Its been a while!

 Its been more than a hot minute since I last posted! January 2020 was my last post!  

It was before that horrible word that became so common to us all "covid" was in everyday conversation and before we relocated to another part of the UK.  Life has certainly moved on.

We relocated to Kent in September 2020.  We moved here for work and it is very strange to live away from family, especially the older children and grandchildren who we sorely miss. I've completed a second degree and graduated as well.  I've been pretty busy!  Little Miss PB has left school and is now in her second year of college.  Time trots on so fast!

 Kent is called the garden of England for a reason, Its a beautiful part of the UK.  Much like Norfolk you can be in a busy built up area one minute and the next you are at the beach.  

The county is very varied in its history and architecture.  Rochester has a very historic high street which was loved by Charles Dickens (there is a festival to celebrate this fact every year)  while places such as Margate and Broadstairs make the most of the family seaside experience.  We have had many days out exploring the area but we find the more we explore the more there is to see!

On the crafting side of things I have been trying my hand at many different things.  Most recently I have been sewing a handmade patchwork quilt for Miss PB's 18th birthday present.  I wanted something she could enjoy but that would have some meaning to it.  I last made her a quilt when she was five years old so she is most definitely due another one.  I shall post pictures when I have finished.  It is a 3/4 bed size and has turned into a mammoth task.  To be honest I didn't realise how much of a huge job it would be! In early May I sustained a injury to my back which meant I was laying flat for two months.  I have since had surgery which hasn't worked and so I will be having a different operation in the near future.  This has rather called a halt to a lot of things but I'm grateful that I can now walk, albeit painfully.  Hopefully the new surgery will be performed soon and I can get back to normal, whatever that is!  

Well its time to go now.  I promise that I wont be away for so long again!  Thank you for sticking with me.  I hope to meet you back in this space again soon!

Bye for now!

Doggie Delight!

Hello Lovelies.

I was very surprised this week when there was a knock on the door and the local courier stood there with a huge parcel.  Firstly I was thinking "What have I ordered and forgot about?".  As I opened it I was surprised to find we had been sent a box of dog food by the lovely people at bakers for the fur babies to try out



It was so heavy and stuffed with goodies!  As soon as the dogs realised there was food in there They just sat waiting to be fed!  I let them try some of the lovely treats.  When I opened them the smell of bacon was very overwhelming.  I have to say I thought it was a little artificial but it certainly grabbed the dogs attention and they gobbled them down without a second thought!.    There was no effect on the dogs tummies which is a problem we sometimes find with dog treats and as they are quite long sticks we were able to cut them in half as are doggies really small.  This meant they lasted longer!




I opened the sacks of food and they seemed to be nothing very different from other foods Ive tried.  To be honest it was just dog food!  The good thing was the size of the lumps of food was small so this suited our dogs perfectly.

There was a good mix of meat and vegetables and the dogs seemed to enjoy it.  Lets just say there was no food left in the bowls!  there was no overwhelming or offensive smells both from the food and from the dogs afterwards (if you get my meaning!). This seems to suit our dogs very well and they were happy enough with it so I think I will buy it and continue using it for them.

So all in all Bakers small dog food and treats got a paws up from The PB Doggies.  They were happy with it, we were happy and so a big thank you to bakers and insiders for this gift.


If you have a small dog I would recommend trying this food.  I can't vouch for bigger breeds and the food bakers market for them but the small dog food is a hit!


Well its a big bye for now from us!  Hope to see you back here again soon

Hales x























,

Things change in life

Hello Lovelies.

In our lives things often change.  We get married have children, work, progress in our careers, some marriages don't make it and some do.  Some people find the love of their lives first time round and for others it takes two or three or more attempts.  

Mr PB and I in the early days

When we dont know what our future holds it can be pretty scary stuff!  We kind of have a plan for our futures of how our lives will map out but then things change and we are left floundering!
Its difficult when you are going through changes and sometimes its hard for others to understand.  Our children have grown up except for the girl child who is very much her own person now at nearly 14 years old and so Mr PB and I are embarking on some pretty life changing stuff ourselves.

