Soop's kitchen extension

It's been snowing on and off for the last hour and a half but not settling on wet ground. If this freezes it will be lethal.

Luckily it has not been cold enough for snow in NW London, we have had a mixture of rain and sunshine.

Alea I do hope that DH is feeling a bit better today. annsixty I am aware that you have to take each day as it comes, you need Grace to visit you, she would love extra cuddles.

My painter was here on time today. When he came he told me that his wife had died unexpectedly on Friday evening. It was his choice to come to work today but I would have understood if he did not want to come. I feel so sorry for him.

Oh Lord, charleygirl how awful, did you have any idea?
Rethink on the gardening front - it's hailing even threatening sleet ???

I was aware that he had been taking his wife to various OPD appointments. He is around 60 and I am assuming that she was around the same age or younger. It was apparently an awful shock for the family, it happened so suddenly. I have no idea what was wrong and would not dream of asking.

It was raining but the wind is rising here- our wheelie bins are on the march so I must keep a look out for mine.

Tara is roaming the countryside, I have not seen her since after 7am. No doubt Grace is asleep.

Thank you Charleygirl one day at a time is the only way sometimes but then I read of your poor painter and things are never going to be the same again for him.
It snowed heavily for a short time this morning and now the sun is out!.

How did you guess charleygirl?

Here I be...ever-so-slightly knackered thanks to a heaped laundry basket of ironing. All done and put away in the relevant drawers and cupboards. Such a treat to be home again.

bags MacSporran was away for a mere hour. I would have loved your company. His next appointment will be in early April. I am able to accompany him (when he meets the specialist) which means that any questions I have can be aired. I'm already looking forward to meeting you in Inveraray just a week or so later.

Charleygirl How sad for the painter. Bless him, it was good of him to continue with his visits. It does help to get life into perspective.

NanaandGrampy Very well done. You are certainly going to be kept on your toes throughout the entire day. Fish fingers hardly ever fail to please.

number I'm hoping that the roofer is beavering away. It is awfully blustery here in bonnie Kintyre. It's also exceedingly chilly. The sea is bashing at the shore. Rory has taken to his feather cushion. He cannot be bothered to get his paddy paws wet...or his fur ruffled.

Alea and annsixty together with all our lovely Kitcheners in need of tender loving care...be gentle with yourselves. Over tiredness can make just about everything seem ten times worse. One day at a time...a very sensible maxim.

Alea Grace knows the secret of "chilling"...

Grace does not need to take any relaxation lessons from Rory- how does she find the energy (and time!) to go for a short walk each day?

Alea your house is immaculate, even with a dog, how do you manage it?

Because Grace is always asleep, so doesn`t disrupt the house?
Soop, the roofer didn`t come, it rained, then sleeted, so fingers crossed for tomorrw.

number Sod's law! There's always tomorrow. It is extremely wild on the west coast of Kintyre. The bird cherry tree is rocking when the winds gust. MacSporran has tethered it to a concrete block with the aid of two lengths of extra tough rope.

Charley When we left for Oban early yesterday morning, Rory (who had slept all through the night) returned to his favourite feather-filled cushion. We left his lunch in readiness for when he stirred from his slumber. At 4:30 (when we returned) he remained on his cushion until we walked the through the door. He hadn't touched his lunch. He had therefore slept for a total of eighteen hours with one short episode of "awareness" when he ate his breakfast. How do cats sleep for such long periods? It's a mystery.

I think that Rory is close to winning a prize for his sheer idleness. Admittedly he had a hard life when he was a feral cat- I just do not know how he could change almost overnight from feral to MacSporran's shadow! Long may he enjoy this life.

Grace is NOT always asleep - I think the eyes opened briefly!

I've been away for a few days and just been catching up with all that's been going on in the kitchen.

Soop hope you are feeling better now and MacSporran is ok.

