Good Morning Each! First of all Happy birthday to Sal and, I believe, (although I have got history of getting this sort of thing wrong, just ask Sallie) Malcolm Powder, too.



Choons...



'While you See A Chance' by Steve Winwood



'Another Chance' by Pat Metheny



'Ace Of Spades' by Motörhead

Good Morning again -





Wow! Mentions in dispatches for Dougal & Deebee!







Song Suggestions -





LUCKY YOU – Lightning Seeds



I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY – Kylie



LUCKY NUMBER – Lene Lovich



WISHING I WAS LUCKY – Wet Wet Wet



GOOD LUCK CHARM - Elvis



LUCKY LIPS – Sir Cliff



WITH A LITTLE LUCK – Paul McCartney



WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK – Stanley Holloway & My Fair Lady Cast



LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT - Frank Sinatra



TAKE A CHANCE ON ME – Abba



GIVE PEACE A CHANCE - Plastic Ono Band

a - ha - here we go...........and they're off..



TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - ABBA



will do for starters.



JW

I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY - KYLIE MONOGUE



HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAL - glad you could join us in the noble club of half centarians (!)

Come on in, the water's fine!! Have a great day.



JW

Take a chance on me - Abba

Lucky Star - Madonna

Lucky Man - Verve

Let it be - Beetles

One in 10 - UB40

You better you bet - The Who

You win again - Bee Gees

The winner takes it all - Abba





Thanks to' Florence' for her explanation on the last blog.

Good Morning Simon, Team and Blogpoppets!



A very Happy Birthday to the blogger formerly known as Mobile Tooth Fairy, the lovely Sal!!! ~X~X~X



Ooh, a mention in dispatches! Simon, it was a pleasure meeting you again yesterday. Thanks for a very entertaining afternoon.



Now to the important business of choon choosing. Dougal and I had a head start on this, as we asked Simon yesterday what the theme would be... So I already have my list at the ready:



TUMBLING DICE by the Rolling Stones



WISHING I WAS LUCKY by Wet Wet Wet



LUCKY STAR by Madonna



WHILE YOU SEE A CHANCE by Steve Winwood (a regular ARFO request of mine)



JUST MY LUCK by McFly



SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK by Robert Palmer



and dare I suggest



I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY by Kylie Minogue



~X~

Good morning all from a place with blue skies but a cool wind



THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE - JOAN BAEZ OR PETER PAUL AND MARY



TUMBLING DICE - ROLLING STONES



I'M A BELIEVER - MONKEES



GOD ONLY KNOWS - BEACHBOYS



24 HOURS FROM TULSA - GENE PITNEY

Good Morning All :)



A lovely mensh for Deebee and Dougal from Simon, bet they'll both be chuffed :))



I'll be back later for chat and a proper catch up, but here are some oldies I tweeted earlier...



WITH A LITTLE LUCK - WINGS



LUCKY YOU - THE LIGHTENING SEEDS



SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - ROD STEWART or ROBERT PALMER



THE LUCKY ONE - ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION



BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN - ALBERT KING

or...



'Simple Twist Of Fate' by Bob Dylan, or Joan Baez, or Diana Krall...



or...



'Roving Gambler' by Simon & Garfunkel, or Richard Hawley or The Everley Brothers...



or...



'Lucky You' by The Lightening Seeds

SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - Robert Palmer



THE GAMBLER – Kenny Rogers



TUMBLIN’ DICE – Stones



A DIFFERENT CORNER – George Michael



WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES – Esther Phillips



IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE - ╪ (Wah!)



AGAINST ALL ODDS – Phil Collins



FROM A JACK TO A KING – Ned Miller



THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE – Joan Baez



WRITTEN IN THE STARS – Elton John & LeAnn Rimes



KNOCK ON WOOD - Amii Stewart or Otis Redding/Eddie Floydd/David Bowie

Morning all :-) lovely start to the day here in The Shire.



FRANK SINATRA LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT



PSL xxx



Happy birthday Sallie xxx

Morning all. Beautiful and sunny here. It looks like mid-summer from my office window. well, if you ignore the people walking by in thick coats.



