Anybody else up yet?

Oxon we never stop worrying about or 'children' do we? Try to take a step back, something I also find difficult! Good wishes to you and your daughter.
P.S. I'm a late riser this morning having woken up like Dracula ( eyes wide open and alert) at 5a.m. So I read a few chapters of Kittylester's son's book for an hour or so which allowed me to move my thoughts on a bit. The book is a great read, by the way!

Oxon, I do so know how you feel! You lie for ages before going to sleep because you're thinking about the problems that are raging around in your mind and think - 'Well, tomorrow things may look better', then tomorrow comes too early - usually in the wee small hours! The worries I've had over how I'd support both my daughter and son through housing/rent difficulties make me shiver even now! However, you'll likely be worrying about it more than she is, and no doubt it'll all fall into place. Can you do a 'dummy run' and see if you can find a parking area that doesn't seem so hard to access the house your daughter is going for? The reality is often not as bad as the worry of it. I hope that her health settles once she can settle in a new home - then you may be able to relax a little.

I managed to lie in the dark from 4 a.m. French time, but I have to have some distraction now, so I am going to do some sudoku and hope it will take my mind off things.
The one thing I won't do is take sleeping pills, having witnessed my daughter's rapid addiction to them.

Have woken up to find my voice has gone - just a nonsense squeak where words should be.....
Still, I feel fine so shall bundle up and have my morning tramp anyway. It's beautifully frosty, dry and the sun is winning against the lightly clouded dawn.

I am....
Looking at a good covering of snow here in Normandy with plenty still falling. Contemplating all those heavy baskets of logs I have to bring up from the barn as DH can't do it with his gouty foot.
Thinking that I wouldn't be without the wood-burner though...

Thick snow on the field and silver trees - lovely, but not really walking weather.
I had a chat on-line with my daughter in NZ which made me feel much better.

Greatnan, being the sister of an 'awkward' sister,may I just tell you of my little saga?
I think I have already mentioned that 2 out of the 3 of us, with further to travel, visited Mum more often during her last two years.
As soon as we entered the room, well it felt like it, Mum would say:
'................ has not been to see me you know.'
She seemed more hurt by the non-visit than pleased to see those who did visit.
Can I gently suggest that you enjoy your loving D in N.Z.
I know how worried you must be about DD1, but think of the joy N.Z. D brings.
I do hope you don't mind my writing, perhaps I should have PMed you instead.
Sending love and (((hugs)))
P.S. I'm sure you are doing this already xx

There's funny white rain falling outside. It can't be snow, as when I first moved here 32years ago I was told " we don't get snow here"
This was followed by being cut off and snowed on for a week!

Jeni... I think I'm a few miles inland from you, and I woke up to funny rain too! Seems to have stopped now. The irony is we have a greater number and variety of birds in the garden now that we are no longer counting them!

I don't mind at all, it was my choice to talk about my worries about my daughter in England, and it is very kind of you to post a reply.
I have to say that my NZ family is just about unalloyed joy to me - not just my daughter but all her six children. I have never had any favourites amongst all my grandchidren but sometimes it feels as if nothing I could do for some of them would elicit any warmth from them. I don't want thanks -just for my love to be reciprocated. A hug when I visited would be enough.
Perhaps if their mother recovers her hold on reality the children will stop seeing me as their enemy.

Ogm I think it's stopping here now. My poor garner is pruning my mulberry tree. ( too big to be called a bush) and bless him he has reinstalled my bath lift. I can have a soak tonight. Silly how little things can cheer one so! The trouble isit has to be taken out every time gc comes as they use the baby bath in the bath.

That should be Gardner

A deep hot bath is one of my favourite ways of relaxing. I take in a cup of tea, but not a book any more as I have ended up with so many damp editions! I think I may get some scented candles and play some gentle music.
Most of the flats I saw had showers only, but a bath was one of my 'must haves'.

A glass of champagne, a peach and scented candles. Oh and some Motzart.

.....jeni - pleased your bath lift is now back in working order!

It's now snowing - does that mean it's bath time??

No,I'm saving it for tonight. Work tomorrow.

Hi...anyone up?
greenmoss I do all of those things - plus, I am awake now because I am still processing everything that happened yesterday!
The day got completely taken up with first seeing my daughter's house (yes she's taking it) and then my sister coming in the evening. She says she will help out with the move.......I am very grateful.

Good luck to your daughter, Oxon.
I slept until 6.15 a.m., after a good 'talking to' from my daughter in NZ, and also a walk up to the ski-lift yesterday. It was the first time I had been out of the flat since last Thursday, and I was beginning to go stir crazy!

I am going to stay with my Swiss friend tomorrow for a few days - she is going to teach me to do cross-country skiing and we are also taking some train journeys. She has some jigsaws to lend me - if I break a leg at least I will have something to keep me occupied!

Thanks, Greatnan.
Now what is going round in my head is the house - I suppose I am trying to visualise my daughter in it instead of the one she has been in for 5 years.
It will be different, that's for sure!
And all the things that have to be done before she is in - in a week? I don't think this is possible...which means we are going to have to allow for paying another week's rent. This is just one of the complications.
And this morning I have to ask my sister to help me get boxes out of the loft before she leaves....

I think I'm rambling, but I can't help it at the moment.
Have a good time with the Swiss friend, Greatnan....
Actually I better not say any more, I once teased a friend who was going skiing and she came back with a leg in plaster..........

It is not a good feeling is it Oxon to be overly involved in supporting adult child with problems in their life. I am never convinced that I am fully out of those woods. It is always a tiny niggle of worry that I have to push into the back of my mind.
I am hoping for a call from family in Sydney this morning. Only spoken briefly once this month. They have had other GM staying...

Good morning! Quite a reasonable time to wake up - 6.40. It's when I wake up and fond that it's 3 ish that I feel fed up! Anything after about 5.00 and I can cope. Mug of nice coffee, fire on, that's OK. Just hoping it doesn't snow yet.

Is this a warning, Jess ? You've made me think about the situation now, and I have realised that I am very scared of losing her.
I do what I can whenever I can, and she does express her thanks in words and deeds and presents too.

It was not meant as a warning oxon but yes having one son in remission from Hodgkins means that I have to take an active decision not to worry about that. Especially as he had had the full whack of chemo treatment now. I tell myself that medicine in this area is advancing daily.
The other one is much more settled these days with a wife and children, but I would certainly not describe their position as secure... Maybe just because they are a family of 4 they are harder not to fret about. I have had so much practice that I am pretty good at steering around the worrying thing. I see it as a kind of pit that one can slide into. Sometimes i teeter on the edge of it and evne slide in occasionally and have to pull myself back out quickly. Sufficient unto the day therof. if they are being boring and nothing is happening in their lives I count this as a blessing...
I am so glad for you that she appreciates your support. Hope you have a nice day and keep warm.

Morning all
I'm up dressed and raring to go to work!
Well dressed and ready anyway.
JessM I've known and know treated victims of NHL live completely normal lifespans. I know you can't help but worry, it's normal mums stuff.
Remember we are all behind you!
Better go and get my coffee and pack my lunch.

Hope you get your call today, Jess