Farewell Auntie

Well I`ve not long been home after attending my Auntie Win`s funeral and I feel a bit sad but not for the most obvious reasons. When my brother, nephew and I arrived at the crematorium I saw my cousin we were all feeling very apprehensive about meeting family that we hadn`t seen for a long time, we`d needn`t have worried because we got a warm welcome. There weren`t many people there and that made me feel sad. I know that Auntie Win was 94 and many of her friends are no longer with us but I thought that her younger friends would have been there. And some more family members. There was just her son Rod, daughter-in-law Jenny , two grandsons, me, my brother Cliff and nephew Adam. None of my other cousins were there and I`m so glad that I was, so was Cliff. Auntie Win was a formidable woman to the end and I`m so glad she was exactly the same right up to the end. I`m also sad that we won`t see the like of her again in this world but I`m sure she has her place in heaven and is making her presence felt as we we speak. After the service we all chatted for a while and then said our goodbyes. It was strange because we all knew it was unlikely that we`ll meet again, our lives are so different. It`s a shame because we all get on well but thats just how it is, we`ve never been a close family which is a little sad.

I`ve been really busy at work with lots of customers buying Christmas trees and decorations. In fact I wouldn`t be surprised if we sell right of Christmas lights in the next few days. I`ve been wearing my father Christmas earrings and flashing lights reindeer badge which most of the customers appreciate. This morning I served a really nice man who told me he was 82, I couldn`t believe it because he didn`t look a day over 65. Before he left he shook my hand and then kissed it....Oh I WAS flattered! There are some lovely people out there.

Danny has gone home after his bout of flu and is back at work. It was nice to act as nursemaid for a while but it`s nice to have the house back for just the two of us. I just hope I don`t catch it or I will not be happy I can tell you, being ill isn`t an option with Christmas on the doorstep, I have far too much to do....lol!

Yesterday some Heuchera plants arrived that I ordered months ago. They should have arrived back in November but they forgot to send them. Then they sent them and the courier lost them! For the third time I emailled the company and they miraculously they arrived the next day. The last thing I can do now is plant them outside as they are far too small to survive a heavy frost. What I`ve done is plant them in pots and put them in the greenhouse to overwinter.

I have a bad headache caused I think by the stress of the day, hopefully it will subside before I have to resort to medication. I prefer not to take anything but I have a feeling I won`t get away with it this time. I can`t remember a time when I haven`t had a headache after a funeral.

Jim is still waiting to find out what hours he will be working on Christmas Day. They usually put the schedules on the notice board but this year they seem to be taking there time. It would be nice for Jim to know so as I can plan the day around him, I don`t want him to miss out. Hopefully he won`t have to work a full shift and he won`t be gone too long. Luckily he will be home on Boxing Day for the whole day and he already knows that he`s not working next Christmas. I`ll say goodbye for now and go and take something for my headache, see, I`ve given in already...lol! Take care. :o)

Weekend Catch Up

It`s a damp and miserable day and I really don`t like it. Last week it was bitterly cold but frosty and brighter, give me that any day instead of this.

Yesterday Jim and I went to the garden centre Christmas dinner. We had a nice time but the food could have been a little better and the portions a bit bigger. Never mind we had a good night out and that was the most important thing.

At the moment I`m acting as nursemaid to my son and heir Danny who has a bad case of man-flu. I don`t want him to go back to his flat as the heating isn`t very good and I don`t want him to get really ill. To be fair he does have a very bad cough and a fever and its not like him not to eat but as we all know men are pretty helpless when viruses strike...lol! Oh dear, I shouldn`t laugh, I`ll probably get it next. :o( We had a bit of a falling out the other evening and I`m pleased to say it`s resolved for now but I think it`s going to happen again before long as the issue isn`t going to go away....sigh

I`ve been getting lots of Christmas cards from my JLand friends and many of them from overseas so thank you all. As I said before I`ve wrapped everything and am as ready for Christmas as I can be, not bad with still two weeks to go. Knowing me I`ve forgotten something really important...lol! The only present I have still to buy is Danny`s. I can`t buy clothes like I`ve said before or they will go back to the shop after Christmas and I have no idea what else I can get him. If I ask him he said he doesn`t know what he wants ( so helpful!) and I know he wants something to open so I can`t give him money....Oh dear, I need some inspiration.

