Soop's welcoming kitchen for kind and caring folk...

For those of you keen in spirit to declutter but less so in body (me), this has been my approach. All these years I’ve been asking myself the wrong question - do I want or not want this item? Instead, I’m now asking myself ‘Will I ever read, wear, watch or otherwise use this item’?

The answer is often very different from the want/not want question. It really is liberating, as Dogs has said! Most of yesterday’s sorting out has gone to recycling/charity today and a small amount to the dump.

I haven’t sorted out anything else today, which feels a bit remiss but I may do a small drawer or two this evening, to placate my conscience. It’s chilly so I’ve lit the fire and can sit by it while going through paperwork.

I’m sorry to hear of so much covid still doing the rounds. I was quite cheered by an article on the BBC today about how we might now be moving towards the end stage of the pandemic in which we will come to tolerate it much as we do colds and flu.

A peaceful evening, all. Xxx

Good evening dear Kitcheners. We had a lovely trip to Wensleydale, the beautiful scenery, fresh air and delicious food did us both the world of good. I have spent the last couple of days sorting out various online accounts, so many verification codes required now to do even the simplest financial transaction. I appreciate the reasons why, but for those of us with VI it’s a slow, laborious and frustrating experience. All sorted now, tomorrow’s task is to install an upgraded router so I may be missing in action again.

I’m so glad you’ve had the letter and are moving forward soop.

Goodnight for now, TOYA.

Just popping into the kitchen early to say hello as I didn’t get chance last night.
Your trip to Wensleydale sounds lovely Blossoming, just what’s needed to lift the spirits
We enjoyed a lovely day walking around the waterfront at Plymouth, it stayed dry, we caught a little ferry across the water and we even sat outside for lunch - well wrapped up of course but coming from Inverness that’s quite usual!
I’m definitely going to adopt your approach to de cluttering when I get home Sue thanks for the tip
Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday and I’ve left freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants on the side for all to enjoy

Morning. Blossoming your photograph was was uplifting. Thank you for posting it. Grey skies here but I feel blue ones imminent. A wash on and quick sqoosh round the bathroom. SueDonim's tips attitude has invigorated me. Started on my book cases. I love books but I don't need so many. Rather embarrassingly I have several books on decluttering...There is a book bank at the dump too. Am getting carried away now. The place under the stairs has been tackled too. May repaint it. Have a good,safe and peaceful day as possible.

Good afternoon, new to this, I thought I’d just pop my head in and see if it’s busy. I have never liked crowded places, but feel comfortable and welcome here. Since a link popped up on my iPad a few weeks ago, I have been reading some threads most days.^However did I not find you before?! Eldest DGD is 13.^ I have laughed and cried and you have made me feel more normal (whatever that is) and realise how any problems I may have are minicule compared to others.

I have joined GN today because I want to wish soop all the very best for tomorrow. I hope mr soop will be able to accompany you. I haven’t been allowed any accompanied outpatient appointments either private or nhs during the last two years and notice marydoll and others have suffered, or are suffering, the same. I do hope it will be different for you. I think you have a long journey to get to the hospital, so hope that is bearable too. I am sure we will all be thinking of you tomorrow and hope for a positive and successful Consultation. Good luck and look forward to an update when you feel able. (Thanks also to mr soop for the thanks a few weeks ago).

Have to press send now, as DH is about to cut power off to fit new element to heated towel rail!

GrandmaSeaDragon what a lovely post.
May I second your thoughtful message to Soop.

Welcome GrandmaSeaDragon. Life goes on does it not?

I note the evenings are becoming fractionally lighter and in a couple of months, I will be able to hang clothes outside again to dry.

Grannytopsy I am so sorry about Charlie. It is a year since I took Tara to the vet for her last trip and she is still on my mind.

BladeAnnie Duncan looks so chilled out- a comfortable place to rest his weary eyes and a full stomach. What more could a young man want?

soop good luck for tomorrow.

