Christmas photos

I hope you all had a happy Christmas.
Bryan and I spent ours here at home with our daughter and grandchildren.
Her husband is in the army and had to work again this Christmas just like last year.
It's such a shame to miss two Christmas's in a row but next year I know it will be extra special for them to have their dad with them at last.
Our New Year will be spent at our son's home with his family.
So we are getting ready to go visit with them for a few days.
Below are some of the holiday pictures taken indoors and outdoors.
The ones of the lake view were taken up on Post Knott a wonderful view not far from our house. It's quite a steep hill to get on top of and I have yet to make it since my breast cancer operation. I just don't have the legs for walking far these days. One day I will though!
The bonfire pictures are a traditional act which granddad loves to do and the children enjoy joining in.
I guess if Bryan were allowed to, he would happily become a pyromaniac as he just loves bonfires.
There are photos of Ryan and Hollie who get on so well as brother and sister you would think they were twins.
Hollie and Ryan took to the Karaoke machine that granddad bought in the Boxing Day Sales.
Once they found the echo chambers on it we were given a world war 2 siren sound repeated over and over until they were banned into the kitchen with it. Lol!
Junior monopoly found Hollie winning twice and some of us becomng bankrupt. Humph!We were treat to a puppet show which they wrote themselves.

All too soon it was time for them to leave but the pictures will hold the memories for a long time to come.
I hope your Christmas was a happy one too.
Since we will be away for a few days over the New Year I just want to wish you all 'A Happy New Year'.
























I'll see you all again in the New Year.
God bless.
Love
Jeanie xxx




Below is a link for you to see my greetings for the New Year. I Hope it works.

Some photos to look at...

Looking up the hill from our front garden.
The young South African's who rent the house down from us had never seen snow before so they built a snowman on the pavement in their great excitement. You can see from here how difficult it is for us to negotiate the hill when there is snow lying.

Snow in the back garden.


The view up to the farm which sits on the fell top.







Hollie as a Dalmation- come- Zombie- Witch? Lol!



Ryan before having his face painted



Ryan as Denis The Menace/Zombie



Grandma finished off these lanterns hence the wobbly teeth or gaps in their mouths. Lol!

I hope you enjoy the selection of photos above.

Some are from our recent snowfall ,which as you can see can hamper us from getting out in the car, or on foot for that matter.

These have all been sitting in my camera as I could not find the lead which links it to the computer until yesterday. As I said then, in yesterday's entry, I found it in the suitcase which I had taken up to the Borders with me.

I spent Halloween up there with my daughter and grandchildren as they needed looking after whilst she was at University.

This is the waterfall which Bryan built during the summer. It's beginning to take shape. Once the plants grow it will look more natural. Mind you..I had to give up my footpath for this but it was worth it. I walked up it safely enough to view it from the top but I fell on my way down as the cobbles shifted underneath my feet. I was lucky not to break my wrist but 'all's well that ends well'.

The pastoral view photograph is me wending my way up to the farmhouse where my friend's daughter lives.

I found it dfficult last week to negotiate this road as it was still thick with ice. I had my heart in my mouth a few times I can tell you.

I miss AOL Albums as we were able to download all the photos we wanted to.

Here on Blogger they have to be embedded which is much slower.

Never mind though...eh?

I hope these images appear ok. I have had a devil of a time trying to edit some of the Html which couldn't be accepted. Haven's knows what that is until I post it properly.
Meanwhile.
Toodle pip for now!
Hugs
Jeanie

Lakeland weather ...

Hello,

Here I am again with a short entry just to let you know that I am still alive.

We have rain here in the Lakes and I am very happy about that. If it snowed as much as the torrents we have had today, then we wouldn't get out for a month of Sundays. Lol!

Well..my oven has been fitted in, but the day after that the central heating boiler wouldn't come on, so we had to get a chap out to look at it. Bear in mind this is a brand new condenser boiler just put in this summer in readiness for the winter and cheaper bills.

