Storytelling Sunday....

.....obviously NOT on Sunday, but I didn't want to miss the last one of the year; so rather belatedly, here I am with my 'precious' for December. For the uninitiated of you who may just have dropped by my blog, Storytelling Sunday is the brainchild of SIAN over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY. This year she has encouraged our little band of storytellers to think about the things which are precious to us, and to tell the stories behind them.

Being December, that can only mean one thing in this house....CHRISTMAS!!...so my last 'precious' for this year is 'topper' we have for our main Christmas tree. Many people have angels, or even stars but since 1985 we have had this little fellow:

He was given to us (well to Stuart really) by Craig's great aunt Margaret, who bought him at her Church Christmas Bazaar.....and he is made from an empty tin can and some cotton wool! Although Stuart was only three months old at the time, he was mesmerised by the Christmas Tree and the snowman which we put on top of it (really because we didn't know what else to do with it!)....and it just became one of our family traditions to top the tree with the snowman.We would now never think of replacing him ...he has watched over us for all those Christmases and I like to think that when he goes on the tree, a little part of Stuart is here as part of our celebrations too.

If you would like to read more stories (which I'm guessing this month may have a Festive feel to them!) why not pop over HERE.

I would just like to thank SIAN for organising us yet again.....I'm sure I'm not the only one who now has stories I hadn't even thought about AS stories, told.

Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx 

STORYTELLING SUNDAY

Yet again I'm late with my story for SIAN'S STORYTELLING SUNDAY....a monthly meme  hosted by my friend SIAN for a group of Bloggers (and YOU, if you feel so inclined), to share a story...long, short, happy or sad: Sian encourages them all!

This year we have been invited to share the stories of those things we find to be most precious to us, and for this month I haven't chosen something which I have had for years ...instead it's something that's fairly new in my life, but which has become a very big part of it:

.....my IPAD....and NOT just because I need it to play 'Candy Crush Saga'!

I use it for blog-reading, emails, reminders, lists, downloading music...but one of the most important things I use it for is keeping in touch with my girl.....I love that I can Facetime her and actually see her (you can tell a lot by my daughter's facial expressions- I wonder who she takes that from?!) and it works far better than Skype ever did for me.

Short and sweet this month, but if you want to read more stories why not pop over HERE to see what other people have chosen as their 'precious' this month.

Have a lovely weekend, whatever you're doing!

Thanks for dropping by!
take care of you
Alison xx

HELLO WEEK

This week I'm saying :

HELLO to dad having got out of Hospital again!

HELLO to continuing with some Christmas Crafting done for our upcoming Xmas Bazaar

made by our Craft Group, not just by me!

HELLO to getting my post written (rather belatedly) for SIAN'S STORYTELLING SUNDAY

HELLO to thinking (seriously) about starting the Christmas Gift List...writing it-not actually buying, you understand,

HELLO to starting the next block for our FRIENDSHIP QUILT

Hope all's well in your little corner of Blogland!

Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY...ON MONDAY!

Yesterday was the first Sunday in October...which means two more 'first Sundays' till Christmas (YAY!!).

It also means that it's  time to head over to  FROM HIGH IN THE SKY, where,  on the first Sunday of every month,you will find a group of  bloggers telling stories... gathered together by the lovely SIAN ...the stories that make up our lives: long, short, happy or sad- you'll find them all and you are very welcome to leave a story of your own...the more the merrier!

This year, Sian has suggested that we 'pick our precious'. .....celebrating the little things we love: those souvenirs, bits and pieces, things from your past you can't bear to throw out.

I always knew that my 'precious' this month was going to be this book:

.......put together by Stuart's teacher after his death. After having actually told Stuart's classmates about the accident and talking through their feelings, she asked them all to write  about what they would remember most about him. The result was a  lasting record of Stuart as he was and I laugh as much as I cry each time I read through it!

I also slipped some of Stuart's artwork from that year along  ...and when I got the folder out  to photograph  today,  I happened upon this picture tucked inside a picture of 'our house'.

