No "T" words mentioned at all - the continuation thread

scottishminnie

I'm back to chilly climes now. Been playing catch up since Friday.
Hope everyone is well and keeping cosy. Mums treatment is underway
now so that's good news.
I'll aim to be back later in the week when I'm better organised!

scottishminnie

Well, so much for being back online last week:(

I can’t believe how manic it’s been since I came home. Mum is starting the last week of her treatment now which is a relief. Whilst my boss has been wonderful at letting me take mum and working from home not everyone at work has been so accommodating which has been difficult. We’re also under threat of redundancy at work for simply being in the “wrong” location so its a fairly unpleasant place to be right now.

Anyway, hope you are all well. Even if im not posting I’m reading and I’ll be back as soon as I can so wish you all well.

Nargleblast

Hello scottishminnie. I am not a regular poster here but some things you said resonated with me. My OH was diagnosed with cancer last year so most of last year was spent in and out of hospital, operation, chemotherapy, periods of serious illness as a result of chemotherapy etc. His chemo is now finished, the primary cancer has gone but he has secondaries in his spine and ribs. He has three weekly antibody treatment to keep these under control, and the CT scan he had done recently shows it is working so this treatment will continue for the foreseeable future. In the meantime he is getting back to normal slowly.

The point is, things about work I was stressing over were suddenly put into context, and I stood back and looked at what was really important in life. Your work issues now could be an opportunity for you to look at what you really want, and whether it is time for a change. That opportunity for change could show itself any time, be ready for it. I usually find that things work out ok in the end.

LaineyT

Hey SM good to see you posting but the news about work is not so great, you never know though it could lead to a change in direction for you?

How is everybody doing? Candlelight and Polly? Our T thread seems to have stuttered a tad lately.
I’m going along merrily on my way, well more like gritting my teeth and hanging on for spring tbh but good to try and stay positive hey, my fur babies are both well and Capt S is enjoying his new job. As for me, well after 28 years full time and then 5 part time have to say I’m enjoying my semi retirement, I did wonder how I would fill my days but don’t seem to have had a problem so far .

Take care and love to all x

scottishminnie

I'm not stressed with the work situation, I'm downright angry. What was a great team now has an unpleasant atmosphere with sniping and backstabbing when people are absent as people think they are off getting themselves other jobs. I'm actually really shocked at how people I thought more of have reacted. Comments from individuals that they know people who drove themselves 50 miles per day for cancer treatments and didn't bother anyone else have absolutely incensed me. It's a very fortunate person who hasn't had to deal with a family members illness at some point in their lives.

Anyway, tomorrow is Thursday and I'm off on Friday so I'll hold my tongue, mostly, and think of the end of the week.

I made dumpling earlier. Mum got a recipe from a friend last year for microwave dumpling. I was sceptical but gave it a try and I've now lost count of the number of people who've asked for one and then asked for the recipe. It takes 8/10 minutes in the microwave, is pudding basin sized and I'm still quite amazed by it. Sure beats all the times I hovered by a pan making sure it didn't boil dry for several hours!

My plan for the weekend is to make "cruffins". There is a bakery near our sunshine home where we get them and I found a recipe online so will have a go. They are a cross between croissants and muffins and have cream cheese and raspberry jam in them. A nice treat now and then- will make a change from scones or fruit loaf at the weekend. I made a huge batch of hobnobs last weekend and took some to father in law. He was thrilled. Apparently mother in law made them regularly so I promised to make some every few weeks. I have enough oatmeal in the store cupboard to feed the masses so it's a good outcome for both of us:)

pollyanna_26

Sneaks in! I haven't been online much lately but have been thinking of you all .


SM It's horrible when you find out how people can react and be downright hurtful and cruel . It's unacceptable in the circumstances and you're better off out of there and looking for somewhere else whatever the outcome re your present job . It could be the start of something better . I wouldn't want to be breathing the same air as them.


Is that Dumpling the Clootie Dumpling? I first came across it many years ago reading a trilogy of books by Christine Marion Fraser about her much loved but poverty stricken childhood and her adult years . She wrote well and the Dumpling was a rare treat for her family . They did reprint the books a few years ago but the originals are still online . If it is the Clootie I quite fancy having a go as the microwave idea sounds less time consuming than her mums .


