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,

Hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed the artisan market.  I love walking around them even if I do not buy anything (usually top up on cheese though!!). I was at a local French Market last Saturday and took some photos for the family to see online.  I was going to go for a walk afterwards but the rain arrived so hopped back on the underground home instead. Managed a walk and some gardening on Sunday before my daughter and two grandsons arrived on Monday.  We have enjoyed a lot of park visits and the little Zoo was fun as they had an Easter hunt with certificates and stickers well earned as we walked around finding out facts.  I have been to Chester Zoo which is not far from where my son in law's father lives and agree it is a lovely place to go.  I would definitely go again if in the area.

I am visiting my Mum today and will manage to fit a visit to the gym in whilst my daughter and the boys catch up with old friends they had before they moved (cannot believe that move was  2 years ago in May).

Thankfully my eye is virtually back to normal and can enjoy being out and about with my camera again.  As the weatther looks promising for the Easter weekend I  hope to find some places of interest to explore as the gardens are looking especially colourful with blossom and spring flowers and they woon will pass as the next season arrives.  Have several catch ups with friends planned in the coming weeks too which will be good company.

We are all catching up with my son and family tomorrow so more long walks planned, all helping me get my exercise on track which, in turn, brings better relief for my hip (touch of arthritis which the exercise definitely helps).  

Hope you have a good Easter weekend.  Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules, hope you have a nice time with your daughter and grandchildren  it must be nice when all your family get together ,I am out with my daughter and her partner Saturday they won't tell me where were going  as its a surprise ,but I have a feeling it's chester zoo, which will be nice ,glad your eye is ok now and back to normal ,I have been feeling quite  sad this week I am thinking of making a appointment with my doctor next week I  have been feeling angry with every  thing and everyone  just lately the least thing that goes wrong  and I'm shouting and swearing in the house I'm sure my neighbours can hear me and think I've lost the plot ,I don't even know why I feel this way it all stems from hubby dying and loneliness I suppose .(sorry I've dumped that rant on you). hope I will feel a bit better over the Easter weekend  as I am out Saturday ,Monday we are all going out for a meal there will be 7 of us all together ,so it should be nice have a lovely Easter don't eat to many Easter eggs lol regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Happy Easter to you and the family.

I had a lovely few days whilst my daughter and the boys were with me and the weather really has helped.  The day we all spent together was equally special as it is not that often that we manage that and lovely to see the four grandchildren together too.  

Hope your surprise outing yesterday was enjoyable and maybe helped lift your spirits a little.  Think you know yourself best and if you need some help from your GP then an appointment is a good way forward. Grieving certainly comes in waves through the years and I am often surprised (not sure why!) that something which seems irrelevant can give me that low spell.  I am, I suppose lucky, that  my love of walking (and the ability to still manage it) appears to be a real therapy for me and I do like being able to get into the garden now the better weather is on the way although still find it hard to sit for more than an hour whereas I used to read for hours on end; hey ho.  I know too that a lot of my feelings have re-surfaced watching Mum decline.  As we get older our patience (not that I am the most patient of people anyway!!)  seems to be tested more and as my hubby was the very placid one and a calming influence for me,I get annoyed when I feel vulnerable or unable to do something for myself.  Such is life and I try not to bother the children with day to day nuisances.  

No need to worry about 'dumping' the rant here/on me as this is exactly the reason we find the support of each other and the forum useful.  There is a level of mutual understanding and sometimes it helps just to write it down............I used to do this indoors when hubby was ill as a way of relieving my fears/tensions.

On a completely different note, no Easter Eggs for me though I have had a couple of hot cross buns. For several years as a family we only buy for the little ones that are allowed chocolate.  This year I bought all the children a small book  and the younger two had a £5 note whereas the two older boys had a small egg.  Sensibly their parents monitor the 'treats' in favour of looking after their teeth.  I am also gradually losing the few pounds I gained over the Winter so that my summer clothings feels more comfortable by the time I go on holiday.  

