A few more of my Family

Jim was ok about his picture been shown..he just laughed..so i have put some more on (well you said you liked to see my family)..there is one of Jim dressed as Long 'Jim'Silver for a fancy dress party, another one of him 'Posing' on a yatch on his Holiday..One of Kirsty, one of Luke & Emily & one of Laura (Luke & Laura are Vanessa's Kids) Emily is Lukes Girlfriend..Kirsty is one of Simons girls..i will put some more on soon...hope you dont get fed up....i love seeing friends Photo's as well..makes me feel closer and helps me know more about you.

A few Family Photo's

I was surprised....Jim was ok about the pics been shown, so i have put some more onto my blog...(you said you wanted to see my family)...i dont want to bore you though..Ness is going to send me some up of her holiday when Adam as put them on the computer..The ones here today are Jimmy(in Canada)..and also dressed up as long Jim Silver, for a fancy dress party, Luke & Emily, Kirst And Laura ( they are 3 of my grandchildren)..i can put more on if you want to see them ??...

Almost caught in the act !!

I can't believe it..Jim walked in just as i was putting that picture on my blog !!...i got in a panic because i knew he would NOT see the funny side....I have never turned my computer off so quickly....So I just had to check it was still working allright now that he as gone...it seems ok..just 2 pics instead of one.....it serves me right i suppose.

Jim will kill me for this !!

I know Jim will go mad if he sees this....but he doesn't read my blog very often (I Hope !!!!)...but this just made me laugh so much...it was taken when he went to New Zealand last year with his friends...i'm pretty sure he's supposed to be a sort of Mouri Warrior..or something like that ?? ...but it just looks like Jim in a skirt....and he's NOT a skirt sort of lad..even for a Joke..i think its the long hair that did it !!!!!..he had it cut just after this was taken,.. for his wedding...but this is really one for the Family album... not sure about my blog though...oh well...too late now...SORRY JIM...you've got a sadist for a mother.

The Ashton Clan

This is the Ashton Clan..Simons family, from left to right Stacey 19, Sherri 13, Kieran 18,Kirsty15, and Sophie 11...Kayleigh is not on the picture she is 22,married to Steve and is Ellie/Blakes Mom..will sort some others out soon.

You've met the great grandkids now meet the kids

This is a pic of Jim (Rambo)..he's the outdoor one, and Simon (Sheik)..he's the comedian, although he's very depressed at the moment....i am trying to get a recent one of my Vanessa, she's like her Mom..she hates having her photograph taken...but i WILL get one and put it on my next blog..its good to meet each others families..i'll put some of my other grandkids on too as soon as i can sort some out & upload them..its good to be bake on the blog again, i love seeing everyone elses as well....hope you are soon settled Kerry & Dee..thinking of you both.

Baby Amie Jayne....Ellie Mae & Blake

This is a picture of my New Great grandaughter Amie Jayne..she was about 3 days old when this was taken, she as grown already...she's over a month old now.

The other 2 little darlings are my other 2 great grandchildren Ellie Mae and Blake...It only seems 5 minutes since their Mom & Dad were born..Amie is my grandson Kieran's first child, ...Ellie Mae & Blake are both my grandaughter Kayleigh's children..how time flies !!

As it really been 5 months ??

I can not believe it as been 5 months since i used my blog...so much as happened, my computer finally gave up after about 8 years constant use....and i had to wait for Adam to sort out a new one for me (he builds them)..so that was several weeks...i've also had a nasty virus that left me out of action for a while.....o.k..but where as the rest of the time gone ???...i really cant remember it been that long and that is what is so Scary !!!!

In that time my friend Kerry and her daughter Dee have both moved to a new home in Idaho...i wish them so much happiness and fun as they do up there lovely new home..cant wait to see some pictures girls..

I have become a great grandmother, when my grandson Kieran became a father..Steph gave birth to a gorgeous little girl last month, they have called her Amie..will post some pictures soon...now i really feel old !!

I also had a much needed new kitchen..Simon my Son fitted it for me, the other one gave me so many problems when i tried to knock some old tiles off the wall..it started a chain of events that left me with a completely gutted kitchen..i had to have it rebuilt..walls as well..what a nightmare...but i am so glad now that its over and i love my new one,but at the time it was terrible.

