Soop's welcoming kitchen!

Agus so glad you enjoyed yourself

Bellasnana (((hugs)))

I'm having a prolonged sprawl on the sofa at the mo, as my dgd has gone home. She was not well yesterday, but she had certainly recovered today!!
I decided to start training her early, so together we changed the bedding, did some much needed dusting and a bit of vacuuming!
She was so helpful and did a lot of high pitched singing and tralaa-ing, that it was delightful
A lovely day.

Having seen a photo of your GD Lona, it isn't hard to imagine her being an entertainer. You can never start them too early re tidying up and lending a hand. Enjoy your sprawl, you deserve it!

Good morning to you lovely lot...it's a dampish day and feeling milder. Personally, I prefer dry and crisp.

Hi there, jings hope all is well with you. I am in need of some serious exercise. Floppy tum and wobbly bum. My bike hasn't been used for some time. I've been too wrapped up with other pressing matters and need to mount it and get peddling. Maybe next week...

Bella wishing you and your husband a peaceful weekend.

Lona your post made me smile. I can visualise you and your granddaughter busying yourselves around the house. My dust continues to accumulate. Any chance that you and she might scatter it further afield? Continue to tralaala ...it's good for the spirit.

Agus A certain Lhasa apso is hoping to make the 34 mile journey to Lochgilphead where the gallery will mount his portrait. I had hoped to have had it ready to post sooner...the car was out of action for part of last week. But, be assured, Bobby will join you as soon as possible. Hopefully within the next fortnight.

DebnCreme Freshly baked bread, toasted and topped with lashings of butter...don't mind if I do. I may need smear my toast with Marmite. Or should I use greengage jam? Decisions, decisions...

kitty annsixty and all my Granspals having to deal with sickness, sadness or frustration...

Dear soop

Oh, thank you soop. GDs know all,about the lady in Kintyre who is painting Bobby's portrait so they too are eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Please, please, don't mention DUST! I am doing my utmost to ignore the damn stuff for the time being.

for all our Granspals going through troubled times.

Lovely reading what you have all been up to.

We took the 11.15am ferry back to Malta and are now home. DH happy to be back in his own bed. He has four holes in his tum and is in pain, bless him.

I woke at 2am with the most agonizing sore throat. I feel like I am swallowing broken glass,my head aches and I feel sick. Have got antibiotics so hope they will get to work ASAP.

Summer seems to have arrived - it is HOT.

Anyway, I won't hang around and pass my germs on to you all. Enjoy all the goodies on offer - you can have my share as I feel too yuck to eat

and to all you dear pals

Bellasnana please excuse the total ignorance but where did DH go for tests, surgery etc.? I assumed that it was in a hospital in Malta. I do hope that you do not give your bugs to him as he has enough to contend with at present. to both of you.

I am not sure that I understand the word summer. I will need a fuller explanation as it is raining here with rays of sunshine in between showers. It is also not the warmest day of the year.

I noticed you mentioning you went to Gozo Bella. I have never been but friends of ours have an apartment there and having been going for years. We have been invited before so, if I do make it to your neck of the woods, I'll let you know.

Hope you are both feeling a bit more comfortable soon, a cold is the last thing you need with everything that is going on. Lots of fluids and rest when you can. .

Bella Poor you, just when you think things can't get much worse........
You must look after yourself, maybe you're getting a bit run down

soop I don't think dgd is the best duster you'll ever meet, and neither am I but she meant well!
I think my house is a total dust magnet. It drives me mad.
When I sit down (which is most of the time) my two dust laden polished tables are right in my eye line!

Hey ho!

Charleygirl sorry I didn't explain properly. Gozo is Malta's sister island, a twenty minute ferry trip from the north of Malta. DH had his laparoscopy surgery done there as they have excellent facilities and far fewer patients than the hospital in Malta. I was very impressed with how calm and efficient everything was, and the staff were so kind and couldn't do enough for us, even bringing me refreshments without being asked.

Agus I hope you will make it over to stay with your friends. I would love to meet you in person and share some proper and instead of virtual ones! Or maybe we'll just go straight for the !

Bella - I hope you and your DH are feeling more comfortable now!

And you agus are enjoying your freedom.

We are 'visitor' free as the DGC are with their father and DD3 has gone for a girly night to DD2's. DD1 took her to the theatre last night so she will be dead on her knees.

We have just got back from Nottingham where we took a gold bracelet to be mended - they will get back to us with an estimate

Yesterday, I went to see Mum who was very poorly with a chest infection. She is 90 and has COPD and dementia. I could tell that she is very poorly because the staff talked me through the End of Life Care Plan [again] and kept patting me Apparently she is much better today.

May I have a turn on the chaise please and a large - I'm in dire need.

