Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

Those were lovely photos of happy, smiling people.

hopefully those with dental problems albeit self inflicted, will get themselves sorted pdq. before the next BH falls.

It has been very quiet here- I also have been thinking of morethan and the Panaches and how each family is coping with different problems.

soop would it not be better to slowly consume the chocolates because they go "off" in time. There should be a use by date on the box. It is not as though the pair of you are devouring them at once. Treat yourselves.

corner I was unsure whether your friend may not rather like her temporary abode and stay a little longer but it would appear not and you have the house to yourselves again.

That is rather nice if you were not slaving away in the kitchen preparing Christmas lunch.

I went to a local shopping centre on Boxing Day to meet a friend and not having been there for 20 years I can well understand why I have decided it may be another 20 before I set foot there. Luckily I went by bus or I would still be driving around looking for a parking space.

We had a lovely lunch and a good catch up but I was glad to arrive home early evening. I was in bed with the babies that night having walked my legs off that day.

TV for me is abysmal but I do have stuff I recorded. A glass or two of wine will take the edge off that disappointment. I am looking forward to the new series of Luther starting at New Year.

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Glad you got home alright eventually Anno, although your journey sounded a little fraught.
For anyone who`d like to see him, this is little Max at Christmas, aged 8 months.

The busiest day of the year on the railways and I chose to travel home! I had, inadvertently carelessly, booked my seat for the 28th, though my return ticket was an 'any day' one until mid January. I was astonished, when checking my booking, to find that today was the 27th! I really needed to be home today, so I chanced it - went to the information desk at Oxford Station and the helpful young man checked to find out if there was an unbooked seat available. There wasn't, but I boarded the train anyway. It was bursting at the seams, even in the 1st class carriage. I must have been looking frail and elderly because it wasn't long before a young man offered me his seat and, when another passenger came along and claimed it, a young woman gave me her seat. It was embarrassing, because it was my fault that I didn't have a reserved seat, but I couldn't refuse...now could I?
Several delays later, involving things like urgent repairs to points on the line, I reached home about an hour later than expected and the peace and quiet is wonderful! Much as I love my GC, it's good to have small doses of them. Having said that, my 16-year-old GD brought her violin and played carols accompanied by her uncle (my DS2) on his guitar. All very impressive. She may be setting a precedent for future Christmases.

Lovely photos GreyD, which one is you, hope you`re the lovely smiler in the middle?
Feeling, I`m full of admiration for you, a sterling effort, hope it was well appreciated.
Ann, sorry your day didn`t have a very good start, I hope that both you and your husband are feeling a little more relaxed by now.
I couldn`t get my usual Tesco delivery spot, 11 am to noon, had to settle for 5 till 6 pm, but then had a call from the driver at 4.30pm to ask if he could deliver straightaway, so that`s out of the way now.
Soop, I wish we were closer, I`d pay you to do my ironing! I`ve discovered in the last 2 days that we may not be making our pilgrimage to Kintyre in April, most of the family either can`t afford it or have other commitments at the time. I can`t come alone, the travelling would be a bit of a buggeration on my own, I`d probably get lost, or onto the wrong train, something would go wrong. I`m sad not to be going though.
Anno, I hope you get your filling assorted soon.

Thank you for your kind post, corner.

Before I log off, I also send extra special thoughts to morethan and the Panaches. I must confess to not being entirely happy with Panache's lack of proper support. If and when you feel like giving us lot a wee update, we would welcome hearing from you.

My waistband is a tad tight. I shall be glad to get back to my normal routine. Although all the extra treats have been well received and enjoyed, I do not like the plump tum that I've aquired. It always bothers me. Even though MacSporran says things like - you are perfect, I ^know otherwise^If only I had inherited the tallness gene. Being 5' means that every extra ounce shows. Anyone agree?

Although mild, the day has been several shades of grey. It is dark. That means it is time to refurbish the chalet in the hope that Tabitha may treat us to a sighting.

Care home visit in the morning. I am at sixes and sevens where days of the week are concerned. It feels like Wednesday.

Night night. [tch smile]

Afternoon All. It’s been manic. We’ve rushed hither and yon and looked after our friend in between. All worth it to spend such special time with the family, we’ve been very lucky. Our friend has been collected and taken home so it’s eerily quiet, just us now.

