Because I didn't do much yesterday I was still wide awake at 1 am!   My day was organised,  cleaner at ten, shopping when she left and this all went down the pan because I had a text at 8am saying she wasn't coming, I was so bloody mad I rang her and sacked her!  Anyway most of my shopping is ďone saving nearly 60% on Black Friday on a Monday!   My favourite coffee bode has gone so I went to Waterstones, it was very nice and the books are amazing.   I adore reading books, when someone says they've never read a book for pleasure I look at them in disbelief , how do you go through life and not read?  I was always in trouble as a child for having my head in a book and all my grandchildren are avid readers so Grandma has passed her history onto the next generation.   It's nearly dark and very cold so I'm hunkering down in my writing house.   Xx

I understand the book thing; one of my earliest memories is being excited as a little girl when I read my first proper book.  I must have been three or four because I was in the first home in which I lived before we moved when I was four.  My house has books absolutely everywhere; on my bedside table; in the bathroom and of course in the bookshelf.  I order books from Amazon, go to the library sometimes and buy loads of second hand books. Every so often I have to have a clear-out.  I read whodunnits, books on Himalayan climbing and anything else that looks interesting.  When I cannot sleep at night I get a milky drink and read until I start to doze.    I think I have conveyed my love of reading!  Like yourself, all my family were/are avid readers too. I am currently reading the latest Michael Connelly in my bedroom and The Story of K2 the Savage Mountain in the bathroom!

I knew y were my type of girl?  I'm reading Eleanor of Aquitaine and her marriage to Henry and Thomas Becket.   She had eleven children, the last one aged 44 years old.  Love books àbout muderers and police finding them.  Like you I read until I feel sleepy .  Hopefully the back is a little better.   Xx

The weather woke me up, lashing sleet, force gale winds and pitch black but I was a good girl and got up to go to zumba leaving hubby and his cold hiberating under the fresh made bed by me (as cleaner sacked.)  But on the way there I picked up a piece of twig which rattled so badly I had to stop and crawl around the car but couldn't see it, so on the way home I drove the speed bump way to try and dislodge it!  As I arrive a delivery van pulls up and hands me  box as big as me from Amazon,  I stagger in the house , Hubby looks aghast, what the Hell have you bought now? The only thing I've ordered is a baking  tray as a present for Lisa, 31cm square  and flat,  it was that!  We both look bemused, surely a smaller box could be used we both say, it's so big it won't go in the recycling bin.   I've decided to go down South next week, everyone is trying to put me off because they're worried but we'd never do anything if we stayed safe at home and I've not been to either of my daughter's houses since February 2017, so despite reservations from them all I've promised to drive safely.  Hope you are all OK.   Love Carol xx 

Sue, how nice to hear from you.  I know you have been in touch with Carol so was not overly concerned but I didn't like to think of you being all on your own with overwhelming sadness.   I can join the oversized box stories; I buy some of Muffin's food online; because of his hyperactivity I have to be sure not to give him certain foods. (I also use the local pet shop to buy things sometimes as I don't want them to close down even if they are that bit more expensive.)  Usually a big box contains boxes of his moist dog food and biscuits with brown paper filling in the gaps in the box.  One time I just ordered his teeth biscuits and got the same big box with the biscuits buried in the bottom.  Still the paper gave Muffin something to play with and it can still go in the recycling.  It i spouring with rain here but I need to go out and pick up my sister from the station in a while.  Take care of yourself Sue.

I made a massive ham stew yesterday enough for two nights, except he said it made him cough (at least it was real not like the daffodils ) and I must have put stuff in it that he wasn't used to!  So I said I'd eat it instead and he could have steak, I don't want steak because after the Otter and Fish steak whatever I cooked wouldn't be as nice!   I have a feeling  the frying pan could be heading his way anytime soon.  So we now have gone off, sausages, steak, lamb chops and chicken,  it's soon going to be cheese and crackers for our meals, that would suit me as I don't eat much meat.The coughing this morning was due to swallowing mouth wash (Of course it was) and I look forward to tomorrow's reason.   I rang Faye to say I was travelling down next week, I got a lecture on how it had been nearly two years since I drove that far, it would be dark going to Lisa's,  the M 25 will be awful and all the headlights will confuse me!  I seem to have hit 70 and become unable to look after myself.  I know she's worried but it knocks your confidence and yesterday I had no qualms about any of it.  This led to a sleepless night meaning I was up at four having a headache tablet and some milk because I felt chewed up over it all.  So I will speak to Lisa and see if they can come to Fayes, have lunch and collect the presents, life was so much easier  before cancer stuck it's ugly black head in!  We're going to James Cook tomorrow,  my favourite place as his ankle is not right.  I'm then being picked up by my friend Maggie for some retail therapy and coffee and cake.  A peaceful afternoon as it's cold and wet again.  See you tomorrow 

