Outside - Looking In

Colourful!

2011-08-07T20:15:00.008+01:00

This photo was taken in July. Becky took part in the local Moonlight Colourthon. Over one thousand people took part all raising money for a charity of their own choice.

Becky (one the left) decided to walk for Cancer research. They walkers all set off in the evening and had to be as colourful as possible. Once it was dark they had light wands and glowing bracelets so it was a real sight to see for all the onlookers.

Becky does a fair bit of walking but had only done about seven miles at one hit before. This Colourthon was a thirteen mile walk so it was a challenge for her. She completed it and received her medal at the end where Dean and the boys were waiting to pick her up. We were all so proud of her and she raised quite a bit out of sponsorship. She has received a nice letter from Cancer research thanking her.

We have not had much of a summer, a few days of blistering heat now and again followed by days of heavy rain or dull overcast skies. I am glad Mike only planted a few tubs of flowers this year.

I am into a new author - Gervais Phinn. He has written a series of books about his life as a Schools Inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. They are absolutely hilarious. He has also made a couple of "live" C.D.'s. I can thoroughly recommend him.

Now I am off to have a nice cup of tea and to listen to Radio 4 plus as they run a lot of old radio programmes, thrillers, crime dramas and plays. Hardly anything worth watching on the t.v. these days.

Have a good week everyone.

Missing You

2011-07-31T15:19:00.002+01:00

It is so long since I posted and I have been missing you all so much.

However, I have such problems that I now go for days without using my computer at all.

I now not only have arthritis in my knees but it has spread to my shoulders, elbows and hands, particularly the right hand. As I am right-handed this gives me so many problems. Some days my fingers are so swollen that I can hardly bend them and I am in constant pain with my body.

I did get my four year all clear from the breast unit but this has been marred for me by the way I have become. My doctor reckons it was triggered off by stress. I am very depressed and feel that I am turning into a cripple and I fear for the future.

None of it is helped by the fact we cannot seem to sell my brother's house, the solicitors bills are enormous and growing by the day. We have sold twice and both times the buyers have backed out. We are now on the third attempt.

My lower back is really my biggest problem as some days I cannot straighten and the pain is dreadful and Mike has to help me in and out of bed. I need to get that sorted before I have my knees done. I will be contacting my doctor to get a referral to a back specialist.

The last few months have been a living hell and I cannot tell you how much I miss my computer, commenting on your journals and adding to mine.

So I do not know when I shall be back posting regularly but I hope and pray that day will come. In the meantime, please hold me in your thoughts and pray for the proper help for me and vast improvements in my pain and activity levels.

Like I said, I miss you all. I wish you all the best and hope life is being kind to you. I wish it would start being kind to me.

Love Jeannette

Alternative ROYAL WEDDING

2011-04-23T14:49:00.004+01:00

http://youtu.be/j2Xtak-NDHU

Please follow the above link to see a happy and funny video. I am sure that William, Harry and Kate will be laughing fit to bust.

Not quite sure about Her Majesty, Charles and Princess Anne but maybe they do have a sense of humour.

Enjoy!

Meet The New Arrival!

2011-02-15T16:38:00.015Z

Yes, Becky and Dean now have their puppy. Oh, he is so adorable, I cannot stop stroking him and playing with him. Nathan, who has always been a bit wary of dogs - even ours, has taken to him so and the pup follows Nathan everywhere.

Nathan has named him. He is called Charlie. We do not know why, but Charlie he is. He has not met our two dogs yet, only seen them through glass. Until he has had his innoculations it is best not to take chances. Of course, they have had a couple of sleepless nights because all pups cry when they leave their mother and litter mates but that should not last long. He is being booked into an obedience training course.

He is going to be a big boy as you will see from the size of his paws. All I can say is that the whole family is besotted with him and we are looking forward to the day he can go out for walks with Jesse and Jack.

Anyway, without more ado, here are some pictures. The first one was taken when he was only six weeks old and still living with the breeder. The other two were taken today.

I can hear your all saying "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" from here.

Love Jeannette

Something's Coming - Some Good, Some Not So Good

2011-02-02T11:09:00.006Z

Well, here I am again updating you all. Firstly, I had the breast clinic on Monday. I am happy to say that the doctor who examined me could find no abnormalities. Of course, I will not know for sure until later in the year. In April I see my Oncologist, in June I have my mammogram, only then will I truly know but it is looking good.

Now for some more good news. Soon we are going to have another member of the family - no, do not go racing ahead. It is a puppy. Becky and Dean have paid a deposit on a chocolate Labrador pup. They have the pick of the five boys and will be getting him in two or three weeks. They went to see the pups again last weekend and here is a picture of them.

They are just adorable and I cannot wait to give him a cuddle. I know he will be one lucky dog living with Becky, Dean and the boys and he will bring them lots of joy.

Now for the not so good. I was at the knee clinic this morning. This time I saw the head honcho. He agreed to give me more injections BUT this is the last time. He said the damage to my knees is so severe, especially the left one, that the only answer is surgery. When the injections wear off I have to make an appointment to go back to arrange it. The waiting list is about three to four months, I will be in hospital for several days and then have to attend every week for physiotherapy. When I have recovered from that, the right knee will need doing as well so that ties up this year and next, not to mention my back. I told you in a previous entry that my GP says that only an operation will cure that but I will put it off as long as I possible can or try to avoid it altogether. The truth is there is no space in my knee joints at all and the bones are constantly rubbing together.

When I had the injections last time I was sitting up and although it hurt a bit it was nothing like today where he made me lie on a table and put my legs out straight before he did them. I literally screamed. It felt like he was drilling through the bones!!!!

They gave me a booklet about knee replacements and I have been reading through. You usually come out on crutches. This poses a problem for me as I have arthritis in my neck and especially my left shoulder where I had the breast operation so putting my weight on crutches can only trigger that off.

Coming so soon after the death of my brother and with all the ongoing work with his house, the solicitors, then having to sell the place, this has hit me like a ton of bricks. I must admit to coming home and sobbing my heart out. I have already had five operations in my life and it looks like there is no end to it. Why is it that some people seem to get everything and others escape scot free with hardly any problems.

Now back to better news. I have a new photograph of the boys taken at their school. They are really growing up. I think it is a lovely photograph.

Lastly, here is one of Nathan in his Beaver's uniform. He loves going there. He took his promise last week and will now be working on his badges. Daniel will be joining when he is old enough. I am so very proud of them both.

Well, it is nearly lunchtime so I am going to get off here now and eat and then take a painkiller for my poor bruised and throbbing knees.

I am sure Becky will allow me to post a picture of the puppy when they get him but I hope to be back before then anyway.

I hope life is treating you kindly dear friends and readers. <>

Of This And That

2011-01-25T11:50:00.003Z

The funeral went off very well if you can say such things about funerals. We were unable to have the gun carriage as the snow was too bad and that had to be cancelled at the last minute. However, the whole of the service was military or as military as it could be. The coffin was piped in by a wonderful piper to the lament "Flowers Of The Forest", Royal Artillery prayers were used, suitable hymns, I wrote the eulogy which was read by our family solicitor. A contingent of the Royal Artillery Association was there and the Standard bearer stood by the coffin the whole time. The minister did a nice speech about Geoffrey and his service to the country. When it was over, a buglar played "Sunset" and the standard was lowered as the coffin went through the curtains. Then the mourners left to the Royal Artillery Quick Step March. I think Geoff would have approved.

Since then it has been house clearance. God, what a job. Geoff and his wife never threw anything away even if it was broken, they kept every lottery ticket since the lottery started. There was jumpers with holes in them, old torn sheets, you name it, it was there. We hired a skip over the weekend and it has taken three full days just to clear the upstairs (not including furniture).

Becky and Dean have been wonderful with their help. I can only sort through papers as my knees have gone again. It could be that the injections have just worn off but my doctor says because my back and shoulders are bad as well, the shock of the sudden death and all it entails has triggered off my arthritis again.

I am due at the breast clinic next Monday, might have to use the wheelchair to get me there as walking down long corridors is involved. The worrying thing is my doctor also told me that several discs in my lower back are so bad that an operation is the only answer and they only do that as a last resort because of the risks involved. Please God I can carry on for a good while yet before it comes to that. The left knee is a different matter, I know that will have to be replaced but cannot have it done until all the work is finished both clearing, legal and selling the house.

I can only hope they give me injections into my knees again when I attend next Wednesday - yes two appointments in one week. Fresh injections should keep me going for a while longer.

I have also been ordering up a new headstone. Mum and Dad's was very worn and letters had fallen off but the main reason was there was no room for a new inscription and Geoff wanted to be buried with them. So that is all in hand. I never seem to get any time to relax, really relax both mentally and physically as my mind is buzzing with all that has to be done.

I need to get off here now as my back is hurting. Please send out prayers and good wishes for my healing and also for my two hospital visits next week. Hope I get the all clear on the first and injections on the second.

Looks Like A White Send Off

2010-12-16T17:09:00.002Z

My brother's funeral will take place on Monday next, the 20th December but it looks as if Mother Nature is going to spoil our most carefully laid plans.

He is supposed to be carried to the chapel on a gun carriage, the coffin draped in the Union Jack with his beret and his medals on the top. We have planned a beautiful service, all military with appropriate music and readings. The minister was here last night and he is such a lovely man.

So, all was going very well until..........................we see the latest weather forecast. Icy conditions coming in from the Arctic and heavy snow over much of the country. This will totally put a stop to the gun carriage as it is manned by volunteers from the Royal Artillery Association of which my brother was a member. If the roads are icy it will be impossible. This has caused us even more distress. He will have been gone nearly a month and we still do not have a death certificate but papers have been signed to allow the funeral to go ahead.

It is going to be miserable weather for all the mourners and this Christmas is going to be the saddest since we lost our Mother at Christmas of 1981.

Please think of us all next Monday morning at 9.30 a.m.

RUBY WEDDING PHOTOS- FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS POSTING

2010-12-07T18:55:00.000Z

The photoframe at the top of this posting was a present from Nathan and Daniel. You do not see yourself changing that much until you compare old and new photos!!

We had the most beautiful arrangement of roses, carnations and other flowers which you can see in the photograph of myself on my own. Dean and Becky also bought us a beautiful lead crystal vase inscribed from themselves and the boys and a Caithness paper weight with Ruby Wedding on it.

Mike gave me a ruby and diamond pendant with matching earrings and a separate set of ruby earrings. We also had the helium balloons. It was sad we did not get cards from some of our relatives but they all live in places where the snow has been horrendous so probably could not get out to post anything.

Yes, it was a day tinged with sadness but we made the most of it. I lost count of the Christmas stories that the boys told me. They were excited with the Christmas lights we had put up. Much subdued this year but we have done the lounge and conservatory and the 5th has always been our switch on day.

Now it is back to reality. I should be hearing from the Coroner about the certificate then we can start to make the arrangements.

Thank you for all your good wishes.

Love Jeannette xx

SUNDAY 5TH DECEMBER - 40 YEARS!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-05T03:35:00.003Z

Many thanks to Donna (NightmareMom) for making the beautiful tag.

Friends, Please Watch And Listen

2010-11-30T13:41:00.002Z

Linda in Washington sent me this today. I also received a bereavement card from her in the post. Thank you Linda, both things mean so much.

I wanted to share it with you. This is for all of you who have lost loved ones, but particularly those of you who have lost them around the festive season.

Waiting......

2010-11-29T13:00:00.003Z

I would like to thank you all for your messages of condolence and support and also Antonella and her family for the bereavement card they sent to us.

We have been told that, due to a large number of deaths, we will not even hear about a death certificate until this coming Friday but also they will not decide until about mid-week as to whether there will be a post-mortem or not. The hospital had not expected him to die, so this could well be a possibility.

Of course, there is also going to be a delay with any undertaker for the same reason that we cannot get a death certificate so it looks as if the burial will take place well into December. We can only hope it will all be done by Christmas.

So the pattern goes on. Our mother was buried on the 17th December and our father died on December 26th as well as my maternal Grandfather who also died in December and had a burial straight on top of Christmas.

So, we remain very much in the dark as to what is going to happen and when.

This should be such a happy time for us as, on this coming Sunday, 5th December, Mike and I celebrate our Ruby Wedding Anniversary (40 years). Of course, this cannot be the same now. Nobody in the family feels like celebrating. We had intended to invite Geoff up for a few hours and he was looking forward to it.

I truly dislike Christmas now, it is full of nothing but sad memories.

Thank you all again for your love and support. All your messages have touched us deeply.

I will be back when I can but all this has made me feel very unwell and I cannot put my heart into anything. I find myself unable to read, concentrate on the television or listen to the radio. I still cannot really believe he is gone.

R.I.P.

2010-11-24T20:50:00.003Z

My brother, Geoffrey F. passed away this afternoon at 5 p.m. It was sudden and unexpected as although he had been ill for a long time, he had only gone into hospital for a period of five days for treatment to his legs. Yesterday we were told he was doing very well and would be home on Friday.

So it has come as a terrible shock. This now leaves me as the last remaining member of my original family and it is a horrible feeling.

Geoff and I had a stormy relationship on and off all my life but we had become closer in the last year and when all is said and done, he was my brother and it is true that blood is thicker than water.

His suffering is now over. God rest his soul and grant him eternal peace.

Goodbye, my brother.

Quick Update From Me

2010-11-11T17:34:00.003Z

I attended the hospital this afternoon. It was confirmed that my problem is osteo-arthritis. They did not drain any fluid as apparently this is quite common with this condition and, as the cyst is at the back of the knee where all the arteries and veins run, they are not keen on doing procedures there.

I ended up having injections of steroids into both knees. The doctor did warn me that this would probably put my blood sugars up for a few days (oh joy, could have done without that) but he did tell me not to worry about it.

He said the injections can work wonders in many people but in others they have no effect whatsoever. Naturally I am hoping to be in the class of people they work wonders for! That is in the hands of God.

If the injections do fail, it will mean knee replacements in both legs and take up the next couple of years of my life so I shall be using all my powers of prayer that I shall be lucky. The doctor also said that a flare-up such as I have had/am having often burn themselves out and with the injections to help this could be the case with me.

I have my appointment with my breast surgeon the week after next so I am hoping for an improvement long before then. I know I must try and stay positive. At the moment both knees are very painful from where the injections were put in, if you had seen the length of the needle you would know why. I did not look but Becky was stunned that at least six inches of needle went in.

I would like to thank Sandra for the lovely card she sent to me. Sandra, I took it in my bag with my today. It really cheered me up and gave me extra courage so big hugs to you.

Now I am off to have my evening meal and try and get some rest as I feel exhausted after days of tension waiting to go, the journey and having the treatment.

I hope to get back to you soon.

Love Jeannette

NOVEMBER

2010-11-01T16:24:00.006Z

Well, it has been a very long time and I am afraid it is going to be even longer.

I am still having health difficulties. About three and a half months ago both my knees swelled up and I was in agony, unable to hardly take a step. The doctor kept coming home and prescribing various things. He did tell me I had fluid on both knees that needed draining and yet he did nothing about it. The medication did little to help.

I had assumed he would refer me to the hospital but nothing happened. I know these things take time so put up with it. Then, a few weekends ago my left leg was so swollen and painful I had to go to the out-surgery at the hospital. I found myself put in the critical care room where I waited until around 4 a.m. to see a doctor. They suspected I might have a DVT. However, no scans can be done over the weekend so instead they gave me a precautionary injection into the abdomen in case it was a DVT. I had to go back the following night for a follow-up injection. On the Monday morning I was back at hospital where had a deep vein scan done. Happy to report that no clot was found. I was sent home. They told me they would write to my surgery reporting their findings, cysts on one knee and fluid on both and that my own surgery would contact the orthopaedic department to make me an appointment to have the fluid drained and to try and find what is causing it.

Weeks went past, I heard nothing. Turns out the hospital did not even contact my doctor until last week. I now have appointment very shortly but whether I shall be able to get there, God alone knows.

You see in the meantime, constantly having to use my arms to haul myself around and already having arthritis in the neck, that started playing up, a nerve is now trapped so apart from painkillers and anti-inflammatories I am now on tablets for vertigo until the swelling in my neck subsides and the nerve frees itself.

I can honestly say this is the worst year I have ever had. I never thought I could think that, say it or write it after 2007 but it is truly the worst year. I cannot get into the bath nor into the shower which is over our bath (we do not have a separate shower cubicle), I cannot wash my hair because of my neck.and I can only move around with a zimmer frame. Even then I yell with the pain in my left leg. I cannot sit for very long because I cannot get up again. So,having to make do with wash downs sitting on a chair and putting dry shampoo on my hair which is horrible.

So now you know why I have not been around. I just do not know what is going to happen. I am hoping to God I can keep that appointment on the 11th November as I need this fluid drained, then I have been told by my doctor that I might need at least one knee replacement, maybe two!!

I spend most of my time lying on the bed because I can do little else. I have shed more tears than I ever have in my life. Tears of pain, of frustration, tears of fear.

I ask all those who believe to pray for me please. At least if I can keep that appointment and get the fluid drained it will be a start. I hardly sleep at night because of the pain in my knees.

So, I probably I will not be back with you until the New Year dependong on whether I can attend that appointment, what they do when I attend and what further treatment is needed and how long it will all take.

So although, we are still in November, I want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year I have missed you all so very much. I hope that you are all well and that life is treating you kindly.

There is little else I can say. However, I will leave you with the latest picture of our two Grandsons. It was taken on their return to school after the summer holidays. Their uniform used to be red but the school decided to change its name and also the colour of the uniform which is now blue. How grown up they look.

God bless you all. I truly hope to be back with you all when I can.

Jeannette xxx

From Becky

2010-07-23T15:13:00.002+01:00

This is Becky writing. Mum is sorry that she cannot post pictures of the finished porch at this time.

