Monday 28 February 2011

Red Eyes are us

Yesterday I was doing my most favorite thing (NOT) which is ironing and I thought how sore my eye was.
Within an hour I looked like I had been involved in a boxing match, or had a really good night out on the town.
Neither I have to say did happen. Today not much improvement with it all one shade of red inside the eye, one heck of a headache  and sore as anything. Not much to do except rest and see how it goes, so no bridesmaid dress sewing for me!!!!

Saturday 26 February 2011

Essex wedding of the year

My son Matthew married Karen last April.It was a wonderful day which was busy from start to finish.The day before it poured down but the morning of the wedding, was bright and sunny.
Karen looked fantastic in her dress, and I was full of pride when I saw my son in his wedding outfit.
When they decided to enter Essex wedding of the year, we all had fingers crossed as they went through the rounds.
We were all delighted when we found out recently that they won!
A fitting end to a wonderful romantic story.

Friday 25 February 2011

I was going through my pictures and came across this one above. Recently I feel old and the term "Vintage Housewife " kind of put in to words how I felt! So if like me your feeling your age feel free to be a "Vintage Housewife" like me!

weddings!

As I may have mentioned in earlier posts, my daughter is getting married this year. There is a huge amount of work going into making the day nice but as always politics raise their head! Who can came, who can't come, who wants to sit where and so on. Lets not even get onto costs, thats a whole other story. What does make me sad is when people use weddings to turn what is a beautiful day into something else, another place to air their views or problems.
We had a super wedding last year for my son, and my own wedding some 32 years ago.
I know this year I will have a fantastic day with fantastic people, and heck the cost lets have fun!

My son Matthew and his wife Karen 2010
My husband and I 32 yrs ago

Thursday 24 February 2011

Looking back

This is me at the age of 10 at my brother Tony's wedding to Pat.
I loved my dress which was pale lemon and made by my mum Grace, who also made the wedding dress.
I loved all the dressing up and being "one of the girls" which made me feel very grown-up. I totally loved my sister-in-law Pat and being part of this special day was wonderful. Even now some 40 years later, I can remember the whole day as if it were yesterday.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Silent Sunday

Jollyjillys: oh dear were did i find this one !!

This was at my son's wedding last year. Now i am not one for having my picture taken, but i thought this would be a great shot of myself and my husband kevin. So you can imagine i was not happy when it came back like this ! Trouble is every picture taken at the reception he is pulling the same face. Still gotta love him!



my niece Emma told me about this blog and their ideas for funny faces. Think kevin fits right in!

Warning don't drink !


This is me ( i know what was i thinking) after a couple of glasses of wine. I thought i was getting a boob job for christmas!
Love the look don't you! Ideal for winter and Im taking orders now!

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Busy day

Today I was busy making my daughters wedding invitations. Kevin my hubbie and I had a tag team going ! He printed and stuck and I did ribbons. Then with the add of a hot fix gun little diamonds put on.
It's not a chore as I love to craft! It's also a joy as for me any craft is good. Ah well back to work 100 done, 200 to go !!!

Monday 21 February 2011

Attack of the killer bridesmaid dresses!!

I'm under attack! Metres and metres of satin and net are waiting to get to me!
My daughter is getting married and in an attempt to save money, I volunteered (yes I said volunteered) to make them.
Not one, not two but 8!!
I know on the day I'll be proud of them but right now I need a hero to rescue me!

Sunday 20 February 2011

Good diet week

For those of you following my weight loss journey I have news!
It's been a very good week I lost 5 pounds!!!! Yay me
I have been so good but was focused
Wish me luck for next week

Oh no not that train!

Pat and I had so many fun times I could write a book!
She came with me to see David Cassidy, the Osmonds and the driffters ! Any time i needed her she was there.
We once went shopping with Emma and Sam her daughter and son. On the way home we got onto a train, this was going 2 stops to were she lived. Then we realised it was a non stop to a town miles away. Once we got over the shock we laughed ourselves silly!
By the way we did get home that night!

Saturday 19 February 2011

oh dear were did i find this one !!

This was at my son's wedding last year. Now i am not one for having my picture taken, but i thought this would be a great shot of myself and my husband kevin. So you can imagine i was not happy when it came back like this ! Trouble is every picture taken at the reception he is pulling the same face. Still gotta love him!
my niece Emma told me about this blog and their ideas for funny faces. Think kevin fits right in!
Sticky Fingers
http://stickyfingers1.blogspot.com/
British Mummy Blogger. Writing about motherhood and working from home with a child hanging off each leg

Memories

Today it's pouring down! I think when the weather is bad it does sometimes give you time to reflect!
As I said in other postings I have been thinking about my sister in law pat.
I always wanted a sister and when pat came into my life she was my dreamed for sister .
As a teenager I spent hours at her home, but she never complained ! We used to bundle up my niece Emma and nephew Sam and go off. Sometimes we would drive , and let me tell you that was not pats strong thing to do . Or we would walk for miles to a park.If it was park day we would pack some food and drink and set off. She would always say "it's not far" and miles later we would still be walking.
I never minded as I loved to be with them. I would tell her my secrets or worries, stuff I could not tell mum.
I'll go into some of the adventures we got in another day!
Happy weekend!

