Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

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The mad spare room. We still have pictures to put on the wall and a black lamp will replace the purple ones.

Hello 👋 Galen, good luck for your family visit tomorrow, I'm sure all will go well.

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people!🥰

Soop, your poor friend, to have lost three senior members of her family in such a short time, it'll take the heart from her, God bless her and comfort her in her sorrow.

Neine, thank you kindly for your prayers, much needed and appreciated. I had another 'episode' yesterday, when I was sitting dozing on the sofa, I'm pinning my hopes on Friday's appointment.

SueD, I'm so glad to hear that your DS's treatment is much improved for him this time.

Jaxjacky, sounds like fun, I love a quiz night. I don't think I've been to one since before the pandemic.... I hope MrJ is doing well.

Nannytopsy, enjoy your sleepover with baby Fergus, special times indeed. I've been gently removed from childcare duties at the moment, but DS2, DDIL2 and the Wee Boy came through to visit at the weekend. We went to the playground and had a nice afternoon all together.

👋 Hello, Sar, that must have been a shock at the opticians. I was told the same a couple of years ago, but their equipment is so sensitive that it can detect cataracts in the very early stages, years before they require treatment.

Grandmabatty, you are a wise woman, our grandchildren won't always be wee, it's important to make the most of these times and store up lots of happy memories.

Cornergran, I hope you and MrC have a wonderful time on Saturday, many happy returns on his 80th birthday!🎂

Enjoy your pancakes, YiaYia!

BladeAnnie, you are indeed lucky to have your DGC nearby, I've to drive up/ down the motorway to visit mine.

LLL, how exciting, an Australian wedding! Such a long journey but it will be well worth it to see your DB and family.

Urms, well done you for bringing up the tricky subject and resolving it! You'll sleep well tonight.

Brook, good for you, tackling the garden. I've bought some primula, but haven't yet mustered the energy to go out and tackle the tubs. Maybe tomorrow...

Blossoming, I hope your extended driveway makes things easier for you.

I met my dear friend this morning for tea and pancakes, she's a retired nurse, she thinks I have unstable angina...I didn't know there was such a thing?
Her son, the paramedic who attended DH when he collapsed last summer, has advised me to phone 999 if it happens again...

TOYA, NNGB.

Just heard that darling daughter and family are coming tomorrow. Panic! They don’t come very often, I love having them but I find it stressful at short notice
I’m postponing my pancakes until Friday.
Wish me luck! I love them all but the youngest who darling daughter insists is a normal 6 yr old , I’m sure has ADHD.
He is exhausting!

Good evening all. The paving is all done, too dark for photos. I’m afraid it’s not very interesting, just some extra width for the driveway. I won’t be having to battle with unruly shrubs when I get out of the car . You are having more than your share of troubles Soop, I hope Ross Hall can give some positive news on your knee. Good luck with the food delivery Cornergran. That’s a very special birthday!

Hello kitchen pals, I’ve enjoyed a quiet day here, stayed in and tackled the gardening. I was so pleased to see some sunshine and it actually felt a tiny bit warm! Signs that spring is on its way
I’ve been sorting out some admin this afternoon, mainly the online renewal of the car insurance. It amazes me how there’s such a price difference between providers for exactly the same cover, you really do need to shop around. Anyhow it’s all sorted now at a good price so a job well done
Pleased it’s all sorted now Urms
Soop 💐

My book group is reading The Go Between. Not a favourite book. It is so sad and is a life wasted.

An early ‘Evening All’ from me.

I rather monopolised the thread last night! 😮
Chicken in the oven and I’ve got sprouts, cauliflower and baby potatoes to put a light under in half an hour.

I went for a lovely two hour stroll with a friend at lunchtime. I had to bring up a subject that had been mithering me recently and I was dreading it but knew I had to be brave and address it. All sorted amicably in just a few sentences too. Yay! I’m so pleased. She’s a dear friend.

Himself wants to watch Liverpool -v- Real Madrid tonight. I’ve started our next book club read on my Kindle - ‘The Mountain Between Us’ - and I’m loving it already so that’s me sorted for this evening!