Her sciatica and bad knee have unfortunately not improved and the Doctor had to be called out today. He has put her on three medications which hopefully will start to deal with the problem. Naturally he gave her a full examination first and feels certain that the pain in her leg and back are definitely caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Her knee however is another matter and unconnected. When and if the pain dies down she has to attend the hospital for x-rays to her lower spine, right hip and right knee.

The Doctor feels that the sciatica should clear up given time but it is likely that the problem with the knee is caused by damage such as a torn ligament and will want further treatment probably at the hospital. Depending on the results of the x-rays the Doctor will take decisions then as to the next steps to be taken i.e. referral to the orthopaedic unit.

Naturally she cannot sit at the computer which is making her very low as this is her window on the world and her way of keeping in touch.

She will be back as soon as she can but if it does mean any hospitalisation in the future then Mum has asked me to keep you updated.

I know that you will all be sending out your good wishes and prayers for her speedy recovery. She is very depressed and unhappy at this time as I am sure you can all imagine.

She sends you all her love.

Anniversary!

2010-07-19T10:09:00.004+01:00

It was six years ago today that I started to keep a journal, I started to blog.

How different it all was back then, AOL actually promoted journals and seemed to be proud of them. New people were starting up all the time. I soon found myself part of a great, friendly and caring community. We all got to know each other through our writings, we supported each other when times were hard, we laughed together and cried together. Quite a few people contacted me and asked me for help in setting up their own journals or asking how to add graphics and I was happy to help in return for those that had helped me with any problems I had when setting out.

Then AOL decided that we did not make them any money and announced they were dispensing with us. What a shock that was. Quite a few people left there and then. Many more decided to come over to Blogger. Some found it too complicated and too much to handle and disappeared. I think each and every one of us missed journal alerts and the easiness of the way things had been. To turn on your computer and see your mailbox full of posting alerts was uplifting and also a better system of knowing who had posted. Some stuck at it and seemed to be doing well but even they began disappearing.

Now, I do not even know if there is anyone left reading me who was there at the very beginning when I started out, someone who read my very first entry. I know some have stayed with me for quite a few of those years.

I also feel sad that social networking sites like Facebook and others have taken so many away. I tried Facebook for a couple of months but it was definitely not for me. I do not want total strangers asking to be my friend, I do not want to send flowers and eggs and assorted items to people because they have sent to me. The recent episode with murderer Raoul Moat being glorified as a hero and a legend on Facebook sickens and disgusts me. Thousands left messages there, what does that say about our society? This man blasted his girlfriend in the stomach, killed her new boyfriend, blinded a police officer and went on the run for a week before killing himself. That Facebook would even allow such postings makes me very glad that I left it.

So, it is quicker to use Facebook - but must everything in life be so hurried, must we always be in such a rush? Blogs are personal, you put your heart and soul into them, that is really sharing. That is how you get to know people and they get to know you. So you can keep your social networking sites as far as I am concerned.

How many things have happened to me personally in those six years, my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Daniel's illness and operation, Becky's operation and Mike's. The deaths of several dear journal friends and also friends who were nothing to do with journals including my sister-in-law. The world recession, the loss of so many of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the election of a new U.S. president and the new coalition government we have over here. Floods, earthquakes,forest fires, the London bombings and so many more world events. The birth of my second Grandson (Nathan was only a couple of weeks old when I started blogging). Watching them grow from babies into schoolchildren and all the developments along the way.

We have all got older (and, we hope, wiser) we have all experienced the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.

I am just grateful that people are still reading what I have to say, that I still have regular followers. I am happy that quite a few people have stayed and are keeping our little community going as best they can. I am sad that so many have fallen by the wayside and no longer keep or read journals, they are a loss to what is left of a once vibrant community. I do know that if ever I decide to close my journal, I would let people know, say goodbye to them and thank them for their friendship, not just disappear into cyberspace leaving everyone wondering what happened.

So today, I wish my blog Happy Sixth Anniversary. I know that I do not post as often as I used to but then when you have my lifestyle there is not a great deal to write about.

Our porch is now finished and I shall be posting pictures of that in my next entry. My back is a little better but far from completely pain free and I am still having trouble with my right knee. Part of the joys of getting old I suppose. Please keep those prayers going for me.

So, thank you, dear friends and readers, for sticking by me for these six years, those of you that have, thank you to the new people who have come along and decided to follow me. To those who disappeared without trace, I often think of you and hope life is being kind to you. I just wish we had never had to change but that is the nature of life, nothing stays the same forever.

Thanks again for your friendship, your support and your love. God bless you all.

My thanks to Missie for making the opening Anniversary Blog tag for me. Big hugs Missie. Here is her site http://www.missies-tag-blog.net/

3! + Building Again

2010-07-08T17:14:00.004+01:00

Our pond with summer flowers

It has been such a long time, the longest ever between postings.

Firstly, the good news. Yesterday, after a four and a half week wait I got my third year "all clear" from breast cancer. Only two more to go before full remission. We are so happy about that. I know that all of you who have followed me since my diagnosis and long before then will rejoice with us.

The less good news is that I have been laid up for three weeks with sciatica and a damaged muscle in my knee. As I cannot take anti-inflammatories it has been a question of just rest and painkillers. This is an attack that will just have to burn itself out so my computer time is limited but I was determined not to leave it any longer before writing. It has been impossible for me to sit here and even now I am in quite a bit of discomfort.

We have the builders in again. We decided to have a porch added to the front of our property, a place to keep the dogs leads, umbrellas etc. We had the bricklayers in two weeks ago to start the foundations and build the small walls - since then we have had to wait for it to fully harden off.

Now our builders friends, Paul and David are back in to do the rest.

Here are some photos taken when the bricklayers were at work:-

How Leo enjoyed sitting on that wall in the sunshine. He is going to miss it!

Now the framework is starting to go up. No roof as yet and no glass but it is taking shape and we think it is going to look very nice once it is finished especially as we had a stained glass window especially made for the door. I found an image I liked on the internet and the firm had it made up for us. So more pictures will be coming soon.

Quite a bit of work remains to be done. As I write they are laying the final concrete floor. Tomorrow will be the roof and the guttering, then the fitting of the glass, the electrics and the final finishing touches. That will probably be next week.

The weather is far too hot and humid, quite unbearable and tomorrow they say is going to get worse. We have a weather meter that reads the outside and inside temperature. Our back garden is very sheltered. One day last week it read 107 degrees fahrenheit out there, so even too hot to sit out even if I could. Mike is having to water the garden every night and we are dreading a hosepipe ban. Apparently we have had the driest first six months of the year for eighty years, yet some people think it always rains in England.

Mike has been a brick looking after me and still doing things for my brother.

May I ask you all to say a little prayer that this sciatica leaves me soon and also the knee trouble so that I can stop hobbling around the way I have been. I have been walking like an old crone and feeling like one as well. I do not want to spend all summer lying on my bed.

I will do my best not to leave it so long before the next posting. If your prayers work then I shall be posting again in a couple of days.

In the meantime we can rejoice that I have my three years clear. Another milestone achieved.

Take care and God bless you all, my dear friends and readers.

Shotgun Slaughter

2010-06-02T18:14:00.004+01:00

The whole of the U.K. is shocked by the massacre that took place today. A self-employed taxi driver went on the rampage with a shotgun.

In Cumbria, a beautiful area, very popular with holidaymakers.

He killed twelve people and wounded twenty-five others before driving to woodland and committing suicide. Absolutely horrendous.

Our hearts go out to all the relatives of those killed and injured, ordinary people on an ordinary day going about their business. To lose anyone is bad enough - to have them randomly shot down by a total stranger must be so very hard to bear and to come to terms with. May God give them strength to cope with this awful tragedy.

However, the killer's own family is to be pitied. Although divorced, he apparently did have a child or children as he recently became a grandfather. What a legacy to leave to them.

Nothing further is known at this time.

As I said, we are all deeply shocked. May those innocent souls rest in peace.

Been A Long Time - Problems

2010-05-23T12:25:00.003+01:00

Hello dear friends and readers.

It has been quite some time since I did an entry. Firstly I have been very busy with my brother, trying to sort things out for him and then, ten days ago, I awoke to find I could not lift my left arm, the pain was unbelievable. We called the doctor out and after a thorough examination, he told me it was a frozen shoulder and that diabetics are prone to them. That was news to me, I have been diabetic for many years now and this has never occured before.

I did have a frozen shoulder on the same side about twenty years ago and had three months physiotherapy for that - the days before I had a computer. I still remember the exercises so the doctor has told me to do those but only when the pain is not intense. He feels it has probably been brought on by all the stress.

Normally they would prescribe anti-inflammatories but I cannot take any of them. They always cause stomach bleeds and other nasty symptoms. So he has just given me pain killers which only deaden it a little but I cannot lift my left arm, my beloved is having to wash my hair for me and help me get dressed.

The doctor has written off to the hospital referring me to the shoulder clinic and he thinks they will give me an injection straight into my shoulder. However, the wait will be several weeks and............my yearly mammogram is before then. I did see my oncologist before all this happened and she could find no abnormalities but I cannot have peace of mind until I have that mammogram and know for sure there is nothing there. It is all very worrying to me that this frozen shoulder is the same side where I had the two cancer operations. Still, the doctor confirmed he had heard from my oncologist and she stated she could find nothing wrong.

However, I really do not want to have to cancel that mammogram so I am asking you all to pray for a minor miracle and that the pain will diminish enough for me to keep that appointment. They are also forecasting a heatwave summer and I just cannot go out in the intense heat which is another reason I do not want to cancel the appointment, as you will understand.

I do hope that one year I will be totally free of hospitals, I live in hopes. I could not understand how I could have gone to bed one night the same as always and awoken the next morning to a frozen shoulder.

Anyway, I have not been able to take pictures of my fairies as I promised in the last entry but I do have some more old photographs to share with you. Before all this happened, as you know, I was going through them all, improving them and saving them.

This first one is of myself and my Father. We were on holiday and I was fourteen years old.

The next one is Mum taken with my eldest brother, the one we are now helping out. It was taken in 1933

This next one is me again, taken on holiday. I think I was about ten years old at the time.

Next is my beloved Grand-dad. The photograph was taken in Devon and he is holding the hands of my two brothers.

Now a photograph of my Father. Sorry, I have no idea of the date or where it was taken.

Now my two brothers again. They are seen with my Dad's favourite dog, Dukie. Dukie was unfortunately killed during the war. He used to watch out for my father coming home on leave and would always rush to greet him. One day he must have seen someone he thought was my father, dashed out of the back door and ran across the road towards the man. He was struck by an army lorry. My father had many dogs afterwards, but he always talked about Dukie until the day he died. This photograph was taken in Wales so it could not have been too long before his tragic end.

Lastly, my Mum. Again I do not know where or when it was taken, it could even have been before her marriage. All these photographs have been reproduced by me from tiny Kodak Brownie snaps so I am very pleased with the way they have turned out.

It has been so painful for me to sit here and do this for you but I have been missing my journal very much. Also I would normally be thinking of getting bedding plants in by now but it is out of the question for me. I can only ask my beloved if he will get some plants and do them for me.

Once again I ask for your good wishes and prayers that this shoulder trouble will not last too long, that I will somehow be able to keep my mammogram appointment and will soon be back to my old self.

I will leave you with a picture of our Nathan and Daniel, the latest one I have.

Know that you are all in my thoughts and those of you with health problems are in my daily prayers. Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Spring Photos And Other Things

2010-04-18T12:49:00.004+01:00

What a glorious few days we have been having weatherwise. The breeze remained a little too chill to actually sit outside until today. I have spent some time just sitting, looking and enjoying until I got too hot and had to come back inside.

The cloud of volcanic ash which has grounded all aircraft in and out of the UK and Europe for several days has certainly not made its presence felt around here yet, not in the way of any pollution that is, but what bliss it has been. Living as we do, very close to an Airport, although not a major one, we have come to take the background noise for granted. However, this last few days there has been nothing except the song of the birds and it has been heavenly. It must be wonderful for those who live on major flight paths in London and other major cities. Yes, people have to travel, but after experiencing the last few days I cannot help but believe that the world would be a better place without aircraft, lack of noise, lack of pollution, fewer diseases being brought in and more difficult for terrorists.

Maybe I was born in the wrong century but I like it without aircraft.

We have been busy helping my brother clear out lots of things, Mike has made endless journeys down to the local tip. My brother is now getting the care he needs, nurses going in, someone to help with the housework and the shopping. It will start to take the pressure off Mike. We seem to have had nothing but stress since Christmas.

The trees are, at last springing into new leaf after Spring has been so delayed this year. We have Bluetits nesting in one of our boxes and the evenings are lighter. I think we all feel better for that.

Now, I have some photos to share with you, taken in our garden. I hope that you enjoy them.

Lastly, Jack enjoying a doze in the Spring sunshine.

I am now into collecting fairies. I have not collected things in a long while. I have four so far, two are pewter and two are resin but very pretty they are. I shall put pictures on for you next time.

Well, I am going to make a cup of tea now. Then I always listen to the radio at 2 p.m. on Sundays - Gardener's Question Time. I cannot do as much as I used to in my garden but I do love to hear the questions people ask and the hints and tips given. Then I shall probably venture out into the sun again for a little while as they say the weather is going to change this week.

So until next time, dear friends and readers, love to you all.

Wishing You All A Blessed And Happy Easter

2010-04-02T11:41:00.003+01:00

Wishing you all, wherever you may be, a truly blessed, peaceful and happy Easter.

The earth renews herself. The Spring flowers at last blooming, the buds bursting forth on the trees. A time of re-birth, a time of hope.

A time when children, smiling with happiness, open their Easter Eggs on Sunday. Eggs, the symbol of eternal life. A time for joy, a time for reflection on the true meaning of Easter for all Christians.

God bless you all, this Eastertide and always.

Spring, Mother's Day And Old Photos

2010-03-16T15:18:00.004Z

Here I am again. Well, at long last there are signs of Spring. Nothing on the trees as yet but we do have some flowers.

Last Autumn we planted up an old plastic dog bed with fifty "assorted" crocus bulbs. Well, they have appeared. Mostly gold and not so much the assorted that was promised but it is lovely to see them and a sure sign that our long winter is coming to an end. They say it was our coldest one for thirty-one years and I can believe it. Temperatures night after night at minus six. Yes, nowhere near as cold as some parts of the world but very cold for this region.

In America I know the clocks have already altered. No so for us yet. It will be nice to see the lighter evenings.

Sunday was Mother's Day and two little boys came up our front path each carrying a large bouquet so my home looks like a florist shop at the moment especially as I had a potted houseplant from Mike. Becky and Dean bought me a string of LED butterfly lights. We have put them up in the conservatory. Just plain white ones but lovely to see.

Mike has had his first appointment at the hearing department of the hospital. He definitely has pronounced loss in one ear and they have already taken an impression for a hearing aid. However, he will also be having an MIR scan to double check that there is no other reason for the problem. So in the last six months he will have had "new" eyes, new teeth and now better hearing!!!!

I think it sad that so many no longer write on Blogger. I know I have been remiss but what with the loss of my sister-in-law and my brother's health plus the fact that we have redecorated our lounge and hallway, moved a shelf to another room and had a general change around, there have been good reasons. It seems that it is mostly the Brits that are leaving.

I have also set myself a mammoth task that I started once before and then got sidetracked. I have four big plastic boxes of family photos. I have started to work my way through them saving them for posterity. Lots are just views that can be thrown away but the ones with people I am scanning, taking out blemishes and marks and saving to an external hard drive and also to disc. As far as I can, I am putting the names, dates and place on the back of each one. I remember my Mother left many old photos. We had no idea who most of the people were and there was nobody to ask and no clues so we ended up throwing them away.

We have been framing some of them are our hall is now a real picture gallery of relatives. It is certainly eye catching and anyone visiting always asks about them.

Some were just little negatives from the old Brownie type camera. For Christmas I brought Mike a contraption whereby you can print negatives off, no matter how old. So, he has been printing them, I have been enlarging them and removing any blemishes. Very time consuming but so worthwhile.

I thought I would share a couple with you today. This first one came from a tiny negative. It was taken pre-war, probably around 1937 or 1938. It shows my Nan on the left (my maternal Grandmother, my Mother and my two brothers and, believe it or not, it was taken no far from where I live now. I reckon My Mum must have knitted that pixie hat herself.

This next one is of my Father, probably taken before he was married. Every year he did the London Stock Exchange Walking Race. He is shown here being handed refreshment by an unknown lady.

Coming a little more up-to-date this next photo shows my Mum, Dad and Myself taken on holiday. I was seven years old and I can still remember the colours on the dress I was wearing as it was a favourite of mine.

Next a picture of my beloved (well I could not leave him out could I?) He was in the R.A.F. at the time and this photograph was taken in July of 1956 at Cannock.

As I started on a Spring theme, I will end on one. The final photo for now is of Becky when she was little, taken in early Spring. She was fifteen months old.

Well, I might not have written for a while but I think I have made up for it today. I hope that life is treating you all kindly and that you are all looking forward to the warmer weather. I shall probably post more of our old photos from time to time.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Dentist And Other Things

2010-03-02T12:49:00.009Z

I faced my biggest fear this morning - the dentist. Sounds strange doesn't it. Been through and still on BC treatment, seeing the oncologist yearly, mammogram yearly, surgeon yearly, plus all that goes on with my diabetes. But my greatest horror is of the dentist. That is due to three awful experiences I have had, one as a small child, one as a teenager, and one only about nine years ago.

When I tell you that I was physically sick twice before I left the house, you can gauge the depth of my fear. However, two weeks ago I went to bed on a Saturday night as usual. I had cleaned my teeth as always, no problem. I got up at 5 a.m. to go to the toilet and my mouth felt funny. I could not make it out. I ran my tongue over my bottom teeth and felt something sharp, I thought I had something caught in them. I looked into the mirror and saw, to my horror, that half a bottom tooth had completely come away. I can only assume I swallowed it whilst alseep. It was split right down the middle and to gum level.