Have a lovely meal on Monday and I look forward to hearing all about your weekend when you have a moment.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, must have been lovely to have all your grandchildren with you all in one day I had a nice Easter we did go to Chester zoo it was a lovely day it was crowded with the weather being so nice ,didn't even see all the animals as it has been extended we got there at 10 30  and left at 4 so the next time we go we will have to see the ones we missed. Easter Monday went out for a meal with my son daughter both of there partners 2 kids and my son's dog  which is a pup to a local pub that caters for dogs as well as humans lol, I didn't buy to much chocolate I gave my sister's granddaughter a card with 5 pound in it and my son's  stepchildren a small  chocolate bunny  and 5 pound,  I know some children get far to much chocolate , I haven't managed to get to my GP yet ,but I feel a bit better this week I have started a bit of voluntary work it's only one day a week at a local centre looking after people with dementia they do knitting, colouring dominoes a bit of exercise and we have a drink with them also the centre has loads of thing to do on different days so might check them out.glad your losing your weight gain ,I think I have but weight on as well,when I go into town tomorrow I am going into boots to weigh my self ,my swimming aerobics is back now ,I am going to do extra one now which is a Tuesday morning all so my friendship group starts again next week ,haven't had George out today as we had a bit of rain this afternoon and a few rumblings of thunder as well as lightning ,the forecast this weekend is rain no idea what I'm doing over the weekend enjoy your weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl

So pleased you had a good Easter and that you enjoyed Chester Zoo once again.  I would definitely like to re-visit if I get the chance whilst seeing my daughter's father in law they they do not go up very often (he lives just outside Wigan so not too far for a day trip to the zoo from there).  The weather certainly helped that weekend and often think our feelings can be uplifted with a bit of company and the sunshine.

What a difference this past weekend.  Not too much rain but so blustery with us catching the edge of Storm Hannah here.  Luckily no damage but apart from my gym visit on Saturday I decided to stay indoors and 'prune the wardrobes' ready for the Summer months (hopefully).  Now have several bags for the charity shops and a couple for curbside recycling so was very pleased to get this done.  No point hanging on to the stuff I no longer wear 'just in case I need it'.  Most of this was occasion wear and a size or two too big now!!

Yesterday was a lot less windy so I did a 3+ mile walk locally during the morning and then came back and did the rest of the housework.  Today I am glad to see sunshine again so having just put the washing on the line I am going to be busy in the garden.  Have several new plants to get in, dead heading the finished bulbs/flowers and the lawn to mow so that should keep me out of mischief till lunchtime.

How lovely that you are doing a little volunteering and am sure this lifts the loneliness a bit as well as helping them out.  I may be looking at this once I finally give up my two days a week working (can get my state pension in just over a year when I hope to be able to retire after 40+ years of worklife!!) 

Have a weigh in at the gym tomorrow so keeping the exercising up and hoping for good results as will also have BP and measurements taken which should keep me on track.  So far so good and with a wedding outfit to fit into by end of August and my holiday in June at least have something nice to aim for (comfort eating was a nightmare earlier in the year but seem to have given myself a good talking to ha ha).

Have a pleasant week and maybe the weather will improve enough for you to have George out too.

Best regards Jules x

Hi Jules,  I to have had a nice week  not done much over last weekend the weather Saturday was awful never stopped raining all day,didn't go out Sunday as I had stuff in my freezer that I wanted to use up, I went to my friendship group. Monday we had a speaker who used to work in aerospace unfortunately there was only 7 of us  turned up , so we felt sorry for him it was quite interesting  and I think he enjoyed talking to a smaller audience . I sort my clothes out. sometimes I have got my wedding out fit that I had for my son's wedding to take to the charity shop it doesn't fit me now so its no good keeping it when someone else could  use it will take the accessories that go with it as well. I'm glad your looking forward to your retirement make sure you have plenty of things to do, I retired  12 month after my hubby  then he wasn't well  with hindsight I would have carried on it was only part time at night but it got me out .where are you going for your holiday ,I am away in June for a week am going to Bognar Regis with my friend on a coach trip.whose wedding are you going to ,it's good to have things to look forward to I am out Sunday with my daughter just going to a local restaurant for Sunday lunch  Saturday someone is coming to put two panes of glass in my Windows has the seals have gone and condensation is getting  in shouldn't take long , not sure about the bank holiday yet,have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Nice that you had a busy week socially and I am sure the aerospace speaker enjoyed talking to a more intimate group.  Both my brother in law and sister in law used to work for British Aerospace before being made redundant good few years ago and know they enjoyed the work.

Am hoping to be able to get into my wedding outfit by the end of this month as have been losing weight gradually since the beginning of February. Determined to get another use out of it at my friend's daughter's wedding at the end of August and will feel quite an achievement.

