soops kindly kitcheners and perfect pampered pets.

MawBroon have pm'd you.
Miserable day today, spitting with grey skies. Cleaning today, my least favourite occupation.

Hello folks. jud I'm so glad to hear you got to have some one to one with Georgie. Good to know she's made some progress.

Corner I went to see my DGs's yesterday my littlest had been was up all night coughing and very listless, just wanting his Mummy.

At times he was coughing so much he was sick a few times.
After getting caught by him I had to wipe my sleeve down as best I could. I went straight from DDs to choir 50miles away and noticed a slight smell of baby sick all the time I was there.
Poor little chap he is usually so bouncy.

As littlest just needed his Mummy, I took biggest (4yrs) down into town, really to just get him out for exercise, with the instructions to see if there were any suitable sized "Garden play" coats in the charity shops.

I did not think about the toys they have in such places. So biggest saw this transformer and was swooning over it "Wow" It's amazing" several times while I was hoping he would settle for a dinosaur.
I am clearly out of practice I haven't been with a child in a shop with toys for small children for years. So anyway I bought him the transformer.

I would like to bet if I take him out again he will want to go into every charity shop.
We came home on the bus as it is a very uphill walk. A lovely time to just chat with a 4yr old and holding a little hand just feels good.

Well, we survived a very active day with Littlest, he's adorable, fun and always happy, unless he decided to demonstrate his latest trick of feet stamping .

Good to hear from you, ann, wish I could share some of yesterday's joy with you, really hope you can secure some practical help soon. Good to hear from you, too, callgirl. I think many of us could do with some of those snowdrops soop showed us, none here and the grey and damp does little to lift the spirits.

Oh jud, how horrible to hear Georgie needing you and not being able to go to her. Really good news she is more herself now she doesn't need the pain killers, she must be confused by it all. There is progress which is great. Fleas maw? Well, hope the 'bit is' goes soon. Seriously, it's a right pain you can well do without and hope it settles soon

The floor looks good soop, well worth the effort. Your description of going to sleep looking at the fire reminded me of winter nights sleeping in our sitting room with my Mum in our bed settee which was really for visiting family. We always de-camped there when it was really cold and my dad was working nights as it was the warmest room. Lovely to have that memory triggered.

Well, it's ears for you and teeth for me today. 'D-day' has finally arrived, more than twitchy this morning as I have never really overcome the anxiety rooted in horrid childhood experiences. I can do this!

Don't get chilly behind the curtain lona, there sounds to be a lot that is positive which is wonderful. Agree with crafting, a seat by the fire is the best place for you.

Best get a move on, time is flying and I probably should get dressed .

Ha, I`ll be there before you Oldgoat, in April!
Nice to hear from you Ann, are you getting any much needed help yet?
Jud, that must have been heartbreaking, hearing Georgie crying and not being able to do anything. Hopefully the hydrotherapy will do her legs good.
The floor`s looking good Soop! As are Rory and MacSporran.

Thanks for the update on Georgie, jud I hope her mobility will continue to improve over the next week. How upsetting for you not to be able to spend time with her on Saturday or Sunday especially when you could hear her crying for you.

kitty you are lucky to live so close to Chatsworth. I went there for the first time before Christmas, with my WI, to see the house all decorated on the theme of 'The Nutcracker'. It was magical. Then we called in at the Farm Shop, which must be one of the best around - so many tempting goodies to buy.
More damp, miserable weather forecast for the rest of the week. The flagstones in our back garden are all green and slippery - nearly as dangerous as the black ice we had the other morning. We still haven't any snow drops soop. The climate must be a lot milder in Kintyre than North Yorkshire.
We watched the Penelope Keith programme about Gigha and Tarbert. Can't wait to see them for ourselves in May.

ann hang in there girl! I'm sure I speak for all kitcheners when I say we're all wishing you well and wish that we could do something practical to help. PM to scream when you want - life can seem so unfair. You're in my thoughts each day - or ((hugs)) or , whichever helps at the time

Jud you must be feeling so helpless about Georgie but take comfort that she is still so pleased to see you. We're all thinking of you

Lona that certainly sounds like a good news post and also sounds that it's long overdue. and to all your family and to all in similar circumstances.

