John's 2017 thread - A year of Tea & Books Part Three.

The new thread will be up and running shortly and I hope you will all join me here, everyone is welcome.

Hi I am John and this will be my fourth time with the 75ers and I must say I have made some great friends along the way.

I am 53 years old and have been married to Karen for 32 years, I have two children, Robert who is 29 and lives with his partner Louise and has a daughter Hannah who will be six at the end of February and a step-daughter Shannon who is 14, and Amy who is 27 and married Andy in October 2015. We also have a cat called Leo who is 14 and a half.

I love books and currently have just under 2,300 books on my shelves and this doesn't include my Cricket collection which stands at about 300 books. While reading I do enjoy the odd pot or two of tea and so thought I would combine these in my thread title for this year. In 2017 I will be mixing my reading up and getting some chunksters read as I have missed them in 2016 but wanted to try and reduce my TBR pile and it hasn't worked, lol.

Feel free to pop along and drop a comment or two and join the fun.

BOOKS READ IN JANUARY

1. Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn, PB - 346 pgs, Daisy Dalrymple series, No18 of 22.
2. Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzi, PB - 720 pgs.
3. Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris, PB - 216 pgs, Lily Bard series, No 3 of 5.
4. How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry, PB - 367 pgs.
5. The Tangled Thread by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, PB - 474 pgs, Morland Saga series, No 10 of 35.
6. NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson, PB - 418 pgs, NYPD Red series No3 of 5.
7. Anthem for Doomed Youth by Carola Dunn, PB - 327 pgs, Daisy Dalrymple series, No19 of 22.

BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY

8. The Santa Klaus Mystery by Mavis Doriel Hay, PB - 282 pgs.
9. God is an Englishman by R.F.Delderfield, PB -672 pgs, Swann Saga series, No 1 of 3.
10. Shakespeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris, PB - 212 pgs, Lily Bard Series No 4 of 5.
11. Gone West by Carola Dunn, PB - 324 pgs, Daisy Dalrymple Series No 20 of 22.
12. Not That Kind of Girl by Catherine Alliott, PB - 565 pgs.
13. Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy, PB - 816 pgs, Jack Ryan Series 4 of 16.
14. Theodore Boone - The Fugitive by John Grisham, PB - 250 pgs, Theodore Boone Series No 5 of 6.

BOOKS READ IN MARCH

15. Heirs to the Body by Carola Dunn, PB - 292 pgs, Daisy Dalrymple Series No 21 of 22.
16. Faith by Peter James, PB - 465 pgs.
17. Shakespeare's Counselor by Charlaine Harris, PB - 231 pgs, Lily Bard Series No 5 of 5.
18. Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn, PB - 305 pgs, Daisy Dalrymple Series No 22 of 22.
19. The Ring by Danielle Steel, PB - 344 pgs.
20. Theirs Was the Kingdom by R.F.Delderfield, PB - 896 pgs, Swann saga No 2 of 3.
21. Private Berlin by James Patterson, PB - 466 pgs, Private Series No 5 of 16.

CURRENTLY READING

The Emperor by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Private Berlin by James Patterson

Latest reading stats:

Books on shelves at 1-2-17 - 2282
Books added in February - 19
Books read in February - 7

Revised book total - 2294

Pages to read at 1-2-17 - 983,367
Pages added in February - 7,294
Pages read in February - 3,121

Revised total pages to read - 987,540

FEBRUARY'S READING STATS

Books Read...................... 7

No of Authors.................... 7

New Authors...................... 1

Male Authors..................... 3

Female Authors.................. 4

Pages Read....................... 3,121

Daily Avg........................... 111.46

Book Length avg................. 445.86

Pots of Tea Drunk................ 289

BOOKS PURCHASED IN 2017

JANUARY

1. Crisis by Frank Gardner, PB
2. Woman of God by James Patterson, PB
3. Death on the Cherwell by Mavis Doriel Hay, PB
4. 8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber, PB
5. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths, PB
6. Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan, PB
7. The Battle of Evernight by Cecelia Dart-Thornton, PB
8. Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams, PB
9. Hidden by James Patterson, PB
10. Exquisite by Elizabeth Hayley, PB
11. The House Husband by James Patterson, PB

FEBRUARY

12. Malicious by James Patterson, PB
13. Debt of Honour by Tom Clancy, PB
14. Death of an Airman by Christopher St John Sprigg, PB
15. Blood Shot by Sara Paretsky, PB
16. Guardian Angel by Sara Paretsky, PB
17. Bitter Medicine by Sara Paretsky, PB
18. Buried in the Country by Carola Dunn, PB
19. A Very Distant Shore by Jenny Colgan. PB
20. Looking for Captain Poldark by Rowan Coleman, PB
21. A Shed of One's Own, Midlife without the Crisis by Marcus Berkmann, PB
22. French Twist by James Patterson, PB
23. A Wedding in Maine by Jen McLaughlin, PB
24. Mount by Jilly Cooper, PB
25. Nice Work (If You Can Get It)} by Celia Imrie, PB
26. Secrets at the Little Village School by Gervase Phinn, PB
27. Drive to the East by Harry Turtledove, PB
28. D-Day The Battle for Normandy by Antony Beevor, PB
29. The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly, PB
30. In The Cold Dark Ground by Stuart Macbride, PB

MARCH

31. A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde, PB
32. The Summer Seaside Kitchen by Jenny Colgan, PB
33. Never Never by James Patterson, PB
34. If Not For You by Debbie Macomber, PB
35. Rococo by Adriana Trigani, PB
36. Full Speed by Janet Evanovich, PB
37. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich, PB
38. Death of a Maid by M.C.Beaton, PB
39. Heist by James Patterson, PB
40. The Hostage by James Patterson, PB
41. Hunted by James Patterson, PB
42. Private Royals by James Patterson, PB
43. Learning to Ride by Erin Knightley, PB
44. Dead Heat by James Patterson, PB
45. S.S. General by Sven Hassel, PB
46. Blitzfreeze by Sven Hassel, PB
47. Black and Blue by James Patterson, PB
48. Goodbye Piccadilly by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, PB
49. Sidney Chambers and the Dangers of Temptation by James Runcie, PB
50. Date with Death by Julia Chapman, PB
51. Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah, PB
52. The Father by Anton Svensson, PB
53. The Exile by James Patterson, PB
54. The Shut-in by James Patterson, PB

All ready to go.

Happy new thread!

Hello dear friends, as I posted in my last thread I said I would have something to announce, the announcement is that I need your help. As I am nearing my 1,000th book read I would like you to suggest what to read as my 1,000th book as I would like it to be special to mark this landmark for me.

To this end I propose to list in a number of posts the previous 961 books read by me before this year and you will be able to see what I have read so far this year in an earlier post. Listing the books will take me a while but it may help, you may end up suggesting a book I have already read so you may want to wait for the list to be posted which I think will take a few days but I don't expect to get to my 1,000th book until the end of May / beginning of June. I hope to see some nice suggestions to help me pick a special book for this landmark in my reading, thank you.

>12 drneutron:, Thanks Jim your the first, unfortunately there is no prize but it is something for me to think about.

Happy new one, John. I'm so sorry that Karen didn't get much help and I can't belief that she has to wait almost four weeks to see the next doctor. For me it's in no way understandable. Please give her my love. I'm thinking of her. Love and hugs xx

>15 Ameise1:, Hi Barbara, unfortunately that is the way things are with the NHS at the moment and that was the earliest appointment he had. It is possible that if she had chosen one of the others she may have been seen earlier but they were further away and she would have had to have had surgery there and if she was kept in it would be a bit inconvenient for visiting. Karen goes back to see Dr Javali on the 11th March (her original appt) and her results from the scan should have arrived by then.

I have just found out that there is an antiques fair on Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Boys Grammar School, think I may have to pay it a visit after I have dropped Karen off at work. I went to the last one held there and picked up a nice old Platignum fountain pen so I may find another gem to add to my collection. If not I will have to wait until the Northern Pen fair at the Dalmeny hotel at Lytham St Annes on the 2nd of April to pick up a bargain fountain pen.

Happy new thread, John!

Happy New Thread, John!

I'm intrigued with the idea of your soliciting our input for your 1000th book and look forward to seeing what you've already read.

And you read some massive tomes in February.

As re Karen and her appointments, it's slow going, but making the decision for local vs farther away will be the better solution once the surgery's done.

Sending love and hugs to both of you!

Happy new thread!
1000 books tracked will be an accomplishment! I'll check the lists once you post them :)

Happy new thread, mate. Massive tomes ahead!

Hi John. Congrats on the new thread! I look forward tot he list and I'll see if I can come up with any worthy suggestions. Sorry Karen has to wait so long. : ( Sending best wishes, always.

Congrats on your new thread!

>18 jessibud2:, Thanks Shelley my dear.

>19 karenmarie:, Thanks Karen, I will start inputting my list soon.

>20 ChelleBearss:, Thanks Chelle, if I had known about LT earlier I would have been past my 1,000 book by now.

>21 PaulCranswick:, Thanks Paul some hefty ones to list, ha ha.

>22 Berly:, Thanks Kim, I am sure I will get some good suggestions my dear.

>23 thornton37814:, Thanks Lori, must pay your thread a visit my dear.

The list begins:

1. Railroad by Graham Masterton, 632 pgs.
2. Shogun by James Clavell, 1243 pgs.
3. Tai-Pan by James Clavell, 728 pgs.
4. Gai-Jin by James Clavell, 1578 pgs.
5. The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous by Jilly Cooper, 733 pgs.
6. The Island Harp by Jeanne Williams, 338 pgs.
7. Coal Baron by Carol Wensby-Scott, 432 pgs.
8. Silver by Graham Masterton, 431 pgs.
9. Saigon by Anthony Grey, 748 pgs.
10. The Millionaire by Philip Boast, 495 pgs.
11. King Rat by James Clavell, 320 pgs.
12. Hot Type by Kristy Daniels, 473 pgs.
13. Shadows of the Snow by Madge Swindells, 522 pgs
14. The Sisters by Pat Booth, 432 pgs.
15. Noble House by James Clavell, 1435 pgs.
16. War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk, 1171 pgs.
17. A Parliamentary Affair by Edwina Currie, 756 pgs.
18. The Warlord by Malcolm Bosse, 736 pgs.
19. Peking by Anthony Grey, 645 pgs.
20. A Dinner of Herbs by Catherine Cookson, 725 pgs.
21. Tomorrow Jerusalem by Teresa Crane, 572 pgs.
22. Fallen Angels by Eddie Shah, 527 pgs.
23. Whirlpool by Douglas Scott, 718 pgs.
24. Dragon's Blood by Christopher Nicole, 432 pgs.
25. The Sentinel by Madge Swindells, 560 pgs.
26. Ring of Red Roses by Eddie Shah, 477 pgs.
27. Kenjiro by Pat Barr, 511 pgs.
28. The Old-Girl Network by Catherine Alliott, 503 pgs.
29. Whirlwind by James Clavell, 1343 pgs.
30. The Game by Emma Davison, 503 pgs.
31. Spares by Caroline Grey, 344 pgs.
32. First Among Equals by Jeffrey Archer, 466 pgs.
33. A Woman's Place by Edwina Currie, 651 pgs.
34. Appassionata by Jilly Cooper, 892 pgs.
35. Cathedral by Nelson De Mille, 556 pgs.
36. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, 541 pgs.
37. A Fallen Land by Janet Broomfield, 473 pgs.
38. I'll Bring You Buttercups by Elizabeth Elgin, 812 pgs.
39. Envy by Lis Leigh, 544 pgs.
40. Two Sisters by Nancy Livingston, 585 pgs.
41. The Parsifal Mosaic by Robert Ludlum, 637 pgs.
42. The Seventh Sanctuary by Daniel Easterman, 719 pgs.
43. The Winter House by Judith Lennox, 573 pgs.
44. Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, 557 pgs.
45. Fashionably Late by Olivia Goldsmith, 576 pgs.
46. Solitaire by Graham Masterton, 568 pgs.
47. Winter's Gold by Margaret P.Kirk, 492 pgs.
48. Too Damn Rich by Judith Gould, 608 pgs.
49. Bestseller by Olivia Goldsmith, 688 pgs.
50. Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy, 762 pgs.

This morning we couldn't have a lie-in so when the alarm went off at 8am we were up and about, once downstairs I moved my car off the drive as Robert was coming to leave his car and then I would take him to the railway station. Once back inside I made us a pot of tea while Karen made my porridge. I had my porridge and we had just finished our pots of tea when Bridget the hairdresser arrived. Bridget did my hair first as it doesn't take long to sort my locks out, Karen took her seat and then Rob arrived. Rob had a quick chat before we needed to set off to the railway station.

I got back from dropping Rob off and made a pot of tea while Karen was still having her hair done, shortly afterwards Bridget had finished and Karen paid her and she left us. Karen saw my pot of tea and asked where hers was, I told her she was having her hair done and I didn't know how long she was going to be and as she likes her tea piping hot I decided to wait. I made Karen a pot of tea and we watched the tail end of the Victoria Derbyshire magazine programme. Once we had finished our pots of tea we set off to the new Aldi at nearby Featherstone to pick up a few bits, as we were wandering around Karen found a lovely Bundt baking tin that was on offer so she added that to the basket. We went to the checkout and paid for our goods and made our way home.

