It is my daughter's 39th birthday today. As soon as I got up my thoughts went back, as they always do on this day, to when she was born. I had not had a good night, simply because my 17 month old son was very poorly, finally settling in the early hours. I slept myself only to wake at around 5 am with the first niggle of pain. She was born at lunchtime - around 1.30 pm. I tease her that she must have heard the nurse ask me if I would like some pudding! - (I ask you!!) and decided then was the time to make her entrance.
She and I are very close but I will not be able to see her today. We spoke on the telephone last night and she was pleased to tell me that she has had quite a few parcels in the post already. She and her little 4 year old will be going to see friends and she is looking forward to her day. I will ring her this morning to greet her and again this evening when 4 year old is in bed and we will chat and she can tell me about her day.
Happy birthday my love.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Saturday, 23 August 2008
The Winning Team
Now I am not usually one to brag but several members of our family have been lucky winners lately, myself included.
My prize was won via Pam's blog: http://craigpam.blogspot.com/ - Life with our Lad". For those not aware of it the competition prize was Pam's copy of "Wife in the North" which she had enjoyed so much she felt she would like to give it as a prize in a competition - "If you wrote a book, what would be the title" . So I entered and thanks to Pam's little 2 year old son, my name was drawn as the winner. Meanwhile, 'Wifey' had contacted Pam to say that she would send a new, signed copy to the winner and Pam could keep her own copy. My thanks to Pam and to 'Wifey'.
But the first of our family winners was Jacob (7 year old grandson in Australia) who won cinema tickets for the family in a painting competition at school. Second, Leah (8 year old grandaughter in New Zealand) who was awarded a Blue Badge at school for being such a good role model. Next was Emma (10 year old grandaughter just down the road) who entered a competition to write a bedtime story and, although not actually the overall winner, as one of 10 finalists was invited to London for the final. She had a lovely day and won, amongst other things, a bed! So we're very thrilled for her and proud of all of them, of course.
As if all of this was not enough Bob is to receive a civic award. This was made public locally a few weeks ago and the award will be presented at the Annual Civic Service this coming Sunday. The announcement read "the award is a recognition of Bob's efforts as the driving force behind the promotion of tourism within the district".
We are very pleased for him. He is very pleased, although as he said, he has never looked for it. Over the last 30 years he has committed himself wholeheartedly to this task and enjoys it thoroughly. It is well deserved - well done Bob
My prize was won via Pam's blog: http://craigpam.blogspot.com/ - Life with our Lad". For those not aware of it the competition prize was Pam's copy of "Wife in the North" which she had enjoyed so much she felt she would like to give it as a prize in a competition - "If you wrote a book, what would be the title" . So I entered and thanks to Pam's little 2 year old son, my name was drawn as the winner. Meanwhile, 'Wifey' had contacted Pam to say that she would send a new, signed copy to the winner and Pam could keep her own copy. My thanks to Pam and to 'Wifey'.
But the first of our family winners was Jacob (7 year old grandson in Australia) who won cinema tickets for the family in a painting competition at school. Second, Leah (8 year old grandaughter in New Zealand) who was awarded a Blue Badge at school for being such a good role model. Next was Emma (10 year old grandaughter just down the road) who entered a competition to write a bedtime story and, although not actually the overall winner, as one of 10 finalists was invited to London for the final. She had a lovely day and won, amongst other things, a bed! So we're very thrilled for her and proud of all of them, of course.
As if all of this was not enough Bob is to receive a civic award. This was made public locally a few weeks ago and the award will be presented at the Annual Civic Service this coming Sunday. The announcement read "the award is a recognition of Bob's efforts as the driving force behind the promotion of tourism within the district".
We are very pleased for him. He is very pleased, although as he said, he has never looked for it. Over the last 30 years he has committed himself wholeheartedly to this task and enjoys it thoroughly. It is well deserved - well done Bob
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Catching up
I had arranged to meet a friend for coffee on Monday. We have both lived in this area for nearly 40 years but have been friendly for only a relatively short time, first meeting when we attended the same evening class, learning together how to make sugar flowers. We are a similar age and have retirement, children, grandchildren and hobbies in common. Her health isn't too good but she is always cheerful and funny and great company.
We met at a local Cafe which is small and friendly and usually busy, that day being no exception. Run by a couple of 'girls' of similar age (40-ish), with the help of several part time staff, it offers freshly prepared food, cooked to order and there are lovely crisp salads and home made cakes. They do buy their bread, from a little bakery just around the corner, occasionally having to pop out to replenish supplies. They also do 'outside' catering and on Monday had obviously been preparing for such an event and were starting to load platters into a vehicle ready for the off. For a funeral party, we were told. I used the cafe occasionally when I was working and still meet ex-work colleagues there for lunch now and then.
It was very relaxing to sit and chat and catch up for an hour, and we are hoping to do it again before I begin my travels in September. I was very pleased to see her.
After we had gone our separate ways I popped into my former work place to pick up a coffee mug I had forgotten when I left last December and remembered again last week. I'm not being mean - its just that it is a customised mug with a photo of two of my grandchildren on it - therefore has sentimental value for me but would mean nothing to anyone else. Now I can use it at home.
I also took the opportunity to make arrangements with a friend for a curry evening next week, with our respective spouses.
Later in the day Bob and I called in to see his aunt and uncle who had promised us some plums and we came away from them laden with said plums and some tomatoes, leaving a promise from me that they shall have some home made chutney, when ready. I have no qualms about making chutney, really quite enjoy it and have found a recipe for 'hot hedgerow' chutney which sounds worth a go but will mean picking blackberries. I will also be making some piccalilli.
So my list of 'things to do' is growing, but I am also able to cross things out. I'm getting there. Slowly.
