Soops place of refuge and friends

Evening! A busy day today, trying to get the garden perfect for my 70th lunch party on May 3rd. We are hoping the weather holds so that we can eat outside. I’m thinking of sending our neighbour an email asking her not to light the usual bonfire.
I’m feeling that the hip has turned a corner - if I concentrate I can walk quite comfortably without a crutch. I do limp a bit by the evening but getting there. Tomorrow is 4 weeks since surgery and I get a phonecall from the physios. I need to think what I need to ask. I work slowly outside, leaving the big jobs for the gardening lady next week.
You seem to be getting there Jax . I will be glad when I can drive again.
I’m glad you had a good day FGT. The sunshine must be an extra boost.
Sleep well everyone

‘Evening All’
I’ve had a grand day.

A nurse appointment (routine MOT) showed my weight, blood pressure, HbA1c (diabetes measurement) and cholesterol are now all within the acceptable range.

Then this afternoon I met a good friend who is an ex colleague for drinks. She is one of life’s enhancers. A joy to be with. We shared an office for several years. I admired her new haircut and highlights and she said I really suit red lipstick. Girlfriends really are to be treasured and I’m lucky to have some in my life. x

Hi all, we’ve just had bbq for two, didn’t sit out, it’s not that warm, but the smell in itself reminded me of summer, tasted pretty good too.
A friend came round earlier in the day, we had a good two hour chat, her interests are different from mine, but we meet in the middle and get on well.
I may have figured out my foot issue, that foot/ankle swell as the day goes on, so I’m going to try again tomorrow in the morning while my foot is ‘normal’. I won’t drive, just sit in the car and try, if that works, a compresssion stocking might work. I’m a persistent b****r!
Anyway, I’ll hush now and wish you all a pleasant evening - hi dusty - including those whose challenges are far greater than mine x

Good evening kitchen folk. Having family to support you Suedonim is good. Brook enjoy your quiet evening.
I had a quiet day today. It was lovely here too but my feet are still bothering me, so I rested this afternoon. This morning I cleaned all the windows and mirrors. Then later I swept up outside.

Hi kitchen friends, it’s another lovely sunny day up here, there’s a slight breeze but it’s not too bad
I’ve enjoyed my volunteering session this afternoon and the chatting with the other volunteers. Then the bus home in the sunshine.
A restful evening ahead catching up on a bit of TV..I’ve sold a couple of items on Vinted so I’ll need to package them up and post tomorrow
You’re doing so well Jax, steady progress
Good to hear you’re staying with your son for a while SueD ❤️
I hope your GD and her boyfriend are lucky in their house search uttb although I know you’ll miss her
Thinking of all our kitchen friends in the quiet corner, take care all x

Good evening, the 11yr old is eating his dinner, DH has gone out with a group of pals for a St.Georges Day meal.

Not sure what I shall be having to eat, I will gaze into the freezer looking for something tasty.

Jaxjacky patience is a virtue, you will get be back driving soon, just keep up the exercises.

Thank you UTBB.A thought regarding your glasses. Can you keep your new, non flattering glasses as your home pair and buy any variety of more attractive ones to take out with you? I do the reverse so that my home ones are cheap and cheerful, easily broken ones and the ones I keep in my handbag are only a little out of date, seemingly indestructible and also very pointy looking with diamanté tips, really dated! I don’t think anyone else really notices when I put them on to read a label or the TV subtitles if I have lunch out.

Happy St George's Day . Jaxjacky hope you Get back to driving soon.
It's very sunny here was going to sit in garden but there's a very cool wind.
Utbb hope your Gd and Bf enjoys looking at houses.
Not doing much today out with friend tomorrow haven't seen her for a while so lots of catching up to do.

Lovely poem Dustyangel, I hope you are doing ok with your new life, new normal we say.
I have been for my Covid booster and was offered vaccination against RSV as well, I did hesitate but then accepted, I have to have them in one arm so hope I am ok.
It is a beautiful day again, supposed tobe even warmer over the weekend.
My GD and her BF have been given a mortgage in principle this week.
In this area you cannot make an appointment to view houses until you have one or if a second time buyer until you have your home on the market, preferably with an offer.
They have two houses to view this weekend but the market is very competitive , some are sold within days of going on the market.
They are very excited.
I will get some lunch now as I was up and about early.

Ah I understand now how for that lady buying a new card would have been even more difficult

Hello everyone and a late Thankyou to everyone who has sent sympathetic thoughts to me.

SueD your recycled card made me smile, it must have been so much more work to recycle that card than send another one.

I have been reading some of my late uncle’s poetry from when he was posted to the Middle East. I shouldn’t have done as it brought me to tears.

It’s titled Impermanency.

“ I am not very wise,
but this I know,
There is return of bliss ,
And end to woe. “

Nothing is permanent,
No deepest night
But does not end
Sometime in light.

There is not pain alone,
No sky so dark,But does not own
Somewhere a lark
That lifts the earthbound eye to where it sings
Almost unseeable, life’s largest things.

Hello Tilly.👋
GrannyS... We've just had the last raised bed installed in the garden and we don't have any grass now just beautiful Dorset stones. We've also turned an area into a small vegetable patch and area for a greenhouse ( still in its box just now). We've lush green fields alongside us so I've got the best of both worlds now.
SueD...I reuse pretty cards too...not as actual cards again but as labels on presents. I haven't gone as far as reusing envelopes yet though. Enjoy your stay 'down south'.
Redcar Good Luck with your bin!!!I had a clothes purge yesterday and the bag cut the charity shop grew and grew and it was no fun manhandling it into the car and then into the hospice shop. I really should have let DH take it as then I wouldn't have come out with a pair of Gabor sandals and a Seasalt top!!!!!
Jax...I hope those muscles get their strength back soon, it is frustrating at times isn't it. I can walk up our steep stairs properly early in the day but as the day goes on my hip really hurts still and I'm very aware that the muscles are still weak. Grrrr as my DGS used to say.
UTBB... Fingers crossed for no nasty side effects from your jab today.
I'm going to continue the clothes purge today after I have cleaned the window in our bedroom.....I think someone has fed the seagulls exlax if by what is splattered across the glass is anything to go by. As TV's Miranda's Mum would say...Such fun Darling
Wishing you all Sunshine today in your skies and in your hearts.

Hello kitchen people.

We had an interesting day. We watched a sci fi film - Project Hail Mary. I gave it 6 and OH gave it 9. We took M&S sandwiches to eat and bags of sweets! Cinema food is vile and overpriced.

Afterwards OH bought me a beautiful watch for my forthcoming birthday.

Back home and I watched the rest of the film Brooklyn.

Sleep 💤 tight everyone.

Evening everyone. We are just back from the village hall. We have started monthly talks to try to get people from our small village to come out and join in. DH is doing the next one, on Charles Darwin and evolution . Now watching Masterchef.
Sleep well everyone - my target is to sleep past 4am!

👋👋 SueD enjoy your stay.

Aw Sue Donim that’s a kind response from you. I didn’t realise the lady’s circumstances. It explains (and excuses) a lot.
Those pinking shears probably help pass the time ‘doing craft’ in gentle concentration.

Sleep well uttb x
Thoughts tonight with everyone in the quiet corner. Life can be sad annd challenging and I’ve come to realise one can’t buy peace of mind. It’s so precious.

FGT, I won’t judge her too harshly. She’s probably mid-80’s and afaik, she doesn’t go out now unless someone can take her - she lives at the top of a steep hill! I think maybe she’s losing it a little bit, too, going by the repetitive story-telling she does.

I’m down at my son’s in Hampshire for a few days. I’ll give you a wave, Jax! 👋

A late good evening everyone.
I am about to get ready to go to my bed but thought I would check in to read about everyone’s daily doings.
I have had a lazy day after my two busy days.
Welcome back Tilly please visit more.
I hope you get back to driving soon Jaxjacky I was never an enthusiastic or even a good driver and giving it up has never been a problem for me but many of my friends are hanging on to their licence for dear life and one at least should not be driving.
I have my Covid booster tomorrow morning so must be up before my usual time.
I hope everyone has a decent night and a good day tomorrow.

You’re having a rough time Jaxjacky but I hope you’ll be driving soon. It’ll be a little bit of independence back.

FGT 👋 My BP is like a yo-yo . Well done for mastering yours. I’m about to start a term of Pilates classes once a week so maybe that will help me.

Waving back 👋 Grandmabatty and Redcar 😊

👋 Tilly

I’ve enjoyed a Good Day.

Yoga class was enjoyable and my balance (Warrior Pose with arms extended) has definitely improved in the 4 weeks I’ve been attending. My balance is so much better. Still a bit ‘wobbly’ but I can feel a difference.

My blood pressure at the nurse clinic a few days ago was 128/70 quite remarkable said the nurse! A combination of walking more (no car now) and mindful breathing at the yoga classes which is calming, seems to be delivering benefits. 😊

jaxjacky I’m sure your foot will soon recover it’s agility and enable you to drive again.

Hello tilly!
I’ve had a good day today. Did a load of washing and it dried outside in the stiff Easterly breeze. Then went to Chair Yoga, which is always a bit of a challenge, but my back felt better afterwards. On the way home I met the daughter of a friend and had a long chat to her, mainly about the problems of elderly mums! (I’m one of them!).
After lunch I resumed trying to remove couch grass from what is supposed to be a flower bed. As we now have to pay to get our garden waste taken away, most of us try to cram as much garden waste as possible in the bins. I hope I can move mine tomorrow after my grass has been cut!

I’ll get a hot wheat pack for my back soon.

It’s been a lovely day here, not a cloud in the sky. Good to read that so many of us are enjoying the sunshine too. But thinking of those who are in the quiet corner or who are unable to enjoy the sunshine for any reason.

Have a pleasant evening folks.

Hi all, a sunny day, but a keen wind, we’ve been watering potatoes and the herb tub Nannytopsy very dry here.
I’d keep some grass GrannySomerset I like it under my bare feet.
I tried sitting in the driving seat of my car today, sadly my foot/leg on my new hip side isn’t deft enough between the accelerator and the brake. I’ll keep practicing and increase specific exercises for my foot, nothing seems easy, but I last drove just before Christmas.
How deliciously naughty Tilly 😇
Pleasant evening all, enjoy your 🕺 brook 💃