There are some interesting things in lists people find. Painters list decrees that Niue is New Zealand. Now this might not mean much to the good folk who have no idea where or what Niue (noooay) is, but it is a little island in the Pacific and is or rather was a dependency of NZ many years ago. Same are the Friendly Isles, Tonga, Samoa and to a certain extent Fiji, as well as Pitcairn (think Mutiny on the Bounty) Auckland Islands and the Chathams.
I have a distinct impression that Niueans might go to war for that statement on the list.
From the Google site (although it is advertising for tourism):
Niue is affectionately known as the 'Rock of the Pacific' and is believed to be the largest coral atoll in the world. The island is located in the centre of a triangle bounded by the Cook Islands to the Southeast, Samoa in the North and Tonga to the Southwest. Captain Cook landed on the island in 1774, and was met by a hostile reception, so he and his men beat a hasty retreat. As a result of the experience he named the island the 'Savage Island', which could not be further from the truth, as the people are lovely, very friendly and welcoming.
New Zealand on the other hand is a BIG country compared to the rock of the Pacific and is also known as Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud).
We no longer control Nuie although we do send aid (and refugees from time to time) to bolster up the economy.
Just goes to show even the Internet can give out conflicting information. I see from the internet that the CIA did an entry on Niue - World from the CIA World Fact Book, 1992 edition. They spelt the name wrong 3 times!!!!
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Perhaps the people of Niue - like those of Groote Eylandt are warm and welcoming to their own but just don't like those durn fur-in-ers (foreigners) invading their space and messing with the cultures Interesting as to what the landscape would be like living on top of "land" consisting of coral.
I am, as usual, completely open to whereever or no whereever we decide to go. Up to whomever sets up the new thread and if no one does, well then after a few days I'll just set us up in Nowhere.
Rennie - I noticed the typo too but I was hesitant to say anything as I have had unpleasant encounters occasionally here on 3FC when I mentioned something or offered my opinion. Of course that has always been OUTSIDE of the people on this thread so I suppose I should have said something too.
Painter, you must be today as I see the Boston Red Sox won the baseball World Series.
Ceejay - glad you got the coffee table. Always a nice feeling to be finally done decorating a room. I have 1 room in my house like that
Carla - snow? that's worse than Mel talking about Although I always thought it was pretty the very first snow of the season. It was 3 months into it when I would cringe watching the weather forecast.
Mel, where are you? Hope everything is ok on your side of the coastline
Well we did not buy another house yesterday. We had a longer than planned drive because this state is not very good at marking roads. I had some good maps but twice we did not see that the road we wanted to be on verred veared? off somewhere else. We looked at several homes. First of all, when you are downsizing it's hard to get excited about something that is both smaller and not the same quality that you had. Now please don't think me the snob but I'm talking little things like the quality of the kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures and such. It's not bad, not something that you can't change out if it really bugs you, it's just that you walk in, look around and you don't get that wow - I love it feeling. But like going on practice interviews just to get your feet wet, this was a good exercise to kind of temper your expectations. Besides the older homes, we did look at some new construction. Found some stuff that was a bit more than our downsizing budget but still on the upper end of affordable. That was the wow stuff - big, bright open and airy rooms, my beloved spa bathtub that I have coveted my entire life! And things are nice and new and shiny - not scuffed or worn or odd colors. Of course the trend now in new houses with the open floor plan is to paint the entire house 1 color - not sure I like that especially if it's sage green or lemon yellow. The biggest problem with the new homes is that they are built right on top of one another. You go on your back deck and you neighbors reach over with their plate for a bite of your dinner The worst part is that many (but not all) people have lost the fine art of being good, considerate neighbors and we seem to pick living by the ones who are noisy, messy or just don't give a hoot about anyone other than themselves. So having a bit of a buffer and privacy is important to us. So as I told DH on the way home, we will have to temper things with what is most important to us. I'm thinking it means getting an older home with more space around it and if we have to sock some money into fixing it up, so be it. Like the house we have now, we had to come to a compromise on what had the most important things we were looking for in a home. And no Carla - we are not about switching houses. We were in our last home 22 years. We are now looking for the place we want to retire too in the next few years. Since the housing market is so bad right now, it's a buyer's market and we are just starting to look around to get an idea of what might be acceptable to us and what we can expect 2 years down the road.