I had totally forgotten about it...and it also records everything that was important in Stuart's life at that moment in time.....The Simpsons, Ghostbusters, The Teenage  Hero Mutant Turtles and his beloved Glasgow Rangers football team ...with Tigger and Winnie -the Pooh sneaking in at the bottom right hand corner!

Thank you Sian for giving me the opportunity to get this 'precious' out again, and to look at it just a little more closely and find this hidden gem, which is going to be my next scrapping project!

Why not pop over HERE and enjoy some more stories....or add one of your own!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

HELLO PRECIOUS!

As I was driving home from the airport last night, I remembered that I had forgotten (if you get my drift!) about STORYTELLING SUNDAY over at SIAN'S PLACE. For the uninitiated, SIAN hosts a forum, once a month, for a group of Bloggers(and YOU, if you feel so inclined) to share a story...long, short, happy or sad: we love them all!

This year she has suggested the theme to be 'PICK YOUR PRECIOUS'.....initially the idea was to write  about those little things that mean a lot to us....but  many of us have veered off course a little fair bit to write about somewhat larger things- and even people who are precious to us....and has Sian been at all upset with us?...not a bit!...Sian welcomes all  stories with open arms!

As I mentioned earlier, I arrived home last night after having spent a couple of days with mum and dad (dad has managed to stay out of hospital for about two months) and then heading to the NE of England to help Kirsty move to a new apartment.

It occurred to me as I drove through the gate, that THIS is my precious for this month:

.....HOME! ...and I don't JUST mean the bricks and mortar that is our house...at this time in my life, this just happens to BE home. I mean the having somewhere you look forward to returning to, where you can relax and be comfortable...where everything around you is YOURS,  and when you walk in the door you sigh with relief and think 'I'M HOME'! Even though I arrived back to just being me here again (well me and Boo)...there is still a sense of family in our home and I will never tire of the 'COMING HOME' feeling!

I'm hoping to catch up with a few SS stories during the course of the week....why not pop  over to SIAN'S and check some out yourself?

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORY TELLING SUNDAY- PICK YOUR PRECIOUS

It's the first Sunday in July (JULY?!...how can it be?)....making it time to join a merry band of Bloggers over at  FROM HIGH IN THE SKY. You can find us there on the first Sunday of every month, gathered together by the lovely SIAN and telling stories...the stories that make up our lives: long, short, happy or sad- you'll find them all and you are very welcome to leave a story of your own...the more the merrier!

This year, Sian has suggested that we 'pick our precious'. .....celebrating the little things we love: those souvenirs, bits and pieces, things from your past you can't bear to throw out. 

Every time I open my jewellery box, I see this little brooch......

I have to confess to not having worn it for many years, but it makes me smile each time I set my eyes on it.

It was given to me by the mum of one of the little boys in the class in which I was a Classroom Assistant (in the days before you had to have a qualification to do so). 

At that point, that's what Marilyn was- Christopher's mum, and also the Depute Head in the school....but as time went on, Marilyn and |I became very close, and by the time we moved to Whitley Bay in 1997, she and her family often came to visit.

In 1999, Marilyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy...sadly though, the cancer spread and she died in November 2000, leaving behind her two lovely boys and a devastated husband......she was only 45. 

In all, I actually only knew Marilyn for 5 years but she really touched my life....I am always reminded of her when I see this quote:

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

 Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, 

and we are never, ever the same

I have thrown out (or recycled) many pieces of unworn jewellery over the years, but this little brooch is with me for life...not only does it make me think of Marilyn, but it stands as a reminder of all the friends I have been blessed to have in my life ...thank you for being one of them!

Why not pop over HERE and enjoy some more stories....or add one of your own!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY-PICK YOUR PRECIOUS

Well, it's the first Sunday of the month again....that means it's time to join up with a host of other bloggers from all around the world...we gather over at SIAN'S BLOG and leave a story- it can be long or short, happy or sad, funny or tearful....everyone is made very welcome!

The suggestion for this year's stories was that we pick something that is precious to us...and tell the story behind it.

