Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

Oh boy! We filled flasks with tea and coffee, I did a pile of ironing and ran the vac aboot the hoos. Guess what! The electricity supply hasn't been disrupted. I'm not complaining.

Our friend has recovered fully from her hip replacement surgery. She looks and feels ten years younger. A very good result.

We shall all be visiting her husband in the care home tomorrow. There isn't a hint of snow and it certainly feels a lot less cold.

If I shouldn't return before my usual log off time...love to every one of you. I'm specially thinking of Ann and her husband.

Well done with the ironing Soop - my iron keeps ticking to tell me that it is still on and there is plenty left to do! Maw you are so right! When I babysit the littlies, I come back shattered! It doesn’t help that they have huge soggy sofas and I have short legs .

JaneD3 Snap! I too have "little legs". Getting off a large saggy sofa is a challenge too far.

No disruption to the power supply. I shall once again sign off and return tomorrow after the care home visit.

It`s been a lovely mild, sunny day, but turning quite chilly now. I thought I thought I`d have a lie in this morning, for a change, so didn`t set the alarm for it`s usual 8am. Was woken by the blinking phone at 8.15, the surgery asking me to go at 4pm to see the doctor, said I was due for a review. Got there, a £4.40 taxi ride, got in to see him.................he didn`t have a clue why I was there, had to go and ask the receptionist! Came back and said it was because of my irregular heartbeat, for which I`ve had an E CG and a chest x-ray, he took my pulse, said it was normal, now he wants to repeat the ECG, so I have to trail back on Friday afternoon, Grrrr!!
That`s a lovely photo Soop, after Charleygirl has had her go, can I have a cuddle please?
Maw, glad you got there safely, I`ve never been to Stratford, have heard it`s lovely.
Annie, glad you got your milk.

callgirl there is a possibility I may keep him- that is until he has a tantrum wanting food ot a change.

This will be night 2 without having the heating on all night at a low temperature to save pipes freezing.

May I share? I have had a wonderful day , nine mugs of tea with milk?. My son in law who isn't never knew his father ,his parents divorced when he was three. All he knew of his father was his name and he was from Ireland , his mother wouldn't speak about her ex. Well I have been working flat out and this evening I was able to tell him about five generations of his Irish ancestors , g parents g g , ggg and gggg and a little about his father, he didn't even know he was named after his paternal grandfather. So he now feels he has roots, sorry , boring I know but I am thrilled I could do this for him, the son I never had ?

That is nice Anniebach both what you have done but also what sounds like one of the nicest days you have had in a long time

That must have been very satisfying Annie, to be able to do that for him.

Annie ☺️

Annie. ??

So pleased to hear you had a good day today Annie. Well done and what a nice thing to do for your sil. I’m sure this will mean so much to him actually having this knowledge about his roots.

My journey takes an hour home to Glasgow soop not too far for us to nip back and forth whenever we want. Hospital visit went quite well so I am hoping it stays that way as no appointment required until March next year. Good result.

A full day today which included a lot of time with GDs both of whom talk non stop. I do love it though even if I am left shattered at the end of the day.

Phew, finally time to sit in the kitchen. Manic, manic day, not a good one but won’t bore you with the details.

Superb photo soop, happiness just leaps out. That baby is adorable. Good news about your friend, and your power, sounds a productive day.

That’s an achievement annie, good for you. The journeys sound a right pain callgirl, better safe than sorry I guess, hope the outcome is positive.

Oh don’t they wear us out maw, but isn't it worth it? You’ll have fun this week, won’t notice the exhaustion. Well, not until you stop. Rest when you can, daytime naps are a major bonus. Probably best not to drug his food .

Loved the starch explanation n&g, also the image of the snowy post boxes. Friends were excavated from their snowy isolation today by a battalion of farmers, suspect they quite enjoyed the peace and quiet.

I should be asleep so will give it a go. Another manic day tomorrow so I may not get here, take care everyone, sleep well.

How kind you are Annie.
One of my DS’s University friends died today after a battle with cancer. Her husband has two little ones to care for. They are only in their early 30s. So sad but grateful that mine or healthy. Live every day.

iPad and I both poorly. Me with tummy bug and iPad doesn't want to play at the moment.

Good to hear from you Crafting but sorry to hear you are suffering with a tummy bug. Snuggle down and get well soon.

We have had another heavy snowfall in Glasgow so my plan to drive back up to Perthshire have been scuppered for today at least. Nothing else for it but to faff about although I’m sure doing plenty housework would fill my day but, CBA with that

A fresh pot of coffee awaits in the kitchen for anyone who feels like having a break and a restful sit down.

Coffee please with just a drop of milk. And a nice piece of virtual bread pudding for anyone who would like some. My mum used to make cracking bread pudding!

Just popping in before I head off to the other side of Leicester. The session last week was when the snow started and I had visions of having to spend the night in a, frankly, grubby Community Centre!

No coffee for me but a nice hot chocolate would set me up nicely.

Agus, I've read, somewhere, that doing housework in bad weather is really, really bad for one's health - so, don't do it!

Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about your DS's friend. That, truly, is no age to die.

DD2 had a friend who died aged 22 and I still can't bear to think about her. She did summer work at Calke Abbey while she was at school and university and I really hate driving past there even now.

