Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

corner we are both fine thank you. We have DD staying for half term at present and filling the freezer for us which is a real blessing and she is also taking a bit of the strain from me. I am more tired than I can explain because when Himself is not able to wear his leg I am constantly on the go. My helper was able to pass on some of her wound care expertise on Friday and I have been doing as she has said with really good results. I am very relieved and I so hope he will be able to use his leg soon.
Tomorrow Himself has his first driving lesson with an expert tutor using a specially adapted car. He is somewhat ambivalent about the whole thing and I am anxious that if there are any doubts then he should not do it at all. He really does not need to put us through any of it but I think it is a man thing as I just don't understand the why of it all. I could howl.

I have had the heating on since early pm and it is only mid October.

I loved the pensive look of the that lovely GD. We have such a selection of babies, toothless children, animals and gorgeous countryside.

I am really sorry but my pea brain cannot take in all that goes on here. Please look after yourselves.

GrannyGravy Your post that pays tribute to our Panache is eloquent and justified. Thank you.
As for asking me to behave... sometimes I do...and sometimes I do not.

Izabella Our resident poetess. I love your way with words. Beautiful in every sense.

It's care home visit in the morning. After which, flu jab for we two. After which, I shall call into our kitchen to catch up...or not. It all depends whether or not you lot take pity on me and relax for a few hours. A mighty big ask.

We now have help with feeding the feral feline family. We do one week on, one week off. Very sensible.

Chilly right now. I'm wearing sheepwool-lined slippers. Toasty warm feet are a must.

TOYA

Annesixty

Help! I simply cannot keep up with everything in here. I will do my best. Lins as others have said, I hope things improve for you and also Mr Synonymous who sounds a stoic much like our soop.

I just love the toothless gallery! I read your post twice cornergran and it brought back memories of a friend of mine some years ago who suffered a cerebral bleed following trauma. Very sad and hard to cope with for all.

For some reason Anniebach has been on my mind today and then I read elsewhere it is the anniversary of the terrible events in Aberfan. More spookiness as during a walk with current husband we were looking at all the different styles of drystone walling in the different stones from across the UK and one was sourced near to that very area. Thank you for your post Maw which again redirected my thoughts.

During the walk there was an area of yarrow seedheads. Tiny tiny globes of nothingness that looked as if lit from within as they were caught in a shaft of weak winter sunlight. A profound sight to me with all my previous thoughts. Someone is trying to tell me something today I think.

Finally, apologies to anyone I have omitted. Thoughts as usual to the panaches for an early completion.

Back to Beethoven.

Apologies for half a post but my iPad froze!!

Annsixty I hope you get some relief from your pain and discomfort soon.

Soop I hope you are behaving and taking things easy.

Such beautiful photos, its a long running joke with our AC that Mum cannot take a decent photo.

I am on Grandma duties now, so will bid you all farewell.

TOYA

Panache, your posts always touch my heart you have such a generous soul, and I think it is an honour to know you through this kitchen.

Continuous pain is soul destroying, it seems to seep into every pore, I sincerely hope that all who are in pain can find some relief.

Annsixty I have had osteopenia for over 20 years, I am unable to take the analdronic tablets due to a stomach problem, which is why I exercise (when able) have upped my dairy, and healthy iron rich food consumption. I hope you

It does us good to realise that however bad one`s problems are, there are others going through so much worse.
It is the mantra I have carried throughout all my own cancers and health issues,and as I am now getting weighed down with fretting about my dear man, my heart still has time to reach out to those that are suffering.
At this moment in time Carillion that must be you and your own man.Of course this is an operation that will need the greatest of human skills,whilst the recuperation period,plus possibly yet a further needful operation to complete the healing will be long and stressful.Yet you are a real trouper, facing this with such fortitude.
I trust and pray the entire procedures will bring the ultimate result, and that although it will take a hefty chunk out from your lives, that relief and healing eventually, will I feel sure be well worth it.
Planning is so very important and you are certainly gettin g to grips with all that.
You are both much in my thoughts.

