Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty!

Brrrrr the weather is so cold at the moment, going out for a walk needs full preparation with hat, scarf, gloves & warm socks for the human beans and thick cozy coat for little Tink. That done Andy & I set off with Tink for a stroll to the castle. How beautiful everything was, the sky was fantastic silvery blues with scudding mackerel clouds and the sun was sparkling on the water, the river was high from the run off from the heavy rain earlier and the ground was looking green. 

The trees are still bare, but spring leaves are coming through and soon the heads of crocus and daffodils will be nodding in the breeze over by the castle. They have appeared over the years in the strangest of places around the area, I think it is lovely that someone has committed this act of senseless beauty. When the kids were little we often had quirky sayings up on the wall and one of them was ;

Practice random kindness 

and 

senseless acts of beauty

It always appealed to me..random kindness seemed a wonderful idea and when I thought about it I realised it was something that actually happens more than we think....giving someone the odd 1p at the petrol station, stopping to help when someone is broken down, taking a stranger home who needs a lift. Not big things necessarily but things that make a difference to others never the less. Senseless acts of beauty are committed all the time...the planting of bulbs in public places (not by the council!), laying stones into a circle maze, the placing of a bench to sit on, making a mosaic sign. Little things and bigger things that put a smile on people's faces. I think I'll put the saying up on the wall again as I like it so much.

We strolled on to the castle and saw the next generation of golfers out on the golf course, complete with all the gear! I'm glad I didn't have to shop for their Xmas lists.

I have had a bit of a thing about taking photo's through things...it all started with the archway of the old slipbridge in town and now I'm obsessed!

Have a look at these 'through the aperture' shots from around my own backyard.....

We met our neighbour Boris as we arrived at the castle, his head popping up from the steep bank he had just climbed with the very excitable Mungo...Sian's naughty younger doggy.

Before Christmas Mungo had on a regular basis wreaked havoc and destruction in Sian's chalet The Mayhouse and pictures of his absurd eating habits were posted on Facebook, they included things like CD's with or without the cases! Rugs, cushions and anything else Sian may have left in reach! I think he's improved a bit since then and I often bump into him wearing his fluorescent green collar romping around the lane. He knows I have treats in my pocket and makes a bee line for it, nuzzling his nose in until I give him one..or three!! Tink loves the big black dog but he does get a bit heavy handed..mmm...should that be pawed, with her when he gets excited, she is faster on the turns than him and weaves a quick retreat back to the safety of my legs if this happens.

We headed for home after I explored the castle a bit more with Tink and Andy strolled on ahead.

We headed towards home and I turned back to look at the majesty of the ruined castle and although I have seen it more than a thousand times I always see something new when I really look.

We headed on back and paused for a moment by the signpost, known by Candy as 'The P***ing Post' because of course ALL the dogs stop for a wee there! I think it's just the dogs anyway! It's developed a bit of a starboard list lately and doesn't really point where it should anymore but I love its quirky old fashioned look..... 

We got home and cooked a lovely roast dinner and then settled down for the evening, cuddled on the sofa with a little ball of fluff cwtched in as well.....
Pure bliss.

