Escape into the tea & sympathy chat room #3

[Zippy2000]

Hello Everyone thought I would pop in and show of My New Kitten it is called Inky and not sure if it's a boy or Girl yet what I can say Inky is a little tearaway with bundles of energy and sharp claws not bad for an 8 week old Inky is currently on my back playing with my ponytail

 

[Chita]

Old thread here

Escape into the Tea & Sympathy chat room #2

Continued from here - https://tattle.life/threads/escape-into-the-tea-sympathy-support-room.21584/page-49 This is thread number 2 And here's the original opening post to remind us what this thread is intended to do ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Do you want a place to post about things that drive you...

tattle.life

where we discussed things that are ailing us or worrying us and where we tried to support and help each other without derailing the threads we usually post in.

 

[ChaoticArtist]

Thank you for the new thread, @Chita!


@Happy Lady, I was typing out a response to your post in the long thread but my phone shut down so I fell asleep and the thread was done by the time I woke up Apologies for the late reply - I've been quite exhausted with anxiety levels running very high since mum's been shouting a lot. Was trying to block it all out for a bit, not that it really worked

There are no practical solutions, at least not ones that I can execute right now (legalities, need mum's consent since they're her relatives etc), so someone listening and being kind and positive, like you all here, is the biggest help that I can get right now So you definitely helped

As far as cultural differences go, that is just an abuser tactic to groom their targets/victims. I've read of even worse stuff being done to people, especially women, across cultures and countries, and there are good people, or at least non-daughter-hating ones too here. I won the lottery on both sides of "family"

Probably why I have the best dogs though - it's pretty amazing as far as compensation goes

Quite validating, by the way, that you also used the same terms I use to describe what's going on.


@Miscanthus, sorry to hear about your aches and the craft show and the spots. Wish I could have sent you some cooling sandalwood powder!

Could you maybe get some sort of a cooling gel, preferably aloe vera (if you're not allergic to it)? I can't use aloe gel (even though I have a balcony full of the plants), so I get this huge tube of gel from Vaseline that I use as a cold compress alternative especially during vaccine-induced fevers which are going to run their course either way. It does help reduce the discomfort (and the risks associated with high fever).

 

[Miscanthus]

Thank you for the new thread, @Chita!


@Happy Lady, I was typing out a response to your post in the long thread but my phone shut down so I fell asleep and the thread was done by the time I woke up Apologies for the late reply - I've been quite exhausted with anxiety levels running very high since mum's been shouting a lot. Was trying to block it all out for a bit, not that it really worked

There are no practical solutions, at least not ones that I can execute right now (legalities, need mum's consent since they're her relatives etc), so someone listening and being kind and positive, like you all here, is the biggest help that I can get right now So you definitely helped

As far as cultural differences go, that is just an abuser tactic to groom their targets/victims. I've read of even worse stuff being done to people, especially women, across cultures and countries, and there are good people, or at least non-daughter-hating ones too here. I won the lottery on both sides of "family"

Probably why I have the best dogs though - it's pretty amazing as far as compensation goes

Quite validating, by the way, that you also used the same terms I use to describe what's going on.


@Miscanthus, sorry to hear about your aches and the craft show and the spots. Wish I could have sent you some cooling sandalwood powder!

Could you maybe get some sort of a cooling gel, preferably aloe vera (if you're not allergic to it)? I can't use aloe gel (even though I have a balcony full of the plants), so I get this huge tube of gel from Vaseline that I use as a cold compress alternative especially during vaccine-induced fevers which are going to run their course either way. It does help reduce the discomfort (and the risks associated with high fever).

Thank you. I'm through the vaccine side-effects but not looking forward to part 2 of it in 2 months!
The main problem is going from a seemingly healthy person with good skin and thick hair, who never took medication, to having a bathroom full of tablets, having to inject myself, having spots, gaining weight and anticipating losing a lot/most of hair - and that's the 'cure'.

