The Soop Kitchen

Well, buggeration me...it's that time of day yet again. The portrait is so-so (not yet exciting me) but, if I leave it alone and cease to tiddle, who knows what I shall think tomorrow.

moomin sound like arthritis. Get it checked out. You do not have to suffer.

Galen sounds like a right old buggeration to me. Were you gentle with the coach? Or not!

Love to all our Kitcheners. I am hoping that the aid convoys are preparing to deliver to the needy people of Syria. The Red Cross needs and deserves our help.

kitty Bugger the buggerations I say!

[baconbutties] and

Just to add to our problems BT cut through our telephone cable and now we have no phone, internet or mobile (bad signal area and have to use a booster) at home. Am at work now.

Soop - what do you mean that moomin doesn't have to suffer with arthritis? What can they do? Suffering a bit this morning and future not bright as my younger brother already can hardly walk - runs (!) in the family.

Another grey day here in north Scotland, think the sun has forgotten us.

A daft saying we had when I was at school was "buggeration, dictation, three pigs at the one station". Something to say if one could not, did not want to swear.

My 'buggeration' is that I suddenly have a stiff upper arm and shoulder. Two years ago I had a steroid injection in the same shoulder which worked well. If it doesn't improve I'll be going back for more of the same. moomin, do go and ask for a diagnosis. Your knee could be one of several problems, only one of which is arthritis and most of which are remediable.

I've just had a 'buggeration' phone call - 'Mrs Lester, our records show that you previously worked in an industry - is that correct?' I'm afraid my inner Mum surfaced as I said 'No, I've never worked in any industry!'

Anno, that is a real buggeration. It's surprising how much we need our upper arms and shoulders without realising it. When I had a recent routine mammogram I had to sign to say that I realised it wouldn't be their fault if they missed anything as my shoulder wasn't fully mobile!! And my results letter also said that they hadn't been able to do a full examination.

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Good early afternoon to our lovely Kitcheners.

anno The steroid injection that I had in my shoulder (some considerable time ago) worked wonders. I hope that you manage to have another injection before too long. Shoulder pain is seriously debilitating.

Tizliz If moomins knee pain is due to arthritis there is treatment. I suffered for a very long time with severe hip pain. I've had both hips replaced. The pain ceased after surgery. The reason why I'm in pain right now is because I've scoliosis (no treatment available) and fibromyalgia. Moomin would be well advised to visit her GP.
Sorry to hear about your loss of telecommunications. That really is a buggeration.

I did promise to show you images of kitten's new lodge. It is well insulated and has a raised carpeted platform on which she sleeps. She and Rory enjoy an hour of together-time every evening. The two of them share the utility room mat. After which, she retires to her personal accommodation which I service once she heads into the forest.

Indeed a privileged cat, soop. She has it both ways - shelter at night, freedom by day. Rory has come down on the domestic side. Maybe she will do so eventually.

Gosh soop Rory's clearly been telling her how to train his human servants! It looks like a very comfortable abode.

On a totally different note I've got pink pelargoniums flowering which is utterly ludicrous in January so DH has moved the tub into the (unheated) greenhouse. What with having grape hyacinths, primroses and snowdrops out, the Magnolia in bud and my choisya coming into flower with the viburnum plicatum (my 'wedding cake' shrub), the season's are truly muddled up!

I have seen physio several times who says I need to see a specialist but don't hold my breath as the waiting list is looooooooooooong. Need to go and see GP to get the referral but too much on my plate at the moment. Next week I will do it, promise.

I had to look up scoliosis, sounds horrible. Pain is so depressing, as is not being able to do things for yourself. I hate having to ask for help.

Hope these will brighten up your kitchen today

soop I take it that you are of an age when scoliosis when diagnosed as a child was not treated. So different nowadays, usually correction and then a spinal fusion.

The house for the kitten looks very comfortable and I am pleased to hear that Rory does not chase her into the wood. She does have a good life now that she is warm and dry at night with food also provided. We know what the next step is- MacSporran look out!

Tizliz the sooner you get the referral letter the sooner you will see the consultant.

Moomin you also must see your GP-again the sooner you see him the sooner that treatment will start.

I cannot believe it- I have an appointment at my local hospital tomorrow and fully expected to receive a call cancelling my appointment but I am in luck, my clinic is running. There is a God somewhere.

