Soop's kitchen for caring and sharing...

Thank you, Grandmabatty, glad to hear that you're doing OK. Good luck with your early start!
Hello 👋 Catterygirl, hope you sleep well too. I get to sleep no bother ( read until drowsy) but often wake suddenly around 5 then toss and turn until its time to get up.

Thank you Granmarie,
I’m usually lucky to get about 8 hours sleep but do have the occasional bouts of insomnia which I ignore by popping on the TV in the lounge until I feel sleepy.

Sorry to hear about SueD oh and utbb diagnosis we never know what's round the corner do we. Hellogirl congratulations on the arrival of a baby girl .
I am meeting up with friends for afternoon tea this afternoon deciding what to wear its raining on and off so definetly taking a brolly!
Sending best wishes to all.

Thank you for all your kind and generous thoughts for my dh. He has an appt this week to discuss treatment possibilities. That’s likely to begin next year. It’s all crazy, really. We had no idea this was going on, it was picked up on the back of a minor infection. You wouldn’t think anything was wrong with him, to look at, though it’s good that he’s still fit in himself.

I’m sorry you’ve had an unwelcome diagnosis, UTTB. Two of my friends also have that, though sadly it’s more advanced and they are having treatment. I hope you can sort out your Xmas situation. I’d be tempted to check into a nice hotel by myself.

Hellogirl what a delight to have a new baby in the family. May she bring a little joy ❤️ into your current darkness.

I’m so sorry, Nanny4G & Doodle, it must be so hard. Sad news from you, too, Granmarie regarding your dh’s aunt.

Neine, I’m not sure I’ve ever been called inspirational before and I’m certain I don’t live up to that description, but thank you anyway! I hope your new hearing aids will restore some of your hearing. My Dh is getting new aids on Christmas Eve. He has some already but they’re not great and I hope these will be better. He doesn’t want the fancy ones as he finds a smart phone difficult to use due to arthritis in his hands. I chortled at your wireless bra misunderstanding. Also, I’m aware I owe you an email. Sorry!

My 97yo mum has now gone into a care home, much to her displeasure. Over the last six months even with carers four times a day she wasn’t able to manage at home, although she is adamant that she’s perfectly able! I understand why she wants to be at home, everyone does, but she wasn’t looking after herself properly. I hope she’ll settle in soon and learn to enjoy being looked after.

I’ve got an advent calendar on the go for us but haven’t yet done any Christmas decorating. If I ruled the world (there’s a song there!!) Christmas wouldn’t start for another couple of weeks but everyone else is going full on! I’ll get some bits out of the garage later on today and make a start. Not the tree yet, though.

TOYA. Xxx

Difficult with your mum SueD but needs must and some peace of mind for you.
We don’t decorate our house until the tree is up and that won’t be until the end of next week, so you’re not the only one.
I hope everyone slept well last night
Catch up later, sun is out 🙂

SueD my mum went into a care home three weeks ago.She was very resistant but within an hour of being there she said I could sell her house now!

She looks so much better in fact looked better after just a few days.

She seems happy and is joining in although she retreats to her room quite often as she isn’t used to being with so many people but she joins in and is eating which is amazing as she hasn’t eaten properly for a long time.

I hope your mum settles in.

SueD as Susan56 can testify your dear Mum will be well cared for and, given time, she will make new friends and activities. Mr Soop and I visited a good friend who lived in a nursing home for a long time. He never failed to greet us with a grin and was full of praise for the care he received.

NaughtyNeine Your post was most interesting and inclusive. Thank you.

Dear Doodle having family support will continue to comfort you throughout this terribly sad time and beyond.

Grannmarie My condolences on the death of your dear husband's auntie. Christmas festivities can be very testing for those who have poignant memories of times spent with a family member who is no longer alive. My thoughts are with our Granspals who are having to deal with a myriad of emotions.

Mr Soop's scalp remains a tad troublesome. His dressing will be changed again tomorrow. He has just this minute spoken with the oncologist at the cancer hospital in Glasgow. Not about his scalp but regarding his recent blood tests connected with his lymphoma. He has much to deal with. I admire his fortitude.

