tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62322908911120028792024-03-13T13:43:15.957-07:00Simple ThingsFinding Happiness in the Everyday
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-63003524734816411842015-07-16T06:07:00.001-07:002015-07-16T06:07:34.581-07:00April ~ Pretty Me Challenge: Ta Dah!!!Just a quick pop by to say "Hello" and to share with you the progress that I have made on my <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/pretty-me-make-me-challenge-april.html" target="_blank"><b>Pretty Me</b></a> project for April. This was a quick and easy makeover actually. All that was required were some wooden struts cut to the right length to create a base (to hold the mattress) and a paint job on the frame itself - to help breathe new life back into it.<br />
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I used Annie Sloan paint leftover from the makeover of my <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/simple-pleasures-snapshots.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Dresser</a>. After a couple of coats of paint and a quick brush over with wax (to create a protective seal over the paint) the project was complete. I ordered a new queen size sheet and simple used the double duvet cover Little Lady already used on her previous bed (my girl likes a snugly bed!)<br />
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So without further delay....<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ta Dah!</span></b></div>
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I am happy to report that the bed has resulted in more fondness for her bedroom and more importantly vastly improved sleep! Hooray! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gdE-CpGtTPk/VZ6TRp4A-eI/AAAAAAAAEOo/tJqzduXHspU/s1600/AprilPrettyMe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gdE-CpGtTPk/VZ6TRp4A-eI/AAAAAAAAEOo/tJqzduXHspU/s400/AprilPrettyMe1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="223" /></a>I kept all the other furniture and the Hubby simply moved the desk (from the before picture on the left) to the opposite wall and her IKEA chest of drawers (on the right of the bed in the before picture) now sits next to her bed (serving as a bedside table).</div>
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Her bookcase has relocated under the eaves (returning to its original place) although my childhood dolls house has been squeezed in on a tiny coffee table between that and the foot of the bed!</div>
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We need to have a big de-clutter of the kids bedrooms over the summer holidays but I am really happy with the makeover of this vintage bed frame. I'm even more content that Little Lady will grow with this bed. Even though she needs less sleep than I do (she takes after her father in this respect) at least she has a comfortable space to enjoy, read and rest.</div>
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My planned Make Me project (a part crochet, part applique cushion) has taken a back seat as I've not been well enough to sit and use the sewing machine. However, the crochet element has been completed and is simply awaiting an improvement in my health so that I can finish the planned cushions off. I'm looking forward to completing these but have relaxed on the time frame element!!! Needs must.</div>
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<i>Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed seeing this beautiful vintage bed frame being given a new lease of life. I'm delighted how a couple coats of off white paint have softened its look. I think it's gorgeous and gladly Little Lady is very happy with it too. </i></div>
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<i>I have so many things to share at present. I also have a giveaway planned for this month as it's come round to my blog-iversary again!!! I will be posting again soon I promise!</i></div>
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Take care until next time,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-37642427160396997072015-07-11T07:21:00.001-07:002015-07-11T07:31:48.713-07:00Five on Friday ~ A Girls trip to WellsHello Bloggy Folks! I hope you are well and enjoying some relaxing time in the sunshine.<br />
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My week has been consumed with visits to Doctors, blood tests, visits to hospital, steroid injections and lots of bed rest so I thought I would share with you a few photos that I took during a visit to Wells with Little Lady a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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Amongst my favourite moments were:<br />
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<b>#1 Quaint Stone Houses</b><br />
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There are various quaint stone, terraced cottages leading in to the centre of this city. They are so cute with low front doors and smaller than average sash windows. There are no straight lines and in my view this adds to their charm. There are a number of <a href="http://www.wellssomerset.com/attractions/entry1018_vicars_close_wells.html?sid=2b9455dc617454207b7d6417df11d6be&catid=1002" target="_blank">Alms Houses</a> too that remain simply stunning now. <br />
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According to the <a href="http://www.wellssomerset.com/index.php?sid=2b9455dc617454207b7d6417df11d6be" target="_blank">Wells Tourist Information</a>:<br />
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"The history of Wells goes right back to Roman times when we know that there was a settlement, probably because of the springs that bubble up here. Wells gets its name from these springs which can today be found in the gardens of the Bishop's Palace".</div>
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Such English heritage in these walls.., if only they could speak and tell us their stories.<br />
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<b>#2 This Wall did speak to me</b><br />
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As my daughter voiced her frustration "Please Mummy; can you just stop taking photos now?" I noticed this stone laid into the masonry of a corner store. I love that historically being a dealer in 'Pepper and Snuff' was important enough to be flagged on a stone plaque. A moment in history captured.<br />
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<b>#3 St.Cuthberts Church</b><br />
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Apparently, this is the largest parish church building in Somerset. As we passed on the Sunday morning, the choir and congregation were singing and could be heard from the street. It was so lovely and uplifting. The stone work in this church is very detailed and the original building dates from the 13th century. It states in the information leaflet that the church often gets confused as Wells Cathedral by tourists because it is so decorative and ornate - a real visual treat. </div>
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<b>#4 This Door!</b><br />
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I fell in love with this wonderful little original door with its stone carved frame and carefully shaped oak front. I tried to get Little Lady to stand in the doorway for scale but due to the aforementioned comment and the whole fact that Mummy's can be soooo embarrassing with their cameras... I failed. <br />
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However, the door reminded me of a Hobbit home. So cute and short in stature. Even myself at 5ft 2 would have to stoop to get through (another reason to love it from my perspective!)<br />
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#5 <a href="http://www.wellssomerset.com/" target="_blank">Wells Cathedral & Castle</a></div>
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Wells Cathedral and Castle are enormous in stature and very impressive! In the fore ground you can see a traffic warden - he had already given two cars tickets when we arrived. This is normally the marketplace for the city and usually bustles with thriving stalls and people. I was surprised but secretly happy that many of the shops were closed on a Sunday. Many are small independent shops which remained closed - only larger chain stores were open. Whilst there is a discussion ongoing in England concerning longer opening hours on a Sunday I was happy to see that most of these independent stores had their day of rest.<br />
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Whilst we didn't explore the Cathedral and Castle on this occasion, they dominate the skyline of the main street. Wells is "<span style="text-align: center;">the smallest city in England with about 12,000 inhabitants. It can call itself a city because of the famous 13th century Cathedral". It has a lovely market town feel - not at all like the larger cities I've visited and was perfect for some quality chatty time with Little Lady.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We have one week left of school here before the Summer holidays start. We are all on count down and simply cannot wait for this valuable time to come! I have another course of 3 weeks of steroids so am hopeful that my health will be at its optimum for managing this time too. I do so hope you are all enjoying whatever makes you happy!!! </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Today I'm delighted to be joining in with Amy's <a href="http://lovemademyhome.co.uk/" target="_blank">Five on </a>Friday Linky party!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Take care until next time, </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">J9 x</span><br />
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-10441868416968941002015-07-09T07:32:00.002-07:002015-07-09T07:32:35.605-07:00An English Country Garden in JuneEarlier this month we visited with family. It is always a pleasure to tour the in-laws garden. Grandpa is a very keen gardener and volunteers for the National Trust at Waddesdon Manor. His garden is a huge passion and this is evident in his visual display.<br />
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He has an efficient, functional yet pretty allotment area...<br />
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Beautiful cottage borders...<br />
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...intermixed with willow sculptures...<br />
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...and sheltered seating...<br />
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The pond is delightful and you can pass many happy moments just staring into space, watching the fish or just crocheting in the sunshine...<br />
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The wisteria was in full floral display and was absolutely stunning. <br />
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Set against the backdrop of the weathered wood it looked glorious - a complete contrast.<br />
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I really enjoy spending time in this garden as do the children. They think it is enormous and THE best place to play hide and seek. On this visit they also enjoyed making birds homes - weaving reeds and eucalyptus leaves into circular shapes before adding a few seeds and nuts for the birds to encourage them to visit their birdie hotels. I've written a post previously about this lovely garden so please do check<b> <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/english-country-gardens-at-their-best.html" target="_blank">this</a> </b>out if you're interested.<br />
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Happy times indeed. And this was where I sat for most of one day, relaxing, crocheting, chatting and taking in the general splendour.<br />
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I have so many bloggy updates to share - I always seem to run behind at this time of year but I do so hope to catch up with a few soon. I have my <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/weekender-blanket-along-with-cherry.html" target="_blank"><b>Coastal Target Square</b></a> Ta Dah post, <b><a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/pretty-me-make-me-challenge-april.html" target="_blank">April Pretty Me</a> </b>challenge Ta Dah plus the sand sculpture festival to share and so much more so please do watch this space during my endeavour to catch up before the Summer Holidays strike (I can't wait!!!)<br />
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<i>Health wise things are a bit tough at present. I'm back on the steroids (having only managed two weeks off them). My Lupus is really active at present and the Sjrogren's Syndrome has been affecting my sight which has been quite frightening. I had a steroid injection into my left shoulder joint yesterday and am restricted to bed again today. I confess the downturn so quickly after a slight improvement has me feeling a little downcast. However, it's nearly the weekend and after a good 10 days not logging on to my cronky laptop I'm looking forward to catching up on some of your lovely Blogs!!! I apologise if I'm a silent reader at present. I take such pleasure from sharing snippets of your world and crafty endeavours so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind comments of support here and for your warm posts on your bit of Cyberland.</i></div>
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Take care for now, </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>J9 x </b></span></i></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-6681479642866891292015-07-02T03:51:00.000-07:002015-07-02T03:51:16.046-07:00Look Up - A Mantra I Live ByI find it fascinating to people watch, to wonder where people are rushing to or what they are doing. I also find it fascinating to look skyward. Whether it be the colours in the sky, the shape of clouds, wildlife fluttering by or even architectural interest... it all inspires me. Ever since childhood I've enjoyed a good view and historical shapes in buildings.<br />
