Hello lovely peeps

Just thought I'd give you a quick run down of what's happening here at the moment, as I've not been around all that much lately - and as from tomorrow I'll be around even less!

Firstly, O/H has been in the UK for the last fortnight.............and at the moment is mid-Atlantic, on his way to Florida for another month!!

So, rather than sitting around pining, I've been enjoying my lovely Spanish social life!
Have just spent the weekend staying with my friend, whose family have got the most beautiful house (where's the "jealousy" smilie!?)
Have also been out loads with my walking group friends.

I'm also negotiating with the Ayuntamiento, architect, Iberdrola and now it seems we need to have a "geological survey" done on our piece of land, before we can FINALLY get quotes from builders.............and then maybe there's some faint possibilty that our house might get built sometime before 2010!!

Most exciting of all, is that tomorrow my MUM IS COMING!!
She'll be here with me for a fortnight, so I won't be posting too much during that time (although I'll probably manage to sneak in for a read late at night)
I'm off to Madrid (on the coach - no way am I driving!!) to meet her from the airport, and of course, I can't wait to see her.

Anyway,

Martha - I do hope you're taking it easy with that ankle of yours, and that you're not overdoing it??
Please don't worry about the housework! It's far more important that you recuperate fully, and don't have any future problems.

Jean - a great big welcome back from your trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Chrisw - many thanks for the e-mails! Lots of luck with the new estate agent, and with Josh's plaster coming off (hurray!) So sorry I haven't replied to you yet, but as you can see it's been / will be a busy time!
Thinking of you, and sending you lots of positive thoughts.

Matt - hope you enjoyed the rugby on Sunday?
I read that you were considering going to work (even though the weather was horrendous) so that either means you're feeling a bit better, or you're just a bit of a hero!
Either way, I do hope things pick up for you soon.

Sally - I'm so very sorry to hear the news about your mother-in-law
One thing is for sure, she's very fortunate to have such a loving and caring daughter-in-law; and I'm sure that all the love and support that you and Terry are giving her is worth more than anything to her.
Of course, you're all bound to be in shock at the moment (not to mention tired and run ragged) but your MIL sounds like she's taken the news quite stoically, which is about the only way to react, I suppose?
As she says, at least now she and the doctors know what they're dealing with.
As everyone else has said, try and take it one step at a time. If you use up all your energy trying to second guess things that you don't have any control over, then you won't have enough left to support your MIL.
At least she is in the best place, and hopefully it won't be long before they can do some more tests or a biopsy, and then the way forward will seem clearer.
Hopefully, she's feeling more comfortable physically, at least, by now?
My thoughts are with you, Terry and your MIL, and I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts for a good outcome.
Please take good care, and try not to split yourself into too many pieces.
Maybe the house sale could go slightly on the back burner at the moment??
It's often at times like this, that positive things can happen without you even trying

Sam Parky - you're doing wonderful work with that stray dog, and I really hope your friends from the animal shelter were able to help or advise you with his care?
The only other thing I can think of, is have you tried keeping his food just a liitle bit closer to you each day - so that he has to come to you, to get it?
This would not only help build his trust, but would also reinstate your position as more dominant (i.e the provider of the food, and that you are giving him permission to take it.) At the moment, he may be seeing you as subservient, because you are taking food to him?
I'm sure you already know this, but do you avoid direct eye contact with him (therefore avoiding being perceived as an "aggressor?")
Anyway, lots of luck in your wonderful work. You are a real star

Spain? I think it was you who had a poorly dog (with leishmanosis) I can't find the thread now!
How are things going for your dog? I hope you've found some good advice and that your dog is getting treatment?

Gallerie9 and Casa Santo Estevo - I'm really really sorry, but I still haven't managed to look at all your clips on the "Promote your part of Spain" thread!
The will is there, but the time just isn't at the moment (ridiculous as that seems!)
I promise I will get back to all your lovely information, just as soon as things settle down a bit.

The Oddities and Bigbhudda - where are you!!??
Hope you're OK, and that you'll be back posting soon

Crispy - haven't been in touch all that much recently, but I have to tell you that I just love reading your posts.
They're either full of love, support and compassion.............or they're hysterically funny. You have such a wonderful way with words

To all the newbies - a warm welcome to you all
I have enjoyed reading many posts by several new members, and am looking forward to replying and getting to know you more, when time allows.

OK guys, now I have to take a deep breath, turn the PC off and finish my list of "must do before Mum gets here" jobs!!

Take care, one and all, and I'll catch up with you soon.
Love Sam xx

Hey Sam,

Hope you have a lovely time with your mother.

