Hi Jo

Do not work Fridays but helped with our 'Black Friday' set up as it began on Thursday lol.  Of course I will be in on Monday for the 'reversal' of the set up.  High Street certainly buzzing with lots of people but thankfully apart from some liquid gifts I am all sorted apart from writing cards .Working in retail means I don't fancy shopping after 5+ hrs on my feet!!  Do hopefully  have a day trip to Bath Christmas Market in a week's time (for the pure enjoyment of retail therapy!!) with my friend from work.

Dietician (we saw one way back when hubby had chemo) bascically is recommending different protein shakes for hubby to try but may be giving me a call as well.  Following my frustrating blub air is clear indoors and hubby has been trying to eat a little (and more often) when he is awake. I cannot ask for more bless him - we both have things to learn from this journey and feel sure that will be ongoing and I may well have to give myself some serious talkings to along the way but we are in it together which is the most important factor at present.

Thanks for your continued support - it all means a lot especially when those who use this community forum are going through enough themselves.  Have a good weekend and hope Paddy does not run you (your partner) ragged.  Take care, sending hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

They came to do my garage roof but I refused the repair they wanted to do. Caused quite an upset and had two people from their office phone me and I had quite a few words to say. In the end the roofer came up with a good idea which I accepted and temperary repair now has been done. I didnt want a job done I knew would not work. Will have to wait and see if it has been sucessful.

Sometimes we cant hide our feelings any more and your little episode might have shown hubby how hard it is for you. I feel sure he appriciates it but it just reinforces it. While you are both CONTINUING THE JOURNEY, sometime things happen that bring it home to us how what seems like a simple thing to one of us means so much more to our partner.

Have a great night out tonight and hope you have a big win at Bingo.

Take care, best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Brian

Morning Brian

Glad that you managed to convince the roofers round to your way of thinking just a shame it needed strong words to get things sorted. Will keep virtual fingers crossed that the next rain stays on the outside.

No win at the bingo and at the last moment hubby decided not to go out (having a bit of a dodgy tum). On Saturday we enjoyed seeing our eldest grandson open his birthday present and then we had Zack for the afternoon whilst our daughter and son in law took birthday boy bowling/pizza treat with three school friends - a great time was had by all if the photos had anything to go by.  Zack was his cheerful bubby self and I took him for two hour stroll to break up the day.  Hubby also enjoyed the visit.

Yesterday our son(with his other half) drove us over to the inlaws so we could join their 'at home goodbye' get-together for a couple of hours.  Our daughter and family also managed to make it there, having cut short a visit to his gran, so that added support for us which was appreciated.  Hubby was his usual controlled self and did enjoy catching up with other old friends who went along but I know he will be relieved to have been able to be there.

Another week begins and today I am putting a letter in the post to Social Services as yet another month has passed with no word from them and this is a stress I could really do without just now and I know that hubby shares my concern and he certainly does  not need to be stressed about me!!!

Wishing you and Mrs B a peaceful week ahead.  Take care.Jules x

Mor. ning Jules,

Hope you havent got wet going into work today. Its raining that fine rain here which always seems to penetrate more than heavy rain. I took Mrs B to another garden centre yesterday and they had a huge display of owl ornaments including one nearly three foot tall, the type you put in the garden. Mrs B wanted to buy all of them but said she would have then indoors. I asked where she would put them and she said "Dont you worry, I'd soon find somewhere". My next reply might be sent fron my garage.

Brother in law still coping okay with his chemo and hope it continues. I have another cancer meeting tonight and one on Saturday; just dont know where the time is going. It seems to me that since your heart to heart with hubby, he is doing the best that he can food wise. I know these heart to heart moments can be upseting at the time but I think we all have need of them at some times in our lives. Mrs B is a born worryier and bottles things up. Sometimes I have to bring things to a head so that she can unload her feelings. I do it for the best of reasons but I always feel mean about doing it. Luckily she is improving slowly the older she gets.

Hope you are coping with the extra work at your shop. When we have been shopping the past couple of weeks there are a lot more cars in the car park and like Garf couldnt belive how people were fighting each other last Friday. Like you, The frost has finished of our roses that were still blooming. Incidentally, I love the humour you have shown the past few weeks. I think houmour, smiles, and laughter are something we could do with more of. 

