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

[DallasFanForever]

Only 4700? Donate, donate, donate to keep this place alive so we reach 10,000.

I couldn’t agree more! I can’t picture my life without this site and chatting with most of you. I don’t know what I’d do.

Maybe by the end of August we may be able to get to 5400?

I like that idea. Let’s see..........................

That’s 96 more posts in about 37 days I think? It’s less than 3 posts a day so it sounds doable.

I hope you’re having a nice week so far Michelle and the same goes for everyone else stopping by here!

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

I couldn’t agree more! I can’t picture my life without this site and chatting with most of you. I don’t know what I’d do.

"Most of you"?

Yeah, I've been a member of Soap Chat since 2011 and a lurker since the early-2000's. It would be hard to see this place go. I do miss some of the former members that never made the transition after the fall of the old site in '16.

I like that idea. Let’s see..........................

That’s 96 more posts in about 37 days I think? It’s less than 3 posts a day so it sounds doable.

Now we need @Long Lashes to keep us on our toes over the next 37 days.

I hope you’re having a nice week so far Michelle and the same goes for everyone else stopping by here!

Thank you and I hope your week has been good thus far DFF.

 

[DallasFanForever]

"Most of you"?

LOL!! I was just seeing if you were paying attention. Don’t worry my friend, you’re definitely in that “most of you” category.

Yeah, I've been a member of Soap Chat since 2011 and a lurker since the early-2000's.

I think I was lurking in the mid-2000s. In hindsight I really wish I had joined sooner than I did. I remember getting a kick out of all the usernames back then and I’d read all the threads late at night and now here I am chatting with these very same people all these years later. It’s pretty awesome!

It would be hard to see this place go.

Not sure how I would deal with that. That prospect makes me very sad and I don’t even want to think about it. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

I do miss some of the former members that never made the transition after the fall of the old site in '16.

I imagine that had to be very disheartening. To lose all those threads and content is one thing, but losing all those members had to be the hardest part. It’s such a tight knit little community and we all kind of grow on one another. The four days this site was down last month I thought I was gonna go crazy. I won’t admit to even crying a little one night. I just won’t admit it. Did I cry? Like I said, I’m not admitting anything.

Now we need @Long Lashes to keep us on our toes over the next 37 days.

Cracking the whip, of course! I know all about this because I have made it my business to go back and read this thread from the very beginning. I’m about 115 pages in and I gotta say I’ve already had many laughs! I’m somewhere in early 2019 but DFF is still about a year and a half away from his entrance so I still have a lot to read before that happens.

Thank you and I hope your week has been good thus far DFF.

Thank you my friend! It’s been extremely hectic but at least it hasn’t been boring. That I can honestly say.

I hope everyone is having a nice Wednesday!!

 

[Long Lashes]

It’s nice in a way cause we get to have Christmas without the bitter cold but the problem is it really doesn’t feel like Christmas here unfortunately. It feels like, well, it feels like every day to be honest. It takes a lot here of decorations and spirit here for it to feel like Christmas. But somehow it always does anyway. Maybe the magic of Christmas isn’t in the climate. Maybe it’s in us and how we choose to celebrate it no matter our climates.

"Maybe the magic of Christmas isn't in the climate" - how wise you are DFF, you're always coming out with these little gems

Do you or others in your part of the world use fake snow at Christmas? .. like on the windows? Some people do over here, I tried it once and didn't like the mess, so I decided to wash it straight off and oh my .. what a job that was! the darn stuff wouldn't shift

Which means most of what I just posted is wrong, isn’t it Lashes? I guess I should’ve sorted it out before I started typing.

Ooo I get you my friend , no worries

I’m okay with the Christmas cake or pudding if you don’t want any. Actually I’ll trade you my turkey sandwich for those.

Its a deal!

Did you trade lunches when you were in school Lashes? I wasn’t really into trading my food with others.

No I don't remember doing that, I recall sharing the stuff I didn't like with others ..Lol

I’ve always loved how this thread always seems to go back to food at some point. I can see that introducing you to coffee ice cream was a good thing. I’m assuming it’s still way back in the freezer, well-hidden from the rest of the Lashes household?

Yes! The coffee ice-cream is nice and cold right at the back of our freezer ... (accidently on purpose) hidden under other things

Yes, I’ve heard about this and I can definitely relate! It’s quite scary and I think a lot of people don’t take the warnings seriously enough. I agree with you that the fires are the crazy part. We’ve had those here as well lately. As a matter of fact not too long ago I had a forest fire surrounding my route. I gotta say that was a bit scary to be out there working while a fire is happening literally right next to me at the same time. Luckily it’s gone for now but with this heat I guess it’s something we have to prepare for.

That sounds scary being so near to a forest fire, I'm so glad you kept safe .. I think I've said this before, but you should get 'danger' money.

