Soop's friendly kitchen

Galen! You poor thing - I hope it isn’t too sore. Soop - tres elegante!

JaneD3

Do you lovely lot recall that our new shower fitting was a total no-no? Well, it seems that dear MacSporran has rectified things. Clever thing! He had mislaid a vital rubber ring-thingy and when the plumber fitted the device he had to compensate by using some sticky tape-thingy. Said tape had slowed down/partially blocked the water flow. Having hunted high and low, he discovered the whereabouts of the missing rubber ring. He then stripped the unit down and started afresh. Removed the tape and installed the rubber ring. Guess what? It worked. We now have a decent shower head that does what it says on the tin.

It's a sunny day with plenty of cloud. There is a frisky breeze. We sat out with our afternoon but didn't linger too long.

Tomorrow is care home visiting day. When I return home I shall pop in to catch up.

It is a most glorious day here really hot and no wind at all.
I am just back from a visit to a care home with a view to 2weeks respite care for my H.
No way can I let him go, it was very smart, very clean, nice manager but 40 people sitting slumped in chairs or wandering the corridors and it was a big place, so I move on to Plan B which I haven't formulated at the moment
If only I could be prescribed a sedative for bedtime I am sure I can manage but everyone passes the buck on that.
I have been told to speak to the stroke team at our review on June the 14th.

Annsixty do not give up on the care home respite idea. That was only one, there must be others.
Bottom line is you need a break and while nowhere will probably meet your ideal requirements, your health must be taken into consideration.

Totally agree maw. ann please reconsider.

Oh Ann what a disappointment. A smaller home would probably be better.

And, I am outraged at the suggestion you wait a month!!

I know I keep banging on, and it must be very irritating, but please ask your local Alzheimer's Society for help if you haven't already.

Last week two of the people on our Carer's Course became very upset when talking about their situation and the lovely Dementia Support Worker intervened with Social Services and the people they were caring for were (miraculously!) found respite places within days.

Round here the local paper issues a care directory to everyone who buys the paper. They also send out a copy to the libraries. Does your local library have any do you know? Or you can look on the Care Quality Commission's website. Not all places are allowed to take people living with dementia which was really frustrating when we were looking for somewhere for mum.

We also found smart, clean etc was not a great indicator of the quality of care. I wouldn't have liked to live where Mum was but the care they gave her was brilliant.

Glad your shower is working soop. A decent shower is one of life's little luxuries. I love that outfit but not many people could carry it off - I certainly couldn't.

Lovely photo Bella. So glad you are out of hospital. Granessie, we'd love it if you posted in the kitchen. We even have lemon drizzle cake if Lona is around or Jane is experimenting.

Galen, please try to stay upright! As Bella says, you need to take more water with it.

Glad you got an extension N&G but I'll pass on any part of a gator thank you.

Anyway, DH has gone away again so I have the watering to do before I have lamb steaks with balsamic glaze, Jersey Royals and minted mushy peas. All things I love and he doesn't!! Is it really bad to have on my own?

Oh goodness galen, bouncing isn’t easy is it? Please be careful.

No kitty, it’s not really bad to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal. Especially as it’s one you enjoy so much. Having said that I’d be with your husband, wouldn’t enjoy it at all. Good job we’re all different

Good news about your shower soop, good for macs for persevering. The photos raised a smile here, beautiful small people.

Nothing to add to what has been said ann, so sorry the respite potential didn’t work out but don’t give up, the right one will be out there somewhere.

Glorious sunshine here too, chilly wind though. Had a delicious lunch at a window table overlooking the sea, lucky today.

Take care everyone, please no more falling folk,

It’s little Flynn’s SECOND birthday today ???
Guess what he got for his birthday!
Chickenpox???
(Oh and a scooter from his Mummy and Daddy)

Poor little boy.???

Poor Flynn, better now than later though and at least he can play out on his new scooter in the warm weather.
I have placed a well aimed kick in the direction of my GP surgery today, now three phone calls ,a blood test last Tuesday and still no response, the secretary said we did leave a voice mail, yes I replied and I returned the call and we have visited for bloods, oh she said.
She then asked when did he come out of The * , he was never in there I replied, oh it says he was in his notes.
What on earth is going on?
Now have an appt for Thurs to visit a Day Centre.

Good Morning Soop and you Kitcheners all.

