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

Morning Hope

Well, feeling somewhat amazed was out for the evening (had one glass of wine) and did  not go to bed till 1 a.m. Got disturbed for loo break just once and then it was 8.10. Cannot believe I was in bed that late in the  morning!!!  Now I am running behind with my chores before we do the weekly shop (postponed from yesterday as had family here).  Never mind seems the body needed the lay in even if it messed up my routine (only because I like to get things done before hubby surfaces). 

Our local High Street has a fun day today ending with the switching on of the Christmas Lights so after shopping and then lunch we are hoping to go with daughter and grandchildren as all the shops put stalls outside and its usually a lot of fun (and a few bargains to be had).  Unfortunately once again the weather is likely to spoil our comfort but it would not stop us going. 

Enjoy your peaceful weekend, you certainly due for a quiet one.  Think tomorrow is supposed to  be the best day weatherwise so hope you can watch the football in the dry.  Take care, sending virtual  hugs and hope to chat again. Jules x

Morning(just) Jules,

There you are saying you have got up late at 8am and there's me still in bed (albeit reading) until 10am.!!!!

I have to say I am geneally tired and sometimes it's good to go with the flow and listen to what your body is telling you.

It sounds to me like you need to look after yourself as well as everybody else Jules.

You've had an infection and it will be a little while after you have finished the antibiotics that you'll get back to normal.

What fun for you all this afternoon, I am sure you'll have a lovely time.

The weather up here is sunny but threatening rain.!!

Back to my upholstery to be finished for Mondays inspection.

Have a lovely weekend

Annabel.xx

Good morning Jules,

Glad you had a good nights sleep for once and as you say it's your body's way of telling you that you badly needed the extra sleep. Glad you liked the quotation on the other thread.

It's Mrs B's birthday today so my son arrived with our two youngest grandchildren to give her birthday presents.  My youngest grandson who has all the problems came in and hugged me saying  "Hello old man". I call him young man and this now is his reply to me every time. He and his brother then sang Happy Birthday to Mrs B after which he went up to her and kissed her. It's hard to believe this is the same little boy who was told he would never talk and I could see my wife was not only very pleased with this but has admitted to me since she is very proud of him.

I went to see him the on Thursday and made up a short story for him as he was off school as he was not feeling well. After I had finished the story he opened his front door and went out into the porch. I told him to come back in several time but he told me he was looking for something. He came back in and handed me a small chestnut and said, "That's for you granddad for making me up a story and as I know you like chestnuts".  He told me he had saved this one especially for me. I was quite touched by this.

Hope the weather allows you to go and enjoy the Christmas festivities this afternoon with your family.  It's always a great time of year especially when you have young ones around you for they make Christmas what is is.

Take care and enjoy your weekend Jules. Talk again soon, Brian

Afternoon Brian

Firstly belated happy birthday to your wife. Do hope you and all the family helped with her celebrations and am really pleased that your bug cleared up in time for you to enjoy them too.  No doubt nuts are now firmly back on the menu.

Could really relate to the hello old man greetings.  Many months ago my eldest grandson asked why I was out of puff after playing footie in the back garden (at my age I should know better) and I said it was just that I was old!!  Now every time I  am slow, at doing something or cannot immediately answer his questions the quote is always ' its okay, it's just cos you are old'.    Shamefully this usually finds me and my daughter in stitches which just means he says it even more!! 

The weekend has seen me feeling a little better (less time in the loo too) so hope the antibiotics doing the trick (due to get results Monday as to whether I need more/different prescription).  Our daughter and the children were around for the day yesterday and son in law joined us when he finished work early afternoon.  Baby was in cuddly mode (so I made the most of that) and our eldest went with my hubby and 'helped' him do the weekly shop.  Strange there were a few 'new' items in the trolley though he ate my grapes rather than moan for sweets (he did get a chocolate bar from Grandad's box though (so did my daughter!!!).  Later  in the afternoon we went to the local fun day/switch on of our High St.'s Christmas lights and it was lovely that all the shops had set up stalls on the pavement (few pounds went missing on the tombolla and I found a couple of gifts too- bought not won).  We then all trooped into the fish and chippie restaurant and tucked in!!  Hubby managed a VERY LARGE piece of Skate with chips and his ever present glass of milk (I then realised why he had 'missed' lunch!!)

