Val's Cafe

Morning all (well it is now, but this will probably go into draft as I haven't even had tea yet 😯).

It does look deceptively nice out frog, after the nastiness 🙄 but it is not destined to last, heavy rain on way. Maybe I too could do a quick bolt into the garden this morning 🤔 hope you get your plants in or a start anyway. So sorry about the honesty I would not have brought up a painful subject 😣 I thought we were past any danger with yours, yes that would be some totally justifiable half-inching, in a good cause 👍. I fear I won't get anything very ambitious in myself now it's nearly June (omg) not even a runner bean at this rate like Sucré, but I have had some excuse what with other distractions I suppose. Yes shame about the laptop, it did have a few issues I was quite looking forward to tinkering with those but it may have had others so who knows, not to worry. Bag-wise I have lots of cloth bags and a rucksack too and yes I favour those these days but I quite fancied something that might 'elevate my look' as they say now 🙄; I could fix up my old one if it just had faults stitching or something but like me its very fabric is 'going' 😂. Hope you have a good not too wet day it's certainly chillier, do not like, not now we've had a taste of summer 😔 but lovely to hear Sleek was up & about in the early sun, lots of love, & to everyone 😘 xx

Hello Joan yes coffee grounds rings a bell, I do have some ground coffee but am usually too lazy to get out the cafetiere or coffee drip thing and just have instant 😳 but actually I should be using mine up or it will spoil with keeping, so thanks for the reminder. Hope you have a good day it is really not all that nice but I had some lovely sun when I wanted it most so I can definitely not grumble 👍️. Love to Pepper and yourself 😘 xx

10 to elevenses now, Quick wave to everyone else I am hanging about for the post collection and should be soon so will be able to concentrate properly when they've gone and I am back settled with a coffee and bics 👋☕️ xx

Why am I sitting here feeling so low that I feel like I could cry I'm already on depression tablets is it just the normal fatigue feeling.

Jojo i am so sorry you feel so down but im not surprised bring in constant pain is depressing. Possibly your antidepressants could be increased if it's only a low dose. You know a diagnosis would help and proper treatment for you and Stuart too.

Hopefully you are both going to see someone and will find out once and for all what is going on.

Sending ((())) to both of you.

Will reply properly to everyone else later xxx

Night all 😴

Short visit - like Joan, I am having people in the loft tomorrow 😣 courtesy of finding the rain is still coming in after the last two 'surely that's it fixed for good now' sets of work done to it... So will be awol while I find out what I'm in for - why don't I just make a permanent year-round sig saying 'brb just sorting out x y or z crisis' 🙄

The elevenses bics were nice but I knocked the mug of coffee off the worktop (made a fantastic job of getting the coffee over the maximum amount of floor I must say), mug unbroken though 👍️ that was the fun part of the day, comparatively 🤪.

Will be in to see how everyone is and post if poss, sorry those who have not been having the best day, thinking of you 😟😘 xx

Good luck with your work Joan! and hope you're doing ok bosh, will catch up properly soon, definite brow-mopping time here 😒 xx

Love to all 😘 xx

Morning Joan that sounded a big job I hope they get done today and all is safe afterwards. Are you making lots of cups of tea? Wish my sky was as blue as the one above don't you? Take care foodbank for me today ((())) xxx

Morning Stuart i am so glad you are finally getting to see someone. With your family history and widespread pain it should be looked at sending. Not everything shows in bloods sometimes ultrasound scans can show things too ((())) xxx

Morning Jojo I do hope you are feeling a bit more yourself today. I am not surprised you feel rubbish. No-one has ever really told you, like Stuart, what is actually wrong. I'm not saying there's a cure for your pain, but knowing what it is does help Skinny Keef will 100% attest to that. Sending you some ((())) xxx

Morning Reshmi how are you? Is your stomach ok today? Glad you had choc and marshmallows yum!

I saw that film advertised Paul and i wanted to go to the cinema last weekend and couldn't find anything to watch for adulks. Watched Flow (not suitable for children at all) on prime instead.

Aww BR told Granny off did he?! Good lad standing up for Mima. I am glad they all enjoyed the film at any rate and it saw off some time for them too. I am glad BR has LA in his room I expect that helps him feel a bit more settled. Rescue is nearly on it's way in the guise of Mummy and Daddy.

Will you have time to get to the group before they are collected? I do hope so and that you can also wave them off. Then breathe out!!!! A hearty sigh of relief I'm sure, but you will also miss them very very much too. The place will be so quiet.

I'm not sure what i think of nasty M's glow-up🤣

Have a good day ((())) xxx

Morning Skinny Keef how are you? I hope not too bad and that maybe you got another hour pr two if not do try in the day like Reshmi does.

Thanks for leaving me a coffee i needed it at 4am not 2 so just missed you. Still I am on my second load of washing.

Carefully watching one of my clown loaches is dying I think slowly in spite of treatment administered to the tank. It's either old age or would you believe it 'skinny disease' honestly. That's what I have treated the tank for. Feeling quite upset they are both 9 the other one is 100% fine.

