Unexpected Funday with My Man

Ralph had an appointment at the hospital today about his eye's. Because had to have drops to open his eye's he was unable to drive.  Therefore I had to book a day's leave to drive him. We had a really nice day, after the hospital we went to IKEA saw some furniture that we may be buying early next year. Then we went to the newly refurbished and extended M&S, oh did they have some gorgeous stuff in there. Got a few idea's for Christmas and if we win on the lottery we will be buying the furniture there rather than IKEA...

We then went to B&Q and got a heater for my shed, Ralph wanted one that I can leave on constantly to keep the chill off during this cold spell we having. He bought me some scrapbooking paper's at the weekend and I think he has begun to realise the value of the papers I have in my shed..lol  So he doesn't want them getting damp, they never have before, but this heater is a little extra insurance.

We then came home and had fish and chips from the local chippy. Now we are just relaxing watching tv and drinking tea. A simple day of simple pleasures, love it, love it love it!!

Christmas is Coming....

I haven't let my self think about Christmas until now. I wouldn't discuss it before our holiday, when we came back I was just revelling the fabulous memories. Now we have been to the Thankgiving meal it is time to put the memories on hold for now and start thinking about Christmas.

So we start with list's, list's for this, list's for that. Christmas present's, cards, food and plans.

What are your plan's?
What traditions to you have?
Do you think Christmas is too commercialised and materialistic now?
What do you do you retain the meaning of Christmas?

Where Did That Weekend Go?

Something has got to me done about this thief who keeps stealing time!!!
I am sure it was Friday last night, but my television is showing Sunday night's programme's. Now come on own up, who is doing it? Well if you are not going to own up, at least stop it!!


We went to a Thanksgiving lunch today and it was delicious. I had:

Smoked Haddock Chowder

Turkey, Maple Coated Ham
Mash Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Corn Fritters
Sprouts with Walnuts and Lemon
Gravy

Pecan Pie

It was scrummy.

While we were eating, I asked Ralph what he was thankful for, he said, a happy marriage and a wonderful wife:) But many other things also. I tried to whittle my list down, it is so long, so this is my top five:

1. My Faith, if I had not had a deep belief in God my life would have ended a long time ago.

2. My Beloved.  He has turned my life around. People who have known me over the years often comment   about the difference in me now. His love and belief in me is amazing, how could I be anything but eternally grateful.

3.My Family.  There have been many ups and downs over the years, the tears, the pain, the heartache. but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, we are stronger, my daughter's have given me so much JOY in their children, my gorgeous grandchildren.

4. My Health. As we get older, the body starts to protest at years of being taken for granted. I have a few problems, but they are manageable. I thank the Lord when I see some of the health problems my contemporaries have.

5. My Home. We both lost the homes we had built up when we went through divorce's. I left a four bedroom house I owned to live in rented accommodation. but the peace I felt was so well worth it.
Ralph gave up a beautiful bungalow that he owned too. They were both unhappy homes and we both had to get out. We now live in our little Shoebox and we are blissfully happy. The plan for 2011 is to redecorate and refurnish and get rid of a lot of "Stuff" but more of that later.

 My Home is in my man's arm's, so where ever he is I am Home.

I am so Very Very Thankful.

Reward's and Award's

We went to an awards dinner last night. Ralph's firm were rewarding innovation and my guy was rewarded:)
I was so proud I could have burst when he went up for his award. He is a very quiet, private man and I knew he felt very uncomfortable being called up on stage in front of a room full of people. But I was so proud of him.

I feel so privileged to be his wife .After a very checkered life and expecting to be miserable for the rest of my life.  This man came into my life at a time I was on the floor, physically, mentally and emotionally. He helped me with his kind words and simple encouragement. His belief in God revived my love of Christ and encouraged me to get strong again and claim my life back.

Rewards and awards he deserves them all, he made me feel like a million dollars last night. He bought two dresses for me for the occassion while I was away at the weekend. I had  planned  to wear a borrowed dress.  Both of them suited me perfectly, I have never had this sort of love and attention in all of my life.

He won an award last night, I won an award beyond words when I married Ralph White.
I thank God every day for him.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my lovely friends across the ocean.

I am so thankful to have "met" you.

I am making a list of what I am thankful for, I could be some time.......

Crafting Friends.

Sunday afternoon, all crafted out, the friends we shared the weekend with.

Left to  right: me, Trish, Estella, Cheryl and Sue.

We all shared a table as we did last year and it was great.

We plan to meet up again at Port  Sunlight in April 2011.

I will take photo's of the project's we did and post them soon.

Getting over the weekend and back into "normal" mode is taking time.