I spent my Christmas at Vanessa's..that was good..but i had to come back home to Dog sit for Jimmy & Polly on new years eve..i remember the times when i used to party most of the night on New Years Eve..i never thought those days would end .....time just seems to pass by so quickly nowadays......you dont notice yourself getting older..until you take stock of how things have changed.
Am i just feeling melancholy because i have got the 'Winter Blues'...yes probably...but i cant wait for spring to come..i love that time of year, cant wait.
Ness & Adam have got the right idea..they are on a Caribbean cruise at the moment..it was an aniversary and Christmas present to them both from Lynn..Adam's mom..what a fabulous present..wish i was with them..all that sunshine, but they deserve it..2008 was not a good year for them.

My Little Garden

I Thought i would put these pics onto my blog..as my little garden is looking quite colourful this year..I think its all the rain, combined with the heat that as done the trick...My postage stamp garden is just enough for me to manage nowadays..but I do like to look out onto all the flowers on a sunny morning ( not that we get too many of those)..its been a very wet summer this year !!..I will take some more of my front garden and put those on next time...would love to see other folks gardens too.

Went to see Mama Mia.

At long last i am able to comment on my blog...Life as just been crazy recently..I went to see Mama Mia (The Movie) Yesterday..i didn't really want to go, but i am so glad i did....it was a real 'Feel Good ' movie, and genuinely funny..i am so glad i decided not to be a grouch and went to see it...I love Abba songs anyway, they always cheer me up..Meryl Streep was a better singer than i had been led to believe..(but we all have our opinions)...Pierce Brosnin really couldn't sing..but with his looks he doesn't need to !!..they say the stage play of it was brilliant..this as made me want to see that if i ever get the chance...If you are feeling fed up..then go and see this Movie,( i'm going to get the DVD when it comes out.)..I'm going to a B.B.Q tomorrow at my friends Jean & Alan..Joe is going to, it will do him good, then i think we are going to another one on Sunday at Jimmy's (hopefully)..I love Summer for barbies alone..just hope the good weather holds.

Back from my Hols.

I'm back from my holiday in Portugal...lovely place, but it was so very hot..even the Portugese where complaining about the heat...i only went out in the morning and evenings..all afternoon i stayed in with the 'air-con' on full !! the villa was lovely

Here is a picture of it..thats Laura standing by the gate, it had its own pool outside, will post some more pics later.

The beaches were great too..lovely white sand and clear sea.

We found it very expensive for a lot of things..Ness (who as been several times) said it used to be so much cheaper ...dont know if that is because it is becoming more popular..or because of a world recession..but many things were cheaper back home...still it was lovely to have a holiday & all be together..really miss that villa and all the space we had inside it, it was bigger than it looked in the picture..thats only half of it.

Dancing In The Streets.

I went to see Dancing in the streets yesterday with Vanessa, Adam & one of my friends Margaret.

It was fantastic...the Motown 60's & 70's music and talented artists soon had everyone singing along with them (even the younger folk there.)..the voices were supurb and they must have really studied the singers movements, the costumes were exact copies of the originals...it really cheered us all up......a little bit of nostalgia.

Margaret lost her husband 6months ago & as naturally been very low..it was good to see her singing along with the music and laughing again.

Vanessa was dancing away in her wheelchair and had a wonderful time also...we all did.

Thank you Lynn, it was a lovely birthday present for me..and a great anniversary present for Ness & Adam....I felt about 20 again..but only for a couple of hours !!!!

Snow in April

This was the sight that i woke up to last Sunday...it made my messy garden look really pretty for a few hours...Bailey looks surprised by it all, he hasn't seen snow before...it only lasted a few hours then it was gone, but it came down again later in the night.

I noticed that parts of the U.S. had it bad as well...its seemed strange waking up to Winter weather in what is normally a lovely spring month......However spring as 'sprung' again now and all is back to normal (over here anyway)

I have had some much needed work done to my garden and its looking a lot better...i just can't do it myself like i used to, but i always feel better when i look out and it's at least tidy (its only small so i have no real excuse)...I must go to the garden centres and get some plants and bulbs in the week.

Week in Wales

Had a lovely week in Wales with my friend Margaret, she has a caravan there..on a lovely peaceful site.

We visited a few seaside towns while we were there as well.

The weather was a bit cold, but it was good to get away and relax, good food and company and lovely scenery....it made me feel so much better....the picture on the right is Aberdovey near the sea front..there are some lovely beaches in that part of Wales.

