K9Fran

I#'ve recently taken to shoving everything in a roasting bag before putting it in the slow cooker - the theory is it reduces the washing up, and as long as you're careful when removing the contents (I use a soup ladle) it does) Sausage casserole is one of our favs. Pulled pork is another one my lot love - cheap shouldar of pork, you can season with a 'rub mix' if you like. Whack in the roasting bag and in the slo cooker for a long time (6 hours plus) the meat disintigrates like chinese roast duck, and can be used warm in bread rolls or wraps.

Cheryl, councelling can be a huge help when you feel like the world is on your shouldars. My stupid OT didn't send me a map for the location of my Improving Emotional Health course - so I spent 20 mins looking for a health centre which wasn't where she'd told me it was. So I managed to walk in 15 mins late in an 'anxious state'..... I now also have an appt with my psychologist (whose a bit of a Jeckl and Hyde apparently), so Big Dave is coming with me. He's got a undetermined infection, so has been advised he's not fit for work - luckily he has some holiday due, as well as time off which is part of his shift pattern, so he doesn't go back until the 14th (so will probably spend most of it sitting on his 'puter as if I didn#'t exist - which won't help )

I loved the early stages, saw my old boss in the audience last week (which gave me an excuse to email him and 'touch base' after nearly 18 months) Not liking the new phase though

Hugs to all that need them. Feeling like poop - blood test says hormone levels 'normal' (which means no HRT needed) so why am I still feeling alternately dreadful and then invincible? Occy Health lady phoned and said I should have been seeing her today - she did mention it on the phone when I last spoke to her, but said not to worry she'd be sending out an appointment letter - apparently she didn't........ Lucky me, having such a wonderful support system.....

Oh fun and games here this morning. It's #2 son's 17th birthday. We were just taking our cups of coffee outside when he spots a small corn snake just outside the back door (the dogs have been in the garden with it!!!) It's now curled up on a slightly warm wheat bag waiting to be taken to a specialist pet shop in Oxford who've offered to take it on and care for it and rehome it

I scatter feed both of mine, and have done for about 5 years now - if it's dry, it goes in the garden, if wet, in the kitchen (and sometimes up the stairs...) I've never had any food guarding incidents and neither dog has gained or lost weight (I just throw out the total combined that I would normally feed them individually)

I had a phone call from my OT today. She's been off on hollibobs (lucky her) and was sorry to hear what had happened and how I'd been treated. She's working on Saturday, so offered to see me then instead of Monday, and as it suited me, I said yes please. She also acknowledged that I had told her about the 'ending it all' thoughts and that the Dr's diagnosis should have taken that into account, but his letter went out while she was on holiday (I am not naive enough to think this would have been spotted, by hey, at least she tried) Shame she phoned on the home number, which i have asked them not to use because of Big Dave working shifts, and ofcourse last night he was on nights, so he ain't happy I was working in the passageway, so didn't hear it ring, apparently she called three times... Cheyrl, hope Emily was seen and the outcome is good, PJ's or not. and that Ella's bumps are just 'old lady stuff' and nothing serious.

Never under estimate the power of the parrot! My DIL has one - he's a 'sensitive' soul, hates my son and plucks his feathers. I think that's because he's kept in a conservatory and feels vulnerable. guess what? ASTI team finally called me, about an hour ago thank heavens I haven't needed them. Told him I wasn't impressed and will be telling my GP about my experiences on Weds...

Still waiting for the phone call....... Shall be having serious words with GP and my MH OT worker when I see them

Sorry to hear about Jade, but I'm sure she will thank you for showing her what a hen's life should be.

I can do mornings - but I'm begining to flag by mid afternoon. I'm hoping hormones (so long as it's not Premarin because of the welfare issues) can get me back to what passes for 'normal'

Well, I'm still waiting for my phone call.... Woke feeling 'anxious' - it goes from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I can 'zone out' for a while - just sit and watch/listen. I hate being 'talked at' when I'm like that. Dave asked me if I could just sort out one area of the bedroom, after he'd sorted out his area, so I went up and turned the radio on (shut the dogs out, as they do like to bounce on the bed) and had myself a bit of a tidy - it helped a bit. Did I mention I have a Dr appt - first one I could get with the lady Dr I trust, was 07.30 on Weds morning!! I remember asking my old Dr if the depression and everything could have anything to do with my age (I was 49 at the time) and he dismissed it (without any tests) even though I said it seemed to be cyclical (about every 4 weeks). Now I am even more sure it is, and annoyed that I've been allowed to go on for 3 years like this Snow, be kind to yourself - hope your brother understands.

Oh yes - one other thing - has anyone got any experience of the menopause and the sort of symptoms I've been having (anxiety, depression, angry, confused and some physical symptoms too - like a head full of jelly!) OH is convinced it's my age....

