Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Hi Hope

Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

Hi Jules,  Glad things went well with your Mum this week and that you are feeling a bit better.  As we all know on here, just one day at a time; afterall life has a strange way of throwing things upon us even if we do make plans.  Good to hear your daughter seems to be doing fine and I bet you can't wait for that phone call that new baby is imminent.  Expect your grandson will be excited too, bet he will tell everybody at his school especially his "beautiful teacher".

I'm feeling slightly better today, I think seeing the counsellor yesterday helped, I always seem to be more positive afterwards.  What I want to know now is "where is the sunshine?" it was forecast to be a nice weekend but so far has been fairly grey with rain yesterday!  Hope you enjoy your Sunday whatever the weather.  Hope x

Hi Hope

So glad to read that the counselling helps.  Its good to know there is somewhere to turn to when we need to talk things through.

My son in law had a boys night out last night  (first time in ages and probably last one for a good while!!) so this morning I went with our daughter and grandson  for a walk so he could have a lie in.  We began by visiting the local duck pond and I took a magnifying glass so we could look at the  bugs in the old wood laying around and we ran through the fallen leaves and watched the baby coots before moving on to the park and I played ball with him whilst my daughter had a sit down.  We found a few conkers and promised to return in a couple of weeks when more should be on the ground!!  Then we had lunch in the High Street before returning home and getting grandad some lunch plus they had ring doughnuts (I sent one home with them for my son in law).    The rest of the afternoon was quite peaceful. We watched the GP highlights and have just finished our evening meal.

My daughter got her blood results back and so far so good which was a great relief all round and next week our grandson stays for lunch at school with pick up at 1.30 so she will have a little more resting time.  The following week he will be full time so as I finish work at 1.45  I will be able to pick him up if necessary.

Well the sun showed up here very late on in the afternoon but at least its been quite warm and we did not need coats when we went out.  Supposed to  be good for the next couple of days so fingers crossed I can mow the lawn on Tuesday.

Stay well  and hope the coming week is peaceful for you and the family.  Take care Jules xx

Hi Jules,  How lovely that you spend so much time with your grandson, and soon you will have 2 grandchildren to take up your time!  Hope your grandson had a good time at school today staying for lunch, bet he is tired - may give your daughter a rest.

My eldest loving med sch, proper work starts this week and he is already on a placement at a GP practice on Thursday.  Will be great to have a doctor in the family oneday, although I keep telling him he should specialise in cosmetic surgery as I could do with some myself after the stress of this year!

I have been feeling a little better the past couple of days, don't want to get carried away though as I know I will still have bad days ahead, I guess it is just impossible to go through such trauma in such a short space of time and feel OK quickly.

Hope your hubby is doing OK, have a restful evening.  Hope x

Hi Hope,

Annabel here, I hope to catch up with you tomoroow as well. You have been very busy helping so many others on here. You are a star.

best wishes

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel, Thanks for your comments, I'm not so sure I'm really a star, I just find this site so helpful and want to help others if I can as I know how much the pain hurts.  I've seen that you are recently a grandmother, congratulations and I love the names for your new grandaughter.  Would be lovely to hear from you, my original site "Mum reunited with Dad 5 months later" is still going somewhere so maybe catch up then.  Hope x

Hi again Jules, Hope all is good with you, I sent you a post yesterday.  Catch up soon.   Hope x

Morning Hope

Thanks for your messages which I have now had time to read properly. Monday pretty hectic as I work alone on this day and we were very busy for some reason - think the Christmas shopping has started as people try and spread the cost.  Whatever the reason I was pretty tired when I got home and then picked up a message from social services to say they are calling on Mum again today (this time 2 of them - one a manager) and that they have made an appointment so that the Home Manager can be included whilst they explain the consequences of Mum's decision to turn down their sheltered housing offer!  I just wish it could be sorted one way or another as its taking its toll.

Very exciting times for your son and the family as he begins the long road towards qualifying as a doctor and they dont waste any time getting them 'out there' with work experience.  Must be lovely for you to have him coming home and sharing his day.

We are lucky that our daughter and family only live 20mins walk away and thus we are able to see all of them quite frequently.  Time together has increased since my hubby's diagnosis  as he is home more and available whereas when he was in full time work he travelled the world and could be away for several weeks at a time.  Now they pop in for an hour or so and, of course, as the new arrival time is getting closer our daughter prefers to have some company rather than being on her own.

Really good to read that you are finding the counselling a good support mechanism and I agree that the forum is a great help too. Not sure where I would be without everyones imput and kind words.

Changing topic completely now. Have just been amazed this morning by the number of beautiful spider webs all round the garden.  Even hubby has taken an interest whilst he having his breakfast.  Hopefully if I can find the time later today I will be able to mow the garden (bit misty at present).

Take care and chat again soon.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,  Hope you managed to get out into the garden, it's been sunny here today.  I'm sure the worry of your Mum is taking it's toll on you, the system seems ridiculous to me, however it sounds like your Mum will stand up for herself, they must know this having sent 2 people and 1 being a manager!  I do hope that something more definite gets sorted for you as it must be hard not to worry.  Take care.  Hope x

Thanks for your kind words Hope.  No news from today's appointment so can only assume that Mum stood her ground and is okay as  the Home manager is great at letting me know if things not so good!!! I see from another thread that you are an only child - me too. Often envied others who had siblings through my school years but as both my parents went out to work, I had lots of other children to play with at the childminders.  It made me hope that I could have more than one child myself (and luckily have two very supportive adult children).

Yes, got into the garden (first sign of the sun here for a good few days), have mowed the lawn to within an inch of its life in the hope that wont need to do it again any time soon, haha.Also cleared up quite a bit in the back garden and pruned back most of the roses, though some are still flowering quite steadily.  Hubby got in from work to find me sparko on the sofa - oops!!!  Still must need the sleep - thats my story and I am sticking to it.

Take care and will chat again soon.  Jules x

P.S.  16.45  - just been notified by Mums social worker (via e-mail) that she and her team manager have visited Mum this afternoon and she is now to visit the sheltered housing accommodation tomorrow to give it due consideration.Jules x

Hi Jules,

Sorry i have not replied before. I have had two very busy days. Yesterday I fitted a water butt my son had given us, but had to alter the gutter on our conservatory.What should have been a east job turned out to be a real pain. Then a committee meeting for our wood club last night. Then today after shopping I made my wife a 2 foot high bench for her to put her plants on and which I can put my strawberry plants underneath. Then had to take her for check up at doctors this afternoon. Also have plans for the next few days including mowing the lawns.

Sorry to hear the S.S. brigade have been causing you more problems. Will catch up more tomorow.

Take care, best wishes, Brian