Soops kitchen, a place of reflection, refuge and at times revelry.

I decoded to do some serious paper scrunching last night and founs one item I had been looking for and others I had no idea I possessed

My cleaner thinks I have too much of everything and would prefer if I had two sets of clothes and underwear, one on and one in the wash. I am aware that paperwork should be filed but that word is foreign to me.

Yesterday there was rain 2 miles away but zilch here, weird.

Here it is 21C, dull, and I am feeling cold but it will change. In 3 months I will be moaning about my heating bills.

Super cat llfl, definitely a keeper and one to be proud of.

Oh heck. grandmab I remember those days with our two and the very different but equally trying sort with granddaughters. Hope the wine went down well 😊

Strange day weather wise here. Humid and sticky, a light shower late afternoon to settle the dust did little else good. A few spots this evening, we were hoping for some steady overnight rain, doesn’t look like it.

I’ve been very slow today, done a lot of sitting. My BP has been in my boots, it happens sometimes. Was back up by early evening when I looked at the chores I had planned to do today and made a list! A remote meeting and a grocery delivery in the morning, not sure what else. I might get to the chores, on the other hand I might not.

Sleep tight everyone.

Hot again today, 32 degrees not far from here. Saw my dementia friend this afternoon, as usual no windows open, just a fan on, I was dripping when I went home!
Did very little again today, I sat and read this evening, listening to bell ringing practice in the church at the end of the road. Newcomers to the village complain about the noise keeping their children awake, but it’s only for 2 hours on one evening a week. I find it quite comforting to know that some traditions are carried on.
You’re very talented llfl. I’ve never tried pottery, I missed the artistic gene when it was handed out!

Night night everyone, hope tomorrow is a better day fgt.

I love China the cat Llfl well done! 👍

Just saying, I made that cat myself! I attended a day at a Craft Centre near Henley. A group of us spent the day making cats and they were taken away for firing. I collected mine on Monday.

I hope tomorrow is a brighter day FGT.

‘Evening All’

I’ve felt a bit lost and melancholy at times yesterday evening and again today. Grief isn’t linear, as my counsellor reminded me. However almost six months into widowhood, my emotions certainly unmoored me.

I met a dear friend at 6pm. We shared a bottle of wine and some Lebanese food at the restaurant around the corner. She’s the same age as me. Widowed 7 years now sadly, so she just ‘gets it’. We knew one another’s husbands which helps our understanding. Anyway I feel calmer tonight and my equilibrium is restored.

I love the cat LLFL - China is quite a talking piece! I can see why you bought him (I’ve decided he’s male 🤷‍♀️). Mind yo, another fitting name could’ve have been ‘Marmite’.

However, I’m in the ‘like’ corner. 😁

Usedtobeblonde

I would certainly have that cat on display LLFL
I think it is quirky and definitely a talking point.
I would be proud to have made it.

Thank you!

Oh my goodness grandmabatty I’ve had days just like that in the past, very hard going and tiring, you definitely deserve your wine tonight. Well done for keeping your cool though. We have a fairly new TV too, it works fine except it just randomly turns itself on from time to time, a bit spooky really!
I’ve had a busy day, a couple of classes at the gym, walk into town to get bus home etc. I saw a couple of people I know in town, I’d walked from the gym so looked a bit disheveled and still in my gym leggings with my gym bag etc, they both looked fabulous with their hair and make up all looking pristine , nice and smart clothes too, it definitely put me to shame! I hastily nipped into the loos at M&S to put a bit of lip balm on - that’s the best I could do 😂 Oh well ….
Pleased to hear Imogen is enjoying her job Jax good for her
Hoping all our kitchen pals in the quiet corner are doing ok, take care all

Oh dear Grandmabatty I remember those sort of days only too well. I would pour myself a very large glass of wine and put my feet up if I was you 🍷

Ladyleftfieldlover I absolutely love your cat, 🐈 I would buy that in a nanosecond if I saw it in a shop.

I cleared my ironing mountain this morning, sat in the garden for a bit, and have pottered around.

Lazy dinner this evening Chicken Cordon Bleu curtesy of M & S jacket potatoes and whatever veggies are in the fridge.

