Getting things ready......

It's been a glorious few days here, beautiful sunshiny days.. we were taking our time yesterday  morning drinking coffee, talking and deciding what to do in the garden,  when Dh said isn't it your hair day... whoops I hadn't realised it was Thursday! You might think that odd but we were a day behind, because didn't do our trip to Tesco for yogurts and fruit on Monday, but on Tuesday, so hence the mix up..but we managed  to get my hairdressers in time.

It was so nice in the afternoon, we worked in the garden. I was able to sort out my spring bulb pots, a bit of fresh top soil, and new grit, so ready for spring.. Dh cut the grass, if we have a couple of dry days he's going to weed and feed it, doing that last year did improve it. I also potted up my pelargoniums that came from the front pot and the dahlias, they will all go in the garage to over winter them. Our garden is ready for winter, although I still want to move my 'Susan' rose which didn't do so well this summer.(Susan.... because its part of the name and I can't remember it) I am planting my new tulip bulbs when it gets a bit colder. I was very brave and walked around with my walking stick being extra careful where I fell in July. I'm still a bit nervous, but I can't not look around all the flower beds, they give me such joy and being nervous makes me more careful!

And we have the ingredient's to make these.. yes its coming!

Have you got your garden tidy for winter yet and have you made your puddings or do you buy them?

Chrisxx

I never realised.....

 I never realised how much energy I had when I was younger.. I'd clean my house all morning doing several loads of washing and peg it out on the line; then a quick snack lunch and I'd get the garden weeded, and grass cut in the afternoon. These days I'm out of 'go juice' after one job!

I never realised how I could walk the mile to town effortlessly to go to the library., today we drive!

I never realised how I could get up each morning at 5:45am for work and keep going all day!

I never realised how I could eat a cake or two with a cup of tea in an afternoon and my weight stayed the same. Didn't even have a scales.

I never realised how easily I carried bags of shopping from the local shops, which were a good half a mile away.

I never realised how when I went to bed I'd sleep all night and never thought I wouldn't.

I never realised how I much ironing of clothes I did three times in a week, a husband and four children generated mountains of ironing.

But my biggest regret is I never realised how slim and attractive I looked. I had thick glossy brown hair, I still have thick hair but greying now, but it still curls easily and my hairdresser loves that it does!

I still have strong long nails which I have manicured and polished, one of my weaknesses..

In fact I should be saying instead of 'never realised'... I never 'appreciated my worth', a childhood without a mother, that lacked love and a really rotten choice of a first husband and I felt worthless and always second best.. 

But no more!! Meeting Dh was amazing because he is amazing and appreciates all I do.

Isn't it strange how when you look back at life you wish you'd had a Degree in ' Hindsight!'

So make the best of everyday..don't let your yesterdays spoil your todays!

Chrisxx

A different book for me.

Sometimes we read to be entertained; sometimes to be inspired; sometimes to escape and inhabit another world, this book delivers on all of these and leaves us a better person. 

But it was not the sort of genre I usually read, but it was offered as free kindle book and I liked the title, its a romantic novel! I am so glad I got because I really, really liked it!

It centers around Kit, a Dr working in an emergency dept in a California hospital. Then her life totally changes while watching a news item about a fire in a Club in New Zealand, because she thinks she see her dead sister in the crowd watching the camera crew! She goes to her Mother's, who has also seen what appears to be her daughter supposedly killed 15 years earlier. 

Kit travels to New Zealand to look for her sister.. and so the story unravels. It is an amazing story, the girls had a turbulent upbringing, their parents too wrapped up in their own relationship to notice anyone else. She and her sister Josie are left to their own devices. I loved the way the story unfolds from the perspective of the two sisters; loved the description of the sibling rivalries only to discover they envied each other; loved the way the idyllic childhood was explored then slowly disintegrated.

The style of writing was almost poetical and I loved it. I felt invested in the characters and though the action switched in time and between the two characters, I didn't find the story line disjointed.

Its a book well worth reading and although there was sadness and neglect, there was a satisfactory ending, though to some it might seem contrived.. but that's the nature of romantic novels, but I loved it and have bought a couple more of  Barbara O'Neal's books! 

I hope you'll enjoy it too!

Chrisxx 

Presents but no card!

 I am so annoyed, it was my daughter's 60th birthday last week 26th September and as it was an important birthday, I went to a lot of effort to send her presents and a card. I searched for a card that didn't have an old person on it or old-ish inference. I bought it weeks ago and  posted it well in time for the day.. and it hasn't been delivered! 

She got the orchids, which she loved and a cake from a reputable firm, gift wrapped and in a tin, which she said was delicious, shared at their weekend away in their holiday house. So they were all ok, but not the card!

I wanted everything just right as she has been ill.. a month ago when she went to see her Dr complaining of extreme tiredness, it was discovered she was dangerously anemic and had to have 2 units of blood! Tests since have ruled out several possible causes and she is beginning to feel a lot better, although still on medication.

I've found how to complain about undelivered letters and I will be doing that asap!

Grrrrrr!

Chrisxx