Learning to say no

Thank you again for the support, it's much appreciated as always.

Husband's daughter rang him yesterday, wanting to come down for the day on Sunday along with her husband and (adult) son.  She's anxious about her father's brain scan this Friday, understandably - we won't know any results from the scan for probably at least a fortnight but I can understand her wanting to see her father to check he's ok.  I get on very well with all of them so have no objections to them coming, however, I've told husband he must plan what we're going to do, and eat, as I'm not cooking for all of them - one of them is an extremely fussy eater, they all eat different things to us, and I just don't feel up to making several different meals.  He's volunteered to take us all out for Sunday lunch to a local farm park on the coast, they have lots of animals (they're all animal lovers) and a restaurant that does a good carvery.  Then we'll just have some cake to go with a cuppa before they go home early evening - I'll buy the cake, not make it.  So that's that sorted.  It's normally left up to me to make all the plans but right now I'm just not up to it.  One of the things I'm having to work on is admitting that I cannot do everything anymore - which is hard after a lifetime of doing it.

Problem relative seems finally to have stabilised, having been exhibiting extreme bipolar behaviour ever since discharging themselves from hospital.  No further news or progress on their 'could cause sudden death' diagnosis, I really don't know what's going to happen, they're still refusing to go for any further tests.

For the past couple of days I've stuck to my resolve and only done what's absolutely necessary, putting washing on and preparing the evening meal - I rarely eat breakfast so husband gets his own, and we've been getting our own snack lunches.  I do feel a bit calmer and more relaxed, although I'm still not sleeping very well.  I've done all the planning for when sister and friend arrive, both what we're going to do, and all 3 meals for each day they're here, I've already cooked and frozen most meals.  We will be having a couple of girly days out, leaving husband and Betty at home, I'm looking forward to that, as are my sis and friend.

Husband booked Betty's next grooming session for the week of our anniversary, when we'll be at the caravan for the week and going out every day 😒.....as the groomers is just down the road here where we live, it won't be possible to take her that day, so I'll have to ring and rearrange it today.  On a good note, I found and downloaded a voucher for free entry to a big National Trust property up near the caravan park, so that's one day out sorted, the voucher will save us £34.  We can take Betty, dogs are allowed, although not inside the big House.  That's ok, husband's not really interested in looking round big manor houses, although I enjoy it, so he'll be happy to stay in the grounds with Betty whilst I look round the House.  It's Tyntesfield, near Bristol, has anyone been?