TREATS and pleasures change as you grow up, when I was a little girl I loved to get the odd halfpenny off my dad or a pair of new shiny ankle strap shoes.

My gran would also give me a ten bob note once a month and I would be presented with two pence a week for running errands for a neighbour.

I'm afraid that now it takes a little more to excite me - but what does it take?

It's a little sad when we get so blasé and get to the stage where we have seen that, done that, been there.

So, where do you look for interest and enjoyment today? Travel? Well, unless you go way out in the wilds, everywhere now is much the same; the parade of shops could be your own high street and, let's face it, television has brought the whole world right into our sitting rooms.

Not that I am complaining, as I really do enjoy reading the papers and then making a cuppa and settling down to an hour or so of TV.

I think Baby, my lovely little dog, does too, as she lies down on her special cushion which, of course, has to face the set.

I have to be honest, though, seeing places on television is nowhere as good as actually being there, so, as soon as Janet my friend is ready, we are off.

New York, the very words bring back memories of my time there, so I am really looking forward to our trip.

My tinnitus is really bugging me at the moment -surely someone out there must have some method of relief. Sometimes I feel like running out in the street shouting 'HELP,' but then I calm myself down and say to myself 'Margo you have been here many times before, so just get on with things and stop feeling sorry for yourself.'

I have been getting Adam's room ready for Janet's visit; it's 18 years since my son died, but I still miss him and can't bear to throw away his jacket which is still hanging on the coat hanger behind the door.

I have come to the conclusion the pain eases, but never goes away.

When granny died, mum said she had gone to another place with Uncle John, who was killed in the war and they would be there waiting for us all, so that someday we would all be united again.

I have found that thought very comforting over the years.