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,

Back at work this week and the time just seems to be slipping by.

Glad you enjoyed time with your friend on Saturday and also dinner with your daughter.  I think it is when we return from the 'good times' that we sit alone and reflect on what might have been  and this is when I now try and save my housework for.  My way of coping I guess. The counsellor at  your chuch on a Saturday morning sounds like a nice place to drop in for a chat if you need to discuss things.  I do think it helps somewhat to discuss your feelings and perhaps gain some understanding into the grieving journey.  It is cerntainly and  up and down time that's for sure. 

The coach trip did not go too bad thank you.  Weather was a bit gloomy but I had a good look around the cathedral (I was in Gloucester) and the historic dock area plus a stroll around the 'Quays'which is a cut price designer retail outlets centre.  Managed to get myself some decent work shoes and also a gift for my sister in law who turns 70 at the beginning of next month.  Lunch the following day with my daughter in law's Mum was also lovely and we went to our favourite garden centre so some shopping therapy as well.  I now have two new plants and some bulb fibre ready for planting  up my pots.

Child-minding for my daughter tomorrow as youngest grandson has hospital hearing test appointment.  No doubt I will be playing board games with the elder lad to pass the time.  Seeing my son and family on Saturday but the rest of the weekend have no plans for other than my usual gym session/walks.

Take care and have a pleasant and peaceful weekend.  Jules xx

Hi Jules , glad you enjoyed your trip out with your friend even though weather  was a bit  gloomy  its ni e to have a wander round garden centres and retail outlets you can pick up some   good bargains  .hope you  have a nice time playing with your grandson ,i wish i had grandchildren i hear that many people say thay keep you young and active . have been to my exercise class again only got to more to go  then they move you on to somewhere else,havnt got  anything planned for the weekend my daughter and her partner have fell out so might go somewhere  with her , i am going to the crem bank holiday monday  to put flowers on my mums  plot as she has been dead 19 years some times it only seems like yesterday. got to go into town tomorrow  as i have a eye test due will have a wonder round the shops , then go into one of the many cafe s  and treat my self to a  capachino  no cake though as im fat enough lol  enjoy the bank holiday regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you had a pleasant weekend; the weather certainly helped.  I always felt blessed to  have my own children and the grandchildren are a bonus.  As to keeping me young am not so sure about that but they are a pleasure to be with with when our calendars allow.  I saw all three at some point over the weekend.  My little grand-daughter is now toddling and had a new pair of shoes to show off so we had plenty of fun in the garden.  Also a quick trip to their local garden centre as my son needed a new pump for his pond.  I picked up some spring bulbs and now just need to find the time to plant them. I did my usual walking on Sunday (this being a habit of a lifetime as my parents would also go walking on Sundays and as my Dad was disabled having lost a leg he set a great example about how keeping mobile was important when it was at all possible). I had no plans for Bank Holiday Monday so booked a ticket on line the previous evening and went into London to visit a Butterflies event held at the Natural History Museum.  Afterwards I spent several hours walking around the local Gardens and Parks before  getting home around 5pm. All in all I think I made the most of the weekend.

Yesterday was my usual vigil to see Mum followed by gym visit and then a cuppa with a friend locally.  She and her husband are off on a tour to China soon so we planned out next get together inOctober when I look forward to hearing all about it.  I have never been though hubby did some work out there a couple of trips.

Sorry to hear that your daughter and her partner had a falling out and am sure you were able to offer a sympathetic ear if you caught up over the weekend.  Hope the eye test went okay.  They seem to come round quickly.  I have to have mine every couple of  years as there is glaucoma and diabetes in the family history;  I am pretty short sighted and have worn glasses since 12 years old and never fancied contact lenses.

An emotional weekend ahead as would have been married 40yrs Sunday.  Have no plans other than to lay flowers at hubby's resting place.  Will no doubt have a chat with my sister in law on Saturday as she turns 70 and her brother turns 60 today.  As I am working today will have to ring him later.

Apparently we are due to see rain today but still dry here at the moment and would be handy if it stays that way for my commute but have my brolly at the ready.

Right is is almost7am so must get moving.  Take care and have a peaceful day.  Jules x

Hi Jules, sounds as if you had a nice time with your granchildren  i think doing things with them must fetch back memories of when you were young it would me.  my eye test went ok my sister has to put eye drops  in her eyes every day to stop  glucoma from  developing she  sees the specialist twice a year. my daughter and her partner have not  got back together yet, they go away next weekend  to lanzarote  so they will have to come together at some point  or they will lose there holiday,i had a nice week end with herhome we went to a place called Dunham Massey its a big estate  with deer wondering about  and a stately home then we had sunday lunch in a country pub. Onthe monday we went to a garden centre its quite big and it sells all different things ,after a good walk round in which we never bought anything we had a meal in our local pub so it was a nice week end.i am out with the kids my sister and her partner on friday at a local restaurant as it is my Birthday,on the saturday it is my neighbors 30 wedding anniverary so have been invited to a barbecue at least this weekend is busy with nice things.hope your 40th passes peacefully its hard when  these things arise as all we have are memories  to think back on  enjoy your weekend  hope to take george out before my exercise class regards Syl x

Hi Syl

A belated happy birthday and hope you had a lovely meal with the family on Friday and also enjoyed your neighbours' anniversary BBQ.  It was lovely here both days so hopefully the same where you are.

