Everyday Happiness

Simple pleasures

2012-02-12T05:59:00.000-08:00

This week has had many happy moments, starting with a lovely weekend in the New Forest with my hubby. We walked, talked, had many a hot chocolate and cake in Costas, had lovely meals out,(a superb Chinese, a lovely pub steak, and a Prezzo's) and relaxed. Lovely!! It was nice to explore a new area of this lovely country, and see just what is on our doorstep. To take the time to just be us, and have no distractions.

On return, I visited Ozzys pups, 10 little black soft bundles, what a clever pair of dogs. Its amazing that in such a short time a dog can produce 10 perfect little puppies.

Thursday morning was different, I went to do some post natal work, and we took a stroll into Newbury. On approaching the Robin hood roundabout, all hell was breaking loose, due to a young swan walking round the roundabout!! It made us smile, and the rest of the morning passed without event, but with cuddles of a beautiful baby boy.

Friday was a Bella day..and it had snowed. So, Nana and Bella made two snowmen in the garden, complete with hats and scarves. Huge fun ! I have to say little Bella is on really great form at the moment, greatly down to the fact that her mummy is happy and relaxed again. So big thumbs up to Tania and Jonny for that...not forgetting the lovely Shelley as well.All a mum wants is for her children to be happy, and it is hard when they are not.

This morning I paid a visit to Anna and Sams...always hilarious to visit them, their banter amuses me no end. My two beautiful grandchildren were on fine form, Evie showing her tip top reading skills, and Lucas smiling his head off as usual

And here is Evies picture that she drew for Philip Schofield, or 'cube man' as she calls him!!!!! Bless her heart.

So.all in all a good week, lets hope for another this week!!!!!!! xx

Recent high's!!!!

2012-01-31T05:35:00.000-08:00

Well, since I was here last, a few things have made me smile. Last Friday I was extremely honoured to be allowed into the Caesarean section of a client. Its not usual for a Doula to go in alongside the husband/partner, but this was a special situation, as my client and her husband are visually impaired, so I was their 'eyes'. It was amazing, I was able to see most of the procedure in a well positioned window reflection, and was overwhelmed when a tiny 10 week early baby boy was pulled into the world.
I was able to describe each step, and then describe the little man himself as he was being looked after by the paediatricians.
But the best bit was when he was brought to him mummy and daddy, and the two of them examined him in great detail with their fingers, counting each finger and toe ,tracing the shape of his tiny ears, nose and mouth, and delighting in what they found. Huge lump in my throat for that I can tell you!!
He continues to do incrdiby well, and is now off his Oxygen therapy and feeding well through his tube. Lovely stuff!

The week before that, I drove myself, Katy, Bella and Shelley up to Castleford to the wedding of Brummi and Mark. It was a wonderful day, relaxed, happy and fun, and they are the loveliest couple, I wish them all the happiness in the world

So, what else...aaah yes, had Lucas to stay for the day on Saturday. He was soooo delicious...bit naughty about sleeping, but his chocolate brown eyes make me melt. He laughed, had big cuddles with Uncle Joe and Grandad, and had a visit across the road, where he was lugged about by Abigail and Dominic, and loved it!! He was a bit of a pickle in the evening, didnt want to go to sleep, but eventually he dropped off on my lap, and so I sat there with him until he went home, all snuggled up, my precious boy

games from the past!!!

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Got one of these today...for a tenner, from the Community Furniture project in Newbury. So exciting, because it takes me back to my childhood, and the many happy hours spent playing it at my Nana's house, and at dear Aunty Ritas. We got very competitive back in those days, trying hard to get one of the shiny silver balls in the '150' pocket...no easy task I can tell you!!!! Anyway, Bella is hooked already and has the idea very quickly, so hopefully Evie will enjoy it too........no cables, no computers? We shall see

We played all sorts of games in those days, Pick up Sticks,Jack Straws, Mousie Mousie, Pit(very noisy), Monopoly for hours, French skipping, ordinary skipping, 'twosie balls' Hurry Scurry( a particular favourite at Aunty and Uncles house!) We roller skated down the road, hopscotch on the pavement.

Happy happy times, and not a computer to be seen.

Cant wait for a bagatelle tournament later!!!!

