Soop's welcoming kitchen!

Alie

Keep on truckin' Alie

Hello soop's kitcheners. I have been following all your news but haven't felt up to butting in with the latest slings and arrows life has been throwing our way.

Alie I'm sorry about all your troubles but glad you are feeling a bit better today. Forgive me for having a chuckle, but I had a vision of your cat mowing the grass in the drizzle

Well, for those of you who are sick to death of hearing from this moaning Minnie from Malta, please feel free to skip the following update.

It has been a stressful week waiting for news of DH's results but we have tried to carry on as normally as possible under the circs. Have a good friend over from UK so went out for a meal together on Weds only to find we had earned a parking ticket (grrrr!), and then when we got home we discovered a mouse cavorting on the kitchen worktop
Needless to say, our cat Zim has shown no interest whatsoever in being a mouser! I wonder if Rory or Tara would like to come and show her how it's done
DH has been to work with various traps and we have so far caught three. Poor little things - I find it quite upsetting even though I would rather they weren't there.

On Saturday, we had a call from DH's younger sister who had been admitted to hospital with a very bloated stomach ( she is very slim). They drained 3 liters of fluid from her and the bad news is that she, too, has cancer. They think it is ovarian but she is undergoing further tests today. Really can't believe it, and as if she hasn't enough already with an invalid husband to care for.

Today the hospital called to say DH's liver biopsy was clear and tomorrow he is to have a PET scan after which we will, hopefully, have a better idea of what treatment options he will have.

Have also had stressful news from both DD's in the US, but can't deal with it at present.

DS (my youngest baby and only boy) moved out last week and whilst I am really happy for him and proud as punch of him, I miss him, although am thankful he's only five minutes down the road and not on the other side of the Atlantic like two of his sisters.

So that's about it. I wish I could spirit you all over here to sit in the sun with me, although it is pretty hot which is why I'm cooling down in soop's kitchen for a while.

Lots of love to all Granspals, especially those going through difficult or sad times

Oh Bella, I can't believe how much sad, bad news your family is having to cope with.
I can only send you my best wishes and (((hugs))), you already know that we are here for you to unload to.
You will be in my thoughts xx

Oh god Bella my heart goes out to you and what you are having to deal with. It's just never ending for you at the moment. I have known that feeling of constant sh.t happening in my life and just stood and shouted, "come on, give me the lot, I can take it" believing things couldn't get any worse.

Not for a minute are you a moaning Minnie, don't even go down that road! Life can be so sore at times so please don't hesitate to come in for a blether amongst people who care about you.

It is painful when our DC leave home but your son is a credit to you wanting to stand on his own two feet. I also have two DDs and have to keep reminding myself they are adults now and will learn to deal,with whatever life throws at them the same way I had to. Your girls know you love them but you have enough going on and rightly, your DH is your priority.

Your positive news is, DH's liver biopsy was clear and after his scan, it will hopefully show what treatment is necessary.

Hope so much your dear sister in law's tests are negative.

Would love to pop over in person but here is a shed load of ((((((hugs)))))) for you. x

Bella Others have said what I'm feeling. for you and your family.

Oh Bella what a load of bad news. Thinking of you.

However I have some good news today - this has also been going on over the weekend.....I've just become a great-gran!
Little boy born this morning in Swindon, 7lb 10oz, they haven't named him yet.

Bella darling girl, your latest news has knocked me sideways. Bloody hell! Life is certainly dealing you and your family a downright rotten hand. The stress that you are needing to deal with at present, must be immense. As I read about your sister-in-law being drained of 3 litres of fluid, I guessed that she, like a friend of mine from way back, had ovarian cancer. I'm at a loss for words. Sadly, words cannot work miracles.
Yes, if we could, many of your Granspals would wing their way to sunny Malta - not necessarily for the sunshine, but to comfort and support you.

AlieO I echo Agus...just keep on truckin' and for your sanity's sake, hold on firm to positive thinking. We're all rooting for you.

