soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

No, N&G, you`re not mad, you`re being perfectly reasonable. Unfortunately, there are people who make house viewing something of a hobby, with no intention of purchasing any house they see, you could have been victim to a few of these.
Soop, so sorry that Bracken is unhelpable, such a pity that you haven`t been able to "tame" her enough to get access to her.
MawB, sorry your hubby had a seback, hope he`s on the up again now.
Cornergran, no, we don`t have a room spare to use as a kitchen. The plan is to bring the microwave in here, also the f/freezer, but where the heck we`ll put them, heaven knows, this room is only 12`x13`, and has quite a bit of furniture, but we`ll cope, somehow. My main worry is where to put everything out of the kitchen cupboards. We`ll have to interrupt the workmen fairly often a well, because our toilet is downstairs, and only accessible via the kitchen, but I have informed them of that. MawB, that`s a great idea, putting the fridge in the garage, but then I`d still be in their way going outside to fetch stuff, although it would solve the space problem. I`ve had a call today, their surveyor is coming at 6.30pm tomorrow.

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Good Afternoon all !!

Lots for me to catch up on so apologies if I miss out anyone.

Maw no mention of the Easter Bunny please- he's been dismissed by Cadburys apparently sorry to hear DH had to visit A & E - that's a worry but at least you got carrot cake !! There's a silver lining to every cloud . I'm sorry to hear Grace gave you a few bad moments. Hopefully she has some life left to live ( I think the pigeon chasing episode indicates that).

Oh soop that's so sad about Bracken. I wonder if she had a second tangle with whatever hurt her tail. There's nothing more you can do as catching her sounds more stressful than leaving her be. Take comfort if you can from this being natures way, the life of a wild animal is a tough one . Sending you a big hug and snitching some of Maws carrot cake for you as there was no mention of sharing !!

Grey I'm afraid I was in the group that had to smile at your bad day !! You couldn't make it up could you?

Charley I am aghast ( now there's a good word) at your experience with these workmen !! How you have not swung for one while holding an iron is beyond me !!

Jackson had a sleepover with his cousins yesterday and had an amazing time. He worships Stevie who is nearly 3 years older than him and I take great pleasure in seeing his delighted face when they are together. I've added a picture or 3.

We have decided that we will leave our house on the market but have instructed our agents to inform all would be purchaser's that we do live by a railway line. Feedback over the last 9 months has never once indicated an issue with the house, its always the railway line.

So we have decided to stop wasting our time ( and our lives) and let people know categorically before hand. Then if they choose to view there are no surprises. To be honest we have lived here for 22 years and it never troubled us once. Its nowhere near as noisy as people fear but of course you can't tell anyone that.

We are fed up with hoards of people interrupting our lives with no intention of purchasing . So this is our line in the sand....are we mad???

Just printed out ticket for next cruise.

One of those days, but we are back and all is fine after much waiting and hanging about. The gastric bleeding had stopped (of course) and his hb is OK enough to see him through to tomorrow's Planned Care Unit appointment.
Got out about 4, VERY hungry and in need of proper coffee!
Also had a piece of carrot cake (well it will soon be Easter and Easter bunny will enjoy some) so with my blood sugar and equanmity restored back to catch up.
Poor Bracken! And poor you for having to go through this. How much one "interferes" with a feral animal is so hard to judge. She might indeed hurt herself more resisting being caught and then what?

soop I, too, am sorry to read about Bracken's leg - poor little cat. As others have said there really is nothing you can do but it must be heartbreaking to watch her struggling.
Agree with comments about giving yourself a little break, too.
gd - sorry, but I laughed too !

Lovely upbeat news, Jud

Galen I don't like it when you sound less than perky. Perhaps it's time to pack your pearls. Ship ahoy!

jollyg

Greyduster Sorry, I also thought your post was very humorous. Especially when you described your husband struggling to change his clothes in the back of the car. The flatulent dog reminds me of a dog owned by pals of ours. He always sat on my lap and farted (noisily) non stop throughout a visit. Our pal didn't bat an eyelid.

Oh dear! Just up from my sick bed (a nasty stomach bug) and checking in with you all! So sad for all those with poorly pets and partners.