Luckily when I eventually retire I will only be leaving a part time job behind and fingers crossed my health will allow me enjoy more walking days  I sometimes resent being at work now.  Sadly hubby never reached retirement age but was 'medically laid off' 18 months or so after diagnosis which made him very depressed as he loved his job and missed it so much. Taught me to enjoy the here and now despite the ups and downs that come along and the emotional times.

My holiday is to Italy and I will be based on the shores of Lake Garda.  Have four days out touring the area as well as a couple of 'at leisure' days.  Slightly anxious as have not been to the area before so pastures new but hopefully another tick in the box. Perhaps a good idea as only childhood memories of Italy so far (hubby worked out there on a few occasions but I have not been since I was 13 when my parents chose it as their first package holiday).  Have 'googled' the arrival airport to give me some bearings and will feel more relaxed about it once I meet up with the Tour company representative hopefully.

Hope the window works ran smoothly and that you enjoyed a nice meal out with your daughter.

I decided on a day out yesterday so went to Greenwich and had a lovely time wandering the Old Royal Naval College (took the tour too), Queen's House on the edge of Greenwich Park and then spent the afternoon walking in the park itself which has some lovely flower gardens/wildlife pond to explore.  Will have to go again as there are more places I would like to visit.  I had lunch outside the cafe near the top of the park which has great views.   Today I am going for a walk once the washing is out on the line (hopefully by 10 a.m.) as we are due wet weather tomorrow onwards. Try to make the most of the dry days.  Also my neighbour is in the process of continuing to replace his fence so I will be happier out of the way.  If I do any gardening it will be out in the front for a change.

Will be  back to visit Mum tomorrow and then it will be back to work.  Time seems to go rather quickly on the good days.   Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad your losing the weight  gradually  and you can reuse your wedding outfit ,the wedding out fit I had for my son's wedding no longer fits me ,so am thinking of taking it to a charity shop along with the accessories  that go with it. it's funny how things work out with your hubby not making retirement because of illness,my hubby didn't have much of a retirement before he became ill,sometimes I think of all the horrible people in the world  that live to a good age makes you sad really and mad as well .life isn't fair sometimes.by the way had my Windows done he replaced to panes of glass and altered a few of my catches on some of my Windows ,they seem to be o.k. now touch wood lol .I have never been to Italy apart from Rome when I went for a long weekend with hubby beautiful but quite expensive, I believe lake garda is lovely, the weather not to good this week have only managed to take him out 3 days this week so missed my bit of exercise ,it's supposed to be a bit better at the weekend don't know what i'm doing over the weekend not got anything planned yet might jump on the bus Saturday and go to M @S to stock my freezer up.my brother in law and sister in law are coming  for a visit  on Friday till Sunday,they are in Wales for a holiday so are coming to see me  on there way home, so am looking forward to seeing them have a lovely weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl

Was not a bad weekend weatherwise.  Managed a visit to Hertfordshire for my walk and to see the start of local carnival week and only had one shower to dodge which was a good excuse for a coffee stop. Got home mid-afternoon and just pottered.

Yesterday had my gym review and things going quite well with my BP and BMI both considered to be in normal ranges.  Have discussed and tweaked a couple of my mat exercises but thankfully can already see the benefit with being able to get back into a few pairs of my jeans. Have a Hen Weekend and my holiday to get through and will then try on the wedding outfit again and make a decision as to whether it will see the light of day again!  If not I have already decided not to buy anything new but to wear smart separates that will work ok.

It will  be nice for you to see your in-laws this coming weekend.  I am also seeing family; daughter, son in law and the boys as well as a spot of childminding for them whilst they go to a family wedding (children not invited).  It will be Mum's 93rd birthday on Sunday so will need to get back to visit.

With the improving weather I epect George and you will manage a walk or two and I am trying to spend some time in the garden in between walks/gym/work.

