*Soop's* ever welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

Evening everyone! I’ve just come to bed but I’m still gently thrumming after so long in the car - about 8 hours, to go to my Aunt’s funeral and then come home. It was a good funeral with well chosen hymns. There was a choir containing a girl with a strong alto voice who gave a very good lead to the congregation. She made such a difference and we all belted them out, despite the face masks.
I’ll catch up tomorrow!
Night night

Hello, You may not remember me but my name is {Charleygirl}. What a week I have had- I ended up buying a new computer and treated myself to a new printer. Mega problems for the fellow setting it up were not his fault, the new computer was selective with what it chose to accept from the old one. I can use it but the poor fellow is returning on Monday to sort out the glitches.

Because of my eyesight problems, I bought another desktop and I may even be able to clean this table now and again.

We have had heavy rain here but no flooding although some folk about 3 miles away were knee-deep in water on the main road.

I have a lot of catching up to do methinks.

Nice to see you back Charleygirl! Hope the new PC is fully functioning soon ?

Hello lovely Kitcheners. I had a nasty fall some days ago, banged my head hard against a door as I went over backwards. Not good with an existing brain injury and an untreated cerebral aneurysm. I was seeing stars and double vision and reading screens has been hard work. Left with a tender lump on the back of my head and some spectacular bruises on my back and bottom! My balance is never great, but lockdown has really affected me as no matter how much I try I just can’t get the amount of exercise I need to keep things in good working order. It has really got me down, I have lost so much muscle tone and function and my confidence has taken a real nosedive. I’m feeling scared of crowded places, both because of Covid and because of fear of people knocking me over! Anyway, I’m off to the hairdresser this afternoon, which always makes me feel better. Will pull up the big girl pants ?

A big hello from Wales.

A gusty and wet night indeed but since the ground was truly parched,hopefully it will have been a bonus.
However hopefully there will be welcome sunshine again soon,although no heatwave please!

Reading through it would seem Big Girl Pants are well needed and to those in need hopefully you will cope well and be your old well selves soon.

Time is lying heavy on my hands nowadays,so it is surely time to get myself back into some proper order.

Sending love and best wishes to you all.

Dear Panache You are on the right road. That is for sure. With your indomitable spirit, you cannot go backwards. Head high. Shoulders back. Best foot forward.

Blossoming Like you, I've lost a huge slice of confidence. Your fall will have set you back. It's a huge shock when one has a nasty tumble. Especially when the head takes a thumping.
A visit to the hairdresser sounds like a good plan. After which, relax, and do remember, come to talk things over with us lot if it helps you feel a little brighter.

Welcome back, Charleygirl. I visit almost daily and I've yet to "catch up".

Nannytopsy You've every right to feel tired after the hectic day you had. Some funerals can certainly be uplifting. A choir makes a huge contribution. I so wish that I could sing in tune. I only ever dare mouth the words.

Painting of Simon is ready to be properly mounted. A frame is en route. We'll be delivering the painting tomorrow. It was a challenge. I am however pleased with the result.

Brilliant to hear from you Panache. I wonder what your plans are to be. Perhaps a regular afternoon tea with your friends close by.

We will keep our Big Girl Pants well and truly pulled up. No loose elastic!

Blossoming I hope the hair cut has done the job. Sorry to hear about the fall.

Good evening dear Kitchen peeps!

I'm just psyching myself up to change and have a swim. It will be the coolest I've been all day. Such fun had at lunch, not so much work with a DH sharing the load and I love to see others enjoying themselves. Everyone has gone home happy. All I need to do now is catch up on sending birthday greetings to another dear chap. Doubtless he will have been outing and abouting today with his long-distance cycling Wife. Nothing defeats them - certainly not the heat!

