KEVIN

It's Christmas Eve Eve and all through the house

Everything's stirring, even a mouse

His name is Kevin and he lives in Steve's room

I daren't let the cats in or he'd meet his doom

Not sure how he got there but he's there sure enough

We both tried to catch him but " boy, is he tough "

I did all the right things, I gave him some cheese

But he just ignores it and happily flees

Maybe he's an orphan and has no-one to care

And after all, it's Christmas.... be fair

He wants to celebrate even though he's a mouse

He's one of God's creatures and lives in my house.

Merry Christmas

Excitement fills the air with a sense of wonder

What is this magical spell that I'm under

A feeling of merriment, of goodwill and love

It's as blissful as looking at the stars up above

Children excited and giddy with glee

Happily sitting there, on Santa's knee

His little helpers with presents at hand

Together they form a fantasy land

Children wishing for their hearts delight

As Santa's sleigh glides through the skies of the night

Church bells are ringing to gather the clan

To sing songs together to tell of a man

who was born in a stable, no room at the Inn

This is where stories of Christmas begin

But Christmas for me is the time that I treasure

All the good things in life that give me great pleasure

My children, my family, my friends and my schemes

My very existence, my hopes and my dreams

I hope that this Christmas, you're dreams will come true

Merry Christmas Have a good one, that's my wish for you

describe me

One word to describe me....

Got this from Lyn

Play the game

The Game is on!!! And you're IT!

Describe ME in one word.....just one single word. Post it in my comment section. Then put the same request in your journal so we can visit you… and do the same thing… and see how many strange and interesting things they say about you...........

Got this from Lyn and Donna..... Thanks for that ladies

 

STILL LOOKING FOR FRANCES

What a busy few weeks I've had. I'm trying to trace my Great Aunt who was sent as a British Home Child by Barnardo's, to Canada in 1912 at the age of 14.

After months of searching and e mailing, I finally had a reply from Barnardo's saying that she was living in a place called " Biggar " in Saskatchewan. She married a Mr Harry Smith in 1924 and had 8 children.

RESULT !!

But I still need to know WHY she was taken from her Mum and Dad and where she was living when she first went into care.

I have e mailed the local Biggar newspaper and asked if they would run my story and I e mailed their local MP to see if she could trace the Smith family there for me.

I'm all e mailed out but I DESPERATELY need to trace her Children or Grandchildren to let them know we exist here and how much we all want to meet them.

It's all been really frustrating and time consuming but if I can just make contact with one of her siblings there, I'm happy.

It was my Dad's 79th birthday yesterday bless him and I took GREAT pleasure in telling him I'd found her. He is ALWAYS wondering what became of her as she was his only Auntie.

I'm anxiously waiting for an e mail from one of the hoards of people I've contacted ,to see if they can get me ANY kind of information on her family.

I'll keep you informed of my progress.

Night night all, sleep tight.

 

BONFIRE NIGHT

BONFIRE NIGHT   ( Guy Fawkes night )

HOORAY HOORAY IT'S BONFIRE NIGHT

WITH EYES AGLOW IN SHEER DELIGHT

SHERBET FOUNTAINS GENTLY FIZZING

CATHERINE WHEELS WILDLY WHIZZING

AS ROCKETS FLY IN TO THE SKY

A BONFIRE SPARK COMES DRIFTING BY

SPARKLERS WAVING IN THE AIR

BANGERS BANGING EVERYWHERE

THE SKY IS ALIVE WITH COLOURS AND SPARKS

SCARING A DOG AS IT BARKS AND BARKS

CHILDREN IN AWE AS THE FLAMES REACH THE SKY

MORE WOOD ON THE FIRE, MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DRY

CANT BE TOO CAREFUL THOUGH, KEEP WATER AT HAND

OR IF THERE'S NO WATER, A BUCKET OF SAND

JACKET POTATOES AND TREACLE TOFFEE

LOVELY HOTDOGS AND STEAMING COFFEE

TOFFEE APPLES AND PARKIN TO EAT

JUST BY THE FIRE IS MY VERY OWN SEAT

TO SIT IN THE WARMTH AND FEEL THE GLOW

TO SIT AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS SHOW

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS

BONFIRE NIGHT......PERFECT BLISS.....

HAVE A SAFE ONE EVERYONE...

searching for frances

Hi everyone,

As anyone who knows me will know, I am a very charitable, easy going, friendly type of person, at the best of times anyway and I don't flip my lid very often but this search for my missing ancestor has really got me riled..I have managed to trace her at last, only to find that she was a British Home Child. Poor Frances. Anyone not knowing what a British Home Child was, I'll enlighten you. It is a child or children who people like Barnardo thought were being neglected or mistreated by the Parents and needed to be taken under their wing, to put it politely. In fact what it was, was kidnapping and child slavery. They would take these poor children away from their families without their consent or knowledge. Then they're shipped off like cattle to another country where they're sold for $2.00 as Mother's helpers or farmers and such. In fact, I've been reading up and researching this very closely and most of them were beaten, raped and abused over there. I dread to think what might have happened to Frances. A poor 14 year old girl away from her Mother, wondering what was going to happen to her and why was it happening. Who are these people to think they're above the law anyway? And why didn't the law do something to stop this ? Well, I'm up on my soap box again I know but it gets me so angry to think that children and parents were treated in this way.This is only the start of my research into this, so goodness knows what else will come into light here. I vow and declare NEVER to donate to Barnardos, on principle.I have other ways of donating to charities and it doesn't involve underhanded dealings like this.

Will keep you informed of my findings.. 

Hope you're all well and looking forward to halloween...  x x x

geneaology

Had a great night tonight. I've been trying to trace my ancestors for the past two years and not made any headway....until tonight....WOOHOO !!!

