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

How lovely to witness the woodpecker so close by.  I live in suburbia though we have woods within half hour walk.  Its been a good few years since we have a green woodpecker on one of our feeders and like you I was spellbound; so beautiful.

The grandchildren have being doing well in their activities and how proud all the family must be.  Lovely to hear all about it.

I have a way of getting Mrs B  on side re those quality wood shavings - place them in a suitable container and sprinkle with a pot pourri essence.  I have a beautiful natural wooden bowl (birthday gift this year) and have vanilla pot pourri surrounding a short pillar candle (soon to be swapped for Christmas scented oil (could be ginger or cranberry)). A task for the grandchildren (collect some pine cones to compliment the 'shavings' and there you have a naturally made gift!! ).

I am sure your Wood Club members love the 'prankster' in their group and hope this year's event goes well.  Its lovely when people with like interests can get together and enjoy themselves.

Pleased to say both hubby and I had a good night's sleep last night and I was very surprised to see it was past 7 a.m. when I got up!!  Have done all the preparation for our meal this evening and have the fires blazing (my sister in law feels the cold and we do not have central heating).  Hubby ate breakfast and is now horizontal snoozing in front of the fire so will have to wake him for GP qualifying later.

Wish you and the family a peaceful weekend and week ahead and hope to chat again soon.Jules x

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

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the idea about the wood-shavings. I will turn Mrs B a bowl with a raised centrepeice, complete with drip tray where I can put a large candle and the wood-shavings can be used to fill the bowl. I already have some pine cones where I have drilled a small hole on the base where I have inserted a small bit of bamboo.

I have turned a dozen light cord pulls in about an hour this afternoon in different timbers. Photo attached. Really enjoyed myself doing this and will do some wooden key rings tomorow, (I buy the metal rings )

I do envy you your open fire Jules. We have central heating but you cant beat an open fire at the end of the day.

Do enjoy yourself tonight, best wishes Brian.

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Hi Mickied,

How are you doing?  I will be thinking of you on Wednesday, which I am sure will be a difficult day for you.  This time of year seems to make everything seem worse some how.  After an emotional week I am feeling somewhat better today - so strange how our emotions go.  Wishing you a peaceful weekend.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

Hope you are having a nice weekend after your stressful week at work.  So strange how our emotions just hit us like that, but good to get it all out with a cry.  Glad to hear that you also comforted yourself if the best way, chocolate always does the trick!  After an emotional weekend myself I am feeling somewhat better today; when that happens I tend to think things are going forward but I know that the emotions will come flooding back at any random point, so just making the most of today.  Eldest home and says exams went OK.  Enjoy your weekend.  Hope x

Hi Brian,

Just popped up to say I love the wooden light pulls.  Are you busy making more this weekend?  Hope x

Hi Hope,

Yes I hope to turn some more and also some key rings and a couple of free standing mantle clocks.

I wish you a happy weekend Brian,

Hi Brian

Am so sorry for some reason seem to have missed your post.  The bowl you plan to turn for Mrs B sounds lovely and the photo you attached shows how good you are at 'turning' out your wooden pieces.  I am sure its gives  you many hours of pleasure.  I tend to be the ideas person but am hopeless on the practical side of things.

We had a lovely evening on Saturday with hubby's sister coming late afternoon and staying till around 11.  Dinner went okay (not so much stress attached to cooking for 3!!).  Saw family too on Sunday for a couple of hours and baby is doing well.  Eldest grandson is 5 this Friday (party on Sunday) and continuing to be a loveable imp.

Today as its my day off and my friend from work has a day's holiday we are going out for the day and plan on enjoying a few coffees and a leisurely lunch.  She decided that after a low few days last week I needed to be de-stressed and this was her suggestion - I am so looking forward to it. Just awaiting the call to say she is on her way and  will meet her on the train (she will text which carriage she is in!!!).  Busy weekend ahead as we have been invited to see friend's new house in Buckinghamshire on Saturday and I am so pleased hubby feels able to say yes (other friends are driving us which makes it more restful).

Well its pretty cold this morning but lovely and sunny so will wrap up and walk fast.

Take care and have a peaceful day.  Jules x

Hi Jules

Only saw your message now as we were allowed to leave the office early on Friday.  Thank you for your kind thoughts Jules and you have enough on your own plate to contend with but you always make time for others.  You are another asset on this forum.

Youngest one keeps pestering me about Christmas decorations and then when someone else in the street put theirs up she said it is far too early.  My husband says she is getting more and more like me.

