Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for the sharing of...

My GC has left here for his first day at "big school", his book bag is nearly as big as him!!!

I have come back to bed with biscuits and a "skinny" latte, yes I know they are contradictory, but my excuse is that I am a soggy mess, as will be my daughter when she returns.

He has lived with us since I brought them home from the maternity ward, we are so close as we do all the childcare whilst our daughter works.

He was so excited, I only hope the enthusiasm endures for the next 14 years???

Our other GS starts High School tomorrow, we are worried for him as he is on the "spectrum", he is tentative about the move up.

Being a Grandparent is so stressful, but equally rewarding!!!

All ready to go

GG what a lovely photo. At least he has a smile on his face and hopefully it will stay there!

Last year one of my neighbour's children was disappointed to discover he had to return to school the following week- I do not think any had the courage to tell him how long he would actually have to go! He did settle down.

I am having a delivery of my wardrobe doors tomorrow and my slot is 7-8am. Joy of joys- still I slept for 9 hours last night with a couple of loo trips so I should be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when they arrive even if I do not sleep for that long tonight. Still, that is better than 10pm and pitch blackness.
TOYA

If there is anything brings tears to my eyes it it is 4 year olds in oversizes uniforms.
All the wide eyed enthusiasm , one hopes all their hopes are realised.
Good thoughts to all children starting on a new venture today.
The rain , so hard and loud, actually woke me up at 6;30 and I realised Molly wasn’t in.
I bumbled my way downstairs and she shot in wet through.
I fed her and came back to bed and the next thing it was 8:45.
I am still there with a cup of tea!
A peaceful day to all and special good wishes to dragonfly and NannyT
Hope the move goes well.

DGS3 is the last of my GC to start secondary school - with a broad grin and looking uncharacteristically neat and tidy in his new uniform.

grannyqueenie. The Salvador Dali is a stunning painting isn’t it?
soop I find almost all biscuits addictive and I too have to hide them from myself - I thought I was alone in that habit - now I feel less peculiar.
I am preparing for more family visits. By preparing I mean conserving my energy so that I can keep up with them, or at least try to. I will also be eating “fancier” food. I have become a bit of a plain Jane food wise as my DH and I like simple but good quality fish or meat and don’t make lots of sauces. I am going to practice some “fancier”, “modern” dishes before they all arrive. The point of my rambling being that it is amazing how food trends change with access to variety and also health advice. I still believe that quality and seasonal food is the way to go. Cake, cake and more cake is always good. I am leaving Victoria sponge traybake with fresh rasps, orange drizzle cake and tarte au pomme made with the first apples. Enjoy. TOYA

N&G I totally agree, I switch off the TV now so it is off more than it is on!!!

My builder has been to do a couple of small jobs. He saw I had taken down and emptied two hanging baskets- he has taken them to fill with compost and plants!!! He is returning next week to pressure wash my weeds away from the outside tiles. All of this for free! He can move in any day he likes- pity he is married with children.

Seriously he will travel anywhere in London but it has to be for a day's work at least to make it worth his while financially. His attention to detail is mind-blowing.

ann does Molly not have a catflap?
TOYA

Good morning everyone.

Dear Dragonfly I hope you had a good night's sleep in your own bed, back safe and sound.

I loved the pictures of all the youngsters recently and am thinking about them today going back to school or to 'big' school.
It's an exciting but scary time for them but great when the first day is under their belt.

So good that these days schools focus properly on settling the youngsters in and closely watching their well being when they start their new school year - rather than worrying about backing books and giving homework timetables! Hope the youngsters have all come home happy!

Dear Soop, glad MacSporran had Baggs' last biscuit and hope his visit to the surgery was ok.

Have a good day everyone, cricket on TV today so I'll be talking to myself methinks!

Going to have a go at quick tomato relish and cheese scones! ?... Plenty for anyone who fancies trying some. Xx

My DGD is starting school later this month. Loving the pictures of the little ones all dressed up ready. Brings a tear to my eye too Ann.

Yes Charley Molly does have a cat flap but one of the bully boys has broken it.
We now have three cats coming in and eating her food.
I need to get someone to remove the bottom panel of the door, replace it and fit a new cat flap.
The sort of job no-one wants as it it too small.
My S hasn’t got time at the moment, too busy with work and children( he doesn’t live with them but is involved in their lives).
He is now in Edinburgh for three days, and will be working all weekend.
I have just, under protest, paid the final bill from the care home. My H was in hospital for all this time, but “ rules is rules” I am told.
£2,340, but the deed is done now, everything is settled and I can get on .

