Today I've been.....

gracesmum aren't weddings wonderful! Pleased it went well, it sounds lovely

So glad that it all went well gracesmum and that you enjoyed yourself

I put this on the wrong thread so have now got the right place.

Today I discovered what absolutely awful shape I'm in. Some years ago, I was asked to take part in a research project called UK Biobank (http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/) in which a selection of the population of all ages underwent tests and had stats recorded with a view to using these in future research relating to various conditions we might suffer from in future. Today was a follow-up. I discovered, to my great embarrassment, but not surprise, that I'd gained 15 kilos in the past year (I can blame steroids for some, but by no means all, of this gain), and also that I've shrunk an inch since they first measured me. However, the bone scan showed no osteoporosis which can be a result of long term steroid therapy. They filled seven vials with my precious blood and asked me to leave a sample of saliva - I couldn't summon up much spit - and, of course, urine. I don't think they left any stone unturned and I got a print-out telling me, basically, that I'm fat.

This afternoon, DH and I supported our daughter and 3 friends on a fund raising walk of 13 miles in aid of pancreatic cancer research. They started High School together when they were 12 and shared all the trials and tribulations of teen years, went to each others weddings, and met up at 40 years old to celebrate.
Tragically one of the group suffered pancreatic cancer that year and passed away 3 years ago,leaving a husband and 2 little girls. The 3 friends then vowed to do a fundraising event every year in her memory, and this year raised over £1000!!!!!! We are all so proud of them, their friend's husband, children and parents and sister were there to show their support as well. At the post walk picnic her mother told me that she was so moved by their efforts and that her daughter was indeed blessed to have such good friends who still care. Lots of tears were shed, and as we were raising a glass to an absent friend, the sun burst through.........coincidence or what?

Aww Anno. Bone scan GOOD!

Wonderful, gma!

Anno - did you know that walking is an excellent way of losing weight?

Greatnan, I'm only staying a week!

anno I think greatnan is going to put you through it! [goodluck] emoticon!

I may need to cruise with you, jeni, to get over the experience...

You're very wellcome. But I do snore!
There is agree bed in my cabin on the QE Xmas cruise to the med!

That SHOULD BE ---A FREE BED!

I have slept with shared a room with snorers before. I find that blu-tack makes very effective ear plugs. Alas, the family have 'booked' me for Christmas as it's their first in the new house. I will not have to lift a finger!

Pleased you had a wonderful day gracesmum
I had visions of an agree bed being one of those guest ones you roll out. Also good for snorers because you can nudge it with your foot and it rolls back under the bed

My sister used to snore so badly that people in the next hotel room used to knock on the wall. She now has a spray from her doctor and it has worked wonders. I tend to snort from time to time when I am nodding off, but as far as I know I don't snore all night.
Anno - most of my best views are accessible by car and I wouldn't dream of taking any guest on one of my tough walks - except Juragran, of course!

Many, many congratulations to Gma's daughter and her friends on raising so much in memory of their friend. Doing something they wouldn't normally do for their friend not only raises funds for pancreatic cancer research but also keeps her memory alive and supports her loved ones. All the money raised goes to the cause too. It's great.

But I think SOME organised sponsored activities may be getting out of hand and making money from people's generosity. I was recently asked by someone who loves race cycling to sponsor him on a cycle ride from London to Paris, an annual event he has done before. It meant he was in Paris on the Champs Élysées to see the end of the Tour de France. A fantastic experience for him. But the cost to lay this on must have been considerable - a friend's nephew gets very well paid to go as doctor on similar sponsorships.

Getting meaner in my old age aren't I.

Gracesmum, what a lovely wedding and hurrah for the bunting!

gma that's the way fundraising should be..... genuine and loving.

nfkdumpling I agree! We were once asked by a supply teacher (hence a complete stranger) to sponsor her husband who was going to climb Mt Kilimanjaro (sp) for 'charity'. Turns out the whole expedition would cost £3,000 so, if he only raised £3,001 then the charity would get the magnificent sum of £1 and he would have a jolly!
On the other hand a friend paid her own way to walk the Gt. Wall of China so every penny raised went to her chosen charity (Gt. Ormond St hosp.)
If you are getting meaner, then so am I!

GMA to your daughter and her friends
Gracesmum you must have had a wonderful day and lots of memories now
I have just returned from a long weekend away with my daughter's in-laws down near Wollongong. We went to Berry - a lovely village full of wonderful shops and I bought stuff that I didn't know I needed and probably will never use - but it was fun. Today, we drove up the McQuarrie Pass which was a bit wobbly on the old insides, and arrived in the town of Bowral, where a similar shopping operation took place .Also visited an Ugg boot emporium and acquired some for the nearly 3 year old back home. I think that's me done ready for the return home in 2 weeks time (boohoo emoticon)

gma, that's heart-warming indeed. People are good. They really are.

Do you know.......I am just feeling very emotional. I woke up at 6 this morning, crying and feeling sad and although it goes away, it keeps coming back and washing over me.
I KNOW it is just reaction to the excitement, I KNOW that our "little girl" is happy and I KNOW that we have acquired a wonderful son-in-law, but the tears keep welling up.
It is so silly as there are many sorrows in the world, not least among Gnetters so I feel I am being a bit of a wet lettuce and self-indulgent.
I know what you will all say and that you will understand and be comforting, but .....

gma that is a wonderful thing for your daughter and her friends to do, you must be very proud

gracesmum it sounds like a fabulous day, so glad it went off so well. Feet up today.

Gracesmum - Know exactly what you're feeling, it's a sort of loss of identity but you'll feel better when your new identity takes hold (if that makes sense). Seeing the wedding photos helped me too although I'm not sure why!

Well I've just thrown onions carrots tomatoes and a stock cube along with some water into my cuisinart and left it too it!
I'm hoping I'll be rewarded for all my hard work with a delicious, nourishing not too fattening soup?

gracesmum, you must be feeling anti-climactic. You have been so busy getting everything ready for the wedding and felt so buoyed up by the success of the day itself. You are coming down from a 'high' and you are reacting completely normally. ((((hugs))))

gracesmum, what a fine day you all had. The photos are lovely! After all the worry and concern, no wonder you're feeling a bit tearful and 'happy/sad'. All's well now!