Soop's super supportive kitchen.

floods in Oban. Blimey Soop I remember that with bells on. Our only visit and I have never seen so much water coming out of the sky since we left the Far East!! The distillery was full of soaked people sheltering out of the rain, but it did start a love affair with the local malt that has never left me!

It is a lovely day here and my back is killing me - so I am going for a walk. I’ll beat the b****r into submission if it’s the last thing I do! Watch this space!

Have returned from the care home visit. Sat with M and T. Laughed a lot without being totally sure what we were laughing at. Never mind. I always think that laughter is by far the best medicine.

NfkDumpling That is a very kind gesture. put a smile on everyone's face.

Sorry to hear about tooth and balance problems.

Hoping for uplifting news regarding a baby arrival, a returning home of a miffed grandson.

Floods in Oban. We shall be going to the hospital there a week tomorrow. MacS's regular appointment with the haematologist. Not a good road at the best of times. Even worse in foul weather

Bless you Maw, and thank you x

Thinking of you and your family Callgirl

Heck, corner didn’t know I should avoid crispbread as well as jigsaw puzzles! x

Ann what a let down, it just seems that every time you think you’re getting somewhere with accessing support it all unravels once again. I’m feeling really cross and disappointed in your behalf. Hard as it is, on so many levels, to contemplate... maybe the time is approaching when you have to look at other options.
oh dear greyduster it does sound like you and Mr gd are in the wars these days. Who’d have thought jigsaw puzzling could be such a dangerous hobby!
callgirl thinking of you as you think of David. Bittersweet I guess to remember both who you love and who you’ve lost
.
I’m in mid “daughter fest”. Spent a chunk of yesterday with dd3 and co, dd4 passed through today on her way back from a mini break and dd1 has a day off tomorrow so is coming to spend the day with us.. Don’t think I’ll be seeing dd2 or ds but I’m not complaining, 3 out 5 in 3 days is a real treat!
Wishing you all a restful night, especially Ann and eilyann x

Ann I read your latest news with disbelief and dismay. How cruel it seems. What if you have an accident yourself? What then? I think there is an answer in there somewhere ann. You have struggled on bravely for far too long. Stop being brave and struggling and do tell your GP, and tell him/her you feel depressed and unable to cope. Forget the pride. Really!

I’m tempted to ask the dentist to just remove the flipping tooth greyd. I’m sure I can manage without it. Of course it’s unlikely he will agree. I’d rather that than ‘messing about’ with it. Crispbread was my downfall,

Tonight’s liquid (cold and alcoholic) has certainly helped, so it may not all be bad .

I’ve been wondering about your grandson eilyann and of course doodle has a point, could you text him, in a sort of non nagging, non demanding way? It does no harm for anyone to be reminded they are loved.

This falling down lark is odd greyd, logic would say when a leg ‘goes to sleep’ it won’t support us, why oh why don’t we take notice? Stay upright both of you, enough going on and your back wouldn’t take kindly to the excitement.

It’s a walk through rather than a drive through charley, anything dangerous animal-wise is behind bars although there are many mixed human and animal spaces where we can get close to various species. I’m more worried about the poor unsuspecting animals .

Probably won’t get in tomorrow as it’s a busy day so take care everyone, no more falls or toothache. Hope you get some sleep ann.

I’m fairly new in the kitchen Ann but I know what a tough time you’re having. Others have said it all but you are very much in my thoughts.
Willow your Daph is just a female version of my Stitch (named before we “rescued” him aged eleven so we didn’t feel we could confuse him by changing it!) who is curled up beside me on the bed having a vigorous wash. Our last tabby was called Alphie (he had ideas above his station!) and we still miss him.
Still keeping my fingers crossed eilyann.
I hope you manage some sleep Ann.

Oh ann words fail me (doesn't happen often) what on earth are people supposed to do. Hope alternative daycare can be found soon.
eilyann I do hope your DGS comes home soon. Can you text him? Thank goodness he's been in touch.

Good evening the kitchen. What an awful situation Ann. They seem to pull the rug out from under you time after time and must surely realise what this is doing to you. I’m afraid kitty has said it for me, and it truly breaks my heart ?.

Oh dear, Corner! I have been there (a piece of pork crackling too far!) and a proper performance it ended up being. I had a stupid dentist who was determined it could be repaired and I eventually ended up at the dental hospital who sorted out the mess he’d made and finally put a crown on it! Fingers crossed yours will be less of a trauma.

I had a scare this afternoon. DH had been down on the floor doing a jigsaw that he and GS had started, filling in some time before we went out, and he got up and found his legs wouldn’t hold him up, fell over backwards and landed on the conservatory floor! The silly fool had been on the floor with his legs tucked underneath him and his legs had sort of gone to sleep! Fortunately, when he eventually managed to get up - and I couldn’t help him - he hadn’t done any serious damage, but it shocked both of us. It was ridiculous and could have been so much worse. I have forbidden him to go anywhere near the b****y jigsaw until he finds a sensible place to put it (NOT the dining table, perleeese!). So I have now had a fall, and he has had a fall..... I hope these things don’t come in threes!!

ann, everyone else has said it. It's just criminal to have withdrawn the day care which has been a lifeline for you. I can see the reason behind the decision, but it just seems so cruel. Who cares for the carers? Have you been on to Age UK? Not that I think they will have the solution, but is there a chance that they can find 'sitters' to give you some relief?

