Day Seventy Nine - Very Old Memories

Today I'm Grateful for Very Old Memories.

As you might know, I have lost some very dear people recently, and today I was thinking about all of the people I have lost in my lifetime. Not being morbid or anything, just sort of...counting. So I remembered my Auntie Midge (people used to say I looked like her), then there was my Gran (who helped Mum raise me) and then a couple of uncles and a grandfather (none of whom I ever knew), my (then soon to be husband's) mother,  my Mum from cancer, my father-in-law, my step-father, my step-brother,(both of whom I hadn't seen for many years), and now my dear auntie and my Den.

I was thinking of all these people, thinking of the impact they had had in my life, even the ones I didn't know, or the ones I didn't like.  All of these people are connected with me in an intrinsic manner, by being who they were, and doing the things they did, they helped to form me into the person I have become. No I am not 'blaming' them for anything I am, or am not, but merely acknowledging their involvement in my development.

And then I remembered him.

My 'Uncle Jim'.

Uncle Jim was my step-father's brother-in-law. He was married to Auntie Anne, a very large, imposing woman of stern demeanor, but good heart. Uncle Jim was one of those very rare gentle-men. He was kind of small, but solidly built, he always wore a hat when he went outdoors and he loved to cook. He had been a baker in the Navy, many years before and on his decommissioning, he and Auntie Anne moved to the 'butter-box' unit not far from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They called it that because it was a very small unit, rectangular in shape, much like the old fashioned boxes people used to keep their butter in. They never had any children of their own, much to Uncle Jim's disappointment, and I think Auntie Anne's too, because even though she was never demonstrative, she was always kind. When I look back at those days though, when I used to go and stay and I slept on their little two seater couch (well, I was only ten), the thing I remember most of all is Uncle Jim. Every morning, he would get me a bowl of rice bubbles, to which he added sweet stewed rhubarb,( I didn't even know what that was until he gave it to me), and then he would carefully comb my hair, put on his jacket and hat and we would walk slowly down to the park at the harbour where we would feed the birds and just talk. He was never too busy, or bored to talk to a prattling kid, and no question was 'silly'. He would sit and think carefully before explaining it as best as he knew how. He was so patient. He was everything I wished for in a father, and never got in my step-father. (that's a whole other story). I think Uncle Jim knew things weren't right at home, but he never pried, he was always careful not to say anything negative. Like I said, a real gentle-man. In every sense of the word. He even used to pull out the chair for Auntie Anne when she went to sit at the table. All the things some might think are old-fashioned, but in reality, it was just his way of being considerate to others.

Uncle Jim died when I was seventeen.

 There's an old saying, and  I can't even remember how it goes properly, but in essence it says... In the end, it won't matter how intelligent you were, or how successful your career was. It won't matter how big your house was or what type of car you drove. In the end, all that matters is how you made other people feel.

When I think of Uncle Jim, I feel safe, loved, happy. I am so very grateful that he was in my life, even for such a short while, because he was the one who showed me that yes, there are some truly good people out there and that every one of them is like a treasure, if we search long and hard enough, we will find them, and when we do, we will hold them close and keep their memories forever.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Eight - Pretty Things

Today I'm Grateful for Pretty Things.

I can't deny it, I love pretty things. It's as if they can ease our souls just by being beautiful, touching something deep within making us. Somedays, when I am feeling particularly fat and ugly, I like to just sit and  look at the beautiful pieces I have collected over my lifetime. I makes me feel like I have accomplished something, and that by extension I can be prettier, classier. Today was one of those days.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Seven - Legs

Today I'm Grateful for my Legs.

The knees burn and hurt, the thigh muscles spasm, and the ankles crack and creak, but by damn, my legs held me up today so I could make the promised dinner (from yesterday). I even made dessert!

Yay for legs!

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Six - Dinner Cooked for Me

Today I'm Grateful for Having Dinner Cooked for Me.

Usually I am the one to prepare and cook dinner for Hubby, Jam and myself, and sometimes, it gets tiring, even just thinking about what to make. Lately I just haven't cared much one way or another whether I make a meal or not, and with the fall and everything, well, let's just say that dinner has been a somewhat slapdash affair.

To my delight, Hubby cooked last night (Jam did the veg) and they made T-bone steak (well done), with sauteed onions, garlic mashed potato and steamed broccoli. Yummo! Tonight he cooked up bacon and eggs with fried tomatoes. More Yummo...

