stop feeling guilty, small rant (BENCHLAND)

[katytc]

All this ppppppppppppp'ing and throwing ice over one's selves, woo hoo!!

Not quite as pained but pretty lethargic, mmmmmmmmmmmm, off to other city regarding BMS, mmmmmm, on the "totally p*********** off" bench, actually................

YD has now changed all the dates of her hols everything has worked out fine not too expensive and she has an extra 6 days, she's some machine!!

Better hurry up and get ready, oh so much can't be bothered xx

[JCJ]

Monthly direct debit is the most cost effective way to donate to charity, especially with the tax form thingy that gives them an extra 25%, Ali, (or single direct payments as-and-when, if one can't spare a regular amount!) but it doesn't raise awareness of the charity at the same time.

I am supposedly cataloguing library books, but really struggling TBA. Just been on playground duty and of course the weather is gorgeous now we are back at school! 😞

Right! Back to it! I hope Pppppeter is behaving himself, in his special pppplastic suit, in my car.

[Ali_H]

Woohoo Ppppeter!!
Back briefly to the ice bucket thing, it got me wondering which is the most cost effective way to donate to charity - by which I mean which method gives the charity most money for less admin etc??
Off to the gym, have a good day Benchies xx

[JCJ]

Ppppeter the Pppppenguin now pppparcelled up and ready to ppppost after school tomorrow. 🙂

[JCJ]

Training day: am and pm in different schools so it feels like I've done 2 days already this week!

[Ali_H]

I've done the ice bucket challenge. I must be bonkers 😉

[Ali_H]

Hah hah a knitted brother for Josh!!
Yes please he would like him very much, I think he's destined to go back to uni with him so I hope he likes rain, students and baked beans 🙂 I will happily donate to the cause or to your school funds as he was originally intended for that - and afternoon cuppa at Calke some time sounds lovely. I'll send you a message on here 🙂

[JCJ]

Ali, obviously I meant I could knit Ppppeter a brother, not your son!! 😛 🙂

[JCJ]

Kay, fingers crossed for mammo results back speedily and NORMAL.

I didn't have chemo, so we can't blame that for my embryonic cataract. Research seems to implicate Ta'poxy'fen so I'll make sure I go annually for an eye test. This time next year, I'll probably be switched to AIs anyway, if my blood tests in June show I am post menopausal - (just come off Zoladex after 2 years - no obvious withdrawal SEs (yet?)).

Sorry you're struggling with the pesky pain again, Katy. 😞 Perhaps the next Lido will sort it?? I do hope it improves soon. Keep moving....gently!

Ali, if your son is serious about Pppeter, he can have him for a small donation to BCC (I'm sure his Malteser nougat is yummy if you like that sort of thing, but I don't have a very sweet tooth!) as I was only going to sell him at the school (C-word, too-early-to-use-yet) Fair for charity/school fund, anyway and I can always knit him a brother! 🙂 I can post him. Or, maybe we could meet up for a tea/coffee/beverage of choice at Calke Abbey sometime?

I've put some seeded rolls, plum jam, blackcurrant jam and some cream in the shed. Help yourselves! If there's any left after dinner, I'll add some of my bread and butter pudding, made with fruit bread. 🙂

[Ali_H]

JCJ my son says can he swap you some of his homemade Malteser nougat for Ppppppeter the adorable Pppppenguin ppppplease???? Yes, twenty years old and still besotted by Pingu....
Jane I hope you managed some well earned rest after all that rushing around, and poor Katytc, has the pain eased at all? Good luck for the mammo Kay, all will be well. Yes, hot flushes here too, and my mil (who must surely realise that because the flushes are a result of being on BC medication I'm not particularly enjoying an early menopause) seems to delight in saying 'another hot flush??'. Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I did realise, actually. I just try not to freak my son out any more than is necessary. Honestly, relatives.....

[katytc]

Golly gosh you are all soooooooooo good, baking etc, will there be jam and bread/rolls in the shed? If anyone can be bothered can we have scones too?

Am on the "try and keep moving" bench cause blinkin' struggling with pain at the moment!

So am following behind you Jane! Going from bench to bench...........

