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 Jules, thought i would  e- mail you before week end still no word on my phone, rang the police and all the shops but no luck cancelled with my network as well, went into town and bought my self a second hand phone, but have got to wait  for a sim card to arrive.my son is going to put new photos of hubby and our lovely staffy on my new phone when the sim arrives. I have also got photos and vedeos on my tablet as well,its just the thought that some one wasnt honest and handed it in .my daughter is away now for 3 wk she meet up with the group in L A will keep in touch with her on my tablet for now,i have also got her itenary so i know where she is,i am going out on sunday with my son and his girlfriend and her children i am a bit nervous meeting them for the first time hope it goes ok.sorry your mum is still under the weather all you can do is make sure she is well looked after. what filmdid you see the last film i went to was Brigit jones baby with my daughter nice film. have a nice week end regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Such a shame about your phone.  So much depend on them these days. Hopefully your new sim will arrive soon and your son can get some lovely photos transferred over for you.  I do not have pictures of hubby on my phone as did not have a decent camera facility on the one I had when he was alive.  Upgraded just after he passed away but still prefer my  Canon camera when doing photography.  Phone camera comes in handy when taken unawares and need to take a shot.  Have saved all my photos to the computer and then onto a spare SD card just in case the laptop gives up again.

How lovely that you can keep in touch with your daughter whilst she is on holiday.  Do you remember when we used to go away and never bother calling home (before the mobile phone of course!!). I suppose when I go away in June I had better report my safe arrival ha ha.

Hope you enjoy meeting your son's girlfiend and family and am sure it will all go fine. You must be delighted to see  him finding happiness again.

I went out with my daughter and the boys to a Country Park in Herts yesterday and then today because the weather was so wonderful I took myself off to Kew Gardens for the day. Six hours of pure pleasure in beautiful surroundings and only an hour away by public transport.

Will need to catch up with shopping/gym and housework tomorrow but have also had an invite a a friends for a BBQ with good weather promised again. Will see how I  feel after my exercise today.

The film was Beauty and the Beast and my daughter and I really enjoyed it.  Have signed up for the cinema newsletter so I can get advance notifications of forthcoming films as quite handy to go when the weather is not so good. My daughter has also been taking the boys to Kids Club cinema during the Easter holidays.

Stay well, take care, Jules x

Hi jules , thought i would catch up with you before Easter, had a nice day out with my son , his girlfriend and her children, we went to a place called Walton Gardens its a local park with swings, a minature zoo a grazy golf and a small walk in the grounds, i enjoyed it , then we had  a meal in one  of the local pubs. Glad you enjoyed the cenema with you daughter its nice to go out with the kids now and again,havnt heard off my daughter for a couple of days she is in one of the national parks for a few days so there wont be any reception ,hope to hear off her soon as i will start to worry.i dont think i told you i had a x ray on my back  last week i have been geting back ache the doctor rang me i have got arthritis in my spine, but its not to bad at the moment so dont need to do anything for now.glad you enjoyed  kew gardens  i have heard of it from the TV.we have a nice one not far from where i live its called Bents .dont know what im doing over the weak end think i am going out for dinner sunday with my sister have a lovely easter dont eat to many  easter eggs regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you had a pleasant Easter and maybe spent some time with your Son.  How lovely that you enjoyed the time spent with him and his new girlfriend and family.  It is just lovely when our kids are happy isn't it.

Maybe by now you have also heard from your daughter if mobile reception has improved.  Sometimes you just cannot  beat the old fashioned phone or a postcard (though they take some time to get home from the States!).  Once our kids started to travel independently (aged 18+)  we came to an understanding that there was no need to ring unless they wanted to.  I think because my hubby travelled the world on business and was often out of touch for days/weeks at a time (pre mobiles of course!!) this just came naturally.

I am glad the scan on your back showed nothing too serious.  I have had arthritis in various parts of my body for a good few years now but still need no medication thankfully.  It is one of the reasons that I do a lot of walking and exercise as this really helps and was the best bit of advice the doctor gave me!

Had a busy Easter with just Sunday on my own.  With the weather staying mainly dry I went as planned to the Tall Ships Festival on Friday, had a pub meal out with both children/grandchildren on Saturday, visited Mum on Sunday and then caught up with housework.  Yesterday went along with my daughter and family for a fun day out at Wellington Country Park.  Today my eldest grandson returns to school but as they still have no finalised their mortgage/move we are hoping for some news now that the bank holiday is over.  The solicitors on both sides seem to be dragging their heels somewhat and these are anxious times for them.

