The day after the baby announcement!

Was a bit of a slow riser this morning as it was after midnight when we got home and to bed, Flanners had arrived but forgot something and had to return to Bicester, I got up and started breakfast and Zoe and Niamh came over - scrambled eggs all round. 

They were obviously excited and the day followed the same pattern of people hearing the news and asking all the questions and screaming and crying. Good fun.

After breakfast and chatting with Brian we then went over to Sue's so they could share the news with her, Nikki was there with Danny and Vics kids and Sue had been shopping for lunch and everyone was pleased and excited with the news, then Katie turned up with her kids and then Tiff too - seems the word had got out!

It was a nice afternoon and then Lewis and Emily needed to leave for a meal with her family so they were on the road at about 1.30pm so in good time, and that signalled for everyone else to leave. Tash and I stayed and tidied up and did jobs where possible and we too left about 3.30pm. 

Needed to do some jobs in the garden but I then noticed that Charl still had my hedge trimmer so I went and got that and was pleased to learn that Miles had refitted the wire that we've all cut through once or twice in the past - like having a new tool!

Thanked them and was pleased to learn that their evening and then afternoon tea today had been a success.

Back home Tash and I worked in the garden and then when too dark came in for dinner (gammon with pineapple that was good) and then spent nearly two hours on her work's Wordpress site trying to sort ordering in a webpage, it was driving me nuts and it did defeat me - pissed off about that.

We then watched a couple of episodes of the Traitors - we're completely hooked on it, I love it.

Then early night to bed - what a weekend that has been. Still can't quite believe it!  

We're going to be GRAND PARENTS!!!!

Yes you read that correctly..finally!

Lewis and Emily were down for the weekend for the Harry Potter Show we were going to later today and then came down for breakfast first thing. Lewis went upstairs and came down with a small box that had Gin Making kit on it that he said had been delivered to them in error in Manchester.

Tash opened the box and was presented with a baby-grow, a card and a baby scan - she screamed and said rude words in excitement - Emily filmed the whole lot. We were both over-whelmed and excited, we really didn't expect any babies or weddings for another couple of years - this was a huge surprised.

Obviously we were delighted and all the questions then came out after the hugging and crying. 

Emily is just over 8 weeks gone (so it's quite an early announcement) and they had a private scan to make sure but will now go through the normal NHS schedule so the next one is shortly for 12 weeks - they will determine sex if they can and it was planned - just quicker that expected.

Such brilliant news!

After all that calmed down a bit I sorted Flanners out who was working on the porch again this weekend and we then got ready and made our way to Mum's and in the car before we set up Lewis handed her the card and then the excitement started again!

Getting to London was no problem and Tash had booked a place in Sussex Gardens that she'd used before and it was perfect, we walked to Marble Arch, got some snacks and then got the tube to Covent Garden and then walked to meet everyone in a Cafe Nero in Soho a couple of minutes walk from the theatre. 

Downstairs with our drinks and food Lewis handed out the cards to Jack and Charlotte announcing they were going to be Aunt and Uncle and again, lots of excitement and questions came about from everyone - it was really lovely. Loads of energy and people buzzing, it was great.

We then made our way to the theatre for the first of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child shows - lovely place it was but Tash had bought us really poor seats - missing a third of the stage depending on where you were sat - but it was sold out so there was no way of moving to a better view. No one said anything, they were all Xmas presents so they couldn't really. I think Tash felt a bit sheepish and kept insisting on sitting in the worst seat but I took that place for one of the performances.

So the day was a show at 2.00pm with an interval as normal, you then have a break and back again for the second half at 7.00pm. The show itself was enjoyable. There were a few things that took a bit of getting used to (oh, the show is about Harry and Draco's sons becoming friends at school - I think there were gay undertones between them but it didn't completely come to the surface so was a bit vague) anyway, that didn't detract from the sets and special effects which were good. Some of the magic tricks were excellent and kept us guessing how they were done.

