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

corner\ its a couple of weeks until your night out next month- could you not hold your breath in and not sit down?!

Ann Molly was such a good little girl at the vet's today- pleased that you are so proud of her. I agree she needs to be microchipped.

Like corner this week is overtaking me but at least I am well which is a minor miracle because everywhere I go people are wheezing and sneezing.

corner a river over the fence sounds lovely but the way my mind works I was thinking of heavy rain and flooding- doom and gloom, I may change my name.

I am so pleased that we downsized before all of our current circumstances fell in on us! It is very difficult to even contemplate moving when you are struggling with 'life as it is' but often the downsizing is the only way to reduce the pressures. It is very much a head thing above all else because you feel you can't do it.

We too used the packing and unpacking services of a removal firm and it was the very best thing we have ever done in regard to moving and made it so easy. They will also sort into dispersal piles and take unwanted items to charity shops, homeless shelters and even ebay them for you. Yes, I know it costs but it costs far more physically and mentally to be in a difficult position which makes your condition increasingly worse and in fact the cost was not as high as we feared mainly because we gave them a budget ceiling and used a small local firm.

Another difficulty is also in recognising that your rainy day has arrived and it is time to spend on yourselves especially when you have always been frugal, very private and your mantra is "we can manage" even though it is obvious to others that you can't. One of our neighbours is just like this and having turned down so much help is now highly critical of all of us around her as well as the social services for not giving the help already refused. Little wonder that now everyone just shrugs.

Popped in for a friendly chat. Wrote a response. Lost said response and was gifted an entire text of Chinese characters. Buggerations and all that nonsense.

Well done, Matron and staff. The gentleman in the annexe look as though butter wouldn't melt...
Was it the threat of the extra stiff loofha ot the vast bottle of Castor Oil that restored the status quo?

On the subject of the weigh-i at the close of day. Could it be an accumulation of wind that tips the scales?
I now have a pre-op assessment on Monday to look forward to. Let joy be unconfined.

corner Fraughtness, you can do without. Tell it to buggeration off.

Good girl, Molly! You are such a wee darling. We have a cost blanket reserved in the kitchen.

Synonymous You are so right. We also find it strange to "put ourselves before the family". Of course we deserve to make life a little less stressful for ourselves. It's a tough learning curve, isn't it?

I’m popping in to give an update on my DiL. Her consultant says the brain cancer has shrunk and swelling has gone down. There are some signs of somthing under her armpits and deposits on her liver but she has lost over two stone since her treatment in October. They are hoping that they are fatty deposits. Scans etc are being sorted as we speak. She really has struggled this time and not bounced back as quickly. She hardly eats and somtimes has to spend the day in bed. Christmas was a huge strain on all of the family pretending to be happy when in fact we were worried sick. I know I don’t follow all the trails and tribulations and of course the happy news in the kitchen but my excuse is I’m doing more childcare and school runs. I’m ashamed to say I’m often to tired to do anything. All my enthusiasm has gone. We are all just plodding one foot in front of the other. My husband has paid for me to go on holidays with his sister to Mexico at the end of February and I wish he hadn’t it just feels like another thing to have to organise. I just want to sit and listen to radio 4 or watch somthing boring on television. Hugs to those with worries or illness.

Do not feel ashamed of being tired, morethan. Of course, you're tired with all the stress of your DiL's illness and the extra duties you've taken on.

I'm often too tired even without that sort of worry. Fortunately I can usually just crash out for a while when I need to.

Insert "rest" after the crossing out.

Quick update on MrBaggs: he seems to have pretty much recovered from the bug he had. He's been working from home for the last three days. Still coughing a bit but he habitually coughs a fair bit anyway.

morethan you know that we know enough about your situation to realise you must be tired out most of the time and you shouldn't worry about anyone's thoughts on the matter.
A holiday will do you good but having to organise it is just too much.
You should be presented with tickets, passport ready , a packed suitcase and a time to be at the airport.
Keep us up to date when you feel like it.

morethan When I read your previous post I had no idea that your daughter's condition was the cause of your stress. I apologise from the bottom of my heart. Please forgive me.
As Baggs and Ann have already said, you have been stretched to capacity for such a long time. Please try to relax. I know that relaxing is something that you must find nigh impossible. Mt thoughts are with you. Bless you xxx

Baggs Mr Baggs has made a swift recovery. I'm pleased about that. Mac's cough has completely cleared. The rash is fading fast. We are going shopping together tomorrow. Almost back to normal, for which I'm grateful.

