Bean from Melbourne Vic AU

Just popping in to thank you for the birthday greeting on my page and to wish you a

Hay Bean,
I apologize for not thanking you welcome but I had problems thinking of a gift that would be unique and appropriate. I have finally settled on oranges and a spray of Bougainvillea both of which are grown at my home (and the pictures are on my page). Thanks for the welcome and happy New Year,
Merrill
PS fyi it is warmer here in Phoenix today (70 F, 21C?) than in Melbourne even tho it is winter here.

Hi Bean, Thanks for the message. I think Sharlene worked out it was for her. I just didn't want anyone to think that I could cook! Goodness me that's a reputation I couldn't keep up with, and there seems to be plenty of good cooks on this site. My motto is - if you can buy it ready made, or with easy step by step instructions, that's for me. Take care and cheers, Cynthia

Bean, thank you for the birthday greetings and CP. I had a lovely day but I am now busy trying to thank all thee wonderful people who sent me messages. We are flying to Melbourne tomorrow for a few days so I hope you can keep the temperature a bit cooler for us while we are there!!

OH Bean, please no need to apologise, if anything it should have been me. Long story short, twas something that Rose said to me when I wanted to do something for Lauren, it was all ment to be in jest.
As for hubby, yep I'm it, he can vent all he likes, its a really tish position to be in. Being one that was unemployed when interest rates were at the 18%, he certain never wants to put his family thru, that again. He will stick it out till the end, no way are we going to let them take away what is rightfully ours. Besides he said he would only have re applied for it, and worked there until he found something much closer to us here at home. Oakleigh/Moorabbin is an hour or so drive away.
Take Care, and will chat soon.

Hi Bean,
Thank you so much for your birthday wishes to me on the 16th. My apologies for being so late in replying. I had a lovely day, made even better by the greetings from my new friends on this site. Thank you so much!
And thank you for many hours of amusement reading your posts.

Have a great trip. Give me a buzz when you're settled (if you have mobile reception!) and we'll see if we can get down there for a visit.
Ciao for now,
Gail

Well, what can I say! It's been a long time since I have visited someone in a 'foreign' place yet felt so much like I was home. Hannah and I were sad to leave but it was a long drive home. I am glad she was with me as my navigator because I zigged when I should have zagged but she put me to rights quick smart. Tell the boys that she was most irritated with me that she couldn't stay to play poker. Just as well, she probably would have wiped them out!
Sorry it has taken me so long to get here with my mountains of gratitude, reality raised it's ugly head. Groceries and school books!
I look forward to our next meeting, you name the time and the place.

Thank you Bean, those photos are lovely. I shall have to employ the services of a 13yo to see if the pics on my camera can magically get onto my pooter! I will see which one is the best then put it up on my page.
Please pass on my thanks to Pete for those fab shots.

You and everyone else had me in stiches yesterday!
Hadn't laughed so hard in ages

there... I posted on your page... are you happy now mum?

Bean, broadly our itinerary went something like this -
Sydney to Hong Kong, stay a few days with my nephew and his family;
Hong Kong to London Heathrow, stay a few days with Anne's brother and his family north of London;
drive to Wales, attend the funeral of Anne;s Mum and stay in Wales for a couple more days;
drive back to London;
fly to Amsterdam, spend a couple of days with my niece and her family;
train to Frankfurt, stay a couple of days with our son and his wife just south of Frankfurt;
fly home via Singapore.
The whole trip took about a month.

Bean, that was our itinerary from a trip last year, but in 2003 we did another trip around the world basically to help Anne's Mum celebrate her 90th birthday. The photos from both trips are all mixed up together. I will give you the itinerary for the other trip in a little while.

