Soop's new kitchen being built while she's absent!

I have just looked back to find the fox picture which I somehow missed ! One of nature’s stranger phenomena - but maybe not entirely unlike the shotgun marriages of the human race of the past?
Keeping a low profile again as I am apparently a “bully” for speaking my mind.
Memo to self, zip it and stay in Soop’s Kitchen. ???

Please stop mentioning sun, I think it has abandoned us forever.

Our car has been collected to have the issue with the lights somehow caused in the service on Friday sorted. Two very strong emails over the weekend explaining the oddities got a 9am response and a driver delivering a replacement car. I made it plain to the young man whose role is to deal with complaints we don't want to see the car again until it is fixed and have no plans to pay them any more for doing so. The very pleasant driver who collected it was very amused when we demonstrated the idiosyncrasies, he said he'd enjoy showing the technician. Afraid the poor man received a glare - we are not amused!

Goodness, those children are growing up n&g, beautiful all of them. We were a taxi for our 13 year old on Saturday and Mr C is still getting over the shock of hearing her explain in very adult language the role she takes in a group. You are rightly proud of your grandson greyd, and good for you for turning out to watch him. I suspect I would have 'lost' the socks at some point!

I have a paper mountain waiting for me to sort, I will sort it, I will, I will.......... In fact I have to as its currently covering the spare bed which has a booking in the not too distant future.

There's much sadness around us here, three neighbours are on end of life care and our friend has had the prospect of most treatment removed from his care plan. Why oh why do medical folk explain potential treatment before they are certain the individual is suitable for it?

On a brighter note a neighbour has just presented us with the gift of some potted, flowering bulbs 'for being kind'. Reduced. me to tears.

The laundry has finished now so a genuine reason to ignore the paper mountain for a while to sort it. Have as good a day as you can everyone. TOYA.

Stay in soop's kitchen maw but dont keep it zipped - speak your mind!

Definitely not far from you topsy and the weather is glorious today.

Lovely photos n&g

What I want to know is, why when I am on holiday, does someone or another always need 'counselling' and why they pick on me to do it. This time my niece is in a tiss. And she has a full set of parents of her own.

Off out now to be blown along the sea front.

Thrilled - and proud - yesterday to receive a whatsapp from DS2 with news that youngest GS (12) was Man of the (rugby) match. He played 'like a warrior', which is a scary thought. The coach said their 'gentle giant used his size to good effect' which is possibly even scarier.
It's a dreich day, though the coming storm is still, well, coming, so they say. The trees are beginning to toss.

Absolutely Maw take no notice. Some people only want to hear what they want to hear and cannot stomach the truth.
I have to agree with most of what you say.

Oh kitty you must be blessed with a listening ear. Be thankful - I find when my DD does this once she has offloaded she goes merrily on her way leaving me with the problem!!

Gosh what sporting heroes we have in the kitchen. My DGC are not so far. Our 21 month old has just learned to ride a scooter and we are very proud!!

What have you been up to maw? GN is a funny old place sometimes, good to see you here with us.

I find the best thing to do when we go away is to ensure our location has a shall we say variable mobile signal kitty. I make quite sure of that by only turning the phone on for an hour in the evening to check for anything urgent, strangely we always have a signal for an hour a day . Your niece will be feeling better now she has spoken with you I'm sure. Enjoy your day, although please note I do not wish to hear about sunshine, its flipping pouring here.

Oh well, back to the paper, I'm getting there, we have a hill rather than a mountain now.

corner just think- the rain may be in your favour later when others have their supplies rationed and you have plenty. I think I chose an area where it rains mainly a night.

I cannot believe your car was returned in that condition. Did they think you would not notice? Is there anywhere else locally you can get your car serviced?

"simple" threads appear to get heated over nothing but as we know some would fight their way out of a paper bag.

Birdbrain is alive and well. I was about to contact Amazon about the non arrival of a parcel but a tad difficult as I bought it from eBay.
TOYA

Blown in on a mighty gale. White-capped waves. All very dramatic.

Maw I shall make you a brew and share whatever delicious shortbread biscuits that happen to be lurking in the pantry. I love that old fashioned word.

N&G Your photos are always a joy.

anno Bravo! Proud grins all round.

kitty You are a good listener. Not everyone is gifted in that respect.

corner Our car will be returning to the garage on Friday. Our mechanics are first class. It is vital that you can have every confidence on such an important matter.

Am about to treat myself to a new pair of slippers to take into hospital. My nightie and dressing gown are far from new but they are clean and presentable. Slippers leave much to be desired.