Do you have a fire extinguisher in your truck?

I’m just hoping the hurricanes stay away this season. That’s the scariest part about living here as far as I’m concerned.

I've learned such a lot about hurricanes through you. I'm ashamed to say I never really understood how deadly and frightening they must be to experience, you've taught me how dangerous they are.

I’m not sure about Philadelphia to be honest but I thought it was time to get my eyes checked the other day when I saw it was going to be 131 degrees in Death Valley, Arizona. That’s the highest temperature I’ve ever heard of. We’ve never even come close to that down here in Florida. I can’t even imagine dealing with that kind of heat!

Forgive me DFF I said Philadelphia when I should have said Phoenix, I'm so thick sometimes .

Oh blimey 131 degrees in Death Valley? that's like the temperature I sometimes use on my oven. I have no idea how the locals cope with such extreme heat?

It’s weird because most of the rides don’t bother me that much. I’ll get a little scared if I look down from the top but I guess those rides are moving so fast that there’s not much time to get nervous. It depends on the ride really.

So you are a dare-devil after all! have you ever done a bungee jump?

Yes, I am aware of your viciousness on that thread. I do anxiously await your return over there, even though I know I will probably end up in a hospital sipping from a straw and unable to eat solids for a few weeks with a few minor broken bones but I harbor no bitterness.

It’s good to have you back my friend! You’re always missed when you’re not here.

:ch:

As for my avatar, I wanted something different. Well, that was the plan anyway. I was tired of looking at that house and I wanted something else but I couldn’t decide on what to use. But then I kind of missed that house being there and was going to put up the same avatar I had, until I found this recent picture of it and I liked how it shows what used to be my field. I couldn’t pass it up. It’s just too special to me but I’ve learned that the field is not what’s most special to me anymore. It really isn’t. It’s the house and who was in it, and that’s why I put it back up. It’s part of who I am, and I guess that’s what an avatar should be.

I love this and I have to say you lived in a stunning place, so picturesque.

Did you follow all that Lashes? Cause I’m reading that back and I’m not even sure I get what I type sometimes.

Oh yes, I always get you

 

[Long Lashes]

You called it. As a child the woods were a constant and playing our games in the woods was the norm. My perception was that that nothing would change there. For years we played in 'our' woods. The wind carried me away in November 1987, I expected to see what I spent many hours, days, weeks and years playing in. 22 years had passed and things had changed.

I spent a great deal of my childhood playing in the woods too Biggie, they were long happy days. We had rope-swings over the brook, made dens and even had a small camp fire or two. I recall climbing trees and over-doing it one day and finding that I couldn't get down ..Lol!

Like you my childhood home changed, all the fields and woods have gone and have been replaced by a big housing state. I still lived there when they first started building and that gave us another playground .. half built houses to explore, rides on the diggers with the builders .. happy times. These days none of that would be allowed due to health and safety.

 

[Long Lashes]

And so we’ve finally arrived at our goal of 5300 posts. Only 4700 to go til that magical plateau of 10,000! Are we going to be setting a new goal for 5400?

Sounds like a plan

Only 4700? Donate, donate, donate to keep this place alive so we reach 10,000.

Now we need @Long Lashes to keep us on our toes over the next 37 days.

The Enforcer will be watching this thread with interest.. so watch out!

Cracking the whip, of course! I know all about this because I have made it my business to go back and read this thread from the very beginning. I’m about 115 pages in and I gotta say I’ve already had many laughs! I’m somewhere in early 2019 but DFF is still about a year and a half away from his entrance so I still have a lot to read before that happens.

Oh wow DFF

I really dread to think what I posted ..Lol!

 

[Long Lashes]

Tiny Tim isn't pretty plant, why do you say that?

I am very fond of him, but I don't find Christmas trees attractive throughout the year. He is still growing taller and has a sort of brown-ish tint to him now. He makes me smile because of the memories of when he lived in our house over one Christmas so I'd never part with Tiny Tim.

That's where all the rain went. We need some here.

I wish I could give you some my friend, we have more than enough to share.

Well they don't all have names but they all have their date of purchase on the bottom of their pots. All but about three have names. Knox (about on the Spring Equinox) and Molly are the latest. Several are still blooming but it's high orchid fashion not to make new leaves. That is on orchid trend this summer.

Knox is a great name and I've always liked the name Molly .. you have good taste Michelle

Here is a photo I took of my Poinsettias this past Sunday, 23 July.

Let to right, Streetie, Streetie II, Princess, Duchess II and Boxer Poinsettia. Boxer is the little one I got on 26 December before they were all tossed. they are enjoying their Summer. I still worry about Streetie as she isn't as green as the others. Streetie II is just a branch of hers we put into a pot and it's still alive.

Pippa is alive and we recently repotted. She's not as productive as the newer peppers but she's an older plant and I understand.

