

Every time we drive near Erd, I always think of my MIL and her garden.

Wonder if her alcoholic neighbor is still alive, I doubt it.

Guy cracked me up so much; Fell while washing his floor and dislocated his arm; His wife was too embarrassed to take him to the local medical clinic to set it so he walked to our gate, rang the bell and was just standing there with his arm hanging down at a strange angle; His hand was hanging lower then his knee!

Went to visit my husbands dads IDK, vault where his ashes are laying out in Buda on The Day of the Dead one year. Our alcoholic neighbor and his wife were there too; He showed us his future resting place, in the same  area where my FIL is resting; 

That guy is from the real countryside, no idea why he wants to rest in Buda.

My in laws made their own wine, really nice stuff.

When my step FIL passed he left 200 plus liters of it in the cellar. I hardly drank wine and my husband never really drinks, MIl not a drinker either. The neighbor would bring out a large jug and give a few coins in exchange  for the wine; Not interested in the money but did not want him to bug us every min so taking the money meant he did not bother us daily.

I guess he ran out of money, he was retired and his wife still worked, she must of held the purse strings.

Instead of money for wine, he started roasting us whole chickens! The crazy thing is he did not want his wife to know so he would ring our phone and say go to the back tree; We would go there, find a chicken hanging in the tree and an empty jug for us to fill!

Later, after spending 18 month living in Erd after my MIL passed I started tasting that wine; Was sorry we sold it for a chicken.

No idea yet about Walmart,jobs take weeks to get back to you if they ever do. Do not call us, we will call you. It would be nice if they hired her; Looks like people are losing jobs right and left in the US so doubt a lazy none self starter like her will be hired first.

I hope we still have a few lake weeks left, have not bothered going to the spa yet this year; That was our thing for a few years in a row, swimming at the spa; Then my husband freaked me out saying the water had rotten old skin floating in it from sick old people and pee from children.

Probably true but not sure it will kill you.

Heard 2 people on a bike trail here in a village were killed just days apart. A man ran into the back of a parked van and a women had to be airlifted to the hospital, she was 30. No details about the road conditions but you would think it was safe on a bike trail. Both accidents happened in the same village.

My deceased brother had a brand new 750 motorbike our mom bought him when he left the military. Nice with matching helmet. It was too much bike for a beginner. He was on his way to an insurance co; to get coverage when he slammed into the back of a school bus; He was fine, bike was done. Total loss. He never rode a motorbike again, must of scared him allot.

Both of my parents passed at age 67. Mom had her moments of seeming out of it but she was very ill.

I really do not know what it is like to have a very elderly parent who needs personal care. Never had a living grandmother either so no idea how that sort of relationship is.

I know when I was lucky enough to find my fathers village of birth and actually go there and see for myself I felt a connection to Poland like it was home.

My father never would of dreamed anyone of us would ever visit there. It was still communist when he was living.

I was blown away seeing how important my family was with the grease oil trade. My US cousins and I went to a Rysun museum, they both thought their families were into the grease trade. I never even knew of such a business. Out of 7 families listed as  founders, 3 had my surname. Think my cousins secretly were disappointed.

Every time we drive near Erd, I always think of my MIL and her garden.Wonder if her alcoholic neighbor is still alive, I doubt it.Guy cracked me up so much; Fell while washing his floor and dislocated his arm; His wife was too embarrassed to take him to the local medical clinic to set it so he walked to our gate, rang the bell and was just standing there with his arm hanging down at a strange angle; His hand was hanging lower then his knee!Went to visit my husbands dads IDK, vault where his ashes are laying out in Buda on The Day of the Dead one year. Our alcoholic neighbor and his wife were there too; He showed us his future resting place, in the same area where my FIL is resting; That guy is from the real countryside, no idea why he wants to rest in Buda.My in laws made their own wine, really nice stuff.When my step FIL passed he left 200 plus liters of it in the cellar. I hardly drank wine and my husband never really drinks, MIl not a drinker either. The neighbor would bring out a large jug and give a few coins in exchange for the wine; Not interested in the money but did not want him to bug us every min so taking the money meant he did not bother us daily.I guess he ran out of money, he was retired and his wife still worked, she must of held the purse strings.Instead of money for wine, he started roasting us whole chickens! The crazy thing is he did not want his wife to know so he would ring our phone and say go to the back tree; We would go there, find a chicken hanging in the tree and an empty jug for us to fill!Later, after spending 18 month living in Erd after my MIL passed I started tasting that wine; Was sorry we sold it for a chicken.No idea yet about Walmart,jobs take weeks to get back to you if they ever do. Do not call us, we will call you. It would be nice if they hired her; Looks like people are losing jobs right and left in the US so doubt a lazy none self starter like her will be hired first.I hope we still have a few lake weeks left, have not bothered going to the spa yet this year; That was our thing for a few years in a row, swimming at the spa; Then my husband freaked me out saying the water had rotten old skin floating in it from sick old people and pee from children.Probably true but not sure it will kill you.Heard 2 people on a bike trail here in a village were killed just days apart. A man ran into the back of a parked van and a women had to be airlifted to the hospital, she was 30. No details about the road conditions but you would think it was safe on a bike trail. Both accidents happened in the same village.My deceased brother had a brand new 750 motorbike our mom bought him when he left the military. Nice with matching helmet. It was too much bike for a beginner. He was on his way to an insurance co; to get coverage when he slammed into the back of a school bus; He was fine, bike was done. Total loss. He never rode a motorbike again, must of scared him allot.Both of my parents passed at age 67. Mom had her moments of seeming out of it but she was very ill.I really do not know what it is like to have a very elderly parent who needs personal care. Never had a living grandmother either so no idea how that sort of relationship is.I know when I was lucky enough to find my fathers village of birth and actually go there and see for myself I felt a connection to Poland like it was home.My father never would of dreamed anyone of us would ever visit there. It was still communist when he was living.I was blown away seeing how important my family was with the grease oil trade. My US cousins and I went to a Rysun museum, they both thought their families were into the grease trade. I never even knew of such a business. Out of 7 families listed as founders, 3 had my surname. Think my cousins secretly were disappointed. - @Marilyn Tassy

Erd and Diosd are odd places at the best of time.  Just Budapest spillover.  It's a place - like so many in Hungary - that doesn't really have a proper centre.   My theory is that it's a legacy of communism.  Most places elsewhere in Europe have village squares with shops in them, a market, a church, cafes and a town hall but usually here, it's like one strip with little along it.   I guess it never got past the Commies as a concept - people shouldn't meet in case they were plotting against Lenin, Stalin or whoever.   Then they all jumped to shopping malls which weakly mimic town centres.  So much for urban planning.

Like I said, you need to get down to the lakes if you want a bit of water relaxation.  Today, it was a bit meh at Fluffy Towers now we've finished with Balaton for this year.  It was all cloudy here this morning and then it was sunny and too hot.  I managed to wash down our car roof box and stack up some firewood on one of my new firewood racks I'd welded up.  We've got too much wood.  But what fits in there looks tidy now.     Tomorrow I think we'll have to mow the grass as no-one has done it for two weeks. I say grass but it's patches of grass connected by islands of weeds.

We also noticed our grapes (on the vines) have been infested by wasps.   I mean, come on, we didn't even get a chance to eat much of the one bunch on there!  We rescued about 10 grapes.  Nice grapes.  Wasps were loving it.  I had to cut the bunch off and throw most of it away.   We've got no chance of making any wine but our neighbours vines are encroaching on our fence and there are three large bunches growing on our side.  I'm training the vines along our fence. I just hope the neighbour doesn't cut it off.   I told one of them to just let them grow, I don't care about them growing on our fence so long it is on our side.   We're not paying in chickens, roasted or otherwise.

It's quite surprising how people in previous generations couldn't see how things would change.  Like everyone has a mobile phone/Internet device, nearly all banking is electronic, electric cars, cheap air travel, fewer restrictions on travel (for most people),  convicted felon, grifter and professional narcissist Donald Trump as President, probes sent to Mars, blah-blah.  I cannot guess what we'll see but I could throw loads of things on the table:  remotely piloted planes and ships,  implanted phone/communications in the body,  cloned teeth and cloned body parts, reliable cures for many diseases etc.

I watched the people in the hospital care for my Dad and the nurse for my MIL.  It was a slick operation, very well practised by the folks.  It wasn't great to watch but they were very business like.  No messing about and automatic.

No-one should be allowed on a motorbike unless they've passed a test.  That's the way it is here. Don't know about the USA.

I've got my dad visiting; he has been here since Thursday, and I am already worn out. The amount of walking I've done must be miles. He leaves on Tuesday at 8 pm. Has been good to see him, though, and have been to 3 free music concerts that have been really good. He even wants to book a couple to perform in the UK. Off tomorrow to see some dear friends of mine in the mountains for lunch, a lovely Scottish couple that I even call family, well, call Cath "Mom". The last time I saw them was way before COVID, and my best mate, who is Welsh and lives nearby he will be joining us, although I do see him often as he stays over if he has a late lecture at the Uni and has an early one the next day because its 20 mins away and he lives an hour away.  - @SimCityAT
Sounds good. I hope touring from Austria is a lot easier than from the UK to the EU.
I listened to a Brexit phone-in yesterday and it's really still a problem for British bands to work festivals in the EU. The paperwork is daunting.

