Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

We'll be motoring our pal to the Campbeltown airport a little later. She's to have hip replacement surgery. The plane takes about 40 minutes to reach Glasgow. By car it would take over three hours. This morning's flight was cancelled due to high winds. The aircraft is a fifteen seater...and, whenever the weather takes a turn for the worst the flight is cancelled. The wind is abating. I can see the ferry is sailing to Islay. Perhaps good fortune will smile on our pal's plight. She needs to get to the hospital by early tomorrow morning. She will, I know, be taken very good care of. Her husband is in the care home. We shall visit him as usual. He'll also be able to speak to his wife regularly on the telephone. This is a trying time for both of them.

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I've completed today's arty farty session. Just an hour at a time. That seems about right when I'm attempting not to muddy previous efforts. So far, so good. What do you lot think?

Maybe we can incorporate plethora as much as buggeration.

Charleyg and kitty Thank you for your comments regarding what to do with a plethora of personal files. Couldn't resist showing off with that clever word...plethora. It trips off the tongue.

Maw Snap! I dread the thought that a time may come when I would need to sort through countless files from the years when MacSporran was a self employed architect. I find his filing system mesmerising and, thank goodness that I'm now unable to climb the ladder into the loft where it happens to be banked-up under the rafters.

JaneD3 Look at things positively...you have ^lost TWO whopping stone! I would be ecstatic. The time is now perfect to gently shift whatever it is that will put a huge smile on your face. You have my respect.

corner keep the bottle handy. You may to take a slurp from time to time. Pucker up! This too shall pass.

granniequeenie You, my dear are the perfect example of a good natured, at times scatty (aren't we all) lady, who is great fun to know, an excellent photographer and perfect with whom to exchange batty banter. Does any of that make sense? Or, am I talking twaddle? Methinks the latter. Who cares.

A very warm welcome to winterwhite. I'm pleased to see that you have been given a decent chair and the offer of cake. It's what we're about.
As for the warning regarding the cable bracket, I wish that you could get it fixed asap. I know how we all think it won't happen to me... but, the fact is, it could and us lot would kike you to continue to call in for friendly banter. It's what we're about!

When DH stopped workvwe used a commercial shredding company. They delivered bags to be filled and then collected them and took them away for shredding

Maw friends and neighbours here have 8 black bags of stuff that needs to be shredded but it would take them forever. Apparently they have found a firm which will use an industrial shredder in their house so that they are 100% aware that the bags are not taken away and dumped without being shredded. I have no idea of cost.

It is drizzling here but not cold for once.

Good morning all, I hope you are all behaving yourselves (huh)
Goodness it is blowing a hooley this morning, glad I don’t have to venture out until lunchtime.
Had a trip to the dump yesterday with bags of back issues of History Today/History Scotland/History Ireland and Paws OU notes. Hope he wouldn’t have disapproved . I have got to clear years of old bills, bank statements, tax stuff, company stuff while paw was self employed and I am using 2000 as a safe cut off. Couldn’t possibly shred it all so I am slicing the tops off showing any form of identification and bagging it all up for disposal in different weeks. Wish I had an open fire! Any other suggestions?
How is the car soop? Mine goes in for a “big” service tomorrow and I also know I need two new front tyres so it could be ouchy. A tax rebate on paws behalf will help a bit.
Lucky escape from the dentist! I ducked out of my check up, postponing it until next month as I have a really sore throat and just did not want anybody guddling around in my mouth.
Nan’s exploit reminds me of the time one of those circular loo doors on Virgin trains swung open to reveal a very embarrassed lady who, instead of sitting put, was trying to reach the door controls on the opposite side of the loo with her trousers round her ankles. I was not the only witness to her discomfiture but she shot me a filthy look when she eventually made it back to her train seat.
Keep safe everybody!

No, jane, no calories in virtual cake. Well, hope not .

Hello everyone! Lots of laughter and buggerations in the kitchen over the last few days. All back to normal here after Centerparcs. Does virtual cake contain carbs? I have put on 1 1/2 stones of the 3 1/2 I lost. I have until August to lose it again plus more, for daughter’s wedding

n&, its usually reading about the exploits of Sam or Grampy that make me smile but now you’ve taken 1st prize with your exploits!. I’m glad to hear both you and that nice builder lad have survived unscathed if a little red faced.
Well now I’m here I might as well give you all a chuckle at my expense too. I had a call today from a very good friend, apologising she hadn’t been in touch sooner but wanting to thank us for our Christmas gifts. So far so good. As well as presents for the two of them I’d included a wee gift for their little grandson, nothing wrong with that I hear you say. Except that I had also included a gift for someone completely different, by coincidence a present for a mutual friend had also been wrapped and packed in that parcel too. Now she’s established for sure who the other present was intended for she will forward to our our mutual friend, with a no doubt humorous note of explanation. A really good friend of over 40 years, if a bit scatty, it’s taken her the best part of a month to phone and tell me all this! But I know her and love her well and we did both have such a laugh about it all. We were neighbours for many years and miss each other still. So it’s official, I’ve lost the plot and am not to be trusted ! While writing this post I’ve eaten a meal, caught up on the tear jerker that is Call the Midwife and done various other things this evening including a or 2 with the old boy, so I now find I have no time to catch up on other kitchen happenings, I am not even going to try (hic) Sorry for all the other news I’ve missed and anyone I’ve ignored, I’ll be back tomorrow. Night allx

Hello winter, I'm in a tearing rush as we have visitors, nice, friendly visitors but little time to visit this kitchen, I'll be too busy in the real world one.

We also have lots of cake - here's a fruit cake and some lemon and almond, help yourself. There is always plenty of tea of whatever kind you fancy.