Sorry to hear you're not so well, Blossoming. If your mental health (I'm beginning to hate that phrase, but you know what I mean hopefully) can be greatly improved by getting your mobility and fitness back, is there a chance that you could get those B G Pants a bit higher by enlisting the help of a friend to start some walking with. You certainly don't want to risk being jostled by people, or having the fear that your wobbliness might result in another fall - and some more damage. Falling and bruising is always a worry and that 'out of control' feeling is not nice. Perhaps if a life outside of lockdowns and stupid pandemics sees you normally able to walk and take sufficient exercise yourself, you just need to make a fresh start, so asking for some help from a friend for even a regular spin around the block might set you back on the road to fitness again and rebuild your confidence? Good luck with that and hope the anxiety fades at least as fast as the bruises.

How I love that painting, soop. You are turning out these wonderful portraits like there's no tomorrow. You must be so popular in your local area! Hoping that the day will come when Sweetie Pie might allow some very good close-ups to be taken and you can capture her on canvas to hang in your hall of fame.

Dear Panache - you never disappoint. Hoping that you will continue (with warm friendships, some help and encouragement) to get some life back once you are fitter and more rested after such a shocking life change. Keeping well is the main thing and, so everyone says, keeping busy is another. So never feel that you are not loved and welcomed by all those you know : it's vital that you keep up with friendships and invitations and push yourself a little that way, at least until you feel more normal again and can decide on what's important to you in life. Wishing you peace and gentle times now, and that your sadness slowly ebbs away and is replaced by just wonderful memories in a heart full of love for 'that dear man'. x?

Welcome back to you, missing Charley. I shall say NOTHING about your cantankerous technical equipment - other than it had just better not let you down again. Having to throw money at stuff does get very tiring! As soop says, it is hard to catch up - I tend to panic if I miss a couple of days. Or maybe it's just an excuse for Kitcheners to start behaving badly once my back is turned. For now, there are leftover chestnut meringues and chocolate pots on the side, to kick off some bad behaviour for anyone not watching their weight. As if!!!
Have a good evening all from 31 degrees and very shouty Collared doves in the S of France.

?‍♂️??

Grandmafrench Tempt me not. Oh, go on then. Just a taster.

I've been rootling through files of medical notes. So depressing in some ways. Hey ho! I shall soldier on and hope that one day soon I shall get the appointment to have the special scan in Glasgow. I keep reminding myself that there are many, many, many more deserving peeps than what I am.

That's it for today. I wish you all a pleasant and peaceful Friday evening. G&T will be supped at nine o'clock on the dot. I do enjoy that special moment.

Hi all, from a blustery south, it’s the teeniest bit chilly, good grief.
panache your adrenaline has been flowing for so long, time to recuperate and let good friends support you along the way.
How irritating, but magical is our IT Charley, but a bugger when it betrays us, good to see you back, onwards!
And the ever accomplished artist soop your self deprecation is totally misplaced, and then Lo, a masterpiece!
DD and GC’s are in Bude, Imogen’s surfing lesson at 8 cancelled as unsafe, rescheduled to Sunday, they’re off to the Eden project tomorrow, I often think my daughter is a wonderful person, I hope I tell her often enough.
Boiler serviced am today £90, has to be done. Curry I made yesterday for dinner, greenhouse watered, just back from the local, so caught up on village news (gossip)!
I’ll bid you all adieu, have a pleasant evening xx
PS muse how did MrM get on?

Chestnut meringues and chocolate pots - now you’re talking!! How yummy - and then at 9pm Gin o clock - what a lovely evening?
So lovely to hear from you panache hope you’re doing ok ?
Take care blossoming hoping your confidence grows a bit day by day
Shame about Imogen’s surfing lesson ^Jaxj* but something to look forward to on Sunday ? Hope they all enjoy the Eden Project too

Jax Just caught your posting before I pressed post for mine.

MrM has been working, (sat down) outside for a good part of the day. Taxied him to the surgery and back. Door to door to save him walking. He finally has a supply of antibiotics and Nurse Ratched said both wounds had improved slightly. Mr+MrsM had a serious talk this morning. I know I've tried before but I have keep gently badgering him.
Hope they have a grand time at Eden. It's a hare's breath from me. Not surprised about the lesson. It's still blustery here.