 

[Zippy2000]

Congrats @Zippy2000 on the arrival of your new “boss” - an absolute beauty!! Fun times ahead! Last year Hubby found a tiny kitten playing with a leaf - it was in a non residential area so looks like she was dumped- he brought her home - vet checked her the following day no chip and she was actually too young to have been taken from her mum so we had her on cat milk for a few weeks- she’s a smasher and she rules the roost here. A tip my brother gave me was to put cat treats in a little tupperwear box and hide - shake the box and when kitty comes give her a treat- it is a godsend - if she is out and hears the rattle of the box she ( mostly) comes running- useful in case your Inky goes for an adventure ( the buggers are fast as lightning at getting out the door)!

@Miscanthus how are you feeling

Inky is currently in her/his pen as started de worming yesterday and now has an upset tummy so keeping a close eye on her/him ,

Inky is a tearaway super fast with endless energy going to get her/him micrchipped next week

 

[Doodlebug005]

Hello Everyone thought I would pop in and show of My New Kitten it is called Inky and not sure if it's a boy or Girl yet what I can say Inky is a little tearaway with bundles of energy and sharp claws not bad for an 8 week old Inky is currently on my back playing with my ponytail View attachment 2887618View attachment 2887619

Congrats @Zippy2000 on the arrival of your new “boss” - an absolute beauty!! Fun times ahead! Last year Hubby found a tiny kitten playing with a leaf - it was in a non residential area so looks like she was dumped- he brought her home - vet checked her the following day no chip and she was actually too young to have been taken from her mum so we had her on cat milk for a few weeks- she’s a smasher and she rules the roost here. A tip my brother gave me was to put cat treats in a little tupperwear box and hide - shake the box and when kitty comes give her a treat- it is a godsend - if she is out and hears the rattle of the box she ( mostly) comes running- useful in case your Inky goes for an adventure ( the buggers are fast as lightning at getting out the door)!

@Miscanthus how are you feeling

 

[Mothballs]

Hello Everyone thought I would pop in and show of My New Kitten it is called Inky and not sure if it's a boy or Girl yet what I can say Inky is a little tearaway with bundles of energy and sharp claws not bad for an 8 week old Inky is currently on my back playing with my ponytail View attachment 2887618View attachment 2887619

So cute.
I have read black cats and kittens are the least likely to be adopted due to superstitious beliefs.

 

[ChaoticArtist]

I'd love a polytunnel... I did at one point have a very nice (cheap plastic) greenhouse that was set up really well, but the neighbours accidentally set fire to it and the fence and I've never really bothered with one after that (Mr neighbour was genuinely mortified and we were adequately compensated). We were very zen about it at the time (it was very close to the house and we were VERY lucky) but I do miss my good trowel and kneeling pad that were in it at the time.

My seed trays are currently sat on the kitchen table getting sunlight thru the patio doors... I'd love one of those proper posh wooden framed greenhouses like Monty Don has, but then I'd quite like his garden too

@ChaoticArtist talking of the good drugs I've had morphine once, it really is the business I totally get why it's addictive

You reminded me to watch Knives Out again "the good stuff"! House made me quite curious about ketamine Although vodka and my anti-histamines (separately!) are the closest I can get to that sort of happiness How can I beat Coleridge with just vodka?! And no, unfortunately, I couldn't just answer Lit. exam questions about why he wrote what he did with "because he was high". I asked


I wish I could get one of those prefab polyhouses too. It gets extremely windy here though (cyclonic winds that took someone's air conditioner a few months ago) and my neighbours have extremely sticky fingers - they'll even steal all the soil from my containers because they know I use the good stuff (potting soil from really good brands, organic fertilisers, etc), and because I grow from seed/let stuff like chrysanthemums and poppies reseed, so the containers always have a tonne of seeds.

