The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

monnagran

Phew. Pickle and I have been cooking today. A batch of flapjacks, 2 loaves of bread, (that was fun) and chocolate animals. DGS came downstairs, ate an enormous breakfast and retreated to his bedroom and his television, as befits a teenage boy.

As luck would have it DS came home early and has taken them down to the beach. I have retreated to my room with a mug of tea and my tablet.

Lyn: I hope you have recovered from your stressful evening. What a nightmare! Hope all goes well when the scan finally takes place. I want to know whether to lay in a stock of pink wool or some other colour.

Nursemaggie: Hayfever seems to be particularly bad just at the moment. Many people down here are sneezing their heads off even if they have never suffered before.
I was horrified that you have such a problem with your washing. One line for 18 flats? A man organised that, obviously. Don't know what you can do about that particularly when people leave their dry washing up there for ages.

Hester: How long have you to wait for this funeral? Just maintain your dignity love, and occupy the higher plane. If anyone kicks off it will just show then up in their true colours.

FairyP: Have you solved your dress code problem yet? Let me know if you do. I have a similar problem. I have been invited to the marriage blessing (church service) followed by a party by some Indian friends. The wedding took place in India and although I was invited was unable to go so must be there for the blessing. The church bit is OK but doesn't really fit the party and boy, can those people party! I'm thinking long skirt and jacket for the church bit and a fancy top for the party.

Softstuff: I can't believe that you have added a broken toe to your problems. I would be inclined to take to my bed until it is all over. Not possible? Nonsense you must try harder. In years to come you will look back at this time in wonderment that you survived. But what a story!

Tips: Gooseberries will be fine. Make a crumble, smother it with custard and all will be well. Trust me.

Ah, I hear the sounds of returning revellers. I'd better get down there and wash the sand off feet and legs before it is trampled all over the house.

x

Tipsntreats

Ah thanx everyone. Gooseberries defrosting.
I will come back tomorrow and let you know how the boys got on in London. Just had a pic sent to my phone - Uncle P on deck.
Tips x

milasavesmoney

Softstuff wrote: »

Fairyprincess, you could go in fancy dress and stand out from them all, since it seems anything goes!

I was thinking perhaps a casual cocktail dress. :rotfl:
I actually just looked this term up on line and there were lots of examples. I haven't kept up with trends as I had no idea there was such a thing.

[Deleted User]

FPK you can't go wrong for ANY occasion with a little black dress, something cut well and very plain, no frills or embellishments. Then you can dress it up or dress it down by using faux pearls and sophisticated makeup with black sheer tights and black shoes a la Breakfast at Tiffanys or you can make it as girlie as you like with some glittery bling and gold jewellery and gold shoes or pick a colour that suits you and accessorise it with that, you can pick up most of what you need by way of accessories at charity shops/boot fairs/Accessorise for very little cash. A little black dress will take you anywhere and you'll feel as good as you look. No one will EVER know it's on a budget. You'll be the most stylish lady in the room!

nursemaggie

Well I have been and had my boobs well and truly squashed. Don't know if I have to go back again in three years. Among you older ones be warned you could get called for a mammogram and some younger ones too.

Don't know what happened to your rain FPk it's been a lovely day. Missed out on the line again this morning but I put three towels out at 4.30 so hopefully they will be dry. It's hopeless drying indoors in the summer.

My hayfever has been much better today but I have not been near grass while I have been out. Yesterday as soon as they finished cutting the grass, DS said, "six little girls of various colours just came in through the gate. We will have them squealing all afternoon."

They were turning cartwheels all afternoon. I expect that kicked up all the newly cut grass. I was sneezing every ten seconds yesterday, could not get much done. I got some new antihistamines today the old ones I took yesterday must be over three years old judging by the label maybe even longer than that.

M & S still have lots of stuff in their sale I got a nice T shirt for DS for only £4. Pity they did not have more in his size at that price.

I got a Gruffalo cuddly toy for GDS I hope is still a big fan. Very tempted to keep it as it is so lovely and soft. I must book a flight now I have finished all my appointments.

milasavesmoney

Zucchini Tacos

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup finely chopped white onion (from 1 medium onion)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
8 corn tortillas
Sour cream, crumbled goat cheese, sliced radishes, pickled jalapenos and carrots, and lime wedges, for serving
DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add zucchini in a single layer; sprinkle with cumin and coriander. Cook, turning once, until golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Season with salt and pepper; cover to keep warm. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining oil, onion, and garlic to skillet; cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Add beans and 1/2 cup water, season with salt and pepper, and simmer, smashing some beans with a spoon, until heated through.
With tongs, toast each tortilla over a burner until charred in places; wrap in a towel. Fill with sour cream, beans, zucchini, cheese, and radishes. Serve, with jalapenos, carrots, and lime alongside.

Mrs LW thought of you, I saw this on a Martha Stewart email.

[Deleted User]

Sounds yummy, thank you MILA I have everything in to make those having bought turtle beans today which are soaking for cooking tomorrow, I even have corn tortillas so I know He Who Knows will love this and will make it for supper tomorrow, magic!

moneyistooshorttomention

Nurse Maggie

I made my decision re mammograms years back - when I had what turned out to be my first and last one. It was part of a mid-life Well Woman Check. I came out of it thinking "Why didnt anyone say they squash your boobs up and it's distinctly painful?". I was genuinely puzzled how come no-one had ever said as, after all, lots of other women had had them before me. Not very "sisterly" not to let on to the rest of us I felt.

So - considering that that mammogram was done in the private sector/local BUPA hospital and it was as painful as that (ie despite my paying good money for it out of my own pocket) - ie they'd got a vested interest in "not hurting the patient" if they could possibly help it (because she was paying for it) then there is definitely no chance I'd ever have one again and, this time, by people not being paid directly by me.

I have read info. since talking about mammograms can actually cause problems to some women that were due to have good health of themselves in that respect - which rather confirmed my view not to do so. I cant recall the percentage of women experiencing problems precisely because of it and think it was on the low side - but it surprised me that a procedure meant to help you could actually damage you if you were one of the unlucky ones. Hence I shan't feel concerned at the fact of only ever having one mammogram in my life.

Floss

Softstuff wrote: »

Well, at least the fingerprints on the outside would be less smeary... :undecided

Potentially, but because of it's location and with just me & DH (who's away from home a couple of nights a week) in the house, the outside-side hardly gets touched

It's a bit like Lewis Carroll's "Hiawatha and His Gloves"...fur side inside, skin side outside, warm side inside, wet side outside...!

nursemaggie

Money the first three I had did not hurt were just uncomfortable. Everyone I knew had warned me about the pain. I got quite a shock the last one I had and mentioned it to the radiographer that did it. She told me if it does not hurt they have not done it properly. So much for the three done in Gloucester. I was told the one done in Sussex was my last. Apparently Breast cancer is more common under 35 or over 65. They start at 47 and stop at about 65 I think. They are now trying younger and older. The guy who does "Heathcaretrearge" on YouTube says they are not really all that successful, partly because they do the wrong age group and because 95% of the lumps they end up operating on are just fatty lumps. I only went because they said to go when I went for my CT scan last month.

Sofstuff I went in the cafe in M & S had a soft drink and one of their spicy iced buns. Two ladies sat next to me were having an afternoon tea. They took the middle plate with the sandwiches on it out so they could talk. through the stand. We should have done that.