Soop's welcoming kitchen...

mañana for the Christmas cards.

I must!

That was quite a day, gq, lovely sky at the end though. We drove home looking at the setting sun yesterday. Beautiful though it was it did get in the eyes .

Oh dear kitty, man shingles is likely to be very tough on you both. Wishing it a speedy departure and lots of patience for you. Sounds as if the place of lost posts is alive and well.

A celebration of a life well lived and a celebratory cake from a new neighbour, soop, quite a day for you too.

I guess listening is one of the things Mums are for greyd, but I totally agree, it can take its toll. I’ve done a lot of muttering along the lines of ‘it was easier when you were two’ lately. Then I think they will be in my place one day and will understand, I just hope they don’t worry they were a burden. As we all would I prefer them to talk rather than not.

It’s been an odd day here. Lots of faffing without a clear outcome. The main achievement is to have written 80% of the cards. I have now decided I deserve a large glass of chilled white. Before I go off to get it sending love to mawb and hugs for anyone who needs them

I think I know what you're talking about annsixty and thought that what you said was just fine.

No you don’t need it, Ann and probably didn’t deserve either, sometimes it just feels like we “can’t do right for doing wrong”!
Sit by the fire fir a bit and enjoy the warmth of the kitchen.
Thank you Bella, something I’ve strayed into gradually over the last few years I do enjoy it increasingly, I’m glad others do too.

gq. What an amazing picture. Is photography a special hobby of yours? Those colours are beautiful.

I am a little frazzled as I made a huge error of judgement yesterday and posted without thinking properly.
I instantly apologised and ate humble pie.
Someone has just posted criticising me after not reading the thread. I have now been told that it is ok to NOT read the thread before posting.
I think I will just retire gracefully, I really don't need this.

kitty that makes complete sense, I have the same strategy and sadly often have the same disappearing post thing too! Oh dear I hope the man shingles situation eases up, there’s nothing like a not very poorly man who is
milking it suffering to bring Christmas cheer! What a treat to have some catch up time with you dd, it’s the loveliest gift of all - their precious time.
There’s something very special about a funeral that celebrates a life well lived. It sounds like your friend’s one was like that soop, but still with a sad edge too. But isn’t it lovely that as you lose an old friend that a new neighbour shows such kindness.
I’m so glad your friend has stepped up maw after the disappointment you were feeling earlier this week. Thinking of you as you prepare to say that last goodbye to your much loved man. It sounds like your plans have been carefully made and you’re as happy as you can be with it all. But still I guess a big bit of you just wishes that it was not so. I hope you feel the love and support of family and friends.
greyduster it’s lovely when they feel able to confide and a huge compliment but oh the angst it gives us when there’s nothing we can do to fix it for them. It was so much easier when they they were little and we could fix most things!
Well I’ve survived advent Messy Church, where, amongst many other activities, over 40 youngsters got in a sticky mess decorated the star biscuits I slaved over yesterday. Fortunate I didn’t need to use the “emergency biscuits “ i.e the ones that went horribly wrong (they taste fine but look dreadful!) Note to self, always remember the difference between the boxes with the plain and sr flour!
It’s supermarket pizza for tea, we know how to live it up, and there may need to be a or two as well.
Yesterday, between baking, wrapping Christmas presents and sorting out our newly decorated bedroom I was feeling a bit frazzled. I looked out the kitchen window and the beautiful sky just lifted my spirits and set me back on track and of course all the jobs got done in the end. Wishing you a peaceful evening and hugs for all who feel frayed around the edges for whatever reason. x

Unfortunately I think that 'man shingles' lasts for quite a long time, but hope he is better in time to enjoy Christmas (although he may need waiting on

Sorry soop I couldn't wait, I have started without you cheers! I had a busy afternoon sewing and giving an occasional glance towards the boxes of Christmas cards, lying unwritten.
ps I could offer the Elizabeth Shaw mint crisp thingy part of the menu.

Greyduster ours is not that effective either but I did say at the time that wood is not a conductor of heat but none of the men would listen to me. I do remember some of my physics even if they did not. However, it does take the chill off the conservatory, is lovely underfoot, and, backed up with a heater, can get quite toasty in there.

What a lovely gesture indeed soop. Wouldn’t happen in a million years round here.
Kitty I hope DH gets better soon, for your sake!

kitty for you . Even a mild case of shingles is very unpleasant. I'm hoping that Mr kitty recovers in time for the festivities.

We've had a surprise visit from the lady who is to be our new neighbour. She has made a beautiful Christmas cake for us, complete with trimmings and gift wrapped. What a lovely gesture.

Away to take the washing out of the machine. It will be G&T time in forty minutes. Wishing one and all a very peaceful Saturday evening.

Until I return tomorrow - and hugs for those Soopers who need comforting.

Right, I'm cross! It's my usual practice to start to read this thread from my last post - see, logical - well it is to me!!

Well, my last post wasn't there!!

Anyhow - Maw, I'm glad your friend is now coming to the funeral. And, things do seem to be slipping into place. I think you will give Paw a superb send off, filled with love. And, you will be in all our thoughts!

