Phew! And breathe ...

[MoyB]

Blimey, I'm cream crackered!

It's been a busy old week.

On Monday morning, we med builder number 1, to discuss our sunken path and driveway. Our daughter and two children then arrived from Cumbria on Monday afternoon. The kids were 'full on' as, aged 11 and 9, they were tired of being on the train for so many hours. Our daughter, likewise! My husband became unofficial taxi driver until they went back ye.sterday as we went back and forth between our son's house umpteen times, mainly with only our daughter and grandson as granddaughter had blagged sleepovers with her cousins.

On Monday we BBQd before taking everyone to our son's and we were very late back. Bed at stupid o'clock.

On Tuesday morning, we had builder number 2. Later, I went on my scooter to my Pulmonary Rehab assessment which lasted an hour. The scooter ride took 20 minutes each way. I got home in time to discuss our sunken footpath with builder number 3 and then we went to the seafront in the evening and walked a little way from the car to Harry Ramsden's for dinner (everyone, son's family too) and then walked to the Pier for ice creams and back a bit further to the car, then to our son's house again. Eventually home for another long night and bed at 2.00 am.

On Wednesday was the Great Day! My husband's 80th birthday and the reason for the flying visit from Cumbria.

I thought I'd made it 'easy' and 'relaxed' and, for everyone else, it was! 20 of us had lunch in a nice hotel then all came back to ours for tea. I'd ordered sandwiches and sausage rolls and we had loads of cakes and the birthday cake and there were 25 people (others had come just for the 'tea' bit) including 7 children. It was really lovely, but I hardly got to sit down until eventually, my son came and said, 'Mother! Sit!' which I obediently and gratefully did, and he and his wife took over the rest of the drink making, washing up, tidying bits away etc and everything that has to be done at a party, but everyone thinks the fairies are doing! Lol!

Everyone had finally left by about 9.00 pm and we had to do the final clearing up as the kids had made quite a mess with sausage rolls (flaky pastry) and there was glittery confetti everywhere ( thank you, dearest daughter!). Also there was a lot of stuff to be put away again.

So yet a third night of 'stupid o'clock' and an asthma attack at 3.00 am! My husband woke, said, 'Are you alright?' to which I gasped, 'No!' and the b**** went straight back to sleep! Thankfully, ventolin did the trick and, once I could breathe again, I went back to sleep too.

But we had to move ourselves yesterday morning as our cleaner was coming at 10.00 am. I suddenly realised that we had no cash and so I went up the road to get some. 'D' cleaned through the bits she could get too ( daughter and children's baggage and trappings still being packed) and said a cheery, 'Goodbye!' at 11.15 am, after which we sat in the garden with our daughter and grandson for a while before making a sandwich lunch.

Then it was a drive to our son's to collect granddaughter ( who was not ready - surprise, surprise! ) and a swifter drive to the station where we waited to see them off on the train!

It didn't stop there as we hadn't had an opportunity to buy something for our son's birthday which is not until 13th but which he will be celebrating on holiday in America. We've been invited to go over and see them all this evening, so couldn't go empty handed. So it was a trip around the Beacon in Eastbourne and eventually got some thing that 'would do'!

Sainsbury's delivery arrived and we got that away and after that I know nothing until 11,30 pm when I woke up and went to bed!

This morning I have a blood test followed by an appointment with the Diabetes nurse then this afternoon I am at the Flower Club garden party.

And THEN, dear friends, I intend to sit down, put my feet up and do b***** all for at least 24 hours!

Phew! What a week. Nice while it lasted but ...!

xx Moy

[sassy59]

Well I’m feeling tired just reading your post Moy! What a wonderful if hectic week for you apart from the asthma attack. Hope you’re appointments go well today and you get your much deserved rest. Xxx💜

[MoyB in reply to sassy59]

It was lovely but SO noisy! The kids just went mad at !one point and parents and grandparents (our friends had to bring their two granddaughters as had them for the week) did absolutely nothing to control them. In fact, when I said we have new neighbours next door with little children who will be in bed, the kids calmed down and then my friend, who is reknowned for her loud voice ramped up the volume and wound the kids back up again! Bless!

I'm really enjoying the peace and quiet now, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

When we toasted my husband's birthday, he and I did a quiet toast to Mr Hildick-Smith who did my husband's heart valve replacement last November as, without that, the party might not have been possible.

xx Moy

[sassy59 in reply to MoyB]

Such lovely memories for all Moy. It’s always crazy when we have our three grandchildren here but we love it!