  

We have been considering things for quite a while and although nothing is finalised just yet there is a very very good chance we will be leaving our home and moving to somewhere new.  We may be embarking on new careers, who knows.  All we do know is that what ever we do do, it will be together and as one!  

Bye for now

Hales xxxxxx

Half term - Easter holidays 2019

Hi Lovelies!

Well here in sunny Suffolk we have started the Easter holidays.  I love this time of being with the children.  So far we have had a couple of days with the grand children.  We spent a few hours in the park close to their home today.  It was lovely and sunny but we underestimated how cold it was out there!  The worst thing was the wind.  There is a saying here, "the wind goes straight through you not round you!" and that is so true.  It was that cutting biting wind that stings.  The children were content to just play and run around and I guess they don't feel the cold as badly as my old bones!  Granddad stayed huddled in the car!  Clever move Granddad!

The three eldest Grandchildren

Just spending time with the grandchildren is such a blessing.  They are small for such a short time and we cherish every moment.  It doesn't seem so long ago that their dads were their age!  Time truly flies!  Now that Princess is 13 years old she doesn't always want to hang out with us so its good that we can get the dogs on their leads and just go walking and adventuring with the Grandbabies.  They are still at the age where they think Grandma and Granddad are cool!

I will most probably be photo spamming the blog with day out photos during these holidays but looking back over the blog I can see that we have documented a lot of our lives here.  There have been special moments and sad moments.  Births, deaths and marriages.  Birthdays and Christmases.  This blog has become in essence the online diary of our lives.  I am considering starting a new blog to link the Youtube channel and post non family stuff.  This is and always will be primarily a family blog and I've realised the importance of that.  I will update you all on what I do decide to do but right now I feel like the best thing to do is to start a new blog for all non family guff! 

Well once again, thank you for dropping in to visit us and we hope to see you all here again very soon!

Bye for now
Hales xxx

Five things Id tell my grandparents

Hello lovlies!

I hope you are all well.
Whatever has happened to the weather!  Its so rainy here in sunny Suffolk.  Ive got the jumpers out again and the heating is still on low and its May!  Come on, give us a break!

Today I want to talk about my grandparents.  They were both such a big part of my childhood.  They were there when times were happy, tough, mundane and everything in between.  My Grandad died in 1990 and my Nanny quite a few years later.  They were married for over forty years and had a strong and happy marriage.  They were full of wisdom and love and I miss them terribly.
Since Ive had my own grandchildren its made me think of them more and more.  So here are the five things Id like to tell them the most.

1.  You were right!
  On so many things you were right.  Always mix the butter and sugar first when making cakes, don't smoke! Boiled water is the best thing for UTI's, Whiskey in water helps with nausea,  Love, laugh and smile.  Listen to people, work hard.  All these you were right when you said them!

2.  Most important is family. 
Ive tried to instill this into my own family.  Whether it will be a important part of their lives only time will tell.  I try to keep in touch with my siblings and Mother as much as possible and love family get togethers.  Mostly its My little family and I but I'm happy with that.

3.  I found my prince charming.
  I have a husband who is devoted to me.  He holds open car doors for me to get in and carries the shopping.  I model  my marriage on your own.  I know you'd like him, even you Nanny! We love and respect each other and not afraid to say things to each other that may offend.  We often have times when we just sit in silence or times when the rooms too loud to hear but that's OK. We can communicate without words and never go to bed upset without first having a hug.  We say I love you everyday and sometimes multiple times a day.  If I hadn't seen your marriage I wouldn't have known what true love and devotion is. Thank you x

4.I miss you.
Everyday I miss you.  The kettle always on the boil, the teapot with a cosy on it,  the linen tablecloths on the table, The cakes in the cake tin.  Grandad slipping his shandy to us and Nanny's little treats.  I  miss the cuddles with you Grandad as I gentle pulled on your ears. I miss baking with you Nanny where you would always let me take the praise for the perfect sponge when all Id done really was give the batter a quick stir.  I miss just popping in.  I wish I could have brought my own grandchildren to visit you.  You would love them so much, I know you would.