I`ve just had a call from my brother about our Aunties funeral. He`s attending the service with me and bringing my nephew too. I must admit I`m glad to have some moral support because I haven`t seen my cousin for over 35 yrs and another of my cousins since I was 13, though I`m certain I won`t have any trouble recognising them. Tomorrow I will organise the flowers.

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment for a filling and I`m really not looking forward to it. I would happily cancel but the nagging pain at the back of my mouth prevents me. The dentist says it just a small hole but they always say that, he probably just trying to make me feel better! Best get it over and done with before Christmas so I can eat what I like without fear of pain. Anyway my friends, I hope you`ve all had a lovely weekend. take care and I be visiting your journals soon. :o)

Catching up and some Sad News

Oh dear, I`ve left it almost a week without posting an entry again. So much has happened over the last week that I wanted to tell you about and now my mind has gone blank, it must be my age...lol!



On Saturday Jim and I went to Reading shopping for the last few presents and to just generally have a look around the shops. Luckily for me I have a husband who enjoys shopping as much as I do, even though it wasn`t always the case. I think I gradually worked on him until he realised the delights of retail therapy. Now I doubt he can remember the time when he would stand sulkily outside shops looking at his watch...lol! But I digress. We decided to catch a train instead of the stress of trying to find a parking space. We didn`t have to wait long for the train either going or coming home, it made such a difference to the day. It was a cold, frosty morning and the sun was shining which boded well for the day ahead. As it turned out we had a really enjoyable day and even though there were a lot of people out there was no sign of frayed tempers anywhere. We had lunch in a restaurant called Tootsies, they make the very best burgers of many different varieties and of course we had the most delicious meal. We shopped until we almost dropped and headed for home about 4pm, tired but happy.



I decorated the tree yesterday after much fussing around. The tree was really wide and would never have fitted in the corner if hadn`t of lopped of a lot of branches at the back and sides. I really hoped I`d not overdone it because it would have looked ridiculous if it showed. Luckily for me I`d lopped it in the right place and it fits nicely. The photo doesn`t really do it justice but I like it and so does my biggest critic, Roman and thats what matters the most.

Over the last week I`ve written and posted all my Christmas cards, wrapped ALL the presents, shopped for non-perishable foodstuffs, ie. chocolates, biscuits and cakes, pickles, sauces tec. I even cleared out a complte cupboard to put it in though I still didn`t have enough room for it all. I feel quite smug at how organised I am this year. I always have good intentions to finish early but last year I left so much to the last minute that I was worried I wouldn`t finish in time. I still have to buy for Daniel but then he is always very difficult to buy for. Anything I buy will have to have gift receipts because I`m sure they will have to go back to whichever store I buy from...sigh.


I`ve just come off the telephone and it was my cousin to tell me that my Auntie Win died on Monday morning, its very sad but she was 94 and had suffered renal failure. I hadn`t been in touch with her for a few years because I fell out of favour with her, no particular reason but that was how she was. Auntie was my late Dad`s eldest sister and the last of five siblings. She was made of very stern stuff and I remember as a child being more than a little scared of her. She could be really kind at times even though she could be difficult. She was really good to me after my mother left home and helped me through some very difficult times. She told me once that 1914 was a very good year and I have to say she was right. It was the end of an era and she will be missed by many.

On that sad note I`ll end this post. I will update again in a few days. Bye Bye for now and take care.

Photos and Moods

My new outfit


Hello,

I hope you all had a great weekend. I must admit that even though the birthday party was really good I just wasn`t feeling in the right frame of mind for a good night out and I feel I let everyone down. I just couldn`t be as sociable as I would like to have been have been and spent most of the time sitting with Kerry instead of chatting with family and friends. My nephew whose birthday it was had pulled out all the stops and had chosen a really nice venue. The food was good and so was the music...it was just me. I DID enjoy myself, just not enough...sigh. My mood carried through to Sunday though I did try to be nice to everyone...well no, I WAS nice to everyone...again, I just didn`t feel right. My little family

Right, on a happier note my Christmas plans are working out well, I even bought the tree this afternoon though its staying in the back garden for the next fortnight. I decided to buy it early so I had my pick of the best ones that the garden centre had to offer. As you know they come in all shapes and sizes and the less than perfect ones will be the last ones sold. Mine is just perfect though I will have to trim some of the branches so it will fit nicely into the corner of the room. The presents that I ordered online have all arrived though I wish the same could be said for the plants I ordered and were supposed to be here in November....sigh.

