D' ya ever wonder if we'll get through in one piece?

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

Morning girls. I've found us a new home

So as we were so nearly finished the thread I did my best to fill it up to completion. I hope you don't mind. I'm hoping you all find your way here too from then links I have sent.

This morning is dull and breezy in minisoks area. We're supposed to be meeting friends (though with no fixed arrangements) and dh is currently snoring his head off in bed. I might be slightly annoyed as my lie in yesterday got cut short with James waking me up to get his kindle and then my parents texting me to come over. I can't really grumble about that as they were bringing Emily her birthday presents but still. I think he's now had enough so I'm not discouraging the noise and thumping up and down stairs. 8 years old! So I now have an 8 year old, a 6 year old and the twins are 4! I can't believe how much they are all changing and growing. Jen does gymnastics, Joshy does toddler football. James is on an under 6's team (I've no idea how that works either) and has been invested in beavers. Emily is loving brownies and hockey, although hockey has finished until September . We're just trying to get some practise in for her so she doesn't completely forget what she's learnt.

Oh, and not forgetting Merlin the magnificent. He's a gorgeous puss, even if the children do love him to torturous degrees - poor kitten hides when he's had enough 'love'.

Enough of me, how the devil are you all?

@Bubby64, sorry to hear about your mum. It can't be easy no matter how 'present' she was or wasn't. Boss sounds like an arse too. Everything always seems to happen at once.

when I was a learner I stalled 3/4 times at the red lights in town. I was at the front. You can imagine the honking behind me. I feel for Mike. Everyone seems to forget they were a learner once.

We're all goodish. Jennifer is being put forward for adhd assessment. She's driving her teacher nuts I think. But they've said she's lovely with it. Small comfort when she's a Tasmanian devil at home.

Josh is plodding on in his Joshy way and James is, well, James.

Emily however is definitely a tweenager right now. Stroppy little madam half the time. I'm looking forward to the holidays though.

@Bubby64, sorry to hear about your mum. It can't be easy no matter how 'present' she was or wasn't. Boss sounds like an arse too. Everything always seems to happen at once.

when I was a learner I stalled 3/4 times at the red lights in town. I was at the front. You can imagine the honking behind me. I feel for Mike. Everyone seems to forget they were a learner once.

We're all goodish. Jennifer is being put forward for adhd assessment. She's driving her teacher nuts I think. But they've said she's lovely with it. Small comfort when she's a Tasmanian devil at home.

Josh is plodding on in his Joshy way and James is, well, James.

Emily however is definitely a tweenager right now. Stroppy little madam half the time. I'm looking forward to the holidays though.

Oh so nice to have you back! I have painted the trolley and will soon be loading it up! Hectic weekend with sil here to stay, she was widowed in May and likes a drink! I am worn out. Good to hear all your news, looks like we all been having problems, life! The latest on Rebecca is Ionce again contacted the uni welfare office, ended up in tears and in the end they agreed to speak to Rebecca. I got a message back last Frid, they said she was very upbeat, happy and looked well. She gave them permission to pass me a message. The message was it is her decision alone that she no longer wants any form of contact with us. Heartbroken, I cried and cried. How can she be so cruel? So that is it, nothing more we can do, we have tried everything. So so sad. x

Oh my dear friend. Trips, I know there will be a day when she will think back and know what a crazy decision she has made. Wish I could help in some way. xx

Morning....

So we didn’t get the promised thunderstorm and no rain, I love the sun but my poor garden is suffering. Not much to report, just working hard trying to help Harry who is rebuilding my garden shed! Am missing it, it was my sanctuary, sadly the wood was rotting! So this is how it looks now! Before and after!

Gosh I must have sniffed those out!

We had rain . Overnight, enough that the ground is still damp this morning.

If I hear 'pikachu' one more time I shall bloody scream!

Hellooooo anybody around? Just had a week away with dh and the boys. Life has been pretty stressful the last few months. Have seen a big deterioration in dh with his Parkinsons. It takes us ages to get out and about now, I wake early and just want to take off, now it’s 10.30am on average before we can go anywhere. I know he can’t help it but I find it hard at times. So we have been back to a place we came to seven years ago and it’s just as lovely. Dh and the boys have fished everyday from the river at the end of the garden. I have sat and watched and read my books. I felt sad today though as I felt a pang of loneliness, I know I have them all, but I am missing some female company. They don’t want to go into the little towns and markets poking round charity shops etc‘ and it’s not the same on your own. I am so missing my girl....Rebecca.it will be one year on the 28th Aug that she last slept in her bed. It’s ten months since we have seen her, eight months since we talked on the phone. I have no way of contacting her now, her choice. I just wish she could read this, to know how much she is loved and missed.......

