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

Hellogirl your Dr has been remiss, the new drugs should kick in quickly, thank goodness for someone on the ball.
Thank you feelingmyage no sweet tooth here, but a cheese and olive straw or two is perfect.
Inspiring pictures dustyangel make my heart lift.
Quiet day here, normal Sunday, bedding washed, dried and back on the bed, it’ll smell lovely later. Poussin in the oven, veg prepped, TV schedule pleases me tonight, MrJ not so enamoured with CTM, but will endure it before The Tourist.
I’m very pleased GS has company from her DS, a time that will take more time, hugs sent.
And more hugs sent to all, happy or consoling x

Hellogirl, what a shock you must have had with the new doctor's diagnosis. It doesn't say much for your previous doctor who must have had the evidence but didn't act on it. It's good that they now have plans for your treatment. Sorry that a rift is opening between your daughter and the rest of the family, with you in the middle which is an uncomfortable position. Thinking of you xx

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-279230-dc002c06-1383-4896-85b1-1b2af1d71ca7.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-623866-95653d54-a755-4f69-a2d8-cb4470d8df05.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-140950-786cf296-2ebd-4e76-99ce-c0af400f1d49.jpeg

First one is the view from my kitchen window, and I know I’m very lucky! The flower bed has looked after itself since last Autumn and the last one shows that the Almond blossom is just starting to come out. I always feel that is the first sing of Spring for me but to be honest we can still have bad weather for several months yet. The Algarve seasons are as temperamental as England’s.

Wow feelingmyage that sounds brilliant- we’ll done with all that baking, I’m in awe of you!
Hoping you feel a bit better soon Grandmabatty, fingers crossed it’s not covid and you’re much better soon
I’ve been out again today with DD2, a last minute request as usual as she was bored Ah well, her old mum to the rescue to cheer her up with a listening ear. I had planned on staying in today in the warmth and just pottering about, but I never say no if I’m asked to go out
Thank goodness you’re now getting appropriate treatment hellogirl and you saw a good doctor, please look after yourself ?

Hellogirl1 that sounds horribly painful but I’m glad that your other health problem has at last been flagged up and hope your new medication starts working quickly.

Both DH and I have had horrendous colds over the last week or two. We’ve been very careful wearing masks when out but the mystery of how we caught them has just been solved by DH’s nephew who has just been in and said that he’d been really ill himself since we last saw him at Christmas. Even when he calls we usually have the door wide open and carefully sit the required distance apart. Fortunately he has clear lateral flow tests so I think that means that we won’t need to but we’ll check with the local pharmacy tomorrow.
DN had tried to saw down a dead tree earlier and fortunately realised that that he wasn’t well enough yet. He said to me, “ It’s no joke this getting older is it?” Given that he’s about ten or more years younger that us, I could have told him that!

It was so lovely here earlier I couldn’t resist taking photos of the sunny morning for you all, it’s about the same temperature as Urms is getting in Spain but can feel a lot colder with the Atlantic breezes instead of Mediterranean ones.

Photos will follow.

Hellogirl1 Big, very gentle (((hugs))) from us lot. Be extra kind to yourself.

Maw Sometimes we make such errors of judgement. Smile and remember that you are now well stocked for the foreseeable future.

Feelingmyage PLEASE rest and take plenty of fluids. Update us asap. You matter.

GrannySomerset The comfort of having a dear son to support you throughout this very sad and difficult time is priceless. You are in our thoughts and we all send our love.

Painting the pet portrait continues to progress favourably. There is always a dangerous tendency to want to overwork it. I may need to sit back and consider just how much needs to be done. Sometimes, less is more.

Another wild day in bonnie Kintyre. I haven't stepped outside the house. We are continuing to peer periodically through the kitchen window. Sweetie Pie will hopefully call by anytime soon. There is plenty of finest feline fare in the overstuffed cupboard.

Until tomorrow. TOYA.

I'm gluten free feelingmyage, I'll help out!!

brook Did you mention cake? I am now needing to diet and cannot entertain the idea of eating any at this time.

Feelingmyage that baking marathon sounds amazing. Unfortunately, I'm feeling under the weather with a sore throat and a headache. I was unable to access tests today so will try again tomorrow. What is worse, I've lost my appetite! ? I'm isolating til I find out if it's covid or another virus. I did wonder if it was the scented candles I had burning yesterday. Oh well, have a good evening Kitcheners.

Hoping today is going ok grannysomerset thinking of you ?

Popped into the kitchen to say hello. It is so cold I haven’t even been for my usual walk. To stop myself reading and browsing all the sale offers, and therefore spending too much money, I have done a baking marathon. So there is Victoria sponge with raspberry jam, lemon drizzle buns and gluten free coconut pyramids. There are cheese and olive straws for the more savoury palate. I think it is Panache who is gluten free? If you are reading Panache, my very best wishes to you and thinking of you.
I have written and posted thank you notes despite have said my thank yous on the phone. It is lovely receiving a thank you letter especially those indecipherable scribbles from children which warm my heart.
I am watching the Djokovic debacle with interest. Nadal has suggested that the easy way out is simply to be vaccinated. The choice is personal but as a very public figure, he may influence people against vaccination which is a shame.
soop you are having such a challenging time, you have my admiration and encouragement to hang in there until the operation. ?
TOYA

GrannySomerset thinking of you at this sad time ?. Hope everyone is having the best day they possibly can TOYA ?

Glad you have some support GS and your son is feeding you up!

Crikey, HelloGirl!! I bet that was scary! At least you seem to be in the system and seeing the right people.

