Friday

Good morning ladies, and an early one from me. I woke up at 5am and couldn't get back to sleep.

Sorry I have been AWOL, haven't been feeling right, not poorly, just be being down in the dumps, but think I am over it now, well, until the next time but I am hoping by then that the sun will have come out.

I have been finding myself things to do in the house. I haven't altered anything since John died and think now is the time. So I have been shopping and already the house is starting to look brighter.

Hope you all have a good day

Good morning Marion - glad you are feeling a bit better now and joining us again I have been awake since 6.30 and couldn't get back to sleep too. I haven't been on much as I have been doing all my birthday cards for May and beginning of June as we are going to Scotland for a few weeks and haven't worked out when we will be back yet Then my friend asked me to make 3 for her too. Still got 2 to make so will hopefully get those done today.

Morning....

Went to see Mum yesterday and couldnt believe the change in her - in fact its the best I have seen her in awhile. We got to the hospital and wanted to have a chat with the nurse.... Mum saw us and waved, I went over and had the best kiss and cuddle and she said how much she loved me - which as you can imagine, meant so much.
It is a UTI, she was really dehydrated due to the sickness and diahorrhea, and the Home hadnt been giving Mum the tablets that shetakes for 'the runs' So not very happy. I am now in a position of what do I do for the best - the Home I want Mum to go into eventually, hasnt got any places available. The hospital are loathe to let mum go back to Tuxford as we have expressed concerns... they have said they will get Social Services in, and see about getting Mum somewhere temporary - which I dont want because I dont want Mum to have to move twice. Tuxford dont want her back until she is mobile. So now the Physio is going to check Mum over.
Not going to the hospital today as Mum's friend has said she will go, so we will go tomorrow.
I could kick myself, as the Home which is like a 5* Hotel, phoned me 7 weeks ago and offered Mum a place, but I refused. Its really so hard knowing what to do for the best - ideally, I want Mum down the road, but that is perhaps selfish on my part - Mum has got to be happy and looked after properly.
Going to have a meeting with the Manager and see what can be done. Trouble is, I have had promises before... its just silly things (perhaps the wrong words) but making sure that she is taken to the toilet/checking and encouraging her to drink. They bring round the drinks trolley regularly, but Mum really has to be reminded to drink. Of course, I know what it is bottom line.... money and staff. The Home is almost full, and they are managing on the same amount of staff as they did this time last year when it was half full.
At least the Hospital are not pushing Mum out, one thing to be grateful for.

So today, not got a great deal to do - have to go to the library and Post Office and thats about it.

Enjoy your day x

So pleased you have had a good day with your Mum Karen - that is brilliant. Must be so difficult to make a choice of homes when you have to put all your faith into them looking after her properly. My sister phoned me yesterday and had me in stitches. I was so good to hear her laughing too. She and her hubby had gone to Bristol to see The Susan Boyle story at the theatre. They decided to stay over so booked a room in a Premier lodge so that he could have a rest when they got there before they went to the show. In the morning they went down for breakfast and he went to the coffee machine to get a cup of coffee. My sister noticed it had gone all over the place and told him he should have just pressed the button once - to which he replied he had. One of the waiters came over to help and my BIL told him the machine had gone wrong. The waiter picked up the cup and a bit of coffee tipped off - he had only put it under the machine upside down

Good morning my lovely Moo's!!!

I have made it onto the main pc...shouldn't really as back is dreadful and both hips are joining in just for good measure so wont be here long. I have given in to emotional pressure and have done something this morning I swore I would never do....researched something for Georgia's homework Obviously I am always on hand to offer advice or to point in the right direction but this particular piece of homework very nearly made Georgia pass out last night! She has to design a poster to discourage people from wearing fur....she absolutely adores animals and just the look on her face as she was scrolling through the sites was enough to bring out my protective mummyness!

So I said to her today I would find suitable images and captions for her and then she could place them into a poster, so then at least she does not have to scroll through pages and pages of blood, guts and torture. I must admit it has made me feel rather queasy so I came on here for a breath of fresh air!!

I have only chosen one 'bad' image for her and have put 3 cutie pics of a mink, fox and bunny on there too.... I have downloaded a font called CREEPY for her which looks like the letters are dripping blood so that should help without making the poster more than schoolkids can bear. Maybe I am being silly but I do not understand why they would ask them to do this homework as I believe the subject can be covered in class where the teachers have control over what the child sees and not send them home to surf the web and bring up all kinds of horror. I have a parental lock on my pc but these images came up really easily so am quite surprised at AOL's teen guidance. Maybe cos they know the kids have to research it....but I still think it's wrong...

Anyway, off my soapbox now....

Hope you are all keeping ok.

Marion sorry to hear you have been feeling down, as you say it is very easy to leave things as they are after a loved one dies but eventually you have to try and lift your spirits. You know John wouldn't want you to be living in the past, you have to live for the future and have lovely memories of the past xxx

Karen my love what a pickle to be in. Such an important decision must be looked at from all directions. If the hospital are offering you a bit of time, take it and go through everything pro and con wise that you can think of...hopefully something will open up at the excellent home that you ultimately want your mum to be at. Hope she continues to have a good phase getting appropriate care and nutrition and medication in the hospital. Sending you love, hugs and support xxx Hope Amy is getting on well in her new job and that Keith is ok too x

Jacky...OK I would be seriously worried about your Bro In Law, mind you its gonna be something you can rib him about forevermore!! Haha!! Hope you get your cards done hun x

Hugs for Sue, Lexie and Janet xxxxx

Afternoon ladies. Glad you're feeling a bit better Marion, nice to see you back on here.
Pleased you had a good day with your Mum Karen and glad she is OK. I think you have to go with your gut instincts about the right home for your Mum. I looked at dozens for mine and some of them were awful- I wouldn't have put an animal in them let alone my mum! Fortunately I ended up with a good one but it meant she was in hospital a lot longer than I wanted (and as it was a psychiatry unit it wasn't very nice) but at least I knew she was being cared for properly.
Nice to see you on here Lou even if it is only briefly. Hope you get a bit of relief from the pain soon. Georgia should have been here last night as she could have watched four fox cubs playing in my garden until Mum came over the fence and led them away - have a nasty feeling they might be living under my summerhouse - in which case they can go away. (That's the polite way of saying it!!)No wonder the cat is getting stressed out and no way could I let grandsons out there to play on their own when they visit with foxes around. Council won't do anything so down to me and from what I've been reading it's not easy to get rid of them. Thought you might like to see the photos though.


fox cubs 1 by decsgran, on Flickr


fox cubs 3 by decsgran, on Flickr


fox cubs 4 by decsgran, on Flickr

Great photos Sue, though - as you say- I wouldn't want them in my garden either. Bad enough when they visit and leave a present on the lawn.

Amazing photos Sue! Captured them beautifully, but as you say you dont want them around.... but dont they look cute!

I have had a man this morning, on the phone btw! He was from the Hospital, really nice he was. Mum has been referred to him, and has noted my concerns. We are having a meeting down at the CH next week to put in place a revised (not actually in place) CAre Plan... there I can discuss what I want for Mum. They are 'assessing her needs' today.

That's good Karen - wondered what you were going to say - I had a man this morning Get it all written down beforehand to make sure you have everything covered.