This is so wonderful to see thank you Michelle.

Its always a treat to see Streetie and now little baby- Streetie

Princess and Duchess are living up to their regal names they look so well and how nice to see little Boxer .. another clever name
What a great photo they look like a happy family, thanks again Michelle.

I'm not sure but you may be able to grow peppers indoors as well. Pippa produced indoors during the Winter.

Oh I didn't know this, I have the greenhouse of course, although its not heated for the winter months. I grow herds .. chives, basil, parsley and also mint .. luckily they are all easy to grow. Next summer I intend to expand and include a few veggies. I've also ordered a root of rhubarb which should be arriving any day now. We love rhubarb pie in this house

 

[DallasFanForever]

"Maybe the magic of Christmas isn't in the climate" - how wise you are DFF, you're always coming out with these little gems

Thank you!

Do you or others in your part of the world use fake snow at Christmas? .. like on the windows?

It’s very common here because, well, I guess the real stuff isn’t gonna ever fall from the sky for us. I notice a lot of people using the fake snow at Christmas and I really like it. It’s the closest we will ever get to the real thing.

Some people do over here, I tried it once and didn't like the mess, so I decided to wash it straight off and oh my .. what a job that was! the darn stuff wouldn't shift

I’ve never used it personally so I had no idea it could be such a mess. I’m glad you told me this cause now I definitely won’t buy it. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get the real thing down here this Christmas for the first time since 1978.

No I don't remember doing that, I recall sharing the stuff I didn't like with others ..Lol

That makes sense. I would feed the stuff I didn’t like to the ducks.

Yes! The coffee ice-cream is nice and cold right at the back of our freezer ... (accidently on purpose) hidden under other things

I really do admire this! Especially since it’s coffee ice cream. Do you like peanut butter ice cream Lashes? I’m not sure if I’ve told you this before but I’ve learned that coffee and peanut butter go very well together as far as flavor goes.

That sounds scary being so near to a forest fire, I'm so glad you kept safe .

I have to say, it does put things in perspective when you’re walking up a driveway to deliver a package surrounded by fire Lashes.

I think I've said this before, but you should get 'danger' money.

Let’s see...........

Hurricanes, fire, grouchiness, torrential downpours, snakes, crazy drivers, dogs chasing me, yeah I think I’m all for the danger money now. I’m gonna have to agree with you on that one.

Do you have a fire extinguisher in your truck?

Yes I do, but I honestly have no idea where it is. Now that you mention it, I can’t remember ever seeing it. I guess I’ll have a look around when I go in tomorrow. I wonder where the heck in that truck it could be? I’m going blank.

I've learned such a lot about hurricanes through you. I'm ashamed to say I never really understood how deadly and frightening they must be to experience, you've taught me how dangerous they are.

Well, I’m glad you’ve never had to deal with one and I hope you never do. We’ve been kind of quiet so far this season but it’s still very early. They kind of freak me out a little but I try to stay calm so as not to alarm the rest of the family. There’s just something very scary about knowing that thing is coming right for you and there’s not much you can do to get out of its way.

It’s very much like you on the Last Post thread.

Forgive me DFF I said Philadelphia when I should have said Phoenix, I'm so thick sometimes .

And here I was getting ready to call people in Philadelphia that night to ask how hot it was there.

Oh blimey 131 degrees in Death Valley? that's like the temperature I sometimes use on my oven.

LOL!!

. I have no idea how the locals cope with such extreme heat?

I can’t imagine 131 degrees. There are times here when I feel like I can barely breathe when I first go outside and that’s only 90 degrees so my thoughts are definitely with them.

So you are a dare-devil after all! have you ever done a bungee jump?

Oh no, DFF is definitely no dare devil. I’ve never done a bungee jump and I really don’t want to give it a shot. Have you ever done that Lashes?

I love this and I have to say you lived in a stunning place, so picturesque.

Thank you! I would love to go up there for a visit, as I haven’t been back to that place in almost 20 years. I’m just not sure how that would go or how it would even feel now. I miss that place so much! It was as peaceful a place as it was pretty. But we can’t go back, can we? There are no do-overs. I dream about that place sometimes. I’ll dream that I did go back but once I get back there everything is different now and I’m not enjoying it like I did when I was younger. In the dream I’ll realize I made a mistake by going back, so maybe I got my answer LOL!! Maybe I’m not supposed to go back. Maybe I’m supposed to stay very far away. Well, at least I got a cool avatar out of it.

Oh yes, I always get you

Oh, good! I can use you on the Dallas threads then.


Have a nice weekend my friend and that goes for everyone else reading this!

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

We may need to push back our goal of #5400 until the end of September at this rate. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. Busy!

 

[Long Lashes]

Do you like peanut butter ice cream Lashes? I’m not sure if I’ve told you this before but I’ve learned that coffee and peanut butter go very well together as far as flavor goes.

