sorry jules, tablet playing up again lol

jamies dad had his teeth out, said he was in pain the first day after (i'm not surprised) he had 15 taken out, ouch! and he's doing great, enjoying his soup and ice cream bless him and just looking forward to getting the op done and over with and getting on with life he says. wonder if i'd be as brave, i hope so!

other than that, everything ok! ha still smiling!

hope you and yours are ok.

speak soon and take care

terri xx

Hi Terri

Whoops, forgot to let you know about new arrival (was on my thread, continuing the journey), very sorry. Baby Zack was born a week ago today. Timed it perfectly for my day off. Hubby and I got the call at 5.45 a.m, threw on some clothes and were at my daughter's flat by 6.15 (good job they are local!!).  She was at the hospital by 7 and he was born at 9.32 a.m.  All well with the baby (described by the midwives as 1 in a million as he was born with waters intact or as my son in law states 'wearing a crash helmet'.  Weighed in at 8.14 so a little bigger than his elder brother.  Unfortunately my daughter had problems afterwards which resulted in emergency surgery the following day and blood transfusions (emotional rollercoaster for 2 days!!) but they were finally allowed home last Friday and though she is tired she is all smiles at being in her own home.  Her hubby looked after the baby during the day at the hospital and they allocated him a night nurse and midwife for my daughter for two nights so he could come home and keep our other grandson's routine as normal as possible with school etc.  We did the afternoon pick up and then took him to visit or gave him dinner and waited for him to be picked up.  Worked like a well oiled machine and everyone now settling into new routine.  Saw them yesterday as they were in town registering the baby's birth so popped into the shop and of course my workmates were full of oohs and ahhs!!   I begin 2 weeks hols tomorrow (my day off today anyway) and will help with the morning school run from Thursday as my son in law must go back to work. Next week is school hols so have placed myself 'on call' if she needs help.  My son and his girlfriend are also on hols next week so think I will try and have a family meal night as its been ages since we all managed time together. Needless to say my hubby has been thrown into new-grandadhood and has been having lots of cuddles (have lovely photo now of him and the two grandchildren when baby just a day old).  You are so right that you cannot be miserable around children for long!!

Today hubby has taken me to the hospital so I can finally get my repeat blood tests done.  Results should tell me whether my diet change has resulted in lowering my cholesterol or whether I will need to go on tablets.  Will now have to get an appointment with the GP practice to find out results in a couple of weeks.- great way to spend days off!!!  One positive outcome is that in the last six months whilst on the new eating regime I have lost over a stone (can feel an excuse for a few new clothes being required!!) so that should make me a bit healthier.  My hubby's next routine check up is next week so feeling a bit apprehensive as I have noticed he is taking the painkillers a little earlier because of break through pain.  Hope its nothing too major as if they have to increase his dosage they have already mentioned he would probably not be able to drive and taking that away on top of him having to take early retirement is doing to hit him hard.  Trying not to over-think things at present just so that I can cope if there is the inevitable fall-out.  Sadly we know it will have to come at some point during his journey but that does not make it any easier to deal with.

Well your round of social events sounds great and I love this time of year as you dont need an excuse to party!!! (showing my age here!!).  We only have one free weekend in December, with meals out with friends, 50th wedding anniversary (not ours haha), Grandson's 5th birthday party (couple of days after the actual day).  Have several birthdays in November to sort so am planning a day out shopping tomorrow to try and get most of it done. Hate to shop when Christmas crowds looming so try to be done and dusted.

So you have drawn the short straw with night work again!!  But as you say a change can be as good as a rest and take the positives from the fact that you must be good at what you do as they want you to do it!!  My 2 weeks off mean I miss the next big round of promotional changeovers (yippee) but the downside is that I will have to check out where everything has moved to when I get back.

Your poor Mum must be wondering when she will be able to go home.  Such a shame she is still having a few problems but definitely in the right place to get it sorted.  Did relate to  your stepdad-in-law having so many extractions (did two visits to lose 17 teeth last year myself) but gums do heal really quickly and apart from visits to get dentures and a yearly oral health check the bonus is it now costs me a lot less.  Hope it will not be too long before he can get his op sorted and begin his recovery.  Sounds like he has a very good outlook which must make it a little easier for all the family.