Maw sorry, but that made me smile! DD3, who moved house in November, did a large, post Christmas order (£200 worth) and had it delivered to her old address, 20 miles away.

Isn't it silly that we keep adding to the ironing pile, Topsy - will we ever learn?

We are awaiting the results of pcr tests on 5 people in the family. I'm really fed up now!!

I seem to have missed news of Mr Somerset. I am so sorry, GrannySomerset.

Dear GrannySomerset, sending love and prayers, R.I.P. GrandpaSomerset ???

Warm & caring thoughts for you GrannySomerset. Take care.

Thinking of you all in soop's cosy kitchen, especially those with added problems.

Have had a good day with DS and contacted lots of people about DH. He cooked a lovely suppers and lovely , the first proper meal I have eaten since Christmas (query -why no thinner?) and reminisced. Will go to church tomorrow and plan a bit for the funeral, probably not till the end of the month. Am lucky to have such an excellent son.

Thank you for kind thoughts- I was indeed in deepest Slough (the slough of despond) but feel much better today!
That’s life isn’t it - up and down, just when it’s down and down and further down that it gets alarming.
Made a classic boo boo yesterday though. Booked an Ocado order , only time I could get was 8-8.30 tonight, so out of interest went on the Waitrose website and they had a slot this afternoon ! Result!I placed the same order with them, and…you have probably guessed the rest. Yep I forgot to cancel the Ocado order.
I now have 4x2l bottles of skimmed milk, 2 deodorants, 2 bottles of loo cleaner, 2 bottles of shampoo, 4 garlic breads, 4 rolls of kitchen paper, 4 custard tarts,2 bags of dishwasher tabs etc etc etc
If I had a brain I’d be dangerous.
Gentle hugs to Granny Somerset and all,others with sorrow or worries xx

So pleased to read your latest news Soop, looking forward to reading the next chapter.
Yesterday I went for a blood test and also an appointment with physio. He confirmed that what I have in my foot IS Plantar Fasciitis, and was about to spray something on to help the pain when he noticed a "wound" under my heel. He instantly made an appointment for me to see the doctor, yes, a real live doctor folks! The doctor, who I`ve never met before, but was very nice, said it looked like a corn under there, and is arranging for me to see a podiatrist. He then shocked me, and scared me a little, by saying that my recent blood tests and BP checks had been looked at very carefully, and I have Atrial Fibrillation. He says it`s in my records that it was diagnosed in 2018 by a previous doctor, now retired, but nothing was done, he said I should have been under treatment since then, and is surprised I haven`t had a stroke or a heart attack. My pulse was 130, so he`s started me on 2 new meds, one a blood thinner, the other to slow my heart rate down. Today I`ve been to the local hospital for an echocardiogram.
The rest of the family have been talking to my disabled daughter who lives with me, asking her to not have me to-ing and fro-ing so much for her, so now she thinks she`s being "got at".

We’ve been to the pantomime ( oh no we haven’t!) and have now returned two children, high as kites, to parents. ??
Unlike them, we are having a quiet evening.
Tomorrow I must attack the lower slopes of Mount Ironing while loading the washing machine to create more foothills.
Sleep well everyone.

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Just dropping in to catch up on your news. I have slept most of the day thanks to my tum giving me a disturbed night, still managed 45 minutes cycling. Hugs to all feeling down . Thinking of GrannySomerset on such a sad day. Glad to see you back in your kitchen soop and glad you’re settled in Malaga Urms, have a lovely time.

Goodnight, TOYA

Soop! You’re too kind. ❤️

Urmston, not one of we UK-based Grans is envious of your 21deg temps, oh no, not at all. We like our winters to be cold and damp and dull. ?. Enjoy!

Serious decluttering and spring cleaning going on here. I’m not sure what’s come over me, to tell the truth. Anyway, all the kitchen unit doors have been washed and cleaned (how does Dh manage to get the coffee from his coffee machine everywhere??) and the units in the futility room have been emptied, junk cleared out and wanted items out back. There is even an empty cupboard and an empty drawer now!

The Long River people delivered some flat pack cardboard boxes and some storage bags today so I now feel I can get on with proper tidying up.

It’s a quiet rest of the evening for me, I’ll see if there’s something nice on the box to watch. Sweet dreams, all! X

Well that all sounds spot on Urmstongran, far better than the dull rainy day here, all day. In consequence I have done little other than faff about with the Saturday paper, including the crossword, watch my football team win, making heavy work of it though and cook a disappointing dinner.
Another day tomorrow, I bid you all a gentle evening.

Maw I wish I lived round the corner from you. I would come round and tackle all those tasks. Sorry these "small" things are combining into pulling you down. I hope tomorrow is better for you but if it isn't come back here and vent. The kitcheners are on your side.
Working all weekend so already in bed. Lovely crisp day here. Snow away.
Can't wait to hear soop's next bit of news. Best wishes to all of you.x

‘Evening All’

We’ve had a wonderful first day here in sunny Malaga. Spent the morning sorting as we’ve not been here since the end of September. Put away beach stuff and summer dresses as I shan’t be needing them this trip. Got out our warmer clothes. The days are hot 21°C but once the sun goes down about 5:30pm it does feel chilly.

We needed sunscreen today for our faces! Not many visitors here, it’s so sad to see the paseo so deserted. Manchester airport was the quietest I’ve ever known it. So many people are frightened of travelling it seems.
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Had to laugh earlier. I must have thought I was home. The radio (Malaga) was on and instead of going over to switch the radio off I almost said ‘Alexa, stop’.
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