Some pics of my boys taken this week.

Helloooo ducky! I'm trying to survive the holidays at the moment. Dh is doing overtime. I can't say I blame him, the money will be nice when it comes. But he said he'd try and do days during the holiday as doing nights takes out a day and a half or more. But days have not been on offer.

Sadly for you Rebecca probably isn't giving dates or times since X a second thought. I only think of my parents when I come across something or recall a memory from childhood. I couldn't tell you the last date I saw mum. Dh and I have changed mobile number too so our address is the only thing they know now.

Jenn (her choice of spelling) and Josh are being funny little things. Jenn has a temper on her like her big brother! We received a letter the other day saying the health service had sent some forms into school for us to fill in before they would consider an appointment.

Handsome boys there trips. They'll look after you I'm sure. Sorry your dh has deteriorated. My best friend's dad has Parkinson's. It's sad the change in him over recent years. We were saying the evidence was there at her wedding, we just didn't recognise it for what it was at the time.

Hi Soks love Jenn making a statement about her name! Yes my boys are handsome, love them to bits and don’t know what I would do without them. My arthritis in my left foot has flared up, same leg I have the lymphedema! Been soooo painful especially first thing in the morning. To make matters worse I am looking after my brothers dog for a week! Four walks a day, three short one long, must be mad! She is though totally adorable and I will definitely miss her when she goes home. Do miss the old days on here, miss the old gang.....even that mad Mama we had trolling us, remember her? Here is Molly dog! x

Awwww. Cute Molly! Makes me miss Merlin 😞.

@triplets Chop the leg off? (Only half joking). I hope you get a break from the pain soon. Especially with all the extra dog walking.

God yes! I remember. I thought some of her was in the beginning of this thread but it must have been the last one. Such a long time ago this one began. So much has happened and so many changes!

Jenn and Joshy started year 2 today. They weren't even at school when this thread started!!

Hello Soks just thought I would pop in to see if anyone is around.....er no! Looks like just me and thee! Foot pain bearable but no better, fed up of taking pain relief so just putting up with it. We have been working our “soks”off here, she building, garden and allotment just can’t keep up with it all atm. You would think i would lose some weight, not an ounce! Boys both ok, Thomas now back in Germany, so food in the fridge!! No change with Rebecca it jus5 breaks my heart. It is our 40th wedding anniversary on the 23rd Sept and it would make our day to hear from her. We are going to Lincolnshire with family for a few days so will be nice to get away. Will share our ancient wedding day pic with you! X

@triplets, me and thee will keep each other company then. Love the wedding photo. Very reminiscent of the time!

You shouldn't have to put up with the pain though. Is there nothing the gp can give, or refer you to pain management or specialist or something? No idea but it's not fair. Mind, my auntie has been struggling with leg pain for flipping ages and when they finally got round to an mri, discovered she's ruptured her Achilles' tendon. No flaming wonder she was having problems and immense pain. Don't know what it's going to mean long term as they left it untreated for so long.

Sounds like the garden and allotment are keeping you busy. Lolling about food in the fridge. I've got all that to come I'm sure. Thankfully josh is a fruit monster so will regularly help himself to the fruit bowl. I don't mind as it's good for him. Although he's being a little tinker at the moment. Didn't wake up until 8 this morning. Was going to let him have at least the morning off school as he's been so tired and grumpy lately, until he started going on about playing on the x box. Er, no chance matey. If you're well enough to play in the x box you're well enough for school. Did take him in late though. Didn't see the point of getting us all stressed out to get him in on time. Just left Emily at home with him while I told James and Jenn for their circuits club. Emily left when I got back and josh and I had a more leisurely start to his day.

Jenn is amazing me more and more. Despite her very obvious issues, she is flying with her reading. Checked the level book she had last night - age 9-13! Of course this brings a whole load of issues such as content suitability for a 6 year old. Big difference between what a 13 year old and a 6 year old are capable of understanding. And yet she's utterly hopeless in every other subject. Just need to push some of her enthusiasm for reading into her dislike of writing. Ho hum.

