Happy Moments #2

Morning Lovely people and a big WELCOME to all you new followers and readers.  It's lovely to have you follow along and I look forward to getting to know you all a bit better in the year ahead!

It's been a mixed week in my part of the world.  Lots of good things and a few good challenges thrown in for good measure.  I was reading a leaflet on one of my newly diagnosed conditions last week and literally laughed out loud.  The one and only symptom in a long list that I didn't have was weight loss.  It seems the good Lord has a little giggle sometimes and thinks - ahhh, she can handle it but something she wants...nope!  Due to this diagnosis I've had to cut out caffeine and reduce sugar intake so perhaps the weight loss in future could be a by product of this.  It's strange how my will power (which has been so lacking in the last few months) has become cast iron in resolve since needing to do it to help with my symptoms.  Good strange though.

There have still been many things to be grateful for in my simple life.  Here are a few of the happy moments I've been thankful for in the last 10 days:

::  Signs of spring slowly becoming apparent.  These snowdrops were sheltered underneath an oak tree on a sunny bank.  Spring flowers are among my favourites and snowdrops just make my heart sing.  Whilst I don't hate winter, I do find that the cold and lack of sunlight exacerbates most of my symptoms.  I understand why so many people in their retirement winter in warmer climates!!  Still, these lovely flowers bring great joy.

::  Wonderous textures in our countryside.  The bark of some of these trees was gnarled and curved.  It created beautiful shapes and textures which just needed to be captured.  The bracket fungi growing on one tree was really prolific,

::  Precious moments with Little Lady as per our 'plan'.  Looming of 3D objects is the current obsession.  So many patterns identified through books and some through YouTube.  The cute picture is of a pink banana.  She has also made peas in a pod "Percy, Pat & Paul" and cheesy chips in a cute carton - very creative.

::  Grateful for medication that keeps me going and the ongoing care of Consultants new to me (through those recent referrals).  New diagnoses produce mixed emotions but also bring hope.  I start a new medication, which takes twelve weeks to start working but hopefully when it does... it could relieve some of my symptoms.

::My lovely 'little ones' playing along with "The Voice" on Saturday night.  They rigged up a system next to me in bed where they could press their makeshift paper button and turn around for the acts which they too found enjoyable.  I know I'm biased but their giggles were more entertaining than the show.  Little Man could do a great impression of Sir Tom Jones! 'Yeeaaah'

Hope there were many Simple Things to make you happy this week.

J9 x

Happy Moments #1

These posts are nothing new or original.  They are an illustration of my gratitude for Simple Things in my life over time.  Project Gratitude helped me to heal emotionally following my accident and has now become habit in my everyday life.  This was a major reason for me creating this blog as I was writing about these things anyway.  Through adopting this practice I have found (as have so many others) that taking the time to reflect and be grateful for all the little things that make up our days... changes the routine into special times to be appreciated.

I'm really enjoying...

::  My Energetic Companion
Hee hee, this picture makes me laugh!!  Milo is such an indoor dog I cannot begin to tell you - excepting his two favourite places: the garden (in dry weather only) and any beach.  Last Monday (an inset day) we made the most of a dry spell and ventured out to Brean Down.  It is a favourite choice - great for blowing the cobwebs away and for burning off some energy.  Milo literally ran and ran, playing fetch, eating seaweed, meeting new friends and generally bounding around in complete exhileration.  It is lovely to watch.  As you can see from the picture though, he got rather messy and after a bath I'm sure there was approximately half of the beach in the bottom of the bath tub!!

::  Loom Creativity
Apologies for the poor picture quality but this 'fad' is still in full swing chez nous.  Little Lady struggled with the return to school and missing out on time together.  To solve this constructively (I told her it's the law to go to school much to her disgust) we established a "Time Together" contract.  Essentially, we make the most of the hours after school (when clubs allow) to create, make and play.  I felt really positive about this - she requested to spend more quality time with me and we carved out a plan so we could make sure this happens - regardless of my health.  So, we can loom, read, play cards etc (from a predetermined list I'll have you know!) in my big bed if needs be.  She just wanted to know we could do it and when... LuSH!

