Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

Good morning all on a beautiful bright sunny day in Stockport.
What a change from yesterday, full and cold.
I have done a Sainsbury's order for delivery this evening so dinner is sorted and I am filling in with odd jobs while I wait for my mobile hairdresser to come and just give me a trim.
Also waiting to hear if the carpet fitter has got the carpet delivery sorted so I can get it fitted by Saturday.
What very good news Panache you must be so relieved it is sold at last.
Corner your friends go from one crisis to another and you seem to bearing the brunt of it, you are very good friends indeed.
I have felt quite let down by some of mine but it sometimes takes a difficult situation to really get to know them, very sad I find.
To everyone else going through difficult situations I send my very best wishes, I hope you have the good weather we have to lighten your day a little.

Thank you my lovely kitchen chums for sharing with us the immense joy ............and burden lifted.......by this traumatic drawn out house sale.The truth has not quite hit us as yet but yesCharleyG I totally agree a bottle (or even two!) would be in order although sadly we dare not participate,but I shall certainly have a few sips!
Indeed after the stress and worry of that house cleaning and garden maintenance I shall really not know myself,and perhaps,at long last,my dearest will have the peace of mind he so seeks and deserves.
We are turning on the Rayburn as a welcome warmth for the newcomers,our final deed!!!

I must mention this to our Synonymous especially.We were completely stunned by this programme last evening.This man in his mid forties with wife and three children,aged 11,9 and 6 fell ill some two years ago.
Fortunately the wife soon recognised the many symptoms and they raced for medical help.
Indeed the man had sepsis.
His life was very much at stake and one by one his organs were giving way.They called in one of the leading men in this field, whom gave them just one short phrase........"Lose all limbs or your life"
I have no need to go into the depth of their despair and yes the man chose life.
There he now was sitting smiling and happy in his wheelchair........but minus both legs (up to around the knee) also he had lost most of one arm and a complete hand on the other side.
Yet there he was a picture,determined to live for the sake of his wife and lovely children,surely a lesson there to be learnt by us all.
It also echoes what I said a day or so ago..........never mind how bad your circumstances there are always others very much worse.
I immediately thought of you and your man Synonymous and hoped this would further encourage your very brave and forward looking husband.............may he conquer those driving lessons and very much more.

I think that is more than enough for this morning,so I will leave you all in peace, whilst we have a private moment of gloating!!!!

TOYA always XX

Panache that is wonderful news about your house and that your DH is looking a little better. I am sure the worry of the house will have taken its toll.

Carillion it is so good you finally have a date for your DH's operation.

Izabella what a fascinating article, it really brings to life how it must be to suffer when completely alone.

Loving all the photo's - very uplifting.
Soop lucky you checked when your appointment is - would be awful to go all that way a week early!!

I went for my pre-chemo talk yesterday. It mainly consisted of the nurse telling us how ill they are going to make us and what to do when it happens! I suppose that is by giving worst case scenario anything less is a blessing! I have my first dose on Friday then every three weeks thereafter for 6 to 8 sessions. Think I am going to have to borrow my DD's long purple wig - it might make an impression.

Sorry if I have missed anyone but it is a while since in the kitchen. TOYA

Panache Yay! I am popping the cork of an upmarket bubbly in honour or of your long awaited house sale. Us lot are thrilled. It's what we've hoped for for yonks. I am truly delighted for you both.

dragonfly All that I can send are (hugs) together with a sense of gratitude that the NHS is doing it's utmost to help you through this major buggeration.

ann keep on looking on the bright side of life. You are an inspiration.

chicken My heart goes out to that innocent couple who came very close to being duped. Congatulations to the sensitive and appropriate response of the bank cashier.

Congratulations

I'm a wee bit weary. Par for the course on ironing day. I shall therefore log off for today and assure you that, I fully intend joining you in our kitchen tomorrow.

TOYA and wishing you a peaceful and pleasant evening.

Off out for a girls dinner with one of my oldest friends, I should imagine our voices will be hoarse by bedtime.

TOYA

Morning all,

As always of late I am playing catch up !!

GG I have a group of girl friends I went to Uni with and we are the same on our rare nights out. I swear ordering the food takes an hour as we talk so much !! I hope you had a lovely time.

I love the thought of the long purple wig Dragonfly - I hope all goes well . I am guessing they told you all of that in an effort to prepare for the worst and everything less is a bonus . I'll be thinking of you.

