Soop's super supportive kitchen.

Oooh soop that is horrible for you and you have all our sympathies! These things may not be life threatening but they are so debilitating and hard work in dealing with them. I hope you get some positive help from your appointment next month.

I lose posts which is why I now tend to go for smaller ones and apart from that it all makes me very tired.

soop you deserve a medal in the face of both your honesty and your stoicism about it all. ?? Sending you a gentle hug and good wishes that the appt will be useful, with an end in sight... I see an unintentional pun there, but I’ll leave it might make you smile!xx

The steam is still issuing from both ears. Twenty minutes of heart to heart vanished before my very eyes. My language was beyond foul. I'm relieved that you didn't hear it.

The photos are lovely. Thank you for sharing.

ann My message to you was in agreement with your many Kitchener Granspals. I'm hopeful that your daughter's Christmas visit will enable you to open up your heart and voice your pent-up frustrations. Us lot are already wishing you a much improved 2019.

There were others of you that I had responded to. I feel deflated that the messages went on a walkabout. Please forgive me for not having the wherewithal to repeat myself.

The old problem of mine never did go away. Both the cystocele and the bigger nuisance, the rectocele, have got worse by the day. Just a wee recap...a stay in a private hospital in Cornwall (at the cost of a few thousand hard-earned pounds) prior to our move to Scotland, was meant to cure the original prolapses. However, here we are with a very much worse scenario. The hospital have no record of what they did. Mesh may have been involved. No response to my enquiries, or those of my GP, or indeed the surgeon who proposed to correct the recurring problem some two years ago. The rear prolapse protrudes approx. two inches. It gets worse when I stand for any length of time or walk. It goes in when I sit or lie down. The cystocele is uncomfortable. I make numerous trips to the bathroom both day and night. Sometimes I fail to reach the lavvie before the wee starts. MacS Bless him, took a photo of the protuberance (not a pretty sight) and our GP rang to say that he had forwarded a copy to a specialist. I have an appointment on the first Friday in Nov in Campbeltown. From thereon, it's anyone's guess what treatment can be offered. It is NOT a life threatening health problem. It is debilitating and embarrassing. My husband's health issues are far more serious. We help to jolly each other along. Compared with many of my Granspals, I feel blest. So, thank you for allowing me to rant. It helps to let off steam.

I've just lost one of the longest posts of all time. I'm steaming with frustration. I shall take a break and then return to try again.

Well work has now started on the house next door which is going to be extended within an inch of its life, apparently it’s going to take till February! To be honest, although not looking forward to waking most mornings to the sound of bashing and clattering, I’m grateful that it wasn’t all the way through the lovely summer we’ve had, we’ve especially enjoyed sitting in the garden this year. Please feel free to remind me of that if I come in here moaning about noise, dust, muddy pavements etc !

n&g, don’t worry I’ve started too, I do actually buy bits and pieces all year round to keep my box more like a whole cupboard well stocked, it’s the only way with our size of family. Sometimes our children/partners prefer money, as do the older grandchildren these days, but being a softie I still like to give them a wee goodie bag too at both birthdays and C*******s, and stocking up through the year makes this possible.

Ann I do understand your wish to protect your children from the harsh realities of your life, it’s what we do from the word go as mums. But they are adults now, albeit with their own responsibilities and vulnerabilities, I hope you are able to find ways of sharing the load with them and in that way easing things for yourself. Glad to hear your tummy is gradually recovering charley, gently does it.

willow how interesting to hear the bungalow story, a big project but it sounds like you’re both enjoying it. Looking forward to further instalments in due course. Lovely school photo of the down under lad, he looks happy to be one of the big boys.

All this talk of dentistry, has made me a little nervous I’m off for a check up this afternoon, the niggles have subsided so maybe I’ve nothing to worry about after all...we shall see, I’m sure a bit of prodding ouch! and an X-ray kerching will reveal all! Hope those with more pressing tooth problems get some relief soon.

greyduster you are one dedicated granny, it was hideous weather yesterday to be outdoors standing around. I think that dinner and pud were very well deserved indeed! We on the other hand, dived into church dodging the showers as we went, then high tailed it to dd2 where we hunkered down for the cold and damp afternoon. There were some nice presents for me, so can safely say the birthday is over now. We too enjoyed a good meal, pud was by Mr Tesco, but our new high schooler gd had made cookies to share with us all. And then there was the inevitable “show”, hours in the making but with little actual content, we did laugh especially as it’s just like watching her mother with her twin sister at the same age. Those were the days, when like was simpler, or maybe I just remember the good bits!

