Dear all, I've not been too well but have read your posts.  I'll catch up with you all when I feel better.  Love to you all.  Carol xx

Hubby has just returned from the doctors and they said it's the worst chest they'd heard for some weeks, it's frightening as he could get worse, I'm still coughing and worried it's not clearing up yet.  So my friend has messaged from Australia, her 70th birthday present, snorkeling, walking the rain forest, walking Ayers rock and having a wonderful time.  I've got Sarah coming again as we did the kids bedroom yesterday and not much else, talking of children, Harry rang last night, guess what Grandma he says, I've been chosen to be an anti bullying ambassador for my school, he'll do well as he's a delightful soul.  See you soon.  Love Carol x 

So I'm officially dropping to bits!  After five trys to get a blood pressure reading I asked my trainee GP, am I officially dead?  It took three machines to get a reading of 184/98, not good, after saying "99" five times whilst he listened to my chest it was agreed I've still got a chest infection, could have told him that fifteen minutes earlier!  Hubby had a good night and slept until 4am so coughing has slowed down, thank God, can you imagine how I would feel if my infection finished him off, but he's a tough old codger and isn't giving up that easily.  I've been for a little shop and bought a leopskin shopper bag in the sale, I'm fed up buying one pound TKmaxx bags then forgetting them.  Sarah popped in yesterday and bought me scones, jam and clotted cream as a belated birthday gift, that was so nice and we ate them last night, they were scrumptious as our appetites have not been good, I've told hubby it's a pre Christmas self inflicted diet.  So that's it for today, take care, love Carol x 

It's a freezing wet day and I snuggle in bed until 9am.  After taking hubby tea and checking on him I call Mary to firm up Tuesday's arrangements, we're now going at 3..30pm.which seems early but hey ho it's not my "Do".  Mary and Joe are meant to be going horse racing but Joe seems disinclined to go because of the weather.  He's now booked them into a. B & B IN  the Lakes, Mary is struggling to keep up with all the plans!!  Well at least she's not bored,  I was telling hubby and he said, well at least I leave you alone!  So today I've bought a new 6ft pretend Xmas tree as my old one is looking tatty and as I've bought new things to hang up I pushed the boat out.  We're popping to Stockton to pick it up.  Teas ready so hope all well.  Love Carol x 

Hi Carol and everyone,

What date was your birthday?  Happy birthday and so sorry I missed it.  I vasguely remember now that it was around the same time as mine.  You can eat chocolates for tea on your birthday.  YOur Golden Anniversary Rose will be beautiful later when it flowers.  The hedgehog duvets sound gorgeous for your grandchildrens bedroom.  I hope your friend (that is visiting Aus) is nowhere near the fires, I'm guessing she is further North and possibly central Aus too,than where the fires are, but it sounds like she is having a wonderful time, Queensland is beautiful, and warm most of the year.  I bet you are so proud of Harry.  
It is good heasr thast Norman's cough has slowed and he at least is sleeping.  Glad to hear Mary is filling her days and not bored.  Z

After me saying this week would be a quiet one, it'sa not.  I went to Melbourne yesterday as it was the boys school Christmas concert.  Bree purposely hadn't mentioned it as it am going for Stevies dancing concert.  When we were talking the other day she mentioned that she had a busy day Thursday and when I asked the reasons, well I ended up going yesterdy for their Christmas concert.  It was really good although Colby wouldn't participate.  He sat with us and watched his brother.  Got back late last night.  So today I'm catching up on some housework then after tea tonight I'm drivinkg back to Melbourne and will stay at Bree's tonight aso I can follow them in the morning for Stevies 10am concert.  Then in the afternoon after her concert we are all going to Bacchus Marsh for the Strawberry and Cherry festival, sounds like fun, Market in the village square, rides, food stalls and then fireworks starting and 9pm,  So after all that 1 1/2 hour drive home and up early Sunday        as I'm on the BBq at our market.  By the time I get home from I'll be exhausted and need a rest.  It's that time of year though isn't it.  Christmas functions starting.

I probably won't be on the computer will Sunday evening,but hope those that aren't well are feeling better by then.

Take care and lots of love to all.  Sue xx

Dear Sue, it was last Thursday but after last year and being ill its been low key!  I have certainly felt 71 years old this last two weeks, I Do Not like being ill.  I've obviously missed yours as well, so happy belated birthday.  It sounds like you're having a busy time with family, I would love to see mine in their school plays but life isn't letting me.  Missing so much because of cancer and never going to get these times back.  We've just been to collect my tree for the children, I do a child's tree then an adult one, the little ones have their names and special baubles and this year I bought a clear plastic Angel, star and tree to fill with sweets, they look good.  Mind Norman had a coughing fit on the way home I thought we were going to have to pull over, it's so worrying as it can't be helping his lung which is badly damaged.  I've done no shopping yet as I have no idea what anyone wants.  At least I can buy on line but I do like looking properly for the children and feeling the goods.  So don't run yourself into the ground, that's what I do!!  Margaret is travelling Australia, last heard from at Ayers rock or whatever its new name is!  She's 70 on Sunday so I'll WhatsApp her and see how she's doing.  Take care everyone.  Love Carol x 

I actually made it into town today!  Got my nails done ready for Tuesday night and then had coffee and blueberry Muffin but got the seeds stuck in my teeth, ever tried swishing them out with hot coffee?  I tried to get my brother his usual Xmas jumper in Binns but they've gone up market and only do Barbour, Hugo Boss and all the other expensive ranges, who spends £85 on one jumper, Woolen Mill here I come!  Ordered my turkey crown, bought all my special Xmas cards, it's so busy now that if I don't get them now I'll be stood in queues forever.  It's so hot in the shops, if they turned the heating down it would be more pleasant, I gave up and came home.  Hubby has said he may go for a pint as he's like me not fancied a drink for ages.  I've put a pork curry in the oven, some wine chilling and Strictly is at Blackpool tonight, so feet up and chilling out after my busy day!!  Love to all of you, Carol x 

Hi Carol glad hubby is feeling bit better, had a wasted afternoon, took bren for her mri scan appointment, a mobile unit, i phoned up to check with bren not being able to walk and they said OK when our turn first question we get how far can bren walk, i say she can't unless I'm supporting her they tell me I'm not allowed to the scanner then i explain how i phoned up to check nurse gets paperwork and explained paperwork should have been changed to ordinary scanner not mobile. Hopefully new appointment next week or so we've been told, we see specialist soon already got appointment, anyway nearly five hours wasted and payed for parking, hope everyone had a good day...... Billy 

Hi Billy, this is so frustrating as if you haven't got enough to deal with.  No one listens and messages are never passed on.  We've had some pretty bad times at certain hospitals and it hurts not only your partner but you as well.  Let's hope you get better treatment next time.  Love Carol x