Once home I made us a pot of tea and we watched the news, I had another pot of tea and then after Karen pestered me I made myself some sandwiches just before Escape to the Country started. I had just fired up the laptop when the programme started and as it was an episode we had already seen I checked my thread and then started this new one. After another couple of pots of tea it was time to take Karen to her bariatric meeting and then I went to the railway station to pick Rob up. Once I had got Rob we made our way home and Rob got in his car and went to the cricket meeting, I went inside and made a pot of tea and read until it was time to pick Karen up from her meeting.

Happy new thread, John!

>26 johnsimpson: From this list I would recommend The Warlord by Malcolm Bosse. I must have read it before I kept track of my readings (before 2008), but do remember I liked it.

The list continues ;

51. The Real Thing by Catherine Alliott, 471 pgs.
52. Present of the Past by Elizabeth Adler, 660 pgs.
53. Always a Stranger by Margaret P.Kirk, 501 pgs.
54. The Road to Omaha by Robert Ludlum, 637 pgs.
55. Beverly Hills by Pat Booth, 492 pgs.
56. Centennial by James A. Michener, 1100 pgs.
57. The Heiresses by Elizabeth Adler, 394 pgs.
58. The Prodigal Daughter by Jeffrey Archer, 464 pgs.
59. London's Daughter by Philip Boast, 599 pgs.
60. Fanfare by Andrew McCallan, 600 pgs.
61. Harry's Game by Gerald Seymour, 256 pgs.
62. Too Few for Drums by R.F.Delderfield, 222 pgs.
63. Escape by James Clavell, 584 pgs.
64. A Horseman Riding by, BK 1-Long Summer Day by R.F.Delderfield, 576 pgs.
65. Where Bluebells Chime by Elizabeth Elgin, 703 pgs.
66. As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer, 639 pgs.
67. Every Woman Knows a Secret by Rosie Thomas, 490 pgs.
68. Supply of Heroes by James Carrol, 383 pgs.
69. A Horseman Riding by, Bk 2- Post of Honour by R.F.Delderfield, 661 pgs.
70. Archangel by Gerald Seymour, 352 pgs.
71. A Horseman Riding by, Bk 3- The Green Gauntlet by R.F.Delderfield, 475 pgs.
72. Other Peoples Marriages by Rosie Thomas, 559 pgs.
73. The Shadowed Hills by Audrey Howard, 538 pgs.
74. Cast the First Stone by Angela Arney, 572 pgs.
75. Through the Storm by Maureen Lee, 330 pgs.
76. Watermelon by Marian Keyes, 614 pgs.
77. The Bells of Scotland Road by Ruth Hamilton, 573 pgs.
78. Thunder Point by Jack Higgins, 362 pgs.
79. French Relations by Fiona Walker, 785 pgs.
80. Lady of Fortune by Graham Masterton, 540 pgs.
81. Song of the Wind by Madge Swindells, 505 pgs.
82. Nest of Sorrows by Ruth Hamilton, 380 pgs.
83. Rich by Graham Masterton, 760 pgs.
84. Watersmeet by Philip Boast, 435 pgs.
85. The Covenant by James A.Michener, 1080 pgs.
86. Dickie Bird-My Autobiography by Dickie Bird, 479 pgs.
87. The Pride of Polly Perkins by Joan Jonker, 408 pgs.
88. Chaff Upon the Wind by Margaret Dickinson, 447 pgs.
89. Kiss Chase by Fiona Walker, 790 pgs.
90. The Journeyman Tailor by Gerald Seymour, 432 pgs.
91. Mr Macgregor by Alan Titchmarsh, 296 pgs.
92. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope, 570 pgs.
93. The Heart of Danger by Gerald Seymour, 506 pgs.
94. Gridiron by Philip Kerr, 374 pgs.
95. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres, 435 pgs.
96. Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes, 626 pgs.
97. Old Sins by Penny Vincenzi, 985 pgs.
98. Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon, 489 pgs.
99. All The Sweet Promises by Elizabeth Elgin, 800 pgs.
100. Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married by Marian Keyes, 740 pgs.

>2 johnsimpson: John, How I love your notation about 2,300 books plus more. I decided to catalog all books and alas discovered that I own approximately 3,000 give or take a few more hundred along the way. I wonder what the psychology is behind the need to accumulate books. If I treated alcohol this way, I would be in big addiction trouble, but regarding books, I can easily justify purchasing more and more even though I will not live long enough to read them all.

And, of course, I visit three local libraries and bring books home from there as well.

Happy new thread, John! I'm excited to see what you pick for #1000!

I think a 1,000 page book for the 1,000th book would be appropriate. To that end, I purpose that you read Lonsome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Of course, that is an American novel, but perhaps you would rather read a British novel for the 1,000th?

>28 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita, these lists are of the books I have read my dear.

>30 Whisper1:, Hi Karen, any other addiction would probably be worrying but books are just lovely. At my present reading rate and as long as I do not make anymore purchases I should complete by the time I am 80, my justification is that I have to read all my books so I need to make sure I am healthy and still around my dear.

>31 scaifea:, Hi Amber, depending on suggestions I may have to sit in front of the bookshelves for inspiration but I would like it to be special.

>32 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita, I like your suggestion of a 1,000 page book as it ties in nicely, I have read Lonesome Dove and absolutely loved it.

All good wishes for a wonderful weekend John with lots of time to read great books.

More books I have read:

101. Firefox by Craig Thomas, 359 pgs.
102. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling, 223 pgs.
103. Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell, 406 pgs.
104. My Hands Were Tied by Glen Wood, 282 pgs.
105. Caribbean by James A.Michener, 944 pgs.
106. Jessica's Girl by Josephine Cox, 552 pgs.
107. A Whiff of Scandal by Carole Matthews, 342 pgs.
108. Going Too Far by Catherine Alliott, 502 pgs.
109. Well Groomed by Fiona Walker, 698 pgs.
110. Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K.Rowling, 251 pgs.
111. Managing my Life by Alex Ferguson, 477 pgs.
112. The Dreaming Suburb by R.F.Delderfield, 470 pgs.
113. Head Over Heels by Jill Mansell, 441 pgs.
114. London Belongs to Me by Norman Collins, 663 pgs.
115. The Shot by Philip Kerr, 370 pgs.
116. The Last Lighthouse Keeper by Alan Titchmarsh, 242 pgs.
117. The Avenue Goes to War by R.F.Delderfield, 630 pgs.
118. Our Father's House by Caroline Fabre, 486 pgs.
119. Jewels of Our Father by Kristy Daniels, 528 pgs.
120. The Drifter's by James A.Michener, 830 pgs.
121. Original Sin by P.D.James, 426 pgs.
122. Trick Shot by David Hunt, 426 pgs.
123. Snap Happy by Fiona Walker, 566 pgs.
124. Corroboree by Graham Masterton, 510 pgs.
125. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, 317 pgs.
126. In Honour Bound by Gerald Seymour, 350 pgs.
127. Fatherland by Robert Harris, 386 pgs.
128. Riders by Jilly Cooper, 919 pgs.
129. Above the Law by Dexter Dias, 472 pgs.
130. September by Rosamunde Pilcher, 616 pgs.
131. Rivals by Jilly Cooper, 716 pgs.
132. Game, Set and Match by Kathryn Bellamy, 386 pgs.
133. Polo by Jilly Cooper, 766 pgs.
134. White Cap and Bails by Dickie Bird, 470 pgs.
135. Tokyo Bay by Anthony Grey, 673 pgs.
136. The Second Angel by Philip Kerr, 432 pgs.
137. Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd, 1344 pgs.
138. Longshot by Dick Francis, 304 pgs.
139. Night of the Seventh Darkness by Daniel Easterman, 460 pgs.
140. A Will to Win - The Manager's Diary by Alex Ferguson, 277 pgs.
141. Maiden Voyage by Graham Masterton, 562 pgs.
142. Pandora's Box by Elizabeth Gage, 864 pgs.
143. The Fighting Man by Gerald Seymour, 507 pgs.
144. IKON by Graham Masterton, 376 pgs.
145. Amanda's Wedding by Jenny Colgan, 374 pgs.
146. Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, 228 pgs.
147. Holding the Zero by Gerald Seymour, 525 pgs.
148. Love is a Four Letter Word by Claire Calman, 317 pgs.
149. A Philosophical Investigation by Philip Kerr, 360 pgs.
150. Striptease by Carl Hiaasen, 405 pgs.

>34 Whisper1:, Thanks Linda.

Finished book Fifteen late this afternoon, Heirs to the Body by Carola Dunn. This is the 21st in the Daisy Dalrymple series and finds Daisy recruited by cousin Edgar, the current Lord Dalrymple to help him find the next heir. Along with the family lawyer they come up with four claimants who along with Daisy are invited to the family home, Fairacres to celebrate Edgar's Fiftieth birthday.

The four claimants are a mixed bunch, a hotelier from Scarborough, a diamond merchant from South Africa, a mixed-race boy from Trinidad and a sailor from Jamaica. The sailor goes missing and so begins a series of inexplicable and troubling accidents and then one of the claimants dies. Daisy along with her husband are left wondering who will be next and who is behind this and so Alec has to forsake a family get together and begin to investigate. Another pleasant read with Daisy at the heart of things, sadly only one more to go.

It has been a very wet and miserable day here in Walton today. The alarm went off and I went and made us a pot of tea to enjoy in bed, Karen had not had a good night. Once we had finished our tea we got up and once washed and dressed came downstairs. I made a pot of tea and had a bowl of cereal and we watched the indoor athletics from Belgrade. After we had our tea we wrote a shopping list between us and then I made another pot of tea and Karen had a bit of custard. Before long it was time to take Karen to work.

I dropped Karen at work and then went into store to do the shopping, we didn't require a great deal so I wasn't long. I got home and unpacked and put the shopping away. I was just about to make myself a pot of tea when the phone rang, it was Robert asking if I would pick him up from the railway station as he was finishing early as Hannah had trapped her hand at school and was with Louise at the hospital. I dashed through to the station and dropped Robert at home as Louise's dad was with her at the hospital. After dropping Rob at home I made my way home and made myself a pot of tea and read my paper.

After I had finished my tea and paper I cleaned the kitchen and then made myself something to eat. Robert rang me later to say Hannah had not broken her hand but it was badly bruised and she had to rest it. After the phone call ended I made another pot of tea and finished my book and selected another before going to pick Karen up from work.

Poor Hannah, I hope she feels better soon.

Hi John, wishing you a lovely evening.

>39 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara.

>38 johnsimpson: I think that must be some record with the word tea mentioned 9 times in a single post! I like the stuff too mate don't you worry and Yorkshire tea at that.
Relieving at least that Hannah had not broken her hand, poor little mite.

Have a great weekend mate and give Karen a hug and I hope that she is not in too much discomfort until the NHS gets its act together.

Sorry things have been rough, John - for Karen and now with Hannahs' hand being badly bruised. Add wet and miserable on top of it.

I hope the weekend goes better than today.

Sending love and hugs to both of you.

Happy weekend, John.

Shogun was a good read for me, John.

Hello, John!

>41 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul Tea is always worth a mention mate.

>42 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, Saturday has been pretty good.

>43 Ameise1:, Hi Barbara thank you my dear.

>44 DianaNL:, Hi Diana, I loved all the Clavell books my dear.

>45 Berly:, Hi Kim, Thank you my dear.

>46 alcottacre:, Hi Stasia thanks for popping by my dear.

Saturday has been pretty good, after a pot of tea in bed we got up and came downstairs to make some breakfast. I made us a pot of tea and Karen made me some porridge and while I ate Karen put a white load of washing on. Amy rang to say that they were going to view a couple of houses today and had a quick chat with Karen. When the washing finished we put it on the airers and then watched Saturday Kitchen until it was time to take Karen to work.

After dropping Karen off I nipped into store to change an item I got wrong when doing the shopping yesterday, once this was done I then went into Wakefield to do a bit of banking. Once the banking was done I had a wander and picked up my usual Yorkshire Post and also picked up The Telegraph and a rail magazine and a lottery ticket before heading home. As soon as I got home I made a pot of tea and watched the free DVD with the rail magazine and when it finished I went on the Red Button to watch Final Score and read while listening to football score updates. Karen rang me at 4pm to ask if I would make a couple of sandwiches and add a packet of crisps and a couple of chocolate biscuits as her colleague Jodie had lost her purse on the bus and didn't have any money to get anything to eat and she would be at work until 10pm. I made the sandwiches and add the other bits and put it to one side until I was ready to go and pick Karen up.

I set off at 4.30pm to go and pick Karen up and once parked up I went into store with my food parcel, I had just given the package to Karen when Jodie appeared and she gave me a big hug for being a life saver. After dropping the parcel off I went back to the car to wait for Karen and read. Karen appeared and we headed home, as soon as we got in I made a pot of tea and we both sat and read.

I made myself some tea and once I had eaten we watched a programme we had recorded, while watching Karen started to feel nauseous unfortunately and has not felt well for most of the evening. Hopefully Karen will be ok tomorrow and we may go for a drive out just to get a change of scenery.

Before this post I have found that since I joined LT I have posted 11,636 messages, my word count for these is 624,390 words at an average of 53.66 words per message. My best posting month since I joined is Jan 17 with 319 posts. I definitely think I am getting better at posting and my reading has definitely improved, thank you to you all with most praise for Mr Cranswick for persuading me to join certain groups that has increased not only my reading but my purchasing and my statistical notes.

>50 johnsimpson: That is a lot of statistics, John. I don't know how you guys find out all the information on how much people post and the word count in the messages you have sent. All that interest in keeping track of numbers must have something to do with following cricket.

