Soop's friendly and welcoming kitchen.

where has this year gone?. Where indeed, Chaos. We were just asking that very question when our plumber, who is also our former next door neighbour, called in this evening. It is a year this week that they moved from here to a cottage in a nearby village. He said it had gone by in a blur. Thank you for the offer of strawberry gateau - I will put a small piece aside for when I have finished the ice cream I am eating. The fish and chips we have just had have expunged the salad hell from my memory!

Panache it won’t be long before the traffic traumas will be eased in your neck of the woods, with the end of the holiday season. Last time we were there it was high season and we certainly noticed the difference in visitor pressure between then and the weeks we would normally have taken. Good to hear that one of the apartments you went to see looks a likely prospect! Like everyone else, I am willing a buyer for your house to come along soon!

Soop spectacular sunset photos! I just tried to take a photo of a flock of gulls that were flying past our house, against grey clouds, but with the evening sun on their wings that made them look quite jewel like! Unfortunately my phone camera would not come up with the goods ☹️. As for lying flat on the bed to zip your jeans up - you should have seen me this morning! It was definitely touch and go!

I wore a sweater this morning for the first time in what seems like ages. We were out for our very early childminding duty and there was a definite nip in the air. The Boy was in the doghouse when we arrived, getting told off by dad for walking around like an unwashed zombie, and letting his breakfast porridge get cold. We shooed dad off to work and I made him some more porridge and warned him sternly that sitting staring at it was not an option. He tried to appeal to Grandad, but Grandad overrules me at his peril, so he ate it. Having done his ablutions and brushed his hair, he looked a different chap. But I think he is getting to “that age”! Gawd help us!
Have a lovely evening one and all!

Ann I missed your post as I was busy rambling away. I hope your DH is none the worse for his fall, nor you for your efforts to get him on his feet. Your holiday cannot come too soon, I think. ?

A very late evening all. Phew, a busy day but a good one. Car now functioning again, helped a neighbour, had an outing to a garden centre and some news that has moved family worries from 12 out of 10 to a healthy 8 out of 10. Can live with that .

Fibromyalgia definitely on the wane, has a good nights sleep as evidence. It’s a funny old syndrome, the worse you feel the harder it is to sleep.

I’m hoping you and your husband can get some rest ann, falling is no fun and certainly not with other health issues. Definitely not fun for you to try and lift your husband either. Exhausting and worrying in equal parts. I suspect we are very fortunate here, there is a falls team who are summoned via the ambulance service to help fallen folk and check them over. Wish there was one in your area. Don’t forget the emergency duty team if the weekend gets unmanageable. I also made and still make the Christmas cake in the half term week. Old habits certainly die hard around here.

We also have one approaching ‘that age’ greyd, I sometimes feel hostage negotiations would be easier . Sounds as if you sorted things beautifully.

More positive vibes from here for that second viewing panache, really hope this viewer is the right one for your home.

Goodness soop, it never occurs to me to lie down to do up jeans, or anything else. If they don’t do up in a standing position they must have shrunk in the wash and out they go .

I’m trying for sleep now, if I can manage another 8 hours I could rule the world tomorrow . Take care everyone. Sleep well.

Great hairdo n&g, looks like the new hairdresser could be a keeper. Good luck with project tree preservation! I phoned our gas man today, he’s already ordered a new fire but has assured me it will fit perfectly with the existing fire surround and grate, let’s hope he’s right, he sounded puzzled that I was concerned...hmm.

Lovely doggie portraits soop definitely deserving of those beautiful flowers. Oh and a beautiful late summer sunset too, the kind that only your part of the world can produce I think.

panache we’re all rooting for you here and just longing for the selling/buying process to get going properly for you.
corner good to hear you’re feeling in recovery mode, long may it continue to be so. corner it’s not just me that does that then, I’d do anything to avoid paying postage!

Unlike some of you I actually really like salad, so long as it’s crisp, interesting and full of colour that is. I always feel sad when the colder days come and I have to start doing more “proper” cooking... mind you I’m not sure the old boy feels the same!
greyduster I love your description of your grandson. I think he’s the same ages as our (only) gs who I am told now has a “girlfriend”, dd says she can’t see how he can fit her into his busy sports/computer game schedule! He and his sister are coming to stay for a couple of days, I hope he’s not too lovelorn!

Thinking of you Ann and really hoping that tomorrow is an easier day. I’m guessing that trip to the sunshine with your gd (with or without the bikini!) can’t come soon enough for you.
It’s been a very showery day here so Pip the pup has had to have several short walks snatched in the gaps between the showers.. Given the lack of a decent walk and a bit of a run we weren’t sure how she would behave when our dinner guests came this evening but in fact she behaved impeccably. Here’s a photo of her enjoying the view from the conservatory, the likes it in there ‘cos she’s allowed on the sofa!