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Increasingly, largely due to portable technology the mantra of "Looking Up" applies ever more in all situations. I find this spoken word by <a href="http://garyturk.com/portfolio-item/lookup/" target="_blank">Gary Turk </a>so powerful - if you haven't heard it before, please do have a listen...</div>
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Whilst I was observing a whole number of things in London, I noticed how much people were looking down. Especially from a wheelchair this was a real issue - people walking would only notice that they were about to walk into me in the chair once they were literally on top of me - largely because they wore earphones and were looking at devices whilst walking down a busy London pavement! </div>
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Whilst we were looking up though we could enjoy the amazingly beautiful architecture on the fronts of many of the shop facades. Glorious.</div>
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One thing I would like to encourage in my children as they grow is the joy to be found in Looking Up. To appreciate all the beauty in the world and engage with our environment. Having experienced post natal depression and pain related anxiety, I have become more mindful of what helps to have a positive impact on my mental health. Looking up, being grateful & appreciating the simple things and crafting to find that 'flow' state of mind are the most powerful lessons I have learnt. Do you have any lessons you have learnt to help with your happiness? What do you want your lasting message to your children or loved ones to be? Please share - I'm always happy to learn more!</div>
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Take care until next time,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>J9 x</i></b></span></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-79186416239475546762015-06-30T03:36:00.001-07:002015-06-30T03:36:20.343-07:00May Half Term Round UpDuring the week long break, we took the opportunity to holiday in London for 3 nights. This took a bit of meticulous planning on my front, as I can assure you that traversing London Underground in a wheelchair is extremely challenging. In fact, I came to learn that doing most things in London in a wheelchair was challenging. <br />
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We stayed this <a href="http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONOLY/london-kensington-olympia?cmp=GLBC" target="_blank">Premier Inn</a> in Kensington, which worked really well. We had a lovely big room, fantastic breakfasts - wonderfully friendly staff and a quiet space - which meant we all slept really well despite being in a shared room.</div>
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We had a few must do's on the list:</div>
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<li>Buckingham Palace</li>
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We had been visiting family in Buckinghamshire so we travelled from Milton Keynes to Euston on a fast track virgin train - which the children absolutely LoVED!!! It was so fast it literally tilted on the rails and got us there in 25mins another exciting experience for the Littlie's.</div>
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When we arrived we headed straight for the hotel to leave our luggage and then headed straight back out to the Natural History Museum.<br />
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This is my favourite museum in London. It was a different experience in a wheelchair again... and it was less busy because the sun was shining and the Queen was opening up the new Government and so many tourists were lining the streets elsewhere to catch sight of her.</div>
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After this we moved on to the Science Museum. I have to say this suited my children so well - interactive displays, experiments to complete and lots of large scale exhibitions on view.<br />
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They absolutely loved it. So much so that we returned on our last day instead of going to Hamleys!!! Now that must mean success on the Science front.</div>
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For the second day I had booked a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour by <a href="http://www.goldentours.com/hop-on-hop-off-one-day-ticket" target="_blank">Golden Tours</a>. <br />
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This worked well for us with the wheelchair - although on occasion we double backed a few times on different routes, but we were sat down so it didn't really matter. This was a fab way to see all the top tourist spots in London if you are unable to walk. We could see it all from a great vantage point and I'd really encourage you to book one if you were doing this for the first time with children.<br />
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We had a GrEAT time and on quite a small budget. I had booked the room as a deal months in advance, booked the Bus Tour and we were given a complimentary extra day free and a boat cruise, the kids ate for free at breakfast if one adult had a full English and we gathered for 'floor picnics' in the room from the local Wagamama each evening whilst watching the Britains Got Talent Finals. The days were tiring and full; the children's bedtime was a little later and our bedtime came a bit earlier so we all went to sleep at the same time.</div>
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We really felt like we weren't scrimping despite the London prices. I had packed a load of snacks and drinks... The last day I really wanted the Littlie's to experience a bit of Harrods (we went to go and have tea in a cafe and found out that a slice of cake was £9 each!) So we settled for purchasing some cookies from the food hall and eating them in the picnic area of the Science Museum!!</div>
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All in all we had a wonderful experience during our few days in London. I'm super glad that we did it and that the children got to witness our capital city. We feel so remote from the city life that an insight into it can be really positive. The Littlie's loved it... the memories are banked and a good holiday was had.</div>
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We came back happy but exhausted and had a really lazy weekend before the return to school and work on the Monday...</div>
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Due to my inflammatory flare this post has taken ages for me to write but even though we are about to say goodbye to June I've enjoyed looking back at our end of May!!! I hope you have too. <br />
Take care until next time,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-2075166287537557862015-06-20T10:12:00.000-07:002015-06-20T10:32:33.609-07:00Five on Friday Just a quick post from me today. I thought I'd share five happy moments from the last 24 hours and join in with <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/five-on-friday_19.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Amy's Five on Friday</a> party...<br />
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<b>#1 Weston Sand Sculpture Festival</b><br />
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This years Sand Sculpture Festival is based upon a theme of celebrating the sculptures of the last 10 years. I had purchased a Groupon pass for us and it was a great value experience. I will post about this visit more fully next week and share some more of these sculptures - we did really enjoy the Festival. I have to say, in my opinion, the sculptures weren't as intricate as they have been in previous years and I do prefer a specific theme to the creativity. However, as a family day out the sculptures were enjoyable and fascinating none the less!!!<br />
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<b>#2 Weston Air Festival</b><br />
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This annual festival takes place this weekend and we decided to coincide our visit to the Sand Sculpture Festival with the event to make the most of the experience. The Red Arrows unfortunately were cancelled today as the clouds descended but they are due to fly tomorrow. The above photo is from the display of kit planes who are self funded and had only been doing displays within the last year. They were of a great standard considering they were over 50% kit planes!!!<br />
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<b>#3 Brother & Sister time</b><br />
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Bickering has been in full flow over the past couple of weeks between these two. Nothing serious just little annoyances being aired - largely I think due to tiredness and readjusting to being back at school after the half term holiday. I find they always need a bit of time to readjust once they are not with each other 24:7. <br />
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This photograph captures a lovely moment from earlier today though. They were sat laughing, chatting, picking grass seeds and throwing them in the air whilst also watching the different air displays overlooking the sea front. It's good to remember these moments during those times of readjustment when my patience is tested!<br />
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<b>#4 Tree Climbing</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Little Lady's places of choice seem to be a) in a homemade den and / or b) up a tree. These don't seem to change. Either place is a happy place for her and she physically seeks them out.<br />
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<b>#5 Park Play</b><br />
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We had parked a little way off the sea front - so as to avoid the volume of traffic and people. After leaving the hub bub of the main arena we decided to sit and enjoy one of the town parks that we were walking back through towards the car. The boys played football and Little Lady climbed trees. I sat happily on a park bench watching the activity - sometimes watching them and sometimes casting my eyes skywards to the various planes and helicopters in flight. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.<br />
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So those are my Five things. Simple enough but they made me very happy. I do hope you have a wonderful Father's Day for those celebrating tomorrow. The boys are off to a football tournament and Little Lady and I are planning to peruse the lovely shops in Wells (where the tournament is taking place). We've then been invited to a BBQ with friends so fingers crossed the weather stays dry. <br />
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Enjoy your day whatever you are doing. Take care until next time,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-24306824695565457932015-06-17T05:02:00.001-07:002015-06-17T05:02:06.239-07:00Pretty Me & Make Me Challenge ~ April<div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Regular readers of this blog will know that I have committed to stop my procrastination and commit to a 'Pretty Me' project and a 'Make Me' challenge each month. I've been working on these in between managing my health and it has been good to give me a little direction and to feel that I am being a little productive - even if I am still a couple months behind my target challenge! I'm not pushing myself to overdo things even creatively but it is working for me and so I'll keep setting myself the challenge and sharing them with you here!</span><br />
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Little Lady has been experiencing headaches, poor sleep and general fatigue for a good few months... behind the scenes she's had lots of blood tests, an MRI of her brain and a special tonic. During this time we've tried to be proactive in eliminating any obvious sources; she's been prescribed iron due to being anaemic (brought on by a bought of illness and growth spurt), medicine to help relieve migraine, and we now practice many relaxation and meditation techniques together - but thankfully nothing more serious has been found. <br />
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Obviously, as a mother if your child is generally not 100% you want to do all that you can to help. So, what else could I do? For the past few weeks I've been researching small double (4ft) beds. Little Lady had a 2ft 6 bed - approaching 9 and above average height I felt a bigger bed may well aid the much desired sleep process. I had a strict budget of £150 all in (bed, mattress, delivery etc) and mistakenly I thought this would get me what I had in mind. How wrong was I?!! Over time I searched ebay and surprisingly found that I could get a vintage bed for the same price - if not less than a new 'less solid' model.<br />
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After two months searching, early one Sunday morning I won the auction on a black, cast iron bed. It was all dismantled so I have no pictures to share as a before. Sooo exciting; this bed is cast iron and the frame was in the family I bought if from since at least the 1930's!! The mattress was unused and both were sat in a guest room. The couple had decided to reluctantly sell it as it was just not getting used! I had found a similar bed painted cream on another site for hundreds of pounds... way outside of my budget. Oh yes, I have a plan.</div>
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<br />I have to purchase some slats to support the mattress as it literally is the outer frame only so will need to build a slatted base. I also want to soften its look with a paint job and so can't wait to complete this promising project! This image gives you an idea of how it looks pre makeover.<br />
