Summer Laziness

Hi, It's been a while but I'm still around, busy enjoying our summer break. Five and a half weeks off work- the advantage of working in a school- I know that should have given me more time to blog but in my world it gives me more time to do so many other things I haven't had time for it!

So, what's been happening?

Two weeks visiting family- we do this every summer- it's hard not seeing them for months on end so we try and make the most of invading their houses and spending time with them all...

Then a week and a half of high stress waiting to find out if Tom had got the grades to get into University- he did!- and also to see a Skin specialist to find out if I had skin cancer- I don't- the specialist said it was a skin coloured viral wart in an unusual place probably because it was where my sunglasses rest on my nose!!!! Anyway that was a relief and she froze the thing off so it looks better too. Still my lot are all taking using suncream more seriously now so hopefully they will never get skin cancer...

As part of looking after myself more I also started doing more exercise. I like doing DVD's at home as it's so much more convenient and cheaper than going to a gym. My asthma is playing up so doing aerobics is too much, so I've started doing pilates. Although it's really hard I actually enjoy it, it's good to feel strong and actually feel your muscles... it makes me feel good.

For the last week I have been able to relax more, Kieran got his GCSE's today, he was so laid back we had to beg and nag him to even get his results- they were really good even though he didn't exactly over do the revision for them!

I'm also making a new quilt topper- I saw two gorgeous polka dot fabrics in a shop last week and just decided to make it with just these, so that pattern is a simple checkerboard design, its working out quite well- pictures to follow soon...

I've been doing a lot of crochet- amigurumi and hats so far- again pictures to follow. I also just decided to do a crochet along with Inner Hooker on Facebook- ( see also http://oxfordfam.blogspot.com/2011/08/crochet-along.html ). I love making granny blankets but think it will be even better to do it to meet targets- so often I start something and then after a little while it gets put away while I do something else...

.....that's just the way I am I suppose....

So until next time
Gillian

What made me "me"

Have you ever wondered why you are like you are? Or why something has happened to you? Psychologists discuss nature versus nurture, but I would take it a bit further and say that I think that everything that has ever happened to me has made me what I am and who I am. I am a product of my environment and my history. Every experience I have ever had has contributed to making me "me", whether good, bad or even  non-memorable.


At times since we got married things have gone against us. (I don't want to detail them here as I don't want to dwell on negatives).  But every time something good has come out of it. Every decision, whether welcomed or not, has contributed to placing me here, where I am now. I sometimes think that it is all part of my destiny, but then that would take away my responsibility for my actions, so perhaps not.


I have to live the life in front of me, making the best of my opportunities, working through the difficult times. I have heard people sat that if you didn't experience bad times you wouldn't appreciate the good. Maybe, maybe not...

Len and Elsie's Wedding Day

The photos today are of my paternal grandparents Len and Elsie Dawson. They were very special people. The sort of people no-one had a bad word for.

My nanny and grandad  (Len and Elsie)

I hope people will think of me like that one day...


Until next time
Gillian

Five things about me

Here's a few things not many people know about me:-

Me!

1. When I was very little, I apparently used to throw myself down the stairs. My mum says I used to giggle as I hit the two doors at the bottom before I got up unharmed. She, I suppose, found it a lot less funny. Perhaps that was a factor in them moving to a bungalow when I was four! 

2. I have never had a pet. I have never even wanted a pet.

3. I started living with my husband four days after we got together. That was almost 23 years ago. Sometimes you just know its right!

4. I don't own any shoes; only walking boots, trainers, snow boots and  heeled boots. I don't like wearing shoes.

5. I have to read every night before I try to go to sleep or I cannot get to sleep no matter how tired I am. It is my bedtime ritual.

Until next time. Take care.

Gillian