Soop's welcoming kitchen!

. But it was a slice of chocolate cake (or part of mine anyway).

Just having a nice glass of after dinner, having looked after DGD2 today, who was, I must say, delightful. She did get her wish today and had [cake] at lunch-time as we went out and the [cake] looked irresistible!

Good wishes on their way to everyone who is having such trials and tribulations at the moment, especially to you Dragonfly and Bellasnana.

According to the weather forecast, it has been a lovely day full of here. It has been 50% of the time, the rest covered in large black clouds. I think we have a micro-climate in this area.

Dragonfly I remember reading on a previous thread why you chose your username and whenever I hear the song now, it reminds me of you and your daughter. A sad and hectic time for you just now. Take care

Kitty I understand completely, our once peaceful home being turned into a tip on the ocassions we have DD1 and two DGDs staying a couple of nights. Hope you manage to find some 'me' time.

Fabulous news Bella and before you know it, ^that* time of year will be here. So exciting your DGD visiting your house for the first time. Whilst living in France and knowing our 1st GD's first visit was arranged, I was high as a kite constantly rearranging her room and making sure everything she would need would be there.
I wasn't sure re surgery for your DH but it's good news to hear there is nothing in the way to,prevent it.

sorry to hear your poor friend was re admitted but pleased to hear she is out of theatre and OK.now Lona

Re the popped ribs annsixty I was thinking of another phrase...You can't teach an old dog new tricks.,,,,,,,well, yes you can and on that note, I hope you are feeling more comfortable today Brenda

Hope everything you are having to contend with just now gets back to normal very soon Charley

Soop I was just thinking earlier today.......Maybe this time next week?
So looking forward to seeing it.

DD and DG2 here for a few hours after nursery. I am completely jiggered but in the nicest possible way so the plan now is to flop and watch Crimson Fields which DH recorded. Bliss!

soop, I also have a collection of 'best' outfits, most of which don't fit me at the moment - I blame the steroids . Three wedding outfits which I can't bear to part with, the trousers I bought for GD's graduation and a dress I got for my 70th birthday party. By the way, the cat that bit me is a neutered tom, just very jumpy!The hand is healing nicely.

Bella I'm so pleased that you have a family visit to look forward to, it cheers you up no end doesn't it?

How soon will your dh have surgery, do you know yet?

My friend has come out of theatre and has text me that she is ok, so I will hear later how she is feeling. Pretty sore I suppose.

I will sit in the corner for a while as I have no inclination or energy to do much at all.

Phew!!! Hasn't an awful lot of stuff, some good, some bad, some downright depressing, been happening in the lives of my dear Granspals.
I've been trying to tame certain areas of near-wilderness in our garden. I've done an awful lot of naughty cursing at the same time. Now that I'm well and truly knackered and throbbing from nettle stings, I'm enjoying my coffee and catching up with you lovely lot.

Bella yippee! Having the visit of your daughter and granddaughter to look forward to is indeed the ^joyful* tonic you both need and deserve. I'm chuffed for you.

Brenda I've never heard of the rib-popping ailment. Goodness me, you are bound to be in a great deal of discomfort. I'm trusting that you have appropriate pain relief. What could have caused such a thing to happen...have you been lifting/pulling/pushing heavy weights? Please take it easy. I hope that you have someone to look after you.

Dragonfly (((cuddles))) from me to you. You have a lot to cope and contend with right now. Your support will be invaluable to your daughter. The anniversary of such a very sad event, will be very painful for you. I hope that you, in turn, receive the comfort you deserve.

rosequartz I was also having a clear out of my wardrobe yesterday afternoon. I have far too many favourites which I shall probably not have the opportunity to wear again. However...most of them are back in the wardrobe. As a child, I had "best clothes"...now that I'm in my seventies, I still feel the need to keep some garments for a special occasion. Such special occasions are yet to present themselves. Daft as a brush, me!

kitty Do you not have a hidey-hole? Sometimes you need to escape and recharge your batteries. It seems to be something that some men can do very well...a woman, on the other hand, tends to fill her time with family matters and that in itself is a fulltime job plus some. Take good care of yourself. You are a VIP.

