Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

Think you beat me in the circus stakes galen. How can something so welcome be so flipping difficult?

A mixed day then maw, I imagine coming home can be the hardest. Sending love, hugs and strength for tomorrow.

Feels like a wide awake night. Don’t think I’m excited, not overly worried, not hungry or thirsty, no new pains, must just be an awkward whatsit tonight . .

Morning all !!

Hats off to builders everywhere !! ( Except Charleys shower of sh*t! of course). Our lads turned up at 7am , started work straight away wearing their head torches ! Its cold, its damp and its miserable out there but they are as chipper as can be . I am so impressed. I think after reading about your recent challenges Charley I need to send our boys down to you . They are expensive in terms of biscuits but worth it

Ha! Had to laugh at your description of the clothes available grey , all the catwalk stuff makes me laugh - who wears that stuff?

Sam needs more than a bath currently . Because we cannot use the back door until the concrete is set every time Sam needs a wee , Grampy has to put his lead on and take him out. Both Sam and Grampy got fed up with that really quickly!!

Great minds think alike Kitty can't beat a bit of red sparkle for Christmas !!

Love the note Grannie I need that!!!

Do you think we are our own worst enemies though in terms of not letting our children know when we need help or things are getting too much? I know I am. My new years resolution is to ask for help . If they can't work it out for themselves I'm going to tell them

Sending you a big hug and a large glass of something bubbly Maw times are tough for you right now , so be gentle on your expectations of yourself. It is ok to miss him you know -

I am off to collect desserts, turkey and do that last minute cream and veggie shop ( including a carrot for the reindeer of course ) . I imagine it will be mayhem...wish me luck...I'm going in !!!

PS a photo from yesterday !

NandG you never fail to cheer me up with your good humour and optimism! Feeling a bit grim with a heavy head cold I needed that!

Thank you for being such a positive poster - I always smile when I see there is one from you waiting to read! I hope your first Christmas in your new home is one of health and happiness. (I would add "peace" but with a visit likely from the two mighty atoms that may prove to be a wish too far!)

I am conscious of letting the kitchen down -no, not with the quality of my baking (!) - but because I seem unable to add to the lovely positive posts(for which I am so grateful)
However, may I share my dream? I was feeling particularly sad last night but dreamed that as I lay in bed, I could feel a gentle pressure the length of my arm as I someone was snuggled up beside me. The person didn’t say anything but I knew he was there.
(And before anybody asks, Hattie was safely downstairs. )
And instead of feeling bereft when I woke up, I just felt comforted and reassured.
Strange but

Bugger! I have to go out in a minute and I have tears in my eyes! {{Maw}}.

How comforting Maw to know that Paw is always with you, maybe not physically but there for you to talk to when you are sad but also when eventually you feel happy as I am sure you will.
He also sees the GC and will see them grow and be happy for you that you are part of their lives.
It is very good you can talk about it without feeling that perhaps you shouldn't??

Nice to know paw is comforting you when you need it most.

We are heading off tomorrow to a cottage in Whitby for Christmas with the dogs. DSD bought us a hamper of food knowing we were going away so that is a big help. n&g I fear we may have a similar problem at the holiday cottage regarding ‘wee’ breaks -even more fun with 2 of them! To add to the fun I seem to be developing cystitis. Not what I need with a 4hour drive ahead tomorrow! Break out the bicarb

Maw I am a firm believer in the power of love and love such as you shared over the years with Paw cannot simply stop even though he isn't here with us .

So I am not in the least bit surprised that you felt his presence and you woke comforted . As long as you need that I'm sure he'll be there.

Love never dies it endures xxx

Christmas cake iced (part of project “let’s keep mum busy” )
Goodness that was hard - 1 packet of ready rolled icing draped over cake , smoothed down, trimmed. However, given that it was so easy WHY doesn’t it look anything like the picture?
I only have 2 penguins and a little Christmas tree plus a few stars to “disguise/decorate “ the top, maybe it needs more - LOTS more.

