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, haven't done much my self this week I ended up with a heavy cold dosed my self up with cold remedies and cough  sweets, managed to go swimming which was ok ,also went my exercise class but my heart wasn't in it.feel a lot better now just in time for my first friendship group on Monday, we had a auction of our unwanted Xmas presents we made 20 pound for the kitty. the weather is still cold at the moment and we have had quite a bit of rain as well. roll on spring  at least the night's are coming a bit lighter now, hope you enjoy your curry,I don't mind a nice curry as long as it's not to hot .I'm at the cream tomorrow with my sister as it's my dad's birthday  so will put flowers  in his plot  then we will go for a coffee in the pub near by. haven't got anything planned for the weekend have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Do hope the recovery from your nasty cold was quick.  Always think the cough is worse especially at night. You did well to still go swimming and to enjoy your first friendship group.  What  a lovely idea to re-cycle any unwanted gifts and make a little money too.

I really did enjoy my curry (medium spicy) and was a lovely evening out for a change.  Quite a busy week with visit to Mum, three times at gym (they are only 30min sessions!!) plus work days.  Today as it was so nice I packed my camera and after the gym went into London for the day.  Got home around 6.45 a little foot weary (over 23,000 steps!!) but according to the weather forecast I chose the right day.  No plans for the weekend as it looks 'wet'  but will still need to do my weekly shop.

Take care of yourself.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, thought I would e mail you before I go to my friends at 12 0 clock my cold has almost cleared up now I suffer with tinnitus I wear earing aids to mask it but every time I have a cold it goes worse so I can hear the buzzing even my hearing aid dosnt  mask it so it drives me mad.sounds as if your  really fit with all the gym work outs and walking your doing ,glad you enjoyed your curry night ,I like a nice curry like you I don't like it to hot.having done much this week only had George out twice this week as we have had quite a lot of rain again,went out with my daughter Sunday for dinner it was very nice,she has fallen out with her partner ,I don't think they will stay together as there always falling out they were supposed to be going LAS Vegas for her 40th birthday in March I'm not sure if that will happen now. just going to make a sandwich before I go to my friends  have a nice weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Glad your cold is clearing up and know from my Mum's experience with tinnitus how annoying it must be when aggrevated by cold symptons.

Weather has been really up and down this past week and whilst today started dry and bright it soon clouded over. I did manage a 2mile walk to the garden centre this morning to stock up on bird food but caught the bus back as it began to rain and too windy to hold up a brolly.

I had a meal out with friends on Thursday evening which was lovely. 

My gym work is not high impact; just a 30 minute circuit at a ladies only gym and  I am lucky it is within 15mins walk.Helps keep me toned and something I only took up after hubby died to increase some social contact but I do enjoy it and apart from walking do not really do a lot of other excercise, though there is a fair amount of 'sensible' lifting when I am at work.  It helps with the arthritis if I keep active but will be much happier when the weather improves.

No real plans for the rest of the weekend other than taking part in the RSPB Big birdwatch count and going to the supermarket at some point.  Hoping to have some work done on the house in the Spring so trying to use the intervening weeks to have another 'paperwork' clearout which will lead to me being able to finally get rid of an old filing cabinet which has lived in the hall for very many years.

Hope you had a nice time with your friend.   I am now going to catch up with the final of the Austrailian Open Tennis highlights as looks as though the rain has settled in here.

Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, my cold has cleared up now but my tinnitus  still bad even with my hearing aids in ,going to spec savers Monday to see if they can  turn  them up ,if not I will have to live with it. Glad your still going to the gym ,I think a bit of exercise does you good  I only go twice a week ,but its better than  nothing . I also did the bird watch it was nice to sit for a hour watching the birds in the garden,even though there wasn't as many  in the hour  as there usual is  which is typical I have a wag tail coming in as well it's funny  watching it Bob up and down luckily that came down within the hour so I marked it down.my daughter is back with her partner I'm not sure wether there going Las Vegas for her 40th they havnt said anything up to now.I can't believe my hubbies been dead 2 years this month sometimes it seems like yesterday other times  it seems years a go strange when you think about it.I still cry and I very often think  about  what might have been, we would have been married 48 years in March I'm sure we would have gone somewhere nice. Have a nice weekend think I am going my daughters Sunday for dinner regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

How annoying that tinnitus can be and I do hope that tweaking your hearing aids on Monday can help a bit. Glad the cold has gone though.

