General Chat 2010

[jill]

Thought i'd start a new thread, been as I did it in 2009 and 2008.

[rebecca c]

Took some time out from working/housework and the like to take a walk up on the downs. We drove as far as we could (until the road was closed) and were lucky to find somewhere to park.

It was stunning up there and quite other worldly - my camera batteries had run out so no photos. Saw a flock of goldtits who definitely were hungry, wish I had had the foresight to get some bird food in as the birds I see out walking look hungry. Especially a little robin who follows me along.

Dont know what will happen tomorrow my sons's school is definitely closed. - my school will probably be open to the older ones - most of the main roads in Brighton are completely clear now but I would not tackle any of the side roads. I just dont know how I am going to judge if the route to work is safe and will have to leave boys as latch key with adults to call if they need them ( I expect neighbours will be around though).

[Copper]

I thought that I would leave Jill to start a new chat thread for this year :lol2:

I bet you are pleased that you don't have building work going on now. The new central heating was perfectly timed.

Rebecca, I have never heard of goldtits. After a search on Google I found a photo labelled goldtit but then underneath it called them goldfinches. I have had a single goldfinch in the garden now and again in the summer but there is no sign of it now.

It is very dark here today and there is snow on the lawn still. Our road is more or less ok now. We might venture out later as I have a few things to take to the tip. It is all very well gritting main roads but I would not want to drive up a side road in order to get to the main road. I don't envy your trip out today Rebecca.

[rebecca c]

I didnt go to work today. I will tomorrow though. Will have to juggle childcare as eldest going in but not youngest and they are having a late start next two days. Think I have it covered.

Goldfinches - thats it!!!:)

[cnc]

We've actually had very little snow here, my poor parents have had lots of snow but I've got away relatively lightly:)
Things continue to be rather manic here. I'm being admitted at some point for the day for a lot of rather unpleasant tests, to try and establish why I'm having problems with spasms etc.... It's only taken them how many years of my complaints of spasms and so on for them to take me seriously!!
Rebecca the soluble prednislone is lactose free, will they not prescribe that for you?
Hope you're all coping okay with the snow, I'm busy with medical stuff as ever, which is a bit of a pain, when I'm trying to study, but I'll get it sorted never fear:)

Take care all. xx

[Copper]

Claire, good to hear that you are ok. I guess Norfolk got your share of snow then :) many of my ancestors lived in East Anglia but I wouldn't last two minutes there.

Good luck with the tests in hospital. I hope they can sort out the spasms.

We have been promised more snow here tomorrow. Perhaps it will be rain by the time it reaches us.

[jill]

We had lots of rain on Sunday which cleared up alot of the snow, our road and garden is still covered though. I managed to get my car up the drive today instead of having to park it across the road at my neighbours. It is on a slope so I was having difficulty getting it up.

I think everything regarding the building work was perfectly timed, not just the new heating system, being in the recession we had no delays with supplies, had a great builder and as VAT was only at 15% we will have saved quite a bit of money as well. I often said the recession was made for us is this respect.

Instead of calling this thread General Chat 2010 perhaps I should have called it the Copper, Claire, Rebecca and Jill show. Doesn't anybody else fancy joining us? then when we do a disappearing act Copper won't be talking to herself. I am trying to not come on the internet so much as you can waste an evening doing nothing.

Hope having all these tests results in something Claire, why do people have to suffer so much before the medical profession takes them serious.

[rebecca c]

I am sure someone will come and join us soon - I hope so.

Claire I hope the tests went Ok and they get it sorted. I do use the soluble pred, the lactose is in the singulair and I know the aspartane and sorbitol versions would also bring problems. I contacted them about it but they said my point was not something they would consider and it had to come from a doctor - I am after all just the person taking the blighters and it is after all my quality of life they are meant to improve. Being able to breath or having anti social tummy problems that is my choice! One doesnt stop you working but it makes it embarassing and horrible with the other I would have to do a low paid low status job. Oh life is full of great choices.
Finished the steroids now and breathing better but they have left me with some unpleasantly sore tender muscles which is a new side effect.
I decided not to risk getting in today as we had more snow fall. Turned out for the best my school and the boys ended up closing. It is proving to be a tricky time.

Other days I have made the best of it but today I have got less done. Still did something though and nearly ready for tomorrow.

Rain would be welcome now for us Jill to clear this snow. I would really just like to get back to normal for the next 2 weeks.

[Copper]

The promised snow did not arrive and we had a little rain instead. All of the snow vanished in an hour and before it rained.

I have had a couple of plant catalogues delivered in the last two weeks. I am tempted by a few things but will I have space? I can't think about hanging basket plants, it is just too early for that.

I am looking forward to watching some tennis again. They will be playing in Australia where they are currently having a heatwave!

[rebecca c]

a garden is an ongoing work of art you can add to it and take things out, experiment and obviously make mistakes - so go for it and try some new things. I am going to have to have a revamp in june when I finish this course.

[Copper]

I added to the garden in the Autumn so need to see how those plants work in the large border first.

I am waging war on the pesky grey squirrels. I am shooting at them with a water pistol :) They are classified as vermin and can be shot but only by licensed "killers".

Tomorrow my sister and I are taking our two nieces and nephew out clothes shopping. This explains why the weather forecast is for gales and heavy rain, grrrr. My sister is only here for the long weekend. She is here on holiday as she lives in Australia. She started off in Scotland just before New Year to see the outlaws. As you can imagine the snow and freezing cold was a bit of a shock to her system.

[rebecca c]

Squirrels are very tasty I hear!!!!

Have a good shop, should catch the end of the sales.

[cnc]

The saga continues. I'm now taking two types of antibiotics as there are signs of infection in my chest again. I've not been cough free since October, so they're starting to get a bit concerned about me, along with the wound that isn't healing which is causing some concern also ooops!! Trouble just seems to follow me around.

Rebecca could you not take the lactose one and take lactase? I know it's a pain, but I have some tablets that only come with lactose so I have no option and I seem to be managing okay like that.

Good luck with the garden redesigns.
I've heard the same about squirrel actually....

[Copper]

Oh dear Claire you seem to be a magnet for bad things. Have another :hug:

I opened my bedroom curtains this morning and saw not 1 but 3 squirrels on the bird feeders grrrr. The water pistol is filled ready for action again.

It felt like spring this morning as it was blue sky and sunshine and then it went downhill this afternoon.

[rebecca c]

big day for me today last day in my first school. said my goodbyes everyone was lovely. going to take a break in dorset over half term. mike wanted 2 nights in a B and B but dont thing that will be much fun if it is cold and wet, so we are going for one.

Copper did you say you know a pub which is good for intolerant people in the weymouth area or am I misremembering?

Claire - I am so sorry your feeling poorly again, I am sure recovering from the anaemia will take a while but then you will see improvement. Thanks for tips on lactase - i was considering that where do you get yours from? was going to try some acidophilus as well as had couple of courses of antibiotics last year as well as jsut trying to drink more. I have tried a lot of other things which helped a bit but it is back with a vengence today.

[cnc]

I hope you have a great time away Rebecca you deserve it :)

I get mine from my local health food shop. Solgar brand as I've discovered that half of one is enough and they're wafers so you can split them in half.

I've been referred to a respiratory specialist re my chest, as just can't clear the mucus from it long term, lovely I know. Yet another course of pred to see if it'll get rid of it but not holding out much hope!! I've heard quite good things about acidophilus, again I'd try your local non H&B health food shop.
I saw the mouth surgeon, and I have something called a mucocele, which they're going to remove for me.

Am hoping to have a quiet weekend, just nipping into town. Am trying to buy a new camera too as I my old one is rather terminal and Argos have given me a £30 gift voucher to say sorry for something they did- I'll show you the article when it gets printed in the local paper!! :D

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

[Copper]

Rebecca I am sure that you will have a lovely time in Dorset. I don't know anything about eating places in Weymouth. I will have a search this weekend and if I find anything I will let you know.

Ooo Claire looking forward to finding out what Argos did. have a good shopping trip.

[rebecca c]

It is OK Copper I just thought you had mentioned somewhere before that is all.

The solgar lactase sounds good - I will check that out.

I am relying quite heavily on the pred this year - not great but better than struggling along. This weather is not helping my chest at all, or the non stop nature of my course. Never mind.

