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

Hi Jules,
Just lost a huge note to you, but let's try again....
Love how you say read the instructions before using.... Know it well.
All good here, family arrive 2 weeks tdy, am so excited.
Big sis has strange blood tests increase in creatine kinase will wait for 12 weeks for tests.  Needs lie down during day to be able to stay up 12 hrs plus.  She is 57 so quite a concern.  Best natured and most unselfish of my siblings.  She is the one who travelled out in July to help us and went home a physical and emotional wreck as had not been exposed to a terminal illness before and what is involved.  Was most supportive of how we were dealing with situation, talking and expressing our love a lot openly, but impacted her tremendously.  I will never forget what her spending time with us meant.
Anyway onto brighter subjects, 2 weeks till the family arrive, woo hoo, my madcap crew of cheese freaks, did you hear that Brian??? You would be in for a severe spanking with a birch rod , but honey you may enjoy it too much.... I must say not happy at the new movie out pinching  many of my catch phrases/ sayings.
Been hot last 2 days 40, but nothing you can do to change the weather.  Go with the flow.  Still I spent some time outside doing my stuff.  Yes I am mad, no question.
Great how you are enjoying keeping busy.  I was offered a job recently but not yet ready.....
Let's see if I can copy and paste this without losing it....
lots of love Kathyxxx

Hi Kathy

Can hear the excitement in your post regarding forthcoming family reunion/celebrations and am sure you will all never stop talking whilst they are over. Its wonderful how supportive big sis was for you at the hardest of times and hope that when her tests are completed things have settled down with regard to raised levels - to be honest not sure what medical conditions this could be but hopefully treatable if they remain high.She is no age at all and is must be very tiring for her.  Hope she can sleep on the journey and arrived refreshed. Certainly look forward to hearing all about the wedding in due course. Its over 7 years since our daughter married and still brings wonderful memories flooding back whenever I think about that day.

Went for my usual Sunday stroll (and had a manicure en route) and have had relaxing afternoon as plenty of walking tomorrow when we take grandchildren to London.  Just to whet your appetite could be a packed lunch of brie sandwiches (can you believe have found a 'lower fat' french variety and still tastes good (well had to test it out).))

Well is was nice to be offered a job even if you are not yet ready to take up the reins again just yet. It has to be a confidence booster.  I have two weeks leave as had to use up 'saved just in case' annual leave by end of March. Hoping to get some spring cleaning done and who knows may even get into the garden (new back wall to go up Tuesday weather and builder permitting!) but also have a few appointments to fit in(catch up on) so should be varied and am a bit surprised at how I am managing to fill the days already .

Well that's enough of my rambling.  Hope you are keeping well and don't overdo the gardening in the heat though expect you are well practiced at pacing yourself.  Sending hugs Jules xx

Just jumping in to say Hi Kathy = wow 40 degrees!! Couldn't cope with that - I would be flaking out all the time!!

Just thought 40 degs C. = you live in Aussy don't you? Near Adelaide? I think you said before =  Anne met an Aussy when she was 18 and spent 12 years in NT = Nhulunbuy - its all closed down now when they shut the copper mine there. She fancied moving to Adelaide = but the old man said NO and she returned to the UK = she had enough of bush living (you know what I mean)!!

I am really glad things are good for you = it must be really tough

Love to you = steven xxx

Hi Jules = how are you? You have been so kind to me with mum. If I had a magic wand = I would wave it over everyone - as I know you would! So, how are you = I hope everything is good at work. Its lovely to remember a marriage = that must have been a proud day!! Good on you Jules to have your break = we are the same - its arace to get the days in before end of March. Mind you my berievement leave is two weeks and has replaced alot of the break.

All the best and I do appreciate you Jules

Steven xxx

Hi Steven

We could all work wonders with magic wands but that said, reckon there is a kind of magic in being among the company  of so many supportive forum buddies on this site.  I know my life has been made much richer by being able to both offer and draw support since I joined.

As to how I am(and thank  you for asking), I am moving slowly forward and taking life as it comes (so much of my Dad's character showing through these days - he passed away 7yrs ago next month and it would have been his 92nd birthday on the 2nd March but he was a great believer in living in the present and letting the future take care of itself - maybe a knock on effect from having survived the 2nd world war (though losing his leg)when so many of his mates did not come home.  Emotions play a great part in our lives for all different reasons and even now I cannot read my own all of the time! I am still drawing comfort from the knowledge that hubby is at peace and I tried to do all I could to help him through his cancer journey.