We contacted the dentist the next day, the one that Mike has been attending and thinks so highly of. So I decided to get on their books. We were both stunned to be told that their National Health funding had been reduced and although they could take me on, I would have to pay. How ridiculous that Mike is there on the NHS and this last lot of treatment is costing him nothing but I have to pay privately.

Anyway I made an appointment giving time for the pension to go through so today was the day. Mike had to come in the treatment room with me and hold my hand.

The dentist was very kind and understanding. I was prepared for lots of blood and gore. However, Eric, the dentist told me he could save the tooth for me, completely rebuild it. It would take a bit of extra time but if I would rather have that than a gap he would do it. I opted for that.

My mouth is still somewhat numb but my tooth is rebuilt and gleaming white. He said, all in all for a woman of my age my teeth are pretty good. I do have one tooth that is very discoloured due to an amalgam filling that I am very conscious of. He said when I feel up to it, he can remove that filling for me and replace it with a white one. It will not be totally the same but look much better than it does.

Anyway, I am so glad it is behind me and I did not have another horrific experience. The only bugbear being that we had to pay £145 to have it done.

It seems so long since I have done my journal but many of you know about my brother and the problems we have had there. Well, things have got even worse now.

Mike had that awful virus. He had to have antibiotics as his chest got infected. However, he is still left with an awful cough and feeling very under the weather, so last Wednesday he saw the doctor again. Another thorough medical. The doctor asked eventually if he was under any strain or whether something was getting him down. Mike told him about being at my brother's beck and call every day, the endless phone calls etc. The doctor said it had to stop, that Mike was not his carer and must put his foot down. If he did not, then his own health was going to deteriorate rapidly. After all Mike is only four years younger than my brother. So on medical advice, Mike knew it had to be nipped in the bud.

That night Mike bit the bullet and told my brother. There was an awful scene. It ended up with Mike throwing my brother' s house keys on the floor and telling him that was the end of it. My brother called him back, asked Mike to pick the keys up and keep them, to shake his hand and said they were not to part anything other than friends. So Mike did and that was that. It put an immediate end to the constant phone calls we were receiving.

However, I have faced a torrent of rage over Mike from my brother and other people have also been told that Mike was abusive, attacked him, used foul language, that Mike is not right in the head etc. etc. So we are having nothing to do with him at this time. He has upset so many people, driven so many away but he made the choice, he has made his bed and must lie in it.

Mike has to go back to the eye clinic when an appointment comes through as he is having trouble with the first eye they operated on. Also, clearing the wax from his ears did not help. He obviously has a hearing problem so is due at the hearing clinic next week. Probably means an aid but they are so small these days. He is not worried.

So, my poor journal has been neglected and I must also apologise that I have been neglecting you all as well and not commenting on your journals as I used to.

I hope things will all be back to normal in the near future.

At least the clocks change this month and the evenings will be lighter and hopefully we shall see some buds on the trees soon. It has been a long hard winter and it will be nice to see flowers and sunshine.

Have a good week, dear friends and readers.

Valentine Wishes

2010-02-14T09:57:00.002Z

Wishing a very Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you. They say today is the day the birds pick their mates, so Spring cannot be far away now.

Here are our two little Valentines. They were in fancy dress at school on Friday in aid of the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Mike and I exchanged cards as usual and I was given some lovely red roses. The sun is trying very hard to break through but I am not sure it will make it.

I hope you all have a lovely day.

Catching Up

2010-02-12T17:04:00.004Z

The funeral went off very well. I did not attend but the hearse stopped outside here and I went out said my last goodbyes and then held my own service here at home, following the order of service exactly. It was all the more poignant because Audrey was buried on her Birthday and we could not help but remember all the Birthdays in the past.

Mike did attend and he should not have done so really. He went down with what he thought was a bad cold or possibly flu. The church was freezing cold and our local cemetery is on top of a hill and the winds were bitter. However, he wanted to be there representing both of us. The flowers were beautiful although the rabbits have already had a go at them.

Anyway Mike was so rough yesterday that I insisted he saw the doctor today. He was due to see him about his ear anyway, the doctor was going to blast the wax out for him. Anyway, he got back a little while ago. He has a severe chest infection and the doctor told him he was lucky, at his age, that it had not turned to pneumonia. He is on strong anti-biotics and has to take things easily. The doctor reckons he caught it visiting my brother in hospital where several of the patients were coughing themselves senseless.

The doctor said his blood tests can wait. He only wanted them re-done because a little something was out in the results and he (the doctor) now knows what that little something was, this infection.

My brother is behaving better at this time but we still have him on the phone as least four times a day for an hour at a time. This situation will resolve itself one way or another and I have put it in God's hands.

As for me, I have been so tired through all the stress and strain but hopefully will pick up soon.

Apart from that there is little to tell you. I think we all find it hard to believe that Audrey has gone, she bounced back from the brink so many times. However difficult my brother is, I know he is grieving very badly and men are not so good at letting things out.

We got a new phone today and are waiting for it to fully charge. Digital phones have lots of functions, our old one did but you cannot beat the old style phone really, the ones with the cords on because they never ran out of charge and always worked unless the phone lines came down.

I hope to be able to get back to my proper writing soon.

In the meantime I wish you all a peaceful and happy weekend.

Sleep Well

2010-01-31T16:19:00.004Z

My sister-in-law, Audrey F. passed away at 3 p.m. today, Sunday the 31st January.

She had been part of my life for forty-two years. Mike is at the hospital with her daughter, C., who wanted to say her goodbyes.

I need to be strong for her, she is distraught. My brother, husband of the late Audrey, remains in hospital. The news is being broken to him about now.

I shall remember the good times always. God grant her peace, God give us comfort.

Gloomy Wednesday

2010-01-20T11:12:00.003Z

What a miserable day. Very chilly and so dark I have had to have the lights on since I got up. It started drizzling a short time ago.

Mike has been for his check-up at the eye clinic. He has new drops to put in for the next three weeks. Other than that, unless he develops any problems which I am sure he will not, he does not have to see them again. I know all this because he just phoned and told me.

Before he left the hospital, he went up to my brother's ward and asked if he could see him. Visiting is not usually allowed in the mornings but as he had his papers from the eye clinic with him, they granted him fifteen minutes.

My brother has now responded to the new drugs and to the oxygen and he is no longer gasping for breath. However, we know his condition is not curable, only treatable. So, good news in one way but more worrying news in another. My brother has been yellow for some weeks, his colour I mean. I could not understand why his normal doctor did nothing about it. However, the hospital doctors told him this morning that they are extremely concerned about his liver (I suspected liver trouble all along) and they are going to start a lot of tests on him. Mike and I both feel we know the outcome of this one although we could be wrong and it could be hepatitis.

He was very pleased to see Mike of course. My brother's step-daughter has come up from Wiltshire and will be visiting him this afternoon and also visiting her mother. We have no contact with her. We were very close at one time but when she moved to the West Country, she dropped us completely. It must be twelve years since we have spoken, maybe more. Anyway, he will have a visitor and that is the main thing.

So, at the moment, it is just a waiting game all around. Of course, I shall keep you updated. It is so heart-warming to know what caring people you all are. You support is a great strength and comfort to me and Mike appreciates it greatly as well.

Well, Mike will be home in a minute so I had better put the kettle on. I know he will be longing for a nice hot cup of tea.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Update

2010-01-19T12:00:00.006Z

I would like to thank you for all the good wishes under my previous posting.

I saw the new doctor this morning and he was absolutely lovely. He had no idea why I had been sent to see him!! When I mentioned my HB1C he had a look at the results and did not think they were too bad. He is happy for me to continue on as I am and have them checked again in three months time. He said, considering the strain we have been under, I have done exceedingly well to keep them as low as I have. So, all your prayers and good wishes have helped greatly.

I wish I could say I was relieved and happy but circumstances prevent that at this time. Mike took my brother to see the heart specialist yesterday. My brother was then shunted from department to department having all sort of tests done. In the end, he collapsed at the hospital and was immediately admitted. Mike stayed with him until he was settled. My brother then did an unexpected thing, he shook Mike's hand very hard and more or less said "Goodbye Mike and thank you for everything you have ever done."

I telephoned the hospital a short while ago. There has been no improvement in my brother's condition since they admitted him. He is on oxygen as they are trying to get his blood oxygen saturation levels up, but so far he has not responded. Things are not looking good.

Meanwhile, in another hospital, not too far away, his wife, my sister-in-law is approaching the end. She has had one infection after another, she is now not responding to antibiotics, she is also on oxygen and my brother was told yesterday morning (before his own hospital appointment) that there is no more that can be done for her and the outlook is poor.

Never in a million years did we think this would happen and both of them would be in hospital, in dire straits, at the same time.

Although my relationship with them both has been very rocky and troublesome over many years, the fact remains that he is the last of my blood family and despite all he has put me through, I still love him.

All this is so very hard for me to take.

I think you will all understand why I cannot rejoice over my doctors appointment. Of course, I am pleased, that goes without saying, but I cannot be happy whilst my brother is fighting for his life.

Your Good Wishes Will Be Appreciated

2010-01-14T17:13:00.004Z

I know that Guido has put out a Call For Support for me and I also thank Sugar for her kindness in e-mailing me.

I am not going to go into a lot of detail. Just to say I had my HB1C tests yesterday, the 13th January. I was told it would be two to three days before I heard anything.

I was very surprised and shocked then to receive a call from the surgery this morning saying that my results were back and an appointment had been made for me to see a doctor next Tuesday, the 19th. I queried why because I had expected to see the diabetic nurse as is usual after these tests and was told they were not at all happy with the results.

This doctor is new to the practice having only been there a month. He will know absolutely nothing about me and my particular problems like agoraphobia and anxiety and as you are usually only allowed a maximum of five minutes it does not give a lot of time for talking.

As far as I know I am on maximum tablet medication. I fear what the next step will be.

To say I am upset and more than a little frightened is an understatement. We still have stress with my brother who is getting worse and worse. Even as recently as Sunday we had a call from someone who had been trying to ring him all day only to receive no answer. Mike had to pop down there. I had visions of my brother being found dead on the floor. As it turned out, he had slept all day which is what he does mostly and had not heard the telephone. We do know for him though, that it is only a matter of time. His conditions are incurable so we know we are going to have more stress and upset there in the not too distant future.

We have had the most stressful four months possible. Stressful even for people who have no health problems. This is the last thing I needed and now I have the added wait until next Tuesday. I am not ashamed to admit I have been crying most of the day. I had so hoped this year would be different for me, much less stress and worry but it seems, alas, it is not to be.

Well, maybe God will provide a miracle. I can but hope.

Snow Pictures

2010-01-11T14:17:00.003Z

A Quiet Start

2010-01-03T16:02:00.005Z

I received this beautiful bunch of flowers, together with a card, on New Year's Day. They were from the daughter of one of our neighbours, Nellie, Mike has been getting her papers and bits of shopping for the several days that the roads were too icy for her to venture out. It was so unexpected but such a lovely gesture and so nice when people appreciate what somebody does for them. I pointed out to Nellie that it was Mike who had done it. "Oh yes, she said, but you allowed him to so you deserve them." Nellie and I have never met although she only lives two doors away. She is a very solitary lady who never mixes with anyone, but we do talk on the telephone.

It has been a quiet start to the New Year, nobody about much because of the cold weather. Yesterday Mike and I took all the decorations down. We used to leave it until twelth night as it is traditional to do so, but that makes everything such a last minute rush. It seems a bit bare without them. It is not so much the decorations I shall miss as the lights. They gave such a warm glow in the evenings and it was nice just to watch t.v. by their light. As we had them in the hall, the lounge and the conservatory, it was cheery everywhere.

Still, I have been changing things around to makes things look a little different. One of my Christmas presents from Mike was two hanging baskets, full or artificial flowers. They match so we have hung them on the two cross beams in the conservatory. Together with the real and artificial plants we already have out there, we have quite an indoor garden. The baskets are red and pink Geraniums and Ivy.

Becky and the boys came over yesterday. I cannot believe how much they are growing up. They are at that cheeky stage now where they like to answer back and laugh. All children go through it. They are back at school tomorrow so Becky will get some peace.

Mike starts with the dentist again tomorrow. He has one or two broken teeth at the bottom and has decided by himself to go the whole hog, get them all taken out and a plate made. So that will entail several visits. Good job his got his eye operations out of the way last year. He is doing very well by the way. Still putting drops in and will have to for about three more weeks and has to go for a follow up appointment. It will be decided then if he needs spectacles for reading although his distance vision is absolutely perfect.

I have to ring the local clinic tomorrow to make an appointment for my diabetic blood tests. I must admit my stomach is going over at the prospect as when the results come through I will have to see the diabetic nurse I have not seen before and apparently she can be a right tartar.

The appointment is unlikely to be this week as you normally have to wait a few days through the blood clinic but more likely the week after this one. I run out of tablets in the meantime so shall just have to put in a prescription request and pin a note to it saying the appointment is made.
I do so hope all will be o.k.

Becky is also doing well after her ear operation. She had all the packing removed before Christmas and she can hear properly in that ear now. She also has a follow-up appointment soon.

So the year has started quietly and, to be honest, I hope it goes on that way after some bad years.

Of course my brother's health is deteriorating and his prospects are not good but at least we are aware of that. His wife remains in hospital and will never be able to return home so there could be some bad news on either of them this year. However, I hope for myself, Mike, Becky, Dean and the boys, it will be calm and smooth. That our problems will be few. I will not know until after the results of my diabetic blood tests.

You all know how traumatic things have been for us over the past couple of years with me, Daniel, Mike, Becky. So please keep your fingers crossed that it will be a far better and more peaceful year for us.

They forecast some snow showers here on Wednesday. Whether it happens remains to be seen but it is certainly very cold. I wonder what happened to global warming??

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

P.S. I have now had to set my journal so that I approve all comments before they are posted due to a large amount of spam I recently received. I hope it causes you no problems.

Happy New Year To You All

2009-12-31T22:07:00.000Z

In a very short time they will be ringing in the New Year. The first decade of this century will pass into history.

In some parts of the world that has already happened and 2010 has begun. Mike and I will watch the fireworks from London, exchange a kiss and a hug and wish each other the best of health and happiness.

Much has happened, the last decade saw the death of my much loved brother, the horror and shock of 9/11, the London Bombings, swine flu, bird flu, the election of the first black president of the United States, the passing of several of our J-Land friends and so very very much more. You have all lived through it so you already know these things, apart from personal tragedies that you might have experienced yourselves.

2009 has not been a good year. The world is in a recession, wars are still being fought, troops are still laying down their lives. It has been a difficult year for many. Our government here has been rocked by members' expenses scandals and the New Year will see a general election. Whether it will improve things remains to be seen.

One thing is certain. None of us know what this new year holds. We all walk together into the unknown, in that we are united no matter what religion, colour or race. We all hold a hope for peace, stability in the world, good health for ourselves and our loved ones. We hope there will be more good news than bad. Whatever has happened in this first decade is done, it is over. We can only strive to make this start of the next decade as good as we possibly can, to do our very best.

I wish each and every one of you what you would wish for yourselves, that not only includes my regulars, but all in those countries who have paid my writings a visit. We will never meet in person but we share the same needs, the same desires.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friends and readers and may whatever God you believe in walk beside you now and always.

The Phone Rang

2009-12-30T11:21:00.003Z

Just a quick entry from me. We were sitting reading the newspapers this morning when the phone rang. It was a withheld number which we knew was strange.

Mike answered it. It was the hospital. Could he come in right away for the operation on his other eye! We had expected it early in the new year. However, the eye department run a system whereby if they have any cancellations, they ring around to see if anybody else can come in and take the appointment even at the shortest notice.

They wanted a yes or no right then and there. I took the phone and double-checked that he would not be able to drive himself home. They said that was the case. So I explained that we would have to make arrangements for transportation, that either our daughter might be able to take him or we would ring for a taxi. But they had to allow time for that, plus travelling time to the hospital.

The upshot was they asked if he could be there within the hour. I agreed that would be possible.

So, off he has gone. By now he could well be undergoing surgery. He had only just finished putting all the eye drops in the first eye and now will have to start all over again.

Naturally I am sitting here worrying about him, that is only natural. It is good he has not had to wait but it has all come as a bit of a shock and will be even more so for the dogs. They will not be able to go out today for the first time ever. Last time, Mike knew when he was going in, so he gave the dogs an hours run across the fields. This time it all happened so fast that was not possible. They know the times they go out and will start whining and getting excited. Being put in the garden will just not be the same for them.

Also Mike will not be able to drive for a few days. I ask you all to wish him well and pray that all goes as smoothly as it did before. I will not be happy until he is home again.

All Over For Another Year

2009-12-27T14:39:00.004Z

We had a pleasant if reasonably quiet Christmas. The family came over and we had our Christmas meal at 2.30 p.m.

Alas, this was not a good choice for me. I never eat at that time of the day but always in the evening when I take my two types of diabetic medication. I was not able to do that, of course, and later in the day it knocked me for six especially as I had some red wine mixed with soda water and I never drink. Still, we knew that Dean had to see his own family on Christmas Day as he was on call-out for Boxing Day and could have been working the whole time. So, I hope that for just one occasion it has not done too much harm.

I had some lovely presents including a pair of diamond earrings from Mike, a nice new handbag from Becky and Dean, some books I wanted and some DVDs. Everyone seemed to like their presents and Nathan and Daniel were in high spirits as usual.

We usually take quite a few photographs but for reason we did not do so this year. I do have a couple though. Mike being the camera operator is not in any of them.

To be honest, Mike and I both feel exhausted now. We spent most of Boxing Day dozing which is unusual for us. But it has been pretty non-stop here since October what with the new boiler being fitted, the demolition of the old conservatory and the building of the new one, plus new doors and windows being put in, then blinds fitted, then a whole day of radiators being replaced, not to mention Mike's operation and Becky's (by the way Becky is doing fine now and does not return to the hospital until some time in January).

I know we did not actually do the work but it was still tiring having people here every day from very early morning until dark. We simply never had the chance to relax. So, it has to catch up with you sometime or another especially as you get older.

