I did promise myself a quiet weekend but I've been rushing around again today as it's Father's Day tomorrow and my husband miraculously morphs into a second father at this time of the year as the children always "seem" to forget!
Before I took Sophie to work I started on the household chores as I really couldn't leave cleaning the house any longer. Keith is great at doing the washing, the ironing and the cooking and he'll put the hoover around every day but a little more in-depth cleaning was definitely required today! There was a beautiful breeze blowing so I changed our bed and put all the washing out on the line, took Sophie to work and cleaned all the rooms except for the children's bedrooms (I don't go into Mikey's any more) and the bathroom (Keith can do that for me next week!).
By 3pm I'd more or less finished so I showered and then drove down to Riverside to buy a new iPod cable for Mikey as he'd broken his second one (the one we bought for him at Gatwick back in March...). It was then time to pick up Sophie and head over to Market Harborough to go and see Duncan and buy some alcoholic treats for my father and my husband. Dad was treated to a bottle of Finlaggan Islay Malt while Duncan and I picked out five ales for Keith. They all had to be non-bottle conditioned which was a bit hard as Duncan seems to be a fan of this type of beer, but Keith does not like the sediment that can sometimes make the drink a little cloudy.
We staggered out of the shop and left our purchases in the boot of my car which was handily parked right outside the shop - bonus! - and then had a well-deserved treat in Caffe Nero. Well, us girls need a little pamper, too, don't we?!
Sophie had a quick peek in New Look and then we headed to Waitrose to get some more goodies for tomorrow night's family meal. I'm a fan of Waitrose but I didn't go much on this branch which was small and dark and didn't seem to have a lot of choice. I bought some more cold meats and a bottle of wine and then we headed home for a relaxed evening. At last!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Friday, 14 June 2013
We say goodbye to Nan
I'd been dreading today, to be honest, but it went off really well.
We had a late start as the funeral wasn't until 2.45pm. There was no point making it earlier because of the travelling some of us had to do and we weren't going to risk being late or not turning up at all. We all left Northampton at 11am and had a surprisingly good journey down to Dartford. As we were quite early, we drove to the Crematorium to make sure we knew where it was and then popped to a nearby cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat.
Poor Mikey has a terrible cold at the moment so we called into a Co-op to get him some lozenges and cough medicine and then headed back to Eltham Crematorium. When we got there we saw that my parents had already arrived with my Aunt Pat (Dad's sister) and Uncle Alan.
The weather had turned absolutely beautiful which was a huge bonus as I'm sure there was rain forecast. Gradually all the family arrived and there were lots of hugs and kisses but none of us looked really sad which was a relief. I felt that the funeral should be a celebration of Nan's life, rather than a depressing event.
The funerals at the Crematorium are a bit conveyor belt, to be honest, but it was still a lovely service. My mum was a bit emotional which was only to be expected and when I stood to do my Eulogy my heart was beating really fast with nerves. Keith had told me to speak slowly and I managed to get through it with only a few tears which was a huge relief! Afterwards Keith said I did really well and my mum was very pleased with what I'd said.
After the funeral itself was over and we'd looked at all the flowers, Keith, the kids and I left first as I wanted to make sure there was someone in the Community room (where Nan lived) to welcome everyone back. The traffic was absolutely horrendous and there'd been a bad accident on the A2 so we diverted through Bexley and managed to arrive first even though I was convinced we would be last because of the congestion.
Even though there was a bit of an atmosphere (there's been a bit of a rift with my Uncle Terry's side for over 20 years) we still had a very pleasant couple of hours chatting to everyone and the ice was melted a little bit. It would be great to think we could all meet up again - I had a great conversation with Nicki, my cousin's wife, who is also doing the family tree - but I have a feeling it will just be funerals from now on. But you never know...
We left Dartford at 6pm and had a good journey home despite it being Friday night. Keith and I escaped to the pub for an hour for a drink - bliss!
A poem:
I am the quick uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.
