Hi Folks,

Welcome to our first issue of 2005! Sorry for the delay in issues, I was back at the studying again and then Christmas arrived. It has been an interesting year so far. The first highlight of the new year was Dar and Juris coming to visit. We had some interesting times and they fell in love with my chocolate sponge and custard. (The UK readers will know what a scrumptious dish this is)

Dar even came to visit work with me one day and meet all the reprobates I share my employment with, they all thought she was wonderful which is no surprise to anyone here because we all know just how nice she is!!

Maggs of course was delighted to meet her hugga bugga and Dar kept a close eye on them, though, not close enough perhaps.

Sadly, I have to report that Ma died on the 7th of this month. She became ill and went a lot quicker than we would have liked but as least she didn't have to suffer for long. I and the rest of my family will miss her dearly. I am so glad that several members of this forum got to meet the wonderful woman that was my mother and I know she enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. I want in particular to thank Dar for the beautiful photograph she took of me and Ma as it is the last one I have of her.

The sprogs are all well and up to their usual shennanigans, middle sprog still indulges in his hobby of breeding tea cups in his bedroom and has Junior interested too, though he specialises in milk glasses. They are still experimenting on their new invention, which is clothes that will walk from the bedroom floor to the washing machine all by themselves, they still haven't perfected this though. Senior sprog has finally sent his old laptop to the big laptop graveyard and I have set him up with a great new desktop. I left him last night to set up the new computer desk that his Aunt donated to him and it will be interesting to see if he manages it.

Work is really busy at the moment, I took some time off to enjoy Dar and Juris' visit and then had some time off with Ma, I seem to be playing catch-up every day since. I am sooo looking forward to hopefully retiring this October. I intend to have some time as a "lady who lunches" and then I want to plan an extended trip across the pond (don't say I didn't warn you!) and then I will look for some enjoyable part-time employment.

We were very concerned about one of our members who left it all behind and went off to seek his happiness in the Indian Ocean (ok..not the water bit, one of the islands there). Thankfully WK report in to us that he survived the tsunami and has written a fascinating article about it. This is one NOT to be missed folks!

That's all this month folks, I hope to get another issue out next month, so keep those articles rolling in!

Lynda

Come on Everyone! Get those pens busy for next month. Lets have another bumper edition! Mail all your contributions to me at 

LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com

We want all your contributions, don't be shy! This is a paper by the members for the members......that means YOU!

Please remember, this is a fun/interesting/informative addition to the many features on offer at Casual Chat, critique is welcome but no attacks on members, personalities or other fora will be.