Soops kitchen, a place of reflection, refuge and at times revelry.

Thank you everyone, and especially fgt for your kind comment.

Good morning all.
It is cloudy and chilly here what a change!
I have received an appointment for an Echocardiogram from when I had an ECG back in February which resulted in a referral to the Cardiac department.
It is in a month at a centre in Manchester, I don’t know whether to be pleased or apprehensive.

Congratulations to Septimia and your DH I hope sincerely he continues to do well.
Many of us can well imagine how you have been feeling.

I am out for lunch tomorrow and seeing a neighbour for tea and cake this afternoon, my social whorl never ends.

Happy anniversary Septimia and so pleased to hear your news. My DH was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer at around the same time as yours. We too have been able to lead a relatively normal life and have just come back from visiting family in the Far East - we never thought that would be possible at the back end of last year. It will also be our 51st Wedding Anniversary this year.

Sorry, didn’t want to hijack your post but, like you, we are grateful for every day and the marvellous treatment he has had.

Thank you again for the congratulations and for the good wishes for DH's health. Let's hope, spottybook, that our men continue to do well on the treatment. Mine, with his heart meds and all the things to counteract side effects, has so many pills to take that he's had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of what to take when!

Hope you’re enjoying your tea and cake uttb 😊 It’s good that you’ve a date for your echocardiogram but I’d be a bit apprehensive too, I hope all goes well
I’m just having a lazy afternoon, we went out to Tesco this morning, then the garden centre for coffee. They’ve some beautiful plants but very expensive if you’re not sure they will survive the winters here. Over the 20+ years we’ve been here we’ve gradually learnt which plants thrive and which don’t …
I’m off out line dancing this evening, I’m looking forward to the dancing and the catch up with friends.
It’s heartening to hear that both your DHs are doing well septima and spottybook, so pleased for you both and great that you’ve can still travel far afield spottybook, good on you
Hoping all our kitchen pals in the quiet corner are doing ok, take care all x

Hi all, cheery news from Spottybook and Septimia onwards!
My hip problems have been diagnosed as Trochanteric bursitis, basically inflammation of tendons, referral for cortisone injection. I’m very relieved the joint looks fine and am tired after worrying, being prodded and walking miles - so it seemed! Glass of wine is in order.
I was on the voluntary phone until 12, so did do something constructive 🙂
Enjoy line dancing brook I might join you in a few months 🤣🤣

Good evening kitchen folk. Today I took the boys to Stirling at the invitation of ds. He was still working when we arrived so the ipads came out. He showed them round the flat once he'd finished, including his tower. Dgs2 said he lives in a castle and was very excited by it all. Then we walked to the park which was busy. Both boys were happy but eventually got thirsty. Sadly the bit with bouncy castles and ice cream kiosks etc was closed so we trooper back to his house for lunch. After lunch, ds took dgs1 into town for ice cream. Dgs2 didnt want to go so I stayed with him. Then I drove them home. It was a nice day but both boys were a bit grumpy at times. I think they were tired. They're away and I've had dinner. Tonight will be an early one because I slept so badly last night. Enjoy your evening kitchen folk.

Jaxjacky that sounds very painful. Hopefully the cortisone will help

‘Ecening All’

You did well to spell tgat Jax! Hope the injections help to heal. Anything ‘itis’ is an inflammation so hopefully it can settle down with treatment. Is it rest or mobility that’s best in the interim?

I’ve had a good day. Brunch with my (wingman) brother in law and his wife. Then the dental hygienist. Fee has steadily gone up these past months (I choose to go 3 times a year as I’m a devout coward and going more frequently = less scraping - ugh!) from £50 to £70 today. Yikes.

I discussed having my teeth whitened. Moulds to be taken in September by the dentist and trays made to clip over my teeth. I said “I don’t want to look like Katie Price but I would like a significantly pleasing result”.

I last had this done 20 years ago. Technology has moved on. As I have no caps, crowns, bridges (or whatever) he thought I’d get a good response as apparently my teeth enamel isn’t thin. 🤷‍♀️ We shall see.

A few of my friends have much whiter ‘teeth’ but turns out they’re veneers. Expensive. Plus even if I could afford them I’m too nervous for extensive cosmetic procedures!