Our daughter was watching Franz Ferdinand at the Valley of the Arts festival and she took a photo of their tour truck - it was Irish registered. I've heard that known bands keep their tour gear in Ireland to avoid the paperwork.

My Dad was in his 90s when he came to Hungary. It was way too much for him and for us. It's probably the most stressful trip I've had supervising someone Oddly, he insisted on playing dumb as he thought they'd say he was faking his slow walking etc so he could have a wheelchair and it'd cost money. He was also very deaf and couldn't respond to prompts - he wasn't intellectually incapacitated at all. Just isolated. It was OK in many ways that we got him here but really, it wasn't worth it for him or us. We live on a hill and his legs were not that good. We drove him around a fair bit but he kept nodding off. - @fluffy2560

Well, I survived the day. We only visited my friends in Semmering and had lunch there, and spent the afternoon chatting. So no walking was involved. Dad will be 85 in November a rest was good for him. It was a pleasant drive and beautiful scenery. He had never been out that way before. Left at 5.30 pm just when the heavens opened up. It must have followed us home because when I checked the weather in the morning, it was meant to have been a fine day at home.

Well, I survived the day. We only visited my friends in Semmering and had lunch there, and spent the afternoon chatting. So no walking was involved. Dad will be 85 in November a rest was good for him. It was a pleasant drive and beautiful scenery. He had never been out that way before. Left at 5.30 pm just when the heavens opened up. It must have followed us home because when I checked the weather in the morning, it was meant to have been a fine day at home. - @SimCityAT

Semmering is a nice place to visit.  A lot of international people I worked with used to go there for the weekend.  I've been there a few times but not gone there in quite a few years. I am sure your Dad would have enjoyed the entire thing.   

Have you tried the Salamander train up to the Schneeberg? 

It's really pricey but the views are good and there's a few stops and food to try.   We've done it once.  And only once as it's far too much money for what it is. Obviously picking the right day is important as is the right clothing.  At 1800m, it gets cold up there and can be suddenly rainy. 

Hohe Wand is also not bad but you need to make sure your car has good brakes for coming down.   It's seriously steep.  It's a lot cheaper there but only 1000m.  Sky Walk is interesting.

Was considering the lake today but not warm enough today, or at least in the morning;

We make up our minds for the day early, either we hit the road early or we mess around till noon.

Later this week seems better.

Still never get used to having 4 seasons;

I am used to just 2.

Ca. can get hot even in mid Dec. New Mexico had the sun shinning with snow on the ground.

NV is swim weather at least 10 months a year.

I know in New Mexico my husband took a test to ride a motorbike; I think it is the same in every state.

My brothers bike was powerful, perhaps too much for him at the time; He was 20 years old and still growing. Joined the military at 18 and did 2 years.

He was one of the rare people I have ever met who knew exactly what job they wanted and did it; His only job outside of military training was working on airplanes.

No fast food jobs, no side jobs just planes.

He loved it.

My Vegas friend is in mourning; Her first cousin, aged 61 passed away a few days ago from complications of sepsis.

She told me about the past family history on that side; She should write a book or script a movie.

Unreal stuff, her uncle and his brother killed their aunt by accident with a gun, her father robbed a bank with another guy and was on a road crew for criminals, then he became a wealthy owner of a machine shop. Left all his wealth to her half brother .

Her other  bother OD ed after breaking his neck, I swear it reads like a fictional book. I met one of her half brothers at a dinner party she held. Nice guy, was told he was taken away to a home as a child and raised away from everyone? Strange.

So much trauma.

I grew up in the same town and never heard of such things happening around us.

I have no easy words of comfort for such drama.

Yes, Erd was town of hope for those in commie days; They could afford to buy their own land and dream of having a garden. I know as a 9 year old my husband would cry all weekend because he had to go to Erd with his parents on the train to work their garden; He would of rather stay in the city and play with his city friends. As a teenager it was great that his parents left every weekend and he could stay in the city, getting into all sorts of trouble on his own.

Just like my BFF Lisa, she was the youngest of 5 and only she and her brother still lived at home.

Her parents would go camping every weekend from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon.

We all told our moms Lisa was having a small sleep over and her parents were there.

No, they were out and not a simple sleep over, more of a pot filled party and midnight runs to Denny,s for food and coffee. Dennys was a 24 hour coffee shop.

Lots of laughs and fun but it all came crashing down when one of Lisa,s brothers collage friends got sick all over Lisa, moms new sofa.

All good things come to an end.

Was considering the lake today but not warm enough today, or at least in the morning;
We make up our minds for the day early, either we hit the road early or we mess around till noon.
Later this week seems better.
Still never get used to having 4 seasons;
I am used to just 2.
Ca. can get hot even in mid Dec. New Mexico had the sun shinning with snow on the ground.
NV is swim weather at least 10 months a year.
I know in New Mexico my husband took a test to ride a motorbike; I think it is the same in every state.
My brothers bike was powerful, perhaps too much for him at the time; He was 20 years old and still growing. Joined the military at 18 and did 2 years.
He was one of the rare people I have ever met who knew exactly what job they wanted and did it; His only job outside of military training was working on airplanes.
No fast food jobs, no side jobs just planes.
He loved it.

My Vegas friend is in mourning; Her first cousin, aged 61 passed away a few days ago from complications of sepsis.
She told me about the past family history on that side; She should write a book or script a movie.
Unreal stuff, her uncle and his brother killed their aunt by accident with a gun, her father robbed a bank with another guy and was on a road crew for criminals, then he became a wealthy owner of a machine shop. Left all his wealth to her half brother .
Her other bother OD ed after breaking his neck, I swear it reads like a fictional book. I met one of her half brothers at a dinner party she held. Nice guy, was told he was taken away to a home as a child and raised away from everyone? Strange.
So much trauma.
I grew up in the same town and never heard of such things happening around us.
I have no easy words of comfort for such drama.

Yes, Erd was town of hope for those in commie days; They could afford to buy their own land and dream of having a garden. I know as a 9 year old my husband would cry all weekend because he had to go to Erd with his parents on the train to work their garden; He would of rather stay in the city and play with his city friends. As a teenager it was great that his parents left every weekend and he could stay in the city, getting into all sorts of trouble on his own.
Just like my BFF Lisa, she was the youngest of 5 and only she and her brother still lived at home.
Her parents would go camping every weekend from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon.
We all told our moms Lisa was having a small sleep over and her parents were there.
No, they were out and not a simple sleep over, more of a pot filled party and midnight runs to Denny,s for food and coffee. Dennys was a 24 hour coffee shop.
Lots of laughs and fun but it all came crashing down when one of Lisa,s brothers collage friends got sick all over Lisa, moms new sofa.
All good things come to an end. - @Marilyn Tassy

It's supposed to be back up to 29C'ish at the weekend.  Believe it when I see it.  It's 23C now and 11.15h.  Even so, it's a lot warmer inside the house - big windows and sunshine - it's a greenhouse.  Would be worth a look at the lake if it's really going to be close 29C.    Mrs wants to fill up the pop up pool.  It takes 16000 litres of water.  That's 16 tonnes.  I'd rather we put it away so I can work on my cars. I have to keep them further down the driveway as there's not enough space.  It means I have no room to work on them as the driveway is a  bit narrow.

Sorry to hear about your Vegas friend's cousin's departure.  61 is no age.  And that sepsis seems to be everywhere and it's just not recognised early enough by medics as well as individuals. If they'd got it early, then cousin might have had a chance.  I had to read up on it because of my parents and MIL.  MIL was bedridden and what with pressure sores and so on, it could only be luck she didn't get any severe problems.  Of course, that would have nothing compared to final stages of Parkinson's.

I reckon a lot of your experiences and knowledge of all these kind of goings on do deserve a book.  We've said it before.  So many odd ball things.   It makes other lives seem rather boring!  I imagine an small town folksy view of the world, superficially all white picket fences with an initially dull telling through the eyes of say, an 9 to 5 accountant or insurance claims administrator but with an increasingly bizarre, weird and hysterical circumstances surrounding their lives, i.e. calm on the surface but a raging hotbed of intrigue, double dealing and hopefully some depravity bubbling underneath.

I actually do know Denny's.  I was there with Mrs F a few times. I liked the breakfast but it's a bit like one of those things - too much puts you off.   And then you long for just some say, toast, not the full breakfast with this and that.

I did not know Erd was aspirational.  I thought it was very dull burbs with hardly anything going for it.  There used to be a military base there, now defunct.  And next door, a lavender farm, long abandoned.   Everyone took the lavender plants from the farm.  I know because I've got some in my garden! I think ours is an cutting from my MIL's garden.  I think they got theirs in Erd.  I remember being there and digging some plants out.  We didn't have a garden back then so it wasn't for us.  Must have  been for them.  I think the farm is now housing - just guessing.

Looks like my Africa trip is on hold due to no flights being available.  Oh well, means I can stay at home and do stuff around here.  Need to do lots because of the weather changing in 2 months. I always have plans and somehow they get messed up by events.  I really need to win the lottery so I can have a life of leisure.

Lottery, I wish!!

