Pancakes and broken bikes

A better day today. My MIL shows signs of improving; she's been up on her feet and her speech has come on a little, although she still struggles to talk, managing a few words now and then. My husband has been doing some word exercises with her in the hospital; practising the alphabet and asking her to repeat words. He can't push it too far as she finds it tiring but he says he can see the determination in her eyes. And she was a lot brighter and generally more positive today he says.

We had Gemma over so despite my husband being home in the morning before his hospital visit, we decided that a bit of time together (the two of us) was probably just what we needed. We left Audrey with Gemma and popped out to Gabriel's for coffee, pancakes and bacon (pictured). I didn't need to eat again all day after that!

Ended up asking Gemma to stay a bit longer this afternoon as I had effectively missed a few hours work through pancake-related distractions. She was glad to stay as I know the money is helping her too.

She currently cycles to our house from Levenshulme and it later transpired she'd come off her bike in the rain (and over the handle bars) this morning. While she was with Audrey, we took her bike and had new brakes put on it from the bike guy on Beech Rd. It was the least we could do. Her boyfriend is away in America and her family are in London. We are really fond of her and we can tell she loves Audrey. It is a genuine pleasure to have her in our lives and to look out for her.

My work is really increasing so I'm considering using her more and looking into nurseries for the New Year for a day a week too maybe. Wow, never thought I'd say that a few months back!

I've also negotiated an office in Didsbury from January with another freelancer. We both need to get out of our home offices so it will be great to start the New Year with a fresh outlook on work this way.

Most of my thoughts at this time of year turn to the New Year. I love January, it is like the first page of a new notebook. And after the last few months, it couldn't come soon enough.