Soop's KITCHENERS

So sorry to hear about your friend soop, I agree it doesn't sound good, but who knows? My best friend's mother (88) had a major stroke about 5 weeks ago and they were distraught that she would die. Now they are equally distraught trying to arrange long term care for her because she cannot come home, Her DH is 90 this year and she will need full nursing care. So sad. Sometimes nature can be cruel.
I am hiding at Waitrose from angry wasps at the moment. We had a nest in the house wall cavity 2 years ago getting in via a hole left from a former overflow pipe and that was sorted by "Fred the Rat Man". Alas they seem to be back. So DH thought it might be an idea to plug the hole with wire wool. So muggins went up the ladder.........
Long story short, it was not a good idea! We had 2 dozen angry wasps round the former hole and I am now too afraid to try to get the wire wool out again! Rang "Fred" who said he will come out next week, but strongly advised removing the wool. My lovely neighbour's husband is going to have a go later today, and in the meantime all the windows on that side of the house are shut, despite it being a scorchio!
Be warned - not that anybody else would be as stupid as me!

soop

Unfortunately I could only watch one of the Chelsea Flower Show programmes this year. Our TV viewing is mostly dependent on Internet and that can be intermittent to put it politely. We had a salesman trying to sell us a better deal earlier in the week. DH told him that it wasn't possible but he was welcome to come and try. As he hasn't turned up today for his 2.30 pm appointment we have deduced that he has realised that we were right.

Petunias are our 'best' annual.The colours suit the sunshine and they do very well in the wall when they get the washing up water every day.
I'm not an experienced or knowledgable gardener, I've only got really interested since we have lived here. Especially in plants for xeriscaping.. (I think I've got the spelling and meaning right!). I had such fun at the garden center this morning planning what I can plant next year, although I've realised since that I mustn't go too mad as a) we can't afford it and b) we increasingly need an easily managed garden.

Thank you all and dustyangel the flowers are in my " bestest " vase.

dustyangel Your response to annsixty is lovely.
The petunia is a very pretty flower. I like the strong colours. They do not thrive in our coastal garden. Have you been enjoying the Chelsea Flower Show? I'm a huge fan of Monty Don. He can trample over my garden whenever he likes.

Your village sounds very sociable and organised soop. What a lovely idea to say in advance for ladies to wear hats. Go for it, you have the style to carry off a flamboyant creation.

We had resolved to limit ourselves to only five new petunias this year as we hope to have builders trampling on several flower beds and even knocking down the wall that the 5 are in, before the summer is over.
The lovely colours of the petunias have tempted us to go out and buy 12 more this morning.

I can understand you turning down your daughter's offer now Ann. I think we all thought that you would get a bit of a break if she was there but especially just for one night, it would be exhausting. I don't know how you are able to cope as well as you are doing with your extra physical problems as well.

The fist time we noticed a problem with my late BiL was when he came on holiday here and wouldn't stop talking, he had always been very sociable and chatty but he would get on a subject and never stop. In retrospect I'm sure my SiL had noticed things but I know at that stage his children hadn't.
Because he left his body and brain to science, his family have already heard that he didn't actually have true Alzheimer's Disease but that his dementia was caused by something else, possibly a head injury he'd had or a viral illness picked up in India at the same time. It didn't make him any easier to live with of course but I think it has helped both my SiL and his son and daughter to think that he has helped the scientists researching this terrible disease.
for you because you deserve them.

A very good sunshiny Saturday morning to you all.

annsixty having heard all the details regarding a possible visit by your daughter, I fully understand and appreciate your reluctance to agree. It is an awful long journey for her to undertake, especially with children on board. Your husband would find the disruption difficult. Result would possibly mean that you become even more stressed. Not a good plan.

number birthdays do tend to come in clusters. I'm like you, a simple thank you (for a gift) can make a world of difference. As a child, I had the P's and Q's drummed into me.

Alea Torben was a little fractious when it came to getting him to settle for a sleep. I remember walking great distances with him asleep in his pram. I couldn't stop and sit down for a breather because he start to fuss and cry. On one occasion, I desperately needed a wee. No chance of me spending a penny. These trying times seem endless. The best is yet to come.

anno Us lot are keeping a beady eye on you. Just as I'm not to trawl eBay for a bargain...you maybe do not need too many more plants.

