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

Well firstly I must say who is a clever girl then Fiona!!!

Hi everyone, have been keeping up with all and reading all your posts.  Lynne and Fiona, sending your dads hugs. ((((  )))))

Ailsa hun, dust and mess can be VERY upsetting, and I think that you have thought so very carefully about how to go about this project, how it should be carried out, when it can be done etc - that I am not at all surprised that now it is almost done you are just wanting it complete.  And yes, of course Chris will be smiling at all that you have achieved.  We will wait until the dust has been hovered up before we demand photos!

I had a text from Rosemary this morning. and I promised I would let her know what was happening re 'housey stuff'.  Well it is finally sorted, after some long drawn out, peculiar arrangments (well at least my solicitor thought it was all bit odd) we have signed the paperwork that says my flat is sold!!  It took 19 days to get to the stage we could sign the missives (this may all be gobboldy gook to anyone not in Scotland) whereas it took me precisely 11 minutes to do the same when I BOUGHT MY NEW HOUSE!  

Yes you heard right.  I have bought a 'wee' house with a garden.  Quite bizarre really, because it is the last type of house I thought I would even look at and every room needs re doing in one way or another ....... and yet when I walked in the door I just sighed and said "Yes, this is it".  So although I have no idea why - I am sure it is the right move.    Boxes here we come. 

As I have sneaked on at the end of a VERY busy dy at work, I shall sign off and be back later - I just wanted to say hello to all.

Much love - Judi xx

Congratulations Judes -  If your new house 'spoke' to you in that way then I am sure you will be very happy there.  How long before you can move in?  Pardon me if I don't volunteer on the box-packing front.....I've had enough to last a life time!!!!!!  Though I'm very good at putting the kettle on and remembering what everyone likes to drink..............the workmen will testify to that!!!!!

Love and (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) to you and everyone here

Dot xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Well done my Judi , i cant believe that everything has happenend so fast (well seems it to me) for you , i'm so pleased that you've got your "little " house , just need to know when the house warming is lol .. Dottee , the only exersizes you'll see me doing whilst i'm jogging is me picking my phone up when i've dropped it lol .. I,ve been tonight and i did do it in less time but i'll admit i cut a few corners as i didn't have much time , but hopefully tommorow i'll do the full circuit . . Fiona , well done on posting from your i phone , ther'll be no stopping you now . My dad still seems a lot better than he was last week , i just wish you'd met him when he was ok and not how he was the other sat , oh well you'll just have to come again . Ailsa , the dust and rubble get me down too , i hate the upset but i just keep thinking thet the finished result will be worth it and it will for you too hun . Whats everybody else up too this weekend ?

Take care my friends

xxx Lynne xx

Hi Everyone, congratulations Judi on selling your flat and buying a new house well done. Well I think I have this worked out to reply on my iPhone it means I can do it at my dads when seeing him to bed. Weather has been really bad here today again, had Charlie while Kim went in to school. Hope everybody ok and I said hugs to all you lovely penguins. Fiona x x

Hugs for you and your dads Fiona and Lynne, I have spent time with mine today and appreciate how very lucky I am, he is 94 and yes he has had a stroke but for all that he is doing amazingly well bless him - and even beat me at Scrabble again!

Well done our Judi, it sounds like you have found not only your very own little house but a bit of a project to keep you out of mischief for a few months to come. Dottee, mines coffee, one sugar and milk in first before the hot water please - oh and a dollop of Baileys is always welcome after 8 pm, thank you my love.

Ailsa blooming great big hugs, I know that you know and that we all know that our men are with us through this, but I also know that we all know that what we actually want is our men (and women Dave and co) WITH US, but that we can't have what we want so just for you this morning I said a few choice utterances against the whole unfairness of it.  It might not help but I felt it acknowledged the situation somewhat.  (Sorry totally rambling here as I thought I may as well finish up the Baileys over ice and it was... well a tad more than I thought, it did fit in the glass though).  We will always have our loved ones with us in our hearts and watching over us but b****y h**l it was better when they were here, real and fleshy and available for a hug.  Well done on all you've done so far, Chris would be proud of you, we all are proud of you and I am gong to stop rambling now and close down cos the thuner is getting closer and I've got to get up in the morning to sort Beckham out and move him to the new yard - which also means saying goodbye to the yard we have been at for the last 26 years on and off and properly for the last 11 since Sam had her first pony there.  Oh I'm useless at goodbyes and changes, bum bum bum.  Love you all, take care, sleep well and good night (if you find me on the ledge tonight just drag me out of the rain and help yourselves to tea/coffee/whats left of the caramel Baileys/open another bottle. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh and Fiona, well done on the iphone stuff, I can't even work out how to do text mesages on the darned things, or was that the Blackberry? Anyway I think you are marvellous. xxxxxxxx

