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 Jules,

Hope your grandson enjoyed his birthday, and hope he managed to lift your hubby's spirits.  Expect you are now recovering from the party - these 5 year olds know how to have a good time!  Hope xx

Hi Brian,

I love this bowl?? with Santa and his reindeers.It so striking. I love the other work you displayed as well. Well done to all your members. I told you I have always liked the ida of working with wood. A couple of years ago my dear husband bought us a second hand lathe with the idea that I should have a go, well I can tell you I haven't had one moment since to go out and have a go with it. He even gave me a few books to read up on all the safety aspects of it. Maybe over Christmas this year if the weather is not too cold I'll go out with him and have an hour of practice. There's just never enough hours in a day sometimes. LOL.

Just got to get the dear man up in the loft in the next hour to get down any Christmas decorations/cards/wrapping paper before he starts another job. !!!!!

Hope you and your wife are well. All the best

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules,

I hope you and all your family had a really great time especially at your grandson party.

I am trying to get all Christmas presents for Daughter, Son and partners and grandaughter, and mother in law bought and wrapped by next Monday, then we are off down to Daughters to stay, and a day trip down to Hove to Mother in law and back home on the Friday. In between time hopefully will get to see son and his girlfriend as well.

Zack sounds like he's doing really well with his weight. I don't know what Ava weighs but she is still in 0-3 months clothes. I sent some down this week which I had bought for Christmas and then thought OMG she might have already grown out of them, but they are still on the big side for her, Charlotte sent me a photo of her in some of them. So she is still petite but very lively looking now.

Other half wanting me to do a job now so will come back and chat later.

Annabel. xx

Hi Brian

Glad the 'wood club' show went well and its great that you got some interest in your books as well.  Now its head down and getting the writing done to complete your grandson's new story.  You must have a head buzzing with ideas to achieve so much.

We had a lovely time at the birthday party, as did the children.  One of the parents is a professional magician/balloonist so after the fun the bouncy castle/play tunnel/slide (indoors and huge!!) they had their party food and he performed magic tricks and made them all balloon animals/swords etc before they wearily went home.  My daughter finished feeding the baby and then we all made it home for around 6.30.  Glad it all went so well as had a message today to say the birthday boy has a double ear infection and had to go to the doctors rather than to school. Not nice at all but expect a few of the new toys he received will come in handy to help take his mind of the pain.  He has to go back in a couple of weeks to see if he needs treatment for glue ear and possibly grommets.  All part of childhood I guess!

Hope you having a peaceful day after all the build up to the wood club event (and yes I did see the  beautiful pictures on the other thread and left a suitable comment. I hope!!).  Take care and kind thoughts are sent your way.  Jules x

Hi Hope

Wehad a lovely time 'watching' all the children making the most of the party play area (all indoors as outlined in my response to Brian) and also enjoyed the magician (he entertained both the adults and children with amazing slight of hand) and his balloon art (every child that wanted a balloon figure of their choice went home happy!!  My grandson came over to all the grandparents/step grandparents afterwards and thanked us all for coming and said he had had a lovely birthday party and was a very lucky little boy (also thanked his Mum and Dad) - so sweet!!  Sadly today he is not quite so cheerful having develped a double ear infection and could not go into school (very disappointed) as need to go to the docs. Now has antibiotics so hopefully will clear up soon but has to go  back for a check up in a couple of weeks as may have glue ear and need grommets fitting (he suffered a lot as a baby with repetitive ear infections so this does not really come as a surprise but I do feel for him as it can be so painful).

Hope you had a good and peaceful weekend.  When is it that you get to go on holiday? - hope this will be a more relaxing period for you.  I have just been told I do not need to work Boxing day so its lovely that I will have a 5 day break (or maybe 6 if he decides not to have me in on my official day off - Christmas Eve).  We go away for 3 days and then will be back home (usually arrange to have an open house so that friends can pop in and out when convenient).  I will probably work New Years Day but really dont mind that as we do not do anything then.

Hubby coped quite well with a very social weekend (out Fri Eve, Sat p.m. and Sun p.m,.)  He is also visiting an old work buddy from may years ago this Wednesday for lunch which hopefully will lift his spirits too as it seems when he is out and engaged with others he has a better frame of mind than when just sitting indoors - understandable (too much thinking time when at home I think and its harder to switch off when you are doing nothing).

Well next drink is called for so had best finish my mail and get to it. Sending kind thoughts and virtual hugs.Jules x

Hi Jules, made it back from the little job !!!! Getting stuff down from the loft for Christmas, cards wrapping paper etc.

