Hi Everyone, 

Monday I took my phone in to be repaired, which luckily for me it was able to be repaired, both myself and the technician had concerns the screen would need replacing instead of just the screen protector, but I was in luck and it was just the screen protector, so another was put on, and it look like new again.  Tuesday the plumber came to finish the solar water pump, it's one of those weeks, it burnt out just hours after being fitted and tripped the fuses so we lost power in various areas of the house, but luckily I didn't have to deal with that as I was at Rotary.  Nick dealt with it all, ended up turning the solar water off, so we have power back.  Rotary was good, it was a combined meeting with West Colac and our group.  A fundrainser for mental health, food was terrible but the evening was very informative from the guest speakers and the hat auction was a lot of fun.  This morning I rang the plumber and explained what hat happened,  he had a full day today so will have a look Friday.  I had Eli all day today, Deana worked all day today preparing flowers for a wedding Thursday morning.  She is back there again  in the morning to do the floral arrangements outdoors where they are holding the ceremony, and as Nick has an early meeting I will have Eli first thing till Deana gets back and drops him at daycare.  So this week has been just as busy.  I was talking to Bree earlier and it is grandparents day at her boys school next Tuesday, so I'm going to stay with her Monday night .  I'd not make it otherwise, I'd never manage to get up by 5.00am.  Happy I won't have to miss it.  Then next month she asked if I wanted to go to Stevie's dance school concert.  At least it's a weekend, although still morning with a 10.00am start.  They have 2 concerts, one morning the other in the evening, but the younger groups are only in the morning concert.  My sister in law rang this evening from Vietnam (Neil's sister) she is on holiday there and having a ball.  Photos she has taken are stunning.

Gloria,  How proud you must be of your Grandson Ben.  It would be a blessing in so many ways that he is so like Dennis.  Sounds like it would have been a a good day to stay indoors although a shame you weren't there in person to support Ben.  Happy to hear your lumps/sore are healing well, and you are able to postpone your oncolodist appointment till March.

Carol,  Glad you didn't fall for the scam   They are very brazen thinking they will get away with their scams.  Very upsetting for you though.  Your day at Wynyard Hall with Jean sounds lovely.   Glad you got a giggle from me getting the bbq day wrong.  Bev did also when I mentioned it to her on Sunday.  It was a great day weatherwise and our busiest yet for a Sunday.  Saturdays are generally the busier day,

Bill, Hope you are well and that Bren is still improving and that the carers are coming at times that are beneficial to not only Bren but yourself.

Take care and love to all.  Sue xxxx

Hi everyone, Sue, what a lovely update, you are having as many days out as me!  It's been a right carry on with this solar panel it seems to have gone on for months, at least your weather is getting better.  I contacted Sue personally and told her what had happened so she's posted on her page warning everyone to be aware, so success.  Mary and I did our class but they shut the business for good tomorrow and she's all over the place, panicking about how her and Joe will cope day to day, what will she do to keep occupied, etc. I cannot believe that she's in such a state, how about volunteering I suggest, No, Maureen had asked her to help at her school for disadvantaged children teaching them to sew £30 an hour, no thanks she said!  So I suggest we go to Crafters Companion which does everything craft wise.  We went today and had a look, don't fancy that she says, nope not interested in that either, there were classes that we could do, there was a lovely card making class, two hours for £7.50 and a card to take home, I'm not paying that she said, I'm excited about doing something interesting  I say, I'm not she replies, we have coffee and cake and go home!  I tell hubby about it, she's only got you he says leave her too it.  He's right you can only lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.  I'm never bored, life is too short to be miserable.  Hubby thinks his new car is making him cough, I think he's grasping at straws but agree anyway!  I need to get out in the garden but we've had so much rain it's been impossible to go out there, if it's dry tomorrow then I'll be OK.  See you tomorrow.  Love you x

Hi sue carers are sorted brens a lot better still slight pain now and again, got nice news,, about four years ago bren had cancer on top lip had op, about four months ago lump came right on scar checked with Dr he wasn't sure this morning saw specialist this morning it's not cancer back so relieved, hope all goes well as can be,.. Billy 

That's such good news Billy, what a relief for you both. Carol x

Hello everyone, nice to read some good news from you all. I've had a very up and down week. We had a lovely evening Friday but hubby started to feel a bit rubbish on Saturday. He spent most of our birthday asleep in the chair! I didn't  think he would make his treatment on Monday but although his blood count was a bit low they did it. He always has bad bouts of hiccups during and after the treatment but today he is much better. I think I really get on his nerves keep asking if he's alright! I try not to but as soon as he makes a mumour it comes out automatically!! Friday we have to go back to London, this time about the tumour behind his eye. I've now finished work for 2 weeks and we have a little trip planned. Fingers crossed we make it!  Good night all, talk soon xx