I wish those of our Kitcheners who sometimes experience the buggeration of insomnia a peaceful night ahead. I remained awake until almost 4 o'clock this morning. My legs would not rest. I also had to get up for umpteen wees. Bah! Humbug!

I was up and down to the loo too soop. And I had cramp 4 times! Another one hoping we can all get a good night’s sleep tonight!

Soop I often suffer from insomnia and it's definitely a buggeration. I wish you, and others, including Nannytopsy peaceful hours tonight.
Today I picked up an extra prescription, managed to Aldi with dgs2 who was intent on filling the basket and then dropped him off at playgroup. while he was away, I changed my paint spattered curtains for the new ones successfully and started to put the Christmas tree up. Dgs2 'helped' me when he came in. We've had a good day. Dgs1 was very excited by the tree and other decorations and rearranged some of them. His dad has taken him to football and I'm waiting for dd to arrive for dgs2 who is quite tired but happy. I made steak casserole yesterday, so I'll reheat a portion in a while and have it mashed potatoes.

nannytopsy and soop I’m another one longing for a decent night’s sleep. I’m having to sleep on my back which I don’t find comfortable and the dreaded compression socks make my feet and legs so hot they’re almost steaming! The frequent wees don’t help! But these will all pass🤞!
I found my Christmas card list and present list this morning so need to get going on those.
I hope we all sleep better tonight, it’s going to be colder, which may help.

‘Evening All’.

We’ve enjoyed another good day. Decided spur of the moment to hop on the bus to the Trafford Centre. 5 minute journey, 4 sets of traffic lights. Delighted with our purchases.

brook you’ll be comic in to land soon I expect! Seems you’ve both had such a lovely time.

Thinking of utbb - I feel for you dear lady. “This too will pass” comes to mind then you can enjoy your new sitting room again, in peace and quiet.

Hope all goes well tomorrow for mr.soops he’s in our hearts.

Thank you, SueD, Soop and everyone who has sent me kind condolences, much appreciated.

DS3 borrowed my car today as his was in the garage. So I started some Christmas cleaning, downstairs windows, ledges, surfaces cos every available surface gets bedecked! DH assembled the tree to my satisfaction ( it's the spread of the branches!!) and put it in position. I'll dress it tomorrow, it'll take me some time. It takes a few days to Christmas the house now, I keep stopping for a wee rest, cup of tea and a look at GN! 🤣 I'm pacing myself...
This is my 📺 quizzes night, then I'll try an early night as I've been awake since 5ish... it would be wonderful to sleep through till 7ish...

Redcar, good for you, starting your cards. I've bought plenty but I haven't yet located my list with the overseas addresses. I thought it was in a safe place...DH groans when I say that, he moans,
"Oh no, not your safe place, you'll never see it again!"

TOYA , wishing everyone a peaceful Monday evening and a good night's sleep.

Sadly let down by the decorator, a woman, who was supposed to be coming to give me a quote last week.
She was recommended by a man who was recommended to me but had no availability.
She cancelled the first appointment then made an excuse for not coming the second time, then no more contact.
Why couldn’t she just say she didn’t want the job.
I am back at square one now and no hope of getting anyone before Christmas.
I went to a fundraiser for MND this morning/ lunchtime.
It was held by my friend across the road.
It was very successful, lots of people, loads of food but it just tired me out.
I came home and slept for a couple of hours.
I am feeling my age and my capabilities.
Worse things going on though.
Kindest wishes to those of you with poorly husbands.
I have been there and done that and my commiserations are with you .
I am going to find some lighthearted content on TV now and hope all those of us with poorly husbands sleep patterns have a better night.

