Hi Julie ,glad you enjoyed  Sunday lunch with your son ,,and had a nice catch up with your friend and a nice cup of tea and a mince pie I haven't had one yet they do say to make a wish when you have  your first one . have been to a local garden centre this morning with my daughter had a nice coffee no cake though lol ,I have bought some squirrel food I am sick of it taking all the bird food off the bird table the poor birds aren't getting a look in ,I'm hoping it will eat the food and leave the bird  food alone will let you know if it works I've just got to work out where to put it . I am out Tuesday to a local pub for a catch up with my friendship group just tea and toast we have organised a Xmas dinner at the same pub for the 8 December looking forward to it then on the Wednesday I'm having my hair done then off to my dementia group , I haven't got round to doing my lawn because of the rain the green bins have stopped now till march so it will have to wait now till spring , I did manage to cut my bushes back so they should be ok now , I have wrote most of my Xmas cards out hope the post don't go on strike in December otherwise people won't get them luckily I don't have many to post to be honest Jules I don't feel like celebrating this year but I have to put a brave face on and try and be happy for the kids sake has I don't want to ruin it for them think I'm doing my own dinner this Sunday  think it's supposed to be a bit drier this week for a change lol have a lovely week regards Syl x 

Hi Syl, 

Hope you had a lovely pub lunch with your group on Tuesday and another to look forward to on the 8th.  I am sure it will help being with people as I know how hard you are finding this time of year.  The loved ones we have lost would want us to make the most of what time we have been gifted. I too have given up with the thought of getting another lawn mowing in; just far too muddy and I expect there will be frost soon too. The birds are getting through the suet balls/seed etc much quicker and the squirrel has his share but the feeding table is out of bounds as 'protected'.  The new squirrel buster feeder is also stopping the pigeons/magpies helping themselves so my little birds get their fair share now.  Have been out on a few walks as is usual but yesterday went into London and walked part of the Old Lea River which cuts through the Queen Elizabeth olympic park. Enjoyed the peace and saw a family of swans, Egyptian Geese, Cormorants and various ducks including a pair of Gadwalls which I dont think I have seen before.  Afterwards I grabbed a sandwich from Boots (special offer at 50p) and sat inside the shopping mall watching the world go by before making my way home.  Tonight I have slim club at the gym and this weekend my daughter and family visit on Saturday which will be our last get together before 2023 so looking forward to that.  My eldest grandson turned 14 this week and is now taller than his Mum who is 5ft 9in so he will be looking down to me lol.  I am also hoping that the Christmas Cards reach their destinations in time(postal strikes permitting).  Even 2nd class is expensive so will hand deliver all that I can but still have over 40 to send with several going overseas so I plan to send them next week.  Would rather they get there early that too late!  Hoping to meet friends during the coming few weeks so we can exchange our gifts/cards which not only saves money but also gives me social outings.  On Sunday we have a big artisan Christmas Market so will go along after my gym session and see if I can top up my friend's gift. She will be my last present to sort and everything is wrapped up and ready so will then relax.  Just looked up from the laptop to see a Parakeet hanging off the nut feeder so another happy winter feeder!  Well the washing has just finished in the machine so best hang it up before going out.  Hope you manage to give the dog a walk and take care of  yourself.  Have a good week.  Jules x

