Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

Have had a busy few days waiting hand and foot on entertaining some visiting friends so haven't had a chance to linger in the warmth of this kitchen been too busy slaving away in my own So am a bit out of touch with all the happenings of you all.
Happy Birthday to you MawB hope you've had lots of treats today.
So pleased to hear about the return of wandering Bracken soop, what a worry you've had.
Nanaandgrampy your tale of the sparse chicken breasts made me smile as I anticipated you were going to say you defrosted it and discovered it was not chicken but something else altogether.... that has been known to happen here!
Charley I think your next task should be writing a survival guide for any of us who are considering a renovation project, or maybe a whole new career as a Project Manager is beckoning?

I am just delighted that the ex boss and his gopher son have separated from the two working here. It was not turning out to be a good relationship between them, the boss and myself.

The three of us get on well and a lot more work is achieved. I am kept informed every step of the way.

N&G I quite agree with your GD, how could you let her down by not learning the words? Really- what else are you doing?!

I hope that Sam is okay and has recovered from his "holiday".

Maw another night's sleep and young Flynn will hopefully feel almost his old self.

Three hours of gardening done and dare I say...it is beginning to look a lot neater. I'm so looking forward to the time when we can sit on the bench and feel that the hard graft has been well worthwhile.

Greyduster Nanas suggestion is a good one.

wot You make me titter. Bracken has ventured indoors but absolutely refuses to allow us to approach her. She does not like the doors to be closed. She does enjoy sitting in the utility room, either alone or with Rory. The back door has to remain open. She's a free spirit. We are happy to give her a few "home comforts" - a cushion to doze on - a snug, carpeted wee chalet - food whenever she visits. I shall keep you updated.

Charleyg Us lot will heave a sigh of relief and help you to celebrate once the buggerations are over and done with. Keep the faith. You are winning. The day will dawn when you will look around your home and break into a ruddy big .

jollyg Bracken is truly feral. She enjoys her freedom. Having food whenever she chooses to visit, is a bonus. With better weather on the way, she'll spend more time outdoors, in the garden, with Rory. They love to loll in the sunshine.

I have to wash and brush-up. If you could see my hair, you would laugh out loud. I've just discovered a twig caught in my top-knot.

Bye for now. Back after tomorrow's visit to the care home.

Afternoon All !

Our trip to the theatre was great. A sold out performance to grans and small girls !! It was a huge success and I didn't even have to snooze ! But according to my granddaughter I REALLY need to learn more of the words to the songs !!

Wot a lucky escape !!! You need some serious spoiling after that !!

Thatbags my sister and her husband have just sold a house with a 'soakaway' and never had a minutes trouble with it. I think septic tanks seem more 'delicate '

Happy, Happy Birthday * Maw* that visit and FaceTime with the family sound wonderful !! I did have a good chuckle at your other thread about how BAD FaceTime makes us look !

Just a thought Grey for your DD , there are services out there that will help you review your CV. Its amazing what a difference they can make. I had mine done after my last redundancy and they totally reworked what I thought was a good CV ( I was in marketing so thought I was good with words!!) . I considered it an investment and I got the very next job I applied for. Might be something to consider.

soop what great news about Bracken. How on earth has she lost her tail? You must be delighted and I bet Rory is too.

Charley if its not one thing its another eh? You must be fed up by now !!

Time to cook dinner.... I asked Grampy to get out 2 chicken breasts but we appear to only have one left so our fajitas tonight will have to be bulked out with a significant amount of veggies but I made my first ever lemon drizzle cake today so it can do a good job padding out the meagre offerings

I bought the chests in an effort to make the room tidier but at the moment it looks like bombsite!

Greyduster coffee will be his lot and he can like it or lump it. The builders are very happy with my coffee skills.

The new flooring will have to be removed in 2 bedrooms to do whatever to cover the RSJs. I will pay for that but I am not paying for the new flooring or their time as the fitter said he could do a very good job and the RSJs would not be noticed.

My TV recorder packed up permanently last night so I have had to buy a new one. Luckily one of the builders set it up for me and although I can record something on now I do not yet know how to record in advance.

What else, my gas boiler maybe?

So glad to hear Bracken is back! Her poor tail. I hope she will come indoors.
I bought some wicker chests on line the other day. They arrived today but are HUGE! I'm now trying to shift a piece of furniture in my bedroom to make room for them. I do make a lot of work for myself especially as I hoard things. Something to do though!

Charley I'll send DH round. He's much better than me. I only do the insides with a spray. He does the full Monty on the outsides. He's very reasonable. He doesn't charge a lot either !