A wonderful weekend in the midlands

I have returned home tonight after spending a lovely weekend in the Midlands. I travelled up in the trusty Gert to my Sister Sharon's on Friday night and Gert was not quite as trusty as she has previously been. I just got to Ross and she started to splutter and cut out....argh! Freezing cold and pitch black I kangaroo jumped to a lay by and thought about what I had in the car to sort the problem. It felt like fuel starvation so I thought a quick look under the bonnet might give me some idea...oh no, no torch in the car. Then I remembered a small torch I keep in my handbag for emergencies (I am a Virgoan after all). Donning scarf, coat and gloves I braved the cold and had a look, it was very obvious not much fuel was getting through and the problem was a blocked fuel filter. I needed to clean it out but it was firmly held by 2 hose clips and I didn't have any tools in the car (so unlike me) back to the handbag with everything in it and I found a flip out screwdriver on a keyring..hooray, 5 minutes JOB DONE! Gert now sloshing with fuel and running fine I carried on to Kidderminster to a very welcome cup of tea and gorgeous meal with my wonderful sister. We then sat and chatted until the early hours about all manner of things both past and present and rolled off to bed happy and content in each other's company. Next morning I took off to meet my Granddaughter Erin in Worcester for a bit of shopping as an early Birthday treat as she is off to Rome next month with St. Mary's Choir to sing in 2 concerts in The Vatican. No young lady should go to Rome without a few fab new additions to her wardrobe and so we hit the shops! We had a great time and bought shoes, jeggings, tops,skirts,tights,leggings,dresses and a scarf and gloves! Erin was delighted and I was delighted at her obvious pleasure. 

Erin in one of her outfits

The fab shoes from Office!

Back to Danie's for a short visit before meeting my brother Graham and his wife Dorothy with my sister Sharon at The Fox Inn at Chaddesley Corbett for a wonderful meal before going back to Gra & Dorothy's for coffee and much hilarity as we reminisced together  and played with their little Jack Russel Max.

Sharon and I had a very late night and got up late this morning. We had lunch in Worcester at The Perdiswell which was more like purgatory with all the screaming children in there! We went our seperate ways and I arrived home to a very enthusiastic welcome from my little Tink who almost wagged herself in half! My wonderful Hubby had cooked a lovely curry and rice for tea and after a nice cuppa and a cuddle I was totally snuggly back home.

A wonderful weekend with family that as usual makes me count my blessings......

What gets me through.....

I never stopped to think about what gets me through tough situations but yesterday as I was describing my MRI scan experience to Andy I realised with utter clarity how things impact on me and how I get through them. When I was a child my Dad was my protector from the scary things in life,  he protected me from everything, but his own terrible violent temper. He believed in being strong and showing weakness was a definite no no. By the time I was thirteen I could certainly look after myself in all areas of my life and also was used to looking after my gentle,  scaredy cat, little sister Sharon. From then on I was fiercely independent and feisty and I took care of myself. Having children of my own brought out the lioness in me and my role of protector was even more reinforced. This has stayed with me and all my kids and grand children know that they are safe with Mum/Nanny whatever happens. I know that the end of my second marriage came when I was 8months pregnant with Kaye and got into an altercation with my ex husband. Unbelievably her Dad who was present at the time did nothing when my ex husband went to hit me and pushed me. I for once was not physically able to defend myself although I did give him a good crack back. I never felt the same about Kaye's dad after that. When he should have grown a pair and stood his ground he didn't. Shortly after Kaye was born we separated and divorced. I'm rambling on a bit now but this all fits together. My beloved Andy earned my respect and admiration very soon after I met him, we were just friends at the time and he stepped in to intervene between a violent boyfriend and myself, despite the fact he was only half his size. He has consistently shown his metal over the 27years + we have known each other and for that I will eternally admire and respect him. I realised while I was inside the noisy,claustrophobic MRI scanner that it was him I was closing my eyes and thinking of to quell the awful rising panic that was trying to engulf me. The whole thing lasted nearly 20minutes and for the whole time I had to resist the urge to press the panic button and control my urge to move. I kept on thinking that it was all OK as Andy was sitting waiting for me,  just outside and that I would be alright. When I did emerge and leave the room, there he was,  as I knew he would be and when he put his arms around me I felt as though a burden had lifted from me. Later that night I tried to explain the insight I had had and told him that I felt that he was there to protect me when I needed it....his reply was simply, "but I always have been." I feel so blessed to have him in my life and mercifully I don't need much protecting as those of you who know me will be fully aware. But knowing he is there for me when I need him to be, that he has always got my back is the kind of blessing that brings security and strength to my life and I am thankful for the honest, brave, caring, dignified and fun man that is my husband Andy.

