Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

Galen and kindest thoughts to you.
Sad news.

Galen ?. How awful that you had to find out like that. I hope they can be prevailed upon to have a change of heart.

oh *Galen] xx

Oh Galen how very sad. I hope they can be persuaded to change their mind

Stollen B&B pudding was delicious which only goes to show that any sort of bread can be used, I can recommend it if you have Stollen left over.

Galen

Annsixty, you gave me a laugh as I read your post about the bread and stollen pudding. Then you said it was delicious, I shall have to have try it myself next year.

Oh Galen that is horrendous, I agree with cornergran what a way to hear the news. Do they live far away from you? Can you talk some sense into them?

No. They’ve been threatening to commit suicide for years. They’ve decided they just want to die!
Their sister is thing of going to visit to talk. She lives in Gloucester, they’re in Cambridge.
There is no way I could do it.

If you wonder about the plural. They’ve now decided they’re non binary and should be addressed as such

galen, what an awful thing. How are you? Are you in contact? You know we are here if you need to talk.

Thank you for the update panache. I hope you really are getting enough help.

Gentle hugs to Macs and take care of yourself too.

I think your situation is more difficult than ours, ann. Very difficult for you. I think I'll pass on the stollen thingy.

We don't ever get even a promise of DH doing anything in the kitchen except cheese on toast - sometimes!

When we go away we have a pet sitting service come in. The lady comes in twice a day to feed, pet and do the litter trays. She will also do lights and curtains. She charges £5 per visit.

Thank you all for your kind wishes for DH. We are both fine if emotionally drained - though that could be to do with having lunch with Dh's university friends today.

With apologies if I've missed anyone.

galen so sorry about your news. I have no idea what to say really. No one wants their child to feel like that. What a sad situation to be in. So dreadfully sorry for you all.

Very sorry to hear that, Galen.
I remember you saying that he/she wanted to change a few years ago. It's a complicated process.
Wishing you all bon courage.

Galen, what a terrible shock. An awful way for you to hear such distressing news. X

So much to catch up on over the last few days - mostly such sad news.

Galen how awful for you - not only with the dreadful news and the way you've found out but that you can't visit or talk to your child. I hope their sibling can get through and talk them into having treatment.

Morethan the book sounds wonderful - no wonder it was difficult to hold back the emotions!

Lovely pictures of little ones over the last few days (both human and canine/feline).

Ann so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. My cousin's wife had bladder cancer for many years - about 17 I think. She periodically had chemo bladder washes which seemed to keep it in check before she finally passed away last year from Parkinsons. Molly looks delightful - she will be such a comfort from you. I had a Molly years ago too who lived to be 23

Panache I've been heartened to read Mr P is making progress and that help and support is finally starting to come through but sorry to find out you are having spinal problems. I hope you have some pain relief medication for that.

Soop it is indeed a worry that MacS's cough is so bad - what a good GP you have to persuade him to go in for a consult!

The B&B pudding with stollen sounds good - I've seen it done with panettone too. I caused some hilarity last week when I decided to use up some over ripe bananas and make a cake - I added some baking powder to the recipe then happened to glance at the lid. Use by Oct 1988!! I'm sure I've baked at least once in the last 30 years! Anyway the cake is fine and the tub has now been replaced - I'll be long gone before that one is binned

I have taken the plunge and started to paint our 25 year old solid oak dining furniture. I've experimented with a small table to start with but am quite pleased with the result so will progress on with the large wall unit next week. I'm currently back in the bungalow tonight with Daph as the boiler man is coming tomorrow with a new thermostat.

Apologies to all those I have missed. I have read everything and will try to keep on top in future.

Meanwhile here is a Victorian sponge my friend has brought for us today - enjoy!

So sorry Galen, and how sad that you had to find out in that way. I hope that their sister can persuade them to change their mind.
Panache, lovely to hear from you as always, pleased to hear that your husband is making progress.
All my best wishes to the 60s and the Lesters, hopeful of a good outcome.
Nice to see you back Synonymous.
Come on MacS, show that cough what`s what, scare it away!

Sorry to hear of your troubles Galen

Perhaps once they have got used to the news Galen they will consider treatment. Do they have a partner that may influence them? Thinking of you.

Just seen your news Galen, so sorry to hear this. Sending love to you and your son/daughter and their sibling. Thinking of you x

So sorry to see your post Galen. I do wish you and your family the very best.

Oh my goodness, what a shock for you Galen, to hear news like that via FB is not good.
My thoughts are with you and hope that given time to reflect they will reconsider having treatment.
My best wishes to all as I pass through the kitchen, I can't sit down because of the bad back.

Hello the kitchen. Ann I told you the stollen B&B would be a success! I will not join you in a slice as I have to lose about five pounds (and then some!). I thought my scales were to blame for the stratospheric rise but no. I tried DDs yesterday and they also gave me a hefty slap on the wrist!

Willow I’m glad I am not the only one who has prehistoric items in her baking cupboard and has used them!

The drawing lesson yesterday was a complete waste of effort on my part and lack of effort on his. How difficult can it be to draw an apple? To actually SEE an apple! Anyway, GS was getting a bit grumpy so we abandoned the pencils, ate the apple and settled down to watch his favourite recording - Christmas Bake Off! He is running in the City Schools Cross Country Championships tomorrow and fortunately he is better at running than drawing! I will be cheering him on as usual.
Good vibes go out to Kitty and Mr L today.??. I will look in later.

Thinking of you Galen and quite frankly rather stumped for words,but fully realising that you must be in a real torment of mind..........as are the one`s involved.
Truly feeling your inner pain.

Gd it is very hard to draw an apple though. Take it from me. I can do you a wonderful visual analysis or critical analysis of a still life painting, but draw? Never in a millions years but I still managed an MA in Art History. Even now I still have the odd stab at drawing but to no avail. I really envy people who can but have to be content it is not one of my skills in life! Perhaps go off at a tangent and get him interested in colour, form and structure in nature via photography?

Well my previously diminishing lurgy has reasserted itself this morning with a newly running nose and other symptoms you do not wish to know about. ? I also fear that MacS and my CH are sharing the same cough, Roll on summer I say.

I now have more travel brochures to peruse so will leave you all in peace, in the hope that you all enjoy the day as much as possible.

Afternoon all,

Not sure where to start today. Sad news from Ann and Kitty , hopefully there are some treatments that will help.

Galen , I cant even begin to comprehend the level of your distress. On FB of all things - so , so sad. I hope that some sense can be talked .

Nothing of any interest here , and not a day for chit chat I suspect , so Ill snitch a bit of the stolen thingie Ann and leave everyone in need my warmest wishes and kindest thoughts xx