soops kindly kitcheners and perfect pampered pets.

Hello kitcheners!

I am about to depart for an appointment with my GP to get the results of my scan, biopsies and blood tests to see if she is happy with my liver now. The gastritis has eased a lot and I feel much better and am eating a bit more too but only very bland things. I have lost 2 stones in weight but that is no bad thing and I want to keep it off. I even managed to go to choir on Wednesday evening and really enjoyed that so I think I am on the mend. I am sure taking ibuprofen caused this and I will not be taking it again.

I cannot leave for Campbeltown before a quick check on Georgie's progress. A beautiful photo of her poorly-self. She is a little trooper. She is a little star.

I promise to spend more time with you all once I return home.

Mildred The cakes have stopped me in my tracks. Save one or two for me, please.

Gaga afore I go...please let us know how your appointment goes. Two stones weight loss is a tad too much. You need one of Mildred's cakes and a whole lot of TLC. (hugs)

Bye for now.

Well all my good intentions for today have gone down the tubes. Tucking a bottom sheet under our mattress this morning and bang! Back's gone! I was only thinking yesterday I haven't had any probs with it for ages. Serves me right. I am now walking like some old person. Wait a minute! I am an old person !

My sympathies, greyduster, it must hurt . Hope you are upright again soon.

Wondering about your test results, Gaga and hoping your liver is recovering. I guess if you are happy with the weight loss that is good, but it doesn't sound the best way for it to happen. soop is right,some building up now is no bad thing.

I'm getting nowhere fast today, one of those frustrating circular mornings, need to go and buy some food, have grandchildren to feed tomorrow and there will be complaints if the cupboard is bare.

Well that was a fiasco! I turned up at the surgery and tried to book in on the screen system - it declined me so I went to the receptionist. She had a look and said there was no appointment booked for me today and there were no slots available.

I had booked the appointment on-line as I always do so neither of us could understand what had happened. Anyway, the best she could offer me was a telephone call from my GP next Wednesday morning so I accepted that as the best compromise available.

Gaga What a buggeration. I was hoping that you had been, learned something to your advantage, and come back much the wiser. I'm flabbergasted. Our GP would most definitely have slotted you in. Mind you, our practice caters for a relatively small population.

Greyduster I also sympathise with you. Back troubles are debilitating and bloody painful with it. Do you know of someone who can help restore the status quo? I've done "that walk"...turned to place something in the back of the car...walking like a "little old lady" for some time as a result. When the chiropractor invited me to "relax" I was petrified. He had his knee pressed into the small of my back. However, after he asked again (nicely) I relaxed sufficiently for him to pop whatever it was that was out of situ, back where it belonged.

corner We waited for an age to see the lady behind the post office counter. We had two passport applications which said person scrutinises before posting. MacSporran is convinced that the lady is wrong in wanting the counter signatory to add a certain detail in a certain box. The lady won the exchange of words. I had left him debating the issue and was lurking behind the biscuit counter. We have brought the documents home and need to visit our friend for the third time of asking. In the meantime, MacSporran has sent an email to the passport department. He feels so sure that he is in the right. I'm awaiting the response.

Crafting I was wondering where you were. I've also had a few blips with our computer. All sorts of messages telling me that I cannot be connected. Followed by unhelpful tips on how to manage the situation. It's when I'm given the option of doing this, that and the other (for a fee) that I lose the plot. I'm pleased that all is well at long last. It's far to parky to be standing outside the kitchen door. Have a and a and relax.

Jud It never rains...and all that jazz. Toothache is the last thing you need right now. Have you been able to visit the dentist?

kitty MacS's scalp looks like a war zone. The dermatologist freezes each lesion with a magic zapper. MacS says that it's a little like an electric shock.

Beaurocracy, soop - it drives you potty. Unlike McSporran I wouldn't dare argue with the lady in our post office. She is a gorgon! I only go in there once a year to get my fishing licence and then I feel I'd rather stand in the doorway, hook the paperwork onto the end of my line and cast it over the counter at her!
My back problem could have come at a better time. I managed to go with DH when he went to pick up our new car this afternoon and was disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to drive it back. As it turned out, we were just leaving the showroom and DH got one of his migraines and couldn't see! We had no choice but to sit in the car until it passed, which fortunately didn't take very long. Sometimes they do. I will get my turn eventually. Onward and upward!

Yes, indeed. Greyduster Your turn will come and you'll feel in the pink. Where does that silly saying come from? I bet Elegran could tell us.
The queue in the post office was rather long. I daren't stand beside MacS as he chewed the cud. I could see the dismay etched on the faces of the customers yet to be seen. I'm a bit of a coward. I quietly slipped away and left him to it. We're still waiting for a response from the passport people. If MacS is right...he'll be very chipper. If not, he'll still argue that the wording is misleading.

It's goodnight time from me. I look forward to joining you again in the morning.

You are all so lovely. I'm sorry for being such a misery. I do appreciate the kind comments though.

I got an emergency appointment with the dentist after a horrible night. Abscess diagnosed so am on painkillers and antibiotics.