Slightly better news re our troubled teenage gd, her parents seem more hopeful that’s she’s connecting with the support that’s been offered, but that was last Friday who knows for today. We’re due to visit in a couple of weeks, we’ve offered to stay elsewhere if it eases it for them but they are keen for us to come as usual, so we’ll be guided by them. Another of our teenage gds is really struggling with pressures at school, my heart aches for these youngsters it’s certainly a very different life they have these days. My foot is much less swollen but still quite sore really, I was warned 2 weeks and it looks like that might be the case. We had a chap estimating for a conservatory upgrade today and in the process we found a body tucked away in the roof. It’s not as gruesome as it sounds, but rather have seen it alive!

soop, I am sorry to hear that your old problem has recurred, but pleased to know that your GP knows you well enough to sort out a consultant for you. Will that involve yet another visit to Glasgow?
ann, I'll pm you.

As promised here is a picture of the boy down under (and a bit to the side) in his new uniform - they certainly know how to dress in NZ Report from the first day is that he really enjoyed it and his mum coped well with the separation so fingers crossed for the rest of the week!

Ann it's understandable you want to shield your family from the awful situation but I think you do need to prepare your daughter for the reality before she arrives at Christmas. She may want to help and the Christmas holidays are not the time to try and tackle anything with SW or care workers as everything will be closed. Could you perhaps mention a few issues over the phone during the next couple of weeks so she has an inkling of how difficult it all is? I know we don't want to burden our families - either when we're adults shielding parents and as parents shielding adult children but sometimes we need to share to get things done. Having said all that we did exactly the same when caring for my parents and no one really knew the strain we were under until it was over!

Synonymous hope the little rascal comes back home safe and sound quickly - I love seeing them playing like that and having what we call a mad half hour. Daph's is generally as she flies out of the litter tray at 90 mph no doubt feeling wonderful and much lighter

Apologies for not explaining about the bungalow - it's been an ongoing project since Easter and I've kind of forgotten not everyone knows about it. We viewed it and instantly dismissed it as a madness not to be considered as it needed completely gutting and renovating which wasn't something we'd ever tackled before plus it's 60 miles away back in our old home town which we left nearly 40 years ago. A week later we both agreed we liked the area and wondered about the potential so put a ridiculous offer in never expecting for one minute it would be accepted - a month later it was and so it began. I have to say it's been a journey of sheer hard work but mostly a pleasant one with much help from my BiL who lives round the corner, the kitchen fitter who is from here and travelled every day for 3 weeks to do not just the kitchen but several other jobs and a few other trades people who have helped along the way. Mostly its been down to us - well my husband really - he's an engineer - who knew he could tackle all the jobs he has?! I've done a lot of painting so I never want to see another paintbrush for a long time! We are almost done and mightily pleased with what we've achieved in a relatively short timeframe given we've only had weekends and a fortnight's holiday to work in. As for the future as yet we don't know - it started out as dipping our toes back in a past life to see if we could live there again once we retire. We will wait and see once we manage to stay there for a few days and venture out of the road but so far we're liking the feel of the place, the neighbours and having old friends dropping in with cake

I’ve had to smile to myself this morning as I’ve dragged an old picture from out of the garage with a view to updating the frame. It was a favourite of my mum’s and hung over their fireplace for years. At some point my dad has obviously had the frame off and painted it in a rather awful shade of brown but when he’s put the picture back in he’s ingeniously used sewing pins to tack it all back down Bless him – my mum probably never knew he’d been in her sewing tin! This was the same man who we found had wired an extension lead with a plug on both ends – if he’d ever plugged it in …………

anne with your DD coming for Christmas and seeing everything at first hand that may well be the needed catalyst. I hope you get thehelp you need before then though but if not I hope she brings the biggest wooden spoon she has and stirs it all up to good effect!

Hope everyone is managing with everything today, we do tend to don't we - no alternative really!
I had yet another horrible night but then slept in after I eventually dropped off so I had a good rest.
Poor little Smokie was disturbed by me of course and was very sweet and loving. Now he has started racing around like a lunatic, scrabbling under the hearthrug , then silence, then a little head appears at the fireside edge and looks to make sure we are watching him and noticing everything! He was then doing circuits and bumps in the most alarming manner so ......... I decided he was ready to venture out. His paws are better as he was doing huge jumps at playtime last night and was very athletic. I gave him a cuddle told him not to be long or I would be so worried, he gave a little trill, I opened the door and he was off without a backward glance! I really hope he will come home again very soon and be safe!

Annsixty, I have no solution but I hope you find some help and a resolution to your situation.

Understandable Annsixty but a massive burden for you to shoulder alone.

