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

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

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

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 Jules and Annabel,

Thanks for your kind words, I will let you know how the service goes.

Jules, glad that you managed 5 hours sleep but you are still an early riser.  I hope you have a relaxing weekend by that fire, sounds great.

Annable, I hope all is OK with you and again wishing you a relaxing weekend.

Hope xx

Morning Jules,

By now, I bet you've done all your chores and I hope you're relaxing with a well earned cup of tea!

Congratulations on your bingo win and great news about your charity shop find! It's a good feeling to find a bargain and know that you're supporting a charity too! Bet you'll look great too and no doubt you'll receive many compliments. It's  been a while since I've been charity shop shopping. Near where I live, there is a long road with many charity shops on it. I've been known to make it a whole day out on some occasions!

I'm glad you're getting your Christmas shopping sorted. I've been more organised this year and actually bought things as and when I've seen them rather than my usual approach of "I'll get that for so-and-so next time I'm in town"  I only hope I don't see too many things I wish I'd bought instead! I think I said to,you that this year was going to be a 'book' year, so that's still my main aim, but I also love buying little things for my children . . . A hang over from when they were little and I used to buy for their Santa stockings! Now the items need to be a bit more grown up. . . Though they both still love a tube of sweeties in their present! Didn't make it for a walk yesterday . . . An aerial man took priority! But that's another story!

I hope you have a good week and your hubby carries on the good work with his armchair exercises.

Hugs to you and your family xxx

(Hope you don't mind if I tag a few more messages on in this post?)

Hope, I'm thinking of you today and hope the Hospice Memorial service for your mum, goes well and brings you peace. Hugs to you and your men, xxx

Annabel, enjoy your charity shopping on Tuesday. Hope you find lots of bargains . . . Let us know what you find!

I see you've had a whirlwind year with your diagnosis, operations, treatments and running your business! Phew! . . a bit of 'me' time is in order I think! So try and slow your pace down and take care of yourself. (Retail therapy is fine by the way!)    Hugs to you  and your family xxx

Brian, sorry to hear about Mrs. B's recent diabetic problem. I hope she's soon feeling brighter. Sharing your chips eh? What a kind man you are. Chips always taste even more delicious if they're out of someone else's wrapper! Hugs to you and Mrs B xxx

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

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.