Val's Cafe

dachshund

Hello Barbara Christine Kathleen Elizabeth Toni.
i hope you all have a good weekend and bank holiday.
take care
joan xx

tkachev

Oh Toni that is awful about her child benefit being stopped. You'd think there would be special rules for seriously ill children like with the DLA. It was designed to encourage 16-18 year olds to stay on at school but in Lucy's case it hasn't been a choice. I find that very unfair.

She would have had difficulty passing English because they get a lot of help at school (almost spoon-fed) and Maths requires a lot of concentration. But what a fantastic result with her science!

Barbara Happy Anniversary. enjoy your Tapas. It is difficult to get out to the shops to buy our partners cards isn't it especially as they are usually with us.

Applerose fancy having to show their boy how to use a washing machine. I would be a different model anyway and that will confuse him. Dare I say that my 2nd Son (who attends special school) is always the first to try out all gadgets. He does't need a manual as it is all common-sense. Same with ironing really. Don't think anybody showed me. Mind you OH parents always boast they taught him to iron and cook but doesn't mean they will actually do it! Mine has ironed 5 times in 5 years- I'm counting.

Still no Toady.

Joan have a lovely weekend ad anyone else I've missed.

Elizabeth xxxx

frogmorton

Evening everyone

I am cooking lentil dhal...no idea whether it will work, but a lot of the Asian mums at the hospital cook it and Lucy loves it

Elizabeth the benefits lot are meanies aren't they? Not to worry I will have a word with the hospital SW and see what he thinks we ought to do. Very reassuring what you said about the exams. She will do fine if she sticks to just redoing maths and English I think

I hope Toady is ok :? She been missing a while? :?

Hi Joan - I hope you are having a good weekend too and have some sunshine

Barbara I hope your GD enjoys her art and it's sometimes bets to have a change of environment at 16 it can mature them.

I hope you thoroughly enjoy your tappas

Love

Toni xxx

TeaBag

Don't know much about this Café but could I have a cuppa please nice and strong very little milk and no sugar

barbara12

Hello teabag you are very welcome its just a place were we meet most days to say what we have been up to or just chat..and the food is calorie free just take a seat and I will make you a cuppa..we do like to see new people in
Toni I think you are right there ..it will do her good to have a change..she does love her art..oh Lentil dhal my neighbours mum cooks us that they are veggie Asians..I am sure that Lucy will enjoy..I haven't a clue how to cook it
Joan hope you and Sue have a lovely weekend..
Elizabeth..I got a card...cant believer it I usually get him one and he doesn't bother..bless..I am now embarrassed :oops: ..but like you say its hard to get out
Teabag just a point don't think you always have to read back to see what people are up to ..it is hard to remember sometimes ..and I started it... :oops:
Had our Tapas and it as good ok...its a little place in town and it was recommended..but I think they had microwaved the food it was stuck to the plates..but the bread and oil was good...I didn't get the sapphire... the sun is still shinning here and has been a lovely day...see you later...

applerose

Toni, that is bad that they are stopping your child benefit. Surely they should reconsider because of your circumstances. But you are right not to worry about it. Lucy did so well in her exams. There will be plenty of time later to redo the ones she wants to. I don't think I have ever tried lentil dahl. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Happy anniversary Barbara. My son and daughter both knew how to cook, iron and look after themselves long before they left home. My son did however pretend he couldn't. My dad was in the navy and often showed us how to press a pair of trousers properly. He also used to spend a long time polishing his shoes and boots till you could see your face in them. I think it's a good idea for your GD to go to 6th form. It'll be a bit more grown up and I think they are more likely to work hard because they want to. Glad you enjoyed your tapas even if it was stuck to the plate. No sapphire? Tut tut. Just as well you didn't buy a card.

Hi Joan. Hope your weekend is going well.

Elizabeth, I thought that. The washing machine he'll be using will probably be different and they may even have to use a laundrette. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Hi Teabag. Nice to meet you. The kettle is always on here and someone always leaves cake and biscuits (as Barbara said all calorie-free).