5.  Look I made it! 
Through all the ups and downs and all the smiles and tears, I'm here, happy and content.  I have a happy and strong marriage.  I have a little family of my own that keeps growing and I am loved by many people young and old.  Ive kept my faith in God which was instilled in me through many years of watching songs of praise with you on a Sunday evening.  We have a lovely church family and are settled into our church.  God plays a big part in our lives and always will.  I know you are looking down and approving!

Thank you for your input into my life

Hales xx

Easter half term week one

Hello Lovelies!

So here in the UK it is the Easter half term.  The children have two weeks off school and so its the time when all parent think " what can we do to keep the kidlets occupied?"
Miss PB is eleven years old now so mostly entertains herself but we still like to do things as a family.  We see a lot of the grandchildren and its lovely to have them around but again its keeping them busy that we need to think about.  So we have a very busy time planned!

I'm going to do this as a diary type post and I'm going to document what we have got up to during the holidays. Mostly for us to look back on in years to come.

Monday. 3rd April  Cake baking day!
Miss PB made her first sponge cake on her own.  I just sat in the kitchen and gave limited advice but she did the cake baking on her own.  She also made her dad a egg sandwich.  Again her first experience of using a frying pan!  These are all moments I want to remember.  Shes growing so fast!
Tuesday 4th April - Lion King workshop

Today Miss PB went off with her best friend to a lion king workshop at a young carers group that she is part of.  Its important that she spends time away from us doing fun things.  Often Young carers are over looked and not thought bout but here in the UK things are slowly changing and young carers are being valued more and more.  Miss Pb is of great help to me.  sometimes I am unable to put on my own socks or get myself a drink and she helps me immensely.  Its also good that Mr PB can pop out knowing that she is here and can cope and keep me safe if I should have a seizure.  Shes a special little girl! 

Wednesday 5th April

Today was our church project F.I.S.H (food in the school holidays).  This weeks theme was pizza making.  We went with our son and his family.  It involved making pizza on pitta bread and then grilling them.  The children really enjoyed making their pizzas and choosing and arranging the toppings!

Thursday 6th April 

 Today was weigh in day at slimming world.  I put on 1/2lb.  I'm not too worried as I have only just started eating since being in hospital and I think its my body adjusting to that.  Mr PB lost 6lb!  So annoying!  He loses weight so easily! It just drops off him!

After slimming world we went and spent the afternoon chatting, drinking tea and putting the world to rights with our good friends and their beautiful granddaughter.  Miss PB enjoyed playing with their granddaughter.  She is really good with younger children.  I guess that comes from having younger nieces and nephews!

Friday 7th April

Today Miss PB went to a open day at her young carers group.  There is a bake sale and we went and had a look round the centre.  Miss PB and Daddy made some cookies to sell.  Although some got eaten before they got there!  My brother is having a operation to clear his chest today, its quite a risky operation but we are sure with Gods grace he will recover well.

Sunday 9th April.

Today we went to church.  We then picked up two of the Grandchildren and took them to a little beach a couple of miles from our home.  The weather was glorious!  We had such fun!  It was so warm we needed to use sun cream and the children wore shorts and t-shirts!

We finished off the day with chips by the sea and the children had a quick go on the motorised scooters.  

The children then asked for a sleep over.  We rang the parents and they agreed so we have two overnight guests tonight!

So that's week one of the Easter half term holidays!  What will we get up to next week!

See you soon

Mrs PB 

Monthly catch up march 2017

Hello everyone.
So today I'm starting a new series which will be a monthly post catching up on our family life.

This month has been nothing if not eventful!
Firstly we have had four birthdays!  Firstly Mr PB on the 3rd and then  DIL on the 7th.  Followed by Big son PB on 14th then mine on the 19th.  Finally little son PB who was 22 years old.  Where have the years gone!  I can remember the boys being tiny and the time has just flown by! Obviously due to my illness in the middle of the month birthdays celebrations have been rather muted and in fact almost none existent!  We will make up for it later in the year!

Spring has definitely sprung!  The weather is so much milder and its lovely to wake up to the sun streaming through the window in the morning.  There isnothing better than a bit of sunshine on your cornflakes! (anyone remember that advert?)