Had thought of erecting some sort of half-tent, but the bloody neighbourhood pigeons will turn it into their toilet/makeout spot/dining room. They've already eaten almost all of the portulaca mum was growing, but not the stuff that was growing as weed

Typing this from my terrace, where I'm enjoying the smell of wet earth and freshly-watered plants (Fenugreek is dominant tonight) relative quiet, bird calls, the sunset and the call for evening prayers from a nearby mosque

 

[Miscanthus]

Hope all well @Miscanthus

Thank you for checking @Doodlebug005
Just had 6th treatment.
My long hair has started shedding now and I've been told I will lose it all when they change the chemo drugs in a couple of months...despite the cold cap.
I've lost my sense of taste except for strawberries, chocolate, avocado, tomatoes and some fish. Eating is a challenge!
On sleeping tablets too.
Otherwise all good!

 

[DanDanTheIceCreamMan]

This is Cliff and he's come out...

 

[Chita]

Laundry avoidance tactics part 2.

I've just bought a jetsprayer for cleaning patio slabs etc. Rigged it up - instructions were rubbish, so found a bloke on youtube demonstrating it.
I'm going to attempt to use it today.

I have laundry to do, but I'm told these jetspray gadgets splatter crap everywhere, so, obvs, I can't hang out any washing.
So the dirty laundry must wait.

 

[ChaoticArtist]

Dad's in the hospital right now. In emergency. Pray, please.

 

[Miscanthus]

Congrats @Zippy2000 on the arrival of your new “boss” - an absolute beauty!! Fun times ahead! Last year Hubby found a tiny kitten playing with a leaf - it was in a non residential area so looks like she was dumped- he brought her home - vet checked her the following day no chip and she was actually too young to have been taken from her mum so we had her on cat milk for a few weeks- she’s a smasher and she rules the roost here. A tip my brother gave me was to put cat treats in a little tupperwear box and hide - shake the box and when kitty comes give her a treat- it is a godsend - if she is out and hears the rattle of the box she ( mostly) comes running- useful in case your Inky goes for an adventure ( the buggers are fast as lightning at getting out the door)!

@Miscanthus how are you feeling

Thank you so much for asking @Doodlebug005
I'm on the second round (each round is 3 weeks) so 4 down. For some reason I've gone from ravenous (thanks steroids) to nauseous overnight and my taste buds seem to have died! The docs seem happy how I'm tolerating everything though. My mental health is not so good but I've now got (a v short course of ) sleeping tablets to try and get through the night and I'm now waking at 5 or 6am. It was that or a shrink!

 

[Miscanthus]

Great to hear it’s going ok - hopefully the nausea will settle- stock a variety of your fav food in case you get tempted Thankfully the weather is improving- have you been gardening? Hope the old mental health improves… lots of positive thinking- the sleep sounds app has nice meditations - also I find these a great stress buster they are on amazon - steam eyemasks - they get warm- lovely and sooting - there are expensive varieties but i find these are as good for half the price!
View attachment 2892748

Thank you xx. I would never have thought of these. Yes, I've been digging in the garden every chance I get but got very tired at the weekend. It seems to be the immunotherapy + chemo that takes its toll. The chemo only weeks seem ok.
I think I said I'm renovating a house so I have plenty to do inside too. Felt more energetic today so I've been painting a bedroom! I feel better when I'm productive

 

[DanDanTheIceCreamMan]

Just pegged the washing out.... full line, first time this spring... put the last item on and the whole fucking thing collapsed. Honestly feels like a metaphor for my life right now.

Firmly at the end of my washing line tether with all sorts of crap being flung at me from different directions. Is this what being 50 is like because I'd quite like to rewind to 49 please.

Oh and my tomato seedlings have all bit the dust because it's gone from stupidly cold to stupidly hot. Next time I pass Aldi I'll just by some ready to go tomato plants instead <mutters>

(I'll be OK I just needed a whinge).

