Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly caring folk...

Charley - as your lodger is elderly (sssshhh don’t let her hear me say that), why is she still black furred?
Humans go grey in middle age. It’s a mystery isn’t it?

Black hair is hard to disguise; the tabby hairs we get from Ruby are less noticeable on chairs and carpet (they are there nonetheless).

Our last furry “lodgers” were called Sooty and Sweep and had 80% black hair, so I know what you mean.

I use those animal hair removing sticky lint rollers in between vacuuming.

Mia is white, and judging by the amount of white furry clumps I find all over the house, I can`t understand why she doesn`t have bald patches.

After hosting an afternoon tea for mum's birthday, I require alcohol and the lovely flowers from puzzler61. Mum 'delights' in making unkind and unnecessary comments and then waits for the fallout. We have got wise to her now and don't rise to them. Between her and my db who is not nice and decided to be unpleasant to me, I've had enough hosting!

Puzzler I'm naked under the kaftan. No way will join that Argy rabble crowd tonight. I have my scruples (or whatever).
Your flowers are beautiful.

Charleyg I've had a perfectly heavenly lazy day. The snooker was the best I've ever seen. Everything is running late as a result.

Happy news, dear Susan. I shall raise a glass of cheer a little later to the happy couple.

Away to help get our meal sorted. Back again tomorrow. Big hugs for you lovely lot.

soop you need more of these lazy days and that is an order!

Puzzler I have a white painted staircase which is not exactly that colour at present!

Good morning the kitchen! We have just had a heavy shower o f rain but it’s still humid. DGC coming for a sleepover tonight and then we shall go for lunch when we take them back. That will enliven our weekend ?. I must make sure I fill up the brown bin as I hate sending it half full when I have to pay for it!
Another lovely sunset Soop!
DH’s niece had her A* andA grades downgraded and lost her place at Uni to read medicine. The school are furious and are appealing but it won’t really help as all the places are gone now. What a mess they have made of this and so many young people hurt by it.

Grandmabatty When I read your post describing your gatherings to be like the Scottish Sopranas without any shooting, I almost ruined the keyboard by spluttering coffee over it.

Charleyg So pleased to hear that you and dearTara have discovered the blessing of a silent, efficient fan. Bliss!

Lins Awww! Please allow your husband to vacate the norty corner. As MacS keeps reminding me...it isn't that he doesn't listen to what I'm saying...it's more like he doesn't catch every word. I suggest that he needs a hearing test. I have two hearing aids and cannot manage without them. He gets a bit huffy and says that there's a way to go before he'll go down that road. Pride is a sin. I tell him so.

Soop after yesterday's shenanigans, its just as well I didn't have a weapon to hand! ☺ I hope the west of Scotland is enjoying better weather than the east. Have a lovely day.

Nannytopsy Enjoy the sleepover. Your grandchildren must love the time spent with you.
Your husband's niece, like many others, will feel bitterly disappointed and let down. Rightly so. One buggeration after another, at such a crucial time in their young lives, is a cruel blow to their confidence and sense of self-worth..

Grandmabatty Try to think Zen.
Our weather continues to be glorious. Cloudless Kintyre skies.

Hi folks.
I’m afraid I’m not having a good week. On Thursday I got up out of my chair to put a mug in the kitchen, turned to return to the lounge and woof! There I was on the floor!
Not being the lightest once down I can’t return to the normal humanoid posture.
I tried to ring Gary for help using my watch. It wouldn’t work. I pressed my panic button that I werar. Guess what, that wouldn’t work either.
I then had to crawl to where my phone was (about 30feet ) and rang Kate who came up but still couldn’t get up. I then rang the ambulance who came about 30mins later. 2 lovely slight young ladies who used this incredible self-inflating gadget to get me into my chair.
My only visible injuries are bruised knees and a horrible bruise from where they used a vicious sphygmomanometer.
Today I ache all over and feel very worried about moving about.
I’m seriously wondering about needing to go into a home.
I really don’t want to. The option is a small wheelchair to self propel around the house.
Sorry to moan like this, but I’m not feeling very happy today.
TOYA

Galen so sorry to hear about your unplanned exploits. Its fine to complain, you must be very shaken up and feeling tentative about things. Take things easy and review how you feel about the future in a few days time. I fall too often for comfort these days, so I understand how unsettling it is. Be careful.

Oh dear Galen - a very gentle hug for such a horrid experience. It can so shake one up , more so usually than the bruises - although my last bruises took weeks to die down, but it’s just not funny, is it?
However - a lesson to revise or review your “emergency” procedures. No system is good enough if it doesn’t work when needed.
I couldn’t see you in a home but perhaps a very posh sheltered/assisted apartment when you really need it?
But Gary and Kate have become such a part of your life, it would take extraordinary circumstances for you to move away. So really what I mean is, don’t make any rash decisions.

