Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for the sharing of...

Ann Have yourself a well deserved glass or two of delicious . xxx

N&G. Loved the cards especially from the (presumably??) younger one. That’s something to treasure

Ann they are boobies!

In the way of all small boys they are fond of anatomical details !! ?

Yes Bella , that’s Coopers creative spelling ?when I read it I hear his little voice , wishing me happy berfday lol

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Hello kitchen friends, as always lots of happenings. soop what a kind twosome you are, the folk you visit must have their days brightened no end when you arrive in the care home each week. synonomous you’re another who quietly gets in with supporting those who need a listening ear, your young friend will be blessed by that I am sure. ann I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling a bit more restricted these days but hope you’ve had a lovely evening and enjoyed a glass or 2 into the bargain. N&G how many months without chips ... goodness that shows huge determination, well done to both of you. Fabulous cards from those boys btw!

I’m on my knees here in Northumberland! We walked from Seahouses to Bamburgh today, my Fitbit tells me I’ve walked over 11km, which may or may not be accurate but it certainly feels like I’ve walked a very long way! We are currently ensconced in a pub that has very good WiFi, sadly I left my camera and iPad at the B & B (which has rubbish WiFi) so sadly have missed the chance to download any photos from my camera... you might be relieved! The weather was dull, but mild and calm on the way there but then brighter and clearer on the way back. I’ll leave a couple of phone photos, if you peer very closely you may be able to see Bamburgh Castle in the distance! ?

Apologies I’ve not time to acknowledge everyone tonight, but always toya. Now it’s tome to see if I can actually stand up, never mind walk to our accommodation, it might be touch and go!!

Lins1066 I am also an only child of older parents. My mother would have been 103 on 24 September. I would have loved to have a brother or sister but it wasn’t to be. Mum was tiny but incredibly strong, both physically and mentally. I just hope that I can be the same as DHs disease progresses.

Dear Panache how very kind you are to think of us when you are coping with so much. It’s good that you are making the most of the weather. DH prefers to stay at home and to be honest, he wouldn’t be able to walk any distance. We have been provided with a wheelchair but he is not yet ready to accept that he needs it. And in any case it’s too heavy for me to lift and put into the car. But we are making the most of things. DH has not lost his sense of humour, and the speech app on the iPad provided by the MND association is a godsend.

Although I don’t often post, I very much enjoy reading everyone’s news, and have the utmost sympathy for those who are experiencing problems and worries.

TOYA

Hello the kitchen!!

I'm still keeping up to date with the goings on but commenting on lots of happenings is defeating me!

anneliese, it's good to see you again.

I hope you dont have a hangover this morning, ann.

n&g, I bet those chips were fabulous! And what a star grampy is.

I agree with the comments about your caring ways soop. You and MacS do spread a lot of happiness.

I'm hoping dragonfly is feeling ok and that maw is still enjoying her trip.

panache, always lovely to see you in the kitchen. What house news?

gq lovely photos as always.

I hope to get back later and keep up. TOYA

I too struggle with keeping up with all the doings in the kitchen so I’ll just wish everyone a good day.

Good morning all.
No hangover kitty perish the thought, but we did have a bottle between us!!
A most unusual taxi drive home, the driver was a little Chinese man and he suddenly put karaoke on in the car and serenaded me!
He then handed me a second mike and I was singing along.
When we got to my house we were both laughing and he said” last week I had a lady in the car singing with me and she was 72”
When I told him that I was 82 he just laughed again.
I suppose now he will tell all his passengers about me now.
What a legacy to leave.??

ann, I wish that I had met your taxi driver. I could do with entertainment when I go to and from stations on my way to visit the family.
anneliese, I think of you and your DH very often. You are both so courageous. I can understand his not wanting to resort to the wheelchair yet. Good for him, standing up (literally) to this dreadful disease.

Dear soop, I want to echo what other friends have posted about you and McSp when visiting the care home. I read about your visit yesterday, I then felt good about the whole day ?

Grannyq, as ever love your photographs, especially those of the Northumbrian coast.
We lived for a good while in the Scottish Borders side of the Cheviots at the end of the Pennine Way and loved Seahouses but we're always thrilled to be only forty-five minutes from Holy Island. We'd often take a picnic there - even though we were living so close - and once even stayed in a cottage there for a few nights because the tide then cut the island off from 10.00am until nearly 5.00pm so, we were quiet for a lovely time. I miss living there!

