Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Hi Hope

Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

Hi Hope

Wehad a lovely time 'watching' all the children making the most of the party play area (all indoors as outlined in my response to Brian) and also enjoyed the magician (he entertained both the adults and children with amazing slight of hand) and his balloon art (every child that wanted a balloon figure of their choice went home happy!!  My grandson came over to all the grandparents/step grandparents afterwards and thanked us all for coming and said he had had a lovely birthday party and was a very lucky little boy (also thanked his Mum and Dad) - so sweet!!  Sadly today he is not quite so cheerful having develped a double ear infection and could not go into school (very disappointed) as need to go to the docs. Now has antibiotics so hopefully will clear up soon but has to go  back for a check up in a couple of weeks as may have glue ear and need grommets fitting (he suffered a lot as a baby with repetitive ear infections so this does not really come as a surprise but I do feel for him as it can be so painful).

Hope you had a good and peaceful weekend.  When is it that you get to go on holiday? - hope this will be a more relaxing period for you.  I have just been told I do not need to work Boxing day so its lovely that I will have a 5 day break (or maybe 6 if he decides not to have me in on my official day off - Christmas Eve).  We go away for 3 days and then will be back home (usually arrange to have an open house so that friends can pop in and out when convenient).  I will probably work New Years Day but really dont mind that as we do not do anything then.

Hubby coped quite well with a very social weekend (out Fri Eve, Sat p.m. and Sun p.m,.)  He is also visiting an old work buddy from may years ago this Wednesday for lunch which hopefully will lift his spirits too as it seems when he is out and engaged with others he has a better frame of mind than when just sitting indoors - understandable (too much thinking time when at home I think and its harder to switch off when you are doing nothing).

Well next drink is called for so had best finish my mail and get to it. Sending kind thoughts and virtual hugs.Jules x

Hi Jules, made it back from the little job !!!! Getting stuff down from the loft for Christmas, cards wrapping paper etc.

Sorry to hear your grandson now has ear trouble , but it's better to get it sorted whilst their young.

My daughter went through many operations as she was just about the consultants worse case ever, even now when she gets a cold she has trouble shaking it off.

She still goes a bit deaf when she gets a cold.

I am sure his new toys will help him through the day.

Bet you are really busy at work these days, you'll be glad to get a rest at christmas.

All the best for now

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel

We all  had a lovely time at the party and my grandson was over the moon with all his friends coming to play and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  Just as well as today he has developed a double ear infection and poor mite is not enjoying himself at all.  Doc has given him medicine and he has to go back in two weeks for a check up as he may have glue ear and will need grommets fitted.  He was 'seriously annoyed' that he could not go into school and tell  his 'beautiful teacher' how he celebrated birthday but all being well will go back in tomorrow.  Zack has had a change of milk/teat size to see if this helps with the reflux problems.  His older brother also suffered with it and its trial and error to see what actions help.  As to his clothes size its mainly the all in one suits that he has grown out off (he is  just very long!!) so as he likes his feet out anyway my daughter is going to chop the feet off most of them to make them last a little longer (she also had to do this for his brother as a small baby!!).  I bet you are really looking forward to spending some quality time with your daughter and family and hope you get to see your son and his girlfriend too - how is the job hunting going?  Will be nice for you all to see each other prior to Christmas.  I have all the present buying done but now need to get down to the wrapping up. Thankfully I can hand deliver most of them as we are all together over the Christmas but its still nice to have it all ready so that you can rest in the knowledge  that its all sorted.

Tomorrow I am visiting Mum and taking the things I have bought on her behalf to show her (before I wrap those up as well!!). Also managed to get her a lovely pair of plum velvet trousers (she wanted to dress up a bit for Christmas Day). Fingers crossed I get the 'thumbs up' as I have no wish to take it back to London!!!

Take care of yourself and sending you virtual hugs. Jules x

Hi Annabel,

Thanks for your reply. It was a picture frame in a timber called Afromosia which is very hard. When I used to go up to The Woodworker Show It was nice to see how many ladies had taken up woodwork, until political correctness got in the way. I wouldn't say they were better at woodwork than men but they were much more adventurous in the subject matter they undertook and it paid off for several of them won awards and rightly so.

