Happy new year

Happy New Year is what we will all be saying in a few hours time. I find it hard to believe yet another year has flashed past and gone. Is it just me or do the years go past faster the older you get?
This year has been in the main a good one. A huge amount of stress and work went into my daughter Natalie's wedding this past September. I made all the bridesmaid dresses and much much more, and at times it was more work than I needed. Having said that when they were all dressed I was very proud of my work. It was a wonderful day that went off without any rain or problems and in a way I am sad its all over and done with.

I am very lucky to have wonderful children and their partners and I am delighted they are both settled and happy.
One sad thing was my daughter moving out. I was sad when my son moved but it was easier as my daughter was at home. At first I was so sad and lonely but as the weeks have gone past its got easier. I don't think anyone can underestimate how hard it is to deal with an empty nest. Life does go on and I hope that with 2012 coming, I am going to get to do things that have been on the back burner.
So what does 2012 hold for me?
That is a good question as none of us really know. I do know my husband retires in November after 30 years in the fire service. He is a very hard working man and he is ready to kick back and enjoy life.
We may move or we may stay we may do lots of things and the freedom to do that is great.

I really want to sort out my weight as I am so fed up with it and the health problems that I have.
So I really want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that 2012 brings you much happiness and good health.
My last resolution is to write more on my blog so I shall do my best to do that next year.
Thanks for reading my blog and once again

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Merry christmas

Merry Christmas well nearly. It's Christmas eve so I thought I'd take time to write down a few words. I really hope this Xmas is fab for you and Santa brings you everything you want! I hope you get to eat lots and enjoy time with family and friends .
I wanted to also say how much I think of you spending time this merry Christmas bothering to read my blog .
Please come back cx

What makes you happy?

What makes you Happy? That is something they were asking on a T.V show recently, here in the U.K.
The show I have been watching is called "Living with the Amish"and follows a group of young people from the UK, who go to the U.S.A to live with Amish families.

Different communities take them in and show them their life and what it means to them. My first thought was that it was really odd to not be part of modern life. A great deal of their ways seem totally out with the rest of the world today. However, as I watched I really began to see how they would hold onto their values. The main focus of the recently show was "What makes you Happy?" For me this is where the Amish get it right. Their simple life style means that there is less importance on material things.

I think we are all guilty of having too much " Stuff" and maybe they have it right but living the simple life.
It did make me think about What makes me happy and I know that is an easy thing to talk about.
For me its my children and my husband my little family. They bring me so much joy everyday and I am so lucky to have them. Sadly I don't have a huge family as both my parents have passed away so my little family is all the more important.

At this time of year we tend to think of those who are not around and of the people we don't see but think of all the time. I also think how lucky I am to have my family as many don't and find this time of year so hard. So for me what makes me happy is my children and husband and being lucky enough to live in a safe place, and be warm and  protected. I am also grateful for my friends and my wonderful internet friends, who brighten my life.

So I really wish you are a very Happy Christmas and hope you all get to be with the people you love and care for. I would love to hear what makes you happy .

Social Media ..... Yay

Social Media.....Yay is what I shout. I know that sometimes in this day and age social networking can get bad press. However, for me its been nothing but good most of the time.
As a child I always had penfriends, I couldn't get enough of them the more letters I got the better.
As I got older and the Internet and computers became such a huge part of our lives, those penpals turned into e mail pals.
It was such a joy to make new friends even if they were miles and miles from me. I learnt so much about the different countries and I really feel I made friends for life.
Then came the Facebook revolution and at first I stayed away as I really did not understand it at all. In the end I did get an account and in the main I enjoyed chatting to people on my friends list. It also gave me a chance to chat to people who I had lost touch with,it was so nice.
Then came twitter! At first this was a total mystery to me and even though I had an account I had no idea what to do with it. I thought that maybe I had met my match.

Not wanting to give in I just worked at it until I felt I was getting the hang of it, proving you are never too old to learn anything. For me the joy of twitter is that there is no limit on who you can talk to. Its not just your friends but anyone who you care to tweet. I have had conversations with all types of people and also even famous folk, anyone who is keen enough to reply.

My list of twitter friends is large and would take pages of blog posts to mention. I have had so many wonderful chats with a truly great author Simon @Si_HermitMaster. He writes such beautiful words that totally have touched my heart. Please take time to read his work, you will not be sorry

Or kind people like Sue @sueKelsoRyan who kindly offered to help me find out more about my family tree. How nice is that when a total stranger can be that kind. I am so grateful to her for all her kind work, for me.

