Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

I’m confused!
Tribunal on Wednesday cancelled in Bristol
Two minutes later, email to ask could I do Cardiff instead.
That means getting up at 6. 30 am. An hour that doesn’t exist in my world!
If I manage to post on Wednesday night, I shall be extremely grumpy!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED,

When am I going to sort the clothes out to pack for the cruise?
I’m working Monday Wednesday and Thursday next week as well and I have to read all the papers for them!

I’m in panic mode as we leave on Saturday 23rd and at this rate I’ll forget something vital like knickers or pearls!

Worried gran

The snow came and went here. This was the most we saw today. Far too nice to stay indoors

I’ve been plagued by disappearing post syndrome as well today gq, trouble is I cant remember what I said in the lost post, oh dear, time for sleep I think.

Sorry to upset your Christmas jollity but am I the only person on here who does not feel very much like Christmas?

I have been to two different carols service rehearsals but I am still not feeling christmassy. Miseable old bat that I am.

Love the painting Soop. I hope they`re not serving mulled wine at the GN meet up!
Love the bush tale Maw. I`m sure I can smell your Christmas cake.

I did pop in yesterday, honest..... somehow when I preview a post it vanishes!
Nice to see you sounding a bit more upbeat maw, bad days and better days, sometimes with no obvious reason for which it is, is how it goes I think. Friends get befuddled by death I think and some manage to get it really wrong. Watching a friend cope with it, reminds folk it could just as easily be them in that situation and I think that’s a lot to do with that distancing thing that people do, people don’t always feel comfortable acknowledging it could be them and in pushing that thought away just seem to forget what a friend is experiencing. That all makes sense to me, it may/may not make any sense to you!
ps the bush story brought tears to my eyes on several counts!
I’ve a feeling you’re probably more able to say the right thing than you think, crafting.
Beautiful painting soop, I’m glad you got it how you wanted it to look, I’m in awe of your talent. I’m glad to hear the Christmas spirit has been enjoyed in your neck of the woods, you’ve got keep warm somehow
The snow never really materialised here do it was lovely to see pics of little people enjoying it so much. Shame about the poor furry creatures who are less keen!
Thanks for the good wishes, the dodgy digestive plumbing seems to have sorted itself out, thank goodness...’til the next time I guess.
I had lots of jobs to do today, I did some but the lure of the sunshine and blue sky was too strong to resist. So off I went for a bit of a walk and felt the better for it.
I’m sure I’ve ignored lots of folk, just can’t get through all I’ve missed over the weekend. Note to self “must try harder” hmm that sounds a bit like my old school reports! Good night all x

SoopI love your painting

maw my dear mum always knew exactly what to say to people. She had a lovely nature and always had kind thoughtful, comforting words that came from the heart. I never know what to say. I want to be kind and helpful but frequently get it wrong. I image you have the same with your 2 friends. One who gets it right and the other who hasn't a clue. I am sure they both care for you very much.

Love your lights in bush post

soop lovely painting of fawn. Are you sure that it's upright on your desktop or perhaps the painter has had a little too much and is a bit squiffy . Glad you and MacS enjoyed yourselves ?

maw ?

Outside lights story
Some years ago I bought our first set of outdoor lights and draped them over and around a large pyracantha beside our front door.
Tasteful.
On the phone to my good friend and neighbour shortly after I told her what I had done. She asked where I had put them.


(Scroll dow a bit more.)


To this day I do not know what possessed me to say “In my bush”
But her reaction and that of her husband involved quite a lot of spilt and choking down the phone
They still make occasional comments about me walking funnily in the run up to Christmas.

The cake is in the oven and the house smells —like a brewery— lovely.
Anybody remember that tosh about not licking the bowl? Me neither, oops!
(I got it so clean it hardly needed to go in the dishwasher!)
I am glad you have got lights and your tree up annsixty I did get the impression you would have missed them. To do as little or as much as one wants is the answer - nobody need ever feel “obliged” to do or not do anything at least where Christmas and your own home is concerned.
I wish I had seen Soop tiddley-pom!!
I am sure you remained a total laydee throughout?

Your description of walking elegantly home made me smile soop all I will say is - it’s Christmas

Jackson is just wonderful n&g. If he could give me lessons in putting on a polite face I’d appreciate it. We’ve had a visit to an NT house which has been dressed beautifully for Christmas. There was just enough snow outside to be pretty but not dangerous, inside lots of people in costume, carol singing, huge Christmas trees, all lovely. Entry is timed and is managed well but the pushing and shoving on the paths when we came out was just a bit beyond my polite face. It was very cross indeed by the time we made it back to the car in spite of the tea and very nice cake. It seems to be an invisibility cloak day. Anyone else get those?