Mary Frye 1932
We had a late start as the funeral wasn't until 2.45pm. There was no point making it earlier because of the travelling some of us had to do and we weren't going to risk being late or not turning up at all. We all left Northampton at 11am and had a surprisingly good journey down to Dartford. As we were quite early, we drove to the Crematorium to make sure we knew where it was and then popped to a nearby cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat.
Poor Mikey has a terrible cold at the moment so we called into a Co-op to get him some lozenges and cough medicine and then headed back to Eltham Crematorium. When we got there we saw that my parents had already arrived with my Aunt Pat (Dad's sister) and Uncle Alan.
The weather had turned absolutely beautiful which was a huge bonus as I'm sure there was rain forecast. Gradually all the family arrived and there were lots of hugs and kisses but none of us looked really sad which was a relief. I felt that the funeral should be a celebration of Nan's life, rather than a depressing event.
The funerals at the Crematorium are a bit conveyor belt, to be honest, but it was still a lovely service. My mum was a bit emotional which was only to be expected and when I stood to do my Eulogy my heart was beating really fast with nerves. Keith had told me to speak slowly and I managed to get through it with only a few tears which was a huge relief! Afterwards Keith said I did really well and my mum was very pleased with what I'd said.
After the funeral itself was over and we'd looked at all the flowers, Keith, the kids and I left first as I wanted to make sure there was someone in the Community room (where Nan lived) to welcome everyone back. The traffic was absolutely horrendous and there'd been a bad accident on the A2 so we diverted through Bexley and managed to arrive first even though I was convinced we would be last because of the congestion.
Even though there was a bit of an atmosphere (there's been a bit of a rift with my Uncle Terry's side for over 20 years) we still had a very pleasant couple of hours chatting to everyone and the ice was melted a little bit. It would be great to think we could all meet up again - I had a great conversation with Nicki, my cousin's wife, who is also doing the family tree - but I have a feeling it will just be funerals from now on. But you never know...
We left Dartford at 6pm and had a good journey home despite it being Friday night. Keith and I escaped to the pub for an hour for a drink - bliss!
A poem:
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn rain.
I am the quick uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.
Mary Frye 1932
Thursday, 13 June 2013
An eventful night!
My second job as a taxi driver continued today when I picked up Sophie and Abi from school, took them back to work (where they stuffed their faces) and then left a little early so they could go home and get ready for their Lewis Watson gig at Leicester University.
I had foolishly said I would take them to the gig and then Keith, Mikey and I would find a pub for a couple of hours, but they told me they had to be at the venue really early to get a spot right at the front...Looking at the map I realised that it would only take about 45 minutes to get to the University so I said that rather than spend over 5 hours in a pub, I would be taxi driver and come home after I dropped them off, but only on one condition...that Keith cooked a nice meal as this week has been a bit hectic and our meals have been a bit hit and miss!
We took Gladys with us and my word, did she take us on a weird route! We ended up driving along tiny country lanes and eventually reached the A6 - I knew a much better route, to be honest, and I'm sure our SatNav has a fetish for narrow country lanes! Gladys is getting a bit temperamental lately, to be honest, as she started freaking out and shrieking "Recalculating, recalculating!" at me for no apparent reason. She got us to the University and then we spent almost as much time trying to find the venue as it was tucked away on the campus and we didn't have a clue how to find it!
Eventually, after much driving about, I dropped the girls off at a place very close (we resorted to asking a very polite student) and then I headed home. On the way I filled up with diesel (again) and bought myself a bottle of tonic water as I was definitely going to have a vodka and tonic after my somewhat stressful journey!
Keith cooked a delicious beef casserole, we watched TV until 10pm and then left for the return journey. Keith drove this time (I'd had a couple of VATs) and we were back at the University by 10.45pm. I called my daughter to tell her we were waiting and she handed her phone to Lewis Watson himself! I was a bit shocked but we had a lovely conversation (he has a gorgeous voice) and then the excitable two appeared full of the gig and what a great time they'd had. They were also full of praise for Leicester Uni which is fine with me seeing as it's so close!
The journey home was uneventful except for an emergency stop for a McDonald's as the girls were famished!