And with that, I need to get off my duff and go earn a few more house payments. Love to the chicks...
Rennie~ Some technical writer I am since I didn’t even notice the typo. And I complain all the time that no one reads any more! See, proves my point.
Carls~ I was out yesterday and lunch and the rain was falling as tiny hail stones. I guess it’s that time again. Sigh. It makes Cuba seem that much more attractive. I was also there about 7 years ago (pre-DH), in Cayo Coco and had a great time. The people are really amazing and warm and gracious about sharing their island. This time I think we are going to try Veradero, even though I know it is more developed than other areas, just because we’ve heard good things about it. There is this place where you can even go and swim with Dolphins and I have wanted to do that my entire life. Also, I think they’ve cracked down on bringing US dollars into the country and you are now expected to bring Canadian and do the exchange there. Well, that’s the official word. I’ll have to check around to see what is done “unofficially”. Now as long as Castro stays healthy. Hear you on the clothing dilemma. I’ve been rotating through the same 3 pairs of pants for a month now and refusing to go shopping. Luckily I can get away with most of my same tops (at least the stretchy ones). Frankly, I’m considering the burlap sack as a fashion option.
Happy~ I didn’t realize that you were seriously looking for a new, smaller house. I assumed it was one of those “let’s go look at some places” trips. Always dangerous, those. I ended up buying a house in the suburbs once doing that… At least you are not in a rush and the right place will come along if you look long enough. I don’t have to remind you that paint colours can be changed. I totally agree about not waning to live in my neighbour’s pocket. Maybe you could ask them to pass the salt? The old saying about fences making good neighbours is about right. And a lot of Canadians go to Cuba for holidays since our government has never banned travel to the island. Probably because at times Canada is inches from socialism ourselves!
Shad~ Thank you for info on Nieu. I can imagine they would be a tad touchy about being lumped under New Zealand if they are independent. Geez, some nice weather you are having in Brisbane at the moment. Must make you slightly glad to be in Perth. And how cool is the advancement in stainless steel technology. Glad to hear that you can get the look without all the maintenance. I assume the dish drawer approach is also more energy and water efficient? The latter being vitally important in your neighbourhood.
Mel~ Enjoy your mall crawl today. And is that Hyacinth Bucket? Can I have the hats? And Mel, no one believes you are 60 because you are 16 in your heart.
Holly~ Hope the presentation went well.
Patty~ welcome back. At least you are working out and November will be a better month. For all of us.
Painter~ Glad to hear that the WW is bringing at least a greater awareness into the whole eating thing. How good is that. Why can’t we make more money at stuff we actually enjoy doing? That would be great.
Ok, I have to run off and make a transatlantic call to London. My boss is out of the office with Shingles which has hit her head/scalp and is affecting her eye sight. This is not something to be taken lightly. I have a friend who lost sight in one eye from that very thing (though mind you she had a compromised immune system at the time)k, so it’ll be a busy couple of days. I’m only here for 3 days before I jet off to Mel’s neck of the woods with my sister for a whirlwind tour of NYC’s art museums. How many Matisses (Matissi?) can we spot? Who knows. I’ll be back in to check before we go.
MY POST WENT INTO CYBER SPACE!!
ANS I WAS SO WITTY TOO! NO WAY AM I TYOING THAT WHOLE THING ALL OVER AGAIN. PERFUME IN THE MALLS HAVE FINISHED ME OFF BOTH EYES AND NOSE BUT I HAD A GOOD TIME. BOUGHT A QUILT FOR ME AND SHIRT FOR RICHIE AND JAMMIES FOR JEN.