Hubby slept nearly 18 hours a day, so it's not unusual, just let him sleep and stop asking how he is!!  I hope you still get your break though we've been nowhere since Norman was diagnosed as its been too up and down.  We're looking at doing a train journey for our Golden wedding, just the day out but we'll enjoy it as its a treat.  It's stopped raining so I've been in the garden all day chopping roses down, hubby came out and said he felt useless watching me, so I got him some secateurs and had him chopping bits up to fit in the bin, he then broke them and decided to try and find the little spring that fell in the bin, I said he was bonkers and took the bin away!  He's popped out now for some fresh air and we haven't rung the GP yet, fingers and toes crossed.  So lots done today and its now getting chilly so I'm off to put a jumper on.  See you tomorrow. Xx

I was supposed to meet Mary for coffee but the weather was horrendous, a mini monsoon so I stayed home, did some food shopping, managed to get all six bottles of wine home safely, coloured my hair, went and had it cut, cleaned the fridge out, finished the back of Ella's cardigan and am now chilling out!  Faye rang last night saying a friend had phoned to say Tim had died, we were both shocked as this young man was her first true boyfriend for at least five years and was only three years older than her.  He'd had a bad accident in his early teens, both legs badly broken, fought back to health, did the yearly marathon, the great North run and went to college.  It seems they tried to do some repair work on his leg and it went wrong, so, so sad.  Hubby got a tax refund, I came home from Tesco and said I've just spent your tax refund, You're very good at spending my money he says, but I'd be sat here very miserable with the money but without you!  Off to cook tea,  love to you all.  Carol x 

Crikey I had horrible dreams last night, I dreamt I was being scalped (probably because I had a hair cut and it's still falling out!) all I was left with was a mohican and I cried my eyes out!  Isn't it funny how we dream, hubby said he'd dreamed of our old house, Harry lived with us and he'd argued with the landlord because he wouldn't give him another pint.  So off to town, bright red nails done, I bump into my favourite big issue seller who I've seen for twenty years, a hug and he looks at my nails, blooming  love your nails he says, are they your own, nothing fake about me I laugh.  Poppyseed Muffin, strong coffee in Binns, a necklace for Christine, it's her 70th and yes she's speaking to me again!  Mary and Joe ring whilst I'm out I can have the mini fridge free, I pop up and Joss has just landed after a five hour journey (Mary's son) he'll drop it off for me he says.  Emily and Rebecca are arguing about not being friends anymore, these are Joe's granddaughters, happy retirement I say, don't even go there he hisses!!  So I've had to move everything in the garage again to fit the fridge in but it's done.  Sue rings, she's bought us a Golden anniversary rose to put in a pot, isn't that so lovely, a rose to grow and remember happy days.  It won't have any roses on she says, you can't get anything these days I say laughing, I'll stick some false ones on she says.  I've just poured a glass of malbec, beef curry is simmering and Strictly is on.  Have a good weekend all of you.  Love Carol x 

Hi Everyone,

Carol, The solar panel burst back in July (I think it was), so it has been going on for months.  He didn't come Friday as planned either, it was raining cats and dogs here and he would have been outside in it so he is coming Monday (tomorrow).  Mary will get used to having Joe home, and despite not liking any of your suggestions of activities, she'll find something to fill in her time.  So sad about Tim, and so young.  LIfe isn't always fair.  So nice of Norman to say he rather have you than his tax return.
The dreams we have can be strange, scalped with a mohican, I just can't picture that look on you.  As you said probably prompted by getting your hair cut.  Retirement, giving him a look at what he missed when he was working.  The Golden Wedding Rose is gorgeous and will be lovely once it's planted and blooms next spring..

Billy, Glad the carers are sorted and that Bren is a lot better.  What wonderful news for your both.

Anthea, It is such a rollercoaster ride, and you can never predict what tomorrow will bring.  A shame hubby wasn't feeling better for your birthday's.  Hope your little trip goes ahead as planned.

Weather has not been good here since I last wrote but we have better coming this week.  Tomorrow the plumber is coming again.  And later I'll go to Bree's in preparation for Grandparents day at her boys school on Tuesday.  We are going out for lunch at the Moon Dog Brewery (a boutique brewery but also a cafe, neither of us will be sampling the brews as we will both be driving).  I have just ordered a carseat for Eli to go in my car, will make it easier all round and we won't have to play musical cars so often.  Deana and Nick have been gardening today in the cat run.  Will be much nicer for the cats once it's all finished.  Some nice bromeliads along with some other cat friendly plants and it's looking quite nice.  Still more to be done,  The cats love getting out there, steps up to a ledge at fence height they can sit on and look into the neighbours yard.  

Take care, love to all.  Sue xx