My ROCK..in every sense!

Smile and the world smiles with you......Look at this pic!

This is the gorgeous chuckle of my super cute grandson Sebastian....after the sadness of yesterday it really cheered me up.

Babies smiles are just sooo gorgeous! There is something magical about a little one laughing and no matter who you are you just have to smile too.

Little Grace knows that every time a baby laughs a fairy is born.....what a lovely thought.

Now I feel all warm and fluffy and yes... I AM SMILING.

Meandering

One of my greatest pleasures is walking my little pudding Tink. We meander about looking at all sorts of things that are local to us. It never ceases to amaze me how friendly other people are when you have a dog! People who would usually not even acknowledge you or at best give a nod suddenly become effusive and friendly about the bouncy little Tink! Children are especially attracted to her as she is small and cute and not at all threatening, she loves the kids and is very used to them because of all the Grandchildren.

Little Tink meandering

I see my friends and neighbours around the lane too and get a chance for a chat and a catch up. It is also an opportunity to see the changes on the lane itself, the potholes that vary from small to huge throughout the year depending on the weather. The wild flowers that come and go from snowdrops and bluebells to greater willow herb and dog roses, the brambles that give us Blackberries in the late summer.

The smell of the elder flowers and may and later the elderberries. Out on the golf course the bright gold of the gorse bushes and paler yellow of the wild broom mix with the lush green of the ferns. As we get out of the lane and look across to the castle it is always a moment to savour no matter what the weather as the beach comes into sight. The white water frothing when the weather is rough or the deep blue sparkling in the bright sunshine always takes my breath away and fills me up in a way that rejuvenates my soul.

Tink of course just spends her time sniffing all the wonderful varied smells and occasionally doing a good meercat impression to try to see a bit more. 

You never know who you're going to bump into and a couple of weeks ago Andy and I were walking after dinner and as we went along by the edge of the lane on the golf course we both jumped out of our skin as a disembodied voice came from the hedgerow calling out Andy's name! We both turned to look and then a head appeared over the greenery and there was Bob, face wreathed in smiles and full of excitement about his latest find during a trip to Hay on Wye. We clambered up the bank to see what this fab thing was....it was a very old advertising sheet on metal from Fender Guitars and it really is extraordinary. Andy took pics with his 'phone and decided it would be great for the basis of a Joe Schmo poster. 

Bob's Fender Ad

Bob had also found some great books on guitars too which Andy also borrowed. Bob has a knack for acquiring interesting curios and objects that are unusual and unique,and he generously shares these delights with his friends.

The marvelous Bob chatting with Andy

Our little meandering walk in the evening sun continued and we watched the sunsetting as we strolled back home.....warm, content and replenished by our surroundings our friends and of course each other. We are truly blessed and grateful for our good fortune.

A Gower sunset

My cousin Ro

I realised that it would have been my cousin Rosemary's birthday this week and I was sad to think that she was no longer with us. Ro died unexpectedly last year and it was a huge shock to us all. As kids growing up my sister Sharon and I spent a lot of time with the London cousins, Rosemary and Janice. Ro was the oldest, most sensible and gentlest of us all. When we were in our teens we introduced the cousins to our gang of mates and Ro fell in love with our dear friend Johnathon P. Williams (aka 'Willy P') owing to the fact that there were so many Williams's in his school and in those days they were addressed by their surname only. We howled at this and would repeat over and over Willy P....NO HE WON'T. They married young and had many years of happy married life together along with their six beautiful children. Eventually they divorced and Ro met her second husband David Ellis and had her 7th child with him. 

Rosemary and her lovely children

When Rowan was 5 tragedy struck and David died suddenly. Ro was devastated but carried on raising her family. Ro's death was a tragedy for the children but poor Rowan was now without both her parents. My sister Sharon and I attended Ro's funeral and met up once again with Jonathon who declared to everyone that Rowan would always have him. The seven kids supported each other wonderfully through this saddest of times. We left promising to visit Jon in the summer of 2011. I got a cheeky Xmas card from him and then the most awful thing happened, I got the news that Jon had died. He was diagnosed with lung cancer before Xmas and within weeks was gone. 