Inside two hours, I managed to trace my Mum's Grandfather, Ernest Arthur AND my Dad's Great Grandparents and their SIX children, one of whom is my Great Grandmother Annie. Annie gave birth to twins, one of whom was my late Grandfather and his Sister. I dont know her name but I know she was adopted and sent to live in Canada when she was a baby, so that's going to be hard to follow up.

I know for a fact that my Grandfather's Father lived in Ireland and were Catholic. That's all I know though, so that's another problem that I'm so looking forward to solving..

I am so chuffed, I actually found all these family members in one night..

I know they're not with us anymore but I still feel as if I gained more family...

I'm really enjoying my ancestral search and will keep you all updated with my findings..

Love and best wishes

Pat    x x x

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN

 

 

 

  24 TODAY STEVE.....

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN

ARE YOU REALLY TWENTY FOUR

COS IT JUST SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY

WELL MAYBE THE DAY BEFORE

THAT I WENT INTO LABOUR

NOT THAT I COULD EVER FORGET

COS YOU CAME TWO DAYS EARLY

AND I WASN'T READY YET

NOT THAT I MINDED REALLY

HOW LUCKY COULD I GET

 

I CONVINCED MYSELF YOU'D BE A GIRL

WITH LOVELY CURLY HAIR

BUT GOD MEANT YOU JUST FOR ME

AND I DIDN'T REALLY CARE

MY LITTLE BUNDLE OF LOVE AND JOY

TO CHERISH AND TO HOLD

I WOULDN'T HAVE SWAPPED YOU FOR ANYTHING

NOT EVEN A TON OF GOLD........

 

WELL .........  JUST KIDDING STE.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE  X X X

 

 

WHERE'S BARRY

Just for a change

I thought I'd arrange

For Barry to welcome me to AOL

I thought while Im at it

To stay in the habit

He'd say I've got e-mail as well

But try as I might

And I put up a fight

I just can't seem to get him to stay

For when I log on

It seems that he's gone

He just keeps on running away

It seems I can't grasp

The jest of the task

Don't know where I'm going wrong

It's not like it matters

My life's not in tatters

I'd just like a welcome in song..

CAN'T SLEEP

JUST CAN'T SLEEP

I just can't sleep

Not a wink, not a peep

Got things going round in my head,

I tried counting sheep

Oh how I need to sleep

Just tossing around in my bed,

Got things on my mind

If I could just find

A way to shut off from the day,

I would dream of good things

And all that life brings

The dawn seems a lifetime away,

I think I'll just doze

In my silent repose

And try to drift into the night,

Or when I awake

For goodness sake

I'll look such a terrible sight.

Goodnight, God bless x x

In Memory

LEST WE FORGET

9/11/01

GOD BLESS

THEY SAY PETS ARE LIKE THEIR OWNERS

I know this is a pretty private thing but I just couldn't believe what happened today, it was so weird I have to tell all.

My Son was rushed into hospital three Christmasses ago. His tummy was hard as a rock and he couldn't wee properly. His temperature was way up and he was in agony with his tum.

It turned out to be a blocked bladder, which needed a cathater fitted for a few days and antibiotics through drips and such. He was in hospital for four or five days with it all in all.

They said he would probably have to go in every few years just to make sure it doesn't happen again.

This morning at 7.10, this same Son rings and asks if we could get his cat ( Stitch ) to the vets as he was unwell. Really hard tummy, crying out in pain, really miserable etc.

Imagine our surprise when he was diagnosed with EXACTLY the same illness as my Son, his Daddy, bless !!!

How strange is that ...

 

 

FOUND MY SONG

Hi all,

Just to let you know that, with Lyn's help, I found the song I was looking for, for my Dad.

It turned out to be sung by Billy Thorburn ( whoever he is )

Many thanks to those who were trying to find it for me..

Just ordered it from Amazon for a surprise for him..

Take care all

Love Pat  x x x

LOOKING FOR A SONG

Everytime I see my Dad, he asks me to look for a song which he thinks was sung by Bing Crosby. Some of the words are " If I could only paint a memory ".

I have no idea if it's taken from a film or show but would really appreciate it if someone could help me out here.

He's not been too well of late and we have been told he's in early stages of dementia now. I would really like to find this song to play for him.

Thank you to all my friends who have been sending their best wishes for him, I really appreciate your thoughts.

Love to you all

Pat  x x

what a relief

WHAT A RELIEF THAT DAD'S OKAY

I WAS SO WORRIED AT THIS TIME YESTERDAY

MY DAD TOOK A FUNNY TURN WE ALL THOUGHT THE WORST

IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU SHOULD GET THE FACTS FIRST

HE'S HAD STROKES BEFORE AND ALL LEFT HIM CHAIRBOUND

BUT THIS TIME WAS DIFFERENT AND WITHOUT ULTRASOUND

WE REALLY COULDN'T BE SURE BUT HE LOOKED OH SO YUCKY

ABOUT THIS TIME YESTERDAY WE DIDN'T FEEL SO LUCKY

HE WAS LAID UP IN HOSPITAL AND CHECKED THROUGH THE NIGHT

HE REALLY DID LOOK SUCH A WORRYING SIGHT

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LOSE HIM HE LOOKED A DIFFERENT BLOKE

BUT THIS MORNING THANK GOODNESS DOC SAID IT'S HEATSTROKE...

