Val's Cafe

bosh

Hi To Joan Barbara Ar and K. I hope you’re All okay and are having a nice morning.? Hi Toni how are you? hope you managed a nice walk this morning I’m doing it from memory type message today as it were because I feel this will help keep it short or at least that’s the idea, lol. Poor Lucy having to have methotrexate through the spine of a horrible yellow shade too, that sounds extremely nasty I have heard of metho being used for cancer treatments in very high doses, must’ve been v difficult time indeed. V sorry to hear about the other baby getting Covid. It’s my time of the month now so I’m not in a good mood unfortunately and like you said there’s no point eating too much rubbish to console myself because that will affect upset my stomach, oh well plastic cupcakes it is then. I have Everything that you’ve written Toni I’m just a bit tired even doing physio was a bit painful today to be honest so I’ll leave it there take care of yourself have a good day. Xx

Kitty

First I have some bad news. My laptop has a problem and can’t get into Windows. I was going to look for the poem about Avril saving my life as it isn’t on my iPad! So if I can’t get it fixed, I’ve lost everything.

Antoinette, in answer to your question, YES I was born with a lack of Calcium and all my baby teeth crumbled. When I started to walk, I was very bandy legged and the doctor said I should have callipers! Mum said no, and sent me to ballet. class to strengthen my legs. She also gave me a Marge glass of milk and Calcium tablets. It worked, but now I’m old, my legs and teeth are as bad as they were as a child.

Get off your horse

and drink your milk.

bosh

Hi Arthuritis, hope you’re okay today? Just wanted to say my baby nephew made a special lady friend called Manon, it just reminded me of the film and Manon de Sources, just thought it was really funny and was wondering if that rings a bell with yourself or anyone else reading this message? Okay French cinema - related humour over for now bye take care.x

toady

Hi, will be in some other time but just wanted to say eek, Kitty, oh no not your laptop 😧 what have you tried? I have rescued a problem hard drive before using (I think! it was a long time ago) a disc with a copy of Lubuntu (Linux) on which let me into the laptop's files - but I'm not sure whether the drive had died a death, I seem to remember it would power on but getting a blue error screen and couldn't boot to Windows. Anyway hope you can sort it and don't give up hope on your stuff as files can nearly always be saved as long nothing too irrevocable has happened! Will pop in & see if there's any news.

bosh; Jean de Florette! (I'm afraid I've seen neither!) all I remember from ('80s?) is they were well thought of/won awards? & cropped up a lot.. were on Channel 4 I daresay, when it was good old Film on Four not FilmFour. Surprising what stays in your mind, haven't thought of in a long time.

dachshund

Good morning everyone

Kitty (()) I’m so sorry about your laptop I hope you can save something good luck. you are low in calcium I have to much. Love to Chris (()) and Anita (()) and Emily (()) and your Dad (())

I have a problem with my tablet when I go to write it goes green around the edge of the column and the keyboard won’t work so I’m writing this on my phone.

Reshmi (()) have a good day I hope your pains are not to bad(())

love to Toni and family (())

Barbara love to everyone (()))

Toady (()) have a good day

Mike (()) how are you and vixen

Carol (())

bosh

Hi t you’re exactly right, not sure of all details now, saw films long ago, but Manon was a grown female and a lonely shepherdess, not a toddler lol. Xx

bosh

hi Joan I’m not too bad today thank you how are you and Sue? I hope you have a nice day take care. X

barbara12

Evening all rain and more rain here

But good news Mr B has a date fir his heart scan 22nd i think ..so might just get a new hip soon xx

Toni so the girls ate on there way to the sunshine 😁 ..yes Mr B was pleased well not quite the word..but glad you said about hour neighbours heart ..and goid Jews he had a call today scan is on the 22nd I think they said..Lucy was ine brave girl going through all that ..but mum was thete all the way xx

Toady how nice to see your pots coming to life 😁we have cats next door that love to chase birds..iv tried everything even water pistols 😅they think it a game ..glad you got sun at least xx

Reshmi morning sickness us awful si u feel fir you ..think I have said my Indian neighbour used to make me ginger tea..when I felt sickly with these kidneys..its the only thing that works and good fir inflammation xx

Kitty what brill7ant photos.loving smutty 😁.but your little legs 😔good for your mum putting so much into getting you better ..well for a few years xx

Joan thankyou for all the hugs I still dint know how you remember everything xx

I have righted some typos but given up

Love to all

Xxxxxx

barbara12

The cheeky rat

bosh

Hi Barbara thanks for your nice message but I think there may have been a bit of a misunderstanding I’ve never had morning sickness but Toni poss thinks I have , lol, but thanks for the advice, I may try that at some point but it is my time of the month though, so I am not feeling that good glad the green tea is helping you though take care. Xx

Arthuritis

@frogmorton Hiya! Thanks for the pics of the ‘tater pancakes and chutney! yum!!!