Lewis Watson
I had foolishly said I would take them to the gig and then Keith, Mikey and I would find a pub for a couple of hours, but they told me they had to be at the venue really early to get a spot right at the front...Looking at the map I realised that it would only take about 45 minutes to get to the University so I said that rather than spend over 5 hours in a pub, I would be taxi driver and come home after I dropped them off, but only on one condition...that Keith cooked a nice meal as this week has been a bit hectic and our meals have been a bit hit and miss!
We took Gladys with us and my word, did she take us on a weird route! We ended up driving along tiny country lanes and eventually reached the A6 - I knew a much better route, to be honest, and I'm sure our SatNav has a fetish for narrow country lanes! Gladys is getting a bit temperamental lately, to be honest, as she started freaking out and shrieking "Recalculating, recalculating!" at me for no apparent reason. She got us to the University and then we spent almost as much time trying to find the venue as it was tucked away on the campus and we didn't have a clue how to find it!
Eventually, after much driving about, I dropped the girls off at a place very close (we resorted to asking a very polite student) and then I headed home. On the way I filled up with diesel (again) and bought myself a bottle of tonic water as I was definitely going to have a vodka and tonic after my somewhat stressful journey!
Keith cooked a delicious beef casserole, we watched TV until 10pm and then left for the return journey. Keith drove this time (I'd had a couple of VATs) and we were back at the University by 10.45pm. I called my daughter to tell her we were waiting and she handed her phone to Lewis Watson himself! I was a bit shocked but we had a lovely conversation (he has a gorgeous voice) and then the excitable two appeared full of the gig and what a great time they'd had. They were also full of praise for Leicester Uni which is fine with me seeing as it's so close!
The journey home was uneventful except for an emergency stop for a McDonald's as the girls were famished!
Lewis Watson
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Getting spiritual...
Tuesday and Wednesday have flown by and it looks like another week is soon going to disappear! The weather continues to be horrible for this time of year and I do wonder whether we'll ever get a summer!
Today has been very busy as Keith and I needed to get Mikey kitted out with some new clothes and shoes for Nan's funeral on Friday, so after we'd picked up the children from school (including Abi who was coming to the gym with us) we went to Brantano's and picked him out a new pair of shoes that will do him for school as well. I'd dropped the girls off at the gym and went back there after sorting Mikey out, managing to do a good workout before rushing home, as this evening Mum and I went to a Demonstration of Mediumship at the Spiritualist Church in Northampton.
I had been looking to see a Medium for a while and saw that demonstrations are held on the second Tuesday of the month. We'd never been to the Spiritualist Church before and we weren't sure what to expect but we had a very warm welcome and were given a hym book as we would be singing a hymn before the evening started! I am by no means a Spiritualist but I was very interested to see what would happen and I would say that 99% of the people there were very normal indeed!
Liz Fuller was the medium and she was a lovely person. A lot of people came through and she was extremely accurate in all that she said, except for two men who she just couldn't connect anyone with. The family group behind us had their mother and their aunt appear so they were very lucky. Right at the very end she pointed to me and said that a woman had connected with her, a maternal grandmother of mine. Well, I was shocked even though I was hoping to connect with my Grandad, and although some of the details were a little vague, Mum and I hope that it was Nan as quite a few of the things she said made sense.
When I got home I told Keith what had happened but he is as sceptical as they come and refuses to believe that there is an after-life. I would love to believe it and a huge part of me is convinced that the soul carries on after death but I know that this is a very personal matter and I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We will go back again, of that I'm sure, and I just hope that we have a little longer should anyone come through next time!
Today has been very busy as Keith and I needed to get Mikey kitted out with some new clothes and shoes for Nan's funeral on Friday, so after we'd picked up the children from school (including Abi who was coming to the gym with us) we went to Brantano's and picked him out a new pair of shoes that will do him for school as well. I'd dropped the girls off at the gym and went back there after sorting Mikey out, managing to do a good workout before rushing home, as this evening Mum and I went to a Demonstration of Mediumship at the Spiritualist Church in Northampton.
I had been looking to see a Medium for a while and saw that demonstrations are held on the second Tuesday of the month. We'd never been to the Spiritualist Church before and we weren't sure what to expect but we had a very warm welcome and were given a hym book as we would be singing a hymn before the evening started! I am by no means a Spiritualist but I was very interested to see what would happen and I would say that 99% of the people there were very normal indeed!
