Soop's comfortable and friendly kitchen...

Dear Maw and Ann I feel your pain and frustration. My love to you both.

Boy, oh boy! After a very hectic Friday, I settled down to watch a spot of tennis. That record beating match had me enthralled. What a wonderful performance by Anderson and Isner. Words fail me. And, if that wasn't enough...Raffa's match went on well into the night and has yet to be concluded. I'm utterly exhausted.

Need to do something useful before I return to watch the conclusion of the Raffa game. MacSporran has returned to Campbeltown to do the weekly shop. As we approached Tesco yesterday, he realised that the credit cards were in a different gilet hanging in the wardrobe back home.

Sorry to hear that Maw but still to be expected although still hard to deal with.
I have just had a very long talk with my D , she is coming up while H is in respite but will have some time with him when he comes home,
The time is approaching when I will not be able to cope, the carer this morning said the same thing, she sees him deteriorating weekly.
I must get my head around the situation but it is coming.
I only got through my birthday with the help of others and some lovely gifts. My H refused to admit or acknowledge that is was my birthday ,even when prompted by others and refused to say Happy Birthday, it wasn't about him and he wants all the attention 24/7, how sad that makes me because he wasn't like that at all.
I hope your evening out for dinner lifted your spirits and that there will be more.

Oh maw, to be expected but no less difficult. Pleased you’re on the way up again, that was a timely invitation.

Both more than weary today after yesterday’s funeral. An unexpected death of a lovely lady. A humanist funeral which was very moving in its simplicity. Food for thought here. We’re shortly off to commune with the sea at the beach, will put us to rights again.

Always good to have a change greyd and grannyq whether clothes or location.

Keep going panache, the ideal new home will appear. One shrinking leg is good, hope the other has got the message now.

Torben is a joy soop, as are new bags ann. I was more than disappointed recently to discover my favourite handbag shop was no longer a presence in the Outlet we visited. There was much gloom.

Right, off to the beach to recover equilibrium before the holiday makers and day trippers arrive.

What goes up must come down. Two “up”days and the magical performance in Regents Park were followed by a very “down” one yesterday when tears were never far from the surface. Fortunately my half-brother’s adoptive cousin had asked me out for a meal last night and I think my equilibrium (if you can call it that) is on the way to being restored.
No sign of rain here and the prospect of two very hot days. I don’t think I’ll be straying far from the TV set.

I only knew that it wa sraining when one drowned rat of a cat appeared around 8pm. There was no thunder etc and I do not think that the rain lasted for long. There certainly was insufficient to make any difference. The sun is out again today. I am planning an easy lunch as I will be watching the end of the men's semi finals between Rafa and Novak and then watching football with the odd look in at the women's finals at half time. Definitely a busy day chair bound for me.

Fear not, Gq! These sartorial aberrations will be short lived I am sure! I will not burst the bubble! In fact, DH’s reaction to ‘the skirt’ was exactly the same as yours, but he agreed it was very nice.

We actually had some rain yesterday evening - quite a lot, in fact - just after we had decided to water all the pots again! Still, it was very welcome, and the sun is out again. I have promised DH a chicken curry for tommorrow’s lunch so that will keep me busy this morning and I can try out my new electric chopping gizmo! It is as a result of going to buy it that I ended up with the pink trainers - which are growing on me! At the moment though, I have to psych myself up to get out of bed!

I will look in later.

greyduster, what’s going on? You just feel you’re getting to “know” someone (well in a virtual sort of way?) and then it all changes....I can’t cope! Seriously though, go for it, we all benefit from a change now and then - it keeps us young! I made my young neighbour laugh tonight when I said I dread being thought of as “beige”. She assured me I’m far from it and promised to tell me if she sees me prematurely veering towards an insipid old age. Apologies to anyone who loves that colour, it just makes me look like a limp dishcloth!
soop that boy is just scrumptious, you do have some particularly handsome men, young and not so young, in your family!
Glad to hear your legs are improving, panache. What a shame the house wasn’t what you wanted or needed, keep on keeping on until you find the place for you is all I can suggest.
On our quest “to visit an unfamiliar bit of the uk every year” we are off tomorrow for a week in Northumberland. Weirdly I seem to be very organised, this is slightly worrying as it’s often a sign that I’ve omitted to do something really important - I’m hoping I’m wrong!
Wishing you all a restful nights sleep x

Panache how could you possibly think I could let Pembrokeshire stray very far from my thoughts? ? I was only talking about it with a chap who was waiting for the same bus as me today - singing its praises as usual. Glad to hear your legs are behaving better, and put the house you saw down to experience - there is the perfect one for you out there!