Family love

2012-01-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Just had a lovely dinner at Anna and Sams. Its such a treat for me to eat something that someone else has cooked...and it was delicious into the bargain. Lovely chicken stew, and wonderful chocolate fondants.Perfect.
Made only more perfect with play and cuddles with Evie and Lucas. Laying on the floor, playing princesses and castles with Evie. A quick game of 'Guess Who'' Watching Lucas bouncing in his door bouncer, and hearing him chatting away...in his own fashion!!! So lovely
We are so lucky to have such a lovely family, and its just amazing how it keeps expanding.
Love you all loads. Mum/Nana xxx

Well thats that then!!!

2011-12-29T05:44:00.000-08:00

So Christmas came and went, it was lovely, crazy, busy, noisy, carbo full. But I am glad its over. Yes I know...misery!!!! but its not that I dont enjoy it, its just the feeling of relief, that I got everyone reasonable presents, the food was ok, and that no-one got ill.
I was ready early for Christmas this year as I had two births booked, so I didnt get the mad last minute rush that I usually get, and then as it happens, one was cancelled, so I had some free time to enjoy the build up.

So as I speak, I am laying on Lucas's bean bag( very comfy), with him asleep in his chair, sucking noisily on his dummy, with Norah Jones singing to him to keep him ssleep....dont think he like it when his mummy isnt here!!! but how lucky am I?? Oh..and to cap it all..I spy a large box of choccies over there...............................

Scent of a woman(bitch)???!!!

2011-12-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

After a traumatic night...no sleep for me, as the muppet dog had run away, hours wandering the fields in the pitch black, looking for him, we have a phone call this morning from the lovely people at Dogs Trust in Hamstead Marshall, to say that Ozzy was in residence.
It had taken many phone calls, texts, networking messages etc, before we got to the happy reunion. A whole family from Thatcham, friends of Annas, drove over to help look for him.
I trod in a huge pile of his excrement, in my slippers, while standing in the garden whistling...delightful. Many drives round the local roads, calls to neighbours........no use.
Now, two weeks ago, young Ozzy had his first taste of 'pleasures of the flesh', with a young lady from down the road, Holly. Planned I hasten to add...he's not 'that' sort of dog!!( or maybe he is)
It took him two tries, to get it right, the first day was a disaster...he kept getting on the wrong end. Holly was not impressed. Anyway, the next two days were a success, so we wait with bated breath, to see if he managed to become a daddy! and so we thought that was that.

It appears not, as Ozzy decided to go wanderabout last night, and was gone all night...leaving us all worrying. Whether he got a taste for the wilder side of life I dont know, but all I can say is....whatever he got up to last night, has left him exhausted! He has hardly moved all day, is off his food, and looks sad/guilty!
Anyway.....naughty though he was, I love him, was devastated when he was missing, and was thrilled to get him back. I hope Holly has loads of lovely puppies, but Ozzy will be going very soon, to see our lovely vet, and coming home short of a couple of appendages, because my nerves cant take the strain!!!!

I'm Back!!!!!!

2011-11-20T16:18:00.000-08:00

Sorry folks, been very lazy about this for a while, just been busy, you know how it is?!!! Bit like the proverbial, in the photo. Anyway all is good, and this weekend I have ploughed on with the Christmas preperations.wrapped all the presents that I have already got, made the Christmas cake, and put 4 dozen mince pies in the freezer.
sickeningly organised? not really, I just know that December could be busy, as I have two births booked and I didnt want to leave too much to do.
I also caught up on my paper work, which was all behind, so, I feel content that I have got stuff done. Now have a busy week coming up, little miss Bella is having a sleepover tomorrow...lush morning cuddles for me on Tuesday. I have some postnatal work to do, and meetings with both birth clients. All good fun!!!!

And, at the moment,I should be asleep, as its quarter past midnight, but having gone to bed at ten, and tossed and turned for 90 minutes, I decided to get up and do something positive with the time. So the Blog gets it! Now shall retry the sleep thing. Night night all xx

A new life!!!

2011-11-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

first off, sorry!!!! havent been keeping up with my blog, been a bit under the weather, and then, yesterday, I got called to work at 4pm. My lovely client was in hospital waiting to be induced with her baby. Without going into all the details, it was a long, drawn out affair, very painful for mum, and worrying for dad, and after a night with no sleep, it was a huge relief when a beautiful perfect little girl made her way into the world with a lot of help.
The medical team, were without exception, kind, compassionate, and professional, so big up to maternity unit at Great Western Hospital.
The birth of a baby is always special, wonderful and miraculous, but to be there, with my lovely clients, supporting, learning, laughing and crying, is an honour.