Ooo my goodness! its sooooo good! I've not had any of that flavour in ages. We are actually having a hot day here today .. so I think I need to treat myself to more ice-cream when I go shopping tomorrow

I have to say, it does put things in perspective when you’re walking up a driveway to deliver a package surrounded by fire Lashes.

Heck that must be so scary.

Let’s see...........

Hurricanes, fire, grouchiness, torrential downpours, snakes, crazy drivers, dogs chasing me, yeah I think I’m all for the danger money now. I’m gonna have to agree with you on that one.

I don't know how you cope DFF

Yes I do, but I honestly have no idea where it is. Now that you mention it, I can’t remember ever seeing it. I guess I’ll have a look around when I go in tomorrow. I wonder where the heck in that truck it could be? I’m going blank.

Did you find that fire extinguisher in your truck? .. sorry to be nosy again, I need to know you are safe on those roads. Oh and did you locate your truck..Lol!

Well, I’m glad you’ve never had to deal with one and I hope you never do. We’ve been kind of quiet so far this season but it’s still very early. They kind of freak me out a little but I try to stay calm so as not to alarm the rest of the family. There’s just something very scary about knowing that thing is coming right for you and there’s not much you can do to get out of its way.

That must be terrifying when you know the hurricane is heading your way and you seem to have experienced the hurricanes quite a few times. Do you ever notice people freaking out in fear?

It’s very much like you on the Last Post thread.

:coffeelaugh:

I can’t imagine 131 degrees. There are times here when I feel like I can barely breathe when I first go outside and that’s only 90 degrees so my thoughts are definitely with them.

The heat is so exhausting too, even the smallest tasks take more energy in the heat .. I have only experienced this very rarely or when abroad on holiday, it doesn't happen very often here in the UK.

Oh no, DFF is definitely no dare devil. I’ve never done a bungee jump and I really don’t want to give it a shot. Have you ever done that Lashes?

Oh my goodness no, I'd worry that something would go wrong. Mr L has jumped twice and I couldn't even bear to go and watch

I would love to go up there for a visit, as I haven’t been back to that place in almost 20 years. I’m just not sure how that would go or how it would even feel now. I miss that place so much! It was as peaceful a place as it was pretty. But we can’t go back, can we? There are no do-overs. I dream about that place sometimes. I’ll dream that I did go back but once I get back there everything is different now and I’m not enjoying it like I did when I was younger. In the dream I’ll realize I made a mistake by going back, so maybe I got my answer LOL!! Maybe I’m not supposed to go back. Maybe I’m supposed to stay very far away. Well, at least I got a cool avatar out of it.

You're so right my friend, looking at your avatar it truly is a pretty place and looks so peaceful, spacious too, I love seeing the mountains surrounding your home. I'm not surprised you dream about it sometimes, it was obviously a very big part of your life. I can imagine you yearning to return there, but then it would be different now .. don't you think? It must be so hard to decide if to return or not




Hope you're having a good week DFF .. oh and are you still reading your way through this thread? have you got to the time when you enter our world on here?

 

[Long Lashes]

We may need to push back our goal of #5400 until the end of September at this rate. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. Busy!

Yes I think we might need to extend the time for our next goal (sorry DFF) , I've been useless recently and you have no need to apologise lovely Michelle, life gets unexpectedly busy. And as we all know and I just get lazy

 

[DallasFanForever]

Ooo my goodness! its sooooo good! I've not had any of that flavour in ages.

It’s weird cause I don’t like peanut butter necessarily and I don’t even like coffee yet I love them both when it comes to ice cream.

We are actually having a hot day here today .. so I think I need to treat myself to more ice-cream when I go shopping tomorrow

Have you made room in the back of the Lashes freezer in order to hide the evidence yet?

I don't know how you cope DFF

You kind of just get used to it. I’m taking some time off right now and the person covering my route is, uh, let’s say not too happy LOL!! He’s having a rough go but I’ve assured him I’ll be back on Monday.

Did you find that fire extinguisher in your truck? ..

No, I never did. No one seems to be able to locate it to be honest. I’d better ask one of the mechanics when I get back. I would look stupid trying to battle a fire without being able to even find my extinguisher. Thank goodness I never became a fireman, I’d be so lost.

Oh and did you locate your truck..Lol!

Luckily I can usually find that in the morning. But once in awhile even that’s a chore to be honest if the night driver parks it in the wrong spot.

sorry to be nosy again, I need to know you are safe on those roads.

Nah, you’re never nosey my friend! And I appreciate your concern for my safety. That was a very nice thing to say.

That must be terrifying when you know the hurricane is heading your way and you seem to have experienced the hurricanes quite a few times

It’s an eerie feeling and quite honestly I’ve never gotten used to it. Luckily still no scares yet this season but we still have a long way to go.