Have a good week.  Jules x

Hi J Jules ,had a nice weekend  managed to fill my freezer up so should be ok now for a few week , went to a home and garden centre Sunday with my daughter had a nice meal they had some lovely things there for the home came away with some plants for the garden.Monday went on the Bridgewater canal on a barge with my friendship group,stopped of at a pub for lunch it was a lovely day and the weather was  good as well, there was a fishing match on I saw one of my hubbies friends fishing ,so I waved and shouted to him ,he waved back and asked if I was ok,it was lovely to see him as I have only seen him once since hubby died,glad your exercises are going well and losing a bit of weight I don't think I have lost much  really even though I try to watch what I eat.hope you enjoy time with your family even babysitting while they go to a wedding must be nice, and seeing your mum on her 93 birthday it's a good age one of my neighbours is 98 this year ,she lives on her own carers come in twice a day ,and her children come regularly ,she is in good health she also goes out as well .got my in laws tomorrow am looking forward to seeing them not sure if were going out Saturday will have to see what happens, have a lovely weekend  think it's forecast rain here regard  Syl x

Hi J Jules ,had a nice weekend  managed to fill my freezer up so should be ok now for a few week , went to a home and garden centre Sunday with my daughter had a nice meal they had some lovely things there for the home came away with some plants for the garden.Monday went on the Bridgewater canal on a barge with my friendship group,stopped of at a pub for lunch it was a lovely day and the weather was  good as well, there was a fishing match on I saw one of my hubbies friends fishing ,so I waved and shouted to him ,he waved back and asked if I was ok,it was lovely to see him as I have only seen him once since hubby died,glad your exercises are going well and losing a bit of weight I don't think I have lost much  really even though I try to watch what I eat.hope you enjoy time with your family even babysitting while they go to a wedding must be nice, and seeing your mum on her 93 birthday it's a good age one of my neighbours is 98 this year ,she lives on her own carers come in twice a day ,and her children come regularly ,she is in good health she also goes out as well .got my in laws tomorrow am looking forward to seeing them not sure if were going out Saturday will have to see what happens, have a lovely weekend  think it's forecast rain here regard  Syl x

Hi Syl,

Not such a nice weekend weatherwise here but did not really affect my overnight stay with my daughter and family.Enjoyed usual board games.chats with my grandsons before they went to bed.  My daughter and son in law attended an evening wedding reception as planned and were home by 1 a.m. Just a relaxing breakfast and I came home around lunch time (trying to avoid the FA Cup crowds but shared the train with some great supporters on their way to the game).  Popped to the gym Sunday morning and managed about two hours of gardening mainly dead-heading and clearing up the mess left on my side of the 'ongoing fence replacement' by my neighbour.  So far six bags of green recycling have gone out.  Tidy for now until he gets on with it again. Hoping to mow the lawn this morning before more rain arrives as they are promising a showery week ahead.

I also went to see Mum for her birthday and took down cards/gift and boxes of biscuits for the staff and residents.  Her care team brought up a cake with candle lit but at no point did Mum interact/talk and I ended up blowing out her candle.  I have to be thankful that she appears pain free but sadly the quality of life is questionable and I felt very tearful after I left.

Your canal trip sounded lovely and very relaxing.  I love to walk along the towpaths and watch the barges on the Grand Union just a bus or tube ride away.  Hope the visit from your in laws went well and I am sure you had a lot to catch up on and maybe managed a meal out too.

Have a pleasant week. Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your time with your grandchildren while your  daughter and partner enjoyed a night out together ,I'm sure it was greatly appreciated ,and you enjoyed the games you played with the grandchildren. I understand how you feel when you visit your mum it's sad when they no longer communicate my mum was the same you just have to be grateful there looked after . I enjoyed having my visitors at the weekend ,we went to speke hall it's a tudor house and gardens in Liverpool ,it was a lovely day ,we went in the restaurant and had scouse ,a stew ,it was very nice the beef was so tender,then we had a wet nelly lol I've never heard of it its a Liverpool thing , ( it's broken biscuits, broken pastry ,dried fruit soaked in syrup ) it wasn't bad really lol,they left Sunday morning as its about a 4hrs drive back  to where they live,after they left I had my dinner with my daughter.I enjoyed my boat trip the weather was nice as well also the pub lunch we had in the barn owl which is on the canal  was good . went my last aerobics today till the beginning of July,Carol our instructor is going on holiday to France for nearly 4 week ,I will miss going as its something to look forward to.the weather has been lovely here all week George has had all his walks as well we have both enjoyed the sunshine ,have mowed my lawns as well and put a few plants in ,don't think it's a bad  holiday weekend here ,not sure if I'm doing anything.enjoy you long weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Sounds as though you had a lovely time when your in-laws visited and with the better weather plenty of exercise too with your four legged friend Charlie. It makes all the difference when the weather brightens the day and allows us to enjoy the outside space. My in-laws moved to the Isle of Mann three weeks before my hubby died and I have only been over the once (last year's summer holiday).  His sister pops over a few times a year and I am the B&B base but my brother in law and his wife do not visit.