I was on the bus on the way to dad's today when a little old lady, who I had quite often seen, got on. She walked up to me, leaned over to me and said, "You look lovely. I really mean it. You look lovely." I was quite choked up. How sweet was that? Later, an elderly man who had sat next to me asked if the bus went in to the High Street in town or if it went round the back of the town. Well it has been going round the back for a long time now so that's what I told him. So, he and his wife got up just before the bus turned off and I got up to follow them. The little old lady and a man I know both stopped me and said the bus now went right in to the High Street. I went to tell the couple but they had already got off the bus. I felt really bad but why didn't someone correct me? :roll:

toady

Hello everybody I'm not missing as such, just disorganised as per usual nice to see everyone.

Happy Anniversary barbara glad you had a good day

and well done Lucy & Frog, barbara's GD & TK's son in their exams bravo everybody.

applerose - I am supposed to be painting my kitchen, I got so far a little while ago but I decided to treat that as more of an undercoat as I was just using up old paint (the walls aren't brilliant) so now I can do a bit more prep as I wouldn't have had enough for a 2nd coat. When I've decided. I would have had too many ideas as well if asked to come up with a scheme, like yours. How very nice of the lady to pay you that compliment. A pity about the bus route mixup, no-one told me when they changed our bus route no. & I sat there letting good buses go by til I cottoned on. :roll: Your pigeon sounded as though he was giving you a 'what you looking at' sort of look. :shock:

hope mig's shed is nice & empty now, nothing in mine these days but spiders so it is actually not much use as a shed - I should charge them rent, then at least it would bring in an income.

not long til kaths appt, hope the unusual bedding arrangement is still helping, very inventive.

joan, I hope your mouth is improving, and wishing you a good bank holiday too, it sounds a bit rainy on Monday from all accounts but maybe it will be only patches.

I'm not sure I have even mastered my own washing machine fully so applerose could move onto me when she's finished with teaching clueless 18-yr-olds.. in fact TK's lad would make me look clueless, I imagine. Whether it's the done thing to say or not these days, boys do have the edge on understanding gadgets & I envy them. What I wonder is, where does that aptitude come from, when for millenia there was no machinery, so it can't really be a 'hardwired since forever' sort of skill? The right sort of basic brain skills I suppose. Annoying, anyway.

However I have cooked a pie in my new oven. Hip hooray for me..

Welcome teabag I am just doing my online shop so I am taking requests for biccies if you have a preference.

Love & a good weekend to all, toady xx

mig

Sorry this is late Barbara hope you have had a good day,best wishes to both. Mig

frogmorton

WELCOME to the café from me too to Teabag

Sounds like, (from your username), you'll fit in perfectly

and a relief to see Toady is fine I am impressed at your pie cooking. Is it available in the café?

My dhal was rather nice if I do say so myself :oops: Barbara it was pretty easy. I love that aspect of Asian culture 'sharing' with people. So nice Glad the tappas was good(ish apart from the microwaving) and excellent that you got a card!!!!

Christine I will telephone child benefit I think tomorrow if I get time because I think Lucy might need a transfusion as well as chemo :?

I wonder why no-one corrected you at the bus-stop :? but how lovely for you to receive a compliment like that

Hello mig What's for dinner today?

Sun is shining here today

Sleeves up:





and finally



love

Toni xxx

mig

Morning all,the sun is shinning the sky is blue but don't like the forecast for tomorrow.
It's roast pork today with sage and onion,roasties,tender stem broccoli ,cauliflower cheese for hubby who doesn't like broccoli (there's loads so veggies won't feel left out)and trying out dauphinois potatoes ( doing roasties in case they don't turn out right and last but not least yorkie puddings,they're frozen so I might bung in a few more and have jam on afterwards.
Frog where did you get your little pictures from,can manage photos now would like to try something else.
Got a new vac it's so lightweight I can lift it easily ,it's an upright couldn't cope very well with the old pull along one.
Have a good bank holiday . Mig

