Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

Bit more good news today, had my pre op assessment and the physio said I would be able to drive as soon as I could sit comfortably, probably 3 weeks 9I drive an auto and it is my left hip).

Bad news, my Dr. didn't know what might be causing the abdominal pain I have and has sent me for a scan.

Galen...you Pussy Cat.

Lona What are you? A star is what you are. Lemon drizzle cake is my absolute favourite.

A warm welcome to aggie...^Us lot^ always say...the more the merrier. I shall prepare a comfortable chair for you, together with a tartan rug to keep your knees cosy warm

kitty I love the wood carving. It really is a work of art.

I am rather very grubby. Finger nails are a disgrace. The garden clearing went well today. Three heaped barrow-loads of stuff that was clogging the "back bit" removed and deposited on the woodland floor just across the fence. We noted that the deer were tucking into some of the rotting vegetation. At last the earth can breathe and new shoots are welcome.

Sorry to report that Bracken remains AWOL. Rory took himself into the woodland, and sat below the low branch on which she used to sit and wait until the back door was opened, and her meal placed in the chalet.

So it's time for me to scrub up. My jeans are wet and caked in mud. Ah well...all in a good cause.

After tomorrow's visit to the care home, I shall play catch-up. Big and

One of these days I must learn to bake!
Been to the dentist:- expensive masochism! Got to have a gold crown fitted!
The dental anaesthetic is only just wearing off!
Can see how JaneA can afford boats in the states!
( sorry Jane, only joking)

ann and charley You both deserve a medal! I would be extremely hopping mad grumpy with those dozy builders, and I'm afraid I would be very ratty in your situation Ann. for you both
soop Even though I've given up cake, I've made a large one to keep you going! Guess what, it's a lemon drizzle Tuck in everyone xx

That is quite spectacular kitty I love the colour of the wood. Will it darken with weather and age? It all be interesting to see.

I promised a photo of my 'Seeker of Wisdom' wood carving which was installed on a small piece of flat roof at lunchtime. I'm not sure it does it justice but it depicts a fox at the base of a tree looking up at owl. I love it.

In other news, DD3 has glue ear!! She is 30. And, apparently, the nhs doesn't offer ear syringing any more, at least round here!

Oh Ann you do need a break ........... but maybe on your own ? I know we think we can't be done without but for sanity's sake it is needed . I had a day off last week for day surgery on my Carpal Tunnel and the Nurses were laughing at my gratitude in having to stay in bed and get tea and toast handed to me ! But really , I pay a carer to stay with OH while I get out to my wee Seniors club and to a painting class , and DD is here on a Monday to let me out too , I really am so lucky

A brief hello to all our lovely Granspals. I shall return. I've gardening duties to perform before I can take some R&R. I hope that one of you lot has baked a cake. If so, reserve a large slice for my return.

Before I totter off...ann stay with the plan.

You grans are marvellous. I wouldn't cope with half of it! Hats ( if I wore them) off to you both Charley and Ann

It was dropping a heavy wooden pastry board on my wee toe that caused the break. Luckily it was summer, so flip-flops were OK, even for driving. The toe was floppy all summer and felt peculiar when I swam! Then suddenly it was healed, just in time for autumn/winter footwear. I never bothered the GP as I knew there was nothing to do except let it heal.

charley and ann. You both deserve medals. Hang on in there, and stick to your guns. mawb, some years back I did the same to a little toe while paddling around some rocks, the good news is it mended without intervention and was no odder than before, although In certainly did hurt for ages. You know, you could get it looked at, just in case. No harm in getting advice on helping it mend properly.

It started outside having pressure washing done and then they moved indoors. My loft was insulated, it was the rafters which were done to make the house really cosy.

I am so sorry you are having to go through all of that angst day after day- I would not keep my cool. Whether H protests or not I think that you need a physical break before you have a breakdown yourself. You are not having any life at present and this really must change ann.

I CBA to go back through the whole thread Charleygirl but didn't this marathon start by simply having your loft insulated? If so remind me never to even think about it. I would have torn all my hair out by now.
My H returned to form yesterday obsessing about this planned break I have arranged. In spite of having it all written down he asked constantly when we are going,how will we get there, who will take us to the station , where will we stay?. My resolve took a wobble but I tried to stay positive. It was very hard,he picked and picked at me all day. I have had a bad night which will carry on now all day. However my friend is back from holiday amd I will get my usual Thursday afternoon coffee out. Hooray.

I agree it is good to hear from Wobblybits again and more importantly that he has been given a date for surgery.

I was close to tears yesterday- painting was being done upstairs and down, 2 minute glass penguins I have had since I was around 10 years of age had been deposited on the floor! An expensive clock belonging to my parents who died in 1979 was perched precariously on the edge of an armchair. My dry cleanable curtain has splatters of paint on it. I am changing it but that is not the point.

