Hi Jules,

Yes your conclusions about life are so right.  I too try to think of how lucky I am to have what I've got, and how lucky I was to have had what I have now lost.  Emotions are strange things and even thinking happy thoughts still manages to reduce me to tears at times.  I have started the year trying to be positive and think I'm doing OK just now, however as we all know this can change instantly when we are least expecting it so keep watching this space!  The understanding we receive on here is as you say precious; I'm glad you also have such a good relationship with your daughter and son (albeit it they are different from each other).  Hope your visit to your Mum was better this week; it is difficult to continually try to be positive, we are only human but we sometimes forget that.  Take care. Hope x

MorningBrian andHope

Thanks again for all your kind words. Have been  busy at work this week (and no doubt again today) as the staff try and get back to normal in store following Christmas.Lots of shifting stock but its good to keep busy.

Visit to Mum was achieved onTuesday and I spent most of the time talking about the family and showing her recent photos and the staff as always very supportive of me personally.  Its not easy but its manageable at the moment though its hard to think about the months ahead as her savings dwindle and we have to face the real possibility that she will have to be moved to fit in with social services requirement (which dont include staying where she is).  My family and the care home staff keep trying to tell me not to worry about it but as an only child I know the onus will be on me to get it sorted eventually and sometimes its just hard to cope with as I know I should be able to put hubby first.  Day to day is the way to go but easier said than done.

Hope you and your families and all doing okay at present and thank you for your continued support (and yes my bruises are fading and exercises are helping the back recover - just  better to keep moving otherwise I ache more!!).  Take care and chat soon. Sending peaceful thoughts and virtual hugs.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Glad to hear the bruising you gave yourself in that fall is getting better.

Have just been catching up with your thread from this week and so understand your conclusions about life.

I always thought it's not important to be happy in life/ with life but contented.

Contented means you are happy with what you have and don't seek more.

Maybe it dosn't make for the most exciting life but it certainly gives a lot of other things which in my opinion are more important.

As you say one day at a time, is the way to go.

Worrying is something we all do but what a waste of energy it is.

Hope your aches go soon and your feeling much more like yourself.

Have a lovely weekend,

Hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Jules, totally relate to the worries you face making decisions for your Mum as an only child. I too found it difficult being the only one involved in major decisions and even now wish I had siblings to go through grief with. However the positive side is that there is nobody to argue with about decisions or care. I have friends who have found themselves either at war with siblings or being left to it by themselves while their siblings do nothing - that would be worse for me. It's only natural to wonder what the future holds but as we always say on here "one day at a time" and I would also add "enjoy the moment". Take care Hope x

Hi Brian, had just posted you on your thread when I noticed your post to me on here. As I said, I do hope today wasn't too difficult for you on the 8th anniversary of your Mum's death. I know you have assured me that time heals but I'm sure emotions are still high on significant occasions and I have thought of you today.

Good luck with your book - great to have a talent. Not really found mine yet (LOL!) but guess I must have done something right with my boys as yes I am very proud of them both. Take care. Hope x

Good morning Jules,

Don't know what the weather is like as yet for Mrs B hasn't pulled the curtains back yet as it's still pretty dark at the moment. Mrs B's weekly trip to the nurse went well this week and doesn't have to go back for a fortnight. According to my youngest grandson I am very, very old, probably a thousand years old but then my other grandson joined in and suddenly lo and behold, I am older than the dinosaurs. Older than pre-historic???????? I do hope they went being serious???????????

It must be a worry for you about your mothers situation regarding the future. Mrs B is enjoying the jigsaw puzzles I bought her but when she invites me to to do some, I know what she really means is, "Can you help me as I have got stuck". Glad to read your bruises are fading and hope the pain is getting less now. Falling down like that does shake your confidence. Mrs B has just pulled the curtains and I wish she hadn't for I can now see it's raining really hard so glad I cleaned the garage roof off when I did.

Hope you have a quiet weekend, take care, best wishes as always, Brian.

Hi Brian,

Glad your wife's check up went okay- its always a relief I am sure.  At the time your wife was opening the curtains I was watching sheeting rain outside the launderette window (got there before it started thank goodness) and then somehow dodged the next downpour to get back indoors by 9.  Thankfully all the ironing  now done and hubby has just had breakfast so we are relaxing for a bit before hitting the supermarket for the weekly shop.  Need to be back before the afternoon school run as we are on standby to pick up our grandson as our daughter is visiting a friend who is recovering from a thyroid op and though she plans to be back well in time with the weather and road conditions she can relax if she gets held up for any reason.  Baby is doing well though a bit miserable following his jabs yesterday.  Hubby is about to start a new pain medication regime (three times daily instead of the 12hrly slow release he has been on for the last 6 months) and in a couple of weeks we are back to see his consultant to see how things are progressing (trying not to pre-judge what this will throw up as apart from cold/cough over Christmas which has hung around a bit plus appetitle coming and going he has said very little for me to gauge whats going on!!).

So far its looking like a quiet weekend though all being well we will be out this evening for our usual social nights.  Would be nice to see a bit of the sun to lift our spirits but at least the temperatures are very reasonable for this time of year.  Hope you and Mrs B enjoy the weekend.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Just to update you on some good news regarding my brother-in-law.

In just one month his psa has tumbled from 543 down to 140 which is quite a reduction and my sister in law has told me she is so pleased. She she didn't really believe me when I told me this should happen, but she has thanked me for the information I have given them which has been in some cases more helpful than what the hospital have told them.

This news has quite cheered Mrs B up as she has understandably been very concerned for her brother.

Glad you managed to dodge the rain showers. Lets hope you husband's new pain medication works well. I think sometimes it may be good to change for the body does seem to built up a resistance when one is on the same medication for a while.

I hope you both have an enjoyable evening out tonight and that you have a win which would be nice.

Take care and I wish you both a relaxing weekend, Brian.

Hello again Brian

Thats just wonderful news for all the family and can just imagine everyone's relief.  As they say in the end 'seeing is  believing' but your fore-knowledge has no doubt helped enormously.A lovely bit of news. Best wishes to you all.  Jules xx

Hi Jules

I meant to email you yesterday but never got the chance.

I hope you are recovering well after your nasty fall.  That is all you needed Jules.  Hope the hubby is keeping OK and grandchildren and mum too.

I hope you had a nice Christmas and didn't eat too many sweeties like me.

Were you affected by the storms/floods lately?  Parts of Belfast were threatened by a tidal surge but thankfully it didn't happen.  They are saying the snow is on its way.

This time last year we had a fall of snow which lasted for nearly 3 weeks - it was a nightmare trying to get the kids to school and work.

Hope you have a nice weekend and a nice wee win at the bingo.  No wins for me lately.  I keep saying I am going to pack it in.

Take care and chat soon

Mickied