Soops Kitchen, a friendly place of refuge

Good to see your post dustyangel, I think we all have “moments” when loved ones are no longer with us and they do take us by surprise when they occur.

A dull cool day here again, no incentive to do any gardening unfortunately, although it certainly needs some attention.

nannytopsy thank you for your kind birthday wishes.

I’m trying to take advantage of half price electricity until 4.00, I have a large beef casserole in the oven, some for dinner tonight and the rest to freeze. I’ll cook some red pepper and tomato sauce to freeze as well. The washing machine has finished and towels are in the tumble dryer. For all this effort I will probably have saved about 20p!

Enjoy the rest of Sunday everyone.

Redcar I am with Octopus for my utilities and we don’t get any free electricity in the winter months but I was always surprised just how little I saved when I took advantage of it.
I have just had a lovely outing.
My GD and her friend offered to take me out for coffee.
We were all so late getting up, getting ready that we decided not to have breakfast but to have brunch out.
We went to a Turkish cafe and it was delightful.
I had Eggs Royal with smoked salmon, it was delicious and the young staff were lovely.
We then had a trip to M&S, bought some food and I bought a new lip liner ( my lips are fading fast!!) and a Quick Look round.
It lifted my flagging spirits.
I hope you have all had something to be thankful for today even if you are generally feeling sad.
Spring is surely on the way.

Good to see you here dustyangel sending ❤️
Sounds like a lovely day Uttb spent with your kind GD and her friend
It’s been a bit warmer and sunny up here Redcar so I’ve been pottering in the garden most of the day. I got all the bedding washed and it’s still drying outside although I’ll be getting it in soon. You sound very busy today making the most of the cheaper electricity 👍
Fgt I think we could all do with a L’il Miss in our lives, so lovely
A very Happy Belated Birthday grandmac47, hope you enjoyed your day 💐
Thinking especially of our dearest Soop and all our friends in the quiet corner, take care all x

Hi all, another dull, damp and chilly day so all exercise has been indoors.
Glad you had a good trip out utbb sets you up doesn’t it.
Hi dusty it’s good to see you.
Well done in the garden brook I’m planning a reduced schedule this year, my garden lady will be a good help.
MrJ has just put a chicken in the oven, he’s doing a grand job cooking.
Love to all, extra x for the quiet corner.

Although I think I’m coping fairly well I too have moments when realisation hits me. In the middle of the night when I go back in the bedroom after a bathroom visit, it still takes me by surprise that there is no one there..

Oh dustyangel it’s a jolt every time isn’t it? I wake up in a morning and the pillow beside me is empty and for a nanosecond I think to myself “is he in The Christie?” before I remember…

‘Evening All’

I’ve had a relatively good day. Spent with family so I’m luckier than some, I do realise.

I’m in bed now why not? Cosied down with a peppermint tea, the soft lamp on and Classic FM playing quietly in the background. I’m stuck at the ‘grateful he’s not here with me tonight so poorly’ stage. Even when I come home and put my key in the door it’s not loneliness that hits me it’s utter bluddy relief that he’s not inside the apartment ~ with all the anxiety I carried for months on end.

Sorry, I should stop talking like this here in soops lovely kitchen ~ I ought perhaps to post such thoughts on one of the bereavement threads instead.

“Tomorrow is a whole new day, untouched”.

I’m a quick learner and being braver than I ever thought possible. 💔

Of course you can share in here FGT2 and you are being very brave indeed x

Fgt ❤️💐

This aptly named kitchen is for sharing, FGT, warm thoughts for you & all our friends here. x

fgt we’re all here for you, however sad you’re feeling.

This kitchen is the best place for sharing, FGT.

Sending everyone a warm hug 🤗

fgt in the beginning I used to think that one half of me had died and the other half had woken up to cope.

FGT... This is your safe space... we've shared your much unwanted journey from the start so don't ever feel you can't tell us how you are feeling. We will be with you. Wear those earrings too...Himself would want you to sparkle again♥️
Very belated Happy Birthday Redcar and GrandmaC....The chocolate cake sounds lush... I'm yearning some chocolate but have given it up for Lent...there is a packet of Minstrels with my name on it come Easter Sunday.
Redcar... apparently I've saved £67 over the last year...even if it's meant that the place looks like Widow Twankeys laundry every Sunday between 11 and 4...and the tumble dryer, heated airer and dishwasher are on full pelt too.
SueD...sending you a virtual cwtch and hoping that life becomes more gentle soon.
Dusty... It's still early days for you too. ♥️
Jax Good Luck on the phone, I'm sure all will be well and it will all come flooding back to you. I hope too that you continue to improve physically, you really have been through it over the last few months. The cold and damp doesn't help either does it?
UTBB....you sound like you are of the...make up on, smile on face and get on with it whatever is happening brigade ( as I am) and that's what people see and then when there are times when we just can't ....they don't understand ( not in an unkind way) and I think it's a bit of a burying their head in the sand moment rather than having to realise that we are not the young able fit person we've always been to them.
Granmarie... Thank you for asking about DH....he is very much enjoying his new role. Much more suited to him, very busy and processes that he is so very familiar with too. Everything happens for a reason and although it didn't feel like it at the time leaving the last job was a real blessing in disguise...it gave him time to be with me in those last few weeks before and after my op which were so helpful as he was able to drive the Ddog to the vets weekly for her chemotherapy as well as cleaning etc too. We won't mention the cooking though... Thank goodness for the Asda Bistro range, M and S and the freezer. The joy on his face when I was able to stand and cook a full roast was a sight to behold.