[Copper]

Rebecca, this was posted on a coeliac forum in March last year.


Weymouth :
McGuires Fish and Chip Shop 16 St Edmonds Street, Weymouth DT4 8AR
Tel: 01305 770100
Fish and chip shop in Weymouth with lovely fish and chips for people on gluten free diet. They taste just like the real thing, and they are very GF aware.
*******************

Re: Places to eat in Weymouth

Posted on 6/11/2009GF board

Fish and Chips, the old harbour fish bar (AKA Mcguires)
Scone/sandwich; Bon Appetit restaurant/cafe
Wetherspoons

[cnc]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_cambridge/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=480509 The actual printed article has a photo of me on it, so you've been saved:D

[rebecca c]

Copper you are a star

and well done Claire

my MP is not chasing up my DSA claim for me as I have still heard nothing!!!!!

[Copper]

Well done Claire.

The sun is shining here and it feels like spring bet that won't last. I miss potttering about in the garden. I have resisted ordering any new plants so far :D

[Copper]

The day before yesterday was warm and made me think that spring was just round the corner. Yesterday I spent an hour in the garden collecting up some leaves and sycamore seeds that had blown in during the last couple of months. I have no idea where the nearest sycamore tree is so that shows that wind dispersal works well.

My cat is ill and is spending the weekend at the vets. The vet carried out tests which did not reveal what was wrong with him. He had not eaten or had anything to drink for a couple of days. He has been on a drip and has now eaten and had a drink. He is being given antibiotics. I should be able to collect him tomorrow. I might have to sit down when they give me the bill :eek: Cats are tricky animals to look after when they are ill. They go downhill very quickly.

[rebecca c]

i hope you find out what is wrong with your cat and he is better soon.

It is snowing here this morning. I have a cold and am off to an interview. The doctor did not think i had a chest infection and did not want me to do a sample but I cant take the risk as am starting new placement on monday week and need to keep as well as possible - so dropped it in on monday morning.

i get very nervous about interviews and i had one recently which was very unpleasant so I am going through it a bit. but everyone is so supportive and kind and I know my referees have gone the extra mile for me so I am going to try really hard to relax and enjoy it. It is hard to say how much of my tummy ache this morning is nerves and how much is the cold as I had a tummy ache yesterday morning.

[Copper]

Good luck with the interview.

I never enjoyed interviews and was always a nervous wreck.

[rebecca c]

didnt get it but did ok, nerves did not get the better of me in many ways excelled myself but needed the practice and will need more prep time next time if I am going to give myself the edge. teaching bit went very well indeed considering that is the first time I have done that.

[Copper]

Do they give you feedback? You should be getting better at interviews so one day you will get a brilliant interview.

[rebecca c]

yes lovely feedback, she couldnt think of anyone she would rather have teaching her own children the subject as I was so enthusiastic about my subject and also had a great presence in the room. All good stuff just need to sell myself more.

great news today - a new GP has started at my practice she was amazing and said I can adopt her as my new doctor. I am so happy to find an amazing GP.

[Copper]

That new GP sounds great. Things are looking up for you at last.

Is it half term now? Time for a bit of a rest?

[rebecca c]

yes hence the trip to Dorset. A bit of a rest but after a long day on monday and then a chance to try and get ahead on the next 2 assignments

[Copper]

Well it has gone quiet here again. I hope that you are all keeping well.

I have been spring cleaning. I really must try and part with some books to make some room on the shelves for stuff piled up on the floor :lol2:

My youngest daughter came home for the weekend. We decided to go into Poole on Saturday afternoon. This is a 10 minute bus ride away from Copper Towers. As we approached the edge of town cars coming out of town were covered in white stuff. We found the pavements tricky to walk on as they were slushy and very slippery. We asked the man in the second hand bookshop what had happened and he said they had just had a half hour hail storm. Others muttered about snow. Looking at the pavements it looked like a cross between snow and hail. Copper Towers had nothing - weird weather.

Vitalite comes in a new oval shaped container. We don't need to panic as nothing else has changed so it is still dairy and soya free. I like the new container as it takes up less room in my fridge.

[rebecca c]

Sounds similar to some freak weather we had in Brighton a couple of weeks ago.

I am OK, feeling better but tummy problems have returned trying lactase but it has manitol in it so probably make matters work, All the stuff in the chemist has lactose or sorbitol which just is not going to help. May have to go and see my new GP if I can get an after work appointment

Still trying to play around with things to see if I can get any improvement
making me self conscious and anxious which isnt going to help.

Good news - the DSA confirmed my entitlement so in a few days I should have the equipment (lesson learned get your MP onto the case)

May not be posting much over the next few months as workload is about to become full on

[Copper]

I hope that you get things sorted out soon Rebecca. Good luck with the work load and try to pace yourself.

Don't worry about not posting we understand.

Only 4 weeks to the Easter holidays ;)

[cnc]

Sorry I've been snowed under with health stuff and uni, which isn't a great combo. Just heard that there are definitely problems with my stomach, and there's something wrong with my spine but whether it's actually what's causing my walking problems or at least contributing to it, I'm yet to find out as I heard this via an inept rheumatologist rather than my neurologist. I'm certain it's related to the numbness and pain in my back and legs I'm currently experiencing though!!

Am going to have hand surgery again at some point this year, which will involve 8-10 weeks in plaster, which could be a rather interesting experience for me, and cause some chaos.
We've decided to extend my degree a bit because there's no way I'm going to get it all done whilst all of this stuff is going on, but I'll get it done eventually. I'm in no huge rush and I'd rather do it well than rush and make a mess of it.

Think that's about everything going on in my world. I'm doing okay though, just continuing to pose problems to the medical world :D

[Copper]

Oh Claire you really are keeping the medical world busy. At least you don't appear to be letting it get you down.

I hope that they organise your care properly when you have your plaster on for such a long time.

I discovered that my solitary fish has survived the winter in the pond. The odd plant in the garden looks dead but I will have a better idea in a few weeks time. The daffodils are growing fast now they have seen some sun.

[rebecca c]

Still working hard and needing the steroids to get me through, but also managing to get to bed quite early and really enjoying the teaching. I really have some lovely classes who I love to spend time with so very lucky really and also have great mentor again.

Claire it is a good idea to pace yourself - get out for some sunshine too - when it does ;)

I havent been out in the garden much but the bulbs I put extra effort to get in this year are coming up so that was a good move. It will be cheerfulness just when I am in most need.

[Copper]

Good to hear that you are surviving ok Rebecca. It will soon be the Easter holidays. Two weeks in which to recharge your batteries.

Some of my daffodils decided to flower this week and then it rained and was windy. They are short stemmed daffodils so they bounced back again.

The crocuses look good. In the course of my gardening I manage to dig up the crocus corms so I replant them randomly :)

I had to remove a lot of pond weed this week. It had got out of hand and in the winter the blanket weed took hold :angry: I found a damsel fly nymph, 3 newts and a newly hatched baby fish. The latter was a surprise as we have one fish left in the pond. I guess before the other two fish died they laid eggs which survived the winter.

The spring cleaning is finished. I just have to wash carpets and curtains when we get some warmer weather. I can do some family history now.

I have even done some cross stitching in the evenings.

[rebecca c]

Happy Easter all!

Am taking a day off working tomorrow - I have just finished my next assignment which is due in Friday. Needless to say I have long list of work to do not least the fact that everyones sheets are fairly manky and need laundering. But I think I should get a bit of time off over the next couple of weeks which feels good.

Then its five more weeks in school and a month in uni - several field trips, assignments to get through two more essays (one easier one harder) hopefully job interviews - well anyway I am on the home straight now- feeling pleased with myself as I have done all this with kids, asthma and have been told I am the best trainee my school have had so all I have to do is keep that up a little longer and find a job. It will be a synch!!!!

Top marks for the new doctor who too.

[Copper]

I think you have done really well Rebecca. I am sure that you will get a job.

We enjoyed Dr Who too. Matt Smith was very good, full of energy and errrr mad :lol2:

[Copper]

Well we have had a taste of summer weather here. The garden is looking good. I have lost a couple of plants. One was the catmint which our cat loved. Sadly our much loved soppy cat died suddenly in February :( I am growing some catmint from seed as I am planning to get a kitten in late summer.

