More bits and pieces

There have been moments in the past 3 days when I have actively considered starting to build an Ark. We had more rain in one day than usually falls in a month. And it has not stopped. (Well, to be accurate, it is not actually raining this precise moment, but 5 mins ago was a different story!)

I had a great birthday, and our breakfast with the babes was followed by lunch with my friends. Pete and Glynis had asked my closest friends to lunch, and it was such good fun! And lovely to have time to chat to everyone and catch up. So I was thoroughly spoilt. And talking about being spoilt, my children have got together and have bought me a new camera! I haven't got it yet, but it should arrive this week. I was SO excited, as the old one is deader than dead. It is no more. It is an ex-camera. And I miss having it at hand all the time, so I was so thrilled to hear I will soon be snapping again. Rest assured, you will all be seeing the results.

I had a stream of lovely calls from friends and family too, so it was a good day. Very good.

Today I was up early and decided to get the calls to the Coroner and hospitals out of the way, and the only news I have is that the file has finally gone to the Coroner for review, and if he is satisfied that enough information is there, he will set a date. Probably not before September. But I will be so glad when I get a date sorted. This is the sort of thing it is easier to do during breaks from school. It took all morning, and my head was exploding afterwards. I need to sort lawyers for the inquest too. It is almost a year since Geoff died. Just days really.

So - I have been able to cross a couple of things off the list. The tennis is on in Paris, so that is good to watch. On TV. You do not want to hear about embroidery machines and overlockers and taking mother shopping. I have been given brussels and purple sprouting brocoli for the allotment, and will go and plant them as soon as there is a break in the rain. I am a fair weather gardener! Tomato plants are also here, but will be planted in my garden I think. You cannot see my kitchen at the moment. All my plants for the baskets, tubs and allotment are all over the place. Pending. It will get done!

I love holidays and a little more time to relax, and do the things I need to do. And, hopefully, a couple I really want to do too.

Birthdays

It is indeed my birthday today, as Diana announced in the comments yesterday. Thank you for all the good wishes. This time last year, while I had been blogging for a while, I didn't have any blogger friends, and now, I can't imagine not being part of a world which has immeasurably added to my life. Thank you, everyone!

It is raining. Torrentially. The shed roof was done at just the right time! I have just been to have breakfast with the babes. The twins and I share a birthday, and they are 4 today. I remember the day they were born so well...... I looked after Bekah for the day, and now I say we are triplets. 4+4+53=61/3=20.333 etc. So we are all 20 today. She says, grinning. At least I will always know where a party is being held on my birthday! Breakfast was a party too. Coco-pops and croissants. And lots of laughter and noise. And Mr Potatoehead and mermaids and Barbie dolls and helicopters. And coffee. Who could ask for a better start to the day?

Part of the crossed off List

As requested, here are some of the things I have managed to cross off my list:

Weekend in Paris

Flight in a hot air balloon (the landing was a trifle bumpy!)

Been to Wimbeldon to watch the tennis

To Windsor to see a polo match (and the Queen)

To Twickenham for a rugby international

Walked down an Alp (quite a few actually)

Watched my son get married to a wonderful girl

Seen my son and daughter graduate from University

Been on a gondola in Venice

Seen the tulip fields in Holland

Heard the Vienna Boys Choir in Vienna

Read all the Thomas Hardy books (not that wonderful)

Seen Cirque du Soleil

Dug up an allotment

Flown to Scotland for the day to surprise a friend

Watched a wedding in the church from the Sound of Music

Fallen in love

Taught myself to play the guitar

Sung in the Messiah (and a lot of other things)

Built a dollshouse (a small one.... the large one is waiting for oh, maybe retirement)

Learnt how to use carpentry tools

Learnt how to make myself understood in German

Started a book club

Had my hair highlighted

Walked in a bluebell wood

Been to every cathedral in the UK

Explored Stratford-upon-Avon

Driven across Europe

Been to Covent Garden to see a ballet

Been to an opera at the Paris opera house

Planted a garden

Knitted (and worn) something

Emigrated

Built a study myself

Re-roofed a shed

Been on a rollercoaster (you can do a complete circuit without breathing)

Had my portrait painted. (that was not my idea)

Zoomed down an Alp on trotti bike (scooter thingy)

Redecorated my house (repeatedly)

Been to lobby MPs at Parliament

Met Wilbur Smith

Played in the Church music group

Organised a bazaar

Been to most of Western Europe

Had a manicure

As I said, some are insignificant. There are more, but at least you can see some of them. I will be sure to let you know when the defrosting of the freezer is crossed out.

