Nurses appointment this morning for my blood pressure, I feel quite calm and don't expect any problems, I should have known  better.  It's sky high again so I need to see a GP, how frustrating!  I suppose it's a good job it wasn't Sunday when they took it I'd probably have been admitted to hospital!!  The new trousers I bought him don't fit, he insists he's a 32in waist, yes ten years ago, so he offers to drive me back over there, being Friday it's a nightmare and I decide to get some food whilst in the shop, big mistake, it was manic and I even had to queue to serve myself!  Back home Faye's card has finally arrived and Ella has done a special card for Grandad, it's so cute, there's also a photo, framed from Lisa, of Harry, me and hubby standing windblown on the Hartlepool headland, after our fish and chips. Our daughters are so thoughtful  it makes my heart sing.  Sue, I think you are right about the impending birthday, it must be hard not knowing if it's your last.  Bitterly cold here again and a horrible North East wind.  I collected my framed painting that the lady artist had done, it looks really special, I may take the hare one in with Seal Sands in the back ground and have that done the same.  I'm resting now to try and not explode with this high blood pressure, and I'll talk tomorrow.  Love Carol x

I wake up to lashing rain and wind and decide I'm not getting up yet!  By 9am I need a drink and crawl out of my warm bed, why do I feel so guilty lying in, it's obvious that my childhood teachings never fade away.  So snow on the roof tops and the lawn but it's cosy in our house.  Hubby runs me to Tesco for a few odds and ends, it's so windy waiting for him to come back my bag of crisps blows away!  Are you going out again, why? Because I really need to wash the kitchen floor, he takes the hint and hobbles off.  So I've had top of the Pops on, cleaned my kitchen and lit some smelly candles and read the paper whilst drinking wine.  Bliss.  The birds have been fed Again, its like feeding my family when they arrive, breakfast, lunch, evening meal and a bedtime snack, how they're not fat I don't know, mind we certainly have some podgy birds.  Stopping in tonight as I have a busy week ahead.  Hope you are doing well.  Love Carol x Oh by the way, he's still drinking de caf, he just doesn't know it. Xx

Dear Carol,
Not so great that your blood pressure is high.  Have you made your appointment yet with the GP?  I have to make one this week with the GP for my blood pressure tablets.  Been saying I have to go for a month, but have to go this week as only a week of tablets left.  If you are not already on any, once they find some that suit you they work well.  Why do men do that.. Neil used to insist he was one size, and would never try anything on.  In his case they were usually too big, he'd still wear them, just keep them up with a belt.  You really have to try everything on now.  You can't just go in and buy one size like you used to.  I have clothes that go over 3 sizes, they shouldn't vary that much. 
I seems odd you saying it's bitterly cold with a North East wind.. Our north winds are usually warm.  Weather hasn't been too bad here the last couple of days, although the nights are getting quite cool..
A public holiday here tomorrow, Labour Day.  Not doing anything special, not a good day to travel .  A couple of years ago Tia had her birthday dinner on the public holiday, It's a long drive to get over to that side of town but this particular visit took nearly double the usual time.  I actually had to turn of the freeway as I thought I'd run out of petrol. There is a music festival this weekend every year in our area and the roads are bedlam with everyone trying to get back to Melbourne on the Monday.  So a good weekend to stay put.  I can't recall you saying anything about a painting, must be good if you're considering getting another done.  Love that Norman is drinking de-caf, but doesn't realise. I got a good chuckle out of that.
Take care, love to all  Sue xxx

Hi sue, it sounds like staying put is your best option this weekend.  The painting was from a lady artist who paints at home, we just happened to be eating fish and chips opposite her house and it was such a beautiful day she invited me in.  I think I must have a pleasant face as nearly everyone approaches me.  When Alfie was born prematurely I stayed at the flat and got a bus to the hospital, someone always chatted to me and my son in law used to say on the night time, come on then who have you chatted up today, apparently no one talks to each other down South!  Even at Fayes when the food delivery came the guy chatted to me, when Gordon came home he said he didn't even know his name and I knew where he lived, what job he'd done before retirement and how many kids he had!  Harry now has an electric guitar  Lisa sent me a photo of him pretending to play it, I'll try to post it if I can.  Been shopping today and bought two new tops, a lovely chiming bell wind chime and a new clock as Faye decided my other one wasn't hanging straight and dropped it on the floor smashing the glass.  Norman is happy at the moment but once again forgetting to drink water, I'm just filling glasses up and sticking them under his nose, it's very annoying that he let's things slip back, we were just getting on top of it again.  My blood pressure has been all over the place since he was diagnosed and I think the chronic kidneys diagnosis has tipped me over the edge again.  I'm already on tablets and no I haven't made an appointment yet!  We seem to have lost a few followers along the way, thank goodness for you or I'd be writing to fresh air.  Love Carol x 