Bean, as promised, the 2003 itinerary -
Fly Sydney to Los Angeles, stay a few days with my American cousin;
fly LA to Denver,met by more American cousins and drive to Estes Park, stay a couple of days and tour Rocky Mountains National Park;
fly to Washington to stay with nephew and family;
fly to Toronto and drive to Kingston, ON, stay with friends and do a nostalgia tour of Kingston;
drive to Ottawa for course reunion, stay with friends;
drive to North Bay and stay with Canadian cousin;
drive back to Toronto and depart by air for London;
arrive Heathrow and drive to Woburn to stay with Anne's brother;
drive to Wales for Anne's mother's 90th birthday;
drive and ferry to Ireland for 5 day B & B holiday;
drive and ferry back to England visiting friends and relatives on the way;
fly to St Petersburg for 5 day guided tour;
fly back to London, stay a few days with Anne's brother before leaving Heathrow for Singapore;
4 days touring holiday in Singapore;
back to Sydney.
It took nearly two months (and much of our financial reserves).
Any questions?

Bean, in the whole world, my favourite city is --- wait for it ----Melbourne!
There are many places I have enjoyed - Canada is a great country, the ornate beauty of St Petersburg is breathtaking, and surprisingly, we all thoroughly enjoyed our two years in Papua New Guinea. I think that Manilla is a city that I would be happy never to see again, but apart from that, I have enjoyed them all.
But above all, Melbourne is an elegant, sophisticated, cultured city and the people are friendly -with the possible exception of those who support some of the alien footy teams.

Hi Bean, See it is still Christmas in Melbourne. I have been off site for all of November and most of December and January. I finally looked at my gallery and noticed you left a comment. Yes, I have taken all the pictures in the gallery and on Flickr. I like to go out in the yard (garden) for the rest of the world just sit and relax and let the world come to me. Always amazed at what is going on. I have always loved taking pictures whether it's flowers, animals, scenic or people.
Have a great day,

Mia culpa! Forgive me please.
I knew the 9th should have meant something to me when you said it, it was my oldest sister's 60th and my niece's 23rd. With all these birthdays, surely one more shouldn't have over-taxed my mind!
Please pass on my best wishes to Peter, I hope he had a without me and hope he has a pleasant time in NZ.

Billy if you right click on it with the mouse it should give you a drop down list. There should be "save as" in it & you should be able to save it into a folder - Christmas or something! for your birthday wishes & I hope you have a great St Valentine's Day.

I gave up on my weight a long time ago. And yes, the beavertail pastry is absolutely scrumptous! Pretty soon I will be so big my horse won't be able to carry me - let alone me climb up on him! Thanks for the welcome and soon maybe I will not be getting home from work and will be able to chat. Most days I leave between 6:30 and 7:00 and get home about 6:30 or 7:00. Then the chores begin... Summertime will be here soon though! Then I will be off!

Dear BEAN.
Very glad to stop by your page to say HELLO.Hope you are very well.
My best wishes to You.
Have a very nice time.

Bean for the birthday greetings. I have had a full weekend of being spoilt. Have a piece of cake (with one of the many candles)and a glass of bubbly

Bean, many thanks for your lovely 'novelette', I enjoyed reading it.
I have no problem with Melbourne's weather and I often wonder why people complain - perhaps it's because there is nothing else to complain about. We have lived through winters in UK and in Canada and believe me, Melbourne doesn't have a problem.
Anne and I are really looking forward to meeting our Sudoku friends and Carlton is a great place for the function. I haven't heard from Angie yet exactly where and when but she's a busy girl and I'm sure she'll get around to it in her own good time.
I have visited Melbourne several times over the years for the Grand Prix - which I love. I am a member of the Powerhouse Club which has its clubhouse inside the circuit so we get Corporate Passes, a variety of vantage points. morning and afternoon tea and lunch. It is a great day but a bit expensive if you do it year after year. So I elected not to go this year - not realising that other functions would bring me down to Melbourne at the same time as the GP. Never mind, the decision has been taken and that's that.
See you in a couple of weeks. Cheers.