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I've mentioned in a couple of posts (<a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/weekender-blanket-along-with-cherry.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/five-on-friday.html" target="_blank">here</a>) about the progress on my Coastal Target Squares Blanket. I'm working on the border now and the completion of this blanket will be my April Make Me Challenge. This is a big blanket and has been a joy to work on. I really love the colours and can't wait to share the completed project with you. I'm really enjoying the border making process too - it's the first time I've properly tried, frogged and reworked different crochet stitches and colours to try to get the look that I have in my mind and that compliments the squares themselves, rather than follow someone else's pattern.<br />
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I think both of these projects are going to be really rewarding to complete. Both are focused on a desire to nurture my family and I am super positive about the outcome of each of these!<br />
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I look forward to sharing the finished items with you later this month. I hope you are having a wonderful week. <i> </i><br />
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<i>Thankfully my health is starting to improve gradually. I've been taking steroids for just over a week and these are dampening my immune system and associated inflammation. I have two more weeks of the course to take and hope that the relief will continue to come. THaNK YOU all for your wonderful messages of support on my recent posts - I can't tell you how much your comments help to lift my mood and ease my negative thinking. I really appreciate all of your Bloggy friendships - I truly do. So much so that next week I'm planning a little giveaway! So please do pop back to this little space to see what goodies you could win. </i><br />
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Take care until next time,<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></b></i></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-7675373175479797462015-06-13T09:07:00.001-07:002015-06-13T09:07:42.207-07:00Five on Friday ~ Thankful through Challenging Times<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello Lovely People!</div>
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How are you all doing? Good I do so hope.</div>
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As for myself, I've kind of lost my Bloggy mojo. I had no idea what to share today and so I just started writing some thoughts down. Mainly along the <a href="http://365grateful.com/" target="_blank">Project Gratitude </a>line... plus the lovely Amy's linky <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/five-on-friday_12.html" target="_blank">Five on Friday</a> party gave me some structure. I'm going to use archived photos too just to ease me back in to the process.</div>
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I really felt I had nothing to share or anything interesting to say. Perhaps I don't... but I've come back to write this intro to collate these thoughts all together and I'm glad I have created this post. So, thank you for stopping by. Normal jolly service will resume I'm sure. In the meantime, here are some things I've given thanks for this past few days:</div>
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<b># 1 ~ Family Firsts</b><br />
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Well, half term absolutely flew by. We had a fab time staying away with friends and family for the first few days. Then we spent a few days in London doing all the touristy things with the children for the first time, which they completely LoVED. I will write a separate post about this as a journal of this Family First. It was also the first time I've <i>done</i> London in a wheelchair and needless to say it was very, very challenging. A great experience for the children and I am completely delighted to have shared it with them... But my goodness it was hard.<br />
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Please don't ever underestimate the wonder of legs that work and the joy of movement without pain.</div>
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<b># 2 ~ My Mum</b><br />
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My mum came to stay on Sunday for this past week. She instinctively helps with so many of the everyday things, getting breakfast, the school runs etc while I am confined to my bed. I am so very thankful for her love and support. Perhaps I am even more thankful for her relationship with my children. It is magical and born from helping me and my children long term as occasionally I've had to divert energy in order to overcome physical challenges. Hours of care, play, love and reassuringly 'being' have made their mark on their hearts. <br />
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She has her own health issues but is a generous soul who will help whenever she can. A day does not pass where I do not feel enormously grateful for her impact on our life.<br />
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<b># 3 ~ A Lucky Escape</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for bicycle quotes" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAQxuTm96Z4TsW0iptT6rboeJL36hvOA-jOtUV7VDrXfXnRiln" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://taolifestudio.com/category/quotes-2/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Also on Sunday morning, the Hubby called to say he'd had another puncture (the third in as many bike rides) and was stuck somewhere on Cheddar Gorge. This is his new exercise having had to stop running since his achilles rupture. A learning path I guess. I loaded the kids in the car and left a note for my mum who was supposed to arrive any moment... myself moaning about however were we to get the bike, him and the kids in the car with myself so unwell.<br />
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As we drove up through the Gorge, we found him by the side of the road... as our eyes met, I knew more had happened than a simple puncture. He had not wanted to worry me over the phone but had underestimated a sharp bend in the road and crashed (and come off) his bike. Having missed the bend he shot over the the other side of the road and way up onto the verge of a parking area. Either a car coming the opposite way, or cars parked in the layby would have led to more serious injury. He was clearly rattled over an hour after it had happened and even though masking it from the children... I knew immediately we were fortunate that he was not seriously physically hurt. It was a wake up call for us both. Myself for my fuss at a 'puncture' and him as a speed warning. I am so thankful that we have these lessons reaffirmed and our eyes refocused on what matters most.<br />
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<b># 4 ~ Medicine</b><br />
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On Tuesday I saw the Rheumatologist again, had a whole number of additional tests and have started another course of steroids (not in the photo which is of my normal routine nightly meds). Relief from my inflammatory flare and lack of pacing will come in a couple weeks if this follows the pattern of previous flares. So thankful for this medication and the hope that the Doctors have in trying to manage my symptoms more effectively in future. Hope is powerful in itself.<br />
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<b># 5 ~ Journalling</b><br />
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Thankful that I have different options to brain dump! Due to the trauma of my original accident, my central nervous system is highly sensitized. It is ill and this affects so many things; messages to my body from my brain are confused, during flares my brain function is very slow and my clarity of thought is not at it's best. I have a journal recording my health daily as a tool in managing symptoms. I have many different options for putting thoughts and ideas down and I am especially happy to have this space to reflect on. To record them seems to make sense of it all in my mind and enables me to reassess the importance of some things and the insignificance of others.<br />
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I am quite an introverted, reflective personality and since my accident this trait has become more extreme. I am aware that I have gone into myself this week. Into survival mode - just getting through. I can get anxious leaving the house. I try to force myself though as otherwise the barriers increase and I'd become increasingly isolated if I didn't make the extra effort. <br />
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I hadn't wanted to blog today. I haven't written a post for a while and I was beginning to feel that if I didn't write soon, I may have lost my voice. I expect this is simply an example of the mental place I'm in. But I'm glad I have written this. It has calmed my mind and helped me process some negative thinking and on reflection, writing has highlighted the need to value these challenges... providing perspective and changing the way I look at events. <br />
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Whilst this isn't perhaps the happiest post I have ever written it does bring contentment to recognise and give thanks for the everyday moments in life - not just the perfect bits. I've struggled through a painful and physically hard week but I am still grateful. The weekend is here and relief shall come. <br />
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Increasingly, I realise that happiness does not come from <i>having</i> or <i>always being</i> happy. For me it can come as the storm clouds pass and the first glimmer of sun breaks through. This is the metaphor for my happy moments these past two weeks. Nothing life changing or particularly eventful. For now, I'm resting my body and have a new peace of mind. <br />
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<b>The sun <i>will</i> shine... but sometimes we need a few clouds to really appreciate it when it does break through.</b></h3>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-44584462006117801032015-05-22T07:46:00.002-07:002015-05-22T07:48:48.659-07:00Five on FridayThe past week has been a tough one for me physically. I'm not going to dwell on it though. For my Five Things this week I've chosen to share five of the little things which have made me happy and for which I am ever so grateful:<br />
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<b>#1 Morris Men</b><br />
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A quintessentially British tradition of men dancing together with hankies in their hands and bells round their knees. It can't fail to make you smile.<br />
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<b>#2 Stupendously beautiful and aromatic stocks</b><br />
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A delightful 'whoopsie' purchase made in the supermarket whilst I was perusing the "Free From" section. I often buy reduced flowers partly for budgetary reasons and partly because they are in flower and harder to walk past!!! These were already in flower and continue to make the whole kitchen smell beautiful!<br />
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<b>#3 Kitchen Dresser</b><br />
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I've mainly stayed in the house this week but instead of focusing on what I couldn't do I chose to find something that I could do. I wanted something that I could come to and leave, which could be split down into smaller parts to make up a whole job over the course of a day and that would provide happiness to me. Rearranging the display of china on my kitchen dresser always does this. Part of the joy is in deciding what colours, which plates and items to select and part comes from seeing those pretty things each day on entering the kitchen. Oh, I do so love a flowery, vintage plate!<br />
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<b>#4 A Special Treat</b><br />
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When I saw what Jooles of the lovely blog <a href="http://sewsweetviolet.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sew Sweet Violet</a> shared some pictures of her recent Liberty fabric butterfly makes I completely adored them. They really are my kind of thing and are so exquisitely sewn. I felt that a naughty treat was just what I needed during a physically difficult week and it's true that the anticipation of a beautifully wrapped purple package winging it's way to my house was part of the joy! I completely love this canvas and can't wait to hang it in my lounge once it is decorated. Watch this space!<br />
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<b>#5 Sports Day </b><br />
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It seems that both of my children are Queen and King of the traditional "Egg & Spoon" race! (Both of my little winners are on the left of the photos in caps). The school is divided into tribes named after different tribes in Kenya (Maasai, Luo, Kikuyu & Kamba) and each wear their tribe colours. My children are part of the Kamba Tribe and so were wearing blue T Shirts. These connections are made throughout the education within the primary school as it is twinned and contributes to schooling with one in <a href="http://www.dabasoschoolcharity.org.uk/" target="_blank">Dabaso, Kenya</a> hence the names of the school teams. We fundraise through school events throughout the year and connect with some of the students attending the school in Kenya so this is a fun, educational and inspirational thing to be part of.<br />