Well done to Mr. Hildick-Smith and his expertise which made your husbands birthday celebrations possible.

Carole xxx💜🥰

[MoyB in reply to sassy59]

❤️xx Moy

[leo60]

That's nice busy Moy! Enjoy your peace and quiet when you get there! xx

[MoyB in reply to leo60]

I'm enjoying a quiet five minutes right now, thanks! Back out soon, but just have time for a quick breather. xx Moy

[CDPO16]

Like sassy I'm tired just reading this Moy! A hectic week but some good things to look back on.

[MoyB in reply to CDPO16]

My life used to be like this all the time before I became chronically ill and I am delighted that I was able to do it all again - albeit I'm now exhausted!

I'm going through a 'good patch' at the moment which may, or may not last. It's the first time I've 'entertained' for a number of years as at one time I even struggled to make a few rounds of sandwiches when friends 'popped in' and stayed longer than expected. I remember standing in the kitchen looking at the bread as though it had landed from Mars and trying to think how to make tuna sandwiches!🤣

Anyway, all is calm and quiet here just now and the Flower Club afternoon tea should be fairly gentle (or maybe not - I've never been to one of their social events before!), so once we've been over to our son's later with his birthday card and present, I can switch off until Sunday.

How are things with you?

xx Moy

[CDPO16 in reply to MoyB]

Enjoy the good times while they last Moy. I'm plodding on but not as able to walk as much as I could when I came out of the hospice. One of the palliative care nurses who phoned this morning said it was to be expected. Not very uplifting but I plod on. Thank you for asking xx

[MoyB in reply to CDPO16]

They are very honest with people these days, aren't they? It's better in many ways but sometimes I'd almost prefer them to fib!

I'm glad to hear you're still 'plodding on' though. Are you able to get into your lovely garden at all?

xx Moy

[CDPO16 in reply to MoyB]

I was out last week supervising hubby putting some of the new plants in. We have been out to local parks a few times and last Sunday had a run in the car through the Yorkshire Dales so I can't complain really Moy. I'm fortunate compared to so many.Honesty from health professionals is for the best as you say but this particular nurse sounds a bit too cheerful for my liking!

Hope you have a good weekend, Carole xx

[MoyB in reply to CDPO16]

❤️xx Moy

[Maricopa in reply to MoyB]

I had several children and loved it. It bothered me for a long time being an empty nester. However, at this point when the kids and grands all come as much as I love them the busy activities and chattering, laughter all wears me out. Thankfully the kids know me and are very good at managing their own children.

[MoyB in reply to Maricopa]

Coo, I wish ours would manage their children a bit more when they visit! They just don't seem to 'get it'. The fact that I'm on my feet seems to be enough for them to think I can run a marathon - I never have, by the way! Running away from a spider is more than enough for me and always has been.

At least during the party, my son and his wife noticed that I was flagging and took over all the business of collecting plates and making sure people had drinks etc. But the NOISE! Now that's when I thought I could do with ear plugs.

I loved every minute of it really, but the best bit was probably waving everyone off at the front door afterwards. 🤣

xx Moy

[peege]

Flipping heck MoyB, I'm exhausted after reading that. What a hectic but lovely few days.Mind you, reading your post confirmed that I was right not to join my 3 kids, their spouses & 6 grandchildren from 9 months to 11 years on their camping get together in SW France plus driving down & back with my 🐕 🤯!

Rest well my dear, you deserve & congratulations on the whole 80th birthday do xx

[MoyB in reply to peege]

Now don't laugh - before she left, my daughter told me that there are plans afoot for our Son and family to drive us up to our daughter's (400+ miles!) and we can all have a long weekend together (5 kids!) and then we can stay longer and our daughter and family can drive us back home! 'Over my dead body!' I thought, but I smiled sweetly and said we would give it some thought. 🤣🤣🤣

I can't imagine camping with everyone! I think you made a bold but good decision!!

xx Moy

[Maricopa in reply to MoyB]

🤣😂😅

[Donald_1931]

Thanks for sharing that Moy, what a great family gathering. 😊xx

[MoyB in reply to Donald_1931]

Don, it was really wonderful, but I had understimated how much it would take out of us both, given that most of the work was done for us.

