Dear all and especially Billy and Sue, I'm sorry I've been missing but needed some down time after the funeral.  Sue I've not read your letter yet will do it tomorrow so I'll reply then.  Billy what a shock for you both, so scary and worrying for you both.  I'm so sorry not to look on here earlier but I needed a small break.  I hope you understand.  I've changed my photo as its from last Sunday with Lisa, we had such a wonderful day but paid for it as yesterday I received a notice of prosecution for speeding, I blame the pandemic as its the first in 53 years!  We were chatting and laughing so much I didn't brake in time it looks like I'll be on the naughty course for speeding drivers.  Norman had a bad experience yesterday with his scan, they burst his vein and all the dye leaked into the tissue in his arm so it was swollen and black and blue he really suffered all day.  Lisa and Tugs have pulled out of the flat and are now looking to buy a cottage with a garden as we had such a lovely time with them last week they have decided to buy a second home rather than an investment property.  I've been quite busy as needed new underwear so had a trip out, food to buy after everyone ate me out of house and home, coffee with Margaret as she has gone to Dorset for a week house hunting, I told her she was a Rat deserting her post as everyone is dying or staying home, I'm sorry she said but I'm sick of cold weather, I know where she's coming from, it's blinking freezing again here today.  I've had my hair cut as has hubby and we're both walking around much lighter than before.  I'm booked in for gym and swim tomorrow and us girls are arranging a drink out this week, life is gathering pace and I'm happy as staying home does not suit me.  Anyway, hope you love the new photo, just in case you're not sure I'm the one stood up (only joking!!).  Sue ill write soon.  Billy take care, love Carol x x

I made it to the gym today but now have a sore shoulder from swimming after sitting around so much!  The sauna is still shut (why?) there were no towels as the laundry service wasn't up and running, good job I had a spare one in my bag or it would have been drip dry Carol.  It s black and col as the sun has gone again.  I nearly had a shock last night as Pauline's picture popped up on face book showing a new post, when I checked, it was a fund raising page for Marie Curie, target £2,000 by last night it had already reached a thousand pounds, she's still working for charity even though she's not here, what a woman.  Hubby has gone to practice his swing and has purchased a new Ping club, apparently he's been looking for one for years and years, it doesn't matter as he can buy what he wants as long as it makes him happy.  We four girls had decided to meet for a drink this week, Christine was up for it, so once again I organised it all only for her to decide she was too busy (doing what for goodness sake!) I was so annoyed that I ignored her, so did Flo and Dorothy, guess what she's now coming, it's obviously her way of wanting attention, like last time with the mask, gluten free cake and so on but it didn't work this time!  Still it takes all sorts as they say.  See you tomorrow.  Carol x

My name should be Jane, calamity Jane as this morning was a farce. I was supposed to be getting the drive and patio cleaned but the rain woke me dripping off my window ledge to the point I thought it was a woodpecker so I sat in my Pj's drinking tea when the doorbell went and the guy stood there bemused by my bedhead hair and state of undress. I had to drag hubby out of bed to move his car, he still hasn't had a was and then knocked poor Debs up to park on her drive.  Then in the pouring rain I had to go and move my lamps as they were tied to the table due to the blinking wind we've had.  Anyway it's all done and looks good, so worth the hassle.  We are now off to buy new hanging baskets to cheer me up.  Hubby says his arm is still hurting him and has taken pain killers, he's cross as it stops him doing things.  So lesson learned, even if its poring down true workers will turn up.  Have a good day, love Carol x 

I was on my feet so much yesterday I've got a blister so the gym got cancelled which worked out well as the boiler guy came and I had to keep running up and down stairs to put the heating on, if I'd left hubby to it they would have charged more as he would need the stair lift thus taking twice as long. So instead I went to Teesside Park to return my clothes.  I went to buy some food but was turned away from the food hall entrance as its now in the clothing department so when I went back the queues were formed across the floor near the hanging clothes and tills for paying, who came up with that plan?!  So I bought four sausage rolls from Greggs and we ate them instead, very healthy I pointed out to hubby.  So now have a gin and tonic, feet up and hubby is nodding off in the warm conservatory.  See you soon, love Carol x 

Gym and a swim but it's freezing and wet so we cancel coffee, Flo is unwell with vertigo and high blood pressure plus other problems and an ECG is planned Tuesday, I couldn't bear to lose another friend.  So my spare Norman came and fixed my new hose to the wall, ordered a new garage door and made him laugh as I said I would get a new handle from Kwik Fit!!  Harry has rang to tell me he has won an award from his Head teacher for his reading so my help during his time here helped.  Margaret is home and no further forward with her house purchase in Dorset, I told her to stay here where she's wanted but she's having a mid life crisis aged 70.  Pauline's fund raising has met its target over £2,000 for Marie Curie, fifty of us have given she inspired us all in life and death.  Love to you all, Carol x 

