Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

Hope the scan shows up nothing you need to worry about, wobbly.

soop I'm sorry to hear Bracken is still missing. Don't give up hope - you can never second guess cats! My sister took over one of ours when we were posted abroad (we had taken it over from someone else who was posted abroad) and she took it into her head to try and find her way back from Yorkshire to Essex!! Fortunately my sister had put a collar and tag on her, because while on her travels cat managed to get her collar snagged on a bush in a churchyard two and a half miles from their house and someone found her and took her back home! She never strayed far from the garden after that but I have often wondered how far she would have got if she had not had the collar.

Well, what is a best friend? One who tells you, when she comes to lunch, that you have obviously forgotten to brush you hair after your shower this morning (she was right) and sends you back upstairs to get it sorted!! Then tells you it's taken years off you (what a liar she is, bless her!). I am getting very forgetful in my old age!

Steps forward, wb. Keep thinking about the positives, your doctor seems very proactive, hope the scan gives some clues.

Love the carving, kitty. Sounds awkward for your daughter to have glue ear without the potential for syringing, any treatment suggested?

Sounds a good gardening day, soop, too wet here to stand on the garden sadly, we could make bricks with the clay out there. So sorry bracken hasn't reappeared.

Hope you, Tara, the gopher and the builders survived the day charley. Give them what for if they put any of your possessions in peril. Nearly there.

Tara if she has much sense has fled the country. I went out today supposedly to buy a new alarm clock which I did do but I had a cup of coffee as well. I had to have time on my own.

Another fellow was employed for today, Spanish, no English but I have a good few words of Spanish so he was fine. The other two fellows did not even offer him a cup of coffee but I did whenever I was at home. One of that pair will not be returning tomorrow or any other day. The Spanish bloke worked so hard all day long, he is returning tomorrow.

The place remains a bomb site- the kitchen flooring will be laid tomorrow around 10.30am and then the 3 bedrooms and landing. There are books everywhere, the entire house is filthy so good luck to them.

I was exhausted with my trip out as my mobility is decreasing so the gopher went to the local shops for sugar. I never touch the stuff but these guys have consumed around 3 jars of coffee and 2lb of sugar. I have been around the house picking up coffee mugs- most are used to working on a building site and are certainly not used to this sergeant major who curtails their coffee and cigarette breaks.

Galen I am like you, I cannot bake mainly because I would have to eat it.

Tara and I will be having an early night. Tomorrow they will be showing me their version of cleaning- I doubt if it will come remotely to my standard.

Just a thought, charley, in view of all the hassles it would seem reasonable compensation to request they pay for professional cleaners, wouldn't it?

The builders have been great, it was the two electricians, who normally work on building sites and after 10 days here, said that they would never work on domestic premises ever again. I know that they had had enough of me, tough. The builders clear up after each day, the electricians expected me to do it and it was not just dust, it was piles of rubble, enough to fill half of a black bag on occasions.

The builders make sure that the house is safe before they leave each evening, windows closed, outside areas locked up etc.

My cleaner did a sterling job today but there was so much going on that it is as dusty as ever. I have been assured that they will be out the door, everything finished Saturday pm.

Charleygirl I will probably be out of circulation for the next few days (weekend away with DS and family) so I hope all goes well but I will miss your daily updates - or should that be downdates? It sounds as though it has been quite traumatic at times and I really admire your stoicism. I once had to put up with someone raising my kitchen floor 3 inches above prehistoric concrete - it made a big difference to the warmth of the place but ... Oh the mess that he made!

I have been gardening today I went to buy some flower seeds and bought two of these lovely Hellebores as well. I could not resist.
I have some more plants coming from the RHS shop .

I have a pack of of slug nematodes in my fridge waiting to be activated. They are in a box in an envelope so I don't think OH could mistake them for a snack. I am also waiting for the Vine weevil nematodes. It is better than chemicals or picking them by hand and sticking them in a bucket of salt solution.

NellieMoser do you use your nematodes in the Greenhouse? I always thought they wouldn't work in the garden, and do they have one for lily beetle?

We get lily beetle too, Mildred. They are very pretty but their offspring are disgusting little blighters. I try not to let them get to that stage but sometimes you miss one or two!

With all the issues nowadays about being able to access an appointment at the gp surgery I usually go to a pharmasist but I had reason to see a Gp this week and was pleasently surprised to be able to get an appointment for the afernoon of the day i rang the surgery. I wondered how many other people have been able to do this recently as all we hear from the media is that appointments are like gold dust and people end up going to the hospitals instead. Was Ijust lucky??

