Hot Chocolate Anyone ?

@Faith-and-Hope, if you ran into myself and hubby in a cafe, we'd probably qualify as the "gorgeous eccentric artist" types. And might just talk your ear off too.. so we'll say ta for the cuppa on her behalf. 😄

@soul (and Determined but it's not letting me tag you)

Have just read through your nighttime musings, and oooh there's bits of it I can relate to. With my Mum having long term but undiagnosed MI issues and adult daughter with a serious MI, the whole family is under stress. Lots of anxiety and depression. We've got four kids, youngest 12 oldest 24, and everyone is showing the strain. I have one sister (who I do get along with well thankfully) but she works full time and is stressed herself, so travelling to see our parents and sort out their house (they're now in aged care) is largely up to me... and I'm very much running out of steam.

Theoretically we should have missed the "Sandwich Generation" issue because we had our kids younger than average (all except the youngest we were in our 20s) but my parents started their family "late" (30s... typical now, unusual back in the '60s. My Mum would have officially earned the medical title of "elderly primagravida".). And their health has slumped sooner rather than later.

My biggest current regrets are that we haven't been able to do as much normal, fun stuff with our family. Proper holidays have been rare, and visits to my parents' home never quite counted because they could, and often did, go toxic. Dad's very sweet tempered, but Mum would build up to breaking point, and that was scary for the kids.

All except youngest are officially adult now, and youngest is growing up fast. I guess if I think about it we have managed some pretty special times with them, but the cubby house making plans are probably now defunct unless we turn it into a teen retreat. "Family" holidays are a thing of the past since two have moved out of home and another is on the verge of it. Occasional special events are a help, but don't quite substitute for being too tired or not around for day to day family time.

Sorry @Anony18, seems I fell asleep before I got your reply. Will be thinking of you as you wait, trusting you can work it out soon.

Good morning @soul how are you this morning? I hope you got some rest...

I finally managed to get some sleep, that was a supprise, was vaguely aware of the children leaving for school around 8 (grandparents take them on Fridays just for fun) before waking around 8.30. So not only did I get to sleep but I was left to rest. Bonus 😄

Looking over last night's discussion I hope it was not too much about me, I wanted to listen to you also but seems I was doing all the talking, sorry about that 😕 if we happen to meet up again while everyone else is snoozing I will shut up and let you talk lol, I very much appreciated your company though so thankyou .

Not at all intrusive @Spookytookims, appreciate your input and encouragement.

Got a couple of hours rest @Determined. Don't feel bad about offloading your problems. Sometimes it's good to realise that you're not the only one doing it tough. And helping others out is beneficial in itself.

Have a good day.

You ain't intruding @Spookytookims - we all share here for all to read. Everything you said in terms of my situation is right and unfortunately my guesses are all based on assumptions now. Hopefully he will reach out soon....really soon.

@soul @Determined - how are you my friends? Glad to see you got some form of shut eye, even if it was just a bit. Hope today is a slightly better day. Thinking of you both xx

@Shaz51 - how is the ear? Thinking of you my friend x

All good here thanks @Anony18, most unproductive day though, been procastinating today, just came out to uni to try and do some work but still day dreaming lol, have a group meeting this afternoon so will have to wake up for that.

Hows things for you?