Welcome to the *Gransnet Café. This is a non-judgemental space for you to pop in for a cuppa with some virtual friends, seek out advice for a particular problem, or share an update on your life - important or trivial. Feel free to have your say and chat about your day, but please leave any arguments at the door. If you're struggling to find someone to talk to in real life, or are simply looking for a bit of a chat, this is the place for you.
If you can bear it, here are a couple with the bridesmaids. Paw's sisters were 17 and 19 and the third girl was a University friend called Phil Kennedy with whom I have sadly lost touch. If any Scottish grans have come across her or her husband Roddy I would be thrilled. The sis-in-law who came yesterday is the one on the right in the deep violet skirt. Sadly the pictures have faded. Finally one of the Mums, my mum on the left, MIL in a gorgeous hat on the right.
I'll shut up about weddings now,.
On another note suffice it to say Hattie went on longer and louder last night but shut up about 12 and was fine through till 6 -clean and dry, when I couldn't resist coming downstairs, mentally girding my loins for what I might find.
She is very calm and placid during the day, but does like to have me in her sights, I fear I might have left her too often yesterday visiting Paw 3 tines during the day and evening.
Hattie has a fun trip to the vets today just to register, be weighed, get treats and some worming tablets as I got a nasty shock when I cleared up her doings on a walk yesterday. ?
Love the sound of your bridesmaids outfits, maw. Your sister in law looks good in the modern version. I'm so sorry paw has a difficult infection, sending love to you both. Sounds as if we will have to have a stern word with Hattie, her Mum needs her sleep and not to be paddling in the night. Please take care of yourself maw.
A busy and sad time ahead, gagagran, pleased there is so much support for your sister, good luck with finding a flight. You sound very worried, marydoll. That's a lot of weight in a week, sending warmest wishes to you and your family
Your husband is a gem, kitty, thoughtful man. I did wonder if you had sent Persie up on the roof with the camera, 
, pleased there was a safer way.
Never feel dispirited about the kitchen, soop, this space is valued by many and as they say you can't please all the people
(((Hugs))) to all who need one, warm thoughts too all who struggle in whatever way.
Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts. There have been a lot of family e-mails filling the airways and I am confident that my sister has stalwart support from her daughter and son-in-law. They are dealing with it all for her. She is coping very well at present. The funeral is next Thursday.
Maw - I am so sorry that Paw is so unwell and can envisage him in MK hospital (presume that's where he is?) as I know it so well from DH's stays there. All you can do is take it a day at a time and when that is too much, an hour at a time. Thinking of you and loved the bridesmaid picture! Hattie is still adjusting to her new home - she will settle in time and will be a great comfort and friend.
To all our dear GNs who are troubed or sad I am sending a little 
. Now I must start looking for flights!
Gosh don't kitchens come round quickly!
Dear gagagran my sincerest sympathy to you and your family. The preoccupations of our lives seem so trivial when we face the big challenges.
Thank you for the kind remarks about our wedding anniversary. I felt very nostalgic. One of Paws sisters (also one of our bridesmaids) came up for the day and I had joked that she should come in her bridesmaid's dress. They wore (very 60's/70's) pie frill blouses, long velvet skirts which were meant to reflect the colours of the stained glass window in University Chapel, one wore Ruby red, one deep burgundy and one wore a deep velvet all with wide cummerbunds and their hair up with little ringlets in front of their ears.
Bless her she did too!! Not the original blouse but a good copy! She refused to wear it over to the hospital,though 
but it raised a smile when I showed Paw her picture.
He is rather poorly with a staphylococcus (I think) chest infection which the broad spectrum anti-b's have not succeeded in knocking on the head so the doctors are pinning their hopes on some big gun anti-b's. There may not be a plan B, so this week could be tense. He is very weak, there is a strain on his heart and he is now very thin. However, he has surprised us before and the fat lady ain't sung yet.
Even if the skinny black bitch downstairs is noisier than last night. ??
PS cornergran I too often need "out" in the night, but I try not to do it on the kitchen floor. At least tonight I will not make the same mistake of going downstairs in slipper socks straight into the puddle inside the kitchen door!!