My eldest daughter who is wheat and gluten intolerant, amongst a list of other things, was home for the weekend. She told me that she can tolerate spelt. I have made some spelt bread in the bread maker. The bread is edible but sticky. Perhaps I need to experiment more.

[rebecca c]

Nigel Slater has a recipe for spelt bread in last weekends observer (or was it guardian?)

[Copper]

Thanks for that. We dug out the article which my husband had missed.

Sadly my daughter has now developed a reaction to spelt. She also has a problem with the gluten in oats :( We think that she will be ok if she rotates these with her everything free other foods.

It is a lovely day today and the garden looks very colourful. I thought I had dug up the forget me nots before they seeded, now I have hundreds of forget me not seedlings in the garden.

One third of the plum tree was dead wood so now that I have pruned it it looks a bit odd. I think a clematis growing up through it would improve the look.

[rebecca c]

It is lovely here too. Have got quite a bit of work done, may now mow the lawn before I do a last little bit and get my ironing done.

[Helen SCD]

Made some biscuites adapting an old receipe I used to use. It worked this time and tasted great. Only trouble is I have eaten them all in 3 days:blush: not good for the waist line but wonderful to finally get them edible. Previously made ones had to be thrown out as inedible.
But feeling sorry for myself, I had some crisps (i know i should have heeded the warnings) and now I am suffering from hives. No more crisps in future, but they about the only thing that I eat with salt on.

[rebecca c]

I make the following - 225g of flour (I use rice flour), pure and sugar, 2 egg yolks, lemon juice, baking powder 1tsp

mix it all up pop on a baking tray flatten a bit cook for 12 to 20 mins at 175C

sometimes make golden syrup ones with less sugar

I eat plain red sky (walkers) and plain kettle chips - only ones Ok for coeliacs and with no flavours and dont share with dirty handed people!:)

lovely sunshine - training going good - asthma was bad over weekend and especially monday (ASH???) but taken steroids so on the mend.

[Copper]

If we get the weather they are predicting for the weekend we will be able to sit out in the garden!

I have not noticed any ash here thank goodness. We enjoyed the lack of noise from droning planes.

[rebecca c]

work work work but still enjoying it.

missing the lovely sunshine though and proper time with my own children.

rescued a bee this evening - made me feel suprisingly good

on a mixture of hormones and steroids at the moment - not always pleasant but increasing my energy levels! LOL

[Copper]

It has not been warm enough to sit out so I have cleared out the garden shed. I discovered that small rodents had been in and chewed up part of a bin bag LOL.

Only another term to get through Rebecca. Then you will have time for your boys.

[rebecca c]

sun shining,bank holiday but I have work to do, jobs to apply for and housework all around. Nevertheless have booked a table to go out with my eldest at only restaurant I feel safe to eat at - when I called they said we remember your name you have intolerences dont you just remind us what they are - BLISS

[Copper]

Rebecca that sounds like a good restaurant. Good luck with the job applications.

The blackbirds raised two babies in the nest in my garden. The babes flew, well scambled out of, the nest on Wednesday. Mum is now frantically patching the nest up ready for another brood. Dad is happily singing away up a tree in the garden.

Also on Wednesday a great spotted woodpecker came into the garden and pecked away at the fat balls. I also saw the pair of goldfinches on the feeder so they both survived the winter.

It rained last night which is good as the garden really needed water.

[rebecca c]

yes my garden was dry too. job application done. expecting news of an interview next week but it would be a long drive so not sure. lovely meal out and squeezed into a free parking space. I had such a good week last week including amazing comments on my latest essay I am feeling very positive right now. My tulips are looking OK - not as good as last few years but at least I had time to get them in to cheer me up.

[Copper]

Rebecca, I think you are doing really well. I know how hard it is to work part time and look after two children. I didn't have the health problems that you have to deal with either.

Good to hear that the restaurant looked after you.

It is Bank holiday weekend and oh what a surprise it is raining. The gardens round here need the rain. I have sprinkled lawn feed on both of my lawns so the rain is perfectly timed. Well, it would have been better if the predicted rain on Friday had happened.

[Copper]

Was I the only one to notice that we were unavailable for a while today? This was due to site maintenance.

Nothing much to report. I have been naughty and have eaten more chocolate which contains soya lecithin. The good news is that so far I have not exceeded my limit, which is unknown :lol2:

I have also made some lovely dairy free chocolate spread, perfect on toast for breakfast.

I have been cross stitching in the evenings. I have nearly finished an afghan cross stitch, butterflies and flowers. I am looking forward to draping it on my computer chair.

I have discovered a whole load of ancestors in Barking, Essex. As they were around in the 1920's there must be relatives alive in Barking today. That has kept me busy, typing in all of the facts. I need a brain for this as they all used the same small collection of names, very confusing at times.

[Steve]

Was I the only one to notice that we were unavailable for a while today? This was due to site maintenance.


There was some problems on the server that runs the site. I've got some more work to do on the weekend and the site will be down for a couple of hours again. I will try not to cause too much downtime :)

[rebecca c]

Working hard but only a few weeks to go, I have mixed feelings about this. I have so enjoyed it but have been working like a trojan.

[Copper]

At least we have been warned Steve.

You will be ready for the summer break Rebecca.

[Copper]

Last December a group of us went to "The Bear Cross" for a meal. They were excellent with dairy free options.

This week we have booked to go again in June. This time I was told that I would have to pre order something unless I wanted rump steak. They did say they could do salmon without the sauces, sadly I am intolerant/allergic to salmon.

I think that they are not so good when you have dairy problems, grrr. I hope I am proved wrong when we go there in a couple of weeks time.

[cnc]

Sorry for my long absence, I spent 5/6 weeks in hospital due to my sickness and stomach problems. I ended up being tube fed into my jejunum, because I was malnutritioned and dehydrated, I was due to come home with a tube but I kept throwing them up, so they sent me home on an 'eat little but often' but I lasted less then 24 hours on that and was taken back in, and ended up in the same bed that I'd left earlier that day, people didn't even believe I'd been discharged ;) I was then seen by a different consultant and given a different drug which has pretty much stopped me being sick, and made things so much better for me. I'm pretty drained from it all but getting better. The drug makes me quite sleepy but it's worth it in terms of nutrition and quality of life.
Doc wants me to have a lactose breath test, but I really don't want to, as I'm nervous it'll make me feel really poorly- he argued with me that if something was classed as lactose free, but had trace lactose in it, there's no way I could react to it, but I'm not convinced.

There's not much else to say really, I'm snowed under with doctors appointments, uni is on hold at the moment until I get things a bit more back on track, but then hopefully I'll get it all sorted again, and I'll be okay.

Hope you're all okay and enjoying the warmer weather.

[Copper]

Oh Claire that sounds awful.

I really hope that things keep improving. I can understand not wanting a lactose test. I would be reluctant if I were you. You don't need anything to set you back right now.

:hug:

[rebecca c]

Claire I hope things improve steadily for you, it sounds like you have been through the mill AGAIN.

I am hanging on in there three more assignments to plough through but finished the teaching practice with the best reports possible, a little worried about getting a job but concentrating on the assignments for now.

[Copper]

The light is on at the end of the tunnel. I hope you manage to get a job after all your hard work.

Yesterday we bought some lemon curd tarts but sadly I missed the coconut oil listed in the ingredients :( I decided to risk it anyway and I was fine. I won't push my luck and eat another one today.

Last week I over did the soya (soya lecithin in some yummy chocolate) and felt odd for a few hours.

I finished my cross stitch afghan blanket and it is now draped over my computer chair. I am working my way through some smaller cross stitch projects now.

My youngest daughter sat opposite Richard E Grant (excellent acting in The Scarlet Pimpernel) on the tube this week, lucky her.

[rebecca c]

I have finished my course with flying colours and great references. Somehow though I am struggling to get a job, I knew I would need to be persistant but it is tough.

I am trying to keep my chin up and see each interview and application as a fresh challenge :)

[Copper]

Congratulations on passing the course. I am impressed that you managed to do it and keep well and sane.

Do you get feedback from your interviews?

Keep going as somebody out there wants you.

[rebecca c]

Thanks Copper, yes I get feedback - sometimes its helpful but its generally very good and there wasnt much in it etc. Need to find people who will appreciate the value I will bring, as you say somebody will see it and they are probably the kind of people I want to work for.

