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 , hope you enjoyed  you'd time with your daughter and grandsons  ,and your trip to London,to see shriek and the aquarium,not much happening here the weather has been awful only had George out a couple of times this week because of the weather,managed to mow my lawn at the back ,but my front one still needs mowing.it's supposed to be ok at the weekend but I'm not holding my breath.I went into town this morning as I had to pick tablets up from boots  ,there wasn't many up shopping,I did go into Costa for a coffee and a toasted tea cake which was very nice, have been to my neighbours for another coffee and a natter this afternoon ,had to put my coat on as it was throwing it down .I am at the crem tomorrow as its 36 years since my dad died,hope I can put flowers in the ground I have a feeling it's going to be very muddy . not sure what I'm doing Sunday yet I have a feeling we will go out for Sunday dinner.hope things go all right Monday it will be a sad day but I'm sure there will be lots of good memories as well regards syl x

Hi Jules ,are you ok haven't heard off you in nearly 2 week ,hope everything is alright with you and your family please text me when you can so I know everything is alright with you regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Sorry for the delay in replying but do not recall seeing the e-mail in my in box and time has been running away with me I am afraid.

Had a good week with my daughter and the two boys and though she had an eye infection which meant we had to change our plans slightly (she could not drive whilst with me and also had an impromptu visit to the eye hospital as treatment she had from her own clinic was having no effect) we still got out and about and enjoyed a full day in London as an alternative  treat (Sealife Aquarium and Shrek Experience which kept us all entertained).

They returned home on the Friday and the following Monday were back down for Mum's funeral. Small and dignified just as she had asked for and arranged in advance!  I did afternoon tea for those attending.   A couple of days later I was back to work and then last weekend attended the wedding of my best friend's daughter.  A very hot day but wonderful to see her married and have been enjoying seeing photos of the celebrations ever since.

Hope everything is okay with you  and apologies once again for lateness in replying.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad everything ok with you, nice to spend time with your   daughter and grandchildren ,and you enjoyed time in London my sister has a lot of trouble with her eyes it's not nice especially when you have to keep  putting drops in , I have been  putting drops in my eyes this week as I have been diagnosed with dry eye which makes them feel uncomfortable. glad you enjoyed the wedding and it all went well ,I was in Southport Tuesday with my friend's it was a coach trip ,nice day the weather was kind to us as well had fish and chips and mushy peas in a nice cafe before we returned home. my friendship group back Monday ,and my aerobics group Thursday,I'm glad there back as I have felt quite lonely at times, I'm at the community centre this afternoon with my friends for a bite to eat and a natter ,hope to take George out later,but its been raining thismornig so will have to see what happens later. might be out with my daughter Sunday there is something on at a local park depends on the weather if we go or not .have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Your trip to Southport sounded good and always nice to get out and about rather than spending too much time on your own.  Glad to that the new sessions have begun so that you get some routine  back day to day.  Gives us something to look forward to.  I am not sure what I would do without my good friends and having the social visits to the gym several times a week  (hopefully the exercise does me as much good as the chinwag!!).

Have just had a long weekend with some very good friends of ours and always a pleasure catching up with them.  Already booked in for a return weekend in November.  They are a good few years older than me but very much 'young at heart' and we have a function to attend next time so need to get back to some healthy eating to make sure the new outfit is comfy.  Since Mum died I have as usual been relying too much on the comfort food so my shopping today has been far more sensible!!

Hope you had a good weekend and have a pleasant week.  Maybe the weather will allow you some walks with George. My daughter and family now have a dog (four month old mongrel) and so will be out come rain or shine. He had his first long walk in the woods over the weekend and slept very well afterwards!

I am supposed to be having a smart meter fitted tomorrow so will be stuck indoors for a bit (saving up the housework to do whilst they are here) and then it will be usual work routine Wed/Thurs. Friday meeting a friend for a coffee so we can arrange our next theatre trip (she is taking me to see War Horse as my birthday present) and then am up to my daughters for the weekend.  I need to fully retire so I can fit everything in ha ha.

Take care. Jules

Hi Jules, sounds as if you have had a few busy weeks its nice to be visiting friends and family,my trip to Southport was nice  we had a trip up the pier on a little train  as its quite a long  pier ,went my swimming aerobics and my friendship group this week ,it's nice to get back into them again. Have been having trouble with my shoulder for. a few month aching  so went the for a x ray have been diagnosed with arthritis so have been rubbing cream on it Oh the joys of growing old lol. hope your daughter and her family enjoy the new edition I'm sure they will as they can be such good company  I wish I had a dog ,instead of my next door neighbours cat ,who adopted  us when our dog died but I wouldn't  swop her now  as she has been with me now for 5 years,my daughter and her partner in London Friday staying over night there is a food festival on,so will not see them till Sunday, my son in Manchester with is partner so might take my self off to my local shopping centre  Saturday enjoy the weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Sorry to read about the arthritis diagnosis.  Have had it for some years especially on my right hand side in hand and leg. Hope the pain relief cream helps.  

