Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

ann you know that there is not a bigger cat lover in soop's kitchen than me but I am 100% behind mcem re the kitten.

A kitten should never be foisted on you.

Cat food and cat litter are expensive as are vet bills and insurance can be sky high.

With all due respect, are you going to be around when it is in its teens?

Most bring home birds and mice, not always dead, could you cope?

It is very young, your furniture would make excellent scratching posts.

Are you happy to clear up vomit any time of the day or night or take the kitten/cat to the vet at 3 am?

You could leave a cat on its own for a day but not a kitten. Cats are a tie if you want to go on holiday or even away for a weekend.

I have deliberately pointed out the other side to cat care.

Tara is in her teens and I do not intend getting another cat after she departs this mortal coil because I know I could not cope.

You have put H first for so many years, the next years are yours. You do not need any more responsibility. Good luck, from a practically minded kitchener.

Hi all,

May I join? New...

Love to all with difficulties. Your posts have helped me.

Thanks.

And love the large comfy sofa! I have brought blueberry muffins

Wolwol you are our kind of girl! Welcome. Good luck today Soop. It is the middle of the night and I really should be asleep - working again tomorrow. ?

Welcome Wolwol you will fit in nicely!
Dragonfly I absolutely understand your worries and fears, like Mr Doodle , Paw had been round all the hospital departments using up his nine lives over the 20 years since his transplant - gastro, heart, kidney, blood, oncology, liver - but each time I comforted myself by saying that “the doctors have seen all this before and dealt with it. However serious or unusual it is their job to deal with it - have faith, have confidence”
And good luck!

Maw thank you. Common sense tells me there is nothing I can do except wait and see.

Doodle I hope your DH can now get treatment.

We are going to Centreparcs at the weekend with DD and DSiL, DS and DiL and DGD and DGS to celebrate our Golden Wedding and DH ‘s 75 th!

Morning the kitchen !! and welcome WolWol - can I just hold a blueberry muffin ( diet you know) but I take comfort in just sniffing it lol

Ann hmmm I think I am on the other side of the fence to most. You mentioned thinking of getting a puppy for company a while ago but a kitten is much less of a challenge. I think this is a moment when you should go with your heart and if you want something to love and take care of then go for it. Sorry to all those on the other side of the fence but sometimes the things that make no sense at all turn out to be the most sensible :-)

Kitty I missed the photo of Wolfie - what a smiler !! Just lovely !

Ann , so sorry to hear of your night in A & E , I hope DH is feeling much better and you got a decent nights sleep.

Dragonfly things always seem worse when a) we don't KNOW whats going on and b) its in the middle of the night !! Grampy has been feeling poorly for a few days and did exactly that last night !! I hope in the cold light of day you feel more positive and get yourself off to the GP to get your fears allayed ( you'll see Grampy there is you hurry ;-) )

Our festive decorations didn't get far. there is NOTHING worse than a poorly Grampy who has no Christmas cheer going on. I was almost off to get out the frozen leg of lamb !! So now the lounge is a wreck with boxes and nothing much really got done so I am hoping he feels better quickly or Ill string some lights on him !!

Thank you Nana I hope Grampy is feeling better this morning. My DH was ill all last Christmas and put added strain on the proceedings.

I am awaiting the results of a biopsy and of course imagining the worst. Always better in the cold light of day though.

Any lemon drizzle with your cappucinos anyone?

Hello the kitchen and welcome WolWol. A tad early for a blueberry muffin, but, well, blueberries are one of my five a day, aren’t they? A loud chorus of YES!! will go down very well at this point!

Sorry to hear that Grampy is ill, N&G. Hope he is over it quickly. I am sure he can rely on you to minister to his every medical need ?! Lamb broth is very soothing!

There must be something in the air. DH was up in the night talking to God on the big white telephone! Poor chap! I don’t know where it came from. We both had something different for dinner but his would not have been something that gave him the jips. I wanted him to stay in bed this morning (out of my way) but he is back up his b****y ladder again, painting. It may have been the paint that upset him. If he has a relapse I will do the school run on my own. I am supposed to be ‘advising’ GS on his art homework ?‍♀️, but he has cross country club after school and by the time we get him home his dad will be back from work. I pointed this out to Dad who said, “you are perfectly welcome to stay after I get back!” No get out there, then!

Dragonfly I hope your impending trip to Centreparcs for your big anniversary and birthday bash will take your mind off Dr Google’s diagnosis. Been there, done that, absolutely regretted it. Whatever happens, you will be in good hands, I am certain, and as my old mum used to say “never trouble trouble, ‘til trouble troubles you!” I send you a big {{hug}}.

I will leave you with a photo of my (blurry) little robin who has taken to being a regular visitor!

I will look in later. Hope for some word from Panache.

Thoughts remain as always with you all in the kitchen..... especially those undergoing problems that are causing worry......

Wishing you well on your mission today Soop and welcome on one hand Dragonfly and yes less of the reading of your symptoms on google.
Whilst having spent half my life in/out of hospital I can reassure you that even positive results are usually in the realms of being treated.....my first major cancer was back in 1984.However of course you fret, but please know we all care and are there supporting you.

For those kind enough to ask, yes we are still coping best we can........... alone,help seems a long way off

Indeed Willow,you have it right, it is one thing having a well stocked larder but not much good without an able chef.

Sadly the offer was one of those where a “fly by night” tried taking advantage of two elderly vulnerable people,not only a low offer but demanding that we left virtually ALL our Sitting room and dining room furniture and fittings in place.........such an upsetting offer at a time when our backs are well and truly up against the wall.

Sometimes life becomes extremely unpleasant.

Hence feeling far from myself and that is a bit of an an understatement.

Sending love to you all.

Oh Panache, what a nasty chancer that buyer was. He should have known better than to try to put one over on you and DH. However, that has added insult to injury and hardly likely to make you feel any better. I think I speak for all of us here in the kitchen saying that we all feel for you and wish there was something we could do to make life easier for you. 'If wishes were horses, beggars would ride', I'm afraid. Do come in to the warmth of our kitchen and feel the love whenever you can. It isn't the same without you. xxx

Thank you Panache for your kind words.
I am so sorry to hear of your troubles - they certainly kick mine into touch.
There are some unscrupulous people in the world and it would be hoped that the Estate Agent would weed them out.
I do hope things improve for you and your DH.

Greyduster your mother was a wise woman indeed. My DH has the same philosophy and assures me that we will deal with whatever we are served. Unfortunately I had a good friend who was diagnosed in January and died the following October - there was no treatment available.

Try not to dwell on that, Dragonfly. I have been in that position and that sort of knowledge merely amplifies your concern for your own symptoms out of all proportion until it is driving you to despair and you can’t function. Please try not to get yourself onto that downward slope. Someone said on here recently “one day at a time, and when that gets too much, one hour at a time!” Very wise ?.

Oh dear Panache what a disappointment and you would not want to sell your home to someone like that! More (((hugs))) and to you both and to anne

Exhausted from visitors and no sleep and today I have to get Himself to a hospital appointment. Putting the car away in the garage on Saturday DH pressed the garage door remote to open the door and so I reversed in and then there was a huge bang as the garage door hit the car roof. Can only yhink he inadvertently touched the remote again as he was still holding it. So now after the hospital I also have to get the car to the dealership to get the damage assessed. Himself is not functioning very well post crash and is clearly upset about the whole car thing so is very defensive even though I have not said anything (although I think I gave a little whimper I have to confess). It never rains but it pours, eh! Poor man is very despondent and probably concerned about yet another bill.
Must go and get off to the first appointment, may pop in later. X

Synonymous That is the trouble with electric garage doors - myself and a number of friends have done the same thing. It is so easily done.
And why do these things happen when you can least cope with them. I hope your DH's appointment goes well - after all the car is just a piece of metal.

panache we too had our share of time wasters when we were looking to move. Bad enough the let down when you are fit and well but when you're both poorly that is not on Grrr ? (My ferocious face).
I really don't know your moving circumstances (i,e if you have a specific place you want to move to or just want to downsize) but have you thought of one of the retirement home places (there may not be any near you). I ask because sometimes they will buy your house from you to save you the hassle of selling (and no doubt take a cut of the profits) DH and I have considered this in the past as some of these places offer personal care and home help (McCarthy and Stone do Retirement Living Plus). Sorry don't mean to intrude but just wondered if this might be an idea for you to consider. I do wish you could get some help soon. Don't like to think of you both struggling alone. Take care x

Welcome wolwol and thanks for the blueberry muffins I shall have one with a and sit here for a bit on the sofa with soop nice new snuggle cushions. I may nod off ?

dragonfly thank you. Yes my DH is having treatment so hope all will be ok.

soop's nice new cushions.

Doodle
Thank you for your supportive and practical post re our dilemna.
I will try putting it in a nutshell.
You have obviously missed the part where our down sizing story first started with M & S and one of their choice apartments, where one of their team double crossed us and sold our chosen apartment, although held our £1000 deposit.
We were broken hearted.

Last Christmas mid buying and moving to another Retirement place the sale fell through due to the would be purchaser having a heart attack.

