Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

Evening all and special hugs to those of you recently bereaved. Two of my cousins have just lost their long term husband/wife and neither have the strength to start the awful clear out scenario. One was a keen bowls player too and the club were amazingly supportive during his illness - my cousin did give his bowls to them with gratitude.

We have had fish and chips from the award winning fish shop today - our first meal sitting up to the table in the bungalow with GD1 and her BF - such a nice day and such a lovely couple. We visited the cemetery to put flowers on my in-laws (her great grandparents) grave and also our two god children who are in there - it was sunny but quite cold - I don't think we've been when it's been warm in all the years yet! I do need to go up north to where my own parents are before Christmas - something Mum always did for her mother - they are all in the same place now.

Soop that picture is beautiful - you are so talented - I have no artistic talents at all. Perhaps it's because a box of watercolour paints I was given by an aunt for Christmas around age 5 or 6 was quickly confiscated by my mum who said I was too young for them and would make a mess

Morethan your DiL continues to fight so fantastically well - what a strong person she must be. A reduction in the steroids will help with the bloating but another round of chemo will be hard - wishing her and her family all the
luck in the world and the Christmas treat you have planned will hopefully be a welcome distraction.

I'm sure it's turned cold tonight - I'm hoping it will stay fine for GD & BF's trip to the Lakes tomorrow. The clocks change next weekend so we'll all be hoping for an extra hour in bed - it won't work of course for those of us who are early risers!!

Have a good night all!

Maw, Tanith, Aggie and Morethan, extra big hugs. I`ve done the clothes sort out, but the tools (many) and the fishing tackle are still languishing in the garage, awaiting a decision.
Soop`s paintings are now legendary. If I can find them in time, I`m going to post those of my lovely Pepper, beautiful Mia, and handsome granddog Duke, all painted by the talented lady known as Soop.
What`s all this having to log in every time before posting? It`s alright, but numpty here keeps forgetting her password!

Well, I know they`re in my pictures somewhere, but I can only find Pepper at the moment.

Morethan I hope it isn’t insensitive to thank you for keeping us up to date about your DDiL - she soundsbsuch a brave and inspiring person. My DS, DiL and DGS have been here this half term and I realise I have many blessings to count. My DDiL is a wonderful girl too.
I didn’t know you had been recently bereaved Tanith and struggling too. More blessings to count - my DH's health is not great but he’s still here.
Good night and I hope you all get at least some sleep.

Yet another pointless Sunday. Not even the odd phone call. Good thing life resumes tomorrow. But I can't grumble. I'm alive, after all!
I have no words to express how I feel for all of the bereaved people here in the kitchen instead here are (((hugs))) for you all and a metaphorical shoulder to lean on should you need one. And (((hugs))) too for all who are living with anxiety, especially ann and morethan. If I have forgotten anyone, please, someone, remind me!

Good evening to everyone and to Maw, Tanith, and Aggie, and also special thoughts for those of you (and that’s quite a few) who are facing difficult times.

This is a very busy kitchen, so many people popping in and out all the time. It seems a nice cosy place to be.

Soop, your paintings are lovely, I cannot draw at all, and dropped Art at the first opportunity when I was at school. I recognised my total lack of ability in that department very early on.

But I can bake, and there’s half a Banana Loaf still sitting in the kitchen waiting to be eaten. I hope it’s not going to be wasted.

I think it’s time to say goodnight, and get some sleep.

Good morning everyone!

There is an awful lot of sadness and anxiety in the kitchen. I wish we could actually do more to help. jud a worry for you too.

Panache, lovely to see you again.

gd I'm very impressed with your DGS. DS1 did cross country and I'm sure he'd never be able to run twice in one day.

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday with DD2 and family. They called here for a meal after they had seen wolfie and today we have Wolfie and all the family here for the day. We count our blessings but are very nearly on our knees!

Maddy, cake is never wasted here! Thank you, it’s lovely, she says through a mouthful! Nothing better than cake or leftover pudding for breakfast while sitting up in bed!
Love to you who are sad - I still get caught by little things. Went to get a postcard for Mum while on holiday, then realised I no longer need to do that.

Dropping in before collecting granddaughter for a few days stayover. Just having the one at a time this half term. I feel a bit selfish. So wrapped up in my own problems I haven’t kept up with all the news. Late condolences to Tanithand aggie I hope those of you recently bereaved find some comfort in sharing your feeling with each other in the kitchen. I’m really grateful for the support I get here. So it’s not insensitive to ask about my DiL overthehills I worry that I drip feed such utter misery so when things improve I feel I should share that too. I’m wishing annodomini a happy Monday. When I was a very young army wife and my husband was away I always felt Sunday’s were hard.
Lovely photo Judthepud my sleep pattern sounds similar to yours. Thanks for the cake maddy have a good day all. Ps the builders say they’ll be finished by the end of the week, not sure I believe them, it would be good though as lots of my family are coming to see DiL before she starts treatment.

Morning everyone, you’re right Nannytopsy, it is the little things. I’m not widowed, but my heart goes goes out to those who are. I lost my Dad two years ago, and sometimes some small thing just reminds me of him, and I feel sad and miss him. Much as I loved him, and I did very much, the loss of your husband is a far greater loss.

