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

Synonymous I am flabberghasted to see how expensive ripped jeans are. I wouldn't give twopence for something that so-called "trendy". It takes all sorts

My hair is extremely short. I want to tug it whenever I catch sight of it in the mirror. I always wore it this short in my twenties - but - in those days my bone structure was free from jowl-droop.

Okey dokey! I'm logging off until tomorrow. Thank you for your company. Stay safe and cosy.

P.S. It just occurred to me that he will be in high fashion with ripped jeans! You can pay a fortune for those - what a saving!

Ooh dear, soop! It doesn't take much to coup over as we get older so we clearly need to learn to bounce when we do! Himself said wryly, "I bet those were his favourite jeans too!"

Synonymous Another positive step in the right direction. A (hug) for Mr Syn and another for you.

Guess what? MacSporran has just informed me that he slipped on the paving on our patio. He has a cut knee (torn jeans), a cut wrist and a small bruise on his forehead. Honest to goodness! He has had the injuries swabbed with TCP and a giant plaster on the knee. He maintains that he's fine. Well now, I have sent him to sit down with a good book. Men!

ann please don't take the dog for his toilet needs again if he is that strong. You could end up with a fractured hip if he pulled you over and your nearest and dearest would have more to do than just taking their dog out, they should be doing that for him anyway.
I am glad that all went well for the funeral and your DD wasn't treated like a spare part. *

N&G we find that we have to very deliberately try not to take on anyone else's worries and just be a gentle support in the background. I cannot manage the worries of other folks at all and have learnt that the hard way as it makes me ill.

soop hope today is a better day for you and that you and Macs are relaxing and doing the minimum.

We had to go to the big smoke yesterday for Himself to have a driving assessment and since it was a middle of the day appointment I managed to get us there and back without staying away overnight. I was very tired and had a very broken night last night but am so pleased that we didn't need to stay somewhere over night. There is nothing like your own bed!
Anyway, I am pleased to report that all went well and the assessor is recommending that Himself should be given back his driving license on the proviso that he drives an adapted car with a left foot accelerator. He returned with a very big smile on his face just like a dog with two tails, I was very pleased for him as it is another step towards normality, it has been a long three years!
Happily we have received planning permission for what I call "the link" which will mean that even if he is having to use his wheelchair he will have the use of a small lift to give him access to the garden, his workshop in the back of the garage, a potting and growing area in the building itself and I can get him into the car all under a roof so that he will be dry whatever the weather. It is another step along the road of enabling him to do all that he did before when he had two legs. We can't go ahead with the actual building until the legalities are all sorted but we can at least start getting quotations. I am trying not to even think of the logistics just yet as I know it will be full on so at the momrnt it is just "one day at a time"!

I still have a bit of a cough at times but my hearing is improving and although I need more energy I am feeling so much better PTL!
I hope all poorly folk are improving likewise even if it is not as fast as we would wish, TOYA!

Hello, dear Maw. x

There appear to be a few names that although I recognise, I may not have welcomed recently. Forgive me for being out of touch. I promise to do much better in future.

Also, a huge thank you to the kitcheners who have sent me get well messages through the post. Thank goodness for you lot...you are the BEST.

I could not possibly do justice to you all but send love, sympathy, comfort, reassurance, good wishes to all in need
So much going on, but Soop is home and izabella soon will be so that is something.
Is that the incredible shrinking Grampy in the middle of that picture? Gosh. An inspiration to those of us needing to make an effort that way.
Speaking of which all I have had so far today is two mugs of tepid peppermint tea because a delicious dinner out with friends last night has been succeeded by a very noisy and “insecure” tum overnight and first thing (5 am onwards...)
So not at my one-day course on Antonia White, but tucked up in bed with Hattie. If that doesn’t shift a lb I don’t know what will.
Good point about the rest of GN being less than welcoming. There seem to be some people who delight in picking a fight, whingeing about anybody they don’t like and immediately identifying them as a “clique”. How sad must some lives be to gain satisfaction that way.
I do hope that the various family worries , not to mention the health issues will ease for those affected.
Good to know where your friends are though isn’t it? TOYA

I intend reading back through many messages that I will have missed just recently. Any newcomers to the kitchen need to be welcomed with a warm embrace.

N&G That is such a special family photograph. Yet another for our Kitchen Gallery.

Izabella Very well done. You have had an experience of which I am a tad envious. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us lot.

ann Well done to you too. It appears that certain stresses are being dealt with in a mature fashion. You have most certainly done your best to be supportive.

