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 ,getting back to normal now after my holiday, I enjoyed the trip on the barge with my friendship group even the weather was !lovely ,we stopped off at a pub that is along the canal for a pub lunch. you sound very  busy at the moment visiting family and going out and about,I think it does you good to keep busy,how did the charity coffee morning go that your daughter organized hope it raised a lot of money  for charity.I havnt even thought about christmas yet it doesn't mean much to me now might just be me and my daughter for dinner as her partner spends the day with his mum.been my aerobics this morning and have just had George out it's a beautiful sunny day here I have had to take my jumper off and put a tee shirt on as I was sweating hope it stays like this for a few days, not got anything planned for the weekend I am supposed to be going to a 50 wedding anniversary Friday but I'm going on my own and I only know a few people that are going ,so I might chicken out and not go,or I might pluck up the courage and go for a few hours, my neighbour is a taxi driver so he said he will drop me off and pick me up.just going to make my self a cup of coffee have a nice weekend  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Your barge trip with pub lunch sounded lovely.  I must say we are still enjoying great weather for the time of year and I have managed to get the garden how I want it for the colder months to come.  Mowing is a rarity still as ground so dry and grass slow growing (added bonus).  Over the past couple of weeks I have been digging over a couple of flower beds and getting rid of old/dead shrubs and will be planting bulbs in the newly prepared ground when they arrive.  Very pleased with the new bit of fencing but just wish my neighbours would get theirs back up (four panels taken down a month ago and still nothing replaced......not a pretty view!!

Had a lovely coffee and cake charity morning at my daughters on Friday.  Think over £100 raised but she was taking leftover cakes to the school as they also running an event so nothing went to waste.  My daughter in law drove us up and I went back to them for the afternoon and dinner. Very nice indeed. My weekend was a  busy one with family to me on Saturday and then on Sunday I was back at my sons for a spot of babysitting in the morning and then quality time spent with them again. 

Normal routine now resumed with gym visits and will go and see Mum today too. Back to work tomorrow.

Hope you decided to go to the 50th wedding anniversary event even if only for a short while.   Lovely to be invited to social events.  I have a free weekend coming up and then away to friends for a long weekend in mid month. Plenty to look forward to.

Hope you and the family are keeping okay and you have the opportunity to walk George whilst this good weather lasts.  Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules, went on my barge trip the weather was lovely and the pub lunch as well didn't get back home till about 3 30  so it past a nice day away.glad you had a nice charity day with your daughter raised some money  and had  some nice cake and coffee as well .the weather here is quite nice as well have mowed my lawn today and just tieded my borders up went to my friends for coffee  to day  instead of yesterday as she had to  work,took George out for a walk then  in for the day,I did go to my friends 50 wedding anniversary, the ladies  that were going with there husband's had saved me a seat,it was a good night Pauline my friend who's party it was was so shocked when she walked in the room and all her friends and relatives were there,as her husband had planned it all with out her knowing,three of her relatives had come all the way from Devon to surprise her. my neighbor picked me up at 10 0 clock but I'm glad I went,this weekend my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming to stop with me for a few days I have booked  a restaurant for Sunday lunch they are going to a funeral Monday they didn't know the person that has died they are just going to support  his younger brother then we are going out for the day Tuesday don't know where yet depends on the weather,before they go back Wednesday morning. have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you had a pleasant weekend with your in laws and enjoyed your Sunday lunch out. Hope the funeral goes as well as these things can.  Support at such times is invaluable.  It will be nice for them to have a day out tomorrow for you all to look forward to before they return home.

  Saturday was wet and windy here so apart from the gym I pottered doing housework.  Thankfully had seen the forecast and spent some time in the garden on Friday as well as doing all my weekly shop.  Sunday was lovely again so took the underground into London and went to a floral art exhibition in Covent Garden before walking to Holborn to get the next tube to Holland Park where I had a lovely stroll in the grounds and a quick lunch stop too.  When I got home my order of Amsterdam tulip bulbs had arrived so apart from a couple of dozen I will give to the children for their gardens, I have some planting to get on with (one long handled planting tool arrives!!); about 50 in total so will stagger the planting in the hope of a few weeks of Spring colour.

