Hi Brian

Had a very good weekend thanks, so nice to be able to get out without coats and brolly.

My sister in law was due tomorrow morning but rang to say she now planned on visiting an ailing friend  and so by the time she gets  back and collects her own car (she is going with another friend) it could well be about 9pm so it will be a late meal for us both! She will definitely be surprised by the work that has been done but hope she likes it as much as I do. Don't thnik she will see much of my cooking though because as she is coming over much latter than originally planned (and can only offer an approximate time of arrival) I have opted for salad so can serve up as soon as she gets here.  On Wednesday I will be working but we are meeting up with the family for a meal locally.  She leaves early Thursday to drive up to Liverpool to catch the ferry home so a 'flying visit' but hope to catch up on her news as they do not keep in touch much.  I phoned them over Easter and that was the last chat we had until she informed me of her arrival over here and how her plans had changed.  I suspect she finds it difficult seeing me as it is a reminder that her brother is no longer here for her.

Have been busy in the garden for the last couple of afternoons  and lovely to have some warm sunshine for a few days.  Was great to see a Red Kite soaring above the garden whilst my friend was here but we were both unable to get a shot of it!

Your son is really having a difficult time with his foot but better safe than sorry as he does not want to aggrevate the injury but bet he is bored being stuck at home. Hope your your sister's op went well which joint was she having replaced?  I expect she will appreciate having someone to chat with when you go to visit.

Your collared doves are 'dead-ringers' for the pair I have - do you think we are sharing them ha ha.  I~ have been inundated with baby starlings this week and so far they have muched their way through 4 suet blocks  - good job I buy the budget brand but they are on the last one now so will try and get another pack when I go shopping with my daughter tomorrow. She is driving me to local store as am hoping to get a new table/chairs for the garden  and there is a limit to how much I can carry under my arm!

Hope you and Mrs B are keeping well. Take care  Jules x

HiJules,

Sorry for not replying sooner. Have had a very busy week as I am getting ready for a three day show starting on Saturday. We have to set up on the Friday evening so will have to have everything packed and in the car by Friday afternoon latest. My sister has a new knee joint fitted; she is home now and the bruising has now surfaced. I was told bu our woodclub chairman that I didnt have to do newsletters for July or August as we close for those months but I have decided to still do them. Next years we are closing January and Febuary as not many people like coming out to the meetings in the cold. 

Am hoping the fire in Canada has not affected my brother and sister in law. I know he works in the area thats been affected. Will phone Canada tonight to see if I can find out . Apperntly, the fire has now crossed to border into Sascatuan (Excuse spelling)

Hope you enjoyed the time with your sister in law. I'm really enjoying your photos of the birds. They are all in sharp focus which as they dont stay still for long its not easy to achieve so well done to you.

I am just about to get out to my garage again. Hazel thinks Mrs B has banned me from the house as I have done quite a bit of turning lately but I have assuered her this is not the case ha ha. Mind you I couldnt really blame her if she did.

Take care and enjoy your Sunday walk. Sending best wishes and kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian.

Good morning Brian,

Your three day event is now getting very close and I can only imagine the 'buzz' of business in your own home and that of the other woodclub members.  Hope you are pacing yourself as do not need you in a state of collapse by the end of it all! Your work and commitment to the club deserves recognition so I do hope you get good attendance and feedback (plus sales) during the event and if you are going to keep going with the newsletter during the 'closed period' then I am sure  you have plenty of material to work with. Good luck on all counts.

Today is quite special as my first planned home project is due to be finished. My decorator is popping in this morning to put on the last coat of paint on the skirting board which was not quite dry enough at the end of the day yesterday. It will be a little weird, after the last couple of months, to return home to 'emptiness' again though it will be great to begin the unpacking of boxes and deciding what and where to place what I decide to keep on display.  Am not so keen to 'clutter' the shelving again so will be 'picky'. I now have to decide and choose a new carpet and get the new front door fitted (order has been on hold for the latter since I had the windows done as did not want it installed until the work was completed). So after a couple of months break (at least until after the family holiday) I have a bit of respite but hope to get estimates in for the re-painting of the outside before Autumn.