Our two little princesses are now four and six months and continue to grow and just be beautiful.  they bring us so much joy!

 Chuckles has finally started to smile at us when she sees us.   (shes very selective who she smiles at!)

Mimi is a joy as always.  She is really an intelligent little girl.. At parents evening her mum was told she is reading well above her age level and in fact is at the level that would be expected at the end of the year above her!

Bob is a sweetheart.  He loves to play fight with grandad and has just found you tube videos that show Mario games being played!  He is addicted to them and makes us watch whenever we go round there!

Miss PB is doing well.  She is in the middle of revising for her stats.  This is causing her no problems and she is far from being stressed out by it all.  She is quite laid back like her Daddy and very little phases her.  I am still in awe of how she helped to revive me when I was so poorly.  She is certainly a special little girl.

We are blessed with our family.

As far as the blog is going, I am pleased with the direction ts taking.  I plan to do some more reviews and an looking at different items to review.  As you know my favourite thing is make up but I intend to try to do more non make up reviews.  What do you think?

Well that's a quick update from us.

Thanks for stopping by and We hope to see you here again real soon! 

Random question generator

Hello lovelies!

Today I thought Id do something a bit different.
In a bid to get you to know me better Ive decided to do a Q&A using a random question generator here.  So here we go!

1.  Who is the most famous person you have met?

The Duke of Edinburgh.  I met him when I was a venture scout at a celebration in Birmingham.

2.  Do you have any siblings? 

Yes!  I have four brothers and five sisters with a further three brothers from my fathers second marriage.

3.  Who was the last person that you called or texted?

My Friend Rick

4.  What's the worst thing you can say on a first date?

Whats that smell?

5.  What was the last book you read?

Hollow city from the Miss Peregrines home for extraordinary children series

6. If you could try out any job for one week, what job would you choose to try?

Without a doubt a Midwife!

7.   Do you prefer to take baths or showers?

I prefer baths but unfortunately we only have a wet room.  If we stay in a hotel I try to ensure we have a bath!

8.   How have you changed since you were younger?

I have definitely become a calmer person and also have a better self body image.

9.   What was the last movie you saw?

Friend request.  I don't recommend it!

10.   What are your three must have smart phone apps?

Twitter, Instagram and Ali express!

So If you've got this far I hope this little Q&A has given you a better insight into my world.

see you soon

Bye for now

Current wants!

Hello Lovelies!

In a world where consumerism is at the fore we often buy things almost without thinking.  Things can be bought by just passing a piece of plastic over the counter so money doesnt even change hands.  This year one of my goals is to think before I buy.  I have decided to make a list of things I would like in my bullet journal (read about it HERE) and then go back to it in a few weeks and see if I really do want it.  It stops impulse buying and also most times the prices of items are reduced by the time I get round to buying them!  So here are my current list of wants,

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick  here.  This was on my Christmas list but Santa forgot it!  Priced at £26.00 its quite expensive for a lipstick but just look at that packaging! 

The colours available are beautiful and I should think that there is a colour there to suit every type of skin tone.   I definitely don't NEED this but I sure would like to own it!


I also like the look of THESE.

It is a set of four  Artisan Tealight Set with Rose Quartz. Priced at £8.26 + shipping it will hardly break the bank and it sounds so lovely I can just imagine the smell!  I love artisan products and am always on the look out for more candles!  Its not the same on a winters evening if there not a candle burning! 

As you are aware Ive recently started Journaling and I have been eyeing up this "Fauxdori".

 It comes in a array of leather colours and you can choose the elastic colours too.  I think a purple one would be just perfect for me!  You can find them HERE.  They are priced at £20.99 and are the best priced ones I have found.  I think I would use it as my carry around diary and to-do list. 

Finally I like the look of THESE.  I drink lots of fruit and herbal teas and people don't always have them at their houses so I like to carry some in my handbag.  These are a lovely way to carry them that keep them tidy and all in one place

This would just be perfect to carry around with me and they are only £5!  They look very well made and the fabric is very Cath Kidstoneque.    

So that is my little want list.  Of course I don't need any of these but to have them would be really nice!  Oh and if Mr PB is reading, It is my birthday soon!