I Am Legend

I went to see this film when i was at Vanessa's..really enjoyed it, but i know a lot of folk who didn't...i suppose we all have different taste..I love Will Smith anyway..so any film that he is in, is good for me...I really Loved the dog, the only part that really made me sad was when he died. Most of the folk i was with that night were upset at that, Ness said..the fact that most of mankind as been wiped out doesn't upset you..but when the dog gets it...you all break down..she's got a point. ..but i think the fact that mankind as already gone when the film starts makes it easier..we actually see the dog go..but as my daughter tells me..its only a film....That dog so reminded me of my Rocky, he was my best friend for 12 years and so very clever...maybe thats why i love the film as well.

I am so looking forward to spring ..today was the first sunshine we have had in days..it made me feel much better..i think i may suffer from that thing called 'SAD' (Seasonaly Affected Disorder) or something like that..as i always feel the pits in Winter...I'm going to Birmingham tomorrow for a bit of retail therapy..will Post more when i get back.

More Garden Centre pictures

Here's another 2 pictures of one of the garden centres near Tamworth..they dont look as good in a small picture..when you actually see them the lights are so pretty & bright..and some of them have room settings with fireplaces etc..they look very festive..the one on the left shows my friend Margaret standing in one of the displays.

Garden Centre

Here's a picture of one of the garden Centres in Tamworth. We have 5 in & around the area..they weren't quite as good this year as previous years..but it was still lovely to see the lights and baubles..I have more pics if you want to see them...(but don't want to bore anyone)..I love them but you can't see them properly in a small picture like this as some of the detail is missing...I will put more on if you want me too ??..had a lovely day with 3 friends.. had lunch in one of the centres..we visited 4 of them..will maybe do the other one next week.. have seen it already but forgot to take my camera.

My Tree looks Drunk !!

Is it me, or does my Christmas tree look lop-sided ??..mind you i did have a couple of glasses of Baileys while i was putting it up !!

The cats have ingnored it now the 'newness' as wore of...except Bailey who likes to sleep underneath it, but he loves sleeping under a tree in the garden.. he thinks its put up just for him the way he struts up to it and gets himself comfotable.

I am off to the garden Centre in a minute..i'll take my camera & hopefully get a few pictures..then Monday i am going to Birmingham so i will hopefully take some pitures of the lights in the city...but they look much better at night when they are lit-up..i'm not sure if we will be back before it gets dark enough...we will see.

Laura without the make.

This is Laura my grandaughter as she is day to day...she was all done up on the previous one, with make-up & a new hair do...I think she looks a lot older on the other one..a bit too old i think !! This is how she looks unless she is going out somewhere...I dont want her to grow up too soon..but i suppose all grandma's feel like that with their grandchildren dont they ??

She is getting tall though she is nearly 5ft 7in (in bare feet)..so she towers above me, especially when she as high heels on...but Nessa is quite tall as well.

I put my tree up last night..and i am going to finish decorating it today, so i will put a picture on my blog when it is all done...the cats fight over who will sleep underneath it...last night 3 of them were cuddled up underneath there...

I am going to the garden Centre tomorrow..must remember to take my camera there as well.

Now I really feel old !!

This is Laura my grandaughter...I often call her my little darlin, as she as always been so sweet & thoughtful...but now so grown up too !!

It is a bit of a shock when you realize that your daughters 'baby' is now a woman. I have never seen her done up for a function before..it quite took me by surprise when i saw her...obviously to me she as always been gorgeous..but she when she is 'done up' she looks about 20 instead of her sweet 16 years...not too sure if i am happy about that !!!...but she is a very sensible girl as well, so i know she will be fine.

I am going to take my camera out next week to the shops & garden centres in the area..and then put some of those pics onto my Blog..Iwould have done it before but with Vanessa here i didn't get time..we were out each day visiting and shopping...i do miss her now she as gone home...but i'll see her again before Christmas, and we are going to spend the holiday together.

Is it any wonder i cant loose weight ?

Here is a picture of my huge Birthday cake (it looks much smaller here than it actually was ) I shared it with waiters at the restaurant,friends and everyone who came to visit me that week..but still had loads left for myself...i can't resist nice cake & this was delicious...I just can not have any in the house or i get too tempted.