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Last year the school sports day was rearranged 3 times due to weather issues meaning it had to be postponed on each previous occasion. This year the first date was a beautiful sunny day - the days either side of it were torrential rain and wind!! On the day in question though, the weather couldn't have been more wonderful and it meant that the end of next term won't be quite so manic with celebratory summer term activities. My lovely Mum was up staying too and so she was able to watch the little ones race. My children are very outdoorsy and athletic and competed with gusto on the day. The occasion provided so many things to be grateful for.<br />
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I hope too that there have been many Simple Things which you too have been grateful for this week.<br />
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<i>I won't be around in this space much over the next couple of weeks. We have half term next week here and we are away visiting family and enjoying a special visit to London too! This will be the Little Ones' first visit to the 'Big Smoke' and they are very excited! Of course I'll share some pictures on our return! I know that this will impact me physically and so am just going to take the following week to help recover. I've started instagram though - my brick sadly had to go to phone heaven and so I have succumbed to the android smart phone generation! If you would like to see some pictures whilst I'm away I am <a href="https://instagram.com/j9shappiness/" target="_blank">@j9shappiness</a> I am finding out that the camera on it is fairly pants but I'm enjoying seeing what some of you lovely people are doing in such an accessible way. The laptop which I use for blogging is quite old and slow now and I tend to binge read on blogs a couple times a week as a result. I love this little bloggy community though so after my little break I shall be back! There are a few things on the hook at present and I can't wait to share!!! </i></div>
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<i>Enjoy the weeks ahead... until next time!</i></div>
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Today I'm delighted to be joining in with <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amy</a> for her <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/five-on-friday_22.html" target="_blank">Five on Friday</a> linky party.</div>
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Happy Weekend Folks!!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>J9 x</i></b></span></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-89650978139023165442015-05-09T09:57:00.001-07:002015-05-09T09:57:58.132-07:00Five on FridayI thought I'd share some of the crafty things I've been enjoying over the past couple weeks. <br />
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<b>#1 Coastal Target Square Blanket</b><br />
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This blanket journey is nearing it's end. I have been off my legs this week and have spent some of this time sewing squares together. I'm sure there is a more efficient way of doing this than the process I've adopted!! I think the border will have the mid shades of blue in to pull it all together. I'm looking forward to completing this one and giving it a full Ta Dah moment!!<br />
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<b>#2 Crochet & Embroidery Cushion</b><br />
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I've completed the crochet elements of these cushions and simply need to transfer the image in my mind to the linen I've selected. Easier said than done I think and as I have been bed-bound for large parts of the day this week I haven't been able to start the embroidery / applique bit. It will come though...<br />
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<b>#3 Crochet Cushion Gift</b><br />
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I needed a simple and repetitive pattern to work on this week at various points when my brain was just too foggy. I had <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/crochet-chronicles-1-lion-in-winter.html" target="_blank">this</a> project in my mind. I plan to gift it to my friend's darling boy for his first birthday. I have started it with plenty of time to complete it with yarn from my stash. I hadn't crocheted a circle for a while and so refreshed my memory using Attic24's <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crocheting-a-flat-circle.html" target="_blank">flat circle tutorial</a>. Once started it was surprisingly quick and easy to work up. The fun bit of creating its face and putting it all together is yet to come!!!<br />
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<b>#4 Square cutting for Quilts</b><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(No pictures as yet but as soon as there is something worth photographing I promise I will share!!!)</span></i></div>
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At the start of this year I set myself the target to make as many birthday gifts as I was able. I have three boys birthdays looming in the next month and have decided to make them a single quilt each. I'll have to do this on days when I am well enough to sit at the sewing machine but I plan to create them in a mini production line style!!! I have some fabric stashed and also I saved many of the Little Man's shirts over the years which I plan to cut up and use. This will be time rich but a thoughtful and thrifty gift I think. I'm looking forward to using the sewing machine again. It has been a while since I've used it creatively.</div>
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<b>#5 A Project to Makeover</b><br />
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This is another skip type rescue - I actually was walking Milo and as the gent was about to put it in I asked politely if it could come home with me! These parts actually make up a vintage sewing box. I really love the shape of it and it shouldn't take too much to bring it back to life. This little makeover will be my May Pretty Me project and I'm yet to make a start on it. I have it in mind though, waiting for me to bring it to life again.<br />
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<i>I hope you are enjoying this fine day. I am completely shattered at present. The slow release steroids have ended plus I'm fighting a viral infection which has all my glands reacting and swollen. I have glands swollen where I didn't know I had them - I think that's the lupus! This shall pass... and I'm due to have a review at the Rheumotology clinic in early June so I should get some more steroids then... so positivity to come. </i></div>
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<i>I hope you have a joyful weekend and have many happy moments in the week ahead.</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>J9 x</i></span></b></div>
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<b><i>Today I'm delighted to be joining in with Amy and her wonderful<a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/five-on-friday_8.html" target="_blank"> linky party</a></i></b></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-81810017236675943432015-05-06T03:28:00.001-07:002015-05-06T03:28:48.813-07:00Oh, I do like to be beside the Seaside...I mentioned <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/easter-holiday-memories-part-i.html" target="_blank">here</a> that I had visited my lovely mother in my home county of Cornwall the weekend before the Easter holidays. The past few weeks have been a busy time and so I didn't get round to record this lovely visit earlier. Now it is wet and cold outside I thought I'd take us back to a month ago when the sun was shining and the sky was blue!!!<br />
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The journey down was hideous - over four hours for a two and half hour journey. I forget how much difference the tourist trade makes to the volume of vehicles on the road! This was why we didn't go over the Easter holidays as we've previously done that and been stuck for hours. We arrived safe and sound though so always thankful for that.<br />
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Anyhow, the weather was completely glorious. We were so treated by the spring fairies and felt obliged to make the most of the sunshine with a very necessary trip to the sea. Oh bluey turqouise waves... how I miss thee.<br />
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The kiddies played in fleeces and wellies in the sand. Happy and content for the day. It was bliss. <br />
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My mother and I enjoyed a seat at the top of the beach, drinking in the view and a flask of yummy hot chocolate.<br />
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Sporadically, the call for more shells, water or pebbles resulted in different combinations of our little group slowly combing the sands for longed for treasures. <br />
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I'm always so inspired by the seashore. It completely replenishes my soul and I literally drink it in.<br />
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After some hard core sandcastle making and hot chocolate drinking there was some very enjoyable kite flying! This is normally one of the busiest beaches (Fistral in Newquay) but apart from a number of local surfers we were the only family unit on the beach. This always shocks me but it meant that the Littlie's could fly the kite without the fear of decapitating someone ;0)<br />
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The remainder of the days were spent playing at my Mum's house. We didn't even make it to the park this time. The Littlie's were content to play in her garden and actually spent most of their time building K'nex vehicles and racing them down the slope below.<br />
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This occasion was a very lovely and relaxed visit. The Hubby had stayed behind for a boys weekend with his Uni buddies - and we were happy to be by the sea. Positive stuff all round for our well-being!<br />
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<i>Thank you all so much for the lovely comments many of you have left over the past few weeks. I am so grateful for so many of your bloggy friendships. I have lost a few followers over the past month so am sorry if my Journalling seems boring or repetitive. I recognise that much of my blog has been family focused recently and that this won't appeal to everyone. That is mainly the purpose of my little blog and so that won't change in the future. I have a number of crafty endeavours underway but my health really prevents my days being ultra productive. Again, this will not change in the future. Please do bear with me - or if this space doesn't suit you then so be it. </i></div>
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<i>I appreciate the lovely bloggy friendships I have developed since joining this blogging community and on some days other than my family, these are the only communications I am able to enjoy. So thank you for being such special people.</i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b><br />
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-90224439272045291372015-05-01T02:09:00.000-07:002015-05-01T02:09:39.089-07:00A Glance BackI find it amazing how far technology has progressed over the past decade. I was looking through some photo albums from our time before children, which were of course taken with cameras using film. Whilst there are less pictures of those moments, these camera types did mean that you always had a real photo once they were developed. I completely adore digital cameras but do find it a shame that partly due to the volume of photos you take and partly due to leaving them in their digital form we often do not get a tangible photo to reflect on. I'm going to change that this year/ whether through scrapbooking or through traditional albums. I'm determined to make this happen! I had been collecting things for years to collate into a series of scrapbooks. Then the lovely CJ of <a href="http://cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Above the River</a> shared her <a href="http://cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/precious-things.html" target="_blank">album scrapbooks</a> and I was so inspired I felt I simply had to make this change.<br />
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This thinking led me to look at some of our kiddie photos that were taken pre blog. I love that I now have this space to journal some of our family fun. So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourite pictures as I was making some collages to print out for the scrapbooks.<br />
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:: Our happy boy who smiled readily despite all his challenges, Taking turns in the IKEA box on wheels day after day, an Uncle's wedding day...<br />
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:: Action shots: first trampolining experience, Marine Lake inflatables, Admiring the view from Brean Down, Surfer dudes in Cornwall...<br />
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:: A photo shoot (Little Lady was cuddling him and saying Ahhh), Easter Egg Hunting, Playing in Granny's garden after the Fete (Little Man was a monkey with such character from the beginning!), Bridesmaid and Page boy at another Uncle's wedding...<br />
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:: Little Man not liking the cold (his first snow fall), Little Lady at Euro Disney, Traditional 'How you've grown' photo, Jubilee<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtWOV0fnWLE/VTTf1bS_lqI/AAAAAAAAD_g/TfhFcRqnLgE/s1600/Collage4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtWOV0fnWLE/VTTf1bS_lqI/AAAAAAAAD_g/TfhFcRqnLgE/s1600/Collage4b.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a> :: Home face painting..just because, How long am I?, Little Man's fourth birthday party, Brean Down hike...<br />