News at last from DH's orthopaedic surgeon from the hospital in St Brieuc, appointment for a final decision is now mid October.
Have been translating the letter but the gist is the back operation is possible depending on what the anaesthetist and cardiologist decide due to the length of the procedure. I know we are very fortunate because he is not in a life threatening place but I know how his pain has altered his life for the past two decades not least because of a prolonged daily intake of a cocktail of painkillers and the side effects there with.

So very sorry. Didn't mean to moan today. Sending peace to all who need prayers much more than us.

Anneliese I hope you will forgive any intrusion but I just wonder if your husband has been given DLA or PIP since you sound as if you ought to qualify for it. We have found that to be such a help as we exchanged the allowance for a Motability lease. This enables you to have all the gadgets you need to be fitted to the car including one to lift and manoeuvre a wheelchair in. Unfortunately when DH needed the wheelchair we were in mid-contract and so we are having to wait for the renewal to have that fitted as funds did not allow the higher cost involved before that time. In the meantime we have worked out a way of doing it because Himself has good upper body strength. We have a piece of carpet used fluffy side down to protect the car paintwork (or you could use a blanket) which we hang over the back and have worked out a way to work the folded wheelchair on to the carpet and then slide it in on the carpet piece. It works the other way too. I can't do it on my own but it is amazing how lovely and helpful people are when you ask for help when you need it.
It is a delicate thing when someone you love is no longer as able and with Himself I realised it was almost an attack on his manhood. I needed to gently explain to Himself that it isn't just about (or for) him that the wheelchair is required. It is a useful tool to carry all kinds of things and enables us to get out and not be so limited in what we can do and we can still have a life.
For me personally it means that I can hang my bag and my seat stick on it as well as have something to hold on to as my balance is poor and I no longer have the luxury of Himself to hold me up!
I anticipate that there will never be a time that a wheelchair will not be required, albeit intermittently, so it is good to be ready for sll eventualities.
It is so good that actually using the wheelchair has meant we can do more things when we have the energy. I hope that this might prove to true for you both as well.
Forgive the long post but what you said brought back so much of our own angst and I thought perhaps sharing it with you might help. I hope so. xx

Ann it is so good to hear that you are getting out and about. Made me smile to hear of your singing session in the taxi - he was fortunate it wasn't me! Keep on keeping on!

GrannyQ your post brought back many happy memories of long walks. The wind in the trees and blowing our hair about, the sun warming us, birds singing, bees and butterflies flitting about the wild flowers and even a glimpse of a wild creature perhaps. Hope you have had a good rest and everything is moving painlessly as it should! Love your photos, thank you. x

Puggled now!
And to top it all we have just had a phone message to say my cleaner can't come and we really do need 'mucking out'! Since we hsve visitors coming on Friday my other helper may well not get a gardening lesson this week and will need to be pushing round the vaccuum cleaner instead. I have a feeling she may not be too unhappy!
Loved reading all your posts you busy people and hope the sun is shining on you all too!
TOYA

Just popping my headaround the kitchen door after thoroughly partaking and enjoying a superb Chinese Buffett.

Whilst reading of the mishap occuring in the Care Home you kindly visit dear Soop, let me add things are not always perfect here in our establishment,in fact often someone has a spill that seems to go everywhere, whilst just met a chappie whom has overturned in his mobility scooter last evening,resulting in a grazed leg and a black eye!

Anneliese of course you are both much in my thoughts as we all try to battle on with heavy thoughts, and yet determined to, at least try, make the most of being together still.
My man took to the wheelchair very well since it became his only mode of transport for a long while.
Certainly one must apply and get all these various payments that are there to cushion those of us with major problems.

Long time since speaking Kittylester but I continue to follow all your posts.Thus far it appears all is going smoothly with the sale of our house,I say that in a whisper and baited breathe!!!
Only last week we had a team of gardeners in to truly trim,edge,mow and cut lots of overgrown hedges as we certainly do not want these purchasers to have any excuse to pull out of the deal.

