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 Brian,
(Apologies for butting in Jules), just had to let you know made cheesy scones, treacle scones, bread and butter pudding, pavlova, cheese sticks, tattie scones and home made pizzas for the visitors.  Drool.....
Just had to have a stir,
Rgds to you and Mrs B
Kathy x

 

Hi Jules,
Well family left 48 hrs ago and well and truly back home and settled in again.  What an absolute wow of a time we had.  Mum is quite remarkable and so on the ball.  She does a lot of crosswords and as a retired teacher is quick to correct our grammer ( or grandpa).  She does a lot of mental arithmetic in her head and is quicker than us with pen and paper.
Latest on sis is another blood test on Monday.  Liver fibrous??  She has been following Sandra Cabots healthy liver diet while here and eating very healthily so we hope the results show an improvement.  She feels fine but with high bp, diabetes and cholesterol issues it is a concern.
Good to see you had a good nights rest when Zack slept over.  It is great to be able to help out isn't it. The littlies give us so much joy don't they.
 Thinking of going home in June to spend more time with mum.  Just a thought at present but even though she is sprightly who knows what the future holds.  Guess it depends on me finding a house/ pet sitter.
Planned on a quiet day yesterday but ended up having a few "drop in " visitors, but that's all good, not a drama, they take me as they find me.
Pets have gone off to bed without me....what's new?
Will be good for you and family to have a few days R & R, pack plenty of t bags.
Ok honey will sign of for now, sending you humongous hugs, precious lady
Kathy xx
 

Hi Brian

Lovely that you had surprise visitors and I am sure Mrs B, though understandbly worried, will have felt better for having seen her brother rather than just a chat on the phone and will have helped her sister in law to be able to talk with you both too.

Enjoyed my social evening on Friday (though no financial benefit this week ha ha). Had Zack from late afternoon yesterday to mid morning today and though he was up for a couple of hours, it was before I went to bed myself and he then slept in till 7a.m, (I had already been up and hour) .  My daughter and son in law were so grateful for a good nights rest (especially with the clocks going forward).

I am on a day off tomorrow (last holiday day from 2014 entitlement) so am using it to go for my blood test  early in the morning (12 hour fasting required so will aim for 8 a m clinic  and hope not to long to wait but will take book with me as its usually pretty busy even though they have four rooms on the go).

Today is the first Sunday in ages when I have not got out for a walk. Absolutely awful weatherwise - wet and very windy but hate being indoors all day (like a caged animal but with no one to moan at!!) even though I have a cold would prefer to get some exercise (doing the housework is not my idea of pleasure).

Hope  your son gets his new arrow shafts - I  know we are part of Europe but can imagine his frustration at finding out why they were delayed.  Hope he and your granddaughter did well at their last Archery outing. Also hope that your younger grandson's infection responds well to the antibiotics. 

Well best go a prepare my evening meal which I will have a little later than usual as will not be able to eat again until I get back from the 'vampires den' (though my take banana to eat when I come out). Hope you and Mrs B have a peaceful day.  Regards Jules x

Hi Kathy

Good to see you pop up on my thread and hope you keeping well.  Sounds like you had a blast/great wedding too, whilst the family were over and no doubt will take you a few days to 'get back to normal'whatever that is.  Hope your sis gets better news at her appointment Monday as it sounds as though she has been doing her best to follow a good diet.  I can relate to that as have been trying to get back to 'healthy' eating as have cholesterol blood test tomorrow (should have gone last October but GP gave me breathing space with so much going on with hubby at the time).  Thanks for the mention of all those lovely sounding baking achievements (never worry about butting in) as I am trying to up fruit and veggies and leave 'naughties' in the shops (my thoughts that if I dont buy them I can't eat them ha ha). Have already told family not to do the Easter Egg thing this year (of course I have still bought for them!).

Emotions running high this week again, as Thursday would have been hubby's 64th birthday and we have arranged the formal scattering of his ashes. Its hard to believe that nearly three months have gone by.  We go away on Easter Monday - no t-bags as we are coffee drinkers ha ha but although we are staying on a caravan park (this will be the first time I have ever been in one!!) so that we have all the amenities for the grandchildren, we will not self cater as they have restaurants on site and good local eateries nearby (daughter and family have been before so know their way around the area).  Looks as though wellies will be required but  it still has time to change!!

