Soop's super supportive kitchen.

Sympathising with the sinus sufferers. DD1 (who blames me whenever she has sinusitis!) recommended hay fever tablets and they do seem to have worked in avoiding sinus issues this summer.
Pleased to say that my sneezes have not yet developed into anything more debilitating which is a big relief as chest issues are always a concern for me. I dread winter colds.

It seems we are all in a better place than earlier in the month....although I know some worries are huge and ongoing. ( Maw and ann - you remain in my thoughts)

soop .... very pleased you are being sensible and taking recovery slowly. All too often we jump to pick up the reins again, and then take three steps back, I think.

morethan ...have a super time in Portsmouth. Have you visited the Quays? excellent shopping...especially in the run up to the unmentionable event

kitty .... I can offer a drawer full of balloon sized clothes if you do start to rapidly expand, though not sure I can recommend them as my Weeble phase was not a great style.
To be serious.....fingers crossed that you avoid that particular side effect.

corner ....health ambassadors, along with a large number of service provisions, are the new look of health provision....along with not seeing a doctor until a triage nurse practitioner decides you are sick enough, mental health support being run on "course" lines (4 weeks life management, 4 weeks support group) etc.
Funding is changing rapidly, and current service providers are scrambling to change what they offer in order to fit the new "face" of social care.
The outcome worries me greatly, given that I now refer clients (not as a medical practitioner) to people who are taking on new roles such as health coaching, when they have no medical training beyond a couple of short courses. Its not their ability to offer good information which scares me, its the lack of knowledge which would enable spotting underlying or developing problems. Particularly in mental health.
I despair.

Rant over. Sorry

Knock knock! May I come in and rejoin the Kitchen? I'm afraid I have been absent for far too long. Some of you may remember me, owner of Georgie the disabled spaniel. At that traumatic time so many of you were so supportive. I defected to Twitter to vent my ire on Brexit and Trump and have worn myself out so will be glad to rest here for a moment or 2. So sorry to hear you have been so poorly, soop and hope you are back to better health soon. Georgie sends special healing licks. Feeling a bit under par myself due to some weird virus. Time of year!

Oh how good to hear from you ! And Georgie!
Sorry about the virus but perhaps what you need is a nice warm sit down , a and a nice piece of
Welcome home!

Thanks Maw. I've missed the warmth of the Kitchen. Georgie says hello.

GD I’m going to give the scones-with-egg a try and I’ll report back. Anything would be an improvement on the flattish slabs I manage to produce. I probably need to try more often tbh!

Hello Jud! Nice to see you back. Georgie looks in fine fettle - good to see. How is she doing?
Bella fingers crossed for good results!

A wee thank you to Nannyali for your super-kind message.

corner Wonderful funny verse. I also feel yucky. Two plus weeks and marginally more recovered but far from fully. This virus is a buggeration with bells and whistles.

Happy birthday to Charley. Hope to have you back with us very soon.

Judthepud2 Welcome back. I have often wondered how our Georgie was doing. It's lovely to see her photo. I can feel a painting waiting in the wings.

Welcome mrshat ...I trust that I haven't already said so...my brain is a trifle mushy at the mo'.

N&G Stevie is a wordsmith of note. Out of the mouths of babes...

Good to see you back jud, how is Georgie?
It’s very kind of MrP to update us on panache’s progress. Get well wishes winging their way to Wales (and everywhere else they are needed)

Welcome back Jud, like others I’d wondered about that wee dog and am glad to see her looking lovely. Good to hear too from Mr and Mrs Panache, it’s very considerate to keep us up to date.
I feel your pain over the central heating switch on gd, we usually have that same disconnect, but not this year...in the post gas fire debacle the feeling guilty old boy is very anxious we’re not going to be cold! After yesterday’s visit to a specialist fire company we are now waiting for an engineer to come and check out our flue etc on Monday. All being well the new fire can be fitted but they can’t do that bit till mid October. But if it means the new fire actually fits into the space properly and I don’t have to sit looking at 4 holes in the fire surround, well it’ll be worth it! Buoyed along with the potential resolution of gasfire gate we went to look at televisions yesterday. It’s worse than buying a bra, there’s oodles of choice! We spotted the 12 year old salesman who was very helpful when we had to replace our printer and he did make it a bit clearer. So maybe it will be our C.......s present to each other.

I’m very glad we got it and ourselves too sorted out. After a sad phone call from our son yesterday we now know we have very distressing family situation playing out there which upset us both to hear about. As we parents always do we feel helpless and just want to make it better for them all, and of course sadly we can’t. However they know we love them all dearly and will support them any which way we can as they find a way through it all. So this morning after doing a spot of food shopping we took ourselves off on a therapeutic drive around the lovely countryside in local area, beautiful still even on a cloudy day. We had lunch, and cake too, at a favourite cafe with beautiful views over the hills and of course we talked endlessly about “the situation”. One of many occasions when I’m so glad we have each other to do this with, the other granny is widowed it must be extra hard for her.

