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Gemonimo

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Everything posted by Gemonimo

  1. All your tales of grandparenting are just wonderful but helas, it won't be for me just yet.  My daughter had a scan today and was told that the baby had died in utero at fourteen weeks.  She is needless to say rather upset but is being very philosophical about it, feeling that if nature has decided what's best, then she accepts.  She is a very strong lady, ex-army and with combat duty in Iraq under her belt, but this is out of her comfort zone.  Next Monday she will go back to the hospital for a D&C and can then get to grips with the situation.  But thanks again for all your tales.  There will be another grandchild and I will be just as happy as I have been these last couple of weeks but continue to enjoy your petits enfants and Tratsu, I'm so happy for you and I'm sure everything will go well for your daughter.  La vie continue, non?  
  2. [quote user="cooperlola"][quote user="just john "] [quote user="cooperlola"] (don't ask!)  [/quote] It must be done Coops, do tell! [/quote]The reason's a little embarassing now![:$][/quote] Don't be embarrassed, Coops, it was a long time ago.  If you really want to cringe, this is my current embarrassement[blink] 
  3. You are all so wise! I guess one 'grows' into grandparenthood the way one 'grows' into parenthood. As for the distance, Norman, I guess it has its advantages, but also the inconveniences of not seeing grandchildren growing up or being available for babysitting.  At least there is Skype, if I can figure out how to make it work[Www]
  4. It's just soooo exciting, more exciting than becoming a mother for the first time in fact.  Is there a 'handbook' for being a granny? Do I have to go grey, have a perm , wear 'support stockings', learn to knit, buy futures in smarties and dolly mixtures?  Or do I just have to be there when needed and babysit when required?
  5. [:D][:D][:D]I'm going to be a grandma for the first time[:D][:D][:D]
  6. [quote user="cooperlola"]  As long as there are dead animals and spuds, I'm happy.  [/quote] Are you sure you're not french, Coops[:-))] And Happy Birthday a day late; I'm glad you had a good good time. I'm looking forward to the Itchy Feet Mark Two Tour and Rose's carrot cake!
  7. Good luck RH, I'm sure it will go well and you'll be back on your keyboard before too long. Look forward to hearing your news.
  8. Brilliant news to start 2012. Well done!
  9. GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa - half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful! Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe - well-developed and open to trade, especially for something of real value. Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain - very hot, relaxed, and convinced of her own beauty. Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece: gently aging, but still a warm and desirable place to visit. Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all-conquering past..   Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel - has been through war, doesn't make the same mistakes twice, and takes care of business.   Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada - cool, self-preserving, but open to meeting new people. After 70, she becomes Tibet - wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages.... an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge. THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN Between 1 and 80, a man is like Iran - ruled by a couple of nuts. THE END.
  10. I know I don't have a 'legitmate' address in the UK but I found a Woolwich Building Society passbook with the princely sum of (twenty years ago) £8.35 with my old London address.  Couldn't I just reactivate that account, assuming that the Woolwich is still around, and give my daughter's address?  I know it's not really legit, but a UK bank a/c would be useful if only for when I'm visiting my mother.
  11. [quote user="PaulT"][quote user="Gemonimo"] So what you're saying, Wooly is that the pension (I don't use the old age bit - tellement depriment[Www]) will arrive in France in euros. If this is correct then I won't have additional charges as the SocGen's booklet on 'Tarifs en vigeur' says that a virement in euros from an account in the zone SEPA (Espace Economique Europeen, Monaco et Suisse) is gratuit as long as it is less than €50,000.   [/quote] So you will be paying then [:D] [/quote] I wish!!!!!! Sweets, I thought that was the case but my bank conseilleur told me that as the UK is part of europe, then I could[:-))] I think he needs to go back to the factory for reprogramming.
  12. So what you're saying, Wooly is that the pension (I don't use the old age bit - tellement depriment[Www]) will arrive in France in euros. If this is correct then I won't have additional charges as the SocGen's booklet on 'Tarifs en vigeur' says that a virement in euros from an account in the zone SEPA (Espace Economique Europeen, Monaco et Suisse) is gratuit as long as it is less than €50,000.  
  13. I need advice as to the best (ok, cheapest) way to receive my UK pension in France.  I suppose they will charge their usual commission etc but would it be better to have the pension paid quarterly? Alternatively, should I (could I) open a bank account in the UK and make the transfers myself? It's not a huge pension but I don't like the idea of giving any of it to my bank.