Good evening kitchen pals, we’re back home in Inverness after a really enjoyable family weekend at DD1s in Cambridge. The flight from Gatwick was on time, there was just a bit of disruption on the train journey from Cambridge to Gatwick but nothing much. It’s lovely to go away but I always enjoy coming home and snuggling back into my own bed.
Sorry to hear about your mum SueD, I hope she can settle into the care home well. Also hoping your DH gets some good treatment options discussed at the meeting this week ❤️

Good to hear that you're safe home, brook, after your happy family visit.
Grandmabatty, glad you had a good day with your wee boys and got your new curtains up, Supergran indeed!
UsedToBeBlonde, sorry to hear that you've been let down by your decorator, what a nuisance for you. Hope you can get someone reliable soon. Maybe look on your local Nextdoor, sometimes tradesmen advertise cancellations for certain dates?
Soop, I hope tomorrow's appointment brings MrSoop some healing and comfort.

I found my Christmas lists ( I send about sixty cards) so started on the overseas ones. I write them in batches. The first thing I do is read through all the names, sadly I have to write R.I.P. beside some dear names. It's an annual event now, this is where we are.

I enjoyed my quizzes, including catching up on Who wants to be a Millionaire, shouting 'Jutland!' at the screen!

NNGB

Hello kitchen people. I’m thinking of those of you with problems, and of poor Mr Soop’s scalp.

I’ve had to remove two people from my Christmas card list. My neighbour and my uncle. There have been family births in the meantime so I suppose it sort of evens out,

I had a big Waitrose shop today (prices are still rising but at least we got our £10 Christmas bonus today) and I dropped a bag of barely worn clothes to a charity shop. I said that it all needed ironing and was informed that they ironed everything!

Our cleaner came today. I’m so grateful that I don’t have to clean and polish if I don’t want to. The hoover gets taken out frequently though as the cats moult every where.

Sleep 💤 tight!

A late end to quiz - some people are very clever is all I will say! But it was fun, I can catch up with people after a week and test my brain 🙂
I have Christmas cards on the table, plus my old diary with addresses, I just need to actually follow the process through!
Pleased you’re home safely * brook* yes, nothing like your own bed. Speaking of which I’m hoping those with fidgety legs, temperamental bladders and niggly thoughts sleep like the best behaved babies tonight 😴😴

Glad you are home safely Brook. I'm another who has had to put a line through names in my address book. UTBB what a nuisance for you. I've had people get in touch, seemingly desperate for work and then silence. Jaxjacky I like quizzes and do a number in the morning when I get up.
I've been asleep and just woke up for a loo visit. I'll listen to audible and drop off again. Night all.

Good aft Kitchen pals, I’m just home warming up after a trip to Tesco, the Post Office and a quick visit to DD2s. It’s really dark here and looks like snow is on the way
Thank you Jax, Grandmabatty and FGT, we’re pleased to be home again
Hope all mums are doing ok SueD, grandmabatty and Susan, reminds me of my own mum who wasn’t the easiest to get along with but I miss her every day.
I’m sending fewer and fewer cards each year now, many people don’t seem to bother any more and some say they’re donating to charity instead
I’m hoping to make a start on the Christmas decorations this afternoon- watch this space! 🧑‍🎄🎄

We’ve been out and bought our tree, a good price, local and recently cut.

Good afternoon all.
It is very cold feeling here in Stockport, well I can’t get warm at all today.
I messaged the decorator this morning and she is once more coming on Thursday to look at the job.
It is very much against my principles but I really am keen to get the job done.
I won’t hold my breath.
Well done to those of you getting on with card writing, present buying and decorating the house.
My heart isn’t in it but I shall try to muster up some enthusiasm.
On Thursday evening I am out for a first Christmas meal.
I am going with my friend across the road to a local college where the students cook and serve meals as part of their course work.
It sounds interesting, £27:50 for three courses so very, very reasonably priced.
I need to put the rest of Sainsbury’s order away, I did chilled when it was delivered but other stuff is still on the kitchen counter, I must stir myself.
I hope you are all warm and comfortable and send all poorlies and their carers kindest wishes.

Looks lovely Jax, bet it smells really good too 🎄

Hoping the decorator comes on Thursday Uttb, without any hassle this time and is happy to do the job, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you
It’s cold here too, it’s been snowing all afternoon but it’s quite wet snow and not sticking
Decorations are half done, the rest will wait a bit longer 🧑‍🎄