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 Max

Well you have given me food for thought! Have only managed to finish one book in the last few months (concentration difficult!!) and still yet to open the next one.  Had not considered trying the bathroom (do not wish to make light of the reason you are 'throne sitting' and do wish you could be reading in a comfy armchair instead) and not sure the decor in mine would be inspiring (stuck in the 70's when we married and bought the cheapest suite on the market (chocolate brown).  Plans for the future I think lol.

Wishing you a comfortable weekend and once again thanks for the link on the other thread (short response sent last night so we know it's working yey).  Garf appears to have a problem but hopefully can be sorted soon. Hugs  Jules x

Good morning Brian

Well, my evening out started off okay as we always enjoy a chinwag (and I had missed a week).  No luck for either of us but that is always seen as a bonus.  Sadly though at the end of the session the Manager announced that as from 21st May there would be no more bingo as the site had been sold. We are hoping to go to the 'last hoorah' (a Thursday) and feel so upset for the staff (most been made redundant) and will also now have to think of something else to do as, generally, this is our one night out a week. As my friend will also be moving out of the area (contracts waiting to be exchanged) I need something locally so will be making enquiries to see what's around.

Yesterday was so busy from the off, Appointment for hair early a m followed by a visit to see my late friend's husband (year anniversary looming).  He had lots of family news to catch up on and also has a new lady friend (early days) but was a little more relaxed in general which was good to see.

I then dashed home and grabbed some lunch before going down to see Mum and join in the party for the Manager's retirement.  I was expecting a little afternoon tea but when I arrived all the residents had been moved into the main lounge  and were being entertained by a singer (plus karaoke!).  The first song was t one  we had chosen for hubby's funeral and thus was very emotional for me and half the staff were in tears because Gillian was leaving  and she started me off again with an enormous hug. Everyone is going to miss her caring support.  Her husband does the gardens and she is coming back on a voluntary  basis after a bit of travelling as she says she will miss the residents (but not the day to day stress of running the place!).  One of the residents was celebrating a birthday so had cake and singsong for that and then all visitors/relatives/staff were offered cream tea/wine/tea or coffee/soft drinks/snacks in the dining room for the rest of the afternoon (residents were served in their comfy armchairs too). Mum was her usual non-commital self but was seen to be tapping her feet to the music. It was difficult to  chat with all the hub-bub but will go down  again soon and hopefully take some photos down of the holidays (have ordered prints for the first time in ages as she will prefer to look through an album than see them on the camera!).

Hope your Show goes well and am sure there will be load of interest in all your hard work as well as all the other contributors to the wood club. Fingers crossed you can sign up some 'new blood' too.

Wow, sorry for the long ramble (again).  Will shortly be going out to return a dog toy that my friend left behind yesterday (another unexpected and welcome visitor who lost her Mum  a couple of months ago and is just beginning to feel able to be 'social' again and we are going out for a meal next week which is something for us both to look forward to).

All the best to you and Mrs B and look forward to hearing about the Show in due course.  Jules x

Hi Kathy

Really? not obsessed with eating - why not?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to add fuel to the fire - my son's other half has promised me a bundle of rhubarb from their garden when they visit next - yummy - a good excuse for a crumble I think.  In the meantime here is a photo to whet anyone's appetite (pub lunch whilst on holiday!!)drooling Jules xxxx

Oh Jules you are getting as bad as blooming Brian.
What's the green stuff in small round container?  As I haven't had tea guess you are teasing me....  Rhubarb crumble... Yum.
Gosh you have been busy recently.  Your post reminded me of when mate rang tonight and put her radio up full blast, one of hubbys funeral choices was playing, made me smile which was good.  Brings back pleasant memories. 
Am turning into a woose, kitchen thermometer showing 20 degrees and wish the heater was on, will chuck a blanket over knees instead. 
Good to hear mum is doing ok.
Sorry to see your bingo place is closing, it has been a good place for you to visit and if you get a win that's a bonus.
Ok honey, will sign off, wonder if Brian can make crumble for Mrs B with nice warm custard.... Bit of a challenge for him I think.
Lots of love
Kathy xx
 

Hi Jules and Kathy,

I can cook Kathy---------I have a large recipe list -------Toast and Beans on toast , thats if you dont mind the toast incinerated. Mrs B is a good cook so I only cook when it is a matter of some urgency.

Jules like Kathy, I was pleased to read you enjoyed your night out but also sorry to hear the bingo is closing. Have loaded all my bits up for tommorows show and am looking forward to winding my wood club mates up yet again although it will be with a touch of sadness that one of our regular exhibters is no longer with us. I have spent the afternoon on my computer and found I could download a free program from microsoft. I can now do puzzels on my laptop and it also allows me to make a puzzel of any photos I have taken. So have been experimenting with this.

Jules, You have like Kathy got me drooling over the mention of Rhubarb crumble. mmmmnnnn. Max, you are right, I seem to be fixated on food just lately.

I hope you all have a peacefull and relaxing weekend. Take care, hugs to you all, Brian

Hi Kathy

Sorry about the foodie photo but just could not resist getting in on the act haha.  The green stuff was mushy peas (first time I had every had it but apparently very popular!!)  That particular plateful was sitting in front of my son's other  half and I was just intrigued at how they served it (did not last long I can tell you!!).

Had an unplanned shopping trip this  morning as my bingo friend phoned and said she was going to supermarket (cut price out of town) and I went along for the ride (and then shopped for the store cupboard in readiness for family lunch in a couple of weeks) Thought of you when I popped a whole camembert into the trolley.  We dropped my shopping indoors and then went back to their place for tea and angel cake (not very healthy but enjoyable nonetheless). Their daughter and son in law (he is in remission from bone cancer and doing really well just now) popped in  and and then dropped me home (would not hear of me walking though I like the exercise!!).

You are not a wuss re the temperature as you are so used to hot weather, this must feel chilly for you, whereas I have temp of 17 deg in the lounge just now and just need a cardigan(in addition to normal layers I hasten to add). Am sure I would feel like you do in similar circumstances.

Hope your Mum and sisters doing okay now they are settled back at home and bet you are skyping regularly(not something I have).  Take care and chat soon.  Jules x

Thanks for  making me smile Brian with your talk of incinerated toast.  I think this is why my son wanted us to have a toaster (many years ago now!!) as I would 'forget' it under the grill and was forever scraping off the  burnt bits!

Hope all goes well with the Show and am sure your sadly passed member will be keeping an eye on your progress and the Club will do him proud.  It is the 'first time without someone being there' that is a hurdle so many have to climb but know you will have the support of your Club-mates and hope you get a good response both for the hard work/beautiful pieces you have all produced and some new members signed up  in the art of craftsmanship that wood brings.

It's chucking it down with rain here just now  so have delayed going out in the hope it clears up a little later as the forecast has suggested.  If not then housework will have to suffice.  At least the garden is benefitting from a good watering and its quite mild so no heating required.  I bought two lavender plants yesterday and plan to put one in a container near the back patio doors (the other one is currently indoors , thus bringing the garden inside!). I also have a box of wild flower seeds to scatter but am a fair weather gardener so they will have to wait for a better day (no doubt whilst I am working all day tomorrow grrr). Take care and best wishes to you and Mrs B.  Jules x

[[]]Apologies guys, have to do it again

Yum yum !! Looks scrummy!! Its tipping it down here also. We live next door to Mrs Perfect and she is fiddling in the garden (which is also perfect!). its enought to put us off going in the garden. Glad things are busy!!

Good luck with the show Brian = have fun mate - even if its raining!!

see you all - just nipping out to look at my car. The windscreen suddenly and without cause split yesterday = a heavenly bolt from on high - I think. Better check it - and get it booked in!

steve

Hi Jules just caught up with your news. Gosh - it's it a year already?  Scary how flies the time! I am glad things feel more settled and mum is doing okay. I am so glad.  You have been such an inspiration to me over the year and maybe to so many xx

Hi Jules just caught up with your news. Gosh - it's it a year already?  Scary how flies the time! I am glad things feel more settled and mum is doing okay. I am so glad.  You have been such an inspiration to me over the year and maybe to so many xx

Bless you Steve, I feel if should repay the forum for all the support I have received/still receive and whilst its often sad to read others going through cancer journeys/treatment /loss, if in some small way I can give some support back then its the least I can do.  I too find it hard to believe that my good friend left us a year ago next weekend but its good to stay in touch with the family (her youngest is also my godson).  Today it is also four months since I lost hubby and held his hand for the last time but am hanging on to all the good memories to get me through day to day. Look after yourself. Jules x

Hi Jules

Just like to give you a big hug & say how brave you are & to everyone else on here well done & take care x

Bless you also - the World is a better place because of you. One day wheni am at the pearly gates I will ask Saint Peter why is it some people - well,  you know,  have a tough time of it - and he better have a good answer!  Anne had been singing all day. Just love your talk of food. One lady boss is on the 3:4 diet- one day diet one day eating - so now I know which day to avoid her! Grr! 

Have a lovely bank holiday.  I growing on my tomato seedlings today.  I would give you some of I could

Xx steve

Thanks Mower, somehow we are all managing to support those who know how it feels and also in our own lives. Keeping busy seems to help too. I do not feel at all brave but am rather like my late Dad who was very philosophical about life (having been disabled in the Second World War but always grateful to have lived through it when he lost so many mates). I was one of the lucky ones to have had the company of a lovely man for so many years and would like to think that the memories will keep me going now.

Am working today and about to get ready to catch the tube into town. Typically its a lovely day here at the moment and I would prefer to be out in the garden or going for a lovely walk - hey ho!  Will pop a message on your thread later as time is running away from me!