Seemingly there was a small leak in one of the pipes so he put some 'magic fluid' into the system, and so far so good!

It was perishing cold at the time and it made both Bryan and I think of those poor folks who only can afford to heat one room and leave the rest cold.

Luckily for us we have the log burner, but when we left the room for anything our breath was condensing in the air.

Bless all those who are cold at this time of year. It just doesn't bear thinking about!

Fortunately we were only one day like that..to think of others who have to put up with this every day is a horrible thought.

I had a little memo to tell me it was Yasmin's birthday today.

Happy Birthday Yasmin!

Hope you had a lovely day!

I have just found out this afternoon that my grandson Ryan has a girlfriend. He is nine years old and so is she! Bless them!

Her name is Bethany and he wants to buy her a Christmas present. So.. he has asked his mum if she will help him to choose some jewellery for her when he comes home from school tomorrow.

When Samantha told me, I couldn't help laughing with her about it and then agreeing that he was 'growing up'. Bless him! Girlfriends at his age. Lol! Young love...eh?

She also mentioned that Hollie our granddaughter had been telling her Dad that she got up to dance at her school's Christmas party.

Her dad said "Not with a boy surely Hollie!" (She is 7 yrs old).

"Don't be silly daddy it was with a girl!"

"What if it had been a boy daddy?"

"Then he would have to ask my permission Hollie".

"Really daddy!" she asked.

"Yes.. they have to go through me first before they can dance with you" he smiled.

I guess that's the way all dad's feel about their precious daughters.

Well..my phone call from Samantha has used up some of the time I had intended on using on my entry. Must pop off now and make tea for Bryan and me.

I hope these pictures end up where I want them this time.

Thanks to eeryone who offered me the answers to moving the pictures about.

I also want to offer my prayers and condolences to a friend who lost her mum a few weeks ago. She is missing her desperately and is in need of prayers to help her grief.

Praying for her and her dear Mum.

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains.-

Kahlil Gibran

My next entry should have some more photos of the summer and Halloween on it as I have managed to find the cable which downloads the pictures onto my computer.

I had left it in the suitcase which I had taken with me in the summer when I went to look after my grandchildren and son-in-law. Iain had to go into hospital to have both legs operated on for varicose veins. Samantha needed me there to take the children to school, and collect them, as she was at University. We mum's come in handy now and then.

I hope to be back again tomorrow after I take my car in for its annual service and MOT to pop them into my entry.

Meanwhile...take care those of you who are having this awful cold weather across the pond.

Cheerieumsky for now.

Hugs

Jeanie xxx

'Tis the season to be moaning...tralalalalala!

Hey Ho!

Well..my oven blew up and we had to go out and buy another one. Isn't it always the way?

I rarely use my under the hob fitted oven. My microwave, grill & oven does everything I need for the two of us.

I mainly use my oven over Christmas and New Year when all our family get together again.

So off we went yesterday and fetched the new one home ourselves. It was a struggle getting it into the car and an even bigger one getting it out again. Bryan had to cut the box top off so that he could extract the blessed thing! It is now sitting on the sofa waiting for the electrician coming on Friday. This one has a satin stainless steel finish, compared to the previous one, which was white enamel.

As long as it cooks my turkey and roasts etc I will be happy, until I need it again next year. Lol!

Christmas shopping is almost completed. Cards and calendars have been posted today.

Our village post office sold out of second class stamps. I'm glad I got mine before they ran out.

I am surprised that I have got it all together as we were snowed in recently. Our street never gets the sun in the winter, so if it snows or ices it stays lethal until it thaws properly.

Being at the top of a hill at this time of year is scary. I watch those who need to get out in their cars narrowly miss mine as they slip from side to side past us. So far so good this year...though I mustn't tempt fate by speaking too soon.

My friend who recently had a hysterectomy called round to see me for a little while the other day. She is still as weak as water but at least she is attempting to get out and about. Like the rest of us she was stir crazy because of being hemmed in by the snow and ice. That's been everyone's mantra recently here in the village.

