Good Morning Campers!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Been a month again since I updated my blog but what a busy month it has been! Thanksgiving was wonderful..Black Friday was a blast..didn't find too many really great bargains as it seems to me there are more sales going on on a day to day basis this year..Ryan decorated the outside of the house and put up new lights..we got a real tree this year as the prices were so good..only $30 for a 6ft Frasier Fir..smells wonderful too!! Hubby arrived on Dec 3rd..we have been having so much fun with him home..last night he bought the kids and him tickets to the Jags versus the Colts game in Indianapolis so they are uber excited!! And the big new is I have quit my job!!! The school I worked for got audited and they discovered that myself and the other Externship Coordinator did not have a Bachelors Degree which apparently we were supposed to have!! So they wanted me to stay and and fire my friend who was there first and get another person in with a degree who I could work under! I said no because I wouldn't do that to my friend so I left and what do they do?? Yep ask her to stay now because they need her!! She is leaving too but is hanging on till after Christmas...to be honest I wasn't truly happy there and I believe it happened for a reason and maybe the reason was me getting to spend some time with Lester!!

Well that was a quick round up of whats going on around here..not to mention it has been bloody freezing!! Very unusual for us to have several days in a row with below freezing temps..but you know me I'm loving it! It doesn't last long and is certainly very Chrismasy!!

I hope everyone is well..warm..and happy! I wish you all the joy of the season and may it last all through the upcoming year!!

Happy Christmas!!

L xx

Happy Birthday in Heaven...

Every year I re-post this on my Mum's Birthday..


No Happy Returns

Today would have been my mums 74th birthday.

As you know I did not have the greatest of relationships with my Mum.She was moody, miserable, bitchy a lot of the time. She was also very funny, kind hearted, great with old people..would give you the shirt off her back.. great sense of humour..we once almost got thrown off a bus for the uncontrollable giggles caused by a man sitting oppisite us with this huge bandage on his nose..one look at him and her and I were off...it was terrible!! the more we tried to stop the worse it got... LOL She cried at the Waltons and Little House on the Prarie.. she loved dogs..we had a Red Setter called Tramp for 14 years.. she walked him 3 miles every day..sometimes twice...she could do cartwheels, juggle, ride a moterbike, never learned to drive..she tried a few times but always gave up she was way too nervous.. she made Christmas very very special.. she would begin "hoarding" food as early as September..she kept it all under th stairs...she loved Malteasers (english candy similar to whoppers) she smoked..in her later years rolled her own to save money.. I saw her get into at least 3 fist fights with women...she had a terrible temper...one time this girl was after me..said I had been after her boyfirend..my Mum drug her out the pub by her hair and told her she ever so much as looked at me wrong she would be back... ;-) She loved Country and Western music and dancing and slot machines. she was the life and soul of the party and no one would ever believe the way she was at home..she was terrified of Doctors, hospitals and had a morbid fear of choking.. she chewed her food into tiny pieces to avoid that....if we ever got hurt as kids she would go get the neighbours because she would panic......she once knocked two ornaments together while dusting and smashed them and cut her palms badly..she had to have stitches and they pretty much had to put her to sleep to do them..LOL...she was always dusting, hoovering, would come in on a saturday morning when I was trying to sleep in and open the curtains and the bloody windows and start hoovering around me...LOL.. she would spit on a hanky and wipe off my face as a kid ewwwwwwwwww...she was only just 5' tall..she was one of twins..her twin died at birth..she was born in a workhouse..she only weighed 2lb.. she never met her dad he was an alcoholic and died of Cirrosis of the liver.. her family was very poor.. she had 2 sisters and 3 brothers...hr real name was Diana but veryone called her babe as she was the youngest.. I once watched her and her sister get into a fight..my dad and my uncle had to sperate them with a water hose...LOL.. she was very very passionate... she would defend us kids to the very end...looking back I can see we had far more happy times than sad...but when I reached puberty that was it..we fought on and off for years..she semed to be jealous of me..she begrudged me the relationship I had with my dad..she felt like it was us against her...the things she said and did to me were awful..she hit me..she calld me all the names under the sun...she hated with the same passion she loved...but at the end of the day I can say that she loved me and she did her best...she grew up in a time when you didn't talk about womens problems, depression was not an option, I know she suffered from it though, and I know she had a terrible time with menopause but never asked for help... and I can admit I was a typical moody teenager. I just wish things could have been different.. I wish we could have had the kind of relationaship I have with my daughter... that is the one good thing that came out of it..I was determined to not be the way she was...
Anyways...
No Happy Returns Mum...just happy memories till we meet again..night night God Bless....
Lyn

Tuesdays with Lyn....