Do you ever notice people freaking out in fear?

Besides me? Yes, very much so. Unfortunately most people don’t prepare until it’s almost here and the stores and roads get CRAZY!! A lot of panic, and water, gas and food shortages are common. It’s much like a disaster movie unfolding right before your eyes. And keep in mind this is all before the storm.

The heat is so exhausting too, even the smallest tasks take more energy in the heat .. I have only experienced this very rarely or when abroad on holiday, it doesn't happen very often here in the UK.

This is the hottest summer I’ve ever seen in South Florida. Of course, I say this every year now. I’m very glad to hear though that your summer hasn’t been as bad. Do you get a lot of rain where you are Lashes?

Oh my goodness no, I'd worry that something would go wrong. Mr L has jumped twice and I couldn't even bear to go and watch

I have trouble even watching it myself. I think it has to do with my fear of heights. I applaud people that can do it, but like you I’d worry too much about something going wrong. I much prefer having both feet on the ground.

You're so right my friend, looking at your avatar it truly is a pretty place and looks so peaceful, spacious too, I love seeing the mountains surrounding your home.

Thank you! I spent so much time up in those mountains as a child, and in the early 1900s there was actually a railroad going right through that avatar and up that mountain. It was called the Otis Elevated Railway. I look at that avatar and it’s nothing but good memories, and the bad ones don’t even matter anymore. They really don’t. I laugh at those now.

I'm not surprised you dream about it sometimes, it was obviously a very big part of your life. I can imagine you yearning to return there, but then it would be different now .. don't you think? It must be so hard to decide if to return or not

It’s funny cause I moved away in 1994. I’ve only made one visit back and that was in 2003. I stood right about where the picture in that avatar is taken from and I was so completely overwhelmed standing there again. It was the most surreal thing. What amazed me back then was how everything pretty much looked the same as when we left cause it’s actually a very small, old school town. I do wonder how it looks in person nowadays though. I’ve promised myself I’d return for another visit someday, but that might be awhile. For now I think I’m just happy remembering it the way I remember it and I don’t want anything to spoil that. Does this all make any sense?

.. oh and are you still reading your way through this thread? have you got to the time when you enter our world on here?

I am indeed! I’m about 125 pages in and it’s May of 2019. DFF is still about a year and a half away from being born but I am really enjoying the read. You girls just hit 2500 posts, the eagle chat just began a few pages earlier and I’m learning about the enforcer’s powers and rage and very thankful she is my friend.

Elsewhere, Michelle just got back from Southfork which was so cool for me to read because I’ve never been there yet and it was awesome to hear about her trip.

Hope you're having a good week DFF

Thank you, and I hope you’re having a nice week as well my friend!

And of course the same goes for everyone else reading this!!

 

[DallasFanForever]

Yes I think we might need to extend the time for our next goal (sorry DFF) , I've been useless recently and you have no need to apologise lovely Michelle, life gets unexpectedly busy. And as we all know and I just get lazy

Extend it we will then! And Lashes there is no need to apologize on your part either. You and Michelle have obviously been very busy lately and that’s totally understandable. No one’s been useless or lazy. Life gets crazy sometimes, and we all understand.

 

[Biggie]

Unfortunately most people don’t prepare until it’s almost here

Perhaps I shudda save this fact for the Fun Facts thread, but I'm here and done. Hurricanes and cyclones and storms that carry a female name claim more lives than ones that carry a male name. It's not because the female monikered hurricanes are more intense or on a larger scale. It's because people's perceptions are that women are "made from sugar and spice and all things nice", and by extension the hurricane will be of a lesser order of severity.

Life gets crazy sometimes, and we all understand.

Amen to that brother. I remember when my life was less demanding. I would roll from one mash-up to another, with a liberal sprinkling of all night sessions where.... I'm sure you know what I'm saying. The fortnightly booty shacking all-nighters in London's happening nightclubs yielded some epic adventures that are best shared under the Lightening Tree.

Then something changed and my life became one of greater responsibility and spare time on my hands became less and less. That said, I look back at me in my late teens up to 30 years old, and I can honestly say that I seriously enjoyed myself at every session, mash-up booty shack up and house party. These days the sessions are planned months in advance, and usually just close friends. Life is all about change. Whether good bad or ugly.

 

[DallasFanForever]

Perhaps I shudda save this fact for the Fun Facts thread, but I'm here and done. Hurricanes and cyclones and storms that carry a female name claim more lives than ones that carry a male name

You know, I’m embarrassed to say I never knew this. You’d think having lived in a hurricane state for 29 years I’d probably know this fact.

It's not because the female monikered hurricanes are more intense or on a larger scale. It's because people's perceptions are that women are "made from sugar and spice and all things nice", and by extension the hurricane will be of a lesser order of severity.

