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The Grumpy Old Women Thread... (Part 18)


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Old 29-11-2012, 10:31
jra
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It was an enjoyable experience. Although I'm not religious (quite anti in fact), I was made very welcome. I think it boils down to tolerance between both parties.

When I said headband, I think it would be more accurately described as a head scarf, as it was triangular in shape covering the hair, but not the face.

I'm going to have to check up on the history of Sikhism, so I am better educated.

=

On another rather sad note. I've recently asked my dad for some info on his past history. He sent me various info about Kindertransport (including his stateless passport photocopied) and a family tree on his father's side (most of whom I've never met or do not know). It turns out that my grandfathers brother was sent to an extermination camp, never to return.

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Old 29-11-2012, 12:04
batgirl
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How sad. It was a terrible period in history.
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Old 29-11-2012, 13:48
jra
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How sad. It was a terrible period in history.
I cried when I read what my dad said.

My father had a younger brother called *****, who disappeared in the war years, presumably murdered in a concentration camp. He also had a sister (aunt ******). She had 2 daughters, both married to Jewish business men. They emigrated to Argentina in 1936, alarmed by what was happening under the Nazis. There was one child born in Buenos Aires called ********. So, I have a cousin there!
ETA. Correction here. It was a family tree on his mother's side.
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Old 29-11-2012, 17:19
batgirl
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Sad and I went to the Gestapo museum in Warsaw last month, and although it's quite small and simply put together, it was hard being there. Really hard. It's impossible to comprehend such cruelty.
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Old 29-11-2012, 19:41
jra
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Sad and I went to the Gestapo museum in Warsaw last month, and although it's quite small and simply put together, it was hard being there. Really hard. It's impossible to comprehend such cruelty.
Good for you for doing so. I don't think I could face it personally, without completely breaking down, if I went to those sort of places.
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Old 29-11-2012, 21:00
batgirl
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Good for you for doing so. I don't think I could face it personally, without completely breaking down, if I went to those sort of places.
It was the messages scratched into the walls that got to me.
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Old 29-11-2012, 21:31
ImaPlum
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I can understand you breaking down jra - it was such an awful thing and to know that your family has been so closely affected by it just multiplies the horror of it all. I think one of the other things that is so hard to comprehend is the matter of fact way that some people who lived through those times recall the events. Presumably it's one of their ways of coping with it, to allow emotion full rein each time they recalled events would probably send anyone quite insane.

I went to Germany when I was eleven with my family, one of my uncles was in the army and based there and we did a house swap for the summer. While we were there my parents took my brothers and I to the site of the concentration camp at Belsen. It was a most chilling place yet strangely peaceful. Of all the things we did that summer that is the one that stays with me.
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Old 29-11-2012, 23:40
jra
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I can understand you breaking down jra - it was such an awful thing and to know that your family has been so closely affected by it just multiplies the horror of it all. I think one of the other things that is so hard to comprehend is the matter of fact way that some people who lived through those times recall the events. Presumably it's one of their ways of coping with it, to allow emotion full rein each time they recalled events would probably send anyone quite insane.

I went to Germany when I was eleven with my family, one of my uncles was in the army and based there and we did a house swap for the summer. While we were there my parents took my brothers and I to the site of the concentration camp at Belsen. It was a most chilling place yet strangely peaceful. Of all the things we did that summer that is the one that stays with me.
Thanks Ima.

Now before any of you read the following link, please be aware that the information posted is very upsetting and disturbing.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1738958

Now that I've got it out of my system, I promise to get back to happy times.
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Old 30-11-2012, 00:40
ImaPlum
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Thanks Ima.

Now before any of you read the following link, please be aware that the information posted is very upsetting and disturbing.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1738958

Now that I've got it out of my system, I promise to get back to happy times.
I followed the link and some of the links contained within that thread and as you say it makes for disturbing reading and gives much to reflect on. Somebody said in that thread that documentaries have been done many times on the holocaust, whilst that is true, it's important that it is a subject that gets rehashed periodically not so that we can put down germans but more as a remembrance of the sheer scale of cruelty that man can do to his fellow man and each new generation needs to learn. As you rightly said jra, "lest we forget".

Also, this thread isn't all about life's little grumps or just about the good times. it's about sharing when you want to or feel able to the tougher things that are going on in our lives and minds and whatnot.

Nothing is happening in my world at the moment - I have the day off today, which is good from an "i don't want to go to work" perspective, but bad for finances.... booo hisssssss! After a few stinking hot days, it's cooled down a bit today and is raining which normally would be a bad thing on a day off, but I'm just glad I'm not baking! I'm off to do more Christmas Shopping - I have one more Monster High doll to find for LittleBigPlum and I uldn't find it anywhere at a price I was willing to pay. There was one shop that had one but it's the most expensive toy shop in town... and I was on an economy drive that day so flounced out in disgust. If they still have that doll then I'm going to take it that fate has decreed that I should buy it, if it's gone then too bad so sad! A new book shop has also opened so I might go for a little wander round there, I'm safe as I have no money for books this week but it might give me some ideas

That's enough wiffle for now! I'll scroll back later and see if I told you about my dangerous day at work the other day....
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Old 30-11-2012, 06:09
jra
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Also, this thread isn't all about life's little grumps or just about the good times. it's about sharing when you want to or feel able to the tougher things that are going on in our lives and minds and whatnot.
Cheers again.