Lona...(hugs)
The midges are out in force. We cannot leave the back door ajar. In fact, I can't hang the washing out to dry. Nor can we sit in the sun (should it appear) and enjoy a Magnum ice cream. Close proximity to a wild wood together with mild, dampish air provides the midge with the perfect breeding conditions. MacSporran has been bulk-buying citronella candles to place in every room.

AlieO Many congratulations. Lovely, happy, uplifting news. Let us know what name the wee boy will be given. When you have a photo, please put it in the album for us to coo over.

Congrats. Alie on becoming a great-gran. to brighten your days.

Bella sorry to hear about such bad news for your family flowers I hope things improve for you soon.

Soop. I slather on Avon, Skin so Soft at midge time and it works really well.

We don't have many of the little blighters in our area thankfully

Congratulations Allie

Well I've said it before but I'll say it again - you are all lovely. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and words.

Alie how wonderful to have a new little great-grandson to love. In Maltese that makes you a 'buznanna'! Congratulations to all the family

Oh Bella I cannot wait to be called 'buznanna'...our granddaughter is to marry next May. May not have too long to wait thereafter.

Bella, my heart goes out to you and I wish I could be there to give you a shoulder to lean on. How much can one family take?

Alie - what lovely news about your new GGS. Congratulations to all concerned. I think 'buznanna' sounds like a very lively GGM!

Alie How lovely! Having a new ggs will put a smile on your face for some time!

soop

allie congrats
I must confess, I too had visions of your cat mowing the lawn

Soop I googled Midge Machines and came up with lots of info. One particular company is in Helensburgh www.midge-free-zone.co.uk. They sell a chemical fee machine for £64. Just a thought if the midges are so bad in your area

Bella lots of hopeful wishes winging their way to you and your family.

Alie congrats on the GGS, there must be some very youthful greatgrans on GN.

Bella it never rains but it pours but that was good news re your DH's result and hopefully opens the treatment options door. I feel for his poor sister, hopefully it has been diagnosed early.

Luckily your son has not moved far away.

Tara would soon dispose of the mouse but she would be out bringing home more to play with and eventually kill. After 3-4 she does get bored. I bought one of those electronic plug in things when I had a mouse problem and zilch since. I have left it plugged in.

I think that she killed a rat and left it in a neighbour's garden. The rat would have been too heavy and cumbersome to stay in her mouth when climbing a couple of fences to bring it home to me, thank goodness.

Alie that is news that you were waiting for after all that you have been through recently. Congrats and for you too.

Glad to hear some good news from you, alie. Congratulations!

bellasnana, I'm stuck for words. So much bad luck to deal with all at once. Heartfelt good wishes

Oh Bella, I'm so sorry to hear your latest news about your sister in law. Your whole family must be reeling. I wish you were not so far away from us all.
My DGS (DD1's baby) moved away from home last year and I know my daughter misses him terribly even though he's only a ten minute drive away and comes back often. He drove over this morning wearing a Tony the Tiger onesy that he was given for his 21st birthday on Saturday.

AllieO I'm glad you're feeling a bit better today, good news about your new GGS. Babies bring such joy with them. You'd be a BisAvo in Potuguese, it's pronounced bees so you'd definitely be buzzing around.

Agus the midge deterrent sounds interesting. I'm going to have a look at it for mosquitos

Agus We already have a midge machine. It collects midges by the million. Empty packet containing dead bodies, resembling tea grounds, on the beach at water's edge. Fact is...there are trillions, if not zillions still thriving and waiting for our door to open. This year, so far, is by far the worst...possibly due to a wet and mild winter.

When our house was being built...started in May 2004, the burly builders wore netting to protect their head and faces. I wonder how bags is coping. Rory only has to step outside the door, and within moments, he's back indoors together with a family of midges in his fur.

Ah! I see the the cat's fault they come into your house, soop. They don't come in at ours, which is great. Today's the sort of day I need my midge jacket.

I was born and educated in Scotland. One thing I have never missed is the midges since moving to London.