Had no plans for today but a friend has just messaged me with an invitation to coffee/shop outing so will meet her at the station later.  We used to work together but now have different shifts so always nice to catch up and the little town we are going to has a riverside walk which I am sure will be very pleasant as it is warming up again and dry.  Fingers crossed for some sunshine.  Amazing that the fire still not needed.

Right had best get myself sorted.  Wishing you a good week.  Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules,had a lovely few days with my hubbies brother and his wife we had Sunday lunch at a local restaurant which was lovely,Monday they went to the funeral to support his brother then on the Tuesday we went to a national trust place called Dunham Massey ,it has its own grounds full of different types of deer a house and a old mill lovely day we had tea in the restaurant,they left for home on Wednesday morning, I always feel sad when they leave as I'm on  y own again, glad you enjoyed London and Covent garden ,you must have a big garden for all those bulbs they will look good when they all come out.the weather not to good here at the moment we have had a lot of rain it's been quite windy as well have managed to take George out  dodging the showers so we don't get wet.not got anything planned for the weekend,have got my community centre Monday with my friends for lunch and. bingo have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

It is lovely when you enjoy having company and getting out and about with them whether it be family or friends.  Home always seems a bit quiet for a few hours afterwards until you resume routine again. It sounds as though you made some nice memories whilst your inlaws were with  you.

I had an overnight stay Fri/Sat with long term friends of us both and though the weather was a mix of sunshine and showers we did have a lovely catch up and made out plans for our December visit and social night out so something to look forward to.  They are approaching their eighties and not quite so mobile as myself but they drove to the village centre and we had a wander around the shops and stopped for coffee and cake at lunchtime which was lovely.  Caught the train  back home late afternoon and am now debating how to spend today as it is raining heavily here.  A long walk seems to be off the cards so think I will go to the gym and perhaps the Farmers'Market locally before tackling a bit of housework.  Annoying as would love to be in the garden as I now have plenty of  bulbs to plant and the 'bulb planter' tool I ordered has come which should help!!   Still, perhaps the rain will soften up the ground a bit more.

Have a pleasant week and hopefully there will be some time to take George walkies as well as enjoying your Monday meet up with lunch and bingo...hope  you win.  Take care.  Jules xx

Hi Jules ,what a lovely  weekend you had staying with friends of you both, must fetch back memories of days gone by it's a pity the weather wasn't as good, the weather here at the moment is lovely. its just like spring all this week I have taken George out in the sunshine which is quite weird considering it's the middle of October,I have been out in the garden this week cutting things back and tidied the borders up as well.my son has been working from his this week ,as he is very busy at work,and his partners kids can be a  bit of a distraction so he thought he would get more work done at his,I went round yesterday for a quick cup of  coffee before he had to start work again.I'm having my flu jab tomorrow the receptionist rang to remind me about it so thought I had better get it done with. not got anything planned for the weekend up to now might catch the bus to town on Saturday ,not sure what I'm doing Sunday unless I go out with my daughter have a nice weekend  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you had a good weekend. Certainly the weather here has been very good and it is nice to be able to get out and enjoy it. Garden is more or less ready for it's winter slumber thoughI do keep up the mowing whilst the weather allows and the grass is still growing.  Very glad that all my bulb planting has been completed though.

Spent the weekend with my daughter and family and then my son and family joined up on our visit to Crocodiles of the World as one of my grandsons birthday treat. It was so warm we were in t  shirts and were able to eat outside for lunch and ice creams. Spent about 5 hours there altogether as the children really enjoyed seeing the reptiles inside and some other animals outside as well as time in the playground. Lots of lovely memories made.  On Sunday I watched the the 5 and and 9 year old fromthe touchline as they attended their weekly rugby training before returning home.