Hope those outside lights are installed without accident n&g. No, our family Scouts don’t do bob a job but they tell me it is very important to always help others - the exception seems to be family . We still haven’t installed ours, maybe tomorrow. There’s still time.

Nice day today. The sun shone (sorry n&g), the wind calmed and the cold was, well, seasonal. Stopped at a couple of places in the way home for a mix of a look and yet more tea (no further cake, honestly). Just what we needed.

Your fawn is just superb soop, there is much envy here of your talent.

I’ve been in your position moomin, more than once, doesn’t it feel difficult? I’ve no idea if this is the right thing to do but I learned to take my lead from my friends and also to leave some silences to give space for anything unsaid. Mostly we just chatted . Much as others have said. I would think your friend just appreciates the contact.

Best think food. Apologies to anyone I’ve missed. Looking forward to meeting a GN friend tomorrow, this week is looking good so far.

Keep warm and well everyone.

N&G That is one long and interesting post. because in Kintyre we've had more than our fair share throughout the day.
Jackson , bless him, and his polite face made me chuckle.

I've spent far too long at the easel. There remains the usual boring stuff to do aboot the hoos. Before I wash my hair (hate doing so with a vengeance) I shall wish you all a pleasant evening. Yes...it's dark. Yes...it's chilly. No snow at the mo'.

PS I've sketched the next portrait. This masterpiece is to be of a stag.

Gransnet gettogether mid-week. I shall therefore miss the care home visit in the morning. Instead...I've my pal's ironing to beat into submission. Hey ho! As Baggs would say.

I shall call in again early afternoon.

Sorry Nand G snow seems to have passed us by in Lothians!
But its jolly cold and we have a wood fire on, with smokeless coal, to salve my conscience about' global warming' heath and safety' and all that malarkey.

Sledge will await a good fall of snow, then deposited, its not one of these plastic jobbies

Was there more snow in my childhood? Living on the west coast beside the sea, there may have been.
I do remember trying to make ice lollies in the GF loo, with success!

Love it soop, I’m sure you must be pleased with the result

That's just lovely soop x

Soop that’s exquisite. The face is perfect!

It shouldn't be on its side. On my desktop, it is upright.

Awww! I did say that I would share the fawn painting with you. Here it is...

Afternoon all !

It wet, wet, wet here ! Which makes everything pretty miserable to be fair.

How was the apmt with Santa Kitty ? I hope they took their lists ;-)/ Loved the sledding picture !

Sam was most put out at the snow Juliette, Grampy opened the door and Sam did not even get out of his basket, merely huffed a bit and snuggled back down ! He's not made for inclement weather obviously .

Hope your other half is feeling a bit better Sar is it his hip?

That's where the soup maker scores Charley you can throw pretty much any old thing in there and it comes out a treat. I actually made pepperoni and tomato soup the other day and it was delicious .

Looking forward to the picture shysal lol

Our little ones would have snapped up your sled jollyg . I'm sure the local kids will be delighted too.

Apparently Corner ,Jackson has been working on his polite face when presented with disappointing gifts. no more tantrums, instead he politely says' Thank you for my gift I love it'. Then comes over to me and in a loud stage whisper says' I've got this one already Nana' !! Its a work in progress !!

I did laugh out loud at you soop I think you are jolly good fun when you've been drinking 'squiddly diddly' juice as our little ones call it !! Good for you !!

Ha! I know what you mean Grey we have watched Toy Story so many times we can now all recite it line for line !!

Glad you've had a little help with the decorations Ann , its nice to have a little something sparkly.

Some people just don't think Maw , I'm sure no harm was meant by it . Our delight in our grandchildren often overcomes good sense maybe? I like your DDs strategy - that's something we should all do.

I'm sorry to hear of your friend Moomin . If you were closer geographically you would just sit quietly together but that's plain daft on the phone , perhaps be led by what your friend wants to talk about? I'm a very practical person so I know I wouldn't want to talk about emotional things , you know your friend - do what feels right.

well, we have finally finished the decorations ---well the inside ones. Grampy now has to put up the outside lights....I am leaving home because if the silly old duffer doesn't fall off something I will be surprised. What I need are half a dozen bob a job scouts :-) ( Do they even do Bob a Job any more?)

Happy day all!

moomin, it must be a release for your friend to have chats with you. If she wants to talk about 'something a little deeper' she may well bring it up herself. As soop says, she will value the conversations you have.
soop, nothing wrong with a tipple every so often and if anyone did see you, so what? They'd probably envy you!

That would have been a good picture to post, soop - maybe a selfie of you and MacS rolling up the drive, you giggling merrily. Sounds as though you had a great time!

Bellasnana

moomin I feel for you. Your friend will value your telephone calls. I've tried to put myself in your shoes, and am lost for words.

soop your account of you and MacS rolling home 'under the influence' had me laughing out loud
You have a way with words.