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

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 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

Hi Jules, not been feeling to good  again been to the doctors 3 blood tests and  a chest x Ray they all came back clear which should HAVE made me feel better,but it didn't felt really ill ow they think it's anxiety have been put o tablets for to  week I just hope I don't feel like this for long s it's a awful, have lost my appetite as well,don't like being on my own.had a nice day out with my daughter today then we went for something to eat in a nice pub but I left most of mine I can't seem to face food. I can't understand why I feel like this  when  hubby has been dead 20 month maybe it's nothing to do with  his dying I just don't know. sorry to load all this on you Jules hope you have a nice week regards  Syl x

Hi Syl

So sorry to read, on my return from a long weekend away, that you are so poorly just now.  Hope the prescribed tablets help.  Very hard being on your own when you do not feel well but was pleased for you that the xrays/tests came back clear.  Sometimes it is not easy to put your finger on just why you feel so 'blue'  but know many widows/widowers find this time of year particularly difficult.

Please do not apologise for writing how you feel; it is exactly the reason such a forum exists and whilst sharing may not always solve a problem at least it gives us somewhere to chat thrings through.  Having grown up with a mother who has suffered with depression/bi polar illness all her adult life I can only say she could never give herself an answer as to why she had dark days let alone explain them to the family.

Do go back to your GP if you are still feeling under the weather once the treatment ends.  Sending virtual hugs.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,hope you had a nice weekend away,not doing to bad at the moment the tablets seem to be helping bit have got to go back to the doctors next week to see how I am doing on them but I don't won't to be on them long term .I am still having problems with eating  I am hoping my appetite will return eventually, have took George out today for his walk which I enjoyed then went to my  friends for coffee. my daughter coming round later so will have a bit of company for a hour don't know what I'm doing at the weekend it seems a bit pointless going out for Sunday dinner if I haven't got much of a appetite. hope you have a nice weekend regards Who x

Hi Syl

Had a decent weekend thanks, helped by the fact that was spending time with daughter and family.  Went up Friday and came back Sunday pm.Usual gym visits Monday and Today and visit to Mum though she was sleeping for most of my time there.  At least this keeps her free from pain and distress.

Glad to read that your tablets appear to be helping and hope you get on okay at your next appointment.  Fingers crossed your appetite returns and hope you were still able to go out even if you ate less.  Sometimes the company helps I am sure.  I bet George enjoyed his walk too.  We have several professional dog walkers around here that take the pets out whilst their owners are at work but it is lovely if you can help friends out as you do.

Take good care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, feel a bit better this week the tablets must be working  have got to ring the doctors this week to see how I am doing on them,went out with my daughter Sunday we had a nice roast dinner which I enjoyed  I managed to eat it all so I think my appetite is coming back.my daughter is in Amsterdam at the weekend do you remember when she went trekking in America she is meeting up with  some of the people she met  there she is looking forward to seeing them again ,they are going to  see some of the site's  while they are there ,she isn't back till Monday tea time.  I haven't got any plans for the weekend unless my son or sister invite me out  for Sunday lunch if not I will be on my own over the weekend which  I am not looking forward too at least I can take George out if the weather is ok  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Nice to hear that you feel the tablets are helping and also that you enjoyed the Sunday roast with your daughter.  Hope she enjoyed her weekend in Amsterdam with her 'trekking friends'.  It is about 15 years since me and hubby went there with a group of friends and had a lovely time.  I am back there next April for a long weekend trip having booked to go on a coach tour which will include spending a day at the bulbfields as well as visiting cheese-making factory.  Something to look forward to after the festive season is over.

I had a reasonably quiet weeked just gone as trying to fight off a 'nuisance' cold but still went for a walk in the fresh air as was a lovely day on Saturday. Sunday was spent pottering after I had been to the gym.

Today I met a friend for a quick coffee and catch up before browsing the town centre shops and finding a top the work's Christmas meal in early December.  We are hoping to go out again in a couple of weeks as her husband will be visiting his Mum in Wales and she has to work so cannot go with him.  We are planning a curry night all being well.

Take care of yourself and hope you and the doc are happy with your progress.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,  my daughter had a. Lovely weekend catching up with some of her friends from her trekking holiday I'm afraid I had a bit of a melt down at the weekend , my son came to see me on theSunday I felt ill again with my stomach and I felt a bit panicky,but he managed to get me out for a nice walk to a place called spike island you can see the new Runcorn Widnes bridge from there,then he took me for a meal in one of our local pubs, I only had a beef burger but it was nice . Since then I have been back to the doctors she has doubled my tablets but I told  her I don't won't to be on them long term I haven't doubled them yet as I am out Saturday with my daughter to a engagement party and I won't to have a couple of wines to toast the happy couple.glad you have booked Amsterdam it's a lovely place to visit me and hubby went  a good few years ago my son lived there for a couple of years with his job, I have also got a few Xmas meals to go to over the christmas period so will be looking forward to those I think I will be seeing my daughter over the weekend .speak to you soon regards Syl x

Hi Syl

So pleased that your son was able to get you out for a lovely walk and that you enjoyed your burger lunch though sorry that you had a meltdown.  This must be a difficult time for you and hopefully a temporary increase in the medication when you choose to take it will help with your anxiety.   It is okay when you can keep busy but perhaps when you are on your own you are upsetting yourself.  This time of year brings lots of emotion with it I think.

I saw my son and family for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon and had managed to do some gardening in the morning before the rain set it.  Such a shame about the weather as it was our local high street's lighting up for Christmas and Fun Day.  Hope they did okay as a lot of effort goes into it by all the local shops.

Today I went to the gym as usual and always time for a chat over a cuppa before leaving which is lovely.Did not feel like going straight home as it was so sunny so I set off on a walk through our local woods and felt all the better for it.  I stopped for hot soup at a cafe en route and then after 3miles decided to get the bus home.  Now a quiet evening to look forward to.

No particular plans for this week other than gym sessions and visiting vigil to my Mum but I expect I will be glad to relax as my work days are definitely getting busier with the festive season approaching.

Hope you enjoyed the engagement party and were able to toast the happy couple.

Look after yourself.  Jules xx 

Hi Jules, glad you managed to see your son and family for a few hours and even do a bit of gardening the weather here has been awful  lots of rain ,haven't had George out much this week.the engagement party went well it was nice to toast the happy couple, my daughter stayed over at mine , on the Sunday my son joined us for lunch at a nice pub called the Swan.have been  out a few times this week it was my friendship group Monday we had a talk about our local area which was quite interesting,then on the Wednesday I went to Bury market it is a famous market in the north went on a coach with my friend who is off work on a week's holiday ,it's quite big we had a good walk round but the only think I bought was some black pudding for my son I have never had it ,I don't even like the look of it never mind trying it .been out today  on the local bus with my friend we went over the new Runcorn Widnes bridge you have probably seen it on the news it has only just. been built there has been a lot of  trouble over it being tolled but it's a lovely bridge if you can call a bridge  Lovely, have felt ok this week hope it continues think I am at my daughter's Sunday  for dinner ,have a nice weekend  regards Syl x