Hi Jules, just come back from my friends bit dull here at the moment no rain this week but it's been dull and miserable glad your going out and about the places you visit sound lovely I have never heard of the places you go to I have never heard of some of the birds  that you have mentioned,I went out and bought some squirrel food  put it in a dish separate from my bird feeders now I have a different squirrel coming on to the bird table lol . I'm not giving up trying to stop them pinching the bird food though ,I'm going to post my cards soon not sure if the postman are going on strike everybody else is think it's better to post then early just in case , like you I have wrapped my presents up not got that many to wrap it's just something for the kids to open and my daughter's partner as well I do give them money so they can buy something they want , hope you enjoy your time with your daughter and family ,can't believe you're granson is 14  time flies doesn't it my friends granson was 14 this week he's a right worker he cleans cars at weekend he's got all the right cleaning stuff has well ,I keep telling him he will be a millionaire by the time he's 16 .I'm out on Thursday for my Xmas meal with my friendship group then on the Saturday I'm out with my friends at the community centre it was really lovely last year so I'm looking forward to going there as well .I haven't heard off cruse yet I keep checking my landline to see if I have any messages but nothing it's a good job im ok at the moment  ,I'm shopping tomorrow with my daughter we always have a coffee in marks after we have finished the shopping not sure what I'm doing Sunday I have a feeling I will be doing my own dinner this week have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Syl,  Thought I had answered this one but not showing so perhaps not!!  I have sent my Christmas cards as they are warning to post earlier than planned.  Post Office have also changed their dates for last posting in the UK.  Some were on strike today in various areas!!  Had a lovely time with my daughter and family and we all went out for lunch and then they had tea here before heading back home.  Will see then again in the New Year. Hope you enjoyed your Friendship Group's Christmas get-together.  Has certainly been chilly this week but mainly dry.  Heavy frosts when I do my pre-breakfast exercise and definitely enjoy the hot porridge for breakfast when I get back in.  Had my last Slim club (run through my gym membership) last night and am maintaining the weight loss so just need to be watchful in the time between now and when we go back.  Gym is having a makeover during the festive holidays as they are closing for a week. Had a coffee/catch up with a friend today, another friend coming round tomorrow afternoon and then a planned walk on Sunday after the gym session (providing the snow stays away!!).  Hope you have a good week/weekend.  Take care and stay safe in this cold spell.  Best regards, Jules x

Hi Jules, enjoyed my get together with my friendship group lovely Xmas dinner at my local pub on Tuesday ,on the Saturday went to the community centre for another Xmas dinner that was very nice has well we had a raffle some lovely prizes unfortunately none of us won there was a singer on as well he was a hour late because of the weather it snowed quite heavy in the north it was a shame really as some of the older ladies went home before he got to the community centre ,me and one of my friends walked it home it was quite treacherous but we managed to get home with out falling over and we had a couple of glasses of wine as well lol .glad you had a nice time with your daughter and I'm sure you will have a nice catch up in the new year I have been to the garden centre today Sunday with my daughter just bought a plant for my son  and squirrel food the pigeons are eating it as well lol at least there all getting fed now. I've got three more parties next week including my dementia group party on Wednesday my exercise after noon tea is on Thursday then that's it then ,I have to keep looking on my calendar so I don't forget where I'm going and on the right day the weather has been bad here really cold and some snow haven't had George out for a few days has I don't want to slip on the ice ,I'm hoping it will clear up this week so I can take him out again . have a lovely week stay safe in this Icy weather regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Glad you are enjoying your social get-togethers as we build up to the festive season.  Rather cold down here and no doubt where you are too.  Have managed to get out every day but the walks have been a little shorter than I would  normally attempt.  Three/four times a week at the gym so that at least give me half hour social time. I had a friend come round on Saturday afternoon, met another friend for walk and a coffee out on Sunday. A blip with the boiler at the weekend meant no hot water upstairs and whilst it appears back to normal now my plumber is coming in today (hopefully) to give it a good service and check things out.  This means I am stuck indoors so will be a day of housework and the washing machine is whirring lol.  I have bought a new doorbell so can have fun setting that up and choosing how it chimes (there are many choices to listen to).  Yesterday I met another friend and we went to the cinema (Senior screening for £3.50 which comes with a cuppa/biscuit) and saw Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Nice easy and funny watch.  No plans as yet for the weekend but then I take it day to day and will depend on the weather how far I venture. There is a local Artisan Christmas Market this weekend so may go there and then on Monday I have a friend coming over for the day for our pre-Christmas catch up and present swap so looking forward to that. Will get my hair cut/highlighted on 22nd ready for Christmas away.  Do hope you have a good week and enjoy whatever you manage to fit in.  Stay safe and warm. Best regards, Jules x

