Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

How is he doing Alea? Hospitals are such dispiriting places aren't they, both for the visitor and the visitee? And, why is it so difficult to make conversation in hospital? Even with a loved one whom one chats to all the time normally.

I'm sure you will all be relieved to know that I have booked a carpet cleaner!!!! The man who came today was lovely and slightly cheaper so he starts next Tuesday! Now we have to hope that DD1 and family don't need to stay for a few weeks between houses.

We have 2 spare rooms soop, so the children would have to share. Luckily one of the spare rooms has an ensuite. Her stuff would go into storage!

You, like others here numberplease will know the frustration of DH being in hospital for one thing and then back (or not out) for another following on from it!
Not a lot one can do really.
Have you had your holiday, and how was it? I hope it gave you the break you have needed for some time.
I also wanted to ask (off topic) if you had met up with angiebaby in Milton Keynes?
(Apologies if I have got that wrong and for going off piste here)

Good luck with your 2 year plan, Nankate it is indeed a very very good idea to do things while you can, only I hate the term "bucket list" with its "kicking" connotations !!

Alea, everyone else has said what I would have said, so all I can do is to send you and your hubby all my very best wishes.
Dusty, my sincere condolences.

Yes! Well played Scotland, you "sent them homewards, tae think again,"


(Not that I saw any of the actual match, as I was with DH for the afternoon. )

Thank you all for your messages and condolences.
It has hit us hard. Maybe because it seems more real somehow.

However having joined DH in splitting a bottle of champagne to toast BIL at lunch time, (thank goodness Portuguese champagne is much cheaper than French) I have had a very dozy relaxing afternoon.

I must close down the computer. MacSporran has alerted me to the fact that my G&T is ready for supping.

Love to you all. Especially our Granspals who have troubles to bear.

anno My goodness didn't Scotland rally? I was screaming for them to pull out all the stops. They did us proud. Wonderful start to the series.
As for you mislaying the cards that you bought in the New Year...I managed to lose one that I had put aside just last week for our anniversary [later this week). I have since unearthed it. It was in my Sloggi knicker drawer. Titter ye not.

As it happens, kitty and soop, I seem to remember buying NT **cards after New Year when they were on offer and I cannot remember the safe place where I put them. What's new?
Watching the match this afternoon, my nerves were shredded at half time but the half time pep talk must have been... well, vigorous (!) because the Scots pulled up their metaphorical socks and settle matters convincingly.

kitty Oooer. How many spare rooms to you have? How much clutter stuff will your daughter need to accommodate? Is your dear daughter a good cook/housekeeper/laundry person? If so, I guess that she will be able to offer plenty of help at a time when you may be stressed. We do not have a spare room. The second bedroom needs to house the computer, exercise bike, easel and paint brushes etc, the piano and a small table that four people can squeeze around if needs be.

Alea any news? I hope that it will be good. You deserve a break from endless worrying.

dusty I need to apologise to you. When I read your message I had forgotten that you had very recently had the terrible event of your son's death. I am truly sorry.

DH is currently on drips for fluids and (even more) blood, so I don't think he'll be going anywhere for a bit. He is quite philosophical cheerful considering, so must be feeling a little bit more comfortable. Nil By Mouth, though, not that you'd miss hospital food that much!

I'm sorry too dusty. Someone up there said life is a bugger and it really is.

How is DH Alea?

I bought my NT C*******s cards in August - well they were there just enticing me.

Hope your house sells Bella. Have you found somewhere else? DD1's house sold months ago but they can't find anywhere because DD is a fussy madam and although their buyer has been very accommodating they are starting to get twitchy. When we talked to DD yesterday she was making noises that involved our spare rooms if they can't find anything before C*******s.

Oh dustyangel I am so sorry. Sometimes life can really test us, can't it?
So sorry for your loss

dusty, I'm truly sorry to hear you are going through another bereavement so soon after losing your son. Life is so difficult at times. My thoughts are with you and family

dusty A virtual comforting arm around your shoulder.

Happy birthday dear NanKate. The Quince Tree sounds rather special. Which is as it needs to be on a special occasion. Enjoy your day.