With the first show done, we left and walked a few minutes round the corner to a restaurant that Charlotte had booked called Wingmans - we had our own little booth but it was such a cool place and set up - loved it. Food (chicken!!) and drink sorted and we had a time for a pudding for Miles's birthday which is next week.

Whilst waiting for the restaurant to sort our table (we were 10 mins early) Tash received a text message from Zoe, as she'd come round to walk Bess for us and Tash deliberately placed the baby announcement information by the dog lead - Zoe played it cool initially as if to not show that she'd read the card - in fact I think she thought it was from Tom and Emily thanking us for presents for their baby Bobby. Then her and Niamh read the details and we got excited, screaming voicemails from them both!

Back to the theatre for the second show and that was enjoyable too - it was a long day though having both shows in one day - but you'd not want to come back for the second one on a different day/night so it was good to do it in one hit. We all enjoyed it. Since coming home I've read some scathing and negative reviews but I think that's mainly from people that are massive fans. It did have some quirky and odd bits about it but overall really enjoyed the day.

Outside the theatre Charlotte and Miles got an Uber to Brixton O2 as they'd got tickets for Sami Vergi with GG and Ev (and they were staying the night in London as they were going to Savoy for lunch tomorrow - great birthday present for Miles) and we got the tube to Paddington and said our goodbyes to Jack and Jodie. Jodie was right with the tube station stop as it made our walk to the car shorter and then we were on the road. I fell asleep, dropped Mum off and then got home and straight to bed.

Such a brilliant day - keep thinking about it and what I will be called, can't think of anything decent at the minute but I am sure I will get there with something!

So pleased for them both, and with the new house purchase such a change to their lives. Hope that goes through soon.

We are the first to be told the news, Emily's parents already have grandchildren, they will obviously be pleased but for us it's our first so that's super special. There was obviously reference to Derek too in that we lose him but gain a new member to the family (Dark Side!). 

Tash and I are already planning logistics for travelling up North to be involved and how often and how long etc. Need to get it right so we're not over-bearing! Yeah, good luck with that..

Great Grandma’s Cremation

Sad day today, another one!

Once more, the title is self-explanatory. Two weeks after her death we said goodbye to Great Grandma today. I worked in the morning as I had some urgent things to attend to and then from 11.00am we got ourselves sorted. We went over the the Crematorium about 12.20pm and there was a number of people there already, eventually most of the family were there which was pleasing, Louise and all her family, haven’t seen Trevor in about 5-6 years, Ricky and Lisa were there and so were the two girls which we weren’t expecting, Matthew and his wife too. Alan from the close was also in attendance and pleasingly Mum had been allowed to get Derek from the Nursing Home so he could come as well. He will have to self-isolate now for 14 days but he’s not doing much at the home so that’s not going to be any sort of inconvenience for him!!

We waited outside chatting and it was subdued as you’d expect but some normal chatter as well. The hearse arrived so we made our way down to the entrance and waited for a while and then were allowed in, sat at the front with Mum so I could support her if required and Derek was next to her in his wheelchair. Grandma was brought in and the service was present by a chaplain who was nice enough and instead of singing hymns there was music played and this worked. Nice to hear about Grandma’s life and admittedly it wasn’t as heart-breaking as you’d expect. Lewis stepped up to the plate and read her favourite poem, ‘”Wandered lonely as a cloud” and did brilliantly, I was extremely proud of him, and even afterwards Jack admitted to him that he’d not have been able to say anything so was impressed with his brother.

The service passed and then all done and we’re being ushered out, we waited around in the rose garden looking at the flowers and messages and chatting and comforting a few who were upset. After a bit we needed to make a move so Mum called for the taxi and we went and waited out in the car-park continuing conversations etc with people we hardly see anymore and will likely see even less of! Taxi came and that was the signal for things to finish. Mum went with him and Louise’s family went to her house – bit annoyed about that because it’s obvious they were going to but Mum played it down and was suggesting it wasn’t going to happen and that’s why they couldn’t come to ours – anyway, whatever.