I have a lot's of thoughts racing around my brain at the moment, plan's and dreams.

I cannot share them right now but once they have been made real,

you will hear me shouting from the mountain top.

I am still sorting my holiday photo's but will share some with you each day this week.

Can't believe we have been home two weeks...Who is robbing time?

The Retreat

The retreat was Wonderful.
Spending time with Trish was just the BEST.
The projects were inspiring.
The gifts delightful.
It was a joyful time from beginning to end.
Now looking forward to the next one in April.

But it was even more wonderful to come home to my darling.
This man of mine is SIMPLY the BEST.

I am Retreating.....

Definition:

Retreat noun ( POSITION ) /rɪˈtriːt/ n • [C usually singular U] a move back by soldiers or an army, either because they have been defeated or in order to avoid fighting

the retreat from Dunkirk
Enemy soldiers are now in (full) retreat.
[C] a private and safe place
a country/mountain/lakeside retreat
 [C or U] a period of time used to pray and study quietly, or to think carefully, away from normal activities and duties
We went on (a) retreat at/to a monastery in Wales.



I am retreating to regroup my thought's, my creative self, my joy in friendship's renewed..
I am retreating to gather idea's for the future, to plan the future, to brainstorm the future.
I an retreating to have a JOYOUS three days with my Bezzy.

Hope you have as good a weekend as I know I am going to have.

Simply the Best

Simplify:

To make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand.
I am working on it, but it is not simple!!

Having a rest from it today, getting ready for my weekend with Trish. Cannot wait, we do so much talking,laughing some crying even.  We always have the best of times.  We need those times, she held me up for years in my unhappiness as I struggled to keep going in a sad marriage. She now revels in my happiness and is witness to a complete turnaround in my life. I have the privileged of 'looking after' Trish when we have our weekends. These are her 'respite' weekends' where she is removed from her very busy daily life.  Where she is making decisions and organising many people hourly in her working life.  In her personal life she has to make every decision that a married couple make together as her husband is not capable due to brain injury. From what to have for tea, to whether to sell up and downsize. When she is with me the only decision she has to make is wether to have another coffee or not.  She is an amazing woman, dearly loved by all that know her.  I am so blessed that she is my Bezzy Mate.

1986

2009

The Simple Womans Daybook

This is my first time taking part in this lovely movement, so here goes...

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...
There is a bright sunny crisp morning, the tree's are now bare and looking starkly beautiful.  I adore tree's no matter how they are dressed.
I am thinking...
About what I will do today in the simplification of my life. More clearing of drawers and cupboards in the kitchen. I started yesterday and was delighted with my progress but ashamed of the two bin bags full of out of date foodstuffs. I must not let that happen again.
I am thankful for...
Oh where do I start? Today I am thankful for my husband, it took me a lifetime to find him, but oh boy he was worth the wait.  We have been married just two years, two of the happiest years of my life. I thank God every day for this wonderful man.
From the kitchen...
A state of flux is apparent in my kitchen as I look for simplicity.
I am wearing...
Pink pj's with sheep gambolling all over them.
I am creating...
A simpler life.
I am going...
To work this afternoon, late shift is great when you need to get things done in the house.
I work at a very busy GP practice and enjoy my job most of the time.
I am reading...
Nothing at the moment, I get lost in book's and all plans go out of the window, so reading is on hold for the time being.  Unless you count article's on decluttering and simplifying of course.
I am hoping...
To complete the tasks I have planned, trouble is I am a the world's best procrastinator..
I am hearing...
Birds in the garden, Titch trotting in and out, I think she is waiting for her breakfast.
Titch is my Jack Russell cross, she is great company.  She was my wedding present from my husband.
Around the house...
We live in what we affectionately call a shoebox, a one bedroom bungalow.  It is bursting at the seams with too much STUFF, hence the simplifying.
One of my favorite things...
Handbags, I think I need therapy, or more self storage..lolol
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Pack my case for the weekend.
Pack my crafting tools for the weekend.
Contain my excitement for the weekend.
My best friend Trish and I will have three whole days together at Rosemary'a Retreat.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 

 
While on holiday in the USA I was stuck by  the number of flag's in front gardens, town centre's, public building, national parks. This is at the Rockerfeller  Centre. American's wear their love of country on their sleeves, we British are a little more reserved, too reserved in my opinion.

Started

The simplification of Sheilagh's life has started today.
Have deleted my other blogs, will just keep this one going.
Have emptied three drawers in the kitchen.
Boy do I keep some crap:(

I have a lot of sorting to do and I am ready to do it.
I may be gone a while.....

Rememberance Sunday

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".