Have you ever noticed that food always tastes better when someone else cooks it? Mmmm, chocolate for dessert. :)

Thanks honey, I am grateful for the chance to sit and relax and not feel guilty about not making dinner. I think tomorrow I will cook up something nice, maybe my special Baked Pineapple Pork chops with diced baked root vegetables and steamed beans, tomato with lemon sauce. That's one problem out of the way, (figuring out what to have), just hope I can stand up long enough to do it! lol.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Five - iTunes

Today I'm Grateful for iTunes.

I have spent the better part of today playing with iTunes, putting more music onto my ipod. It's a lot of fun and an easy way to keep me off my feet (still laid up).

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Four - Burnt soup

Today I am Grateful for Burnt Soup.

Haha, I made soup today, but burnt the bloody stuff! So uncool. And so unlike me. shhh, stop sniggering.
But I figure that I can probably blitz most of it off and it might salvage the taste of the soup.

A little burnt flavour is better than no soup at all. I like soup.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy Three - Motorcycles

Today I'm Grateful for Motorcycles.

Today I'm grateful for something not for myself, but for my dear Hubby. As most of you know, he has had a rough couple of years, and the worst part of it has been the fact that he hasn't been able to ride his motorbike because of his pain levels.

Riding his Harley Davidson was one of the things he loved most in this life. He loves the feeling of freedom, the exhilaration of the wind in his face and the total melding of his soul to the road. I remember one time, he had been away for awhile and the first thing he wanted to do was ride his bike. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he didn't want to be with me, and I was actually quite miffed. Ticked off. Not a happy camper... and then he came home... His face was alive with joy, his eyes twinkled and sparkled like he had just won lotto. And he hugged me, really hugged me, like he was so very happy to see me.

Just like that, it clicked in my head. Riding his bike wasn't just like going to the shops in a car, and the Harley wasn't merely a form of transport for him, but quite clearly it was more like  dare I say "a religious experience". No he doesn't find god on his bike, but to him, it is an escape, his "Happy Place".

I truly love the fact that he has something that makes him so happy. Today he is taking a chance and riding to Kojanup to see his brother for a couple of days. I am so grateful that he is getting to ride and I know he is going to have a great time.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy One - and Day Seventy Two - Comfortable chairs

Today I'm grateful for Comfortable Chairs...

Ok, so I have missed a day (or so) of the blog,  I can't really remember how many days I have missed this week.
Since I had the fall, I have been bed (chair) bound, unable to get up and do stuff for myself. I can't even make a cup of tea or anything. I am so pissed off at the moment, so tired of being in pain and unable to do even the simplest thing for myself. And so over trying to find something to be positive about. Come on, do I have to be little miss sunshine the whole time? Pollyanna can take a day off for a change.

Fine, fine... I will give it a go. The point of all this is to find something positive, no matter how hard it is, or how cranky I am at the time.

So here I am, laid up, and what can I do except read, watch tv or make lists of things I have to do when I am up and about again. Fabulous.

Comfy Chairs. the only thing I can think of  is that we have lovely big comfy chairs to sit in while I am waiting to be mobile again.

Kisses

Julie

Day Seventy - Not Broken

Today I'm Grateful for not being broken.

As you know, I had a little fall two days ago. I was laid up Wednesday and then yesterday was worse. I thought maybe I had broken my hip or something because I was in so much pain.

Good news is, no I haven't broken anything. I am able to walk (a little) today, at least I got to the lounge room before I had to sit down again. I am so grateful that nothing is broken. At least this way, all I have to do is rest a bit and I will be up and around in no time.

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Nine - Glee!

Today I'm Grateful for Glee.

Hmm, well, today I was trying to do the dishes when I slipped and fell... heavily. Onto my right knee and elbow. Ouch. To say the least.

Anyway, so I am laid up for the day, and to keep myself amused I watched the first season of Glee. Not exactly what I was expecting, funny, and unusual, and it even kept Jam amused while she was here.

So thanks Glee.

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Eight - Budgeting for a Purpose

Today I'm Grateful for our Financial Adviser.

Hubby and I have been keen on getting our finances into a healthier state for a while now. We figured that he earns a good wage, we should be further along than what we are, financially speaking.

Of course, we are doing very well for ourselves, but something always happens that puts us back a few steps as far as our future is concerned. With this in mind, a while back we employed the services of a nice lady named Rosanna and she has been compiling a plan for us to help us pay off our home a lot sooner than we thought possible. Today was D day. The day we begin our budgeting and wealth management program! It may be a bit of an adjustment, but with the end goal in sight (earlier retirement for Steve) then we are sure that it will be worth it.