Thumbs up from my gorgeous boy

Tomorrow afternoon I will be either writing out cards or wrapping presents, I haven`t decided yet. I don`t like either task so I can`t say it will be a pleasure. Writing cards isn`t easy because of arthritis and it makes my handwriting look like that of the average six year old. I have no excuse for wrapping pressies, I`m just rubbish at it...lol!

The mum-to-be eating for two. She`ll probably kill me for posting this but I`ll take the risk...lol!

Kerry is doing really well. She`s putting on weight and looking really radiant. The baby is kicking well and Roman is fascinated that he can feel his baby sister move in Mummy`s tummy. He`s very excited about Christmas and keeps saying that he`s going to buy lots of chocolate for everyone, himself included....lol! Yesterday Jim and I took him to Krispy Kreme donuts for a treat. Jim usually takes him there when they stay with us but I don`t usually go myself. Roman loves to watch the donuts on the conveyor belt as they go past. He just stands there with his mouth open in wonder, bless him. He had his favourite iced donut with hundreds and thousands on top. Although it didn`t take him long to devour it the evidence of it remained on his chin for much longer...lol!

My BIL is much better now although it will be a while until he is completely well again. It was nice to see him at the party even though he wasn`t allowed to have a drink he was eating well again, always a good sign in my opinion. Anyway, I`ll say goodbye now. Hopefully I`ll catch up with your entries over the next couple of days. Take care. :o)

Road Rage and Other Things

Hello everyone,

I didn`t intend to leave it so long to post an entry but with one thing and another I either didn`t have the time or the inclination. We had a really nice weekend in Kent though our BIL Steve was really ill and we`ve never seen him like that before, it was a real worry though he`s a bit better than he was. Hopefully he`ll be well enough to attend the birthday party we are all going to this weekend, he`s been looking forward to it for ages and I know he`ll be so disappointed if he can`t make it. The weather was horrendous, freezing cold and very windy. If you look at the above photo you can see the sea is really churned up. It was taken on the Sunday and wasn`t as bad as Saturday when the waves were crashing over the sea wall. Jim had hoped to have a few hours fishing but all thoughts of that were put aside when he saw the huge waves. We did have a some snow but it soon turned to icy rain. When we went out I was wearing a thick woollen hat, scarf and thick gloves and I was still cold. We were shopping with Sue in Ramsgate and when we`d had enough we went into a nice little cafe and had a hot chocolate each and a mince pie. It was the nicest and most welcome hot chocolate that I`ve tasted for a long time.

On the drive home we had to go through London to take Sue and Steve`s 17yr old grandson home. As is usual for London the traffic was really bad. At one point Jim cut in front of another driver though we were moving very slowly and he acknowledged the other driver and apologised for his mistake. Thinking no more of it we turned right at the next junction when the other driver drove in front of us and then cut across and back the other way nearly driving us off the road. When we reached a set of lights the driver jumped from his car and came running over, I was terrified he was going to hit Jim as he looked so angry. Luckily Jim stayed really calm despite the man shouting and swearing at him. What that man did to us was much worse than what Jim did to him. I would think we weren`t the first person he did it too and we won`t be the last. I am so, so relieved that man didn`t do anything to hurt Jim. For all we know he may have had a knife, it was so frightening that I could hear my heart pumping and I was shaking all over all the way home. Poor Jim was blaming himself too and even though he wouldn`t admit it he was more shaken up than he let on.

Anyway, after the long weekend it was back to work on the Tuesday. It`s been a very quiet week but as we are about to go into December I would think this weekend will be much busier. All the Christmas trees are in and I`ve taken quite a few enquiries about the them. I`ve got my eye on one tree in particular and if it`s not been sold over the weekend I`ll put it to one side on Monday.

Today Jim and I went into town to pay some bills and to buy the last few remaining presents. I still didn`t manage to get all in wanted but there`s still time. Next Saturday Jim and I are catching a train into Reading and will hopefully, HOPEFULLY.....make it the last big shopping trip of the year.

