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

Thank you so much Tonic.  Its lovely to have something to celebrate and he is a real cutie (but then I am a bit biased).

Hope all is well with you and the family.  Jules xx

Hi Brian

I see the temptation of your nuts was just too much for you and you have suffered the consequences - no doubt resulting in little ticking off (hope you enjoyed them at the time though) .  There seems to be quite a lot of bugs going round, just the time of year I think.  Probably need a spell of 'cold weather' to kill off the germs - amazing we still have not needed the heating on and at the moment the patio doors are open and the sun is shining!!  As soon as the thunderstorm passed I was out of the door and have just returned from a 2hr walk which included popping round the farmers market and a visit to the surrounding park - lovely autumnal colours now so took a few pictures.  My 'cheese-man' was in his regular pitch so came home having had a few 'tasters' and now have a piece of chedder infused with ginger ready for a homemade ploughmans lunch (also got some homemade chutney) - not what the doctor would order but my treat for today.

Hubby spending the time between tv and laptop and has just had neighbours cat arrive for his lunchtime petting session. Both creatures of habit.

Do hope you are soon feeling better and that you are relaxing a bit more today to give yourself a chance to recover (and save yourself another ear-bashing!!).

Last day at work for me tomorrow for a couple of weeks - so looking forward to having a change of pace (and being appreciated for the effort I put in!!!!).  I even have a children's birthday party to attend as my daughter's extra pair of hands next weekend (gotta love that!!).

Anyway do take care and hope we can chat again soon.  jules xxx

Hi Annabel

Hope both  your parents and your husband soon back to full fitness - so many seem to be suffering with bugs at the moment.  Know what you mean about it being easier if the other half would stay in bed. Its so hard trying to clear up round them!!!  Hence during the week (now that hubby always home) I now try to do as much as possible before he gets up so that when I come home I only have our room to sort out.  This morning he did not surface until 9.30 so was all sorted and just going through paperwork/filing  before our letter-rack gave way.

Yes, the weather cleared and have managed 2hrs walk through the park and the two markets (on same premises) and treated myself to  home-made cheese and chutney ready for a ploughmans lunch.  Also broused the charity shops and a new Morrisons local that opened this week before returning home and putting my feet up.

Just one day to work before my two weeks off begin - very ready for the break even though I will be on hand to help with the new edition I also plan on completing my Christmas shopping and finding time to catch up with my friend who is fighting cancer (she is between treatments at present) and we will probably go out to lunch and have a good gossip (she has also recently become a granny for the second time).

Do take care and hope you dont pick up the  bugs.  Chat soon. Jules xx 

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear your daughter and baby are doing well - love the idea of a rocking chair.  It's good that your hubby is more focused now he has another grandson to look after, but sorry to hear he has had some pain of late.  I expect he (and you) will be feeling apprehensive about his forthcoming check-ups.

I'm a little better but the bug is still there, doesn't seem to want to leave and is very annoying.  Had a quietish weekend but have been to the house sorting out Mum's clothes which was a bit hard.  Eldest has had his home-cooked dinner and now gone off to do a shift back at the care-home where he previously worked.  He will do some weekend work when he can for extra money, so is a real busy bee.  Youngest at football with hubby so I may go and have a wander around the shops for an hour and get some fresh air.  Take care and enjoy all your baby time.  Hope x

Good afternoon, Jules,

So glad your rocking chair was well received by . . . Your husband! That made me chuckle!

Your daughter's husband sounds a dream with his cooking skills and the way he's supporting his newly expanded family unit! Maybe he could do parenting classes for new dads to be! I'm sure there are a lot of women out there who would love their other halves to be more like him!

I can't complain though . . . My partner is very supportive and a chef to boot! So no culinary worries for me! Both sets of our children are grown up now so no extra duties for him to perform on that score! I think cooking and his unique way of doing the household chores is enough for him to contend with at the moment! I think he'll be glad when I can take over the reins again - not going to rush though. Doctor's orders! !

I was sorry to read that your hubby's pain has been breaking through. Hopefully, the new baby will continue to raise his spirits, along with the well deserved 'spirit' on a Friday evening!

The bad weather you've experienced hasn't reached us here (Yorkshire) so I'm hoping to get out for a walk in a few minutes. My dad and his wife are 'popping over' as my dad calls it . . . It's a 180 mile round trip!!!!!! Bless him. He's bringing over the bird table that he's made me so I can relax and watch the birds from my patio window. Think my 2 cats will love the show too!

Glad you managed to get to the Farmers' market and treated yourself to some cheese! Delicious. Cheese is one of my downfalls! I'd rather have a chunk of cheese than a chunk of chocolate! 