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Seven - Wheelchairs

Today I'm Grateful for Wheelchairs.

 As most of you know by now, eldest daughter Lizzie is housebound because Bub wants to come see us early. Today we decided to go shopping for the Baby shower goodies and Lizzie wouldn't have been able to come with us if it wasn't for being able to borrow a wheelchair from centre managment. Luckily we did  borrow one and she was able to come with us.

Not often I get to push people around... hehehe. Or get told where to go either for that matter!

Nice day, got lots of cool stuff to do on the shower day, I think the ladies will have fun (at least I hope so).

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Six - Worms

Today I'm Grateful for Worms.

Hmm, not sure that's a good way to start a blog, but hey, it's true.

The other day we trundled off to Bunnings to buy a bamboo rug for the lounge room and brought home with us: 1 bamboo rug (large) 1 hall runner (not large enough), 4 sanding blocks, 1 very large worm cafe, and 1200 worms.

The poor wee worms have been sitting there in the corner of my kitchen (in a box, people!)  for the better part of a week, so today found the three of us down the back of the shed, pruning geraniums and clearing space under the gum trees for the worm farm to sit in. While I ran around (figuratively speaking) trying to find the instruction manual for said worm farm, Hubby and Jam put the worm farm together and did all that was necessary, including the yukky bits, and upon my arrival back to the shed with the instructions in hand, only for them to say, "its all done, just put your worms in now..." hmm, do you think maybe they were just trying to get me out of the way? I really am grateful that I didn't have to do the yuk bits. :)

Worms are safely burrowing away in their muckky tray and we are on the way to being just that little bit eco friendlier. Yay us!!

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Five - Productiveness

Today I'm Grateful for being productive.

 We all accomplished heaps today. Hubby cleaned up the patio area, looks quite nice too. He put up the archway over the garden, drilled holes in the wall for my candelabras. Then he and S-I-L put the tv up on the wall in the new study (so Hubby can watch foxtel sports without bugging me) and tidied away all of the rubbish from the yard.

Jam helped me around the house, and also finished one and a half of her TAFE assignments. Well done.

Me, I did washing, also stripping new towels of their non-absorbency, proof read Jam's assignment, sorted drawers, helped with Baby Shower plans, made huge amount of mince chow mien for dinner (and freezing) and generally bounced around the house and yard helping out here and there.

It feels good to be productive, getting things accomplished, and the house is starting to look good too.

So I'm grateful that we were all well enough and able to accomplish these things today.

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty Two - Sixty Three and Sixty Four - Getting on with it...

Today I'm Grateful for just Getting on with it.

Yes, I know I have been AWOL for three days, but it was on purpose. I am going through another 'rough' patch. The pain is awful, my arthritis is burning, the FMS is making every single joint hurt and my headache just wont go away, getting worse and making me feel physically sick when I move around. And quite frankly, I am at that point where I feel so bloody useless and like I am a burden to everyone else.

And yes, I do know that I have been here before. And will probably be here again. And I know that this too will pass. And I know that you are tired of hearing this. Guess what? So am I.

So after a fair amount of prompting from eldest darling girl, I figure I will just 'Get On
With It'. And even if it is difficult, I will keep on keeping on with this project.

Day sixty two - I was grateful for Lizzie being able to leave the hospital and rest at home.

Day sixty Three - I was grateful for Hubby changing yet another blown tyre. And grateful that fights with Jam don't last long.

Day Sixty Four - Today I am grateful for the endless cups of tea today, to keep the pain at bay. Honest, it works... would I lie to you?? :) Mmmm, tea... maybe just one more before I go to bed? hehehe

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty One - Jam

Today I'm Grateful for Jam.

Not the sweet sticky type, but our younger daughter Jam. Sweet yes, but not usually sticky, lol.

The reason I am so very grateful to Jam (or for Jam) is that once again, Eldest daughter Lizzie was admitted to hospital today, and she needed some lactose free milk and some other stuff. To save me from having to leave the hospital, Jam went to the shops for me and got what we needed, brought it to us at the hospital, and then went and picked up something for dinner.

It may not seem much, but after the emotional roller coaster ride that these visits to the hospital cause, it is nice to have some of the stress taken off.

So thanks Jammy, you're awesome.

Kisses

Julie

Day Sixty - Talking

Today I'm Grateful for being able to talk to my Hubby.

Really talk I mean. You know, not the usual, 'how are you?', 'fine', type of thing, but a meaningful conversation. We spent all day together, and we spoke of many things, Den, the house, the kids, anything and everything. It was nice. Really nice. It has been a long time since we just chatted.

