Soop's friendly KITCHENERS

Charleygirl "cleaning before the cleaner comes"????
That's like a posh hairdresser's my mum wanted to go to in Edinburgh, so she washed and set her hair before she went!

Tizliz for some reason Tara has stopped bringing home any presents. Last year I had a selection of birds and mice, both usually alive. She used to get bored when a mouse hid under the sofa or wherever. I am happy having a "present free" house.

I live in a small mews and the gardens are all open plan. When I put out rubbish this am I noticed that on one of my 3 lawns the local children had decided to plant about 3 branches that had fallen or been chopped off. They had also dragged all sorts of rubbish there too, eg planks of wood. They spent around 10 minutes dismantling the branches and removing loads of sweet papers etc which one fellow in particular just drops. They still cycle over my grass- they have not discovered yet what private ownership means. There are times, especially when they are playing football that I wish my fences were at least 6 feet tall and electrified. With one exception they are very pleasant and polite children and most of the time we are good friends.

Good Afternoon ladies ! ( and gents)

Its been a very bright blue sky day here but cold all the same.

Our sleepover with DGS 3 and 4 went well. Sausages were consumed and movies watched and a solid 12 hours sleep (with a tiny hiccup) out of both of them
( something that does not happen in their own home !)

Bedtime went well and DGS3 fell asleep before Grampy could read his obligatory story. However he got his own back on Grampy for nearly losing him in Tesco's because at 4.00am Grampy was face timed from the bedroom across the landing. He went in and found the little chap sat up in bed . 'Why did you FaceTime me' asked Grampy ?

'I needed a story' was the reply .

Needless to say the little chap did NOT get a 4:00am story !!

I am constantly surprised by my grandchildren. I do indulge them and often find small gifts for them when they visit. This sleepover though , we drew an airfield on a huge piece of paper , where they assembled their little planes etc, then added a city with roads and a school and finally this morning another piece of paper made a giant railway track with stations and bridges - all drawn on. Zero cost and hours and hours of imaginative fun. Technology has a place but these are the priceless activities.

I hope you are all well as I am struggling with the third sore throat in as many weeks and I cannot seem to shift it !

I hope your Sunday was mellow and restful ( Charleygirl sounds like far too much activity for a Sunday!!)

Soop sorry to disappoint you but this is a cat free household. My daughter has a cat (well she thinks that but she has seen him go into the house across the road) and I am not keen on the 'presents' he brings in every night - and she is an animal rights activist ?

Weather not too bad today and I have had a couple of goes at putting the gravel back in the right places. Surprisingly my pots had dried out, think it is the wind as we haven't been lacking rain.

Others are probably sitting down having had lunch and reading a Sunday newspaper. I have 2 washes outside, another in the machine and I am waiting for the kitchen floor to dry. A new cleaner starts on Tuesday, I do not want her to see the total slut that I am.

I think as it is Sunday that Bracken and Rory should be allowed into the living room and each can choose their own chair!

Galen are you slumming it because you do not have a personal butler?

Charleyg Keep smiling.

I'm away to complete the gloss painting. By the end of this afternoon, I shall be able to sit back and feel well pleased. Rory and Bracken remain in the utility room. They are quite comfortable. However, I shall need to disturb them because the stuff I need is stored there.

The sun is out here today and thankfully it is warmer than first thing this am when I had the heating on full blast. I am taking advantage of the dry weather and washing for London today.

I need to buy and get fitted, new vinyl flooring in the kitchen. Finding a shop locally which sells it and has not closed down will be a nightmare. Unsurprisingly I cannot fit it myself!

I also need new curtains in the living room but that is not desperate as the pink ones are fine at present. George Osborne did not take my refurbishment into consideration when he increased the state pension this year, a good job I have my other one!

Good morning to our lovely Kitcheners. Went out for a walk, the heavens opened, bought the Sunday newspaper and beat a hasty retreat to our cosy (freshly decorated) hoos.

Bracken was waiting for Rory to join her. Rory woke up as we walked through the door. Both cats lolling on the utility room door mat. She is always delighted to see him. Runs through the gap in the fence with her tail held high.

Galen Go girl, go! With you away, we're duty bound to behave. Have you had the first of many cocktails yet? Silly question.
Bellanonna Galen won't be sharing her secrets with us lot. Bet she wears her pearls in bed.

wot I am very fond of scruffy little dogs. They are characterful. x

Charleyg MacS is delighted with the fresh paintwork. I should complete outstanding jobs by tea time. He rewarded me with a special hug. No "readies" but a girl can't have everything.

Nelliem and annsixty The weather is chaotic in Kintyre. Sun, lashing rain, half-hearted hail showers...followed by more sunshine. Stay snug.

Tizliz Have you ever tried to train a cat to be house-proud?

Warm? I had the heating on for a lot of the day. At least my washing dried indoors. It rained for a few hours but the evening was brighter.

Tara and I are going to have our usual early night as soon as I have sorted out the kitchen.

* Nellie* did you get the hail we got this afternoon? It was so warm at one point we had to open the conservatory doors and 20 minutes later the garden and the furniture were completely white and the ice stayed for some time.

Been trying to snow most of the day here, though nice and sunny now - too late not gardening in this cold.

When we had a new suite we had a serious talk to the dogs about not getting up on the sofa anymore and ..... They listened , and even if left on their own they never get up. Minor miracle.

Soop you put the rest of us to shame. I did clean a few Windows (insides), smeared again already, one miracle is all they can manage. I tend to be a do an hour of something, then a long break. It would take me all week to do your painting.