[cnc]

Congratulations on passing your course, I'm sure you'll get a job in time, it's just a case of making the right match, don't give up.

I've unfortunately been back in hospital with my stomach problems, no one really seems to know what's going on which is rather problematic, but hopefully we'll get an answer one day soon.

Take care all and have a lovely weekend.

[rebecca c]

Claire, take care of yourself and I hope you are out and better soon.

[Copper]

Claire, I am sorry to hear that you have been in hospital yet again. I hope that they find out what the problem is soon.
:hug:

[rebecca c]

Currently doing the lightning process, I'll keep you posted but there are things about it which are definitely nothing like as I have heard some people suggest. Our coach is quite open minded and it is not cloaked in secret or a great mystery, it works in quite a simple way and the things it is doing quite rapidly are things I have been tiptoeing towards for a while now. Seems logical and sensible to me, one reason I went is I know 3 people who have benefitted although nobody with allergies/asthma, the success stories are incredibly impressive and other people on the course had experienced successes within thier families.

[rebecca c]

Process seems good, takes 3 months of work for full affect. Still not job, am signing up for supply and have resolved that I will do what it takes to get where I want and get my boys where they need to be. Everyone is going to have to be pretty tough to get few the next few years - I've toughed it out plenty of times and can do it again. Deep breath and off we go. It may be easier if we could move house but we really are tied to getting the boys through school now.

[Copper]

Yes we are all going to suffer one way or another for the next 5years!

If you have your boys in a good school you don't really want to move them. I am sure a job will turn up eventually.

Our cat died suddenly in February which was a bit traumatic to say the least. On Sunday we went to see some kittens at a Cats Protection League open day. We have chosen a ginger kitten. We have passed the home check.

This morning we went to see our kitten so we could take some photos of him. We have chosen a timid kitten so that will be interesting when we get him home. The mother was not happy that we were in the pen and allowing her kittens to roam into the outer area of the pen. When we were finished we did a head count and one kitten was missing. We could hear it but couldn't work out where it was but the mother looked and knew where it was. We found it in the swing bin of clean cat litter :lol2:

[rebecca c]

Ginger kittens are the best! What will it be called - our ginger cat was called Argylle when I was little, he was lovely and an amazing mouser.

I'm fine really just not enjoying the uncertainty.

[Copper]

I hate it when you can't make plans so I understand how you feel.

Our little furry friend will be called Timmy, after the baby sheep in Shaun the sheep :)

I am managing to keep well apart from the day I ate too much chocolate which contained soya, ooops. I even ate a lemon curd tart which contained coconut and was ok. Coconut was the one thing that made me very ill a few years ago. I would not push my luck too far and eat more than one of the tarts in a week.

[rebecca c]

coconut is not good for me at the moment.

Feeling a little low today, it feels like I have to keep proving myself over and over again. My research suggests age discrimination is not unusual in education - but I think people see me as someone I am not when they first meet me. I will keep at it as I determined to do this.

[Copper]

I found it hard to get back into work after a break to have children. It annoyed me as once you are older you are wiser. I was very good at multi tasking and time management.

Don't give up Rebecca.

[rebecca c]

Much relief, I have a job at a lovely school nice and local too!!!

[Copper]

Congratulations. :clap: Now you can enjoy the summer and prepare yourself for September.

[rebecca c]

Thanks Copper, it is a scorcher here today!

[Copper]

We went to London for the day on Sunday and ate a roast dinner in a pub by the Thames. My stomach has not been right since then and I think the under cooked beef is to blame. I feel ok today.

We collected our kitten on Monday. I am suffering from a lack of sleep :o. Monday he spent his time hiding and hissing at me but then in the night he cried and wanted a cuddle/playmate. He purred really loudly which was a bit of a surprise. Yesterday we allowed him in our bedroom during the day, in the hope that if he was allowed in there at night it would not be such an exciting place. He still bounced around the room but at least we were allowed to sleep until 5 am. We did our best to ignore him and he did go back to sleep until we staggered out of bed just before 9 am.

He runs everywhere, jumps onto as many things as possible and climbs as high as he can. He is very sweet but tiring.

[rebecca c]

You need some younguns to tire him out!

[cnc]

Congratulations on the job Rebecca, am delighted for you.
So what's the cat called Copper?
Sorry for my long absence, I've been in hospital with my stomach a lot since Easter and am now home on enteral feeding and a small amount of food. Also had hand surgery and have my dominant hand in plaster. In good news though there seems to have been progress in working out what's wrong with me - There's still no magic wand, but hopefully now I'm going about under the right label :)

Hope you're all having a nice weekend- would be lovely to see some of the newer members post on this thread too, we don't bite honestly ;)

[Copper]

I hope that somebody finds a magic wand soon. You must be bored with hospital wards now.

The kitten is called Timmy. He is an energetic thing especially at 5 am :eek: I am really tired now so hope he calms down soon. The books say that kittens need a lot of sleep - well this one gets by on very little during the day.

[jill]

would be lovely to see some of the newer members post on this thread too, we don't bite honestly ;)

And i'm sure you wouldn't mind if an oldie posted too.:)

Hi girls, I haven't been on here for such along time. Just thought i'd pop in and see how you were all doing.

Rebecca - so pleased to hear you have got a teaching job, obviously all of your hard work has paid off.

Claire, as usual you are keeping the medical profession busy. I so so hope they will find an answer soon to all of your problems.

Copper - a kitten, how entertaining, we are thinking of getting a puppy next year when we will hopefully have got most of the house sorted.

We have been extremely busy and have lots left to do in the house, hence my abscence. I try to limit the amount of time I come on the computer, most of it is spent searching housey stuff. I'll try to pop in more often though. Take Care x

[Copper]

Hi Jill. I thought that you had forgotten all about us. It is nice to hear from you.

I guess you will be pleased when the house is finished. I am sure that it will look lovely.

Hmm I am not sure that puppies/kittens are a good thing if you have to leave them alone for more than a few hours. We left Timmy alone in the house today as we had to go food shopping. Luckily he still hides in a dark corner and sleeps when left alone.

Tonight he has been manic and has run up the curtains and even jumped half way up the net curtains. All curtains are still in one piece. Somebody said I could buy a crate but that seems cruel to me. A friend bought a crate for her puppy and the puppy was quite happy with it. Cats and kittens are free spirits.

[Copper]

Both of the large Tesco stores near me appear to have stopped selling Vitalite :mad: The section for Pure is very small so they are bound to run out.

The kitten is still manic but has stopped waking me up early in the morning thank goodness.

What happened to summer? We have had some rain this week which was good for the garden. We had not had rain for many weeks as it always passed us by. Some plants in the garden wilted a few times.

[kirstyh]

I have another Grrr re supermarkets and dairy-free spreads. Sainsbury's have taken the Pure Sunflower spread off their list of products available. Note this is NOT just our local store but nationwide. At least they are still selling Vitalite.

With my son and hubby both having birthdays within 3 days of each other, I've been getting lots of practice at making lactose free cakes. There is a lovely recipe on the Lactofree website. I need to do a few more to get the right quantity of cocoa right for a chocolate version, but I'm sure my kids won't mind being guinea pigs:p

[Copper]

Supermarkets always make me grrr. I hate food shopping. Tesco and Sainsburys think we are not entitled to choice.

Tesco usually have a little note on the shelf to warn you that that items will be discontinued but they did not do it for Vitalite. I feel an email complaint to Tesco coming on :)

I am sure your children will love being guinea pigs :lol2:

[Copper]

My youngest daughter sent me an email at 6am (when I was asleep) to tell me that she was ill. In a nutshell she had an allergic reaction to a mouthwash :mad: Luckily it did not affect her throat so her boyfriend did not need to rush her to the nearest A & E.

She is obviously allergic to the chemical antiseptic used in the mouthwash. I have told her to get it put in her notes at the dentist and the doctor.

I have read that this allergy is rare. She is trying to outdo me and her sister with our long list of intolerances.

We thought she had not inherited these type of problems, sigh.

[zoefruitcake]

Hello everyone who remembers me :D Nice to see all the familiar names are still here. Honestly, I'm such a bad friend, I think I pop up about once a year, full of good intention ;0)
Been made redundant from my job after 10 years in the library, so feeling at a bit of a lose end at the moment

[Copper]

Welcome back :)

I am sorry to hear that you have been made redundant.

