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,

While shopping this morning, I saw a sign in my local nut shop saying there is a vacancy for a part time worker. Now that would be my ideal occupation, working in a shop that sold lots of different nuts. The only problem would be, either they would go bust within a month or I would become bankrupt. Maybe the company needs an expert nut taster, that would be even better for I might be able to get paid for eating nuts . The only problem with this is I would put on lots of weight.

After this nutty foolery, I had some bad news yesterday. My father is in hospital again this time with a serious hip infection. My oldest brother was with him yesterday and my youngest sister is visiting him today and she doesn't know when she will be back home.

Glad Hubby enjoyed his presents and the fish and chips and the visit from family. As I was driving home from my grandchildren last night, I caught a whiff of fish and chips and it reminded me that you were having some. Brianitus imediatly took hold and all of it's own volitions, my car miraculously found its way to the chip shop. I bought a small portion of chip which Mrs B help me consume when I got home, despite her telling me earlier if I bought any she would not want any. But when I dangled them under her nose she changed her mind quite rapidly. My youngest grandson told me he want me to include CAPTAIN AMERICA in my next story for him so will have to research as I know nothing about this character.

Take care Jules best wishes to you, your hubby and family, Brian

Hi Brian

What a shame to read that your poor Dad is back in hospital.  Hope they can zap the infection  quickly and am sure your siblings will keep you up to date.

Loving the idea of you taking that vacancy - you would be a great advert for the nuts - maybe they need a 'window dresser' who could advertise their wares.  Nice to know Brianitis took hold with the diversion to get 'chips'.  There is just something about the shop bought variety that you cannot replicate at home!!  Nice of Mrs B to help you out too(temptation just too much).  Sharing is a great way to control calories!!!

I'm pretty sure that Captain America is a Marvel creation but other than that cant help I am afraid (am pretty sure you will be googling it as we speak, or perhaps already have).  The little rascal certainly keeps you on your toes with story lines.

Hope you and Mrs B have a good weekend and that the weather turns out better than the forecast suggests.  Was beautiful here on my way home (had to take off my coat it was so warm) but has now completely clouded over.  Look after yourselves.  Jules xx

Hi Brian

I think you would be a perfect fit for the job at the nut shop.  As you say you might end up bankrupt or the shop would so perhaps give it a miss this time.

Captain America is a Marvel creation.  There is a film due out tomorrow called "Captain America - The Winter Soldier".  Not sure of the story fot this one but Captain America is an american hero who was tinkered about with to make him a super soldier and after saving the world he ended up at the bottom of the ocean (I think) for a very long time and was then rescued/dug up and is now saving the world again.  He was in the film Avengers Assemble last year in which he helped various other superheros save the world from aliens.

I am sure if you search on google it will be give you all the info you need.  Just don't tell Marvel.

Hope Mrs B is ok now.  Since I have been having chemo I have noticed that on occassion my blood sugar drops.  The only reason I know this is because I suddenly field tired and get a bit shaky.

Gill

Morning Jules,

Thanks for the info on Captain America and yes the little guy does keep me on my toes. He has already got his dad to drop me in a picture of his latest hero. When he was talking to me the other night, he told me he doesn't want the book to be too easy as he told me his reading is much better. That's because the very first book I did for him was small words and several pictures. I have to say he has kept all the books I have done for him in immaculate condition and keeps then all in an envelope I gave him. His dad tells me he has a special place on one of his shelves where he keeps them and they have all been instructed, nothing is to be put on top of them.

Haven't heard anything more about dad as yet so have to assume nothing has changed. When we fist met everyone told us how alike we are; same mannerisms and habits and even walk the same way.

My son told us our granddaughter may be asked to take part in an archery shoot as part of the Sussex team. She already has more medals and trophy's than my son. She only has his old bow so this weekend he is getting her something better which should help her improve even more.

Hope your friend is okay, she does sound like a good friend to have and so brave. Bet you will miss your night out tonight. Doesn't sound like you will be able to get out in the garden much this weekend.

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

Hi Gill,

Thanks for the info that has helped a lot. My grandson is eight years old who has been through so much. He has a tracheotomy and also facial palsy and his parents were told he would never talk. He has to be feed though a button on his stomach but honestly he is the happiest little guy I have even known. He against all the odds has proved the doctors wrong time after time and doesn't know the meaning of the word CANT. He is now speaking although not as plain as you and I, but he manages to make himself understood. One of the nurses he had to see some months ago, said she loved seeing him as he always make them laugh. He replied "That's why I was born this way so I can make people laugh". I love all three of my grandchildren but he has a special place in my heart.

Take care Gill, best wishes, Brian.

