Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

Galen that is horrendous but may I suggest that you make a couple of tiny holes in the ceiling, put a bucket underneath and that way the ceiling is less likely to collapse. I did that a few years ago but the water was dripping rapidly into my living room.

That happened to me Galen a couple of years ago, fortunately in the small downstairs shower room directly under the bathroom. The plumber came straight round, and as the bathroom was fairly new with a tiled floor ,he took the ceiling down completely and repaired the leak from underneath.
The plasterer came a few days later and put up a new ceiling.
It cost less than £400 so I didn't have to go out scrubbing floors to pay for it.
We are having 2 steps forward and one step back. H is getting stronger now and can get out of bed and out of a chair without help. Continence is still an issue and on the advice of the carer today ,my S has gone to the Care shop to buy pull ups like toddlers wear. Another expense but I hope it will be worth it. He is not coping with the pads and we are getting through a lot of clothes and bedding.
The confusion comes and goes and he needs to know where I am at every minute of the day. It is very wearing.

The trouble is that the floor of the room the cylinder is on rests on 18” Oak joists, after that is the original ceding then tongue and grooved planks that were installed by a previous owner who had a thing about pine. I’ve installed a false ceiling so as to accommodate the vent for the extractor fan and my rec

Recessed spot lights.

I haven’t had time to catch up as yesterday was taken up dealing with trying to stop one of our resident male swans from drowning another visiting male. Although swans look so graceful, they are extremely viscous when guarding their territory. After that fiasco, the male swan then sneeked up and attacked Poppy Cat, nipped her on her rear end and Poppy disappeared for hours. Finally found her hiding and found a small bite which I treated so she is now being extremely spoiled and having plenty of R & R. Drama over.

I really feel for poor Tara Charley although a UTI is awful I hope that it may well be what the problem is and can be cleared up. I know how difficult it is trying to give Poppy tablets so good luck there. Lots of cuddles here for Poppy so I’m sending lots for Tara too.

N&G cuddles for Sam too. He’s a gorgeous boy whatever coat he is wearing. We were in the same situation with our last dog who had to be shorn and he was not a happy boy but we did get rid of the unwanted visitors.

Terrific photo of Flynn Maw, I would have to frame that one.

Enjoy you beautiful tulips Anno what a thoughtful son, whichever one it was bit of a dilemma there.

Oh Galen, just what you needed as you are recovering from your virus.

I am settling down for the rugby now, hoarse from singing Flower of Scotland. Fingers crossed for ???????

Hello the kitchen. One of the difficulties of not being in here for a while is that it is very difficult to catch up; although I have been following, sometimes you have nothing worthwhile to say, so please forgive me.
Ann I’m very pleased to hear that your DH is getting some of his strength and mobility back, but you have a hard furrow to plough still and I am thinking of you.
Galen leaks in this house are the stuff of which nightmares are made because whoever designed the plumbing and heating seemed to have been a member of the Heath Robinson family. It has puzzled a succession of plumbers. You have my sympathy - we have just had a leaking radiator replaced in our bedroom but we managed to contain it before it became a problem as the recent bad weather meant that we couldn't get a plumber out for a week. A hot water tank is a whole different ball game and I hope your ceiling doesn’t come down.
Soop your talent knows no bounds and I hope these paintings will be treasured family heirlooms! And no, I still haven’t got started on mine!!
We were out early this morning, in the pouring rain, for the last schools cross country of the season and did not want to miss this one as it may be the last chance we get to be part GS’s ‘supporters team’! It may be all change when he goes up to senior school next year. Although the rain stopped, conditions were truly awful. Wall to wall treacley mud, and our school did very well, coming away with the winners shield for best cross country team in the city. GS finished in a good position, and promptly went down on his knees and was sick! One wag said “Is there a prize for guessing what E had for breakfast?” and someone else said “At least there’s no carrots in it!” He didn’t seem to be any the worse for it. I wouldn’t want to be doing any of their laundry after this morning though ?!
We had a walk out in the Peak District yesterday despite the fact that DH wasn’t very well and I said he should have stayed in bed (to where he promptly repaired when we returned). We didn’t kick the backside out of it though and it was nice to be able to stretch the legs. There was still lying snow about despite the lift in temperature, but not much. I hope we’ve seen the last of it.
I will look in later.

