Oh Jules forgive my post on my site to you .....I am so sorry not to have known of your hubbies departure.  You know from the support you have given me how well I understand your current situation and my heart goes out to you.  My site tells of my joirney through this uncharted place you find yourself in.  It is difficult but you will come through.

All my thoughts and a big virtual hug

Ian x

Hi Ian

Just lovely to see your name appear on my thread and suspect its just as hard for you to post but I really appreciate the message.  It was a long three years for hubby and I take much comfort in the fact that he is now free from the clutches of his disease which took his happiness away.  I am surrounded by the love of my family and friends (and the ongoing support of virtuality buddies) and now, like you, my life must be lived to the best of my ability. Early days still but so many memories to cherish and share with others - a few late nights of 'story-telling' along the way.

Sending hugs and best wishes and hope all is well with you and Julie in your new life.  Jules x

Evening Hope

Just returned from my Friday night social outing (still poor but relaxed).  Engineer has sorted connection problems by replacing  wall socket and getting rid of interference on the line.  It took him all of half hour and thankfully was 'free'. Had a productive day indoors (poor electronic shredder was working overtime and the printer was also kept busy copying documents ready for Probate representative next week (will be going again soon to do the same for all the documents social services finance guys need in regards Mum'shome care costs.  Never a dull moment!

Have daughter and grandchildren round in the morning as well as a friend popping in for coffee (builder now coming Sunday to put up new wall) and then its back to work on Monday which will help me get back into 'normal' routine.

Am currently being a bit naughty with a large hot chocolate steaming beside me (well coffee might keep me awake.)

Hope everything is okay with you and sending peaceful thoughts for the weekend.  Enjoy. Jules x

Hi Jules,

I am glad to read that an engineer has managed to sort out your internet connection problems.  The issues you have had with the company who are supposed to be looking after one of their customers is unfortunately all too common these days.  For them to then ask you to fill out a customer satisfaction survey is just classic!  I would love to read what you put.

My furniture delivery went - shall I say - not according to plan.  It was arranged for Friday morning so by 10am I was sat in a living room with electrical equipment strewn accross the carpet and boxes full of files and photo albums and all the stuff you accumulate over the years.  It seems that because two of the four pieces of furniture weren't in stock they decided not to deliver any of it.  And to add to that they also decided not to tell me.  After speaking to them I got them to deliver the tv unit and coffee table that they did have which arrived four hours later with a broken shelf.  The other pieces will arrive, apparently on Tuesday.  I contacted Claire who also has a great deal of experience in dealing with stupidity and she replied with a statement that read, "if only stupidity was painful!" 

Rant over and now it's time to get ready for a shopping trip.

Take care.

Garf. xx

Hi Garf

Sorry to hear you too have had problems surrounding your furniture delivery and do hope both the broken piece and the rest of your order is in good order when Tuesday comes - why does everything have to take two attempts!!.

Well the weather put paid to my new wall getting started yesterday so have provisional date for next weekend (he is fitting it in, inbetween his day job (son in law's friend so am happy to wait) and the weather needs to be 'reasonable'.

Beautiful here this morning and though am watching Murray(amazing match so far) whilst waiting for a phone call, will be off out as soon as I can for a good walk to blow the cobwebs away.

Enjoy the rest of the day and hope return to work will not be too 'annoying'.  Take care. Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Hope you have not got too cold on your Sunday morning walk. Although it's bright and sunny here in Sussex, the wind is very cold. So pleased you have got your internet problem sorted. Funily enough, some years ago I had  exactly the same problem, even the same supplier who had been insisting for weeks there wasnt a problem. Am now with another Provider.

Just wanted to wish you well for your return to work tommorow, another step on your journey. I had all this written out once and dont know what happened, if I pressed the wrong button or what but I lost it all much to my disgust. I am glad thing are progressing with regard to your mothers situation and best luck with the form filling, something I hate doing. I find some things they write on the forms are unclear and could have several different meanings so I will be thinking of you.

Take care and I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful day after your walk. Best wishes being sent your way, Brian.

