DH has died and Squirrels broke the last thread without a link to this one! (Juan)

[Chasingsquirrels]

Oh dear - I just posted the 1000 thread. Hope we all find this one.

Selena hugs back.
I just miss him, not particular things as such, just the essence of John.
And if I think about that I just ache for him and tears just leak from my eyes.
So, mostly, I don't think about it I just carry on.

Morning All!

I'd fallen asleep in bed, woke up at 2am and couldn't get back off.

Right, time to get out for some fresh air I think Hope everyone has a good day, I will check in later! X

Been doing my weekly twice yearly clean out of kitchen cupboards.
Threw out old meds, old jars and packets and sorted out all the baking stuff. I can actually see whats in the cupboards now!

Need to do floor next but having some soup and a sit down first.

All busy as usual, hope you feel better after your walk Horse dont overdo it though.

Want to get some baking done as need to use up some porrige oats and DS2 wants to bake tonight.

Kids got short sharp shock this morning. Discovered the school photo order still in ds2's bag so had to redo the cheque for late payment fee! He had forgotten and then thought he was too late and didnt want to fess up.

Then he hadnt put his washing away and it was difficult to see what was washing and what wasnt on his bed! DS1 'forgot' to give me his phone last night. Not happy so they were up with the larks this morning, told to get their breakfast and do their own packed lunches as I was on strike. And also told they will be in a closer relationship with the washing machine from now on. Not doing all their washing and sorting clothes for them to leave them lying around the room any more. Mum on a mission!

Taking it all out on the cupboards was very theraputic

This morning started off well, went down the pan on the school run, but I've pulled it back by crying, cleaning and doing the cupcakes. I agree that cake is stressful, but that's tomorrow's worry

willow I hope your cleaning has been "cleansing" like mine.

The sun is out, hope it is for your walk horse and book I had thought about offering cakes for the Christmas fair, but decided me volunteering to help at the disco is paying my dues!

Hope you feel better squirrel don't overdo it with all the work and chores, though I guess it is all down to you

Aww Cake I had a mini greet too! I caught my finger tip between the roasting pan and the drawer when putting it away and it hurt like hell and before I knew it I was crying! Must have needed it too.

Hope you feel better now.

I have been searching for t shirts/hoodies for ds2 with something from The Hobbit on them...am really annoyed. Type in kids clothing and you get men and womens as well as kids and what the hell are 'youth' sizes? No actuall measurements on them. I give up!

Much happier now, just starving. Just not enough time for food today going to go make myself a bacon butty now.

Hope your finger is ok.

Probably going to crash early, so see you all in the morning (hopefully not too early)

Hi Everyone, good to catch up, see new and old 'faces' and from Juan. Big thanks to cake for checking I'm OK.

I think the tail end of the kitchen works/rewiring/decorating got to me, and I just wanted to sit and read rather than interact, so sorry, it's not been that I've not been interested.

Anyway, the work is finished, just placing stuff. I'm trying the attitude if I haven't needed for 10 weeks, do I need it at all, but not always achievable. And why do workmen leave bits - do I need the black plastic things, screws etc, and if not why don't they whizz them themselves? I'm not sure how I attach a photo of the finished masterpiece on here, but hopefully one of you experts can advise if anyone's interested.

I miss DH so much , not just for the company but for the practicalities. Of course I can fill the car with petrol but I'm not much good at washing it. And as for DIY - my brain knows exactly what to do, my fingers don't. Even lining shelves and drawers has proved a hilarious tussle with Lakeland (though I've now discovered Wilko do very similar £2 a roll cheaper ) shiny sticky back plastic, but they look fairly good so it was worth it!

I've invested in a 15 tog down duvet. It helps on these cold nights. A bit.

On an upbeat note, I've booked 3 holidays for next year.

Enjoy the rest of your evening and keep warm. I'm off for hot chocolate - I do love this boiling water tap!