Hello Bean, thank you for your very kind message. Each day is getting a little bit better and being able to share a little of my sadness with the lovely people on this site has helped. This is my 3rd dog I've sent to doggy heaven, plus 1 cat so I think I'm done with pets, it doesn't get any easier! Perhaps I'll just become a dog minder for family and friends when they go on holidays.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you and others at our Melbourne meets Ian get together.

Thanks for the lovely welcome, Bean! This is a hard place to resist! XO

Hi Bean, thanks for the message - so true.
It was amusing when they went to take pics, everybody was trying to hide behind everyone else so I was not alone. And, no, on this site I'm sure we're not judged by what we look like. It was a lovely day though.

If you ever get the chance to meet Dino, do so. If ever a saint could be had on earth, she is one! She positively radiates peace and love. I nearly cried to leave her, I just couldn't let go! But I learned so much that I feel richer for going to see her.

Now a sinner such as I though, can liven your life! Worth it even I get sent to the NC often! Rosemary can tell you that since she sends me the most times!

Dear BEAN.
Thanks that you stopped by my page and your very kind words.
You are more than welcome to Cairi and I missed your sister ,Hope She enjoyed the visit.
I bean in Sydney Three times as I have some relative there and as I like to travel too much ,Who know I may visit Austrakia another time specially that now I have many many friends as you .
Thanks and have a nice time.

Thank you for the birthday wishes, Bean! What fun to celebrate with all my friends in Sudokuland!

P.S. I LOVE your Christmas tree! Glad it's still up and I got to see it!

Christmas all year! Great idea!
My avatar is the Baltimore Oriole, the Maryland State Bird. I had a great time finding avatars, so you will also see the MD State Flag, a blue crab, and the State Flower, the Black Eyed Susan.
I love changing my avatars! Nothing is safe!

Hey...yes I'm Martha's daughter....no I don't think there are that many sudoku fans here... and no I don't think it has grown that much...
yes it would be nice to get to know you
talk to you soon

Oh and yes...I did draw that picture... glad u like it

Thanks Bean for the joke - I loved it.
I'll send you any good ones I get.
Must share them with eaa - she loves a good joke!

Thanks for your kind words, Bean. Yeah, we agree that the best-looking members of our family ARE the dogs! Dogs aren't people? They go everywhere with us, but not the wedding!

Hi Bean! I am embarrased to say I spend waaaay too much time searching for smilies. I'm talking DAYS here!
It's kind of a hit or miss thing. I have Googled
large smilies, graphics, clip art, image, and on and on....Oh, and I put "free" in front of the words. There are many, many sites to look at. When you find something you like, it has to be a certain size, format, kb. Smilies have to be under 3kb, 10-100 pixels wide and high and jpg. format. I use: www.shrinkpictures.com and www.resizr.com to get them to acceptable size.
I try and find ones that no one is using, but that can be difficult with the large smilies! For example: Good luck!

Hi Bean,

I saw this clip on the show - on dial-up u-tube lags too much. We are also rabid Chaser's fans. I love the way they take the mickey out of everyone.

Hi Bean - just checked out your YouTube (the Chasers tribute? to Howard) - loved it , thanks.

LOL, Bean. I have a bag of old clothes that have been sitting in the boot of my car for 2 weeks waiting to be out in a recycle bin. More seriously, one of my daughters is a hoarder and is uncomfortable unless there is a lot of clutter around her. The other is a chucker and hates messes. mind you, the chucker is useful to have around when I do try to clean up. My current excuse for not chucking is that I could sell the stuff on ebay. Of course I have never tried to actually do that.

Howdy, Bean, thanks for the welcome. I think I'll be taking things very slowly for a while so my own page won't be too exciting. Doubtless we'll run into each other around!

Hi Bean,

good to hear from you. I haven't been on for a few days - work keeps me busy, so when my day off comes along (Fridays), I'll be aposting. I enjoyed the banter as well - it was a great distracter. Speak to you soon :)