Happy Saturday morning to you all.
I intend to do absolutely nothing today, apart from walking the dogs.
I have a decent book, and every intention of ignoring the inner voice wittering on about ironing!

ann ....I hope today is less fraught. Could you call an ambulance if there is another fall? just so that you are not at risk of injury?

greyd .... loved the thumbnail sketch of incipient adolescence. With two DGS, similar "pleasures" lie ahead. Having only had girls, I may be in for a shock!
corner .... pleased that family worries have reduced a little for you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Oh chaos if only calling an ambulance were so simple! After years of wonderfully prompt ambulance attendance, Paw had to wait 2 1/2 hours for an ambulance before the fall which landed him in hospital the final time. Pointless to say he had had strokes and heart surgery in the past and I was too honest/naive to lie. An elderly person having a fall in their bathroom on a Monday morning was not deemed “serious enough” to take precedence. The one and only time the service let us down badly and it still upsets me terribly to remember it.

Maw.......I understand completely what you are saying and I can hear and feel the upset as you write,indeed these Services nowadays are nothing but a nightmare.
In a way, because we are situated where we are with fewer overall number of people living within the County then our services are probably overall better.Yet there are still some heart breaking and painful stories similar to yours.
It should not be in this day and age.
Of course this being your paw`s last episode brings back the immense pain,I can only say I feel for you with all my heart.I wish I could offer more.
You live with these thoughts daily,reminders then are so very painful, adding to the rawness.
Thinking of you and dear Ann...... living the burden here and now.

We waited 2 hours last time and then spent 5hours in A&E (from 12:30am until5:30am for him to be sent home as ok.
It should be simple, if only.
It makes struggling to get him up a no brainer, as long as I know he isn't hurt.
He is in a better frame of mind this morning but has "sent his breakfast back to the kitchen" as not to his liking.
However football on tv later, yippee.

*Ann8 I doubt if sending his breakfast back to the kitchen pleased the staff!!!!

Could you record football for him? He is not going to remember if he has seen it and it would mean peace for a couple of hours daily.

Queenie Pip is really beautiful- I know that she is not but I would put money on her for being a schnauser, she is so alike.

Please accept my apology for what must have seemed a crass remark.
It was meant with the best intentions and based purely on a family situation of our own, in which the husband coped with his wifes falls alone because he did not want to "trouble" the ambulance service. The last fall he dealt with put him into hospital ....so I was just worrying for you, Ann. I did not intend to cause any offence, and offer you my apology for the patently cavalier suggestion.

Maw ... I am equally sorry for disturbing painful memories.

In a minor defence, the ambulance service locally is quite good. Although A&E are not.

Mea culpa.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201808/medium-711894-55fdd6c4-590b-4652-8337-03446d673a65.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201808/medium-773429-2a51100c-d164-4105-9924-e8803c125284.jpeg

No offence taken chaos! Until that particular incident I could not speak highly enough of the ambulance service. They were here within 10 minutes when I found paw unconscious at the foot of the bed on the previous occasion. We were just unlucky, but once bitten and all that.
Anyway, happier memories today as it is littlest DD’s sixth wedding anniversary so I am posting a pic of a very proud FOB but maybe nervous? (Despite the fact she looks about 16, DD was nearly 32 when she got married.)

Hi been a busy couple of days so not managed to visit the kitchen. Lovely photos of babies, dogs, sunsets, paintings and offspring.

Results day Thursday brought a (not altogether unexpected) shock for DS1. You may remember I posted about how DGD was refusing to revise. Well it’s come back to bite her as she has managed to fail every single exam! The highest grade she got was a 3. Immense disappointment and upset for her dad. Last heard, she hadn’t actually spoken to him, he got it all from her mother, despite the fact that she actually lives with dad. She went off to spend the night at a friend’s house, no doubt to lick her wounds. Heaven only knows what they’ll do now.

We had a lovely evening at our local theatre last night, to see Goodnight Mr Tom, with Roy Hudd. Very good,and an excellent performance from some local youngsters too.

Chaos please believe no possible offence was taken.
It was a good suggestion and I thank you for making it.
You don't live to my great age unless you learn to accept things in the spirit they are made
Please take off the sackcloth and ashes.
It is sunny and my washing is drying nicely.

I really feel for you in the exam disappointment nonna. We’ve had very similar worries with our rather troubled gd who’s given her long suffering mum and dad much angst over the last few years. Her results were by no means brilliant but actually not half as bad as expected given her attendance record, lack of application etc. She has a place at 6th form college where hopefully she’ll grab the opportunity of a fresh start with both hands. I do hope your gd will be able, in time, to understand what’s gone wrong and can have the chance to have a new start too. It’s such a worry when you just want them to be the best that they can be and all the more so if, as in my ds case, they’re surrounded by friends children with A** by the bucketful!

When I dislocated my shoulder last month it took several hours for the ambulance to arrive. He had to phone for another as his partner had gone off a few hours before and ho couldn’t do drips and give morphine. Total of 5 hours before I arrived at hospital

Dear Ann there really is nothing that I can add to the kind messages from your pals in the kitchen. I would love to share my beautiful flowers with you. Also, I am sending you a virtual, tender (hug) x

Maw That is a perfectly beautiful photograph.

granniequeenie I am right in thinking that I've painted Pip's portrait? I have done so many pet portraits. I'm almost sure that Pip was one of my "sitters".

