I'm a 63year old Mom & Grandmother who wanted a blog of everyday things for everyday people. Please feel free to comment...the sensible opinions of others are always welcome...I also have 2 more blogs, One more serious, and my blog for cat lovers (4cats for cats)





January 25, 2009

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.

January 24, 2009

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.

January 20, 2009

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 !!

January 13, 2009

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.

August 10, 2008

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.



July 25, 2008

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.

July 05, 2008

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.

May 11, 2008

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 !!!!

April 12, 2008

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.

March 28, 2008

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.

February 06, 2008

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.

December 15, 2007

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.

December 13, 2007

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.

December 12, 2007

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.

December 09, 2007

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.

October 31, 2007

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.