Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and pets...

Back again. Jobs done. annsixty It was around the same time that my messages refused to budge. I clicked on send that many times I was dreading returning to see my response repeated over and over and over...

Tegan You are faced with a dilemma. For the last few days we've been trying to comfort our friend. Her Labrador was 14 and we all knew that she was failing fast. However, the evening when the vet visited our friend's home and said..."she's had enough" came like a thunder bolt out of the blue.
There is no right or wrong decision. You love your dog and only you can decide what is best for her. Should the lump be another cyst, she'll recover. If not, she will deteriorate. If I were in your shoes, I would have the growth tested. Doesn't help you, I know. You will do the right thing. That is what counts.

I have to decide what to do about my dog. She has had several lumps removed over the years, one of them being cancerous. We said no more operations [she's 9]. But another lump is growing near to where the cancerous one was removed. An aspiration might show what it is; I'm tempted to just tell the vet to take it out with a wide margin but do no tests which would push the price of the op up considerably. She hates going to the vets these days but it's reached the stage where we no longer go away on holiday for fear that something will happen to her when we're away, and I'm desperate for some sun. The last operation [turned out to be a cyst] really knocked her about.

Try also - flipping keyboard.......

Aso had a problem about then, blamed our internet connection, but maybe not!

I couldn't log on earlier, about 2:30pm.

Sorry soop but mine appears to be okay.

Right! has anyone else had a problem with messaging on GN today? It really is a buggeration to see a full response disappear into the ether. I have a few jobs to do (was ironing all morning) and I shall return in an hour or so to catch up. Please don't tell me that our computer is on the blink. I would not be amused.

I have lost a long message (not for the first time) and I'm miffed. If this doesn't update, I shall be even miffier.

cornergran I quite agree, older, female and worst of the lot, living on my own. Put that lot together and the men/companies appear to think no intelligence- wrong.

Hopefully the building work will not take too long and life will return to normal.

Bellasanana what a delightful little dog- I hope he will be your faithful companion for many years. He has fallen on all 4 paws and will have a very happy home.

Your DGD is not frightened of dogs which is lovely to see but they are well mannered and well trained.

Really missing our last area Charleygirl, had built good relationships with all sorts of suppliers and trades, it was so easy. Now it's very hit and miss. I do think sometimes older people are treated differently as are women, put the two together and no hope. Infuriating. Hope you get more progress and less hassle very soon.

We've got blessedly dry weather and the builders are racing ahead. Can't escape the noise which is getting tedious and don't mention dust, but so pleased they are here.

Anyone else feel awkward when work is happening around them? There is so little I can actually do. The garden is a building site, can't open the windows because of the dust which is stillfinding its way in so cleaning is just silly, there's a constant sense of being watched which makes it hard to concentrate on anything needing thought. Mr C is so good at ignoring it. Just waiting for the sun to get to the front garden seat and I'm off with a book and sunglasses. Either that or I will be forced to go to the shops

Take care all.

Another miserable day but at least it is not cold.

I have sorted out a date for the plumber- I have treated myself to a new kitchen mixer tap.

I am waiting for more excuses later today from the double glazing company. The problem with the company is that they do a lot of hiring and firing and I appear to be in the middle at present.

I need or should I say want a new TV in my bedroom and decided to go to a father and son shop but again I have been let down. Admittedly the TV coming last Saturday developed a fault so was not delivered, I went to the shop on Monday and the fellow was to ring me pm re progress but zilch.

I have a very large C****s store close to me which I do not like but I know that I will have a better choice there. If nothing happens by the end of this week I will go there instead.

I am trying to give custom to small outfits but it is not working- I feel that I am being taken advantage of and I do not like it.

Tara graciously came home yesterday at 10pm having been out since 7.30am. Where does she go?

I am a very happy bunny today.

ps Bellasnana - what lovely photo of your DGD, she looks really at ease with those dogs.