I hope that the sun starts shining for you soon and that your ladies start feeling better.

Hi, John! Happy Sunday!

>51 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg, you have hit the nail on the head my dear. In 1971 I got my first copy of the Playfair Cricket Annual, it had the full scorecards of the previous years Test Matches and the overseas Test Matches up to the beginning of March 1971 and I devoured it avidly. As a near 8 year old I was fascinated by the players batting and bowling averages and had to try an work out how they got them with only pen and paper to aid me. I joined my local library that year and I was the only person who looked at the Wisden Cricketers Almanack and had even more statistics to devour. A year later he told me to bring my father with me, I thought I was in trouble, Dad thought I was in trouble but the kindly librarian just wanted a guarantee that if the book was damaged he would replace it as it was a reference book, at that time I think it cost £2.25 in Hardback, once this was agreed I was allowed to take it home for a week. During the course of that year I took it out ten times and was hooked.

I loved watching cricket on television and my dad bought me the Playfair as soon as it came out and from 1979 I bought the Wisden each year. I have collected pre 1971 Playfairs and need 6 from the 1950's to achieve a full set until the 2017 one comes out and I have 51 Wisdens now, the 1960's seem to be hard to get and earlier than 1960 they are getting quite pricey. The 1971 Wisden that was £2.25 when issued will now cost £40 in Hardback with the Softcover slightly cheaper.

I have always liked dealing with Statistics and with my reading I have a number that I note down, I will have to take a photo of all the ways I note down my reading for my own reference.

Today it has rained all day sadly and Karen has been up and down although she is having a blood test on Tuesday morning and sees her GP on Saturday morning who should have the scan results and then she sees the consultant on the 27th March.

>52 scaifea:, Hi Amber, hope your Sunday has been good so far my dear, it has rained here all day so we haven't been able to do much although I have finished a book and read quite a few pages of the chunkster I am reading and I have picked another book to be my bedside read so on that score it hasn't been to bad a day. Sadly Karen has had an up and down day with food and is currently a tad uncomfortable but she has been knitting and has finished one project for a colleague and has just started another for a friend.

Finished book Sixteen this afternoon, Faith by Peter James. This is a really good terrifying thriller and shows what happens when our belief in people gets out of control. Ross Ransome is a very successful and rich Plastic Surgeon and for him perfection is more than just an ideal, even his wife is perfect. After all, he has spent hours in surgery getting her that way.

Ross has a dark secret that has made him what he is and now it starts to spill out. Ross's wife Faith becomes ill after a family holiday to Thailand and after getting nowhere with her GP who Ross picked for her she goes to a complimentary medical centre. Ross doesn't like this and thinks she is having an affair, she won't take the trial drugs he has procured for her and all things together he feel betrayed. Ross being a surgeon has access to drugs and so decides to make sure she bends to his will without her knowing it, add to this he has recently lost a patient on the operating table and then a pretentious well to do client is not enamoured by her last surgery with him and intends to take legal action to recover the cost but still wants him to give her the elixir of life, Ross decides to take the ultimate revenge on this scheming old bitch.

Ross is acting very strangely and his dark secret makes him do things and in the end decides that if he can't have his wife, then why should anyone else.

This is a very food read from start to finish and I heartily recommend this book to everyone.

The List of my reads continues :

151. Lessons for a Sunday Father by Claire Calman, 447 pgs.
152. Farewell, The Tranquil Mind by R.F.Delderfield, 319 pgs.
153. Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen, 325 pgs.
154. The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, 159 pgs.
155. A Five Year Plan by Philip Kerr, 324 pgs.
156. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams, 187 pgs.
157. Now or Never by Elizabeth Adler, 376 pgs.
158. The Street lawyer by John Grisham, 361 pgs.
159. A Few Little Lies by Sue Welfare, 313 pgs.
160. Two Women by Martina Cole, 663 pgs.
161. The Ambassador by Edwina Currie, 503 pgs.
162. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, 290 pgs.
163. Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen, 472 pgs.
164. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, 350 pgs.
165. Mr Commitment by Mike Gayle, 322 pgs.
166. Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams, 162 pgs.
167. The Waiting Time by Gerald Seymour, 459 pgs.
168. Fast Forward by Claire Dowling, 571 pgs.
169. Changing Seasons (A History of Cricket in England 1945-1996) by David Lemmon, 456 pgs.
170. Bridie and Finn by Harry Cauley, 357 pgs.
171. It's Just Not Cricket by Henry Blofeld, 346 pgs.
172. Farewell to Cricket by Don Bradman, 320 pgs.
173. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling, 636 pgs.
174. Homeland by John Jakes, 1138 pgs.
175. Look Stranger by Mary Hocking, 237 pgs.
176. Roses are Red by James Patterson, 414 pgs.
177. Killing Paparazzi by Robert M.Eversz, 310 pgs.
178. Moving on Up by Sue Welfare, 327 pgs.
179. The Ladykiller by Martina Cole, 629 pgs.
180. The First Wives Club by Olivia Golsmith, 470 pgs.
181. Allan Lamb - My Autobiography by Allan Lamb, 288 pgs.
182. Seize the Day by Tanni Grey-Thompson, 251 pgs.
183. My Canape Hell by Imogen Edwards-Jones, 343 pgs.
184. When the Wind Blows by James Patterson, 468 pgs.
185. Gavaskar- Portrait of a Hero by Clifford Narinesingh, 222 pgs.
186. Executioner: Pierrepoint by Albert Pierrepoint, 208 pgs.
187. Daisychain Summer by Elizabeth Elgin, 664 pgs.
188. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, 945 pgs.
189. Yakking around the World by Simon Hughes, 257 pgs.
190. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich, 301 pgs.
191. Ladies Man by John Ramster, 343 pgs.
192. Faceless by Martina Cole, 405 pgs.
193. Broken by Martina Cole, 469 pgs.
194. Nellie's War by Victor Pemberton, 438, pgs.
195. Score! by Jilly Cooper, 796 pgs.
196. The Cigarette Girl by Carol Wolper, 323 pgs.
197. Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, 1007 pgs.
198. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 1474 pgs.
199. Jumping to Conclusions by Christina Jones, 502 pgs.
200. Black Market by James Patterson, 400 pgs.

#55: Too bad my local library does not have that one. It does have other books by Peter James though. Have you read any more of his, John, and if so, what can you recommend?

>53 johnsimpson: I thought that stats mania stemmed from cricket. It's nice to have that confirmed, John. Amazing that you were so interested at such a young age! I hope that Karen is feeling better and your weather improves. It could be worse. We just got more snow.

201. One Summer at Deer's Leap by Elizabeth Elgin, 629 pgs.
202. Cradle and All by James Patterson, 455 pgs.
203. Kiss by Jill Mansell, 503 pgs.
204. Going Out Live by Mark Lawson, 260 pgs.
205. Shep-My Autobiography by David Shepherd, 242 pgs.
206. North and South by John Jakes, 730 pgs.
207. The Falls by Ian Rankin, 479 pgs.
208. Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen, 341 pgs.
209. Guilty Creatures by Sue Welfare, 325 pgs.
210. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, 280 pgs.
211. One Across, Two Down by Ruth Rendell, 250 pgs.
212. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson, 451 pgs.
213. Opening Up by Michael Atherton, 330 pgs.
214. Three to get Deadly by Janet Evanovich, 300 pgs.
215. Blessed-The Autobiography by George Best, 472 pgs.
216. Windfall by Penny Vincenzi, 838 pgs.
217. Manchester Blue by Eddie Shah, 426 pgs.
218. Lords of the Air by Graham Masterton, 628 pgs.
219. Between Males by Fiona Walker, 566 pgs.
220. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell, 280 pgs.
221. To Hell in a Handcart by Richard Littlerjohn, 426 pgs.
222. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich, 311 pgs.
223. Love and War by John Jakes, 1019 pgs.
224. Trouble and Strife by Elizabeth Waite, 380 pgs.
225. All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell, 438 pgs.
226. Just Desserts by Sue Welfare, 328 pgs.
227. The Client by John Grisham, 458 pgs.
228. A Fragile Peace by Teresa Crane, 445 pgs.
229. A Compromising Position by Carole Matthews, 408 pgs.
230. While the Light Lasts by Agatha Christie, 213 pgs.
231. The Generals Daughter by Nelson De Mille, 454 pgs.
232. Trowel and Error by Alan Titchmarsh, 322 pgs.
233. The Marrying Game by Kate Saunders, 534 pgs.
234. Windflower Wedding by Elizabeth Elgin, 672 pgs.
235. Artemis Fowl-The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer, 288 pgs.
236. Two's Company by Jill Mansell, 398 pgs.
237. Resurrection Man by Ian Rankin, 484 pgs.
238. A Lot of Hard Yakka by Simon Hughes, 311 pgs.
239. The Bangkok Secret by Anthony Grey, 376 pgs.
240. High Five by Janet Evanovich, 336 pgs.
241. Hot Six by Janet Evanovich, 324 pgs.
242. Canto for a Gypsy by Martin Cruz-Smith, 198 pgs.
243. Seven Up by Janet Evanovich, 373 pgs.
244. Deception Point by Dan Brown, 585 pgs.
245. Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich, 339 pgs.
246. Animal Instincts by Alan Titchmarsh, 373 pgs.
247. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling, 766 pgs.
248. The Evening News by Arthur Hailey, 647 pgs.
249. Only Dad by Alan Titchmarsh, 357 pgs.
250. Violets are Blue by James Patterson, 445 pgs.

>55 johnsimpson: That looks like one to add to the library list, John. I read a Peter James book last year, Dead Letter Drop, my first for that author. I liked it, although being it was his first book and set in the 1970s it was a bit uneven and dated. But I said at the time that I'd like to read more from him, and this looks like a good one.

(By the way, your touchstone for that book goes to The Secret Garden, which is amusingly wrong.)

>55 johnsimpson: Nice review! I hope Sunday was good to you. Good job saving the day with the sandwiches!!

>60 rosalita: Hi Julia, this is one of his stand alone novels and not from the Detective Roy Grace series my dear, I saw the touchstone and I chuckled at the suggestion posted.

>61 Berly:, Thanks Kim, apart from the weather it has been a pretty good day, I have been reading and Karen has done quite a bit of knitting. Jodie is a nice girl and Karen couldn't see her without anything to eat with her working until 10pm so as soon as the call from Karen ended I made the sandwiches and put everything else together ready for when it was time to leave.

Hi John! I'm sorry that Karen's been up and down and hope Tuesday and then Saturday and then the 27th come quickly!

I have a friend who loves Peter James. I suspect she means the series, but I'm going to start reading him one of these days!

Happy Monday, John!

>64 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, the Peter James novel was a really good stand alone I want to get his Detective Roy Grace series next.

>65 ChelleBearss:, Thanks Chelle.

I didn't manage to get to the antique fair on Saturday in Wakefield with one thing and another so no more Fountain pens acquired but hope to get to the Northern pen fair at Lytham St Annes on the 2nd of April.

It has been a good day for me today and the weather has been glorious after the complete washout yesterday. We had a steady morning and then I took Karen to work after dropping her off I went to the Health centre to drop off our repeat prescriptions and then into the pharmacy to pick up Karen's prescription that the doctor gave her the other day. Once home I had a pot of tea and read a chapter before getting on with my job for the day.

After oiling the dining table and chairs last Monday I did the display cabinet and sideboard in the dining room and gave the coffee table and side table in the room their first oiling. The coffee table and side table soaked it up quickly being the first time they have been done. After I had finished I cleaned myself up and made a pot of tea and read for a solid two hours, absolute bliss.

After I stopped reading I put the TV on for the news and warmed up the Second Sunday dinner that Karen had left for me. As with yesterday's Sunday dinner it filled me up nicely, I do like a nice Lamb steak. I have had a nice relaxing evening and will be going to pick Karen up from work shortly.

I'm glad to hear that Karen had an okay day, John. So kind of both of you to get Karen's work mate a dinner. I hope that Karen's gall bladder surgery will be sooner than later, but as someone in Canada, where we also have universal heath care, I know how people can have to wait. Love and hugs to you and Karen! A friend of mine got very sick from her gall bladder about 3 years ago - could not stop vomiting , was in intense pain , and they actually hospitalized her right away , though she ended up waiting a week in hospital for the surgery. They kept her on liquids and IV for the week, and she said while she had hoped to lose weight, that was not the way she planned to do it.

>70 vancouverdeb:, Thanks Deb for your message my dear. The last part of the message about the weight loss is what Karen thinks, her clothes are a bit baggy and her work trousers flap at the back. Karen had a blood test done yesterday and sees her GP on Saturday morning so we will take it from there.

Yesterday morning was the normal routine and it was a nice sunny day, Karen had to go to see the nurse at the doctors for a blood test as part of her Gallbladder/Stones situation and then she sees the doctor on Saturday morning. From the doctors I then took Karen to work, after dropping Karen off I made my way home and had a pot of tea and read for a while. After finishing my tea I got on with the housework, I did the bedrooms and then the bathroom before coming downstairs to do the living room and dining room. By the time I was finished I was ready for a rest and a pot of tea, I made the tea and decided to watch a DVD. I watched one of my all time favourite films, Convoy, this is because I just love American rigs. I really enjoyed the film and paused the film to make another pot of tea while watching.

After the film finished I made my self something to eat and then had another pot of tea and read before intending to fire the laptop up. I didn't get online last night as Karen rang me just before 8pm to say she wasn't too well and would be finishing at 9pm rather than 10pm and would I come into store by 8.45pm to pick something up. I read until just before 8.30pm and then went to get Karen, by the time we got back and chatted it was too late to go online.