Good Morning Campers!!

The above picture is my arm..I had an allergic reaction to a wasp sting..I have been stung before..last time I just had minor swelling..this time the reaction was more severe...apparently the reactions can get worse each time...this happened Saturday..I had a little swelling..a little bit of a dull ache..by Sunday Morning the swelling was worse and my arm was getting redder..by Sunday night it was quite painful..I stuck it out because quite frankly who wants to go the ER on Halloween night? But yesterday Morning I really felt crappy..my arm was hot to touch and throbbing..especially if I didn't keep it elevated ..it felt like when they put the blood pressure cuff on your arm too tight..so I gave in and called the base to see if I could get in and they told me to come on up to the clinic..my blood pressure was high...and I was heavier than last time I was there which was...wait for it...2003!!!! I knew I hadn't been to the Dr's for a while but had no idea it had been that long! Anyway the Dr was quite concerned about my arm..my blood pressure etc..he wanted to have me stay and give me IV antibiotics and fluids but I managed to convince him that I would follow the protocol to the Tee at home..(I was in my scrubs as I thought I might go to work so I think that helped convince him because he knew I am in the Medical Field) So I was allowed home with my arm in a sling..Steroids..Antibiotics..Antihistimines...Pain pills and and antacid..and also an Epi pen in case I get stung again and the reaction is worse. He also signed me off work..:-)

So here I am snuggled up in bed with my Laptop..feeling so much better and happy that I went to the Dr. I don't know why I have such a fear of going..one of the reasons I got in to this field was to try and conquer my fear but it hasn't really..I guess I am just one of those people who if I have something wrong I don't want to know..which could be deadly I know...SO..I am going to make a pact with myself in the New Year I will go the DR and have a full physical and get all my female examinations too...I am concerned about my blood pressure..my dad has it and my Maternal Grandma had a stroke too ..

Anyway it is so nice to be home..the weather is very British this morning..cloudy and dull and I can't think of a better place to be than snuggled up here with my Laptop and my books for the day..I am feeling way better but hey if the Dr signed me off work I might as well enjoy it..:-)

Hope everyone is having a good week so far...I shall be doing the rounds this morning..doesn't take long these days..most of us are doing the one liner thing on Face book..which I am guilty of too but I still love blogging..

L xx

10%

Psssst...10% of my followers commented on yesterdays post...woo hoo! LOL..

Just me...

Good Morning Campers!!

Been a while again hasn't it?? I was inspired to write this morning after reading some blogs and realising how inspirational reading about everyone else's lives is to me. I am a bit of a loner these days..I work so many hours during the week that come the weekends I just seem to play catch up and am not really doing any socializing and it was just nice this morning to read what everyone else has been up to. I was cheered up considerably and am in the best mood now...so thank you all you bloggers out there!!!

Things are going well here.. I had the best weekend earlier this month..went to meet hubby in Memphis..we hung out on Beale Street..listened to some great music..ate some awesome food...walked around all the shops and also went to Graceland..that was awesome!! I will have to post the pics here..I did put them on Face book but i need to put them here. It was wonderful to spend time with my hubby and reconnect. He will be home for a month in December..for Christmas and New year!! I told him I will never spend a Christmas alone after last year.

Work is okay. we have just been the end of year rush to make numbers.. and ACICS inspection and an Audit so things have been very very stressful. I am looking forward to just being able to focus on my job...LOL.. things with my co-worker/friend have improved. I was right..the people who need to know do know without me having to say a thing..her actions speak for themselves...

Lots of sad news from back home in England..one of the girls I went to school with daughter gave birth to her first child and died after catching MRSA from a C-section...can you imagine the bitter sweetness of having your first grandchild but losing your daughter because of it?? I cannot imagine..so so sad...my brothers wife's dad has dementia and her sister just got diagnosed with MS..one of my friends over here lost her sister and her Mum in the same week.. so much sadness in the world..makes you ask why???

All in all I am so very very blessed..I am grateful for this life of mine..it may not be easy and I am lonely a lot of the time without my hubby but in the grand scale of things I am pretty lucky... I have a wonderful family..love my house..have a job that challenges me ..good friends..good health.. and live in sunny Florida.. :-)

This is my favourite time of year..although we are having a heatwave at the moment..I was actually in the pool yesterday!! But the cooler temps are on the way..the shops are filling up with Christmas stuff already...and I am filled with the wonder and joy that only this time of year brings..I intend to enjoy every second of it all this year...

I know this post is all over the place this morning but that's okay...out of the 192 followers I have I doubt one third will read this..Who are you all anyway? How about introducing yourselves?? LOL

Have a great week everyone...

