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,

This old man as my grandson calls me is always pleased to listen to your ramblings and I do not think of you as an Old Girl. You always strike me as being someone who is young at heart. I do believe we are as old or as young as we feel. Your grandson obviously doesnt think of you as being old, as you play football and other games with him. My grandson only said it to wind me up; he know exactly which buttons to press to get me going.

I know this thing with the S.S and your mother has caused a lot of stress, but it shows your mother has a lot of determination and fight in her, a mother to be proud of for the way she has dealt with them.

Sorry to hear about your husbands forced retirement as I know from what you have written how much his work meant to him. You are right, it will be a big period of adjustment for you both. I know it was for me but it was something I needed to do for as you know, my wife has a lot of health problems and I feel better now I am at home to help her and to look after her.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend Jules and look after yourself for you have had a stressful few weeks in a row just lately.

Take care, best wishes as always, Brian (the nutty one)

Hi Jules,

I'm glad to hear you had a nice time with your Mum, she certainly sounds like a lady who knows her own mind (I have commented also on my thread).  I say good on her, more elderly people should be allowed to make their own decisions but unfortunately they often get muddled with all the red tape and people talking at them (and who can blame them), but your Mum sounds like she really is holding her own.

It must be difficult for hubby to accept early retirement if he has been forced, however what with a new grandchild coming very soon I'm sure he'll make good use of his extra time and hopefully that will take away some of the feelings he may have about it.  Adjustment is something all of us on here have to face one way and another isn't it?

The weather here this morning is looking promising so fingers crossed for your gardening.  I have a quiet weekend planned, eldest is off to a river boat trip on the Thames with med sch, so another night crashed on somebody's floor!  Speak soon.  Hope xx

See you are back to your 'nutty' best Brian and hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labours and that the conservatory floor project is not giving you too many headaches.  I read on  another thread that you hope to return to one of your favourite National Trust gardens (always loved to visit these when we holidayed int he UK) and it is a shame that your wife cannot enjoy the walk with you.  Was just wondering whether she would be up to being wheeled round as when we took a friend round a couple of years back we were able to borrow wheelchair on site and it gave her such pleasure to be able to join us for the visit without tiring her out.

We have had a lovely morning as our daughter and grandson have been here and he has been showing us his 'scooter skills' along our garden path.  He even got Grandad to stand in goal for him!!

My hubby also took it upon himself (hope you sitting down as you read this ) to take him to Sainsburys and they did the weekly shop together (a couple of miniature chocolate teddies found their way into the trolley plus a pack of small cars which he promptly took 'off roading in the flower bed'.  Whilst they were busy my daughter and I had good chat about his forthcoming 5th birthday in November (he wants board games and I need to know what he has already got!!).  Also discussed contingency plans for when she goes into labour.  Life will be a little easier from Monday as the little one will be in school full time so she will get plenty of rest and she now has her Dad available as back up when I am at work which has put her mind at rest (and made him feel useful!!).

Hope you find some time to relax and will chat again soon.  Jules xx

Hi Hope

Well the gardening went on hold as we had my daughter and grandson until about an hour a go when my son in law got home from work and they have gone off to buy presents for several of our grandson's friends birthdays.  Have managed to get all the washing dry (and am thinking about the ironing but no too much).  With a little bit of luck the weather will hold tomorrow and I am planning to clean the bird feeding station and then shop for new feeders/food in readiness for the return of the wild birds in the colder months.  Already the robins/blackbirds are making the odd appearance now that the mornings are cooler.

Hope you managing to have a stress free day  (is there such a thing these days) and am sure your elder son is enjoying the social side of uni (my son did and 7 years on still keeps in touch with his former  house mates even though they come from different parts of the country).  They still manage to meet up from time to time (the last time was a couple of months ago when one of the lads was passing through the area on his 'narrowboat' home and they all went to see him, bicycling along the towpath to keep up and then stopping for lunch.  Its a whole new world to explore for them and I really used to enjoy hearing all about it when he was home during the holidays.  How is your younger son enjoying being back at school?  I expect he is being kept busy too.

Look forward to chatting again soon. Take care  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

You mentioned cobwebs the other day so I had to search for this photo I took in our back garden a few years ago

Take care, Brian.

Click on it to enlarge.

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Thanks Brian

They are amazing little engineers those spiders. xJules

Hi Jules,

Well it sounds like you have a great day with your grandson, I notice from your post to Brian that your grandson has a scooter - I remember them so well with my boys, I used to love to have a go myself!  Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow so you can get into the garden then.  I'm off to watch youngest play football in his new team tomorrow - it's all a bit serious now at his age (under 17s).  You asked me how he was doing back at school, well he is now in a new school for 6th form (his secondary didn't have 6th form), it is one of the top schools around here and he is enjoying it and busy studying 4 A levels.

Well wishing you a good night's sleep and speak soon.  Hope x

Morning Hope

Feels a lot later as some disturbance down our road at 3.15 a.m. meant another interrupted night but at least it was not my fault.  Still the bonus of early mornings is housework now all finished and we are having leisurely breakfast (funny hubby appeared just as I finished all the ironing!!).  Our grandson gives us lots of pleasure (and our daughter and son in law like that he can play outside) and he happily plays in the garden. They live in a first floor flat and though they have access to a garden its not the same as being able to open the door and not have to physically be out there at all times.  He knows his Mum does not like worms so what was the first thing he bought in! We normally see them at least once a week but with the new addition due soon they have popped in a little more (bless them they always text to see if its okay even though we have always had open house policy - it we are in always pleased to see visitors). When our children went through school (I then worked at home proofreading) our stairs resounded with the noise of after school gang, especially with our daughter and even now when we see them out and about with their own families in tow they remember the days of squash and biscuits - simple pleasures).  Our son was more of a 'go to other friends' places and had outside hobbies and as I  have never driven and hubby worked away quite a lot of the time they both got used to walking and public transport from a very early age and even though they both now drive they still walk whenever its possible (as they say not only is it better for them its cheaper too!!)

Hope the football game goes well. The weather here is windy but bright so when the temperature gets up a bit I think I will get outside (unless I am catching up with a doze on the sofa!!)  You have too very bright lads that must make  you and your husband so proud. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and will catch up again soon. Take care.  Jules x

Thats beautiful Brian. After Jules mentioned them the other morning I saw loads of them in the long grass on the common just outside our gate. I wonder if I would have noticed them if I hadn't seen Jules's post??

I hope you and your wife are well Brian. All is well here, am about to get on the train to London tomorrow to visit the newest member of the family. Very excited. Have a good weekend.

best

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules,

I have been catching up with the news in your family, especially about your Mum. She sounds quite a character.

Your daughter will be getting to the stage when she will be glad to have the baby and get her body back. I remember that stage of pregnancy, I felt like a beached whale. !!!!!!

I am so glad to  the grandson is enjoying school and keeping you young!!! I look forward to all of that with little Ava.

Off to London tomorrow for a few days. Unfortuneately I have to return Thursday for a doctors appointment on Friday.

It will be lovely to see my daughter and son in law as well.

Hope you've had a good weekend

best

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules,

I have been catching up with the news in your family, especially about your Mum. She sounds quite a character.

Your daughter will be getting to the stage when she will be glad to have the baby and get her body back. I remember that stage of pregnancy, I felt like a beached whale. !!!!!!

I am so glad to  the grandson is enjoying school and keeping you young!!! I look forward to all of that with little Ava.

Off to London tomorrow for a few days. Unfortuneately I have to return Thursday for a doctors appointment on Friday.

It will be lovely to see my daughter and son in law as well.

Hope you've had a good weekend

best

Annabel. xx