Today has been mixed to say the least. We had a pot of tea in bed before we got up, once up, washed and dressed we stripped the bed and put fresh bedding on. Once downstairs Karen put the bedding and some other clothing in the washing machine and set it off while I made us a pot of tea. We had our tea and watched a bit of TV before Karen made me some porridge. When the washing finished we put it on the airers and then I made a pot of tea, after finishing my tea I went to the pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions and popped next door to the vets to get Leo's flea and worm treatment.

Once back from the pharmacy and vets I made a pot of tea and we watched a programme that we had recorded. By the time the programme had finished we had time for another pot of tea and a biscuit before it was time to take Karen to the dentist for the final part of her treatment. Karen had her Crowns fitted and we left and made our way home. Once home we had a pot of tea and watched Escape to the Country and then watched one we had recorded. When we had finished watching the recorded episode we turned the DVD player off and had the TV on as background noise while we read. After about forty minutes we got a phone call, the call was from Amy, I answered and she asked if mum was in and if so to turn the phone to speakerphone. I did this and she broke the news that she had been let go at work. We were both shocked and all their plans to look at buying their first home went through the window. It turns out that they took her on last September with the view that a contract they were going for would be Amy's to deal with but the chap dealing with this failed to get the contract so they could not afford Amy and so let her go with one weeks pay to come, she didn't need to work the week so could go home.

As you can imagine we are devastated for Amy and Andy and are looking at what help we can give them, I am feeling a bit down about myself as I feel I have let Karen and the kids down and when they need help I am struggling to provide it. I WILL be ok so do not worry about me it is just the way I am. Since the phone call we have been a tad subdued.

Oh dear, I'm so sorry to read about Amy. It's so awful. Thinking of you and yours and sending lots of positive thoughts. Love and hugs xx

>74 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara my dear friend, it is poor Amy and Andy I worry for, we will be ok when we get over the shock and annoyance.

>75 johnsimpson: I know, John. It's so awful for a young couple. Give them my love, please.

>76 Ameise1:, I will, thank you Barbara my dear.

Oh, I'm so sorry about Amy and her work. Barbara is quite right, it is difficult for young people these days and getting into the housing market is difficult. Do give Amy and Andy my love. I know how hard it is to be a parent of young people. I have one son and his wife who are doing very well - knock on wood - and they are planning to move from a condo to a townhouse later this year, but my other son lost his job last summer and it was a tense time for everyone . We helped him out as best we could, and he was back to work in about 3 months. My mom kindly helped him pay his rent and Dave and I helped with expenses too -and we all went together and purchased him a new second hand car, as his new job is about 45 minutes to an hour away by car. Like you, Dave and I wish we had more money to help him out. Being a parent - it is not easy. We struggle to help our son too. We are very blessed that my mom is in a position to help him more.

Oh, no, I'm so sorry about Amy and her job. Here's hoping it's the start of something new and even better for her, in the end.

>73 johnsimpson: That is very sad news, John, I am very sorry Amy lost her job.

Sorry to see the news about Amy. Hopefully she can find something quickly!

Like others on this thread I am sorry to hear about your daughter and her family. Unfortunately, this scenario is all to common these days. There seem to be fewer and fewer jobs and the ones that are there don't pay as well as jobs did in the past. I never did manage to buy a house, and will be a renter all of my life. That to is the way of the world for many women, because we spend our lives working in lower paying jobs. I am sorry that this has happened to your family.

>78 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deb, Amy has been busy today trying to get things sorted out financially. She has signed up with a few agencies, and a friend has offered to check and update her C.V. After she had done this she went to the Job Centre to sign on and was told to do it online which she did and she found out that they can get a little help with their rent and she needs to fill forms in for Working Tax credits because of Andy's income and to get in touch with the Council for a rebate on their Council Tax. We will help with her car payments and Andy's mum and Dad are helping. Amy e-mailed her brother with him working at a solicitor's to check her contract for what id due to her and they have sorted that out and told her to e-mail work to find out what they are paying and when. They told Rob to tell her that if she gets a paper trail and dates and payment is not adhered to they will send a letter to the firm and they will not charge her which is good of them.

>79 scaifea:, Hi Amber, one or two people have said the same thing on Facebook my dear and to be honest things she has said over the last couple of months had rung slight alarm bells with us. There was one lady who seemed to have had it in for Amy from the first day and we just hope she had no part in this.

>80 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita these things happen but it always seems hard for the parents as well as the one who lost the job, they were starting to look at getting on the mortgage ladder and then the next step would be trying for a baby so that is on the back burner for the moment.

>81 ChelleBearss:, Hi Chelle, she has been very proactive today and will continue until she gets a job, thank you for the message my dear.

>82 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita, you are so right in that losing jobs is so common and the jobs available at the moment are low paying. Amy has been very busy today trying to make sure they are ok financially and she has registered with agencies and the job centre and will be doing more tomorrow to make sure her C.V is just right and scouring the net for job opportunities.

It has been a decent day for us and weather wise. Once we were up we had a pot of tea and I had some breakfast before we went to do the supermarket shopping. As with previous weeks we didn't require a great deal apart from essentials and so it didn't take long. Once we had done Asda we popped next door to Aldi and Karen quickly went in for the few bits. Once the shopping was done we made our way home and unpacked and put it all away.

When everything was put away I made us a pot of tea and we watched the Daily Politics show, Amy rang to let us know what she had been doing during the morning. When the politics show had finished we watched the news and I had another pot of tea and Karen's friend Linda rang her.

When the news had finished and Karen's phone call ended she made me a sandwich and I made a drink before I had to set off to pick Hannah up from school. I went and picked Hannah up and once we were back home she wanted to paly with the Polly Pockets and some Lego. Karen made Hannah her tea and then I put my Pizza in the oven. Once Hannah had eaten she wanted a Peppa Pig DVD put on which she did herself and she watched that while I had my pizza and after I had had a drink it was time to take her home.

Hi John!

I'm so sorry to hear that Amy was let go. It sounds like she's being proactive, which is good. I hope she finds something soon.

How's Hannah's hand? It's only just a week and it sounded like it was pretty seriously bruised.

Sending love and hugs to you and Karen!

Adding my two cents about Amy, John. And yes, being proactive is probably the best thing she can be doing now, instead of sitting home in shock. It's important to keep up the energy and that in turn, will help maintain self-esteem and attitude, something that can only be good for her prospects. Best of luck to her! It WILL pay off!

>87 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, thanks for the message my dear, we saw Amy and Andy this afternoon and she had received a letter from her employers to let her know what she is entitled to and they also stated that although the work hadn't come in that she was employed for she was unsuitable for other work in the company which is just an excuse to stop her taking anything further. Andy said that she knows what she is going to get and not to waste time and energy on something that is now in the past and concentrate energies on future employment which is right of course. We had a good chat with them and at the moment they think they will be ok but need some information back to make sure and we said we will help out once we know what help they need. Amy has appointments booked for Monday and is sorting her CV out with the lady who offered her help on Tuesday and she has to pass her CV on to a couple of people by the end of next week so hopefully things will start moving in the next couple of weeks.

Hannah's hand is a little tender but the bruising has just about disappeared, it seems that her bones are still flexible and so nothing was broken and gentle massage has dissipated the bruise and that is why it doesn't look livid.

>88 jessibud2:, Hi Shelley, thanks for your message my dear, with Andy by her side and encouraging her to look forward and not back and that at the moment with what they have found out and some help from his parents they are not as worried about finances and that is helping. We saw them today and offered help but they want to wait until they know what they are entitled to before knowing what they may need. She has already been asked to forward her CV by a couple of friends and Andy's Dad needs a copy for where he works and that is before the agencies and Job centre get started so hopefully the positivity she is showing will produce a result.

>89 johnsimpson: Hi, John. Rough few days for you and yours. I am so sorry. Wishing Amy and Andy the best and I can only hope this will lead to something even better for her. I know you are in the background providing encouragement, advice and love. Hang in there.

We have had a really good day, after we had got up, washed and dressed we had a pot of tea and had some breakfast we set off to the market town of Beverley in East Yorkshire. After a one and a half hour journey we managed to get parked up and we went wandering the town. We had a good stroll around and Karen picked a book up in the Oxfam bookshop before we stopped at a café for a nice pot of tea. We had a chat about Amy and Karen messaged her to see if they were in and if so we would make our way to them when we had done in Beverley.

After we had our tea we continued strolling around and went into the nearby Antique centre, from there we wandered up the last street and ended up in the Works store, after a quick peruse of their book stock I picked up 3 books for £5. After paying for my books we made our way back to the car and headed for Selby via York. We got to Amy's just after 2pm and had a hug and a chat before Amy had to go to her doctor's appointment and Andy went to pick up a few bits. We went into the kitchen and washed some pots up and made a pot of tea, we had our tea and chatted about what they had told us until they both came back. Once they were back we had another pot of tea and a sandwich and chatted a bit more with them before we made our way home. We felt more relaxed after chatting with them and once they know how they stand we will give them the help they need. Andy's mum and dad have offered them a good bit of help and they know we all want the best for them and they are in a real good positive frameset so we will hope that things progress for them.

>91 Berly:, Thanks Kim for your lovely message, last couple of days have not been good, when she told us at about 6pm on Wednesday we were in shock and anger and that night I slept badly. I had to get up after trying to get to sleep after a couple of hours and I came downstairs to make a mug of hot milk and while it heated up in the microwave I let Leo out and had a mini cigar. After I had my milk I went back up to bed and managed to drop off.

Yesterday we chatted about what help they might need and what we could offer and today after we had been around Beverley we called in to see them on our way home see above post. Thank you for your kindness.

Book Seventeen finished last night, Shakespeare's Counselor by Charlaine Harris. This is the last in the Lily Bard series and I really enjoyed it as with all in the series. Lily is a woman with a complicated past and so decides to join a therapy group. As things turn out, the group members' feelings are not the only things that need sorting out as they assemble for a session only to find a woman dead and left on display as some kind of twisted message.

Lily finds herself embroiled in the murder and its aftermath and because she has revealed some of her own terrible secrets she may not be able to rest until she can untangle the why and the who of this crime. Things start to get complicated and is the therapist the ultimate target, Lily thinks she can help solve this before the killer strikes again and before her own nightmares send her over the edge.

Sad to see this series end and hope she writes another at least.

John, I hope that Amy has had a couple of good days planning her future and lining up possible options. As I mentioned over at my thread my own relocation to the UK should coincide with an expansion of our businesses in the UK and shortly lead to an increase in personnel. I would certainly bear Amy in mind when that happens, mate.

Trust that the weekend is kind to you all.

Hi John!

I know it's rough going for Amy and Andy right now. I got laid off once, in 1989, and the outplacement officer told me that in a year I'd realize it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was skeptical, but in my case it was true. I hope that Amy will have a much better job soon.

Sending love and hugs to you and Karen!

>95 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, thanks for the lovely message mate. With Rob working at a solicitor's he e-mailed his sister to get a paper trail of what she was due and when it is to be paid and if they delay his firm said they would send a letter on her behalf and would not charge which was a nice offer. Andy has taken charge and said there is nothing to be done now she is not there and it would be a waste of personal energy which can be put to better use moving forward. Between them they have got in touch with job agencies and the job centre, found out what forms they need to fill in for working tax credit, council tax rebate and rent rebate so until they get back in touch and then they send the forms back and get information on how they stand financially they can't really ask for any help off us. Andy's mum and dad have said her car lease payments are covered and if she decides to keep the car in September rather than get a another new on lease they will sort the final payment out which is great of them.

Thanks for the offer to look at her CV mate to see if she would fit in with what you require and what she might bring to the table, I told her of this and they both say thank you very much for that.

We have had a good day, we have started to put our finances in a better order to make sure we can help them and then Karen baked some biscuits which is what she does when things go tits up and it really helps her.

Hope you are all having a good weekend and send love and hugs to you, Hani and the kids.

>96 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, Thanks for your lovely message. I am sure Amy will find the right job which will prove to be better for them and will look back on this as a blessing in time. They have been house hunting and had two viewings booked for Friday which had to be cancelled and this is the setback that hurts as they wanted to get a house sorted out so that they could start planning for a baby in the next 18 to 24 months as she really wants to be a mum. Andy has taken charge and he is being great and keeping focused on going forward and not wasting time on what cannot be altered and is in the past and dead and buried.

Hope you are having a nice weekend my dear and we send love and hugs from over the pond dear friend.

We have had a good day, after we had breakfast we had to go to the doctors for Karen's appointment at 9am, the doctor had her scan results and the blood test results. Everything is good and their are no problems with the blood tests, all possible tests were done so the consultant doesn't need anything else that might slow things down. The scan showed a lot of small stones so surgery look like the option and Dr Javali has also sent a letter to say that things need to be done quickly as Karen has had bariatric surgery and that she is struggling to eat or drink in decent quantities and keep it all down which is not good and that she has lost nearly two stone in weight already and so this needs to be taken into consideration.

After we had done at the doctors we had to go into town to the bank to start sorting our finances out so that we can help Amy and Andy if and when required. We had to close an Isa down which we didn't want to do but we made an appointment with an advisor on Thursday to try and get a better deal on our credit card bill and a couple of other things. We feel better for doing that and we know where we are at. After leaving the bank we did a couple of small things before making our way home.

