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 Brian, Jules, Hope and Everyone

Sorry I haven't been on the forums until now.  Hope Mrs B had a lovely birthday and the little bit about your little grandson Brian handing you a few chestnuts for telling him a story brought tears to my eyes.  He is such a lovely thoughtful young man - very much like his grandad I must add.

Jules I pity you with a urine infection.  They are awful.  I had a few myself this year and they can be unbearable.  The day I spent in Dublin with my mum I must have spent most of the day running about looking for toilets.  Hopefully you are on the mend now.  Hope hubby and daughter and new baby are doing OK not forgetting mum.

Hope - hope you are keeping well too.  We had a lovely day here on Sunday.  Apparently it was 13 but today a more chilly 9.  Time to keep wrapped up.  Started the deaded Christmas shopping well I only bought a Playdoh Dress Me Up set on Amazon but nothing else for now.  My eldest will be 13 on Saturday so we are going out for a quiet meal but my youngest one seems to have invited half of the family along too - kids were would you be without them.

Well take care everyone and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Mickied, Jules and Hope,

Hope the work situation sorts itself out Mickied. My young grandson has told me he was supposed to born with his problems so he could make people laugh. Everywhere he goes he is the same, cinema, school, shops hospitals, doctors, even walking in the street, he always ends up leaving people with a smile on their faces. People stop my daughter-in-law and ask her if she is Stuart's mother and tell her nice stories about him. He is one very special little lad. Thanks you for the kind words about me as well. I read this out to my wife and all she said was she thought you must have mixed me up with someone else. See what insults I have to put up with from Mrs B. You can all say Ow now. Mind you, I do wind her up quite a bit so I suppose I do ask for it !!!!!!!

Take care best wishes as always, Brian

Hi Mickied

Lovely to hear from you and I see you are gearing up for the 13th birthday celebrations. Difficult to think of Christmas presents when you have birthdays to attend to first.  Our grandson will be 5 on the 29th (party on 1st Dec) and we are going along to look after baby (no excuse needed) so that his Mum and Dad can given him undivided attention (as well as his classmates/friends - around 25-30 expected).  Thankfully only for 2hrs in the afternoon and one of the Dads at his school, whose daughter is coming, does magic and balloon making so is helping with keeping them amused.

Hubby is having physio tomorrow to try and loosen up his upper arm/shoulder stiffness (consultant says not linked to cancer but more likely because he does nothing but sit about!!!) Can you imagine if I spoke to him like that.

Mum'smood changes like the wind - last week full on gale, very chatty full of plans; this week a cool breeze, a few words and then goodbye as she was having her hair done (after refusing last week!!).  You learn to just take things as they come.  I had a wonder round the shops on the way home and in beautiful sunshine too (and a new jumper for Christmas fell into my basket - bright red with little reindeers all over - will do for Christmas morning  - think my hubby more interested in seeing the family than what we will be wearing but I love the fun aspect!!!).

Hope the birthday goes well.  Chat again soon.  Take care and sending virtual hugs  Jules. x 

Hi Brian

Your little grandson is a credit to his family and it must be virtually impossible not to enjoy life when he has endured so much and yet offers everyone the chance to keep smiling - truly humbling.

Sounds like you have a fantastic relationship with Mrs B and you know each other inside out (how else would you get away with 'nuts in your trolley'). This only works for me if I shop alone(like today when a jumper appeared in my basket).  I also picked up a bag of sweets but then felt guilty (as supposed to  be good) so walked half way round the store to put them back in the right place (thats what happened when you work in a shop for a living!!).

Beautiful sunshine here now after a miserably damp start so enjoyed the half hour walk each way to see Mum (not too bad in herself today though not quite as 'with it' as last week). Felt like a kid for a while as I walked through fallen leaves but managed to kerb the urge to kick them about (have to wait until I am with my grandson in the park).