My stomach is quite upset at the moment from the rich food which we are totally unused to. I am a bit worried because I have to have my HB1C blood tests straight after New Year and then see the diabetic nurse so it has all come at the wrong time really. I just hope the readings are not as bad as I fear and I will not end up having to go on insulin, something I have always dreaded.

Also, you remember a year ago, my lovely diabetic nurse left. She was the one who always made allowances for my getting in a state when I go there. Well, now the head doctor has left, the one who referred me to the breast clinic in the first place. He was lovely and you could talk to him about anything and he would listen. Whenever I was truly worried about something I would make an appointment to see him. It was a shock to find he was leaving the practice at Christmas and even more of a shock to find he went in October! So, I have nobody there now that I really like and trust, nobody that will really listen to me and truly understand what I am saying and why.

You will gather that I feel more than a little down right now. I am hoping things improve in the next few days.

Anyway, I hope you all had a nice Christmas. I know that Lisa lost another beloved animal and she has had a sad Christmas. I guess we always have high expectations and they never really live up to what we think they should be.

To finish, you know what they say about giving children expensive presents when they would be happier playing with the wrapping...........................................well, here is the proof!

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

International Greetings

2009-12-22T12:37:00.007Z

I have visitors from over 70 countries now. I thought it would be nice to send out my greetings to some of those countries who visit. I simply cannot cover every place and some countries have several languages or dialects.

As far as I know, not one person from these countries has ever made a comment on anything I have posted, but the fact that my journal is read or, at least viewed, around the world is very heartwarming. So here are my greetings for you.

I just hope that I have got everything right. So here I go

To France: Joyeaux Noel.

To India: Krismas ki subhkamna. (Hindi) - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho. (Urdu)

To Spain: Feliz Navidad.

To Sweden: God Jul.

To Germany: Froehliche Weihnachten.

To Italy: Buono Feste Natalizie.

To Denmark: Glaedelig Jul.

To Saudi Arabia: Milad Majid.

To Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal.

To China: Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun. (Cantonese) Kung His Hsin Nien Bin Chu Sen Tan.
(Mandarin)

To Netherlands: Vrolijk Kerstfeest.

To Greece: Kala Christouyenna.

To Hungary: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket.

To Iraq: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah.

To Japan: Shinnen omedeto/Kurisumasu omedeto.

To Lithuania: Linksmu Kaledu.

To Malta: IL-Milied It-tajjeb.

To Poland: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Nardzenia.

To Portugal: Feliz Natal.

To Romania: Craciun Fericit.

To Russia: Pozdrevlyayu s pazdnikom Rozhdesta is Novim Godom.

To Thailand: Sawadee Pee Mai/souksan wan Christmas.

To Turkey: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun.

To Vietnam: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh.

To Phillipines: Maligayan Pasko.

To Czechoslovakia: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok.

Of course my greetings go out to all the other countries I have not mentioned including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South America and so many others.

Above all to my friends in the U.S.A. and the U.K. who have been and remain my biggest supporters. Thank you. To all of you

MERRY CHRISTMAS

More Photos And Merry Christmas

2009-12-21T13:00:00.006Z

The new radiators were all installed on Saturday and we are now nice and snug in our little home. The snow is melting fast now, still quite a lot of it lying on the ground but the trees are mostly clear and the ice has gone from the pond. From the forecast, there will be no white Christmas for us, snow came that little bit too early.

Pathways are still icy but Mike cleared ours today and also did Nellie's as she has the ambulance coming to pick her up for her regular trip to the hospital and because of health and safety, they would not even go to her door if the path was slippery.

This week I shall be wrapping presents, washing and ironing tablecloths, having my hair cut and generally getting ready for the family on Christmas Day.

I do not know whether I shall make any further entries this side of Christmas. In the meantime I have more photos of the weather we have experienced over the last few days. Firstly, Nathan and Daniel having fun in the snow:-

The edge of the photograph is not missing in the following picture. It is the snow around the pond which makes it look as though it has been clipped. As we keep the koi filter running all the time, the pond does not freeze completely and it looked so pretty.

So, my dear friends and readers, I take this opportunity to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. However you are spending it, whomever you are spending it with, Mike and I wish you all a happy and blessed time. I know I will give a thought to you all on Christmas Day. Remember also, amongst all the tinsel and glitter, the presents, the food and the fun, the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it, the birth of our Lord. May He bless us all at this seasonal time and may He continue to bless us in the coming New Year.

Until the next time be safe, be well, be happy.

Snow And Lights

2009-12-18T11:41:00.004Z

For once the forecast was correct. Here was the view at 9 p.m. yesterday evening.

The next two were taken about and hour later

We have no idea of how long the snow continued but when we awoke this morning, this is what greeted us:-

What a pity it came just one week too early. The chances of a white Christmas in our area are low. It is forecast to warm up around the middle of next week. The schools are all closed so the children have received an unexpected extra day holiday. We got an early phone call from an elderly neighbour, Nellie. Ron, across the road from us, usually gets any bits of shopping for her but he took a fall on the ice yesterday and has damaged his back and shoulder, he had to go to the hospital. She asked Mike if he could get her a couple of bits. He was only too willing. He also called at my brother's and he needed bread and milk. The local shop was already out of bread so Mike had to drive to the village. Luckily the main roads have been well gritted and he had no trouble getting through. So, he has done his two good turns for today.

Now I have some pictures of local Christmas lights for you, starting with our village Christmas tree:-

I must mentioned the large building you see on the right of the above picture and the one that will follow. It is the old pump room. In 1834 it was discovered that the water in our area was, at least then, every bit as good as the waters in Bath and Leamington Spa. So, the pump room was built around the local well and a hotel was built. Unfortunately for the investors, it was around that time that new seaside resorts were opening up and the long established habit of "taking the waters" was becoming less popular. Also, apart from countryside walks, there was little for people to do in the area. After a couple of years the whole venture fell through. However, both buildings still stand. The hotel is now a well-known and well used local pub.

The pump room itself has had a chequered history. It fell into ruin for quite some time but since then it has been small factories of different types and other things. Then it stood empty again - sad and neglected. An attempt was made to sell the water in bottles but it proved to be too competitive a market. One more it stood empty. However, it is now a private residence and has been restored to its former glory. It is obviously a listed building and will remain as it is now.

We had five new radiators delivered this morning and tomorrow all our old ones are being replaced. It will be great when it is done of course, but in this cold we are not looking forward to having no heating for several hours whilst the work is done. I shall move from room to room with an electric radiator which we have or, most likely, spend the time in the conservatory now it is so warm and cosy out there. Perhaps some of the snow will remain and I will be able to watch the birds feeding. Not sure about the snow, it is thawing quite fast but as the day passes and the temperature drops, it could well be around tomorrow. I know it will be extremely icy tonight.

If you have snow in your area, please stay warm and take great care when outside either walking or driving.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Finished!!!! + Christmas Lights

2009-12-12T17:39:00.002Z

P and D finished the work today. This morning they came to do the finishing touches, even hanging some small flower plaques up for me in the new conservatory. They have replaced all our remaining windows that were not done last year and put up new fascia, guttering and drainpipes around the property.

How we are going to miss them. Having them here on a daily basis for quite a long time, all the laughs we shared. They certainly have brightened our lives in more ways than one. They left at lunchtime and we all hugged and wish each other Merry Christmas.

In the afternoon, Mike put up some Christmas lights in the new conservatory. Now hopefully, we can just sit and enjoy.

Here are some photos I would like to share with you:-

The first one shows P & D outside their handywork. You can see all the furniture back in place and Jesse and Jack also managed to get in on the act!

Here they are again. This one shows the new kitchen window and the new guttering and pipework.

Now the new guttering etc. at the front of the property:-

We have not really had much time to take interior shots of the new conservatory but I can save that for another time. What you can see are our Christmas lights. We cannot put up exterior lights at the front anymore. In our old wooden door frame Mike made a hole and fed the electrics through. No way are we going to drill into the beautiful PVC. The lights look better in real life than they do on here.

Next, the conservatory taken from the back garden

Now with the interior lights on

Looking into the conservatory from our lounge

Lastly, showing the beautiful reflections in the conservatory roof

That is all I have to share with you right now. Over the next couple of days we will put the finishing touches to the indoor decorations and hang up the Christmas cards. I would like to thank all who have sent to us.

I think you will all agree it has been a job well done, despite all the upheaval. To say we are delighted is an understatement. British Gas replaced our old leaking radiator this morning with a brand new one. Hopefully that will be the last of workmen for the time being. Considering work first started in October with a new heating system going in.

I will post more photos when I have some. Have a good weekend everyone. I hope your Christmas preparations are going well.

Until the next time.

An Award

2009-12-10T21:37:00.006Z

I have been honoured to receive an award from Kbear of kbear's journey. Thank you so much my friend. I have it on my sidebar.

Now, I have to pick five people to pass it on to. How difficult is that!!!! So many of you I count as friends so, my feelings are that you should ALL have this award but I have to stick to the rules which will also leave people that you can select as worthy of receiving it.

Rules
1. Mention who picked you with a link back to their journal.

2. Tell your readers how your journey into blogging began. Be as verbose or shy as you like.

3. Pick 3-5 fellow bloggers whom you adore and write what exactly it is you value about that person or their blog. This is a chance to really appreciate your blog friends who have been there with and for you through thick & thin.

4. Let the blessed winners know they have been awarded.

Well, I came to blogging by accident. I had been doing lots of research on my family tree and needed a break from it. I was idly skipping through various things on AOL when I saw the word "Blogs" mentioned. I had no idea what that meant, I had never heard of a blog so I went to have a look and viewed a couple. I thought to myself that I would have a go at that. So I did an entry and sat back and waited for something to happen - nothing. Another two entries - nothing. On my fourth entry I wrote that I was giving up, it was obvious that nobody was interested but it had been worth a try. I went back the following day to find I had comments!!! People telling me not to give up, they had been reading and enjoying it. That was five and a half years ago and I am still at it and hope to be for a long time.

Now it is time for me to pick some people. Like I said, you are all dear to me and I hate to pick and choose but here are the ones that I would like to give this award to:-

Guido of Atlantic Lines. He is such a regular contributor. He always has something to say and it is usually interesting or incisive. He posts pictures and stories about where he lives in Stornaway, snippets of news, his take on world affairs and so much more. He blogs on a daily basis.

Morton of caring and sharing Morton does not write too often due to health problems which he bears with great courage. He is also the full-time carer to his elderly Mother. However, he is always supportive of others and when he does do an entry, it is always a pleasure to read.

Antonella of Living abroad I love her tales of her homeland, Italy and the photos she posts of that country and the customs she writes about. She also tells about her home town of York, a city I know well often accompanied by photographs.

Sugar of SUGAR'S SWEET SPOT Sugar suffers from several health problems and has recently undergone surgery. Yet she always manages to write something uplifting, makes beautiful graphics on her graphics site, the link to which can be found on her journal. She makes memorial tags for those blogger friends we have lost and also for departed pets. Although she finds it difficult to sit at the computer sometimes, she never lets people down.

Last but not least I am being naughty and picking two others. Firstly Pam of WHAT'S NEW AT MY HOUSE Pam is another daily blogger. Her writings are truly inspirational and I read what she has to say every single day. She has often lifted me when I have been deep in the pit and felt like giving up.
I could not leave out my friend Sandra of Tales From Sandra`s Scribbles Sandra and I have been friends almost since the beginning and we have become friends in real life as well. She and her hubby have been down to visit us, we exchange telephone calls and e-mails. Sandra has also been a tower of strength to me and I like to think I have helped her when she has needed it.

So, I have picked six people I deem worthy. Please do not be disappointed if you do not see your name mentioned. Like I said, picking is very hard but I know I have regular and loyal readers and you are all my friends. I did not make the rules and have already bent them a little. I enjoy your journals every bit as much as I enjoy the others.

Remember my friends you need only pass on to 3-5. I am happy to give you this award which is:-

Enjoy and please do pass it on, if only to one person, a blog that really appeals to you, a blog you love reading. Make someone happy. Let them know they are appreciated. We are a small community now and should support one another.

Becky

2009-12-10T15:30:00.002Z

I had a telephone call from Dean a short while ago. Becky has had her surgery and is now awake and back on the ward.

He will be going in to see her this evening and we will know more then. All seems to have gone well but we will know for definite that the operation has been a complete success when she goes back for tests in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime she has to take things very easily.

Dean has put up the Christmas tree and decorated it as a surprise for her when she comes home which could be tomorrow provided she does not develop a temperature or anything.

We would like to thank you all so much for your prayers and good wishes. I just know they have helped and it is wonderful to have such support from dear friends.

Thank you once again and God bless you all.

Happy Birthday To A Wonderful Man

2009-12-09T11:04:00.003Z

Happy Birthday Mike. Have a truly wonderful day despite your visit to the Eye Clinic.

I wonder if you truly know how much you mean to myself and our family. You are really one in a million, always ready to help anyone who needs it, a tower of strength to me, a loving Father and Grandfather. Never complaining, taking everything in your stride. In your retirement still working hard as you always have. We are blessed to have you.

So:-

Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday Dear Michael/Dad/Grand-dat
Happy Birthday To You.

With all our love, now and always.

Jeannette, Becky, Dean, Nathan and Daniel plus your faithful pals, Jesse, Jack and Leo.

Have a wonderful year until your next Birthday and God bless you now and always.

Stage Three

2009-12-04T11:25:00.004Z

Work is progressing apace now despite the endless rain. Today, for a change, we have blue skies and sunshine but it is bitterly cold. It cannot last - the weekend forecast is yet more rain. Him indoors had planted so many bulbs a few weeks back but now we will be lucky if we see a bloom next Spring. In all probability they will just rot in the ground.

I have some more photos for you of how things are progressing. Firstly, removing the old and very steep step to the garden and the new much better one they have built.

The next photo shows all the framework erected

Next, the glass has been fitted into the roof

So, all the glass has been fitted now. At the moment they are working on the electrics for the lights in the roof and also three sockets so we can run the fish filter from inside as we always have and whatever else we like. The guttering also has to be finished and the making good at the front base of the conservatory. After that, because we gained a few inches (the old sun room did not go to the edge of the base), the floor needs to be evened up so that Mike can lay the floor covering.

We are more than delighted with it all so far. Here are a couple more pictures for you. I will add more when all work is totally done, the floor laid and the furniture back.

Lastly, here is D. He is the son of the Father and son team doing the work. You can see that he is well wrapped up against the cold!

We just cannot recommend them highly enough and we hope they get more work when people see what they have been doing here. They are also replacing all the fascia, guttering and drainpipes around the entire property.

Well, tomorrow is our special day again. Tomorrow, Saturday 5th December, it will be 39 years since I walked down the aisle on the arm of my dear Dad and took Mike as my husband. I could not have made a better choice, he is not only my husband but my friend and my rock. He does so very much for me. We have put a few Christmas decorations up as we always do to celebrate "our" day. Not as many as usual because of the work being done. We also find it harder each year to put up the amount of decorations that we used to. But we do have lights around our fireplace, our mirror, the small Christmas tree on the mantlepiece and lights in the front window. We are not putting all the fake snow around that we used to. When the conservatory is finished, we are going to put icicle lights around it and a small fibre optic tree.

Getting back to tomorrow, I simply do not know where all those years have gone, they have literally flown so very fast. Next year will be our ruby anniversary, God willing. Anyway, we will be seeing the family, Mike and I will exchange gifts and cards and then I think we will just have a quiet day. After all the noise this week, we shall certainly need it.

I would just like to say on here, Mike darling, I love you as much today as I did on the day I became your wife. Thank you sweetheart for 39 wonderful years and my hopes for many many more years together.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Quick Entry

2009-11-30T15:27:00.005Z

Well, I have never seen rain like it this morning. We set off for the breast unit at 8.30 a.m. It was coming down so hard the windscreen wipers could barely cope. The bottom of our Lane was completely flooded and we sent up huge sprays on either side going through it. We hit all the red lights, everyone had their lights on due to the poor visibility. The traffic was awful and we were stuck in one queue for quite a long time. So, I was late for my 9 a.m. appointment. I was amazed that I coped with it as I usually panic and feel trapped when we get stuck. I am sure all your good wishes helped.

When we got there, the waiting room was empty. Only two receptionists were at the desk and none of the doctors were there because they had problems getting in as well.

After a fifteen minute wait a doctor did arrive but it was not my surgeon, Caspar. No, apparently he was operating until 1 a.m. so his place was taken by a lovely man called Mr. Rateme, whom I had never seen. He was absolutely lovely, friendly and interested. He gave me a thorough examination.

I am happy to say that he could find no abnormalities whatsoever and was very pleased. He gave me a little hug. I do not have to go back to that part of the unit until next November. I have my next mammogram in May and already hoping all will go well.

On leaving, Becky and I had to wait whilst Mike went and retrived the car (you can never park anywhere near the place). Whilst I was sitting in the doorway, I heard Becky say "Where have you been, Mum missed not seeing you today." Yes, it was Caspar, my own surgeon. He was very pleased to see me and delighted that all appears well. We had a little laugh and joke together before we left for home.

Becky spent the rest of the day with us, we had lunch together and watched the workmen going about their tasks. They could not do much in the terrible rain earlier but they have managed to start getting the glass roof in. It is forecast dry for tomorrow and they are hoping to finish that part. Becky and I also watched the film "Marley and Me". I had seen it before but she had not. I had also read the book. A lovely film with lots of laughs but both of us were in tears at the end, even though I knew the outcome.

Well, that is all my news. I feel quite tired now. I did not sleep well last night as I knew I had the appointment so I am going to shut my eyes for an hour before it is time for the evening meal.

Have a good week, dear friends and readers.

Stage Two

2009-11-28T13:24:00.003Z

Work has been progressing well despite the weather. It has been very windy, showery and very cold. We did not envy the workman but we kept them continally topped up with hot drinks.