Hello everyone. Pancakes are delayed until tomorrow. We’ve had such a busy day. A delicious lunch at Cote with free cocktails. A trip to the Ashmolean to see the Labyrinth exhibition which was brilliant. Finally a visit to the cheese shop in Ship Street where OH exchanged a voucher for several pieces of what I would call evil cheese. My brother rang from Australia this morning. His other daughter is getting married at the end of this year or the beginning of next. I suspect I’ll be going on my own as OH isn’t keen on long haul travel anymore. The curtains for the ‘New’ room are here. I will hang them tomorrow. They are just as wild and mad as I expected. Commiserations to all of you with troubles and heartbreak.🌺

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. soop your poor friend 🌷🌷 - no words are there? I'm about ready for bed 💤💤 after looking after two DGC who were most definitely full of beans!! Lovely though and I feel so fortunate that they are only 10 minutes away from us 🩷. We are just waiting for the nice sainsbury's driver to deliver our shopping. Stir Fry tonight (easy tea 😁?) and I most definitely won't be late to bed!! Withing everyone a very pleasant evening. 🌷🌷

Afternoon Kitcheners.Those early days of caring for Grandchildren are gone in a heart beat.We we’re very similar to you Urms, away in Greece most of the summer then a lot of childcare when at home.It was hard work but we loved it.We now have 3 strapping teenagers and a 9 year old.Still have a lovely relationship with them all but of course they have so much going on in their lives now.Time moves on but memories stay forever.
Good news of your son SueD.
DH is making pancakes, think I will have blueberries and honey with mine.
Have a nice evening everyone.

Good news about your son sued, you must be relieved, it will be good to see him soon I'm sure.

I'm sure you'll be fine nannyt but I agree, being in sole charge of little ones is stressful. We laugh now and say ours are in charge of us, not that they seem to find that in any way stressful. Of course we re far better behaved than they were .

I'm pleased you will be able to have an assessment on your knee soop. A very sad time for that family, there seems to be so much sadness at the moment.

Please practice the pacing kitty it is worth it, honestly. Rest sound to be the order of the day for you too neine, it is frustrating when the head says go do it and the body says don't you dare. The restrictions won't be forever, hope you are much more comfortable very soon.

We wandered out this morning and goodness it was chilly, what my Mum used to call damp cold. Staying inside for the rest of the day and hoping our grocery order turns up tomorrow. Should have been today but an IT glitch with the supermarket cancelled many customers orders. I am assured all will be well tomorrow, hope so as its full of things for Mr C's birthday bash with the family on Saturday. He'll be 80, a time for celebration. Neither of us can cope with bag carrying at the moment. Please keep your fingers crossed for that delivery.

I've a list of things to do admin wise and have found many a creative way to avoid them all for the last week, best get down to it. I'm telling myself how pleased I will be when they are done, true but so far its not enough of an inducement. Onwards!

Good afternoon dear gransnetters. A very dull, grey and chilly day here.
Such sad news Soop, it doesn't seem fair that one family goes through so much.
A very long visit to the optican this morning. First off a contact lens check which was ok. Then a sight test and all that entails, and the optician told me I have the beginnings of cateracts in both eyes. A bit of a shock.
A change in prescription so new varifocals. All in all I was in there for two hours and my bank account a little lighter !!!
I've just made a pasta bake for tea. I'm not sure about pancakes, DH is not bothered so I probably won't make any.
On the subject of grandchildren. DH and I have ten between us, the youngest is now 5 and there won't be anymore. They all seem to grow up so quickly and have so many hobbies and interests, I can't keep up.
I'm going to DD1 on Friday for a few days so will catch up with three of them. I haven't seen them since before Christmas so I am looking forward to going.

How very sad for that family soop.
SueD I’m so glad to read your son’s current treatment isn’t causing such a reaction as the last one, reassuring. I wish you luck looking after the little one, I’m sure it’ll all be fine.
Yes Blossoming let’s see the new patio!
It’s cold here, forecast was 12, it’s 7.5, just went to get some cash out and buy some flowers, no daffs, so tulips will have to do.

Your poor friend, Soop. More for the unwell ones and other Kitcheners with troubles. A small ray of light is that we can each find support on here. You’ve been so kind to me regarding my son, I do appreciate it.

Neine I’m chuckling at people eating coconut cake by 9am - what do they have for elevenses and afternoonses and so on?

Yes, it is nerve-wracking, Urms to care for someone else’s child. My main concern is always what if they won’t stop crying?? 👀

It’s a quiet rest-of-the-day for us. Dh had skin surgery on his leg this morning to remove a BCC so he’s got to rest for 48hrs.

