Hi Syl,

Hope, if your aerobics teacher does retire she can get you a replacement as know you enjoy it and the routine it brings into the week.

Past few days have been very dull and currently it is raining so have been looking to inside activitities.  Did the Big Garden Birdwatch for an hour on Saturday, was at the gym Friday and Sunday mornings and today I popped into the cinema to catch a film whilst in town shopping.  Apparently tomorrow is supposed to be a bit brighter so hoping to get more a proper walk after my gym session.

Hope you enjoyed the Sunday lunch and hope the visit to the hospital with your right ear on Wednesday can bring you some relief.  I have a blocked left ear and hate the muffled effect but luckily no pain so hoping the drop will clear it up.

Have a good week.  Jules x

Hi Jules, I also did the bird watch Saturday the only bird that didn't come down in my hour was the doves I usually have 2 that appear,but it was a pleasant hour watching them come down into the garden.yes I enjoyed my lunch with the kids and my daughter's partner it was a lovely meal I just had a2 course the others had 3 I was full up by the time we finished but it was very nice,the weather hasn't been to bad here have managed to take George out all week had some rain but it's not been that cold which makes a change,went to the hospital Wednesday the doctor thinks my tubes you have in your ear nose and throat are blocked,have have got a spray to put up my nose also have have also got to get from the chemist a otovent apparently it's a balloon you blow up then release into your mouth it's supposed to get rid of mucus sounds very complicated will have to ask them how to do it,it does show you on my tablet but will ask them just to make sure,I am out Saturday with my friends at the community centre for a cream tea bingo and a raffle so something to look forward  to at the weekend Sunday I am at my daughter's for dinner have a lovely weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Glad you had a good week and hope the treatment from the hospital for your blocked tubes  works for you as must be frustrating.  Have been using drops from chemist for my 'muffled left ear' and they appear to be doing something as there is a slight improvement so far.

My son and two youngest grandchildren popped in for a couple of hours on Friday afternoon which was a nice surprise as had not planned it.  Weekend itself was pretty quiet with just usual gym sessions and shopping.  Yesterday met a friend for coffee and a browse around the town.  We both found a couple of bits in the never-ending sales.  Today I have just returned from a trip to the cinema.  I saw 1917 and it was very well acted and not surprised it won a few BAFTAs - a poignant war time drama. Now just need to get through my two work shifts this week and am looking forward to Friday when I can get to my hair appointment.  It is definitely ready for it's trim!  Only a couple of weeks now until i see my daughter and family for a few days which will be our first catch up since Christmas.  

Take care and have a pleasant week ahead.  Jules x

Hi Jules,I am using the balloon you have to blow them up with your nose take a deep breath then swallow weird apparently a lot of kids do it for glue ear  I have noticed my right ear cracking when I do it ,its got to be done for 3 wk three times a day will have to see if it clears it .glad your family popped in to see you must have been a nice surprise when it wasn't expected,I enjoyed my cream tea at the community centre lovely sandwiches and cakes we also had a glass of wine ,unfortunately we didn't win bingo or the raffle but we had a nice time anyway. weather not bad this week took George out most days we have had a couple of frosty days but it's supposed to be wet and windy for the weekend so probably won't go far Saturday thing I am out for dinner Sunday with my daughter and her partner,Monday I am at my friendship group we are having a talk on neighbour hood watch have a nice weekend regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Hoping your area not too badly affected by the terrible stormy weather over the last 24hrs or so.  Luckily apart from a few twigs in the garden and having to stay indoors for safety all well here.

The 'balloon' treatment sounds rather bizarre but do hope it does the trick. I certainly had not heard of it before but assume it is a special balloon and not just any party one you have hanging around ha ha.

With the weather forecast looking bad for Sunday I changed my plans and took a long walk on Saturday instead.  Managed four and a half mile stroll around three lakes (about an hour away by public transport). One of the lakes is a nature reserve and though a bit muddy along the walkway managed quite well even though I just had ordinary boots on (sensible walkers had their wellies!!).  It was very peaceful and took some pictures along the way (there are also hides provided if you are a more serious birdwatcher).  Back my mid afternoon so it was a latish lunch but well worth it.

Very boring on Sunday being stuck inside but at least the housework all up to date so today have just been to the gym (as I missed yesterday) and grabbed a few bits from the shops.  My daughter's birthday on the 14th and going to see the family next week so looking forward to some quality time catching up.

Hope your weekend went well and that you have a pleasant week.  Will chat again when back from my visiting.  Take care of yourself. Jules x

Hi Syl

Hope you survived the second storm. Sorry to hear you lost a garage window but lucky no one hurt.