[zoefruitcake]

thanks Copper. It really sucks. I think I have found a gap in the market though. I hate filling out application forms, I wish I could employ someone to do it for me ;)

[SarahC]

Oh Zoe, that's not good. Hope you find something soon. I know what it's like job hunting as I'm doing that too

[Copper]

We had a new suite delivered on Friday. Things did not go to plan with the removal of the old one so we had 3 sets of men in the house during the morning/lunchtime. Sadly the kitten was freaked out and spent the rest of the day and evening hiding under a shelf. He had boundless energy at bedtime and very early in the morning. I am wrecked now :(

The enter key on my laptop is starting to fail, oh woe is me.

[rebecca c]

Zoe and Jill it is very good to hear from you both.

Jill, keep up with the house stuff it must have been a stressful time.

Zoe - good luck with the jobhunting, having just been through it myself I know how hard it all is.

Just returned from a lovely holiday (another house swap) this time 3 weeks in Spain, sounds a bit much to complain but I would rather not have 3 weeks. The boys were so good which really made the holiday :)

Have returned to hassles over paperwork (CRB of course)- over peoples mix ups not mine which is annoying when I have worked so hard to make sure it all goes smoothly. It may all work out for the best or I may have to delay my start date (and salary, which grates when it is not my fault) ....

Copper - I hope the new suite is really lovely, better keep Timmy's claws away from it, I had a crate for my dog and she liked it but I would not put a cat in one!

[rebecca c]

SarahC- I see you come from Chatteris - I grew up in Swavesey!

[cnc]

Nice to see you again Jill and Zoe. Good luck with the house Jill and I hope the job hunting goes okay Zoe.

I'm still bouncing in and out of hospital, but I officially no longer have ME/CFS, my new diagnosis explains all of my ME type problems and so I'm busy trying to correct medical records and things :)

I'm doing okay though, had a week away to do my Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition, and have just completed my skill and physical recreation sections. Uni is still going just very slowly and rather lacking motivation but I'll get there eventually. Hand is now out of plaster and is spending six weeks in a splint to be weaned into normal usage again.

So it's all go here still. Sorry I've not been around so much, will try harder to pop in more.

[Copper]

It is good to hear from you again Claire.

Does the new diagnosis give more hope for an improvement in your health or better management?

I am impressed that you manage to find the time and energy to do the Duke of Edinburgh award.

[rebecca c]

Well done with the DofE Claire, I did mine up to gold too was years ago now! Funny thing is I mostly remember the good bits ;)

I hope the change in diagnosis will mark some progress.

I had a lovely day in London yesterday with my eldest, his friend and my Mum who spent some time topping up my history knowledge, soon I will be a tudor expert....

[Copper]

I have spent an hour digging up a Phormium (New Zealand Flax). It used to shades of pink and small. It grew as tall as me and went green :(

I really thought I would not be able to dig it up especially as I am just under 5 feet tall. I won the battle. I now have to chop it up into smaller bits so I can bag it and get it to the tip.

I am going to replace it with an evergreen azalea which they claim is very hardy. It will have white flowers.

The kitten went silly when I was digging and I could see him in my lounge hanging off of the net curtains. He can't be trusted in the garden and certainly not in the front garden where I was working. Our estate is open plan so he would just run and run. He doesn't use his brain :lol2:

[rebecca c]

I have a phormium which is getting too big - probably a job for next year though. Well done on getting it out I hear they have difficult root sytems.

[Copper]

The roots run a long way. My answer to the problem was to cut them ;)

Tomorrow I have to finish cutting the leaves into smaller pieces. Everything will go into many bags and we will then have a trip to the tip. I will have to get as many roots out of the border as I can.

I am looking forward to planting a hardy evergreen white flowering azalea in the border as a replacement. The border is octagonal and in the middle of the front lawn.

[kirstyh]

Silly, silly girl! I am now two and a bit weeks into my lactose free trial and we went to a friends for lunch. She makes the most divine tirramasu and I didn't say no. My tummy is now making ominous gurgling noises. There has been a direct correlation between bad tummy upsets and the two times I stupidly had dairy so I guess there are two of us in the family now.

[jill]

Regarding the house being stressful - I can honestly say not. I really enjoyed the experience, must have been down to the excellent builder. It is now the process of decorating. I have started with my craft room first (priorities!!). I am currently in the process of doing the floor boards, friday it was sanding, yesterday clearing the dust up in preparation for staining the boards this morning. I was a bit worried how they would turn out in case I got too much dye on them. I am pleased with how it worked out though. Tomorrow and Tuesday will be spent applying a wax/oil finish. I bought a lovely patchwork bedspread in TXMaxx last weekend to go on the bed settee so I have ordered some green fabric to match to cover the base of the settee and make a Roman Blind.

I have no experience of DoE, appart from knowing that my niece is doing it at the moment and a couple of days ago was in a tent in Wales as part of it. She lives in Cambridgeshire aswell. (Alconbury)

Has anyone been watching the great british bake? I have made two batches of dairy free buns (or cupcakes as they seem to be called nowadays.) I have discovered that when making "Butter-Cream" with pure Soya spread that you do not need to add as much fat to the icing sugar. I was always taught, half fat to the quantity of icing sugar.

At last you have made a little progress Claire, there always seems to be one step forward two steps back with one thing or another. You don't seem to let it stop you though.

Kirsty - we all had slip ups in the early days, by having them it makes you realise what the problem is and with it making you ill it makes it more worthwhile not bothering. It is hard saying no but in the end if you're not ill it is worth it.

It has been very windy here today, the big sycamore tree opposite has started loosing its helicopters - you can here them banging on the windows. Lots of leaves to sweep up tomorrow.

[rebecca c]

I know what you mean Jill, in my old house I really enjoyed having the loft done and it was so worth it such an amazing space I miss it and the window overlooking the coast.

Went out bright and early this morning for a walk to the seven sisters, we had such a lovely walk (me and my youngest) it was well worth getting there before the crowds.

I have bought my elderly dog a ramp to get into the car, she does use it which is a relief but she obviously felt embarassed going up it in front of people and put on quite a performance. So I sat and waited calmly and she went up in the end.

She is showing real signs of her age which is sad and didnt go swimming in the sea but she had a swim in the river. She found walking on the stones hard too. :(

[Copper]

Poor dog. How old is she?

It took me just over an hour to dig the phormium out the other day. It took about 6 hours to chop and bag it up. I now have housemaids knee :( It is not very bad but painful. I can't kneel on the carpet searching for the kitten's sparkly sponge balls so he will have to find them himself :)

I am resting it as much as possible and hope it improves soon.

[rebecca c]

she is 11

encourage indepedence in your feline family members - a good thing

[cnc]

My new diagnosis is one of something pretty much untreatable- improvement can sometimes be made with intensive physio, and a bit of luck, but it's a genetic disorder with no cure. At least this way I know what I'm dealing with and can plan accordingly.
I love doing my DofE, it's so rewarding, and keeps you busy. I went away for the weekend and found somewhere near here that does sailing for the disabled which I'm looking into starting next week, I'm very excited.

I hope your knee improves soon Copper.
I'm glad your dog is managing to use the ramp Rebecca, I hope she becomes less embarrassed by it soon.

Take care all :)

[Copper]

I have finally got a grip and bought some Stork margarine for my baking. I hate having margarine in a wrapper and then I remembered that in the back of the cupboard I had a Tupperware butter dish and lid. I always knew that the dish would be useful one day, it has taken about 25 years for me to find it useful :lol2:

Life has been hectic here for weeks. My youngest daughter got engaged so we have a wedding to look forward to sometime.

My gas cooker is 13 years old and started to leak a tiny bit of gas. Needless to say spares are not available so we had to choose and buy a replacement quickly.

My kitten had his little operation yesterday. He was not happy about being left with strangers as he is timid. He has been very good. He still wakes me up at 6am for a cuddle. Sometimes he thinks I should be playing! I refuse to get up and feed him as he survived the day of his op without breakfast.

I need sleep. :eek:

[zoefruitcake]

I hope your kitten is feeling ok after his op.

Sorry your old cooker couldn't be repaired. I need to stay away from all appliances at the moment, start of the week I had to have an electrician out to replace my cooker socket as it was crackling, then yesterday my washing machine started flashing lights at me. When the engineer arrived at 6.15 pm I could have kissed him as I thought I'd been forgotten

[Copper]

It is nice to hear from you Zoe.