Have a good day everyone.

Soop that poor woman. What a sad time in her family.

Blossoming photos of the finished patio are required! Urms I often feel exhausted when I have both boys but I know it won't be forever. And yes, I take all the snuggles and cuddles I am given. Dgs2 struggled to go for a nap this morning, but grandma cuddled him and rocked him to sleep. Hopefully I'll always be a part of their life, but that part will change as they grow. I don't think I'll have any more grandchildren so these two are very precious to me. Pancakes were made and eaten for breakfast by dgs1. Dgs2 looked at them disdainfully and opted for Weetabix. Have a good afternoon kitcheners.

Thank you, Neine. Our GP is giving us a copy of the x-ray results. We'll then make an appointment at Ross Hall.

Late yesterday afternoon, our pal whose Mother's funeral we attended on Thursday, told us that her mum's sister, her favourite aunt, had died. Her uncle died three weeks ago. Three members of the same family! Her aunt had heard that I was crowd funding for the bowel surgery. I had met her, briefly, when I used to iron for my friend. Out of the blue, aunt M sent us a cheque for £2000. She, like many others that I had never known, will never be forgotten. My gratitude lives on.

Good morning dear Kitcheners. I’ve been up for ages, the prep for the paving was all done yesterday and it is now being laid. They start work very early! I’m glad your OH is doing well Neine.

Granmarie...I hope you are feeling better now and they can resolve it on Friday....my turn to pray for you now. !
Urms...I know exactly what you mean... It's been 4 years since I saw any of mine now and am very much aware that the 3 I mentioned before are now 16 x 2 and 11. The others are 18..15...12..10..8...4 and 2. I have never seen or cuddled the youngest one. I saw the twins and DG6 everyday and writing about the weekends with them made me blub a bit but I have the wonderful memories as will you and MrUrms.
Beautiful pictures of sunsets and Amaryllis ladies.
SueD I'm so glad that the second chemo has gone better. You will feel more reassured when you see him in person too.
I don't envy you packing up prior to moving Yia...it still haunts me having to do it twice in 9 months..and there are still items in the lock up that I swore I vitally needed to keep!!!!!!
Soop...get that knee sorted as soon as you can... orthopedic pain is so wearing.
I had my 12 week assessment at the gym and was told no walking or gym work. I'm to do 2 minutes of stretching twice a day but only 4 days a week. So frustrating. I really enjoyed our walk on Sunday but paid the price for it yesterday.
DOH is doing very well in his new role. I couldn't be more proud of him. Last week he took in the carrot cake I mentioned before and today he has taken in a coconut cake which apparently had been sampled and approved by 9am!!!!!
Have a good day everyone.

Popping in to clear my mind. I was dreaming but it was becoming a nightmare. I woke up but I knew I would carry on dreaming if I went straight back to sleep. Should be ok now.
DD is here with DGS and she has asked if we will have him overnight here next week. Eek! He is a very good sleeper but it will be nerve wracking. They are getting childcare arrangements sorted ready for her return to work, but they can only get 3 days a week in Kent. People are booking 3 years in advance!
I think there may be days when I am down there and DH is on duty up here!
As others have said, it’s a privilege and something to be cherished.
I shall go back to sleep now and no dreams I hope!
💤

Just having a quick peek into the kitchen before sleep. That’s great news about your son SueD, I hope he continues to do well,

Aw you’ve all grown up together Jax that’s really lovely. x

Late for me, we’ve been at quiz, great fun as always, but MrJ takes loss a bit personally!
Beautiful sunset BA thank you. I hope you manage the balance Yia, tricky.
Me too awaiting a picture llfl you’ll have to buy a lovelier lamp for you.
I agree Urms I saw Imogen when she was five minutes old, she’ll be 16 this year, Fin is morphing into a young person at 10, not so much of a child. What’s lovely is MrJ has known them for their whole lives, Jeni was 13 and Callum 8 when we first got together, now 32 and 36.
I now have a glass of white, I was driving earlier.
I’ll wish you all a peaceful night.

Happy to hear the good news about your son’s easier response to his treatment this time around SueDonim. That must reassure you. I agree with you that baby minding for more than a few hours is anxiety inducing. It’s the responsibility isn’t it?
😮