I am quite getting to be a Torben fan,congratulations on your Javelin award young man.

Whilst he may like to join the 30,000 in Tenby this weekend........its Longcourse weekend and has a great following with all athletes.
Thought I`d just mention Pembrokeshire GreyD....should you have forgotten about the place!!!

No luck with this little house,the stairs were a killer and to get to the bathroom at night would be a neck breaker!
Ah! well another one bites the dust!!
Enjoyed a good walk,or hobble in my case, plus we dropped by the garden centre to purchase a replacement fir tree for one tub outside ....which has decided it does not like this scorching weather!
Its not alone, as I am wilting again too!

Don`t talk to me about aches and pains........although hurrah......the biggest of my two poor legs has certainly shrunk in size ........so the water meds are doing their job.

A light supper and not too long before I shall be in the land of nod......simply can`t stand the pace these days!

Wishing you all a good relaxing evening.....and sweet dreams.

Greyd my mattress is memory foam so I should not be waking up with more aches and pains. Pity I toss and turn all night- I have a suspicious feeling that may have something to do with it. Also my recently operated knee will only lie quietly in a couple of positions so that does not help.

I have square eyes watching tennis- it has been superb and it aint over yet!

Well good evening the kitchen. I have had a very quiet day. DH has been busy with ‘stuff’, and so after lunch I took back my library books and did some shopping. I bought a skirt. Now this may seem rather unremarkable to most, but to me it heralds yet another sea change in my clothes buying habits. I can’t remember the last time I either bought or wore a skirt, but I particularly liked this one and it is a perfect length. The lady in the shop said their customers had complained about their skirt lengths last season so they had done something about it. I said they should give lessons to M&S in listening to what their customers want! Then I went into M&S and bought a top to go with it! I have also seen a dress I like - is it time I had a dress? Will my awful legs take fright at all this sudden exposure, do you think?
Soop congratulations to young Torben on his javelin triumph (love the hat!). I hope he keeps all his medals. GS has quite a stack but mostly for running. He can’t throw anything for toffee - a shortcoming we intend to remedy over the summer holidays!
Charley I am another who wakes up full of aches and pains and have done for some time. I can’t (daren’t!) blame the mattress because it is new and I chose it!!
Panache I hope the house you were viewing impressed you. No harm in looking round before you get an offer and at least you will know how the land lies.
Ann I bought a new bag recently with some vouchers DD and DiL gave me. It was supposed to replace my now rather shabby day to day one, but at the moment it is only coming out of the cupboard on occasions, the same as my Radley, and the shabby one is still doing the donkey work! I will get there in the end. Trouble is, you get so used to a favourite bag, don’t you?
Well I am off to see what is in the larder that will make me feel virtuous - I am on one of my 500 calorie fasting days so it ain’t gonna be much, whatever I find! I made some scones yesterday and they are waving at me ?? whenever I go into the kitchen. But I am made of stern stuff (yeah, right!).
‘Say goodnight to the people, Greyduster’!

A very quick dash into the kitchen. So sorry not to be able to read through all the latest news. It's one of those days. I shall be less stressed tomorrow - I promise.

Ann You certainly have good taste. A special bag for a special lady.

I thought that you might like to see the pic of Torben with his bronze medal for throwing the javelin. A sure winner in so many ways.

Lovely evening. Wishing you all a pleasant weekend.

Good for you Ann, didn’t I just say just say you’re a wise woman!

Hurrah.............and well done Ann............after all a gal can never have enough handbags!!!

Now this really is the last time I am going to mention my birthday, however a decision has been made.
As you may know I have been buying my own birthday present for several years now.
Handbags have featured a couple of times as well as for Ch......s, so I was thinking very hard what to treat myself to.
I decided I really did need a new........ Black handbag. So this morning I have ordered a satchel style by Kate Spade who I must admit I had never heard of until her recent death.

