Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

Your funeral “ham tea” reference reminded me how we took over the whole pub in the village after Paws funeral. We had a small quiet family burial and then walked round to the pub where everybody was waiting for us. Honestkynthere were so many people, some of whom I had not seen for many years and some I had difficulty recognising, including a couple sitting a bit by themselves at a table, so I smiled, thanked them for coming and then said something along the lunges of not being able to place their faces as I wasn’t good at names.
Oh they replied, we have just come in for a drink!
Don’t you think that if you were nursing a glass of Merlot and 80+ people came in, mostly in black and greeting each other like the long lost friends and relatives they were, that you might suss out that it was a wake, drink up and make a discreet exit?
But no, I saw them still there later being chatted to by SIL’s mum who sadly has early Alzheimer’s and wouldn’t have realised that she didn’t know them anyway.

Yes, most certainly for you Crafting

A warm welcome to Soop’s OurKid1 Mocha on tap here anytime you want and, put that purse away, all goodies are free here

I appear to have become chief coffee maker so, flat white for you with a hefty dram coming up Jane

Love the teddy bear story Soop. My own teddy and I are now 68, a wee bit bald but still loveable, teddy that is

Hope things went OK for you today Ann

A fair way from your DS soop.

We used to live in the big city janeD and in fact passed that row of shops on the way into town.

Our friend moved into the same road as the previous explosion a week before it happened.

DH grew up in that 'village/ suburb. It was quite boring in those days.

Is it any wonder that we live in the sticks - ha ha!!

Thinking of you Ann. Hope things go reasonably straightforwardly.x

I didn’t realise your son is in Leicester Soop. We are city folks too, unlike country cousin Kitty. This is our second fatal explosion since December - worrying.
Loved your eagle - a very fine beak! Keep warm everyone

kitty That was a very nasty explosion in the centre of Leicester. The fire was fierce. I always worry when such things happen in the city where my son lives. He's posted something amusing on FB. That's a very good sign.

Our pal's wound seems to be on the mend - at last. The nurse calls once, not twice daily, to change the dressing. All being well, we shall take her to Campbeltown after lunch tomorrow. She misses visits to her husband in the care home. He's been a resident there for over three years, but won't accept that he'll not be going home. We therefore go along with his dream of driving the new car and enjoying the walks that pleased him greatly.

I'm logging off until tomorrow.
Ann remains foremost in my thoughts.

Just popped in to wonder how things are for Ann? Hope is all going well.

MisA, hugs and

Welcome OurKid1

If it weren't for the fact that my mum died a year ago, JaneD, I'd think we were sisters!

Fabulous paintings soop as always. And, I love the Teddy story.

It's ok N&G, I'll eat a cream slice for you!

I met three (old) volunteering friends today for lunch but our local pub was being used to host a funeral 'ham tea' as they are know by the Lester family (I wonder why?) so we went to a Turkish restaurant in our village - it was fabulous! It took the place of an Indian takeaway which we had used a lot and we were very disappointed but I have never tasted such nice food. Though an Istanbul BBQ restaurant is still a bit of an anomaly in village in semi rural Leicestershire - I'm not complaining!!

Afternoon all !!

Glad to hear H is coming home Ann if a little worried for you. I'll pop in later to see if there was an update.

Ha ! Grey that would be true about the red hard hat. First of all I have to persuade the Town Council that I am not afraid to do the job , its only for an hour here and there but some in neighbouring villages have been threatened. I shall take a print out of the party at the Argy Bargy - if I can go there I think Ill be fine :-)

Jane - that did make me smile. I wonder what your Mum was thinking ?

Hello OurKidl - welcome to the kitchen . Don't you worry about people watching you its all about what cake you brought with you !!

I went to the village bakers this morning and too late realised I had no cash ( I'm a bit like the Queen in that respect) . BUT it was ok , I just had to spend over £5 to use my card - so I am now the proud owner of 4 rolls ( which was what I went in for ) 4 scones ( well there is to be a raison shortage I hear ) a Belgian bun the size of the star ship enterprise and a cream slice !!!

diet????????/ what diet???????

The beast of the east arrived with a whimper not a bang and there have been light flurries all morning but I don't care because there is a cream slice in the fridge calling my name...........

here it is...

I came across a colourful image of an eagle's head - today I painted my own version.

Thank you. I suppose I had better make a start then at trying to sort out the tangle.

MissAdventure I know the feeling. Thing is, once you've kept the appointments and done the stuff that needs doing, you will have earned the right to feel very self satisfied and ready to relax for the remainder of the day. Good vibes coming your way.

soop I just have appointments which are all on the same day, places I must go, and things I must do, and I just don't feel up to any of it, frankly.

What a kind Grandma you are Soop! I would have found it difficult not to say! Welcome OurKid1 and also hello to Agus - I wasn’t here last time you were in. Mine’s a flat white with a little nip in it please - I am still coughing madly.

