Dear Carol; I haven't meant to abandon you .  Am just about to get ready to go to the hospital for my first physio appointment for the dreaded leg.  When I come back I will take the time you read your recent posts and take in what you have been going through.    I am sorry for havng been a crosspatch and somewhat all over the place recently!  Annie

Hi ANNIE,  I've never thought you a cross patch.  We all have our personal problems and they make us cross.  Good luck with the poorl foot and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Carol xx

I've just dashed out in the pouring rain to pick everything up after everyone has gone.  I know I normally have busy days but the last five have gone in a blur of children,  adults, cooking, eating, drinking,  going to the park,  meeting  everyone for an Italian meal and sweltering in the heat. !!  The children have enjoyed themselves and hubby has not been too bad although my attempts to not sit him near the little ones failed, so Harry got it in the neck again for playing with his ice cream!     He doesn't have the patience to deal with chatty boys,  he's used to watching TV, reading the papers and little else.  Anyway we've survived and I know deep down its better just us two however I need to see my lovely grandchildren.   We all adore each other and I want to keep that closeness.  So my poor swollen feet are up on the sofa,  hubby is in his usual place and apart from the cancer, life is OK.  See you tomorrow 

Hello again I was just coming in the direction of your posts (not about the police watching your home, your dark secret will be safe with me!) to ask if you could take a look at Charlie59 who has been diagnosed with lung cancer and seems a bit lost.  I told him that a lot of people have experience of either having lung cancer or caring for a loved one who has and I of course thought of you who could perhaps "talk" to him if you can manage it.

Thank you for your good wishes.  I have been given sets of exercises and I have to have a cycle of hydrotherapy which I know nothing about, starting on 1 August.  I am going to have to buy a new swimsuit (or bathing costumes as we used to call them in my younger days) as I not long ago got rid of my last one (before the moths got to it).  But can I get a "modest" bathing costume - can I sugar!  I looked on line but to get it quickly delivered I have to pay more than the cost of the swimsuit so I will have to take myself shopping tomorrow.  I think I really want to have one of those old bathing dresses that my grandmother might have worn - they seem to be in the shops again!

You seem to be busier than ever.  I had a (for me) busy day yesterday - going to the hospital in the morning, doing some of the housework which I had ignored (my excuse: the heat was too much for my leg) for a few days then meeting up with one then another friends, then cooking dinner.  Paul complained that I was falling asleep and not listening to him (tough: he never listens to me and frequently falls asleep in the evenings) but it seems to be different rules for men.

I hope Lisa is okay now and hasn't had any more recent asthma attacks.  By the way I think you are right to keep that closeness with family.  I know you don't want to involve your problems in their lives but they are obviously keen to stay close and, well, family are family. 

What am I going to do with this dog?  It is pouring with rain again - which he dislikes; the thunder has been frightening him and he is a bit all over the place (I know the feeling).  Best wishes to you as always.  Annie

Hi ANNIE,  of course I'll try to help Charlie, if I can.  My brother has always had Dulux dogs,  Winston was terrified of thunder and fireworks and shook uncontrollably every time, we had to shut windows, doors everything to settle him but he's in doggy heaven now.  Swimming costumes are a nightmare I didn't like them years ago ,never mind approaching seventy, get a kaftan and take that off just as you get in.  Mind when you see some women, they obviously don't care what they look like!  Norman was asleep at the table on Thursday night but still wouldn't go to bed, so I just left him, if there'd been a big bang I would have got up,  men they are terrible at doing as you say, even for their own safety.  So I'll try Charlie now and see what happens.  Xx

Another thunderstorm and it's cooler for us both.  A quiet day as we are both a little tired and it's so quiet after all the family have gone.  My son in law calls to ask if I've found his house keys.  I check the sofa where he had a little nod off,my handbag as he chucked everything in it when we went trampolining.   I ring the place to see if he left them there after jumping around with the children,  but no luck!  Three hours later he texts to say he hadn't even brought them with him from his house, he says he owes me a bottle of wine,  I look forward to receiving it! I'm binging on Game of Thrones and having an early night as we're on the razzle dazzle again tomorrow.   Take care all of you.

Well I took really poorly last night, I think the heat, lack of sleep and so many people caught up with me plus all the food we've consumed.  I usually have a simple diet topped up with white wine or vodka but my stomach rebelled fiercely to it all last night.  We've still managed to go out for lunch with our friends and I didn't have any dessert, which is pretty annoying ! Hubby looked very smart, back home he's had to take his shoes off as they are killing his poor toe.  At least I don't have to cook tea so I have the rest of the day off.  Lisa starts her new job tomorrow so I've left a message saying I hope all goes well.  I'm going to have a nod off now, tomorrow is a busy day and I need my energy back on form.  Xx

Yesterday went by in a blur of washing, cleaning and gardening.   My clematis was growing like a triffids and as usual his lordship decided it needed cutting back.   So ladders out and a rake (he was still in bed!)  And I got most of it down as it was going to grow into the security box on the wall.  Hubby comes down saying I didn't need to do it straight away,  it was just a suggestion!   I explained about the box, he looks at me bemused , what box, I explain, guess what we don't have a box at the back of the house.   This conversation is held through the kitchen window so I'm shouting at him.  I storm in the house covered in bits of clematis clinging to my hair and nearly drag him out by the scruff of his neck to prove it exists!  This chemo has a lot to answer for,  his brain is working at a lower percentage nowadays.  So off he goes to see Luke and get out of my hair.  By five thirty I'm beginning to panic thinking he's fallen into the rough when he finally turns up.  All is well, it's just seven hours missing is like seven  days once upon a time for us.  James Cook today to put more bend in his leg so he doesn't fall over!!  See you tomorrow 

Sorry you have had a bad tum; maybe you didn't have enough alcohol!I   I was given three exercisis to do regularly by the physiotherapist but promoptly forgot one of them before I even reached home.  So I do the other two and invent other ones that feel as though they are stretching my leg muscles.  I will have to confess when I see the physio.  My sister came through with a swimsuit that she had bought in the Christmas sales but which was a bit tight for her.  It is okay for me; I would have bought a plain back one and this is blue with a few flowers but hey, so what.  My leg is really itchy and I cannot stop scratching it at night; really bad.  Thanks for talking to Charlie.  We have had thunderstorms and a lot of wind the last few days although the sun has come out again this afternoon. I rewashed some of the washing which I did yesterday; my cotton trousers don't need ironing if they dry in ther sun and wind; anything to avoid unnecessary work. I am taking Muffin out with a friend's little dog; her dog is a nervy rescue dog also who tends to snap at other dogs so we are trying to get them friendly with each other.  So far so good; Muffin is not at all aggressive and just backs off if another dog snaps. So I am hoping the other little dog will gain confidence.  Cheers.  Annie