Soop's special kitchen for like-minded folk and treasured pets

Good luck Aggie - give 'em hell!
Hope the predicted sun reaches you at the weekend Soop and lightens your soul.

On a sad note, just heard DiL's step dad has died very suddenly. That will cause them all so much grief.

That’s really sad news to hear especially late at night. Unexpected, so quite a shock for everyone. Sorry to hear it.

Gulp! Some lovely messages to warm the cockles of any heart. Thank you.

A very warm welcome to Jamison Do you own a pet? Us lot approve of cats, dogs, budgies, goldfish...

Charleyg Our pal has been attempting to sort who mother's belongings as mother no longer lives in Glasgow. She's being cared for in our pal's home. Mother hasn't thrown away a single item in all the years she's lived in Glasgow. Every box (hundreds), plastic container, greetings card, flower pot, remnant of material and SO much more besides. Two skips already filled to the grim. Nowhere near the end of the job. We're all inclined to store away a few precious items as time passes. I thought that I was bad enough but have since changed up my mind as Torben says.

Hello Chewbacca, good to have you call by to inspect the kitchen. It does get manic from time to time, usually before I wake up and after I've gone to bed. Now that us lot know that any leftover, out of date stuff is welcome in the Argy Bargy Caf we'll pass it on. Waste not...want not.

Aggie Hang on in there. Us lot are rootin' for you. It would be good to know when you are back on the ward. Bless!

ann you are a lovely lady. I so wish there was a magic wand that I could use to make all the anguish in the world go away. Should I find it, (the magic wand) you'll be the first to know.

I must tell you I am going out for a meal tonight to an Italian restaurant.
My good friend is taking me and a taxi is booked, so a glass or two will be enjoyed.

Thank you for the welcome, yes Soop, we do own a most beautiful cavalier called George, he's 9 and brings much joy and fun to us,
I know all the pets in the kitchen, and George, would be very well behaved and settle down by a cosy fire, (sleeps a lot these days)
Left some scones, jam and cream, enjoy with a cuppa.

JaneD3 Like Bella I send good wishes at this sad time.

Baggs I've a feeling that the portrait is a stunner. How could it not be!

We visited the care home. Our pal has so much time to lie in bed (two and a half years) and fret about things that will never happen. He fears that his wife (who loves him ) may wish to sell their home and remarry. Nothing could be further from the truth...every so often he'll call us back as we're leaving his room. We know what is on his mind. We listen and we reassure him and he sheds a tear or two. After which, he recovers. Dear man!

Jamison Cavalier spaniels are top of my favourite dog list. Welcome, George. Is it possible for you to add a photo of him.
Almost forgot to say thank you for leaving us lot virtually calorie-free goodies. Next time, could you manage a few date slices? Baggs used to make batches of flapjacks. She's been a bit too busy recently. The cake tin needs refilling. So few crumbs that even the mice have moved on.

No time to sit and stay , when did I ever think moving a good idea? I’ll try and catch up tomorrow but welcome Jamison we too are owned by a Cavalier , the dashing Sam!!

Look forward to pictures :-)
This is Sam and one of his best friends !

N&G I've been hoping that you would pop in. I'm used to catching up with you on a daily basis. The photo of Sam and best friend is so right for the pets' corner. They appear to be thinking the same thing!

Sam is indeed a handsome lad, as is his lovely companion
I tried to post picture of George but it went I know not where!
I feel embarrassed, I know you all, soo, I"m 68, married for 44 years, 2 lovely daughters,

who married good men, and we are blessed with 2 grandsons and a grandaughter, ages 3 nearly 4, 2 nearly 3 and 10 months, it's been a very busy few years. All born in December.
My dh is not too well and can sympathise with many of you not really what we had hoped our retirement would be, but life can be a b at times.

Welcome Jamison and George and I'm sorry to hear about your husband.

aggie, I'm sorry to be late, I hope all went well - please let us know as soon as you are able.

JaneD3, what a shock for your dil.

I hope you realise how much help you give to all of us soop and how much we relish the kitchen.

Enjoy your evening ann. I was going to say have for me but, actually, I'll have all of mine. We have spent the day trying to catch the kitten to do worming and flea treatments. Fat chance. But I feel I need all the tonight.

corner, how is your friend doing? Are you having to do the drive often like before?

Fabulous photo N&G. I'd like to offer to help you pack but, really, I should be unpacking the two BIG boxes of Mum's stuff that is still under my bed.

I thought you'd like to see this photo of littlest DGD, Lottie, at her 4th birthday party. She is not always as delightful as this photo shows but it made me smile.