So we came back here and sat around the dining room table for food and drinks and didn’t go back to work. Nice afternoon, chatting about everything and remembering funny stories about Great Grandma.

Mum came round later for an hour and the by about 5.30pm it was all done. We got changed into more comfortable clothes and put a film on. Had a bit more wine and beers but nothing to overdo things and generate hangovers!

Off to bed for an early night in what has been a long, tiring and emotional day.

Said it before, but Grandma was a remarkable woman and she’d enjoyed a great life and was well-loved which goes without saying. she’ll be sorely missed but we’ve been so lucky to have been able to enjoy so much time with her.

xxx

Great Grandma had passed away

Sad new today, as the subject line says, Great Grandma died today.

She made it to 100 last year and she was getting more and more frail but she still lived in her own home until the end.

She’d had a bit of an accident a couple of weeks ago and was admitted to JR where she then contracted Covid, but she was getting over that and was discharged to St Luke hospital in Headington whilst recovering before she was going to be sent to a nursing home in Witney. Sadly she didn’t make it out of St Luke’s

Mum has been going up there of course and today she, Sue and Roger were advised to pop up and see her, Mum contacted me later to let us know we could go and see her but she was in a deep sleep and not responsive and I didn’t really want to remember her that way. Sure enough, a couple of hours later (7.00pm) they called Mum to tell her Grandma had passed away in her sleep.

So very sad of course, Mum and everyone in our house was upset, I went round to Mum’s after she put the phone down and hugged her and spent some time at the house. Louise was on her way down and arrived just as I was walking out the door so it’s good that she’s down to support her. As will we.

It’s strange to say the death of a 100 year old is a shock, it’s always going to be likely, but when it actually happens you still felt she had more time left with us.

But she’s had a remarkable life and there are no regrets to be had, we were there a lot for her and with Natasha’s organisation she was round our house lots of times for meals etc. It’s lovely that kids in their late teens and early/mid twenties can have known a GREAT Grandmother, many don’t even have grandparents alive.

We have loads of lovely positive memories and we have photos and videos to remember her and cherish the time she was with us and involved in family events.

It’s desperately sad and she will be missed, she was very much loved by all.

Great Grandma Update

She’s fine but she’s has a scan and there is a small spot of calcium on her brain that might have lead to some dementia, but at 100 years old I wonder what difference it really makes! She’s on a drip, which might be because of dehydration, but other than that the hospital say she’s okay. In saying that, Mum has said they do have concerns for her and she thinks it’s very likely they’re going to propose she goes into a home. Mum is obviously saddened by that, but I said she’s got absolutely nothing to be guilty about or anything because they’ve not let her down if she does go into one.

We think it should have happened about a year ago so to have got to now and she’s still lively in the bungalow on her own then they’ve all done brilliantly.

We’ll see.

Not much else to report – didn’t go for another run today, yesterday’s first run on the Couch to 5K programme done me in! Slept really badly, but don’t know if that is because of the run or because of being sat at my desk for two days – really painful back.

Busy today on Raintree work, got loads done – but then they kept sending work over so that was good.

New broadband and Great Grandma falling over

New broadband being installed today, we’ve moved over to Sky – in fact that’s why I am typing this, I can’t access the internet. Fingers crossed the speed should at least double and it’s a lot cheaper than it was with BT. We’ll find out soon enough, I’d had enough of the problems with BT, kept dying and was so frustrating.  But let’s hope I don’t live to regret my decision!

Had a chat with Mum earlier today as last night Grandma had fallen down (for the third time in two days) and was taken to hospital with a cut head. All a bit worrying but she’s hard as nails so wasn’t concerned. Obviously with Covid restrictions she’s on her on in the JR without us being able to visit or anything. We’ve said for some time that she needs to be somewhere instead of her bungalow where she can be better looked after and kept an eye on, perhaps this is the catalyst that will make up the minds of Mum and Sue; Roger & Sue have already decided that and are clearly angling for that to be the case, but I understand how hard a decision it is to make.

