Syliva, I am so very sorry for your loss, I know how it feels, my husband passed away in October and I miss him so much, I too wish they could let us know they are ok.  There are lots of people on here going through the same terrible time who will offer support.  Sending love to you Debbie xxxxxx

Hi debbie, how are you havnt heard off you in a while i feel ok at the moment health wise ,got to go the hospital next month  to see about my breathing me and the kids just having a quite xmas dinner we will go to the crem  to put flowers on my parents grave ,we will put some flowers in a vase for my hubby ,it is my hubbys birthday on the 27 dec  might go for a walk weather permiting  to a place called spike island my hubby used to like watching the mersey from there .  Take care  have a peaceful xmas  will be thinking of you  Syl x

Hi Syl and Debbie

Hope you wont mind a joint reply (just stops me repeating myself!).  Know we are all going to struggle through the festive season but wanted to wish you both a peaceful few days with the family.

Debbie hope that annoying cold clears up for you and am sure having your young great niece around will help you through too.

Syl I am sure being with your children will bring you all some comfort.

 I am grateful to be having the children/grandkids for company (am at my sons for Darcey's 1st Christmas Day with my daughter and family too plus my future daughter in law's parents and sister so a very full house (not forgetting the Westie!)).  They will pop in to spend some time with me on Boxing Day.

Went to see my Mum this morning and also laid flowers at hubby's resting place.  Tomorrow will have a day to myself for reflection  (plus gym visit and picking up butcher's order) and preparation.

Take care of yourselves, virtual hugs.  Jules xx

Hi Syl and Debbie

Hope you wont mind a joint reply (just stops me repeating myself!).  Know we are all going to struggle through the festive season but wanted to wish you both a peaceful few days with the family.

Debbie hope that annoying cold clears up for you and am sure having your young great niece around will help you through too.

Syl I am sure being with your children will bring you all some comfort.

 I am grateful to be having the children/grandkids for company (am at my sons for Darcey's 1st Christmas Day with my daughter and family too plus my future daughter in law's parents and sister so a very full house (not forgetting the Westie!)).  They will pop in to spend some time with me on Boxing Day.

Went to see my Mum this morning and also laid flowers at hubby's resting place.  Tomorrow will have a day to myself for reflection  (plus gym visit and picking up butcher's order) and preparation.

Take care of yourselves, virtual hugs.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,  glad you had a good xmas with your family, must have been quite hectic at times  . I  enjoyed dinner just me and the kids it was nice to reflect on the good times  when   hubby was here we also went on one of his faverouite walks on his birthday 27 Dec as it was a lovely day  . I am also going out with my sister new years eve to the local pub then staying over at hers, i didnt wont to go but every one said i shoudnt  be on my own while its the first year with out hubby but im not looking foward to it. Im going away for a few days on the 2Jan with my daughter on a coach to Harrogate will see if i enjoy it  as we loved going  on our coach holidays it will seem strange going  with my daughter .take care and have a peacefull new year Syl x

Hi Syl

Glad you were able to enjoy good memories with your children over the Christmas period. 

With my grandchildren ranging in age from 7 months, 3yr and 8yrs it was mainly about keeping their routine going interspersed with the excitement and games and enjoying family meals together. They went home by 7 on Boxing Day so had my peaceful evening and then yesterday a lovely frosty walk to see my Mum followed by a day of housework.

Back to normal routine today as due in work for 8.30 opening and so another year of festivities has been managed.  Never been big on New Year and usually spend it alone unless asked to babysit but I do not think either of the families are going out this year, preferring to stay at home.  Anniversary of hubby's death is on the 3rd so will spend that quietly too. 

As it is now only a couple of months now to my son's wedding this is something to look forward to and wil be catching up with some relatives not seen for a couple of years.  Thankfully quite a small intimate occasion and will entail a couple of nights away so a mini break.

Hope you enjoy your social evening with your sister followed by the break with your daughter.  I had a long weekend away with my daughter  in March this year and really enjoyed it so am sure you will to.

Take care of yourself and hope 2017 is peaceful for you and your family.  Jules xx

Hi Jules ,hope your new year was enjoyable  i got my wish and stayed at home on my own new years eve i just coudnt face going  out  and trying to enjoy my self , i made my self a little buffet  had a few drinks  i watched Robbie Williams ,then the fireworks in London on BBC 1 i went to bed  about 12 45.i am sure hubbys was with me in spirit i like to think he was going to my daughters to day  for a roast dinner my son is joining us as well, then off to Harrogate tomorow for a few days  hope i can enjoy it,spk to you when i get back regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Like you spent New Year's Eve quietly on my own.  Was out as usual during the day (gym and shopping) but had developed a cold so was happy to be indoors with a hot toddy watching the fireworks on TV. Trundled off to bed just after 1 am and have decided to spend today indoors in the hope the cold clears up quickly.  Spent this morning getting the lounge back to normal and decorations packed away.  Will do the tree tomorrow.