Jamison All December birthdays for your grandchildren. A very expensive month what with that other unmentionable thing happening at the same time.
My husband MacSporran and I retired and moved to Scotland because we wanted to get to know it first hand - not just for a holiday. We've been here almost fourteen years. Sadly, much like your husband, mine has had a number of health issues to deal with. Then, out of the blue, a feral cat slowly but surely adopted us and we found it tricky to take holidays as it wasn't fair to expect someone to call in several times a day to feed and pamper him. Hence, the long weekends away and sight seeing treats have never materialised. We do go to Glasgow and Oban hospitals fairy frequently. Not what we'd hoped for but...we make the best of things because there are countless people who have so much worse to deal with long term.

MacSporran has a form of Leukaemia and three aneurysms. All being closely monitored. Early next month we're off yet again for more scans. At the same time we treat ourselves to the best fish 'n' chips on the west coast of Scotland.

Hello the kitchen! I am out from under long enough to sit down and catch up! I hope you are doing okay aggie and things are going well. The sudden appointment at least meant you didn't have too much time to dwell on it!
baggs I like the idea of abandoned paintings. I have a very abandoned watercolour I haven't even put a brush to yet - I don't think it will ever get past the masking stage! Finished by Christmas? I doubt it!
N&G shoulders to the wheel for you and Grampy I should imagine! It will all come together with a flourish - these things always do!?
Ann enjoy your meal this evening. Fish and chips for us.
soop where on earth would we be without you to centre us?
kitty Lottie is a darling - she will break some hearts one day! My GS sent me a text yesterday, which read “Hi Nanny, I really loved your chicken pie, it was delicious, thank you!” He's such a fussy eater I walked on a cloud all evening! God bless grandchildren!
My good friend came to lunch yesterday. It seems ages since we got together and we barely stopped talking even to eat! During the afternoon, DH said if we ever came up for air, he would make us a cup of tea!
I spent most of this morning on the phone to DD smoothing some very ruffled feathers, as only mums can do. She is not that well at the moment which doesn't help. When I came off the phone I felt drained, but I think (I hope) she felt better. We were also expecting the gas fire to be serviced today, but the gas fitter didn't turn up. DH left him a voice mail which he never returned, so that was that. So we went out for a walk to cheer ourselves up and were half way across the golf course when the plumber who is doing our bathroom asked if he could come this afternoon and do a few bits before tommorrow's onslaught. We could not say no, so that was the end of the walk. OMG no wonder the day is not going well - I have just noticed it is Friday 13th!!! But, on the plus side, I had a nice chat with DS who has just come back from Prague extolling it’s virtues as a short break destination. He always had misgivings because of its reputation as a hen and stag venue, but he said he could not have been more wrong and can't wait to go again. Next time he goes, I hope he won't feel disposed to disturb my sleep with texts at quarter past midnight telling me Hi from some jazz club that apparently has a really good sax player!!
Welcome Jamison; nothing but good company here ?!
Sorry this is such a long post, people. Feel free to snooze!

kitty Lottie is a real charmer. That smile! I wouldn't mind betting that she uses it to her advantage.
Thank you for your kind remarks about the kitchen. I hope that it will continue to make all those who drop in very welcome.

ann You make the most of your evening treat. I shall raise a glass to you and the rest of you lot when I settle down this evening.

Greyduster Wow! What an interesting time you've been having. I do know how good it is to catch up with a friend and barely come up for breath. It's a long time since I last met up with Baggs. Whenever we meet MacSporran is game and wanders off for a couple of hours so that we can blether umpteen to the dozen about whatever we deem to be bletherable. I quite like that word.

The weather hasn't improved since we awoke. The rain hammered down in Campbeltown. Now we're told that the remnants of a hurricane may blow in this direction on Monday. Never a dull moment.

As it's Friday we shall have a wee dram a little later. Before that I shall enjoy getting out of day clothes and into my winceyette 'jamas.

I'm hoping that aggie is back on the ward and that she enjoys a good night's sleep courtesy of the special pain-killing drip.

Back again tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in and out of The Argy with baked goods Soop I would say that you add a bit of class, but then don’t we all.?

Right, I'm working backwards. What a busy kitchen day.

