How long will it take us to get to 10,000 posts?

[Biggie]

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this and your families!! Enjoy your holidays and please be safe. And to anyone reading this that is not enjoying the holidays for whatever reason, remember that you are not alone. We’re with you through your struggles.

That's a beautiful sentiment. You really are one of the good guys in life.

I salute you sir.

 

[Biggie]

You should be at our house DFF, we currently have snow ... and lots of it. Right now its dark and the temps dropped below freezing so now we have frozen snow.

Wow... down here we've had no snow at all, cold weather but no snow. It's quite a rare event for Hampshire to see snow.

I found myself in Redcar for the first 2 weeks of December. It was so cold, so very cold that it hurt. Really made me appreciate that the winds deposited me in the south. Redcar cold was a new experience for me. I witnessed someone wearing knees length shorts and a jumper quite indifferent to the subzero temperature.

 

[Michelle Stevens]

I hope everyone is having a nice Christmas Eve so far and enjoying their Christmas weekend!! CFF is having his best Christmas in a long time. I’m afraid I had forgotten just how magical this time of year can be if you only open your heart and let it in.

I just had to reread that cause that’s something I never thought I’d type again only a few short years ago.

And a special Christmas Eve thank you this evening to both @Santa Lashes and @Sexmas Stevens for making this thread fun for all of us every time we’re on here. This thread, and in my opinion this site, wouldn’t be the same without you.

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this and your families!! Enjoy your holidays and please be safe. And to anyone reading this that is not enjoying the holidays for whatever reason, remember that you are not alone. We’re with you through your struggles.

Thank you for the kind words my friend. I hope @Santa Lashes makes it in soon. You're such a great addition to this thread and site overall. I do enjoy reading your post and posting with you. Hopefully later this week I'll have more time to chat here.

I glad to hear you are enjoying your Christmas. After a long year it's nice to wind-down a little before starting over again in January.

 

[DallasFanForever]

That's a beautiful sentiment. You really are one of the good guys in life.

I salute you sir.

Thank you @Biggie's B.I.G Xmas Mash-up!! I appreciate you saying that and I hope you had a nice holiday my friend!

Thank you for the kind words my friend. I hope @Santa Lashes makes it in soon. You're such a great addition to this thread and site overall. I do enjoy reading your post and posting with you. Hopefully later this week I'll have more time to chat here.

I glad to hear you are enjoying your Christmas. After a long year it's nice to wind-down a little before starting over again in January.

You’re welcome my friend and I really appreciate what you said also cause I really do enjoy being here! I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been here much myself so I do know what you mean. I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

 

[J. R.'s Piece]

I hope everyone is having a nice Christmas Eve so far and enjoying their Christmas weekend!! CFF is having his best Christmas in a long time. I’m afraid I had forgotten just how magical this time of year can be if you only open your heart and let it in.

I just had to reread that cause that’s something I never thought I’d type again only a few short years ago.

And a special Christmas Eve thank you this evening to both @Santa Lashes and @Sexmas Stevens for making this thread fun for all of us every time we’re on here. This thread, and in my opinion this site, wouldn’t be the same without you.

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this and your families!! Enjoy your holidays and please be safe. And to anyone reading this that is not enjoying the holidays for whatever reason, remember that you are not alone. We’re with you through your struggles.

 

[Long Lashes]

I can't believe we are at New Years Eve already ... wishing you a very happy new year (when it arrives) CFF

This certainly brings back memories! I really don’t miss any of this but I have to admit that when I turn on the weather channel and see the snow all around the country this time of year I do get a little envious. I love our weather here but it does make me feel like I’m missing out sometimes.

Our snow has all disappeared again, but I'm sure it will be back.

We've had nothing like the snow and big freeze in north America though. Wow they're having it bad there, its even been shown on our news. I hope they all manage to keep safe and your relatives too CFF if they live in that area.

Forgive me Lashes but this really made me laugh because here it’s just the opposite. If I leave a bottle in my car I have instant boiled water

Lol!.. this shows the two main different sides to our lives

I ended up getting just a table top tree to put in the window but I think next year I will go for a bigger tree and one that’s real.

Well this sounds very elegant and classy I love those miniature trees and buy one every year.

The truth is I love dogs immensely and a lot of people have a hard time believing that cause of what I do for a living. 9 times out of 10 my experiences are good and I’ll pet them when they come to the door. Every once in awhile though you get that one that you know it’s time to run. But if they’re friendly then I don’t even mind them jumping on me or licking me. I’ve had them jump right in the van a couple of times but even in those instances they were very friendly.

