Soop's super supportive kitchen (with a wing for poorly menfolk)

I do hope it goes ahead Ann. Please get back to us. Wishing you well, and I’ll be thinking of you.

Good evening friends and I hope you've all had as good a day as possible in your current circumstances. I thought 2018 was a personally bad year but this one is not showing much promise at the moment . I have lost 2 dear friends and an acquaintance in the last 3-and-a bit weeks, plus a young family member has been diagnosed with a peculiar problem in his lungs. This too shall pass - I hope.

On the plus side your photos cheer me immensely and young girlie Persie beating the boys to the top of the climb brought a grin to my face. Took my DGS to the park the other day and he had a hissy fit when he got to the top of the slide as it was a bit damp (melted mist) and he didn't want to go down it. Thankfully there was no-one climbing up behind him as it took ages for him to control his fear of the unknown and go back down the steps Apparently his grandad was a bit fussy like that as a child, didn't like getting sticky fingers or crumbs on his clothes when eating.

DGS has a fear of dogs, has a mini panic attack when he sees one, despite having 4 in the extended family that he visits quite regularly. 'Keep calm and stand still till they/we pass' has become a mantra but rarely works, especially if the owners say something like 'Oh he won't hurt, he likes children, he's just being friendly'. A business premises near my house has recently closed and is currently guarded 24/7 by a large noisy brute of a dog (with handler permanently attached). It is difficult to explain to an autistic child why most dogs are ok but that one is not and that's why we cross the road at a different point than we always used to, so we don't set the dog off doing his job and barking furiously.

Enough for tonight. Peace and love to all who are facing difficulties yet still find time and strength to support others. The kitchen is the best place to be so I have left a bottle of (homemade but not by me) quince vodka in the fridge and some macarons from a Waitrose recipe in an airtight tin on the side for tomorrow's elevenses - but don't tell those in the men's ward

Just popping in to wish ann an easy time with the consultant. I doubt there will be much argument really but we will be there with you in spirit.

I hope that dragonfly is feeling a little better today.

swanny I'm with your Dh's as far as dogs go. I love family ones but am very wary of ones that I don't know.

galen (((hugs))).

May I be excused duties in the husband day care dept- patience is very thin on the ground round here. Though DH has managed to sort out an appointment for his cystoscopy so at least something is happening.

On reading Swanny's post I am reminded that I bottled my Sloe Gin yesterday and what a sticky job that is.
So I have left a bottle on the side, it is quite strong so I don't think we should serve any to the men in the ward.
Very frosty here this morning but clear and bright.

Thanks Belladonnafor the advice. Coo it works. How do I join this oasis of tranquillity?

lullydully, looks like you have!! Welcome!!

It is customary for first time visitors to bring cake - just saying!!

LullyDully just come in and draw up a chair (it helps if you bring cake). Welcome.

It is now snowing and settling, oh joy ?

Just sidle in Lully, grab a handful of whatever cake is going and a comfy seat and put your feet up!
Good morning, the kitchen. I feel old this morning. It is my youngest child’s 48th birthday today. She is still my baby and I don’t know where all that time has gone. I hope we will get over to see her later today.
Ann I hope that the meeting with the consultant results in a sensible strategy for DH’s treatment, and is not too trying for you.
Swanny your post reminded me of when we took GS to an air show, where the Army had erected a rather high climbing tower, which he was desperate to have a go at. He was eight at the time and quite small for his age. I wasn’t keen. The guy in charge said “just go as far as you feel ok with” thinking he would go up a few feet and then come back down. He kept going, and going, and going, like Jack and the Beanstalk, until he was about three feet from the top. My knees were turning to jelly. Then he turned round, looked down and and said “Is this far enough? Please may I come back down now?”
I have to phone my son later. We are going away with them in the Spring and we had agreed a venue that sounded ideal, but now he has changed the goalposts a bit and it now sounds less than ideal, so we have to have a discussion before any money changes hands. There will be an amicable outcome but it needs to be one that makes allowance for the fact that it is, in fact, supposed to be a holiday, not an SAS training course based in the middle of nowhere!
We are having a quiet day today. DH said yesterday he thought he had been trying to do too much too soon (Why is it that you can keep telling a man something and he will totally ignore you until it suddenly dawns on him that it is sensible advice and not nagging?). I shall be making Anzac biscuits later and I shall make enough for the kitchen. They are healthy - ish!

Morning all! Welcome lully. Making chutney this morning for a young friend’s wedding. They are having a cheese tower in the evening. Lots of chopping and simmering! Thank goodness for W...o - I had downsized my jam jar collection but now have a set of new, shiny, matching jars!

PS Good luck Ann and the Lesters

Good morning all. Strange occurrence during the night. I awoke and looked out of the window and was TOTALLY CONVINCED there was a thick covering of snow on the ground and weighing down the branches of the trees. It was a sparkling wonderland. Woke up later and of course there is not a scrap of snow anywhere. Either a dream or a premonition, not sure which.

I have Anne, Swanny and several others in my thoughts today. Also Greyduster - you are not alone. The CH said yesterday he felt old as his youngest turned 40. Time marches on.