All clear at the dentist for me and in one hour I'll be picking up our takeaway wedding anniversary celebration meal from the village pub. Not a lot of choice unfortunately as they are catering for a wedding tonight. I will have my G+T when I return. 5th WA. It was a gloriously sunny day when we wed. So lucky as the rest of July had been extremely soggy. 5th is wood. Apt really seeing as we live in the middle of one so MrM's wooden heart is still in pride of place on the window sill.

Enjoy the swim grandmafrench and save me a chocolate pot please. I'm wishing I'd ordered a pud from the pub as well.

I'm willing that day to come very soon soop. May that queue diminish quickly. It must.

Pleased to meet you Charleygirl5. I'm wondering where those floods are.

Missed your post soop hers to your special scan very soon, DD just sent this, sun has shown its face!

Good to hear from you Panache x
Soop, yet another lovely portrait.
Did you receive my photos of Billy?

Good to see you back charley, enjoy that new pc. Pleased to see you here again panache, I hope your local friends are still spending time with you. Mr M will listen eventually muse, a belated very happy anniversary to you both. I’m sorry there’s no news of your scan. soop, if wishes could make it appear a date would be with you tomorrow.

It’s been blowing a hooley here, not good timing for today’s family visit. Our little lad needed a walk so off we all went to the sea front. Blimey, I could hardly stand up. He was very excited being blown along on his scooter, or he was until we turned back into the wind . It’s been a wonderful day, not seen them for a month when we were with a large group of extended family , so lucky to have had a whole day. Exhausting though, tomorrow we rest. .

Goodnight everyone, sleep well.

Hello everyone, my name is kitty and I haven't been in the kitchen for ages and ages.

My brother is on his 7th week in hospital, DD2 is on her 2nd week of staying as they are having an extension and DD3, having had her gall bladder removed, is in considerable pain from stray stones. I, meanwhile, would like to come in for a flipping rest and to catch up on all the news.

Thank you for the welcome back brook and grandmafrench. I’ve missed you all too.
Galen that is a lovely puppy and yours too Nannytopsy ?
Soop when you wrote “we have enjoyed a shower” I thought you meant you and MrSoop oops. Lovely painting of Simon,
Muse good to hear your DH is feeling a bit better. Good luck with the op next week. Sorry you had to postpone it. Hope all goes well. Pleased to hear your DD sounds a bit brighter.
Charleygirl welcome back to you and your new pooter. Hope you get it and your new printer sorted out soon.
blossoming sorry about your fall. That sounds nasty. It is always upsetting. Hope the new hairdo cheers you up. Take care.
kitty I’ve been wondering where you were. Please take a seat and relax a bit. It sounds all go where you are. Is your brother improving at all? Hope your DD3 feels better soon.
Take care everyone and no falling over. TOYA ?

Blimey kitty flop down and put your feet up! I wondered hoe your brother was, I think last time you posted he was on antibiotics and improving slightly, but the cause not found…However, you sound exhausted, I’ll pour you a drink and drape a soft, snuggly blanket in tight, have a little snooze ?

kitty, put your feet up and resign - albeit temporarily - from your role as matriarch. I'm sorry to learn that your brother is still in hospital. Have they made any progress on his case?
I'm feeling full! My lunching friend twisted my arm to have three scoops of gelato following a healthy serving of risotto. I couldn't have let her have dessert all on her own, hence the gelato. So, Grandmafrance, I don't feel able - for a change - to partake of your chestnut meringues and chocolate pots. Maybe next time!
Panache, there's a huge gap in your life. Little by little, you will find friendships and interests but the love you have known will always be in your heart.
Charley, isn't technology a mixed blessing? This week my laptop wouldn't talk to my printer, but the handbook suggested turning off the router and the printer and on again. And, miraculously, it worked.
As an armchair sports 'nut', I've been enjoying the Olympics. I like seeing healthy youngsters accomplishing things I could never have dreamt of, even in my youth. My sister-in-law's grandson was in the GB rugby sevens team - one of their try-scorers. Sadly, they went out in the quarter finals to Argentina.
Soop, well done on the portrait of Simon - I know you found it a challenge and, strangely, I think he has a slightly challenging expression!

