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

Your garden centre trip sounds very similar to where I went yesterday so maybe a similar chain! I was there with my future daughter in law's Mum and we enjoyed a coffee followed by a wander around all the different retail outlets (I bought a new pair of trainers) which we then loaded in her car.  By this time is was lunch time so we returned to the on site restaurant and had lunch together too. With the wedding on Friday there was plenty to chat about.  We then popped to see her daughter and our grand daughter for about an hour and Imarvel at how cool, calm and collected she is but then she is a great list maker and organiser.  Hoping for a dry day for us all of course.

Hope you had a good time at the Friendship Club and with the improved weather no doubt George is getting his walks too.  He sounds lovely.  I have never owned a dog but hubby's family always had one and his brother still has two, a German Shepherd and a Husky. 

It is lovely to spend time with your children and you will miss your daughter when she goes travelling but I bet she will be in contact regularly with exciting news of her journey. When does she go?  I do think as Mothers we would always worry when things are outside our control.  I remember when my daughter had her first holiday without us at only 17 but o course she was fine and had a fab time meeting people of similar ages and all part of life experiences. I have never been to America though my hubby travelled there on business many times.

Visited my Mum today and then was at the gym, a pretty routine day but was perked up by seeing my crocuses in full bloom when I came back; surprising how quickly they react to a day of sun like yesterday. Is my daughter's birthday today and so tomorrow we are both going to get our nails done for the wedding so will hear all about her gifts and the meal out she had with my son in law and the boys for lunch. Seems hard to believe she is 35 and my son will be 32 next week. I do wonder where the time goes sometimes and then at other times it feels just like yesterday.

Well, best stop rambling and answer some more mail.  Take care. Jules x

Hi jules,  hope your feeling calm  about the wedding it is surpposed to be a  nice few days so you might have a nice sunny day ,it is a nice day here took george out for a nice walk  just sat having a coffee now. my garden is looking a bit of a mess at the moment im not very good at growing things, hubby used to chop away at things but they always  seemed to grow  back again. my daughter goes away the begining of April till the end of April not sure of the exact dates yet. i also wonder where the time goes my son is  44 in August  and my daughter is 39 in march . Dont know what  im doing at week end  not got anything planned for Saturday, Sunday going out  for Sunday dinner  with my sister as its her birthdayhope she likes her present. I am going to sit  and  relax now and read my local paper for half an hour have a lovely  time at your sons wedding hope all goes well  spk to you soon regards Syl x

Hi Debbie, how are you im  not to bad at the moment , i am like you i dont like going to places whwre i have been with hubby it fetches back so many memories we loved going to Chester, LLandudno, the last place we went was Chester Zoo we had a lovely day with my daughter and her partner, i  dont think i could go to any of them places yet maybe some time in the future.  i hope Jules had a nice day at her sons wedding it was on Friday take care  Syl x

Hi Syl

Absolutely, the weather was amazing for the wedding so lots of nice pictures outside the venue as well as inside.  Am very pleased to say that my deep breathing techniques (been practicing for weeks)came in handy and we all had a wonderful celebration.  It was a relatively small and intimate gathering and getting there the day before really helped settle the nerves.  There were the usual 'damp eyes' from quite a few guests during the speeches and even watching the bride enter with her Dad (he had their daughter Darcey on his other arm as they walked in).  So many beautiful memories made and will be re-lived through the pictures thats for sure.  Hubby would have been so proud to have seen them 'cement' their relationship in marriage but am glad he saw it grow (they have been together 8 years).

Hope you had a nice time with your sister on her birthday and I am sure she loved the gift y ou had chosen.

So your daughter has a little while before she heads off on her travels and hopefully by then our weather may be a little more settled.  As to gardening it's pot luck in mine too as do not consider myself green fingered.  I prefer the sit down and read in it scenario ha ha.  I have mainly lawn and the beds have lots of shrubs that are donkeys years old (could really do with replacing a few!!) but virtually look after themselves.  Still too wet to do any mowing but at least I could get the washing dry outside today as it was lovely.