A crackling socket sounds dangerous :eek:

Gosh 6.15pm is very late.

My kitten is full of himself again. He has only run up the curtains once since his op. He still wakes me up at about 6am but just wants a cuddle. He has dry food available if he is hungry. He loves playing with soft sparkly balls but is very rough with them. I spend a lot of time picking up sparkly strands :)

[Helen SCD]

Glad to hear that your kitten has got over his op. Have you tried pingpong balls? not as messy! but srewed up paper is a great toy also. Cats motto in my house is: A toy found is always better than a toy given (eg your curtains are the best thing to climb) So don't have anaglipta (sorry about the spelling) wall paper as some kittens can even climb that!!!

[zoefruitcake]

I get 6am wake up calls too, my cat Maddie likes to pretend she is a lead weight on top of me whilst purring in my ear :rolleyes:

[Helen SCD]

You are lucky if one of my cats Dolly is out at night and wants to come in she sits on my windowsile and meows at 2AM!!!!!!! until I wake up and let her in.

[Copper]

I get woken up nearer 7am now. My kitten loves to cuddle up close to me and give my neck a wash - yuk. He likes looking at water so he rushes into the bathroom when I have a shower. He doesn't like getting wet though :)

I managed to get some gardening done yesterday afternoon. A small section of the flower border looks really good, shame about the rest. I am hoping to get a bit more done this afternoon but the kitten will not be happy as he will be indoors.

I even made two birthday cards yesterday so I had a very productive day.

[cnc]

Oh dear I just typed a message and lost it all :(

Anyway no prizes for guessing where I've been recently :( But I'm back out now and fixed up- they've put a tube straight into my stomach and bowel so I should be able to stay out of hospital a bit more. It's taking some getting used to but I'll get there eventually :)

Sounds like you've all got rather entertaining cats, and I'm glad yours has got over his operation Copper.

Hope you've all had a nice weekend, look forward to hearing from you all soon.

[Copper]

Oh dear I just typed a message and lost it all :(

Anyway no prizes for guessing where I've been recently :( But I'm back out now and fixed up- they've put a tube straight into my stomach and bowel so I should be able to stay out of hospital a bit more. It's taking some getting used to but I'll get there eventually :)



Oh Claire that sounds nasty. I hope that you feel better soon and can manage to stay out of hospital for quite a while now.

:hug::hug:

My cat has demonstrated his jumping skills today. He can now jump from the floor to the draining board, sigh. Dettox has been used rather a lot today.

He is all brave and desperate to get into the garden. We let him out the day before yesterday as I was gardening and he was a wimp and hid under the shed. He ran around the edge of the garden but heard a noise so hid under the shed. We have decided he can go out after the 5th of November when he will be 6 months old and maybe have more of a brain. As he is timid and does not do strangers he is unpredictable outside.

[kntjcq]

HI, I HAD COLIC AS A BABY AND NOW AFTER MANY YEARS AND FOUR CASES OF PNEUMONIA I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOW LACTOSE INTOLERANT AS MUCH MEDICATION USED LACTOSE AS A FILLER AND HAD TO GO ON TO LIQUID MEDICATION BUT BEING DAIRY FREE IN MY DIET MEANS I AM MUCH HEALTHIER SO I STICK WITH HEALTHIER FOODS I EVEN DRINK GOATS MILK AND USE STORK BLOCK MARGARINE INSTEAD OF BUTTER TO BAKE SHORTBREAD AND CAKES. I AM HAPPIER TO BE HEALTHIER EVEN FOR A BABY WITH COLIC NOW THEY CAN PRESCRIBE SOYA MILK TO STOP THE COLIC.
JACQUIE

[Copper]

Doctors should not be prescribing soya milk as an alternative to dairy. There are special prescription formulas available now.

[zoefruitcake]

sorry to hear you have been suffering Claire :(

Felines get everywhere don't they? My friend was telling me last night she suspected her kitten was getting on the work surfaces in the kitchen so she sprinkled flour all over. He then knocked it all off and rolled in it

[Copper]

Our lovely feline can't be trusted in the kitchen. He knows it is naughty which is a start I guess.

He ran up the net curtain today as he spotted that the small top window was open.

[rebecca c]

I used to love it when our kittens had a mad hour in the evening.

Have achieved a lot this holiday, but am on the steroids and feeling wiped out - had a flu jab yesterday which is triple jab so I expect that hasnt helped.

Bathroom now has an extractor fan, new paint job and a window which closes as well as light fitting which does not continuously flicker - lush!

[Copper]

Wow you have been busy Rebecca. I hope that you feel better soon.

Kitty has a mad hour when we want to go to bed :)

Last evening somebody threw a large stone at our patio doors. I told the police so it can be logged. Within 10 minutes two community officers were here. Luckily the doors are not damaged. I just hope this is not the start of trouble again. As the officers said it has been quiet for a long time and they thought they had got it sorted out.

Needless to say as the doorbell was used and I allowed two strangers into the house the poor kitty was a jelly under the sofa. He was a nervous wreck for 3 hours.

[Helen SCD]

Copper, have you tried Feliway spray or plug in, which helps to to calm cats down you can get it on the internet and from your vets.

[Copper]

I will remember this if my kitten does not grow out of this behaviour. He has been very good with the odd fireworks going off round here, sigh. There will be a display at the school behind us on Friday night. It will last for all of 20 minutes so it will be interesting to see how he copes with it.

He will be allowed out after all the fireworks have finished round here. I am hoping he acquires more confidence once he explores the garden.

My eldest daughter came home for a few days and it has been about 4 weeks since the kitten had seen her. He hid for a few minutes and then came out and looked at her and then remembered her. He has had her running up and down the stairs playing with ping pong balls :lol2:

[Copper]

Tesco have excelled themselves with bad service this afternoon. We had to wait for 15 minutes to get served at a till due to a lack of response to three calls for more till staff.

I then had to wait another 15 minutes at the Tesco Direct desk. The member of staff was on her tea break and despite three calls the other trained member of staff did not come to serve us. We were able to collect out little package when the member of staff came back from her tea break. She was very apologetic but it was not her fault.

I have just written a complaint online and discovered that you have to give them a mobile number or it refuses to send the form. I had to phone Tesco and ask them what to do about a lack of mobile number and was told to make it up. The online form refused to accept my made up numbers so I used their example and it was happy.

I sent another complaint about their online form.

Tesco have made me very :mad: today.

[Copper]

Well the large firework display took place on the 5th November. The kitten was not bothered apart from the large bang at the beginning and the large bangs at the end. He never ceases to surprise me.

I went into the loft yesterday and discovered that two of the humane muse traps were closed. I found two dead mice, ooops. We have not heard mice in the loft so we were not expecting anything in the traps.

[jill]

I thought we had something back in our loft, then I realised that in his sleep Paul had his hand resting on his bedside cabinet and his fingers were making a tapping noise - i was not impressed, but was relieved.

[Copper]

Well our year of bad things happening carries on. I have had a new laptop for a week and it crashes every day. It is going back to the manufacturer to be fixed, sigh.

Later today I will be back on the slow but reliable laptop.

[cnc]

I'm back from my holiday. I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Sorry to hear about your problems Copper.
I'm going away to Bristol next weekend to see lots of friends, which I'm really looking forward to :)
Hope you've all had a nice weekend.

[jill]

Nice to hear you had a good holiday Claire, it makes a nice change for you to be telling us this, rather than letting us know you have been in that place again. Hope it carries on this way.

Copper I am thinking of digging my family history stuff out again, which site if any would you recommend for being best value or are they very much the same in terms of paying for viewing and downloading documents. Many years ago I belonged to ancestry.co.uk but have just been browsing and discovered findmypast.com. I've a feeling it won't give me the same buzz as it did all those years back when I used to sit in the library for hours, finding one document was such a thrill. I want to start again with the 1911 census as I haven't any info from this.

[Copper]

Claire, it is nice to hear that you have been on holiday and enjoying yourself. Have a great time in Bristol.

Jill, at the moment the 1911 census is available online from the 1911 census site or by subscription on Findmypast. Ancestry and The Genealogist site will have the 1911 census by spring next year. I and others find that one site does not always have what you want. Findmypast is much better at transcribing the census and if you send error reports they take notice and fix them very quickly. Ancestry are not keen on changing any errors in their transcriptions. Findmypast images are better then the Genealogist. I have not looked at any from Ancestry so can't comment on their scans.