It sounds as though the funeral you attended was a 'good' one too soop.

GD, your daughter will have been glad to talk to her mum but I hope you are not now worried too much.

I went out for lunch yesterday with DD1 and had a really good catch up. Although I look after her children once a week after school, I rarely see her and don't have chance to catch up if I do see her. We had a lovely lunch, with gf paninis and triple cooked chips which came in a watering can. and I managed to buy yet more baubles for the new white tree I bought.

It was out village lights switch on today and I bought some new lights to go with the new tree and new baubles.

I felt the need to treat myself as DH appears to have man-shingles as opposed to the variety a woman would have!!! He saw the GP yesterday who confirmed shingles as we thought and he was given antivirals. The GP assured Dh that the attack would be mild as he has had the jab but DH is making the most of it!!!

I must go now and make Dh another - back later if nursing duties allow!!

Galen Okey dokey - the Golden Lion it is for me.

Greyduster Sometimes lending a sympathetic ear (or a gentle hug) is all we can offer when sensitive/delicate family issues arise.

We've been to the church service for the 98 year old lady who died earlier in the week. Many local people attended to pay their respects. The lady concerned was spirited and enjoyed a fulsome life. She died peacefully, in her own home. Yet one more familiar face that we shall not see again.

All this talk about food is making me hungry!
I am having a ‘nothing to do’ day today. DD rang up earlier and asked if GS could stay with us overnight as they have an early start for their running club’s annual ‘Percy Pud’ race tomorrow morning. SiL is running, and DD is stewarding. It’s a big event. Numbers are limited to two thousand runners and it is always sold out ahead of time. She also used our phone conversation to get a lot of moans and groans off her chest. Well, that is what I am here for I suppose and if it helps.... but I did feel somewhat like the sin eaters of old, as I now feel as if I am carrying the burden of what is weighing her down! And there is b****r all I can do about any of it anymore than she can. C’est la vie!
We decided to put the underfloor heating on in the conservatory today. We’ve only used it once before and it has not proved to be very effective. It did warm up, but it took ages and I have visions of it running away with the electricity, so it may have to be reserved for high days and holidays! Added to which, I have a lovely big rug in there which we have had to take up as there’s no point in heating the floor and trapping the heat under a rug!
I am supposed to be writing Christmas cards this afternoon, so i suppose I had better go and get on with it. I will look in later.

soop in Queens Grill they say you can have anything you like. There is Dover sole on the à la carte menu and the Golden Lion does excellent fish and chips. It’s a pub type restaurant on board that specialises in ‘ pub grub’ they do pie and chips and bangers and mash as well!

Galen Yay! To think that I've sailed on the same boat as you. I feel mighty chuffed about that. All my family were terribly seasick on that occasion.
Right...here is the dinner menu I would really, really like.
Starter...cream of tomato soup with a freshly baked granary roll. Main...fish, chips and mushy peas. Pud...rice pudding with sultanas. Ooh...and an Elizabeth Shaw dark choc mint thingy. Do you suppose the kitchen could cope with that?

Jalima seprat together...now that's a tall order for the likes of a dippy Nana.

Maw I am also delighted that your friends will be there to support you and your family on Monday.

humptydumpty (((hugs)))

I will be thinking of you on Monday, Maw. Sounds like it will truly be, as Nellie commented, a celebration of a good life led well.

Sounds like the arrangements are just as they should be. Well done!

Maw That sounds a very good thing to do at a funeral.
I went to the funeral of one of OHs (many) aunts. about two years ago.
The cousins (my sister in law was one,) had arranged to take photos and some old films on video etc . It really worked well at the wake .

As well as the sadness they had lots of good memories to share and there was much kind laughter and stories of the aunt and what she was really like. It certainly became a "celebration" of a good life.

I hope Monday goes as well as such things can.

My granddaughter made a board of photos of David through his life, it`s still upstairs, it feels as if it would be sacrilege to get rid of it.
All my best wishes go to you MawB for Monday, it sounds as if Paw is getting the wonderful send off he deserves.

maw, despite the sad occasion it does sound as though things are coming together and Paw will have a wonderful send-off, with important family members having a role, and special friends making the journey. I’m so pleased for you about the latter.

Rightly so, maw x

I do like the way everybody is playing their part in Monday’s funeral service. The three DDs are all doing readings, a good friend from the village is giving the eulogy, Paws sisters are putting together two big boards of pictures ranging from baby pics, early family pics etc right through to some recent ones of paw with the grandchildren, the flowers on the coffin will echo DD2’s flowers at her wedding 2 years ago, just before Christmas and now my three SILs are going to be pall bearers going into the church - I am so proud of everybody.

That feels better, maw, knowing your friendship is still intact and having their physical support on Monday is wonderful for you. Your nervousness and sadness are totally understandable, I can’t find the words to help although I would love to be able to. Sending the biggest virtual hug. Crafting is exactly right, we will all be with you in our thoughts. X

Glad to hear your friend is coming to support you Monday maw. We will all be with you too in our thoughts. X