Next week I really must write out my cards, wrap the pressies and put them all away. If I don`t hurry up it`ll all be done at the last minute and I don`t want that to happen. I absolutely hate rushing, it`s not good for my well-being...or anyone else who is around me at the time...lol!

Jim`s finished off the kitchen before our weekend away and today he painted the loo, all of it in just a few hours. I came home from work to find it transformed...anyone need a painter and decorator? He`ll travel anywhere and work for free, all you have to do is provide meals. I haven`t told him yet of course, that might be a bit tricky...lol!

Anyone watching I`m a Celebrity etc. ? I`m really into it this year even though I wasn`t going to watch it. Now I`m completely hooked by it...I think I need to get a life...lol!

Take care and have a great weekend. :o)

Marie Antionette Awards

Hi Everyone,

The lovely Jeannette has awarded me one of these awards (see my sidebar). They are for real people with real journals. I found it quite hard to choose my seven but seeing as a choice had to be made, here we go.

http://lunarossa-livingabroad.blogspot.com/

Antonella is fairly new to journalling but I find her journal interesting and refreshing.

http://karasrambles.blogspot.com/

Kara lives in Arizona and is a young Mum of two young children. Shes always sounds so cheerful and I look forward to her entries.

http://missiesupsidedownworld.blogspot.com/

Missie tells all about her family in her journal. I`m always interested in what she has to say.

http://canyouallhearmeattheback.blogspot.com/

What can I say about the lovely Angie`s journal. Despite health problems she never complains and laces her entries with her own brand of humour. She never fails to make me laugh. On top of that, and I hope she won`t mind me saying, she`s a great cook and cake decorator and her dessert`s and cakes look delicious.

http://wwwlifewithally.blogspot.com/

Now you all know Ally, she is another one who has a great sense of humour. What can I say, I just love her journal as does all her visitor and friends.

http://lindasworld-lindasworld.blogspot.com/

Linda lives in Washington and her journal is often about her road trips across America. You can learn so much from her journal and she takes great photos of her travels. If you haven`t already, please go and visit.

http://joansnewmusings.blogspot.com/

Joan often posts beautiful scenic photos of the mountains and lochs of Scotland where she lives. She talks about her day to day life and from her main journal there are links to her birdwatching and book journals. I enjoy reading her entries very much.

Here are the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your journal - Real People - Real Blogs.

2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 if you can.

4. Put the links of those on your journal.

5. Leave a message on their journal to let them know.

6. Put the award on your sidebar/journal.

Changing the subject. The other week I gave my desk a good clear up. When I emptied out the caddy that holds all my pens, pencils etc. I had a good laugh at the strange things that had accumulated over time. I thought I`d tell you what I found.

a newspaper cutting

2 business cards...sorry make that 3

a receipt for a window blind

3 marker pens that no longer work

1 gold and 1 silver gel pens

1 pencil that hasn`t been used

a stapler

a box of staples

a reel of sellotape

a harmonica.....honest!

a glue stick

an eraser

a compass cum whistle cum magnifying glass cum mirror

2 Tippex`s`, 1 usable the other not

a small handbell

a small length of wire

a pair of tweezers

half a pair of glasses....yes, I said half!!!

14 pens that all write

And last but not least...a fly swatter!

Do you have something unusual on your computer desk? :o))

Anyway, I`m not talking about me today apart from saying son and girlfriend visited yesterday evening and I DO NOT want to talk about it. I`ll just pack the experience away in a small compartment in my mind and will take it out again later...lol! Bye Bye and take care. :o)

Onwards and Upwards!

Hello again, Welcome to a miserable Monday. It`s nice to be writing about something as mundane as the weather after last week when I was a bit preoccupied. Now I feel as though a weight has been lifted and I can continue as normal, mind you, normal isn`t really a good word to describe me, just ask my family...lol!

Kerry and Roman were here for the weekend as Slava was working away on Sunday. He stayed overnight Saturday but left here at 5am to travel to Birmingham. On Saturday afternoon we went Christmas shopping, that is, Me, Jim, Kerry, Slava and Roman went shopping. At least now I have almost all the presents for Christmas, all I have to do is wrap them. I have about a million cards to write and send and I don`t want to be like last year and leave them to the last minute. I think tomorrow afternoon would be a good time to do it, followed by much wrapping of gifts.

