Hi Brian

Just in from a very warm garden (front needed weeding and hedge trim) and relaxing with a cuppa.  Hope Mrs B has tried out your new ring pull handle. I have a heavy duty plastic device that has saved many a broken nail!  The wooden version looks as though it will do the job and could well be a good seller at your next event.

Have to agree that its not always easing visiting Mum and do feel sorry for her plight. She normally saves this type of conversation for my visits but on occasion does moan to the staff too.  They have a large box of smarties and get her to choose which will make her feel better(am surprised they don't get a 'polite' mouthful!.  Sadly there is not much we can do to change her way of thinking now.

Had a good evening with the children last night and planned and booked a week's holiday for next Summer so we could be sure of getting the villa we liked.  Its good to have something nice to focus on and as hubby loved travelling pretty sure he would approve.

I do hope that Mrs B's ankle will soon be in good shape again and hope that as your shopping skills have passed muster you will be rewarded in 'nuts'.  Bet your grandson had a smashing birthday - double figures - where does the time go!  My eldest grandson will be 7 later this year and Zack 2!!!  As you rightly mention it just means we are  holder too grrrr.

Now for the cheese addicts amongst our community will leave you with the thought of a large jacket potato to be topped with extra mature cheddar (Farmer's Market choice of the day) which is to be my dinner this evening.  Enjoy the rest of the day.  Regards to you, Mrs B and the family. Jules x

Oh Jules,

Hope you have heaps of butter and a wee bit raw onion.   Enjoy

Back to bed for me x

Hi Kathy

Cheese replaces butter but yes to the onion. Sweet dreams.Jules x

Hi Jules,

I have told Kathy, there is a chance I may be cured of Brianitus. My cap has come off the top of my tooth and I cant eat any nuts at the moment which is an absolute disaster - Me without nuts is unheard of.

Have sucessfully negotiated another major shop for Mrs B and got it all correct, phew that a relief.  I did buy her a few extras like some cheeries and some peaches. This was partly to stop her having a go at me for the things I like that just appeared in my trolly. It's no good geting older if you dont get craftier is it Jules. Mrs B's ankle is slowly improving thank goodnes but I am having trouble keeping her off of it. She like me is very independant minded and likes doing things herself which I understand but as I told her she needs to give it as much rest as possible.  So I have been doing as much as possible taking into account I'm a man and dont do things like you ladied do. This include folding the sheets and blankets. I dont know how you ladies do it so well.

We gave our grandson a Guardians of the Galaxy gun as one of his birthday presents at the weekend and he spent a lot of time going round shooting everyone with it. He was so pleased with it, when he put his arms round my neck, he very nearly strangled me. Cant believe that next year he will be going to the big school as he calls it.

Will have to mow the lawns today as the grass has grown with the rain we had. I am pleased you have planned your next years holiday, another first so well done. I feel sure hubby would be proud of you. I do like baked potatoes so your comment made my mouth water. I am not called Mr Potato Man for nothing by Mrs B's hairdresser.

I tried Cortana but nothing came up for the two items you mentioned ha ha. Take care Jules, sending best wishes and kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian.

Good morning Brian

Glad your grandson was happy with his gift. Those happy excited smiles are great uplifters.  Hope too that Mrs B continues to be careful so that she makes a good recovery. I can understand her frustration at not being fully mobile though.

Enjoyed my meal, thank you and even added some herbs from the garden. Nice weather for mowing the lawns though mine still okay as cut very very short (well almost bald) last time (mind you the weeds are always longer than the grass but have never been worried about it as long as it makes good play area).

Saw Mum yesterday (that week went very quickly); little change but at least I managed to get her to take some squash and a couple of 'pink wafers' when the morning trolley came round (she had refused coffee from the staff). Also as staff in the garden room during my stay I had someone to 'chat back' to me.

Am having Zack on Friday morning so my daughter can take eldest grandson to kid's club at the cinema. She reckons she is more excited than him!! Fingers crossed weather is fine and we will be off to the park for swings and kick around. He is usually little trouble but having had his older brother home from school will be used to his company all day so anticipate there may be a little grizzle when they leave him  behind.Will get the sand pit ready in the garden and the play tunnel indoors which always amuse.

Still struggling with getting enough sleep and warm nights not helping. Three o'clock onwards seems to be the worst. Never mind I suppose it will sort itself out eventually. Expect to be busy at work again today - Monday was pretty hectic both with customers and trying to get old books ready to go back to warehouse and new arrivals put out. Being a 'one man band' on all shifts now makes it less easy to finish all jobs off and its a case of 'passing the baton' onto the next member of staff who tries to carry one where you have left off. Good job we have a diary to log where we are at!!!  Will also have to make an earlier start again tomorrow as yet another walk out by tube staff. An extra half mile walk to the bus station grrr.

Hope you and Mrs B have a peaceful day and all the best to you both and the family.  Jules x

Good morning Jules,

Hope you are enjoying the lovely weather. Just a great morning for your usual walk to the farmers market. I was quite surprised when I went to the dentist that she was able to seal my tooth with a filling. Mind it cost me £53.30 for about ten minutes work but at least I didnt have to have what was left of the tooth out.