Second jab today and feel a little better than last time but just in case I'm ready for bed!  Faye face timed but they are getting nowhere with the new office/posh shed because she has left it to Gordy to sort out, they also need a tree stump moving £180 just for that, she looked fed up and feels she's getting nowhere, this is why I arrange everything because the man of the house never would, they say you marry your father, poor Faye.  The TV is rubbish and it feels later than it is because it's been a long day even though I've tidied the garage, done my washing and the usual other jibs, we've not had any tea as we buth have funny tummies, I blame the minced beef, not my cooking.  I texted Flo to see how she was but no reply has been forthcoming so hope she's not worse.  Hubby is funny, Faye asked about his scan, don't know the results yet he says, but no news is good news, I just shook my head and said nothing.  Take care, Carol x 

Today I feel like I've been run over by a bus but I'm still standing (not literally).  Hubby has just made me a cup of tea and a slice of cake but he's so cold all the time he's sat hugging the radiator, God knows what our gas bill will be as the heating is now on in May but he's suffering so it's a cost to bear and fortunately we don't have to  worry about, we are lucky in that respect.  I have now had my instructions from Durham Constabulary, pay a fine, go on the naughty course or appear in the Magistrates court, that should be fun I tell hubby, I would stand in the Dock and wave at the Magistrates and say, Hi, remember me!!  I'm not making fun of speeding but at 40mph in a non built up area I am.hardly a hardened criminal.  I've chosen to do the course, obviously.  Harry rang, Grandma's on the naughty step I tell him, his face was horrified, but my Grandma you're the best nicest person I know he says crossly, well at least I have one person on my side.  Alfie and Ella face timed us and we all had a laugh, they were going to watch Godzilla verses King Kong, who do you want to win we ask Ella, as I don't know who either of them are I don't care, she's as pragmatic as her grandma and Mother!!  I rang Margaret to see if she wanted coffee but Paul has fallen of his ladder cleaning windows, that's why I have a window cleaner, ladders aged 70 plus don't mix.  Carol x

Margaret has just texted, A & E for Paul and he's broken a bone in his elbow also gave him an Mot whilst there, did he pass I reply back!  A typical bank hol, wet, cold and miserable but I got dressed nicely anyway, new trousers (women with control, first pair with control panel but comfy) hubby had drunk a tin of Guinness last night so collecting recycling rubbish to go in the garage I managed to throw the remnants down my brand new trousers, to say I was not amused is an understatement.  I had to get changed which sent me into a hot sweat ruining my newly washed hair, this blooming covid injection has a lot to answer for, my plaster had come off my heel and I was shaking so much it was impossible to put a new one on, so poor hubby got roped in but struggled with his chemo induced arthritic fingers, for gods sake hurry up I nagged him as I was stood in my underwear freezing as I'd left the heating off as I keep having hot sweats!!  Sarah came and it had been her 40th this weekend so she was a little hung over but had enjoyed the weekend celebrations despite lock down.  So it's treatment week again, don't they fly round?  Carol xx

Dear Carol and Friends,
Sorry to hear you had some unpleasant effects from your 2nd jab. Hope they don't last too long..Here they say most effects only last 24-48 hours.  I am constantly playing catch-up, too much on at present and I keep running out of time.  I spent a lot of last week in Deana's shop, well at least doing deliveries.  None today, but I had an appointment to get my hair cut and a few other things I had to do.  Tomorrow I get up nice and early with Eli as Deana is going to the market, at this stage there are no deliveries to be done, but that can change so quickly.  I have to get some ironing done, or I won't be going anywhere, they frown on you going out naked, and besides it's been too cold.  All my paperwork has been sent in, just have to wait now.  No reason there should be any problems, so with luck I might have a job driving a cab in 4-6 weeks.  I went to a farewell dinner on Sat with a friend/work colleague of Neil's, he retired a few years ago, has remodelled his house and sold it and today are on their way to NSW (warmer than Victoria) to live.  They are so excited although nervous about the change.  They will love it, I'm sure, once it becomes familiar.  This Sunday is Mother's day in Aus, Bree gave me 2 jumpers, both are lovely one is pale pink, the other a pale grey.  This weekend will be busy though as both Nick and I will be working with Deana, me in the shop, Nick delivering.  Eli is spending the weekend with Jan, his other Nan (Nick's mum).

It sounds like your weather and our's is similar, it is cold, wet and miserable here too, we had a thuinderstorm yesterday around dinner time.  Then today we've had quite heavy rain which started about 4.00pm and still going.  I had a chuckle over your speeding ticket.  I hate 40km speed zones.  That will be where I will get one if I do.  

I hope Norman's treatment goes well.  It's doesn't take long before the next one is upon you.

Have to be up early again so best head to bed.

Take care and love to all.  Sue xx