Today, my son turned 30. I am the mother of a 30 year old. Me. Good grief. He is a wonderful man, and I love him to bits, and am so proud of him. (But he will always be my little baby boy.) Happy Birthday, Andrew!

This photo was taken when he was about 3. A LONG time ago! The one above was taken at his wedding 4 years ago.

Holidays - Part 1

Well, I am home, and behind me as I speak, are my 2 sons and my daughter-in-law. Talking about blogs. My last post was actually WRITTEN IN AN INTERNET CAFE. Be impressed. I went into one for the very first time, and then the officious little man tapped me on the shoulder and said...3 minutes left, and I got into a flap and hit the publish button and then had to ask how to delete the history stuff etc etc etc. Oh well.... something new I have learnt. How to use a computer in an internet cafe. In Skegness. Where the wind is VERY VERY cold.

Spring Harvest is an annual Christian event, and there are 3 weeks available in 2 places in the UK, and we go to the Word Alive week, which has the student stream. There are seminars, talks, workshops, and main events, Christian rock bands, huge worship meetings with the most amazing music, and speakers. This year, Charles Price from Toronto did the main talks in the morning, and Jeff Lucas, who is based in Colorado, did some of the evening ones. He is one of the organisers. I met him and had a chat on the last night. 7 000 people all there to listen, learn and take part. And the bookshop. Sigh. I could have done with a lotto win, and a lorry, but had to make do with one or 2 great new books.

David turned 18 on Tuesday, and had to suffer the humiliation (to an 18 year old boy) of having the entire diningroom singing to him. He loves going to SH, and was with his friends, and having such a wonderful time. (My baby is 18. How did that happen???)

I spent a lot of time walking on the beach. I went to some things, but not to others. It was a strange time, in a way, as it was the first time I have stopped and done nothing since last summer, and of course, predictably, the waves rolled in, but I had some space to think.

Now we have a few days at home, before we go to Switzerland, and my boys are both home. The washing machine is on, and the house is a tip, but it doesn't matter. If I had stayed home, I would have worked. It is good to get away completely. And to be with my family.. And to walk on the beach a while.

My daughter's birthday

Tomorrow, my daughter will be 20mumble. That is how she put it, anyway. 26, if you are her mother and remember every minute of that morning in technicolour. With sound too. How can those years have flashed by so quickly? I am amazed when I look at the figures, and realise that I was her age when she was born. She is now exactly half my age. Or rather, I am double hers.

I remember going to see my obstetrician for a check up the day before, and although she was only due on the 23rd, he asked if I was ready to have my baby. Yes, I said, of course. Any day except tomorrow. It was going to be Friday 13th. You can guess what happened. Midnight. As soon as it was Friday 13th, I went into labour. Of course.

Now, you have to remember that Geoff was away when I had Andrew, so this was his first experience of childbirth. He was running about like a demented flea, and when we got to the hospital, he flew through the doors, and I waddled after him, "breathing". As I walked through the revolving doorway, I suddenly remembered every minute of Andrew's birth, so I kept going and headed out again, and was on the way back to the car when he came flying out to find me. "Where do you think you are going?" he yelled. "Home", I replied. "I have just remembered it all, and I have changed my mind". Yes, well. He had just come face to face with rational woman. In her prime.

My finest moment. Well, Geoff learned a lot about rational woman that morning. I was sick with every contraction, and in the end, just leaned over the bed and did what I had to do. Little men were scurrying about mopping. I refused to wear anything at all, to everyone's consternation, but you tried to reason with me at your peril. A woman in the final stages of labour? I don't think so. The Queen could have entered the room, and I would not have changed my mind. And in the end, I remember whining (loudly) that they should just slit me open then and there, forget the anaesthetic, and GET THAT BABY OUT. As I said.... I was a star. Restrained and dignified. Serene, even. Everyone ignored me, and she arrived the way nature intended. Perfect, of course. And worth every second of it.

So, my daughter was born. 20mumble years ago. She trailed after her big brother, dragging her beloved blanket with her, refused to wear dresses, (I told her her one dress was a long sweatshirt) ,climbed trees, loved care bears, and looked just like Annie, with her long red ringlets. She nearly drowned when she leapt into the deep end of the pool when she was 3, but learnt to swim like a fish soon after.

She made friends easily, loved school, worked hard, was a star when her little brother was born 8 years later, and she has a grin that lights up the world. She has travelled that world, in her Gap year, gone to London to university, and has worked for the church here in the UK, and now in New Zealand. She has built a wonderful life in a place where she knew no-one initially. She has listened when God has revealed His plans to her, and has gone where He needed her to go. She is living the life He always intended her to lead, and as her Mum, I sit here and watch, and cheer her on as well as I can. I am in awe of her strength and her faith.

