General Chat

Hi everyone, I am pretty down, had bad news this evening. My little great-nephew, born last Friday, has been diagnosed with Downs syndrome. His parents are understandably devastated. What occurs to me now is that, between my brother and I , we have 8 grandchildren. 50% have been diagnosed with issues - 2 with autism, 1 with Aspergers and now 1 with Downs. Another of my brother's grandsons age 2, is "failure to thrive", is not meeting milestones, I won't be surprised if he is eventually diagnosed with autism also. This is too high a percentage in a small family.
Although I mouth the usual platitudes, I feel heartbroken. it was so hard to accept that my 2 grandchildren had autism, now 2 or maybe 3 of their cousins have issues also. Something must be genetically skewed.
I know enough to realise that there are extremes in both autism and Downs, and we can't assume the worst. But I want to do something, to fix it.
On a happier note, my daughter arrived home this evening from Kingston, bearing a box, in which a lady from Kingston had packed a lot of registered/named African violet leaves for me, to get my collection going again. I was so excited, thrilled to see the potential of more beautiful plants. And then I got the message.
Forgive me for rambling, I know I am inclined to do so, it's just so sad. I'll take an extra citalopram tonight, to boost me up to fight another day, to be supportive to my brother and his family.
'Night all.
Mary

Mary I'm so sorry to hear your news. We all know Downs children are lovable and adorable, but we have babies in the hope that one day they will grow up and be self supporting. Starting a new branch to our family. I can't imagine how you all feel. A couple who lived next to me years ago had a niece with downs she was so sweet. The family loved her, she went to a main stream school. But it's always there the knowledge that she would always need supporting. What happens in the future? My thoughts are with you xxx

Caz I hadn't forgot you! Think of you loads. I don't want you to feel forgot! Just don't want you to feel you can not reply to any messages. It was lovely to see you here. Hope you will soon be over this latest set back xxx

Few people I haven't seen for ages Betty, Angela, Paula, Caz C,
Dawn, Sharron, Dave, Ben, Carolina, Malc, Joyce, Ann GG, Louise
Love to them all x

Have had a scorcher of a day today, so off pc for a while. Put Air con on at lunch time and took a bit to cool down. Load of work with pets trying to keep them cool.

We are up for an ever hotter weekend. Up to 47 c in some parts of my state. Not looking forward to it.

Glad you feeling a bit better Caz. Mary do not know how you cope at times, my hat is off to you.

Carole hope the cold has cleared up and you are feeling better.

Deanna, what you are going through I went through after my accident. It is an emotional roller coaster and it will settle. Not much help I know, I think your body and brain gets such a shock it takes time to mend.

Off to bed in a mo.

Gail

Mary congratulations on your beautiful new baby.

All I can say is this.... God must know what a loving caring lot you all are or he would not have allowed you to care for these babies.
Tell me something darling.... how much do you love these children??
Never mind.... I already know.... you never stop talking about them and the love shines through.

Bless you all.
Deanna XXX

Ohhh Deanna, you are right, the love in Mary's house does shine through. What a special family they are xx

Thank you for your support, and the pm's also, I am heading out to work this pm, in a few minutes, asked to work extra, so hopefully it will distract my ever -racing mind.
I cope by putting one foot in front of the other, and forcing myself to get on with the day. But some days, like today, I'm a bit fragile (don't laugh Carole Tink- I don't mean size-wise!!).
I've been mucking about with my plants this morning, they are such good therapy, last evening I received all these lovely leaves, 25 different registered violets, hopefully at least half will propogate for me. They are all settled into their new little homes, and thus far look healthy. I'm on the hunt for a grow-light plant stand to house them as they grow, had 3 - but got rid of them 4 years ago when we moved.
off to try and make sense of my hair and face before work.
Thanks again and Deanna you are right, I didn't know one could love grandchildren and nieces & nephews so much, I thought that depth of feeling was reserved for one's birth children.
Mary

this is for my friend Y/Caz and ive ask her is it ok to put this up
Caz is,nt having very bad time at the moment everything is getting her down,yesterday was in memory of her mum ,and the news about her spine did,nt help this is the time she needs all her friends like most do on here,and ive said to Caz your all here for one another,but shes not able to post on her for alittle while ,so shes not ingoring anyone shes just not up to posting,but i hope this sad feeling passes for her such anice lady you could ever talk to
take care Caz my friend and come back when you feel ok
and to all who are having bad days hope it changes for the better
Dutchxx

Thanks Dutch for news of Caz and hope you are ok too.

