Soop's super supportive kitchen.

Not much better news than that of a baby on the way.
Congratulations to all, try to enjoy the time ahead without too much worry.

A new baby, that was a nice bit of good news to read, congratulations nonnaw. Now all I need to do is get myself up and out of bed and on with the day! Have a good one, everyone x

Nonna that's wonderful news - how exciting to be planning for a new little one in the family!

Thank you everyone for the good wishes. We are just so pleased for her, she is thrilled, and happy that she will just make it to motherhood before she is 40!

Congratulations NonnaW! How lovely to hear such happy news, it puts a smile on everyone's face doesn't it.
It is a fact that we still worry about our children however big/old they are. The worries don't disappear it is just that they change as their lives all change. It is great when you watch them dealing well with all that life throws at them and most of them flourishing through it all. Nothing we can do but be supportive and love them all.

Off to the hospital now for the latest appointment so will leave you with these tiny macaroons to have with your coffee, plenty there so don't stint yourselves!

Morning all,

Very quick pop in as we are doing all those essential/non essential things before a week away.

Just wanted to send a hug to Ann that would traumatise the strongest of souls !! My heart feels for you.

And Nonna , fabulous news- we do love a new baby in the kitchen .

I'll be mostly missing for next week so please stay out of trouble …..that means you especially soop xx

So much sad news to catch up with today.
ann hopefully you have had a much calmer start to the day. Please take good care of yourself where you can...shock does sees to have real effects on the second day, as we age. When 'stuff' has happened here, the wobblies and tiredness always seems to come out the day after.
Someone mentioned that the person who shouts the loudest tends to get the attention and sadly, in todays system, it is absolutely true. Please put your own health on the agenda when you see the SW, and tell them that you can't cope....because as long as you appear to be coping, the system will let you carry on. At whatever cost.

panache you are one of the bravest, and most indefatigable people that I 'know'. I have read your blog, and it must have been difficult to share your current problems so openly with us. Thank you.
I wish there were simple words which might ease your worries, but can only offer thoughts and prayers. And the companionship of sharing the buggeration of COPD.
I hope MrPs' appointment went well

soop I hope you and the adorable MacS are thoroughly enjoying your treat. We await pictures!

Maw my deepest apology for changing your DGC gender in a previous post! I obviously misread.

morethan...that phone call must have caused an overload moment, however much you love the family. You have so much stress at the moment. Sometimes the transition from school to workplace is transformative. Fingers crossed!

Wonderful baby news Nonna ...and all our expectant kitcheners. I also worry terribly through family pregnancies. Is it a granny thing?

I am apparently expecting a new addition to the family, and am not at all sure about it. DD1 & partner have dogs rather than children Currently two, the youngest is their preferred breed .... which is elephantine in size, with energy levels to match. They had intended, in a year or two, to have another puppy from the same breeder, who has become quite a friend. It seems that they are now taking a one year old from her, who through no fault of his own, needs to be moved due to another dogs aggression against a young male.
That will be two elephants, and a half elephant. He arrives next weekend.
Suspect I shall need to remain seated through visits from now on, as just one elephant has bowled me over twice in the past.

Honestly can’t say I noticed ChaosInc

I come with slightly better news which from me of late makes a pleasant change!!
My man`s report from the Consultant was a Status quo although degenerating signs (which he is all too aware of himself!!)
So onwards,ever onwards although I think my heart needs an uplift!

Then I wander into the kitchen reading of the sorrows so many bear,the joy of a new birth to be and I realise what a conundrum life really is,and I wonder in awe how we all get through whatever the issues.

May this be a day of pleasantness and pleasures.........the weather is certainly most uplifting and really has some warmth by the afternoon.
Sending hugs to all feeling the weight of troubles,and sharing joy with the lovely pleasing stories like Nonna`s and Maw`s showing how hope prevails afterall.

Enjoy your well deserved break "our soop and mcS",sending lots of healing and pleasing vibes in your direction.

Sorry to inform you but I appear to be back in business again. It has been nearly two weeks. I have had loads of help from GNHQ but that was insufficient- I had to call in a young fellow who is a whiz with computers-and well worth the money to preserve my sanity which is hanging by a thread.

I have a lot of catching up to do- I only hope that Hattie and Sam have been behaving in my absence.

Panache - so pleased that Mr P has returned from the consultant with a favourable report. That must make you feel better too. It's a lovely day today, though the forecast for tomorrow, which I've just watched on TV, looks colder again. I wonder where I put that de-icer for the car! Yesterday I put on a jumper and, to confuse me, the weather turned positively summery again!
Time for me to move and plant some snowdrop corms, so that I can look forward to the spring!

Welcome back Charleygirl5, at first I wondered if someone was taking your name in vain.
Being “cut off” is hell isnt it?
Does that make me an addict?
Hattie is topping up her tan as she rests her eyes (quelle surprise) today

Hattie looks happy enough- like me she needs to rest her eyes.

I am definitely an addict and it was horrible on the outside looking in and unable to do a thing about it.

I will be looking for a job I think- I took Tara to the vet yesterday for her annual check up and she needs teeth extraction and descaling- £700+. The little mite is booked in for next Monday. The bill maybe more if she needs extra work and/or she bleeds and needs to stay in overnight. I find that amount horrific and I can well understand why many folk say no. The price of the consultation was separate.

a warm welcome back Charliegirl you have been missed and would you believe, now I am sort of partly back in business here parked in The Kitchen I was about to send you a few lines.............it is horrible being cut off from your friends, even if only in the cyber world.
Dreadful hearing the cost of your tara`s up and coming dental treatment,and yet we would fork out our last penny for our darling pets.