I only live about twelve miles from Hove so when you go past Burgess Hill give us a toot.  I have just done what you have got your other half to do, and brought Christmas stuff down from the loft.

We have a lovely lady in our wood club who is a master carver and also is brilliant at pyrograpy. She is 87 years young and still runs two carving classes per week. I have teased her about her pyrography??? in the past and she has a great sense of humour.

I do find woodturning very relaxing and love to see something made from timber which was due to be thrown away. Most of the things I turn were bearers on the bottoms of pallets that came from Malaysia/Indonesia/Brazil. I haven't bought any timber for years, for I don't need to as friends and relatives have given me odds and ends over the years. I hope you do get a chance to have a go on your lath sometime for I feel you would get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Just a word of warning, despite trying differnt clothingover the years, woodshaving have a habit of getting in places which you cant scratch in public, if you take my meaning

Anyway, I have rambled on too long again, do take care and hope you enjoy your trip. Best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Jules,

So pleased the party went well and you all had a good time. I do feel for your grandson as an ear infection is very painful. 

The carvings were done by our club secretary and he like me is one of the founder members of the wood club. That Octopus won an award at a big woodwork show at Wembley and thanks for the kind comments

Now I have to get my head down and get my grandsons book completed. Hope you didnt have too hard a day at work today after the party.

Take care, talk soon Brian.

Morning Brian

I am in a slight state of shock this morning - I fell asleep watching tv at around 10 p.m. woke at midnight!! dragged myself off to bed and woke up at 7.30.  Does that mean I need to go to more childrens' parties?  Have I actually found the cure for insomnia?  It really feels strange to get up so late (just as well its a non-working day!!).  Am off visiting Mum later and then may have little visitor if he has been unable to go back to school (he does not like having to stay at home - feels he  is missing out!!). Am just waiting to hear back from my daughter and if they are coming over I can get some foodie treats for them on my way back as I pass the supermarket.

Hope your writing is flowing and am imagining one very happy little boy with a huge smile once grandad hands over the new book.  Its a wonderful gift in so many respects.

Hope  you and Mrs B have a good day and hope your supply of nuts is plentiful to keep your energy going.  Take care and chat soon Jules x

Hi Jules,

Well sounds like you've found the cure for insomina - perhaps you could write about it and make a fortune now!  Glad the party went well and hope your grandson is feeling better after being poorly - luckily it happened to him after the party.  Hope your Mum was OK when you visited today.  I'm just plodding on with the usual things at the moment and looking forward to having a break over the holidays.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

So pleased to hear you had a decent nights sleep, we all need a decent nights sleep. I feel sure your grandson wouldn't mind a party everyday. The other night I stayed up to watch a film I had missed once before. I saw the first half hour then the next I remember was my wife shaking me and asking if I was going to go to bed.

Did you have your little visitor? Still have not done any writing today as we had shopping first thing then I had to go to two local bank as I keep getting e-mails supposedly from them saying my bank account has been suspended and I don't even have an account with them. The e-mail address made it look like it came from them so I wanted them to be aware of it. But they confirmed what I already knew, it is a scam for on each e-mail there is a link they invite me to click on, which is the last thing I would do. They have now been consigned to the dustbin. Then as I had to take my wife to the doctors, we went a bit earlier a popped in our local garden centre. I bought my wife an A3 sheet with a lot of festive Owl stickers so she now has to decide where she wants to put them.

I hope your visit with your mother went well and you recieved the seal of approval of your recent shopping purchases and that she was chatty mood again.

I topped up on my supply of chestnuts today so wont run out for a while. I forgot to cut a couple of the them other night and both of them went BANG in the oven and did I get my ear bent by Mrs B. It did make a mess.

Take care, best wishes for another good nights sleep, Brian.

