Soops Kitchen , kindness and cake served with love. Come on in !

It's three years almost to the day since a flash flood came roaring down the road and inundated my garden, creating a temporary lake when it met the brook that runs along the end. A lot of good plants were lost, and I think that must be where the horsetail incursion came from. It's been so wet the last few days that I fear for a recurrence of this event, but so far, so good, even though it's rained for days now.

I agree, soop. I moan about the rain but the worst that has happened to me was wet feet and the bottom of my trousers soaked. It must be soul destroying to have a flooded house.

The sky is a mix of blue and soft grey clouds. Another rain-free day. It will arrive at some point. I am feeling sorry for the countless people elsewhere who have suffered severe flooding. It must be heartbreaking to have water enter one's home and ruin the furnishings.

Care home visit tomorrow. We have also been invited to have tea with a lovely couple who have a home in Kintyre and one in London.

At some point in the day I shall visit our kitchen and socialise with you lovely lot.

I've thoroughly cleaned and tidied the utility room and all kitchen cupboards. Feeling a trifle smug.

Bye for now. TOYA

Charleyg Our Tara is one very smart feline. Why on earth would she choose to get wet? She has, as you well know, her own agenda.

Lovely comments.

Hooray! For you, Ann, and your dear friend. That's more like it. Good for you.

Well I have a smile in my face now.
My Thursday friend rang to ask if I wanted to go to a retail outlet.
I jumped at the chance and we had a lovely sandwich in the cafe.
Then I bought 3 tops and 2 necklaces for all this socialising I am going to make myself do.
Self indulgent I know but it has done me good.

I hope the Panaches are coping ok and the move is going ahead, it is so hard for them being on their own.
I hope they are accepting any help offered and are paying for what they need.
There comes a time in life when money is for spending, not saving, I am hoping to do some of that myself.

ann no doubt your ex-friend had a smug look on her face when she was so hurtful to you. She opened her mouth and let her belly rumble. So sorry that -us lot- were nowhere near.

Please go to your GP about your back. You need a physio to tell you the amount of rest and exercise you need- you should not be hirpling around everywhere.

GrannyQ your story about Pip did make me laugh- serves your DH right if he cannot take a simple instruction-" do not let that dog off the lead". Pip looks as though a double bed would be more comfortable- I would say he has settled in!

I also hope that Sam's paw is not as proper poorly as it was.

This is only Thursday and apparently, the rain will remain until at least the weekend. My house is an end terrace of three so if you see three houses gently floating- Tara and I will need rescuing please.

I am not too sure about Tara's needs- she comes home at 7pm with a light sprinkling of rain on her coat so where she spends the day I have no idea. I put a bag of rubbish in the bin at the front door and I am soaked.

Please, please look after yourselves, there are too many buggerations around.

soop. Thank you for the sunshine - I am directing it over my patio in the hope of seeing some flowers - lots of green because of the rain but no floral display. However apart from the Kintyre sunshine, you always spread metaphorical sunshine with your lovely presence.

Soop thank you I am home safe and sound with a much lighter bank balance, but I didn’t cry this time!!!

Compared to some dear kitcheners troubles being afraid of all things dental makes me feel silly.

I do hope that the Panache’s are fairing well.

Soop you always fill your posts with love and uplift others, whilst bearing your own pain and troubles which is truly humbling.

TOYA?????

Feelingmyage I would like to send you some of our Kintyre sunshine. We've enjoyed a weeks worth. Never mind, you've obviously been using your time wisely. I shall join Doodle in the corner for a bake-tasting interlude.

Grannygravy You should be home and feeling proud of yourself. Any mention of a trip to the dentist puts me into a swoon. Did my virtual (((hug))) help?

corner wise advice to our Ann.

Maw I love the cartoon.

granniequeenie Poor Pip! It's natural that he romped off when released from the constraints of his lead. Your husband must have come very close to "losing it" when he couldn't manage to get Pip to behave. Your account together with the superb photo made me .
Nannytopsy

dragonflyYou are often in my thoughts.
My pain is long-standing - scoliosis of the spine has caused arthritis in my joints. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. Front and rear prolapses add to the discomfort (mentally and physically). The mastectomy has caused me so little discomfort. Apart from the adverse reaction to the therapy, I can honestly say that I feel exceedingly fortunate.

feeling!! I’m on a diet. I mean really! Well just one scone wouldn’t hurt I suppose...and perhaps a muffin..but I absolutely adore cheese straws ?

Oh annsixty that was a thoughtless remark.
I have a recently bereaved acquaintance and have had a coffee with her a couple of times. Why is it when you are trying to be tactful and not upset anyone that all the wrong words come out of your mouth. She was telling me about her husband’s last few days, which were not too good, and I couldn’t find a b****dy thing to say other than oh I’m so sorry and how hard it must have been for them all.
I don’t think you should be so hard on yourself ann. With all you’ve been through and being in pain too it’s not really conducive to getting out and about or forcing yourself to do things. Some good advice on here about physio etc. Hope you feel better soon.