THE CUTLERY SET

I can honestly say that I can't even remember who bought this set of 'GHOSTBUSTERS' cutlery for Stuart...all I know is that they were really well-used and much-loved by him...for a few years (from when he was three years old till he was probably about seven) we were surrounded by all things pertaining to 'Ghostbusters'...other things had started to replace them by the time he died, but there was no way I was allowed to throw this little cutlery set out.

 They have lived in my cutlery drawer ever since, and I have never even THOUGHT about getting rid of them in all the moves we have made since ...just a little thing that makes me smile, and brings back so many good memories on a daily basis!

Why not pop over  HERE, to read about the things that other bloggers regard as 'precious'...even better, why not add a story of your own?

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

HELLO MONDAY......with a glass of something cold!

This week I'm saying HELLO, whilst offering you a glass of icy cold Sangria (or whatever your choice of beverage might be), because I'm joining up with ABI , for her monthly 'tea' meme.

 If you don't mind sitting in the sun we can sit outside, but at the moment we don't have any parasols to give any shade.....you might prefer to sit in the naya, where I have all the doors open and there's a pleasant breeze coming through.

I should explain that the shortage of parasols is due to the fact that when we threw out the old ones, a couple of months ago, we discovered that there weren't any actually in the shops yet to replace them! However, that is one of the jobs on the 'to do' list when Craig arrives tomorrow.....he is here for four days, and I think you'll be able to tell that I'm happy about that (and not JUST because of the parasols!).

By this time, hopefully, we'll be settled with our drink of choice and I'll be wanting to hear your own news....hoping that most of it is positive: that the family are well and that you are finding time for being creative.

I'm sure you're wondering why I have so many pieces of paper with names, menus and lists on them.....they are for the '60s Night' which I am helping to organise on Saturday night

If you had dropped in last night, you would have found me tearing my hair out, trying to get the numbers to tally...but all's well now and the menu choices have been sent to the restaurant.


 I'll be wondering if you joined in with SIANS 'Big swap of very little things'...and if so, would love to hear what was in the package you received...I'll also confess that I only posted my package to CHERI this morning, along with another few bits of 'Happy Mail'.

Can you hear that thunder in the distance, and do you see how the clouds are rolling in over the mountains?....I think we're in for a storm...yes, here are the first big raindrops beginning to fall- in fact it's actually hailstones! Let me shut all these doors...and please excuse Boo- she gets really afraid during storms.

As the hail turns to rain, I'll be telling you how relieved we all are that my dad is showing signs of improvement again...and although he's still in hospital, we're hoping he'll get out later this week.

Oh look...the rain's stopped just as suddenly as it began...yes, you're probably right to leave while it's dry...but please do stop by again next month:I really DO enjoy these visits!

One thing before you go....remember it's 'STORYTELLING SUNDAY' over at SIAN'S PLACE ......see you there?

Thanks for dropping by!
Take care of you
Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY-MY PRECIOUS

It's time to join in with STORYTELLING SUNDAY over at SIAN'S PLACE.  On the first Sunday of every month, Sian hosts an international gathering of storytellers for an event  called "Storytelling Sunday." For 2013, Sian has suggested we pick something which is precious to us, and tell it's story.

This month I have chosen something that I certainly couldn't pick up and run with in the case of a fire.....it's my garden...or is it actually the time I spend pottering in my garden?

I am very lucky over here, in that I have what I consider to be the perfect-sized garden...not too huge (and NO grass- I HATE cutting grass!!), and not too small.

It is mostly covered in small stones and although there are a few flower beds, I mostly garden in pots.

Not only do I love looking at what is growing in my garden...especially at this time of year- there is something new to look at almost every day......

.....but I love WORKING in the garden. I feel such a sense of peace when I'm out there- whether it be weeding, pruning or planting and I solve many a problem and work through many irritations  whilst doing so. 

My gardens over the years (not just here, but also in the UK) have shared many frustrations and tears, but I have always felt the better for time spent in them.

Funnily enough, mum and dad have only now got a little bit of garden again, after about twenty years of living in flats (apartments) and the garden has been a saving grace for mum while dad's been unwell.

