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

ann delighted to hear that your little minx has ventured out for the first time. Try to make sure that the next time she ventures outside her tum should be empty and food will give her a reason to return.

Galen as others have said, you have made the right decision. Life really is not easy.

That is what I did with my dad Galen. All his friends were either dead or too old to come to a service and my Mum’s dementia prevented her from going. When my Mum goes we will have a little service and scatter their ashes as a family.

Am I allowed to feel smug? Just back from a long run (indoors, too cold out for my chest.) Now drinking a lovely mug of home made red pepper soup. there is a small amount left if anyone needs warming up. It really feels chillingly cold out there today.

Molly you worried your lovely mum. Please do as she asks next time.

Galen - it was always going to be a heart wrenching decision, and I hope you can now rest a little easier now it is done.

Izabella Us lot say, go ahead, you deserve to feel smug.

What you've decided sounds wise and right to me, galen. Common traditions are all very well when they suit the people involved, but when they don't it's a bit of a nightmare, as you've found. A scattering of ashes to mark Lucy's life and death sounds perfect for your needs .

Meanwhile in rainy Argyll spring has sprung today: I,ve heard three song thrushes (two in one place and one elsewhere) and lesser celandines are beginning to flower, in a somewhat wind and rain battered fashion, at the head of the loch.

Evening all,

I'm glad to have found a solution Galen that will work for you and your family .

Ann Good advice from Charleygirl about only letting Molly out hungry. Also you can start training her to come when you call when indoors. Get a little tin and a special treat, not one you give at other times. Let her wander off and then shake the tin and call her name. If she comes back give her a special treat. She'll soon associate the tin and happy things. Then you can use it outdoors too.

Its been a grey old day here with no real news. I am looking forward to spring immensely, after Christmas time seems to drag.

Ill pop in later x

I remember fondly scattering FiL’s ashes - all the family followed by a pub lunch in his favourite pub. I think it will give you a chance for an appropriate farewell Galen.
Currently sitting in foils at the hairdressers- a bit drastic as I am going a bit grey ( I think! Don’t understand hairdresser speak!) It’s a step towards letting my natural grey have it’s way.

It's a damp day in bonnie Kintyre. I looked through the bedroom window about an hour ago and, guess what? A black cat was staring at me through the gap in the forest/back garden fence. He/she was very well nourished, youthful and totally black, as was Rory. I called for MacS to join me. At that point, the delightful feline skipped away into the forest.

See you soon, Bags. Looking forward to a blether.

Goodnight dear friends. Ironing duty in the morning. I shall catch up with you when I return early afternoon.

Apologies...should have sent the message to Baggs...not Bags

Evening everyone.

Galen I also echo everyone's views - the journey would have made a difficult day even harder and there are no rules in bereavement. My friends did not attend their son's funeral which was too far away from them to get to but they remembered him in their own way. May you find peace in your decision.

Soop I admire your stoicism - sometimes it makes things much easier to accept what will be but sending you a really big hug just the same!

Also worried that there has been no word about the Panache's.

Someone mentioned the Totley Tunnel (GD?) is it in Sheffield? My aunt lived in Totley for years but I never heard her mention a tunnel?

We have finished the decorating but not put the place back straight yet - how long this seems to take these days/

Yesterday was my 65th birthday so celebrated in style by going to the tip and the local DIY shop Today is our 48th wedding anniversary - we have been over to the bungalow to pick up some tools and have had spag bol for tea. We certainly know how to live

The antics in the mens' poorly ward are worthy of a fly on the wall TV documentary but it would have to be discreetly done as I feel they would all be on their best behaviour and would hide all the offending articles in lockers and under beds!

Speaking of beds my DIL sent the attached picture this morning. She had told 3 year old GS that he shouldn't take his strobing torch to bed with him as the flashing lights would keep him awake - when she checked on him later he had found the perfect solution!

Willow you really do know how to entertain yourself on your birthday- a trip to the tip and the DIY store? Please be careful, you do not want to oversight yourself!

Your GS will go far- I thought he was older than 3 years of age.