For one of my special birthdays (long ago) my creative sister-in-law who lives in Australia made me a stunning teddy bear. He came with his very own passport and was named Arthur, after MacS's father. When Kirsty ( now expecting her first baby) and her sister, Lauren (already a Mummy) came to visit us in Cornwall they had a fight over Arthur. When they left us I saw that Arthur's head was hanging by a thread. Didn't mention it. It's not what we Nanas do. Lauren's baby was born about six weeks ago. I painted the fawn watercolour for the baby's room and gave baby a special heirloom necklace of mine. Arthur is to be Kirsty's babe's gift together with a fawn painting for the nursery. I took Arthur into a shop in Campbeltown and a lady said that she'd repair him. Arthur is ready for me to collect. It cost £25 to repair him. I ask you. One day I may mention to Kirsty and Lauren that Arthur had to go the Teddy Bear's hospital for urgent surgery. I wonder if they'll remember why!

OurKid1 Don't you very dare to creep into the kitchen. It's warm and welcoming and you are very welcome to join in the daily natter and patter. In fact, there is a special recliner put to one side for you to loll in. A tartan rug to keep your knees warm and a mocha coming up.

MissAdventure What's up?

I've not been in the Kitchen for a while ... just lurking outside and trying not to catch anyone's eye! Being brave now and pushing the door open just to get out of the cold to say Hello.
I hear you've had a bit of a shindig with the 'ladies' from the Argy-Bargy café. How did it go? Any tales to tell? I lurked around there once or twice, but decided I couldn't cope with it all due to my upper-class upbringing because I was worried I might do something I'd regret.
Now I've pushed the door of the Kitchen a little (please get that squeak fixed - everyone looked at me ), I may be brave enough to take a seat next time. Do you do any of that posh coffee? Mine's a mocha if so. I do have a purseful of loyalty cards too, if any of them are valid here.
See you soon. x

That made me smile Jane and that's quite something, today.
I'm overwhelmed with 'stuff' today. Its all too much.

JaneD3 Your Mum is a spirited lady. I think that she likes to believe that she's in charge. At least she has some gumph. Bless you.

Sitting by Mum on her 96th birthday. She has said very clearly - You! Outside!!
Am I challenged to a fight or dismissed?!
The home feel it’s a good day as they can’t hear her swearing from the desk ?.

When will I call into our kitchen and discover that nothing much has happened. I won't hold my breath. You lot are surely the busiest Granspals on the planet. I am very fond of each and every one of you.

Crafting If you cannot recall the rumpus that you created at the Argy do, I shall spare your blushes. You are fully entitled to have a mad moment from time to time. Your mad moment happened to last the entire evening. Calm down and I shall make you a hearty .

NonnaW and corner I enjoy hearing that your get -together with family members give you great pleasure. I have to wait until April. When all our family meet up it is non-stop crazy blethering, huggin' and kissin'...then, hey ho, we come away with the best of memories and they last until the next reunion. If we manage twice yearly celebrations, that's a bonus. If not, an annual gathering is something that I look forward to and enjoy every moment of.

Ann I cannot help but feel a little uneasy about what lies ahead. Sure - if you have the appropriate care package in place you will cope. I fear that if not, you will wear yourself with stress. I hope that all goes well. Many Granspals have been in your position. They offer you sound, first hand advice. You are in my thoughts. May your husband's homecoming bring you some relief and pleasure.

Quick visit. Agree with maw that private care seems to be more family friendly than SS provided care. Have a neighbour who works for a private care agency, she is adamant she would not work any other way as her standards would not allow her to work within the time frame carers are given. Other neighbours tell us how SS provided care fluctuates in quality and how their carers are harried. If its possible I am sure the private route would give you more choice and control. I'm hoping the return home package will suit you both while things settle and you can make a non pressured decision. Wishing you both well and sending love.

Fipping cold here, car said -1 when we returned from this morning's medical stuff, there's a meeting this afternoon we should both go to but I may just encourage Mr C to go alone and stay in the warm. More medical stuff tomorrow. I often wondered where the time went when people retired, now I know .

Stay warm and well everyone, be careful if its slippy where you are.

Just to add I looked into private agencies and was quoted about £17.50an hour by a very obliging local company. That didn’t sound bad to me and the AA weekly allowance would have nearly covered one visit a day. I would certainly recommend going private rather than using SS when the 6 weeks free care package runs out - and that was advice from some of the carers. The RAIT team were excellent, the best, but I was told the SS carers are less accountable or efficient. At least with a private agency you retain control.
Given that you have to be self funding if you have assets of over £23 K I felt we might as well just bite the bullet.
Sadly never got that far

Hope all goes well for your DHs return home today ann

That will be coffee for me on the norty step I think Agus