Sorry that so many are still feeling low with aches/lurgies of various kinds, Get well wishes to all. I think it will soon be time to start leaving hot soup in in the kitchen as well as cake....I’m a great believer in the restorative qualities of both those items!

Good wishes to all and thanks for being here xx

Have had a two hour snooze in my bed. Still fighting to get back to feeling more normal because I must recover in time for our 30th wedding anniversary treat.

It has been a glorious day. Looking forward to getting outdoors for a stroll in the autumn sunshine.

Wishing one and all a pleasant and peaceful evening. All things beings well, I shall return to our kitchen tomorrow.

Dear granniequeenie our posts crossed. I am sad to hear that a family problem continues to cause you pain. I know how it feels. There is nothing that one can do other than listen, be non-judgemental and give whatever support that is in one's power to give. If I could, I would put an arm around you and give you a very gentle hug.

morethan what a lovely thing to do for your son and DIL. Hope you have a good time at the party too.

jud how lovely to see you back and such a lovely photo of Georgie too. Don't worry you're safe in the kitchen, this is a politics free zone. The same cannot be said for cake thank goodness.

maw I have bought a small set of light weights to do some exercise with (to help my tinnitus- no not intending to hang them on my earlobes). Perhaps that might help your exercise too. Surprising how such tiny weights can make a difference.

soop keep building up your strength. Nice snooze is what you need.

grannyqueenie I am so sorry that you have such worrying news from your son. I understand how much you care for your family and how sad you must be at this time. I know (from your kind support for me) that I will not cause offence if I say that you and your family will be included in my prayers.

To those of you ,*GQ*, especially going through family problems you have my empathy and support.
I.have been through so many different situations with my AC I can't enumerate them.

All.I can say is I totally understand and know all about it.
I have been discreet about my probs but I have probably been where you are today.

The most sincere best wishes and kindest though ate winging their way to you all.

I know I posted on here last night, it was a fairly long post and it DID appear on here, but heaven knows where it is now! I can`t remember the content of it now, apart from thanking Mr Panache for letting us know how Panache is. I send all my best wishes for a speedy return to health. As I also do to Soop, please don`t overstretch yourself, take everything very slowly until you really are better.
I was going out tonight, to a surprise birthday meal that my DIL had booked for my youngest son`s birthday. Most of the family were going. However, she isn`t well today, so the meal has been cancelled, sadly.
GrannyQ, I`m so sorry that your family problem isn`t going away in a hurry, but you will all get through it and come out the other side, hopefully not too bruised.

Evening all - Corner your poem made me smile and reminded me of the WI secretary we had when I was a member who could take off Pam Ayers to a tee.

Morethan what a lovely idea for your son and DIL - making memories as well.

We have had another day renovating the bungalow and I have now painted the blessed fireplace for the 7 or 8th time! It was a very dilapidated 'white' wooden thing which was in keeping with the rest of the place! I'd planned on trying to paint it with white eggshell but my BIL found a product that you paint on to make it look like stone. Bought it in the colour my husband said was the best - much against my better judgement as I thought the lighter shade would look better. After painting the primer on I started with the stone paint - lots of layers later (with days drying in between) he decided the colour was too dark! Then gave it a coat of floor paint in a very pale cream - too light says he. Another go with a darker cream door step paint - just right - everyone agreed. Then yesterday he papered the wall behind it and oh no - it was then totally the wrong colour! Paper is white/silver so we and 2 lots of visitors all agreed it should be pale grey so off we go to B&Q and had some paint mixed to match and finally I think it's right. All in all we might just as well have bought a new one!

Finally came home and went to the local Lidl to get bread and milk - in such a rush I caught my basket on a box of bananas and pulled the whole lot on the floor - quickly picked the box up and flung the bananas back in and dashed to the nearest till without looking to find out if I'd been seen. By the time I got back in the car I was in hysterics and couldn't tell him what had happened for laughing! Told you I was clumsy!!

Well done Willow - I am a bit clumsy too! We are in Norfolk with the whole family and some friends. I rented a fabulous house for the weekend and we have eaten, drunk, walked on beaches and played games. Our location is close to a VIP’s house, and wanderers out of our garden have been looked at by young men with short hair cuts!
DGS says he was “doing numbers” on Friday at school. Which ones? S and T!! ?

Morning all and thanks for all the welcomes back. Georgie is pretending to be asleep at my feet but I know that as soon as I move she will be up, ears pricked, ready for action (food, walk, play). Unfortunately I'm not. Virus still making me feel less than enthusiastic. So sympathies, soop and all the rest of you struggling with various nasties. Hope we are all better soon.

Grannyqueenie so sorry to hear your son and family are having a serious problem to deal with. Like many GNers, I've been there. It is so hard, isn't it? When they were little, we could pick them up and kiss them better. Adult children's problems are so much more complex. All we can do is be there for them and try to share the emotional fallout. Virtual hug for you.

