SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE

August always comes to me with trepidation, I lost both of my parents within 19 days of each other in August 2004. The smells and feelings of this month always take me back to that highly charged emotional time. Having to delay our grief over my Dad's sudden death because my Mum was so ill. We all piled into her hospice room after Dads funeral as she was too poorly to go herself, my husband even videoed the event so she could watch it with my eldest brother who selflessly stayed with my Mum. Three weeks later we were all gathered again this time to say goodbye to our amazing, strong Mum.   Looking back, I don't know how we all got through that time.
Seven years on, I still miss them everyday but this year I didn't linger on  the events leading up to their deaths as I have in the past but focussed more on the wonderful, loving, kind people they were and the legacy they left us all.
As human beings we need time to heal, to grieve in our own way. Our feelings are ever changing just like the seasons, we grow spiritually as we grow older and the Winter of our life doesn't hold the fears we had when we were in our Springtime.  Life is a circle and we are all part of that big circle.
Still, I will not be sad to say " Bye bye " to August but look forward to the new seasons ahead and everything they have to offer. I adore Autumn!

Beautiful flowers from my daughter, SIL and granddaughter!

I spent yesterday, the anniversary of Mums death, with my darling Soraya, so full of  life and laughter. Just as my Mum and Dad would have wanted. In their words "life is for the living", how true is that!
Thankyou to my lovely daughter for making it a special day for me and to my husband, sons and friends for thinking of me, I am lucky in so many ways.

And more flowers when I got home from hubby and boys!!

C'MON AUTUMN!! I'M READY AND WAITING FOR YOU!!

To get us all in the mood , a little taster of what is to come.....

THE PUMPKIN WINDOW (SIL in background on his laptop!)!!

 

WITCHY WINDOW...HOCUS POCUS

 

 

WIZARDY WINDOW.....WHERE'S HARRY?

FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS ALL IN A ROW...

 Oooh I cant wait, can you?

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX

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28 YEARS AGO TODAY!

On July 6th 1983 at 18.57 pm our little Carly Michelle arrived into the world, weighing 8lbs 4oz. A much longed for daughter and a little sister to Christopher. I never thought I would have a little girl growing up with three older brothers, so I was absolutely delighted to be launched into a pretty,  pink world!  Don't get me wrong I was delighted to have our little boy (and the two little munchkins that followed Carly!) but I was so excited to have my girl that I didn't sleep for 24 hours after her birth! Chris didn't really take much notice of her, at two and a bit years old he was more interested in the bedside tables in my hospital ward than his little sister! He did start to take notice 11 months later when she started walking though!  Such an easy baby, always happy and smiling and a joy to be around.

The next few years were a whirl of ballet, gymnastics, netball, hockey and rugby (I hated that sport, worried about your teeth all the time!). So sporty but so girly too, loved dresses and dressing up, dolls, My Little Pony, Care Bears then later Kylie Minogue and The Spice Girls. All the sleepovers, re-enactments of Grease!

Always made us so proud in everything she has done, has always been competitive and asks a lot of herself. An amazing business woman and entrepreneur, is never happier than when she is planning a new venture or event! The greatest joy for my husband and myself has been watching her take on the role of Wife and Mother with such passion and love. Such a joy to watch her relationship with our little granddaughter grow into a lifetime of love.

The world became a better place on that sunny day back in 1983! Thankyou Sweetheart for all the joy and laughter you have brought us and continue to give to us. We all love you so much!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl, hope you have a lovely day and a wonderful year ahead!

Go to our other website to see the tribute my husband made for Carlys Baby Shower.

TTFN ANNEMARIE xxx

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WELCOME TO OUR BOUDOIR!

Come on in......

Just give the door a little push, the latch is a little stiff. Sorry about the squeaking, really must oil those hinges.

Just push the door shut after you, thanks!

 FEEL FREE TO HAVE A NOSEY AROUND!!!

A few of my favourite things on my dressing table, the little hardanger picture was made for me by my dear friend, Sue. Also little presents from my daughter and granddaughter, so precious to me!  The La Dolce Vita perfume was my Mum's, still can't bring myself to smell it yet, maybe soon.

My favourite girls, also a little wreath bought in Salzburg a few years ago.

YES, I LOOOVVVVVEEEE THE BEATLES!!

Our little brood, a few years ago now, it was our youngest's first day of school. All those white shirts and blouses, I had snowblindness after an ironing session on all of those!

Guess who figures greatly in our lives? Our little cherub chops!

View from our windows, above is the church hall, venue of many childrens parties! Also our village green.

Our village Church, the clock is very handy, it chimes every hour, the bells can be a little annoying when you want a sleep-in on a Sunday morning though.

I love my carpet bag, I keep all my sewing projects in it. Always wanted Mary Poppins bag when I was little!

I adore these two little terriers. so cheeky!

Couldn't resist these little door knobs from Laura Ashley.  So cute!

If you don't mind shutting the door behind you, I think I will grab forty winks! Thanks for visiting!

TTFN ANNEMARIE xxx

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I'M BACK!!

The last few weeks have flown by, what with Easter, colds, numerous Bank Holidays (thankyou Catherine and William!), more colds and lack of energy, blogging seems to have taken a backseat.

Here in England we had the hottest April and early May since records began, hardly any rain(very unusual for us!). The Spring flowers just seem a distant memory now, the daffs are now just sad and make the garden look so untidy. The tulips have gone too and all the usual summer flowers are already blooming. I dont usually do my Summer pots until mid May but everything has been so early that they have been planted up a few weeks now!    

I planted up this old Belfast sink with summer flowering pansies, pastel blues and yellows, so pretty! The sink itself was a real bargain, bought locally from a lady who was renovating her house, I don't think I would have got rid of this sink though!