Greyduster Your posts are always interesting and your photos are a treat. Your grandson looks well pleased. Bless him, he will have put every fibre of his being into the race.

Galen Life can throw some bloody awful stresses into the mix. No sooner have you started to make a proper recovery from the virus you are faced with the leak and all the cost that the repair will entail. Is it okay for me to send you a virtual hug? If so...here it is (((hug))).

Ann Every little positive improvement counts. You are doing so well.

Agus Eeeek! Come on Scotland! Back later...

Agus, I have discovered that it was DS1 who sent the tulips. There's a promising looking box from DS2 but I have agreed not to open it until tomorrow so am trying to be good!
soop, are you watching the rugby? It's not going too well for us, although playing a good game, but the Irish are playing it better.

Awww. Poor old Scotland. Some great moves but unable to finish them off.

anno Well done to your sons. Tomorrow I shall open my cards. I asked my three a long time ago not to buy gifts.
The first half was very exciting. It appeared that Scotland were playing some of their best rugby. And then...the Irish slowly but surely took control. I abandoned watching the latter stages. It was too painful. Am now painting a portrait of a wolf. After which, I've to tackle a falcon. MacSporran gave me a boost. He remarked that I'm definitely getting better. I smiled sweetly.

It's still raining. Never mind, a glass of wine will be my treat during this evening. I look forward to it.

All being well I shall return tomorrow. Wishing you all (especially Ann) a peaceful and pleasant evening.

Aw Pants, we didn’t play well enough!! Well done Ireland. It was too painful for me too Soop so I am enjoying a glass of wine to drown my sorrows. You have captured the expression of the deer perfectly and I look forward to seeing the falcon when you are finished. You are such a talented lady, I can’t even draw but GD1 is showing great promise although she certainly doesn’t get it from me.

Anno, don’t even lift or shake your present, be good and enjoy your surprise tomorrow.

Thanks Agus. The vet has sent off a sample of Tara's urine to an outside lab so we should know next week. At this rate I will be applying for a job! She seems fine but last night after she came home she was very clingy. She is out now and I do not expect to see her for an hour or so. She seems fine which is good.

Fingers crossed Tara gets the all clear next week Charley Good to hear she seems fine and is actually going out. Poppy is a bit clingy today too so she has had lots of attention and probably too many special treats

Quick dash in post birthday celebrations. Something is sitting uneasily in my digestive system, could be a fidgety evening.

McS knows how to live dangerously soop, keep smiling sweetly, we all know your talents.

I’ve also acquired some flowers today for tomorrow and a couple of cards. Saving the cards. It will be an odd one for me as my Mum died on March 11th which was the day after Mothering Sunday. I’d been with her and then sat all night. Coincidences this year have uncovered the sadness.

That sounds worrying galen, pleased a plumber is on the case. When a similar thing happened to us the damage was such that it was sensible to involve our house insurers. Our son has also done this recently, if there’s much work it could be worth it. Agree that if the ceiling gets very wet a small hole or holes to let the water through may help the ceiling stay in place. Hope it resolves soon, you certainly don’t need the worry.

Good to know you are thanking the right person anno, lovely to have another gift to look forward to.

Goodness, greyd that was dedication this morning, for spectators and participants alike. Your grandsons looks proud in the photo.

I’m delighted for you that your husband continues to progress ann. Please try to rest when you can.