Been playing a couple of games for the last month, nada, not even a return on my investment.

I am not sure how much winning would change my life but I am willing to find out!

Yes, end of week looks like lake time.

Nice out ATM but Tesco is calling.

Sorry about Africa, there is always next time. No flights? Strange.

I know when my husband went to S. Africa in 1975 from NYC they only had one flight going there per week. By the time he arrived in Jo burg, most of the flight was empty of passengers.

Yes, Denny,s we would load up into a few cars and drive over at midnight, 1 am. No one seemed to care we all were underage and out that late. Lisa,s bros friends had jobs and covered all our snacks and left a nice tip; We all were pretty much raised to tip service people growing up.

Everyone pile into a VW bug and a Chevy and off we went.

IDK, our small town was odd. Manson family lived in the foothills, Blackburn cult also lived in the foothills.

Knew a guy who lived in a tree house in the foothills. Heard there were allot of wife swapping parties in our town?  A mix of working class people, Mexican farm workers who stayed there after it turned into a suburban town, before the freeway was built and we were pretty much isolated from the San Fernando Valley by the old pass road. used to be a stage coach route. Then we had Rocketdyne labs in the foothills with their nuke accident in 1959. Loads of horses and the main drag was just tire shops, ice cream shops and small businesses. No major dept stores, no bus line; The train would come through but we did not even have a train stop in town.  There were also allot of real drag races on the main st.Had loads of Mexican friends in grade school, a few German kids whos parents came from Europe after the war. IDK, maybe they were ex SS or something? I was friends with one of the girls, Heidi, their mom made all their clothing, she and her 2 little sisters wore matching dresses with braids and long blonde hair, her brother liked me, he punched me hard once on the playground for no reason. Guess that is love when you are 10?

Very odd ball place to grow up;My parents thought it was safe and far away, yes, it was that.

Lottery, I wish!!Been playing a couple of games for the last month, nada, not even a return on my investment.I am not sure how much winning would change my life but I am willing to find out!Yes, end of week looks like lake time.Nice out ATM but Tesco is calling.Sorry about Africa, there is always next time. No flights? Strange.I know when my husband went to S. Africa in 1975 from NYC they only had one flight going there per week. By the time he arrived in Jo burg, most of the flight was empty of passengers. Yes, Denny,s we would load up into a few cars and drive over at midnight, 1 am. No one seemed to care we all were underage and out that late. Lisa,s bros friends had jobs and covered all our snacks and left a nice tip; We all were pretty much raised to tip service people growing up.Everyone pile into a VW bug and a Chevy and off we went.IDK, our small town was odd. Manson family lived in the foothills, Blackburn cult also lived in the foothills.Knew a guy who lived in a tree house in the foothills. Heard there were allot of wife swapping parties in our town? A mix of working class people, Mexican farm workers who stayed there after it turned into a suburban town, before the freeway was built and we were pretty much isolated from the San Fernando Valley by the old pass road. used to be a stage coach route. Then we had Rocketdyne labs in the foothills with their nuke accident in 1959. Loads of horses and the main drag was just tire shops, ice cream shops and small businesses. No major dept stores, no bus line; The train would come through but we did not even have a train stop in town. There were also allot of real drag races on the main st.Had loads of Mexican friends in grade school, a few German kids whos parents came from Europe after the war. IDK, maybe they were ex SS or something? I was friends with one of the girls, Heidi, their mom made all their clothing, she and her 2 little sisters wore matching dresses with braids and long blonde hair, her brother liked me, he punched me hard once on the playground for no reason. Guess that is love when you are 10? Very odd ball place to grow up;My parents thought it was safe and far away, yes, it was that. - @Marilyn Tassy

I can get to Africa but it'd just cost an absolute fortune.  And I've got a restricted budget.  When I say fortune, I really do mean a fortune. I could probably buy a house a village for that much.  So I said,  it's just crazy nonsense,  let's do it later and they've all fallen into line, so no hurry, maybe in a couple of weeks.  In any case, they have to get their ducks in order.  No need to be quackers about it.  Hungarian lottery wouldn't even buy me a private jet.  Maybe a model of one.   

The thing about air tickets is the demand pricing they have now and the closer to take off, the more expensive it gets and the closer they get to overbooking.  Any sucker falling for those prices deserves to be punished.  So, Ok, I ain't that bovvered - take it or leave it. I'm not going to do some loopy routing that takes me all over the place and sleeping in airports - at 65, not doing that kind of nonsense.   In the past, I've had a travel agent on the job and they've usually been able to find a way to make it cheaper.  Like booking two singles on different airlines with different routes.  I haven't asked that travel agent in some years but when I did ask, they had changed their operation were only dealing with mega giant corporations.  Oh well, money spends equally well elsewhere. 

And I don't trust the people hiring me to book my ticket - I let them do it before and they screwed it up.   Must have left it to the intern that day.  I had to get a hotel room in Istanbul airport and yup, my luck, it was Ramadan. You couldn't even buy a beer.  The hotel staff told me to drink the stuff in the mini-bar.  Bloody cheek, it was a big chain like Hilton or Marriott or something.  Couldn't even get food properly.  I tried supermarkets.  They thought I was nuts trying to get some food and most of them were closed.  I've been in Islamic countries before during Ramadan and it's easily doable if one has sensitivity and plans ahead.

Anyway, you see, all those odd goings on in a small California town - all ice cream on main street and no station.  A place where no-one stops, just a mini-time warp from the train window, all the HS kids with bobby sockets and HS football team jackets piled into a 1950s or 1970s car heading for Denny's.   Explosions at Rocketdyne - maybe by ex-Nazi secret experiments? And their children like in a mildly violent Sound of Music thump in the playground (where'd they learn love means a thump then?). Kids called Heidi and Helmut and I imagine, Mom making costumes like lederhosen?  Mysterious gossip from all the neighbours surround the mysterious German odd-ball Adams Family neighbours. 

It's already the basic plot with my silly embellishments and it's writing itself!  If only I had any talent.  You need a ghost writer. 

I was checking air flights and got freaked out. Not the prices so much as remembering past flying experiences and not being interested in even going .

My bro hardly ever flew with his free perk but when he did, he only brought one carry one bag. never checked in anything. He was lucky though, they always bump up a fellow airline employee. They just have to dress the part,collard shirt, no shorts, no tennis shoes etc.

I flew with American Airlines in my early 30s for a job interview in Dallas from LA.

Not sure what I was thinking or perhaps I have forgotten they asked us not to bring extra luggage? I wish I brought a larger handbag and put comfy shoes in there;I wore 3 inch heels all day long, running through airports while wearing stocking and a nice suit with pearls and all.

What made me mad was I did not get hired and on my way home every Tom, Dick and Harry stopped me for instructions, like I worked there.

I did get bumped up to first class on the way home, sort of a booby prize for not getting the job?

I wanted my bro to help me get hired in LA cleaning planes; He said no way, it was gross and he did not want me doing that job; I asked my niece in Vegas to get me a cleaning job, simple job for a fortune 500 IT co; she worked at, she also said no way, not for me. I do not get it, I clean my own house and one of my first jobs was pumping gas and cleaning hotel rooms. I guess they have an image of me that I do not have for myself? I wanted that airline cleaning  job because it came with health insurance for my family, free travel perks etc.

I do not blame you, why pay for a ticket when it is just a hassle, They should get you one if they want you so badly to be there.

Oh, almost forgot, my halfie got the Walmart job!!!

Not sure when she starts , she has to pass what they call probation first. I guess that means she has to show she can show up on time, do the work and not act stupid before they make her official? I told my older sis to set up a repayment plan or she will never see her funds again.

I heard Walmart is hiring allot lately because Trump threw out allot of illegals. Walmart was in the practice of not checking SS numbers and making sure people were legit? Not cool.

My Vegas friend kills me the way she wastes their money on silly items.

Bought a $200; sweater in the mall, it was ugly, but a nice wool material; Tried it on, hated it after all, took it back, could not find anything she liked, went online, ordered a shirt instead, decided it was not good, went to another store with the same company, could not find anything, got a gift card for herself and still needs to spend her $200. inside that store.

A couple days ago she ordered food online to deliver to her deceased cousins husband and 2 adult none working living at home kids who are both in their 30s. All overweight and lazy. I know she was trying to send them comfort food to be nice but,$170. worth of ribs and BBQ? They thanked her the next day but said they had already eaten before it was delivered, how rude to say that even if true. I told her it sounded like Taco Bell would of been more in order then a nice  3 course meal.

I am not that generous, not even with ourselves.

She scars me, I know in Vegas they insisted on treating us to their favorite pizza parlor; It was not very good pizza and one pie cost$100! I will not recipocate anything like that. I would rather spend hours cooking for friends then waste money on junk food that is fast to order.

I hate feeling so cheap but come on.

My husband would divorce me in 2 seconds if I ordered online food for distant family in another state for that much money.

I would think a food gift card for that much would go further then a one time meal.

I sometimes think I am the only practical person I know, boring.

I woke up last night feeling badly about ragging on how my friend spends Her money. Not my business and not kind of me.

Just I know her history and wow, she should be more watchful, even wealthy people watch their pennies.

I am sure it warmed her heart to try and do something nice for her cousins family.