I had a very interesting afternoon yesterday reading through this whole part of your lovely thread, and I was left laughing out loudly in parts, whilst moved almost to tears in others.
All very entertaining, although of course a generous case of life as it is,bumps and bruises along with uplifts and cheer.
Thank you one and all.

I am just trying to settle in to GN and if you do not mind,I shall take the quiet empty chair in the corner of your kitchen,listening intently,cheering with you on "those" occasions,but feeling your pain when suffering.

Especially thinking of you Annsixty,a very upsetting, time consuming and heart rendering time for you.
Whilst poor young Flynn has not much fortune on his birthday though lots of pleasure will follow once his scooter is on the go!

I would like to be your silent partner if you like,if of course you will accept me........but I feel a daily recording of my very uneventful life will add nothing to your kitchen...........though of course things may well change and I shall come in with my blurp.......which to warn you all,is usually far too long!!
Once I start there is no stop button I am afraid!

Wishing you all well and the same kind of weather........sunny and getting warmer.......such as we have here on the western coast of Wales.

Hello Panache - our diet overseer! You do not need to say much , just leave virtual cake!

Good morning, the kitchen! And a very happy second birthday to Flynn! (Where does the time go?). Better he get chicken pox out of the way now, Maw than when he’s older. GS had it at about the same age.
Ann what a shame the care home did not cut the mustard. Good ones aren’t easy to find, certainly, but they are out there and I hope you find a decent one soon, so that you can have a much needed break ??.
I was laid low yesterday as a result of some dodgy Welsh cider I drank on Sunday. It was not much more than a few mouthfuls but it was enough! That, coupled with very itchy eyes and a mouth ulcer on the inside of my lip which is making me feel as if I have gone three rounds with Freddie Mills (remember him?), made me like a bear with a sore head. DH is pleased to report that I am more human today and he can put the whip and a chair away! We are off for a walk after lunch, to augment the diet I have put myself on! Either my scales have lost the plot, or I need a lot more exercise because I seem to have put on two pounds since yesterday, and DH seems to have lost two pounds - perhaps it’s digital transmogrification !
Galen sorry to hear you are in the wars again, and I hope you have a swift recovery before your next venture onto the high seas!
kitty I frequently have ?on my own - I wish I had done that on Sunday! I knew the Welsh couldn’t make whisky, but now I know they can’t make cider either!! It went the same way as the whisky - I must have the cleanest drains in South Yorkshire ?!
corner I’m delighted to hear the sun is shining in your neck of the woods - sitting with a sea view sounds the bees knees!
soop sounds like MacS is a dab hand with showers; how is he with drippy kitchen taps? ??
I will look in later; have a happy afternoon, all!

The question then is...............will that gain me entry and will it also gain me brownie points JaneD3??!!

Welcome Panache. You will fit in with us lot wonderfully well. It is good to have a newcomer to cosy up to...and although we could all murder a cake or two, we often say...let's not, and pretend we did.

Ann I feel like visiting your GP surgery and throwing an almighty tantrum on your behalf. This is getting beyond a joke. Someone needs to intervene on your behalf. You need answers and suggestions based on common sense. Otherwise, I fear for your health. It's a disgrace.

Happy birthday to our wee Flynn. Those spots will soon disappear and he'll enjoy a belated celebration.

Greyduster I must try to remember transmogrification. Such a clever word. I'm pleased to hear that you have improved after the dodgy Welsh cider incident. If I were you I wouldn't worry about gaining two pounds. You'll walk that off in next to no time.

kitty Thank you for your interesting post. I've not long returned from the Tuesday care home visit. There was a good deal of noise coming from a handful of residents. One gentleman shouting out for his bottle of water and two confused ladies rushing around trying to find something or other that they couldn't remember.

Another Happy Birthday to Flynn. What ours called chicken spots will soon pass and he’ll be racing around on the scooter. Our Littlest loves his, us oldies struggle to keep up. Fun though.

Hello, Panache, I do a lot of quiet lurking sometimes, at others I ramble for hours. Room for us all .

Afraid family difficulties are piling up so I may be quiet at times, I’ll be here though. Nothing out of the ordinary, a difficult separation, financial stuff by the bucket load, some ill health, workplace problems, management stuff where we live - one at a time manageable but all together it can take over just a bit.

Still, the sun is shining which always helps and I’m sat in the conservatory with a cuppa and a biscuit wishing there was a Magnum in the freezer. May stop in the way back from Granny detail later

I’m with soop’, ann, wish I could treat your surgery to a major tantrum in your behalf. There can be no excuses, disgrace is right.

