Soop's super supportive kitchen.

ann you poor thing, what a shock for you. You need to cry to release all that stress but if you can't control it that is a very different thing. Do you have anyone who can be with you as you certainly need somebody to take the strain for you today at the very least . We were taught by DH's phsychotherapist a way of reducing stress by breathing in for a count of 7 and out for a count of 11 and keep doing it until you feel much better. It really does work probably by giving you something different on which to focus.
At least it wasn't a long time that he was missing and he was brought home to you. Obviously the police are right and you do need more help and you need to tell the SW that is what the police hsve sdvised and ask the SW what they are going to do about it - making the assumption that they must and they will because asking 'IF' they will is not where things are at.
Willow has a good thought about key safes both internally and externally. I hope you have a mobile in your pocket at all times because that is anothe lifeline. Another thought is a pressure pad under the carpet so that an alarm sounds when he tries to access the front door. We have a care call system in our area run by the local council and all of these things are available through them with many other things based on needs. The SW should know if that is available in your area and can refer you to them which will make it easier for you to access their services. There is a cost but well worth it as the equipment is provided as part of it. One of the items they provide us with is a velocimeter which Himself wears on his wrist (looks like a watch) and connects straight to the call centre if he falls which alerts me to it as well. There is so much available if you know about it and who to ask which is why the SW should be able to help in that regard. Sadly you have to really push and almost make a nuisance of yourself in some instances as he who shouts loudest is the one who is attended to.

(((Hugs))) and to you ann and I hope that you feel much better very soon and that you get all the help you clearly need.

Oh Ann what a horrible, scary morning you have had. Thank goodness he hadn't wandered off too far and that the weather is clement.

It does feel that you are getting nearer to making THE decision but how very hard that must be to do after your long marriage. The saving grace for your DH is that he won't remember the problems and huge worry that he has caused you and I feel sure that he would urge you to do what's best for you now if he was back in his full faculties.

Wishing you the strength to cope and sending kindest regards to you.

Oh Ann! Please have a or two and a huge (((hug))). This is beyond coping with isn't it! I have said before that I am in awe of the Carers who come to our course and the way they cope but none of them have half as much to contend with as you do. Please, please, for DH's safety and for your sanity, consider the next step carefully. Ridiculous of the policeman to say you need more help - would they have been there when DH popped out first thing in the morning? Silly man!! Did he mention the Herbert Protocol to you - worth Googling if he didn't.

Hello Panache, lovely to see you (I might have said that earlier but it bears repeating if I did!!) Try not to be upset about the MD, I think it is manageable. Take care.

Fabulous news about your DGS Maw!! You must be a very proud granny indeed.

Sorry to hear about your knee DG. It is a nuisance! I still can't go down on the knee that got hit by a cricket ball about 3 years ago. Though, I'm not going to be proposing to anyone anytime soon, so it won't matter. I have just rung our once a year gardening girl as I have 'grand plans' too. DH said he would do the digging out but I will need him later for the planting!!

Good luck , grannyGravy and a supply of sedatives, I think.

When do you go off soop. You deserve to have the best time ever!!

DH is having a flying lesson today. The children bought it for his birthday and he is being very nonchalant about it but I suspect he is quite apprehensive. He doesn't dislike flying but I hate it so it's difficult for me to show much enthusiasm!!

Another Persie phone call - she had been to a 'cheer leading' party and is a very sunny and enthusiastic little girl. 'Ma, I got a trophy at the party.' 'Did you Perse, what was it for?' 'Being into everything!'

Her mum is 38+ weeks pregnant, is 80% engaged and experiencing regular 'tightenings'. The midwife said not to go far. DD said 'The builders are still here!'

Huge hugs to you AnnSixty I can remember my panic when I couldn’t find Paw one morning, he had tried to go to the loo, turned left instead of right and was unconscious round the far side of the bed wedged between the bed and the fitted wardrobes.
But your horror is of a whole new dimension. Is there someone who can sit with you while you cope with the shock (literal) and reaction?
A SW needs to reassess him not least because I cannot imagine you getting a wink of sleep with this fear hanging over you.
I wish more than anything that I could offer you any solution, but whatever else you need support
Thinking of you

Dear Ann I can well imagine the panic and fears running through your mind and I truly do feel for you.I only wish I could offer some positivity,please know you remain much in my thoughts and prayers.

Ann I am so sorry to hear that. It must have been very traumatic for both of you. My SiL is obsessed with keys to the extent that she is continually moving them around and then cannot find them. She has already had to have new locks fitted, and a trusted neighbour now has a key in case she is locked in, or out.

I have just rung the newsagent to thank them and the girl said several people were there and offered to help.but he didn't know where he lived.
All doors now locked and keys hidden.
He, of course , cannot remember a thing, he is quite happy.

