ahh, thank you ann - and thanks also to the rest of you for your kind words
many happy returns of the day to my fellow birthday people rocky, alice and 1ozzy
on a separate note - i am sorry i have not been on here for several weeks, but i have been preoccupied with being redundant and looking for a job whilst doing temporary agency work, and it has made me a little grouchy, and i did not want it to have a negative effect on here. my gratitude to 'queenofmean' for asking after me, and to everyone who responded positively on that thread. my thanks also to 'murraymints' for keeping in touch with me and passing on my regards to you all.
i shall get up shortly and prepare for my big day - i am off down to London to be treated to a day at the winter wonderland ice palace in Hyde park, with all the side attractions and stalls - hopefully, i can finish off my christmas shopping whilst there
i shall have a look back on here when i return tonight, in the mean time, thank you again, and have a good day all