Once we got home we put the washing that had finished on the airers and then I made us a pot of tea. When Karen finished her drink she went into the kitchen to do some baking, she made two lots of biscuits and I read. After the biscuits were done Karen made me a sandwich and she had a small bite to eat and she did a bit of knitting while I read listening to the football scores coming in as goals were scored.

Once it got to 4pm I switched channels to watch the Six nations Rugby union game, England V Scotland and at halftime Karen went up for a shower while I continued watching the game.

While I was listening to the Football scores and then the Rugby Union Rob was sending messages and pictures from the opening of the new Cricket pavilion at Old Sharlston Cricket Club by Andrew Gale who was the captain and who is now the coach of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. It has been a long haul in getting a new pavilion and the finances were finally in position just after the start of last season. The pavilion opened towards the end of last October but was officially opened today. I used to be involved as a committee member and then stayed with that but also became Chairman of Selectors before moving to become Vice-Chairman of the club and Chairman of Selectors. I reduced my involvement and eventually stepped away from the club due to Karen's dad being ill and I wasn't in a good place. Happily things cleared for me but we lost Karen's dad and I go and watch Rob when the first team are playing at home although I couldn't watch as much due to having to pick Karen up from work but now that Karen's shifts have changed I will be able to have a bit more time watching Rob before I have to pick Karen up on a Saturday.

Thank you to all my lovely LT friends for their supportive comments since Amy lost her job, it means a great deal to me and to Karen and Amy and Andy. I just wish I could meet you all to say thank you for everything you have done for me over the last few years with death, illness and job loss over that period and the lovely day we had when Amy and Andy got married. You are all a really great bunch of people and I am so glad that I am a part of this and that I have fantastic friends, I will go and have a blub now, lol.

Happy weekend, John. I keep my fingers crossed that Amy will find soon a good job. Love and hugs to all of you xx

>100 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara, she has been very proactive so far and still things to do on Monday and Tuesday, sending love and hugs.

>99 johnsimpson: That is great news on the new pavilion, John. Looking forward to watching a few games with you this coming summer.

>99 johnsimpson: Hugs. : )

>99 johnsimpson: Adding my own hugs to Kim's, friend.

Karen's appointment sounds like it went well, and with things all done ahead of time and the note about the urgency because of the bariatric surgery in place, I hope that the gallstone surgery can be scheduled soon.

Bravo for Andy and Amy for not wallowing.

Sending love and hugs to you all!

>102 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul it won't be long before the season starts mate, let's hope for some nice weather to watch a bit of Leather on Willow and a pint.

>103 Berly:, Thanks Kim.

>104 scaifea:, Thanks Amber.

>105 karenmarie:, Thank you Karen.

Yesterday was a lovely day here in Walton, sunny and warm. We had a pleasant morning and then it was time to take Karen to work, she wasn't feeling too good and thought she had picked up a bug that has been doing the rounds lately. I dropped Karen off at work and then popped into town to pay a bill at the bank. Once this was done I made my way to the partner of our plumber to pick up a hair bow for Hannah, she has started a business up making bows etc. Laura gave me the little package with the bow in it and I paid her and she asked how Karen was so I explained what had gone on. I left as she had another visitor and said I would probably see her soon when the cricket season starts.

I made my way home from Laura's and once home made a pot of tea and watched the lunchtime news programme. When the news finished I began reading and after an hour of this I decided to do the bank statements that had been left for a few weeks. After I had put the receipts in date order I checked them off against the statements only seeing the odd difference which were all to do with Karen, she forgets to note down when she has used Amazon marketplace for small items. While doing this I had a few messages from Amy, I replied and said I would ring her later. Once I had done all the bank statements I made a pot of tea and read until I decided I was hungry and so I warmed up my plated dinner that Karen had left for me.

Once I had fed myself I made a pot of tea and rang Amy, we chatted for about 40 minutes before I had to end the call and then I read until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work. For the present time Karen is finishing at 9pm on Monday and Tuesday instead of 10pm and she will start work on Friday and Saturday at 11am instead of noon. I parked up and read until Karen appeared and when she did she asked if I would drop a colleague off as she would have a long journey by bus, I said yes as it wasn't too much out of our way.

The weather here today has been like yesterday, sunny and warm. After we had a pot of tea I had some cereal and another pot of tea and Karen did a bit of ironing, she felt better than yesterday thankfully. Once Karen had finished the ironing I made her a pot of tea and I had another and then Karen had a small bit of something to eat. It soon rolled round to the time to take her to work, I dropped her off and then called into the store petrol station to put some diesel in the car and then made my way into town. I popped into the bank to draw some money out and put some of it in the everyday account for shopping and I went to another bank to put £30 into the shrapnel account. I then went for a wander, I found the bookseller that used to be in the market house that is to be closed down, he has found a nice little shop across the road from the market house, I had a peruse and picked up six books for £3.

I left the bookshop and posted a letter before going into the Book makers to have a small bet on the first days horse racing at the Cheltenham festival, I am not a big gambler and my bet was a four horse Yankee that cost me £2.20. From the betting shop I made my way back to the car and headed home, once home I had a pot of tea and read the Radio Times listings magazine that had come through the post. Once I had finished my tea I got on with the housework, I did the bedrooms and bathroom before coming downstairs to do the living room and dining room. I was just about to start the kitchen when Amy rang me, we had a chat for 20 minutes before she had to go and then I did the kitchen.

Once I had finished the housework I had some soup and bread for my lunch and a pot of tea and then read until I decided to have something to eat for my tea. After my tea I read for a short while until I decided to fire up the laptop and come on here.

Another nice day here in Walton as opposed to some of my American friends who are suffering severe snowfall, hope you are all alright. Once we were up and about we had a pot of tea before I had some breakfast and another pot of tea. Karen put a load of dark washing on and we read until it was ready to put on the airers. Amy was having an interview with a lady from an employment agency not far from us and when she had done she came to see us. The lady is putting Amy on her books and had got her an interview for a position tomorrow morning so fingers crossed.

Amy had been with us for about 30 minutes before I had to go out, I had to take Leo to the vets for his six monthly check up. We were only gone for about 30 minutes before we got back, Leo was not impressed as per usual. We had a good chat with Amy and then had some lunch, after lunch I read and both Karen and Amy did some knitting. Before long it was time for me to go and pick Hannah up from school, when we got back she was so excited because Auntie Amy was here.

Hannah wanted the Trumpton DVD on which I did for her and then both Hannah and Amy had something to eat. After Hannah had eaten she continued watching the DVD and Karen brought some of her toys down for her to play with. Amy left at 5.40pm and we then left at 5.55pm to take Karen to her bariatric meeting at Pontefract and after dropping her I then took Hannah home before heading back to Pontefract to collect Karen.

Popping in to say Hi!

>110 Berly:, Hello Kim my dear.

Finished book Eighteen a couple of hours ago, Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn. This is the last in the Daisy Dalrymple Series unless she writes some more. Daisy is convalescing in Buckinghamshire due to the smog in London, after a few days she begins to feel better and decides to go for a stroll, as she feels better for the walk she decides to try and find Cherry Trees where a friend of her from school days lives with two other single ladies. Due to the Great War there are more females than males and so single women are commonly known as Superfluous Women (Surplus). Daisy finds the house and is invited in but her friend is still at work but Isabel who maintains the house and gardens makes coffee for her. Soon Vera arrives from school where she is a teacher and the Willie (Wilhemina) arrives, they chat and Willie walks Daisy back to her hotel. Before Daisy leaves she and her husband Alec are invited for Sunday lunch.

Alec arrives late on Saturday and is a bit miffed that the only full day they have together is split by being invited for lunch but he relents when told a nice Sunday Roast is on offer. The house the ladies have bought belonged to a man who although stingy to his wife had a fine wine collection in the cellar, as lunch is nearly ready Isabel suggest they see if a nice bottle of wine has been left behind if only they could get into the cellar. Alec uses his skills as a police officer to pick the lock but wishes he hadn't as a bad smell is unleashed and he spots a body on the cellar floor.

What began as a pleasant Sunday lunch becomes a much darker affair and Daisy's three friends become suspects in a murder case and Alec is a witness. Before local detective DI Underwood can officially bring charges against the ladies, Daisy is determined to use all her resources and skills to solve the crime. Soon Alec is unofficially attached to the case and brings along DS Piper to assist. Along the way a number of red herrings hamper the investigation and a couple of romances may have been borne, due to the ladies having to stay at the same hotel as Daisy and Alec and Ernie Piper also staying at the hotel.

This is a lovely 1920's period piece but leaves some loose ends and it is the last in the series unless Ms Dunn decides to write some more which I hope she does.

Yesterday we had to go into town to an appointment at the bank so we got up, washed dressed and had a pot of tea and I had some cereal and then into town for the 10am appointment. We weren't in long as there wasn't much to be done but he gave us some other options. After we left the bank Karen needed to go into Boots for some face cream and then we made our way back to the car. We drove from the car park to the nearby retail park to go to Pets at Home as I needed to pick up some more arthritis tablets for Leo. Once I had made my purchase we drove to the Aldi store to pick up a few bits, once Karen had got them we made our way home.

As soon as we got home I made us a pot of tea and then I read for a while and Karen continued her knitting, after another pot of tea we watched the lunchtime news and then Karen made me a sandwich. Karen resumed her knitting and I went to print off some documents for my full governors meeting at school that evening. While I was printing Amy rang to say her interview had gone well and if she got a phone call before the firm closed for the day she would have a job, unfortunately the call never materialised sadly.

After watching a programme after I had done my printing I made myself something to eat before I needed to set off for the meeting. I left at 6.15pm and got back just after 9pm, the meeting just helped me crystalize my thoughts that now was the time to resign from the governing body. I have been disillusioned with the way governing bodies are moving and I know things have moved on since I first joined in the year 2000 but it seems that we are talking about how the school is run and all the different plans have to be ingrained in our mind and the reams of seemingly meaningless figures of attainment etc when it is children we are talking about but it seems they are just figures on charts and tables and that is not for me in this context. I will be writing my resignation letter over the next week for the Chair of Governors but I want to be able to say goodbye to three ladies at school, two of whom I have known for 19 years since Rob first started. One of the teachers I got to know as Miss Sally even when she got married and has three children of her own now I still refer to her as Miss Sally and she chuckles each time I greet her. Sally Wort nee Lindforth helped me when I needed four dressing gowns embroidering for Amy's wedding and she did them for me and I will be sad to say goodbye to her and the other two lovely ladies.

Today has been a steady day, we got up and had a pot of tea and I had some porridge, after two more pots of tea for me and one for Karen it was time to take Karen to work. Because Karen finished at 9pm on Monday and Tuesday she is going in at 11am on Friday and Saturday to make her hours up and for the next few weeks this is what she will be doing. Once I had dropped Karen off I parked nearer to the entrance and went into store to do the weekly shopping. As has been the case we didn't require a great deal and I was on my way back out 30 minutes later.

I left the Asda store and headed towards town to go to the Sainsbury supermarket for some Melba toast for Karen as theirs is better than Asda's. Once I had got the Melba Toast I made my way home and unpacked and put away the shopping. I made myself a pot of tea and read my Friday edition of the Yorkshire Post newspaper and watched the news. When the news finished I began to read, I had made myself another pot of tea. As I finished a long chapter I stopped and made myself something to eat and when I had finished I decided to watch last nights episode of The Great Pottery Throwdown that Karen recorded for me as I was at my governors meeting. When I had watched the recording I made another pot of tea and read the last 36 pages of my bedside book before having another pot of tea and reading my daytime book until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work.

We have had a relaxing evening although Karen is feeling a little unwell at the moment and will be going to bed shortly.

>94 johnsimpson: I enjoyed that series by Harris more than the Sookie Stackhouse series. I am probably in the minority on that though.

I hope things work out for Amy, John!

>114 johnsimpson: I like that my pal is discerning enough to read the Yorkshire Post!

Have a good weekend, mate, and I do hope that Karen will be ok. Give her our love.

I'm glad that Amy is being so proactive in her looking for work and I hope very much that it sorts itself out very quickly. I certainly hope that Karen continues to feel okay, and I hope that she can get her surgery done fairly quickly. My love to you and Karen and Amy and family.

>115 alcottacre:, HI Stasia, I haven't got around to the Sookie Stackhouse books yet although we have the first ten as we got them in a really good deal, all ten for £9.99.

Amy had a bad day yesterday but is fine today and Andy is making sure she is looking forward and not dwelling on the past or any unsuccessful applications.

>116 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, it is the only paper I read now, I get the Friday edition and of course the main one of the week the Saturday edition although as the cricket season is nearly upon us I will get the Monday edition for the sports supplement to see all the league results and write-ups.

Karen wasn't good yesterday and is a little better today and hopefully she will be fine tomorrow as we have a visitor to show around, Flat Stanley.

Sending love and hugs to the Cranswick clan.

>117 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deb Amy was a little bit down yesterday but is fine today and Andy is making sure that she is in a positive frame of mind.

Karen wasn't good yesterday and went to bed feeling lousy, this morning she was a little better but she is a lot better at the moment. Hopefully she will be fine tomorrow and the weather is better as we will be going out to show our visitor, Flat Stanley, the sights around Wakefield and the district.

Sending love and hugs across the water dear lady.

Happy weekend, John.

>121 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara.

