Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

bella I almost forgot, I'm pleased you have (hopefully) sold your house and found somewhere else, and I've got everything crossed that all goes well!

Hope soop is enjoying her day away with the Aussie replies and not too exhausted after all the ironing and cleaning.

stillhere I'm glad you're still here, I didn't realise at first that you were 'undercover' as it were!
pompa we've missed your contributions and cheeky humour, don't disappear again please.

I'm recovering nicely from the keyhole surgery on my knee, apart from the dreadful back pain which results from hobbling about like a drunken sailor!
Can't see the chiropractor until Friday so I'm consuming vast amounts of painkillers in the meantime! Hey ho!

Maybe they are worried that Santa will bring them a sack of coal if they don't behave?

Lovely to see you, pompa. (I am in disguise)

Thanks, crafting. MiL is not renowned for her caring nature, even her sons are scathing of her mothering abilities, but she was on the whole very well-behaved on this visit. No, not at all caring about me! I am used to it, though I do resent it at times.

I think it is one of MiL's great sorrows in life that she doesn't enjoy ill-health. She is tiring and wearing, but affords me great entertainment and amusement when I recall things she has said and done. Every cloud etc. I need to have a moan to get it out of my system, but I am really quite fond of the old bat.

I've almost fallen into mine on occasion.
Welcome back.
See you later. Off to work. Last one in foreseeable future. No tribunals in November for me. Where have all the appeals gone?

Never mind filling the dishwasher, Lucky. It's clearing it that I can't stand!

Great! - a man in the kitchen - now we have someone to fill the dishwasher!

Good to have you back in the kitchen Pompa - here to stay this time, I hope.
I've been in Scotland for a long weekend - in Dundee with sister and BiL. Very distraught about the Rugby fiasco, but sadly that's water under the bridge. We had a lovely lunch in St Andrews on Sunday and walked around the town. There were face-painted students creating mayhem all over the place, 'celebrating' Raisin Weekend which I have no intention of explaining except that 'in my day' it was Raisin Monday not a whole weekend. Now I sound like an old fogey - well, it was over half a century ago. . There was a delightful piano recital in Perth yesterday in the concert hall where the acoustics are wonderful. So all in all, it was a good weekend, the weather was good and the train journeys both ways were painless!

Stillhere sorry to hear about your DBH. Do hope he continues to improve, I know it can be a slow job. How nice to hear you are considerate of your MIL's feelings. Perhaps she is worried about you too. Living with someone with depression can be exhausting and can bring you down as well. Take care of yourself

Pompa!! Is it really you? Where have you been? Just because there hasn't been much huge slabs of cake in the kitchen recently is no excuse to abandon us. Here sit and tell us what you've been up to

Pompa throws his hat in the room to see if it gets thrown back out.

Alea I'm glad you have managed to contact pompa, I like to know that people are still alive and kicking!

DBH's depression continues and he has been signed off until Xmas, which is a bit worrying. He is better, but not yet there, by any means. The inlaws are here to check up on him, he is finding that a bit stressful but I can see that Mil wanted reassuring that her Baby is reasonably ok. I don't think she realises that she never stops talking, but that he needs quiet at the moment. As a result, he keeps on heading up to our room, or to his study, just to get a bit of peace. It has made me realise that a mother can believe that her presence is necessary for her child's recovery, but actually it could be a real hindrance! I must try to remember that with my own DS.

Bella thank you for the chocolate sponge cakes. Just managed to grab one before Soop ate the lot

I hope your house move goes through ok and you get the new home you want.

Soop what a lovely photo, no wonder you were pleased with it. He's a very handsome chap.

Have a lovely tone Soop

Torben is becoming a young man so quickly.

Hello Charleygirl I'm pleased to hear that you are taking things easy. Keep up the good work. x

I've been sitting with the Care Home Four. They try to teach me words in the Scottish dialect. I was telling them that my Nana used to address me as 'm' duck'...this is Midlands speak. As one of the carers removed the crockery he said...'thanks m'duck'...he was born in the Midlands too. This made the ladies chuckle.

To Glasgow tomorrow to meet up with MacSporran's Aussie rellies. I've a mountain of ironing to do this afternoon. After which, I shall need to give the house a thorough cleaning. Don't ask! It's something that I feel bound to do prior to a day away.

Torben's Mummy sent us the photo. It has a put a broad smile upon our faces.

Thanks soop the cold is much better but I now have a hacking cough! I cannot win. I have had the heating on for ages and I think that has helped also. Today is day 3 of doing zilch.

I am sure that the painting of the ram will be fabulous and he will be a good sitter, that I know.

Rory is a different boy now and his past in his eyes is long forgotten. I thought that he had been with you longer- he is a lucky young man.

Bella I will also keep everything crossed- you definitely deserve some luck.

The news regarding the house sale/hunt sounds hopeful, Bella. You richly deserve a decent break. Continue to enjoy time spent with young Bella. You and she have a special bond.

The coo portrait doesn't yet please me. Another one bites the dust. I'm working on the ram portrait and it, thank goodness, is pleasing...it is therefore the right time to clear the studio and enjoy a . Thank you for the virtual chocolate sponge cakes, Bella. May I be cheeky and ask how it is that you remain so slender?

Rory first stepped across our threshold exactly four years ago. It was on that occasion that he attacked me. He has come a very long way since that incident. He has become a valued member of our little family.

Tomorrow morning will find me sitting with the care home ladies. I shall pop in as soon as I return home.

Enjoy your evening. I hope that you are feeling a little better Charleygirl.

So pleased something is going well for you at last.

I`ll be keeping everything (well, almost everything!) crossed for you on Friday, Bella.

So far, so good annsixty. I'm hoping for no problems as I have found a place I like..Signing for that on Friday subject to sale of my house going through. Fingers crossed. Thanks for asking

Welcome Bella is your house sale going through?

A quick hello before the dog and I go to pick up DGD from school.
Hope you are all ok. I have a packet of delicious chocolate covered sponge cakes from Lidl for you to share. They really are good and so reasonably priced that I have become too lazy to bake my own Hope you enjoy them.

Charleygirl

I am really disappointed for the Scottish rugby team. MacSporran has never taken an interest in the game. However, recently, he has joined me on the sofa and cheered the team's efforts and successes. At least the team went out with fitting dignity. I really like and respect the captain... Greig Laidlaw.

I have not a clue about rugby but I am Scottish and that result was very difficult for the team.

soop I do not possess any whisky in the house. I have a cold so rarely that it is not worth buying the smallest bottle. I never touch spirits and I have not had my favourite tipple, wine since April. I will probably live.

Elegran

I am so very sad for the brave Scots. To lose by a single point after such a valiant effort must hurt the players to the core.