Hi and welcome to the forum which I hope you will find supportive.  My story is more that of my late husband as I joined when he was diagnosed and the support of the forum for nearly three years during his illness helped me considerably.  Since he passed away in January 2015  the virtual friends I made here continue to chat and show me kindness just by listening to me rabbit on!!

You are more than welcome to post on my thread but it may also be worth starting a thread of your own and perhaps mentioning the kind of cancer you have in the title.  This way others who may relate to your own personal journey can respond and I am sure there are many who will definitely understand the sleepless nights along with all the emotions you go through as you undergo treatment and wish you all the best with your treatment plan and hope you have family and friends who can also be there for a support network. Jules

Hi Brian and a very Happy New Year to you, Mrs B and the family.

I hope that your grand-daughter's bad throat soon cleared up and that it will not be long before you can see them again.  So many bugs seem to be doing the rounds at the moment and it is not always easy to steer clear of them.

New Year's Eve was spent pretty much the same as always.  I went out in the morning to the gym and then decided to walk to see Mum.  Yes pretty dull and windy with the odd shower during the day but managed to dodge them all thankfully.  Spent an hour with Mum and then went shopping for a new kettle as mine had packed up the night before and had gone back to my childhood days of boiling water on the hob ha ha. I watched a couple of films on the tv and was reading through the midnight bongs as well as the usual family texting/e mails flying back and forth.   More calls from friends started at 8a.m this morning  so very lucky really.

Your mini microscope will, I am sure , be very  helpful with your timber identification. Always lovely to receive such a useful item.

After my very busy family Christmas it is now back to normal routine though I am meeting up with an old workmate who has flown over from NewZealand to visit family.  We are hopefully getting to gether in London for a coffee morning before I head off to spend the weekend with the family (my daughter and I are going on a post Christmas shopping day out).

I am working on the 3rd anniversary of hubby's death this week so expect this will be helpful.  Still sometimes hard to believe how quickly time goes by but me and the family are blessed with good memories.

By the time I returned to work (day afterBoxing Day) the standard clearance sale was already under way and it was just a case of serving and getting the deliveries onto the shop floor. Of course we were only closed for Christmas Day.  Would be lovely it retail could return to how it was in the 'good old days'.

Like you, I love a good baked spud and this is often a main meal for me as there are so many options for toppings.  However tonight I  will celebrate New Year's Day with a mini Christmas pudding for 1 which was in the hamper I won the week before Christmas!!

Damp and dismal here this morning so have cleaned all the bird feeders and will not bother taking the camera out on my walk but just get some much needed exercise.  At least going out means I get to see other people and may even eat lunch out.

Take care of yourself and MrsB and stay well. Jules

Oh Jules, you sound bit down.  Like you I spent NYE alone watching the telly and reading, just as I have also spent the last three Christmases and New Years since my Roy died.  Oh, I have phone calls and texts and presents, but it's not the same.  I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday, my very good friend.  Sending a big hug. 

Love Hazel xx

Hi Hazel,

Bless you, thanks for the hug. I think I am not so much down but reflective.  Also having been with all the family and had the fun of Christmas through the little one's eyes New Year felt a little flat.  I usually spend New Year on my own (just like other normal days really) but because of the miserable weather have not been able to get walking as much as I like and really miss walking for pleasure.  Roll on Spring ha ha.

Took myself into town yesterday even though quite a few of the shops were closed and I gave my place of work a miss!!  Did pop into Debenhams and found a couple of bits for this year's April holiday break so that was a bonus.  Silver screen cinema not running this week so not sure what to do today but determined to get out despite the fact that it is now raining.  Gym first I think and then perhaps a coffee in the High Street.  I also need to take down the Christmas decorations and get them stored once again

No new year resolutions to stick to (I always break them so decided against making them ha ha) but will need to get back on the good eating bandwagon.  Always eat more when stuck indoors...........so naughty.

I am looking forward to meeting up with my friend on Friday; hard to believe we first worked together over 40 years ago and e mail keeps us in touch now.  She moved to New Zealand many years ago and has had her own ups and downs but is now happily with a new partner who I will get to meet for the first time.Would be great if it could be a dry day so we can enjoy London sights for the couple of hours we have.  I need to be home by mid afternoon as my son in law is picking me up.  Spending a couple of days with them and taking my daughter shopping as well as looking after the children Friday evening so they can have a meal out together for a change (they got some restaurant vouchers for Christmas and are really looking forward to it).

Just been out to re-fill the bird feeder at the end of the garden (two doves polished off the contents yesterday!!) and noticed some daffodils coming through! Very mild so only a raincoat for me when I go out.

