The Soop Kitchen

A somewhat belated Happy New Year kitcheners ?

I'm 'all of a widdershins' as my grandmother would say, I barely know what day of the week it is let alone the date. I did remember to go to work today which is something and visited three elderly gentleman, one of whom thought I was his mother I didn't think I looked long gone, dead AND buried, clearly I need to put some makeup on ?
They were as discombobulated as I!

I have to confess to the decorations only going up for 6 days (up 24th, down 30th); I've never felt less Christmassy in my life ?
I think this incessant wet, grey and depressing weather has a lot to do with it!
Roll on ????, can't come soon enough for me ?

soop - try stuffing a heat pad or hottie down the back of your trousers - works for me! But my DD bought me something far more sophisticated for Christmas - a lavendar microwave heat pad with a velcroed belt - she got fed up with seeing me with the hottie down pants routine!

Yet again we are at work whilst the rest of Scotland rests in bed. Not true really and we are lucky not to be flooded (though home is 12 miles away so might be flooded there by now :-( ). I can't get my head round which day it is, and not going to be helped by OH having to go into hospital (day surgery) on Thursday which is usually my day at home. Only remembered this after I had done my internet shop so had to do a quick change of delivery day. I don't think I shall be back to normal until next week.

I enjoyed the visit to the care home. The four ladies and I sang The Green, Green, Grass of Home. M believes that it may be her father's birthday today. She isn't sure how old he is. She likes to think that he lives in the wee hoos with a red roof on the far side of Campbeltown Loch. She is immensely fond and proud of him. He must have been a marvellous father.

loopylou "Widdershins" I really like that expression. "Discombobulated" too. Thank you for making me

Luckygirl I shall follow your instructions. I believe that the scoliosis and fibromyalgia are joining forces. Both chronic conditions that I must take in my stride.

Tizliz I hope that your husband's treatment goes well and that he's back home with you by the close of Thursday.
We are not being adversely affected by bad weather. My heart goes out to the thousands of people who have had to cope with repeated flooding. The main route between the here and Glasgow has been closed yet again, due to a landslide.

Soop I am sure loopylou is right and putting a hottie down your trousers may well help but be careful with the hot water bottle ....we don't want a soop with a burnt bottom or you might look a bit like this !

Oh lordy, I need a long lie down and can someone peel me a grape? Just spent two days helping ds to move into a three storey house with what seemed like a million stairs!
I am totally exhausted and it's not over yet. Little dgd is coming tomorrow for a couple of days while her mum moves too! (I'm not getting involved with that one)
Groooaaan

I'm fed up.
I've finally decided I can't cruise on my own.
I'm ok for the summer this year as I'm going with our lovely Bella
But, I'm booked on the Cunard Queen Victoria for the the Xmas and new year Canaries cruise.
Any ideas?

I took my decorations down on Sunday. It was such a foul wet and dark day I just wanted to get the task out of the way.
I am really fed up with these dull days. I need some sunshine. To cheer me up.

On one cruise we went on a wheelchair user had employed a young helper to come with her. Not a nurse but just someone to be there when she was needed. This girl was lovely. She just stayed by her " employer" and helped her where necessary. Or do you have anyone in your family who you'd like to go with you? Sometimes though a professional and friendly stranger, young or older, could fit the bill better.

Don't need a 'carer'' just someone who will be fun to be with and open cabin doors with.
I have to pay for two people In the cabin anyway so the only extras are their drinks, purchased etc!

Sounds more like a friend then. Someone you know? Quite a long way off yet.

Wondering about a GN person. Mani and I had a great cruise! And I'm looking forward SO MUCH to the one with Bella

Happy New Year to you all. There is joyous news in our family with the birth of my niece's little boy, Leo, last Sunday. Quite a dramatic entrance to the world by emergency c section, but all well now. Sadly he will never know his maternal grandmother, my lovely sister Pippa who died nine years ago, but it is wonderful that she lives on in him.

Galen I am always willing to chum you, and escaping for Christmas sounds heavenly, but let's see how we go in June - you might not want to repeat the experience

Well, must get back to packing boxes. My house looks like a bomb site. Am also minding DGD who has an awful cough, despite having various sprays and medications from the GP.

Congratulations, bella. A new baby in the family is always an exciting time.

I had a right rummage through kitchen cupboards this morning because I thought all the biscuits and muffins and other goodies that I normally have with my first mug pot of coffee had been scoffed! Thought I was going to be reduced to eating bread and butter for my "dew bit"!! Then I found a tin of biscotti that I'd hidden before xmas. Phew!