Lona and annsixty yet more

anno I'm very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your recent visit to the Berkshire family. I can almost see the chicks following your son around the garden. Lovely! The cat being relegated to the dog house made me smile.
On the occasion when Rory attacked me [long before he adopted us and moved in] he launched himself at speed and sank both teeth and claws deep into my shin. I tried to pretend that nothing untoward had happened but MacSporran noticed that blood was dripping on to the kitchen floor. I went to the GP for an anti-Tetanus jab. The bruising was massive and I still have the scars from the incident. That was then. He's so lovable now, that sometimes we think he's had a personality transplant. Of course, having had the snip, he has lost all that macho aggression.

Charleygirl Oh dear! You are in a right pickle. The leak certainly needs urgent attention. What with that, and your car, I can understand your frustration. Has the loss adjuster contacted you? As you say, the weather is supposed be settled for the next few days. Do you have someone who can put a tarpaulin over the damaged roof? I would call this an emergency.
As for Tara, she'll just have understand...as if!

Agus By this time next week, you should have a painting of dear Bobby well on it's way to your door...

Love to each and every one of my very special Granspals.

Bellasnana what a lot you are having to cope with all at once but it is good news that your DH's surgery can go ahead and what good news that your family are coming for a visit.Will they be with you for "the holiday"?

Brenda ouch! That sounds very painful. Have you any pain killers to help ease it a bit? Hope you feel better very soon

Dragonfly as I said on the good morning thread (before I realized you were in here) I'm very sorry to hear of your little DGS's accident, and also send ((((hugs)))) as you look back to the day you took your daughter to the hospice. Such a tragedy for you. As mothers we always want to make everything right for our children, but sometimes it is out of our hands. You are in my thoughts

We have been at the hospital this morning for DH to have an ultrasound on his heart. They said he has a couple of leaky valves but that there is nothing which would prevent him from having the surgery for his cancer.

On a happy, happy note......DD2 Skyped yesterday holding up the itinerary of her and DGD's flights to Malta in December! What joy to look forward to! It will be the first time DGD (aged 3) will have left the US and about time she visited Nana's house

Now I must go and catch up on sorting out this filthy house. Being away for two days and then being poorly for 4 days, I'm afraid I've let things slide.

TTFN

Goodness! I'm dashing out but here are some and lots of for all of you who are in pain/struggling or just plain knackered!!
Hope you all feel better asap xx

Back later with

Dragonfly for your present concerns and your sadness.

(((hugs))) Dragonfly and good luck with the burglar alarm and the DGC.

Hope you are more comfortable Brenda, have some

I need to escape. We still have DD3 and the little ones here and it is exhausting. We had a calm ordered house before - now we live in a tip! It's lovely to have them about and DD is getting better by the day but I'm shattered. DH meanwhile pops out to do his part time work and then seems to spend an inordinate amount of time in his study

Mum, however, is loads better!

Now, a quick cup of tea and a lie down on the chaise with calming sea views would be lovely.

I hope all soop's granpals are well and those who were poorly are feeling better.

I'm going to pop in and out today as I need to, if that's ok? Yesterday was a bit of a day. Had a phone call from DGS1's school to say he'd had a fall and hurt his arm, and they couldn't get hold of mum so could I fetch him. Poor lad was grey. DD arrived within ten minutes and whisked him to A&E, and yes, it's broken. Meanwhile, here, I had an engineer installing a burglar alarm system, which, when his boss came to survey and quote, would be straightforward and done in a day. Wrong. After eleven and a half hours the lad left and hasn't finished. The mess was horrendous, tools everywhere, stepladders - and I had to have littlest DGS while his mum was at the hospital with the other one. They're back to finish the job today - after trying to put it off till next week. And they're arranging a carpet fitter to refit the balls-up mess they made of my landing carpet. And I've littlest here again while biggest goes back to fracture clinic. And it's two years today since we took my darling, beautiful daughter into the hospice. I need tea, cakes and cuddles.