Be happy, little girl and bring your lovely mummy and daddy huge joy. xx

Autumn beauty

2011-10-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I went for a lovely walk today, with a lady that I am working for. We walked around the playing fields at Marlborough college, in the autumn sunshine It was truly beautiful, still, warm and the trees were glorious. We walked for sometime, chatting, and enjoying the fresh air, then cut down through a footpath, and suddenly, we were both covered in ladybirds! there were dozens, on our clothes, in our hair and in the air. We laughed, and picked them off of each other, watching them fly away. I have only ever seen one or two ladybirds at a time together, so it was a first for me.Simple pleasures!!!!

A cop out!!!! sorry

2011-10-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

this makes me happy today. Feel ropey, but I know it will do the trick!!!

P.S will try harder tomorrow folks xx

Scones!

2011-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Now, I love cooking, as I have said before, but something I have never made successfully up until today, but, I had bought some clotted cream, and expensive jam, so thought I'd best give it a go again!. I decided to google 'scone recipes' and start at the top and keep trying till I made some half decent ones. So I did this one http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4622/classic-scones-with-jam-and-clotted-cream and Lo and Behold.....beautiful light, fluffy scones!

Thats not mine, but they looked just the same!!!! couldnt believe it...been trying for 30 years at least, and at last I cracked it.....the noises coming from hubby and son as they munched were very pleasing, and then to cap it all, Hubby told me his mum would have enjoyed them, and my lovely mum in law was the scone queen. So a compliment indeed.
Problem is I only made a small batch, so may have to put it on my list of things to do tomorrow!!

Fishing!!

2011-10-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today was a Bella day, bless her, she came in, demanded cooked breakfast with Grandad, ate 3 chipolatas, 2 rashers of bacon and a bit of tomato. Then we went to Dreams and she helped lie on beds! then a trip to the Bella heaven that is Pets at Home, looking at all the animals, lots of ''oh, so cute'' from Bella....fascination at a cage full of geckos, and wonder at all the fish

Then home for a lovely walk with Ozzy, and throwing stones into the cows drinking trough. Home for lunch, and then a quiet couple of hours while Little Miss Tired had a sleep.
Later in the afternoon, she asked where grandad was, so, I said, 'he's in the garden, do you want to lookout of the window. (Grandad was rodding the blocked drains) I lifted her up and tapped on the window to let Grandad know she was watching, at which point, in great excitement she said ''Oh Grandad, can I come fishing too''.........couldnt stop laughing!!!
Not sure she would find many fish in our septic tank!!!

Batty bat....Jane to the rescue!

2011-10-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

Had a phone call about an hour ago, from Olly across the road, to ask if I was feeling alert ! so I hesitantly said 'yesss'. so he invited me over to help capture an invader in their house. And it was so beautiful, a long eared bat, doing circuits around the landing, round two pyjama clad children, who were awestruck. Is swept past us all, silently, hardly causing a draught, beautiful.
It occasionally settled behind the curtains, and at some point, Olly was able to slip Doms fishing net over it, and I bunched the net up, so it couldnt escape. We all had a quick closer look at it...tiny little body, snub nose, and beady black eyes, and it flew silently away.
I then enjoyed a glass of cold chablis, with lovely Charlotte and Olly, perfect!

Football!!

2011-10-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, I know, how can football give me something to smile about...well...its like this. Both my lovely boys support the Gunners, and this season hasnt been their best up till now. So Joe's delight at their win today was obvious..........but not as much as his and Dave's delight at the demise of Mnchester United and Chelsea.
And if my boys are happy, then so am I

And...they are going here on Friday, for a stadium tour which we got them last christmas..and I hope they have a great day! xxx

downtime for me!!

2011-10-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Been a funny sort of day, as I seem to have picked up a mild lurgy. so ...a bit of a sore throat, a bit of a cough, headache and tired.
However......I was lucky enough to have no responsibilities today, nowhere I had to be, no children to look after, and no other commitments.

So this afternoon, after I had walked the dog, I wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, with some chocolate, and watched 3 episodes of D.I. Banks, with no interruptions at all. It was bliss, and how lucky was I to be able to do that?!!!!
So..every cloud has a silver lining.
Then I walked the dog, and he seemed to know that I was feeling under par, because he behaved himself, didnt make me shout, and didnt run away...makes a change!!!
Then a nice prawn risotto...little bit of chilli it for my blocked nose..just the job, and a quiet evening in my pj's watching rubbish telly!! Heaven xx

The Jungle Book

2011-10-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Bella is obsessed with this at the moment, and although I have seen it a ridiculous amount of times in my life, I love it!!! I first saw it when I was a very little girl, with my beloved Godmum, Aunty Rita, and I can remember it as if it was yesterday.