I'll also be raising a glass this evening, soop, ulterior motive here as I have toothache in my back, if you know what I mean, and experience tells me a glass plus ibuprofen makes it feel a whole lot better. It's OK. The GP just laughed when I told him

Sounds a mixture of a day greyduster, just think how wonderful the bathroom will be when finished. Lovely compliment from your grandson. Hope life settles for your daughter soon. The timing of your son's text made me smile. Isn't it lovely to catch up with an old friend? One of life's pleasures. Hope you got that cuppa

Lottie's photo also made me smile kitty, such joy. Our friend is much better than earlier in the year, thank you, it's over a year since her accident, I think we've bought the flipping M4 bridge by now. She's just a bit under the weather, the long recovery time is getting her down I think. Would be easier if she was closer. We can't go as regularly as we did, commitments here sadly. Will do our best though.

Hello jamison. Pleased to see you but you have triggered my dog envy. Mr C has his sensible head on and says a dog would be a tie, so far my campaigning is falling on deaf ears. I will persevere, may prevail one day. Or not . Wow, all those birthdays in December, a busy month for you.

Keep repeating 'it will be worth it', n&g, because it will. I'm a dab hand at sorting and packing, happy to help, will pass on the cleaning though.

Enjoy the meal anne, sounds just what you need. Relax, laugh and enjoy.

Hope all is going well for aggie. You're quiet chewbacca, hope we passed inspection.

It's been a funny old day here. Having problems with the big computer and the internet connection. Computer advisor says it's the router, guess what the internet provider says? No idea what next. Don't ask me how many hours it has absorbed. Just finished the cleaning and now collapsed in a heap, where I intend to remain.

Take care everyone.

Hello lemongrove. Class is always appreciated. [smile[.

Thank you all for making me welcome, it's just what I need.
Yes, December will be expensive, but oh what fun.
Hope everyone has a good evening with plenty of food,drink and fun, my kind of night.

Have a pleasant, restful evening, corner. You know you have my complete sympathy regarding the “toothache in the back” - good remedy, though I can't take ibuprofen so just double up on the “glass”!! I hope you feel better soon.

Oh my goodness kitty I really did a double take there when scrolling through the posts and thought I spied a photo of our youngest gd.! Lottie’s a beauty and so like our wee blond bombshell!
Hi Jamison, nice to meet you, I’m sorry things haven’t worked out quite as you’d hoped in retirement. It sounds like you’re a very positive person.
I sympathise with the techno glitches, cg. Over the week I’ve developed very satisfying relationships with 2 very nice young men from who knows where - via Applecare telephone support! It all got sorted in the end but did occupy most of one evening and a large chunk of the following day. I kept apologising for my slowness in following instructions then felt quite proud when one said not to worry as “you’re flying with it”! How come other people’s sons are more patient than my own is in such matters? I guess the clue may be in the monthly pay check.
Hope the pre-removal carfuffle is not too wearing n&g, I must say it all sounds very much under control. Maybe having the handsome Sam to stroke is keeping it all calm.
gd and Ann isn’t it lovely to catch up with friends, with or without . A good friend of mine dropped in today, we could easily spent another 3 hours catching up. Like your lovely man soop (blether, love that word!) my old boy just kept himself busy and left us to it!
I’m glad to hear Prague is still a pleasure to visit, it’s so beautiful it would be a shame if too many rowdy groups spoiled it.
My youngest daughter is coming to the end of her short volunteering trip to Uganda. She and her boyfriend have managed to meet up for a few days, he’s volunteering in another part of Africa and is not due back in uk till December. The pictures she sent were lovely and it was good to see happy smiley faces. Who knows what the future holds for them both but I have a sneaking feeling it may involve more African adventures.
Well I’ve had the laziest of days here, a better nights sleep than I often have followed by a leisurely morning, a spot of ironing and a catch up with a friend. Time to hunker down for the evening now, which may involve a g&t or 2!
Happy weekend wishes everyone x

Hoping all has gone well for Aggue today and welcome to Jamison
After the evening from hell yesterday at the Urgent Care Centre things rapidly went downhill overnight, Paw was up (so was I) every hour I really thought I would not make it! He has a UTI which is causing catheter problems and had to have a new one fitted tonight (painful) . The bleeding haemorrhoids (sp?) were putting pressure on his derrière so that it thought he needed to go to the loo. EVERY HOUR
As long as I can sleep I can put up with most things but that was a bridge too far.
So today he was having blood at MKH. And I was tempted to go back to bed but clearing the laundry/ironing/shopping was ultimately more satisfying plus I managed to talk to a Dr and the district nurse.
Heigh ho c’est la vie!
Looking forward to seeing DD3 and SIL tomorrow for lunch which will brighten our day, she is the sort of sunny girl who lightens up any room and her husband is a gem.

Sorry Aggie!
Fat finger syndrome again