Having little support from our Palliative care nurse this day I felt I must call our surgery and indeed we were soon visited by a very charming and understanding Doctor.My darling is now recieving new drugs that will hopefully help him over this latest blip.He goes down so very quickly it is really soul destroying to watch it happen.

I am beginning to think I may well not bother with a further clean up of the leaf situation in our old home!
It is not our Solicitor that is dragging his heels but our purchasers Solicitors.They have left all these niggly questions to the very last minute,and now are requesting an indemnity figure to cover one small point that dates back some 15 years,and another £5,000 figure until such a time as our Sewage Treatment Plant (Enviromental friendly and all that) gets a Registration document from the Welsh Government.
This apparently is nil and void if the house is occupied by two persons or less!
It is truly nit picking and it will be a sheer miracle if this deal will be duly signed and sealed before this month runs out!!
It is getting almost as bad as the long drawn out Brexit dilemna!!!

After following your story for quite some time Ann it is very uplifting,giving out much new hope in fact,to the many facing hardships of differing kinds.............because now you present such a new and upbeat picture.
Long may it continue I say,well deserved indeed.

Whilst caring for each one of us dear Soop please remember to care well for both yourself and your fab MacS.......you both have more than enough on your hands too.

On that note I shall slip away and play Nurses yet again,TOYA xxx

Nannytopsy If I could (help with the ironing) I surely would.

granniequeenie Superb photographs, as always. I had to smile when you mentioned Netflix. What's that? I live a very sheltered life. I'm ashamed of my lack of skills on occasions. thank goodness for the up-to-dateness of twelve year olds.

corner You truly are a good and caring friend. Health is wealth. Such a truism.

What a lovely post, Carillion. We are all rooting for your dear husband. He has a major operation in store. With the skill of the surgeon and hospital staff, your support and his optimism, he is on the right road to a very satisfactory outcome.

Maw You and outsider! Never here in our kitchen where you are very much respected.

Dear Nannyfaraway thank you for sharing the beautiful photograph of your darling granddaughter. She certainly is a bonnie wee lassie.

That’s a “biggie” Carillion good luck to you both!
Back surgery like eye surgery always sounds terrifying but I believe has an excellent success rate (or they wouldn’t do it)
Gosh, even with all the problems and worries, this thread is worlds away from much of GN this morning. I have felt quite an outsider!
But not here ??

Carillion
My admiration for your H and you knows no bounds.
What an ordeal to be anticipating, I, and I am sure all of the kitcheners will be sending the most positive vibes for January.

Good morning kitcheners,

Have missed posting as often as I did but following everyone's news. Such a lovely place.

Dear soop I hope your anti bios are taking effect and that you and Mac have settled back after hour hospital appointments. Love Teddy in his hat and the equally gorgeous photos of Mila. What lovely little joys! X

Lovely photos everywhere!...*Maw*'s Otis, N&G's Jackson, Susan's Matilda and Henry and GrannyGravy's wonderful mum and baby pic...all so gorgeous, not to forget those beautiful Mum photographs. I've loved catching up with all of them.❤️❤️❤️

Dragonfly, hope all is progressing well.
annsixty, good luck for Nov 6th and hoping the pain is becoming more tolerable.
Syn, I hope your DH has recovered from the fall.

Dear Panache, so much hoping your house completion goes through as soon as possible. It was so lovely to read about the treasured photograph you've just been given of your DH, very precious.
'Hello' to Doodle! Xx

Lins, sending love and positive thoughts. Your back pain must be so difficult. I hope it's not stopping you get some relief and hopefully some real sleep and rest.

Hopeful news here. We set off again for St Brieuc and successfully met DH's back surgeon and anaethatist (a few days ago).
DH was told the operation is risky but will go ahead. It involves replacing three of his vertebrae.

Surgeon said it's a difficult procedure. The operation is scheduled for the first week in January. It could have been undertaken in late December but that would have meant DH being in hospital from 23rd - 28th December as a minimum so he chose the January date. He felt the strain on hospital staff over the (family) Christmas period would not have been fair, he's so lovely.

So! we'll move a bed downstairs for the recuperation period, probably three months. The surgeon said there might be the need of a follow-up procedure which will need a further three month recovery but that will depend on the outcome of the first operation.