Oh Flat Stanley! I had to show Flat Stanley around Vancouver for my niece some years ago. Lot of fun. True story. We named our son William Micheal Stanley+ Surname. In his later teens he told me that he hated the name " Stanley." So, as soon as he was legally able, he changed his name to William Michael + Surname. It makes me chuckle to think of it. Our other son is named Daniel David Freeman + Surname, and the Freeman is for my grandfather and David for my husband. He is quite pleased with all of his names. Makes me chuckle to think back on it.

Have fun with Flat Stanley !

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday showing Flat Stanley around and that Karen is feeling well for the tour.

>123 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deb Karen's brother is Brian Dalton Wood, the Dalton being from Grandma Dalton, Karen wouldn't have Rob's middle name Fred after my dad or Cecil after her dad so he has my name. We are having fun with Flat Stanley.

>124 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg, we have had a good Sunday with Flat Stanley and Karen was well while we were out but since late afternoon she has been below par bless her, another week until we see the specialist.

Happy Sunday, John!

>127 alcottacre:, Thanks Stasia, hope you are having a good one as well my dear.

>128 johnsimpson: A tired one and getting nothing done, lol.

>129 alcottacre:, I have days like that sometimes my dear.

>130 johnsimpson: I think we all do. I am just not very good at handling them!

We have had a pretty good day until late afternoon when Karen started to feel unwell. After we had had breakfast we set off out to show Flat Stanley some sights, we popped into Wakefield and went into Waterstones and he had his photo taken with book assistant Rachel and then we found his book and he had a photo taken with that. We left Waterstones and went across the precinct to our lovely Cathedral, once we were in we found that they were just finishing tidying up after the church service. The Curate, Rev Tim Stevens was nearby and we asked if he would have his photo taken with Flat Stanley and he agreed with lots of enthusiasm. We took a few photos of the stained glass windows and then Stanley took a seat on a pew and Karen took his photo.

We have a few more things to do with him over the next couple of days in and around Walton.

Once we got back I made us a pot of tea and I read while Karen knitted, a little while later Karen prepared the vegetables and put them on to cook and put some Pork Loin steaks in the oven for me, there was enough for my dinner today and some plated up for me tomorrow. We both continued reading and knitting until the food was ready and then Karen plated up the food, I had my meal and it was lovely. After I had finished my late lunch / early tea I read and Karen cracked on with the knitting, it was at this time that she began to feel un comfortable and that has continued since.

We watched the final of The Big Painting Challenge, the four finalists were good but we narrowed the winner down to two and I opted for David and Karen went for Suman and she was correct. Following the Painting Challenge we watched Countryfile and now we are watching Antiques Roadshow with the first episode coming from Burton Constable near Hull.

I hope once Karen goes to the specialist she will be sorted out and on the road to feeling better!

>133 alcottacre:, We hope so as well Stasia my dear, she has lost two stone in weight over the last six weeks and is still struggling to keep food and drink down.

>134 johnsimpson: That does not sound fun at all. Hopefully the specialist will track down the problem and treat it swiftly! Two stone in 6 weeks is pretty alarming.

>135 alcottacre:, It is my dear, Karen is worried that it is linked to her bariatric surgery that she had six years ago. We need to impress upon the surgeon the weight loss she has had since this started and that we are concerned that things may get worse with a long wait for surgery, Karen's GP told her to make sure he is fully aware of her bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss.

>136 johnsimpson: I am glad that the GP is helping focus attention on where it might be needed. I will keep Karen in my prayers.

>137 alcottacre:, Thanks Stasia.

It sounds like Stanley is having a great time with you and Karen! Thanks again so much for hosting him!

>139 scaifea:, we are having a whale of a time with him and nearly lost him in or little park when we tried to get a photo of him on a slide and it has been a little windy here and he blew off and I had to chase him and each time I got near he blew a bit further, I got him safely back though. What others in the park thought of us I do not know or care about.

>140 johnsimpson: Ha! Too funny!

I'm glad that you are having fun with Flat Stanley. Sorry to hear that Karen's is still feeling unwell. I do hope they get to the gallstone surgery very soon.

Popping in to catch up your news. Good job chasing down Stanley!! Hope Karen is hanging in there. Wishing the two of you a wonderful week. Hugs.

Hi John!

I, too, am sorry to hear that Karen's feeling so poorly. How's Amy's job search going?

Sending love and hugs to you and Karen!

>142 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deb, we are having lots of fun showing Flat Stanley around, it is things like this that make you realise what is around you. Because we have lived in this area all our lives you sometimes forget what there is to see, the ruins of Sandal Castle which was down to Cromwell's men in 1646, the memorial to Richard Duke of York who died in the battle of Wakefield on 26th December 1460 and in our own village Waterton Hall which is now a hotel and situated in the middle of a lake with a lovely bridge to get to it and was the home of Sir Charles Waterton who was a naturalist in the late 1700's early 1800's.

Karen has gone to work but has been sick sadly but she said she was ok, just got to wait until the 27th March and see what the consultant says.

>143 Berly:, Hi Kim, you would have laughed if you had seen me chasing Flat Stanley a short distance, the wind kept picking him up and blowing him away from me, luckily he got caught up in the fence and I could retrieve him.

Karen has gone to work but was sick in mid afternoon but she felt ok to stay and I will pick her up in just over an hours time.

>144 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, Karen is at work and was ill during the afternoon but felt ok to stay and I will pick her up in just over an hours time.

Amy is still applying for jobs, she got something through this morning and they wanted to do a telephone interview but the description was nothing to do with what she knows about or what she could do, it appeared that the job should attract a salary of at least 25 to 30K and this was 17K and included holiday pay already in. It was quite specialised and Amy did not want to lie about anything on an interview and let the agency know. She is waiting to hear about jobs she has already applied for.

Thank you, John for your kind words of sympathy for my daughter, Kelly on the loss of her golden, Cheyenne. Your kindness means a lot to both her and me.

>148 Dianekeenoy:, Hi Diane, it is never easy to lose a pet but at least if they have had a long life it is slightly easier to take but when it is still at a young age it is heart breaking and I hope the lovely comments you have all received help at some level, sending love and hugs.

Well they say things happen in three's and we have had this. Karen is still suffering but hopefully we will get some positive news next Monday, Amy lost her job but is positive and upbeat and is applying for lots of jobs and then yesterday Rob moved back home. He has made a monumental mistake and has lost everything, he couldn't say goodbye to Hannah last night and was in pieces when he got here. Today he had to take Hannah to a hospital appointment and then he brought her here, she is aware Daddy is not at home which was heart breaking. He had to got to Louise's Dads to pick up the rest of his belongings and he was also given the engagement ring back, when he took Hannah home his stepdaughter came to the door to let Hannah in.

Neither me or Karen condone what he has done and do not blame Louise to that point but theirs has been a very difficult relationship over the eight years they were together, she is hard work. She has spoken to Rob as if he is something under her shoe and I told Rob a long time ago that I would not have stood for what he has put up with, I would have left or (and this is not something I am proud of saying) I would have slapped her (once only) as she can be very vindictive and belittling. We have no doubt that we will be able to see Hannah but both of us agree that we are sorry their relationship has ended but are not cut up that she is not a part of our family which is awful to say but that is the truth. Rob is absolutely devastated and knows he has only himself to blame and has held his hand up but last night and this morning it was hard to see him so cut up at what he has done and lost.

I can only hope that all this bad luck is at an end and we can all look forward to a better few months, I do not know what to do and who to support, my shoulders are weighed down and I have to keep strong for all my family but it is hard. My one saving grace today was that once Karen had gone to work and Rob went to collect his belongings I had time on my own with Flat Stanley and we went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and then onto Wintersett Nature Park and I could try and put my thoughts together and sort my mind out. I am not asking for any sympathy as this latter upset could have been avoided but it hasn't.

Forgot to mention above that while I was out I managed to pick up six books, four from David's secondhand bookshop and two new ones on a buy one get one half price at Waterstones. This at least lifted me up from the trauma all around me at the moment.

I am so hoping that the bad things happening in 3s mean that the worst is over for you guys! You need a break!! Thank goodness for books.

>152 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia, it was hard to write but I needed to do it and part of what I wrote is not like me, I have been lucky in meeting my soulmate and we have been together for coming up 35 years and married for nearly 33 years and I have NEVER raised my hand to Karen, we have our ups and downs like all married couples but we talk and Karen would never talk to me the way Louise talked to Rob. We have never gone to sleep on an argument, everything has been sorted and we go to sleep with everything just right, we are lucky.

>153 johnsimpson: Going to sleep on an argument leads to disaster, I have found. Kerry and I have been together coming up on 29 years and we respect each other enough that we do not belittle or denigrate each other, and if we do say something hurtfully, we are both quick to apologize. Too bad Louise has not learned that lesson yet. It sounds as though she may never do so.

Oh, John, when it rains, eh? Big hugs all round, friend - it's so hard to see our kids going through something that we can't help with.

>154 alcottacre:, I don't think she will Stasia.

>155 scaifea:, Hi Amber thank you.

>156 johnsimpson: What a shame. My father is like that and has grown into a bitter, solitary man.

>158 alcottacre:, It's so sad isn't it my dear.

>159 johnsimpson: Yes - and a waste. Unfortunately, you cannot convince people who are like that to put aside the behaviors that are pushing people away. I tried for years with my father and ultimately decided not to waste my time. His negative behavior is just part-and-parcel with him.

>160 alcottacre:, The worst of it was this afternoon when Hannah asked why Daddy is not going to be home with her, my heart just cracked. The problem we are worried about is that her elder daughter has heard her say derogatory comments about Dad in the same room and we would hate to think that she would do the same to Hannah who has only just turned Six.

>161 johnsimpson: And unfortunately, she probably will. The kids always lose.

>162 alcottacre:, Exactly my dear.

>161 johnsimpson: Oh, no, I hope not! Poor Hannah.

So sorry that things are so rough right now! I'm praying that life turns around for you.

Crap, John. That is just crap.

That old adage about bad things in threes comes bloody right again. Obviously mate time is a healer and people can put mistakes in perspective and moved forward from it - Lord knows I had to do the same thing myself three years ago and survived the turmoil, albeit barely.

I am sure that decisions made in anger will be reconsidered when reality of changed lives sink in. Fingers crossed for you all.

Dear John and Karen , I am so sorry about the events in your life right now. So very sorry. It's so hard when our kids , perhaps most especially our adult kids, are having troubles in life, and it's hard to put things right for them. I'm glad that Rob has a place to go to, with all of this, and Hannah as well. Sometimes life just is not easy. I am so glad for all of we kind folks here on LT. Wish you love and peace, John and Karen and family. Hugs to you, dear fellow.

So sorry John, to read about more trouble for your family.
Hugs for you all!

>165 drneutron:, Thanks Jim it means a lot.

>164 scaifea:, Exactly my dear.

>166 PaulCranswick:, Thanks Paul, one wonders if there has been a bit of a set-up, things smell a bit and things seemed to have moved very quickly to get to this point.

>167 vancouverdeb:, Thanks Deb, it does seem strange having him back at home at nearly 30 but he needs time to adjust to the situation and take stock of things to get some perspective. I think he could be with us for a year to find his feet again and to decide where he needs to live and to be able to accumulate funds so he starts off not struggling. It is so nice to have the love of LT friends.

>168 FAMeulstee:, Thanks Anita, things will sort themselves out but it will take time my dear.

We have had a fairly busy day, after breakfast we had to alter our plans due to the heavy rain, we went to Costco as we needed a few bits including a large bag of tea bags. Once we had done this we headed home but as we got near to home the rain stopped so we quickly popped into Asda and then went onto Newmillerdam Nature park with Flat Stanley. We took a few photos and then made our way home by which time the rain had started again. After unpacking all the stuff out of the car we put it all away and then had a pot of tea, and then Karen made me and Rob bacon sandwiches.

Now as you are all aware I am a bit of a collector and could be classed as many men a bit of a hoarder. To try and make some room for Rob's clothes we needed to move things out of the wardrobe that was Amy's and some things needed to go into the loft. Before things went into the loft I had to do a bit of clearing.

When young I had a stamp collection and still have it but haven't added to it for years, then as my interest in Cricket grew and I was working I started building up my Cricket collection which is still going strong. In the early nineties I got back into gardening and even had an allotment and so I bought the three monthly garden magazines but I kept them and the pile built up until eventually when I had to give the allotment up I stopped buying the magazines but I had 11 years worth of them and finally got rid of them after clearing my late FIL's garage and decided to clear my garage up. Three years later I decided to learn how to paint and I bought the three art magazines while on holiday in Falmouth. I was convinced I could learn and enjoy it which I have so from October 2004 I began buying the magazines and still do. As with the garden magazines I kept the art ones thinking I could look back on them for tips and advice but I never have so today to make room in the loft I culled the art magazines only keeping them from January 2016 and I will regularly cull them as I did with the garden magazines. It made a bit of room and with tidying things up stuff can now go up into the loft and then the next step is another Billy bookcase from IKEA to try and tidy the small bedroom up which used to be Rob's old room.

My collections now are Cricket, Books (what a surprise there) and Fountain pens, at least the Fountain pens don't take up a lot of room.

I'm so sorry to hear the news about Rob. My heart goes out to you all. I hope it won't get too hard for Hannah. The poor little things is now between two fronts. My thoughts are with you. Love and hugs xx

>175 Ameise1:, From what Rob has said it does seem that Hannah is not being used as a pawn between them, she got Hannah to ring Daddy this evening and he will have her on Saturday so we will see her for a few hours. Thank you for your comments my dear and send love and hugs back.

>176 johnsimpson: It's good to know that she can keep the contact with her Dad and you.

