SOOP's kindly Kitcheners.

Dear MacSporran, I'm glad the appointment went well, I suggest a fortifying wee dram (or two) is definitely needed.

My neighbour's wretched, sodding dear (?) cat has vacated the greenhouse but.....has dug my beautiful petunias and thriving fuchsia out of a large pot to use it as a loo , war is imminent with hosepipes at dawn, blasted creature. That's definitely a move too far!

I'm trying to get DH to focus on the destination for a week or so in September, it's like trying to herd cats , at this rate I'll go on my own!
Why does something so simple take so much deliberation! I just want a destination, not a blow by blow itinerary

Glad to hear you are both upbeat and cheerful soop, I'll say cheers to you two xx

I`m so pleased that MacSporran`s appointment went well.
Thank you for asking about my hubby Soop, he`s doing alright, but he`d do a lot better if he`d exercise the way he`s been told to do, but he just slouches in his chair all day, either sleeping or wattching mindless junk on TV, then sits up all nigh playing on his PS4. He says he can`t exercise because he gets out of breath, but that`s why he`s been told to exercise, to improve his walking, and exercise his lungs, but I can`t get through to him. We were discussing the upcomingholiday with daughter number 2 the other day, and he said he wouldn`t be able to do much, due to getting out of breath, so my daughter said "never mind, mum can settle you in a cafe with a cup of tea whilst she looks around." That`s not going to help!! Plus it`ll be a waste of over £400!
Sorry for the moans everybody.

loopylou I can understand why you feel so annoyed with the neighbour's cat. Why not pay them a visit and maybe they'll try to keep the cat away from your patch. Having said that...I must be stark raving mad to believe that the cat will take a blind bit of notice regarding keeping off your territory.

As for getting Mr number and Mr *loopy to focus on the mundane matter of a wee break... it's not going to be easy. Our male counterparts aren't wired in the same way as we girls. I do sympathise with you both. As for Mr number not doing more to improve his stamina...I fear that his health can only go one way - downhill. Then, of course, you, number will need to rally and help him through whatever may arise. It certainly is not fair. Can you not take a wee break without him? Is there anyone who can step in? I think that I already know the answer to that question. Please keep letting off steam. We're with you.

I've been ironing for my pal. As there was not an overflowing laundry basket to keep me occupied all morning, I also made a start on polishing the silver. Do any of our Kitcheners really enjoy silver/brass cleaning? I loathe it. Mind you, there really is a vast collection of ornaments and such to tackle and some pieces are miniscule.

Thank you Soop, you`re right when you say you know the answer to the question! It`s a beautiful wrm, sunny day, but he`s there slouched in the chair again! Re the silver and brass cleaning, I used to watch my grandma doing hers, but am ashamed to say that it`s something that I don`t indulge in. I don`t have silver anyway, and the few brass items I have are badly in need of some TLC!

My neighbours are very apologetic about their cat's behaviour but felines are a law unto themselves aren't they? The pots now have a very liberal sprinkling of pepper dust !

number aren't men exasperating? Carry on moaning!

MrLl (he's in grave danger of losing his DH status!) has now suggested flying to Edinburgh and hiring a camper van at a ridiculously extortionate cost for two weeks , last night it was a train to Italy, the night before driving around Norfolk because he's never been there, god only knows what he'll come up with tomorrow.... I would like to go somewhere warm, in a reasonable hotel

soop I love cleaning silver and brass, so long as it isn't my own (which sits tarnishing in boxes in the attic)

loopylou Right, tell dear husband that you wish to do just that...look on line and present him with the options that appeal to you. Maybe that will persuade him to get a move on. Even I am beginning to feel irritated on your behalf.
I have no brass and just one silver photograph frame. I am not a lover of either.

number The last thing you need is silver or brass...not with Mr number to watch over. Hey! Why not put the bits that need cleaning on a tray on Mr number's lap. Any other stuff that can he can do from the comfort of his chair? That too - with bells on.

Has Soutra been in to the kitchen recently? I miss her.

Our Bella is having a much-needed short break. I hope that the sun is shining for her.

First thing in the morning MacSporran has an appointment with the skin specialist in Campbeltown. I shall call in to catch up with my Granspals when we return home.

xxx

Loopy you need to be firm.
Make a selection of warm places with reasonable hotels.
Present your selection to MrL, indicating your own favoured option, and say you are going to book one of these options.
Make it clear that not choosing one of the options is not an option.
If he would like to accompany you, you will book a double room.
If he doesn't want to, you will book a single one.
Good luck!

Loopylou Do as JaneA suggests. You take charge of your holiday. make sure it's not self catering.

Loopylou when DD was staying here last weekend she set me up with 8 week old DGS2 in a very complicated looking baby sling. We set off for a walk mainly to exercise DGS1 before they all went home. DD has a large stash of slings none of which I would feel very confident to get them fitted on me safely. never mind sticking him in it.