Already tweeted:



THE LIGHTNING SEEDS - Lucky You



KYLIE MINOGUE - I Should Be So Lucky



ELVIS PRESLEY - Good Luck Charm



TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY - Wishing Well



FREE - Wishing Well



CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - Fortunate Son



Not already tweeted:



CHAS'N'DAVE - Rabbit (as in rabbit's foot)



DEAN FREIDMAN - Lucky Stars



ABBA - Take A Chance on Me



STEVIE WONDER - I Wish



STEVIE WONDER - Superstition



THE VERVE - Lucky Man



PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS - With A Little Luck



ROBERT PALMER - Some Guys Have All The Luck



MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER - I Feel Lucky (excellent song)

#2 Billie, can't believe I forgot to include Lene Lovich - I've suggested it as an ARFO at least thrice before - it would be great to hear that one. Also forgot:



JANET JACKSON - Black Cat

CHANCES ARE - JOHNNY MATHIS



LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT - FRANK SINATRA



LUCKY MAN - ALISON KRAUSS



SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - ROBERT PALMER



Back later for some chat if anyone is about.



JW

Morning all



Good to have you back Simon, and with a mention in despatches for Deebee & Dougal!



Happy birthday Sal - hope you're having a great day!



Tortie x

Good morning Simon, Team and Blogpoppets! How lovely to have you back.



Here's a few I prepared earlier, waiting for the blog to appear.



Abba - Take a Chance On Me

Big Country - Chance

Show of Hands - Be Lucky

Scissor Sisters - Better Luck

The Proclaimers - Lady Luck

The Verve - lucky Man

The Lightning Seeds - Lucky You

Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have all the Luck

Wet Wet Wet - Wishing I was Lucky



Back to work. Hope to be back later.



x

Beautiful morning here in the Highlands too:



Alison Krauss - The Lucky One

Peter Cetera - The Lucky Ones

Chicago - Baby what a big surprise!

Bee Gees - You Win Again

Ace of Hearts - Chris Rea

Good morning one and all.............................................as I mentioned on the Blog last night it was lovely yesterday to meet Deebee and of course Simon........

it was a really good day ...............................................................................



Oldies today..............................................................................................



MY SHIP IS COMING IN - WALKER BROTHERS



THAT'S LIFE - FRANK SINATRA



MEN OF GOOD FORTUNE - LOU REED



SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE - BOB DYLAN



LUCKY YOU - LIGHTENING SEEDS



MAYBE THIS TIME - LIZA MINNELLI



SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - ROBERT PALMER



WITH A LITTLE LUCK - WINGS



YOU GOT LUCKY - TOM PETTY



LUCKY NUMBER - LENE LOVICH



THE GAMBLER - KENNY ROGERS



Me done for now............coffee time......................................................



Dougal x.....................................................................................................

Wow! Deebee and Dougal getting a special mention... Fantastic.



SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE - BOB DYLAN

OK..........maybe even..........................................................................



MY LUCKY DAY or LUCKY TOWN - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN



SUPERSTITION - STEVIE WONDER



or slightly more tenuous........................................................................



VIVA LAS VEGAS - ELVIS PRESLEY





Dougal x................................................................................................

Morning all ! and Welcome Back Simon !



Happy birthday to Sall, hope you have a GF cake linned up for your birthday tea :-)

Lovely and sunny in wigan, but rather chilly on the road this morn where many unhappy children could be seen going back to school. Im very happy to reclaim my home is all im saying :-)



Can I second (3rd, 4th) LUCK BE A LADY - FRANK SINATRA, as it reminds me of the occasion 5 1/2 years ago when I was in our local am-dram production of Guys n Dolls.



Take care all!

~gill~

Happy Mondays all round and Welcome Back Simon, the Drive Team & Constructors



CHANCE - BIG COUNTRY



THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD - ALAN PARSONS PROJECT



:^)

Harry - thanks for your advice about the niger seed feeder. It is near cover but it is also near the house, so I think I'll move it further up the garden and see if that makes them feel more inclined to feed.