We managed a little visit to Georgie whose front half was looking more like her old self, but back end not at all in control. Legs moving but not really in a meaningful way. And she is totally incontinent! She had just had a bath but ended the visit needing another one! She was so pleased to see us though, bless her. Nurse said she still has a long journey to go

Thanks for keeping us up to date with that beautiful young lady. Hopefully the paralysis of her rear legs will not be permanent. She does love to see her visitors! I feel so sorry for that little mite who does not understand what is happening to her.

Thank you, jud, appreciate the update. Hang on in there, your Georgie is a fighter. Pleased you could get to the dentist, toothache is just foul, hope those antibiotics do the trick.

Wow, MacS isn't one to be messed with soop, admire his determination and conviction. Hope it goes his way

Miserable day inside and out today, looking forward to a more cheerful one tomorrow. Stay warm and well everyone.

Judthepud2 Big (((hugs))) for you and Georgie as you are both having a rotten time.

Thank you for the update jud and glad you got to see a dentist. Hopefully, Georgie will be better day by day.

Soop, I hope MacS is proved correct! It's good to prove jobsworths wrong.

gaga that is a pain, especially when you has psyched yourself up. Let us know how you get on.

Greyduster, hope your back is recovering and you get to drive your new car soon. I think I remember that you disliked the old one. I used to have a back problem like that but haven't had to endure it for years - touches bedside chest for luck.

Today i intend to have another go at arranging flowers rather than just plonking them in a vase - wish me luck. That's after what looks like a very soggy walk to the village shops!

Thinking of Ann and hoping she is lurking somewhere and will come into the kitchen soon.

Just popped in to read the update on Georgie. Hope she continues to improve.

In the meantime, I made wholemeal bread yesterday if anyone fancies some, and I can offer a jar of homemade marmalade too.

A very good ('though damp) Saturday morning to all you dear Granspals.

Jud Poor you. You must have been in severe pain with the abscess. I'm pleased to hear that you've been prescribed some seriously useful medication.
Thank you for taking the time to update us on Georgie's condition. Both MacSporran and I together with the rest of us lot are mindful of how wretched you'll be feeling. There is nothing that you can do - apart from trust in the expertise of the vet (who will be doing his utmost to nurse Georgie back to health)...together with the visits that you make to be with Georgie. She's a very special member of your family. Please may she make a steady but fulsome recovery. We want her to return to where she belongs...HOME.

corner The passport folk haven't responded to MacSporran's email. They obviously do not work at the weekend. MacS is a lovely man. He is also inclined to stand his ground and refuses to be fobbed off when he believes he is in the right. We shall see. I shall let you know the outcome in due course.

kitty Should you be delighted with your flower arrangement, please share with us. It's soggy here in Kintyre. Low grey cloud as far as the eye can see. There isn't a hint of the marvellous scenery beyond the sea.
I often think of Ann It would be lovely to have her pop in from time to time.

NonnaW Freshly baked wholemeal bread together with homemade marmalade. Yes please. I would enjoy the bread toasted with lashings of real butter. I wish...

Sunshine today which is nice after the fog and thick cloud of last week. Even here in a village miles from anywhere the air quality was poor, you could smell smoke or exhaust fumes everywhere. Heaven knows what it must have been like in towns and cities.
Anyway yesterday while DH was over at the hospital I had some double cream that was past its sell buy so I made that scone recipe which I have seen on YouTube. 700g of SR flour, 330mils of lemonade (yes) , I used posh with real lemon juice in it and 300mil of double or whipping cream, plus a pinch of salt.
I made half plain to eat with jam and half cheese scones. Mock not, this recipe works!!
I am leaving a sample for your considered opinion.
OK they might not meet the exacting criteria of the WI /GBBO but on a wet Friday afternoon when you are desperate they hit the spot!
Glad to say DH seems to have responded well to his latest blood top up and the cellulitis is definitely receding.
Continued good wishes to ?Georgie and her frazzled humans and wishing you all a pleasant weekend.
(Only 1 more week till the rugby starts ?)

MawBroon excuse the ignorance but I was not aware that the rugby had ever ended. I hate it and it seems to be on TV each week.

I hope that the swelling in Georgie's back is subsiding but I am aware that it will take time. The poor little soul must be in so much pain but she does love to see you Jud- she knows who loves and cares for her.

We had sunshine and milder weather here for around an hour- it is turning dull again. What I should do and what I actually do today will be two different things I think.

Grace has persuaded me to forgive you Charleygirl for your lapse of taste dislike of ? rugby. But it was a close thing!!
??"Oh flow'r of Scotland....??

MawBroon 'When will we see your likes again...' I shall have this tune in my head for the rest of the day.

I need someone to chivvy me into action. It's one those days. I cannot seem to settle down to anything productive. It's as if my energy level is on a go-slow. Right! I shall prepare to pick up a duster and polish and hope for the best.

I've just this minute remembered...Rafa v Roger final tomorrow afternoon. Bliss!

What MawBroon is talking about, Charleygirl, is Rugby Union and the Six Nations Championship which starts next weekend. What you observe to have been on TV frequently this winter has probably been the 13-man game, Rugby League.
I'm with Maw on this and will be glued to my TV when it starts again. ?