I am hoping now that everything I buy will "see me out" and when I told that to the computer man he laughed and wondered if I was only staying for another couple of years! He and his clients must have had worse luck than me because I bought mine between 5-7 years ago.
I wrote a good review for him and he has had a lot of phone calls and I have given his number to at least 25 people by now which is amazing. I was offering to be his private and personal secretary and with luck, he should get some work out of my review. He is a qualified electrician and does computing as a sideline. He is returning on Monday to finish off bits on this machine and will also give me quotes for two electrical jobs.
TOYA

Hellogirl1 Please resend Billy's photos. I haven't seen them.

Charleygirl It is the right thing to give credit where it is due. If your man lived near us, I would gladly ask him to sort out a few glitches with our computer.

kitty Our anno's suggestion is sound. What's more, I shall add a footstool to the snuggle-blanket that Jax has provided. You deserve some proper you-time.

anno You are so right. Simon is a cat with attitude. His owner is thrilled with the painting. She burst into tears. I would have preferred a huge smile (which followed very soon thereafter.)

Doodle Mr Soop enjoys sharing the shower with me from time to time. He claims that it's safer for me to have him wash my hair.

muse Belated happy anniversary greetings from me to you and your husband.
I do so love the wooden heart.

Yay! Cornwall certainly took a battering from the storm yesterday. We still haven't has a bad day. It's cooler. I'm pleased about that. A little rain but nothing significant.

We rescued over a dozen stranded bees this morning. Mr Soop referred to them collectively as being "a herd." A new container of sugar water will be needed tomorrow. We left behind the spoon, containing the sugar water with several bees drinking from it. A couple of cars stopped to ask what we were doing. So, we told them. The walk took a very long time to complete. We feel that it was worth the dilly dallying.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-657064-763609ca-2303-407b-9be3-a6c4511ab010.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-27541-1cb3e1b0-1df9-4edf-9a7d-0ae6d1ba1436.jpeg

Good to see you back Charleygirl.
Your picture of Simon is amazing Soop your are so talented.
Boris has gone home today,he been very good but hard work.I think my worn out hip and knee are even more worn out!! A quiet weekend is needed.
I will share my humble diamond art with you the picture and card is for Oscar’s birthday both his choice.
Enjoy your Saturday everyone.

Yiayia Wow! Humble diamond art? You have got to be having a laff. Your work is superb. Fabulous, in fact.

Hellogirl1, Billy is now awaiting my attention. I have downloaded the images and I've made my selection. Monday will be arty-farty hat day continued.

I now need to polish some furniture. Not because I want to but because I feel duty-bound to make an effort. I blame my Mum. She was terribly house-proud. I am not. But, I do try.

Love to all our lovely kitcheners. Enjoy your Saturday evening. Sadly, there isn't a Rebus on later. I am a huge fan.

Welcome back CharleyG, someone beat me to it, I was going to suggest giving your computer man`s number tom Soop, he might enjoy a trip to beautiful Kintyre.
Pleased you got the pics this time Soop
I`m off out for a family get together/Sunday lunch tomorrow, here`s where we`re going www.westwoodlakes.co.uk my first meal out for over 19 months, so looking forward to it.
YiaYia, your diamond art is brilliant, I particularly love the tiger.
TOYA

Thank you all for looking after me. Things have got slightly worse in that DD3 has been admitted to hospital while they work out what to do about her pain.

We have a family party tomorrow with enough food for 18 - up to now we are down 6 people! There will be left overs!!