Soop's kitchen for kind and caring folk

Sorry, meant hope you are enjoying your birthday Lin

I used to be on gransnet a few years ago as vegasmags, but I've recently rejoined. Please indulge me as it will take me a while to catch up. I too am not looking forward to being deprived of the company of family and DGC even though they all live a distance away. I'd just like to share with you my strategies for keeping in touch with the DGC as even though we talk and facetime, it's not the same. I have started sending little, inexpensive things via Amazon - a book or some stickers - adding a gift note. I am also writing letters to them, as this is quite a thrilling novelty for them, when the envelope bearing their very own name is delivered. What do other people do?

Hello mbmb, I think writing letters are a lovely thing to do. It's not often the case that anyone writes letters to anyone else anymore and children, especially, are losing personal writings in physical form. We, as people (well most) tend to only send birthday & Christmas cards now and is lovely to receive, as you say, something with your own name on the envelope. I'm sure your DGC is enjoying.

Evening all!

Just a quick pop in !

Mbmb brilliant idea. We moved away from our grandchildren just over 2 years ago and I wrote them every week the first year, sending little parcels of bits and bobs and a lot of postcards which they loved.

This second year I’ve changed tack and now I write a proper letter each month to each child and dependent on age they write me back . Then also each month the older children get either some spending money or a special gift and the little ones get a gift dependent on their likes. Not expensive stuff but it doesn’t need to be. They love to receive post . I’m sure your grandchildren will too!

Back tomorrow x

Thank you CherryCezzy - I am sorry the earth moved for you last night ??? and hope you had a soft landing. Seriously I hope this doesn’t happen too often.
TG for the Kitchen, for kind and caring friends who share our ups and downs (sorry, poor choice of words) but seriously, friends who do not seek to “score points” off us as might happen in other places.
Looking forward to seeing all 3 DDS plus families tomorrow for what I expect will be a last get together for some weeks? I’ll have to take it as a birthdays plus Mother’s Day celebration.
Heigh ho, must keep our peckers up!

Indeed Maw where would one be without an upright pecker?

I think it was a case of me moving the earth, rather than the other way round Maw . My diet doesn't seem to be doing anything to change my weight! Perhaps I'm not actually trying hard on that score though . The kitchen is a lovely warm place Maw and the seesaws of life are something everyone, no matter how mighty they think they are, experiences. There is never any real points scored, it's just that in some places people think they do score. Enjoy your day in the warmth of your loving family. We will all bring ❤️ aplenty to this place.

Bellanona, you have outed me!
Soop get planning for your special Birthday. My ideas for mine are beginning to look like a tour of the UK with a party in each place I've lived in.

Big clue in the name Dec46 ?

Evening All. My apologies, can’t catch up today. Achieved some practical stuff without the use of my head which is firmly stuck elsewhere. It’s a talent I could do without. Body and head in the same place would be jolly useful. . So I’ll just say TOYA and sleep well everyone.

Happy belated birthday wishes Maw

Lovely photo Kittylester

I've been worrying about my will too Dec46, its hard not to if you ask me!
I've got some who need my cash more than others, and others who deserve it more than some!!
So I guess I'll just divide it up equally between them, so no arguments and problem solved!

Galen… with Peter Piper maybe????? Picking a peck of 'em …. pickled peckers I mean?? Don't know perhaps I've got it all wrong....

CherryCezzy now naughty girl, try staying in your own bed tonight

Susan56 ...I love your story about dgd!

dragonfly … good luck with the last chemo

Happy birthday to you also Lins sorry my wishes are a 'little behind' (is there such a thing?).

Gosh Smileless and your usually so organised!

soop ...just had a little look back over Friday's posts and caught the photo of you, looking very tip top, if I may say so!!
Isnt that the exact same shade of turquoise that Meghan wore the other day!
Love the hair too.
I remember taking a photo into the hairdressers of a style resembling yours many moons ago. It probably didn't work out, not many of my visits to the hairdressers over the years worked out very successfully.

Izabella ….I loved reading about your foxes.

I'm keeping calm and carrying on but I've just ordered some strip thermometers for the family (who are notorious for NOT being prepared) as I tried to buy them in town today and went to 5 places all sold out!
Just thought that keeping an eye on temperatures may help as an early warning sign.
Just hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

Good night to all who are still up

Evening all. It`s been a fairly uneventful day, but after going up town I`ve been "done in" for the rest of the day! Just thought I`d share a pic of Grace at the advanced age of 15 days.

What a beautiful baby,callgirl1 and an amazing amount of hair too.

Grace is beautiful, Callgitl. You must be so proud,

Hi everyone - please would you mind if I join you? You’re all so supportive, I’ve shyly watched from afar just recently, nibbling my ecclescake in the corner with my peppermint tea? I have 2 DS & partners & 4 DGC all living a long way from me and DH.
I joined Gransnet a little while ago but I’m recently retired and a language teacher living in Surrey. Was hoping to go travelling but more important things to think about now! I was feeling a bit blue with not being able to see my dgc this weekend as planned, they live 110 miles away and parents said a child in their class has just been diagnosed with chickenpox, so didn’t want to put me and DH at risk (DH has health issues)
As to moi..I love playing the piano - not very well though ;) and
I’m planning to get a dog now I have my freedom from work and no travel plans for quite a while and I’m very keen to find a rescue. My DH has allergies and says he’d prefer a poodle if possible as he’s heard they would be easier on his allergies.
Can I ask if any of you lovelies know of any other dogs which may be ideal for ppl with allergies? Sorry if it’s a daft Question
Many thanks for any advice in advance! ???