Kay before bc was prescribed Clonidine had the most horrible of side effects so decided to go "au naturelle" with ta"poxy"fen flushes, fed up of meds giving worse side effects than the thing they are being prescribed for, if you know what I mean, all the best for your mammo, fingers and toes crossed.

Beautiful sunshine here today, just lovely xx

[Jo_BCC]

Hi JCJ

I have passed this on to our manager for the technical team to have a look at to see if the problem is from our end.

Kind regards

Jo, Moderator

[Kayteeb53]

Hi JCJ, optician told me that I have start of cataract in one eye, probably due to chemo. Have to go to opticians yearly now. Mammogram time again on Thursday.
Hope all are well. Hot flushes are bad at the moment. Has anyone got any doctors help for them?

[JCJ]

Seeded rolls were a great success. What have I done? Now I'm going to have to make bread again!

Pppeter the Pppppenguin is finished. See my profile pics. This stupid tablet won't let me copy the link. (Keep bing told to CTL V don't HAVE a CTL key on tablet!!! :()

[CanonJane]

can;t find the not busy bench, or the cba bench or any bench to sit on... feel like i'm rushing round all the benches a bit like the white rabbit from Alice....  need to stop......  can't stop.... very tired....

not helped by daughter's dog barking from 5.45 this morning (our dog was staying over with people who are going to dogsit for him while we're on holiday).  DD's dog (now known to me a DiddyDog) didn't like beign on his own, so he barked.... and barked... OH went out 6.45.... dog barked... and barked... I got up (without specs, so coudlnt' see a thing) let dog out incase he needed a wee..... stood waiting for him to come in... and he didn't.  Got glasses (and dressing gown) and found othat OH had left the gate open.  Dog not in garden.  EEEK!  had he gone right down to the road?  Wide awake now!  Calling dog, trying not to wake up neighbours....  He comes trotting back up the drive as if nothing's amiss.  No point in going back to bed....

I was very grumpy.  And more tired.   then picked 5k victoria plums.. gave some away... prerpared 3 k for jam... then got called out.....  you see why I'm rushing around the benches.....

[foxyferret]

Tapping twice  Yes, all well,happy and thriving but, my goodness, it's been a busy week.  Friends arrived down here last Sat. so four days of entertaining them (hard work after the first two) and non-stop chat plus going back to work and trying to do everything that needs doing there, plus shopping, laundry, being daughter's chauffeuse/cleaner/babysitter etc..

All this activity played my back up to the point where I could barely walk yesterday but I have "cured" it today by doing absolutely nothing.  I have just sat on a " not doing anything" bench and read a book. 

Tomorrow I intend to go to school and paint white stripes on the outside steps.  Yes, I know it's Sunday but I've been waiting for a dry day and I think tomorrow will have to be the day, otherwise it won't get done. Oh, I mean stripes on the edges of the steps for "'elf 'n safety"  reasons, NOT random stripes on the steps.

Dinner at daughters after the painting so won't have to cook ( whoo hoo!) and then probably some more sitting on the "not doing anything" bench.  

[JCJ]

Alternating between the CBA bench and the guilty bench. Have hardly started any of the jobs on my long "I'll do it in the summer holidays when I have more time" list, and only 2 days left! But the CBA bench is so comfy.....and I have only got 2 days left to enjoy it?!

Got some bread proving. Haven't made any for years, at home, as it always used to be a bit solid. Made some yummy rolls (*baps, batches, cobs, teacakes. *delete as appropriate) with the kids at school last term and promised myself I'd have another go at home. We'll see how it works out.

Pssst FF! You and yours all OK? Tap twice for "yes"! 😛 x

[Ali_H]

Plonked firmly on the cba bench. My mojo has done a runner, think I need to give myself a shake!

[katytc]

Thought I'd heard something about that before JCJ, you'll need to speak to BCN tout suite. Naughty optician!

Am feeling soooooooooooooo achey, soooooooooo annoying will need to ask if the lido causes MORE pain, honestly that would be just my luck!

On the "trying hard to motivate myself" bench, not working at all..............