Enjoy your family meal and your few days in Harrogate and hope weather is dry for you.  Take care.  Jules 

Hi jules, got back from Harrogate yester day tea time  it was ok weather dry but cold it was a big hotel called The George   the food was quite nice  but there was no entertainment, and the hotel was very cold  if you wanted to stay downstairs for a drink.Harrogate it self was nice i woudnt stay in that hotel again. It felt strange on holiday with my daughter i felt quite sad at times i dont know wether it was to soon to go away on holiday i had  a good cry when i got back home ,to top it off my gas fire isnt working will have to get some one out to have a look at it, i havnt got a radiator in the living room so its quite cold.  Hope your cold better now regards Syl .

Hi Syvia

Nice to be able to spend some quality time with your daughter even though you had mixed feelings about the hotel and being away. All the firsts seem to come with some measure of emotional fall out and think it is pretty natural to feel that way.  I went away twice (daughter and family and then son and girlfriend)  just three months after hubby passed and we all felt emotional but knew it was okay to accept that side of our feelings.  It is such a personal journey that we are walking. Last year I cheated with a family holiday but this year I am booked on a week away by myself (June) and know that the closer it comes the more nervy/emotional I will feel(especially as it will be the first flight on my own - dont mind flying but will definitely feel strange not having hubby by my side) but on the other hand I do not want to miss out on having a break so in my eyes at the moment it is 'needs must' - maybe my way of coping!

Have finally got over my new year cold just rather fed up with the changeable weather; freezing one minuture mild the next.  Hope you can get your fire fixed asap as no fun feeling cold. I do not need the fire on today but do have a back up electric heater if the gas fails thankfully.

Had a lovely day out with my son yesterday at the London Wetland Centre and as well as a spot of bird watching and photography we had lunch in the cafe there and I treated myself to a pair of binoculars (on my wish list for a long time).  Was funny watching a robin 'skating' on the icy water - [pic below].

Wrap up warm and sending hugs in the hope you soon have the fire sorted.

Have just got back from my morning out, walking, gym and food shop so will now crack on with the next household task (boring but necessary).  Take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi jules, lovely photo of the robin, i have a couple of them in my garden irs nice to see them  eating the meal worm i but out for them. i have heard of the wetland centre and seen it on the T V it looks  a good place for wild life. i was at the hospital on Monday for the results of my  scan i do have C O P D   the  D R   said the best thing i did was to pack my smoking up  which i did 6 yrs ago , he isnt changing my in halers at the moment  ,and he is going to send me for some exercises that  are good for your lungs and breathing just got to wait for  an appointment to come threw.glad your cold ok now  its very cold here at the moment  only had George out once this week  because of the weather. My fire is fixed when they came out all they did was  cleaned it  and got rid of all the dust  that was building up in the fire , its ok now. i think your very brave  going on holiday on your own  im useless at  directions  so  i would  get lost  probable never to be seen again lol . take care and have a nice week end  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Sorry for the delay in responding but has been a hectic few days for me.

Am pleased that you now have your results and know the ins and outs of your condition.  Hope the appointment comes through soon and those exercises help control the breathing problems that  COPD brings.  We have several ladies at our gym who have this condition and have special excerise routines to assist them.

Spent a lovely evening at my daughter's last Thursday when she had a candle and scents party. Spent more than I intended but I do love candles!!  Also booked one to  have for my friends in March all being well. On Friday and Saturday was out and about with normal shopping/walking and on Sunday spent the day in London with my daughter as we shopped for her accessories in readiness for her brother's wedding.  Gave us an excuse to have lunch too! 

Today have had the wonderful news that my daughter and son in law have had an offer accepted on a house they looked at over the weekend. So excited for them and will give their boys a garden of their own to play in (they currently in rented first floor flat). Will be strange not having them in walking distance but only a train ride away.

I do not feel particularly brave as regards my Summer holiday as it is something my Mum did into her early eighties after my Dad passed away so if she can do it I hope I can cope.  I am a little nervous but do not want to go without holidays so will see how it goes.  Difficult to get lost as will get to airport and then get picked up at other end by hotel courtesy car (free). Plan on getting round by the local bus service and have a guide book already (forward planning seems sensible!!).

Hope you had a peaceful weekend even though the weather was not great.  Take care.  Jules xx

Hi jules,glad you had a nice time with your daughter ,im not into candles ,my sister is she loves them i have just bought her a tiny lamp that you put  a tea light in have tried  it  with  a tea light in it looks lovely cant wait to give it her even though ter birthday isnt till Febuary. it is better to be armed with loads of imformation for your holiday  im sure there will be trips you can look forward to  with  people  in your  party unless your going completlely on your own, you havnt told me where your going yet , a friend of mine  who i  see at swimming aerobics goes to Canada on her own nearly every year to see her grandson she is 82.must be nice for your daughter to have her first house, mine and hubbys first place was a flat over a butchers shop where my hubby worked as a butcher,happy days. My friendship group is back on now after  the xmas break something to look forward to again,weather not bad today so i can take george out for a walk after dinner. Not seeing my son  till friday as he is working in London this week at ch 4  in the offices not in front of the camera  so wont be on the  telly lol  take care spk soon   Syl x