Soop's new kitchen being built while she's absent!

Still no Soop.

Ooh N&G that’s a big one ?

No dragonfly we are all missing her.
How are you?

My message went missing!! Love the bird NanaandGrampy!
Settling in for the long haul tonight! An opportunity to make shopping lists!

I need my sleep- I have a dental appointment tomorrow as I have a toothache- that is more important.

I think BT should pay soop- that was not a service, it was a massive inconvenience.
TOYA

Good evening all lovely kitcheners. Just wanted to catch up with you.

DH has had his appointment today at St Brieuc for confirmation re back operation. He's seeing the anaesthetist and cardiologist with the procedure to take place on 7th January.

He will be admitted on 6th and I will stay at a hoŷytel near to the hospital as we live 90 minutes away from the hospital and whilst I enjoy driving, I'd rather spend time close to him than travelling. I think I can visit from 2.00pm to 7.00pm.

His surgeon is a lovely, young chap who speaks English I'm relieved and so for the first time in a couple of months, I think I'll sleep tonight.

Having said that, I might stay up a while for the election results.

Just to catch up with some friends... Hello Maw!... Two things, firstly; lovely, lovely photographs and posts re Paw, I felt so much for you.
Also, re my grandson and Chester Cathedral, the reverend who married your daughter is still there I believe, my DiL has told me that.

My GS is part of the Chester Kings' School Choir and I think Kings. School only provide choral music at Advent, Easter and special occasions.

I'm hoping for some foodie guidance on another thread (Christmas ice cream) so will have a look there soon.

Until then, sending love and kind thoughts. Xxx❤️

? ! He’s a big lad! Just the job!

Hello Doodle I am doing well thank you.

Great news Carillion. It is always good to have a date. Also good to have a doctor who speaks English. I speak fluent Dutch but for medical procedures I was happier when the doctor explained in English.

Good to hear dragonfly ?
Carillion glad to hear things are all set for your DH’s op. Good idea to stay near the hospital. I did the same when my DH had his bypass and when he had his prostate op. I was there for 9 nights for the prostate one. So glad I wasn’t travelling home every day. Hope all goes well. Nice to hear from you ?

Collapsed on the sofa, almost ready for visitors arriving tomorrow. Will finish the preparations tomorrow morning. Lovely friends but more than 48 hours notice at this time of year would have been good. Completely unexpected visit as they live in another country. Now I really wish I was more up to date with cards, wrapping etc - and everything was spread all over the spare room so now it is sitting in laundry baskets beside our bed! They are vegetarian but eat fish (but are apparently not pescatarian ?) so I will make my standard vegetarian lasagne, dahl and roasted veg, and maybe a quiche and salad. Better ideas welcome. Soup and sandwich lunches.
thank you for the lovely photos ellakeat and others. soop will have lots to catch up on when she is reconnected but I am missing her gentle and kind posts. panache’s absence is very worrying. I send her and DH warm wishes if she is managing to read. I am not going to stay up late but will set the alarm extra early to hear the news. To everyone else especially those with health struggles and who are looking after someone, good wishes. Cherry Madeira cakes on the side.

Thank you Dragonfly, hoping you are still recovering very comfortably. I loved your beautiful photograph which I saw a few weeks ago. Xxx

Doodle, as ever, I love to get a message from you. Take care and sending love to your GS xxx

Still awake and waiting to see first election results, not as good as staying up all night to watch England v Aussies cricket though! By the way Doodle, Big Bruce from Oz and his days in the Argy says he misses you!?

Dear Dragonfly, I'd love to have you by my side to translate with confidence xxxx

Carillion how kind of you to think of my DGS. It is lovely of you when you have so many concerns of your own. So glad you are feeling a bit more relaxed now. xx
I have fond memories of Big Bruce too

Morning all !

Stands on a chair and waves frantically in case Soop is watching !

The large eagle is now loaded down with mince pies etc and is en route to Soop and Macs with good wishes and letting her know we are behaving ;-)

Its a brisk morning here and we are on amber alert... nothing to do with the rain...more to do with the imminent arrival this evening of 2 little boys chomping at the bit to see Santa tomorrow. The small spoke in THAT wheel is young Cooper has caught a virus and is proper poorly.