Thanks for stoping by
Bye for now

Hales x

My Bullet journal

Hi there lovelies!
Hows things?
Its been lovely and sunny here in Suffolk. A distinct change in the weather. It seems Spring has sprung!

This year Ive decided to give bullet journaling a go.  Its changed my life!  It really has.  No more missing appointments, forgetting friends tea/coffee meet ups, no more missing bill payments.  I'm totally organised!  If you know me you will know this is quite surprising for me!  In fact me being organised is positively  a miracle! 

 So this is how my journal looks.  I bought a LEUCHTTURM 1917 from Amazon .  I also bought a pen holder in which to store my growing number of pens!  Also from amazon you can find it here. It helps me to keep everything together and organised.  its amazing how much stuff you start collecting!

Firstly I set up my "goals for the year".  I didnt want to call it new years resolutions as I never keep to them and then feel dissatisfied with myself, so they are the goals I aim to reach.

I also set aside a page for quotes I hear throughout the year and I either like or are inspirational.
I have a page on books i want to read or have read.  I aim to read twenty books this year.  That is my goal and this page helps me keep track.

I also keep two pages for bible verses that I like.  We have a verse to learn each year for church and that's here.  I like to keep this page so I can turn to a specific verse when i need it!

Typically my weeks are set up like this.  I do a two page spread for each week and it works pretty well.  (I couldn't find a two page spread that wasn't full of my appointments etc!)  I prepare the page two weeks in advance so that I have a idea of what we have in store for that week.

I also keep track of my period and moods in the journal.  I'm interested to see if my moods are affected by my periods.  I'm sure they are but I guess I'm just looking for confirmation.  This is a good way to track it. 

I also have my Christmas list in there! I know its really early in the year but we are on a limited budget and  like to pick up bargains when I see them especially for the grandchildren.  These pages help me to keep a eye on what Ive bought and what I still have to buy.  Its a good system.

I also put in photos of people I love and want to pray for.  This adds something personal to my journal and it helps keep me focused when praying.

 Sometimes its hard to remember to do things you love.  Its important to give oneself love and so I have a small list of things that I like and like to do.  Also new songs that Ive discovered, sometimes played on the radio or stuff I hear coming out of my daughters bedroom!

Finally and most importantly I think I have a gratitude log.  Sometimes in life we forget things we are grateful for and the many blessings we have.  Something as simple as a warm bed to sleep in is something that a person would be extremely grateful for if they didn't have it. And so on.

So that's my journal.  It keeps me grounded and organised.  It gets me where I need to be, when I need to be there.  I challenge you to try keeping one.  Its extremely addictive but great fun.  There are facebook groups you can join to get ideas and meet like minded people.
I'm so glad you joined me today and I hope to read your comments below
Take care
Bye for now 
Hales xx

Imbolc and being a Christian

Hello lovelies!

The 2nd of February marks Imbolc.  For those who don't know it is a festival in the pagan calender.
It marks the breaking of winter and the coming spring.  We celebrate the return of the sun and look forward to the warmer weather and spring approaching.  To the daffodils and snow drops poking their heads through the soil and giving us a riot of colour to cheer our days.  As the warmer days appear we look forward to the spring equinox and all that brings.  Imbolc is kind of a halfway point between winter solstice and spring solstice.  Its a chance to spring clean and fling open the windows and let the fresh cold air flow through the house making the stale air from our homes (shut up over winter) blow away! 

We are Christians but we keep the festivals of the year.  I personally consider myself as a christian pagan.  Ive been told many times that this is a contradiction of terms but I believe not and let me tell you why.
The wheel of the year and the solstices etc are all naturally occurring events.  I believe God made the world and so any changes that are made to it (for example seasonal changes) are from him.  I believe that the Gods and Goddesses (mother nature etc) are in fact angels who look after the earth.  Angels were sent to earth to guard the gates of Eden to stop Adam and Eve returning, the Bible tells us this.  So we know that angels tread the earth.  I shall be burning a candle to celebrate the coming of warmer days and the fast approaching spring!

