Soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets...

Charley the dog is called Stevie and I will miss him but not all his things scattered round the house.
He was very good and sleeps well at night and no toilet accidents at all however he does need to calm down a bit.

My family have left and I am shattered, getting older is no joke. I'm sure we all look back to the times when we felt invincible. Preparing endless meals,tiding up constantly, playing with the children and taking them to the park etc seemed a doddle, and now...
Make the most of it N&G and all of you youngsters. I love my D but she is on holiday when she comes and doesn't recognise that I am aging fast.
Enjoy the wedding soop, well it goes without saying that you will and you will be so proud as you should.

Ann what is the name of that gorgeous little scamp? Butter probably would not melt in his mouth. I think that you will miss him when he has returned home.

Maw Sweden! How exciting and what a treat to look forward to. I really hope you enjoy it. I read where you said you had booked taxis at ginormous expense. GS asked today why we don't come to Cornwall with them anymore. Not wanting to tell him that it is because when we are on holiday together, DD and I get completely strung out with each other, I said that grandad doesn't like driving that far these days. "Well, you could always get a taxi!" he said casually. To Cornwall? From South Yorkshire?? . I said we would have to rob a bank first!
He was here overnight and about half past ten he was spectacularly sick. In the bathroom fortunately. No idea why. I sat by his bed until quarter past four and then went back to mine! So I was just a tad tired this morning. He's been fine today - we have been canoeing on the lake in the country park. We rented a Canadian canoe for an hour but the man said we could have longer if we liked as it was not busy. It was fun. There's an island in the middle with all sorts of water birds nesting, herons and grebes fishing and it was interesting to just glide quietly close and see chicks in their nests.
GQ I remember making little paper dolls and their cut out clothes when I was a child, to populate my dolls house. I love the picture of your GDs dollies. We have a bedroom full of action men and all their kit and caboodle and until about a year ago, we would have great fun making camps in the garden for their adventures where they would search for lost explorers and abseil out of the jungle down the honeysuckle. We made plates of pretend food. Sadly, they all lie neglected these days - he has moved on. As you say, simple pleasures.
Ann that dog is gorgeous! He must be a lot of fun, but hard work I should think! I'll second the broody bit, though!
soop I do so hope you enjoy your wedding! I'm sure you'll look an absolute picture!

Afternoon all !!

Its one of THOSE days. We collected our youngest daughter and the 2 boys, dropped her off at the salon, took the boys home for lunch, picked her up , collected the boys took them home. Quick flash round then off to eldest daughter to babysit for the evening as she is working and so is her DH. Then home. Sleep....rinse and repeat collect youngest daughter and boys for a full days adventure in Norfolk. We're going up to measure the windows etc of our new house ( hopefully) and then let the boys go crazy in the forest, have a picnic and come home !! I'm tired just thinking about it !!

I agree Corner its funny though how out and out rudeness or meanness is cloaked as 'plain speaking'

I remember that hurricane well soop as we had first one child, then the other join us, plus 2 HUGE dogs hurtled in and got on the bed ( unheard of !!) and THEN....Grampy had to go and get in 2 guinea pigs and a rabbit !! It was a cosy night !

Hope you enjoyed your trip to the salon soop.Will there be pictures?

How exciting Maw !! Have no fear at Arlanda, they are super efficient and nice. I navigated it on my own , with overnight luggage in a wheelchair. Couldn't have been more helpful.

Sorry to hear H brought you down a bit ann short of shutting him in the cupboard under the stairs I can be of no help. Maybe just focus on the positives of YOUR enjoyment for now?

Tough decision Maw again, I have no solution but sending you a hug in case you need it !!

That's what I always say Granniequeenie when Grampy is complaining about noise, or mess. I love every minute because its going to have to keep me going through the teen years till they turn back into humans :-)

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It didn't end in tears, the game just ran out of steam. We did do some planting...and now they're hungry again...hey ho all the fun of the fair here today But I'm not complaining the day will come too soon when they don't want to spend a day with us enjoying simple pleasures.

granniequeenie When I was a child, I loved cut-out dolls on which I could add cut-out outfits. I enjoyed anything connected with fashion. My late Nana had, until she died, a big scrap book of my designs. Shiny toffee papers were used as pretend fabric. Wish that I had it now.

Back to cleaning. Don't ask! It doesn't make sense but I still need to do it. I'm going to say farewell now. If I don't, I shall still be glued to the computer at teatime.

Continue to look after each other. No bun fights (as if) and just as soon as I can, I shall come into the kitchen to bore the pants off you with tales of our big adventure.

and an early

Thank you for your thoughtful advice regarding that leg. I shall do as you suggest.

This morning, at the hairdressers, a young lady was telling me that she and others are going to Glasgow at the weekend for her best pal's hen party. Never had such things in "my day!". She was telling me what they had planned. Apparently, one afternoon they are to be visited by butlers in the buff...I screamed with laughter when she told me. In fact, I thought of our Galen.

