Hi Brian

Not been on-line for a couple of days as ALice was back from Uni.  Asked if she could "bring back a little bit of washing".  One and a half machine loads and a dress that needed handwashing!  The dress I did not mind about so much as she has no way of drying this at all but I seem to have spent the weekend washing and ironing.  Was busy all day yesterday and was suprised that I managed to keep going.  Have been quite tired today but that is hardly surprising.  Alice is now back an Uni and husband on his way home.

I too saw the news item about the cat saving the young boy.  It is certainly surprising what some of them can do.  I remember that when I was a  teenager a friends cat caught a rabbit that was about twice its size.  Brought it back to my friend with a look of "what I am supposed to do with this now?"  June took the rabbit very carefully from the cats mouth and let it go close to where it was caught.  Needless to say after taht cat stuck to mice and other very small ceatures.

Have to agree with you about tv.  When I was in hospital I was asked a number of times if I wanted a card for the tv service. At something like £6 per day I said no.  It is one thing to have the tv on at home for background noise but I am certainly not paying as there is very little I actually want to watch.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Gill

Hi Jules

Not been on-line for a couple of days.  Alice was home from Uni.  Asked to bring "a little bit of wahsing" back with her.  One and a half machine loads and a dress that needed handwashing!  Not suprised about the dress as she has nowhere to drip dry this.  All I seem to have bben doing is washing and ironing.  Was on the go the whole of yesterday so am quite tired today but happy (if somewhat suprsied) at the amount I did manage to do.

So glad to hear that hubby enjoyed his visit and coffee with the top man.  Even more pleased that he managed your usual Friday nigght out as well.  No wonder he was tired next day.  Good news on the bingo win but perhaps next time it will have a few more zeros on it!

Saturday was quite wet until later afternoon but yesterday was nice and sunny. Has been raining most of today.  Cat keeps giving me dirty looks.  I open the door for her and when her nose gets wet I get a look that says "Well go on get rid of this becuase I want to go out".  I have explained to her many times that I do not control the weather but she seems to ignore this and blame me everytime it rains.  She is definitely a fair weather cat.

Hope all goes well on Tuesday with consultant.  Fingers will be crossed.

With regards to your Mum it is good that you have the dates and onlu hope that something positive comes out of both.  They seem to look after you mum very well where she  currently is so it must be a real worry about when and where she will have to move to.

Best wishes.

Gill

Morning Everyone

Just an update as have got back from hubby's check up a little while ago.  As anticipated he had lost a few pounds in weight and had low BP but otherwise learnt that he has no increased pain and is happy enough on current medicatin.  He will have repeat blood tests in June and unless anything changes his next apppointment is for three months time so am feeling a little relieved.  They also explained that the extreme fatigue goes hand in hand with his diagnosis but may well send a note to his GP with the possibility of giving a short course of steroids to 'tickle his appetite' as he still says the taste is still a problem though they were pretty impressed at how I am 'bulking up' what he does eat and had a few ideas for increasing liquids/snacks though he refused offer of prescription meals!!

Annabel

Hope you enjoy your short break and look forward to chatting on your return and glad your back is allowing you to sit 'pain free'.

Brian

Love that you can give your neighbour a lovely slide show to view of her snaps and am sure she is used to your sense of humour and will thoroughly enjoy your tricks with captions (just as much as we do on your quotes/photos).  How glad am I that I chose to mow the lawn after all at the weekend as its done nothing but rain since and I am in danger of going 'rusty' despite carrying a brolly everywhere!  Hope you and Mrs B have a relaxing day.

Hope

Thanks for the PM and will be keeping you in my thoughts as you travel the emotional road this week.

Gill

Hope you are relaxing after having to do all that washing and ironing for your daughter.  You really will need to show her 'the tricks of housework' when she comes home for her holidays.  I really must have been a 'hard' Mum as  both son and daughter did their own ironing from their mid teens and I never had 'dirty washing' when son came home from uni (though to be fair he rarely came home as he worked part time in Southampton during the first two years of his degree!!).  Hope you will soon be feeling a little less tired from the last treatment you had and its just as well you have a slow phased return to work planned.

Am taking it easy today (hubby already sleeping following our return from hospital consult) but will see the grandchildren on Friday after a couple of days at work.  Sadly the weather is keeping me indoors - seems like we have lost the sun for a while.

Hugs to all  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Just a quick post to say I am pleased that hubby check went okay as I felt your were concerned that things were not so good. So I am very pleased for you both and you must feel a sense of relief. I know what its like when we have appointments for it's only natural to feel concerned. Hope you enjoyed your time at your friends place. I was pleased to see our strawberry's are coming on in leaps and bounds so Mrs B will soon be able to eat fresh ones.

Take care, best wishes, Hugs, Brian

Hi Jules

So pleased to hear hubby's checkup was ok and that his meds do not need to be upped at this time.  As always we cannot help worrying at times like this.