Went to see my daughter's proposed new home on Sunday so now have that to get emotionally excited about.  Next weekend away is about 3 weeks away with friends but back down to earth on Wednesday when I return to work after my break.

Hope you are keeping well and bet George is loving the warm weather walkies. Take care, Jules xx

Hi jules, glad all went well with the wedding, and you had  good weather as well must be a good omen. its nice when  things go to plan. Im sure hubby would have been  proud  and happy  that it all went  well. I bet it was hard to go back to work  i know when i had time off i never felt like going back ,but i bet every one thinks that ,at least you can look forward to your holiday now. I have just come back after taking george out, not had him out for a few days as the weather as been  bad  but not as bad as some parts of the country  enjoyed my meal with my sister and she liked her birthday presents. think i am going my sons for dinner Sunday not sure what im  doing Saturday dont think the weather  is good.have a nice wk end  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Glad your sister enjoyed her birthday and not at all surprised she was pleased with your thoughtful gifts.

You are right was not at all keen on getting back into work mode but it was only for two days and the cash comes in handy!!  Busy time of the month too as promotions were changing so no time to stand about ~(probably a good thing).

Hope you enjoy dinner with your son tomorrow.  I have no plans this weekend but my daughter and family popped in for an hour this afternoon to collect a few bits stored here.  As they do not want to take them when they move they are going to sell them/donate them so needed them at home.  If things go according to plan they are now looking at moving mid March (just need the solicitors to do their bit!!). 

Son and daughter in law back from their 3 days honeymoon (bumpy landing in London due to Storm Doris) and will be back to work next week.  Am looking forward to seeing the official photos when they go 'live' but they need to make their own choices yet.  I have a few of my own and have used an on line company to make them into a postcard album which I can give to my Mum as a keepsake (she was not well enough to be at the wedding itself) and the staff can use it in conversations with her. 

The weather is all over the place.  Lovely yesterday, dull and drizzly this afternoon and outlook tomorrow not great either.  Will have to keep myself amused somehow as long walk unlikely.  Maybe I will take bus/tube into town after my gym visit.  Take care  Jules xx

Hi  Jules, glad your nice and busy at work the time passes when your on the go its always good to keep  active .hope your son enjoyed his honeymoon, where did they go?its nice to get away even if its only for a few days me and hubby never had a honeymoon , we moved straight into a flat above a Butchers shop where my hubby worked, when he moved jobs 3yrs later we bought our first house. the weather is awful here as well not took george out this week we have had rain mixed with snow, enjoyed dinner with my son and daughter Sunday , i am going to the crem wednesday  with my sister as it is my mums birthday so will put flowers in her  plot in the grass, hope the weather improves we are going to get  wet  if this rain  carries on. enjoy your week regards Syl x

Hi Debbie , glad  your feeling better and you have joined a gym its nice to do things that you enjoy  and gets you fit at the same time, hope you manage to get in the garden, its awful here at the moment with the rain  not took george out for  a few days ,so feel a bit  shut in at the moment , the weather is surpposed to be bad all week, take care  Syl x

Hi Syl

My son and daughter in law enjoyed their 'mini moon'.  They had three days in the Cairngorms at a place called Ballater and spent much of the time walking in the wonderful scenery.  It snowed on their last day and they flew back in the midst of Storm Doris (delayed a few hours) but from the pictures on facebook they had a lovely time.  Not yet spoken to them but they are both back at work now as life returns to usual routine.

Weather certainly curtailing some of my walks but met a friend out for coffee on Monday and visited Mum and the gym yesterday before having another friend round for the afternoon.  I am into work for the next couple of days and really wish it was nice enough to get among the spring flowers in the garden but still far to wet to do much other than tidy and fill the bird feeders again.  It is supposed to be the first day of the meteorological Spring but looks pretty dull and damp outside.  Poor George will be missing his walkies with you just as much as you do I expect.  At least I am away for a three day break in a week's time so looking forward to that.

