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

Morning Hope

Thanks for your post and I did feel sad yesterday but mainly because of how Mum feels about life.  I have been in this situation so many times in the past (she has suffered withmental issues for over 60yrs) but somehow being older and having to see it alonside my hubby's illness its a bit harder this time.  Nonetheless there is little I can do to change things other than to keep up the visits, hold her hand and be thankful that for now she is in a safe place where she cannot harm herself as she has done in the past.  It has certainly given me an insight in to what my Dad had to handle throughout their marriage(though two of the suicide attempts were before I left home) - he was a very patient man and they were very much a couple when she was 'well'.    As to being positive my hubby is still wondering where this side of me has come from!!  I can only say that I am lucky in love, have two great kids (well I would say that) grandchildren and as Brian would say am carrying a mix of my parents' genes so out of that I have to draw the strength to cope now because there is no other choice I can make.  Like you this forum is playing a huge part in keeping me going on the more difficult days but I do not look too far ahead (perhaps that is where I have changed my outlook) preferring to make the most of the day ahead.

On a completely different not I have just re-adopted the owl that I originally adopted for my hubby's birthday last year. He lives in a sanctuary in Suffolk (the owl not the hubby though sometimes feel hubby would like to find sanctuary) and when I told hubby about this last night he blew me away with the comment 'maybe we could visit him this year' - typing this makes me realise just how 'big'  a comment this was in the scheme of things and fingers crossed we will make it happen.

Well I have to get cleared up ready to go to work. Glad to read on your thread that you continue to be calmer along the road you are travelling. Have a peaceful day.  Thanks for listening to my waffle.  hugs  Jules xx

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

Morning Jules,

I hope you are feeling a little less sad now; like you say it must be a little comfort to know that your Mum is being looked after well and is safe.  I read that you visited your friend yesterday who is an inspiration, but nonetheless I'm sure this also made you feel emotional.  You are a strong person Jules, and I know it is true that sometimes we have no other choice, but the stress does get to us all at some point unyet you seem to hold on in there very well for most of the time, which is a credit to you.  I think what you said about not looking too far ahead is very wise, I feel that is where I sometimes go wrong. I often think too far ahead and worry about things that may not happen - my Dad was a little like that, so your mention of genes rings true.  I'm still feeling very fragile just now (strange how you can think you're doing OK and then suddenly you're not), however I will keep the thought in my head of just thinking of today.

I love the sound of the owl, what a lovely idea and even better that hubby wants to go a visit this year, fingers crossed for some better weather on it's way to make that happen.

Take care, Hope x

Hi Jules,

I loved the humour about my dented rear end (on the car). Was very good this morning when shopping as only one pack of crisps fell into our trolley (mind you, it was a pack of six) 

I can see why you regard your friend as inspirational. Some people never moan despite all that life throws at them. They just accept it but put up one heck of a fight, these people are real heroes in my opinion. For some people moan if they have a slight cold but people like your friend and your husband never complain about how their life has been drastically altered by this evil disease.

I found out last night why my young grandson thinks I very, very old. Apparentely he asked my son why I was called Granddad. My son replied "Well a grand is a thousand so that makes granddad a thousand years old". So just wait until its my sons birthday, for I will find him a comical card to get my own back.

I hope by the time you come home today from work, it has left off raining. It's raining that fine misty rain here but with the wind blowing like it is, can make you wet very quickly.

Take care Jules, will chat again soon, Brian

Morning Hope

How are you; relaxing a little bit I trust as half term draws to a close (where did that week go!!)  My daughter has been busy this week spending time with friends and keeping the eldest grandson busy and introducing baby Zack to swimming (he loved it!! just like his older brother).  We had a lovely lunch with our son and his girlfriend yesterday to celebrate his birthday at a beautiful pub overlooking huge lake and the sunshine was an added bonus, as it is today.  Somehow when the sun shines walking 2miles (there and back) to the supermarked seemed a pleasure (how mad am I).  Hubby had his usual lie in and was pleasantly surprised that he did not have to drag himself out shopping!!  Told him it was only because it was a small shop as no entertaining this week!!  The sun also spurred me on to clean all the groundfloor windows  and our daffodils look wonderful too.  Just praying now that we do not get a bad frost!!  Tonight we are babysitting for our daughter and son in law so they can enjoy a meal out at their friends.  As both boys are in bed by 7 no hard graft involved just bedtime story and then feet up in front of their tv.