We've had a wander through the village. No further news regarding our pal who has suffered a third stroke. He had a brain scan yesterday. Every time the phone rings my heart beat goes into over-drive.
On the 11th of June, the villagers will be celebrating her majesty's birthday with a garden party. Ladies to wear hats. Should be fun. I gave the hat that I wore for my granddaughter's wedding to the Red Cross. I still have a rather flamboyant creation that I may pluck up courage to wear.

Oh dear ann life is certainly not easy and I can well see how it was easier to be without help. At least the offer was there. You are welcome to a rest here anytime, Tara would love to see a new face.

I am assuming that your DH is more mobile than you are and also more talkative now. The latter would drive me crazy, mainly because I have lived on my own for so long. You need a rest.

Thank you all for your advice re my D. My real reason for not accepting her help is that quite frankly it would be harder to have her here than not. The GC would have to come as she is now on her own. I am not physically capable of making up 3 beds just for one night and I couldn't expect her to set to and do that having driven 300 miles including the M25 and the notorious M6. My H gets agitated with change and can't cope with people in the house ,which Is of course, sad for me. He is getting more difficult and the latest thing is that he never stops talking!!
I try not to moan too much but sometimes it's a good thing.
Yesterday we went to the INR clinic, we were dropped off almost at the door but even a short walk is painful for me. The clinic had been late starting and was heaving with no empty chairs and I struggle to stand for even a few minutes,as soon as a seat became empty I took it and shortly after another one was empty, it was on the other side of the room. H said " will you take that one so I can sit here as it is an effort to go over there". It was very fortunate for him that the room was full.
Just a little example of what goes on daily in the AS household.

That was a heck of a long day Soop, you must have been kn, sorry, exhausted when you got home. I hope your friend is improving. That`s odd about the midges, we`ve been to Kintyre 3 times, each time for 2 weeks, always in July or August, and never saw a hint of the little beggars. Loch Lomond was a different kettle of fish altogether.
All my good wishes to all who are poorly, or who have poorly spouses, I hope you`re all feeling better soon.
3 of our grandchildren have had birthdays this week, we`ve sent cards containing money to all 3, aged 23, 16 and 8, so far the only thank you we`ve had is from the 8 year old.
N&G, that pool looks lovely, enjoy your R & R.
Tizliz, Anton looks a lot like our daughter`s dog Duke, who has been lucky enough to be painted by Soop.

Crafting I suspect that you and kitty are fitter than I am- fingers and toes are all that I can manage. I only hope that Lona gets a move on because there is a limit to my talents.

Tara crept indoors tonight when the children were indoors for a drink or whatever. She must have known that it is Friday and they stay out later. She hates most of them because they chase her if they see her and she is vulnerable getting in the cat flap.

I could wish that a certain new DGS lay down as much as Grace. He apparently will not settle in his Moses basket but has to be held/rocked until he nods off, they put him down oh so gently , the eyes snap open, the mouth too and he goes from 1-10 on the Richter scale in as many seconds.
Who'd be a new parent?

Aaargh! Dog less not doglegs

soop lovely to have you back. Glad your results are ok. What a long journey you had. Sorry to hear about your friend, worrying news to come home to.

charleygirl, how come you get away with just crossing your toes for Lona while kitty and I are tying ourselves up in knots .

kitty we too are doglegs now. I miss them. Here is one for you ?

So pleased your results were good soop, good to have you back. No four legged companions here. We are 'dog people' as DH has a cat allergy but decided dog-care was too complex now for our frequent absences Really miss not having a dog around, common sense is hanging on in there by a thread so enjoying seeing all the photos and hearing about the animal kitcheners. It's pouring here right now, my poor climbing rose will have no petals by the morning if this continues. DGD is camping with friends just a little way from here - oh dear, the forecast was for dry weather. Fingers crossed for sunshine for them tomorrow as well as lona's house sale. Looks like a hands-free time ahead .

It's a lovely warm evening and I've been out in the garden, filling yet more pots with petunias and pelargoniums. That has hardly made a dent in the trays waiting on the patio. I MUST NOT go near the garden centre tomorrow! However, when I have potted and bedded out all these annuals, my garden will be nothing if not colourful.

dustyangel

anno Your post made me chuckle out loud.