I have been finishing a pet portrait this afternoon. The last hour is always the trickiest. I repeat over and over...do NOT over-work and muddy the work thus far.

I am pleased with the result. Will share with you next week, (after the recipient has received the painting).

It's farewell for now. I shall return as soon as I'm able.

Don’t fret charley, it’s a little river and there is an effective floodplain, there’s never been a flood so I refuse to worry that there may be. I am giving myself a week until ‘try on’ day, ever hopeful that I am that a shrinking miracle will occur.

Oh morethan, of course you’re exhausted, why wouldn’t you be? A holiday could help, and will once you arrive, but so much better if you didn’t have to organise things.

Good news that mr baggs has recovered baggs, equally good that you remain bug free. Sounds as if macs is back to his usual self soop, you must be relieved.

Since my last post I’ve heard a cousin has died. Totally unexpectedly, no illness, she literally fell asleep. We were born in the same year, the news has made me think a bit.

Time for some supper here, take care everyone.

corner I am about to pm you xxx

Evening all,

Sorry to hear how worn out you feel morethen , totally understandable. Maybe once youre actually on holiday you'll feel better?

I need to catch up in the kitchen but have been in and out all day. Got good news from the renal consultant and some bad news from the dentist but I'll survive both lol

I'll be back in tomorrow all caught up and raring to go !!

morethan I have pm'd you. I must try to stick to one job at a time. This afternoon's agenda was full-on. I had a painting to complete, hospital appointments to deal with, jobs to tackle aboot the hoos. To be honest, I didn't know whether I was coming or going. Got my knickers in a hell of a twist.
I fully intend paying proper attention when I pop into the kitchen tomorrow afternoon. Bless you. X

Morning all,

Why does a day without a dentists apt in it look like such a nice day ;-)

I have some time to make up my mind what treatment option Ill go with but it wont be the £4000 for 2 implants ! I have one already but I was working in a well paid job , now I'm a retiree with no pension as the government continue to move the goal posts I cant justify that sort of spend !!So I'll give it some thought.

PS I hate the dentist

Looking at a few days with not much happening here in deepest Norfolk. The weather is cold and grey and not really conducive to doing more than staying in the warm and eating cake !!

Glad MrBaggs has made it through Baggs and deepest sympathies Corner on the loss of your cousin, what a shock. Its those losses that make you feel mortal isn't it?

Synonymous , very wise words about recognising your rainy day has arrived !

I am off to persuade Grampy to make eggs and soldiers for breakfast :-) wish me luck !!

Hello the kitchen. I am having a take it easy day, as my hip hurts today. I think it’s all the driving I’m not used to doing anymore. I told DH when we bought this car that we should have got an automatic. Hey ho. Although he has been discharged from the men’s ward, he is still struggling and has phoned the doc this morning for advice (I hope he takes it, cos he won't take mine!), so we await her call. I hope she tells him to find an osteopath!

morethan I think a holiday is just what you could do with and I hope you will go. When you are as wrung out physically and emotionally as you are, a change of pace and scene will recharge your batteries.

Corner I am sorry to hear about your cousin. Sudden death is such a shock. It happened with my eldest sister. One minute she was chatting to her youngest daughter while watching TV, then she closed her eyes and was gone. My niece thought she’d just nodded off. As you say, such things tend to bring you up short.

N&G sounds like to you have a lot to think about from your dental visit. If you need to rob a bank, I have a pair of old tights and a pretty realistic looking water pistol! To quote the sainted Kenneth Williams, “Hand up your sticks and gimme the money!” Dentists certainly know how to charge ☹️.
We went out for a meal last night and I ordered a fish pie. I always thought a fish pie should have fish in it. Not this one. It just seemed to be a pastry case (??) with mashed potato on the top. I looked in vain and then called over the waitress, who also poked it around and then took it away and brought me another. There wasn’t a lot more in that one. I just sighed and got on with it. Like yer do! Suffice it to say we will not be going there again.
I will look in later.

