Hubby is tired today, I'm watching him like a hawk so he doesn't deteriorate and am annoying him by asking the question, are you alright?  It's a stupid question as we both know the answer, he's alright for now!  It's not too bad a day, just food shopping, cleaning the garage out as I've decided to keep the ottoman, poor thing it's nearly fifty years old and has served me well, a bit like hubby.  So the wrapping paper and few early Xmas gifts I bought yesterday have been put in it.  I've just realised that the cardigan I'm knitting for Ella has a cable pattern in it, having never owned a cable needle I'm at a loss what to do. Mary to the rescue she's going to teach me how tomorrow.  Just had a nice glass of Merlot, feet up and settled for the night. Xx

I've been to our village Xmas fayre, seen old friends, bought Ella a Peter Rabbit shopping bag, Harry a topaz ring (he collects jewellery) some more reading books and the knitted toys were so well done, there was one of Snow White and the 7 drawves, so clever.  I popped round to Mary's and she taught me how to do cable stitch, for Ella's cardigan, it's very hard juggling three knitting needles!  My picture I hung in the porch with No nails bonding fell down and smashed to smithereens, should I sue them!!  Hubby has had his flu jab and gone out, its getting cold so hopefully he'll be back soon.  Beef curry for tea, a glass of merlot and I'm off to put the heating on.  Have a good weekend all,  Carol x

Hi Carol, just quick note, most things same (boring,) bren got appointment next Wed hospital, so treated her to a perm so she looks like someone cares for her, she hasn't had hair done for ages i tidy it up now and again but not same as hair dresser, going to try to keep her going it occupies her time a bit and someone else to talk to, got grass cut yesterday afternoon so Bella's tummy keeps dryer she's a low undercarriage and short legs, glad hubby seems OK hope your looking after yourself, that curry sounded nice yum yum,, hope you're all OK lately.. Love Billy. 

So today I received a message from The Lord Lieutenant of Durham, the first lady to ever hold this high post.  She was one of my Lady Magistrates and a Wonderful caring lady, we had many a great charity night out and when I fell over at one and smashed my head in she was kindness personified.  She's involved in SEDA, which I think she is trying to get me involved in but having resigned from my Mental health Trust volunteer work I'm not sure if I want to take on something else.  Life is so up and down at times I can't commit to anything.  I start a Latin salsa class tomorrow so hubby drove me to town in the pouring rain to look for shoes. What a waste of time, everything is too high or uncomfortable.  But I found a lovely leopard print chiffon skirt and some earrings for the grand total of £14, they're practically giving stuff away!  Billy, I wouldn't let Norman near my hair in a month of Sundays, Brenda is very brave in more ways than one.  The curry was very good, so cheap compared to a take away, it doesn't take long to cook and is much better.  Take care all.  Love Carol x 

Hi Everyone,

Been so busy again.  Can't even remember what I did during the week.   Friday I did some flower deliveries for Deana as Nick wasn't finishing work early enough.  Then Saturday I thought we had the BBQ which I has rostered on to help with, arrive at 1.15 to start my shift and don't recognise a single person there.. reason being our BBQ was Sunday, so as I already out I continued on to the Birre festival, which was great and beautiful weather to wander and look at all the various stalls, look at some art and listen to music.  Deana and Nick rocked up also before I left.  Then today I did my shift on the bbq at Bunnings then called in to see a girlfriend.  Hadn't long been home when Deana rings to see if I could pick Eli up from Nick's Mum,  and stop and buy some milk for her (she lives out of town) So I do all that and on my way home, when my brother in law rings, good to hear from him as it had been a while.  I get home had my keys, phone and Eli, Eli's bag, and I dropped my phone so pick it up and put it on tthe bonnet of my car, bring Eli in, then go out to get his shoes, jacket and other bits and pieces.  Forget all about my phone.  I get Eli changed, ready for bed, get his bottle, he's nearly asleep when Deana and Nick arrive with the last load of things, and I say we need milk, I'll go and get some, which I do but by this time it's dark, I get back home and take over with Eli who by now is wide awake as Mum and Dad were home.  Eli is the only one who has eaten tea so Deana and Nick were going to get take-away, she realised that it was too late for what we'd decided so was ringing to suggest something else, she could hear my phone ringing, gets out of the car and finds my phone outside on the road which I'd run over when I got home with the milk, it had fallen off when I went to get the milk.  It still works I'm amazed.  I'll have to take it in and get the screen protector replaced, but I think the screen underneath is ok.  The phone case and screen protector did it's job.

Carol, The movie would have been good, I hadn't realised she was so young though.  It's a big adjustment to have your partner home all the time.  Wise words of yours telling Mary she would have to learn to count to ten, slowly.  You'll get the hang of knitting with that third needle, it gets easier the more you do..  I love a glass of Merlot, my favourite in a red..

Gloria, Like Carol I had no idea you were 80, you certainly don't look anywhere near that in your photo.  

Anthea, Congratulations on your future grandchild, they are wonderful, such a joy.

Billy, You are so good to Bren.  It's always  good to have your hair done.

I'm going to go to bed and read my book, which I'm guessing I'll finish tonight, I've haven't wanted to put it down.

Take care till next time.  Love to all.  Sue xx

Hi everyone. Today my 22 year old lovely grandson Ben ran the half marathon in Manchester raising money for Guide dogs for the blind. Very proud of him. He is the very split image of my Dennis. Looks and character. Wonderful but oh sometimes painful. Everyone says while we’ve got Ben we’ll not lose Den. I was dog sitting today for my daughters Yorkshire terrier while they supported Ben. It’s poured down most of the day and being in and on my own except for Alfie I feel a bit down. Be ok tomorrow. Carol I want to go to see the Judy Garland film. Went to see Downton Abbey and really enjoyed it. Sue you sound so busy but it’s nice having family around. Billy bet Bren felt better having her hair done. It always helps. Hope her appoint goes ok. My lumps/sores , all three are healing very well thank goodness so I have been able to cancel my appt on the 15th with my oncologist and unless I have problems I don’t need to see him until 6 months which is March 2020. Keeping everything crossed . Love and hugs to all. Gloria xxx

Dear all, thank you for all your lovely updates.  I had a horrible afternoon after I posted yesterday as I was contacted again by Sue Snowden asking me if I had emailed about the money, something about the language and spelling as the conversation progressed set my hackles rising so I checked her official site and noted that another court employee was asking if she'd try to contact her.  My stomach sank and I immediately knew it was a scam.  I felt sick to my stomach and spoke to my other colleague who had twigged earlier than me what was going on, but because of my relationship with Sue I had been drawn in further.  I had to change my passwords, report the mail as spam, contact Facebook to report it and contact the real Sue, what a nightmare.  I had to have two glasses of wine to calm down and hubby was horrified at how someone could hack the Lord Lieuftenant's page and con me.  So today I have phoned the department and am awaiting a reply, this needs to stop.  It's so distressing when you are coping with life as a carer with all these scammers trying to steal from you. What is the world coming to?  I'm too upset to write more but will catch up tomorrow. Xx

Hi Carol so sorry you nearly got scammed, i can't understand why people do it there must be something wrong with them to pick on this sort of person, you've enough problems without that, that's one reason i only us my phone for the forum and I've no money details on at all, I've never trusted it even though its supposed to be secure you hear to many times of people being scammed, glad your realised before to late. Hope your soon yourself (very bossy) hehe,. Best wishes... Billy xxx 

So Billy, how did you know I was bossy, did you get that from my posts?!  But yes I am, so you're a good judge of character, I hope Bren is getting better and that it's not too much for you.  I did dance this morning, last night the salsa class only had five of us and we spent half an hour filling in forms, then the teacher is at a funeral next week, then I'm not going as it's hallf term, so three weeks until I go again.  Jean and I went to Wynyard Hall, had lunch and then meandered the glass house, they were putting out all the Christmas displays so a lot was closed off but still lovely to look at.  Gloria, what an achievement and we'll done to him, I'm pleased things are healing better, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for, you've been through a lot.  Sue, that's the type of thing that happens to me when I'm rushing around, you are certainly very busy.  You made me laugh about the barbecue, Margaret asked me to the Village fayre last Saturday but I couldn't find her!!  We kept ringing and missing each other and at 4pm she got hold of me, where were you this morning, I forgot all about it she said sheepishly and she was meant to help out.  I've got a headache now as Jean had forgotten her hearing aids, so I had to shout and she shouted at me!!  Pancakes for tea.  See you tomorrow, love Carol x