One good thing about icy weather is the inky starlit skies at night and the clear blue sky days which sink to that beautiful duck egg blue, tinged with pink at the end of the day. I can forgive Jack Frost anything when I see the colours of the heavens in the wintertime.

Below are the words to a well known Christmas Carol.

It's time to limber up those vocal chords and tonsils everyone. Get yourselves into yodelling mode and hum a tune or two in time for Christmas.

All together now.....1..2..3..

The Holly and the Ivy : Lyrics

The holly and the ivy,When they are both full grown

Of all the trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossomAs white as lily flower

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To be our sweet Saviour

O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berryAs red as any blood

And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristTo do poor sinners good

O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickleAs sharp as any thorn;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristOn Christmas Day in the morn.

O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a barkAs bitter as any gall;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristFor to redeem us all.

O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivyNow both are full well grown,

Of all the trees that are in the wood,The holly bears the crown.

O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir

I wish I knew how to add pictures underneath my entry. Every time I try to add one there it is placed at the top. Sheesh!
So if there are two at the top...pretend the one with the moon on it is at the bottom. Lol!
Must go...
My prayers are still being said for all of you who need them and have asked for them lately.

God bless.
Love
Jeanie xxx

More Miniature Lakeland Villages photos and an Award

Thank you Julie http://juliasnewjournal.blogspot.com/2008/11/superior-sguibbler-award.html for giving me the above Award. I was absolutely thrilled to receive it!

I am now going to have to pull my socks up so that I can live up to your kindness.

I will come back to make a 'special Entry' with my own list of those whom I believe deserve to share this award too. There are so many to choose from!

Meanwhile as promised earlier..some more photos of the Miniature Lakeland Village.

Above are more photos of the Miniature Lakeland Village which we took our grandson to see whilst he stayed for a weeks holiday with us in the Summer? (Monsoon time really..hahaha!)

On this same day we had visited the Aquarium of the Lakes, at the far end of Windermere Lake, near where we live. This time it wasn't such a good relaxing experience as the rain had forced everybody on holiday in the lakes, with their children, indoors at the same time. All we saw as we shuffled along in line to see the exhibits were wet kagools and queues stretching back out the doors.

Finding this little quiet oasis in this man's back garden was lovely...the rain had stopped for a while too.

There are a lot of man hours in his works. Nowadays he and his wife and family run it as a little business so that they can make a bit of money, since he can no longer work full time because of his M.E.

I never did manage to rescue my journal on AOL but I did manage to save some of the pages which meant a lot to me. Maybe when I have a bit more nouse about how to post on Blogger quicker than I am doing at the moment, I will copy some across for you all to read again so that I have them once again on-line.

Meanwhile...

Stay well and happy.

Hugs

Jeanie xx

Just a few photographs taken in the summer hols

One day .. hopefully soon, I shall master this posting of photos onto my Blog. It just takes forever and I then run out of time to write. Is it me? Or is there anybody out there who finds it takes for ever to make a post?
Oh well! C'est la vie!
I wanted to share a few photos of the 'Summer Monsoon' we experienced here in the Lakes.
Quite a lot of the summer was taken up by having all my family here at various times or my going to see them. More of that another time. (If you have the patience). Lol!
I was away from journalling for so long that there are a lot of photos and reflections about those times for me to still make a note of here on my journal.
In one of the photos above, my grandson Ryan is cocking a snook at the rain and is stood by Bryan's Koi pond acting daft and singing in the rain. It was a funny moment..one of those you must keep for posterity and show again when they are older.
The others are of a miniature Lakeland village built by a man in his own back garden as a means of making money to help rear his family which began as a hobby. He is unable to work more than two hours a day, some days he can't, because of having M.E.
He has suffered from it for years and this is his way of occupying himself when he has more energy to spare. I reckon he shows up a lot of we abled bodies, me definitely included at the top of that list.
We enjoyed our visit and were enthralled by his exact replication of well known houses and buildings, here in the Lakes, and elsewhere in places such as Cornwall.
Just a little peep for you to admire his talent. I have lots more but it takes so long to upload on here compared to AOL's Albums.
Oh well! We can't go back there now.
Enjoy...!
To those of you across the pond.. Do have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Much love
Jeanie xxx

Marie Antoinette

I was delighted to receive the above award from Veronica over at ...

http://buffalosquirrels.blogspot.com/
She amongst others kept me in their thoughts whilst I was away from my blog and I cannot thank her enough, or them, for keeping the 'faith'.

