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I Love Cadbury Flake Bar's from the UK, well everything Cadbury actually! British chocolate is the Best in the World as far as I'm concerned! My favorite American chocolate is those holiday bite sized chocolates with Butterfinger bits in it, Yummy. They used to make those big bars like that! Miss those. What is the next holiday anyways, Halloween, , gotta stock up!
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staceyb I know what you mean about British chocolate. I gained 5 pounds 8 years ago when we were in Europe and I think it was all British chocolate!
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It is to do with mouth feel, apparently. That is the food technologist's technical term for it. There is a difference in the manufacturing process that makes Cadbury's less oily and more satisfying when you're chomping on it, which is why that 1lb bar that was going to last all week, er, oops… doesn't.

Continental Europeans despise English chocolate which they regard as a childish barbarism. But sales figures don't lie, so there must be an awful lot of Europeans hiding a guilty pleasure.

Back in the eighties the jingle for Flake used to run: only the crumbliest flakiest milk chocolate tastes like chocolate never tasted before la la

Which a work colleague adapted to: "only the crumbliest flakiest milk chocolate misses your mouth and goes all over the floor."
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My Dad used to just love Cadbury's and he was from central Europe and even grew up with Swiss chocolate. I always think of my Dad when I see Cadbury's. As a matter of fact...I think I will pick up a bar of this when I run to the grocery this week...I do like the Lindt too myself and the Ghirardelli from San Francisco.....really, I wouldn't turn down any of it right now!!
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Mom is in better spirits for the past couple of days, but called me 6 times yesterday. I had to keep reminding her to press her call button and have one of the CNAs take her somewhere - anywhere - so she isn't sitting in her room. We took a walk down through the wing where Mom will be placed soon, with a roommate. I'm a little concerned because most of the people there are far older than she is and mostly non-verbal. She needs someone she can talk to. The more social ones already have roommates. I guess we'll see how it goes. This is one of those days where Mom is doing really well and I almost start to feel like I've made the wrong decision placing her there, because she seems in better shape than everyone else. But I have to keep reminding myself that her medical needs are such that at any moment, she could go the other way again and needs to be monitored 24/7, which I cannot do. (sigh) Hard to deal with some days.
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Susan, I am glad to hear your Mom is in better spirits. I hope she can get placed with a more chatty roomate soon. I know how it is when they get placed in a NH or in hospice and it appears then they start getting better and we second guess our decisions...but like you said their needs could change quickly at anytime and this way your Mom is monitored 24/7.

Shilo, I hope you have a very safe trip. Hope the weather is good where you are going too!

I guess my whine today is that I am seeming a bit airheaded these past couple of days....probably getting befuddled from all the worrying. I am leery of Mom going into delirium again and that always seems to start slowly with something at night, like ringing the bell and now knowing why, or yelling that a table fell over in the room when it did not....last night it was the bell ringing.Got to keep aware of this... I am going to try some meditation later and see if that helps clear my head. That and then afterward some chocolate!
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When I went to Colorado I knew there would be children visiting the ranch and they had NEVER experienced UK Chocolate. My carry on bag had absolutely nothing in it except chocolate and they did open it when I got off the plane. The officer just smiled and said you only wanted chocolate on board with you ma'am? I did feel silly a bit but I rallied and replied h*ll yes if my plane was going to crash I wanted to die happy! I think he understood my nerves because my visit was not long after 911 and most of the passengers were jittery - in fact had I opened my case I am sure there would have been none left on arrival.

The kids loved the chocolate - absolutely adored it especially the flake which made the most horrendous mess everywhere, they were very taken with crunchies which are chocolate coated honeycomb for the uninitiated, they thought after eights were great (they are a mint centred chocolae coated after dinner chocolate that are just heavenly, they adored aeros and I did buy all types orange mint and ordinary the mixed one hadnt come out then, they thought yorkie bars were great cos there was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much chocolate in them and of course I did have to take toblerone cos it is so cute my favourite is frys turkish delight but like marmite itis love it or hate it time.

