Dh has died and the MN lifesavers are helping us to keep our heads above water

[JuanPotatoTwo]

New thread :). Thought I'd start this one like I ended the last one - Bertie crashed out after a busy day's mischief making.

Evening ladies.

Glad you are feeling better Squirrels enjoy your night out.

Cake hope it goes well with teacher, they really need it spelled out sometimes.

Had a busy day doing a lot but dont seem to have got far But kitchen is smelling of elderflowers, have 2 large bowls steeping to make cordial with. Will have it all to strain tomorrow, what a faff but worth it, kids all love it. Went out tonight with ds2 to a new 'source' we found near the recycling centre. Noticed there are sloes and brambles there too...hmmm

Finally got my sewing done its only been weeks months sitting around the house!

Packed some stuff for hols, but realised I cant remember the combination for the suitcases locks, only for one so will have to buy more, silly old besom! Cant find ds1's soap bag either, where the heck do things go? It was in the drawer but now its not. We have a poltergeist I am sure. Cant believe its so close, need to get finger out and get packing! I am always packed too soon, it stresses me out otherwise, stupid I know as I will check and recheck anyway. Will have checked all my documents 10 times before we go

Despite some dodgy clouds its been lovely day here, fingers crossed it lasts until Thursday afternoon. Its the school sports day, our last! Will be wierd but tbh it does seem to take forever. Thankfully its in the morning this year so have the rest of the day to potter in.

Anyone got any ideas for a gift for the guy who does football with the kids at school once a week in his spare time? He has done it for years and we thought a token gift as ds2 finishes would be nice. But what to get?

Was in town today but need to go back and get all the things I forgot/still need! (Including some choccies for the staff room!) Its never ending

Juan hope you are ok today.

Evening
A sit down and a quiet bit of crotchet has been my evening - early to bed too as have DGS tomorrow .
Cake - that sounds good to me , quick enough to scan, and to the point.
Willow - thats sounds like a really packed day. I too love elderflower cordial, but I've not made it before - may have to have a go! Could the wash bag be in the suitcase , or put with clothes you are going to pack?
It is always hard to think of presents for people you don't know ( and those you do!) - as a football coach, wrong time of year I guess, but thermal gloves for winter /mug ermm, ermm -sorry, rubbish ideas!
Sleep well all
Thoughts and Prayers x

Morning!

DS slept till 2:30 and then again till 6 so something to be grateful for.

Willow that is a pain. Bet you remember/find things once replacements are bought. With regards the gift, I like the idea of a thermal mug or gloves. Maybe you can put a £10 Costa voucher in there too?

Have a good day with DGS book just me and one little one today and meeting a friend at a NT house for a walk and play.

Hello all, thank you for thinking me on Sundays and Mondays - 15 weeks now. Can hardly believe it, miss him so much :(.

You're all so busy, you put me to shame. I guess I was a lot busier and a lot more organised when the dc were small but I was just thinking yesterday how lazy I've becone. I don't seem to have the drive any of you lot have any more.

Drama hope you get toothache sorted, it's a bigger. My friend's (23yr old) ds has been suffering with it since Saturday. He saw dentist yesterday and has a week of anti biotics and painkillers to contend with, followed by root canal work on Friday! Feel for him and you. .book how I wish you were close enough to direct my gardening activities - I just don't know where to start.. I can cut the grass and weed a bit. And now prune roses but that's it. We've got two well established climbing rose trees - both have blown down in the winds we've had the last couple of weeks and I don't know what to do with them or even if they're still alive. Willow your elderflower cordial sounds lovely - not sure I'd recognise an elderflower if you planted it right in front of me! Cake I really hope gp is helpful, and that teacher actually takes in what you've taken the time to write. Is ex good at getting points across?

Squirrels the person you need to ask about Turkey is magi. She's been going for years, is there now although due back soon I believe. I booked for the five of us to go to Madeira yesterday - never been but looks nice. Can't really afford it but think it's important for us to spend time together talking and remembering Mark.

Dd and boyfriend went away for weekend to talk. She says they had nice weekend but still feels confused and that he's keeping her at a distance. He's insisting he still loves her and that they should move in together as planned at beginning of August. I feel he's being very unfair to her. Ds2 has A levels this week and next - I'm playing chauffeur as, with impeccable timing, his car insurance has expired and neither he nor I can afford to replace it at the minute.