Love to Soop and her Darling Mr Soop. I hope she can at least read our posts and know how much she is loved and missed.

neine i think I’ve saved about £30 in the last year and sometimes the house does resemble a laundry. I’m not always very organised with the washing and drying. I knew your DH had been made redundant but missed him finding a new job! It sounds as though he’s found something that suits him, which is great. I hope you’re doing well with your new hip too.
jaxjacky I’m sure that you’ve coped well with the phone calls this morning - another step towards a normal life!

The fog has finally cleared leaving us with a bright afternoon, a bit cloudy but some sunny spells too. I was tempted into the garden and pulled up a bucket full of weeds for the garden waste bin. Slow progress, but progress just the same.
Enjoy the rest of the day evertone.

Lovely to see you Neine, I have found it difficult to keep up with the kitchen news amidst the hospital shenanigans.

Today has brought some good news for me. Since finally escaping from hospital 6 months ago I have been having my electrolyte levels and kidney function tested every 3 months. For the second time in a row my electrolytes are safely within normal range. I have experienced no seizures. My kidney function is not great, but it’s no worse and not yet bad enough to require treatment. It seems I’m a better doctor than some hospital consultants

(Early) ‘Evening All’

I’ve been out and about.

Over on the bus to see my stepfather who wanted a small grocery shop: steak, salmon fillets, pork chops, a block of butter and a bottle of whisky - not bad for a 93 year old who is self caring. 🥰

Once home I had lunch then an appointment with my hygienist. He was pleased said diligence is paying off now.

I’m just cooking my tea - chicken thighs and I’m doing mash and sprouts (my favourite veg - sprouts are definitely not just for Christmas!).

I’m eating a little earlier as I’ve been invited next door but two to join a couple who would like to raise a glass together for Himself. They knew him well and liked him very much and as there is to be no attended funeral nor wake, as per his wishes, they’ve invited me over for an hour or so.

I’m reminded by his words in the hospice “Stay Strong” so I intend to do my best. x

There is no need to keep a stiff upper lip with friends fgt , let the tears flow you’re not made of stone.
The ‘first time’ you do many things alone will be the hardest of days - Himself’ will be very proud of you.

That’s nice of your neighbours fgt, enjoy spending time with them and sharing happy memories of Himself
Hoping you’ve enjoyed being back working today Jax and alls gone well
Brilliant news Blossoming so pleased for you
I’ve been out and about today, the garden centre and Tesco this morning then a bit of gardening this afternoon. I came in about 3ish as I’ve been putting off some admin paperwork for ages but I made a start this afternoon whilst sitting in the warm conservatory. There’s still lots to do though, a never ending job
I’m off out line dancing tonight so we’re having a quick and easy dinner, just pasta and salad that takes 15 mins to make
Thinking of all our friends in the quiet corner, take care all x

We have The Imp here for his weekly sleepover, the sitting room resembles a Lego exhibition.

Middle son messaged last night asking us to join him and family on holiday in the summer, didn’t need any persuading. Went to travel agent this morning and booked.

FGT2 you do you 😘

Will catch up with your news after bedtime story x

What good news Blossoming 🙂 you’ll be chuffed.
The phone line was fine today thank you, I was welcomed back with open arms, volunteers are hard to find.
Another dull, grey day though, might see some sun tomorrow.
Quizzes to watch this evening, I miss Victoria Coren.
Enjoy your evening all. xx

Well done Jax and I hope tonight went well FGT. The cleaner has been, so we are nice and tidy. We both have hospital tomorrow. Himself is a warfarin self tester and needs a machine check at 10 and I have (another) pre-op at 6.30pm an hour away from home. They are both hospitals which need us to drive each other because of the parking. A long day I fear.

That is great news Blossoming.

We had a wonderful weekend with the whole of our little family except when I stood on a chair to get ice cream for the DGC and fell off backwards onto my bottom. I have been in agony all day but the doctor doesn’t think anything is broken and gave me some stronger pain killers.

Good to hear you are getting out and about FGT and that your DH has a job he likes Naughtyneine.
Good luck tomorrow Topsy.

Thoughts as always with the soops.

Thanks Brook and Jax it’s a huge relief to know I’m getting it right because quite honestly the hospital has been useless!

Excellent news for you blossoming keep up the good work!

I’m pleased that your first day back on the phones went well jax.

fgt I hope your evening with neighbours wasn’t too stressful for you. The firsts of anything are a real effort, but your DH would be proud of you.

dragonfly I hope that the stronger painkillers make you more comfortable.

Night night everyone, sleep well.

Good for you blossoming, you must be pleased and relieved. You’re right, sometimes we do better than the medics.

Good news jax, onwards and upwards.

Hope you’re sleeping soundly fgt, I’m sure an emotional evening, you’re certainly doing your best to be strong.

Funny old day here. The weather was miserable, again, I think it seeps through the walls. A difficult call from our goddaughter and worry about our Welsh friend filled the morning. The afternoon saw a delivery by a very cheerful man of a piece of furniture we believed was ready assembled. Nope. It was flat packed. Mr C was a star. Not an easy task as the instructions seemed to be written in Martian. Took nearly three hours, we managed to laugh at the oddities and are both thankfully delighted with the outcome. It also cheered me as I’ve been worried lately about Mr C who seemed to be less capable with practical things. We’ve agreed more external stimulation is needed, trouble is he can’t think of anything he’d like to be doing. Thinking caps are on.

Later today a now redundant piece of furniture will be collected by our local hospice for sale in one of their shops. The van driver and helper will be delighted it’s an easier item than the sofa they collected before Christmas which became stuck in the door. We were sort of surprised they agreed to come back 😂.

You’ll have guessed I’m struggling to sleep. Mr C is sleeping the sleep of the just, my head is doing its washing machine impersonation and refuses to settle. Oh well. I’ll begin a new book and see how I go.

Thoughts as always with the soops. TOYA.