Had a nice weekend with my daughter and family going both to a food festival local to where they live and then the following day a dog show/fete for local animal welfare charity.  Their new dog has settled in really well and already responding to certain commands.  His only problem at the moment is that he gets car sick but their vet thinks he will grow out of this as he gets a little older (currently just over four months as a rough guide). Will see them again in October when no doubt there he will have grown some!!.  I enjoy dogs but would not want the tie so happy to enjoy other peoples (and without the expense ha ha).  It will be interesting to see how he gets on with my son's Westie when they eventually meet. He was certainly very well behaved around the numerous other breeds at the event on Sunday and walked well in the arena (light hearted event being judged for most appealing eyes).   Bless him he was happy to sleep once home.

Hope  you enjoyed your weekend whatever you managed to do.  I am busy again this week (just how I like it).  Haircut today plus gym and then shopping. Tomorrow seeing friends and then after my two days working I am going on a photography tutorial day on Friday.  My sister in law arrives for a visit on Sunday (I am her base B&B before she flies to Germany to visit friends and then she will stay with me again upon her return before catching ferry back to Isle of Man).

A bit overcast here today after a beautiful weekend but apparently the sun is due back tomorrow.  Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your time with your daughter at the food festival ,also the dog show it's lovely to see all the dogs  enjoying  the day  as well as there humans. yeah arthritis is a painful thing I have it In my back as well  it's quite bad at the moment if it doesn't improve I might have to make a appointment with my doctor. the weather has been lovely here all week ,had George out every day even though I struggled at times  with my back aching, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming for a visit on Saturday till Monday  will be nice to see them  there not at mine till tea time so think we will have chippy tea , Sunday we are going to meet up with  my other brother-in-law for Sunday lunch it will be nice to meet up with them ,but it will be  sad that my hubby isn't with us . Monday is my friendship group think we are going to a local community centre  for breakfast which  should be nice.have a lovely weekend regards syl  x

Hi Syl

Thought I would drop a reply off now as have my sister in law arriving this evening for a few days before she flies to Germany.  She will be staying with me upon her return (she is leaving her car with me as came over by ferry) for a couple of days too so time for a bit of a catch up.

Hope, if you decide to go to the GP he can help you with the back pain. Thankfully so far I have been able to control things with the odd painkiller. Will probably have to go to the GP at some point as must be due an MOT ha ha (nearly 3 years since I was there last!!).

We have also had wonderful weather but all change today.  Am so very pleased that my photography workshop was on Friday and the weather was  beautiful at the London Wetland Centre where the day was being held.  Still very mild today but showery. Managed to get to the gym early and avoided getting wet so now home and catching up with some housework and sport on tv before preparing dinner for two later.  Very thankful that I mowed the lawn yesterday knowing that wet weather was forecast.

Have a good week and take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, hope you enjoyed the few days with your sister-in-law before she flew to Germany does she have relatives there? ,I enjoyed the few days I had with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law ,we went for Sunday lunch with my other brother-in-law and sister-in-law,it felt strange without my hubby just wished he could have been with us. Monday we went to a local garden centre they had vouchers to buy something with but they couldn't make there mind up so we came away with nothing,at least while we were there we had coffee and cake,which was yummy. they left mine Tuesday morning for there journey back to Wokingham . My back hasn't been to bad this week will see how it goes  might just keep putting cream on it for now,weather not bad at the moment had a few showers but still managed to take George out ,not sure what I'm doing weekend nothing planned at the moment have a nice weekend regards Syl .

Hi Jules, hope you enjoyed the few days with your sister-in-law before she flew to Germany does she have relatives there? ,I enjoyed the few days I had with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law ,we went for Sunday lunch with my other brother-in-law and sister-in-law,it felt strange without my hubby just wished he could have been with us. Monday we went to a local garden centre they had vouchers to buy something with but they couldn't make there mind up so we came away with nothing,at least while we were there we had coffee and cake,which was yummy. they left mine Tuesday morning for there journey back to Wokingham . My back hasn't been to bad this week will see how it goes  might just keep putting cream on it for now,weather not bad at the moment had a few showers but still managed to take George out ,not sure what I'm doing weekend nothing planned at the moment have a nice weekend regards Syl .

