Soop’s kitchen, filled with kindness, understanding and some damn fine cake ! Come on in.

annsixty sending hugs, I hesitate to look at political threads and never post. Can’t understand why people are unable to disagree without hurling abuse.

GrannyGravy big hugs to you from a fellow sufferer. Youngest son and his family moved to the US nearly ten years ago. It’s so hard I know, our children are following their dreams, we’re thrilled for them but it’s heart wrenching. Technology, FaceTime/Skype, emails, messaging all help. No, not the same but you do learn to adapt. And then comes the wonderful time when you visit, it’s fabulous, you see them again, share their new life for a while and that makes future conversations better, you can visualise where they’ve been to school or lunch or the park.

Picture me with tears streaming down my face as I say goodbye at the end of each visit. But there’s always a next time.

Hello everyone. Thought I'd pop in here as on a quick break at work
Although as I work with adults with learning disabilities in community living don't really get a proper break.
On a lone sleep in shift and one of the tenants is sitting with me
Well do escuse that waffling.?
Would love some cake but none here.
Please can someone pass me a slice

Ann

Jessity Your post was tear-jerking. Bless you.

Nannyfaraway I shall look in the freezer for a Magnum dark choc ice cream. If I find it...well, you never know your luck.

The singles match was awesome (as Torben might say). Lopez was a worthy winner. The runner up - Simon played a brilliant game. A very likeable opponent. Well mannered and charming.

We now have Andy and Feliciano Lopez waiting to paly in the doubles final. I'm all excited. It has been a most entertaining afternoon, thanks to Queens.

Evening all,

What a wonderful weekend we have had with our girls. Ill post a couple of pics tomorrow.

GrannyGravy a trip to Kenya will be awesome , I lived in Mombasa for a while as a child as my Dad was posted there and can still speak a little Swahili . Maybe a safari will be arranged too....all terrifically exciting so when you have recovered from the sadness of the parting you'll have that to look forward to.

Im not staying this evening as I have things to do but see you all bright and breezy tomorrow x

I shall log off for today. Hopefully, we'll all meet up again in the kitchen at some time tomorrow.

TOYA

Hello and goodbye for now NanaandGrampy.

Just seen the comments ann, can understand why they hurt.

It’s a rainy, grey afternoon here. So different from yesterday. Oh well, nice meal and a glass of chilled white on the agenda now. I’m happy

TOYA.

ann, those comments, aimed at you, were uncalled for.

Its sticky here in Leicestershire so I'm glad I did the ironing on Saturday!!

We had a lovely day with DS1 yesterday, found out some stuff about his lady friend but couldn't get a date for him to bring her round - obviously we are really scary!

Making a chocolate sponge with salted caramel buttercream today for the people caring for loved ones with Alzheimers - shall I make one for the kitchen too?

Yes please * kitty* that will fill a corner.
It feels sticky here too but as I'm still in bed I don't know what the weather is doing, no sun shining through the curtains yet.

I am in a very odd mood at the moment, very angry with people and situations one minute , all fired up and then depressed the next.
I can't settle to anything, the house sorting has come to a full stop.

My GD well brighten me up today, she has been to Dubai for a week and has had a wonderful time.
I got photographs every day , sand dune trecking, camels, the top of of the Burg Kalipha etc.
She doesn't go back to work until tomorrow so will be round later, I can't wait.

I missed whoever upset you Annsixty how very dare they! It is cowardly and downright mean and agree it is too often a battlefield out there.
But not only on the Political threads. I was bowled a full-on “bodyline” googly just yesterday (in a pm) when I was accused of “going on too much about losing Paw “
By “too much” this person meant “more than other bereaved posters on GN.”
??????
You couldn’t make it up!

Safe to come out yet?

Mawbroon & Annsixty there are some bitter people around please do not let them upset you ???

Maw I’d be more worried if, after all those years together, you weren’t still “going on” about losing paw. You loved him well in life, grieve him well in death.
Ann it’s such early days and you’ve not even had a chance to regain your strength back after the demands of caring. Pay no attention to those who lack understanding or empathy. For what it’s worth I think you’re amazing!

It’s a bit early for cake, even for me kitty but can I take some for the journey back north from the south coast? After negotiating the dreaded m25 we may be in need of a serious sugar burst. But after a really good weekend with ds and his family I’m not really complaining. Enjoy your day everyone, whatever it holds for you. X

Oh goodness maw, words fail me. Doesn’t happen often. Not necessary is the politest thing I can think of.

If you’re still around kitty, a big yes please to that cake. Definitely needed .

How lovely to have your granddaughters travels to look forward to ann. Please share some tales if it’s Ok with her.

Be good everyone. The chauffeur is needed to take Mr C to the dentist.

Morning all,

Looks like a reasonable day is forecast here so I think we'll get the house back in order before thinking about going out. Its something you learn with age I think, household chores will keep but the weather wont :-)

Maw - words fail me. When you have spent a lifetime with someone, whether they are still with you or not you have every right to' go on about them' !! Some people become awfully brave behind the anonymity of a keyboard !!

