Dh has died - the MN Aunties are helping me keep on

[JuanPotatoTwo]

New thread, not very imaginative title sorry! I can't remember how to link - having a blank moment.

Bless him. Keep on with emphasising all the people he has in his life who love him. Maybe mentioning the ones who are younger than John was, especially. My kids were relieved when I said it would be my sister (a decade younger than me) as well as my parents, who looked after them if necessary.

That's a good point. John was 14 years older than me, and exH and his partner are both around my age, so much younger than John was. John wasn't "old", but I'm sure that 58 would seem old to an 11yo.

I rang the DWP to chase my bereavement claim yesterday, and surprise surprise they haven't received our marriage certificate which the JCP emailed though when I took it in a few weeks ago. The JCP lady didn't know what she was doing and in the end just emailed it 'somewhere'. So nothing has happened with the claim yet. I'm going to put the certificate in the post today rather than try and go through JCP again. Not that I'll get anything on an ongoing basis, just the one off payment.

I've also done a tax credits claim, again that won't be very much - unless work falls apart I suppose. But it will be something.

Chasing - so sorry to hear things are not good. I suspect you have been coping while burying a lot of grief, and its obviously coming out now, rather than earlier. ((hugs))

Oh that sounds like such a dilemma Somer I can understand wanting a link between all of your "old" and "new" family members. Hope that MIL will understand it too.

Squirrel my DH is 15 years older and it is a worry, but I guess there are no guarantees in life. Thinking of you and hope that you are doing a bit better today. Such tough questions that they ask!

DD demanded to know why her dad and I split...how do you explain to an 10yo that he was a complete c*ck and life couldn't continue in that way?

Just a quick pop in as I need to get on with boring grown up stuff.

Evening
quick pop in
I do hope everyone is okay.
I have had a lovely day out . and going to slob around tonight too!

John's car was collected today, having been given 9am-6pm they actually collected at 6.20pm which was annoying.
I'm crying a lot, hope I can cope with work on Monday

well, time for me to retire.
So sorry to hear you are having such a tough time Chasing - you may find that work helps.
wishing a restful night to all
Thoughts and Prayers

Sorry to hear that you had such a tough day Squirrel I saw your post but DS decided to wake up and get upset at having a stuffy nose man flu starts early so didn't get a chance to reply.

What are you up to today? Woken way too early and had planned a jog but can't be arsed! We have promised the children a trip to the fair and DD and I need to go buy bits to make life with braces more bearable!

Hello everyone, happy weekend 🌼
Hugs to you Squirrels for hanging in there and KOKO-ing. All the admin/ finance stuff saps the life out but soon it will be done and you don't have to be thinking about it anymore. It's just a painful reminder you just don't need. Stay strong, you are doing so well.

Morning
Hope you managed some rest and proper sleep Juan
it is grey today.
Was like Cake and woke up much too early today, so lounging around a bit first.
I have to go and shovel horse manure at the allotment this morning ( its arriving in a pick up truck ! ) so I have had a big bowl of porridge for breakfast. This afternoon planning to make some rhubarb and vanilla jam .
After that, nothing much apart from a sit down and some knitting and crotchet :)
Hope everyone has a good Saturday x

Oops sorry I posted too soon!
juan I meant to say upthread, my comment about Nastase was because he is an utter misogynist and getting more and more unhinged (a very MNetter word!) He was insulting about Serena Williams' baby and also asked one of the players for the key to her room. Urgh. Thank goodness they have banned him from the Royal box at Wimbledon.
I hope you are OK, did you start your volunteering role - I seem to recall you had a chat with someone about that?

I hope everyone's Saturday is mellow and laid-back. I'm going into town to get some bits from the supermarket whispers Waaaaaitrose, v nice goodies xx

Bookbook you've just reminded me, its nearly xstitch o'clock . I'm working on The Secret Garden and it is starting to take shape. Have fun!

Morning everyone.

Book that jam sounds fab I love rhubarb and all things vanilla. Send some my way when its done please I like jam making, no expert but we potter on in the summer with rasps and stawberries and make elderflower cordial too.