WILL CHAT TOMORROW.
HAPPY...KEEP THE HOUSE. SHAD AND I WILL MOVE IN AND PAY RENT. SHE EVEN HAS HER OWN BED!
CEEJAY~ ENJOY THE NEW TABLE!
RENNIE~ MAYBE I SHOULD PUT THE BLOW UP BED ON THE BACK OF MY WHEELCHAIR IN CASE I GET LUCKEY WHEN ROLLING DOWN THE STREET!
CARLA~ GOING TO CHARGE UP THE CATTLE PROD AND GIVE YOUR BUTT A ZAP WHEN YOU GET DONE TRAVELING!! LOVED THE PIC!! PUT A BIL OL' SMILE ON MY FACE!
MADCAT~ RAIN, HAIL AND SNOW? I AM MOVING UP BY YOU! HOPE YOU BOTH HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH MATTISSE!!!
PAINTER~ SO YOUR ROUTER BELCHED AND FARTED INWARDLY? MUST HAVE BEEN PAINFUL TO WATCH! !
SHAD~ NIUE...IS IT BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US? WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN NEVER NEVERLAND!! BET IF WE TRY HARD WE CAN FLAP OPUR ARMS AND GET THERE....OH PETER...WHERE ARE YOU? I MUST BE TINKERBELL THOUGH....AND I'LL BRING MY OWN MAGIC DUST TOO
HOPE I GOT EVERYONE! TIME TO TRY THIS AGAIN BUT "COPY" IT FiRST
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT MY FRIENDS
Morning all,
Mel you bring the magic dust, I have an oversupply of bulldust.
Happy - it's always wise to think about what you want and go have a look at things well beforehand. That way you can meet up with the trends and keep thinking about what you really want. Don't forget to write it down and tick or cross off as required. You may need a toilet roll in the end (to carry the list of wants) but at least you can check them off as you go. One of my things these days is to go around the new housing estates and look at the displays. It gives you an idea of how to furnish as well and they usually put all the interesting gadgets into the display homes. One thing they do over here is to sell off the display homes as they are built and then lease them back for the period of a year or so. The owner then ends up with one of the best houses in the street, gets rent for a year and can sell off or rent or live in after the display period is over - usually when the estate is full. It's actually not a bad idea.
I'm quite happy to have a go nowhere month - stay at home month etc. especially since I will be travelling to and from Karratha for most of the month. It will be good to have a safe and solid base.
Madcat - coming up for rainy season in the tropics and since it is the first decent rains we have had for some time, we don't mind it one bit (except when it delays the flights). Cuba sounds good. Not been there. You are going to be doing a bit of travel yourself in the next couple of months - New York, New York and then Cuba. Let us know how the Caribbean goes. I've never been anywhere near there.
The dishwasher uses around 10L per wash per drawer. Which is better than the kitchen sink which uses 21L per wash and I usually have to change it if I have a big load. DS2 will probably have the thing up and running by now. He hates handwashing dishes.
Carla - loved the snow picture. We actually had snow here in WA over the weekend - wacky weather. They only get snow here about twice every hundred years and then only in the middle of winter. Here we are about to go from Spring to Summer and we get snow!! Apparently the weather here in Perth was 'most unusual' this weekend with heavy rainfalls and wild winds. Wild winds also in South Australia where a tree got blown over and killed a little girl, and in Victoria where things are just starting to recover from last years devastating bush fires, the rain and wind some havoc in many places. And this is an act of God apparently and not the changing of the seasons or linked to climate change!!!! There is after all and election on - fortunately not for much longer.
Time being what it is, I had better get on with it.
Morning Rennie, glad you didn't take offence at my proof reading, the Lurking Carla, Painter, the absent Meadow and Holly and Linus - come back and hiya to Pattie.
Check in again later in the day - that is if I haven't lost my temper completely and told them to go to h*ll - got close yesterday.