A grey day here but punctuated with the most cheering birdsong from an individual of generous heart currently situated in the beech tree outside the window. It reminds me of that wonderful poem by Thomas Hardy, The Darkling Thrush with hope underpinning the wider theatre of the poem. On the other hand a very dejected heron stands by the still frozen pond. It spends hours looking intently for movement to no avail at the moment. Both seem a reflection of life itself in the kitchen at the moment.

Well the poorly wing is free of residents at the moment, but all remains ready for admissions following a deep clean after the last resident moved out. So in the lost property cupboard there remains the following; one tube of Anusol (unopened) 29p in loose change, the racing almanac, 3 socks, (two pairs unused) a quantity of gentlemans ties, a selection of rubber bands, a walking stick, one slipper , one dressing gown cord and four pairs of pyjamas. All items to be held for 10 days only when they will be donated to the clothing bank.

I shall look in later in case further admissions are warranted. In the meantime I shall review my offline music in preparation for travel.

All of the laundry is washed and dried. I would quite like the weekend free so maybe if the residents could do their own washing? I do realise that many would not know what to do with washing liquid, powder or tablets.

I think I may give a demonstration on Tuesday re how to work a washing machine, especially why one does not mix a white sheet with gardening clothes full of mud or wash a shirt on its own.

I need a rant, I am not going to bore you with all the details but Barclaycard is on my hit list.
I phoned at the beginning of this week to close the account which my H has held since Adam was a lad, he used it for petrol mostly.
It was always cleared by DD at the end of each month.
I have used it recently for purchases when I wanted the protection in case of things going wrong.
I am cleaning up all financial affairs now H is in care and don't anticipate being able to make large purchases in the future due to care home fees.
I have received a letter this morning saying that as we are unable to make even the minimum payment!!!! The account is on hold and Credit reference agencies will be informed.
They have not taken this months payment so we are now in arrears but very handsomely they will not charge interest for 30 days.
The whole tone of the letter was so distressing and bore no relevance to the previous phone call.
I phoned immediately to be told they could not even speak to me about it, I tried to explain, no chance, they would not even listen.
Data protection is responsible for good and bad.
I have now got a very strongly worded letter and POA ready to post.
I have had to send the original, as to send a copy, I had to get it verified at a local Barclays branch, nearest 12 miles away and not on a bus route from here.
When did life become so complicated?

Just popped in to see if anyone needs (candles) anything from Ikea? ? DH is up for an outing today and if I can say that the anything (candles) is for one of you I may get away with buying some. Don’t think I could get away with a cushion!

How does the strike through work on an iPad?

I’ll bring back some Daim cake later

So sorry. I actually closed mine last month. I sent an online request pointing out the account had a nil balance and I received an online reply 2 days later saying account closed. Perhaps you have just been unlucky, but it is certainly the last thing you need with everything else going on.

Thanks Izabella this was because the account was in my H's name and he is incapable of doing anything.
I should have been deceitful and sent an e-mail purporting to have come from him.
Actually I couldn't have done that as I had cut his card up when he became incapable to stop anyone using it fraudulently.
I have my own card but on the same account, so I am just an additional cardholder.

Words fail me Ann Where is common sense and compassion? So sorry you have more to deal with. I want to stamp my foot on your behalf. Hope the rant helped just a bit. Sending love.

Mamissimo yes please. We did a trip on Monday but the desk I wanted was out of stock . We tried to order it online yesterday and it was in stocks but they cant deliver the legs , I have to go instore for them....needless to say they can keep the desk. It shouldn't be that complicated !!!

I feel your pain Ann I appreciate all the data protection stuff but common-sense has flown out the window!!

Id like a mini complain..... we don't have an Ikea loser than a 200 mile round trip BUT we have a collection point , which is a mini store with all the popular furniture items on display but you can order there to be delivered to store for you to pick up.

BUT when I went to order yesterday it turns out to do that will cost me £10 for delivery - to their store, in their lorry with their own stock!!! So now they expect me to subsidise their own transportation and delivery !!!

I think not !!! Get your water pistol we're off to hit Ikea !!!