Stay cosy and appreciate being able to chat with understanding friends. Look afer yourself too. Jules xx

Thinking of you, Jules, and all your lovely family.

Hazel xxx

Bless you Hazel, heartwarming to have messages when I logged on this morning.

The not so great news delivered via tv was that due to a tree on the line no underground to work!!  Hey ho will walk for 25mins to bus depot and hope the roads not too bad (still dark so cannot see what last night's storm has done to the garden!!).  I do know that it kept me awake for a good part of last night so perhaps a bit more bleary eyed than usual.  Could well resemble a drowned rat by the time I get in.

Stay safe Hazel and thank you.  Jules xx

Oh, not what you need for a journey to work, a long walk in the dark in rotten weather before you even start!  Mind you, I had plenty of those when I had 7am Sunday starts for work at the hospital, no early buses!  Good job we like walking, eh?   Hope you managed okay, and get home safely too.

Take care, Hazel xx

Hi Hazel,

The walk to the station was an experience in 'dodgems' which started with getting round a fallen tree at top of the road!  Two felled trees and many fence panels later was pleased to find trains were running as 'tree on the line had been quickly cleared'.  Thankfully by 7.20 a,m, the rain had stopped so not as bad as it might have been and just hope no-one hurt when things started flying about (local shopping centre lost quite a few shop signs so think this must have been a 'corridor for the high winds'.  Contractors had cleared my road by the time I got home this afternoon  and just heard there were gusts of plus 73mph just down the road.

Stay safe. Jules xx

Hi jules glad u home safe wasn’t good weather in going out 2day hope the worst is over 4 u. Been wet and windy last nite here and this morning. The wind have died down and it’s stop raining thankfully only 1 of my fence panels blown down not 2 much damage here . I hate the wind it’s not nice when u got 2 go out in it . Hope u been ok I have been thinking of u all sending u hug take care x 

Hi Gemini,

All OK with me thanks though many of my neighbours lost fencing and a couple of trees uprooted.  Was very thankful to get home safely from work and feel very fortunate that no damage to my property either (could not check it out before I went to work as it was still dark!).

Stay safe and warm. Jules x

Thank goodness the journey wasn't as bad as you expected, apart from getting to the station - hope you had your hiking boots on! 

Glad you are home safely now, and no damage done. 

Hazel xx

Thank goodness the journey wasn't as bad as you expected, apart from getting to the station - hope you had your hiking boots on! 

Glad you are home safely now, and no damage done. 

Hazel xx

Good morning Jules, 

Hope you enjoyed meeting your friend and also your shopping with family. Its nice to meet up with old friends and catch. 

When my grandfather was alive, I hade to go to a sawmill in Wiltshire not that far from where he lived. So I took him with me and later in the day I drove him to the very small village where he used to live.  As we drove down the street, he was telling me who used to live in each house. We turned around and drove up the other side till we came to a house which he didnt say anything about. So I asked hin who lived there and he said it was his best friend. He added he doubted if he was still alive. I saw there was someone in the garden so I persueded him to go and investigate. It was his best friend and it was so heart warming to see them meet after so many years. We spent about two hours there so he could cathch up on all the local gossip He did enjoy that trip, so much so it was all he talked about for weeks and weeks afterwards. I promised him one weekend I would take him and my mother down there for the day but before I could arrange it he died fron a heart attack. It is one big regrets in my life we naver got to make that trip

Last November I gave two talks which lasted about an hour and a half. I was asked by one of the ladies present if I would give the same talk to her group. Well it has now been confirmed for early Febuary and I am also due to give a slideshow presentation on trees in September for the group I visited in November plus the same one for our wood club at some stage. I enjoyed doing the last one and am looking forward to doing these. My sister who lives about an hour away from me runs a gardening club and If I can get a projecter I may be doing one for her club too. On another note, we had a large garden not that far from us which closed to the public several years ago. My sister has informed me it is re-opening in April and her club have booked a visit there in May. I will meet her there and go round the garden with her and her friends. I shall look forward to this. 

Looking forward to when the weather warms up so I can get back out in my man shed and do some more turning. I do miss not being able to get out there. Gives Mrs B a break from me winding her up as well ha ha. Though she will probably moan at me when I leave wood shavings in the carpets. I try telling her they are top quality hardwood shavings but it doesnt have any affect. Some people just have no appreciation for quality and I still end up with bent ears ha ha. 

Take care and sending best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian

Had a lovely few hours catching up with my friend.  We worked together when in our teens/early twenties and then she emigrated to New Zealand. I also got to meet her 'new' partner of 7 years!!  New memories were made as they had tickets to go up The Shard so once we had caught up over a coffee they asked me to join them.  Was able to purchase a ticket for the same time slot and what wonderful views from both the 69th and 72nd floors. Of course we were all taking photos which have now been shared on another social website.