Ann what a dreadful shock but thank goodness he was found fairly quickly it could have been so much worse - no wonder you can't stop crying. It looks like you may have to start hiding the keys. Do you have a key safe outside the house where you could leave a spare one just in case you do get locked out? You could put one inside so that only you can open it too. Many years ago my mum's grandfather walked out of the house in the snow just in his stockinged feet and got lost - he ended up in the workhouse before my grandmother finally found him

Ann That must have been such a shock for you. My DF did this a couple of times and, on the second occasion, he locked my DM in the lounge! Luckily, she had access to the phone and called me and the police and we found him, safe and well, but he'd walked a suprisingly long way in a short time.

Just a thought, but do you have a lifeline (or similar) for you, so that if you should be locked in/out, they could be alerted?

Oh Ann this is beyond managing ! I hope the SW can sort something ,
in the meantime something I used to do was keep all the keys in my dressing gown pocket
A good cry is something , but weeping like you are doing is heartbreaking

Oh Ann, what a horrible start to the day.

Is your H settled now? Take some deep breaths, have a cup of tea and collect your thoughts.

Is there a chance the SW could see you before Friday?

Well, where to start.
I got up as usual at 7:30am and as I drew back my curtains I noticed a close neighbour and the paper delivery girl showing an unusual interest in the house.
I came downstairs, went into H's bedroom, empty bed.
Went from room to room, outside, front garden, back garden, down the drive and looked up and down the road.
Realised both front doors had been unlocked.
Panicked, rang the police, she asked me to check the house again carefully and while I was doing this she asked for his name.
Ah she said we have just had a report he has been found wandering, he is at the newsagent 10 minutes away.
He had gone there without his stick, in pyjamas and dressing gown.
Several people must have seen him.
A couple of minutes later a man came to the door, a stranger, who told me where he was and said the police had been rung.
Eventually the police brought him home, he was very cold and upset as was I.
The police had a chat about his vulnerability and advised me to " get more help".
I am still traumatised, a SW is coming on Friday morning.
I can't stop weeping.

Saw the kitchen door was open so I thought I would pop in!

Wow Maw you must be so proud, Nutcracker is such a beautiful ballet, signals the start of Christmas.

Haven't caught up on all the kitcheners news, but hope you are happy and contented.

Panache, my dear Mum had MD, she was able to have injections into her eye to slow down the progression (she said that she did not feel a thing, I was with her and she did not flinch at all), wishing you well.

The builders have arrived this morning, so I am off to buy tea, milk, sugar and biscuits in catering sizes!!

They are a nice friendly bunch, which is good as we shall be seeing a lot of each other over the next 3 months!!

They have started on 2 bedrooms and dining room, so no house guests at the moment.

It is bright and sunny here in SE Essex, with a slight "nip" in the air, just right for a walk.

Catch ‘em early, Maw!

Well done to Maw's GS, I love the Nutcracker and think the children look adorable.
Greetings kitcheners, just a flying visit.

He is only 8 Greyduster!

Hello the kitchen. By the time I got back here yesterday it was too late to post, but I have to say congratulations to Maw’s GS - that is some achievement. I am not a ballet fan, but I do admire the dedication and athleticism of the dancers. I hope he has continued success.
After much grumpy discussion about an outing yesterday, we didn’t go, but ended up spending the day in the garden, and, boy, did I pay for it last night with pain in my hip. I also found I can only now go down on one knee as I cannot put pressure on the one I fell on last week, which I thought was okay. Great if you want to go round proposing to people (doesn’t have a lot to recommend it), but not a whole lot of good for weeding flower beds! Small difficulties compared to some, though. And at least, having cleared all the dead stuff away I have a clearer idea of what my grand planned reorganisation will involve. Basically it will involve expanding the bed, taking all the plants out and re-siting them. DH has already ‘got the face on’ because he will end up doing all the heavy work while I stand and tell him where to dig! I’ll give him a few weeks to take it all in and then we’ll start ?.
We are going out for lunch today, and will call in on DD on the way home. Apart from that, nothing exciting is planned. I will catch up later.

Glad you're back at last Panache.
Hoping you can get help for the macular problem - as I said before I have a friend with the same thing, but she was never much of an internet user. She finds it hard for reading though, and we speak on the phone.

Can the exciting news be the imminent departure on the anniversary trip soop?

I have an inkling that it was quite soon and if so, have a wonderfully joyous time both of you. And if I am wrong and it isn't quite yet, well the same good wishes apply for whenever it is!

Soop I can’t wait whatever it is your going to tell us it sounds very exciting. I feel like I’m seven again and it’s Christmas Eve and I’m waiting for Father Christmas .........your not Mrs Christmas are you ?

Ooh soop how exciting. Your sound all windswept and interesting. ?

Waiting with baited breath soop

a belated welcome back to you Panache together with the hope that a social worker for the visually impaired will see you and make sure you have the computer programmes you need to maintain contact with the world and kitcheners in particular.

Well all sorts of good news Maw, Soop and Panache! So pleased for everyone x