I have no idea where that "GI" came from.

The temperature is 9C out there "real feel 2C" Glorious sun and a really bitter north wind. I hope it improves soon.

soop is it not double time at evenings and weekends? Here in London it is well over £300 a day which is one of many reasons why this room is in need of a paint and will remain that way.

My reclining chair is too comfortable- I fell asleep this afternoon- I hope I asleep tonight. I had to move before Waitrose ran out of food.

I have been sorting out paperwork, I only have to file it now- my method! At least I have thrown away more than I have kept which is a minor miracle.

I must make spag bol for supper, I had to buy the mince hence the reason for moving. At least I will get 4 portions so I can freeze 2.

Galen . What's the itinerary?

when I lived in Norwich I took my scruffy little dog to the newsagent and when I got back home, I realised I'd left him outside the shop! Poor little thing! He was pleased to see me!

On board and unpacked.
Behave yourselves while I'm away.

Charleyg Isn't having a cat FUN...Rory has pranced through each room ( wet paint waiting to dry) without a care in the world. Bless! He's fast asleep in my chair. That's okay. He is one of the family.

anno I didn't realise that New Zealanders use the term "wee". When entering our doctor's surgery, the receptionist always says...'Take a wee seat...'

I've now completed twenty four hours (not all at once) emulsioning and glossing the paintwork. Not quite finished. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I looked up the average hourly rate for painting and decorating. It was £10.28. I shall therefore draft an invoice for the princely sum of £246.72. I cannot wait to see *MacSporran's face when I present him with it.

It has been a beautiful day. We've brought in an urn containing pansies, because a severe frost is forecast.

Love to all our Kitcheners. I'm away to read the newspaper. G&T at 6:00 sharp.

Until tomorrow...

soop, I still use 'wee' for small things - and people. However, I was quite surprised to find that New Zealanders use it just as much as - if not more than - Scottish folk. I know that a great many Kiwis are of Scottish descent but even those who are not, Maoris, in fact, also use it.

soop the computer chair has an extra cushion on it so that madam does not put her claws through the fake leather! I agree, it has my smell on it. She refused to sleep on my bed last night because I had changed the bedding and she hates that.

Luckily I took out extra insurance specifically in case Tara decides to sharpen her claws. The chair (s) will be repaired once only but I would wait until I thought that she had finished!

It is a marvellous day in bonnie Kintyre. The air is crystal clear. The sun is shining but the breeze is parky.

Bon whatever dear Galen...^us lot^ will miss your charming company. Have yourself a swell time. Please do not get stuck in a lift or fall from your chair. Other than that... I seem to recall that you are "slumming it" on this cruise. Wot! No butler to wait upon your every wish and whim. Tut!

jollyg In Scotland just about everything is "wee". It has become second-nature to use the term. The wee loo looks very smart. Honestly, the difference a coat of fresh paint has made is a bit special. I'm gloss painting the architraves and skirting boards through out the rest of the hoos.

Charleyg Rory ambled through the kitchen door. Stopped to inspect the skirting board. Don't ask!
The moment you remove the throws and such, Tara will do what cats do. She likes the computer chair because it has familiar scent on it. The new suite needs a good pummelling before it can be classed as Tara friendly.

NannaandGrampy Your day sounds both busy and utterly delightful. Sausages! Scrummy! Enjoy.

I always feel sorry for dogs waiting outside shops. Especially if they are waiting in the rain. I feel like waiting beside them and sheltering them under an umbrella. Daft as a brush...me.

NanaandGrampy most men have not mastered the art of multi tasking so Grampy is not alone. He must acquire the art fairly swiftly if he is going to take one or two out because he may not be so lucky next time.

Much as I love dogs I do not stop to stroke any I see tied up outside a shop or supermarket in case I am accused to dog snatching.

A butler would be quite handy here at present- do the cruise liners hire them out?!

I love my new reclining chair- that + on line shopping and I do not have to go far!

Tara definitely does not like the 3 piece suite- she spent the evening again asleep on my computer chair. It would be nice to be able to remove the throws and the pillows I have laid against the sides in case she scratches.

Morning all!

The rain has finally stopped here which is good news as Grampy was considering building an ark !

soop Yes our little ones have old had the backpack thing, DGS3 had a lion but at 4 and a half now considers himself old enough to walk holding your hand. Grampy has not mastered the art of multi tasking clearly and could not pay for their snacks and keep and eye on the little man. He plainly needs more practice - so we are having a sleepover of DGS3 and 4 tonight which will involve lots of cars, sausages for dinner and a Disney movie and snacks later. And that's just Grampy!!!

Glorious glorious photo soop but I did have to look up ' crepuscular ' That's my word for the day !!

What quick thinking on your DGDs part Gagagran. My daughter had a similar experience when they went into London for the first time on their own on the underground.

I agree Charleygirl I would not leave Sam outside a shop. He's far too willing to go off with anyone who even LOOKS like they might have a snack.

Have a wonderful time Galen looking forward to hearing tales of the cruise and your butler !!

Happy Saturday everyone . I hope the sun shines on you all today x

Soop

Love your phraseology WEE LOO.!
I seem to remember there being a queue in the Hebridean isles for wheely bins.
Just a grand size for keeping the peats in, and some folks in the cities here used to keep coal in the bath.

Galen hope you have lots of ? and not too much ?⛈☔️

I am not jealous, we only had a few snow showers today ?