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

Gosh it seems ages since I last came in – so much happening to so many kitcheners and a lot of it not to be desired at all!

Soop I’m glad you’ve had a thorough examination but not about the new breast problem – I hope they fast track the clinic appointment. Good luck to MacS for his upcoming appointment. I’m sure the bread is delicious. I had to stop using our bread maker as it was just too tempting to eat a whole loaf with lashings of butter! Your latest picture is wonderful as usual – I hope the doggy owner is suitably delighted.

Synonymous good news your husband has now got his appointment through – stressful time for you both but it will be better when it’s all over and the road to recovery can begin.

Izabella such a nuisance to be rendered one handed just when you’re needed in the mens ward – I hope they don’t take advantage of you and make even more mess!

Twin 2 you have my sympathies – I had major dental work 4 years ago and the initial treatment was extremely painful for a few days. Keep on with the pain killers and Abs and hopefully it will subside quickly.

N&G Hope you managed to arrange your appointments with the best treatment plan for you. Lovely picture of young Cooper with his certificate and Kitty what lovely smiles between Wolfie and his dad.

Corner condolences on your sad loss – almost reaching her centenary was quite amazing but no matter what age it’s always sad to lose a loved one.

Dragonfly sorry Mr D is relapsing – it is a long drag. I hope he’s able to make it to your oncology appointment next week.

Kitty worrying news for you and your husband but hopefully it will be quickly treatable. I remember my FIL saying the same thing as your SiL’s father when MIL was dying – we were summoned to her bedside several times – at one point she sat up and asked for a roast with Yorkshire puddings

Eilyann also worrying time for you – as others have said it’s been picked up early so I’m sure they’ll get to the bottom of it quickly now.

Morethan – you definitely need this holiday – hard to imagine relaxing but fingers crossed once you’re on the way you will settle down and enjoy it.

Ann Dragonfly is right – if you can get NHS nursing care it will reduce the cost of care for your husband. When my Mum first went in care she only got the SS payment but after 2 years of fighting when she was no longer able to talk, move or eat I finally got the nursing care package too. It can be very sad visiting when all the residents are either asleep or not communicating though so reading is a good option.

We are still busy decorating – gone are the days when we could have a room done in 24 hours sadly. Yesterday Mr W really struggled to paint the living room ceiling – there was much groaning and grunting from both of us as I was stripping wallpaper at the same time. We have the dining room half done apart from papering one wall – I will endeavour to get the walls painted this week so that we can complete the papering over the weekend and he can have a rest as he’s on holiday next week.

Sorry for all those I’ve missed – I hope you all have a good night.

Glad you`re back home safe Soop, all my good wishes are with you.
I haven`t posted much lately, a bit overcome with all the backlog I`ve accumulated, so can I just say all the best to everyone with trials and tribulations, my thoughts are with you.
After reading over the last week or so, I must admit to feeling a tiny modicum of sympathy with the occupants of the men`s wing, poor things.

Thanks for all good wishes. Anaesthetic worn off it’s painful ? and dentist couldn’t do all he wanted as infection and now on antibiotics. Back in 4 weeks. Hey ho

Hope you went on ok NG

Soop. I’m glad they were thorough and you get your appt soon.

Sending best wishes to everyone keep warm.

Lovely photos, a joy to see, thank you.

soop pleased you came through the day. Now waiting will be the hard part as so many of us in the kitchen already know. My thoughts are with you. Enjoy the lovely bread and take care of yourself. It strikes me you put others first too much. It is your turn now. Matrons orders

OK the poorly wing was in order when I returned to my one handed duties. Remarkably difficult in a sling, but no matter.

There are now vacancies for any ladies who feel they would benefit from a stay in the new anteroom - the conservatory for gentle ladies. Please just go in and rest your heads. There are cloudsoft pillows, recliner chairs, a log burner and a selection of magazines and books, plus an array of flowers to lift your spirits. If you have difficulty in getting here, you can be 'beamed up' by special arrangement. Well behaved pets welcome.

