Soop's X Special Kitcheners

Soutra hope you got some sleep!

Right .. . . And breathe.
DGD (6 months) asleep, 2little boys, bathed, read to and coaxed upstairs also in bed by 7.30, and their mummy and daddy off out in their glad rags to a 40th at local golf club, thank goodness there was a more than adequate amount of fish pie left for DH and me as I couldn't have cooked as well.
Kettle boiled ready to make the 10 o clock bottle so a quick breather here, walk Grace, feed baby and count the minutes until DD and SIL get home then it's their responsibility!

anno Wasn't that a blistering doubles match! It really is a pity that there has to be a loser. Our boys were tremendously spirited. I have a sore throat as a result of shouting encouragement to them.
By gum, we have another nail-biter in prospect for tomorrow.

Soutra...lovely words.

All my lovely Granspals who are lucky enough to have I'm a tad envious. However, our turn will come. When I spot the first bumble bee, I shall be delighted.

is in the oven. Rory is parked in the kitchen. It will shortly be the right time for a G&T. I shall therefore start to tidy away stuff that needs to be tidied and prepare to read the newspaper. A special time of the weekend is nigh.

Relax and enjoy your evening. I shall return in the morning. x

I've got a pond 1/3 full of frogspawn. Been there a few weeks now.

I've just seen a frog in the pond, frog spawn soon I hope. It's so uplifting being out in the sun. I need to move the compost bins but, having had slow worms and grass snakes in two of them last summer I'm a bit wary
The contents need turning over.

This can be just the nicest time of the year-sunshine, birdies warbling their little hearts out, lambs in the fields, crocuses and daffies peeping through and light afternoon/evenings! After winter -the long dark night of the soul -you can feel the new life and it is buzzing!!
Talking of new life kitty -lovely news!!

I thought I saw a bumble fly past.

Glorious sunshine here
Bumble bees galore and so lovely to feel the sun on my face that I'm going to take a deck hair and sit and enjoy it! The weeding can wait.

Probably will be watching the tennis, soop. Been out in the garden a couple of times this morning and the pollens have 'got at' me. It's really warm and springlike here.

The sun is shining, I have hung out my first washing this year and the patio doors are wide open it is such a gorgeous day here in NW London.

Hello my darlings. It is a grey day in bonnie Kintyre. Windy, wet, but not cold. I see that the first primrose is blooming in the wee wood. All along the verges leading into Campbeltown there are masses of golden daffodils. Such a cheerful sight.

Bella I had no idea that you will be moving from your beautiful home. If you've already mentioned it and I've forgotten...my apologies. Do you think that it's possible that your daughter and granddaughter will share the new home with you? Sorry if you think that I'm being nosy. As ann says, selling one's home is a stressful event, one that you could well do without at this time. I'm pleased that Zim is improving. A pal of ours has a cat called Chou who has recently had £250 of treatment at the vet for kidney stones. Gulp!

kitty Wow! That really is super news. Good for them.

Lona You are doing all that you can by "being there" for your son. Life can be so unfair sometimes. We Kitcheners are here for you. I just wish that we could be of some real comfort to you.

kitty Priceless potty-training capers.

anno Will you be watching the tennis later? I've swanned around with the vacuum cleaning and duster, stripped and changed the bedding, sorted the laundry... that's quite enough faffing for today. The doubles should be good. Yay!!!

Lona you are going through that awful time in life when you think nothing more can go wrong ....and then it does . let us all hope for better times to come.
Bella I hope you are getting lots of help from your family,selling a house is a stressful thing at the best of times, I hope it goes smoothly for you.

kitty, how amazing! Congratulations on the happy news. Exciting times ahead for the couple! Lona, how sad that things are so hard for your son - and you. All you can do is 'be there'. Sorry I can only offer such a cliché. ((((hugs))))

lona seem inadequate at the mo, wishing you

kitty what a lovely surprise

bella Hope your viewings go well, you certainly have a lot on your plate.
Hearing about young children with cancer is heartbreaking, I don't know how those parents cope, although I know they have no choice.

My ds had a complete meltdown yesterday, he has had such a lot to deal with in the last few months quite apart from his diabetes and eye problems.
I feel so helpless, he never complains and is always so positive and cheery.

off ivf - beeping phone!

Good luck Bella

That's a lovely surprise kitty,

Good morning! Hope your house viewings go well Bella - where are you hoping to move to? How sad for the chikdren with cancer - it does seem unfair!

We had some good news yesterday. DD2's friend has polycystic ovaries, a thyroid problem and is married to a man with a very low sperm count. Unsurprisingly, they have been referred for off. They went for their initial assessment last week and , during the routine acan, discovered she is 14 weeks pregnant! Excitement all round!

Big thank you to all you lovely Granspals for your kind thoughts and hugs. The cat says thanks, too

No, soop, unfortunately we do not have pet insurance either. I'm not even sure there is such a thing in Malta. However, the cost of a good vet is not as prohibitive as it is in the UK. I think the ten days treatment will come to around 70 euro which isn't too bad. Worth every penny to see Zim's little pink nose clear at last, and her breathing normal again. She has had a horrible chest infection.

Annsixty I'm sorry you had such a depressing day. There are always people with worse problems but it's all relative and our problems don't get any easier just because someone else has worse to deal with. (((hugs))) to you and

Talking of being worse off - two of my young friends have children fighting cancer. They are aged 6 and 2. Their parents sent messages to DH yesterday which made us feel very humble indeed. Children shouldn't have to suffer. It is heartbreaking to see what they are going through.

Well, we have two viewings of our house today so I must get up and get tidying. We are such a messy lot, especially DGD who spreads her possessions around the house like confetti

kitty that is how I trained a cat who decided to live with us many years ago. She had belonged to my neighbours who allowed it to do its business in the bath!!! I put a litter tray in the bath and slowly moved it out of the bathroom and downstairs over a few days. No wonder the cat did not want to stay there! I have to admit I would not have thought of potty training a child in a similar fashion.

Bella so sorry to hear your latest news, re DH and cat- hugs to both

Bellasnana, not the best news, but you and he have my very best wishes and prayers for a positive result from the chemo. x

kitty DH's suggestion is priceless- certainly one to consider if your sanity and dining room carpet are to survive
Sorry, but that has made my week! I won't be laughing so much when DGS is being potty trained........

Bella, what a time you are both having. Huge (((hugs))) to you and your Dh (and the cat ).

Ann things are difficult for people in lots of different ways. You have a lot to cope with too (((hugs))).

Lona, I hope you family troubles improve soon.

I think we all deserve - well, I do!! DD is potty training DGS2, who has had not one accident. His sister, however, who is insisting on walking round naked so she can sit on the potty too, has had 4 accidents on the dining room carpet TODAY. DH suggested putting newspaper on the floor and moving it gradually towards the downstairs loo - rather like training a puppy

Log off time. I hope that all my lovely Granspals have a very pleasant and restful evening. Until tomorrow...

Your views are beautiful Galen.