2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Hi Everyone

Would anyone like a cuppa? I need a distraction. Here, let me wash up your teacups and put on a fresh pot.

We lost a friend today. One of DH’s ex-flatmates died of cancer of the liver. He was in his mid-50’s, not a heavy drinker. It’s only 6 months ago that he was complaining of backache, went to the GP’s and got admitted to hospital with “gall stones”. So many missed chances. They didn’t do a CT scan before his surgery. God knows if they did an ultrasound - standard in my nursing days and @Nelliegrace’s - because when they took his gallbladder out, they sure as hell didn’t do an eyeball of the neighbouring tissues or they’d have spotted his tumour. (It affected the bile duct.)

When they did find it, it was too late to operate. So many unanswered questions, which I’ve been very careful not to ask. I don’t know If radiotherapy was ever an option but the chemotherapy they gave him was palliative, depressed his immune system and made him vulnerable to multiple infections. He was hospitalised with one a few weeks ago and discharged home at the weekend to die.

Please talk to me and tell me something cheerful, while I wash up. I really need a distraction.

• Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

oh Pip, I’m so sorry to hear that. Awful in any circumstances but made worse by the thought that it might have been treatable.

Today I have mostly been wearing: jeans (M&S but £3 in charity shop), a grey Gap t-long-sleeved t-shirt that I’ve had for about ten years, also from a charity shop, and a crinkly lilac scarf that was a present from a friend. I suspect it’s viscose and made in China but I’m not asking! I had an optician’s appointment, did some shopping and made biscuits.

Tomorrow I am having my front door and two windows replaced - I haven’t had any instructions but I’m guessing that they will need some clear access in the rooms with the new windows. One of these is the Room of Doom formerly known as my craft room, so I need to get up there in a minute and shuffle things around.
I’m beginning to think my hobby is collecting materials, rather than actually making things.

maryb

That's so hard for those left to mourn him. I hope he wasn't in a lot of pain. I followed your journey last year and was so glad when you rang that bell. I've spent today trying to sort out the complet horlicks Microsof OneDrive has made of my files and in between waiting for things to update I've been staring out of the window - a lot. Is it my imagination or are ther a lot more small birds around this spring. We have some blue tits who almost look as if they are playing and chasing each other - delightful to see. Even DH who is NOT an animal person allows the semblance of a smile to flit across his face

CapricornLass

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. THE NHS doesn't seem to have served him well - no wonder you are angry.

I had a nice day today - I went across to the Isle of Wight with one of my ex-colleagues to meet up with another ex-colleague - we worked together for over 10 years. We hadn't met up for nearly a year, so plenty of news to exchange, and she had found a pub which was a nut free site, and also had plenty of gluten free offerings (one of the landlords is a coeliac and allergic to nuts!) So nice to be offered something other than ham egg and chips - I had a lovely piece of battered fish. Lovely day too, apart from a pesky east wind, which could be decidedly chilly!

PipneyJane

Thanks Ladies. I really appreciate your moral support.

Good luck with the windows and door tomorrow, @PollyWollyDoodle. I know what you mean about your Room of Doom/craft room. You aren’t the only one collecting materials - I’m like that too. When I think of the wartime ladies saving their coupons for fabric or yarn and trying desperately to eke out their purchases, while I have a huge stash….

@maryb one of my colleagues got us all hooked on the Merlin app by Cornell Lab. It identifies birds by their song, There’s a very loud Great Tit living in my back garden.

Sounds like a lovely pub @CapricornLass. Glad you had a great day out.

• Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

@PipneyJane I have no words… here, have these biscuits I baked today xx

Funny you should mention the Merlin app- as we were dressing after swimming at the quarry yesterday morning, one of my companions had the idea of finding out what we were listening to- quite a good list for an area inside a town!

Cherryfudge

I add my condolences, @PipneyJane. I'm so sorry.

And you mentioned the Merlin app - I have it but every time I've tried to use it, something has gone wrong. You've reminded me I need to set time aside deliberately and play around till I get it working for me. There is such wonderful birdsong at present, and I don't know what most of it is.

In clothes news, my first new clothing were three pairs of socks the other week. Yes, autumnal colours and pictures of dog walkers with blowing leaves, but too nice not to snap up. I've bought a few things off V1nted and car boot sales, but I've also advertised a few items on V1nted and even sold some. More will be added - does someone with over forty scarves really need another four? 'Nuff said.

Nelliegrace

How very sad @PipneyJane There are not enough qualified staff in X ray and scanning, but “open and shut” surgery sounds like something from my Mother’s nursing years, pre-NHS. Are you awash with tea, shall I make a fresh pot?

Dr Mark Porter wrote in The Times yesterday, that the average healthy life expectancy has fallen by 2 years to 61, but most of us we can still make some improvements. I believe the food, drug and tobacco industry is very much to be blamed for the increase in serious illnesses in younger people.

Something cheerful? The apple blossom, a bumble bee, and a bit of blue sky, washing dry from the garden. Joy in the little things.