The new anteroom has been stocked by me personally in readiness for any gentle ladies and in the fridge you will find champagne, pros-ecu, eclairs with fresh cream and a few other surprises you may enjoy. As ever, no visitors of the opposite sex after 2100hrs.

I shall look in again tomorrow when perhaps use of the keyboard becomes a tad easier. I suppose I am lucky in putting a knife through my hand without damaging any vital bits. ?. SOMEONE has had a stern talking to about loading the dishwasher.

Nannytopsy That is a delightful photograph. Such a charming smile - and, I want a pair of wellies just like those.

GrannyGravy You, my dear, are allowed to leave "crumbage" in your bed.

We left for the hospital in bright sunshine. We have returned and the icy raindrops are tapping on the window pane.

Talk about a thorough pre-op assessment...it took sixty five minutes. Tests for MRSA, a thingy poked up my nostril, ECG, bloods eventually taken after much "wee scratching" from veins that refused to give up what was required, weighed, height measured (I'm half an inch shorter than I was at this time last year), blood pressure (raised, possibly due to a wee bit of inward fretting about the lump), A full history of all things medical. The NHS is to be applauded for caring for us as they do. I am extremely grateful.

I put my arms above my head, as instructed by our GP. The lump and puckering were evident. The sooner I attend the breast clinic, the better. If it's cancer, I shall accept and deal with it. It's what we do. As many of us have said in the past, it's the not knowing and waiting that is irksome.

MacSporran is about to make a loaf in his trusty breadmaker. Delicious aromas will ensue.

For today, I shall log off. I need to wash my hair. Care home visit in the morning. All being well, I shall be with you all again once I return home.

Good morning my virtual friends

We have a most beautiful clear blue sky here in Essex, the sun is glorious unfortunately it is rather breezy.

Still nursing the silly back which is not behaving, I am off to lay on the bed and do the exercises as prescribed by the physio.

Soop safe journey and hope your hospital appointment goes as well as can be expected.

I hope,mynfriends with tooth problems are brave and go to their dentists.

Izzabella Knives are lethal weapons especially new sharp kitchen ones please be careful and hope your injury is on the mend.

As for the naughty men, I have no words!!!! (Sorry I like a coffee and biscuit in bed and if I accidentally leave "crumbage" Mr GG gets rather high and mighty!!!)

Keep warm and safe ❄️?

Soop best wishes today at the hospital.

Thank you for the amazing view. Your views are spectacular.

Finished the washing up and got a repair man to come and fix it so now I can lounge on the chaise and admire the view.

I bet it was my DH eating chocolate in bed - he is very sneaky that way. I will have a word.

Just went away for the weekend and there is so much news!! Sorry to hear of all the medical worries - I wish you all quick and reassuring outcomes. I am doing the belated birdwatch. Where have all the little blighters gone?! One long tailed tit?? They always arrive in a gang to raid the feeders. There is a very feisty robin chasing everything else away.
A photo of a little boy with a fresh haircut to cheer you up.

The sun is out here in NW London but it is very cold. Tara stayed in until noon, there are no flies on her!

That is a gorgeous sunset- nothing like that around here.

I must make a move- food does not fly into the fridge by itself and if we are going to have snow and ice I should have a bit extra in case I cannot get out. Tara has around 6 weeks supply of dry food, I doubt if she will starve.

We'll be leaving for the hospital appointment very shortly. It is a perfectly beautiful day. Calm with a clear blue, sunshiny sky.

Izabella sorry to hear abiut the injury to your hand. Hoping it isn't going to hinder your loofah duties.

Charleyg You really must not make life too comfortable for your just a wee bit poorly menfolk. If they continue to eat scratchy crumb making treats in bed, then they should suffer the consequences. Ouchy! Indeed.

dragonfly I've made up the chaise for you to lie on. It has a view of the sea, sky and mountains. Stay as long as you need to. Us lot will give you the TLC you deserve.

N&G and twin2 I wish you a totally pain-free visit to the dentist. Think good thoughts.

Here is yesterday's sunset to put you in the mood.