Big thanks to all you lovely people who have been so supportive and extra thanks for the PM's. Mental health team finally called back last night, and have arranged to call me again on Friday and over the weekend if needed. I'm a lot better than I woz, infact I can't believe just a few days ago I felt so bad. I see my councillor today, I hope she's prepared, it could be a heavy session. Owl, I think you officially qualify as a CP, even Big Dave doesn't generally watch that much telly.

Just thought I'd touch base, and bless all of you who were worrying about me. I'm afraid my experiences with Samaritans in the passed haven't been good (in a face to face session to try and help with the baggage I carry following 'date rape' - the 'counsellors' final words were 'are you sure you didn't lead him on dear?') Unsurprisingly the Mental Health team haven't got back to me. Dave has 'promised' many things, but I have given up expecting him to stick to them. I am probably much to blame - if anyone saw 'The syndicate' last night on BBC1, I saw a lot of similarities with the dog lady (although even I baulked at the idea of using a tea towel to mop up dog wee!) But maybe I have let myself go - however my efforts today haven't been noticed I asked him to speak to his Dr about the possibility of him being depressed, and therefore less able to cope with me. His Dr just said it's a symptom of being in pain (he's got hip and knee problems and just gone back to work today after 2 weeks off with Sciatica), which I could accept if he wasn't having to deal with me, a couple of grotty teenagers and financial problems (we're on a debt management plan, but since I had to sign off JSA, there's very little left in the pot to pay off debts). So no help there

Run free Grizzly bear. Sorry to hear about your Mum Snow. Had a carp weekend - went out with a friend on Friday to go 'photoing' - we both like to take 'unusual' photos of everyday things, enjoy the peace and quite of natural places etc. When I got back I didn't feel as 'rested' as I usually do, had a row with Big Dave Woke on Saturday feeling 'anxious' Big Dave decided to 'have a chat' which ended with me even more Following day, I tried to call my local Mental Health support team for the first time. Got a message which said it was only available 9-7 Mon - Fri and 9-5 Sat and Sunday. They would return my call - but no indication that I should leave a message, no 'beep' nothing. Tried the 24/7 helpline, which turned out to be the Hospital switchboard. By this time I was pretty histerical and the girl kept wittering on about how she'd been able to leave a message when she'd tried, so I hung up. Then Dave called me from his car phone, and hung up on me! Finally managed to get through to somebody with some sense on the hospital switchboard who took my contact details and got the mental health team to call me back. I remember sobbing that I just wanted it all to stop, and she said she'd get them to ring me back this morning - and I'm still waiting. I knew Dave was goin to be hopeless as an advocate (as he proved yesterday by walking out and asking me to withdraw our savings as he was going to resign his job and would need money to live on, and I wasn't to pay the mortgage this month!!) but I thought at least I could rely on the health professionals..

Oh Cheryl, sorry to hear you're having a tough time. Wish you was closer, I'd come and look after you and make you cups of tea and let you just sit if you wanted to. Hang on in there kidda, it will come to an end. I'm loads better than I was this time last year, even than I was a couple of months ago. No tablets, no nothing for the first time in nearly 4 years (coincidence that Dave and I have chatted and decided we can live on just his wages and I don't have to go out to work? I don't think so..... ) :GroupHug: :GroupHug:

Does anyone else believe the blonde was about to get fired, and the brunet talked herself out of the job?

Had my psychiatrists report - it bares very little resemblence to the words that came out of my mouth.....

Arena Polo currently on BBC breakfast - gag bits and standing martingales - poor horses

Hope all goes well for Fazer - it's amazing the ways they can think of to communicate when it's to their advantage isn't it? It's so good to have a label to hang my 'issues' on, it includes so many of the things that have marred my life up to now (all 52 years of it), so I'm looking forward to being able to learn how to deal with things so what ever is left to me can be enjoyed.

Good morning - well, I don't have to go to work, so I am hoping to be out in the garden today. My phsychologist was a lovely chap, and he thinks I have Borderline Personality Disorder, which explains a lot. It goes way back to being adopted, growing up in a family where 'positive punishment' was the rule, unsuitable relationships and jobs which lead to a slow breakdown which kicked off about 3 years ago and got worse just over a year ago when I was made redundant. the dept are going through some changes at the moment, but the plan is I will join a group using a technique a bit like CBT and learn to control my emotions.

morning fugees! If you are the sort of low life who steals bottles of milk from OAP's doorsteps - make sure their neighbour isn't sitting in their car on the drive first! I've got my Psychiatrist appt this morning, hopefully he will be able to tell me if I have Bipolar or not, and if not, *why* I have been having such ups and downs and weird stuff going on in my head.......

I'm off to a show tomorrow at my old riding school - I was last there in the late 80's early 90's, so will be interesting to see how much has changed. Going to hopefully meet up with an old penfriend and her Fresian Mare, plus the Welsh Sec D mare I looked after a few years ago.

Hope it's not as bad as you fear Snow.