Today he is catching up on his 'dozes' and I have once again trotted to and from the launderette and got the washing dry outside in such beautiful autumnal sunshine - really lifts the spirits.  Having ironed it all I am now sitting down for the afternoon before returning to the routine of work tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed your woodturning and managed to get it all done despite it being a bit chilly.  Have often wished I had practical skills but am too ham-fisted!!!

Take care and enjoy that precious family time.  Best regards Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better, hopefully results tomorrow will be fine.  Also good for you for having a well deserved lie in this weekend - perhaps the glass of wine aided your extra sleep!  Well youngest's football match got cancelled for some reason but it gave me a chance to catch up on some chores.  Have been meaning to ask you how your Mum is doing lately?  I hope all is going OK. Speak soon, Hope x

Hi Hope

I suppose the only consolation that the football match was cancelled is that you did not have to stand around in the cold!  Still you would think they would say why. Wonder if, like us, you have had lots of rain the last couple of days and the ground was waterlogged.  Its a long time since I have had puddles on the lawn, such was the force of the downpours on Friday!!  Still today it was beautiful sunshine and I love the autumn colours of the trees right now.  Strangely though we still have a lovely yellow rose flowering in our front garden (planted 21 yrs ago in memory of hubby's mum).

Thank you so much for taking the time to ask about my Mum.  My last visit to her was last Tuesday and it was  one of the better days for a long time.  It did not start well as the home had rung to say she had for some reason decided to get herself up and dressed early (did not ring her bell for assistance) and had fallen.  However a thorough check over revealed all was well thankfully. I had already planned to go down so kept to the plan and quite honestly expected the usual sad trip.  However I was met with a smile and she was in chatty mode and had been joining in with a couple of activities.  She showed interest for the first time in months and it was a rather surreal visit as she was making plans to 'be better'.  Whilst lovely to have a positive visit, this has happened 'for 1 day only' before so I made the most of it and will see how things are when I pop in again this week.

I read that your eldest is studying hard and wish him the very best of luck when he sits his exams.  He sounds so dedicated to what he wants to become and I am sure he will do very well.  Take care of yourself. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the kind wishes for my wife's birthday. We had a great time thanks for asking. You are so right about the nuts; have a lot of making up for time lost to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the autumn colours of trees too. I have included a couple of photos I took at Sheffield Park Gardens which I took a few years ago.  Hope you like them.

Those hot flushes are still giving me the occasional problem like just now as I'm writing this to you. Haven't managed to do any more writing as I am still waiting for my new headset to arrive.

Hope work is not too manic tommorow and your visit to your mother is as good as last weeks

Take care, will talk again soon. Kind regards Brian.

P.S. Click on the photos to see enlarged version.

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Hi Annabel

Glad I  made the most of my unusual lie in. Last night was back to usual disturbances through hot flushes but antibiotics seem to be helping (though all the extra liquids needs to flush the system so to speak still resulting in frequent visits!!).  We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon (despite dampness the rain held off for the Mayor to switch on the lights in our local High Street.  Baby slept snugly in his pushchair and our eldest grandson got to say hello to the Mayor as he popped into the fish and chip restaurant whilst we were having our tea - yay no cooking or washing up!!!  Hubby in good form as he tucked into a HUGE skate and chips and then we all popped back to ours so baby could have his next feed before they returned home.  Thankfully my daughter is continuing to recover her strength daily and is slowly getting back into the normality of school runs/after school activities for the eldest though is happy enough to continue to share the housework with her hubby. Despite him having to get up early to go to work he has been sharing the night feeds on the days when baby has been fractious thus allowing my daughter to get some extra zzzzzzzz's.  Now that the hospital has prescribed meds for baby's reflux (GP refused!! even though the eldest also suffered and my daughter was quick to spot the symptoms!!) and she has also changed brands of baby milk, the last few days he has been  more settled between feeds and that in turn makes life a lot easier.  Fingers crossed my test come back okay and I am sorted, I hope to be able to get round and help after work at least once a week.  Hubby has also been giving support by keeping her company occasionally.

Next thing to look foward to is 5th birthday party at end of the month for eldest grandson who is understandably rather excited!  Then the round of pre-Christmas get togethers with friends begin.

Hope your meeting with Visit England is a piece of cake tomorrow. You work so hard you deserve good outcome. Must be very difficult to get breaks when you are running this type of business so hope you looking after yourself.