You all are xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rosemary - just how big was that glass 'the last of the Baileys'  fitted into???  And as for coffee with milk in first - well that's how I always make it - though to be honest I do prefer mine made with hot milk (only if there's lots of milk in the fridge).......Hope the thunder didn't get too close and that you didn't get soaked on your ledge last night??  Oh and have you tried Bailey's over chocolate ice cream??  De-lish-us................

I have now forgotten all else I was going to say here (retired brain cells) so I will leave lots of comforting (((((((hugs)))))))) for you all

Dot xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi everyone.  Thank you all for the encouragement xxx.  I have done some more rubble clearing and managed to get some things back in the garage.  I have lots of painting to do this weekend as I need to get ready for the plumber in a couple of weeks.  I feel a lot better about this now.  You all reminded me that Chris would be proud & thrilled that I have started it and I actually feel like I might succeed and finish it.  I still seem to be having to chase the joiner who is making the round window frame but I feel more confident that I will get that sorted very soon as well.

Congratulations Judi on selling the flat and buying the house.  It is lovely that you knew straight away that the house was the right one for you and the dogs.  Good luck with the work.  You will feel very pleased with yourself when it is all finished.  Sounds like you are busy at work as well.

Fiona well done getting the hang of the iphone.  Being able to get on the internet from my phone has saved my sanity sometimes.  Is it next weekend that you go to see Rod Stewart?

Dot I love the sound of baileys over ice cream.  My neighbour has given me a watermelon laced with vodka for this weekend!!  I have no idea what it will taste like but the kids are coming round later so I will get one of them to be the guinea pig and try it - Stu will have a go.

Rosemary your Dad is a wonderful age.  It is lovely that he can beat you at scrabble.  He would wipe the floor with me as I am useless at scrabble.  How did the yard move go today?  I hope it wasn't too traumatic.  You are so right about the problem being that Chris isn't here in the flesh to help with the building.

Well I think I may have just heard Becky pull up outside so I will go and have a coffee with her.  Declan is going to see his Dad tonight so I think we might be walking up to the local for a drink this evening with Stu & Suzanne.  Tomorrow evening I am going out with a friend to see her husband play in his new band.  I am so pleased this is happening at last as I have said more than once that I miss my old social life and going to watch band play.  I knw I can't go as often as I did to see Chris but this is a start and hopefully there will be other chances i the future.  What has everyone else got planned for the weekend?  Sue have you finished your job now?  If you have I hope you are enjoying the rest for a while.  Take care everyone.  Ailsa xxx

Evening everyone xxx

Judi great news!! Your house sounds like it will be lovely when you get it how you want it x

Fiona well done on working your phone out x

Rosemary very true words, they cant be with us and we can still curse but sure they are with us all every step of the way.

Ailsa sounds like it is coming on great and so pleased you are getting some nights out so soon with Becky. Enjoy your weekend xxxx

Sue big hugs to you, I know how hard it is saying goodbye to the little darlings so must have been even harder for you today. So pleased you got so spoilt, you deserve it xxx

Lynne well done on your jogging!! What you up to this weekend apart from jogging lol xxx

I m having a quiet one tonight, been a long week at work, then off to Wolverhampton with my friend tomorrow to stay with friends of his and going for a meal. Not met them before so bit nervous but sure it ll be a good night!!

Only 3 more days to work next week then 6 weeks summer hols!!! Cant wait xx

Have a good weekend everyone

Helen xxxx

Evening girls

A quick visit to leave love and ((((hugs)))) for everyone.......

Hope you've got good plans for the weekend? xxxxxxx