SO HE'S BACK IN  HIS OWN BED TUCKED SAFELY UP TIGHT

I FELT SO LUCKY I COULD GO AND SAY " GOODNIGHT "

 

GET WELL DAD

MUM AND DAD

 

HAPPY TIMES WITH THE NEIGHBOURS AND GRANDMA

 

GRANDAD AND GRANDMA WITH STEVEN

 

DAD AND HIS SISTERS

 

YOU'RE THE OTHER MAN IN MY LIFE

YOU KEPT ME SAFE FROM HARM

YOU FED ME WHEN I WAS HUNGRY

WHEN I WAS COLD YOU KEPT ME WARM

WHEN YOU SAT ME ON YOUR KNEE

AND SANG OUR FAVOURITE SONG

MY UNIVERSE WAS SO COMPLETE

THE WORLD COULD DO NO WRONG

YOU SENT ME OFF TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

WITH RIBBONS IN MY HAIR

I LEARNED OF GOD'S LOVE AND SANG HIS SONGS

HEAVEN WAS EVERYWHERE

AS I GREW STRONG AND FOUND TRUE LOVE

YOUR GRANDCHILDREN CAME TO BE

THEY FILLED OUR LIVES WITH JOY AND LOVE

THEY LOVE YOU GAVE TO ME

IF GOD DECIDES TO MAKE YOU AN ANGEL

AND TAKE YOU FOR HIS OWN

I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU I WILL ALWAYSLOVE YOU

OUR LOVE HAS GROWN AND GROWN.

 

SORRY IT'S NOT VAUGHN MONROE BUT IT'S THE SONG WE LOVE.

              

Latchkey kids

I haven't been to my journal for a while now because I've had a few things happening in my life, such as Mum In Law seriously ill in hospital. She is making good progress at the moment by the way and thank you all so much for your good wishes and prayers. They mean so much to all of us.

I am so furious tonight to hear that an eleven year old boy in Merseyside has been shot dead whilst out playing with his friends. They are saying the boy who shot him was a TWELVE year old on a BMX bike. What is it with kids these days. We would NEVER have dreamed of using this sort of violent behaviour when we were little.

The more I think about it and I'm not sorry who I offend here, I blame parents. My Mother was ALWAYS at home when we got in from school and we were NEVER left at night while they went out drinking because they didn't drink, still don't.

We weren't allowed to play out after eight oclock at night and when we did play out , parents ALWAYS knew where we were.

What do parents think their kids are doing when they're still playing out late at night ? Not playing football or wendy house that's for sure.

Times have changed and unfortunately some parents seem to enjoy going out more than being at home keeping their kids in line. No wonder things have gotten so bad.

I'm not old fashioned and I'm not sexist but I really think that at least one parent should be at home making rules and teaching their kids good manners and respectability towards others. Mistakes are being made and we are all at the hands of young thugs whether we are out in the street or inside our own home.

 

AUTUMN

THE SEPTEMBER SKY

WILL BE PASSING BY

BEFORE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE

TO BATHE IN THE SUN

FOR IT'S ALMOST DONE

SUMMER'S HAD IT'S DANCE

IT WONT BE LONG

BEFORE THE SONG

OF THE AUTUMN STARTS TO SING

GOLDEN TREES

AND AUTUMN BREEZE

AS WINDCHIMES START TO RING

I LOVE THE CRUNCH

AND GOLDEN MULCH

OF AUTUMN LEAVES AGROUND

THE COOLER AIR

THROUGH TREES SO BARE

MAKES AN EERIE WHISPERING SOUND

THEN BEFORE YOU KNOW

THERE WILL BE SNOW

GLISTENING EVERYWHERE

WE'LL BUILD UP THE FIRE

HIGHER AND HIGHER

AND SLEEP IN A BIG SOFT ARMCHAIR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPIDER...

OH THE SHOCK...OH THE HORROR

IT'S MORE HIDEOUS THAN A MOUSE,

IT'S REVOLTING, IT'S BLOOD CURDLING,

IT WAS BIGGER THAN A HOUSE,

I JUST WALKED OUT THE BATHROOM,

WAS ON MY WAY TO BED,

WHEN SUDDENLY, I SAW IT,

IT EVEN HAD A HEAD,

IT ALMOST TOUCHED MY POOR DOGGY,

SAT GUARDING ON THE STAIRS,

IM JUST SO GLAD IT WAS ONLY ONE,

COS I'D HATE THEM TO BE IN PAIRS,

I REALLY HATE AND LOATHE THEM,

I REALLY HAVE DECIDED,

THE WORSE THING IN THE WORLD HAS TO BE

GREAT BIG HAIRY SPIDERS...

YUK !!!!

memories demolished

I HAD A LOVELY DAY TODAY,

SAW MY PAST ALONG THE WAY,

I TOOK A TRIP TO DAYS GONE BY,

IT MADE ME REALISE TIME DOES FLY,

I FOUND THE STREET WHERE I WAS BORN,

JUST TO SEE IT HAD ALL GONE,

I LOOKED IN SADNESS AS IT ALL CAME BACK TO ME,

WHERE MY HOUSE STOOD IS NOW A FACTORY,

A HAPPY LITTLE GIRL WITHOUT A CARE,

USED TO LIVE HERE, IT'S NOT FAIR,

THE WAY THE FUTURE OVERRIDES THE PAST,

GOOD JOB MEMORIES ARE BUILT TO LAST,

BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM LIFE WOULD  BE,

JUST  A LIFELONG MISERY,

EVEN MY SUNDAY SCHOOL STANDS NO MORE,

NOT EVEN A TILE LEFT FROM THE FLOOR,

I WONDER WHAT GOD WOULD MAKE OF THIS,

HIS HOLY NURSERY GONE AMISS,

BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TAKEN AWAY,

MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE HERE TO STAY.

 

 

 

20 years on

I can't believe this photo was taken 20 years ago tomorrow.

It would have been our 20th wedding anniversary had David and I stayed together.

Adam and Steven were my best men, you can see why.

I love the size of Steven's carnation compared to his lapel.

