Soop's X Special Kitcheners

I'm about to scoot off to do the ironing for my pal. I couldn't resist popping my head round the door of our kitchen to see what you lot have been up to. I'm so glad that I did. I know that I shouldn't be laughing about the subject that is under discussion...but I am. When I was in one of the Glasgow hospitals, the sewage treatment wotsit was nearby. The pong in the ward made us all feel nauseous. and mealtimes were over and done with in record breaking time. I begged to be allowed home two days after hip replacement surgery. The tasks that I had to perform in order to be released were tough...funny how one manages to climb two flights of stairs (lift to bathroom out of order) and prove that getting into the bath was a doddle. Having passed the test, I was told that there wasn't a flight to Campbeltown until after the weekend. I said...okay, I'll travel home in the car. I was told...you must have certain aids in place at home before you leave. I was invited to use the ward desk phone to get such matters organised. I rang a pal in the village who was a community nurse. She travelled to the surgery to pick up the raised seat for the lavatory etc. Anyway, by the close of that same day I was home. And all because the ward was too close to the sewage treatment facility.

Back later...take good care of each other.

DBH is at the funeral of one of his co-teachers which was rather unexpected (pneumonia) and is the third death at his school in as many years, all have been good friends to DBH so he is devastated. What I found upsetting was that he died over a month ago and this is the first available date, because there is such a waiting list. The poor families.

The cooker has broken, it fused everything downstairs, but at least I can still use the propane gas hob. So stir-fry tonight, I think. DBH will have to investigate at the weekend, when he can see what he is doing. In a funny way I am quite pleased, as it means that we will have to have fairly simple meals until it is fixed.

I am going to have a relaxing hour sorting out my veg seed packets in a minute. That will take my mind off funerals and broken ovens.

Gorgeous view to Wales from my lounge at the moment with an azure sky reflecting in the still waters of the Bristol channel.
Think I'll go and take a photo.

It's really hard to deal with when friends die, eight years ago I helped to care for four terminally ill close friends in the space of a year, and it was so tough.
There's a long wait for funerals and cremations here too, it must be really hard on the families.
Commiserations faith cooker problems, my kettle literally blew up this morning, the bottom literally fell apart. I had just filled it and switched it on so luckily a litre and a half of water, all over the work surface and floor, hadn't boiled.
I hate to think what's next......

Galen how lovely to have such a beautiful view! I bet you also have plenty of 'fresh air' too , and you can watch what's coming too!

Yes! When I can't see Wales if it's not raining here :- it will be soon!

Have returned from dog-sitting/ironing duties and feel as if I've been through an old fashioned mangle. Never mind...once home I'm happy.

It wasn't as early as two days after my op that I was released from hospital. I checked with MacSporran he assures me that he collected me on day four. Just two days after surgery I was learning to use the crutches.

Galen It's a gorgeous day here in bonnie Kintyre. Almost spring-like. I hope that your visit is a happy and restfulful time. Slainte!

loopylou Thank your lucky stars that the water hadn't boiled. You could have been badly scalded.

jane Yes...sorting through your seed packets will hopefully take your mind off the funeral. As for the cooker...the propane gas hobs are a life-saver. We are most grateful for the good service we've had from ours. Stir-fry...I like...

Good early afternoon to you all.

Galen I imagined that you were on holiday. I didn't realise that you have a view across the Bristol channel. Did you take a photograph?

Although it's much milder today the wind remains blustery. We had our usual walk and I was pleased to return home for a welcome cup of coffee. I have never sampled an Espresso. Is it very bitter? If so, I would not like it.

Any of our kitcheners seen images of grandchildren wearing World book day costumes? Our Torben insisted on going as Luke Sky Walker...even though he's not strictly a book character. Once he understood that Luke was a "hero" he had to emulate him. His expression is priceless. I shall try to upload a photo to my album.

Near us there was a new care home built just across the road from the Crematorium and Cemetary.
The developers only named it Ashfields! That was eventually changed to Cypress Court.

Good morning/afternoon everybody!
I am preparing for our first of 2weekend DGC visitations! I have come to the conclusion I must be a total slut as tidying/hoovering/ de fluffing/sorting 2 bedrooms for DD and SIL and the 2little boys has taken all morning. And I haven't even started on trying to clear enough floor space in DH's study to put Pippa's travel cot in there. I have also bought enough food for the whole of Barnardo's for a month-planning to make a fish pie, but what if they don't want that, better have a couple of chicken thighs to roast as well. Yogurts-tick, fresh fruit -tick, ice cream and ice lollies(bribery) -tick, cereals (3sorts) -tick, and for grown ups on Sunday morning, croissants -tick oh and bacon and baps -tick! Scrubbed the high chair, washed out the potties (!) , bought some new books of course and indoor games In case it rains.
Knackered. But DH is (I hope) having an iron infusion at our local hospital so has been out all morning and it is amazing how much more I get done when he is not sitting in an armchair reading! Does anybody else share my block on doing housework when Dh is taking it easy? Or is it my personal hang up?

I'll put a photo on the picture thread tonight when I get home

Nellie I guffawed when I read your post. How utterly barmy was the name Ashfields?

Soutra Such unbridled energy as yours deserves recognition. Well done! As for thinking your way through your carefully constructed lists for this, that, and the other, I for one am totally impressed. I think that you are a wonder woman.
Your husband's iron infusion should set him up for the weekend ahead. Before you know it he'll be leaping around with a feather duster and singing a tune from Mary Poppins.

Galen I look forward to seeing your photo. I'm so used to hearing that you are holidaying, I really did think that you were sitting in the comfortable lounge of a classy hotel and sipping something exotic.

