Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

I am so used to Tar being out for 12 hours without anything to eat (here) that I do not bat an eyelid. I do hope every evening that she will come home early because I like to know that she is safe.

I was expecting somebody from Dunelm Mill to come here tomorrow pm to measure up for new curtains in living room and new blind in the bathroom. Luckily I received an email because the expectation was that I visit the store- not my local, one miles away. No telephone number so I have sent an email to cancel. A tad difficult measuring from such a distance. I have a feeling that I will be looking elsewhere for curtains and blind.

Soop we are taking my brother to live in a dementia care home next week. A really hard decision especially on my dear SIL who has done her very best to carry on for so long. Unlike your friends DH I doubt my brother will be aware of what is going on but we are all worried about the thought of him feeling lost and alone.

alea do hope things are ok and you and your DH are back home again soon. Found these for you?. Closest thing I could get to knickers

Lona, fear not. I have still got everything crossed for your house move. I hope it all gets signed soon otherwise I may never be able to untangle myself . I know it's hard not to be anxious but we are all rooting for you and relax

(hugs) and

That's it...twenty minutes of ferocious leisurely pedalling and I'm all out of puff and glowing.

Good work, cornergran enjoy a little "you time". Well deserved.

NanaandGrampy We also thought of moving to a new park home site. That is until MacSporran mumbled...I think that would be the beginning of the end for me. So we didn't discuss the option thereafter.

number I missed all our Kitcheners it was so good to awake to find that the amber hub thingy light had ceased flashing. I do not have a tablet thigym'jig or a smart phone. This computer is passed it's best. However, when it works, I'm more than grateful to it.
MacSporran regularly re-homed stray mice when we lived in Cornwall. The farmer told him that the mouse would return if he was freed in the paddock. MacS took a mouse (in a shoebox) all the way to the Bodmin crossroads and let it free in a large field. Thirty minutes well spent. Don't even go there

Ironing duties tomorrow. I shall pop into our kitchen when I return home. I will hope to have a cup of freshly made coffee and a gargantuan thin slice of virtual calorie free lemon drizzle cake. In my dreams...

Welcome back Soop!
Alea, I hope you`re feeling a bit more upbeat today, and that your husband is improving.
I went outside earlier to look for Mia, she`d been out since first thing and hadn`t had anything to eat. I found her in the passage at the side of the house, watching a pretty little mouse that didn`t seem to realise she was there. So I donned my Wonderwoman cape, picked it up and took it round the front into the long grass on the river bank. A few minutes ago, I looked out of the window, and there was Mia, following ANOTHER mouse around the yard! I went and did my rescue bit again, it looed just like the other one, so maybe it had found it`s way back. I gave it a talking to before putting it in the grass, but I doubt it was listening!

Evening all!!

I know what you're saying Cornergran we love having our little ones but almost need a day to recover when they've gone. Our childcare is more sporadic than yours but I feel your pain (still wouldn't change a thing would we ? )

soop .... We missed you!! In light of your computer problems and flab Renaissance curves, maybe MacS could rig up some Heath Robinson contraption whereby your bike powers your computer ??

I'm so sorry to hear of your friends anguish and at a loss to make any comment that could even begin to help . So maybe just a hug will do?

We visited a new park home site today to see if it might be an option for us. It was truly beautiful and tranquil but we have decided not to be seduced by swish modern interiors . You couldn't really swing a cat ( don't worry Rory and Tara) in them. Very little storage and whilst we're happy to downsize it's a step too far for us.

So back to the drawing board!!

Having so much fun with the childcare it's not a chore, not a regular thing for us. Think the medal should be coming your way soop. Full of admiration for anyone who has the willpower for an exercise bike. You allowed some of lona's lemon drizzle now? Hope so or I might just snaffle it all. Have tidied, so made a beginning ready to clean, finally have a food plan, done the ironing and yet more laundry, a little weeding and am now sitting with a cuppa eyeing the lemon drizzle. ? Take care all.

Lona, you have a masterful way with words.

Keep going soop at our age we need a bit of flab toned flesh!

I've started using the exercise bike for a twenty minute spin each day. I could so easily rid myself of the bike but, if I do, I fear that I shall lose more muscle tone. Flabby, is what I am. Once upon a time I swam competitively. I hiked up mountains big hills, I walked everywhere with a skip and a hop. Not now. It's hard going to get to the bottom of the drive without my elbow crutch. Damn it! I do not want to be this way. End of rant. Thank you for allowing me to sound off.

