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.

It's a beautiful if bit misty and cold day here. Was meeting friend after spinning - just parked up and she texts to say bus hasn't arrived. Hello, it takes 40 mins, so why not text earlier.

Regardless, I'm going to return an Amazon parcel via the post office, then do hosp shift, where I expect to be told off (for trying to organise the Thursday fiasco). In which case, I shall sling mi 'ook!

willow, I do hope you're ready for 'talking' to the boss on your next shift, sort of 'I was really disappointed when you thought I'd ......, because ......' type of thing? (My son's partner is having similar problems, so I'd been trying to coach her to go for the jugular tactfully, not sure yet whether working. Union now involved so I can withdraw!).
squirrel, it will be harder for you this year for all the wrong reasons but you can maybe set new traditions on your terms for next year?

Have a good day, yes, thinking of Juan and Jane and everyone else this peculiar time of year .

Hello you lovely bunch.

I didn't sit down yesterday. It was full on. FIL stayed so was good to see him too...but always extra work having someone round.

I agree that people don't know what to say. There are so many people going through bereavement that say people avoid them, so I guess at least they're trying in a clumsy way...but I have to say I'm surprised by how "well" you seem to be doing selena but of course each person have their own journey. I cannot abide people who are late but don't let you know until they are late! Hope the volunteering works out for the best

book can we see the cake? and yours willow? I've done banana muffins/loaf.

I hope you're not in too much pain willow I wonder if you should look for something else? For the new year maybe? Sorry to hear the house was a sty! Teenagers hey?

I think that you should do what feels right Squirrel though I can see why your mum wouldn't want to think of you being on your own.

Must get on now...

I took a photo of my cake - the holly berries really don't disguise my poor icing attempt, but hey ho - it will get eaten anyway . Its more like snowy mounds with large fingerprints . I do seem to have lost my snowman that belongs in the middle - I think DGS must have run off with it :)

Dternoon.

Love the cake Book simple usually looks more classy. Mine is never flat either but I dont care. Havent started mine yet been wrapping presents (did nothing till late morning) FInally got all the boys ones done (and mine!) got a couple to wrap but will rope ds2 in as its their dad and tkd teachers and relatives and ds2;s pressie for me . Found out that wrapping a body warmer is not fun and used half a roll of selotape keeping the paper in place while folding the next bit in Then had to do it all again in brown paper!

I really think I will be looking for another job in new year. This doesnt seem to be doing me any good at all, my knee is agony never mind the back. Such a shame as it should have been a nice place to work too. Selena I probably wont see them until after new year unless I get called in as they are closed early over the hols and no real need for me to go in for 2 hours once a week and my other shift would be when they are closed. Will find out tomorrow I hope. I have said if they were stuck obviously I would go in but really hoping not to.
Having late lunch and opened a box of truffles I bought, think after all that wrapping I deserve a couple few

I don't know whether I'm glad or sorry that nothing was said!! .

Anyway, apart from path lab run tomorrow, not there till 8th January.

I'm extremely envious of all your cake making and icing skills.

Hi

Lovely cake!

Just about ready for bed but only just tucked DD in after her disco.

Selena I'm sure the decision will be made when the time is right - whether that is to stay or go. Same for you Willow They do say it's easier to find work when you already work!

(I also ate chocolates I bought the other week - instead of giving it to the teachers!)

Oops, and forgot - cake thank you for what you said. I'm not sure where I'm going or how and whether I'm doing 'well' or whatever. I hit inertia quite a lot (looking at the box of stationery sitting in the middle of the lounge for 3 days now to be put somewhere ) then eventually 'just do it'. Well, sometime. When I trip over it for the umpteenth time possibly?

Night everyone.

Finished wrapping with ds2. Just need to get a couple of things tomorrow (including replacing the chocs😶)
Need to do a bit housework before work.
Sitting watching tv with heatpads at my pelvis. Could do with one for my knee and upper back to. Must get more tomorrow for over hols and a knee support (hoping it might help at work)
Need to clear out freezer to.make room for xmas goodies. Help!