Oh corner whatever next? The only good thing is that it is a back tooth- if it had been a front tooth Tara's bill, which I have not recovered from yet, would be peanuts in comparison.

I know that you will not be allowed out of the car or wind down the windows tomorrow but will the car itself be safe?!

ann please discuss the latest buggeration with your family because it cannot go on.

No, kitty, Mr C has decided its likely to cost more in the long term if we claim so biting the bullet. I left it to him, think he's more upset about it than he's saying.

Buggeration number two arrived a few minutes ago in the form of a large piece of back tooth that decided to leave me. Come out in sympathy with willow I fear. Maybe we could have an official Kitchen dentist? More flipping money, hopefully cheaper than Tara's . My dentist is on holiday it seems, avoiding me, I was offered an emergency with someone else but I'd rather wait for him. Better the devil and all that even if he does look about 12.

I'm now waiting for buggeration number three. Going to a wildlife place with friends tomorrow, wonder what could happen there?????

This all sounds trivial in the face of ann's situation, residential care really is on a knife edge, the need is huge and people like ann are being submerged by the system. It makes me oh so angry to think about it.

Sounds a lovely auction nfk, enjoy them, flowers are essential in a home I think, or my home anyway, the son with hay fever seems to disagree.

Right, I'm off now to do something totally safe not involving parking the car or eating. Seems liquid is the only way to go . Take care everyone, especially those with heavy hearts.

Adding my sympathies and expletives to those of the other AnnSixty.
I will not give more advice either, you know what you have to do. I just hope you can get some family support to take the inevitable decision.

We got back yesterday from a few days in Kent so I’ve just popped in to see how everyone is before I tackle the ironing.

I bought a load of from our local auction rooms this morning. (An impulse buy. I went for lavender, but there wasn’t any and I didn’t want to leave empty handed). So please pass them round to Panache, Ann, Eilyann, Corner and anyone else who needs cheering that I’ve left out. I so wish I could find a unicorn, I’ve heard their tears can cure all ills. Real life can be such a b***er.

Ann I am finding it impossible to continue. You need urgent assistance NOW It will be too late when your husband falls and breaks a limb. If that should happen, he will not have the wherewithal to recover.

Care home visit tomorrow. I shall pop into the kitchen just as soon as I return.

Just that the care home he goes to are no longer able to offer it.
I is the same home he has been to 3 times for respite care.
That has also been withdrawn from the end of the month.
They need those rooms for permanent residents.

Ann What the hell is going on! This is ridiculous. It cannot happen. I feel overwhelmed with frustration on your behalf. Does your GP know about this latest decision?

Willow I shall possibly need to paint a wee portrait of Daph. I'm about to start a painting of a lovely silvery grey boy cat. After which, I may ask for further photos. A gift. It's something that I enjoy.

ann has H to break a limb before you get any help? I really cannot believe how you are being treated. A big hug from me and one from Tara also.

Willow well we know where to find your baby girl! She is gorgeous and looks so angelic. Tara took over a bedroom and a single bed and rests there the odd time she spends at home.

She must be feeling better because she has been outdoors for many hours,

corner that is horrendous- you lose whichever way you turn because if you claim you will be paying over the odds for insurance afterwards.

Ann, I`m totally gobsmacked at reading that, what on earth are they thinking? Please let someone have a change of heart, you NEED the respite, there`s a limit to how long you can go without your batteries recharging.
I can hardly believe that it`s 2 years today since David died, how time flies.

Oh dear ann - did she give any reason at all?
That sounds unfair in the extreme, totally unreasonable.

Ann I am so disappointed for you ! He actually needs daycare every day at the moment !

Buggeration Ann, (I bet you said loads worse words than that!!) presumably it's not the funding that is being withdrawn but the actual placement.

You must indeed feel trapped and the strain of wondering when the next fall will happen (and what the outcome will be!) must be exhausting.

Please think the unthinkable. You will be no good to DH is you go under and then it will be panic stations and that's not good for decision making. We kitcheners are worried about you.

Willow, I thought you'd said 'child for tea' and though it was a bit extreme! Lovely photo of Daph!

Will you claim on your insurance for the car Corner? Who ever did that is just so mean spirited.

Dh still has a cold so is being a touch demanding and I had intended doing the ironing but got sucked into doing stuff on Ancestry (ably assisted by a lovely GNer) I keep saying things like 'Ooh, fancy that!' and 'Well I never' etc. I think I'm addicted. Good job its cold chicken and bubble and squeak for tea or we wouldn't be eating!!

Oh ann I don't have words that might make this better for you. I'm struggling with disbelief. I am worried for you both. I don't want to add to the pressure by making suggestions as I know you understand the system well enough. I just wish I could fix this for you. Please make sure everyone knows how hard this is and that you are at about breaking point. Sending love and a huge hug if it helps.