My youngest son has sent me a truly lovely email. It has bouyed my spirits sky high.

soop be careful- if you are buying online I have found out to my cost that most slippers appear to be a couple of sizes too small.

It is getting closer to D day- I hope the frost and snow stay well away.

There are so many youngsters on here I "know" who have such proud grandparents.

I was watching the lunchtime news about an hour ago and saw the waves lashing the promenade of my native Ardrossan. Wild weather! I remember cycling to and from school in the teeth of a howling gale - I was a hardy teenager.
Batten down the hatches, soop. We hope your power and your broadband won't be affected.

The blue sky from this morning has disappeared and it is now grey and breezy here in SE Essex, I think,we shall,escape the most severe weather.

Take care folks

Its blowing a gale here and the sea is really dramatic.

anno, I hated it when my boys played rugby and was so relieved when they changed sports. One took up cross country and broke an arm and the other took up hockey!! Their senior school didnt do football!!!

corner my niece will be fine by now. Her mum is sort of semi engaged IYSWIM and she quite often offloads to me.

Aren't sons great - sometimes - soop?

I've discovered I'm unsophisticated. I sent some mayo back because I didnt much like it, only to be told it was homemade. I prefer to dunk my chips in Helmanns!

I agree kitty. I dread the thought of my GS in the middle of a scrum - and fear for the damage he could do to others. His other game is tennis and I am hoping that if he takes either seriously, it will be that.
The trees are now tossing madly and it's getting very dark. I suspect there will be trees down before the night is over. There's a huge birch that would land in my garden if it came down.

kitty It was the wording that lifted my spirits sky high.

Well, there is a very red face in corner land .

It seems the car wasn't set up properly from new, the lights now work in the way they should. The dealership that sold us the car has closed, this dealership have taken over and it seems may actually be more efficient.

The technical experts from the manufacturers have confirmed it. Oh dear, do I feel silly! In mitigation we have driven the car for three years with the lights working one way and the very pleasant complaints person in the garage reassured me he would have reacted in the same way.

I'm not sure I will dare go into that garage again! The next post service collection is a job for Mr C who has a hide like a rhinoceros

Our two never played rugby, a small mercy maybe as they seemed to damage themselves sufficiently playing football. Your grandsons prowess feels a mixed blessing anno, still rightly proud of him.

New slippers sound just the thing soop. Slippers are meant to be comfortable and in my book that means well worn in. Yours are doubtlessly just right

Well, I'm off to make a cuppa and drown my embarrassment. Mr C is sleeping, I did warn the garage person that sleeping beauty may well not believe me and to expect a phone call. Oh joys.

The lights keep flickering. Hopefully, I shall be able to join you all again after the care home visit in the morning.

TOYA Especially those of you who need special hugs and lots of love.

Oh Cornergran, I could have written your post! I took our car back because the boot wouldn’t unlock. I had failed to notice the third option on the key fob of a double click for the boot. Felt incredibly foolish! Kind young man looked pityingly at the old biddy who couldn’t do something so simple - and intuitive for his generation.

Annodomini my 9 year old DGS also plays rugby as well as Royal Ballet School Dance Track lessons!
Of course I worry about him, but on the other hand his 5 year old little sister also plays- and I feel more worried for the opposition!

Good evening everyone. Just a quick visit. Very quiet weekend in hospital but we have spent a quiet time together just reading and talking and I have been watching DH having a few little slumbers.

He had further xrays today, looking very reassuring. He walked to have the xrays with the radiographer!!

News is that he looks like journeying home on Thursday. The hospital will arrange the ambulance because the surgeon says he must travel in a horizontal mode!

So relieved, I was building myself up to arrange the journey home from this hospital in Brittany!
Hope all's well dear kitcheners. Maw don't stop telling it as it is. I love reading your posts xxxx
Dear friends, TOYA. Xxxxx

Carillion good news indeed.

My DS used to play rugby and often ended up at the hospital having stitches! He is older and wiser now.
He is also a treasure and buoys me up with frequent phone calls.

Good news carillion hope all continues well.

My DH, DS & SiL are / were all rugby players. Two tight head props and a hooker. That says all that needs saying about their physiques!

Nannytopsy, GS's physique suggests that he is destined for the scrum. He's already tall and is heavier than his long, thin older brother. He's rather apt to raid the fridge!
DS2 has been playing hockey for over 30 years and has had some nasty accidents in that time. It was vicious enough when I played it as a schoolgirl but the seem to be much more free with the stick than we were!

One for the rugby Grans to enjoy.
Daren't say too much, DGS2 is a footballer now playing for Birmingham City (under 8’s!)

Love it Maw!