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 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

Hi Jules, thought i would send you a quick e mail before you go on holiday, sound as if you had a nice time with your friend at the cinema its nice when you have someone  to go with,i am still enjoying the gym we have a laugh  while doing the exercise  at the end we have a talk and coffee or tea. I took george out for the first time today  he was pleased to be going out i think he missed going out more than he missed me , my back was acheing by the time i got back the kids are in London at the week end so i am at my daughters over the week end seeing to the bunny rabbit, at least it will give me something to do there not back till Sunday, i am going out for dinner Sunday with my sister  so at least i will have  some company for a few hours.any way have a lovely holiday i am sure you will  let me know all about it when you get back regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Well I am back in one piece and overall the holiday went well.  Good hotel and weather and plenty of lovely coastal walks. Did an Island coach trip for a day and then bought a three day travel bus card which proved very worthwhile.  Service was good and regular and had some lovely days out.  Evenings were manageable and after a meal and a drink in the bar I usually went to my room to watch tv or read as the hotel was pretty quiet. 

Lovely to come back to more good weather (though keeping inside out of the hot sun at the moment).Spent yesterday with my son and family and have mowed my lawn and done all the shopping and washing so routine back on track.  Will visit my Mum tomorrow and have plans to visit my daughter on Friday now that they are settling in.

Hope all is good with you and that your children enjoyed their London weekend.  I hope to get up there again in a few weeks as there are a couple of museums I wish to visit. Hope you had a good meal with your sister and that George is glad to have his walking pal back.  Will chat soon, take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you had a nice holiday and you enjoyed going out and about its nice to explore new places plus the weather was nice which is always a bonus, trouble is we all have to come back to reality when its over .my  kids enjoyed London  and the weather was good to them as well  i allso had a nice meal witth my sister and her partner on the Sunday we went to a pub called the Wallton Arms for a roast. i havnt had george out much since he came back from his holls these last few days have been really hot, to hot to take him out if it cools down  later in the week  i will start taking him out again. what i am going to tell you now you wont believe my washer broke to get at it i have to move my cooker and fridge my son moved them, when he moved the fridge  what was under it MY PHONE,dont ask me how it got there as i have no idea  its a mistery i didnt know weather to laugh or cry, and it was found on Fathers day .we went to Telford to the iron bridge where we put hubbys ashes we took flowers and put them  under the bridge it was a lovely day sad but happy  memories  .enjoy you week regards Syl x

Hi Jules, you havnt replied to my last e mail is every thing ok  i am taking george out again the weather has cooled down a bit now, even though itis quite warm today i am away on Saturday for a week with my friend we are going on a coach to Bournemouth, i am still not sure about  the holiday it will feel so strange  not being with my hubby but it is something i will have to get used to it.  hope to hear off you before i go away regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Sorry for the late replies but has been a pretty busy week and have been making the most of the weather and spending time catching up with friends and family since my return from holiday.

Like you I was very apprehensive before my holiday but once away made the most of the time to enjoy my surroundings and relax. Of course very different from when hubby was alive but then everydayy is now a different way of life to what had been expected.  You will have the company of your friend so someone to talk to and share the experience with but will able to have the sanctuary of your own room if needed.  Bournemouth has plenty going on and I hope the weather will be kind to you.  Looks as though the next few days is going to see some rain so hope it moves away.  Still the temperatures should be more to your liking as that little bit cooler again. I hope you can enjoy the change of scene and look forward to hearing about it upon your return.

Fancy finding your phone and once over the surprise and the upheavel of having to sort out your broken washer at least now you have it back along with the memories stored on it.

After visiting Mum last Tuesday  which she slept the whole way through bless her, I went tothe gym and then caught up with an old friend for the afternoon; it was very pleasant sitting out in the garden for a few hours.  Work took up the next two days and then on Friday I travelled to see my daughter and family and stayed till Saturday evening.  They are slowly settling in to their new home and finding their way around. My eldested grandson has settled down well at his new school and is already building a new friends network.  The younger lad only has a couple of afternoons at preschool as against five when here but it will increase in September which will do him good.  On Sunday I did my usual walks, the gym and then set about catching up in the garden so it looks a bit tidier now and all the dead heading is complete.

I have just booked a theatre trip in August for myself and my friend.  It has been a good few years since I went and am looking forward to it.  I have also booked my next break though it is not until next April so hope that will give me something to aim for.  In theory I am away again at the end of October when my daughter and family and myself are having a long weekend away possibly at her father in laws.  Will be nice to have a break before the end of the year onslaught at work.

So back today and once again back to visit Mum. They have now involved OT with her care so that she has a more structured physical assistance so will see how that goes. She has been eating and drinking well still. Will need to take my brolly by the sound of it but at least all my gardening chores and the washing is up to date before the rain arrives.  Still feels warm this morning so will be a bind having to wear a rain jacket but the garden certainly needs a good watering though the weeds and flowers seems to be blooming despite the lack of it over the past couple of weeks.

Well better give your eyes a rest and get on with the day. Take care and have a good break.  Jules xx