Today is a lovely, sunny day down here. We’re going out for lunch with my 90 year old mother and my visiting nephew and his family, then they’re off to France for a few days (not my mother, my nephew and family.)

Have a lovely day everyone.

Soop for a self-taught artist, you have the most wonderful fluid style that I wish I could capture myself. I’ve only ever done it with a very few paintings and they have mostly been executed quickly out in the open air. My favourite was of gulls fighting over some fish on a beach. It was early on a grey morning and wet in wet suited to a tee for the reflections on a wet beach. I gave it away! Or rather, I swapped it with a friend who gave me a painting of his. I think I got the better of the bargain! Next time I’m up in the loft I will try and find some of mine - give you a laugh!

morethan your DiL is having a gruelling time and every hope I can muster is firmly in her corner. Your plans for Christmas sound wonderful and will give you all something good to focus on. I hope that half term with your grandchildren is fun for them and for you! My Grandson and his maid and butler parents are, unusually, away this half term.

Anno I am full of admiration for your GD doing her D of E Gold Award. It’s a terrific undertaking, and I wish her every success. As for your grandson and his X Box, mine, too, can only be praised away from a screen for running or for football! I wouldn’t say he is talented at either, but he seems to build on each small success. All I ask of him is that he enjoys whatever he takes up - there is no point otherwise.

I made Eve’s pudding yesterday for ‘afters’, and cut it into squares to serve it. GS said it looked like they get at school - but hurriedly added ‘ but much better’! He’s learning. I am sorry there is none left as they all fought over the last piece and DD won!

The problem, kitty, is not being on your knees. It is getting up off them! I was on the floor in the conservatory last week, having got down to look for, of all things, a lost piece of jigsaw. Having peered under both sofas with a torch, I found I was like a beached whale, and struggled to get upright again! It was not a pretty sight. I envy you your day with Wolfie - new babies are wonderful! What about a photo?

I will look in later.

Greyd, I had a similar experience last week. I should have known better than to get down on my dodgy knees to search under the bed for something or other. My left knee collapsed under me and I couldn't get up. After trying fruitlessly, only one solution presented itself. I had to shuffle on my bottom to the top of the stairs and use them as if I was rising from a chair. One of the advantages of living alone is that no one saw me; the disadvantage is that there was no-one to raise me to my feet.

I have similar problems with gravity and floors - and I have a Best Beloved - but he just stands, watches and laughs. (He does have a really bad back and couldn’t help if he wanted to).

I’ve just nipped in really to have a bit of a brag. My DD1 completed the ten mile Great South Run yesterday with a friend and together they raised £1,100 for Cancer Research. She has really bad knees and took up running to strengthen the muscles but I know this was beyond the limit of her abilities and she says the fantastic crowd support got her over the last two miles. I’m so incredibly proud she did it - but worried she may have done too much. She’s on a high and talking of doing it again and aiming next time for a half marathon. I’m all confused!

Very well done to your daughter for completing the distance, NfK, and that’s a goodly amount of money going to a very good cause. My DD ran her second half marathon recently and also has difficulty with her knees and now has twinges in her hip, but running soon becomes an obsession and she won’t give it up. As soon as they’ve completed one event they are planning the next! Physio helps, but running is an impact sport, so joints are bound to suffer ☹️. Running must be one of the fastest growing amateur sports at the moment, too. Big business.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-902503-yew-tree-cottage.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-561648-annies-flower-paintings-1-5-002.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-51066-dappled-courtyard.jpg

Busy, busy, bustling kitchen. It's always a joy to wander in and think...aren't we lucky to have each other.

NfkDumpling Huge congratulations to your amazing daughter. You have every right to be bursting with pride.

kitty Photo please. Us lot enjoy oohing and awing over babies. It's something we do remarkably well.

anno your granddaughter is obviously determined to win her Gold Award. I would like to add my best wishes for her ultimate success. Please keep us updated.

I was always drawing as a child. I had a scrap book in which I put my own designs for dresses. I would have been about eight, and the fabrics were in fact, colourful toffee wrappers.

When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always responded, an artist. However, when it came to leaving school, my father insisted that I got a "proper job". Artists never earn a proper living. I went into the Civil Service and was bored to tears. It wasn't until my early 50s that I picked up my husband's paint box, and from thereon, my creative juices were revived. Now that we're retired, I have time to spend dabbling with the paints. It's true to say that I'm at my most content when I do so. End of story.

I shall look out three of my favourite paintings to share with you.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-566743-00a05988-4a2a-4279-bb57-ace54cbc0c05.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-135640-95d5930d-df8d-471d-894a-d55e3429aeca.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201810/medium-618275-6ebb55ac-e2a9-4c6d-8672-92b75413a51a.jpeg

Afternoon all,

Quite some sadness in the kitchen so sending all my sympathy and little blue sky and sunshine because that always makes things brighter.

I don’t have much time as we have Jackson here for a few days . Our lives are filled with Pokemon card games and football . Having bought a new ball this morning, he and Grampy are practising their ‘skills’ !!

