Dear Carol, 
It's understandable that you would feel hurt and upset.  You are more tolerant, kinder than I would have been in the same situation.  I wouldn't have got his tea, ready-made or not.  I'd have left him to get his own.  With it being so dark and wet this morning, bed was probably a good place to stay. Our husbands do push us to our limits at times, but we always forgive them.  I haven't had a real Christmas tree since I was a child.  Mum and Dad even bought an artifical tree when I was in my teens.  We replaced our old one about 5 years ago, a nice big one with lights in the branches, but it's really too big for me to put up and decorate.  And of course Cookie terrorised it last year.  My new one has arrived in the store and I'll pick it up tomorrow.  It's quite a bit smaller and the twigs are only on the top half, with lights in the twigs.  Just is case the cats take a fancy to it no glass baubles.  I'll include a picture of the tree.  It's very different to any I've had before.

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Your story of Barney made me think of Cookie.  She is still very timid but when we first got her she was scared of everything, even us.  She hid anywhere she could.  Neil had come hom from work, and when I tried to find Cookie, couldn't find her anywhere, none of her usual hiding spots.  We both looked everywhere.  I was blaming Neil for letting her out when he got home.  Then maybe an hour later he went to the fridge and saw her tail, she had got behind the fridge.  He had to move the fridge to get her out.  Even now she still hides in my wardrobe when we get visitors.

Some drama today.. Nick had come to pick Eli up when he finished work, and not long after they got home Eli wanted his bottle, so Nick boiled the kettle so he could heat it, and Eli pulled it down over himself.  So has burns on his chin, neck and belly.  Blistered almost instantly.  After putting him under a cool shower he then took him to Emergency, and then an ambulance ride to the Children's hospital in Melbourne.  He is ok, and they are on their way home at the moment.  Lucky little boy, they say it will take longer for Mum and Dad to get over it than it will Eli, and he'll recover fully in no time.  Has a check up back at the Children's hospital next Wednesday to check/change the dressing/bandage.

Hope you are getting better each day Carol, and that everyone else is doing as well as they can.
Love to all.  Sue xx

 

Hi everyone; what a difficult time of year this is proving for you girls.  Poor little Eli, Sue, I do hope he is getting over it.    I like your tree.  I had to laugh about the kitten Carol but only once I knew he had surfaced (not the right word perhaps) safely.  I do hope you are getting through this. Sometimes I wonder whether men are able to think sensibly or whether they just obey instincts.  The doctor came out to Paul yesterday as he was quite ill; he changed all his prescriptions (again).  He had snored loudly through the night before so much that when it stopped I went in to check he was still alive!  I found Muffin standing on his chest so removed him from the room.  He got a new mobility scooter today as the old one was beyond repair; he bought it for £250 almost four years ago - I think - so it had a good run and the one that has arrived today is a better one (does 8mph(!)) - he will  be pleased to get out and about on it.  Another second hand one which cost £500 but it is a good scooter.  How are things going for you Gloria? I look forward to hearing more from everyone and that thigns are improving.  Annie

Hi Annie,  he's on a hunger strike now to make me feel guilty!   I said to hin tonight that if his bloods are down its his own fault.  The antibiotics sate now upsetting, y stomach do even though I feel s little better and could eat I've just stuck to soup.  Fancy finding Muffin on Pauls chest probably checking the snoring noise!   It sounds like Eli has been very lucky with the hot water these things happen so fast.   I've missed my exercise this last two weeks it keeps me fit!  I'm enjoying I'm a celebrity especially when you don't have to think about it.   Love Carol 

Hi Ladies, I called in to see Eli today, if he was dressed you wouldn't know there was anything wrong.  Today as it was hot (mid 30's) he just had his nappy on.  Dressing and bandage covering his tummy and chest, with a compression singlet, which he has to wear all the time till at least till next Wednesday.  The hospital did give Deana a couple of them so she can have one on him and another washed.  He was happy, laughing, playing, his normal happy self.  His chin now you can't even tell it was burnt, his neck still looks sore but it doesn't seem to be bothering him, and you can only see it when he looks up at something.  That was really good to see.  He was so lucky that it wan't worse.  Nick had boiled the kettle, put the water in a container, turned to get Eli's bottle, and Eli grabbed the container.

I picked up my new Christmas tree today, have set it up and decorated it.  It's not in the loungeroom yet, I'll move things around in there.  I had to laugh though Mr. Higgins was sitting on his hind legs as I was putting the baubles on the tree and he was swatting at them.  He didn't get any off though or tip the tree, so that was good.  He is trouble, always into something.  Cookie on the other hand wasn't the slightest bit interested.

Cooked a really nice tea tonight, Pork scotch fillet with onion and apple.  So simple to make, just seared the meat in a skillet, took it out, then  added a little butter and the sliced onion and apple, cooked that for a few mins then added a cup of chicken stock, put the meat back, covered it for about 15 mins.  The apple had softened that much it blended with the stock and made a yummy sauce/gravy.  I'll make that one again.

Carol, here I am talking about the tea I made and you've just had soup.  Antibiotics often upset your stomach, hopefully it won't be too much longer before you are feeling a lot better.  Don't you dare feel guilty because Norman's on a hunger strike

Annie, I wonder if Muffin was checking to make sure Paul was ok, or was he curious as to what all the noise was.  Paul will be happy now that he has a mobility scooter again.  Is he feeling a but better with the medication change.

Julie and Gloria, Hope you are both doing ok.

Take care and love to all.  Sue xx

 

Hi girls,  I am so pleased Eli is doing well Sue, it's a parents nightmare things like that happening.  At least he's too young to remember it.  Dinner sounds scrumptious I am Hungry but eating little, the first time Norman has offered to help by getting me some buscopan.  We have been like hibernating hedge hogs, the doorbell rang at  9.45 this morning but I was still in bed,  he was up but getting washed so I ignored it, I had taken a parcel in but they would come back for it.  He actually did the shepherds pie for tea then moaned it was lambs mince, I didn’t buy it, Lisa sent it, so there!  Oh my God another phone call about my accident,  foreign as usual,  no idea what they were saying but offering me compensation .  Obviously I thought it was a scam and told them to give me a case number and phone number , which they did!  So I raked the solicitor's letter out, phone if you need to talk, I would if you'd bother putting the phone number on your letter,  it's taken me all day to find it and numerous minutes  of being put on hold, then I get through and my guy doesn't work Thursday , the level of incompetence in business today beggars belief,  I'm surprised the letters aren't written in text format,  this seems to be how correspondence in life is going, anything in this format I don't read.  Anyway,  I have got nowhere.   My friend Fiona has just texted me, she's Faye's age and is in the middle of a second divorce .  Mental health issues have dogged her for many years and sadly she's on a mental health Ward , voluntarily,  as she tried to overdose , I will see her when I am better.   Her little girl is only one year older than Ella.  I'm so sad for them all.  So another wasted day, I'm growing roots on this sofa and need some fresh air.   Roll on next week and I am hopefully fully fit again.  Love Carol xx 

Dear Carol. I'm surprised at how well Eli is doing.  It is a parents worst nightmare when things like this happen.  Nick is still kicking himself for turning the other way to get the bottle.  We learn from it though and none of us will do it now.  That is so sad with Fiona.  The solicitor will sort of your problems with the accident.

Today I have written all my Christmas cards, went out to buy stamp at the hottest time of the day.  Didin't plan that well at all.. I was nice and cool inside, then went out in nearly 40 degree heat, and had to put the aircon on to cool down when I got home.  Going to start a casserole soon, although not sure when I'll get to eat it.  Tomorrow I'm going to Melbourne for Hayley's (granddaughter) and Cass's (eldest daughter) birthday dinner.  I say Melbourne it's well over an hour the other side of Melbourne.  Cass's birthday was the 1st Dec, Hayley's is the 13th.  At least I'll only have to drive it the once and not twice.  I really didn't want to go but felt I should make the effort.  I can give them their Christmas presents at the same time.  So may not post tomorrow night depends what time I eventually get home.  Then Sunday night back to Melbourne again, Jo rang me tonight to see if I wanted to go to friends (where we used to live) I had to laugh Elaine doesn't have my number so rang Jo.  So I will go with Brian and Jo to Elaine and Graeme's for tea.  That won't be a late night though as Brian has to work Monday morning early.  Have known Graeme and Elaine a long time.  Elaine's sister used to look after Cass until Neil got home from work.  And then later Neil and Graeme worked together, used to tell people they were twins.  The were very similar in looks and build.  

Hope you are getting better Carol.  

Hope all are doing well.

Take care, lots of love.  Sue xx

Dear girls,  I gave in and cooked last night , tomato soup and toast,  my culinary skills no no bounds!   Hubby put the recycling bins out, Oh by the way I've put the bins out , I struggled with my bad hands tho,  are they OK in hot water ! Yes why,  because that means you can wash up!  Oh by the way I washed your underpants , why are you telling me that,  me, I thought it was a competition to see who had done the most, I don't  think he got it!  I stay in bed again but crept down at 8am and took a cup of tea back up, he's not forgiven yet!!  Lisa rang saying I sound better apart from the cough.  Then Mary rang, Maggie popped a Xmas card round, my friends are so lovely.   The solicitor rang,  once again a scam call yesterday,  they had all my personal information,  it's disgusting what these firms get up to without any regulations being applied to them, the cheeky blighters even quoted a case number!   Sue you are so good cooking proper meals, when Norman worked nights I lived on pasta and cheese, a very healthy way of life, not.  So eight days on I can finally stand up without black spots appearing before my eyes and my tummy is grumbling because it's not been fed , most of what I have got out to eat today ended up in the bin, however the chocolates are sliding down easily.   So let me know how you are all coping.   Love Carol xx 

Hi Julie,  it's like living in limbo land that's why I always go with the day, trying to plan ahead is hopeless,  .  Gloria is having a biopsy on Christmas Eve, so it's a waiting game until next year for you both.  Even when I haven't done much the days fly past,  it must be the old adage about time flying as you get older !  So nice to hear from you and with weight back on Dave it gives him a fighting chance .  Xx

You would not believe what I have just done.  Paul insisted on going out to the pub this afternoon - he wanted to test out his new mobility scooter.  Okay, we agreed, come back early before it gets really dark and cold - his chest is still bad.  So at 8pm he rolls up on his scooter, starts putting its cover on and slips on the rapidly becoming icy ground.  I cannot get him up and he can get no purchase with his feet.  I get a large piece of canvas and try to get it under him so he can stand up.  Not much help.  He won't let me go to get a couple of neighbours but I am getting really worried about the cold.  (Actually, I called out "I hope someone is filming this" but there is nobody around.)  Eventually he crawls to the front door with me moving the canvas along for him to do so.  I get him into the porch this way and have sent him to bed with only a small brandy and honey as his chest sounds awful.  I am really angry as I was very worried about him lying in the icy cold and - in a typical male way - he seems to be suggesting it was all my fault.    I  know what he will say in the end; it will be "I don't remember anything like that" - it is stock excuse.  I am so cross.