Congrats on the sale Panache !! Celebrations all round. I too saw that programme and was struck by his fortitude !

We were persuaded into a late night trip to Sainsburys last night in search of a toy that young Cooper has set his heart on. Needless to say , they didn't have it but don't worry we bought cake and snacks instead lol!! We were celebrating our successful slimming weigh in this week as I sneaked past another 1/2 stone loss marker AND got Slimmer of the Week . Well , if that doesn't deserve cake I don't know what does lol

I'll leave some hear on the side - coconut cake with pineapple buttercream :-) Happy Day all !

Panache it will now have all sunk in and it will be such a relief not to worry about transport to your old house to make sure everything is in order. It is all now somebody else's problem and you and DH can enjoy living in your new abode- one less worry off your shoulders.

N&G I am convinced that the cakes you buy must be calorie-free. I cannot believe you were slimmer of the week-congratulations but you really must keep it up. Are you sure that the lady running the club should not be going to Specsavers?!!

Dragonfly chin up- hopefully it will all soon be over.
TOYA

You’re so cheeky Charley lol . I suspect it was a slow week for all the other slimmers. Trust me I was as surprised as the leader was ! ?

Wouldn’t it be lovely to buy glasses that made you look slimmer ???

Ho ho! Wishing you lovely lot a fruitful Thursday. It be a wee bit dreich in bonnie Kintyre. Patches of promising blue sky peeping through the cloud.

GrannyGravy Are you hoarse? If so, 'twas a good blethersome, girly evening.

N&G I was thinking that I might send out a search party for you. Funny how you soon miss some folk.
Did "the Queen of the Universe" have a birthday celebration recently? Am I right in remembering that you had bought charms for her special bracelt? Have I missed pics?
You do remarkably well with your slimming efforts. How is it possible to eat cake and lose weight? I am envious. Never mind, I shall sample that which you've donated to the kitchen. I am certain that it is totally calorie free.
Almost forgot to ask - what is the special toy that Cooper has set his heart on?

Morning, *Charleyg I trust all is well with you.

dragonfly Tender (((hugs))) and every good wish during this very difficult time.

Panache Gloat away. Celebrate in whatsover style that suits you on this historic occasion.

I am quite new to this thread and I am trying to read everyone's posts ,there is a lot going on for everyone.
I did say I would make some Millionaire Shortbread and its now in the kitchen for all to try.

Sailing into our kitchen clutching something as delectable as Millionaires Shortbread will have enhanced your chances of a very warm welcome here indeed Vena11Enjoy your visits here,believe me you will not be disappointed.

Dear Dragonfly I certainly am with you in thoughts and prayer as you are about to start this next step on your healing journey.Knowing the full worse effects of this treatment will put you in good stead to cope with whatever lies ahead,hopefully indeed it will be much less dramatic.
The purple wig though sounds as though you have every intention of greeting these "whatsoevers" with great style and determination.............God Speed all the way.

Having sunshine certainly uplifts the mood and oh! the relief of no more leafy buggerations to contend with!!!!

Love and blessings galore to you allxx

Good day Kitcheners, I had an unexpected call from the Hospital today they have had a cancellation on Saturday so my endoscopy has been brought forward. Better to get it out of the way I suppose. I am still terrified at the thought but more worried about what is going on in my body and they need to rule out any "nasties"!

Unfortunately I am on Granny duties, so there will be a lot of juggling of GC involved.

GG I am so pleased it can be done earlier. The sooner it is done the sooner you can get on with your life again hopefully without any more buggerations like this one.

soop apart from developing sleeping sickness I am fine although the miserable days are getting me down. I sit in a chair and the next minute I am fast asleep. I know many would give anything to be able to do this but I get very little done in the house.

Tomorrow I am meeting some GNs for coffee in Oxford Street- I hope the tubes are running and there are no buggerations to stop me going.

soop please rest, you need it. Maybe not the qmount I get but you have to care for yourself.
TOYA

I have had the heating on since mid morning- at least my clothes are drying.

vena11 You are a star. With or without Millionaire Shortbread, you are most welcome. Don't worry about not being to catch up. I very much doubt that I ever shall. Just join in, when you want to, for any reason or no.

That's more like it Panache...you are free of all further previous house and garden duties. Thank goodness. It's high time that you are free and entitled to fully enjoy your new lifestyle.

GrannyGravy Best get the procedure over and done with. No doubt the grandchildren duties will prove to be a distraction. You are in our thoughts.