Jon Williams

It is almost beyond belief that life could be so cruel to one family but they have rallied together and supporting each other are getting on with living,loving and having babies. They are beautiful in every sense of the word and their parents would have been so proud of them. I can't believe that these two people who I shared so much history with are gone from my world, but I do know that I was blessed to have known them and for that I am eternally thankful.

FAT FIGHTERS!

Gradually over the years Andy and I have become rounder and more cuddly, gone are the lean angles of the face that looked so attractive in our youth only to be replaced by an extra chin and accentuated dimples. The slim hips are now well padded 'Love handles' and we are built more for comfort than for speed. I know it is the result of my cooking over the years, we are not junk food eaters but we do revel in good food and wine. Andy is at his most content when sitting at our large family table loaded with delicious morsels from my kitchen, we all sit and eat and drink and chat and laugh with true abandon as we always have done. Sadly this has caught up with our waistlines. 

Our wedding in 1984

This was brought home to me after watching our holiday video. I had bought  a new Black & White swimsuit and we went snorkeling and diving in The Red Sea, while we were doing it I felt light and graceful as I glided through the turquoise water. The camera however does not lie no matter how you 'feel' and we laughed to see a shot of me taken from underwater..I was just like a black and white beach ball with little arms and legs stuck onto it!  We decided then, that we should do something about it to improve our health and well being. What could we do? We both knew that the mathematics were wrong..too much going in and not enough burnt off so we decided to join a weight loss class with Slimming World. Oh my! culture shock...our world is off it's axis. We entered the realm of Little Britain's 'Fat Fighters' unprepared for what was to come...out went creamy welsh butter..in came skinny margarine and spray on frying oil..WHAT!! No cream, no fat, no sugar and measured portions , I didn't know how to cook the recipes in the Slimming Bible and Andy's wallet was unprepared for the huge shopping bill for the new regime.

20+ years together!

Strangely the new food is quite delicious, the recipes easy and varied and I am not hungry..I don't know how this can be but it is. 1 week in and I lost 3 1/2lbs and Andy lost 5lbs. It's a bit of a miracle and I'm looking forward to Thursday's weighing session. Our consultant is effervescent and enthusiastic to say the least..completely, barking mad.It really is like Fat Fighters but we are committed and enjoying it. It would be kind of nice to see those slender bods back again but I am a realist and will be happy to just reduce my weight down to a normal size. We are both blessed that we have the kind of relationship that still sees the other with rose tinted specs and love each other unconditionally but we both agree we'd be happier if there was a little less of us!

The First Born...

No one prepares you for your first born child, you read all the books,listen to everyone's advice and watch all the TV programs about childbirth and parenting but it still overwhelms you like an emotional Tsunami!

My youngest daughter Kaye has recently had her first baby, the absolutely gorgeous Sebastian Andrew and watching her all loved up with him brought back many memories of my own first baby Danielle Jayne.

My first baby Danielle Jayne

It was back in 1973 and I was just 19years old. Those that know me from my youth will know that I was a 'wild child'. I had an easy labour and delivered my tiny little girl with no stitches or problems at all....she was 4 weeks early and weighed 4lbs 10ozs. The Midwife put her in my arms and I looked at the tiny little face and fell totally, overwhelmingly in love, I cried, which in itself was a most unusual event, but crying when sober was unheard of for me! We spent 10days in hospital until she reached 5lbs and I fed her myself every 2 hours. I was exhausted but exhilarated too. From the moment we came home I knew my life would never be the same, some huge fundamental shift had taken place and it wasn't all about me anymore. Danie has been a source of utter pride and delight and also a few tears over the years.Not to mention a few escapades like painting next door's dog GREEN, emptying all the tea out of 144 tea bags, icing the toilet seat with a tube of toothpaste that I then duly sat on! She has the voice of an angel and is also an incredibly intelligent, warm hearted, stunning looking and vibrant person. She excelled in school and college and obtained her Midwifery Diploma and Degree. She has an excellent reputation as a Midwife and is also a qualified NCT advisor. She is currently studying for a further degree in Law and also works part time in a women's refuge. Add to this that she has SIX children ranging in age from 13years to 3years and she has a husband that works away from home during the week it seems unbelievable that they manage to renovate properties in their spare time!!!