 

ON THE UP

Had some good news today that Emily ( Mother In Law ) is on the mend, even be it very slowly.She has her eyes open now and looks for Hubby walking through the door ( bless ). She is off dyalasis and the respirator and is asking how people are. Her wound is still open as she still has to keep having it cleaned daily but all in all, getting there. Her temperature keeps slipping up but is under control for the moment.Will keep you posted of further news. Thank you to all for your prayers and messages of support. They have all been passed on to her and her hubby, who are very grateful and have asked me to thank you all for your kindness.Hope you're all having a great weekend and that the weather is being kind to you.

 

down in the dumps

Did you ever have one of those days when you're down in the dumps?

When everything's horrible and you're sick of life's bumps,

I've  felt rather " off  it " today , don't know why,

Just out of sorts and wanting to cry,

My Mum's had a nasty bout of poorly chest and cold,

It's really quite nasty, or that's what I'm told,

I think it's the onset of her bug , I'm sure,

Cos I'm feeling quite miserable and I didn't before,

So I thought that I'd write here and tell all my friends,

Cos you all have the knack of healing, that sends,

All the way over here, right to my gloom,

It's amazing how it travels all the way to my room,

I hate feeling gloomy, it's just isn't me,

Maybe tomorrow I'll feel brighter, just wait and see.

  

bogus charities

The other day, I had a leaflet posted through the door asking for unwanted clothing etc, to be sent to poor countries needing help. .I raided my wardrobe today and managed to find four big sacks full of clothes. I felt really proud of myself for throwing out some clothes that I always NEVER thought I could live without. I even found some clothes for a baby girl, that I was saving for the day I maybe become a Granny ( well, you never know ). Earlier tonight Adrian suggested that I check out this company to make sure they were legitimate and I couldn't believe it when I found out that they WEREN'T. Apparantly this company is now dissolved. I was furious to think that people could use the misfortune of others less fortunate than themselves, to their own gain. Probably to sell them at a car boot or something. How low are these people ? Needless to say that I have now decided to take my donation to Oxfam instead... BLOOMIN' CHEEK !!! 

By the way, I forgot to mention that I won £47.00 on the lottery, ( I had 4 numbers ) then I won £6.00 on a scratchcard, £2.00 on another scratchcard and £2.00 on lottery dream number. WOW !!  £57.00 all in one night.... How lucky can a girl get ?

schoolgirl Mums

Young girls having babies

Full of "ifs" and " maybe's"

Talking of abortion

Get things in proportion

Live your teenage life first

Cos all your dreams of life burst

When you're tied down with a baby

Just what would everyday be

Nappies,feeding,sleepless nights

Needing babysitters

Endless fights

Because the things you like to do

Just go by the wayside too

Enjoy your youth, go out and play

Leave babies til another day

 

 

 

WRITER'S BLOCK

 

 

Writer's block,

Wow !! that's a shock,

It is for me anyway,

I'm just sat here chilling,

Guess my mind's just not willing,

I always have something to say,

I could rant here all night,

Of the families plight,

Aint nobodies business but ours,

And I don't dry my washing,

With everyone watching,

Besides, it would just take me hours,

So, I'm off to my bed,

It's better least said,

I would just put my foot in my mouth,

And if I find tomorrow,

I'm facing more sorrow,

That's it, I'm off, flying South.

 

Night night, God bless all  x x x

UPDATE ON EMILY

 

 

Just to let you know that Emily is no longer hooked up to the iron lung as she is breathing on her own now.

This also means that she can speak, as the pipe was into her throat and lungs keeping her from talking.

She still has an infection that is keeping her wound from healing, so she is to have a scan today to find out exactly where it's coming from. Hopefully then she can start to recover.

She is still in intensive care and is expected to remain there for the next few days at least. But all in all, she is making slow progress in small steps.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and your support and I know I can rely on you to keep Emily in your thoughts and prayers for a while longer yet. It seems to be working.

Also for Vincent, her Husband. He has had an awful time through this and it showed on Thursday when he broke down and cried to us. It was heartbreaking to see him like that and I ask that prayers go up for him too, to give him strength to get through this.

Many thanks once again for your support

I will keep you informed of Emily's progress.

 

Where's the sunshine gone ?

I wish this rain would stop now,

It's getting so mundane,

I really wish I knew how,

To find the sun again,

Maybe it's gone on  holiday,

Maybe it's lost it's way,

This is such a sorry day,

I need the sun again,

Although I love the sound of raindrops,

I feel so melancholy,

Still, I'll be happy when this rain stops,

And I no longer need my brolly,

I love to feel the warm glow,

Of the sun upon my face,

Then, where does all the rain go?

Maybe to the same place,

I think I'll take a journey,

To find the sun, so bright,

Maybe, if it's heard me,

It will shine tomorrow, it might.

 

 

 

 

 

And I thought it was just me.