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Evening chicks,
On the drive home tonight I stopped cursing at my fellow road hogs (doesn't ANYONE understand the concept of staying between YOUR set of lines on the road?????). Anyway I was sitting at a red light (right by the big green Statue of Liberation Shad). And there in front of me was a rather tall and odd looking van (not the kind you usually see) and it was blazoned Shred-Tech. And the license plate/tag was from Ontario. (Seems this company is located in CAMBRIDGE, Ontario). Now you certainly don't see many cars from Ontario down our way so I took it as a heavenly sign that we were meant to go nowhere in November and keep our butts parked in the chill of Ontario (good thing there are warm smiles, a bit of Tim Horton's and a nip from the various 3FC chicks' sherry collections to keep us toasty).
I guess DH would like to buy one of the houses we looked at yesterday. We need someone reliable to live in it for 2 years before we are ready to really retire. So Mel we might just move you and Shad in. I have an extra blow up mattress if she won't share hers. The house is chair friendly and it has a nice screened in porch and pool which won't do you much good this time of year unless you can dig out your got-chees/gatchies/long underwears I think there might be a fire pit outside too. I'll leave you enough wood.
I don't know who's laughing harder with you travelling with your mattress on your back - me or Rennie.
Ok, I have to get to bed now. Just stopped in for a quick hello. 'Nite all...
Quickie here this morning. Things have been pretty busy and I've been neglecting the boards.
Here's the scoop: Harry is failing more lately - tests show that he is having small strokes several times a week and the big short circuit could happen any time. He had a bad fall and was hospitalized but is back at the nursing home now. I am still planning to go west for November Christmas with my daughter but am making funeral arrangements before I go - today if I can get an appointment at the funeral home.
I'm also "interviewing" second dogs! I may be getting a Brussels Griffon and am going to see two of them tomorrow afternoon. Willy is three and Serena is six. Hershey is really lost without her companion and the house is strangely empty with only one dog. I'm leaning toward the female because I don't want marking in the house or leg humping. Willy would be "fixed" before I got him but it takes about ten months before the testosterone disappears - that's why we neuter when they are pups. However, we'll wait and see what they are like. It'll be strange to have a small dog but, with my knee, that'll be better for me to handle when training.
So that's what's happening. Just thought I'd clue y'all in.
By the way, November Nowhere could be good. I'll order a good supply of wood so we can sit around the stove in the back room and gab.
Location: A beautiful and peaceful place in the woods
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Morning chicks,
Drive by hello
Ruth - sorry to hear about Harry's failing health. That's neat about the new puppy. If it's smaller perhaps Hershey can be the "mom" again.
Rennie - I always thought that those big honking expensive cars people drive erratically down here didn't have turn signals because people couldn't AFFORD them after they put the bling bling wheels and accesories on them! What is really scary is that the really older gray hairs seem to prefer the really big Ford trucks. Let's face it, it's a fact that for most of us our vision gets worse as we age. Let's take someone who's not 100 percent there and put them in a really big vehicle that requires precision driving because it's TOO DARN BIG to fit in typical parking spaces and road lanes. Add a dash of yee haw - I'm riding a "big horsie" and you get me doing this Ok off my soap box for 2 seconds.
It's Halloween eve. Hope you are all being good girls and keeping your hands out of the candy jars. Right now we are inundated with school fund raiser cookies. The good thing is that I can make just a few at a time, most of the flavors I bought are things DH likes and I can take a pass on - but there's only so much room in my tiny freezer (stupid stainless steel flush with the cabinets side by side too tiny impracticle piece of poop that it is) - so I am forced to make about 2 dozen cookies simply because I have no room to store them. And I can't even take them to work because the mom whom I bought them from has decided to go vegan and we just don't have the kind of group fun at this place like I have at other companies. Guess I'll leave them all for DH
I wasn't going to do Halloween this year but then I saw Marcus the Carcus at the store and we have a perfect place to "bury" him out front - so bring on the trick or treaters. BUT I'm not opening the bags of candy until tomorrow. Candy is losing it's appeal to me lately anyway.