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:: My first day home from hospital after the accident and the birth - reunited with my treasures; Tiny Man at 6 weeks at Bristol Kite Festival, Little Lady enjoying her first decent snow fall, Boys together...<br />
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:: Young Man's First birthday celebration, Girls together, Little Lady at Granny's house, Loving his birthday cake...<br />
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:: Young Man's First Birthday; Little Lady's first day of school x 2; Milo puppy at 9 weeks.<br />
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It may be perceived as gratuitous gushing about my children but I'd like it here as a record and some of you lovely readers may enjoy seeing them. I think it would be fun to see yours! Have you got some favourite pre blogging pictures? Please share!!!<br />
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Sometimes it's such a positive experience to glance back. It gave me a warm glow. Go on… please share!!!<br />
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J9 xJ9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-18116844164009875642015-04-29T01:34:00.000-07:002015-04-29T01:34:21.818-07:00Pretty Me & Make Me Challenge ~ MarchHello Dear Friends, how are you this fine day? Hunky Dory I do so hope!! Yep, I'm faking it to make it. You know there is scientific research which says if you think happy thoughts, your body releases happy hormones which in turn make you happy? Useful in challenging times I think!!<br />
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And if that fails, a little retail therapy can add a bit of a boost. As readers of this blog may know, I went cold turkey on charity shopping a year ago as 'stuff' was taking over our house and financially although the purchases may be bargains - what you don't have you don't miss.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Pretty Me</i></span></b></div>
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Well, we had a purpose for me to break this sanction as we needed additional storage in our hallway. I thought I'd take a look in our local hospice-care shop and was not disappointed. Essentially, we needed storage for shoes, coats and outdoor stuff. So this little beauty was purchased for £60 and came home with me and it's makeover will form my March 'Pretty Me' challenge. <br />
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I imagine it was made in the 1930's and is really sturdy. I liked the fact that it was a shorter height as it means we'll still have a display surface as you come through our front door. Of course I find the walnut pretty but if left as it is it will darken an already light challenged area. I will give it a good clean up and then give it a paint job. I've got plans for organising these little shelves so that this area becomes more clutter free. We have a coat rack for daily used coats and this was really overloaded hence the need for a better additional solution which is a lot cheaper than buying new or getting one built in. Happy Days.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Make Me</i></span></b></div>
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For quite some time I have had a <i>slight</i> obsession (is that an oxymoron?) with <b>hares</b>. I have a vision of my mind of a cushion using different creative processes. I have a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/j9shappiness/hare-love/" target="_blank">pinterest board</a> which I've found inspiring and definitely think I will be creating a cushion using applique, embroidery and crochet combined. I have a picture in my minds eye of how I want it to look but am not sure if I will be able to create it in reality!!! I'll give it a good go though.</div>
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Looking forward to sharing these with you soon. Take care of yourselves and I'm sending positive vibes to you all across Cyberland,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-49637539039684046202015-04-27T03:21:00.000-07:002015-04-27T03:21:24.550-07:00Easter Holiday Memories: Part IIHello LoVELY People,<br />
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The children have returned to school. I shared some of my favourite memories <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/easter-holiday-memories-part-i.html" target="_blank">here</a> and thought I would share another post on the rest of the holiday period.<br />
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The second week of the holidays the Hubby had to return to work but this gave us chance to catch up with friends that go to different schools whom we only see in holiday periods. <br />
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I've mentioned before in this space that the Hubby and my birthdays are only two days apart. Over the last couple years the children have named this day "Club Day" because it is sandwiched between our birthdays. This essentially requires a menu of Club Sandwiches for lunch that day! Little Man always chooses meat - this time: ham, chicken and salad whilst Little Lady chose marmite, cheese and crisps! Hmmm. The only rule is they get to choose their sandwich fillings <i>and </i>they get to have 3 slices of bread. It's one day a year so I feel it's OK. They're easily pleased!<br />
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On my Birthday a dear friend had organised a Harry Potter day for the children and her Littlie's. My kiddies had been so disappointed to not dress up for World Book Day this year (the school didn't dress up for the first time since they joined). They had chosen their outfits and were so excited and the disappointment they felt (when this didn't happen) was palpable. Anyhow, my friend knew this and so chose the theme of our meet to please them (and therefore me). In the days prior, I kept walking in to different rooms and finding a trail of cuttings and sticky stuff....<br />
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Little Lady had been adding to her costume with Homemade Spell Books (bottom middle) and some painted cardboard wands with added golden string embellishments:<br />
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My friend had got a cake to add to the celebration and we all had a great time - the larger children spent most of the time outside in her garden making potions and playing out various Harry Potter scenes, whilst us adults and her lush 8 month old watched from an adjoining sun room. Bliss!<br />
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My sister came and stayed locally with her family too and it was a joy to watch all the cousins playing alongside each other.<br />
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At the end of the holidays, the Littlie's treat for being such superb company and fabulous siblings was to have a turn on the new attraction on the sea front named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pirateadventureland" target="_blank">Pirate Adventureland</a>. For months we had watched this pirate fort being created and wondered what was planned. Once completed a couple of months ago it was their treat of choice when a special moment brought the occasion. The last day of the holidays was such an occasion.<br />
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Little Lady adored it. Little Man.... well. The expression on his face shows his distress. <br />
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He gained confidence through the course but it is fair to say he was completely terrified at first. But the photo below shows how elated they were to have completed it. <br />
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Plus an ice cream helped to convince him he'd had a good time ;0)<br />
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Yes, this holiday time had many special moments which I shall treasure forever. I don't want to wish time away but I really look forward to the next school break!!! They have returned to school, happy and refreshed. Little Man in shorts (hurrah it's currently warm enough) and looks oh so cute in them. They have really flourished this spring. He is such a happy, caring and funny little boy. Little Lady has hit a milestone in maturing in that she is becoming more conscious of how her hair is looking and which clothes to put together. Not in a superficial way... it is just a natural progression as she starts to realise what her own style may be. It is a wonderfully warm feeling to watch this Little Lady emerge, although I often wish I could just freeze them. But I've said that sporadically for years, "It's just perfect now, if only I could freeze them at that stage". If that was possible, I wouldn't know how wonderful the next stages would be and that would be something sad indeed.<br />
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I am looking forward to sharing with you my March Pretty Me ~ Make Me plans soon. I'm off to make a cup of black decaf coffee - who knew I could adjust so easily!?!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-26767812410445077822015-04-24T02:59:00.001-07:002015-04-24T02:59:21.841-07:00Five on Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In the last few posts I've talked about how well I've been feeling in myself on this new medicine regime and with the positive effects of the 'free from' diet. I knew it would happen, but I had a reality check again this morning. FACT ~ I have a sick and broken body. When I say I'm good it's more that I am at my best 'new normal'. After feeling so positive after the Easter break - instead of taking the opportunity to rest and replenish when the children returned to school, I tried to push through. Unfortunately, the inevitable circle of overdoing things lead to a flare and ultimately a crash emotionally and physically. </i> </div>
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<i>I must do better at listening to my body and applying pacing plans again.</i></div>
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This has happened before (and of course it will happen in the future!) I just need to be mindful of the fact that I have a whole host of health issues that I need to manage each day. Sometimes it sucks. But of course, there are always things to find in amongst the challenges. I choose to find happiness in those Simple Things!!<br />
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Five things that have made me happy this week:<br />
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<b>#1 Little Lady was awarded her Rookie Lifeguard trophy after completing her bronze, silver and finally gold levels. </b><br />
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This is a big achievement - CPR, swimming in clothes, swimming with a dummy, rescuing people from drowning etc. It started as something different to do because she loved swimming and had completed all the learning stages. She's delighted with her trophy and did show and tell at school with it this week. I'm a very proud mummy.<br />
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<b>#2 The blossom on my apple tree is in bud. </b><br />
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For the last couple years we've had minimal crops but the blossom looks promising for this year. In the meantime, the flowers are beautiful. As is the gorgeous blue sky in contrast against it. It has been a gorgeous week of blue skies here which is good for the soul.<br />
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<b>#3 </b><b>Slowly growing piles of crochet Target Squares. </b><br />
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Enough said. These squares are very soothing and I have taken them on travels recently!! In long car journeys, at the park, waiting for the school gates to open at pick up time - you name it! Can't wait to start joining these beauties together!<br />
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<b>#4 Enjoying beautiful colours and flavours in a pretty bowl. </b><br />
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So appreciative of reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immune-System-Recovery-Plan-Autoimmune/dp/1451694970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429868035&sr=8-1&keywords=immune+system+recovery+plan" target="_blank">The Immune System Recovery Plan</a> - and feeling the benefit of my new regime. It's by no means a cure but the Hydroxychloraquine and elimination diet have seen my symptoms reduce from 9.5/10 to 7/10. When I've been in flare to that degree for around 6 months even this reduction is life changing. Still a challenge but there is hope - and for that I am ridiculously grateful.<br />
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<b>#5 Forever grateful for my Family</b><br />
The understanding of my children and Husband of my physical limitations and impacts of chronic pain. <br />
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I have grieved for the life I should have led. For a family who is physically active my physical ability could be an issue and I won't lie - for me it always will be. But I am so grateful for my Hubby doing <i>those</i> things with the Kiddie's. For cycling, running, climbing, trampolining, hiking... and so much more. Regardless of the weather. Striving to do what is good and not taking the easy option. I know I do other things with them and together we provide a good balance. But we are a tight unit - perhaps even more so due to the health challenges we've been through. It takes strength to fight on... and together we muster just about enough.<br />
