Val's Cafe

dachshund

Hello Christine Elizabeth Barbara Toni Mig and anyone else I missed.
I hope everyone has had a good day. I read on the internet woolworths is coming back.
take care all
joan xx

tkachev

I saw that woolworths were coming back too Joan.

Poor Kath is still struggling and still on oxygen. She must feel awful.

Mango should be back with the family? Or will he need further tests before being reunited?

After a restless evening my elbow finally shut up and thankfully it was better in the morning. Its never going to be wonderful but if I don't use it too much I'm okay.

There are far too many choices for a new TV Barbara so I let OH choose. Some makes have a better reputation than others though and the very cheap brands are not worth the money from the reviews I have read.

The weather is all over the place. It was pouring down earlier and chilly but then the sun came out and it was lovely and warm!

Take care all, have asked my Son to take pic of the garden for me as it looks lovely and then I can have a go at downloading from Toady's instructions! Wish me luck!

Elizabeth xxx

barbara12

evening all
Toni you must have some rest time now..the amount you have raised is so amazing...and Lucy is so brave having the bloods taken and chemo by needle...
Joan I hadn't heard about Woolworths I was devastated when they closed, half my life from the 1950s was spent in there..I even had a Saturday job in one..and when the last day came I took quite a few pics inside..
Elizabeth ifI let my OH pick a TV he will come back with the biggest they make..and not give a thought to the reviews ..hope that elbow stays silent for a while..andI look forward to seeing a pic of your garden
The baby has had her preop today at Manchester children hospital..so in the next few weeks she will have her tonsils out..they go away in June so hope its well before that...they have found a small heart murmur so have to check that out with the surgeon..very common she said..
The sun is out now after an awful wet day..hope everyones doing ok...xxxx

frogmorton

Such a relief to hear from Kath isn't it? Even if she is still rough bless her.

PHEW!!!

Love to all

Toni xxx

applerose

Elizabeth, that sounds good getting ideas to help Dan. Hope they work for him. Glad your elbow is a bit better after your struggle with your parcel. A new baby. A big surprise for you. Congratulations to them. Look forward to seeing your garden.

Mig, it makes all the difference when it doesn't hurt when you have bloods done. I've tried growing rhubarb a few times but it always dies.

Barbara, it isn't easy choosing a tv now, is it? Must be difficult watching the snooker. Hope you managed to get some jobs done but don't worry if you didn't. There's always tomorrow. Hope the baby gets her op over and done with soon. I've heard heart murmurs are common and nothing to worry about.

Toni, I'm not surprised you had payback. Hope you are starting to feel better now. Lucy did fantastically well. 2 needles? Very well done Lucy.

Joan, Woolworths coming back? Oh I do hope so. I still miss them.

Kath posted on FB saying she has had her ABs changed and she is still on oxygen. Hope she gets well quickly.

Mango is in quarantine now for 10 days. My daughter will pick him up a week on Saturday. He is well but not allowed visitors which, I think, is a good idea as it would upset him to see the family then be left there.

Just had spaghetti with wild garlic pesto which I made with the wild garlic I was given at the local park. Lovely. Followed it with rhubarb whip which was a recipe I got from the cook from the park kitchen. Yummy.

toady

Hi all, called in & see what news there was of Kath, sorry it's not brilliant but glad there is an update anyway at least we know what's what.. hope things go on ok and the new ABs help.

Everyone seems not too bad, fancy TK is getting a surprise 2nd cousin-in-law! Hope all went well! expect a hasty card will be in order. It won't have the same birthday as the Duchess of C, no news there that I know of. Glad the elbow settled. Hope the pics turn out well, if you find any iffy or unclear instructions in the thread do let me know!
Yes new carpets both arrived yesterday, in the hall creating an interesting obstacle for now. Hope to get on with them or I'll be hopping over the rolls. New kettle too note to anyone needing a new one; those of a nervous disposition, don't forget a stainless steel one will act like a mirror. Didn't think, & taking it out of the box & seeing my face loom up in it was a bit of a shock. :shock:

Hope barbara can compromise on a TV of moderate size. I'm used to my old small one, but can see that if I had a bigger one & then went back, this would probably seem little. What ice-cream are you having? As I've come to the end of some neapolitan - just asking you understand, of course, not cadging, ahem poor baby will be glad of some after her op, oh dear, tonsils.. poor thing!

Applerose, hope mango will settle soon, bless him. At least that's nearly the end of his moves & he'll be home soon. Good idea not to let him see anyone. Your rhubarb whip sounds very nice. I think I have some in the garden being neglected somewhere. Typical that yours dies & mine keeps going.