Take care Jules, sending best wishe to you and hubby, Brian.

Mor. ning Jules,

Hope you havent got wet going into work today. Its raining that fine rain here which always seems to penetrate more than heavy rain. I took Mrs B to another garden centre yesterday and they had a huge display of owl ornaments including one nearly three foot tall, the type you put in the garden. Mrs B wanted to buy all of them but said she would have then indoors. I asked where she would put them and she said "Dont you worry, I'd soon find somewhere". My next reply might be sent fron my garage.

Brother in law still coping okay with his chemo and hope it continues. I have another cancer meeting tonight and one on Saturday; just dont know where the time is going. It seems to me that since your heart to heart with hubby, he is doing the best that he can food wise. I know these heart to heart moments can be upseting at the time but I think we all have need of them at some times in our lives. Mrs B is a born worryier and bottles things up. Sometimes I have to bring things to a head so that she can unload her feelings. I do it for the best of reasons but I always feel mean about doing it. Luckily she is improving slowly the older she gets.

Hope you are coping with the extra work at your shop. When we have been shopping the past couple of weeks there are a lot more cars in the car park and like Garf couldnt belive how people were fighting each other last Friday. Like you, The frost has finished of our roses that were still blooming. Incidentally, I love the humour you have shown the past few weeks. I think houmour, smiles, and laughter are something we could do with more of. 

Take care Jules, sending best wishe to you and hubby, Brian.

Hi Brian

We had that heavy fine drizzle too but managed to stay relatively dry under the brolly!  Very busy now at work (probably for the best) but plenty of good support  both from staff and regular customers which is lovely. Did have an argument with the escalator on Thursday which jarred my back (my own fault - should have used the lift!!) and watched where I was going ha ha but no lasting damage.

Pleased that things continue to go smoothly for your brother in law and virtual fingers crossed that it remains so and that it brings some benefit for him.

Loving the idea that Mrs B is thinking of bringing the outdoor owls inside!  Are you sure she is  not ganging up on the person squirrelling away nuts.  I was shopping on the high street after work (madness) and saw plenty of owl items which I am sure would increase her collection and had to keep my  hands in my pocket so they stayed on the shelves.  Relieved to say all gift shopping now complete and just the task of wrapping/writing cards - will try and accomplish this on Sunday.  Am amazed at how many cards already arrived and it appears people are getting ahead early this year.

That said am off to Bath tomorrow (hubby pretty insistant and think he needs a break from me!!) to the Christmas Market with my friend from work - 8.30 pick up and a full day ahead including lunch in Bradford on Avon so have camera in my bag in readiness.  Hope you and Mrsw B have a peaceful weekend and that your Cancer Meetings are helpful to all concerned.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

just wanted to wish you a happy retail day tomorrow in Bath. Let's hope the weather isn't like having a bath! 

Sorry to read of the ongoing saga with SS and your mum. Certainly not something you need to be sorting! Good idea of Kathy's to contact your MP to try to get things moving - also a good plan to wait until after the festive season as I'm sure many offices will be starting to get into party mode over the next week or so (or am I being cynical?) 

Well, it's time for a dog walk and I think I'll surprise the pair of them (dog and partner) by tagging along! Maybe if I'm good, I'll get a treat! ;)

Look forward to reading about your trip and bargains in due course, have fun, hugs to you, Jo xx

Hi Jo

Hope  you enjoyed walking the partner and the dog and bet it was lovely for them to have your company too.

Lovely sunny day for our trip to Bath Christmas Market (wrapped up in layers as only 2.5 deg when I left home!!).  We had local coach pick up (enjoyed a cuppa in the cafe opposite the pick up point whilst we waited).  We then spent the morning in Bradford on Avon (having picked up a local guide en route) with very good coffee break plus plentiful pub lunch before heading to Bath (each coach has an allotted two and a half parking slot - run like a military operation - only problem for our guide/coach was e-mail confirmation 'got lost' and so our coach could not 'stay'.  In the end we were dropped within a five minute walk to the market which was closer than coach park and our poor driver had to go 12 miles to park up. He managed somehow to keep his sense of humour.  There were over 150 'chalets' to wander through and the atmosphere really set us up for the Christmas period.  In all is was a 12hr day out and fantastic value for  money.  Hubby was fine (said he had a very peaceful day) and I bought in fish and chip supper.  Think the change of scene has recharged my batteries and this morning having done the usual mundance housework I have now set up our new fibre optic tree and am planning to get on with card writing.  Not sure where the time is going at the moment.