I spent Friday in London with a friend visiting Lambeth Palace Gardens (open for charity) and then walked along the South Bank and enjoyed lunch and a coffee stop along the way.  Lovely views overlooking the Thames.  Weather permitting I hope to return this coming Friday as there is a Chinese Street Food Festival on near Tower Bridge.

The weekend was generally quiet apart from usual gym visits and chatting with my inlaws.  I did however go out to lunch (spur of the moment arrangement) with a lady I see at the gym who was also kind enough to give me a lift to the crematorium (she did not want me to get wet).  We ended up chatting over coffee and a toastie for over 2hrs before coming back home.  It was a rather nostalgic kind of day but lovely memories to ponder upon.

My son and family are on holiday this week and my daughter's boys were back to school today so treated to updated pictures via Facebook.

Today I have managed to renew my passport online in readiness for my holiday next year and also had lunch locally with another friend made at the gym. Tomorrow will visit Mum and the gym so some sort of routine.

Thankfully the weather enabled me to plant nearly all the bulbs I had bought and now they are being 'watered in'.

Have a peaceful and pleasant week and weather permitting maybe a walk with the lucky George.

Take care.  Jules x

HiJules, i had a nice week end enjoyed my meal with the family on Friday and the BBQ on the Saturday luckily the weather was ok so we were all sat outside in the garden with plenty of lovely food and  beer and all differant types of gin which all went down  very well.glad you enjoyed your day in London its a long time since i was in the capital, my son is working in London again  not far from st Pauls he is there for a good few weeks yet.it was a lovely gesture of the lady to give you a lift to the crem  wish there was more people like that in the world it would be a better place . my evening aerobics has started back now and my Thursday one tomorrow, at least i have that to look forward to ,also my friendship group starts back Monday so every thingback to normal now. the weather not been to good here managed to take george out  today but only a couple of times this week because of the weather.i havnt got much planned for the weekend  might go out with my son and his partners kids on Sunday to a local park as there is something on, but the forecast isnt very good , so will have to wait and see. have a lovely week end regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you had a good weekend though I must say the weather here was somewhat mixed.  Despite the showers on Friday I followed my gym visit with a three mile walk.  Was heading for the garden centre but when the heavy rain came along I diverted to walk through the local woods to the cafe at the  lido.  After a cuppa I continued my walk around the Lido complete with brolly and then went to the garden centre as planned. Bought the couple of bits I wanted (it was cardholders 20% off day) and then caught the bus back. Saturday was much better so I spent most of the day gardening and at least the back garden is probably ready for the autumn now and at least all my bulbs are in. 

My daughter, son in law and the boys visited for a few hours on Sunday and it always nice to have a catch up.

Have been to visit Mum this morning as have friends coming tomorrow.  Was a bit taken aback to find her room emptied but soon learnt that she had been moved temporarily to let some work be carried out.  Bless her she was not bothered at all and had just finished her breakfast as usual.  I got a hello before she nodded off so I sat with my book for a while.  These visits are all very much alike now.

Despite the showery weather at least the temperatures are still not too bad.  Hope you enjoy being back to your usual routine and nice that you can look forward to your friendship groups again.  Have a pleasant week and take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your long walk and  your walk roung the garden centre, there is so much to see in garden centres these days and they sell lovely food to enjoy as well. Have been into town this morning to pick my new reading glasses up ,also had a hearing test as i suffer with tinnitus in my right ear so have ordered a new earing aid, if it dosnt make any differance i can  i can give it back  without paying fingers crossed.my daughter and  partner are in Lanzarote now i am baby sitting her rabbit,in the house as its a indoor  rabbit,if i let her out of the cage i have to put my cat upstairs or let her out,the things we do  for our kids lol. The weather here is awful as well only had george out a few times in the last couple of weeks managed to take him out today we both enjoyed the walk. I am going out with my friend tomorrow as she is on holiday from work this week we were goinh to go Chester on the train but the forecast isnt very good ,so might just go into our local town and maybe go some where to have  lunch have a nice week regards Syl x

Hi Jules, thought  i would i would send you a quick e mail before the week end, is every think ok as  i havn t heard off you since  my last e mail i am ok  hope you are as well  hope to hear off you soon  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

All good with me thank you but have  been entertaining my sister in law for a few days and then away at my daughters so not  been on the laptop to answer my mail.  Weather has been kind so have also now caught up with the gardening and both front and back are ready for the autumn/winter ahead should the weather turn cold.  Today has been beautiful and after having a friend round for an early coffee and then the gym I popped to get some shopping done before settling down in the garden to run off a few replies before tackling the ironing. 