Frog, you sound as though you are doing ok after everything, good - what a lovely total - and excellent news about Lucy's needles!

Joan, I hadn't heard about Woollies -I remember a branch that was 'saved' at the time by its former manager under a different name but believe it failed too, will go & look up this new story. Interesting, thanks.

Mig I might have a little of your cauli cheese if there is any. No rain here at all hardly, but keep forgetting to check if things need water. :roll:

Have been on the laptop too much one way & another today so bed for me I think. xx

mig

Plenty of cauliflower cheese left but the pies all gone,can't remember who are veggies .
So pleased to hear about Kath (we have the same rheumatologist) I was getting really worried,let's hope the new abs do the job,come on Kath we are all here for you.
Off to town tomorrow hubby needs a new shirt for this wedding we are going to,might go to the pub for lunch. Mig

barbara12

Morning all
Elizabeth thanks for letting us know about Kath sorry I missed it last night..the poor thing really is suffering...hope she feels better very soon..
Morning Toni..I hope today is a good one for you and Lucy...you must be very proud of her..
Mig thanks for the cauliflower cheese Im not veggie but love it...and you make sure you go for a pub meal while you are out..
toady..you did make me laugh with kettle... a good warning there..I love it..and glad to see the carpets have arrived..knowing our house they would be an obstacle for a few months.. :roll: our TV is small..so a big one will take over the lounge..that's what I tell OH ...
Christine glad to see Mango has arrived and like you say its much better that he doesn't see them till they can take him home.. the spaghetti sounded good especially with home made pesto..I would love the recipe for the rhubarb my neighbour is growing it and promised me some
Today I am off out OH dropping me off at my neices..hope you all have a good day...xxxxx

Cate

Just a quick visit to see how Kath is. Not good by the sound of it. Hoping she starts to feel better very soon.x

My shoulder is really bad at the moment, with the pain radiating up into my neck and head, and down my arm - right one of course! - so I'm not doing much typing. Or much of owt really.

I'll have a quick coffee while I'm here though.

Much love to you all.....Cate.x

dachshund

Hello Elizabeth Barbara Toni Toady Christine Mig Cate.
i'm pleased Kathleen is slowly getting better.
Elizabeth you are doing the right thing moving your elbow a friend didn't move her's and now she cant get her arm up straight.
Barbara have a good time when your out.
Toni you have done well and Lucy you both need a rest.
Toady you will be in need of a drink after doing the carpets.
Christine have you tried macaroni cheese with a small tin of tomato's tipped in for the liquid. it was our grans recipe.
Mig you enjoy your lunch.
Cate I hope you have had a good day.
take care
joan xx

tkachev

Oh hit the backspace and lost my post. It is so annoying. Need a save button on here....

where was I...

Kath is still struggling. really hope she starts to improve soon.
Cate anything help with the pain? It's no fun is it?

Toady my son hasn't taken the picture yet and the blossom is falling off the cherry tree so need to take it quick.what a difference a day makes as it looked glorious yesterday.
We haven't been told any more news about the baby! don't expect we will as we are the black sheep, mainly cos with our son and my RA we don't get out much and I think they think we aren't interested. The parents are supposed to be getting married in August and we have not yet had an invite. possibly it has been put back because of the baby but I wouldn't think so.

Joan thank you, I kept my elbow moving because it hurt so much and I couldn't keep it still. It was from using my crutches that caused the pain as I don't usually walk far.

Applerose the wild garlic pesto sounds lovely. I hope Mango is okay. It must all be so strange for him as he's been with lots of different people recently. Just hope he doesn't start to pine.

Barbara our TV was under £300. As long as I can see and hear I'm happy and don't care for gadgets.

Toni that total is amazing and will help so many others. You've been there so now how any help and support is vital.

