Hi Jules, wow, you don't sit still do you? Made me feel tired just reading about your day yesterday! It must be very satisfying though getting the front garden as you want it, with not a weed in sight. I imagine you have already planted your purchases form this mornings trip to the garden centre too?

Delighted to say the BBC news website forcast was wrong (again) and I have had two lovely days of unexpected sunshine to enjoy, and I did! I even managed a bit of gardeing, spurred on by all your activities, so a good mixture of rest and results with another day to go.

Good luck with work tomorrow, hope it's not too busy for you although suspect it might be and have fun with the childminding on Tuesday.

Take care  Sue x

Love it Jules!

Hi Jules,

Havent been "ON SITE"  much the last couple of days as I have been in my garage woodturning. I have enclosed a picture of four lidded trinket boxes I finished on Saturday. Was quite a long day But was determined to finnish all four and my new sanding attachement worked a treat. Yesterday everything went wrong and just after dinner I called it a day and packed it up.I was making some holders for my electric candle lights and only made two.

I showed Mrs B the photo you posted of your owls and she liked them. I have bought her several plastic ones that were ment for putting in the garden but she said they looked too nice and has kept them indoors instead.  We have owls in every roon in the house including an owl toilet brush holder in the loo.  Glad to hear you have nearly finnished your planting. I also did a bit of weeding under Mrs B's watchful eye in our back garden. As the weather doesnt look too good today I suppose you wont mind going into work quite so much.

I have had one of our late woodclub members wifes phone me over the weekend. She has a small trolley that she used to put her late husbands medication on which has now broken and she has asked me to have a look at it and see if I can repair it for her. She wants to pay me for it but will only make a nominal charge. He died from prostate cancer about a year ago and they were such a nice couple.

On Thursday I have been invited to attend the topping out ceremony for the new Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton. I am looking forward to this. They hope to open to the public early in the new year. Its been many years in the planning so will be a great place for people to get help/advice and support.

Take care Jules, will talk again soon. Sending kind thought and best wishes your way, Brian.

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Hi Jules it as been said before you are one fantastic LADY keep well and look after your garden .XX

Hi Sue,

Well ultimately paid the price for all that gardening! a few aches and then pretty tired (but still unable to sleep well grrr).  Unfortunately on coming back indoors I slipped on the mat and in the effort of trying to 'save myself'the indiginity of being spreadeagled on the floor now have a badly sprained thumb, hey ho.Four packs of bulbs still to go but they will have to wait! Hopefully Winter/Spring colour will be my reward  providing the garden does not get washed away. Very heavy rain Mon/Tues and it was a pretty soggy walk to see Mum yesterday morning.  Daughter's hospital visit was 'moved' so instead of childminding I had her company as well which was lovely.  Good catch up chat and the grandchildren played well together.  Eldest grandson has his hospital check up this afternoon (a follow up to check he has been okay since last  major nosebleed(result of head clash with younger brother caused a mini fit too).. If his energy/appetite is anything to go by he he doing very well. He is looking forward to going back to school on Thursday and seeing his new teacher and friends.

Well expecting it still to be busy with 'back to school' sales until then and our attention will then switch to the build up to Christmas (not too easy to think about on a personal level just yet). Would have been our 38th wedding anniversary tomorrow so another 'first' to manage but as hubby always instructed me to buy flowers for myself, I have a huge bunch of deep pink gladioli sitting on the hearth.

Dry but nippy this morning but will carry the brolly just in case!  Don;t work too hard. Take care. Jules x

Hi Brian

The trinket boxes look a treat and glad the new sanding tool is working well. Think you could have other 'members' putting in a request for one.

My gardening is on hold mainly due to the weather but also I managed to spain my thumb. At least all the plants are in and its just a few packs of bulbs left to do. Hopefully by the weekend both weather and thumb will have improved enough so I can finish off.  Very nippy here this morning but so far sunny (brolly safely in bag ready for trip to work).  Yesterday had a very wet walk to see Mum (she is still pretty much down but is at least eating properly again) and then dried out on way to the gym! y the time I came out it was rainign again so a damp walk back home.  Enjoyed the company of daughter and grandchildren for the afternoon and the boys had their tea here before they headed home.