As to Easter Eggs I only had a little one as I had flowers instead (much better for me).  We always talk this through as a family  beforehand and it is my about spending time with each other.  I did have a hot cross bun though!

Do hope you had an enjoyable weekend.  Today is brilliant sunshine so I am off out shortly for a walk and then am visiting elderly friends of my hubby for a catch up this afternoon.  I have made them a cake to take with me.  He has been his wife's carer for over 50 years (she has had MS since her early 20's and is now virtually bedridden and suffering with some dementia issues) and has just had some minor heart surgery himself.   Well time to get off the technology and into the fresh air. 

Take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, glad you had a nice easter with your family on different days, its nice to do things  together, and to get out and about ,i went out with my sister  and her partne there was 5 of us  alltogether, we went to one of  our local caveries, it was very nice. i didnt see my son over Easter , he was busy with Sarah and the kids i'm not his priority now but thats how it should be, i'm glad he's happy he rang me a few times to make sure i was ok.i went out with my daughters partner Easter Monday to one of our garden centre's we had a look round then we had coffee and cake in the cafe yummy,im sure your daughter will get things  sorted with the house , these things seem to drag on  when  all you  wont  is things to get moving.my son put me on whats app dont know what it is but im on it LOL so i can talk to my daughter   we can have a conversation with her  my son  and my daughters partner all at the same time,isnt technology great, she is having a wonderful time the parks are amazing she has sent me some lovely photos the views beautiful, i dont think she wonts to come home. the sun is out at the moment so will take george out later, will go my swimming aerobics later as well. hope Debbie ok messaged her a few week ago but she hasnt replied .enjoy your week regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Bet the carvery was good.  I have always enjoyed them when been in the past. Life is muddling along okay and I have been doing lots of walking with my camera on the days when I dont work.  Do not like being couped up indoors and this is a good and usually cheap activity!!  Having said that, I did walk to the garden centre on Saturday for my morning coffee but, of course, had to have a look round and as frost had been forecast did not want to do any outside planting.  In the end I topped up on bird seed, bought a kalanchoe for my kitchen windowsill and also fleece jacket (for me not the plants ha ha).  This means my old jacket can become garden wear as it is getting rather worn.

Managed to stay dry during my day out to Colchester by coach yesterday as it only began raining just before we headed home.  I had a good look round the beautiful park/gardens surrounding the castle, had afternoon coffe in a wonderful old building and walked a couple of miles along the river Colne where I also sat and ate my sandwich lunch.  So peaceful.

I have whats app too and it's a free way of chatting to friends/relatives using wifi without having to use up date allowance on phone.  Currently keeping in touch with kids this way as both daughter and son in law have had a tummy and/or sickness bug over the last few days and my little granddaughter has conjunctivtus and is teething bless her. 

No plans yet for the coming bank holiday weekend though am supposed to being having electric smart meter fitted on Friday so will  be stuck in during the afternoon 'slot' allocated.  Apparently they should only be here for around an hour.  Anyway will do my shopping and gym visit in the morning and hope they come on time as I can then fit another walk in during the late afternoon weather permitting.

Take care and hope your daughter is enjoying her adventure.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your time in colchester and all the walking you have done, its nice when you can get out in the sunshine, i have took george out every day this week as the weather as been quite nice .hope your grandaughter is feeling better,and the rest of your family its a shame when the little ones dont feel well  it makes them irratable but they  dont know  why.i to dont know what i am doing over the week end my daughter is home Friday, but i wont see her till Sunday, as she is flying into Leeds air port for a  hen week end  in a house with its own chef and spar treatments ,her partner is picking her up sunday morning. It seems as if she has been away for ages i cant wait to see her and hear all about her trip some of the pictures i have seen  are lovely vegas was great, me and hubby went vegas ,we stayed at the mirage so she took a photo of it for me we stayed for a week and we didnt see all of it.its a mind blowing place, some of the hotels have to be seen to be believed. Still not heard off debbie have a nice week end enjoy the bank holiday regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Well another bank holiday weekend has been and goneand hope you have enjoyed catching up with your daughter and her travels though no doubt she was a little jet lagged. Plenty to talk about over coming weeks I am sure.

My familys' bugs have now cleared thankfully and so little Darcey can return to Nursery today and her Mum to work.  She has just turned 11 months and is beginning the learning to walk process; very cute to see her on whatsapp video.

Glad you have been able to treat George to his walks.  I love being out and about and as I do not drive my legs get plenty of exercise ha ha. I do try and get a couple of miles in on most days.  As my son in law took both boys out for the day (along with a couple of dads from his work) my daughter invited me to join her for shopping/lunch on Saturday and it was a lovely change for herbeing able to brouse the shops leisurely.  We had lunch at Prezzos before going our separate ways.  I had an eye test appointment to go to and  she headed home for a couple of hours of peace/relaxation.