A
We met at a local Cafe which is small and friendly and usually busy, that day being no exception. Run by a couple of 'girls' of similar age (40-ish), with the help of several part time staff, it offers freshly prepared food, cooked to order and there are lovely crisp salads and home made cakes. They do buy their bread, from a little bakery just around the corner, occasionally having to pop out to replenish supplies. They also do 'outside' catering and on Monday had obviously been preparing for such an event and were starting to load platters into a vehicle ready for the off. For a funeral party, we were told. I used the cafe occasionally when I was working and still meet ex-work colleagues there for lunch now and then.
It was very relaxing to sit and chat and catch up for an hour, and we are hoping to do it again before I begin my travels in September. I was very pleased to see her.
After we had gone our separate ways I popped into my former work place to pick up a coffee mug I had forgotten when I left last December and remembered again last week. I'm not being mean - its just that it is a customised mug with a photo of two of my grandchildren on it - therefore has sentimental value for me but would mean nothing to anyone else. Now I can use it at home.
I also took the opportunity to make arrangements with a friend for a curry evening next week, with our respective spouses.
Later in the day Bob and I called in to see his aunt and uncle who had promised us some plums and we came away from them laden with said plums and some tomatoes, leaving a promise from me that they shall have some home made chutney, when ready. I have no qualms about making chutney, really quite enjoy it and have found a recipe for 'hot hedgerow' chutney which sounds worth a go but will mean picking blackberries. I will also be making some piccalilli.
So my list of 'things to do' is growing, but I am also able to cross things out. I'm getting there. Slowly.
A
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Last weekend
First of all Bob went back to Malvern, on Thursday. So far so good. He rang in the evening to let me know the telephone number of the hotel, just in case, although he does have a mobile phone. That is our routine. Because of his mix up the previous week the hotel were only able to put him up for one night but recommended a B & B for Friday. It had already been decided that he would have to drive home on Saturday because it was #2 son's 40th birthday party that evening and return to Malvern early on Sunday for the last day of the show.
Friday morning early, I went shopping and was back home by about 11. Message on the answer phone said "Sorry to bother you, this is the Malvern Hotel, not sure how to get hold of your husband, he checked out this morning but has left his clothes in the room" - all this accompanied by almost hysterical laughter - theirs, not mine. I rang back and apologised, then contacted Bob who by that time had got the message. (please see previous post 'A Senior Moment' for explanation of mirth). So we'll move on ...
The rest of the weekend went according to plan and without any more hitches. The party was very enjoyable with family and friends. When I say family, we were missing son #1 (in Australia) daughter #1 (in New Zealand) and daughter #2 who although lives in the UK just couldn't make the party, being unable to alter arrangements already made, and their respective families. But it was great to see some of sons' school friends, remembered as little boys/young men, now 40 year olds with wives and little boys (and girls) of their own. We didn't stay too late - Bob had to get up early next morning and in any case, as far as I'm concerned, as soon as the music starts getting louder it's time to go!
Bob left by 7 am on Sunday morning and I got on with making some strawberry jam! I have to say I'm very happy with the result. It set a little thicker than I would have liked and it definitely wouldn't win any prizes but I could get the knife into it, it does spread on bread and it tastes good. Please see photographic evidence below.
Friday morning early, I went shopping and was back home by about 11. Message on the answer phone said "Sorry to bother you, this is the Malvern Hotel, not sure how to get hold of your husband, he checked out this morning but has left his clothes in the room" - all this accompanied by almost hysterical laughter - theirs, not mine. I rang back and apologised, then contacted Bob who by that time had got the message. (please see previous post 'A Senior Moment' for explanation of mirth). So we'll move on ...
The rest of the weekend went according to plan and without any more hitches. The party was very enjoyable with family and friends. When I say family, we were missing son #1 (in Australia) daughter #1 (in New Zealand) and daughter #2 who although lives in the UK just couldn't make the party, being unable to alter arrangements already made, and their respective families. But it was great to see some of sons' school friends, remembered as little boys/young men, now 40 year olds with wives and little boys (and girls) of their own. We didn't stay too late - Bob had to get up early next morning and in any case, as far as I'm concerned, as soon as the music starts getting louder it's time to go!
Bob left by 7 am on Sunday morning and I got on with making some strawberry jam! I have to say I'm very happy with the result. It set a little thicker than I would have liked and it definitely wouldn't win any prizes but I could get the knife into it, it does spread on bread and it tastes good. Please see photographic evidence below.
Bob arrived safely home at about 7 pm on Sunday evening and we chatted over our evening meal.
A.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
"Perhaps he'll fall"
A couple of weeks ago when our daughter and her 4 year old had been with us for the weekend, I was preparing to leave with them to stay for a few days to help decorate my grandaughter's bedroom. On hearing that I would be going as well the conversation with her mummy went like this:
Imogen - "Is Grandad Bob coming as well"?
Mummy - "no, just Nanny"
Imogen - "what if he's lonely - perhaps he'll fall"
My daughter assured her that he would be fine and we set off - and he was fine.
Today he went off to Malvern for the weekend to do the show he set off to do last week!
And no, I won't be lonely but my grandaughter's remark came back to me when, stepping from the utility room back into the kitchen, I tripped and measured my length across the floor. I wasn't hurt and had to smile again at the wisdom of the young.
Anne
Imogen - "Is Grandad Bob coming as well"?
Mummy - "no, just Nanny"
Imogen - "what if he's lonely - perhaps he'll fall"
My daughter assured her that he would be fine and we set off - and he was fine.
Today he went off to Malvern for the weekend to do the show he set off to do last week!
And no, I won't be lonely but my grandaughter's remark came back to me when, stepping from the utility room back into the kitchen, I tripped and measured my length across the floor. I wasn't hurt and had to smile again at the wisdom of the young.
Anne
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