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Hope you have had some happy moments this week. Take care until next time,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
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Today I'm delighted to be joining in with<a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Amy</a> and her <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/five-on-friday_24.html" target="_blank">Five on Friday Linky Party</a></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-32933300892397651352015-04-20T03:24:00.001-07:002015-04-21T07:09:59.935-07:00Easter Holiday Memories: Part IOur family was all so ready for the Easter break this year. The children were tired after a relatively long term and were fighting off viral infections. We were ready to rest, recover and relish this time. Really wanting to enjoy some precious moments together.<br />
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We had a 'staycation' this Easter. We spent the weekend before the holidays with my Mum in Cornwall and so were simply planning to go with the flow and see how the days took us. The first week the Hubby was on holiday with us and it is always great to be united as a four.<br />
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Bike rides are <i>the</i> thing of the moment in our home. The Hubby took up cycling this year (after he ruptured his achilles last summer) and the Littlie's have grown in confidence to cycle on the roads. On many of the days, if the sun was shining they'd pack up a picnic and cycle to the park. This is a new stage for our family and one which they are embracing. I am hoping to buy a scooter shortly to enable me to go out on these rides with them.<br />
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On one occasion, I hired one from the mobility centre and we travelled the length of the seafront. From the far side of Weston promenade, right past the pier and stopped for a treat at Dr Fox cafe. <br />
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This was my favourite day of the holidays. A prized day to treasure - it was to celebrate our birthdays and we were all out enjoying being together. I really felt included in their cycling fun and reaffirmed my commitment to myself that the investment in a scooter would be worth every penny. I just can't keep up in my wheelchair! Dear doggy Milo took full advantage of the comfy seat of the scooter whilst we stopped for our naughty treat (by the way - I stuck to my anti-inflammatory diet; this girl is on a mission).<br />
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After a fuel 'top up' we rode on past to Anchor Head where the children climbed and played happily on the rocks. This is always a quieter area of the seafront. Many of the tourists don't walk on this far and as an added bonus, this little cove was completely sheltered from the wind. They climbed and created games of castles and forts, dividing up the rock faces as their own territory to be conquered.<br />
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Other than cycling and climbing there were many active moments throughout their days. Water play, trampolining, gardening... <i>such</i> busy people. Even more positively, I am feeling the positive health effects of my new meds and the elimination diet and so had more energy to be around rather than watching from my bed. Being able to be fully present and engaged had such a good effect on my well-being I think this new energy and my mood combined gave me a real boost.<br />
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The Easter Bunny was generous this year too. He had managed to hide the eggs well above ground level on Easter Sunday and the hunt was a high energy search for their rewards - in onesies. Wonderful innocence. Little Lady is 9 while Little Man is 7. The Easter Bunny is very much alive and part of our tradition.<br />
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The Easter holidays each year have been my favourite since becoming a parent. Spring brings so much more potential I think. The weather improves and whilst temperatures aren't high it's warm enough to encourage lots of outdoor play which makes for very happy family times. I will post the second part of my Easter Memory Journalling later this week to avoid either post becoming a novel!<br />
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Thank you all for your wonderfully kind comments about my Pretty Me ~ Make Me post. Bloggers are such a lovely community and I really appreciate all of your encouraging comments & for taking the time to read my little bit of cybler space. 'Til next time,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-12704043532641591532015-04-17T07:53:00.003-07:002015-04-17T07:53:41.122-07:00Pretty Me & Make Me ~ February Ta Dah!!!!<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>Firstly, thank you so much for your kind, supportive and genuinely lovely messages of support in response to a recent post regarding my ongoing challenges with my health. I'm now 8 weeks in to a new medicine regime which takes 12 weeks to feel the full benefit so I am very hopeful for the future. This combined with strictly following a dairy, gluten, meat and added sugar elimination diet sees my spirits raised (which always helps coping with these challenges). After the news that my immune system was not only attacking my joints and muscles but also damaging my liver and kidneys I was willing to do anything to bring some relief! Anyhow, the steroids, medicine and special diet have seemed to have a calming effect and I'm super happy with that. Your lovely messages though really help during such a difficult time.</i></div>
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So back to the matter in hand - the Games Trunk! It has been completed for a good few weeks but I wanted to have my mitts finished to do a full February <i>Ta Dah </i>post!</div>
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So without further delay let me share with you my <b>Pretty Me Ta Dah</b>!</div>
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This was a really easy and straight forward upcycle. A quick clean and wipe out with bleach solution and the trunk was ready for its new coat. I used Annie Sloan paint (which I had in the shed) to smarten the outside up and to enable it to suit our lounge decor more effectively.</div>
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I then patched the damaged section of the lid with gaffa tape and initially used an off cut of wallpaper to cover this over. Unfortunately the wallpaper crinkled and showed too much of the damaged surface underneath and so I was forced to think of an alternative... In my offcuts I found this toning piece of oilcloth - literally the perfect size to cover the lid. I think it works well and I simply attached it with double sided tape.<br />
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The inside of the trunk was given a fresh coat of lining paper - some Cath Kidston blue star paper I had from a long time ago!! This gave a really smart and practical finish to the trunk, which on reflection was a very frugal upcycle!!!<br />
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The AFTER picture was taken while the glue was still wet so the paper shrunk back even better once completely dry. Saved from land fill and functional once more. Happy Days.<br />
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As for my <b>Make Me Project </b>- <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/stripy-mitts-tutorial.html" target="_blank">these gorgeous mitts</a>. I absolutely loved making them - my delay in finishing them was partly due to me putting them aside in favour of making progress on my <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/weekender-blanket-along-with-cherry.html" target="_blank">Target Squares blanket</a> (as I was participating in <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/calling-all-blanketeers-weekender.html" target="_blank">Sandra's Blanket Along</a>). This week I decided to bite the bullet and complete the final bits of the mitt pattern. So finally, I managed to finish the edging and sew on the buttons.<br />
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The blanket was a really pleasant distraction although I've proven that I really can only work on one crochet project at a time. Whilst I may have great plans to work on <i>both</i> projects, something inherent in me is all or nothing - one or the other. I must say finishing these mitts was a great reward though.<br />
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I absolutely love them - they are my favourite colours and due to my complete LoVE of buttons they suit me perfectly.<br />
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I continue to make progress (albeit very slow progress) on my long list of projects to make / pretty and do hope you enjoyed seeing these finished items. I can't wait to share my next projects with you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>J9 x</i></b></span></div>
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<i>P.S - I really appreciate all you lovely readers and especially love to hear from you. Unfortunately at present, I have such limited time on line that I am failing to comment / keep up to date on many of your lovely blog posts. I do tend to binge read weekly when I get a moment but time / laptop availability seems to be a continuing issue. Please know that I love following your blogs and am a silent witness to many of your achievements but value you sharing them none the less. Blessings, x </i></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-30662182883080654222015-04-15T05:41:00.000-07:002015-04-15T05:41:44.555-07:00Nearly There...It is the hottest day in England so far this year - perfect for finishing a pair of lovely Stripey Mitts!?! I started these some time ago and had wanted to make them for <i>ages</i>. I actually crocheted the stripes that were needed fairly quickly... then they were put back into my basket in favour of my <a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/weekender-blanket-along-with-cherry.html" target="_blank">Coastal Target Squares Blanket</a> while I joined in the Crochet Along.<br />
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Time passed. I procrastinated.... I decided yesterday that at least one of my WIPs had to be made into a finished item and so the mitts were retrieved from their basket where they had been patiently waiting.<br />
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In hindsight I delayed because I was a little intimidated by the button edging and thumb hole completion. I needn't have worried! Of course, the wonderful Sandra of <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cherry Heart</a> had written the <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/stripy-mitts-tutorial.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> so thoroughly that I felt guided through these slightly wriggly and tighter stitches.<br />
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They are nearly complete. I am on the final step of choosing the buttons to fasten the sides together.<br />
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Ooooh decisions, decisions. How I love buttons. This is such a nostalgic joy for me. I remember loving my Mother's big button tin as a child and sorting through the piles to select the perfect one.<br />
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I decided to go with odd buttons and just chose various shades of blue, grey and white initially. Then I passed a happy half hour <i>playing</i> with button placement and choice.<br />
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Until the final choice gave complete satisfaction.<br />
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I'm off to sew these lovelies on. They'll have a <b>Ta Dah</b> moment later this week.<br />
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I hope you are enjoying a few moments of happiness this fine day and I will be shortly wearing my Mitts even though it's nearly 20 degrees outside!!! Take care,<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>J9 x</b></i></span></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-24418215848698755142015-04-04T11:55:00.000-07:002015-04-05T09:33:44.312-07:00Easter Goodiness & A Wish for YouHappy Good Friday to you!!<br />
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It's the Easter weekend <i>and</i> a big birthday weekend for us. The past week of the Easter school holidays has passed way too quickly and in an effort to stop and savour some of those precious moments I thought I would share some of our Easter decorations / preparations with you.<br />
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<b>#1 The Oh-So-Necessary creation of Chocolate Nests!</b><br />
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These are so quick and easy to make - and a favourite Easter treat in many houses across the world I'm sure. Little Lady had a corn flake and chocolate mix while Little Man had mashed up shredded wheat, chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips in his mix.<br />
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The only tricky bit with these is always to get the chocolate spread across the entire bowl contents before the chocolate sets. Hmmmm.<br />
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Also, Little Lady completed her nests first and initially had 3 mini eggs nestled in each chocolate case. I had only purchased a single bag (just why are mini eggs so expensive- or is that just my opinion?) With a little discussion and strong encouragement we managed to achieve a single egg in each nest so that no little chocolate nest was eggless. Despite the rationing, they still tasted great, were plenty in terms of sugary naughtiness and one bag made it's way across 24 nests (result).<br />