So your daughter and partner have settled their differences again and it's now a wait and see as to whether they go to Vegas for her birthday.  I am sure you will probably do something as a family for her big 40 in any event.  We usually opt for a meal out for birthdays these days as all enjoy not having to cook ha ha.  Both my children's birthdays this month a week apart and will be 36 and 33 so no special celebrations required!!

My son came with me yesterday to choose some tiles for my next project (had felt jittery about going on my own) and then I spent the rest of the day with the family so  playing with my little grand-daughter was a big bonus.  Today was just the gym and a walk to the farmers' market and am now back home and cosy in front of the tennis.

I fully understand what you say about the time passed since the loss of our hubby as feel much the same way (though we were only married 37, years at the time of his death).  So fortunate to have good memories to keep me going and in April when I go away I will remember how we visited the same place about 15 years ago (albeit that there were 12 of us (all friends) at that time).

If you went to your daughter's for dinner bet you enjoyed it.  My daughter and family are down next Saturday so will enjoy catching up with all the family news then.

Take care and have a good week.  Jules 

Hi Jules, just got back from my friends  went back to spec savers nothing wrong with my earing aids  just have to  live with it luckily when I go to bed it seems to lesson,so it dosnt affect my sleep.Glad you had time to enjoy playing with your granddaughter,something  I wish I could do think it's a bit  late now.enjoyed dinner with my daughter and her partner they have booked Las Vegas for March I will be bunny  sitting no doubt lol, the sun is out at the moment took George out early just in case the weather changed glad it didn't.went shopping today  has I had a appointment to see the nurse  tomorrow just to check  my  COPD but they have cancelled it will text me in the near future typical  when I had tomorrow planned,never mind I can always  think of something else to do,haven't got anything planned for the weekend up to now hope you have a nice weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl

Not very nice here this morning; very wet.  Still, I am stuck indoors awaiting a delivery so hopefully it will be clearer later when I hopefully get to the gym and pick up some shopping ready for family visit tomorrow. We will be going out to lunch to a lovely pub by the canal so looking forward to that.  I will just do a light tea.  Will be great to catch up with my two grandsons as have not seen them since New Year.  I do feel lucky to have extended family as have no brothers or sisters and therefore no neices/nephews to enjoy and hubby's siblings had no kiddies either.  Think you could call my family 'compact' and manageable ha ha.

Nice that you were able to get George out.  It looks as though the best day of the weekend for my walking will be Sunday so hope the sun shows up!

A bit annoying for you that your COPD appointment has been postponed and I hope you hear soon when it has been re-scheduled for. I suppose it was a relief that your hearing aids are working okay but disappointing that it means the tinnitus level remains a nuisance.  I currently have a 'blocked' ear so do sympathise as at the moment it feels as though I have the sea permanently whooshing.  I have a week's ear drops treatment so hopefully that works and I will not need to arrange syringing

So, your daughter and partner have made up again and the holiday is booked.  Hope she has a lovely birthday and all remains well with them.  Bunny sitting will be fun.  We had a pet rabbit (bought back from our honeymoon!!) and then two guinea pigs to keep it comany for a few years and when the children came along we had a variety of hamsters/gerbils over the years as well as a cat. Now I am pet free which makes it easier when I want to be out and about as no ties.  The garden birds bring a lot of pleasure as I watch their antics at the various feeders.