barbara12

Morning all
And thanks for the messages for our anniversary..very kind of you all
Christine yes I forgot about the shoe cleaning..my dad used to walk behind us to check our shoes.. these buses do catch people out so dont worry but I do no what you mean...I have done this more than once..once I told a couple to get off it turns around here..so we all got off only to watch the bus drive away.. and how lovely of the lady to d to compliment you..we don't do this enough
Toady I still feel guilty you having to read back..its hard enough..when the cafe is busy..congratulation on cooking the first pie in your new oven.. and these washing machine are like computers with all the buttons all we want is wash and spin..or in my case a short wash...for dark clothes...
Thankyou for the flowers Mig...the little smilies are cosgan and really easy just click on the one you want and it comes up in a blue bar at the bottom..just copy it
Toni ..good for you cooking the dhal and more to the point it being good I should give it a go..yes the Asians are lovely at sharing ..they are always coming round with food when they visit there daughter.. hope Lucy enjoyed some of it..and you get the benifit sorted that is all you need...
The sun is shinning ..we dont have any GC here but the baby is coming later..her mum said when we weren't in yesterday and they had to drive past she screams..
See you all later ...xxxxx

tkachev

Toni I hope there is some way you can still be eligable for Child benefit. I know with tax credits once the child benefit stops end of August (say your child has decided to leave education) it cannot be reinstated if the child changes their mind and then goes back to further education. I bet your lentil Dahl was lovely.
I had a naughty diet day yesterday as we had loads of bread on the go and I hate to waste food. Then I got the shakes so had to eat a bakewell tart, 2 packets of crisps and a few squares of chocolate and ended up a few pounds heavier before bedtime. I do often get shaky and usually food relieves it. Back on the diet today.

Applerose I hope they didn't think you playing tricks on them. Especially as you never got off the bus.

OH I can imagine baby getting upset being driven past your house Barbara. How lovely that you are so loved. I don't get on with my in-laws at all. Lucy told me her Nan said I was lazy :roll: Lucy of course was incensed and defended me but its not nice to tell a child things like that.

OH and Lucy have just filled a large bowl with raspberries. She is having her usual holiday movicol madness and is in a bit of discomfort. The fruit should help.

I have been trying to buy clothes for the 6th form. They have to dress smart but we don't quite know what that means. I suppose he can wear any colour shirt and a jumper, hopefully no ties.

Glad you are okay Toady. Good point about males and gadgets. I just think e ladies are too busy to worry about gadgets as we have enough on our plates.

Both my boys were awake at 4 am. Then I had to leave Son no.2 to go back to my bed and couldn't sleep. I couldn't disturb the others with the TV or light on so just kept thinking of things I had to do.

Barbara did the sun shine on your wedding day?

Hope Joan gets a chance to pop in and welcome to Teabag

Elizabeth

Kitty

Hello everyone,

Many congratulations to Barbara, Lucy & Toni, barbara's GD & TK's son, and welcome to teabag.

We've been to our local church flower festival this afternoon. The displays are gorgeous, but the best bit are the refreshments after. I had two salmon cobs, some lettuce and tomato, a piece of date and walnut cake and a cup of tea. So I'm stuffed, but will have a lovely cuppa.

Only 15 days to go, so tomorrow it will be two weeks. My little trick with the folded duvet does appear to be working toady, the old pins get rather cold though, but that is the idea. :roll: hope the kitchen eventually gets a final coat of paint. ours is white at the top and a light green below, with a border dividing the two colours.

Hope everyone has a good Bank Holiday. After all the walking to the church, around the church, around the stalls outside the church hall, my hips and lower back were killing me. I fell asleep for a while when we got back. :oops:

mig

cheers Barbara

toady

Hello all just breaking for a cuppa while fiddling with some other comp-related stuff that I'm not getting far with - trying to source a pc component (everything except what I want seems to be dirt cheap :roll: ), finishing my online groceries, & tidying out a few folders.

So teabag can pass me the sugar as it's not wanted at that end of the table. May have to have a snack too after reading about Kath's refreshments, that all sounds very very nice. I must say I miss salmon & fish in general much more than meat. Church catering is usually the business isn't it. Maybe a light sheet over legs would be a happy medium? Though a bit tangly probably. Finding it quite cold at the moment, me; it's never going to suit everyone but this does seem chilly for Aug bank hol.

Talking of catering, when I said I was using the new mini-oven, we are talking 'heating up' here so sorry to disappoint anyone hoping for home cooking. I'll leave the lentil dhals and the cauli cheese to the un-lazy brigade. That said, I was v pleased how well the oven works and actually it's an ideal cafe bit of kit so pie can certainly go on the menu individual cheese & onion, it was.

