Let's not forget about romance and love...grab your Valentine and join the Countdown to Christmas, thread 2!

[NoWordForFluffy]

Here we go, brand spanking new thread.

If you could finish the old one off first, that would be great!

Morning all. It's a miserable day here. Hasn't stopped raining since last night.

Woolly we bought a new mattress a few years ago and the guy in the shop said it was the equivalent of the Hypnos one. It wasn't. It was fine for the first couple of years but now it's had its day.

PSB well done to your dd.

Mrs one of the later storms is set to be named after my dd. The British and Irish met office take each letter in turn to name the storms.

Crazy sorry about the job. But well done on the weight loss. I really should try to lose about 2 stone but like Mrs I can become obsessed. When I got married I was only 6 stone and my wedding dress was an American size 0 which I think is a 4 here.

Fluffy oh no re nits. They are a bugger to get rid of. There was a segment on This Morning about it a few weeks ago.

Wheel my physio is specialised for women's health. It becomes painful to sit a lot of the time.

Hoping to get out for a bite to eat soon. I don't like to sit in on weekends if I can help it.

Evening everyone
PSB how marvellous for your DD2 to have the school of her choice bless her put the flags out!! YAY!
Woolly must confess not been able to read Miss Silver yet am so busy with the parents honestly you wouldn't believe how much work there is to do for them . I don't mind a bit what l do fo rthem but it is a lot of hard long hours. Take today l did Mums tablet boxes , she takes 15 tablets in the morning and 4 at night , that al has to be put into the medicine boxes ready for her to take of a morning, then we went and did their shopping , l cleaned the two fridges out yesterday in readiness, if l do it every week it is a five min job each then, not a big scrubbing affair . Then we took the food up put it all away and then DH makes their brekky and l get their tablets done and sort out the telly and the fire and their cuppas . Then there is the mountain of washing, drying and ironing and putting away and then the housework .all their business cash and paperwork , car stuff to be done and their appts , it is a full time job

Nero I’m like you, I have to be out as much as possible or else I get really irritated.

Mrs You do so much for your parents, you’re such a good daughter. I know how hard it is to cate for family, my grandma has dementia, she’s only 59 bless her, but me and my mum take it in turns to look after her. I wouldn’t have anyone else care for her, but it’s hard caring for someone so close to you because you take everything to heart

I went off on one then sorry lol Mum had a lovely time with her friend , glad DD1 stayed with Dad we didn't have to worry about him then Mum was so tired when she came back though, sorted them both out before we left , cuppas, tablets, knitting, papers, tea in and everything done for them to rest
Anyway what have you all been doing ?
Lavender, your poor Grandma ahh bless her that is only 2 years older than me, it robs a person of their life it is such a horrible disease , well done for helping your Mum to care for her . l just think l won't have them forever and this time is precious with them . I don't mind a bit. Glad you got the pram sorted and l don't blame you getting it from FB marketplace either , he won't be in it for long love then it will be a buggy all the way .
Nero, l think we should just be happy m'dear, it is such a tightrope to walk when we have to monitor our mental health with our physical weight as well , honestly it just isn't worth the possibility of making ourselves ill again nothing is worth that
I think l will investigate these Hypnos mattresses they sound fab!
That is interesting about the Irish and British met offices did that , l just told my DH , he knew lol
Been raining here and windy , l had to put the drying to finish off on my Mum's airers because l was worried it would blow away in the wind . It was nearly dry though just needed finishing off a little
Just going to have tea, Bacon, skinny sausages , Mushies, toms & eggs courtesy of DH ....yummy!
Have a good Sat night everyone

Mrs You’re right, when people said how horrible dementia was I didn’t believe how bad it could be, but it is the worst. I hate seeing her the way she is, but I’m very lucky that I still have her with me. You’re right about the pram, it won’t be long at all until he’s big!.

I think I’m off to bed now, I’m absolutely exhausted. Then I’ll be off out tomorrow to buy some things for the house and the garden.

297

Morning!

Congratulations to your DD, PSB. Is she excited?