Nellie You may have as many gentle hugs as you need. I fully understand that you are feeling "wobbly". Your wee birds were precious and you will miss them very much. I'm hoping that you had a good night's sleep. Looking after the little ones will help to distract you. A little light hearted distraction is good at times of stress.

oldgoat It has rained throughout the night. The sky is clearing and a watery sun is peering through low cloud. Weather much improved by the morrow.
MacS will take a photo of the wedding outfit before we leave for the venue. I shall share with you lot when we return.

Maw Go for it! You will have fun. We are not in the least travel savvy. Thankfully, I do get assistance at the airport. I ride on the buggy is great fun.

Have had my hair primped. Naturally, it's a tad formal at the moment. I prefer the slept in look. No doubt it will relax as the hours pass. I'm used to looking dishevelled. Pay good money to look ladylike, and then tiddle with it until it's all messy. Does that make sense?

Ann that puppy is very cuddlesome indeed, glad you've enjoyed some family fun even though you had to manage your husband too. It must be hard to see him behaving so differently and sadden your heart as well as sorely trying your patience.
maw your trip sounds just like a well deserved treat. I'm sure you'll be able to find strategies to make sure Paw gets to see the grandchildren in the small doses that work best for him. He probably realises his own limitations, as you do yourself, but acknowledging it out loud in some ways forces it to be faced up to which is hard.
Posh hope your feeling like your normal self very soon, good decision to avoid the littlies today, you don't need any of their bugs to add to your own ones!
soop hope your wedding trip is amazing and you enjoy every minute, please do look after that recovering leg en route it would be so easy to knock it when you're in an unfamiliar environment and undo all the good work.
nellie that must have a real shock finding the poor budgies like that, its horrible not knowing what really happened and why. I'm sure you'll have gone over it in your mind. a hundred times and more. Hope you'll be able to feel more settled in time.
We have 2 granddaughters 10 and 8 here today, the plan was to plant tubs with flowers but then came some unexpected showers. So now they have become absorbed in a make believe game involving lots of dolls and soft toys along with paper, sellotape, string and blue tack. I gather there is a behaviour chart for the dolls involved too!! It all sounds very complicated to me and could well eventually end in tears but for now they're having great fun and I'm enjoying the break! These 2 can play so well like this but I know the days of these simple activities are numbered and I'll be sad when theyre gone!

I sympathise poshg, had a three month bout of lurgy at the end of last year and just over another three weeks. It is seriously foul. Keep taking the drugs Hope you are much better soon. Sun is out now, wellies not needed, lunch and then the food shop, hopefully home in the dry. Happy person now

MawB, talk the situation over with DD. She will realise that you are in on a sticky wicket with DH and you can make arrangements with her to bring the children down to see him so then he will have that to look forward to. Just remember that you are entitled to have a life. Guilt is a most unproductive emotion.

Maw - don't feel guilty. Lives have to be "managed" at times. Would Skyping be of assistance in keeping in touch with family at a distance? - helps me.

Its hard, mawb, but please don't feel guilty. I suspect if there was a guilty emoticon it might get more than a little overused! The day wouldn't go well, you know it wouldn't, so as Jalima says plan some paw time with the family that will work for him and everyone else. I felt sad reading ann's post about the difficulties with their family visit and then to read yours. My heart goes out to you both. All you can do is your best, the families will understand and I am sure help you get around the difficulties, rather than trample through them. Pool all the thinking resources, see what the combined might of family thinking can come up with that works for you all.

Agree with Charlie, Soop maybe best to add some protection to the thin skin on your leg for the journey, the last thing you need is someone banging it with the corner of a case. I'm sure you and MacS will have a wonderful time and wish you well for your journey and the wedding celebrations.

Pouring here today, not happy a bit but am attacking the admin before a food shop later. Out all day tomorrow, meeting a friend for lunch and generally drifting about, so have that as a carrot to look forward to.

Gradually recovering - have felt like my head has been laid in an egg slicer - but not sensible to be with hordes of littlies this a.m., so am remaining confined to barracks & trying to catch up with Kitchen matters.

annsixty - puppies (& family visits) lighten the spirits don't they?
Maw - although I haven't owned a pet in married life (apart from the children's ill-fated hamster) I echo your sentiments about some pets - it's the response felt by owners to the unconditional love pets give that is hard for some people to understand. I would have a dog again in a heartbeat if things were different.
NellieM - sorry to hear about your budgies, what an awful shock for you!
grannyq - what is it about bras? I think they have minds of their own.
cornergran - never mind undies, do you need wellies?
N & G - agree also with your sentiments about kids "being kids" & having the time to do that rather than having their time engineered to keep them busy.
charleyg - you're in the home straights,(pardon the bad pun), you've really had to push this through haven't you. It's a crate of wine you deserve.
callg - love thunderstorms (from inside)!! The kids I would go into conservatory & shout & scream for fun. I try & avoid being out in them when country walking though.
oldgoat - Scotland the brave? (670 steps to toilet block)
soop - have a good time on Amsterdam trip & agree with leg precautions.

