Hi Ian

Thank you for your kind thoughts and though we all 'cope' with life's stresses, I have come to the conclusion there are only so many hours in the day (or the night depending on how much sleep you manage or need) that  taking it a day at a time is the way to go.  My hubby is so laid back  and seems to just be there despite his own illness.  As long as we do not talk about HIM and HIS Situation things chugg along 'almost normally'.  He has had a reasonably good week and managed four days at work.  He is now watching womens football whilst playing cards on his laptop.

I visited Mum this morning and she  was okay - no adverse affects from the interview with social services so thats a relief.  I celebrated on the walk home with a 99 cone at which point it started to rain and I felt a bit of an idiot eating icecream under the brolly.

Hope your daughter's book does well (is it going to be freely available?) and good that she could manage the publicity shoot.  Must be exciting for her to get her name in print (or has she been published before).

Have a lovely weekend.  Its very grey and drizzly here so wont be gardening today but planning to go to local farmer's market with daughter and grandson tomorrow (and no doubt be playing footie in the park too!!!)

Take care. Jules xx

Hi Jules,

...and the good weather continues!   No my daughter's photo shoot was for photos to go in her book.  The publishers photographer was down for two days of photographs .... and guess who had to put him up? Yep, me.  Yes, the book, when it comes out, will be generally availability in book shops ~ and I guess on line.  I understand it is to be published first off here, in the USA and (translated) in Germany.  It's her first book and its on dog training (especially for the more challenging breeds) and on how to calm them down and control them ...

Hope you are having a good period

Kind thoughts

Ian xx

Morning Ian

So now you offering B&B too!!  Never a dull moment in helping out family members!! (Maybe there is a new career ahead  ha ha).

Weekend was good but have decided I would like to 'lose' Mondays.  After a busy day at work yet another message from social services re Mum's situation (Two of them have now made appointment to see Mum and the Care Home manager today to discuss her 'negative' decision to decline offer of sheltered housing as they want to explain the implications of her action!!)  Hey ho, off we go again I suppose.  I know that the care manager (she has been running this home for over 25yrs) will not accept any nonsense so am waiting with baited breath to hear the outcome this time.  When I saw Mum on Saturday she was very determined so stay put even if it meant using her own money until there was none left!! so think they will have their work cut out.

Your daughter's book project sounds exciting and expect she (and the family) cannot wait to see it in print. Dogs obviously play a large part of her life.  Wishing her every success with it.

Good wishes for a peaceful though no doubt busy week.  Jules x

Good evening Jules,

Yep a busy week coming up - daughter's birthday today - first one without her Mum!  She is however being very philosophical about it.

I hope you Mum was on form today?  Another Debbieism: we all need to.. "energise each moment so as to be in it for as long as we can."

Hugs

Ian x

Morning Ian

Hope your daughter has a good birthday (the older I get the more they seem to mean). Trying to find some 'mental energy'. Outcome of the 2 s.s. meeting with Mum was her agreeing to visit the sheltered housing complex (in the end I fear no choice as no help with funding available if she stayed put!!) today.  My gut instinct says she will probably now say yes (to preserve some of her savings) so am preparing myself for another move for her.  At the end of the day it will be her decision and my personal situation does not come into the equation.  Sadly it is further away so if the  move goes ahead I will be able to visit less but thatsmy problem not theres.  I have to accept I can only do so much and hubby must come first. 

Have a good day.  Jules x 

Hi Ian

Thanks for your supportive words and as to being a JP - as the country would say 'we need you'.  Best wishes Jules x

Hi Jules

Just wished the goverment thought the same re; magistrates and courts!  They are paired down to the bone at the moment and making the best out of a really bad situation on all fronts! ... hey ho... the same seems to be the case everywhere.

On a more positive front and eight months down the line: I am still keeping very busy socially with friends new and old which is something I was not really prepared for ... This doesnt only keep my mind off of my lose, and help me come to terms with the New Future, but bit-by-bit it is beginning to help me see what that future can be ... and some of it looks promising .

Kind thoughts

Ian x

Hi Ian,

You are so right; everywhere seems to be on 'minimum personnel' with the remaining staff expecting to carry the load - why can they  not see what we only have one pair of hands!!

Pleased to read that you are feeling a little more comfortable with how your new life is moving  forward. I suppose the word 'acceptance' of one's destiny has its part to play.  Sending best wishes.Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Hope you are having a relaxing time?

Busy weekend for me.  First time I have had friends to stay for the weekend ~ so all that bedding and food stuff!!!  I've never had that to do before.  Any way, they are going to be late so I am all organised and ready to go.  Dinner prepared (ie ready to go in oven),out to a show tonight, then breakfast, doggie walk, pub lunch .... and then they go and I clear up.   Lots of new skills to be learnt by the recently widowed!

Kind hopeful thoughts,

Ian