My goodness, just realised I am waffling along (its like I am talking on the phone!!) so please excuse the length of catch up!!!

Wishing you Mum a better week ahead and hope you not too stressed with everything you have going on. Take care and hugs to all.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Sorry its been so long, just got back from great yarmouth an hour or so ago, nice to have a steady connection again! Its been lovely, Charlie really really enjoyed himself so its worth the 4 and half hour drive each way!

My mum still in, no further along really, they opened her up to clean her out (that's how she put it lol) and have put a couple more drains in and given her a morphine drip for the pain now, she's still really fed up, not surprised! But she's doing ok.

Jamie's stepdad had his op on the 29th and is recovering well, just a bit frustrated not being able to talk properly, but he's writing it down so he's doing ok.

We're off to the Halloween party tonight, in fact we're off to get our faces painted at 4 because that's only time we could get free so going to the supermarket before we go to get the drinks to take with us, don't fancy wandering about as a zombie might get some right looks haha

I'm so glad your new grandson is here and doing well, and sounds terrifying about your daughter but glad she's on the mend and all enjoying family time together

Hope your hubbys appointment went well? And fingers crossed for your results X

Sorry its a quick one this time really need to get some washing in dryer and next load on before we go out again!

Hope you're all well and keep smiling

Terri xxx

Hi Terri

So pleased you enjoyed the break to Great Yarmouth and can imagine Charlie would have been in his element.  The look on their little faces makes all the journey worth it.

Sorry that your Mum is still going through it in hospital, she must be very fed up by now and just wishing to get home bless her.  Do hope they can get her on the road to recovery soon.  Glad to read that Jamie's stepdad came through his op okay and sounds like he is doing well (though can only imagine the frustration he must being feeling re communication).  When a friend of ours had throat surgery we set him up with a small white board so that he could use it to 'talk' and it sounds that his stepdad is doing much the same.  Hope he continues to make good progress.

Hope the Zombie facepaint did not frighten all the people away and that you had a great Halloween party.  Not something we have ever celebrated and this year we had no 'callers' at the house either.  Very quiet around here.On Friday my son and his girlfriend brought round a home cooked buffet lunch as a treat as they have been on leave.  On Saturday we returned the favour and had them and our daughter and family over for evening meal. REally greaat catching up (having cuddles with new baby and our elder grandson) and our son in law used our garden to let off a few fireworks which baby slept through but the others enjoyed whilst I 'toiled' in the kitchen.  A couple of hours after they left we had a power cut - good timing - and did not get back on the grid till lunch time today so housework was restricted.

Hubby check up went ok.  He seems stable at the moment and they are leaving his medications as they are.  They do not think his difficulty moving his upper arms freely is linked to the cancer as nothing shows on the most recent scan and so have put in a referral to the day treatment ward at the local hospice for physio and aromatherapy to see if they can help his muscles..  They do not need him to go back for three months unless he has changes in his symptoms.  The consultant then asked him if there was anything else she could do for him and he just said 'find me a job'.  She raised her eyebrows, looked at me with a smile and said if he was bored he could try volunteering at the Hospice as they always need help.  That has given him something to think on (along with me suggesting I pay him a £1 to do some washing up - this was in the relative safety of the consulting room I might add),

Well Terri, do not work too hard when you return to work (wasted words - I know retail)  Take care and hope things soon look up for your Mum.

Jules xx

Well after 12 days holiday, helping daughter out and generally pottering/Christmas shopping  I go back to the shop tomorrow and can't say I am particularly looking forward to it!  Never mind, needs must.

Hi Jules,

Nothing major to report really mum is much the same, she's just hoping to improve enough to be home for Christmas so we'll keep our fingers crossed for her.

Jamied stepdad is doing fantastic, he's come home today for a couple of hours to watch the man utd v arsenal match, men eh?! But he's doing so well they mentioned he might be coming home on Tuesday anyway. He's eating and drinking so its fantastic. Its only been two weeks!