Afternoon Hope,

Not sure I would want to cope with a classful of kids as a way to regularly beat my sleep problems (it was a one night only cure) though must say they all were very good with only a few tears when some of them came a cropper on the bouncy castle!!  Our grandson has medicine for double ear infection but only  needed one day off school (he badgered his Mum to go back so they have just been made aware they his hearing is a little down and all was fine yesterday).  He also went to his after school club (tennis) so obviously felt a bit better!  They soon bounce back at that age and he does not like missing school (long may that last!!).  We are going to dinner with them tomorrow so that he can show us all his new  birthday presents (suspecting I will still be playing with old favourites).  We are also bringing back our rocking chair as they need the room for the Xmas tree!!

Mum was on good form yesterday (it would be lovely if this continued - often her bi-polar condition comes and goes in waves). The shopping I had done on her behalf was well recieved and I had had my hair cut (she said I needed one!!).  Her carer was writing birthday cards on her behalf when I arrived so I took over and next visit will do some Xmas cards with her.  She has also got a book from the visiting mobile library - all good improvements.  The new velvet trousers were also a hit and I have now been sent away with a request to get a top to go with it - so was back to the shops today and hope I have again chosen well.  Will take it to her next week.

Hubby has gone to visit an old work friend (from about 30yrs ago) today so hopefully he will enjoy this .  I am not sure that the extra medication is making any difference but he has a check up re the anti depressants in two weeks plus physio next week so at least he is being kept an eye on.  We are also having our grandson for the day on Sunday (I will take him out part of the time so hubby can have his nap should he so wish or he can join us if he chooses though even before he was ill he used to let me do that side of things!!). as my daughter and son in law want to go and get his Christmas gift and I will probably suggest they join us for dinner afterwards as this will save them having to sort it out when they get back.

Do hope you and your family are all ok - I expect the lads will be looking foward to the holidays.  Do take care and look forward to chatting again soon. Virtual hugs  Jules x

Hi Brian

Your comment about falling asleep in front of the tv is a common one in this house - hubby often does this around mid-night and then comes up to bed around 3 in the morning but he has the benefit of staying there as he usually gets up after I have left for work.  I have also  been known to have a power nap (he loves to watch fishing programmes and try as I might I find them very relaxing so end up in the land of nod for around an hour). Suspect this is another way for my body to play catch up!!  My Mum has always only had a few hours sleep a night and I think she passed those genes onto to me as most of the time I seem to cope fine.

Our grandson did not come to us in the end as his Dad came  up with another idea. We are going to them tomorrow after school and will have dinner with them and be able to see all his new birthday gifts. As I have said to Hope we also  need to bring home our rocking chair (formerly Mums) as they need the space over the Christmas period.  We have another busy weekend socially, out Friday with my daughter (no bingo this week as my friend and her husband are away on a golfing weekend) to a Pamper night in aid of charity,meeting old friends on Saturday for a Thai meal and then have our eldest grandson on Sunday so his parents can go and get his Christmas gift.  Keeping busy is helping me no end and thankfully Mum is still feeling pretty good at present so visiting was a pleasure again this week.  She was so pleased with my shopping efforts that I have another list to attend to now. She also commented that my hair looked so much better now that I had had it cut so that keeps us both happy.

No doubt you will soon find a few spare moments to continue with your grandson's new story - can imagine your fingers dashing across the keyboard.

Hope you and your wife are keeping okay - we are still enjoying yellow roses in our front garden and wish I could mow the lawn (too wet this time of year) as its getting a bit long and it will  be a lot harder work in the Spring.  We are currently feeding  two black birds, two robins and a variety of *** just outside our back door on the bird feeding station - lovely to watch and a sure sign the weather is a little cooler.

Hope you have a peaceful week/weekend and am sure we will be chatting again soon.  Jules x

Hi Brian

Your comment about falling asleep in front of the tv is a common one in this house - hubby often does this around mid-night and then comes up to bed around 3 in the morning but he has the benefit of staying there as he usually gets up after I have left for work.  I have also  been known to have a power nap (he loves to watch fishing programmes and try as I might I find them very relaxing so end up in the land of nod for around an hour). Suspect this is another way for my body to play catch up!!  My Mum has always only had a few hours sleep a night and I think she passed those genes onto to me as most of the time I seem to cope fine.