@Kitty Thank you for sharing those pics, they are wonderful… do post more if you have them.

Has anyone found anti-inflammatory chocolate made of flax seed oil (or omega 3) instead of this:

Sugar, Palm Oil, Hazelnuts (13%), Skimmed Milk Powder (8.7%), Fat-Reduced Cocoa (7.4%), Emulsifier: Lecithins (Soya), Vanillin.

(This is a famous choc spread, nice but we can’t have it as sugar & palm oil are no no’s)! We need an RA friendly version!

Palm oil is 45x inflammatory omega 6 to every 1 part omega 3 (anti-inflammatory) they both compete for the same enzymes, and you don’t want omega6 to win. Flax & chia are the only common seed oil sources where the omega 3 is the majority and wins.

Then the ton of sugar is the next challenge…

😴Dreams of RA friendly choc and junk food!

frogmorton

Morning everyone ☺️

Blowy out there hopefully not raining though.

Still no sign of Mike although I am sure today is the day Sue comes to clean the bungalow.... Any special treats purchased Mike? I do hope everything is ok with you and Vixen xxx

Morning Reshmi I hope you don't feel too rough though I expect not at all great it being that time again....doesn't it come round quickly 🙄Oh dear me I have inadvertently made Barbara think you are 'with child'😫Mind you her ginger tea suggestion is not a bad idea anyway.

Yes I think MTX might have been a chemo drug first before being a successful DMARD for RA-ers. Poor Lucy had it in her spine monthly (treatment 2.5 years) and several courses through a drip in her arm big bags of the vile yellow stuff. I felt queasy just looking at it. Then in the last 6 months of her treatment in tablet form (sound familiar?) weekly along with 6-MP mercaptopurine. There were loads of other chemos I can't remember them all and pray I never will learn them again. I'm actually rocking backwards and forwards at the memory! stop it Toni change the subject!

Even if doing your physio was hard you did it so well done. I did a wee walk and will do the same today. I think it's dry out there. By the way Manon is a beautiful name.

Big baby little baby and parents are all doing ok who have COVID.

I hope Mum (HV) the Maidenhead Constituent are all well ((())) for you.

Kitty! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Technology🤬 It's a good job you checked at least now you can try to rescue everything. I'm sure it wasn't so long ago that you put all your poems 'safely' on there too grrrrr😠

That's it I remember you saying you nearly had calipers, but your Mum sorted you out herself with good healthy diet and exercise in the form of dancing. I bet she isn't happy looking down on you now because she really did do a great job. That baby's legs are just adorable aren't they? Nothing like their chubby thighs🤗

Morning Toady nice to see you sometimes a quick zap in is all we can manage there is no pressure. I too very much hope that Kitty's files can be saved 🤞My sister spent some money yesterday on a gardener to clear hers ready for this year's planting so she is now officially ahead of me🙄hmmph!

Morning Joan you are having trouble too with your IPAD I do not know how to use them or I would try to help. Technology really can let us down can't it?🙄 Well I hope you are both well at least yourselves ((())) xxx

Morning Barbara

That is fabulous news about the scan appointment. After that Mr B will know what can be done, but more likely (I pray) that it is a minor murmur and the op can just go ahead. they are right to be cautious of course they are.

Yes Lucy had a dreadful time, but look at her now 😊all is well. Though her shoulder gives her a bit of gyp every now and then I suppose it is 5 years old now and used a lot.

Oh dear me I see a cheeky rat pinching the fat balls! Having said that they do have the dearest faces don't they?

Don't you worry about your typos we can see what you mean anyway.

I hope all is well with @Arthuritis today or as well as possible at least.

Breakfast?

vegan option.