I WILL start this diet again this week.

Dee i have just realized i had put this picture on the wrong blog originally ..i put it on the 'losing it' blog..what a dummy..could you remove it for meplease ??..you know how useless i am with these things...i think my Birthday cake is the LAST thing anyone will want to see who is trying to loose weight...i;m SO sorry....any way the cake as long since been eaten, but i have only just got around to putting the pictures into my folder to use.

Just want to say Hi

Just thought i would say hi...i have left a note on the 'Losing it' blog...won't discuss that now as its too depressing!!..here's a picture of my little Birthday meal..there were only a few of us, (10) as i didn't want a big fuss..the friend (Noreen) on my left as you look at it is 73 years old !! hope i look like that when i am her age Jim, Polly & Ness are opposite me, Jenny & Yazmin are the other side, and Margaret, Dave, & Colin are out of the Picture.. It was a good night we had a lovely Indian meal, the restaurant was a new one and very nice..i had a lovely Birthday cake, I will put that on my next blog...but thats a sore point , it was a HUGE cake and really delicious..any way that was a month ago now but i have only just got around to sorting out the pictures....It was great having Ness up as always..i hate it when she goes home though...but i'd never tell her...talk later.

Elas and her dogs

Hi....I just wanted to put a picture of my friend Elsa and her 2 dogs onto here...this picture was taken when she came up last year, at the local water park in Kingsbury...the male dog (the one at the back) has since died of a liver desease, he was a lovely little fella...named Jacob. To Elsa they are her children, she was up here in Tamworth for 2 weeks but went back home yesterday morning...I am off to Vanessa's today for a few days as it is her Birthday on Tuesday, i'm really looking forward to seeing them all down in there in Oxford.

I hope everyone is ok, i have had a bit of trouble with my E-mails, but i think it is all sorted out now...i will take some pictures while i am at Vanesssa's & put them on here when i get back...I must NOT forget my camera (i usually do) i will put it in my bag now so ithat remember...talk later

Two More Pictures

Heres 2 more pictures of places that i visit..the one i think will interest Kerry & Dee.it is an old derelict farmhouse that is believed to be haunted..i'll go in to it in the day time..but i'm not to sure at night..i'll have to wait until Kerry & Dee come over..I wish !!!
The other Picture is part of the flower gardens and shops at Matlock..the gardens are lovely in summer and early autumn..there ia a very old clock there as well...i will send that next..some of the shops here are quite old as well..and there are some nice little cafe's..its nice to spend a relaxing afternoon there as rhe scenery around is very pretty too.

A day out at Chester

Hello Everyone...I have managed to get onto my blog again...there must have been a fault when i last tried and so i just gave up, what a quitter !!!! and I haven't tried since until today...I was going to ask Dee to help me, but i thought to myself ..No, i'll just give it a quick try first...and it worked !!!..i should have tried before..i'm so pathetic,...still it will save Dee a job.

This is a town called Chester that i enjoy visiting sometimes ..it has a lot of very old buildings and shops...its lovely to visit at Christmas time..i will send some more pictures of it then..i have so many pictures that i have taken lately....will put some more on....hope you dont get fed-up with them

The Happy Couple

Just thought i would put a pic of the happy couple onto my blog..these were taken 3 weeks after the actual wedding because the weather was so terrible on the day..it poured of rain and everyone had to run for cover ... the only photographs that could be taken were all inside.

They wanted some taken outside the church so we had to wait for the sunshine after they got back from honeymoon, it did show itself eventually and i think it was nice for Polly to put her dress on again...i will put some more pictures on soon...hopefully.

Forgot this yesterday

Forgot to put this picture on yesterday..it was at the estuary in Wales, the tide was out as you can see...my camera broke so i was only able to take 2 photo's..have had it repaired now (got sand in it i think)..so i'll take some more next time i go down.

Going to Start this Diet

It as been ages since i wrote my blog..so many things have happened, the bad ones i am going to put behind me now, and concentrate on positive things.

I am going to start this diet group with Kerry & Dee..I have high hopes of becoming fitter and thinner by Christmas...i'm not big on willpower..but with support i'm sure i'll do it..because i seriuosly want and need to for my healths sake.

