Hi everyone, just caught up with everybody, lots of ups and downs as usual, Billy get well soon, I've still not got my moho back and could sleep for England.  Meal out was lovely but noisy as everyone else was living it up at Christmas parties.  Then today I met Mary and Joe for coffee and scones, Joe is like a wound spring as he's been so used to working, he was trying to rush me and Mary and I told him that retirement was all about smelling the flowers and watching the birds and he calmed down.  There was a lady and her husband in the cafe and she kept staring at me, then she interrupted us and said surely I wasn't retired yet, then she said, you don't recognise me do you, I didn't!  So it turns out she was a magistrate at court but to be perfectly frank not a lot of them bothered with Ushers, then she said, well at least you got paid, we didn't (they got expenses and travel allowance so its not exactly not paid). I was so bloody mad that I replied, we needed paying to look after you lot, Mary nearly chocked on her coffee, well she said it was nice seeing you again!!  Hubby took me and collected me he's started his steroids so I live in hope.  He's had a lovely evening with his golf friends at Richmond and came home really cheered up and if he stays well it's his Christmas lunch next week.  Lisa rang, they're coming the 23rd now so we can take Harry to the children's Carol service and my Ella is on the front page of the Harpenden newspaper as she was in a parade, she saw the photographer and waved!  Take care all, xxx

Hi Carol and all got a bit of nice news we'll I think so anyway, letter from oncologist saying that the cancer in my lymph nodes, bones and lung is all receding,. Three out of four isn't bad just the pesky prostate to go. Considering I've only been on hormone therapy lately. 

Sue I'm not taking bren to restaurant till good and warm weather otherwise she'll nead a jacket or coat on and there a devil to get on and off in a wheelchair, also it'll give me time to find something really nice for bren so she'll enjoy time out. Apart from Dr or hospital we haven't been anywhere for years..

Hope everybody is good as can be and no Christmas hospital visits planned. Love to all... Billy xx xxx 

Such good news Billy a Christmas wish come true.  Norman is doing OK I don't think I'll ever get used to the hacking cough but it's going to be with us forever, so mustn't complain.  A little shopping today,  a scarf for my sister in law, we're meeting for lunch Friday coming, some unicorn tree decorations for Ella and a set of lights to wind around the outdoor wreath.  Hubby is eating little and often as too much food pushes on his lungs, so we've dispensed with our Saturday curry so he doesn't suffer.  So not much more to report as a quiet day before a busy week.  See you tomorrow,  love Carol x 

This cough is not going away and he's getting grumpy, which I don't blame him.  We manage to break the back of the Christmas present wrapping and his middle finger came in handy, the only thng he did because he never concentrates on one thing was to knock a  Whole roll of wrapping paper off the breakfast bar and that rolled. itself completely undone!  I don't know about you lot but taking the little sticky tabs off the bows is the most frustrating thing Ever.  Faye face timed and said keep the presents until they come home, but that's not Christmas, so I stand my ground and so No, they're getting delivered by post, Luke can do it as he's always sending parcels all over because of his golf club business.  I've met her half way and kept some here so they have some for when they visit.  He was going for a pint but the weather is wild and windy so it's cancelled, it's better because it's not good for his lungs this weather.  I've made us a saag beef curry for tea, I've just had a glass of wine for the first time in ages, I did not enjoy it at all, what is happening to me?!  So hope you're all OK, love Carol x 

Another day of wrapping either I've bought too much or I've too many relatives, it's got to be the latter!  Hubby had a good night and has gone for some fresh air, it's certainly fresh as we have a North East wind blowing, good for the washing though.  I ran out of name tags so hubby now has pink unicorn name tags on his, that should give everybody a laugh on Christmas day.  Faye said don't send the presents but she's a Grinch, I've always made Christmas a special occasion for the children as that's what it's all about, the children, how could they not have gifts from us on the day.  She's like her Dad, he never bought me anything for our first Valentine's day together and when he turned up two days later with a bunch of flowers, he couldn't understand why I was upset, It's not Valentine's day I protested, so like Father, like daughter!  It's nearly 3pm and I've just sat down, left over curry for tea, which was delicious and will keep his bloods up.  Talking of bloods I've still had no results from my A & E visit, I'm so glad I left when I did or I could still be sat there waiting, so four weeks instead of four hours.  So signing off now, love Carol x 

Hi Carol just a quick note so you know we're still on the go, glad hubby's feeling better, got a psychiatrist to see Brian on Friday no idea why, but it seems strange to have a home visit. Anyway hope everyone is as well as can be..... Billy xx xxx 

Dear Carol and everyone,

Some of these bugs/viruses take a bit to get over fully.  Deana can't seem to shake the cold Eli gave us all a few weeks ago.  I have been telling her all weekend she should go to the Drs, but she is stubborn and so far hasn't gone.  Your day out with Mary and Joe sounded goos,  Joe still not used to retirement yet, eventually he will realise you don't have to rush,.  Hope the steroids help Norman and that he stays well for any Christmas functions, and that his cough at least lessens.  Must be distressing for him, and hard for you when you can do nothing to ease it.  That will be lovely taking Harry to the children's Carol service.  And Ella being on the front page of the newspaper.  

Like you the backing on sticky bows I find is so hard to get off.  I usually just tie a few bits of ribbon and curl them with scissors now.  Probably just as well for Norman to stay in when the weather is windy and wild.

Billy, Wonderful news with your cancer receeding,  Bren will appreciate the night out when you get there.  

I've been nursemaid here (not that I mind.)  Nick has one bug, Deana has another, they have both spent nearly the whole weekend on the couch.  Nick even had today off work, not sure if he is going tomorrow or not, but if he stays home, he will have to see the Dr.  Deana is planning on working tomorrow, although I'm not sure she should be.  Busy day today, I shopped, then made tea for us, then once that was over I went to the movies again, saw "The Good Liar" with Helen MIrren and Ian McKellen.  Was well worth seeing, thoroughly enjoyed it.  Then tomorrow I get my nails done then Rotary tomorrow evening.

Hope you all stay well.  Take care and love to all.  Sue xx

Hi Carol we're staying at home. With bren in wheelchair it's not very good to get info house's so staying in hopefully thayl be good films on and we can do what we want when we want.. 

When I got my addisons nobody knew what was wrong with me bren thought I was dieing with cancer and had a breakdown, that was Feb 2006. About seven years ago they said unless something happened no nead to see them again, I think with all the other problems they want to make sure  we think won't know till they come.. Hope everyone is well as can be,.. Love Billy xxx 

Dear Billy, that makes sense now, it's so hard when your partner has cancer, they're coping with the illness, you're coping with everything and living each day never knowing what's coming.  At least they are keeping an eye on her.    Norman is still not home, so having a good day out with friends, talking golf and politics, my twwo least favourite subjects!  Xx