Luckily I am excused as I have no skills apparently!!

Please note the camouflage wear..... Jackson asks me often if I can see him by the hedge !!

Grey you should try pilates. No, it’s never too late! Might take a while but you would honestly be able to get up and down from the floor. Hope you never fall when you’re perched by (or in?) a river. That could be a problem! ?
Anno have you tried cortisone injections? I was crippled with knee pain a couple of years ago and it was constant. They don’t work for everyone but I was very lucky. Not all GPs offer them, and I had to have mine done privately but it was worth every £££.
Soopthose pictures are gorgeous. So detailed, and such lovely colours. I really envy you your talent.

Yet more photos to make us . Thank you, N&G You could always take a seat and act as referee.

Bella Kind words.
I had a cortisone injection in a very painful shoulder. Some time ago. It worked immediately and I've had no trouble since.

I've ironing to do. Tomorrow is care home visiting day. I shall be here again with you lot just as soon as.

(((hugs)))

Nope N&G can’t see him.
Are you sure he is in the picture?
I am due a cortisone injection in my shoulder tomorrow and need some encouraging words because I am afraid it will be very ouchy.
I have had to wait six weeks to have it done at the surgery and have spent over £280 on physio and acupuncture (without success) which makes me wish I had forked out the £250 it would have cost me to have it done privately in the first place and saved myself a load of grief and wasted time this autumn.
Encouragement please

Bellanonna, yes, I have had cortisone injections in both knees and the results have been, to say the least, variable. Next week I am to have an intramuscular steroid injection in my rear end to see if that helps.
We are lucky with the level of expertise in our local practice. There are two (maybe three) GPs who are able to carry out cortisone injections and usually you don't have to wait more than two weeks. The injections in my shoulder worked like magic and lasted a long time, though I think I might ask for
another fairly soon.

Worry not Maw, thosev injections worked wonders for my frozen shoulder x2, and I had them both at the same time. One hurt, but not too much, the other not at all. You`ll be fine.

Really hoping the injection works Maw and it doesn't hurty too much - just think of the good night's sleep you'll get once the pains gone and focus on a spot on the wall - either that or imagining the doctor doing the Full Monty

Lovely pictures of Jackson and the football coach N&G - what great fun they are and good at keeping Grandad's busy!

Soop once again those pictures are wonderful - I hope you have them hanging up around the home as they're too nice to be hidden in a cupboard.

The visitors are now in Lake Windermere - it's a good thing I can track their travel on my iPad as the promised text to say they'd arrived safely didn't materialise but I know she will send one when she remembers

What a boring day - I should have gone out, baked the cheese scones or simply just done some gardening but by the time GD had left it was too late to do much and I've been waiting in for a parcel. I've just put the washer on.

I agree about getting up off the floor - I can still do it just but am now finding that I need something to heave myself up with. I also frequently lose my balance trying to get both legs in my knickers - something my mum used to complain about and I never thought it would happen to me

I need to go and peruse the fridge for something for tea - alas I know what's in there and it isn't looking good

Anno, that’s a pity. Maybe try again? I think you’re allowed a maximum of 4 shots. Knee pain is excruciating.
Willow you’re wicked, but what if it’s a female doc? I’d rather concentrate on the wall. Mine was a male, in fact, and very dishy too. But I didn’t think of that scenario at the time. Regarding the putting on of knickers, do practise it. I can now do it well although the second leg is a bit more difficult. If you stand near the bed you’ll be safe. I’m ok with jeans too.
Maw I hope it goes well. Recite something - a poem, say, really quickly like we used to during the painful contractions. Or do what Willow says.

I had a cortisone injection for a frozen shoulder some years ago and it worked a treat. I wouldn’t say it was very painful - but uncomfortable initially. I would go through it again.

Bellanonna as of this year, I have given up fishing rivers - I’m not steady enough on my feet these days to stay upright. I will confine myself to hunting from the bank! DH is very relieved!

N&G young Jackson looks quite the action man in his camo. Perhaps not ready for the SAS yet, though! He’s got a good right foot on him - a few more years and Grampy will have trouble stopping those! I hope you have lots of fun this week; you don’t have to have ‘the skills’ to do that ?!

When we went to the cross country on Saturday, DH managed to lose his reading glasses. He must have pulled them out of his pocket with his phone when he went to take photos but he didn’t find out until we got home. Well we called in at the park today on the way to do the school run to go over the ground again, more to satisfy his mind than in any expectation we would find them, but as we expected it was fruitless. There were a lot of people at the event; lots of feet tramping about. He has a poor record with specs one way and another. However, it was nice today and the view across the moors was worth the time we spent there. Couldn’t resist a photo.

Oops!

Thank you Soop, GD and all who have made soothing noises.
If I find you have been lying, it will be too late!
If anybody saw The One Show tonight, DD’s old house featured in a clip on UB40 who recorded their first album in DD’s kitchen when it was a rat infested drugs den squat!
This was of course before they bought the house! I think they are missing it, they loved that house and its unique link with UB40.