Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

Just passing by – can't stop. I just wanted to say what a nice place this is.

Good luck and congratulations to your DD, Soutra.

I'm not really a worrier but I would like to see my own DD working fewer hours, she is often away from home and by Friday evening is completely exhausted. Her choice though.

Hi absent {{waves}}

My mother arrives today for a week. I'll be the exhausted one by the end of the visit .

Wow!!! * annsixty* It's a very good thing that our kitchen knows no bounds. In fact, the busier it becomes, the roomier and jollier it appears. You lot are lovely people. Thank you for your company.

Oh, pompa I've also been cursed with the fretful gene. What if...could be my mantra. I remember one occasion when my son (when in his early teens) went AWOL from his boarding school over one weekend. The house master phoned and asked did I know where he might be. At first, I hadn't a clue, and said that I would give the matter serious attention. About an hour later I knew where he would be and with whom. I also knew relevant train times and contacted the station master and asked for a message to be relayed on the platform...'Will ???? please contact his mother. URGENT!' Do you know, the little blighter was actually sitting on the platform, together with his pal, and heard the message loud and clear...which he ignored. Anyway, when he returned to school, he was grounded. When eventually he spoke to me about the incident (and confessed to having heard the message) he said...'Mum, you always over react...I knew I would get found out and I was happy to do detention...it was worth it for a day away...' Kids! Who'd have 'em

Galen You never cease to amaze me. You are a veritable fount of knowledge.

Kitty you deserve a gold medal. When I read of your journey home from the supermarket, I laughed out loud. The number of times I've managed to get into a tiz-woz with a certain pushchair doesn't bear thinking about. The more sophisticated the pram, the more of a bloody nuisance it can be when one need to collapse it.

Charleygirl pals of ours had their security camera tampered with during a time when they were away from home. It amazes me that some folk go to such lengths to provoke and disrupt a neighbour's peace of mind.

Iam64 Sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly. Best put your feet up and allow yourself lots of pampering.

high five to absent

baubles loving (((hugs))) stay strong.

My two don't tell me anything they think would worry me (what me?) until after the crisis - if it is one - is over. Like when DS1 was working for a holiday company and had a collision with a speedboat when he was wind-surfing. He rang me to to tell me about all the stitches, internally and externally that he had in his foot. Lucky he still had that foot! I once got a phone call from one of his mates: 'I don't want to worry you Mrs..., but...' By that time, DS1 was sitting in the local A&E with a broken leg - sustained while skateboarding! Anyway it was too late to worry! Not that I am a worrier. Either I have a clear conscience or no conscience, according to my sister.

I certainly identify with the worrying over DC but I eventually saw a pattern emerging whereby they would offload, I would lose a couple of nights peaceful sleep as I turned the problem over round and round in my mind only to discover, when I next spoke to them, the problem was resolved after a day or thereabouts. Now when I listen to offloading I tell myself, this too will be solved, allowing me a few more peaceful sleeps than before.

Well done your DD Soutra. She sounds like a very capable young woman and I am sure she will succeed with whatever juggling is required.

Crafting . Just proves we have to be careful what, toddlers especially do hear as they repeat everything.

Have a lovely week with your Mother Baubles I know Mother/Daughter relationships can be exhausting but I would so love to have just one exhausting week with my own Mother again.

Soop, the story about your son going AWOL from school is a cracker.
Soutra, your daughter will manage all the juggling I'm sure. I remember enjoying getting off to work when I had toddlers and a teenager, because occasionally at work, someone would say "thanks for that, great job" - didn't happen at home!
I've been in fb message communication with youngest daughter, who is on her first skiing holiday in France. She is fit, athletic and usually good at any sport but even she's acknowledged being a bit fearful. I'm trying not to worry……

Ds went off the winter before this one past, aged 18. He loved it because he was skied down the mountainside by a manic doctor encased in what he described to me as a body bag on skis! He tore a ligament doing jumps in a sort of snowy playpark for skiers. He managed to hobble home ok though, all strapped up. It was on his last morning and his friends packed for him while he was being x-rayed. He found it all highly amusing, so I really wouldn't worry. It's all an experience to learn from, in the end. He loved every minute of it.

Such hearty chuckles filling the room. MacSporran has guessed (rightly) that I'm in our kitchen and catching up with you lot.

Agus annoIam64 and jane...

On the subject of fretfulness...I'm less so now. Thanks to a shed-load of practice. Especially on the matter of what my son number three gets up to. Last time he went paragliding in the Alps, he managed to pick up, what he termed 'a mini boulder' as he launched himself into the big, blue beyond. It (mini boulder) caused him to lose his bearings and he started to drift off and down to a cluster of tall pine trees on the mountain edge. Eventually, he landed in the top of a mighty tall tree. His parachute enveloped him. Luckily, his team mate spotted the problem, and the rescue services were contacted. I cannot recall all the relevant details re the rescue...all I know is that someone was taken to the site by helicopter. The rescuer then got to the ground and with the help of crampons had to climb said tree. It took an age to rescue my boy. He was mightily grateful when at last he was freed from the tangle. At the moment, he's leaping off cliffs in Madeira.

Oh yes, and there was the time I returned home to find a postcard from same son. He was then at university in Edinburgh. The content of the card sent me half crazed with worry. It read...I've left Uni' and my girlfriend and I have joined a hippy commune. I went ballistic...I called his room mate and blurted that I was livid to hear my son's news. Room mate sounded perplexed. He assured me that all of my son's possessions were still in situ. After what seemed like an age, the friend rang me to say that my son and his girlfriend had taken a weekend trip to some island like Iona. He (my son) got a good telling off when he called me later that day. The message was meant to make laugh! I still have the card in a box of treasures.

