Good morning milder but still cold here, and drizzle.. Lol yes squiggle, I do hope so, that was the plan I bought mr summers main gifts last night, I've almost reached our agreed limit and don't have many boxes.. I need a few little gifts now

I saw on Teletext that a government select committee has today criticised local government cuts to library services. As this is of particular relevance to my brother, I've been able to locate the report issued by the committee and have emailed it to my brother in the hope that it will be of help.

 

I love that teletext still exists El I hope this isn't going to affect your brothers job..?

Strictly, I should say Red Button as Teletext was switched off a few weeks ago when N Ireland television switched from analogue to digital but many people still refer to it as Teletext

 

There are council proposals in my brother's group of libraries which if they came in would have major implications for jobs in his council. The committee's report may force the council to have to change their minds. In that particular council there are proposals for all areas of the council which are huge cuts - far bigger than snything seen to date. If the proposals were to come in they would be from April 2014 so there is still quite some time for things to change. As far as the library proposals are concerned, apart from the 2 main libraries all others would close or be run on a volunteer basis.

http://moderngov.barking-dagen...V_09%20Libraries.pdf

However at the end of this, it does acknowledge that there could be public opposition, a public enquiry and an intervention by the Secretary of State, and delays in the process in terms of finding any groups prepared to do this on a volntary basis.

Summer, you are doing well with your Christmas shopping.

 

I hope those proposals are kicked into touch, El, and your brother's job is safe.

^me too, I know we have to change with the world but it will be very sad if libraries do close

Good morning everyone

 

A sunny morning here

 

As far as the future of libraries is concerned, the committee has pointed out the existence of the Public Libraries and Museums Act of 2004 which sets out requirements for councils to comply with, and this Act could dampen councils abilities to slash the library services provided.

 

Good morning everyone. Weather is wet and windy Let's hope the libraries stay open, El. Although I do download books to my iPad, nothing beats a proper book, IMO.

Morning everyone x
I do hope the libraries stay open too.  
I have the Christmas shopping done in my head, but thats as far as i have got!  
Cold here again today, but not raining.
have a good day  

Good morning everyone, Skylark I believe that the planning is probably the most important part of Christmas Shopping.  Once you know what to buy everyone you're over halfway there.

 

It's good to know that the libraries are protected under the law.

I have a rather unusual way of storing my unpaid bills. As you can imagine I have rather a lot of paper in my house and I don't want to mislay the bills by accident.  I have two fluffy toy animals which stand next to each other and I put the bills in between them. One of the animals is a donkey and the other an elephant. I've had them for many years and can't remember how I came to get them - they would have been presents over the years.

 

Folllowing today's presidential election results, both Obama and Romney have said in their speeches that they hope that Democrats and Republicans can work together in being able to move forward together in Congress and the Senate when it comes to legislation.

 

The reason why I have the two toys standing next to each other is that without each others support, the bills would just topple over and fall into a mess.

 

By a coincidence, the symbol of the Democrats is a donkey and that of the Republicans an elephant. Let's hope that they can be like my toy animals and work side by side in harmony. (this isn't a story I've found on the web, it's completely true).

A lovely story EL, let's just hope that you are not facing $1 Trillion worth of debts like they are

 

 

Skylark, you are further ahead than me, I don't even have the Christmas gifts planned in my head.

(no, I'm debt free)

Pleased to hear it, El. Got stomach ache, so I'm off to bed with a hot water bottle. Catch up tomorrow. Leaving a hug for Summer as I keep missing you

Sleep well Yogi, the hot water bottle will be a real comfort

*collects & returns hug* thanks yogi! I hope your stomach settles down and you get a good nights rest El your donkey/elephant story was thoroughly enjoyable, thank you for sharing it, and I too hope the too parties can unite to bring about a more stable future. I'm pleased Obama will remain in office, and I hope he is able to achieve more this time Had a very busy day; MIL's check up at the hospital showed good results again although the wait was lengthy. I then took her for lunch and we had a little look at Xmas decorations. She's also kindly loaning me her car again, as mine has decided to become unwell again! I think it's the clutch, it's at the garage now but they can't fix it until next week. I walked bramble home from the garage, it was longer than her usual walk but she thoroughly enjoyed herself, especially in the wooded areas! We then had an unexpected visit from an elderly, forgetful neighbour, he's jolly good craic but repeats himself several times these days. He kindly takes in our parcels if we're not home so I don't mind spending time listening to him. Then I had housework to catch up on, my hair to wash and before I know it .. It's bed time! I hope you all had a good day and I very much hope to be here tomorrow

Morning x
Hope you are feeling better this morning Yogi x
You had a busy day yesterday Summer! Glad MIL had good results 

Have a good day x 

Good morning everyone

 

Patchy cloud but dry today.