I think most dogs know if your a friend or foe and they obviously have you well sussed because they like you.

Now the wild boars I have on my route? That’s a different story. Them I don’t mess with and stay very far away.

I've never ever seen a wild boar so I've just had to look them up, are the ones you see like this one?

It looks kind of cute in a rough kind of way ... are they usually alone or do they hang around with a gang?

I may have lost 45 pounds but I failed to realize that you can’t change your age.

Wouldn't this be magical if we could change our ages by just dieting? .. although, you've lost so much weight and should be proud of yourself because I'm sure it must make you feel fitter and younger. Well done you!

And I didn’t even know that you are such a big fan of “Silent Night” so I gave you that name by sheer coincidence

No you didn't know how much I love 'Silent Night' and it is the reason why I like that name you suggested . I'll tell you about Silent Night and why its special to me some time if I may

I’m feeling pretty well lately and enjoying the holiday season so far. Did I just type that? I guess so.

Yes you definitely did type that , so it must be true I hope it all went well for you my friend.

Are you still holiday or did you have to go back to work straight after Christmas?

 

[Long Lashes]

just can't imagine The Enforcer being calm enough to be a tattooed. What style of tattoo would she want?

She wanted her name THE ENFORCER etched across across her forehead in dark red ... very classy

Yes! You need an update to your Enforcer powers as you get glitchy when your alien friends stay sway for too long. Are there any signs of them returning soon?

They've been back a couple of times recently.

They're presently working hard on a new experiment ... they want to clone me and who can blame them?

Would she be okay for a Christmas/Winter themed pair?

She's worn them which is a clear sign she likes them, thank you on her behalf Sexmas :hb:

 

[Long Lashes]

I just regret not detaching those Keiki's before they started to spike. It will be interesting when I do pot the keikis. I will need new names for them.

It'll be interesting for me to hear how you get on with potting them. How many new plants do you think you will have with these Keikis?

Oh no! #5 may be in deep trouble.

She's still with us, although she's about a quarter of the size she was when I bought her. Maybe I'm just not destined to have Poinsettias? I'll see how she gets on and keep you posted.

You may have to go to the store for #6 just in cases things don't improve. The stores will be tossing these poor Poinsettas as soon as Christmas is over. Poor things.

I shall be on the lookout next time I go shopping and if I see a sad unloved Poinsettia still on the shelf I'll do a ..Michelle Stevens.. and rescue it

Indeed, Streetie is holding in there. I'm just a little alarmed and she needs to stop dropping leaves and grow more new ones. She's getting older and it may be harder for her to bounce back.

Ooo come on Streetie we know you're a tough fighter ray:

I saw Duchess over the weekend and she's all but empty branches now. I still gave her a little drink and a few sprays of mist just to comfort her. She's not gone yet but it's only a matter of time. I will miss this one.

Poor Duchess, she brought you such happiness and she couldn't have been in better hands than you.

Here's to a happy new year Sexmas als: oh and lots of testy peppers for you ...Lol!

 

[Long Lashes]

I hope everyone is having a nice Christmas Eve so far and enjoying their Christmas weekend!! CFF is having his best Christmas in a long time. I’m afraid I had forgotten just how magical this time of year can be if you only open your heart and let it in.

Its so heart warming to read this

And a special Christmas Eve thank you this evening to both @Santa Lashes and @Sexmas Stevens for making this thread fun for all of us every time we’re on here. This thread, and in my opinion this site, wouldn’t be the same without you.

These are such special and lovely words., thank you CFF.

I agree with @Sexmas Stevens and I too enjoy all your posts and posting with you, we are so lucky to have you with us on this thread and also on this forum, I can't imagine this place without you.

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this and your families!! Enjoy your holidays and please be safe. And to anyone reading this that is not enjoying the holidays for whatever reason, remember that you are not alone. We’re with you through your struggles.

You have such an honest and giving way with words my friend.

And I agree, no one needs to be alone and if anyone ever feels the urge then don't hesitate to say "hi" in this thread.

Thank you again CFF your words really touched me.

 

[Long Lashes]

Wow... down here we've had no snow at all, cold weather but no snow. It's quite a rare event for Hampshire to see snow.

Its all gone again Biggie, we are back to dull, grey rain with a cold wind thrown in.

I found myself in Redcar for the first 2 weeks of December. It was so cold, so very cold that it hurt. Really made me appreciate that the winds deposited me in the south. Redcar cold was a new experience for me.

