Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

I have felt fairly ambivalent about the upcoming festivities- we adults all have too much “stuff” and the DGCs will disappear under a mountain of toys given the chance and even there the DDs are saying please ca’ canny. I am going to restrict Christmas cards to those I do not see and with whom I do want to maintain contact, or who might be lonely and will appreciate a wee note inside. I will be at DD’s so it having a tree or anything much in the way of decks.
BUT I have a cunning plan which makes me feel all festive spirity after all! Why?
A recipe in today’s DT for *Bergamot and Bay Gin” and for Cranberry and Gin Jelly which I shall enjoy making (tasting?) and giving to the grown ups in the family.
I already have loads of “Bonne Maman” type jam jars and Kilner swing top bottles so as soon as my Ocado order (the gin the cranberries and the bergamots) comes tomorrow I am good to go!
Suddenly I feel so much more positive and festive! ? ?

Hi all.
It’s a horrible day here today. I can barely see the bottom of the garden let alone Wales.
Only 3 more tribunals to go, leaving dinner on Friday then I’ve finally finished work after more than 55 years.
I still don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.
Annsixty don’t worry about hip replacements, I’ve had 3. They’re a doddle. The oldest person I know to have had one was in his nineties
Maw go easy on that gin stuff. Remember the effect is more on the smaller of us! I’d hate to see you were on police bail?

In A&E with GD whose tonsils are bleeding.
The corridor is lined with people on trolleys .waiting to be seen.
It is v upsetting.

Oh dear Ann so sorry to hear that but you are in the right place for her to be looked after. Sending (((hugs))) for you to share.

Oh Ann,how upsetting.I hope your granddaughter is seen quickly and you are soon back home.x

Ann Surely your granddaughter needs to be attended to without delay. Thank goodness she not at home. Please update us.

Kitty your Persie is a treasure!

Izabella you are an inspiration and I hope your trip goes really well, your CH is clearly worth his weight in gold.

Maw I think it only right to volunteer to assist with getting the taste just right so if you remember at the appropriate time then I am here for you! Please don't start without me!

Galen 55 years is a real achievement, congratulations! You don't need to know what you are going to do next for a while yet. Take at least six months to do all the itty bitty things for which you have had no time and after that you will undoubtedly know what is next on your list.

Galen Three more tribunals and then..............the world will be your oyster and you can wear your pearls with gay abandon.

Maw Do you need help with sampling the Gin? If so, give me a call.

We are being transferred to Wythenshawe hospital as no ENT staff here.
She will need to stay 24 hours
Already had i/v abs.

Oh, ann, poor girl and poor you! Please let us know how things are.

galen, the answer to what you are going to do is sit down for at least a while.

As soop said, Izabella, you are resilient and very kind to keep us abreast of your life. Last week I sat and held the hand of a woman whose 57 year old husband with dementia did a talk to an awareness session. She was so proud of his determination and strength. I think you are like him and your husband must be so proud of you.

maw, do you need a taster - just to be on the safe side?

loopylou those socks look fab, all cosy , warm and colourful - and 16 pairs!!! Wow!

Panache I am so sorry to hear in your latest update of all the problems you are being faced with and am sending you and Mr P gentle (((hugs))). We keep you in our thoughts and prayers and are so thankful that you are now in such a caring place and will have ongoing support.

kitty I offered to be a taster first! Mind you perhaps you have more experience?

ann so sorry to hear that. You will be travelling home on your own in the dark- please look out for yourself. You deserve Your poor GD, she is a gem.

Izabella you are inspirational and I hope you enjoy your holiday.

Maw Would you like me as a taster/ I have never tasted gin before so I may be just the person. I am sure Hattie would not say no to a few cuddles while I sip it.

The weather here is awful- I will put out the rubbish tomorrow- I would get soaked.

soop will you have the nether regions inspected before Christmas?

Galen that is so sad in some respects that you are retiring after 55 years because I know you have enjoyed it most of the time. Please believe me but the days will fly by and another year will have flashed past.
TOYA

Oh Ann I am so sorry you are in the hospital once more. I do hope your DGD gets sorted out very soon.

CharleyG It's a pissibolity.

Ann You and your granddaughter will be in my thoughts until I next receive a further update. Bless you both. Tender (((hugs)))

I'm logging off for today. Stuff to do. I shall look forward to joing you again in the morning. TOYA

soop, that’s a very useful noun. I shall bear it in mind!

Ann, I’m so sorry about your GD’s blip. Please keep us updated

“ I still don’t know what I’m going to do in the future.”

Galen, I’m sure you will think of something ? ? ?