Ann A firm kick is most certainly not something you need or deserve. What you deserve is a friend with whom you can exchange comforting conversations. The emotional loss of your husband is still very raw, and the debilitaing back pain lowers your spirits further.
You can be certain of one thin - us lot are here to listen and send you love.

With all this rain, I have been forced to fill my time baking. Savoury scones, cheese straw and fruit muffins on the side, ????? to all with aches and pains. Take care and let’s hope to see the sun soon. TOYA

annsixty I certainly will not be kicking you while you are down but volunteer to join the chastising corps with mawbroon and izabella. You are grieving and in a difficult and sad place. I hope you have a spot where you can sit in a/your garden and listen to the birds and think your thoughts. When the weather and your back improve I hope you can get back to walking with your neighbour. It is probably too difficult to think about going out every single day but hopefully you go out at least twice a week even if just for fresh milk. Please try (difficult) not to let your “silly” friend put you off meeting others. You write so well here, have you thought of writing a resume of your younger life and when you met your DH. We have some family writings like this and they are greatly treasured by the younger generation. TOY ?

Morning all, from ark central ! ( yes its still raining!)

Oh dear GrannieQ what a palaver !! Poor you, poor pup !!
Sam indeed would not run off, he is too concerned that Grampy would leave without him :-) after all he is the keeper of the treats!!

Ann I don't like your friend already :-( , how thoughtless and tactless !! I hope you get some help for your back soon, it isn't helping matters is it ?

I am thoroughly out of sorts this morning. I have posted elsewhere about the grill saga but I am spitting chips lol . AO are about to get the benefit of all my years wisdom such as it is - and if you listen carefully you may hear me from wherever you are !!

I shall pop in later when steam has stopped coming out of my ears :-)

soop have you seen the painting thread?

annsixty a morning of relative clarity here so I feel I can reply to your post with a degree of rationality and understanding. I agree totally with cornergrans sensitive and thoughtful post. Please do not push yourself into full flight action. Your body and soul need rest and peace. You have been through the mill and need time to replenish and find your feet again.

Maw will join your chastising corps if I may? Friends can be so utterly thoughtless at times.

As for the back ann , yes indeed find a physio and do what they tell you! ?

Annsixty that visitor is no longer a friend!!!!

I have a back problem and have private Physiotherapy. Have got it down to approximately 6-8 weeks between sessions now.......but I do the exercises she gave me regularly.

Back pain is all invading, it affects our moods our posture which then leads to other aches, please see a physiotherapist soon.

I am in my car sitting outside the dentist, physically shaking and it’s only the hygienist!!!! I am so phobic re anything dental!!!

TOYA ????

ann, I have pm'd you.

Annsixty what an unbelievably thoughtless, tactless and uncaring remark to make! I am speechless for you.
I too am aiming no kicks in your direction, but if you would like to point me in the direction of this so-called friend .....

Perhaps the time has come to seek some help for your back. A physio I saw yesterday said that Yes, grief along with stress can cause pain, but I feel there is nothing to be gained from “putting up” with it as it saps what little energy you may have and can drag you down further.
Everything you says resonates, including the need for company along with no energy to do anything about it. Plus it is hard always to be the person who makes the first move.
Wishing you some respite from the pain and that your true friends are kinder people. [ flowers]

Sorry ann, no kick from me

Constant physical pain is debilitating, as are the restrictions it puts on day to day life which undermine confidence. So, combine this with the understandable general exhaustion you were already experiencing and your grief it’s not a kick you need but time, rest and cosseting, well, that’s my view anyway.

Your friend doesn’t sound the most tactful, didn’t consider the impact of her words.

I’m concerned about your back, could you consider a private appointment with a physical therapist? A good physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor could do a lot to ease the discomfort and restriction to movement. Quick intervention can often make a huge improvement before spinal issues become ‘set’.

I’m about to take heed of my own words and book an appointment with an excellent private physiotherapist as the NHS prescribed exercises I am told to do daily before my next appointment in 6 weeks are definitely increasing pain and reducing mobilisation. Cornerland is decidedly grumpy at the moment so if anyone needs a kick it’s me, not you. This particular physio left the NHS because changes to her role meant she could no longer offer traditional hands on physio when she knew it would be the best for a patient, she gets very cross about it.

Sorry, ann, I’m going on a bit and don’t mean to nag, that won’t help at all. You’re doing what you can, all anyone can do so don’t be hard on yourself, but input from a physical professional could just make it all that bit easier. .