I wouldn't worry too much, it probably was the wind and by this time tomorrow when you see it is still attached it won't seem so bad. If it helps I'd be fretting, too, I'm a champion fretter.

Good dental news soop. I can understand your worry fennel, tenants eh? I'm sure you will have had lots of knowledgeable advice and the process will go ahead with success at the end. Staying with family can be fun, we did it between our last and current home, in fairness only for 2-3 weeks but we enjoyed it, strangely good to turn the tables.

Right, the kitchen calls, apparently people need feeding - goodness knows why. I tried your suggestion n&g, it only half worked as the second glass of wine was refused. Never mind, soon be time for more

take care everyone

Hello Winter , well you've come to the right place !! Pull up a comfy chair , I happen to have both carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake available ( these darn builders are always hungry!!) .

The whole cable thing is a bit worrying , mind you if the window cleaner took the time to finish the windows maybe its not imminently coming down ( which would be a relief!!). That does seem like a long wait for the electric people to come out though doesn't it?

Don't worry about a doleful mood , we deal with all sorts of moods here

Kitty ha! Not just me then !!! It could have been so much worse ... and he doesn't seem too scarred by the experience

Hello! Very sorry, Soop, for not having realised that you were a person. Didn't mean to be rude.
In great need of tea and cake (pref ginger) today. Window cleaner said that the bracket attaching power cable to house is 'loose' and he hoped it wouldn't fall down on my head - should my head be underneath, that is. Never heard of such a thing. Can't really see it myself, but there's a sort of loop of cable by the bracket that recent winds could have tugged at. S Electric say since not an emergency they can't come till 6 Feb. Feel frightened out of my life. OH says Don't Be Silly, prob been like that for months and w. cleaner just noticed. Very helpful.
Sorry to come into this friendly kitchen in such a doleful mood. Felt like a sit down.

I shall away to wash my hair. No ironing duties to perform tomorrow morning . During the afternoon we shall take our pal to the airport. She'll be going on to Glasgow for her new hip op'. In between times, I shall call in to discover who is having fun - or not. No matter. Our mantra continues to be - This too shall pass - because it happens to be true.

Bye for now.

kitty You can but dream. MacSporran promised to clear out his drawers thirteen years ago. Whenever I politely ask when he'll get down to the job, he replies...when I'm not so busy.

Glad you escaped at the dentist, soop. I need to go but won't be so lucky so I keep putting it off, DH is disgusted with me.

He, DH that is, is currently clearing out his sock drawer . I'm hoping it leads to more clearing out - which he has been promising to do since he retired 18 months ago. He might get round to the garage soon!!

I had a similar loo experience to yours N&G. I was in DD2's downstairs loo which had recently been redecorated and was minus a lock. In walked the husband of her friend who walked out again pretty smartish but who spent the rest of the day saying 'I didn't see anything, honestly!'

Yay! Back home having had my teeth "dry-cleaned", less painful than when cold water is sprayed on to them and I feel as if I'm about to drown in my own spit! No need for an extraction at the moment. Six months until the next appointment. Am I a happy bunny? You bet!

Right...where was I? Greyduster I'm really happy to hear about your daughter's good news.

kitty It would be a wonderful thing if your daughter can also find a fulfilling job that suits her particular needs.
My advice re the photos. Keep them all. They are far too valuable (in sentimental terms) to "bin".

Charleyg Your cleaner is a gem.

corner A big smile on your face...what's not to like. Glad that your new washing machine has cheered you greatly.

Soop fingers crossed it will not be an extraction!

A very quick visit to the kitchen. I should have been home two HOURS ago, but friend's car needed to have two new tyres and by the time we arrived at the garage, the mechanic was very busy. Friend has dropped MacS off at other friend's house (to pick up the stand-by car) AND as soon as he returns, gasp, we're off to the dentist. I may need an extraction. Life doesn't get better than that! In fact, he's just driven into the drive. A parcel delivery van is pulling in at the same time.

Fennel So sorry to hear that your frustrations haven't yet been resolved. I fee for you.

N&G A quick read of your dilemma in the "smallest room" had me laughing aloud.

Greyduster Stay calm and think kind thoughts.

Thanks for your sympathies - I tend to keep things to myself but this is a real problem.

Afternoon all !

Sorry for that fleeting visit, back for a proper catch up.

So sorry to hear about the car soop darn things !!

'High maintenance' guests are a chore rather than a pleasure aren't they Grannie ? I wish you luck with them, or at least fine weather so you can get out and about !!

I think driving in the UK does depend on where you are Fennel . We notice a huge difference as we leave Essex and arrive in Norfolk . I hate to hear the news of the move being so troublesome, all here know of our year of horribleness when we were moving so I really feel your pain.

I know what you mean about the photos Kitty oh how I wish I had taken the small amount of time necessary and sat down with my Mum and Nan and named all those people but there is no one left now who can tell me and that makes me unbelievably sad.

Corner Grampy felt unjustly wronged , the young builder had to have a lie down in a dark room with a flannel over his eyes and Sam couldn't understand the fuss !! Luckily the young builder was --placated- bribed with cake and has returned today still laughing. Thank goodness. I now announce to all if I am retreating to the smallest room !!

Glad the washing machine arrived well and is now doing the job !

Callgirl i have that picture in my head now ...I may well need a lie down too :-)

Just before I pop off to make the 55th coffee of the day for the boys ( not one of which is under 30!!) I just wanted to say to any 'lurkers' do come in , we aren't scary and we're easy to get to know . You don't have to say much, but share your ups and downs and general days with us. Before you know it you'll be a Kitchener too - all welcome- truly x