Soop's special kitchen for like-minded folk and treasured pets

Christmas presents ???
Is it too late to introduce our family custom from time immemorial (well about 5 years ago)
Children get presents.
Grown ups take part in a Secret Santa, not with charity shop presents or jokey things as those would go straight back to the charity shop but with a figure of around £50 as a guideline or alternatively home made e.g.sloe gin.
One person draws the names at random (there are computer progs to do this) and everybody automatically receives an email to say who they are buying for.
You can restrict options, e.g partners do not buy for each other and you do not buy for the person you bought for last year.
It is a joy to go looking for something really nice and special for the person concerned but not ruinous e,g. Very superior chocolate truffles, superior smellies, an activity such as indoor sky diving , unusual booze, or my secret Santa present last year which was a bouquet of flowers every month from Bloom and Wild. I gave sis in law a hamper with different sorts of Devon honey, plus honey mustard, honey chutney, honey marmalade etc
It started because 2 DDs and husbands/partners were in the throes of house buying that year and money was tight. Now that the AC can all afford more than we can it is ideal as you are only buying one adult pressie.

You lot never take sufficient time off for me to leisurely mooch over your messages. I'm way behind and I haven't managed to do oot aboot the hoos either. It's been one of those crazy afternoons. However, there are a number of Granspals who have taken the time to respond to those of us who need sound advice. You never fail to those of us who are feeling a tad iffy and out of sorts.

Tomorrow is a free day for me. Well, it will be, once I've dealt with all the stuff I've neglected to tackle today.

The scene outside the window is tranquil. Barely a ripple on the sea. No wind whatsoever.

I thought you might like to know that I had a dream in which dear Rory was emerging from his chalet. It seemed so real that when I awoke, I was smiling. Dear boy!

Good to hear that you have an early X-ray appointment Soop, good wishes for Friday xx
Kitty, the trouble is, Lynne would create summat rotten at the idea of someone coming in to "do" for her.
At last, a meet up is being arranged that I can get to! The Lincolnshire meet up at Grantham is looking promising!
That lardy cake sounds good, it`s making my mouth water.

cornergran Need a sit down to get over the shock at the cost if the heavy hints from the older two I'm glad I was sitting down when DDiL gave a heavy-handed hint the other day that they'd like a new king-size feather duvet Will have to remind them I was still working when I bought their current one (and that wasn't cheap), and am now reliant on my pension. Don't want to ask why they need a new one as mine is older and still perfectly good ...

Indeed they are mad kitty. I've been muttering about the need to be young to sustain the energy needed since the first arrived 11 years ago. .

Good news about the x-ray soop. I'm in awe of the speed.

I'm sure Mr G will be retrieving at least some of those toys very soon greyduster. I tried to despatch some recently and there was nearly a riot

Currently having a sit down in a shopping mall cafe while Mr C queues for sustenance. We decided to go some pre Christmas gift research. Need a sit down to get over the shock at the cost if the heavy hints from the older two. Time to ignore the hints methinks

Take care all.

I'm assuming that all cake is GF so I'll have a slice (or two) of anything going.

I hope you get your parcel sent ok Galen. I just lie through my teeth about what's in a parcel especially if I am using the PO in the next village which is run by the most odious man. I always have a complete sense of satisfaction if I get one over on him. He used to run and own the one in our village and was always lecturing and nosing, unnecessarily, about what was in a parcel. Then the lease ran out and the local papershop won the franchise. They were lovely but cleared off with the takings

Callgirl, SS would have to provide help for your daughter if you were 'off your feet' for any length of time. Having said that, I would do anything to avoid an op!

Sounds like a good lunch and satisfactory day all round corner.

I'd like a seat on the chara as I haven't been on one for years and years and I love looking at houses. I have a serious Rightmove habit but when I show DH houses that I quite like he ignores me. Do other DH's panic if one says 'Oh look at this coat/dress/car/house - isn't it lovely' and think that it is going to cost money so become very negative? Drives me crackers.

Elegran could be right Ann. It's advice we give on Carer's courses. If all else fails get the GP to issue an 'order' - it quite often works.

Glad you've got a GP appointment soop to get a bit of help for some of your problems hopefully. I'm not surprised that you are down in the dumps with all the problems in your nether regions. I get cheesed off if I have a UTI never mind all the other aggro you have going on.

I'm sorry if I've missed anyone but I have a good excuse. We had Bertie and Persie for two days and Seb for one of them. My mother used to tell me that she knew why you had your children when you were young. Being young at the time, I had no idea what she meant. Being almost 69, I do now! And some women pay good money to have their first baby at this ages - are they mad!

If you see him again, Maw, hold him hostage until I can collect him.

TILL not “HILL”

I nearly kidnapped a man today while I was having coffee with 2 friends at our local nursery.
Why? He was paying at the hill and I could see he was wearing a T shirt which said “Ovenclean” across the back!
I’d have let him go eventually but only after he’d cleaned the ovens AND the hob too!

Hello the kitchen! What a splendid recital that sounds, Soop, and I hope when you and your female compatriots have finished with the young man, he still has the energy to hit the top notes!
We spent yesterday afternoon having a clear out of the two smaller bedrooms, and DH put a lot of GS’s things in the loft - crates of Playmobil, Lego Duplo, his Action Men, and various other stuff - as he has largely outgrown them now. It was very sad really; even though we haven’t thrown them out, I did like to see them there. I am waiting for the wails of disappointment, though, when he comes over next and finds them gone. No doubt grandad will be despatched into the loft to bring them all back down again!

Now if you’d said lemon drizzle cake! ???????

Home from ironing duties. Appointment for X-ray on Friday. I could have had an appointment tomorrow had I wanted it. That's what I call service.