Hope you having a relaxing weekend. Sending hugs Jules x

Morning Jo

Yes, really enjoyed the day's break and think it did us both good!  Fish and chips is about the only takeaway hubby still enjoys so am trying to work it in to the menu once a week at some point. The most annoying thing for him is the discomfort from his coccyx but more lying down and less sitting is proving helpful so he now swaps between chair and sofa (as do I lol).  His sore area was re-dressed yesterday and is no worse which is good news. Today we have palliative care nurse (two weekly event to keep an eye on us) butnot sure on timing so may not get to visit my Mum today (have spoken to the home who will explain I will pop in asap).

Last year I saw our grandson in the Nativity but this year they have asked that no younger siblings be brought along; I will be babysitting so that our daughter can go and they always produce a video for purchase (around a fiver) so will have a copy for the archives.  Last year he was a shepherd but not sure on his part this time - no doubt he will tell me all about it.  He has had a really good term with both reading (jumped three levels) and maths and has now chosen to join after-school science club (using his birthday money) starting next term. Will you visit your School before the end of term?  Little Zack has now dropped his morning nap so our daughter is in full swing with toddler club a couple of times a week.  Not sure where 'babyhood' has gone. 

Christmas cards written and posted and I always use second class when mailing these days, first class just too expensive (postage works out more expensive than the cards - crazy!). Depending on the timing of 'care' visit today I am hoping to wrap presents and then relax knowing its all sorted (we are a small family on both sides which helps along with the fact that for the adults we have a nominal £10/£15 budget to make it easier for everyone).

Take care of yourself and hope you are having a peaceful week.  Hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Time has absolutely flown by the past few days. On top of my cancer meetings which both went very well thank you, Mrs B has a lot of appointments the next two wekks, a mixture of doctors and hospital visits plus my woodclub meeting on Wednesday evening. Have just come back from chemists with Mrs B's, mine, and our next door neighbours prescriptions and I looked like a mobile chemist shop.

We have only has a small showere of rain since garage roof was done and so far so good. Dont like the sound of the weather they tell us is coming. Think I shall take my stock of nuts and hibernate lol. Mrs B is complaining both fridge and freezer are at full capacity. Our youngest grandsaon doesnt like out three foot tree as he said it's to small. When asked why he said it's because there's no room to put any presents under it. No flys on him. Now have another idea for turning next year; that make three new ideas allready in the pot.

I forgot to tell you when I had one of my craft fairs, I bought some chips while out from a differnt shop. I only eat a few for they were the most horrible chips I have ever bought and for me to leave food is extremly rare for I hate waste. Our woodclub is being featured in The Sussex Living magazing in January so this may bring us new members. 

Well I have rambled enough for today. Take care Jules, sending best wishes to you and hubby, Brian 

I was so pleased to hear you enjoyed your day out. I know you had mixed feelings about going but with all the stress you have been under, you needed a little Me time for yourself. Really frosty here this morning so am pleased I keep my car in the garage. Everyone else was busy scrapping their cars and I drove mine out from the garage frost free. Hope visit from nurse is okay and no need to change anything and you dont have to wait too long..

Morning Brian

Hope all theappointments go well for Mrs B. Seems that everyone is 'managing appointments' as we approach the Christmas season and try keeping up to date with everything.  Had a very frustrating day yesterday as spent all day indoors waiting for palliative care nurse who was a 'no show'.  Tried his phone only to have a recorded message say if we left a message after 2 pm it would be following day before he caught up.  It was an appointment made by him as a routine follow up before he 'moved on' to pastures new so am not impressed.  Will see if he rings hubby today or we will have to contact his hospital support worker to see if there is someone taking over hubby's case notes.  Luckily we have appointment with GPnext week and before then district nurse for dressings and he also has to go for blood tests, hopefully today if he is up to it.  Yesterday he slept a fair bit again and this seems to come in waves.  He also did not fancy dinner so snacked on cake, shake and chocolate coins (I always buy too many!!!). 