My friend and neighbour managed to get my new router up and running with difficulty but getting Alexa to work is a major problem. How I was expected to do it when he had IT training is beyond me.

Welcome GrandmaSeaDragon. I am a newbie so won't say much except to say you have come to a lovely place.
Good luck Soop. Many people will be thinking of you.
The recycling centre visit went well. Lovely helpful men there who offered assistance though we declined. Think it will be the start of many trips. Galvanised me into tidying up the front garden. Our Christmas tree is being taken away tomorrow too so that will help. Best wishes to you all and thank you SueDonim for sharing your tips and inspiring me.

Welcome to the kitchen GrandmaSeaDragon. It's a lovely place to sit. All the best Soop for tomorrow. I was up a lot last night coughing like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. I have managed to do the housework but I'm having a quiet day. Have a good afternoon kitcheners.

Welcome GrandmaSeaDragon. Where abouts are you? Soop draws us in from all over!
It is definitely getting lighter in the mornings and evenings. We had enough breeze to hang the washing out today. I had finished the ironing and now it starts again. ?
We have been clearing out too! A lot of the clothes that came with us when we moved have been reviewed since we no longer work, don’t go anywhere posh and have put on weight. Curtains which came but don’t fit have gone too. There is more to do but feeling a bit smug!
Good luck tomorrow Soop!

Nannytopsy - I have been trying to think of a name for a while, so was going to be Grandmacrosspatch - DH thought it appropriate!! but I meant because I cross stitch and love patchwork and quilting, all my favourite flowers were taken, so name relates to the news of the sea dragon found. We live in the same County. I sincerely hope my 5 DGC don’t think I’m a dragon!!

Thank you everyone for the welcome, you are so kind. It took me ages to press the send button. The italics didn’t work, shall have to read the instructions again!

Hi everyone and “Welcome” to GrandmaSeaDragon.
You have prompted me to wish soop a positive outcome tomorrow.
We will be with you in spirit.
I’ve checked the birthday card box I keep and have enough for the whole of this year I think. I had no idea I had bought so many and squirrelled them away.
Thinking of you all and hoping poorly people on here get better soon. ?

Welcome GrandmaSeaDragon
Wishing you all the best Soop

A warm welcome to dear GrandmaSeaDragon, we hope that you enjoy time spent with us lot in our friendly kitchen. Thank you also for your very kind message.

Thank you to all our Kitcheners for your supportive messages.

We leave mid-morning tomorrow. Will return home late afternoon. I shall therefore update you on Tuesday morning. If I can return home with a date for the surgery I shall be well happy. If not, well, I shall have to carry on mustering patience. Ten years and counting...

I doubt that our present kitchen will need closing before I return. If it does, please will the last person in close the door and open our new gathering place. The key will be in the usual place. The heating on. Cushions plumped. Bubbly and in the larder.

Away to shower and wash my hair. Also select a pleasing outfit in which to attend the hospital appointment. It may be my Per Una midi tartan skirt and a burnt orange sweater. Can't let the side down.

Night night. TOYA []moon]

All the best for tomorrow soop. Everything will be crossed here.

Hello grandmaseadragon. Good to see you.

Oh blimey, charley, we’re due a new router. Hope Alexa likes ours!

Our afternoon yesterday was such fun if a little (a lot!) noisy. As ever I feel sad today not knowing when we’ll next see them. Daft bat that I am. Next week is the first anniversary of a scan telling us their much wanted baby had died. It will be a hard one for all of us, particularly for them.

Decluttering folk have triggered guilt here. All good intentions disappeared with a new library book. Since I discovered the library’s on line books to read on the iPad productivity has dropped by at least 80%. Oops. Oh well, tomorrow is another day not yet touched as my Mum was fond of saying.

Take care everyone. TOYA.

Evening all,

Just popped in to wish you safe journey tomorrow Soop . Lets hope all the news is good and you come back with a date for your op. You have waited long enough.