Not at all happy about HS2; so much of our local land has already been churned up in preparation and cannot see the point of it myself.  Not only costing a fortunue already but no doubt will be expensive to use and all the for sake of a few minutes knocked off the journey.  No doubt commuters will be happier though may have a long wait before it becomes a reality!  Not as bad here as the first one thankfully but plenty of rain.  Luckily afterwards it was  mainly dry whilst at my daughters and we were able to do the short walks that her dog was allowed after his little op.  Was lovely having some quality catch up time with them all and they gave me a lift back before heading off to spend a day or two wil my son in law's gran before the half term holidays end.  Now to look forward to my holiday with them in April.  My son and family are spending this week in Fishguard with friends and have had some lovely sunshine!!

Whilst away I booked a visit to the theatre and will be going on Saturday so am looking forward to that and then a couple of days before my return to normal work shifts.  Will return to my gym sessions on Sunday too.  

Hope your ear has seen some improvement from the balloon treatment.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed your weekend with your daughter and taking her dog for a walk,my ear doesn't seem as bad still doing the balloon treatment, I am at the hospital Thursday for a CT scan just routine hope everything is ok you always worry it's only natural I suppose,the weather awful again only had George out twice this week. the weekend isn't that good either am out Sunday with the kids to a local pub,it was one of my hubbies favourites as he has been dead 4 years Sunday I can't believe 4 years has passed since I saw him ,heard his voice heard him laugh so sad ,I will go the crematorium and put some flowers in a vase , I put a verse in the memory book so will have a look at that as well I still sit and cry just wish  I  knew I was going to see him again one day . where are you going in April?it isn't that far off now ,hope you enjoy the theatre what are you going to see ? I'm not into musicals don't mind variety shows , I might go to our local museum Saturday there's a art exhibition on a local man died months ago and his family found pictures that he drew and painted ,there supposed to be very good on the same scale as lowery it ends Sunday so would be nice to see them before it closes. have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Am pleased that your balloon treatment seems to be helping and hope your routine scan on Thursday brings further good news for you.  It is hard not to be anxious when these check ups come round so hope you feel relieved once it is done/results in.  

My daughter had her own heart check up last Thursday and all was okay so next routine check up in two years time.  Know she felt the relief even though was not expecting any problems.

I expect the anniversary of your husband's passing was a sad day of reflection. I always look at the book of remembrance on the anniversary of my hubby's death. Feel blessed that we had so many years together though cheated that we cannot share retirement years. Nowadays I just try and enjoy the life I have been blessed with as feel this is how he would want me to honour him. Not sure what else I could do to be honest.

I enjoyed the trip to the theatre. I do enjoy good entertainment and like a variety of things.  This was the musical based on the film The Wedding Singer and loved the dancing routines and overall story. Went to a matinee performance and enjoyed live music in the foyer before the show whilst having a coffee.  Treated mysef to a fish and chip supper on the way home (naughty but nice ha ha).

More entertainment today with a trip to the cinema.  The weather is so awful (still very windy and wet) so am missing my walks.  This time I saw Call of the Wild on the recommendation of a friend and it was very good.  The cinema is undergoing a re-fit but they manage to keep some of the screens running.  First time visit to one of the new screens and lovely and comfy with plenty of leg room (I am tall) and reclining seats.  Am wondering how long it will be before they put up the 'budget' prices.

The April holiday is to a little self-catering cottage that my daughter and son in law have booked  in Lincolnshire so weather permitting will be ideal for taking their dog/children walking.  Not an area I have holidayed in before though did once have a weekend in Lincoln with friends.  Fingers crossed Spring will be well under way by then!

Did you get to your local museum  for the art exhibition?

Well, one more day before I return to work on Wednesday and find out what has changed since I was last in.

Take care, all the very best for Thursday and have a peaceful weekend.  Regards  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad you enjoyed all your theatre trips,I will admit I'm not into musicals ,I wish I did like them as I know a lot of people that enjoy them ,they go to Manchester and Liverpool and there is a little one in runcorn which is supposed to have a good variety of musicals . The call of the wild sounds familiar might have seen that ,I went to the pictures a couple of month ago to see Downton Abbey it was very good the pictures had a up grade with reclining seats your own table  and you could even stretch your legs out looked quite funny with every ones legs stretched out in front of them .I know how you feel about missing things we could have done with our hubbies ,I always think of holidays we could have been on and places we would have gone,it would have been married 50 years in March  I think we would have gone on a nice holiday or had a party at our local pub.had my scan Thursday you have to wait for your result  I will get a letter threw the post .weather awful here again only had George out once,didn't take him on the field as normal  it's so muddy just took him round the avenues.I did go the museum to see the art work it was lovely  just like Lowery it's a pity he wasn't recognised  before he died ,I'm going to my local town tomorrow to do a bit of shopping not forecast a good weekend weather wise enjoy your weekend regards Syl x