Hope you have a peaceful weekend and that you, your h usband and sons are keeping well.  Look after yourself.Cyber hugs  Jules xx

Morning Brian

Hope that with this wonderful sunshine you are able to sort your 'dented rear' and that its not caused too much trouble.   That pack of crisps (hubby enjoys the six packs too) should help your energy levels.  The weather certainly helped my energy levels this morning as have walked the 2mile round trip to do the 'supermarket sweep' (treated hubby to jelly babies and multipack of flakes and myself to large pot of rhubarb yoghurt!!) and then cleaned all our ground floor windows (hubby thinks the fairies have been working hard whilst he slept) ha ha.

We are babysitting tonight and so will need to have early evening mean so instead of breakfast have had brunch and we are now watching snowboarding on tv.  Will miss the winter olympics as it has made a change from all the usual repeats he likes to sit in front of.

Hope you and MrsB have a peaceful weekend and that she was waiting with a large cuppa once your finished on the car.  Take care  sending hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Despite spending quite some time taking trying to take the side panel of my car, I have had to admit defeat for now, which went against the grain. So came indoors and munched away at at my peanuts to get over my frustration. My wife has booked me for tomorrow morning to clean our windows. Look what you have started Jules

Your mention of jelly babies took me back a few years. It surprising how many of the sweets we had when I was young are making a comeback. Glad you enjoyed you lunch. with your son yesterday and your night out at bingo. Yesterday I found a site relating to Banff in Canada. There were loads of lovely photos so I downloaded some of them There were lovely sunsets, ice sculptures, wild animals and mountain scenery and found to my surprises I have 108 pictures in all, so will make another slide show for my wife and our neighbour of them.

You are right about there being so many repeats on TV. There are very few programs I watch these days apart from the news. Even the wild life programs are few and far between and some of them are repeats as well. Mrs B did manage to plant her primroses in the back garden this morning.

I hope you enjoy your baby sitting to night and wish you and your husband an enjoyable and peaceful weekend, Brian.

Morning Brian, though it almost feels like the afternoon as I was up late (for me anyway).  We were babysitting and though daughter and son in law were not home late (11.30) unfortunately about half an hour before they got back there was a car crash right outside their flat which effectively blocked our car in and we could not go until police gave us the go ahead!!  Thankfully no one hurt. Hubby had to go and check out his and our son in law's work car and was quite amazed that they were fine.  A 20-something woman had clipped a car, taken off its wing mirror, then completely lost control (obviously at speed) slammed into parked car (between hubby;s and son in law;s!!) and rolled it before coming to a halt sideways in the middle of their road. I need say no more than when she (amazingly) stepped out of the car she was so drunk she could barely walk. Needless to say she was breathalysed at the scene (we found out she lived just up the road (when her dad appeared) when son in law came in - he had helped the first responder police car (only one officer) to get traffic to turn round

so had all the details.  The woman was put into police van and taken away as her initial breath test showed up to 6 x the legal driving limit which was frightening enough but even the police went white when he realised there were two baby seats in the rear of the car (thankfully empty).  Think it may be some time before she allowed back behind a wheel and it wont be in her car (which was a total mess and still in the middle of the road when we finally left (around 12.45).  Our son in law wanted to move his work car but had had a couple of beers so asked the police if he could  be breathalysed to see if he was okay to be behind the wheel (our daughter had driven home) adn they agreed and he was within so moved his car out of harm's way and they were still waiting for a recovery truck when we edged out.  Babysitting had been a doddle by the way.  There were a few tears when our eldest  saw that the baby was crying (did not want to be left out perhaps!!) but was soon laughing at the silly voices of granny reading his new Horrid Henry (his reward for eating his dinners all week!!) book.  Hubby settled Zack and they were both in bed and asleep by 7.15 (job done and a relaxed evening other than the commotion outside).