Lainey I'm another waiting foe Spring . We've had some horrible weather and I can't wait for the warmer days . At least the days are starting to stretch out a little so we're heading in the right direction .


Good hear all is well with you ,your oh and the fur babies and he's enjoying his job . Semi Retirement seems to suit you . I've begun to think real retirement is a thing of myth . When I was growing up grannies and grandads would knit for the family , grow veg on the allotments and potter about . Sometimes I'm lucky to have time to brush my hair!


I'm doing my usual catching up from the last post so will have a brew and read back further .
pollyx

pollyanna_26

Nargle It's good to see the update on your OH .I have had you both in mind and sending positive vibes your way . I agree when big scary or challenging things happen it can lead to reviewing your life and sorting out the wheat from the chaff . It puts lot of things in perspective and can mean making different choices for the things we can control in the future . Wishing you both well .


Hope all is well Candlelight ,Lyn , Scarlet and other posters and readers .

pollyx

[Deleted User]

Hi Polly we're fine, had a visit from DD1, James and his two boys this afternoon and the boys were fun, they did some stencil drawing and some colouring in and pulled out the box with the toys I have for little Oreo and had a lovely time playing with the weebles and their see saw, slide and aeroplane. The younger lad then remembered I'd got some Sylvanian Families stuff out for him last time they were here and asked if I still had it so I got the school down for him and bless his little heart he so enjoyed it. He saw the nursery and the ice cream cart on the top shelf as they left he asked if next time he came we could get all of them down and make a 'village', it's lovely because they're real roughty toughty boys and I think he's realising he might have a softer side. We may be lucky enough to have DD2 and little Oreo up one day this coming week as she has leave and it would be lovely e them both for lunch. Looking forward to spring when it finally gets here, have had enough of cold days and rain! xxx.

scottishminnie

Pollyanna - it’s as close to clootie as you will get in a Microwave. Recipe below.

part 1
1/2 pint water
Cup (old fashioned teacup) of sugar
1 tablespoon of mixed spice and cinnamon (you choose how to split it)
1/2 lb margarine
1/2 lb currants
1/2 lb sultanas

Part 2
1/2 lb plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 beaten eggs

Add everything from part 1 above to a saucepan. Melt then boil for one minute stirring continuously.

Sieve in flour and bicarbonate of soda.
Add eggs and mix well.
Line a 2-3 pint bowl/pudding basin with cling film so the sides overlap.
Place mixture in bowl.
DO NOT COVER
Microwave - 10 minutes in a 650 watt microwave or 8 minutes in a 800 watt oven.

Allow to cool then release from bowl.

Traditionally served with custard then remainder sliced the next day and fried (personally I can think of nothing worse).

Enjoy

scottishminnie

Had my parents for dinner tonight to mark the end of mums treatment. Made traditional US recipes - baked chicken with wild rice and bacon bottom and baked sweet corn casserole. I cheated a bit by purchasing dauphinois potatoes from M&S and decanting them into a dish before heating. Chocolate mousse for dessert served in grandmothers best tea cups and saucers. Went down a treat and was super easy as I made the mousse last night and the rest was prepared early afternoon and then into the oven about an hour before they came.

Been a mixed weekend here as wet and miserable yesterday but cold and dry today. Hopefully winter is coming to an end. I ordered 2 more apple trees when we were away over New Year. They were delivered last week so hubby planted them into temporary homes today (big plastic containers). Both heritage UK varieties - one is a Pitmaston Pine Apple and the other a Red Windsor. We have 3 Mac reds which we only planted last year and I’d like to have another few but I think we should plant the new arrivals and see what space we have left.
Dad has been very generous in giving us more ground for my fruit trees but I can’t keep asking:o

Hope everyone is well. I always find this is a strange time of year, it shouldn’t be busy but it seems to be and everyone seems occupied with many things.

Enjoy the last of the weekend. I’m ignoring the “ work” thing and hoping something better will happen. I’ve been in this position before and was head hunted and ended up with a much better job. I’m a firm believer it’s not what you know it’s who you know and your reputation that helps you out in these situations so fingers crossed