soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

I have a tidy living room again with a beautiful new floor. I keep gawping at it. Tara came in when the fellows were still here, came to a stop and looked around then went sniffing around the entire room. She loved the fuss and attention from two out of the three fellows,the other preferred dogs.

They came over an hour late having been held up at their previous job which meant that they did not leave here until 7.30pm. I had been willing them out the door 2 hours before.

My new kitchen is stuffed to the gunnels with boxes and loads of "stuff" some which must be removed before the plumber comes at 8.30am. There is a lot more paper shredding I fear.

MawB I promise not to be on the roads until around lunchtime and I promise I will not interrupt your lunch at Hampstead Heath.

Flynn is growing rapidly and seems at home in a Waitrose trolley.

Is my adopted dog okay?

Greyduster Take great care of your because us lot say so.

I'm logging off until the morrow. Enjoy a peaceful and pleasant evening one and all.

Maw I was instructed that smiling was detrimental to my stitches - but who could resist! Not be long before he is pointing to what he wants mum to put in that trolley!

MawB When I saw Flynn's photograph, I did a double take. My word, he's a fine young man. An absolute star.

mrshat Where have you been hiding? I'm delighted to find you in our kitchen.

Having scoffed three chocolate coated caramels...guess what? I have to do penance and pedal the exercise bike for 25 minutes. Drat!

What a smasher Maw. He's a lovely lad. Hope all goes well for DH's procedure tomorrow (enjoy your lunch)

You haven't been subjected to had a Flynn pic recently. Did you think I had forgotten?
Now that DD has a mini to drive (SIL has a "pick up " which is a nightmare to drive especially in London traffic) she has introduced Flynn to the delights of Waitrose!!

I'm afraid I am driving kittyl ??? I think there were too many people jetting off on holiday day for our regular chaps to take us as they also do airport runs, plus I have no idea how long DH will be so booking a return time was an issue. Could all GNs in N London please stay indoors and keep their families off the roads until about 10 o clock to reduce the traffic? Actually I am pinning my hopes on Hendon and Golders Green being deserted as it is the Sabbath !!
In fact stay off the M1south of Jct 14 and south of the M25 if you don't mind!
DDS 2 and 3 plus menfolk and Flynn are taking me to the Spaniards on Hampstead Heath for lunch while poor DH is out for the count. Yum yum! Oh, forgot [sympathetic face-] emoticon.

Heck! How on earth do you lovely lot think that I can respond to all your messages.

wot When Bracken had the injection she drifted away. No fuss. No struggles. All very peaceful. We're hurting and she is at rest.
As for your partner threatening to leave. You know what...I would pack his bag for him. The least he can do when you're fretting over Sophie is be supportive. Sorry but I feel extremely angry on your behalf.

Izabella I'm relieved that your scones, cream and jam, are but a figment of my imagination. A lady gave me flowers and a rather large box of chocs today. I have eaten three caramel chocolates and MacSporran has, taken the remainder to his man-cave in the loft, (into which I'm unable to climb)

We were in Campbeltown this morning. The weather was appalling. I was thinking that callgirl will arrive in the rain. However - the skies are clearing. The islands are lit by watery sunshine. We meet with her tomorrow lunchtime. Photos will be taken. As for you lot imagining that callgirl1 and I would even contemplate being anything other than real laydees Shame on you.

What a lot to catch up on!! I have the grandchildren for a couple of days and the world keeps turning - who'd a thunk it!!

Wot, I am feeling so sad for you. Your life seems to be in turmoil and, especially with the bad timing, I can't help that think your partner is not good enough for you. Sending (hugs) for you.

Things seem to be approaching normal charley, I hope the progress continues.

Maw, you are having a bit of a s****y Easter. I hope all goes well for DH tomorrow - are you being driven or driving?

I quite like Easter too - nice food, lots of family and no pressure to buy anything other than a fancy chocolate egg or 20!! We are going to DD1's house tomorrow to christen the new kitchen (6 months and counting charley) but, unfortunately, not everyone is going to be able to make it so it will be a bit weird. Hey ho! 4 DGC will be there consuming too many E numbers!!

I have warned everyone I know about the get together in Scotland tomorrow and they are donning hard hats at least. Soop and Callgirl both deserve to have a lovely time. Let us know how things go.

Hope the mouth is feeling better GD - but as someone else said - think about how much weight you will lose. Of course, it will all go back on as soon as you can eat properly but one has to look for the up sides.

N&G, do not let you guard drop or those silly men will be getting up to all sorts of forbidden stuff.

swanny I should have some of Izabella's scones - quick - you have definitely earned it and they look fabulous.

Right, back to ice and decorate a chocolate cake as my contribution to tomorrow's get together. I think I can manage that.

Sorry Izabella I would love one but I think a scone is a bridge too far for me today! And I would probably get scone envy, because the last time you posted a picture of your scones they made mine look like biscuits - and I haven't had the opportunity to follow the advice of the canal lady yet!

Just arrived. Clotted cream, plain scones and last years home made and home grown strawberry jam. Dig in quickly as I am expecting the hoardes to arrive soon. They are here in the kitchen to give you all a virtual chance before they come.

How come they are ALWAYS hungry?

I was aware that my new cleaner had never been introduced to corners but it is a nonsense only cleaning the centre of a floor. There is dust in my bedroom swirling around. I will leave it for her to see on Tuesday- that will be her last day here. One also does not use a dust pan and brush to clean a reasonably sized kitchen- again, no corners or borders.

