Hi Kathy

Just replied on your own thread.  I am no marvel, just doing what one does when the need arises and by giving imput to others here it helps with our situation too - feedback works both ways and the forum offers much needed support to us all going through painful times.  As a  born chatterbox I seem to have transferred my talking habit to the keyboard which at least gives the hubby's ears a rest.

Its good when family life can put a spring in our step (I was on all fours at the weekend chasing our 13mth grandson round the dining table whilst babysitting - his crawling speed is amazing and he is walking round the furniture but just not quite confident enough to let go with both hands yet!!).

Keep up being the 'mad' Nanny, I find it works well too.  Regards Jules x

Hi Jules,  How are you?  Apologies for not being on here much lately.  I've been trying to catch up with the site, although have to say I'm still finding this new site more difficult to navigate around than the old one! Glad to read that hubby is trying to eat a little more and hope the steroids are going some way to helping him.  How did you get on regarding your Mum?

Hope your grandson had a lovely birthday at the weekend.  It was my youngest's 18th yesterday - how time flies!  Take care and speak soon.  Hope x

Hi Jules,

The lack of communication from social services must be very frustrating, there again I often wonder how anything works thesedays as most services seem to have trouble communicating - I feel myself sounding old now!!  Anyway luckily your Mum seems oblivious to it all, and you are doing your best for her.  Glad that hubby is doing the best he can.  Bet you will be looking forward to a bit of time out at Christmas, must be a busy time of year for you at work.  I do hope the PM returns, meanwhile you take care and speak soon.  Hope x

Hi Jules,

How did your visit to your Mum go the other morning?  As always I hope it was one of your easier visits especially given your problems with the Social Services right now.  There are few institutons in the world that are run quite like ones that belong to government or coucils is there? >:)

I thought that I had come accross some of the most extreme examples of health and safety gone mad but today has seen it reach another level.  It turns out that the part time decorator who works for me at the hotel has to complete an online training course and exam on Food Allergies.  This is just incase somebody eating an item that they chose off the menu then turn to the guy on the step ladder weilding a paint brush and ask him what is in their soup. :confused::confused: I am honestly gob-smacked at the lack of common sense that seems to be turning into an epidemic. Still ours is not to reason why!

Rest of family keeping well thanks.  My sister went to collect that chest from my step mum on Saturday and I was glad that she took a bunch of flowers with her and stayed for a cuppa and a chat.  Step mum was thrilled!

Hugs as usual to you and yours.

Garf. x

Hi Hope

The 'no contact' from Social Services is not so much frustrating as extremely worrying.Mum has only about three months money left and will then be unable to support herself 'anywhere'!  I am saddened by the lack of courtesy and feel like as she managed before they are dragging their heels in the hope it will go away again, saving them any imput.  Mum continues to wish she was not around any more , a common theme over the years but at 88 she does not deserve this kind of treatment.  I cannot afford to get angry as its hard enough coping day to day as it is and anger will not solve any of these issues. I will chase again in 7 days.

Hubby is trying to eat when he is awake for long enough and has plenty within easy reach when I am not here.  He is able to still get about, albeit slowly, though still refusing to use 'aids' indoors which would give him better stability (am so afraid he will fall and hurt himself). Nurse in today to check on his dressings but they are doubting area will heal well as skin very thin so expecting this treatment to  be ongoing.  It has given him more pain than the cancer - rotten luck.

Work is busy but that is a plus for me as I can 'lose' myself in it for a few hours each week.  Also I do enjoy this time of year. Always have (take after Dad in this respect) so will be decorating the lounge soon and am planning to get my cards sorted this weekend. Hopefully plans will be reality as its easier said than done ha ha.

Take care of yourself and sending hugs.Jules x

Garf - thanks for your post; as time has run away with me and hubby appeared early I must get ready for work and will reply more fully to you when next on line.  Be good to yourself. hugs Jules x

Mor. ning Jules,

Hope you havent got wet going into work today. Its raining that fine rain here which always seems to penetrate more than heavy rain. I took Mrs B to another garden centre yesterday and they had a huge display of owl ornaments including one nearly three foot tall, the type you put in the garden. Mrs B wanted to buy all of them but said she would have then indoors. I asked where she would put them and she said "Dont you worry, I'd soon find somewhere". My next reply might be sent fron my garage.

Brother in law still coping okay with his chemo and hope it continues. I have another cancer meeting tonight and one on Saturday; just dont know where the time is going. It seems to me that since your heart to heart with hubby, he is doing the best that he can food wise. I know these heart to heart moments can be upseting at the time but I think we all have need of them at some times in our lives. Mrs B is a born worryier and bottles things up. Sometimes I have to bring things to a head so that she can unload her feelings. I do it for the best of reasons but I always feel mean about doing it. Luckily she is improving slowly the older she gets.

Hope you are coping with the extra work at your shop. When we have been shopping the past couple of weeks there are a lot more cars in the car park and like Garf couldnt belive how people were fighting each other last Friday. Like you, The frost has finished of our roses that were still blooming. Incidentally, I love the humour you have shown the past few weeks. I think houmour, smiles, and laughter are something we could do with more of. 

Take care Jules, sending best wishe to you and hubby, Brian.

Hello Jules such a shame hubbies sore is taking forever to heel but glad steroids helping a little with appetite .Like you say being busy at work helps take your mind off things for a while and of course a change of scenery too ..I am going through the motions of Christmas and finding it so hard as the last time Tony was downstairs with all the family was christmas day although very tired he enjoyed the day but couldnt manage a lot of dinner and having to write cards and not put his name is awful its so hard without him ..But I know he would want me to have a good day with family so have put up a tree and decs in lounge and kitchen diner the grandchildren love it too actualy so do the children although now adults ..Jules I so sorry no news on Mums situation not good that they dont return your corespondence,as if you dont have enough to worry about ..Its realy cold today but dry when Rusty went for our morning walk it was 4degs its now 8degs but feels colder ,anyway Jules My thoughts are with you and sending the usual hug ...Sueanne x

Hi Jules,  I really hope you get some news from social services soon, you have enough of your plate.  They have to step up and although you shouldn't have to chase them, if you don't hear soon I would definitely keep at them.  Very hard not to get angry when you feel you are being ignored but I agree that anger doesn't solve things in the long term.  Sorry to hear that hubby's wound is ongoing, I hope the nurse's can make him as comfortable as possible.

Good luck with your Christmas preparations.  I'm not too organised myself yet; still not really looking forward to Christmas the way I used to but I do feel a lot better than I felt about it last year.

Thinking of you.  Hope x