Hi Jules,just had my shower ready to watch what's on the TV should have gone marks today Saturday with my daughter but she went out last night and was a bit hung over so going Sunday instead ,I have finished all my outings now really enjoyed them all it makes a change to have a full diary for a change .the weather here is awful as well snow ice and really cold , one of my neighbours has fell on the ice and broke his leg in two places not good when your missing work .glad you're friends are popping by and your swopping presents it's nice giving and receiving them , my niece and her daughter are dropping by this week to pick there Xmas cards up I have put money in them so didn't want to post them in case they got lost with all the strikes that are on at the moment.glad you enjoyed going to the cenema with your friend don't think I've heard of that film but I do like George Clooney and Julia Roberts think they've been in a few films together. I haven't got much on this week I might nip into town Friday just to get a few things and maybe have a coffee in Costa lol,both of my kids finish Friday and don't go back then till the new year my daughter and her partner go away New years Eve only for one night to a spar hotel it's not cheap they have been a few times and really enjoy it I don't blame them really .I haven't had George out for ages I'm missing the walk and George of course I'm hoping the weather changes this week so I can start taking him out again going to watch the news now have a lovely week  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Probably our last catch up before the festivities.  I go to my son's Xmas Eve for a couple of days then life will return to some sort of normal after the New Year as the gym is closing for re-decoration in between.  Daughter and family have just returned from their 4day trip to Lapland and the photo look stunning and am sure they had the best time making memories with my grandchildren.    I have had a couple of coffee catch ups with friends this week and then yesterday took myself into London for the day.  Main reason was to attend the Charlie Mackesy exhibition at Sothebys before his work goes to auction (could not afford to place a bid but bought his latest book which goes with the animation film to be shown on BBC on Christmas Eve).  I treated myself to coffee and cake in their 'Story Cafe' where he had painted temprorary murals direct onto the walls for all to enjoy.  Afterwards I walked to St Jame's Park and then back via Trafalgar Square where there was a Christmas Market before I then cut through theatre land and back up to Oxford Street for afternoon cuppa before getting back on the underground home.  A really lovely day out. Today I have been pretty lazy though spent a couple of hours at the hairdressers this morning for cut/highlights/blow dry.  Tomorrow I have last trip to a gym session and then will go to the crem to lay flowers and afterwards meet up with a friend for walk and talk.  After the very cold weather it is now damp, dull and so mild I do not need any heating on!! How rediculous for the time of year.  Forecast is much the same for Christmas which is a real shame as if it is rainy it will limit our family walks on Christmas and Boxing day mornings.  Oh well, somethings  you cannot control.   Hope you get through the festivities ok and wish you and the family all the very best for Christmas and 2023.  Look after yourself.  Best regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules , hope you enjoy Xmas with your son and family I am at my son's for Christmas dinner will stay over then out boxing day for a family meal at a local pub I am going to the cream Christmas day it will be sad this year will put flowers on my sister's plot as well .it's my hubby's birthday on the 27th so will put flowers next to his picture.i have been to town this morning went at nine on the bus very busy but still managed coffee and teacake in Costa lol .it's been raining here all day so haven't taken George out I am having him for a few days from the 27 th till the 2nd of January  while the family are away I'm a bit apprehensive has he hasn't been in mine I've got a feeling he will fret with it being a strange house fingers crossed he will be okay ,the weather here is awful at the moment rain and some times it doesn't seem to get really light dull and dismal really .I could do with a new bird table it's leaning to one side the legs are rotting it's years old will go to the garden centre after Christmas and get a new one hope it lasts till then so at least I can still feed them.anyway will go to make myself a cuppa before I do my tea have a lovely Christmas with your family and all the best for 2023 to you and the people you love regards Syl x