This morning I've been blessed.

I've had two different video links sent to me that have really been inspirational.

Hope you enjoy them too!

The first link is for songwriter, Robert Sanders, singing his original composition "Be Kind"...says it all really. Worth a listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFY1ZjWCVQM

The second link came to me via a woman on a website I belong to. She has the most amazing friend who is very near to death. He has authored a book and has such a rich approach to gratefulness that you will find in anyone.

Chris' book is called THE GRATEFUL ROAD and the link for his video can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/user/gratefulroad

Some days there really is a blessing. Hope you feel blessed by viewing the links too.

Nana's brag!

Last week we had the family around for a hot dog tea and I caught our two youngest grandkids as they played with the magnets on nana's fridge.

Aren't they cute?

Iona-Mae (4 yrs.) & Nathaniel (almost 18 months)

YOU GOTTA LOVE 'EM

It's Festival time here in Prescot where we live. One of the evening events has been a showing of the film "Sound of Music" where people attending were invited to wear fancy dress and sing along with lyrics posted at the bottom of the screen.

It was a great success as evidenced by the photos accompanying this post. There were a few minor hiccups (including a power cut) but this was soon resolved by renting a gas generator thankfully.

If you'd like to take a peek and see what has been scheduled for the Festival, check out the link I've posted. If you follow the links provided on that page you'll be able to read about other projects/events past and present too.

www.artsinprescot.org.uk

I thought for fun I'd publish a couple of photos of our son (the bearded nun...lol) and others who joined in for the evening. Dave (our son) is responsible for the website and shares with the Director (and committee members) the admin for this annual event. It's a lot of work and they thrive on it.

Well....that's all folks, for now. Enjoy :)

Anybody know a good cure for sciatica? Yuk! I am keeping up with my Activity for Life and I'm enjoying it, despite the bad back. I am a little mystified with all the machines and the instructor was really put to the test keeping a straight face when I was wheeling backwards on one of the machines (and I didn't know either....just kept telling her it was sure hard peddling!...lol). It's been easier since I've been peddling forward!

So I've been to aquasize and the various machines have been used, been to some gentle aerobics in the gym and tomorrow I get to try tai-chi. I'm very curious about that so I'll see if I'm balanced and co-ordinated enough for that.

Have you ever noticed in a class situation (where there is a mirror for observing yours and others' movements) at how inept men are with co-ordination. Really was quite entertaining. Many of the exercises involved foot/leg moves and arms all at the same time....I'll just say it was a hoot to see in the mirror a gaggle of struggling, unco-ordinated men oblivious to it all! On the other hand I mustn't get too cocky about it....bet they were thinking the same about me on those darn machines! (lol)

I'm struggling with the healthy eating still....someone send me some healthy eating vibes.....quick!

Our daughter and her family are preparing a house move nearer to her hubby's work so it's full steam ahead packing up "tons" of toys and other household stuff. With the family now at 4 children it is so necessary to have a 4 bedroom house...so they're Manchester bound in about 3 weeks' time, if all goes according to their schedule.

I did make one revealing discovery tonight. We decided on takeaway tonight and hubby asked for KFC. We used to eat it quite a lot but with my healthy eating plan we've been avoiding that kind of fatty food. Anyhow I got some tonight and I have to say.....I didn't enjoy it! So I guess something has stuck with me through my change of diet. (smiles broadly)

Onwards and upwards....

Well....here's an interesting little test....courtesy of another blogger-friend's site. I got a score of 58...so just average (no surprises there then!).....

http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/index.php

How do you fare as a 30's wife then???

Enjoy !

And finally.....I am on a bit of a roll today it seems! (lol)

You may remember I posted a couple of weeks ago about my first Paypal purchase and it has now made its way across the big wide Atlantic ocean, all packaged up very prettily too. Andrea enclosed a lovely lavender bag with her package...a happy surprise! I love lavender.

It now has a special place in my jug display on our dining room wall. I think it looks quite at home there....hope you agree?

I'd certainly recommend Andrea and her website for anyone who enjoys vintage and collectables. www.fadedplains.com

I thought a bit of "prettiness" would look just perfect today.

I took the photos of the flowers in our living room recently. I bought these roses and lillies at our local supermarket and they made a very handsome display. Couldn't resist capturing their image as a reminder of the wonder and beauty that is all around.

The bottom photo is a sunset I took from our kitchen window, just as it was setting towards Liverpool. It was a beautiful sight to behold as the sky continued to explode in pretty shades of oranges and golds...of course fading into darkness a bit at a time.

Happy Sunday!
This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is what I found in my kitchen cupboard when the grandchildren had recently been for a visit. It did make me laugh. They'd been playing with the cars and other toys and I guess for some reason only a child would understand they (well I reckon it would be the youngest grandson, Nathaniel) thought the mixing bowls would make a safe repository.

Kids...don't they make life fun!

This photo was taken in my daughter's front garden about a month ago. I am rather fond of it and thought I'd publish it here on my blog...just so it's an update on the photos of yesterday (of my graduation 42 years ago). My goodness time certainly does move on.

We are having some lovely days recently. The weather remains pleasantly warm, although I sense we may be getting some rain in the not too distant days. There are a few clouds coming in this afternoon and I am sure I felt a very few raindrops as I came back to my car this morning at the local supermarket...none falling at the moment though!

I went this morning for an introduction session for "Activity for Life" and heard about the various sessions offered to us and also had opportunity to hear and talk to others who were just finishing the 12-week session. They were all presented with certificates and spoke glowingly of their various improvements and accomplishments with health and mobility. I am very much looking forward to my sessions which will begin in just over a week's time. I can attend 3 or more sessions weekly and it's all free...provided by the NHS (the NHS does take some stick for what they fall down on, but I can't fault them for this particular offering, nor for the Weight Management classes which I've been attending).

Well, guess that wraps it up for today.

I realized this morning as I looked up the date, there is special significance to the date of 10th June! It came as quite a shock.....the photos (above) were taken 41 years ago on this date and are a stark reminder....time marches on!

On 10th June 1966 I graduated from High School (Templeton Secondary School in Vancouver, B.C., Canada). I wonder where all those class members are now? I've moved across an ocean and have contact only with two class members now.

So, for old time's sake....here's to those high school memories all those years ago.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oops! I think I need to go back to school.....more of the 3 R's!!! My maths is suffering and I've been told by a very reliable source (thanks Ann...lol) that it is 42 years since we graduated. The old brain just ain't what it used to be!

I've ordered it!!!....the jug I pictured a couple of days ago. I love it...hubby says it's hideous! Oh well..it will look very pretty in my small jug collection and I'm chuffed to bits. It is coming from the USA so it will be awhile until I receive it....don't they say...good things are worth waiting for? (lol)

I've had some fun last night and early this morning following links to various vintage/collector's web sites. This morning I came across a most delightful object that I can imagine being a part of my "jug" collection. What do you think? Should I make enquiries about international shipping or just keep the page bookmarked and gloat? (lol)

Here's the link to the jug.....it's so very pretty!

http://www.fadedplains.com/category_12/The-French-Cupboard.htm