There are times you need to take stock. We have been going through this thing for about a 6 weeks now and have reached some sort of lull, I have talked about it previously. Tracey is out with some friends tonight and I am trying to gather my thoughts and think about how we really are.

My initial "madness" has subsided. I am still worried but this is over shadowed slightly by how I am perceiving Tracey's recovery. She is recovering from the operation and I can't help feeling that she is getting better. That is a good thing, but of course chemo hangs over everything. The road to recovery is long (I know, with many a winding turn).

The Tinsley house is chaotic but functioning. The kids are helping as only they can, but hardly enough to be useful, hopefully when they are home with mum they will do more. They need a hard task master and that isn't me. I am driving them to and from school, doing the shopping,the cooking and the washing. I am continually tired, mainly because I am not used to hard work. My work are still being understanding and work will get easier from next week when the kids are on holiday.

The two things that have really helped me are doing this blog and the pictures that go with it. Tracey has informed me that I am "bloody obsessed" with it. She is wrong, but don't tell her. It's good to get some thoughts out on the page although some are better hidden away.

Anyway, what's been happening. Well Tracey has been getting many visits. Auntie Mary visited yesterday. We haven't seen her for a while and it's good to see her soldiering on. She had just driven from London and was meeting friends in Bath before going with them to Ireland. She still possesses her acerbic wit. And Tracey has been receiving lots of visits fom work and friends. Only 3 bunches of flowers at the moment and we've eaten all the chocs.

This evening Livi tried to kill me during her driving lesson. Lets just say the Range Rover had right of way and our little Micra would have been munched



My cousin Lyn visited on Tuesday night and I made tea. A bit of a disaster on the spag bol front. I didn't know it was possible to get it wrong. But we had a good chat and cakes from Markses. One interesting point from the evening, Lyns mum surname was cable and her grandad looked just like Vince Cable. Are they related, watch this space.

Finally I took the camera out today so I have some more pics. Also I include a few more from the carnival as I have been told I was horrible about it.

x

Chris