Welcome travelsfar - I am glad you were lucky. It can happen, I rang the surgery one Monday morning first thing a couple of months ago on DH's behalf as I suspected he had a recurrence of cellulitis and was offered a home visit by our own GP (who is now semi retired and part time) later that morning.
You could have knocked me down with the proverbial feather!

My husband's GP will always see him the same day but we only use that facility if we're really concerned about him. Such visits have sometimes resulted in a recommendation to visit A&E. we certainly wouldn't push it but the surgery usually is very accommodating. My own surgery has a walk-in clinic which means waiting ages, but you do at least get seen. Booked appointments can mean a three week wait. DH and I belong to different surgeries as his GP left our joint practice to set up on his own, and DH decided to follow him. I feel I know the doctors and staff where he now goes far better than my own practice. Having a good rapport with the staff I have found to be very helpful.

charley we are having an extension later in the year. I wonder if you could come over and supervise it for me? A few Sargeant Major tactics would be very helpful. I'd be EVER so grateful. Reading your experiences causes me to think I'll have a breakdown somewhere along the way.

soop it's disheartening to say the least to read about Bracken. We did have a cat who often used to take breaks but always came back. Are there any neighbours she might have adopted? Does Rory miss her? I do hope she turns up. Not knowing is the worst part. Fingers crossed.....

Bellanonna I had to assert my authority a few minutes ago because the man is coming to lay the kitchen vinyl in less than 15 minutes and the kitchen looked like a builder's yard and the floor was filthy. It is almost clean, not to my standards but not bad.

A fellow is still painting upstairs and all of that area will be re-laid also. How, I have no idea because amazingly I have beds etc. and there is no space to move anything.

I have been close to tears x2.

An extension should not be too bad because at least they will not be tramping all over your house in their hob nailed boots. My only private area was my car!

With pleasure I will come and oversee proceedings- I will have had a rest by then and will be in full voice once more.

I dread to think what my electricity bill will be for this quarter because most days the entire house would have been in competition with Blackpool illuminations.

* charley* I can feel my blood pressure rising when I read your posts, I wonder how they would feel if they went home at night to find that sort of mess in their own houses.
I wish I could come and help you, we could nag them in stereo! ?

Agree about an extension being less hassle bellanonna, but do expect dust, it creeps everywhere, also an amazing amount of noise. I do think these things are like childbirth, you forget the pain once you have the 'baby' . charley, yes, electricians used to building site work are a major pain in a domestic situation. At least they won't inflict themselves on anyone else. Keep strong, nearly there. Think many of us would have liked to be there to help keep order, our last lot soon became wary of 'the look'.

Hi Everyone, I've not been on her for a couple of days ... been on the main page having a rant voicing my rational, considered thoughts on the Jenny Murray thread. I shan't go back - it's all getting a bit too academic and argumentative there for me, which is why I came here in the first place. Lesson learned.

Wobblybits - that is good news. A friend of mine had the same op a couple of weeks ago and is doing fine, better than she (or I) thought. Hope it's the same for you.

Ann and charley - I agree with everyone else. You two deserve a medal. I'd be alternately crying, ranting and generally making myself into a hysterical wreck. I remember thinking "if one more person says, it'll be worth it", I shall have to punch them!

Kittylester - I love your Seeker of Wisdom, though when I first caught a glimpse of it, I thought it was a fancy biscuit!! Sorry ... my diet started (again) today.
On that subject, having been out of action for a bit, I'm now back on the 10,000 steps a day thing, which I've modified to mean "go for a walk every day, as long as it's not raining and don't worry about the number of steps." I was aware that I was turning into a couch potato and need to address that, before I turn into Mrs Blobby. Just walked down 'the town', popped into Fat Face and just had to treat myself to a couple of new tops, as you do, when the sun comes out (at last). It helped that their sizing is quite large that I could get them in a size 12 and they fitted.

I've just read through all the above and realised it's one long waffle - sorry about that. I can touch-type so my fingers run away with me, much as my mouth does according to Himself. Better go and give you all a bit of peace.

Happy rest of Friday afternoon and weekend.

Ooooh, almost forgot ... I'll be cheering for the Alzheimer's Society runners, waving balloons, clicking those rattle things and generally making a fuss at the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday. If anyone else is there, or maybe actually running, say "Hello." xx

corner "the look" does not work here- my verbal commands work wonders.