Alea Any news?

dustyangel Our friend's husband is beginning to think that he cannot return home because his wife no longer loves him. She is devoted to him. She does everything in her power to demonstrate her love for him. He decided this morning to turn away from her and not engage in conversation. It was awful to witness her sadness.

Lona Clever move. That's what I call using your choc biscuits initiative.

We don't mind if we do, dear Lona. How thoughtful of you.

Don't laugh. I've just taken two large boxes of chocolate biscuits into the estate agents. They are so helpful and kind and a bit of 'oiling the wheels' doesn't go amiss does it?

and a big fat lemon drizzle cake to you all xx ??

soop I checked in this afternoon only to discover that I'd completely lost my answer to cornergran. My own fault, can't blame our internet this time but I do feel your frustration.
How kind of you to take/ go with your friend to visit her husband and how very, very sad for her.
I like the optimism of the notice on the door.

Sending best wishes to cornergran.The only little ones we are likely to be looking after are great grandchildren and that is not even remotely on the horizon yet. I appreciate the babies and small children that we are privileged to have visiting the kitchen but I'm enjoying my adult ones' company so much at the moment that I'm not feeling wistful about about little ones.

Lona, the photo of your future apartment looks perfect for you. My fingers are crossed that you will be in there soon.

Lona Good, strong, positive vibes are travelling between Kintyre and your home.

annsixty Your poor friend must be on her last legs what with all the hassle. Moving house is one of three most stressful events. I know the feeling well.

I accompanied my pal to visit her husband who has been a resident in the Care Home for eighteen months. He's suffered a series of strokes and can never return home. Sadly, he's taking out his frustrations on her. We motored home in near silence. She was crying. We must do everything in our power to remain optimistic. The sitting room was full to capacity. The majority of residents suffering with full-blown dementia. The notice on the door reads...A smile is the key that unlocks the door to everyone's heart...'

cornergran I had written a tribute to your childcare skills. It disappeared when the computer went awol. I was offering to send you a Tesco pretend gold medal, complete with red, white and blue ribbon. You deserve the accolade. Little children can run you ragged. We both remember losing track of time when looking after our youngest grandson. I barely, rarely had time for a pee. He would insist on accompanying me (and sitting on my lap)...all very awkward.

At last, after what seems an eternity (only it was nothing of the kind) I have access to the internet. Thank you, bags for passing on m message.

I had responded to every new posting over the weekend. Added three new photos...pressed ENTER and that was as far as I was able to go. The hub thingy was flashing amber. My language was a deep shade of purple.

Alea dear friend of ours, I'm dismayed to read that your husband has needed to return to hospital. What on earth is going on? He's been through a wicked time recently. You too. Please keep us updated. Try to relax when you're able. No worries about inside-out knickers...who cares...not us lot that's for sure.

Quick visit this morning. Long childcare day yesterday (a just moving about little one, an absolute joy but relentless), trying to catch up at home today, tomorow is preparation day for a friend to stay on Friday - sort of feel obliged to clean and she does seem to expect to eat so a visit to a supermrket when I have a plan Trying to be organised as Wednesday evening and Thursday will be childcare. Really pleased we can do it for them, such fun, sort of wonderful to be trusted. It is all lovely, but so very, very tiring. Hope your DH is being well cared for alea, my apologies, the head isn't remembering too much about others except soop has computer problems, aren't they just the pits when they decide to go on strike? Good wishes to all, sorry no cake to leave today. Onwards .

lona, hang on in there, the last few days always seem the most tense and uncomfortable. I wont advise you not to think about it as I know that's impossible, just do what you can to relax and some .

Lona

Thanks ann, I may know at the end of this week but I'm suffering with dreadful anxiety so I just want it to be over. Several years of upset about losing my house have taken their toll, together with all the other family upsets.
My friends and family keep telling me to be positive, but it's hard after so many knocks as you know.
Hey ho, it will be over sooner or later.

Lona I hope you are getting really excited now for your move.
I have posted about my friend/neighbour who is downsizing considerably. She has had an awful experience with a poor agent a very obstructive vendor and other things. She , like you was due to move on July 1st after 5 and a half months of hassle. She rang me last night to say she came in to a message that someone in the chain won't be ready, it will have to be the 8th. She goes to Spain on that day with her D and
GD and it will be another 3 weeks!! Her house is all packed up, she has been living out of boxes for weeks. I am keeping everything firmly crossed for you both that the heavens shine on you and it is all plain sailing from now on..
Thinking of Alea and her H that things are ok with them. I would be a wreck I must admit.

Hope things improve for your dh today Alea and that you've had some rest
Sun is shining at the moment, but I can't be bothered to move off the sofa.