Sorry you were unable to correct the 'dented rear end' and hope its not too long before you manage to have it sorted.  Not such good weather again here today - drizzly and grey but hope to get out for a stroll later as hate being indoors all day.  Maybe will give you an excuse not to tackle windows though.  Hope you enjoyed the peanuts (we have several blue *** who are enjoying nuts on the feeder station today and hopefully spring is on its way.  Take care and hope you and Mrs B are doing okay.  Jules xx

P.S.Hope she enjoyed the owl quote as much as I did.

Morning Brian, though it almost feels like the afternoon as I was up late (for me anyway).  We were babysitting and though daughter and son in law were not home late (11.30) unfortunately about half an hour before they got back there was a car crash right outside their flat which effectively blocked our car in and we could not go until police gave us the go ahead!!  Thankfully no one hurt. Hubby had to go and check out his and our son in law's work car and was quite amazed that they were fine.  A 20-something woman had clipped a car, taken off its wing mirror, then completely lost control (obviously at speed) slammed into parked car (between hubby;s and son in law;s!!) and rolled it before coming to a halt sideways in the middle of their road. I need say no more than when she (amazingly) stepped out of the car she was so drunk she could barely walk. Needless to say she was breathalysed at the scene (we found out she lived just up the road (when her dad appeared) when son in law came in - he had helped the first responder police car (only one officer) to get traffic to turn round

so had all the details.  The woman was put into police van and taken away as her initial breath test showed up to 6 x the legal driving limit which was frightening enough but even the police went white when he realised there were two baby seats in the rear of the car (thankfully empty).  Think it may be some time before she allowed back behind a wheel and it wont be in her car (which was a total mess and still in the middle of the road when we finally left (around 12.45).  Our son in law wanted to move his work car but had had a couple of beers so asked the police if he could  be breathalysed to see if he was okay to be behind the wheel (our daughter had driven home) adn they agreed and he was within so moved his car out of harm's way and they were still waiting for a recovery truck when we edged out.  Babysitting had been a doddle by the way.  There were a few tears when our eldest  saw that the baby was crying (did not want to be left out perhaps!!) but was soon laughing at the silly voices of granny reading his new Horrid Henry (his reward for eating his dinners all week!!) book.  Hubby settled Zack and they were both in bed and asleep by 7.15 (job done and a relaxed evening other than the commotion outside).

Sorry you were unable to correct the 'dented rear end' and hope its not too long before you manage to have it sorted.  Not such good weather again here today - drizzly and grey but hope to get out for a stroll later as hate being indoors all day.  Maybe will give you an excuse not to tackle windows though.  Hope you enjoyed the peanuts (we have several blue *** who are enjoying nuts on the feeder station today and hopefully spring is on its way.  Take care and hope you and Mrs B are doing okay.  Jules xx

P.S.Hope she enjoyed the owl quote as much as I did.

Good morning Jules,

My wife has been getting a book from a company called The owl Barn for some while now and in there was a leaflet from The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and in the leaflet is a barn owl named Cobweb. Is this the one you and your husband have adopted? My wife just adores owls (and me I hope) If I let her she would spend an absolute fortune on anything to do with owls. Though it is not raining here, it's dull and overcast so my wife has decided she doesn't want the windows cleaned today (so thank you Jules for getting me out of that) I showed my wife the slide show of Banff last night along with the extended version I have done of beautiful photos from all round the world. As it's our neighbours 86th birthday tomorrow I took it round and showed her this morning. as not sure what she is doing tomorrow. She was so pleased. I have one more slide show to do which is all about animals, most of them with captions. We have an owl sanctuary about half hours drive from us so am sending you a photo of a snowy owl I took with my old camera a few years ago. The barn owls they had were hiding so wasn't able to get a photo of them much to my disgust as this was the one owl I wanted to get photos of.

