A mixed day

The Parents' group at the hospice met this morning and we had a talk from the hospice bereavement worker and the palliative care nurse. Although it's hard to think about this topic, it is the best place to discuss it and get questions answered. Whilst nobody wants to think about it, it may happen and it's better to have at least talked about what might happen.

Laura's staying at the hospice for the next three nights which will give us (me mainly) a break. I checked her meds in before going up to the meeting. Two of the parents there were staying at the hospice. One lovely mum from Northampton, I'd met before on a social and again last week at the exhibition. She has already lost one son (4 years ago) to an unknown condition and now her other son is quite severely affected by the same condition. I don't think it was any easier for her having already gone through it once and maybe even harder as her sons' condition causes a great deal of pain that is hard to manage. It seemed so sad that both her children have had such a cruel and debilitating condition. She cannot even leave her son at the hospice and get a rest herself as she needs to help with his care.

When I left the hospice, another friend was just arriving as her daughter was there and they were having a surprise visit by some Disney characters and she wanted to video record her daughter. Unfortunately I think Laura's arrival from school would be too late to meet them but in any case she would probably push them away!!

This afternoon I've been up to the kennels to sort out a few things. The people are moving out today. A friend of ours is staying there tonight but from tomorrow it will probably be Mick.

Later this afternoon I showed a nice couple round our house with a view to renting it. Not entirely sure what their set-up is but from what I gather they have 6 children under 8 (well 5 plus a bump!!!) "between them" and she is ready to move out of her house in Nottingham. I think they really liked it, especially the kitchen, the garden and the chickens! Plus they have a dog so that would be no problem and it's hard to rent with animals so they may be somewhat limited in their choice with that. Not entirely sure why they're renting but they are happy to rent for a longer spell and that would suit us rather than having a series of short 6 monthly tenants.

Mick's due home shortly and hopefully we'll get out tonight to celebrate my birthday yesterday.