Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

cornergran I like the fact that you have planned your relaxation in advance of the predicted exhausting week. Makes perfect sense.

Sounds as if Rory is on the mend, soop In your position I'm sure I would have made the same decision, which is a bit odd as we have never had a cat (Mr C is allergic) but have had dogs who hated both the car and the vet equally, the decision would have gone the same way. Daphne you surely deserve that rest, I think its not just the unrelenting demands its the responsibility of a tiny baby, even with his Mum in the house. One of ours was also a banana baby, 6'4" now, useful for high shelves and painting the ceiling! The littlest was also a banana baby, time will tell with him. I think sometimes we forget that our bodies are not as young as our heads , we do all more than cope while in the midst of it, but afterwards that rest is really needed and desered. We've a predicted to be exhausting week on the horizon with the older two, really looking forward to it, but do expect the exhaustion at the end and have two seriously relaxed days planned to follow with no sense of guilt at all. Wondering how Gary got on Galen, the insurance refusal sounds odd, but then most insurance related things sound odd to me, simple soul that I am.

NanaandGrampa I shall tell you what awaits my attention after my visit to the kitchen. Ironing! Lots of it.

Good afternoon to one and all. It's catch-up time. You lot have been extraordinarily busy.

First of all, I'm pleased that ann is receiving some sound advice regarding her stressful situation. I shall feel a lot happier when she tells us that she's consulted her GP.

DaphneB I admire you. We know how tiring the last week has proved. Little babies demand mega doses of attention. The photo is of a thriving, happy, special little person. The smile speaks volumes. My first baby was a "banana baby". The midwife remarked...isn't he long. He's still long. 6'3", lean and strong.
You deserve a relaxing lunch. Followed by a restful afternoon.

number Thank goodness you are not in Garry's position. Galen Please tell us what happens next.

For all those Rory fans...he hasn't been to the vet. The swelling has disappeared. We are keeping a close eye on him. The cat carrier was primed...we attempted to coax him into it with a dish of gourmet cat food. He refused to approach the basket. MacS and I weighed up the situation. It is a 48 mile round trip to the vet's surgery. In the past, he became very agitated when we attempted to incarcerate him. He hid behind the sofa well out of reach. On that occasion we asked the vet to visit us. It costs but it was well worth it. The vet had a hell of tussle...Rory threw a humungous paddy...vet said that he was remarkably strong. Anyway, at that particular time, he had been injured in a scuffle with an otter (we think) and required stiches and antibiotics.

Well done that gram!
number Gary was booked with this firm and the insurance are refusing to pay out. He's on you and yours in 10 mins time.

Thank you charleygirl for being so understanding.
Weigh -in was good, he has put on 440 g in the 2 weeks and apparently breast fed babies should put on between 150 and 250g a week so just over halfway. Nearly back on that magic 25th centile but I suspect he will never be a chubby baby, he is very active and both his parents are skinny fine boned. I believe he is hat is called a "banana baby" long and thin unlike "Apple" babies who are shorter and chubbier.
Doesn't take after his granny then
I hope all our animals are not suffering from the heat. Grace is very quiet this morning and looks the way I feel!!

Daphne I think that you need a rest now and if you slept until that time of the day without any interruptions, you needed it.

Flynn is gorgeous but is at an age where he likes to be entertained- that in itself can be exhausting.

You, DH and Grace now have the house to yourselves again- enjoy.

I hope that you do go out for lunch today, put your feet up afterwards as you have had so much responsibility this past week. Is Grace getting her fair share of cuddles?

The B&B animal who lives here certainly does.

Am I allowed to admit that I woke up at 9.15 this morning?
A hot but hassle free drive to and from London yesterday to deliver DD and Very Precious Cargo back home probably finished me off.
It was lovely having them but it made me realise how our lives have slowed down with DH's health issues and how looking after him (plus the entire responsibility for matters domestic) takes up all my energy.
annsixty I honestly don't know how you do it, I am in good health with most of my hinges functioning smoothly, how I would cope if I were at all poorly, I cannot imagine.
I was very happy to be able to help DD out and I do hope the break helped her and will be reflected in Littlest Fella's weigh in today, it is what her confidence needs. A Scottish cousin who is visiting family in the South wants to come and see us today, I suggested to DH he might like to take us out to lunch - for obvious reasons!!
Last pic of the series

NanaandGrampy where on earth does that load appear from? Are you taking in ironing? I can accept if your DH wears shirts a lot of the time but I have managed not to lift an iron since 2012 and do not intend to do so again if I can help it. I do not wear polyester or nylon!

We are having 2 days of summer this week so I must make the most of today and tomorrow. The humidity at night is horrendous- my fan died last year but I do not think it worthwhile to buy another because I would only use it maybe 4-5 nights a year.

Good Morning all !

What a warm night !! I love warm days but not so keen on the nights so today its out with the air conditioner. The ugliest thing you ever saw but ahhhhh the cool bedroom for sleeping !

Crafting I suspect Mick Jagger has given into the desire for a child from his much younger wife. But I do feel for the child - I know he's doing well for 72 but wont have the longevity or stamina of man half his age ( well his stamina might be ok ;-) )

Don't you just hate that though Galen . Look forward to something and at the end think ' well that fed me' ? Food should be a pleasure I always think , even the mundane stuff. Its why I have always used butter on toast not margarine of any description. Id rather have less and enjoy it .

whew !! Lucky escape Number !! Id get a lottery ticket in case your luck is holding

Well its the ironing mountain this morning - I have renamed the ironing basket Kilimanjaro !! Soop where are you when I need you

Thinking of you Ann, I`m not very good at putting things into words, but I really do fee for you.
Soop, good luck tomorrow with Rory. Mia doesn`t like the pet carrier, and resists a bit, but we`ve always managed to get her in there.
I`m currently looking into holidays for next year, particularly Cyprus. I found a company the other day that was way cheaper than the others, good job we didn`t book at the time, they went into administration on Friday morning!