Caz has had so much to cope with, no wonder she is feeling low - hope all who are poorly in whichever way will have a better day today. I won't get on here for sure, he has another Saturday with no overtime so whoopee dah! we should be going out to look for a new washer/dryer. Will buy some new Bridget Jones' for me just in case we don't get a new machine yet, or it can't be delivered quickly but hope we can find something good and at a price he is prepared to pay. Nothing worse than not being able to get washing done.
take care all, my thoughts are with you even if I don't get back to everyone with all the pms and emails,
lots of love and hugs
Lizxxx

I have not had the heart to tell you yet but Jill Died3 nights ago.
I cried myself to sleep. I did not realise how much love I could have for someone I have never met.
I will phone her husband tomorrow to see how he is doing. He was devastated when he phoned me the other night and hung up on me when he burst into tears.
I wish I was closer and could at least hug him.
He will be so alone now bless him.
Look after yourselves.
Lots of love Deanna XXX

Dear Deanna, how very sad, sending caring thoughts to Jills OH,bless him, what a shock.
And sending hugs to you also, what a good friend you are.
(((((((hugs)))))))
Mary

Deanna, that is so sad. And not at all surprising that you should be devastated, you can get close to people you don't meett if you are in contact with them a lot supporting each other as you have been. Jill is at rest now, no more pain. It is those who are left who suffer. My condolences to her husband.

Mary, I am sorry to hear the news about the new baby, however, there must be a reason why these special children are born into your family. could it be that you care for them so well and help them to reach their potential?

Carol, hope your cold has gone by now, missed a couple of days while we were away as being 4 of us I couldn't spend too much time on the pc.

YCaz, sorry you are feeling down but not surprised, i am sure that i would not have remained upbeat as long as you have.

Anyone seen caz in Cumbria recently?

ann
glos xxx

Deanna sorry to hear your friend Jill, has lost her fight for life. Your sorrow Just shows how close we become to the people we interact with on here. Bless Jill's husband and their family and friends. xx

Caz a little card in the post to you. Wish it could help end your pain xx

Liz how are you now? xx

Mary thinking of you all there in the cold.xx

Ann I still have a bit of the cold left, a bit snotty and coughing with sneezes now and again. Still not able to go visit a couple of friends who are very ill. One has cancer of the pancreas so I don't want to pass her anything. The other has just has a hysterectomy. Been to visit my parents this afternoon. Dad didn't feel too good and wanted to go to bed about 5pm. He kept falling asleep. He looks more frail these days. he is 80 at the end of March.

Alison how are you? x

Kathy how's the weather up there? xx

Gail thinking of all in Aus, with the terrible fires and floods. xxx

I know you have all probable seen the news with the bushfires in Victoria.

We also have them in New South Wales, but not the loss of live that has devastated Victoria.

We do not have any really close to us just yet, we are surrounded by smoke though and it is very eerie. We have had them close in the past and once we were evacuated. We had to take our mate to the vet this morning and all we could see on the horizon was smoke in every direction, we travelled 60 klms each way. So the fires are not good.

We are in no danger, so do not worry. I just feel for the people going through this very bad time.

Gail

Gail I did wonder about you but thought you were a long way away. I didn't know they were in your area too. Pray you will not have the loss that has been seen in Vic. It's awful I can't imagine the fear. How was your baby at the vet ? xxx

I should have been traveling about an hour and a half today (normal conditions) didn't fancy it at all. I text my supervisor to ask if we were we still going. She has spoken to our manager who was up for sending us (w*****) and told him we wouldn't go. So we are stocktaking a shop more local. Thank goodness.

Good news with vet, he had fatty lymphoma, 5 large lumps removed. they will keep an eye on him as they can get nasty, especially if they get large or turn.

Daughter is in bushfire area in New South Wales, I am worried as you can imagine, spoke to her yesterday but have not been able to get her on the phone today, probably worry over nothing. Because of lack of rain we are living in a tinder box, it is a worry, but we have lived through these fires before, the smell of smoke is sickening, the smoke blocked the sun out today.

The wind has picked up and blowing, awful for fire fighters and also spreading fire, it is heartbreaking for everyone involved. Also a thunder storm has started, hope it brings rain with it and not lightening to start more fires.

We also have Queensland having floods and people loosing life there, while Europe and Canada and our northern friends freeze, weird world. I have been in tears today at the loss of all these lives.

Gail

Thinking of all those people in OZ.

Hope fire are all under control soon, And everyone can be made safe.

((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

Gail I had a good long message typed out for you and THEN.... the bloomin' pooter froze! Never fails and I am just not able to type it all out again.
The gist of the message was my pain at the news from Australia.... had to switch the radio off this morning the news was so heartbreaking.
Glad to hear that you and yours are safe. XX
Deanna XXX

We have family in Manley west, QLD and Parkville,Victoria. Just sick at the news from their part of the world. Thinking of you Gail, trust all will be well for your family.
(((((((hugs)))))))
Mary

Deanna,
When the pc freezes and refuses to action the submit button, if you press the arrow at the top that takes the page back one, then press the forward arrow, press on reply and you will often find your typed message still there. If I have typed a long message I usually copy it in case I lose it then can just paste it into another reply.


Gail, I am praying for you that your family are safe. Such a tragedy for your country. But what good news that Mick from the Bush is safe and well and has saved his house.

Mary, I also hope that your family are safe.

Ann
glos

ANN..... the submit button???
Have you forgotten that you are talking to an idiot~??
Which is the submit button? AND... It freezes while I am working.
I only turned around to open the freezer to get some peas out for Allan and when I turned back... it was frozen.
And don't tell me I did it opening the freezer door.... I'm not larffin! ;-0)
I will try that but NOTHING moves when it freezes.
So very frustrating after it has taken so long to type it.
Deanna XXX