Right, need to wash up before setting up so will send you (and Debbie)  good wishes for a pleasant day. Take cate. Jules xx

Hi Syl

My son and daughter in law enjoyed their 'mini moon'.  They had three days in the Cairngorms at a place called Ballater and spent much of the time walking in the wonderful scenery.  It snowed on their last day and they flew back in the midst of Storm Doris (delayed a few hours) but from the pictures on facebook they had a lovely time.  Not yet spoken to them but they are both back at work now as life returns to usual routine.

Weather certainly curtailing some of my walks but met a friend out for coffee on Monday and visited Mum and the gym yesterday before having another friend round for the afternoon.  I am into work for the next couple of days and really wish it was nice enough to get among the spring flowers in the garden but still far to wet to do much other than tidy and fill the bird feeders again.  It is supposed to be the first day of the meteorological Spring but looks pretty dull and damp outside.  Poor George will be missing his walkies with you just as much as you do I expect.  At least I am away for a three day break in a week's time so looking forward to that.

Right, need to wash up before setting up so will send you (and Debbie)  good wishes for a pleasant day. Take cate. Jules xx

Hi Jules, glad your son and his new bride enjoyed there  time in Scotland i have never been  but i have heard it is very nice.not doon much at the week end went out for Sunday lunch with the kids , the weather  not to bad at the moment managed to take george out today, havnt been to well again, with my ears this time  at the doctors later on  there seems to be   nothing right with me at the moment , i am also waiting for a scan on my back as well , sorry to sound a bit   miserable  but nothing seems to be going  right  at the moment. enjoy  your week regards Syl x

Hi Syl

I have visited Scotland on a few occasions and many years ago toured for two weeks which was lovely. The scenery in the Highlands is magnificent and we found the hospitality of the people really welcoming.  During our two weeks we suffered car problems(the little local garage opened on a Sunday especially so we could continue our journey) and my hubby even decided to give blood whilst we were visiting Glasgow (there was a mobile unit in town that day!).  Good memories.

I am sorry that you are under the weather and hope the doctor was able to give you something to help with your ears.  Very painful when you have ear infections.  Hope the appointment comes through for your back scan.  Is this a new problem for you or something you suffer with?    Fingers crossed with the better weather on the way (I live in hope here as it is raining at present) we can all start to feel a little brighter too).

I had a pretty quiet weekend and as the weather on Sunday was  not nice for walking I decided to take myself to the cinema (spur of the moment idea).  Never been on my own before but really enjoyed the film and will probably do it again when I see something showing that I like.  When the new cinema opens just 15mins walk away this will make it very handy.

I am due to be going away this Friday with friends which Iam looking forward to though with my Mum being increasingly frail I am a little on tenterhooks each time the phone rings.  With Mum being in a residential home at least I am sure she is in good hands and the palliative care term are now on board to monitor her pain levels which so far have been controllable with a couple of paracetamol.  After Mum's life of mental issues I am finding it more emotional seeing her physical decline and think this is due to the reminders associated with hubby's journey through cancer.  Am off to work shortly which hopefully will help the mind keep busy.

Take care of yourself and hope the doctor can help.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, my problem with my ears has been sorted, you  wont believe it  something had  crawled into my ear in the night, i had to go to A & E while they flushed it out ,i still dont know what it was as far as i could see  it was only wax that came out but it seems ok now.the problem with my back started a couple of week ago i have a scan at the end of the month,  it doesnt seem as bad  since i went the doctors typical isnt it.? I have just had george out for his walk the sun is out here at the moment, getting ready to go over my friends for coffee. Hope you enjoy your break with your friends it does you good  to get away its a nice change away from the normal every day chores  that we do.hope your mum is ok at least she is in good hands let me know  where  your going regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

So pleased that the issue with your ear has been sorted and hope there is no recurrence of an univited guest 'popping in'.  Hopefully the back scan will just confirm that everything has returned to normal by the time your appointment comes around.  A few years ago I had a trapped nerve in my back which was agony and I found it very tiring being on long term painkillers but no other treatment was necessary.

