This has been (another) busy week what with one thing and another and it has also been a worrying and stressful one. I'll start with the 'busyness' and go from there I think.
The week began with the fallout from some family drama which a lot of people got involved in and which had the capacity to cause all manner of problems. Fortunately, with a lot of thinking and a few calm heads, there seems to have been little damage done overall which is positive. In fact, a few bridges have been built and I hope that things continue in that manner.
Tuesday was a fairly quiet day until my pregnant daughter rang in floods of tears. She had been sick yet again, had experienced tummy pain and was basically exhausted. Normally I would jump in my car and go to her but her Dad is much nearer to her since our house move and he was able to get there and make sure she was ok. She ended up at the hospital and has been diagnosed with dehydration and hyperemesis gravidarum - acute sickness to you and me- and has now been prescribed anti sickness medication which we hope will help.
The hospital were able to hear the heartbeats of the babies which was very reassuring to all involved and my daughter has had a few days off work and is now ready to return on Monday morning and attempt to carry on as 'normal'.
On Wednesday I had arranged to have my second granddaughter for the day...just she and I...and we had a lovely time.
When I picked her up she was very excited and was dressed in what I can only describe as a bridesmaids dress. This is typical of her. She loves all things princess and with her beautiful long curly hair she looked quite the stunner.
It was up to her what she wanted to do for the day so we went to Queen Elizabeth Country Park where she climbed on all of the adventure playground bits and we made a fairy house....
.....and then it was on to the beach hut at Hayling Island where we had chocolate spread sandwiches, toasted marshmallows and collected shells....
I popped to see my eldest daughter on my way home to make sure she was ok after her hospital trip the previous evening. She looked knackered to be honest but was putting on a brave face. We were having a nice chat when, totally out of the blue, she was very sick. Poor love. I did feel for her. No wonder she feels so rough.
I did what I could to make her comfortable and left her to rest.
On Thursday I met up with a friend that I haven't seen for ages and who taught all four of our children when they were at nursery. We have stayed in touch over the years and we decided to meet at the halfway point between my house and hers - a garden centre - where we had lunch, cake and tea and a good old catch up. 3 hours later we decided we should make our way home! It was lovely to see her looking so well.
Friday was a home day so I decided to cook something nice. I made a lovely lamb and potato curry (Hairy Bikers Diet recipe) which I served with naan bread (not diet!) and it was followed by a Jamie Oliver dessert of grilled strawberries that had been soaked in Pimms and stem ginger and vanilla seeds. This was served with smashed shortbread, vanilla ice cream and a sprig of mint.
Both dishes were well received by all who sampled them.
Saturday arrived and I had booked pedicures for two of my daughters and myself as a treat. We enjoyed the experience - the two girls having not experienced a pedicure before - but I, like a fool, didn't have any flip flops or open toed sandals available. I left my newly varnished toes to dry for the allocated time but, disappointingly, the big toe nails on each foot were not completely dry when I put my shoes on and they both smudged which ruined the effect completely. I then went to pay and I was taken aback by the total cost of our session. I won't put the amount here but, suffice to say, I won't be returning to that particular salon any time soon.
Before my holiday in July I went to a salon local to me where I just walked in off the street and had a manicure and a pedicure for less that it would have cost me yesterday and the results were much better. Lesson learned. However, both the girls enjoyed the experience so I'm glad that I did it.
From there it was to daughters house to load up the car with bits to take to the dump and then on to my friend's house to chat about the possibility of visiting New York in December!! Yes, it looks as if we may be spending this New Year's Eve in New York City. This is so exciting that I can't quite believe it. I'll keep you updated, never fear!
And so, to today, which looks to be a calm day on the face of it. Youngest daughter, and temporary resident, has gone shopping and is going to be cooking dinner today and you will be able to see the results of her efforts here on my daughter's blog I should imagine.
As a closing piece and in reference to the family drama at the beginning of this update - the role of a parent is tricky. We are not taught how to be parents. We learn from our own mums and dads - from their good and bad bits - and we do our best. There is no doubt that we all get things wrong from time to time but certainly, from my personal point of view, being a mum is all I ever really wanted to be and it's a role that I have always taken seriously and tried to do my best at.
My experiences as a mum have been wonderful and depressing, glorious and upsetting, stressful and frightening and everything in between.
I believe that I have given everything and more to my children and I will continue to do so. I love them all unconditionally and I believe all four of them know this. They are my life and will always be so. Despite the ups and downs and the curve balls that get thrown at me from time to time I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that they are all happy and well.
And on that note...and if you've managed to stick with it this far...thank you and well done!.......I will sign off.
Until next time...
xxxxx
Oh, and Michelle..if you are reading this I will be in touch about NYC. Be warned!! xx
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