Oh dear, grey, stick with the wine, very much safer. We enjoyed a treat bottle with our very long lunch yesterday, a belated birthday gift from the restaurant, very nice it was too. I could cope with that lunch every day, not so sure my waist would though . 2 lbs is nothing, a day or two and it will be gone.

Best get organised. Granny duties will be on me shortly, no sitting allowed. I love it, and them, just wish our energy levels matched. Wish me luck .

This isn't much consolation to people dealing with difficult separations but my D who has been separated but not divorced for nearly 4 years now made me laugh a few minutes ago.
Her ex has been over here on business and was flying to Barbados on Monday so she and the children went to meet up and have a meal with him near Gatwick on Sunday evening.She said half way through the meal she suddenly realised just what it was about him that irritated the h..l out of her and she heaved a huge sigh of relief.
That is how I want her to feel.

Lovely story annsixty and so pleased it brought a smile to your face; you have such a lot to deal with just now. Keep strong. x

Due at the Dr this morning to talk about recent gastric episodes. I was a bit fearful that she would be checking my weight and would give me the healthy BMI lecture. .
As it turned out I burst into tears the moment I sat down and instead of a lecture had a very sympathetic response telling me I should not try to do too much too soon.
I have got a nasty touch of thrombophlebitis in one leg however which hurts like what’s it so I am advised to elevate it as much as I can. It is actually very painful and I was glad to have it checked out in case it was cellulitis. She is arranging full bloods and an ECG as a precaution and also referring me to “Legs 11” circulation clinic to assess if I should wear a compression flight sock thing. As I live in trousers I don’t really mind the absence of allure.
Feeling a bit crumbly today though. ☹️

annsixty I love you latest post.

Hello again, mrshat Where have you been? It's good to have you back in the bosom of the kitchen. Did you brink by any chance?

corner I admire the way you continue to tackle/put up with/rationalise the seemingly constant on-going buggerations that come rapping on your door. You, my dear, are a star. Continue to shine. Don't go hiding away when you feel low in spirits. Us lot are here to listen.

Maw Isn't it a bonus when one's practitioner is not too busy to empathise. You are doing splendidly. There is no rule regarding the healing process after the death of a loved one. You will continue to feel fragile or "crumbly" for as long as it takes.
Thrombophlebitis requires expert treatment. Do as the GP says. We want you to be back to your normal spirited self just as soon as.

MacSporran has shifted an almighty large and heavy palm plant from its pot in which it has lived for far too long. I nearly had palpitations when I saw him lugging it to an enormous hole that he'd dug on the edge of the wet garden.
When I opened my mouth to chastise him, he smiled. Tyke!

I'm away to listen to a lady called Eddie Reader, as MacSporran thinks that I shall enjoy her voice.

Ironing duty in the morning. I shall pop in for catch-up when I return.

Corrction - that should be Eddi without an e.

Thank you soop. I lurk (almost) daily to try and keep up with the gransnetters in the kitchen. Don't post very often but send silent positive vibes to those who are troubled and those who are not!

Sounds like a sensible and kind doctor maw. She’s right of course. Just be as you are. No more and no less .

My theory is the men miss out on the sensible gene soop. Ask for help? Well, why would they? We had a similar garden incident on Sunday. I used my serious glare face, of course Mr C is well used to ignoring it. . Ok. Best get back to lion taming.

corner, I am disappointed in you!! You are a woman that long list should be very easily dealt with. Seriously, you know we are here if you need us!

What a kind doctor Maw, but I bet you wish you had a Paw at home to be on your side with all the niggly health things. We are here, though! And your family, of course.

ann that must have been music to your ears. I hope things are going in the right direction re DH.

Hope you are feeling well now. And stay off Welsh alcohol! Any other sort is ok of course.

Hello panache and welcome to the kitchen. Nice to see you Mrshat.

Is charley away, I haven't seen her post lately?

Off to make an omelette as DH is not back yet but, before I do, something to make you smile.

A card came through the post today addressed to Ma and Pa. It had been sent by Persie and, inside there was a picture of a slim person wearing grey and a 'larger' person wearing pink. Guess which was which. Persie did explain it too me in case I hadn't registered. 'Ma, you are the round pink one - Pa is the other one!!' Very observant child!!