Soop's open-all-hours supportive kitchen for kindly folk...

Welcome Granniesunite and CanadianGran and thank you all for your good wishes.

It has been a very busy day. Apart from four nuisance calls , we have had in-depth conversations and written communications with a variety of medical peoples.

Next week I shall be having the regular Zoledronic acid infusion at mid-Argyll hospital. I also have appointments for bloods and important pre-op stuff. It is all go!

I have finished the two pet portraits that I felt were important to paint in good time. I've one further portrait that a good friend has asked me do for her daughter. Time is of the essence.

I apologise for being late visiting our kitchen. I know that you will understand.

It doesn't seem possible that we are already a quarter of the way through this new kitchen of ours. Whatever happens, there will be a gathering place in my absence. Okay? Okay.

Time to tidy the studio. Paints and brushes all need cleaning.

Tomorrow afternoon, I am having my hair trimmed. Cannot go into Ross Hall looking like I don't give a damn.

Night night, my lovelies.

Just popping into the warm friendly kitchen after a busy day out and about.
Grandmabatty what a lovely busy day you’ve had, so good that you’re feeling better!
This morning I enjoyed an aerobics class at the gym and then decided to nip quickly into town to collect an M&S order. But whilst I was there DD2 messaged asking if I wanted to meet up so of course I said yes… so that was the afternoon soon gone. I walked back to her house with her and was happy to see the two DGC for a few minutes as they were just in from school and getting ready for football and brownies. All go in their little busy lives!

Good afternoon, or is it evening? Well we’ve just eaten dinner and are enjoying a lovely hot cup drink now. This afternoon my friend visited. I’ve not seen her since well before Christmas, and so we had a lovely time catching up, and managed to fit a short walk in too.

muse thank you for the love for my friends who have cancer (not the one I saw this afternoon) but it’s just two, not three, thankfully. I think I worded my post badly because I see it could have meant three friends. Anyway one friend has breast cancer, and the other has ovarian cancer which appears to have spread. She hasn’t started treatment yet, not till next week. I visit them and always offer to do anything for them that they need, particularly as one lives alone now. Anyway she wanted a new keysafe pad putting up, so DH bought one and fitted for her. It’s just a small thing but as my dad wrote in my autograph book when I was a little girl ‘Do unto others as you would have then do unto you’ and I’m sure they would visit me if I was in their situation.

How thoughtful maddyone a good friend indeed.
Off I went this morning, in the grey gloom, to the library, vape shop and picked up some bread. Back to hoover and dust, we had a smidge of sun yesterday, doesn’t half show up the dust. Then out to lunch, a few admin calls and one from DD, could I pick Imogen up from her netball match, of course I could, they won so she was happy. She also told me they dissected a heart at school, a lung tomorrow, I remember dissecting a heart when I was at school.
I’ll have some of what you’ve been imbibing Grandmabatty good to see you’re back on form.
Enjoy your evening everyone x

Hello everyone! Well DGS has been generous with his germs and we both have a cold. Today it crossed a threshold from a runny nose to the throat, ears, can’t get warm etc. We are not used to getting colds after the last couple of years! I did a LFT and it was clear - phew! DH is making tea, bless him.
We have had some of Urms sunshine today but you can keep your snow in Polmont GrandmaBatty!
I hope everyone has a good evening.

Grandmabatty if you’ve got any energy left please come and sort out my wardrobes and cupboards. Wow what a lot you’ve done today.
If I type in Polmont, autocorrect changes it to Polomint which is what it always reminds me of ?
Yes keep safe soop not long to go now.
Hope everyone is ok.

You’ve all been busy today, especially grandmabatty.

A grumpy, cancelled day here. Grocery delivery cancelled two hours before it was due, frustrating but more so was the call to cancel Mr C’s audiology appointment tomorrow. That’s the second cancellation. Maybe third time lucky at the end of next month.

On the positive side the car returned from its service gleaming inside and out.

Hope that cold settles soon nannytopsy. Look after yourselves everyone.

Report today from my daughter’s Plague House is that her little dd and her Dh are much improved. So much so that GD constructed an assault course in their sitting room from various bits of furniture. Dd has a bit of a cough and aches and pains, plus one of those headaches that hurts when you move your head too quickly. She’s using it as an excuse to sit on the sofa reading her Christmas books.

I had a busy morning with someone coming to quote for repairing the attic lining panels. The good news is that it can be done. The bad news is the cost - £1400.

Speaking of costs, have any other Scottish Gransnetters had the new smoke/fire alarm system installed into their home? It’s to be done by February. We’ve had a quote for £600. The interconnected alarms are not cheap and we need four smoke, one heat plus two CO alarms. ?

I tided more things away in the sitting room today and boxed up some art work we don’t want to hang but wish to keep. Need to find somewhere to store it that’s not damp and cold. I think we’ve done the better part of the job of decluttering for now, although I am pretending the attic doesn’t exist. There are still some cupboards to go into and dh needs to go through his zillions of CD’s, though I doubt many will be got rid of.

Maddy I hope your friends respond well to treatment. I’m sure you’re support will be very welcome.

GrandmaBatty you sound much brighter! A new woman! I’m ignoring your comment about snow.

Soop, it’s all gearing up! I agree with Charliegirl keep away from folks in case they have the lurgy!