Sorry to hear about your grandma's dementia, Lavender. That's a terribly young age. Just remember to be nice to yourself if you don't have as much time to help after you have your baby. It's so easy to feel guilty, but you only have so much time and newborns can be pretty full-on. It'll calm as baby gets older, but hormones have a way of making you feel terrible about everything!

Mrs, another busy day for you. You got loads done!

DH put our washing out overnight, but down the side of the house where a strong wind will still blow, but the washing wouldn't go AWOL if it blew off as it's not so exposed. I've just checked it and it's dry! 😂

Our bedding will go out soon. It's light and won't take long, so should be done before the rain comes.

Storm Freya looks to be passing us more quickly than previously forecast, thankfully.

DH has to make a Stick Man costume for DD today. I'm refusing to get involved! 😂

Morning everyone
Fluffy l don't blame you not getting involved with Stick man , not one of my favourite tasks when the DDS were little, making the awful costumes and the rivalry between the parents lol , l didn't engage in it at all .
Great drying weather, had to put the parents washing in not to worry them bout it getting blown away , l expect that will be wrong too .
DSis hasn't been to my house or seen me since 27/12/19, since the row. We barely speak or message on FB just the essentials. She is still managing to upset me through my parents though . truth is l am heartbroken about it all . My Dh told my Mum yesterday he doesn't want to have them in our house ever again he has had to put up with the constant criticism and moaning from them for 26 years . know there is something drastically wrong with the two of them Narc or behavioural personality disorder, there must be because the row didn't deserve such a massive overreaction as this and they have been far worse to us over the years but just come back the next day as normal . I know that this is the best outcome for us as a family but it is really hard going, it's like l miss them and love them but they are so toxic the best thing for me and my family is to have no contact . I do know that . Just have to motor through.
Lavender l hope you feel much more rested today and had a good night . Enjoy the shopping
The storm Freya winds look like they are going to be concentrated on us and the South West so we will be getting the worst of it
I better shift up the parents to get away early, to be in the house before the storm
Have a great day everyone

Morning everyone one. Thankyou for your lovely words for DH. He is seeming much better now. We went out for meal last night to find out that my DB and his GF will be having a baby girl. Im so excited and pleased for them.

Cish that is such lovely news , hope your DH continues to improve m'dear , have a lovely day together

Fluffy You’re right about how young she is, she has a history of mental illness and has been on medication since she was 18 that can cause dementia. She has a mini stroke 18 months ago and the doctors think that may have kickstarted it. It’s such a shame seeing the person you love become someone you don’t even know, but we’re all learning to love the ‘new’ her. I definitely won’t blame myself if I can’t be around as much, I know it will be hard to do but I’ll have to put myself and the baby first, especially in the first few months.

You’re so brave putting the washing out overnight, I don’t think I could sleep if I did. I’d be constantly up checking for rain. Good luck to your DH with the stick man costume, update us on how he does!.

Mrs I feel much better now, I had about twelve hours. Just having a cuppa before I go off shopping. I’m sorry about your sister, it’s really hard if you have a toxic family member, even if you see yourself that they are toxic you still love them. But you have to do what’s right for you, and just remember to stay strong and vent if you need to.

Cish I’m happy your DH is doing well, and congratulations to your brother on his little girl, how exciting!.

It’s rainy and windy by me, I don’t want to go out of the house but I know I’ll lose my mind if I stay in. It’s freezing too, I don’t want to take off my dressing gown

Thank you mrsmad
lavender thank you. Sorry to hear about your mum. Its cold and raining here too.

Evening all.

Had a lovely day out today. We went up the coast today. It was breezy but absolutely beautiful. We had the best fish and chips I have ever tasted on the way home.

neros fish and chips on the coast sounds like absolute perfection.

Thank you for the commiserations about the job and the congrats & encouragement about my weight. Last week was hard, I don't know why!

Yay for PSB - I have very little knowledge of the school system but friends have said it's a lottery!

MrsMad You do so much for your parents, you should be so proud.
As for your sister, I think maybe you miss the sister you wish you had rather than your actual sister?
I have a younger sister. We get on ok and when big things happen, we lean on each other but day to day, we're not close. She doesn't contact me to babysit / pop in etc. I push that side of the relationship because I love my nieces and nephews. It makes me sad that unless her world is falling apart, she wouldn't think to come to me.

