Hi Hope,

Have responded on your thread (to your post to Brian - oops).

Am sure you are right that no news is good news, one way or other its in Mum's hands and its a good thing that she has control. Guess I am just impatient for it all to be resolved so I can put a mental tick in al least one box.(its been rumbling on since early May).  Slightly better night's sleep (only got up once) and have another really busy day at the store today (so much stock to shift and never enough hands) but am looking forward to my dayoff tomorrow an being able to relax whilst I get my hair cut (good natter with the guys there too usually means I stay about an hour!!).  My daughter is back at the hospital for check up in the morning and I am politely informed by my grandson that he has told his teacher I will be collecting him (he has stayed for lunch this week and eaten everything and still wanted another lunch when he gets home!!).  On Monday he stays until the end of day and so 'real' school begins.  He has always been good at going to bed and apparently this week there has been a couple of nights where he was asking to go by 6.30and was asleep before 7, having to be woken over 12 hrs later as he always enjoys breakfast with his Mum (Dad already left for work by then).  Will be interesting to see how he is after a full day!!

As I said on your thread, enjoy your shopping trip today and hope you treat yourself to something nice.  Take care.Jules x

Hi Jules,

(Have replied on my thread too).

I can understand you being impatient for things to be resolved with your Mum, in fact it's not even impatient as it's been going on so long.  I'm sure you just want to have that "box" sorted in your mind, unfortuately everything seems to be a lot of red tape thesedays and we almost have to have the patience of a saint to hang on in there (something I'm not good at being an impatient person by nature). Going to the hairdressers is always theraputic (in fact may even arrange an appointment myself if retail therapy doesn't do the trick!).  Your grandson sounds like he has settled so well into his school routine, eating everything up is always a good sign and him asking for another dinner reminds me of my eldest - he ate continually (still does) and has always remained really slim!  I bet your daughter is happy he is sleeping even better than usual, gives her some time to relax herself which I am sure she needs just now.

Anyway don't work too hard today, and good luck with your Mum.   Hope x

Hi Jules,

just been trying to catch up with you and whats happening in life. I can understand you wanting things resolved with your mum, and i don't think it's impatience, it's because of the uncertainty that then causes stress and worry. So it's not surprising you want it over and done with. Also you get to the point when you've had enough of even having to deal with such people!!!!!!! I have had a few busy days recently and it's not going to stop for a week or two. Charlotte has asked me to go down next Monday for the week to help her and as business allows at the moment i will go down Monday and return Thursday, I have  doctors appointment Friday.

Your grandson sounds so delightful, I suspect all this going to school and a new baby brother is going to make him sound so grown up in the next few weeks. I hope your daughters check up goes well today .

Don't you go overdoing it at work, you sound like a real grafter. Enjoy a lovely day off tomorrow. I have my hair appointment today, working this evening and tomorrow, then get my bags packed for Monday.

Sometimes you just have to keep peddling!!!lLOL.

best

Annabel. xx

Hope,

I hope you have a lovely day of retail therapy with your friend today. You deserve it.

best

Annabel xx

Good afternoon Jules, Hope and Annabell,

I am having a great day today or a nutty day as my wife would say. I was able to replenish my bag of Kent Cobb nuts this morning and when I went to see if Waitrose had any of my frozen chestnuts, I found some packs had been reduced to half price. Well you ladies know how much I love my chestnuts so we came home with enough to keep me going until the ordinary ones come in sometime next month. I couldn't believe my wife didn't complain but I suppose as she now has her new washing machine in and fitted, she let me off just this once.  So may have to change my profile picture to that of a squirrel before long.

This afternoon my wife let me take her out for another ride in the country and we stopped at a farm shop and bought some new seasons cox's apples. I refuse to buy these tasteless golden delicious apples.

Have left a message for the lady who wanted to talk to me about publishing my books on-line. Will keep you posted if I have any luck.

Jules, I hope today has not been to tiring for you and that you soon hear that your mothers situation has been resolved. I liked what you said about doing one thing at a time. I can understand that. As a man I cant multi-task like you ladies can. My wife sometime has three or four things going on at a time and it just make me feel giddy watching her.

You also offer support and a listening ear to all of us so don't worry about telling us your problems for we can all help one another on here, to me it what it's all about. It's true what they say a problem shared is a problem halved and it's far better to talk to your friends on here than to bottle it up inside. We are just pleased to help.

Take care Jules, the weekend is coming and hope you will be able to find time to re-charge your batteries. Best wishes, Brian.

Thanks for your reply Hope.  Am thinking no news is good news re Mum!!  Still hoping to go and see her tomorrow all things being considered and perhaps find out what has  been happening!!