I have yet to play catch up. Nothing new there then. Before I do...

oldgoat has not only made but sent us two wedges of lardy cake that arrived in this morning's post. By George, it was delicio. We've scoffed the lot. Thank you dear oldgoat You are a wonderful cook (she says smarmily as she hopes that other samples may be forthcoming)

Last night we were treated to a superb performance given by four young opera singers and their pianist/musical director in Campbeltown. About 300 people attended. It was an evening that I shall remember for the talent, energy and fun. Anyone who lives in Scotland may wish to attend other recitals as the company is on tour. The baritone, Alexy Gusev was dishy in the extreme. I and three other females are to hunt him down, kidnap and share him in the nicest possible way...Go to The Friends of Scottish Opera Highlights on line. Wow!

Back a little later.

Galen maybe tell them that the value is £30 and they will be none the wiser. I have never had that problem and I have never been asked what the contents were.

Insure it?

Thanks. Wouldn’t look for loss. But I can get diamond bracelets by post costing more, so what the h—ll is the problem?

I've had a look at the RM website and it seems compensation for loss is linked to the value of the parcel and both plus the size of the parcel impact the cost of posting. It looks more complicated than my brain can cope with this time of night. I suspect all would be well at a different post office. Hope you can get it to your Aunt.

What’s the problem with more than £35?

I regularly send parcels of books to friends, and they always ask what`s inside, and is it worth more than £35?
CharleyG, I`m trying my best to avoid another op, because I can`t go in hospital for about a week, then get told to stay off it and do nothing for 4 weeks, like last time, my daughter can`t manage on her own for a week, and there`s nobody else to do things, so I can`t spend 4 weeks with my feet up.
Corner, yes, it did hurt, but not for long, it was the shock of it really.

No idea. Going to try a different PO on Friday. Our local one is notorious for being difficult

That sounds to have been a lovely time out with your friend corner. You appear to be good with paperwork- I do not understand the meaning of the word filing, that is part of my problem. Maybe a fortnight's "holiday" in London?

Rubbish is a major problem here since the local dump was closed a few years ago. The remaining one is much further away and so busy. Anyway why put oneself out when one can dump rubbish in somebody's garden. I think that the car reversed into a visitors car park space, the boot was opened and everything just dumped on to my lawn.

The council will remove rubbish but at a cost. It would be cheaper I think in the long run if they picked up eg for free every 3-4 months but given notice. It may stop the mattresses and sofas dumped in streets. I live next door to a very up market area but one would not think so. My bins are now full with somebody else's rubbish and I have enough of my own. It could have been worse, it could have been discarded furniture.

The fireworks have started -I forgot it was Diwali. They have not gone on so long for the last couple of years, I was hoping that financial restraints had something to do with it.

Galen I have never heard of that before- what on earth is the solution?

Please can I have a seat on the Norfolk charabanc with the facility? Would hate to be embarrassing . You'll be fine n&g, soon be there, those last days are always fraught but everything comes together and before you know it you will be sorted.

You sound to be recovering well aggie, take care, don't overdo things

That session with the nurse must have seemed odd, ann. I wonder though if your status of carer means your health was to be checked as well? It's a good thought to check out the potential for non-uniformed visitors. It worked with our neighbour and you never know it might with your husband if they are just introduced as a friend.

Sorry galen can't help with your posting conundrum, I've been asked before in terms of value of the item for compensation but never been refused in that way. Worth an email to Royal Mail?

Had a lovely lunch today, thank you for asking, greyd and soop. Three and a quarter hours, all talked out now .

The care home visit sounds a good one soop, the laughter therapeutic for everyone. I see there's no need for further nagging about your knee. Definitely time to take it to visit the doctor. I've been offered some useful physio for mine with future potential for acupuncture and cortisone injection. I find ice good for reducing the swelling, if not so good for hypothermia . There is a family saying - old age is not for wimps. Hope something helpful can be offered.

Blimey, callgirl, what have you done to that wheelie bin to make it fight back? Hope no serious damage to your forehead, must have hurt

That rubbish is a major pain charley, I just don't understand why anyone would do that. Then what do I know?

Good day today, I had a reasonable nights sleep, survived a hair cut, got some paperwork out of the way, had a good natter and then an hour or so out with Mr C. No complaints.

Take care everyone.

Glad you are going to the doctor about your knee soop. Perhaps you could ask about a cortisone injection. The rheumatologist is going to give me one in each knee when she has aspirated the fluid! Stairs are a buggeration at the moment.

Can you believe it. Kate took a small parcel to the post office to send to my Aunt. It contains a bottle of Chanel perfume.
They have refused to take it as they don’t know what’s in it.
She told them it was probably perfume and they asked what sort? She said probably Chanel, they then said that it was probably £60 or so and therefore they couldn’t accept it!
Has anyone heard of this before?

soop please visit your GP so that you can get your knee xrayed and find out the extent of the osteoarthritis. It is graded 1-4 with 4 being the worst- bone on bone.

callgirl nagbag is here for you- you also need a trip to your GP because you are not making surgery any easier if you keep postponing it. Lecture over for today.

Good luck with the move N&G, when the charabanc turns up Norfolk will think it`s been knocked into the middle of next week, when all the ladies(?) disembark!
Soop, your visit to the care home sounds like a happy one. Sorry to hear about your knee, but you`re more sensible than me, so I`m sure you`ll see the doctor. My left knee has been playing up for a while, but I know it needs replacing, but am trying to avoid another op if I can.
Last night I was a victim of the stormy wind. I was taking the wheelie bin out ready for emptying, when a sudden gust whipped the lid up and it whacked me right in the middle of my forehead, HARD!