Mike1

Still no sign of Mike although I am sure today is the day Sue comes to clean the bungalow.... Any special treats purchased Mike? I do hope everything is ok with you and Vixen xxx

Morning Froggie, thanks for the concern. I have been rather introspective for the past few days as I have had something other than my OA etc to worry about. Had a face to face appointment with my GP yesterday, fortunately the blood tests last week came back clear so far as my prostate is concerned. But the appointment was for lumps which I had detected in my cheek and neck, the latter being rather large; suffice to say that he has invoked the Armed Forces Covenant to get me to ENT asap as he is worried that the neck one may be cancerous so I now have to wait for the hospital to phone through with an appointment and if they do not within 5 days then I have to kick up a storm. He did say not to worry as it is only about 3 in every 100 he refers that are actually confirmed!! ECG tomorrow for the irregular heart beat detected last week which is a worry too. So all in all I am feeling rather out of kilter. On the bright side my baby sister Susan is 60 today and has booked herself a session to learn stained glass window making; and Sue my Home Help will be here for a good old natter and chocolate cornflake nests complete with little eggs. Have a good day yourself.

dachshund

Good morning everyone

Barbara (()) that is good Mr B (()) having is app perhaps he will soon hear about one for his hip (()) that’s a good photo of the rat pinching the birds food. love to your son (()) and Niamh (()) and your brother (()) and his girlfriend (()) and your niece (()) and her fiancé (())

Toni (()) how is everyone thank you for offering to help. Love to Paul (()) and Charley (()) and Annie (()) and the carers (()) and Lucy (()) and Tia (()) and Kari (()) and your lovely neighbours (())

Reshmi (()) have a good day love to your mum (())

Kitty (()) love to everyone i hope you have sorted your laptop (())

Mike (()) and vixen thinking of you (())

Arthuritis

@frogmorton All is as well as can be with RA. I so look forward to when I can have a pain au choc! 😋😋Or any of the naughty but nice brekkies on your pictures! Getting fed up of the green smoothies but they do keep a lot of the RA pain away and make MTX more effective. Wonders that the gold standard for RA is MTX, invented in 1947!

bosh

Hi Ar , just wanted to say although I’m no expert in nutrition and even less so in matter scientific, lol, I was thinking about your question about how to make the healthy non-inflammatory chocolate spread, you try using Stevia instead of sugar perhaps? I also like green and Blacks organic no added sugar cocoa powder brilliant taste although a bit expensive, about the oil question again I’m no expert but I do know that rapeseed oil is good for diabetics just thought those observations of mine might help Hope you’re well? take care. Xx

barbara12

Afternoon all yes its me early fir once

Reshmi noo I knew you wasn't with child ..but gad a sort of morning sickess with your meds ..sorry I'm laughing here ..🤭hope today is a good one xx

Toni no you didn't confuse me ..mind you irs easily done ..🤣yes fingers crossed for Mr B ..and thankyou fir the cheese on toast low salt I presume ..my friend ysed to breed tame rats ..they realky do maje good pets very intelligent xx

Arthritis.. it's so interesting that you find the smoothys help..I have oa and can't take most meds ..is there a site fir the recipes xx

Mike we will all be thinking about you ..and hope all the test are fine xx

Joan yes Mr B us pleased but very nervous..but at the min he can hardly walk . So he knows it's time xx

Love to all

Xxxxx

bosh

hi to kitty Joan and Barbara, how are you all doing today? Joan I hope that Sue is well? take care x