Good Morning to all visiting the kitchen on this day.

Pleased to add no hurricane here on our "patch" in Wales, although some real downpours would have been extremely welcome,though with our geraniums giving such a massive display of blooms, of course it would mean an end to that lovely display site for some time.

Feeling nicely human after sleep yet again, but these legs remain huge............... despite enough water flowing to keep our pastures green!!!

Off to view a Victorian town house,right size with just a courtyard and on level ground to all main amenities.
Always the big question whether to view BEFORE an offer or wait and then find nothing suitable.
It only takes 15/20 minutes so well worth a punt.

Wowee Ann you will surely remenber this birthday as it turned out much better than you had ever hoped and I am delighted for you,hope it gives you the impetus to get your break a time of leisure and pleasure!!

Bet those trainers will NOT leave your feet GreyD.......they certainly are the ultimate in comfort.

Am heartily sick of the name Trump who certainly enjoys blowing his own trumpet.....and so rude to those whom have invited and are hosting his visit..Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Wishing you all a day of doing whatever makes you happy.........see you later.

Greyd I am sure that the rain will give Wimbledon a miss today, tomorrow and Sunday unless it wishes to rain during the night which is acceptable.

A good job I cover my chair with a blanket because yesterday I had a couple of icecream cones (frozen) and of course some of the chocolate fell on the blanket so the machine is on as usual.

Heaven knows what I do during the night because I waken up with more pains than when I go to bed. Still, my new knee is definitely on the mend and next Wednesday I should be given the go ahead to drive again.

Just nipping in to add some Happy Birthday good wishes to Ann. Glad to read you’ve enjoyed various treats. How I admire your way of dealing with the tricky bits of your family and thus retaining positive relationships with them all. What a wise woman you are!

A belated happy birthday from me too ann. Glad you had a lovely day

With only about three hours left of your birthday, nevertheless annsixty congratulations and Happy Birthday from me!
We’ll get that or yet!

It is pouring with rain here for the first time in about 3 weeks.
I don't think it will last long and it is still very warm.
My exDiL has just been round with cake,flowers and prosecco.
I am very lucky with my relationship with her, her partner and their children,although their relationship with my GD is not ideal. I have to separate the two and get the best out of both.
I have enjoyed most of my day, I am thankful for what I have.

Belated Happy Birthday annexxx
I am on a mini break in Wicklow with DD and SiL nice hotel , in bed about to try a crossword

Aha! Someone should send that to Gareth, N&G; I bet he would put it up in the team dressing room! Well done, Jackson! As for the trainers..... the labels have come off and they have adorned the feet, and the feet like them very much, as they are superbly comfortable, but oh, the colour! I had to do this?! And they aren’t Sketchers unfortunately - they were Maw’s and she wouldn’t swap!

Glad you had a lovely birthday Ann! Now we know when it is we will all be round to yours next year !

Please Charley try and persuade the rain to stay away from Wimbledon tomorrow - I would like my grandson to see at least some tennis ?? ?!

Hope your new neighbours are nice, Soop! Ours are young and she is pregnant. I am nearly as excited as she is!

I have just taken my leg out for a walk, just down the lanes. It is a pretty evening here. The farmer whose fields border our estate was taking in his barley crop, super early, it seems, and the hedgerows are bursting with hazelnuts (hope the squirrels leave me some!), sloes and what will be a bumper crop of blackberries I think.

I will wish you all a peaceful evening.

I know that feeling Charley......whilst pleased to have had that nap,bad timing and worse still a restless night ahead I suppose........lets be optimistic tjhough shall we?!

One blanket donated to the Red Cross it seems!

Everytime I vanish from the kitchen I seem to find several callers that I have again missed......ah! well better luck next time perhaps!!

No sign of said Hurricane and a lovely sunny,warm evening.....so peaceful and all is well, ain`t life good again!!

Night night all,rest well and enjoy your dreams!

Ia cross with myself because I settled down to watch the tennis, the next thing I knew is that I had slept for an hour. Rip van Winkle will have problems sleeping tonight because the evening is far from over.