** I can’t even spell ‘evening’ or ‘that’ it seems!
Why don’t I proof read it’s not as though I’m in a rush ….
#lazygran

Another warm sunny day here, after a cool breezy start. I went to the garden centre again and got more ericaceous compost to finish potting up the pieris. I finished it and gave it a good water.
I didn’t sleep well last night, my usual busy brain, then a lengthy coughing fit, so I’m ready for bed now. It’s warm indoors, my new blackout blinds are being fitted to the dining room and bedroom windows tomorrow, I hope they help to keep the house cooler. Hoping the blinds for the porch doors and side doors come soon too.

jaxjacky you must be so relieved that your hip joint is fine, I hope you don’t have to wait too long for the cortisone injection, and more importantly I hope it relieves your pain!

Enjoy the line dancing brook and the catch up with your friends. I hope it’s cooler where you are, still 21 degrees outside here and the idea of line dancing is exhausting! I’m not sure I’ll go to yoga this week, the village hall is hot this weather, even with the doors open. It has two ceiling fans, the smallest I’ve ever seen and the ceiling is very high because it used to be used for badminton. Also I don’t want to upset people if I start coughing!

Thinking of those who are in the quiet corner.

Night night everyone.

By ‘eck it’s quiet in here tonight! I can hear the clock ticking….

Hope everyone’s okay.
👋 to all in the Quiet Corner. Life’s pressures can be tough.

I’ve had a good day. A wonderfully relaxing full body massage worth every penny of £55 for that hour. I’d recommend one to all of you. Wishing it could be prescribed. The feeling of well being it generates is second to none.

Hello kitchen pals, after a grey start this morning it ended up as a lovely sunny afternoon but a bit windy. I’ve stayed in today, sorted out a few clothes, did some housework and a bit of gardening too. DH went to the post office to post a couple of eBay sales and then did a tip run too. I’m trying to find something to watch on tv for the rest of the evening.
Good news about your hip Jax, at least it’s treatable and hoping that eventually it’s fully recovered so you can get your dancing shoes on! So frustrating for you
Pieris plants do well up here redcar , we’ve quite a few well established ones in the garden. Yes it’s much cooler here than where you are, it’s definitely been warm enough for me though.
Have a good evening and take care everyone x

Been a frustrating day paperwork wise, but glorious weather 🌞

DH had a fright when he went into the garage earlier. A smooth snake was entering via the back garage door 🐍. We have been here for 38 years and it’s our first snake.

Fortunately neither of us are snake phobic, it disappeared under our cushion storage box on the patio, I hope it’s ok and we will see it again.

Another hot day today. I went for my usual walk this morning and met some of my dog walking friends. When I got back I tried to move the garden waste bin that the gardener had filled. I couldn’t move it so he came round later and put it out for me. My next door neighbour didn’t like it out so early so moved it back a bit 🙄! I hope he puts it out on Thursday! Musical bins, but I’ll have to train the gardener not to fill the bin, I need to be able to move it myself. (Control freak!)
Some of my new blackout blinds were fitted and it feels a little cooler. More are coming soon I hope. I saw my dementia friend, who was quite vocal, if only we could understand what she was saying.
When I went outside to water the garden I found a large and very dead pigeon on the drive. My next door neighbour buried it in the garden for me.

fgt your massage sounds very relaxing and enjoyable. I could benefit from one now.

Thinking of those in the quiet corner.

Night night everyone.

Voltarol or similar FGT twice a day, that and gritting of teeth!!
I hope your back calms down today Redcar seems to me once you have a problem it takes ages to heal.
A hot one today, fortunately brief, Imogen starts her p/t job in Asda - with air conditioning!
Have a decent day if you can.

Morning everyone.Checking in and I’m still around.
It’s been a mixed couple of weeks but some nice times which have helped.

We spent Saturday at A&E as DH was in pain with his catheter.A bit of a wait but sorted out eventually.On Monday our DS1 hired a boat on the Thames for the day.DH was in his element and it did him the world of good.Not sure who enjoyed it most, DH or our youngest GS!
DH has scans on Sunday always a bit stressful but fingers crossed.I have a stress echocardiogram on Monday and I’m dreading it.😬

Look after that hip Jax. and same for your back Redcar.
Stay cool everyone it’s going to be 35° here later.
Pic of Captain DGS.

I bet being on the water was lovely Yia glad it was enjoyed by all, vying for the captains hat.

Best of luck for Sunday and Monday, it’ll soon be done.
Good to hear from you.

Hi kitchen pals, I’ve not been home long but DH had made a start on dinner so there’s just a bit of salad to throw together
I’ve had a lovely day, nothing special but just the gym, coffee with pals, a walk by the river and the bus home. Popped into M&S, they had all the sale stuff lined up ready but the sale doesn’t start until tomorrow, I was a day too early! I might have a browse online later tonight
Goodness GG I think a snake would definitely freak me out, you did well to keep so calm
Hoping Imogen enjoys her job Jax, the first job my my eldest DD had was in Morrisons, she was soon promoted and allowed to do the tannoy messages, - she was thrilled 🤩
Lovely to see you here Yia hoping all goes well with the hospital appts
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, take care all

It’s been a glorious day still 30° and sunny.

Changed bedding, went with DD to get the 11yr olds senior school uniform this morning. This afternoon I have been faffing around getting a lot of niggly little jobs out of the way.

I hope all in the quiet corner are ok 🙋‍♀️

Hello kitchen people,

It got up to 30 degrees today. I went in the garden briefly but it was too hot. My cold hasn’t gone away yet so I didn’t collect my ceramic cat. I’ll try again on Friday.

I spent a lot of time arranging the pattern for my patchwork project. It will be 15 squares down and 13 squares across. 195 14 cm x 14 cm in all. When I have some energy I’ll sew them together.

The only other thing I did today was listen to a Rest is Politics podcast, they mainly spoke about Andy Burnham and his Social Care and Vocational Educational plans. Interesting.

OH will cook dinner.

Have a good evening.

‘Evening All’

I’ve enjoyed today. Yoga was challenging after several weeks absence from class!

This afternoon I lunched with my cousin and his partner in Wilmslow (get me) at a very nice Italian restaurant.

Came home to hear that a 55 year old woman, a dear friend of my friend, suffered a serious stroke this morning and the family have been told by the hospital that the next 48 hiursxare critical.

We never know the day do we? My heart goes out to all her family and friends. It’s such a shock.

Another hot one today! 35 degrees at Writtle, about 8 miles away from me. Very warm indoors too, even with windows and blackout blinds shut. Looking forward to a cooler day tomorrow (28degrees).
I took Dgd3’s birthday presents over to her this morning, her birthday is at the weekend but they’re going away from tomorrow until Monday. DD2 and family plus the birthday girl are already in Suffolk, DD1, her DH and the 11 year old will join them tomorrow.
Didn’t go to yoga, too hot and my cough is lingering. Also I thought my back had had enough exercise for the week. I tidied a few flower pots in the garden, and didn’t do a lot after that.
My dwarf beans have given up and are brown like most other things in the garden. I can’t pull them up yet because there’s no room in the bin to put them.

yiayia I hope the hospital appointments aren’t as scary as you fear. The boat trip on the Thames sounds fun.

jacjacky I hope Imogen enjoys her job in Asda. DD2 worked in Sainsbury’s at weekends and school/uni holidays, I think the novelty wore off fairly quickly.

Night night everyone, sleep tight.

Good evening everyone! Suffolk is very warm and dry today but should start to cool down tomorrow. We have had two lots of visitors plus DGD in the last week, so now we are looking forward to a bit of a rest now. And to start packing for our holiday with the family in 10 days time.
I’m glad there has been some good news about DHs and hospital appointments. Keep it up everyone!
Mammogram tomorrow - oh joy! Still, better than a smear test! 🤣
Sleep well everyone

Hi kitchen pals, it’s an early visit from me today as I’ll be busy later. DD2 is taking DGD to Belladrum, it’s a local music festival so we’re looking after DGS and their newish puppy. DH has just gone to collect the Tesco food order and then pick them both up. I’m looking forward to a busy but lovely few days as they’re staying until Sunday
Hoping the mammogram is ok today nannytopsy , usually quite painful but necessary
DD1s garden in Cambridge is very dry and brown too redcar, it’s a shame as they’d spent a lot of time on money on it in the spring and because of their hosepipe ban it’s really suffering. I hope it can recover when the rain eventually comes!
What a shame about your friend fgt, I hope she can recover somewhat
Hi to the quiet corner, take care all