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A rare photo of me - and yes, the kiddos are still in their PJ's!!! It's a hard life eh?<br />
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<b>#2 The Easter Tree</b><br />
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Apologies for the quality of photo - the light when I took this was appalling but you get the idea!<br />
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<b>#3 Spring Flowers</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qmj3fMBS-E/VSAj0av-PfI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/fi9stmV6IE4/s1600/Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qmj3fMBS-E/VSAj0av-PfI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/fi9stmV6IE4/s1600/Easter.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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I managed to get this set of grape hyacinths for 50p and the hyacinths in the above photo in their basket for £3 at our local garden centre. They were reduced as they were considered to have 'gone over' even though they were just in bud. It was my gain anyway. I have been lucky enough to have hyacinths in my house since early March - always three bulbs at a time purchased ready planted and always reduced! The combined scent and flowers have provided many moments of happiness for me.<br />
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<b>#4 Homemade Easter Cakes</b><br />
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This sponge cake was a combined creative effort between myself and Little Lady. One night while the boys were at football practice, she and I sat and did a tad of sugar crafting. We chuckled while we mixed up the fondant icing colours and talked about our overall plan for the cake. I had previously pinned a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/463096774155602599/" target="_blank">cake with a bunny going into the side</a> (like a burrow) on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/j9shappiness/easter-yumminess/" target="_blank">Easter pinterest board</a> and thought it would be quite easy to recreate (obviously in a more amateur fashion!). Little Lady moulded the chick on top and I put the Bunny bottom together!<br />
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We also made the shards of grass, flowers and the chick cupcake toppers (in the photo above this one) on the same evening. It was really enjoyable to spend this bit of time chatting and making with each other.<br />
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I made the sponge and assembled the bits together this afternoon - the icing had dried out so it was more solid to work with and the cake would still be fresh when cut tomorrow. When Little Man saw it he announced "Wow, that cake will taste GREEN!" Not quite sure if that's a good thing?<br />
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It is the Hubby's birthday tomorrow (Easter Sunday) so it's a cake to celebrate both occasions. My birthday is Tuesday so it's a happy week for us!! I remember my 18th birthday was on Easter Sunday many moons ago!<br />
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<b>#5 Easter Kiddie Crafting</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A840do3ejI/VSAkC3zxGOI/AAAAAAAAD1o/YQ0Ph2AwOCg/s1600/EasterCraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A840do3ejI/VSAkC3zxGOI/AAAAAAAAD1o/YQ0Ph2AwOCg/s1600/EasterCraft.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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The past week of holidays has been quite wet and cold. We've managed to enjoy a fair amount of outdoor time (the kind of grab your coat spontaneously and go time). However, we have also balanced this with some rather enjoyable crafting time. It was lovely to collate a few of the little Easter themed makes of the past week. There have also been Harry Potter themed makes - lots of them. I'll share that another time.<br />
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Thank you as always for your lovely comments on my Target Squares Blanket. I haven't done any crochet this week and hope to put that right soon!!! <br />
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Wishing you all a very Happy Easter. I hope you find blessings across the weekend and that the Easter Bunny delivers some choccy goodness to your door.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-55340100611626018632015-03-30T07:35:00.002-07:002015-03-30T07:35:05.472-07:00Weekender Blanket Along with Cherry HeartHappy weekend folks,<br />
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Hope you are all fine and dandy this Sunday. It is a wet and windy afternoon in my part of the world - a day for hunkering down - perfect for cosy crafting. I thought that I would share progress on my Target Square blanket which I've been crocheting this month. I thought it would be fun to join in the <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-cherry-heart-blanket-along.html" target="_blank">'Weekender Blanket along'</a> that Sandra was hosting on her lovely <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">blog</a> and had great plans for progress over the month.<br />
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I've enjoyed the simple rhythm of making these squares - they don't require a great deal of thought or concentration and you can feel quite productive working away in a quiet fashion. I've now crocheted 78 squares (although no ends are sewn in). The colours are reminiscent of the sea and contain some of my favourite hues and of course many of you will recognise them from <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Lucy's</a> lovely <a href="http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/attic24/attic24-coast-stylecraft-special-dk" target="_blank">Coastal blanket pack. </a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW26JWV8Fvk/VRlZw0Qg6kI/AAAAAAAAD0E/eTuTS9EJrDI/s1600/Blanketalong2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW26JWV8Fvk/VRlZw0Qg6kI/AAAAAAAAD0E/eTuTS9EJrDI/s1600/Blanketalong2.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I was playing around with placing the squares I decided to omit a couple of the colours - just for my personal taste. I'm really happy with how these colours work together and hope to complete the blanket by the end of April.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08FBCJ2seR4/VRlZxG_PNjI/AAAAAAAAD0I/3Ued4B62MUg/s1600/Blanketalong1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08FBCJ2seR4/VRlZxG_PNjI/AAAAAAAAD0I/3Ued4B62MUg/s1600/Blanketalong1.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had made a start on this blanket before Sandra announced the "Blanket Along" but had only completed 21 squares and so have made progress in those interim weeks - which was all that was required to join in!!! I had set myself the target of 8 squares each week of March.<br />
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Excellent. I've managed to achieve one of my many goals on the crafting front this month!<br />
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There are some gorgeous blanket creations being shared at the blanket along on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/cherry-hearts-cozy-corner/topics/3148695" target="_blank">Cherry Hearts Ravelry group</a> so if you haven't looked yet I'm sure you'll see some inspirational crochet when you have a spare moment. There is also a voting system as Sandra is so kindly giving a prize to one lucky winner! I feel lucky to have been involved, even in a small way with such an inspirational, creative community. A big thank you to Sandra for providing the motivation!<br />
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I will need to order another pack of coastal colours to complete my blanket - it's going to be a big one and can't wait to share more progress with you over the coming weeks.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-72582364692680342052015-03-23T07:21:00.002-07:002015-03-23T07:21:37.655-07:00Tough Times & a Promise<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am increasingly aware that across the world many people are faced with challenges which may seem insurmountable. Many people struggle daily behind closed doors with issues far worse than mine and I wish everyone the strength and fortitude to manage and overcome such trials. In writing this post I am in no way seeking sympathy but purely documenting elements of my Every Day.</i></div>
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It is true however, that the month of March has been an immense struggle for me both physically and emotionally. Scheduled hospital visits, weekly blood tests, a visit to A & E combined with brain fog, uncontrollable pain and real incapacity have left me exhausted and ready for a week of rest. I am recovered enough to <i>enjoy </i>such a week. A week to hide away from pretending to the outside world that I am OK. Where I can curl up and allow myself to rest completely. Sometimes I know I need to force myself to go out and push through. On occasions I know that it is my own four walls called HoME that will help my mind and soul most of all.<br />
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Next week the school breaks up for the Easter holidays and so I have given myself permission to have a completely indulgently restful week starting today.<br />
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I don't plan to go anywhere - except seeing a friend on Wednesday for a birthday lunch. I have the normal school drops and pick ups to do, plus after school clubs but I have nothing beyond that. I need a week where I can retreat to the sanctuary of my home during those 6 hours of school each day. In order to rest and recuperate without self inflicted feelings of guilt I am declaring it as a "Plan".<br />
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<b>In the spirit of maximising this rest I thought that I would fully commit to my week of leisure through a series of promises. Accordingly, this week I promise to...</b><br />
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:: indulge in some leisurely crochet... ...ideally in PJ's<br />
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:: practice meditation techniques to help with my fatigue and calm my mind...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wj9rbI8bZTk/VRAcHYyFjYI/AAAAAAAADy4/ifbjslHjSGY/s1600/happy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wj9rbI8bZTk/VRAcHYyFjYI/AAAAAAAADy4/ifbjslHjSGY/s1600/happy5.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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:: enjoy spring flowers in my home...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecsvzZ0GugE/VRAcIW8Y97I/AAAAAAAADzE/kHNtuzl7eGw/s1600/happy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecsvzZ0GugE/VRAcIW8Y97I/AAAAAAAADzE/kHNtuzl7eGw/s1600/happy6.jpg" height="400" width="222" /></a></div>
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:: enjoy quiet times with my family...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSXuoIgo-vw/VRAcHLlQUwI/AAAAAAAADy0/u7m11FWeOKk/s1600/happy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSXuoIgo-vw/VRAcHLlQUwI/AAAAAAAADy0/u7m11FWeOKk/s1600/happy4.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></a></div>
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and,</div>
:: to refocus on gratitude for the Simple Things that bring happiness to my life.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp85r5GQOiA/VRAcCh3ZPfI/AAAAAAAADyg/L6q8oz7zzw4/s1600/happy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp85r5GQOiA/VRAcCh3ZPfI/AAAAAAAADyg/L6q8oz7zzw4/s1600/happy2.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you all have a positive week and that you are able to embrace the things that will bring balance and health to you in the week ahead.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-18776617722360201972015-03-04T10:56:00.000-08:002015-03-04T10:56:59.695-08:00A Big AdventureLittle Lady returned home to me today after her first independent intrepid adventure. She had been on school camp - leaving on Monday morning and returning home at 3pm today. We had no contact other than a general text from school each day to confirm all was well.<br />
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It was the first time she has stayed away from me overnight excepting when I've been in hospital so it was a big step for us all. An opportunity to grow and learn.<br />
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Of course she absolutely bloomed. We prepared, packed, planned... all to ease this transition.<br />
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Little Man has really missed his sis. They have a very lovely relationship of which I am really proud. It is helped by the fact that she is not a girly girl. By far she prefers to run, climb trees and be outdoors and so they have played together from the start with only 21 months between them.<br />
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She is home now and tucked up in bed. Happy and exhausted. Feeling all grown up yet grateful to be home. I feel enormously happy to have my family back together under the same roof again. I shall kiss her forehead before I sleep and revel in the fact that she is safely back with us. <br />
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For her a big step forward in emotional growth; embraced wholeheartedly and stored as a treasured memory of her childhood.J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-46005671981775607902015-03-03T02:59:00.001-08:002015-03-03T02:59:05.681-08:00Pretty Me & Make Me Challenge ~ FebruaryRegular readers of this blog will know that I have committed to stop my procrastination and commit to a 'Pretty Me' project and a 'Make Me' challenge each month. <br />