Today my daughter and I took the grandchildren into London (fun going up and down to the tube by lift, escalators and carrying buggy with baby up and down stairs - am sure our muscles are much improved!!) and on to the London Eye. We were really lucky with the weather and have lots of nice photos. A little strange as the only other time I had been was when we took hubby for his 50th birthday surprise and my daughter went a good few years ago when she was on school trip!! Good memories to be drawing on.

All being well builder coming tomorrow to replace ramshackle back fence with sturdy wall so hope weather is kind to him though will be ready with hot cuppas and biscuits.

Take time to give yourself some TLC during your bereavement leave though I know it seems like lots to sort out and am sure Anne is being a tower of strength too - hope she is doing okay.  I was fortunate to get a month off and now I have two weeks break before returning again.Am beginning to wonder how we manage to fit everything in!!!  Keeping you and my other forum buddies in my thoughts and sending virtual hugs your way.  Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Nice and sunny here today so hope your builder can get on with building you back wall. So pleased to hear you all enjoyed your day out yesterday. I bet you get quite a view from the London Eyeand hope you have some great photos you can look back on in the future. Bet you were feeling a little weary by the time you got home but I expect your grandson was still full of beans. I wish I had some of these young peoples energy.

I had to go shopping on my own this morning as Mrs B has a very heavy head cold and sore throat as well. I only got one thing wrong so have not had to visit A & E but did get her some flowers so that may have helped:D. I even got to push the trolley round the storethis morning, something I am very rarely allowed to do ha ha.

I hope you are able to get your internet problem sorted as I know how much you need it. When you think of it, it is amazing how it has changed the way we communicate with each other. I must admit, I was very reluctant to get connected but I am so glad I did. It's so easy to send messages to my family in Canada and my wood club members and forum buddies and wouldnt be without it now.

Take care Jules and enjoy your time off work, best wishes, Brian.

Hi Steven,

Yes am in suburbs of Adelaide.  I was actually cold last night as was 14 degrees and had to have a blanket over me in sitting room in front of TV.  In winter we are lucky to have a top temp of 14 which involves 3 layers of clothing, t shirt, flannelette shirt plus jumper on.  You can see why moving back to Scotland would be a problem for me.  

Last night the weatherman stated only a week left before summer is over and most admit my smile turned upside down.  Perverted though it does sound I do enjoy the heat.  Maybe should spend 6 months in each country.... Oh no I would spend 6 months getting the garden under control here then spend 6 months doing the same stuff at mums and my poor pets....

Thank you Steven for your support on this site.  You are truly a rock for a lot of us.  Best wishes to Anne, you are in my thoughts.

Hugs Kathy x

Oh thank you Jules = I am so deeply moved by what you have said. You bring to my mind about what mum said "many good men went to war and never came back = us girls just had to get on with it" = its that generation.

xx God Bless

hope the back fence is now good and strong. I have so much to do like that = wow! 

xxx steven xx

Hi Brian

Well not sure how long connection will hold for but Engineers have been 'up the pole' and currently have landline/net restored though weather does seem to be causing some problems with signal- never rains but it pours.

Firstly hope Mrs B is feeling better and that you do not catch the lurgy.  Seems to be lots of bugs around but then I suppose its the time of year for them.

I am currently on an emotional high and need to share some good news.  I visited Mum yesterday and had her care plan meeting with her key worker which went okay.  Whilst I was there her social worker rang to inform the home and in turn me and Mum that the council have finally agreed to keep her 'where she is' - Needless to say I ended up blubbing like a baby and as you can imagine the relief is enormous.They are also to refund Mum for the last 5 months she has paid for her care to bring her savings back to the 'safe limit'. I returned home to spread the news within the family and am currently seeing the brighter side of life. 

New wall is also completed and on top of that had a lovely bouquet of flowers delivered from the ladies who I dealt with at the funeral directors.  I am one very spoilt lady just now.

Well, the novelty of being back online means I have some catching up to do (and bills to sort). Do take care and hope to be able to stay in touch again now.  Best regards Jules x

Hi Jules = wow I am so pleased for you - thats great

xxxx

steven

Hi Jules = wow I am so pleased for you - thats great

xxxx

steven