What was bad though is that when Mum, Sue and Simon were there yesterday they’d called the ambulance at 8.00pm and after loads of other calls one didn’t arrive until 2.00am – all that time Grandma was lying on the floor because of the cut to her head and pain in her hip – not impressed

Grandma’s 100th Birthday

So the day has arrived and she’s made it!!

Grandma is 100

We went round to her house in the morning to set up the shelter in case of bad weather and Sue and Mum were there already sorting a few things out and Louise and Molly also arrived. They’d been to our house first to drop off the wooden spindle I’m after so that was pleasing.

Chatted for a bit then we all went our separate ways to get ready and work etc.

Back to the house about 4.00pm and grandma came out and she was fine and in good spirits.

I had birthday music on all afternoon which was amusing and we sat around chatting etc and watching her opening her cards and presents.

Got the message from the Queen and then also a call with Derek and Brett so that was a bonus.

Also a shout out on the local radio – we turned down the offer to interview her but the message was lovely.

We had fish and chips and Sue/Simon were generous and paid and it was very nice food actually – will use them again.

Stayed quite late but she tired and went and sat in her room and we then took everything down and left to be home by 9.00pm – quite a lot later that expected.

Not enough room in the car so me, Tash and Lewis walked home.

Had a couple of drinks when we got back and chatted etc and watched a bit of TV and then off to bed

Amazing that she’s 100 years old, no idea how much longer she’ll go on for, a number of years yet I suspect.

Family BBQ out of the blue

Worked in Raintree today and pretty full on but finished and got home as we were hosting again this evening with a BBQ for Mum, Derek and Grandma. They came over about 5.30pm and I got the coals going, wasn’t the best one but it cooked all the meat fine in the end, we had loads today for some reason. Miles was also over and we got on the gin that Pauline and John gave to Tash for her birthday. It was a small-ish bottle and it didn’t stand a chance…it was so tasty we actually finished it.

We then went through loads of wine as well…anyone would not think it was a school night. It was a lovely evening, a bit cold but those near the patio heater were okay…I wasn’t one of them! Wrapped up in blankets it was fine, stayed outside chatting etc until about 9.00pm when they left and we then stayed out until about 10.30pm. I think both Charlotte and Miles would happily have stayed up longer but we’d run out of wine, so that was the signal for bed.

A very nice evening and Mum appreciates us doing it for them and Grandma just enjoys being out and about so it works well. It’s so nice for the kids to have a great grandparent – she’s 99 in a couple of weeks – we’re going to host a lunch for her then as well, all the families are invited, that’ll be interesting.

Great Grandma’s Birthday trip out

It was Grandma’s birthday last week and for her present we agreed to take her out and treat her to lunch at Waterperry gardens in Wheatley. I finished early and when Tash was home we went and picked her up around 2.30pm and drove out there. Mum and Derek were waiting, we paid and then went for a stroll round the gardens.

They are beautiful, I was really impressed. Tash was distracted as Lewis is stressed about his exam results and next actions required so that was a strained atmosphere between us which is frustrating, I don’t like that.

Tried to ignore it and just enjoy the time with the family like this. Grandma was excellent wandering around and still has the stamina to be able to walk round and enjoy what’s going on. She is amazing, obviously had to stop a few times and she was looking forward to her cup of tea once we got round to getting that! Had some cakes and then time to come home, really enjoyed it.

Took grandma home and did a few thing to help around the kitchen and then left her, heart-breaking as she said, ‘I do hate it when you have to leave and I am alone’, what can you do?

Evening was nice but that was a lovely day – glad we did it

		Waterperry Gardens VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Great Grandma’s 95th Birthday

Travelled to peters books in the morning and had a very full on busy day which included training the new starter Stewart that was a bit tough going. Got loads of other work done and then came home on the earlier train so as to be home in time for going out yet again!