You will have to copy and paste the link to go visit her super sites.
Below is my list of names of journallers whose Blogs I follow and whom I pass this award onto to enjoy.

I award you the Marie Antoinette Award!!!

Now you are supposed to pass this on to seven more bloggers who you believe are "real" bloggers who write about "real" everyday life.



Here are the rules:



The Rules


1. Please put the logo in your blog
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 or more
4. Put the links of those on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blog to let them know




Sal's Journal
http://sal-aperfectlife.blogspot.com/2008/11/quote-love.html

Marie's Blog
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-frost-gilds-pumpkin.html

Joan's Musings
http://joansnewmusings.blogspot.com/

Bea
http://anewbridge.blogspot.com/2008/11/thirty-years-ago-and-today.html

Guido
http://atlantic-lines.blogspot.com/2008/11/wednesday-26-november.html

Cathy My Nature Notes
http://katja-mynaturenotes.blogspot.com/
Jan..
http://gryph-wotd.blogspot.com/

I get a lot of pleasure visiting these blogs amongs many others so much so that I sometimes run out of time to enter in my own blog. Lol!
I had a go at entering all this yesterday but I faffed about so much trying to put in the html I ran out of time.
I can't wait until I know how to add everything easily!

Meanwhile..go visit these Blogs..they deserve a heads up for all that they do.



Hugs
Jeanie xx

I lost Bryan to Elkie Brooks on Saturday night...

I lost Bryan for an hour and a half on Saturday night.
Our theatre trip to the Grand Theatre in Lancaster to see Elkie Brooks had him sat in awe at her singing prowess.
For a man who wasn't really interested in coming with me in the beginning, he came home singing Elkie's praises.
What a super night we had.
Elkie is 63 years old but has the figure and looks of a forty year old. Three years on from collecting her bus pass, she can still belt out rock, jazz and blues.
Her fine tuned voice is played like a musical intstrument. Inhaling then caressing each note over that fine instrument of her vocal chords. I liken her ability to the brilliant playing of the saxophonist Courney Pine as to how she used her voice and breathed the sounds out with feeling, sensitivity, expertise and finesse. She held a note at the end of one of her songs for a good thirty seconds or more and still went up a range with the same breath to soar into the 'Gods' to finish it with a flourish. It was magical!
I didn't want the night to end.
She no longer does back to back tours and now chooses to do only so many gigs to suit her loyal fans so that she can give the best of her talent at each performance. That was so obvious on Saturday night.
She sang 'Pearls a Singer' Lilac Wine amongs all her well known songs and each time the audience clapped her in the introduction and stood up when she had finished. It was a masterclass and a memorable night out.

The snow which was forecast for us here in the Lakes stayed away until the 'wee sma' hours' of Sunday morning. Thank the Lord!
I was worried about getting caught in a blizzard as it is a thirty mile drive down the motorway to Lancaster from where we live here in the Lakes. I once had to drive for many miles along the motorway from Wolverhampton in a blizzard as the head of a convoy of other road users and it was scary being responsible for so many folks following my tail lights in the white out. I was terrified and crying at the same time. We had our noses pressed up to the windscreen to see where the road was it was so bad. Bryan kept up a mantra of 'keep going..keep going' as we crawled along. I never want to experience that ever again! I put a blanket in the boot and an overnight bag with thermals in it just in case we did get stranded. It was advised that we should take these precautions if we had to go out. Someone was definitely looking after us that night.
Well enough of my blethering.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend.
God Bless. xx

