Hi Garf,

Just wanted to drop you a post to say you're never far from my thoughts and I hope you're doing ok?  (No, I'm not a weird stalker!   )

I think about so many folks on here and the things they're all dealing with on a day to day basis.

Am I right in thinking you've got next week off? Or was it last week?

Either way, if it was last week, hope you had plenty of R and R . . . And if it's next week, hope you get lots of R and R!

Also remember that one of the R's could stand for Retail !! 

Sure your wife would like that one

Hugs to you and your wife, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

Thank you so much, I am touched that I am in your thoughts and I promise I don't think you are a stalker

I am off next week for some much needed R and R and to be honest with the back log of motor racing I have to watch and the golf game on Wednesday I simply won't have time for any retail you-know-what.  It's hard to fit anything else in while I am spending so much time doing absolutely nothing.  I have actually been feeling a little more like myself the last few days since speaking to my councillor on Tuesday but I have no idea whether I am sorting anything out or just going through a good patch, I am just making the most of it for as long as it lasts.

Thanks for the hugs and I send a whole bunch right back to you.

Have a great weekend and don't spend too much .

Garf. xx

Hi Garf,

Thought I'd reply before I head off to bed with a cuppa and bedtime book!

I know what you mean about keeping an eye on the forum folk, but not always responding. I have joked with Jules about being a reader and not a responder! Sometimes I read posts and know that I can't offer any practical advice or support, so I hold back on hitting the reply button. But sometimes, I can't resist sticking my oar in

I'm glad you're not feeling as low as you were a little while back, Garf.

The news about your friend Sarah sounds positive. I hope she doesn't miss any of the F1 - it's not a sport that interests me, but my stepdad is really into it and was able to see some of it in Australia last weekend! (He's on a Bucket List holiday!)

He said the new engines made the F1 experience a very different one indeed! Maybe not for the better!

With regard to my treatment, I'm currently playing the waiting game! I'm due to have a scan on my liver in April and then my next treatment can be planned! A few of the pesky blighters decided to set up camp in my liver, but hopefully, the surgeon can come up with a successful eviction order, in due course!

Well, the eyelids are drooping, the sentences are becoming non-sensical (no change there then!) so I'll admit defeat and head up to bed!

Take care, Garf. And thanks for the hugs! Jo xx

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to quicly update this thread to say that my friend from North Wales with cervical cancer has been told, after her intense treatment, that she is in remission!

This has been the best news to come for a while and I am absolutely thrilled for her and both my wife and I can't wait to give her a hug when we go to visit my family in August.  Unfortunately it is still tinged with sadness at Jo's (meerkat) recent bombshell.  It is so unfair that someone who has been fighting for so long and had a light at the end of the tunnel was told that the light was in fact an oncomming train.  How much more needs to be done to get rid of this damn disease once and for all?

Anyway this was just a quick update so take care everyone and Jo, if you happen to be reading this, my thoughts, best wishes and hugs are with you. x

Garf.

Morning Garf

Was good to read the good news about your friend and hope  you will have a great get together in August whilst you are visiting family.  Would also add my good wishes with regards to Jo and I am sure she is aware that all her virtual buddies are keeping her in their thoughts following her recent disappointing news. Big Hugs  Jules x

Hi Garf

Great news about your friend.  Good news is always so welcome.  Hope the weather is good for your trip in August.  Although I am sure it will be a lovely trip anyway seeing family and your friend it always seems nicer when the sun shines.

Jo

Fingers crossed for you.

Gill

Hi Garf,

I am pleased to read about your friends good news, and have to say, you yourself have certainly been due for some. It is quite surprising how things like this make us feel so much better.

But as you say, the good news is watered down by Jo's bad news. She has always shown such a great sense of humour and once told me she thought the N H S should bottle me and prescribe me as a mood enhancer. Not sure I want to be liquidised but appreciated her comment.

Take care Garf and hope to chat again soon, Brian.

Thank you Gill,

It would be a pleasant change if the sun happens to be shining in Wales in August but as you say it will be nice to see family and friends anyway.  I am hoping the weather will be good although I have yet to mention to my wife that my golf clubs will take up significant luggage space in the car.  That's a bridge to be crossed closer to the time.

Brian, I love Jo's comment about bottling you up as a mood enhancer but obviously that wouldn't work - what with all the people who suffer nut allergies these days.

Thank you both.

Garf.

Hi Garf

Now come on. if your wife needs to take all her bits and bobs (never met a woman who didn't) then you need room for your sports equipment.  Oh yes, I have had sunshine in Wales (many moons ago though!!).  Hope you got a game this weekend (I have spent all day in the back garden (hubby spent most of it asleep in front of the tv!).  We are now both on our laptops with 20/20 cricket on the tv so hopefully a pleasant evening over roast lamb to come!! Will reply to PM soon when have gathered my little grey cells.  In the meantime have a good week (day at a time remember).  Hugs from Jules (semi-stalker!!)

Hi Garf,

Havent seen your name crop up on here for a while and just wondered how you are keeping. Hope you are okay.

Best wishes, Brian

Hi Brian,

So sorry for being more than a little tardy with this response but with the way things have been in recent months I have severely neglected the site and everybody who uses it.  I hope you and Mrs Brian are well and how is your Dad doing?  Last time we spoke I seem to remember he wasn't that well?

I promise to try not to be such a stranger in the future, work and demons permitting.

All the best to you Brian,

Garf.

----------------------------

Jo if you are reading this I will be in touch soon and I am so touched that you said you think of me often,  I have worried about you too and have little excuse for being so quiet lately.

Take care my stalker

Garf. xx

Hi Garf,

You have no need to apologise at all. It's just that not having seen your name on here for a while I was a little concerned.

Dad is home now although very weak and spoke to him on the phone a few days ago, something I didn't think I would ever be able to do again the way he was when in hospital. It looked vary bad for him. But he is a fighter and doesn't give up thank god. So proud of him.

You take care of yourself Garf, best wishes, Brian.

Hi Garf,

You have no need to apologise at all. It's just that not having seen your name on here for a while I was a little concerned.

Dad is home now although very weak and spoke to him on the phone a few days ago, something I didn't think I would ever be able to do again the way he was when in hospital. It looked vary bad for him. But he is a fighter and doesn't give up thank god. So proud of him.

You take care of yourself Garf, best wishes, Brian.

Hi Brian,

You told me not to appologise and so I start this message by saying I am sorry!

So sorry that you reached a point where you thought you would never speak to your Dad again and so I am happy for you that his fighting spirit has kept him with you and you are still able to talk to him.  I remember the last time I spoke to my Dad which was a little strange as, because of a particularly bad turn he had a couple of days before he died his accent had actually changed.  I don't know why but I could tell from speaking to him that he was getting increasingly frustrated as I had to get him to repeat himself a couple of times.  I don't know if he realized at the time how near the end he was - I hope not!

Anyway best wishes to you and your good lady wife Brian and as I said I will try not to stay away for so long.

Garf.