It is 2pm and the skip was supposed to be removed first pick up 7am. The man laying the vinyl was coming at lunchtime- I forgot to specify the exact day, month and year. The fellow coming to measure the blinds has not been in contact so all is going according to plan here.

Welcome travelsafar Come on in and eat if that lot haven't scoffed the lot.

Just read Wobbly's latest message. I agree that your GP is very much like ours. Thorough and prompt to deal with an issue. Please don't vanish into the ether. We enjoy your company.

Retrolady You have a good heart.

Charley It won't be for very much longer...the buggerations will shortly be a distant memory.

Bellanonna Rory sits beside the fence that leads into the forest and appears to be meditating. We know that he misses Bracken. As do we.

Greyduster Real friends speak their minds and do so without guile. I like the sound of your visitor. She's a keeper.

Nellie Your photo is beautiful. Spring is sprung. I can confirm that the garden is beginning to look very much better tended. My legs and back ache...but...now that I can savour the results of the blood, sweat and tears, I a good deal happier. In fact, I'm away to put in an hour or so of not-such-hard graft.

Back a little later.

Spent all yesterday mourning at the hospital with physio and nurse for pre op tests etc. The nurse asked me if I was OK to self inject my self the day before the op. !!!! Today I received a letter saying I would be treated as a day case !!!! I am going to request a scalpel and instruction book, I can then do it myself.

I trust I will get a bed.

Oh Wobbly You've made me laugh. I've had both hips replaced. One under a full wotsit and the second having had an epidural, so awake throughout. I preferred the latter. Although I was aware of sawing and buzzing noises, and a good deal of tugging, the male nurse who held my hand throughout, was gorgeous great fun. We'll all be rooting for you.

Tomorrow's rugby match from Twickers will be the highlight of my weekend. I've saved a basket full of ironing especially for the occasion. I shall be yelling for Scotland. Rory will leave the house and keep MacSporran company in the garden. MacS says that I deserve an afternoon free from digging duties.

A cheery good evening to all our Granspals. I'm looking forward to a wee dram at 9 o'clock. A Friday treat that we both enjoy.

Until tomorrow...stay safe and Ann please remember...stick with the plan!

Good to hear your humour wb, self injecting is almost my worst nightmare, sure you are made of sterner stuff. Everything will be crossed for you.

I've not risked an opinion on the Jenny Murray thread retrolady. You are a brave soul for venturing in. It's a strange old world out there. Think you are wise to be kinder to yourself about the walking, there's something about not setting ourselves up to fail. I have never understood why anyone would walk for fun in the pouring rain, well, having said that I did once walk round Venice in torrential rain. It was summer, very warm, so picture shorts (a long while ago you understand) a tee shirt and a large umbrella. I dried quickly, sadly my shoes did not . Why you should think size 12 needs slimming down is beyond me. I'm tempted to offer you virtual

Some for you as well, charley, I'm hoping by now the skip has gone, vinyl is laid and the blinds are measured. Please tell us you are still able to cook?

I am supposed to be wrapping birthday gifts for small girls so had best do just that, one birthday tomorrow, the other on Monday. We have three days of busyness ahead, activities for the children and I hope lots of and for the adults in between.

The skip is still here, the Blinds man has not been in contact- does he want the work I ask? The flooring upstairs is not finished because the fellow who measured made a mistake so we are the entire length of the landing short. Naturally it was not his fault, it was the supplier so they are coming I think on Tuesday to finish the job. I paid him for 1/3 of his work and he can whistle for the remainder until it is finished.

I was asked by the boss tonight if I wanted the shower emptied(had to empty 2nd bedroom miscellaneous stuff in the bathroom) not really because I normally only shower at Christmas. How stupid.

They eventually left at 6.30pm, two of them live miles away in Luton. The five are returning tomorrow but the work will not be finished then- it will be Monday at least.

charleygirl you must be tearing your hair out. I also think you must have just about got a brand new house by now. Did you plan that??

I am very sad because little Flynn is poorly with bronchiolitis. I don't think it had been invented when ours were tiny but would welcome reassuring noises from other grans or anybody who has experience of it. Fortunately SIL is around over the weekend and although their GP sent them to the Paediatric dept at Whipps Cross the Drs said he didn't need more than Calpol and ibuprofen. They won't be going to eldest DD's birthday tomorrow (long car journey both ways) but I am hopeful we shall see them next weekend. Granny.
So many new faces in the Kitchen. Cakes???
I have made an apricot and polenta and rosewater cake garnished with crushed pistachios to take up to DD's at the weekend (Nigella recipe)
There's a spare on the side for your delectation!!