The trouble was baby DGS2 was hungry again and screamed the street down as we walked out of our road. In the end I handed him back to his mum and he quietened down he probably thought I was abducting him. I did get some good cuddles and crazy grins from him though.

Bless him Nelliem
I all too well remember taking tiny two weeks old DGS out in the posh buggy. He slept for about fifteen minutes then yelled, howled and created so I took him out and cuddled him and he quietened down but I couldn't push the buggy and hold him. So, in the middle of Richmond High Street there was me, a giant buggy and a very noisy little baby, blocking the pavement. I have never felt so impotent! I kept waiting for someone to do a citizen's arrest for abduction or child abuse.
I put him back in the buggy and trotted down the the Green and tried again. He was at full throttle so I had to rush back to DDIL who said she could hear us coming

I definitely had lost my touch but he and his mum have forgiven me -DDIL said I looked as if I'd aged twenty years in an hour!

loopy, cats are reputed to hate rue. However, when I had two cats and a rue plant, one of them wouldn't go near it, but Mr Insensitive Sam would go and lie down beside it. Might be worth trying.

Rue hates me
Apart from nettles and hogweed I can't go anywhere near Rue.
It's not a cat eating repelling plant is it [hopeful] (only joking I hastily add!)

You must have been a cat in a past life, loopy.

Flipping heck
What did I do wrong to return as a human, tormented by that cat?

A very good late morning to my dear Kitcheners

MacSporran has had his bald head zapped with a gizmo much like a paint stripper. The zap was to freeze and so annihilate all the unsightly growths. He was told that his head would look a damn sight worse as the days pass. After which, the scabs and nodules will disappear (for a time.) The procedure was carried out a couple of hours ago. The scalp looks horrendous but I haven't told him so.

janer Yep! I agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion regarding loopy's well-deserved wee break.

loopy and Nellie When our wee man was really wee the outings with his buggy kept me super-fit. As long as the wheels were moving, he slept. The moment the wheels stopped, he started to complain noisily. I walked and walked and walked (not even stopping to have a much needed wee) and, thanks to the miles trekked through parks together with traipsing the busy streets of London, I was a lean machine with enormous blisters. I would so love to be able to relive just one such afternoon pushing his buggy. Then of course, the baby becomes a toddler. Toddling can take up an enormous amount of time, what with fences to hit with sticks, railings to peer through, tyres on cars to be inspected... HAPPY memories.

I almost forgot to mention that the putting up and collapsing of wee man's buggy was a mystery that I never did quite master.

Poor old MacSporran.

Tell him his 'groupies' still think he is 'ansome'.

X

Never mind flipping cats! A badger has decided my lawn must be full of juicy worms!

POGS MacSporran sends you a great big soppy

Galen Badger thinks that he's being useful. I caught a glimpse of the otter last night. We had a glorious sunset. I have put a few images on my Facebook page. Yawn!!!

soop it sounds as though mirrors should be removed from your house for a while. Rory can always come here if he wants to admire his handsome physique.

That is another trip over and done with for the moment. You have to gather strength because you have two weeks ahead of shouting at the television and hoping that Andy makes it.

I haven't posted on here recently but I do read and share all the emotions. Think of me as a silent partner

However, I really just need to say to loopy - we are definitely married to the same man A few years ago one of his wild plans included "driving around America for as long as our money will allow". To which I replied in true First Nation fashion: "How".

I feel for MacSporron, I suspect I may be in for the same treatment soon.

Oh, Grannyknot you've made me hoot with laughter. What if you had thrown your arms around your husband and said...OOOH, how wonderful. Let's make a list (right now) of places to see and things to do.

Charleygirl MacSporran's scalp is most definitely a mess at the moment. Talk about lumps and bumps, the specialist meant it when he said - you'll not be a pretty sight for a wee while. Bless!

Galen have you asked Gary to have words with the badger? I think of him (Gary) as being your personal knight in shining armour.

I was about to watch the ladies tennis from Eastbourne when I decided that I would return to finish my pal's silver cleaning. Two hours later...I'm glad to be home again.

We'll be visiting our pal in the care home tomorrow. It was his twin whose funeral took place just a week ago. It was such a sad shock for him. The home made it possible for him to attend the funeral and the service of thanksgiving in the village. I shall have a happy chat with the four dear lady residents who always tell me the story of their lives. I am very fond them.

pompa I did think of you during the zapping session. x

Poor MacS. Could you manage a bandana arrangement for him? He would look a bit piratical, but I don't think he would make you walk the plank.

Brilliant Grannyknot
Perhaps they have midlife crises and envisage themselves as a somewhat later version of Peter Fonda in Easyrider (if only!) or something!
Though somehow the USA seems preferable to Norfolk.....

Dear MacS, BIL has had this done too and, because some had to be excised, his shiny scalp has an interesting assortment of scars too! My sister says it is definitely more of a conversation piece than b....y football

I now have a vision of Galen's Gary standing in a suit of amour, broadsword and halberd at the ready, like a silver-suited alternative scarecrow! The badger won't know what hit him.....