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,

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 guess you are probably feeling tired now what with your early start - I'm envious that you got all your housework done, mine is still waiting!  I've been to football which took up a lot of the day, then over to the house for more clearing.  There is so much to do it feels like it's going on forever, still I think we are slowly getting there.  It's always a bit upsetting going through things, but I'm trying to focus on the good memories now.

Like you I always like a noisy house, and used to love my sons friends coming over to play when they were little.  Nowadays with the addition of X Box everyone seems to stay in their own houses and play on-line!  Well it will soon be October so not long until your new bundle arrives, bet you can't wait!  Have a good week and hope all continues OK with your Mum.  Hope  xx

Morning Hope

.

Well made it through to about late afternoon before I had a power nap!!  Had a pretty quiet day which has helped though I did manage to do a bit in the garden and also took myself for a leisurely afternoon walk (not one who can sit around all day and it was a beautiful day).  Hubby spent much of the day dozing (probably due to be able to relax as we had no visitors) or watching me do the housework (something I am having to get used to!! ).

Certainly clearing the house is not easy task physically let alone mentally.  Helped with my mother in laws many years ago and that was difficult.  When my Mum  moved into care we cleared the flat but I still have around six large boxes of her bits and pieces sitting in our spare room as it does not feel right to do anything with them whilst she is still with us even though she does not want  it. (Also if she does have to move again in the future she would have to completely re-furnish as the sheltered housing situation would be unfurnished - though trying not to dwell on that though now!!).

Bet your son was happy to have your support as he started with the new football team and its not something I relate too as my son preferred cricket and never really became interested in footie so I have never stood and watched a whole match!!!  No one in our family ever really been into football so maybe that explains it. I love to watch other sports on the tv and hubby used to race cars (pre children) so would spend a lot of our 'date' at race meets (750 club class) - those were the days.  Still love to watch cricket which I used to go to with my Dad from a very early age and also tennis.  Was never sporty myself other than having to join in at school but have always done a lot of walking.  Both my parents loved to walk (and did not drive) and we spent many an hour at weekends walking on the Heath.

Well I am thinking I had best clear up my breakfast washing up as otherwise it will be waiting for me when I get in from work .  Have a good week. Chat soon. Jules xx

Afternoon Jules,  Hope you've had a good day.  I've been feeling a bit down today for no apparent reason (well other than the obvious); just part of the journey I'm on I guess.  Still the sun is shining now and I've finished work so not all bad!

Can relate to watching cricket, youngest also played cricket for several years, so just when the football season finished I'd be out again all Summer watching cricket!  Can't say I ever really understood it, but had some pleasant days drinking and chatting on the pavillion!  He gave it up a few years back now so at least I have the weekends to myself during the Summer now.

Off to make dinner now and take some relaxing time for myself tonight as hubby working late. Have a good evening.  Hope x

Hi Hope,

Maybe you feeling a little better today.  Think Monday's are often a 'low' day as at the weekend we have family around us and enjoy the feeling  of being needed/supported.  Then the weekday comes and its off to work and we have to make an effort to be in control (pushing our own feelings down to be able to cope).  I am having a lazy morning as this is a non work day and later today we are picking up our grandson with our daughter (so we find out where his new classroom is) as he is now doing full hours (and still loving it thankfully).  We are going through the strange transition of hubby being at home all day (hard for him I know) following early retirement being mutually agreed last week.(the travelling was getting too much and physically he knew the time was right).  Sadly there is not much he can do without getting breathless and he spends his day sitting in the chair and I am learning to have to work round him (very strange). I dont think even I realised how much working meant to him as he is now like a child who has lost his favourite toy and think he is now very sad and feels he has no purpose.  Me and the kids are doing our best to get him as involved as he can be in 'our world' as we want him to have a good life whilst he is still able but this is clearly difficult for him.  His next routine appointment is at the end of the month but other than that we are trying to focus on the forthcoming new grandchild as a positive and making memories with the family.    He has just reminded me that his prescription will be ready for collection today so will see to that later.  For now I hear that the weather is going to be warmer later so a bit more gardening seems in order.

