Hi Brian

It seems as though your Canadian siblings are keeping you involved in your Dad's service and this must bring you some confort. So many stories that people can tell and I also found  that you learn new things about those you have loved and lost. Laughter and tears all part of the journey but really relate to the loss of concentration you mention. Still have those times when mind wanders and thoughts intrude into everyday life - all absolutely natural of course.  Hopefully the chestnuts will be enjoyed again soon. Look after yourself and I know you will still keep an eye on Mrs B (just like she will be keeping an eye on you!!).  I see that you have to have an appointment to check on eye pressure and know they like to keep on top of this when you have diabetes. Hope you do not have to wait too long.  How is your sister in law managing with everything? She is lucky to have you both to understand.

I did raise a smile when you recounted the false teeth tale. I have never lost mine in an embarrassing way (yet!) but today was having a re-fit so played gummy bear for a couple of hours whilst the technician did his work and although I bumped into my neighbour on the walk back home, was able to laugh it off - just!!!   Could not bring myself to go to the gym until afterwards but made a change to go in the afternoon and some lovely ladies to chat with so very social. Cheered myself up a little further by placing order at the butchers for Christmas turkey and ham and even bought some off the bone ham for my late lunch (I know you would rather it was cheese). As a vegatarian can I ask what you normally have for the festive meal?  Off now to work on this week's shopping list in readiness for supermarket sweep tomorrow. Sending peaceful thoughts to you, Mrs B and the family and hope your latest meeting tomorrow goes well. Take care Jules x

Hi Jules,

I have another story about false teeth. When I worked for a builders merchant s years ago, if a young lady came into the shop, the three lads I was in charge of used to almost fight each other to get into the shop to serve them. Well one day they were all at tea break so I went to serve her myself. I used to really suffer with hay fever and I had this huge sneeze and my plate clattered out on the counter near her. I tell you Jules, you have never seen a set of teeth dissapear so quick. My face was pillar box red and she was trying hard not to laugh. One of the most embarassing moments of my life.

With regard to what I eat for my Christmas mealit's usually just roast potatoes and possibly peas. What a bore am I???  Sister in law seems to be coping very well so far but she does have those weepy moments. Thanks for asking. She sent Mrs B a birthday card today and probably didnt even realize it; she wrote hers and her husbands name in it which choked Mrs B up for a few moments.

Hope your supermarket shop goes well tommorow and you dont get wet as the forcast doesnt look good. Glad you have so many birds visiting your feeder. We both love watching them. We had six magpies in the back garden yesterday. The trouble is they tend to frighten off all the small birds. While re-fixing a curtain hook in our front bedroom today, the robin was having his usual singing contest with the blackbird, so I was royally entertained while fixing it. Mrs B said you seem to be taking a long time so I told her why.

I wish you a good weekend and hope you are able to re-charge your batteries. Sending best wishes and kind thoughts to you and your family, Brian

Hi Brian

Your Christmas dinner is right for you so that is all that matters and I am thinking there would be a big plate of cheese and biscuits afterwards. I am buying a couple of items each week for the Christmas store cupboard (family here on Boxing Day) but we will be keeping it pretty simple as always as do not like waste (usually a cold buffet) or days of leftovers! Think little Zack will be a bit more aware of it all this year now that he has turned 2.  Will try and have small real tree delivered as love the smell they bring into the room. Also have a small artificial one which we bought for ease last year. At the moment it's all feeling a little unusual but will make sure the grandchildren have a happy time of course. Hubby loved this time of year and though we had a couple of close calls when he was working abroad he always got back for Christmas Eve. Will rely on good memories to get through this year I am sure.

Very wet and blustery day here and so many leaves now decorating the pavement.  My Japanese maple is still fully laden but only a matter of time I am sure . Even the feathered friends were struggling in the air this morning. We also get magpies but they do not seem to come into the garden too often. Have a pair of collared doves which are visiting very regularly at the moment   and I have a poppy spike feeder just outside my patio doors which they favour so quite funny watching them trying to balance together on such a small area.   I was more than a little damp after my walk to the supermarket and back but it is still incredibly mild and no heating required which helps with the bills. Have not been to my local garden centre for a few weeks so may well pop there tomorrow (even if it is only for a coffee in their cafe) for a browse around the Christmas shop.

Hope y our Cancer meeting went well this morning and that you enjoy the rest of the weekend with Mrs B.Take care  Jules

Good afternoon Jules,

We have the same weather here allthough in Brighton, The sun was trying to break through at one stage but as I left the rain was starting and when I came back over Ditcling Beacon, everything was very misty and the water was running down the road like a river. I enjoyed my shop bought chips; not good for my waistling I know but very tasty. Mrs B is much like you in that she also buys bits and pieces ready for Christmas. Children are what make Christmas so I bet you get a lot of enjoyment watching Zac and his brother. It being your first one on you own will no doubt seem strange  but as you say, you have many happy memories to fall back on which does help as I do exactly the same.

I downloaded 398 new photos the other day so have plenty to post for the next few weeks/months. I spoke to sister in law last night and she seems to be coping but did remark, its the simple little things that set her off. She is coming to see us one day next week so will look forward to that. I have to visit the doc's on Monday to find out the results of my blood tests re-amnemia and B12 levels. Suspect I may end up having to have an injection every three months but we will see what he says.