A shame your aerobics is on a break though with just one instructor taking the class there is little option when they are on holiday themselves.  Hopefully the weather will stay okay so that you can at least pop out and aybe grab a coffee.

So another bank holiday has passed and I enjoyed it.  On the Friday I spent the whole day with a friend in London walking the free routes for Chelsea and Belgravia in Bloom.  Beautiful exhibits with the theme as under the sea. We covered over 6.5 miles altogether and then caught the underground back to meet her husband for a pub meal in the evening.On Saturday I travelled by train to visit old friends in Buckinghamshire for the weekend which was very restful.  Yesterday was spent visiting the gym, Mum, quick food shop and then the afternoon in the garden chopping down lots of ivy/small tree branches at the end of the garden which should help with my neighbour being able to eventually get on and finish his fence. Covered in scratches but felt very satisfied once it was done.  No real plans for today other than my gym session and weigh in (not hopeful of any loss this week but should keep me focussed ha ha).  

After my two day work shifts I am out for a meal with a friend on Thursday evening and lunch with another friend plus some shoe shopping on Friday.  Have my grand-daughter's 3rd birthday family gathering on Saturday so will be great catching up with them all.

Hope you have a pleasant week.  Best regards  Jules x

Hi Jules,you sound very busy at the moment, it's could to keep active with friends  it gives. us things to look forward to,nipped into town this morning to do a bit of shopping,also my daughter ordered something from one of the shops in town so I picked it up for her.I have also been in the garden while the weather has been ok just planting some flowers for the bees and butterflies,have took George out ,next job to mow my lawns,after that just relaxing with a coffee. I haven't got any plans for the weekend up to now,Monday is my friendship group ,it's a talk this week ,but I can't remember what it's about will have to wait and see no doubt it will be interesting . hope you enjoyed your meal out with your friend it's nice to be waited on sometimes, it's supposed to be nice and warn here for the weekend ,haven't seen my son. this week he has been working in Chester ,then going to his partners in Manchester he is hoping to come back to his  sometime  this week. hope you have a nice week  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you enjoyed the beautiful weekend weather.

My weekend was slightly different to that planned. I should have been with my son and daughter in law who were going to hold a family party for my grand-daughter who turned 3 last week.  Sadly both the baby and then my daughter in law went down with a sickness bug so event was postponed.  Both myself and her Mum went over on Friday to help with childcare so that she could attend a hospital appointment (she is due to have an op tomorrow!) and then sent her to bed in the afternoon. Of course we had a lovely day looking after the little ones but would have preferred it was under better circumstances.  Thankfully by yesterday she was feeling a lot better and fingers crossed the op can go ahead as planned.  My son will be off work this week as she will not be able to lift anything so will need another pair of hands.  

I caught up with a friend over coffee on the Saturday instead and went for a nice walk in the sunshine too as well as usual gym visit.  On Sunday it was another walk, this time to the local Farmes'Market and treated myself to local cheese and jam as well as picking up a couple of paperbacks ready for my holiday in a few weeks time.  The rest of the day was spent gardening and watching the French Open tennis.

Will see Mum tomorrow after my gym visit but with the rain supposed to arrive (we missed any of the showers that were about yesterday!) think the rest of today will be getting the washing dry and up to date as well as pottering outside.  I have mowed the lawn and almost finished clearing 30yrs plus growth of ivy (had been attached to the fence that my neighbour is eventually planning to replace (still a gap at the moment!!).  Thankfully the green recycling bags will go tomorrow and I can re-fill ha ha.

Am away for a long weekend so hope you have a good one. Hoping for a dry visit as lots of places of interest plus as it is a Hen Weekend should be some fun and games.

Take care and hope you enjoy the talk once you know what it is about.

