Hi Jules,

Sounds like you had quite a journey home last night. I got absolutely soaked picking up my grandson yesterday. When I got them both home, I had to have a complete change of cloths; I was cold wet and miserable.

My youngest grandson who had the hospital appointment had to have a camera down his throat yesterday. They found that a flap of skin that acts like a valve is not closing properly. If things don't get any better they may have to do an operation as this should help him talk clearer. But as he is making progress at the moment they will leave it for a year or maybe sooner if improvement peaks.

Hope all goes well for tomorrow for your daughters birthday. Had a great evening at the wood club and was told I am now a life member because of the work I have done for the club for nearly 29 years and don't have to pay subs anymore, which was such a surprise.

Hope you enjoy you Bingo night out tomorrow, will talk again  soon, Brian.

Hi Brian

Well another wet and windy afternoon (managed to keep dry when I went out early this morning thankfully) so the supermarket shop is waiting till tomorrow.

Its good that your youngest grandson is making progress and that they do not have to do an operation just now but that it can be an option to help him later if needs be.  He is one brave lad going through such procedures which are not pleasant for adults let alone children.  Somehow kids seem to bounce back don't they?

What a lovely surprise to welcome you at your Wood Club though no surprise to me when I think of all the hours you spend making things run better for the club. Well done and congrats.

Hubby saw the doctor this morning and she is happy enough with him to leave his next appointment till April.  She thankfully listened to his chest (the cough comes and goes) and  no sign of infection but she said he can try over the counter medication if needs be (its not affecting his sleep so will just put up with it!) ' Am sure a little tot of whisky will help soothe it when he goes down the pub this evening.

Hope you and Mrs B have a lovely weekend and stay dry.  Best wishes and hugs Jules x

Hi Jules,

It's a lovely sunny morning here at present although not that warm. When I spoke to my son the other night, my young grandson asked him, Who are you talking to?  Is it that very very very old man? Mind you my son did encourage him, not that he needs much encouragement. Apparently during his visit to the hospital, he had the doctors and nurse's laughing as usual. One of the nurses said she loved his attitude and he replied God made me different so I could make people laugh. Although it's not the first time he has said something like this, when I heard it I got all chocked up. I do love that lad and his brother and sister as well.

As the borometers inserts I used to buy have got so expensive, I have not bought any for the past three years now. I used to make the wooden surrounds for them. So I have been looking for something else to make and have at long last come up with a couple of new ideas so will give them a try as soon as the weather improves.

So pleased to hear hubbies medication is working well and his appetite has improved. It's always difficult to rid of a cough at this time of year especially with the weather like it is.

Have a good day today, sending best wishes, Brian

Morning Brian

Itsjust amazing how young children can sometimes show us adults how to take things in our stride and make the most of the live we have - as you say its a 'tearing up'moment and a privilege to be part of their lives.

Loved the sunny day yesterday and spent two  hours out walking.  Rest of the day was pretty quiet and hubby spent a lot of time dozing but this seems to come in waves with some days him not napping at all and others more asleep than awake - part of his coping mechanism/medication perhaps.  We are out for lunch with our son this coming Friday (his birthday) and are looking forward to hearing all about his present from his other half - he is going to be a 'zookeeper' at London Zoo for a day on Thursday (has always had a great love of reptiles and wildlife in general) and is really looking forward to it.  NExt Saturday we are babysitting so my daughter and husband can go to friends for dinner so a couple of things to look forward to.

Hope you have a peaceful week. TAke care.Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the reply on the quotes thread. Sorry to hear your mother was feeling low today but totally understandable due to her wedding anniversary. But it was nice that you were able to be there for her. Must have been a bit emotional for you too. Bet you are looking forward to your lunch on Friday, its nice to meet up with family and gives your husband something to look forward to as well. With your other babysitting on Saturday sounds like you have a busy weekend planned.

One day when it looks like it will be fine for a few hours, I have got to try and get a dent out of my car. It looks like someone fell against the rear end and I have been told it should come out if pushed from inside, but I have to take some parts off the inside to be able to do this. So keeping my finger crossed it will work.

Take care, will talk again soon, best wishes, Brian.

Hi Jules,

Have just caught up with your thread and noticed from Brian's post that today was a sad day for your Mum.  That must have been very difficult for you too, as their anniversary would also be a reminder of your Dad, whose anniversary I know is also coming up.  I hope you have been able to stay positive, you always seem to see the best in everything.  Hope that hubby is doing OK too.  Take care.  Hope x

Hello Jules ,Im sorry you are having such a hard time life is cruel sometimes isnt it ,your dear mum is lucky to have you but what a hard road for her to follow with the mental  illness and for 60 years and also hard for you .luckily you have your children and grandchildren living close by and dont the little ones cheer you up make you smile .How lovely having adopted an owl for hubby beautiful birds arnt theyand lovely that you can go to visit it Glad to hear hubby is doing well and happy with his owl has it got a name ?Well Rusty and Ihad a lovely dry walk early this morning and very mild but its just started raining for a change ha ha I hope you havnt suffered to much in the gails .Stay strong Jules I think of you often you know why dont you keep smiling and im sending you a megga hug x Susananne x

Hi Susananne

Thanks so much for your support.It means so much especially as sadly you know all to well what life has in store for us eventually.

We luckily survived the gales with just a wobbly fence and no flooding where we are.  I really feel for those affected so badly.  We have got off very lightly.  I think your dog has a very apt name for all the wet weather we are enduring but its lovely that you have his company and wonderful surroundings to walk in.  Would just be wonderful to get some sun for a change.

The owl we adopted is a Barn Owl called Cobweb and was rescued some time back and is now 5yrs old and they have given him a 'lady friend' for company.  He also takes part in the Sanctuary's flying displays and school visits .  At the moment one of our neighbours cats has taken to visiting twice a day and appears to like chasing his tail all around our lounge and sitting on hubby's laptop to get attention (hubby happy to oblige and we even have a cat toy now for it to play with!!).

Hope you and your family are keeping well.  Hugs are returned. Jules xx

Hi Brian

Sorry to hear that you have a dented rear end to sort out (on the car!!) and hope we can see some dry weather soon to enable you to complete that work.  Hubby hates it when bodywork gets damaged but has over the years done his fair share of 'fixing' cars up (used to do this with a friend in the evenings on top of his main job, when the children children were small, to make extra money as well as racing cars (life before kids) at 750cc club meetings all round the country.  Those were the days!!

Visited my friend today for a little over an hour and found her in good spirits though doing battle with changes to her steroid medication.  Never moans about her cancer and is hoping to prove the 'medics' wrong.  She was told she may not make Christmas last year so doing really well.  Refuses to give in which is great and is still able to walk with   aid of frame so says on good days she will be out and about.  Her husband and youngest son have gone part time  so there is someone at home but she is still managing a lot for herself, just extremely tired afterwards.  She is full of 'grit and determination' and I am full of admiration.  We had a lovely catch up on how all our respective children are doing and she has a new grandchild due by mid- March - made me laugh when she said she had packed her husband an 'in readiness' bag so he can 'run' at a moment'snotice!!  She had her her coloured yesterday as her husband is taking her for tea at the Ritz as a treat next week and she is  now worrying about what to wear!!

Well  thankfully no rain today though back garden still has a very 'bouncy' lawn (very lush grass) with no hope of mowing just yet.

Hope  you and MrsB keeping okay.  Take care  Jules xxx