Feet up time now, digestion still complaining and I didn’t even eat half my body weight in sweet things as the children did

Corner I moaned like a drain about having to go out in the rain this morning, but it was worth it, and there is a very good coffee shop in the park where the event was taking place, so that was a bonus. I hope your upset innards settle down soon. DH started with something similar on Thursday night, and it is lingering. He has been hitting the Gaviscon since then.
We had lunch out yesterday and he poked a small portion of steak pie round his plate while I tucked into a large bowl of venison stew topped with crispy potatoes. I commented to the landlady that it was nice to see venison on the menu but I wondered why I had not seen any of the area’s wild red deer the last couple of times we had been out there. She assured me they used farmed meat, but then she winked, so the jury is out ! Whatever it was, it was particularly delicious.
Feet up for me too, with a glass of something. Himself will be grumpy as he is watching the rugby.

Galen that sounds a bit Damocletian.
While I wouldn’t want to deprive you of hot water, should it not be drained to prevent further and potentially worse damage?

I hope everybody else is well, I am SO tired. Train to London today for a “birthday” lunch with Paw’s 2 Sisters and brother. Home just before 7, but I have to do it all over again tomorrow for a birthday/Mothers Day lunch with DD1 and her family and DD3.
Of course I wouldn’t miss it but I am shattered. Last week’s Granny duty catching up with me??

A glass (or2) of Pinot Grigio for me tonight but H in bed already.
He is getting stronger physically but confused all the time and VERY demanding.
We have used the pull ups tonight so hope for a better result.
It is 4 weeks tonight since he fell and the whole saga started.
Life has changed but not necessarily for the worse.
I know now I can cope if only I can get into a routine of being able to get out a couple of times a week, I look forward to seeing my friends and putting the world to rights.
My S has been better than I expected and has helped heaps.
Sleep well tonight everyone, I will.

That is sounding much more positive AnnSixty and it is all down to your patience and perseverance.
You are doing grand!

Ann if H had fewer "accidents" that would also be a huge help. I am not sure how to tackle the confusion and extra demands but getting out of the house a few times a week is a saviour for yourself, even if it means finding a coffee shop and having a cup of coffee in peace.

Hope you enjoyed the wine ann, well deserved. Can only echo maw’s words, you are doing grand. .

Ann I'm heartened with your latest update. It seems that everything is slowly but surely falling into place.

I shall most certainly spend more time with you all a little later. The wolf portrait is begging me to concentrate. It will be for our nineteen year old grandson. He likes wolves!

Just for a giggle...please don't be offended...three cards. Eldest son sent a gorgeous beribboned card. Middle son sent one covered in roses. Youngest son...sent this. I haven't stopped grinning.

I have just had an awkward moment and I just hope it doesn't rebound.
I am very tired as I am most days after lunch so I put the football on tv and went to lie on my bed, the first time since my H went into hospital.
I was dozing when the doorbell rang, my S went to answer it and it was my ex-DiL and her 2 children with chocs and flowers for me. My S just left them on the doorstep and told me they were there.
He has told me many times, I should have divorced her when he did, well actually she divorced him
I usually arrange to see them away from the house when he is here but that is not possible just now.
It has rather spoiled my day.
Families are so tricky.

Ann As you so rightly say - an awkward moment! Not of your making. Perhaps your son could have been more diplomatic, for your sake. for you.xxx

Right, you lot, please sit down and don't do anything for a couple of days.

I've been keeping an eye on things but, by the time I catch up I don't have any time to post.

Ann, I'm sorry that you had a difficult moment or two but how nice that your exDiL wanted to recognise your place in her life. You seem rather more upbeat and on top of things although I know things aren't easy for you. I was surprised to hear that your are having to supply your DH's incontinence pads - I thought they were supplied by the NHS.

Soop, I love your son's card.

I hope you get some answers regarding tara, Charley. They are a worry.

Maw, you'll need a looooong sit down next week with all this gallivanting.

Would a golfing umbrella help galen? Seriously, I hope you are feeling better.

I'm sorry to everyone I missed. But you will all keep doing things - not good for old people to be doing things.

And, on that note, I shall go and make beef stroganoff for the football fans when they get home - probably disappointed, again!! No one could accuse them of being glory supporters!!

kitty A brilliant catch-up message. If only that lot would take a breather from time to time...