Glad the baby sitting went well but you could have done without being blocked in as a result of that drunk driver. Lucky that your car wasn't damaged. We have a big family of blue *** who are often in the cherry tree in our front garden. Have tried to get photos of them but they move about so fast. Either that or I'm not quick enough

Take care, best wishes, Brian.

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Hi againBrian

Beautiful photo and both your wife and your elderly neighbour must be thrilled with all the trouble you take putting together the picture shows.  Its lovely to bring such pleasure to people and in the comfort of their own homes too.  My Dad used to love photography and belonged to a camera club for many years so many a childhood night was sat in front of a huge white screen as he gave a 'slide show'. Of course digital age has made it so much easier to get rid of the 'duds' before anyone sees them (thank goodness in my case).

Yes, that's our adopted owl. We have a 10x 8 print in a frame on our shelf (it came with the adoption pack last year).It was my Mum who was on the mailing list for the Owl Barn and thus when we had her mail re-directed when she first moved into care, I saw the catalogue and now they come to me which is where I got the idea from to adopt for 'hubby's birthday' last year. We have just re-adopted (but in both our names - cheeky of me I know) and maybe we will get to see him for real when the weather improves - it would be a good reason for another long weekend away.  Thanks again.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,

I came across this photo by accident yesterday and thought of you.

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Hope you like it, take care, Brian

Its beautiful Brian, thank you for thinking of me. Jules x

Hi Brian,  Love the owl photos, they brought a smile to my face.  Hope x

Hi Woody I am into pictures in a big way how did you post those owls they are great  i have just tried with out sucess sorry jules but I wanted to post a picture for you good news take care

Hi George,

If you click on the camera icon in the bar above, then go to the folder where your picture is. Click on the picture you want to post and then click on open followed by Insert Picture  and it should appear where the curser is. You may need to make the picture smaller size. Hope this helps.

Best wishes, Brian

Morning George

It means a lot that you were trying to send me a 'picture post' and hope that 'Woody's' guide helps.  Take care of yourself.  Damp and dismal in my neck of the woods today but off to visit Mum soon so will see if I can lift her spirits.  Jules xx

Good morning Jules,

I have just had some luck this morning re my dented rear. Yesterday I visited a 99p shop and found they had some sink plungers which were very flexible. So I bought one and this morning I tried it on my car and lo and behold, it worked and has pulled 95% of the dent out. It only just left a small mark which when I have more time will try and get that one out too. So well worth the 99 pence. I took Mrs B to see the warfarin nurse this morning and its good news there too as she doesn't have to back for six weeks so feel a big bout of Brianitus could well take place later this morning.

I hope you haven't got too wet going to see your mother this morning and hope she is in talkative mode today. Glad you liked the owl picture. The barn owl Is my wife's favourite owl. Years ago, when I worked at Jewsons (at least I tell people I worked) there was a barn owl who nested right at the top on one of the large timber sheds. Several times of an evening when I was working late, I used to see it flying about in the eight sheds we had. It was flying so silently, almost like watching a ghost.

Hope your husband enjoys his trip into work at the end of the week and hope it lifts his spirits. I notice in your reply to hope you say you love walking. I do too but Mrs B cant go far these days unfortunately.

Take care sending best wishes to you and you husband, hugs from Brian

Hi again Brian

Well  Iam now getting dry (walk to Mums was in teeming rain but walk back was in lovely sunshine) .  She was much the same but did manage to get some answers out of her for the crossword session and she is having her hair done tomorrow.I did my usual chat about what the family has been up to in the last week (must have been boring as she dropped off). Stayed just over an hour and went through her mail with her too.  Back home and hubby is also sleeping (I will soon begin to think its my company affecting everyone) but am sure with him its the medication/cancer and at least if he is sleeping he is peaceful I suppose.

Good news for Mrs B and the warfarin and well done on the 99p fix for the dented car.  You must be really happy with that result and now you have a bit of spare cash to feed that Brianitus - let see - peanuts may be top of the list.  Cashews are my favourite (though very naughty to do not have them very often). I have just treated myself to a 'warm' wholemeal cottage loaf and doubt it will be long before I cut into it!!  Have a good day.  Hugs returned to your and MrsB.Jules xx