On Sunday the weather was dry and pretty warm so I went walking for over 4 hours and really enjoyed strolling through our local woods/lido before heading to the garden centre for a coffee. I also bought a new squirrel proof peanut feeder (I am slowly replacing my old feeders).  On the way back I saw our local pond had a heron visiting (happens quite regularly now) and spent over half and hour taking photos before heading back home.

Yesterday I dodged the showers and did my weekly shop and then had a call from my daughter to say they were going to local May Day fete and would I like to meet them.  So headed back home quickly unpacked and headed to their flat.  The fete was quite small and unfortunately the weather had affected numbers but the boys enjoyed having a go at various stalls and then we went to lunch at local pub before I came back and did my housework.

Will visit Mum this morning and then the gym so before I know it I will be back to work tomorrow. Still only six weeks until my holidays and another challenge/hurdle for me to face.Hoping I can enjoy it and move my own life's journey forward a little though still feel a bit apprehensive.

Hope you are managing okay and your pain is more under control now. 

Hopefully Debbie is okay and coping day to day in the best way she can with support of family and friends.  The forum is one of those support networks that you can drop in and out of as and when you feel the need (Debbie if you reading this hope you are well).

Have a good week and take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, glad your family are over there  stomach bugs and every thing is back to normal, had a good catch up with my daughter at the weekend i didnt see her till Sunday ,she had a really good time and took some lovely photos,she also enjoyed her hen weekend as well all is back to normal again now she went back to work on Tuesday after 3 month off.glad you were out and about over the weekend  with your family i didnt do much over the bank holiday monday me and my daughter went to a local garden centre we had a nice walk round  she bought a cookery book, while we were there we had a nice meal of braising steak chips and veg.we had no rain at all over the weekend  all the gardens are bone dry i have a small pond inthe garden which my son did when he was young we have about  8 fish in it they were all born in the pond some are nearly 20 years old, i had to fill it up as  som of the water had evaporated.i to am  a bit apprehensive about my holiday in July  i surpose its normal to feel  like that i just hope i can enjoy my first holiday with out hubby , but it will feel strange going with some one other than hubby. enjoy the rest of your  week am waiting for my hair dresser to arive Regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you have had an enjoyable weekend.  Your daughter's holiday adventure seemed to pass by really quickly and I bet she was full of interesting tales with lots of photos to share with you.  Hope her return to work went smoothly.  I find the longer I am off the harder it is to go back ha ha.

Mixed weekend weatherwise with chilly wind yesterday and then a beautiful afternoon today.  I made the most of Friday and went with a friend to local gardens for a wander and was good catching up over a cuppa.Saturday was pretty mundane with shopping and housework but today I went to the Farmers' Market and then walked on to the garden centre after lunch (bumped into my daugther and grandsons at the market so we lunched together before going our separate ways).  It was so warm had to carry jacket and cardigan an d enjoyed coffee at the outside tables for the first time this year.  Bought one plant and some supports in readiness for putting out my sweet pea seedlings before heading home.  With the front garden in full sun I did some 'pottering' and dead headed the rose plus trimmed my tiny bit of hedge before coming inside about 4pm.  Meeting up with an old friend for lunch tomorrow so being kept busy.

Still no rain so have watered the pots and kept the birds' bath and water container topped up.  Lots of activity in the garden as quite a few baby birds around.  I have moved round a few of my feeders and also created a new feeding area (made out of last year's  Christmas tree trunk.  Have three feeders hanging on it just a few feet from my back patio doors and they are already using it.

It seems both you and I are facing new challenges as far as our holidays are concerned but hopefully we will both get on okay.  Hope you are keeping okay, take care.  Jules x

Hi Syl

Hope you have had an enjoyable weekend.  Your daughter's holiday adventure seemed to pass by really quickly and I bet she was full of interesting tales with lots of photos to share with you.  Hope her return to work went smoothly.  I find the longer I am off the harder it is to go back ha ha.

Mixed weekend weatherwise with chilly wind yesterday and then a beautiful afternoon today.  I made the most of Friday and went with a friend to local gardens for a wander and was good catching up over a cuppa.Saturday was pretty mundane with shopping and housework but today I went to the Farmers' Market and then walked on to the garden centre after lunch (bumped into my daugther and grandsons at the market so we lunched together before going our separate ways).  It was so warm had to carry jacket and cardigan an d enjoyed coffee at the outside tables for the first time this year.  Bought one plant and some supports in readiness for putting out my sweet pea seedlings before heading home.  With the front garden in full sun I did some 'pottering' and dead headed the rose plus trimmed my tiny bit of hedge before coming inside about 4pm.  Meeting up with an old friend for lunch tomorrow so being kept busy.