Sorry to hear your grandson now has ear trouble , but it's better to get it sorted whilst their young.

My daughter went through many operations as she was just about the consultants worse case ever, even now when she gets a cold she has trouble shaking it off.

She still goes a bit deaf when she gets a cold.

I am sure his new toys will help him through the day.

Bet you are really busy at work these days, you'll be glad to get a rest at christmas.

All the best for now

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel

We all  had a lovely time at the party and my grandson was over the moon with all his friends coming to play and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  Just as well as today he has developed a double ear infection and poor mite is not enjoying himself at all.  Doc has given him medicine and he has to go back in two weeks for a check up as he may have glue ear and will need grommets fitted.  He was 'seriously annoyed' that he could not go into school and tell  his 'beautiful teacher' how he celebrated birthday but all being well will go back in tomorrow.  Zack has had a change of milk/teat size to see if this helps with the reflux problems.  His older brother also suffered with it and its trial and error to see what actions help.  As to his clothes size its mainly the all in one suits that he has grown out off (he is  just very long!!) so as he likes his feet out anyway my daughter is going to chop the feet off most of them to make them last a little longer (she also had to do this for his brother as a small baby!!).  I bet you are really looking forward to spending some quality time with your daughter and family and hope you get to see your son and his girlfriend too - how is the job hunting going?  Will be nice for you all to see each other prior to Christmas.  I have all the present buying done but now need to get down to the wrapping up. Thankfully I can hand deliver most of them as we are all together over the Christmas but its still nice to have it all ready so that you can rest in the knowledge  that its all sorted.

Tomorrow I am visiting Mum and taking the things I have bought on her behalf to show her (before I wrap those up as well!!). Also managed to get her a lovely pair of plum velvet trousers (she wanted to dress up a bit for Christmas Day). Fingers crossed I get the 'thumbs up' as I have no wish to take it back to London!!!

Take care of yourself and sending you virtual hugs. Jules x

Hi Annabel,

Thanks for your reply. It was a picture frame in a timber called Afromosia which is very hard. When I used to go up to The Woodworker Show It was nice to see how many ladies had taken up woodwork, until political correctness got in the way. I wouldn't say they were better at woodwork than men but they were much more adventurous in the subject matter they undertook and it paid off for several of them won awards and rightly so.

I only live about twelve miles from Hove so when you go past Burgess Hill give us a toot.  I have just done what you have got your other half to do, and brought Christmas stuff down from the loft.

We have a lovely lady in our wood club who is a master carver and also is brilliant at pyrograpy. She is 87 years young and still runs two carving classes per week. I have teased her about her pyrography??? in the past and she has a great sense of humour.

I do find woodturning very relaxing and love to see something made from timber which was due to be thrown away. Most of the things I turn were bearers on the bottoms of pallets that came from Malaysia/Indonesia/Brazil. I haven't bought any timber for years, for I don't need to as friends and relatives have given me odds and ends over the years. I hope you do get a chance to have a go on your lath sometime for I feel you would get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Just a word of warning, despite trying differnt clothingover the years, woodshaving have a habit of getting in places which you cant scratch in public, if you take my meaning

Anyway, I have rambled on too long again, do take care and hope you enjoy your trip. Best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Jules,

So pleased the party went well and you all had a good time. I do feel for your grandson as an ear infection is very painful. 

The carvings were done by our club secretary and he like me is one of the founder members of the wood club. That Octopus won an award at a big woodwork show at Wembley and thanks for the kind comments

Now I have to get my head down and get my grandsons book completed. Hope you didnt have too hard a day at work today after the party.

Take care, talk soon Brian.

Morning Brian

I am in a slight state of shock this morning - I fell asleep watching tv at around 10 p.m. woke at midnight!! dragged myself off to bed and woke up at 7.30.  Does that mean I need to go to more childrens' parties?  Have I actually found the cure for insomnia?  It really feels strange to get up so late (just as well its a non-working day!!).  Am off visiting Mum later and then may have little visitor if he has been unable to go back to school (he does not like having to stay at home - feels he  is missing out!!). Am just waiting to hear back from my daughter and if they are coming over I can get some foodie treats for them on my way back as I pass the supermarket.

Hope your writing is flowing and am imagining one very happy little boy with a huge smile once grandad hands over the new book.  Its a wonderful gift in so many respects.