Love the way you are supporting so many others on this site Hope and feel your own experiences will help them with their understanding that we are never alone when forums such as this exist.

Take care Jules xx

Good morning Jules, Hope & Annebel,

The day has started very well for me. I took my wife shopping at Mr Tesco's this morning and I am very surprised you didn't hear my shout of joy. I was looking round the greengrocery department and found they had new seasons Chestnuts in stock. They only had 4 bags left but not any more for I scooped them up and dumped them in our trolley as quick as lightning. When we got to the checkout, my dear wife  gave the cashier chapter and verse what a nutty husband she has. I cant disagree with her very well can I ??????????????.

Jules, I hope you are keeping well. I forgot to mention that you have now been a very valued member on this site for over a year now and just wanted to say thank you for the support you have given both to me and many many others during that time. Your well chosen words of comfort and understanding are I know appreciated by so many people on here. I only found this forum by chance, read a few post and have been hooked ever since and during my time have made the acquaintance of so many lovely caring people.  With regard to your husbands retirement Jules, I have just looked up engineering forums and found at least six of them. One of them give the chance to comment about recent developments ect, and just wondered if this might be of interest to your husband. I just typed in engineering forums. Just a thought anyway.

Hope, Like Jules I hope you are feeling better today and also the way you respond to so many others on here. I just love this forum and they way everyone uses their own experiance to help others.

Annebel, I hope you have a great trip and enjoy seeing the new addition to your family.

Ladies please take care and will talk again soon, Brian

Morning Brian

Thank you so much for your lovely words and do you know I  had not even realised how long I had been posting!!  Sometimes wonder where the time goes and I am very grateful to have had this forum to help me through the good and the bad times.  Its amazing that you never have to feel isolated and even though everyones journey is very personal we also know that being understood is a really big support so I too would like to thank all that read these threads as well as those that respond.

Thanks for mentioning the engineering forums and will pass this on (when the mood is right). Funnily enough my first thought was as he has such a great engineering brain he could think of approaching old contacts and offer himself as a consultant.  This was something he would have loved to have done when he was originally made redundant from a previous employer but then he was 'head-hunted' and the rest is, as they say, history.  On the other hand its really up to him as to how he feels and I will just have to follow his lead (conversation still sadly lacking and I dont think that I can teach the old dog new tricks as even his siblings are this way).  He has just told me that our son is visiting tomorrow (apparently he rang yesterday!!), shame I will miss seeing him as I am at work but great that hubby can catch up with his news and if I ask enough questions when I get home I can catch up too!!

As I type this I am imagining you sitting with a bowl of chestnuts for company and can now assume that supermarket shopping will be a happy necessity for a few weeks to come.  My hubby likes fresh chestnuts so will keep my eyes peeled. Enjoy.

Have a good day.  Jules xx

Morning Brian

Thank you so much for your lovely words and do you know I  had not even realised how long I had been posting!!  Sometimes wonder where the time goes and I am very grateful to have had this forum to help me through the good and the bad times.  Its amazing that you never have to feel isolated and even though everyones journey is very personal we also know that being understood is a really big support so I too would like to thank all that read these threads as well as those that respond.

Thanks for mentioning the engineering forums and will pass this on (when the mood is right). Funnily enough my first thought was as he has such a great engineering brain he could think of approaching old contacts and offer himself as a consultant.  This was something he would have loved to have done when he was originally made redundant from a previous employer but then he was 'head-hunted' and the rest is, as they say, history.  On the other hand its really up to him as to how he feels and I will just have to follow his lead (conversation still sadly lacking and I dont think that I can teach the old dog new tricks as even his siblings are this way).  He has just told me that our son is visiting tomorrow (apparently he rang yesterday!!), shame I will miss seeing him as I am at work but great that hubby can catch up with his news and if I ask enough questions when I get home I can catch up too!!

As I type this I am imagining you sitting with a bowl of chestnuts for company and can now assume that supermarket shopping will be a happy necessity for a few weeks to come.  My hubby likes fresh chestnuts so will keep my eyes peeled. Enjoy.

Have a good day.  Jules xx