I have had a lovely holiday in Wales, it really helped and i have recently joined the local 'Ladies Only' gym...its called "Gymophobics"...the name says it all, its for ladies of any age or fitness, who find normal gymnasiums very daunting..the machines are all designed to cover any range from total beginner (Me) to much fitter energetic ladies (which i hope to become...eventually)..you progress at your own pace and are monitored regularly... I am going to stick to it, dieting is not much good without excercise, so they say.

A Very Sad Time.

Hello friends.

It as been several days since i came onto my computer so i haven't done my blog...one of my close friends Eve has died and it as upset me so much..and made me feel low, she had been ill but it was still a shock...It makes me realize, life should be enjoyed.... We should do the things we love, with the people we love, and make the most of every day...we had some lovely hoildays and fun together i have lots of happy memories.

The weather as been lovely again today..went to Fradley Junction (where 2 canals meet) and watched the colourful canalboats chugging past with all the flower pots and baskets hanging on them full of spring blooms..and the lovely smells of wood burning fires that they use, mixed with bacon & eggs and spring blossom..it did make me feel better..I love springtime best of all the seasons...This picture is of Fradley, but it's off the Internet, it wasn't taken today..next time i go i will take my camera, it is such an interesting place at this time of the year.

Off to Vanessa's for the weekend

Hello all, i am off to Vanessa's for a few days..will write when i get back, must take some pictures (when i have found my camera) It as got really cold here again just like winter, Ness had snow this morning. All the magnolia trees have got brown patches on the blooms where the frost as damaged them and a lot of the spring bulbs are looking really sad...i hope they come up again ok next year.

Bailey is back now

Bailey is back from the vets now..he created havoc in there when they opened the vets cage to transfer him into his own..to use the nurses terminology.."He made his escape bid and legged it around the surgery and over the counter..so don't worry about him getting over the anesthetic, he is just fine".....thats my boy!!

As you can see i got my pictures wrong THIS one belonged to the earlier blog..and that one of Bailey belongs to this one..but i'm getting there, its been ages since i used it..be patient with me.

Just Another Little Blog

Well i've taken Bailey to the vet and left him there..i feel TERRIBLE !! i won't rest until he is home again...to take my mind of it all i am doing another quick Blog..then going out with my friend Margaret, the Vet as my mobile number so i will just have to wait for him to ring. I was looking through my pictures a few minutes ago and saw this one of my Son Jimmy when he was in the Grand Canyon 2 years ago,..i thought how wonderful it must have been to be in a place so remote and awesome as that..i would love to go, ..but not too sure if i could stand like that, so to near the edge..good job i was not with him i would have had a fit..seeing him doing that, but it really is an awesomw place, Jim said he will go again as it was special.....SILLY ME, wrong picture this is Bailey sorry, its early days i will get used to this again...bear with me. !!

Dee you did it !!

Hello thanks to wonderful Dee i can use my blog again..you are a clever girl Dee, just like your Mom.
I am so excited i have so much to say, but i have to take my youngest cat (Bailey)to the vets this morning early..to have "the snip", i do hope he doesn't hate me for it.
I will "blog" later when i get him home again.
I know its daft but i feel like one of my kids is going into hospital..crazy woman i'm getting.

Happy New Year

Hi There everyone.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas...i spent it with family, that was lovely, went to Vanessa and Adam's on Christmas day with my brother Dave Jimmy and Polly and Jims Dad.. stayed at their house and we all came up on Boxing day picked up my brothers girlfriend and spent the day with Simon Pam and family..so we were all together..really missed Mom, she loved Christmas.


Its new years Eve now..Goodbye 2006...Hello 2007.
I am debating what to do and where to go...its so cold and is blowing a gale outside so bed sounds a good place !!...what a moaner, no i will go and visit family and spend the night with them and see the New Year in.
Happy New year to everyone, i look forward to hearing from you.
I will try to do my blogs regularly in 2007

Its been ages

Hi. its been ages since i wrote my blog...the weather here as got cold now and Winter is well on the way.
I LOVED this picture of an Autumn scene, it is my favourite season, all the reds, yellows oranges ans browns make me feel cozy and warm and get me ready for the cold bleak winter...with only Christmas to look forward to ( I love christmas and can't understand all the folk that don't)..i wish i was American then i would have Thanksgiving as well....i have tried to publish this blog before and i dont know what went wrong, but i'll have another attempt.
The cats don't like winter at all and i have to practically push them out in the mornings..and they are back in again as soon as possible. The little fella (Bailey)is growing big now and loves to beat up on the others, but they seem to know he is young and are quite good natured to him and end up snuggling up to him after they've had a few friendly scraps with him because he will not take no for an answer and is so bold.

