Good morning Jules,

Have just been to one of Mrs B's friends as they have offered me some Holly branches so havent been out to the garage today. I have promised to turn a couple of items for them out of it as I think they would appreciate something made out of their own timber. It's my oldest grandsons birthday today so as he is in to Skylanders I managed to make him a birthday with his favorite charachter on it. He said the card was awsome. Brother in law started his chemo a week ago and so far no bad side effects. He has not been to good though and doctor has reduced his blood pressure tablets which he thinks was part of the problem. Like your husband, he has no appetite for food at the moment. We have just heard that Mrs B's brother who died  acouple of years ago, his ex wife has got cancer and it's not looking good for her.

I have two more new items I have just finnished turning, a mini birdhouse ornament and a mini hot air baloon on a stand. Photos attached.

Hope you dont get to discouraged when hubby doesnt respond. I felt that you were a bit down about it the other day but we all know you are doing your best in difficult circumstanses. When Mrs B first became diabetic she fell over one day when coming home from shopping when nearly home. She got home on her hands and knees. People passed her by thinking she was drunk and this completely destroyed her confidence and she hated going out on her own or even when I was with her. I had to be very firm with her and gradually she regained her confidence but it took a couple of years before she was back to normal.

Went to garden centre and only had one large barn owl ornament which I could see Mrs B looking rather wistfully at so as my son said he wasnt buying for her I told her to put it in our trolley as the tawny owl I bought a few weeks ago was looking rather lonely. Great big smile on her face for the rest of the day so it was well worth it. I told her she was worth.

Hope you both managed to get out last night and enjoyed yourselves and maybe even had a little win on the bingo. I hope you both have a peaceful weekend and you are able to do you usual Sunday morning walkabout. Sending best wishes and kind thoughts your way, Brian.

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Wow Brian  am loving the new pieces and you must be thrilled with the results.  I am sure Mrs B's friends would be delighted to see something made out of their holly branches too.  Being into my garden birds the miniature bird house was so cute.  The air balloon reminded me of a visit earlier in the year to Bournemouth's Winter Gardens - they keep a balloon tethered there for 'up and down' experiences (not for me as not good with heights).

My emotions have been up and down all week (has to get to you occasionally) as I hate to feel frustrated for my hubby (knowing what depression can do to someone does not make it any easier to cope with, especially on top of the physical weakness the cancer is bringing).  Now for the good news.  On Friday evening my  hubby's mate (unbeknown to me as I was at the  bingo with his wife) decided he could not be worrying about my hubby falling down (he is mid 70's and could not help him up if it happened) , brought out a walking stick for the stroll down to the pub to aid hubby's balance.  Hubby accepted the offer (did not like to let his mate worry any more!! and to think I have been suggesting the same thing for months for the same reasons - I am obviously not old enough).  Well he used it, brought it home (then told me he did not think it would help!).  I decided to leave it propped up and did not mention it again.  Today, I began to get ready for my walk to the craft fair when hubby offers to drive me there.  Think he was surprised when I  jumped at the chance (I usually love to walk!!) but was so good to get him out (with me).  We drove up to the Fair and when he got there he had the 'stick' with him and used it to wander the stalls.  Yes, we had to stop often for a breather but I don't care - it was a major achievement for him and I am so proud of him.  We managed a coffee at an outside table in the sunshine and watched the world go by. We were out for about an hour and a half altogether and then drove back - he deserves his afternoon nap.

I hope now that your brother in law's blood pressure tablets have been adjusted he will feel a little more comfortable and hope the chemo treatment continues to go ahead and he feels some benefit.  Its always hard to hear of yet another family being hit by serious illness but I feel more able to cope knowing I can talk it through with others.  Unbelievably it will be 6 months next month that I lost my friend and she would have celebrated her 60th in November.  She loved pink and I will be popping into to see her husband  soon so will try and take something suitable.  As always when its an 'anniversary' I will make a donation to charity in memory.