I loved the story about your grandfather and the visit to his old home village and that chance meeting with his old best friend.Tinged with sadness that the repeat visit was unable to go ahead but if it had not been for you he would not have made the first visit either and thus never had the chance to catch up at all.

You are going to be kept busy with all those lovely talks but I bet you enjoy them as much as those who you present them too.Would be great if you could borrow a projector for you to give the slideshow at your sister's gardening club too.  I do remember you talking about that local garden which had closed and how  you had enjoyed it when it used to be open.  How nice that you will now get the opportunity to re-visit with your sister when it re-opens.Hope it lives up to expectations after all this time.

I had a good weekend with my daughter and familyand am now trying to play catch up indoors and the gym.  Having been outside to fill the bird feedersI find that two of my neighbours fence panels are broken and leaning into their garden so my son will have to keep his dog on lead when he visits until they are fixed (the neighbours are not know for doing things in a hurry!).

After a bitterly cold but sunny day yesterday it is now cold and dull today so planning on staying in front of the fire this afternoon and catching up on my mail, electronic and otherwise!

Best regards to you and Mrs B and hope your grand-daughter is now feeling much better.Jules

Hi Jules, 

I thought you were still in your early twenties for you are so young at heart. Glad you had a great time both with your friend and family. Congratulation on your good news about the baby and on the good news about the new job. Bet you got a terrific view from the Shard. 

Going back to the story about my grandfather, Before I took him to his little village, I also took him to The Hawk Conservancy. We arrived just in time for one of their flying demonstrations. This Lanner Falcon was released and flew up to the top of the field where it found a thermal and went up so high it was just a speck in the sky. They called it down with the aid of the lure and it swooped down at a heck of a speed and flew right over my grandfathers head, nearly taking his hat off.  He told me, "I've lived in the country all my life but I aint never seen anything like that". He was made up about it. When we were nearly home, I took him into a local pub as he liked an occasional drink. He kept looking round and then made the comment "Its changed a bit since I was in here last" So I asked hime how long ago that was and he replied, "Cor blimey,that was when I was in the home gaurd during the war". The barman had to walk off as he was choking back the laughter.  . He also loved Monkey Puzzle trees. Whenever I took him out, he would always mention it when he saw the first one. I didnt get on at all with my step father and my grandfather was more of a father figure to me than my step father ever was. He was quite a charachter trust me. 

This morning I have fixed up a light complete with a movement sensor for our back garden as it is so dark you cant see the steps. Very pleased with it so far but will have to wait until its completely dark to get the benifit of it and to set it up properly. I have three local library drop ins planned for the next few weeks to try and get more members for our club. There are another three local libraries I will contact once I have done these. 

Like you I have got to get my diet back on track as over the holiday I have put on more than I wanted. My chestnuts are all but finished but at least the shop up town is now stocking my frozen ones again so will be paying them a visit soon. I was talking with my siter who live about an hours drive away and she told me her club has to pay anything up to eighty pounds for people to give a talk to her gardening club so am probably going to buy one of those projectors. It just shows how much I have changed,A few years ago I would never have given a talk but now I actually enjoy doing it and am not even nervous about doing it. 

By the time you get to read this you should not have to go tp work for a few days So I will wish you and your family a plesant weekend, Brian.

Hi Brian,

As they say you are only as young as you feel and that varies day to day ha ha.  I think I have more of my late Dad's character in me.  He was disabled in WWII but always said that his life was precious because a soldier from the other side helped him stay still in the truck that took him to the field hospital. I grew up on his war tales and despite losing a limb at the age of 21 he was a very happy chappy!  Like your grandfather taught you, my Dad taught me so much and, for the most part, was always supportive of my decisions.  He was always amazing in how he supported my Mum through her bi polar meltdowns and to this day do not know how he managed that.  I think it was a case of love conquering all as they were very much a couple. My daughter was very close to her granddad too

The trip up The Shard was amazing perhaps the more so because I had no idea when I left the house that morning that I would be going there.  A couple of shots below. To think I had only grabbed my camera at the last minute as was going to rely on my phone for our get-together!!

Hope the new lighting for the steps proved a success and makes things easier to navigate.

Your series of up coming talks will certainly keep you busy.  Are you sure that MrsB is not spurring you on to give her a break from making cheese straws etc ha ha.  Seriously it is wonderful that you can put together such talks as well as present them to interested clubs.  I am sure they pick up on your own enthusiasm for the subject. Good luck with all your planned projects in 2018.

