Soop's super supportive kitchen (with a wing for poorly menfolk)

N&G LOVE the wool. Fabulous colours. xxx

Hi just popping my head in, I love the wool and the snowdrops are spectacular, cheered me up on this nasty wet morning .

soop Sorry to hear of your latest health problems. Hope all is well. You are so calm. Gentle hug for you and MacSporran
galen I was a stay at home mum till my boys were grown up. Doesn’t make me a better mother. There are many people who go back to work for a variety of reasons and that does not mean their children are not cared for. Lucy made her own choices. You can’t run others lives for them.
panache if you are reading but not posting on GN at the moment just want to say hope you are ok. We are all still thinking of you.
We have a week full of hospital appointments this week. Our usual battle to find a parking space.
Kind thoughts to all take care and keep those men in order in the other wing ?

Ward round just complete and I think you may have a problem Kittylester. The residents were so abashed at recent goings on and obviously wanted to make amends. Well they have been busy!! The most amazingly beautiful and professionally produced cushions graced the table by the nurses station. I have no idea where you are going to put them all Kitty but I delivered them earlier to your home as requested by the gents. Enjoy.

Beautiful snowdrop pics. Just enjoying a mug of home made soup after a long swim. It almost seems warm enough to sit out in the sunshine. A lovely afternoon. Even the heron is happy now the pond has melted.

Still no news from the Panache household. I hope all is well.

The rain has been fairly relentless most of the day in London and now it is dull and cold outside. Still, anything is better than snow and ice.

It was warm enough today for Tara to go outside- it was above minus for once.

Galen I agree with everyone here - can't believe the insensitivity of your neighbour. Tell her to go and boil her head - as DGS would say!
My body's going to medical science so no arguments.
Have now had CT scan after consultant said he'd be looking for Pancreatic Cancer - Whoopie do! Will await results with bated breath!
Do hope all is OK with the Panaches
Soop keep smiling!

eilyann Love your wacky sense of humour. Head -boiling sounds most appropriate, for some.
My thoughts are with you.

Izabella Fancy cushions, eh? Something is obviously wrong. The menfolk are not usually fussed about such fripperies. Ask Matron to check under the beds. If there is anyone anything there, (other than the bed-pan) you know the drill. I have a feeling that you're being taken advantage of. All very worritsome.

I made a very silly decision to "sort out the wardrobe". I am up to my eyebrows in clutter. Why do I do such things? I need my head examining. Now, I've to potter orf to put stuff back. Daft as a brush - me!.

Soop in our family it’s called a distraction therapy - we do all kinds of odd household chores that we normally run a mile from when we are trying not to do or think about something else.

If any of my brood tell me they are doing strange housework I know there’s something up!

It’s a good strategy for dealing with buggerations ?

Mamissimo you are so right. Wardrobes have benefited from the exercise.

Charleyg your Tara is blessed with a high I.Q. Felines are canny creatures.

Doodle Hospital parking can often be a nightmare. MacS drops me at the entrance. Sometimes he doesn't join me for a long time. He never complains. Bless.

I shall return after the care home visit tomorrow. Until then, hugs all round.

Commiserations to all the poorly kitcheners and their families.

I am being rather naughty this evening, have just decided on sausage egg and chips for dinner, b***er healthy eating I need comfort food, my dear Mum used to cook this for me when I was down ??

I was born and brought up in Fife and go boil your heid was a very common expression.

I have never liked poached or fried eggs but one of my favourite meals which my mother did for me as a child was 2 boiled eggs with chips. Yummy.

I am hoping that the worst of the winter is now over because this week is going to be reasonably mild.

soop a higher authority, me, has to guide Tara I am afraid although she always has access if she wants to come home early for whatever reason. Tonight I think she just felt cold so is resting her eyes at present.

Please look after yourself, your mind can run riot.