ED comes home today, woo hoo xx

[JCJ]

Optician not completely correct it seems! 😞

According to CancerResearchUK.org, Tamoxifen CAN cause cataracts! 

Under "common side effects: more than 10 in 100 people"

"Eye problems can very occasionally occur, such as eyesight changes, cataracts or changes in the retina (back of the eye) - it is important to have regular eyesight checks whilst taking Tamoxifen"

So there you go! AIs also cause some eye problems it seems, according to some research. Is there no end to the after effects of this #£‰+ disease?? ;(

[JCJ]

Optician said Ta'poxy'fen (though she didn't use its correct name! :p) causes damage to the back of the eye - none seen in my case - cataracts are changes in the lens, so probably unrelated to meds.

Been out for a walk today. Tipped it down when we pulled into the carpark, so we waited until it stopped. Had a nice walk then OH suggested we stay out for dinner. Remembered a nearby pub we had lunch in once, that was cheap and good. Didn't know if it did evening meals but went to check. OMG!! An amazing menu of £5 meals or anything off the full menu for half price between 6pm and 7pm. We had steaks with yummy chef's special spuds and veg, AND puds for just £7 each!! Amazing! Stuffed to the brim now and there's yet another week when I've not gone swimming! Ooops!

[katytc]

Spending spree or what JCJ? Well, what's a girl to do...............

Was also out today met a friend for an iced tea, mmmmmmmmmm, didn't like it at all, so ordinary tea for me from now on. Sun was shining we said fare thee well, went into a couple of shops then started to make my way home, did the heavens open, oh my goodness was like a drowned rat! Truly tropical!

Are cataracts not something to do with ta"poxy"fen JCJ? xx

[JCJ]

Just been stung for nearly £400 for 2 pairs of glasses ("buy one get one 'free'"). Apparently my eyes are healthy "in spite of the tamoxifen, which can damage the backs of the eyes" (say, what????) but she said my prescription has changed (I knew that, that's why I went!) and I have the early signs of a cateract in my right eye, so she needs to monitor that annually. Don't know whether to be worried or to assume it's just a ruse to make me go more often, and therefore spend more! 😐 She spent so long thoroughly examining my eyes that I started to panic there was something seriously wrong.....the dreaded cancer??

I then went into BHS (other large department srores.....) and spent another 50 quid on a jumper, 2 tops and a pair of walking trousers. All bargains - got a bit carried away - oops! 🙂

Called in for a cuppa (thirsty work, spending money!) and the girl persuaded me (she didn't have to work very hard!) to have cream and jam with my scone "because cream teas are on offer, so you pay less than for a tea and plain scone". I love a bargain - especially when I can eat it!! 🙂 Not as scrummy as Madlands scones though!

[katytc]

lucky today no rain here! 

Met some friends for tea and cake, more tongue wagging and slurping! 

Quiet time now, back on the "CBA" bench, pondering over what to have for tea..................

ED off on hol so just waiting for a text to say all ok, so really hopping between "CBA" and the "try not to worry" bench!

Well done Meg, woo hoo a winner in our midst, poor ASBO boy, one day he WILL be good xx

[JCJ]

Oh dear! It's raining, and forecast to do so all day. Can't finish the battle of the bush. Gutted :p. In fact it's probably not even worth getting dressed?! I'll just have to put the kettle on again?! 😄

[CanonJane]

just walked the dogs (mine and daughters) with said daughter in the pouring rain.  Lovely to have her home for the weekend.  Other than that, I'm on call and have a wedding sermon to prepare....

[Ali_H]

Good girl Meg! I was going to get up early and go to the gym, but sanity and the rain prevailed. So having a lie in with a cuppa instead 🙂 I've bought some new trainers though, surely that counts as gym work??
My son loves penguins JCJ, he's just turned 20 and his best friend since the year dot drew him a birthday card with Pingu on it, I suspect it was his most prized possession of the day!
Anyone doing anything nice today??

[JCJ]

Atta girl Meg! 🙂 You show the little whippersnapper (whipperyapper?) how to do it!