Izabella I really cannot cope with this extra soaking of the bedding when these inmates patients are having midnight feasts with the resultant mess. Their wives naturally want them to have the best of treatment and personal care but they are just not toeing the line.

I travel far enough to pick up the laundry- I do not expect this extra work. squashed tomatoes and runny eggs do stain white sheets when the detritus is allowed to dry for hours afterwards.

Put a laundry tub and dolly, lye soap and a washboard in their room, and instruct them in their use (make sure there’s not any skiffle players amongst them first)

Congrats on your wedding anniversary, Willow and a belated happy birthday, too! Your little man looks a very cool little fellow in his shades, bless him! Totley Tunnel starts not long after you leave Dore and Totley station and three and a half miles later it comes out at Grindleford. It is on the Hope Valley line that goes through to Manchester. Here endeth the first lesson!?
I will catch up with you all tomorrow!

I’m on dawn patrol this morning and seeking carbs....the cake tin seems to need restocking - perhaps the inpatients raid it at night?

Resident DS rang as he taxied at Singapore to tell us that his flight arrived at 4.50am rather than the 6.50 he’d told us previously. We are back from Heathrow and he’s already asleep! DH and I have men in today so no sleep for us until Escape to the Country this afternoon.

As I’m on watch here you can all rest easy and have a gentle get up......the patients are safe with me ?

Hope your appointment goes as well as expected Dragonfly.

I really admire your attitude soop, it is an inspiration to us all in this “sooper” kitchen.

Back is beginning to ease slightly, not seeing physio till Saturday.

Have left some warm scones, jam and clotted cream on the side, no arguing over what goes on first!!!!

Wishing you all a peaceful day ???

Thanks for taking the load Mamissimo. The window cleaner has got me up early so I will make us a cuppa. Toast with that or porridge?

Nannytopsy toast and marmite please! “Podge” is ballast too far for me. ?

Toast for me please- I have not eaten porridge since I was force fed it at boarding school.

The sun is out here- I may venture out later.

lol we call it Podge too Mamissimo !!

Morning all,

quick pop in , love the little man picture Willow , I love the way children thing. Belated Happy Birthday and congratulations on your wedding anniversary achievement !!!

We are determined to get some things done today , we have been far too slothlike !! So I shall pop in later once we have run out of steam ( it might not take long !!) x

Willow indeed.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totley_Tunnel

Always the problem solver and the person who sorts out problems, I listened to Charleygirls impassioned plea regarding laundry in the mens wing. Following the usual tender process we now have professional laundry arrangements in place.

So is was Massissimo I heard in the early hours. I had a restless night, mainly following watching the Phantom Thread film. Excellent but I could not stop thinking about it and analysing in my own way. If I had realised about the carbfest I could have provided you with home made spelt bread made by CH.

Thought for the day; do window cleaners ever arrive at a sensible hour or convenient time?

To answer your question, Izabella - No! My window cleaner manages to turn up at the most inopportune times, usually when I am wrapped in only a towel, sitting on the end of my bed, drying my hair. On Saturday, when I'd been sleeping a jet-lagged sleep, I was about to drag myself out of bed when I heard the scrape of ladder against brick. Leapt (well, staggered) out of bed and closed the curtains; traipsed downstairs and put the kettle on. He was so frozen that I made him a brew too and hoped he didn't want to chat. He did. I spent most of the day falling asleep!

We have not had a regular window cleaner here for over 3 years. The last fellow started off okay, coming at 3 monthly intervals and then very slowly that time shortened until he was coming monthly. I am sure he became short of money and his attitude may have been "that lot in the mews will never remember when I last visited". "That lot" did so his contract was terminated. He cleaned about 5 houses' windows regularly.

It appears to be impossible to find somebody else who will come when we want him, not when he graciously puts in an appearance.

Just wanted to wish you well soop xx

Charleygirl5 I have noticed that my window cleaner ALWAYS comes around and cleans them in the week just before Christmas, however recent the previous clean was. Could he have an ulterior and financial motive, by any chance?

Surely not, Elegran how could you possibly think that?!