So I sat and watched it again today, and I still find it entertaining, and very funny. No sex, no gratuitous violence, just good old fashioned entertainnment. Good old Walt Disney, what a guy!!!!
Even more funny, was Bella singing her version of 'de bare bercessities'' later on that day...classic xx

Predictive text!!!

2011-10-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

Now...this is short today has been busy busy busy, but something just happened to make me smile.I usually find it extremely irritating, and if I could turn it off, I would.
So I sent a message to a friend, who was coming to see me tomorrow, and it turned out like this ''thought I should let you know, that Bella will be here tomorrow, and Katy has a nasty FLIRTY type bug, so if you'd rather not come thats fine''

Thanfully I read it before I sent it, and exchanged the word 'FLUEY' for FLIRTY!!! Although, who knows with Katy!!! ;) xx

friends from the past!

2011-10-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had a visit from my friend Debbie, and her beautiful little boy, Billy, who is two and a half. Now Debbie and I go way back, to when she was about 7,and I used to babysit her, I was 17. The fact that I quite liked her brother at the time, was irrelevant!!!!

We refound each other about 18 months ago, and have seen each other several times, and she is now my 'adopted' younger sister. And what is weird, is that we are incredibly alike in many ways...a hatred of housework, same sense of humour. I love her company, and I adore Billy, he actually reduced Anna and Katy to tears in their eyes with his cuteness, He is Bellas male mirror image, cheeky, naughty, and incredibly cute and funny! He is obsessed with Andrews 'pooey' blue tractor...no accounting for taste.

It was a fun day, and hope to see them again soon. Debbie has not had things easy, to say the least, but is a fantastic mummy to Billy, and a lovely friend xx

Other peoples words!!!!

2011-10-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Love this, it made me grin, and I know Katy will like it too! I see lots of pics/quotes that make me smile.

this one too, A beautiful spelling mistake!!!!

and this one, And that is all for today....LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE XX

Surprise surprise!!!

2011-10-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Had a great day today, spent the morning decluttering my sitting room....DVD'S tidied away, ornaments removed that arent essential...etc
Bed Inspector came, measured, photographed, says saggy mattress doesnt look right...he wants to try sleeping on it...he will put in a report..I wait with bated breath.

Went into Newbury, and as a treat for our busy day, we had a coffee and a cake in Costa's...yummy and then...the surprise.
Now as some of you will know already, Hubby and I regularly...well once a year... bunk off to the establishment above, The Grand Hotel in Swanage. We love it, its friendly comfy and the food is wonderful. we have met some lovely people in the several years we have been going there, not least a sweet couple, from Hungary, called Andras, and Beata. Bea was our waitress, and Andras did various roles front of house. we got to know them, they were there two years running,really making our holiday special, friendly , humourous, efficient and then.....they left, to go to Winchester. BOO!!!

However, we kept in touch throught the wonders of Facebook, and they were working in a Tapas Bar. Imagine our surprise, whilst ambling back to the car, whent hey both suddenly appeared out of the very new Tapas bar in Newbury, having been transferred up here. Hugs all round and lots of laughter and smiles. Oh and probably lunch out next wednesday if I am a good girl!! YUM.
Such a great surprise...it made us both really happy!!!!

extended family!!!

2011-10-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Now...as anyone who knows me knows, my family are everything to me, and today has been great because they were nearly all here for dinner (David had a free pass because he's here every other sunday) And it was lovely, if noisy and hectic...all three of my beautiful grandchildren in the bath together, laughing and splashing...well , Lucas wasn't, he was crying mostly, but you cant win 'em all!!!!
But what really bought a smile to my face was the little lass, from across the road, appearing in my driveway this afternoon. she has been part of our extended family for about 8 years,she is now 10, and is delightful. She came to the door,first time on her own ,and we had a ridiculous conversation about whether she had come to live with me, and she said yes, so I said ''well do mum and dad know you are here'' and she looked at me grinning, and said''well of course they do, they needed to know so they could bring my belongings over later, and laughed!!! So she played with the dog, and wth Evie and Bella, then I saw her back over the road. Iloved that she felt able to just pop over and visit

I love extended family, I have many 'adopted' children, that call me 'other mum', and friends that are almost as dear to me as my family,and I woudnt be without for anything

short and sweet!

