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

Hi Manda - crossing posts there.  Have a wonderful cruise ...... we want photos of you and H as Captain Hook and Smee.   lol  J xx

Morning all , just a quick one to say WELLLLLL DONNNNE  Helen so excited for you , when will you start ? Gayle glad your getting things at last and glad you told sis about Maddie , she was 1 of 2 eggs too , we was hoping for the both of them to take(well i was lol ) but you've seen the size of C and i think she would have struggle with 2 inside her . Maddie was almost 10lb any way and dont forget my bedrooom when your house hunting lol . Amanda have a fantastic cruise and see you in Manchester . Judi , come on girl get that packing done and i know i'm a bit slow sometimes and i;ve only just worked out that your doggie being  called Kat is only a thing you would do mmmm clown !!!! lol . Rosemary when i called you doc i could have added something on to the word lol see if you know what i mean , but i meant it in a nice way xxx Sorry about the drunks (i know i could have gone on that list lol )  My hand is getting better better each day ,still sore but nothing like it was . Thank you all .

 Take care back later xxxx

Well done, Helen - so, so pleased for you. Does wonders for your self-esteem!!!

bug higs to all the penguins today - am off to spend a wonderful day with some sevely disabled deaf/ blind children - can't wait, love it.

sue xx

PS Judes - i used to have a cat called Rover. Well,  wanted a dog and couldn't have one....

Morning everyone xx

Thanks for all your good wishes,messages and texts, think you all helped me get the job!! Worrying about it too as more responsibility and work then I ve been doing but looking forward to the challenge and promotion. Going to ring my head today, think it will be a month s notice. Got holidays and appointments booked over next few weeks anyway so will have to see.

Judi yes I will make the most of my last hols,,,4 weeks and bank holidays! How will I cope lol but on the plus side I am not stuck to school holidays so as Gayle said will have to take advantage of all the cheap hols at different times of the year! Have a lovely weekend xx

Sue have a good day, sounds like fun x

Fiona so sorry to hear your news, so sad how it affects so many people x

Gayle I know exactly what you mean about feeling sick! When Liam had an op once I ended up on the bed next to him lol The nurse said I looked worse than him!! Glad you re getting `things` sorted. Close your ears again Dave lol but I need to book the dreaded smear too!!

Big hugs to Rosemary, sure you are a great support to your in laws but look after you too. Not long until the wedding!!

Manda I m hoping to get to Manchester. Go away with my boyfriend (he he said it again!! either the Sunday or Monday) so as long as I m organised should make it x Have a great cruise.Lesley are you going too? How are you?

Lynne glad your hand is getting better. All this jogging and exercise you ll be a size 8 next time we see you!!

Patricia are you packed yet? Dot hope you ve got your get up and go back x

Have a lovely day everyone

Helen xxx

WELL DONE HELEN!!!!!!   So pleased to hear that you were offered and accepted the job.  What a boost to your confidence that is!! xx

Just a quick one - I will be back later to post properly.  I got a new house!!!  Well I haven't actually got it yet :).  With him and my parents nagging me about saving money I decided to see what was available in the town rather than where I live just now which is about 5 miles from anywhere.  Anyway, there was one house that was only built last year and I did actually think about buying a similar one but they only had one left and I had to commit to buying it that weekend which was August last year and I just wasn't ready.  So anyway to cut a long story short I phoned this morning and it will be available in about a month which suits me as my lease on here runs out in October.  Just waiting on them phoning me back to see about finalising it.  It is still renting - I am still not brave enough to commit to buying somewhere just yet but it is lovely.  It is a 3 storey townhouse down at a marina.  Asda is over the back, the train station is 2 minutes walk and so is the beach and there are loads of shops and takeaways nearby too.  The school and nursery are about a 5 minute drive so all good!  I think lol.  I will miss my big house and I will miss the countryside and privacy but it is definitely the right option (and half the rent!).  I will probably not move until the end of October so the lovely penguins will probably still visit me here.  If I do move before then it is still not a problem as I still have the same number of beds.  Anyway, best get back to work but just wanted to share my news.

Dear Gayle

It is lovely to share good news - and a new home for yourself and your boys is very good news.......I hope nothing gets in the way of it......Congratulations with love and a (((hug))).  Exciting times ahead........

Dot xxxxxxxx

Hi munchkin - I think that sounds Perfick ... just Pefick, as they used to say on the Darling Buds of May.  And I am quite sure that this is now teh right time for you to do this.  As you said, last August was not the time for you to thinking about buying a house.  This way you get to try it out ........ not spend quite as much as you have been (lol) and then you will know what is meant for you and the boys.  Well done my little Gayle.  (((((((   )))))))))  Judes xxx

Evening everyone.  There seems to be some really goods news on here tonight.  Congratulations Helen.  I knew you would do it.  This will be so good for your confidence.  Well done x.

Gayle, you too.  How fast did you find that house!?  It sounds like it has every kind of amenity that you might need so very well done on taking the plunge.  I am glad you're getting the 'things' sorted out with your health.  I had another better nights sleep last night since going back on the drugs so I am hoping I start to feel more lively soon.  I have kept away from chores again this evening (gold star please!!).  Toy Story 3 was really good and yes - I cried.  Becky & Declan might not be the tidiest of lodgers but it is lovely to have the company to do things like go to the cinema.

Judi Boy's text made me laugh.  Have a great time in Germany - even if your clothes are a bit crushed from not ironing before you went!!  My ironing still isn't done and the pile is rather daunting now.

Rosemary you are doing a wonderful, thoughtful job of watching out for your mother-in-law.  I struggle to see any good that comes from our experiences of this illness but it has taught us all compassion for anyone else going through the same thing, especially if it is our own family having to go through it again.  When I go up to Scotland at the beginning of September I am planning to pay a visit to one of my Dad's sisters as her husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He left it too late to go to the GP so he can't be cured but he is likely to be with us for a few years yet.  My Dad's sister is struggling though because he refuses to talk about it.  You are doing a great job of thinking about  your in laws so take care of yourself at the same time.  Happy wedding outfit (s) shopping - I don't remember you looking like you needed to lose weight before Sam's wedding so stop fretting about that.

Patricia it is Saturday that you go away isn't it?  Are you all ready?

Sue I saw on FB that you had a good time at the Centre for the disabled children today.  I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Lynne sounds like your hand is on the mend.  You might have to amend my busy bee status if I manage to keep this curfew thing up for much longer.

On that note I should go.  I have posted without making notes tonight so I hope I haven't missed anyone out.  Manda have a great time on your cruise.  Evening to Dot, Fiona & Lynda and anyone else I missed.  take care.  Ailsa xxx

Congratulations Helen. I wish you well to enjoy your new job. Whoop whoop whoop.

Gayle, how lovely that you have3 founbd a new home for you and the boys. Have a lovely holiday and please take care of yourself.

Rosemary, those 9 months will absolutely fly by so if you are planning to lose weight then do not procrastinate.  My thoughts are with you as you try to support your in laws through their terrible ordeal.

Lynne, so glad that yiou hand is starting to heal. Good luck to your dad.

Judi I love Boy's sense of humour naming the stairs lol. Have funb on your trip.

Everyone else, I hope you are reasonably ok this evening. Mush for brains means i cannot remember what everyone has said. Sorry.

Love and angel hugs x x x Patricia x x x