Liz Fuller was the medium and she was a lovely person. A lot of people came through and she was extremely accurate in all that she said, except for two men who she just couldn't connect anyone with. The family group behind us had their mother and their aunt appear so they were very lucky. Right at the very end she pointed to me and said that a woman had connected with her, a maternal grandmother of mine. Well, I was shocked even though I was hoping to connect with my Grandad, and although some of the details were a little vague, Mum and I hope that it was Nan as quite a few of the things she said made sense.
When I got home I told Keith what had happened but he is as sceptical as they come and refuses to believe that there is an after-life. I would love to believe it and a huge part of me is convinced that the soul carries on after death but I know that this is a very personal matter and I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We will go back again, of that I'm sure, and I just hope that we have a little longer should anyone come through next time!
Monday, 10 June 2013
Glum Monday!
So yesterday I ticked off another of my Bucket List goals:
Today has been another grey and overcast day - very miserable and chilly for June. I wish the weather would cheer up a bit! We got a lot of things done at work and then it was off to the gym afterwards for a shorter workout than normal as I was feeling a bit weary!
- Visit Saltaire near Bradford - a Victorian model village built by Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers.
- Drive to Berlin (maybe a bit dodgy this one but I'm going to persevere).
- Visit a UK Christmas Market.
- Walk through Dovedale in the Peak District.
- Make a Christmas cake.
- Write a short story - it's about time I got back into my writing.
Visit Coton Manor Gardens.- Climb at least one of the highest mountains in the UK - either Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis or Snowdon (hmmm...got to get that treadmill at the gym on a higher incline...)
Visit Portmeirion in Wales.- Ride one of the scarier roller coasters when we visit Florida, but NOT the Hulk!
Visit the National Gallery.Read Wuthering Heights.- Grow a Sunflower from seed.
Today has been another grey and overcast day - very miserable and chilly for June. I wish the weather would cheer up a bit! We got a lot of things done at work and then it was off to the gym afterwards for a shorter workout than normal as I was feeling a bit weary!
Sunday, 9 June 2013
The National Gallery
Today I ticked off another goal on my Bucket List - a trip to the National Gallery in London. The weather was disappointing again with heavy grey clouds and a chilly temperature, but we set off nonetheless. We had a good journey down to London, but became a bit unstuck when I found I couldn't turn left just after the V&A museum to park in Hyde Park...
I must admit I panicked a bit and carried on into Knightsbridge, and then spotted a car park behind Harrods. I didn't see any charges displayed but I was so thankful to find a parking space I didn't care...
We left the car, walked past some very posh shops indeed (Dolce & Gabana, Harvey Nichols) and found our way to Hyde Park corner, Buckingham Palace and the Mall. There were crowds of tourists everywhere and we saw one of the guards striding through the park opposite Buckingham Palace still wearing his ceremonial uniform. To be honest it was a bit creepy seeing him among the trees with his bearskin and scarlet tunic and he seemed very out of place! Is it even allowed, we wondered?
Once at Trafalgar Square we had lunch in a branch of Caffe Nero and then walked the short distance to The National Gallery. There was something Indian going on in the square as there were loads of stalls selling Indian food and we were accosted by a young woman asking if we wanted to take part in yoga! We told her we were on our way to the National Gallery so she sent us on our way with a smile! We noticed a street "statue" and Sophie went to put some money in his box - he was very good but a bit scary!
We had a great time in the Gallery and saw some beautiful paintings by Constable (The Hay Wain), Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, etc. There were lots of boobies on display including some frankly rude pictures which surprised us both! I enjoyed seeing some of the famous paintings close up but I do wonder what all the fuss is about with regards to Van Gogh - his Sunflowers painting was on loan to an exhibition in Amsterdam but the one of the chair was on display and I'm afraid it did nothing for me! This was the one I thought was beautiful...
