SUN... DAY...MONDAY

I received a lovely email today from the Clatterbridge Cancer Camapign...as I said in a previous post Mick's requested no flowers at his funeral.....it always saddened him that so much money was spent on flowers that would soon fade and die.....he would rather people gave money to a charity or even just had a good p*** up in his memory. The girls and I all felt the same way that if anyone wanted to donate that the money should go to the Rose's Tribute Fund. This is the letter I received;

Dear Ruth,
Thank you very much indeed for the donations totalling £405.00, given in memory of your late husband, Mick, we really appreciate your support. It was very kind of you to think of us at this difficult and sad time for you. Please pass on out thanks to your family and friends who contributed to this gift in Mick’s memory.
We are very fortunate to have many dedicated fundraisers. Local support and generosity from organisations and individuals such as you ensure that essential work and improvements at the hospital continues as fundraising efforts make considerable advances to the facilities we are able to offer our patients here.
On behalf of everyone at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust, I would like to thank you for your support. Hopefully your encouragement will continue and help us maintain our essential work.
Yours sincerely
Susan Higham
Clatterbridge Cancer Campaign

I know there is a little more yet to come in and so the final figure will be nearer £450.00.

We've had another fantastic day. Talj ate a good breakfast; double scrambled eggs and bacon on toast........................ we then had a walk over to our local shops and spent much of the afternoon in the garden. The weather is being really kind to us, warm, blue skiea and sunshine all day; and Talj seems to quite like my new lounger......Hmmm...glad Andi wouldn't be able to get it in his car or I may find it missing by Sunday!!!...LOL

She's been taking some wonderful "close-up" shots of many of the flowers and I've seen plants in a totally new light.

No Talj's not playing peek-a-boo...she slapping on the suncream......that's Appletiser in that glass....honest Andi!!!!! Manda popped in during her lunch hour and joined us for a cream tea (or should I say cream lunch!....homemade fruit scones with summer fruits and whipped cream).......and believe it or not she still managed to eat all her dinner. We've not had dessert yet but I'm sure the Rhubarb Pie will have gone down before the evenings over!

THE SUNDAY POST

I don't know if it's the effect of having "proper" photographers around with "massive, complicated" cameras or whether it's just that I'm having such a great time but I've hardly taken any photos! This will probably please the family as they know that as soon as they see me with camera in hand that I'm having a "Blog Moment" and try to make sure they are doing nothing embarrassing!!!! I did manage a snap of Leanne trying on Talj's "boot"...she says it's really heavy and difficult to balance in!
This one is last night after dinner (and a few wines)......(OK AND a few brandy and cokes!!!), as we adjourned to the garden. Dinner went down well; I was really pleased that Talj managed to eat as much as she did. Her appetite has been quite poor...very worrying. I think the Suffolk air must be helping though as it was she who instigated the serving of Apple Pie for dessert!

This morning after a spin in Andi's FAB car; roof open, wind in my hair; smile on my face...... I cooked an English Brunch; Talj ate egg, bacon, beans, sausage, fried bread and toast! Andi (mushrooms as well on his) seemed happy too as I cleared away their two totally empty plates; he reckons it's the best B&B in town!.....LOL

Andi had to go home for the week but has promised to return on Friday; he left Talj and I with a gift; a box of chocolates each...

ROSE'S HEROES

Speaking of gifts.......look what I've been given by Talj.........................let me introduce

JESSIE THE TRIPOD

David Bailey watch out!!!...........................no more shaky hand problems for me!!!!

I also received something else VERY, VERY SPECIAL but I won't say any more about it yet. Lynn knows but I want to also tell Manda and Leanne in person....it's something really "spec" to me.

Talj has done really well getting up and downstairs to the bathroom......never a complaint although I know how difficult it must be for her. I've allowed her temporary possession of Mick's chair for the duration of her visit....would you believe she's now just eaten Jam Roly Poly and cream!!!

I hope you are still all checking out the Online Print Shop and the Online Auction Site

SATURDAY REVISITED!

