It's an honour!

Ladies and gentlemen, my heartfelt thanks go to Yorkshire Pudding for the inestimable honour he has bestowed upon my humble self, namely his Laughing Horse Blog Award. (Pause for hysterical laughter intermixed with sincere, emotional tears and much waving of arms.)
Mind you, my performance did lose its impact somewhat, happening, as it did, here in my living room with only Keith and Paddy as audience, so next time, I hope to be invited to whatever posh place in that there Yorkshire the ceremony occurs.
 I might even wear me tiara!
Diolch yn fawr iawn!

Suprise, surprise!

Today was the first for a while where the sky was bright with a hint of sunshine even and the ice and snow had completely disappeared. A good chance for a proper long walk with Paddy, I thought as I got up, but by the time I had got donwstairs, the ominous signs of a migraine were apparent.
I did drag myself out at midday for a short walk and then gave in and went off to bed for a couple of hours this afternoon.
The phone rang and I answered it groggily.
"Hi Mum," said Kathy, "Just wanted to tell you, Mark and I got married this morning."
To be fair, the idea had been mooted recently, as they had been considering it for various reasons but I hadn't expected it to be quite so soon. Still, it's their choice and I'm fine with that and wish them every happiness.
And  let's face it, it's good to hear of a happy event at the end of what has been quite a traumatic year for the family. Here's hoping it paves the way for a much better year ahead.
Meanwhile, a Happy New Year to everyone visiting here.

A Mother's Story: The first Christmas

A Mother's Story: The first Christmas

Locksmith required - for a plane

The phone range just as I was about to get some lunch ready. I went back into the living room.
"Have you got a job?" I asked.
"Yes," said Keith, "Someone wants me to open a plane at Harwarden," he added casually, "a Piper."
And he was off. like a small boy whose Christmasses have all come at once.
He loves planes. A few  hours later, he came back, like a small boy whose Christmasses have all come at once...

Ice and snow

"Cold out here, innit?"

And what is it doing now? Back to the wet, soggy, boring rain!!

Don't you just hate it when...

...you get home, click onto your blog, only to find that it's gone decidedly weird? The only thing I can think is that the author of the template was hosting the pictures for it with Photobucket and has run into problems with his/her account. So it's back to good old Blogger templates for the time being.
Christmas at Kathy's was lovely - peaceful, lazy, lots of excellent food and wine (and very nice whisky for Keith) and lots of fuss, cuddles and strokes for Paddy.
Today we have come back home while Kathy goes on further travels.
The snow is gradually disappearing but our road and pavement are like the proverbial ice-rink.
Oh and my mystery present?
A Sony ebook reader! I'll have great fun with that. Can't wait to start downloading ebooks.

My 'green' present

Keith is not one for detailed  Christmas preparations. Left to him, not one card would be bought, written or sent and certainly no-one would get any presents.

So I was pleasantly surprised when my gaze was directed towards a late addition to the pile of presents in the living room with the information that it was for me.

Not only that, but, as you can see, he took great care to wrap it with easily recyclable wrapping paper. None of this glittery, shiny, non-recyclable stuff that the rest of us use, oh no. I shall look forward to unwrapping it on Christmas morning.

I'll let you know the outcome... :)