So, it was on to stage two, the removal of our patio doors and our old back door. Here is how it used to look (minus old sun room). The back door was quite attractive but single-glazed so we lost a lot of heat through there. If you look closely you can see Jack's nose poking out through the catflap!

Now the patio doors taken from the lounge:

The first job was to remove the patio doors:

So, there was just a large empty gap and believe me it was cold! So, we took ourselves into another room whilst they installed the new doors.

Now we have spanking new french doors and very nice they look as well. This next photo shows all the new doors including the back door:-

Next, the conservatory frame was erected:

Looking out through the new back door - you will see the roof beams already in place.

Work has ceased for the weekend and commences again on Monday. There is still a very great deal to be done, the floor has to be evened off as we have gained about four inches and it has to be level for Mike to lay down either tiles or lino. All the glass has to go in which is going to take quite a few hours, the step down into the garden has to be demolished and a new one built. Electric cables have to be run for the lighting and electric sockets put back in place plus the finishing of house walls to cover bricks that show. It should be finished be the end of next week.

Then they will commence on replacing the rest of our windows, the ones we did not have done last year. So, all will be finished in time for Christmas.

We could not have chosen better workmen. We had several quotes but the firm we used last year for our front windows won out on presentation and on price. These are men who really take pride in their work, very painstaking and doing little extras for us at no cost to ourselves. They are also very likeable and we have many laughs with them.

I am looking forward to seeing the roof going on. The glass for the roof is tinted to cut down glare and it is blue tinted which will give the impression of a brighter sky on the darkest of days.

Hope you are enjoying seeing the work in its various stages. On Monday morning I have an appointment at the breast unit to see my surgeon. As always I am very nervous, dreading the journey and hoping all is well and no problems will be found. At least I have something to look forward to when I get home. Wish me luck.

Have a good weekend dear friends and readers.

Going, Going..............................Gone

2009-11-23T16:11:00.002Z

Work started today on demolishing our old sun-lounge preparatory to erecting a new conservatory.

We were very lucky. Torrential rain in twenty minute bursts but, in between, blue skies and sunshine. There was a lot of noise but little dust and they dismantled it all without even making a crack in the glass. We were stagged when the wall panels came out and we could see just how much rot there was in the wood behind them. Also, the roof must have been leaking for quite some time, unbeknown to us, before it actually started dripping onto the rug we had out there.

Anyway, here is how it used to look

Now a view of it totally empty and the ceiling we used to have which was faced with polysytrene tiles:

The next photograph shows the ceiling with the tiles taken down. You can see just how much water was getting in. It just had to go. The workmen commented on how well built it had been originally bearing in mind that it was built by a previous owner and not by professionals. It has seen a lot of history. When it was built (we found the original plans) JFK had not been assassinated, I was still living at home with my parents, Mike was still married to his first wife. Think of all the history it has seen. It also withstood the hurricane of 1987.

Next the roof has been completely demolished:

Now, the sides coming down

Lastly a view of what it looks like right at this moment. Well, not exactly at this moment as darkness has fallen since then. It seems very strange looking straight out onto the garden and actually seeing the rain running down the patio doors which lead onto the outside (originally into the sun-lounge)

The parts for the new conservatory are probably being delivered on Wednesday. In the meantime, tomorrow they will fit us a new double-glazed back door. Our current door is only single glazed. This is the door that will lead out onto the new conservatory. At the moment, the door we have is half wood and half glass. The new one will be all glass which will let more light into the kitchen and into our hallway which is narrow and quite dark.

So, all in all, a very good day's work. What we were glad to see go the most was the bar right across the centre of the windows. When you sat out there and looked at the garden it was right across your eyeline so you either had to duck your head down or stand up. It was a great aggravation to us.

Anyway, more pictures when the next stage of work commences.

Have a good week everyone.

Mike's Operation And Other Things

2009-11-18T11:16:00.006Z

I might as well start with the other things. The weather was so awful over the weekend, rain was falling in absolute sheets and the wind was howling. Our old sun room must know that it is going and was getting its own back on us.

I was doing the daily Trivial Pursuit online and then remembered something I wanted to tell my beloved. He was sitting at the table in the sun room reading the paper. I opened the patio door to go out there and immediately heard a large plop! Looking at the floor, there was a huge puddle on the carpet and, on looking up, I received a large drop of water in the face. My beloved had not heard nor noticed a thing. The roof had sprung a very large leak.

He had to go out in the most foul weather and do something about it. Luckily in our garage we had a very large green sheet, more like a tarpaulin, that we have hung on to for years just in case it came in handy. Well, it most certainly did. Mike had to get the ladder out, climb onto the roof and spread the sheet right across and then anchor it down with bricks and slabs. He found the place where the roof had deteriorated - a small patch where it had gone soft and caved in.

He was drenched when he got back in. However, it did the job and no more water has come in.

We have left it as it is because it is raining again today with more strong winds. Next Monday demolition work is due to commence providing the weather allows. Obviously the workmen cannot attempt it in the pouring rain. Just as well we decided to have it rebuilt. Now the roof has gone, it would be pointless putting a new roof on when a lot of the wood has gone rotten and been repaired so many times it is a wonder it is still standing.

It was originally built by the first owners (we are the third or fourth) and it has been there for over forty years so the man must have done a good job, it has lasted well. It will be strange to see it come down and have nothing outside our lounge for a couple of days until they begin erecting the new one.

Mike had his eye operation yesterday and is now home. He admitted to being very scared. They lasered away the cataract that was at the back of his eye. He thought that was all they were going to do but no - they implanted a lens as well. They say if all goes well, he will no longer need glasses after wearing them for 65 years! Mike was amazed. He did not enjoy the procedure but felt no pain. He now has a clear plastic cover to wear over the eye for four days and has to put drops in four times a day for a couple of months. He goes back for a check-up in three weeks.

Next year, they will do the other eye. Just cataract removal in that one because the sight in it has always been so poor they do not think a lens will help but he will undergo further eye tests beforehand so they are absolutely sure.

Anyway, at the moment he is not wearing his glasses and can see perfectly well. He says everything is crystal clear. He was warned that it could come and go at first as the implant has to really settle in but eventually his eyesight should remain clear.

So full marks to the National Health Service. He said he could not have received better treatment and had not expected the added bonus of the lens and being able to dispense with his glasses. People run our health service down and I know our American friends, or some of them are worried about social health care as they are referring to it, but I cannot praise ours highly enough. Everything Mike had done did not cost us a penny either for the surgery, the implant, the drugs he had to take, the eye drops or the eye shield. I had wonderful treatment when I had my diagnosis two years ago.

Yes, health care has to be paid for out of taxes and National Insurance contributions made by working people but our health care is free to all, nobody is ever turned away. I would not have it any other way. I would hate the American system where you have to have health insurance and if you do not have it, they refuse to treat you. Maybe our health service is not perfect but I would struggle to think of anything better.

Anyway, it is almost lunchtime, so I will leave it there for now.

Take care everyone.

Remembrance

2009-11-11T11:11:00.003Z

The Soldiers

2009-11-08T22:40:00.011Z

I know I have already posted today (please see previous Memorial posting if you have not already done so) but I wanted to share something else.

I had explained to a dear American friend that we share the same Remembrance Day - November 11th but our National Day of Mourning is always on a Sunday nearest to that day. This morning the Queen lead the Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.

On Saturday night we had the Festival Of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall also in London. I wanted to share this video with you.

The singers are three serving soldiers and last night, they sang in their uniforms ,wearing their medals. They have just released a CD. The proceeds of sales will go to help injured servicemen through the British Legion.

Simply known as "The Soldiers" they are Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi, Sergeant Major Gary Chilton and Sergeant Richie Maddocks.

Sit back and enjoy this beautiful and very touching song.

I would ask all readers in the U.K. to please purchase this album and offer much needed support to the men and women who have given so much for us.

For Them All

2009-11-08T09:45:00.002Z

The time of Remembrance has come around yet again. Over ninety years ago the world saw carnage on a scale never imagined. Hell on earth. It was "the war to end all wars".

It could never happen again, it would never happen again. That was a lie. Twenty one years later we saw another war on much a similar scale but this time thousands upon thousands of civilians died as well - killed in bombing raids or exterminated in camps.

Of course, there had been wars long before these. Going back into the mists of history, there have always been wars and, as long as man survives, it is likely that there will be others.

However, national remembrance only came into being after World War One. Today we remember all those men and women who laid down their lives in sacrifice for King/Queen and Country.

Since World War Two, our brave troops, not just the Army, but the Royal Air Force and The Royal Navy and all branches of these services, have fought in the following places (to name but some)

India, Palestine, Malaya, Korea, Suez Canal Zone, Kenya, Cyprus, Suez 1958, Borneo, Vietnam, Aden, Radfan, Oman Dhofar, Northern Ireland, The Falklands, The Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan.

More young men gave there lives in Afghanistan just this last week. The numbers of the dead of these wars are countless . Those that survived were often horribly maimed or disfigured, others traumatized by their experience.

The Poppy Appeal is just as important today as it has ever been. Wear your Poppy with pride, salute all who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Remember those they left behind. Support our troops.

Today, the United Kingdom remembers, The United Kingdom salutes you. Bless them all.

When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our Today.

Since posting this, it has been announced that two more British soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan. Their families have been informed.

Touching Base

2009-11-05T14:00:00.002Z

Happy Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night) to everyone in the U.K. Do not forget to stay safe if you are having fireworks, handle them correctly and please do remember to keep your pets inside.

With what has been happening in the Government over the last few months, maybe Guy Fawkes should be hailed as a hero and not a villain.

I thought it was time I touched base and wrote a few words in here.

I have not heard the latest about the postal strike but it does seem that all the junk mail is being delivered but none of the important things.

In less than three weeks our building work should begin. Cannot say I am looking forward to it, some of the windows we did not have done last year are being replaced and if the weather is cold it will not be a pleasant experience. Before then, we have to figure out where to store the things that are in are sun-lounge. One table and two chairs, a two-seater sette, a cabinet with plant on top, a large dresser full from top to bottom with household things, a large rug and the lino has to come up as well. Finding space for them is going to be difficult. We are going to be busy.

Mike's operation draws ever closer, only 12 days to go after today. Becky's operation will be on the 10th December. So what with all the building work and three medical appointments for me, we are going to have our hands full.

The leaves are all but gone from the trees now but there is still some Autumn colour from the berries and from the Chrysanthemums.

Hard to believe that Christmas is looming once again. I have not even thought about Christmas shopping, too much else on my mind at the moment.

Well, not much else to say for now. I shall let you all know how Mike gets on and I will take pictures later when building commences.

Take care everyone. Once again, be careful with those fireworks.

Please Support This Journal

2009-10-26T12:24:00.002Z

Our friend, Val, used to run this journal when we were AOL. She has kept it going here on Blogger but sadly rarely gets a comment.

She posts jokes, inspiration quotes, anything she thinks we will enjoy. It must be so disheartening for her to put the work in only to find an occasional comment once in a blue moon.

So, please give her some support, bookmark her journal and visit whenever you can. I know how much Val would appreciate it. Here is her link:

http://joyintherain-val.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

Glad It's Done!

2009-10-23T13:18:00.002+01:00

We had two days of total upheaval this week when our heating and hot water system was replaced. Two days of workmen from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Our kitchen was a no-go area. There were warning signs, all the floors were covered, our dining room was full of materials that were needed etc. etc. We lived on soup and wholemeal rolls.

For the last couple of days the weather has been lovely, mild and sunny. Trust us to have the two coldest days without heating and hot water. The front door had to be open all the time so that the men could access their van.

Anyway, it is over with now. As promised I did take some pictures for you. I did not get the airing cupboard with the large old hot water tank because there simply was not the room. The water tank in the loft was too large to be brought down through the loft hatch so had to be sawn apart up there. Oh, the noise!!!

You will see from the following pictures the work that Mike now has to do, plastering walls, filling in, building new cupboards, re-painting the entire kitchen etc. etc. etc. Still it was worth it and he can take his time.

So, here we go then:-

Old boiler on bottom right hand side

Old boiler with flue pipes going up through the top cupboard

Where new boiler was to go - on opposite side of the kitchen

Old boiler gone

Cupboard above old boiler gone, flue pipe removed and blocked off

Cupboard on other side of kitchen, removed, cut in half, and new boiler put in place

The finished boiler

I could not really take any more pictures without getting in the way. This was only part of the work, new wiring had to be put in, new pipework laid, the wall drilled through for the outside flue to be fitted, the thermostat installed, the radiators all flushed through, new radiator valves fitted and then the whole system run for a while.

Our poor little kitchen! It is Mike I feel sorry for, he has so much to do and it gets harder when you are older. Still, he will take his time and do a bit here and there. If anyone visits and does not like what they see right now - tough.

I had my blood pressure check yesterday and all was well I am pleased to say. They did send a urine specimen to the hospital to check my diabetes and I do hope that I hear nothing. They say if I hear nothing then all is well. If I get a call from the surgery next week then I know there is trouble. We have several appointments next week (not medical) and in a few short weeks work will start on tearing down our old sun room and putting up a double glazed conservatory and also a double glazed door from the kitchen out into it. At the moment our kitchen door is single-glazed and we lose a lot of heat that way. Then, Mike has two more dental appointments before his operation next month. So, the last thing I need is a call from the surgery to say there is a problem. Fingers crossed for me please.

Oh, I did get one final photo. The poor dogs did not know what on earth was going on. Jesse looked so miserable the whole time but we thought them lying next to the danger sign was quite sweet.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Sandra's Dog, Jake

2009-10-20T23:10:00.002+01:00

Just a quick entry from me. Some of you already know from Twitter that Sandra's beautiful dog Jake, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jake is only six and a half so it came as a dreadful shock to them.

I had a long telephone conversation with Sandra yesterday. Jake is in no pain as he is on good medication and Sandra told me that, looking at him, with his wonderful shiny coat, you would never know that anything is wrong except for the fact that he has slowed down a little. They hope he will be with them for a little while longer but they would never let him suffer.

Please call at Sandra' journal http://sandrasscribbles.blogspot.com/ and leave some words of support. We have all come to know Jake through her journal and all our pets become part of our blogging community when we write about them and post photos.

Sandra will be back with her journal when she can.

Getting So Hectic!

2009-10-12T12:20:00.003+01:00

Well, we have been up to our eyes in it and it is only going to get more hectic.

As I previously mentioned in this journal, we are having our whole heating and hot water system replaced. That will be taking place next week and it cannot come soon enough for me as they have forecast frosty nights this week. At the moment we are trying not to use the heating at all to keep the bills down. Soon, I have to start clearing out cupboards where the new boiler will be and taking all the linen out of the airing cupboard so that they can remove the immersion heater.

However, on top of that we also hope to have our very ancient and crumbling sun room taken down and replaced. This is a major job which will take a week or so. So we have had endless people in our home measuring up and sending in estimates which we have been busy comparing.

The sun room is directly off our lounge so anyone working out there will be looking directly in here so I doubt I will be spending too much time on the computer. I shall have to get a pile of books and disappear into the bedroom methinks.

With both jobs there is going to be a lot of noise and a great deal of dust and dirt so I will have plenty of cleaning up to do. Also the kitchen will have to be re-decorated as when things are moved, they leave holes that need plastering over and then, of course, painting.

Without going into detail, it also means we have to have a surveyor visit our home and we are currently awaiting a telephone call from him to arrange an appointment. Lawyers are also involved so letters are flying backwards and forwards, forms are being filled in etc. etc. etc. We should get the final quote for the sun-lounge arriving tomorrow.

Whilst all this is going on, Mike has several dental appointments, I have my blood pressure and diabetes checks and then on the 17th November, Mike will be having his eye surgery. Hopefully it will only be an overnight stay but if he goes to theatre early, he could even be home the same night. I will also be seeing my breast surgeon again for a check-up.

For years our lives have been so quiet and now everything is happening at once! I must admit I am dreading all the work part of it but so looking forward to having an efficient heating system and a brand new conservatory which will be double-glazed instead of our single glazed one. All this should certainly cut the heating bills considerably and we will be able to use the conservatory all year around and not just a few months out of every year.

So, I am not likely to be updating this journal in the foreseable future as I am sure you will understand. I will be taking before and after photographs though and you will all be able to see the outcome when I return.

In the meantime, I ask for your good wishes and prayers that my medical tests will go well and all will be fine, too much going on already, I do not need any problems, please pray that Mike's eye surgery will go well and also pray for Becky who is waiting to hear when her surgery will take place although she has been told it will not be too long.

I think, by Christmas, we will all be exhausted.

Whilst I have been writing this, I had to break off to take a telephone call from the surveyor's office. He will be coming tomorrow morning.

So, now it is all systems go again and I have to get off here. I am sorry I have not been keeping up with your journals but you can all understand why. I shall be thinking about you all and wishing you all well and hoping that life is treating you kindly.

Signing off.....................................for now.

It's Been A While

2009-09-27T12:05:00.003+01:00

I had not realised how long it has been since I have made an entry. The days just seem to fly by.

So, what have we been up to? Well, we have planted masses of Pansies and Violas in tubs both in the back and front gardens. I have planted up three hanging baskets to go out at the front of the property. Filled with evergreen plants that should withstand the winter, Ivy, Curry plant, some creepers and more pansies.

Then we have had two visits about our boiler. Like our friend Joan of Joan's Musings, the boiler has to go. It is over thirty years old we have been told. Actually there is little to go wrong with the type of boiler we have, but they are the most expensive and inefficient to run. With the ever increasing gas prices, something had to be done. So, one afternoon was spent discussing with an expert, the best type of boiler for us. Then, last Friday the surveyor came to work out all the details, how much pipe work etc. Straight away there was a problem. The first chap had measured up wrongly and the new boiler is one inch too wide to go where it was intended to go so a new place had to be found and all the figures re-worked.

