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, 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

Hi Jules,glad you enjoyed your time with your family especially the grandchildren, I went the garden centre this week to buy a bucket of fat balls for my feeders,glad you enjoyed your works do as well as your bosses leaving do and your new manager is now in place.by the way Jules where do you work? I retired in 2014 sometimes I wish I had stayed on a bit longer but I didn't know what was going to happen otherwise it might have changed things.went for a meal Monday with the ladies from my aerobics group it was in a local pub there was about 16 of us it was nice to chat over a nice meal,my aerobics class has finished now till after Xmas.Monday I am out for a Xmas lunch at a local garden centre with my friendship group they do nice meals there so am looking forward to a nice Christmas roast.the weather here hasn't been that good either we have had a lot of rain managed to take George out for the first  time today didn't take him on the park as it was to muddy,just took him round the park but I think he enjoyed it .don't know what I'm doing over the weekend there is a Christmas fare in the baths hall where I do my aerobics so might have a wander round there have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you doing okay and if you went to the Christas fare over the weekend hope you enjoyed it.  I had a relatively quiet weekend with no visitors so took myself walking on Sunday and had the inevitable cuppa en route.  Went to the gym both days as it is a nice social atmosphere as well as giving me extra exercise.  Sunday afternoon was spent Christmas decorating as had the tree delivered and so I am more or less ready for family and friends visiting over the weekend before Christmas.  

Visiting friends this weekend with Saturday night being a meal out with entertainment and raffle in Marlow, Bucks so will get the train sometime during the day.  They are long term friends and continue to be really supportive.  Just what's needed at this time of year.  

Work is busy but manageable and the new Manager seems to be settling in well and also very helpful to everyone. Fingers crossed he gets to stay a while as, being a youngster, has lots of energy and supportive to everyone. Breath of fresh air.

Have a good week ahead and hope the weather is allowing you to go walkies with George.  Regard, Jules xx

Hi Jules, I didn't go to the Christmas fare went to town when I got back it was throwing it down so didn't fancy going out again,went out Sunday with my daughter and her partner for dinner,Monday I went out with my friendship group to a local garden centre for a 3 course Xmas lunch which was lovely we have finished now till the middle of January.hope you enjoy your meal with entertainment good luck with the raffle, my son and his partner were in Marlow a few week ago they went to the restaurant that a chef owns I can't think of his name but he's always on TV he said the meal was lovely they stayed over night in a hotel and came home the next day. I am out again on Saturday to my community centre with my 2 friends for a Christmas lunch a visit from Santa  a glass of wine and entertainment which I'm looking forward to I have also got a Xmas lunch on Wednesday at a local school with my friendship group they put a Xmas lunch on every year for local pensioners and we have been invited,by the end of Xmas I will be fed up with Turkey even though I like it.enjoy your weekend  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

The weather has certainly been mixed but at least not too cold here.  I spent the weekend with my friends and had two social events to attend.  Was lucky enought to have wins in both the raffles held some came home with some helpful additions to festive food and drink.  Did give one of the prizes to my friends son in law as it was a bottle of gin and no one in our family drinks it!

Will visit Mum today and leave her Christmas gift with the staff ready for 'Santa's delivery'.  Will pop in again after my sister in law returnss home (she arrives on Thursday) and my work shifts are over next weeks.  Have around a dozen or so coming to me thi coming Sunday and then will spent Christmas Day with my son and family at his in-laws before going to work on Boxing Day.  Will see my daughter and family over New Year so plenty to keep me occupied.

Hope you have a peaceful week and are keeping well.  Jules x

Hi Jules,glad you had a few wins on the raffle it's nice to win something for a change,I enjoyed my Xmas lunch at my local high school the school choir sang songs while we were having our  meal they were really good, then we had a raffle and everyone won a prize.the weather here isn't to bad at the moment have just taken George out it's quite mild even though we have had rain this morning.I will be spending christmas day with my daughter ,then boxing day we are going to a local restaurant  for a  boxing day meal ,it must  e hard working  boxing day ,my friend is working  as well she works at boots cleaning as they are open she has to work. I still don't know what your job is Jules,? on the 27 December it would have been my hubbies 70 birthday ,we are going to go for a Chinese meal which was one of hubbies favourite meals then we are going to have a walk round one of the canals were he used to fish,I just wish he was here to celebrate with us I keep thinking what  we would have done maybe we would have gone somewhere nice for a holiday but it wasn't meant to be.have a lovely Christmas hope everything goes to plan all the best to you and your family for 2019 speak to you soon regards syl x

Hi Syl

Just a quick message before my guest arrives.  My sister in law was caught up in the Gatwick problems so is en route today instead having been flown to Liverpool instead this morning and is now on a train heading south.

I have no problem working on Boxing Day. For the past 7 years they have covered Christmas without my help so I volunteered and only have a 5hr shift so will be home mid-afternoon.  I work for W H Smith and luckily the tubes will be running!

Have a good time with your daughter and remember the  happy times spent with your husband when you reflect on what would have been his 70th.  We were both privileged to have had happy times to recall (even though tinged with the sadness of loss).  Take care and wish you and the family a peaceful Christmas and 2019.  Regards  Jules

What a mess the drones  were for thousands of people in including your sister-in-law they still haven't caught the culprits they might never catch them. I had a nice christmas with my daughter and her partner dinner was lovely,for afters she made a maltteser chocolate cheese cake which was yummy I even took a peace home with me.boxing day three of us went to a local restaurant for lunch which was very nice my hubbies birthday we went to a Chinese restaurant unfortunately there should have been 7 of us but my son's partners son was playing up so in the end there was only 4of us but it was a lovely meal anyway I just wished my hubby was with us to celebrate his 70th hope you have a nice new years eve, I'm going to do my self a little buffet and know doubt have  a few glasses of wine will see the new year in  on the T V then off to bed happy New year to you and your family regards syl x

Hi Syl

Like you I had a good Christmas.  Had open house on 23rd for family an friends so kept the buffet going!!  Christmas Eve morning spent with 'over-nighters' and my sister in law who went home on the 27th.  A  lovely day on Christmas Day spent with my son and family at his in-laws.  Baby Ethan now five months and Darcey (2 and a half) made sure we all had a very special day making new memories.

A good couple of days spent at work and then visited my Mum yesterday.  Today I was back at the gym this morning and then have family coming later today.  Tomorrow I travel back with my daughter and family to spend New Year with them before normal routine begins again on the 2nd. I will be going to my hubby's resting place on the 3rd, the 4th anniversary of his passing but his tree remains evergreen and a place of peace.

Wishing you well for the New Year and 2019. Regards, Jules x

Hi Syl

Like you I had a good Christmas.  Had open house on 23rd for family an friends so kept the buffet going!!  Christmas Eve morning spent with 'over-nighters' and my sister in law who went home on the 27th.  A  lovely day on Christmas Day spent with my son and family at his in-laws.  Baby Ethan now five months and Darcey (2 and a half) made sure we all had a very special day making new memories.

A good couple of days spent at work and then visited my Mum yesterday.  Today I was back at the gym this morning and then have family coming later today.  Tomorrow I travel back with my daughter and family to spend New Year with them before normal routine begins again on the 2nd. I will be going to my hubby's resting place on the 3rd, the 4th anniversary of his passing but his tree remains evergreen and a place of peace.

Wishing you well for the New Year and 2019. Regards, Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you had a happy Christmas and  new year spent with family and friends, I had a nice Xmas with my daughter ,didn't see my son till the 27th which was his dads 70 birthday when we went for a. Chinese meal ,which was very nice.I'm glad everything is back to normal now have took all my cards down ,and the few decorations I had up as well.I also had a few days on my own for some reason I had a good  cry on both days I think it was because I felt a bit isolated I will be glad when next week is here as my swimming aerobics starts and I am back at my community centre with my friends for bingo and lunch ,have managed to take george out this week which I enjoyed even though it has been cold. it's been dry, will pop into town tomorrow to do a bit of shopping, then in the afternoon will  go into my neighbors for a coffee. nothing planned at the moment for the weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl 

A quiet weekend which has enabled me to catch up and get the Christmas decorations/cards etc recycled or packed away.

Was at work for the first time on the anniversary of hubby's death  which felt a bit strange but go through it ok and then took flowers to his resting place on the way home.  A period of reflection as always for me and the children  but supporting each other helps.  I think emotions creep up on you when you are alone with time to think and can be pefectly natural response as time passes.  We loved and lost but no need to forget and tears bring release sometimes. I still find myself surprised at how much time has passed but think hubby would not want me unhappy so keeping busy whilst I can  seems right for me.

Thankfully I can still get out and about and when the weather improves will walk further afield. For now it'smore local but with it being dry and milder I will spend some time in the garden too.Asmy Christmas tree still looked good even though bought in early December, I have transferred it to outside my patio door and the birds have a temporary new feeding station ha ha. Once it looks 'grotty' I will recycle it around the garden as in previous years so it is never a waste.

Popping in to see Mum tomorrow though I mainly sit and read  as she does not want to talk.I have a new family photo for her room which I can show her if she is awake.  Very often she sleeps through my visits and the carers tell her I have been in. I do feel very sad for her situation but extremely grateful that the residential home carers do a wonderful job.

Routine seems to be back on tracl and I am once again able to get to the gym three or four times a week.  A very social crowd as well as keeping up with exercise.  Take care and all the very best for 2019.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad your ok  and you had a quiet weekend ,I'm glad everything is back to normal now I enjoyed my first swimming aerobics,and my community centre is back on my friend won the raffle a box of baubles lol she is going to put them away for next year,my friendship group is back on Monday so that is all of them back now.how long has your hubby been gone now Jules? it's nearly 3 years for me I can't believe it's been that long and yet sometimes it feels like yesterday.it is sad for your mum my mum was also in a home it's not nice too see them ,but we have to remember them how they used to be. glad your back in the gym and keeping fit again, the weather hasn't been to bad this week, it's been a bit dull most of the week which doesn't help ,as it feels as if it  doesn't get proper day light,will nip into town tomorrow for a bit of shopping ,then weather permitting will take George out for a walk ,will see my daughter Sunday as she is doing a Sunday roast have a nice weekend regards syl  x

Hi Syl

Hope you had a lovely Sunday roast with your daughter.  It is nice when you have company for a meal.

It was 4 years on 3 January since hubby died and like you I do wonder at times as to where that time has gone.The 'special dates' do tend to bring everything flooding back but then got myself together again and moving forward into 2019.  It is what he would have wanted and is how I cope in the main.

The usual routine helps I think to keep us on the straight and narrow and I am lucky to still have things to do and places to go when I am not working.  I have a week off and am catching up with old friends, a visit to the cinema, catching up with my daughter in law and the grandchildren on Wednesday as well as fitting in the usual visit to Mum. Other plans in the making but will depend on the weather later in the week.

Take care, Jules x

Hi Jules,it's ten o clock in th evening so thought I would send you a e mail while waiting for the news to come on .I enjoyed my Sunday with my daughter and the roast was nice as well,my son has been working from  his home the last two days he has been at mine in the evening for his tea, it was nice to have his company for a few days,he goes back to his partners tomorrow(Friday) I am going to the crem Friday as it's my dad's birthday so will put flowers  in his plot ,I should have gone with my sister but she is full of a cold . It's nearly 3 years since my hubby died,and like you things and memories come  flooding back,a lot of people say to me it doesn't get easier you just learn to live with it which I think is true. I am going to do a bit of shopping Saturday this week as I am at the crem Friday then in my friends for coffee,think my daughter and myself might go out Sunday don't know where yet  it depends on the weather we will probably have lunch in a pub somewhere local .enjoy your weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Just waiting for a friend to arrive before heading out for our meal at the local indian restaurant.  Has been a busy week with three meals out, visiting Mum, who had been very poorly indeed over the weekend (she has now agreed to take the antibiotics prescribed so hoping that helps).  Am out to lunch with another friend tomorrow before visiting friends this weekend.