I love planting up unusual containers, in the past have used old watering cans, wire baskets and old teapots!

I picked up this 1950's dolls pram at a local antique and craft shop, it just screamed out to me..."Take me home!!"...so I did! It is so like the pram I had as a little girl. I remember looking through the toy shop window in the small town I grew up in and wishing it was mine. Then HORROR!!! One day the pram had gone and  I was devastated!  A few weeks later on Christmas morning...yes my beautiful pram! My Mum had put the pram on layaway, she was obviously stronger than me because I don't think I could have let my daughter be so devastated! I am just too soft!! That was a wonderful Christmas!

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago and the flowers have really bloomed madly. This year I am favouring blues and yellows together and also different shades of pink. I am eagerly awaiting my peonies to bloom, there are lots of buds so can't wait to see them in all their glory!

My daughter and I are still very busy organising her Reception at the end of July(so close now!). Our little Granddaughter had her fitting for her dress last week and she was amazing, holding her arms out straight like an aeroplane when told to so she could be measured! Obviously she is just like her Mummy!

I am currently reading the Kate McCann book about the abduction of her little daughter Madeleine four years ago in Portugal. I can only imagine how devastating and hopeless this must be for the McCanns. Could I just ask everyone going abroad on holiday this Summer to be aware and keep looking for this precious little girl.

TTFN. ANNEMARIE XXX

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MOTHERS DAY MEMORIES

The Beatles and Tom Jones, whenever I hear them I am back with you in our kitchen at home, the radio was always on (still is in my house!).

You peeking through the school fence when you walked by during playtime, touching fingers.

Lines of sparkling washing!

Hot dogs on Saturday evening, our Aunty and Uncle always turned up and you used to say that they could smell them cooking!

Walking home from Sunday Mass and buying our favourite biscuits on the way back.

Teaching me how to iron hankies!

Slipping me a piece of sugary apple when you were making apple pies!

Seeing you cry for the first time when I was 7 years old because my eldest brother had been in an accident. I only ever saw you cry twice in your life, the second time was when you were diagnosed and even then you pulled yourself up by your socks and got on with it!

The way you put my problems in perspective, nothing and nobody is worth getting upset over!

My Monday presents, I have always hated Mondays so you always bought me a little present, a magazine or maybe some Quickies (eye make-up cleansing pads!).

The look on your face when you first saw my babies, pure love.

Getting words jumbled up,   'melongitis' for example. Your Granddaughter does the same thing now, remember scowling(scouring) pad, Carly?

Stopping for a coffee after shopping, two hours later....

There are so many good memories Mum, you and Dad always made me feel safe and secure. I miss you everyday but especially today, Mothers Day. Thankyou for all the good times, all the laughter and for showing such strength at the end, as always thinking of others. I know that you can see your Great Granddaughter, the light of our life, she brightens our days just as you did. Happy Mothers Day Mum, love you lots.

One of my favourite photo's of us together back in 1981, we always laughed until we cried!

Happy Mothers Day also to the best little Momma in the world, Soraya is so lucky to have you. You are so loving and caring, such fun too! Have a lovely day Sweetheart! Thankyou for your lovely post on your blog Mummysshoes.com.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mummies and Grandmas out there, enjoy your day! xx

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OUR LITTLE ANGEL IS 2 TODAY!

Our beautiful Granddaughter, Soraya, turns two today! Two years of laughter, cuddles and such precious moments. From the moment I first held her my heart was hers for the keeping! 

Everyone told me that the love for a grandchild was different, we love our children so much but a Grandparents love is deep-rooted and all consuming.
 
Perhaps it is the fact we have more time or maybe realise that time flies by so quickly and we take the time to enjoy them more. Either way I must say that I cherish every moment with her and love seeing her develop into the amazing person she is and will be.

 When she snuggles up to me or strokes my hand I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. When she asks for something sweet and tasty and says "Please Gy" (she cant pronounce Grams yet!) my heart turns into a huge marshmallow.

She already has such an amazing sense of humour and she loves the reaction she gets to her little jokes! I love the way she is so gentle with our dogs, no pulling, just gentle strokes, they love her too!

The world is definitely a better place since she arrived. We are all smitten with her, her uncles are never far away when she visits!

I am so lucky to be able to spend so much time with her and I thank my Daughter and Son-in-law for letting me do this.

They are wonderful parents and it is a great feeling knowing that they love and care for their little daughter so well.





 

I could talk about  Soraya all day as you probably realise by now! So, for now, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRETTY BLUE EYES,  Grams and Papa  love you so much! xxx

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SIMPLE PLEASURES

 There is nothing like a line of washing blowing in the Spring sunshine to lift a persons spirits. Perhaps thats just me and maybe I should get a hobby or two!!

Ellie loves a sunny day and never seems to mind the heat even at the height of Summer!

The little cottage on the right was the old washroom for the original three cottages that became our house. It still has the original stone walls and floors, also the old 'dolly tub' sink. I can't show you inside at the moment because it is home to lots of creepy crawly spiders who have taken up residence over the Winter! It must have been quite nice with all the women getting together on Monday mornings to do their laundry, I bet a lot of gossiping went on. Our cottage dates from the mid 17th Century (around 1645 ish) but there has been a residence on the site for much longer as we live so close to the village Church which dates from the early 14th century.

The cherry blossom is in 'all it's glory' at the moment, so pretty but so short-lived.

Desirable residence To Let, no takers yet but hopefully soon!

 
The Easter Bunny is getting ready for his big day!
Spring has definitely arrived here in Lincolnshire although the nights are still quite cold. Plenty of time for some snow though, it has happened in the past but keeping fingers crossed for more fine weather!

TTFN AnneMarie xxx

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