JW

I have also 'tuned away' but not out of disdain for Liza, just a 'refresh'! In an effort to be slightly different:



A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK - DJ Luck & MC Neat

GAMBLIN' MAN - Lonnie Donnegan

DECK OF CARDS - Wink Martindale

#9 Sorry Paul, I'll share the Dylan song with you. I didn't read back before I posted.



HOW CAN I BE SURE - DAVID CASSIDY (wah!)



IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME - YVONNE FAIR



Back to work..



Shona x

I'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU - SEEKERS





FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE - STEVIE WONDER



BORN TO RUN - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN



HARD RAINS GONNA FALL - BRYAN FERRY



and the unlucky Chuck Berry with the car seat belts



NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO - CHUCK BERRY

I need further advice from the lovely bloggers.



I have three nieces who I don't see very often. I send them money for birthdays etc but only get thank yous from my sister. I know they don't know me very well, but do you think I am asking too much to want a personal 'thank you'' be it via text, email or whatever means. They are 21, 15 and 8 years old so certainly able to oblige their grumpy aunt a couple of times a year, in my opinion.



Any thoughts??



JW

#27 I totally agree with you Jennie. However, if they have not been brought up to do this for presents they receive, then they probably won't think to do it on their own.



Maybe a suggestion to your sister that it would be nice to hear from the girls themselves??

Great to see DeeBee & Dougal get their own special mensh!



Obvious Simon et al have been away. So many song selections.



x

#28 I'm glad I'm not being totally unreasonable, Shona! It just irritates me that I should have to make an effort to get a "thank you" when I feel it should be a natural thing to do.



Grump, grump................



JW

Hi Simon and everyone



How exciting for Deebee and Dougal meeting lovely Simon in person.



First day at new contract and as usual information overload but I think I have got a handle on things.



Sorry Simon for Chelsea knocking the Spurs out of the FA cup yesterday but you have to say what style (5 -1) Whoo hooo big smiles!!!!! Bring on Messi and the Barca boys i say!



I have a birthdaying dad today (66 today) who is poorly in hospital at the moment and are rubbing buddahs belly each day that he gets well soon. So XXXXXXXXX and happy birthday to my dad!



Happy 50th to Sal also!!!!!



Now for choons:



1. CHANCE - Big Country

2, WHEN YOU SEE A CHANCE - Steve Winwood

3. LUCKY YOU - Lightning Seeda

4. WISHING I WAS LUCKY - Wet Wet Wet

5. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY - Kylie

6. TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - Abba

7. SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - Robert Palmer

8. LUCKY STARS - Dean Friedman

9. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN - UB40

10. ONE IN TEN - UJB40



Oh well more info overload.



Laters



Have a nice day



Mandy ;)



PS in Tolworth, Surrey yesterday at a KB comp, silver medal in ladies veterans category straight final, should have beat her, did better in weight category but still lost. Lots to work on in training tonight!

#27, Jennie, some time ago a friend of mine had the same problem and her solution was simple. She gave pretty notepaper / notelets with a comment 'to be used for your thank you letters'. Cheeky but it got the job done.



Meanwhile, cannot think of any song choices, all the best have been chosen already.

hi all



happy birthday again sal xxx



I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY-KYLIE MINOGUE



TAKE A CHANCE ON ME-ABBA

#32 Thanks Sharon. Sounds like a good idea!

afternoon peeps - still waiting for a new blog over the fence, so using this opportunity to wish Sal a very happy birthday.

Pen Blwydd Hapus, Cariad - as a reminder of your early years in North Wales.



Song choice - how about Dealer - Santana (what you get is down to chance - unless you cheat!)



ttfn, Crumpy

Hi Simon,



Oldies...



I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY - Kylie Minogue

LUCKY MAN - Verve

LUCKY LOVE - Ace Of Base

LUCKY YOU - Lightning Seeds

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - Abba

SEAL OUR FATE - Gloria Estefan

MY DESTINY - Lionel Ritchie



Thanks,

Good to read Simon, the team and all bloggers back at it - Yeah!



Happy Birthday Sal!