The Halloween party was brilliant as always, I got a little worse for wear and paid for it most of the day after, it was worth it though. ( its the only day every year where I drink more than 3 drinks, I'm not much of a drinker really)

I'm back in the other shop for now until after Christmas, going to be fun, already had a grievance out in against me.....then revoked the day after, think he knew he was being silly, I'm sure it won't be the last either. ( they've been let away with murder the last two years, but not while I'm there! ) we'll see how it goes, but I'm sure it'll be entertaining haha tbh its a nice break though, its a lot quieter than my shop so I'm managing to finish jobs in one go without having to break off to answer bells etc

Glad your hubby is doing ok, reassuring to know he doesn't have to go for another three months I'm sure. Hope the physio works ok and he has movement and less pain in his arm.

Oooh I bet you're all relishing all the cuddles from the little one, won't be long til their running about giving older brother hassle

How's your mum doing ok I hope? And you? Good I hope?

Speak soon and keep smiling x

Terri x

Hi Terri

Lovely to have your update and amazing news regarding Jamie's stepdad.  He has done really well considering what he has been through in such a short space of time.  Hope he enjoyed the footie!! and hope he is able to get home permanently as planned.

Shame your Mum's progress is not as quick and I bet she is feeling somewhat cooped up but in the best place to get the treatment she needs.  Do you have far to go to visit?

Daughter and family spent the day yesterday and we went to see our local High Street Christmas lights switched on and then had fish and chips afterwards - yummy.  Can you believe it the baby will be a month old this week.  He is doing very well and is gaining weight nicely. Has had to have his milk changed and  medication for 'reflux' (eldest grandson also had this so my daughter recognised th symptoms early and though the GP did not want to prescribe the necessary help, the hospital paediatrician thought otherwise!!).  Daughter is slowly regaining her strength and life is settling into some kind of routine for them all.

I have been on a course of antibiotics for a water infection (inconvenient so say the least!!) and await results of analysis early this week to see if I need more tablets.  Have been doing as I am told and drinking plenty of water  so am still p..ing for England so difficult to tell if infection has cleared up so will just have to await results to be doubly sure!!

Sounds like where you are currently working need taking in hand and have been getting away with it a bit too long.  Good luck in turning it around (they will all reap the rewards in the end).  One of our staff members has just 'celebrated' 40yrs with our store (always part time and now 78!!). Company are treating  her and a colleague to a meal out in London.  I am up to 15 years and I am not sure I would have stuck it as long as she has.

Must admit I though of you two as Zombies when Halloween came round and glad you got the chance to let your hair down even if its a once a year event.  Our next party is our grandson's 5th birthday so should be a sober occasion!! A week later we are out with a group of old friends for our pre-Christmas get together - Thai this year , then Christmas with all the family at hubby's sister for 3 days - mayhem as it will include Christmas Day with two dogs(visiting) two cats (resident) plus the children and grandchildren (not that the baby will know whats going on!!).  We also have a long weekend away planned with friends at end of January (keeping everything crossed hubby continues to remain stable as he is quite looking foward to these events.

He is still waiting for next physio appointment but did go to the local hospice day centre and have a massage last Thursday (not really his sort of thing but was recommended by consultant so went along to see how it worked).  Can only say he was pretty down when he came home and I dont think he is ready for a return visit at the moment.

Hope you have a good week and lovely to hear from you.  Take care and hope you get some more positive news about your Mum soon.  Jules x

hi jules,

sounds like you have some busy times ahead! yeah i hope your hubby is good for them all too   sad to hear he didn't enjoy the massage much

that sounds like fun going to see the lights switch on, i was thinking of taking charlie to one on saturday,  but i forgot! and after work, picking him up and having tea it was knocking on anyway so would've missed most of it, i think theres another one in our town centre on thursday so depending on when i get back from blackpool (visiting mum) should be ok to go to that one! and in answer to your question, it takes about an hour and a half to get to mums, i'm in west yorkshire, so not too bad really.

mum had an op on weds to have a pump put in, think it was so they could take the drains out, mums not 100% on whats going on with her because they don't say much to her, just that shes losing weight, she weighs just over 7 stone bless her, anyway they tried this pump on friday, but mum said she couldn't handle it, so they might be taking that back out again soon. shes to go for a ct scan next week so they can decide what they need to next, so more waiting unfortunately. just hope shes out for christmas, not looking good though. she also fell on friday, she says she hurt her back a little but it didnt feel too bad but they were planning on sending her for an xray just in case. anyway, thats whats going on with her

jamies stepdad is still doing fab. hes back at the hospital this week to see whats happening next, so thats good

glad to hear your daughter is getting her strength back, and the wee one is doing well

its one week on tuesday til i get my wedding present, vip meet and greet tickets to see my fave band, barenaked ladies, i'm sooooo excited!