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I am still working on my Pretty Me project for January (doh) and my first Make Me project had overrun slightly so I need to select a relatively quick project from my long list to complete within the rest of the month and thereby <i>catch up. </i>Sooo...<br />
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<b>Pretty Me ~ February</b></div>
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I had a quick win recently - a neighbour was skipping this trunk.<br />
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As you can see it's a little battered - the lid is split and the clasps are rusting but there is still function in this trunk. I asked the neighbour if I could rescue it and he looked at me as if I was mad!! I could see some use in it so thanked him profusely and the trunk came home with me.<br />
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I have a purpose for this in mind - to house board games in our lounge so they are easily accessible by all but not stacked on tables in full view all the time. I think a bit of paint and wall paper will soon pretty this old trunk up!<br />
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<b>Make Me ~ February</b></div>
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I purchased Lucy's <a href="http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/attic24/attic24-coast-stylecraft-special-dk" target="_blank">Coastal Colours pack</a> from the Wool Warehouse online. These colours are all my favourite tones - I do really like the look of them all together and they are so reminiscent of the sea. My hands are a real problem at present and I have been long wanting to make some of Sandra's <a href="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/stripy-mitts-tutorial.html" target="_blank">gorgeous mitts</a>. They should be a quickish and purposeful make.</div>
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Obviously it's now early March so I hope to finish this quickly for a crafty win and to get me back on track for some of my larger projects! In the short term though these should be two very enjoyable and rewarding projects. I look forward to the creative process and sharing the results with you soon.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
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If you would like to look at my previous Ta Dah posts on the Make Me and Pretty Me challenges just click on the link below:</div>
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<a href="http://j9shappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/make-me-january-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">January</a></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-35874386532953991502015-02-27T07:03:00.005-08:002015-02-27T07:03:50.701-08:00Five on FridayHappy Friday Folks! Firstly, thank you for your kind thoughts and support on my recent posts. I really appreciate each and every one of them and they have given me a lift when I needed it most.<br />
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Due to my health, I've had a lot more time online this week (as I've not been able to do a lot else). I've enjoyed blogging a bit more regularly although I've not enjoyed not being able to craft - especially crochet. The steroids are doing their thing though and I've improved so much since Wednesday. I'm really positive about this new phase of managing my chronic conditions over time.</div>
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Today, I was catching up on some of your lovely blogs and realised that <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amy</a> is holding a Five on Friday linky party. I know for a while that she has been working on doing this type of theme with a range of bloggers but somehow missed her first party last week. Amy is such a genuine, friendly and supportive blogger I simply had to join in!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you may have realised, I'm not up to much presently but thought you may like to see my Matryoshka Doll collection - <i>my</i> Five on Friday. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">My little dolls I'm sharing here are a mixture of carefully crafted traditional sets and modern takes on the theme. There is just something about them which I completely love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> explains a bit of the history - A </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">matryoshka doll</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> also known as </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Russian nesting doll</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, refers to a set of wooden </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doll" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-decoration: none;" title="Doll">dolls</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> of decreasing size placed one inside the other. The first Russian nested doll set was made in 1890. </span></div>
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<b>:: #1</b><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">This is probably my favourite set gifted to me by my lovely Mum as she knows I have a weakness for them!</span></div>
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They are much more rotund in shape - wider at the base and smaller at the head than my other sets. These are painted beautifully; their faces are super pretty and the scene on the middle is wonderfully detailed with highlights in gold. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8VzpktBgQ0/VPCAvA2g1dI/AAAAAAAADwM/4xrq2sWYYt4/s1600/Russiandolls5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8VzpktBgQ0/VPCAvA2g1dI/AAAAAAAADwM/4xrq2sWYYt4/s1600/Russiandolls5.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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There are 8 dolls in the set and the smallest is as small as my finger nail. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de7Tqm9WPDs/VPB94KQJ7AI/AAAAAAAADvc/z4HGK-FnBMo/s1600/Russiandolls6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-de7Tqm9WPDs/VPB94KQJ7AI/AAAAAAAADvc/z4HGK-FnBMo/s1600/Russiandolls6.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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They are currently housed on my dresser in the kitchen and bring me a little pleasure each day. </div>
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<b>:: #2</b><br />
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This set is really colourful - an unusual shade of dark blue as the main colour. My Mum gave these to me one Christmas - as I love blue, flowers <i>and</i> Russian dolls!! These are the shapes that are more widely available although I have never seen another mainly blue set. The smallest doll is tiny and doesn't stand on its own. I usually keep it inside the larger doll so it doesn't get lost. I especially like their cheerfulness, rosy cheeks and jolly colours. These also form part of my current display on my kitchen dresser.<br />
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<b>:: #3</b><br />
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These were a gift from my sister and actually started life as bottle stoppers! I knew that I would never use them for that purpose but really liked them. To make an effective use of them I chopped off the cork stopper bits and simply use the doll parts for display. These are resin and don't nest but I love the pastel colours and their size is super cute. The largest one is not even 2 inches tall!!<br />
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<b>:: #4</b><br />
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This set I picked up at a charity shop for pennies - mainly because at the time my Littlie's were obsessed with putting my other sets of the dolls in and out of their nesting sets. I hadn't wanted my favourite set (which is a little more delicate) to get damaged and so picked this up as it was more robust. <br />
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I later found that each of the nesting dolls were painted differently - initially I was attracted to the strategically placed strawberries! I love how the smaller dolls have flowers painted on the top of their heads - so cute. I adore their simplicity and natural charm.<br />
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<b>:: #5</b><br />
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These are my most modern type of Matyroska themed decoration. I really like them - they are functional <i>and</i> pretty. The blue and green shades in the background of the two larger tins are my two most favourite colours. I bought them for myself in a little shop in Wadebridge in Cornwall probably 10 years ago and they are still one of my favourite purchases.<br />
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I wouldn't part with any of these Matryoska sets. Not for their financial worth but for their sentimental value and their suitability to my taste in decor. I hope too that they will prompt memories of happy play times for my children in the future. <br />
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Hopefully next Friday I'll be able to share with you my latest Works In Progress - yes there are currently five of them. Naughty me!!! I'm hopeful that my hands will be able to crochet tomorrow given the present level of improvement. Each project is at a different stage of development but I hope to make some progress in the days ahead!<br />
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I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. Take care, </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>J9 x</i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Joining in with Amy and her <a href="http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Five on Friday Linky Party</a></span></i></b></div>
<br />J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232290891112002879.post-81413274938235150502015-02-26T01:27:00.000-08:002015-02-26T01:27:21.085-08:00LUPUS - Onwards and Upwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year has had a challenging start for me health wise. Over the last six months I've been having lots of tests, MRI scans, steroid injections into joints and various treatments in order to manage my condition and to establish exactly what is going on with my fluctuating health.<br />
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The additional diagnosis of <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/Pages/Introduction.aspx" target="_blank">Lupus SLE</a> and <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sjogrens-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx" target="_blank">Sjrogrens Syndrome</a> recently provided hope in that additional medication may help with managing my symptoms. Various things have been ongoing since September 2014 which led to this diagnosis. It is likely that I have had these conditions for well over two years as it seems my initial diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis was incorrect and in fact those symptoms were due to the former conditions.</div>
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My health had been going into flare for the past few weeks and the week after the half term holidays (during which I couldn't pace effectively) has left me largely bed bound. I had another hospital appointment yesterday and am back on a course of steroids and also starting another medicine which hopefully will manage more of the conditions of my Lupus and my current flare. I'm positive about the potential of this medication. All of these conditions are thought to have been caused by the trauma of my accident and there is still so much to learn about the connections of our central nervous system / brain and physical conditions. These are always complicated by my other orthopaedic health issues but an accurate diagnosis and medication targeted to help that should be a positive addition to my medication regime!!! This new medication will take 12 weeks to take effect during which time the additional slow release steroid injection I was given into my muscles should help ease my symptoms until these new meds can do their work. </div>
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I'm so fortunate to have a wonderfully understanding husband and two children to get up for each day. It forces me to focus on pushing through many of my symptoms and I rest when they are at school/ work etc yet stops me from giving in. Pain, mobility of my limbs and clawing of my hands and feet have been a real issue and seeming to increase in severity over recent years and it was the Hubby that pushed me for referrals to more Consultants. I'm glad he did as it has led to these additional diagnosis which I feel positive about and the opportunity to medicate some debilitating symptoms is fantastic.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/45/42/c24542f6d61d30b93379e4f68aa5c0e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A 20 question depression test. Stay Positive #quotes: http://www.pinterest.com/newdirectionsbh/stay-positive/" border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/45/42/c24542f6d61d30b93379e4f68aa5c0e2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/91569679/brightly-colored-art-print-i-have-chosen" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Things can always be worse and I know many people have health issues far more challenging than mine but I felt that my health is interwoven into the make up of this blog and is a factor in my everyday and hence, a post documenting these challenges may help someone else suffering feel less isolated. Remember to be kind to yourselves. Take care,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">J9 x</span></i></b></div>
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J9sHappinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584533113770166401noreply@blogger.com6