I am so sorry NannyT to hear about Charlie. What a hold they have on us don't they . I'm sure when asked he will be telling everyone he misses you too xx

The inaugural dip went well thanks Brook and no more was said about the trauma of erection although the awning is still in its box ...Grampy's life is safer that way!!

It was a nice surprise Muse , it was in lieu of sapphires for our 45th wedding anniversary - far more practical!

Its my turn to cook dinner so I must go and do some prep - happy days all x

Popped in with some freshly baked scones if anyone fancies one? Clotted cream and strawberry jam available too.

Just wanted to send best wishes to Soop for tomorrow. Safe journey and a scheduled plan of action we hope!

GrandmaSeaDragon welcome - you will soon feel at home here and if you like this thread you might also like the Good Morning which is just as nice!

‘Evening All’.

A lovely sunny afternoon over here in Malaga. We went for a long stroll along the paseo and called in a bar owned by our ex-neighbours in Urmston. It was nice to catch up. Then walking back home I stopped to admire this lovely plant. It grows abundantly out here, cascading over garden walls. It certainly brightens up January days.

Best wishes for tomorrow soop I do hope all goes well and you come home enlightened.

? to you GrandmaSeaDragon - I’m a relative newbie myself.

Sending very best wishes to soop tomorrow too. Do hope you come back with a plan.

Sorry to hear about Charlie, Topsy. I bet you 'see' him out of the corner of your eye quite often.

Welcome SeaDragon. We are in Leicestershire so not too far away from you.

Welcome GrandmaSeaDragon you’ll like it here!
We’ve been out to lunch, catching up with old friends, delightful.
Don’t forget your JB boots soop, I wish you well tomorrow!
A quiet evening, remnants of Christmas cheese are out if we need a snack.
Enjoy your evening all. x

Just popping in to wish you well Soop (and of course everybody else)
The Covid warriors seem to be holding their own I am glad to say - it is a worry though especially when there is absolutely nothing I can do. Action may not solve a problem, but idle hands just leave space for an over-active worry gene
I am attaching a pic of Rosie curled up into the smallest possible ball for a long dog! !I think she just wanted to make sure she got maximum sun.

Just popping in to wish you a safe journey and successful consultation for tomorrow soop.As others have said I hope you come home with a plan in place ???

So sorry to hear about Charlie NannyTopsy?

We are finishing the Christmas cheese tonight too Jax!

Totally understand maw. Our granddaughters mum has covid, they aren’t too far away geographically but may as well be on the moon for all the help it’s possible to offer. She sounds quite poorly. Hard not to worry about the little family.

Popping in to wish Soop a safe journey and a successful outcome for tomorrow.
The weather forecast is good, so that is one less worry.

GrandmaSeaDragon, welcome. This is how to show a word in italics.
Put this symbol ^, without spaces on either side of the word you wish to write in italics.

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. A very special welcome to GrandmaSeaDragon, you'll like it here!

Not long home after a busy weekend visiting family. Yesterday we headed east to DS1, DDIL1, DGS1, DGD and Granddog, for DGS1's 15th birthday celebrations. DS3 and lovely GF came too. It was good to see DDiL1's recently bereaved extended family in happier circumstances. We had a lovely visit, GS1 loved his presents, we had lasagne then Malteser birthday cake, both home made, delicious.

Today we headed west to DDS2, DDiL2 and DGS2, who moved into their brand new home yesterday! I entertained the wee boy, nearly two, who just loves playing
with his cars and tractors and diggers, while Papa and Daddy assembled stuff and Mummy unpacked. We will resume our childcare days this week, looking forward to it.

I'm very thankful that we've seen our three sons, dils and grandchildren in the space of the weekend. ???

Soop, one more sleep, you and Mr Soop must be so excited ! I'm hoping and praying that all goes well tomorrow and you come home safely with a date in your diary.

TOYA, I'm glad to hear that the Covid patients are recovering. NNGB