Soop's welcoming kitchen!

Please do, AlieO and kittylester there is room for both of you on the chaise. The view through the window is stunning. lifts our spirits high.

About to tackle the ironing. Rory and MacSporran are mooching round the garden. Every so often MacS stops to inspect something or other. Rory sits at his feet and pretends to be interested...which he's not. Still, it's a friendly gesture and MacS appreciates R's input.

I've sneaked in here and will just hide in a corner. Today I've fielded the following:

1. Daughter tearful and upset because her and soon-to-be husband have missed out on a flat they had their hearts set on (they were outbid).
2. She's also "fat" and "not feeling good about myself because all the wedding dresses are designed for tall, slender girls"
3. DIL is tearful and sad because her husband (my son) got a job (after being unemployed for ages) that required him moving away from where they were living, so they live apart during the week and she is nearly 5 months pregnant (so that situation needs resolving in the next four months). "I don't even know where I'm going to give birth yet").
4. Massive rows in in-law family ranks over MIL's care bill and where she should be looked after (she's not in this country so the email, Whatsapp and BBM lines are buzzing).
5. I took husband to a new cafe near my work, special treat because he is working in the area, and he was "underwhelmed" . Granted the service was slow and the food disappointing but I still got cross with him for moaning.

No wonder I've come home from work with a blinding headache. Just gonna sit here for a while and collect my wits. Will the attend to No. 6: Message from DIL's mother to "Please call me"

It is so cold and dull here in NW London. I think that I will succumb and have a slice of rosequartz's delicious cake. I had forgotten that her recipes are thankfully calorie free or otherwise I would be strong and abstain.

Tara is resting her eyes. It is too cold for her outside today so she is having a day of relaxation (like every other). I have a feeling that she is waiting for the central heating to come on and she would then retire to bed upstairs.

Oh dear, Gk, what a tale of woe. You need to be here for some peace and quiet. I hope you don't feel you have to take all the family's problems on your shoulders.
Everyone - feel free to call me an idiot. I went out to the Lakeland shop, about 7 miles away, parked the car and groped for my handbag. Not there. I'd managed to leave it at home. To be fair (to myself) I have always been absent-minded, so am not taking this as an ominous sign!
Relax, one and all, this is a peaceful place.

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's death soop

I'm glad the invalids are recovering and that you will be able to go to Cheltenham OGM.
AllieO dog bites are really scary, I hope you feel better now and you too GrannyKnot, you've come to the right place to relax.

Nearly forgot, that is a beautiful desk soop,Mcsporran is very clever.
I hope you won't get distracted by the view.

Oh dear Grannyknot, it never rains but it pours does it? Have and a big . You can have my space on the chaise to watch the sea. We had a couple of weeks like that recently and it will get better.

Anno we know you were just being forgetful - honest!

Goodness there's a lot going on round here, soop, sorry about your kind friend
Who's MacTavish, have you got a toy boy doing your 'odd jobs' soop


OGM Glad to hear that you're able to get to Cheltenham with Tegan, that's good news.

Grannyknot You need some TLC, a followed by a large

Alie I haven't read about your attack yet, but I hope you're ok.

Dog problem is mainly on the 'today I have been mainly' thread. I am not too bad now thanks, except that I don't want to go out in my garden......!

Just read what happened to you Alie what a frightening experience. Hope you are feeling a bit calmer and if the neighbour's dog stops you going into your own garden, don't hang about, phone the police.

What a day GK! As there is absolutely nothing you can do personally to solve theses family problems, lend a sympathetic ear, let them vent and then, you look after yourself. My mantra is, this too shall pass.

Hope you had an enjoyable day OGM and Tegan

A very sad day for all concerned soop .

Busy head syndrome Anno. Well, that's what I call it

AlieOxon, hope you're feeling better now, what a shock, to make you feel better
GrannyKnot I think you need a quiet time all to yourself, so will bring you a or a whichever you like

As charleygirl enjoyed the cake so much I suppose I'd better make another one, carrot cake this time with proper cream cheese icing please help yourselves.

Hope everyone is fine again soon; I am quite tired after a busy but enjoyable weekend, and after caring for DGD2 today, so definitely need a and [chocolate]
No emoticon for chocolate? Surely there must be ...

I knew there must be a name for it Agus. I will try to remember that.

Oh dear, what a tale of woes from so many of you. to you all.

I have some good news! Yeh, yeh, yeh! [jumping up and down emoticon]. I have discovered a dormant account, only because the Building Society sent, addressed to the late Mr.G., voting forms for their forthcoming election of officers. I was about to chuck it in the bin, but something stopped me and now, after a very helpful phone call, I am waiting for a cheque to be sent to me. 'Corn in flippin' Egypt' as my Mum would have said.

Just glad I can relax here Agus.....
Thanks all, for your support.
Gardener/handyman coming in the morning and I will get him to do something about the hole the dog pushed through!
New fence is apparently going to be next week.

Thanks everyone for the stroking, I'll slope off now refreshed.

Gally, what fun

rosequartz I also love carrot cake. I cannot believe that you know all of these calorie free recipes. Tara would lick the icing!!!!!

Oh, nice one Gally and I'm sure your Mum would say, go on, treat yourself to a little something.

Gally that really is good news. As the saying goes, every little helps. I also would be jumping up and down with joy.

Nice windfall, Gally.

All the virtual cakes I make are virtuous

Just had a text from DD3 to say she is at our local hospital with DGD3 after she took her in struggling for breath. She has been on a nebulizer and is to stay in overnight! May I have a turn on the chaise please?

And a stiff malt I think?

Thanks Galen I need it!

Just heard that it's a viral thing causing temporary asthma and they can come home, with the inhaler, if she is still ok in an hour!!

That's good! There is a lot of it around! Sounds as though she's had the right treatment!

Poor little girl and poor mum - and anxious gran. It's so frightening when they are fighting for breath.

Up date on Persie- she stayed in hospital most of the night as her temperature and heart rate went up and wouldn't come down! They are on their way home now! Phew! Glad they are better but I feel slightly stressed!