Good morning all.
My H is currently being showered so I have 15 minutes to myself.
I thankyou all so much for your concern for me and my situation.
The dynamics of my family mean, apart from my GD who sees a lot, my family are not really aware just how bad things are.
My S sadly has MH problems and can't deal with anything else.
My D is a single parent, although the C are teens, and she has her own fledgling business.
She also lives 300 miles away, so I see her infrequently.
We speak on the phone 3/4 times a week and she is coming for Christmas as the C are going to Bermuda to spend the holiday with their father.
She will be very surprised at his deterioration since she saw him in July.
That is why they do not seem to have much input, I try to shield them, wrong I know but my way.

I’ve been away for nearly a week and it’s so nice to get back to the kitchen. Good news for some and not such good news for others ...
I’m trying to lose weight but ate some lovely chocolate brownie yesterday - well my friend had made it specially so what could I do? It's a good recipe so I’m going to make a batch for the kitchen. To celebrate with some and cheer up others.
To Ann especially I send many positive thoughts and prayers.

You’re right, kitty the children’s parents so seem more laid back about a lot of potential dangers. I’m sure all will be well with your young cyclist.

Love the idea of training a new GP. If ours would stay long enough to be trained it could work. . I seriously miss my previous surgery, well established doctors and kind receptionists. Our current surgery is OK, just.

I’m also struggling to find a blue touch paper maw. A clue maybe? It’s a funny old GN world sometimes. There’s a thread I’d love to put some reality into but know I would hate the fall out so I’m keeping quiet. Bit of a wimp really.

Sorry, charley, the tooth is hanging on for our regular dentist as I understand his approach and he understands my reluctance to be messed around with. There may be a cancellation, otherwise Thursday it is. I can cope, it’s just one of life’s aggravations. You sound stronger which is excellent, don’t overdo it though.

Hope the vanity unit is sorted easily greyd, fingers crossed for you. As for the fretting, we all do it at times, I could win prizes for it, especially when other stuff is going on or I’m under the weather. As for a name for it, I think it’s called being a Mum .

Hope today is more comfortable soop, thank goodness for a helpful GP.

I also missed understanding the bungalow willow, apologies but hope all goes well.

There is much muttering from Mr C so I had best look as if I will begin the day.

Or a different doctor, ann!

One of the problems with getting to our age is that the GPS that are used to us and whom we are used to retire and getting used to a new one is difficult. Dh calls it training them. We currently have that problem. And no-one stays for long.

Glad you are feeling better charley. You have been in the wars lately. Onwards and upwards.

You are right willow, we were slightly horrified by the names of a few of ours but they fit them well now. I missed the news about your bungalow too.

I am a little fearful for our 11 year old who has just started senior school and is going to start cycling (on the road!!!) back and forth. Their parents seem much more laid back about all this sort of thing.

Good luck with your supplier, gd. soop, I am sorry you are differing again but glad your gp is being helpful.

Maw, I couldn't find what might have caused a problem.

There are a lot of buggerations around at the moment. Take care everyone.

ann please forgive me if I am intruding but would it be a good idea to have a family meeting to discuss the long term plans for H and also yourself because life cannot continue as it is and you remain sane.

Perhaps you need to make another appointment with the GP but this time take maybe your daughter with you. I still cannot believe how unfeeling she was with no concern for you.

Willow forgive my tardiness but I have completely missed your news about the bungalow.
Have you bought it to move into or is it a second home?

Whatever it is very exciting for you ,if a lot of work,

I don't envy you the work but do envy the prospect awaiting you.

My life is so totally restricted I envy anyone with something to look forward to.

Thank you all for your concern. I enjoyed scrambled egg with cheese this afternoon but that is all I have wanted to eat. I am definitely on the mend but it is not an experience I would like to repeat. I am hoping to venture outdoors tomorrow if the rain stops.

Belated congratulations Kitty on your new arrival – he looks gorgeous! I quite like his name – I have two grandsons with very unusual names which we were slightly (quietly) horrified about when they were announced but over the last 5 & 3 years they’ve grown into them and now we love them as we do the boys.

Soop your picture of Smokie is lovely – how talented you are – I can’t paint for toffee even though my mother was quite talented when she was younger – she obviously didn’t pass that gene on!

I’ve been thinking of you all today with the news of the floods so hope all are safe and dry.

GD I can totally sympathise with you about the problems with your toilet unit – it’s something I was extremely worried about taking delivery of two bathrooms ordered online which we couldn’t unpack for weeks. When we did the plumber started to put the second shower tray in and found a large crack in it. Thankfully we still had all the paperwork and sent photos of the problem and to be fair the company were very good and delivered another one within a week. They didn’t want the damaged one back though and left us with the problem of getting it to the tip. I hope your supplier is as accommodating - had the plumber got it all installed before the defects were spotted or did he find them before doing the work?