I’m making some bread ready for the morning (well, the bread maker is making it) so there some lovely smells in the Kitchen tonight.

Sweet dreams, everyone! Xxx

‘Evening All’

We picked the Boy Wonder and L’il Miss p from school. It melts your heart when they come out and fling their arms around you saying ‘you’re back!’.
?

When we got to the car I leaned over to clip L’il Miss into her seat belt.

“You smell nice grandma ... like a different person”.

Love it.
I’d worn Givenchy ‘Amarige’ not one of my regulars.
x

Suedonim I haven't had the new smoke/heat alarms fitted yet because of a shortage of electricians. Urms what a lovely welcome. Cornergran thats a bloomin nuisance about MrC appointment. Doodle staying in Polomint has some advantages ?. I'm having a Bailey's and watching Goldfinger. I've been singing along with Shirley Bassey. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

We’re not getting the wired-in ones, GrandmaBatty we’re having the long-life radio ones. They can’t come until the end of Feb. I’m worried that not having them will invalidate our house insurance - it’s not clear what the situation is there.

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, the day has run away with me. It has been beautiful weather here, the wind was sharp but I soon get warm walking. Lovely to hear a lot of positive news and busy bees. Soop there will be a kitchen ready and waiting for you, I’m sure.

Goodnight, TOYA ❤️

Oooh thanks for the reminder Sue we looked at what new smoke/heat alarms we need a few weeks ago but haven’t ordered them yet - I’d best get a move on …

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people! I'm sitting in a cauld hoose because the engineers are here to fit a smart meter- third attempt but that's another story- so they've turned off the gas and electricity. They've been here since 1pm, hope they finish soon!
We have Bookgroup night out this evening at a lovely Chinese restaurant in the next town, looking forward to dressing up and enjoying the company of my sisters and friends, I'm very thankful. ? We will be discussing Anxious People by Richard Backman.
Dear Soop, what wonderful news, only 15 sleeps till the big day! Sounds like you are getting all organised in body, mind and spirit. ?
Glad to hear that Grandmabatty has bounced back from that virus, and that the Covid patients are recovering. TOYA especially those with illness, worries or sorrow.
Catching up with all your news after a couple of days childcare for DGS2, great fun but exhausting!!.

Dear you lovely lot, home from the hairdresser and supping The dear lady who owns the salon gave me the hair do as a wee gift. How kind is that? I shall show you the result of her kindness tomorrow. It looks perfect. I simply say, do whatever you wish...which is always the best way forward.

Sweetie Pie has been in and out throughout the day. She is lolling on her rug in the utility room right now.

We have all manner of finances to consider, and this morning was devoted to doing what we need to deal with thus far. Fourteen days in which to tie up some important loose ends.

Logging off for now. Tesco shop needs sorting and putting away.

I will return tomorrow. Hopefully I shall have more time for catch up.

Love to you all.

Good evening dear kitcheners - just popping in quickly to say hello whilst the chicken kievs and chips cook, salad all ready and waiting. Enjoy the the rest of your Friday

Oops correction, Anxious People by Frederik Backman....
House is cosy now, normal service has been resumed!

Hello lovely Kitchener’s, as it’s Friday I’ve left wine and nibbles on the side, please help yourselves!
Another good but busy day here in Inverness, I went to the gym for a splash around at the Aqua class then across to Starbucks with my pal for a sandwich and a good catch up. A bit of shopping in Tesco rounded off the day
I hope you enjoy your evening out grannmarie it sounds good ?
I’ve just ordered our heat and smoke alarms online from linked up alarms Sue it says they’re Scottish compliant and easy to set up and fit so fingers crossed that’s true…. will see
Hoping everyone has a good Friday evening and take care all

‘Evening All’

A good day here. Quiet. Nice for a change now and then. Chatted to my stepfather he’s doing well & we as a family are all meeting up tomorrow which will be lovely. Our Yorkshire Lass and her partner are driving over and will stay the night with us.

We went out in the sunshine for a walk. I was too hot in my pink teddy coat.
?

Later we did our Day 2 PCRs. Made me gag. Ugh! Never mind they’re in the post now. Not expecting anything untoward after flying home ...

Urm You'll be all reet, as my gran would say.

Same for me Nannytopsy. My throat felt really thick this morning. Negative ☺️.

Quick visit Kitcheners. I spotted these by the rockery today. It was raining but what a cheery sight.

Beautiful snowdrops, they’re lovely muse.
Glad everyone is improving and happy.
Mr M and I did the house cleaning today, so not a very exciting day.
Goodnight everyone, sleep well.

muse Snowdrops speak to me of hope and resilience. Beautiful in their simplicity.

Letter arrived today from Ross Hall. We need to go to Glasgow mid-week for my pre-op assessment.

Another busy day ahead. Mr Soop managed a bit of a blurred photo of my new hair-do. So easy to run my fingers through it and still manage to look half decent.

Soop your hair is lovely.

That’s a superb hair cut soop, really easy to manage. Truly suits you. Good luck with the pre op. Travel safely.

Snowdrops always make me smile muse. Thank you. Good timing as I’m a right grouch today.

That's a lovely photo soop, a great hair-do. all ready for Ross Hall. We will all be thinking of you with positive thoughts.

I was happy to spot our first snowdrops in the garden this week.

Warm wishes to all in this friendly kitchen, & to all who take an interest, but don't often post, (like me!!)