Hope  you and Mrs B have a good day and hope your supply of nuts is plentiful to keep your energy going.  Take care and chat soon Jules x

Morning Brian

I am in a slight state of shock this morning - I fell asleep watching tv at around 10 p.m. woke at midnight!! dragged myself off to bed and woke up at 7.30.  Does that mean I need to go to more childrens' parties?  Have I actually found the cure for insomnia?  It really feels strange to get up so late (just as well its a non-working day!!).  Am off visiting Mum later and then may have little visitor if he has been unable to go back to school (he does not like having to stay at home - feels he  is missing out!!). Am just waiting to hear back from my daughter and if they are coming over I can get some foodie treats for them on my way back as I pass the supermarket.

Hope your writing is flowing and am imagining one very happy little boy with a huge smile once grandad hands over the new book.  Its a wonderful gift in so many respects.

Hope  you and Mrs B have a good day and hope your supply of nuts is plentiful to keep your energy going.  Take care and chat soon Jules x

Hi Jules,

Well sounds like you've found the cure for insomina - perhaps you could write about it and make a fortune now!  Glad the party went well and hope your grandson is feeling better after being poorly - luckily it happened to him after the party.  Hope your Mum was OK when you visited today.  I'm just plodding on with the usual things at the moment and looking forward to having a break over the holidays.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

So pleased to hear you had a decent nights sleep, we all need a decent nights sleep. I feel sure your grandson wouldn't mind a party everyday. The other night I stayed up to watch a film I had missed once before. I saw the first half hour then the next I remember was my wife shaking me and asking if I was going to go to bed.

Did you have your little visitor? Still have not done any writing today as we had shopping first thing then I had to go to two local bank as I keep getting e-mails supposedly from them saying my bank account has been suspended and I don't even have an account with them. The e-mail address made it look like it came from them so I wanted them to be aware of it. But they confirmed what I already knew, it is a scam for on each e-mail there is a link they invite me to click on, which is the last thing I would do. They have now been consigned to the dustbin. Then as I had to take my wife to the doctors, we went a bit earlier a popped in our local garden centre. I bought my wife an A3 sheet with a lot of festive Owl stickers so she now has to decide where she wants to put them.

I hope your visit with your mother went well and you recieved the seal of approval of your recent shopping purchases and that she was chatty mood again.

I topped up on my supply of chestnuts today so wont run out for a while. I forgot to cut a couple of the them other night and both of them went BANG in the oven and did I get my ear bent by Mrs B. It did make a mess.

Take care, best wishes for another good nights sleep, Brian.

Afternoon Hope,

Not sure I would want to cope with a classful of kids as a way to regularly beat my sleep problems (it was a one night only cure) though must say they all were very good with only a few tears when some of them came a cropper on the bouncy castle!!  Our grandson has medicine for double ear infection but only  needed one day off school (he badgered his Mum to go back so they have just been made aware they his hearing is a little down and all was fine yesterday).  He also went to his after school club (tennis) so obviously felt a bit better!  They soon bounce back at that age and he does not like missing school (long may that last!!).  We are going to dinner with them tomorrow so that he can show us all his new  birthday presents (suspecting I will still be playing with old favourites).  We are also bringing back our rocking chair as they need the room for the Xmas tree!!

Mum was on good form yesterday (it would be lovely if this continued - often her bi-polar condition comes and goes in waves). The shopping I had done on her behalf was well recieved and I had had my hair cut (she said I needed one!!).  Her carer was writing birthday cards on her behalf when I arrived so I took over and next visit will do some Xmas cards with her.  She has also got a book from the visiting mobile library - all good improvements.  The new velvet trousers were also a hit and I have now been sent away with a request to get a top to go with it - so was back to the shops today and hope I have again chosen well.  Will take it to her next week.

Hubby has gone to visit an old work friend (from about 30yrs ago) today so hopefully he will enjoy this .  I am not sure that the extra medication is making any difference but he has a check up re the anti depressants in two weeks plus physio next week so at least he is being kept an eye on.  We are also having our grandson for the day on Sunday (I will take him out part of the time so hubby can have his nap should he so wish or he can join us if he chooses though even before he was ill he used to let me do that side of things!!). as my daughter and son in law want to go and get his Christmas gift and I will probably suggest they join us for dinner afterwards as this will save them having to sort it out when they get back.

Do hope you and your family are all ok - I expect the lads will be looking foward to the holidays.  Do take care and look forward to chatting again soon. Virtual hugs  Jules x

Hi Brian

Your comment about falling asleep in front of the tv is a common one in this house - hubby often does this around mid-night and then comes up to bed around 3 in the morning but he has the benefit of staying there as he usually gets up after I have left for work.  I have also  been known to have a power nap (he loves to watch fishing programmes and try as I might I find them very relaxing so end up in the land of nod for around an hour). Suspect this is another way for my body to play catch up!!  My Mum has always only had a few hours sleep a night and I think she passed those genes onto to me as most of the time I seem to cope fine.

