Life is Good..........................

Life will always throw us curve balls. Things will never go as we plan. That is one thing that may make life interesting, even exciting. It is not mapped out for us.
Well, maybe in some ways it is, God says He has known us from the womb, from the beginning of time. He knows who will become His. Not because it is preordained but just because He knows. He knows us that well, He knows what our choices will be when faced with them.
So how do we use this information? I know that whatever happens in my life, God is with me. He does have a plan for me and it is up to me to find it. When in doubt, sit back and wait. Pray. Always pray.
Meanwhile, the road is up and down. First we have childhood and I have to say mine was wonderful. Mainly because I loved the place I lived, there was no desire to escape. I spent a lot of time out in the woods and fields and my friend Margarets farm.

I was shy, I lacked confidence and I now believe I was very self centered. I was an only child. I look back on my life and wonder how I could have missed some things. Said certain things and done some things. Maybe that is because I was an only child. My parents both worked and I spent a lot of time alone.

In school I did not do really well because of my reluctance to step up or stand out. For example I could run fast, but having to run in a race, well I did not want to be the center of attention and so I would really try, know I could win but back off and lose. I am not at all competitive. However it did not stop me learning the things I was interested in. It gave me a curiosity and maybe that is even better. I love history. I always loved to read and was good at that but could never spell, so I must not have done well in English language haha. I failed miserably at math. Most of that was because I dare not ask questions. Now, as an adult if I had reason to do and I do not, I think I would love math. I love puzzles and codes. I love computers and have always worked around them.

I do not believe in regrets. Would I do anything differently if I could do things over? No not at all. There are a lot of things I have said that I would take back but my life is what it is.
I have no idea how much time is left but I do know that there would not be enough time in another lifetime to do all the things I would like to do.
I like photography and art. It would have been nice to have a career in art somehow. Truth is, I have too many things I am interested in to do that.
One dream I had a long time ago, was to have a small resort and have a shop to sell the things I make. Quilts, paintings, cards...........oh way too many things to mention. I enjoy every day. I have so much to do. So much to finish.
I have been fortunate in my life to always have good friends, and they have always been a big part of me. I treasure friends always.

I have always loved my pets, my poodles. I suppose I have loved them more than most people in my life. Anyone who loves an animal can understand that.

I love my family but have never really felt "loved". Maybe because like me none of them are demonstrative and I lack confidence and self worth. We do not talk of such things. Goes back to my insecurities. Maybe that too is the fate of the only child. Not sure about that though because so many only children are self confident and secure. I am not.
For that reason I did not date a lot, usually when I did I was let down. My first real boyfriend was when we were 16. When we broke up it hardened me. I don't think I loved anyone again like I did him. I soon got tired of them, six months was about my limit. When I met Graham, who is Laura's father and I found out he was married, that did it. I felt I was done. I still dated but did not really have any feelings for any of them. I came into myself when we began to go to "the club" at Chicksands. I had such a great time there. Prior to that, in the 60s it was the Cali (California ballroom) and all the rock stars who performed there.

I enjoyed those days so much. When I moved to London I didn't go so much. Margaret and Sheila were married by then and I had a new circle of friends who went to the club with me.

I had several boyfriends there but none that settled me down. I did not want to get married. Then the day came and I was fed up with starting over, of getting to know someone new. So I did settle down and got married.

We had not intended to live in the States. Gerry was to go home, get out of the service and go back to England. We had 2 children by then and I had Laura, so three in all. Well the Air Force decided they would pay our way to the States and so we made the decision to go, meet his family and maybe stay a couple of years before returning. My parents kept saying we were better off here, discouraged us from going back. We put it off, made several attempts to get organized and move but the day came the kids were too old to start over in a new country. Also I had a horse and pets So here we still are.

I believe God has a reason for all that. I sure hope so. I miss England and my family there more than I can say. Can we retire there? well, that would mean leaving my family here, my kids, grandkids and great grandkids. So I doubt that will happen. I will never be an American citizen so maybe Mr Trump will send me back some day haha. Would I miss this country? No because there would be so much new to do. I would miss my friends but have more there than here. I would miss my family here but they could visit. So what's to stop us you say. Running out of time I think is the big thing.
I miss home more at the moment as my cousin Robin just died. It means I will not see most of my family again. We don't have the money for vacations. Plus I hate to fly.
Still what does lie ahead? I have no idea but every day is an adventure and I always look forwards to tomorrow. Right now I can not wait for Spring. Again, so much to do. So much to plan and fanangle. Gerry plans on retiring some time this year and then what? Money will be tight that's for sure. Ah well, that just makes things more interesting. I will have a huge yard sale and see what I can get rid of, time to empty out the nooks and crannies in this house and make some money.
We have to decide if we will stay in this house or move. Build a new one. Buy one..........who knows. Life is an adventure, always was and always will be. I go with the flow. I am happy where ever the road leads. I know God rules and I will follow where He leads.

Farewell Robin............................