2011-10-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Short one tonight, late and all that. But.....had dinner tonight with a young lady that I havent met in person for about 20 years, but have kept in touch through the wonder that is Facebook! Andrew and I met her in Newbury, and we had a lovely meal, ,chat, and laughs!
She is 30, and among the words I would use to describe her are:
Pretty
personable
articulate
intelligent
humourous
independent
compassionate
and because she has been through more in her short life, than most of us will go through in a lifetime, without moaning or self pity.....FLIPPING AMAZING!!!
oh and courageous.

When you feel like having a moan, look around you and see how other people deal with their problems, you may be inspired

Sisterly love!

2011-10-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here you go sissy, you asked for it........

I have one sister, I love her to bits. We are so very different in many ways...she is houseproud...I couldnt really give a stuff. She is the youngest, but is much more mature and sensible than me. She still has a pay-as -you -go ancient phone, I have an HTC Wildfire S. She takes her clothes off on holiday and I keep mine firmly on. She is good with money..I spend mine. So.........chalk and cheese!

But, she is my best friend, she listens to me when I moan, or am upset. We have lengthy discussions about our parents, still trying to work them out after all this time. We've been there for each other for ever...well, once I stopped hiding her knickers when we got dressed in front of the gas fire when we were small.
Anyway, today she came for lunch, and for an up to date view of her great Neice and great Nephew. We had fun, laughed at Bellas antics, coo-ed over Lucas and chatted.
I dont see her enough...but we both know we are there at the end of a phone if we need each other.
So YES Sarah, you made me smile today.

love you sissy xxx

Out of the mouths of babes!!!

2011-10-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

Now, I wasn't sure what I was going to write today, as many things have made me happy today...a visit from my lovely sister-in-law at lunchtime, Bella in complete frustration after trying to do up her dungarees for the umpteenth time saying ''Oh my God''!!!! ( not appropriate , I know, but it was terribly funny) and then I went babysitting!
Now, as many of you will know, I adore children, and although as I get older I sometimes think my patience is wearing a bit thin, dont mind the occasional putting to bed of the two little ones across the road. So..off I went, to find two little darlings in the bath, so we finished bathtime, not without a huge paddy from smaller child, over something so ridiculous, it was untrue.

Then followed storytime, a chapter of BFG, for elder bunny, and a book called 'Lettice', about a ballet dancing rabbit(?) for the diva(still doing little sobs), then hot chocolate, teeth brushing, and tucking in,.....and......................silence.

So, I put my feet up, watch the old box for a bit, mum and dad come home, pennies in pocket...and just as I was about to leave, mum said, ''Oh B said the other day ''Jane and Andrew and Bella and Evie and all the others aren't our family are they'', so I said no they are not, to which he replied ''well I lobve love them like family, I dont just like them, I love them in a big heart, like I love you and daddy and grandma and grandpa''

Cue warm fuzzy feeling all over!! And a BIG smile

Cooking!!!

2011-10-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

I love cooking, it is one of my greatest pleasures. I'm not so good at recipes, though I can do it, but i like just chucking a few things into a pan, and seeing how it comes out.

This was tonights effort, a risotto, with leek, scallops, prawns and cherry tomatoes, and a hint of chilli...yummy. Didnt measure anything, just guessed it, but it seemed to work out ok, and was extremely comforting after a hectic day.
If I had time, I would cook lovely stuff every day, I mean, theres always a cake in the tin, and we always have dinner, but sausage egg and chips isnt very technical...although it is hubbys fave!!

I worked in various pub/restaurants, and picked up loads of tips from the chefs, I loved being in a pro kitchen, watching and learning. I love cookery programmes, and cookery books.

Dont get me wrong, I have had my disasters as well...ask the kids about my baked Alaska...about 15 years ago...yes it ended up in a pool on the bottom of the oven ,but hey ( havent made it since).

Home made soup was on the menu today as well, for my sister- n-laws lunchtime visit tomorrow. A mix of vegetables, chopped, potato, carrot, sweet potato, onion, leek...sweated in a little butter, then covered with boiling water, a large pinch of mixed herbs,and some organic veg stock, some red lentils, frozen peas and sweetcorn, then simmered till tender. Then I blend half of it, to thicken, and Voila!!!!!

Comfort food at its best...and all wholesome.....believe me, I have been known to indulge in fast food, and enjoy it occasionally, but theres nothing like tasty homecooked food to put a smile on my face