L xx

Autunm

Good Morning Campers

It's been a while again huh? No excuses..just tired when I get home and now I spend so much time on the computer all day I don't feel like writing when I get home. The job is fine..stressful at times and my friend Jen who talked me into coming to work there is so disorganized it drives me nuts!! She also doesn't follow through on stuff and that's another pet peeve of mine..you can't rely on her..I constantly have to remind her to do things and I get embarrassed when our students come to her and ask for something she has told them she is working on for them when I know she hasn't done it..they are learning to come to me now and that they can trust me..if I say I am going to do something I will do it and if for some reason I can't I will find the person who can...she has also palmed a lot of the work off on me yet claims "we" are working on it..I have kept quiet about it..but now my 3 month probation period is up I feel comfortable in letting others know who is really doing the work..to be honest they know..they see who is doing the work.. :-)

Enough about work...it's Autumn y'all!! Yay! Not that it feels like it here but it's coming..I feel a slight drop in the temperatures and in the wee hours of the morning you can almost feel a "nip" in the air..:-)

I have a secret..not to be mentioned on FB okay?? LOL..I am going to see hubby next week..he is in the states..can't say where as where he is and what he is doing is classified but I can say I will be spending next weekend with him...I am sooooooooooo excited..I am ready for a change of scene and to get away..I hate that I can't share where I'm going..especially as I have always wanted to go there but once the assignment is over I will be able to..

Well time for me to get ready for work..just felt like writing this morning..hope you all have a great weekend..

L x

WHERE WERE YOU?

911 My memories.
September 11th 2001.
I was on the phone with my dad in England. I had the TV on in the back ground and something caught my attention.. I don't know what...it was then I saw the burning tower..I told my Dad to turn on the TV in england..they don't normally have it on during the day.. I said "dad are you seeing what I am seeing?" he said " oh my love I think I am' he cried out for my Mum to come look..then we were all on the phone together in silence as we both watched the 2nd plane fly into the building...we were in complete and utter shock...we spoke a little more..me and my Mum were crying and my Dad was saying this was going to change our lives forever..they were so worried for me being over here..for Lester as a service member...so many thoughts rushing through our heads...we hung up and I just sat glued to the TV..Lester was playing golf on base.. he called me and said they had sounded the alarm on base and announced for everyone to return to the clubhouse..he had no idea what was going on..they NEVER sound the alarms on base..it was then he saw what was happening...as you can imagine it was chaos on base...he made a quick call to me and then had to report to his command... the base was on lock down..he couldn't leave I couldn't go to him.. I was worried for the kids... he eventually came home and the kids and he and I just sat with the rest of the country and watched in horror. I will never forget those feelings..it was the first time I had ever felt like that.. I cannot even put in to words how I felt...but I know I was proud that my husband was a part of the Military and that he would get to do his part...he has served in Iraq twice since 911... the support we were given was amazing..the yellow ribbons in our neighbourhood..and at my job...strangers hugging me.. I have never been more proud...and I still am..today IS a special day but every day is a reminder in my house....
God Bless each and every one of our troops still fighting the fight...God Bless everyone who lost a family member or friend due to 911... RIP to ALL those who perished.... you will never be forgotten...
L

One of my first entries in J Land...

In Honour of J lands anniversary..one of my first posts... ;-)

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Who am I? My version of 100 things about me...
I was born and raised in England. We lived in a village just outside of Oxford. There were three of us and my Mum and Dad. My Dad and my sister still live in the same house I was raised in. My Mum died 3 years ago in May so my sister moved back in with my dad to help out..she was living alone in her flat after her marriage ended. My brother still lives in the same village and has 3 kids of his own. Every other member of my family live in England apart from some distant cousins who live in New Zealand. My husband went to high school with me. He was different. his dad is American and so he had dual citizenship but at the age of 23 he decided to emigrate to the U.S. by joining the United States Navy therefore giving up his British citizenship. We were dating at the time and had been on and off since I was 15. After boot camp in 1983 he asked me to marry him and come over here. I did. We have been here ever since. We have 2 kids. Rachel is 21, she lives here with us, works full time and goes to community college at night. Ryan is almost 16 and a freshman in high school. We just had out dog of 14 years put to sleep. He is buried at the bottom of the yard. We have another dog, he is a two year old Yorkshire terrier. He is hyper. My husband is a Command Master Chief..he will be leaving AGAIN for 6 months in June to go to Italy. I will see him as we are going to England this summer and he will fly over and visit us. He still has a sister and nieces and nephews over there. His dad remarried and moved to the states when his Mum died 9 years ago. We do not like his new wife. My husband (Lester) is in remission from Non-hodgkins Lymphoma and has been for 13 years..he is considered cured. We do not ever ever take that for granted. I am a Medical Assistant at a new Family Practice. I am older than every one else who works there..including the Dr's!!!! I am 44. I did not learn to drive until I was 32..I still do not like to drive but I love my independence. I do not eat vegetables. Except peas, corn and cauliflower cheese. I love Mexican food. I love any food ;-) that is evident from my pics. I am very moody. i don't like that about myself. When I am good I am very very good BUT...well you know how that goes.... I show my emotions, I am an open book but it's a private journal. It takes me a while to let you in. I have trust issues. i was sexually abused as a child. I was beaten as a teenager by a boyfriend. i do not talk about it. I was jilted one month before my marriage. I married him anyway. Yes I am talking about Lester. He was sleeping with my maid of honour. Yes I married him anyway. We have been married 23 years in May. I am a party girl. I love to have fun. I like to get out and do things. I also like to stay home and read and veg. I can have fun doing just about anything. i love to be alone. It does not bother me. I am my own best company. i love passionately. i would die for my kids. take a bullet for them without blinking. i never knew parents could love their kids this way. I did not feel that from my Mum. i think i did from my dad but i have only ever heard him say he loved me once. I tell my kids i love them daily. I do not tell other people i love them. i do not use that word lightly. if i say it I mean it. I think it is used to much. It is a special thing love. I have had my heart ripped out. A broken heart hurts. But it mends. I have been in love only once in my life. I am stil married to him. I do not go to church but i am spiritual. i have not found my nitch yet. I pray daily. i wish i could believe that i will see my Mum again one day. along with some other pretty special people i have lost. It must be a great comfort to know that one day you will be reunited. I believe in the after life. I have seen some pretty bizarre things. I think my Mum trys to contact me. My dad has promised that if there is a way he will come back and show me a sigh. My dad is flipping awesome. I love my dad. He will be 73 in May. He doesn't look it. He wrote daily ina diary for over 30 years. he stopped the day my Mum died. I have all his diaries. He gave them to me when I went home for Mum's funeral. I have read them all. i was a bad kid!!! the diary does not lie. Wanna know the price of gas in 1970? It's in the diary..wanna know that Lynn snuck out all night at age 13? it's in the diary... LOL.. I am waking up now..it's early here..i am an early bird... I used to be a night owl... I have to go to work today... i have to drive over a very big bridge to get to work.. i always have this vision of driving over the edge and into the St john's river.. i can see it as plain as day.... i have even planned how to get out of the car etc... sometimes my "visions" come true...I scare the girls at work.. for 2 months when i started work there they were waiting for "the phone call"...I used to scare my dad..i had these telekinetic powers when i was younger...and I saw things in mirrors...he would not let me see the Exorcist when it was playing at the Cinema in my village..he thought I was a "witch"... yes I am eccentric.... but i am not nuts..there is a difference you know.. ;-) i have a great sense of humour.. not everyone appreciates it.. I am done now..have no idea if I made it to 100 things.. i don't like numbers..anyway you know a little more about me...

J Land

Good Morning Campers!!

It's coming up on the Anniversary of J Land and some of us are dusting off the old blogs and doing an entry in it's honour..me included by the looks of it..:-) I do write in here sometimes but like most of us I have got used to checking in daily with everyone on FB..and as much as I miss J Land and the tags and long posts I love the convenience of FB and knowing you are all still out there..

I stumbled across the journals one day while reading the message boards I belonged to..anyone remember them?? LOL..anyways it was Lisa (damaged goods) that I first started reading.. she encouraged me to start my own Journal and I did on April 17th 2006..unfortunately for whatever reason Lisa had issues and felt she couldn't trust me to read her Journal anymore..let me tell you that was one of the most hurtful things I have ever gone through and left a sour taste in my mouth and after that J Land lost it's charm for me...it was a huge reality check..BUT I did learn a lesson from it and any time you can learn something it is worth going through it...

Most of the people from back in day I "speak" to every day on Facebook..some people don't like it or "get it" but it is what it is and as I said before I am just happy we are all still in touch with each other..that is the main thing..

Side note...my hubby used to call J Land a cult and now guess what?? He is SO into the FaceBook "cult"...LOL

Happy Anniversary JLand!! Thanks for the memories and here's to the new ones!!

L xx

Pepe Le Pew!

Good Morning campers!!

Quick post this morning..just wanted you all to meet the newest addition to our family! This is Pepe le Pew..named because he is black with a white streak..just like the little cartoon skunk..LOL..we call him Pep for short..he was given to us by Ryan's friend Brandon and he is a Pom/poodle mix. He kept em awake most of the night whining though! Ugh! Like having a baby in the house again..anyway that's about it for me this Monday morning... the other pic is hubby's belated fathers day gift...I have been waiting for these to go on sale ...my son is very happy as he is the one in charge of yard work..LOL..

Have a great week!

L x

Dog Days of summer...

Good Morning Campers!!

It is soooooooooooooooooooo HOT here..yes I know I live in Florida but we are in the middle of a Heat Wave even for us...it's been in the high 90's for over a week with the heat index somewhere around 114...it's miserable..the pool temp is 90..not exactly refreshing..I am actually looking forward to fall already...because fall to us is like summer to everyone else.. ;-)

So my life consists of work and chilling at home these days..the time sure is flying by though...hubby has been gone for 11 months already only 13 more to go and he will be back in Jacksonville..I am so ready for that....it looks like he will get a desk job for about 18 months when he gets back and then he will retire with 30 years of service under his belt..hard to believe..it doesn't seem that long...

We are still coming to terms with the loss of our beloved Ralph..there are days when I get so angry at all that has come to light...that he was stupid enough to give total control of his life and finances to the "witch" he married and other days so hurt for how his children feel..so betrayed..but at least we all know that he died knowing that his children loved him and so many other family members too... I had the pleasure of being in the family for the past 27 years and I have been going through all the old photos and memories..there was so much stuff that I had to get a storage unit for it all...no one can ever take the memories away..I have told the family..the "witch" may have gotten all the money and property but we have the things that really count..

There is a new show on MTV called "If you really knew me"..students start with that sentence and then go on to tell what they are really like.. It has made me think..."If you really knew me" what would I say? I think it will make a very interesting post..not sure I am ready for it yet though..

Well folks..time to get out of bed and get this day started!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

L xx

FROM MY BED...

Good Evening Campers...

Yes I am writing this from the comfort of my bed...I am listening to old 70's love songs and getting nice and sleepy..I finally gave in and bought myself a Laptop..now I am wondering what I ever did without it!! I can sit here in my big 'ol comfy bed..listen to cheesy love songs and not have anyone bothering me!!

So..where to start..so much has been going on..I am loving my new job..I am so proud of myself because I really wanted to quit in the first few days because the interview process and the training was so intense...But now I am finding my groove and am actually doing pretty well if I do say so myself! :-)

Things at home are a mess..I don't even feel like writing about it all but I will say that my father-in-laws wife is a complete bitch and has done some terrible things..she was disrespectful at the viewing and funeral and there are some legal issues going on so I will leave it at that. The service was beautiful..very touching..it was a sad day for us all..BUT the road trip to and from Tennessee was amazing..such a bonding experience for us all...we laughed..we cried..we shared stories of Ralph..we ate crazy junk food..stayed in cheesy hotels and generally made the most of a sad situation..bottom line is I love my family to pieces and I will never ever let what has happened to Lester's family ever happen to mine...never ever forget where you come from and treat everyone the same...

Well that's all for tonight..maybe now I have my very own laptop I will write more huh?

L xx

R.I.P....

R.I.P. JOHN RALPH HATFIELD

JAN 21 1932-JULY 3 21010

just me....

Good Morning Campers!!


You haven't heard that in a long time have you? lol..I have been busy this time though...I got the job..it was a long process that nearly had me just saying forget it...5 interviews...2 computer tests..a mock classroom Presentation..background checks..drug tests..all this took over a month..I was always used to hearing within a couple of days if you got the job or not..anyway like I said I got the job..then after I start it took me a week to get my own desk and Computer ..and then I had 2 days intensive training with Corporate...now I am done though and will actually start working by myself Monday....I am the Externship Coordinator for a career college...I am responsible for securing and maintaining the sites that we send the students out to do their Medical Assisting Externships...Dr's offices..Clinics..Hospitals..that kind of thing...there is lot to do and you have to be very detail orientated which I am so I think it will be okay..I like the fact that we are extremely busy and the days fly by but I am still trying to get into my routine...I need to find the balance between home and work which is hard when I am the only one here..my son helps with the yard work but everything else falls on me...GULP!! But I have been home for a year so I can't complain..I was getting so bored and fed up by myself... all the days were running into one...I didn't even look forward to the weekends anymore but I certainly do now!!

The situation with my father-in-law hasn't really changed...he is still at home with HER..although she is certainly on her toes these days after the family let her know how they were feeling..but she has shut all of us out..she no longer updates everyone on how he is doing etc...she will answer the phone if they call to ask though and of course I still go round as often as I can even though she is frosty to me...hubby will be home for 4th July so I hope he can try and talk with HER again...thankfully my FIL seems okay..he is cleaner..the room is cleaner too and he doesn't look like he's lost anymore weight..that's about the best we can hope for right now...

My son still doesn't have job...my daughter is working over time at hers...life is plodding along here in sunny Florida..it is sweltering hot...June in Florida is not pleasant..you go from air-conditioned house to air-conditioned car to air-conditioned shop...lol..or of course you take a dip in your ginat Hot tub foremrly known as a swimming pool! My pool temp is 90F ..that gives you an indication of hot it is here...

Well I need to get off of here and start my busy day...I want to get all my chores done so I can lay in the hot tub and relax with my book...:-)

hope everyone is well...have a great weekend!!

L xx

NEW BLOG

Hi all..

As some of you know our darling fellow bloggerJane lost her battle with Renal cancer last week..her loving husband has started a new blog "Life after Jane"..please stop by and show him some support please...

Janes old blog : http://a-journey-of-another-kind.blogspot.com/2009/08/janes-journey.html

Martins new blog : http://jane-lifeafterjane.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-been-week.html


R.I.P. Jane...Martin is doing you proud my love...you will never be forgotten..

Lyn xx

TRIBUTE TO MY MUM

I have posted this before but wanted to re post it as yesterday was the 7 year Anniversary of her passing...also mine and hubby's 27th Wedding Anniversary....

As you know I did not have the greatest of relationships with my Mum.She was moody, miserable, bitchy a lot of the time. She was also very funny, kind hearted, great with old people..would give you the shirt off her back.. great sense of humour..we once almost got thrown off a bus for the uncontrollable giggles caused by a man sitting opposite us with this huge bandage on his nose..one look at him and her and I were off...it was terrible!! the more we tried to stop the worse it got... LOL She cried at the Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.. she loved dogs..we had a Red Setter called Tramp for 14 years.. she walked him 3 miles every day..sometimes twice...she could do cartwheels, juggle, ride a motorbike, never learned to drive..she tried a few times but always gave up she was way too nervous.. she made Christmas very very special.. she would begin "hoarding" food as early as September..she kept it all under th stairs...she loved Malteasers (English candy similar to whoppers) she smoked..in her later years rolled her own to save money.. I saw her get into at least 3 fist fights with women...she had a terrible temper...one time this girl was after me..said I had been after her boyfriend..my Mum drug her out the pub by her hair and told her she ever so much as looked at me wrong she would be back... ;-) She loved Country and Western music and dancing and slot machines. she was the life and soul of the party and no one would ever believe the way she was at home..she was terrified of Doctors, hospitals and had a morbid fear of choking.. she chewed her food into tiny pieces to avoid that....if we ever got hurt as kids she would go get the neighbours because she would panic......she once knocked two ornaments together while dusting and smashed them and cut her palms badly..she had to have stitches and they pretty much had to put her to sleep to do them..LOL...she was always dusting, hoovering, would come in on a Saturday morning when I was trying to sleep in and open the curtains and the bloody windows and start hoovering around me...LOL.. she would spit on a hanky and wipe off my face as a kid ewwwwwwwwww...she was only just 5' tall..she was one of twins..her twin died at birth..she was born in a workhouse..she only weighed 2lb.. she never met her dad he was an alcoholic and died of Cirrhosis of the liver.. her family was very poor.. she had 2 sisters and 3 brothers...hr real name was Diana but everyone called her babe as she was the youngest.. I once watched her and her sister get into a fight..my dad and my uncle had to separate them with a water hose...LOL.. she was very very passionate... she would defend us kids to the very end...looking back I can see we had far more happy times than sad...but when I reached puberty that was it..we fought on and off for years..she seemed to be jealous of me..she begrudged me the relationship I had with my dad..she felt like it was us against her...the things she said and did to me were awful..she hit me..she called me all the names under the sun...she hated with the same passion she loved...but at the end of the day I can say that she loved me and she did her best...she grew up in a time when you didn't talk about women's problems, depression was not an option, I know she suffered from it though, and I know she had a terrible time with menopause but never asked for help... and I can admit I was a typical moody teenager. I just wish things could have been different.. I wish we could have had the kind of relationship I have with my daughter... that is the one good thing that came out of it..I was determined to not be the way she was...

Can't believe it's been 7 years Mum..you live on in my dreams..you come to me often and for that I am grateful...nite nite God Bless Mum..Hope you are proud of me ..

L xx

ME AGAIN...

Good Evening Campers!!