Alea Phew! loopylou has a way with words. An 'utter bugger' sums up your troubles perfectly right now. Your husband must have been feeling absolutely rotten with whatever it is that isn't working as it should. In some ways it is worse for you. You don't have the answers or the ability to put him on the right treatment. Now, thank goodness, he's with the experts. Try to relax and catch up with some "you time" in readiness for his return. Us lot are rooting for both of you.

anno National Trust cards are super. Very hard to resist the urge to buy way in advance of you know what!

Bellasnana I for one am glad that wee Bella gives you so much pleasure. She is like a wee angel.
Second viewings...sounds very interesting. Please keep us updated.

Rugby this afternoon. Scotland v USA. Come on SCOTLAND!

dusty I'm so sorry to hear that, how sad.

I agree with Lona about your DGD Bella,she always looks such a happy little thing and it is hard to be sad around a small child.
The schools here went back last Monday. They only have twelve weeks. It's good to see the senior pupils around town again. They don't all do the same hours here.

Alea , I don't know what to say you and your must be so tired and fed up with all the traipsing backwards and forewards. I hope your DH is feeling better soon and I'll send positive vibes for next weekend.

I'm feeling sad today. DBilL died late on Friday. Although we have all been expecting it anytime over this last year, it still comes as a shock. He would have been 86 today.

Alea us lot are here to hold your virtual hand when things get tough, as they seem to be at the moment. Your poor dh must be really fed up

Bella your gorgeous little Bella is probably the best thing that could happen at this time. She will make you laugh and take your mind off all the sadness around you. Xx

Poor DH (and you) Alea, what an utter bugger. Surely they did his bloods before he was transfused?
Really feel frustrated on your behalf, I do hope you got home safely and DH gets better quickly.

Happy birthday NanKate, have a lovely day.

((hugs)) and love to all GNs needing them x

Alea it sounds to me as though hospital is the best place for him and if he could be transferred to the Royal Free and get everything sorted, that would be a bonus. Nothing much would be done until tomorrow but at least he would be in safe hands and your mind could rest more easily. It is a very worrying time for you. you also need in abundance.

Happy birthday NanKate, at least the sun is shining. I hope that you enjoy your day

Bellasnana Your GD will be at school very soon and you will be able to rest again. With luck the people returning for a second viewing will start to compete re the price! Do you have another property in mind?

Oh dear, Alea, what a stressful time for you and DH. I'm so sorry to hear your latest news but hope he will be well enough to return home very soon

Happy birthday NanKate. Hope you have a lovely day and that your DH takes note of your Bucket List.

Thanks for your concern, annsixty. I think I probably am being taken for granted by DD2, but as DGD doesn't go back to school until 1st October ( they have 13 weeks summer hols here in Malta!) and her mum works, it seems there isn't much I can do about it. I love the little soul so much and love having her, so it isn't really a chore. She's very good on the whole and, given the choice, always wants to 'stay with Nana'.

Hope you all have a happy Sunday

Wishing your hubby improved health Alea thinking of you.

Hope you have better news today and all DH's blood levels stabilise.

Alea, you are having a really stressful time. I expect you are finding it very difficult to relax but I hope you had a restful night and that you find your DH much better today.

Well, no Strictly or Rugby World Cup for us this evening! Instead we had the pleasure of a surprisingly calm and quiet A&E with such amazing young doctors and nurses.
DH is being kept in tonight but if he stabilises he may be home tomorrow. His gastro-enterology care is normally at the Royal Free and he would prefer our local general hospital to leave it to them. Given his myriad medical complications, I think they are happy to.
My suspicion is that the aspirin and Clopidogrel he was prescribed after his stroke instead of his Warfarin started the internal bleeding. The Warfarin was restarted on Wednesday, but he was not to stop the aspirin until his INR was back at target (2.5) BUT because of his blood transfusion on Friday, he couldn't go to the INR clinic and it transpires his INR has shot way higher than it should be- hence the increased bleeding. So it's all a bit of a mess, with blood levels all over the place, no wonder he felt poorly.
Why oh why do these things happen at the weekend, though?
Thanks to all who sent hugs, kind wishes, and date and walnut cake (!)
I am so ready for bed!