The 1911 census site is quite expensive to use so depending on how many families you want to look at it will probably be cheaper to take out a sub to Findmypast.

Depending on where your ancestors lived Free REG might be helpful. Also the LDS are slowly transcribing their filmed records and putting them online for free. Some parish register scans (ie original records) are on the LDS pilot site now. I know that a lot of parishes for Norfolk are on there.

https://beta.familysearch.org/

If you need any other ideas let me know.

[jill]

Thanks Copper, it seems like findmypast may be best as I intend to scrapbook my family tree as far as possible with photos so good document images would be a good start. I got sent some photographs of my great great grandad and his second wife, a few years back, so have put them in my scrapbooking album with all of his census returns and i'm pleased with the result. Now i've got my craft room sorted I will have to get up in the loft and sort my papers out, something to do on these long winter nights.

[Copper]

The nice thing about the 1911 census is that you are looking at your ancestor's handwriting and not the enumerator's as with the other census returns.

Oh yes this will keep you amused during the winter. Even I don't do anything in the garden in the winter.

I have leaves to collect which is a never ending job at this time of year.

[Copper]

I have been ill for the last three days and last night I was in a lot of pain.

Today is the start of my latest experiment, wheat and gluten free diet. Breakfast was cornflakes with orange juice -hmm weird but edible. One hour later and I am hungry again :(

Just as well we are going to Tesco soon so I can spend ages looking at labels again for dairy, soya, wheat and gluten. Oh happy days!

Guess who will be baking this afternoon?

[Copper]

I feel much better already so I guess that is good news.

I am afraid we bought a number of things in the Free From section in Tesco. I will be baking as soon as I have more energy.

I love Genius brown bread :p

[rebecca c]

Genius bread is yummy but has corn in so makes me a bit ill :(
Today is the first Saturday since I started my job when I feel human so I am taking that as a sign of improvement, also the first week one Saturday when I am not balling my eyes out from sheer exhaustions so that his also a plus point.

[Copper]

Oh dear Rebecca, I hope that you continue to feel human.

I don't know how you manage to work full time and do all the things we women have to do.

[Copper]

I was brave the other day and ate a bourbon biscuit for my 11am snack. I felt fine all day and then when I went to bed I felt a little unwell. I woke in the night with stomach pains which were not too bad and did not last long.

I have been wheat free for a couple of days since then and felt really well. Yesterday I used Oatly milk in my coffee and was still ok.

I have to be brave and try more wheat again soon just to prove I am not imagining my problems.

I let the kitten out into the garden yesterday. He was not as timid as was the last time we tried. He did vanish and after much calling I discovered he was hiding under the shed. I offered him lunch and he was indoors like a shot :lol2:

I did manage to get the garden tidy and things pruned. I just have piles of leaves to collect. I am not going out there if it snows though.

[Helen SCD]

How is the wheat and gluten free addtion to your dairy etc free diet going?
I am glad to hear that it seems to be working.
Your lucky with the oats as i cannot have oats either.
I find that different Tescos have different free goods available. Also Asda has wheat and gluten free stuffing and has a better choice of flour as well.
Watch out on the cerals some of them have coatings that may contain wheat/gluten.
One of the things I miss is whisky especially when i have a cold as at present

[Copper]

I am feeling well at the moment. Tomorrow I will have "real" bread for breakfast. I guess I will be feeling ill by bedtime :(

If I am ok with bread I will eat more bread every day and see what happens. I really expect one piece of bread to affect me though.

[Helen SCD]

Hi Copper,

How is the wheat free diet going? or are you now ok with bread.
I find Genius bread the best I can find. I have just experimented making pastry (mince pies) with wheat and gluten free flour, they do not taste too bad!!

How are you doing with your family tree?

Helen

[Copper]

I did not carry on with adding lots of wheat to my diet each day. I soon found out that four wheat items in a day was a bit much and I felt generally unwell. If I am not hungry at breakfast then I know an intolerance is affecting me.

I can eat wheat every day but not too much. I try to limit it to two things so today I had Genius for breakfast, one slice of my real home made bread for lunch and tonight I will have a biscuit which contains wheat.

I have made everything free pastry for mince pies for the last two years. It tastes fine but is a bit fragile. I intend to make some mince pies soon. I keep putting it off as the kitten likes to help with baking. He also does paper crafts so he has helped me make some Xmas cards :lol2:

My family history goes along in fits and starts. I am currently marrying off some of the girls in the different generations. I am using the 1911 census to help fill some of the gaps too.

I know that I have got very confused with generations of males named Fryer Richardson (you would not believe how many there were living in and around Chatteris in Cambridgeshire in the 1800s. I have bought some wills which I have to try and read and digest ever hopeful that they will help me.

[rebecca c]

Wierd Chatteris is near where I grew up and my parents live now.

Heavy snowfall here otherwise I would be in bed by now but my school is closed tomorrow. Nevertheless I shall try to work hard and get ahead of the game which may give me more time at xmas for family.:unsure:

No doubt there will be a fair bit of cleaning as boys bring snow and mud back into the house! Nice to seem them happy though!

[cnc]

Okay I'm proving to be very strange, still don't tolerate lactose (well I didn't as of about April), but yesterday put a Protein supplement down into my jejunal tube that contain milk proteins (which usually set off my asthma) and I've tolerated them just fine, weird!!
No idea what's going on, any ideas people?!
Have been busy wrapping Christmas presents, to hopefully post in the next few days, my house is overflowing with presents at the moment!!

Hope you're not suffering too much with the snow.

[Copper]

We woke up to a white garden. I went out to feed the birds and snow was ankle deep. The kitten wanted to go out but that would have been a bad idea. I allowed him to play with the snow on my wellies when I got back indoors. He was not keen on getting his paws wet but ate the snow! This kitten eats anything he finds on the floor including leaves, he is weird.

Claire, I have no idea what is happening with milk proteins and you :) As usual you like to be different :lol2: Looking on the bright side at least your supplement didn't make you ill.

[rebecca c]

Enjoying long walks in the snow and a couple of more leisurely days working at home - much needed I must say.

Looking back and realising just how exhausting it has all been and how that has made me behave in a way I would rather not. It is unlike me to defend myself but the pressure has been immense and too much has been expected of me at home and at work.

Never mind the break has been a welcome chance to catch up on some work which will mean more of a break at Christmas.

The boys have enjoyed it and my youngest has made the most of every minute as he always does with everything :) The eldest has been outside which is good at least.

Only two more weeks and then I will be a third of the way there! It can only get easier from here on in :)

Claire - I am glad the supplement didnt make you ill. I have discovered ventolin makes me ill - which just about takes the biscuit!!! An asthmatic who is sensitive to ventolin - story of my life. Luckily I have always hated it anyway as it makes me feel hyped up.

[jill]

I have just returned home for a couple of days, we went out last Sunday to take Pauls car into the garage with the intention of me bringing him back, we stopped off at Homebase and the snow came down heavy. I decided to walk to my parents and let Paul take my car back home. I have been there all week, walking 3 miles to and from work each day - an hour each way. I got my car back on tuesday but it has been too bad to drive. I am shattered. The snow is well over a foot deep. I'm not liking it much at all. :( I've also missed opening the first 3 days of my advent calendar so will have to open it later to catch up :)

[Copper]

Oh Jill a foot of snow is not good. I hope you recover soon.

I have been on a reduced wheat diet for about a week and today I am ill :( I am going wheat free for a few days and see how I get on. I guess that I probably can have a small amount of wheat now and again.

We are euting out soon so I need to get better.

[jill]

I think it will be quite a while before the snow goes completly. I so so hope we don't get any more. I went in to work today and yesterday as Paul was at work 6 to 2 so I got up very early to go in with him - my "weekend" will be Monday & Tuesday. I had a sleep when I came in but think i had too long as I am now feeling a bit groggy. Normally upto 20 minutes is fine but I must have nodded off for over an hour - I must have needed it.

