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, 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 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 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

Hi Syl

By the time you read this you will have had your holiday too.  Great weather for it and hope you had a lovely time.

I really did enjoy 'pastures new' and once through the airport and settled on the minibus most of my nerves were gone.  Lake Garda and the surrounding region was truly stunning and hotel/food/company all good.  Ticked a lot of boxes but most of all new memories made which will stay forever so feel pretty chuffed.  Got back around 10pm last night and have today got all the washing out of the way and returned to the gym so routine back in place. Will visit Mum and mow the lawn tomorrow before returning to work.  Away Friday to Sunday at my daughters but look forward to hearing all your news upon your return.  Best regards Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you had a lovely holiday , I new you would once you met up with the rep  every thing would fall into place. I have ever been but I have heard it's a lovely place to visit,I to had a nice holiday, the weather was great,nice hotel over looking the sea it must be lovely opening your curtains  in a morning with a view of the sea ,went out and about went to Portsmouth  and a couple of other places ,all very interesting I came back Saturday tea time. didn't do much when I got back,managed to do both my lawns when I got back.Sunday went out with my daughter for dinner,they have gone away now till Thursday to Pembrokeshire clamping lol hope the weather holds for them ,also  I am back swimming aerobics  this Thursday after a month's break will be hard to get back into it after such a long break,hope you enjoy your break with your daughter ,regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

So pleased that you also had an enjoyable holiday and got out and about too.So lucky to be enjoying a nice spell of good weather too.

Had a lovely long weekend with my daughter and the family.  Very busy as we were walking a friend's dog twice a day (german shepherd) as the owner had an eye op and could not take the dog out.  Also managed to fit in grandson's school's Summer fete, helping on one of the stalls for 3 hrs.  Great fun. Looked after the children on Saturday evening so that they could pop out for a meal to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary and then on Sunday spent a couple of hours on the allotment followed by watching the eldest grandson and my son in law at their car racing circuit. Got back home mid afternoon and managed a bit of gardening.  Lawn mowed on Monday and more pruning of spring shrubs so plenty of green recycling ready for collection next week.

Visited Mum as per usual on Tuesday though she slept through it and have been watching some of the Wimbledon tennis most afternoons after work today too.  Just my work shift to get through tomorrow and then a quieter weekend planned at the moment.

Hope the return to swimming aerobics goes well tomorrow and you are not too tired afterwards.

Take care and have a good weekend.  Jules x 

Hi Jules,glad you enjoyed your weekend  with your daughter ,and you enjoyed your grandsons school fete,I also went to a local fete on Saturday, with my neighbour and her grandson it was a lovely day there was all sorts there a fair stalls  Morris dancing and a dog show, but Sunday was totally different,I never went out  and  I did nothing but cry and my stomach felt  upset ,it's the second time it's happened this week,and I don't  know why. when I got up Monday I felt ok even though I didn't sleep  well .meet up with my friendship group Monday dinner time at our local carvery  for a meal as we have finished now till September. my swimming aerobics is back on now it's hard getting back into it after a month off but you soon get  back in to it.the weather has been mixed here but George has still had his walks, have been to my dementia group today been playing dominoes with the group which was nice, I am off to Llandudno on Tuesday with one of my neighbours ,when I started voluntary work  it's called life time it's run by the local council so I joined and my neighbour is a member so we're going together me and hubby loved Llandudno so it will be bitter sweet,I hope I can enjoy it without feeling to sad .enjoy your weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl

Hope your weekend went okay and sounds as though you are having up and down emotional times just now.  Fingers crossed the trip to Llandudno is a good one. I have fond memories of a family holiday there when the children were small and a real seaside town.  

I am not a lover of swimming pools and actually miss swimming in the sea/lakes when on holidays now but as a solo traveller feel safer on land. My sister in law however loves the swimming aerobics that she goes to a couple of times a week and made lots of new friends this way when she moved.

I had a wonderful weekend with one day at the RIAT event in Gloucestershire (huge airshow) with my son and grand-daughter and then on Sunday we celebrated my youngest grandson's 1st birthday with a family and friends picnic in the park.  Great fun and lots of new memories made.  Not quite sure where the last year has gone as I watch the grandchildren all grow!

Usual shopping and gym today followed by visit to Mum tomorrow and my usual work days on Wed and Thurs. Looking forward to Friday when I am going with a friend to visit the Tower of London followed by afternoon tea at Cafe Rouge at St Katherine Dock (the latter being able to use one of my Christmas gift cards at last!).

Have a pleasant week and look after yourself.  Jules x

Hi Jules, had a lovely day in Llandudno the weather  was hot, but walking along the front the breeze was nice and refreshing,also took a little bus up to the great  orme it fetched back memories as my hubby loved going to the orme on the little bus,we have also been on the tram as well.glad you had a nice day at the air show,and had a family day with your grandson , time does fly sometimes you wonder where the years go,hope you enjoy your time in London and your posh afternoon tea don't eat to many  cakes lol .the weather here is hot to hot really, I have been taking George out in the morning as its been to hot in the afternoon, went my aerobics class this morning the water took the breath of you it was that cold,but after a few minutes it was nice, went the community centre at 12 with my two friends,I only had a sandwich didn't feel like anything hot I bought a cake to fetch home with me so will have it later with a cup of tea.not sure what I'm doing at the weekend,think it's going a bit cooler with a few showers enjoy your weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl

Hope you will forgive this very short reply but did not want you to worry if I was delayed in responding.

My Mum passed away this morning and whilst not a shock I am sure you can understand that there are processes to work through in the coming days. At 93 I hope that she has now found a peace that she had recently been denied in life.

Take  care.  Julesx