Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

Having a lie in this morning as it was a busy day yesterday. Can’t shower til 3pm to protect the wound so will not be venturing out with hair standing on end.

Just need to get mum back home then I can think about Christmas.

Gosh the bin men are early - pleased I put the bin out last night.

Hope every one has a lovely day.

Many congratulations to the two Golden Wedding couples today.
I hope you have the best day you can in difficult circumstances and realise and apreciate just how lucky you are to have reached this milestone and still have each other.
As Panache said yesterday (or similar) that is all the gold you need.

Congratulations to our Golden Couples Panache and Dragonfly and their respective Misters.
50 years will have given you much to support and bring you through hard times especially at the moment. ??
Such an achievement these days , we didn’t quite make it but I am very happy for all our friends who have!

Many congratulations to Panache and Dragonfly on your golden wedding anniversaries today. Panache I hope things are improving for you.
We have an appointment at 10.30 then food shopping. OH still walking very slowly with his two sticks, hopefully it is all healing well although we both have concerns.

Congratulations to Panache and Mr Panache on their 50 happy years together; as well as to the Dragonflies also on this golden occasion. Panache, I hope that this will mark a turning point for both of you and that you will find the help and care that you need. Dragonfly, I'm glad that things are moving for you and hope you will get a favourable result from the biopsy.
My friend with whom I was due to have lunch today has called to say that her breathing is bad and she won't feel like going out. She has a GP appointment later, but I'll go round and share a bowl of soup (and a cake!) with her and her husband. She has let Christmas preparations get on top of her. If that affects your health it simply isn't worth it. So, to all my friends here, I'd say, don't allow yourselves to get over-stressed - let the younger generation 'take the strain', though there really shouldn't be all this 'stress and strain' about what should be a joyful occasion.
I'm off to Oxfordshire on Sunday to spend Christmas with a houseful of family. Meanwhile, I'd better get on with ironing and packing. 'Mrs Last-Minute' - that's me!

Morning all,

A flying visit from me to add my best wishes to the Golden Wedding couples !! What an achievement in this throw away age ! Everything is easy come , easy go and no matter how you try to explain that marriage isn't a bed of roses its blasted hard work , younger couples just don't seem to get it .

So very well done and I hope you all can find a way to celebrate a spectacular achievement today xx

I am finishing up the last of my crafting today with a T shirt for Dog-tor Cooper - our new vet lol !! The kennel is complete and I will photograph it later to show you. Grampy is now sitting down resting his eyes ;-)

We too will be missing in action over the Christmas period as we head back down south for the celebrations - so let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I shall pop in later to catch up .

Coming into the kitchen for a pause in the preparations. Numbers for the meal on the day have suddenly jumped as some friends travel plans have had to be cancelled so table extension, and revising what goes where in the oven has made my head spin.
Best wishes to dragonfly and the panaches. I do hope an angel in the hospital realises the Panache’s situation and triggers some help. This is possible, happened to my parents, a young nurse, just started training, who chatted to them at visiting time and then to me worked out what was going on. She made that phone call to social work that turned things around. Couldn’t change the health problems but got the right people in to help and who had the words to persuade mum and dad to accept the help. I pray that someone like her is around today.
Wishing everyone else a comfortable, calm, well calming day. Off to sit on the sofa before getting back to the preparations. Someone please remind us all that it is only one day.

Calmish not calming!!!! Auto check again.

May I add my congratulatory wishes to Dragonfly and Panache, and their husbands; fortunate in each other on a milestone occasion.????. You have both had such a wobbly time recently and I hope, in spite of it all, this day gives you joy!

We hit the supermarkets for some last minute bits and bobs this morning and there were a lot of chastened menfolk being harangued by their significant others for getting it wrong, getting in the way and generally gumming up the seasonal works. Eye rolling was taken to a new level! The cracks are beginning to show!

I am off now to do a bit of ironing. Then tomorrow my catering preparations begin in ernest, though we are only doing Boxing Day this year. DD is doing Christmas lunch and has asked for a long list of items to enhance her Christmas table including two sets of my best crystal glasses!! Well, it’s about the only time they see the light of day so why not?

I will look in later.

Panache Although a 'newbie' I echo all that has been said - Congratulations and Commiserations! We downsized last year after taking ages to sell our lovely old farmhouse. Lovely but old, draughty and 2 miles from nearest village so very inconvenient. We celebrated our GW in September in our small bungalow in a small town within half an hour of our daughters. I pray that you get help ASAP. I'm sure one of your nearest churches would help if they knew? If you can PM me where you live I would contact them for you. Wish I was closer.