Going to post as I am frightened I will lose this.....
take care all,
Get better soon Kath and Cate's shoulder and all our various aches and pains,
Toady hope the carpets get fitted soon. Paint the kettle black or something,
Elizabeth xxxx

mig

Nice morning here,hope it warms up though.
Keep on improving Kath .
Yesterday's lunch was a great disappointment as the pub we usually go in seems to have gone down hill in the last few months,it's only pub grub and used to be excellent ,hubby had scampi and chips I could tell from just looking at it that it wasn't proper scampi,I had beef lasagna and salad the lasagna was very grissly ,we wil be finding another place to go next time.
Hubby got a new shirt and jeans from m&s,picked the shirt himself ! Just usually wears what I pick out for him .
Off to the shops for some odds and ends ,hope everyone has a good week-end. Mig

barbara12

Morning all sunny but chilly that will do for now..
Mig I know what you mean about the pub,its disappointing, I have gone to one with my niece for years, and lately the food is not good so we are looking for somewhere else..your hubby sounds like mine I buy the clothes normally and he always says I don't need any..but then he will see something he likes ..
Joan we had a lovely time thanks..hope you and Sue enjoy your weekend..very interesting that your nan put tinned tomatoes in macaroni..my GD puts tomato sauce in hers..so I might try yours..
Cate the only thing that works on my shoulder is cold..my consultant told me to try it because heat can sometimes makes the inflammation worse..its rotten pain hope it eases for you very soon..
Elizabeth there are some good cheap TVs around..we do want well my GDs and me..want a smart one..but some of those are good value so doing my homework.. how awful, that you are the black sheep because you cant get out the same..mind you our invite are getting thin on the ground..
am still waiting for the ENT appointment and a letter off the rheumy ..I rang yesterday, she said I would get a copy but nothing..they apologized and said its n first class post..that..we shall see..
Hope you all have a good bank holiday and Christine has 3 days off...

dachshund

Hello Elizabeth Mig Barbara and anyone else I missed.
I hope you have all had a good day and a good long weekend
take care
joan xx

applerose

Glad your carpets arrived ok Toady. Hope you do get them down soon before you become a hurdler. Talking of ice cream, I've just bought some new M*gn*ms - pink raspberry and black espresso. Only tried the raspberry and think it's a bit of a strange taste. I got excited about Woolies opening again but then read that a newspaper had got the story wrong and they are not opening. What a shame.

Barbara, the rhubarb whip is really easy to make. Cook 450 grams rhubarb with 110 grams sugar in 150 mls water until soft. Add 1 raspberry jelly (cut into pieces but I used a powdered one). Stir till melted. When cold, whip 200 grams of condensed milk, fold in to jelly mix. Leave in fridge overnight. Hope you had a lovely day with your niece. Hope you letter turns up in the post tomorrow. Yes, yippee, I'm off for 3 days now.

Sorry you are in such a lot of pain Cate. Hope it eases off soon.

Joan, I have never tried adding tomatoes to macaroni cheese. Sounds tasty. Thanks for the idea.

That is so annoying when you lose a post Elizabeth. Thankfully I haven't done it in a while. Families can be a pain sometimes, can't they? Maybe it is as you say, they've put the wedding off for a while. i wouldn't pay much for things like tvs. As you say, as long as you can see and hear it, you don't really need anything else.

Mig, how disappointing to find the meal so bad when you have found it to be good in the past. It puts me off going back when that happens.

Called in to Ald* today, just for a couple of things and ended up getting potatoes and milk so was a bit heavy. The main thing I wanted was some flowers and didn't get them Just watched Gogglebox. They should a bit of a programme which found lost family members. They brought two sisters and their mother who all had been evacuated 30 years ago and haven't seen each other in that time. Everyone on Gogglebox were crying and so was I.

barbara12

Morning all
Joan hope you and Sue enjoy your long weekend..saying that every week has a long weekend for me..its seems forever since I worked..and I do miss it
Christine thanks for the recipe I very partial to condensed milk so have that in ...will get a jelly ..
I googled woolworth..apparently the people that own the name wont sell it has they use it online.. :roll: and it wouldn't be the same anyway all there lovely shops have been taken over..such a shame..now for these ice lolly's..I am trying to diet here..wounder what the black ones are like I saw them on the TV... you enjoy your long weekend..dont you appreciate it when working...
I heard of Kath yesterday and she is still struggling..then I looked at her facebook page... :shock: the poor thing I do hope things improve very soon for her...we will get the bed ready in the cafe then we can look after her..
Its dull and very chilly here..come back summer May is usually lovely and warm..hope that Cates shoulder has eased for her.hope everyone has a good weekend xxxx

frogmorton

Morning everyone! Such a lot to catch up on.

I am happier about Kath so long as we know she is ok and posting even if it is on fbook.

Hello to Joan and Sue and doggies. A bit overcast here hope it's ok with you I used to know a couple who always added tinned toms to their macaroni cheese - yum

Christine I dive-bombed Sa*nsbury yesterday after fetching a new heater for the tropical fish from P*ts at home. Spotted a couple buying tose new M*gnums pink raspberry My own sis makes that whip because it's so easy - full of calories I bet but YUM Enjoy your rest now

Still thinking of Mango!