>177 Ameise1:, It is my dear, Karen has said all along that she didn't think Louise would stop us from seeing Hannah so that is a good sign.

Oh, John! I'm so sorry about Rob even though it's his 'monumental mistake' that has caused this; of course the person being hurt the most is Hannah. I'm glad that Louise is not making her a pawn, but it has to be hard for her to understand about Mommy and Daddy splitting up. She is lucky to have you and Karen as grandparents.

You have way too many things on your plate, now, my friend, as you take care of Karen, Rob, Amy, and Hannah. Make sure there is a bit of John time in there so that you don't get too run down and frazzled.

Sending love and hugs to you all.

>179 karenmarie:, Thanks Karen my dear, yesterday I "Treated" myself to some books and we have Flat Stanley as a visitor for Amber's Charlie and that has been good for us. As I said previously you forget what is around us having lived here all our lives and we forget them. Rob had a migraine this morning, I wasn't surprised as he has hardly eaten and struggling to sleep, tomorrow he is back to work and I will finish sorting out the loft and putting some toys back in that Hannah doesn't play with and will bring the Lego down for her and Rob.

I will also be moving my book stat materials after I have sorted out and shredded my governor paperwork from the top shelf in my wardrobe. I have decided to resign as a governor and this was done before Rob moved back home, I have been disaffected with the way things are going with education over here and the role of governors. As with a lot of things with our current government they are wanting more and more done by the voluntary sector and school governor roles are becoming more and more onerous with emphasis on stats, it seems we are to think of the kids as stats and how we compare on league tables instead of the kids being humans and how they are doing and coping in this digital age with them being on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc.

At the moment Rob is taking centre stage but by Sunday it is back to Karen with her appointment on Monday and Amy keeps us up to date with how things are going with her. As it is Mother's Day here on Sunday, Karen is meeting Amy on Saturday and will get a card and a present. Rob has already done a card and Louise had got a present for Karen before things went pear shaped and when Hannah was here yesterday Rob got her to write a card for Grandma so that is all sorted.

Sending love and hugs back to you my dear and thank you once again.

John, I second what Deb said in >167 vancouverdeb:. Hugs to you all

Hello, John! Will Karen find out on Monday when she can go in for the surgery?

>181 jessibud2:, Thanks Shelley.

>182 scaifea:, Hopefully Amber but more than likely they will put her on a waiting list and they will contact her with a date although with the weight loss I want to impress upon him how quickly it is needed as she has lost two stone four pounds since the beginning of February which is not good.

>184 johnsimpson: Jeepers. I sure hope they get her in quickly!

>184 johnsimpson: What Amber said!

>185 scaifea:, >186 alcottacre:, Hi Ladies, just hoping that he will see how she is suffering with lack of protein and fluid amounts and get things sorted quickly.

After a mixed week with the weather today has been warm and gloriously sunny. We had a steady morning before it was time to take Karen to work. After dropping Karen off I had to get out with her to take a photo of Karen with Flat Stanley at her work, once this was done Karen went into work and I went towards the front of the store to park up. Once parked up I went into store to do the weekly shopping, we didn't require much once again even allowing that Rob is now staying with us. Once I had done the shopping I made my way back to the car, put the shopping in the boot and set off to Costco.

I got to Costco about 20 minutes after leaving Asda, first port of call was to pick up the photos we had ordered when we were there on Wednesday, once I had the photos I went and got our vitamins and went to the checkout. As soon as I was in the car I had a quick look at the photos, they have come out lovely and we are pleased with them, this is the first time we have used Costco for photos.

I left Costco and headed back towards Wakefield and decided to go into town to visit the Tourist information centre, unfortunately we haven't got one now, everything is online. I did manage to get what I wanted and made my way back to the car and made my way home. I unpacked the car and brought everything inside and then unpacked the shopping and put everything away before making a pot of tea. After I had finished my pot of tea I put some of the material gathered while Flat Stanley has been with us into a large envelope and then had to go upstairs. I was just putting some underwear away when the phone rang, it was Karen's friend Val ringing from Santa Monica. She had forgotten Karen was at work but I chatted with her for a short while and she said she would ring later tonight our time to catch up with Karen. After speaking to Val I decided to get on with the downstairs housework, I cleaned and dusted the living room and dining room and cleaned the kitchen.

Once I had finished the housework I had a pot of tea and read the Yorkshire Post before bobbing out to take a couple of photos. Once back from taking photos I had annotated the photos I picked up earlier for Charlie Scaife's project and then made another pot of tea and read until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work.

Hi John! Happy Friday-about-over-for-you and I hope the weekend is kind to you both. Sending love and hugs!

>189 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, as I type it is 9.10pm and we are watching the Great Pottery Throwdown Final that I recorded last night as Karen was with her friend Tina at the cinema watching Beauty and the Beast. Amy is coming over early tomorrow morning and then I will take them down to the Meadowhall shopping centre just outside Sheffield so they can have a girly day as it is Mother's Day on Sunday here. I will mooch around on my own and may go into Sheffield city centre on the train from Meadowhall station.

Happy Saturday, John - and happy mother's day weekend to Karen!

Happy weekend, John. We have beautiful weather too, but with a chilly wind.

>191 scaifea:, Thanks Amber my dear, Flat Stanley is on his way home after his busy week with us.

>192 Ameise1:, Thank you Barbara, it has been a lovely sunny day here with a very light breeze.

We have had a good day, after getting up I went out a took a last couple of photos for the Flat Stanley project. I got back and Amy had arrived, I had a pot of tea and some cereal, after I had eaten I made sure everything that should be in the envelope to be posted was in and then addressed it and sealed it ready for posting.

Rob left to go and pick Hannah up and have some time with her and we went to my car and headed to Meadowhall shopping centre via the post office. I posted the Flat Stanley project material and a letter for Amy and then got back to the car and drove to Sheffield. We got parked up and headed into the shopping centre, first stop for me was the Pen Shop to pick up some ink cartridges for my Cross and Sheaffer pens and then Karen suggested a coffee stop. We had our coffee and Karen and Amy left to go and do what they wanted to do and I finished off my coffee and I had a book with me so I was ok. I had a look in Waterstones and then mooched up the mall to some seating and read for a short time before moving on.

As I went further up the lower mall I popped into a few shops and then came across Karen and Amy, we wandered to a couple of shops before we had another coffee break although Karen and I had a tea. Once again we parted and I went in a couple of shops before stopping and reading. I continued to mooch around and then had another reading stop before meeting up with Karen and Amy for the final time. We made our way back to the store we started at and then nipped out to go to Costa Coffee for a drink and a sandwich. Once we had eaten we made our way back to the car and headed home.

We arrived home and Rob was back with Hannah, Hannah was playing with her toys and some new Lego that Rob had got her. Hannah is staying the night, after we had had a drink Karen made Hannah some tea before she went back to her toys. Amy left a short time after we had got back home so that she was home for when Andy got back from work. We are having a relaxing evening, Hannah is asleep in bed and we have eaten.

Well the end, or near it, of a pretty torrid week John. I hope Rob can resolve his issues as a daughter needs her father there and vice versa.

Have a great weekend and love to all.

It's been a tough few months, indeed, my friend, and I am sending lots of positive energy your way!

>196 PaulCranswick:, We are hoping things will be resolved one way or another mate but that is up to them to sort things out, we cannot get involved as we don't want to be accused of anything should things turn out that they split up permanently. We have had a pretty good day.

>197 witchyrichy:, HI Karen, it has not been good since the beginning of February but hopefully things may start to turn a positive way, Karen sees the consultant in the morning so we are keeping fingers crossed for a quick date to get things going for her.

It has been another lovely sunny day, we had a relaxing morning Karen opened her Mother's Day cards and presents and we then had some breakfast and a pot of tea. Rob left to do a few things and we helped Hannah with her homework before Karen got fed up and we went to Newmillerdam Country Park to have a nice walk around the lake.

We managed to get parked up ok and we got Hannah an ice cream and then set off on our walk. Karen took a few photos as we strolled around and Hannah loved seeing the Ducks, Geese and Swans, she was even more impressed when I spotted a couple of Squirrels for her. After a nice 90 minutes we got back to the car and made our way home. Rob was back when we arrived and after a quick chat he got Hannah's things together and the flowers from Hannah for her mum and he took Hannah home. We had a pot of tea and I read while Karen did some knitting, after a while Karen made me a sandwich to put me on until later when I would be having homemade Lasagne.

While I finished my lunch Karen assembled the Lasagne and then made some garlic butter for the part cooked baguettes as we didn't have any garlic bread to hand. I carried on reading and Karen continued her knitting until it was time to put the Lasagne in the oven, I managed to finish my book so that makes two finished over the weekend.

Karen had a small amount of Lasagne when it was ready but is suffering at the moment, I must say it was glorious and there is some left for Rob and some for me tomorrow after I had seconds. It has been a while since Karen made a Lasagne but it was glorious as usual. As the late afternoon progressed Karen noticed that I was a bit subdued, I admitted that although we had a lovely day yesterday and until mid afternoon it had been a good day today I was feeling a bit down. I don't know whether it is the clocks going forward or a combination of the events of the last few days and the clocks going forward but I wanted to be anywhere but here. I wanted to be with Karen but somewhere else and on a permanent basis, I am a bit fed up and it is probably just a phase that will last a day or two but I am not happy at the moment. It will pass and everything will be ok until the next time, meanwhile I hope we get some positive news when Karen sees the consultant in the morning.

Book Nineteen finished late last night, The Ring by Danielle Steel. Set in the turbulent days of Germany in the Thirties and sees Kassandra von Gotthard, married to a Banker who is thirty years her senior having an affair with Dolff Sterne. As the times progress Dolff's life is at risk as he is a Jew, Kassandra's husband Walmar knows about the affair and although not giving it his blessing he understands why a young woman married to an older man would have an affair but this is dangerous to them all. Dolff is a writer but now his works are not being published, artists cannot exhibit if they are Jews and then the fateful day arrives when Dolff is wrenched from Kassandra's arms.

Dolff is beaten severely and Kassandra survives possible rape by telling the officers who she is, this puts Walmar and the family at risk. Within a few weeks Kassandra commits suicide and all that she leaves for her descendants is an Emerald ring and a Diamond signet ring. The Diamond signet ring will carry the destiny of the von Gotthards to new lives and loves but will Walmar and the children, Gerhard and Ariana survive to make use of the ring and if they do, at what cost.

It may sound strange but I do enjoy Ms Steel's books and am slowly making my way through them in publishing order, I have another 50 or so to go at and am picking up more periodically.

Book Twenty finished a couple of hours ago, Theirs Was the Kingdom by R.F.Delderfield. This is the second in the Swann saga and sees Adam and his growing family along with his ever-expanding network of transport depots from the Highlands of Scotland in the far north to Dublin Pale in the far west.

Adam's eldest son Alex is a soldier, another son, George is a pioneer of motor transport and adopted daughter, Deborah, works with famous journalist-crusader, W.T.Stead in uncovering the trrible injustices among working-class girls who could be bought and sold like chattels.

Caught up in all this are the fads and feuds, the love sand hates of an age when the complacent mould of mid-Victorian England was beginning to crack.

This is a masterful Victorian family chronicle with storytelling at its best.

I have really enjoyed this second instalment and am not looking forward to the last one as it will be the end of a fantastic trilogy.

Stopping by and hoping that you had a lovely weekend, John and family. You've had some tough times, John, and no wonder if you are feeling a bit down. Give yourself some time to let it all settle. I hope you get some positive news from the consultant tomorrow. Take care and hugs to you and Karen.

>203 vancouverdeb:, Thanks Deb, it is probably everything that has happened and the clocks going forward that has altered my mood. Things are going to take time to get back to normal with Karen, Amy and Rob, just trying to make sure I am ok for them all and then it will be my turn for something to happen. At least I have the love of them all and my books AND the Cricket season starts shortly so that will keep me happy. Thank you for the hugs and I will pass hugs onto Karen.

Wishing you a good start start into the new week.

I'm sorry that you're sad, John, and I hope that it passes quickly for you. Also have my fingers crossed for Karen's appointment today...

>205 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara.

>206 scaifea:, It will pass soon my dear, as you have seen on Facebook she is being put on the waiting list but it will probably be at least two months unless there is a cancellation. When she went for her pre-op appointment this afternoon the nurse took on my concerns and notified the Dieticians and just after we got home Karen got a call from the Dietician she knows and she will see her on the 10th of April.

Well, John, you sound like me - when the people I love have upsetting things going on their lives I can't truly relax or feel happy. Happy things and times can be had, but that deep-down sense of unease and sadness just doesn't go away. Please continue to take care of yourself as you help your family.

I am sorry to hear that it might be two months for Karen, even with the terrible weight loss. I hope that the appointment with the dieticians can help her find things she can eat without too many negative repercussions.

I hope Amy gets a job soon. And Rob's situation must be a terrible emotional drain now with him living there with you.

As you point out, your family's love for you, your books, and the Cricket season are all happy things.

Sending love and hugs to you all.

>209 karenmarie:, Thanks Karen, it means a lot to me.

We were up earlier than normal on a Monday as we had to be on our way by 8.30am to get to the hospital for Karen's 9.30am appointment. I had time to have some cereal and a pot of tea before we set off, we dropped Rob off near the Railway Station and continued on our way.