Have another busy week ahead with my sister in law back for a one night sleepover en route back home (she has been visiting friends in France over the weekend). Will visit Mum on Tuesday and then usual two days at work before going to my daughter in law's MacMillan coffee morning on Friday.

Hope you are having a good weekend and staying well.  Take care. Jules xx

Hi Syl

All good with me thank you but have  been entertaining my sister in law for a few days and then away at my daughters so not  been on the laptop to answer my mail.  Weather has been kind so have also now caught up with the gardening and both front and back are ready for the autumn/winter ahead should the weather turn cold.  Today has been beautiful and after having a friend round for an early coffee and then the gym I popped to get some shopping done before settling down in the garden to run off a few replies before tackling the ironing. 

Have another busy week ahead with my sister in law back for a one night sleepover en route back home (she has been visiting friends in France over the weekend). Will visit Mum on Tuesday and then usual two days at work before going to my daughter in law's MacMillan coffee morning on Friday.

Hope you are having a good weekend and staying well.  Take care. Jules xx

Hi , Jules glad every thing ok thought you  would be busy out and about with family and friends I am ok not much happening at the moment going my daughters Sunday for dinner,am using my new tablet  as my other one stopped working also my mobile not working again so had to take it back to the shop again I must re jinxed nothing going right at the moment.have a nice weekend speak to you syl x

Hi Syl

So annoying when the technology we rely on plays up. You certainly have had your fair share of bad luck with that phone and hope they can sort it out again for you. Perhaps it won't be too long before you can get an upgrade (if under a contract).  Mine is due to be upgraded next year but so far it has never caused me a problem.  It's my laptop that is getting slower and the keyboard is starting to fall apart but am holding out for as long as I can as the next three months are 'present' intensive with both grandsons' birthdays coming up shortly followed by Christmas.

Off to support my daughter in law's coffee morning today and then staying over so some quality time with my grand-daughter too so looking forward to a few cuddles (if she is in the mood ha ha).

Weather is pretty dull and trying to decide what on earth to wear tomorrow evening as going to an Engagement party.  Am getting there by tube and bus so need to keep it simple as will return home that way too and it will be pretty late.  Note to self check times of last transport links!!

Too wet to do gardening so  Sunday may have to be a walking day.  I have pulled a muscle in my upper thigh area so need to do some good stretches and hope it clears soon as was pretty painful during my two work days.

Have a pleasant weekend and hope you enjoy dinner with your daughter on Sunday.  Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, still not got my phone back have been told they are waiting for a part  will be ready mid week so am waiting  for my phone to ring.I still can't get used to this tablet as it's  slightly  different from my other one, hope you  enjoy your coffee morning and you manage to get some cuddles as well .hope you enjoy the engagement party I have got  one coming up  it its not till November.the weather not to good here as well we have had a lot of rain George is away at the moment he is staying at my  neighbors friends ,as they are on holiday for a week.just come back from my exercise class  I am at my swimming aerobics later tonight as well.my back is aching a lot this week must take it easy tonight.take care enjoy your week regards  syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you have heard about your phone.  You must feel lost without it as we get so used to using it for contact these days.  I must admit I rarely use my tablet as prefer the laptop and a full sized keyboard.

Had a lovely couple of days with my son and family and the weather was very kind to us so after the coffee morning (and too much lovely cake!!) my daughter in law and I took my grand-daughter and their dog for a long walk.  My son cooked dinner in the evening and then I stayed overnight before they dropped me home just after lunch Saturday.  Definitely got my fair share of cuddles from toddler and dog!!

I keep thinking about doing aqua aerobics but have  never got round to it as the daytime ones do not happen on good days for me.  Hope your back was okay after your session.

No plans as yet for this weekend other than the usual weekly shop and gym but will go walking all being well.  Will also check locally to see if anything on worth going to.  I went to the cinema after visiting my Mum on Tuesday and really enjoyed the film Hampstead (filmed where I grew up).

Hope you have a peaceful weekend. Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules ,glad you had a nice few days with your son and  daughter in law and you had a lot of nice cuddles with your grandchildren and the dog,i have to settle for cuddles of my cat and George,he is back home now but haven't taken him out  much as the weather has been really bad  the rain hasn't stopped for days now. have got. my phone back hope it lasts this time,have bought some cream for my back hope it stops the aching am still going my exercise class and. my aerobics class.other wise I might cease up lol,not done much lately been out with my friend today to a local community centre for a spot of lunch my son  working from home this week as his partner is away,so have seen quite a bit of him this week,out with my sister at the weekend  as it's her partners 65 birthday think we're going to a country pub for lunch  enjoy the rest of the week regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Good news about your phone and now just fingers crossed it behaves itself.

