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

Aww thanks Judes lovely to hear from you.  Can't wait till you are back properly.

Well as Lynne says I had to cancel my flight today.  The letting agent promised she was moving out yesterday and I would get the keys today.  So I cancelled my hotel and the flight and guess what?  She still hasn't moved out and no-one is phoning me back to let me know what is going on.  I have new furniture being delivered to that house today and she will be in the house so god knows what will happen with that.  Its just been a huge big mess and I feel gutted and upset at letting Lynne down with London.  I am seeing about changing my flights to go tomorrow morning and fly back tomorrow night but at the moment the cheapest option is £180 which is a lot of money for a few hours lunch so I am still trying to make up my mind.  It has been the worst week ever and it wouldn't be so bad if it was just me but the boys are unsettled and keep asking when we are moving.  I am off to phone again and see if I can get someone more senior at the letting agency.  I will keep you posted.

Take care from one sad baby penguin :( xxx

Hey Judes - lovely to hear your 'voice' again....can't wait to hear your stories and news.  Hope everything is nearly put right for you??  Well done for tackling such a major event on your own...xxx

Gayle - I feel that you need the biggest (((hug))) imaginable - so here goes ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) just for you.......What a rotten time you've had.......I do so hope you've shaken the agents gently by the throat by now and got them doing more to help and your wee ones.......xxxxx

And this Sassenach thinks a 'wee poke of chips' is a small packet/bag/paper cone of said chips????  We lived in Glasgow for a couple of years during our time in the Army........ By the time we moved back to Yorkshire our sons (especially Number 2) had strong-ish Scots accents.....but also had some Yorkshire dialect (courtesy of their Grandad).....and had to speak plain Standard English for Alan as he couldn't understand either!!!!  Confusing?  And now Alan (originally from Surrey) counts himself as an honorary Yorkshireman.......though his attempts at the accent and dialect have me in fits of laughter........

Hope I've made you smile at that......

Love and lots of (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) for you all

Dot xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS - those of you going to London have a good time xxxxxx

Evening All, just like to say to all the penguins going to London have a really good time, wish I was coming but not long till our meet in Glasgow. Fiona xxxxx

Gayle, this Yorkshire lass smiled at the mention of a 'poke' of chips. I had not heard that term for many years. Oh happy memories. Thanks for that.

Dottee, yes you also made me smile with your tales of past times. Funny how many accents and dialects there are in such a tiny island as ours.

Judi, how lovely to see you online if only briefly.

Have fun in Londonb all you penguins who have managed to make it.

Love and angel hugs x x x Patricia x x x

Hi everyone.  I don't think I will manage to say all I want to say tonight as it is getting late and I am still tired from the weekend.  First - Judes so glad you sneaked on for a chat to us.  I can't even form the words for what has happened to Gayle.  You were missed Gayle and so was everyone else who couldn't make it - but we toasted you all several times.  Judi I kept a careful eye on Rosemary although she didn't really need me to.  Just take a look at the pics on FB for proof.  Patricia we all had a great time.  Lynne & I mentioned the Meadowhell trip - we still have that to do.

I hope everyone is okay.  I will pop on again tomorrow and have a better catch up but in the meantime take care eveyone.  Ailsa xxx

Oh dear, we seem to be falling apart here - or maybe all just busy?  Just want to thank all the lovely penguins (and friends from the other place) that I met at the weekend, it was amazing to meet you and find that you really are exactly the people I have been talking to.  Ailsa thank you for your loving care and attention - I don't think we did too badly on the Baileys (thank you again!) and amazingly we never ran out of things to say.  It would be lovely if one day we could all get together somewhere as it feels like a half empty room when you aren't all there (mind you it's echoing a bit in here tonight!).  Roll on Glasgow and more penguins - along with the amazing Judi of course! - and the missing Gayle, hope things are picking up for you baby penguin, we were so sad you couldn't make it but understood and just drank more on your behalf :-))

Having a proper up and down week here now but if I sit tight long enough maybe things will improve.  Lots of hugs to you all xxxxxxxxxxx

PS I knew what a "poke of chips" was - I might be a Southron but I knows my chips!

Evening everyone.  Rosemary I think you might be right - just very busy but hopefully not falling apart.  I'm just busy and I know I won't always be so I hope everyone is going to be here still.  I didn't quite get the time for the proper catch up I promised myself but I still had to have a few minutes to see how everyone is.  Believe it or not I am still moving Becky & Declan out of my house.  I think maybe tomorrow will see the last of their belongings on their way to their house.  I am still not sure whether I must do one last trip south this coming weekend to get the last of their things.  Becky's boyfriend wants to do it but he also has to strike a balance with his own children.  He was down all last weekend retrieving all the things from storage.  He lives a long way away and has 2 children of his own.  I think he is feeling a bit torn.  He seems very practical as well though so I am liking him - he sorted out some plumbng and has his eye on some electrics that also need attention!

I am one step nearer completing the garage as the plumber sneaked in and did most of the plumbing yesterday - I now have a downstairs loo!  What a thing to cry about, but I did.  I think Chris would be pleased I am getting there with this work.

Well I had best be off again as I have another early start at work tomorrow.  Rosemary you are right - we never stopped chattering all weekend except when we fell asleep.  I am really missing the company now and can't wait for Glasgow.  Take care everyone.  Ailsa xxx

Ailsa it is good to hear that you are getting nearer to completing the garage project. I bet it will look fantastic when it is done. Don't tire yourself too much with the 'move' and everyting else.

Rosemary, I am sorry to hear that your week is so 'up' and 'down'. So much happening within your family. It must be quite stressful for you. How is your father in law doing? Get yourself into the middle of the 'penguin' huddle and let us wrap you in our protective arms (wings). No arguments.

Sue, how is your new venture going? I hope you are enjoying it.

Gayle, are you any closer to finding a new place to stay? I hope that you are soon able to get settled somewhere then you will perhaps feel a little less stressed.

Fiona, hope you are ok and how is your dad doing?

Lynne, not getting up to any mischief are you? How is your dad doing?

Helen, Lesley, Manda, Fiona, Dot, Teri, Bren,  and all who post here I hope you are having better days.

Take care all. Love and angel hugs x x x Patricia x x x

Be impressed Penguins..... I have made my Christmas puddings!  They are steaming away in the pressure cookers as I type.  It was such a miserable, rainy start to the day and the boys desperately wanted to go out... untili I opened the door and asked if they really meant it, they both sloped off to their beds and dozed in a sulkily snoring kind of way.  So I set to and got it all stirred up, then the sun came out and so did the boys, got back, got changed and went to Aquarobics with Sam.  Got back, weighed out the puddings into their basins and covered them, took the boys out for a more decent walk then got back (again) fed the little mutts, put the puddings on to steam and made my own dinner.  Have now done the nightly phone call to the in-laws (all much the same but a little more comfortable with increased meds and Friday is another op to re-positon the epidural), so I have come on to check on you lot and try and do some Christmas shopping (which I started in London this weekend).  So hopefully you are all still busy, busy, busy too and we will catch up again soon. 

Ailsa don't overdo things, although I know it will be a reward in itself to know this will be the last trip, fingers crossed the boyfriend will be able to help out.  How's the reading going, have you managed any since you got back?  Hope the Andrex family made it to you all right and brought the supplies, lots of hugs (for everyone) xxxxxxxxxxx