Corner, sorry to hear you didn't have such a good day.

Hope you are still standing Maw, they are flipping exhausting aren't they - however adorable.

Annie , do you offer your services professionally? I'd love the time to do my family history. We just had our DNA done and it has thrown up quite a few mysteries eg, Dh has no English DNA but does have Eastern European. I was led to believe that my GG grandmother was French but it looks like she was from the Hebrides, and lots of other strangenesses. So, I can understand how your SiL (who isn't) must feel. That was a really kind thing to do.

Hope the care home visit went well soop, your friend and her Dh must be very happy that normal service is resumed.

callgirl, that sounds like poor organisation on behalf of your GP practice. DH and I have a very boring saying currently, 'Where is the joined up thinking?' - seems apt here!

Anyone any news of Ann?

I really have no news.
I have cancelled the evening care call, last night H was in bed before 6pm, he would have gone earlier if I had let him.
I made the mistake of putting his clothes out last night so he was dressed, not washed, before 7am.
I cancelled the morning call as I wasn't going through the hassle of getting him undressed again.
I am waiting for an OT to come to assess the shower and provide a stool.
This has only been on the cards for almost 3 weeks now.
I feel trapped in the house as even if someone comes to sit with him, I can't get out, I can't even walk up the road.
The most exciting thing in my life, I am having a new tumble dryer delivered tomorrow, hooray for online shopping.
Just really feeling sorry myself but to hear of someone dying so young and leaving a husband and 2 small children puts life into perspective and makes me value just what I do have.

You know ann I do think its OK to feel a bit down i the dumps for a while, its human and your situation is exhausting on all levels. Can only hope the OT is helpful, do direct him or her to any other areas a practical aid might make life easier. A bit like your tumble dryer. It sounds as if some practical help would be well, helpful, but it has to be better focused and perhaps more controllable. I can only hope other options will appear. Look after yourself as best you can.

Funny old day here, pours then bright sunshine, off to search for some milk soon, apparently all supermarkets here were empty yesterday. We've got long life but I truly dislike it, still any port in a storm if needed.

That is sad news jane, yes, it does make us grateful that our own are OK.

Right, sit down time over, need some lunch then its onwards towards taxi duties hopefully via some milk or I will be forced tomake hot chocolate instead of tea, long life milk being bearable in hot chocolate

Found a wonderful place at a Garden Centre just outside Stratford todaybwith DD and Flynn. It’s called something like Jungle Town and is basically like a BIG (huge) nursery/playgroup with separate playing areas for “cooking” “construction” “cafe/tearoom” “shop” “hospital” etc and lots and lots of sit and ride toys. Flynn was in heaven for an hour and a half and as it was empty when we arrived with only a few children coming in later, he had no competition for the toys!
The DD and I had our caffeine fix in the form of a latte and a (shared) pain au chocolat. Shared three ways as it turned out!
Poor girl she is running on empty, left at 7.15 for the train to London yesterday for a meeting about her production of Much Ado, then back here, by 5 ish, saw to Flynn’s bedtime, quick bite of supper and dashed off to the theatre for last night’s performance. Flynn slept through but woke up at 5.30, very grumpy and Granny just would not do.
Sorry you are finding life so hard Ann but not surprised. My friend whose husband has Alzheimer’s found him standing stark naked by his bed at 2am one night, convinced it was time to get up but with no idea where his clothes were. Exhausting.
I do hope you can get the carers’ timing sorted out though, when it works well, it IS a support and a bit of relief for you, or so I found.

Paramedic?

Maw Flynn's photo made me smile. I love watching the expressions when a young child is concentrating on a matter of the utmost importance.

AnnieB May I also add that The effort you went to on your son-in-law's behalf deserves a pure gold star. Not in the least bit boring.

Ann Please, be sure to come into our kitchen as often as you need to. It's essential that you have us lot to talk to. We would be a great deal happier if we could do something practical to lighten your load. Whenever you get the opportunity to talk face-to-face with someone with the wherewithal to ease your routine, don't hold back. Tell it as it is.

Thanks for the coffee, Agus. The care home visit was a trifle fraught. The lady I visit is in the section that deals with residents with dementia. There is one lady who moans out loud and barely draws breath. Throughout my visit I couldn't block my ears to her distress. The carers are beyond saintly. I'm in awe of their patience and gentle approach to some unsavoury situations.

callgirl1 We said hello to David this morning.

Jane I'm also sorry to hear of your son's friend's death. You are right. We must all welcome each new day with a thankful heart.
Yes please...I would so love a large bowl of calorie-free bread and butter pudding. How did you guess that it's my number one favourite pudding. Is there any real custard to go with it?

One week old today...

Apologies for being a trifle boring!

Aha, now I know the reason I CBA doing housework today, it’s a bad weather infliction. . I feel much less guilty knowing that kitty Phew. A pot of hot chocolate with your name on it will be in the kitchen in the morning.

soop McSuper No negatives Mrs. You are never boring,
possibly just a bit low after your care home visit. Even those who are trained and deal with the harrowing reality day in day out struggle a bit some days. It’s a kind act to care about others as you do.

I’m standing in line with the others who are waiting for a cuddle with Teddy. Oooooh.