Soop's welcoming kitchen for friendly folk

Lovely to see you daisyboots and hope the new tablets are a bit easier for you and the warm Portuguese sunshine helps
Lots of news to catch up on in the kitchen this evening, so sorry there’s no news yet of Mia but it sounds like you’re doing everything you can hellogirl. Still hoping for good news soon.
Such beautiful sunset pictures thank you soop and dustyangel it’s too dark here for a picture now and there wasn’t much sun this evening
I’m late in the kitchen tonight as we’ve been round at DD2 garden most of the day for a little celebration for DH birthday tomorrow. We’ve sat outside for most of the day, well wrapped up with blankets and hot water bottles on our knees - a right couple of oldies! The younger ones were fine - DGS age 7 is never far away from a football and DGD 6 has been showing me her latest dance moves ?. A game of bingo and two quizzes too! We’ve all had a lovely day and DD2 went to a lot of effort for my DH, who’s not actually her real dad so I think he was really pleased
Sounds like you and your DH have both had a lovely day too with the DGC urmston the bike ride on the main road sounds very grown up!

Urmstongran you brought back a lovely memory for me of when GD was six. It was DHs oldest brothers Golden Wedding anniversary here in Portugal. As many of the family as could came out to celebrate with them and stayed with them, friends or as we did rented rooms from friends with a small letting complex. DD and family stayed there as well. GD used to put on her backpack and go “exploring” in their large garden.

Our friends who still live nearby have fond memories of four year old GS coming from their pool saying “ouch,ouch,ouch” as he walked the same gravel paths!

Children are such cuties at that age aren’t they dustyangel and they say the funniest things. Such disarming innocence. It is an absolute joy to spend time with them.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes regarding Mia. I`ll try that with the clothes, can`t hurt.
Wonderful wedding news BladeAnnie, hope we get to see pictures. A few years ago, after about 15 years together and 2 sons, my eldest son and partner announced they were getting married, and at Gretna Green too. I was thrilled because I`d never been there, but then they changed their minds and did the deed at an hotel on the outskirts of town.
Those 2 kittens are so gorgeous!
Welcome back Daisyboots.
Soop, another gorgeous sunset, thank you.
Apologies to all I`ve missed out, TOYA!

A very warm greeting from the West of Wales.
Such beautifully warm springlike weather,with the hope of perhaps a sunny summertime.

Simply saying life continues with us, and very sadly the downward path is very difficult in every way.
My dear man has had a period of respite from the great ongoing pain he suffered......... and this was very welcome.
However again the pain relief..,, though almost continually added to..... has to be further increased....... so with the easing of pain comes the constant sleeping.
Obviously whatever path now, we just cannot win.

However thankfully we are together still and that is a great bonus.

Thinking of you an d sending love and blessings to one and all,sincerely hoping you enjoy a peaceful Sunday.

“Daisy boots”, I’m glad that you’re feeling well enough to post and hope the new Chemo is easier. I’ve been on steroids and other medications for skin cancer for a while and am finding it difficult at times. Hopefully see the specialist this week.

Panache your update is, although very sad, appreciated. The brief respite from pain must have been most welcomed, wishing you strength and sending love for the difficult way ahead. x

Panache, thank you for updating us.You are both in our thoughts and prayers.Sending you strength and love?

Dear Panache , we all appreciate hearing from you, especially at this very difficult time. Thankfully, your husband's pain is being controlled. You both deserve all the support that you are given. Be kind to yourself. You know that us lot in the kitchen continue to hold you in our thoughts and hearts. x

Thank you for updating us Panache at this difficult time.Sending you love and strength to carry on.?
We have just had a driveway visit from our DS and GS’s it will be so nice when they can come in the garden not very long to wait now.
I really should be doing some weeding but my backs not up to it today so will watch DH instead?
Hope you all have a happy peaceful Sunday

dustyangel You too are going through a very tough time, yet you always manage to put on a brave face. My thoughts are with you and I trust that the specialist will continue to take the best possible care of you.

Hellogirl1 Hope springs eternal. Comforting (((hugs))) from both of us.

brook It certainly sounds like the birthday gathering in the great outdoors was enormous fun. Happy birthday Mr brook. I hope that you have a thoroughly well-pampered day.

Ten years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The initial medication prescribed was highly addictive and I came off it. Do any of you have any recommendations regarding keeping the pain under control? It is a chronic condition and will therefore not "get better".

Good to hear from you daisyboots, can only hope your new medication is less difficult to tolerate. Hope for positive things from your consultant this week dustyangel, Cancer treatment is had work.

You sound understandably exhausted panache, having controlled pain is a blessing indeed even if it leads to sleep. Please rest when you can, you’re important too.

I understand only too well soop, I was diagnosed 30 years ago, probably best to PM you rather than bore everyone with my ramblings.