Our grandson did not come to us in the end as his Dad came  up with another idea. We are going to them tomorrow after school and will have dinner with them and be able to see all his new birthday gifts. As I have said to Hope we also  need to bring home our rocking chair (formerly Mums) as they need the space over the Christmas period.  We have another busy weekend socially, out Friday with my daughter (no bingo this week as my friend and her husband are away on a golfing weekend) to a Pamper night in aid of charity,meeting old friends on Saturday for a Thai meal and then have our eldest grandson on Sunday so his parents can go and get his Christmas gift.  Keeping busy is helping me no end and thankfully Mum is still feeling pretty good at present so visiting was a pleasure again this week.  She was so pleased with my shopping efforts that I have another list to attend to now. She also commented that my hair looked so much better now that I had had it cut so that keeps us both happy.

No doubt you will soon find a few spare moments to continue with your grandson's new story - can imagine your fingers dashing across the keyboard.

Hope you and your wife are keeping okay - we are still enjoying yellow roses in our front garden and wish I could mow the lawn (too wet this time of year) as its getting a bit long and it will  be a lot harder work in the Spring.  We are currently feeding  two black birds, two robins and a variety of *** just outside our back door on the bird feeding station - lovely to watch and a sure sign the weather is a little cooler.

Hope you have a peaceful week/weekend and am sure we will be chatting again soon.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Have been very busy since my last post to you. We had the two older grandchildren come to us to dinner on Wednesday and when I took them home it was time for the youngest ones story time. He pointed to his self and said I'm the little man, daddy is the young man, and then looking at me said, and granddad is the very old man. Cheeky little man. Mind you Jules when I see how much energy he has, I feel like an old man!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy your pamper evening tonight. Pleased to hear that your mother was pleased with your Christmas shopping you did for her. You must have done a good job if you now have another one to attend to. We too still have roses blooming in our back garden and I fully agree about the lawns for ours are just the same, but as you say they are much too wet.

I took Mrs B to see her brother yesterday as a week ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a psa of over 500. They suspect it has migrated to his hip joints so she is quite worried about him. He has had so much pain in his legs the past few day but yesterday when we saw him he was feeling a little better. While I was there I went up into their loft to get their Christmas decorations down for them as he has trouble standing up. Sister in law also has her own problems in that she now suffers from meniere's  disease where she keeps losing her balance. So have told her if she want to go shopping to give us a call as neither of them can drive at the moment.

Sounds like you have a busy weekend planed so hope you will be able to sleep well.

Take care Jules, will talk again soon, Brian

Hi Brian.

Was saddened to read the news regarding your brother in law, more worries for you both but they are very lucky to have you around to help them if needed.  It can  mean so much just having someone who understands (you will especially be aware of how he is feeling right now) and the practical help for them both will be a blessing.

Glad you had some time with the grandchildren too.  Your 'cheeky chappie' sounds an absolute delight and despite everything he goes through day to day must make you a very happy and proud set of grandparents.  One smile from the young ones can lift the mood completely.

I am feeling  a little numb just now as two hours ago I received the news (via text) that my friend of over 32 years has had the devastating news that there is  no more that can be done for her cancer which has now spread out of control.  She has been battling several different cancersfor over 23 years and has battled so hard and was still undergoing chemo until two weeks ago.  Yesterday results of scans showed that nothing had worked and there is no more to be done.  I have offered support if at all possible and their youngest son is trying to get an urgent flight back from Australia (a week earlier than originally planned.).  Time is short but her final comment was ' I b-------- well will make it to Christmas' and I hope her prayers are answered.  Another life to be cut short before its time.

It does not feel right going out this evening but I promised my daughter and she deserves a break too. At least the pamper night is in aid of charity and with heart ruling head, I know my friend would be very cross if I back out.  Chat soon, sorry for blubbing.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Hope you enjoy your evening out but sad to learn about your friend. What a fighter she is to have fought cancer for so long. Will hope she makes it to Christmas at least.I feel sure you will be a constant source of support to her, like you are to so many on here.

I was able to tell brother and sister in law something the doctor at the hospital had not explained which helped them understand about a tablet he had been prescribed before starting hormone therapy. I was also not told the same thing and found it our for my self while re-searching prostate cancer.

Take care best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Jules,

I'm so sorry to read in your message to Brian and in your post on Ian's (haff1) thread, the news about your friend. She sounds a determined and strong lady, 23 years of battling! Very humbling! I'm sure you're right that she'd be cross if you didn't go out this evening.

So glad your grandson's birthday party was such a success! Not such good news about his double ear infection though. Poor little soul. Earache and infections are so painful.

The rest of your social life is sounding busy; I hope you and your hubby enjoy all the events you've got lined up and it boosts both your spirits.

Take care, lovely Jules, you are an amazing member of this forum!

Enjoy your weekend, you deserve a bit of pampering!

Love and hugs, Jo xxx

Dear Jules,

So sorry to hear your upsetting news about your friends health. There is never a good time for bad news but it always seems worse at this time of year.

Knowing you you will want to be there for your friend even when it comes to your own familys plans.

But do look after yourself Jules won't you. It's understandable that the news is going to affect both you and your husbands moods, and possibly in differing ways.

Your friend sounds a very strong lady who has done brilliantly over all those years at battling this awful disease. I pray she makes it to Christmas as is her wish.

I am glad you've gone out with your daughter tonight, I hope you have fun.

love and hugs

Annabel. xx

Dear Jules , I am so very sorry to hear the news of your good friend , my thoughts and prayers are with you(and your friend).Do take care of yourself , it seems to me that you are the hub of a very busy wheel with a lot resting on you , and I know your way of coping is to be busy but do take care of yourself , you sound to be such an amzing person with a surplus of love and kindness to share xx take care Tonic

Hi Everyone

Sorry for group response but feeling a little jaded today. Just wanted to say a huge thanks for all your supportive words.  This forum continues to be an amazing community to be part of.

I did go out with my daughter last night (my friend is still going out too when she can bless her and is determined to see this Christmas so we will fight alongside her and try and make it happen - its the least we can do considering (if needs be her husband is going to change the date of this Christmas in their home and they have already decorated with Christmas cheer and my friend says with no  more drugs she can enjoy a real drink!!!)).  Her resolve over the many years of this battle has been inspirational and amongst other things she even gained a teaching degree during treatment.   I wish I had half her strength whilst dealing with our own situation.  Hubby has a different character to my friend and perhaps that's why I am struggling when he could still be doing so much whilst he is stable.

The pamper night was all in aid of different charities and we stayed a couple of hours.  My daughter had a mini facial and we both bought a few Christmassy bits and pieces.  It was held in a local social club so we also had drinks and mince pies and then she talked me into having a tarot reading.  Never done that before!!   My daughter went first (she has had readings in the past but was amazed at what she was told this time) and she had pre-warned me to offer no information so I sat with my 'impassive' face and 15 mins later was astounded at how accurate the reading was in relation to my life now (whether the future will hold true who knows - am still somewhat of a sceptic).

Decided after being so good on my healthy eating this last 8 months I deserved a treat this morning whilst in town shopping, so fell victim to a croissant filled with mature cheddar - yummmmmmmmmmm.   Tonight we are out for a Thai meal (first restaurant meal for a while) so hoping hubby can enjoy himself with old friends.

Once again thanks for all being on this forum.  Have a peaceful weekend and hope to chat again soon.  Jules xx

PS 8/12  Had a lovely evening out last night with old group of friends (14 of us in the end!!). Wonderful company and the food was beautiful.  Hubby more at ease than I had seen for a while and think, just for once, he had left his sad thoughts behind.  He is now sleeping in as we have our grandson from around 10 a.m. and then the family here for dinner after they finish their Christmas shop.xx

Hi Jules,

Glad you did go out and that you enjoyed yourself. Hope you are not feeling jaded today and that you enjoy your visit from you grandson and family today.

Our elderly next door neighbour is going away next week for a few days on a turkey and tinsel outing. She told me her digital camera had packed up and asked me where I bought mine from as she wished to buy one to replace it. I told her I would have a look at hers for her. In the end I found it was one of the brand new batteries that was as flat as a pancake when I tried them on my battery tester. So she now has a camera to take with her. I have also given her a DVD slide show I've made up with a lot of photos of cute animals on it which runs for about 22 minutes which she enjoyed watching. Tomorrow afternoon we are taken Mrs B's brother and sister in law out to buy some tree lights as theirs have packed up. Neither of them can drive at the moment (he has the prostate cancer and sister in law has Meniere's disease which means she keeps losing her balance). I know they would do the same for us.