I wasa drawn to her eyes and how lovely she was - the painting is Susanna at her Bath by Francesco Hayez and tells the story of Susanna, a virtuous woman who was bathing in her garden while two eldermen looked on. They threatened to report her for adultery unless she slept with them, but she protests and is finally proved innocent. I think the artist is intending for the viewer of the painting to be the men watching her as there is definitely a reproachful look in her eye!
We saw all that we wanted to see at the National Gallery, treated ourselves to a muffin and a drink, and then made our way back to the car park where I discovered that it had cost me £38 to park for just under four hours! We won't be using that car park again but my little Audi was in good company - there were some seriously posh cars in there!
It was great to get home and have a drink and a chat with Keith and tell him about our day. I love visiting London but it's just a bit expensive!
I must admit I panicked a bit and carried on into Knightsbridge, and then spotted a car park behind Harrods. I didn't see any charges displayed but I was so thankful to find a parking space I didn't care...
We left the car, walked past some very posh shops indeed (Dolce & Gabana, Harvey Nichols) and found our way to Hyde Park corner, Buckingham Palace and the Mall. There were crowds of tourists everywhere and we saw one of the guards striding through the park opposite Buckingham Palace still wearing his ceremonial uniform. To be honest it was a bit creepy seeing him among the trees with his bearskin and scarlet tunic and he seemed very out of place! Is it even allowed, we wondered?
Once at Trafalgar Square we had lunch in a branch of Caffe Nero and then walked the short distance to The National Gallery. There was something Indian going on in the square as there were loads of stalls selling Indian food and we were accosted by a young woman asking if we wanted to take part in yoga! We told her we were on our way to the National Gallery so she sent us on our way with a smile! We noticed a street "statue" and Sophie went to put some money in his box - he was very good but a bit scary!
We had a great time in the Gallery and saw some beautiful paintings by Constable (The Hay Wain), Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, etc. There were lots of boobies on display including some frankly rude pictures which surprised us both! I enjoyed seeing some of the famous paintings close up but I do wonder what all the fuss is about with regards to Van Gogh - his Sunflowers painting was on loan to an exhibition in Amsterdam but the one of the chair was on display and I'm afraid it did nothing for me! This was the one I thought was beautiful...
We saw all that we wanted to see at the National Gallery, treated ourselves to a muffin and a drink, and then made our way back to the car park where I discovered that it had cost me £38 to park for just under four hours! We won't be using that car park again but my little Audi was in good company - there were some seriously posh cars in there!
It was great to get home and have a drink and a chat with Keith and tell him about our day. I love visiting London but it's just a bit expensive!
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Busy, busy!
Today has been busy again, despite saying to myself I would have a quiet weekend!
Keith and I went shopping first thing this morning and while he went off with the trolley, I sat in Costa Coffee and enjoyed a Latte and some biscuits...I only annoy him by wandering off with the trolley so it was best I kept out of the way!
After I'd dropped Sophie off at work I came home and did my walk. Today has been much cooler with a lot of cloud - certainly not the wall-to-wall sunshine that was forecast! I enjoyed my walk, came home and washed the car and then picked up Sophie from work. We had a quick swim at the gym before it was closed as some little darling had been sick - I was so glad we were on the point of getting out just as it happened!
We barbecued in the evening but there was no way I was going to sit out and enjoy the evening! It was bloomin' cold so I left Keith to it while I sorted out the chicken in the oven and the new potatoes...the forecast has certainly been wrong today!
Keith and I went shopping first thing this morning and while he went off with the trolley, I sat in Costa Coffee and enjoyed a Latte and some biscuits...I only annoy him by wandering off with the trolley so it was best I kept out of the way!
After I'd dropped Sophie off at work I came home and did my walk. Today has been much cooler with a lot of cloud - certainly not the wall-to-wall sunshine that was forecast! I enjoyed my walk, came home and washed the car and then picked up Sophie from work. We had a quick swim at the gym before it was closed as some little darling had been sick - I was so glad we were on the point of getting out just as it happened!
We barbecued in the evening but there was no way I was going to sit out and enjoy the evening! It was bloomin' cold so I left Keith to it while I sorted out the chicken in the oven and the new potatoes...the forecast has certainly been wrong today!
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