Feeling a little jaded this morning as real trouble sleeping last night - even worse than usual -overthinking how I will manage what would have been our 38th wedding anniversary tomorrow  I suspect but have plans made and hopefully coping mechanisms will help me through. It is busy at work so that should help keep my mind occupied. If the sleeping is still a problem when I return to see GP in November willtalk it through with her.

Hope you and Mrs B are keeping well and regards to you both and the family. Jules x

Hi George

Thanks for you sweet note though do not feel I am any different to all the other wonderful members of this forum.  I certainly do not think I would be in such a good place as I am if it were not for the support and understanding I have received.

I bet you are almost packed and ready for your trip away. Hope you have a lovely time (of course you will). I envy you that freshly cooked fish and hope the weather turns round so that you get a chance of that beach BBQ!  Take good care and love to you and your family and an extra pat for faithful Ria. Jules x

Dear Jules .... I hope you managed to get through today, another first for you and a very poignant one bless you. I hope your work mates kept you busy but I dont doubt that going back to your home was difficult.  When we lost Mum many years ago, my Dad always said that for him, going back to an empty home was always the trickiest part.

You have certainly been keeping busy in the garden and I am impressed with the owl collection that you have acquired (saw the photos).  Until my health deteriorated so much, I used to spend hours outside and the garden was beautiful with many admiring comments from neighbours.  I loved doing it and seeing the results.  Did have to laugh last week though when a guy in the local pub (a bit worse for wear) spent ages telling me how much he loved my garden and loved this years baskets/pots.  Said he admired all the hard work I put into the garden and that it made our house the best in the village street bla bla bla.  Didnt correct him but I havent done a thing - in fact I have taken a flower bed out and there are no hanging baskets or pots at all.  Bless him - just shows how good the world looks after a few bevvies lol !  Think its called wearing your beer goggles isnt it?

Sending you my love Jules and wishing you well x

Hi Max

Have just spent several minutes replying only to have 'page crash' grr.  Now where was I?

I managed yesterday quite well thanks for asking.  Work kept me very busy which always helps and my regular customers are very sweet.  Big promotional chanages and new sets ups (over two floors) meant not a lot of time for 'inner thinking'.  Left work and spent some time with quiet relection under 'hubby's tree' before returning home for a very late lunch!!  The 'empty house' scenario your Dad found hard is something I seem to cope with quite well. I think perhaps the years of being 'alone' bringing up the children whilst hubby worked away for up to 5 weeks at a time has left me with this coping mechanism.  I have lost count over the years as to how often we had to pack 'gifts' in his luggage because he would not be at home. It did feel strange not 'eating out' on our anniversary as this was something we always did when he was home.  If it makes any sense, its the very small things (even irritating habits) that I miss and not having that instant response when you have an idea in your head which you want to share.  I just keep reminding myself that I was lucky to have met him at 18 and have good memories to rely on now.

Loved your tale of the 'tipsy'observer!  If it made you smile then he did his job very well, drink induced or not ha ha.

Had some good news a couple of days ago in that my Mum's sister (85) who was treated for, as she put it, women's cancer 'down there' was told at her last appointment that if she stays as well recovered as she is showing just now when she goes  back in October, they will sign her off!  She celebrated with a glass of wine and hired a young gardener to help out (he is 60!!!). Priceless.

Well, I am meeting my daughter and Zack after the school run (and my gym session) and we are going to  our 'comfort stop' - hot chocolate and cup cakes a speciality.  She has the works and I cannot resist their dark chocolate 'sensation'.  What's the point of 'toning' at the gym if there is nothing to look forward to.

Well, that's enough of my rambling (a definite side effect of living alone!!!) so will wish you a relaxing and happy day.  I am sure I would be in a darker place if it were  not for family, friends and this great virtual chat.  Luv  Jules xx