Many thanks to KATH`S daughter J for making this snowstorm globe with Roman hiding inside. As he is so fascinated with snow globes Kath suggested he might like to see himself inside one!

I came home from work to face a huge pile of ironing. I didn`t have time to do it yesterday as I had Roman to look after plus I had an awful headache that lasted all day long. It took me two hours and I was glad to see the back of it all. The only problem being the washing basket is almost full again so when I do the laundry tomorrow it be more of the same..sigh.

On the bright side, Jim and I are going to his sister`s in Birchington, Kent for a long weekend. We leave Friday morning and won`t be home until Monday afternoon. We`re really looking forward to seeing her and her hubby as we always have a great time with them. I know the weather`s not great but the break will do us good.

I was watching the birds on the feeders this morning and was amazed to see a large green woodpecker feeding there. I`ve not seen one in the garden before but I hope he comes back again. Have I told you about our tame robin that we feed at work? Well anyway, we feed this youngster and his brother separately or its claws and feathers at dawn. Just lately the food has attracted dunnocks and chaffinches too. This morning I looked outside and I saw a little jenny wren feeing there. We have an ancient wisteria that grows along a wall of the old cottage in the grounds of the garden centre. Wrens nest there every year and the one I saw must be one of the young born this year. Our `home grown` birds are so tame that they come within touching distance and woe betide if you don`t feed then as soon as you get to work. The larger robin hops up and down chirping until his food is there. Once or twice he has flown right at me so I get the hint...lol!

I`m way behind with journals but I hope to catch up this evening. I`ll say goodbye for now and hope you all have a good week. Take care. :o)

I`m Clear ~ Thank you All!

I`m so happy and relived that I can`t begin to tell you how much. I was sure there was something sinister there and almost didn`t believe him when the doctor gave me the all clear.

Thanks to you all for your heartfelt prayers, goodwishes and caring concern, for all the personal emails that I recieved, again I thank you from the bottom of my heart...oh dear, I hope this doesn`t sound like an Oscar speech...lol! Sorry but you know I joke about everything. This time however it was deadly serious and I have you all to thank for helping put me at ease. Apparently the `mass` that the doctor was concerned about was in my right breast, (anyone who is a bit sqeamish or male can look away now). My tissue is very lumpy and knotted instead of fatty like the majority of women. The knotty tissue when compressed looked like the `mass` and looked slightly different from the mammogram that I had done in 2006. Erring on the side of caution, the doctor wanted to do further tests, just in case. This time I had some photos taken at a different angle and also un ultra-sound. This time it showed up nothing untoward apart from a 2mm cyst which by all accounts, most women have anyway. I am being put back on the 3 yearly programme of mammograms now for which I am most grateful.

This afternoon I called Jeannette and told her the good news. In the conversation I told her that I feel my life has been changed. Even though I`m not ill I feel as though I`ve started to view life differently. Even Jim told me that I have been more cheerful than usual the last couple of days. I thought about this and asked him if I can return to being miserable again? " No you can`t!" says he...lol! Seriously though, I DO feel calmer. I won`t forget this scare and if it helps me become a better human being in the future, then all the better.

After the clinic Jim and I went Christmas shopping. I was so pleased that I managed to find the right sizes in the things I was looking for. Usually if I find something I want to buy for a present you can bet your life they either don`t have the size I want of if they do, they don`t have the right colour. Today I managed to buy all the things I was looking for AND at good prices too. The high streets are full of shops with sales on. The credit crunch has made it a buyers market and all the shops need customers badly. Seeing as it`s halfway through November the shops are pretty quiet, even for an average Friday.

Before I go I just want to thank The Parapet, Windsor, the clinic I attended today. They are a wonderful unit and the staff there are amazing. If you go in the door anxious or destressed they take care of you and make you feel you are the most important patient there. I felt very relaxed and comfortable and I felt in very capable hands. My conclusion was that if I ever need them again, I couldn`t be in more capable hands. Thank you so much.

