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

Good morning Jules,

We also have some daffs out but most are still in bud. We have a nice show of crocuses. Also most of the lupins I had grown from seed in little pots are now sprouting new leaves. I had thought most of them had rotted with all the rain. Glad hubby enjoyed his day out yesterday and that you enjoyed your evening out with your friend. You do need some me time to relax as you always seem to be on the go at work and at home and with all the stress you have with your husband and your mother you need some to to unwind and to just enjoy yourself. I don't know how you cope at times.

Despite being good when going round the food stores, I still cant seem to lose any weight. My youngest grandson greeted me the other night by saying, "I don't want a story yet granddad as I'm doing my homework". He is making up a story which for an eight year old was very good and I was impressed and told him so. He responded by thanking me and giving me an extra big hug.

I have included a picture for you regarding housework which I hope you like.

Take care, enjoy your walk to the farmers market tomorrow. Have a good weekend, Brian.[[]]

Every home should have this slogan - its great. As to coping well what choice do we all have.Would have been my Dad's birthday today so in reflective mood but he was such a positive person and think perhaps his genes are stronger in me that I had ever imagined until the time came in our lives to make them count.  We have just staggered back from our supermarket shop (hubby's treat -jam sandwich biscuits/my treat - trout fillets - says it all really).  He is once again sleeping so yesterday obviously took it out of him but it was worth it. Take care.Jules xx

Hi Al just from a hour walk with Ria is a fantastic day here in cheshire very bright sunshine and warm, got confermation for my reviewdate this morning so all looks OK.

As for daffs I am into tete a tete minnies fantastic I will look for a picture [[]] my best rose for you

Hi Jules .

  I have found my daffs and just for you these are them [[]]

Thanks for the beautiful  flowers George -the little daffs are very pretty.  Once hubby has surfaced and I have got his breakfast I am hoping for a long walk in the sunshine (supposed to last here this morning) and will be visiting my usual Farmers Market (comes locally twice a month).  Have a good day and sounds like Ria is keeping you pretty active -who walks who?.  Jules xx

Good morning Jules,

Hope you enjoyed your walk to the farmers market yesterday and bought something nice for yourself. On Saturday I took Mrs B out for a drive and although we kept to the A272 road, we ended up driving through two small floods. I let other drivers go through first, mainly so I could see how deep they were. The water were very muddy. Believe it or not there is a book written about this road and its believed that it originally used to connect Canterbury in Kent with Winchester, Hampshire.

Yesterday while writing one of my stories, I received notification of one of our new wood club members e-mail address. So I was sending him a welcome e-mail and just as I was about to send it my computer froze completely. I had to shut it down and not only lost my reply to him but about three pages of my story, even though I have my Word programme set to auto save every three minutes. I wont repeat what I said, just lets say it would contain a lot of exclamation marks and asterisks and my laptop nearly became airborne. So I spent most of yesterday evening trying to type what I had written earlier using voice recognition programme. Couldn't use it as Mrs B had the T.V. on and didn't want to disturb her. Still have another page to get it back to where I was originally.

I hope you don't get wet on your  journey into work this morning.

Anyway take care Jules and you are not as you put it an old girl, you are a lovely lady with with a young outlook on life. Best wishes Brian

Hi Brian,

Isn't the A272 the old drovers road. I remember driving it for the first time when we lived down in Hampshire. It's a fantastic driving road.

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

I think your right. I like the A272 as it is mainly rural and avoids the big towns. I only found out about the book when I was writing one of my stories a few years ago.

Hope you are keeping well Take care, best wishes, Brian.

Hi Brian

How annoying that computer blip caused you to lose your work and now you have to play catch up -technology sometimes likes to work against us - how  come it allows the 'spam' to filter through but shuts down on the good stuff!!

Just as well you were sensible going through the flood water - its best to know what you are dealing with in advance and am glad you and Mrs B got away with not getting wet feet!! and hope you still managed to enjoy the run out.  I did get to the Farmers' Market and managed to get the 'fudge' present I was looking for (three different flavours which should make my friend's mouth water when she has her birthday next week).Think I will wait until after our lunch before handing it over.I also visited my  regular cheese stall (though its on my list of v.naughty foods!!) and the temptation was too much so pass on so will just have to ration it ha ha.