I think couples in general tend to let the normal day to day ordinariness get in the way of their relationship. They get bored with the same old stories and think that they 'know' what the other person is going to say. My dear Hubby has found out that although we may be in sync quite a lot, he actually doesn't know what I'm going to say, most of the time. And so he has agreed to actually listen to the whole sentence before putting in his two cents worth, lol. It was an amusing conversation, I can assure you.

So here's to communication, compassion and compromise. The three essentials to a happy marriage after nearly 30 years.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Nine - Forgetfulness

Today I forgot to write about what I was grateful for:-

So I wondered, is it ok to forget about stuff some days? It wasn't as if I was super busy or accomplished much of anything. I just forgot. Is that ok? Am I a bad person for not thinking that I am particulary grateful for anything today? Meh. I can't be putting myself under so much pressure to be perfect. I know that I will try my best for the rest of the year, and sometimes I do wonder why I am doing this in the first place. Please remind me... anyway. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Eight - Swings and Sunshine

Today I'm Grateful for my swing seat and the sunshine.

 I was still trying to get rid of that pesky headache today, and spent some of the day outside sitting on my swing seat in the sunshine. It didn't help with the headache, but gee it was nice. Just listening to the birds fighting in the trees, and watching the dragonflies chasing each other around the yard. Our two lovely little dogs found something smelly to roll around in the grass and were having so much fun doing it, I had to laugh.

It is nice to know that I can still see the beauty and fun in life, even when I have a shitty pain day.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Seven - Memories

Today I'm Grateful for my Memories.

If you are a regular reader of this 'blog', then you have probably figured out by now that I have spent the past three weeks doing anything and everything except dealing with my emotions with regards to losing my Uncle/Brother/Best friend/Terrible Twin. I have spent time with my daughters, moved things around in the house, cleared out cupboards, scrubbed, washed, rearranged and pretty much put everyone in the house into disarray.

Today was a slow day. I felt a little crappy, but determined to get the house cleaned up. Not so lucky I'm afraid. That nasty little pain in the head started up again, and just wouldn't quit. So I tried drinking fresh water, didn't work. I tried a quiet walk in the garden, didn't work. I tried my neck exercises, yep, you guessed it, didn't work. So I ended up back on the bed, painkillers, rested for awhile.

Yes, I am getting to the point. The point is, I had time alone, with nothing to do but think.

Normally thinking would be a good thing. It's where I get most of my great ideas (and some of my bad ones), but today I thought about Den (Uncle). I thought about our childhood together, and our 'disco' days as teenagers, about singing as we stride arm in arm down the street. I thought about how we were always there for each other, even when we lived in separate states. All this thinking made my head hurt even worse, I felt like crap. Physically and emotionally. But I didn't cry. Still. And then I worried over that awhile.

Then I had another thought.

Why do I have to cry to feel better? I know that I loved him. He knew that I loved him. And we all know that I am going to miss him even more as time goes along. In my experience, I will probably cry at the most inappropriate times, and for silly reasons, and I will laugh and dance inappropriately too (like at the wake). But for me, I cope by being busy, and spending time with my family. This is what is important to me.

I know that whenever I want to see Den, all I have to do is check out some of our photos, and memories of our time together will spring to mind, vivid and as real as if it happened yesterday. And I will remember Den, as being the funny, intelligent, outspoken, dedicated friend and brother as if he was here having coffee with me, just like always.

So today I am grateful that I have my memories of Den, so that I can visit him whenever I want. This helps me to know that I can move forward in my life without feeling bad that I am here, and he isn't.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Six - Breakfast in Bed

Today I'm grateful for breakfast in bed.

As the subject line might suggest, my Hubby brought me breaky in bed today. Scrambled eggs on toast, with a big mug of tea. Mmmm yummy. I felt completely spoilt. And yes, I am a lucky woman, and never take him for granted. And all this when he still isn't up to eating solid foods himself yet...

I am thinking that maybe Hubby might be considering his own mortality, after the loss of his best friend (Uncle) on the 21st. Perhaps he is thinking that we don't know how long we have left with the people we love, and that maybe he wants to show us how much he cares, by doing little things for us, like breakfast in bed, or telling Jam how pretty she looks today. I understand completely. I am doing something similar, getting my house the way I want it, now, rather than later and not putting off going to see family and friends.

Breakfast in bed might very well be a symptom of grief for Hubby, and clearing out the house a symptom of mine, but I always say, "whatever works for you, is all good.".