Evening all
good to hear from you Selena - and nice to know the kitchen is all done and working. A hand hold and shoulder here for you . Where are you going on your holidays - I love hearing peoples plans :)
Willow - you are doing them a favour getting them to know how to use a washing machine , and taking responsibility too . Poor finger

Cake - hope you are okay - not easy when you are as busy as you are
Chasing - hope all is well
A bit of drama here. Got a phone call from DD1 . Seems she tripped on the stairs last night , a painful foot , so after dropping DGS off at school, and going to work , they sent her to minor injuries . Looks like she has possibly fractured her foot . So we rushed in, picked her up , took her and her car home , then went and picked up DGS . She has an appointment at the emergency fracture clinic tomorrow , she may have to be non weight bearing for a while. Not sure if that means she can drive even . Lots of logistics to work out around DGS dropped off and picked up from school .
So a bit pole axed tonight
Sleep well all
Thoughts and Prayers

Hi all.
Selena nice to see you, glad the kitchen is all fine and working. LIke the sound of the tap I remember putting saftey film on my glass (small bobbly panes) doors. I was demented with it before I finished. Sticky stuff and me dont mix, even selotape is out to get me!

Book sorry to hear about your DD I broke a bone in my foot just going over a paving slab! Was told it was broken but they never found the broken piece! Didnt inspire me with confidence! Was very painful and I dont think she will be able to drive on it for a short time. Hope you can manage all the logistics without too much trouble.

Well made flapjacks with glace cherries in them (soo sticky and sweet but soo good) and some fudge with marshmallow fluff in it! Also excedingly good. Was a new recipie and thought it had all gone to pot but it came back again.

Just when I was impressed with having to literally tighten my belt, work is obviously doing something good, I will be undoing it all...

to you book and to your DD1 too.

2 holidays to Germany, 1 to Center Parcs for a long weekend.

Oh book, poor dd1 - fingers crossed it isn't too bad and she can be up and about on it soon.

Selena, lovely to hear from you. I'd also love to hear where you have booked for next year and see pictures of the kitchen if you have the energy to tell us (I totally understand the wanting to read but not joining in).
I have the big duvet and then a single duvet sideways across the middle and that seems to keep me warm.

Another busy work week finished, Thursday's just about do me in, wotk as normal, home anytime between 3.30-5pm, then leave the house at 5.30pm taking the boys to joggers, wait there as no lift share on Thursday's, drop ds2 home at 7pm then onto archery with ds1 and sit in the hall for 2 hours getting home around 9.15pm.
Ds2 is having to make his own tea and I'm not massively happy about leaving him in the evening, at least in another couple of weeks he will have Charlie at home with him.

cake & willow hope you both have better days tomorrow & horsemad hope you don't wake up in the night.

Off to sleep ...

X-Posted.

Holidays sound good Selena - having things to look forward to.

Yum willow we had flapjack and fudge making last night!

Morning all. DS slept till 6:15 but I was awake early feeling anxious - not sure why. I'm still doing regular Epsom salt foot soaks and taking Vit D but it's not going to be a magic cure all is it?

So glad to see you Selena but don't apologise. Sorry you're finding it all tough. Glad the kitchen is finished now.

Oh no book that's a busy and worrying day. I'd imagine you're looking at 6 weeks. My friend missed her bottom step on the stairs and broke hers - was off for about 10 weeks (luckily she could work remotely).

That sounds like a very long day indeed squirrels

Catch you all later x

Morning all
Thank you for all the kind wishes for DD - we have our fingers crossed, but not knowing is the hardest bit. Then we can plan.
Very frosty here this morning , so off to wrap up and be off to the allotment, its better to be doing something productive rather than running things over and over in your head.
Thursday do look like a bit of a nightmare for planning and doing Chasing - it is hard to leave one at home , but it's not as if you really have a choice.
Cake - how awful for you . Anxiety is one of those horrible things that can take over . I hope you can let your mind have a rest. Is it something particular, or just general?
Selena - lovely - you did enjoy going to Germany this year, so good choice. Same destination?
Willow - I love flapjacks , but not glace cherries !
Right off now
Have a good day all - Horse - hope you had better sleep last night

Well, back to normal sleepwise, thank goodness! Woke up feeling very refreshed and DH had put the heating on before he left for work, so the house was toasty

Hope your DD gets on ok book; will keep my fingers crossed for her. X

Cake, years ago when I was very stressed/anxious my HV recommended Magnesium OK tablets (available OTC in all good chemists ). They worked wonders for me, so much so that DH used to buy them for me!! Maybe worth a try?

