Very impressive work and wood is so tactile.  I do enjoy walking round such gardens (we always made the most of National Trust places when on holiday in the UK) and the serenity of nature is very relaxing.  Glad the Show drew lots of interest - it may be hard work but satisfying nonetheless.  Hope you got your feet up now enjoying a spot of Brianitus.

Visiting Mum is a little hard at times but people with mental disorders do not have much control and as I too have grown older I have gained an understanding (and thereby a bit of strength) in how to cope on a visit to visit basis.  Am back to the Home on Friday as we have a 'care plan' meeting to make sure we are all happy with how things are going (I just admire how much they do for their residents and the patience and care given).  Tomorrow after work I am hoping to visit my friend as she has once again been admitted to our local hospice but sadly this time may not make it home again.

Take care and hope you and Mrs B are enjoying our current spell of dry weather (know I am).  Hugs  Jules x

Hi Gill,

Catching up at last. So sorry to hear you had a couple of bad days. I cant tell you off for over doing it as I do just the same. I can still remember what the hospital told me, they said to listen to my body and when I felt tired to stop what I was doing and take a rest. I jokingly told them if I listened to my body, with all it's creaks and groans, I would never get anything done!!!!!!!!!

Hope your trip back to the hospital went okay today. Hope your daughters exam went well. Will talk more when I have completely caught up .

Take care Gill, Hugs, Brian

Hi Hope

Sorry to hear rain is keeping you out of the garden - so far its been dry here but I was working today.  No doubt once you get the opportunity you will play catch up and then be able to relax in it (why do the weeds grow quicker than anything else).  The wildlife always appreciate a less than tidy space so thats my excuse when things need doing ha ha.

As I have said to Brian I am coping on a visit to visit basis but it has made me realise just what life must have been like for my Dad at times like this.  With her age now its doubtful she will 'choose' to snap out of it so the doctor keeps an eye on her medication needs (they have a GP hold a surgery every Tuesday for the regulars).

Hubby is his usual quiet self but has caught up with his sleep and is managing to eat small amounts at regular intervals.  Chooses to do little but watch the tv but he must do what he wants to do as and when.  At the moment we are awaiting news of a dear friend of mine who has just returned to the hospice and sadly its not likely she will  return home this time.  I am hoping to visit after work tomorrow but will contact her husband first as I do not want to invade family time - he has already said I am welcome to drop in.

Hope you and the family are all okay, sending hugs.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the reply. Have spent most of the day developing ways to make some wooden eyes for my owls. It has gone better than expected I am taking your advice and making a range of sizes. Have also come up with more shapes as well so Mrs B will soon have more wooden ornaments to find homes for.

We are very lucky in that we have three really great national trust places all within 30 minutes driving time. Where we held our exhibition at the weekend was Wakehurst Place and the room we were in was oak panelled. My sister came to see us on Monday and spent part of the day walking round the gardens. They have such a wide varitey of trees I just love walking round. On Monday, while we were waiting for the building to be unlocked we had a robin, a chaffinch and a couple of sparrows come up so close to us and it was the one day I didn't take my camera. I could have got some great shots of them.

I am so sorry to hear your friend is now in the hospice as she has put up such a brave fight. Is this the one you go to bingo with? Hope you are able to visit her as I am sure it will cheer her up to have your company.

I have included a couple of photos of the house and gardens plus the wooden eyes.

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

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Thanks for the lovely photos.  Iam loving the owl's eyes and am sure MrsB will enjoy having them keep an eye on her - all this wood turning will keep you out of mischief too.

The friend who is ill is not my bingo  buddy but someone I met at my very first ante natal class and we have stayed in touch ever since.  Her eldest is just two weeks older than my daughter and Iam godmother to her youngest (now 24). She has lived with cancer in varying degress since my godson was 3yrs old and has been inspirational along the way.  Her sense of humour has never wavered even now complaining with a twinkle in her eye that she keeps having to add things to her bucket list because the family keep crossing her wishes off as fast as she could think of things she wanted to achieve.  She even gained her teaching degree whilst undergoing chemo in her mid 40's as she was not happy with just being a teaching assistant.  We are the same age (well I am 6 mths older) and she is still fighting though very tired. I need to be strong tomorrow,  Chat soon. Jules x

Brian,

I agree with Jules the photos are lovely, although I find the owls eyes a little spooky.

Jules,

Wishing you all the emotional strength you need for tomorrow and I hope your visit is a lovely one.

Your friend is the one you've written about before and she has been a real inspirational person to have fought so much for so long.

Sending lots of supportive hugs

Love

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel

Thanks for your words of support. Am digging deep, as you can imagine, to help my friend and her family - she is apparently still giving instructions to her husband though very weary.  She has a wonderful relationship with the hospice staff as has been going to the day centre for some time - her excuse was to get a break from her all male household.  I am thankful that she is pain free (has always had great support like my hubby with her ongoing care through the same hospital) and despite everything still jokes about life in general - wish I could  bottle her spirit and pass it around.

Well first I have to get through my work shift (after a night of tossing and turning again!!) and then will check in with my friend's husband to see if  its still okay to go in as I do not want to intrude on family time.  They have had 'open house' as far as visiting at home was concerned but this needs to be tailored to her feelings now..

Hope all going well with you and your family and will chat again soon.  Off to do the hoovering before I go to work!!  Hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

I do hope your visit to your friend went well; she sounds like an inspirational person and when you see somebody coping despite everything it makes you feel very humble.  Also wanted to say good luck for tomorrow as you mentioned going to see your Mum and reviewing her care plan.

Well the rain continues, can hardly believe it is May. This month is difficult for me as it would have been both my parents birthday in a couple of weeks. This time last year I was planning what to do to make it a special one for Mum as it was her first without Dad; I can hardly believe what has happened since. Hubby has decided to have a 3 day break with his brother in a couple of weeks too bad timing, but he doesn't understand how I feel.  Anyway will plod on and hope the sun returns soon.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Annabel,  Haven't caught up with you for a while, I hope all is good with you.  Hope x

Hi Brian,  Am loving the next set of woodwork pics, hope all good with you too.  Hope x

Thanks Hope I am fine, going for my 3 monthly check up next week.

Dentist Tuesday, Hospital Thursday. Hoping to keep body and teeth together. !!!!!!!!!  lol.

I am sorry you are having an annniversary month this month with your parents Birthdays.

You might think it a good idea to actually celebrate their Birthdays and celerbrate their lives at this time. The fact that you had the pleasure of knowing them as you did and the honour of being their daughter. Bake a cake to them , have a tea party, you know. Remember what a lot you had and how because of that you have such good memories.

Hope you are well in yourself love and looking after yourself.

Hugs

Annabel. xx