Have a good day.  Jules x

Hi Jules, Mickied & Brian,

It is great to read all your posts about the young people.  Brian your grandson sounds so sweet, I bet you enjoy every minute you spend with him.  Mickied, hope your eldest has a lovely birthday on Saturday - the terrible teens eh!  Jules, your eldest's grandson's birthday party sounds great!  I will be thinking of you as that is my youngest's birthday, mind you at 17 he will just be doing his own thing, which since it is a Sunday will be playing football!  Take care everybody and speak soon.   Hope x

Hi Brian

Thanks for thinking about me.  I had a chat with my boss this morning and he told me there will be changes after Christmas more hours being cut etc as he doesn't want to make anyone redundant.

I felt sorry for him Brian while a few others didn't but that's me all over Brian.  He is honestly trying his best but you can't please everyone.

You can tell Mrs B that we didn't mix you up with someone else.  She probably sees a different side to the one we all see (only joking).  You sound like a good strong couple who put up with each other's faults and your bouts of Brianitus.  Haven't heard you mention those lately.

Take care Brian and regards to Mrs B.  Poor woman having to put up with you ha ha

Mickied

Hi Jules

I asked my daughter if she wanted to do anything for her 13th and she said just to go out for a meal.  Her sister by accident invited my mother-in-law along too.

I see your grandson will be 5 at the end of this month and a big party planned.  I remember doing the same for my eldest and all the kids you came behaved really well.  He will feel really special as his mum and dad will be there and baby will be getting looked after by grandma and grand-dad.

Hope the physio helps your husband.  Having a stiff shoulder is no laughing matter.  I had that myself a few months ago and you are restricted from doing anything with that arm.

That was some comment to come from a consultant obviously no beside manner towards his patient.

Glad to see your mum is keeping OK and looking after herself too by agreeing to getting her hair done.  You are just right Jules treating yourself to a new jumper for Christmas Day.

I treated myself too today to a mousse for the roots of my hair.  When the assistant explained it worked out at £2.50 for each application I agreed I had done the right thing and bought it.

It was £10.99.  I have never paid that much before for a colour for my hair usually the £5.00 mark is my norm but it needs it.

Well take care for now and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Hope

Thanks for the reply - the terrible teens more like Kevin and Perry.  If you ask her to do something she can't be bothered or will do it later. Hope your son enjoys his birthday.

How is your eldest getting on at Medical School?.  My friend's daughter is doing her course too which can last up to 7 years but she said it will be worth it in the end.

How's work going Hope?

Take care and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Hope

Trust you are having a peaceful week and I am sure having been able to move forward now that probate agreed makes some things a little easier. You should feel very proud of yourself for managing to visit banks on your own, daunting at the best of times let alone when you are grieving.  sometimes think we sort of go onto 'automatic pilot' just to  cope with day to day tasks.

Had another bad night last night (not sure why but suspect once awake the mind works overtime in the quietness!!!).  Hubby had physio yesterday and has exercises to do at home and goes back in a couple of weeks so hope it helps though he says little other than when I try the 20 questions route to have some sort of conversation - FRUSTRATING to say the least.  Think I am having more written conversations than verbal ones so thank goodness for the forum and people like yourself who are happy to listen to my waffling.

Mum was so so this week. Not so chatty but at least she had agreed to have a hair done (unlike the previous week when I thought she was on good form!!!).

Am off to work shortly and then hope to pop in to see our daughter and the children (probably pick up eldest from school).  She  is coping well now though still have to remind her to get plenty of rest when the baby sleeps.

Have a good weekend and hope to chat again soon.  regards and hugs Jules x

Hi Jules,

I'm sorry that your hubby isn't very talkative at present, I can understand how frustrating that must be - I love to talk and would find it very difficult getting little response. Likewise to find your Mum less chatty this week must also be difficult.  Thank goodness you have this site, we are always ready to chat on here! No doubt you will have fun later today when you see your grandchildren, glad your daughter is coping well now.

I'm relieved that I now have grant of probate, it is just another box to tick; however the house remains an issue as I've found out there is such a lot of work to be done if I want to get it up to scratch for renting. Intend to get further advice  and quotes and will then need to decide what to do for the best. Although I would like to keep it I also need to balance finances and also need to be able to move forward emotionally myself, so I will see.  I'm emotionally not in too bad a place just at the moment so am taking advantage of that as I'm sure another bad day will be ahead at some point.  Sunday I have a memorial service held by the hospice to attend for Mum, so it could even be then!