Bella Is it today that your little granddaughter starts school?

What's wrong with our Smileys?

Try not to worry Iam if your DD is saying she is a bit fearful, rest assured, she won't try anything silly. In my experience it's usually the accomplished skiers who take crazy chances. Fearless DD1 comes to mind but even she hasn't broken any bones.

The paragliding venture still makes me shudder soop

I don't know what the trouble is re smileys. I still have them on my iPad but not on my phone, just blank square boxes.

Soutra has started a thread asking tech what the problem is.

May I have a wee moan?
I reckon I am usually pretty good in a crisis (DH's assorted health issues mostly) and this recent one was not as life threatening as some have been, but I feel totally drained , grumpy and a bit tearful. He, I am glad to say is feeling much better than he has for a few weeks but instead of relaxing or planning a nice day out somewhere, I find I am falling asleep whenever I sit down and my " get up and go" has got up and gone. I suppose it is reaction but for once I am not shaking this off.
I should just sit out in the garden with a good book, but feel restless and tired all at the same time. In the past I might have "treated" myself with a little shopping trip but we have had some hefty household bills (with a couple more to come) and it is belt-tightening time too!
Any advice, ladies (and pompa?

soop our little DGD started school yesterday. She seemed to have had a good day, although it broke our hearts when she said ' no-one wanted to play with me so I jutht played by mythelf '

DH was in pain all day yesterday so at 7pm I took him to A&E where it took an interminable amount of time to get him admitted. I got home at 5am [exhausted emoticon]. They are giving him a CT scan today and will release him if the results are ok.

it is lovely, sunny weather today. I have been to the framer's with two lovely water colours to be framed but will have to be patient as they won't be ready for two weeks. Something to look forward to, anyway

Sorry I haven't read all previous posts properly, my eyes are propped open with matchsticks

Yes, what has happened to our smileys? You'll have to guess what they are meant to be, lol!

Oh Bellasnana now I feel very bad with my trivial whinging. My heart goes out to you with all you are going through and your DH , very warmest wishes to him and a big {hug} to you.
I know how you must have felt about your DGD but it will get better as we all know from experience. When DD 2started school, I asked what she did at playtime. She replied that she sat on the bench by herself because "if she got up the big boys running round the playground just knocked her over " . She is now a highly social lady with more friends, and really good ones, than I have had hot dinners. But when they are little, your heart truly bleeds for them.

Soutra all I can suggest is that if a shopping trip lifted your spirits, have a look around the shops and then relax with a nice cup of coffee somewhere, patting yourself on the back not having spent any money. These days I rarely see anything that I fancy so that would be my problem sorted.

I am sure you are right
Hey, looks like we have smileys too!! Double

Soutra Sit in the garden with a good book. It's all very well managing in crisis mode but in my experience it's once the pressure is off that one starts falling apart.

I totally agree Nelliemoser, that's exactly my experience. I guess it's the backlash from running on adrenaline and the body telling you it needs refuelling emotionally and physically.
& ((hugs)) x

Soutra we are all allowed a wee moan now and again..You are only human but the amount you have had on your plate recently has required you to be super human and your body is now telling you, enough! Time off now to rest and recharge your batteries. When the retail therapy isn't possible, on line window shopping is a good pastime

Bella. from experience, in a few days, GD will be telling you about her new friend then there will be another new friend.

Your poor DH is having a rotten time just now. My very best wishes to both of you and I hope the CT results are OK. Look after yourself too Bella. Try to rest whenever you get the chance. Your health is important too

Soutra Our Nellie has taken the words out of my mouth. I also think that, from time to time, our body says...enough! You are amazing and cope tremendously well whenever you need to come to someone's rescue. Time to think of yourself. Relax, darling girl. You deserved it.

And Bella my heart lurched when I read your granddaughter's words. In fact, I am tearful. It's all part and parcel of "growing up" and we Nanas would do ANYTHING to make the process less stressful.
I'm sorry that your husband had to be admitted to hospital. Please let us know when he's able to return home. All this stress must make you feel totally zapped of energy.

Agus the business of making a new friend when one is young matters...I well remember asking a girl at my new school to 'please be my friend...' I also remember that, at first, she ignored me and held hands with another new girl. I felt really sad for the first wee while. And then, in due course, both girls became friendly. Oh dear! Sigh!

It's a glorious day. MacSporran and Rory are helping each other to tidy the garden. I love watching Rory shadowing MacS. They are a good team.

Bellasnana, your GD will soon make nee friends, kids are very resilient.
Soutra, at least have a walk around the shops, those very expensive ones where you would not have bought anything anyway, and as said, have a coffee/tea & cake.
Having a good whinge is good, we are here to listen.

Just had root canal treatment, mouth still numb, so tea & cake will be the order of the day before the feeling comes back.

Any excuse pompa!!

Oh Soutra of course, it's bound to happen, adrenaline can only keep you going for so long! You have been soldiering on for a ages, so now is the time for you to rest your body and mind for a while.

Bella these little people tug at our heartstrings don't they? Bless her, she'll have lots of friends in no time
Best wishes to your dh, I hope the scan helps.

pompa and will do the trick and you'll be your cheeky self very soon!

If you can't relax in the garden, Soutra, at least go out and buy yourself a big bunch of spring flowers - not from the garage.
Bella, I would bet that your GD will find a friend quite soon. Could her mum get friendly with the other mums at the school gate? That always worked for me when we moved.

pompa ...root canal treatment! It doesn't get much worse. Lie down on the chaise and us lot will pamper you. I'm certain that Galen will be happy to peel a grape or two.

Bella Yes, if your daughter could get to know the other mums then that does help a lot. I'm sure that very soon she'll be having her friend around to play.