Wouldn't that be something Bella It would have course have to be a wee glass to celebrate the occasion

It's like night and day kitty. Feeling a bit more normal again. Pleased to hear your DD is having some well earned me time.

My dear Auntie Jo lives in Nottingham, she is 92 and fit as a fiddle. I have been there many, many times and know it well (happy memories).

There's that word again 'dust' . It's banned Lona

It's warm and sunny in bonnie Kintyre. The sea is lapping gently on the sea shore. If I concentrate, I can almost hear the pebbles shifting as the water frolics in between the rocks. A pair of Oyster Catchers are busy. The gulls notice whenever the pair appear to be "broody"...gulls and oyster catchers then go head-to-head and a right rumpus ensues.

Bella The bug responsible for your nasty sore throat is well-travelled. I'm also concerned that it may migrate to your husband. Charleygirl I must confess that for a wee moment I thought Gozo was an alcoholic drink...something like ouzo. I'm not that bright at the best of times. I'm pleased that the sun is shining for you, Bella Do you have a shady nook in which to relax and watch the birds and butterflies? Our wild wood [the home of the feral cat family] is awash with bluebells and primroses. Rory is sitting atop his ex-apartment, costly dog kennel and gazing into the near distance. He's enjoying a Zen moment.

Lona, dear...when the sun shines in through the sitting room window, I'm agog with shame. The dust is beyond a single layer. I walk by and blow it from time to time...it comes right back...MacSporran assures me that dust isn't dirty. Until my arty-farty sessions have run their course, I shall resist the urge to hunt for a duster and polish.

kitty You had a busy Saturday. Your place on the chaise is cat fur free. I've a special brush that keeps it looking pristine [the chaise, not the cat!]

Agus with luck, I should be going to Lochgilphead before the end of the week. Bobby may well be with you [in watercolour] by the end of the following week.

annsixty I'm sending some love across the air-ways.

soopWe have an appointment tomorrow with a CPN who may take the brunt of my frustration unless she is very kind and helpful.

Your wild wood sounds lovely soop, it's a miserable day here, with wind, heavy rain and very short sunny spells!

and to all 'kitcheners' who are below par or looking after loved ones.

Plus ...... some warm scones with cream and jam, I know most of us enjoy these, and a rather nice chocolate cake made by my ds.
I'll make some and coffee and then we're sorted for a while

Just been in the garden, beautiful warm sunny day.......Turned my back and now it's pouring. Yuck..

Hope all,goes well for you tomorrow annsixty

Fed up with the weather so creamy jam scones will go down a treat thanks Lona. Oh, I'm going the whole hog, why not? May I please have a piece of chocolate cake too

Can't wait soop. I have chosen the perfect spot to display Bobby's portrait and I will send you a pic once I have it in place.

Thank you all for messages of support.I am seeing the uncaring side of the NHS when until now my experiences have mostly been positive and it is now that I need the help.

kitty I hope your mum is doing better today. annsixty glad you have an appointment for tomorrow and do hope your DH will receive the care he needs.

soop your wild wood sounds so lovely. Can't remember when I last saw a bluebell. We have a central courtyard in our house which can be shady, but can also be too hot to sit in! It used to be part of a farmhouse, I believe, and I think our living room was originally where the animals were kept. There are still iron rings in the stone walls where they were tethered.

Today is Mother's Day here and I had a weep for my dear Mum who has been gone two years now.
I'm feeling 'proper poorly' and have been in bed all day.Hopefully, the antibiotics will get to work soon. I'm really hoping DH won't catch this as it is the last thing he needs right now.
DD3 has it as well and ended up at the clinic yesterday to go on the nebulizer. She has acute asthma so chest infections are really bad news for her.

Lots of love to all you kitcheners. Enjoy your cream scones. I'm still feeling too sick to join you

annsixty that is awful- I do hope that something gets sorted to your satisfaction when you meet with the CPN tomorrow.

I went to a meeting at my local TWG on Friday. A member said a neighbour had been admitted locally (lousy reputation) and transferred to a local rehab unit which was little more than a large garden shed attached to a lean to. This patient was diabetic, in her mid 80's and until recently cared for herself. I am not sure what was wrong, something simple and treatable. She was not given food, water or even worse, medicine or her diabetic drugs. She died within 48 hours. In my opinion, total neglect.

Bellasnana you are so lucky to have decent facilities on Gozo and you were cared for properly as well as your DH. I have visited both Gozo and Malta but it was in the mid 70's. I am sure a lot has changed!

soop Tara is in the cat house. I placed a baby quilt on top of the single duvet with its cover, all on a single bed. Madam has clawed a jagged hole in the duvet cover and if the duvet is also torn, she will be joining Rory to be taught manners by him. She will be lucky if she is not banned from that bedroom and given one of the two cat beds I have. She and the cat bed will be in the hall if she is lucky. She has slept for 12 hours, waking for lunch.