Agus I did as well so thanks for that. I learn something every day. #ribs at any time are painful so I hope that Brenda has decent pain relief.

Isn't there a saying "nothing new under the sun"? So you professionals are learning something. I hope the pain soon eases Brenda and you find a comfortable position to get some sleep.

Hadn't heard of this either Charley. Looked through an old text book.....
The term is known as Subluxated Ribs whereby the rib head pops out behind the spinal vertebra as opposed to the front, being the common injury. And I worked in orthopaedics!!!! Possibly because it is a condition that doesn't need hospitalisation.

So, Brenda, it appears your osteopath is correct and manipulation is all that is required followed up with anti inflamitory tablets until it settles. However, it's not my place to diagnose and if you are in any doubt, please go back to your GP. Hope you feel a bit more comfortable soon

Brenda I have never heard of that in 40 years that I was working. I am on the verge of saying that it is a load of twaddle. If the pain does not get any better and increases, I would be inclined to go to your local casualty dept. You have had #ed ribs as have I so I know what it is like.

I do not know what part of the country you live in so maybe you would feel more comfortable to see your GP again. I live in London and that is what I would do.

What did you do or did it happen during the night? It is very strange to me.

You may be more comfortable sitting upright in bed and also in a chair with loads of pillows/cushions to keep you comfortable.

I do feel sorry for you because you are not getting much help from your GP

Hello all. I don't pop in here often but need to get some sympathy from you, well I hope I will. Have Been in a lot of pain in my rib area, almost as bad as when I fractured two ribs. Went to GP who offered an X-ray sometime in the next two weeks. Went to the osteopath who diagnosed a rib popped from my spine. Manipulated it back in but told me it will hurt for several more days until inflammation goes down. Never knew that a rib could pop from the spine. The osteopath said that the fact it did it was less important than why it did. Can't get comfortable anywhere.

Thank you all for your very kind thoughts. to you all.

Hello everyone; I find I can open the door if I use my ancient PC but not with my lovely new tablet. Modern technology!

Hope everyone is on the mend and that you and your DH will now get the help you need, Annsixty.

Agus, I am glad you received such good care, it really is very hit and miss these days. I think a lot depends on the ward sister and how she or he runs the ward.

I have been sorting out my summer clothes today as we are expecting some and warmer weather. It was a good opportunity to throw out some things which have sat in my wardrobe for years (some unworn I am ashamed to say). I kept thinking 'I might wear that' and of course never do, so off to the Red Cross shop they go.

Charleygirl, sorry to hear about all the problems you are having with the house, the car etc. Things seem to come all together to try us, so hope some better times are ahead. Tara will be feeling rather put out I think!

Soop, my older DD was born in Freedom Fields Hospital just over 40 years ago, and DS was born in the Alexandra Nursing Home. We had moved away (unfortunately) by the time DD2 was born. I was very reluctant to leave that part of the country and often wish we were back there.

Some to cheer everyone up.
I am gearing up for DGD2 tomorrow so may have an early night.

Annsixty My best wishes to you and your DH. It's unforgivable the stress and anxiety you both endured to finally get a clear diagnosis.

I have to second what you have said re hospital care Soop When I had my recent accident I was admitted,to nearby Glasgow Victoria Infirmary for six days and I received excellent treatment. A well run friendly ward with caring attentive staff. The follow up clinic appointments have been equally impressive.

I can 'hear' how proud you are of your eldest GD and inheriting her Granny's artistic temperament is an added bonus in my book.

Hope you are well on the mend now Bella

Hi Rosequartz pleased to hear you finally got through the door.

