It’s all good !!

I don’t know where to start - it’s been ages since I last updated and so much has happened!
First things first - we have exchanged contracts on the house. We complete on Thursday and move in on Monday. So, at the moment, I’m in the middle of packing - but we’re so relieved that FINALLY after a year, we’ll be in our own home. Can’t wait!

Secondly, Jim Bob hasn’t turned out as expected. He’s a GIRL!!!! I’d had her 2 weeks and then Pat vaccinated her and checked her over and discovered - a girl! She also isn’t really ginger. She’s pale ginger on her back but a lot of white. I was gutted but have grown to love her so was happy - but deep down I was still hankering for a lovely dark ginger boy. Then last week my Mum rang me to say that a gorgeous ginger boy was brought in to the surgery when a lady found him in a dustbin :o(. He was living with a foster carer who worked for a local charity and was looking for a new home. My Mum is quite friendly with the foster carer lady who said he was really friendly - so yesterday I collected him !!!!! And he’s totally gorgeous. I’ll post some pics on tomorrow so you can see him and Jim Bob (who has kept the name because she’d got used to it)

I’ve got loads more to say and haven’t got time at the moment because I have packing and kitten stroking to do. I’ll update again when I can.

Bye for now
Sarah
xx

Progress in many areas

Lots of things are still happening at once - no wonder we’re feeling exhausted from trying to keep all the balls in the air at the same time!! Luckily Paul McKenna is keeping us both sane! - just ;o)

Item 1 - Work
Pat has been very worried about the nurse leaving because according to everyone we speak to, good vet nurses are impossible to come. We have luckily found someone and she is starting in a few weeks time. She is very experienced and competent - much better than the current girl, so it’s all worked out for the best (I hope!) The current nurse seemed gutted when she heard we had found someone to take her place - Good!

Item 2 - The House
Yes that old chestnut is still dragging on. The other day we got home to find a "To Let" sign outside the house, which was a bit unnerving. I know we’re moving out (hopefully!) but we now feel under even more pressure to go. Plus, we are likely to have people traipsing through to view the place, which will be annoying. Oh, well. We’re still hoping for completion at the end of October, so cross fingers!

Item 3 - My Mum’s health
As you may know, my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. Apparently bone cancer can spread from breast cancer and my mum has had a lot of aching in her bones (not like arthritis) so she has had a bone scan to see if it is cancer. I’m so worried about it and cant even bear to think about what if it is cancer…… She gets the results on 30th October, so I’m praying that she’s OK.

Item 4 - I’m getting a kitten!
And now for something happier - I’m getting a kitten at the weekend!!! I’ve been wanting a kitten for a while because I really miss my Henry and our current cat Lottie isn’t very friendly. I know I cant replace Henry or have another like him, but judging by the cats that come into the surgery, a ginger boy is likely (although not guaranteed) to be friendly & loving. And Pat’s friend from his old practice has a kitten which will fit the bill perfectly. He’s ginger with white and we’re going to call him JimBob!!!! I know it’s a weird name, but that’s my thing - after all, I have a dog called Maureen!!!!! I don’t have a camera phone but my brother Paul does so he’s had photos of Jim Bob texted to him (I’ve seen.the pics - .he’s soo adorable!) He’s supposed to be emailing the pics to me and if he does, I’ll post them here for you to see :o))

Item 5 - I’m going to be an Auntie!
Yes - my brother’s Indonesian wife is pregnant!! As you know, they got married in June and they are expecting baby in May next year. No surprises, really, as I knew it was on the cards. It’s nice that my parents will finally have a grandchild but I hope we’ll see him/her because at the moment we don’t know whether they are coming back to England to live or staying in Kuala Lumpar (it will depend on my brother’s work)

I will leave you with some photos from Lynsey’s wedding on 1st September.
First it’s the bride & groom (I’m still annoyed with Mark about not letting Sonia come and thinking so little of me that he thought it would be OK for me to be on my own all day…!! - sorry to go on about it ...)


Second it’s all the girls. (As you look at the picture, I am 4th on the right from Lynsey and Sonia is next to me (with black hair)


Lastly - Sonia and I - completely SOZZLED! :o)

Sarah xx

And last but by no means least - 2 pieces of extremely good news. 2 long termers from my old infertility forum have good news. One has had an IVF baby boy after about 8 years ttc and the other lady is adopting and she has been matched with a baby girl - so should be a parent by Christmas. She’s also been ttc for about 8 years so CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH xxxxxx

My birthday

I have had a lovely lovely birthday this year and am doing well at not dwelling on the fact that I am THIRTY SEVEN !!!!!!!!!