I see, so there are idiots whom underestimate the severity of the storm if it has a female name? Well that might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Now that I think about it, some of the worst storms I’ve been here for were definitely female. Irma, Wilma, Katrina, etc. And I guess we can include Lashes and Michelle to this over on the Last Post thread.

Amen to that brother. I remember when my life was less demanding. I would roll from one mash-up to another, with a liberal sprinkling of all night sessions where.... I'm sure you know what I'm saying

Yes, I think I get the gist

The fortnightly booty shacking all-nighters in London's happening nightclubs yielded some epic adventures that are best shared under the Lightening Tree.

I do have to get to London someday

the Lightening Tree.

Although I am starting to wonder if there is enough time in a day to spend under this tree to actually hear all these adventures

Then something changed and my life became one of greater responsibility and spare time on my hands became less and less

All too common unfortunately. I can definitely relate.

I look back at me in my late teens up to 30 years old, and I can honestly say that I seriously enjoyed myself at every session, mash-up booty shack up and house party.

Best times of our lives I’ve always said, although if I would have the, uh, pleasure of meeting 19 year old DFF now I’d probably want to smack some sense into him. He needed it. Luckily there were others around then that cared enough to provide the much needed smacking free of charge; Mom, Auntie, Grandmother, Sis, Stepmother, etc. I’m thankful for all of them for straightening me out. Wouldn’t be here right now typing this if not for them.

These days the sessions are planned months in advance, and usually just close friends

I’ve learned the less the better with these things. I’m very picky about who I let in the inner circle these days.

Life is all about change. Whether good bad or ugly.

Everything changes unfortunately. Some things for the better, some for the worse, but rest assured it’s gonna change either way.

 

[Biggie]

see, so there are idiots whom underestimate the severity of the storm if it has a female name?

Exactly what they do, it defies all common sense. I'm really fortunate that extremely severe weather events are measured in decades and multiples of in my corner of the world.
The last hurricane to sweep through Hampshire was October 1987 and so far this century we've had two winters with significant prolonged snow fall.

Best times of our lives I’ve always said, although if I would have the, uh, pleasure of meeting 19 year old DFF now I’d probably want to smack some sense into him.

That period of my life was seriously good fun, worth the effort put in to reap the adventures. But the two people who love me often had to slap me with a reality check. Didn't like it at time but now I know that's what love looks like.

do have to get to London someday

London like all world cities has it's fair share of social problems that are outweighed by the exciting and vibrant communities and culture that make London. Great nightlife is there for the taking. Hidden gems tucked in alleyway or in courtyards waiting to be found by the curious. If you ever find yourself in London I suggest that don't make plans. Just go and explore. Let the wind take you to.....?????

 

[DallasFanForever]

Exactly what they do, it defies all common sense. I'm really fortunate that extremely severe weather events are measured in decades and multiples of in my corner of the world.

This is good to hear! I’m sure this has to be a major relief. Definitely not a luxury we have over here.

The last hurricane to sweep through Hampshire was October 1987

Now this really got my attention! Now I’d like to go back and count just how many hurricanes we’ve had here since October 1987 LOL

so far this century we've had two winters with significant prolonged snow fall.

I didn’t realize this. I was under the impression you guys got more snow than this over there. Maybe Lashes told me this already and I forgot? I guess I should pay more attention to her posts. DFF hasn’t seen snow since 1996. I kind of miss it sometimes.

That period of my life was seriously good fun, worth the effort put in to reap the adventures.

It’s good to hear you have no regrets!

But the two people who love me often had to slap me with a reality check.

Oh I can definitely relate, as DFF was on the receiving end of quite a few of those earlier in life. Probably dealt with more of those than I have hurricanes to be honest.

Didn't like it at time but now I know that's what love looks like.

Yes, who knew slaps = love back then? I guess I was really loved growing up by all the females in my family.

London like all world cities has it's fair share of social problems that are outweighed by the exciting and vibrant communities and culture that make London.

London is definitely on my list of places to see. Italy is still at the top of my list, as I have so much family over there I’ve never even met. That’s being talked about with other members of my family as a possibility for next summer.

Great nightlife is there for the taking. Hidden gems tucked in alleyway or in courtyards waiting to be found by the curious. If you ever find yourself in London I suggest that don't make plans. Just go and explore. Let the wind take you to.....?????

Hidden gems, alleyways, courtyards, curiosity, strong winds taking me to parts unknown, I might have to put off Italy another year and try London first.

 

[Long Lashes]

How are we doing? have we smashed that goal yet? :laughing:

It’s weird cause I don’t like peanut butter necessarily and I don’t even like coffee yet I love them both when it comes to ice cream.