Ann what an awful day you had yesterday – it’s inevitable you’re so frustrated with all you have to put up with – I hope you’ve both had a better day today.

Charley I'm pleased you're eating - it takes time but you're heading in the right direction and Tara is obviously doing the right amount of support

It’s done nothing but pour down today both here and at the seaside where we went to finish the painting. A friend arrived with a loaf of Parkin she’d made which I’ve brought to share (sneaked it past the other half who enjoyed it too). Yesterday when we were there other friends arrived and stayed a couple of hours so also stopped the painting but it’s just so nice to have people call in there that we didn’t care about the work – we never have visitors here although my granddaughter and her partner are coming next weekend on their way to the Lakes so looking forward to that.

We are waiting for news of little grandson’s first day at school in NZ which he will be starting about now. With his recent diagnosis of HFA (Aspergers) his parents are understandably worried about it but he is apparently very excited so we are keeping our fingers crossed it goes well for him.

I will report back in the morning – have a good & peaceful night all.

oops I may have joined you!

Oh dear I’ve gone and done it again
Leave you to find out for yourselves so that I am not guilty of a thread about a thread, but sometimes a harmless comment seems to spark WWIII

Oh go on with you, N&G! I don’t do mine until Christmas Eve and even then it’s too early ?!

That sounds like progress, Charley??.

Soop someone is very lucky not only to own such a lovely cat, but to have you capture it in paint. Superb as always!

Well, a thoroughly wet and nasty morning to be out, and yes, we were out, standing in the touchline again. I wore my stormproof jacket and even with a fleece under it I was dry but cold, so I went back to the car and put another waterproof jacket underneath it, hoping that an extra layer would trap some heat. No such luck. Pity the poor lads on the field, and the referee who not only officiated at our match but the one before ours, and boy did he look wet and miserable! It was so wet we couldn’t even set up a refreshment stand today, so no coffee and bickies either! Bummer! But DD gave us a very nice lunch and GS had made his first trifle, which was delicious. I hate to say it, but it was better than mine!

I don’t know what is wrong with me just recently. Last week I was thrown into a stupid and unnecessary panic about my GS, and this morning I got a text from my son asking if we were in. I told him no, told him when we would be back and asked if he was okay. No response. Then the old brain went into overdrive. What if he needs to talk about something now? What if it can’t wait until this afternoon because he is struggling with something? I rang him and asked if he was okay. “Yes” he said. “Why?” “Well you didn’t reply to my text and I was worried!” “I was eating my breakfast, mother, and you are always telling me that men can’t multitask, so I thought it could wait! And yes, I’m fine! I’ll ring you this evening because we haven’t had a chat for ages.” There has to be a name for this (not a rude one!). DH thinks I need therapy!
I will look in later.

I've been busy doing not a lot. Or so it seems.

I also like the name of our newest baby. Like harrigran I'm a fan of Mozart.

It has been a beautiful sunny day. We went on our usual stroll this morning. We couldn't do the full circuit...the rear end prolapse (mine) was particularly bothersome. I've been back to our GP and he is most understanding. He now wishes to refer me back to a specialist. He phoned on Friday to say that I should have an appointment fairly soon.

My troubles are piffling compared with a number of you. Wouldn't it be grand if we could age free from buggerations. I'm really content now that I've reached 77. If only the chronic health issues would bugger off and leave us lot in peace. Is that too much to hope for.

I'm off to take a few photos in the garden. The autumn colours are luscious. I especially like the hydrangeas, the smoky purple ones in particular.

All of you...take good care of yourselves. You know that you are very special peoples. I tell you often enough.

Belated hearty congratulations on the safe arrival of Wolfie, kitty.

Thank you all for your congratulations. As expected, he is absolutely gorgeous. Bertie can't take the huge smile of his face but Persie went to play upstairs after she had been polite!!

Topsy, the choice of name was a happy combination of DD's love of anything unusual and the fact that her partner and, therefore, Bertie are HUGE Wolves fans.

To those of you with sinus pain - huge sympathy. Colds are bad enough but sinus pain is really adding insult to injury, isn't it. And, in my case at least, inevitably follows on.

Many congratulations on your anniversary Harri and MrHarri. Did you go away?

We were going out for lunch at a restaurnat within walking distance but the rain is absolutely pouring here and I have no desire to sit looking like a drowned rat while I eat an expensive roast. We went to Waitrose and bought a joint, roast potatoes and gravy to have along with a frozen cauliflower cheese and yorkshire puds I had already. Sorted! No champagne cocktail though.

Lovely to see Panache and Galen.

soop - what a lovely painting - you are really talented!

Keeping a record is a really good idea Ann but also contact the Alzheimer's society to see if they can advocate for you.

Back later.