Famous People Affected By An Anxiety Disorder                                                             No you aren't alone. A great many people have/had to deal with an anxiety condition. Famous people, too, such as: Naomi Campbell (model) David Bowie (singer) John Stuart Mill (philosopher) John Cougar Mellencamp (musician, actor) Johnny Depp (actor) Anne Tyler (author) Shecky Greene (comedian) Courtney Love (singer - actress) Sally Field (actress) Jim Eisenreich (baseball) Barbra Streisand (singer) Ann Wilson (singer) Winona Ryder (actress) Howard Stern (media) Anne Tyler (author) Olivia Hussey (actress) Cher (singer, actress) Pete Harnisch (baseball star) James Garner (actor) Tom Snyder (host) Kim Basinger (actress) Earl Campbell (football star) Donny Osmond (singer) Marie Osmond (entertainer) Oprah Winfrey (host) John Candy (comedian) Edvard Munch (artist) Beverly Johnson (supermodel) John Madden (announcer) Howie Mandel (comic) Sam Shepard (playwright) Lani O'Grady (actress) Robert Burns (poet) Isaac Asimov (author) Alanis Morisette(singer) Sissy Spacek (actress) Robin Quivers (radio host) Barbara Gordon (filmmaker) Burt Reynolds (actor) Sir Isaac Newton (scientist) Charles Schultz (cartoonist) Michael English (singer) Sir Laurence Olivier (actor) Dean Cain (actor) John Steinbeck (author) W.B. Yeats (poet) Leila Kenzle (actress) Aretha Franklin (singer) Joan Rivers (actress) Deanna Carter (singer) Dave Stewart of the (singer – Eurythmics) Al Kasha (songwriter) Charlotte Bronte (author) Nikola Tesla (inventor) Roseanne Barr (comedian) Naomi Judd (singer) Susan Powter (tv host) Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist) Carly Simon (singer) Willard Scott (weatherman) Nicole Kidman (actress) Sheryl Crow (musician) Anthony Hopkins (actor) Dick Clark (television personality) Ray Charles (musician) Eric Clapton (musician) Edie Falco (actress) Barbara Bush (former First Lady - U.S.) Tony Dow (actor director) Michael Crichton (writer) Robert McFarlane (former National Security Advisor - U.S.) Bonnie Raitt (musician)

THIS MAKES ME FEEL REALLY NORMAL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER

Happy birthday Mother,

 Love you always

x  x  x

 

Im back

Hi everyone,

Yes, Im back from Northern Ireland and I have to admit the flight wasn't as bad as I remembered, although I'd still rather have my feet firmly on the ground at all times.

Well, Emily is still in intensive care and critically ill but she is making steady progress, one step at a time.

I didn't recognise her at first, as she has tubes and machinery fitted everywhere but I still saw the pretty, friendly, welcoming face I always see when I look at her.

I just know she will come through this and I still wish EVERYONE would keep thinking of her and all the family in their prayers.

Dad is so lost without her and he broke down in floods of tears today as we were leaving, he says his heart is broken  and he didn't know if he could go on and I felt so useless to him.

I intend to write a more lengthy journal in a while but I just wanted to fill you in for now.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying life...It's too short not to..

Love Pat  x x x

 

 

THE DREADED F WORD

As you know, my Mother In Law is critically ill in Ulster Hospital at the moment recovering from pneumonia and a gall bladder operation.I love her very much and am very anxious to go and see her. I have to focus on that as I have to do the dreaded "F " word tomorrow.... FLY.....I absolutely LOATHE it. We usually go by ferry from Stranraer and I LOVE it but tomorrow, as it's quicker and cheaper, we have to FLY....It also means we have no car when we get there, as it will be left behind at the airport.I have suffered from agoraphobia for fifteen years now and anyone who suffers it will know EXACTLY how I'm feeling at the moment.I also suffer some form of separation disorder, as I can't be alone anywhere, I HAVE to see a familiar face wherever I am. I couldn't even be alone in the house at one point, although I have won that battle I hope.I panic when I'm away from home too, so that's another battle I have to fight over the next few days.This is SO not me. I have sung in front of people and am a very outgoing person really. It's SO frustrating, I swear at myself under by breath...My Brother suffers the same problem and so does Steven, to an extent. I'm beginning to agree with the Doctor's that it IS a hereditary thing but where did it start ?Oh well, no point worrying myself about it. I HAVE to get on and do it, for Emily.

 

 

WHERE PIGEONS COME TO DIE

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am an avid animal lover. So much so that I have five cats ( three are rescued ) three dogs ( one is rescued ) and fish in the pond.

Over the past few weeks, I have had four bird rescues. It seems they know where to land when they need somewhere to die. This worries me somewhat.

The first rescue was a racing pigeon that landed on the decking, as we were sat looking through the window to the garden. It couldn't fly and was exhausted. We rang through to the RSPCA, who gave as a number to report that this pigeon had come to us, so that it's owner knew how far it had flown.

They just said that we should give it food and water and somewhere warm to rest up for a couple of days until it had the strength to fly home. We did everything they said but found it dead the next morning. It looked as if it had a heart attack or something. Bless !!!

The next one was a little bird Adrian and I saw on the way round to my Mum's house in the next street. It was so tiny and not long since left it's Mummy.

Again, we took it and tried to see if it had fallen from it's nest but nothing in sight, so we took it home and put it in a warm place with food and water and left it until it found strength to fly home... It died the next morning..

The third one was when Adrian was away from home for a few days. It just flew into the garden unable to fly. I couldn't see any damage, so I kept it overnight .... it died.

By now I'm getting a little hesitant to help our fine feathered friends and decided not to intervene in future.. that is.. until last night when a pigeon flew into our back garden...AGAIN..

It just looked very wet from the rain and seemed to be exhausted... Same routine, only this time, I let it sleep in the outhouse with the door slightly ajar so that it could fly away when it chose to.

Got upthis morning and .....yes, you guessed it....IT DIED ....

Why do they keep coming to me just to die here ? It upsets me ..... Steven gets very perturbed bless him...

I wonder if that's why I don't get many visitors round...hmmm !!! 

A PRAYER FOR EMILY

Please say a prayer for Emily, my wonderful Mother in law and friend.She's been ill in hospital for a while now and has just undergone a life threatening operation today.She's in a critical condition for the next five days and I pray every day that she'll be well again.

She collapsed in Tenereiff with a chest infection, which developed into pneumonia.She couldn't be flown home for while as she was too weak to be moved. Then an infection set in and we all feared the worst.But, being a trooper,she started to get better again. Then she took a backstep and had an infection from gallstones. This operation today is to remove her gallbladder and anything causing her problems and stopping her from getting well again.

She has treated me, as she does everyone, with respect and love and kindness since the first time we met and I love her very much.

Time will tell as they say and these next few days are going to be very long days for us.