Now it is back to the usual routine of housework/gym/visiting Mum tomorrow and then back to work and the Christmas shoppers.  Have a peaceful week.  Regards, Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your trip to crocodiles of the world to be honest I ha e never heard of it ,the weather here has changed now it's gone cold and we have had a bit of rain. Went out with my daughter at the weekend only for Sunday dinner just the too of us has she has fell out with her partner again,to be honest I don't think they should be together as there always falling out.will have to wait and see what happens.I had a sad weekend did nothing but cry over the weekend,don't even know Why,took. my self off to town for a couple of hours,but to didn't make much difference, Monday I did a extra swimming aerobics class just to get out of the house for a hour  came home then took George out felt a bit better after,I have mowed my lawn as well also cut my roses back it looks better now.I'm hopping to go to a artisan market on Sunday with my daughter then maybe a bit of lunch somewhere then it's my community centre on Monday with my friends enjoy your weekend  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Like you I had not heard of the World of Crocodiles either but as my grandson really loves them (and any stories about them) my daughter and son in law researched and this place came up. Thankfully only an hour away from us all hence the planned birthday visit. There are other reptiles and a few mammals there too,It was pretty busy so the man who founded it and now heads it charity status/conservation programme must be very proud. 

A nice weekend as once the early drizzle cleared on Saturday I went shopping into town and the gym before enjoying a lazy afternoon.  Had a message from my son to say he and the children were walking locally on Sunday morning and would I like to meet up.  So after my morning exercise I walked to their starting point (about 2 miles away) and then we went to off on a two hour stroll before dropping the kiddies back to my daughter in law and their other nanny (they had been running their home made cakes stall at the local athletics club where they run) whilst my son and I shopped for bird food supplies.  He dropped me home and it was a lovely way to spend a sunny but chilly morning. Will see my son again in a couple of weeks as he is taking me to a charity event (an audience with Chris Packham) as he bought tickets as part of my birthday present back in August.  

Its a shame that your daughter is once again having ups and downs in her relationship but at least she can come and share time with you which must lift both your spirits. Also sad to read that it was an emotional weekend for you but sometimes a good cry is what is needed to help us heal again and once you were back socialising with your Monday group and taking George out you felt a little better. Time spent alone and with the festive season approaching can certainly pull at the heartstrings as the memories flow. As my hubby travelled away on business, sometimes for weeks at a time, I am used to my own company but really miss that 'instant conversation' companionship brings.  This is probably why I go out so much!  Hope this week goes well for you and that you made it to the artisan market with your daughter.  I do enjoy strolling around such events.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Syl,

Like you I had not heard of the World of Crocodiles either but as my grandson really loves them (and any stories about them) my daughter and son in law researched and this place came up. Thankfully only an hour away from us all hence the planned birthday visit. There are other reptiles and a few mammals there too,It was pretty busy so the man who founded it and now heads it charity status/conservation programme must be very proud. 

A nice weekend as once the early drizzle cleared on Saturday I went shopping into town and the gym before enjoying a lazy afternoon.  Had a message from my son to say he and the children were walking locally on Sunday morning and would I like to meet up.  So after my morning exercise I walked to their starting point (about 2 miles away) and then we went to off on a two hour stroll before dropping the kiddies back to my daughter in law and their other nanny (they had been running their home made cakes stall at the local athletics club where they run) whilst my son and I shopped for bird food supplies.  He dropped me home and it was a lovely way to spend a sunny but chilly morning. Will see my son again in a couple of weeks as he is taking me to a charity event (an audience with Chris Packham) as he bought tickets as part of my birthday present back in August.  