Off to the salt mine for me. Have a good one chicks - don't stir up too much trouble...
Hi Happy! Hi Mel! I see your little eggs are lit. I have inflatable beds too - can I join the house-sitting party? Mel can bring her cattle prod to beat me into shape, and if that doesn't work she can just run me over a time or two.
I'll try to post tonight from Newf - right now I have a list long as your arm of things to do before heading to the airport, so no time to chat.
SHAD~ I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER TELLING YOU NOT TO KILL ANYONE FIRST!! HOPE THE DAY ENDED ON A GOOD NOTE WE HAVE AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF BULL DUST HERE TOO...SO I'LL LEAVE IT BEHIND!
HAPPY~ RELIABLE TENANTS? SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON TO ME I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS STILL SUCH A THING. SO I WILL SEND GOOD THOUGHTS YOUR WAY FOR FINDING ONE! THE WOOD FIRE SOUNDS GREAT AND WE CAN SIT AND WATCH THE ICE FORM ON THE POOL WHILST WE SIP HOT COCOA IN THE HOUSE!!! KUDOS TO YOU AND THE BEHIND THE WHEEL CONTROL!! I YELL FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT! YEP....I CAN SEE WE WERE SEPARATED AT BIRTH!
CEEJAY~YOU ARE GETTING CLOSE TO YOUR GOAL. HOPE THANKSGIVING WILL SEE THE SCALE CHANGE!!
RUTH~ GOOD LUCK FINDING THE RIGHT DOG. DOES HERSHEY GET TO PICK TOO?
I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT HARRY. WISE WOMAN TO MAKE THE PLANS NOW. YOU CAN GO WITH THE DAUGHTER WITH PEACE OF MIND....MORE OR LESS.
SENDING LOTS OF JOISEY HUGS AND LOVE.
RENNIE~ WE CAN WATCH YOUR AVATAR DWINDLE AWAY EACH TIME YOU CHANGE IT!
TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST..JEN AND I ARE HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS FLU SHOT. I THINK YESTERDAY AND TODAY WAS THE WORST FOR BOTH OF US AND SHE HAS TOM ON TOP OF IT ALL. REALLY STIFF MUSCLES RIGHT UP TO AND UNDER THE SKULL THIS YEAR. BEGAN WITH A VERY LOWGRADE FEVER AND CHILLS. I DID NOT GO FOOD SHOPPING TODAY. YESTERDAY WAS ENOUGH FOR ME! IT CAN WAIT TILL THE END OF THE WEEK! BY THEN THE WORST SHOULD BE OVER OR RICHIE CAN GO. BETTER EAT MY OATMEAL AND WARM UP SO I CAN PEDAL A BIT.
HAPPY TUESDAY!
WAVING MADLY AT CARLA AND HAPPY
HOPE YOU BOTH HAVE A GREAT DAY!! GET TO WORK HAPPY!!! AND CARLA, GET THEE TO THE AIRPORT!!
WE WILL ALL BE SNUGGLED UP IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE. BET WE HAVE LOTS OF STORIES TO TELL. HAPPY, YOU BETTER GET OUT ALL THE BLOW UP DOLLS...I MEAN BEDS!
today as I see the Boston Red Sox won the baseball World Series. 
that's worse than Mel talking about 
Although I always thought it was pretty the very first snow of the season. It was 3 months into it when I would cringe watching the weather forecast. 
MY POST WENT INTO CYBER SPACE!!
BUT I HAD A GOOD TIME. BOUGHT A QUILT FOR ME AND SHIRT FOR RICHIE AND JAMMIES FOR JEN. 
and hiya to Pattie.
THE WOOD FIRE SOUNDS GREAT AND WE CAN SIT AND WATCH THE ICE FORM ON THE POOL WHILST WE SIP HOT COCOA IN THE HOUSE!!! 
KUDOS TO YOU AND THE BEHIND THE WHEEL CONTROL!! I YELL FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT! 
