Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

Maw thanks for that beautiful photo of my adopted dog, Grace. I do not think that I have ever seen her on four legs.

I apologise to all for not posting for ages but the building work has been getting me down big style. Still, it has given many of you a rest from my dulcet tones on paper.

I have had to have a house rewire, totally unplanned, the electrician left me without heat and light one evening so I went to bed at 7.15pm. He did leave a torch- wowee.

Another evening limited electricity throughout so not enough for a microwave hot meal because there was overload. A nail protruding through the floor at my side of the bed, he did not plug in my my stair lift correctly so not enough electricity to charge it so it was bleeping Many nights without any heating- totally unacceptable.

Recommended by the building boss who said that normally he recommends around 10 rewires a year to them so they do well out of it. I do not think after the catalogue of disasters here and the way that I was treated that he will give him the time of day. The electrician quickly discovered that I was not a quiet, ancient old biddy and I knew what I wanted and on the whole got it.

I have had a major leak, unnoticed as it happened rapidly but the ceiling in one bedroom is caving in. Possibly assisted but not caused by storm Doris.

The original house builder fitted non treated wood for the load bearing section over the porch area and one was rotten- luckily found in time. Large gaps in the loft, although floored and insulated, I was heating the great outdoors. The area over the porch had never been insulated, it is now!

Today, nothing to do with the builders etc. I could not lock my UPVC front door. The fellow is coming at great expense tomorrow am. Luckily I have managed with difficulty to get it locked but it is not very safe. And so it goes on- what were simple jobs turned out to be horrendous and expensive. When they leave at the end of next week I will retiring to a darkened room I think.

I'd just like to say to you lot that I was getting very downhearted about GN and the nastiness on some threads. However just looking at recent chats in the kitchen has cheered me. The support and concern shown to Maw and soop and their husbands, to kitty, to ann, to Mildred, and even to me and my back, has made me glad the everyday goodness in people is still to be found here in the kitchen. Huge thanks to you all ((hugs))

Charleygirl that is a dastardly list of calamities, yet your delicious sense of humour is somehow still evident. I think I would have retired to the nearest hostelry by now

Have they finished, charley? Is the electrician a thing of the past or does the battle continue? So sorry the buggerations continue. Look after yourself, hope you can eat hot food now. Best I can do is a for pudding .

ann I had no idea there had been no carers assessment. It could be very helpful indeed. Please pursue it, nothing to lose.

Soop, lovely photos yet again, those deer just HAVE to be pet deer! How is MacSporran now?
MawB, Lovely photo of the gorgeous Grace. Is she like my greyhound Heidi used to be, not overly fond of walks, always eager to get back home?
I`m hoping for decent weather this week, so my roof can go ahead. Then after I get this latest man`s quote, I have to make a decision about central heating. Hopefully I won`t get quite as much disruption as you`ve had Charley.

PS, I still wish that the kitchen wasn`t in the café, it`s irritating having to scroll down to find each day`s date, especially now there are so many threads.

Callgirl1 just look under 'I'm on" it's immediately under Gransnet forums heading.

Ann I have my fingers crossed that some of the helpful suggestions on here will give you some help and respite. I know you have said on occasion that you will stop posting please keep coming in the kitchen. Talking even virtual helps.

cornergran I believe that I may be able to go out food shopping later today and actually cook this evening. I have forgotten what a fresh vegetable looks like. This will be my first cooked meal for over 3 weeks, unfortunately the takeaways around here are rubbish.

The electrician is returning tomorrow to change a faulty socket so my stair lift may work properly. He may well see me at the front door with a knife in my hand!

The builders are beavering away and the locksmith is coming within 45 minutes to hopefully fix my handle and lock for my front door for good.

Tara has left the country but dutifully returns each evening.

A clean, tidy home with a hot meal and a glass or three of wine is more than a pipe dream now, this Saturday is D day for me.

Charleygirl I'm sure you'll enjoy your meal! It's been an ordeal but surely it will all seem worthwhile come the weekend. Good luck

Blimey, charley, reading about your building project has been an eye opener. What a catalogue of disasters! I feel for you. DD had a large two storey extension put on their house two years ago and they had their fair share of mishaps. And being slightly OCD, she was going to bits because of the mess, which was, of course, upstairs as well as downstairs so there was no getting away from it. But it is beautiful now and all that is just a distant memory, as it will be with you. I will raise a glass to you this weekend!

Charleygirl That all sounds horrendous! I think Tara has the right idea, bugger off out and leave them to it
Seriously, you must be really sick and tired of it all.

A warm and cheery hello to all our lovely Kitcheners

Swanny When I read your Sunday's message, I had a wee tear in my eye. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful post.