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Five - Clearing Space

Today I'm Grateful for being able to clear my space.

Yesterday, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to give over my 'Reiki Room' to Hubby to use as his study. Now before you go granting me beatification for my selflessness, I have to admit to an ulterior motive... alas, I too have my dark side...hard to imagine I know... (stop sniggering!)

Hubby is the most wonderful, considerate, loving and fantastic husband any mere woman could ask for, but he does tend to s-t-r-e-t-c-h himself and his belongings out. A lot. So even though he does indeed clean up his study area (the new house has a formal lounge/dining area at the front of the house, small, but usable space) at least twice a week, it is still in a constant state of mess. Just mess. Can't hide it. Can't get away from it. It's messy.

So when I was doing my whole planning what to do with the house thing last week (trying to keep busy, remember?) I thought how nice it would be if the first thing people saw when they walked into our home was not a small area with three huge desks and assorted clutter,but rather a nice, cosy and peaceful reading area. No TV. No mess. Just a sofa bed (to use for unexpected visitors) and a comfy arm chair with neatly arranged bookcases. Some appropriate artwork on the walls. Mood lighting. Sounds nice doesn't it?

As you can see, I thought this through quite carefully. I then put it to Hubby that he could have his own space in the spare room. No sharing involved. Now, it is a little known fact, but men really don't like to share their study areas. No, really. honest, I wouldn't lie to you about that. They say its ok, but deep down, (or even quite near the surface) they really just want their 'Man's Cave' all to themselves. Yes, most of them have sheds, but an inside Man's Cave is the ultimate in acquisitions. Hence the study. You are of course now wondering if Hubby went for the idea. Damn Straight he went for the idea! Dude, if he wasn't feeling so sick, he would have had the rooms changed in under ten seconds flat.


We still have quite a bit to do, Jam and I are still sharing the formal dining area as our study, but have both decided that we will keep it clean and tidy and not infringe on each others space.

There you go, for most of today I was changing rooms around, moving furniture I wasn't supposed to be lifting, and generally having a good old clean out. It was actually very therapeutic. I always say that there is nothing quite like a good clear out to let the Universe know that you are ready to put the past behind you and move on to a better, clearer future. Let's hope the Universe gets the memo this time.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Four - Light entertainment

Today I'm grateful for a little light entertainment.

After a nightmare ride with the navman this morning, I finally got to my pathology appointment, had said blood taken, went to the shop and picked up Hubby's glasses that keep breaking, went home, where I collapsed with a cracking migraine, yet again.

So once the imigran kicked in, and the massive dose of painkillers made an indent, I finally slept off the rest of the pain and by around 7pm I was feeling much better. So grateful for that! Pain is great, because it feels so wonderful when it stops...hehe.

Anyway, I was sitting in the chair just flicking through the 87 channels (and still nothing to watch), when I remembered the planner. Gee I love my foxtel IQ. I have recorded the first two episodes of Leverage. I love that show. Jam and I sit together and watch it every week. So we sat (sort of) together tonight and watched the two episodes. Just what I needed, a little light entertainment to relieve the stresses of the past couple of months.

It is good that I am starting to not take myself quite so seriously again. For awhile there I was all like..."poor me, why me, why does it always have to be so hard". Ok, I may still ask the questions, but I now know the answer...

Why not?...

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Three - Spagetti Bolognese

Today I'm grateful for spaghetti bolognese.

Isn't spaghetti bolognese one of the best meals on the planet? Lets face it, it's cheap, it's easy, tasty, you can load it with secret veges, and it can be made in huuuuge quantities. Which is what I needed today, in order to help out Lizzie and S-I-L for dinner, as she can't stand long enough to make a meal at the moment. So, after taking Hubby to the doctor to get a jab in the butt for his gastric flu, paid the rates, go home,put him to bed, make him soup,  have food (not having eaten before 1pm! not good for a diabetic), do major shopping online, then take Jam to the shop to pick up stuff for dinner tonight, cook said dinner, (rest for half hour while dinner finishing), take dinner to Lizzie, came home and actually took an hour and a half to myself and watched Midsomer Murders, (it was a good one). And now I have to clean up, unless Jammy wants to do it for me... :)

Ok, kisses

Julie

Day Fifty Two - People in My Life

Today I'm Grateful for:-

Today I'm grateful for the people in my life.

I have found, through the years, that I tend to take people for granted. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't mean to. I just kind of... leave them by the wayside I guess you could say.

