Hi Ladies,
I was a good idea to stay put over the weekend.  Friends of Deana's were going to Melbourne on the Monday and got caught in traffic.  Deana at least had warned them what it would be like so they weren't late.  What a gorgeous picture of Harry with his guitar.  I take i, he will have lessons and learn how to play.  It's good for them to play an instrument.  Only 1 of mine ever had an interest, that soon waned, once she realised she had to practice.  Neil could play guitar quite well. I learnt piano as a child.  Loved it but haven't played in over 40 years.  We moved and the piano didn't fit anywhere.
I love my bamboo wind chime, love the sound from the bamboo chimes.  Mine is getting very worn though now, and they don't seem to have them often in shops, they all seem to be metallic..
I've been at Deana's a bit this week, stayed Monday night as she was leaving early Tuesday and it's my usual day to watch Eli, then was there for Wednesday also as her internet is down (has been for a week) as a tech was supposed to be coming, but he never turned up.  Deana/Nick were not impressed.  She was waiting for a call back to reschedule another day, which probably means I'll be there again all day waiting.
I have bought a ticket to see Cirque de Soleil in March next year.  Seems silly to have to buy tickets that far in advance.  Neil and I haven't missed a show in abt 15 years.  A couple I have even seen twice.  It's amazing how much you realise you missed the first time.  When II was ordering the ticket, I suddenly realised I have a ticket to a show in Colac later this month.  Just as well I remembered.
Tomorrow I have an appointment to see the GP for another script for my blood pressure tablets.  Seeing a new doctor at the surgery that Neil was going to, so will probably have to have a blood test as well.  I hate booking on line, always have some issue, I generally just telephone, I find that much easier.  Then have friends popping in tomorrow evening.  They sold everything a couple of years ago and travel around Australia ina van.  They come home each year for Christmas and spend a couple of months then off they go again.  They head of next week, so visiting before they go.

Gloria, As you put it, the raw edge softens, and while it doesn't seem very long it's nearly 6 months.  Still miss him and think of him each day.  It's only about 5 weeks till we all go on his birthday to his fishing spot, the kids will fish, (I won't, I detest it) we'll have a picnic, and spend the day with him.
Have a wonderful few days away, you'll come back refreshed, it won't matter that the weather doesn't look great.

Annie, It's good to hear Muffin seems better.  The blood pressure tablets Paul is on didn't suit me at all.  I'm doing ok too.  After my couple of days at Deana's, Cookie is wanting to be very close and follows me pretty much everywhere at present.  She didn't like me leaving on Monday.

It's getting quite cold at present, so I'm going to bed where I'll be warm.

Take care , and love to all.  Sue xxx

Hi Sue, I've had a busy few days and only caught up yet with your post.  I'm glad you're OK and Deanna is lucky to have you around.  I wish I could help mine more but its not to be unless Norman manages to stay quite well, he is looking better and admits that everything I'm doing is helping and that he does feel more like himself.  Even yesterday when we were picking the girls up for our afternoon he dressed nicely and said he wanted to look smart to meet them.  We had a marvellous afternoon and everyone had made a brilliant effort  to stlyle themselves in the fifties era.  I actually won the afternoon tea for two again in the raffle and Dorothy won a meal for two at the restaurant that we went to for my 70th.  I got my car back today and met Mary for coffee, the wind is horrendous and its difficult to walk in it, let alone breathe.  We're just having takeaway tonight as my cupboards are literally like Old Mother Hubbard, I haven't even got any bread!  Have a nice weekend Sue.  Love Carol x

Hi girls, it's miserable here and poured down all night.  I brave Tesco but hubby takes me, we now have food and wine, so a bit more content!  I popped to see Mary and find I have a boot full of water, so another argument  with Lookers, it went in for paintwork and gets returned in a worse state.  I just managed to ring Lisa before she takes off for Singapore, such a long flight, I won't settle until she arrives safely, then again until she gets back.  Hubby is looking well but last night said his hands hurt when he clenched his fists, don't do that then I suggest, but I need to exercise them he tells me, I know that but why clench when it hurts, just waggle your fingers, apparently I am too sensible!  Off to see Sue tomorrow as she's had her hand done and can't drive, it's Lukes birthday so I'll take a card.  Steak for his tea, need to keep his bloods up, I'm hoping next week we get better results from his test, the water, cranberry juice, lack of ibuprofen and de caf tea should be working now!!  See you tomorrow. Xx

I didn't sleep well knowing my precious daughter was in the air for twelve hours, especially after the two plane crashes over the past weeks but I called Tugs and all's well, they've even upgraded her to a suite rather than one room, so a happy girl.  Hubby has a bath, I patch him up again as his skin hasn't really got better, but the holes are getting smaller, so that's a bonus.  I take off to Sue's and Luke pops over for his card and asks his Mum if he can borrow some matches, he'd already taken the last lot so she couldn't even light a candle, this time he tried sneaking out with the whole box!  I had a shower this morning so I could wear my new bra for an hour (suggested by the bra lady to make sure it fits) .she'd left the blinking security tag on so there was no way of getting it on comfortably, so another trip into town so I can get it removed, so much for shoplifting, I got out the store with no bother!  Hope you are all OK.  Carol x

Hi girls. Had lovely few days with my girls in Llandudno. Hotel and food and service was really good. Weather was awful. It poured down and the wind was so strong we had to hold on to each other but we got in the car and toured round. There’s a massive shopping complex on the edge of the town. Every store you could think of so we had a morning there and treated ourselves. Bought myself a animal print shopper handbag for 7 pound in Primark. I just love hearing the ocean and we certainly had fresh air. Cathy and I have booked to stay again in July in the new rooftop prem room with a sitting room and your own balcony with wonderful views. Should be a bit warmer by then. It’s raining again here now and gone colder. I had a little potter in my garden this morning . Quite enjoyed it but by the time I had a shower and tidied through I was achy tired so sitting down now with a cuppa.Wish my energy would come back. It is but slowly. Hope everyone is ok. Lots of love. Gloria xxx

Dear girls, it does sound like all is going a little bit better for you.  Gloria, thanks for the update, and I'm so happy you enjoyed your holiday   Just getting away from the daily slog is a Bonus.  I'm sure your stamina will gradually return with time, at least with a little  better weather you can get out more.  I would love a break but it's impossible to leave at the moment, although Norman. Is doing well I can't leave him, I'm hoping if he continues getting more stamina we may be able to travel South to see our daughters, two years and counting since last there.  I love animal print, I nearly bought a trench coat in animal print from Hobbs but thought Faye would have a dicky fit, when I told her she said, you should have got it, honestly I can't win!  I'm keeping my afternoon tea vouchers to take her next time she's home, I doubt we'll get out of taking Ella as she knows everything we do, little nosy Parker.  So yesterday hubby said my washing machine needs new bearings as he couldn't hear the news!  So I booked a service for this afternoon, it's a glued in drum, no repairs possible  a new machine, he's going to wish he'd kept his mouth shut!  Despite the egg scare, we're having pancakes for tea!  Take care all of you.  You Carol xx

Hi Ladies,

Carol,Sounds like we have all had a busy few days. The afternoon tea sounded fun, and lucky you winning an afternoon tea for two.  I always have bread in the freezer, still going on the 2nd of the 2 loaves I bought at the end of Jan when our bakery was closing for 2/3 weeks for renovations. I didn't want to run out, Their bread is the best locally.  Always a happier household when there is food to be had, and wine of course. Our weather hasn't been too bad, mid 20's most days, although the nights are getting cooler.  It's becoming a worry to fly lately, but glad Lisa arrived safely.  Singapore is lovely apparently, I assume she has gone for work, but hopefully she will have a little time to look around.  I've never heard of only wearing bra for an hour to make sure it fits.  I would have thought if you go for a fitting, it should fit, and if you buy what you've had again it should fit unless your weight had changed.  I understand stores really need those security tags but it is so annoying if they forget to take them of.  I think quite often once they've scanned the item, they don't seem to set of an alarm, maybe they still should and we wouldn't have to make a return trip.  I went to Melbourne at the weekend caught up with Bree and the kids. Then of course yesterday I went to Deana's, stayed overnight and watched Eli today.  Cookie was sulking as I had been gone, over the weekend, then last night when I went to Deana's she sat on the windowsill and glared at me as I left.  She did the same earlier when I went out for tea and a Rotary meeting, all was forgiven though when I came home.  She's a funny cat.  Mr Higgins on the other hand couldn't care less so long as there is food and water, which there was. Hope you don't have to buy a new washing machine.  I worry about mine it's getting noisier and last time it was fixed we were told that would keep it going for a few more years but next time we'd be better of getting a new one, that was 3 years ago now.  You should have bought the trench coat, if you liked it that's all that matters.

Gloria, Sounds like you had a lovely few days, despite the weather being awful.  It should be nicer in July when you go back.  Sounds like you are getting your energy back albeit slowly. 

Ready for bed, the weekend has caught up with me.  Take care, love to all.  Sue xxx

Just a quickie to say I have not abandoned you; my broadband has gone haywire and keeps seizing up after a shortish period of time.  TalkTalk are upgrading the router (soon I hope) and things will improve (again I hope).  Very frustrating.  Bit all over the place at the moment - nothing exciting; Muffin seems much better now; I have been doing what my mum would have called spring cleaning in the kitchen - which just means everything has been turned out of the drawers and cupboard and it is a mess at the moment; I have got to the point where I have lost interest but have to keep going to finish the job!  Sigh.  Annie

Hi Ladies,

That is what happens quite often when we decide to clean, looks worse before it starts to look better.  Glad muffin is much better now.  Haven't done a lot today. went to aqua balance tonight, tomorrow I get my nails done... wonder what she'll do tomorrow.  Always nice and I like when I say she can do whatever she likes.  Only time I choose is if I've got plans and have decided what I'm wearing and want something specific to go with it.
Going to try a recipe tomorrow that I got from Bree, stove-top lasagna.. it's all done in a large frying pan.  Jamie did it last weekend and it smelt wonderful when it was cooking.  He did that the night I was coming home and I had something here.
 

Take care, and love to all.  Sue xx