We are all waiting with bated breath and prayers that she pulls through this awful time.

I will keep you all posted..

Thank you my friends

Pat  x x x

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS

OUR VERY BEST WISHES THIS MESSAGE SENDS

MAY YOU HAVE FUN AND EAT LOTS OF GOODIES

THIS COMES WITH LOVE FROM ALL OF YOUR BUDDIES...

 

HAPPY DAY EVERYONE !!!

 

 

THE GREAT FLOOD

I WAS AWOKEN IN THE EARLY HOURS TO THE SOUND OF RAIN,

WIND WAS HOWLING, GALE FORCE STRENGTH, RATTLING MY WINDOW PANE,

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT DAY WOULD BE MY WORSE NIGHTMARE,

RAIN WAS LASHING, RIVER'S BULGING, CHAOS EVERYWHERE,

CARS ABANDONED,PEOPLE WADING THROUGH SEWAGE RIDDEN WATERS,

PEOPLE STRANDED IN THEIR WORKPLACE,THIS STORM HAD REALLY CAUGHT US,

SHOPPERS DESPERATE TO GET HOME SAFELY, TO THEIR NICE WARM BEDS,

HELICOPTER'S PLUCKING WORKMEN FROM COLLAPSING SHEDS,

HELPLESS VICTIMS WINCHED TO SAFETY, ALL SEEKING SAFE REFUGE,

THE SCALE AND DEVASTATION CAUSED, WAS ABSOLUTELY HUGE,

MOBILE PHONELINE'S PUSHED TO THE LIMIT,NO-ONE COULD GET THROUGH,

TO CHECK THEIR FAMILIES ALL WERE SAFE AS THE WATERS GREW AND GREW,

HOUSES LOSING POWER SUPPLY,NO TV TO WATCH THE NEWS,

JUST SAT IN DARKNESS,SHOCKED AND BEWILDERED,THEY REALLY HAD NO CLUES,

RIVERS SWELLING, BURST THEIR BANKS,WALLS AND BUILDINGS CRUMBLE,

NOTHING IN IT'S PLACE ANYMORE,THE CITY'S ONE BIG JUMBLE,

MANY HEROES WERE SEEN THAT DAY,THEY WERE ALL SO EASY TO FIND,

WHO SAID CHIVALRY WAS LONG DEAD,HAVE FAITH IN YOUR MANKIND,

THIS DAY IN JUNE,WE WILL NEVER FORGET,OR THE MEMORIES OF THOSE LOST,

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE DEFENCES AGAINST THIS FLOODING, AT ALL COST,

EVERYTIME I SEE A RAINDROP,I'LL THINK BACK ON THE DAY,

THE RAIN CAME DOWN TO WASH US OUT BUT SHEFFIELD'S HERE TO STAY.

 

THE SHEFFIELD FLOOD

WHO GREW UP IN THE 80'S ?

	Just for Fun - Totally Random
	You know you grew up in the 80's if: 1. You used to buy cassette singles… and still have some stashed somewhere… 2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton 3. You hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future." 4. You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name." 5. You've heard of Garbage Pail Kids. 6. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom 7. Two words: Hammer Pants 8. You watched "Fraggle Rock" 9. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokies or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect 10. You watched "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!) 11. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons. 12. You (your sister, cousins) wore a ponytail on the side of your head. 13. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names. 14. You know all the words to "ice ice baby". 15. Poltergeist freaked you out. 16. You ever had a Swatch Watch. 17. L.A. Gear....need I say more? 18. You Believed that "By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power!" 19. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF" 20. You wanted to be a Goonie. ("Goonies never say die.") 21. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe) 22. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted. 23. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf. 24. Your first Walkman weighed about as much as a brick. 25. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence. 26. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts. 27. You knew "The Artist", when he was humbly called "Prince". 28. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up. (Many 80's kids have informed me that this would be incest so scrap that)! 29. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets. 30. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 31. You were a Cub Scout, brownie or girl guide but now you have no idea what all the badges you got were for. 32. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. 33. If you ever said "I pity the fool". 34. You have ever played with a Skip-It or Elastix 35. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds. 36. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement. 37. You remember when cellular phones weighed 15 lbs. and had to be carried over your shoulder. 38. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks. 39. You wore socks scrunched down 40. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that. 41. You remember watching both Gremlins movies. 42. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!" 43. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales 44. You had to come in the house when the street lights came on. 45. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac. 46. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB" 47. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class. 48. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - "SHOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOUR TO BLAME.. YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME" 49. You just sang those words to yourself. 50. You have a tendency to turn the collar up on your Polo shirts. 51. Your first computer was a Commodore 64 or an Atari 800. 52. You know what movie the phrase, "Number 5 is alive!" is from. 53. You played with Lego’s when they were just blocks of various sizes, not any of the special little parts. 54. You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school. 55. You remember that "Up above the streets and houses, Rainbow climbing high. Everyone can see it smiling over the sky. Paint the whole world with a rainbow" 56. You played and or collected "Pogs" 57. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?" 58. You played British Bulldog or Man hunt 59."You went to a chinese restaurant to buy a loaf of bread, bread, bread. They wrapped it up in a five pound note and this is what they said, said, said..... 60. You sang " One, two, Freddy's coming for you. / Three, four, better lock your door. / Five, six, grab your crucifix. / Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. / Nine, ten, never sleep again."