In conversations with the DGSs I have been very amused to hear that they have been busy designing a fully armed prosthetic leg for Himself. They are very imaginative and make all kinds of things with their dad.
I was not so amused yesterday evening when we were sitting in our armchairs and heard what sounded just like a gunshot. DH and I both jumped and Smokie, who was stretched out in front of the woodburner, literally leapt in the air and then was sniffing at something on the hearthrug. I had a look and found a sheered-off bolt and then a small washer and couldn't think what, where or why until I looked at 'the leg' which had been leant for quite a while against Himself's chair. We checked it over and sure enough there was one missing and the leg is no longer functioning. Good job we are going to the prosthetics centre on Monday! What a shock though, it hadn't occurred to me that he could explode and, yes, I could not resist asking if he had any more screws loose! How fortunate thar poor Smokie was not injured as he could well have been. We are certainly having some very interesting experiences and may even be living dangerously! I think we may have to discourage the DGSs from designing such a thing as I don't think my nerves will stand that!

Ann I am so sorry to read about your poor Granddaughters tonsils bleeding , it happend quite often , but that is no consolation ! I hope you can get a taxi home xxx
Synonymous that must have been a real shock , thank goodness he wasn't wearing it , heres hoping it can be sorted on Monday , the stump will probably benefit from a rest xxx

Blimey synonymous, what a shock. Be interested to hear the why and how of it, an exploding leg isn't the best when you're relaxing, or at any time.

A hug for you and your granddaughter ann, neither of you need this but good to know she will be in the right place for treatment. Travel safely.

It will be odd and different not to have work I'm sure Galen but different doesn't mean worse, its just, well, different. I agree, plan nothing at first, just get used to it and something will come along to fill the space.

I was thinking your gin is safe from me maw as the one time I tried it, oh must be over 50 years ago, I thoroughly disliked it. Then I thought who better to taste? So I'll join the queue if I may.

You're a brave woman, Izabella and with the support you have I'm sure your trip will be not only manageable but wonderful. Go with a light heart.

I've spent what feels forever trying to put a photobook together. Mr C proudly showed me a voucher for a free book from a company we have used before. Only take a couple of hours I said, how wrong could I be? The process has been totally changed in the name of improvement and I kept losing the flipping thing although Mr C can vouch for me saving it, I made him watch after the first time. Oh well, its done now. Not as carefully as it should have been perhaps but its done and I can forget it, until it arrives in the post.

TOYA, keep warm and dry everyone.

I turn my back for a nanosecond and you lot seem to be out of control. First if all Annsixty heartfelt commiserations for your GD and to you for another worrying night.
I sincerely trust she will get the care she needs and that you will be OK getting back on your own if you have to.
Thinking of you.
Galen it is hard to suddenly leave behind what has occupied so much of your life especially over the last years since you lost your DH.
I found retirement almost like a sort of bereavement (until I experienced the real thing) but it was like being a non-person, instead of being an expert in your field you find nobody asks your guidance or listens to your advice. It isolating (however irritating colleagues may be, they are better than talking to the wallpaper)and despite having all that free time, you may not have the health or company to do a lot with it. Sorry to be such a miseryguts but all the people who will be gushing “Oh lucky you, “ are secretly thinking “Thank god it’s not me”
Cynical moi?
Now for the exploding leg. Are you sure it’s not a cunning device by the CIA to blow up your local election candidates? (Think Castro and the exploding cigars!)
Panache my dear - just the gentlest of hugs, what words are there?
Right chaps, now in the hope that yo can all be trusted not to explode, fall over, get drunk or do anything silly, I wish you a peaceful evening. TOYA

Syn that is really weird. It is a good job Mr.Syn was not walking when it happened or he may well have landed flat on his face. Poor Smokie- at least he knew you were not trying to get rid of him by foul means. I will not be visiting your house anytime soon, it would not be safe!

ann, so very sorry that all is not well just when your GD seemed to be making progress. A&E on a Saturday night is no place for the two of you and she should not be exposed to the risk of shared bacteria. She should be made a priority.
I've never heard of an exploding leg, Syn, but there must be a first time for everything. I expect you will give the prosthetics designers a flea in the ear!
Izabella, I hope the flight won't be too arduous for you. This will be the best time for going 'down under' since it will be warming up nicely. Enjoy your visit. We will miss you and your lovely posts.
TOYA

Just back home after 6 hours on a very hard plastic chair., my nether regions are numb.
My GD is still waiting for anbulance transfer.
Her mum and sister have taken over from me.
She couldn't be transported by car as she had a cannula in.
They would have to remove it and it then be put back at the next hospital.
In the meantime they will need to put abs through again!!
A&E was like a war zone it was unbelievable.
I am having a large G&T.
I have kidded myself I deserve it.