Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

Good morning, well I slept for about four hours. I have a trick when I’m feeling anxious I listen to the bbc political programs on my iPad that sends me to sleep. If this goes on much longer I’ll be able to join in the politics threads here I’ve been up and fixed breakfast for my husband. I’m now back in bed with a cup of tea. Some mornings I can even go back to sleep. Your lovely pictures, soops paintings, listening ear and kindness keep me on an even keel and I’m very grateful. I know I fail miserably at keeping up with your news. I’m sorry there’s no room in my head for anything lately. Thinking especially those of you with illness, worries and problems.

It’s horrible to have those nagging thoughts morethan and I do know exactly what you mean. They make me feel sick when they happen too, but it’s very likely the lack of movement as you originally thought. I sincerely hope you do get some sleep.

morethan2, I am so sad for you and keep you and family in my prayers. ?

I hope things turn out ok kitty and your doctors is being cautious. It’s a worry though. I visited my DiL to say of course we’d come for Christmas and cook the turkey. While I was there she just mentioned she had a pain in her back. I thought nothing of it and said maybe it’s because she hasn’t been moving about so much lately. Later on at home it dawned on me that perhaps the cancer has spread to her spine. I’ve made myself feel sick now and probably won’t sleep.

Or alternatively Willow, he/she could be spreading the word that you`re a soft touch, lol!

Lovely pics Soop, which one is going to the dog`s owner?

I went to the Butterfly Hospice annual Light up a Life service this afternoon, at a church in town. Rena and Dawn went with me. It isn`t a very long service, but it`s very meaningfull.
Panache, it never ceases to amaze me that with all your own problems you always have words of compassion and encouragement for others.

Hello all - so much has happened since I came in a few days ago and I've no hope of mentioning everyone who is having such a difficult time but have read all the posts and feel for all of you and your nearest and dearest who are suffering at this time.

Soop the picture is lovely - I'm sure the lab's mum will be thrilled to bits with it.

We seem to have been so busy the last few days what with Christmas decorating, a lovely lunch with a couple of GNs, and finally conference calls to confirm my redundancy at work from the end of this month. Today we went across to the bungalow to do a few jobs and ended up staying far longer than we intended so the furries were very hungry when we got back.

This morning there was a cat crying outside when I fed them their breakfast - I couldn't see anyone but took a bowl of food out and left it by the summerhouse - it was all gone an hour later so I hope whoever it was enjoyed the treat! I hope whoever it is goes back to their proper home.

Hello all the kitchen visitors.
soop a lovely painting again. How talented you are ?
kitty so sorry you had a sleepless night. I know what it's like when sleep won't come through worry or anxiety. I remember the days when I was told my young DH would need a triple heart bypas, then had prostate cancer, had a stroke etc, etc and now some new health problems. He's still here with me thank God so take heart. I am am sure Mr Kitty will be well looked after.
maw if all of us virtual friends in the kitchen knew how much you loved your dear paw then I am sure the man himself was well aware of it. You were lucky to have such a lovely man in your life but I am sure he was equally lucky to have you. I treasure my dear man every day. I just wish yours was still with you. Take all the pleasure you can from your lovely family and I hope you enjoy your Nutcracker visit.

maddy can’t wait for the leftovers tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely day tomorrow.

Kitty, I’m so sorry to hear about Mr K, but reading through the other ladies comments should give you hope for a good outcome.

Harrifran, I know what you mean about husbands not telling the children, Mr M had a health scare least year and refused to tell the children, even though one of them is a doctor. Happily for us, tests showed us that there was in fact no problem. But like your husband, the children and grandchildren are Mr M’s life almost.

Soop, do you know my daughter’s dog? You have painted a very good likeness of her. She is a lovely dog, so friendly and good natured, but recently she slipped a disc high in her back, and there followed a long and very expensive surgery and convalescence, and even when she returned home she required daily physiotherapy. She will never be the dog she was, but she is able to go out for short walks now. With four year old twins and a baby a year old, my daughter and her husband certainly had their hands full with the dog needing so much love and attention too. My husband was there every day to help with the dog and the children, and I was there a lot too.

Well now for a cosy evening in. Tomorrow some of the family will be here for lunch so I will be making an apple and pear crumble, requested by four year old granddaughter, and Mr M will be making mince pies, requested by four year old grandson. That’s the pudding sorted then. They’ll be some left over for sure, I’ll pop it into the kitchen for you all to finish off.