She is a fantastic Mum to her kids and I recall after she had her first child, the exquisite little Erin Mae, she was worried that if she had another one she would never be able to love them as much as she did her first.

Danie with her six children

Danie with Erin Mae

It's a funny thing...your first child opens something within you that is like a flowing river and subsequent children are washed and carried in it just as the first one was but, your first born will always be the catalyst that started the well spring of that blessing in the first place.......I LOVE YOU DANIE..and I am blessed to have you as my first born my fabulous Daughter.

My beautiful Danie 2011

Joe Park R.I.P.

R.I.P. Joe Park

It is with a heavy heart that I am passing on the news that Joe Park has died. I know he will be sadly missed by all who knew him and that is a very considerable amount of people, no matter where you were or what you were doing someone there knew Joe! I remember when I moved to Sandy Lane and Joe was comfortable living in his yellow van parked outside of Gerri's. He was wonderful to the kids, but teased them unmercifully; He taught my boys a lot about cars and mechanics and I blame him for their obsession with all things mechanical and my increased washing loads over the years. 
His ingenuity was way beyond anything I had come across before and he was the original 'Bodger' ! He could make something out of nothing and always had a mate who had done it before. The kids got money for sweets and wide eyed entertainment as he regaled them with fantastic tales on every subject under the sun. I can see him now roll up in hand, explaining how to do a gas conversion on a car to Karl and Ashley. He was ever helpful, kind and often feisty. He admired strength of character and individuality. His guffaw of a laugh could often be heard when telling of someone getting their come uppance by whatever means. 
I did hear that the staff in the hospital found him difficult to treat as he kept telling them to f**k off , while I appreciate that this was difficult to manage it was so typical of Joe it really made me smile....he was one of a kind, a real individual and larger than life. The world is a poorer place today without him....Sleep tight Joe.

To Fake Tan or Not To Fake Tan.

Tonight Lula (aka Lyndsey) has gone out with her girlies and in honour of this event she decided to tan it up! Following an in depth discussion with Kaye, she was worried about becoming more of a tangerine than tanned. Kaye suggested using the wash off product instead but Lula was worried it wouldn't come off...in ever helpful Sisterly mode, Kaye assured Lula that she could always strip off in the garden and Kaye would hose her down with the pressure washer!! Lula declined this kind offer and double checked the tube before applying it.
We have had an interesting and varied day all round, Megan fell off her bike and  little Reia came to our house to tell us she was hurt, she was followed a couple of minutes later by a tearful Megan, Hannah and Chelsea. Megan went off from our house complete with muslin sling but came back with full movement of her bruised arm after Karl spent a few hours in A & E getting her checked out. Andy has a wedding gig tonight so left early and Kaye, Simon and Dan joined me for 'Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs' for tea (meatballs & tagliatelle) I have been baking all day, as we are having a little high tea tomorrow to let people meet Sebastian and the house is now full of goodies. Including home made Strawberry Jam and fragrant Rose Petal Jelly.We had to test for quality of course...ooh yummy.

Rose Petal Jelly

Dan and I walked Tink this evening and put the world to rights all the way, we laughed as we walked by Downside to see Meg now fully recovered playing tennis...Kids eh! As we approached the top garden gate Dan paused and we were both captivated by the bush on the left that appeared to be on fire, shafts of light from the setting sun were streaming through and lit it up, as we walked through it my hair and Dan's beard turned flaming orange/red and the sunset showed itself in all it's glory from the vantage point at the top of the garden...my house is called Pretty Suns and this is exactly why.