Quiet day ahead for us (probably). It's a beautiful autumn morning, so I might try to totter down to the beach with dog later.

Georgie sends love and licks. ?

Hello again jud, good to hear Georgie is in good form, seriously envious of a beautiful morning, grey and damp here.

I gave in yesterday, agreed a trip out would do me good, sort of wish I hadn’t as it poured all day but it was nice to see one of ours whose situation has so worried us for 18 months now. Jud is exactly right, so much easier when they were little. It is horrid grannyq, always in the back of the head, wishing you and your family well.

Slept for 9 hours last night, I should feel better and I will I’m sure. Quiet day here today, may sort some clothes - or may not .

You’ve got more patience than I would have had with that fireplace willow, pleased you got the result you needed.

Isn’t it infuriating when posts disappear callgirl? Sorry about your meal, hope your daughter in law is better soon and your son enjoys his day.

Oh chaos, I know, I do know. I dug my escape tunnel from NHS primary care mental health provision about 6 years ago now and to be fair my area was one of the better ones. I was one of the lucky ones I think, could choose what I did for the last few years so retained some job satisfaction. We moved 40 miles and I remain horrified at the difference in some aspects of health care. Pleased I’m no longer part of it. It is so area dependent and truly shouldn’t be.

I’m pleased you are mending soop, you’re a very sensible woman and I know will will be ready for that special celebration.

Been thinking about you ann, your messages to others are so thoughtful but you are saying little about your own situation.

That seems to be all my head will cope with now so I’m being kind to it. Mr C is about to bring me a late breakfast, I’m a lucky soul

GQ, I'm with you in spirit. Family problems are heart-breaking especially when there is nothing you can do about them. I had one to deal with last year, torn between two 'sides'. It has been ongoing but is more or less resolved, though I would have preferred a different solution.
As the GC progress through the teens there is sure to be a new crop of 'issues', but in the long run, as the last forty or so years have proved, things usually settle down, sometimes in an entirely unpredictable way. Tomorrow DGD2 is 16 and will be the proud possessor of a motor scooter. She now has to go on a training course before she can take the test which I predict she will sail through. If you happen to see a diminutive blonde in a pink crash helmet, keep well out of the way!
About scones and eggs! I have always used eggs and no-one has ever complained - except my Mum. She insisted that her mates in the WI didn't use eggs, and they were the 'experts'. When my MiL heard that, she paid me the greatest compliment - 'Well, I think you're the expert'.
That's enough of my trumpet blowing. It's good to see Jude back in the kitchen with a sprightly looking Georgie. soop, you need to sleep as much as you can to be fit for your special trip. Here it is a lovely, but very autumnal, morning. The thermometer at the back door registered 7C an hour ago and the heating is on. However, I have some bulbs to plant for a good display in the spring and washing to hang on the line so must get myself and my knees moving. Have a good or better) day everyone.

Hello the kitchen! Too much excitement this morning at junior football has left me feeling drained. Actually I felt drained before I went out. Our carbon monoxide alarm was beeping from around five o’clock - just a battery warning - and of course everyone slept through it except moi! Then I was dreaming about water running down the walls, so I gave in in the end and got up!
Gq I’m sad to hear that you are having family problems. We have had our fair share and I wonder when you ever stop worrying about your AC. It is a rhetorical question of course, and we all know the answer. The best we can do is what we do best - to always be there for them. ?
Anno I had a motor scooter at 16 too. Caused my mother many a sleepless night after I came off it a few times! It was great fun in those young days, and I saw a little vintage Lambretta identical to mine recently and got very nostalgic. And then I thought about the wind and the rain and my nice warm car and I thought “Nah!” I hope your GD will be both safe and comfortable on hers! And I would seem it a favour to have your - anyone’s - recipe for scones with eggs!
The sun came out here this morning, and is still out, but it is fair nithering (rather cold). DD and SiL were running in the city marathon this morning so they will be over for brunch later. It has been yet another feeding the five thousand weekend as DS was here for lunch yesterday and GS for tea! Do I mind? Ask me when they’ve all gone home! I had better get something sorted so I will look in again anon.

A bright and sunny good afternoon to you lovely lot.

Willow500 The saga of the fireplace has had me in stiches. Thank you for making me out loud.

anno when I was a young woman, I would have loved a Lambretta scooter. I also lusted after a red duffle coat. Didn't get either.

corner I may sort clothes for the treat. Time is running out. Still not as fit as I would like. Please, you lot, steer well clear of folk with whatever this virus is. It is horrible in the extreme. Commiserations Jud. I'm at the wiped-out stage. This too shall pass.

I decided to choose garments to wear for our forthcoming treat. Slipped into a skirt that I'm very fond of. MacSporran stood in the doorway and slowly shook his head. I said, "What?" He shrugged his shoulders just a wee tad. I said..."but I like this..." He nodded. He came closer, studied the fabric, the style and said..."it's better now that I'm up close..." "In fact, it really suits you." I couldn't keep a straight face. Darling man.