At this point in time we have no where in mind, but our need to move is getting greater.....and having time wasters and folk "trying it on" seeing us as elderly,extremely vulnerable and in poor health......it has floored us.
But thank you for caring at all times, which is greatly appreciated.

Have put some lemon and almond cake, GF blueberry muffins and shortbread on the side. Can you tell we’ve had a guest here?

I’m sorry there’s so much heaviness in the kitchen today.

Google is certainly a mixed blessing dragonfly, there is definitely wisdom in taking an hour at a time when things seem overwhelming. Hope you can relax a bit and sending a hug.

It seems very loud sneezing man-flu has struck here nana, no wonder our guest took off rapidly this morning . Hope grampy will be on the mend soon.

Wishing Mr S well synonymous, hope the car is easily fixed and you feel brighter. The world often seems upside down without sleep.

Oh these men greyd, common sense leaves them when they are unwell. Hope all is peaceful and the painting progresses without incident. Is it nearly done? Good luck with the school run, seems you’re doubly needed today.

Goodness panache, there are some unpleasant people in the world that’s for sure. Thank you for checking in, I hope you and Mr P are able to rest and relax just a bit, is there any hope of practical help?

Hello wolwol, good to see you.

Wishing your son a speedy recovery callgirl and a quiet, unworried time for you and your husband doodle

Apologies if I’ve missed anyone, expect I have. It seems the patient requires a drink so off I go, smiling and exuding patience, honestly

Just caught up with everything that’s been going on . Panache your house sale or should I say lack of sale journey sounds horrific. What horrible people you have encountered on the journey . I am sending you lots of hugs and hope a genuine buyer comes along soon . Much love to you and your husband at this trying time x

Well I am in Lakeside (intended to go to Bluewater but traffic looked bad), came into M & S for refreshments!!

Oh dear there seems to be a lot of poorly people in and around this lovely new kitchen. Hope things improve for you all.

Panache house selling is a nightmare, it took us 18months to sell our Mums house. So many chancers and time wasters.

Ann I would love a kitten but Mr GG has said no.

Well I best get a move on and get some Christmas gifts bought ???

Oh GrannyGravy I miss my mooches round Lakeside lol but not enough to move back !!

Sorry to hear about the whole house debacle Panache you're right its just what you don't need !!

Grampy is returned from the GP - he had indigestion :-)) SO that will teach him to listen to Dr Google !! He has some medication and had his diabetic prescription tweaked as this particular drug can cause indigestion !!

In penance for frightening me we have put up more decorations this afternoon and is always the way seem to have a lot left that fitted beautifully in our old house and don't fit here at all....so we shall need to buy more !!

I love the robin picture grey , my favourite bird and always feel very special when one visits the garden.

Well I am off to make courgetti - it didn't kill us last time so we're giving it a second go !!

Panache such people are dreadful and the agent should be informed about their behaviour. Do they do escorted visits? I think I would start insisting they do - it's worrying that someone could start to pressure you in such a way!

GreyD hope your husband is feeling better now - sounds like something he ate but maybe being up a ladder today wasn't the best idea if he's feeling a bit 'wabbit' as my mum used to say. Also Mr N&G and Mr Synonymous who are under the weather. I too have had an encounter with the garage door many years ago but not an automatic one - I drove into the garage and forgot I'd left the tailgate open on my brand new Tigra - I was not popular either!

Welcome WolWol - I'm pleased some of the posts have helped - everyone is very caring and supportive in here.

Dragonfly try to enjoy your visit to Centerparcs and congratulations on your Golden Wedding - hopefully all the celebrations will take your mind off waiting for your results a little.

Mr W is going to come in tonight and ask what I've been painting - he has a 'nose' for these things . I've spent an hour cutting up a long garland with wire cutters into short sections and have them laid out on the garage floor where I've sprayed them white. No doubt he will remind me of the time I did this with a bread bin which I decided would look good red. Unfortunately it was a very windy day so not only did the bread bin get a spray the draught under the garage door blew the spray under the internal door into the adjoining passage and painted the white vinyl floor with red mist too I'm wondering if I cook some curry it might mask the telltale smell

Grannygravy13 I was at Bluewater by 9.30 and home by 2, traffic was ok for a change.
Im feeling pretty rough so glad to be home although it was lovely to see DD2 and baby Charlotte. All presents now bought !!!
Panache so sorry to hear about the 'buyer's for your house. Some people are so nasty trying to take advantage of you and your dear husband. I hope your health issues start to improve.
So many poorly people on here at the moment, let's hope we all recover before Christmas.