Chasing hope you have a nice chill out day today, I hate paperwork at the best of times, but 'official' stuff just takes twice as long. It sometimes feels like its made as difficult as possible to stop you bothering then you can get into trouble for not doing it properly! Grrr.

Off to garden centre with ds2 he wants to go see all the animals! I must stay away from the plants as garden getting makeover and dont want to spend money on plants....must resist! Also going to get paint for my bedroom and bathroom too, what fun, cant wait to get painting...not

Flipping cold here today have had fire on while I watch all my cooking programmes after ds's swimming lesson this morning.

Have a nice day everyone.

Hello lovely Aunties. Just jumping on quickly to apologise for being absent. Have been in bed for last two days with worst migraine I've had in years. Still banging away today and still in bed so mant

Oops, sorry, posted too soon. Was going to say many apologies for not reading anyone's messages. Hope everyone is well and back whwn I can see straight.

Hope you feel better asap.

You never, ever, need to apologise for not coming on the thread - don't ever let it become another chore/duty.

What on earth are you on here for apologising to us Juan ? - there is absolutely no need to post - just get back to bed with a cup of tea and something to keep you going
((very gentle hugs))
Willow - it is one of my favourite jams ( I'm not a big jam eater tbh - I mostly make it for DH). I was overflowing with rhubarb a few years ago and googled in desperation. I am sending you a virtual jar :)
I do like making jam - mostly very stress free. ( Maybe not pear and lemon though , I will crack the set eventually - it is so nice, we use it for ice cream or yoghurt topping as it is always runny .......)

Pear & lemon sounds amazing - I would have thought the set would not be a problem as lemons have a lot of pectin, don't they?

I used to make jam, but as we don't eat much I don't anymore. DH makes marmalade once a year & I make a lot of different chuneys & my own (suet free) mincemeat in December.

The setting of the marmalade has become a doddle since he invested in a digital probe thermometer.

you would think so , wouldn't you ...but I haven't succeeded yet . Mind you - I didn't make any last year, as we did a heavy prune on the pear tree the autumn /winter before, and we only got enough fruit to eat and swap for cooking apples !

I like making chutneys too - was thinking of doing rhubarb for a change , but the last jar of rhubarb jam had gone had gone , so no contest!
I do give quite a lot away, but DH does like it in his porridge.
Here is the recipe I have been using
pear and lemon jam

Just a very brief hello, I'm sitting in an airport lounge waiting for my flight to Spain. Hope i'll have WiFi there.

Hope your head is better soon Juan

Ah, hope you feel better soon lovely.

Just about to tackle homework with DD. She resents all the extra work she has to do (dyslexia) but needs to! We've been shopping and to the fair and sorted some more of her room and ordered new bedding for her so not all slave driver!

Oh thanks Book will give that a go. You don't have the rhubarb one to hand do you? My rhubarb plant is a bit mad sometimes all thin stalks other times thick and sour. But can buy some actually got some frozen rhubarb in garden centre so I can treat myself without wasting it.

Juan once your migraine is gone give yourself a 'Gibbs slap' for being so silly. Thank you.

Has late lunch with ds2 at garden centre looked lots of plants and at the per section. Saw a beautiful snake pretty well grown not like the babies they have....ds and i can but dream😀 little baby tortoises too soooo cute😀
Got treats for the guinea pigs and bought some indulgences food wise, anyone tried beetroot ketchup?

Got paint, where do I buy the motivation to start?

Sorry for all the mistakes phone going mad with moving words and auto correct for some reason.

I do Willow - this one works every time :)

Rhubarb and Vanilla Jam

1 kg rhubarb , weighed after trimming, cut into 3 cm chunks
1 kg jam sugar - (or 1 kg caster sugar + 1 x 8gm sachet of pectin)
2 Vanilla pods, halved length wise
Juice of 1 Lemon

Into a large pan, put rhubarb, sugar, and vanilla pods.
Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.
Then add in the lemon juice , and increase the heat.
Boil for about 10 minutes- and test for setting point (105º )

Thanks Book will give that a try.😀