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 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

Hi Brian.

Was saddened to read the news regarding your brother in law, more worries for you both but they are very lucky to have you around to help them if needed.  It can  mean so much just having someone who understands (you will especially be aware of how he is feeling right now) and the practical help for them both will be a blessing.

Glad you had some time with the grandchildren too.  Your 'cheeky chappie' sounds an absolute delight and despite everything he goes through day to day must make you a very happy and proud set of grandparents.  One smile from the young ones can lift the mood completely.

I am feeling  a little numb just now as two hours ago I received the news (via text) that my friend of over 32 years has had the devastating news that there is  no more that can be done for her cancer which has now spread out of control.  She has been battling several different cancersfor over 23 years and has battled so hard and was still undergoing chemo until two weeks ago.  Yesterday results of scans showed that nothing had worked and there is no more to be done.  I have offered support if at all possible and their youngest son is trying to get an urgent flight back from Australia (a week earlier than originally planned.).  Time is short but her final comment was ' I b-------- well will make it to Christmas' and I hope her prayers are answered.  Another life to be cut short before its time.

It does not feel right going out this evening but I promised my daughter and she deserves a break too. At least the pamper night is in aid of charity and with heart ruling head, I know my friend would be very cross if I back out.  Chat soon, sorry for blubbing.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Hope you enjoy your evening out but sad to learn about your friend. What a fighter she is to have fought cancer for so long. Will hope she makes it to Christmas at least.I feel sure you will be a constant source of support to her, like you are to so many on here.

I was able to tell brother and sister in law something the doctor at the hospital had not explained which helped them understand about a tablet he had been prescribed before starting hormone therapy. I was also not told the same thing and found it our for my self while re-searching prostate cancer.

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

Hi Jules,

I'm so sorry to read in your message to Brian and in your post on Ian's (haff1) thread, the news about your friend. She sounds a determined and strong lady, 23 years of battling! Very humbling! I'm sure you're right that she'd be cross if you didn't go out this evening.

So glad your grandson's birthday party was such a success! Not such good news about his double ear infection though. Poor little soul. Earache and infections are so painful.

The rest of your social life is sounding busy; I hope you and your hubby enjoy all the events you've got lined up and it boosts both your spirits.

Take care, lovely Jules, you are an amazing member of this forum!

Enjoy your weekend, you deserve a bit of pampering!

Love and hugs, Jo xxx

Hi Jules,

Was so sorry to read the news about your friend, I hate this terrible disease and pray we will oneday find a cure.

On a positive note glad you are having lots of "nanny" time with your grandsons which must really brighten your day.  Also good to hear that hubby enjoyed is day out with his friend.  Enjoy your pampering evening tonight and speak soon.

Hi Mickied,

Thanks for asking after me on your recent post on here.  I did laugh about the box of chocolates - too good to resist eh especially following a long parents evening!  I'm finding things difficult at the moment, time of year and all that, but will soldier on. Speak soon.

Take care both of you.   Hope xx