I did read my mail once my work shifts were done and dusted.  A busy couple of days but they do help give my week some structure as well as the inevitable help with the bills.  Had a nice surprise this week in that I have managed to cut my electric consumption in the past year so my direct debit has nearly halved woohoo.  Now just need to win more than a tenner on the lottery...........keep on dreaming....Jules.

Kind regards to you Mrs B and the family.Jules

Great shots from the Shard, thanks Jules - a nice little bonus for you on your day out. 

Hazel xx

Thanks Hazel, it will be a wonderful memory of a few hours spent with a friend I made in my late teens when we both worked at the same place.  She emigrated in late 80's and this was the first get together for 10years so a lot to catch up on! We were so lucky when the sun came out just half an hour before our 'ride' up.

Have a good weekend.  Jules x 

Hi Jules, 

Can just picture you and your brolly this morning auditioning for Mary Poppins ha ha. Hope you dont get too wet. 

Had to take Mrs B for a check up this morningand we were both glad to get back home. The rain is rattling on the window pains as I write this and it looks like the backgarden will soon be under water.  Bonus is I wont have to water the plants ha ha.

The light works perfectly thank you and I am very pleased with it. Have just realized we are allready halfway through the month so will have to get busy on my next newsletter.For this months wood quiz I have found it talkes 50 gallons of sap from a maple tree to make one gallon of maple syrup.We trid to book the hal where we have our Christmas sale and exhibition but the only date we could get is very late, bieng the 21 and 22 of Decmber. So we have allready booked the hall for 2019. Now thats forward planning. 

Have worked out the timber sizes I need to cut for my owl salt and pepper pots I am going to turn this year. I have just set a meeting up for our club with the organisers of our three day show at the May Bank holiday weekend.

Thanks for the photos from the Shard. Bet it was good to catch up with your friend. We have primroses out in our back garden but with all the rain they look a bit sorry for theirselves. 

Take care, sending best wishes to you and your family, Brian

Hope Mrs B's check up was all good, Brian.

Hazel xx

Hi Brian,

Took my brolly but no Mary Poppins as too windy to bother putting it up!!  Managed to dodge most of the showers by going out a little later too.  No standing water here though I do have a 15ft soakaway under my lawn (a requirement when we had a mini extension done over 30 years ago!).  Lawn could do with a mow but will probably have to wait a bit for that!!

Hope Mrs B's check up went well and you were nice a cosy indoors afterwards with a cuppa.So it's heads down for the newsletter and quiz setting and before you know it the wood club will be back after it's winter break and Spring will be under way.  Snowdrops are out in my neighbours front garden and my daffodils are in bud...........crazy. A tiny bit of colour in my back garden from the winter jasmine and even a lone anenome still in flower.  With the bare branches of the larger shrubs I am seeing a big increase in sparrows visiting but you can probably take bets that when the RSPB birdwatch weekend happens they will disappear!!

Will look forward to seeing the results of your timber labours as soon as the weather warms up enough for you to get into your man shed.

Visited Mum today and good to see she is still comfortable with her pain well under control. Sad to see a once robust lady now so delicate but think she knew I was there as there was a flicker of recognition when I went into her room.  As always I chatted about family for a while before just sitting reading whilst she dozed. Went to the gym afterwards as provides a good social outlet as well as trying to help with my fitness levels.

Take care and best wishes returned to you and the family.  Jules

Hi Jules, 

Mrs B's check up was okay thank you. 

I had my old intenet supplier phone me up again the other day so I told them I packed them up many months ago as they were absolutely useless. They wanted to know who I was with now and I replied "A reliable company who have two call centres in this country and all the staff speak Emglish I can understand". That took the wind out of them.anf they quickly hung up. 

I am now helping to organise two 3 day wood shows for our club one at the end of May and one at the end of August. Me and another committee member are meeting with the ladies who arrange the marquee for us to discuss things. It could be done over the phone but much prefer to do things like this face to face.

I have worked out how to attach the four LED lamps to my stand and wont have to buy anything to do it so thats good.

My granddaughter is very pleased as she has been told she has passed tests to go either to Cambridge or Warick Universities. So pleased for her as she has worked so hard for this over the past few years and is very dedicated. Very proud of her as well..She wants to be a writer and I wish her all the luck for this. 

Just found a new site and ordered some small glass eyes for my owls/birds as they look so much better than the plastic ones I have. 

I hope you are able to take your usual Sunday walk as I know you dont like stay indoors for too long. I dont do much walking for pleasure these days unfortunately as Mrs B cant walk that far and I do miss this. I like walking especially new places I havent been to before

What you said about your mother was just how I felt about my mother. To see her in that bed in the hospital was so painful as my mother had always been a very keen gardener. She knew all the names of the plants and had always been very active and independant. So I do understand how it makes you feel. 

Take care and I am sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian.