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 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,

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

Hi Jules,

Just wanted to pop up on your thread and say Hi and that I am following your latest news, but not always posting a response.

Have a good weekend and hope the sun is shining where you are. I'm hoping to convince my other half that a little walk in Derbyshire would be good for us both! Think I can clinch the deal with the promise of a pub lunch at the end of it!

Big hugs to you and your family, Jo xxx

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

Hello Jo, lovely to hear from you and hope you managed the walk and more importantly the pub lunch (personally I love a ploughmans or a bowl of homemade soup and crusty bread).  Beautiful sunshine here first thing (out by 7.30 to the launderette) and once I had done the ironing I asked hubby if he would like to go to the Farmer's market.  As he didn't I left him in front of the fire/tv and set off for the mile and a half walk.  Really enjoyed the fresh air though did have a large hot chocolate to keep the chill out.  Also did my usual tour of the charity shops and was delighted to pick up a bargain (long dress for a 'do' we are hoping to go to in Bournemouth at the end of January with a group of friends).  All in all a morning well spent.  No plans for the rest of the weekend but am meeting my daughter after work on Monday (hubby is picking up eldest grandson from school) for a quick look around the shops (I can look after the baby/pushchair) if she wants to do a spot of Christmas shopping in peace or we may just go for tea/cakes.   I have also asked my Sister in Law for dinner next weekend (she only lives 40mins away but we have not seen her since early September).  We have few weekends free before the festive season now so am trying to fit things in as and when.  Its very handy than I only work three days a week!! 

Hope you keeping well and chat again soon (like you I do sometimes read more than I post ). Virtual hugs. Jules x

Hello Jo, lovely to hear from you and hope you managed the walk and more importantly the pub lunch (personally I love a ploughmans or a bowl of homemade soup and crusty bread).  Beautiful sunshine here first thing (out by 7.30 to the launderette) and once I had done the ironing I asked hubby if he would like to go to the Farmer's market.  As he didn't I left him in front of the fire/tv and set off for the mile and a half walk.  Really enjoyed the fresh air though did have a large hot chocolate to keep the chill out.  Also did my usual tour of the charity shops and was delighted to pick up a bargain (long dress for a 'do' we are hoping to go to in Bournemouth at the end of January with a group of friends).  All in all a morning well spent.  No plans for the rest of the weekend but am meeting my daughter after work on Monday (hubby is picking up eldest grandson from school) for a quick look around the shops (I can look after the baby/pushchair) if she wants to do a spot of Christmas shopping in peace or we may just go for tea/cakes.   I have also asked my Sister in Law for dinner next weekend (she only lives 40mins away but we have not seen her since early September).  We have few weekends free before the festive season now so am trying to fit things in as and when.  Its very handy than I only work three days a week!! 

Hope you keeping well and chat again soon (like you I do sometimes read more than I post ). Virtual hugs. Jules x

Morning Jules,

Was so glad to hear of your win on the bingo,!!!! and your bargain hunting sucess in the charity shop.

When I take the local ladies over the Pennines next Tuesday charity shops will be big on the list for 2 of us as there are something like 10 charity shops where we are going.At least 2 of them are cancer research. !!!

Plus lots of nice non charity shops. Personally I love a bargain.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel

Have a lovely shopping day tomorrow.  Have just heard that the tube is suspended this morning on the line I use to get to work so it looks like a longer walk and the bus for me. Lovely start to the working weekl.

Yes, I was very pleased with my bargain dress (I am normally found in trousers  and the formal wear I do have in my wardrobe from previous occasions is too big ) as they nearly always only get worn once or twice.  Also it helps the charity shop (I took clothes in too!!).  Take care Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Hope your walk to work went okay, I wonder will you have the walk and bus when you return home. ???

Like you I am normally in trousers because it's the most practical thing to wear especially at this time of year when its wet and sometimes windy.

I do have a few skirts though and when the long boots come out (which will be soon) I do like to wear a skirt if I am going anywhere.

Mind you putting tights back on isn't a pleasure.

I'll let you know what I find in the charity shops.

And like you I need to take some more in ( if I find time to sort some).

The exhaustion of the last few weeks is gradually wearing off, I've been awake since 6.30 and up since 7.00. Already done 35 mins cleaning in the Barn, just came over for a coffee and chat with friends online.

Hope you have a good day, speak soon

Annabel xx.

Hi Annabel

Glad to read that you enjoyed your shopping trip - any bargains?

I am out for the day to London with my friend from work on Tuesday. Can't tell you how  much I am looking for to it - its about 4 yrs since we managed a weekday off together (my official day off and she has holiday day).  We have promised ourselves a proper lunch with a bottle to share!!  Neither of us drive so will go up by underground.

Hope you and the family are keeping well.  Virtual hugs  Jules

Hi Jules,

Just the one bargain, a nice furry winter hat much needed at the moment as the temperature has dropped significantly with lots of frost each night.

I am so pleased to read that you are having a day out with your friend on Tuesday in London. I do hope you have a seriously good time, and have a really good lunch. Don't get so legless, you've to get the underground back you know!!!!!! LOL. Will look forward to hearing about you day out next week.

Strangely enough I have arranged to go out with another friend on Tuesday, trying to get more xmas shopping done. We too will have lunch somewhere not sure where yet.

Daughter and her family all well and making arrangements to come up second week of December. Haven't heard or spoken to son for a couple of weeks, hope he is busy job hunting. Bless him.

Well I am off to bed now , hope you and yours sleep well.

Hugs

Annabel. xx.

Hi Annabel

Just a quick response so that you know I have picked up your reply.  Love the idea of the furry hat and yes with the current cold spell am sure it will be well used.  Nice to hear you will be enjoying some family time with your daughter and family soon. Bet you can't wait to get some more cuddles.  We are just awaiting arrival of hubby's sister who is coming to dinner and so we will be able to catch up with all her news and find out how we can help with the forthcoming Christmas get-together.  Usually we take a few  bottles with us as we stay for 2/3 days and there will be 11 of us altogether (though baby will have to make do with milk ).  Do hope your son soon finds a new position. Have been there in the past with both hubby, son and son in law and its not an easy time.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and we can compare notes about our Tuesday outings later in the week.  Take care, hugs Jules x