Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for friendship...

Welcome, Fairycakes and Septimia, I'm sure you'll be glad you found Soop's warm and friendly kitchen!.

Thinking especially of Baggs and her DD, Urms and Himself, and all those in need of a hug and/or a wee prayer. 🙏
I hope The Soops, Grandmabatty, Blossoming and YiaYia are feeling a bit better now.

It's been dull and rainy for the past few days, but I've been having a lovely time celebrating my birthday. Yesterday my sisters treated me to a very relaxing spa afternoon. We were in a smart hotel and at one point we were sitting in a huge hot tub on an elevated deck overlooking the Firth of Clyde, stunning views.
Today, I had the joy of having our three sons, their partners and the three grandchildren for a nice family lunch. We don't often have them altogether so I treasure these times. I was fair spoiled with lovely gifts and cards but the best gift was seeing them all together enjoying each other's company. The Wee Boy led the singing 🎶 of Happy Birthday when the cake was brought in, he was still singing it going home in the car! DGS1 and DGD were great with their wee cousin, and we got a lovely photo with the three grandchildren.
They're all heading homewards, DH is dozing beside me on the sofa, and I'm surprised I'm still awake cos I woke very early this morning, planning the logistics of lunch for 11.
My Mum always told us to count our blessings, and that's what I'm doing, I'm very thankful, I realise that life can turn in a heartbeat. I'm remembering all those facing difficult times.💕🙏

Wishing everyone a peaceful Saturday evening, TOYA.

I'm another one who peers in the window of the kitchen to see what's going on but I had to post having read baggs post.

I am so sorry to hear your daughter's news, Baggs. As others have said, Christies is the place to be. Look after yourself as well as your daughter.

That’s a handy skill, Blossoming! Good for you. I’m just bored of changing duvets, I think. I wish I had a duvet fairy who came and changed them weekly.

I did venture out, in the end, needed some fresh air. We had free hot chocolates in Dobbies, with their loyalty card, and then I bought some items for feeding the birds. A seed feeder and hook, some fatball holders and a tub of fat balls, all for less than £30 and we’ll get pleasure all winter from watching the birdies. 🐦

Baggs and your daughter🌹I can only admire you for your unfailing support, Baggs.
I had lunch with my ‘often difficult in restaurants’ friend. She behaved and we had a delicious lunch at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere between Lechlade and Cirencester!
We are planning a couple of days in London after Christmas and a short trip to Helsinki or Oslo in the spring.
OH has just phoned to say that Sainsbury’s had some good meat deals if you have a nectar card. I think he’s bought legs of lamb, Guinea fowl and a gammon joint!
Have a good evening.

So sorry to hear this Baggs the fortitude of your family under such stress is admirable, my very best wishes.

Rained a lot of the day and it’s s dull, darkening now. I’ve ploughed through the paper, been for a soggy walk, spoken to both children and that’s about it.
Have a pleasant evening all.

Such a busy bee SueDonim, how fortunate you were able to help your daughter and family though. I hope you get a chance to relax now. I’m not so sure about coverless duvets, I’d have to wash and dry the whole thing ! Knowing a quick and easy way to put duvet covers on is one of my major life skills, along with being able to open jars. If only I was taller, with 2 working hands and arms, it would be a doddle .

Baggs, 💐

Dearest Baggs, your latest message has touched all our hearts. Mr Soop and I send our love at this is incredibly difficult time for every member of your lovely family. Your support will continue to be a blessing, and I wish with all my heart that we could help to share your pain.

Sending very best wishes to your brave DD Baggs I hope you’ve found the hottie and scarf and you’re both keeping warm. Take care both of you x

Oh Baggs my heart goes out to you. I’m in awe quite honestly at how brave and feisty you are about your girl. She is being treated at Europe’s best cancer hospital. I hope you get a reassuring outcome soon. Sending you my very best wishes in the meantime.
x

<<<<SueD waves goodbye to family, falls into a comfy chair in the Kitchen and tries to catch up with GNetters doings!>>>>

What a busy lot you are but first of all, I must send my love to you, Baggs. My heart goes out to you and your daughter and indeed all your family. Xxxx

