Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

N&G I agree fruit might be a better idea if he’ll eat it – prunes are particularly good and drinking lots of water. Your wedding photo is lovely – how handsome is Mr G in his uniform and the tea looks delicious – no calories in any of that of course!

Sorry to hear you’re still having problems Morethan – you have enough to contend with at the moment. I hope the doctor can help but it could all be stress related worrying about your DIL and family not to mention having the builders around! I hope you’re taking care of yourself too.

Callgirl a photo frame is a good idea – maybe you could put a picture behind the voucher so that the frame can be hung up afterwards. Failing that how about a card in a box to put it in with? I’ve bought Mr W a ticket for Take That next year which obviously hasn’t arrived so I’m having to be inventive and will make a card with a picture of them on it I think.

Grannygravy your poor OH – been there and done that with skirting boards and paint it’s extremely annoying especially when the paint just seems to peel off.

Soop the b&b pudding sounds horrid and you were right to complain. It sounds like you had a pretty frustrating time what with that and the hospital parking AND having an endoscopy to boot. I hope you’re right about the sore throat. Many years ago (must be 42 as my son was just starting school) my dad had been having problems with a sore throat and saw the specialist. They couldn’t find anything wrong and in time it just went away so hope yours does the same.

I’ve just been to pick up a prescription having been let down by the new online company who didn’t order mine. The chemist didn’t have one of the items – they were over their monthly allocation! This also happened last month (hence registering with the online one) which beggars the question why don’t they up their monthly request? Surely they must know how many patients are on repeat medications. They had to fax the prescription to their sister chemist further in town who had ordered it in. I then went to the post office and paid £22 for stamps for cards – and that was 2nd class!! I am hand delivering some of them too

Happy to report the trip to the vets yesterday went well – no fuss getting them in their carriers (I’m getting more and more devious with these tactics) and they were very well behaved once in the surgery. OK we didn’t get Daphne out – she had her jab in the box and as her eyes were like saucers by then the vet didn’t dare try to weigh her or cut her claws but Alfie had his done even though he was burrowing his head into the blanket in the box like an ostrich. I have to get Daph back in her box tomorrow as her and me are going to the bungalow for a few days but Alfie will have a reprieve this week

I have florentines here – they were for the Christmas goodie box but look too inviting so I’ve opened them and left them in here to share.

GreyD posts crossed by just read about your daughter. I hope she is taking heed of your instructions and resting today. What a worry!

Just creeping in to snuggle on the sofa and lick my wounds!
Ignore me.
Are there any cheese scones left?

Buying theatre or concert tickets reminds of how I bought Paw (top price seats ) tickets for The Country Wife at the Haymarket some years ago while he was still working away.
I bought them for January, or so I thought until one Friday just before he got home I thought I had better put them in an envelope with a card in case he found them.
Checking I was horrified to see they were in fact for December but fortunately the next day ! Thank goodness I had looked.
It was very good by the way.

I'm back where I belong. It's been a taxing ironing session. Returned home to discover emails from the lady for whom I'm painting the Labrador portrait. Must crack on so that I can post a photo to her later this afternoon.

It's a buggeration of a day. Could barely stand up once outside the front door,

Reallt will do my utmost to pop in again later today. Feet hardly touching the ground since I woke up this morning.

Love to you all. xxx

What a day! The postman rang the doorbell so I carefully closed the sitting room door to keep Smokie in but when I opened the front door the wind blew the door open and Smokie was out like a rocket and he was bouncing up and down in the wind. I have called him but he is still out there in the heavy rain, stupid cat! I know what I would prefer to do given the choice between out in that lot or by a warm fire!

N&G lovely wedding photo and those cakes look amazing - I have already put on 2lbs and I only looked once!

I can remember my DM telling me about the time she had Scarlet Fever and was sent to the Fever Hospital in a horse drawn ambulance and clearly remembered the swaying of the carriage and the horse's hooves ringing out on the cobbles.. She was 6 years old and was inconsolable at the loss of her doll and her books which they burnt. I hope all little people currently suffering from it will get well very quickly.

My car is in the repair workshop and won't be ready for at least a week. The courtesy car has not arrived yet but hopefully will be here in time for the next hospital appointment next week. In the meantime we are obviously grounded but looking outside I am not tempted to go anywhere so that is ok! Keep safe and dry everyone! x

Maw your ticket story is a little like one of mine. In Jan 16 as an anniversary present for Mr W I bought tickets for Miranda's show scheduled for April. When I received the acknowledgment I realised they were for the following year - had to rethink the present for that year!

Synonymous hope that silly boy has come back into the warmth now. Last night Alfie came downstairs having been up there all day and went to the front door to be let out (I don't know why he does this as he can quite easily go out the cat flap at the back!) As soon as it was opened and he saw the howling gale and rain he turned round and ran straight back in again - it was so funny

It's been pouring down again today - hoping it clears up for tomorrow.

