Soop's friendly kitchen

Maw you are fortunate that Hattie does not give you a backward glance or otherwise you may say no to some of these trips away from home. She loves her home, I know that but it is really good that she appears to look forward to her temporary stay.

Tara is the opposite, either screaming her head off or sitting in her carrier in the car with her back to me. I find both upsetting but luckily it rarely happens.

I shall have something similar in 4 weeks time when DDs are taking me to Brussels for the W/e. Isn’t it strange how reluctant we can feel to be away from the familiarity (comfort?) of home.
Normally I love (especially) short breaks and there are so many places I would like to visit even without involving major travelling, I feel I really must psych myself up and just do it.

Maw it is completely ok to feel however you do. Two weeks ago I had to drive myself to the airport at 3 am for an early flight to Amsterdam with the DD’s. Complete panic attack for at least 12 hours, tears when packing. Bonkers! Enjoy your break. Hope the ☀️ shines.

Maw it is perfectly understandable. My friend has been widowed for three years and, though she has plenty of things to “get her out of the house” on a day to day basis, she still finds it very difficult to go away for any length of time - almost has to be pressganged into it.

I am missing Hattie already as she has gone to the K place for her little holiday while I visit my half brother and his wife in Cheshire. Fortunately Hattie is quite happy to go and my purchase of a bone in the kennels shop on the way in meant there was not even a backwards glance!
“Mum? What Mum? Just let me get on with my bone! ?
It has provided a good opportunity to give her bedding a good wash too.
When I do this sort of thing before going away for a few days (clearing the ironing,, hoovering and tidying up, etc) I often feel I would rather stay to enjoy the enhanced surroundings!
TBH since losing Paw I really have had to psych myself up to go away. I have been to the DDs but nowhere else and it’s hard to actually be away from familiar surroundings and “him”.
Please tell me this is a normal reaction. I am trying hard.
Wishing you all a pleasant BH weekend, a bit of ? and

Thanks soop - because I only pop in now and again I lose the thread/plot!

GreyD, your lovely pics remind me of primary school walks in the local woods many years ago. We`d pick bluebells and wild garlic flowers, and pad them out with twigs of beech leaves.
Is it possible to upload videos onto here as well as photos? I have a very short bit of video of new great grandson Max at 10 days.

Happy birthday wishes to JaneD I trust that you are being pampered and will continue to enjoy your special day until you finally take to your bed.

kitty Awww! Wonderful news for your family, especially Bertie and Persie.

Greyduster Superb photographs. I have a passion for woodland scenery. Peaceful and good for the soul.

Luckygirl Hello again. It seems an age since you were last in the kitchen. Or have I missed a recent post? Whatever...it's good to have you join us.

A friend called by about half an hour ago. I'm late with the log-off. It's a misty late afternoon. Better weather forecast for the weekend.

I wish you all a pleasant evening. Be back with you again tomorrow afternoon.

Sympathy, harri. I hope you are comfortable soon and good luck with the surgery

I don't remember having a sore throat after an endoscopy. Perhaps I was just lucky. The guy doing it was ever so patient!

Bluebells not out here yet, gd but things are greening in that lovely fresh spring way. Your woodland photos are smashing.

Sorry ro hear about your discomfort Harri! The pharmacist might be able to help with a numbing spray or something. Keep us posted about your op.

Happy birthday JaneD.

It is my SiL's birthday today and also DD3's partner, who found out that their new baby will be a boy. He is very chuffed. As are Bertie and Persie!

Harri - I am so sorry that your procedure was so uncomfortable - that really is not necessary. I do hope that you get a speedy date for your surgery and that it all goes well for you.

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Happy birthday JaneD3! Send your slab round to me - we're struggling to find one to extend our patio by twenty seven slabs. Not a big enough job it seems!
harri I am very sorry to hear you have to go through surgery again. That's a real bummer. Hope your throat feels better soon - I had a gastroscopy and mine was the same I remember.
We had a nice walk in the big woods today, with excellent coffee at the woodland coffee shop. The bluebells are out and everything looked green and pristine as it always does in early May. Photos of spring greens and burbly streams.

Ooh happy birthday JaneD3, does this mean more cake??
Harri that sounds uncomfortable, ice cream may be the solution as Maw B suggested.
I've had a lazy day at the hairdresser's and a quick mooch in Sainsbury's clothes dept. So, why do I feel so tired?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JaneD3!

Bad luck Harrigran - I hope you are more comfortable soon. I am slowly pottering around the flower bed taking out weeds and mulching, in the sunshine. Lots of sitting in the sun too as it is my birthday!
I have four men coming next week - roofer, decorator, landscaper (slabs!) and the pest control man for the squirrels. That should keep the laydees at the Argy happy!

Baggs Only a fraction of our garden is "smart". Three quarters of it is left to Mother Nature. I like the randomness of the side garden and the chaotic corner in which ferns/bracken flourish. The gunnera shoots are almost a foot high. At the weekend, because we're promised sunshine, I shall take a few pics.

The voles are thriving. MacSporran (bless him) wishes that he could "service" their chalet. It's carpeted. But doesn't wish to disturb the inhabitants

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. Thank you for the photos, N&G.

harrigran Oh dear! I was sorry to hear of your latest unpleasant experience. You will be feeling sore right now. Ice cream could help. It's a great pity that you have to undergo yet more surgery. I wish that these could be real. xxx

Oh should have used * not [ ]

That sounds nasty [Harrigran] , what about the throat lozenges that numb your throat , ask the Pharmacist

Harrigran, thinking of you and wishing you well.
How about ice cream to ease the throat? Children used to be given it after they had their tonsils removed, didn’t they?

Popping in to see if anyone has something soothing for my sore throat. Just back from my gastroscopy and it was horrible, sedation was so minimal that I was writhing with the discomfort. Bad news is that I have to have another operation because I have developed two hernias where my bowel was removed and he will redo my stoma, not a happy bunny.

Jane I have a brand new ironing board, still in its wrappings and it has been like that for a year. I seem to get by but thanks for offering me soop's help.

kitty 7am is a tad early for Persie to ring you. I think it is too early for my pea brain but I do not understand her logic. She is very good having a bath without encouragement, I was allergic to water at her age!

Morning all! Not stopping and will catch up later but needed to share this -

Persie rang up at 7am this morning to ask when they can have a sleepover as she misses us.

I asked what she was doing today and was told that they are all going to see whether the new baby is a girl or a boy so she needs to have a bath.

Why do you need a bath Persie?

Because, if I'm not clean, the doctor won't be able to see - silly Ma!!

Do you need Soop to help with the ironing Charleygirl? Decorator is coming on Monday so I have a large bedroom (aka store room) to clear. Charity shop here I come!

Somebody save me please, I caught the cleaning bug today. Thankfully the worst of it has worn off but I am left with devastation in my lounge. Thankfully it hits me rarely.

In between I was washing clothes so I have mounds of clean clothes- I think an early night beckons and it may well all have vanished by morning.

Tara had no idea what was happening when she came home around 7pm. I think she thought we were moving- she retired to my bed.