Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and pets...

I agree, grey or yellow cars would not be my first choice. Jackson comes across as a well grounded well mannered young man and a credit to the family.

Did you approve of the school shoes?!!

I really feel for Grace, Sam and Anlon and any other dog on GN who is feeling the heat. Even walking Grace at 2am would have been a trial as the T did not appear to drop that much last night.

I think that Tara hides in long grass when it is so hot.

She loved the locksmith who came last night, sniffing him and every tool he laid down. He thought she was around 2 years old and was amazed when told she is nearly 12 years old.

Sorry to go back to this but a hot night meant more time to think and I have taken some "conflated" advice and sent a "cheerful" and upbeat email to one of the "friends" saying nice to see her, hope her mum making a good recovery, how I would have like to tell them all about gorgeous new DGS but it didn't seem the "appropriate" time, also about DGS and his being chosen by Royal Ballet for free lessons for a year, and what a shame I can't see as much of them because of DH's health etc etc etc but didn't want to cast "gloom" over the lunch. Blah, blah, blah.
She may never speak to me again if she feels guilty but you know what? Too bad!!

That's very positive DB I'm sure she'll take it as you intended. Don't get cross!

I sympathise with all the dogs trying to keep cool in this weather, must be awlful wearing a fur coat all the time. My two both have short coats and are walked very early and very late and we put a fan on so they get a cool breeze in the day. Dosn't seem to put them off their food though.

Google Chill Out for Dogs.

Daphne is this the friend with whom you meet up with a few times a week? I do hope so because with any luck she will feel (I hope) slightly embarrassed and guilty when she receives your upbeat email.

Did I miss previous communication about a DGS about to start free ballet lessons for a year or have you never mentioned it before? That is wow and fabulous. How old is he?

Grace would like it here because for some reason even in summer like now I am rarely too hot and frequently when indoors I need a cardie. She would appreciate the coolness and I could find a comfortable rug for her elderly joints.

No it is one of the ones I rarely see, charleygirl although I have known her for over 20 years, we shall see if I have burned my boats or not!
I don't know that I ever mentioned the ballet lessons but Royal Ballet Birmingham do an outreach thing each year I think round the primary schools, selecting a number for a workshop and then selecting again from that and he was one of the lucky ones chosen. I should add he has NO interest in ballet, but to SIL's disgust (a keen cricketer) wants to be a professional footballer(NO CHANCE) , despite rugby and cricket lessons in Moseley! He is just 6 so plenty of time. He is very musical with a good sense of rhythm and sings well, so that may have had something to do with it. I was very chuffed though as you can imagine.

He is very young and even if it comes to nothing- he will learn a lot especially as he has a good sense of rhythm now. You have every right to be a proud grandmother.

Message from soop that her "ompinter" (Minibags word when she was wee) is playing up but she'll try to log on again anon.

Thank you yet again, bags. We're now back on line. there has been a lot of cursing in the meantime.

A warm welcome to Linsco56 ...I'm about to attempt to catch up with happenings in the kitchen. I shall return very soon.

Right! you lot keep me on my toes. It takes an age to catch up. I hate to think that I may inadvertently miss something important.

DaphneB You have done the right thing. That email cannot be ignored (surely not) It deserves an immediate response. Good for you...your grandson's ballet success is yet another feather in his grandma's cap. Do tell us if you get a pleasant reply. You are a star.

NanaandGrampy Jackson really is a credit to his parents and grandparents. Good manners are a lesson well learnt. I love the comment regarding the colour of the new car. How about mink? Mink is such a subtle colour. If I ever get the chance to choose the colour of a new Mini Cooper convertible (I wish) I would like cream and black. Or, canary yellow. Or scarlet. MacSporran shrugs whenever I mention a Mini. Can't think why.

Charleyg It's a very pleasant temperature here in Kintyre. Nowhere near as hot as parts of England. There is a pleasant, gentle breeze coming off the sea.
Our neighbour who is in the dementia ward, isn't coming home. His close family are here to arrange for the house to go on the market. They have given us our friend's favourite bench, on which we've sat with him on many a sunny afternoon. A lovely keepsake of a special friend.

That's sad about your friend soop, but lovely to have such a personal reminder. I'm sure it will get much use

n&g, love Jacksons input on the car. Personally can't see what's wrong with yellow. Sunshine every day . Our younger son was equally clear about likes and dislikes, particularly concerning what his Mum wore for parents evenings. . The ballet achievement is huge, isnt it lovely when our grandchildren shine?

Good for you daphne, what is there to lose? Hope your message triggers a lot of thought in the recipient

Not sure if I dare say this, but I just love the hot weather, really lifts my spirits. Sorry all those who have been struggling, including the pets .

Dear harrigran, it is a good thing that monitoring bloods has flagged up a reason for caution. You've been through a very tough time. I hope that the scan on Thursday will prove to be to your advantage. It would be such a relief for you to be able to complete the final phase of your treatment. As for the phone call from your sister... In your shoes, I would have spluttered some naughty words and pleaded "insanity".

Anya Thank you for enlightening me. My sister's dog wears a bandana. I thought that it was a bib, such as babies wear.

cornergran Continue to enjoy the .

There is going to be a colourful sunset. I guess that means I shall be posting yet more images when I log on tomorrow.

The computer is back to normal. Thank goodness. I feel miserable when I cannot come into our virtual kitchen.

Cat feeding duties call. Both Rory and Bracken are waiting outside the door.

All of you, please take care of yourselves. I shall be thinking of harrigran tomorrow.

Well I got a reply and it seems it was all accidental, and no hard feelings. .