My brother was the same, he sent $2,000 towards our cousins funeral costs even though as a Vet the US gov would of buried him for free.

My brother kept is super simple when he passed but had no problem giving for a larger funeral for a cousin.

Well, hopefully I will sleep easy tonight by confessing when I am wrong.

I was checking air flights and got freaked out. Not the prices so much as remembering past flying experiences and not being interested in even going .My bro hardly ever flew with his free perk but when he did, he only brought one carry one bag. never checked in anything. He was lucky though, they always bump up a fellow airline employee. They just have to dress the part,collard shirt, no shorts, no tennis shoes etc.I flew with American Airlines in my early 30s for a job interview in Dallas from LA.Not sure what I was thinking or perhaps I have forgotten they asked us not to bring extra luggage? I wish I brought a larger handbag and put comfy shoes in there;I wore 3 inch heels all day long, running through airports while wearing stocking and a nice suit with pearls and all.What made me mad was I did not get hired and on my way home every Tom, Dick and Harry stopped me for instructions, like I worked there.I did get bumped up to first class on the way home, sort of a booby prize for not getting the job?I wanted my bro to help me get hired in LA cleaning planes; He said no way, it was gross and he did not want me doing that job; I asked my niece in Vegas to get me a cleaning job, simple job for a fortune 500 IT co; she worked at, she also said no way, not for me. I do not get it, I clean my own house and one of my first jobs was pumping gas and cleaning hotel rooms. I guess they have an image of me that I do not have for myself? I wanted that airline cleaning job because it came with health insurance for my family, free travel perks etc.I do not blame you, why pay for a ticket when it is just a hassle, They should get you one if they want you so badly to be there.Oh, almost forgot, my halfie got the Walmart job!!!Not sure when she starts , she has to pass what they call probation first. I guess that means she has to show she can show up on time, do the work and not act stupid before they make her official? I told my older sis to set up a repayment plan or she will never see her funds again.I heard Walmart is hiring allot lately because Trump threw out allot of illegals. Walmart was in the practice of not checking SS numbers and making sure people were legit? Not cool.My Vegas friend kills me the way she wastes their money on silly items.Bought a $200; sweater in the mall, it was ugly, but a nice wool material; Tried it on, hated it after all, took it back, could not find anything she liked, went online, ordered a shirt instead, decided it was not good, went to another store with the same company, could not find anything, got a gift card for herself and still needs to spend her $200. inside that store.A couple days ago she ordered food online to deliver to her deceased cousins husband and 2 adult none working living at home kids who are both in their 30s. All overweight and lazy. I know she was trying to send them comfort food to be nice but,$170. worth of ribs and BBQ? They thanked her the next day but said they had already eaten before it was delivered, how rude to say that even if true. I told her it sounded like Taco Bell would of been more in order then a nice 3 course meal.I am not that generous, not even with ourselves.She scares me, I know in Vegas they insisted on treating us to their favorite pizza parlor; It was not very good pizza and one pie cost$100! I will not recipocate anything like that. I would rather spend hours cooking for friends then waste money on junk food that is fast to order.I hate feeling so cheap but come on.My husband would divorce me in 2 seconds if I ordered online food for distant family in another state for that much money.I would think a food gift card for that much would go further then a one time meal.I sometimes think I am the only practical person I know, boring. - @Marilyn Tassy

I've now got my marching orders for Africa so I've no excuse but to go but I get to choose the timing. I'm sliding on the amount of time there.  We aren't allowed to work more than 5 days a week but we can get an exemption to work 6 days a week in country/on-site. If I get the OK from the Africans themselves on the timing,  I'll just end up hanging about in the airport for 5h on the way back.  I'm cutting back on the Africa trip length as I've got stuff to do in the UK.  I think it's not difficult work so thumb twiddling will be the norm.

Wow, so Halfie is now in with Walmart!  Congrats on that.  I guess everyone is wondering how long it lasts.  Now there's no excuse not to get the car fixed or pay back your sister and plasma sales will be down.    I thought it might be a spin off of Trump's policies.  I am not surprised about Walmart.  There was always a possibility of using someone else's SS number in the USA.  The actual numbers are dimwittedly designed.  I looked into it once.  No-one would use such a system now.

Trump is  always good for a laugh (and my schadenfreude meter needs a bit of exercise) - there's a new South Park video of him cosying up to the devil at a dinner party.  More interesting is the reports of Ghislaine Maxwell could be pardoned if she exonerates Trump.  Now doesn't that sound like a stitch up typical of the Mango Mussolini?  If I were Maxwell, I'd say OK, I'd lie like hell in Congressional hearings so long as immunity was given and the deal was documented.  It's too important to say she was in contempt etc. I'd immediately run away to France (she's a citizen there) and immediately say it was under duress and confess Trump was at the centre of all the Epstein case.  It's plainly going to be a question that's going to be answered to his detriment.  Why would he be so keen to put a lid on it?   Keep the MAGA-morons faithful? Anyways, France doesn't extradite its citizens so she'd be pretty much OK there.  She's wealthy and can afford to fade into obscurity and live a life of luxury.   Meanwhile, Trump is claiming he should get the Nobel Peace Prize for solving about 5 wars. Again.  Come on, he's done nothing much except cosy up to Putin continuously and actually the cause of death of  so many in Ukraine and Gaza.  His legacy will be as effectively an angel of death.     Back on track I cannot see Trump keeping a lid on Epstein.   There's an interesting argument I heard - if there's nothing in the Epstein files, why was Maxwell even convicted?  It's a novel thing to argue I suppose.

I think the days of online food ordering are limited.  It's all too expensive.  I was looking at the price of a pizza in Siofok and if you had the pizza and a couple of drinks, it'd be 5000 HUF per head.   That's crazy.  That sounds like it's easy enough to feed a family of four a roast chicken with trimmings.    I wouldn't send anyone food remotely.  That's just bonkers.

I woke up last night feeling badly about ragging on how my friend spends Her money. Not my business and not kind of me.
Just I know her history and wow, she should be more watchful, even wealthy people watch their pennies.
I am sure it warmed her heart to try and do something nice for her cousins family.
My brother was the same, he sent $2,000 towards our cousins funeral costs even though as a Vet the US gov would of buried him for free.
My brother kept is super simple when he passed but had no problem giving for a larger funeral for a cousin.
Well, hopefully I will sleep easy tonight by confessing when I am wrong. - @Marilyn Tassy

People spend money on their interests and priorities. It is indeed their business but there's no reason not to comment on it.   I spend money on stuff which no-one thinks is reasonable.  But it's my money and my business. On the other hand, I discuss all large purchases with Mrs F.  I wouldn't do anything without discussion with her. I have the biggest fear something will happen to me and Mrs F will be caught up in a financial mess and the kids would all suffer.

I suppose as a vet, the cousin will end up in a military cemetery.   Nothing wrong with that. At least his memorial would be cared for. So many memorials collapse and get overgrown and that's sad to see.  I want my maternal great grandparents grave repaired and tidied up but no-one seems to be interested to contribute to it.  I was in the cemetery where my FIL and MIL rest here and some of those graves have not been tended to for a few years and they aren't actually that old - even just 5 years.  No-one probably goes there now.  We have tidied graves of the neighbouring graves of my MIL.  Just seemed the right thing to do.   

I hope someone would repair my resting place and try to remember me.   Great grandparents seem to be the limits of people's interest.  Past that, it just gets lost in the fog of time and too distant.  Mrs F can remember her great grandma.  I think she was 6 when great grandma passed.  Something like that.  I never knew my own great grandparents.   I am still looking for my Irish relative but it's way back to be "EU useful".   Shame. 

Graves,my cousins still keep our grandmothers grave kept up. She passed in the 1940s.

A Greek Orthodox graveyard in Conn.

Weird, we never had our father take us there for a visit. He was really close to his mom too.

My 2 aunties in Ca have their sons visiting them often and keeping things trimmed and neat.

One cuz posts photos every each showing the red roses he brought his mom, sweet.

My mom and stepdad are laying next to each other in Simi and so far the place keeps things trimmed up; Those easy to mow around flat headstones are there.

My brother is blowin in the New Mexican wind and my sister is in a drawer at my nieces place.

Her idiot boyfriend asked my niece for her ashes on the one year ani of her death.

He called her up saying Myra,s friends missed her and wanted to spread her ashes at the Santa Anita racetrack!!!! That phone call did not end well for him, my niece gave him more then a piece of her mind.

Next Vegas trip whenever that happens means I have to let my dogs ashes go.

IDK, really do not want to look inside the box! Yikes, no way.

In Poland I swear every half mile was a small graveyard next to a wooden church. Cute but creepy.

At least in Rusyn lands it was set up like that. We spent a long time searching the headstones beside St. Lukes church in Kunkowa for relations; Did not see any?? I wonder if there is something the family has not shared about them being church members? My cousins also could not find any relations at the few graveyards we looked at. Hmm; could be relations were too poor to buy headstones??

No matter, no headstone for me, no one would visit anyways.