Hi Syl,

Just trying to get used to a new laptop and it's keeping me busy setting things up!!

My sister in law has friends of over 30 years in Germany and is visiting them for a 70th birthday celebration.  She returns to me on Sunday for a couple of nights before motoring back to Hailsham to get the ferry back.  It is always nice to catch up with her.

Last weekend was pretty run of the mill with just gym visits and shopping as the weather was really against any long walks.....I do miss them!  I did manage to do a little bit more tidying in the garden and then yesterday went with a friend to do a bit of window shopping and catch up over a coffee (had pre-planned the get-together and was going to Kew but after so much rain changed our plans to indoor variety ha ha).

Your weekend with the in-laws sounded lovely and we are so lucky to be able to keep in touch with them despite the loss of our and their loved one. Of course a constant reminder of all things past but also the need to have a life whilst we are priveleged to be able to though somewhat hard at certain times.  Must say it is a little easier when the sun shines and I can be out and about.

Have my daughter and family on an over-nighter on Friday and looking forward to seeing how the dog is getting on.  Whatever the weather walkies will be a necessity ha ha. Right I had best get on with finding my way round Windows 10:D

Have a pleasant week ahead though sadly the forecast is a bit rubbish!!  Take care Jules x

Hi Jules,glad you enjoyed your sister-in-laws visit it is nice to catch up with our extended families I ring my brother-in-law every Sunday,just like my hubby did,sometimes it's hard to think what to talk about as they used to talk about cars and decorating we tend to talk about the weather and the garden .I haven't done much in my garden lately as we have had quite a lot of rain and my lawns need a.  cut as well have managed to take George out in between the showers, enjoy  your family over Friday I'm sure the dog  Will enjoy his walk with you all and hope the weather is kind so he can enjoy it . I have been swimming aerobics this morning ,then the community centre with my friends for lunch  and a natter came straight home took George out ,I'm in for the day now .Friday will do a bit of shopping then hopefully  have a coffee with my  friend,not got anything planned for the weekend up to now weather not that good here  enjoy your weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

So sorry yet again for a late response but have been having lots of issues with the new laptop.  After no end of phone calls last week I finally decided to take it back to the retailers today and hopefully they have now ironed out the gremlins by uninstalling a certain piece of software and then re-installing it.  Spent an hour with them and they were very patient (as was I!!).  Fingers crossed things will now be better.

Spent a lovely day with my son and family yesterday and despite the weather (steady rain all day) we still went out and took their dog for a walk.  Was amazed to see so much fungi growing  in the Park and different varieties too so quite fascinating.  My son drove me home after we had all eaten and enjoyed watching Strictly together.  Will be catching up with them again next weekend when all the family meet up at my daughter's home to celebrate her youngests 6th birthday.   Certainly not sure where the time goes.

Hope the damp weather is not playing too much havoc with your aches and pains as know I feel the arthritis in my hip more when it is like this.  Still quite mild though so not had the  heating on which I suppose is a small bonus!

Enjoy your week and take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad your back thought it was a problem with your new laptop  hope its sorted now ,glad you enjoyed your  day with your son and managed to take his dog out as well,will be nice when you all get together for your grandsons birthday next week. the weather here hasn't been that good either didn't take him out much last week because of the weather,hope it's a bit better this week,so I can take him out more, I have been to my local high school today with my friendship group,for  afternoon tea it was very nice I ended up scoffing sandwiches sausage rolls and I had 2 small cream scones and chocolate cake I was stuffed after ,at least I didn't need anything to eat when I got home. my swimming aerobics has finished now till November my teacher is away on holiday and the kids are off on holiday, not much on this week apart from my dementia group Wednesday ,also out with my two friends Thursday for a bite to eat at our local community centre enjoy your week regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Well, I made up to see my daughter's for her youngest's birthday celebrations but unfortunately my son and family were not able to join us in the end as the little one had sickness so that get together will have to wait for another time (probably Christmas!!).  After a very wet Friday we had a lovely day on Saturday and were able to go to a local forest park for a long walk and it was good catching up with all their news.

This morning my daughter took their new puppy off to training class whilst my son in law and eldest grandson were spending the day together at their  remote control car racing club.  I spent the  morning playing with their youngest and then  had lunch with them before catching the train/buses home.  

I have this coming week off work as annual leave to use up and am looking forward to the freedom that gives me to be out and about. Have catch ups planned with two different friends as well as having gas smart meter fitted on one morning.  With a bit of luck I will also get time for the gym a few times and also want to continue with Christmas shopping as I now been given a few ideas to work from.