Best regards  Jules x

Hi Jules, pity about  your plans not going to plan but at least there ok now,hope Tyrol went well.my talk at the friendship group was on domestic violence in the home,it was a good talk about what goes on and where to get help ,the weather has been awful this week I have been taking George out in between showers,managed to cut my lawns before the showers started,I am out for my Sunday lunch with my daughter her partner is working all weekend so it will just be the too of us.saw my son this week he came to his for a few days just to mow his lawns and pick his mail up ,probably won't see him now till maybe next weekend. I am out Wednesday with my friend I have joined a group called life time they do all sorts of activities during the week , we are going  ostwistle mill ( don't know if you have heard of it) it a big warehouse they sell everything, then we are having a three course meal with entertainment,so it should be good,I have also started doing a bit of voluntary work with them just helping with dementia patients who go to the centre once a week to give there carers a break,it's nice we just sit with them while they do a few activities we also have tea and biscuits as well.hope you enjoyed your weekend away .enjoy your week regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Had a lovely weekend away and made new friends as well as having new experiences including taking part in a cheer-leading session (90 minutes of fun, laughter and plenty of exercise ha ha), making pizza and having a go at the karaoke evening.  My first Hen Party Weekend and now to look forward to the wedding in late August.

Spent Monday afternoon with my daughter in law and the two grandchildren as she had successful keyhole surgery last week and cannot lift the kiddies just yet.  Will be back there this Friday for the day as her Mum and Dad are away and  my son at work.  She is due to return to  her part time job next week so fingers crossed.  

Sounds as though you have been keeping busy and the voluntary work will be so appreciated I am sure as well as bringing you so company too.

Spent a while with my Mum this morning, then the gym and followed up with a coffee/cake afternoon with a friend.  Ironing done and now catching up on all my e-mails before work tomorrow.  With the weather being somewhat showery, no gardening since last week so hope to be able to catch up this coming weekend.  Would prefer to get the lawn mowed again before I go away (23rd).  Everything needed a good drenching and it certainly has had it in the last few days!!

Have a pleasant week and enjoy the coming weekend however you manage to spend it.  Jules xx

Hi Jules,glad you had a lovely weekend and trying things you haven't done before  as well has having fun while trying to do them .I had a  very noisy weekend ,my son his partner were in London for the weekend, along with my daughter and her partner there was about twelve of them all together it was just a pub crawl,but they booked  a hotel as they were staying over till Sunday, unfortunately my son's partner in laws took ill so I stepped in my son picked me up Saturday morning I didn't come back till Sunday tea time ,it's a long Time since I looked after a 12 year old and a14 year old plus  a big bouncy 10. month old pup it makes a change from silence  all the time.the weather hasn't been good here as well ,not cut my lawns or had George out much last week  managed to take him out today ,but it's dull and miserable,been my friendship group this morning we had a quiz  which was fun I'm not at the next one as I am away the last day of June for a week,do you go to Italy on the 23rd?. hope you had a nice weekend hope the weather improves  this week regards syl x

Hi Syl,

How nice that you were able to help out with a bit of childcare.  Quite a handful with the dog as well but good to be able to do it. Bet the house was quiet when you returned home.  Takes a while to re-adjust.

I helped out my daughter in law on Friday.  She was still recovering from surgery and  unable to lift the baby so I went over by cab and stayed from 8a.m. to 8 p.m.  We had a lovely time playing and took both grandchildren to the soft play centre for a couple of hours too.  My reward was a lovely roast dinner with the family when my son got home from work and then he ran me home.  

Spent the weekend pottering in the garden and got it mowed in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon.  Today has been beautiful and for the first time in ages I actually sat outside reading for over an hour and had to put sunscreen on!!  Have to make to most of it ha ha as they forecast heavy rain/thunderstorms for Tuesday into Wednesday.  Would be nice to aclimatise to the warmer weather before I travel (yes I go on the 23rd and am beginning to feel a little jittery though once I meet up with the tour manager on landing will feel better).  Before then I have my gym weigh in tomorrow followed by weekly visit to see my Mum and then two work days before I can think about relaxing. 

In between all that I hope to catch up with some of the tennis from Queen's Club and am happy to say will be  back for the start of Wimbledon (just as you go on holiday).

Hope you have a nice time away.  Jules x 

Hi Jules, glad your daughter in law is on the mend ,and you can step in to help,it must be a  weight off there mind knowing you can step in when needed. the weather here has been better this week,have taken George out most days ,managed to mow my lawn this afternoon ,it's supposed to be nice tomorrow then rain Sunday,might be going out with my daughter and her partner tomorrow to a stately home and gardens it's not far and there is a flower show on so it should be a nice day.you must be busy getting organized for your holiday ,it's always hectic making sure we don't for get anything,I'm sure you will have a lovely time once you meet up with everyone you can relax and enjoy it.will email you when I'm back regards Syl x