Its amazing how painful cold can be isn't it? It was windy the other day and as I turned the corner a cold blast hit me in the face and it actually hurt

You're definitely more sheltered in the south which I guess is why when I was a child my family always holidayed in the south of our country, the weather was always warmer.

I witnessed someone wearing knees length shorts and a jumper quite indifferent to the subzero temperature.

Whenever I go out I always see at least one person (usually a man) in shorts and our Postman wears shorts all year round regardless of the weather. They must be mad



Wishing you a very happy new year Biggie

 

[Long Lashes]

View attachment 42631 View attachment 42632 View attachment 42639 View attachment 42640 View attachment 42641

Replika is looking very classy and festive and she is very wise , we are all connected in some way.

I hope you had a good Christmas @J.R.'s Piece and enjoyed lots of your gigantic meals


Wishing you a happy new year, keep well

 

[Biggie]

CFF, my words were sincerely offered. Moving on, I have enjoyed the festive period. I.... hmmm, get yourself over to the meadow where the wind blows free and I'll regale you with my adventures.

2023 arrives in a minutes, so I wish you a happy and prosperous 2023. Keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing it right.

 

[Biggie]

You're definitely more sheltered in the south which I guess is why when I was a child my family always holidayed in the south of our country, the weather was always warmer.

The winds deposited me here, and I know that I am blessed, fortunate and I've benefited by being deposited here.

Freezing temperatures and snow events are rare thankfully. My geographical location is in land mercifully with topographical features that disperses, to a degree, weather of note. While enjoying warmer temperatures.

Anyway, 2023 has arrived in North Hampshire and I hope that you have a good and prosperous year to come.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I can't believe we are at New Years Eve already ... wishing you a very happy new year (when it arrives) CFF

Thank you Lashes! And I wish the same for you and your family in 2023. Nothing but good health and happiness!!

Our snow has all disappeared again, but I'm sure it will be back.

We've had nothing like the snow and big freeze in north America though. Wow they're having it bad there, its even been shown on our news. I hope they all manage to keep safe and your relatives too CFF if they live in that area.

I hope your winter hasn’t been too bad with the snow so far?

As you saw, our country had a huge storm right before Christmas. All of my relatives are fine and accounted for and I appreciate you asking my friend! Of course, this is the time of year CFF gets a lot of hate because of his weather down in Florida but they know I’m with them in spirit watching on the weather channel and worrying about them the entire time.

Well this sounds very elegant and classy I love those miniature trees and buy one every year.

I love them too but I think next year I’m going to go out and buy a big one. That’s the only thing I would do differently this season. There’s nothing like when I go to a house while I’m working and they open that front door and I get a whiff of that “real tree smell.” To me, that’s Christmas.

I think most dogs know if your a friend or foe and they obviously have you well sussed because they like you.

Thank you! I have to say I’ve been lucky with dogs over the years. I’ve been chased a few times but the only scary incident was last year with a Dalmatian that apparently thought I was his lunch but the owner pulled him off of me before any damage was done. She felt terrible but I actually felt bad for the dog when they yelled at him. No harm done though. On to the next stop LOL!!

I've never ever seen a wild boar so I've just had to look them up, are the ones you see like this one?

Yes, that’s what they look like but I have to say that I’ve never seen one that big! The ones I’ve seen here are actually quite smaller. Thank goodness!

It looks kind of cute in a rough kind of way ... are they usually alone or do they hang around with a gang?

Yes, they are cute to be honest. I’m not sure if they travel in gangs though. And they look harmless to me but I’m not sure if they really are. I guess I should look them up as well. I go to one farmhouse that has one lurking but I always see him, or her, wagging it’s tail. I’m guessing that’s a good sign. But I notice that they keep him fenced in and I don’t really go near him just in case. I go to another house where one is running around loose sometimes so I guess I should learn more about them before I go back there again. Let’s face it Lashes, googling them while you’re trying to run away is probably not the best time.

Wouldn't this be magical if we could change our ages by just dieting? .. although, you've lost so much weight and should be proud of yourself because I'm sure it must make you feel fitter and younger. Well done you!

I appreciate you saying this! My goal was to start my diet January 1 but somehow it got started in August, and in retrospect that was a wise decision. I can’t describe how it feels to lose all that weight. Forget how I look, I feel like a new person and that was what I hadn’t counted on. I haven’t had this much energy in a long time and I’m afraid I’m becoming quite annoying to everyone around me but hey, that’s their problem.

