Firstly, thanks so much to everyone who sent birthday wishes, that was just lovely and so unexpected, in fact I was totally spoilt for the whole of what turned out to be a very elongated birthday.  I'm certain I didn't deserve all the attention, cards and gifts, but completely loved it all.  If you look at each of our 10 year sections in life, I am now precariously balanced on the hill just waiting to slide down towards the next BIG landmark and I'm not going to pretend it's not a daunting prospect, softened only by the knowledge that aging is something we all have in common, NO ONE gets out of it, phew what a relief, well partial relief, that is.

Since last blogging, life has been much as normal, and for that I am eternally grateful, no surprises is just fine by me at this stage in the circle.  My offspring are healthy and in work, my grandson is a joy still and as both his little personality and vocabulary increase he just becomes more and more amazing and entertaining.  Due to my daughter's relationship situation, I often feel somewhat saturated by the company of both of them, but perhaps I shouldn't complain, some folk who are less fortunate would give their eye teeth for what I have, it's just that sometimes I need some "time out", desperately!  Of course I have a husband of Italian origins, who's family ethic would have everyone living under our roof for ever more, the more the merrier, so I'm somewhat on my own when it comes to needing my space................it's a difficult one.

Work remains frustrating at best, but then we are talking about the NHS here.  Our orthopaedic "step down" facility works well when it is permitted to do so.  Unfortunately when the rest of the hospital is in crisis, most of the time that is, we are often called upon to receive all sorts of other specialities from all sorts of areas.  It keeps it challenging and interesting of course, and I am nothing if not flexible, but sometimes the staffs' morale gets a bit battered and we feel we may have been betrayed somewhere along the line.  On the up side, while the ward is constantly full we know we are needed and the threat of closure is unlikely to come knocking at our door anytime soon, so for that I feel we should be grateful, and who ever said things would be ideal, life itself is not so it must just be par for the course.

Well, I feel I have rambled on for long enough now and must get ready for work.  Now I have a new password I will be sure to return soon.  Keep safe and be happy everyone xx