My weekend away was lovely and was spent in Stratford upon Avon.  Got to the hotel by lunchtime and had a pretty lazy afternoon before joining the rest of the guests for a carvery evening meal followed by disco.  On Saturday my friends and I headed out after a hearty breakfast.  It remained dry and we walked around town and visited the butterfly farm as planned.  Afterwards we stopped for a coffee and cake (lunch) before they headed off to visit Ann Hathaway's Cottage.  I had been there before on a previous visit to the area so went walking by the river as well as taking a mini cruise down it.  Lovely. Popped in for a cuppa at the Royal Shakespeare Company's riverside cafe and then strolled around town before heading back to change for the evening do.  Drinks reception was at 6pm and then banquet and cabaret followed by music/dancing till midnight.  The event raised over £1500 for Prostate Cancer which was brilliant.   We left after another big breakfast this morning and after a cuppa at my friends house I caught the train home. Very enjoyable.  Now catching up with my mail before settling down for a quiet evening.

Hopefully catching up with my daughter tomorrow.  She has a really nasty inflamation in her eye and has to have drops for 8 weeks with the first week being every 2hrs so will keep her company when she takes her youngest for his jabs in the morning.

Hope you have had a pleasant weekend. Take care.  Jules xx   

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your  break me and hubby loved stratford upon avon, we have done all the things  you did  while you were there, it fetched back so many  memories. Hope your daughter is ok with her eyes, my sister has a  few problems with her eyes as well  she goes to the hospital every 3 month for check ups . have felt quite  up set  for a couple of days spent a lot of  time crying been on my own  as well  i dont think that helps, went out for a meal  Sunday  with a few of  the girls i used to work  with i had to force  my self to go but it was nice to catch up with them and i was glad i went  in the end . Not took george out for a few days as his family are away for a few days he has gone to stay  with there dad till they come back,but i have got a bunny rabbit  staying with me at the moment,its a indoor  rabbit its in my living room in a cage  so i am talking to him at the moment lol, he his going back to my daughters  thursday morning there have been to Prague for a few days.i will be going swimming aerobics  later hope i can cheer my self up a bit  and not feel as sad as i have been just  lately  enjoy your week regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you are feeling a little better now.  I do go out whatever the weather  as find this helps a great deal. I have never been one for staying indoors so suppose it's in my nature to have this bit of routine in my life.  I perhaps had the added advantage of spending quite a bit of time on my own even when hubby was alive as he travelled on business sometimes for up to a month at a time over many years.  I do definitely miss the spontineity of conversation though and my friends must think I chat an awful lot when we get together... hope they understand though.  Have also had some inner struggles with my emotions as my Mum is not doing so well and it is hard watching another family member struggling with illness.Just keeping busy to try and cope the best I can.

Things pretty busy within the family just now as my daughter's house move grows closer.  Should be on the 31st and I will have Zack for the day to keep him out of mischief during the moving day bedlam.  My eldest grandson is going to help!!  At the moment it is a case of trying to keep them as calm as possible.

Yesterday I took the tube and buses over to spend some time with my daughter in law and Darcey. My son took half days annual leave and after  going out with his camera for a bit then joined us for a lovely walk over the country park (2mins walk from their house).  A couple of hours later and we were enjoying time together. After they settled baby down for the night  we had a home made curry for dinner before  my daughter in law dropped me home (buses stop running early evening where they are and they wont let me get a taxi). This was our first catch up since the wedding so plenty to talk about. Will see them again in a couple of weeks when I have invited them over for lunch.

Today I have done my weekly shopping and now as the sun has broken through may well head out into the garden for a bit. Tomorrow I have daughter and family for a quick lunch so will catch up on all their news then.

On Monday I am going into London to visit some museums/galleries and have lunch with a friend.  This replaces our planned trip to Cambridge which was cancelled by the operator a week or two back due to lack of numbers.  Hopefully will do it in the future but may go by train now that we both have Rail Saver cards.