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't reported on Georgie for the last 2 days but on Saturday we went to see her and were told they were too busy to get her out for a visit. We were allowed to see her briefly in her cage. She howled and cried because she couldn't cuddle with us and we were ushered out quickly.

On Sunday we were told we couldn't see her as she had been so distressed the day before and she needed a quiet day. I was so upset. However, today I went alone and Georgie was brought to me. We had about 20 mins together on the floor. Such a change. She is no longer on heavy painkillers so was very alert and lively. We had big cuddles and she had me well licked! She is able to sit up herself but her back legs are still paralysed. She was dragging herself around with her front legs. I felt so sorry for her because she looked so frustrated. Due for hydrotherapy this week to see if this will help. It was great to see that she had her mojo back but we are getting a bit worried that she will never be able to fly through the fields again

Good to see you posting again [Annsixty] but sad you are still feeling miserable. Keep in touch and do try to get some help with caring for your H.

Thank you all for your care.

ann so pleased you've popped back into the kitchen. Sorry things aren't any better. This is always a miserable time of year with the weather and all. Still we're on the right side of Christmas now and hopefully things might look a bit brighter when the weather warms up

soop love the image of Rory making sure MacS is doing a proper job with the flooring.

kitty how could you suggest that Grace has fleas . She's far too much of a lady for that . Hope you feel better soon Maw

jud hope georgie is ok.

Lona I've missed you haven't had any lemon drizzle for ages. Just as well I'm on a diet! So glad you've got some good news to celebrate at last. Congratulations on your DDs new job. Hope your back gets better soon. Don't sit in a draft behind the curtains it won't do your back any good. Have a seat by the ? and keep warm.

Chatsworth! I haven't been there for years and at one time, every visitor was taken there to enjoy the wonderful gardens and the majestic house. And, of course, have a cake and a brew in the restaurant.

Hi kitty, soop, and all the lovely kitcheners
I've been in the kitchen, but sat in the corner behind the curtain. Haven't been posting because I seem to be leading a very boring life at the moment, so nothing to chat about!
I'm not complaining though because it's been quite nice to stay in and be cosy. Plus my back has been a bit painful.
However, today has been different. Much jubilation as my dd has got a new job (same company) which means a bit more money and it's 9 to 5, Monday to Friday! No more evening shifts and early starts.
She's very happy as she has to drive all over the place to collect youngest gd and run her to school. My eldest gd's car has broken down and is too expensive to fix, so she can't help, but, gd's boyfriend has passed his test today, so he can help run her to college!
It's so nice to have something to be pleased about after all the heartache and upset, caused by the idiot ex. He got arrested, had his car confiscated and is doing community service!
It's a start
My ds has just returned from a weekend in Lisbon with his gf, and is very happy, so things are looking up at last.
Just getting a cuppa now, and going back behind the curtain
Thanks for being here

Greyduster. Fog indeed!! Really bad over the tops. soop you may have had one of my frequent typos. When you can type properly and at speed these modern touch screens just don't say what you want a lot of the time.

A most interesting time at the cinema. The film was Lion which was great especially as part of it was filmed in one of my favourite places - Tasmania. I can recommend the film. Don't want to put a spoiler in here but suffice to say it brings out all the morals/ethics/dislocation of adoption to the fore.

What I found quite wonderful also was that it was a special screening for Alzheimer patients and their carers. So good to see this sort of thing happening.

Good to see Rory keeping abreast of changes north of the border.

"audiobook", now where did that come from?