Have a peaceful weekend and take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, hope you had a nice time with your family  and had fun seeing your grandsons must be nice when you all get together,my ear is still causing problems I have got to go back in to week if it's no  better she will refer me to the hospital to be honest  I might have to live with it will wait and see what happens. the weather not good here but have managed to take George out a few times this week today included as the sun was out which makes a change ,my swimming aerobics finished now till 1st of March as it's half term here my mum's birthday so will go to the cream after aerobics with my sister , don't think I am doing much at the weekend even though the weather supposed to be  sunny and  dry.it's my sister's birthday Monday I am going for a Chinese meal in our  local town with her think my.niece and her daughter are joining us as well so that should be nice as I don't get to see them much. Hope you have a nice weekend  regards  Syl x

Hi Syl

It must be very frustrating still having to cope with your ear problem.  As my Mum had tinnitus for many years I have some understanding of it'slong term effects.  Unfortunately no cure for it but they only ever offered 'masking noise' as a solution.  Like you she just used to say 'will have to learn to live with it' and there was always background noise (usually the radio) whever she was  (she used ear phones a lot to listen to music too).  Nowadays she does not mention it but then she rarely talks and in old age became a little deaf too.

Yes, it was lovely catching up with my daughter and family and we enjoyed a nice pub meal out too.  I will see them again in mid March as they have invited me to visit for Mothers' Day.  My son and family are also going so will give me a lift so looking forward to having a date in the diary.  Today is full of the lovely memories ofmy son and daughter in law's wedding (their 1st anniversary today though they have  been together  9 years!!).

Lovely sunny weather this morning so am trying to decide where to go later. A nearby town centre is having Chinese New Year displays this afternoon so may go take a wander.  As I am having some work done in the house over the coming weeks I need to find things to keep me occupied  and then I can escape from the noise ha ha.  Will be relieved when it is finished (as no doubt will my neighbours!!).

Enjoy the celebratory Chinese Meal with your sister on Monday. Take care. Jules  x

Hi Syl

It must be very frustrating still having to cope with your ear problem.  As my Mum had tinnitus for many years I have some understanding of it'slong term effects.  Unfortunately no cure for it but they only ever offered 'masking noise' as a solution.  Like you she just used to say 'will have to learn to live with it' and there was always background noise (usually the radio) whever she was  (she used ear phones a lot to listen to music too).  Nowadays she does not mention it but then she rarely talks and in old age became a little deaf too.

Yes, it was lovely catching up with my daughter and family and we enjoyed a nice pub meal out too.  I will see them again in mid March as they have invited me to visit for Mothers' Day.  My son and family are also going so will give me a lift so looking forward to having a date in the diary.  Today is full of the lovely memories ofmy son and daughter in law's wedding (their 1st anniversary today though they have  been together  9 years!!).

Lovely sunny weather this morning so am trying to decide where to go later. A nearby town centre is having Chinese New Year displays this afternoon so may go take a wander.  As I am having some work done in the house over the coming weeks I need to find things to keep me occupied  and then I can escape from the noise ha ha.  Will be relieved when it is finished (as no doubt will my neighbours!!).

Enjoy the celebratory Chinese Meal with your sister on Monday. Take care. Jules  x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed time with the family ,and spending  mothers day with them as well, I am going out with my son his partner and children mothers day as my daughter is in Law Vegas will  have to give her her birthday card so she can open it on her 40th which happens to be mothers day as well.I am at spec savers Monday with my ear she wants to know how my ear is no better I'm afraid think she is going to let my doctor know so will see what happens next,also at the doctors Tuesday  to have a check up  on.my COPD.which isn't to bad at the moment touch wood , I enjoyed my meal with my sister niece and her daughter I can't believe she is 16  in May time flies dosnt it ?. The weather hasn't been to bad this week supposed to be going very cold again next week have took George out every day  up to now which is good  for we both get a bit of exercise lol. I am going to the cream tomorrow to put some flowers in a vase as hubby been dead 2 yrs  I also but a verse in the remembrance book  so will have a look at that as well,I'm sure it will be a sad day remembering what might have been,having got any plans for the weekend it's supposed to be dry hopefully might do something with my daughter have a nice  weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope  you  have had a pleasant weekend though no doubt some mixed emotions whilst visiting the crem. Sometimes the time passes in a blur and at others can seem just like yesterday.  Thankfully I feel we both have some wonderful memories to hang on to.

 Beautiful weather here so have been out walking this morning and even found a sheltered spot to enjoy the sunshine for a while.  Warmed up with the coffee overlooking this scenery so no complaints

Hope your appointments this week bring some positive news for you and that the proposed wintery weather does not hang about too long.  I am sure both you and George would miss your walks.  If the snow does reach here I will have to dig our the wellington boots to visit my Mum on Tuesday!!