I'm similar when it comes to cherries, I can't stand cherry flavoured things, but I love the real fruit. My Dad loves peanuts and eats them everyday, but he doesnt like peanut butter at all. We are a funny lot

Have you made room in the back of the Lashes freezer in order to hide the evidence yet?

We have an extra freezer in our garage, fortunately for me its very deep and no one else can be bothered to see what I keep at the bottom

You kind of just get used to it. I’m taking some time off right now and the person covering my route is, uh, let’s say not too happy LOL!! He’s having a rough go but I’ve assured him I’ll be back on Monday.

Just shows how much you're needed there DFF.

Luckily I can usually find that in the morning. But once in awhile even that’s a chore to be honest if the night driver parks it in the wrong spot.

Oh my goodness is your poor truck on the road 24/7? I've often wondered how these things are organised, do you have someone who cleans the trucks and fills them up with gas?

Besides me? Yes, very much so. Unfortunately most people don’t prepare until it’s almost here and the stores and roads get CRAZY!! A lot of panic, and water, gas and food shortages are common. It’s much like a disaster movie unfolding right before your eyes. And keep in mind this is all before the storm.

I hadn't even thought about the panicky preparations, I guess no one wants to be stranded without everyday essentials. I'm hoping you haven't had any recent storms my friend.

This is the hottest summer I’ve ever seen in South Florida. Of course, I say this every year now. I’m very glad to hear though that your summer hasn’t been as bad.

It does sound mega hot where you are, fortunately you seem to be geared up for living in that heat .. having air-con etc. If we get a couple of weeks heat-wave we start getting threatened with possible hose-pipe bans and are advised to re-use bath water etc.

Do you get a lot of rain where you are Lashes?

In a word .. yes ...and even though I've been know to grumble about our weather I do kind of like it.

Thank you! I spent so much time up in those mountains as a child, and in the early 1900s there was actually a railroad going right through that avatar and up that mountain. It was called the Otis Elevated Railway. I look at that avatar and it’s nothing but good memories, and the bad ones don’t even matter anymore. They really don’t. I laugh at those now.

I love hearing about history like this .. I hope you don't mind my nosiness, but I've just spent a happy half hour on google looking at old photos and it looks absolutely stunning!

Can you remember if the old railroad lines where still there when you roamed those mountains DFF?

It’s funny cause I moved away in 1994. I’ve only made one visit back and that was in 2003. I stood right about where the picture in that avatar is taken from and I was so completely overwhelmed standing there again. It was the most surreal thing. What amazed me back then was how everything pretty much looked the same as when we left cause it’s actually a very small, old school town. I do wonder how it looks in person nowadays though. I’ve promised myself I’d return for another visit someday, but that might be awhile. For now I think I’m just happy remembering it the way I remember it and I don’t want anything to spoil that. Does this all make any sense?

Ooo yes it makes complete sense to me

I'm so pleased you got to revisit in 2003, I can imagine that being emotional, especially when it all still looked the same. You are lucky to have been raised in such a beautiful place. I hope no one ever changes that wonderful part of your world.

I am indeed! I’m about 125 pages in and it’s May of 2019

Lol! .. I couldn't bare to go back and re-read this thread, I always feel uncomfortable reading my own comments you're doing well though to have got so far.

DFF is still about a year and a half away from being born

This made me laugh

You girls just hit 2500 posts, the eagle chat just began a few pages earlier and I’m learning about the enforcer’s powers and rage and very thankful she is my friend.

At least you can now see how slowly we got started with the eagle chat ... and then suddenly those wonderful eagles became a very happy addiction of ours.

Elsewhere, Michelle just got back from Southfork which was so cool for me to read because I’ve never been there yet and it was awesome to hear about her trip.

Yes, that was so special, the lovely @Michelle Stevens started a wondaful thread about that adventure in the Dallas forum with fab photos. I've just been searching for it and can't find it, I hope I was looking in the right place?

I did come across your very first post there DFF that was another wonderful thread.

 

[Long Lashes]

Hurricanes and cyclones and storms that carry a female name claim more lives than ones that carry a male name. It's not because the female monikered hurricanes are more intense or on a larger scale. It's because people's perceptions are that women are "made from sugar and spice and all things nice", and by extension the hurricane will be of a lesser order of severity.

How interesting , it reminds me of this song ..

Now that I think about it, some of the worst storms I’ve been here for were definitely female. Irma, Wilma, Katrina, etc. And I guess we can include Lashes and Michelle to this over on the Last Post thread.

:laughing:

 

[DallasFanForever]

How are we doing? have we smashed that goal yet? :laughing:

Well, not quite? Let’s see, we’re only 78 away from our goal of 5400 by August 31. It’s really a piece of cake!!

I'm similar when it comes to cherries, I can't stand cherry flavoured things, but I love the real fruit.

I guess I’m the opposite. I love cherry flavoured things but I’m not crazy about the real thing.

