Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

To compound my problems,I was trying to deal with this news, sit on a tribunal and they decided to hold a fire drill.
This involves me trying to get into a evac chair which was impossible, so I had to walk down two flights of stairs with the help of one of the clerks and my crutch.
I’m so stiff today that I can hardly move and I’m sure I’ve injured my back trying to get into the chair!
I AM NOT A HAPPY BUNNY !

I sympathise over the evac chair Galen. I was “trained* to use one but I don’t think I would have got anyone downstairs in one piece. I think it would have been very jarring and painful for you.

Morning all !

Looks like another grey day here - not ideal for lifting spirits. To be fair I think my 'get up and go ' has got up and gone !!

Sorry to hear about your back Galen . I had a similar experience the first day on a job on the 6th floor and they had nothing in place so I had to walk down. To add insult to injury it was an outside metal staircase. I got to the bottom, kept on going until I collapsed into my car and went home !!!

The trouble with people who love 'drama' *Galen, I think, is they end up surrounding themselves with people who feed into that. I am so sorry your child has come to this place and hope they can be talked down off the ledge so to speak.

Sorry to hear your aunt has relapsedCorner , I'm sure your cousin knows you're thinking of them.

Grampy loves fruit cake Grey so please pass him a chunk - he thinks slices are for ladies !!

Keep your chin up Dragonfly - as they say its always darkest before the dawn. Once you know whats what it will be better.

Soop I echo the advice about vicks- its crazy but it works. Hope Macs is feeling lots better soon. Not being able to sleep is not helping is it?

Kitty - speechless !!! As my gran would have said - ' someone's arse will be grass for this and I shall be the lawnmower'!!!! (Im not sure exactly what it means but my Nan was 4ft and a fag packet and would straighten her shoulders as she said it and sail forth led by her bosom!!!

Well , I am off for a late breakfast , Ill catch up later x

Galen I am so sorry and really do understand as I have a niece caught up by that circle. They have not only financially fleeced her but separated her from her family and emotionally she is a mess. Really sad but there is literally nothing that the family can do! These so called 'friends' have an entirely different agenda and it would seem to be only to further their own cause and agenda and it is absolutely heartbreaking to the families of these vulnerable people.

Got off to a really bad start today. DH has stopped the painkilling meds as they were causing the constipation so is in excruciating pain. Laxatives are not working so not sure what to do. I will go and see our friendly pharmacist in a moment and she what she suggests.

All this negativity in the house is really getting me down.

So sorry to moan - it seems as if many of us have crosses to bare this morning.

Loved your post N&G made me laugh in lots of places!

Galen I have a very young relation in the dilemma and I feel that some organisations are more self promoting than helpful to these confused young people . I hope he gets the proper medical help and comes through it , I am so sorry for you and his sister xxxx I hope you can rest your poor back
Kitty I hope you gave the lackadaisical one a helpful and strongly worded assessment
Panache I am in awe of your spirit
Soop , I can also recommend the vick

dragonfly does he like prunes? I buy them from the health food shop and soak them in tea before adding some ginger and a few curls of orange peel and a chunk of cinnamon bark (powdered will do) and cook gently for about 20 mins. Serve with whatever takes your fancy - yoghurt, cream, ice cream, custard (hot or cold) etc. DH loves them but doesn't know why he has them so often! He suffers in like manner and I hate him having one drug to counteract the effects of another so always try for the natural route. Another way is making a very seedy granola topping. Flaxseed works well as does psyllium husks. The husks can be well hidden in food when necessary and especially if there are obstinate DHs (like my coz in law) who will not be helped even though they complain mightily!

dragonfly you can buy glycerine suppositories over the counter (and glove) pm me if you need help.

Synonymous my DH is the patron saint of prunes! They are the facilitator, in his book, of everything to do with good health and well-being and if they could be shown to speed up the B****t negotiations (as well as every other type of, ahem, slow transit!), he would rush them down to Westminster by the truckload! Trouble is, no-one, especially not me, shares his enthusiasm. I think they are blinkin’ ‘orrible! Has your DH tried Fybogel, Dragonfly? Not totally unpleasant to drink and works for me!

Dragonfly you need to be careful in case of an impacted bowel , but I am sure the Pharmacist will advise you

I would think Fibogel would be a good help

I'm catching up at the hairdressers but just wanted to suggest that you Google 'squatty potty', dragonfly! It helps!! We have those children's step stools in all bathrooms and they are more or less the same thing.

dragonfly Movicol is another good thing for constipation and can deal with fecal impaction as well. Taken regularly it does help. It is the basis of what the gastroenterology department give to patients to prepare the bowel (spring clean) before colonoscopy so does work but is not violent in action when used on a daily basis.
Good advice about Vicks too. I will remember that.
See soops kitchen not only deals in cakes and pretty photos but also medical help too. Perhaps we should be re named soops kitchen and medical drop in centre, dispensers of good advice, comfort and support. ?????

I found movicol plus prunes, apricots and kiwi fruit good when I had my TKR.
The kiwi were recommended by my neighbour who is a Nurse Practioner at a very large hospita.
At least 2 a day she said.
Constipation always sounds not serious but it is misery and painful to the sufferer.
Good luck.

GreyD I love them too if they are well prepared and served with something yummy and I love them best with a creamy, crispy topped rice pudding.

Ann I love all those things too but kiwi fruit is so extremely effective that I am super wary! Almost TMI - so sorry!

As * kitty* says, the squatty potty is really good and endures that the body is in the correct position for all necessities.

Doodle it would be an amazing title - and a jolly good thing we wouldn't have to type it every time!

ensures not endures ..... although?

I was in a local upmarket grocery store yesterday looking at 1/2 price saucepans and frying pans. A young lady also looking asked my advice which frying pan to buy to cook scrambled egg!

I told her I cook mine in the microwave, yummy, less mess and less to clean. I then had to tell her how to cook it and what type of bowl to use-unbelievable, considering what my cooking skills are like. I forgot to tell her about seasoning.

My thoughts are with you Galen, this is a very difficult situation for you.

It’s my first post in this forum thanks to CharleyGirl15 ?. I do use the microwave for scrambled egg but mine so much better in a pan.

Both my sons could cook when they left home. I would love to start a ‘home cooking’ class for the generation/s who have missed out.

Twin2, it's good to see you have decided to give GN another try.

My best wishes to all on here who are suffering. I cannot keep up with all the commings and goings.
However, I have just made a batch of Chelsea buns, all are welcome to partake.

Soop, thank you for your kind words in the Argy. I am much maligned.

Twin2 delighted I have been of some help for once. Once you get to know all of us in the kitchen, you will not be disappointed.

Could I come to your cookery classes, please? In Scotland, because I achieved an A grade for the 11+ it was physics and chemistry for me and no domestic science.

My mother did not teach me because she found it quicker to do it all herself.

I do cook from scratch but I was self taught so I muddle along.

Hello Twin2 !! Are you a twin ? I have a brother and sister who are twins !

I think there’s definitely an opportunity to do cooking classes for simple things . I will be eternally grateful to my cookery classes as school !! I can make everything from scratch and if the need arises I could souse a herring ( it’s been 48 years and that’s one thing I have never had to replicate thank god!! )

The only things I learned to cook at school were, mashed potato and rock cakes. When dropped on a terrazzo floor, a rock cake would act like a wrecking ball.
I went into the sciences (not domestic science) the next year.