Later in the afternoon my daughter and family popped in for a couple of hours and our eldest grandson bargained with his dad that if he played (colouring) for half an hour  he could have a treat out of grandad's sweet box.  He chose a small bag of Minstrels and then handed the box round because 'its good to share'.  So sweet.  He has just had his first assessment since starting full time school and on the academic side they were very pleased with him.  Their main issue is that he finds it hard to stop talking and that can  make him a little disruptive so he now has to learn to 'wait to talk' and both at school and at home he now raises his hand if someone else is talking and he need to say something.  Its the raising of the eyes to the ceiling as he also puts up his hand that brings a smile to our face but am sure he will learn a bit of patience along the way.  the 5mth old was a very happy boy and is now beginning the weaning process and sleeping through so live is a bit more settled for them all.

No.I did not get wet going to work as I was there before we got the rain and the sun was shining when I came out at lunchtime so that made a change.  Will visit Mum tomorrow and  have to discuss the care home's fee rise with her and what that will entail in the longer term  so have collected all the figures together and hope to make it easy for her to follow (she actually has no problem undestanding as its not dementia that causes her mental problems.  I shall also taken down some cash for her personal needs so she can continue to get her hair done (its really the only extra she has to fund).

Well thats enough of my rambling so I hope you and Mrs B have a peaceful week and hope your next door neighbour enjoyed your photo show you put together for her. Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules             

I have had a good morning, went out on my own like a grown up boy with my camera and had a fantastice three hours  the sun was fantastic the birds /Ducks were great and the dear posed for me as well .

One picture stands out and I want to share it with you all .

And later at 3.0pm we did the school run for our son and wife both busy  working  fed Beth and back home by 5.30.a good day  was had by all .

right now for this one off picture please enjoy [[]]

Hi Jules             

I have had a good morning, went out on my own like a grown up boy with my camera and had a fantastice three hours  the sun was fantastic the birds /Ducks were great and the dear posed for me as well .

One picture stands out and I want to share it with you all .

And later at 3.0pm we did the school run for our son and wife both busy  working  fed Beth and back home by 5.30.a good day  was had by all .

right now for this one off picture please enjoy [[]]

Lovely pictures and it looks like lovely weather. Gosh down here (Portsmouth) it was dark with rain clouds and some really heavy rain. Went to Finchdean - but never arrived as the roads are closed by flooding..

Evening George

What a beautiful picture of the mallard and lovely reflection too. You caught the beauty of nature.  Your weather bit better than ours.I did go for 2hr walk which began in sunshine but though no rain it was dark clouds overhead by the time I returned home.   We had a visit from our daughter and family for a couple of hours Sunday afternoon which was great - always enjoy the family time.  Sending peaceful thoughts and virtual hugs.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

What a lovely day it is today so you should be able to get to see your mother in the dry. Hope she is in responsive mood today and you are able to have a good conversation with her. .

My son went to a big archery shoot at the weekend and my granddaughter is now the Sussex champion for her group and also for a wider area. She didn't feel happy about it though as she was the only one that turned up so she won by default. But as you can guess, I am very proud of her. When we were shopping this morning your mention of cashew nuts the other day meant that a bag of them appeared in our trolley this morning. Don't know how they got there????????? They didn't last long when I got home however

I love your mention of your grandson looking skywards when having to put his hand up and this made me smile when I read it. I am pleased Afaith/ Ann has returned to the forum see the Back Again thread.

Hope to press on with my story's this afternoon.

Take care best wishes, Brian

P.S. Love the picture of the duck George, beautiful picture.

Hi Brian

Thanks for the 'hands up' as to the return of Ann to the forum and I have now added to her thread.  Nice to have her updated news and her lovely chat.

Lovely that your grandaughter is doing well with the archery and shows she is dedicated as she 'showed up' so definitely deserves her reward.

Trip to Mum was a bit short this week.  She was much the same but did not want me to stay long so when she began to doze off I said my good byes.  We discussed her finances (needs must) as the home fees are being increased as from next month.  Her only repsonse was what a nuisance but I have enough to last a bit longer!!  I will need to keep an eye on things as eventually will have to arrange for social services to be re-contacted as she will be unable to stay once her savings dwindle and she will have to accept their decision as to her care eventually.

Hubby has just welcomed our neighbour's cats in so has something to keep him awake for a while so am off to make pancakes for his lunch.  chat again soon and good  luck with the book writing - when you going into publication?.  Jules  x

Hi Jules,

How are you?  It was only when I read your post that I realised I'd forgotten about pancake day!  Was never much good at making them anyway but can't believe my youngest didn't nag me for some tonight!  Hope your's turned out OK - did the cat end up getting any? Reading your posts it sounds like your grandchildren are doing really well.  Shame your trip to your Mum was a little short, but she must be comfortable there if she easily nodds off.  Must be a worry about the financial aspect of things, but as is our slogon on here "one day at a time" is all we can do.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Hope

Well can honestly say wish I had forgotten about pancake day!!  Only bother to make them because hubby likes them (I did not have them) and out of the mix I managed just two decent ones - the rest arrived on the plate in bits. Bless him he ate what he could and the bin ate the rest and no we do not feed cats with any of our food as would not want to upset the owners'!!!!   I have told hubby that next year I will take him out for pancake day.