 

Yogi, I hope you are feeling better this morning

 

Summer, good news on your MIL  A busy day yesterday for you.

 

Good morning everyone. Weather seems a bit brighter today.

I'm feeling a bit better this morning, thanks everyone.

 

Summer, you were a busy little bee yesterday. Glad your MiL's test results were good. Fingers crossed the car isn't expensive to fix.

Yogi, I'm pleased you are feeling a bit better today

 

My brother rang me yesterday evening to thank me for the link to the library report I sent him. It's a long report but he thinks it may be helpful. He's forwarded it to the senior library management for their information for potential discussions with the council leaders. Low key at this very early stage.

 

I am glad you feel a bit better this morning Yogi, when your tummy isn't right nothing feels right

 

You certainly did have a busy day yesterday Summer, how lovely that on your long walk home you had a delightful companion who thought you had planned it as her special treat   I hope the car can soon be kissed better

 

I am glad that the library report could be useful EL, well done on finding it.

 

I am out of step with the rest of you because there is something about Barack Obama that I just do not like.  There seems a hidden agenda to him and I sense that the face he presents to the world is not the whole picture.  I also am a little alarmed at the debt he is racking up which could, in turn, affect the rest of the world.  Time will tell.

You set such a bad example EL ROLO !!!

Failing to say where you are is frankly unforgiveable at this stage

 

Newcastle - gosh its windy yet sunny yet cold, hmmmm

 

See EL ROLO ^^^^

(it takes a man to . . .. never mind)

Sainty, what are you jibbering about, this isn't your weather update thread.

Glad you feeling better Yogi x

Thanks Skylark Saint got his threads mixed up, I think

Lol saint Good morning all Yogi I'm pleased to see you feel better this morning, long may it continue are you able to take things easy today? Mr summer and I are planning a lazy weekend, I'm very much looking forward to it

squiggle, for all I like Obama, I can't help but think he's just the front man to an administration who run the country

Naughty naughty naughty Renton (ooops Saint ) if you came in here more often you would know where EL hails from as we all do - adopts pious face

The trouble is Summer they are running it right over a cliff face which we will all find out in January

I've got the weekly grocery shopping to do today, and some ironing - apart from that, I will chill out.

I hope you and Mr Summer manage to have a lovely relaxing weekend, as you have been very busy recently.

Hahahaha!

Somehow, I don't think I'm going to give Saint my last one

cick on my gingerbread man and you'll see my locality so it's no secret)

 

And you can't have my gingerbread man either - it's mine, all mine I tell you!

Oh gingerbread or Rolo,s mmm ...

Hoping for a lazy weekend too Summer, granddaughter wants to go to the cinema on Sunday,tho, i shall have to see what,s on for her.
Cant believe how dark it is now, and its only 4.30 

Mmmmm gingerbread, I love it!

 

At Cineworld there's:

Hotel Transylvania (U cert) Dracula's secret hotel hideaway is invaded by a pesky human in this comedy animation.

Frankenweenie (PG cert) Tim Burton's latest and more for older children and adults

Madagascar 3 (PG cert). The third in this animated series

There's also a one off showing at 13.00 pm on Sunday of Nativity 2 (U cert) It's a charity showing so they may have an appeal during the showing. It's a British musical and is sort of a sequel though this time the school teacher is played by David Tennant. In the first film, the lead was played by Martin Freeman. I'm sure it's a very good natured film. The film doesn't go on general release until the end of the month so there would be more opportunities to see it.

There's other films but those are the only likely candidates (they are still showing Brave, but you've seen that).

 

It was getting fairly dark down here by 4.30 as well.

Thanks El x

Cute

 

Aww, how tiny is that baby hedgehog?! That is soooooooo cute!