Our grandson did not come to us in the end as his Dad came  up with another idea. We are going to them tomorrow after school and will have dinner with them and be able to see all his new birthday gifts. As I have said to Hope we also  need to bring home our rocking chair (formerly Mums) as they need the space over the Christmas period.  We have another busy weekend socially, out Friday with my daughter (no bingo this week as my friend and her husband are away on a golfing weekend) to a Pamper night in aid of charity,meeting old friends on Saturday for a Thai meal and then have our eldest grandson on Sunday so his parents can go and get his Christmas gift.  Keeping busy is helping me no end and thankfully Mum is still feeling pretty good at present so visiting was a pleasure again this week.  She was so pleased with my shopping efforts that I have another list to attend to now. She also commented that my hair looked so much better now that I had had it cut so that keeps us both happy.

No doubt you will soon find a few spare moments to continue with your grandson's new story - can imagine your fingers dashing across the keyboard.

Hope you and your wife are keeping okay - we are still enjoying yellow roses in our front garden and wish I could mow the lawn (too wet this time of year) as its getting a bit long and it will  be a lot harder work in the Spring.  We are currently feeding  two black birds, two robins and a variety of *** just outside our back door on the bird feeding station - lovely to watch and a sure sign the weather is a little cooler.

Hope you have a peaceful week/weekend and am sure we will be chatting again soon.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Sounds like you are very busy at the moment and I must say you sound very upbeat too.  Great that your Mum is on good form and seems like she's keeping you busy shopping!  Also good that your grandson is feeling better, lovely to hear that he enjoys school so much.  I'm sure you will have a great time looking at his new presents, and no doubt playing with a few yourself!  The pamper evening sounds great, could do with one of those myself!  How did hubby get on visiting his work friend?  Hopefully was the tonic he needed to feel a little brighter, I'm sure it must be difficult to be forced to give up work, as much as we all moan about it working does somehow give us a purpose doesn't it?

Can't believe it is only 3 weeks till Christmas, to be honest I am just going through the motions of buying a few bits and writing cards etc, I am struggling with this time of year.  I'm sure I will feel better when we have all broken up for the holidays and get away together. Boys are looking forward to the break.   Take care,  Hope x

Hi Jules and Hope

I was off work for a few days using up my annual leave and back today with a very sore back.  Why couldn't it have happened last week when I was off work.

Had to endure a two hour parents meeting yesterday on top of everything else.

Anyway how have you both been keeping.  I can't believe it is only 3 weeks myself Hope.  Went into the town centre on Tuesday and bought myself a new pair of pyjamas and got a new sole and heel on my boots - good to myself aren't I and then bought a box of Thorntons for one of the teachers.  Discovery nothing sweet in the house last night I had to open them and there is a few left.

Looking for presents for youngest one's friends but couldn't see anything to suit will try again next week.

Jules how did the party go at the weekend.  Sore heads all round I bet and Hope how have you been yourself.  I know it is a hard time of year for you too but we have to struggle on don't we.

Take care both of you and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Mickied

Hope your back will soon return to normal. It's always the same, you have a few days off and then return to work with ailments!!  Perhaps you were using muscles differently at home than at work!!

Party went really well and no sore heads as we were not drinking and it wall done and dusted by 6.30.   Lots of happy children though and good time had by all with the huge soft play (indoors) area followed by magician/balloonist (one of the parents is in the magic circle) who kept us all spellbound for an hour.  Our grandson enjoyed it all immensely and the baby seemed to enjoy the  music too as slept through most of it!!!  We have just got back from a fish and chip supper with them as he wanted to show us all his birthday gifts.  I had the honour of ding the bedtime story and he was asleep by 7.15.  He is currently on antibiotics for double ear infection (developed day after party) but only missed one day of school as was desparate to go in.  He has to have a hearing check in a couple of weeks incase of glue ear which would then entail grommets so we just have to see.  Baby Zack has his 8 week check next week and first injections - where does the time go.

Tomorrow evening I am going to a charity pamper evening with my daughter and then on Saturday we have a meal out with group of friends to a Thai Restaurant.  Sunday we are having eldest grandson for the day so that his parents can go Christmas present shopping.  Have been stocked up with new monopoly game and pop the pirate plus how to make 'slime slugs' - praying for dry weather so we can go to the park and have a kick around in the park!!!