OK So when I next get to visit the states I need to just pack 2 suitcases full of chocolate - yep I can do that! Sorry I have just had a thought why dont I just hijack a Chocolate lorry and ship that over?
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Katie just stick with the chocolate woman! And get that doctor to prescribe antibiotics immediately if it is an infection - the sooner the better
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Jude, I have the nurse on it for possible infection, but these things happen fast sometimes...
Suitcases full of chocolate??? Wow that sounds like Heaven to me!!
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It's lunch time where I am and you guys are making me hungry for chocolate... maybe mom will sleep a little longer so I can make a quick dash to the store? But I suppose I should stick to the salad...
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Well, another day another heat wave..wow I wish I had gotten these extra pounds off before summer hit, although I don't think that would keep me from being hot right now..yesterday the heat index was 105 here and believe me I felt it...this kind of heat and humidity makes me physically ill.

I noticed a lump on my lymph node night before last and it kind of concerned me and this morning my nurse looked at it and told me in all likelihood it was from my ear infection I had (which I continue to deal with) so I guess now I will be forced to go to the doctor...

Well, I am going to get out here and do what I have to do before the full heat of the day hits...Then I think I will find something indoors to occupy me..and there's plenty of that too.
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On a positive note, after my muscles have been hurting so badly lately, I decided to try taking the Gabapentin my doctor prescribed the last time I went and it sure helped me get a better nights sleep last night...Thank God!
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Hope22, I am 100 percent for antibiotics in the case of bacterial infections. When our chiropractor used Oregano oil for my husband's sinus infection, and uses it for ear infections too, we found it worked. The doc put a few drops on his hands and patient breathed it in. I cannot recommend how to do the ears, or other uses for oregano oil, but it is a natural antibiotic. Ask a professioal how, but I am not yet sure I am ready to stop getting the diagnosis of ear infection and antibiotics from my regular doctor. I just know that for me, personally, I don't get an ear infection when occasionally using a drop of oregano oil on my finger and gently touching it into each ear. Proceed with caution, but I would love to hear from people who use alternative medicine with the correct knowledge.
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God will get me and Mom through this and I praise him for it! On Friday the home health nurse came to do an intake and medical evaluation. During this interview Mom comes out with, I have a bladder infection! I told everyone and no one listened to me!
You could have knocked me over with a feather. I had not heard anything about this and upon further investigation she had told them at the NH. She even gave them a urine sample and said she wanted to have it tested but she didn't know if they did.he nurse suggested I call her doctor especially if she started acting unusual, angry, confused. I called the doctor after he left and was answered by the answering service. When's the doctor called me back she suggested I get AZO. So off to the drugstore and started her on it. She did well on the first two doses, but threw upon the third dose. Called the nurse and he said to make sure she ate. Next dose I made sure she had food in her stomache and it was fine. Next day next dose was after breakfast. Vomited again and she refused to take it again, so we just continued with cranberry juice and it appeared that everything was going well. She stopped complaining about the burning and the doctor was seeing her early in the morning.
That morning she had some difficulty with getting ready, but we got there. When we described the symptom we included the loose stool so they took a urine sample and they gave us an Rx for Vancomycin which also covers a diff in case she is having an outbreak again. After going to 2 pharmacies I was able to get her started.
On Tuesdayafternoon, she told me that she now had diarrhea again!!!! I quickly called doctor but the office was told the office was closed and they would call the doctor on call who doesn't know her history. Since the doctor has been my doc for over 20 years, I have her cell number and called her. She said to switch her to tea and toast and the Vancouver would help until they got more info from the samples. Then she asked if she had ever had her gall bladder out. I said no and she said no one would take a gall bladder out of a ninety year old woman.
At this point, I just completely felt defeated and just wanted cry! I did call my brother that communicates with the other 2 so I don't have to keep making calls. As I told him all that was going on, I began to cry and that turned to sobbing and just complete breakdown.
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Awh (((Sharadale))) I am truly sorry you are dealing with all of this. Seems like it just comes in waves. AZO? Is she drinking the liquid form of it? I stated mom on the pill form and crushed it into her pudding/applesauce and she never had a UTI after. Sure you and mom find relief from this ... too much stress is so not good for either of you.