DeeBee and Dougal it was great that you to met up Simon and I'd love to go hear about Itch insights. I loved the book - just loved all of it and can see it being made into a film someday.



Alex good luck this first week at work. Katy good to see you and your art back on the blog and Flo, you have me looking up music on Google.



Send some luck my way, I sure could use some of it tomorrow and I'm off running out door...



LB, x

PSL might be intered in heading up to Stirling at the end of April and beginning of May as The Magic of Motown and the ELO Experience are going to be on the City Halls.

WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK by DJ LUCK & MC NEAT.

Not to be confused with the STANLEY HOLLOWAY song by the same title.

I DON'T STAND A GHOST OF A CHANCE WITH YOU by LINDA RONSTADT & the NELSON RIDDLE ORCHESTRA.

FORTUNATE SON by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL.

Ding dong! Avon Calling (just had the Avon lady on the doorstep - she says 'hi' by the way)



Looking forward to the show tonight lovely Drivetime crew - good news that you and your family had a good time away, Simon - hope Rebecca didn't need her woollies up in N Wales and Matt, wherever you were, hope it was fun.



Firstly, Mandy, happy birthday to your dad - hope he is better soon.



Deebee and Dougal - hooray (usual BBC accent used for that last word) for an actual 'mensh-in-writing'. Sounds like you had a good day yesterday - am sure that you are still smiling...



Tweeted my song suggestions this morning - two of which would undoubtably have earned me a HOIB nomination, but if anyone who makes the song choice decisions is reading this, please please could you play a spot of LOVE AND LUCK - Jimmy Buffett today?!! Go on...........you know you want to.....



Oops - latest embarrassment to Teen Hoffs - he asked me what a modem 'was'. So, I explained and then (goodness knows what possessed me) I did what I thought was a passable impression of a modem connecting to the internet. He waited patiently until I had finished and then said 'erm, no, I don't think I know what you mean...'



One hour and 10 mins until I pick up Mini Hoffs, not that I'm counting or anything.



See you later x

Mandy, I meant to say earlier "Happy Birthday" to your dad and I do hope he feels better soon. Well done also on your silver medal for KB ;)



I might give KB a go at the gym tonight :~ *titters*

#41 Shona, I was wondering why you would be playing the keyboard at the gym...



;o)



Happy birthday to Mandy's dad - hope he feels better soon!



~X~

Back again.......................probably too late............but Mr D suggested



ROSE ROYCE - WISHING ON A STAR



and I thought.....maybe...............................................................



FUN BOY THREE/BANANARAMA - IT AIN'T WHAT YOU DO (IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT)





Dougal x....................................................................................................

Happy birthday to Mandy's dad - get well soon....



Quiet on here today.



Anyone seen Harry today? Hopefully he is too busy to get on here!!



JW

Due to the lack of bloggage next door (nothing new there then!), I would like to wish the very lovely, 'Sal the 50th Birthday Gal', the happiest of birthdays.



Hope you're having a great day Sal and being thoroughly spoilt xxx

Afternoon all



Quiet around here today.



Happy birthday and get well soon to Mandy's dad!



T x

#42 Deebee, LOL but it's the only thing I could play at the gym ;)



It might help for the OAP's aeorbics classes??

As promised - and as this morning's cakes have been enjoyed - --





♥♣♪♫♫•*¨*••☆ HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY ☆♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸•☆*• TO YOU •*¨*•.¸¸♪♫♣♥

♥♣♪♫♫•*¨*••☆ HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY ☆♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸•☆*• TO YOU •*¨*•.¸¸♪♫♣♥

♥♣♪♫♫•*¨*••☆ HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY ☆♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸•☆*•TO SALLIE!•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫♣♥

♥♣♪♫♫•*¨*••☆ HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY ☆♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸•☆*• TO YOU •*¨*•.¸¸♪♫♣♥



................☆☆☆☆☆

...¸.•*☆*••*♥☆°❤°☆♥*••*☆*•.¸

¸¸¸.•*..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•..*•.¸¸¸

¸¸..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•50•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸

.★°★°★┃★┃★┃★┃★°★°★

..\°°º¤ø„ø♥.☆•°❤°•☆.♥ø„ø¤º°°/

....\°°º¤øø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥øø¤º°°/

......\°°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°°/

.......\°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°/

........\°º¤ø♥☆°❤°☆♥ø¤º°/

.........\♫*♪♪*...❤...*♪♪*♫/

..........═══════════



................☆☆☆☆☆

...¸.•*☆*••*♥☆°❤°☆♥*••*☆*•.¸

¸¸¸.•*..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•..*•.¸¸¸

¸¸..•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•50•*¨*•..¸¸..•*¨*•.¸¸

.★°★°★┃★┃★┃★┃★°★°★

..\°°º¤ø„ø♥.☆•°❤°•☆.♥ø„ø¤º°°/

....\°°º¤øø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥øø¤º°°/

......\°°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°°/

.......\°º¤ø♥☆•°❤°•☆♥ø¤º°/

........\°º¤ø♥☆°❤°☆♥ø¤º°/

.........\♫*♪♪*...❤...*♪♪*♫/

..........═══════════

#47 Teehee!



By the way, special hellos to Bids (on previous blog), Crumpy and PennyForem!



~X~

Ooh lovely cakes - cup of tea anyone?



Been meaning to wish AlexG 'Good Luck' for tomorrow - you'll have to pop in at the weekend and tell us how it went!



Back to the ironing.....................



JW

Thanks, Deebee, and a special hello back to you, and indeed everyone on this 'ere very friendly blog.



Gorgeous cakes Katy, hope they are GF for the birthday gal!

Afternoon One and All;



I'm not going to say anything about the school holidays, only that I'm relieved that they're over. I did read back over last weeks blogging (comments to follow) but I was too busy elsewhere to add anything into the mix. I also had a (mostly) radio-free week, I don't mind Liza Tarbuck, but I was in a Country mood, so my CDs and iPod were back in play.



On that note, after hearing the Punch Brothers on The Hunger Games soundtrack, I have been discovering their music, and mighty fine it is too! Here is their song 'Dark Days' from the soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ5cUxYNxjM



I'm looking forward to hearing about Ed Smith's book 'Luck' (here's an article on it https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/9187857/Luck-What-it-Means-and-Why-it-Matters-by-Ed-Smith.html ) I can't say that I really believe in the concept of luck, good or bad. But I do find the subject matter interesting, and I recall an episode of The X Files called 'The Goldberg Variation', about a man blessed (or cursed) by extreme good luck. There was also an episode of Red Dwarf where luck was determined to be a virus, and it could be injected in to a person to make them very lucky.



Now, a few catch-up comments...



Congratulations to Coffeebuzz & Ladybuzz on their engagement :)



Happy (belated) birthday to Alex Girl.



Happy 50th Birthday to Sallie.



Happy birthday & get well soon to Mandy's dad.



Glad to hear that Deebee and Dougal had such a lovely time listening to Simon's talk, and meeting the man himself :)



Hope all poorly/achy bloggers are on the mend now, and all busy parent bloggers have survived the Easter holidays with their sanity (and everything else!) intact.



I think that was all, but sorry if I've missed anything vital.

Oh yes, I forgot to say 'WELCOME BACK KATY' :D

Afternoon all!



You would think that in having 4 months off, I would be organised and ready to return to work. Far from it! List of chores as long as my arm!! Now all sorted and ready to rejoin the rat race



Happy birthday again to Sal!



Happy birthday and get well soon to Mandy's Dad.



Deebee and Dougal, glad you had a good time yesterday. AND a blog mensh!!



HELLO to CLP bloggers! Good to see you!



Jennie, one of my god-daughters never sends a thank you card. I get a text from her Mum. Really annoys me. Am thinking of stopping sending birthday and Christmas gift/money. I did set up a bank account for her when she was born and put £10 in each month so that really should suffice.



Thanks for the good wishes for tomorrow. Fingers crossed it's all okay. Oh well, it's just 3 months so if the contract is vile, it's not forever!!



Will be back when I can. In the meantime, love to you all, keep having the good times and I will lurk!!