It's a beautiful day. I've spent an absolute age wresting with an image of last night's sky. The b*** computer refused to upload it on FB. The air was a deep shade of purple. I blasphemed non-stop. Here is for you lot - my dear friends.

Nonna what an awful situation for your DS and DGD, and of course for you; as a gran you will feel the pain of both of them. Is there any mileage in resitting some of them? DD resat her maths in order to try and better her poor grade. It’s such a worry when they get to the secondary stage - it doesn’t take a lot to knock them off course. Social pressures and raging hormones don’t help.

Do you remember the puppy who fitted in a shopping bag? Not yet 6 months, he fits a sofa far better than this chair!

If he establishes rights to the sofa, topsy, I reckon you’re sunk! He looks very comfy in the chair though! Have you come down off wedding cloud nine yet?

The weather has been quite good here today (apart from the cool wind), and I thought we might have gone out, but DH wanted to listen to the football match, so, grumpily casting around for something to do, I decided to cut up his shirt! No actually, it is not as horrible and vindictive as it sounds. It is an old tartan shirt I have been saving to cut up for rag rug making, which I intend to start again this winter. It’s a while since I made one, and had forgotten how hard on the hands it is, cutting up fabric into little one by three inch strips. I think I need to get myself a rotary cutter. Pinking shears give a nicer effect, but it’s a bit of a pain. As will be the task I have been set by my son in law who asked me yesterday if I would cut down the sleeves on GS’s football team shirt. He asked me before and I was reluctant. At least the strip then was plain. This shirt in striped and I don’t know how I’m going to get away with hemming the shortened sleeves in one colour - either red or royal blue! I would add that I don’t possess a sewing machine so all this is going to be done by hand, if I don’t have second thoughts! It’s not as if I am any kind of needlewoman; but SiL thinks that because I made a good job of sewing a few Cub Scout badges on, I can work miracles!?‍♀️
Well, I have a good book to start so I will make myself a coffee and hunker down. Maybe we’ll get out after tea for a breath of fresh air. If not I might just have to start cutting up his good shirts!!

DGD 1 came round yesterday to chat about her re-mark GCSE English Lit exam. She got a 9 in the mocks and a 5 in the actual exam and the school immediately said it would go for a re-mark as they could not understand it. She was not alone - several others also were in the same position so it did make me wonder whether there was a possible question about the teaching they had had? We'll see when the re-marks are done. Her sixth form college place is secure for A-levels so no great problem.

She had cheered up remarkably though and when Grandad put some funds on her bank card for her, even more so! She went off to see what she could buy for her autumn wardrobe!

Speaking of adolescing boys, we have the same problem Grey. Our only DGS is just 13, has grown like a weed this year and is grumpy and taciturn beyond measure. Our sweet-natured, gentle boy has become a victim of his hormones - at least I am putting it down to that. (He still likes a cuddle with me and a pseudo-wrestle with Grandad though!)

How's the hole in the roof kitty?

Yes we are largely down off the wedding cloud, Grey - 24 hours in Snowdonia in August will do that. It poured! Brought DGC home while adults packed up wet tents. My washing machine is working hard!

It's been a very busy afternoon. I've now finished portrait of a very pretty girl dog called Sugar. MacS has mounted two of the portraits and there is another to mount tomorrow.

As a result of the arty-farty activities, I'm running a tad late and I have no time for catch-up. I shall do much better tomorrow. That's a promise. In the meantime, I wish you all a very pleasant and peaceful evening.

You have indeed painted Pip the pup. soop, and very beautiful it was too, it’s in pride of place at dd2’s house!

My parents used to make rag rugs greyd, for some reason I was always busy when fabric needed cutting, can’t think why . Hope it all goes well and Mr Greyd has retained his good shirts.

You’ve reminded me why we gave up camping topsy, A very wet week in Aberystwyth in a tent that managed to leak saw us migrate to a caravan. Happy days though. Looks like the armchair is lost to you, blockading the sofa could be a good plan.

Had a very long beach walk this morning and a very nice breakfast sandwich overlooking the water. Sun was out, very enjoyable. Retreated back home when the coaches began to arrive, managed to acquire a new handbag on the way, half price so a bargain. I don’t dare count how many there are .

I’m very envious of both the dogs and also soop’s artistic talents. Can’t even manage a stick person. I must have avoided the artistic gene.

How’s the leak kitty? Did Mr Lester managed to survive the repair task?

Your granddaughter sounds both sensible and resilient gaga, could be a teaching issue or maybe a marking one, time will tell I guess.

Hope the football helped you secure some quiet time ann. Wishing you a quiet evening and night.

Didn’t manage another 8 hours last night, couple of hours short. Seems enough today and I’m hoping for better tonight. It makes such a difference as everyone with sleep issues will know. I almost have a head again .

Wishing you all an enjoyable evening and a good night.