Friday 18 February 2011

Special lady

There is a special lady that I want to mention, as we come up to what would have been her birthday.
The lady in question is my sister in law pat.
My brother started going out with her when I was 7. My brother and I were 10yrs apart in age, and never really close.
From the second she stepped into our house, I loved her. She was so pretty and had the most beautiful clothes I had ever seen.
Everything matched and I loved to spend time with her.
As I got older she was more than a big sister and we had some really fun adventures. When my niece Emma came along I spent more time with them and later her brothers.
Over the next few days I may tell you about some of our adventures of which there were many.
Sadly she was taken from us far too early, but I hope one day we can meet up again.
So happy birthday pat we will raise a glass and think of you xx

Old dog new tricks!

I'm new to blogging and my niece Emma who may I say is excellent, got me into it.
I have done a few things which I'm proud of but hit a brick wall on others. I had to turn to Emma once again, and as if by magic people can comment! Thanks Emma. I have always wrote, my mum always wrote but how great is to share your thoughts with so many.
My mum was a keen writer and would have been very proud of Emma, and maybe me for being a new blogger. Even at 52 I'm learning new skills, and boy is it fun.
So come on jump in you can do it too.

Thursday 17 February 2011

Count your blessings

We all rush around and moan about stuff we want or can't have . Do we ever stop to think just how much you do have. I know someone who is facing a really hard time. Do they fold under the pressure? No they are facing it head on with strength.
So take time today to count your blessings and be happy with what you have!

Wednesday 16 February 2011

To band or not to band!

So thought it was time I shared my journey with you!
My weight has been an issue all my life, a constant struggle, a never ending puzzle .
In 1994 I was only 9st then a back injury and then arthritis
And before you can say "cheese burger" I'd put on 6st.
It had a knock on effect as my joint problems got worse and the weight didn't help.
I tried every diet in the book but got nowhere fast
I was sad and worn out and felt my life was going down the drain.
Then last July I had the chance to have a gastric band. After the op I was really unwell and questioned if it was the right thing to do.
Let me say that a band is by no shape or form an easy option
You still have to work very hard and for me it'd Been slow
So after 7 months I've lost 28 pounds which is ok, but wish it were more.
If anyone is thinking of it please ask me any details I'd be pleased to help.
This story is going to be awhile before it ends.. Watch this space!

Monday 14 February 2011

Got to love those glasses



This is my niece Emma in those fantastic glasses
When Emma and later her brothers arrived I was in love with them from the word go.
I must have driven my poor sister in law mad as I was always at their house. My proudest moment was being allowed to take Emma out in her huge green coach pram on my own.
Many many happy memories. Love my niece and nephews with all my heart

Monday ahhhhh

Today was special for me and a Monday to be remembered!
My baby Natalie got her wedding dress! She looked so beautiful in it my heart was full of pride. It's a wonderful second in time to see your youngest child as a grown woman .
It's also sad in many ways as you know they are not your little babies anymore.
Both my children Matthew and Natalie are the light of my life and I am so proud of them.
When Matthew married last year I was so happy for him but to help choose a wedding dress with your daughter, is a truly fantastic thing to do .
I'm lucky to have been both the mother of the groom and mother of the bride
I'm blessed. Love you both with all my heart x

Sunday 13 February 2011

What is a weekend?

What is the weekend? For most people it's time off work or time to relax and have fun.
I on the other hand have a husband in the fire service and he works a shift pattern. This rolls on one day each week so I never have a normal weekend. It does teach you to enjoy your relax days whenever they fall. In general people are always saying "when" when I retire/win the lottery , whatever your when moment would be make it now! Live for today!
Happy When day!

Friday 11 February 2011

Great blog if you like sewing

Thursday 10 February 2011

Ps l love my cat but....,,,,

I love my cats! Ask anyone who knows me my cats are my babies.
However, one of mine is driving me spare. She sleeps on my bed and most of night sleeps ok.
Then on the same time every morning (which I have to point out is around 4am) she wants to get up.
She tries everything in the book to get my attention, including walking over my head!
So if by chance she's reading this, I love you dearly but PLEASE stop waking me up ..... There's a tin of tuna in it for you!

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Food food everywhere!!

Why is it that soon as someone mentions diets, the whole of your body wakes up!
I imagine loads of little bits of you running around shouting " diet grab what you can code blue code blue"!
I find some weeks I am fine but others I could kill and eat anything long as it's dipped in chocolate !!
I must stay focused and remember the old saying,
" A min on the lips-a life time on the hips"!

Monday 7 February 2011

New beginnings

It's been awhile since I put anything on here! After reading my niece emmas blog I was inspired to try again.
Well, much has happen since the last posting it's hard to know where to start.
My wonderful son Matthew got married in April to Karen. They married at a castle and it was a wonderful day.
Then in July I took a leap of faith and went in to have a gastric band fitted.
I have struggled all my life with my weight. Now in later life I find I have a very bad back, and being heavy does not help.
I will not bore you with the details now but I'll go into more later.
It's not been an easy ride but at present I've lost 28 pounds so yay me.
Then we had more news and my daughter got engaged and is marrying on 17th sep this year.
It's times like this when I miss my dear mum. She was a tough lady but I totally adored her. She's been gone 20 years this year, I still miss her.
We all moan to or about our parents but please enjoy them. Say those nice things you always mean to! One day they will be gone and it will be too late.