Thank you anno we have had help from Signpost , it was a lovely worker there who got us AA at the second try. I hadn't thought of them for respite but as they are very approachable I will .

ann that sounds like excellent advice from annodomini. Please, please do something about it before as Crafting said, you are too exhausted to bother.

soop so sorry to hear about Rory. I have a monumental task here getting Tara into her carrier.

She is out enjoying the evening sunshine but I would like her home soon so that I at least know where she is!

ann, I suspect that when you approach your GP about respite for your husband when you have your surgery, he/she may well refer you to Adult Social Care at the Town Hall. Has he ever been assessed by them? One of the changes in the Care Act 2015 is "new rights to support for carers, on an equivalent basis to the people they care for". I know that Council services are, even more than ever, under severe financial pressure, but I would, if I were you, ring them up and ask what they can do for you and your husband. If you haven't been in touch with Signpost for Carers in Stockport, it would be useful to contact them for advice.
www.signpostforcarers.org.uk/
Good luck.

Curry it is! Not a very good one though.the prawns seemed very soggy and the spicing was not hot and sour.
Still, it's fed me.

Is it curry night Galen ?

Sorry to hear about Rory's eye. Is Rory unhappy about the cat carrier? We used to throw a large towel over our neighbours cat , and he was in the carrier before he knew what was happening. Of course it was a bugger getting him out :-)

Hope he's amicable tomorrow .

It's a beautiful evening here, and as soon as the golf is finished we're off to sit in the garden with a magnum :-)

Just looking at other threads and came across Mick Jagger to be dad to number 8 then Is it a fashion statement? followed by At what age should we stop?. I think he should have stopped a long time ago

Galen those glass jars can smash into thousands of pieces. My worst one was when I dropped one full of orange juice. It took hours to get the sticky mess off the floor.

Poor Rory, sorry he's got a problem with his eye. Good luck with the cat carrier soop. Just keep telling him it's for his own good

ann sorry you are having such a difficult time with your DH at the moment. It is all so familiar to me as my brother was exactly the same. He is long past that stage now and is in a care home. Get as much help as you can. My SIL had a job getting my brother to accept someone coming in to sit with him and help him but he did get used to the idea in the end. Try telling him the help is for you. I agree with others, I remember how difficult my brother was with carers but my SIL really needed the help. Don't leave it until you have no strength left to cope anymore. It will wear you down. Try and get some help soon before you get too exhausted to be able to bother

Galen Make sure that you pick up all the little bits of glass. We wouldn't like to hear that Garry was called in to bandage a finger. How is Garry, by the way?

Last night I was looking forward to a G&T. Logged off and prepared myself for a treat. What!!! No ice. That was a buggeration of monumental proportions. I never add ice to a dram. Nothing for it but to join MacSporran in a glass of velvety Jura. Just the one. I know my limits.

We're going to need to take Rory to the vet tomorrow. Dreading getting him into the cat carrier. He has a swollen eyelid. MacS has been bathing the eye with cooled, boiled water. The eye is weeping. I Googled to discover that a cat's eyes are prone to infections that can rapidly worsen and may cause loss of sight.

Away to pedal the exercise bike. The very thought dismays me...however, after the deed, I invariably feel so much better. Hey ho! As bags would say.

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B****r! Just opened the cupboard to get my jar of hot lime pickle and the jar of lemon curd fell out and shattered on the granite worktop. Glass and lemon curd everywhere.
I can recommend duchy lemon curd:- it certainly goes a long way!

cornergran Well said. I sit here for a very long time wondering how to put stuff into words. ann is trying to cope with a situation that would have floored many of us some time ago. Expert advice is urgently required. ^Us lot* can listen - but we are in no position to arrange the back-up she urgently requires.

I'm also someone who has prescription painkillers and the odd glass of alcohol - for medicinal purposes , Ann, I had a chat with my GP ages ago who was very understanding, explained the limits and as long as I stick with the advice I really don't worry. Its important we can feel part of the world and 'normal' no matter what the medical condition. Of course if its a real issue with the medication you are prescribed you must listen to the advice but do ask, it could be OK. I also agree that interrupting pain medication is usually a bad plan It was explained to me that regular medication keeps a level in the system to stop pain spikes and enourages the body to almost ignore the pain - or something like that. I am sure those medically qualified could explain it far better. So again a chat with your doctor shoud clarify. Ann you description of life just now sounds to be the sort of ever dereasing circles that seem to have no way out, I can only send good wishes and echo other thoughts, please do share what you care to and talk with your doctor, its important that your GP is reminded of the overall pressure.

Please, ann make an appointment to discuss matters with your GP.

ann Your GP will also help to make suitable arrangements for your after surgery care. You cannot return home without having the appropriate assistance organised. No way will you be able to carry on where you left off. You will be out of action for as long as it takes for you to fully recover.

Thank you all. At the moment H is not amenable to any help at all but I am hoping when I have my surgery he will be offered some respite for his own sake and once it is in place we can carry on. I am still at the stage of not wishing to upset him. He is still in a certain amount of denial.

Ann I agree with soop- I also am a tad naughty and take prescription drugs with glasses of wine. I do not take painkillers because they do not work.

I agree with soop, you must have a word with your GP, tell him how you are feeling and why. He will not be aware that surgery for yourself is imminent.

I agree wholeheartedly with NanaandGrampy re respite care. After you have surgery you will have problems looking after yourself never mind H and I do appreciate that he has no idea of what is going on. I feel so useless not being able to help you.