Charleyg I cannot begin to imagine how you've coped with so many buggerations. I'm certain that I would have flipped my lid...gone into orbit...sacked the lot of 'em. Except of course, you would then be up so and so creek without a paddle. For the sake of your sanity, I'm wishing that the day when you update us with the words...'all done and dusted' happens VERY soon.

ann I hope that the advice passed on to you concerning the carers assessment can bring about a satisfactory resolution to what is a dire situation. You cannot be expected to cope without proper support. Please keep us updated.

callgirl1 Macdporran's injuries are beginning to heal. I change the dressing on his battered thumb daily. The head wound looks ghastly but it is clean and the fresh air is helping the healing process.

MawB I do love Grace. Sadly, no sign of Bracken. Rory checks the wee chalet several times a day. We haven't caught sight of the cat that appeared briefly several days ago. Of one thing, we're certain - it wasn't Bracken.

corner I'm beginning to worry that the boomerang bug isn't responding to the course of antibiotics. Do you think that a further check-up with your GP is called for?

That was a very kind and heartening post swanny
I am smarting because somebody who must remain nameless has made what I think is a totally unjustified and even malicious complaint about me.
I shall say no more but am posting a pic of a very lovely Amaryllis which I was given at Christmas (and sort of forgot to plant . )
However, it has been worth the wait!

The builders are lovely- they are my saving grace. There have been many days when I would have happily joined Tara, sleeping under a bush nearby.

We were expecting the tiles tomorrow- they can arrive anytime between 9am and 5pm and we have to pick them up. The guys are painting the entire inside of the house so that will start tomorrow upstairs.

I went out today to buy some meat and a selection of vegetables- have almost forgotten how to cook anything. I have a working gas hob and electric oven, cannot wait.

A lovely, colourful Amaryllis, MawB the sunlight helps the petals to glow.

Charleyg Good for you. You are beginning to sound much more cheerful. I wish that us lot could all pile into your spanking new home (when it's completed) to help you celebrate in some considerable style.

soop I'm sorry that there is no sign of Bracken yet. It must be a worry for you. I am so pleased that McS is on the mend. You no sooner get over worrying about your children hurting themselves than the old guys more mature family members are at it! I was talking to DH about his over 55's walking football session this afternoon when he said he got knocked over twice by some man mountain or other whom he was attempting to tackle for the ball! I've told him that I don't want him to play with rough boys ? and I'll send a note next week so that he can be put in a nice safe position.
MawB your amaryllis is a beauty. I've never grown one - must give it a go.? I'm sorry you have suffered a little local GN difficulty. I keep my head well down these days.

I am bang up to date with cleaning- I had a small kitchen trolley which I emptied today and some stuff has not been touched since 1996!

I have so much paperwork to look through and judging from the number of bags etc lying around there is at least a week's work sorting.

I picked up the knobs for the kitchen doors and popped into Aldi, just across the road for my meat and vegetables. It is so cheap there, such a pity that it is so small.

I was doing today what I do best, making coffee for the workers here. The way things are going they should be out of here by Saturday.

Proud of you charley, many a person would have sunk under the pressure. That meal will be wonderful. Should yoy be arested for assaulting the electrician there are many here who would stand bail I am sure. .

Oh blimey, Mawb, isnt GN fun sometimes? Dont let them get you down. How's that husband of yours doing?

Thank you for your concern, soop, the bugs are very, very gradually retreating. I have dithered about a return to the GP but there is no evidenc of infection so I will sit it out for a bit. Have had a couple of nights staying with friends and been thoroughly spoiled, should be good medicine. Nice to be home though. Since CFS became part of my life over 20 years ago I do have problems with any virus, always hangs around and saps the energy. I do think this one is moving out so will wait and see a bit longer, don't worry, I will go the doctor if it doesn't keep retreating. Is macs really OK? That was quite some bump he had.

Best be off now, many tv programmes to catch up with, so its feet up time.

I've had a lovely few days away staying with some old good friends. The only downside being that my friend is a rather
overly fastidious housewife so I'm looking at our sort of cleanish in places--house with a more critical eye than I usually do, --it'll have worn off by tomorrow

Oh dear, oh for an edit button, hopefully you got the drift of that!!
Anyway so much has happened in this kitchen that I'm way behind. So get well wishes to all poorly people and their husbands too. Congrats to those surviving house renovations. Special love for those with heavy hearts over family or loved pets. And if I've missed anyone, sorry it's not intentional!
Leaving some hot chocolate for anyone who needs a nightcap with some Bailey's to add for a good nights sleep --purely medicinal-of course

Gracie and I have just limped our way round her little bedtime walkie - no she's not for the vet tomorrow but I might be!
Stubbed my little toe on the edge of a bookcase in the middle of the night last night (never bother with slippers) and I can barely get a shoe on my right foot comfortably let alone walk!!
I have tried trainers, old "bauchles "(wide worn out shoes) anything ?
Better be better tomorrow, I don't need this!
On the plus side, DH does seem better than this time last week (sshhh)

Oh maw that's one horrible experience, the stubbed toe. Goes right through you. Bruised today but hopefully less hobbling