We are nearing the end of the year.

 I know I've said it!

It seems like yesterday we were taking the Christmas decorations down and putting them away and here we are getting them all out again!

Christmas for us this year looks very different.  We usually have a seven foot tree up but now we have a small three foot one tucked away in the corner.  The reason?  We have a one year old cat that is so naughty and last year spent most of the year either pulling off decorations or pushing the tree completely over!  So instead of constantly replacing the tree we decided to play it safe instead!

Christmas day id different for us too.  We usually either travel to the older children or they come to us.  This year we are part of a team that is providing a Christmas dinner for anyone lonely or in need.  As a church this is the first time we have done anything like this and I'm so pleased that so many people are getting involved.  So far we have a fair few people booked in.  I'm really looking forward to being with old and new friends this Christmas.  I feel like opening the church up for others who may be struggling in some way is more than just providing a meal.  It is showing the love of Jesus in a real way.  In a way that demonstrates his love for us.  After all HE is the REASON for the Season!

moan of the month!

Hello Folks

 So now I'm back blogging I thought id reinstate my moan of the month!

Its a funny world we live in post Covid.  Some people were changed forever by Covid and the restrictions imposed on us all.  There are others who think it was a big ruse and it wasn't such a big deal as we were lead to believe.  Some people had the vaccinations, others refused.  Some people kept within the rules and guidelines and there was those who just went around living life as if nothing was happening and didn't adjust their lifestyles at all.

It seems that lately the media has been telling us that there is a upturn in the cases of Covid in the UK.  The children are back at school and college and so all kinds of illnesses get spread around the classrooms so its no surprise really is it?

My moan is about the people that moan and attack others for having a different view!  I was privy to a conversation last week where two people were discussing the Covid problem.  One was convinced we had all been hoodwinked and the other was petrified of contracting Covid.  Neither party had had Covid.  The discussion became quite heated and each was berating the other for their thoughts on Covid.  

For me the issue is tolerance.  What ever your thoughts remember that others have the right to a opinion too.  Its OK to disagree but please disagree well.  Don't accuse and belittle another person because they have a different opinion to you.  You could both be right or neither of you could.  As a human race, we must learn to disagree well.  To remain friendly and cordial even though we might not agree.  Kindness and tolerance help to make the world a better place.  Whatever your differences remember we are all entitled to our thoughts and opinions.

Have a great week

Bye for now

Hales

 Hello folks!

Recently we have received some bad news about a friend.  It seems that her time on earth may be drawing to a end in the near future.  This can be hard to stomach.  We lost a friend through Covid and it hit me very hard.  It was so hard being away from those grieving and not being able to share their sorrow with them.  Because of Covid restriction with regard to travel we were unable to travel to the funeral and instead had to watch online.  It really impacted Mr PB and I.  Our friend was a amazing man with a big heart and a huge love of God.  We spent many many hours together laughing, talking and listening to his endless stories which often had in stitches with laughter.  He was a larger than life character and although he was chronically ill he never complained even when he was in considerable pain.  He and his wife were a big support to me when I was going through a bout of depression and cared for me and the family in a myriad of ways.  We feel his loss keenly.  

Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and at times I have been closer to friends than I have been to family.  I came across this quote this week

It made me think of both of my friends.  Both have been courageous in the face of ill health and pain and both have fought it head on.  One had a faith, one doesn't, but they both show the same amount of resilience and courage.  Its hard to watch a friend going through a difficult time especially when there is nothing you can do to help.  Hug your friends, tell them you love them and just listen to them.  You never know when it will be the last time you will see or hear from them.  Friends are a precious gift, love them

Bye for now

Hales x

Oh no I mentioned the C word!

 Hello lovelies!

the weather has certainly changed hasn't it?  I cant believe its only a week since the sun was out and we were all swelting in heat in the late twenties!  September has returned to its normal conditions for this time of year.  I cant say I'm disappointed.   I really struggle in the hot weather if I'm honest and much prefer the autumn and spring months.  

For the last three years I have been part time at my job and full time at university.  All this is to change now I've comp0leted my degree and from October I will be full time.  So I'm making the most of the extra days and hours I have by finishing up some of the crafting projects that i have hanging around that are half finished.  The first of which is this wreath.

I like it but I do wish I hadn't stuck quite so many pompoms on it.  I think it makes it look a little bit busy.  still its completed and ready to put up at Christmas.  One of my friends saw it and have asked me to knit them one as well!  I guess id better get the knitting needles out! Knitting and crochet is something I enjoy doing while watching telly.  It helps me to sit still and focus on something.  My nanny first taught me when I was a child and its something that I have done on and off for the majority of my life.  Both my Nanny and Mother were avid knitters and so I guess I inherited the gene!

The other project I am working on right now is a patchwork quilt for Miss PB who will be 18yrs old in November.  It really has been a labour of love.  I will never again attempt such a big project!  It is double bed size and despite starting at the beginning of the year I have just got to the part where I can start to sew the edging.  Every piece of the quilt has been sewn by hand.  Its not perfect but it is made with love and its something she can keep for years.  Maybe when she is away at university she can wrap herself in and be comforted by thoughts of home.  

Well enough waffling on from me!

I hope to see you back here in my little piece of the internet soon

Bye for now

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!

Happy new year Potter!

Hello Lovelies!

Happy New year!  I know we are a couple of weeks in to 2020 already but I wish you all the things you wish yourself throughout 2020.

My first make of the year has been this Harry Potter doll.  I've really rekindled my love of knitting over the last few weeks and I enjoyed making this doll.  It is for my friends birthday as she loves Harry and I thought it would be the perfect little gift for her.

It doesn't take alot of yarn and so is perfect for using up those little scraps of wool that you always have lying around.  However as I haven't knitted for so long I had to go and buy all the colours I needed.

He has the cutest little wand that is made from a cocktail stick and the scarf can be attached or made separate and be removed.  I decided to sew this scarf on so it didn't get lost.  I found it a little tricky to do the glasses and as you can see faces are not my forte!

Since making this I have been asked to make two more by people and so my fingers shall be kept busy!  This one only took me a afternoon so it is perfect for being whipped up as a last minute present.

You can get the pattern for free from here so pop along and you shall be making your own Harry doll in no time at all!



Bye for Now



Hales xx

Im such a bad blogger!

Hello lovelies!

Its true! I am!
I keep revisiting this blog and trying to summons up the love I once had for it.  I start with good intentions but life gets in the way.  I lead a busy life and to add that I have started study again.  This is taking quite a lot of time (more than I first though) and so the blog has took some what of  a back seat.

I still enjoy reading others blogs and also writing here but I have made a decision.




I will early nest year start blogging again.  I will start in January and try to set myself a goal of once a fortnight to begin with.  If I don't meet this coal I will, with all sadness, call it a day over here on The PB Family until such a time as I feel able to pick it up again or one of the family does so.

Well a big thank you to all those who have stuck with us, messaged to check on us and generally wished us well.
Have a great Christmas holiday no matter what you are doing or who with and I hope to be back with you in the new year!
Bye for now

Hales & Co xxx