Makes you mad doesn’t it ann and I bet they had someone else in during that time.
granygravy fingers crossed for both your boys especially the older one. Wish all the new ones luck and wouldn’t it be lovely if we could all be kind to one another.
Hope you are feeling ok dragonfly

dragonfly, I hope you are comfortable and being waited on hand and foot ?????

ann I had the same problem with Tara so I bought an upmarket cat flap for her only- it would not allow her personal bully boys to enter. I cannot remember but I think she had a collar and the bead which synched with the cat flap was in the collar. I had to get rid of it because of my eyesight- I could not see to replace the batteries- they were so close to the floor.

Tara had two ginger toms following her and coming indoors.

I have now reverted to an ordinary cat flap and the different bully boy who follows her is too thick to know how to get in the house.

Google cat flaps and see what comes up.

Ironing done and neatly put away in the appropriate drawers and such. Deep, satisfying sigh, until the next time.

GrannyGravy13 Oh, what a darling young man. He looks so smart and full of hope. Our best wishes for his continued successes along life's journey.

ann Best put it all to rest. Move on. That's the way of least resistance.

Charleyg What a star that young man is! Hang on to him.

MacSporran has increased funny sounding things in his blood. He has to submit a further sample for analysis. Apparently, nothing of great concern...or so he says.

Where is the Birthday thread please?

Sorry angelic, I do not know. Look under Chat forums.

Time for me to log off. A visitor has been, stayed a long time and gone. Now I need to catch up with stuff aboot the hoos.

A blowy day. Compared with some poor people who have had to weather a hurricane, we are so fortunate.

Until tomorrow. My love to you all.

It is an evil evening here, reminds me of late October.
Pouring rain, very windy and dark.
I have my glad rags on , I am being picked up at 6:45 to go to a “posh” restaurant for dinner.
My GD’s best friend was 21 yesterday and her mum, the two girls and me are off out to celebrate.
I will need proper shoes, no toe revealing sandals, a coat and an umbrella.
I don’t know how far to walk from the car but not far I hope.
Have a good evening everyone.

Enjoy your evening Ann, if there is any distance from the car park, you can always get your driver to drop you at the door of the restaurant before parking the car!

ann enjoy your evening out- it sounds fabulous.

My little granddaughter started school today as well,she’s not 4 until November but in Wales where they live,children start in the term they are 4.
Dragonfly,I am glad that you had a comfortable night?and soop am sending good wishes to macsporran.

She looked immaculate but ran to the trampoline on the way to the car???

Evening All. Love the children’s photos. Our Littlest starts next week. Where do those early years go?

Pleased macs had a fairly positive surgery visit soop, these men are a worry.

It’s all go at your place charley, sounding good. Enjoy your evening ann, you deserve it. It’s an October sort of an evening here as well, miserable really.

I truly struggle feeding more than 4 these days feelingmyage, you sound to be well prepared though. Enjoy it all.

Hope all is going well nannyt and dragonfly, different pressures for you two but definitely pressures.

How was the popcorn n&g? Haven’t had any for ages, may need to rectify that .

It’s been a funny sort of day in cornerland. Good and bad.

The very good news is the steroid injection into my hand wasn’t hugely painful, phew. The physio was both cheerful and careful which helped so much.

The not so good news is our vacuum sort of caught fire today. There were (small) flames inside the floor bar and a horrid smell which is lingering. Mr C got a gold star for realising what was happening, unplugging and evicting it immediately. That’s never happened before. .

Wonder what will happen tomorrow?

TOYA and take care everyone.

I'm sorry but it saddens me to see tiny people in school uniforms.
The youngest they can start here is 4.5.
Until then they are in preschool or nursery but not in uniform!

susan what a delightful young lady- she looks so smart in uniform and looks as though she is looking forward to going to school. Long may that continue.

corner you were lucky Mr. C was at home- that could have turned out to be nasty. The other buggeration is you will need to buy a new one.

Just back from my lovely evening out.
A delightful restaurant and lovely food.
I feel so lucky that the young people in my life want to include me in their own lives.
It makes me feel very special.