What a shame that you and George are unable to go for walks due to poor weather.  We have been so lucky where I am and I have had to revert to my summer togs as so mild again.  Not complaining though as have been able to mow and tidy the back garden (again) and given the front garden a final going over before the inclement weather returns.

Hope the cream helps your back as must be uncomfortable for you.  My daughter's back problems were finally sorted with a few appointments with a chiropractor as she could bear the pain no longer and my son in law insisted she needed it sorted no matter the cost as the heavy duty painkillers prescribed by the GP were just covering up the problem and not solving it.

Nice for you to see a bit more of your son this past week and hope you have a lovely lunch with your sister to celebrate her partner's 65th. I do enjoy a pub lunch when I get the opportunity.

Today I have been out enjoying the weather, no coat needed so back to t-shirt and cropped leggings as went to the gym on route.  In the end managed a 4 mile walk and just a quick stop for coffee and a half hour read in the local gardens.  Trusty camera in hand so have a few shots of the autumn colours.

Tomorrow I am going up to my daughter's as youngest grandson turns 4 and we can help him enjoy his birthday celebrations. All in all not a bad few days.

Look after that back, take care and have a good weekend.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, had my birthday meal with my sister and her partner we didn't go to the country pub as planned we went to a local  steak house ,we had a Sunday lunch i'm afraid it wasn't as nice as we were expecting wouldn't go there again for Sunday  roast. my phone still ok my land line not work in now I'm sure my house is jinxed also my boiler broke last week luckily I have a imersion heater so I had hot water, my friends son is a plumber he came to have a look at it yesterday ,it was the gas valve not working properly so he put a new one on for me its all systems go for now lol I'm getting a bit paranoid waiting for something else to go wrong hope you had a nice time with your grandson  ,the weather not to bad today managed to take George out ,been to my exercise class as well, one of my neighbors has just found a baby hedgehog in her garden  so I have put it in a box ,I know a lady who looks after them will give her a ring now , have a nice week  regards  syl x

Hi Syl

Just a quick note before I go away to friends for a couple of days.  A busy weeks ahead both at home and away but will be nice to catch up with friends and family and make the most of spending time with my two grandsons as they will be on school hols.

Sorry the meal was not up to scratch when you went out celebrating with your sister and her partner.  Must have been dissappointing for you all.

Glad all well with the boiler now and also that your phone is behaving itself.  There always seems to be something to fix around the house and then it can happen all at once.  I have twice had a leak in the guttering sorted and now next door's guttering is blocked and causing the water to build up and dumps it over the area above my front door.  Had a quiet word but what can you do!

So far the weather here has not been too bad and I dodged the showers during my commute to and from work today. Looks as though I wont be so lucky when travelling tomorrow/Saturday so any walks might have to be curtailed. Still mild so no need for heating yet which is a real bonus.

Hope the hedgehog made it safely to where it can be looked after.  Have not seen my prickly visitor for quite a while so perhaps it has found pastures new.  Still plenty of birds to watch through the patio doors and the robin comes down daily (sometimes twice) to visit the bird bath.  Must be the cleanest robin around ha ha.

Hope you have a good weekend and that your back is responding to the cream you applied.  Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules.hope you had a nice few days away with your friends as well as spending time with your grandsons it does you good to get out and about. sad news about the little hedgehog it died the next  day the lady was going to start treatment as it had lung worm which they get from eating slugs but it died before she could  treat it, my back isn't much better I'm afraid ,also  my stomach been off for a few days  got a doctor's appointment tomorrow I'm quiet worried  about as I have lost my appetite as well. not had George out as the weather  isn't good at the moment .enjoy the rest of the week  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Sorry to read that you not feeling too good.  Hope the doctor's appointment was a help and that you will soon feel a lot better.

Shame about the little hedgehog.  They are very vulnerable when so very tiny.

Unfortunately due car trouble my daughter and grandsons could not make it to me Mon/Tues and it also meant she had to cancel her heart check up. This has been re-scheduled for April!   Now waiting to hear whether it will affect the coming weekend away (could be a bit cramped in my son-in-law's car) as not sure if the new alternator will be fitted in time for Friday.

Glad to say our weather has been amazing and today I have been out walking.....so warm I had to tie my jacket round my waist.  There were plenty of dog walkers and families enjoying the late autumnal weather and I spent over an hour just sitting enjoying the view.  Got home mid afternoon and have mowed the lawn again.  Every time I do it I think it will be the last for this year!! It could be a lovely sunset too,

Do take care and hope you have a better weekend ahead.  Jules xx