I read that you have suffered a Jules-itus moment with the croissant. I don't feel so bad about my Brianitus now so thanks for writing that Jules. I couldn't go 8 months like you. You must have very strong will power. Our Waitrose has just nearly doubled in size so the risk of more things falling off shelves into our trolley has also doubled much to my wife disgust, I mean the trolley thing not the bigger shop. But they had placed my chestnut at a very low level this week so had to try my powers of levitation to get them into the trolley. This elderly lady looked quite awe-struck as this bag of nuts slowly became air-bourne and lifted up into our trolley. Don't worry Jules, it's just wishful thinking on my part.

Hope you and your husband enjoy today's visit from your family. You are so right about this being an amazing community to be a part of and you are a  big part of it. I think it like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it isn't it. Thank you for all the support you have give me and many others over the past months Jules.

Take care, best wishes to you and your family, Brian,

Hi Brian

Sorry for a bit of delay in responding but for some reason my e-mails are being blocked and I am getting rather frustrated trying to sort it!!  Am trying to keep up to date via browsing the site so hope I do not miss anything important!

Hope your shopping trip with the in-laws went well(I am sure they will have really appreciated the help whilst being unable to drive themselves and I really must sort out our decorationsas we hope to get them up next weekend.  We have a real tree normally so may have to call our son to help me carry it home!

Have to say I really enjoyed my dip back into 'Brianitus' but know for the good of  my cholesterol levels that I need to keep those 'naughty treats' for special occasions (will have another lapse over the Christmas as would not want to be a killjoy).  How annoying that  you are now having to get down lower to your treats at the supermarket (think you may need to have words to explain your predicament).

Busy day with the eldest grandson yesterday, keeping him amused and slept well as a result.  My daughter and family enjoyed having a meal with us after their shopping trip and its always good to see them.  All being well will be going to the school to watch the 'Christmas assembly for his class on Friday (hubby will mind the baby - there is only 2 tickets per family).  He has a couple of lines to say as a narrator and told me what he has to say and seems to have  no nerves at all (think that comes with age!!).  They were due to be going to Wigan next weekend to see son in law's Dad but the family car is not working at the moment (he thankfully has a small company car for work but its no good for transport family especially with all the bits and bobs you need for a baby) so they may  not  be able to go.

Hope you and MrsB are keeping as well as can be and hopefully will chat again soon.  Virtual hugs.Jules x

Hi Jules,

Thanks for asking about Mrs B, who is keeping well at the moment. Talking about the Christmas decorations, Mrs B and I were talking about when we were young and how we used to have to either make or assemble a lot of the Christmas decorations ourselves (remember the strip of gummed paper we used to loop together to hang on the ceiling). We also don't get any Carol singers coming round anymore and I think thats a pity for it used to make it feel more like Christmas. 

When I took my wife brother and his wife shopping yesterday, both of them and my wife were all using walking sticks, and they joked that I was the only fit one. I told them that it's due to my diet of nuts Tesco's had re-stocked on their chestnut so bought some more this morning. Brianitus is still alive, I promise you. The lady on Tesco's checkout said what are you going to do after Christmas when we have sold all of them, so I told her I will have to resort to buying the frozen ones from one of your competitors. Mrs B has told me quite firmly I have to go on a diet in the new year so hope she has found some medication for my Brianitus and if so that it tastes nice??????

Our three grandchildren cant wait for Christmas to come. I expect your grandson is also looking forward to getting a visit from Santa.

I hope your weekly visit to your mother has gone well and she is still in chatty mode and that she also approves of your latest purchases for her. It must be so hard to make conversation when she isn't responsive. When Mrs B's father was in the nursing home, we often had to buy things for him but whatever we got, it was never right for him and it got to the point where we dreaded him asking.

Anyway I am rambling on again, please forgive me. Take care, best wishes, Brian.