Alea for you what a lot you and your DH have to cope with.

annesixty I sympathise with you. We have worrying times with one of our DGC and I know how hard it is when all you want is for them to be safe and happy. Whatever the problem is, I hope it can be overcome ((hugs))

Following three visits to my nice young dentist, I am now considerably poorer and the proud possessor of a shiny gold crown. Sadly, it's on a back tooth so I can't flaunt it. Sod's law.

Crown AND the Crown Jewels I hope (considering the expense!!)

anno H had a gold crown which also could not be seen then last year he had an infection in the next tooth which spread and would not heal so the dentist took them both out. He refuses to dispose of it so it has been seen many times now as he shows it to anyone who is silly enough to look.?

Soop I hope you are not overdoing things? Even "-so-slightly (as if I believed that) knackered" is not good.
I find hospitals incredibly draining and I am not even the patient! It is impossible to relax, and waiting to be called makes me realise what patient dogs waiting in the car or outside the newsagents for their owners to return, must go through. You know how they prick up their ears, then droop again when it's not "Mum" or "Dad"
We have a clinic appointment in London on Tuesday and despite Mobility Assistance at Euston and taxis everywhere else, I come home drained, so goodness knows what DH feels. Anyway I have come up with a cunning plan and have booked a car and driver for the whole trip. Doing it by train and taxis costs between £65-70 depending on traffic between Euston and the hospital and because we go off-peak, cannot travel back between 4 and 7 so often have to kill time in London which means more expense on a meal. And it is all so BUSY. I have been quoted a similar amount plus some of the waiting time (first hour is free) to travel door to door in an " executive" car(that is to say comfy ) with a highly recommended driver, not yer average mini-cab driver, so while it is expensive, I really hope worth it as I fear we could be getting to the point where DH is not necessarily well enough to go to these very necessary appointments.

Morning all -

I hope the weather is kind to you all today. We have a blue sky start to the day which always cheers me up.

Alea that sounds like a genius idea!! I'll be interested to know if it makes your trip more comfortable and less stressing. I live near London and have worked in central London all my life and now retired I dont miss that commute one little bit !!

Had a lovely day yesterday . My daughter got precious little help at the GP for her bad back/leg etc although its now causing real problems as she walks everywhere and is a busy Mum. I'm a firm supporter of osteopathy so Himself and I will pay for her to have some sessions as we all have a long holiday looming and we want her fit and well.

DGS3 was a delight ! We went to the arcade ( where he does not require any money , he just wants to see all the machines ). He persuaded Grampy to do a Jurassic park shootout, where he 'saved' Grampy several times from sure destruction. Then some swimming at the gym where for the first time he swam half a width totally unaided.

Then home for some reading, lego building and that fishfinger tea which he cleared his plate of .

Suffice it to say Grampy and I spent the evening semi comatose !

But today is a new day - I hope you all have only nice things in your day today ( but if not make sure there is cake available )

How difficult your life is Alea yet your sense of humour survives. All good wishes for Tuesday and all the other appts. It's only money as I tell myself when we have to use taxis all the time now.

Morning all! Brilliant idea Alea! Much less tiring and stressful for you both and back to your own home much more quickly. Now, why didn't we think of that before.

I just need a little respite care please. We are having DGC3 and 4 overnight soon so DD and her partner can do to an Adele concert. We are so looking forward to it but then we got an email from D(dratted!)BiL asking to come and stay for the weekend as well. He is having domestic problems so will want to talk (and boy can he talk!) and DH thinks it will be a kind thing to do. The weekend will probably involve DH inviting one of his other brothers for Sunday lunch too - help!! I need at the very least!

That's a houseful kittylester [cake][cake]cake]

Maybe , if the weather is nice you could take the little ones out with your DH and D(ratted) BiL can come along but its hard to talk too much with little ones running wild

If not then [cake][cake]and sent !!

funny how I managed wine but no cake ;-)

I forgot to mention that on the Saturday pm DH has to take DS1 to the football as well! I think I had blanked that bit out!! I'll take the thank you!!

Good Grief * Kittylester* just looking at that list makes me tired ! I hope you have a good supply of in ! You're my hero