Barbara don't worry about me skimming back over, I don't look on it as compulsory, honest and I keep up to date even when not posting (I read on my phone, just don't post on it) - so I'm not behind anyway, when I do come in.

Hope you make up for your sleepless early hours, TK, & didn't go round too many times thinking over your chores etc. How are you finding CBB, they are an.. er.. volatile lot, aren't they. :shock: & some apparently pretty unpleasant characters, though everything does get magnified in there; fascinating, watching the effect the situation has on people.

Right tea & to the checkout, so last call for tasties. See ya, toady xx.

applerose

Toady, my washing machine won't heat the water now so once the water goes in, I have to manually turn the dial round to wash. It's getting on a bit so I'm thinking of buying a new one. Now, do I want 15 wash programmes or 20, maybe even 30? What sort of pie did you make? I love pies but hardly ever eat them, being wheat free. Gluten free are so expensive and I usually can't be bothered to make them. Just read your other post. Cheese and onion and the heat up sort.

Toni, hope Lucy is ok. Did she need the transfusion? Hope you both had as good a day as you could.

Mig, dinner sounds tasty. A lightweight vac sounds good to me. I find it difficult to use the pull along ones. I find I bend over and my back hurts.

Barbara, you are right about us not complimenting people enough. I often think about it but don't like to in case they think I'm a bit strange. Aaw, not good that the baby screams but really lovely that she wants to come and see you.

Elizabeth, I don't think you have anything to worry about having cake and chocolate yesterday. You have been doing so well and I know you'll carry on again. Do you have much more to lose or is it just a lifestyle change? How awful of Lucy's nan to say that to her. At least Lucy knows the truth. It's difficult to know what to wear for 6th form. I think most of them wear jeans and t-shirts. He'll find out once he starts. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight.

Kath, the church festival sounds lovely with the flower displays and refreshments too. Hope your hips and back feel easier now.

Managed to get out in to the garden for a while this afternoon to cut a few things back now they've finished. The grass is rather long but it is too wet to cut. Also sorted out a few more books for the bookshelf and some for charity. Still got ironing to do but think it'll wait till later.

frogmorton

Morning all

I thought yesterday was Monday :oops:

so I nearly got Lucy up for chemo! Luckily my husband has more sense

For you mig:
http://www.cosgan.de/smilie.php

Vac sounds great as for the Yorkshire Lucy had 3 yesterday!!

Aw Barbara how sweet that Baby loves you so much she screams when she can't visit Nice to have had a break from the GDs maybe?

Tia will be off September too...it's gonna be quiet round here

Elizabeth I will contact Cben tomorrow and let you know how I get on.
As for your not-so-good diet day I think if you get the shakes you must eat blood-sugar is too low
Poor Lucy I hope that the raspberries have helped her ((()))

Hi KathT it sounds like your church flower show was a good place to be I love flowers, but maybe love food more 2 weeks today!

Busy busy toady too much computer malarkey there for my liking :?

Glad the pie can go on the menu I rather like cheese and onion. When I was pregnant with my Lucy I ate two ch and O pasties a day (by 11 am)

Christine I was wrong about the hospital it's this morning!!! Got to ring in a mo because Lucy thinks it's 12.30 I think it's 10.30 and she is likely correct with my track record :oops:

As for your washer - go for the simplest you can!!!

Expecting Daisycat to come flying through the door any second as it's hammering down :shock:

love to you all

Toni xxx

barbara12

Morning all
Ooh Toni glad you didn't set off for the hospital..I would have been no use I never know what day it is :? hope it all goes well today ..and you can get back home and relax..so Tia will be leaving the nest..I am sure you will see her regular..but it is sad..
Christine I an the same I think how lovely someone looks.. but now I try and tell them...I say try :? depends on who they are glad you got in the garden it was lovely here yesterday has been all week..hope we get a good sunny Autumn..
Toady there was us lot waiting for these pies... that made me laugh its something I would do..set it going but not use it..Salmon is cheap at the min but it means going to markets were they sell fish..few and far between these days :roll: glad you dont feel pushed into reading back..
Mig I see Toni has put the link on for you...much better..hope you get on with it
Kath..I love to go to church fetes or especially the ones that sell home made cakes...glad you enjoyed it..but I see you are suffering with your back..is that from the walking :?: not long to wait now...Elizabeth the sun did shine on our wedding day..it wasn't till we came out of the church and was lovely..
Well its raining here this morning...one GD in bed ..but she has a concert tomorrow someone that was on X factor last year...a meet and greet...£9..
Will put the kettle on ..I'm having scrambled eggs on toast...see you later..xxxx