hi Toni, how are you today? I’m doing my from memory technique of answering messages as I call it Lol, so I don’t get too obsessed with answering every single point thoroughly and scrolling back and hurting my neck and all that kind of thing so that’s that’s a good strategy for me it seems 😄, oh dear sorry to remind you of all the details of Lucy‘s chemo try not to think about it I know it must be hard ☹️. Yes nice name manon isn’t it? My mum looked it up and apparently she may be a French manon or a Welsh manon, so that’s a bit spoils my story a bit, lol, but all manons are welcome in my eyes, haha, but the breaking news unfortunately is that she’s no longer a special friend according to LA, oh dear, and I put so much effort into planning the wedding Toni, only joking, now the special lady baby friend is called Olivia, I don’t think I’ve seen her photo yet but, I wish he’d just such settle on one special lady baby friend to be honest its a bit disconcerting that he seems to have thousands of them, 😄, what’s going on in that Maidenhead nursery? I don’t think even mother nature knows to be honest with you, lol. No Definitely no morning sickness no pregnancy here, lol. Sorry About the family who have Covid but at least they’re doing well at the moment as you say. Mum has a kidney checkup and actual face-to-face with the specialist in Thatcham this Friday so there’s a whole load of tension in the air and stress for us all and of course mostly for my poor mum I really hope it goes well I’ll let you know. I got the time of the month rubbish going on so not feeling too good but some that’s the way it is really isn’t it? Must admit I had half a cheese sandwich today when I got hungry after walking but it hasn’t affected me badly at least not yet. By the way LA and his dad I’ve been having secret pancake breakfast at home without mummy that’s not very nice is it? Ready made pancakes, bought by mummy of course, all the evil trimmings a bit of fruit but seems to be mainly hundreds and thousands maple syrup and anything that’s high sugar oh dear!! Bill of course is meant to be watching his weight LA is prone to throwing up because sometimes they stuff is so full of food and adult portions plus tummy ache possibility and so on and so forth oh dear me mummy should at least get a pancake she is far too skinny okay that’s my LA information for the day, lol, BR is well as far as I know thanks He’s just copying every single thing that his big bro does most adoringly aww bless, Toni how’s the weather? it’s relatively mild here today which is a bit weird makes me think maybe they’ll be black ice in the next two days, lol, but I really hope there isn’t of course, I hope you are you having a nice day take care. Xx

toady

Hello all - just a line again but will be in tomorrow (I know, only if I can, not because I feel I ought, frog, thank you 😊 ). Nothing to report, aka 'Situation normal' 😉 - see you soon & catch up then - but in the meantime have a good night everyone 😘 xx

frogmorton

Morning everyone 😊

Mike gosh no wonder you have been AWOL! Anyone would feel the need to think with all that going on. Glad the prostate results are good also that the ECG is happening today and 🤞for that. Scary about your lumps and bumps. Your GP sounds on the ball to be getting you off so quickly you had better be on eon the 97 in 100 please! That's an order. ((()))

Belated birthday wishes to your baby sister

I've been up all night finishing this cake🤥

Chocolate nests with a cuppa sounded lovely (and just what you needed) though are all the women in your life called Susan?😁

Morning Joan we are all well here thank you for asking i hope the same with you and Sue? I will post a pic of the view from Charley and Annie's balcony on their honeymoon in a minute. ((())) xxx

Morning @Arthuritis maybe we need green smoothies in tablet form?! My Lucy LOVES them I mean really loves them.....takes all sorts 🤔She did NOT love the methotrexate though oh no🤢1947 yes you are quite right imagine that?!

Hi Barbara you were indeed early!

Honestly methotrexate is just like morning sickness I bet Arthuritis also is with child🤭@Arthuritis ??

Of course your cheese is lo salt I wouldn't put pressure on your kidneys. BTW my bro's BP has lowered really well they are very pleased with him. He is still finding the diet a bit boring so I am seeking out nicer foods for him where I can. On the subject of brothers how is yours doing? I do hope he has picked up a bit?

You take care I am glad your son is with you to support you while Mr B has all this going on.

Toady thank you for letting us know that you are fine just busy. That garage must be immaculate by now? I can't remember if I told you that my sister had her garden cleared for her ready. She is so happy. I will be planting extra tomato plants for her. 😊

Hi Reshmi today is another day and i hope a good one for you. I think answering from memory is a good idea although if I did that I would maybe only say hello to everyone my brain is shrinking😳

That Manon must be a French Manon that's it we have decided that so that is it French definitely😊

Oh dear me we have a broken engagement and the fickle Lord A has a new love (for now) Olivia! The wedding will just have to be planned for LA and A N other! He and his Dad have been sneaking pancakes? Well I never! I didn't think BIL could actually make them so shop bought makes sense. Would be better with fruit, but I bet 100s and 1000s taste better. I hope LA's belly held up. Yours did after half a cheese sandwich that is great I am pleased because sometimes a little of what you fancy does indeed do you good😋

I will be thinking of your Mum on Friday and all of you in the anxiety provoking build up to Friday. I am sure it will go well, but it's scary knowing it's coming up soon. HV must be bubbling.....

Now our weather...no ice yet, but I was definitley colder this morning so I suspect you may be right about some black ice looming or even the dreaded snow. Us Arthritics nemesis is snow and ice🙄 My walking poles have a pointy end if I take the ferrules off, but even then I hate the stuff. I'll see you for a walk later while teh weather holds shall I?

