Soop`s Kitrchen,a refuge and sanctuary for genteel folk

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oh blimey, ann, what a disappointment. It’s another thing to do but please try Age UK, any help you can get will relieve some pressure. Sending love.

Things still sound very difficult panache, good luck for your appointment.

Those boys are a joy n&g, I do understand the exhaustion that can come with the young ones, we’ve only got two days childcare this week so half way already. Baking tomorrow. Fire extinguisher at the ready. .

We’ve been over the bridge into Wales with two young ones today to see our still poorly friend. It’s a trek for a day but worth it to see the smile on our friends face. I’m beginning to get itchy for a trip to Pembrokeshire, it’s my ‘go to’ place when the world seems against me.

Demons were here too until 1am, dragonfly, nuisance or what?

Apparently there is a need for more food so I’d best be off to the rl kitchen, where do they put it all?

Take care everyone, TOYA.

Ann that was a very arbitrary way to treat you. It makes you wonder where some of them learn their social skills. I hope there are other agencies that can help you and that they don’t leave you both in limbo for long!?

Soop always good to see visitors! Don’t knock yourself out trying to catch up with ‘jobs about the hoos’! They will look after themselves. Take care.

N&G the photos of the little boys are really lovely - always a pleasure to see them! You sound as if you have your hands well and truly full until after Easter now! Pace yourself ?!

Well, you win some, you lose some! I had a message from son in law to say that he and GS thought the pie I sent over for them was “awesome” and they want the recipe. This evening, I made a curry for DH and I with the half chicken left over from yesterday. Ok so far. I did not make it to my usual recipe (it would have taken a whole afternoon), but used a good curry paste. I thought it was rather nice; different, richer. He looked at it as if I had served him a boar’s head with an apple in its mouth. Him: “It’s not what you usually do!” Me: “it’s nicer than what I usually do - try it!” He pushed it round his plate, shovelled a few mouthfuls down and then filled up on rice and naan. He is constantly trying to get GS to try new foods, but he’s worse than a small boy himself! Good job I love him! Have a good evening folks!

Hope the appointment for your eyes goes well panache .
corner and dragonfly obviously a prolific time of year for the demons. They visited me last night for hours too. Eventually woke this morning with a blinding headache and ache in my jaw (perhaps one of the little blighters hit me ?). Oh that we could wrap our little family in cotton wool and protect them from the world but I suppose that is not how things work. Hope you both sleep better tonight.
TOYA ?

We only ever went to Fishguard once, many years ago, went for a look round...………….and bought a car! Left the hotel that morning owning a Triumph Acclaim, arrived back the new owners of a beautiful red Rover, although we had to return the following day to collect it.
I`m sorry that things haven`t turned out as you wished Ann, hopefully AgeUK will be able to help.
My granddaughter, who`s still staying with me, arrived bac last night with a baby! Her friend`s mum had been rushed into hospital and she begged Jenny to have 5 months old Archie for the night. He looked a bit bewildered on arrival, but slept all night, and was quite the happy chappie this morning.
Lovely photos of the little boys N&G. Are they ever less than happy, they`re always smiling?
Soop, glad the antib`s are working and driving the infection out.
TOYA

Crumbs callgirl I bet that was a shock. Well done to all of you for coping. Hope Archie’s mum is ok.

I am sorry that some of you are having trouble sleeping - it is so annoying to keep thinking “I can’t get to sleep!”.
We have had 4 people make appointments to see the house but only one couple have arrived but they have been twice! It is annoying when we do so much tidying up!
Can I brag a little?
MY GARDEN IS FINISHED!! At last I have got rid of all the weeds

Another non sleeper here. I often read until the wee small hours though tonight I've been following the Notre Dame fire, so much history gone in a shockingly short time. I went to Notre Dame as an O'Level French student and remember it vividly to this day, especially the stained glass.
Callgirl I love your stories, most people would have bought a boat in Fishguard. Little Archie, what a little bundle of joy he sounds - that's the kind of lodger to have.
N&G those little boys are gorgeous, enjoy your time with them.
Hope everyone sleeps better tonight. TOYA

Oh my goodness callgirl.Glad little Archie had a settled night and hope his mum is ok.
Panache,I hope your appointment goes well this morning and that the day isn’t too exhausting for you both?