Alex, hope I'm not too late to wish you all the very best for your contract. Hope you'll still be able to poop by from time to time. You will be missed!



~X~

#54 Good luck Alex, from one contractor to another...



When I was a kid my aunt and uncle used to send money or book/record tokens for birthdays and Christmas to all of their nieces and nephews. My Mum always encouraged us to write our thank you letters, and so we continued to get such gifts until we were 18. I later found out that those of my cousins who neglected to send a note found an empty card every birthday and Christmas thereafter, and by the time we were in our teens we were the only ones in receipt of these gifts!

Nice to see you Zoe. *waves*



I think I might pack up a bit earlier again and head up the road (It's funny to think that Autumn Gale has been up the same road).

#56 I am thinking of doing the 'absent gift approach' and see if that provokes a response. Why should I have to ask them for a thank you - it's only good manners to say "Thank You" when you receive a gift, like it or not! And they are certainly old enough to do something in way of a response................



Off soap box again..............



JW

Goodness, just as I was waving to Zoe, up pop a few more bloggers *waves* to you too.



Good luck tomorrow Alex!



Driver, my mum made me do the same and I'm glad she did too.

Good luck for the new contract tomorrow Alex - hope you will be able to get back here occasionally.



Driver & Shona - my Mum made me write thank you notes too. These days there are pads of pre-printed 'thank you notes' so there should be no excuse!



T x

Afternoon All



Just 60 posts? We were very late getting going.



Will read back .....................

Afternoon again - just popped back to add my voice to the thank you letter debate. I am actually pretty bad at writing on time, but I do get there eventually. Despite my own disorganisation, my boys do know that they are supposed to write and always do so promptly. It may sound mean but I gave up sending stuff to my own god-daughter years ago after I never received a thank you letter.



Anyway, got to go - won't be on the blog, twitter, anything at all tomorrow (phew, I hear you say!) so just want to wish:



- Alex - good luck with your new job



- Deebee and Mr B - a very happy wedding anniversary xx



Enjoy the rest of the show - especially if you are driving.



See you soon x

I think it was Shona who told us about the Dale Winton DriveTime Question. It was good to actually hear it. Very funny! Poor Woman!



I'd like to add my good wishes to Mandy's Dad - Happy Birthday & Get Well Soon. Also to Alex - Good Luck for tomorrow. Also to Mr. & Mrs. Deebee - Happy Anniversary.







Didn't hear any names at all for Abba .............

Ah! A mensh for Viking Mo for Abba. Congrats!

Late mensh for Viking Mo for ABBA, might have been others but I only heard Mo. Well done :)



Hello Shona *waves back*



Alex G - Good luck with the new contract.



I actually saw that woman on the Lottery show, I did shout the answer at the screen, but she obviously didn't hear... ;)

Interesting to note that those bloggers commenting on thank you notes, say that their PARENTS 'made' them write their own notes. Perhaps the problem lies with those entrusted with teaching manners to the young, rather than the young themselves. It's a changing world, and if you do get a fb 'like' or a text these days, I guess that'll have to do. A text from the parents saying thank you seems a tad too far removed, though.



By the way, when wishing Sallie a Happy Birthday, I hadn't realised it was such a milestone. So, in keeping with my prior attempts to offer felicitations, I'd just like to say, Happy 60th, MTF. ;0)

Quite a few OSMs for 'With A Little Luck' - Wings, but happy to get a mensh on the first show back :)) Thanks Simon and team.

Heard the mensh for Zoe for Macca. Welldone Zoe!

Am another busy blogger who hasn't had chance to come in here and 'chat' in quite the way I've become accustomed ... and now there's so much I want to respond to - that I will surely leave out something really important ..



Massive congratulations to coffeeBuzz and MrsBuzz-to-be. It's lovely to be 'spoken for'.



Thanks for the rather fine welcome back messages. The make me feel just a bit humble because I haven't really contributed very much over the last couple of months .. I haven't even designed a new hat and scarf combo.