I hope that your DH has a quiet day, hopefully slumbering as it is a long time to be fasting. He will have Grace as a sleeping companion.

Tara has been indoors nearly all morning and I have no idea why- she seems to be okay. She may change her mind when the 3 fellows come today to lay the flooring in the living room. That will be flooring everywhere, the plumber is arriving at 8.30am tomorrow so later I will 3 more radiators working.

There is more to be done, mainly redoing shoddy work. At least the builder will becoming tomorrow so he can get cracking. I still have not managed to introduce him to a full working day. Ah well, I cannot win em all.

I wouldn't hold your breath re your first sentence charleygirl!!

It sounds as Life might slowly resuming normal service chez you? I do hope so.
DD and SIL also have scaffolding up and they are away from today until Wednesday, I will no doubt be worrying on their behalf , daren't mention it as my reputation as a "worry wart" is well established ??

MawBroon these are laydees you are talking about! MacS would not allow it for starters and Rory would not speak to soop again once he had heard of her antics.

It is dull and cold here, I am slowly moving stuff out of the living room to allow space for the new flooring to be laid this pm.

Tara went out of the French doors into the garden and must have hopped over the fence because 5 minutes later she had come in the cat flap. I have a feeling that she is resting her eyes lying on her bed which she has accepted now that it has been moved into the 3rd bedroom.

Greyduster I hope that the pain is easing but I would think that you are still drinking liquids through a straw. Look after yourself.

A dull overcast Good Friday.
I always used to especially like Easter, a pleasant balance between religion/tradition, family and nice food. I don't like being near a shop on Good Friday and am glad to see that Easter Sunday is one of the two ?) days the supermarkets acrtually close their doors. Although you would think they were shutting for a month by the hordes in Waitrose yesterday where I foolishly popped in for milk ?
Not much good food in this house today as DH is fasting for tomorrow's colonoscopy. I did him poached eggs on toast at 8 and it's clear fluids only now until tomorrow is over, poor man.
Having caught up on the ironing while he was having his blood transfusion yesterday I actually feel at a bit of a loose end! Time to read a book perhaps?
I wish callgirl a safe journey -a long way to go for such a flying visit, and an emotional one for them. Looking forward to hearing reports of women behaving disgracefully in Campbelltown tomorrow (look out for Scotland on Sunday)!!
But to all, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, a happy Easter weekend x

My heart goes out to you, wot, so many worries. I agee with mawb and n&g, when it becomes necessary, and that may not be for a long while, there is little to fear for you or your Sophie. I've had the experience twice, sad but also peaceful.

charley, didn't you know that scaffolding is a fashion accessory for houses? . I think you are safe with your sensor light, i do understand it must be so frustrating waiting for the scaffolding to go, it can't be long now. Keep taking those notes ready for your best selling book.

I'm wishing you well on your journeying callgirl. Hope you can progress from the straw soon, greyduster, we got used to it with our poorly friend, she spent nearly five months consuming liquids through a straw. It got to be 'normal' . Your 'straw phase' will be over soon. Hope your mouth is very much more comfortable in the morning.

Oh dear, it sounds as if Grampy needs to act his age not his shoe size, n&g. What is it with men? Mr C is the same and has to be nagged forcefully reminded regularly he is not 30 years younger than his tongue!

Hope you have been able to take it easy swanny, time for a rest.

Have a good day tomorrow, soop, wishing you a relaxed and fun meet with callgirl, and of course the other way round for callgirl. It gets complex in our virtual world sometimes

wot X

callgirl1 thinking of you on your trip to Kintyre. An emotional time but hopefully your time with soop will cheer you both

greyduster hope the pain is not too bad. Difficult place to have stitches.

swanny you must be exhausted. I had my DGS today and we had a great time but I can hardly stay awake now. How lucky your DGS is that you are able and willing to help out.

wot I do hope it's not bad news about Sophie. Like others who have already posted, I have had 2 of my beloved dogs put to sleep and whilst it is heartbreaking for us it is a peaceful and painless process for your dogs and an end to their suffering. Do hope things aren't as bad as you fear. Sorry you are having problems with your partner too.

Soop - just catching up this evening - so very sorry to hear about Bracken. Fondest love to you, McS and Rory. Keep strong and be assured you did everything you could for Bracken.

Would he like to hear it from me- he may listen to a second voice and somebody he has never met- yet. I will keep that as a threat.

I think that he is being incredibly foolish. I am sure it would not be too late in the morning to hire some help and then you could go food shopping without too many worries. Does the work have to be done tomorrow if help is not available?

You have all given me such reassurance tonight....thank you xxxx

Funnily enough Charley we just had that discussion .........

wot (((hugs))) I am so sorry for how things are with you just now. Sophie would normally be a big support for you with 'partner issues' but, at the moment, she is the one who needs you most. You are not alone here in the kitchen x

Please remind Grampy that he is no longer 21 because you do not want him as an invalid after a day's hard graft.

Tara has retired to bed, not sure yet whether it is mine or hers.

So sorry to hear about Sophie Wot .

Putting a dog to sleep is very peaceful wot . A quick injection and a last cuddle and they slip away . I've had that sad experience but it's nothing to be afraid of I promise.

I feel for your poor lip Grey and I would have certainly kicked the chair out if Grampy had laughed at me !!

Swanny you do sound weary but how lucky for your family you can help.

Grampy is off to help with the top soil distribution tomorrow and I am taking my daughter grocery shopping. It's funny how one thing like a bad back has such ripples !!