At Vanessa's for a couple of days.

I'm down in Bicester for a couple of days visiting my family, its always good to see Vanessa & Co....Adam is away in Holland for a few days working.
I am so MAD i forgot my camera, as there are some lovely thatched cottages around here also...must bring it next time.
I will be going back tonight or tomorrow as i have quite a lot to do.
There is a lot of controversy raging in the country at tha moment concerning the Muslim women wearing the veils that completely shield their faces, one of out M.P.'s spoke out against them saying they caused division (especially in areas were there was a lot of Muslims living in the community)....because in this country we like to look at people when we are talking to them....to see expressions etc.
The Muslims have as usual taken deep offence at this (it really doesn't take much in most cases ) and some are using it as an excuse to encite yet more violence...how sad and something really does need to be done.
I suppose there is a lot we do not understand about tIslam, but sadly many people rightly or wrongly associate the wearing of the full viel as extremeism, ...and it is the extremists who are usually the terorists.... so i think peoples fears are understandable....especially as we are not allowed to even carry a Bible in their country, let alone build mosques and have our prayer call ringing out in the cities every worship day !!!
I have never beeen a rascist and wish we could all get on together...but when in Rome !!!...they should make an effort to intigrate into our society more and i think then they would be accepted far more readily.
This is a heavy subject...Sorry, its just that it is in danger of getting out of hand over here now and many people believe something as to be done about it ...and soon.
It is a worry asto how it will all end........enough of that, i just wondered what other people thought and if the same problem was encountered in other parts of the world ???........think ill goback to talking about Cottages, kids and animals etc as its easier and not so upsetting.
The weather here is still surprisingly warm for the time of year,...wonder what sort of winter we are in for ??
Hope everyone is well, will write again soon...Joy

More Thatched Cottages

Here's another cottage i thought you would like....i think they look so warm and cozy.They cost a fortune to buy though..and the thatched roofs need replacing or at least re-pairing every 10 tears or so, and that is very costly as well.
When i go to Ireland i will send you some more from there (this one is local)...i am so looking forward to going again, only a couple of weeks now and i am off.
I am so worried about all my cats though....Jimmy will look after them each day or one of my friends, but i still worry about leaving them....hope the weather stays good its lovely here again at the moment, really warm for the time of year.

Such good friends.... At Last

At long last i have managed to do my Blog.!!its been ages.

My two latest arrivals (Lady & Bailey) are at long last the best of friends....but it seemed to take ages, lots of spitting, hissing & fur flying...but they have become inseperable now and sleep together each night.
J.C. and Smokey (my 2 older cats) are fine with them too...but because these 2 were both fairly new together i thought i would despair of them ever getting along, i used to worry when i left them and had to seperate them whenever i went out,...i think there was alot of uncertainty and jealousy..but they even share the same food bowl now...aren't animals funny and so very changeable !!!..but i love them.
Will send some more pics of cottages next time i have been out with my camera again.

Thatched Cottages

This is just one of the cottages, in the surrounding villages near Tamworth...it is right next to the village pond, and the driveway at the side leads to a little whitewashed "pub" that also used to be thatched , but as now got a traditional roof...the thatchers art is sadly dying out now as they are very expensive to replace and need to be renewed every 10 years or so, but they are lovely and we have several around this area...also a fully thatched Public house still remains...i will put that on my next Blog....the pub does good food and are very reasonable too,...i love it there.

Feeling fed up today.

Hi I have got this to work at long last. I think it must have been a fault or something the past few days.
Glad you are feeling better Dee, will write to Kerry tomorrow (an E-mail) as there are a few things i do not want to put onto my blog in case it is read by certain people.
Here is a picture of Bailey and J.C....he is a little nutter at times and just jumps on her all the time....she looks a bit angry with him in this one...but he just goes back for more all the time, she will take so much then pin him down and lick his ears and clean him, they are funny to watch....none of the other cats will have anything to do with him and just spit at him....i must shut up or i will become boring, talking about my cats all the time...(i think im getting like an old Biddy) How is your craft work coming along, i will have to go onto both of your blogs and see if you have put any pictures there (Kerry & Dee)....i think maybe Dee will be back with you by now ???...i do not know if you will get this after all as a box as come up saying "it couldn't connect to Blogger.com" so it may fail !!!! i thought it was o.k. after all but maybe not......talk soon hope you get this. Joy

What a dope I am.