At least we had little food to transport feeling, sounds a logistical miracle. A busy one for you too callgirl. I’m lucky Christmas Day meal was cooked for me. Very spoilt.

Hope the ironing passed without injury soop, loved the elegant photo. I’m in awe of your resolve, the two boxes of chocolates here will be going nowhere .

You’ve had a busy Christmas too greyd, the photos ooze happiness. No gin here, I’d be envious if it didn’t disagree with me .

Oh dear ann, sometimes life is just unfair and overly complicated. I’m sorry your husband has had to go through that and you’ve had the stress. Please try not to worry. Hope you can relax this evening.

Christmas isn’t the time for lost fillings, seem to be a lot of tooth issues about. Nuisance or what?

Been thinking of you all and apologies to those I’ve invariably missed. Have had a special thought for Mr and Mrs panache and morethan and her family.

A quiet couple of day ahead for us. Wishing you all a restful time.

callgirl1 You did remarkably well. Entertaining anyone other than oneself, can be a major source of stress, especially at Christmas.

Nannytopsy Helping to keep the peace between a feline and cannine member of the family, is a mammoth task. Hoorah for turkey!

Feelingmyage Go to the top of the class. Your efforts were awesome...

ann One buggeration after another. Talk about testing your metal. You are a wonder woman.

Duty done. "Wages" in the box in the knicker-drawer. We are saving up for a Spring-time short stay in the Heelands. Well worth the effort, in my opinion.

Greyduster I enjoyed your family photos. Whopping smiles all round.

Doodle The gift of a magnificent box of Thornton's special edition chocolates, have been re-wrapped. I dare not open the box. MacSporran doesn't wish to have the entire box to himself way up in his private man den. Someone, somewhere, at sometime, will be lucky enough to receive them.

Oh dear, those cystoscopy's aren't pleasant either.It's usually a urology consultant or his registrar who performs them-----but sadly like everything else things may have changed.

My personal view is that had it been serious he'd have been seen in under two weeks so fingers crossed on that one. Also the falls team are pretty much on the ball so I can only imagine that they must be busy.

I fully understand that there's nothing worse than this waiting for different appointments.as you can't get your mind set on anything.

Well that's 3 hours of my life I will never get back.
Phone call at 8.30am, the care home had sttaff ring in sick so no-one could go with me.
Got to hospital exactly on time as pre-booked taxi was late.
Nurse came eventually to ask for a urine sample, no chance, and asked if we knew why we were there.
It was for a camera in the bladder test, as H could not understand it would have to be a Dr do it , not a specialist nurse , all to do with not being able to give consent.
The bladder scan showed a problem, may or may not be serious we have to go back in 3 weeks to go through the whole thing again.
Care home also told me he has been referred by the new GP to the falls clinic as his falls are now more frequent, that appt is in Feb.
My D has gone home and I am thoroughly fed up.
Oh and Molly is booked in for her "first kitten check" next Wed.

Lovely happy pictures. A good start to my day.

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My goodness where does time go in this kitchen? I am still sitting in bed, girding my loins for a journey to DS’s later to join his family and friends, although he and DiL were here with DD and her menfolk yesterday and we had a lot of food and a lot of fun, but I was so tired last night I was in bed before nine! Party pooper!

Anno that’s a bummer! I remember buying DH a box of his favourite Thornton’s toffee as a peace offering and the first piece he ate pulled a big filling out ?. He hasn’t eaten toffee since.

Soop lovely photos of a handsome couple! I’m glad you both had a lovely Christmas. I could have done with an ACC Captain (they know how to do high level catering in the Forces, as well as ‘yer everyday grub’) in my kitchen yesterday, but my DS, who trained as a chef, was a good sub. He has a habit of coming in and taking over. I just follow orders!

Ann I had a gin centred present too. A set of six gin glasses with a miniature specialist gin to go with each glasses and a box of botanicals. Someone is trying to tell me something! I like it! I too have this year’s home made sloe gin (for medicinal purposes you understand!). I hope your DH’s hospital appointment goes well today and there are no ‘nasties’ in store for him. You both have enough to deal with.

I will leave you with a couple of photos from yesterday. I am smiling. This is so momentous it deserves recognition.

You have my admiration Feeling. That was no mean feat! Glad you are safely home. I will sit here with a cup of tea if I may - can’t sleep after more than a couple of glasses of wine these days ?. Self inflicted I know.