Graves,my cousins still keep our grandmothers grave kept up. She passed in the 1940s.A Greek Orthodox graveyard in Conn.Weird, we never had our father take us there for a visit. He was really close to his mom too.My 2 aunties in Ca have their sons visiting them often and keeping things trimmed and neat.One cuz posts photos every each showing the red roses he brought his mom, sweet.My mom and stepdad are laying next to each other in Simi and so far the place keeps things trimmed up; Those easy to mow around flat headstones are there.My brother is blowin in the New Mexican wind and my sister is in a drawer at my nieces place.Her idiot boyfriend asked my niece for her ashes on the one year ani of her death.He called her up saying Myra,s friends missed her and wanted to spread her ashes at the Santa Anita racetrack!!!! That phone call did not end well for him, my niece gave him more then a piece of her mind.Next Vegas trip whenever that happens means I have to let my dogs ashes go.IDK, really do not want to look inside the box! Yikes, no way.In Poland I swear every half mile was a small graveyard next to a wooden church. Cute but creepy.At least in Rusyn lands it was set up like that. We spent a long time searching the headstones beside St. Lukes church in Kunkowa for relations; Did not see any?? I wonder if there is something the family has not shared about them being church members? My cousins also could not find any relations at the few graveyards we looked at. Hmm; could be relations were too poor to buy headstones??No matter, no headstone for me, no one would visit anyways. - @Marilyn Tassy

It's really good they are still looking after the grave way back from the 1940s.  And excellent the cemetery spends time on the grounds work.  They don't do enough of that here.  I am surprised how much effort Mrs F puts into tending to her Mum.  I haven't really seen my parents grave since they were buried there.  It's been perhaps 10 months since I was there but my sister, niece and my sister's grandkids were there tidying up.

Mrs F's relative is in Biatorbagy cemetery and I think went in there in the 1920s. Still remembered by some and one of Mrs F's cousins has said he's going in there with him.  The one in there now was seen as a bit of a rebel and the cousin has bad relations with his immediate family.  I like him, he's very educated, speaks good English but he likes the palinka a bit too much.  I mean he's an alcoholic.  A solid one, right now, not even reformed.  Apparently that family were all threatening to kill each other the other day.  I don't know what kind of life that is.  It sounds absurd but they should keep away from each other.

I'd tell anyone like an ex-partner where to put my relative's ashes where to get off.  And at a racetrack? Doesn't seem ideal. I think I'd like my ashes in with my relatives.   I guess I might get split up and half here and half back in the UK with my Mum and Dad.   A bit here would give Mrs F and the kids some local place to visit rather than a cemetery 1000 miles away.

BTW, maybe I mentioned it before,  I had to split up my Mum into two "portions" as some had to go in with my brother and the other half had to go in with my Dad. I split the ashes in their living room and put half of Mum in a Tupperware container and the rest remained in a wooden box in a plastic bag.   I got some of it over the carpet.  Not an elegant place to rest - in a plastic bag.  The remains were still in the box and was put in with my Dad when his turn came. 

The ashes themselves are not so interesting but they are really dusty.  Wear gloves and a mask if decanting them. I used a spoon.  Perhaps there was 4kg of them - say 10lbs. They are just like some kind of crushed coral or sand with bits of crushed bone like material in it. 

There's a bit of reverence, but if one didn't know what they were  made of, it'd just go up the hoover.  That wasn't very good.  I felt sad some of my Mum went into the vacuum cleaner and lost in a landfill.  I washed spoon off and some went down the drain.  So ultimately, we return to the earth one way or another.  To anyone else, it was just dirt but to me it was some kind of sad experience to think it used to be a person.

Meanwhile, on another random tack,  I am thinking of making some tomato and onion chutney.  Tomatoes are super cheap now.  I made it before and had it stored since last year but it's all finished now.  I need to take the initiative and get cooking.  Mrs F has made tomato soup with mixed herb croutons.  Really nice.  Might take the dog after 17h if it's cooled down enough.

Speaking of chutney, I made 2 different small batches this week for the first time ever.

I just guessed at it, should probably actually look up how to make it! I used boiled watermelon rinds, apples, raisins that I soaked overnight in wine, one version had lemon juice and vinegar, the other just vinegar, sugar, honey, fresh ginger, cloves ground, cinnamon,dates in one batch too.

My husband has taken to saving watermelon rinds since he read they are full of minerals and vitamins.

I was thinking of trying a veggie version after these batches are gone.

My UK ex, pat connection gave us a couple jars of her homemade chutney years ago, Was so good!!

Oh, yes put a dash of hot pepper and garlic in too.

Not sure how to eat it, so far had it with airfried chicken legs and a few  slices of baby veal.

Looks like summer has finally arrived in Hungary! So hot already. Lake time or bust!

My Vegas friend tries too hard to get on with people. I know she is suffering with a stupid neighbor next door. The guy lives with his adult daughter and GF but 2 to 3 nights per week they blast music till 2 AM or longer!

I tried to warn my friend before they bought their condo to make sure the neighbors were noramlish at least. One reason a 55 year old plus house is a good idea.

I told her to talk to the surrounding apts and see how they handle it. Or give the guy a pair of headphones, problem is there are 3 idiots living there and they all want the music on.

My friend and her husband really need more sound sleep.

I feel bad for them; They pay nearly $400. per month in HOA, like our common cost fees.For that much plus paying off the condo you would think management would do something about the peace.

She is nice to the guy when they see him about the place. Not sure why they do not bring up the noise issue with him, what could get worst, every night music fest? My friend just takes another gummy and goes back to bed but it is not a restful sleep.

She and her husband seem to live on gummies and Aleve pain meds. I do worry, she is messing up her liver big time, even seen the doc over it.

I think hearing a drunk from the tank every once in awhile is hard.The drunk tank is located across the street from our building. One guy was getting crazy this morning but it was not the middle of the night.

Speaking of chutney, I made 2 different small batches this week for the first time ever.I just guessed at it, should probably actually look up how to make it! I used boiled watermelon rinds, apples, raisins that I soaked overnight in wine, one version had lemon juice and vinegar, the other just vinegar, sugar, honey, fresh ginger, cloves ground, cinnamon,dates in one batch too.My husband has taken to saving watermelon rinds since he read they are full of minerals and vitamins.I was thinking of trying a veggie version after these batches are gone.My UK ex, pat connection gave us a couple jars of her homemade chutney years ago, Was so good!!Oh, yes put a dash of hot pepper and garlic in too. Not sure how to eat it, so far had it with airfried chicken legs and a few slices of baby veal.Looks like summer has finally arrived in Hungary! So hot already. Lake time or bust!My Vegas friend tries too hard to get on with people. I know she is suffering with a stupid neighbor next door. The guy lives with his adult daughter and GF but 2 to 3 nights per week they blast music till 2 AM or longer!I tried to warn my friend before they bought their condo to make sure the neighbors were noramlish at least. One reason a 55 year old plus house is a good idea.I told her to talk to the surrounding apts and see how they handle it. Or give the guy a pair of headphones, problem is there are 3 idiots living there and they all want the music on.My friend and her husband really need more sound sleep.I feel bad for them; They pay nearly $400. per month in HOA, like our common cost fees.For that much plus paying off the condo you would think management would do something about the peace.She is nice to the guy when they see him about the place. Not sure why they do not bring up the noise issue with him, what could get worst, every night music fest? My friend just takes another gummy and goes back to bed but it is not a restful sleep.She and her husband seem to live on gummies and Aleve pain meds. I do worry, she is messing up her liver big time, even seen the doc over it.I think hearing a drunk from the tank every once in awhile is hard.The drunk tank is located across the street from our building. One guy was getting crazy this morning but it was not the middle of the night. - @Marilyn Tassy

I was looking at this chutney recipe - click here.    As usual, this is all too wordy BS but there's a simple version at the end with the Print button version.  I've made note of your raisins soaked in red wine.  This is an excellent idea.  I think I'll add it to the recipe.   It says in the recipe, it's enough for 20 portions but I'm going large and making 3 x the amount.  Looks like it'll be a baking and cooking afternoon.   We've got a sudden surplus of blackberries and apples so there's no option but to make some apple and blackberry pies or "wraps" using puff pastry. 

Mrs F's cousin and her dementia (Mrs F's aunt) affected mother will be here for a visit.  They are escaping the heat.  We promised to have the air-conditioning on for their time here.  It's so dreadfully hot now, my weather station reports 34C and another sensor in direct sunlight is 42C.   It's just too much.  Mrs F has filled up the pop up pool again.  That's 16 tonnes of water in the way of my car repair area.   The dementia aunt repeats herself constantly - she mid 80s so it's not so unusual.  She also forgets what she asked you 5 minutes before.  It's like a kind of repeating loop of conversation. I am of course not very involved as it's all in Hungarian.

I don't think anyone really thinks of the neighbours when buying a place. We didn't but we bought a detached house but it's a bit like a village centre so the houses are close to each other. I wonder if I'd have known what the neighbours were like, if we'd have done it.  I suppose we would.  We needed someone for the kids to grow up and it was a bit of an vague emergency cum desperation. Everyone was too big for the apartment and we were going loopy.    I've heard many stories of unreasonable HOA issues - like controls on door colours, garden ornaments etc.  Just weird.

Last night, the neighbours behind were talking loudly.   They've got a heated pool and it sounded like lads or men in there messing around. I didn't look through the fence.   That was at 11.30pm but then again I was watching TV until midnight and I had the patio/deck doors open.  Just needed the air to circulate.  And our kids are noisy - music (some good), shouting while playing video games (this I find bonkers).   Most of our neighbours are asleep by 11pm.  We can see their lights are off and curtains are closed.  They're either really old or they have young kids - both need their sleep.  Unlike us who seem to work nights - collecting No. 1 HU daughter from her partying. No. 1 HU son messing on his computer games and me wriggling around because my back hurts (I should get some gummies).  Mrs F has usually slumped over watching TV until the call comes for party collection from town or the bus stop. 

I'm trying to impress on No. 1 HU daughter that this is the time to learn to drive, when Uni is not on, there's nothing pressing academically and it's a life skill you can use forever.  Then she can drive herself to parties.  Not getting the feedback I want to hear - she's working on an art presentation to get into Uni in Salzburg.  WTF? She's only just starting in the 2nd year of Uni BUT apparently, end of second year one has to have a portfolio ready.  She's starting early to get ahead of the game.     I cannot criticise her for wanting to get ahead of it.

Meanwhile, No. 1 UK daughter and No. 2 Canadian daughter both have driving licences (US: license) so they are sorted.  I tried to get No. 1 UK daughter to get a pilot's licence but she said she liked flying (after multiple lessons) but decided she didn't love it.  Ah well, can't win them all.

Checked out the tomato chutney recipe.

Looks good, I need to find cardamon. IDK, maybe an Indian shop would carry it, no idea what they call it in Hungarian; Also have olive oil but not sure where to find ghee; A health food shop maybe?

Sometimes I wing it here, my husband never cooked in his youth and also does not know the HU names for somethings to do with cooking.

Not sure I want to think about food today!

Cooked fish last night and today, well just say it has been an active morning!!!

Have to be more careful with my food choices.

Neighbors, IDK why my friend tries to impress that guy by being civil to him when it is clear he is a jerk.

I need allot of sleep to feel like myself the next day;

I got off work as a dealer around 7 to 8 pm, start time was either 11am or noon. Nice shift, get to leave just as the night time crazies arrive.

Went to bed by 11pm and hoped to sleep all night long.

Then it happened, around midnight or so I heard cars chases, guns shooting etc;

It was the dudes next doors surround sound tv!!

Could not figure out where the noise was coming from for a week or so; I got dressed walked around the building, there were 8 flats per unit, we lived upstairs.

Could not hear a peep from outside.

Could not let it go, found the security guard and he listened too.

I told him I was not insane there were loud noises in my room;

I asked the guard to actually come into our bedroom and hear for himself;

Yes, he agreed it was loud;

He did some digging and it was the none working Hungarian guy next door watching tv while his Hungarian GF was dealing on the Strip.

He asked him to keep it down, he did and I know why; She was HU but went to Canada, from there she won one of those green card lotteries to the US. He came along with her but was illegal.

Yes, if it comes to my sleep, I would of defo called ICE on him!

I during that time asked another upstairs neighbor who shared a common wall with the Hungarians if he heard anything at night;

Funny Asian guy, nice guy, he said yes, it scared him so much that he fell out of bed!

Sometimes you have to defend your rights and peace.

I am surprised your daughter does not want to learn to drive; I could not wait to drive. My mom allowed me to take a driving course offered in HS to all over age 15 in 12th grade or 11th. We drove 5 students to one teacher on the roads; They got gym and football coaches to teach driving. My football coach teacher used to tease me so bad; I was a Hippie chick and I guess he did not like Hippies much; Every time it was my turn to take the wheel, he pulled the car over first, went to the back and opened the trunk. Put on a football helmet!!He said I had a lead foot!

Funny but sort of rude too.I was not bad, he was just trying to be a joker.

My mom told me to learn but I would have to wait to buy my own car and insurance.

At 18 while walking to work, I saw a car for sale, parked on a mans yard; $100.for a 1959 Studebaker, 2 door model; Built like a tank. I told him I was buying his car and to give me a few weeks to save up.

Not a high in demand car since no one bought it.

I took it home, did not have a license and practiced driving all over quiet Burbank at night when the traffic was slow. When I felt ready, I drove myself to the DMV and took the test in my funky car, passed but got a speeding ticket on my way home. maybe the football coach was right, I had a lead foot?

I was so excited to learned manual stick shift after that. Drove my friends VW bus and it was easy and fun. Always bought manual shift cars after that.

My Studebaker had not had a title change from the previous owner when I purchased it. The car was still registered to a Don Rickles Remember him? The wacky comedian, in the old skits of his he sometimes mentioned his clunker of a car! It was that! Now it is a collectors car worth a few bucks.

My husband laughes when we talk about that old Studebaker; I had to put air in the tires everyday and then the  head gasket went out. My step dad came over to replace it, did a once over on the car and screamed at me asking, where the heck does the guy live who sold you this car? He was really getting his, Irish up, he was half Irish, he was going to punch the guy in the face for selling me a junker.  Not sure what happened to the car, sold it I suppose bought a VW bug after that.

Checked out the tomato chutney recipe.Looks good, I need to find cardamon. IDK, maybe an Indian shop would carry it, no idea what they call it in Hungarian; Also have olive oil but not sure where to find ghee; A health food shop maybe?Sometimes I wing it here, my husband never cooked in his youth and also does not know the HU names for somethings to do with cooking.Not sure I want to think about food today!Cooked fish last night and today, well just say it has been an active morning!!!Have to be more careful with my food choices.Neighbors, IDK why my friend tries to impress that guy by being civil to him when it is clear he is a jerk.I need allot of sleep to feel like myself the next day;I got off work as a dealer around 7 to 8 pm, start time was either 11am or noon. Nice shift, get to leave just as the night time crazies arrive.Went to bed by 11pm and hoped to sleep all night long.Then it happened, around midnight or so I heard cars chases, guns shooting etc;It was the dudes next doors surround sound tv!!Could not figure out where the noise was coming from for a week or so; I got dressed walked around the building, there were 8 flats per unit, we lived upstairs.Could not hear a peep from outside.Could not let it go, found the security guard and he listened too.I told him I was not insane there were loud noises in my room;I asked the guard to actually come into our bedroom and hear for himself;Yes, he agreed it was loud;He did some digging and it was the none working Hungarian guy next door watching tv while his Hungarian GF was dealing on the Strip.He asked him to keep it down, he did and I know why; She was HU but went to Canada, from there she won one of those green card lotteries to the US. He came along with her but was illegal.Yes, if it comes to my sleep, I would of defo called ICE on him!I during that time asked another upstairs neighbor who shared a common wall with the Hungarians if he heard anything at night;Funny Asian guy, nice guy, he said yes, it scared him so much that he fell out of bed!Sometimes you have to defend your rights and peace.I am surprised your daughter does not want to learn to drive; I could not wait to drive. My mom allowed me to take a driving course offered in HS to all over age 15 in 12th grade or 11th. We drove 5 students to one teacher on the roads; They got gym and football coaches to teach driving. My football coach teacher used to tease me so bad; I was a Hippie chick and I guess he did not like Hippies much; Every time it was my turn to take the wheel, he pulled the car over first, went to the back and opened the trunk. Put on a football helmet!!He said I had a lead foot!Funny but sort of rude too.I was not bad, he was just trying to be a joker.My mom told me to learn but I would have to wait to buy my own car and insurance.At 18 while walking to work, I saw a car for sale, parked on a mans yard; $100.for a 1959 Studebaker, 2 door model; Built like a tank. I told him I was buying his car and to give me a few weeks to save up.Not a high in demand car since no one bought it.I took it home, did not have a license and practiced driving all over quiet Burbank at night when the traffic was slow. When I felt ready, I drove myself to the DMV and took the test in my funky car, passed but got a speeding ticket on my way home. maybe the football coach was right, I had a lead foot?I was so excited to learned manual stick shift after that. Drove my friends VW bus and it was easy and fun. Always bought manual shift cars after that.My Studebaker had not had a title change from the previous owner when I purchased it. The car was still registered to a Don Rickles Remember him? The wacky comedian, in the old skits of his he sometimes mentioned his clunker of a car! It was that! Now it is a collectors car worth a few bucks.My husband laughes when we talk about that old Studebaker; I had to put air in the tires everyday and then the head gasket went out. My step dad came over to replace it, did a once over on the car and screamed at me asking, where the heck does the guy live who sold you this car? He was really getting his, Irish up, he was half Irish, he was going to punch the guy in the face for selling me a junker. Not sure what happened to the car, sold it I suppose bought a VW bug after that. - @Marilyn Tassy

Chutney: I wouldn't bother with the Ghee - that's a fat bomb - so I used olive oil in an attempt to be healthier.  Ghee might thicken it up though.  It has far too much liquid in it.  I think a lot of liquid should be taken out to make it thicker  as it's far to runny for my liking.   We got powdered Cardamon in Aldi or Tesco, I forget which. I would put in 1/2 the amount as it's a bit dominant.  I think I made a mistake in that I didn't fry the mustard seeds enough.  But I did put in some coriander.  Like so many Indian things, there's a lot of making it up as you go along.  Adjust to taste!

Noise:  It's surprising how annoying actually is for people.  My hearing is gradually going so there's one upside of noise around here.  My son was squeaking (!!!) a lot the other day as he was in some kind of gunfight in a computer game.  That was like 3am.  Neighbours must hear him. If he carries on like this, he's going to become what the Japanese called a Hikikomori.  We only see him for maybe 15m twice a day. I am not happy about it at all.

Cars: I know the brand Studebaker but it wasn't a brand that came over here and had any following. Shame really as it sounds like a luxurious car even if it was old.  And $100 isn't much for a clunker if it actually ran and got you places.  I quite like watching people starting up on junkers on YouTube.   It's a good way to learn about the mechanics.   Here's a 25 year old pickup truck that's been in this wood for 15 years - will it run?  Amazingly, a lot of them DO run.  It's something like satisfaction when it actually goes.   I do know Don Rickles.  He's been in a load of movies I've seen. Usually playing a wise ass grifter.  His Crapgame turn in Kelly's Heroes (one of my all time fave movies) was pretty good.

Maybe like this one:

That is a cute Studebaker; Mine I think was a Lark model, white and more rounded looking.

Had a tiny engine for such a heavy body.

It was a good starter car, I just used it around town, once or twice I drove into Hollywood on the freeway with it but I did have concerns I might break down.

I looked at pricesfor collector Studebakers, think the average was going for $16,000.

If we kept that, the 73 Alfa Berllina, the 1971 Dodge Challenger , special edition model we could be sitting pretty or at least a bit prettier.

My cousin who recently turned 79 but looks and acts much younger, loves to collect old Italian cars and redo them.He lives in Vegas for now with his wife;

She was telling me her first husband had been a movie producer, interesting; no idea how big he was in the industry but they do have a few bucks to waste on expensive hobby cars.

My cousin and she made a good living too with doing some sort of rewiring of car parts. I forget what exactly they did but it paid off. Their daughter is in Hollywood now and is doing script writing. IDK, sounds like they have connections; My cousins baby bro was the cousin who was a child actor and then shot himself at age 21. My auntie had allot of Hollywood connections that I suppose are still going on.

I hate to ask too many personal questions from my cousin; We were out of touch for IDK over 63 years. Last time I saw him was in Vegas before that I was only 4 years old so not close enough to ask personal stuff.

Nice guy though, he insisted in picking up my husband and I in Vegas with his wife and taking us about town in his Caddie.

I will keep my eyes open for cardamon spice next store trip.

Yes, I know all about the Hikikomori, think our son is one, his wife has turned into one also.

They are thinking of starting a U tube channel to explain Japanese games into English. OK? if that is your dream!!

Let,s just say we are a bit disappointed, he also used to hide in his room forever and just play games as a teenager; Be careful, a monster is growing!!!

So many people are addicted to games and their cell phone.

No need to brainwash anyone, people are doing it to themselves!

Getting worried about my bro, no one has heard from him in weeks. I may have to break down and just call his number or write his wife.

He went sober in the ICU and rehab, hope he has not backslid out of depression.

Walmart is doing a background check on my halfie; I had no idea it was like that for Walmart of all places.

Had that for casino work but we handled allot of cash and could possibly work with players against the casino. Some casinos like the Wynn did credit card checks on people too. If you owed too much in debt they would not hire you.

Saw Trump is thinking of sending in the National guard into 5 US cities, martial law???

Something has to be done but this sounds scary.

Speaking of living in a dream world... My halfie is so stubborn it really makes me mad.

She has a phone plan of $70; per month. The eldest found another plan for only $40; a month.

No, not good enough for her!  On top of that, she purchased a $1,000 new phone just as she was losing her house!! She has no need of such a fancy phone. She does not even do e mail!

I had suggested she apply for a free gov; phone for emergencies. They send low income people a free phone with an hour of free time per month plus texting time; Emergency services can be contacted even if you hour of time has run out. No way, not even considering it! She is way too proud but not proud enough to beg; She keeps borrowing from the eldest. lived free for a full year now and owes money on top of it!

Have to scrap her off, she will never move out at this rate, what for?

The eldest is not in reality either. They are off this weekend for fun and games at the Ren Fest in Minn;

Dressing up like it is 1400 and shooting arrows and watching josting. Probably have to buy all food and drink on site too.

Someone dumped a kitten at her door, she took it in; $14. a bottle for kitten milk; I never heard of kitten milk, we just gave cats normal cows milk in a bowl. She called up a no kill shelter to take it in. They are not taking in kittens right now but I am sure they are still taking in donations!

Sometimes I think moving overseas away from everyone was the best move ever!

That is a cute Studebaker; Mine I think was a Lark model, white and more rounded looking.Had a tiny engine for such a heavy body.It was a good starter car, I just used it around town, once or twice I drove into Hollywood on the freeway with it but I did have concerns I might break down.I looked at pricesfor collector Studebakers, think the average was going for $16,000.If we kept that, the 73 Alfa Berllina, the 1971 Dodge Challenger , special edition model we could be sitting pretty or at least a bit prettier.My cousin who recently turned 79 but looks and acts much younger, loves to collect old Italian cars and redo them.He lives in Vegas for now with his wife;She was telling me her first husband had been a movie producer, interesting; no idea how big he was in the industry but they do have a few bucks to waste on expensive hobby cars.My cousin and she made a good living too with doing some sort of rewiring of car parts. I forget what exactly they did but it paid off. Their daughter is in Hollywood now and is doing script writing. IDK, sounds like they have connections; My cousins baby bro was the cousin who was a child actor and then shot himself at age 21. My auntie had allot of Hollywood connections that I suppose are still going on.I hate to ask too many personal questions from my cousin; We were out of touch for IDK over 63 years. Last time I saw him was in Vegas before that I was only 4 years old so not close enough to ask personal stuff.Nice guy though, he insisted in picking up my husband and I in Vegas with his wife and taking us about town in his Caddie.I will keep my eyes open for cardamon spice next store trip.Yes, I know all about the Hikikomori, think our son is one, his wife has turned into one also.They are thinking of starting a U tube channel to explain Japanese games into English. OK? if that is your dream!!Let,s just say we are a bit disappointed, he also used to hide in his room forever and just play games as a teenager; Be careful, a monster is growing!!!So many people are addicted to games and their cell phone. No need to brainwash anyone, people are doing it to themselves!Getting worried about my bro, no one has heard from him in weeks. I may have to break down and just call his number or write his wife.He went sober in the ICU and rehab, hope he has not backslid out of depression.Walmart is doing a background check on my halfie; I had no idea it was like that for Walmart of all places.Had that for casino work but we handled allot of cash and could possibly work with players against the casino. Some casinos like the Wynn did credit card checks on people too. If you owed too much in debt they would not hire you.Saw Trump is thinking of sending in the National guard into 5 US cities, martial law???Something has to be done but this sounds scary.Speaking of living in a dream world... My halfie is so stubborn it really makes me mad.She has a phone plan of $70; per month. The eldest found another plan for only $40; a month.No, not good enough for her! On top of that, she purchased a $1,000 new phone just as she was losing her house!! She has no need of such a fancy phone. She does not even do e mail!I had suggested she apply for a free gov; phone for emergencies. They send low income people a free phone with an hour of free time per month plus texting time; Emergency services can be contacted even if you hour of time has run out. No way, not even considering it! She is way too proud but not proud enough to beg; She keeps borrowing from the eldest. lived free for a full year now and owes money on top of it!Have to scrap her off, she will never move out at this rate, what for?The eldest is not in reality either. They are off this weekend for fun and games at the Ren Fest in Minn;Dressing up like it is 1400 and shooting arrows and watching jousting. Probably have to buy all food and drink on site too.Someone dumped a kitten at her door, she took it in; $14. a bottle for kitten milk; I never heard of kitten milk, we just gave cats normal cows milk in a bowl. She called up a no kill shelter to take it in. They are not taking in kittens right now but I am sure they are still taking in donations!Sometimes I think moving overseas away from everyone was the best move ever! - @Marilyn Tassy

Lot in that post.

I didn't know Studebakers were such interesting looking cars.  I wonder now if that's a more sensible hobby car than my present 4WD which is a monster gas guzzler even though it's a superbly capable off roader.   And the name Lark sounds elegant.   There was a video on YT with some guy fixing up a Lark - well, getting the engine running - which he'd found abandoned.  He wasn't that interesting.  Talked too much yet incredibly slowly and wasted time bantering with his wife who is the camera operator most of the time.  I wanted to see the technical details of fixing it.  They could have  cut the video down to 1/2 the time.   I've suddenly become keen on the Studebaker Lark, they could bring that name back on a Chinese EV.   

BTW, at one point I looked at buying a Crown Victoria as they always appear as cop or FBI cars on TV.  I still have in my mind an idea to get one and ship it over here.   It could even be a prop car for film productions.  I could get a Studebaker Lark while I'm at it.   Yes, in my lottery winning dreams.

What it's all about is clicks and endorsement.  People make lots of money doing that stuff.  Enough to finance their lives.  There's a woman on the BBC news site who made £6K for trying on a plus size dress and commenting on it.  Sounds like money for nothing.  Makes me wonder if we could do something but locally we're a bit short in the talent department apart from No. 3 daughter.