Take care hope Anda and Sucré are well. ((())) xxx

Morning Toady still leaking? So is our door but Paul still hasn't drilled a couple of holes to let water drain from the groove. But gosh we have had some rain haven't we?

I do hate this water rain rooves problem I wish someone could deliver (in one piece) a new roof and pop it on for us.

Don't tell Paul but I've got Elfie a pack of 4 T shirts for his holiday in France. It will really make him laugh.

Elfie is quite excited about it and it cheered him up no end when they arrived yesterday. He had a bit of a virus again yesterday, but is fine today it seems😉 In fact he wants to go up in your loft to see what's going on. Sleek says he's welcome up there. She wants a cup of tea with you.

Hope your day turns out ok foodbank for me ((())) xxx

Morning Carol hope you and les are both doing ok. Is your alarm system all set up now? No more falls I hope ((())) xxx

Good morning everyone

Toady (()) sorry you still have the problem with your loft. The men haven’t come yet. Have a good day.

Toni (() No they just drink water they are two hot. Have a good walk

Jojo (()) sorry you have so much pain

Stuart (()) that’s good you are down to see someone have a good day. Love to your mum (())

Reshmi (()) how are you getting on. Have a good day love to your mum (())

Skinny Keef (()) have a good day love to Loanda (()) and Sucr’e (())

Hi frogmorton I'm struggling more with the fact I'm going to have to tell my manager because I'm struggling with been on my knees long and stretching up high. And I don't want to face reality that I'm going to be better off on the checkout. And the way they are going on in the store right now they are expecting you to go to other areas which will evolve heavy lifting. But mentally I'm not ready to go on the checkout if you know what I mean. I'm used to being active and walking around and working stuff. Anyway I hope you are well and I hope you have a great day.

Hi all 👋 just to check in - roofers came this morning, had a good look couldn't see anything definitive but came back later & made a few tweaks. I am now on damp watch for tomorrow to let them know, although all the forecast rain seems to have vanished or been toned right down 🙄🤷‍♀️.

Yes proper roofs you click into place frog, they really should be 😣 thing is I will probably never really trust mine again now I've been rattled. Have to wait & see. Elfie had a good look and explained all sorts of things to me about 'nibs' and 'noggings', so he seemed to know what he was on about 👍️. His tshirts are perfect 😊 and the Marseillaise will make a nice change from 10 green bottles won't it, well the first few times 😬😄. Sleek has decided she likes this bag btw 😮🤭. Love to everyone more news soon 😘 xx

.Hope things are ok at yours Joan, and everything done properly for you. I have to just wait for rain now but it's only doing some here overnight and I draw the line at loft watching at 3am! 😱. Take care 😘 xx

Quick hi bosh, glad you survived the film 👍️ houses built by magic, oh yes please 😟 so far so good with the roof but it's the last thing I fancied after a busy week already. Do hope all's well with the littleys and your sis and bill too of course, no hitches with anything. Proper post when I am next left in peace in the biccie cupboard, whenever that may be 🤞 have a good evening :) xx

Yes the weather is indeed all over SK, thought tomorrow looked quite nice but on closer inspection really strong winds 😕. GL with the docs and the iron, sorry what you are already taking isn't doing the trick 🤔. Hope things are settled as poss today 🤞 xx

The bone man Stuart 🤔 well I guess between them someone ought to agree about who you should see, hopefully you'll get something helpful out of it. Hope you get on ok with the meds. Hello to your mum too and all the best :) xx

Sorry about your dilemma Jojo 😞 how flexible are they would they want you to be definite about moving roles and that's that? I understand you'd rather be active and really hope that down the line you'll have more options again as your health is addressed 🤞 xx

Take care all & love to Carol too 😘 xx

A photo I took the lady had just finished doing it. It’s from Swindon Robins the young team at Swindon. The men are coming back tomorrow there is 1 hundred and 51 bags outside now. Take care all.

Hi Toni

How are you?

Mums ok now but she had a hypo type situation in the morning again unfortunately

I’m hoping she’ll be ok now the kids have gone

Yes I went to group and said goodbye to them a few hours early

No I just thought that s’mores are a kind of cracker lol, but no marshmallows were eaten by me - but a whole load of nasty sweet stuff was unfortunately

But I plan on doing a dietary penance for my sins lol

Ok I wrote a poem which follows

Good night Toni tc xx

👋good night toady Jojo Joan SK and S knee tc x
This is called “The Ode to the posh makeup counter (2)”
But what was the posh makeup counter lady’s skin without foundation?
Is my spirit such that I can approach her without trepidation?
I saw a lipstick, it made me feel pretty
But the expression on her face was one of pure scorn, not pity
It’s as if she were saying, “ Look at your imperfect teeth, your waist so thick, your unusual complexion
Do you really feel you deserve this makeup? You just go home and eat your al fresco chocolate selection”
In my mind I reply, “ I may never have picture - perfect looks
But it’s just a cosmetic stick to help a mood, not a book to fill the mind’s crannies and nooks
So you sell what you want to the customer of your choice
I just thought I’d write this ode for all the imperfect women who are afraid to approach your makeup counter, to give them a voice.”