Have come up with another design for wooden egg cups so as soon as Mrs B is okay, will venture out into my garage as I havent done any work out there for a couple of months now. Sorry to hear you got wet this morning but as you say, it's not cold. We also have a pair of collered doves that alway seem to stay together. One of them was perched on the plastic water tray on our feeder and ended up tipping some water on the one below who didnt look that pleased. Hope you are able to go to your market tommorow in the dry.

Take care, best wishes and kind thoughts being sent your way, Brian

Dear Jules & Brian, apologies for being strangely silent over the last few days, not like me I know!

The water infection that had been lurking for a little while decided to come out to play, tummy cramps, backache and most nights spent on the loo, all good fun! Started on the anitbiotics on Thursday evening and am finally beginning to feel vaguely human again now!

Good to hear you enjoyed your chips Brian, and that you had a good evening over the Indian meal with your friends Jules. I hope the idea of additional help at work for December does actually materialise for you.

Also heard the report of increased numbers of goldfinches and told the radio "Yes, I know, they are all at Jules's house!" None have come my way but I do still have my usual feathered friends and, with Mrs.Yappy away as of yesterday afternoon, I might get to see and hear them too!

Hope you enjoy your coffee & cake at the garden centre Jules and good luck Brian for your doctors visit tomorrow. Take care  Sue x

Good morning Brian

Like you I prefer shop bought chips and only have them as part of a fish and chip supper - not that often these days.  I did have fish last night but fresh of the fishmonger's slab (rainbow trout fillet) but no potatoes just green veggies - so quick to cook - how lazy am I!!

Rain finally stopped just before dusk so nipped into the garden and cleaned all the bird feeding stations and had to throw the peanuts away as all the damp weather turned them 'furry'!! Have given them a change with suet balls and will 'serve' peanut nibbles rather than whole nuts now so as to avoid waste. With a lovely sunny dry start today am watching a mix of blue and great *** fight it out with the robins and finches. As they not so kindly forecast more heavy rain later it would seem I should put my wellies on for my walk later this morning (garden centre opens at 10.30 and I have a reward voucher for nearly £10 to spend before the end of the month so will see what takes my fancy). Whilst it's dry will try and pop outside and 'dead head' the roses and dahlias which are still producing blooms. Grass has grown but not much chance of mowing as far too wet grr.

Hope Mrs B soon feeling well enough for you to retreat to the garage and enjoy putting those egg cup ideas to the test - I am sure they will work as you put plenty of thought and craftmanship into your wood turning.  I thought of you the other day when the delivery driver took away our surplus pallets.

Your mention of downloading the photos reminded me that I need to 'upload' from my camera though have not been taking so many recently.Think it would be good to clear the  backlog as will probably take a few during the festivities. We are taking the grandchildren up to see the London Christmas lights in early December so maybe I will take the camera with me and a couple of family birthdays this month to celebrate too.  Son and girlfriend are away on a scuba-diving holiday  this week so will look forward to seeing their pics on their return. Though they may be a little jet-lagged they are coming to dinner on the day of their return for a catch up which I thought would save them having to worry about shopping for food and give them plenty of time to pick up their dog from the boarders en route.

Hope you are having a peaceful day and best wishes returned. Take care. Jules x

Good morning Sue

Sorry that the water infection took hold grrr. Very unpleasant and a real nuisance.  Hope the antibiotics do the trick and you soon feel so much better.  No apologies needed; just keep yourself warm and cosy and take care of yourself.

With Mrs Yappy off galavanting again I am sure your feathered friends will call to visit.  It surprises me that I do so well bearing in mind two or three cats prowl on a regular basis though pleased to say are usually outwitted by the 'flyers'. Yesterday I was treated to the sight of  red kites flying overhead.  They seem to be around here a little more often though my son has them regularly where he lives  - free entertainment. Was a lovely sunny start (two hours ago!!) but the cloud is moving in so think it could be welly weather for my walk today. No market but will still aim for the garden centre as do not enjoy being couped up all day (and prefer walking to housework!!!). Fingers crossed will find a 'little gem' to use my reward voucher on (or it will be more bird food ha ha).

Wishing you a better week ahead and take care. Jules x

Hi Sue,

Sorry to read you have had to spend time in "The Throne Room" lately and hope you are soon fully recovered as it does take it out of us. Hope you have a peacefull weekend with Mrs Yappy being away.

You have no need to apologise for your absence but I was going to post to you today to see if you were okay. Shows you have been missed. Am having a quite day today and Mrs B's diabetes seems to be leveling out now she is not so stressed.

Take care and take things easy, best wishes, Brian

Hi Jules, how lovely to get fly bys from red kites, lucky you. I also have several cats around but like yours my tweeters still manage to come & go as they please which is nice. Must get going with the chores today as I spent most of yesterday asleep! My boss is away this coming week so there'll be extra duties and I will also need to leave things nice & tidy for the following week, it will keep me out of mischief I suppose?! 

Hope you find your voucher gem and don't get too wet in the process.

Have just broken up a fight outside my back door between 7 or 8 magpies, goodness knows what that was about but they've left a few feathers behind, silly things!

Take care and enjoy the rest of your day   Sue x

Thank you Brian, yes, starting to feel a bit brighter now although energy levels still pretty much zero. The peaceful weekend will certainly help.

Glad to hear Mrs.B is leveling out and also that you are thinking of new wood designs ready to try when you can. Good luck tomorrow at the doctors.  Take care  Sue x