I've been been fighting off a nasty virus so have not felt terribly sociable this past week. Not totally sure if I'm winning or not but am loads better than I was and have generously passed it across to my old boy now, not sure he appreciates the gesture!
I'm sure we'd both feel more cheerful if there was a break in the constantly grey skies.
I think all these pampered pets have the right idea, staying indoors and keeping warm. Sorry there's no more news of Georgie, I keep wondering how things are.
Your comment about "cabin fever" made me smile greyduster, we're a bit prone to that complaint ourselves!
maw glad to hear it wasn't cellulitis after all but it still sounds a sore thing to have, hope you're getting the chance to rest a bit.
That new floor looks very promising soop, hope the audiobook appointment goes well and you get there safely given the look of the skies.
I'll leave a drop of soup for anyone that wants some, nothing fancy, it's what's left in the veg drawer of the fridge aka compilation soup

Thank you all. I do read your posts with my usual interest.
I do not feel much better and currently feel trapped by the weather and my circumstances. I would just like to feel some joy in my life but suspect I am not alone in that thought.

I enjoyed reading your post, kitty. I've not visited Chatsworth but it sounds lovely. I also enjoy farm shops. Go in thinking...I'll just look...come out with a basketful of goodies.

News of Ann would be most welcome. I trust that she is getting the support she desperately needs.

MacSporran frightened the living daylights out of me a few moments ago. There was one almighty crash from up in the loft. I banged my leg in haste to reach the bottom of the ladder. Silence! Thankfully, all's well. He had dropped a bag of heavy tools.

I'm away to make him a well-earned .

Another night sleeping on the sofa. I'm really rather pleased. It's lovely to fall asleep watching the glowing embers of the fire. I could get used to it.
Log-off time. I shall return for catch-up news tomorrow.

I do envy you the different sort of weather soop, though I expect it must, occasionally, be a real pain. We just get very ordinary weather lately. I hope all goes well with the ladies and for your appointment tomorrow.

Greyduster, Chatsworth has been, sort of, a part of my life since I were a lass! It was where we went for a run out when I was young - we would take a picnic and sit on a slope where we looked over the house and grounds. My brother found a watch on three occasions when we were there. A few years ago we had a holiday home in Tideswell so Chatsworth was almost on the doorstep and we took visitors there often. Now we meet DH's brother there for lunch as it is (sort of) half way between their home, just outside York, and ours. I love the shop, the farm shop and taking a walk round the formal gardens - I love the tree fountain. And, of course the steps - the best water feature ever!!! We haven't been for a while but you have made me think about going again soon.

Maw, haven't they told you that you should de-flea Grace regularly? Hope you feel better very soon - that's horrid. It won't make you feel any better but Mum has just been diagnosed with the same thing. As you know, she is 93 and I bet you feel about that at the mo. You can have a drink you know.

Hi Lona and Galen. Anyone have any news of Ann? If you are lurking Ann please let us know how you are.

Appointment with the audio clinic tomorrow. I may return home with an ear trumpet second hearing aid. Before we keep the appointment, I shall pop into the care home to have a blether with the ladies.
The sky is gunmetal grey. I'm wondering whether a snow shower is approaching. I haven't seen a 'gritter lorry' on the road.

Greyduster 'Hound of the Bakervilles' is an apt description for the weather you met with first thing this morning. I shall remember that and use it from time to time.

MawB Us lot are much alike...we're inclined to be "nosey" (in the nicest possible way...)

I'm very concerned for Georgie.

Izabella, without compromising anonymity, which end of the country do you live in? Sometimes I think it is Scotland and at other times I think you must be in the SW
Just being nosey really (but I do like to imagine people in their "settings")

soop, we had a walk round the local country park this afternoon instead (cabin fever had set in). We didn't have to take the car out to do that! I was lamenting the fact that we had turned back this morning and DH said "It's what sensible people do when they can't see the road anymore!" It was definitely a bit 'Hound of the Baskervilles' up on the tops!

Still no news from Jud. .

soop Rory is like Grace, rarely awake. He knows where he is most comfortable that is certain.

Greyduster A wise decision. It is bitterly cold here today. The wind is a north easterly.

MawB