I used to have the same problems when my two did clubs chasing. As you say, DS2 will have Charlie to occupy him soon

Glad your kitchen is done Selena and the hols sound fab too. I want to book some for next year but we are having a new bathroom, so probably that will take precedence.

Willow, hope your finger isn't too sore, the flapjacks sound tasty, night make some here this weekend.

I am going back to work on Monday I think. Was in a lot of pain yesterday but had overdone things the day before, so will be resting up a bit this weekend. I just need to pace myself.

It's a beautiful day here, very frosty but sunny and it makes me want to DO stuff! Need to take it easy though...

probably cake stress! I'm on a breather now before tackling the next stage.

Morning again .
Good to hear you are getting back to normal Horse
and you are having a breather Cake
Utterly glorious at the allotment this morning, feel so much better for a bit of strenuous diigging and fresh, cold air.
Had a quick text from DD - its a lisfrancs sprain, so not as bad as feared in the circumstances, though not great by any means. She has been signed off for 2 weeks. So just waiting to hear what needs sorting re DGS
Having a quick sit down and coffee before getting on with things :)

Finger is tender but fine thanks.

Housework this morning was very frosty last night and cold this am but now i am warmed up😀 hoovered all areas, dishes and the never ending washing cycle. Got bathroom floor to do and am done.
Sat down for a coffee and flapjack.

Working cm this afternoon.

Need to ohone aunt and see if she is up for visitirs tomorrow. Ds2 dying to visit her (ds1 will stay home as usual no doubt) oh well at least he gets to play online with friends without me telling yelling at him him to keep noise down😀 Nothing for him to do at aunts he isnt into board games these days (we always take some and ds2 and i have a lovely time) or chatting with anyone for hours. I do make him come once in a while and he makes an effort to be sociable 😉

Glad you are feeling better Horse take it easy though make sure work knows you arent going mad with work on Monday.
I have vitamins and started cod liver oil with magnesium. Not sure they are doing any good yet still get stressed.

Cake next year make a simple cake and buy a cake topper! All that stress isnt good for you.

First time ds2 wanted to stay home alone when i went for ds1 at school i was freaking out but it got easier. Another big step😭

Have a good day ladies.

Great news book

It's done!

Cake that is fabulous. No wonder you were stressed. Amazing kids will love it.

Oh wow, that is A-MA-ZING! How lovely

That is beautiful Cake - how clever !

photos.app.goo.gl/jmOjO4KqC8NglSHu2

Hope this works, doesn't seem to want to tell me how to actually link in the photo - what did you do cake? That looks superb - worth the stress?

book - bit of a relief re DD1 that not complete fracture? Sounds like hassle for you all though.

Magnesium is good for stress, as is Magnolia Rhodiola (has to be that type of Rhodiola). Also (therapist head on now) breathing slowly and saying out loud at least 3 times, ''Even though I am so stressed, I am calm, confident, in control and being the best I can be''.

Tap the little finger side of your hand (doesn't matter which} whilst saying it. This is a very very shortened version of EFT, so a recognised, accepted therapy. Maybe worth a try as it's easy - and free?

Changing heads, I've had a good day with friend at Ikea and huge MandS. Very glad not going south now on M6 as traffic at total standstill for miles around Warrington.

Lovely kitchen Selena, very smart.

Lovely kitchen Selena - the red splashback is stunning! - erm - have you left your name on there though?

Thank you horse, it's been a 10 week saga but now feels so worth it.

Well it will totally when I get all the bags emptied and stuff put / chucked away!