It will be worth every £ maw.

Lovely pictures Soop , don’t breathe a word to Hattie but I have always had a soft spot for Labradors
Much love and commiserations to all with worries or sadnesses - I wont enumerate in case I miss anybody but you know who you are and that I am thinking of you.
I went out to buy the tree today and have stood it in a bucket of water until I am ready to dress it later in the week. Normally I would leave it until closer to Christmas but the little Birmingham DGCs are coming for the night next Saturday and they will expect it all to look Christmassy..
I also bought a lovely holly and fir cone wreath at the nursery and took it to Paw’s grave. I will add fresh flowers on Christmas Eve.
I am looking forward to one last trip to Birmingham Royal Ballet to see DGS in the “Nutcracker” (again) tomorrow.
I just loved it so much last week that I went on line when I got home and got one of the last tickets for rather a lot of 10’s of £££££££
Wishing you all a pleasant evening.

I am wishing you all a peaceful and pleasant evening.

Darkness has fallen. Time for me to read the daily paper. A little later...a very welcome Saturday evening G&T.

My thoughts are with all of you who are sad or dealing with health issues.

Charleyg We alternate between the different flavours of Purina dry food and add either flaked fish or tinned fish for moisture. She also has her own bowl of spring water beside the wee chalet.

Tara will be on the next train- could somebody pick her up please? She would love that for supper much more interesting than boring dry food.

Charleyg Tabitha will have Purina cat food combined with tuna in spring water.

That dog portrait is perfect. You need to sit down now with a lovely cup of coffee and a slice of virtual cake.

I hope that Tabitha is being well cared for! She is a very lucky young lady- if her hot supper is scarce, she knows where to go for a lovely top up.

Thank you for your kind comments.

dragonfly, I hope that the fact that your mum considers you to be a "good friend", will be of some comfort to you. To not be recognised must be beyond heartbreaking.

Lovely pictures Soop

Just been to see mum. She knows she knows me but not really sure how. She told the carer I was a good friend and asked me how long I had known her. She was shocked when I said 72 years!

Yes, they’re lovely

Gosh Soop that was worth the work , two lovely pictures

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201812/medium-171195-p1011171.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201812/medium-857166-p1011172.jpg

Here be the finished portraits. Same dog. One was part imagined by me.

Panache Your kind words are much appreciated. I'm wishing you both a relaxing day.

Any time soon I shall photograph the portraits of the labrador dog. I've had to use "artistic license" due to the poorly lit photo images. MacSporran approves of the latest attempt. Back a little later.

Welcome back, Nannyali and thank you for the comforting (((hugs))).

kitty We know of several gentlemen who are dealing with prostate cancer. So far, without exception, all are responding well to the treatment. Please continue to share your concerns with us. Us lot will do our best to re-assure you.

Rather blurry eyed I make my way, stumbling into the Kitchen, having spent several sleepless nights again........... and then last evening we were again buffeted by another storm if you please.

I haven`t had a drop of the hard stuff I promise you or indeed, I would be singing my way in here!!

Whilst hearing your troublesome news Kitty I PM`d you but nevertheless just want to add...... what thoroughly bad timing and in your case, there is no wonder you did not sleep well.
Feeling for you both.....and family...but as you well know, we in the Kitchen will rally around you and be there at all times.

Difficult times continue for us in Chez Panache although we are rather elated that after 3 troublesome years where the little blighters.......moles.......have made our paddock their very own ,with mole hills of every description.
Having had enough, we called in Pest Control and within a week it seems they caught 3 of them.
However my poor man now for the third year running is left with something like 100 mole hills to disperse with,not the easiest of tasks........ and he is not a well man.
However there is hope that we shall enjoy our own paddock and have some peace again!

On that jolly note I will love and leave you,but please know each one of you struggling at this moment in time, our thoughts are with you and we in the kitchen are always ready to listen and to support.
So many facing great hardships indeed.
Stay strong and hold on to hope at all times............easier said than done I know only too well...........but we have to make a stand and start fighting back,so hope is that good first place to start from.

Hopefully it maybe a pleasing weekend and I send you all every blessing.

kitty, I feel your anguish. A year after my cancer operation DH got his diagnosis and have to admit that I coped with my own condition better. DH has refused to tell the family on the basis that they will treat him differently and will not ask us to look after the children, they are his life.
You are not alone and remember nothing is definite at this point {{hug}}