Thinking about you hellogirl, fingers are crossed for Mis’s returned.

Thr cloud cleared here to allow a bright beach walk, it felt a real treat today.

Be good everyone. TOYA.

Boy, am I unfit, the first real digging I’ve done since I got the allotment last autumn, it’s quite heavy soil and the dreaded couch grass is ever present. I managed 30 feeble minutes, got my main crop potatoes in and came home, I’ll repeat the literal exercise for the earlies in the next couple of days. Looked at my fuel gauge on the way back, the car’s that is, nearly on red, can’t remember the last time I put some in, as she’s only 6 months old and just gone over the 500 miles, some time ago. The local garage was busy, I’ll go tomorrow. Cup of tea and a sandwich was in order, think my walk can be justifiably missed today.

Soop I feel your pain I have psoriatic arthritis and I’m trying to keep off the heavy drugs as long as I can. I have been recommended CBD muscle gel from boots,my friend has tried it and said it really helped.I’ve ordered on line so will let you know if it works.I have strong painkillers and usually need them at night and on bad days but hate taking them.I think a lot of people use CBD oil and find it helps maybe the way to go.
Take care?

Soop - I often read you kitchen thread, but haven’t posted before. Just to say that my DIL has Fybromyalgia, and, like you, was given strong meds. She hated that and decided to come off the meds and look for alternatives. She has tried various homeopathic treatments, but to little avail. However, she does find Acupuncture makes a big difference. She went initially twice a week for a month, then once a week for a month, now she goes about once a month / 6 weeks. Obviously everyone is different, as are alternative medical practitioners, but she certainly finds that it helps a lot. Good luck. It is very draining.

Thank you for your response, Emily49. It is kind of you to share your DIL's experiences. A good pal has also been in touch. I have therefore decided to contact the GP tomorrow.

Thank you, Yiayia, it does help to get feedback from people who have similar problems. My shoulders, upper arms and shins hurt most of all, getting to sleep is a trial most nights.

corner Please do PM me with your observations. I appreciate learning from the experiences of those who know what the pain is like.

Jaxjacky Well done! Thirty minutes heavy grafting in the garden is an accomplishment.

Corner, would you be kind enough to PM me too, when you send your comments to soop? Goodness 30 years is a long time to put up with this painful condition. I was diagnosed only two years ago and, like soop, my shoulders and arms are the worst. My wrists and thumbs also hurt. It’s at its worst first thing then does get more bearable throughout the day with various distractions. So far I have taken nothing for it. Many thanks!

Bellanonna It is comforting to realise that others understand the same pain. There is nothing obvious to show for it. The dragging pain remains hidden. I haven't discussed this with anyone before today.

Neither have I soop!

Panache it's good to hear from you. I hope your dh continues to have effective pain relief. Soop I have no advice, just ?.
I had a lovely visit from dd and dgs. We played in the garden and I fed them lunch then he went for a nap while DD and I blethered. They're off home and I'm putting my feet up. Take care all.

Grandmabatty That sounds like a perfect way to enjoy your Sunday afternoon. So...relax!

I am heartened that a number of my friends here in the kitchen have taken the time and trouble to respond to my post regarding Fibromyalgia.
Bella It is good to share.

I am logging off for today. Here is a photo of the amazing plant that was a mere bulb not so very long ago.

Thank you all for your company.

Thank you for letting us know how your DH is doing Panache even though it must be so difficult for you. Sending hugs and gentle thoughts your way ?
Also for you dustyangel ? and hope your appointment this week goes well
Sorry to hear about your fibromyalgia soop I can’t offer any advice but I do hope you soon find something that eases the pain a bit more for you.. Thank you for my DH birthday wishes we’ve enjoyed a lovely day walking along the beach at Nairn, just outside Inverness. He’s watching the football now so quite happy!

I’m another sufferer from Fibromyalgia, I was first diagnosed about twenty years ago and prescribed a medication that two years ago they decided was highly addictive and I had to come off it. I haven’t slept well since. (I have two damaged areas in my spine from a very old injury) I have a tiny pot of something commercial that smells like Vics and has a minuscule amount of CBD oil in it which works immediately but has no lasting relief. My physiotherapist says it’s psychological, I don’t care! I’ve found that some doctors don’t seem to believe in Fybromyalgia but hopefully we can all help each other.

That Amaryllis is absolutely stunning soop, I’ve been meaning to ask you what camera you use as your photos are always so clear.

Good afternoon - just popping in the kitchen to say hello but sadly can't have any cake on this diet!! panache you are in my thoughts at this difficult time. soop I too have fibromyalgia together with sjogrens, this together with fused ankle and hind foot reconstruction means I do need to take quite strong meds. Send me a pm if I can help at all? Tamil black pepper chicken on the menu tonight - one of the simply cook recipes which are always good. Sending virtual hugs to all who are in need and please stay safe