Thanks Annodomini..... indeed we both almost did a little dance, we certainly needed that booster......and to show willing he is making the most of this gorgous weather by ploughing through (I mean attempting to mow the paddock!!) which he has totally neglected for weeks........needless to say it is a sight for sore eyes!

I think I too might be an addict Maw.......being "cut off" is not exactly fun!

Goodness, I must really be out of touch with the cost of pet care Charleygirl as I had no idea that it was as expensive as that! I mentioned the amount to Himself and his jaw dropped and he said, "You could get a new one for less than that!" Teeth or dog I know not but clearly I will have to watch my step if I have anything go wrong, he might trade me in!

Chaos congratulations on your imminent elephant arrival - I hope your family have strong chairs

Panache good news on Mr P's results - I hope he doesn't overdo it in the paddock! I've just been out and cut our grass - I couldn't get my battery lawn mower out of the garage so hauled the hernia machine out of the shed and managed to surprise it into starting by pretending to trim the edges after priming it! Couldn't see for the sun being so low in the sky so it's not perfect but at least the dandelions were beheaded!

Glad you've got your techy problems sorted out Charleygirl - it's wonderful when it works but the very devil when it doesn't! Is Tara a dog? Dentals are incredibly expensive for pets as well as humans. My cat had to have all her teeth apart from 4 out earlier this year and it cost £950! Pet insurance don't cover it either. She manages very well without them but biting me is a whole new experience now

N&G hope you have a great week away and the sun shines - it's still very warm when it's out. I saw on the weather that by the end of next week it will still be dark at 7 am - the animated graphics of how quickly it changes in a fortnight was quite amazing!

Busy weekend coming up as we're moving stuff into the bungalow tomorrow and Sat then family get together in Grantham on Sunday which will be nice. Have a pleasant evening all.

Charley, wouldn't it be cheaper more cost-effective to have Tara fitted with a set of dentures? Then you'd be able to take them out and clean them yourself. . But seriously, I think pet owners are being held to ransom because they won't let it be said that they held back from paying for treatment.

I am visiting my dentist next week and I will ask him if he thinks the cost excessive because I certainly do. I have no idea how many teeth a cat has. Tara had some extracted years ago and even then it was well over £100.

I do not begrudge Tara because until now it has only really been the annual consultation but she is around 13 or 14. The vet thought that she was in superb condition for her age and she thought that I groomed her but Tara would not let me near her with a brush even if I had wanted to groom her. She does it all by herself. If in the mood she could outrun a greyhound for a short distance- be on the watch out Hattie- although I know you would not be interested.

Vet costs are horrendous aren’t they? We took Travis to the vet yesterday as one ear was filling up with wax again - £61.00 for taking a swab, looking at it under a microscope and prescribing his usual ear drops. Still, can’t really complain as he doesn’t tend to cost us too much. Now the pet insurance on the other hand....... seriously considering cancelling it and just setting up an account to put money aside each month.

Anno, Charleygirl5 me.me/i/wake-up-the-cats-got-your-teeth-12720340

I was just talking to my gardener friend about your Tara Charleygirl . He is a dog man and he is staggered by that quote and said he would just
concentrate on getting her the best food for her teeth and use things like pet dentastix. You will know yourself if that is a possibility but I think I might at the very least ring another vet for a quote.

I feel your pain Charley ! Sam is booked in for a teeth cleaning when we get back and even that is supposed to be £400 !! Luckily , we joined the healthy pet club, so we only pay £100 ( only!,) .

Sams recent eye problems ended up being an eye watering £800 but luckily we get most of that back.

I know what you mean about pet insurance Nonna but in our case it’s been worth it’s weight ingold .

Evening All. Good to see you back charley, don’t be breaking that computer again .

Had a good day out today other than it felt like we followed more tractors than there are in the world. Finally feeling almost human, phew.

Ouch, pet dental bills sound worse than human ones. Do dentists treat pets?

Enjoy your week ahead n&g, just remember no need to clean your home before you go away, intruders don’t care .

I’m delighted you had some better news panache, hope you also had today’s sunshine to go with it. 20 degrees here, amazing. Did Mr P return safely from his labours? Sounds as if you may both need a rest.

Try not to be trampled by the elephants chaos. Protect anything breakable .

Well, I’ll soon be copying Hattie and resting my eyes, todays activity is encouraging sleep. Take care everyone.

I’ve been earwigging your conversation about the cost of vet bills and I’m shocked. We had a rescue westie who hardly cost anything. He had to be ‘put down’ at 19 and the vet said he had the teeth of a puppy. When I was a child we always had a Heinz’s 57 dog and they never went to the vets. I don’t even remember seeing a vets surgery. I’d love a dog but these costs have really made me think twice. My 17 year old grandson who’s been sort of foisted on me is being lovely company, the builders are getting on with it, I’ve had two of the youngest grandchildren stay over who appear to have accepted their mummy’s illness. Of course they are too young to really understand the implications and that’s a blessing. Enjoy your break n&g I may have missed where your going but hope where ever it is it’s lovely. All the pictures of pets are lovely. Are you o.k annsixty? I’m feeling a bit calmer and I wish the same for all of you, just a little bit of calm to recharge all our batteries. to cheer up the kitchen. I haven’t baked for years.

Tara is on prescription dry food which she loves. That should have helped her teeth but obviously not. I would think at her age this will be her last descaling etc. She is worth every penny even if the insurance will not cough up.