FOR MY HUBBY ADRIAN

What's apple pie without custard,

What's a hot dog with no mustard

What's a right without a wrong,

What's a bird without a song,

What's a dog without a cat,

What's a head without a hat,

What's the dark without the light,

What's a day without a night,

What's a strawberry with no cream,

What's a person with no dream,

What's an end without a start,

What is  love without a heart,

What's a child without a Mother,

What is one without the other,

Without your love what would I do,

For what am I without you

 

 

 

A fly

Can somebody please tell me why

God created the House fly

Does it have a purpose

Maybe part of the food chain

I can't get my head around it

And I've tried again and again

Are they sent to test us

Or do they play a part

I just can't connect the link

I don't know where to start

chillin

In my mind's reflection, I sit and dream,

I remember all the things I've seen,

I remember all the things I've done,

I remember all the heart's I won,

The happy days here in my heart,

The day I married, never to part,

The day my baby boys were born,

The day their Christening robe was worn,

The times they would come home from school,

So clever they are,  no-one's fool,

The times I'd sit and worry til late,

When they went out on their first date,

So proud I was with a College degree,

Did this person come from me ?

The treasured pictures, the precious dreams,

My face aglow with warm sunbeams,

I feel so humble and oh so blessed,

To know my life is the very best....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEGGY

 

THIS LITTLE LADY IS 1 TODAY

I LOVE HER WITH ALL OF MY HEART

I THANK THE LORD THAT SHE CAME TO ME

I KNOW THAT WE NEVER WILL PART

SHES A SISTER TO BUFFY

A TRUE LIFELONG FRIEND

A GIFT SENT FROM HEAVEN ABOVE

THOUGH SOMETIMES SHE'S SCRUFFY

SHE ALWAYS WILL SEND

A MESSAGE TO MY HEART WITH LOVE...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEGGY  X X X

 

just poetry

Feeling so lost inside

Is a very scarey place

Needing somewhere to hide

To escape the rat race

Dont know where Im going

Dont like where Ive been

Dont like the not knowing

Dont like the things Ive seen

Wondering what will come tomorrow

Wishing life could be

Wonderful, with no more sorrow

I just want to feel free.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY

24 TODAY

HOPE YOUR DAY IS MAGICAL

WHAT MORE CAN I SAY

YOU REALLY ARE SO TREASURED

SO LOVED IN ALL YOU DO

ALL THATS LEFT FOR ME TO SAY

IS " HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!! " 

 

 

 

Thinking aloud

EW !!!  I dont like the new layout for my blogs page. I liked it the way it was.

It looks all messy and scrawly now. I much prefered it when it looked all neat and in it's place.

Anyway, just to let you all know that Steve has a job now. He starts on Tuesday.

I wont spoil it by telling you all the details, cos I'm sure you would rather hear all about it from Steve himself.

He's really excited about it. He looked  GORGEOUS in his best suit for the interview bless him.

Just got in from what turned out to be a very long trip to Middlesborough to pick up some items we won on E bay.

We decided to go to visit Whitby, as Adrian's never been ( he's from Northern Ireland )

Then we decided to go visit my Auntie who lives near Bridlington. We took the EXTREMELY long way round because we had never gone on that particular route before, so we got a bit lost.

Three and a half hours it took us to get there. I was absolutely starving and desperately needed the loo.

But we did get there in the end thank goodness,even though extremely later than anticipated.

I would also like to ask everyone to send best wishes to my Nephew James, who was taken in to hospital yesterday with suspected meningitis.

He was diagnosed with a flu type virus two weeks ago and fell very ill. Since then, his brain has been bleeding, although it has stopped now, thank goodness.

He is still quite ill but making very slow progress. It's his birthday on Tuesday, although he will still be in hospital then. I think he's about 29.. I forget, I have so many to remember.

He's such a sweet, caring, lovable person, much like my Steven and I love him dearly...

So good vibes please people...  Hope all is well with you and speak again later....Bye for now...x x x x

 

My Great Nephew's Christening.

Just wanted to share my Great Nephew's Christening vid with you. I made it for my Niece as his Christening present.

I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Best wishes    Pat  x x x 

 

            

 

THE LAST LOO ROLL

YOU KNOW THE SAYING " TIMES ARE HARD, FRIENDS ARE FEW " ?

NEVER KNEW WHAT IT MEANT UNTIL I JUST WENT TO THE LOO,

JUST SAT IN THERE THINKING, MULLING OVER MY DAY,

WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I DON'T BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE TO MY DISMAY,

THE LOO ROLL HOLDER WAS EMPTY, SO I WENT TO GET ANOTHER,

OH NO !! MY SHOCK, MY HORROR, AS THEN I DID DISCOVER,

IT WAS INDEED MY VERY LAST ONE, THE LOO ROLL WAS NO MORE,

GOOD JOB I'D ALREADY BEEN AND WIPED OR GOODNESS HELP MY FLOOR,

SO IT'S OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET FIRST THING, PURSE IN HAND,

COS BEING WITHOUT ANY LOO ROLL IS MORE THAN I CAN STAND...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brothers

Just a few pics of Adam and Steven that I wanted to share with you.

They have both had a few problems and are working to resolve them.

I love them both the same and would rather die myself than have to choose between them.

 

 

 

 

 

Message from me (Ste)

 

Due to some personal reasons, I've had to delete my aol account in a hurry, losing every screen name I'd created. This means that my journal can no longer be accessed by me, but I have a new screen name and am using Adrian's account to go wireless, so hopefully, my new name will work for me and I can start a new journal. I'll keep you posted.

 

UPDATE: New journal

 

Hope everyone's ok,

 

Lv Ste

xxxx

THOUGHTS OF VIRGINIA

JUST SAT THINKING OF THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF ALL THE YOUNG STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF STAFF WHO DIED YESTERDAY AT THE HANDS OF A GUNMAN.

SUCH A HEARTBREAKING TRAGEDY.

MY LOVE, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE GIVEN SO WHOLLY TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOST  LOVED ONES....

SO, SO SAD....WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS.....

GOD BLESS........

reflections

It's getting pretty close to my 50th birthday and I find myself starting to reflect upon life's events.