Stay cosy and take care.  Jules

Hi Jules,what a lovely place to sit and have a coffee I have been to the cream again today as it's my mum's birthday  should have gone with my sister ,but she wouldn't go as it was too cold,so called at hers on the way back for a coffee.haven't had George out this week as the weather is so cold the wind goes right  threw you,have been to my swimming aerobics this morning the water was nice and warm ,but it's freezing when you get out ,my son is in London for three days even the capitol has had  quite a lot of snow. I'm feeding the birds more often as well as it's so cold. at least we're not as bad as some places in the UK.don't know what I'm doing at the weekend nothing planned at the moment,hope it warms up a bit stay warm  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Yes, last week was definitely chilly and the wind biting.  Had about two inches of snow here but it thawed late afternoon yesterday.  No water upstairs for 36hrs when the temperatures plummeted but still had running water in the kitchen so no  real hassle.  Tubes ran so got to work okay but no long walks undertaken...  really miss them as dislike being indoors all day.  In the end the only day I did not go out was Friday as very icy and did not want to take unnecessary risks.  My neighbour even popped in to see if I was okay bless her. She offered use of their bathroom facilities if needs be but it was manageable for the short time.

Was back up the gym yesterday and did a top up shop before getting back in the warm and preparing some meals for the coming week. It is definitely warmer today and will be off out shortly and wont need so many layers!! 

Like you have been upping the amount of bird feed (they had been emptying the feeders very quickly) and constantly de-icing the bird bath so they have fresh water....needed a hammer to break the slab of ice free ha ha (the piles of ice are now thawing. I do not usually ground feed but made an exception and  made a dish of rice,grated nuts, cheese topped with suet nibbles and dried mealworms.Not much left now and I will clear away leftovers this morning. The squirrel ran off with the fat ball that I included but missed the photo opportunity.  Blackbirds were very happy!!

Stay safe and cosy and hopefully Spring will be on it's way soon. Jules

What a lovely photo  of the black bird I have a few that come into my garden,  there is one at the moment that is  going round all the cars sitting on the wing mirror and pecking at it  ,everyone has had to cover  there mirrors up,I have never none that before,  when I looked it up the black bird  sees its self as a rival.  Havnt been out much this week the weather has warmed up a bit managed to take george out this week but when I opened the sustainable morning it was snowing, we can't seem to win at the moment with the weather ,  at least we don't get  it as bad as some .my daughter down later dropping the bunny off ready for her holiday  tomorrow she is quite exited as she loves her holidays,don't know wether they will do anything special on Sunday for her 40th. hope she remembers my mothers day card as it's the same day,I am going out with my son and his partner and the kids he has booked a country pub for our meal so it should be nice,hope you have a nice mothers day  I will go to the. crem  with flowers for my mum and will put  flowers in a vase for my mother in law as well like me and hubby used to do before my son picks me up for lunch have a nice weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you have had a good Mother's Day and that your daughter got off on her holiday okay. 

Weather here has been showery the last couple of days but much warmer and I have not even needed the fire on so much Spring must by round the corner at last.  Managed an hours gardening yesterday morning and it is lovely to be able to get outside especially whilst work continues on the bathroom.  All being well the tiler will be able to begin on Tuesday.

Spent a nice few hours with chidren/grandchildren today and have some lovely plants to enjoy both indoors and out and lovely handmade cards too. We also made plans to get together on Easter Monday for a pub meal out (hubby's birthday too) and weather permitting can go for a country walk afterwards.