Ps I am not sure sleek’s cousin has been up to here haha xx

Thanks Keef, yes too right waiting for the dreaded drip 😣 your heart sinks. Have had more grief off this sort of thing than any other household stuff, it's why I avoid any concealed plumbing etc mine would have it in for me, bad enough stuff plinking where you can see it 😱. Well the rain is just setting in here - if the tweak doesn't do it then tbh I will be up there with the jollop myself what's the worst I can do 😂. Am deffo coming back in the next life with a handful of trades up my sleeve. Glad yours has been ok touch wood 🤞 talking of bike wheels how is Sucré doing with the bicycling? xx

Good poem bosh 👍️ all v true (I remember pt 1), I for one wouldn't even approach those counters these days well not for fun anyway 😬 but I probably get 'the look' in clothes shops for all I know. You are quite right, the ladies have their unmade-up selves the same as anyone, I will remember that. Glad the end of the visit was all ok and yes do hope your mum will have a better night and things will settle down. Have a good night yourself 😊 xx

Joan isn't that super thanks for posting 😀 I love the details and the ladybird, very clever. I do hope it gets left alone, you know what people are 🙄. Gosh 151 bags outside it's a big job 😮 hope to hear they're getting on alright tomorrow. Have a good night 😘 xx

Hope your boss is nice Jojo wishing you all the best with it. I was reading about the video recording things at the self-service checkouts at 'your' store, the action replay style for people who haven't scanned items properly shoplifting being the main reason they've brought it in of course, awful really. Why do away with normal checkouts if it's such a problem, I know it saves staff but a worker in the article said they have to keep monitoring the self-service ones anyway 🤷‍♀️. I was in my nearest M&S there was only 1 ordinary one left now 😔. Have a good night I hope xx

Morning Joan 150 bags?! Wow that is a lot! Yor men only drank water? That's impressive and lot less hassle for you too. I love that wall! It's incredible and so beautiful. No wonder you took a photo l would have as well. take care ((())) xxx

Morning Jojo I am so glad you had a lovely walk with the children, the dogs and Michael to help.😊 That must have lifted your spirits.

Now work. Of course the checkouts must be very very boring, but I'm sure your boss would rather keep you there than lose you altogether. I doubt you can afford to stop (I couldn't when my kids were that age!) working. Maybe the time is getting close when you should chat to them about your problems? Maybe they can let you do checkouts on bad days just on bad days? You won't know until you speak to them.

1 am cuppa no 5am for me today. Sending ((())) xxx

Morning Reshmi how are you and your Mum I hope she's ok now the littleys have gone home. Perhaps it is a bit much for her🤨 I don't know how she would manage without you to help her with them.

So sweet stuff was rife was it? I wonder if BIL's influence affected what cinema treats were being passed around? Just a thought.

Loved that poem. It is spot on. They are like that in posh department stores snooty and looking down their noses at us common people. I'm sure that's why a lot of people buy from companies like 'brave-on' at least that's private. Your poem should be circulated to all stores with over made-up snooty staff. Everyone's money is of equal value and everyone themselves is of equal value.

Glad you got to the group yesterday I was worried you might not.

I'd pay 25c to stroke the hissing pusskin🐱

Take care Reshmi ((())) xxx

Morning Skinny Keef they might want to check you out if you're still anaemic if it's really bad they could do regular injections maybe? I know MTX can lower iron levels. Have you tried the glass of fresh orange after you meals to help the absorption of iron in your food trick?

You best get on your bike and up to Toady's to sort out her roof for her with a roll of tape and some jollop. It is horrible that drip we get one on the adjoining bit where the previous owners put an extension when it's in the wrong direction. Water is a proper nuisance.

Dark chocolate is good for us Keef. Eat away😊 Take care of yourself ((())) xxx

Morning Toady a click on roof! I like it! Like lego but less plastic looking.

Elfie was pretty proud of himself up there talking the talk. How was his teeth sucking? He has been practising it. I like Sleek's handbag choice no doubt a parcel will be arriving sometime soon. I bought a 2nd hand fitbit on noesgay yesterday mine just died like that no real warning. Apart from having to charge it twice a day that is in the last month.

So did my poorly fish so the last one in my tank will be off to be rehomed tomorrow i hope she survives it. She is clearly well, but they can't live alone they need others of their type.

I am ready for Elfie's singing he knows this song as well as the national anthem:

Can you imagine?!

Apparently I need to sort him some short out now🙄 Sleek is advising on fashion choices for Elves.

Right best get dressed can't sit here all day can I? Take care ((())) xxx

Morning to Carol and les hope all is well with you both ((())) xxx

Hi frogmorton yeah that day is coming very soon because we are going to have to work anywhere soon we will have to go where they say on the app I'm down for meat next Tuesday and it's way too heavy for me even the bread trays can be heavy and stacked high so could casuse pain. I hope you are well and I hope you have a great day.