Still no rain so have watered the pots and kept the birds' bath and water container topped up.  Lots of activity in the garden as quite a few baby birds around.  I have moved round a few of my feeders and also created a new feeding area (made out of last year's  Christmas tree trunk.  Have three feeders hanging on it just a few feet from my back patio doors and they are already using it.

It seems both you and I are facing new challenges as far as our holidays are concerned but hopefully we will both get on okay.  Hope you are keeping okay, take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, have had loads of trouble trying to sign in to the chat room ,just got it sorted with the help of the mediators and my son, hope its fixed now.its good your getting out  with your friends ,i am also keeping my bird feeders toped up with seed and fat balls, they also like meal worm that i buy  as well, the magpies keep comeing to my bird table but i chase them off as they take all the food. Went out with my daughter last Saturday only to  a local garden centre ,Sunday went out with my son and  daughter for a lovely  roast dinner.thursday i went on my first coach trip with out my hubby,went to Skipton market then a canal cruise on the Liverpool Leed canal with my friend, we had a nice day and the weather was good but thought of him all day long wishing he was with me .the weather is fine again my garden is so dry i am puting my washing up water on my plants to water them, it is surposed to rain at the week end i am going out with my son  on Saturday so hope it dosnt rain to much .have a nice week end regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Sorry for late reply but things have been rather difficult these past few days and I have been spending much of my time with daughter and family as their house purchase looks like it is going to fall through and they are so very distressed having come to within 24hrs (twice) of exchanging.  We are all somewhat below par.

Hope you had a nice time with your son and that it stayed dry for  you.  Certainly now we are getting plenty of rain to help the garden here which has helped settle in a few new plants  I managed to get in at the weekend.  I have now completed updating my bee and butterfly flower border so hoping for a nice display this summer.

Hope you are keeping okay, take care. Jules x

Hi jules, sorry that the house isnt going as planned these things happen  sometimes  it seems  as if things  are out of  our hands and there isnt much you can do exept wait and see what happens.my son enjoyed his day out with me ,we went to aplace called tatton park,there was allsorts going on including a dog show ferrat raceing   birds of prey  and a lot more even the weather was good on the Sunday went  out with my daughter and her partner.i start my exersise class tomorrow at  a local centre  its for six week twice a week dont know what happens when the six weeks  have past.we have had a bit of rain this week but have still managed to take george out, wont see him after Monday for a couple of week as his owners are going on holiday he is going to stay  with friends till they get back. have a nice weekend  hope you hear better news about the house regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you enjoying the return of the lovely sunshine.  How did the exercise class go?

I went for a lovely walk today as too nice to just sit in the garden.  Left home at 9.30 to go to the gym first and then did not get back till 3pm so a late lunch!!

Went to the cinema with my daughter and family on Sunday morning followed by lunch and then they all came back to mine so the boys could play in the garden. 

Will visit my Mum tomorrow and then getting my hair cut.  Have a mammogram booked for Wednesday after work so will be glad to get that done and dusted.

Cannot believe it is only three weeks to my holiday and am feeling a bit anxious now it is drawing near but  on the other hand looking forward to going back to revisit old haunts though no doubt will see them through  very different eyes after 42 yrs!!

Take care and have a pleasant week.  Jules

P.S. a couple of recent pictures from the bird feeders

Hi Jules ,lovely photo of the birds in your garden,i only get the run of the mill ones but its nice to watch them.my exercise class went well there was 16 of us all together all with differant lung problems, we had a talk as well after it was finished we had coffee or tea, they gave us a sheet to take home  with exercises to do at home.glad you had a nice time with your daughter and granchildren, how is your daughter doing with the house?,its surpposed to be a ni e weekend but it has forecast heavy rain here Saturday.will open the curtains saturday and take it from there lol. I had a mammogram a couple of month ago everything was ok.where did you say you were going on holiday ?im sure it will have changed after all those years places  change so much and not always for the better . dont know what i am doing over the weekend would like to go out somewhere with the weather being nice. hope you have a lovely weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

So pleased that your exercise class went well and that it is quite a social get together too.  Always think it helps to chat with people who understand the symptoms that you are experiencing.  Hope that the 'at home' exercises help too.