To those whose pets are coming close to their time, my heart goes out to you. Such a difficult decision to make, and they will leave a huge gap. All of us who have pets know this, but we still give them our hearts.

For you Wot and MawB, I can only hope your DPs pick up soon. Such a worry as we get older. My DH has been complaining of weakness in his left leg and arm and I have been watching him like a hawk in case of further developments.

Charley I had hope to find that you were settled peacefully into your newly refurbished home at last but no such luck. What an unmitigated disaster! That plumber needs to be exposed!

'Soop' hard to watch poor Bracken suffer but it is unlikely she will allow you to get near her. Feral cats are notoriously difficult to help. SSPCA is possibly your only answer. And to put in my oar, surely it is time to give the care home a miss as it seems to be taking so much out of you. Time to look after yourself.

'Galen' you sound a bit low at the moment. I do hope 'your time' is a long way off yet. You have cruises waiting to be enjoyed. Wish we lived nearer. My DH is able to fix anything and could have sorted you out with your technology.

Off to take Georgie for a little runabout on the beach. She has plateaued a bit but strong enough to enjoy a walk every day. She has started swimming in the sea too which must be good for her legs.

Roses I know! You couldn't make it up. When he had shouldered the dear departed, all I could think about was "Bugger! he's put his cufflinks in back to front!"

Greyduster.... sorry, but I had to laugh, it sounded like an episode of One Foot In The Grave. Does Art imitate life, or is it the other way round.

Soop you have been an angel to your feline friends.

Que sera sera

Good afternoon folks, I'm catching up after a flying overnight visit to Wales. Well that was fun! Two thirds of the way to our destination and a whole raft of warning light came on in our six months old car indicating that the parking brake wasn't working. We had no choice but to stop and call for assistance. We were making good time until then. An hour later an AA man came and plugged his computer under the dashboard and tapped a few keys (whatever happened to spanners, oily rags, widgets and suchlike??) and then, after a quick look under the bonnet, declared it safe to continue, warning lights notwithstanding. By this time we were late and when the satnav took us a horrendously long way out of our way, we arrived at the crematorium just in time for DH to struggle into his shirt and suit in the back of the car (there were some odd looks from passers by) and run to the chapel just in time to take his place as a bearer!! I've never seen him so stressed out! It was rather a dreary funeral for a man who had led a very colourful life, followed by an indifferent lunch and then we stayed overnight at DH's sister's, obliged to share our bedroom, as usual, with her dog, who Is a flatulent nightmare! The car ran like a dream on the way back this morning in spite of the dashboard being lit up like a flashing nervous breakdown!! Garage tomorrow!!

Soop I am so sorry that Bracken is injured and I know from what you have said previously that she is not easy to help. I hope for a happy outcome.

For all whose posts I haven't had time to read properly, who have health or ongoing home improvement problems, my heart goes out to you. Have to go now and get ready for the school run. I'll have a look in later ?.

I'm feeling awful weary right now. The visit to the care home was noisy and frustrating and what with one thing and another...I'm delighted to be back in the sanctuary of our peaceful home.

MawB I'm sorry to hear that husband has had yet another setback. Please update us when you return home.

Charleyg I watched a programme concerning 'bogus builders'...your unbelievable experiences are far worse.

Bracken is untrapable. She would almost certainly go berserk if she should get as far as triggering the trap. Feral cats have been known to have a heart attack brought on by extreme stress. Last night, instead of bringing the untouched meal indoors, we left it under the chalet. This morning, the plate was clean. I cannot swear that Bracken ate the food but it is possible that she returned. I notified the RSPCA and they informed me that I needed the Scottish branch - SPCA. I may also contact the man from the Cat Protection League. This may be a case of Mother Nature taking it's natural course. Thank you for your kind messages.

Oh no, mb Sympathy

I am glad to hear your are keeping your head above water Charleygirl but seriously, someone is taking the p*ss surely? Such a catalogue of incompetence and worse is truly unforgivable.
RFH clinic visit today will have to be rescheduled. DH has had a bleed and is feeling rubbish. Another cup of coffee then off to A &E I fear. Never mind, these things happen.

