Hi Hazel,

Sadly because of admin problems (missing signature by doctor attending at time of death) this lead to a breakdown of 'protocol' right at the very beginning and caused unfortunate delays. It was handed over to another borough's Coroner because of the heavy workload locally but all in all quite frustrating and stressful period.  You are right it's not my fault that it took so long but then new protocols have since been put in place so hopefully no other family will have to go through what we faced.  I suspect, having read the complaint's procedure on file, they are now making very sure it is done by the book.  At the end of the day whilst I would appreciate being able to have closure in this respect there is just another period of waiting for the wheels to turn in my direction so to speak.

With the workmen beginning to arrive by 7a.m. I am hoping they work their way through the biscuit tin and do not leave me any!!  Hopefully the routine of being back at work for a couple of days will also help with extra exercise to burn off the 'naughty calories'.  I think I will have to start walking in the evening as am also due to do the Race for Life in June so need to get some 'stamina' as though I will not be able to run it, do hope power walking it will be an option. Need some oomph!

Enjoy the sunshine.  It is a lovely start here this  morning.  Take care  Jules x

Hi ladies and Brian have been quite busy had to take my sister to her doctor appointment as her car had a flat tire and then had to look after my grandson for a while as my daughter has been running of her feet with work. My neighbour feel ill she's in her 80s so I thought I will make a nice pot of soup and will send a tub of it into her. Checked on her this morning she said the soup calmed her stomach and she had a better night sleep so that was great. I sensed she wanted another little tub when speaking to her so will sent another tub in later to her. Great timing as her family are on holiday. But today done a bit of gardening. Weather is quite cold but luckily no rain. Hope yous are all well. Take care -Diane x

Good afternoon Jules,

Had our woodclub meeting last night. We normally meet on a Wednesday but the local council who own the hall have prefernce over us. I recieved several nice comments from members about the newsletters last night, mostly saying they are both informative and humourous so it looks like my efforts are appreciated. They also said they like the monthly edition rather tham the quartery version. I had one of our most skilled woodworker tell me he learnt something from the woodworkin tips I have just started. 

Today I took Mrs B out for a long ride as I needed some more melamine laquer which in my prefered wood finish. There is only one stockist in Sussex but it was a lovely ride out, with the birds singing. There were loads of Primroses , Bluebells, wood anenomies and other wild flowers dotting the verges and woods so we both realy enjoyed the drive.

Talking of birds singing, I was woken at about 5.15 this morning with a bad hot flush, curtesy of the hormone treatment I had and is still giving me the odd episode. For once I didnt mind to much as there was a blacbird singing right outside our bedroom window and he was realy giving it all he had. This went on for nearly half an hour, which I realy enjoyed.

Hope all goes well on the kitchen fitting front. Years ago when I worked for Jewsons selling timber, doors and kitchens, me and the buyer got involver with fitting about half a dozen kitchens. I learnt so much and it helped me a lot when I was selling them as I had learnt the things to avoid. It was a  very useful experiance.

Take care, sending kind thoughts your way, Brian

Well Diane, you have been kept on your toes.  Hope you now have your feet up with a cuppa.  Hope your sister's doctor appointment went okay too, All the best for your mammogram tomorrow. I was back into work today and pretty busy both with customers and shop floor 'housekeeping' where we do full check on certain sections to make sure stock still in the right place - amazing how often books get moved into wrong sections and this can make them difficult to find when their shelf life ends and we have to send them back so a worthwhile job. Also gives us a chance to make sure the A-Z order is kept up to scratch.  As you can imagine it is a job that never really ends.  Still helps the time fly by. 

Got home in time to meet the fitter and also the designer of the kitchen  and work is going well so far. As they start early they usually finish by 4.30 so have a quiet evening  planned.  Take care.  Jules x

H Brian

Think it's lovely when you put a lot of effort into something and get good feedback.  All that thought and hard work was worth the effort and I would imagine 'tip sharing' will help everyone.

As I replied to Diane, the fitter has been here today and the 'build' is under way. The designer was also here when I got in from work and checked with me that I was happy so far (no complaints from me!!) and all being well they are hopeful the major work will be completed by Mon/Tues next week. A couple of the 'extras' are due by the end of next week and they will be fitted as soon as possible but cannot go in until the units are fully installed (finishing effects only).  It seems I will not be able to get out of the cooking for too much longer ha ha.  They have even delivered my complimentary pan set so there will be no excuses. Fitter is a chatty fella so probably just as well I am at work tomorrow or between us we could slow things down considerably ha ha.

It was certainly a lovely day for a scenic drive and glad you both enjoyed it (typical that I had to work on the best day of the week so far).  I do love seeing flowers in their natural setting.  The birds have been in top form here too and I was up (as I very often am) at 5am and the robins were already outside the back door awaiting their usual scoop of mealworms so I obliged and then sat and watched them polish them off. Hope you have a peaceful evening and no repeat of the hot flush tonight - they are a real bind at times but I expect you feel a price worth paying for your current good health. Take care. Jules x

Hi Jules, sorry for the delay, very tired again yesterday but made myself go for a long walk in the lovely sunshine - even had to take my coat off on the way home!  Weather not so good today, wet again, as with you, but will still have a walk, keeping my coat on!  

Isn't it SO annoying that the omission of one signature can cause so many problems? I do sympathise.  

Hope everything comes together with the installations, it can get a bit complicated when one bit is reliant on another bit being done first etc. 

Loved the little photo of the wren, by the way, the size of the pic fits the size of the bird, tiny little thing!

Take care, Hazel  xx

PS have just noticed it's now bucketing down so may delay walk for a bit! x 

Hi Hazel

Hope you managed your wet walk (a great day for ducks!!) and the tiredness soon slips away. A relaxing weekend may help.

Two bits of good news from me - Registrars phoned me yesterday and all is re-registered and Certificate in the post - phew.  Secondly I have a new, fully functioning kitchen as of 5pm today - so very pleased.  Now just summoning up the strength to begin emptying the boxes back into the cupboards/drawers over the next few days.

  Day got off to a bit of a dodgy start as the heavy rain led to more of a leak (I was out at the launderette!) but luckily the electrcians noticed more or less straight away and phoned the roofer who came straight round and has done emergency repair and will be back to check on things when the rain stops.  No more leak now and he is also going to repair the front and rear guttering for me - hopes weather will allow him to get back on the ladder sooner rather than later.  A few deep breaths required I can tell  you.  Still all great now and am very pleased with end result.  Now just need a chef to come and cook for me until I learn the new appliances - only joking (about the chef!!).  I have enough manuals to keep me going so hoping it will not be too long before I feel comfortable with things and can entertain the family.  Must try out new pots and pans ha ha.

Be kind to yourself and maybe having to dig out the thermals again if the forecast is anything to go by!!

Chat soon and sending hugs. Jules x

Great news on those two fronts, Jules, shame the weather is so rotten that roof can't be done yet, you could relax properly then - good job the electricians were there!  

I did go for my walk to the shopping centre, and apart from the deluge from above I also got a bit more wet when a car shot a puddle all down my legs, the rotter!  It soon dried out while I was looking round in the shops, though, but I was a bit more careful and kept my eyes peeled on the way home!  

Enjoy the evening admiring your nice new kitchen, and don't forget to take some pics. when you have time.  

Hugs back, Hazel xx

Good morning Hazel

I also got wet a few times yesterday but it's only water and I soon dried out ha ha.  Great feeling this morning when I did not have to fill a bucket of water to bring downstairs and am about half way through the boxes for the kitchen.  Trying to be strong willed and only putting away what I actually need.  This will be the second 'skimming' as I did have a clear out as I was emptying the old kitchen too. Even when entertaining there are only so many dishes you need ha ha. I have my manuals sitting ready to read but the electricians set everything up ready to use so do not need to do the preliminaries.  Will first have to do a 'shop' for food to cook but will finish up my 'cold' provisions first (was surprised to have it finished within three days of the carpenter/fitter starting the build).  I still have a couple of bits to be added but these should be here within a week to ten days.  Have put a before and after pic but, of course, still need decorating so not quite the finished product.

Hope you have a good day. The garden is very very wet after yesterday so doubt I will be able to work out there.  Sending hugs and hope, like Kim, that  your tiredness will soon be a thing of the past. Take care. Jules x