A nearby house was having loft insulation done and I jokingly said to one of the guys in passing, can I have some free loft insulation. When he had stopped laughing, he said no. Admittedly, this particular house was having a lot of insulation installed. However, I showed him a letter where I had it done free of charge. He said, well that's by the council, and I said no, it was done by a private company.

Anyway, he said, I said etc.

The reason I mention all this, is that even if you are not on disability benefits, you may still be able to get free loft insulation under the government CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) programme.

Hunt around.
This is the company which did it for me.
http://albainsulation.com
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Old 30-11-2012, 11:13
jra
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Brass Monkeys here.

First ice of the year.
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Old 30-11-2012, 14:53
Sadperson
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It was the messages scratched into the walls that got to me.
Yup
Thanks Ima.

Now before any of you read the following link, please be aware that the information posted is very upsetting and disturbing.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1738958

Now that I've got it out of my system, I promise to get back to happy times.
Can't bring myself to read all of it - too harrowing.

And yep, first ice for me was last night, drove off the edge of a slope that I couldn't see in the dark, nearly rolled the car, luckily was only pulling away gently and realised (though too late) what I'd done. With hindsight quite proud I didn't even stall it... could have been much, much worse. And the stupidest reason. Vision obscured by what I had anticipated would be condensation but turned out to be ice on the windscreen. Lesson learned.
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Old 30-11-2012, 15:12
handymelon
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Yikes, Sad!

Minus three out in the Yorkshire Flatlands this morning, so 30mph time up to the main road!

Bit less busy now, so will be around for hugs and chat more frequently.

Been rehearsing Christmas songs with Year 11 for shows at the end of term and feeling nicely festive now!

jra - I had a look round a Sikh temple when I was a student teacher as part of one of my placements. It was lovely; they are very hospitable people.
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Old 30-11-2012, 17:23
jra
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jra - I had a look round a Sikh temple when I was a student teacher as part of one of my placements. It was lovely; they are very hospitable people.
Indeed. I'd like to go back again.

And yep, first ice for me was last night, drove off the edge of a slope that I couldn't see in the dark, nearly rolled the car, luckily was only pulling away gently and realised (though too late) what I'd done. With hindsight quite proud I didn't even stall it... could have been much, much worse. And the stupidest reason. Vision obscured by what I had anticipated would be condensation but turned out to be ice on the windscreen. Lesson learned.
Please be careful Sad. It looks like we are in for a cold spell for the time being.
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Old 01-12-2012, 13:18
snowy ghost
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happy Saturday all

wet here
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Old 01-12-2012, 17:27
batgirl
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Sad! So glad you're okay!

Nothing much to report from here. Batman is now getting the bathroom floor filled in with concrete (yes, I'm thinking that too ) to better cope with his grand designs for the shower. Me, I'm talking to the builder about costs and whimpering. I think we might have to have grass soup or something equally cheap for Christmas dinner.
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Old 01-12-2012, 18:28
jra
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Sad! So glad you're okay!

Nothing much to report from here. Batman is now getting the bathroom floor filled in with concrete (yes, I'm thinking that too ) to better cope with his grand designs for the shower. Me, I'm talking to the builder about costs and whimpering. I think we might have to have grass soup or something equally cheap for Christmas dinner.
My dad paid six grand for an all mod cons walk in shower.

And it's still effing freezing here.
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Old 01-12-2012, 18:54
batgirl
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My dad paid six grand for an all mod cons walk in shower.

And it's still effing freezing here.
Wow, I bet it's fab, though.

Freezing here too. I literally can't warm up.
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Old 01-12-2012, 19:02
jra
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Wow, I bet it's fab, though.

Freezing here too. I literally can't warm up.
My eyes dropped out of my sockets when I heard the price of that.

As for warming up, you've always got Batman/Mr Batgirl to go to.

I'm here on my own.
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Old 01-12-2012, 19:25
snowy ghost
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cold here despite roaring fire
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Old 01-12-2012, 20:16
Amica
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I have the central heating turned way up - till my oh notices
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Old 01-12-2012, 20:40
batgirl
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Mr Batgirl (I must tell him ) is cooking supper because I'm too cold to get up off my sofa. I'm under a quilt. And the heating's on full like Amica's.

Oh, I've just had a thought jra - you need a large brandy. I do too.
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Old 01-12-2012, 21:06
jra
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Oh, I've just had a thought jra - you need a large brandy. I do too.
Probably for the best. Cheers btw.
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Old 01-12-2012, 22:59
ImaPlum
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If it's any help to the chillybilly situation, I could tell you all that it's extremely hot here about 33c I think today I would prefer to be a tad colder. Winter is the best time here, shame summer is on it's way!

Off out to lunch today. One of the ladies that I work with has invited a few of us from work to lunch. It's one of those situations where you find out if really you only have enough in common to sustain work conversations. I don't think so though, I don't usually have a problem chatting so I think we'll be right!

I better not sit around here for long, it's LittlePlum hair washing morning.... it's such an epic feat, it's about time we got her hair cut to more manageable length.

Hope you all had your glass of brandy and have now warmed up and get a good night's sleep
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Old 02-12-2012, 09:23
jra
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Where are you hanging out Ima, excuse my sieve like memory?
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