I am having to go to my sons place twice a day to feed the cat who normally doesnt want to know me but now I an feeding her, it's a totaly differnt matter, rubing herself all round my legs and generally wanting a fuss. He has taken the family to Exmoor, not far from Minehead. There is an amazing carved staircase at Dunster Castle which he visited yesterday but when we visited it years ago, they wouldnt let people take photos. It must have taken years to carve it and I spent ages looking at it.

Mrs B's anke is slowly improving and she hopes to go shopping on Tuesday as she is getting very short of meat. She wont let me buy any for her as she says not eating meat myself means I dont know what to look for. When my father came back from fighting in Italy at the end of the war, after a couple of weeks, he retured to Canada. At this time I stopped eating any meat and most vegatables. Even the smell of some of them used to make me feel sick. My mother took me to see various people but no one could explain why I had suddely developed this aversion to certain foods. I myself think it was probably sycalogical as there was quite a lot of upset regarding my father at the time and allthough I was very young picked up on it somehow. It does however mean we dont often eat out much because of it as all I tend to eat is potatoes.

It has been to hot to do any turning the last few days so have done a lot more on my laptop. Mrs B is quite pleased as when she buys any carnations, she plants some of the side shoots and at least 8 of them have now grown roots and buds which are just begining to open up. I dont call her green fingers for nothing.

I hope you had a great day yesterday and also have a good one today. Mrs B like you also has trouble sleeping as she suffers from restless leg syndrome and also has a frozen shoulder so has trouble geting comfortable at night.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and relaxing day, Brian.

Morning Brian

Glad Mrs B's ankle continuing the improve. She will be glad to be able to get back to doing her normal jobs (or maybe not ha ha) with your continued help of course. Sounds like you got the shopping down to a fine art but suspect now that your tooth has been repaired Brianitus can return to the trolley! Your mouth must feel much better as I used to find  it difficult to keep tongue away from broken tooth  which in turn lead to sore tongue. Good too that tooth could be saved.

Great weekend weatherwise. I had been invited to go to Swanage for the day with my son (they were going on a scuba diving trip but girlfriend's Mum does not dive so would have had company). I had things I wanted to do this weekend as out most of the next one so politely declined.  He was not a very happy bunny on his return as managed to lose some of his diving weights and also the neck seal on his wetsuit failed so a bit of an expensive diving trip.

I got two weeks supermarket shop sorted on Saturday and then after visit to gym went into town to try and get new sandals (usually in trainers or work shoes but decided on a change as out for dinner next weekend and my old sandals pretty ropey!!). Summer sales were on so got two pairs for the price of one - result.

After visit to gym on Sunday I went walking - it was lovely and as no farmer's market (only twice a month)  no cheese to tempt me!!  I visited hubby's resting place before going to the garden centre nearby and they had spring bulbs in so bought three packs plus a ceramic 'poppy'  seed holder (together with new pack of bird food for it) plus could not resist a butterfly wind chime which I have now hung on the Japanese maple outside the patio doors. I had a member's reward voucher to use up and was pleased to find something to keep. I then went into their cafe and had coffee and toasted teacake.  Began the walk back but half way home (after about a mile) the bag started to feel rather heavy so I took the bus the rest of the way - disappointing but sensible.

Too hot to sit in the garden (no shade till late afternoon) so watched some motor sport on the tv whilst doing the ironing and preparing dinner (stuffed mushrooms) before relaxing for the rest of the day.

After work today I am meeting up with a friend to have a catch up but by the looks of it, it will have to be inside as showers forecast though still pretty muggy here this morning so maybe it will clear the air. With the outlook currently looking changeable towards the end of the week (still time to be different though) I may have to rethink play arrangements for little Zack when I have him again on Friday.

Hope your son and family have/are still enjoying their holiday away and how fickle a cat can be when they know who has to feed them,  I am sure the grandchildren will have plenty to tell you  on your return.

Well time is marching on so had bet stop rambling and get ready for work. Take care and sending peaceful thoughts to you both and the family.  Jules x

Sunday

Today feels a little strange as yet another first will come and go. This time last year my hubby was able to join in my '60th birthday family day'.  Last night our children and grandsons took me out to dinner and later this morning we will also be together as we 'stick like glue' at a BBQ in our son's garden.(thankfully the weather is being kind to us all). I am currently taking lots of deep breathing execises having woken early (what's new!) and opened those gifts and cards that awaited me in the quietness of early morning. As I write this as if by magic two collared doves have appeared on the bird table  and then moved onto to the 'new' large red poppy seed holder just inches from my patio doors. New memories encompass those gone by.

Hubby, here in my heart I carry you with me on my special day. Missing you.xxx

Hi Jules

Many happy returns.

It looks like the sun will shine for your birthday BBQ today.

I hope you enjoy your special day and as you so often say to others here, I'm sending you peaceful thoughts.

Jane