We weren't waiting too long before we saw the consultant, Karen handed him all the information and blood test results that Dr Javali had given her and then he asked Karen about what had gone on and then he did an examination. He has put Karen on the waiting list and explained that it will be no longer than 18 weeks but expects the operation to be in about 8 weeks. He did not seem too concerned about Karen's weight loss which is now two and a half stones in seven weeks. After we had done with him we had to go down to pre-op assessment, when we got there the nice lady told Karen that it is all done by appointment so rather than sit around for a long time she could book a slot. They had a slot at 2.30pm so we booked that and she gave Karen a questionnaire to fill in at home so that would save time.

We made our way home and I made us a pot of tea, when we had had our tea Karen put the washing on the airers and then we just read and knitted until it was time to go back to the hospital. We got back and had a short wait before Karen went for her assessment, Karen told her about the weight loss and my concerns and she calculated that Karen had lost 20% in the seven weeks and she was not happy so said she would let the Dietician department know and they would contact Karen. We had just got back home when the phone rang and it was Soumaya from the Dieticians and Karen knows her well from the bariatric surgery clinic. Soumaya was shocked and has organised for Karen to be seen on the 10th of April and in between will try and find some things out why she has lost this weight because of gallstones. Hopefully with Soumaya on the case the op may be done a bit quicker.

Karen should have been at work today but this morning she was not well so after we had seen the consultant this morning we called into Asda to let them know that Karen had to go back this afternoon for tests etc and as she was unwell she would not be in today. They could see she was unwell so that was no problem. As the day has progressed Karen has felt worse and this evening she was falling asleep in the armchair, she stayed downstairs until I picked Rob up from the station and then she watched Mary Berry and has since gone up to bed.

A big contrast today to the last few days, it has been dull and over cast for most of the day and then the sun came out for an hour before we had a light rain shower for twenty minutes.

Karen was still feeling a bit nauseous but managed a small pot of tea before it was time to go to work. I dropped Karen off and she told me she would finish at 6pm, I popped into town and picked up the new Mary Berry cookbook for her. I got back from town and had a pot of tea and had a quick flick through the Radio Times that came in the post. After doing this I decided to get on with the upstairs housework and then realised that nothing had come in the post from the bank. It is eight weeks since they got in touch regarding the mess they made of my mortgage and I haven't had the letter of apology that they promised so I got back in touch with the Financial Ombudsman service. I spoke to a nice chap and he will take the next steps as they have failed to do what they said in the time span that I am expected to wait. It would appear that because they have given me a total of £275 in distress payments they think that is it, they are failing to realise that I am a person, a customer not a number who has had business with them for 42 years, they are more bothered about the next new customer, I am irrelevant. I am not irrelevant and they will see this.

After the phone call I did the upstairs housework and then made myself a pot of tea and read. I had another drink and read until it was time to go and get Karen from work.

Ugh, I'm so sorry that you're still having issues with the bank - what a nuisance! I hope it clears up soon.

>213 scaifea:, The chap I spoke to at the Financial Ombudsman told me he would sort it out and I would get what I had asked for and was promised, it has just left a sour taste in our mouths after being with them for so long. The sooner I have the money to pay off what I owe them the better and I will walk away very happy for doing so.

A bit of sad news to report, Amy and Andy's Hamster, Fozzie, had to be put to sleep at the vets this evening. He was three years old and although his health was pretty good his right eye had exploded because of infection yesterday and the vet said it looked like the left eye was going the same way so to cause Fozzie a less painful end it was decided that this was the best way. As I have said before my lovely son-in-law has a great way with words and this is what he posted on Facebook.

Farewell little Fozzie,
Our quiet furry friend,
Your time with us is over,
How sad that it must end.
The years that we have loved you,
Make it hard for us to part,
And carry on with hamster-sized
Holes in our heart,
It's hard to do the right thing,
Even though it's for the best,
So with quiet tears we'll let the angels,
Carry you to rest.

Think I need to have a wander around the threads and do a bit of posting as I have been a bit absent over the last few days. See you all soon.

Hi John. Sorry karen is still not up to snuff. I hope this latest guy can speed things up and perhaps help out with the whole losing-weight thing. Good luck with the banking issues and farewell Fozzie. Hugs.

>217 Berly:, Thanks Kim, hope you are starting to feel better my dear even after your son gave you gastroenteritis.

So many issues right now , John. I am sorry! The hassle with the bank, and now dear Fozzie passing away, Karen not feeling well etc. Treat yourself extra special - purchase a new book , indulge in a cigar - what ever helps you feel better.

Sweet Thursday, John. I hope it's a good day for you.

Oh, poor Fozzie. I'm so sorry. Big hugs all round.

#214
I had the same problem with my bank about 10 years ago. I simply couldn't believe that somebody who had banked with them since she was 10 years old with her first checking and savings account would be treated that way. Part of the problem is that our banks here in the U. S. are not home town banks anymore. They are all branches of some big conglomerate that is headquartered in New York City or Europe.

Stick with your guns and keep on them to fulfill their promises.

I am sorry that Karen is having trouble with the bureaucracy. I am sure that with the caring people with whom she has contact she will get the care she needs. Keep the faith and a strong attitude.

>219 vancouverdeb:, Thanks for those lovely comments Deb my dear, we have been over to see Amy and I have brought Fozzie home to be buried with other pets. I will be getting the 2017 Wisden Cricketers Almanack in the next couple of days or so as it is on sale from the 6th April but I have subscribed and so get it half price and that is still £25 and so I should have it by the 5th. This is a book I have by my side throughout the cricket season and I regularly dip into it after I have had a good read and this will be my treat to myself.

>220 Ameise1:, Hi Barbara, today has been pretty good as we have been over to see Amy and once her home food delivery had arrived we walked into Selby town centre and had a good wander around.

>221 scaifea:, Hi Amber, thank you for your lovely message. We went over to see Amy and had a good few hours with her and when we left for home we brought Fozzie with us to be buried in our garden with all the other pets that have sadly passed away.

>222 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita, it seems to be the era we are living in where loyalty seems to count for nothing, they have had our business for so long they are not bothered about us they just want the next customer who wants a loan, credit card or mortgage and then they move to the next customer. The chap I spoke to will get me a result and they will get a slap on the wrist. Once I have what I want I will write to the Chief Executive of the parent company, it will be addressed as Private and Confidential on the envelope and I will send it by registered post so it will definitely get to him and I hope he has the courtesy to reply, it may not get me anymore satisfaction but I will be satisfied that I have notified people at the top that we cannot just be taken for granted.

We have had a lovely day, after a lie-in with a pot of tea we got up, washed and dressed and went downstairs to have some breakfast. I made us another pot of tea and Karen made the porridge, after breakfast I unloaded the washing machine and put the washing on the airers. We got a few things together for Amy and we set off to Selby. We arrived after a forty minute drive and had a pot of tea and caught up with Amy about how she is going on with her job hunting and about poor Fozzie.

We had to wait as Amy was expecting a home shopping delivery before we headed into Selby town centre. The shopping arrived towards the end of the time slot she was given, Karen helped Amy to put the shopping away and then we had a pleasant stroll in the sunshine into the town centre. Karen and Amy had a few things to pick up and I was just a bag carrier for them but had a chance to have a wander myself. Once we had got everything we made our way back to the house and had another pot of tea.

We continued chatting before we left to make our way home, Amy was going to make some muffins after we had gone. Karen has had a really good day food wise, she has been constantly hungry and she has had food little and often, hopefully she won't pay for it during the night or tomorrow.

John, on top of all the things happening within your family, to lose Fozzie! Poor little mite. It's always hard to do what's best for the pet when we want them to stay with us longer. We bring our pets home to be buried, too, and it's good that Fozzie is laid to rest properly.

I got misty-eyed over Andy's poem, which made me think of our 2 hamsters, of course.

And banks are the worst. I'm glad you're pursuing it.

Sending love and hugs.

>228 karenmarie:, Thanks Karen, Andy has a lovely way with words and I was misty-eyed as well my dear. With all that is happening to the family as long as I have books I can deal with it all.

>229 johnsimpson: I hope in the end John, you have many more books than you have troubles!

>215 johnsimpson: - John, 3 years is senior citizenship in hamster years, if I am not mistaken. Sounds like he lived a happy life, though. I had a hamster as a class pet and he too, lived three years. But after a rather elaborate funeral where each student wrote and read his and her memories, I decided then and there I would not commit to a funeral every couple of years so our next class pets were 2 guinea pigs. They lived 5 and 7 years respectively. After that, no more class pets although I loved how they reached the kids on a level and in ways that nothing else in our curriculum did. Some kids had never even touch an animal up close! They loved them

Happy Friday, John.

Howdy John. I have been really having trouble keeping up this year. I'm so sorry about Fozzie and it seems you have had more than your fair share of troubles. Sending my best thoughts to you and your family. Hang in there my friend. Love and hugs to you and Karen.

Checking in on you and Karen, John. I am hoping that things rapidly improve on every front for you.

I loved Andy's poem about Fozzie and am not at all ashamed of being misty-eyed while reading it.

Just here to wish you and Karen a wonderful day! Hugs.

>230 clue:, Hi Luanne if I have as many troubles as I have books then I am seriously in trouble, just updated my stats and I have 2,311 books to read along with 300+ cricket books.

>231 jessibud2:, Hi Shelley, Fozzie was an orphan. A friend of ours has two daughters and the eldest got Fozzie (Andy named him this) along with cage, food, bedding and toys as a housewarming present for her younger sister. The younger sister doesn't like small furry animals and so her mum messaged Karen to see if she wanted him. As we have a cat we couldn't really so Karen rang Amy, Amy had to check with her landlord who said it was ok so Fozzie got a loving home just before Christmas and as Amy and Andy come to us on Christmas Day Fozzie came along and was kept in her old bedroom for a short stay. Andy has took his death hard, bless him but I laid him to rest this afternoon and I said a few words and the spot is marked so Amy and Andy know where he is.

>232 Ameise1:, Thanks Barbara and the same to you my dear.

>233 luvamystery65:, Hi Roberta, it does seem that the year so far has been eventful somewhat, Karen had a good day food wise yesterday and had been fine until this evening and she sees the dietician in ten days, Amy has an interview next Thursday so fingers crossed and the situation with Rob is a case of don't ask at the moment.

Hope you are well my dear.

>234 alcottacre:, Hi Stasia, I Buried Fozzie this afternoon and he is at rest where Amy and Andy know he is safe. Amy has an interview next Thursday so keeping positive for her, Karen had a good day yesterday but this evening has been a bit of a trial and Rob is trying to sort things out but things are up and down.

>235 Berly:, Hi Kim, Karen had a good day at work but after a good day yesterday with food she is suffering tonight. I have been busy and have read so I am ok my dear.

Finished book Twenty-One a couple of hours ago, Private Berlin by James Patterson. Mattie Engel is one of the rising stars of Private's Berlin office and with her previous employment with the Berlin Police Force she thinks she has seen the worst that criminals can commit. Then her colleague Chris - and until recently her fiancé - is found brutally murdered in an old slaughterhouse. Things get worse, the slaughterhouse is filled with dead bodies, she is in the subbasement when she sees bones and Chris and a woman who are partly decomposed, she starts to make her way out when she sees boxes stuck to the roof of the basement. Luckily she is wearing a video camera and her colleagues realise that the subbasement has been wired with bombs, carefully she gets out without triggering anything and she and colleagues plus Berlin Police officers barely get out of the slaughterhouse before it explodes, wiping out evidence of a crime.

The body count starts to rise and a common link between them Is found, they were all at an orphanage in the old East Berlin prior to the wall coming down. As they continue with the investigation and seek to check out archives, someone is a step ahead and destroying them. Mattie actually passes the criminal but doesn't know at first because he is in disguise.

Who wants the past buried so badly? What is the truth about the slaughterhouse and the orphanage? Will Mattie get to the truth or will she become the next victim? Read on and find out.

I have had a good day, after taking Rob to the station to get his train I got back home and had breakfast and a pot of tea. We made a shopping list between us and then read until it was time for Karen to go to work. I dropped Karen off and then went into store to do the shopping. Once I had done the shopping I made my way home and unpacked and put the shopping away.

As soon as the shopping was put away I made a pot of tea and read my Yorkshire Post paper, I watched the lunchtime news and then made a pot of tea before going out into the garden to lay Fozzie to rest. I buried Fozzie near to the top of the garden and marked the spot so Amy and Andy know where he is and I can put a nice plant near the spot when any sign of a frost is past.

After burying Fozzie I finished my pot of tea and got on with the downstairs housework and cleaned the kitchen, when the housework was done I made myself some lunch and a pot of tea. Once I had eaten I began to read until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work. Karen had had a good day and we had a pot of tea when we got home, while I went to the station to pick Rob up, Karen had something to eat. By the time I got back with Rob, Karen was not feeling too well and she also thinks she is starting a cold as her throat is a bit sore and she is sniffling. I made myself something to eat and watched a bit of TV before coming on here and Karen has taken herself to bed.

I think I am on a roll with my posting this year as I will be starting my fourth thread tomorrow, I am hoping I will be able to keep this up and have a thread a month which will be an all-time record for me.

I'm glad to hear that Karen had a good day today, and that dear Fozzie has been laid to rest. Sorry to hear that perhaps Karen is picking up a cold. Perhaps her resistance is down due to her weight loss and the current stress in your lives. Best wishes. Love and hugs to you and Karen.

>245 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deb, Karen's resistance is low but she is dosing herself up to try and make sure it is not a full blown cold.

It is time for a new thread folks, so give me 30 minutes and the new thread will be up and running.