Well have rambled on long enough so hope you are enjoying your weekend. Take care. Jules xx

Hi  Jules, glad your ok  and you enjoyed time with your family over the week end,sorry your mum isnt  to well at the moment, its awful when parents  become unwell  and  there is nothing you can do to help them, i know  the feeling with both my mum and dad. you sound as if your  fliting about here and there you sound that busy you are going to meet your self coming back LOL, i think it does you good  to keep busy , sometimes i feel quite lonely with not enough  to fill the void in my life since hubby died. have had a cry again this week end i cant seem to move on  just lately , also its my weddimg anniversary  on the 21st  we would have been married 47 yrs it seems a life time ago now. went to my daughters yesterday for my sunday dinner it was very nice she is comeing down later to fetch me a chocolate pudding she made  yesterday  so i will have it after my tea. my son is in Reading today just for the day then tomorrow he is in London again just for the day,hope you enjoy  your day in London,its a long time since i was in the capital im  surmising you dont live far from London. I havnt had george out for a  while as the weather isnt good at the moment, and its  forecast more rain  this week and its going to be cold as well. Regards  Syl x

Hi Syl

Been another busy and emotional week. Mum is frail and now more or less confined to bed (refusing the hoist to move her to a chair for a change).She is sleeping a lot but still eating three meals a day.Pain meds seem to be keeping her comfortable and the care home staff are wonderful.  My daughter came to visit with me on Tuesday though Mum is not talking to anyone now. We got the occasional nod but very sad really.

My daughter andfamily should have been moving  next week but unfortunately they have come across a problem and this needs to be sorted for the purchase to continue.  We are all keeping our fingers crossed that it willbe sorted before the seller decides to put it back on the market again especially as my grandson has already been on a visit to the propsosed new school.  There have been many tears over the last few days but now allwe can do is wait and see if the solicitors can iron out the issues. Why cannot life be good for our youngsters for a change.

Hopefully the improving weather means that George has had your company for walks.  Getting through anniversary dates is always an emotional time and the tears do bring temporary relief.  Had my hubby still be here, he would have been 66 on 2nd April. I will take flowers to his resting place.

Well just waiting for a quote to come through to see if Ican manage to up date the bathroom on a budget!!  This will hopefully give me focus in the summer in between getting back intothe garden.  Lovely out there today and mowed the lawn and did a bit of tidying up. My son and family are coming tolunch tomorrow so off to make apple crumble and prepare the veg now as will pop to see Mum tomorrow morning after my gym visit and before the family arrive. Keeping busy is the best way I know of getting on  with life; it is certainly what hubby would expect of me.

My trip into London went well (it only takes about 45mins on the tube) and my friend and I went to visit the Chelsea Pensioners Hospital, Museum and Gardens as well as having lunch at their cafe.  We had morning coffee on the Kings Road and managed to dodge a couple of little showers.  We now have a list of other places to visit when we go next.  My next planned visit to London is when the Tall Ships are at Greenwich in April  (Easter Weekend) so am looking forward to that.

Take care and enjoy the sunshine.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,  i must have just followed you on to the forum glad you enjoyed your trip to London  its a goog job you wasnt there on that  awful day  on wednesday my son only just missed it ,he was there tuesday, i dispair of humans thats why i love animals so much, cant understand the awful things  we do to one another. Sorry your mum isnt to good at the moment, its all part and parcel of growing old we all have to face it eventually,im sure your daughter  will get things sorted with the house ,these little nigles seem to happen a lot  when  you buy  a property but most things get sorted in the end.you still havnt said  if you live not far from London,have been out for a cream tea today with my friend to a local community centre it was very nice, i had 4 cakes and  sandwiches i cant believe i eaten 4 cakes they were yummy, but they didnt do much for my waist line lol.the kids are taking me out for dinner tomorrow for mothers day to a country pub called the Stretton fox its very nice have been a few times before.  Enjoy your lunch  with your son regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope u enjoy your dinner treat. I love country pubs as you can also have a good walk to enjoy the surroundings.

As to where I  live in relation to central London, I am in Middlesex

which is classed as greater London and about 30 mins drive outside the capital. Before I married I lived in NW London and worked in the west end, a Londoner born and bred.Hubby was also born in London though moved to Middlesex as a 3 yr old and we met on a blind date. Those were the days!

Just waiting for the gym to open so will be out walking soon in the sunshine. Hopefully a day  in the garden tomorrow as weather  looks promising and want to get the borders weeded. Take care. Jules xx