Evening all. Glorious sunshine here this afternoon. Couldn't take advantage of it as a courier was expected, arranged by a well knows manufacturer of bright yellow window vacs. Did they turn up? Of course not!!!!! There will be a very frosty phone call in the morning.

Love the snow drops, haven't seen any round here. The wool is glorious n&g, if I could remember how to knit I might be tempted to make something myself. A neighbour promised a refresher lesson almost a year ago, I am ashamed to say I haven't got there yet. I will be reminded tomorrow when we meet for coffee.

Distraction is good soop, but please don't wear yourself out. I decided to take the same path with our spare bedroom, it wasn't finished when our Littlest arrived yesterday. I was firmly rebuked for having a messy room. . Its still messy, other things to distract today.

Wishing you well eilyann,

Time to sort the kitchen, Mr C as wandered off to a meeting and I have been chatting to a friend so no tidying done after our meal. Love to all and a special hug to those with worries of whatever kind..

Right.
I made a decision.
I’ve told darling daughter I won’t be attending the funeral.
I really couldn’t cope with the car journey, a pub lunch and the return journey, which Is at least 2.30 hours each way.
She now says it was only a suggestion, although I felt I was being railroaded into it.

Well done Galen. A wise decision and a lot of anxiety off your shoulders.

Thanks.
I feel guilty, but I know rationally I wouldn’t cope with it.
I’ve been to one ‘ humanist’ funeral and hated it.

It’s hard to look after ourselves sometimes, I’m so pleased you have been able to galen. A very wise decision.

I’m sure just having made the decision will take a weight off your mind Galen. You were between a rock and a hard place with it all and wisely you’ve chosen to do what feels best for you. At the end of the day you know your own body, and the limitations it imposes on you, better than anyone else. I hope that now your decision is made, you’re able to have peace of mind, we’ll as much as you’re able to given the circumstances.

Gosh, its cold and very quiet in here this morning. I have relit the fire and left home made soda bread on the side for when you all arrive. Plenty of wood brought in too.

I hope the silence isn't a bad sign? Hoping all are well

The damp fog inHampshire seems to got in between my ears this morning. I’m doing hard thinking with my Instant Pot and a new recipe that I’m trying to adapt. I’m bewildered by variable options but a cup of tea and a wodge of soda bread may trigger a nice snooze by the fire to reboot my system.

The quiet in here is quite disquieting. I do hope everyone is just having foggy moments. ☕️

If you feel at peace now that you have made your decision Galen then it is the right one.

I have had an anxious hour this morning, I let Molly out into the garden for the first time.
She was very tentative for a few minutes, she sniffed and strolled and then got bolder. In a few minutes she was nowhere to be seen.
Next thing she was up a tree in a neighbour's garden. She struggled to get down onto the shed roof and then down a trellis.
After that I grabbed her and brought her in, she has cried to go out since. She is definitely going to be an outdoor cat.

We had a bright start to the day but it is clouding over now.
I will have some bread please Izabella but I really need lots of butter!!

Husband has gone to the tip so I have come in to see you lovely folk, banana bread and a fresh pot of coffee on the side.

Back still sore, actually missing going to the gym!!!!

Galen ???

Hope you are all keeping warm and safe.

Galen You have made a wise decision for all the right reasons. I am relieved for you.

GrannyGravy Having been score keeper in the care home during a rowdy game of skittles, A wedge of your banana bread and freshly made coffee is just what I need. Bless you.

Ann How lovely to hear that wee Molly has had her first real adventure. I can well imagine the fright she gave you when she went awol for a short time. Did you resort to hitting her feeding bowl with a spoon and repeatedly shouting her name?

Galen, it's the right decision. That journey would have done you more harm than good and Lucy is at peace now.

V has put an entry on Lucy’s FB page asking if any of their friends actually would like a service and would attend.
If none, then it will be a cremation with no service and we would celebrate her life at the scattering of the ashes.

Galen I am sure your lovely daughter understands your decision xxx