Stay Strong

I have a busy day and come home to my lovely neighbour mowing my back lawn.  I chastise him and say  I would have got round to it, he knew I was struggling and came in whilst I was out.  These kindnesses make my day.  I think hubby is not looking well and voice my concerns.   Nope he says he's fine but a little niggle tells me otherwise.   I get up this morning and he admits he's not good..  appointment at Doctors and he has another infection.  I am being picked up by a friend to go to Wynyard Hall and gardens, the day is glorious and she has the soft top down,we arrive and I look like Bridget Jones after her ride in an open top car!  We have home made cake and coffee and meander the beautiful gardens looking at the pumpkins, sweetcorn and variety of flowers.  I suddenly spot a flower that hubby and I keep seeing  on our drives and it's driving him insane not knowing its name.  A lady hears us talking, takes a photo, Googles it and walks back to tell me, it's  called the common tansy. People are so thoughtful and kind!  Back home hubby laughs at the state of my hair, saying I look like I have been pulled through a hedge backwards,  charming!!  I tell him the plants name, lovely he says and promptly falls asleep on his sheepskin in the sunny conservatory.   Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon, I want my normal hubby back.

  • I missed yesterday because we did nothing, wet, windy and cold, hubby has a hacking cough so I'm ringing our GP tomorrow morning before it gets worse.  Sue, it's so nice to hear your catch up and that life is going well with you and the family, it must be getting warmer now for you.  My half brother Matt will never come home now as Sally is having an baby, so three Australian born children who hardly visit, I've never  seen any of them.  I've just been to my salsa class whuch is hardly worth going out for, 45 minutes, last week and  ten of them filling out paperwork, then tonight they wanted driving licence numbers, I refused, it's Durham County Council and they've got all my information already.  So. Another ten minutes wasted, if I was paying I'd be pretty mad.  See you all tomorrow.  Love Carol x 

  • We got a doctors appointment and fortunately there's no chest infection just lots of rattles going on, so steroids which have made him happy.   Did my dance class and Dorothy couldn't remember Christine's name, it's so sad, we spoke to Ray and he's agreed to us letting him know when we're all going out so Dorothy doesn't get muddled up, I said he could take our numbers off her phone and she thought we meant remove them altogether!  A parcel turned up and we didn't know what it was, loads of chocolates and a note from Faye saying enjoy after Friday, needless to say we've just eaten some!  Hubby said, what's on the sweet menu, nothing I reply, pretty rubbish this restaurant he says, well perhaps you'd like to try somewhere else, save me cooking at all.  I've had another little shopping trip and bought a white snow queen for the children's tree, Ella will love it.  Had a cup of tea with Debbie and a natter, she's got family this weekend as well.  Hope you're OK all of you.  Love Carol x 

  • I've had to run hubby to the Card Factory for my anniversary card as he'd tried twice but couldn't get parked, so I had to keep driving round the block until he came out, that was fun!  Jean landed with a card and a present which was so lovely of her, lots of cards and chocolates which we've nearly eaten.  There will now be nine of us for tea Saturday so off to Tesco I went again, it's a wonder I've not got a private parking space.  Back home I start putting it away, pick up the two kilo bag of sugar and the checkout assistant had stuck her thumb through it so you can imagine the mess on the floor, so off out for lunch tomorrow before the onslaught, have a good weekend all of you. Xx

  • Hi Billy and Carol,

    Billy, It's often hard to understand the logic of some of the departments we have to deal with. Why is it ok for you to be moving/lifting Bren on your own but not the carers.  It would be good if they could get you a hoist that you can use on your own.  

    Carol, Sorry to hear Norman has a hacking cough, good idea to get him to the Drs and checked.  We had a lovely week of warm weather but today it is cooled and tomorrow we are back to cold and wet.It's a shame your half brother Matt doesn't visit and that you've never seen his children.  Can't understand why they need driving licence numbers for a dance class.  What a great idea letting Ray know plans you've made, that will make it so much better all round.  Lucky you getting a big box of chocolates,even though you started them before Friday.  Were they sent for a special occassion or just because she can?  Love Normans comment about the rubbish restaurant with no sweets on the menu.  Ella will love the white snow queen for their Christmas tree.  
    Have just read your last post, the chocolate were an Anniversary gift?  Happy Anniversary to you both.  Have a lovely lunch on Friday and and a wonderful evening on Saturday.

    Another busy week for me, went to Melbourne for Grandparents day at Colby and Sebastians school, had a wonderful morning.  A lovely little school only about 50 students.  Then Bree and I went for lunch, then drive home for Rotary, had a brief meeting, before a meal at a local Thai restaurant.  It was a great night.  Wednesday I had Eli which as usual was fun but tiring, he is so full of energy, always doing something or wanting you to do something.  Then Wednesday evening I found out my dearest girlfriend's father passed away.  It was quite sudden but as he was 97 noone was really surprised, so I'm going to his funeral tomorrow afternoon, (Another trip to the other side of Melbourne), then back home for the Business Awards.  (Rotary members are serving drinks at the function).  So tonight I'm heading to bed early as I have an early start and it will be a late night.

    Take care, Love to all.  Sue  xx

  • Hi sue hope it's not raining there, hope you have a good weekend,, carers have to be specially trained to lift people, insurance and other things, whereas i don't work for them so i don't matter, if it wasn't for struggling giving bren a wash we wouldn't have the carers at all main problem and not sure what's going to happen is last time i had cemo i was bad with it being sick all the time day and night, if I'm same next time, what happens to bren carer's don't do 24/7,she won't go in a home I've mentioned that, any we will wait and see.. Hope all is well... Billy xxx 

  • Hi all. Been a bit down lately. Keep feeling lightheaded and got dreadful backache. Think it’s the aftermath of the chemo. Main thing is I bob up again. My three girls have just been on a short brake to Amsterdam. Silly I know caus it was only 4 days but I missed them so much. I know I am very lucky as they ring or see me every day normally. Watching Coronation St dident help. So very sad but wonderful acting. Just been for my flu jab and done some shopping. It is pouring down with rain here. So depressing and clocks go back the early hours so winter is certainly here. Everywhere you looked in Asda was Halloween or Christmas. Carol hope Norman’s cough is getting better and he is able to enjoy your party. Happy Anniversary to you both. Sue you sound as if you are keeping so busy with your family. We are so lucky to have them aren’t we. Just thinking it’s like night here with the rain. Got couple of lamps on. Someone said we are going to have snow in a couple of weeks but they always say that every year. Usually have it after Christmas. Lots of love to everyone. Gloria xxx

  • Hi everyone, I've had four hectic days and Headlam managed to poison Ella by giving her ice cream with egg in, so it's been traumatic.  I'll read all your messages tomorrow when I have more time as everyone has only gone today.  Carol xx

  • Hello to you all and I've just read all your news and updates, Golden, sorry you're feeling down a little bit, Sue, hope the funeral went well and Billy Carers can only do so much, sometimes I wonder what they are there for!  So family arrived, took Harry to see Farmageddon, he laughed all the wat through whilst earing a giant Box of popcorn.  Back home Faye landed and I fed all nine of us and we had a great time.  Sunday Norman didn't feel well and got stressed over going out but we managed.  Our room looked beautiful with golden roses and the girls had put the photos up and the serviettes out, we had a wonderful meal, then Faye disappeared and I knew that something was wrong.  It turned out that despite the emails and conversations we'd had they still fed her egg ice cream causing her to be really unwell poor little mite sat on the toilet with her beautiful pink party dress and unicorn headband having terrible diahorea and her throat swelling, they all tried to keep it from me but I just knew.  So I went mad with the Management and then spent time on the phone with the Director who tried to put things right, they've invited us back for a meal but Ella said she's not going!  Then Alfie was ill so I stayed home with him whilst everyone went out.  I've now got a horrible cough but am meant to be going out tonight to a charity fashion show.  Makeup will be required and a glass of wine to get me through.  See you tomorrow.  Carol xx

  • Hi carol not so good news took bren to hospital appointment it's confirmed dementia, got to do mussel tests yet and memory, but at least we know now,, best to all... Billy xxx 

  • Hi Billy, this is so sad, my Mum had dementia and I cared for her for years so I'm aware of what you are going through.  If you ever need advice on how to cope I have lots of tips.  Take care Billy.  Love Carol x