This week it has comprised lots of looming.  She received £10 from her lovely Aunty and Uncle for Christmas and chose to spend it on the above magnificent case.  She was beyond delighted.  We have made bracelets, people, butterflies and have many more patterns in our sights.  Little Lady is far better than I - my bands keep snapping much to my frustration but it is the time, not the act that we both value.  The gentle conversation that ebbs and flows so naturally whilst sat in concentration together.

::  Hyacinth Love
I bought this for myself last week and it is just coming into bloom.  I have such anticipation for the smells that these pretty flowers produce.  The anticipation of slowly watching the flower heads grow each day and begin to open out on my kitchen window sill gives me pleasure each time I enter the room.

::  Comfort Food
My meal plan has included some lovely comforting home made food this week.  Shepherds pie with cheesy topping, a nice roast chicken and our favourite homemade pasties!!  These were swede, potato, onion and cheese - a pinch of seasoning and a small knob of butter to aid the juices.  Hmmmm.  The diet isn't going too well ;0)

::  Date Day
Enjoying a cappuccino with my Hubby in a 'new to us' sheltered nook on Clevedon sea front.  I think we'll come back another day with the kids for an explore!  Why does sipping coffee that has a frothy top and is brought to you by someone else seem so very luxurious?!  I'm a cheap date I think ;o)

I find real joy in pausing to appreciate the little things in life and know that it adds greatly to my well-being.  It has been a week where I've needed to recognise them; whilst trying to fight off some horrible virus.  I hope you have enjoyed some happy moments this week too.

Happy weekend lovely people.  Next week I shall provide an update on my hall Pretty Me project  and my Make Me project!!  Both of these have consumed my child free time this past week and have meant I've not been online at all since my last post!  Hopefully I'll grab a while to catch up with your lovely blogging soon!

J9 x

Happy Holidays

Hello Dear Readers... please indulge me and allow me to share some Christmas time images despite it being early January!  I do struggle to find the time to blog during school holidays with so many demands on a finite amount of time.  Regular readers will know how I share a quick catch up post simply to create a record here and hence this is my 2014 Christmas post!!

We spent our first Christmas Eve (since the Baby years) away from home this year, staying with the Hubby's brother and family and we all enjoyed it immensely.  The Littlie's had cousins to share the excitement with and we could all enjoy the magic of Christmas together.

On the home front, I decorated three trees this year:

a large one in the Living Room:

...a medium one in the Conservatory...

and... a small one in the kitchen.

Each had a different theme.  The first was BRIGHT and BOLD.  The second was RED and WHITE and the third had a WOODLAND theme.

It is the first year I've used all the trees we've collected over the years AND it was the first year I'd actually themed a Christmas tree.  Normally I load the big tree with my favourite decorations.  It is true that I have a slight obsession with Christmas decorations.  I always joke that it is my main legacy of 'things' to be left in a Will.  'Pre' children I had a real obsession - a time when finances were less stretched - but it has meant that I now have a varied collection that I adore.  It is also lovely to see my children share in the delight... to recognise different much loved decorations as they unwrap them after them being stored for a year.  Some which they have made over the years... a few from travels to New Zealand... many gifts from friends and family who know of my LoVE of decorations plus many more bought and treasured over the years.

We decorated on the 30th November this year and really enjoyed the decs until the last few days.  During the first week of January I did begin to crave the space.  I took them down yesterday and vowed I wouldn't put up so many next year.  Although Little Lady did say, "But it looked so lovely Mummy".  

Oh, in that case, give me a few months and I'll have forgotten how long it took me to pack them away ;0)

We returned home on Boxing Day and my mum arrived the next day to stay until New Years Eve. Then the first few days of January were spent relaxing, looming, crafting, playing cards and board games, reading, watching movies, eating too many sweet things, enjoying gifts and generally being together.  Happy times.  