Enjoy a peaceful afternoon and don't forget to get some energy points in the bank ready for next week when you're taking on the role of Super Gran!

Take care, Jules, and hugs to you and your family, Jo xx

Hi Tonic

Not sure how often you pop on to read around but just wanted to offer my condolences on the loss of your Mum.  I have only just see your posting on another thread and just wanted to say will be thinking of you at this emotional time.  I am sure you are surrounded by your loving family but can well understand why you want to see the end of 2013.  Sending virtual hugs and peaceful thoughts at this sad time. Jules xx

Just wanted to say congratulations to you Jules on the birth of your grandchild.  Sorry to hear there were some complications but the main things is both mum and baby are home and doing well now.  Take care.xxx

Thanks so much Beaker. Its lovely to have the support and response on the forum.  Happily my daughter has been signed off my the midwife (as has baby) and just needs to take 2 weeks of iron tablets for now and go to clinic in 2 weeks's time.  Baby had lost a few ounces (but thats quite normal) and they were all out today registering his birth so popped into show him off at my place of work.  Very sweet.

Take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Glas to read your daughter and Zack have been signed off. That was a nice touch; bringing him into your work place. I bet it pleased you.

Enjoy your two weeks off and bet you are going to give Zack more than a few cuddles.

Do take care, Brian.

Thanks Brian. Yes my workmates have been great support to me and were delighted to see the little new edition.My daughter often pops into the shop when out shopping so they have seen he pregnancy progress - only fair that they can ooh and ahh over the baby.  Think my daughter had done enough for one day though and no doubt she is sitting with her feet up now as her hubby is a wizz round the house and very 'hands on'.  The other Nana was supposed to be visiting this afternoon and the other Grandad (they are divorced) and his new wife will be popping down on Thursday (they come from the North now) so think that takes in most of the immediate relatives visiting.  My daughter is not one to sit still for long and I am going to give her a hand on Thursday (fetching and carrying etc) but expect it will be more like a girlie gossip with the menfolk out of the way. My hubby has been asked to pop into the old workplace as they have a problem to solve (need his brain!!).  First day of my hols tomorrow and I am off to the hospital to get my blood tests done - 6mths has passed so quickly and will be interesting to see the results in a couple of weeks regarding my cholesterol levels.  If nothing else I am a little over a stone lighter!!!  Of course, if the levels have not dropped I will be celebrating with a very large bar of chocolate and then taking the pills!!!

Hope you are feeling much better now and continuing to take it a little easier and also that your wife is feeling better following her tumble.  Best wishes  for a peaceful week and hope you can soon catch up with the grandchildren as they help make us smile.  Jules xx

Thanks Brian. Yes my workmates have been great support to me and were delighted to see the little new edition.My daughter often pops into the shop when out shopping so they have seen he pregnancy progress - only fair that they can ooh and ahh over the baby.  Think my daughter had done enough for one day though and no doubt she is sitting with her feet up now as her hubby is a wizz round the house and very 'hands on'.  The other Nana was supposed to be visiting this afternoon and the other Grandad (they are divorced) and his new wife will be popping down on Thursday (they come from the North now) so think that takes in most of the immediate relatives visiting.  My daughter is not one to sit still for long and I am going to give her a hand on Thursday (fetching and carrying etc) but expect it will be more like a girlie gossip with the menfolk out of the way. My hubby has been asked to pop into the old workplace as they have a problem to solve (need his brain!!).  First day of my hols tomorrow and I am off to the hospital to get my blood tests done - 6mths has passed so quickly and will be interesting to see the results in a couple of weeks regarding my cholesterol levels.  If nothing else I am a little over a stone lighter!!!  Of course, if the levels have not dropped I will be celebrating with a very large bar of chocolate and then taking the pills!!!

Hope you are feeling much better now and continuing to take it a little easier and also that your wife is feeling better following her tumble.  Best wishes  for a peaceful week and hope you can soon catch up with the grandchildren as they help make us smile.  Jules xx

Hi Jules

Great news your daughter is home again with her little bundle of joy.  Tell her not to be doing too much and listen to what her body tells her.  She will have no worries whenever her mum is about.

Glad to see your hubby's work still call upon him and no doubt he will not hesitate when he receives that call.

Good luck with the blood tests.  My mum has to get those carried out too because of her cholesterol levels.  Heart problems run in her family so she needs to get her bloods checked every 4 months.

Still no news on the work front and as they say no news is good news.  I just recall the same thing happening this time last year too.

Well enough from me and I hope you enjoy your time off with your new baby grandson and daughter.

Take care

Mickied