Had Zack for his second sleepover last night and not too bad considering the clocks went forward. Very blustery (with heavy squalls) just now but not too bad temperature wise. Have  not been out today; had Zack till late morning and then weather did not entice me out (am in the throws of my first cold for ages (is this liked to my healthy diet!!!)) but hate being indoors all day so maybe if it clears later I can go for a quick stroll (it would be very fast with the wind we have at the moment.  Two collared doves are hanging on to my bird feeding station but are struggling for balance.  The blue ***/coldfinches coping a bit better.

They are making the most of crushed nuts and mealworms.

Am feeling a bit lazy as I watch the madness that is the triathlon taking part in New Zealand!

I expect the pets are finding it strange now that your family have left (or maybe grateful for their space back ha ha).   No pets to look after when I go away so just let the neighbours know so they can take my dustbin in (I will leave it out as rubbish collected the day after we go away).  Am very lucky to have good neighbours in our street.

Well best stop chatting and get on with preparing tonight's meal(a bit more than usual to keep me going until after my blood test tomorrow.  Take care my friend.  Chat again soon.  Jules x

Hi Kathy,

Sorry to hear your families visit had come to an end. Sounds like you had a whale of a time and am so pleased for you truely deserve it. Your mention od all the tastey goodies especially the cheesy one has got my wouth watering, just as you hoped. Mrs B happened to mention the other day that she originall had a set of four playing card shaped pastry cutter, i.e heart diamond ect but some had broken and she now only had one shape left.. So I looked on the internet and have bought her a new set complete wit a round tin to put them in. So for next weekend, she has promised to make me some cheese biscuits with them. I will send you a photo of them just to make you drool but wont tell Mrs B as she would tell me off for stirring and might not make those CHEESY BISCUITS. mmmmmmmm

I am rotten arent I?????

take care Kathy, sending best wishes and a big hug, Brian..

Hi Jules,

Sorry you couldnt get out for your walk. We have had a rainey and blustery day today. The sun has come out now the day is nearly finnished but the wind has got really strong. I went and bought a new bedside alam clock/radio only to find when I got home it was totally diiferent to the one shownSo back to our local Argos and no one seems to know whats gone wrong. Ended up buying a totally differnt one. It has ten pre-sets on the radio but the instructions are not that well written so still struggling. Grandchildren could probably do it just like that.

Both my son and granddaughter won gold medals and a trophy each so very proud of them both. Grandsaon is still improving  and is now being fed every two hours instead of every hour. So much work for his parents. Even when he is well it's 24/7 care but he re-pays it with the laughter he brings to so many peoples lives, including mine.

Hope your visit to Draculars Den goes well and results are good. Wehave a couple of ringed dove visit our garden but we also have a large familiy of magpies always around. 

Take care, best wishe to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian

Think internet signal being a pain as just lost long post to you grrrrr.

Glad that your grandson is improving and it must be rewarding for all the family when he comes smiling through. Such a lot for everyone to deal with.  Congrats to your son/grand-daughter on their winning ways - the trophy/medal cabinet is doing well - who knows future British champions.

Got my blood test done early (out by 8.10) and hopped on bus/tube to shopping centre and treated myself to a very large cappuchino (?sp) as had fasted since 7pm last night. Now back home with a large box of tissues and throat soothers (always end up with croaky voice and this time  no different!) Hoping that by Wednesday, when I am next into work, I will be able to talk to customers otherwise it will be a bit embarrassing.  I may have to put off visit to Mum tomorrow as would not want to spread the germs around. 

Hope you and Mrs B having a peaceful day. Take care Jules x

Hi dearest Jules,
Hope you are muddling along ok.
I want to state how wonderful you are but you will tell me you are not, so we will skip that bit.  One day you will mistype Brian and call him Brain and we will never hear the end of that !  
Have you tried cider vinegar and honey in hot water? Hot toddy? Baileys? Vicks?
Great to see you plan on getting away for a few days maybe take a scarf / hat as well as the wellies ?  I am such a mother ..., You will have such a great time.  Good on you.
Coping ok without the family, but so appreciate their visit.  My neighbours are very good.  I am very fortunate indeed. I think when you have lived in the same area for a while (30 years) and neighbours have remained the same we all look out for each other.
So funny this time last week I was rigged up in Trakkie daks, jumper and scarf, now it  is 27 in dining room, no need for a /c, all good.
Ok honey lamb,
Will sign off for now
Take care
Kathy x 

Hi Kathy

Seems strange being indoors on a Tuesday but could not risk infecting the Care Home/Mum so rang to explain with a very husky voice.  All being well will go down on Easter Sunday instead.

