Soop’s kitchen, filled with kindness, understanding and some damn fine cake ! Come on in.

mcem, what a lovely wee boy Ruaridh is. He looks really sociable and good-natured. A good Scottish name too.

Maw, you are not alone in feeling lethargic. Sunday is the time I feel there are things I should be doing and usually put them off till Monday. I'm listening to the cricket on the radio - I don't have Sky Sports - so that I can discuss it knowledgeably with DS2 who is a fanatic. And I have just realised that the omelette I was going to have for tea is not happening - I forgot to buy eggs and the shops have closed. ?

mcem 'Aaaaaah'...the expression that sums up Ruaridh perfectly. Made my day.

Ruaridh has captured our hearts. Such a lovely way to close the day.

The sun is shining and the sea is frisky. I's less muggy than it was a couple of days ago.

I am wishing one and all a pleasant Sunday evening. To all of our Granspals with ongoing trials and tribulations - I send you love. Even though I cannot show it in reality, I still feel it inside.

Until tomorrow...

Thank you folks.
Although I don't post often I do follow the ups and downs of the kitchen and am aware that some are dealing with real concerns.
So when this pic popped up I uttered a huge 'aaaaaaaah' and thought he might just bring a wee ray of sunshine (of the soothing not the blistering kind) .
Thanks for asking charley but as temperatures around here are not outrageous he seems to be coping well. Not a grumpy boy at all!
He is the first for DS and DiL but they are so besotted by him and such good parents that I guess a couple more will follow him!

What a gorgeous chap you are Ruaridh. I will wait my turn patiently for cuddles and chocolate ?
ann I do hope your DGD gets the correct diagnosis soon. It is annoying when the medical professionals cannot agree on a diagnosis.
kitty hope DH has had his oscopy by now and your BIL is ok.
Sorry forgot to thank galen for the chocolate.......when I get some that is ?
maw hope you enjoy your show this afternoon. I think this hot weather is making us all feel a bit odd.

mcem is he an only child?

That photograph makes my heart melt.
Your Gran and your mummy and daddy must be very proud of you.

Ruaridh- you do look a very good natured handsome young man! I will not be giving you any cake, somebody has to look after your teeth.

I hope it is not too hot for you, difficult to express your feelings at your age. You may pop in any time you like, with or without your gran.

Maw I would love a cuddle of Ruaridh...shall we all take it in turns.

mcem Oh my word...Ruaridh is utterly adorable. His portrait will hang beside other darling grandchildren on the gallery wall in our kitchen. Please, tell him that I not only love his photograph but his name is a favourite of ours. In fact, our beloved adopted cat was so special, we named him Ruaridh.

And what a gorgeous little boy you are too!
Welcome to the kitchen where cuddles and cake are given in equal measure!

My gran introduced me in the kitchen when I arrived on Easter Sunday. I am ten weeks old now and want to say hello. Love from Ruaridh x

Chocolate might help Soop
Good try anyway!

Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am holding the key that opens the chocolate treasure. Galen trusts me to be fair. Please form a disorderly queue and, if you are nice to me, I shall reward you with a piece. In order to qualify for a second/third/fourth helping you may need to agree to be even nicer. Win! Win!

kitty Just when we thought that there couldn't possibly be more surprise buggerations - well- all I can say is - thank heavens there were no casualties. Breathe deeply.

Ann How was it possible to drain something that wasn't after all at the root of your granddaughter's distress? What a botch. Please keep us updated.

Maw We all have good, bad, and unbelievably lethargic days. I have at least two per week. It's okay to feel out of sorts from time to time. The upbeat days are a bonus. You are an inspiration to the rest of us.

You will be glad to know that the chocolate has made it safely home!
I’m leaving 500g each of dark and milk in the fridge. I’ve put a padlock on it and given the key to soop.
Now form an orderly queue when she arrives, remember we’re ladees here (unlike the argy bargy)

Morning everyone,
Maw, anni, sending you an afternoon tea this afternoon with a nice, chilled glass of sparkly. Xx

Thank you and TG for online friends!
One thing I hope I will see at the streamed Glyndebourne is the introductory clip of the audience milling about in the gardens and setting up their picnic suppers. (We went a couple of times in the 80’s and it was magical.)
BUT what made it for me watching a filmed performance last year was that among the audience I spotted Paw’s double in DJ and Panama hat. Of course it wasn’t him, but somehow I felt he was with me ?

We must accept those sort of days Maw as part of our lives now.
I hope the performance lifts your spirits a little.
I am finding out the truth that weekends are very lonely.
I hope to see my GD later, where? I don't know.

This is probably unacceptably selfish of me, but does anybody else get what I am feeling today?
I had a perfectly nice day yesterday ( the film “Yesterday” which was lovely, with a glass of chilled white wine at the cinema), it is a beautiful morning and I am going to the streamed Glyndebourne “Cendrillon” later this afternoon, but despite an early night last night I am feeling thoroughly out of sorts, low and lethargic.
I don’t feel very proud of myself as so many of you have real problems, but just needed to get it off my chest. ??

I find it scary Ann when we cannot rely on what the doctor tells us. After all who are we to know what it correct. I am pleased to hear your GD's mother is on the case now - that should set your mind at rest.
I have the same situation with my surgeon/consultant and oncologist - they do not seem to agree on suitable treatment and it is hard to know who to believe.

Oh how frustrating and frankly puzzling. No Dr is infallible but on your GD’s experience of the last few days I would say better safe than sorry.
I hope your ex DIL can sort them out.
Thinking of you, you don’t need the extra worry

I should add my exDiL takes no prisoners.

Well a real odd situation this morning.
Into my GD's ward walks the Dr who sent her home from Stepping Hill on Friday and says ,you can go home today, she is still on intravenous ab's.
We now find out that she has told my GD it wasnt a quinsy but a bad case of tonsillitis.
Of four Dr's 3 say quinsy 1 says no.
Bearing in mind the last one who saw her drained it, we are perplexed.
Totally lost faith at the moment.
Her mum ,who returned from Her cruise last night, is going over after lunch.

gransal I have PMed you and please ask questions as and when because it is a lot to take in.

kitty I do hope that man is well insured and also the car and caravan will be taken good care of. I also hope you are not flying to France. I do wonder if he should have been allowed out to buy a pint of milk!

I sincerely hope that the Panaches made it to their new abode and are settling in now
TOYA.

At least he hasn't caused harm to anyone else as far as we know, harri which was the worry. I need to talk to my hopeless sil to find out what is happening. Currently, we are still at the hospital waiting for the doctor who has not yet turned up. DH has been heard to mutter, 'well, he needn't think I'm b****y well going to France to collect him and his eep beep caravan!'