"We will only understand the miricle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen"

Paulo Coello Author.

"Magic is believing in yourself; if you can do that, you can make anything happen"

Foragomez, Author.

Binoculars

Tonights my third night shift of six. It was quite frightening last night when the earthquake happened...it rocked the ward i was working on and woke patients who said the beds were moving..it was even more scarey initially not knowing what was happening.

I ordered a new pair of binoculars today from bid up tv, they have an intigrated camera, video and can be used as a web cam. Hopefully its as good as it sounds and i can improve on the photos for my blog.


Today's quote: 'Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking "whats in it for me".

Brian Tracey business author.

'Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.'

Lord Byron Poet

Quote for the day

I have just finished two long days and start six night shifts tonight. After that its away to Gambia for two weeks, so my blogs will be few. I have decided to add a quote for the day to my posts. I like inspirational and thought provoking quotes. I will make random choices from the quotes i already have as well as ones i may come across. Todays quote:

'Time has more value than money. You can get more money but you cannot get more time.' .....Jim Rohn motivational speaker.


Above is a photo of my youngest son Shaun and his partner Nicci on holiday. My family moan that i am camara happy....so i have asked for photos of each of them so i can add them to my blog as i recieve them. Jayne..my ex stepdaughter [she doesnt like me saying ex], is also pictured above.... she celebrates her big 4 0 in April.

Snappy magnet

A quick post after a thirteen hour shift..... Snappy's returned from Paris and is back at work. He bought me a lovely sunflower magnet during his trip with Cat....as you can see it has joined my collection on our fridge at home. I have magnets from our travels as well as from family and friends.

Jims garden

We are lucky to have a really good neighbour [Jim pictured above] living next door. As well as being a friend and gentleman he keeps a lovely garden, come spring/summer his garden will be teaming with colour and intrigue. He also helps advise us as we need it on any gardening projects....no six foot fence needed here.

Frozen cobwebs

The webs are more noticable today...i wonder where the spiders are sleeping.

Hungry starlings

The starlings were out in force when we arrived home. At one point i counted around 40 of them between our garden and Jim's next door. As you can see we were visited by blackbirds and a robin as well as the starlings. The ones that got away were the blue tit and a couple of Jenny wrens which were playing/feeding with the sparrows. The doves have continued to coo letting us know they are still here, although we haven't seen them come down to feed yet today. Together the birds have eaten a bit of everything that was on offer in both front and back gardens. We need a further supply of peanuts for the open tray which seems to attract the most along with the fat balls. I think its time for another visit to the garden centre......

Frosty morning

We are braving the freezing cold this morning, we are due our yellow fever injections ready for our two week vacation to Gambia in two weeks time.
Yesterday when the fog lifted the birds tormented me...we had starlings, sparrows, blackbirds and doves including our 'valentine' doves. They were happily playing in both the front and back gardens swooping in to collect their feed, but never long enough for me to catch them on camara. As you can see on the photo the garden is very still. The doves are around because we can hear there usual call coming down our chimney. There aren't many days when they don't coo to us. There are birds in the far off trees but not close enough to photograph at the moment.....When i see the garden white over as it is today i always think how nice it would be if it was christmas day.....maybe one year we could save all the presents and turkey dinner until we have a day like today.... Once the mist lifts and i have returned from the surgery i am hoping the birds will be kinder and stay a little longer in one place so i can add them to todays post.

Pink

I photographed libbys pansys for her to see during our visit. Her favourite colour is pink, and a must..... nothing boyish for Libby!

Its a dogs life

During our visit yesterday i was able to capture photos of the family pets. As well as having four children Trudy has three dogs...Bliss is the largest, then there's Tilly the yorkie who is pictured with the latest addition Ruby. The yorkshire terrier pictured looking very old and on its own is taken from a photo...this is Penny who was very special to us all and lived to be a good age of eighteen. I have posted Bell earlier here she is again with Beth both dogs belong to my son Paul, his partner Jody and of course Libby. Lifes never dull when there are animals around.

More family photos

Yesterday before my night shift was a visiting day, above are my ex step childrens, children, {although they do not feel that way]...we have strong family ties. Trudy and Jayne lived with me as they were growing up and now have lovely families of their own. Danny...pictured on his own is Trudy's eldest....the three girls oldest to youngest, Paige , Chloe, and Lottie are all Trudy's children. The two boys pictured together are Jaynes sons..... Duane is the oldest and Ellis.

It's a girl

Congratulations to Vins son Neil and his partner April on the birth of their daughter,[13th Feb]. As you can see she's lovely and has settled into her new home ....as though she has always been there. Her sister Levi, [pictured above] shares the same birthday. In fact a birthday tea was being prepared when April started in labour. Both girls have also been born during a leap year. Once again Vin's a proud grandfather, photo taking was then forgotten as Neil bought us a celebratory take away meal and we all enjoyed a few hours together.

We had more news [14th Feb] my son's partner Sam had her second scan, my middle sons first child is going to be a girl, due the 4th of July....Independence day.....the day Lee loses his independence lol.

New baby

Vins daughter-in-law has gone into labour. It will be his sons fifth child and Vins eighth grandchild. If it is born today it will share its birthday with Levi [their youngest child until this one is born]. Above..... photo's of Vins sons other four children..Gage, Preston, Amber and Levi.The single photos are of Levi and his eldest grandson, Karl who is brother to the twins shown on my profile photograph,[they are his daughters children] I am looking forward to posting a photo of the new addition soon.I am in the middle of four night shifts at the moment so new posts will be difficult...i will catch up towards the weekend.

Marigolds and lillies.

The greenhouse is now in use, along with the few i potted recently we now have marigolds and lillies. Come March the greenhouse will be full to over flowing....can't wait. Vin says we will soon have no room left in the garden..he's enjoying the garden as much as i am.

Plant stand

A cable reel that was going to the tip has had its first coat of paint. I thought it would be nice for various painted pots and containers as part of my cottage garden. Vin has ideas on how to add to it and make it more attractive.

Nesting box

The birds haven't used the nesting box this winter, so we have decided to move it to a different position.

House sign

The Poppy cottage house sign is now at the side of the bungalow, I am pleased with both of the signs....the yellow flowers stand out really well at the front.

CBeebies

We had lunch then it was television and CBeebies who were also in the garden.