Soop's X Special Kitcheners

So sorry to hear Soutra- but great to know he was looked after quickly and effectively. Eveything crossed. So sorry to hear about your loss Bella. It's so hard to see our family and friends leaving us

Soutra It is a very good thing that your husband is receiving the best of care.

number and the same goes for your husband's on-going treatment. I have great respect for the NHS.

My love to Bella and Mr Bella

Yesterday we visited our pal who is now a resident in the nursing home. The television was off. Thank goodness. I was thinking to myself...why not a little light background music. Not Pop but maybe something instrumental and soothing would be nice.

There are several female residents with dementia. One lady cannot stay still. She rushes around the rooms carrying a straw basket. She needs to be BUSY and is constantly sorting the belongings of other residents whilst trying to re-arrange the furniture. I did catch the eye of one lady. She smiled. I introduced myself to her and we had a long and interesting conversation. She is 94 and severely disabled. Her mind is razor sharp. By the end of our visit I felt that I would like to spend more time with her. As we left, she smiled and waved.

Our pal is slowly but surely settling in to a new routine. His wife was just about to leave when we arrived. She and I had a cuddle and she was tearful. MacSporran and I talk about what we can do to help...the visits cheer our pal. They also please his wife and his twin sister (our next door neighbour who has lung cancer.)

On a happier note...Scotland play rugby against Italy this afternoon. I'm all fired up and ready to cheer.

A quote from the late Leonard Nimoy aka Doctor Spock

'A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.'

How lovely and kind you are soop. I am sure the time you spent talking to the 94 yr old lady made her day. Glad your pal is settling in but I do feel for his wife. Life can be so tough

Soutra glad you received good care for your DH and do hope he will feel better soon.

This morning at 9am we gathered to lay my sister in law to rest. I found it very difficult to handle so soon after her death, but I shall always carry her last words in my heart. Her husband is an invalid after a series of strokes so was unable to attend the funeral. They have only one son, a lovely man, so he has a lot on his shoulders as well as a very responsible job and a young family. My heart really hurts for them all, and for the fact that I shall miss her so much.

There is no such thing as a wake in Malta - you all just part at the cemetery and go about your business, in our case, back to the hospital for DH to have his CT scan. Results on Tuesday so positive vibes/prayers/whatever would be most appreciated. I'm scared stiff

Having DGD here is lovely and we also have another 4yr old staying so you have to stay cheerful for them. I'm babysitting tonight as DD2 is going out to celebrate her 31st birthday which is tomorrow.

Thank you to each one of you for your caring comments. DH and I are very touched by your kindness.

What a roller coaster for you and your family, Bellasnana, you must all still be in shock and yet still have so much to deal with. Warmest wishes to your DH. condolences to your nephew, he has a huge mountain and of course your BIL. Life can be so cruel. Wishing you a peaceful and hopefully restorative weekend.

I found your post so poignant Bella, it's such a hard time for you and your family and I have everything very tightly crossed for you and your DH.
I'm very much keeping you in my thoughts.
(((Hugs))) and x

Positive vibes, thought, prayers and hugs to you Bella

Oh why does "Flower of Scotland" always make me cry? I am a snivelling wreck already!! DH is sleeping off his night in A&E where they gave him 3 units (=pints?) of blood. Don't know what nationality blood he got -have to see who he cheers for over the weekend!

Now wouldn't that give you a shock if he did cheer on the wrong side!

Bella I am so surprised that there is no kind of wake there! The poor family, a tough time for them.

Strongest positive vibes and everything crossed for a good result on Tuesday Mr Bella. We too are babysitting tonight 2xGDs, 5&9. The chit chat is non stop and fabulous, just what we need on a yucky wet afternoon.

My colleagues and I sometimes put on a small concert/sing song at the week-ends in the day room for our geriatric patients soop. I once sang, My Ain Folk which was enjoyed but also had a few ladies shedding tears.

No! No! No! To the rugby result!!! 3 blooming points almost at the end for Italy

I too get emotional when I hear 'Flower of Scotland' Soutra. Here's hoping your DH received his necessary 3 units of Tartan blood.

I have promised to a jigsaw now I have had my coffee break. Better go.

All the positive vibes that I can muster will somehow make their way from bonnie Kintyre to you and your family dear Bella

Arrrgh! Scotland 19 v Italy 22...I'm absolutely shattered. High one moment and very, very low the next. Ah well...^it's only a game^
Yes, Soutra 'Flower of Scotland, can be very moving. When we visit Oban we play and sing along to our Scottish disks. 'Mull of Kintyre' 'Flower of Scotland' 'Westering Home' 'The Road and the Miles to Dundee' and the song about the Glencoe massacre always put a wee tear in my eye. I guess that I'm just a silly old softie/sausage.

Oh yes, almost forgot to include 'My Ain Folk'...that too. The voice of Mary Cameron is extraordinarily moving. Her rendition of Dunbarton's Drums is "our song". It is beautiful.

that should be...'Dumbarton's Drums'

Oh, soop, you make me feel so nostalgic. Westering Home was the song we always sang at Brownies - don't think Brown Owl knew any other songs! Oh no, almost forgot: Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon.

PS Let's not talk about the Rugby...

How about 'step it out, step it out, let us step it out together'

DD rang at lunchtime to see if I wanted to go to the cinema with her and DGD this afternoon to see "The Second Best Marigold Hotel". You can all guess what I said!

Well it's excellent - even better than the original I think. Possibly because the characters are established and familiar. Go and see it if you get chance - it was a lovely way to spend a cold, grey and damp Saturday afternoon.

I loved the film too. Exotic scenery, lots of laughs, fabulous dancing and music and no bad language - perfect.

Galen do you mean, Come along, come along, let us foot it out together?

Gagagran we loved The Best Marigold Hotel and delighted to hear the second one is equally as good, if not better as you say. Looking forward to seeing it.

What a pity that it has got poor reviews. I think critics have jaded palates.I am looking forward to it as I liked the first one so much. No interest at all in rugby but commiserations to all of you who are dedicated fans.

I wanted Mhairi's (sp?) Wedding for my father's funeral -the music, not the song, but everybody would have recognised it, as my father was a keen hill walker, but the minister said it was "unsuitable" so I had to settle for "I to the hills will lift mine eyes" which I think is a bit dreary!

Come along! That's the one!

Soutra the Mendelssohn version is lovely
Lift thine eyes, oh! Lift thine eyes

Galen a little choir of my colleagues sang that at my wedding. It is lovely.

We sang it in the school choir!

It comes from Elijah, Galen, which is one of my favourite oratorios. I have quite an old recording - digitally remastered - with Janet Baker and Gwynneth Jones. Lovely.