I drove to Lochgilphead in heavy rain earlier today, and returned to a lovely sunny early afternoon in bonnie Kintyre. The portraits are with the gallery. I shall return to collect on Friday, after which, I shall meet with bags for a hearty chuckle and noisy blether.

Agus...Bobby's portrait will be posted to you on Monday next. It will be mounted and therefore you will need to frame it [providing it pleases you]

annsixty When you meet with CPN today...be assertive. You have every right to be treated with respect over concerns regarding your husband's health issues. In my opinion, you are being treated shabbily [for want of a better word] and deserve so much better. Please tell us how the meeting went.

Charleygirl when I read the account of the elderly lady's death by neglect, I wanted to scream with rage and frustration. Does the lady have any family who can refer her case to a higher authority? Surely someone needs to be held to account and reprimanded.
As for Tara, give her the benefit of the doubt. She is, after all, just a darling pussy cat.

Bella Are the antibiotics having a positive effect on your poorliness? Your husband most certainly doesn't want a dose of the bug. He has more than enough to cope with. I sympathise with your asthmatic daughter. MacSporran has chronic asthma and the slightest chest infection flares into a major crisis. The last time he caught a chill, he needed a course of steroids.
I like the sound of your courtyard. At one time, long ago, we looked at an old farm building [with a view to convert to a cottage] with a central courtyard. It was called Honey Pig Steading. The enterprise needed a big bank balance, which we didn't have.

Lona dear, your scones are the yummiest ever. So fresh, so tasty, so non-fattening. I shall help myself to a huge dollop of clotted cream and jam. After which, may I test the chocolate cake? Wouldn't want it to go to waste.

for Bella

soop you have been busy. How wonderful to be able to paint and give pleasure to the recipients of your portraits.

I'm feeling a bit better, thanks. Throat doesn't feel like I'm swallowing broken glass any longer, so guess the antibiotics have worked. Still full of a cold though.

I love the name Honey Pig Steading! I have an ex brother in law who lives in a Steading in Inverleithen. We visited last year or I wouldn't have known what one was!

Charleygirl what a dreadfully sad thing to happen to your neighbour. It seems inexcusable that she should have died from something totally preventable.

Yes, Malta and Gozo have certainly changed a lot since the 70's and not all for the better. However, I still wouldn't like to live anywhere else. The weather makes up for a multitude of sins, and there are many positive aspects of living here.

Sorry to ramble on. Will wish you all a good afternoon. Enjoy your and

to you all

Hello everyone, managed to get through the door today (via the old PC). The scones and cream are delicious and just what I need with a nice

Bellasnana, I do hope the antibiotics are kicking in now and that you are feeling better and that your DH doesn't catch anything from you. Best wishes to you both . We visited Gozo when we came over to Malta and enjoyed the trip, I would like to go back one day.

annsixty, sometimes it is hard to be quietly assertive when you feel like screaming, but hope you find the help you need for your DH as soon as possible.

Charleygirl, that sounds dreadful, but sadly it is not the first time I have heard of that sort of experience. This is what happened to one of the patients in Stafford hospital (amongst many others). It makes you dread having to go into hospital for any reason.
I remember when DS was born in a lovely maternity home in Devon; the other Mum I shared a room with had had her first two babies in Italy and she said how appalling the care was there unless you paid for it or your relatives came in and cared for you themselves. Sadly it seems as if we are going that way here.

To all of you under the weather and a as I have not done any baking having had such a busy time lately.

And as for Tara, well, is there a naughty step for cats?

Just returned from DDs where we enjoyed a small party for GD2's 5th birthday. She is thrilled to be a big girl now as this means she will be starting school in August. However, Granny and Grampa are not so thrilled as we really don't want her or her sister to grow up anymore. Time is just flying away.

I will,let you know as soon as Bobby's portrait arrives Soop. We have a very good framer locally so DH will take it there when it arrives.

Pleased to hear you are having a get together with bags. Lots of blethering no doubt and I hope you both enjoy your day.

Love to all

Well we had our planned meeting with the CPN this afternoon and it was both daunting and a help. I insisted at the outset that my DH was told of his diagnosis. From the first meeting with the Psychiatrist on Jan13th after a referral in Nov the only communication from anyone was on April 8th when we had a letter from said Psychiatrist referring to "your problems with your memory".I spoke to our GPs surgery who told me of the diagnosis of Alzheimers. I stress this was not from a Dr but a girl in the office. I have complained about this and await a reply.The CPN told him he has Alzheimers and we were able to talk about it openly.I don't know how he is really dealing with it though. He is on Aricept and will be reviewed in 3 months and now I hope we can get on and enjoy the things we still can do for as long as possible.I know I am far from being on my own and send very best wishes to all in a similar situation .