Your opening sentence made me smile - muddling is just how it feels and you're right, I am not wonderful, just doing what you gotta do!!. Like yourself have lived in the same road forever (38yrs May when we bought the house!!) and have good neighbourhood watch scheme (headed by my nextdoor neighbour).

Last night was extremely gusty (still is but ideal for the washing on the line - very firmly pegged I can tell you- and another lot doing).  Chased my dustbin lid down the road so have had my exercise outside lol but its still lovely and sunny and so far none of the blustery showers that were forecast (perhaps I should not say that as would like to finish getting washing dry!!).

Daughter had the result of her repeat blood tests and all good so just has appointment at Heart hospital  late April to be fully checked out (genetic extra heart chamber causes her to pass out occasionally and last episode was a bit more serious so they are being thorough thankfully).

Any news from your sister's appointment on Monday?Do hope it was encouraging for her and the family.

Well a busy weekend ahead (entertaining and being entertained/babysitting and then hols) but need to get through the emotion of Thursday first so concentrating on a day at a time. Our son will pick me up from work en route to the crematorium (son in law also offered but they have dentist first in the morning and would take them out of their way whereas son and other half will more or less drive nearby anyway). It means I will not arrive alone and we can all support each other as is the norm of course.  I suppose it will be another stage reached in a necessary journey - not the way I had envisaged spending hubby's next birthday but good for the family to have somewhere to focus our memories when we visit in the future. Our eldest grandson(6yrs) is very interested (so many questions  so we are hoping this will help him understand a bit more) though not all easy to answer.  We have always been open and honest and bless him he has already lost a step great grand-dad in his short life. He and my daughter are doing the race for life the week before Father's Day  which will be more poignant than previous years that my daughter and I have done it .

Hope you doing okay and thanks for your continued support - chatting helps. Take care lovely lady.Jules x

Hi Jules,
The thought of you chasing the dustbin lid made me smile.... Thank you.
No word as yet re sisters blood test Monday.  I reckon we will need to wait for a few weeks.  Ho hum.   Mums bp is really good though  122/68.
Had a cuppa with next door neighbour whose mum is 92 and lives in England.  
Good news re your daughters results.  I guess stress/worry won't help her.
Oh my precious angel, I will be thinking of you on Thurs.  this is a tough road we follow, but at the end of the day our men are free from pain/ discomfort/ lack of independence and for that, in a crazy way we have to be thankful for.  Tears flowing now.  

Great that your grandsons questions are answered honestly.  I do also when littilies ask me questions but have to admit I do pause and take a deep breath before I launch into explanation as you can't just say grandpa was sick otherwise they will be terrified if anyone else is sick and hubby wasn't old only 56 so can't say he was old.
When is Father's Day over there? Here it is Sept.
Now I will bellyache.... But may give you a laugh.  I don't want much TV but was last night  did and was really annoyed when I saw blooming Moto gp was on.  Since the Aussie guy retired it hasn't been advertised much. Bull ......  More riders than an Aussie who we called raindrops as he kept falling off! !!!!
My fave Valentino Rossi won yay.  He is an old fart at 38..., how do you and I feel???
Don't answer that one.
Have put an extension cord through dining room to keep connected so hopefully won't trip and break anything tonight.  Hubby was Mr Occupational health and safety even when off duty.  We have to smile as we remember.
Will sign off for now,
Take care honey,
Kathy xx

 

Hi Jules,
The thought of you chasing the dustbin lid made me smile.... Thank you.
No word as yet re sisters blood test Monday.  I reckon we will need to wait for a few weeks.  Ho hum.   Mums bp is really good though  122/68.
Had a cuppa with next door neighbour whose mum is 92 and lives in England.  
Good news re your daughters results.  I guess stress/worry won't help her.
Oh my precious angel, I will be thinking of you on Thurs.  this is a tough road we follow, but at the end of the day our men are free from pain/ discomfort/ lack of independence and for that, in a crazy way we have to be thankful for.  Tears flowing now.  

Great that your grandsons questions are answered honestly.  I do also when littilies ask me questions but have to admit I do pause and take a deep breath before I launch into explanation as you can't just say grandpa was sick otherwise they will be terrified if anyone else is sick and hubby wasn't old only 56 so can't say he was old.
When is Father's Day over there? Here it is Sept.
Now I will bellyache.... But may give you a laugh.  I don't want much TV but was last night  did and was really annoyed when I saw blooming Moto gp was on.  Since the Aussie guy retired it hasn't been advertised much. Bull ......  More riders than an Aussie who we called raindrops as he kept falling off! !!!!
My fave Valentino Rossi won yay.  He is an old fart at 38..., how do you and I feel???
Don't answer that one.
Have put an extension cord through dining room to keep connected so hopefully won't trip and break anything tonight.  Hubby was Mr Occupational health and safety even when off duty.  We have to smile as we remember.
Will sign off for now,
Take care honey,
Kathy xx

 

Good afternoon Jules,

Sorry to read you wernt able to go to see your mother. Do hope you are soon feeling better. I got woken up at about 4.30 this morning by a noise. Couldnt think what it was so went back to sleep. When Mrs B got up, she saw our television ariel at the back of the house was hanging down so that was the noise I heard. I have had trouble geting it down as it's hanging by the cable. After using my stepladder that converts to a small ladder, evetually got the ariel down but the briken pole is still hanging by the cable, will have to think how to get this down. I was literally hanging on to it and it was budgung at all as when it was put up they nailed the cable to the wooden facia. Luckily we use an ariel that I set up in our loft so Mrs B can still watch he telly.

Have a visual picture of you chasing the dustbin lid. Reminds me of when I was turning a large wooden barometer surround which came off my lath, hit the floor on its edge and took off out of my garage across the road like a dose of salts with me in hot persuit. Took me ages to catch up and was out of breath when I did. Good job ours is just a side road and no cars were about. Often wondered if any neighbours saw what happened. Bet it gave them a chuckle saying, Look there goes that mad woodworn again.

I will, like Kathy be thinking of you on Thursday. So pleased you will have your lovely family there to support you and each other. Glad to hear daughters results were okay.

Take care, Keep warm, a windswept Brain, Sorry Kathy, I meant Brian.

Brian, u r such a plonker, but I do adore u,

Best wishes to u and Mrs b, am still smiling, thank u

Kathy xx

Good morning (here) Kathy

Firstly to answer a question, Fathers' Day will be 21st June here. Strangely the local Race for Life, which my daughter has run a good few times, (I did it before my knees complained!!) always used to be on this particular day.  This year they have moved it to the week before. The last couple of years she  has run with  her son's school team of mums as they lost one of their number to cancer.  This year will be mentally harder and the added emotion of having a six year old (probably showing her up lol) alongside and a very personal journey for this family too. Weather permitting there will be a picnic afterwards but most important is the raising of awareness and the continued support for research. 

Your Mum sounds truly amazing and hopefully when your sister's results are too hand her good work re her diet etc will be rewarded.  Here blood results are usually back with GP in around 8 days for non urgent requests. Though I have had my blood test for cholesterol check I am not due back to GP till May so unless I get an 'unwelcome phone call' I shall assume there is no panic as that it when I would discuss the results!

Thank you for your continued support (shared a few virtual tears when I read your message especially as I know how reading other posters' messages affects me too). The sun shone beautifully on us all yesterday and with the anniversary of hubby's birthday it was both emotive and somehow 'right' that me, the children, and grandchildren gathered under the arms of a lovely evergreen fir tree as our choice of hubby's final resting place, to find peace and a place to share moments of remembrance and solitude in the future.

Today seems a little  strange to be just 'getting on with things' but have shopping to do and family here tomorrow, visiting Mum on Easter Sunday and then our break away (will be out of virtual contact for a while but keeping everyone in my thoughts).  Look after yourself. Sending hugs your way.Jules xx

Good morning Brian

My cold is slowing clearing thank you though in the scheme of things more annoyed at what it stopped me doing (Mum's visit) that how it made me feel.  I have to say if this is what 'healthy eating' results in I am not now a great fan ha ha. Your lovely wife has, I see, been spoiling her man with 'cheesy comfort' - made mhy mouth water too.  My turn to retun the favour as I am off to the shops to purchase big cheese selection (how can every member of the family gathering tomorrow enjoy different cheeses!!!) - this will be an enormous treat as cheese is one of the foods I should only have in moderation (grrrrrrrrrrr).  Eldest grandson listened to what everyone else liked and then piped up 'I just need red cheese' (red leicester). I am doing a buffet lunch for us all but as I go away on Monday have to be careful not to have leftovers!!

