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14.02.65 - 18.07.09
~ never forget ~
"who knows if the moon's
a balloon, coming out of a keen city
in the sky - filled with pretty people?"
E. E. Cummings
Today is the five year anniversary of my dad passing away, and these are his roses. His rose bush blooms beautiful pale to vibrant peaches, yellows, oranges and pinks every year, a beautiful reminder.
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Hello dear readers, how are you doing? Summer has well and truly begun and I've been enjoying the sunshine and hearing the birds chirping from the early hours. Rufus isn't enjoying either, but he's still his funny adorable self and makes me smile a lot. It's been a busy few weeks and we had a lovely surprise break when we spent almost two whole weeks on the Wirral, enjoying Mark's birthday and time out from work. We went to see Maleficent on Wednesday with my sister Willow and my niece Caitlin, it wasn't what I expected but I'd still recommend a watch! Here's a few of the little things I've been enjoying lately...
1. This jellyfish installation in Toxteth was overwhelmingly beautiful, it was
so soothing and calming, and slightly haunting. It was in total contrast with the
area of Toxteth, where we didn't feel safe at all. A full post with artist details
and where exactly the jellyfish are located is coming up in the week.
2. The 27th was Mark's birthday, hip hip hooray! We had the loveliest day after
a soggy start which ruined our Chester Zoo plans. We spent the day playing ten
pin bowling, air hockey, shooting basketballs and Mark trying to teach me how to
play pool. I won 2/3 games of bowling but lost miserably at pool!
3. I received my lovely package of stationery from The Idea Owl this week, a
full post including the lovely things I ordered will be up soon :)
4. I took part in Lauren's (The Emerald Dove) postcard swap! It was so nice
to receive a good old fashioned handwritten postcard this week, with a lovely
picture of Somerset on too. Such a fantastic idea!
5. Last but not least, today was the Summer Fayre at my little sister (Indigo) &
nephew McKenzie's school. Lots of fun was had, choosing plates of cakes, Kenzie
scoring goals in the shootout and winning lots on the tombola, (including a can
of corned beef, yes really!).
What have you been doing lately? Are you enjoying the Summer? :)
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"This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realisation, it's the sound
of the unlocking and the lift away... Your love will be, safe with me"
This is my dad and I one month before he passed away, in 2009. The photo is tinged with sadness, you can see my dad's stoma which he was left with after a tracheostomy which was supposed to save his life being taken from laryngeal cancer. My dad was very poorly, and the thought of what he went through still and always will make me extremely sad. That's the reality of cancer, which is something so many people are afraid to talk about. It's so difficult to understand until you experience the effects of it, or someone close to you does. I had never heard of laryngeal cancer, but I'm all too familiar with the symptoms now.
On the other hand, the photo makes me happy. It's one of the last handful of times we all went out as a family, with our friends to a lovely local park. We had a bit of a picnic, we played in the park and we enjoyed time together. My dad took photos, and appeared in them too. Being the photographer, it's often the case that there might not be a photo of my dad from an event where only he took photos. This has made me more snap happy, and I would encourage everyone to take photos of every happy moment!
My dad was a get up and do things kind of guy, get out there and live life to the full. If he had his camera with him (as he often did) and he saw a bird he'd been tracking down, he'd stop the car and stand by the road to capture it. No matter if it held him up, he always made time for the little things, and for everyone. Through the hazy sadness, I search for these memories and I'm happy. I'm happy to have known such a wonderful man, and so privileged and happy that he was my dad.
So here's to my dad, I love you.
To all those other dads that were taken too soon, to those dads you're still making memories with and to those dads we miss - you're the best. Appreciate those you love, and make time for the little things.
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A couple of weeks ago Mark & I, mumma bear, Willow, Zenobia, Kayleigh and Indigo all went to the seaside (Ingoldmells) for the day. The twins (Phoebe & Phoenix) were on holiday at the seaside with our lovely friend Bronwen, so we all met up and spent a wonderful day together. It involved sunshine, rollercoasters, dodgems, slushies, hot cafe food, buying rock, the market, arcade machines, sand in our shoes, walking along the sea, building sandcastles and seeing the amazingly beautiful moon on the journey home. Oh, and of course a delightfully tacky seaside portrait where we didn't realise the photo was being taken!
All photos were taken with my 36mm film lomography camera & some are double exposed.
Where is your local seaside? I always miss the sea when I get home!
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Hello everyone! How are you all doing? Here I am trying to get a bit of normality and routine going on again with my little blog, with a Little Five Friday catching up with what's been happening the last few weeks. Aside from what's here, we also made a little trip back to the Wirral for Mark's mum, Sandra's birthday. It was so nice to see Sandra, Mark's brother Craig, and nana Mary again. We won't be going again until later this month, we're definitely missing the Wirral! I've been struck down with various illnesses (a change of location didn't help!) and my costochondritis has flared up again at the moment. I've done lots of studying whilst enjoying a PJ day today though, so there are upsides!
1. When we first arrived here I went to see my best friend Leah in Eloquent's
Rainbow dance show, the school she teaches at. She was amazing like every time
I see her dance! So proud, it's less than 6 months since she gave birth to Belle!
2. I had my very first Etsy sale! I finally set up my Etsy shop, shhboutique.
It's not finished, but I have a few things for sale and I can't wait to add
more once I'm all caught up with studying and assignments.
3. Need I say more? Seeing his furry little face looking up at me just makes
everything okay. He's playful and at the moment he loves banana and carrot.
4. Mark & I with a few of our family members went on a daytrip to the seaside!
We couldn't have asked for better weather, and it was lovely being by the sea.