I am most definitely taking your advice because I don't have too much of a choice at the moment. The pain is incredibly bad and so prevents me being the stubborn babe I'm known to be

Sending loads of good wishes and love your way,
Martha
xxx

OMG.....You make it sound like you are going and never coming back

Have a great time with your mum and already looking forward to your posts about your mums visit

Sam, its sooooooo lovely of you to ask. Yes he has started treatment (injections every other day) and also 2 lots of pills (schedule is a bit of a nightmare as he has to have some days on then some off but getting my head around it) not sure how he is doing really, he seems to be just laying and crying a lot - maybe this is just him being a baby or he is in pain after this course of injections are finished he has a break then another course then he will be re-tested, so will see how that goes

have told my son now just so he can get used to the idea that the dog is sick rather than springing it on him if he gets any worse (which he might not)

you take care too and have a safe trip to Madrid

bye for now

Thanks Sam, yeah the rugby was brilliant, well kind of, I am a little worried about the final now but we wont go into that.


Nah, didn't go to work, got back V early this morning and just couldn't be arsed, but there will be shit to pay tomorrow from my new client!!


Have a nice break, I'm going to have another, some people are just TOO serious on here for me!

Hi Sam I'm just getting back into BE after having a busy summer still trying to catch up with what I have missed. Have a great time with your mum enjoy every moment you have with her, my youngest daughter went back to UK last week and we both have post holiday blues, missing each other so much. Love to you and speak soon.

Have a lovely time with your Mum with you. Sounds like you keep busy even with OH away. Take care, and be back soon, it sounded like you were going for good or making an acceptance speech for winning an oscar, mund you after remembering who did what and what name to use you deserve one. Take care.
Luv Eve
xx

We are back from our jaunt and will post some pics tomorrow hopefully. As the neighbours collared us as soon as we arrived back and are already telling us what we are doing for the next few days we are not sure when we will be able to get all the usual necessities such as photo's and washing done.

Really enjoy your time with your mum and make sure that you get all the 'nattering' in that you can. Doubt very much that you need to be told to do it but nonetheless thought that I would tell you to so that you can say 'I was told to'.

Have a good time.

Rosemary

Have fun with your mum

Sam
have fun with your mum and good luck with the house time will fly
Sharon

Wow everyone!

Thanks so much for all your good wishes and lovely comments
Sorry.......I didn't mean this to sound like some sort of fanfare or announcement
It was really just to let you know that I hadn't just disappeared inexplicably; but I didn't mean to come across all dramatic!

Have just spoken to my Mum, and we were like a couple of kids on Christmas Eve............soooo excited!
There's absolutely NO worries that we'll have any difficulty nattering for a fortnight (it's one of the things we're best at! )

Crispy - I'm sorry to hear that you and your daughter are having "withdrawal symptoms"
I know it's really hard; but hopefully you're able to chat on the phone regularly and relive all the funs things you did while she was with you?
Sending you a big hug, because you sound like a lovely Mum too.

Rosemary - how lovely it was to hear from you
Hope you and Graham had a great time on holiday? Was it a "let's just do it" trip, or something that you'd had in mind for a while?
Can't wait to hear all about the area and the cave houses!

Spain - I'm so pleased to hear that your dog is having treatment, and that things might be going in the right direction for him.
It must be heart rending watching him go through it all, and not being entirely sure how he's actually feeling.
Bless him, poor little mite - it's such a shame they can't talk, isn't it?
Still, it sounds like things could be hopeful; so fingers , toes and everything else crossed for a full and speedy recovery.
Please keep us posted with news of how he's doing (and maybe post a photo on one of his better days?)
Love and licks to him, from my dog.

Martha - I'm really sorry to hear you are still in so much pain
Do you think you ought to get your ankle checked out again?
I know you desperately don't want another plaster put on, but you may well need some more support for a little while longer.
Your body is telling you something, so please don't ignore it - you might be causing yourself further problems for the future, if the bone hasn't healed properly now.
I know you're a "toughie", but PLEASE be sensible and don't risk further injury.
Sending you lots of get well hugs

Well folks, I'm going to have an early night for a change!
No doubt I'll have some tales to share soon enough.
Maybe I'll get Mum to write a poem about her stay - she's really good at poetry.

Thanks once again to you all, for the lovely messages.
Will catch up with you soon.
Love Sam xx

PS Have heard from O/H and he arrived safely in New York.
He's on his final leg of the journey now, and should be arriving in Orlando within the next 10 minutes

Sam, Thanks for your wishes. Will try to do all that everyone on here has advised! Have a really great time with your mum.
Sally