It appears that since I've been worriting over the painting, you lot have also been sorely tested what with one thing and another.

I've sent a photo to the lady who asked me do the portrait. I've had to use "artistic licence" a-plenty. The original photo gave me so little info'. Now I must chew the cud and await her response.

MacSporran was due to have the shingles vaccine this morning. Received a phone call to say that the nurse was poorly. Given a new appointment for this afternoon. Attended the surgery and was told that he may not be able to have the vaccine because of his Lymphoma. Locom GP went away to ask our usual GP what he thought. Our GP may possibly call in and give him the "jag" on his way home.

I am hoping to play catch-up as I relax this evening. Hopefully I shall be doing so on the Kindle.

For the moment, (((hugs))) a plenty. Especially for all of our Granspals who need TLC.

Busy evening so just popping in to see what goodies are available to wish all the poorly people well. Away tomorrow so will check how you all are on Friday. Sleep well all

Willow Smokie still hasn't returned and I clearly need your Alfie to give him some life lessons! Himself is pacing between calling him and rattling the treats box! Is there 'a little something' in the leg of lamb line for errant pets?

Evening All. Flipping wet here today, if I was a cat I certainly wouldn’t have ventured out synonymous, unfortunately Grandparent detail had me driving around dark, puddle infested lanes. Oh to be a cat

Mr C decided he would live charley and came along for the ride. The ability to sleep for 22 hours out of 24 seems to have worked wonders. Envious , me? I’m pleased, he was proper poorly this time, still lacking energy but definitely getting there.

Did macs get his jag soop! Better safe than sorry though. Hope the photo will be greeted with pleasure soop, looking forward to seeing it here.

You OK dragonfly? Think there are only crumbs left but the sofa is comfy.

Those cakes look delicious n&g, we’re trying to work out a family celebration for our 50th next year, afternoon tea may just do it. They all like cakes .

Hope alls well with your daughter now greyd, we never stop worrying do we?

Sit and relax if you can panache, we’re all rooting for you and totally understand if posting is too much. for you and Mr P.

Feet up now. Just had a painkiller or two as my tooth has decided to let me know it’s there. It’s been pretty good so no reason it won’t have settled by the morning.

Stay dry and keep safe everyone.

Still snoozing on that lovely sofa...

Will be back in a bit with GF and lactose free goodies! Also some mincemeat which will need to mature for a couple of weeks...

Worried that adult child with not the best mental health is planning to move in to help suicide watch a friend of a friend. Couple of hundred miles away. Have forwarded help from my local MIND group. Just a virtual hug please

Is your DC planning on moving permanently or just on a temporary basis Wolwol? You can't do anything except be there to support them. It is good they want to help someone else. Try not to worry.x

I mentioned our elderly cat last week who had started weeing on the dining room carpet. Two days ago she had what I assume was a stroke. Suddenly couldn't stand or walk at all and moved head in strange way. The vet came and put her to sleep while lying on my lap. She was 18 and a half. Very sad. We won't ever have another cat as one of our sons has developed a cat allergy.So it will be much better for him visiting if our house is cat free. We had her from 3 months old from a cat rescue. Our dog is 15. They have grown old together.

wolwol so good of your AC to want to help. Sending hugs.

Mum so sad to lose a family pet. Also sending hugs.

Mum what sad news. Our cats mostly seem to get to 18 and give up - if they don’t disappear as adventurous youths! Charlie is on my knee as I sit up in bed right now. He is about 15. Love to all on this horrid day. Homemade fruit bread on the side.

Mum that is so sad. Your dog will feel bereft too.and you can’t explain things to him.

I can understand your worry wolwol, there’s a good heart in your son or daughter, sensible to pass on the information. Oh dear mumof, how sad. A hug for you both.

Has something happened to Morethan? It was mentioned on the Good Morning thread that she was admitted to hospital yesterday.
I thought it was her DIL, who was very ill. I do hope she is OK.

Yes, marydoll, or she was late yesterday. It’s the uncomfortable bloating thread. morethan posted there yesterday she had been admitted to hospital. Can only hope she’s more comfortable today and there’s a speedy diagnosis and an equally speedy cure. I know there will be much love and many good wishes going her way from here.

Worrying news of morethan2 who I hope will soon be on the mend.
MrLester and Dragonfly too, I hope that you both get reassuring news and will be looking out anxiously for your news.
There is so much to potentially depress us at home and in the wider world and that is why I think places like Soops Kitchen and the incredible support it offers matter so much.
If we can unburden, rant, weep, mourn and rejoice together, that is what it is all about.
Love and positive vibes to all ?

Thank you Corner. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Thank goodness for all the support on GN, so much pain and suffering in people's lives.

mum so so sorry to hear that. She had a lovely life being cared for so long. I agree, the dog will be bereft and will not understand where her friend has gone to.

Thanks all for your support x