Dropped by Decathlon to take Jack's broken bike in and I was delighted that they agreed to fix it for free so that was a bonus as taking it to Summertown would have been over £50!!

Got home and caught up with Charlotte and her Psychology exam today was a bit of a struggle so she wasn't too confident. We'll see, it's her last one tomorrow and then that's it, she's completely finished with school. 

Tash and I then got ready and we went down to the pub in Yarnton to meet up with the family for Grandma's birthday...she's 95!

Mum, Derek, Sue & Simon were there and it was a very pleasant evening and we enjoyed it. Stayed for the full 2 hours and had a nice time. 

Got home around 10.00pm but still had work to do so finished around 11.30pm. A long day but it was good to spend time with Grandma. Bless her

Boat trip down the Thames

Grandma has been getting upset about me agreeing to take her on a boat trip down the river and then out for a meal but because I didn’t turn up she thinks she’s done something wrong to upset us! Aside from the fact I knew absolutely nothing about this I still felt guilty. Anyway, we agreed we would do it today and we would pick Grandma up (only Tash and I as the kids were all out) and meet Mum and Derek down at the Boat place

Picked her up and she was very confused. Said we were taking her for the boat trip and she then thought it was Waitrose. Difficult to cope with, I don’t know how mum does it every day – so patient and such a shame it really is.

Met Mum and Derek down at Salters and then found out we couldn’t get the boat we intended to. The chap took a booking for 4.30pm and we went to the Folly and had a drink to while away some time.

The trip was excellent and with the weather being so gorgeous it was a very pleasant time. Back all too soon so we went to the Folly cafe and got a coffee and some cake. Very nice indeed – we live in a great City!

Took Grandma home, picking up Charlotte and Rose on the way back as they’d just arrived from Westfield's shopping in London and Grandma said, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be home’ when we got there and she then did all she could to make us stay longer like sorting out the TV and her food and so on. Such a shame, felt really sorry for her when we left.

Dropped the kids off and then went to the Plough and met Wayne & Kerry fro a drink as there was an event in Wolvercote (isn’t there always?) and their girls had worked all day. Nice to see them

Went home and off to bed at 9.20pm as early day tomorrow for the TED training in London. Not much fun setting the alarm clock for 5.30am!!

A lovely day all told – bit of a hangover in the morning but getting used to these now!

Thames Boat Trip VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Charlotte & NTU, BBQ & Grandma…

I took the day off today to take Charlotte to the Nottingham Trent University Open Day.

Easy trip up there, 2 hours, and we wandered around and managed to get everything we planned to do…done. She’s very focussed and is determined to be able to do Psychology there. She’s excited by all the activities & clubs that are possible and is confused as to why Lewis has done so little. She’s certainly very keen to get as much out of life as possible, it was very refreshing spending time with her and listening to her.

We liked the tutor, the location, the accommodation and everything about it. We will likely look at other places as well to give her a good idea of what’s available but I think the grades would enable her to get into this one and I think that would be good for her.

A nice day.

Mum and Grandma came over in the evening for a BBQ which didn’t get going at all well, very odd. I’ve not had problems with a barbie for years not lighting. Got there in the end and it was very nice indeed! Grandma is getting more and more frail, physically and mentally (she is 94!) but it’s a shame for someone who’s managed so well. She forgets things and worries a lot. Her eyes and hearing are shot as well!

The sad thing at the minute is that she’s convinced that Tash and I said we’d take her out for a meal and boat trip a couple of weeks ago and when we didn’t turn up she thought that she’d upset us! We knew nothing about it, nothing was even mentioned so no idea where this idea came from. So she’s brought it up again this evening and is apologising like mad saying she’s so sorry and she’d never say anything whatsoever to upset me and Tash – I thought she was going to cry, it was heart-breaking. She repeated it about 4 times throughout the evening, that’s what it’s like now. Anyway, we said we’d organise something and get her on a boat trip asap!!