Its a shame that your daughter is once again having ups and downs in her relationship but at least she can come and share time with you which must lift both your spirits. Also sad to read that it was an emotional weekend for you but sometimes a good cry is what is needed to help us heal again and once you were back socialising with your Monday group and taking George out you felt a little better. Time spent alone and with the festive season approaching can certainly pull at the heartstrings as the memories flow. As my hubby travelled away on business, sometimes for weeks at a time, I am used to my own company but really miss that 'instant conversation' companionship brings.  This is probably why I go out so much!  Hope this week goes well for you and that you made it to the artisan market with your daughter.  I do enjoy strolling around such events.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad everything went well with the crocodiles it unusual for children to like big reptiles that can eat you in one go they usually go for the. cuddle ones, and it must be nice to spend time with your son as well,I  didn't go to the artisan market ,we went to a garden centre instead,it's a lovely  centre with all sorts of different things all under one roof ,we even had a roast dinner in the cafe which was lovely, Monday I did a extra swimming aerobics class then at dinner time went to my community. centre for lunch and a game of bingo,didn't win but my friend won the raffle a box of sweets which she has put away for Xmas. don't know what I'm doing for the weekend  think my daughter is going to do a dinner Sunday ,I am going to go into town Friday just need a few bits and will have a coffee while I'm there.the weather hasn't been to bad this week have taken George out every day ,I got some sweets for Halloween in case kids came round but only one little boy came so have got  loads of  sweets to give out to the kids that live near me hope you have a nice weekend  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

I have to say that the grandchildren do like cuddly animals too but think the love of reptiles has been passed down from my son(their uncle). From a very young age he loved to watch Steve Irwin programmes and read his books as well as having a pet snake too (still has him at the ripe old age of 20yrs and now his children will learn to handle him gently).  My grandson also went home with a  small soft toy crocodile as a memory of his birthday treat (eldest grandson chose a snake!!). 

I have never taken on the Halloween event and there was not much activity around my road though a couple of the houses were decorated.  My two eldest grandsons did carve pumpkins with their Mum and Dad and I saw the pictures on Facebook.

Did not do too much this weekend other than my usual walking and gym and a visit to the Farmers' Market yesterday.  Now another week begins and it is mild again with some lovely sunshine to go out in. I am having a friend around tomorrow afternoon after visiting Mum in the morning andthenit will be my work days again.  Time seems to go by very quickly and I am getting on top of the Christmas food shopping by getting bits each week. As I will have my sister in law staying for a week plus an open house Sunday just beforehand for family and friends it will be good to have the company.

Hope you have a good week and George will be looking forward to his walks with you too. Take care. Jules x 

Hi Jules, glad your grandchildren picked cuddly toys to take home with them ,my daughter has still got all her cuddly toys at mine there all sat on her dressing table,I had a load of sweets  to give out for Halloween unfortunately only one little boy came round,so the sweets I had left I gave them out to my neighbors  kids ,it was bonfire night that was a bloody nuisance fire works were going off  for about too week before the 5th then days after there on about banning them and just having them for organized events I hope they do it goes on far to long now, I haven't even thought of Christmas even though I have bought my cards don't even know what I'm doing on the day yet.the weather not bad at the moment still managing to take george out most days, I think  I have cut my lawn now for the last time it seems to have stopped growing now,going my friends at one for coffee and a natter also I am out with some of the girls I used to work with tonight for a meal only in a local pub but it will be nice to have a catch up with everyone ,have a nice weekend regards  syl x

Hi Syl,

Yet another week which seem to have passed all to quickly and will be back to work tomorrow.

Decided to pop over and spend time with my daughter in law and the two youngest grandchildren on Friday afternoon as she was free after visiting friends in the morning.  Very relaxing and lovely time spent reading and playing with them.  When my son got in from work we had dinner and then he ran me home.

Weekend quiet and dodging a few showers managed the shopping and a couple of short walks as well as the gym.

Yesterday evening went up to London with my son for my belated birthday present.  Spent an interesting few hours listening to and watching wonderful photographic slide show hosted by Chris Packham and his travel partner Paul Goldstein.  Wish I had the funds to travel to such wonderful parts of the world.

Today have once again visited Mum and just so sad to see her lying there with no interest in anything but hopefully she enjoys my weekly updates which I try to keep upbeat.

