Hi Carol,

One of the only reasons I come on this site is to catch up with the 'Stay Strong' thread. Another is to see your input to the occasional other thread.

Don't post much myself any more; not only do I have nothing in my head but when I have posted, even trying to be helpful, I seem to rub somebody or other, up the wrong way. Such is life.

While I personally would like to see your posts continue, I respect the fact that it may not mean as much to you any more and you may want to stop and/or do other things instead.

I wish you and Norman the best, whatever you choose

Best Regards

Taff

Hello dear friends, it seems I make others laugh and did not realise how others were still catching my thread.  So I'll post each week to keep it going and please let me know how you are all doing as its so nice to know.  Its been a busy time for me as my younger daughter, Lisa, was still looking for a second home up here so Friday I was asked to meet Tugs in Middleton in Teesdale to view a four bed cottageup for sale.  Hubby had a chest infection which always depresses him (and me because he moans so much!) so I suggested he came with me.  Tugs drove from Surrey in five hours and we ventured into the home, all wearing masks and the retired couple selling it were so unfriendly that my son in law was struggling to communicate but the mentioning of money  laundering (they're paying cash) and renting it out didn't help!!  So I took over and talked about grandchildren, they have six, hubby's health and how we love the area, where were they going and to cut a long story short their offer was accepted yesterday.  We are all so excited and looking forward to them staying when it's all sorted.  Guess who I went out with for lunch yesterday, Mary, she rang me and invited me out as she was becoming isolated, her driving was atrocious and made me cross as having just done my naughty drivers course she sped everywhere except on the dual carriage way, hubby said I was as white as a sheet and has forbidden me from going out in her car again (honestly he should know that my hackles would rise at that word).  So he's not happy about me being out as he's used to me being there, but if the golf club biddens he's off, Men, I ask you.  Faye is home on the 2nd June, Alfie and Ella will be here for the first time in months, so lots of lovely little gifts for Ella and money for Alfie.  My other little dear, Harry, has just been advised that like Alfie, he is a gifted child and could win a scholarship to grammar school, sorry for bragging but they must all take after me!!  So I'll pop on when I'm able and you all take care and keep me updated.  Billy, take care of you and Bren.  Love Carol x 

I had to post as today has been a little bit of normality!  Nails and toes painted a pretty girly pink.  Coffee and a BLT in a new cafe, it was so scrumptious I took a photo, how about that for being a in the know person!  I chose this cafe as it had a toilet that you were allowed to use, quite a novelty after the past 13 months.  Then the British Heart foundation for two new books a chat with the guy sat under a cavedi in ceiling due to the horrible weather we've had, umbrellas caught in the street with a couple, don't worry pet he smiles were not used to pavement walking.  Then Binns for new shoes fifty pounds off, how could you refuse.  Hubby took me and picked me up, we had a little confrontation yesterday as someone had upset him so he came home and had a go at me!!  I was boring him with my fit bit watch, that upset  me as the amount of golf I've heard about would fill a book, not according to hubby as I didn't listen and never had, his dinner was plonked in front of him and after two hours of ignoring him he gave in!!  So take care, Carol x 

I am so mad at my selfish husband I could leave this minute.  I went for a swim after the hospital, when I came home he blithely tells me he has booked himself into have his leg sorted next Thursday when Faye comes home.  He truly expects me to sit in the car for three hours on my own which I have refused to do so I'm the bad guy, cancer has addled his brain and I'm as mad as hell. 

Darling carol .

Thanks for keeping your blog going, would really miss it,so would brenda I always read it out to her and she loves to hear your exploits.

Brenda still loves to be outside in the garden nearly any weather,so I've ordered a gazebo so she can be undercover more if weather not to good , but she can still see garden and bird feeder ok.    Her legs are getting stronger and she's sitting straight so all good things.

I'm still same no energy and low BP still keeping going though,new fruit trees and shrubs and bulbs All looking good, so a good looking garden for a change.

Hope you carmed down, and haven't murdered  Norman yet..   take care keep safe.