(redacted to remove names)
I'm sorry that we didn't get to hear about your good news yesterday, concerns over ageing parents did seem to rather take over didn't they! Great news about DGS! B** usually lets me know how DH is doing when i see her but obviously she has a lot on her plate too at the moment, it must be a real worry to you

You ok with that daphne? Sounds genuine to me but I wonder if it really has helped. Sort of bolting the stable door. I do hope you feel easier, just checking really.

Yes and no corner
After I'd sent it I thought perhaps I had overdone it and she would be saying to the others "what's got into her? Moody/self centred/depressed/what's her problem?"" but when I reread my email (also with the titles of 3 amazing books by Zoe Ferraris as we had been talking of somebody whose husband wanted to take a job in Dubai) I thought it didn't sound too critical.
However I had my say and No I won't accept any future lunch invitations - but then again, I probably won't be asked because I think I made my point.
Another time (which there won't be) I won't wait politely for someone to ask about DH or the DGC - they will get both barrels AND the Granny pics too

Good for you daphne, onwards now. Hope there are more sensitive friends around you. Keep those granny pics handy. .

Good Morning All.

What a hot night last night. And not in a good way .... Even with the fan on it was steamy. I love a bit of sunshine but do hate warm nights.

Hmmm the school shoes Charley ... well he wanted slip ons like his Daddy and as usual Mummy and Daddy caved and purchased them from M & S. I like Clarks for school shoes but they don't do that style for his size( for obvious reasons I think) . The shoes he did like there were expensive but I offered to pay. But Mummy and Daddy didn't want to spend that much of my money .

So he has shoes he loves and that I have a suspicion don't fit him well enough as he is 1/2 size and these did not come in half sizes neither were they properly fitted ...but I have kept my own counsel and we shall see

That sounds like the perfect email Daphne !!WOW ! Congratulations to your DGS - even if ballet is not in his future it will teach him flexibility and balance. And the response does seem genuine. I think you may be surprised and find that you will be invited again - we really are our own worst critics. Your email sounded very reasonable to me .

Stock up on the pictures ( by the way we haven't seen any lately either !!) !!

We skipped swimming for inviting the boys and their Mum over to test out the paddling pool in the garden yesterday. We had a lovely afternoon although I made the fatal mistake of getting in the pool to wash the bubble mixture off my hands and 2 small boys with 2 water pistols made sure I did NOT escape unscathed !!

We changed estate agents yesterday as we have had no viewings from the first guys and what happens..... they send us a family last night. Although it was very last minute and we had to rush round like crazy clearing up after an afternoon entertaining.

They seemed to like our home but I think most polite people make kind noises about your home when they are viewing but we shall see !!

Enjoy the sunshine today ladies...it wont stay long !

Yesterday evening I did a bad thing. DH dosnt know yet but I know it will be raised during the day, questions asked and opinions sought. I can only say it was a hot day, I had been very busy and had a headache. Probably no excuse. What I did was.............. I fell asleep during The Bake Off, one of DH's most favourite programmes. I remember some orange jelly in a fridge and the next thing was a cake with blue icing . I always get asked what I thought of the different items baked and who I think will win, I will either have to watch catch up on the sly or just hope I can fudge it. Next week a less comfortable chair will be needed.

I haven't been in any kitchen the last few days. OH's German cousins visited and you know how you say 'make yourself at home ' well they did and I was relegated to the back seat! Things appeared on the breakfast table I didn't know were in the fridge, the dishwasher was emptied and refilled before I could draw breath. Very nice for a few days but glad to be back in charge now.

Lots of washing to do but first we also have to go looking for a car as ours in not very well. We need one that will take 5 adults and two big dogs just like our current Volvo. We might have had another Volvo except they don't make the same one any more and we would have to buy from Arnold Shark Clark, and that really puts us off.

Weather was really hot yesterday but cooler now which is better for following OH round the dealers ?

Don't blame you falling asleep during Bake Off millymouge, next to Midsummer Murders it's the most boring programme ever!

ducks behind parapet to avoid fall out

Glad to hear that's all resolved then DB sounds like a genuine reply as corner said. Onwards and upwards, no hard feelings? Well done your GS. My GS1 has just passed his first trombone exam with a merit. As he has ASD we were worried he might go into meltdown....strange room in new town, new accompanist, the examiner...but apparently he just got on with it.

My old dog used to love to chase neighbours cats out of the garden. He wouldn't have known what to do if one had ever stood its ground so they were never in any danger. He's now pretty deaf and only has one eye, and that's got cataracts, and yesterday next doors cat simply sauntered across our back garden, tail in air, almost in front of him and he didn't even wake up. It's sad this getting old business.

Daphne I would put money on it that you are invited for lunch again and I have not been wrong since 1966. With luck your email hit home and your "friend" for want of a better word may have a private word with her other colleagues/friends. I do hope that it is all done and dusted. You know that us lot are interested and also like to see photos of Flynn and also Grace of course. I do not want her sulking if she has been left out.

NanaandGrampy I have never had children so do not have any GC but I have very set ideas about footwear especially for somebody so young. The last thing I would have bought Jackson was a pair of slip ons. He would be wearing lace ups if living with me. I would not spend a fortune on them because he will have grown out of them before you can blink.

In London I find that people are very rude about homes they are viewing. I keep my comments to myself. I will keep the fingers crossed.

Tara ambled home just before 10pm yesterday, having been out since before 7am. I skipped a shower and hair wash and had my ablutions this morning. It will be another roaster of a day today- at least I will not be in my car stuck in traffic with the perspiration rolling down my face and into my eyes. It is amazing what a lovely ice cream can do for one under such circumstances! Naturally I blame Daphne it was an ice cream I had never tried before and unfortunately I like it too much. I could easily have eaten all 3 but I restrained myself.