Morning all and sorry not have been in the kitchen for such a long time. It's been really busy in Lesterland. We've had illnesses, birthdays and Christmas to say nothing of hoards visitors. The bed merry-go-round got so busy that I didn't change bedding between some of them - most of them are related anyway! Then a rush to hospital with Mum on New Year's Eve and now daily visiting with the horror of the hospital car park!

So, I've come for a sit down and to share the HUGE Thorntons GF Selection bought by DD2. Please dig in or DH and I will be the size of a row of terraced houses.

Congratulations bella, I'm sure you will love the new baby after such a trying year. Good luck with the move.

Happy New Year to everyone - I hope to manage to get in to the kitchen much more often in future - in fact, it's a new year's resolution.

Bellasnana What a lovely start to the new year. Welcome to the newest member of your clan. I like the name, Leo. that's because I'm a Leo (star sign). Leo's maternal grandmother is indeed a precious part of him.

Galen I admire the way that you participate in your regular adventures on the high seas. Bellanonna is right. The Lady magazine may be worth perusing. I have seen both ladies (and gentlemen) seeking a pleasant travelling companion. No funny stuff! All above board.

Lona and kitty reading all about your recent activities has left me breathless. You are both amazing. Very well done. The box of Thorntons sounds tempting. Thank goodness that you are unable to share with me. I love chocolate. I am, unlike bags, rubbish at rationing my intake. We have not shared more than half a dozen chocs during the entire festive season. Hey ho!

Crafting It's sod's law! I finally made an appointment to see the GP because, if I have another UTI, it's sensible to get it treated. If it's just one of the many winter bugs, then I shall be wasting his and my time. Thing is, I've an appointment at 4:45 and the back feels so much better. MacS has told me that I cannot cancel. I shall therefore walk into the surgery, wish the doctor a happy new year, apologise and leave...Bah!

Nellie These grey days are not ideal. However, providing some of us lot are spared the misery of repeated floods we should count our blessings. The will return x

Bellasnana, what a lovely start to your family`s New Year! My best wishes to all.

Typical NHS, right hand not talking to left hand. Appt for tomorrow is for a check up which is now not needed as he has to have more surgery. However, that is now booked for Tues at Wick hospital which is nearly 2 hours drive :-(

MIL is dying and I am feeling guilty wanting her to hang on until after OH's surgery - she is 500 miles away.

I want to hibernate until everything is sorted.

Congratulations bella, and a big welcome to Leo!

Oh Tizliz, that's a real dilemma, isn't it? No wonder hibernation is appealing to you. It's a case on hanging on in there I guess, little option really ?
((Hugs)) and ? and hoping DH recovers quickly.......

Congratulations Bella, what a lovely start to the new year, I bet he's scrumptious!

Galen's gallivanting is inducing, I am seriously in need of ☀️☀️☀️, I can't remember such a dismally grey and soggy time. I swear I'll end up with webbed feet (or trench foot) if I get soaked again!

As for chocolates.....I stepped on the scales earlier, they made an odd squeal and died I swear I don't weigh that much! ??

Congrats on Leo to Bella

Tizliz Poor you. I am sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. There isn't a sensible solution to your dilemma. One day at a time...

loopylou I love your crazy sense of humour. You made me .

Doctor took more blood, which was a serious struggle. I also had a thorough "going over" as I passed fresh blood (back passage) last week. Another urinary infection may have caused the back pain. Yet another pot of wee sent off to Oban hospital. More antibiotics, and another appointment in two weeks time. If I'm anaemic, I shall have to have yet another colonoscopy.

Stoop - sorry to hear you are not doing too good. I suppose most of us on here are falling to pieces. We were discussing this last night. MIL is nearly 90 and FIL is 92. When we were young people didn't live to this type of age. My grandparents all died before I was 10, whereas I am a grandmother and great, great aunt (I think that is right. My niece is a grandmother). So it is not surprising that we start to fall to pieces. I do wonder whether my body or my mind will give up first .

P.S. The computer changed your name to Stop - perhaps it is telling you to take it easy

Tizliz The reason why I have frequent UTIs is connected with an on-going prolapse in the nether region. It was corrected some time ago, but has since re-emerged. All kicked off shortly after a complete hysterectomy. I'm waiting to see the colon surgeon, as the previous procedure may need to be repeated. Nothing life threatening. More of an awfully tiresome chronic condition that blights one's life. The blood loss (last week) hasn't been repeated but a blood count is being done to see whether there's a hidden problem. Otherwise, I'm in very good spirits. Having dear pals to talk matters over with on Gransnet, is a bonus.

soop

Sorry to hear that , what a blow (b-g--r)

Looks like you are in for a cold weekend , no doubt 'cuddle up' time with McSporran and a dram or two will be on the cards. Every cloud has a silver lining (wink).