Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

Evening all !!

The nights are certainly drawing in- seems like only yesterday it was light till gone 10pm :-(

Love the photo kitty , how was the flower arranging?

The beach huts are my favourite seaside picture grannie!

The Queen of the Universe and both my daughters set out to drive down to see baby Ella today. After a false start when they blew a tyre on the M25!!!! and a nice Green Flag mans help they arrived safely and have added a photo of The Queen and the new baby Ella. WHE did she get so grown up?????

Sending birthday wishes to MacS - hope you have had a wonderful day . Excellent news about the cat visitor Soop !! Our Cooper calls passing cats ' Cat Friend'!!

Well I am off to do some dreary filing before steak and chips for dinner !!! There's a light in every tunnel !

Oops missed that it was Mr soops birthday hope it’s a really good one

Norty Ann! X

Ooh MacS we can't wait, lay off the chocs please.

I have managed to lose a longish message. I'm using Kindle! The meal was perfect, we couldn't have wished for more. Home to light a cosy log fire and change into loose comfortable clothing.
Message from MacS... He thanks his harem of gorgeous ladies for their kindly attentions and favours. I'm shocked! He also says to mention that, when he can fit into his sporran...? he may surprise you. At the moment he' s opening a box of chocs. Well, it is his birthday ?

A fond farewell from the two of us. Thank you making the birthday boy chuckle ,

Happy birthday to the dear man! Are you wearing your sporran?
I’m actually warming up. My boiler went off and when my plumber came and looked at it it was a warranty job so I had to contact Vailliant. I managed to get hold of them yesterday and they’ve come and mended it this morning. The heat is actually coming through. After 3 days with no heat I’m “ frozen to the core,”
I know blue is my favourite colour but it doesn’t suit me as a skin tone ?
Maw I could have done with your puffer jacket and doubled as an extra extra large Michelin man!

Happy birthday McS!

Happiest Birthday McSporran from your harem in the Kitchen!


Exciting news about Tabby cat?!

The sun has got his hat on...a lovely start to MacS's birthday. Thank you for your birthday greetings. He's wearing a slight and a big .

It's going to be a busy day. I've to do my hair and put on a pretty face before we go out to lunch.

Tabby cat called by and ate her Purina biscuit supper late yesterday afternoon. MacS was utterly delighted.

I like the photos. I've also read through ann's latest update. Dear Ann, you are most definitely doing the right and best thing for both your husband and you. The care home sounds ideal in every sense.

morethan and all those of you who are having on going troubles to deal with...you all have a network of Granspals who are here to give you much needed support. We are not going anywhere. The kitchen is where you'll find us.

Panache You are a champion morale booster. Thank you for all your kind words. I particularly like your words..."a pleasing time all round".

Okey dokey. Time to smarten up. Our pal will be picking us up at about 12:30. I shall make every effort to spend a little more time with you later this afternoon.

Making my wobbly way into a rather well filled Kitchen gathering to help you Soop`s to celebrate MacS`s birthday!!

You were spot on with your November poem Maw......those words could well have been written by my fair hand,it spoke my mind!

BTW Should anyone dare ridicule your puffer coat Maw and ladies I would like words with them!
They have saved my life latterly in the colder weather,but now I have lost so much weight I could do with another body to share mine!
Any offers?
Methinks us Kitcheners need to be known as The Puffer Crew!
For us slightly older with our dreary winters, quite frankly I think they are the best thing since sliced bread.......said by a once fashionista!!!!

Hats are just NOT my thing but my caring dear one came home this week trundling this hat,scarf and glove set in natural alpaca ......determined that nothing of the elements outside will halt me!
Complete with puffer coat I shall be totally incognito!

Cannot possibly speak to each individually, but a big thank you for your kind support,it truly helps so much.

So pleased to see you are on the mend Kitty

So sorry for your extreme tiredness and this blip that is causing yet new stress within your household Morethan sometimes in life there seems no ending with issues.Hopefully all will be favourably resolved........when tired things seem to loom extra large.

I regard your latest news must be truly uplifting Ann once you have well digested it, although I can quite understand a few nerves setting in, but it looks extremely hopeful from what I read.

Nice to hear that happy tone Doodle inspired by a wee tot I read!

Whilst Charley.... trust you to bend your nephew`s ears when supposedly out enjoying a curry!

I am heartened and have more of that magic word Hope in my heart hearing how you are all taking an interest and uplifting us through what seems murkier waters than matters of health.......at the moment anyway.

The weather has turned wet and blustery so Chez Panache will not be presented at its best perhaps, yet indoors these viewers will find a warm welcoming home.

However I have taken aboard all your comments about rentals,it is something we both have talked about at length,yet my dear man is adamant that with my health so precarious, he cannot dare put me through 2 moves........I can but await, HOPE and see what transpires.