 

[DanDanTheIceCreamMan]

How are you doing Dan? Bloody slugs They did for my lettuce- just bought a tray until the new ones I sat come up! am a bit worried about sunflowers they never last long! I have a gardening question- my wild rose that is rooted on my side of the boundary fence is a bit scruffy- I m training it along the fence but a few lengths have grown into top of fence the neighbours side of the fence- is it ok to tidy things up from my side- i want to pull back the bits that should be on my side- to be fair they have never complained about it- but is it ok to retrieve my roses? and i want to straighten the top a bit- all on my side (I think)
How are you feeling @Miscanthus - did you watch chelsea- of course I was sucked in- saw a clematis called Gurnsey cream- it should be here tomorrow- hope all the tea & sympathy chatters are well

I'm OK (fair to middling - I would say crap is still bumbling on in the background, but I have at least replaced the washing line ). I have a very sluggy garden generally, I gave up on lupins decades ago because they just disappear overnight. I did figure out (during lockdown when I put vast amounts of effort in) that the dahlias do much better when they're fed (basic tomato feed for everything) and don't tend to get eaten much (just nibbled here and there), and the same goes for sunflowers. My normal rule of thumb is to only plant them in containers and only when they have 2 sets of leaves (gives the plant a head start). The trouble this year is I'm growing the dahlias from tubers so one has been sacrificed to the critters but the others are ok.

I think you're fine to tidy up the roses from your side, we have climbers on both sides and try and keep them in check. Helped by the majority of our Clematises (clemati?) dying from rot last year, including a 20 year old Montana that had always been sturdy as anything. The only one that survived was the one that's prone to wilt every now and then.

Stuff is finally flowering here, peonies are out, roses and geraniums are coming on nicely and no mow may means the lawn is full of daisies.

Here's one of the first roses to flower in the garden (Olivia Rose Austin - I've caught on to David Austin roses in the last few years or so, they really are fantastic plants):

 

[Doodlebug005]

I just had a ham and cheese sandwich cooked in an air fryer. YUM.
And if that wasnt yum enough, I had TWO Tunnocks caramel wafers.

So there.

Ooh sounds lovely! I am on a low carb health kick at the minute- bread I miss a bit- the sandwich sounds delicious! Airfryers are genius! I make scones in mine- 11 minutes- omg- also can make the tiniest sponge cake… do you
see why I’m on a diet oh I love tunnocks … now I want one ( packet)

@DanDanTheIceCreamMan - the clothes line was the universes way of saying not to do the laundry
unfortunate timing that line snapped- we all snap eventually … sorry to hear you are going through a few things at the moment- hoping all will be well soon

 

[ChaoticArtist]

Thank you. I'm through the vaccine side-effects but not looking forward to part 2 of it in 2 months!
The main problem is going from a seemingly healthy person with good skin and thick hair, who never took medication, to having a bathroom full of tablets, having to inject myself, having spots, gaining weight and anticipating losing a lot/most of hair - and that's the 'cure'.

That really is the most difficult part of developing an illness/getting diagnosed.

I haven't known much better (chronic bronchitis etc passed down from dad's side), although I did use to have less severe symptoms pre-Covid, so seeing many others my age live and enjoy life far more effortlessly (at least in terms of energy levels and not having to take so many precautions) makes me feel upset sometimes - a bit envious, wistful, guilty for not doing or being "better".

I can imagine how much worse it would be to go from being healthy to this unwell.

A silver lining? We have access to good healthcare and drugs etc. Although I do think they had the better idea in the olden days when they treated cough with opium or cocaine

 

[Doodlebug005]

Laundry avoidance tactics part 2.

I've just bought a jetsprayer for cleaning patio slabs etc. Rigged it up - instructions were rubbish, so found a bloke on youtube demonstrating it.
I'm going to attempt to use it today.

I have laundry to do, but I'm told these jetspray gadgets splatter crap everywhere, so, obvs, I can't hang out any washing.
So the dirty laundry must wait.

Have you seen the attachment that goes on the wand- like an upside down bowl- sorry don’t know what it’s called - it keeps the spray contained , no splatter- we have had 2, one was excellent- cleaned very well- but it eventually broke- the second Great weather for outside jobs

Very tired today- out in garden very late- We were lucky to see the Northern Lights- very grateful

 

[Zippy2000]

Guilt

Since getting Inky whom I adore I have been feeling a bit of guilt for getting another pet after losing Zippy the way I did I don't know if anyone else has had this feeling when They get a new pet after losing a much loved pet , Its been neary two years since I lost My Boy Zippy I had Him for 12 years .

Is this a common feeling ?