It’s quiet in here this morning! Apple cake on the side and the cafetière is ready to go - just add boiling water.

Popping in just before leaving for this dreaded appointment.

As always a visit brings a smile to my face though sadly I am well aware life is being a real trial for you Ann.
As always just hoping for better news for you.

Corner Pembrokeshire is awaiting your visit and please do not sneak in........and out!.....whilst my back is turned!!
I have already reminded Greyd and others to just give me a call so I can put the kettle on!!!
Mind you as things are going you could be helping us move house!!!
Nothing like some positive thinking!!

Until later have yourselves a good day dear kitchen friends.

Good morning all.
I know my posts at the moment are not very heartening but just want to say that Molly is an absolute treasure.
I am so pleased I have her.
She has me wrapped around her little paws.
She has a perfectly good catflap but will sit by the French doors waiting to be let out and once out appears to run straight round to the kitchen door and comes in and back to the french door.
It is obviously a game.
I do need advice on the litter tray saga though.
She will not "go" outside, she runs in, uses the tray and goes out again.
For a week now I put the tray outside but I am convinced she crosses her legs until evening when I bring it back in and lock her flap.
She uses it again the minute it is inside.
TOYA with best wishes for a warm and sunny Easter.

ann I don't blame Molly for doing her business inside - I always use the toilet rather than the back garden .
So pleased she is a comfort to you and I hope you find things better today at the hospital.

Gosh, Ann I don’t know about you, but I remember outside loos from my childhood and how perishing they were!! Perhaps cats are the same! I’m very glad to hear (and not at all surprised) that Molly has you enchanted. Long may it continue! As for your posts not being very heartening, we absolutely don’t care, as long as you are posting!

Ann Tara used to lift her tail when outside but not any longer. I have accepted the fact she only uses the litter tray now. She leaves the house early in the morning and returns 7 pm ish and tuns straight upstairs to her litter tray. I have accepted the fact she is still costing me money with her antics. It would appear that Molly is doing the same.

ann, love your tribute to Mollie. She is just what you need when you've been having such a stressful time. I think my 'grandcats' in Oxfordshire play games about which door they want to come in and also use the litter tray more than they do the great outdoors.

Ann Molly sounds a real cutie and if your neighbours are garden lovers they will be delighted that she’s still using her litter tray! I hope thing become clearer for your dh future care and you have a more positive experience with the staff today

Aren’t little ones amazingly adaptable callgirl! Like others I have enough trouble getting to sleep in my own bed never mind anywhere else, especially when I’ve things on my mind.

Well I’ve just about recovered from the various visitors of the last few days and now have a couple of days before dd4 arrives for the weekend.

panache I hope your appointment is less troublesome than you fear. I’ve reason to be grateful for our NHS myself today. Dd1 found a breast lump a couple of weeks ago - she saw her GP last week then was checked with a mammogram and ultrasound at the breast clinic this morning and was reassured all is ok. This is the 2nd of my daughters to be checked in this way this year. I’m very grateful and hugely relieved but also acutely aware that what is happening for others I know, both here and elsewhere, could just as easily be happening for our family.

I’m another who doesn’t “get” the whole running thing, though a good few of my family seem to enjoy it. Hmm...that’ll be why they’re sleek and slender and I’m not Congratulations to your sil greyduster. I think you may be a victim of your previous successes with the curry quandary, perhaps you’ve set the bar too high?

Right I’d best be off. I’ve a volunteer mtg at the hospice this afternoon and while there I’ll take the opportunity of seeing a friend who was admitted as a patient last week. I’m not looking forward the the latter, she had to call off our last meet up so I’ve not seen her since Feb and things have moved on significantly since then. We called to see her dh yesterday, he is just so sad and deflated anticipating what’s going to happen - much sooner than they’d thought.

As always toya x

Quick run in to leave some unexpectedly edible white chocolate cup cakes on the side. Apologies for the decorations - less is more doesn’t seem to be understood

Will try to catch up later. Apparently the chefs are now hungry and the house elf is needed to provide sandwiches

Afternoon all !