My birthday was on Thursday 5th October. The weekend before my birthday, Pat and I went away for the weekends to the Cotswolds and we had a really nice time. It was just the 2 of us and we didn’t talk about work - we just enjoyed being together - we were like newly weds! ;o)
On the Sunday afternoon, we collected the dogs from my parents and stayed for dinner and my brother Paul & Alice came as well which was really nice. We enjoyed a lovely family meal all together - I am so lucky that we all get on so well.

My actual birthday was spent at home but the following day, I went to my Mum’s and spent the day with her, riding, etc. In the afternoon/evening I had my birthday treat from my Mum - we went to the Berkshire College of Agriculture to see Monty Roberts - the original horse whisperer who took some dangerous and out of control horses and showed how to deal with them. visit www.montyroberts.com for more info. Monty Roberts is a wonderful man and very kind to both horses and humans and didn’t mind little old me bugging him for an autograph! :o)

The following day, I had my birthday treat from Sonia. We went to Madame Tussauds which was relaxing and enjoyable. We made dicks of ourselves hugging and linking arms with the waxworks - for some strange reason, John Wayne’s big strong chest had it’s attractions for me ..! :o))

That evening, I met up with 2 friends and we had a lovely time. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed myself. I think it was the best birthday, ever!

Lynsey got me a really special present - a photo from 15 years ago which meant so much to me. Here it is …

From left to right is my mum on Shady Lady (who died 3 years ago and Mum now has Paddy) then Susan on Ollie (Susan was a really close friend of mine - she was even my bridesmaid, but we have now lost touch - she couldn’t handle having 2 kids when I am infertile) Then me on George - my bestest boy in the world who I loved more than anything - he died 5 years ago and even now it breaks my heart to think of him and I really miss him. Lastly is Lynsey on Bouncer and she still has him, but he’s very old and dicrepid now. I didnt even know that this photo existed. Apparently, Lynsey’s mum took the picture (it was in colour) and Lynsey has made it sepia. I just LOVE it.

Sarah - The happy Birthday Girl

xx

Silly me

Last week, I started having really sore boobs and I remember when I was pregnant that it was a symptom I had from very early on in the pregnancy. So I convinced myself that a miracle had happened (despite hardly bding because the in-laws were in the next room) and I was pregnant. And today, AF started.

After 6 years ttc, it's still the same. I will never learn.

Good News!

Good news part 1 - the In Laws

Pat's parents have gone home! Hurrah! The first week was OK but by week 3, my patience was wearing very thin! the last week, I was needed at the practice less so was at home with them and it nearly finished mew off! My main problem was that I felt it was rude to shut myself in our bedroom so stayed downstairs with them. If I put the TV on, pat's mum moaned that it was annoying her - so we sat in silence - with me attempting to break the silences with conversation - all my pre--prepared subjects were wearing very thin by week 3! Thursday when I didn’t need to go to work until 4pm was the longest day - ever! They mean well, but they're very hard work.

Good news part 2 - the house

Last week I again phoned the estate agent who again told me that the people we were buying from were still hanging on for that one house and those people still hadn’t found anywhere to go - 3 months later. This really got me down and I started looking around again bit didn’t find anything as good as the one we're buying. - with a kitchen/diner, separate dining room, conservatory, 4 bedrooms and 2 full size bathrooms. (sorry to go through all the good bits but I LOVE the house) Then on TV there was a report that said that estate agents and politicians were on a par for people not trusting them and it made us think that maybe we shouldn’t be going on just what we are told by estate agents. So on Saturday, we decided that we should talk to the vendors directly. We thought that it would be less confrontational if one not both of us went round and Pat is the most unassuming, so after work, Pat popped round and had a chat with them - and it was the best thing we've ever done. The guy was really polite and nice and invited him for a coffee. It turns out that they have now given up waiting for that house because the people were mucking them around but they've had problems finding something else because they needed to buy somewhere in the catchment area of their preferred school (where they live now isn't in the catchment area) - something (very small but good) that we don’t have to consider because we have no kids. Anyway, they have now found somewhere to go and that chain in complete - so it's all systems go!! I feel that a weight has been lifted from my mind. I instructed the valuation today now that we know it's going ahead and my excitement is renewed tenfold! With any luck, by the end of October, we'll be in!!



The vet nurse has seemed a bit miffed that we're not gutted about her leaving. I suspect she thought she was indispensible! I have already advertised the job and might get a part-timer which will be cheaper. Also, Pat's male vet nurse friend from his last practice is up for coming down and filling in as vet nurse for a week or so until we get sorted with a permanent replacement - I think our current nurse thought she was leaving us in the lurch - think again, girlie!! The guy from Pat's old job is much better than her! ha ha ha

Anyway, here a few more pictures.

First is Liz in Wales with the 4 dogs. On the left (with the toy in his mouth) is my Teddy and Maureen (the only non-cavvy) Back right is Holly the puppy and front right is "portly" Simon who is now 10.