Anyway, I just wanted to use this entry to let you know all is well, to thank you all again for your support. Now I must get back to reading journals so I`ll say goodbye for now. Take care and have a lovely weekend. :o)

Happy News and Photos

AAAAHHHHHHH! Please imagine me screaming with fury because that`s what I`ve just been doing! I took 2 hrs, TWO HOURS typing out what I thought was a good entry. Then I pressed SAVE NOW, then PUBLISH POST, only to get a message saying that someone else was trying to use the same function !!! What?????...and to try again later, PLEASE BACK SPACE...and then I lost the lot. Did I swear? You bet! Did I thump the desk in anger...OUCH! yes I did!

I wanted the thank everyone for their kind words of comfort, their prayers, and how good they are making me feel, which is what I did and am doing now. Thank you all so much, they are really helping me and I will keep them close to my heart for tomorrows appointment. Thanks too to Guido for mentioning me in Call For Support, that was very kind, thank you again.

I had a phone call from Kerry just a while back to tell me that after her second scan today she was told she is expecting a little girl! A LITTLE GIRL...she is healthy and everything is as it should be for 20 weeks. Roman is not so sure as he wanted a boy so he could share his toys with. Oh well, I`m sure he`ll get used to the idea....lol!

My happy Little Man on Sunday

With mummy Kerry just before they went home

I took this about 7.15 this morning. I though the cloud formation looked stunning with red sun shining through, the photo doesn`t do it justice though.

Anyway dear friends, I`ll say goodbye for now. I`ve been typing away for so long that my fingers are a little sore...lol! Take care and thanks again for everything. :o)

Positives and Negatives

I hope you`ve all been having a nice day. I have to say today was much nicer than yesterday when we had torrential rain all day long. It was so bad that myself and a colleague were sent home early as we had nothing to do except watch the rain flood the garden centre, inside and out! I went to Tesco to buy Roman`s Christmas presents though it took me ages to get there. The roads were dreadful with deep puddles everywhere. I should have gone straight home but I wanted to get the shopping over with and I knew I was going to be busy every other day this week. I managed to buy some lovely toys for him and some clothes. Now all I have to do is wrap them all...that`s my least favourite part of Christmas, I`m rubbish at present wrapping...sigh.

This afternoon when I left work I drove straight into town and bought a few more presents. I was really tired and I did what I had to do them came home again. Mind you, after stopping for petrol and negotiating the school traffic I didn`t get home until 3.45 by which time I was starving hungry and really needed a cup of coffee. So I had lunch at 4pm when it was starting to get dark. Now it`s just after 5pm and it`s time to prepare my evening meal....hmm, I think I`ll wait a while...lol!

Tomorrow I`m going with Kerry, who by the way seems to be recovering from her tooth abcess, to a garage that has a diagnostic machine. She has a recurring problem with her car and nobody is sure whats causing the problem. Hopefully it will show up tomorrow and then she can get something done about it.

Remember the snow globe I bought Roman? Well it broke after he dropped it off the step. There were floods of tears and I told him that I`d by him another. I searched everywhere for one but eventually found one in the same shop that I`d bought the first one...should have gone there first!

When I got home today I emptied the washing machine, filled up the bird feeders (the greedy goldfinches are back in force and eating like they`ve never been fed before...lol!) Reloaded the machine, loaded the tumble dryer, made me a toasted sandwich and the longed-for coffee...I`m so glad to be sitting down now as my poor feet are throbbing.

Right, I had a letter from the hospital yesterday with the results of my recent routine mammogram. They want to see me again for more tests. That does sound ominous and even after reading the letter several times I`m still more than a little worried. Apparently after the tests I will been seen by a specialist who`ll talk me through the findings. So, this is how I`m coping with the fear that something could be wrong. I`m thinking the worst because I daren`t think otherwise. I don`t want to get my hopes up and then have them dashed. So if I`m one of the lucky ones I can be overjoyed when the time comes. At the moment I will think the worst. Jeannette rang me and we had a long chat yesterday. As she`s been through it herself she gave me good advice and reassurance and I felt so much better afterwards. So THANK YOU Jeannette dear friend, thank you very much. It`s so nice to have an understanding ear just a phone call away, it makes things seem that bit easier. So my appointment is Friday morning at 9.40 and I will be there for 2 hours, please think of me then.

Anyway, must away, I feel another coffee coming on...lol! Bye Bye for now and take care. :o)