I went to bed at a reasonable hour last night because I had to be up at 6.30am to await delivery of the skip and pay the fellow. My alarm clock had died and my phone which I thought had one did not. My bladder woke me after 5am so I got up then as I could not afford to oversleep. My washing machine and dishwasher are working hard.

I now have a beautiful chrome curtain rail- the simple things in life make me happy and this one is plain but classy. I have to find a curtain to match but I will wait until this lot have left.

I have to go out today to buy a new alarm clock- I may spend some time in my car to keep my temper in check. The flooring is being laid in the three bedrooms, landing and kitchen tomorrow but the gopher has painted over lumps of cement which found their way on to the skirting board in my bedroom. He will be fortunate if he gets out of here alive today. It appears to be life as normal in this household. I felt sorry for Tara because I forgot to check her food bowl yesterday and I sent her out hungry. Still she did not return asking for food. Please do not report me to the RSPCA, it was a one/off under extreme duress.

Eek! nelliemoser! I have fished out an old pair of Birkenstock clogs/mules and they give my ouchy toe plenty of room , but it is like wearing a sack of potatoes on each foot - they are so heavy!! And I can't drive in them either.
You know when you feel your body is having a bit of a laugh at your expense? I have a birthday (not a milestone one ) coming up and my goodness I am feeling it.
Excellent news about your op wobblybits with luck you will be sorted in plenty of time to recommence serious gardening duties by the summer!
Hoping all of you with ouchy bits (especially McSporran) are taking good care of yourselves .

MawBroon I stubbed my toe very badly seven years ago I was walking around in my PJs in bare feet and I walked into the leg of an old metal stool it hurt like hell. I don't know if I it was broken. It eventually developed into a hammer toe which I had fixed. If I had not had this done I would have been going to DDs wedding in trainers.

charley you have been more than patient. I think building work always feel worse when you know it's nearly over, it's human nature to just want the builders gone and life to resume. Do hope Saturday sees an end to it. I think there is a book in 'why don't builders clean up after themselves?' Or there would be if anyone could understand why . Keep smiling, if nothing else it will confuse the builders if they expect you to be cross .

wobbly lovely to hear from you again. Hope all your bits are ok

A kitchen donkey. Just what we need (hope Rory is ok with that ) I love donkeys and wonky is such a good name

Galen you will be making Gary jealous with all those smart young men in your life

I've got fingers crossed for Bracken's return too soop.

I agree, the donkey is so handsome.

The 17 year old boss's son swept the staircase today using a large sweeping brush, leaving all of the muck on the bottom step! I must tell him tomorrow that Tara does not like sharing a bed with an empty can of coke. I find empty and half full cans all over the house, none of the workers has heard of recycling.

I am hoping that the work will be finished On Saturday, otherwise Tara and I will be in the car, me driving and never returning. As you can probably gather I have had enough.

soop I am very glad to hear that your gardening is coming on apace (and that McS is being sensible!). Wish I could say the same about ours, but it is going in hold for a few days. We have a friend coming to lunch tommorrow and every time she comes she says "Oh, doesn't your garden look nice!" Well she won't be saying it tommorrow - the place looks like a hurricane has been through it! I shall have to pull the blinds down!

We picked GS up from school today and took him and his friend to the park to play football. They were playing football, not us. Well that was the plan. DH did manage not to become involved (miraculously), but me? Well, what can a Nanny do? When we took him home DD said "Mother, you have mud on your face... I'll get a wipe". "Leave it," I said, "It's a badge of honour!" ? She wiped it off anyway. Shape of things to come! She might as well get some practice in! She seemed to think her interview went well enough, and if she is not chosen for the job, it will be good preparation for interviews to come. It is early days and they are in the fortunate position of not having to worry too much yet. Thank you for your kind thoughts toward her.

N&G I love the donkey! There is one on the farm near us who was always near the gate waiting for kindly passers by to bring him carrots and apples, which they did, in abundance, so the farmer had to put the old lad on a diet! He is no longer allowed to snack!

Welcome back Wobbly

Wonky is a lucky donkey, n&g, loved your photos, made me smile. Good to hear from you wb, as you say April 11 will soon come around, hang on in there. Just could be Galen! Pleased common sense has prevailed for your canal digging soop, can you add any more heavy stuff to the list of things to be subcontracted?

Love the happy pics N & G, Wonky is lovely.
Wobbly. nice to hear from you again.
I`m still living in hope for Bracken.

Wobbly lovely to hear from you again. Good luck for the 11th of next month - out again in time for Easter egg hunting?

N&G Wonky looks so adorable. I'm sure he'd be welcomed to stick his head through the kitchen window for a piece of carrot cake