My Dad loves peanuts and eats them everyday, but he doesnt like peanut butter at all. We are a funny lot

I never used to like peanuts until recent years. Now I love them and I’m not sure how that happened, yet I still don’t like peanut butter very much either. I guess we’re all a funny lot with one thing or another.

We have an extra freezer in our garage, fortunately for me its very deep and no one else can be bothered to see what I keep at the bottom

LOL!!! This in ingenious, I gotta say. I can’t say I blame you really. If I lived in a busy house I’d probably do the same thing and hide all the junk food. Nothing wrong with that!

Just shows how much you're needed there DFF.

That’s what they tell me. I enjoyed my time off but I have to say it was nice to come back to such a warm welcome.

Oh my goodness is your poor truck on the road 24/7? I've often wondered how these things are organised, do you have someone who cleans the trucks and fills them up with gas?

Well, only I drive it for the most part. But if the night shift runs out of trucks then someone will take mine out. We have a company that comes in once a week and washes the outside. As far as gas goes, a tanker comes to our station three nights a week and gives us fuel. We also have gas cards in our possession for emergency situations.

I hadn't even thought about the panicky preparations, I guess no one wants to be stranded without everyday essentials. I'm hoping you haven't had any recent storms my friend.

We’ve been lucky so far this year. Just a whole lot of rainstorms recently but I’ll take that over the hurricanes.

It does sound mega hot where you are, fortunately you seem to be geared up for living in that heat .. having air-con etc

Not sure what we would do over here without air-con to be honest. Mine broke one evening last month and luckily they were here to fix it the next morning. It felt like the longest 12 hours of my life!

If we get a couple of weeks heat-wave we start getting threatened with possible hose-pipe bans and are advised to re-use bath water etc.

I’ve heard of the hose-pipe bans but I’ve never heard the part about reusing the bath water. That’s a new one for me.

In a word .. yes ...and even though I've been know to grumble about our weather I do kind of like it.

I can definitely understand that. It’s the same here really. We all complain about the heat over here but then once the temperature starts dropping in November everyone misses the heat.

I love hearing about history like this .. I hope you don't mind my nosiness, but I've just spent a happy half hour on google looking at old photos and it looks absolutely stunning!

Lashes, your nosiness is ALWAYS more than welcome my friend! When I was a kid my grandparents would tell me about the railroad but there were very few pictures available. Only in recent years, thanks to the internet, have I been able to see the actual railroad and where it was in relation to everything.

Can you remember if the old railroad lines where still there when you roamed those mountains DFF?

Yes, actually they were. Even til this day there are some old lines buried in the woods heading up the mountain. At one time back in the 80s you could still see the railway path as it went up the mountain. Unfortunately now it all seems to be filled in by the trees, but from the pictures I’ve seen online the railway pretty much ran right through the middle of that avatar when it was active. That’s always amazed me.

I'm so pleased you got to revisit in 2003, I can imagine that being emotional, especially when it all still looked the same. You are lucky to have been raised in such a beautiful place. I hope no one ever changes that wonderful part of your world.

That visit in 2003 was very special. I can’t even explain it. I had no intention of going back there on that trip. I was visiting my family on Long Island and one day I just got in the car and started driving, and somehow a few hours later I ended up back in that avatar looking at my field and that house. And what amazed me was everything looked exactly the same no matter where I went in that town that day. That was what I never expected. I hope you’re right though; selfishly I hope it never changes either.

Lol! .. I couldn't bare to go back and re-read this thread, I always feel uncomfortable reading my own comments you're doing well though to have got so far.

Well, you have nothing to worry about cause so far I’ve enjoyed reading all of it! I’ve had quite a few laughs.

At least you can now see how slowly we got started with the eagle chat ... and then suddenly those wonderful eagles became a very happy addiction of ours.

I’m glad you brought this up cause now I have a much better understanding of the Eagles and what they mean to you and Michelle; specifically Soap and Chat. That was an amazing story and I’m so glad I went back and read that now. Chat was quite the character and I challenge anyone to read that thread and not get a little emotional when Soap fell out of the nest and then their eventual reunion. This is going to sound sappy or corny but I honestly don’t care; I was truly touched by that whole thing.

Yes, that was so special, the lovely @Michelle Stevens started a wondaful thread about that adventure in the Dallas forum with fab photos. I've just been searching for it and can't find it, I hope I was looking in the right place?

I was looking for it myself but couldn’t find it either. Maybe we’re both looking in the wrong place? LOL

I did come across your very first post there DFF that was another wonderful thread.

Thank you! You know, I’ve never gone back and looked at it! I don’t know why but I’m so embarrassed by that thread. I know I shouldn’t feel that way but for some reason I can’t re-read that one yet.

I hope you’re having a nice week my friend, and have a good weekend as well!!