Am not so tired today thankfully.  Had a trip to Next to take some directory bits back and then on to Sainburys to stock up on a few bits that I forgot to increase to take account of Alice being home for three days.

The main reason for doing both the washing and ironing for Alice is that she was late getting up on Sunday and I wanted to ensure everything was dried before she went back to Uni on Monday lunchtime.  With the ironing I have a big steam generator iron that scares the living daylights out of her so she will not use it.  The flat she has at Uni already had an iron but she has said she will buy one over the summer to take to new rental house when she moves in and will do her own ironing while she is here.

This afternoon will be spent trying to tidy up my sewing area so I can get hubby to carry overlocker down.  It is currently in a cupboard in our bedroom and whilst I can lift it there is no way I can carry it down two flights of stairs.  Then it will be onwards with the duvet cover and pillowcases for Alice before she comes home on 14 June.  Have aslo been asked if I can make a cot quilt for a friend's first grandchild.  Said ok but it may take some little time.  As it is not due until September I think I have time!

Hope you have a restful (if somewhat wet) rest of the day.

Gill

Hello Jules ,so glad good news at hubbys consultation ,steroids will definately increase his appetite and pick him up also  ,what a relief for you  I am so pleased .Little James has started to smile now and now weighs 9lbs 10 ozs so is doing well he is so gorgeous I wish Tony could see him he loved all the little ones and loved having a cuddle and I would love a cuddle from Tony  too ..Its lovely weather today  and I have managed to do some weeding and dead heading .Jules I hope all goes well with Mums visit  its just such a pity she cant stay where she is as she gets such good care there ,it must be so hard for you ,life is so hard sometimes .My son popped in at lunchtime with tickets to see Vincent and Flavia dancers who were on Strictly who are touring now with Dance till Dawn in June so something to look forward to .I hope you can enjoy some sunshine and hubby too sitting in your garden relaxing  so take care  Hugs to you Jules ....... Susananne

Hi Gill

Glad you feeling less tired today. IT really is day at a time and doing just what you can manage rather than overdoing it.  Fully understand your daughter's dislike of steam iron. I lasted all but a couple of weeks when I chose a steam iron and then sold it on!!!   Son was lucky in Halls the first  year as they had 'ironing room' facilities though to be honest not sure how often it got used.  Certainly when he moved into rented digs they all chipped in for small appliances and thats when he really learned budgeting/cooking skills too - very lucky with his housemates (three fellas,one girl) and keeps in touch withmost of them and try and meet up several times a year as they come from all over the country.  Our daughter did her degree through the jewellery company she worked for and so did not have to 'leave home'.

Hope you get your overlocker moved so that you can continue with your sewing.  Always admired people who were so practical (have to say I am like'mother, like daughter'in this respect as never progressed with such skills once I left school and have never enjoyed the practical things like baking/sewing etc).

Am currently watching tennis on the laptop as weather still wet and cool.  Back to work in the morning so will get a break from the housework  for a few hours.  Take care.Jules x

Hi Susananne

Lovely to hear from you and its rewarding when the little ones start to smile and you are enjoying lots of time with baby James.  He sounds like he's thriving and they grow so quickly.  Zack is over 7 mths now and nearly 21lbs (he is long with chubby legs!!) and enjoying his Mum's cooking. Wont be long before he is on the move and has the art of rolling over now.  Still sleeping through at night 12 hrs) and has naps during the day.  Its half term this week so our eldest grandson is helping to keep him occupied  though he was out at tennis this morning (suspect it was moved inside as we have been wet most of the day).  Having enjoyed a  5 day break am back to work tomorrow but it will be a short week which is nice.  So far have a free weekend ahead so hope the weather picks up again so I can enjoy the garden (and a good book!!).  Hubby is an 'insider' and rarely bothers to set foot outside however good the weather  - we are definitely 'chalk and cheese'.  Even if the children come he stays indoors whilst we are outside and doubt he will change now.  He never had the gardening bug but likes it when I bring the blooms inside.  Currently have loads of roses in full flower and the Yucca has five flower spears ready to break open.  Even the honeysuckle is beginning to flower so at least something is appreciating the watering!!

Take care and hope Rusty is still doing okay. Hugs are returned  Jules xx

Hi Brian

Yes have to agree that there is always an element of relief when latest appointment is over - almost feel like you are holding  your breath in anticipation.  Perhaps its because this is when I find out exactly what is going on with hubby (assuming he is telling the truth to his consultant).  He has also had a call this afternoon from the Community Palliative care nurse 'checking on him' and he does not feel it necessary for them to visit at present (district nurse attached to GP visit once a month too) so it has been left that he should call them if required.  Just having to get used to the fact that he will spend quite a bit of his time sleeping and try not to worry too much as this should be expected.

Glad to hear that the strawberry plants are thriving.  I am currently enjoying some that I bought but they never have the same delicious flavour as home grown variety..   My son and his partner have lots going on in their garden this year and am looking forward to 'tasters' in due course.  Best wishes to you both and will chat again soon.  Hugs  Jules xx