I am such an idiot i have put the wrong picture with my last letter...that was Lady NOT Bailey.
Here is one of Bailey (alias Malibu)

I have changed my Kittens name

Well at last i have decided to change my kittens name...it isn't Malibu any longer (i called him that after the drink..which i love with Ice and Pineapple)
He is now called Bailey (after the drink "Baileys Irish Cream" which i also love with loads of ice !!)....i'm not an alcoholic ...honestly !!!, but if i am going to have a drink in the summer, those are the two that i would choose...and i think the name Bailey really suits the little fellow. , He is into everything now and eats like there is no tomorrow, he was hanging from the top of my dressing gown on the back of the bedroom door this morning and he as so much enengy, Lady the albino is still very shy of coming downstairs, even though i leave all the doors open for her, she will only come down if i am here with her.
She is here with me at the moment sitting on the window shelf looking outside..she is a good little cat and very loving.. i do hope she starts to stay downstairs with the other cats soon...i have put another picture of her here (i hope)
Kerry you are getting so good at your craft things...the little pig was so clever i loved him(or her) i used to collect pigs, i had so many of them and if i visit any of the local farms i have to see the pigs...there is something about them that is so sweet...they always look so sad...Tamworth is world famous for a rare breed of pig called the "Tamworth Red"..have you heard of them ??

I am going to take my camera and get some pictures of the thatched cottages in the villages around here and also the thatched public house (the English name for a bar were you can buy alcohol)... i just want a nice sunny day, we have had a lot of rain the last few days....all the sunshine and clammy heat, seem so far away now and we seem back to "normal" English weather again...Talk soon...get well soon Dee.

Forgot to show you the" Baby"

I forgot to show you the baby is name is Malibu at the moment, but the grandkids are going to give him a permanent name. He is about 7 weeks old, and still a bit nervous...he keeps hiding behind things..he went behind the washing machine on Monday when i 1st had him, and i was so worried as i couldn't get him out until my son came....but he was o.k., he seems to get a little bit more relaxed each day and is getting playful.

Hello At Last

Hi At last, its been ages since i last wrote, but the family problems seem to be sorting themselves out at last..so i can have another go....iv'e already made 2 mistakes, i think ihave forgotten what's what..but i'll keep trying..i think its old age, i seem to forget everything lately.
I love my 2 new kitties, i was only going to have the one (the baby)..but im a sucker for a sob story and when i heard the poot albino was to go in a cats home if she couldn't be homed quickly, i decided i had to have her...i am so glad i did, she is adorable, her poor owner couldn't take her to the flat she was moving into, and didn't want her to be put in a home,..but at least she can come and see he now that i have her...she is so loving and sleeps on my bed at night...her name is Lady she is almost 3 years old...i am going to try and put a picture of her on my blog..i only said TRY !!!

Forgot to finish my blog, Laura is the girl in green at the front this was taken a few weeks ago at he girls section of the Bicester division Cadets, she as been going for a while now and loves it...i pray she will be o.k...i no she is young and healthy, but i worry for the kids today...and this is supposed to be a "nice area" of the U.K....i'd hate to live in a bad area...do you have things like this happen in Nevada?
Hope you are all well over there...i haven't been in touch because of all that as been happening, but Laura is a little better today and as stopped been sick.

Really Upsetting Week

What a terrible week it as been...Laura my grandaughter who is 14 as been assaulted again by two 16 year old girls, who were drunk (or on drugs) and took a dislike to her,...this is the second time it as happened to her, but it is happening to others young girls in the area....it happened in the summer last year to her and her friend..both were beaten badly by a gang of girls at that time.
She as been in hospital with head injuries and is on a drip and awaiting another brain scan, she has 2 black eyes and is bruised and has several lumps on her head and legs and was sick most of the night and Adam (her Dad) stayed at the hospital with her...Ness is Distraught, it is a police matter as her injuries are quite bad....the girls held her head under one of their arms and smashed it continually onto metal railings....the only thing they
kept saying was..aren't you a pretty girl. !!
This sort of behaviour is getting out of hand now...and its the girls who are by far the worst offenders...whatis happening to the World.