This all comes about because we moved so often as kids, and again when I married, during our 'Navy years'. By the time I had made friends (always difficult for me) we had to move and even though we tried, always ended up losing contact with people who had meant a lot to us. Of course, this isn't exactly taking people for granted, but more a case of letting them go without a whimper. Like I said, I don't mean to. I really try to stay in contact with people, but as you know, life frequently gets in the way.

My goal today (or at least this week) is to remember the people in my life whether just by a phone call, email, a note to say hi, or listen to some music that meant a lot to us.

Don't get me wrong, I constantly try to find ways to let my immediate family know that I love and appreciate them. So I NEVER take them for granted. I'm talking about other people in my life. Family I don't see every week, family over east, friends that I love to see, but rarely do, my children's friends whom I also love to catch up with, but rarely do. You know, the people who light up your day when you see them, or talk to them on the phone. Even the friendly girl at the chemist. These people all make a difference in our lives. It makes us not so alone in this sometimes horrible world.

I read an article a while ago, about a man (who actually wrote a book about it) who sent a thank you note to everyone he met... including the girl who made his coffee in the fast food place of a morning. He included teachers from his primary school days (loooong time ago) and family members.  Apparently some of the people cried because they were 'being seen' for the first time in a long time. Makes me think.

Sometimes we can feel invisible to others, like nothing we say or do makes a difference to anyone. Maybe it's time we all opened up to others, allowed them into our lives, our hearts, and let them make a difference to how we see ourselves. Believe me, it will be worth it, the people we care about are gone before we are ready to let them go. Don't go another day without letting them know you care, or that you appreciate the way they make a great plate of eggs.

I am so very grateful to have people in my life who 'see' me. You don't judge me. You can see my faults, but like or love me anyway, and in some cases, because of them. Thank you.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty One - Small Mercies

Today I'm Grateful for:-

Today I'm grateful for small mercies.

As you know, Lizzie was in hospital yesterday with bubba deciding to come early (12 weeks early!) and so she was admitted to hospital to stop the contractions. It worked!! yay! She was allowed home today, on the proviso that she rest for the next couple of weeks.

It really is the small things that make it worth keeping on with the struggle of this life. Like keeping a baby safe until he is big enough to be born. Or making plans to get healthy. Or clearing your space to make room for new (and better) changes in our lives.

So, small mercies, the ability to keep moving forward, even if they are only baby steps, just keep moving forward.

Kisses

Julie

Day Fifty - More hospital staff

Today I'm Grateful for:-

Today I'm grateful for hospital staff, once again.

It seems like I have been thanking hospital staff a lot these days. And today, once again we have cause to be grateful that the staff are kind and hardworking, doing what can sometimes be a very thankless task.

My eldest daughter Lizzie is 27 weeks pregnant, and yesterday she started having what seemed to be contractions. Of course, being Lizzie, she put off talking to anyone about it until 11am this morning!! Sometimes I worry about that girl! Anyway, the midwives were all very good with her, telling her that no, she wasn't being silly and yes, she should come in immediately. It's just as well we did, the contractions continued to get stronger and other things happened to cause the doctor (when he turned up, which was as soon as he was physically able) to be 'quite concerned'... hmmm, not a good sign. So after about 6 hours waiting for the doctor, she was given some tablets to try and stop the contractions. The good news is, bub is still doing really well, heart beat is strong and he has started moving around again (he was too quiet yesterday), so all is good there. We just have to wait now and see if the contractions go away.

So Universe, when we said the other day that we couldn't wait to meet Bubba... we didn't actually mean that we want him to be premmie... please, keep him safe for a while longer. And Lizzie too. Oh, and Universe, I guess you really didn't get my memo about no more challenges for awhile? Please?

Anyway, I am very grateful for all the lovely midwives and doctors who have been so helpful and caring for Lizzie (and me) today. Thanks for the cuppas and the sandwiches. You guys are awesome.

Kisses

Julie

Day Forty Nine - Funny Books

Today I'm Grateful for:-

Today I'm grateful for funny books.

As you know, I haven't been having a very good couple of months, what with one thing and another, so when Lizzie gave me a new paperback the other day, I was looking forward to having a 'light' read.

I spent the better part of today (Thursday) reading the new paperback and it was a nice change. I usually opt for something with a little more depth, but sometimes, you just need to phase the real world out and spend some time in another world.

So thanks for the book kiddo, wasn't exactly a classic in the making, but it was a funny, lighthearted read, just what the doctor ordered.

Kisses

Julie