This is just two of many that I have great, funny and interesting chats with on a daily basis.
If it were not for the social media network I think my life would not have been so interesting. It can be a great tool if used right, and for the good.

I am in my 50's and I would say to anyone give it a go, its been wonderful new medium for me and opened my eyes to the world.
I thank all my lovely Internet friends for their conversations and support and advice.
Long may it continue! So I say again Social Media ......Yay!

What do I buy him?

What do I buy him is the question every birthday and Christmas .
My husband is the worse to buy for ! His only hobby is sea fishing and what with work and the weather he does not get to do that often . So I really never know what I can buy him.
He is also the worse for never using what you do buy him! In fact last year I got him some shirts nice I thought, have they ever been out of the packet .... No
So when ever I have to buy a gift I'm at a loss as to what to get him.
I'm sure I'll find something in the end, but it gets harder each year.
I wonder if this is a common problem and is it just related to men? Love to hear if your having a what do I buy him fight. Also love to hear what ideas you have! Xx

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping is something I'm getting ready for today. I've been up since 8 and waiting for everyone to get dressed and we off to the stores!!!! I'm dreading it in some ways as I know it's going to be busy. On the other side I'm excited as I get to spend time with my daughter. Since she moved out we don't get to spend much mother and daughter time. So to get a few hours with her is wonderful.
I'm lucky that I had a great relationship with my mum, who I adored. So to be close to my children is a fantastic gift.
So as I set off to brave the stores I'm remembering that this time of year is also about family and good friend both of which I'm lucky enough to have. It's also time to count your blessings and also it's not worth stress of how much money we spend or gift we buy.
I'm going to enjoy my day, I hope it's a perfect day for you also xx

Family History

Family History is something I am really keen on. I started working on my family tree last year and I really find it so exciting. When you discover a new person you get silly excited! I only wish I had photo's of these people as I would love to know if I look like any of them.

Mind you its not a cheap hobby and I can be expensive to find out all this information.
Recently I hit a brick wall and found it hard to move on. So I turned to my Internet friends and found a lovely lady called Sue Kelso Ryan and she has been a star helping me to uncover more people.
If you want to give it a go then start with yourself and work back, that's how I started. If you have older family members you can ask, go to them and see what they know.

If you can join up to a site like wow.Ancestry.co.UK or another  type of site, of which there are many. That way you can search the records and start to build a tree.
Be warned it is addictive and you will be so drawn in you will never get out.
My family history is growing by the day and when I find any new little gems I will write another post and share. So wish me luck and start your family History today.

Thinking slimmer for christmas

Thinking slimmer for Christmas is something we are all hoping for. So I have a little gift for you all.



AS a special gift for you all I've teamed up with my friend Sandra at Thinking Slimmer to bring you a fabulous  ‘Keep The Pounds Off Over Xmas' Slimpod download worth £29.99. It will mean you can eat, drink and be merry this Christmas without having to worry about your waistline.

 Slimpods are special voice recordings which use a unique hypnosis method to retune the mind to eat less. You listen for just 10 minutes a day and don't need to diet or count calories.

 Sandra, a Harley Street hypnotherapist,  says: “You’ll still be able to enjoy yourself but the Slimpod will make you want smaller portions of everything. No matter what diet you’ve been on before Christmas, our Slimpod downloads will look after your waistline for you.

 "The great thing is there’s no willpower involved. You get on with enjoying Christmas while your mind gets on with controlling your weight."

 Mother of two Alison Segal, from Eastcote, Middlesex, used the Slimpod last year and lost 24lbs in three months.  “I'm really looking forward to Christmas and the party season again now that Slimpod has transformed my life," she says.

 "For the first time            I don’t have any qualms about feeling hungry and eating Christmas            pudding and mince pies. With a Slimpod I didn’t feel tempted at            all last year and Christmas was brilliant."

 From December 4th an Xmas Slimpod MP3 download can be yours instantly if go to the Thinking Slimmer Facebook page and click the Like button. You will be shown a special code which gives a 100% discount at the ThinkingSlimmer.com checkout on the 'Keep The Pounds Off Over Xmas' MP3 product.

 You will also be entitled to free VIP membership of the Thinking Slimmer club, with no obligation to purchase anything, as well as full online access to over 450 pages of articles and videos on food, fashion and fitness. There's also a recipe club with pages of healthy meal ideas.

So get over to http://www.Facebook.com/ThinkingSlimmer


Hope its useful to you and we all have a happy thinking slimmer christmas