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

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Dear CherryC Er...what's auto correct? I haven't one. Still so last century...me.

The sun continues to shine from another cloudless sky. This afternoon, I shall complete the lock-down's hard graft around our wild and wondrous garden. All as I had hoped it would be. My first hip replacement is beginning to grumble. I know that it was done over ten years ago. Now is the time to go easy on my joints and wander through the garden doing less strenuous stuff.

MacSporran has been up a ladder. He's cleaning paintwork. I look away whenever poss. He's such a stubborn chap. Refuses to take my well meant advice.

Doodle Let your joy be unconfined.

Nannytopsy Future damson pie and custard? Will you please include me on your list of willing tasters.

Smileless

Grandmafrench Sun-dried bananas. That's a new one.

Including a photo of the infant gunnera. I love the different shades of green. Have just this morning taken the photo of the ferry returning from it's visit to Islay.

the ferry returning from its visit to Islay or Soop's getaway vehicle perhaps?

Now stroll around your impeccable estate and rest that hip a little? x

I have just spent 4 hours!!!! ordering two personalised birthday cards on a certain website mo***ig and I now need a lie down in a dark room or a very stiff drink!!!!!!

When I am allowed out I vow never to use that flipping company again

Will return when I am feeling calmer ?

I gave up on M.....g GG31. A far better one, I discovered, was
F...y Pi....n. The other one is OK normally and I appreciate they are inundated right now, but I was really lucky with FP at fairly short notice, too.

soop my first hip is still functioning at 25yrs+ the other side hah to be replaced after about 12yrs and is still going strong at 15yrs

Hah? Had!

Thank you Bellanonna I had totally forgotten about FP, I shall set up an account later ??

GrannyGravy, I've used that website for cards for over five years - it's the easiest way to send cards from France. In the last year their website has become dysfunctional and unreliable.
I've now switched to f****p*****.com it is superb. Great customer service and it allows you to send vouchers from J Lewis to Ar***s and pub food vouchers, probably fifty plus different voucher providers.

GrandmaFrench, eight hours plus is a long way to drive. Also, I'm a seven hour drive from Calais and the Eurotunnel. Brittany is a bit of a coat hanger in France. As you know, you're never just passing through on your way to somewhere else. However! After lockdown we'll have to have a Gallic celebration...our own virtual French meet-up! Xxx

Dear soop, look after yourself. Xxx

Current score, DH nil ...moles 10 ?

Sorry GrannyGravy my post crossed with Bellanonn's re the cards

Galen What news on the knicker front?

GrannyGravy I sympathise with your frustration. Bellanonna...I agree with your choice.

Grandmafrench The ferry sails over the Sound of Jura approx five times each way, under normal circumstances.

Where is Maw? Where is annsixty? I'm missing their posts.

Carillion (hugs) and stay safe.

maybe you've overdoing things a bit soop perhaps a little self administered TLC is cared for.

I admire your patience GrannyGravy; 4 hours to order 2 cards. I hope your lie down and stiff drink does the trick.

Mr. S. has spent the morning doing tubs and hanging baskets with the pansies we had delivered yesterday and the roof terrace is looking lovely.

When I look out onto it, everything is momentarily normal. Dylan keeps venturing out but it's not warm enough for him to be outside yet so he soon comes dashing back in again.

maw is around on the thread about Richard Branson (I do so agree with her). ann posted on GM recently. I think it’s around the anniversary time of when she lost her DH. My neighbour is having a hard time too and cannot get interested in anything. This lockdown is causing such a vast array of problems to so many.
Hope all the kitcheners are ok. Take care all

Just a few words to let you know I am still in the land of the living!As usual reading your posts and smiling at all you get up to.
Reading of your MacS up ladders again had me shuddering dear Soop for if you remember not so long ago I had the very same problem with my man whom had developed a closed ear!These dear men of ours forget they are not as young and as fleet of foot as they once were!

Am finding life very difficult as with all this time on my hands, I realise too well that we, as a husband and wife have no real future once this vile disease is over.........and lets face it, we are at a time when we really need a future beyond to think and plan for.
Sorry for being such a wet blanket.