Keep smiling N&G, that is what I try to do.
Yesterday went well, my D and GC were fully integrated into the family and sat with her H and his partner , my D has met her several times and the GC know her well as they go over to them at least once a year.
The dog was very good but I found taking him out for his “toilet “ hard work, my garden isn’t totally secure as I have hedges he could get through if he tried so he had to be on the lead and he is a strong dog .
They have just left for their long drive home.
I am now relaxing.
Please all you poorly people, you know who you are, feel better soon, spring must be on the way soon.

Morning all,

The grey , drizzley, dampness continues here . I am forgetting what a clear bright sky looks like.

A haircut is always a pick me up soop and I like it best a week or two in when it ‘softens’ .

Safe journey Izabella!

I too went to M & S yesterday Charley although only for their tinned steak which I use in a stew which we will be having next week if this greyness continues !

Hope all went well yesterday ann , and that they weren’t too upset.

We poodled along amicably yesterday only for a further family upset into the evening . How can someone else’s worry make you lose your appetite as dinner is dished up ? I just want to wish it all away but of course that won’t happen . Maybe it WILL settle down but as my gran used to say ‘ it’ll get worse before it gets better’ !

So I am off to hide in the west wing lol !

I’ll leave you with a photo of most of our lot at Grampys birthday last weekend x

Bellanonna amazingly I did! Tara was poised on my pillow ready to swoop the minute my eyes opened at 8.15 am. If I had a catheter in situ I would probably still be there.

Another dull day but it is not too cold for this time of year.

Having done the grand tour of M&S food department yesterday I do not need anything so I will probably stay indoors today.

Everywhere I look I have piles of clean clothes- I do have drawers and wardrobes so I really should fill them.

Carillion are you okay?

soop the order to rest continues!
TOYA

Safe journey hope Izabella. Hope you are feeling better soop.

I echo that, Izabella.

Safe journey home Isabella.x

Izabella have a safe journey home. I am in awe of your adventurous spirit and take my hat off to you CH for his bravery in tagging along!

Safe journey on Sunday Izabella. I hope you sleep for some of it.

Charley I hope you get the lie-in you long for tomorrow!

Izabella you have had a very memorable holiday and you have so many photos to remind you of the fabulous time you have had.

Good luck trying to catch up in the kitchen. I read it at least twice a day and I still forget what is going on and birdbrain forgets people's names so I cannot ask them directly!

Tara is enjoying a late supper and then we are going to bed. I am hoping she will allow me a lie in until at least 8 am tomorrow.
TOYA

Well our last two nights here before flights home. An amazing journey down under and when home will try and catch up with you all and spend a little time getting more aware of what has happened in the kitchen

Bless you all and ‘see’ you all back in blighty

I am very fond of you lot.

Hair is possibly a wee bit too short but it will grow. It's clean and tidy. Pals dropped in unannounced. Good company.

Until tomorrow's visit for all of you. And (((hugs))) a plenty.

I hope your hairdresser shows more self control than mine Soop. “A bit shorter in the nape of the neck” was too much encouragement and it is very short all the way up the back!

soop I do hope MacS is taking as much rest as you are- if you are resting in bed or out having your hair trimmed you will not see any dust.

No hoovering, dusting or ironing and each day must be a lazy one for each of you. You have been to hell and back and MacS was not far behind you, having all that driving to do.

It is another dreich day here- but next week it will be colder. Still, another day closer to spring.
TOYA

annsixty I hope your D and GC arrive home not to upset.

soop enjoy your trip to the hairdressers, you have reminded me to make an appointment as my tresses have not been trimmed since November.

I am shattered, 2 gym classes this morning and I am trying to work up the energy to hike up the stairs and shower. Out to dinner with friends this evening to a very nice restaurant on the seafront, I guess it will be wet and windy outside but good food and wine inside.

TOYA

anno they have been separated for 6 years now and he has lived abroad with his partner for 5 years.
My D has told him from the start that he could have a divorce any time, she wasn’t instigating it as she has no intention of marrying again but we all knew he wouldn’t do it while his father was still alive.

On another subject, I am left in charge of the dog.
He is thoroughly spoiled by all of them and has cried on and off since they went, however at this moment he is asleep on the sofa at the side of me with his chin on my knee.
Molly is asleep on the back of the armchair, it is very peaceful.

I'm glad you are able to get out for your haircut, soop. There's nothing like a hairdo for making you feel more like yourself. But do rest and have a quiet day otherwise. Apart from the pain and stress of your 'procedure, it's surprising how weak and wobbly you are left by a general anaesthetic.
Ann - a funeral and divorce all at once! Your SiL doesn't do things by half! I hope your DD is OK and taking it in her stride. I presume the divorce isn't unexpected?