Having got in from work and sorted our lunch feel 'naughty' just sitting and answering my mail but it feels right to have a breather and hubby is having a bit of an emotional day of his own.  Think only having been to work one day this week (the factory is quiet again at present so he is not required) gives him too much thinking time.  He has been out and reordered his repeat prescription but it must be very hard for him to adjust to not  being in work mode as he always said he would never retire but that what it feels like now!!  I now feel guilty about coming home from my shift at the store and saying I feel tired!!! but we have always been honest so when he asked how I was I told him and I dont think his current situation left him feeling very sympathetic because at least I can go to work.  Every day is a new lesson on how to be tactful (suppose I need to think before I speak).  My suggestion that if he felt bored he could do the washing up met with a very muted response!!!

Well we hope to have our  normal Friday nights out tomorrow, me to bingo and him to the pub with his mate for a couple of hours - thats our normality.

Chat soon and take good care of yourself. Jules xx

Hi Annabel

Good to hear from you but bet you cant wait to see your daughter, son in law and little Ava.  You will be in granny mode or are you being called nanny?  I am constantly thinking the phone is going to ring even though my daughter still has two weeks till her due date (you know how quickly that can change!!).  Have to say it does not matter how  down you  may feel, children in general can just make you smile by what they do and say - an experience you have to look forward to with Ava I am sure.  Hope all the family are keeping well and I will look forward to hearing all about it when you get back from your visit.  They say a change is as good as a rest but I suspect you will need another rest when you come home.

Daughter is having specialist midwife team appointment tomorrow so they can do more specialised check up instead of standard clinic today.  She says it makes her feel more relaxed knowing she is in such good hands and of course the grandparents are on hand to do the school pick up tomorrow which helps her enormously as she can relax at the hospital and not worry if timings over-run.

Am hoping, if all is well during the day, that we will get out for our Friday night with friends, me at the bingo as usual and the other half down the pub for a wee dram with his mate.

Hubby currently trying to come to terms with not being needed at work so much (busy last week 4 days, this week only 1!!) and know this is a very big problem for him as he has always been a workaholic and he is now struggling a bit with the concept of being at home more than at work.  However, when I suggested he could always do the easier household jobs like the washing up he was not amused.  Though he has suggested he could 'run me about' tomorrow if needed, bless him.

Take care,  Jules xx

Hi Brian

Thanks for you kind words once again.  You talk of changing your profile picture - never mind a squirrel, how about  just 'NUTS'.  Great that you and your wife were able to get  out to the farm shop. IT has been a lovely day here again and would imagine a drive was a lovely way so spend some time  (and farm shop food well worth the trip!!).  As to nuts at Waitrose surely by  now they see you coming and have arrows marking the way to offers (loyal customer truly rewarded). Do they have a suggestion box?

And so to Mum.  Finally had a telphone call from her social worker at 4.15 to bring me up to date.  Apparently Mum made all the right noises as she was shown around the flat being offered, lovely lounge and she could see people passing by, no point showing me the kitchen as I wont be able to use it!! Shown the communal lounge on site and they were about to take her to the dining area (where she can be taken for meals!!) when she told them it was all v.nice but she needed to get back to HER CARE HOME as her tea would be ready and she did not want to miss it.  When asked how she felt about moving there she said 'No thank you'.. Then she complained that they took the long route home and they had better not be late (they weren't).  By this point I was struggling not to laugh (think they now know what they are up against).  I have been asked to point out to my Mum that there will be no help from them if she turns the flat down and that her money wont last long!!  b.cheek!!!  Then I should contact them tomorrow (after I have 'encouraged Mum' to take up the offer (I dont think so!!) and that I should also point out that it would be in her best financial interests.  I was very polite (difficult) and told her I will visit my Mum, ask her what she thinks and if she is adamant that she wants to stay put (and pay for as long as she can afford it), then so be it. This is not what they wanted to hear but I have no intention of upsetting my Mum and if she wishes to spend her money for her own benefit I would be DELIGHTED.  So this particular soap opera continues!!  Somehow I am now managing to see the funny side of all this (how wicked I sound) and am thus coping better.  At least I am forewarned before I visit tomorrow and will also be having a chat with the Home Manager who has been tremendous support to us both.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy those special purchases you made today.  As to the new washing machine I am just a little jealous

Best wishes  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

I hope your hubby is feeling a bit less emotional, must be very hard for him but also very hard for you and it's not always easy to think before we speak.  I did laugh about the washing up though!  I had a nice day out shopping, another friend from work also came and we spent the day looking for baby clothes for somebody who is leaving next week to have a baby.  Looking at baby girls clothes (she knows its a girl), such sweet pink clothes - I'm not used to that having had 2 boys!  Somehow makes you realise the circle of life, constant birth and constant death. Anyway feeling slightly better, still a bit fragile but think I actually feel almost traumatised by this year's events.  I hope it all goes well visiting your Mum tomorrow.  Let us know.  Hope x