I expected life to pass by so very slowly but I find that if I blink, I miss 5 years without even knowing where they went to.

I also find that, the older I get, the more medication I need to take.

I've been taking the birth control pill since I was 23, only coming off it to have Steven, my youngest Son.

I also have to take medication now for an underactive thyroid condition.

I take medication for my anxiety attacks, which I have under control for now at least.

Now I found out this morning, that I have Reynauds disease, whatever that is. It makes my fingers sore and swollen,a little like Arthritis I suppose.

It's something to do with my Thyroid condition the Doctor told me, so guess what ? Yes.. even more medication to come now..Ahh me !!

I dont particularly feel any older than when I was 20 really.

Just occasionally I pass the mirror and see my wrinkles starting to form now... I prefer to call them laughter lines myself, sounds more dignified I think.

I suppose I just have to get used to being more mature now, because I'm stuck with it.

I seem to be be the kind of lady that, when I'm introduced to someone, they say " ah, she's sweet " I feel like the little old lady on Sylvester and Tweety...you know the one....with the bird cage..

I know I still have a long long way to go with my life yet, I'm not even a Nanna yet.Sooo looking forward to that....

Oh well, off I go to collect my new meds...

Speak to you again soon.

Take care Sweeties....

 

 

 

 

Baby Brother

I know I haven't written much in here lately but today has been such a strange but fulfilling sort of day.

I took my little Brother to the doctor today. He's an alcoholic.

Never thought I would ever have to do something like that but I did and it's such a relief to know that someone can actually help him.

He's six years younger than me and I feel a responsiblity to help him through this.

I know most of it he has to do himself but I am so very proud of him for taking the first step and asking for help.

I used to sing with him and his then Girlfriend on the club circuit a few years ago.

He has a wonderful voice and I was really proud to be able to say that I was part of a trio with him.

He is the type to let things prey on his mind and there are a few family disagreements going on at the moment that the rest of us have just pushed to the back of our lives but he can't do that.

He is such an outgoing, fun loving, funny person and he has a wonderful stage presence about him. Gift of the gab comes to mind.

This has been building up for some time now and I thank God that it has finally come to a head and hopefully we can sort things out now.

I love all my family very much and for some reason I have to be the Mother hen. Maybe it's because I'm the eldest girl, I don't know.

My Husband is a tower of strength too. Without him I couldn't go to my Brother's house at the drop of a hat and take my Mother shopping, to name but a few things he does for me.

He has to have counselling and blood tests and things, to check that his liver is okay, and I have promised to go with him and be there for him.

He also suffers from agoraphobia, as Steven and I do. The Doctor's have said that it's an hereditary illness but why do we all suffer from this ?

Steven and I are lucky in that we have both managed to live through this awful phobia, although mine has now turned into a separation disorder somehow and I can't be alone anywhere outside the house.

It's so weird because we are all of us, very outgoing, fun loving, extroverts, who love life and being around people so much.

Well, I feel better for getting this off my chest and I will keep you informed of his progress.

Finger's crossed, he will win yet another of life's battles, bless him.

Take care everyone, write again soon.

x  x  x 

 

 

1st Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe it's our 1st Wedding Anniversary on Sunday.

Is it really a year ago ?

I look back at our photographs and wonder where last year went to.

Such a lot's happened since then.

We redecorated our house, made the decking, fitted a complete new kitchen, My Son married and split from his Wife, Steven was part of a Boyband, we gained two lovely new doggies and I'm about to be a Great Auntie again for the 14th time and also, my Sister gets married in December too.

Wow !! We HAVE been busy.

 

Dedicating this week's journal to my Mum

Is the dinner ready Mum ?

I can't find my shirt,

Can you iron my trousers Mum,

Did you wash my skirt ?

The dogs been in the bin again,

There's rubbish in the yard,

Mum, fetch the washing in again,

I'm sure that can't be hard,

Can you have the kids tonight ?

They'll be no trouble.. really,

You know you love them all.... just right,

And they love you too... so dearly,

You devoted every day to me,

You gave me all you are,

You are all I hope to be,

My light, my life, my star,

A Mother's life's a busy life,

A life with no holds barred,

It doesn't seem right that, for all the strife,

You only get a card,

So I want to give you everything,,

I want you to have it all,

I want the best that life can bring,

Go on Mum.......Have a ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Mother

MOTHER.

You are my Saviour Mother

My light, my guiding star,

You made me all I am today,

The angel that you are,

I owe you all that I can give,

My heart, my soul, is true,

I know as long as I will live,

God's miracle is you.

 

 

 

 

Buffy's 6th birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUFFY

YOU'RE SIX YEARS OLD TODAY

MUMMY REALLY LOVES YOU

MORE AND MORE EACH DAY

YOU BRING HER LOTS OF KISSIES

AND LOTS OF LICKIES TOO

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUFFY

AND FOR YOUR LOVE " THANK YOU "

 

 

Spec tacular digestion

Okay, I know I already posted on my journal today but wanted to share something with you.

There we were, just getting to the end of a really good film, ( Secret window, Johnny Depp ) I guessed who dunnit by the way,they don't call me Miss Marple for nothing. Lol !! , when we heard Gracie crunching on something really crispy.

Then we heard Peggy munching away too. Thought " hmm, must be eating the cat's biscuits again".

When the film had finished, Adrian went to the kitchen for drinks and came in with a piece of glass he'd just found in Gracie's mouth.

Trying to remember if I'd dropped a glass earlier, I walked into the kitchen to find that Peggy too was eating glass.

Then Adrian shouts "oh no, my specs !! "

His almost brand new specs, that he needs to read, were in pieces.

I went to check the insurance certificate, only to find it had run out last November.. DOH !!!

Don't you just LOVE animals, bless em !!!