Hope you and the family are keeping well. We are plodding along much the same at present but looking forward to a 5 day break over Christmas (3 days away, 2 at home).  Sending virtual hugs and hope your next attempt at shopping proves successful.  Managed to get clothes for the two grandchildren which apart from vouchers for my son and girlfriend (they wanted garden vouchers from everyone so they can enjoy changing their front garden and add to the planting in the back garden plus getting veggie patch up and running) .  Chat again soon. Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Thought I would surprise you as I am up early for a change.!!!!!!

Can't sleep as worrying about life the universe etc. What good worrying will do I don't know but I suppose we all go through it at times.

What are you up to today? I have a load of wrapping of Christmas pressies to take down with s next week. followed by the usual wshing and ironing and even packing if there is time.

Am trying not to do food shopping if I can help it before we go,just to safe time and money, eat up everrything there is in the place. Might have to succumb to getting the dog some food though........!!!!!!! working Saturday and Sunday. Somewhere in amongst all this will have to find time to write xmas cards.

I was glad to read your mum was pleased with the shopping you had done for her, it must be lovely for you when she reacts so positvely. Even if it gives you more to do....!!! LOL.

Your grandsons party sounded good fun and I am sure he is getting excited about Santa coming soon.I hope he gets over his ear infection quickly.

Have a lovely if busy weekend Jules,

Chat soon

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules,

Have been very busy since my last post to you. We had the two older grandchildren come to us to dinner on Wednesday and when I took them home it was time for the youngest ones story time. He pointed to his self and said I'm the little man, daddy is the young man, and then looking at me said, and granddad is the very old man. Cheeky little man. Mind you Jules when I see how much energy he has, I feel like an old man!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy your pamper evening tonight. Pleased to hear that your mother was pleased with your Christmas shopping you did for her. You must have done a good job if you now have another one to attend to. We too still have roses blooming in our back garden and I fully agree about the lawns for ours are just the same, but as you say they are much too wet.

I took Mrs B to see her brother yesterday as a week ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a psa of over 500. They suspect it has migrated to his hip joints so she is quite worried about him. He has had so much pain in his legs the past few day but yesterday when we saw him he was feeling a little better. While I was there I went up into their loft to get their Christmas decorations down for them as he has trouble standing up. Sister in law also has her own problems in that she now suffers from meniere's  disease where she keeps losing her balance. So have told her if she want to go shopping to give us a call as neither of them can drive at the moment.

Sounds like you have a busy weekend planed so hope you will be able to sleep well.

Take care Jules, will talk again soon, Brian

Afternoon Hope

Visit to my daughter's for fish and chip supper yesterday went okay. I was asked to read the bedtime story and when I asked what he wanted me to read he replied ' you can read my school book which was all about a slug wanting to be like a snail!!  By 7.30 both him and the baby (now in proper cot in the same room) were fast asleep   Our eldest grandson now has lots of new lego (his Mum and Dad really enjoying building new things!!) and they now need to go out and buy up all the different batteries to  make things work!!  We returned home with several of his 'old' games and a couple of duplicated presents for our toy chest and when he comes for the day on Sunday I am apparently make 'slimy slugs'.  I am hoping it is dry as will put on wellies and head for an hour in our local park thus giving hubby a break and hopefully wearing the youngster (more likely me!!) out a bit as he has so much energy and likes being out in the fresh air.

Will shortly be off to do the weekly shop as have managed to finish housework (having to get used to a pair of eyes watching me do the ironing and any other housework is weird for me so not sure what hubby is thinking/feeling but as yet no offers on help with the washing up).

Daughter is picking me up at 7ish and has booked herself in for an eyebrow shape at the pamper night.  It will be nice for her to have an evening out. All the stalls are being run in aid of charity tonight so have emptied my piggy bank and am sure I can put the money to good useas it appears to be quite a big event.  Tomorrow I am going to take myself window shopping for a couple of hours as I have some vouchers to buy as presents and then I can get down to the task of wrapping things up.  Keeping busy is the only way I know how to cope day to day.  Hubby had a really good afternoon with his friend and it was quite strange coming home to an empty house as he did not get in till after 5 - was nice being in charge of the remote for a couple of hours.  He probably would have stayed longer but his friend's wife is in hospital and so he was meeting his daughter to go visiting.  Think the company did them both some good.

Well am rambling again (getting too good at that!!) so will wish you and the family and good weekend and hope to chat again soon.  Take care. Jules x