Has been a hectic week but for all the right reasons.  On Monday my daughter and son in law found out that all the legalities to do with the property had  been ironed out and they exchanged on Tuesday and completed yesterday so  now have the keys to their first family home.  As you can imagine everyone involved is on cloud nine (just wish hubby was here to share the moment!!). Their main moving day is Tuesday and I am going up with them to keep an eye on the boys (or take them out weather permitting) whist the removal firm do their bit and then will catch the train/buses home in the evening as have to go to work on Wednesday.

Had a couple of short showers this morning but walked to the gym and back in the dry and have mowed the lawn (started this yesterday but mower blew up so had to wait for new one (ordered  yesterday which came this morning)  15 mins after it was dropped off I was finishing the job so very happy.  Had lunch outside before moved back in out of the heat of the day.  Lovely breeze now so may venture out again for an hour or so with my  book. 

Am babysitting tonight as my daughter and son in law are having a social evening with their friends before the move.  Will stay overnight and then tomorrow nip home to get read for my grand-daughter's 1st birthday party in my son's garden weather permitting (moved indoors if it rains!!) during the afternoon. Tuesday up to Milton Keynes early to await removal van.

On Wednesday after work I have my sister in law coming for the night en route to her German break and she will stay overnight on her way back before catching the ferry back to Isle  of Man.  I may then be able to draw breath before going away on holiday (Jersey) for a week. Am still waiting to hear when my bathroom can be started but looks as though it will be after my holiday now.

Hope you have a pleasant weeekend. Take care.  Jules x

HiJules, glad every thing got sorted with the house, there is nothing nicer than haveing your own place, sounds like you have had a hetic few days with family and friends, its nice to get out and about  and be in good company. I went out sunday with my daughter and her partner we went to a place called Martin Mere, its a nature reserve, full of ducks some i had never seen before, it was a lovely day  day we hired a canoe for a hour i sat in the middle  they did the paddling they kept bumping into the bank which was quite funny.there was a big lake there where they had hides you could go in to  to watch the birds on the lake.it was quite a contrast on Monday i spent the day on my own so felt  a bit down with no one to talk  , i havnt seen my son  since saturday.i am at my exercise class later on  it will be nice to have a natter  while keeping fit at the same time,i am missing taking george out ,he is back next week so can start  his walks again.what date is your holiday?  i am away 1st July still abit apprehensive about it  enjoy your week regards Syl x

Hi Jules, i to like nature reserves and the countryside  its nice to walk  and it does you good as well.i have never been to the isle of man i here it is very nice ,must be a lovely place to live how is the house move progressing for your daughter  the family must be looking forward to the move  now things are a bit more settled. I am sure you will enjoy your holliday  how are you getting there , is it a coach trip with others or on your own?what ever it is iam sure you will soon make friends,i have been to my daughters today for my Sunday dinner then we went for a walk in aplace called Sankey Valley Park, which is next to where my daughter lives, we saw baby ducks and baby swans on the canal it was lovely. I havnt seen my son all week end as he is in Manchester with his partner, im a bit  worried as he is working in London all week in Whitehall  of all places ,my daughter and her partner are there at the weekend as well so both my kids  are there fof the weekend  its a bit of a worry will be on pins till there home on Sunday  have a nice week regards Syl x

Hi Syl

I have not been to the Isle of Man either though my parents visited years ago and enjoyed it.  My sister in law stayed with me on Monday evening and was due to get the ferry home on Tuesday night but because of the bad weather ended up having to book a B&B in Liverpool and hopefully will have made it home today. Certainly enjoyed our catch up chat and did not go to bed till the early hours so just as well I do not go to work on a Tuesday ha ha.  She is hoping to come over again later this year so will probably catch up again then.

Last Saturday was lovely so I did my usual walking (5 miles in the end) and also visited the garden centre as needed to top up my hedgehog food supplies.  Stopped for a coffee in the cafe before walking back home.  On Sunday I went to the gym and Farmers' Market before coming back and pottering around pus usual chores.

On Monday I met up with a friend for a cuppa and catch up which was lovely and she then mentioned she was going to the cinema on Tuesday afternoon and would I like to come along.  So I visited Mum in the morning and then met her at the cinema and we both really enjoyed watching 'Lion' which is based on a true story.  Quite emotional but very well filmed/acted.

Hope all goes well with your children's trips to London.  My daughter and son in law are at the 02 next Monday but as I will be on holiday I wont know how they enjoyed themselves until I get home.  As they say life must go on.

Last day at work tomorrow and then away on Saturday so fingers crossed it will run smoothly and I have made the right decision to take the plunge so to speak. Would  be nice to get decent weather but will try and make the most of this time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Hope your exercise classes are going well and you are enjoying the company too.  With George back hope the weather allows walkies to resume.  Take care.  Jules x