Carpets - that's one of the things I'm so glad to be without here. They're so expensive and cost so much to maintain. We haven't even got floor mats, all floors tiled, or wood upstairs.
On the other hand, the hot weather is very draining. We haven't had any rain for about a month and the heatwave is predicted to continue for at least another week.
I go out for a walk with our collie near sunset, 8.30ish.Impossible to do any gardening (thank G-d!)

anno steer clear of the bonfire.

anno Lots of info on Google regarding aphomia - voice loss. One thing leapt out from the list of possible triggers: exposure to smoke.

anno Does the brush have a name? I may treat myself to one.
I do not like the fact that you lost your voice. I wonder why. I shall do a Google.

soop, I do the stairs with a rubber brush and it picks up all the dust efficiently, I brush it all down to the bottom and vacuum it up. There's still smoke drifting across and I shall have to put some of the laundry in the drier which I hate doing when it's been a good drying day. I was puzzled to lose my voice momentarily in M&S today. I was picking up some trousers I had ordered on line and, telling the man at the counter my name, my voice just disappeared! Luckily it reappeared in the nightwear section.

Bellasnana Your photos are lovely. Your new companion is one lucky hound dog. He couldn't have found a more caring owner. He will be a blessing. Your wee Bella looks very much in charge with the family dogs. It's a super image. I know how much you love her. When she returns, the maisonette will be very much more to your liking. A new chapter will begin. I send you love and for the future.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201609/medium-929162-image.jpeg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201609/medium-67111-image.jpeg%3C/span%3E

Hello kitcheners. How I sympathise with those of you let down by tradesmen etc. Same story here. My tiny little maisonette is still not ready after six months. Very frustrating.

On a brighter note, my little dog, a Sicilian stray, has now been with me a week and he is a joy. Such a sweet companion and learning very quickly too. Pictured in his kennel.

DGD is still in the USA where she has been back at school since the beginning of August. She returns to Malta soon and will have a couple of weeks before she goes into Grade 1 at school here.
I'm adding a photo of her out walking with her daddy's dogs. She has been very busy all summer, but is looking forward to coming back.

Brilliant a player as Djokovic may be I can't forgive his 'gamesmanship' ploys which he doesn't actually need anyway. C'mon Andy! Get to the final..and win...

I'm away to go over the bedroom carpet with a stiff brush. I have a vacuum cleaner but it is as useful as a f* in a colander. On my hands and knees...brush, brush, brush. Getting upright is the tricky bit.

Back again with my 4 o'clock

Tegan and Charleyg Andy stands a very good chance however we all know too well that there is bound to be a dramatic quarter final. He has the knack of keeping his fans on the edge of their seats. I would so love him to win the tournament.

Yes he did, racing through it. I think that as usual he is the last Brit standing. I have forgotten who he will be meeting in the quarter final.

Did Andy win last night by the way? I was listening to it on the radio but nodded off. I quite like listening to tennis on the radio; it works better in that medium [sp]than dressage anyway....

Well now...whenever we open the next extension, it will be Soop's friendly kitcheners, grandchildren and pets. Thank you for the suggestion, Tizliz

anno Bonfire smoke and laundry do not marry well. Thing is, long after the fire is out, the pong lingers.

Charleyg Buggerations from dawn 'til dusk. I feel for you. Patience is a virtue. You need a bucket full of the stuff. Here is a friendly for you.

Tixliz Geoffrey obviously knows the importance of the personal touch. As for recorded messages...I tell the recorded message to "bog off"...only no one seems to care.

NanaandGrampy and Lona thank you for sharing such precious photographs with us lot. The children look very smart and proud to be taking the first important step into the big, wide world. I remember that Torben wanted to sleep in his uniform. Schools have come a long way since I was five years old. Very strict...no talking...playing outside in all weather...(and a tap with the ruler over the palm of the hand when rules were broken).

DaphneB It appears that your daughter and Flynn have moved the powers that be to make a proper apology for the huge let down. You can relax. All is well.

I was not looking forward to accompanying my friend who has had her 14 year old dog put to sleep, to visit in the care home. I do love her. It's just that she is fiercely independent and any suggestions I make to have coffee or visit us at home will be declined. She has been crying. Her eyes are very swollen. Her husband was in bed at the care home. He too had been crying. However, on the drive home, she said that she needs to "sort herself out"...she will accept my offer in due course. I respect her decision.

There is one lady in the care home who has suffered a major stroke. Yet, she is great fun to be with. She's amused by everthing I say, no matter how serious the topic. I was perched on a low stool and couldn't get on to my feet. M who is 95 offered to help me. I thought that I might have to call for assistance. K was chuckling. She set the other ladies off. In a strange way, I came away uplifted. Laughter is infectious.