Hope you enjoyed your day out with your friend catching up with each other and that well deserved bottle must come in handy after a good chinwag.

Take care Jules and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Everyone,

Hope you dont mind a joint response (save everyone reading repetitive chat).

Enjoyed my 'awayday' yesterday.  Met my friend on the train at 9.30 and got home at 5p.m.  Enjoyed wondering the shops (amazing to see so many of the shops with their sales on already) and solved all but one of my Mum's Christmas shopping list (much relieved to get that done).  Had coffee and cake mid-morning (healthy eating went to pot for the day!!) and had a bit of fun trying on clothes in the designer shops - great fit, loved them, put them back (prices totally prohibitive even in the sale).  So many different food outlets but we chose Indian as my friend loves it but her husband doesn't so she rarely has it and I have not been out for a restaurant meal in ages (more to come pre Christmas though).  Did not feel the need for alcohol but enjoyed a day away from the stresses of work.  Had to laugh when I got home as both of us found we had something in common (she sent me a text!!) we both had washing up waiting in the sink for our return.  Well, almost the perfect day.  Really enjoyed buying gifts for everyone and even treated myself to some silly festive socks which should make the children laugh on Christmas Day!!!

Thanks for all your ongoing support; its so much appreciated having somewhere to turn to both when I am down in the dumps or just wanting to share.  Take care of yourselves and have a peaceful week. hugs to all Jules xx

Hi Everyone,

Hope you dont mind a joint response (save everyone reading repetitive chat).

Enjoyed my 'awayday' yesterday.  Met my friend on the train at 9.30 and got home at 5p.m.  Enjoyed wondering the shops (amazing to see so many of the shops with their sales on already) and solved all but one of my Mum's Christmas shopping list (much relieved to get that done).  Had coffee and cake mid-morning (healthy eating went to pot for the day!!) and had a bit of fun trying on clothes in the designer shops - great fit, loved them, put them back (prices totally prohibitive even in the sale).  So many different food outlets but we chose Indian as my friend loves it but her husband doesn't so she rarely has it and I have not been out for a restaurant meal in ages (more to come pre Christmas though).  Did not feel the need for alcohol but enjoyed a day away from the stresses of work.  Had to laugh when I got home as both of us found we had something in common (she sent me a text!!) we both had washing up waiting in the sink for our return.  Well, almost the perfect day.  Really enjoyed buying gifts for everyone and even treated myself to some silly festive socks which should make the children laugh on Christmas Day!!!

Thanks for all your ongoing support; its so much appreciated having somewhere to turn to both when I am down in the dumps or just wanting to share.  Take care of yourselves and have a peaceful week. hugs to all Jules xx

Hi Jules,

So pleased to hear you had an enjoyable day out yesterday, you so deserve it. I had to smile about what both you and your friend found when you got home. All I can say is that's men for you but I can tell you I would have received a severe ear bending if that had been me.

We are only returning the support that you give to so many on here Jules, I am just pleased that you feel it helps.  When I took my wife to our local chemist the other day they had a wide range of winter socks including the sort you mention  I now have a vision of you wearing these festive socks and your grandson and family in fits of laughter.

I hope his birthday party goes well and you all have a great party.

Take care, best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Morning Jules,

It's great you had a relaxing and theraputic girls day out. I had mine too yesterday and like you we stopped for coffee and cake before we did any damage to the walllets.

I have to say for many a year I have preferred shopping in small towns with individual shops where I can often find individual things. Yesterday was good because I managed to find some reasonably priced gifts that were just that bit different. Hope the recipients like them.

Just having time out with a good friend is what is often important. we stopped for lunch in a cafe and ended up ordering the same thing for lunch. We got back alittle earlier than you but then we had done some supermarket boring shopping at the end and had had enough. Got home just before it went dark.

Hope your day today is a good one.

I am off to walk the dog down to coffee morning in the village to catch up with local friends.

Speak soon

hugs

Annabel. xx

Morning Brain,

I can see by your post you have been brought up very well by your wife. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  lol.

I hope you are both well and in fine heart at the moment.

I loved seeing your wood turning, it's one of those things I would love to do, but have never had the time . He ho.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Good morning Annabel,

Glad to hear you also had a good day out for just like our Jules you so deserve it.

Have been out in my garage again this morning turning some mantle clocks, (I buy the clocks as inserts). Am just going back again but have attached a couple of photos of the Square/ Round picture frames I turn. Will talk again soon. Take care Brian.