I've had a lazy day as my car has been taken for a full service.
It's now back home, gleaming like a new car. It hasn't been this clean for a long time

Sad to report that tomorrow, my friend is back in hospital. She has had problems since the drains were removed, and has to have them put back in again. Her surgeon assures her that by next week she will be her normal, noisy self!
I sincerely hope so!

Charleygirl I hate water and leaks! My roof had a leak once and ever since I get nervous when it rains heavily. Fingers crossed for you that the ceiling doesn't fall.

I've been away for a long weekend with the Berkshire family. Lousy weather but good to be with them. Went to watch GD in swimming gala - not quite up to her usual high standard, but I blame the SATs which she is taking this week. It's a stressful time for an 11-year-old. I met the new chicks which think DS is their dad! Their boy cat is definitely in the dog house. He turned round and bit me when I moved the remote control from under him. His sister is such a gentle, calm cat.

This is definitely head in the electric oven day. My car would not start yesterday so it was towed away by the RAC. The garage did not know what was wrong, so they kept it in overnight and worked on it today. I can pick it up anytime.

The next problem is that the garage will have to keep the car at least another day. I have water coming through a ceiling in a front bedroom. Called the emergency service etc and a plumber came about 3 hours later. It is not a plumbing problem, I apparently have a hole in the roof so water has seeped through the insulation on the roof anf the floor of the loft and is now dripping into the bedroom so that the ceiling is about to fall.

Tara must have known because the baby quilt on her bed was soaked as was the duvet and cover underneath. That must have been why she joined me earlier than usual.

I have closed that bedroom door and moved her litter tray. She is going to get a shock not having her own bedroom and having to "slum it" by either using a cat bed or sleeping on a chair.

I am patiently waiting for a company to get in touch re sending a loss adjuster. With luck that should be before Christmas. At least the weather is going to be fair for the next few days. A very happy week.

Yet another warm and wonderful day in bonnie Kintyre. Have just returned from doing my pal's ironing. Good to sit down and enjoy a lovely cup of coffee and a chicken sandwich.

annsixty Now that the diagnosis has been confirmed, you can move on from the unnecessary anxiety of being seemingly overlooked. You've both been through a time of very mixed emotions. With the correct medication and proper support it should be possible for you to continue to enjoy many aspects of your day-to-day life. All good wishes are winging their way from Kintyre.

Bella keep taking the tablets. And, as for rambling, please continue. I look forward to reading your views and news.

Agus I know what you feel when you say that you wish your granddaughter could be a child for a good deal longer. Our eldest is 25. I can still recall the moment that I first held her and hoped to goodness that she would grow up to be self-assured and "grounded"...both wishes have come true. She is a lovely, unaffected, talented girl...a credit to her parents. If she has inherited a trait from me, it is an artistic temperament.

*Charleygirl I'm willing to bet that you've forgiven Tara for damaging the quilt.
Your hospital experience was unforgiveable. It's no wonder you have a dread of being re-admitted. I have only praise for all the kindness and support that I've received whilst living in Scotland. In fact, I have written letters to the local newspapers saying as much.
I'm about to add a photo of Rory to my album. As you will see, he's a very fine specimen.

Hello again, rosequartz...my youngest son was born in Freedom Fields Hospital in Devon almost 40 years ago. At the time, I was living in Plymouth. Thereafter I lived in Tamerton Foliot, Modbury, Thurlestone, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. Devon is a lovely county, 'though I would never wish to leave Argyll. Where did you live?

rosequartz I did laugh when I read about a naughty step for cats!
When I broke my ankle 5 years ago and had it pinned and plated locally I was bed bound in hospital for 11 hellish days. I was told a couple of nights post op that they did not have time to settle me down for the night. You can imagine how I felt. I have vowed if I am ever re-admitted there I will be unconscious. I did not write a letter of complaint because it would have been about 25 pages long.

annsixty I am pleased to hear that the diagnosis has come out in the open for discussion instead of pussy footing around "memory problems" and similar. Maybe you will both be able to get on with your lives now.

Bellasnana I do hope that the antibiotics have kicked in and you are feeling better.