Mickied, thanks for asking after me and my eldest, he is absolutely loving med school - tons of work but he is in his glory.  Let's hope he will be a good future doctor.  Hope all is OK with you.

Take care my friends.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

I'm sorry that your hubby isn't very talkative at present, I can understand how frustrating that must be - I love to talk and would find it very difficult getting little response. Likewise to find your Mum less chatty this week must also be difficult.  Thank goodness you have this site, we are always ready to chat on here! No doubt you will have fun later today when you see your grandchildren, glad your daughter is coping well now.

I'm relieved that I now have grant of probate, it is just another box to tick; however the house remains an issue as I've found out there is such a lot of work to be done if I want to get it up to scratch for renting. Intend to get further advice  and quotes and will then need to decide what to do for the best. Although I would like to keep it I also need to balance finances and also need to be able to move forward emotionally myself, so I will see.  I'm emotionally not in too bad a place just at the moment so am taking advantage of that as I'm sure another bad day will be ahead at some point.  Sunday I have a memorial service held by the hospice to attend for Mum, so it could even be then!

Mickied, thanks for asking after me and my eldest, he is absolutely loving med school - tons of work but he is in his glory.  Let's hope he will be a good future doctor.  Hope all is OK with you.

Take care my friends.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the reply on the other thread. Good news is my latest blood test was okay and levels was back to normal so last one must have just been an anomaly.

My new headset has just arrived which I am very pleased with so will be able to get cracking on my stories again. Haven't done any writing for about three weeks so have a lot of catching up to do. I wish you well for your Bingo session tonight.

I hope you have a good weekend and will talk again soon, Brian.

Hi Brian, Jules and Hope

Hope all is well with you.  Starting to get a bit of a sore throat today but struggling on nonetheless.

We received a call from the police yesterday.  A few weeks ago a young female called to our house with a sponsor form for cancer.  My husband gave her a small donation and thought nothing else of it.

Apparently this young lady is being charged with fraud and had been going from different parts of the city looking sponsorship for a so called cycling event.  My husband had to call to our nearest station today to make a statement.  He said he can't even remember much about it.  Just shows you what people get up to.  I know times are hard but I would never consider conning people like that.

Well take care and chat next week

Mickied

Hi Mickied, Unbelievable about the sponsor form scam!  People who have no conscience and are able to carry out these cons obviously have been lucky enough to never have been affected by cancer, it makes me sick to think of people acting in that way.  Fortunately there are many good people in the world (a lot on here I might add), who understand the devastating effects of cancer, to even consider using the word for personal gain is appalling!

I hope all is well with you Mickied, have a good weekend.  Hope xx

Brill news Brian regarding your results and I am sure you will soon be cracking more nuts and planning more books now that the new equipment has arrived.  As the sun was shining this morning, once I had done the washing and ironing (boring but necessary!!) I set off to the local farmers market (treated myself to a large hot chocolate to keep our the chill) and also found a few bargains at the Charity shops for my winter wardrobe and a couple of social events planned (and hopefully attended together) over the next two months.

Hope you and MrsB have a peaceful weekend. Regards Jules x

Hi Mickied

Absolutely appalling what some lowlife's will try and get money out of people for!!  Leaves a very bad taste in the mouth when innocent people are getting duped in such an outrageous manner.

Hope your throat does not develop into anything nasty - so many bugs around and some seem to last quite a while.  So far so good

with me, since taking a short course of antibiotics, no more waterworks problems and last sample was clear .  Having taken Annabel's advice and found some cranberry tablets (before I bankrupted myself on the juice!!) I am now on 1 a day for a month to keep the bugs at bay (hopefully!!).  My GP had recommended cranberry too so heres hoping!!