Dan and The Big Bang Theory!

Tonight we had quite a few of us around the table for dinner, Andy and myself, Dan and Lyndsey, Karl, Hannah and Megan, Kaye, Simon and baby Sebastian. Conversation was bubbling as usual and much tormenting and teasing was afoot from all angles. Dan decided to wind the kids up by telling them that he was a direct descendant of Jesus and that God was his Father....Megan chipped in that Gandi (Andy) was NOT God but "I think he looks a bit like him" this caused gales of laughter at Gandi's expense and led to discussions about the improbability of Dan being a direct descendant of Jesus. He asked me how would I know and without putting my brain into gear I informed him that he was NOT  the result of 'THE BIG BANG' but something else......this caused tears of laughter and I cringed and laughed at the same time. Kaye became helpless and hysterical with laughter while trying to avoid answering the kid's questions about what was so funny! After more giggling we then decided to divert the kids from the subject by setting the challenge of who could touch their elbow with their tongue...as yet it has not been done. Flowing on from this was a session of measuring the comparative length of elbows to wrists and feet (all because Lyndsey said was it true that they measured the same) and we can now safely say that this is a myth...They are NOT the same. We left the table and  in a short while everyone went off home, leaving us with the gorgeous Sebastion Andrew (aka 'Handy Andy') and his Mum and Dad......Oh what blessings we have enjoyed today, good food, much laughter,great company and most of all the closeness that sharing as a family brings. My cup overflows!

Simon, Kaye, Sebastian and Megan

Big cousins Hannah and Megan cooing over Sebastian

Uncle Karl gets a good right hander..he IS his Mummy's boy!

Oh what a week!

It is now Sunday 5th June and I have not even picked up the laptop since Wednesday. The reasons for this lack of cyber communication are many but mainly twofold in the adorable guise of my two Grandchildren Grace (5) and Thomas (4). I have been up at silly o clock every day and not sitting down until my eyes no longer function and my brain is turned to mush from the constant jibber jabber of children's TV programs, games and general small people talk. I have just managed to feed and bath them and walk the dog. We have been to the beach and the lido, to Mumbles and the park. and each trip out had to be organised with military precision to avoid potential disaster. My Nanny skills have been honed over many years and I am affectionately(I hope) referred to as "Naughty Nanny" for my irreverent and often silly antics. I have particular delight in singing songs incorrectly and deliberately out of tune. The kids now sit on the sofa and pretend to be the X factor judges and buzz me off with howls of " That's terrible, your singing is rubbish and other remarks. What really creases me is when they just put their hands over their ears and plead with me to stop. It's cruel I know but it amuses me greatly.

Grace & Tom in the sand boat.

Today we had a celebration lunch for my Mother in law Betty's 80th birthday and I had managed to arrange balloons napkins,cake and even made, yes, home made, properly sewn, bunting. Just because I was outraged at the £1 + per metre that the shops wanted. I popped into Killay charity shop, bought two crisp cotton double quilt covers and made over a hundred metres for approximately £5. It did mean however that some sleep was sacrificed but hey it was worth it.

During lunch I decided to try to make the lovely Lyndsey's long, blond plait float....by attaching helium balloons to it. This soon became a focus of attention as we all tried to figure out how many balloons it would take. In the end it was over 20!

The kids loved all the fun and Betty was overjoyed at her surprise party. Danielle joined us with Erin and Ben and it was lovely to have so many of the family together. I had a real warm and gooey feeling looking around that room full of happy smiling faces and the walls ringing with laughter and music....we are blessed and I am tired but very thankful for these special times of love and deep seated contentment.

IT FLOATS!

Baby cousins Maisie and Kaylan,  enjoying the party

Happy 80th Birthday Betty

A garden cake made by 'Celebration'