Soop's welcoming kitchen...

...and away I shall go to our next home-from-home

Find the key to the new kitchen...

...gather up the cushions and tartan rugs (for those with chilly knee-caps)...

Right! A quick flick with the duster...

Thank you for making the kitchen a happy meeting place. It is you lot who make it special.

We're within touching distance of our new kitchen. I'm therefore going to make a move towards opening the door and making it welcoming.

Greyduster I really like the sound of the in famous Mr*Greyd*. His antics amuse me.

Bellanonna Thank you for your message. It's a very grey and blustery day. Never mind, we shall cope, and look forward to the homebound trip and a bonus wee dram at the appropriate hour.

Best wishes from me too, soop. I do hope you manage to open the kitchen before you go.

Hope everything goes well for MacS and yourself today, Soop.

Have a few moments before breakfast and needed to check that our kitchen is still open. It appears so. Will look in before we leave for Oban, and if needs be, I shall open our next kitchen so that you lot have somewhere cosy in which to gather and blether.

Thank you Soop and McS, David's never going to be too lonely with the both of you saying that regular hello as you pass. Best of luck to McS at his appointment, and enjoy (carefully) the long and winding road.
I hope you`re feeling alright MawB? I know it sounds strange, but after David`s funeral, that night I had my best sleep since the day he died, maybe a slight release of tension?

Not Celtic Manor. The one they chose was the one they use. And not leaving it another ten years was because DH is the youngest in his year and he's 72!!! The 40 year reunion was at the Belfry!

kitty we must have been there at the same time then.
I pass the Celtic Manor every time I sit in Newport. Like this coming Saturday

kitty is the golf club in South Wales Celtic Manor? If it is, no wonder they don’t want to wait another ten years!!

I would like to draw a veil over my day, starting with the dentist, which was entirely my fault. I then had to go and pick up a game I had ordered for GS and return a library book. That should have been end of, but DH decided he would come, and we ended up on yet another shopathon (I have said on here many times how much I hate shopping! He absolutely loves it). To top it all off, I bought a jar of peppers that had a faulty lid and leaked oil all over everywhere, so they had to go back to Sainsbury’s, and DH bought a new DVD player which is not compatible with our TV set - because he doesn’t ask the right questions and he doesn’t listen to me. He is, in short, an idiot! A candidate for the frozen leg of lamb today. Big sigh. I love him really.
I am looking for a nice monastery to retreat to until after New Year. Any suggestions?
N&G I am sorry to hear that your dieting has slipped a bit. I stood on my scales this morning and it said eight stone four. Impossible! Then it said twelve stones! What?? Then it said nine stone eleven. At which point I decided it was having a nervous breakdown and warranted no more of my attention!

Wishing macs well for tomorrow soop, Safe journey.

I agree with kitty, we need something extra to keep us warm in the winter n&g. Also birthday parties are not the place for restraint. Don’t be worrying, the weight will gradually reduce, says the person about to consume some chocolate. Certainly no hope for me .

Sounds a difficult visit. jane, hope you can have a peaceful evening.

We’ve been to a Christmas tea today then out to gather up the things I forgot in the last supermarket trip. Finally finished the cards this morning so overall a good enough day.

Stay well and warm everyone.

Are you all still here?

Good luck tomorrow soop to you and MacS and enjoy your treat.

Good practice (boom boom)for tomorrow, gd.

We all need extra padding in the winter, n&g - well that's my excuse.

Despite DH studying dentistry in Birmingham, Galen, the reunion was held at a golf club in South Wales It was decided that it might be tempting fate to wait another ten years for the next one so it will be held in 3.......at a golf club in South Wales.

Jane, it's a sad time isn't it.

callgirl1 We said hello to David earlier today.

N&G Never mind the weight gain. You cannot be expected to celebrate the young man's birthday and not give in to all the goodies that are part and parcel thereof.

It's possible that we shall need a new kitchen very soon. I shall look in to check that the new kitchen door is open. If I'm not able to do the honours before I leave for Oban please would one of you lot step in and make sure that the welcome mat is ready and the comfortable chairs are ready and waiting.

JaneD3 I know how you were feeling when you visited your mother. The spirit of the person is as determined as ever, if only the mind could remain as strong.

Galen Brum or Med. That's a very difficult choice. I bet you've lost sleep over the quandary. On balance, if you've pearls to wear at the captain's table, I'd opt for the Med.

Haematology appointment for MacS tomorrow. Trip to Oban. We almost always choose to treat ourselves to the best fish and chips on the west coast. However, tomorrow we'll settle for a toasted sandwich. I'm saving my pennies for the Granspals "do" in Edinburgh. Not too long to wait for a right rowdy royal knees-up.

Maw, thank you for sharing your account of Paw's funeral. It was obviously a perfect farewell to a much loved husband, father and friend. You must be drained but buoyed up by the love and support you have received. Your family sounds wonderful, but then, they do have a wonderful Maw.

Kitty it’s supposed to be my 50 year reunion at Birmingham next September. I’m going to the Mediterranean on Queen Elizabeth instead.
I’m odd aren’t I to prefer the Med to Brum?
What did your DH study?

Hello everyone- I am catching up as I sit with Mum in her care home. She is sort of awake and recognised me but is unresponsive, even to hand holding. Pulse strong and steady as ever!

Afternoon all !

What a lovely description of your day yesterday Maw , it sounds as though it was everything you hoped. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Love your photo Grey ! Sorry to hear about the mix up at the dentist. I am so fearful of the dentist that I would now be claiming karma and not going at all!!

I'm sad for those who aren't allowed to post photos here - I know everyone has their own thoughts on it but my daughters and I are in accord on it. I'm very lucky I think.

I think a touch of the collywobbles in the circumstances was quite right callgirl . I hope over time those moments turn into fond memories rather than distressing times. Its still very soon to be able to see things like that without emotion taking over.

I braved slimming this morning - it was very much the walk of shame !! I have put 3 1/2 lbs on in total over 3 weeks. WHY is it so hard to get a pound off and SO EASY to put it back on?

Anyway, I am having a back to basics week with none of those additional and calorie laden things that have tripped me up. I am determined to lose that weight again before Christmas ( when I put some more on !!)

Its a grey old day here , so I am off to read a book and wait for a call from young Jackson as he got some more presents this morning and he wants to tell me all about them :-)

Maw that sounds like a very beautiful ceremony - you all did Paw proud

Now, as you say, for the rest of your lives - but your wonderful memories will be with you always and you have your DDs and DGC to carry those memories forward too.

Maw - it seems like a very moving ceremony, and so appropriate for your dear husband, may he rest in peace now.