🙋‍♀️😘

Oh dear Grandmabatty wine sounds like a good plan to me, certainly a testing day.
My daughter and granddaughter came here and cooked us lunch, so good to sit and have a leisurely chat, Imogen is enjoying her p/t job in Asda, especially the air con! The 13 year old was out with friends, free buses are a godsend for them all, including parents £.
Library tomorrow and chase the pharmacy, again.
Have a gentle evening all x

Good evening kitchen folk. Well today has been a challenge. I dropped off dgs1 at football camp and planned to take dgs2 to soft play. Sadly it was not to be. The venue was fully booked. I should have booked it but the last time I went it was practically empty. The other doft play is at part of the town which has najor road works, closed roads etc. So we came home. Dgs2 had a big shouting fit and slamming doors fit over ipad removal. I left him for a while to calm down and when I went through, he had fallen asleep! I had to wake him in order to collect his big brother. That didn't go down well either. When we eventually got to the football ground, dgs1 was very unhappy because I hadnt brought him a snack. The training ground is 5 minutes from my house! I told them I wasn't happy about their behaviour and things calmed down. Then, when it came to going home time, dgs1 couldn't find his jacket because he had left it in the car. By then there was a cloud burst of epic proportions so we all got soaked. Finally there were 4 way traffic lights on our usual route. I might have whispered some Anglo salon words more than once today. The last straw has been my tv, which is relatively new, is acting up. It could be the weather, who knows?
I need some lucky white Heather and wine. Enjoy the rest of Tuesday evening kitchen folk

I would certainly have that cat on display LLFL
I think it is quirky and definitely a talking point.
I would be proud to have made it.

Castle with me vanity went out the window a long time ago, It is now me, I and myself. I have a rollator and I use it to go the surgery and pharmacy opposite, around 1/4 mile away. I haven't the strength to fold it so no bus trips. I use my stick at other times, eg when meeting friends locally for coffee.

If I needed to use crutches, I would.

Sad news Grannytopsy he is at rest now.

Still no rain here, another day of sunshine. My washing dries so quickly.

Sorry to read about your brother Nannytopsy no matter how expected it’s still a shock when the person dies. I’m having a short break with my sister in St Andrews. Hopefully we’ll be lucky with the weather. Today for the first time I used a walking stick I bought to help with fatigue. I can’t believe the difference it made to me. I first thought about getting one a year ago while we were here and it took me this long to buy one. Vanity is a terrible thing.

Sorry to hear your news Nannytopsy, sending my condolences 💐

I have finished the ironing! It took 2 days and included 4 KS quilt covers and winter tops - that shows how long it’s been backing up! Now to put it away …
Good night everyone. I hope to sleep all night tonight. It doesn’t often happen.

Sorry to read your news NannyT, sending my condolences 💐.x

Another hot and sunny day in this part of Essex too. I went for a walk this morning, it took me 15 minutes to cool down afterwards and I wasn’t going quickly! I had to go to DD2’s to collect some documents she’d printed for me, a usual 15 minute drive home took over half an hour- skittish horses pulling a carriage with coffin in and causing a lengthy hold up, then road resurfacing which meant I had to turn round and go another way.
Too hot to do any gardening apart from watering some wilting shrubs. We have a hosepipe ban, so it meant using watering cans. As I can’t carry full cans, it took twice as long as it used to before I got old and weak! I think I might be exempt from the ban, but won’t risk challenging the rules.

llfl I’m sorry, my first thought was that China was a dog! Nice though and it would look good in my garden!

Night night everyone, sleep well if you can.

Another sunny day here, caught up with admin and went to the gym.
Thinking if our friends in the quiet corner 🙋‍♀️

Sending you my condolences Nannytopsy .

Hello kitchen people.

So sorry to hear your news Nannytopsy. 🌹

I finally collected my ceramic cat! I posted a photo on the family WhatsApp group and they seem to like it. Actually, OH thinks it looks like a dog, my daughter thinks it’s a cheetah. Younger son asked if I was going to display it. I’m not sure. I’ve named it China in memory of a previous real cat and because it’s ceramic.

Aww, Nannytopsy, I'm so sorry to hear that your dear brother has died. May he rest in peace. Sending sincere condolences to you and all your family. 🙏🕯️

My condolences nannytopsy

My condolences , Nannytopsy

Thank you all. Xx