Thank you one and all for your concern at my arthritic knee! It is gradually improving. I have had arthritis for quite a few years, gradually progressing over time. I have knobbly fingers as well! Most of the time I don't have pain - the knee only gives me trouble now and again and I have been over exerting it in the past few weeks (keep thinking I'm still able to climb around like a mountain goat!)

Need to take it easy, rub in some pain relief and keep safe before I visit DD and family next week in Oz

Just back from a care home where our writing group were entertaining residents with stories and poems, encouraging reminiscence. We appreciated the warmth, after coming in from the cold, and were given a before we got started. They were an appreciative audience and we have been invited back. Better get writing again!
Senior moment this morning . I tried to use my eye drops as a nose spray and wondered why it wasn't working.

Good news for you, Charleygirl. Excellent! Please update us.
I either developed the scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine) after being hospitalised with Scarlet Fever when I was four and a half...or, I was born with it. Folk didn't have treatment in the "olden days"...Princess Eugene has had successful surgery. Had I had it, I would now stand a good two inches taller.

Tizliz AND moomin^Us lot^ will hold you to your promise.

loopylou You garden flowers are amazing. I wonder whether they will die off when the cold snap appears. Do you suppose that they will have a "second coming"?

I shall be visiting the care home tomorrow morning. I shall therefore wish you all a peaceful evening. I shall return as soon as I can.

I hear the head of HMRC has resigned. Does this mean I won't have to pay any income tax?

I'm not sure whether I'll have a 'second coming' or not soop!
Certainly I've heard that fruit trees are flowering but the pollinating insects aren't about, so that'll mean poor, or no, crops I guess?

A self-seeded valerian is flowering in my garden, much to my surprise. Less surprisingly, the snowdrops are very nearly blooming - showing little white spikes. I wonder if this colder weather will slow things down.

After Saturday's visit to A&E, we are not much further forward. The GP is arranging another scan (don't know when) but we have yet to hear from RFH.

While I was out this afternoon, Grace somehow got at her tail and has given it a good old lick/suck so that the bone is exposed, and you can see raw flesh so she is to have her operation redone tomorrow ???
While she is in, I have to take DH to an appointment with a cardiologist at the JR in Oxford.
That thing about rain and pouring??

Cones of shame just don't work on sighthounds. I think we need to make our fortune designing something that works.

Back at the kitchen table after a busy weekend with all the family down for DGS's birthday party - a mad event with about 25 children all being shown animals from tarantulas to pythons, meercats to tortoises. Then to a ceilidh - I danced!! - well shuffled - what a joy after 3 and a half years of foot/hip problems! I am paying for it now, but who cares? - I loved it! A little of what you fancy...........

Sorry to hear of all the buggerations, but I do admire us humans - we can always find something to feel good about, and we keep plodding on regardless.

soop - enjoy your lovely views - they keep up the spirits.

Lots of good wishes to you harrigran.

anno I seem to have missed your posting regarding the care home visit. I enjoyed my Tuesday visit to the Campbeltown Care Home. Reminiscing is important, and the ladies that I sit with do enjoy going over "the old days". We also have a sing-song sometimes. Not necessarily singing the right words, or tune, from the same hymn sheet, mind.

Poor Grace. Poor Alea you really could do without this latest crisis. Do take good care of yourself.

Luckygirl All in a good cause! Enjoying time with children is a real tonic, isn't it?

We have had a letter arrive just this morning asking us to reserve a date in June of next year. The occasion will be to celebrate the marriage of our granddaughter. We'll need passports! The wedding is to be held in the home-town of the groom: Amsterdam. Woweeeee! I shall need to get planning my outfit.

Back at the care home, M was still fussing about the walkabout of her two scarves. I asked one of the carers to check her room. He returned immediately with both. M wanted to wear them together. What's the betting that when I next visit, we shall have to repeat the search. She's been telling me about the Machrihanish Pans. This is where she used to live. Salt was extracted from sea water and sold in sacks. Every visit teaches me something of interest.

I have tried my hardest to make progress with the watercolour portrait of a marmalade-coloured cat. I fear that I have painters' block (if there is in fact such a condition.) Best if I clear away the brushes and such...make a and read the newspaper. Tomorrow, after my ironing duties, I may feel refreshed and keener to create.

Love to all our Kitcheners x. Bye for now.

(((Huggs galore))) for all those dealing with their buggerations. Please help yourselves to some chocolate fudge cake and . We have buggerations too at the moment also include dementia, arthritis, potential bot drop (although I feel much better having heard it described like that ).