Kitty me duck I am hoping all is well with you and Chris. I had my Ocado order yesterday no subs so all good. Kari forgot her Tesco order, but her son and dil have sorted her out. She is back on her diet bless her as is Paul (mostly).

I was just saying to Reshmi that I think it's getting colder. Be warned Sleek may well turn your thermostat up when she comes over later.

Any news on the lap top I am so worried about the poems😕Sending you ((()))

blame that on Lord A!

frogmorton

The view from Annie and Charley's honeymoon suite

Mike1

Thanks Froggie, as mentioned the GP said that the test results from last week were OK when I saw him on Monday BUT yesterday I had a call from the surgery saying that the Dr wanted BOTH the blood and piddle tests redone!! So back to square one with the prostate issue. No appointments from the hospital yet, just keeping my fingers crossed (figuratively because not physically possible with the damn OA) that the ECG will be OK today. Luckily Vixen is being very supportive,

Kitty

Hello all, I’ve got a PC expert coming to look at my laptop today.

Mike, I hope those tests on your lumps prove negative.

Toady, I’m pleased you are having a good day.

Joan, my attempts at fixing my laptop failed but I’m hoping John will fix things.

Reshmi, I hope you are having a good day.

Aurturitis, when you think of all the progress made in finding new treatments for RA, It’s a wonder they still bother with MTX. My consultant is keen on it no matter hoe hard I keep on at her to change it!

Antoinette, Sleek has the run of my house and is free to do as she pleases.

Hope I have better news tomorrow. Love to everyone. XXXXXXXXXXX

dachshund

Good morning everyone

Kitty (())I hope you are doing alright.

love to Chris (()) and Anita (()) and Val (()) and Anita (()) and your Dad (())

Barbara (()) Mr B (()) will be glad when he’s had the op. Love to your son (()) and Niamh (()) and your brother (()) and his girlfriend (()) and your niece (()) and her fiancé (())

Toni (()) thank you for the lovely photo is it warm there love to Paul (()) and Charley (()) and Annie (()) and the carers (()) and Lucy (()) and Tia (()) and Kari (()) and your lovely neighbours (())

Toady (()) I hope you have a good day

Arhritus (()) I hope you have a good day I have never tried a green milk shake

Reshmi (()) have a good day and your mum

Mike (()) good luck for today sorry I hope get the results soon love to vixen

Carol (())

Arthuritis

@frogmorton Ah yes… I was with child, prior to RA diagnosis & MTX. Since then I have given birth to a huge cheese baby, (I love stilton & port). Cheese baby weighed in at 18Kg (40lbs). So I have lost 40lbs on the bath scales in 3 months. Beat that weight watchers! Fast Weight loss for free…! Blood pressure much lower, partly due to vegan diet, low sugar & extra potassium salt sub & hibiscus teas & pomegranate brekkie. Bp used to be 170/110 now 120/85, nearly normal. Takes time to fully recover as hardened arteries slowly recover. Morning sickness continues each mtx day, still, could be worse.

Found freezing cold shower on the inflamed areas really helps, as does remaining active, ie, not go mad, just avoid white cells having too much time at each stop eating at your joints by keeping blood flowing like commuter trains. commuters only whine & get up to no good when the train’s not moving! 😄 (Not really like that but the analogy holds).

With cakes & pancakes and all things nice you are an artist, a master chef … how wonderful must your kitchen smell … dreamy yummy! You should have a fancy title… Rana Capocuoca… Froggie master chef in Italian!

Talking of which, are there any native French/Italian/Spanish/German/Russian speakers here? At some point post pandemic I want to tour EU and not leave it until later… and while travelling I should not expect citizens to talk to me in English in their own country, even if most do, I would like to make an effort. I should have done it before brexit, but better now than when RA gets the better of me. I call it the @stickywicket philosophy of life… carpe diem!

On green smoothies… I added Tesco seasonings (try different ones) to give it taste. Also fresh ginger & parsley …

I limit my sugar intake, including fruit as that def gives me worse flares, but semi keto keeps them down.

Keep posting the yummy pics. Do you have an artists portfolio of your cake art work? Never mind a Constable or Caravaggio… I’ll have a Frogmorton cake art masterpiece! (or two)!

Great honeymoon pic! I love these pics that let me enjoy them vicariously… both when & where… like black & white childhood & holiday pics…