This is proving a nightmare and although uplifted by a lovely little 3 bed/2 bath bungalow newly on the market in our much loved Saundersfoot yesterday,on giving it much consideration,again not near enough what we now need........so back to the drawing board.

Having had a thorough display of fireworks,though in the distance last Saturday night in leu of Halloween,we could well do without another tonight, but will of course not wish to spoil it for our younger ones........and perhaps you lot too!

Sending each and everyone my very best for this weekend,no more sniffles,no more nightmarish acts........just a pleasing time all round.

Happy birthday Macs. The sun is peeping out here, I hope it is in your neck of the woods.

Morethan you can do with more problems like a hole in the head- I do hope all goes well.

Panache I hope the tourists have all gone home so that where you live looks pleasantly quiet. This is THE weekend we all hope.

Ann you have made the correct decision although it was a very difficult one. If H could, he would agree with you.
Great that this home is only 2 miles away

Kitty pleased to hear that you are slowly joining the land of the living.

Overthehills a decent night's sleep makes all the difference and your DH seems to be able to join us lot again having had 2 nights of good sleep.

corner I hope that the 3rd or 4th filling has stayed in place- you will be wearing out the car driving there so frequently.

My apologies if I have forgotten anybody.

I had a lovely evening out last night having a chat with my nephew and his lovely girlfriend over a curry. I am determined he is not working until he is 90, he is 35 now so I have started him on the savings and pension route. The minx has taken a photo of me so that he can look at my face every time he fancies buying something he does not need. What would Charleygirl say he will be telling himself.

Good morning everybody and a very happy birthday MacS! I hope you and Soop have a lovely day.
Ann you have made a very hard decision about your husband but it’s the right one for both of you. Of course you’ll feel sad when he goes into care, and lots of other feelings I’m sure, but I hope you can hold on to the reality that it really is the best thing. I hope he settles quickly and you two can have happy times together again.
I shall be wearing my puffer - I’m also five feet two so it comes nearly to the ground - to the fireworks display tonight - winds and rain forecast!
I think you could have done without anymore stress Morethan and I really, really hope DH’s employers will take into account all that’s going on in the family just now and just how exhausted you all are.
Enjoy that breakfast GrannyQ!
Get well soon Kitty - I prescribe as restful a day as possible.
DH has had two nights with the oxygen machine (not called C-Pap here in Scotland but some other name which I’ve forgotten) and has had two nights of good sleep. I was grateful to those of you who had experience of these machines but didn’t dare hope it would work for DH. So far so good!
DD, who has such problems with “that man” and who also had a hiccup at work, has just “met somebody” and been promoted! Very early days for the man, and maybe it won’t come to anything, but it all goes towards giving her a much needed boost.

morethan and Ann thinking of you both today, different situations but very heart rending in easch case. I’m praying you find the strength gto keep on keeping on. x

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Popping in early before the day overtakes me. We’re now safely ensconced with our ds and his family on the south coast. Theres a history of misty, wet weather when we visit but this time it is dry with ckear skies. But the best thing ever is seeing them all look so much happier than the last time we visited. Our gd is accepting the support she previously refused, theres a way to go yet but right now things are looking hopeful.

HOPE, it makes such a difference, soop I’m so pleased to hear you’ve been given some, it will help you hang on in there while tests etc determine what’s to be done. Likewise Panache with more positive news of a house sale, it would be good if things go smoothly, you both have enough to contend with without any more house worries.

kitty, I’m glad you didn’t share that bug with the rest of us it sounds to have been a nasty one, enjoy the chance of a relaxed and restorative day. Scary faces indeed! greyduster, you’re champing at the bit to see those weary wanderers of yours. I’m sure they will have tales to tell and maybe photos to show you too. DS and crew were in USA for their half term last week,. I’ve enjoyed hearing about it all face to face, rather than by phone, while their excitement is still fresh.

I too have no shame in looking warm and cosy like a michelin X man in my puffa jacket. But I do have to chose carefully when I wear it, it makes me too hot! Will my post menopausal thermostat ever sort itself out? Fantastic photos n&g! But I am rather worried that you haven’t been seen in the kitchen since setting off for Ikea, people have been known to struggle to find a way out! doodle I’m gusesing you may be still asleep after yesterdays goings on! corner and greyduster I’m another who’s always on edge when the chicks are travelling. Many a text I’ve sent “hope you have had/are having a good time”which really means “ did you arrive/ get back safely”. They always intend to let me know.....!

Well theres no signs of life here, the old boy has gone to walk the resident dog, DS has hinted at one of his speciality breakfasts so we’ll see what the morning brings. Wishing you all a trouble free day, especially Ann. I’ll leave you with with some blue sky photos

Oops almost forgot to send birthday wishes to MacSporran, wishing you both happy and healthy times to come xx

annsixty because I’ve got no words to ease your troubles. Your doing the right thing but it must be so hard and upsetting.