Very belatedly catching up. At the last minute Christmas was transported lock, stock and barrel three hours drive away. Lots of last minute packing of all the food, decorations, crackers drinks, the lot! Pulled it off and safely home. Whew. Nothing forgotten, dropped, spilt or gone off in the moving - a minor miracle. Drama over. I think the day could well have been described as ‘a moveable feast’. Stretched out on the sofa in your lovely kitchen just breathing. Lots of mixed emotion, just trying to keep the happiest ones on top. Hope that all of you have got through Christmas in the best way for you and that happy memories have smoothed the bumpy parts of the season.

Well done Anno - done that all too often! Who are those elegant folks in your photo Soop?!
Just got to bed- we now have two dogs and one cat staying. There has only been one small scrap between the dogs and the cat hasn’t scratched anyone - yet! We keep placating him with offerings of turkey.
Sleep well everyone x

I`ve just realised that I meant to say what lovely photos of Soop and MacSporran, and missed it out, so sorry Soop, you both look lovely.

A chaotic Christmas with family. And my crowning folly has been to mistake a caramel for a soft centre, thereby removing a filling. When I get home tomorrow I will have to phone my dentist hoping he is back from his honeymoon! Thankfully, it's not painful. Yet. It would be good to get it fixed before I'm off again next week.

Hello All, and a belated Happy Christmas to you all. This is the first chance I`ve had to post since very late on Christmas Eve. It wasn`t a bad day yesterday, most of the family dropped in at various times, I got flustered as usual whilst cooking then dinner, which was alright, but for some reason I only ate half of mine. I got lots of nice presents, I won`t brag though. I got up this morning intending to do as little as possible, and managed to stick to that pretty well.
Ann, I hope that you had a nice Christmas, and I also hope that you can show us your lovely photo.
Morethan, nice to see you, I hope your family managed to have a happy Christmas.
Panache, I`m glad that you have your dear husband home with you for Christmas, but am so unhappy that you still don`t have the help that you so desperately need. I so hope that it will be a very Happy New Year for you and Mr Panache x

Hello all. I am full. Never want to see another chocolate ? Well not till tomorrow anyway. Hope you are all ok. Hope the panaches are managing and you have all had some joy and happiness this Christmas. Lovely photos of you and McSporran soop. Sleep well all.

Thank you, yet again, Morecambe & Wise and Andre Previn/Preview for all the laughter. Genius!

Time to say farewell. I shall be here in our kitchen after ironing duty in the morning. How time flies when you're enjoying yourself. ?

Thank you for your kind words, GrannyGravy13. We two are doing likewise.

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Welcome Fennel Brunette10 and Chewbacca and a warm Boxing day greeting to all you lovely lot.

mumofmadboys Your advice to Panache is sound. I cannot believe that she is in a totally unmanagable situation. Should any mishap befall either of the Panaches it will be due, in part, to neglect.

ann You are one of the most unselfish people that I know. Whatever you decision you make, will be based on true love.

We spent a quiet Christmas day enjoying simple pleasures. Our friend's birthday party in the evening was filled with laughter, although sadly, two of our pals couldn't join us. As they were leaving home, our friend's catheter came out. A district nurse will attend to the replacement some time today. There were eleven guests at the party. The hostess was at one time a Captain in the Army Catering Corps. She has the gift of creating five star hospitality, and remaining sane. A wonderful evening rounded off with a wee sing song.

I’m guessing the party’s at your place then Ann....

Annsixty it is not selfish of you not to want your dear husband to go through operations and procedures that he cannot understand.

Mum and my sister and I had to make the same decision about my stepfather, they kept him comfortable and pain free. He was non the wiser and was able to remain in his dementia home where he was comfortable.

I am worried about the Panache’s , I hope they can get help and support as soon as possible.

We are having a lazy day here, just MrGG and myself, wishing you all a joyous and peaceful Boxing Day.

May all your troubles be small and imminently solvable ???

I forgot the case of wine, 3 red, 3 white. Since H has been in the care home I obviously never open a bottle of wine so I must start entertaining again.
I have asked for a carer to go with me tomorrow as I struggle to push a wheelchair around the hospital and dress and undress him in a small cubicle as he cannot do any of that for himself.
It is also the results I am dreading, I do know that if the worst happens I will not put him through ops and treatment unless it is to make him comfortable, is that very selfish of me?