Sadly Lins1066 not a lot of joy at the Opticians as it seems I no longer would benefit from upgrading my main specs,it seems,besides the dry MD I have progressive cataracts in both eyes as well as other issues.However there is much help being offered regarding my reading cum computor glasses to try to give me some pleasure,but yes nothing comes cheap!!!

Wishing your dear man god speed with this appointment and possible procedures required Carillion

A big thank you GQ for keeping us,especially me!!! so very entertained,I feel as though I am there alongside you!!

Trying to plan some kind of autumnal wardrobe since losing such weight yet again, trying to dress nicely is one of my biggest problems at the moment.My heart is not entirely in it, but I do feel I must make an effort and am "aided and abetted" by my lovely man!!
Sadly the A/B`s have not quite cured the offending problem either.

So off to watch some style programmes since the weather is rather grey........saying a cheery bye to you, and of course as always TOYA xx

I’d like to thank everyone for their thoughts and support. synonymous you can’t apply for DLA or PIP if you are over 65, but DH does get Attendance Allowance. However, this can’t be used for motability. It’s a good suggestion about the carpet. I was wondering whether it might work if I get a ramp, then use carpet and push the wheelchair into the back of the car. Unfortunately, like all his muscles, DHs arms are inevitably getting weaker, so he can’t help.

I had my regular BP check this morning, and amazingly it was normal! Usually I get white coat syndrome and it’s sky high. I dread to think what it would be after one of DHs spectacular falls! Fortunately he seems to slide and roll, and so hasn’t hurt himself seriously. Yet...

Popping in to try and catch up.

Annsixty would love a cab driver like yours ?

Panache hope you are feeling brighter soon ?

Soop when we used to visit my Step-Father in his dementia care home there was always an "incident" but the staff were fabulous at dealing with all manner of things and always with a smile.??

Anneliese I do hope you are getting the help you both need.?

Synonymous, I have just come from the stables and mucking out was on the agenda!!?

Panache I hope your reading/computer glasses are swift to arrive, there seems to be always something happening in your new abode?

Apologise to those not mentioned, I must dash

TOYA ???

I am sorry that I posted a fairly frivolous post this morning, it made me sad to imagine what some of you are dealing with now my dealing with days are over.
It also made me think deeply about dementia, it is such a cruel illness , robbing people of themselves, BUT, it is harder on the family, the loved ones.
The sufferer becomes totally unaware and don’t have the angst of what is happening and no realisation that it will get worse.
My H was happy to be pushed round in a wheelchair and he never knew he had cancer, we can sometimes find hidden blessings in the worst of situations.

annsixty don’t ever apologise for a frivolous post. It certainly made me smile!

Ann Please feel free to be frivolous. Life is a mixture of up and down moments. Frivolous is important. It is the perfect counter balance.

Home from a morning of ironing. Forgive me if I relax and enjoy coffee. I shall be more "with it" a little later this afternoon.

annsixty please do not feel the need to apologise for being frivolous, it is so nice to read a jovial post.

I guess we all have worries/problems of some sort as we age but sometimes laughing at the situation can lighten the load.

My mum and I often laughed out loud on the way home from visiting her husband (my step-father) he was content for the last eighteen months of vascular dementia and in a very caring (not at all posh) care home.

It is a horrible disease to witness, let's hope in time a cure shall be found.

TOYA ???☕️☕️☕️

Anneliese I would not recommend a ramp- too difficul!
Do a search for a "wheelchair boot hoist". They can be moved from car to car so are available second-hand. They do vary in size from tiny to gi-normous. A friend has a tiny neat one which only raises and lowers and you have to push it towards the boot drop-zone with a fingertip which is no effort. The big ones use up too much space to be practical.

GrannyGravy

That was ref the 'mucking out' by the way GG

I am in a drowsy frame of mind. It was an early start to the day because we needed to feed the feral feline family before clocking on for my ironing duty morning. Since returning home, supping coffee and doing a wee bit of water colour painting, I have been chillin'

Nevertheless, I do TOYA. Tomorrow, I have a free-ish day. Please will you understand if I play catch-up after breakfast? I knew you would. You are, as I so often say - a lovely lot...

Synonymous, not the brightest idea to go to the stables after manicure/pedicure.........but when you feed one end the inevitable happens the other end ???