Indigo definitely enjoyed it, I'll do a full post with some photos next week.
5. Easter Sunday I spent four hours in work, and did my first locking up of
the shop! I then had a delicious roast dinner with three different meats (mmm
gammon!) with all of my family, it was lovely to see them all in one place.
6. Did you see my Santoro London post? The lovely Rebekah sent me out some of
the prettiest stationery I've seen, I can't wait to add more to my collection!
7. This week Mark & I went to Drayton Manor, Mark's first time! We did end up
having quite a nice day, but there were downsides too. I'll write a full post
on this once I pick up my photos when they're developed.
Have you done anything exciting/different this Easter? One of my favourite things in the world is spending time with my family and friends. It's lovely being able to do that so easily now we've moved!
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Hello again wonderful readers, I haven't half missed blogging and catching up with you all lately. It's been a hectic time, Mark and I made the big move on Sunday. It's taking some adjusting and some settling in, but I think we're getting there. Mark started his new job as a postman yesterday, and I've got myself a little job in the local paper shop to get us by for now. My next OU course started last weekend too, so I've got lots of organising and studying to do! Next job on the list... clearing out my old wardrobe here ready for my mountain of clothes!
1. We went to Knowsley safari park and it was amazing! I couldn't recommend
it enough, and will be doing a post with all the photos soon.
2. I started watching the BBC series Hair, and I'm loving it! I didn't know
what it was about when I saw the adverts, but now I'm totally hooked. Have you
been watching? Who's your favourite?
3. It was my first Mother's Day as Rufus's momma and he (Mark!!) spoilt me!
They got me a beautiful big bunch of daffodils and this pretty card. Which
Rufus promptly nibbled on for me!
4. Last week I met Sam of All I Know Now for some shopping in Liverpool. There
was definitely cake involved! It was so lovely to meet Sam and to put a face to the
name (so to speak!). It was the first time I've ever met a blogger, I was nervous
but I had a fab day and hope to see Sam again! Check out her blog post here.
5. Saturday just gone was my last day at work. It was sad to know I wouldn't be
working there again, with the lovely people I work with. I was very spoilt with
cards, chocolates, vouchers and more - I'm so lucky to have met & worked with
such wonderful people and I'm going to miss them all!! Even the customers!!
6. Sunday was of course moving day. Fitting everything in the car was a task,
and we've still left things behind. I left most of my clothes as we're visiting
soon, so we'll bring more then! Unpacking was worse than packing!! Finding
space for all of our things hasn't been easy, but it's slowly getting there.
Please bear with me whilst I'm catching up, things will get back to normal soon :)
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Good morning! I've got some lovely snaps to share with you this week, and a gorgeous Post of the Week too. Last weekend with my family was perfect. We arrived late Saturday night, and got up at 6.30am to go to a car boot sale with my mumma, and our family friends Lynn & Maxine. There were many treasures to be had, and our new space is looking very homely indeed now. We spent the rest of the day wandering in the woods with my younger siblings, before the Liverpool game and a delicious Chinese with all of my family. I'd like to say here, that mumma bear is on Day 12 of no smoking - she's doing amazingly, well done mumma!
1. A sneaky peek at our new room at my mum's! I can't wait to share it with
you all once it's totally finished. It's coming together!
2. Phoebe and Indigo climbing this lovely big tree. After a short time in a
rather boring, very muddy playground, we went for a walk around the woods at
Burbage Common. We discovered a little den, and had a lovely time exploring!
3. I received the most beautiful double sided gift wrap from Nicola over at
The Chalk Lion. It's such good quality and so pretty!! Nicola is a lovely
lady too, look at her gorgeous designs on Etsy.
4. I've been enjoying my last few weeks at work before the big move. I finish
on the 5th April, scary! I really do love my job, so I'm quite sad to leave.
5. This week's post of the week goes to the very beautiful Emma at Highland
Fling. Every time I see one of Emma's posts, she makes me want to be more
lithe and ladylike. This post is probably my favourite ever, with Emma seen
wandering in the woods, pretty curls blowing in the wind.
What was your favourite thing about this week?
Don't forget to enter my giveaway with Karys to win a foxy print!
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Hello again, is it Friday already?! Actually it's nearly Saturday, it's a late one this week. It's been a busy week that seems to have flown by, with visiting family and friends Wednesday and Thursday and picking up things we need in preparation for the big move at the beginning of April. I loved seeing my friends this week, and having cuddles with Belle. I can't wait to be able to see everyone more when I live in the same area again! One lady both of us are going to miss a lot is Mark's nana, we had our dinner with her this evening and I know she'll miss our visits just as much as we will. We'll be doing things the opposite way around - visiting Mark's family instead of mine! Here are some of my favourite things from this week...
1. We had the loveliest lazy Sunday, we lazed around and watched Beetlejuice
(Mark's first time!) and I ended the day in a bath filled with bubbles - perfect!
2. I joined The Little Deer's Blogger Programme and they sent me this sweet
little joining package. There's a pretty little something in that blue bag
which I'll be sharing with you in the week!
3. Zara Home is the place of dream cushions and pretty knobs - I'm not really
sure how I didn't know this! These gorgeous cushions were reduced to £2.99
from £19.99 each, what a bargain.
4. Upon visiting home, I was presented with these cute drawings by my little
sisters. I love little things like this, and have them all above my desk.
5. My post of the week this week is going to Steph, her Outfit: Coven post is
lovely. Not only does Steph look beautiful as always, but she's stepped out
of her comfort zone with elements of this look, and it's really paid off.
Which of your blog posts was your favourite this week?
I'll be catching up with everyone over the weekend, link me to your own post of the week!
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