Hope you are having a good week and that this mild spell means that you are still getting about with George.  Have a peaceful weekend.  Regards Jules x

Hi Jules,just came in from taking George for his walk quite a nice day a bit chilly but dry.glad you had a nice day with your daughter in law and grandchildren,glad you had a nice birthday listening to Chris packham I like watching him on TV  he's very passionate about the environment and animals, I also like David Attenborough he has been all over the world to some wonderful places as well his new program that has just started looks good. I it is sad about your mum,my mum and mum in law both ended up in case homes ,all we can hope is for them to be clean and looked after.Went out with my daughter and her partner ,there back togetherAGAIN don't know how long for this time lol on Sunday for dinner,also been to my aerobics today I'm not out tomorrow have got to wait in have ordered a new fridgefreezer as mine is making a funny noise, some one came out to have a look at it for me apparently the compressor is going he advised me to get a new one sooner than later so have ordered one from currys,haven't got anything planned for the weekend up to now have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope your weekend was a peaceful one.  Weather here was quite good with lovely sunshine so at least able to get out and about.  Was a bit dull on Friday so I went to the cinema and saw the newly released Crimes of Grindelwald, the follow up to Fantastic Beasts.  Very good light entertainment.  Have several more films I would like to watch so time permitting will go again soon.

Did my usual shopping plus a few more foodie bits for my Christmas entertaining.  It is handy being able to make the most of any offers too.  Just one gift left to buy but cannot get that until after my eldest grandson's birthday at the end of this month as need to have an idea of what he would like (but does not get on his birthday).  Work is getting busier with higher footfall which helps the time pass quickly on my shifts.  We lose our Manager of 15 years in a couple of weeks so have his leaving do at the same time as our pre-Christmas meal in a couple of weeks and will also catch up with many old staff members who are coming back to wish him well.

Weekend was pretty quiet but did visit a couple of Christmas markets locally which are always a pleasure to walk round even if you do not buy anything. Today I am having a tidy up indoors this morning and then after lunch going with my daughter in law and the children to a soft play centre locally for catch up, play and coffee.  Before I know it another week has passed and I will go see Mum tomorrow.  

I also like any nature programmes and am watching Dynasties. David Attenborough has been invlved with so many wonderful series and this is another by the looks of it.

Glad you enjoyed time with your daughter and her partner. Only they know how they manage such an up and down relationship but something must keep them coming back to each other.

Fingers crossed you now have a nice new fridge/freezer and no more worries about food spoiling.

Looks like a few showers on the way today so glad I got my washing dry outside over the weekend.

Have a good week.  Jules x

Hi Jules, sounds as if you had a busy week ,my weekend was so boring never went out all weekend didn't see any one just stayed in watching telly,Monday went my friendship group we had a speaker talking about drugs as she is a pharmacist,it was quite interesting and informative about all the drugs we take as we get older.the weather has been cold this week but have taken  George out most days, we t into town Tuesday bought some presents for my two and there partners,and chocolate for my son's partners children will put money in all the cards so they can get what they won't.glad you enjoyed the cenema been though I have never heard of the films you like to watch .it's a long time since I went to watch a film the last one I watched was Bridget Jones baby with my daughter it was a lovely film,my son fixed me up with Netflix a few week ago there's all sorts to watch but some of it isn't to my liking but at least if there's nothing on T V I can have a look on that.hope to go out for Sunday lunch with my daughter and her partner will probably be to a local pub Friday nipping into town for a bit of shopping and might treat myself to a cappuccino in Costa ,then after dinner I'm in my friends for another coffee and a chat enjoy your weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Must be awfully hard being stuck indoors all weekend and missing social interation.  I am lucky that I am only a 15 minute walk from local shopping parade so if nothing else I will pop there.  This is also where the gym in located so can always pop in there too.  I also appreciate that I have the free travel option so can travel around whenI fancy it.