Managed my Friday night out and hubby went with his friend to the pub and watched the football (hubby not that bothered but his mate is and they had a couple of hours over a beer/whisky.  Hubby has also begun his physio regime (has exercises to do in his armchair too!!)  and he goes back in two weeks for next session with the physiotherapist.  At least it gives him a reason to get out of the house (consultant wanted him to do more walking but  having always driven everywhere, he rarely walks further than the front gate  which is not quite what she had in mind).

Wishing you and the family a peaceful weekend. Take care and virtual hugs.  Jules x

Hi Hope

Hope you are enjoying a peaceful weekend and that you and the family are all keeping well.

  Hubby has now got his exercises to do at home (mostly managed within the realms of his armchair!!) and will see the physiotherapist again in a couple of weeks for another session.. He is 'going with the flow' but says he doubts it will make a difference!!  I have been out to the Farmer's Market today (hubby did not want to come with me so I walked there and bussed back (beautiful sunshine for the walk there but then it clouded over) and enjoyed a hot chocolate to warm me up. Also found an outfit for a function we are planning on attending at the end of January (formal do so long dress called for and was very pleased to find an ideal answer in local charity shop - might be last season but it was a bargain.)   Hubby was dozing in front of the fire but has now woken again and has his milkshake and some crumpets to keep him going.  Chat again soon.  Jules x

Hi Jules,  Glad you had a productive shop and found a suitable dress - even better when it's a bargain!  Armchair sounds a good place to do exercises this cold weather and I'm sure hubby is happy with his milkshake & crumpets!  I've been catching up with friends this weekend which is nice, tomorrow I have a hospice memorial for Mum, so am gearing myself up for that one.  Emjoy the rest of your weekend.  Hope xx

Brian, great news about the blood results.  Take care.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

Sorry I haven't responded sooner but have been to a Macmillan cancer meeting regarding the new drop in centre they are hoping to start work on in January. Pleased to hear you had a small win at bingo last night and have also picked up a bargain today. As I didn't get back until gone two-o-clock, I stopped off and got myself some chips from the shop just along the road. My wife is not supposed to eat them but the smell of them tempted her so much she gave in. They always give me more than I can eat and if I do eat them all myself I always feel rather bloated afterwards so it was good to have her help me out as I can not see them go to waste can I.  Any more than I could see nuts go to waste.

It has been a lovely sunny day here today although a little chilly. My wife had one of her diabetic turns about four-o-clock this morning so bleary eyed I came downstairs only half awake to get her a cup of tea with some sugar in it and some biscuits and then neither of us could get back to sleep afterwards until it was nearly time to get up. My wife virtually had to prise me out of bed this morning I can tell you. The trouble is although she make a quick recovery usually, she does feel so tired afterwards.

Glad to hear your husband has got some exercises to do and really hope this helps his shoulder.

Anyway, as usual I have rambled on too much, Probably a side effect of nut-eating-itus. Do take care Jules, have a relaxing weekend, Brian

Morning Hope and Brian

Have been up a few hours, though did manage a full 5hrs sleep last night so feel quite ready for the day ahead (no plans though so perhaps relaxing by the fire is the best idea as its miserable outside at present).

Hope,  will be thinking of you as you attend the memorial for your Mum - very emotional for you but a lovely idea for the hospice to arrange these special times.

Brian, hope your wife is feeling a little better following her diabetic turn.  I am aware that this can leave someone feeling very tired afterwards so expect  you will be having a peaceful day which will aid her recovery. Hope she had (and you too) a better night last night.  It can knock you for six when your lose so many hours sleep.  My Mum often used to get up during the night  and would make herself a milky drink (think she would often finish the night off in her rocking chair with a big blanket rather than trying to go  back to bed - worked for her!!)   Love the idea of her sharing your chips (even if she should'nt) though I am sure she enjoys them just as much as you do but helping you with such a large portion gives her a good excuse.

You never ramble Brian, its always a pleasure to chat. Kind thoughts and a peaceful day are sent to you and the family.  Jules x

Hi Hope,

Thinking of you this morning for your Mums Memorial service. I hope all goes well with the service and hope you feel positive afterwards,

Kind thoughts and virtual hugs,

Annabel. xx