Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and well behaved pets.

Sleeping through films (and the theatre) has been my trademark for so many years ?When the DDs were little I used to do a swap with a friend so each of us could have an "afternoon off". I used my time to go to Morley College in South London to follow a fascinating course on the history of porcelain, given I think by Henry Sandon. There would be slides and almost the minute the lights dimmed, my chin would be on my chest although I must have still heard something.
I REALLY enjoyed those afternoons too!!

N&G are going to have major cricks in their necks if they are still in the car, fast asleep. They can watch the film in comfort when it eventually comes on TV in around 5 years time!

I hope that Sam was not left neglected for so long, I may check with the RSPCA just in case.

It is so dark here and not terribly warm. It appears to have been raining during the night. I am waiting for dear Amazon to deliver- I know they have their non tax paying problems but considering I did not order until around 9pm last night, I think the service is fabulous.

cornergran when C comes with luck you will have forgotten about the upheaval.

Daphne when I was a child and in my teens St. Andrews was our nearest decent sized town. My mother was glued to the Edinburgh woollen shops selling superb clothing very cheaply. Many walk along the sand perishing cold most of the time irrespective of time of day or season.

Lovely that Teddy's Mum and Dad can stay close by him kitty, hope he is stronger today. Best stop lurking in GN and get on with the day. Major focus on sorting out and we have to clean the inside of the new conservatory roof. Not fun but needs doing and then can move furniture in so worth it. Should be out the other side of the chaos by the end of the week. Take care all.

Glad you are having help, number, sorry we can't do anything practical.

Hope nandg isn't still at the drive in, gently snoring, having missed the film.

I've not heard anything about the baby overnight so I'm assuming all is ok. His mum and dad are both staying with him as they are in a room of their own.

I think I'm losing the chair battle but I've not given up!

Good to hear from you number. Been thinking about you and bella. Pleased you have family help, it's inevitably a hugely busy time and maybe a bit unreal, family is so important. Look after yourself.

Pleased to hear that you have lots of help numberplease. I cannot believe that it happened a week ago today. Thinking of you.

Bellasnana has has an exceptionally rough time the last couple of years. She was only just getting her life back together again.

I`m doing alright Kitty, lots to do and arrange, but the kids are really helping a lot, I couldn`t manage it all on my own. I hope that Bella is alright, she`s had a lot to cope with over the last couple of years.

That's a shame kitty, littlest grandchild had the same thing, infection seems to be the worry. He's in the best place. Can his Mum be with him? Hope he is stronger very soon. Good luck with the chair campaign, may the chairs prevail!

Option Ian = optician !!!

Sounds like a neonatal infection Kitty? Well done to the hospital,for spotting it. Flynn was in from Sunday night until Wednesday with a tiny cannula in his hand when he was born which was because of a possible chest infection. He was monitored daily and discharged when his blood tests were clear.
I am sure everything will be OK - better safe than sorry.

PS our option Ian us also indpendent but goes in for very good quality Nikon lenses so I am not questioning the expense! She is a fantastic optometrist, taking endless trouble, scans, optic nerve tomography (?) etc etc which for which I am grateful as I have a history of glaucoma in the family.

Wot - Boots will replace glasses if you are not happy.

Boots offer two for one, but if you don't want two pairs, they have another discount scheme that gives I think 20% off.

DB If you had photo-chromatic lenses they would be dearer. Mrs p had those last time which is why they came out around £500, but she does not like them as they don't really go dark enough in strong light, she will go back to normal lenses next time.

We both have eye tests at the same time every year, just hope we don't both need new ones in the same year.

I keep meaning to say that I hope number and Bella are doing OK. Difficult times for both of them.

I've just come in for a worry so I can be upbeat for my brother and sister in law as the baby has to stay in for another five days as his crp levels are high - I don't know what that means but it doesn't sound good and my brother keeps messaging me to witter so he doesn't witter to the family!! No photos I'm afraid - DN works with sex offenders.

My varifocals only cost about £250 with new lenses. I use an independent optician.

On the plus side, we've found the kitchen table we like in the sale at £300 off. I might be able to persuade Dh to buy the chairs too - but he's very resistant!!