Theatre visit to see Elkie Brooks on Saturday

Well..I had written another entry yesterday,prior to this one, but my wireless signal fizzled out and I lost it. It is so frustrating to loose something which you have created because it is so full of that mood of the moment of creation. To try to recall it ad verbatim is almost impossible. Besides.. I had been sat reading journals for what seemed hours and was as stiff as a board. So I gave up in a huff! Huh!
I had hoped to mention that my friend is showing some progress in her health since coming home from hospital as the week has gone by. She is much more positive now and happier. Thank goodness!
As for Ron, my elderly neighbour? I took him shopping, where instead of me tagging along with him, I let him off the leash for an hour and a half to do his own thing. It was very difficult to make that decision as I did worry how he would tootle about on his swollen legs and feet. He managed it no bother and was full of what he had been up to when we met up for lunch.
A sly satisfied smile spread across his face when he said he had walked to the mobility wheelchair shop (at the other end of town) and reconnoitred a nice little red buggy which he has his eye on for when he becomes less mobile. I made a little smiling moue in return as I realised he had gained a bit more independence, even though he misses not having his car. At least he has his own two feet. Bless him!
He came home inspired about setting off to Kendal by bus at a future date and returning on his own instead of relying on me. Hmmm....I think I might follow him at a distance. Lol!

Bryan and I are off to see Elkie Brooks at the Lancaster Grand Theatre tomorrow night. I hope she sings my favourite...Pearls a Singer. Does anyone remember her?

I shall try and imbed a UTube video of her here for you to see and listen to her. I just love her voice.
The show is a sell out so I am glad we booked two tickets a few of weeks ago.

That was just after we had a lovely evening out to Barrow-in-Furness at the Forum Theatre to see the Musical Story of Eva Cassidy's Life. Another one of my favourite singers.
Well folks..If I am not careful, I might get back to entering into my journal daily at this rate. hahaha!
What have you all done to deserve that!



Hope the video embeds and that you get to enjoy it.
Toodle pip for now.
Love
Jeanie xxx

Hello!

The above photo is of my grandaughter Amy Grace.
Who could resist smiling back at her little face?
She is such a little smiler! And beautiful too. (Grandma's are allowed to say that). Lol!
My apologies for not being around much and for not finding time to visit your new journals.
I hope to make up for that soon.
I was hoping to make a longer entry today but a dear friend has just had a hysterectomy and came out of hospital on Saturday so I have been dashing around buying some flowers then I took some time out to go and visit with her for a chat. She is so weak still but having been through that myself I can empathise with her and gee her up a wee bit.
Tomorrow is looking a bit awkward too for making a decent entry as I am taking Ron my elderly neighbour through to Kendal, our market town ten miles away, to do a bit of shopping. We have promised to have a bit of lunch together there too. He has been a bit stir crazy over the weekend as I normally visit him daily.
I had Samantha my daughter for the weekend along with Ryan and Hollie, my grandchildren, so didn't find the time to pop in. At least I managed a visit today.
Samantha and I had a night out at our local theatre 'The Old Laundry' here in the village, where we enjoyed listening to three seperate monologues written by the author Alan Bennett. What a brilliant writer he is. There are so many layers of meaning to his works. He is such a gifted writer.
We thoroughly enjoyed it. The more so as Samantha had studied his works for her English class when at college.
This is just a short visit but I am going to try and get into the flow of writing daily again so that we can all keep up to date.
Meanwhile...this one's for you Julie.
Hugs
Jeanie xxx

At long last...I'm here!

Well..by hook or by crook I have made it to Blogger.
I hope all we JLanders can keep together as usual. I would hate to loose any one of you!
I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with everyone as usual.

I have spent so long on my computer today I can hardly feel my legs or my brain. Lol!
Now to find out who else has managed to come over to Blogspot. Good luck to those of you in the process of creating your Blog. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Much love
Jeanie aka (Day To Day Life In The Lakes)