And yes, Trump is intending to assert his authority to govern cities.  It's a land grab for him and his cronies.  He'll be able to authorise building and commercial projects himself so it lines his and his posse's pockets.  And his disciples line up to cheer him ripping them off.   I am trying not to look now.  I guess he's turned the Presidency into a kind of self-serving commercial project.  Being President is not service to the people, it's now also some twisted form of entertainment.

And of course, he'll be trying to give away Ukraine to Putin on Friday.  Putin has seen Trump coming for years.  I reckon Trump is so full of himself, he thinks meeting Putin will work because Trump thinks he can convince Putin to accept peace simply on the force of his personality.  It's absolutely laughable.  Putin is ex-KGB and they are masters at manipulation.  Putin has him sized up perfectly and even must have perfect Kompromat on the guy or can manipulate him any way he wants.  And of course, Trump is indeed TACO man.  When it comes to Russia, he's going to roll over.   But no-one else will do that - Ukrainians and Europeans won't.  Trump will have to realise that his personality doesn't matter one jot in these global affairs issues and taking a economic whizz on your allies isn't going to make them like you more.

It's a really weird situation.  Perhaps sanity will return by the time Trump 2.0 has ended.  A lot of people will be severely damaged for years by all the nonsense.   Even the US itself is compromised.  Clearly the 200+ years of checks and balances are no longer working.   SCOTUS is rolling over for Trump every time and some of those judges are badly compromised.  Perhaps a reform is needed to put it back on track.  Or civil war.  Meh.

BTW, I saw a video about Orban and his palace and he was asked if he had zebras on his property and he said no but the video makers flew a drone over the area and indeed there are zebras there along with buffalo and rumours are, there are now giraffes.  This is like Escobar's Hippos - now an invasive species - up to 1000 animals by mid-2030s.  The zebras might be on the neighbouring property which is owned by Orban's plumber, Mészáros.

Meanwhile at Casa Fluffy, the Hikikomori project continues but joined by a friend.  Weirdly I saw the friend cutting our boy's hair on the balcony.  I am amazed, two 15 year olds and one lets the other cut his hair.  TBH, it doesn't look bad.  According to other sources, this kind of barbering goes on now.  It didn't happen in my day but what do I know?

I think the kitten milk will not have lactose in it as that'll be hard to digest for them (I suppose).    But $14 a container sounds crazy.  Cats can live on just about anything if they are desperate enough.  We give our cat dog food quite often but she's not always that keen. For some reason she likes dried food better.  Both of them need to drink in this weather.  We give her dog food because she's always hanging about while the dog is being fed so she gets a spoonful too.  She doesn't always eat it.

It's impossible to send $1000 on a phone.   Unless it's an iPhone.  Waste of money.  We use Samsung Android phones because they are cheap enough to replace.  Maybe $250 each.  My view is that you could buy 4 x Samsung for 1 x iPhone.  So why bother with the iPhone if it does 99% of what the other one does?  People do odd things.

BTW, there's a lot of info on the Studebaker Lark on Wikipedia - maybe your model is show here?

Like this one's paint job and general look:

My Studebaker was very round looking from behind.

Front too, I called it, The Boat.

So heavy, the front door would slam on my leg and ouch, black and blue.

My cousin in Vegas wrote telling me of his new project.

I had to look up the car, wow going to be lovely when he is finished with it.

A real barn find from what he said. A 1959 Fiat

Abarth Record Monza!

Super cool looking car. He redid several Fiats before but this one will be his crowning redo.

He said Vegas is not charging $25. for self parking at casinos on the Strip! Now if that is not a turn off I do not know what is!

Vegas is down at least 10 percent in tourists  and getting worst.

My sons dealer friend is quitting and leaving Vegas.

Went to the lake yesterday, nice but the water level is way too low;Might have to do a few spa days instead, need some deep water swimming.

Our upstairs neighbor is moving, leaving on Friday, sold her flat to the first buyer for a good price; Bought a much larger newly remodeled on outside of Budapest, about an hour away.

She paid someone to take away all her furniture!Over 150,000 just to give it to them .

Buying all new stuff instead of hassling with the old stuff.

It is strange, she is one of the old timers in the house.

I used to cut my own hair as a teenager, like in the shag cut. Not sure what I was thinking back then but do teens think?

I showed my husband a photo of a fixed up Monza, he wants one!!

Years ago my cuz fixed up a Lotus and sold it.

I would be so afraid of someone stealing it.

My friend needs a script for nerve pain in her feet;Diabetics and people with nerve damage need it;

Lyrica.

She has asked for months for a new script, they finally told her she needs to sign a release form to get it.

Went to the doctors office yesterday to get it done.They told her first she needs a urine test; She can not do that right away because she uses a cath and did not have one with her.

Then after 30 mins back and forth they said a blood test will do. She said she took gummies the night before and does not know if the THC will show up and be a problem;

She gave blood but now is thinking Trump will do something to her for being on gummies;

She takes 3 to 4 per day!!! Wow! I believe she told me they cost $15. each so that is allot of cash to try and kill her pain.

Another protest this weekend in Vegas,she probably will not go because of being afraid of Trump going after her;

Sad that a nearly 70 year old handicapped lady is afraid of the orange guy on the tv set.

My Studebaker was very round looking from behind.
Front too, I called it, The Boat.
So heavy, the front door would slam on my leg and ouch, black and blue.
My cousin in Vegas wrote telling me of his new project.
I had to look up the car, wow going to be lovely when he is finished with it.
A real barn find from what he said. A 1959 Fiat
Abarth Record Monza!
Super cool looking car. He redid several Fiats before but this one will be his crowning redo.
He said Vegas is not charging $25. for self parking at casinos on the Strip! Now if that is not a turn off I do not know what is!
Vegas is down at least 10 percent in tourists and getting worst.
My sons dealer friend is quitting and leaving Vegas.

Went to the lake yesterday, nice but the water level is way too low;Might have to do a few spa days instead, need some deep water swimming.

Our upstairs neighbor is moving, leaving on Friday, sold her flat to the first buyer for a good price; Bought a much larger newly remodeled on outside of Budapest, about an hour away.
She paid someone to take away all her furniture!Over 150,000 just to give it to them .
Buying all new stuff instead of hassling with the old stuff.
It is strange, she is one of the old timers in the house.

I used to cut my own hair as a teenager, like in the shag cut. Not sure what I was thinking back then but do teens think?

I showed my husband a photo of a fixed up Monza, he wants one!!
Years ago my cuz fixed up a Lotus and sold it.
I would be so afraid of someone stealing it.

My friend needs a script for nerve pain in her feet;Diabetics and people with nerve damage need it;
Lyrica.
She has asked for months for a new script, they finally told her she needs to sign a release form to get it.
Went to the doctors office yesterday to get it done.They told her first she needs a urine test; She can not do that right away because she uses a cath and did not have one with her.
Then after 30 mins back and forth they said a blood test will do. She said she took gummies the night before and does not know if the THC will show up and be a problem;
She gave blood but now is thinking Trump will do something to her for being on gummies;
She takes 3 to 4 per day!!! Wow! I believe she told me they cost $15. each so that is allot of cash to try and kill her pain.
Another protest this weekend in Vegas,she probably will not go because of being afraid of Trump going after her;
Sad that a nearly 70 year old handicapped lady is afraid of the orange guy on the tv set. - @Marilyn Tassy

I know about Lyrica except we know it more here as Pregabalin. Lyrica is the commercial name.   The release form is needed because it's got serious side effects and there's a possibility of abuse.  I think my brother was given it for his spinal pain - his condition cannot be fixed by surgery.  Not something anyone wants to accept.  Even I could end up having that or a similar drug for my legs, spine and pelvis.  I don't know if the side effects are worth it but I can see people getting desperate.

We should all be afraid of Herr Drumpf.  Especially us here, right next door, never mind 70 year old disabled women in the USA.  Trump is about to carve up Ukraine with Putin. It's his Yalta moment in the snow.   Maybe Trump is reporting in, this time in person to his boss.  Even in the best will in the world, all this is on the basis of Dumkopf Witkoff's reporting back to Donny.  Like two morons talking to each other while a manipulating evil dictator chairs the meeting and has the casting vote.   I keep thinking, just 4 years, then Mr Mango will be gone.  It seems an awful long time to wait and the damage he'll cause everywhere.  And it'll take a generation to overcome it all.  One can only hope older age catches up with the current loons.

BTW, I read some article which said Washington DC is under federal control because Trump passes the homeless tents on the way to his golf course.  That's why he wants them gone.  I cannot see they can move people on from homelessness in DC.  On what basis can the government restrict their rights?  Maybe they're taking a leaf out of other dictator style whims.

Meanwhile, over here,  Orban apparently said "I cannot afford to let the opposition win".   And clearly, Hungarians cannot afford to let him  or his cronies continue.

That Fiat Monza looks a fun car.  Bit like a mini-Porsche shape.  I've never been a fan of sports cars but I do like the classic look of that particular motor.  I looked at the Lark versions but I couldn't see a really rounded one. Unless it was a really old model. 

We're staying in today.  It could be up to 40C.  Water sounds good.  We've got our pop up pool but even that might be too much as there's no shade.