tkachev

I had a look at the child benefit site Toni and it seems you are supposed to tell them if she is in hospital for a length of time and can only carry on getting the benefit if you spend the money on necessary things. :roll: So be prepared to assure them she needs new clothes due to weight loss and all the parking costs and magazines for her. I suppose the government think Parents don't need it because they are being fed in the hospital so at a time of great worry and financial hardship, as many parents cannot work while their child is ill ,they decide cuts are a good idea.

But there is nothing about 16-18 year olds who cannot attend school due to being in hospital.

Not intending to worry you but just want you to be prepared.

Elizabeth xxxx

dachshund

Hello Toady Mig Toni Elizabeth Barbara Christine Kathleen and welcome Teabag.
i hope everyone is having a good bank holiday with not too much pain.
take care everyone thank you my mouth is not so sore as i got the
anti in time.
joan xx

Kitty

Hello all, my goodness it is a very cold and wet one today. Completely different from yesterday!!

Toady, I daren't cover up with a sheet, because when I get a mad itching spree, I make myself bleed. :roll: bad enough on my PJs, but worse on a sheet. xx

Although it is wet, my back and hips have recovered from yesterday's walking. Shame about my shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands - very stiff and painful. :x it's not as if I'm not getting enough omega 3, we had salmon again today, in Florentine sauce. Bought it from Ice***d.

Joan, glad your antibiotics are working.

Toni, poor Lucy, almost got her chemo a day early. How are her bloods? I only got neutropenia twice. Not nice. :shock:

I think all that salmon is causing internal problems. Can't stop burping. Could be worse.

tkachev

I slept better last night but a very loud noise disturbed me. It turned out to be the plane carrying the Ebola victim flying in to RAF Northolt.

Lucy is suffering although the meds are working well. She is very grumpy this morning.

I did get a letter about 6th form clothing but it was very vague although it said no canvas shoes,sports clothing or denim. Its just that all we have are black trousers and white shirts which is really his school uniform but I'm sure he wants to get away from that.

The diet is a lifestyle change Applerose. My BP was high and I have spent such a lot of time in bed with fatigue so I'm trying to make some changes. The steroid injection has helped with the fatigue although I'm having long lie-ins trying to match my Son's sleep patterns. He wants me to sit with him all the time. He is currently watching the Simpsons (all episodes) and if I move (to make a cuppa or wash up) he gets upset. Respite day tomorrow (Tuesday) so I'll be able to get a few other things done like the ironing and hoovering. I don't even need to make him a packed lunch as he is going bowling followed by burger and chips! Hopefully he will behave. I'll send him in an old coat too because they always seem to lose his when he goes bowling.

Barbara I bet you looked lovely on your Wedding day. I'd love to know what you wore.


Must say I love cheese and onion pie. Nothing wrong with heating things up Toady especially when you are so busy.
I've only seen a bit of CBB because it clashes with the small bit of time I spend doing puzzles and chatting with Lucy. So far It has been a bit aggressive, people squaring up to each other. They all seem to be on a short fuse. Actually we watched the Dr Who movie last night and we both ended up crying when the 1st Doctor had to give up because he was struggling.

Sounds like you had a lovely time at the flower festival Kath even if it wore you out.

Joan hope you have a lovely peaceful day.

Love to all. Who ate all the pies......

applerose

Toni, glad your husband realised before you woke Lucy up. Hope all went well today. It does get quieter as the kids leave the nest but I'm sure Tia will save her washing for you.

Barbara, it has threatened to rain here all day but hasn't up till now. I have put the heating on for a short while now as I started feeling a bit chilly. Another concert for your GD? Good for her. She obviously has a lot of fun.

