My husband died in my arms on the 2nd May (2009) - what happens now?

Hi all

My niece and I both came down with colds so she didn't come, couldn't sing and I stayed home from work yesterday and today.  That was disappointing as I don't get to hear her lovely voice very often.  But I have invited her family for dinner on Saturday so hope we are all healthy enough to enjoy it.  Now I must clean my house and figure out what to feed them!   I am a bit better today but still have no voice which may be a good thing.  I don't usually get sick but I haven't been taking very good care of myself either since August when this nightmare began.

Lesley I hope you have a better day at work.  Rosemary I live in Cambridge, Ontario which is 60 miles west of Toronto and about an hour drive east from London Ontario.  We are very close to Kitchener which might be better known for Oktoberfest.  Thunder Bay is quite far north.  Dan and I were both from Montreal, we moved here 23 years ago to find work.  So most of the family is still in Montreal, an eight hour drive.  It is a great town but growing very rapidly.   

Helen I hope things are calmer for you and you all got a good rest.  Patricia I feel the same, I do enjoy people around but not all the time.  I find myself wanting to be alone so I can cry.  Last weekend in Montreal with my friend, I very much enjoyed having someone take care of me but needed some time to just be alone and sort out my head. 

hope everyone is doing well today

Afternoon Ladies and Dave xxxx

I feel soooo much better today and Liam and Nat seem back to their old selves xx We all slept well last night so that helps and had a good day at work.

Sorry everyone forgot to fill you in after meeting other night. Yeah it went well, tickets printed, room and buffet booked. Cant believe its only just over 2 months away. A friend is also doing a marathon next month and wants his sponsor money to go to our fundraising too.

Lesely how did the gym go? Judi -  Lesley is quite close to me so maybe my vibes are working lol, I ll get you lot when we meet!!! I really am not that good though, enjoy going but still enjoy my food and a few drinks!!

My busy week continues tonight and I m off to a friend s tonight for a coffee and chat with a few of us.

Manda glad you re home safe but sorry to hear about your sad news.

Hope everyone has had a good day

Helen xxx

Hello All, what a soggy wet day!  The dogs were not impressed but they had a reasonable walk tonight before we put the horse today - we put them back in the car, the heavens then opened and Sam and I were drenched by the time we got back to them.  Thank goodness I'd put jacket spuds in the oven so when we got back it was a quick dry off, feed the mutts and get some chunky chicken heated to go over the spuds and warm up ourselves! 

Manda if you're looking in so sorry to hear the sad news about Nan, what a thing to come home to.  Hugs to you and Hayley and glad you had a nice time away though. xxxx

Bren hope you are feeling better soon, what a pain you both got sick and missed the singing.  You are a long way from your family aren;t you, do you think you might go back up that way or are you happy where you are now?  Canada is such a beautiful country, but so vast!

Ailsa I hope you are having your second evening off properly tonight, still doing bits and pieces but do them sloooowwwwwlly :-)) Can you make yourself curl up with a hot chocolate and a good book?  Usually so much better than tv, never anything good on on a Wednesday.

Judi I do NOT hog all the duvet!  That was the dog, honestly, he's bad like that a whole bed to share and he has to nab the duvet and lie on my legs!! (Hence one sleeps in his kennel, the other sleeps in an armchair in the kitchen and Dave cat sleeps in his corner or just lately on Sam's bed with her)  I shall forgive you for the slander I love you too much to hold it against you (not like the dog he'd hold anything against anyone!!) You are the only Judi on my phone, quite exclusive!

Patricia how are you doing?  Hope you can enjoy all the family taking you over, you will look forward to some time on your own in the end won't you? 

Helen, waving to you madly, I've been moving this little box around so I can re-read your text but not winning here - go easy at the gym, unhealthy places, you need fresh air!  Good luck with the fundraising event, hope you get lots of people.

Dot how are you and Alan?  Lynne how is your Dad doing today?  Any joy on getting the food delivered (although you probably haven't had a chance to do anything further yet, I'm still trying to remember the name of the people we had).  How thick do the drinks have to be for him to be able to swallow them?  That thickener stuff was foul, I made myself try it when Sam said it was awful - I agreed with her. Lesely how are you?  Dave, still looking for that photo of the FA cup - do the Saints have any hope of winning it again this year?  John, hugs to you hope you and your son are coping alright. Sue I loved that photo - where do you find them all?  You always make me smile xxxx

Now I'm sure I have forgotten someone, but I will send love and hugs to you all.  Not on the ledge tonight, far too wet, but if anyone has the need I'm on the outside of the huddle looking after you all - Daniel is feeling better, managing to eat again and the sun is shining... and he isn't texting or phoning so he must be alright!  So I am ok and ready to help look after you all again xxxxxxxx

Hi all

Lol, It is not Helen's vibes, so you can all rest easy! I was already attending but had stop first becasue I couldn't move my car witht the snow and then because of my arm. Now when I say gym..... that's not strictly true  ;-p   there is a lovely pool there, jacuzzi and steam room, that is where I go! The gym is not for me, I find it leaves me wanting a bag of chips and an ice cold beer!

I feel a little better today but just a little.

Manda, so sorry to hear your sad news, had your nan been ill before you went away?

Rosemary your dinner sounds lovely, I am starving and my baked potato is showing no signs whatsoever of becoming soft! If Catface gets much further up my chest I may just be tempted to eat him!

Bren, sorry you are feeling unwell again, it is probably like you said you need to take more care of yourself, pampering is in order!

I can't remember what else I wanted to say..... lack of food...!

I am off to have another prod at the potato.

Hugs Lesley x

Manda, so sorry to hear about your nan x x (((((hugs)))))

Don't have time to comment on all the posts as I am about to head off to work (yuk). Big hugs and lots of suppport to you all. Don't forget to huddle close ans keep each other safe.

Love and angel hugs x x x Patricia x x x

p.s. can't wait for morning so I can get home to my cosy bed.

Lesley, wack the spud in the microwave for a few minutes and then put it in the oven to crisp the skin.  If desperate just microwave and eat from there.  DON'T EAT THE CAT!  They are far too chewy!!

Patricia, hope work goes ok tonight, take care the huddle will be with you waddling around and keeping you safe all night xxxxx

lesley -

sue xx

Sue, don't worry potato finally decided to cook, so Catface is safe for the time being!  xx

and Rosemary!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post to say that we are home safe following a lovely holiday and to thank everyone for all your condolenses. Nan hadn't been ill, but she would have been 93 next week so it wasn't totally unexpected. She has been in a residential home for a year or so now, and they found her in bed this morning. She has been saying for a long time that she was ready to go and be with my grandad, but my youngest Aunt, Joanna, has Down's syndrome, so I think that wanting to be here for her gave her the strength to hang on as long as she has. Just wish I had had the chance to say goodbye and that she hadn't been on her own...

Anyway, I'll fill you in about our trip later, will go and catch up with everyone's news first!

Manda xx