Hi Brian,

My sister in law has now gone home so the laptop is back out and I am playing catch up.

Good to hear that the staples/stitch are now out and that healing and recovery is going well.  Hopefully your diabetic levels will soon be more stable too as must be a bit of a nuisance to keep having to test.  Still better safe than sorry and you can sort the meds out to keep you on an even keel.   I have somewhat lost track of what is happening when.  Is it this Thursday that Mrs B has her surgery?  If so wish her a good result and speedy recovery. You both have an amazing attitude to your sudden health changes so deserve the friendship around you to help you through it all.

Glad your son had a good holiday and I must admit to be already thinking about my holiday choice next year to give me something to look forward to.

Mum's funeral went just as she planned; small and dignified and the afternoon tea I did afterwards was well received.  We even managed to fit things in between the showers and the sun was shining when we came home so the children were able to play outside to let the adults chat. The end of an era but have to be grateful that she is no longer sufffering.

Am back to work tomorrow so some semblance of normality perhaps.  Jules

Hi Jules, 

Hope it was not too hard going back to work. It always seemed differnt for a few days after I had had a holiday or time off. But tommorrow is your day off so not long to go till then. So glad the funeral went off okay and the weather was kind to you as well. 

Mrs B is still waiting for the date for her op but it should be in the next two weeks hopefully. She is still dealing with it really well but I think my problems have taken her mind off it to some degree

I went with Mrs B round to our new Lidles store which is about a 1/4 of a mile away and was perhaps a bit too ambitiuse on my first walk. I can tell you I was glad to get home. I had to have a sit down when I got to the store and had to stop a few times on the way back. But I did it and hope the next time will be that bit easier. Got myself a bag of nuts while I was there so nothing much has changed in that respect I hear yousay ha ha. I hope they will stock chestnuts in a short while

Have finished another western story and have started two more stories. One is about a bookworm who finds this old journal in his second hand book shop and this set him off on an adveture like he has only ever read about. The other is about a detective whi is pensioned off early and end up working for a small but exclusive insurance company thay provide insurance for the mega rich as they have had a lot of hi-tech burgaleries and it has baffeled police forces up and down the country. So brain must still be functioning ha ha.

I have the next newsletter to do shortly so have plentyof things to keep me going. 

Sending kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian

Hi Brian

Going back to work (when I think I should already have been allowed to retire!) has it's challenges ha ha.  Still at the moment it is a spark of normality whilst I wait for my State Pension to reward me for my work years. Sadly I was caught up in the 50's babies being penalised so cannot draw it yet. Hey Ho.

On the plus side at the end of my shift I was presented with a gift and cards from my work pals to congratulate me on reaching 65.  I was completely surprised and delighted and now have a good reason to visit the garden centre sometime soon.

Whilst I know you will be frustrated at not being able to 'leap back into normal activiities' following your op I am sure slowly increasing your walks will have you feeling better as the recovery continues and it sounds as though you still have plenty of stories in your head to be keeping you busy in the meantime.

Lovely start early this morning and at just gone 7 a.m. I have already done some dead heading in the back garden and topped up the bird's watering holes.  Soon I will be off out and it looks as though we are due a pleasant  bank holiday which will be lovely for the wedding I am going to on Sunday. This will be a nice way to end a sombre week.

Wishing you and Mrs B a peaceful and healing weekend.  Jules

Hi Brian,

Loving the sunny weather again. Even managed a couple of hours reading in the garden yesterday. Have just finished a Chris Carter thriller which was a 'page turner' for sure.  Patterson seems to help a lot of writers by 'joining forces' but I have to say I do prefer his solo efforts on the whole.  Very nice guy to chat with.

Bet it was a lovely feeling to be able to have your hair washed and it appears that you are a quick healer too.  Sounds as though recovery is steady and just need to take it easy.  Good news that the diabetic levels are settling down too.  I am sure that Mrs B has her head and hands full with so much going on with the two of you but like always you are doing it together and this is the pro-active approach.  Keeping you both in my thoughts and have a peaceful Sunday.

I am trying to keep busy this morning (gym and the garden) and am feeling a little daunted at attending the wedding of my friend's daughter (over 90 guests and I only know a few of them!!).  Taxi is booked to get to the venue and the nerves are kicking in for me so goodness know how the couple feel (and the bride's parents!!).  Have known the bride since she was about 9 and hope it is a wonderful day for them (they certainly have the weather element sorted!!).

Take care virtual buddy. Jules

Hi Jules

I can understand how you feel about the wedding, not knowing anyone much. I would probably feel much the same and know Mrs B would too. Please to read you have resumed you GARDEN READING and bet you enjoyed it

My recovery continues apace. Yesterday I did the September newsletter for the club and also peeled the potatoes for Mrs B as well as the washing up. I am taking it steady but intend to do a little more each day if I can. The pain is getting less each day and I hardly took any pain killers yesterday ans so far none at all today. I am not someone who like taking them anyway. I have told Mrs B normal service will be resumed shortly ha ha. My diabetes (Blood sugar level) was spot on this morning  so things are looking up and up. Hope I wont have to test so much shortly as my finger tips feel like pin cushions ha ha. 

There was one stitch left in my head that the nurse didnt want to remove as she didnt know if it was the disovable type. Well it looks like she was right because niether Mrs B or my son could see it yesterday.

Bet you are going to miss your Sunday walk today. The weather also looks good for the wedding.

Sending thanks to you for your kind support and words Take care, Brian.

Hi Brian,

Certainly lovely weather the past few days.  I managed a visit to the gym and short walk before getting ready for the wedding in the afternoon.  The bride was beautiful, the setting very nice and the food extremely good. The couple are definitely fun loving and once the official part of the day was completed it felt at times more like a kiddies party than a wedding  ha ha.  Plenty of laughter within the speeches followed by entertainment provided by various friends and family.  So much so that the cutting of the cake and then the dance music did not take place till gone 9.30pm.  Once the first dance was watched I called the cab company and was home by 11 p.m.  I am sure the newlyweds will have many fond memories to look back on (plus hundreds of photos to work their way through from the official photographers (3) plus numerous guest cameras clicking away).  

Good to read that your recovery is going well and am sure that will continue as the days move forward.  Hopefully you managed some time with your feet up in the garden with Mrs B.  A bit too hot to be outside here (garden in full sun most of the day) until the sun started to go down but have now tidied the beds and filled the watering holes as well as putting down food for the early risers!

Tomorrow I have to collect Mum's ashes and am also meeting a friend for coffee and catch up. Still feeling a little strange to have Tuesdays to myself but trying to have things in place week to week going forward.

My daughter and family have finalised adoption of a rescue dog and will pick him up next Sunday so much excitement in their household though I do not envy them the 'house training' part!.

Take care and hope Mrs B does not have to wait too much longer to get her op out of the way.

Best regards. Jules

Good morning Jules

Just a quick update. Getting back to near normal. Yesterday I told Mrs B I would try to mow the back lawn as it hasnt been cut for over three weeks now. She was going to try but I told her let me try first and then yu can take over if I feel its too much. But I did it okay and even did the front one as well. Also My son came and took me shopping up townin the afternoon. All I bought was some big bramley apples for Mrs B and some chocalate peanuts for my self. Today I have walked with her to our local Lidle store and this time made it without having to stop. Mrs B was concerned I was overdoing it but I felt perfectly okay.

Bet you were out in your garden early for it gets too hot. I can imaging it must feel strange not having to go to the home each Tuesday. But I have no doubt you will find plenty to do and will soon adopt to a differnt routine.

I have started yet another story. That thre new ones started in the past few days

Take care Jules, Brest wishes, Brian.

Hi Jules,

My head is feeling better each day and have stoped the painkillers a couple of days ago. Have cleaned the downstairs windows today as they were needing it. I even planted some radishes yesterday Mrs B is still waiting to hear from the hospital but is coping very well. She has been amazing coping with her own problems as well as me. 

Also started the car yesterday and it started first go.which surprised me. 

This weather is more to my liking as at the weekend it was too hot for me.

Bet you are looking forward to your long weekend. Sending kind thoughts your way, Brian

Hi Brian

Really pleased that your recovery is going well and that you are MrsB are coping together through these challenging weeks.   Must be difficult not having the car at your disposal but better safe than sorry.  The new supermarket came along at the right time for you. Me and my trusted trolley did my supermarket shop early this morning thus avoiding the queues ha ha.  

Not having the best of luck at the moment.  First tried putting up a print inherited from Mum only to have in fall down after a few days.  Glass and frame broken so have taken to local art shop for replacements and will then re-locate to safer position!!  Whilst at the supermarket this morning had the embarrassment of dropping a jar of chutney at the checkout so that made a lovely mess but was quickly cleared up whilst another member of staff went to get me a replacement.  One of those times when you wish you could disappear into a hole in the ground!  When I finally made it to the gym they advised me against mowing the lawn in case accidents happened in threes!!  Nonetheless I have managed to mow the lawn without mishap.  

I have no plans for this weekend but having gained a few pounds over the past month am hoping for fine weather to get back to some serious mileage on my walks.

Have a pleasant weekend with Mrs B.  Jules