A cooler day today and I am off into work but have been doing bits in the garden and have just ordered a new lounger to match the garden furniture I bought a week or so ago. Maybe it will get some use this coming weekend which will be quiet except for cat feeding duties for my daughter and family as they are visiting her Father in law.  Who knows by the weekend I may be a granny again (due date was yesterday) - my son and his fiancee getting impatient now (and they need to sort a passport for the new arrival as soon as possible too) but nature will take it's course.

Well best get myself sorted for work so will wish you all the best for the weekend and hope you do not have too far to travel each day.  Take care and hope you and Mrs B are keeping well. Jules  x

Good morning Jules,

After a rainy start, the sun has come out to play and temperature is rising. I havent needed Mrs B to read me a bedtime story to send me off to sleep the last few nights I can tell you. Luckily its all done now apart from a partial set up tonight after six o clock so a quieter day today. I dont have that far to travel ; it only takes about twenty minutes or so. I will be writing a report about the weekend for our newsletter plus photos.

It will probably feel a little strange to you for a while coming home and not finding workmen there. It sounds to me as if you have had a great team working on your place. But I also suspect,they have responded to you as you have looked after them and not caused them problems I know some customers do. I could tell you some horror stories my customers told me of how some of their customers had treated them when I was working. Some months ago on a really hot day my son  was refused a drink of water by a customer. He was working on a south facing conservatory and had been sweating so much he had drunk all his water. The woman refused to let him have a glass of water saying it would cost her money. How mean can you get. But he had the last laugh for when he finished, she wanted him to put up her new cutain rails as a favour even though it would have ment him doing it in his own time at the end of the day. His reply was, "I'm sorry but that would cost me time, just like the water would have cost you money". I had to laugh when he told me that.

Has the new addition to the family arrived yet? Bet you and all the family are on tenterhooks!!!!!!

My youngest grandson was on good form the other evening and not only wound his father up but me too. Dont know where he gets his aggravation from ha ha. But then my father was just the same so if your listening dad, sorry but its all your fault ha ha. He didnt say anything when we visited him twenty odd years ago when Mrs B told him both me and his grandson had inherited his aggravation gene but I could both see and sense he was pleased about it. Considering he and I had only met for a week or so at the end of the war when he was being de-mobbed until then, we share so many characteristics, like and dislikes. Everyone we met out in Canada, whither family or friends of the family said how alike we both were. Every time dad just smiled.

I wish you and your family a great weekend take care, Brian

Hi all,

Just thought I would post a couple of pics of house renovations and front garden. Felt the need to share so sorry if they are a bit boring (hence why I did not put them on the  beautiful picture thread!  Jules P.S.  Definitely need the new carpet to complete the look ha ha.

All looks lovely Jules, no wonder you are so happy with it! (jealous of how light and airy your home is with those huge windows and doors at each end). Enjoy picking out the carpet, any ideas yet?

Sue xx

Looks nice Jules your garden looks lovely from the patio door view ! Take care -Diane x

Thanks ladies; has been worth the wait and am slowly getting things back on the shelves to make it look homely again.  As to the carpet, am going with an open mind in a couple of weeks to have a look at whats on offer.  Definitely do not want anything too light or dark so something in the middle though as to colour who knows!!  Will take sample of the kitchen/diner flooring and my tester wall paint pot and no doubt get some guidance from the local carpet shop as need hard wearing/durability(the current one has been down for over 30 yrs ha ha).

Hope you have been enjoying the lovely sunshine that we have had in Middlesex today.  Have a peaceful evening. Take care Jules x

Sorry Jules, meant to reply earlier.  Not boring at all, you know how most of us ladies like a nose in someone else's house!  Everything looks smashing, no wonder your camera came out!  I love the little ceiling lights, too, and both gardens look a picture in you pictures (sorry!)

I like your red bag, too, by the way!

Hugs, Hazel xx