Oh! Is that the name of the bread or the cake shop?? Forfars.

Forfars....poshest bakery in Brighton/Hove back in the day.

Has anyone else found that new specs feel very uncomfortable 're the lenses? After spending a lot of money, (£160) I went back to my old specs.

Re the specs, soop, not particularly "designer". The frames were £150 but the expense is in the varifocal lenss. I did get a free upgrade to photonwhatsit (changing in sunlight) lenses however so that will be the end of any around here.

That reminds me of my favourite lunchtime fare in the Students Union at St Andrews - "Curried Bridie , Beans and Chips"
Same in your day annodomini mcem and others?
(Grace is doing well,these days, thanks Charleygirl - paws crossed!! )

number you will never find a Forfar bridie "down here" but what is delicious is a bridie sold by M&S with 100% steak in it. I went to my local Simply Food store last week but could not find any- I am hoping that it is a temporary blip. I buy one occasionally for a quick lunch.

OMG Daphne I spent around £350 a short while ago but I ended up with 3 pairs of glasses- one pair for every day use, one spare pair and one pair for reading.

Young Flynn is certainly getting around and definitely enjoying it all. Thank you, I needed my "Flynn" fix.

Is Grace okay?

Just caught up with the bread names. I grew up on the edge of London and my Mum and grandparents often offered buppy-jam and the nobby from the end of the loaf. Had forgotten about it. All nostalgic now! My ma-in-law often talked about using the village bakery for things too large for her oven, including the Christmas turkey.

Pleased Teddy is improving Kitty. His Mum must be very sore.

n&g hope you've managed a nap and will be energised for your drive in movie. Never been to one so looking forward to hearing what I've missed.

Goodness, daphne those glasses should be gold plated! Fortunately not due an eye test in the immediate future, do have fhe dentist in a couple of weeks, the potential cost always worries me more than the process, and I truly don't enjoy the process. Flynn is a well travelled young man, he looks to be enjoying the splendour.

Also plan feet up in front of Strictly this evening. Still in post build mess, little progress this week as other priorities but have had a good go today and the feet and spine could do with a break there is some chocolate with my name on it too!

Enjoy your evening everyone.

When holidaying in Scotland, we tried, and loved, Forfar Bridies, but can I get them down here? No such luck!
Great news about little Theodore Kitty.

That's a bit steep for new specs, DaphneB...are they so called designer specs?
Flynn looks very happy to be Eurostar-ing. I would love to travel on that train.

Wobbly We also watch Midsomer...and we also haven't a clue as to who did what to whom and, more importantly, why. I laughed aloud when I read your post.

I now need to say a fond farewell until tomorrow. It hasn't been such a bad day. The sky is clearing. there is a hint of pink.

Peaceful evening to all.

oops, perhaps I need new glasses, that was £600 not £800

My primary problem is astigmatism, which is why I don't need to have thin lenses.

DB, I would get alternative quotes, £800 sounds extreme.

Mrs P has thin Zeiss plastic lenses (Zeiss are far from entry level) and with frames from Boots they are usually around £400-500 depending on frame.
I also have Zeiss glass varifocal, but not thin as I don't need them, they also come out at around £400

We tend to go for frames in the £100-£150 range as we usually have to upgrade every 2-4 years and the cheaper frames last that long.

There are discount options with Boots that are not well advertised, you need to ask.

Back from the optometrist and after getting away with the same glasses for the last 4 years, I suppose I should not be surprised I needed an update. Even getting the "entry level" varifocals (with thin lenses as one eye is VERY shortsighted, plus I have astigmatism, ) they are setting me back over £600. They'd better do me another 4 years at that price!
No chance of replacing the fridge then, which has been playing up recently.
Ah well!
Just heard that Flynn plus his mummy and daddy have popped over to Paris where DD's parents in law have a tiny flat near the Gare du Nord (ideal for Eurostar!)
Here he is in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles . My life, being much more prosaic will feature an evening in front of the TV
(Wondering if Strictly will have any contestants LEFT tonight at the present rate.)