Despite the emotions of yesterday (thanks also posted on my Hubby's birthday thread) I am hoping we as a family can finally feel at peace within ourselves in some small way. Hubby rests in beautiful sourroundings that we all helped choose with the words of our grandson (sorry folks prepare for a tearjerker!) as he helped his Mum 'sprinkle grandad' (he asked he was allowed bless him)), the tree almost reaches up to Grandad's star in the sky. Following a few moments of reflection we strolled the grounds and came upon the water garden/fish pond and at this point we had to make sure grandson did not take an early bath, he was so excited at seeing the koi carp and then he and my son were leaning over the edge to discuss 'frog spawn' ! Oh, to be a child again comes into my head where there is little idea of fear and cool acceptance of the truth around him - it is so precious.

I hope you and Mrs B enjoy your Easter weekend and send you and all your family good wishes.  Look after yourselves. Jules x

Good morning Jules,

So pleased everything went okay yesterday including the weather, allthough it must have been a very emotional day for you all. Sounds like you have chosen a lovely peaceful setting for hubby final resting place. Love what your grandson said. I remember a lovely lady on here whos son once saw vapour trails in the sky shaped like an x and said to his mum. "Look grandma's just sent me a kiss from heaven". Children certainly do look at life through differnt eyes to us grownups.

Cheese buiscuits almost all gone now and Mrs B exceeded herself as they just melt in my mouth. We have been invited to my sons for tea today so will no doubt be entertained by grandchildren. Youngest one has just seen the new Paddington Bear video and as a result has a new saying he has copied from it. He doesnt say he is going to the toilet; he now says, "I am going to use the facilities", much to everyone's hillarity, bless him.

I wish you and your lovely family a peaceful weekend and hope you have a great week away next week. You all deserve it after all you have been through. Take care, wishing you all a happy Easter, Brian.

Thank you Brian.  Those cheesy bsicuits made my mouth water! Have returned from the supermarket with goodies for lunch tomorrow (and  now to keep my hands off them before then!!!).  Am  now cooking Turkey Crown so we can enjoy it cold tomorrow and the smell from the kitchen is not helping me 'be good'.

Hope you have a lovely day at your sons tomorrow and no doubt Grandad will be in high demand so hope you have your stories ready. I seem to be keeping busy with visitors and going out this weekend but must find time to throw a few bits in the bag for our short break.  Am now looking forward to this as feel we could all do with a mini escape.  By the way thanks for the warning re the 'phrase' from Paddington movie (I have bought this for the grandchildren to enjoy whilst we are away as a little surprise for them).

The Spring sunshine is somewhat fleeting today though it has stayed dry so far and I am off out as usual tonight.

Have a peaceful Easter and as Arnie would say ' I will be back'.  Kind thoughts sent to you and Mrs B along with all your family.Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Hope you enjoyed your evenng out last night. Me and Mrs B had a lovely time yeaterday and at grandsons insistance, were treated to a special showing of Paddington. My grandson even gave me one of his version of Paddingtons special "Glares". He had me and Mrs B in fits of laughter, he is such a comedian. It was good to see Mrs B laughing so much as I know she is worried about her brother. I think you will enjoy the film yourself, it's quite a laugh and good allround family enetertainment.

I was thinking of mailing some of the cheese buiscuits to both you and Kathy but the quality assurance guy  (Me) kept tucking into to them to make sur they were all okay and now there are only a few left:cry:

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Best wishes and hope you have a great week away, Brian.

Hi Brian

I can imagine a house full of laughter as you all enjoyed the Movie; how wonderful it is when we can enjoy the company of our family (about an hour before I am descended upon and 'bedlam' begins). I have set the Easter table (edges carefully kept clear due to 'toddler alert') and just have to add food from fridge and toast the 'buns' after their arrival so think I am 'on time'. Two grandchildren plus excited Westie is a great mix and will be good to relax together. 

Realy looking forward to our Dorset break from Monday and looks as though dry weather is forecast which will be lovely as we have two pre-planned days out (Monkey World and themed Farm Park) - hopefully the fresh air and fun will help us all.

A few sunny intervals already here this morning and enjoyed an early walk so have done my healthy bit for the day!!  Sorry to read that your biccies are running low but am sure if you carry on being your usual helpful self you will be rewarded by Mrs B or maybe allowed a visit to your nut shop. Take care of yourselves and sending Easter peace and good wishes. Jules x