Thank you, Gaga for the cake. I shall it with you lot Isn't it a lovely day. Happy smiles! Off to do some more gardening. x

I am so pleased to hear that Bracken has appeared- poor little thing being minus her tail- she must have been in agony.
Rory will be ecstatic. Maybe she will move indoors for a calmer life?

Greyduster maybe if you leave it for a week you could pop around and clean mine also? The builders have made such a mess on the windows inside and out.

The scaffolding went up this am and the fellows dumped their Mac D coffee cups on my lawn.

That is the best news, soop. I had a feeling she would make her way home eventually. She probably won't stray far again after this. The shortening of her rear extremity is a shame though.

Add my greetings to the return of Bracken.

Maybe she will learn not to be too adventurous , or venture off with strangers

That's brilliant soop - both of you (and Rory) must be delighted. I wonder if she was in a trap of some sort then which caused the loss of her tail?

I was laid low with gastritis for three months and only returned to health recently. In fact the GP last Friday said I had an amazing liver as it was back to normal so that is now my claim to fame. My amazing liver!

I have brought you a lemon drizzle cake soop knowing your partiality to them - made it this morning and now it can be celebration for the return of Bracken!

Happy birthday to you dear MawB I'm delighted to hear you sounding very much chirpier. Such good news all round. and if you feel so inclined.

Galen You have confirmed my suspicion regarding the following vehicle not travelling at a safe distance. Retro has the law on her side.

Gaga Welcome back. Where have you been hiding? I've missed you.
Bracken together with her sister and mother were trapped and taken to the vet some time ago. The three females were spayed and released back into the woodland. Rory had the "snip". A nice man from the cat protection league helped to organise things.

Now for the GOOD NEWS from Kintyre. Bracken returned late last night. She was seated outside her chalet. We went bonkers with delight. I placed her bowl of food inside her chalet. We watched through the window as she came out of hiding and entered the chalet. She has lost her tail. She has a 2" stump in it's place. Otherwise, she looked in good health. Hopefully, she'll return today and Rory can meet with her. It's been a long three weeks.

Good afternoon, kitcheners and Happy Birthday, Maw. Hope you are enjoying it.
I am having five minutes with my feet up having done some ironing - and again failed to say goodbye to my favourite shirt, which is falling to bits but I can't bear to part with it. If I keep it any longer there won't be enough left to iron. And then I held the ladder for DH while he cleaned out the guttering on the conservatory. He was sloshing so much dirty water around I had to put on an old waterproof jacket with the hood up, but at least I knew he was safer than if I had left him to it. The paving is textured and it makes a wobbly surface for a ladder. At least now there is a proper roof on the conservatory he doesn't have to clean the roof panels.
Today is the first day that DD has not had a job to go to. She seems quite upbeat at the moment, although she did not get the job she was interviewed for last week. I have told her to use that as experience. She has applied for some others today. I am sad for her, but she is resourceful and it is early days. I remember, though, when I was applying for jobs just after we came back to live in this country permanently, the way that rejection can knock your self esteem. That, I think, is the hardest thing to deal with. Of course, while she is at home, it means that we will not be picking GS up from school during the week, so that is sad for us too!
But onward and upward - I have windows to clean so I'd better crack on!

Glad my assumption is borne out in law Galen, I know my friend's son the paramedic had a very red face back at the ambulance station.

Happy Birthday, Maw!

Retro I have consulted the great Gary who was a claims handler for a large insurance firm.
The ambulance driver is the one at fault. The argument that would have been put to him in court is 'what if had been a child who had run out in front you?' You should always leave enough room to stop between you and the car in front!

Happy birthday MawB ? how nice that Flynn is better and smiley for you. Have a good day

Good news about Flynn Maw, probably the best birthday present you could have. Hope you have a lovely day and that you have plenty of virtual vases for all the coming your way

Morning all and Happy Birthday Maw

I had a thought about Bracken just now. Could she have had some kittens and be nursing them somewhere safe? Or has she been "done" to prevent that eventuality? It's very sad to think she may have been attacked by a fox or a mink, poor puss.

Just had lovely FaceTime with Flynn and DD he is back to his lovely smiley little self (albeit with a bit of a runny nose!) and great interaction - much pointing, laughing, showing me his breakfast banana and generally being the happy little soul we know

Happy Birthday from me Maw
May it be a lovely stressfree day.

Happy Birthday to You MawB

Happy Birthday, mawb. So pleased you got to go yesterday, Love your 'thought for the day'. Enjoy your day.? ? and birthday .