Messed it up again

Forgot to put my writing with my picture...sorry, what an idiot...but ill get there..anyway the cottage is here now.

Another lovely Irish cottage

We have lots of these in parts of England too.

I loved this thatched cottage..there were so many of them in this little town in Ireland...
We have got them in parts of the U.K. too (there are a few not far from where i live).....but they are getting rarer nowadays, to have a house thatched costs thousands of pounds and they need doing every ten years or so. also the art of the thatcher is dying out...i think its mostly passed down from generation to generation in families, and lots of young people aren't interested any more..what a shame as they look so lovely....nowadays folk are just having normal slate roofs replacing the thatch....what a shame, they're now where near as pretty.

Sending another pic of Ireland.

Hi here i go again, attempting to send another picture and hopefully writing as well.

This picture is of Dingle bay in the ring of Kerry, it is the county that we stayed in while we were there...it was so lovely..the pictures don't really do it justice....hope this turns out...bear with me if it doesn't....if you can enlarge it the picture will come up with a lot more detail...its a very pretty place...here goes, hope it works !!!!

Managed to do a picture ...at last !!

View from the yard in Ireland.
I have managed to send a picture to my blog at long last..thank you so much Dee...trouble is i didn't manage to send the writing as well.....never mind i am getting there !!...slowly ...this picture is the view from the yard at Toms house, thats Margarets cousin, it is even lovelier in reality... i will send more now that i can do it.

The weather here is so weird at the moment...baking hot, then torrential rain and thunderstorms...which usually clear the air and cool things down a little...but its hotter than ever afterwards at the moment, at least in this part of the country....we need "swamp coolers" i think...i had never heard of those until i read Dees blog, it made me look them up, they are used mostly in desert areas aren't they... they sound really cool.

Kerry i LOVE your picture room, what a clever idea...and i can't believe how lush and green your garden is, i always imagined it to be a bit barren as you are in a desert area, you must work so hard on it...but i bet its lovely to sit outside in it and eat out there...thats what i love most about summer (although ours only last a short time)..eating outside..whats it called Al Fresco ??..or something like that, anyway i love that.

Take Care all of you, Talk soon. Joy

chat- a-while-with Joy

Too hot to do anything.

It is just too hot these past few days to do anything, i got up at 4.30 am today as i couldn't sleep and decided to try and clean up my garden & do some much needed weeding and planting, i was going to do it last night, but decided i would just have a lie down for half hour and then do it....Big mistake, i just went into a coma and couldn't bring myself to move after that......trouble was i had brought some plants from the garden centre on Friday and STILL hadn't put them in, so in all this heat the poor things were almost keeled over....i felt so guilty....but i have given them a good soak now and stood them in water and they are rewarding me with straight backs and healthy leaves and flowers again.
I will have to put them in tonight now as it is just too hot to do them this afternoon.

I have got to take Jimmy and some of his friends to Coventry today to see a band called "the Red Hot Chillie Peppers" ...as anyone heard of them ???...i am informed that they are famous, but i must be really old as i have never heard of them...but at least he is getting out now and doesn't seem as withdrawn as he was.... i think this time it may really be over with Polly...but you never can tell, i just wish they would either stay together or make a complete break as the wound is never allowed to heal when she keeps ringing him up all the time and he goes back for a week or two and then its all off again...and each time he is lost for a while......he's 30 now, but its strange when they are hurting they will ALWAYS be "our kids" won't they ?

I loved your picture of the Rose Kerry... i too love roses, was that one in your garden ?..... i especially love the scented ones, but there are not many of them about now, the real old fashioned scented ones that are intoxicating... (nowtheres a big word for a Sunday afternoon) !!!, i have one called " The Mayor of Casterbridge"...and it is wonderful i can smell it right down the garden...Gordon brought it for me the year before he died and it always reminds me of him... i do not know if you can get over there but if you can it is special.
I hope Howard is still doing well after his surgery and i think every day about your brother Mike Kerry... how is he.?

I am going now to have a shower and a cold beer as i am melting again, the heat in this country is so muggy and damp at this time of the year...some countries it is a dry heat and it is still bad but at least your not melting...i love the brightness of the sunshine it always cheers me up...but why does it come with its own damp as an added extra.
Talk soon Joy