My cousin Robin has left us, left this world and all his suffering and pain. Bon Voyage until we meet again.
As I grew up I don't remember Robin, not as a child. He was a few years older than me. The son of my Uncle Harold and Auntie Nellie. They lived in the same village as I did but I hardly knew them. My parents were not the visiting kind and although I would see Harold at Christmas and other times when he would come to our house. I really don't know why my parents were like that my cousins would have been great companions. Close enough to visit, I guess I blame my Mum for that because Dad was very social and I am sure he saw his brothers often enough in the pubs around the village.

My son Justin had the same cheeky look as Robin when he was young.
.
I wish I had a picture to compare them, maybe this one?

Anyway, the cousins all went to Bottom School on the green and I went to Top school the other end of the village and so there was no contact there. I do remember a couple of occasions that we went down to Woodlands Ave to visit Nellie, once when Mum bought our poodle pup Poppett from one of their neighbours. I loved their house. Harold was like my Dad and loved his garden. They had French Doors that opened out onto a patio and it was very pleasant. A newer house than ours on Bidwell Hill, their outside toilet was under a porch, ours one had to run outside in all weathers to reach it. So theirs was much posher than ours. No spiders either.
Anyway, by that time Robin was away in the Navy. He has two sisters one a tad older than me and one a bit younger, we should have been great friends but alas it was not to be. I don't know why. Without parent encouragement it was hardly something I thought of at the time. The only people I really knew lived on Bidwell Hill. My circle was small, I was not outgoing at all. Very unsure and shy.



Later on after Robin got married he moved to Bidwell Hill with Mary his wife. He moved a few times until they ended up across the road from my Mum.

During Robin's days in the Navy he was a demolition expert, doing underwater work. I can't remember the stories but he did tell a little about it. Then later he became a chef.
When my Dad died he catered his funeral making wonderful cakes and desserts. He was so busy with that and I will always remember him for his cheerful personality, twinkling eyes and his silly giggle. Later on when we were on the internet he taught me about making bread and cakes that we enjoyed when we were growing up.

When my Mum was ill later on in her life he was always there for her. Living across the street he would see when her lights were on in the night, he would go over and keep her company. He was a kind and thoughtful man.
He was well named Robin, he reminded me of the lovely English Robin all perky, cheeky with bright eyes and attitude.
When we left England I remember him coming over to the cab as we were ready to go to the airport. A big bear hug and tears. I suppose I really did not see him a lot during my life but he was "there" always. Mum kept some fish for awhile. A tropical tank and when we were still living there before we left for the States he was over every day. Sorting the fish, bringing new ones, taking ones that needed some care. Mum just enjoyed the fish, he did all the work. When the Guppies had babies, they give birth to live babies not eggs, he set up a little nursery so they didn't get eaten and caught them all in a little net. That was fun.
Robin and Mary with Jo

He did not write to me very often, just now and then. I wrote to him but he hated to write letters. Apparently he did write often when he was in the Navy but I am pretty sure Nellie insisted on that haha.
Once Facebook arrived and he got the computer bug, well then it became a lot easier and we stayed in touch that way. He would send me pictures when he went fishing. A little Robin would accompany him sometimes and he sent pictures of that. We also shared a love of horses. For a time he kept a horse down at Grove Farm. My friend Margarets childhood home and where I spent so much time growing up.

He would go places and take pictures for me when I was doing my family history. He knew a lot more of family than I did too. His parents apparently had more contact with family than my parents did. He knew Granddad Burts sisters, they visited Nellie and Harold, I never met them. So sad. My Mum would have nothing to do with Granddad Burt she did not like him. That meant I never got to see him either. I did visit him at least once that I recall when he was in a nursing home. My Dad would go and I must have asked to go with him. The only one in the family that came to visit us every week was Auntie Annie, my Grandmother's sister. Everyone loved her. The next picture is with his Mum Nellie and Grandmother Jennie and Sister Janet

Robin naturally being older knew my Grandmother, my Dad's Mother. I was too young when she died to remember her. I try and try but have no memory of her. I remember the house very well though. St Omere. Robin and Janet spent a lot of time there after the war just as we did. I am sure Robin had lots of memories of that house, I know I do.

In his later years Robin was very active in the community of Houghton Regis, he served on the local council and he became Mayor. Who would have thought when we were young that our little village would some day have a Mayor. Let alone it would be my very worthy cousin. My Dad would have been very proud.

Recently he was awarded the "keys of the town" and I am so happy that they honoured him while he was still healthy enough to enjoy that. He is and was very respected in the community and he was also a very private person. He has two lovely daughters Joanne and Carole and loved his family very much. He was a family man that's for sure.

Robin with Sisters Janet and Brenda.

He will be missed by many and will especially be missed by his loving family. Not too many come along like him and the world will be less without him. Farewell Robin.

Cabin Fever............................

Is it a real thing? Oh yes, it is. Anyone who lives in the Great White North can tell you. Well, maybe those of us who do not like to drive in snow and ice. I actually like the snow, it's beautiful. I Like the change of seasons and could not live in heat. Or with the nasty critters who live there too. They have more right than me so are most welcome to it.
At any rate, I had not seen Edna for several weeks due to the roads, wind and snow. She does not live that far away but at 80 (this year) she has to be careful. Well we finally got together. I hate to drive when the roads are white because I can not see well enough to negotiate snow banks and other drivers who slip and slide and so I stay inside.