Hello, Fairycakes. With a name like that, you’ll always be welcome in the Kitchen! 🧁 Hi to Septimia too! 👋
Soop I’m glad the GP visit was productive. PF can be so agonising.
Hugs for you, Urms. I’m glad you found some solace at Macmillan’s.
Blossoming I’ve recently bought so-called coverless duvets for our beds. It’s meant the end of changing covers as you just bung the whole lot into the machine! www.finebedding.co.uk/collections/night-lark-coverless-duvet
Jax we looked into a wood burner but it really wouldn’t work in our new build. My dd has gone off gleefully with the brochures, though, so I may get to enjoy one in someone else’s house!
The craft evening sounded lovely, LLFL.
Annsixty you’ve made me think I should crack on with my Christmas cards too. They’re bought, so that’s a start!
Hope your friend is recovering from covid, Granmarie. It seems to be all around again, along with various other germs. Like GMbatty my dd has had a Covid-like illness but never tested positive. It’s most puzzling.
Your weather sounds about as good as ours, a bit further south, Brook. Everywhere is just so sodden and dank. I suppose it is November but even so….

My dd and family went home to their new boiler last night. It was a hectic five days! How I used to do that all the time with four children and a working-away-from-home Dh, I do not know. It was lovely, though, to spend time with them and have some chats. Normally we’re just buzzing in and out of each others lives and don’t really have time to talk at any great length. Now, we’re catching up with all the laundry! The above-mentioned coverless duvets make that a bit easier.

I had my ears done on Monday. It’s taken a while for them to settle down but the tinnitus is abating now and I can hear more easily. I’ve been making arrangements for attending a wedding in London two weeks today, had to dust off dh’s glad rags and get a new shirt for him and shoes for myself.

I’m trying to get ideas for Christmas from the DC, some are more forthcoming than others. I’ve also bought an artificial prelit tree in a sale to go outside in the front garden, to cheer up the the neighbourhood. Oh, and I’ve sold a couple of household bits and bobs we no longer need, so that’ll help offset the Xmas costs!

I managed to get out to an NWR meeting this week, which was fun, as it was a quiz. Collectively, we did very well! Also squeezed in our workouts, though lugging a hefty 2yo around is as good a workout as any, I reckon.

It’s raining again today so I’m dithering whether to wander out or not. There’s plenty to do in the house, that’s for sure. We’ll be going out tomorrow to a craft fair so maybe it’ll be an indoor day today.

Sending love to you all. 💕

Baggs my best wishes to you and your daughter. She's had so much to contend with.

Baggs your DD could not be cared for at a better place.

I think Amazon has lost its marbles because I had to produce my driving licence to be photographed for ID before wine could be handed to me. I have been told I do not look my age but I am 80. I found it totally ridiculous. It was a really good Black Friday wine bargain.

Sorry to hear this Baggs -sending a handhold but also my admiration for the brave and positive attitude you have shown ever since you shared your DD’s diagnosis.
With love to you all xx

Goodness Baggs. Definitely more than your fair share! Best wishes that the 'Christie' lives up to its reputation and finds the best treatment for your daughter. Good look on your search for the 'hotties' and scarves. Delighted you have a few days together for mum/daughter time. Positive thoughts and prayers for you all. Take care

So sorry to read of this further blow for your DD Baggs. I hope today’s hunt is successful and you are both able to find some comfort while she is with you

even.

Upsetting news for you all Baggs and I hope a way is found to relieve your DD’s symptoms.
The Christie is wonderful and if there is help to be had I am sure they will have it.
{flowers} for you all.

Hello, kitcheners! I'm sorry I can't keep up with everyone's news. I often read but am finding posting difficult at the moment.

There has recently been a crisis is BTDD's life. It has meant more MRIs and CT scans, bumped up steroids and other painkilling medication. I have been down to visit and was with her at The Christie on Thursday while things were prepared for more radiotherapy. It seems a lesion has developed on her spinal column outside the brain. This is highly unusual – extremely rare even. I think never do things by halves must be her life motto 😢.

DD is now with me on the Boggy Brae for a few days before her next treatment starts. We are going on a hot water bottle and electric scarf hunt later.

You will Fairycakes, a warm welcome to you and Septimia.

Hi, Grandmabatty, thank you for filling me in 😀

Hello, Blossoming 😁
I think I'm going to enjoy Soop's kitchen

Granbmabatty I also had that virus and it was quite nasty took a couple of weeks to recover.
Had an afternoon in Stirling to get some ideas for Christmas it was not very successful however. Like many towns I feel Stirling has gone down somewhat since Covid. I guess internet shopping here I come although I prefer to see and feel what I am buying.
Enjoy your night everyone.

I’m really enjoying the lessons Brook, I’ve always loved hearing it when visiting the isles. It’s such a musical sound. Also I can do it sitting down

Hello Fairycakes and Septimia 😊