The plus side to being at home all day was that I finished Christmas gift wrapping  so no time wasted!

Good news that its so far so good for the garage roof - long may it continue.  No rain here or frost this morning though a bit breezy when I popped outside to fill bird feeders.  Hubby's siblings are due to move next Tuesday so they will be hoping the wind drops otherwise they could be stuck as the ferry would not  be able to run (they had a couple cancelled during the summer months due to bad weather so must be on tenterhooks).

Had a phone call from Mum's care home yesterday as she has eye appointment today and they were checking we were ok for them to send her by cab with a carer.  This worked well the last time and its only just down the road from the home so that will be fine. She also had  examination from GP yesterday as had a few bowel issues but nothing untoward found so they will monitor. Still no response from Soc. Serv. despite written letter over 10 days ago and though I like to think the best of people am beginning to think they could do with brushing up their manners.  With Christmas season fast approaching I will 'build a case' and take it to our local MP in the New Year but really wish I did not have the added stress at the moment (I also know that hubby is 'worried for me' having to deal with this too as he told his GP about it).

Well had best turn my thoughts to housework before leaving and putting on my 'work head'.  Hope you and Mrs B have a peaceful day and 'carry on rambling' - it keeps my thread 'chatty' and I welcome your imput and kind words.  Sending hugs  Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Sorry to hear about "No Show" nurse. Very frustrating when they dont turn up. They should at least let you know. Same applies to the S/S brigade for you have enough to deal with without having to keep chasing them up. Brother in law and sister in law came to visit us last Saturday. He only has two more chemo sessions and then he is finnished and he has to wait to find out what if any difference it has made. Mrs B is feeling a little more at ease concerning him so pleased about this as she does understandably get stressed.

Hope appointmant with GP goes well and that hubby's sore heals up soon. Sorry to hear the home had to call doctor for your mother but glad nothing bad to worry about.

Yesterday we had five sparrows all sitting on our nieghbours fence. I managed to take a photo of them through the window but could only get three of them (Photo attached)

Well had better get on with my story writting as havent done any for the past few days.

Take care Jules, Hugs returned, Brian[[]]

Hi Jules,

Glad you and Hubby had good nights out on Friday despite still not getting that win.  I have faith that it will happen as law of averages says it has to happen ---- eventually!  Your fish and chips reminds me of my Mum as she loves to have me bring some round for our tea when I go to Wales for a visit.  I have spoken to her more than usual this week as she has been pretty ill and hardly able to walk because of dizzyness.  It turns out she has Vertigo and has to keep herself as still as possible and take tablets until it passes which has no particular time limit although she says she feels quite a bit better today.  My sister has helped her with making her food and doing some chores around the house which has pleased me considering their volatile relationship.

Work is still completely mad right now with a waterless swimming pool to contend with on top of everything else.  The floor of the pool is being raised which will take a month in total and cost around £30,000 to complete and an extra £60,000 or so in lost revenue.  All in the name of our two friends Health and Safety.

Not much more to report here so I will say best of luck to you both with Hubbys blood test and appointment next week.

Take care.

Garf. xx

Hi Brian

Love the 'birdies' photo. We have seen an increase in visitors to the feeders with the colder mornings (despite stalking cats!).

It was good to read that your brother in law is coming to the end of his treatment, coping well and it will be everything crossed to some improvement to his condition. Despite what my hubby went through during his short stint on chemo I will be forever grateful for the extra time it has given us all and I can really relate to how Mrs B must  be feeling right now.

Hubby's palliative nurse phoned yesterday (in response to my answerphone message) and said he had been too busy to come but has rearranged for next Tuesday so hopefully I will be  back from visiting Mum.  Hoping hubby can get to do 'bloods' today but has to wait in for dressings nurse first.  Never a dull moment!! Its definitely the 'sore place' that is causing him the  most discomfort at the moment only really relieved when he is horizontal though it has not got any worse.  His skin is so thin  that its proving harder to heal but they are doing their best for him and call regularly and are trying different dressings too.

Well my chatting has once again moved time along and I must get ready for work (breakfast prepared for hubby so hope he manages it when he finishes dozing (he was up earlier than me today probably because he slept a lot yesterday).

Sending peaceful thoughts.  Jules x