Santa's Challenge 2015 - Xmas, Birthdays, a chat, a bit of everything

Katiehound

Just the fold up shopping bag left to pack- wife gets the remaining half of the £1 challenge! That wasn't in the rules! local cards delivered. 2 cards with letters needing to be written tonight.

Today I went to my new doggy duvet outlet (had it since April I think) Emptied the charity collecting box. It had £85 collected since early October so I am thrilled- lots of duvets sold there!!!. So £100 to send to Dogs for Good in the next couple of days- donate by CC so no postage involved.

Dogs off to kennels on Saturday.

I am going to visit a school friend on Monday for lunch then drive about 1 +1/2 hours to visit my cousin- he moved south in summer sometime. Seeems my friend has a friend living in that same small E.Sussex town- turns out to be 2 doors from my cousin and she (my friend ) met him the day they moved in! That's my 3rd small world co-incidence this year. Spooky or what??

mum2one

the cat is out of the bag at home, it transpired that Miss Hoodie had overheard a conversation between myself and Grandad Hoodie..been playing on her mind mind been working overtime...

we had a call today, can you come in 2hrs time... mass panic, got there it was the head of the oncology.

Although the cancer has come back, he has marks found on his ct scan, they found it in his lung and bowel, he had a biospy last week, results had come back, the one bit they thought was the troublesome tumour, the chunks that they cut off - show no cancer, so he has to have another biospy in Jan, they've postponed the chemo for now, as the other marks aren't causing a problem yet. Any treatment will only be palative. We were given time scale last week, given us some idea of whats happening, so it will be make the most of what we have.

Miss Hoodie and Nanny Hoodie are now semi-aware of the issue, we were hoping to keep it quiet till the New year, partly from a selfish point of view to have a good Xmas and Miss Hoodie and me have the trip of a lifetime to Lapland.

There not aware of the ins and outs, for now is better, as neither have took it well, so its me to be the strong one....

x

mum2one

back to business...

Been very good and got a lot more sorted now...

Sunday - took friend and her families presents,
been xmas shopping and hitting online...

Dad - Jog pants (2 prs), jumper, polo shirt, ordered nice bottle of malt (free - as I had £30 off shopping voucher - even better reduced to £25 from £50) getting watch strap for his posh watch (fri) lush handcream
Need a few little nick nacks

Mum - mobile phone (wrapped) - (she thinks its a willow tree statue - doesn't like!!) lush handcream, santuary spa candles. Got to get skirt / nightdress..

For mum off dad... Radley purse (half price) I have to sort it our for him ,otherwise he would just keep getting her charlie perfume.

...
Starting to arrange to drop presents off

2 sets of box presents to post, 2 jiffy bags - there go 2mor, 10 cards left to write.

Not as organsied as I wanted to be by now, even if I say so myself we're getting there xx

mrs-moneypenny

Hugs mum2one, it is scary but you just have to carry on. Mil had her op over 18mths ago and has been on palliative care only since then, she has her problems but still goes out every week for meals with friends and gets to the cinema weekly so life does go on and is of good quality if that helps. If I can help support you on this journey don't hesitate to shout up, there is help available if you need it, McMillan nurses can be invaluable to some, I've not gone down that route yet but they are there for support and to answer any questions or even advise on available financial help grandad hoodie may be entitled to. From memory my dear fil was entitled to a blue badge and offered a few extra benefits but sadly by the time he was diognised it was too late for anyone to help and mil got quite offended by offers of financial help so refused to accept them which now makes me reluctant to contact them for her as she can be quite stubborn and it's not worth upsetting her over. But I was given the phone number of one of the specialist C nurses at the hospital and she has been a lovely supporting ear at the end of the phone when I've needed one.

Today is school panto trip so I'm off to see Snow White

Went out for a walk with Dh last night and delivered all the local cards so that's another pile off the table.
Made headway into the wrapping, but still have a fair chunk to do.
I think the only pres left to buy is a game for dd3s fiance. Have one more pres to post, but that's going to be done on Saturday. Missed posting the overseas cards so need to send a couple of emails to make up for those.
Oh and before I go to work today I need to write a class of Christmas cards but I sorted them out last night and have the list.

My lovely Dh has just bought me a cuppa so I'll do a bit more on the iPad then get card writing.

Have a good day all.

mum2one

Thank u Mrs m. We were lucky as we had a lot of the support etc last yr, mcmilliam helpd out, they got him the blue badge and low rate attendance allowance, spoke to the school there going to arrange councelling again for miss hoodie, he's still under day care (goes once a fortnight at mo) to the day care hospice - there going back to once a week, he loves it there, he use to make us laugh - someone had died that week - we always it's a hospice - ur cancer free... Just getting the free lunch, they were fading out the visits due to end Jan, he's over the moon he is back.

Just being up in the air again - touch wood - get there in the end x

Katiehound

Sorry to hear the news ... which clearly is not good.

I can't offer any practical help I'm afraid but I am more than happy to pm my phone number if you want to have a scream, howl, moan down the phone in the future.

Take care

Anglea

Hi everyone,

For most of this month I seem to have been ill with one thing or other (still not right) so haven't been on here as much as I wanted although I've been reading the updates.

I've got DS and his g/f arriving, then the other DS and my friend is helping me with Christmas, also going to the parents house, ex will be around. So rather busy getting it all together and I've still got lots to do.

Mum2one, I'm really sorry there is more problems with Grandad, yes it must be difficult to know how much to tell the rest of the family.

You've been really efficient with all your preparations amongst everything you must be doing and thinking about.

I'll be back later this evening to finish this post.

mum2one

Thank you both, it means the world.

I've had a couple of ngts away with Miss Hoodie, we went up to Llangollen, only 30 miles away, but it was great, the hotel upgraded us to the suite for no extra... we went from a double room - both had double beds..

Had to laugh at Miss Hoodie.... early hrs Monday morning... mum... mum.. woke up in a panic.... r u ok. Miss H - have you got enough room in bed mum, I haven't pushed you out have I... no Miss H, we both have a double bed... When she got up she couldn't remember..

Had a lovely drive yesterday to Betsy coed and then round LLanbiris. so we were by Snowdon, the weather was warm... we had some rain, but driving thou you'd have thought it was summer.

Touch wood everything else going ok, finished my wrapping 2ngt, its funny, Nanny hoodie - she has a carrier bag, grandad Hoodie - he has a massive box full... Then she has a
new mobile, he has clothes.....
Needless we say Miss Hoodie... has a good selection to work throu... xx

Anglea

Hi everyone,

I didn't have time the other day to finish my replies., DS and his g/f have arrived and just nipped out to get something so I am catching up on here.

I've moreless done everything for Christmas apart from a cooking timeline. My friend is arriving tomorrow night and will be helping with cooking and she also bought so many things food drink etc and getting some last moment items too. It will be a big help to have someone else around when DS2 will also be home.

Mum2one, that was funny for Miss H to forget about the beds. I'm glad you've managed to have a break from home. At least you didn't visit the local A & E this time. I think all your home made presents and organising seems like a full time job as you have many people on your list.

I hope we all remember to Defrost what we need Thursday night.

Mrs M, I hope you have got everything done that you needed. Did you get all your Christmas crafts done?

Katiehound - how was the visit on Monday?

Anglea

Hi Dundeedoll - I hope you are ok. Those are really good ideas for your secret santa.