Out for coffee with a dear friend later for a catch-up then to the pool for a swim. Gym tomorrow. Its all go.

I have just been to the poorly wing and am sad to have to report that several of the incumbents are not following the rules. Two still have newpapers all over the place, Mr Duster has been spoken to AGAIN regarding safe stowage of his walking stick, and something sticky has been spilt on one of the tables. Skin clinic is at 14:00 hrs when it is hoped that McS is given help. The creche area (for gentlemen whose ladies need a rest) seems to be filling fast, with only one space. So ladies if you are fraught, need some space and so on, you need to apply soon.

Snow has fallen in parts of the country, Ann is a witness so we must be prepared. Have we enough shovels for the invalids to use to get soop and MacS's ground free from snow? They must pay their way there, food is not cheap and neither is nursing care.

jGrannyQ's husband is fit and healthy, he can show this lot the correct way of doing the job and make sure that they do it properly, no slacking.

Just passing through and thought I would let you know that DS did get a very good photograph of the lunar eclipse, I posted it on good morning Monday.
Best wishes to all poorly people.

I saw that photo harri - it was brilliant. You should post it on here. I wish I had seen the eclipse, but by the time I was brave enough to get out of bed it was clouded. I did take one earlier, though not the blood moon.

The sky here is very strange, as if it wants to do something apocalyptic but can’t quite make its mind up!

Posted elsewhere but for those that missed the blood moon from Monday morning, here it is.

Afternoon all, ( at ease in the men's wing !!)

So busy in here and so little time today but thought I would pop in to warm up - yes - same as last year despite a service , the temperature drops to below 0 and the boiler packs up!!

I woke up to ice inside the windows and Sam had nudged open the door in the night and was curled up under a blanket on the end of the bed - unheard of behaviour!!!

The 'man' is coming later . I hope he can fix it as we have no hot water either.

No dentist in sight either but more calls this afternoon, an NHS dentist is harder to find than the yeti!!

Sorry to hear of the whole dog issue Swanny as a dog lover , there is nothing better than to see a child and a beloved pet but totally get how scary it can be to a child. Our local rescue centre does 'cuddle a kitten' afternoons and 'hug a pup' . They get very young litters in and this is an ideal way of socialising the animals and introducing them to your children. Maybe there would be something near you?

I am off to thaw out in the local library - so wishing you all a warmer day than me !!

I echo all the good wishes that have appeared on your behalf, Ann. Us lot are rooting for you and your husband.

Doodle Your favourite chair and Harris tartan cushion are reserved for whenever you can manage to pop in.

Willow should you need to step in for bed bathing the not-so -poorly-menfolk (who are awfully quiet, right now) then may I recommend Carbolic soap...none of that gentle Dove!!!

LullyDully A very warm welcome. Make yourself comfortable.
I have a Kindle (basic in most respects.) When I wish to embolden a name, I go to the key board thingy, and use the asterisk before and after the name is typed in.

megan123 Your post made me smile. That's what we're all about.

grannyqueenie Those not-so-poorly menfolk are not permitted to hang around in the corridor. Did you make a note of their names? If so, please report to Matron and her team of experts. If they (the patients) are well enough to grumble, then they are well enough to make themselves useful with such duties as emptying the bedpans.

Greyduster Tell me please...are you enjoying your upgraded status?

Swanny Peace and love to you and those you care for.

Ann This sticky Sloe gin is rather potent. I've only had a treble and I'm already tipsy.

Greyduster Us lot need to compromise from time to time. When a member of the family suggests that it is less trouble for MacS and I to travel by bus/plane/taxi from the West Coast of Scotland to the Home Counties...I agree. Well, they are worth it. That's what counts.

Izabella You are a star. Keep up the good work with the not-so-poorly menfolk. As my father liked to say to me, (when I was a child)...give you a yard and you take a mile! And, there was I thinking that I was such a good little girl.

harrigran The photo is a winner. I wish that we had taken one a fraction as good.

N&G I shall post a photo of the scene through our window of the snow-capped mountains.

I lost my credit card this morning. Have since been in touch with the bank and reported/cancelled it.

The care home was busy today. I enjoyed visiting. Thankfully the roads were clear.

MacSporran is most definitely improving. That is a huge relief. Tomorrow will be the funeral of our dear pal in the village. I shall attend. It wouldn't be sensible for MacS to do so.

I have just lost a very long and detailed post and my tablet is not behaving.
Things with H are to stay as they are, they do not want to hospitalize him with surgery and the aftercare involving catheters etc. They feel he would not cope.
Talk of taking him off apixaban and also bladder washouts if things accelerate.
I am very relieved that we all were thinking the same way.

Ann Yes! xxx

The view through the window...

ann so pleased to hear that is a weight off your mind and shoulders. I think H would be very distressed not understanding why he has catheters or is in so much pain post op.

What a beautiful view, Soop. I'm jealous.

Oh to be on the Mull of Kintyre. Beautiful Soop.
My love and thoughts are with all you lovely Kitcheners x