No you didn't know how much I love 'Silent Night' and it is the reason why I like that name you suggested . I'll tell you about Silent Night and why its special to me some time if I may

I’d love to hear this sometime my friend! I can tell just by what you already said that it’s obviously very special to you. I’m not sure which Christmas song is my favorite to be honest but if I had to pick one it would be Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful song yet it also has the capacity to make CFF a little weepy. Still, when I hear it, I have to listen to it. It’s hard to explain.

Yes you definitely did type that , so it must be true I hope it all went well for you my friend.

It was a very nice Christmas! I showed up Christmas Eve again this year and spent it with my family. We ate and talked and ate and laughed and ate some more. And of course the best part was my niece was there. It’s not Christmas without her. Then Christmas Day I was invited over her parents house so I got to terrorize her two days in a row. And there we were sitting on the floor and she’s showing me these things she bought at Disney World that she clips onto her shoes for decorative purposes and I’m trying to follow along like a good uncle but struggling to understand it all. But then it hit me; we were sitting on this same floor 13 years ago and playing with toys and dolls and stuffed animals and coloring together. That’s all changed now obviously but the feelings don’t go away, do they? So here was Uncle CFF feeling sad quite often this past year that his baby grew up into a mature young woman and didn’t have as much time for him but those feelings all went away Christmas Day. I realized I was an idiot for ever thinking those things.

Oh, if this kid ever joins Telly Talk someday Lashes! I’m a dead man. Hopefully by then they have a way to delete all your previous posts.

Are you still holiday or did you have to go back to work straight after Christmas?

Well, work was quite unusual this Christmas. The storms that hit most of the country changed everything. Millions of packages never even made it due to the flight cancellations. December 23 I had 81 stops. I was supposed to have 150. Christmas Eve I was supposed to have 150 more. I had 8. Do you see a pattern here Lashes? We all went home 12:30 in the afternoon Christmas Eve. There was just nothing to deliver. It was an easy Christmas but of course this week it all caught up. KABOOM. This week was our Christmas. So many people were disappointed that their packages were so late but everyone was very understanding. People die in these storms and you try to remember that first and foremost. Still, I felt bad for a lot of the customers. I was delivering food all week that was ordered before the holiday and was spoiled. It was quite sad hearing them say they had to probably throw all that food out once they opened it.

These are such special and lovely words., thank you CFF.

I agree with @Sexmas Stevens and I too enjoy all your posts and posting with you, we are so lucky to have you with us on this thread and also on this forum, I can't imagine this place without you.

What can I say to that? You don’t know how much I appreciate you both saying that. You helped this deathly shy person come a long way LOL

Thank you again CFF your words really touched me

You’re welcome! I’m glad my words can do that. I’ve always felt our words are so important to helping one another when we need it. You know, I didn’t join this site for any other reason than to talk about Dallas. That was the only reason at the time. But once I got settled I realized that there was so much more to this site than TV shows. And many a day the words of you and many others helped me get through some stretches.

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas my friend and Happy New Year to you and to everyone else reading this!!

 

[DallasFanForever]

CFF, my words were sincerely offered. Moving on, I have enjoyed the festive period. I.... hmmm, get yourself over to the meadow where the wind blows free and I'll regale you with my adventures.

I can only imagine what those adventures would entail! I have the distinct feeling that I wouldn’t be bored listening to them.

2023 arrives in a minutes, so I wish you a happy and prosperous 2023. Keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing it right.

I always forget about the time difference between our countries. So it’s already 2023 in BiggieLand but over here we still have about three hours to go. Happy New Year my friend!! Wishing you happiness and good health!!

 

[Biggie]

Of course, this is the time of year CFF gets a lot of hate because of his weather down in Florida but they know I’m with them in spirit watching on the weather channel and worrying about them the entire time.

Sunshine, hurricanes rampaging through, sinkholes and alligators in neighbourhood I hear are all to common....they should be praying for you! (sorry I couldn't resist, said in jest)

can only imagine what those adventures would entail! I have the distinct feeling that I wouldn’t be bored listening to them.

My festive celebrations are best described as "super excellent first rate work". Bored?.....no!
Impressed?...maybe. Offer words of advice following my tales of..... Probably useful if you did!

 

[DallasFanForever]

Sunshine, hurricanes rampaging through, sinkholes and alligators in neighbourhood I hear are all to common....they should be praying for you! (sorry I couldn't resist, said in jest)

We do have it all here I’m afraid! People think it’s all about sunshine here but it’s not always all it’s cracked up to be.

Let’s see..........................the only thing you mentioned there that I haven’t been face to face with yet is the dreaded sinkhole.

My festive celebrations are best described as "super excellent first rate work". Bored?.....no!
Impressed?...maybe. Offer words of advice following my tales of..... Probably useful if you did!