I hope you all had some happy times together over the festive period.  I am completely behind on reading and commenting on your lovely blogs but am so looking forward to Thursday when I've 'scheduled' a mammoth catch up in Blog Land with a very large cup of coffee!!  I can't wait to see what you've been up to and next time I'll share my plan for 2015!!

J9 x

Simple Happy Things This Week

: :  The pure joy intrinsic in flying a kite.  Whatever the age... if the wind is blowing and you feel a little low - go fly a kite.  It is instantly uplifting.

: :  The Littlie's participated in a school fundraiser for Save the Children and as part of this wore their Christmas jumpers.  Cue very excited children and lots of giggles.

: :  A hot chocolate with happy sprinkles!!  I had an arthogram this week (a detailed MRI with dye injected directly into the hip joint).  This is always a strange feeling and to stave off a fainting fit and sickness afterwards I treated myself to sitting for an hour in the hospital cafe while I regained my composure!

: :  Some one on one girly time with Little Lady while the boys were at football.  We went 'Christmas Window Shopping' - oohing and aahing at lights and decorations.  We love the Monty Penguin advert and there was a whole interactive display dedicated to the penguins at a certain department store - which we both enjoyed!!  Little Lady has a rabbit (purchased whilst I was pregnant with her) that is as important to her as Monty is to the little boy in the advert and I was delighted one year to find a bigger version in a charity shop a couple years ago which became Bop Bop's mummy.  So lovely - have not seen another one since so it was meant to be.

Christmas is well and truly on its way and the excitement levels in this household are rising!  I've just started soaking the fruit for our Christmas cakes and the tree is decorated and awaiting wrapped presents to be placed under its branches!  Christmas carols and parties galore are taking place next week, which is sure to get us all in the Christmas spirit!  Plus we went on the Santa Train this morning (I think a post of this alone will follow as I took lots of pictures!)  It was a lovely family experience and a very special treat.

I hope there were happy things in your week and that you all have a fantastic weekend.  Happy Christmas!!
J9 x

Sunny Sunday

The months of winter experienced so far in our part of SW England have been largely mild with dark grey skies and mist that obscures most of the sunshine from our lives.  Time indoors requires lighting throughout the day due to the low light levels and those wonderful crisp, blue-skied winter days have been numbered.  However, last Sunday was one of those days where the sun shone and the need to exploit the opportunity to go outdoors was irresistible!

It seems that the sun crept into many bloggers lives on Sunday and I've seen a few posts admiring the winter skies over the past week which made me smile.  Somehow even though I don't physically know these people I find it heartwarming that many people look up at the same big sky and smile.  It somehow makes the world feel smaller and more intimate - to think that the same Sunday sun has given pleasure and a definite need to be outdoors across some of the blogging community.  As such, my post today is an homage to those Sunday Skies and the immense pleasure inherent within witnessing the sight of an ever changing sky.

  

Despite all my physical impairments we are an outdoor family.  It is a place where I feel most alive, most connected with my special people and most spiritually inspired.  The pure joy in Simple Things is inescapable and for that I am eternally grateful.  All these pictures were taken within one afternoon - the sky was like a rolling canvas.



Time seems to be flying by in the month leading up to Christmas.  Of course, it is always a busy month and I will have sporadic time online for the rest of December.  I hope you have a wonderful lead up to Christmas - I am hoping to pop back in to cyber land soon but it's always the first thing to slip so blessings to you all and thank you for commenting and popping by over the past year.  It's been a joy to get to know you all more.



Happy December - and here's hoping we have more beautiful Sunny Skies to enjoy this month.
J9 xxx

More Mevagissey

I had a wonderful response to the post I did recently regarding our family visit to this little port.  In that post I mentioned I had a little wander off to the outer harbour on my own with my faithful spaniel.  It was a slow meander to drink in the colours and smells but I was also struck by the multitude of textures - both man made and natural, which added interest and beauty to this little place.  I hadn't wanted to overload my previous post with photography (with things that perhaps only some find beautiful) but as many of you enjoyed it I thought I'd share some more?