I need a drink now - semi-frozen water (& paracet) beckons. Have a good day one & all.

He is making me broody for another dog annsixty

MawBroon Paw would feel very miserable if his feet were not attended to and he had to wait another six weeks or so for an appointment.
Have a lovely time don't feel guilty and try to arrange a Grandad-date as soon as possible to cheer him up. If he has a definite date then he'll have something to look forward to.

??????

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One very scruffy dog and his rubbish

Do we have a [guilty] emoticon on GN?
I ask because this morning Paw asked why I was going to see DD and the DGC on my own tomorrow and instead of simply saying it was the only day DD was free and he isn't, I let him go on to say he felt he was being cut out and that the DGC would not know him etc etc.
I should just have said " Well come with me " but I know he is desperate to have his feet seen to and tomorrow is the only day the podiatrist can come and also, frankly with his coughing and wheezing he is not up to it. He also hates anything like an early start so even to be out by 10.30 is an effort. But I waffled and talked rubbish about being active with the children and tried NOT to say that I needed a break.
He has got a point but with his current mobility issues and neediness it would be a case of expecting to be entertained, chat to the boys, read DGD a story - all of which he is entitled to enjoy, but they are also very active, tiring children and I know he would tire quickly and then I would have to drive us home.
Oh dear, he loves his DGC and would like to see them, but a little goes a long way.
I need to find a way round this probably in the summer holidays and get DD to bring them down here or reconcile myself to shorter visits to them.
Anybody got a better idea?

Your little escape sounds like something the Dr ordered Maw it will be so good for you . I hope the benefits aren't outweighed by the recriminations when you get home. Sorry to introduce such a Downing note but it is as well to be prepared.
My family leave after lunch and I have mixed feelings, I have enjoyed their visit and their company but not the way H as been while they have been here. He has never stopped trying to be funny with them and teasing the dog when we have told him repeatedly not to. He then gets fed up with him in a short time and doesn't want him around.
Fortunately the weather has been ok and we have been in the garden for hours while H has as usual sat inside. The house is a tip with his toys, bed playpen etc.
This morning I heard H open the door of the bedroom my 14 yr old GD is sleeping in.I told him not to go in as she was still in bed. He ignored me and went in to get something he didn't really need with the attitude that it is his house and he will go wherever he wants. This is his attitude to most things I ask him not to do and is so disheartening. It is not his old self at all and hard to deal with.
Moan over, it is raining here and after a good tidy round this afternoon I am going to settle down with a book, a pleasure I haven't had time for since Saturday.
I have a fridge full of food so after checking sell by dates aren't too outrageous I should not need to shop for several days.

MawB yourself and Flynn will have a ball- you will thoroughly enjoy yourself knowing that Paw is being looked after. I am also hoping that Paw may realise the full extent of the room service provided 24/7, I have a feeling that it is taken for granted.

soop I was wondering if it may not be a good idea to cover your wound at least while travelling because it does not appear to be 100% healed yet so will be vulnerable to any small knocks. Enjoy your trip, I am well aware how you have been looking forward to it. Rory will be less than pleased but no doubt will survive.

Losing an animal or bird is something non-pet people find hard to understand, however kind they are. There is not only the love and companionship that can exist, but deep down the knowledge that you are 100% responsible for that creature's well being and the awful realisation that you may have let it down by accident. I felt dreadful about the incident with Grace's tail and the door, but of course a pet has no understanding of this and does not reproach you.
nelliemoser it is a sad mystery why your budgies died, but there is no guilt on your part. Just one of life's sad things.

maw Your trip to Sweden sounds like just what the doctor ordered - time to play with your lovely little Flynn knowing that paw is being looked after by his sister. Getting the taxi straight to the airport will take away the worry of not getting to the airport on time. We always go HOURS in advance because we travel by public transport.
Hope soop's trip to Amsterdam goes smoothly tomorrow, too.

Nellie I'm so sad about your poor budgies. It happened to me many years ago, with a lovely snow-white budgie. She had started pecking the feathers around her neck to the point of making herself bleed, so I had put her in a cage on her own ( she had a male partner and they had lots of babies).

DH and I had gone out for dinner. When we got home the first thing I did was check on the bird. The cage door was open and there was no sign of her apart from one feather in the hallway. I searched the house and garden but never found any trace of her. We had cats at the time and I can only assume one of them got her, but I blamed myself (and still do) because I can't have closed the cage properly.

I cried so much my neighbour came round to see what was wrong, so I can imagine how sad you must be feeling. Sending (((hugs)))

Hugs for me too, nellie. I don't cope well with an eye mask, blackout curtains over a blind work for me. Try not to blame yourself, the 'what ifs' really won't help. Hope tomorrow looks brighter. .