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 and Hope

Hope all is well with you.

Hope I noticed you attended the Hospice Memorial Service on Sunday.  I am sure it was a very emotional time for you all especially at this time of year.  I now have a chesty cough that I cannot get rid of.

Taking strong cough medicine and my honey and lemon as prescribed by my GP a few years ago when I lost my voice but to no avail.

Brian I read that Mrs B had a diabetic turn.  Hope she is keeping OK and is back on her feet very soon again looking after that man in her life.

Jules hope you too are keeping well and hubby and baby and the rest too.  Is the birthday party this weekend or next I can't remember?  My hubby wants me to go shopping this Saturday in the city centre.  I prefer to go on my own as I enjoy my own company.  I told him wait and see how I feel when the time comes but I probably will end up having to go with him.

Well take care everyone and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Mickied,

Sorry to hear that you have the dreaded chesty cough, I do hope it doesn't linger like my bug did a few weeks back.  Coughs seem to go on for a while and then just go without us really noticing, but they are such a pain at night keeping you awake aren't they?

Yes the memorial service was very emotional and I've been a bit emotional since; this time of year doesn't help as well as the dismal weather and the early darkness this time of year.  Still, have to try and remember all the positives in our lives eh!  Hope all is OK with you.  Wishing you a nice weekend and happy shopping on Saturday.  Hope xx

Hi Hope,

I gather you found things rather emotional this last week.

Although you found yourself to be emotional I bet you are glad you had the service.

I hope you had a lovely day meeting up with your friends, sometimes it helps us to get out of ourselves and gives a little relief.

I had a good day on Tuesday taking 3 friends shopping where they had not been before and apart from losing Jenny for a little while all was good fun.

For me it was good to go somewhere else and get away, as well as the shopping.

I hope you are looking after yourself Hope,  you have been through so much this year.

Take care

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thank you for your kind post.  Yes I have been emotional this week, I guess it is combination of the service, time of year etc.  I still got out with friends which was nice, it does help to temporarily take away the grief if only for a short while.  Glad you had a good shopping trip, hope you managed to treat yourself to something nice.  Take care.  Hope xx

Jules, Good morning, hope you are OK?  Hope xx

Hi Hope

Thanks for the reply.  You are right about this time of year.  I felt the same way this time last year with a chest infection the week before my father-in-law passed away.

His first anniversary is next Wednesday and you start to relive what happened back then.  My husband seems to be coping OK until next week that is because he was at the hospital with him shortly before he died.

I wish you too a nice weekend and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Brian

Pleased to read that your gp was able to put your  mind at rest with regards  your psa results as well as the side effects you are getting being caused by interaction with other medication.  Such a fine line to keep you well but good to know your medics on top of things. Hope you wife is keeping okay at the moment.  You both must have to have eagle eyes when choosing food items.  My son's girlfriend is lactose intolerent so when they visit I do a choice of desserts so that she does not have to bring her own pud (her suggestion was to bring the dessert with her to save any trouble) but these days there is always a viable alternative (once I found the correct aisle to look down.

My son popped in for a few hours and was still here when I got in from work so we caught up on all his news and was able to give him our gift for his other half's birthday. He begins his new  job as an adminstration/marketing assistant to a Research Professor  at Brunel Uni on Monday and is really looking forward to the challenges it will bring.  Also pleased to be going back to mon to fri working after several years doing shifts.

Hubby has picked up new anti depressant medication today so will see how that works out.  He had a call from his old employers today with a query for him to look at for them so for a little while had something to keep him occupied.   Tonight we are  both out as is usual on a Friday and then tomorrow my sister in law is visiting for dinner so have done all the preparation in advance so I can have a sit down tomorrow morning.

Hope you enjoyed your time with the grandchildren (think you changed it to yesterday because of school event) and no doubt your cheeky grandson was on good form.  When my hubby picked up our eldest grandson from school on Monday he was apparently letting him know when there was no traffic coming whilst they were waiting at the junction to the main road just in case his grandad did not notice there was a big red bus coming!!!

After a very frustrating day at work yesterday (lack of staffing main issue which led to so much pressure I felt really stressed) was pleased to get away and had to have a small chocolate bar to help me get me smiling again in time to get home.  Hey ho.

Hope you and your wife have a peaceful and happy weekend.  Take care  Jules x

Hi Hope

Am sure you are still feeling pretty emotionally drained so do try and get some R&R over the weekend.  Sometimes its hard to accept that we need that family support when we like to 'manage' it all ourselves ( is that something that comes from being 'an only child' with no siblings to share things with I wonder.?)

I had one of those stressful days at work (not enough staff, not enough hours in the day) and in the end my emotions got the better of me and I had to have a 10min time out to get myself together.  Has not happened for a little while but I know its my body's way of telling me its all getting a bit on top of me.  Lucky my workmates can read me all too well and I was able to chat it through and  was feeling a bit more like myself by the time I left work (despite being a bit red-eyed!!).  Any how comforted myself with a chocolate bar on the tube on the journey home and gave myself a silent talking to so today is a slightly less frustrating day.

Hubby has a new prescription for anti depressants and the GP wants to see him in a month to see if they are helping him cope with not having work in his life.  Its very hard for him being at home 24/7 even though he is still  mobile and can drive, has no interests/hobbies that were home based (sea fishing was his relaxation holiday!!). Huge adjustments required for both of us and think hes finding it difficult that I am coping (as far as he is concerned).  Thankfully, like you, we have close family support.

Have a peaceful weekend and chat again soon.  Virtual hugs  Jules xx

Hi Mickied

Hope you have had a reasonable week and know like many of the people on the forum, this time of year is extremely emotional for you.  Just wanted you to know you are being kept in my thoughts and thank you for being there over the months when I have needed to ramble on.  Take care my virtual friend and wishing you and the family a peaceful weekend.  Jules x

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 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