Hope you had a pleasant weekend and no doubt work keeping you busy.

  I am at work today and then off until next Wednesday so hoping to be able to spend some time in the garden (getting new lawnmower tomorrow so the lawn should be lot less bovver with a hover).  I would love to be able to get out there and do some tidying but definitely will be wearing the wellies as its still very soggy.  Just hoping that the recent morning frosts do not ruin my display of daffodils and miniature tulips.  Fingers crossed I can encourage hubby to get out of the house a bit more as at present he is sitting around all day most days and thats not what the docs expecting (of course wont nag, just ask if he wants to keep me company and do a few slow short walks as its becoming obvious that the with sitting most of the day his legs are already losing strength but he does not like the idea of using support (stick?) - its sad because he should be enjoying life whilst he has the ability and the consultant has tried so hard to help him but in the end it has to be his decision.  It appears that the only time I see a smile is when the cats come round and yet he is still telling the community nurse (and me when I dare to ask) that pain is controlled and he does not need help with anything. Just his way of dealing with 'being retired' - I suppose I should not be that surprised as his Dad was just the same.

Expecting a busy couple of weeks at work with the time surrounding World Book Day (tomorrow).(though I will miss much of it )  We used to have school classes visit for tours/reading on the day itself but such are our staffing levels these days (one person on department most days) that we have not been able to do anything this year.  My grandson will be getting his World Book Day voucher in school this week and the class have to dress up as their favourite character from a story so will look forward to hearing all about it next time we see them.

Take care of yourself and sending virtual hugs.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Have at last managed to clean the car this morning. Car is now squeaky clean but I am now very dirty, don't know how that happened??????. Mrs B wont let me sit down on the sofa or the armchairs until I have had a bath. I did throw out hints I could do with some help cleaning it but all Mrs B did was to come and stand there supervising. She kept pointing out bits I had missed, what I call a back seat cleaner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad Annie get your gun cream lady has returned to the fold as like you I missed her sense of fun. Jules what's this I read about you and a scone??? Don't tell me your still suffering from Brianitus too Jules  Has to get two new tyres for the car yesterday and that took the smile off my face (and a big hole in my pocket to go with it)

Hope you manage to mow your lawn okay when you get you new mower. I had a look at ours this morning and it is still very wet underfoot so will leave it for a day or so and hope it dry's out a bit more.

Enjoy your days off and don't work too hard and hope you enjoy your time with your friend. Take care, Hugs, Brian

Morning Brian,

Just to let you know Brianitus never goes away - just into hibernation - it cames into its own at the best of times and is comforting.(thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!!).

Well, yesterday was mission accomplished.  First we visited the pharmacy as hubby's district nurse had arranged a 'stand by pack of various medications' for us to have at home for their use in case of need (we now beginning to resemble a chemist shop ourselves!!).  Then we went and got the new lawnmower and a couple of hours later the first mow of the year was completed and so much easier with my new 'lite' model.Managed about half hour of weeding too.Today is cloudy and drizzly but apparently we can expect improvement and good temperatures ahead so at last I can get my fresh air by enjoying time in the garden again(and hubby can watch the labourer.)  Hoping to get him out again today (he says he will get to the supermarket later so I have been to the launderette and done the ironing (yuk) and he has just come down for breakfast so onwards and upwards!!)

Have read in the local paper that we have a 3 day French Market  in the town where I work (typical when I am not working!!) so may take a trip in tomorrow. To make your mouth water they usually have a 'nut' stall but worse still (for Ann) they have a beautiful cake stall and then.....................'cheeses' (thinking about it perhaps I should avoid it altogether).

Hope everyone has a peaceful and sunny weekend.  Hugs to all  Jules x

Can I come with you Jules, I used to love those french markets when we lived in Hampshire.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hey Annabel

The more the merrier, probably be a beverage stall too (not sure if they are allowed to set up 'wines' on the street).  If the weather is as good as is promised can see it being a slow amble round it rather than a quick look.  Hope you and the family have a good weekend. Jules x