Congratulations to Panache and Dragonfly- the shortest day today, it can only improve from now on.

Panache please accept eilyann's kind offer and get help to you asap.

Afternoon everyone. I haven’t popped into the kitchen for a while, so greetings to you all. Congratulations to our two Golden Wedding couples, it’s a wonderful achievement and worthy of celebration. I know you’v both had your fair share of recent troubles, but let today be a lovely day of reflection and celebration.
Yesterday we had the adorable four year old ( nearly five year old) twins all day and overnight. We love having them and taking them out, a visit to Father Christmas yesterday, but they are two little bundles of energy and fun, so we appreciate the quietness and ability to get things done, the following day.
Have a good day everyone, keep calm and carry on as they say.

you’ve

I'm just popping in to congratulate Mr&MrsPanache and the Dragonflies on their Golden Wedding Days.

Hoping that something is sorted out in he way of help for the Panaches and for your Mum too Dragonfly. You have such a lot going on at the moment, both of you.

Having conquered Everest (or the ironing box!) I was supposed to be going to the farm shop to collect some potato gratins but they probably have more room in their freezer currently so I'm going to leave them there. I'm a bit sad as I sent a Christmas card to a couple in the village and just heard that he died in April. He was such a nice man and I am mortified that I didn't know and could have caused her any upset.

To those people going missing for Christmas - have a super time and I look forward to all your news when you get back. Take care.

Congratulations on your GWA Panache and Mr and Dragonfly and Mr.

Thinking of you Panache and hopefully you can get the help that you need.

Have been to the gum for the last time this year - yippee!!

Having a quiet afternoon till we meet up,with friends later for our pre-Christmas curry.

Wishing you all well and that if you have troubles or ills they will diminish soon ?????

This has made me feel better.

Congratulations to the two Golden wedding couples and prayers for you all. ??

kitty the little madam is full of mischief!

Hearty congratulations to our fear Mr&MrsPanache and the Dragonflies. I have warm mince pies and maybe a hot toddy a little later with which to yoast you on your special day.

Panache Is there not some person you can ask to contact the GP on your behalf? It needs an iterceptor to have a serious converstion in order to get the assistance you need and deserve. If I lived in your area, I would do just that. Otherwise, you will be putting yourself under further stress...and that cannot be right.

kitty Aww. Little darlings. They look beautiful in their special tops. That is the sort of photo that never fails to lift my spirits.

The care home was buzzing with activity. The wonderful members of the Salvation Army band were putting on a rousing performance. The decorations are beautiful. A big party is to be had this afternoon. Anyone living alone and unable to care for themselves would be delighted to be a resident in the Kintye Care Home. It is very special.

Thank you all for your good wishes.
It has been a quiet day so far.

Feeling very frustrated though because my mum is ready to come out of hospital but she refuses to stand so they won't send her back to the care home. I think the carer on duty told them that they wouldnt have her back. Fortunately the manager is in tomorrow and I am sure I can sort something out. This how bed blocking happens.

Dear - not fear. Toast - not yoast.

dragonfly The manager will do what is necessary to get Mum back where she is best suited.

Time to strip the bed and change all the bed linen and towels plus whatever else doesn't move out of the way when I walk by.

soop I know the feeling- it is like a Chinese laundry here with more to do. Where does it all come from with only me and a little one living here?

Charleyg...having washed everything in sight, all that remains is the ironing. Tomorrow afternoon I shall do so and watch a game of rugby...that's if there is one. If not, tough!
I have to attend to Tabitha's supper. She has not visited for well over a week.

My very best wishes to you all for a peaceful evening. Tomorrow I shall return.

Many congratulations to the Panaches and the Dragonflies
I just wish that the circumstances had been better. I thought it bad enough when DH had a hospital appointment on our GWA in March this year but at least he wasn't an inpatient! A very significant achievement and a time for thankfulness for the mutual love and care which has helped you to arrive at this special occasion.

We arrived at DD's at lunch time and have now had sufficient cups of tea to be recovered! Such a blessing to have been able to split the journey and stay overnight at a hotel on the way. Himself is desperately tired and has done little but sleep for the last two days so that is giving me cause for a little concern but I will just keep a close eye on him and hope all is well (at least) until we get home again. DD is very organised and everything is just lovely - as always, she is such a blessing.

Smokie was not impressed at being left in the cattery and cried so pitifully as I was leaving that feeling guilty doesn't even begin to describe it. Will he ever trust me again?!