DH is very positive. As we came out of the consultation he hugged me.??

Sending love to all, I know I've not mentioned all lovely kitchen friends but believe me I am TOYA? Xxxxxxx

Evening from me. Still a bit flat after a stressful visit to our friend. The bleed in her brain has taken so much from her, It’s left me with a very heavy heart and a deep wish I lived closer, distance is such a barrier.

No Wi-fi is a major buggeration charley. I’m delighted you have such a good friend to sort things for you.

Beautiful photo nannyfaraway, a very happy birthday to your granddaughter, your weekend sounds very special.

Please be careful panache, don’t overdo it. soop is right, leaves can be beautiful and surely to be expected.

Two years n&g? Where does time go. I’m delighted you’re so happy there. I love Jackson’s smile, reminds me of one of ours all those years ago.

I’m with the heating people. Too chilly now not to. I remind myself how lucky we are to be able to do it.

Are the antibiotics helping now soop? Hope your husband is staying upright synonymous, how are you both! What about your back lins, any easier?

Sorry, my memory is giving out now. TOYA and take care everyone.

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Ann how lovely to hear you once again sounding so positive and upbeat. I’m in awe of your resilience in the way you manage to bounce back and are enjoying life despite the various things that come along to get you down and very understandably so. You really inspire me, cheers m’dear!

panache we’re all crossing everything possible for your house sale to go ahead smoothly. You’ve such a lot of uncertainty with both your own and more especially your lovely mans health, you’ll want to spend every bit of precious time together without these additional worries about your old home.

2 years in your new home how can that even be possible n&g ? I still think of myself as a gransnet newbie yet I remember well the run up to your move with all the questions about it being the right thing or not. Clearly I’m more of an old hand than I thought! But either way I’m so glad it’s been such a good move for you both and of course your lovely family who enjoy visiting.. .with or without teeth in some cases!

soop, you both have a few health concerns to deal with too. Please look after each other well as every appointment involved journeys of varying degrees. We all worry about you both x

It’s been a bit of a quiet weekend in queenieland, not unwelcome as the last few weeks have been busy ones with the next couple looking similar. We did have 2 giddy gds overnight last night. At 12 and 10 they were good company
after I managed to prise various electronic devices out of their hands for the evening. We watched the daftest movie I’ve ever seen and ate snacks on the sofa, the old boy was out for some of the evening as he’d volunteered don’t ask to serve refreshments at a community concert. But it worked fine as sometimes we find they’re better with just one of us on duty. We haven’t actually used our DVD player since their daddy set up our new tv and of course last night couldn’t for the life of us remember what we needed to do! All was not lost as a smart 12 year old is all you need to search Netflix for something suitable to watch, another thing we sometimes forget how to access. I fear we are a lost cause!

We did manage a good walk the other day at one of our favourite local places. The autumn colours are just coming into their own so of course I took a few photos. I’ll leave some for you to enjoy and as always toya, especially any with sore hearts or aching bones tonight. x

Hello everyone apologies for not being around for a few weeks.
Didn't manage to get any good photos of my Grandaughterwhen we went to Switzerland she wasn't very well.
However the whole family have been staying with us for the weekend to celebrate her first Birthday.
Here is a photo taken this morning.

ann I think you are writing my posts for me! Lights and heating on but the curtains not drawn yet and roast pork in the oven! Soop I have an ironing mountain here if you have time? We are clearing the boxes out of the garage in preparation for its conversion to a dining room - the builder is keen to get going but planning not through yet!
Panache my dad had exactly the same as your DH and he too had trouble getting a diagnosis until it was well advanced. My heart goes out to you both. ?

Dear Panache Us lot love you for speaking from the heart. End of.
Please leave the leaves. They are beautiful at this time of the year. I'm utterly frustrated that your solicitor continues to drag his feet. It's high time that the contract is signed and sealed. Please tell him that I say so. You have the patience of a saint.

Charleyg Did I tell you that the light in the ladies at Lidl went out as I sat on the throne? Did I also mention that I could not open the door for what seemed like an eternity?