Sending every good wish to you all.Keep Safe.

No news on the knicker front?

Hello everyone.
Yes I am still here, as Doodle said, last Saturday was the anniversary of my DH’s death.
I found it much harder than I anticipated, lockdown didn’t help as I had so much more time to think over the preceding weeks, “this time last year,so and so happened...”
My cancelled op was a huge disappointment as I am in pain all the time.
However I am not alone in that, so many of us are.
As dear Panache said, I don’t know what the future will hold If we are in lockdown for many months, I will be 83 in July, will I ever see my D and GC again.
We must all be having these dark thoughts, but finally accepting that my H is so much better off than living through all this is awful to admit.
I am weeping again now so will send you all my kindest thoughts to get us all through this time.

Dear annsixty, ???? I am thinking of you xxx

ann, thinking of you. These anniversaries are unavoidable and the memories stirred are not always the happy ones, though we know you have many of the latter. It's getting more and more difficult to focus on the good times, since those seem to be retreating into the far distance. Like you, I am wondering when I will see my family again. This crisis has been frustrating for teenagers who are itching to get out and see their mates. It's not much fun when dad is trying to work at home, and mum has a job that takes her out most days. The weather is perfect for going to the park to have a kick-about.

Ann and panache,thinking of you both and sending love?
TOYA

Ann and Panache it's heartbreaking to read what you have posted. I am so very sorry that however hard you have tried, however well you have done to surmount all the dreadful times, the worry and the stress of illness and loss, you now - because of this murderous virus - are feeling that there might not be a future for you. Please, please, try not to think like that. Imagine if you were your late DH, ann and there was a way of knowing the bleak thoughts and the desolation that you left behind you for someone you loved. You will have that operation. You will see your family. You mustn't give in or give up now, when you've come so far. Cling on, above all, to the wonderful times that you had together. Remember those times, cherish them and vow that this will not defeat you.
From the little I have read, Panache you and your DH have been to hell and back. You're back, you've made it and you're together again when another hell arrives. Just let it wash over you and past you and try not to think about the future and the what-if's. We are all doing that sometimes and that way lies misery and depression for lots of us. You're not a wet blanket, you have lots to share and so much still to give. Please try to squash any bad thoughts that creep into your day and maybe, write about how you feel because - certainly on here - so many people care about you. That's the sort of support you need when you're struggling. Take care of yourselves and don't cry. We're all going to make it xx

A lovely eloquent post, Grandmafrench. Your words are supportive, understanding and, above all, kind.

I'm leaving you all with a photo that I took some time ago. It speaks of hope - and I trust that it will be of some small comfort to those of you who are struggling through this awful crisis.

Until tomorrow. I continue to think of you all and fully intend returning to share more time with you.

For you annsixty ?
And for you Panache ?

May you both find your strength in the days ahead. x

I echo what others have said. This is difficult for us all but especially for you ann and Panache. My thoughts are with you.

annsixtya painful anniversary and I'm so sorry you are in pain.

Dreamkeeperyou and your DH have been through so much; as Grandmafrench has posted "we're all going to make it" and that includes you.

A beautiful post Grandmafrench.

A lovely photograph soop.

TOYA

A really quick update. My poor DiL had the worst day ever a few days ago. She became very agitated and she’s now heavily sedated. As you know she has come through these episodes before and although they leave her weaker each time she is able to talk and is able to participate a little in family life. So fingers crossed that by tomorrow she is able to at least sit up and drink. The children saw and were upset and the 11 year old told me “Nanna we all cried, even daddy, daddy tried not to cry but a big sob came out and we all had to cuddle him” They are getting lots of support from the hospice, the marvellous paramedics who man the rapid response team, her new G.P who rings each day the supermarket who deliver the food. Even though I’m not posting so often I know you are all rooting and thinking of us all. I’m grateful.
I’m sure a psychologist could tell me why I suddenly find it so hard to talk/write/post about it. I feel almost stupefied. I’m not sure that’s the right word. This is a very hard thing to say but just in case this is our girls last journey please let’s hope/pray for it to get easier she really has suffered enough.