After a disappointing start to the day with a weigh in going the wrong way!! I commiserated with a very nice full English and I am now totally back on form.

The weather is glorious here and we are tidying after the little boys before collecting the Queen of the Universe for a very different few days. She will be cooking for us and we are going for afternoon tea and some retail therapy ! There is something to be said for the grandchildren getting older :-)

Send the house elf over Corner I could eat a sandwich :-)

I have it on good authority Callgirl ( from their mums message this morning ) that the boys are fighting over everything and have been banished to the naughty spot so much that Cooper takes himself off there now !! They are so full of energy that I feel for their Mum. When they come here we do everything to wear them out and normal chores go by the by but of course Mum needs to cook and clean etc and that is NO fun .

I must away , I have 4 Easter egg Hunt t shirts to complete and a very complicated Easter Egg Hunt to finalise. The ages range from 4 to 12 now so its not a one size fits all. I have somehow also accumulated 120 little plastic eggs which need to be hidden round the garden …….. I am obviously a glutton for punishment !!

A very good and cheery afternoon to every one of our special Granspals. Naturally you lot have been busy and I can see plenty of delicious goodies to sample.

We've had a busy morning. Returned home not so long ago. About to have a late lunch and a wee nap afterwards.

I shall pop in again just as soon as I'm able.

My my! I admire all you Grans dealing with multiple GC and keeping them in order! I don’t know how I would manage that; I’d have to institute drill sessions to wear them all out (and me - all that shouting!), but they would probably mutiny! I agree with you, though, N&G; there is a lot to be said for them getting older - they sleep in later too! As for your Easter egg hunt, I saw a plastic chicken in a pound shop in Wales - I could ask if it lays plastic eggs ?!

We made a new rockery in our front lawn recently and something is eating the plants. Not all of them - most are heathers but I have lost a couple of nice alpines, and the plants I bought to fill their gaps. I suspect snails. War will be declared.

Conditions were perfect to go fishing today, but the house was what my mother used to call “loppy” and my DiL is coming on Friday so I thought I had better get stuck in so that I pass the white glove treatment. Only joking. If she was like that she wouldn’t get past the front door!

Well that’s enough of my nonsense. I will look in later!

Have had a refreshing nap. It is good to read about your latest happenings. Nice to have some news that brings a smile to our faces.

I have good news to share with you. The breast clinic nurse phoned earlier. The result of the recent lab test is a score of 19. Had the score been greater than 25 I would have benefitted from chemo. Although my score doesn't rule out the return of the cancer, at my age the chemo would be unduly debilitating. We see the oncologist this week in Glasgow. Prepare for intravenous bone strengthening treatment in case of bone cancer developing. Anti oestrogen therapy also to start. New "pretend breast" to be measured next week. A happy day for both of us.

TOYA and and to you lovely lot. x

Great news Soop ! Very positive !!

Just wanted to share with you all....4 yr old Cooper got his second badge at karate tonight !!

For being quiet lol!

To all who remarked about little Archie, it was his mum`s mum who was in hospital, I haven`t heard anything since, but Jenny took Archie home mid morning, so I presume all is OK.
I`ve just given in to temptation and had a bowl of ice cream, it was delicious, but my hands are freezing now!
GrannyQ, so pleased for your daughters, but so sorry about your friend.
Ann, I love reading about your Molly. Forgive me for not being able to remember, but have you showed us a photo of her?
Yesterday my front window was a MESS! I think a whole flock of seagulls with diahorrea had flown past, both top and bottom panes were covered,but thankfully the window cleaner has been today. He informed me that not only had they successfully targeted the window, but they`d also done a good job on the front door as well!

Really good news soop about the chemo.
I also didn't have it, just 5 weeks radiotherapy and tablets for about 7 years.
My oncologist was a super chap, full of fun but practical with it.
I was on a couple of trials so always had the nurse conducting part of one of the trials with me.
He always started the consultation with a general chat and then would always say " now which of you two ladies are going to take your clothes off for me"
With the surgeon I would be in a room for upwards of twenty minutes with a sheet round my upper half and he would breeze in, examine me and then out, all in a few minutes.
What a difference some courtesy and kindness brings to the appointment.