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

Thanks Hope and Brian

Have enjoyed family time today and as usual the grandchildren stole the show (along with a very excitable Westie who did lots of chasing before enjoying a well earned marrowbone). Of course, the inner emotions did battle with the need to  help our daughter enjoy her birthday and think we all managed well to get the right balance. We all enjoyed an Indian takeaway followed buy my son's girlfriend's chocolate cake (very naughty but very good!). Tomorrow my daughter and I have a day out without the little ones so should be able to shop till we drop though it will be a lot of window shopping and chat.

Your reference to Mrs B's flowers being well deserved bearing in mind you got a fair swap (heart shaped cheesy biscuits) just shows how well you know each other.  Hubby was no romantic but always told me to 'get myself some flowers' when we went shopping around Valentines Day so bought myself a couple of bunches yesterday and they look lovely. As I walked back, I passed a florist and sitting on the table outside was a miniature pair of pottery wellies (with bee features) containing an african violet - its now sitting as a centrepiece on my dining table.

Did make some plans to take the grandchildren to London for the day when I am not working this week and then the following week the eldest has a 'training day' off school and I am on annual leave so have booked to go on the London Eye as a treat for us to enjoy (son in law does not 'do heights' so daughter and I will take the two boys).

Well time is moving forward again and I need to get some shut eye.  Best regards to you both and all my forum buddies. Jules x

Hi Jules, 
Good to see you had a lovely time with the family, always a joy.  It's hard to believe you only have one more week  at work then leave with the family.  I have had a few computer issues then had grandson here for 36 hours which was such fun.  Although it was a hot one we had fun with buckets of water, plastic cups and water balloons.  The simple things in life...
Re the family visit it's still going ahead at present.  Sister has requested a wheelchair for airport travel as has mum.  Sister still unable to walk far and still no diagnosis from docs.  Mum has been put on bp tabs but to get to 88 without being on any Meds is quite an accomplishment.  Three weeks till they arrive.  There will be lots of tears and lots of laughter.  Also a good excuse to raise a glass to absent "friends".
Did you have any luck at Friday night outing?
I went out for tea with 2 friends during the week, quite a novel experience driving myself out to a pub.  It was pleasant enough and the meal was good value.  Getting back to car I found my driving glasses had cracked but had another pair in glovebox.  It wasn't really hot so who knows why it happened.  Guess I need to carry them in handbag from now on, what a pain.
Just found the latest on you mum on Kerries thread, thought I was really losing it as couldn't find it on yours but was sure I had seen it somewhere.  The things you do to keep me on my toes... Haha.
Well Jules will head out and do some work outside, only in little spurts as is 38 tdy, but beats sitting inside.  Big hugs
Love Kathy xxx
 

Hi Kathy

So I ramble on other threads as well as my own, oh my. Sometimes just forget where I am - virtually or otherwise ha ha.

Bet you had great fun with the water games outside in that heat and yes love the way kiddies can have a great time without too much expense - going back a lot of years I remember my two as small kids spending outs filling and emptying jugs of water in and out of an old washing up bowl in the middle of my lawn!!!(now its the grandson making mud pies (yesterday too even though only 8degrees!!). 

Pleased to read that your family members (plus wheels) hope to be with you for your celebrations and 'absent friends' toasts will be emotional but part of the day. Your Mum has done amazingly well to only now need medication for her blood pressure.  MyMum will be 89 inMay and takes all sorts of pills for many different ailments and says she should rattle when she walks .We celebrated my daughter's birthday yesterday and whilst, like you, emotionally charged it was good to be altogether. Today her and I had a girlie shopping day out with lunch (son in law had the boys) and she has just dropped me off an left to help put them to bed.  She relished the 'time out' (especially trying clothes on in peace!!) and will enjoy her next day out (her husband got her a spa day for 2 as her birthday treat) too.  Helps to recharge her batteries.

A few of us seem to be having 'computer issues' - my phone line is 'noisy' and creating intermittant loss of net access (you may get some peace and quiet from me until it gets fully sorted) so waiting for engineers diagnostics again (think the wiring could do with being updated!!!!!!).

Take care and am now about to do the ironing before going into work tomorrow. Sendng hugs back your way.  Jules x

Hi Jules,  Glad you had a nice day with your daughter for her birthday, albeit emotional as I can imagine.  Anniversaries of any kind are always difficult, especially at the beginning.  Your planned trip to the London Eye this week sounds great, hope the weather holds out so you get a good view.  Take care.  Hope x

Thanks for your kind post Hope.  Am very lucky to have family close by and the mutual support we are able to give each other really is helping us cope with our new situation.