  14. [quote user="cooperlola"][quote user="idun"]   I like mine firm and golden,[/quote]With you there, chuck.  Around 30 to 40 years old sounds about  right. [/quote] Oh my gawd, she's found the rubbing alcohol[:-))]
  15. Boudin noir bought from a good butcher is fabulous - I always eat them with fried apples. I'd never buy them from a supermarket as they usually have additives and stuff (I was going to say preservatives) which in my humble opinion no longer makes them 'noble' As for boudin blanc, well, they've never appealed to me.  They just look too anaemic.
  16. As I don't cook too many roasts an oven that bakes well is my priority. My Miele disappointed me so much that I perhaps never used it to its full potential. For example, the fan was never used. My gripe was not how well it cooked, more how badly it was put together. The glass door lost its insulation very quickly and it was impossible to unscrew the glass to clean or tighten it.  In fact, € for € if I had bought a basic Whirlpool model from Ikea I would have been a lot more satisfied. So avoid Miele like the plague, Sweets.  
  17. My electric oven is vile.  Its a Miele so I expected better.  The temperature markers have come off the front so everything is guesswork and the results are pretty hopeless.  The interior light died within a year and it's impossible to remove and change I'd rip it out and give it to the first person passing if they'd take it. Is there such a thing as a perfect oven? Must admit I don't like gas.
  18. Great news Coops but is drinking in the morning such a good idea[Www]
  19. [quote user="cooperlola"] I'm just amazed that you're 65, Gem. Have fun with the money. [/quote] [kiss][kiss][kiss]
  20. [quote user="andyh4"] I do not think the conseilleur was incompetent.  I have a similar situation coming and have received parallel advice to yours.   Basically the country where you were last employed, or where you reside at the time of reaching pensionable age, is responsible for claiming on your behalf all pensions earned from other EU states.[/quote] Oops! Shame on me for having such vile thoughts[6] The French have, however, contacted the American authorities as I will have a pension from them as well but not until next year.  Perhaps they'll send me a cheque too[Www] So, Judith, I can spend it then!!!  
  21. Russethouse, no I didn't actively defer my pension. A long story but a totally incompetent French pension conseilleur told me that as I would be entitled to a (small) french pension at 65, that they (the French) would go after the British one when I arrived at that age. [quote user="idun"] [quote user="Gemonimo"]I'll be 65 in February and have just claimed my UK pension -I didn't claim at 60 as I was still working in France. It's not brilliant, but I didn't work there for too long and I've been in France for well over twenty years.  However, today I received a cheque from HM Revenue and Customs for the princely sum of £1098 which represents a repayment of income tax for the year 2008/2008. Have they made a mistake and should I send it back?[Www] [/quote] Geronimo, I'm sorry I don't know whether you are male or female. IF you are a lady, and didn't claim your pension at 60 that you were entitled to, then they do send out a lump sum and the pension is increased. If a gentleman, then I don't understand it and it sounds like it is wrong..... and could well be. [/quote] Idun, I am female but whether or not I'm a lady is something else entirely[Www] And the pension is increased by.........29p/week[:-))]
  22. [quote user="Jo"]Apparently a few years ago they made an adjustment because some people had been overpaid and some underpaid, [/quote] Overpaid what? I haven't worked in the UK since 1990. I can only think that because I put myself back in the system for my pension this predates 1990 although how, I haven't a clue. Or does it have anything to do with the fact that I didn't claim a pension when I was entitled to it in 2007, the year to which this rebate applies. They say in the letter part of the cheque that their calculation of this amount will be sent to me separately but as yet I haven't received a thing.
  23. I think I'll do as you have Idun.  I'll sit on it and wait and see.  It'll be nice to dream about what I could do with it if it really is mine[:D]
  24. I'll be 65 in February and have just claimed my UK pension -I didn't claim at 60 as I was still working in France. It's not brilliant, but I didn't work there for too long and I've been in France for well over twenty years.  However, today I received a cheque from HM Revenue and Customs for the princely sum of £1098 which represents a repayment of income tax for the year 2008/2008. Have they made a mistake and should I send it back?[Www] 
  25. [quote user="sweet 17"]  but you are in my thoughts....truely![kiss] [/quote] [kiss][kiss][kiss] Will PM you  Sweets when the dust from the ravalement outside has settled.
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