Love Billy xxxx

Dear Billy I've just about calmed down but not enough for Normans liking. It's good that Bren is doing well and I'm sorry about how you are feeling. I'll catch up at the weekend. Xx

Hi everyone, the week has been quite fraught but I've stuck to my guns and he's got the message, he's going on his own.  So I've pretty much kept my own counsel and gone swimming when I wanted to and hubby has gone to his club, he hates me not being my usual bubbly self but it's self inflicted so my sympathy is nil.  Yesterday I went swimming but it was so busy that it was practically impossible plus a Mum with two children was in the water, the boy was scared and she was trying to get him up the deep end which he didn't want and his scream was ear piercing, Simon came through and spoke to them so us oldies huddled down the other end pretending not to notice!!  Anyway an alarm went off and we all looked at each other even the cleaner just stood and looked around, I'd been talking to a lady who was there with her daughter, Faye's age, her Mum in her eighties and she asked if it was the fire alarm, I have no idea I replied but if it is I'm staying here, at least we're in the pool covered in water and I'm not standing in the car park in my swimming costume, so we all stayed put, false alarm we were advised.  I was at the dentist again at 4pm so a little trip to Next and I bought a denim jump suit for Ella and it will go lovely with her shoulder bag.  I've just booked us all in for a meal Wednesday and we are so excited to see each other, it's beautiful at the moment and supposed to be for ten days so the beach is on our agenda, sand, sea and slot machines a kids paradise.  If Ella would like to go and see the new Peter Rabbit movie we may fit that in.  Margaret gave me a Teddy bear for Ella it was a gift for Charlotte but as she's 30 she declined it, so Ella is getting it.  I rang Mary as her family arrive today and she is nervous as to how the girls will be as it's well over a year since they have seen them, it's sad as I would never be nervous to see mine, we all love each other too much.  Hubby says he feels breathless but he has not given himself time to get over his chest infection, this is when my mind switches off as I am past trying to help someone who won't help themselves.  Take care, Carol x 

Hi Carol,

So glad to see you are still entertaining us, even if it isn't a daily blog. It's good to know you are as saintly and patient as the rest of us. :)  It will be so lovely to have your family around you again. I love it when I get mine together.

Billy, I'm sorry you are struggling, don't do too much. It's wonderful news that Brenda is getting some joy in her life, thanks to your wonderful care. 

Sue, thank you for popping up on here, I enjoy hearing about life down under, even if you give me menu envy when you describe your meals. 

For myself, I'm batting on, ignoring the new annoyances associated with my meds. So glad to see a few days of sunshine ahead as I have been talked into doing the "No Mow May" for the benefit of our pollenising ( I hope that's a word) flying creatures. It was too wet to mow for much of the month, anyway, but oh how the grass has grown. I don't even know if my little battery operated mower will cut it, but June 1st. I'm out there! I just hope I don't run out of steam before the battery dies .

Have a lovely Bank Holiday, and thanks again for giving a lot of people a little pleasure with your blog. 
 

Christine xxx

What a beautiful day it has been the sky is azure blue and my happy equilibrium is back, even hubby is in a better mood and saying, anything you want to do pet is fine by me, well we're off to Eggleston gardens for lunch and new plants, what a lovely idea he says, not speaking for a week had worked wonders!  We had a wonderful  drive up the Dales, lunch at the gardens, talked to another couple who had a border collie with them, Norman got one for his 21st and we walked miles with him, laying in the grass and kissing (us not the dog) , all the farmers knew us and would check they didn't run us over with their combine harvesters!  Happy days.  We carried on to have a peep at Lisa's new holiday cottage and then over the moors to Stanhope where it was extremely busy and we stopped for 99 ice creams, but a young girl had been knocked off her motorbike and it turned my stomach as one Bank Holiday Monday as I was travelling back from our caravan in the dales a young biker was hit by a car in front of me and landed on the grass verge, the man who hit him just sat in his car in shock, so I jumped out and knelt by him, he died in my arms, he was 19 years old, so it was a shock but she seemed OK today and all seemed to be in hand.  We've sat in the garden drinking and chatting, watching our birds and talking about family and what we will do.  Christine you are so brave and upbeat and hearing your story is also lovely, dear Sue I will message you back, thank you for your patience and support and friendship.  Love you all,  Carol x