Elizabeth, that was a good find. I'm astonished. Surely, as you say, when a child is in hospital it actually costs the family more, not less. Hope Lucy is feeling a little less grumpy tomorrow. Hope the lifestyle change is helping with the fatigue. Have a good day tomorrow.

Hope you have enjoyed the weekend Joan. Glad your mouth is a little better.

Kath, just wondering, could you maybe rub your itchy bits rather than scratching with your nails? Maybe it would help prevent the bleeding. Must be driving you crazy. Hope the rest of you feels better tomorrow.

Spent the afternoon at my son's. The 2 eldest are off to Blackpool tomorrow for a few days with Grandma and Grumpy and one of their cousins. The weather forecast says they'll be rained on at least one day. The baby was full of herself when she woke up so we both went up to her bedroom and trashed it with toys. Oops! I even got a rub of blankie on my face. Just remembered it's recycle week so must go and put everything out. 4 bags of garden waste and a big bag of cardboard and plastic. :shock:

barbara12

Morning all
Joan I am glad to hear your mouth is a little better , long may it continue
Kath I think the change in the weather can make us suffer more..ie the pressure.. :roll: hope your joints ease up soon ..it bad enough on top of everything else..
Elizabeth glad its respite today for you..I am not eating much at the moment but still not losing weight..I am thinking of getting a little juicer..then I know I am getting the vitamins
Om my wedding day I wore a white dress and veil..the dress was fitted with lace coming from the wait..it was £6 second hand..not much .money around in those, days, and it was my friends and I did like it...and 3 bridesmaids in emerald green with little white flowers under the bust.green was.said to be unlucky in those days ..good luck with the diet
Christine..yes another concert...there are 4 friends that go together..and they do have fun..
What a lovely time you had with your GD.. bless rubbing your face with her blanket..now that is love trashing the room reminds me of when I used to say to ours lets be little devils and we did that ..to the amazement of them hope the others have a good time in Blackpool we are called going fora few days, its only 45 mins away and we have only stopped there twice..I want to see all the work they have done on the promenade..thats my excuse..
Its is dark here and windy..hope September is better...OH is coming home early so off out somewhere..
See you all later xxxxx

toady

Hi folks raining cold & dull. :? September had definitely better be nicer! Quite horrid. Didn't have the best of nights and trying not to blame it on the new mtx pen as there is no reason why it should be.. it's exactly the same stuff I suppose.. but it definitely seemed to not go down well, so I'm not looking forward to the next one now. :roll: No plans today except a very few small jobs & then catch up on some sleep.

Everyone is off to Blackpool then are they hope it picks up by the time barbara goes and for applerose's GC's. I do like Grandma and Grumpy is he..?

TK being woken by the ebola victim's plane coming in.. omg :shock: . Whole thing doesn't bear thinking about. Poor guy, having been out there helping, where there can't be too many rushing to volunteer. Must be made of very different stuff to the likes of me, that's all I can say.
Hope Son is having a good day out bowling & comes back with his coat. I haven't seen the Dr Who movie although I seemed to be in tears through most of one the last series of eps :oops: when I was more ill it took nothing to set me off though, a bit of emotive soundtrack & a sad storyline was more than enough.

Sorry your joints are being pests Kath hope they settle a little. Hope the indigestion is improving too. Will rummage in the cupboards for some peppermint & fennel tea - good, if you can stand the stuff. Mittens for the scratching?

Pleased to hear the anti-b's are helping, joan, let's hope it clears for good now & stays away. Hope you are doing alright apart from that as well.

I see frog & lucy made it to the hosp at the right time but had a slightly longer time of it than planned, hope things are back into sequence now.. will check other thread for an update. Cheese & onion rolls have been added to the menu, and toms on toast, with cheese & homegrown chive topping. Cheese does tend to figure in quite a lot of things round here, should be adding in more lentils & whatnot for alternative protein but takes more effort.

Hope mig's new vacuum is running beautifully.. did you squeak in & get a powerful one before they become 'outlawed' - black market hoovers, I suppose that will be next, an underground trade in turbo-charged Henry's.