The film I went to see was one of the 'spin offs' from the Harry Potter franchaise and pure entertainment. The cinema is a good way to spend a couple of hours whenI have nothing better to do. I suppose I now have some sort of structure to my week in that I still have two days to go into work, a day to pop to see Mum because needs must and I also make myself get up and out by around 9ish most days.  Frankly there is not too much to keep me indoors when you are only clearing up after one!

The coming month will be busy as only have one weekend when not out or entertaining here. No visitors last weekend so took some painkillers for the arthritis and went on a three mile walk through local woods and the lido as Sunday morning was crisp and pleasant.  Snatched a cuppa at the lakeside and then went to the garden centre for a wander around the Christmas shop.  Yesterday I went to finish off the festive shopping.  Only my eldest grandson to buy for now and as it is his birthday later this week have to wait to see what he may want afterwards;  alternatively it will be money I expect... my daughter will give me a hint if I ask.

This Thursday I am meeting up in the evening with a friend (made during the childrens' school days) for a meal out and then on Friday with have our works pre Christmas meal which is doubling up as our Manager's leaving do.  He will be much missed after being with us for 15 years. 

I am due to babysit for my son and daughter in law on Saturday evening all being well and will stay overnight to spend Sunday with the family so much to look forward to.

  I am sure that keeping busy has been my saviour as seeing my Mum in such a poor way is so hard and I need to find relief from this somehow to keep on coping with the visits.  Such a shame for her to be spending months laying in the bed reliant on others for all her needs. Cannot begin to think what runs through her mentally tortured mind let alone the physical side of her illness now, I will go again today and though she does not speak to me at least, if she is awake,she listens.

Hope you had a good meal out with your daughter and partner and that this week has been okay for you.  George must be enjoying his walks.  I do not know what I would do without my regular ones!

Take care of yourself,regards Jules xx

Hi Jules, I did go out with my daughter and her partner Sunday we went to a artisan market  it was in walton gardens,a local park near where we live they had some lovely food and  christmas things on sale after we had a walk round the park they have a children's zoo so we had a walk round there as well. we went for Sunday dinner in a pub that is close to the park.must be. nice to have a over night stay with your grandchildren knowing you don't have to go home,and you can spend the next day with them. Don't know what I'm doing at the weekend my daughter is going to western super mare Saturday morning she is spending the weekend there it's her works do so probably won't see her  till midweek,I am going into town tomorrow for a few bits the friend I  normally have a coffee with on a Friday is on New York for four days with her daughter's no doubt she is having a good time. I am seeing my sister Saturday there is a Christmas fare on in town we will probably pick some bargains up no doubt we will go and have a coffee some where before  we leave to go home .I am out Tuesday  with my aerobic group for a Christmas meal as it's our last class this week till after christmas,it's a bit early everyone was hoping to carry on  a bit longer ,but Carol is busy with family and other commitments so has decided to finish this week.have a nice weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl

Your trip out with your daughter and her partner sounds very nice.  It is lovely being able to enjoy these trips with others rather than having to go alone.

Spent the weekend with my son and family.  Both the little ones are recoving from  chesty coughs and colds but baby Ethan still smiling and doing ok.  I babysat Saturday evening and they were as good as gold.  After Sunday lunch we went out for a walk for a couple of hours which allowed their westie to have a good run (and a shower on her return!!).  They dropped me back home early evening and it was a pleasure to spend quality time with them.

Today I did my usual gym visit before going to the garden centre, choosing my Christmas tree and arranging home delivery for later this week whilst enjoying a cuppa in the cafe.  Came home and replenished the bird feeders before the heavens opened yet again so will be a lazy afternoon indoors now. 

Last Friday had our work's Christmas do alongside our Manager's leaving party.  All went  well.  When I go to work on Wednesday the new Manager will be in charge and hopefully team work will prevail during the busy period whilst we all get to know how he plans to take the store forward.  Our Christmas hours are sorted anyway so at least I can plan things round them.

Looks as though we will be dodging the rain showers all this week but still pretty mild.  It will be a shock to the system when the temperature becomes wintery.

Look after yourself.  Regards, Jules x