We spoke to him last night and he is desperate to come up ( and see Santa of course) and its heart breaking to try and explain it might not be possible. A final decision will be made once Jackson gets home from school.

It is Christmas Jumper Day though so will leave you with a picture of the two of them ( Cooper is doing his jumper wearing at home so he doesn't miss out ).

Sending best wishes to all in the kitchen and there will be an update on all news channels later today about whether the trip is on :-)

Fingers crossed that twenty four hours makes a difference, N&G. Would really hate them to be disappointed. Lovely photo!
I hope once that bird is fully loaded it’s not going to be like Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose”! We will all be willing it to fly?! Soop needs us!

N&G you have so many lovely photos of Jackson and Cooper and I love their Christmas outfits. I do hope the virus is a fleeting one.

Carillion scary as it is, it is good to have a date at last. What exactly is DH having done?
TOYA

Good afternoon all.
I have been “brave” this morning doing a job I never look forward to but was dreading this year, that is writing my Christmas cards.
I have put it off for as long as I could , I just didn’t want to put my name alone, it looked so bare and unfinished.
Many of you have been there so you will understand.
It is very cold feeling here today and dark and miserable, a bit like my mood.
I hope we hear from soop soon and also of course the Panaches

ann I am not being facetious but would it help to add Molly's?

Tara received her very own card from a GNer!

soop will have so much catching up to do when she finally makes a gracious appearance.

This is my lucky day. I was out for over an hour and when I returned I discovered my newly cut expensive door keys in the middle of the road in the cul de sac. I was about to open the key safe to retrieve my spare key. Birdbrain is alive and well.

No joy yet at soop's house!!!! She is missing you all something terrible!

soop says I can tell you that she had a pre op assessment yesterday for her down under problem and has been told they'll do something under general anaesthetic with in six weeks.

She is currently en route to Glasgow for a concert.

within

Good news for soops surgery ! Thanks Baggs

Lucky find for the keys Charley .

Hope you’re feeling better ann, you know would help? A cheeky gin and tonic ?

Quick update : They are all currently on the way to ours. Despite a continued temperature Cooper is feeling a bit better ( quite honestly I think it’s the thought of missing Santa) . So we are going to risk it !

There has been ongoing activity from the ‘ Gnomies of Norfolk’ who have been sending cards to the little boys to persuade them that they shouldn’t do Elf Academy tomorrow. Unbelievably they have planted placards all over the garden like a mini picket line ??. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow !

Have a good , gnome free evening one and all.

Good news for Soop re the surgery.Thank you Baggs for keeping us updated.Like others I am missing her posts and also worrying about the panache’s.
Glad your husband has a date for his operation Carillion.
Also glad Cooper is feeling better,have a lovely time Nanaandgrampy,looking forward to the pictures.We have our three grandchildren coming tomorrow,photo shoot in the morning and then Santa in the afternoon.
Charley,glad you found the keys?
Ann?
TOYA

That is excellent that soop will soon be having surgery. It is obviously easier to access the NHS than BT! Time means zilch to them. A good job soop does not live on her own, it may have been a lonely week for her.

Birdbrain must take better care of her keys I think!

N&G I do hope that neither of you pick up a lurgy from young Cooper.

Enjoy it all n&g, the excitement will carry Cooper through. Ours have had a virus - temperature, nausea and cough along with much irritability. The virus refused to transfer to us so hopefully it will be the same for you.

Goodness, Charley, what are you like? Think you need those keys on a chain round your neck. Pleased you found them. You’re right, it seems the NHS can be quicker than BT. Good news about surgery soop, but what the heck are BT doing? Or not doing. Hope you’ll be back with us soon.

Can understand your reluctance with the cards ann, a real achievement to finish them. I hope tomorrow will dawn brighter for you. .

Much relief here this morning. Nothing to raise a concern in my eye test and it seems no new glasses needed. Hooray. This afternoon I’ve scaled a neighbours loft, retrieved her Christmas decorations and installed her tree for her. Thoroughly enjoyed it although I’m sure she’s readjusted it all by now .

TOYA. Take care everyone. .