Edna needed to go to Aldi's and so did I, but someone had told her about a place out near Elk Rapids that had good Cider. So off we went.
I love how the fields look in the snow. It is actually not that deep out there. I was so worried about the deer and animals this winter. In my garden the snow was over 3 foot deep. I guess the winds kept it off the fields and the woods looked OK too.

We didn't find it but took a swing out towards Elk Rapids so as we were on the way anyway, that's where we ended up. Oh how nice to get out. The sky was gorgeous and my pictures do it no justice. I used my phone, I love these old barns.

So we did not find the farm with the cider, but as we were by then almost at Elk Rapids we took a spin through the town. How different in Winter with no tourists.



The sky was beautiful, as I say, my camera didn't catch the lavender and and pretty blues of the sky. The water was lovely too.
We didn't get out because the next stop was Rene's House of Quilting. Edna had wanted something from there. I had not seen it since she expanded. They did an awesome job and it is always a pleasure to go there. I was very good. I didn't buy a thing. I am in the drawing and painting mode at the moment, not quilting.

We were there a little while because it is always fun to look. We went to lunch after that and I had fish but was eyeing Edna;s burger and fries. Still the fish was good. I figured as we were out and she didn't mind, I would go to Michaels. I needed some magnets to make some refrigerator magnets.

Found some as well as a few other things naturally but escaped without too much damage. Then it was time to go to Aldi's, we did our shopping and then went home. How nice it was to get out and visit with a good friend.
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Tristen's bedroom change............................

Last time Tristen was over he wanted to paint his bedroom, woo hooo. I am not sure I would have gotten Gerry around to doing it any time soon. I had all the books and stuff from Laura's house to find a place to keep until I can get my garage sale next year. I packed as much as possible in the closet in Alex room, just don't open the door. I had to move the desk out of Tristen's room onto the landing and still nowhere to put the rocking chair. I will certainly have to get rid of a lot of things next year.

I think Tristen had fun even if Gerry did not but at least it got done.
Then they had to clean off the car and shovel some snow

I think he was tired by the time he went home

Anyway, after that I was able to get that room finished. Almost..........

I have a few more pictures to hang and some plates I want on the wall.

Although it does not really fit in, I put the blanket my Mum knitted on the end of the bed.

I moved the desk from the room downstairs up to his room, it has already been damaged unfortunately

I bought a regular record player for all my records and put it in that room
I did manage to get the books on the shelves, some day I will put them in some kind of order.

The chair was my grandmothers and was the last place I saw her, my last visit with her before she died. The blanket was a garage sale find and also not really something that fits in but ah well.

This painting was one that was in my living room for many years back when it was decorated with all my "Indian" stuff. It was then delegated to the basement bedroom until Gabby moved in. Cooper has that room and so I really didn't want to leave it there. My parents bought the painting for me. The Arrow heads came from a museum. Some day I should get it appraised.

I am sure that I will find many more things to do before it's finished. The closet is organized and packed to the brim with Tristen's toys. He was very happy with the room and now it's more a boys room than a babies room.
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selling our house...............

We finally finished yesterday cleaning the house that Laura was renting. We met with the real estate lady, Janel Brown. We listed it at the price we wanted at 169.9. We had to put time and a little money into it to get it ready for sale. So we finished that up yesterday and went over it with Janel. She listed it today and got 4 showings on this first day and one tomorrow. She called awhile ago and said she had two offers. Now that means that if they still want the house they have to bid on it and we will take the highest bid over our asking price. Listed January 1st.

Now we will be meeting with Janel on Wednesday (Jan3) at noon and see where we are at. It would be awesome if we got it sold that quickly, first day out.
When she comes over I will ask what she thinks about this house (our own home). If we can sell it without doing all the updates that would be awesome. We would have to think about it though. Do we really want to sell it? What would the advantages be. Well a smaller home and possibly no or a very small mortgage, that would make our life a lot easier. Tristen does not want us to sell it. It has been a family home for so long, but we have to think of us now. It is too big. A lot of work, especially the garden. On the other side it is so close to everything, within walking distance almost at least to get to a store. The doctors, hospital and all of that.
I would like to be out in the country on a few acres. How realistic is that?
We have so much STUFF we would have to get a storage unit to store it all until we could sell our things but it has to happen some day so we should consider it.I would not mind building a house up on the subdivision that this house we are selling is on. Gerry does not want to build.
He wants to find one to fix up, that would be fine except how quickly could he get it done, I really do not want to live in a mess. So we will pray, check our options and pray about it.
January 13 2018
Well the meeting went well and we accepted the first offer. If all goes well we will close at the end of February.
Jan 15 Monday.
So, I am picking this up later. The inspector came today and all went very well with that. The new people have plans for the house and anxious to get in. Here are some pictures.


Living room

Main bath

main bed and bath


This has been my baby getting this all turned around and attractive. If all goes well we should be done by mid February. As always, the Lord is in control and we will trust in Him and all will work out for the best.