 

Respect Honour Gratitude Rememberance

Changing For the Better

I have slept so much this week it is scaring me, I have slept in twice, getting into work late and I don't like it.  Jet lag shouldn't last this long should it?  My boss who is twenty years younger than me tried to reassure me yesterday by saying she didn't feel right for over a week when she came back from the states.  So it is a week now, there should be an improvement from tomorrow...

I have done some serious thinking since getting home and things are going to change.  I have had a talk with my darling and he is supporting me in my decisions. I feel happier, calmer and optomistic. The changes will be positive, gradual, healthy and rewarding.

My life is going to be simplified, purified and energised.

Watch this space.

Lighthouse

A Wonderful Day with the light of my life.

Lest We Forget

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

Remembrance Day 

by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

WE SHALL NOT SLEEP,

THOUGH POPPIES GROW

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

God Bless each and every soldier who has sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

On this Rememberance Day.

Jet Lagged Still?

I am falling asleep in the afternoon's when I get home from work, feeling heavy and tired.My concentration is all over the place, getting back into the work routine is difficult. Slept in this morning, was ten minutes late for work.

Getting back into a healthy eating routine, it is great to have fresh veg with meals instead of fries, fries or fries...  I gain three pounds while on holiday, I expected it to be far more, so I was delighted when I got weighed on Friday.  I have lost that three pounds already and looking forward to losing some more. Ralph gained one pound!! We believe it was all the walking we did, a lot of walking, a huge amount of walking.  We got strange looks from people whilst walking in some parts, seems the car takes the strain in the states:)

I cannot wait until Friday night at 8:50 when my guy gets home from work and we have the weekend together. I have missed him.  Having three weeks of being a couple 24/7 was wonderful.  I am so blessed that he found me.

Jet lagged She saying Good Night God Bless.

My Man is Home.

I can breath easy again, my man is home.
his friend Ian's funeral was a Humanist funeral and
neither Ralph, his mum or myself have every attended
a humanist funeral.  Ralph said it was very nice but different.

I hope Ian rests in peace where ever he is.

Night God Bless.

No Words

Random Pictures

Just been going through some of the photo's from our holiday, I picked out a few to share.
Not been able to focus my thoughts since getting back, so photo's may begin to tell the story of our FABULOUS Trip.

 

Saturday Night

We have been so tired and emotional today.  I think jet-lag hit good style, in fact I think it is more than jet-lag. Last night we had two lots of bad news and came back down to earth with a jolt.  We heard that Ralph's beloved Uncle Bobby has prostate cancer, I know from my job that this cancer is one of the one's can be managed if not beaten.  So we are hoping and praying this will be the case with this lovely gentleman.

Then we heard that one of Ralph's best friends passed away this week.  Ian was only 57 and a larger than life character. Ralph is understandably very upset.  He is going up to Dollar on Monday for the funeral on Tuesday. Not the happiest of end to our holiday but one that has re enforced our belief that we should plan for the future but live for today and enjoy every moment.

This is not the post I had planned for today but the circumstance's have altered my thoughts, but I will post about our holiday with picture's soon.

Enjoy your weekend and love your life.

Home is Where the Heart Is.

We are home, safe and sound and happy to be back.
Going to see my girlies now and pick up Titch.

Will post tomorrow about how I am feeling about the past three weeks.

Where Did Those Three Day's Go????

They say time flies when you are having fun.

Well we have been having FUN!!!!!

New York is AmazinglyFantasticallyAWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

We have loved every second spent is this FABULOUS city.

We have got to come back.

Trish I am telling you now, Turkey has had it, it is New York for us next year.

I am so in love with New York.

Last night we met the lovely Buttercup.  What a great evening we had, again as with Kathleen, it was so easy, comfortable and a delight to meet a very special lady.  She has a great attitude to life and I learnt a thing or two from her last night. If you have not met this lovely lady you need to pop across to her blog and say hello.

We are having trouble downloading photo's, tonight ( I think my little notebook is overloaded with three weeks worth of photo's)  but I will bore you silly when we get them sorted.  And the photo of Carol and I will be one of the first.

We are flying home tomorrow 6:30 pm, I am sorry our holiday is coming to an end.  It has been everything I had hoped for and more, we have met some truly delightful people, seen some amazing sights and enjoyed the United States of America.  but I have to be honest and say, I am ready to go home, I miss my family, my bezzy and my doggy.

Thanks for the pleasure America, we will be back.

The View

The View of New York from the B&B is FABULOUS!!!

It changes from moment to moment with the light and the ships passing by.
The sun is beaming on New York right now and we are just out to enjoy it.
Have a Happy Monday.