Well, dentist couldn't find anything wrong where the discomfort is . She thinks it could be because I grind my teeth and the mouthguard I wear at night is very worn. So I'm getting a new mouthguard and taking painkillers and hopefully it'll settle down. I have a small filling on the other side that needs to be fixed, but otherwise my teeth are good. Phew! And very clean and nice-feeling because she gave me a scale & polish while I was there

Juan Madeira is apparently lovely, an old work friend of mine lives there and he loves it. The pictures he puts up on FB are stunning. It'll be good for the five of you to spend some time together.

Good luck to DS2 for his A levels . That's very difficult for your DD to have to deal with, it does sound as if he's not sure what he wants and that is very unfair on your poor DD.

Willow your endeavours with the elderflowers reminds me of my grandmother. She'd take us out for country walks as children and we'd have to collect anything edible from the hedgerows and help her make delicious concoctions from them. It was great fun.

I was glad when we reached the end of school sports days. The older two could run a bit, so did quite well, but poor DS3 has two left feet and he always used to insist that his ambition in races was not to come last .

Glad that you survived the dentist Dtama - do you think she's right about the source of the problem? I haven't had a descale for a year now (dentist gave me a gold star for my tooth cleaning in December ) so I must be due one. But the hygienist at our surgery is, um, in the wrong job is perhaps the politest way to put it. Good to have your vote of confidence for Madeira - thank you.

Look what landed on me in the garden earlier! I honest to god nearly died! Mark would have loved one to land on him. I just startled hyperventilating and ran for cover asap!

Oh I've just thought perhaps I shouldn't have posted that. Sorry if it gives anyone palpitations like it did me

Evening all
pretty weary here tonight - DGS was very good, but tired after a busy day yesterday , so I was very much in demand - he normally gets a bit of Grandad time to give me a bit of respite , but not today
No worries though - a soak in the bath with a book will sort that tonight.
Cake - that is sounding encouraging - sounds like some proper sleep getting banked ( for you and DS!)
Drama good news on the teeth, do we need sunglasses for the smile DH had a mouthguard made to sort out a problem with his jaw - he could barely keep it in , and certainly couldn't sleep with it in!
Juan - DH and I have been to Madeira -( a few years ago) and loved it. Its a very grown- up sort of place IYSWIM - Some lovely walks, and the area around the port had some nice restaurants (, but tucked away - you have to look for them )
It is so hard to know how you can help your poor DD, but to be there, and listen is probably the best thing to do - she has to work through for herself what she wants to happen, but it is so hard to do.
Roses - you say they are climbing rose trees - do you mean they are climbing up a fence/trellis/tree ? Or are they on a trunk? If the first, and the roots are pulled out of the soil, I would cut back as much of the heavy growth at the top as possible,- leave some shoots near the bottom ,( cut them back as if you were pruning ) and try to replant the roots back into the hole, give the roots a good solid thump back in, so they are recovered with soil ( leave the graft above the soil - they hopefully is an obvious level where it was planted.) They are tough things - water well, and they should be okay , and will grow back, though you may find it either doesn't flower this year, or just a few a lot later than normal.
That bath is calling ....!
Thoughts and Prayers x

x post - stag beetle? - how wonderful!

Ah we had one 2 summers ago. I'm sure everyone will survive.

Madeira sounds good - guess where ever you can stop and rest and spend some time would be good.

Poor DD

Hope the mouth feels better soon Drama

We have sports day next week (over 2 days???) for DD and week after for DS. Neither of mine are athletic either...

DS diagnosed with hayfever and given a different syrup to try fingers crossed

Parents eve went well and all was civil till we got outside... suffice to say he said something, I took the rise and stomped off. sigh now on sofa with sore feet, fat coke and chocolate (and you lot)

Evening Ladies.

Well I have no idea what happened but the elderflower cordial was a disaster! I have been making it for years but it was vile! Was going to go some more this afternoon but the sky darkened and the blackest clouds rolled over so we didnt go. Needless to say it didnt flipping rain but didnt have time to go later. Will go tomorrow.

Drama we pick brambles and wild rasps (although there are very few rasps) also been known to pick rose hips to make jelly and sloes to make sloe gin. Only trouble is I love the tast but it bites back and I am ill next day This year I am going to try and make sloe cheese.

Juan ds2 would love that he loves finding bugs etc in the garden Good luck on the A levels. Hope DD takes a long hard think before she decides anything, her bf is asking a lot to move in together if they are not 100% sure they are together or not. Well done on booking the holiday you all deserve it. That reminds me have to change the money on my prepaid card and get some cash!