Last night I decided to play catch up with the advent calendar. Opening 4 doors I discovered I couldn't get the chocolates out. A quick reorganisation of the box and inner tray has got it sorted. I don't think I could ever go back to wanting milk chocolate. This dairy alternative is a bit too wish washy after being used to the dark stuff. Its the sainsburys advent calendar. The tray I imagine could be re-used to make little festive chocolates as they have pictures on.

Copper it must be so frustrating trying to sort out how much wheat you can have along side all your other intolerances - i'm sure it will be worth it eventually and I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Helen SCD]

I hope it will warm up this weekend and melt the snow, as the weather men say. fingers crossed!!!
How are you doing Copper? I also hope you can find a balance with eating wheat and do not have to go gluten free as well as wheat free, beacause it is a right pain.

[Copper]

I have been ill since Sunday afternoon :( I have been wheat free since Monday. Today is the first day that I have felt almost 100% fit.

The question is do I stay wheat free or try and rotate wheat? I guess I could try and have wheat once or twice a week. I will not eat wheat before our dinner with a group of friends in a very good pub on Monday night.

I will have to spend more time in the kitchen cooking, bah. Last week I made some chocolate Viennese biscuits which were everything free. They are rather nice and I have just eaten the last one.

This week I made everything free mince pies and they are now in the freezer.

[Copper]

The bad luck fairy is still at chez Copper. Late Thursday night I realised that all was not well with my washing machine. Close to the witching hour I was draining water out of the machine via the filter.

We did have some good luck as a very nice man came out on Friday and found the pump had broken. He had one pump on his van :)

The machine is now working hard again.

Today I decided that the leaves just had to be collected from the pond and large border in the back garden. Tomorrow I plan an assault on the rest of the back garden.

Sadly I had to spend the evening baking to make up the time spent in the garden. Himself now has flapjacks and I have a dozen free from everything chocolate cakes. I used a new recipe so I hope they taste nice.

I am really tired now :(

[Copper]

I went out last night and had a meal with a group of friends. I knew that the pub could cope with coeliac (they have a special menu) and they coped with me being dairy free last year. I didn't know how they would cope with me now being wheat free too.

I ordered from the main menu and asked for the mashed potato to be replaced. Luckily for me they asked if I had a problem with wheat as the chips are floured! I had sauté potato instead. They managed to bring me vegetables covered in butter and they were most apologetic and replaced them.

I even had a pudding, a lovely fruit crumble from the coeliac menu. I guess it didn't have dairy in it as I am fine today.

A gold star to The Bear Cross in Bournemouth.

[Helen SCD]

I am glad you had a lovely meal out last night and that they were so helpful to you.

Welcome to the wheat free club!!!

I have recently bought a new cook book that has dairy and wheat free receipes so will trail some soon.

[Copper]

I have dug out a cook book that was recommended here a few years ago.

I have made the odd thing but will testing more recipes soon. This is the book

"The AiA Gluten & Dairy Free Cookbook" Compiled by Marilyn Le Breton.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AiA-Gluten-Dairy-Free-Cookbook/dp/1843100673/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292332200&sr=1-1

It is quite expensive now.

[cnc]

Copper, I was just wondering if you had ever looked into possible reasons as to why you were intolerant to so many things? I'm thinking of things like Leaky Gut, and there must be other illnesses too.
Do you think you could get a different GP to refer you to a dietician to see if they have any ideas?
I hate to break it to you but unfortunately there's a lot more food you can be intolerant to, a dear friend of mine was allergic to pretty much every food family group there was, but I truly hope that your intolerances stay as they are. Have you considered a rotation diet to try and keep any other intolerances at bay?

I had a bit of a scare last week, I was rushed into hospital in London, when a doctor looked at the results of a scan and thought I might have perforated my bowel!! Thankfully it was a false alarm as I was absolutely fine, and she'd just overreacted, but it was still a very anxious time for me. Am going to see one of my specialists on Thursday to talk about what it really shows.

[Copper]

Hi Claire. Oh dear I hope you don't get more bad news when you see your consultant.

I know one can be intolerant to anything and everything but I like to kid myself that I will not acquire more intolerances.

I will see my GP next year and talk to him about all of my intolerances. I hate going to the doctors and I don't want to go and wait in the surgery and catch something now. I have not seen my GP for years :) At the very least I would like my lactose intolerance to go in my notes. We were informed last year that out notes were going to be fully computerised and people who need to know would have access. In other words medical staff in hospitals. It would be nice to think that if I had to go into hospital that they would not make me sick by giving me dairy and or lactose in food and or medication.

[Helen SCD]

Thanks for the idea of the cook book Copper. Have to save up after Christmas!!!!

I also hate going to see the doctor and it took me months suffering from hives before I went, after my friends kept pestering me. Gone back again a year later and the doctor has given me a referal to the dematologist in January as still get it flarring up every so often here's hoping they can do something without me having to go onto medication as hate taking tablets.

[Copper]

We have had two lots of snow here so no post delivered. The main road through our estate was shut for most of the day yesterday due to ice and 4 stranded buses. All roads on hills were closed in the area. There are a lot of hills in the area!

This morning things look a little better. The snow is melting very slowly and it did not freeze overnight. We are planning a trip to Tesco tonight but will have to keep an eye on the temperature.

Son in law to be should be flying to Oz from Heathrow on Friday. :eek:

I hope you all are ok out there. I feel sorry for everybody in Scotland who have really suffered.

[Copper]

Tesco have ticked me off again. They have decided to stop selling their long life orange juice with added calcium :mad: No warning of course.

After an absence of at least 2 years they have decided to stock Tropicana orange with added calcium. When I complained about the Tropicana 2 or more years ago they were not interested and said they would be stocking their own version. After several weeks of no orange with added calcium they started selling their long life version.

[rebecca c]

It is OK here at the moment, the pavements were lethal this morning. Currently ploughing through my marking, hoping to take a load back to work tomorrow or I will have to get 9 sets of books in on my first day back which would be no fun. I have to use a wheely suitcase as it is. Also catching up with all my appointments - had a bone density scan today where they said I should of had a vit D test.

[Copper]

It sounds like you are very busy Rebecca. I hope that you manage to have a break at Xmas and a much needed rest.

We went to Tesco last night at about 9.30pm. It was fairly quiet on the roads and there were no problems apart from our road. There is still only one way to drive along our road and that is up the middle. The edges are full of snow and slush.

[Helen SCD]

We still have snow here and it is freezing during the day!!!
I have done my shopping for christmas and the new year, the next chance to go shopping is the 4th Jan.
I was baking at the weekend and tried a lemon syrup cake receipe that went well.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

[cnc]

I hope you've all had a Merry Christmas, and that the New Year brings you happy and healthier times.

I've had a nice Christmas, although it has been very busy, there were 10 of us on Christmas Day, and then 14 at the peak on Boxing Day. Getting back to my hotel room was bliss, it was so quiet :D I'm now back at my parents' house until January, which should be nice.
I attempted breakfast for the first time in about a year, and discovered that a slice of bread, and a small glass of juice, I can just about tolerate, any thing more makes me violently ill, but it's progress :)

Right I must be off as I'm nearly asleep at the computer!!

Happy New Year to you all, I hope it brings you health (or certainly no more dietary problems ;) )

[Copper]

I hope you make more progress in 2011.

Looking out on a green lawn seems odd now after so many days of snow. We have fog today so it is quiet here.

The kitten has been naughty, what a surprise. He wants access to all of the bedrooms and will not stop whining until he gets his way. He loves us all now as he washes both my daughters now, lovely :eek: This is the kitten who does not do strangers and is a complete wimp.

[cnc]

Thank you. I hope your intolerances start becoming a bit easier to live with, and you don't develop any more.

Your kitten sounds very fickle.

It is still quite snowy/sludgey here, which is making it difficult for my Mum to push my wheelchair, but it's not too bad.

[Helen SCD]

Still have some snow here and fog now.
Copper your cat sounds perfectly normal and a darling, many do not like strangers in THEIR HOME! Does it help you on the computer yet?
Happy New Year

[Copper]

Kitty is nearly 7 months old. He is eating me out of house and home :lol2: He likes to sleep near me most of the time. He often sleeps on the desk behind my laptop. When he gets bigger he won't fit into that space. He likes to walk across the keyboard. He also likes to sleep on the printer.

His favourite activities are watching me baking and helping with paper craft. If he hears the scissors drawer open he is there like a shot.

It rained again today. I think that all the compacted ice on our road has finally gone.