Your afternoon see sounded scrummy (I am a big fan of  these!!) and hope the coming week will be dryer to allow more walks.  I feel so much better when I can get out and about.  I am currently doing a challenge for charity through our local gym (to drop a dress size in 10 weeks) so any thoughts of cakes will have to go on hold ha ha.

Take care of yourself.  Jules x

Hi Jules, not read your e mail just a quick e mail having problems with my tablet if you don't hear off me it because my tablet isn't working  hopefully will hear off me later in the week regards Syl x

Hi Jules ,if you've read my little e mail you will know my tablet is ok now my son fixed it ,hope there is no more gremlins  in it now lol,glad you made it to your daughter's  pity your son couldn't make it but these things happen.sounds as if you had a busy week with family and friends ,it is nice to get out when the weather is ok, went to my friendship  group Monday we had a social for a change we had a game of bingo  and a trivia game it was fun considering there was only eleven of us there. must be nice for you to have time of work I know I enjoyed time off when I did work,I can't. believe it's 5 years since I retired, time flies .been to the dementia group this afternoon had a game of dominoes and adult colouring great fun and all the group enjoyed the afternoon.tomorrow shopping then coffee with my neighbor hopefully will take George out but it has forecast rain so will have to wait and see what happens.dont know what I'm doing at the weekend thing I will be seeing  my son at some point as him and his partner have split up have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi s Syl,

Glad your son able to sort the gremlins out.  Like you I am at a loss when something goes wrong with technology and my frustrations increase as we do depend on it so much these days to do day to day tasks as well as staying in touch with friends and family. I am still trying to get used to the new laptop as different software than before and everything is in different places grr.  Add to that my wifi is slow at present so not always able to do what I want as fast as I want (think they call this impatience ha ha).  Hey ho life rumbles on whatever!!

My youngest grandson has been diagnosed with a virus and they have been given an inhaler to help him and been told to keep an eye in case it develops into croup.  Hopefully that will not be the case as such a distressing thing to go through watching little ones suffering as he is usually such a happy and cheeky little soul.  I am sure we will find time as a family to meet up when all is well again.

I am having a varied week off as had made no definite plans as a lot depends on the weather.  I have managed to go walking, do some Christmas shopping and spend a day in London visiting an exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands in Canary Wharf with a friend.  We also visited a roof garden as well as strolling the lovely gardens in the area and having lunch in a small cafe.  Sunshine would have been nice but you cannot have everything ha ha.  Also extra gym visits which is very social and good for me!!  This evening I am out for a meal with another friend and weather allowing will go walking later too.  Hoping to be able to fully retire (I only work two days a week now) when the State Pension comes along in the middle of next year......already counting down eagerly as been working far longer than expected!

Hope you are having a pleasant week and that your weekend goes the way you want it to.  Take good care of yourself.  Regards Jules x

Hi Jules ,hope your grandson is better now it's awful croup  ,I remember it being quite common when my 2 were babies.    havnt even thought of Christmas yet I don't even know  what is happening with dinner we were going to go out ,then the kids decided one of them is going to cook so not sure what is going to happen yet .glad you have been out and about with your friends,must be nice to be able to visit London I'm assuming you don't live far from the capital?, the weather here not bad at the moment went to kirby beach on Sunday with my son and his dog he was looking after it while his x partner was away for the weekend  it was windy but dry lovely walk there was loads of people there walking there dogs after we came back we went in a dog friendly pub for dinner even the dog had a Sunday dinner lol, my swimming aerobics starts back next week I'm quite used to not going now ,so I hope I can get back into it when  next week  comes,at my community this afternoon with my friends for something to eat and a chat not sure what is happening at the weekend  I'm at spec savers Saturday for a eye check  not sure about Sunday yet enjoy your weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Time seems to be running away with me this past week and am popping this off just before I leave for work.

Hope you had a good weekend.  Weather here was decidedly wet on Saturday so a day spent pottering indoors and then a beautiful start to Sunday so after my gym visit I managed a three plus mile walk and felt much better for that!  

Thankfully my youngest grandson, now 16 months, is much better and back at Nursery so a little easier on the family (lack of sleep over a couple of weeks taking it's toll as they also both work!!).  

Hope your return to aqua aerobics was not too much trouble and no doubt you will soon be back into the routine.

Looks as though my garden will have to be left now to its own devices as far too wet to do anything much. Miss being out there but still upkeeping the bird feeding stations as the weather has turned a little nippier and more are visiting.  Lovely to watch their antics.  Not so happy that a squirrel seems to have taken a liking to burying numerous things in the flower beds so will have to watch out for rogue growth ha ha.

I am lucky that London is about 45 mins on the tube from where I live and with free travel makes it very accessible indeed.

Have a good week and take care.  Jules x