Evening all
Willow - hope you can find something jobwise that doesn't put such a strain on your body - and as Cake says, its easier to get a job when you have one . Well done on the wrapping - I will do mine on Saturday. Historically always done on the day DH took the DD's out for the day when little. They still go out together , so I still wrap :)
Thank you about my wonky cake. No skill involved , as can be seen !- it is all ready to roll stuff - I don't like marzipan and icing, but DH does. If I were fussy, I would have turned it upside down for a flat finish, but life is too short .

Selena .- in a way, its a shame nothing was sorted re the helping . It leaves you a bit in a limbo, but maybe thats not such a bad thing after all
Sleep well all
Thoughts and Prayers

Hello lovely ladies, thanks for thinking of me. I haven't read the posts properly as my attention span seems to have gone to hell completely (it was never great unless I'm engrossed in a book!).

I've had a busy weekend Christmas shopping. I'm a real country bumpkin these days so and spending hours in town wears me out! Got most of it done so there's just the food to get at the weekend. We only have the tree up so far as I just can't get into the festive spirit.

Went to DS2's school play which was really enjoyable. DS1 is home from college for a few weeks.

DM is doing fairly well. She's had lots of visitors and my DB will be staying with her for Christmas.

Morning all, too early a start but at least it's half day at school.

Well done to all of those who seem prepared. I still have lots to buy - not just food, but nothing I can't sort out Thurs/Fri/Sat

I find shopping stressful too Jane Glad to hear DM is OK.

Selena I think that sounds like how I'd be if it wasn't for the small people.

Thursday = solstice so the dark will slowly start to improve...really hoping that will help.

Hope you're hanging in there with work Horse and hello to all, check in later when I've prised my eyes open properly.

Morning all.
"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Is my mantra for today
Just got to get to 8pm then i can collapse in a heap😀 think i might try a gp appoint tomorrow although wonder if it will be a case of " just wear and tear on your knee joint nothing we can do about it" scenario? Even ds2 could see the diference in them this am. Didn't sleep well as whenever i rolled over to normal sleeping position my stupid knee yelled at me😀 dont like this getting older malarkey i am falling apart😁😁
Off to get shopping after shower then a bit of housework before work. Still damp here but no frost for a change.

Cake nearly there hope the post solstice helps you feel better. I would be permanently exhausted if i were you with your early mornings, disturbed nights plus working. You are an inspiration to lazy ol me. Can you call me in morning as i am taking all the kids to school tomorrow and need to be up and dressed not just pottering in my dressing gown 😉

Jane glad your mum is doing ok (as possible under circumstances) with lots of support. Hope you are getting some too. I am a country mouse too but i do like a trip to town (edinburgh) now and again as i like the hussle and bussle. Just wouldn't want it every day.

Morning all
Cold and frosty here again.
good to hear from you Jane

Cake soon done. DGS is exhausted too - just really catching up on him now.Hang on in there :)
Willow - poor knees , yes, get to the Drs - you never know what they can do these days , so worth a try.
Easy day today , ground too hard to go to the allotment . A quick trip to the market for eggs and fruit . Committee meeting tonight , but dithering as DD1 is singing in a Carol Concert tonight and would love to go...
Have a good day everyone

Plans gone to pot. Work asked me to go in 2 hours early. Am knee supported, cold gelled on back and heat pad in bag....bring it on😀😀

Did get shopping done first though.

Hope everyone else's day actually goes to plan.

Day has gone well here, so that is a bonus. Hope you survive the shift

Go watch DD book

I second that cake and book and willow and jane - if you all see what I mean.

Path lab run went well. Afterwards fought way into and round Asda for their 5 Heinz soup for £3 offer.

I HAVE EMPTIED THE BOX OF STATIONERY. I never need to buy sellotape again. Nor does the rest of the road. Contact me if you want some

Hope the shift has gone okay Willow and I'd say doctors. When do your boys finish.