Good luck Alex [they're lucky to have you] in your new contract - and you too Mandy. Wishing Mandy's dad renewed health and Jennie's aches and pains some respite. Thinking of Jilly. And also breathing a sigh of relief for Zoe and her Mr who might actually get a few moments of peace. Hoping gazzapoppet looks after himself like a proper grown-up and anyone else who is having health issues - my thoughts go out to you.

This blog has provided a remarkable degree of comfort to me over the years of my recovery from the stroke I had in Feb 2009 ... I really do understand how important it can be to feel able to mention these issues ...



... provided the mentions are tempered by all the other things that seem to be enjoyed in here - the music, the wordplay, the jokes, the lists, the birds, the music, the menshes, the food, the fandom[!], the music, the nostalgia, the music ...



Hello to CEbloggers! Always good to see you ... and while I'm about it - where are our BOYS - the blog chaps?





*flings a few pheromones around ...*



:^D

Nice to hear a bit of Elvis, well done Billie for the mensh :)

Evening all!



Far too late to join in with the shenanigans today. I heard Shona's 3 worder in the car on the way home and Mo's Abba request had me singing at the top of my voice. Luckily, I didn't have an audience! ;-)



I know I have said elsewhere, but will do so again, 'cos she's worth it!:



HAPPY FORTYTENTH BIRTHDAY SALLIE!



I expect you've been out and about amongst the glorious countryside today with that camera of yours. Hope that you are being spoilt rotten, and I bet the cake is

delicious.



Glad that you had a great day yesterday, Deebs and Dougal. I was really sorry not to be there, considering it was on my home patch, too. I can imagine that Simon was really entertaining. A mention in his morning blog, too! You two certainly made an impression.



Good luck tomorrow Alex with the new contract. Just as your work life cranks up a gear, mine is cranking down. I will be leaving my job on Wednesday, so I'm tying up loose ends for my eventual successor. Looking forward to participating on the blog, it has been far too long since Simon has uttered the name 'madchick' ;-) Although I see that I'm still up against some stiff competition.



Happy birthday wishes also to Malcolm, and I do hope he is indeed having a deasant play!



madchick x

Oh, I almost forgot, welcome back KatyMaty. Congratulations on your news too.



You have been missed.



x

#69 Lovely post Katy!



Lovely mensh for me for Elvis. Thankyou Simon.



#71 - Chickster - You sound Sanguine about it all. Hope you are.



Is it Malcom's Birthday also? Happy Birthday Malcolm! Malcolm Powder was one of the first blogger names to make me smile!

#73 You can read between the lines, Billie. Sanguine sums it up perfectly.



Well done on your mensh Billie :-)

Heard menshes for Zoe and Billie - well done! Didn't hear Mo's but well done to you too!



Missed first 30 mins of show - neighbour popped in for a cup which was nice.



What a lovely post Katy! We DID miss you lots.



Chickster, enjoy your new found time!

#69 Thank you, Katy :) I try not to pour my troubles out here, because I do enough of that elsewhere! But I appreciate the good wishes, and the blogpoppets have helped me through some tough times too, so thank you all for that.



Madchick - Sorry that you are leaving your job, but it will be nice to see more of you on the blog :)



It has been lovely to have our favourite ear candy back ;) (Thanks to Harry for that phrase) I doubt I'll be around for the mensh chasing in the morning, but I should have time to squeeze in a bit of chat before the twins get home.



Have a good evening one and all xxxx

*sniff sniff* Pheromones? *sniff sniff*



Must be some mistake :0)



Good luck for tomorrow Alex G!



Happy Birthday to toothsome Sal.



Well done to all the menshes.



My thoughts on your dilemma, Jennie: are you really only giving gifts to your nieces to get their thanks? Thought not! Take joy in the act of giving; thanks are a bonus.

Really enjoyed tonight's show - the break has clearly done the team some good! Well done to all menshes - some excellent tunes played! Interesting interview with Ed Smith too - not sure that I agree with him, but then I haven't read the book.



#69 Spot on, KatyMatey!



#71 I was sorry you couldn't come yesterday too, Madchick! Sorry too that your job didn't work out, but think of it as an opportunity to take stock and as Alex says enjoy a bit of free time. And it will be lovely to have you around here a bit more again!