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Hi Carol and Sue and all. Just been reading your posts and wanting to say I’m still here. Had a busy few days. My middle daughter Sally’s birthday yesterday and two of my great grandsons 1st birthdays on the 2nd and 7th March. Busy and expensive but so worth it. Love them all so much. I seem to go a step forward and then two back lately. So tired some days but so grateful to be here and slowly getting some strength back. My hair is growing well but very curly and grey. Yuk. Had a very light brown put on and going for my blonde highlites before Easter. Maybe I’ll feel me again then. I am on a blood pressure tablet too girls. Carol after all you are going through it’s no wonder yours goes high. Maybe a different tablet would do the trick. There are lots and I suppose it’s which one suits you. Have it checked and look after yourself. I agree about the water drinking. Very important. I found when going through the chemo drinking it really helped. Sue hope you are coping and hurting a little less. I lost my Dennis 13 years ago and still miss and think of him every day but the raw edge has softened. I read somewhere lately that grief is the price we pay for loving. In one way I think yes unlucky to lose him after 47 years but so lucky to have found my soulmate and had that time. I am going away tomorrow with my three girls to Llandudno and staying in a nice hotel. Long time since we did this and we are only going for three days but looking forward to it. Weather doesn’t look good but we are in the car so will drive along the welsh coast and lunch out etc. Sending you lots of love and hugs xxx

Hi girls, Gloria I'm thrilled to hear from you.  You do seem more upbeat and that's good! I bet a while ago you were so unwell your hair wouldn't have been a priority, you'll get there and back to your glamorous self!  It's expensive all these children but like you, who cares about the money when you've had or are dealing with cancer.  Norman and I are coming up 50 years in October, I never thought we would make it but unless things go drastically wrong we should have a celebration.  So, on Friday after the blood pressure test I'm told to book to see a doctor, call at reception, no appointment to pre book, call Monday, called today, number 21 in the queue, get through, no appointments left, thanks I say, that's done my blood pressure a power of good!  My car has gone in for paintwork because every body is obviously blind and can't see a bright cherry red Beetle.  Hubby shouts down the stairs, if the courtesy car is no good call me and I'll fetch you.  We needn't have worried about it as I turn up and am given a brand new Polo, complaining to the right people obviously works!  I still have a banging underneath and despite taking it in last November it's still there, thus the complaint! I've been that busy I could not understand why Sarah hadn't arrived, so I set to myself changing beds etc.  It was only when I looked back at my messages that I realise she's not coming until tomorrow.  So I am now going to set up a log in to my surgery, apparently its easier, let's wait and see.  

Hello Gloria and everyone else.  I know Llandudno well - or I used to when I was younger.  My father was born and bred in Dolgarrog (in the Conway valley) and we used to go there every year to see his family.  He met my mum when he was posted in Sunderland during WW2.  I have cousins still living in the area with whom we (my sister and I) keep in touch.  Happy and much simpler days.    I don't know what I am doing  at the moment other than not a lot; the weather seems to be awful everywhere; Paul has got himself out of bed to see his mates but is not really well.  Muffin seems better; I took him for a short walk yesterday when it stopped raining for a few hours and would take him today but he doesn't like the rain.  Still looking for bungalows in Somerset; I have a week booked outside Yeovil from 6th April by when I hope the weather will have improved.  It is sad to know that it is still hard to get GP's appointments in your area Carol; one of the reasons I chose Somerset because the medical services are said to be good there.    Paul has something called Amlopidine for his blood pressure; I have tried to tell him that his "occasional" - his words -  brandy probably doesn't help but we never take any notice of what each other says.  We were very lucky when we went down to Somerset two weeks ago - we just hit those few days of good weather.  My son Ed is still helping me search for bungalows - he is back at work now as he is feeling better.  I was reading that the place he lives in NZ - Queenstown - has been overrun by tourists.  I tell him he should charge more for his services since he cooked lunch for the NZ prime minister (not the current one, the one before).  One of the PM's friends brought him there as he apparently thought that he would appreciate the food which it seems he did as he asked to see the chef (Ed).    Must go - I said I would drive Paul to his game of poker.  Hope you are okay Sue.  Annie

I finally managed to get an appointment.  Meet Mary and catch up on her holiday, it's so windy we struggle to talk and walk.  Back home hubby is up and munching on toast, a quick chat then a shower as off for lunch with Debs.  It was very nice, salmon and cream cheese and cuxumb sandwiches then orange and pistachio cake plus a pot of tea, a meal fit for Kings.  Dash home, clean teeth and off to GP.  He takes my blood pressure and his eyes go wide, oh God, its even worse I think, he turns the machine to me 117/79.  That can't be right he says, taking it again, it's the same, roll your sleeve up it's obviously messing the machine up, does it again, same reading, whatever you are doing he smiles keep on doing it!  All my bloods are good, chol a little Hugh ut still o ly 5.1, should be about 4 he says, I'm happy with 5.1 I say!  So I skip out the surgery, pop and get Norman next door a birthday card and some Corona larger, he's so good to us it's nice to return the generosity he gives to us two.  I bought a ready made beef stroganoff from the farm shop for his tea, me I'm stuffed!  Hope you're all OK  Love Carol x