I see you posted while I was typing my long missive morethan I am so sad you have more things to worry about.
I hope your H's employers know of the extreme stress you are all under and make allowances, a good understanding boss should do just that.
Try to enjoy your little trip out and clear your mind for a few hours.
I still doll myself up when I go out and I am a lot of years over 50 so get those gladrags on and get made up " you are worth it"

Morethan and MrMbe kind to yourselves and rest when you can. Good news Soop and hopeful for a house sale Panache. Lovely morning here so I must get out into the garden to fill my green bin. Since I pay for it, I hate it to be anything less than jammed when it’s collected! ?
Best wishes everyone!

Good morning all.
Just calling to wish MacS a very happy birthday and to say ,glad you feel more human kitty.
I haven't opened the curtains yet, we don't have carers today, so a more leisurely morning, so I can't report on the weather, but as I never get out apart from Thursday, it doesn't really matter to me.

I had some hopeful but troubling news yesterday, I rang the SW to explore my options and she rang my home of choice and got back to me to say my H is now number 2 on the waiting list, it could now happen soon, how do I feel? I dont know.
I feel I am letting him down but I can't carry on ,his mobility is now so bad that he is getting doubly incontinent, that is a real problem to me.
A bonus is that this home had a CQC inspection in August and the report was published on Thursday, it got good all round.
The new manager ,in post for about 9 months, has changed things for the staff and residents totally, the staff are happy and motivated and the residents who are able to express their opinions are very settled.
I have always been happy with the staff I see, but it is good to read of their views on the new regime.
I know when the time comes I am going to be devastated but I also know it is right for both of us.
I am not going to look anywhere else now, this home is less than 2 miles away and I am happy to wait.
In the meantime he will continue to go every Thursday.

Enough of me, I hope the tooth sufferes are coping and I send my dearest wishes to Panache and her H, who are treading a very difficult and unsettling path with a dark corner to negotiate in selling and moving at such a bleak time.
Oh and great news for soop who had some hopeful news yesterday, let us hope it does go ahead.

Morning all, I’m ashamed to say I’m feeling wiped out. It’s wonderful seeing all the visitors but the emotion of the last few weeks has left me feeling tired together with all the half term childcare. More grannysitting overnight. I know I’m lucky to see so much of them but I’m longing for a few days peace and quiet. Ive managed to get a few hours to myself this morning because I made arrangements to meet up with some old workmates. I wish I had somthing lovely to say when they ask “how are things.” But it’s been one major disaster after another since I last saw them.(speaking to self “Oh come on now pull yourself together”) and the builders haven’t returned grrrrr. My husbands done somthing rather silly at work, probably because he’s exhausted too, but has to see if it’s serious enough for some disciplinary action. I just hope it doesn’t hang over our heads for too long. kitty your grandchildren looked cute rather than scary. maw I bet you’ll look rather snuggly in the new coat. Hope soop doesn’t have to wait too long for your appointment. Your in my thoughts annand panache I scan the kitchen each day for a catch up of you both. greyduster your comment bought back memories of one of my conversations with my army son, he’d visited us and was on his way home. I asked him to ring or text when he arrived. He replied “ I’ve done dozens of tours of (my description) nasty sandy places and your worried about my safety on the M25! Well yes actually I was and often am. I make all my family telephone after visiting us, you hear such horrific stories about our motorways. I’m presently nagging my husband to retire his motorbike for the winter. Have a good weekend if you can. I’m off to doll myself up to meet the girlies(I doubt I’ll look dolled up and all the girlies are over 50

I have one too, and am glad of it in the colder weather! Wow, Kitty what a scary bunch! You wouldn’t want to meet them on a dark night!
I really only popped in to wish MacSporran a happy birthday! I hope it is full of malt whisky, and stray cats, and shortbread eating crows!????

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Hi, Lona - good to see you!

Good to hear you have hope soop, you have suffered long enough. I'm sorry that I have missed MacS birthday. Please give him my best wishes.

Doodle drinking in the day!

Gd, nearly there!!

I too have a puffer coat! When the weather is cold enough to warrant wearing it I am beyond worrying what I look like!

I mentioned photos of Seb and Hattie and I've added one of their father!!

I'm feeling much better today, though still tired and I aim to do very little today once I've packed off the football fans.

Back later hopefully!

I’ve for one just like it - we’ll wear them with pride maw .

maw it looks better on you I'm sure. That poor girl needs a puffer jacket to keep warm she's too thin. Very stylish. Should keep you nice and warm this winter. Don't leave it on the bed or Hattie will adopt it for a nice cosy comforter ?

Content is more important than packaging MawB.