 

I do so love the beautiful turquoise colours of the seaside.  Even the ropes used are turquoise tones and I love that - function and beauty together.  Just wonderful.

And of course, my faithful friend, Milo.  He is such a fabulous family dog and a great companion while I take random pictures - which you've got to love!!

Happy weekend folks.  I hope you are warm and happy wherever you are.
J9 x

A Misty Mevagissey

During half term we visited my childhood home and of course this trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to the sea.  It renews my being and feeds my soul.  It's so strange - I literally feel a wave of calmness come over me.  The weather wasn't fantastic which meant that a beach wasn't the best idea - so we chose a local harbour - Mevagissey for our jaunt.  

In the inner harbour the boats were literally jostling for space.  They were moored up in their over wintering positions protected from the worst of the winter weather ahead.  Some of the little boats were lined up like soldiers in smart lines yet with different uniforms; their design, colour and size all varied.  We love to look out for boat names which often have meaning like 'Our Dream' or 'Sea Breeze'.  Little Lady found a boat with her christian name and was completely delighted.

The still water in the inner harbour reflected those beautiful colours even though the sun was nowhere to be seen.  It was such a grey, misty wet day yet there was so much colour and texture around to enjoy.

The outer harbour below was less packed but the mist was much more pronounced.  There were a couple of large (expensive) yachts moored up alongside the little fishing boats.  I do enjoy looking back towards land from an outer harbour wall.  The dwellings look nestled in so efficiently to the shape of the landscape.  They literally mould to the shape of the cliffs where people must have originally dug out a home straight into the side of the port.

This house in particular fills me with wonder.  I don't know much of the history of this architecture but it looks old and original!!  I love it for its quirkiness.  Many of the houses are largely covered in Cornish slate - partly because it is a local material and partly because it protects the surface from the attack of the salty elements.  The harbourside is like a jigsaw, carefully fitting its pieces into the slopes around the sea.




This cormorant was drying himself with his wings outstretched.  I'm not sure if this action actually dried him on this occasion - by this point the weather had deteriorated to 'Cornish Mizzle' - a mix of mist and drizzle which is ridiculously efficient at making anyone or anything very wet!!

Although the weather deteriorated we did enjoy our little visit to the Cornish seaside.  The little aquarium has been recently refitted and entry is by donation so that experience added to our enjoyment.  As did the delicacy of Cornish ice cream - to be relished even on a cold, autumn, misty wet day... Why not?!

Why not indeed.

J9 x

August

The summer holidays have passed in a happy blur of giggles and bouncing, Lego construction and picnicking, beaching and crafty creativity.  It has been a good holiday time for us - despite some challenges on the mobility front!

We cancelled our planned family trips to London and Cornwall and decided to take multiple day trips.  Much of the time it was the Littlie's and I - the Hubby's ruptured achilles required elevation above his heart for the majority of the day due to excessive swelling, but we jumbled along through our days in a largely content manner.

The first few days of the holiday were perhaps the most challenging - primarily managing multiple hospital appointments and understanding Hubby's new injury was difficult - plus the children took a couple of days to adjust to being together again 24 / 7!!  This happily settled down after the first 2 or 3 days and the children spent the remainder of the holidays being each others play pal.  This is always one of my favourite things to observe - they are usually each others best advocate and supporter and it does fill me with pride to hear the conversations they have and the games they create.

My camera malfunctioned during the holidays (much to my horror).  I only have a point and shoot camera but in my experience they just don't seem to last much beyond the warranty period.  I'm on my third model now and have loved my current one with it's WiFi connectivity (especially useful to transfer pictures for this blog) but am now researching new options.  I don't have a smart phone so that instant camera facility isn't available to me elsewhere!!!  Enough about this but I write this partly to justify the 'quality' of images!!  Memories captured none the less.  I also found myself being much more in the moment this holiday period; either part of the play with the children and trying to record the scenes to my physical memory rather than watching through a lens - which can sometimes be tempting.  I kept a handwritten journal throughout the holidays and whilst we stayed at home we did get out to a whole range of parks across the county (always with a picnic) and the weather was stunning for much of it!