Sending peaceful thoughts your way and a virtual hug.  Jules x

Hi Steve

Home grown toms, will be yummy I am sure. I am a lazy gardener and mainly shrubs which only need trimming  back plus lawn out back.  Have quite a small front garden (ornamental grasses, peonies, forsythia and a few containers dotted about ) but what grows the best ..........weeds ha ha (though some very pretty when in flower).  I bought some large vine tomatoes at the weekend and am thinking tomato/onion salad with feta cheese (doc won't be happy with the latter ingredient but  perhaps its best I dont tell her ha ha).  Afraid I do love food and Kathy and Brian crease me up with their bantering (hi all).  Hope you and Anne have a good day, must go as need to catch tube to work soon.  Hugs  Jules

Am working from 10-5 today so will be kept occupied (am thinking take-away meal tonight!) though I think only 4 of us actually on shift (over two floors!!). Lovely young trainee supervisor 'in charge' so she will cover my half hour break

Good morning Jules,

As Arnie said, "I'm back". Sorry I have not replied before but have been leaving early and getting home late, feeling absolutely exhausted. I do love doing these craft fairs but boy o boy do they tire me out. Sunday was a waste of time and hardly covered my petrol cost. But yesterday was a nice day and we had lots of people come round and we all ended up doing reasonably well.  My new lines all went well so it have given me incentive  to turn more new lines. Photo of my stand attached. The show was at Wakehurst Place and it has lovely gardens and also had Birds of Prey flying demonstrations all over the weekend which I know Mrs B would have liked to see. Unfortunately when I got home last night, My cars interior light refused to swicth off, Despite trying all I could, The only way was to disconect the battery as I knew if I didnt, I would end up with a flat battery this morning. Just what I didnt need last night. But it seems to have resolved the problem this morning luckily.

Hope work was not too hard yesterday. Bet you wish you could have been in the garden though. Our strawberry plants have suudenly started blooming this morning.  Must have been the rain we had on Sunday and the the sun yesterday. It was nice driving to the show yesterday as the bluebells are all growing alonside the country roads and also the Primroses. And in the wood the Wood Anenomie are also blooming and the trees are all sprouting new leaves. I do love seeing wild flowers, one of the best things about this time of year. It a time of regeneration in a way.

Hope your visit to your mother goes well and she is in comminicative mode. Very windy here this morning in Sussex and it has blown a lot of blosom off of the cherry tree we have in the front garden.

Anyway, take care, have a peacefull day and will chat again soon I hope, Brian

[[]]

Brother in law has from somewhere picked up the same bug me and Mrs B had and has been sick with violent back door trotts as she put it. Sister in law was at first concerned it was caused by his cancer but when I told her it was just like what me and Mrs B had, this calmed her worries. My grandaughter did well for the Sussex team and they beat Hampshire in the junior archery event.

Goodmorning Brian

What a wonderful display you produced. So much love and hard work put into it all. A shame that Sunday was a 'wash out' after everyone's efforts but glad that Monday bought in the crowds and you did well.  I am sure  you are absolutely shattered from the organisation and long days so hoping you are being rewarded with some naughty nibbles and get  your feet up for a while.  Suspect the next spell of good weather plus a few days R&R will find you back in the workshop.

Sorry that your brother in law is suffering from the bug (seems to be a lot of them going around) and fingers crossed he manages to 'flush it out' soon (sorry!).  The care home gets its fair share of these and am not visiting today but have spoken to the staff and Mum doing okay just now.  Her younger sister (85 in June) who had op for cancer around Christmas has now 'thrown away her stick' and begun taking the bus to her local shopping centre (Newmarket) on her own once more plus managing to fill many bags with weeds from her gardens (what a woman!!) and she is telling me to take care!!

Busy week for me. Worked yesterday till 5pm but customer levels were down so was able to get on with other shop floor duties which will less for my colleague to do today. Today I have appointment with doctor and got my blood results. Despite my fears all was okay and cholesterol well below required levels - yippee.  On the downside she took my BP and was not happy so I was despatched with orders to get a monitor and I have to take readings twice weekly for six weeks and report back - ho hum.

Tonight I am going to my daughter's for a skincare party and then tomorrow I tackle another 'first'.  I am going with a friend to the restaurant hubby and I regularly visited when he was well (last time I was there was shortly after his terminal diagnosis so am sure the lovely staff will want to catch up - deep breathing will be called for).  The friend I am going with (we got to know each other when expecing our children (her first, my second!) is not doing so well emotionally following the loss of her dear Mum so she called on me 'off the cuff' to see if I could keep her company - think she knows my weakness for curry and gossip?

Weather is very blustery today (but  no rain since overnight deluge so far) and a shame to see the blossom being blown away (my dustbin took off down the road and had to be 'saved' once the refusemen had emptied it and I now have a paving stone holding it down!!!!).

Well, I am off to wonder on how I go about lowering BP (am hoping it was a blip but good to be checked out over a period of time and 'stressing about it' not really a help I guess).

Take care, slow down and hope the interior light on the car stays 'fixed'.  Chat again soon. Jules x