Jane good to hear from you.

book hope you enjoy whichever you choose (committee or carols).

cake does a half day mean that's school finished for the year?

Selena your sellotape stash has made me smile!

Another full day at work and going in on Thursday which is hoped to avoid. Should meet all the 31 Dec deadlines but will have so much to get done in January. Luckily it will then ease off a bit.
Left the boys at home with Charlie for the day which seemed to go well, popped to Aldi for some food for tomorrow night as have invited my parents and brother, who is flying back atm (bugger still haven't got him a present and absolutely no idea what to get), over for tea. Now waiting for the boys at joggers having nipped to Tesco to return for jeans I got for ds1 which were the wrong style.

KBO seems to be the theme atm.

Selena I will probably run out on Christmas eve The shops are silly busy!

Squirrel can you go for something fairly generic like a bottle of something alcoholic or smellies or slippers? What are you cooking? Yes they finished today at lunch time and now off until the 5th.

Hope you've survived in one piece Willow, that the boys have tidied the kitchen and I agree with seeing the GP this week if you can get in.

DS went to sleep sharpish Fingers crossed

Just making a cottage pie, cauliflower cheese & sprouts.
Plus have a Christmas pudding (ds1 requested then when I came home with it said he was joking) and a chocolate fudge cake thing (with orange chocolate topping - looks v nice).

I've asked my mum about my brother...

Evening.
I survived not very busy just in fits and starts ( once 1 comes in 6 follow!) Knee still sore and back but bearable. Just when we thought we were done customer comes in 10 minutes to closing! Really should be a last hot food order cut off not right on closing. Won't know until thurs when i am working again although i presume i will gave to go sunday for my wages for today.

Everyone had busy days. I am a stationary fiend too Selena i had a stash of selotape too.😀 also got loads of pens, post its, nice notebooks etc. If i could afford it i would treat myself to posh stationary but no chance. Was looking on the new stationary thread....how much for a pen or notebook???

Squirels can i come to dinner? That sounds great.

Evening all
I went to the carol concert, and am so glad I did. Uplifting , even if my voice couldn't reach the high notes ( Hark the Herald Angels sing being particularly tricky! )
Willow - you coped, glad to hear that !
Cake - yay on DS and sleep - will certainly keep fingers crossed for you :)
Chasing - that sounds delicious We tend to go gadgety/useful , so often things like swiss army penknife /good pen / wallet
Well done Selena -I am not a stationary fiend. We do however have lots of things work related form years ago, which I am gradually re using for other things. We have gallons of staplers/staples/drawing pins/paper clips /rubber bands .....!
Sleep well all
Thoughts and Prayers

Good morning. I got my head down early and we slept till 5:30-ish so not too bad. Hoping I can get him into a bit of a later routine in the next few days as I don't really fancy doing Christmas at 5:30

Squirrel that sounds lovely - apart from the Christmas pudding

Glad you went to the carol service book

Hope you're OK this morning willow

Morning
Cake fingers crossed thats way too early.
Was up a couple of hours in the night again. Amazed i managed to drag myself out of bed this morning but was afraid of falling asleep again!
Will see if i can get gp appoint today. Just realised i should have ordered meds before now too.

Housework today and trying to get through washing mountain. Its such a pain to dry in this weather.
Chocs to wrap for my aunt to take tomorrow.
Tkd tonight. Must remember pressies. Asked Mrs tkd what to get her partner as thank you for picking up my ds (he wont take petrol money) and she said t bags! He doesnt drink or eat chocs much and loves his cuppa so he would be happy with that. Got his fav biccies too. I really hope she wasnt yanking my chain or i will be mortified. She is a bit of a joker😀

Stupid phone!!
Book carol concert sounds lovely much bettet thsn a meeting 😀

Had a little 'pang' yesterday😀
Was at front door and saw the primary school 'crocodile ' going down the street towards the church i presume for the nativity service. Aww no more nativities for me😔