And some more pics from Brighton. Mum in the caravan - her pride and joy (I would never tell her this but I dont get it myself, though!)


And Pat enjoying a beer outside (mum's westie dog, Robbie is behind his chair)

Sarah
xx

The In Laws have arrived!! And more ....

Ooh it's all go here! I haven't had a moment to myself since Pat's parents have arrived. They continutally feel the need to talk "at" us I think because they haven't seen us for ages and want to make up for lost time. On top of that, I feel obliged to show off my housewifely skills by cooking meals from scratch, baking homemade bead (with the breadmaker - naturally!) and keeping the house spotless. And on top of that, we have been working as well. The relationship between myself and pat's mum is the best ever. I'm not putting on any airs & graces (for once) and she thinks I'm golden daughter-in-law becasue I kept the pratice running while Pat was ill (and cook & make bread, etc!)

My parents came down and we all went out for a meal, which was nice. Here is a picture of us all.Pat's parents are at the back. I'm next to my mum and my dad is at the front left. I look absolutely HUGE. Sonia says it's the angle that the photo was taken at but I'm still large and there's no excuse. I must go back on weightwatchers.....




Lynsey's wedding was on 1st September. It was a bit awkward because of the disagreement about Sonia coming. But I decided to act like nothing had happened and fronted it out. But I was so glad that she was with me because everyone was in couples and I didnt know anyone. But with Sonia with me, I was OK and had a really nice time. Here's a picture of Lynsey and Mark signing the register.




Last week we had the week off and we got a locum in to cover and we took Pats parents up to visit relatives in Cheshire. They then went on to Ireland to visit more rellies and we went to visit Ross & liz in Wales.

We haven't seen Ross & liz since last year before we moved to Hampshire - and it was lovely to catch up. Ross is a vet and Liz is a solicitor. They are our only long-term child-less couple friends and therefore, I feel the most comfortable around them. Pat met Ross at University and they live in North Wales on a smallholding. About 6 years ago, Liz had breast cancer and only had a 20% chance of making it through 5 years. Luckily she did, but the chemo has meant that she can't ever have children. So compared to them - we've got it good!!!

Pat helped out Ross by diagnosing pregnancy in his cows. Here's a pic of Pat "doing the deed" while Liz holds the gate and Ross holds the cow. I kept away from the muck and just watched! :o)




We're back home now and back to work but have a break from Pat's parents because they're not back from Ireland until tomorrow. It's lovely to just chill out.

It's not all easy though becuse first day back and our vet nurse handed her notice in. Since "coke-gate" she's been funny and has decided to leave and go elsewhere. I'm not overly bothered because I've never liked her as she's always been off with us - despite being nice to her, so it's just as well. The only problem is that we're never going to get someone straight away and therefore I will be working all the hours god sends to cover the hours she normally does until we get someone else.

I still havent finished my Paul Mckenna book becuse I'm stuck. I have to think of my Big Dream - Most important things to me, if I could have anything in the world, I will know I am succeeding when .... It's far from easy and while the distraction of Pat's parents is here, I cant devote enough time to thinking about it so will return to it next week when they've gone.

Sarah
xx

PS was looking through the photos and found some of us in Brighton. We went there a few weeks ago and stayed with my parents in their caravan and had a right laugh - we ended up drinking and gambling playing cards and generally having a laugh. It's wonderful having parents who are like friends! Here's Pat & Dad on Brighton beach. (the weather was rubbish!)

Feeling Positively hypnotised !

Apparently, according to Paul McKenna, I can change my life in 7 days. It all started with Sonia who has become a completely different person and is energetic, positive and a joy to be around. She feels so much better that she bought me the book which I am working through. The book also comes with a cd which you are meant to listen to twice a day (note "meant" as haven’t actually managed twice a day yet!) There are lots of different subliminal messages going into both ears at the same time - v weird! Paul wants me to start looking at my life differently and change things which are in my power to change. The problem is that the two things that are causing me stress at the moment are out of my power - infertility and the house buying. :o(

There is only a certain amount I can do with the house buying and I‘m doing it - chasing estate agents, solicitors, banks, etc., otherwise it’s just a matter of suck it & see.

The infertility is a bigger problem ….. I still have those 3 embryos waiting for me and I am going to sort them out this year - definitely. But my plan now, if that doesn’t work, is to become a parent through surrogacy. I’m not sure whether it’s something I want to do, (and I’m not sure whether Pat is particularly keen, either) so I’ve been having a look at some websites, but for someone at such an early stage in the process (ie - undecided) there wasn’t much info. So, I’ve decided to read up on the subject and then see if I am in a position to make a more informed decision. I have bid for a book on ebay about a woman’s struggle to have a child and will go from there…. I just wish someone could tell me what the best thing to do is …….

Sarah
xx

PS Pat’s parents arrive on Sunday! 5 days time !!!!!