Hi Ladies, I had just written a lengthy reply and Mr Higgins hit something on the keyboard and deleted it.  You were asking how the cats had been Carol, I think that answers that.  Seriously, they are mostly pretty good, although Mr Higgins has his moments, he can be a devil at times.  But lovely company just the same.  
Now to see if I can remember what I said previously.  
Your ham stew sounds wonderful, and there is no pleasing these men sometimes, can't imagine what would be in it that would male Norman cough.  Loved that your silk hydrangeas were making Norman cough.  Reminds me of Neil years ago telling me my perfume was making him cough.  I stopped wearing perfume for a few days and it was still making him cough apparently.  Needless to say after that comment I went back to wearing it every day.  
Funny how these children of ours seem to have opinions on what they think we are capable of doing.  I'm sure we are both more than capable of deciding what we can or can't still do.  Although I must admit I'm thinking if I'm invited to Hayley's (granddaughter) birthday dinner I probably won't go.  Not looking forward to a more than 3 hour trip each way for a maybe 2 1/2 hour long dinner.  And it's not the night drive home, as I actually like driving at night (provided it's not raining), it's the length of the drive.
I'm getting my nails done tomorrow, so they look nice when I go out on Saturday.  I'm finding getting out in the garden is brutal on my nails.
Annie, I know what you mean about our pets eating certain food.  Our 4 previous cats were all on prescription food due to medical issues.  My current 2 aren't quite as bad but both eat royal canin dry bickie as Mr Higgins doesn't do well on wet food.  Cookie can eat anything but it so much easier when they both have the same.  How was Dream Girls, did you enjoy your evening out?
Hope the weather here is a bit better tomorrow, today has been cold with heavy rain, the forecast isn't promising but I'm hopeful.
Take care, Love to all.  Sue xx

  Hi girls. Hope everyone is keeping warm. Winter is all of a sudden here. Bitter cold yesterday and today with rain too in Shropshire. My daughters took me out shopping yesterday and lunch. I enjoyed it but so tired I fell asleep in the chair when I got home. My friend picked me up today and took me to buy a washing machine. Mines been on the blink for a while but it’s 12 years old so can’t grumble. Seems like I’m replacing all at the moment. Not long bought cooker plus fridge freezer. Washer being delivered and connected 9 in the morning. Long last got appointment for my biopsy . Weirdly for 27th Nov at 11 am which is exactly the same time and day as my check up with haematology. Rang to alter haematology appointment and was told 18 th Dec was the first I could have. I said I have had weeks waiting and worrying and no sleep already and needed to know the result of the biopsy before that date. Receptionist said she would email my Dr and let me know. The lump went into an open sore as the others did including the benign one but is now healing and feels lot less painful so I am praying it’s a benign one again.Dont understand why the rogue ones appear except I know my immune systems low yet from chemo. I lost just over two stone. Needed to lose some but not in this way. Good news is that the hair is growing back and looks curly but grey. Can’t do my highlites till 6 months. So getting stronger and getting about a bit more. Praying that this latest lump is not the cancer back. Much love to everyone xxx

Hello everyone

Had a busy few days with lots of visitors - I feel I've fed all of Widnes cake and tea!

Well it's scan time tomorrow.  We have to be at the hospital for 8 am so will have to leave here at 7 to make sure.  Dave has to have fluids before and after the scan to protect his kidneys.  Results then, on the 28th when we will see the Prof who may or may not do the op.  I'm dreading that meeting.  But we still have a few days of limbo left, best make the most of it.  Good friends are taking us out for Sunday lunch to a nice country pub in Cheshire.  Looking forward to that.  Dave has been really well and dare I say it, looks like he's put a bit of weight on.  Then, just to bring us back to earth, has had diarrhoea and some pain in his stomache tonight. I'm hoping it's just his body adjusting to the end of the antibiotics.  One the tablets he was on was a question on University Challenge this week.  Not often I can answer them but I did this week!

We all seem to have similar reading habits!  I read in bed when I can't sleep.  It usually sends me off for a few hours at least.  Currently reading Macbeth by Jo Nesbo.  It's different but I am enjoying it.

Hope everyone is doing ok.  Thinking about you all.  Gloria, hope your results are good and welcome back Sue - good to hear from you.

Wish us luck tomorrow.

Julie

x