ES been to visit today. 🙂 Not seen him since April. I did the mother thing and fed him up, including home made apple pie and banana biscuits and loads of veg with the roast dinner. Tried to gather some information about the mystery girlfriend, but he wasn't giving much! No doubt we'll meet her eventually.... if it lasts! 😛

Didn't get to finish the spiky bush taming.......shame it's too dark now???? I'll have to sit back on the CBA bench and knit a penguin instead! 🙂

[grumpy]

Meg has won a rosette - she came fourth in pet dogs (bitches) at Grasmere show today. I told her it's First cos she can't read.....  . The judge was ever so impressed. I am SOOOO proud.

Joey was not allowed to enter due to being disruptive I.e yapping constantly. Are we surprised???

Grumpy

[Ali_H]

Thank you June x

[katytc]

Sorry about your friend Ali.

Wowee JCJ, you are very good, thought I was being a good girl bringing out the hoover.............

Lovely, dovely sunshine here today but there is a def chill in the air, brrrrrrrrrrr, already?

Hump and Dink look superb.

When is the wedding and is there a baby? 

Almost forgot am firmly perched on the "CBA" bench today and am not budging for nuthin'xx

[June_BCC]

Hello Ali_H

Sorry to hear about your friends diagnosis, here is a link to information that might help on the Macmillan site http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Lymphoma/Lymphomaoverview.aspx

With best wishes to you and your friend

June, moderator

[Ali_H]

Hello Benchies 🙂
Love the pic of Hump and Dink, awww.... Anyway - two questions, not in any particular order:
1) I've joined a gym. I've told them I can't lift anything heavier than a kettle of water, is this right? Any gym tips please, I neeeeed to lose Tam tum!
2) a friend has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, I don't know much about it. Is there a site like this she could access?
Ta muchly 🙂

[JCJ]

They're probably just checking on their stuff further up the beach. Dink wouldn't want her tiara or pink polo-neck stolen!! 🙂

Just spent 3 hours pruning a large spiky bush.... Carefully....with long sleeves and gloves on! Filled the green bin, so I've had to stop - that, and because my shoulders are killing me! Came back into the house and it doesn't look like I've done anything! Should have started on this side! 😞

Huge respect ro the sparrows that regularly roost in the bush. How they fly in and out without shredding themselves is a complete mystery to me!

[CanonJane]

best picture we've had of them for ages!  THey Do look as if they're looking for someone/something though....  you didn't leave them in Morecambe, did you?

[JCJ]

Oooh look! Somebody has sent me their holiday snaps! 😄

 http://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/media/gallerypage/user-id/54477/image-id/1335i84C424E0873E65...

[JCJ]

Hope your hoover enjoys it's little day trip! 🙂 You'll definitely need a sit down and a cuppa to recover from getting it out.....and that's BEFORE you've used it? Hehe

I spent all yesterday on the craft bench mending a HUGE patchwork cushion cover I made for OH over 30 years ago. It's all stitched by hand, and after daily use, and several repairs, it was falling apart again. I spent AGES trying to figure out why the pattern wouldn't work and then gave up, finished it without matching the pattern and put it in the washing machine.

Pegged it on the line this morning, and it's obvious! When OH fixed it himself last time, he didn't bother matching the pattern. Really CBA to sort it out so I'll iron it with my eyes closed (OCD enough to be painful otherwise! :p) and shove it back on the bed behind his pillows!

YD rang last night. Chatted for 1 1\2 hrs about nothing much. She and OH are coming to visit in 2 weeks, so I've got something to look forward to, to get me through the first week back! 🙂

Great long "to do" list and only a week left to do it all. I'll just sit here on this bench and finish my coffee first….......snzzz.…..!

[katytc]

any excuse Dame grumpy???

Well def know I'm home, went into town yesterday, sauntered around bought 3 books, jigsaw puzzle and some tasty food, very pleased with myself, arrived home and found that my trouser zip was UNDONE!

So last year top unbuttoned, this year zip, oh dreary me....................what will it be next year haha!

YD DOES want to change her hols even though everything has been booked and paid for, knew she would do that???? ED is off to Prague on Mon. Will have to have some quiet time so I can get my brain to function for the changes.

Brought the hoover out this morning, not seen it for ages, well that's not quite true.............usually just shut the cupboard door real fast, do I feel guilty NOPE hee hee xx

[Ali_H]

Yay, GnT??? Cheers!!