Barbara I hope you have had your letter by now - if it really was 1st class post. I agree that cold can sometimes be better than heat with some joint pain. Hope you get a lovely new Telly soon. Lucy had a smart TV for her 16th - boy has THAT come in handy

Mig We have been disappointed with our local pub's grub of late too Ended up going to a 'posher' pub for my birthday meal out. Each item 12-14 quid a throw though :shock: Can't do that very often can you?

Poor Elizabeth loosing your post - you don't need that! It's a shame people don't think you're interested because you can't get out

Sorry your shoulder has been such a pain along with Cate I hope things get better soon.

Thank you - I know the charities will put the money to good use

Cate - I hope you get well soon I am so sorry about your poor shoulder. Leaving you a hazelnut macchiato for when you pop by

Toady I wanted the little bubba born on my birthday too and Elizabeth and I were after Charlotte as a name as we both have girls with that name

New kettle eh? I bought one recently and had to take it back (arg*s' own, but matched the kitchen :oops: ) and it smelled vile. Rinsed and re-boiled 23 times to no avail :roll: Hope your carpet goes down soon and looks lovely

I still use woollies on-line sometimes.

Love to you all and strength to Kath

Toni xxx

Ps Hi Barbara

dachshund

Hello Barbara Toni and anyone else I missed.
Barbara I missed reading Kathleen's stories I heard she was feeling a bit better that's good.
Barbara you have a good weekend.
Toni you are so busy how can you keep up with yourself.
have a good weekend all of you.
take care
joan xx

tkachev

Toady when was your birthday? Did I miss it?

We could still have 'Charlotte' then but as my D. said it would make it popular and she doesn't want that!

I have a clear plastic kettle one cup things, which boils in a few seconds.

flipping cold isn't it? feels like winter...don't think I'll get that picture of the garden done now.

Kath has had a miserable time. I do hope she starts to feel better soon.

It is a relief that your husband found a shirt he liked. I do not buy my OH any clothes, well very rarely.

Families are difficult. As neither my OH and I work we are looked down on so I just took myself away from his side of the family. It is to protect myself really.

The Woolies story was not true!!!! well they did sell off all the shops so it would have been a big effort to start up from fresh. I had no idea they were still online!

OH and Lucy have gone to London this morning, before I saw the baby had been born.

Bank holiday weekend so extra day for a lie in. not sure if we will go out anywhere as a family. Might go to take the greyhounds for a walk.

Love to everyone and their pets.Toni you are April baby. Did I miss yours too? I hope not!



Elizabeth

applerose

Barbara, I agree. Woolies wouldn't be the same unless the original people opened the shops. I have seen them online but it's not the same as wandering round their shops. Sorry about mentioning the lollies. I haven't tried the black ones yet. I love these long weekends. Wish I could have them every week.

Toni, shhhh, don't mention the calories in the rhubarb whip. I've already eaten it all. What a shame about your kettle. It shouldn't have smelled bad. Hope you got another one ok.

Hope Joan and Sue are having a good weekend and decent weather.

Elizabeth, it has been freezing here too. Apparently it will be worth tomorrow but better on Monday. Hope so. It is sad when you have to stay away from family members but I have done that too. Makes life easier.

I decided to go in to town today. M&S had opened a pop-up shop for 11 days to sell clothes and bric-a-brac that the staff had bought from the store but never used. They were selling adult clothes for £3 and children's for £1. I bought a big bag full as it was the last day and they had reduced everything to £1 and 50p. They raised £5000 for Alzheimers.

Got a free trip there and back again on the train as no ticket person again. I was very surprised as the train was packed as there was a football match on. Some of them had already started drinking at 10 am. I missed the train home by 3 minutes so went back to the M&S store and a carrot cake fell into my hands. Ooops but it is rather tasty. Just as well as I had made some mince then decided to add some korma sauce to it. It was horrid. Couldn't eat it. :?

toady

Hello all may I dispel rumours about my birthday while I'm here, think it got tied up with my saying the royal baby (in whom I have the same interest I have in all infants ) wouldn't have a birthday fall the same day as TK's new relative. I don't think that helps clear it up much. (Thanks anyway TK, have to say I don't do birthdays, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate if someone's kind enough to wish me Happy anything.) Know exactly what you mean about family, I've become such a social oddball but what can you do? I think people start to fit you into a neat little idea they have of you, blissfully unaware none of it resembles what you'd be doing but for illness.
It has been really cold today! The heating switched itself on. Horrid.