Eventually all was settled. The parts will all be delivered on the 19th October and work will commence at 8 a.m. the next day. I am certainly not looking forward to it. All the noise, the dust, being without hot water and heating overnight (you can bet your sweet bippy that night Mother Nature will decide to give us a frost)! The immersion tank in the airing cupboard will go (be nice to have the extra space), the old boiler ripped out, the flue dismantled and the hole in the ceiling made as good as they can. Thermostat controls off the wall which will leave a hole to be filled and that will mean re-decorating the kitchen. The water tank will go from the loft so there will be men all over this little bungalow and I am going to find it hard to find a reasonably quiet place.

It will be worth it all if we see the bills drop and will also be nice to turn on the taps and get instant hot water instead of switching on the immersion heater and having to wait an hour.

The boys are doing very well. Daniel has taken to school quickly and enjoys it. Nathan starts football club on Monday after school, so he now has a track suit and trainers. None of the family are really into sports but the boys love kicking a ball about. If Nathan does well, we could find ourselves being forced into watching football on t.v. at some point!

Yesterday the family were over. Dean worked hard trimming our trees at the bottom of the garden. He took at least six feet off each one. They grow so very fast but without them we have no privacy and all the houses at the back look straight into our lounge, which we hate.

Daniel was out there most of the time helping "Grand-dat" picked up and bag the felled branches. Nathan was in and out. Daniel, as I have mentioned before, is totally fearless. He wanted to climb the ladder and see from the top. Nathan went first but decided halfway, that he would prefer his feet firmly on the ground.

You can tell the height because that is a house at the back and the window is the bedroom one. Please do not worry. The ladder was firmly secured and also Daddy was right behind him so he could not have fallen.

No half measures for Dan though. He climbed right to the top:-

He was thrilled because he also found two birds' nests in different trees. He came running to show me. Old nests, one was a blackbird's by the look of it and the other was a wren's, so tiny and perfect.

Here he is with the blackbird one:-

I have a few more photos of the boys to show you now, taken over the last few weeks. The toy Rhino is Daniel's class mascot. Each child in the class takes it home for a weekend and has to take it on "adventures". Then afterwards the adventures have to be written about with accompanying photos. By the end of the school year "Reg The Rhino" will certainly have got around.

The weather continues very mild and sunny and that is the forecast for the next few days. Having to water the tubs every day is a bit of a chore but will be worth it for winter colour.

Well, that is about all from me. I hope life is treating you well, dear friends and readers. Until the next time.....

Thank You, Patrick

2009-09-15T13:43:00.009+01:00

It was with great sadness that I read of the passsing of Patrick Swayze. Although his demise was to be expected as he had been desperately ill for a long time with pancreatic cancer, it still upset me to see the headline on aol. this morning. 57 is no great age these days.

He gave pleasure to millions of people through his films and his t.v. work. I suppose he will best be remembered for "Dirty Dancing" and he was, without any doubt, a wonderful dancer. I remember the first time I saw the film and I loved it. Also "Ghost" was an extremely popular movie.

Personally though I enjoyed him the most in "North And South" an American t.v. series which told the story of two families, the Hazards and the Mains, during the American Civil War and how they struggled to maintain their friendship against all odds.

Patrick was, from what I have read, a very nice man, an accomplished rider and lover of horses and animals and absolutely devoted to his wife, Lisa. My thoughts are with her today.

Rest in peace, Patrick and thank you for all the wonderful moments.

Birthday Pictures

2009-09-12T13:45:00.002+01:00

Firstly, thank you so much to those of you who sent me cards through the post and those who sent e-cards. It is so heartwarming to know that you have friends who, although you have never met, can touch you and make you so happy.

I had a lovely day with the family. You already saw my present from Mike. I also had presents from Becky and Dean and presents from the boys. Photos were taken and I am sharing them here with you now:-

Beginning to show the age lines and wrinkles now. Still, it is to be expected at my age. Funny how in our minds we still feel the same as we did when young and day to day we do not really notice any changes. It is only when you see yourself back in photographs and compare them to previous years that you do realize that time is catching up with you.

I had a lovely long letter from a friend of mine. She and I have known each other since the day we started school at the age of five. She has lots of health problems these days and finds it hard to get about. It is doubtful we will meet again yet we have kept in touch for all those years, exchanged photographs of our weddings, our babies, children growing up. How many years? 61 years! Now that is what you call a friendship. Somebody asked me why I had not said how old I was on my Birthday posting. Well, now you know. Sixty-six and proud of it. More proud because a couple of years ago I was not at all sure I would be here to celebrate this birthday but I was and I am. All birthdays are precious to me now. Life is precious.

As I have mentioned before, we have not had any rain here for weeks, yes weeks. Tomorrow I have earmarked time in the garden to plant some pansies and to do some general tidying up. Do you suspect, as I do, that might just well be the signal for the skies to open? Well, if it does it does, we desperately need it. The south-east is the driest part of the country at the best of times but if we do not get rain soon the farmers will be suffering and so will the wildlife.

I do not know where today has gone. I intended to do lots of housework and none of it has been done. I have just been fiddling about with one thing or the other.

So now, I really must pull myself together and do things that need to be done.

Wishing you all a happy weekend, dear friends and readers.

On That Sunny Day

2009-09-11T12:38:00.006+01:00

Today the world again remembers that sunny day eight years ago that will forever be known as 9/11.

I put a link on here to my original journal, Jeannette's Jottings. However, people found the link would not work. The vast majority of you had read my tribute to Abner Morales in the past and also viewed the video I made to go with that entry. If anyone has not read it and wishes to, please e-mail me and I will send you a copy of the memorial entry I did for him.

Remembering Abner and his family today and all victims of that terrible inhuman act.

The Day I Met Judy Gardland

2009-09-09T09:35:00.001+01:00

As you will know from my previous entry, today is my Birthday - 09/09/09. I hope that this unusual date will be very lucky for me in the coming year to my next birthday. My beloved Mike gave me the most wonderful present. I had not been able to wear my wedding ring for quite a few years as it no longer fitted me and I had never had an eternity ring and he knew I wanted one. So here is the present that he gave me, not one but two beautiful rings:-

I also received a beautiful bunch of flowers:-

Now, to the heading of this posting. It was many a long year ago that I was to encounter this star. It is an experience that I have never forgotten. Of course, I looked very different back then. My hair was much longer and it was curly and auburn in colour. It was also in the days when I could get out and about.

We were on holiday at the time and came across this new attraction. Of course we just had to pay our money and go inside. I had no idea then that I was going to meet and get closely acquainted with Judy Garland.

Mike had his video camera with him and got some film, although it is very short. It has remained on that tape throughout all the intervening years being viewed now and then. However, VHS tape does deteriorate. No matter how well you store it, no matter at what temperature and even if you hardly view, tape will eventually destroy itself just as it has done with many of the old movie films.

Until quite recently it was impossible to transfer VHS tape to disc and then onto your computer and put into a format that you could view on a journal. Thanks to hours of hard work from our Dean, he has managed to single out that piece of film, and put it into the correct format.

So now I can share it with you all. Do you want to see Judy Garland and myself? Are you ready? Then here we go:-

O.K. I will come clean. For a bit of fun I led you all up the garden path. Yes it was Judy Garland but not the Judy Garland. That Hollywood star had left us twenty years before but the keepers at this newly established wildlife centre had named her that because she was the star attraction!

I have never been frightened or worried about snakes although I might not be so keen on the venomous kind. In fact I find them fascinating and beautiful creatures. I had another type of snake around my neck many years previously when I was still at school. I would dearly have loved to have brought Judy back home with me!

The film was taken at a place called Tropiquaria in Somerset. As I said, it was only recently opened when we visited but they had great plans for it and those plans have come to fruition. It has since gone from strength to strength, been given an award and has a wonderful collection of exotic creatures and much for children to do.

It was an experience that I truly loved and will always remember. As far as I know and as snakes are long-lived creatures, Judy is still there and many will have held her since I did. If you want to know when the film was taken it was in August 1989.

Well, the family will be over later so I had best away and make the most of my birthday. Another year older and deeper in debt as they say.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Little Big Man

2009-09-07T10:50:00.003+01:00

Today Daniel started his life at school. A day of mixed feelings. Pride at him in his school uniform, sad that the time has gone so quickly and our babies are not babies any more. They grow up so quickly.

He was very eager to go, which is good. He knows his teacher already because she was Nathan's teacher last year and Daniel met her on many occasions when they picked Nathan up from school. So he has a plus that Nathan never had.

This first week, Daniel will only do mornings but next week he will start full time so, for the first time in years, both boys will be out all day. I have not spoken to Becky yet today but I imagine she is a little emotional. From a house full of noise, there will now be days of silence. However, she says it will give her a chance to catch up on many jobs that need doing and could never be done because the boys were always into everything. Also she will have to do the school run in the mornings and afternoons, plus their swimming trips and anything else the boys get involved in over the next few years.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos taken on little man's day:-

Next week when Daniel begins full time, the boys will be able to eat lunch together and met up at breaktimes. That will be nice for both of them.

Still no rain here. I am hoping we do get some this week although hopefully, not on Wednesday as that is the day I shall be another year older and the family will be over late afternoon. Mike has been very mysterious about my present, so I cannot wait to find out what it will be.
This year my birthday falls on 09/09/09. I am so hoping that is a lucky omen. I read that many couples are getting married on Wednesday because of the special date.

I hope to get some photographs then, we shall see. If we do, I might well do a post in the evening when the family have gone.

I find it sad that there seem to be less and less postings these days, more and more people seem to be dropping away. I know some are on holiday but others have just stopped completely. It is certainly no J-Land and I, for one, have not noticed the community spirit we had then. Well, nothing lasts for ever and I think J-Land spoiled us for anything else.

Well, I suppose I had better go and get some housework done. I cannot imagine housework fairies and pixies suddenly appearing to do it for me.

Have a good week everyone and God bless.

Anniversary Wishes And The Bug

2009-09-03T17:24:00.010+01:00

Firstly, very Happy Anniversary Wishes to Becky and Dean who are celebrating their special day today. How quickly the time has gone - sixteen years of married life. It does not seem all that long since I was sewing crystals onto her wedding dress. They have known each other a lot longer than that, of course, well over twenty years. So, Mike and I raise a glass to them both. May they be happy together their whole lives long. We could not wish for a finer daughter or son-in-law.

Secondly, thanks to all who commented about the mystery bug and the photos I included in my previous entry. Our dear friend Morton was the first to solve the mystery. In fact within ten minutes of my posting, he gave me the answer.

Yes, it was a shield bug also known in the U.S.A. as the stink bug. You never stop learning. In fact, it is not a beetle at all as I thought, but belongs in a genus of its own.

Although sometimes mistaken for beetles, shield bugs belong to a different group of insects, the Hemiptera. They feed by sucking sap from a wide range of plants but generally cause no noticeable damage to cultivated plants, even when numerous. They overwinter as adults but, before seeking sheltered places, they are seen in late summer and autumn sitting on plant foliage in the sun. They are also active in early summer when they lay small clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves.

In recent years the native green shield bugs seem to have become more abundant and widespread. Other species of shield bugs that are brown or yellowish green with reddish markings can also be found in gardens.

They are supposed to emit a noxious smell when threatened. Well, Mike picked our little visitor up and nothing happened so the creature obviously did not feel Mike was any danger. We have not seen it since. Let us hope it is going happily about enjoying its life.

I was amazed to read that there are 30 different species of them here in Britain which makes it even stranger that neither Mike nor I had never come across one before.

Here endeth the lesson in entomology (unless something else strange turns up).

We are still not getting the rain we desperately need. Just a few showers but nothing that will really help the garden. The lawns are brown and the ground is like concrete. We are getting very strong winds though. We shall soon have to empty out all the summer tubs and try to put something in for winter colour. I usually prefer winter pansies but it becomes expensive when we have so many tubs. I might cut down a little this year. We shall see.

Before I sign off, here is a photograph of Jesse and Leo taking a little siesta together:-

Well, that is all from me for this time. Have a happy and peaceful weekend, dear friends and readers.

Can Anyone Tell Us What It Is?

2009-09-01T17:28:00.005+01:00

There is a definite feel of Autumn in the air now. The hanging baskets are finished and have been taken down, the nights are drawing in fast and the leaves are starting to change.

Now, we have a bit of a mystery! Whilst I was on the computer this morning, I glanced up and saw this strange creature. Strange because I personally have never seen one before, even at my time of life. Mike walked into the room and before I had a chance to say anything, he noticed it as well. It was on the wall just above my computer desk. He confessed he had never seen one either.

It is obviously a beetle. However, we cannot look it up on the internet unless we have a clue as to what it is. There are millions of beetles!!

Mike grabbed the camera and took a couple of shots. On the wall it was a very dark green, it almost looked black. When it moved it did not fly, it jumped. It jumped from the wall down to a shelf and then from one end of the shelf to another, quite sizeable jumps for a creature like that, before Mike released it.

Now, we have a policy of never killing anything that enters the house. We believe that all creatures have the right to live. So whether it be spider, moth, butterfly, beetle or anything else - it gets captured, either by hand or in a jar and safely placed outside.

Mike took our strange friend into the back garden and put it in some thick foliage. It immediately changed to a very bright light green with just a touch of brown on it. It obviously uses colour-changing camouflage. So, now we are more intrigued than ever. What is it?? Is it a species native to Britain or some visitor that has come in from abroad? If anybody knows please can you let us know as we would love to find out more about it. On the outside pictures, it looks similar to a Cricket, but nothing like that on the interior photographs. To make sure, I looked up Crickets on the internet and this strange little fellow is not one of those. Here are the outside pictures.

On Sunday last we had a lovely dinner with the family which was greatly enjoyed by all. Nathan can be a little picky with his food so I told him that the roast potatoes were magic and so were the stuffing balls, they were Nanjay's magic. His face lit up. He popped a piece of potato into his mouth and closed his eyes so tightly, wishing all the time. He then did the same with a piece of stuffing and then I was told that he really liked the magic balls and he wanted them again. Bless.

I will finish off with a couple of pictures of the boys playing at the local park.

Well, it is blowing a gale here right now and it is also time for the evening meal. Please do let us know about the beetle if anyone knows.

May life be treating you kindly, dear friends and readers.

Mostly Photos

2009-08-26T11:45:00.008+01:00

Firstly, on Daniel's behalf, I would like to thank all those who left him Birthday messages. His Mum showed him the journal entry and he was so delighted to see Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. She read him all your comments. I shall be printing the entry off to keep for him so he could well have your words long into the future. If he decides to keep it, maybe even when he has children of his own.

It was a lovely day and very busy for both boys. They saw their other Grandparents and then they went tenpin bowling followed by a good romp in an indoor play centre. Then they came round to us. Daniel loved his presents. He is very much into "Ratatouille" so we bought him some little characters from that. His larger present was "Remy" from the same film. The one we bought him says little phrases and dances to music. Great fun.

Later on we all had a meal together. We had decided on a take-away. The boys are too young for Indian and not great lovers of Chinese food. So we had Pizza delivered to the door. Believe it or not, it was a first for myself and Mike. We have had Pizza of course, but the ones that you cook yourself, never ones that were delivered. They were so delicious. Becky and I had the vegetarian version and Mike and Dean had an assorted meats one. The boys had some of each. We also had onion rings and garlic bread. Pizza is a favourite of both boys.

Later it was time to cut the cake. He had a Spiderman one this year. I had a small piece minus the icing.

They were so tired after all that. It was big hugs and kisses all round and then they happily went home to bed.

Last weekend they had been away on another camping trip. This time not far from the Kent coast and they took trips into Margate and Ramsgate. They were so lucky with the weather, they only had a couple of short sharp showers.

Becky managed to get a couple of interesting shots of other things. People had been busy with shells.

Seemed such a pity that the mermaid would be washed away as soon as the tide came in and they do have high tides there unlike some places where it does not come right up to the sea walls.

Also, not a very pretty obelisk but interesting all the same.

The inscription reads "To George The Fourth, King Of Great Britain and Ireland. The inhabitants and visitors of Ramsgate and the Directors and Trustees of the Harbour have erected this Obelisk as a grateful record of His Majesty's gracious condescension in selecting this Port for his embarkation on the 25th September in progress to His Kindom of Hanover and His happy return on the 9th November 1821."

So, with their camping trip followed directly by Daniel's Birthday, they had a very interesting, happy and exciting time.

Well, that is about all from me for now. I do hope that you have enjoyed seeing the photographs and I hope life is treating you well, dear friends and readers.

Special Day! Monday 24th August.

2009-08-23T18:05:00.005+01:00

Grandson Daniel is four years old today, the 24th August. How quickly the time passes. In less than three weeks he will be starting full time school alongside his elder brother although, of course, they will be in different classes.

Daniel, we wish you a lovely day, full of laughter, full of fun, lots of presents and we know how much you love cake, well how you love all food. The ever hungry Daniel! Mummy, Daddy and Nathan will make sure you have a super time and we will do our bit as well when we see you later in the day.

You are the dare-devil one, afraid of nothing, always up to mischief - but with that disarming smile, nobody can stay cross with you for long.

So a very Happy Birthday to you dear Daniel and many many happy returns. We love you very much.

Nanjay and Grandy.

Feeling Patriotic

2009-08-16T13:20:00.027+01:00

I was listening to some old songs last night from my CD collection and thinking about things in general. You know, the state of the world today, how things have changed. I thought of all the scandals recently about the allowances paid to Members of Parliament, the number of firms closing down, rising unemployment figures and now, it would seem, everybody is knocking our National Health Service.

Whilst it may not be perfect it still remains one of the best models in the world, nobody is turned away, health care is free to all but those who wish to pay privately can do, so we have the best of both worlds. I myself and many people I know have very good reason to be thankful for our Health Service.

It made me think of how much I love England, although born in Wales, that was merely due to circumstances brought about by the last war, both my brothers were born in England and I returned as just a tiny tot. I have always taken great pride in England. So, I decided to play around on the computer this morning (the housework can wait!) and make something to post on here.

I do appreciate that England is part of Great Britain, but I could not find, nor do I know of any songs about Great Britain, so I ask my friends in Scotland, Wales and Ireland to forgive my indulgence.