Sorry there's no change with Rebecca for you. Would you be able to find an address for her through the electoral roll?

Hi Soks, just fallen into my bed literally, exhausted. Still all packed ready for the off tomorrow and hopefully some rest! Weather forecast for Sunday our anniversary is dire! My niece was like Jen, when she was five she could read the Financial Times but of course couldn’t understand a word of it! Hadn’t thought about the electoral role but then again she probably isn’t even on it! Keep racking what’s left of my brains to think how I can find out where she is living. It probably won’t do me any good, she has made it clear how she feels. So bed, very tired and hot but it’s blowing a gale outside so can’t have my window open. Thanks Soks for your company! x

Morning girls keep hoping someone else will pop up on here! Sat up in bed with the sun streaming through my window, lovely for the 1st Oct. Back to normal today, had visiting family down and it’s been exhausting! Well I suppose we are truly into Autumn, time just flies and flies by. On the 12th it will be a year since I have seen Rebecca, every day I hope to hear from her. I thought after losing Matthew I would never feel such heartbreak again, but my heart is aching. I have exhausted myself trying to think how to contact her which is pointless as she has made it clear she no longer wants to be a part of our life. Better get up...though still feeling tired! x

I'm here. Off to listen to children read shortly. Will be back later though. You aren't alone @triplets. Much love and hugs x

Love the heart! Thank you dear Soks. x

Back much later it would appear!

I loved that conker too. It was a gift from Jennifer (she spotted the heart in it). Thank god for cameras as it has since long been lost.

Reading was lovely. Was listening to year 5's so 9/10 year olds today. I really enjoying being a parent reader and am in 4 afternoons a week for it! Our school is part of the time credits programme so I earn vouchers for doing it which we can exchange for cinemas trips, days out, theatre tickets and the like.

Gosh that’s a great idea Soks never heard that before. I only used to go in on a Weds but did 9-12pm. I have missed it and especially the little ones, I worked with reception for 7 years until I was diagnosed. Wonder what’s happened to everyone, guess kids grow up so mums move on! x

It's is fabulous (decided on Halloween name change lol).

Kids grow up. Families change. Part and parcel of life I guess. Sad when you've been through so much together...

Well we are nearly at half term. Just the rest of today to go. Jenn is not having a good time at the moment. She is just so emotional. And it didn't help that she didn't make squad on her gymnastics try out. Her coaches assessed her exactly how I expected - needs to concentrate more! But of course she finds that hard so it's more evidence to pass on to the paediatrician.

Joshua is a solid young man. Pretty reliable although he has a really hilarious way of rolling on the floor at bedtime and telling me he's too tired to do anything (so go to bed then young man!)

I take it still no news from Rebecca?

Am also plotting my Halloween decorations this year. It's been nearly a year now since we moved in. And I'm feeling the love for Harry Potter right now so am thinking of doing out my porch with floating candles and maybe a dementor for the front garden!

Lovely bing the new name! Poor Jen, she must have been disappointed. That’s life isn’t it, it’s not always going to go the way you want it to. Love the idea of a dementor in your porch! I was over in Asda yesterday and they had some fab Halloween stuff, lots of HP! Very cheap too. Bought myself a dress as we are being expected to dress up for our 10 yr old nephew/niece twins! Fab weather here still, was 21 the other day! No no news from Rebecca except I found a photo on the unis web site, made me want to cry 😢. Have a good half term! x

Excuse the silly predictive text!

Lol. Jenn thankfully has settled down over the gymnastics. She is sometimes used as a demonstrator now by her coach. This is quite good as it means she gets put into the positions she is supposed to be in.

And of course they are all super excited for Halloween, except James who doesn't enjoy things like that. We will hopefully be able to manage that though. I love your costume!

Sorry you haven't heard from Rebecca. Fingers crossed you hear from her soon.

Hi still here! Had a good time in France for Halloween it was great fun! Ended up wearing a different costume! Can’t believe Christmas s looming up, so hard to know what to buy then I have their 21st in January. Both going to be do hard without Rebecca. I asked my 30 yr old niece if she would try to contact her at the uni, just to let her know how much we love and miss her. She won’t do it because she said she feels angry with her. Being angry isn’t going to bring her home. So not much news, life goes on!