We also had lots of water play.  Either in the paddling pool, Marine Lake, the sea or Water Parks.

The children had chore charts for the first time too - with daily jobs to complete in return for a little pocket money or a specific treat day (like Puxton Park).  This helped us balance the extra mess that happens in a family home and reduced the need for nagging!!

My Mum - 'Granny', came and stayed on a couple of occasions for a few days at a time which was a great help.  It meant adult company on days out for me and a doting player of board games for the kids.  I loved spending these relaxed times with her and the children - especially Little Lady are so appreciative of her time it is an equally rewarding relationship.

In short, August 2014 was a wonderful month.  It was challenging in many ways - yet these times do help you to appreciate the good - and gladly there were plenty of good moments.  We could have easily done with another couple of weeks of restorative rest and child filled fun this summer.  The children were still able to fill their days and not once complain of boredom.  Other than the first couple days of readjusting there were no kiddie cross words and the sunny days of summer were just that.  For once our English summer was full of sunshine; our days in Somerset were long and warm full of outdoor opportunity...and our little family was happy and content.

The achilles heel is now into its 7th week of healing so lets hope that September is Super too!

This post has been drafted awaiting photos for over a month and he is now about 12 weeks into recovery - hence the down turn of my own health during September is not reflected in this previously drafted post.  I liked the post as it read when I came back to it today as I was clearly still on the high of good times with the kids... reading it helped me to reconnect with those times and so with only this adjustment and the addition of photos it has stayed the same and I've hit publish.  What a difference a month can make!  Problems with my own camera has meant that sorting the photos for this post has been tricky - hence it now being October before my record of the summer is complete!!  Better late than never!

J9 x

Friday Happies

::  Enjoying the Unexpected Spectacle of Dragon boat Racing

Last weekend we met the Hubbie's bro and family at Coate Water Park in Swindon.  It has become a regular meeting point for us and has lots to amuse.  On this occasion, we chose not to take the wheelchair and so sat on a clear area of grass by the reservoir - just a short distance from the disabled parking.  We were not aware that the annual event of Dragon Boat racing was taking place.  It was a really pleasant surprise and although it meant the area was lots busier, we all really enjoyed watching the steady stream of boats race in pairs in this beautiful location.

It was lovely to sit together, catch up, play ball and enjoy being together - with the added bonus of the dragon boats racing.  We all enjoyed watching the boats race, the swans, geese and coots swim - whilst we picnic'd and relaxed.

::  My Littlie's Sitting Quietly...  Feeding birds from their hands.

At the reservoir you can buy small cups of grain for 50p.  We bought two cups full and the children passed a blissfully happy time feeding the bigger birds.  They were bold enough to feed the geese up close and then tempted the pigeons to feed from their hands.  This brought so much pleasure I cannot even begin to express it!!  Little Lady especially was in raptures.  A simple pleasure indeed.

::  Admiring the stunning abundance of Marine Life in our Wonderful World

Little Man's choice of birthday treat was to go to the aquarium.  He is the child that will be staring at the tank long after all the other children have moved on (including his sister).  He gets so much enjoyment from learning about and watching creatures of all kinds but has a special fascination with marine life.  We have a passion in common here and it is a really positive experience for both of us to bond over this shared love.  I have always been in awe of the range of colour, shape and sheer variety of the 'hidden' life in our oceans.  Little Man shares this enthusiasm and it was wonderful to enjoy this experience with him.

::  Feeling Blessed in the Sun's Warm Rays:

The sun continues to shine in our part of the world.  We are not used to such long spells of sunshine in the UK and are so very grateful to wake up to the sun shining each morning.  Lots of water play taking place to help us stay cool and this photo shows Little Man warming up after about an hours play in freezing cold water.  He is such a chilled dude.  The care free nature of childhood eh?!  

Happy weekend folks!  I hope there are many happy moments for you to enjoy in the coming days.

J9 x

Today I'm inspired by Gillian to share my Friday Happies!