We are all part of one nation and a small national at that and we have fought against each other in historic times and stood together in times of national conflict and wars that threatened our way of life. So, this song is really for all of us Brits and my friends in America, Canada and all my visitors from all other countries can enjoy the photographs of England and the music. I hope you enjoy my efforts:-

Our island nation has stood through invasions, plagues, wars and our fighting spirit has always brought us through. Thousands of years of history and tradition. Whatever the future holds, we will face it and overcome it as we always have.

We may moan and groan, that is the nature of humanity, but we have a very great deal to be grateful for compared to many other countries. We are riddled with political correctness today for fear of offending others. So today I decided to wave the flag and why not? I am totally sick of people being worried to show patriotism.

I am very proud to be British and always will be, proud of my roots which lie in Scotland, Ireland and England. I am proud of my ancestors who fought for our freedom today, I am proud of our troops fighting and dying right now. I am very proud of England.

Two Go Camping

2009-08-12T12:16:00.004+01:00

Well, it was actually four that went camping a little while ago. Our two grandsons and their parents.

The boys had never been camping before so it was a true adventure for them. Nathan was dubious at first about the whole idea of a tent. He thought that "monsters" lived in them for some reason but soon got over that idea and now he just wants to go again, he likes sleeping "outside" so to speak.

They choose a nice campsite with woods and an outdoor swimming pool and the boys got lots of fresh air, playing football and other games, running around, going for walks. I was so pleased for them, that is what children should be doing, enjoying the air, enjoying nature. So many miss out today either spending most of their time in front of the t.v. or, in the case of older children, computers and game players.

Evenings were spent making their own entertainment, playing board games, chatting, just like it used to be when I was young.

I have a few photos that I can share with you of the boys just being boys

When it was time to pack up for home, the boys were fascinated when the groundsheet was lifted and they saw a whole variety of beetles, millipedes and other creatures. There will be lots of other camping trips and I hope that they both develop a love of the outdoors and the natural world.

It is hoped that they will join the Cubs and later on, the Scouts, although their Mum will probably not enjoy all the badges she will have to sew on.

Wishing you all well, dear friends and readers.

The Robertsons And The Magic Stone

2009-08-07T12:59:00.023+01:00

Glory Is The Reward Of Valour.

Those who had been long term readers will remember the entries I did recalling life at my Grandmother’s house, her garden, her likes, her friends. That was all written a long time ago although I did start my journal here on Blogger by repeating those entries.

I wish I could share with her the information I have gathered since her passing. She was so proud of her roots. She knew nothing of the history but was so proud of Scotland and although, due to sad circumstances, she came to England at the age of 13, she never lost her love of her Mother country and talked about it all her life.

Today I have decided I would write about the line that she came from. She was a Robertson by birth, born in Aberdeen and by tracing her line back to 1534, I have found I have ancestors from Perth, Kinnoull, Rhynd, Forgandenny, Kenmore, Pitlochry, Struan, Dull, Crieff and Fowis Wester just to name some of the places.

As a Robertson she was descended from and part of Clan Donnachaidh. Translated this means “the children of Duncan” and is pronounced “Donna-key.” This Duncan being King Duncan first. The clan descends from King Malcolm the second who reigned from 1005 to 1034 and was the last king in direct male line to descend from Kenneth MacAlpine, who united the Scots and Picts in 843 A.D.

Duncan reigned from 1034 until he was defeated in battle and killed by he of "The Scottish Play." The clan home was along the shores of Loch Rannoch and across the hills to Struan. The clan proudly claims to be Scotland’s oldest family.

The lineage traces back to Donnachaidh Remhair (Duncan the Stout) who fought for Bruce at Bannockburn and beyond him to the Celtic Earls of Atholl who were direct descendants of King Malcolm. So,they were of the Royal line that occupied the throne of Scotland in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Clan Donnachaidh claim to be the sole remaining branch of that Royal house.

Duncan the Stout of Atholl was the great-great-great grandson of the third and last of those Celtic Earls of Atholl. He was also the first of the family to be known as Lord of Rannoch.

Loch Rannoch And Schiehallion

Now, we come to the magic stone. To this very day there still survives an heirloom handed down by him, one which the chiefs of the Clan have guarded through the centuries as jealously as if it had been a relic of one of the blessed saints, the miraculous Clach Na Brataich.

There are two versions as to how this object was found. The better known today is that Duncan acquired it on the road to Bannockburn. When his men stopped for a night’s sleep on the journey south, they hoisted the standard and, the next morning, as the pole was being drawn from the ground, it brought to light a ball of rock crystal, two inches in diameter and “full of magic.” The victory at Bannockburn next day is said to have been the first of many glorious engagements in which the stone played a notable part. However, that tradition goes back little more than a century.

According to Col. Alexander Robertson of Struan, the clan chief two centuries ago, he had never heard of this Bannockburn version. According to him, Duncan The Stout had imprisoned MacDougal of Lorne in his castle on the Isle of Loch Rannoch and MacDougal escaped. Duncan and his clansmen set off in pursuit but nightfall overtook them and they camped on the shore of Loch Ericht. It was there that they found the Clach Na Brataich as they were pulling the standard out the next morning.

One thing is certain. On every momentous occasion since then, no chief would have considered making a decision without first consulting the stone. In wartime, by the changing of the stone’s colour, he could tell whether the outcome was going to be good or bad. But it had peacetime uses as well. When epidemics attacked his men or cattle, they soon recovered after a drink of water into which the chief had dipped the magic ball. It was used as recently as the last century for that purpose. It was then still widely believed that, when the stone grew dim or damp, the death of the chief was imminent.

The stone was once held in a netted silken pouch which an ancestress of the Marquess of Breadalbane made for it. That has long disappeared together with the gold filigree holder.

A clan chief took the stone for sake keeping to the National Museum of Antiquities and there it remained until quite recently. Clan Donnachaidh provided themselves with a handsome clan house in the heart of their ancient homeland in Perthshire. Now, each year, the Clach Na Brataich winters in the National Museum until about the middle of March. Then when spring comes, in company with the clan curator, the stone sets off for its old familiar Highland haunts, the clan house at Bruar on the Great North Road between Struan and Blair Atholl. It can be seen there all through the summer months until the clan house closes in October and the magic stone makes the return journey to Edinburgh.

Most of the early legends are woven around Duncan. He was a noted hunter and he would frequently go wolf hunting with his men and dogs around Beinn a Chualach between Struan and Loch Rannoch. There are still three wolf heads on the armorial bearings of the clan chief and these are said to have been granted to Duncan as a reward for clearing the Atholl forests of wolves.

The next memorable event in the clan history came more than a century after Duncan’s death. King James 1 of Scotland was murdered at Perth by Sir Robert Graham and a band of accomplices. Sir Robert fled to the great forest of Ossieschailis which ran from Glenmore along the southern base of Schiechallion. Here he was eventually tracked down and captured by Robert of Atholl, the chief of Clan Donnachaidh. Out of “favour and love towards Robert for capturing this dastardly traitor”, the new king made him Baron of Struan. He also received an addition to his armorial bearings - “a savage man in chains” as a reminder that he caught the wicked Sir Robert Graham. By capturing this regicide, Robert gained a place alongside Duncan as one of the immortals of the clan.

There are other legends concerning the Clan. How a Rannoch man was so jealous of the clans’ prosperity he tried to steal the Struan bell. The loss of that would mean a decline in the Clan fortunes as would any misfortune that ever befell the magic stone.

Thirteenth and last in the direct line, and in some ways the most notable of all the chiefs of the Clan was the Jacobite, Alexander Robertson of Struan. Born around 1670, he was still a student at St. Andrew’s University when his father died and he became chief. Alexander took part in all three of the Jacobite Risings. He also built a new house on a steep mound and near the site of the present Dunalastair house. At least three houses have stood there at different times. The present one has been unoccupied since the last war and has fallen into ruin.

The ruins of Dunalistair House.

The first house , built by Alexander Robertson of Struan, was called The Hermitage. This was a rather suitable name for a house were men were always welcome and women never. No woman, as guest or servant ever crossed its threshold for the clan chief was a lifelong bachelor and a misogynist. But he loved animals. No creature was put to death in his grounds whilst he lived.

There was little happiness for the chief in his latter years. His lands were confiscated after the last Jacobite Rising and in 1746 Government troops burned his beloved Hermitage. Two more of his houses went up in flames as well. One of them was rebuilt and he spent his last years there with his sister. It was an uncomfortable house. It was extremely cold, never plastered or lined, the rain came through the thatched roof and the cattle wandered all over the garden.

After the last Jacobite rising or rebellion, there came acts that made it illegal for the bearing of any type of weapon and it was also forbidden to wear the tartan. The British Government wanted the clans broken up once and for all.

Alexander did not die unmourned. It is said two thousand people of all ranks attended his funeral when he passed in his eighty-first year.

There where many who said that his unhappy end was inevitable. The magic stone was found to have developed a crack. Their talisman, the Clach Na Brataich - cracked! Since that day ill fortune has dogged the steps of the chiefs of the Clan. Much of the lands and property had to be sold out of the family. In 1855 a new mansion was built by the then chief, but it had to be sold less than six years later. The Barracks at the west end of Loch Rannoch was the remaining part. Until 1910 it remained the home of the chief. Even that had to be sold and by 1926 all the lands that had once belonged to the Robertsons of Struan had now passed out of their possession - all except a little high-walled enclosure. The vault of the chiefs that stands in a clump of trees on the hillside at Dunalastair.

This last resting place of those stout warriors and chiefs of old is still owned by the present clan chief, who carries on the Robertson name and the title of chief, if not the wealth and the lands.

I am very proud that, through my Grandmother, I am an distant member of this Royal and ancient line and that, by researching the family tree, our Grandsons will be left with a wealth of history.

Tuesday Tidings

2009-08-04T12:24:00.007+01:00

It is raining again. After a reasonable day yesterday, the dark clouds are back and we have had a couple of heavy showers.

I did actually manage to get an hour sitting in the garden the other day, one of the very few hours out there this year. We need the sun to build us up for the winter but that is the way it goes, nothing can be done about it.

Some of you know that Dean's Dad was due to have major surgery today. Well, they got him ready and then an unfortunate thing happened. The anaesthetist fell and broke his leg. The operation has had to be postponed until Thursday. I do feel for them, it must be so stressful.

Becky had an appointment herself yesterday at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at our local hospital. It transpires that she will need surgery on her ear at some point in the not too distant future. If she does not have it, the condition will only worsen. She does not want me to go into details and I respect her wishes.

Mike sees his eye consultant again in a couple of weeks. He will be having more extensive tests and will be unable to drive so Becky will be taking him to the hospital and also collecting him. We do not know how long after that he will have to wait for his eye surgery.

One way and another our family is keeping the hospital busy but I wish it was not the case. We have had enough of it one way and the other.

As for our neighbour, he remains in hospital. His eldest daughter did call to see us yesterday and says he has a couple of infections and is on antibiotics. She does not know how long they will keep him in and he will also be undergoing some mental health checks in the near future. She was very grateful for all we have done.

Other than that, there is little to write about. I have been doing quite a bit of reading and when not actually reading I am often listening to talking books. I have always been a bibliophile.

Maybe when I write my next entry, I will post one of my ghost stories.

The skies have just opened again. Time for a nice cup of tea.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Being Good Neighbours

2009-08-01T11:41:00.009+01:00

Whew, what a morning we have had. We were alerted that something was not right by Jack continually barking which is not like him.

I went to the front door only to hear someone calling out our next-door-neighbour's name. It was his gardener who cuts his lawn for him and generally does some tidying up. Thinking that was all it was, I closed the door and came back into the house.

A few minutes later, the gardener knocked on our front door. He said he could be mistaken but he was sure he had heard our neighbour, Charlie, saying he could not get up.

Now, when Charlie was having all his hip surgery before and could not cope, the social services fitted a key box to the outside of his door. The box contained the key to the house and a special code had to be punched in in order to retrieve the key. Social services asked Mike if he would be the key holder so to speak and when Mike agreed, they gave him the code number.

All was well for several months and Mike did all his shopping and got his papers each day using the key and also had to enter twice, once when Charlie had a fall and once when he got stuck in the toilet and trapped.

Then he seemed to make a good recovery, Charlie said he no longer needed help and all was quiet. The box remained though, just as a precaution.

As soon as the gardener voiced his worries to Mike, Mike sped around there and punched in the code for the box - no key inside. No windows open, all the house secure - absolutely no way in.

The gardener left and Mike came back. We had the mobile number of Charlie's son although we knew that for personal reasons between himself and his father, he did not have a key. But, we thought at least he could contact one of his sisters who both live some way away. There was no answer on the mobile.

Mike went back and yelled and yelled at the windows, through the letterbox, banged as hard as he could. Nothing, no sound. I decided that the only thing to do was call the Police.

I dialled our local station, after taking a few details they put me through to the right department who were extremely helpful and said they would send someone as soon as possible. Ten minutes later a police car drew up. Mike met them. They tried all the things he had done to no avail. To break into the premises they had to get permission from a higher authority and that was about ten minutes coming through.

Then the police officer got a crowbar from the rear of his car and proceeded to force open the front door. By this time another police car had arrived and naturally, passing vehicles were slowing down to see what was going on and passers-by were staring. I was also worried in case it was a false alarm and we had put in an emergency call for nothing. My heart was racing I can tell you.

Charlie had taken a fall. The police immediately sent for an ambulance. In the meantime a paramedic had arrived in a car. Our little lane was getting quite crowded. Whilst Mike was comforting Charlie and helping the police, I was talking to a police officer and one of the paramedics who wanted to know as much about him as possible. By now there were two police cars, one paramedic car and an ambulance.

I explained that we used to have entry but not any longer, that he had no carers going in and the family came down rarely. They asked me if he had any previous falls and I had to tell them what I have told you above. He has also become very confused lately and is obviously suffering from Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia.

After notifying his family and thanking us for being good neighbours and telling us we had done exactly the right thing, the police all left. The paramedics were marvellous. They decided he was going off to the hospital for a complete check over. It was obvious when they tried to get him into the ambulance that he was very confused. He refused a wheelchair or stretcher and wanted to get in himself, but he could not cope with the steps and when they put the ramp down, he did not seem to know what to do, instead of heading into the ambulance, he turned back towards the house. They were very patient with him, so kind. But they gave us their opinion that, in the state he is in, he should not now be living there on his own.

We had to agree but then the decision is not ours. That is up to himself and his family. It was a big worry. We did not know whether the police would find a body when they went inside.

Mike spoke to his daughter on the phone as the police found the number after they had entered. She will be going straight to the hospital and has said she will let us know how he is. She thanked Mike for what he had done and then proceeded to apologise to him. Apparently Charlie has been running us down left, right and centre, saying what dreadful neighbours we are and all manner of other nasty things about us. Mike was very hurt when he told me. He has been so good to Charlie, much better than his own family have been. I was initially hurt but then pointed out to Mike that this was another indication of Alzheimer's. I went through some of this with my own dear father.

The whole incident from start to finish took over two hours and both of us our shattered. Still, we have done what we needed to do, we have been good neighbours. Now we both need a cup of tea and a rest.

They Got It Wrong + Photos

2009-07-30T10:15:00.013+01:00

The Met Office has finally admitted that they got the weather prediction for this summer totally wrong. Surprise, surprise, as if we had not already guessed that. They were wrong last year and also the year before.

One has to wonder about global warming. If they cannot get the prediction correct for the current year, then how can they forecast ten years ahead, fifty years ahead, one hundred years ahead?

It has rained almost every day this July and there has not been one day when it has been possible to actually sit in the garden. All the hard work we had put into the garden has only been viewed through the windows. Him indoors did manage to hard prune a couple of our trees in between downpours. We can only hope that we do get a few warm sunny days before summer finally bows out.

Becky and family enjoyed their holiday. Dean has a very demanding job and works long hours so at least it gave them all a chance to be together and they made the best of it despite Mother Nature having other ideas on what the weather should be.

Becky sent through a few photos which I am going to share with you today. The first three were taken when they did a day trip on the Norfolk Broads.

For our American friends who would not understand the Norfolk Broads, here is a brief description. The Norfolk Broads is now the UK’s largest nationally protected wetland and an important area for wildlife. The Broads were formed when people dug for peat in Medieval times and then they were later flooded. The Victorians used them for transporting heavy loads but nowadays they are used purely for pleasure and passengers are the boats’ main cargo.

The next two photos were taken on the beach at Great Yarmouth. It was obviously not the weather to go swimming!

The remaining photos are of the two boys just having fun. This is the first time they have gone on rides without their parents being with them.

I am sorry that some of you would have had an alert from me yesterday under dashboard or google reader, then gone there to find the entry had been deleted. I had a lot of problems with the posting yesterday. I have had problems uploading photos today which is why I have not added all of them. There were only a couple more of the boys on the rides.

Well, I think that is all for now. I have some jobs to do and need to sort out returns to go to the library before I play my daily dose of Trivial Pursuit and wrestle with the online crossword.

I hope you have all been having a good week, my dear friends and readers.

The Last Of The Old Brigade

2009-07-25T15:40:00.018+01:00

Harry Patch, the very last of our World War 1 veterans passed away today at the age of 111. His death comes just a week after the passing of Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man who was also a veteran.

Harry would always point out that countless Germans died in that war and he honoured them as well.

I myself have always believed that nobody wins a war - it is simply that one side loses more than the other. I wonder if Harry felt the same, he probably did. He never got over what he experienced, right to the end.

We shall not see their like again. With Harry's death passes the last link with the trenches, the rats, the mud, the stench, trench foot, trench fever, gas attacks and the millions of senseless deaths.

Only one survivor remains now in Australia.

They were a generation of men who did not realise what they were walking into. Many treated it as an adventure, a chance to go abroad. It was a war that was going to be over so quickly. It was the war to end all wars. Sadly this has not been the case.