N&G Has it really been two years since us lot piled into a bus and gate crashed your house warming party? It seems like only yesterday. It was great fun. Pity that we didn't know you were celebrating this weekend.
Jackson must be worth a bob or two since his teeth decided to come out. He certainly looks chuffed to bits.

Thank you, Ann. I wish you likewise. Stay cosy and we'll chat again tomorrow.

TOYA

N&G young Jackson will only need a few £££s to add to his bank account for his Ferrari I would think.

I cannot believe you have been there for two years- it feels like 6 months but I know you love your forever home and thankfully have never regretted the move.

ann when I returned from shopping this pm I thought it was January and switched on lights and heating the minute I came home. I have no idea how I will cope if we have a harsh winter. Soon it will be supper time, a couple of glasses of wine and watch the results of last night's Strictly.

It is so Autumnal here this late afternoon.
This time next week it will be nearly 4pm not 5pm.
I have lamps on, the heating turned up but resisting drawing the curtains yet.
Have a lovely cosy evening everyone.
TOYA

Evening all,

Its been one of those weeks, nothing bad just busy. So I have missed your comings and goings.

I shall have to wade back through the pages to see what I have missed.

I cannot stay as we are celebrating our 2 years here in our forever home with roast beef and bubbly! I shall raise a glass or three to you lot :-)

Let me just leave you with a picture of young Jackson who in the space of a week has lost 4- yes 4 top front teeth !!

All he wants for Christmas...… :-)

soop it was a massive buggeration for me-off for 4 days. It is only when there is no WIWI connection I realise how addicted to this machine I am.

I have just returned from Lidl and I have bought bread which is 2/3 cheaper than my closer upmarket store. I wanted something "different" to eat but although I achieved it, finding stuff was difficult and more so with young fellows on their scooters. Lidl also produces a mini trolley for very young children and there is going to be an accident soon.

Moaning Minnie has switched on the heating and will retire.
TOYA

Always a pleasure poking my head around your kitchen door Soop .I simply beg you not to overdo that ironing whilst my sympathies are with your MacS as that Gunnera plant truly has a mind all of its own!!!!

Thinking of you Lins1066 and just hoping that there is some much needed relief and hope bringing you back on to the high roads once again.......very soon at that.
So sorry hearing of your man`s near mishap Synonymous it truly is the bugbear he has to look out for.......along with all the others.
Hopefully not too much further waiting Susan,it is so utterly demeaning.
You never fail us Izabella and as always "good on ya" gal!!

My poor man not only has has had a sleepless night but is in much pain following the last treatment,I feel so utterly helpless and just have no real answers.Thankfully bar having bloods taken this coming week, there should be no further health appointments......for fingers crossed... another 2 weeks.
However the Solicitor and his many calls are almost as bad,it seems this finalising of this House Sale will take forev er.
Of course I feel obliged to clear up yet more leaves before the newcomers move in, and I had best be very careful how I mention that!!!! but please rest assured I shall surely have some help!

We had the most precious gift last weekend.Whilst at our friends house a while back, they took some photos and the one taken of my dear man with one of their dogs resting his head on his lap, they had "blown up" into a large picture size,and this was presented to me.I was in tears.The likeness is remarkable remembering my husband is now 6 months down the line and is terminally ill with quite a short life span expected.
As you can imagine this picture takes pride of place in our home.,and my heart.
Surprising how good he actually looks, and my one dear wish is that he could remain with me for very many years yet.
I am so very proud of him.
At least,hopefully, although we failed in celebrating our Golden Wedding at Christmas last year we shall be able to enjoy our 51 years Anniversary this year,and that will mean so much.
Sorry for speaking from my heart, but I do get moments when life itselfs simply overwhelms me.

Sending blessings and every good wish to each and every one of you,xx

Bet you cannot guess what I'm about to get stuck into. Ironing! Yet more of the stuff. There must be a gremlin in the utility room. Whenever I open the door...the laundry pile has increased. MacSporran is happy to cut back the gunnera. The leaves of which are gigantic. The deer enjoy them once they've rotted down a little. We had four deer chomping away on some just yesterday afternoon.

That sounds like a very satisfactory plan, vena11.

Ann You go from strength to strength. I'm so happy for you. Stay positive. It suits you.