Charleyg Meeting with grans will hopefully help to recharge your batteries. Enjoy yourselves.

I'm away for today. Tomorrow is...you've guessed it...care home visiting day. Doesn't time fly.

I shall join you all again once we return home. TOYA

GrannyGravy as you say better to get it over with and I am sure all will be well. Will be thinking of you.

Thank you for the shortbread Vena11 and welcome.

Hello everyone, it has been a sunny blowy day here and DH has put the washing out. It has clouded now and heavy rain is forecast for the next two days. Luckily we have had our flat roof repaired (hooray) this morning so fingers crossed for no more leaks.
Are any of you Strictly fans? In last Saturday's show when Mike Bushell was dancing to " Who let the dogs out?" - a picture of a King Charles spaniel appeared as a backdrop who was a dead ringer for our Wilma - painted recently and brilliantly by * Soop*

I'm so grateful to those who have enquired about me and wished me well. I am a little easier, and resting as much as I can. I wear the back brace when sitting to have a meal and for walking around the house. It is a marvellous contraption and the only negative is that I need help to put it on. Our cleaner this morning said that I look like the Terminator. Perhaps I should change my GN moniker ? The consultant's sec phoned to say that he wants to see me in six weeks and they will send me an appointment. The waiting list for the DXA scan is six to eight weeks, so that probably means after Christmas. I think annsixty said that she is waiting for that scan too.
Delighted to hear that the Panaches have sold their house. How typically kind of them to light the Rayburn for the new owners.
I am glad that Carillion's DH has had a date for his operation. I understand his relief and upbeat attitude, for having no hope is far worse than pain.
dragonfly I am another who will be holding you in my thoughts tomorrow.
GrannyGravy you too will be in my thoughts, you'll be fine.

I am going to take a piece of NanaandGrampy's miracle cake and a little bit of the millionaire's shortbread courtesy of venall.
TOYA ?

Charleyg I really hope to make the London meet up one day, have fun.

Thank you all for your good wishes.

Off to wrangle a GC into bed.

TOYA

I’m pleased you are more comfortable lins and leak-free, hope kittys home is equally dry.

Wishing you well for Saturday grannyg, I’m sure the staff will make things as easy as they can be for you. Granny detail will be a good distraction in the meantime. Will be thinking about you tomorrow dragonfly, and sending positive vibes along with a hug.

You’re right about time flying soop, the waste collection happens here on Fridays and each one comes along quicker than the week before. Hope the care home visit is a stressless one.

Thank you for the millionaire shortbread venall, just right with a cuppa. Congratulations n&g, that’s a real achievement.

Enjoy your coffee tomorrow charley, the tubes will cooperate or us grans will have something to say.

Hope you had confirmation of the carpet fitting ann, the not knowing is a pressure. The struggling friends are the family I don’t have. One has been close for over 65 years the other for over 50. Both also have little family so we all do what we can for each other. It’s the distance that is stressful really now we’re all mature folks. Oh for a helicopter .

A quiet day here today. Caught up with some tv, had lunch out and then a chat with a neighbour this afternoon. Feel decidedly lazy .

TOYA and be good everyone.

Oh my goodness. Am I too late for the delights of verna11s millionaires shortbread? I surely hope not. Thank you for the contribution and welcome.

Keyboard practice is currently going well and I indulged in one of Borodins amazingly beautiful nocturnes earlier. Lifted my spirit.

Dull and gloomy here but I was lifted by some prose by Jarman yesterday. My post it note states he (Jarman)was describing a shining opalescent light and then goes on to wonderfully state that ^Vermeer dipped his brush in such iridescent solitude^ That took me back to my art history days and my love of so many paintings. My table is now littered with printed masterpieces. Jarman also taught me that arum was used to starch ruffs.

I have consciously jettisoned so many superfluous pursuits since 'Al' came along and now concentrate on things thqat give ,me pleasure while I can still read and understand the written word. I know not how long that my be.

So panache I have sent you a pm and I have an enchanting mental picture of a blue wigged dragonfly I am also happy to know that N&G have discovered the virtues of calorie free cake. Well done. And GG please don't get worked up about your endoscopy. Annesixty I hope your carpet arrived too.

Well I shall now return to Jarman and his wonderfully descriptive capture of nature.

Wishing everyone a pleasant and relaxing evening. Hugs and where appropriate, and safe journeys for those who need to go to/from appointments.