Hello lovely Kitcheners on this blistering day in the South of France. Just about to have a swim but decided to check in and see what everyone is up to.

Not impressed with your fall, Galen, but I suspect neither were you. Given that you seem to have a lot of fun in your home - especially with your lovely helpers - it does seem a drastic step to be thinking about moving into a Home. Hope I've got that right. Do you fall a lot? It obviously unnerved you but if you don't fall often, maybe it was just a bit of low blood pressure if you'd been sitting still for a while and then you got up and walked and turned and lost your balance?

I think you might consider having your security systems checked out - you don't want a watch or a personal alarm which doesn't work. Blasted things! Then maybe consider a walking frame, if you don't have one. At least they tend to keep people upright and steady once they become unsteady. My late Mum could still use hers at 103. A small chair, otherwise, for scooting around in, would keep you very safe. Do hope that you feel better very soon and your bruises and the shock fade quickly.

Congrats to the family member, Susan. You definitely need as many excuses as possible these days for a little knees up and some bubbly! Hope you get to branch out into Kaftans - you could both become the new Demis Roussos-es (of Shropshire) perhaps.

GrandmaBatty what a kind-hearted little star you are! Mothers, eh! Your family (minus your Brother) must all have great self-control- and at least having someone to laugh with after the event makes you feel better. You've done your bit, now you can go back to little low key visits which don't invite carping and criticising. We hope! (Your Sopranos comment made me laugh out loud too. Tell it like it is, girl!)

One of our cats is black and white, Puzzler. She must be 16 now but has no sign of any grey. She probably makes us quite grey with her antics, but she's looking very good on it.......little tyke!

My DH has just emerged from the shower with a very damp dog. He/the dog is now steaming in the sunshine. Has to be shampooed frequently as he has a too oily coat. He does love to be clean - DH sings to him in the shower and they probably have a high old time. I just do the cleaning up afterwards.

Thrilled to bits to hear that you are doing almost nuffink....*soop*. Things are looking good in Kintyre...you clearly need such weather to bring you to a halt and for that, I think we are all glad. Hooray!!! Enjoy your evening, everyone. Thinking of you, so keep safe. Hugs x

And Galen, what MawB and Hattie said.

Hello Galen, I know that I don't post in here often but I just wanted to pop my head around the door to offer my commiserations on your tumble. I expect it's left you feeling very shaken and unsure but take things steady; don't rush into anything yet. I hope you're feeling stronger and happier very soon.

Must say my alarm people came straight out and a replacement is on urgent order. They’ve never heard of one failing like mine. Trust me to be difficult.
I have had several falls but this is the first for over 2 years.
No idea why. BP normal, blood sugar normal, temperature normal. Only thing not normal is my sense of self confidence.

Your self confidence will return in time! But it's a bugger that the 2 pieces of technology that you'd relied on on to summon help quickly both failed you. That didn't help matters at all.

Thanks to all for your kind words

Horrible experience galen. I’m pleased you're OK. Please make no hasty decisions. Once your personal alarm is sorted I’m sure your confidence will start to build again. It’s worth reminding yourself of all the times you have moved about without problem. You fall rarely. Feet up and rest now though. You surely deserve it.

Oh Galenwhat a fright you must have had. I hope you're feeling a bit less Elvis now ie 'all shook up'. grandmafrench I just keep finding other places to be when mum and brother start! The kitchen for one. Others have it worse and I feel sorry for mum as she has never got over dad dying even though it was ten years ago. I love the picture of your husband and dog showering together!

Galen That tumble was a awful. Not being able to get yourself upright was even worse. I have had a couple of similar falls. Thankfully, MacS has managed to sort me out. It's so very difficult. Just relax and treat yourself kindly. x

Galen I'm sorry to hear about your tumble, it's a horrible feeling when you know you're going but can do nothing to stop it. Perhaps you got up too quickly.
At least your panic button is back in working order now.
A small wheelchair might be a good idea if your doorways are wide enough.

Take care and hope your bruises subside soon, take it slowly and gently

?

Grandmafrench The picture in my mind's eye of your husband and dear dog taking a shower together, is a very happy one. What's more, the dear dog is serenaded. Delightful! And you clean up...

I wish to recommend a wonderful book that I was given for my birthday. 'I am an Island'. A true story written by an amazing and inspirational lady - Tamsin Calidas.