Lovely news Cish, congratulations to them 👶🏼

Lavender 💐 for you, dementia is a cruel illness.

Neros what a lovey day for you. Proper chippy chips (as they're known in this house) are the best near the sea!

The weather has been miserable here all day. It's been hard work getting the dogs to go outside to wee never mind go for a walk 🙄

I've had a lovely day, it's been spent doing little chores, reading, crochet and my first proper attempt at yoga.
I Have finished a little crochet project for a pregnant colleague and friend (I've posted a pic). I hope she likes it.

Thanks for the congratulations everyone!

Yes Woolly, it's the one with the stripy PE socks. 💷💷💷💷💷💷💷💷

Yes Fluffy, she says "Of course I'm excited!"

Went to the Sainsbury's café for lunch, DS2 had pizza, carrot cake and a Harry Horse biscuit (cookie Wheelie), DD had ham, eggs and chips and a chocolate eclair, I had smoked haddock fish cake, salad and new potatoes, had Singapore noodles for supper, DS2 was in bed by 6, DD was in bed by 9. 😋🍕🍰🐴😋🍳🍟🍫😋🐟😋🍗🍤😴

I'm copping out and buying a Harry Potter costume for DS2 and a Mad Hatter costume for DD. Tell me they don't do World Book Day in secondary school! 😱

296

Morning!

My bloody train is cancelled but I found out online as neither the ticket seller nor board told me. I'm currently wandering the platform as the waiting room has blown hot air heating which makes me claustrophobic!

I'm glad she's excited, PSB, though I'm not sure that it was an 'of course' moment as some kids hate the thought of going to 'big' school! It must be a relief for you that she's not one of them.

Crazy, that's sad about your sister. But at least she doesn't object to you doing all the running, even if it would be better if it was reciprocal. I said the same to Mrs a while ago about her sister; it's not nice knowing you've a sibling like that.

I did nothing yesterday. Didn't even leave the house other than a little wander to the garden! Briefly!

It was windy overnight but has dropped a bit now. Still quite windy but not 50mph!

I bought a grow lamp for my seedlings yesterday. It looks like we're growing drugs now! 😂

Evening everyone 😀
Been so busy with everything and everyone you would not believe it.
Anyway normal Service is resumed lol, suffice to say l am totally knackered lol
Now what have you been doing?
Lavender, that is so sad re your Grans illness bless you all 💐. Glad you had a good rest and thank you for the support re my evil sister😘The storm Freya wasn't too bad tbh , we were alright, the parents were hit worse than us , their huge black bin and the other ones were all over the garden , fair play to DH he tidied it all up for them.
Nero those fish and chips sound delicious , glad you had a happy day with your beloveds 😀
I better post this msg before I lose it 😂

Crazy , your sister is so lucky to have you 🤗 l honestly think you are right about missing the sister l wish l had 😥
That little comforter is gorgeous you are brilliant!
PSB l don't blame you opting out of the costumes , they are so time consuming and l have no imagination.
They don't dress up for Work book day in comp here so l think you can get away with it lol🤣
Fluffy that is a bummer with the train this morning
The light looks great 👌👍
Good for you to have a day off once in a while , take care of yourself, this week is a biggie for you m'dear, you will be fine l know 🤗
Gone cold out , just put the heating on. ❄️ Hope you are safely on your way home 😊
We are having ham salad for tea courtesy of DH 😍bless him
Have a lovely evening everyone 😄

PSB Congrats to your DD! What on earth IS a Harry Horse Biscuit (Cookie) lol

Fluffy HAHA I'm laughing at your drug comment!

crazy I adore that little lovie!! I'm sorry about your sister. I'm not close at all with my brothers and it makes me sad but I really have absolutely nothing in common with them.

Cish I'm so glad your DH is doing better and congrats to your brother and his GF!

Mrs I know it's hard but I'm glad you guys put your foot down to not have them over from now on!

