ClazUK

Good grief Helen, glad you & Bert are okay

Really sorry I didn't make it, I'm full of cold so took the wussy option of tea, toast and an early return home. Looks like you had fun, though.

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How can I lose the RMF plot when I'm not even at work?! I will try and catch up..... Glad the funeral went well, Jules. I've been to funerals of people who died way too young, but never a child. That must be the hardest thing. Michelle, congrats on the job, really pleased for you. Marian, no, and have one for me. Spike, you are looking gorjuss and happy. Cheryl, happy no more cowbag day. Alex, it's not normal to iron bedding (is it? Maybe I'm just skanky) I have had a good day today. My old school buddy came round for a cuppa. He's been a vicar for about 20 years and I've not seen him for about 10. He is the worlds most unlikely vicar and I was worried he'd have changed - nope, we picked up where we left off and he's just as I remember him. I also had a man round to quote for cavity wall insulation I have no cavities. He's quoted £199 to insulate the loft, 10" of stuff - does that sound reasonable? Had my wounds and stitches checked today and they're all neat, tidy and healing well. My mobility has improved through the week a lot. Mum called earlier, Dad's continuing to improve. My brother's visiting him tomorrow and taking one of those Brain Trainer things as he's fiddling with any stuff he can get his hands on. And I'm off to Yorkshire on a flying visit tomorrow, to see Matt and on Sunday to meet the walkers on the walk Mog's put together. Hope everyone's well

Sue/Greys Mum is a nurse, she will be okay Good luck with the job, Michelle. Hope you're ok, Cher. Marian CT is our pensions expert. Abby, don't let it get to you. If he doesn't like the place, he can find another. Had one of them at WL once, told her to find somewhere else, next minute she was moaning about that place. People are odd at times. Errrrr what else did I miss? I've spent most of today getting to my Dad, seeing my Dad and getting back from my Dad. I'm not convinced he will even remember I was there but I'm glad I went. I'm torn between doing him a thread or not, he could do with some thoughts/Reiki. RMF: I'm having brunch with a vicar tomorrow

Glad your son is OK, Sue but OUCH for the cat bite (and yes, we MUST have pics!). Hope it feels better soon. I've been out in the big bad world for a drink with a few friends, I feel like I've been holed up for ages, was good to be out (and driving was really easy). Not been on a lot today, slept late then had a spurt of spring cleaning fever (don't worry, I'm over it now). I can't remember what I've missed, but good luck to Michelle with the job hunt and awww to Dex Tikka. Off to stick Basingstoke Hospital into the SatNav before I forget, then bedtime for me - hopefully I'll sleep before 3 tonight. Ninight Fugeepeeps, sleep well

Morning (ok, afternoon). Crappy night, I'm just not sleeping well. Went to bed at 11 but tossed and turned so gave in and did a crossword. Then I sleeped from 3 to 8 then sleeped some more from 8.30 to 11 Spoke to the hospital where my Dad is earlier, they told him I was on the phone and he knew who I was and to tell me not to worry, so that's progress. He thinks it's 2008 so he's lost a year, but yesterday he didn't even remember his steam boat (which he took 20 years making), so I think he must be improving. I'm going to see him tomorrow, assuming I'm okay to drive (I'm past 5 days which was the conservative estimate). I'm doing some local runs today so I'll see how I feel after those, but the swelling is down and I feel fine. Have looked at the possibility of giving up work to care for my Dad (my mum isn't capable) but I just couldn't afford to. With Carers Allowance & Income Support its £80 a week. My parents are fairly comfortably off so could probably pay someone short term, but how the hell do other people cope? On the brighter side I'm having lunch with an old school mate who's now a vicar on Friday. He was the most unlikely candidate for Vicardom I have ever met, I wonder how much he's changed. Thanks for being here this week, guys, it's appreciated muchly; having somewhere to sound off my woes is very theraputic

Oh nooooooo.... that's NOT funny

SB, send it to [email protected] (I may regret this ) thank you! Marian, thank you. Glad you've got more work lined up. Who are opposition to NG?! I thought they had a monopoly! Good news about your nephew, too.

Am I a sick bunny being vaguely curious about what Arabian spam looks like?

Sorry to hear about your Dad Try to get down there (where is he?) if you can, you may regret it if you don't. Can any fugees help with dog care or a bed for a night?

Glad it went well, Jules. My Mum's been on the phone - my Dad's been moved to the Major Stroke Unit. He's walking okay but is really struggling to communicate. I know it's a case of sitting and waiting now, I just wish I could do more. I think my knee is up to the drive but I'm not sure Mum needs me now (and I can't afford to kennel the dogs while I'm off sick). Meh.

She's probably been told by her bosses to try and keep you. Bet you're glad to get that out of the way

That's fab - Happy Anniversary to you both

Was only joking! Do it when it's right for you. But include the cowbag bit

Sorry to hear your news, Jules. A few of us have been there, don't beat yourself up. If the decision is made and it's best for both you and Jess, then it has to be the right one. Thinking of you

On a normal day, maybe, but I'm home alone and bored and it's raining and and and..... well no, not really!

Thanks for the Basingstoke Hospital info, Lesley. Nice to know he's in good hands. If you can imagine a mixture of John Thaw in Goodnight Mr Tom, Victor Meldrew and Dr Magnus Pike, that's my dad. Kindly, cantankerous and an eccentric genius, all in one person. Cheryl, this is like waiting for the 'Dum Dum Dum' moment in Eastenders - can you do the deed so we're put out of our misery over which way the plot turns?!

She's looking fantastic and the hair is gorgeous - she needs to keep it like that!

Ouch, poor Fi. Will be thinking of her, but Lesley is soooooo right! I bet she's loving the peace Hope she's pain free and home soon

This happens from time to time, Ellie. Had a few batches like it at WL - I used to phone them every time, I'm betting they're glad I've gone I think it's the ratio of the stuff they use rather than a change in ingredients. I can't imagine them EVER adding colourants into a sensitive food - they seem very aware of how 'appreciated' their Sensitive is to a lot of us. Might be worth phoning them to check if there's a change, though. They were always really helpful to me. You might even get a replacement bag if you ask.

Seriously unimpressive knee pics in the manky thread. Good luck Cheryl. Thanks again for your thoughts for my Dad. My Mum is going in at 2 to see him, apparently he's quite alert - they've started him on Warfarin n stuff.

I had a knee op last Friday. Sadly for you guys, it was only keyhole. Three holes though, I expected two. I'm not allowed to uncover it till day 10, then the stitches come out, sorry for the big disappointment The yellow stuff is iodine from the op and yes, I DO have horribly dry skin at the moment The good news is, I'm getting either a knee replacement or realignment (bone-scrape-rebuild-type-job) so I should have much better stuff fo show you in the next year or so