I appreciate your support of my last post..it has been and continues to be a living nightmare..my FIL's wife continues to slander my name to her family..blames me for everything...says I made a mountain out of a molehill..etc etc...well say what you want ducky but at least one other person agreed with me because you were turned over to social services!! I believe it was someone at the hospital because they had taken photos of my FIL's bedsore when he was in the hospital previous to the dog mauling.. it was significantly larger this time...that's because no one has been taking care of it..my FIL's wife has refused all care for my FIL except for what Hospice provides and they only treat his Primary complaint which is the end stage COPD..so his diabetes..his high blood pressure..his anemia..and his bed sores have not been treated... On a positive note my FIL now has Home health dressing his bed sore and his foot wound..the hospice nurse caring for his COPD and now a new private nurse who is there to do whatever needs to be done..I met her today and almost cried with relief...this past weekend my FIL's wife put a padlock on the gate so I can no longer "walk in whenever I feel like it"...we always have just walked in...but now it's a problem...all of this is just a dig at me..but today meeting the new nurse and seeing that my FIL is finally getting the care he deserves makes all I have been going through worthwhile..and hubby has a conference here in town next week and will be home for 6 days..I cannot wait to see him and just have someone hold me .. I am not going to lie the past few weeks have taken their toll on me..I felt myself starting to go to that dark place..the one where I hide under a rock...I don't want to go there..I have been staying busy..doing things that make me happy..puttering around my garden..reading by the pool..watching good movies..drinking wine..chatting with my girlfriends..I even gave someone my resume and have a job interview tomorrow..woo hoo! It's time to take my life back...if I get this job it will be a huge change in my life...but I'm ready..I have way too much time on my hands at the moment ..to be honest I've been bored for a while but just didn't know what I wanted to do...this new job opportunity sounds just what I need...I don't want to jinx it so I won't tell you what it is but if i get it you'll know!! ;-)

That's about it..by the way my 4 year blog anniversary was April 17th... ;-)

L xx

YOU COULDN'T MAKE THIS UP!

Good Evening Campers!!!

So I haven't been writing much..my life does not seem to be own any more..I have been helping take care of father-in-law who as you know is under hospice care at home..his wife is difficult on the best of days..she likes to be in total control but worse than that in my opinion she does not pay enough attention to my FIL...he has fallen out of bed and laid on the floor for three hours before she heard him..(she sleeps in another room) I go round there and he is laid in dirty clothes..the house is filthy...BUT what I am about to tell you will shock you..they have Toy Yorkie..she is not but about 8lbs...well my FIL had an open wound on his big toe which his wife had left open to "air"..the dog jumped up on the bed and started licking the wound and proceeded to gnaw my FIL's toe completely off!! I absolutely am NOT kidding! What I cannot figure out is how long did that take and where was she while this was happening? luckily my FIL has no feeling in that foot anyway...but can you imagine? She also tried to hide this from me by stalling me from going round..finally something told me to go so I took my nephew (who was visiting from England) and my son and we went round the house to be greeted by her saying "I have something to tell you..we had a problem here last night"

ya think??

The dog gnawed off my FIL's toe to the joint..today he had a debridement and they amputated what was left...there are no words to describe how I feel...above is a picture of him in the ER last night with my nephew..please note the filthy t shirt he is wearing..and she was not there...she was at home with the dog.

Told you you couldn't make this shit up!

L XX

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!

25 Years ago today True Beauty made her way into the world at 7.41 am. I had feared the pain of childbirth and thought that it was going to be way worse than it was and therefore did not go to the hospital till rather late for a first timer..I was already 8 cm dilated! However once they told me that I started to panic... I did get an epidural and she came screaming into the world 4 hours later...not without me tearing very badly and having 80 stitches...ouch! She was born at Portsmouth Naval hospital in Virginia and it was a horrible place. I laid in dirty sheets for an entire shift as they had had a shift change and they each thought the other shift had changed me... the bathroom had no light bulb! back then I was a timid little thing and wouldn't dare make a scene...hubby did get things taken care of though but it took ages...he was a nothing muffin back then...LOL...True Beauty was a fussy little thing..I tried to breast feed but was unsuccessful.. I got Mastitis but didn't know it.. my boobs were rock solid with red lines running up them and I had a fever of 102.. a quick trip to the ER and I was treated for infection and True Beauty got some formula and finally stopped crying after 3 days straight....a special thing happened the day she was born..3000 miles away her great grandfather..hubby's gramp..was lying in his hospital bed...he sat up the morning she was born and said who is that beautiful little girl sitting on the end of the bed?? that same afternoon he died..they always say one life leaves as another begins... true beauty was the first grandchild on my side of the family and the first granddaughter on hubby's side so she was welcomed with open arms...she has been an absolute joy to us . I can honestly say that apart from a few teenage moments we have not had an ounce of trouble from her.. she brings joy to all that are around her and is as beautiful on the inside as she is the out.. I am so happy that her and I have become the kind of Mother and Daughter that I so longed for growing up...we are friends now..my job is done of raising her and now we get to enjoy a whole new relationship..one of love and encouragement and friendship....Happy Birthday to my one and only daughter who showed me what unconditional love is and fulfilled my dreams beyond measure...I love you Rachel Lyn

FINALLY A POST FROM ME!!