Hi Jules,  so glad the engineer has sorted out your internet problems and that you are able to stay online with us without any problems now.  Wishing you all the best for your return to work tomorrow. I'm sure it will be strange in many ways, I remember finding it odd returning to routine, as life was going on the same when mine had changed so much, however it was also good to keep occupied.  Take care.  Hope x

Hi Jules thinking of you take care lol george

Love and best wishes for work tomorrow Jules x

Hi Jules,

Just a quick message to wish you well on first day back. Im still having issues with ease of use of this site so take advantage when I get in. You seem to be doing well and from my own experience you are doing all the right things. Its good to keep yourself busy: especially in the evenings.  Do remember to collect the 2000 pounds government hand out to all widows. You have to ask for it, they scandoously dont just give it.

Lots of kind thoughts and a big virtual hug

Ian x

Hi Jules,

I just want to mirror what Jo has said and sharing her belief that your colleagues have no doubt been and will continue to look after you after your return to work.

My return has been somewhat hectic which I expected but I will have to have a word with the guys who were taking care of things in my abscence as problems were caused that didn't need to be there.  Hey Ho!

Take care friend.

Garf. xx

Hi Jo

Lovely to have so many post from all my buddies when I logged on.  It is good to get back into some sort of routine (and know what day of the week it is!!) and everyone at work was, as expected, very protective - so sweet and appreciated I can tell you.  Remains to be seem what happens if/when I get a stressy customer but felt ok being back and getting up to speed with new promotions/layout as I had missed the post Christmas changes. In 3 weeks I have holiday time to finish up (very strange handing in dates on the day I have returned after a month off but this has to be taken before 1st April when our new holiday year begins).By this time all the 'unfinished' aspects surrounding hubby's passing will be finalised and the hurdles to cross should be fewer (I am just rambling again sorry but the walls do not answer back).

Hope  you doing okay and that you had a peaceful weekend though not sure ot was good dog walking weather!  Take care and sending hugs.  Jules x

Hi Garf,

Hope you can find this response amongst the plague of ladybird responses (apparently talking is good therapy so have been rambling to all who will listen). Work was fine though a bit of catching up on new layouts/promotions which was to be expected.  Expect you were anticipating a hectic return yourself after the busman'sholiday but sometimes the lack of commonsense that surrounds us these days can be frustrating.  Hope you have 'sorted them all out now'.

Will keep my fingers crossed that your furniture delivery goes without a hitch second time round . I am off to see GP in the morning (hopefully she will be happy to  leave me alone after this appointment) and then visiting Mum tomorrow (normal routine now resumed) and have a meeting in the evening (so hoping to be able to relax in the afternoon).

Take care and hope your therapy is going okay. Hugs  Jules x

Hi there Jules,

Hoping that you have managed to get a bit more understanding of the new layouts and so on at work and also hoping that the visit went ok with your Mum.

I am afraid that this is a short message to tell you that I am going to be conspicuos by my abscence for a while.  Unfortunately the long running demon war has elevated to a whole new level in the last few days and right now I am finding it extremely difficult to manage everyday challenges like work and home life.  I wish it was possible for you wrap up and post to me some of the enormous strength you have shown for such a long time now but it isn't and I am struggling to find any more of my own.

I will be in touch as and when there is any improvement but in the meantime please take care of yourself and sending best wishes to you and your amazing family.

Garf. xxxxx

Oh Garf

So sad to read your latest post on my thread.  Don't you dare give up on fighting those demons (really wish PM still available) and take all the time you need to talk to the professionals and try to find a way through the 'fog' you are  being held in just now.  Thank you for being a great forum buddy (I will not  have you say otherwise) and remember your virtual friends when the fog clears.  Sending peaceful thoughts (hope they reach out to you) and understanding hugs.  Jules x

Garf, just wanted to send supportive hugs to help you through this next stage. 

Annabel. xx

Dear Garf, sorry to see the issues that plague you.  Your forum mates that have only read your posts are rooting for you and hope you turn to good health soon.  We are behind you.  Take care Kathy and big hugs to you and Mrs G. Xxxx