work is going ok, its not half as busy as my own shop so its a bit of a rest really, staff are behaving for the moment too haha

so how is your mum doing? ok i hope?

and you? spirits high? hope so

speak soon, take care and keep smiling

terri xx

Hi Jules,

Sorry its been so long, this about the third or fourth attempt, its been stopping during posts I've no idea why? Anyway I hope you and the family are all doing ok?

My mum has been told on weds she should be coming home this week hopefully! Can't believe it! She's down to six and a half stone now and they tried her with them pump things again bd they must be doing good because they taken the drains out and put a bag thing on (I haven't seen her since this has been done so not 100% what she means) but she's more mobile now so that's great. Last week they were talking about maybe having to remove the collapsed lung if its completely dead, but not sure now if they're talking about sending her home, perhap them pumps are doing some good for them.

So I went to my concert on Tuesday. AMAZING! got to meet them, got some autographs on my tickets and an album cover and also managed to get hold of one of their picks it was brilliant. We went to the German market beforehand and had a German burger, friend potatoes and fried mushrooms with garlic sauce, it was delicious!

And last night was the burlesque night, it was great, it was so strange but fun, we had a lovely night,I managed to get a free drink off a barman because he couldn't find it on the till, so that was nice as it was over £4 a bottle (that's expensive to me lol) we decided to come back down our end to finish the night, we went to a local pub/nightclub to find there was an 18th bday party going on and the barman said we shouldn't have been let in cos it was a private booking, but served us anyway, we drank it off quickly as it was so apparent we could almost have been parents hahaha never have I felt so old! So we left and went for a curry (a real treat for me, very rare do I have a curry) it was delicious and finished the night off well.

Did your husband remember the milk? Haha

Glad to hear your daughter is doing well and gosh that first month has gone so fast!

Hope you're mum is doing ok?

And how about you? Managed an me time?

Hope this works this time.

Take care and keep smiling

Terri x

Hi Terri

I hope by the time you read this that your Mum is on her way to going home.  It has been a long process for her but it will be great if she gets more comfortable for Christmas and beyond.  No doubt she will enjoy her food more when home too and that should help get some weight back on and her energy levels will then rise too.  Not something that can be rushed though, bless her.

How his your husband's stepdad coping , still good I hope.

Sounds like you have been having a great social life recently and its much that same with us (no 'groupie' parties though) as we only have one free weekend before Christmas now.  Thankfully hubby is still reasonably well and when we are out with friends/relations he seems to cope that much better than when just dozing in the chair at home.  He is going out to lunch on Wednesday with a mate from years ago so sure they will be chatting about the good old days and definitely playing catch up.

We were at our grandson's 5th birthday party yesterday and all had great fun (think the adults thought they were children too half the time).  Unfortunately today the little lad has been nursing a double ear infection and was very cross that he could not go into school to tell his teacher all about the fun he had.  All being well he will be able to go back tomorrow now that he has some medicine to help.  The baby is doing very well and gaining weight nicely.  My daughter has signed up for a baby massage course in the New Year (it will be a refresher session as she did it with her eldest too).  At the moment they are trying to find the best milk/teats for his reflux but most of the time he is coping quite well.  He has now moved into  his main cot in his brother's bedroom and his crying does not disturb the older lad so thats great news.  The baby kept waking himself up in the moses basked by hitting out at the sides!!! so they have decided to put it up for sale and make use of the cot early.  So far so good.

How is work doing?  We have been really busy the last few days (no extra staffing so running around filling/pricing/changing promos/serving etc but it makes the time fly by.  Tomorrow I am off and will go and visit Mum and take the presents I bought on her behalf, do for approval so fingers crossed.

I expect your little boy is getting very excited about Christmas and before we know it, it will here and then gone again.  Are you spending it at home?

Anyway best go as promised to make coffee about half hour ago and hubby has dropped off waiting

Look after yourself and chat soon.  Sending virtual hugs your way. Jules x