Playing Catch Up

I have had sooooo much to do this week. Running around like a blue a**ed fly - or should that be buzzing? Working until 7 pm at night tieing up all loose ends, leaving work in as good a place as I can. Trying to do all the little things I have been trying to do for an age. The reason for this is that from Monday I will be unable to drive for 4 weeks as I have a hysterectomy, eeeekkkkk. No driving - how do you deal with that when you have been driving 30 years!!??

Sat here in the study, tapping on my keys, having spent a wonderful day with my best friend, I'm thinking, okay, now I have to think about me! I'm not worried, but I keep having panic attacks - is that the sort of thing you write here? Do you share that you are having a hysterectomy? Oh well, not sure!

Yesterday, once I had finished work, I picked up this little ray of sunshine and spent a glorious sunny afternoon at the park, relishing in the fact that I can pick him up, hug him tight and swing him around! ;-) Making the most of him. He cried for the first time when I took him out of the swing....

This afternoon I had a trip to Ramsbottom with my best friend. Ramsbottom is a small market town with a thriving shopping area full of bespoke shops, boutiques and deli's. Perfect for taking my mind off things. We had a tapas lunch in Levanter  & chatted ALL afternoon which is how we roll. I ask myself now - why do I never take photographs - Levanter has a photo worthy interior!

We visited the lovely Joanna at Earth Mother Soul Sister  which has the most wonderful interior and is so inspiring as they develop and sell their own brand of organic lifestyle products. I  follow Joanna on Instagram so it was great to meet her at last!

Did I treat myself? Hell yeah! I bought an Incense & Wood soya wax candle, a lip balm and also a natural deodorant - something I've wanted to try for a while - I'll let you know how effective it is. Joanna also gave me a number of John Masters organic shampoo, conditioner and hair thickener which have gorgeous scents and I'm looking forward to trying!

I am spending the weekend away with friends - hopefully I will have no time to think about Monday! ;-)

I am surrounded by people who love and care about me, I am fitter, stronger, healthier than I ever have been in my life, I know I will be looked after :-)

Many many thanks for reading today.
Have a wonderful weekend.
XX

House Full Of Flowers

A pretty floral post to start the weekend!
A couple of weeks ago I returned home from work to flowers dotted about the place.
They have been brightening my day ever since and are still (mostly) blooming.
(Thankyou Mr.L X)

Not flowers I know, these two small cactus were favours from a friends wedding.
On instagram I posted the ice cream's my daughter and I were enjoying and someone said the pots would look cute with cactus in them - so I fished them out of the bin and voila!
I love instagram for that!

Wishing you a happy happy weekend!
Lets hope the sun keeps shining!
XX

#Selfies!

The internet is awash with selfies - 

Loads of people take them, especially users of social networks.

& me....& probably you!

The last week or so Cancer Research has benefited hugely from the campaign #nomakeupselfie - simple to do, take a pic of yourself, post to your social network, using the hashtag & text the word 'BEAT' to 70099 - over 8 million pounds has been raised to fund lifesaving research - WOW!

Lots of people will #selfie without even thinking about it, reaction to it not crossing minds, potential comments it may bring not considered, but for young people a #selfie can be a really big deal. 

Young people will spend ages perfecting their selfie, right lighting, positioning of body, face, choosing the way they want to portray themselves. 

But then the angst sets in. Why has no-one liked it? Why hasn't suchabody commented?Should I delete it - it's been on 10 minutes now and not one like? Why has suchabody liked it? Weird!!!

Everyone hates me, I must be ugly......a detrimental comment can plummet self esteem, just as lots of likes and "you're looking gorgeous" can make a heart sing. 

We spend so much time boosting our children, telling them how wonderful they are, building their confidence, guiding them and helping them to deal with the sh*t that life throws at them, then they throw it all open to people who have no place or meaning in their lives.

I wonder how I would have coped in this world of networking and the access that the internet provides as a teenager? I fear not well....

Take a listen to this song - 

#SELFIE by The Chainsmokers - food for thought!
It will have you dancing too!

Hard for some young people nowadays.
How do you make your children resilient?
XX

Hello!

Good Morning!  I do hope you  had the kind of Christmas you wished for?

I have had a wonderful time, my family together is the best gift I could ask for. 

We have walked, talked, shared, visited family and seen younger family member's get sooooo excited when the big man himself came to visit!! Played chess and Family Fortunes

 and best of all had no falling outs!

I am sitting here in pyjamas (& new wrist warmers!), cup of tea, candle lit, puppy snoring at my side, the house silent whilst everyone is deep in sleep. 

A comforting morning ritual which I have enjoyed and wonder if I could get up that 

little bit earlier after the holidays to enjoy this quiet? 

Read, write, think,  maybe do some Yoga?

Those who drop by regularly may notice some changes to the blog - thank you Mr.L!

I have enjoyed writing here more than I imagined I could. It has made me look with fresh eyes at my surroundings, capture moments which can so easily be lost, treasure the simple things & actually slow down, which may surprise you - but writing re-energises me, makes me feel good.

I am so grateful that people drop by and especially leave comments. 

Recently I wrote my 100th post and had my 5,000th visitor - 

couldn't imagine this in my wildest dreams! 

Teeny tiny I know compared to so many fabulous blogs out there, but it's mine! 

Thankyou! XX

I have a lovely new header photograph, my instagram linked - please hop over & take a look 

(the pics aren't as good quality as I would like but they are all taken with my phone - I am patiently waiting for my current contract to end), subscriber and search bars and Google Plus.

 I shall also be updating my favourite blogs, in order of most recently updated.

Most popular posts are also displayed -

 is it any surprise that "I got nailed in Sweden"  is most popular????

 Hmmmm - wonder why???

I will be back later today with my '52 Weeks of Happy'.

I can hear the house coming to life - & I need to think about what to cook for my 

Mama & Papa later today!

Bye for now - I leave you with this lovely link from 1972 - just look at that hair :-)

http://www.channel4.com/news/so-whats-christmas-all-about-how-we-did-it-back-then

XX