I thought I'd better make a pot of tea as you may be here a little while as I tell you about the wonderful day we had on Saturday, you may have to fight over the last of the cake though. The day started off well as Mick, who has been struggling with his food lately, woke up bright and early and "wolfed" his breakfast down; Lynn turned up at 7.45am and was really pleased that we had such a good start to the day. Whereas I had been worried that we may not have Mick washed and dressed before Talj and Andi arrived; as it was we were all ready well ahead of schedule.

Talj had text on Friday evening so we knew they had arrived safely at their B&B and she also text to let us know that they would soon be on their way. Oh how time dragged whilst we waited! I think Lynn was worse than I was.....as we paced the floor..rushing to the window at the sound of every approaching car!

FINALLY we saw the car appear across the road from our house......and then it disappeared!!!!! Oh No!!!!!...don't say our "kerb appeal" didn't appeal!!!! I went racing out to try and catch them but they'd gone!!!!! Luckily after a few minutes they returned......phew!...it seemed they were not sure that they were in the right road!

I had to be soooooo patient as Talj got out of the car as I couldn't wait to give her a REAL hug!

Hugs over...Andi getting his share.....Talj manfully...no...womanfully made it up our front steps and into the house. She did so well...I had really thought we would need to take her round to the back gate where there are no steps! Didn't she do well!!!!

From that moment on it was as though Talj and Andi BELONGED!!!! We just all got on so well. My friend Sue came over for a quick Hello; I'm glad they got to meet her....and soon after Manda and Nicole came round. It was the same story....everyone LOVED them. Nicole even offered them her room if it meant they could stay....and also gave us the word "SPEC"....as that was what they are....really special people.

Andi was a sweetheart and took Nicole out for a spin in his car.......she was so thrilled!!!!...and can't wait to get to school and tell all her mates!

Now I must admit that when I mentioned the other day that I was sure Andi would be the sort of man to have a "designer" hair cut, I did in fact know that he had not had time to go to the barbers so had attempted to cut it himself!

He did look a little embarressed as he told the taleand I hope that he appreciates what a good hostess I am as I tried very hard to look the other way and not STARE!!!!

Luckily he has a good sense of humour, as besides from Mick he was surrounded by women! and had to be the butt of such girly humour as "Is it true what they say about a man and the size of his .....camera?"

As we don't have a downstairs bathroom I was worried that the visit would be cut short by Talj being "taken short"...but somehow she even managed to get UPSTAIRS...I know how difficult it must have been for her and I know she was in some pain.....it's so lovely to think that she withstood all that just to be able to stay.
We all had a chance for some private chats as we smokers went into the garden for "fag" breaks and later on, after lunch (which included some wine!) Talj came out into the garden too. Even our frogs in the pond came out to pose!

All too soon it was time for them to go home....boo hoo.......and after copious hugs and a tear in our eyes Talj got into the carAndi had to do one more "SPOT" check ......(boys and their toys!!!)....before they left

and off they went.............................

I have only 3 complaints........

1. The visit wasn't long enough..........still so much to talk and laugh about!
2. They don't eat enough..........I really need to build their appetites up.......full English breakfasts and roast dinners next time!
3. That Mick wasn't in a position to truly appreciate the visit......how he would have enjoyed chatting to them both and having some "mantalk" with Andi!

I really can't wait to see them both again......I've never known two people who could so suddenly and so easily become part of our family unit. They are two amazing people and the special bond between them is obvious. I don't know quite how to explain it......I think that if I had an older brother their relationship is just how I'd want our relationship to be. Full of respect and love and good humour.

P.S. The adoption papers are in the post!!!!!!

P.P.S. Anyone want to buy some dust masks....they didn't appear to need them!

WATCH THIS SPACE!

I'll try and post all the VISIT news tonight; but no time at the moment. It is Mother's Day which means I'm going to have put up with lazing about and being totally spoilt...............

Lynn has stayed the night and Leanne & co are coming over by train.....Leanne can't wait to hear all about Talj and Andrew...............the words wonderful, amazing, fantastic, brilliant, adorable and fun are going to be used a lot in that conversation.

THE FLOWERS THEY BROUGHT ME

IT WON'T BE LONG!

Talj text last night to let me know that they were safely at their B and B....they'd had a couple of "dutch courages" ....LOL ...and hopefully will have had a good night's sleep.

Lynn should be here by about 8am and I'm just waiting for Mick to wake up........and watching the clock of course!