I'm so grateful that we were able to do it at all, though, (see my reply to Sassy), and would have gone through hell and high water to make it happen.

But, I am SO enjoying five minutes of peace and quiet just now!

xx Moy

[madonbrew]

Oh my goodness Moy!!! That’s crazy busy! But bits sound like nice busy! Obviously not the asthma attack! Well I think you deserve more than a well earned rest!!! 💜💖🥰

[MoyB in reply to madonbrew]

It really was 'crazy busy' but 'nice' and I wouldn't have missed doing it for anything. As I said to Sassy, we quietly raised a glass to the man who made it possible, Mr Hildick-Smith, by replacing my husband's heart valve last November. I don't believe I'd have a husband at all if it hadn't been for him!

Now I'm off to, what I hope, will be a nice sedate cream tea with the Flower club. I doubt it'll be raucous, but you never know, do you? Ladies of a certain age and all that. Lol!

🍵🍰 ... 🍷?

xx Moy

[madonbrew in reply to MoyB]

Aww, she m really glad for Mr Hildick-Smith! So grateful for these amazing physicians!!! 😘

How was your’sedate’ cream tea?

[MoyB in reply to madonbrew]

My cream tea lacked cream! There was some confusion with the booking and so we had scones, butter and jam - but NO cream! The hotel said the booking was for 'Tea and cakes'. The thing that made it worse was that the cakes were all bought from Tesco! We had Tesco iced cakes (I recognise them as I often keep a pack in the freezer), MacVities ginger cake and lemon drizzle cake plus the scones that we think had been cooked then reheated - and scorched!

The company was good, though and we had quite a laugh. It was very relaxing.

xx Moy

[Jaybird19]

lots of memories made for you to keep and remember

[MoyB in reply to Jaybird19]

Definitely! xx Moy

[Threecats]

Blimey Moy, what do you do for an encore?!😄 It sounds like everyone had a fantastic time but it does sound exhausting! I hope the Flower club cream tea was calmer😊

[MoyB in reply to Threecats]

We did have a great time on Wednesday. The Flower Club tea was very enjoyable for the good company, but the tea was underwhelming! See my reply to Madonbrew. xx Moy

[Izb1]

That sounds like a real good time Moy but so exhausting. I am sure now that its over you will enjoy a little peace and quiet with your feet up. I remember well the times my Mum had a full house, she loved it but spent half her time in the kitchen. How disappointing your tea and cakes must have been, buying them from Tescos is hardly tea room stuff but at least you had good company and three cheers to Mr Hildick-Smith for his part in your husbands 80th celebrations x

[MoyB in reply to Izb1]

We made up for yesterday's poor scone effort this lunchtime. I had a beautiful one (WITH cream!) at the Castle Tea Rooms in Pevensey. It was a proper home made one and was really fresh and lovely. They were generous with the jam and cream too!We didn't have room for their cakes as well, but they looked delicious.

👍😀xx Moy

[Izb1 in reply to MoyB]

How lovely, they sound delicious, just not the same without cream x

[MoyB in reply to Izb1]

👍❤️xx Moy

[Bingo88]

Well that's worn me out just reading it. You certainly have a busy life. Don't do busy days now I just space things out so I can chill in between. Hope you have a relaxing weekend and take care Brian

[MoyB in reply to Bingo88]

This is the first time we have 'entertained' at our home for about 10years! I'll admit that, because I'm feeling better at the moment than I have done for 5 years or more, I thought I was better than I am!

Thankfully, my lovely son and daughter-in-law noticed that I was flagging and took over. I was very grateful when my son said, 'Mother! Sit!' as though I was a golden retriever or something! 🤣

I definitely overdid it as it's taken me a few days to recover, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. To see my husband celebrate his 80th birthday in true style was worth all the fatigue that followed.

I'm glad to get back to normal now, though and spacing out the activities like you do!

xx Moy

[Bingo88 in reply to MoyB]

So lovely to have a wonderful time with your family

[MoyB in reply to Bingo88]

👍❤️xx Moy

[Alberta56]

What a week, lovely but exhausting. Hope you can now have a well deserved rest. xxx

[MoyB in reply to Alberta56]

I've got my feet up right now and loving every minute of it! I might get myself a bit of birthday cake in a minute, though! xx Moy