Sleep wellyou fabulous peeps, you’ve turned my frown upside down just reading today. Keep well all!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202003/medium-634831-7efad95f-2fb8-4bed-9cb6-35f8aeb27814.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202003/medium-474799-5ba458df-caf3-4aba-90af-808d99b4052f.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202003/medium-510856-4e7cd42f-2cb3-4b25-a9b1-759d29053ec5.jpeg

Welcome Trudy nice to have you with us.
It is said that poodles don’t shed so are better for those who are allergic to dog hair, but they do need regular clipping or can get very tangled.
Not that I am biased (of course) but greyhounds have extremely short hair which needs no attention whatsoever. The lovely Gracie RIP never had a bath in her 14 year life and the equally beautiful Hattie at 4 looks to be heading the same way!
You do however have to have the facilities to allow a greyhound to sleep 25 hours a day - or rest her eyes as Charleygirl would say - she knows Hattie too well!
(Gracie whom we lost 3 years ago) is the white dog, Hattie the shiny black one .
Good luck with finding your dog- how hard to choose!

Hi the kitchen I’ve not posted but continue to read every day.

I’m starting to get the eebyjebies this morning and I thought I was doing ok but family are telling me to stay home, I’ve made a Tesco order in 2 wks in case I can’t get out and I feel a bit scared and tearful. Not like me at all I feel we’re going to hell in a handcart and I also feel ridiculous thinking that someone slap me ?

Anyway I wish everyone to stay well, just wanted to touch base with someone this morning to know we’re in this together ?

Tanith I think we all have our fears at the moment especially as none of us are getting any younger.
Let us all keep in touch and try and keep our spirits up.
Much love xx

Hi Tanith. It is a worrying time and I’m sure most of us are concerned. I have found it helps me not to listen to the radio. The output is single-track gloom. I’m aware we have a problem but i don’t want to hear about it all the time. I’m sure you are practising hygiene and doing what you can to stay safe. I’m using my unexpectedly free time to make changes st home, tidy, clean, do the garden and so on. I go for walks in large open spaces. I’m missing a booked trip to Dublin and a couple of paid-for theatre trips. I miss all the family. My husband has health issues and I’m doing what I can to keep both of us safe. It’s good to see you in the kitchen. There’s always kindness and often humour. I’m sure if we’re careful we’ll be fine, and just find lots of things to do to fill the time. Look forward to seeing you in here.

I have just been online to book a Sainbury's delivery.
None at all available before April 1st when slots haven't been released yet.
I have a delivery every week ut they are still accepting new customers.
I am really upset about this, I'm afraid they have already lost my loyalty.
As I can't shop myself I will have to ask my GD who works fulltime and long hours, hey ho as they say.
I cannot see my op going ahead now.
My age is against me as well as beds being needed.
Worst things happen at sea as my M used to say.
Have as good and as positive day as you can everyone.

Thank you all for your kind welcome messages, it's been really lovely reading them. I'm at work this weekend so am sloshing around knee deep in Corona virus. I am channelling my inner Winston Churchill 'keep b****g on!' and his other famous, possibly apocryphal, quote 'when you're going through hell, keep going'
Lots of positive, healing thoughts winging their way to those who need it.
Off to put on my freshly boiled uniform, pack my handcream and wend my weary way to work. It's a good thing I love my job.
TOYA

Welcome Trudy and tanith.

ann thanks for that tip re online shopping. I could only buy the most expensive cat litter for Tara, there were no cat tray liners and for me, no long-life milk so it would appear I will be drinking black coffee in the very near future. It really is getting silly. The 1st slot was the 31st March so I have ordered and will obviously check nearer the time re essentials like loo rolls.

ann it does look increasingly unlikely that your THR will not be done in the foreseeable future. That is a buggeration too far. I am really sorry if that happens.

callgirl Grace is beautiful-not a worry in the world. Has Mia seen her yet? I would not think she would be overjoyed.

Maw thanks for the photo of Hattie- I was hoping she was still being cared for as I would expect- the best sofa in the house where she can rest her eyes as she has a hard life, a 15 minute walk x2 a day and food when required.
TOYA

Morning Everyone. Grey and wet here just outside Bath. I haven't posted here over the last couple of days......

I am feeling a bit "Corona-panicky" today with all the latest news. Tanith I feel the same as you. I have no family nearby and live alone and am trying to stay on top of things. Thank goodness for my beautiful Phoebe (cat) who's very affectionate and great company.

I have been concerned over whether to go ahead with my haircut tomorrow as it involves "close contact" but this has been sorted for me because my hairdresser has cancelled due to her 2 school-age daughters having bad coughs. I have been at home for a week already as I am high risk due to health problems and age, and don't relish a 4 month seclusion as mentioned on the News today! Obviously none of us do!

Still, as my daughter said on the phone last night:
"It could be worse Mum..... you could be in lockdown with Dad (my ex husband)" and that is sooo true. At least I don't have to put up with being shouted at all day long as happened in my marriage. Silver linings and all that!

Beautiful photo of baby Grace callgirl1

Also lovely doggy photos Maw and belated birthday wishes, and to anyone else who's had a birthday recently.

Very best wishes dragonfly for your chemo.

In fact, very best wishes to everybody. Keep well and stay safe. xxx

Have been up since the wee small hours, not sure why but at least I had a chance to catch up with our kitchen.

GG13 please look after yourself. Hope this infection allows you to pick up soon.
Izabella and Corner sending love xxxx
Cherry so sad to hear you had another seizure. Take care.
Your ideas and those of NannaandGrampy and mbmb about keeping in touch with DGC are really helpful to me. Mine are in the north of England and I rely on written communication as much as FaceTime and other social media. I miss giving them a hug though.
Galen I love your rascality xxxx
callgirl, lovely, lovely Grace and a beautiful name.
Maw have a smashing day with the family.
Dearest soop, without you, none of this would happen xxxxx
To all kitcheners TOYA xxxx