Got end of school pressies for the staff room today (mix of fancy teas, the herbal reviving type and some Jasmine and good coffee and biscuits, do you think thats ok?) its a small school and everyone in the school gets a share of the goodies handed in. I ordered pressie for ds2's teacher, have decided on a personalised mug for the footie coach and teacher will prob put something in them too. Both will have their names on the back, coach is KC& Play Football. Do you think they are ok?

WIll go through DS1's old books and hopefully take some up to school as they are always looking for new books for the library. They are all in good condition so hopefully usefull.

Drama hope the mouth guard works, nothing worse than toothache!

Must have cross posted book Hope you have your feet up and a quieter day tomorrow?

Willow I'm sure the presents will be lovely. I'm not that fussed with stuff to be honest, yes I appreciate their effort but at the end of the day it's their job and they get paid

Saying that I prefer to do a hamper for the staff room like tea/coffee/biscuits/juice etc and tend to drop it during the last full week so it can boost them and keep them going to the end. Also means that the TAs don't get completely overlooked...

Shame about the cordial!

book thank you so much for advice. I don't know if you'd call them trees or plants. I'll try and post a pic tomorrow. I tried to sort one of them today but the fence they were attached to is too rickety to support their weight. Unfortunately, it's the fence our neighbours are responsible for. They are lovely but I know their financial situation is precarious and sorting their fence is not high on their list of priorities. Hope you feel refreshed tomorrow after your bath and hopefully peaceful night.

Willow what a shame about your elderflower cordial. I wonder what went wrong. I've never heard of sloe cheese, can't imagine what it tastes like but I do like sloe gin! Personalised mugs sound thoughtful and also useful. Tell your ds he is more than welcome to my stag beetle!

Cake glad you got a diagnosis - that's what you thought it might be wasn't it? Hope his sleep, and therefore yours, improves now.

Thank you all for advice re dd - I really think she should cut her losses now. It's such a shame - I loved her boyfriend so much but he's not who I thought he was. I don't know whether to be sad Mark died thinking she was sorted (although he did question if bf was strong enough a character for dd) or glad that he thought that :( Wish I could handle all the pain for her.

book I can't sleep without the mouthguard now, I'm so used to it after thirty years of wearing one! Thank you all for your good wishes about my toothache, you are very kind.

Hayfever is a nightmare Cake, DS1 used to really suffer but he seems to be much better now he's older. Hope the new syrup works and helps his sleep too

Willow I love the mugs, they're great, and I like your staff room present ideas too. I have to admit in the last year or so of my lot being in primary school I just used to deliver a few bottles of wine to the school at the end of the school year, to be shared out. I reckoned the teachers had earned it.

A stag beetle?!! I'd have screamed the place down if that had landed on me. Not as bad as a toad, though, did any of you see that thread about a toad in the sofa? Urrrggh! I don't do toads, or frogs. One year DS1 & I were cleaning out a shallow pond in the garden, he put in his hand to remove some leaves & when he pulled it out there was an enormous frog sitting on his palm . I don't know which of us yelled loudest, poor froggy must've been terrified, but he hopped away safely. In my defence, I am fine with mice and spiders

Juan from what you say it does sound like DD should cut her losses. But she'll have to decide that for herself of course. I suppose it's better she finds out now rather than further down the line, but it will still hurt terribly. It's so hard watching your DC go through something like this & you can't do anything to help them other than listen & advise. DS1 confided something to me recently, which is very unusual for him but he needed a listening ear & a bit of advice. He told me today he'd taken what I said on board so I'm glad I was able to help. It's good to know I still have my uses!

Evening
all well here - nothing like a long soak in the bath with a book. And found an ancient Miss Marple on the TV to watch while I was crotcheting - with the wonderful Joan Hicks ( the definitive Miss Marple :) )
Sports days - the last one I went to for DD2 they had a new regime - it wasn't about winning, but taking part - so the adults had to waff enormous sheets in the air to let the children run around underneath -for one of the 'sports' .....
Willow - they all sound like really good ideas. DD1 is an English teacher, and by all accounts the English department exist on tea and biscuits - they rarely get time to eat as their spare time is taken up with trying to help the children pass exams ....
Quiet all week now . I have a dentist check up tomorrow ,( hope I'm okay too!) , and a nice trip to see a friend on Friday afternoon with tea and cake :). Other than that, its just housework and gardening really...
Juan - its just about the hardest thing having your children hurt. I don't know a mother who wouldn't shoulder the pain if they could. Just be there for her, and love her. It will be hard .
Well bed calls ...
Sleep tight all
Thoughts and Prayers xx

x post with you there Drama -
I have a frog that lives in the garden bird bath/greenhouse. I don't know who is more upset when I disturb him :)
i

book I do love Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, she was perfect in the role. I have recorded some episodes of Poirot, the David Suchet ones, and am enjoying them too. Good luck with the dentist tomorrow!