Lavender We are there with my grandmother too. Last week she had an entire days work up with neurologists who specialized in elderly care to find out what exactly was wrong with her and sure enough it's dementia. We've known something was up for a long while with her. She's always been forgetful but last year she started double paying or not paying her bills and my mom had to take over her finances. Then she would allow random people into her home she claimed were salesmen and would give them money but never have any product. And then she would literally repeat herself. The tests show she has only about 30 minute short term memory. They've started her on a medication but she will not be able to live alone before too long. My mom and her sisters are trying to work out a schedule to care for her. She's become VERY mean :(

fiddle Is she helping you?

The temp has dropped! VERY VERY cold! 12 degrees with a -2 windchill! (-11 and -19 C) We got a dusting of snow and it's going to snow again on Thursday.

I bought some lovely lovely garden items but now it's so cold the ground is frozen lol. I bought 8 lovely hanging lamps, a cat eating garden gnome statue, and a solar moon light, but also some tibetan prayer flags. I'm not sure what other pretties I'll get for the garden yet so I'll have to see what tickles my fancy. I'm ready for spring now to make my yard look pretty.

Today I saw my hematologist and he's such a lovely man and makes me feel so much better about myself. He told the student following him around that for someone with my condition? I'm doing fantastic! My bloodwork is great from the Iron infusions and he'll see me in 6 months. He said he could tell I've gained weight and he's glad I got the GJ tube too!

He does want me to find and see an orthopaedic doctor. I used to have one but he doesn't take my insurance so tomorrow I'm calling my PCP and asking if she knows anyone I could see and could she give me a referral. I've not had my joined checked in about 3 years and that's bad as I have arthritis and such.

I'm curled up in my fuzzy housecoat tonight and I'm just so so sleepy. I'll chat with you all tomorrow!

295

Morning!

My train is on time today. Whoop!

I'm drowning in work. I got more post than the rest of the team put together yesterday. Nightmare. Hopefully I can catch up on a load of stuff today.

Nero, I love seaside chips; they're the best kind. We could have them often if we wanted, bearing in mind I live by the sea, but it's more fun on holiday. (Though we had them at Whitby and it was just stressful due to the MASSIVE seagulls with the propensity to dive bomb people with food!)

Wheelie, brrrrr. I don't fancy your weather much! It's gone colder here, but not below freezing, thankfully.

I hope you get your treatment sorted soon.

Cish, I hope everything is back to normal for you now.

I'm tired today. I think I've got too much on my plate. Ah well, my manager is more understanding of my time pressures than I am, so I don't actually have to be so hard on myself!

Morning everyone 😀
Wheelie live your garden ornaments, the cat eating the gnomes is great fun lol
Great news re your haemotolgist . I think dementia is becoming the number 1 illness for the elderly like an epidemic. Your poor Nan bless her heart. My parents are still really sharp, especially my Mum. She has a brain like a Ninja lol 🤣 have a good night's sleep m'dear 🤗
Fluffy, that is good to hear that your manager knows your workload , she must appreciate how very hard you work m'dear God knows you do your utmost😊 take care of your health and wellness especially this week, you have a great deal on your plate sweetie 🤗
Am going to the parents now have a great day everyone😃

Morning! DD expects us to know she's excited Fluffy. I've pointed out that it could come across as a bit rude, but I don't think she gets it. I don't think she's thinking about going to big school tbh.

A Harry Horse cookie is basically a gingerbread horse Wheelie. 😁

Had a cheese and tomato omelette,a banana and a coffee today. 😋🍅🍌☕

Morning all, seem to have dropped off the thread a little bit. Will catch up with you all later, just having some complications with my family

Afternoon all
Done the parents and on our way home and forgot to put the damn bins out , bin day tomorrow as you do
Hope all is ok with your Family Lavender, don't worry about us we are always here
PSB glad your DD2 is happy with her school , l am sure she will love it
Quite dull here no rain or wind just a bit MEH!
It's pancake day today of course , l was going to make some but my DH said he didn't want any so l haven't bothered he normally loves them but he has been so busy with the parents he can't be bothered l think ..... me too l must admit signs of us getting older perhaps
Anyway, enjoy YOUR pancake day everyone