No Woollies after all then? Wish I had been at applerose's sale, what a great idea, they should do more like that. I suppose they still do the bring in clothes for charity thing - I haven't thought to check lately. Thanks for the recipe. Joan's sounds nice too.

Barbara you are far too near the mark as to how long my carpet will probably be rolled up put it this way, the underlay I'm using is 12-13 years old and has been here in the way since I bought it for the front room (changed my mind & kept the floorboards when I saw what nice condition they were in.) You had the best weather when you were away didn't you. Hope the tv research is going ok. And you get your appts when Royal Mail can manage to totter round after the bank hol.

Frog sorry about your kettle. So many reviews I read for metal ones said the same thing. Mine has a v. slight taste but hopefully because its new, it's worse if you have hard water people said; some sort of reaction. :? Good luck with the next one! Depending what you go for, didn't expect it to be so hard, have bought much bigger items with far less trouble. Reminds me, I have a new favourite cheapo gadget will post it another time.

Sounds as though Kath isn't good.. if her FB has something on that isn't what we'd like to hear.. hope for better news very soon.

Sorry Cate is suffering, and being stopped from doing things, very trying when you want to get on with stuff that is off limits. Hope the shoulder improves. If there's any carrot cake left, maybe another coffee & sit down would be therapeutic.

Love to all & a good Bank Hol if able to get out. xx

Cate

Hello everyone,

I'm a night owl at the minute. My sleeping pattern has gone a bit pear shaped over the last few days. Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts. It's good to read them when you feel all alone, as I'm sure others know. Pain is a bit easier at the moment, but I've been having a serious think about driving. Because of restricted head/neck movement when things are bad, I rarely use the car now. It seems silly to spend so much money on insurance, and maintenance. However I don't want to get rid of it just yet, as I might feel differently in the future.....Ooh, I just bumped into that flying pig!! Anyway, I've decided to leave it in the garage for now and use the SORN off road thingy with DVLA. The money I save will more than cover taxi fares if I want to go anywhere. I feel better for having made that decision.

I won't type any more just now, as I don't want to push my luck, but I hope everyone has a good Bank holiday, despite it being so cold and miserable.

Love to all of you, and special thoughts and wishes to Kath.....Cate.x

dachshund

Hello Elizabeth Toady Christine Cate and Kathleen and anyone else I missed.
I hope you all have a good day with not too much pain.
it's raining here
joan xx

mig

It's raining here too.
Have posted a couple of photos I took yesterday in Sherwood Forest ,glad we went yesterday it was lovely.
Stew and dumplings today with cauliflower cheese.
I wanted to buy a whole frozen chicken on Friday that we would have had on monday none of the local food shops had whole frozen chickens only portions so we went to te**os they only had whole fresh ones,I asked an assistant why they didn't have them apparently because people have chicken any day of the week and not just at the week-end so they don't need to stock them :shock: How life has changed chicken used to be a luxury . Mig

barbara12

Morning all
Toni sorry I just missed you yesterday..no letter here...glad to seeLucy is doing ok and eating well..ie you thread..must be lovely to see her enjoy her food..
Mig many years we went to see the mighty oak..its is breathtaking and to think of how old it is..I remember seeing the other oak tress on the path to it and wounder if they were the one..then it appears... :shock:
Elizabeth did I miss something with the greyhound...did you adopt one or just helping out..its best to keep family's to one side if they think like that ..not nice to look down on anyone...none of it is your fault..
Joan yes Kath has a very poorly chest on top of everything...so we hope things improve very soon...hope you and Sue have a good weekend
Christine..how good does the pop up M&S shop sound... glad you got a bargain..and the carrot cake was waiting for you.. nice to get a free ride..not mush you can do ifno one is selling tickets.. :roll: you enjoy the long weekend...
Toady...I feel better now...ie leaving things were they have been put for a very long time...I am sure your carpet will get put down soon...shall we all come and help..then you can come here and clear my floor space..and work tops come to that.. :roll: I have given up worrying...I don't have many family left..so no one to put me in mold...no letters yet..hope the steroid injection is still helping..
Cate good for you making the decision, it must have been hard but you enjoy being chauffeured around...glad the pain has eased a little..and you are never alone on here..
Hope I have not missed anyone..OH is trying to avoid seeing who won the boxing...till he gets a recording his friend has done... :roll: I wish him luck....one GD in bed..then she revising...so she says..hope you all have a good weekend...xxxxx