Wellies? 
kitty I've think I've worked out why I feel drained after looking after DGS - it's because he's someone else's child. I'm sure I feel more responsible for him than I did when his dad was little, or maybe I'm just more aware of all that could go wrong. It's got nothing to do with his autism - I remember being suddenly overwhelmed by the responsibility when I looked after him for a week when he was 2 months old 
soop love the new kitchen - always pleasant and never boring. A good blether in the sunshine or round the kitchen table is one of the joys of life and IMO not enough people make time in their day to enjoy it. DGS and I will be making cookies later this week so I'll drop some in for all to share.
(((hugs))) for all who want them as well as those who need them x
gaga so sorry to hear your news about your BIL. 
soop never feel dispirited about what others may say about the kitchen. Those who mock actually have no idea of what goes on here. They may peek through the window and see chat about 
or new pets but what they don't hang around long enough to understand is the genuine caring and support given to all. We do care about each other and none more than you soop.
Three cheers for soop hip hip hooray ???????
Not been able to join you all day, so I'm a bit behind (sounds like one of those seaside postcards we never see anymore!)
callgirl the kitchen looks gorgeous 
I'm sure I'd have it cluttered PDQ if it was mine though. I'm not the tidiest of persons but I usually know what's where.
Maw many congratulations to you and Paw on both your anniversary and Hattie joining the family. Hope she settles soon. I had trouble counting her legs till I realised one was her tail 
gaga sincere condolences on the death of your BIL. Knowing it's inevitable doesn't make it any easier to cope with
kitty Your dh is a gem ☺
Maw belated happy anniversary 
gaga So sorry to hear your sad news
soop Your kitchen is a haven of peace and kindness, never doubt that you are needed xxx
Gosh, what a thoughtful husband you have Kitty
It cheers me no end to have you lot around. There have been times when I've felt dispirited by some of the disparaging comments that the kitchen seems to attract. A bit like a pesky blue bottle fly finds the jam. And then I thought...so what! We mean well. We do care. We will continue to enjoy each other's company for as long as we choose. Sniff! Bottoms up! Slainte! Bring on the cake. The more the merrier. 
Well, I'm glad to see the new kitchen. The old one was looking a little 'twee'! Supportive - always, entertaining -definitely. Boring - never.
I'm sorry about your BiL gaga but waiting for the inevitiable takes its toll too. I'm sure you will miss him but will be a great help to your sister when she needs it!
soop, there are some people that I am happy to have in my house just as it is but others where I need to do a bit of spit and polish - I know who I prefer. The advent of my ex Sister in Law used to see me spinning like a top to tidy up - to the extent of re-ironing my already ironed table cloth!
I took the photograph of the intrepid roofers from inside. we have a 'glass corridor' (if we were posh it would be called a verriere I think!) about the size of a small conservatory between the two sloping roofs. Did you all think I was bonkers!! Persie and I sat inside and watched.
Before I went out this afternoon, I rounded up all the children's stuff for DH to take back home with them. When I got back, there on the kitchen table, was Persie's Jemima Puddleduck - essential for sleeping!! I was so 
Then I spotted a new bottle of perfume on my dressing table that he had bought because he spotted I was almost out. It had been there since Friday
Hoping for news of Paw.
Off to do a little more post DGC tidying!
Boring us? Never! Sorry to hear your news
Gagagran, thinking of you as you make your travel plans and are no doubt in touch with your sister too.
What a lovely photo of you two young lovebirds, maw, Happy Anniversary to you both.
Tales of accidents with visiting grandchildren make me take a sharp intake of breath, kitty! Note to self, make sure gd always puts her helmet on when cycling. She's very late in arriving due to an unscheduled visit to the opticians, I'm glad the broken glasses didn't happen on my watch 
but mustn't tempt fate by sounding smug!
I can't remember who's swanky new kitchen I spied? Have to admit to a touch of kitchen We've been talking about ours but I can't see we'd gain enough space to justify the expense.... but on the other hand....
Sadly have only virtual cake to leave on the table, I'm trying to to make any here as I only eat it. Good luck with the tidying up soop, I'm sure if you keep smiling at your guest he/she won't notice anything else
Boring soop? Think we've been in different kitchens . Always good to be here.
Sad news, gagagran, no matter how long in the coming its always so hard to lose someone who is loved. for you all. I know you will support your sister, but please also think about yourself.
Good point about the photo kitty, who was the acrobatic photographer?
Happy as can be -
All good pals and jolly good company.
Ta dah! 
[café] and the rest.
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