Tell me your thoughts below

Bye for now

Hales xxx

keeping things for best

Last week I decided to buy a teapot. Our eldest and his family had given us some Argos vouchers for Christmas and we had some left over do I thought id use them.
I decided on this one here 

At that time it was £12.99 but you got a set of teacups and saucers free with it so I thought it was quite a good deal.  That's until I got it home.  The quality was terrible.  Really rough edges and you struggled to get a decent amount of tea out of it.  So back it went. 
I thought I would look in Tesco or Asda when we did our shop.  Then I decide to give my china a quick once over.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my china! I have a lovely collection of vintage tea sets and cups and saucers mostly bought from charity shops and car boot sales.  I was washing my teapot which is kept on the kitchen  window sill and I thought "why not use this teapot?" "ooo no"  I said to myself  "that one is for best"  ( I often have these conversation with myself or God when I'm poodling round!)

My Christmas present from my daughter

But when does best come around?  Is it when rarely seen relatives come over?  When old friends come around for a cuppa?  I think that I am wonderfully and perfectly made (Psalm 139:14) Good tells me so, so I believe it!   So every day should be a special day.  A day for bringing out the best and using the best and being the best.
My first cuppa which  enjoy on my own in the morning thinking about the day and having time just me and God. The second I have with Mr CM about 8am where we are rushing around getting things ready.  Then the third we have together at around 9.30 am when princess and Son 3 have left for school/college the house is quiet and we have chance to talk.  All those are special cups of teas.  When my mother visits and we knit over a cuppa.  That's a special time too..  When friends come over and we catch up on each others news, once again this is a special time.

So now my "for best" teapot gets used everyday!

Oh course this applies to other things (not just teapots!)  Why not put on those shoes you have been keeping for best,  give yourself a spray of that expensive perfume you have kept for special occasions.
Just make today the "best" day.  Go on you deserve it!
Bye Bye for now

JLS!

Hello!
On Saturday Mr CM took our nieces to Norwich City Football ground to see JLS.  They were supported by Olly Murss and apparently the girls were just as excited to see him as they were JLS!
I wish I would have had uncles to take me to things like that when I was younger.  In the same way watching Princess with her big brothers I would have loved a  older brother as they seem so much fun!

Anyway I will leave you with a few pictures from Saturday.
Loves
Hales xxx

Happy anniversary Mr CM

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I had sceduled this post to yesterday and it didnt! I hope blogger sort there issues out soon or im afraid i may move my blog!
anyway............

Today (yesterday) is our wedding anniversary. I just wanted to send you this song as It reminds me of you.
Thank you for the years we have had togeather and those to come. Thank you God for letting and paths cross and bringing us together
love you chubhub
Hales xxxx

Things i miss

Things I miss

I miss the hugs we didnt have
the tears and laughter
the bathtimes and bedtimes
the fun and frolics
the explaining every little thing in detail
the never ending questions
the buying of clothes grown out of too fast,
the learning curve i have had with each of the other children,
the birthdays, christmasses, christenings and weddings,
all the things we should have shared.
the walks in the park, the scrapped knees, the freely running tears and the snotty noses
The deep and meaningful conversations and the silly banter
The thunderstorm cuddles and the cold snowy hands
these are things I miss and will never have.
mummy loves you all

(in memory of our angel children Evie, Victoria, Milly, George, Rachel and Anna)

Another new princess!

We have a new a princess!  Our beautiful second Grandaughter was born on wednesday and she is so beautiful!  I was honored to be asked to be present at the birth and it was a amazing experience.  I have seen many babies born (being the eldest of ten siblings!)  but i have to say I have never experienced a birth like that.  The birth was beautiful and mum was so calm and totally in control!  Seeing our precious grandaughter enter the world was a amazing moment. I saw a completely different side to my No. 2 son as he supported and helped DIL 2 through the labour.  There love for each other brought a tear to my eye and im sure they will be a lovely family. 
Mr CM is in love with yet another girl and goes all misty eyed when he holds her!  Well instead of me blathering on I will leave you with some pictures of the happy event!

Very proud Grandma

Cuddles with Grandad

Son 3 proud to be auncle again

Princess with her new neice

Four generations of ladies

Mummys and Daddys Princess

The happy family!