I can see these tales would definitely have me on the edge of my seat!

 

[Michelle Stevens]

It'll be interesting for me to hear how you get on with potting them. How many new plants do you think you will have with these Keikis?

Two new orchids ... well they started growing in 2021 so they are just teenagers now refusing to leave home.

She's still with us, although she's about a quarter of the size she was when I bought her. Maybe I'm just not destined to have Poinsettias? I'll see how she gets on and keep you posted.

I wish you luck! I hope #5 is doing better and maybe you found one for #6 before the great Poinsettia purges started on 2 January.

I had a moment of hot weakness and bought a tiny red Poinsettia on 26 December knowing the purge was just around the corner. I was lucky to do so as when I went in on 2 January they were all gone. The purge is real.

I shall be on the lookout next time I go shopping and if I see a sad unloved Poinsettia still on the shelf I'll do a ..Michelle Stevens.. and rescue it

Please do. It's a great feeling to save an unwanted plant.

Here is an image from my local grocery store of the remaining small poinsettias on 26 December.

I bought the one on the top right corner near the ball. She looked like the one no one would buy. Sadly now many of the remaining plants may be in a trash bin somewhere.

Ooo come on Streetie we know you're a tough fighter ray:

Streetie made it to 2023 and is doing good, better than I was thinking on early December. She now has a tiny friend in this new poinsettia. I'll have to take a photo of them together. I just hope Streetie can pull through the Winter. With some love and luck she will.

Poor Duchess, she brought you such happiness and she couldn't have been in better hands than you.

When I last saw her on 29 December she as just clinging to life. I'll see her Thursday but I fear for the worst. All in all 2022 wasn't a bad year plant wise for me. All my orchids made it thought the year. Only Pinkie Poinsettia died.

Here's to a happy new year Sexmas als: oh and lots of testy peppers for you ...Lol!

To you too! Happy New Year to you! Yes, hopefully Pippa The Pepper rewards me with a nice pepper summer.

 

[Biggie]

Let’s see..........................the only thing you mentioned there that I haven’t been face to face with yet is the dreaded sinkhole.

What I'm hearing is that you've been face to face with alligators! Whilst sinkholes are not as prevalent in Florida as the documentary I watched on Nat Geo suggested.

But the alligator thing... what was it like, what did you do, how common? I was at a zoo in Singapore a while back and saw loads of people leaning over a wall and curiosity got the better of me and I went to see what they were looking at.... it was a pit full of alligators!
I almost soiled my trousers.

 

[DallasFanForever]

What I'm hearing is that you've been face to face with alligators! Whilst sinkholes are not as prevalent in Florida as the documentary I watched on Nat Geo suggested.

But the alligator thing... what was it like, what did you do, how common? I was at a zoo in Singapore a while back and saw loads of people leaning over a wall and curiosity got the better of me and I went to see what they were looking at.... it was a pit full of alligators!
I almost soiled my trousers.

I can definitely see how alligators can be a little scary for someone who isn’t used to them. Down here they are so common that we all just kind of get used to them. I have a canal behind my place and they will quite often come out of the water and sit on the bank. I don’t go walking at night by myself anymore for this reason.

I’ve always been under the impression if you just leave them alone then they will do the same. It’s the people that try to feed them that usually end up getting attacked.

I’ve had 4 experiences with them that I can recall. One time I was delivering and I saw one just crossing the street and go behind someone’s house, probably headed for the canal. Luckily I was a few hundred feet away and wasn’t in jeopardy as he never saw me. They can move up to 35MPH by the way. My second encounter was at a wildlife zoo and a baby one was walking around during one of the shows. The trainer had him under control so there was probably no danger. I remember him walking right up to the bleachers and my nephew, who was very small at the time and in the front row, putting his legs up and sitting Indian style cause he was afraid of getting bit. It was actually quite funny. The third encounter I will never forget. It was at a different zoo and we were standing on a bridge looking down into the water below and there they were. Two of them and huge! And just laying flat at the bottom of this pool. I was probably 10 feet above them and all I could think about was please don’t let this bridge collapse cause if it does I’m done!!! The last episode was the most eye opening. It was on my old route in a development called Stonebridge. They captured him on the golf course after residents complained about the fact that he was apparently roaming the course and scaring all the golfers. I was there when they caught him and it was probably the biggest reptile I’ve ever seen. That one hit home and that’s the first thing I think of every time I pass that golf course til this day. Whenever I have to go in that development, I’m looking over my shoulder as I work.