I agree Soutra, I get unreasonably bad tempered if DH is sitting doing nowt when I'm skedaddling around like a dervish , and am even worse if he waits until I've finished and then asks if there's anything he can do - no initiative whatsoever I do hope your DH comes home feeling much better.
Sounds like you've certainly got enough food to keep everyone happy for a week!

Nellie either they had a sense of humour or a total lack of imagination!

I'm Galen.........

Soop I've posted the two i took yesterday under pictures!

soutra I give mine a list of things to do! Proactivity doesn't come naturally to most of them, does it? As for the shopping - my lot have a designated under the counter freezer in my lean-to, because I get so stressed about the shopping and the cost of it all. It has meat, ice lollies, ice cream, a dessert, chips (because we don't eat them and I forget to buy them in) peas, sweetcorn and prawns in it. Various other odds and ends. They come to stay for a week at a time so it can be rather a lot to have to think of at the same time as sorting out sleeping arrangements, as you are doing, as the DGCs sleep in DS's room so he has to be motivated to clear it out and remove all small swallowable and breakable objects.

Ashfields! DBH and I had a chortle over that one.

Today I am covered in cobwebs and contemplating a bath. I have been clearing out that lean-to where the freezer is, because it is also my potting-shed and propagation place. Because it's warmish in there, every insect known to man and a few more manage to work their way in. Every time I open a freezer drawer I expect something to leap out at me.

Hello everyone, I've not been in for a while due to the continuing saga of my (now) totally disfunctional family!
For the last three weeks I've been looking after dgd3 (age3) part time. First it was half term, then she had chicken pox and couldn't go to nursery. This week, her mum has broken a toe and now can't drive/work for several weeks!
Frankly, I'm shattered. But she is such a star!
I won't bore you with the rest of the saga, so I may just sit near the aga for a while with a large gin and tonic, and count my many blessings!

Where is everyone? Hope nobody minds if I flop onto the sofa and kick off my boots for a while.

Spent all morning with DH whilst he had his chemotherapy. We also got the scan result which shows it has spread, quite significantly, to his liver. Not a surprise really. Just hope the chemo will help but the lovely doctor did say the tumour seems to be a particularly aggressive one

Have just been for our daily visit to the vet with our cat Zim. She has to have a daily injection and tablet for ten days, so we are very well known at the surgery! Pleased to say, the treatment seems to be working as she is heaps better

Lona so sorry to hear your family is still causing you trouble. Why can't life be a bit easier, I wonder? I admire you for having your DGD for three weeks.
I had two four year olds for the weekend and they nearly drove me to distraction. In future I shall be offering my babysitting services for one child at a time.

I wouldn't be surprised if soop is watching the Davis Cup match on TV. Andy made heavy weather of 3rd set!

Oh dear bellasnanna. Fingers crossed though, and best wishes to your DH. And the cat. I expect you dare not be ill!

It's too beautiful here to be indoors watching tv. 12.9C but feels much warmer - glorious! The first real Spring day, with all the bulbs out. Came in for a VERY late lunch. Only hunger drove me in - that and an Ebay bid to make, and I won! Only an egg cup to replace one I dropped, but it made me happy.

What a bummer bellasnana, fingers firmly crossed x

We have just come in after DH's visit to the "warfarin clinic". Our appointment was later than usual and the room was packed.We had to stand and as I looked round I got more and more depressed. I have never seen so many bald heads, whitehaired old ladies (Iwas one), walking frames, sticks, crutches and wheel chairs. I was so down and then I came on here and read Bella's post and gave myself a mental telling off. You have so much to deal with all at the same time and my heart goes out to you. We all say just how positive you are and how brave you have been through it all but there is only so much you can take. Please keep popping in for a hug and a moan.

Bella thoughts hugs and good vibes flying to Malta!
Give me a ring anytime you need to!

Good afternoon to our wonderful Kitcheners

Bella The results of your husband's latest scan are not what you would have hoped for. How very distressing for you both. You are never far from my thoughts.
Very well done for coping with two four year olds. That was a task and a half. I don't think that I would have done anywhere near as well as you did. With children of that age, you need eyes in the back of your head. It is such a responsibility to monitor there every move.
I'm pleased that Zim is responding to treatment. I imagine it is a costly process. I hope that you have pet insurance. Alas, we haven't.

Lona I have been wondering what you've been up to. Bless you, your family are so VERY lucky to have you to support them through the tough times. I admire you. Remember to take good care of yourself.

I'm hoping that Mr numberplease is maintaining his slow but sure recovery in hospital. Do keep us updated please.

Galen I shall look at your photographs.

jane Potting sheds = big spiders. I prefer not to have to rummage around in ours. I have fond childhood memories of crowding into a friend's dad's potting shed along with half a dozen members of our "secret society"...I can almost smell the wood shavings. A lovely, special memory.

anno Well done, Andy!
We've been into Campbeltown. Apart from the Tesco shop, we visit our pal in the care home. He looked and appeared to be more "with it" today. In fact, he was very communicative. I also took the opportunity to talk to Margaret, a ninety-four year old lady who reminds me very much of my late Nana. A kind neighbour had given me chocolates the other day. I asked if Margaret and her pals would be able to eat them...was told that they could...so that is where the chocs are right now.

Well said annsixty

Indeed annsixty our troubles are minor ones compared to Bellasnana!

Bella That is not the sort of news you want to hear, I hope the chemo will slow things down

I've been cheered up today by a visit to the 'flicks' to see the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and we really enjoyed it.
Some of the one liners were priceless