Izabella I am not entirely sure but there were crumbs also. It was easiest to pop everything in my trusty washing machine and see the lovely white bedding appear 1 hour and 47 minutes later.

I have not hung washing outside for many months- hopefully that may change soon.

I hope your hand is not so painful now.

soop good luck for the appointment.

Izabella sorry to hear about your hand - I’m afraid I am a bit of a liability with sharp knives. I bought two new ones recently and have fallen foul of both of them, but I hope your cut heals soon.

? does ExLax work that fast??

Charleygirl5 as you sure it is chocolate?

Thank you for making me smile. A very good way to begin a new week. That ward must be a nightmare to manage. Thank heavens for Matron and her Bonnie Band of carers.
About to have breakfast. Will return later. X

Just popping in to wish soop well for the appointment today. And please take care on the roads everyone else!

I'll be back later!

I hope you don’t get too much snow, N&G. I hate the winter weather. If we didn’t have two school a week runs to do, we would simply batten down the hatches, say “Oh isn’t it pretty”, and wait until it goes away. We are due to get it tomorrow, and I want it all gone by Thursday or we could be in trouble.
Chocolate on the sheets?? Biscuit crumbs in the beds, too, I shouldn’t wonder. I can see I shall have to return and crack the whip! Hard tack doesn’t leave crumbs and the only chocolate they should be having is ExLax!
I will accompany Izabella later for her daily inspection., and it had better be good, gentlemen! “Stand by your beds! Matron in the room!”

N&G I know it is a horrid thought and you would prefer to keep your wallet closed a tad longer but please go ahead and make the arrangements, you have had a hard enough time finding an NHS dentist.

It is a good idea to stock up- even if snow does not materialise it is no fun driving on sheet ice roads. Stay warm and please look after Sam.

Morning all,

Chocolate in bed , whatever next !! ?

That sounds like a proper ‘ouchy’ Izabella ! Hope it doesn’t hurt too much .

Few flakes of snow already this morning so Grampy and I are popping out for a few bits incase we get the promised inches. I have to ring the dentist and make apt’s for my chosen treatment plan but I have been putting it off :-)

I shall be back later for a proper catch up !

dragpnfly of course you may have a lie down- would you like blankets or a duvet? A memory foam mattress okay? Coffee or tea after around 4 hours rest? You name it and one of the ne'er do wells will deliver with a smile.

Charley if there is a bed free may I just have a quick lie down? I have a bit of a tummy ache.

Going to spend the rest of the day washing up (alarming bleeps coming from the dishwasher last night) and finding someone to repair it.

Also have to fill out all the forms to reclaim money from the cancelled holiday which I am sure they will refuse due to some loophole.

Hope everybodies hospital and dental visits go well and all ailments improved.

Izabella that sounds nasty- you must take care.

I will pop in tomorrow as usual to pick up the laundry. It would appear that bars of chocolate etc are being eaten under the covers after lights are out. This behaviour must be stopped. These men get an adequate diet, they do not need extras like chocolate. The sheets are in a disgraceful state where the chocolate has melted. Fortunately my sturdy machine with the assistance of Morrisons copes with it all.

My goodness, I take a weekend off from Matron duties in the poorly ward and just so much has happened! soop I shall be with you every step of the way metaphorically speaking. I hope teeth, stressful circumstances and general problems of daily living for everyone else were helped by the group hug I have read about.

I am working an afternoon shift in there tomorrow having pierced through my hand with a very sharp knife. Now suitable wrapped up in Inadine and assorted stuff I shall delegate bedbaths and the emptying of urinals to others whom I know are more than capable.

So today I was treated to a lovely day at Sudbury Hall and the Museum of childhood. AND a superb steak cooked to perfection when home. Very suitably cut into maneagable pieces by the current Mr.Izabella

So no swimming tomorrow but I hope to do a few k on the gym bike. In the meantime do not take my example of injuring anything and I hope to be back on duty tomorrow.

Good luck twin2. Wishing you a painless and quick visit to the dentist.