Hope this week goes well for you. Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules ,hope you enjoyed mothers day with your family,I just went out with my son , has  his partners son wasn't well so there was just the to of us which was nice ,then he came back to mine for a cuppa.my daughter got off ok ,have heard off her  a few times they had a helicopter ride over law Vegas which was fabulous , they have been going g round in shorts as the weather is nice and warm, hope your tiling is going well  and yours jobs are nearly finished , Easter is nearly here again things soon come round ,hope the weather improves  it's my niece's birthday  on the 26 March  it's her 40 th birthday as well  when you have your meal with the family on hubbies birthday it will be good to celebrate the good times you had together, I am going to take George out in a bit ,then going my friends for coffee ,the weather forecast for the weekend isn't good here  supposed to be going cold again with frost maybe even snow .have a nice weekend will hopefully see my daughter on Saturday no doubt she will be glad to see the bunny more than me lol regards Sylvia x

Hi Syl

Yes. a lovely few hours spent with the family on Mother's Day and bought home a lovely azalea and a planter for the garden ready to set up to attract butterflies.  When the weather behaves itself will once more spend pleasurable hours in the garden.

Work on the bathroom continues and all the tiling is now done so this week the guys will be back to get new suite in.The tiler is due back this morning just to check flooring and clear away all his gear. Turns out both he and my plumber went to school with my daughter; what a small world!

A bit chilly here today and a light layer of snow so have been out and sorted the bird feeders and having bought a new ground feeder tray on Friday the robin and blackbird have been visiting the back doorstep regularly.  Once the tiler has called I will go for a walk and probably visit the Farmers'  and Artisan  Market which is just half hours walk away.

Hope your daughter enjoyed the rest of her holiday and that she is now happily reunited with her bunny and your pet sitting duties are done.

My daughter and the boys are popping down on 26 March for lunch (they break up earlier than round here) and then going to the eldest grandson's old school to say hi to his old mates/teachers.  He has just received a glowing report from his new school at parents' evening and so very proud of how he has adjusted in the last 10 months since they moved

My son and family are spending a long weekend in Wales with friends and the photos looked lovely yesterday (they were on the beach paddling in their wellingtons ha ha.  I have a feeling the scenery may be looking a little different today and may see photos on facebook later.

Stay safe and warm in you have the snow where you are.  Jules xx

Hi Jules , hope all your jobs are  nearly finished it can be very unsettling when  your  house is  getting repaired, when me and hubby bought our first  terraced house it didn't even have hot water, we had to do it all up from top to bottom we had to get professionals in for electrics  ,plastering,and plumbing but hubby did a lot of the other jobs as he was very handy he could turn his hand  to anything.yes my daughter is back she had a lovely time the weather was good as well  they even went  in the pool for a swim a couple of times, she came home full of a cold and deaf in one ear, I think it was the plane journey that caused it.it's my wedding anniversary today 21st we would have been married 48 yrs I wonder how we would have  celebrated it a nice meal somewhere probably, I bought a bunch of flowers but them in a vase with his photo.hope you have a nice time with. Your family on the 26 it's nice to catch up with them and enjoy a meal as well. Been to my friends today and took George out even the weather was kind for a change,I'm at my swimming aerobics tomorrow not been for a fortnight as the teacher has been on holiday,hope the water is nice and warm sometimes it can be  quite chilly ,have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

My bathroom work is moving forward slowly and would have  been further along if not for the fact that the suppliers ordered wrong size basin (replacement awaited).  Shower has a thermostat issue so plumber awaiting replacement for that too. Still hoping that all will be finished before Easter weekend which will just about come within the 3 week plan. Very happy with how it is coming together but am tired of the dust ha ha.

Special memories I am sure on the day of  your wedding anniversary and a lovely way to commemorate it. My hubby's birthday on Easter Monday (would have been  67) and for the first time since his passing I will be out for lunch with the children and families (unless the snow returns!!).  I will pop up the crem and  leave a peace rose beneath his tree too.

Have spent most of this afternoon spring cleaning the spare room as am due to have a new bed in a couple of weeks and this will become  a nice guest room (well my son's  double bed as they are getting a new one).  If all goes to plan my sister in law will be it's first occupant when she comes to stay for a week in May.  At the moment it is being used for all the bit's for the bathroom but the guys doing the work keep everything clean and tidy when they leave each day.  They will be back as soon as the items arrive and then there will be just a little bit of finishing to do.

Dull here today but hopefully a bit more sun tomorrow when I hope to go walking after the gym.  Take care of yourself and hope the water was warm for your aerobic swim class.  Juless x