Well just about to get our evening meal so had best go and check there is no burnt offering in the oven and then need to get work clothes sorted for tomorrow before settling down to Strictly Results Show.  Chat soon. virtual hugs Jules x

Hi Brian

Just a quick response to say thanks for the lovely photos - colours are lovely and I am also enjoying our copper beech as its colours deepen before they sadly drop.  Today we have had lots of blue and great *** plus two robins visiiting the table outside our patio doors so the weather must be chilly as they have been absent over the last few weeks.  Will have to get the suet balls ready!  Yet another weekend passes and its into work tomorrow but have told them I am limited to the carrying side of things until I get the all clear re my infection - heavy lifting does not help!!)

Have a good week, kind regards and virtual hugs. Jules x

Good morning Jules,

I remember taking my grandfather down to Wiltshire years ago and although he couldn't remember what he had done the day before he told me about a long row of copper beech trees that lined the road for quite a long distance. And sure enough, there they were even though he had not travelled the route for over forty years or more. I guess there was nearly a mile or more lined by these beautiful trees.

Did you watch the remeberance service on TV on Saturday when those five young girls called the poppy girls sang their song. It was so touching when afterwards one of them who thought her father was serving abroad was told he was there to see her sing. Boy, did she run to meet him, a very emotional moment not only for her but for everyone watching.

Hope your daughter is getting her strength back and the little one is okay. Hope your husband can start some pysio soon for his arm. One of our wood club members has a brother who was an engineer until he retired. He has just joined a model engineering club and is loving it. He buys kits and assembles them at home and they also stage their own exhibition every year. Just a thought for your husband

Anyway take care, hope you have a good week and your results are okay. I have to have my repeat blood test on Wednesday and should have my results on Thurs/ Friday

Talk again soon, Brian

Good morning Jules,

I remember taking my grandfather down to Wiltshire years ago and although he couldn't remember what he had done the day before he told me about a long row of copper beech trees that lined the road for quite a long distance. And sure enough, there they were even though he had not travelled the route for over forty years or more. I guess there was nearly a mile or more lined by these beautiful trees.

Did you watch the remeberance service on TV on Saturday when those five young girls called the poppy girls sang their song. It was so touching when afterwards one of them who thought her father was serving abroad was told he was there to see her sing. Boy, did she run to meet him, a very emotional moment not only for her but for everyone watching.

Hope your daughter is getting her strength back and the little one is okay. Hope your husband can start some pysio soon for his arm. One of our wood club members has a brother who was an engineer until he retired. He has just joined a model engineering club and is loving it. He buys kits and assembles them at home and they also stage their own exhibition every year. Just a thought for your husband

Anyway take care, hope you have a good week and your results are okay. I have to have my repeat blood test on Wednesday and should have my results on Thurs/ Friday

Talk again soon, Brian

Hi Brian

We had company Saturday so TV was not on(other than for Strictly Come Dancing)  but I read about the little girl and her Dad. Wonderful for them both.  I had seen the group on breakfast TV  and they really came over very well. I watched the Cenotaph coverage on Sunday  morning as always and as my Dad was a member of BLESMA  always emotional when their group do the march past.  One day I have promised to go along in person which my Dad never managed but know he would have loved to take part.

Very damp and dismal today so was glad to get in from work and join hubby in front of the fire.  I had my results back and there is  no  need for  any more treatment so hopefully your tests will be good too. Daughter and family are managing quite well now and baby has medication to help with 'reflux' symptoms and she has altered his brand of milk to see if that also helps.  I am sure as each day passes she will grow stronger and I have just told her not to fret. She is doing a great job with both children and am very proud of her but also understand her frustration at not being able to do everything as and when she wants but has to allow her body to recover.

Hubby has an appointment with the physio on Wednesday so thats another thing sorted  Thanks for mentioning about the model club - sounds like a good idea and will introduce it into the conversation when  the time is right!!.He could do all sorts of activities at the local centre but at the moment says its not for him (think he finds it difficult to see others in similar situation who are happy to talk when he is not and he does not want to appear rude by not joining in).  Sadly it is down to him if he just wants to sit at home alone. At  the moment my daughter has just recommended I carry on as normal and maybe one day there will be a breakthrough and he will want to talk (I will be there whenever that is) or begin to take an interest and do things whilst he still able.

I am going to visit Mum in the morning and then hope to have a relaxing day.

Look after yourself and Mrs B. Chat again soon.  Jules x