Taking my old fella into the Vet today. Sadly, it is pretty high odds he will not be coming home with me. At 18/blind/deaf for a few years, I can say he's had a great life. This little guy never barked, never barked. Wait, he would make that weird muffly barking sound when he dreamed, other than that, not a word. That is unusual for a little guy too. He has a cancerous growth near his back. He chewed it off once but it grew back bigger and he's chewing it again. They probably won't give him a local and take it off, stitch it up, because of his age. Which is why I haven't taken him already. It doesn't hurt him, it itches...

Sigh. I am so done with death.
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Right I have just read this on this site: We signed a DNR, not realizing it would prevent even Hospital ER staff to administer life saving drugs/techniques to a loved one

Can I just say a DNR is exactly what it says on the tin - DO NOT RESUSCITATE. It does NOT mean anything else - it simply means that if your loved one's heart stops beating, attempts will not be made to restart it.

It does NOT mean do not treat it just means do not restart the heart
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I totally exhausted from being up all night with Mother.She couldnt get comfortable and needed more pain medicene than usual.I am heartbroken from seeing her the way she is now.My brother said he was too busy to come see Mother today.One day soon,he wont have to think about coming to see his Mother.She will be with my Dad and God in Heaven.Hopefully,my other brother will make the effort to come after his work tonite.Mother is having horrible bathroom problems today and I have already given her 2 enemas and 2 suppositories with no luck.I will keep trying to be the best daughter and caregiver I can be.
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jeanette Huge hugs hun that's going to leave a huuuge void in your life at a time when you need some joy xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Aw lucky lu and you just know that when the dam breaks thats' going to be downright nasty xxxxxx thinking of you having to deal with that ...or.....if your brother does turn up perhaps you could go shopping for a couple of hours ......fingers crossed that he has it to deal with
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Am now very very sad as I have just found out that all my understanding of something is for nothing - I am wrong.

See I was always told eat your vegetables and I did but now I find out chocolate is not a vegetable but why? It is made of milk which comes from cows who eat grass to produce the milk grass is plant matter so it IS A VEGETABLE isn't it? grins!!! thought I would try to being a smile to your faces this evening xxx
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Oh Jeanette...I am praying for some better news for you and your pup...Praying he will be ok...I know he's a joy and comfort to you, especially right now..Keep us posted (hugs)
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Susan I know how it is when you first take your Mom to the nursing home. My Mom seemed so much more with it than the other residents that I questioned my judgement bringing her there. I thought that maybe my Mom would age faster being around that. But in retrospect I still know I did the right thing.

Jeanette I am so sorry about your dog. I hope you don't have to put him down. Although when its time its time I guess. I had a cat once with kidney problems. We would bring her into the vet to get subcutaneous fluids. I would sometimes look at the other people in there with their half dead cats in their carriers and think "God please let me put my dear pet down when its time" No point letting something suffer.

If you do have to make that decision Jeanette know that its the right one and no one could love that dog more than you did.
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Jude...I like your logic..Chocolate is officially my favorite "vegetable" :))

Gershun, isn't it amazing that with our pets, I think we do somehow know when "it's time"...otherwise we keep trying, as long as they can enjoy their lives, are comfortable, happy, and so forth...and then on the day when you know...then you know...to me, God puts it on your heart, and because you love them so much, you let them go....alas, the part of loving so much..is being able and willing to let them go when the goal is their comfort and wholeness again..