Maw do we share children? I have made little piles if snowballs to cover the least smooth bits...then had to take all the toys off so it will go in the box for transporting tomorrow. Off to face the shops for a few last minute treats to take.
Thank you everyone for helping to keep my spirits up with your lovely chatter.

Maw Sometimes I dream of DH and that he approves of the way I have been living since he died, and the changes I have made in the house, even when that means destroying his work (he was a great doer and DIYer) It makes such a diference not to feel that by doing something differently I am being disloyal and relegating him to history. I wish I dreamed of him every night.

Oh I like the little piles of snowballs idea! I have some icing left over so if I may I’ll pinch your idea!

Yes, I think what you felt in your dream was pure love, maw. How wonderful.

Oh Christmas cakes, I bought a packet of the ready mixed royal icing as I don’t like the roll out stuff and was feeling lazy. Need to wear my glasses when reading the instructions, have had to leave it a couple of hours before it was firm enough to create even a mini snow scene. Oh well. Lots of decorations on top. Bit eclectic though . Have some holly left if it helps anyone.

Agree n&g, 2018 is the year to be honest with the family. Well, more honest maybe. Don’t want to scare them .

Off for a wander, probably a garden centre, love the lights and decorations, a determination has arrived to enjoy it all.

I AM PACKED

Maw I had the same thing happen after Peter died, only in my case it was warm firm hand on my shoulder. I was wide awake, so it wasn’t a dream. As you said, very comforting.

Maw That must have been a very special feeling.

Galen Away you go...have yourself a very merry boat trip with Bellasnana Please be kind to the butler.

Alygran Don't allow anyone to push or shove in the shops. Try to enjoy the experience.

A little late calling by this afternoon. It's been a whirlwind of a day. I need to get my arty farty hat on. I shall return in due course.

N&G Fab photo. Very atmospheric.

Charleyg Reading your post was like a frustration nightmare. I experience such a thing from time to time. I feel very sorry for you. No one deserves to have to deal with so many buggerations. Quite honestly, I do not know how you continue to remain sane. If I could, I would give you a solid gold star to put atop your tree.

Galen You make me chuckle.

corner I've found myself feeling ratty for the reasons you mention. I believe that I'm the bubbly, bouncy female with whom I'm familiar. Truth of the matter is - I'm getting old. Mind says one thing. Body contradicts. Inwardly I use an awful lot of bad language. Silently blaspheming is a means of dealing with the frustration of being too slow/fidgety/forgetful/.

Elegran You are one of the best.

NonnaW Safe travels. I hope that your symptoms do not worsen. Cystitis is horrid. Take good care of yourself.

Gaga and ann and Greyduster (hugs)

Super photograph, n&g!

Jalima Yes please. I would very much enjoy an enormous slice of your Jamaican black cake. It sounds rumily sticky. My type of cake.

granniequeenie Never mind the sink hole, I'll happily taste test your chocolate cake.

I shall pack away the art clutter and return to wizzing aboot the hoos with a fluffy duster. My late mother always stressed that...it's the bits that can't be seen, that need most attention. Drat! There am I thinking that I should settle for dust-free surfaces.

and

Hello and goodbye dear Baggs

Mr Baggs and I have just eaa slice of my chocolate banana cake toasted and spread with butter. You'd love it, soop.

I haven't forgotten that I owe macsporran some apple cake.

gaga, I second your delight in n&g's posts.

eaa = each eaten

!!

Soop do not worry! Dust is nature’s way of protecting your furniture!
Bon voyage, Galen! Relax and have a good time; you certainly sound as if your holiday is overdue!
I am pretty much at peace with myself today, although having spent a couple of hours making brandy snaps nearly unhinged me. When I made them with GS a few weeks ago, they were pretty near perfect specimens. Today, because I wanted them to be perfect, they were pretty near anything but! I will pour chocolate over them to disguise the “rustic” bits! Tommorrow, mince pies.....