I am very grateful to the builder, he managed to stop the leak. He arrived at 7.30pm but it took him nearly 40 minutes. I had visions of the water being cut off and I would not be able to shower but that did not happen.

The builder will be dragging the plumber here by the ear to fix the problem this evening and also fit the radiator which he had just dumped on the kitchen floor. I will try to keep my mouth shut until the plumber has finished the job but it will be very difficult. Cowboy definitely springs to mind. I have the upper hand as I can always threaten him with the IR.

When we had our kitchen done it took about 2-3 months as we had a wall down too. I packed everything into big lidded plastic boxes (see through, Staples or pound shop) which I stacked in the spare room keeping back 2 of every plate, knife, fork spoon etc as well as a smaller box for salt, pepper. Tom ketchup (for all the fish and chips!) and cereal for breakfast.
I kept the microwave, kettle in the living room and I think they put the fridge in the garage for milk etc also the freezer otherwise I would have to empty that too. DH was working down in Bournemouth Mon-Fri so he was well out of it, but I got by on ready meals which got more boring each day, having a proper lunch at work and occasionally sponging off friends. At weekends we ate at the pub but I got bored even with that
With hindsight I don't even know if I would go through that again. Good luck!

Have you got a room you could turn into a temporary kitchen, callgirl? We used our conservatory. Table with microwave and halogen oven plus one of those grill things. Small table with basic crockery. Plastic box for cutlery. Larger bottles of water. Kettle and tea pot. Window ledges were lined with basic food. The rest in a box under the table. Fridge freezer was in the hall. They worked round the washing machine. Rest of the kitchen was in stacked plastic boxes in the conservatory. The worst was washing up in the bathroom sink, I hated that. If you can get someone else to feed you. It's not so bad, organisation is the key. It is worth it when all is finished.

Goodness, Galen, that's all very techie. I haven't a clue! Please don't be wobbly, too many wobbles about.

So sorry about poor little Bracken Soop, I hope you manage to catch her and get her to the vet.
Charleyg, I feel so frustrated on your behalf. My work is yet to come, C/H and a new kitchen, hope I have better luck than you`ve had. I`m already panicking about where I`m going to put everything when I empty the kitchen!

Cushing's is very treatable in people. Classic diagnosis is that they look like a lemon on matchsticks.
I know just how Grace feels! I'm also very wobbly and feel my time is drawing near.

I'm trying to get all my house 'smart' got lights in lounge done. Just hall and landing to fix.
Next one is the heating! Help! I've decided that the Honeywell r6 lynx system will suit me best as it interfaces with Apple and Alexa. But how do I find someone to fit it?
Anyone any experience with smart heating systems?

Oh I feel sad for Bracken, Sophie and Tara and very very cross on your behalf Charleygirl
You could hardly make this up -nor indeed would you want to!
Just hang on in there and all will be well I am sure.

Soop,I'm so sorry about Bracken. Xxxx

What a shame, poor Bracken, it must be so hard to see her like that and not be able to help, Soop. Could you borrow a cat trap or would that just cause her more pain? Sorry, that's my drive to fix things coming to the fore. I know you and macS will do all you can for her.

Blimey, charley, you couldn't invent this saga. Hope you and a recovered Tara have a peaceful night and you keep a water supply. Maybe fill up what you can just in case?

Hospital day tomorrow. All that waiting around on uncomfortable chairs. How lucky am I? Take care everyone. No more poorly-ness if you can manage it and it would be good to hear you had no further problems, charley. Well, I can hope .

I thought that things could not get any worse here- How wrong was I. Since the plumber fiddled with the hall radiator a few days ago there has been a small but very manageable leak. This has developed into something that I cannot control and I would be up all night emptying the large bowl 2 hourly. The builder will be back in around 4o minutes to help a damsel in distress. Whatever next I ask myself.

soop poor Bracken has obviously broken her leg. The poor little mite must be in a lot of pain and there is little that you can do about it.

I hope that Tara is feeling better when she returns later this evening. She was very sick this morning on the underlay for the laminate to be fitted in the living room. She and I will look forward to bedtime for different reasons. I can see me missing Broadchurch tonight if the chap is here fixing the leak. I have a nasty feeling I will end up with no water yet again as it may be switched off at the mains.