Still praying Jeanette..Hoping for some good news for you and your pup..
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Jeanette thank you so much for your comments.she was taking the pill. We went back to regular old Cranberry juice and she is feeling better, so we will continue with that, tea, water, Gatorade. She has been eating toast and has no appetite problem, but is afraid of the diarrhea again. I got her to eat a banana just now, so perhaps if she does okay with that, I can expand her diet a little.
I also want to tell you how sorry I am for what you are going through with your puppy right now! I know he is 18 but they are always our little pups when we love them the way we do. If you do have to let him go, remember that they leave a little part of their hearts with us making our heart much bigger and better. Someday when you are reunited with your loved ones, I believe there will be more non-humans waiting for me, lol.
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Yes Sharadale I will have a lot of cats up in heaven. I like to picture my Mom up there with two on her lap and a bunch at her feet. :)
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When I was a kid, my Nana sent over a parcel from Wales, UK, every Christmas with Chocolate Selection Boxes in it for each of us (6 kids). Selection Boxes are kind of like our Advent Calendars, all done up with Christmas pix, and little games ond the back of the box, like mazes, connect the dots, and that sort of thing, or cut outs, like paper doll's,, but the chocolates were fullsize, like ten of them, behind cellophane windows! Oh, we loved getting those! Another story: being from Seattle and living so close to Canada, our British parents often took us up to shop for British goods, foods and chocolates and stuff. Well, one of the last year's my Mom and Dad were alive and well enough to travel, we went up at Christmas time, and comming home across the boarder, always a little bit stressful the customs agent shouted out, "THEIR SMUGGLING, THEIR SMUGGLING, THEIR SMUGGLING CADBURY CHOCOLATES! " and my Mom almost had a heart attack until she saw they were laughing. We had that much Chocolate in the trunk. It was hilarious! But usually they are pretty serious at the boarder. Oh we had great fun back the when they were still alive! I really miss my parents! They were such a joy to care for til the end, my FIL, not so much!
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Jeanette good luck with your pup,, the hits justkeep on coming don;t they?
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Stacey, we went over the border into Ontario and the rule was Canadian customs did NOT joke. It was indeed stressful. Story goes that back in the 50's, my mom and a few girlfriends were returning from a day at the beach (great Chinese food and beaches up there). One of her dear friends was a lot like Rose on Golden Girls, sweet but very innocent/naive/trusting. When asked "born?" (as in "where were you born"), she said "Yes". The customs agent, thinking she was a smart aleck, pulled them over and let them cool their heels for 3 hours.
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Yes I am from Canada and I agree some of our border agents don't have much of a sense of humor. Especially the younger ones. They take themselves very, very seriously. I nearly said chill out to one and then used my better judgement. He may of swallowed some icecubes or something. :)
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Ahh Sheradale, I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time with your Mom right n, infections and antibiotics can really reek havoc in their sensitive sysr, I do hope that she is feeling better soon!
Jeanette, I am also sorry you are at that point in your Pup's life were you have to start thinking of the end of life decisions. For the first time in my adulthood, I decided to get a dog, a little Chihuahua/Maltese mix cutie, named Charlie-girl, and she is my life! Other than her spay surgery, she has been perfectly healthy and she brings so much joy and light to our lives! Animals come into our lives and really take a stranglehold on our heart's, I just know that the joy is worth the pain of loosing them to old age, and I'm sure you gave your Pup the best life ever!
Luckylu, my heart goes out to you and you Mom in so music pain, insensitive family members will unfortunately have to deal with their own guilt for not seeing her while they still can, and if they don't, well, people like that get their own in the end. Well thats my feelings anyways.
Jude, Ahh Jude, you my friend bring true happiness to this forum, though I know you struggle like we all do, but you totally crack me up, and I do appreciate You!! By the way, where do you live, so I can look it up on Google Earth. My favorite app to use to travel, from my easy chair! Lol. Hugs, TaDa
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