May I just look at the cake Kitty it sounds heavenly. We had a wonderful food filled weekend with our daughters and have taken a break from Slimming so now have a week to regain that ground before weighing again so I daren't eat anything lol

Ive posted a picture I took of the girls and Grampy at Felbrigg on Saturday - it was glorious weather , the lambs in the fields were on springs leaping about with delight ( and the NT cake went down a treat too!!)

But back to reality today :-)

Hello soop , sorry I missed you yesterday .

Ann be kind to yourself , life is still on an uneven keel for you - and rightly so - these things take time . Treat yourself to a leisurely start to the day and enjoy looking forward to your GDs visit. That will lift your spirits.

Happy Day all x

ann, I haven't managed to track down the offender who upset you. Perhaps that's just as well for her! Here you have comfort and cake and we love you.
kitty, that cake sounds unbearably scrumptious. I've just had my breakfast, but please may I take a sliver and save it for my lunch elevenses?
Maw, for what it's worth, I think you are doing a wonderful job of re-building your life after so many years of caring for your beloved husband. Your family must be as proud of you as you are of them. Here, we value your resilience. Every one grieves in their own way and our hearts are open to all.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thanks Bordersgirl, your shampoo escapade was brilliant! It made me smile and think to myself "thank goodness it's not just me"...when the GDs came for some summer holiday time last summer I found some pretty tablets of soap in a market near La Rochelle, lavender coloured. I left a few in the bathroom for them but they said the lather was poor.
When they went home I found I'd bought them pet soap!
Going shopping in a few minutes...will clean my specs first!

Good afternoon to all you lovely lot.

Bordergirl

kitty We'll share your (((hugs))) and with our Granspals who have been on the receiving end of uncalled for and hurtful remarks. The reason why I decided to open our kitchen many moons ago, was because I almost left GN when I happened across spiteful posters. Life is far too short to be troubled by such unsympathetic folk.

anno I like your post.

Maw and Ann Us lot love and are mighty proud of you.

NannaandGrampy Your girls and Grampy are lovely. Any more photos for us to enjoy?

Andy and Feliciano won the doubles title at Queens. Feliciano also won the singles title. I was well chuffed. I celebrated with the first dark choc Magnum of the season.

Thank you all for your kindness and understanding on behalf of Maw and myself.
My Gd and her friend have visited, my GD has olive skin, unlike me, and she is brown as the proverbial berry.

Ii have had an interesting morning, I decided over the weekend to get in touch with a site on Facebook set up for memories of the village I was brought up in.
I had several replies to my post and then this morning had a request, with a phone number from the GS of my mothers old neighbours.
We had a lovely long chat about his family through three generations and have agreed to keep in touch.
It was so nice to reminisce and we both really enjoyed it.
It had spurred me on now to continue with the family tree which I abandoned abyot 5 yeats ago.
I need a new interest to occupy me, maybe this will be it.
TOYA.

I was sorting through my Mums photos and found one of our wedding pictures. It was a second marriage for both of us so no big dress. (Mr Gravy is yet to locate our wedding album in the "loft of lost things")

We have been together for 36 years next month, married for 28 years.

StylishGg - like it. I have to take issue with posters above - I would have cake and Prosecco for breakfast any day! Too early?
The house is a tip which I have only partially cleared and now I am working for the next three mornings ?. DH turned his ankle and now has a very swollen foot which is very painful. I’m thinking A&E when he gets home from work, he is thinking not. I expect he will win and we shall put up with this for weeks. ?. Leg of lamb anyone?

Good Afternoon all. It was a misty morning but now it is bright and warm with us.
Ann I read those comments, they were uncalled for and upsetting, please ignore them.
Maw what a hurtful thing to say to you. I don't understand such people. I value kindness very highly, clearly some people do not.
I have made some sultana and cherry muffins for the kitchen, help yourselves.

I met an old acquaintance this morning while having a coffee in a nearby shopping outlet. Our sons started nursery school together and we later were on their Primary School's PTA. I later taught each of her three children in Secondary School. She told me that she remembered her son saying that I'd told him off for shouting out the answer instead of putting his hand up! He is now 37 and an electrical engineer.
I've just had a Whatsapp to ask if we can look after DS's little dog tomorrow, and she will be having full board with us from Saturday for 12 days as DS and DiL are off on holiday.
She's such good company and no trouble.
Wishing everyone a pleasant evening.
TOYA

Ann I like your latest post. Upbeat and full of promise.

GrannyGravy13 I totally agree with Nannytopsy I LOVE the outfit.

Nannytopsy Forget the frozen leg of lamb. A little pampering will be called for. Not too much, mind.

Lins1066 It's funny the things that we remember from years gone by. Back in 1945 I called a girl called Josie, a "snotty nose". Her Mum called on my Mum to make an official complaint. I remember the incident as if it happened just yesterday.

Friends called in for afternoon tea and a jolly blether. We are now running late. Our meal will be later than planned.

Tomorrow we visit our pal in the care home. I shall call into our kitchen after lunch.

TOYA