When you meet my daughter, you can't help but smile. She is unique, very special, and quite obviously, the best daughter in the world. Mine. She loves her brothers (now - that wasn't always the case! Contrary to public opinion, they were never little angels), and they are all very close, which is yet another reason to smile. Just don't let them play Risk. Ever. She has been the most amazing support to me, and to all the family as we have clawed our way through the harsh times, both with my Dad 7 years ago and then with her Dad 7 months ago. She brings a vibrancy and energy with her, and nothing is quiet when she is around.

As a geographer, she has climbed glaciers, been up a volcano, seen bubbling mud, and felt an earthquake. She has had her dissertation on Climate Change published, and now she is the Pied Piper to a community of children who adore her. She is artistic and intelligent, full of laughter and life, and yet has a hidden side which is quiet and introspective, reflective. She is only 20mumble, and yet she has crammed so much into those years. Heaven knows what comes next! I miss her. We all do. Thank heavens for technological advances. And finally, we know now that we are going to fly out to spend a holiday with her later this year. All of us. Her brothers, sister-in-law, and her Mum. I am not sure whether New Zealand is ready for the mass invasion.

Please note that I have edited out all lapses and irritations. I am her mother. It is allowed. She is as human as we all are. It is her birthday. Those can wait for another day!

I am, simply, so proud of my daughter. So, Happy Birthday, Diana! We love you loads and loads. MD.

End of May

Well, I was intrigued to note that the blogger website automatically updates your age on your birthday. A small thing, but a reminder that you can't escape time.

I had a great birthday, and was thoroughly spoilt by all, starting with my son and a cup of coffee at the crack of dawn. He then unloaded the dishwasher and stacked it without being asked, which was obviously the direct cause of torrential rain for the rest of the day. I had visitors and calls, and a super meal out with the Harpers in the evening. And there was the twins 3rd birthday party in the afternoon as well. Rocket balloons were a great hitA really special day. My friend Annette, had a super lunch for me the day before my birthday and it was lovely to see my friends, and catch up. Then there was Bekah's ballet display at the Castle, and that was perfect. The child is clearly destined to be a prima ballerina. She is 4. The house is full of flowers, and the scent is wonderful, and a reminder that summer should be nearly here. The fact that we all still have the heating on and that the weather continues to be diabolical is immaterial. In Engelberg today, they are having a blizzard, so we are lucky in comparison!

I started thinking about my 52nd year, and it was certainly eventful for my family, and my friends. Last June I broke my foot while redecorating the house, which meant a lot of changed plans for the summer. Then there were the floods in Engelberg, and all the trauma associated with that. It was great to have Diana home for most of the summer, and then she left for New Zealand in October. Andrew and Ann bought their house and all the rushing about moving them in. Mum turned 80 in November, and there were parties here and in Switzerland. I spent a week there to fetch Mum after her birthday. Peter resigned from his job at the Kloster at the New Year, and that was enormously stressful for everyone, but he was in an untenable situation there after so many years as head chef. The Boden became reality, and all the work involved in that and its successful launch in February. I should have been there to help. Geoff collapsed at work and had his heart op. Major stress all round. Mum developed medical problems. That was February. Hanna died in Switzerland. I developed trigeminal neuralgia. Cut down on the stress the doctor said. Spring Harvest came and went. Andrew and Ann took Mum to Switzerland, and I paid a surprise visit for a week to unwind at the end of April. David finishes his AS levels next week.

So many of us have had a traumatic year so far, and there is so much I have wanted to do to help and not been able to in so many cases. There are not enough hours in the day or days in the week, and wanting to make things better for everyone is something I battle to cope with. It is not all about me, after all. I just like being there when I am needed, and when circumstances or finances or ill health mean I can't it is immensely frustrating. I don't do "sick" or weak and feeble. There are so many great bits too. The babes are a constant delight. My friends are another. And my kids are wonderful. Of course. I am still optimistic, and the dreams are still intact. The sun is actually shining at the moment, and that is good. The prospect of Switzerland in the summer to try to help sort out the ravaged garden after the floods, and Marge's 50th and then a trip to see Diana are lovely. The year is speeding past and apart from needing a major lotto win, there is lots to be thankful for. It's all about the people in your life. Somebody........ well Andrew Gunn, actually, asked what I want to be remembered for, in a philosphical moment. My answer was to have made a difference. Yes. I want to have made a difference.