Just a quick hi from me as I'm on the middle of a very hectic week with work.

Book I cannot thank you enough for the chillow pillow recommendation - I have one on order and it looks ace.

Cake no I haven't seen unborn around, now you mention it. I hope v much she alright and will PM her when I next get a chance.

Hope you're doing okay, juan and Chasing et al.

Cake I am planning to take it round to school tomorrow so they can get stuck in in the last week and half thats left to keep them going Hope the new hayfever meds work.

Book think I might get a chillow pillow for my 2 lads as they are always boiling in bed! Ours still have proper sports day. They have team games then races. (takes forever!)

Juan sloe cheese is like lemon curd/cheese. Of course cant promise mine will turn out edible things have got a habbit of going wrong in this house!

Have a good night everyone.

Oh I saw Unborn on a thread this week and she mentioned she was currently pregnant, so hopefully everything is okay (I can't remember which thread though).

Hello all

Yes, I believe Somer and Unborn are due at the same time.

Well, the meds worked well but we all had a disturbed night, me because I was so wound up by ex, DS because he's not been for a poo for 4 days and DH was clearly feeling unwell as he got up at some point and all the pillows had been chucked off the sofa this morning....

With regards to parents eve, the teacher took on board what I said, the other child is going to be put through some friendship "training" stuff and her guardian has been informed. and DD is very diligent and works very hard

The sun is out, so school run, feeding ducks and music group. Then home to clean, make lasagne and receive and pack away food order.

Sending hugs to all

Morning all
I hope the pillow works Somer -( I only know about them due to my son in law , who has one ) .
Willow - that sounds like a proper sports day :)
Cake - poor DS ( and you!) thats not nice - is it a regular occurrence, or a one off ( and if a one off, could it be the piriton that bunged him up?). Orange juice to the ready I guess - good luck...Good news on the parents evening - fingers crossed that has sorted it out.
Drama - I really prefer all the old fashioned crime programmes . We record the Father Brown ones ( they are on during the day on BBC1 if you get that) lovely with a bit of humour and just 45 minutes.
Nice easy day here - a potter around the garden to make sure all is well, trip to the allotment to weed and plant. DD2 popping in at dinnertime ( she needs to borrow my Yorkshire pudding tins! ) will be nice to see her for a little chat without others around. Dentist this afternoon.
need to decide what to make for tea , clean bathroom and thats about it today
Have a good day all
Thoughts and Prayers x

I've had an odd day, or the end of it really.

It's the report writing season and a new fecking stupid system. Bills flying in, all of which I can pay but still.

I was in the dental hygienist's chair for the scrape of the teeth. They do this thing now where they check neck, jaw, tongue, etc. Looking for cancer I expect. She commented kindly on my very rigid jaw muscles, asking was there anything going on in my life to account for it.
I said: " I'll say there is" , or words to that effect. I said DH had died nearly a year ago and suddenly. I also said, and this is accurate: "My life is horrible."

I've never said this before and it seems to have set me off. I haven't wept for months. No-one asks me about how I feel any more (and I'm not requiring it) I'm so so sad. I'm crying now.

BTW, she dealt with it well; can't be easy having to gouge out someone's teeth, and then their bank account when they're weeping.

Morning ladies

I have aged 10 years this morning! Been ordering some currency and a new pre-paid card for Euros and the transfer for the card was declined! THe bank were supposed to send me a code to my phone to confirm it was me and it wouldnt tried about 4 times. Phoned fraud squad and they said they would unblock the transaction and it would be fine. Tried again it wasnt! Ended up rephoning and the guy HADNT clicked the unblock button!! What the hell is wrong with these people??? So the guy did it and said wait 2 minutes and it will be fine. So waited and waited then mustered up the courage and it worked!
I was stressed enough realising that I have left it late to get the currency but it will get here in time but I could do without the added stress of useless banks. Rant over

Cake hope all your 'poorlies' are better soon. Glad the teacher finaly got the point and hope things improve soon. Just be aware that some schools decide that the person being bullied should be the one to teach the 'bully' how to be nice. Its not on, its not their job its the teachers. School tried that with ds2 sat the bully next to him! That went down like a lead balloon, ds2 couldnt do work for the bully messing about. Not happy!

I had loads of plans for today but I dont know where to start now! Am not even showered or dressed, I have been on that phone and pc for an hour and half doing 2 flipping things!

Have a good day all.