What I did today.

Good news gracesmum

Hope you mum is ok merlot

pleased gracesmum hope OH continues to be ok albeit bossed about

I had goodies ready and we had only one caller, so got some over!!

may be because of the little girl who was abducted people more wary? never did think good idea sending little ones on their own to knock on strangers doors, but try not be miserable!!

Pleased to hear that, gracesmum.

grace and merlot

Spent half the day escorting DD to the orthodontist with a broken brace. It's the second time she has lost/broken it so it was going to cost her a lot of pocket money this time. However, the chappie she saw, who was different from her usual person who's on holiday, said we can ditch the removable braces and when DD's orthodontist comes back, DD can get her train tracks sorted. DD v happy to be rid of the mouth clutter for a few weeks. I'm just worn out with all the to-ing and fro-ing. Feet up. Pot of tea. Comfort food time.

Good news gracesmum. It would be good if you could BOTH spend some time relaxing.

Mum is back in her care home, very tired but quite chatty. Fingers crossed she'll be OK for a while but I know there's a real danger she'll have another TIA or stroke. What counts now is that she's comfortable and happy. DH was very quiet in the hospital yesterday. Looking at a ward full of stroke victims must have made him realise how lucky he was that his was not serious although he would never admit it. We've a lot to be thankful for.

Glad your mum is in good spirits merlot
I have just found a mouldy, dried up banana in the back of my hall cupboard along with a little red spade. They must have been there since the summer when my DGCs were here from the States. Felt a great wave of missing them all

merlot {{hug}}

Arrived in the deep south last night after a horrendous 8 hour drive through rain, wind and intermittant low, blinding sun and 50 minute queue for an accident. On top of everything else got a stone throne up at the windscreen so now waiting for Autoglass to come and repair it. Will be flying/training next time Not a happy bunny, but it's lovely to be with the GCs and with DD3 on her birthday today.

Glad you got there safely at any rate, gally.

Oh Gally ! Have an extra bit of cake and lots more to cheer yourself up! Safe journey home again.

How awful Gally and for you today.

Gally You certianly have gone through hell and high water to reach your destination. You're such a tough "cookie". Enjoy the birthday celebrations. Mr soop celebrates his tomorrow.

What I did yesterday. I had tests carried out in the audiology unit of Campbeltown hospital. The results on a graph, showed a distinct weakness in picking up some high to mid-range frequencies. Had an impression made of my right inner ear. Next month I'll be fitted with a hearing aid. Apparently, it will take up to six weeks and a good deal of patience to adjust to it. Now I understand why it is I'm uncomfortable in a noisy group. The sounds mingle and become muffled. Hence, I often miss the jist of a conversation . I was told that the aid will be just that. It cannot restore my loss of hearing, which is an "age-related-thing!" Mr soop suggested that I asked for a trumpet! I told him where he could stuff it.

Soop - you are not alone - my family got fed up of my asking them to repeat things and so I missed a lot of conversation. I bought a cheap (well, £300!) hearing aid but the tube was not long enough to fit well over my ear, and it fell out and was lost. They are very expensive in France. I am thinking of buying headphones to make it easy to listen to TV when I am visiting NZ - I can have it as loud as I like here in my flat, as I have no neighbours.

Gally - what a wretched journey - it would have been tough for a 20-year old. I do hope you can now have some time to relax and enjoy your family.

Soop I'm sure you will feel so much more comfortable when you have your aid fitted. I'm guessing Mr Soop was standing well clear when he made that remark!

Gally what a horrendous journey! I hope you've got your feet up now!

Poor Mr soop, he does get it in the neck! well, not the neck if soop had her way!!

Glad you arrived safely Gally

soop

For the discerning fans of Rory, the cat of uncertain parentage, I have news. I've been chopping back an overgrown bush, making space for - wait for it - a dog kennel. Please, whatever you do, don't offend Rory by laughing out loud. He's over sensitive at this time of the year. Something to do with traipsing for mile on end in the vain hope of charming a female feline into succombing to his charms.

One day, we looked out of the window and thought that wheelie bin apartment does look awfully down-market for a cat of Rory's calibre. Between us, we hunted high and low on eBay and discovered a rather posh kennel with all mod cons; rubber matting, special flaps to keep out the rain; a solid roof; accessibility for the cleaning lady to service said kennel apartment; British made through and through. As I type, it is in transit.

The kennel cat residence, will be very snug. His blankets have been washed and his igloo, in which he sleeps, aired.

Do we think for one moment that he'll be bowled-over thrilled and overcome with gratitude? Nah! Not Rory!

Is this a bachelor pad for Rory to bring his girlfriends to?

What will happen when you move?

anno See my response below
jeni Any day now, Rory will lapse into a state resembling semi-hibernation. Last winter, he barely budged beyond his bed. When this happens, we intend contacting the nice man from the Cat's Protection League, who has promised to help us to trap him. When in the kennel, we'll be able to push the trap tight to his door. He'll be taken to the vet, where he'll undergo a certain procedure. He'll return to us and continue to live as before. When we move, he'll go with us. The lovely tortoishell kitten, his neutered offspring, is truly feral. She visits for food, together with the mother cat. They keep well away from us. The dilemma is - would it be kinder to leave them to their territory and hope that, if we provide the new owners of our home with cat food, they may be kind enough to take care of them. Otherwise, it will mean leaving them to their own resources. We are bothered by such thoughts. Any suggestions?

I spend my nights worrying about Rory! I've become quite fond of him. Strange as I'm very allergic to cats!

jeni Rory is much loved. We take the very best possible care of him. It was well over a year ago, during a bitterly cold spell, that we first saw him. He was walking through the snow with the female adult cat and a younger black cat. He was desperately thin. His eyes were very sticky. He looked unwell. Ever since, he has become "fond" of us - or should I say, the food we provide.
He has ventured into the house but prefers the outdoors. So far we've managed to have three female cats spayed. They appear to be healthier as a result. He has to be "seen to" because there are far too many feral cats in the area. Life for the majority, must be pretty tough.

Soop, not many folk would worry about the welfare of feral cats, it`s a pity there aren`t more like you! It`s a nice idea to provide the new owners of your house with cat food, but bear in mind they may (heaven knows why) hate cats, or be allergic to them. I know it`s a worry, but after a while the cats will come to realise that they have to take care of themselves again, although I`m sure they`ll miss you like crazy. All the best to Rory xx