To read about the things which are precious to a whole bunch of folks from all around the world, why not go over to FROM HIGH IN THE SKY- even better, why not join in- you are sure of a warm welcome!

Hoping the sun has shone a litlle bit for you this weekend!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY...MY PRECIOUS

It being the first Sunday in April, I am linking up with Sian, over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY, who, on the first Sunday of every month, hosts an international gathering of storytellers for an event  called "Storytelling Sunday." For 2013, she has suggested that we pick something precious to us and share its story.

As last weekend was our 33rd Wedding Anniversary, I thought it might be a good time to share the story of my original wedding ring.

It is a white gold ring...I only wore silver jewellery at the time, and didn't want yellow gold..flat in style and etched round the outside.

 This ring hasn't been worn for years, not just because it's too small for me, but because a few years after we married DH and I had an 'altercation' ( an understatement if ever there was one, but that's one of those 'hidden journalling' stories!) and at one point the wedding ring was tossed out the bedroom window into the garden.

When 'normal service' resumed, try as we might we couldn't find the ring. Fast forward a year or so (by which time I had a new ring, which doesn't fit me either by the way!) and I  was cutting the grass, when the lawnmower blade caught on something...and yes, when I looked it was my wedding ring!

Not only was it filthy, but after its tussle with the lawnmower the metal had been cut through in a few places! One of my friends at work had a brother who worked with metal, and he repaired it as well as he could .....if you look closely, you can see the dents ..there are matching ones on the other edge.   Being a shallow-minded twenty three year old, who only wanted things which looked 'perfect', I put the ring away in my jewellery box, where it has stayed all these years.

The funny thing is that when I took it out to photograph it, I actually realised that it really IS a symbol of our marriage.....it's been through the wars, been well-dented, but remains solid and has survived to tell the tale! In fact, I am now thinking that I am going find out about having some extra gold put in to make it fit again....I now know that things don't have to be perfect to be precious! 

As you can see, Storytelling Sunday is more than just about telling the stories of our lives... this year it is making us actually THINK about  what things mean to us- not just what they meant  in the past, but what they mean to us now, at this moment in time....thanks for  that, Sian.

To find out what is precious to other bloggers, why not hop over to SIAN'S BLOG...even better, why not share a story of your own?....everyone is made very welcome!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

A SCRAPPIN' GREAT TIME.....

.....that's the title of my latest scrapbook page, which is -for the first time in ages- a double page layout.

I reckoned it was time to get the pictures of the BLOGGER'S WEEKEND on a page......

......so a multi-pic layout was called for.

I made one of MISS SMITH'S 'polaroids'

and also one of her JOURNALING TAGS....

.....and I layered up some random flowers from my stash:

I'll be back tomorrow with the story of this month's 'precious', in conjunction with SIAN'S STORYTELLING SUNDAY, over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY.

Hopefully you are having a good weekend......a busy day for me  tomorrow: it's Afternoon Tea at the DROP IN CENTRE, so there's baking to be done...and then hopefully eaten by others, so that I am not tempted!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY...MY PRECIOUS

A day late this month...due to having been away playing with meeting bloggy friends IRL at the weekend (more about that on a later post!), I am linking up with Sian, over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY who, on the first Sunday of every month, hosts an international gathering of storytellers for an event  called "Storytelling Sunday." For 2013, she has suggested that we pick something precious to us and share its story.

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that I would most definately count this little bundle of white fluff as 'precious'

As I mentioned in a previous post, Boo isn't actually MINE per se.......in fact,had the decision been mine she would never have become  part of the family!

 Kirsty had plagued us about having a dog for as long as I can remember, and I always managed to use my excuse of being allergic to many breeds of dog to avoid the issue for many years.....until we moved to Spain, leaving her 'abandoned' in the UK (I hasten to add that she chose to be 'abandoned'). Within a couple of months she had persuaded her dad that she needed a dog for company....though to give her her due, she carried out some research into hypo-allergenic breeds hence the reason she chose a Bichon-Frise/Llhaso Apso cross.

Boo came into  Kirsty's life in August of 2008...and Craig and I instantly fell in  love with her too!