By the way, thanks for the anniversary congrats for tomorrow.



~X~

Evening all. A bit of absence over the last week ... making the heart grow fonder :)



A late Happy Birthday to Sallie, welcome back to KatyM and good luck to Alex for the new job. I haven't caught up fully, so please forgive me for anything significant that I haven't mentioned.



Good to see (hear) Simon and the team back and with a week of my hols left, I'll hopefully be around a bit more this week.

I'm very impressed that our Sal shares her birthday with Gerry Rafferty.



Loved the lottery clip and how the team don't take themselves seriously.



Good luck tomorrow Alex (hope you see this). And hope you have plans for when you finish your job MCW. More blogging time?



Can't get warmed up at all tonight.



Hi to everyone else. Hope to see you all again tomorrow.



x

Zoe & Billie very cool!



Back to Jennie #30 of children sending the thank you's. Thank you notes are a mother led action. There are preprinted note cards one can buy for younger children and all they do is fill in the blanks. I have note cards printed with my son's name and return labels. My sister has made it very clear very early on that she loves buying gifts for our son and receiving thank you notes. The earlier suggestion offered of hearing from the children themselves of what they think of their gifts would be best and if that falls on deaf ears you can next Christmas send each child their own box of thank you stationery.



I've got a pistachio coffee cake baking in the oven (a recipe from a Sunday magazine). I'm trying to keep my head occupied and soon, mouth and fork engaged. :)



LB, x

Just another quickie -



Said it this morning - but once again Many Many Happy Returns of the day to Sal/MTF!



Pen Blwydd Hapus!



Are you now of an age when you don't need a pseudonym? Then again - how many names are not pseudonyms on this blog?



I suggested 4 of the 5 feemchoons that were played and I got a mensh so I'm feeling "aligned" as John would say. Where is John? I'm missing his insults!



Hi Harry! Where have you been?



Supper is Sausage & Mash with Tinned Toms - but it's made a bit special because it's served in individual dishes in a sort of Shepherd's Pie way.



We'll have a look at this Doc. about the 70's. BBC 2 9pm.



Have NiceTimes ................................

Thank you 'everyone' for such lovely Birthday messages.



I am reading back through them and getting ready for an early night.



A serious 'birder' says, that Poole Harbour is the place to see the spoonbill, so will be there at first light. A new tripod has been added to the attire, I think I might be gradually turning into a 'birder' too. Yikes!



Sal, is my real name Billie. The Mobile tooth fairy is no more.



Happy Days, happy days indeed.



Right, who's 50 next?



Its pretty cool actually :)

Evening Troops



The evening was not my own when I got home and I missed most of the show :(



'Twas not my 3 worder Madchickster - sorry to disappoint. But I did hear Billie's menshe for Elvis so well done to you.



Paul, I agree that manners in children come from their parents initially. The pre birth to 3years old is probably the most important time in a child's life. Don't get me started ....rant rant rant.



I guess the question on In It To Win It from Saturday must have been mentioned on the show tonight?



My elderly neighbour fell outside the house earlier and making sure all was okay took up most of my listening time to the show today. All in a good cause really.



Lovely to see everyone back on the blog again. XX

Good Morning Poppeteers



The pain in my left side seems to be getting worse so I'll give it one more day to behave itself before calling in at the GP. My left hip seems to want to join in the fun too ;(



Chucking it down here this morning.



I think I'll go back to bed and get up again ;)..........................................







Ah, that's better.

I've missed my chance (by a long Way) for getting my song choices in but after reading the blog post i thought i'd chip in and say what a cracking book "Luck" by Ed Smith actually is!



I remember when Ed Smith joined Kent back in 1999 - what a player he was. I spent many a day through rain & shine watching some glorious cricket.



Anyway I love this book. It combines experience and erudition to show that luck shapes life in sport, politics, business, and love. In a way rare since ancient Athens, Ed Smith embodies a classical ideal: excellence in sport and thought.



My advice - go buy it and well done on the plug Simon ;-)