My Weekend in Pictures.

Daffodils I bought my Mum for Mothers Day.

The 'boys' walking along Poole Quay.

First Ice-Cream of the Spring/Summer. 

Geek.

Glasses for seeing v sunglasses
(answer = wear them both at the same time)

Beautiful Sunseeker.

Stourhead House.

Stunning.

Pretty.

Sanctuary

This is one of my favourite places in the world. I just wish no one else knew about it, then I could have it to myself. I definitely miss the sea air.

Love

 This is the spot where on Saturday I scattered my Nan's ashes with some of the family. I didn't cry, quite an achievement for me. I loved my Nan greatly and I wish I'd been able to spend more time with her. She's the one who instigated my creativity. I hope she's proud of me.

Not for me.

All of the valentines hype means that despite vowing not to discuss it, here I am, doing exactly that.

All I really want to say on the matter is that maybe it's cute when you're at school but when you're in an adult relationship do you really need to recognise your love for someone by buying them things and treating them well. This should be an all year round occurrence.

The day has been slightly overshadowed by the fact that three years ago today we buried my step-mum. At the time, in the spirit of valentines day we added a small cardboard cut out of Aragorn (her favourite LOTR character/crush). It lightened the mood although prior to actually doing it, us 'children' did feel the need to check with her sisters if they minded. Her twin Susan thought it was absolutely brilliant, so that's what we did. 

I didn't celebrate valentines day that year either, mainly because of the reason mentioned above. That and my boyfriend at the time had boarded a rather large plane at Brize Norton and headed for Iraq that morning. Not the most romantic day of my life I must say! But one that I will always remember, just for different reasons to most. 

All this lovey dovey stuff on one day of the year, it's not for me.

 (and no I don't think it would be any different if I was in a relationship)

xx

Three years on.

Three years ago on the 5th February, 3 days before her birthday, my Step Mum, Jan, died. She married my Dad when I was just 3 and although they divorced when I was about 16 I still saw her regularly. We got on really well and I think it's fair to say she was and still is an inspiration to me. I remember how I was looking through my sisters' cupboard one day and found her prom dress, it was emerald green and absolutely gorgeous. I just couldn't get my head around the fact that our mum had made it. 

So many things I enjoy doing now stem from the time I spent with that part of my family. Sometimes I wish we could all go back 10 years.

In the Czech Republic on holiday at my brother Darrens' house. I can't remember what year but I would guess about 2005/6.

One of my favourite pictures of us together was taken in 1994, down at the stables where she used to ride. I rarely got to go there as they would try to ride on the weekends I wasn't there, so they got to spend more time with me. Looking back I really wish they'd just gone when I was there and that I could have had lessons too. Especially as it's something I really love now. I wish I could share that with her.  

Me and Mama with Lady. 

I miss her.

Old Family Photographs.

This morning I thought it would be good to sort out all my emails, whilst doing it I stumbled across these photographs which my Grandad (the man in the pictures) had emailed me some time ago! How I could have forgotten them I don't know. 

Also fyi, my Grandad is also the first person I knew to have a computer, this was when they first came out, which I suppose makes it hardly suprising that we stay in contact via email and Facebook, even though he's over 80.

My Grandad George, also known as Grumps (which is NO reflection of his personality at all, he's the complete opposite, always smiling and joking) was a young boy during WW2, he later went on to join the navy.

Enjoy....

The caption above was written by my Grandad before he sent them to me!

My Grandad (George) & My Granny (Audrey)

Hard at work, Grandad is on the right.

Grumps (left) with what I assume are his friends.

Again, caption by my Grandad, photo shows him and my great Grandad!

Christmas Dinner a la Stina Stone...

So this year was my first time cooking Christmas dinner for my family...no disasters so I would say it went well...

Suprise.

Casually doing some research using post its and then found this message written several notes down. It just popped up! It brought a tear to my eye. I don't even know when it was written!

(updated from my mobile)

Looking back...

I've always enjoyed the odd domestic chore.

Hanging out my washing at approximately 2-3 years of age.

This photograph was taken at a time when me and my mum lived with a lady called Louise. I have a few memories from that period in my life they are:

- Sharing a single bed with my mum every night

- Having a little washing line put up for me because I used to want to hang my own clothes out (always the independant woman!)

- Choking on a 2p piece and drinking a whole bottle of Calpol

- The bunnies

- Throwing my blue beach spade over the garden wall and crying about it.

Alterations.

I'm not a huge fan of taking up trousers. Probably because my Dad (step-dad) can never find trousers to fit so I've grown up watching my Mum sewing his trouser legs to make them short enough to fit.

Now I've got an overlocker it's easier to take them up so I offered (as you do) to take up his new trousers. Not realising there were 4 pairs. Which soon became 5 once he'd bought his wedding suit!

I actually found it quite therapeutic, not the measuring, cutting and overlocking part but the sitting with a needle and thread and catch stitching. You can do it without thinking and then when it's done and someone is smiling and thanking you it feels almost rewarding. I just hope he's finished shopping for the next couple of years, he doesn't buy himself clothes very often so I might be off the hook for a while.