Morning Brian

Well no gardening today as its chucking it down here at present!!  Yesterday was dry but with a cool breeze so did not sit out but did a bit of pottering inbetween the shopping and housework.Enjoyed a trip into the town and managed to find a nice selection  of Easter cards for the grandchildren (also great granchildren for myMum who gave instructions on my last visit ).

Its lovely that your grandson keeps his 'precious' grandad's books in a special place and when you become 'famous in electronic print' he will be able to show off his 'real books'.  Beautiful.  By now expect your granddaughter has her new bow and bet she will  be really excited about moving forward with her archery competitions and wish her lots of continuing luck.

Our eldest grandson goes to both tennis and swimming lessons (the former is run by another parent with a child in his class at school and his swimming lessons are paid for out of his Christmas money) and when we were playing swingball last week he told me I need to practice to get better (I never did have a sporting bone in my body!!) and he is so right, cheeky though!!

Today I have set aside for sorting paperwork (got as far as buying new metal file unit) but as yet have not found the enthusiasm - perhaps after another cuppa

Hope you and Mrs B are doing okay and also that ' no news is good news' as far as your dear Dad is concerned.  Kind thoughts and hugs sent your way. Jules xx

Morning Jules,

Glad hubby had a nice birthday.  What has happened to the nice weather?? Raining heavily here today!  I've finished for the Easter break now so am looking forward to a relaxing time. Enjoy your weekend whatever the weather brings in your area.  Hope x

Morning Hope

Weather taking a holiday (hope the sun  will shine where you are spending a few days during the Easter break).  Wish  now I had  mowed the lawn yesterday when it was dry (but a bit of a chilly breeze) but now it will have to wait!!  Just checked my lotto and  have £25 win (only bought a ticket as did not go to bingo on Friday (friend was spending time with her brother over from Ireland (Mickied if you are reading hope you doing okay).  Now I have the money to go to Bingo this week ha ha.

Are all the family away or just a 'couple break'?  My daughter, son in law and the boys go away on the 12th for a week at his Dad and step Mum so they are really looking forward to it (Wigan).  They get back Easter Weekend and we are having the Baby Bank Holiday Monday night/Tuesday so they can decorate their bedroom. First sleepover for the baby so should be fun!!  May even take him down to see his Great Grandma (though she was pretty uninterested the last time, he gets plenty of attention from other residents and staff) and its lovely excuse to take him for a walk!!  My daughter walks more than she drives so he has plenty of fresh air and is doing really well.  In the process of weaning him now and she has made lots of pureed meals for the freezer.  Has had an irritable cough but its not on his chest, though it does mean disturbed nights at the moment.  Thankfully he settles with a cuddle and appears to be very placid  but hopefully the cough will go soon (doc says the one doing the rounds last about three weeks!!).

Enjoy your break and hope you keeping well.  Hugs  Jules xx

Morning Jules,

I left a little message on Quotes. You sounded a bit down on there which is unlike you generally.

I came on here to say hello to Hope

Hello Hope  !!! LOL.

and you had answered.

Well done on the Lotto win, pehaps you can double your money at the Bingo with it. Kepp the luck rolling.

It seems we all have a bit of this wet weather at the moment, very drizzly here,plans of gardening out the window. If it picks up at all I might do some tidying of gardening stuff in the potting shed. I still have a number of plants to put in before the  end of April. Where does the time go??

I have to put these plants in soon as I know i am going to have a busy April with the cottages and Ava has  summoned Nanna for childminding just after Easter whilst her mother goes to work for 1 day. Like you I can see a lot of pram pushing going on.

Zack sounds like a very contented baby which is lovely.  Ava is a very engaging little might with a big smile and open face.

Hope you have a good Easter, are you doing anything with the family?

take care Jules

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Hope,

Haven't seen much of you lately, hope you are well and have a good break over Easter.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Hope,

Haven't seen much of you lately, hope you are well and have a good break over Easter.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thanks for thinking of me.  I do hope you are doing OK and that your granddaughter is keeping you busy, I'm sure you'll see a lot of her over the Easter hols?  I'm OK and trying very hard to move on - not always easy but I think I'm slowly getting there.  One of my coping mechanisms is to keep busy, but I do try and come onto the site as much as I can.  It's strange because when I joined this site I only thought about that moment; it was one of my darkest days and I didn't know what to expect.  If I'm honest I intended to use the site short-term to get through, however what I discovered was a mass of fantastic, supportive people like yourself and I will never forget the help you all gave me.  Now I feel I will always touch base with everybody, even if it is slightly less often than I use to in the early days.  I'm away for a few days over the hols and am hoping that will be a good tonic.  I really hope you have a good Easter, I expect it is a busy time for you.  Take care and love to hear from you again.  Hope x