 Just as well, given that six months later Kirsty's job changed and she just wasn't able to look after Boo the way she knew she needed to. After a very tearful phone call, when she thought I would say  we would have to re-home Boo, Kirsty was delighted when I told her  the solution was for the little ball of fluff  to come and stay with us in Spain....and I didn't even once say 'I told you that I would end up looking after a dog'!

That was in March 2009, and I just can't imagine not having Boo with me now. When Kirsty decided to go to Barcelona to study, she thought it would be a good idea to take Boo with her...but I'm glad to say she listened when I reminded her that a student lifestyle wasn't really conducive to looking after a dog! She has always said that when she gets settled, she would have Boo back, but has come to the conclusion that this little bundle of fluff belongs with this mummy!

In saying all that, when she returned fro the dog-sitter this afternoon, she ran straight past me along to Kirsty's room just to check her real mummy wasn't back...then came back to say 'hello'  to me!

To read about the things that are precious to some other folks, why not pop over HERE.....and if you feel like it, why not join in...everyone is made very welcome!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORYTELLING SUNDAY THREE...PICK YOUR PRECIOUS

On the first Sunday of every month, Sian, over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY, hosts an international gathering of storytellers for an event  called "Storytelling Sunday." For 2013, she has suggested that we pick something precious to us and share its story.

This month I have chosen to tell you about my 'box of memories' The box itself has changed over the years...it started out as this black box.....

......which is now home to Stuart's Dedication (Christening) outfit, and the cake topper from Kirsty's cake .....

It  now lives in the current box.....

The box has taken many forms through the years, changing in size as I have gathered cards, letters,holiday mementos, wedding and christening favours and things made at school.  Rainbows etc....to name some of the things in there. 

 It has been living on top of my wardrobe, and I usually just get the little stepladder  and slip  things into it without bringing it down. Thanks to Sian's idea, I actually got my box down and went through it....and there are SO many precious memories in there! I have had lots of smiles and tears going through it..

As you can see, there's not much chance of me grabbing it in the event of a fire but it is very precious to me just the same!

To read about the things that are precious to some other folks, why not pop over HERE.....and if you feel like it, why not join in...everyone is made very welcome!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

LOOKING UP AND DOWN

Rather belatedly I am linking up with HELENA, over at HELENA'S CREATIVE MAVEN for her photography meme:

 

My pictures this week were taken as I was walking into the village a couple of days ago

looking up at the at the beautiful blossom, I caught the early morning sun through the branches of this almond tree!

Looking down at the great hole in the ground which is the reservoir.....it has been absolutely empty for about a week now....I was reliably informed today, that this is an annual occurrence to clean the salt and silt from the bottom of it! It is a man made reservoir covered with a ginormous pond-liner, which obviously needs to be maintained...something that had not previously occurred to me.

Hope to see you all on Sunday over at SIAN'S PLACE for STORYTELLING SUNDAY....my box of precious things is down from it's perch- all I have to do is decide what I shall write about!

Happy Friday...enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

STORY TELLING SUNDAY THREE....PICK YOUR PRECIOUS

On the first Sunday of every month, Sian, over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY, hosts an international gathering of storytellers for an event  called "Storytelling Sunday." For 2013, she has suggested that we pick something precious to us and share its story. 

For January, my 'precious' is going to be THUMPER......

...my very first Christmas present from Craig, when I was the tender age of fifteen (yes, we HAVE been together that long!). He turned up on Christmas Eve, with a huge, handmade Christmas cracker which had me totally intrigued...and made me promise not to open it until Christmas morning....... I have absolutely no  recollection of what I bought Craig, but I know it wasn't wrapped anywhere nearly as spectacularly! I remember forcing myself to keep my cracker till last to open that Christmas morning, because I just loved looking at it! When I DID open it, Thumper looked up at me....sporting a pretty blue ribbon- which disappeared over time- and looking much less scruffy than he does now! I have had lots of lovely gifts from Craig over the years, but Thumper and that wonderful cracker hold a special place in my heart.

Why not pop over HERE to check out what my storytelling friends hold precious?

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx