Dear girls, it's been very windy today, up at 8.30 and did loads of chores before he came down, rang Faye to discuss wedding anniversary somehow she thought we were having a night out with them all, but it's Sunday lunch, the wind blew the door open and before I could close it hubby came in, have you got the back door open he asks, it's like a wind tunnel, is that your first moan of the day I ask.  So it would seem a bad neck, a sore eye and numerous other problems have altered his mood.  I've got too much to do to try and cheer him up, things stack up on all sides so I leave him alone.  Poor Dave stuck in hospital I'm afraid we do end up coping on our own and as time goes by it becomes the norm.  I miss my time with the grandchildren so I know what you mean Julie, everything is geared to the cancer there's no other way to do it, is there?  Sue you sound busy again, you've done so well since Neil died, I'm proud to know you and your strength of character.  Enjoy the meal out, its my son in laws birthday today, he loves our family as his is a little fractured as his Dad has married three times, he's the first born, like me, so when a new family comes along we get forgotten, I'm over it now but he's 47 and still holds out hope!!  Off to see Educating Rita now so signing off.  Love to you all xx

Hi girls, Educating Rita was so good I nodded off, or it could have been down to the large glass of wine and very little to eat!  Hubby said was it worth the money, not really I struggled with the the Geordie accent, isn't Rita meant to be Liverpudlian, well if she was then they've altered it for a Northern audience I add, he just shakes his head at me, he once took me to see the comedian wee Bobby Thompson a true Geordie, of course I was brought up in Essex, let's just say never the twain should meet.  So met Mary for coffee, we've finally found a new coffee shop we both like after Coopers closed, then I bought two new books I'm fed up reading charity shop bargains that I don't enjoy.  Hubby took me, guess what, no moans today, he's gone to see Don whilst I make a curry for tea.  My spare Norman has just been in as my TV is going belly up, we're going for a 40 inch, have you got a tape measure he asks, I pass him my dress making one, he looks at me as if to say Really!  This man has every tool in the world, listen I tell him, don't laugh at mine, it's made dresses, measured curtains, blinds, cookers and never let me down, another man who shakes his head at me as if to say, what am I dealing with.  I forgot to tell you that when we had lunch last Sunday in this posh pub there was an almighty crash, we all jumped out of our skins, one of the big overhead lamps which were tied up with yellow electric cable in a fancy knot had come undone and crashed onto the two table behind us, thank god no one was eating lunch on it!  The funny thing is not one member of staff came to see what it was that had crashed down and when they finally did they just knotted it back up!! Remind me not to sit there next time I come I say to Lisa.  So hope you're all well, Julie is Dave home yet, I do hope so, hospital visits are the worst, so tiring for the visitor.  See you soon, love Carol x 

Hi Ladies,

You're not supposed to fall asleep at the movies.  Maybe not the best recommendation for the movie though.  Glad you and Mary have found a new coffee shop.  I buy a lot of 2nd hand books but only buy titles that interest me, usually authors I already know or ones that have been recommended.  Good to hear Norman is bestter today.  Sounds like we both had curry for dinner last night.  I ordered what they called Bombay pasta last night, it was really good.  Chicken Tandoori with pasta and veggies.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with a sewing tape measure, mine works perfectly well and it was usually easier to find than Neil's Stanley tape measure.  (I still haven't come across it.)

The lights at the Posh pub sound dangerous, I would have thought they would have to be  done properly (a health and safety thing).  Imagine if there had been patrons sitting, eating a meal.  Could easily have been hurt by china or glassware that had broken.  

Jamies birthday dinner was good and Bree had made a lovely Geode cake for him, which was really good.  The kids behaved really well too.

Take care, have a great weekend.  Love to all.  Sue xx

Dear Carol,

I've copied a picture of a Geode cake, (not the one Bree made but this one is similar and similar colour).  Inside were three layers of raspberry cake sandwiched with vanilla buttercream.

[[]]

It is just as well you don't snore, it can't have been a good production though.  The movie is good and it is set in Liverpool.

The new TV will be great.  Getting the catch up programmes is great.  I often do that.

Have to start getting ready for the BBQ stall at the market.

Take care, Love to all.  Sue xx

That looks gorgeous Sue, I'm a terrible Baker so admire such concoctions.  Had a look on the M & S website last night for egg free cake for our wedding anniversary as Ella always misses out and they do them!  Norman started saying we should invite Debbie and Norman but there are already sixteen of us and as I pointed out if you invite them you've got to invite others!  At least he's thinking ahead now because up to now it's been ignored by the other half.  He's tired today after a bath and says he can't concentrate but apart from that is doing well, smartly dressed as he always is, he hates people who stroll around in baggy shorts, unironed T shirts and scruffy shoes, I must admit I'm the same, on Friday when it was raining a lady walked past me in thin grey leggings, soaked with rain that showed everything she was made of!!  Last night when watching TV there was an almighty crash from the kitchen, he'd broken another crystal wine glass leaving me with one left, his crestfallen face said it all so today he sent me out to buy more, thank goodness for TK Max, so six red wine and four white wine for the princely sum of seventeen pounds.  Hubby is sleeping now, we were looking at going out but the wind is ferocious, so staying home where its safe.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Love Carol x 

Dear Carol,

Bree does a wonderful job on any cake.  She didn't get that from me though I'm not the best baker either.  It's great Norman is interested in your upcoming anniversary celebrations.  I love leggings, but you have to have good quality thicker leggings, the thin ones are only good as a layering piece under a dress, with boots.  Your poor crystal, are you sure it's safe letting Norman do dishes.  At least he doesn't mind you buying more.  It's been cold here again today, but better than a lot of days recently.  A lazy day though with not too much done.

Tomorrow I get my nails done and have Rotary in the evening.  

Take care and love to all.  Sue xx

So off to the tip with old TV, as usual he's more interested in getting out of way of strangers behind him than me half in half out the car lifting a heavy TV, he tried to drive off again, he got a tongue lashing as he nearly broke my wrist last time, not sure if the Golden wedding is still on!!  He's gone out in a huff, so a peaceful afternoon for me.  This cancer malarkey sucks, its getting harder each day to stay up beat and keep a smile on my face, its more bad moods than good as he's unhappy with the life he's leading, who can blame him.  I've finally taken the fly door mesh off as it's broken and Banging against the glass door, talk about stuck on well, I had to use a knife.  It's very wild again so I'm off to rescue my washing. Roll on tomorrow when I see friends!!  Take care, love Carol x 

I wasn't sure if I would be posting today as neither of us is in a good place, we're both fed up and tired.  Today we had to go to Jamea Cook so I knew I would have to sit in the waiting room watching people in wheelchairs and drinking coffee and because of the way the parking works end up running back and forth to the car.  We never said a word all the way there and even the radio was down low.  He didn't want anything to eat and I couldn't be bothered to encourage him so I had left over pasta and ate two Belgian buns which means I'll have to work harder at my class tomorrow.  Everyone else is on holiday again or going away, visiting places and having a lovely retirement which we could have had. We'd worked and saved all our lives, where has that got us.  He even said yesterday that vaping is worse than cigarettes, it took all my strength to not punch him for that remark, cigarettes Kill, the times I see someone smoking in the street I want to knock it out of their hands and stamp on it.  I'm on the verge of ringing Faye and driving down for a few days but she's going to be so busy as the children go back to school in ten days and I'll end up on the sofa bed in the front room in the way.  I hope everything is OK with everyone else.  Love Carol x 

Hi Carol and girls. Oh dear sometimes as I know it all catches up with you with this bloody awful cancer. I really feel for Norman and yourself Carol. I’ve got dreadful backache everyday and no energy sometimes. I try to potter some days but have to give in and sit with my back into my chair and feet up and painkillers. I want to do more in the garden and get out and about more but I can’t. I want me back. It gets you down. We ve just had awful news in the family. My cousin, who is more like a sister to me has just lost her husband. He had Leukaemia some years ago and got through, it came back in his throat and jaw and he got through some years ago then it came back few weeks ago and he died in the hospice Sunday aged just 66. They had been married 38 years and she is in bits. Cruel this cancer. On a lighter note my little great grandsons make my day. Charlie who is 1 and a half trying to copy his mum doing the salsa so very serious too and Henry who is almost 2 sitting in his high chair putting squares of cheese and melon on top of his head and nodding to shake them off and eat them much to the amusement of his sister Emily who is shouting encouragement. He really plays to the crowd with a wicked little grin on his face. These are on video so if I’m low I put them on and have a giggle. Cathy my middle daughter who lost her hubby two years ago is having stomach troubles . Been to Dr who thinks it’s down to stress as she moved house after Tony died and the little shop she works part time in is closing so more change there. She is to have an ultra sound scan but nothing until 30 th Sept as it’s not considered urgent. Seems there is always something to worry about. Julie hope Dave is home and getting stronger now. Sue hope you are well and that the weather is not too cold now. Lots of love and hugs to you all . Gloria xxx