My two work days were very busy but helps the time pass quickly.  I have a week off in both February and March to finish of holiday days due before the new rotation begins in April.  Will wait to see what the weather brings before planning too much.

Hope you have a peaceful weekend and did not get too much snow (if any) this week.  There was a light dusting here but all gone the following day which made travelling about easier.  Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules,sounds as if you had a busy week having nice meals out with friends,sorry your mum hasn't been to good it is a worry when someone you love  isn't well ,but at least now she is on antibiotics which should help .not much happening here at the moment have just booked a holiday for me and my friend to Norfolk with Alfa coaches ,it's not till June so it is something to look forward to have been to town this morning to the opticians as have  been having trouble with my eyes my eyes are fine he said I have what you call dry eyes so he has give me drops to put in ,I am seeing my daughter tomorrow for dinner,then Monday I am at my friendship group weather not to good at the moment but still managing to take george out for his walks,have a nice weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl

Was a lovely socialable few days catching up with old friends and then had a meal with my son and family on Monday evening out of the blue so feel very lucky indeed.  Now need to get back on track with my eating/exercise plans ha ha.

It's nice to have your holiday to look forward to in June (I am away that month for my annual break too).

Hope the eye drops are doing the trick as dry eyes can be very irritating.  It also reminded me that I need to get my routine opticians check sorted out.  I have some holiday days coming up next month so maybe I will tick that box.

Another work shift to complete tomorrow and then I a going to try and do some work around the house and garden (weather permitting).  Very cold today but no more snow yet..Hope you have having a peaceful week and enjoy the upcoming weekend.  Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules ,it's cold here at the moment as well only had George out a few times this week,we had snow one day but it disappeared  the next day all the kids in the. crescent where I live were out making snow men , but they didn't last long. have. been to the. Vets this week with my cat as she has got a abscess on her neck they have drained it ,I have got to bathe it twice a day she has also got a big color on so she doesn't scratch it ,I feel sorry for her she is looking very forlorn at the moment,have got to take her back Sunday,I hope the color can come off,but I'm not hopeful it might have to stay on a  bit longer.my son has been home for a few days as he has been busy at work,he has been coming mine for his tea which is nice ,next week he is in Southampton for the week.am at my daughter's Sunday for dinner after I have been the vets her partner is coming with me to carry the pet carrier as it's quite heavy especially with my cat jumping about trying to get out lol enjoy your weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you have managed to stay warm during the chilly spell.  The snow reached us on Thursday night so I did get through my work days without problems.  Friday I stayed in and only ventured into the garden to top up the feeders and keep the birdbaths de-iced (yes they kept on bathing!!).  A routine weekend with shopping, the gym visits and then a lovely walk on Sunday around the icy local Lido.  Most of the snow had already gone.

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After a hot chocolate to warm up with in the lakeside cafeI walked on to the garden centre before hopping on the bus back home (heavy bag of bird food supplies!!).

No plans this week other than usual work shifts but am on holiday next week to use up more of my allocated 2018 days off (must be used by end of March and still have another week to take).  Will have a look and see if there is anywhere I fancy going to depending on the weather.

Hope the return  visit to the vet went well and that your cat  was able to lose the collar.  They are a nuisance but very helpful in keeping the area 'safe' from those paws!.  No doubt you enjoyed the meal with your daughter afterwards.

Have a peaceful week and take care.  Jules x