Hope you and Mrs B have had a peaceful day.  Though the weather has been really lovely here today the lawn is still too wet to mow so have bought flowers and am pretending the garden is indoors.  Take care of each other and sending good wishes for the coming week. I am still enjoying the quotes thread so much so thanks for your continued efforts.  Jules x

Hi LMS

Just wanted to share my good news - hubby came out with me today.  Such an achievement for him and though he is now 'catching his breath' and sleeping on and off he knows how proud I am of him - it was an enormous effort both mentally and physically.  Hope you enjoying time with family - we have had a lovely sunny day and am now off to tidy up (with a big smile plastered on my face).  Jules x

Wow jules what such good news for you

You deserve a big smile plastered over your

Face like Cheshire cat lol.

I'm sure IT was just nice for you both to enjoy

Time with each other and a speacial few hours

Of feeling normal as possible. Your hubby

Has earned his nap xxx hugs jules and thanks

For sharing your good news with me xx

Oh Jules I am so glad hubby made you smile and that  he is making an effort and enjoyed the stroll I bet he is smiling to ,to see you happy .Its been a beautiful day here in Cornwall too beautiful sunshine and warm Rusty and I went for a lovely walk around the Eden trail and met lots of walkers and dogs all enjoying the sunshine .Hope hubby continues enjoying some outdoor  times weather permitting..Take care Jules ...Susananne x

Oh Jules,

Thanks for the reply and I can almost fell the smile you have had through what you have written. I bet you were so delighted to have hubby offer to drive you to the craft fair and glad he is finding the stick useful despite his earlier reservation. Lets hope this happen more regularly for I'm sure it will benefit him and will also ease your concerns very considerably. I bet you enjoyed every minute of your time out with him. Now he has taken the first step lets hope there are many more days like today.

For the past three days I have had had a problem with my left eye. Its like I have a very fine hair right in the middle of my focus and despite buying some eye wash have not been able to shift it. I have an eye test tommorow afternoon and they have said they may be able to sort it out for me. If not they have said I will have to go to the eye hospital.  It has been annoying me as it's a job to focus but did manage to turn another mew item out of the holly; a small tooth pick holder.

Me and Mrs B went to my sons this afternoon as it was a tea party for my grandsons birthday and had an enjoyable afternoon/evening.

Thank you for sharing your good news Jules and I wish you a good week. Take care, both of you.big hugs, Brian.

Hi All

Thanks for all your kind words.  It was an upbeat moment which lifted my spirits.  Hubby was clearly not too comfortable with being out or using a stick and found it a tremendous effort and there was little conversation but it felt good to have him with me.  Not sure if it will happen again but these special moments have to be savoured.  He got up early this morning but was soon asleep again in his chair and so hoovering on hold (I usually do this before leaving for work) and once again  am watching his vivid dreaming.  Its quite a weird experience which I am getting used to as it happens virtually whenever he sleeps (which is quite a bit of the day (and night).  Will be off to work shortly but hope you all have a good day and thanks again for being good 'listeners'/ virtual buddies.  Look after yourselves.  Jules x 

Hi Jules,

Just caught up with your thread and the lovely news about your hubby. It's a little step in the right direction for you both.

Hope work wasn't too stressful today! Any sign of the Christmas campaign starting yet?

My sister in law proudly announced that she's done all her shopping already! I had to resist the temptation to clonk her!

Love and hugs to you.

Jo xx

Hi Jo

Think I feel happier about the weekend than hubby as I thought it was 'huge' for him in the whole scheme of things whereas it was such an effort for him that he did not seem to 'enjoy' it but found it a bit of a chore - oops!!  

We are definitely in the 'Christmas flow' workwise and its noticeable that people are already shopping. Less time to do the admin side of the job which is a little difficult when you work on your own on the department but find that with the associated stress in my home situation, I try not to let things get on top of me at the shop.  Personally we have a small family on both sides so the 'buying' does not take too long(and we set a small budget per person to make it easier all round) and yes, I have begun as I hate to shop in December.  Eldest grandson's birthday is at end of November so have sorted that and am about half way through but is the 'knowing what to buy' rather than the purchasing it that is the hardest bit. We are, all being well, spending Christmas at our son's this year so I am relieved of food shopping  too!

Fingers crossed that we all enjoy a peaceful week (don't suppose school is actually ever peaceful).  Take care and sending hugs. Jules x