Click on picture to enlarge them

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Hi Annabel

Nice to hear from you and good that you too enjoyed another day of retail therapy.  Once I get paid at the end of the month I can sort out the cash gifts and then I am done as far as the family is concerned.  It will  be a good feeling.  Am hoping my Mum is happy with what I have purchased on her behalf (too late now) when I go to see her next (probably Tuesday as long as I do not have to work). We are out at different social events this weekend which I am looking forward to (hopefully  hubby is too).  Seeing our grandson celebrate his 5th birthday will be the highlight and he has been so good at school he managed to get another 'star' on his class chart so is very excited.  Baby Zack doing really well (over 12lb already - loves his milk!!) and quite long so is already outgrowing 0-3mnths (he is only 6weeks old)!!  Very much like his brother was at a similar age.

Hope you enjoyed your dog walking and catching up with friends. Also hope you managing to relax as I know you said your business will be pretty busy again soon.  Take care and chat again soon.  Hugs.Jules x

Hi Brian

did I not say that Ibought 'silly socks' for other members of the family too - if we are all laughing at each other's feet then I will be one happy shopper and it will be a very good start to our celebrations.

Hope  you and your wife are keeping well and no doubt you have been kept busy with wood club activities.  Thought of you when I was out yesterday as they had street vendor selling roast chestnuts and had visions of you taking over and wheeling it away to enjoy!!  Allth very best for a peaceful weekend and hope to chat again soon. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to read you had a lovely day out with your friend recently. Dare say things are getting a bit exciting for your eldest grandson as his birthday approaches. Hope hubby is feeling a bit better and that the new tablets are beginning to kick in. Have a great birthday party at the weekend. Hope xx

Thanks Hope. I am still in awe at all the support we all recieved on the forum.  We are getting busier at work which comes with its own stress but on the other hand I get to talk to people and it makes the time pass.  Have a few busy days ahead as am out on Friday (bingo - hubby to pub with his mate), Saturday (haircut - really be happy to get this done as its driving me mad and have now been paid so that will help), after lunch we are visiting our friends' daughter and son in laws to see their  new bungalow and catch up with their news  (being a bone cancer sufferer in remission the son in law is very supportive of us both and we are looking forward to seeing them.  Then Sunday we will be at the 5th birthday party (his birthday is actually tomorrow but he will be at school and then out for tea with the family).  I have just got to remember to get the helium balloon so sit by his cake and then enjoy being a babysitter, with all the other grandparents, as up to 30 children have a whale of a time!!! Think Monday at work may well feel like a rest.

Hubby is so so at present, no real change other than getting more indigestion so we are trying smaller meals. The doc has told him to get walking as this will help rather than spending all day sitting down - no sign of this when I am about but he is doing the physio for his arms on a daily basis.  I know it takes a while for anti depressants to kick in so we will be monitoring things.  He is back at the GP 23rd Dec for check up on his medication but hopefully s he will be able to see some improvement. Its just so hard for him to accept he cannot work and he does not seem to be able to get past this yet.

Enough of me, how are you doing? Hope all the family are well and no doubt  your sons are studying hard too.  Take care  and sending virtual hugs and best wishes for a peaceful weekend.  Jules xx

Good afternoon Jules,

Hope you have a good evening out and a win at the bingo tonight. I now have a vision of all your family standing in a row try to judge which one has the silliest socks of all, it's just my silly sense of of humour. I am all set for tomorrows show now and have even loaded the car as we all setup tonight so that we can open to the public earlier tomorow.  I cleared Tesco's out of chestnuts the other day, the tray was empty, not even one left for the squirrels. 

I will be taking my camera with me tomorow as we have a couple of new members exhibiting for the first time and I usually take lots of photos anyway.

Hope the 5th birtday goes well, take care, Brian

Morning Brian,

Have just popped into the forum before heading out to my hair appointment  (half hour walk but looks a bit nippy!!).  No luck at the bingo but good to be out socialising with my friend and catch up with all our family news of the last week.   Just to further your vision of the 'silly socks' contest (mostly animal orientated I might add) at least two of us have 'jumpers' to match so fear no one will be taking us seriously when Christmas morning comes around.  Hubby also enjoyed his evening in the pub and am beginning to hope that this is where he talks things through (just hate thinking he is bottling it all inside).

Hope your 'wood club' show goes well today and that the new members exhibiting, enjoy the experience of 'belonging'.  I am now thinging the club has its own member of the paparazzi!!  Have a happy and peaceful weekend. Jules x