I'm making progress with the portraits. I've decided to steer clear of fiddling. A painting is not a photograph. Over-working a painting is not a good thing. I've learned this lesson the hard way.

Our cats have been fed. The midges are out in force. Rory brought an entire army of them indoors on his fur. My skin is itching and I am cursing out loud. Norty words.

The four-legged friends of our Kitcheners really are delightful. We are all so lucky to have the pleasure of the company of a much-loved animal in our lives. MacSporran...he who famously said...'he's not coming in...' said (just this morning)how glad he is to have Rory as a member of the family. If you could see the special cupboard containing special cat food...you would have to

I'm away to tidy the paint and brushes. After which, I shall read the newspaper.

I wish you all a peaceful and pleasant evening.

Charleygirl has a point a bout Grace always lying down.

I am overwhelmed with plants in pots. It's part of the problem I have with not wanting to dispose of viable plants. All the tiny little lily bulbs get planted to grow on instead of disposing of them.
Not to mention Allium purple sensation. They just keep producing new bulbs all the while.

soop, thank you for the sympathy, though I must admit that the chronic sinus thing isn't painful, but my nose is frequently blocked with... gunge, to put it politely. I don't think it's as bad as it was a few months ago and I am going to work on the consultant to try to avoid surgery at least for the time being.

Armed with a 15% off voucher, I went to the garden centre for canes for my sweet peas and came out with four more (even more!) petunias, a bag of birdseed and half a dozen eggs. Well, 15% is not to be sneezed at and I still have another voucher to use by Tuesday. So - what next?

Love to you too soop I'm glad that you've got today's travels out of the way.

I forgot to mention annsixty. I think that it would be a good idea to accept your daughter's kind offer. It will help you medically but even more important you would get the pleasure of her company and viceversa. As good as a tonic.

I think that you lot are positively brilliant in the ways that you all manage to give kindly advice to those who need it. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that makes you special.

Alea baby will get the very best treatment for his tongue-tied condition. I can understand that your concern for him may be responsible for the migraine-type headache. All will be well.

annsixty Your daughter has offered her support. Like others in the kitchen, I think that you would be wise to accept. Her company will help you over this present set-back. Gentle (((hugs)))

anno chronic sinus pain is horrible. I trust that something can be done (very soon) to relieve the build-up of pressure.Please keep us updated.

Bellanonna Thank goodness for the support that your husband has received on his latest admission to hospital. Never feel bad about sharing your worries. We are here for each other...through the good and not so good times. I wish him (and you) well.

The same message goes to Alea whose husband has very recently suffered from a serious infection. Grace looks in tip-top shape.

Tizliz Good news regarding your husband's melanoma.
You must feel very proud of your son's garden project.

harrigran be extra gentle with yourself. You have had major surgery. Your body needs plenty of rest and on-going TLC.

NanaandGrampy I love the soapy suds photo. You have adorable wee grandsons. Time for the pair of you to unwind. Enjoy the remainder of your holiday.

Lona there is nothing like an early birthday treat. Bring 'em on is my motto. We all deserve a few days of celebrations.

cornergran your post is indicative of a proper, good, kind and caring grandmother.

I really must return to the portraits. I am sending love to every one of you.

OK, stop with all the dog photos, now!

Our last dog (a fabulous miniature Schnauzer) died about 3 years ago and we are NOT having another one, so stop it immediately.

Soop so glad the results of your visit were so good and hopefully, you will be operated on soonest. What a horrid message to come home to.

Lona, exactly when do you think we will be able to uncross everything, it is quite difficult to manage Sainsbury's like this.

Isn't it great to have the day (and the house) to oneself Alea. I am usually gusranteed to get everyother Saturday afternoon alone during the football season. Unfortunately, the season has finished. Hope your DH is doing well.

It's lovely to be home and to see how the garden is doing and our cat, Kiwi, appears to have missed us and is being very affectionate. It won't last!

Oh Lona, be careful of your back!

as well for all those poorly or with spouses feeling poorly.

Alea I can read the pleasure you had in the rare day to do as you wanted. I hope you've enjoyed it.

What beautiful and intelligent looking animals you all have. Just like their owners I'm sure. I glad I can enjoy them vicariilously.