[grumpy]

Just looked up quinine on Wikipedia, and guess what? Quinine is a natural anti-inflammatory, so that must be why it helps to relieve joint pain. Brilliant, so I shall be drinking some every day.

Grumpy

[grumpy]

Why is it when you 'go away' even when you didn't if you follow me, there is ALWAYS mounds of washing to do??? it's like it reproduces in the laundry basket.....

Anyhow we had a fabulous time, and Joey and Meg thought it was great fun altho they had to sit in the van while we had tea. Joey's little face at the window made everyone go AAAAAAHHHHH.

Now it's Joey's bathtime, and Meg is looking virtuous cos she's a clean dog!

Big dog walks tomorrow, weather permitting.

grumpy

AND  I've dealt with the mounds of post!

[katytc]

Finally arrived home 7 pm grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Lancaster train packed, assistance practically threw me on the train, arrived Edinburgh fantastically late and missed connection, station buzzing because of Festival managed to squeeze on another train...............whew, may just come via Glasgow next time!

Had a superly duperly wonderful time, jogging along the sand in tiaras and knee highs, it was beautiful!

Disco dancing around Eric and handbags.

Eating and those cups of tea, well..............

Dame, The Duchess and ASBO boy all very well behaved, included was a Tour of the Campervan sooooooooo very exciting, futon and all!

JCJ was not offended at all.................remember next trip is July 32nd!

Beautiful photos of all your grandchildren FF (if they could only see you doing your spins) haha!

Owl has pride of place on my bookshelf, thank you JCJ!

Think we drank soooooooooooooo much tea cause tongues never stopped wagging...........

Am on 3rd mugga this morning and about to have some breakfast, where's Rita when you need her???

Fabulously brilliant news Jane, woo hoo, scooby/dooby booby!!

Just a thought Ali realised that there was a terrible commotion on the train, H & D perhaps?

Oh no!!! xx

[CanonJane]

do Hump & Dink ever come home Ali, or have they completely got the "wander lust"?  They... were b-o-r-n under a w-a-n-dring star"....

love J

[Ali_H]

Brilliant news Jane, congratulations! And it sounds like everyone (camels included) had a good time at MMU2 🙂

[foxyferret]

Home safe and sound and joining you on the kn**ckered bench.  I only stopped twice, about 20 minutes each time and got home just after six.  Your estimate was closer than mine Katy!  Have rung both son and daughter and all is well down here  I have unpacked the car and thankfully there were no four legged stowaways!

I am not surprised that Morecambe needs more teabags, I'm sure if we counted the cups of tea that we had it would run into hundreds

I have had a wonderful time, it was great to see you and especially to meet The Duchess and ASBO Boy.

Thank you very much for the pressies as well.

Already looking forward to MMU3.

Yay, very glad to hear your news Jane.

[JCJ]

Home safe and plonked on the kn***ered bench with a mug of tea. I hope your homeward journeys are progressing uneventfully, FF & KTC! x Oh by the way, I heard Morecambe had made an urgent request for a tea bag delivery. Apparently they have run out! 😛

[JCJ]

PS good news NED! 🙂 We thought of you as we stuffed our necks at The Madlands!

[JCJ]

Stuffed ourselves to the gunnels with sandwiches and scones and GALLONS of tea. Walked MILES along the sunny but windy prom. Katytc probably mortally wounded by my lack of tact! 😛
Fairly sure I just caught a glimpse of 2 camels galloping along the beach in the edge of the sea, but I've not heard any complaints so hopefully they are behaving themselves.

[CanonJane]

Hope you're all enjoying yourselves - used my Champers glass last weekend and thought of you all... tiara still near my computer....  raise one for me... 

Got the all clear today, and relegated to annual check ups instead of 6 monthly, so that must be good 🙂

love Jane

[CanonJane]

Hope you're all enjoying yourselves - used my Champers glass last weekend and thought of you all... tiara still near my computer....  raise one for me... 

Got the all clear today, and relegated to annual check ups instead of 6 monthly, so that must be good 🙂

love Jane