More photo's

Casey.....Harry...... and their cousin Ceris.


Thought for today:-


"Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach."

Roger Von Oech, Author.

Calenders and clocks....

Vin has been busy [not unusual!!!] making clocks and calenders. We came up with the idea last year. Initially he started with personal calenders..family/holiday photo's etc., [click on thumbnail to enlarge and read writing easier.]

Before i met Vin he used to make clocks mainly children's clocks and football clocks. As you can imagine we have an abundance of tools and materials that Vin has collected for his work and hobbies over the years, but more than ever over the past five years.

We came up with the idea of making calenders that focus on The Somme. On our last visit in November we took lots of photographs ...here is a small selection on a calender Vin has made....from other photo's Vin's going to choose a selection to sketch hoping to add the natural surroundings that photographs don't capture as well as sketching whilst we are visiting the monuments/memorials.

Vin then came up with ideas for various stlyle handpaited clocks that relate to the battlefields.... which i love. He loves painting and sketching something i have never been able to do. I think it is a very special talent.

Since starting Nichola's album i have found i am enjoying the challenge of producing something of my own. I am thinking about maybe making cards or similar. I like to choose cards to suit the person and the occasion this way i am hoping i can produce cards that do both. As well as being able to choose my own font and wording...watch this space.......

New border

Now that winter is over there is a lot of work to do in the gardens. Up to now we have been busy in the bungalow and not had as much time for the gardens as we would have liked.

This year we hope to achieve a lot more especially the porch and drive.

We had over grown bushes in the front garden that had to be cleared and looked very bare after they were removed. So Vin to complete the picket fencing built pillars and added fencing [which needs painting white] to match in with the gates and other fencing.

The lawn now looks bigger and we have been able to have a bigger border. I decided to plant bushes we already had in pots in the back garden. I have also added a 'terracotta corner' that i want to develop hoping eventually to have my cottage garden. Vin's going to add trellising to the wall so we can grow more shrubs he also built a pergola at the end of the bungalow where i hope to grow climbing plants...... the list goes on... i am not sure where the time will come from!!!! We both have new projects and hobbies as well as the existing ones.

Our fund raising for JIFI is going well.....so busy busy busy.....

Flowers....

These flowers were amongst my birthday presents.

It's a shame that flowers have to die especially when they are so pretty.... I like to think that by posting them on my blog it's a way of keeping them alive.


Thought for today:-

"look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars....and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole of existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers - for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are."

OSHO [1931-1990], India.

Joshua James

My new great nephew was born yesterday 13.5.10. he shares the same birthday as my youngest son Shaun. He weighs 8lb 10oz [Shaun was 8lb 11oz] !!

He is beautiful i couldn't upload the photo that my niece put on face book so will have to wait for my own.

He has mousy curly hair and i can't wait to see him.

Congratulations to the proud parents Scott and Gemma proud grandparents ...my sister..Vicki and Trevor...also Sharon and Pete [Gemmas parents.] And to my mum and dad who are great grandparents for the third time...[this is their first great grandson].

Gemma had a tough time and i hope she is feeling rested today and can start to enjoy her new son. Gemma is only tiny so did really well.

It was a long day for everyone well done all of you.


Thought for today:-"Time has more value than money. You can get more money but you cannot get more time."

Jim Rohn, Motivational Speaker.

Lovely weekend

Its our first weekend back from The Gambia. The weather is lovely.

Since we returned home we have caught up with lots of things, and I've have had my first week back at work.

I am a list person...a way of being organised. My list started on my journey home from London and i went straight to work on it last Sunday. I have ticked off quite a lot already.

I have also organised myself at work. my work load was becoming far too heavy. I have various link roles, projects and teaching packages besides being responsible for one to one's and many appraisals. My role in the new hospital is going to change quite a bit in the way i work as well having more responsibility. For me to function at work and have a life at home i decided i needed to allocate some of my link roles to staff nurses who haven't been allocated very much or have shown a particular interest.


At home i have sorted a lot out for the car boots and the monthly draw....a lot of the numbers have been taken and i am very excited. Orlando has been on my mind an awful lot and i am going to send him a few items via Fiona's post box in a box i bought from the post office that holds up to 2 kgs.

Yesterday i was working a short shift until midday as is the norm these days i didn't get away until one. I was quite anxious to get to my mums because Paul was dropping off Libby and Sam was dropping off Casey....Lee was at the Leeds Utd match.

I took quite a few photograph's at my mums and we stayed until tea time. Casey was asleep when she arrived so was a bit upset when she woke and at no time did she settle when my dad was around, so he had to stay in the other room where Libby tormented him from time to time.

Every time Casey saw my dad she cried and when he left she said "Oh dear, where's he gone" she was so funny. She isn't two until July and can count to ten and sing lots of nursery rhymes with all the actions already.

When we arrived home we all had tea and chilled with the TV....the room became a disaster area as the toys were gradually brought through from the spare bedroom. Libby fed the pets on happy pets on face book and bought new gardens and more pets.

This morning we have all had breakfast together cereal, boiled eggs and soldiers . Libby is now writing her reply to Susannah in Gambia. Casey is drawing, counting singing and watching c beebies.

We are going out into the garden shortly Libby wants to decide what she would like to grow in her tub this year and Casey will have a play.

Later it will be bath time and then we will on our way to the ferry boat at Stanley for dinner and ball pool play area with Lee and Sam.

Libby has to be home for around six so Jody and Paul can spend time with her before her bedtime. We will be visiting Shaun and Nicci and exchanging prezzies as all three of us have had or are having birthdays at the moment.

Our 'lovely weekend' will end with a couple of hours at the Local Vissett cottage motel/restaurant.


Thought for today:-


"True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable."

David Tyson Gentry. Author