We owe all these men a huge debt of gratitude. The best thing we can do in their name is strive for peace, an end to fighting between nations, an end to religious bigotry and hatred.

I salute Harry as I saluted Henry Allingham. All the old comrades together again. The chapter is finally closed. The book is finished. But we must never lay it completely aside, we must never forget.

I wore a tunic, a lousy khaki tunic,
And you wore your civvy clothes.
We fought and bled at Loos
While you were home on the booze
The booze that no one here knows.
Oh you were with the wenches
While we were in the trenches
Facing an angry foe.
Oh you were a-slacking
While we were attacking
The Jerry on the Menin Road.

Harry told his story in the book "The Last Fighting Tommy" - Harry Patch of the Trenches. It is still available.

Canine Friends

2009-07-23T11:24:00.006+01:00

Firstly, thank you so much for the lovely comments you left on my previous posting - my anniversary entry.

The weather remains very changeable. No sign of the heatwave summer that was predicted. Makes me wonder, apart from alerting shipping, what good weather forecasters actually are. They never seem to get it right. We have had very strong winds for several days and the plants have been taking a battering.

Jesse and Jack never worry about the weather. They just enjoy their daily romps across the fields or in the woods and take delight in meeting their friends.

I am going to share a few of their friends with you today.

Firstly we have Elona. Elona is the manageress of our local Off Licence (for our American friends that is Liquor Store). She loves Jesse and Jack. She also has a beautiful dog of her own.

This is Elona's dog. He is a Mastiff called Thai.

Border Collies are extremely popular in our area so next up we have William (Bill) and his Collie, Ben. Ben is twelve years old now and having some trouble with his back legs but that does not stop him enjoying himself. Ben is next to his master and then our Jack. They are very similar in appearance although Jack has a lot more white on his face.

Of course, Jesse had to get in on the act. Why is it that dogs always put their ears down the moment you aim a camera at them?

Now Ben on his own.

Another one is their canine friends is also a Border Collie. His name is Flynn and his master is Ron. Flynn is a Blue Merle and has one bright blue eye.

Now we have Rita and her lovely Labrador Retriever - Josie.

Lastly, our friend and neighbour Brian with his two dogs. Megan is a black Greyhound, originally bred for racing, she had no taste for it so she now lives happily with Brian, Margaret and their other dog, Daisy. Daisy is cream and is a Lurcher.

Of course there are many more. We have fields near to us where Him Indoors takes our two and usually gets chatting to someone or other. There is nothing like a dog for attracting conversation and getting to know other dog owners.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing some of Jesse and Jack's canine friends and our friends as well.

We are going to have lunch now before Mike sets off again on his daily walk. I wonder who he will meet up with today?

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

Our thanks to all the above people who gave their permission for their pictures to appear here.

Anniversary Posting

2009-07-19T09:25:00.008+01:00

Today, the 19th July is the fifth anniversary of my journal.

It is strange because, in some ways, it feels as if I have always been writing and yet in other ways those five years have gone so fast.

When I first began, I never expected it to last. It was something I thought I would have a go at and maybe squeeze three months out if I was lucky. Of course, I do not post so often these days as I have written so much in the past. Looking back, I should have spaced things out more, not posted every single day. Now, sometimes I struggle to think of something to write about.

What changes there have been in those five years. When I first set up my journal, my eldest Grandson was only three weeks old. He is now five and in September commences his second year at school. My second Grandson was not even born. So I was able to express our joy when he came into the world and you have seen the two boys as they have grown.

Then came my breast cancer and I was able to share that with you through this medium and keep you informed of my progress. I will never forget the outpouring of love and support I received at that time. It helped me get through one of the darkest moments of my life.

You shared with us the loss of our beloved dog, Pip and then the arrival of Jack. Even mundane things such as having a new kitchen installed and re-vamping the bathroom. Ghost stories, family history, poetry - all this and so much more has made an appearance on here.

I helped quite a few people start their own journals. That was in the days when aol used to feature journals and I was lucky enough to be one of them. People would contact me and ask me how to go about things and I would give them what advice I had acquired. It is heartening to me that some of them are still writing.

In world terms there have been floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, global warming, the election of a new American president, a world recession and countless other things.

One of the biggest blows was the loss of J-Land when aol decided that our journals were not worthwhile and they did not want us anymore. Even before then, I had seen good journals come and go but a great many more disappeared when aol made that decision. Some left in disgust over the whole issue. Others, originally enthusiastic about coming here to Blogger, found the system just too much to cope with after aol journals which had such an easy format - including having e-mail alerts when friends and contacts had posted. People I had come to know and like very much just disappeared. Some without even a goodbye.

A few have stuck with me since almost the beginning and I have acquired other readers along the way but I remember the days when I used to get thirty to forty comments an entry and many of us had the same.

One way or another it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I often think of those who have left and wonder how their lives are going.

I have had visitors from many countries, although, to my knowledge I have never had any comments other than from people in America and Canada. It is amazing to me that, since I first began writing, I have over 184,000 hits on my “blog.”

Social networking seems to be the thing these days. Places like Twitter and Facebook. I use Twitter myself. However, none of these social sites can ever take the place of a journal or blog in my opinion. A journal has a heart, it has a soul, it is part of the person who writes it, an extension of themselves and they can share so much more through their writing than they ever could by leaving short messages and sending endless cyber gifts. You get to know a person much better through a journal than you ever could on a networking site. You get a personal glimpse into their lives, their worries, their joys, their families and their views on many topics.

I guess it is quicker for most people to "network." We live in a lazy society. We live in a texting society where everything seems to be abbreviated. For most people, faster seems to be better. However, it will be a very sad day if blogs ever become a thing of the past.

So, although I no longer post daily, I will continue with my journal for as long as I can. As long as I can think of something to write, I will write it. As long as I have a photo to post, I will post it. As long as you continue to read me, I will carry on.

So, I would like to thank all of you who follow me, all of you who seem to enjoy my little space on the web. I would also like to thank you for your love and support which has sustained me on many occasions.

Now, I am going to be the first to wish my journal a happy fifth birthday!

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.

　

Salute To A Grand Old Man - Henry Allingham

2009-07-18T11:01:00.008+01:00

Henry Allingham has passed away at the age of 113. He was the world's oldest man and a veteran of World War 1.

Henry would never speak about his experiences until late into his life when he began educating young people on the horrors of war. He was married for over fifty years and leaves behind several generations of his family including one great-great-great grandchild.

Born in 1896 to an ironmonger's wife in a corner of north-east London, the veteran, whose life spanned three centuries and six monarchs, was 67 when John F Kennedy was assassinated and 73 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

At the time of his death, he was the last surviving founder member of the R.A.F., the last man to have witnessed the Battle of Jutland and the last surviving member of the Royal Naval Air Service.

His mother had begged him not to go to war but, after her death, he enlisted in 1915

There will be many tributes to Henry and I cannot do him justice here. but he was held in great esteem by the British people, the French people, the armed forces, members of the government and even members of the Royal family. We shall not see his like again.

I salute you Henry. Now you can take your well earned rest reunited with your old comrades.

Results Of My Recent Poll + Other Things

2009-07-16T13:31:00.004+01:00

Another lovely day here but I guess we had better make the most of it. They have forecast extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms in our region as of tomorrow and the weekend outlook is not good.

Becky and family are setting off tomorrow for a week in Norfolk so I do hope the weather picks up for them. They are leaving as soon as the boys get home from school. Hard to believe it is the end of Nathan's first year and that Daniel will not attend pre-school anymore. Come September he will be joining his big brother at school although not, of course, in the same class. How time flies.

Nathan has already attended his end-of-year disco and won a prize for his dancing. That boy loves to bop!! Daniel has a picnic today with all those who will be leaving and going on to school so I am glad the weather is good.

I would like to thank all of you who took part in my recent poll on what you hate the most. I had not created one in a long time and it was nice to know that you still enjoy them. The poll is now closed.

Here are the results:-

Street Crime 20 votes
Inconsiderate Drivers 11 votes
Rude Shop Assistants 7 votes
Litter On The Streets 6 votes
Reality T.V. shows 5 votes
Call Centres 5 votes
Politicians 2 votes
Celebrity Culture 1 vote
Red Tape 1 vote
Traffic Wardens - no votes.

Total votes 58.

It seems that both here and in other countries street crime upsets and worries people the most. It never used to be like this. How times have changed.

I am also glad that you enjoyed the ghost story I posted a couple of days ago. I know they used to be popular so I have another couple lined up for posting in the future if you would like to read them.

Well, I had better get off here and get some work done. There is nothing like a computer for eating up time.

Be well, dear friends and readers.

Armine - A Ghost Story

2009-07-14T15:35:00.006+01:00

Hunstanton Hall

Hunstanton Hall is in the County of Norfolk. It it a moated Tudor manor house and here is the ghost story that is associated with it. It is the story of a woman’s obsession with a particular item in her home. The object of her pleasure and her concern was a carpet. Yes, a carpet. This was no ordinary piece of woven fabric but was a beautiful and antique Persian carpet that had been given to her by the Shah of Persia.

Can emotions be so powerful that they persist beyond the grave? I will leave it up to you, my dear friends and readers, to decide.

The Hall has been the ancestral home of the Le Strange family for hundreds of years and although many valuable items were lost in a fire in 1853 and fire struck again in 1951, the hall remains.

The lady at the centre of this story was Armine. Armine was a widow and she inherited the Hall on the death of her brother in 1760. Apparently she was a strong and determined character.

The fly in the ointment was her son, who made her life at the hall less than happy. Nicholas was her eldest son and seemed intent on destroying the family fortune. He was known throughout Norfolk as the “Jolly Gentleman” - but jolly in this context does not mean friendly, outgoing and happy. He was a compulsive gambler and drinker, totally selfish by nature and only thinking of himself.

He built up many debts and, as those debts mounted, things began disappearing from the Hall. Books from the very valuable library, silver plate and jewellery which had been handed down for generations. All vanished. Soon the beautiful house was being stripped and Armine knew just who was responsible.

As she grew older she started to fret and worry more and more. She feared that soon there would be nothing left and Nicholas would eventually let his eye fall upon her beloved carpet.

In 1768 she became very ill and knew that she was dying. She summoned her son to her bedside. She accused him of selling nearly everying adding “I am told that if I were able to look out of the window of my bedchamber, I should miss the deer in the Park.” Totally unashamed Nicholas admitted that yes, the deer had gone, he had lost them at cards the week previously.

Armine voiced her fears that, once she was dead, he would also dispose of her precious carpet which was very valuable indeed. Nicholas appeared genuinely shocked at the idea and said he has never even considered it, knowing how much it meant to her. However, Armine knew him better and, mustering all her strength, demanded his solemn promise that he would never ever sell the carpet. He clasped his mother’s hand in his and vowed he never would.

Armine was not convinced. “Remember, Nicholas” she continued, “if you break your promise or if you or anyone else commit the enormity of selling the carpet, or letting it go out of the Hall, I shall return and haunt this house. I swear it, and I know I shall be permitted to do so.”

These words truly shocked and scared Nicholas and, after her death, he decided to put temptation out of the way. He had the carpet taken up from the drawing room and stored away in a wooden box, well nailed down and out of convenient reach.
For the rest of Nicholas’s lifetime and well beyond it, Armine’s delightful carpet mouldered in some dusty store room at the Hall, totally undisturbed and forgotten by all.

Eighty years were to pass. Eventually the Hall passed into the possession of Hamon Le Strange. Hamon married Emmeline Austin. She was a very beautiful American from Boston. She was lively and energetic and breathed new life into the Hall. She was absolutely delighted to be the mistress of an English stately home. She wanted to be the new broom that swept clean.

She set out exploring every nook and cranny, arranging the cleaning and tidying, discovering long forgotten items. Eventually she came across the nailed box. She was at first very excited but then disappointed to find, when opened, it only contained a dusty old carpet. She did not want to use it but wanted to find a practical use for it. Being a kind-hearted person she decided that it should be cut up in many smaller pieces and made into useful hearthrugs for poor members of the local community.

She set off in her carriage with the piles of rugs which she presented to the cottage families who were, of course, delighted with these unexpected gifts. She went home feeling very pleased with her generosity.

As her carriage arrived at the gatehouse, she was alarmed when, looking up, she found that she was being watched from the window by an elderly woman. The woman’s face was a picture or rage and hatred. Emmeline was very shocked because she immediately recognised the face as being that of Armine whose portrait hung in the Hall.

She hurried inside and immediately told her husband what she had seen. He at once remembered the family story and how Armine had threatened to haunt the place if the carpet was ever disposed of and Emmeline had disposed of it. Hamon told his wife that she must get the pieces back, however embarrassing that might be. She refused, she said she could not do that, she would not take things back. Then she thought she might have imagined it or it was a trick of the light.

Within hours she knew she had not imagined it and it had been no trick. For several days and nights the Hall was haunted by Armine’s restless ghost. The whole household was in sheer terror with the rappings, bangings and sightings.

She decided she had to take action. She had to purchase good quality Axminster rugs and distribute them to those who had received pieces of the Persian carpet. Eventually all the pieces were reunited and stowed away back in the box. However, they could not be put back together as one carpet.

Maybe this is why Armine still continues to appear from time to time, being seen and heard. She had managed to prevent her wayward and selfish son from disposing of the carpet but could do nothing about the innocent desire of a pretty American to do good in a little village. Her beloved carpet had been destroyed forever and she has kept her promise.

What Do You Hate The Most? - A Poll For You.

2009-07-10T16:53:00.002+01:00

We all have things we dislike. I have taken a few and made them into a poll. What makes you see red? Think carefully because you can only vote once. I hope you enjoy taking part.

Remembering, Photos And News

2009-07-07T10:19:00.005+01:00

Remembering today all those who lost their lives in the London bombings. My thoughts are with their families. A new memorial is to be unveiled in Hyde Park by Prince Charles. We must never forget and always strive for peace between nations.

We had some much needed rain and it is quite a lot cooler I am glad to say. At least we will not have to water the garden. Talking of the garden, I have some photos of our summer flowers that I would like to share with you.

There are many more but I think that is enough to post on here.

The letter I have awaited came this morning. Two years clear from breast cancer! I am so happy and very relieved. That is two years down and three to go before I can truly relax but it is very good news.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers

Some Birthday Pictures

2009-06-30T16:11:00.002+01:00

As I have already written, Nathan had his big Birthday party last Sunday. It was held at the local church hall and nearly all of his class-mates attended.

I wish I could share the video but I would have to get permission from all the other parents and there would be those who would refuse. I can tell you that there was lots of dancing and Nathan really was really into it. The Magician was a great hit with the children and he had them screaming with laughter for ages.

I can share these few photos with you.

I think one of the most beautiful sounds in the whole world is the laughter of children and, believe me, they all had such fun. Nathan has had so many presents his Mum and Dad are spreading them out so he can open some each day.

I do hope you have enjoyed this small glimpse of his fifth Birthday. A couple of months and Daniel will be four - he is not into parties yet so will be having a different kind of celebration.

Birthday Wishes For Someone Special

2009-06-29T00:05:00.003+01:00

Today, Monday 29th June, is the Birthday of someone very special to us. Our eldest Grandson, Nathan, is five years old today.

We hope you have a wonderful Birthday even though you will be at school. We already know that you enjoyed the big party you had with all your schoolfriends yesterday and we look forward to seeing you later today.

How quickly the time has gone and how fast you are growing up. Tall, handsome and with a smile that lights up any room. We are so proud of you.

We love you very much Nathan, now and always.

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Love from Nanjay and Grandy

Thanks to Sugar for making the Birthday cake graphic.

We Love Our Grand-dad!

2009-06-24T11:01:00.003+01:00

It was a lovely day on Sunday but then every day is a lovely day when we see our Grandsons. Obviously we do not see them so often these days so really notice the change in them each time.

It was so heartwarming when they individually handed a present to Mike and said "Happy Father's Day, Grand-dad" and when Mike thanked them they said "You're welcome". Bless them.

Mike had some nice presents including a couple of pairs of shorts. He actually got the chance to wear a pair yesterday as it was quite warm and they were promising a heatwave for this week. Today, however, there is such a strong wind that it keeps slamming the doors and windows so he is back in trousers.

Anway the day was lots of fun and the boys kept us entertained I can tell you. It seems amazing that Daniel starts full-time school in September and Nathan will have completed his first year. From September, the learning really begins as the first year was very much play related. Now he will have to knuckle down. He just took part in his first Sports Day and did well.

We discovered on Monday that Mike will have to go into hospital for surgery. We do not know when. At the moment we are awaiting an appointment for a consultation with a specialist. When he had his eyes tested last year, the optician was concerned about something at the back of one of his eyes. Well, apparently it has grown much worse. Some sort of cataract the optician thinks but we will know more when he has had more tests. Poor Mike, it will only be the second time he has been in hospital but he has been told it will definitely mean surgery. I know he is worried because he will not discuss it.

Going to be difficult with the dogs because I cannot take them out but, no doubt, we will manage somehow. Your prayers for him would be very appreciated. We are hoping that he does not have to wait too long and we can get this out of the way. The last few years have been nothing but medical appointments, operations, treatments etc. We both need a break from it. A few months when everything goes right.

Well, that is about all from me for now. We have a birthday coming up in a few short days so I will be doing another entry then.

In the meantime, wishing you all well and hoping that life is being kind to you. God bless.

Love Jeannette

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T00:02:00.001+01:00

On your Special day, wishing all Fathers, Step-Fathers, adoptive Fathers, Foster-Fathers and Grandfathers a wonderful and happy time.

Know that you are not taken for granted, that all that you do and the love that you give, touches the hearts of your families. You are all special, very special.

I would like to thank my own dear Mike for being a super Father and Grandfather (as well as being a wonderful husband) always caring, always there.

Remembering my own dear Father, departed these many years. I love you Dad and always will.
I will always miss you.

So, gentlemen, put your feet up and let your families spoil you today. I hope that they will.

God bless you all.