[[]]Hi Jules so I went out and looked at a few garages with my daughter and then went to one that had a Vauxhall Adam it's called and it's very lovely looking. Was able to take it today once I did all the paper work etc. That's the car just a bit away from the garage. Hope it can last me a few years cause I'm not buying another car after this.

Hope the new motor gives you many years of service Diane.  Bet you were glad to have wheels under you again.

Beautiful day here after a dodgy start so finally got the chance to get the new garden funiture out and put my feet up for an hour.  Have just watered the pots close to the back door and fingers crossed can mow tomorrow evening after my day out with my daughter.  Wishing you a peaceful weekend.  Jules x

Hi Diane, your new car looks very nice and good for you for managing to find one so quickly. I so hope it does well for you. Take care  Sue xx

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the replies. Was v Upset to hear about Jo, she was a truly lovely lady. Will go and look at her tribute in a little while. 

I am glad you are still here, and Brian. Have yet to try one or two others who I used to talk to. I appreciate your need for genersl chat, it's what we do and need to do. 

If I remember right there is only a few weeks between Zack and Ava. Your older grandson was wonderful at the time and I bet he is still a super big brother. Darcey is a lovely name and not one you hear too often. Must be lovely watching your son with his daughter.!!!!!

Yes Mum is managing well at the moment, although I invited her over for this weekend only to be turned down as she is already going to a concert(with her friends) on Sunday. He ho. LOL. 

Hope your Mum is still being well cared for. Did they move her in the end??? 

Well take care Jules speak again.

Annabel. xx

Hi all had the day out with a close friend and her mum who is at a amazing age of 95 soon to be 96 and can still walk and talk and lives on her own as she is still well fit enough for it made me feel happy she still has stability in her life. 

Weather was cloudy but when I got home I went straight to the garden and have worked there for a hour or two. Take care all -Diane x

Hi Annabel,

You are certainly right about the two grandchildren being close in age.  I can still remember chatting to you when you were both waiting for Ava's arrival and when to buy the first tea set. Bet she has fun with that now. My older grandson has his moments like all older siblings but have to say he also has his hands full with Zack who definitely want to be the boss at times.  They are both delighted with their new cousin and it is lovely to have a grand-daughter. It will be lovely to enjoy their antics and some quality time with everyone when we go away in just over a week. There are messages going back and forwards regarding who is packing what for whom (entertainment in the villa!!) and I must be the only one who has not even bothered to open the case yet!  Hubby always did the packing the night before so will follow in his footsteps.

Glad your Mum is enjoying the social life with friends.  I actively encourage my children to live their own lives to the full and am slowly building a new normal. We always catch up by text if there is something to say.  I actually bumped into my daughter and the grandchildren in the supermarket this morning - not done that for quite a while.  Little Zack is covered in a heat rash  but it does not seem to be bothering him and the doc reckons it could take a while to fade with our humidity running high. The eldest lad tried talking me into buying 'what I like Granny' when he found me in the biscuit aisle but I explained I had to think of everyone. Quick as a flash came the reply 'well we all like chocolate' and I could not argue with that (still did not get them though!!).  They have miniature gingerbread men instead.

As to my Mum, her care is good despite her objections to still being in the land of the living.  Thankfully after a lot of talking and a change of social worker (who agreed with me!!) she has been allowed to remain where she is.  She turned 90 in May.

Just spent the afternoon making rock cakes and a banana loaf and tomorrow will do the rest of the preparation for Sunday buffet lunch as family drop in to discuss the travelling arrangements to the airport.

Hope all well with you, take care.  Jules x

Hi Diane,

 How lovely to spend time with your friend and her Mum who is obviously very spritely for her age. Good on her.  Pretty cloudy here at the moment but very humid.  Have begun to get the outside ready for the family visit on Sunday when the weather is supposed to be good.  Have put out the swing ball and the water play stuff so hoping for a fun few hours. Done some baking today and will cook the meat to go with the usual salads/buffet bits tomorrow. On Monday I am due to have Darcey for a little while and hopefully a friend is going to pop by too.  Before I know it I will have to begin thinking about what to pack for the holiday but plenty of time to deal with that.

Have a pleasant evening and take care. Jules x

Hi Jules very humid here as well and cloudy. We have local prostate cancer charity and we know the people who run it very well from my hubby having prostate cancer and they have asked the whole family to take place in a 5k walk supporting them and donating money. So we will be doing that tomorrow I have been told around 600 people locally will be attending which is great.

I like to bake but I never really have an excuse to now. I did it a lot when the grandkids were younger but there not Interested now. 

My daughter asked me to go on holiday with them next year but I said no as I have had my holiday and I'm not bothered at this stage in my life I'm happy to be in my garden. And also Time for them to have some relaxation without me. Take care -Diane x

Hi Diane

Just wanted to send you best wishes for the 5K walk today.  A worthwhile cause (my Dad died with Prostate Cancer (secondary in the lungs) and sounds like a lovely turnout.  If you have the same beautiful weather that I have here already  you will definitely need your sun cream and hat!  Good luck.

I enjoying cooking and preparing a buffet but the baking of cakes is a relatively new past-time.  Having found a couple of 'loaf cake' recipes which are so simple and along with the old favourite of rock cakes (with a generous helping of mixed spice added) I have done a batch bake and then slice and wrap individually to put in the freezer.  This means I can just take out a piece at a time (or more if entertaining).  Just another project to pass an evening  or two occasionally. 

The asking was the  other way round for us.  I invited all the family to come with me.  Hubby loved to travel and I felt it appropriate to take everyone on a family holiday this year as part of his legacy to us all.I have also begun to request brochures for next year(as well as browsing on line)  in the hope of taking a couple of short breaks to get used to holidaying alone - a target for 2017 which I see as a big step. We have a couple of coach companies that do local pick ups which would be a very handy as I can walk to them!  Time will tell.

Take care Jules x