Spent an hour visiting Mum after work today as am in London tomorrow.  She is somewhat low just now and no matter what I say still wishing herself in the same place as hubby. Bless her she has just had enough and not enjoying her life any more.Don't dare put into print what she told me she would like for her birthday (not until May so she is still thinking ahead!!) but did manage to talk her into having her hair done when the hairdresser visits tomorrow as is usual. She still thinks hubby is the lucky one  just now.

Hope you are enjoying the half term break. Take care, sending hugs.Jules x

Hi Jules, 

I know you'll be in London enjoying the sights with your family; hope you're all having a great time (remember to build in lots of coffee/treat stops - sightseeing can be pretty tiring ;) 

Hope to hear all about it soon, hugs, Jo xx

Hi Jo

Hopiny my net connection lasts long enough to reply to my e mail - very noisy landline is causing havoc so once again awaiting engineers grrrrr.

Just in from a lovely day out.  Arrived in London in time to watch changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace - Eldest grandson really loved the mounted Guardsmen who were the escort and got some good photos to show their Dad.  Then walked through St James Park to Whitehall (packed lunch in the park) then on through Trafalgar Square to Regent Street (Hamleys to spend his £10 savings).  Zack slept on the tube up toLondon and was great for the whole day considering he was confined to his pushchair!.  Beautiful sunny day and rounded off with a Wimpy tea treat. Now a lazy evening before being back into work tomorrow.  Return to London next Monday (teachers' training day) to do Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye (booked) and if not too cream crackered then the Aquarium.Believe it or not eldest grandson was still running when we came out of the station!!!

How are you doing, okay, I hope.  Nice day for a walk with the dog if you were up to it or are you in planning mode for next term?  Take care and sending hugs back Jules xx

Hello Jules, I'm glad you had a nice day out in London.  Sorry to hear that your Mum is low, must be difficult for you especially at the present time.  I'm enjoying the hols so far and having a nice rest.  Take care and speak soon.  Hope x

Good morning Jules,

Very pleased you had a great day out in London. Little ones have so much energy they put us to shame. I spent most of yesterday typing out the names, addresses and phone numbers of companies who have agreed to give our club members a discount so we can get them published in our next news letter. Another benifit for our members.

Brother in law is still okay even though some days he does still feel tired. My son has just set another archery club record but grandaughter has not been going to practise as she has been getting so much homework lately. Still havent felt like going out to my garage to do more turning as although the weather has been nice, it's always so cold in my garage. Plus holding cold metal tools, standing in one spot and feeling the draught from the lathe makes it far worse. Bit frustrating as I want to try out some more new projects. At least my garage roof is no longer leaking so wont be getting a free shower every time it rains ha ha.

By the time you get to read this you will be starting you holiday leave. I feel sure you will enjoy your planned sightseing trip to London and your ride on the London Eye. I would imaging thats quite an exciting experiance, especially for the young ones. It's nice that you have such a good rapore with them as I do belive grandparents play such a vital role in childrens upbringing. I know from my own experiance, that sometimes my grandchildren take more notice of things I tell them than they do of their parents.

Well I have rambled enough for today Jules. Take care and I wish you a great time away from work, plus I hope you can get your internet problems sorted. Best wishes to you and your family, Brian

Hi Hope

Glad you finding time to relax during the school holidays.Wish my daughter could say the same ha ha. The excess energy of a six year old and little Zack's teething (very very disturbed nights just now) means I know she will be pleased to see school resume. Had phone engineer today who says all is well so we will see how it goes (of course the line was not noisy when they came, how typical is that!). Had daughter and kiddies for a few hours today and helped with homework (reading, spellings and the 'copying'of a poem into his school book was needed and all achieved between me and his Mum.  Somehow easier to concentrate when there maybe a little treat available (had bought him an I Spy book of London and he was very pleased as was able to tick a few off (and no doubt a few more after our next trip on Monday (hoping for good weather for the London Eye). Enjoy your weekend before returning to the mayhem that is work!  Sending hugs  Jules x

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Hi Hope

Glad you finding time to relax during the school holidays.Wish my daughter could say the same ha ha. The excess energy of a six year old and little Zack's teething (very very disturbed nights just now) means I know she will be pleased to see school resume. Had phone engineer today who says all is well so we will see how it goes (of course the line was not noisy when they came, how typical is that!). Had daughter and kiddies for a few hours today and helped with homework (reading, spellings and the 'copying'of a poem into his school book was needed and all achieved between me and his Mum.  Somehow easier to concentrate when there maybe a little treat available (had bought him an I Spy book of London and he was very pleased as was able to tick a few off (and no doubt a few more after our next trip on Monday (hoping for good weather for the London Eye). Enjoy your weekend before returning to the mayhem that is work!  Sending hugs  Jules x

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