Good Morning Campers!!!

It has been too long since my last update. So much has been going on..I don't even know where to start...Lester's dad is still hanging on..why I don't know..he has said he is ready to go..he has been baptized..he gathered all his children from all over the world and said his goodbyes...yet he continues to hang on...he is weighing in around 100lbs.he doesn't eat much..he can hardly stand on his own...spends most of his days in bed...all of his children have gone home now..they all said their goodbyes..it was so sad and so hard to watch but it had to be done...I know it was especially hard for my hubby to leave knowing the next time he sees his dad will be at his funeral. I do understand that is exactly what happened to me with my own mum. I continue to go visit with my father in law most days...I sit with him if his wife has errands to run. In a way it has been an honour to be with this sweet kind man as he faces the end of his incredible life..I have posted a pic of him above...

In happier news it was fabulous to have hubby home for 2 weeks..we had a blast and made the most of our time together even if the reason for his visit was so difficult... hubby did a lot of the piddly little jobs that I had on the honey- do list..we also got started on the garden..I have now re-potted all my hanging baskets...weeded and and planted my flower beds..replaced a couple of ferns that did not survive the winter...and I am happy to say it has finally warmed up enough for me to spend some happy afternoons reading out by the pool...it will be a long time before I will be swimming though..we have had an exceptionally long winter this year and our temps are well below normal for this time of year...

I had another birthday..I am now the ripe old age of 48!! I cannot believe I am that old..I certainly don't feel any older although my body is starting to feel it...lol..it was a quiet birthday...but I got to skype with my family in the U.K. and spoke with hubby on the phone and went out to dinner with the "kids"..had my favourite Mexican food and a couple of Mango margaritas..I got a lovely necklace from my daughter and a gift certificate for a Pedicure which I am long overdue for...

I have missed writing in my Blog and hope to get here more often...not sure how many people even read anymore although it still says I have 181 followers!! I notice my dashboard has fewer and fewer updates on it too...

Hope everyone is doing well..and that Spring is finally making it's way to your neck of the woods...it is amazing how good a bit of sunshine is for the soul!!

Have a great weekend!!

L xx

FEBRUARY 26 2010

GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!!

It is positively freezing here this morning..-5C/23F...I can't remember it ever freezing this late in February in the 16 years I've lived in Florida...


I haven't posted in a while.. and it is with a heavy heart that I write this..My beloved Father-in Law is coming to the end of his days..he is under hospice care at home..he is under 100 lbs and barely conscious...the family has been summoned and my hubby is home on emergency leave...we are waiting on one brother to fly in from England tonight and then I think my FIL will pass..he was baptized Wednesday as he had never been as a child...and he told the Pastor he is ready to go now...while it is heartbreaking it is time..he has no quality of life now and he always said when that happened he wanted to go...he has fought his many illnesses for so long and I think he is just worn out... I have wrote about his many visits to the hospital on here..his last one in January he just never really recovered from...Please keep out family in your prayers..this is very hard on Lester...he is extremely close to his dad and my children are heartbroken as you can imagine..I am trying to keep it all together for everyone as always...

Stay warm folks and hug your love ones..don't let the only time your families all get together be for sad occasions.. :-(

L xx

Monday Morning Day 25 2010

Good Morning Campers!!!

I let the pressure off myself by saying I wasn't going to post everyday but you know what? I kinda miss it....I am better off when I let things out instead of bottling them up...so here I am...

The weather has been crazy here..twice in the last week we were in danger of being in the direct path of a Tornado..that means the Emergency System interrupts the regularly scheduled programming and lets you know that the chance of a Tornado is likely..this is different from the Tornado Watch that is posted on the weather channel and local channels only....when you hear that alarm going off on your TV and radio you know it's serious...twice now that has happened and it really really shook me up...I don't know why because I have lived through them before but this time they were mentioning streets not even 5 miles from here...and it's not like a Hurricane warning where you have plenty of time to leave..with a Tornado it's not safe to leave..you just have to buckle down in the safest room in your house and ride it out... last nite I went to bed too early and was awake at 3.am...and lo and behold there was a Tornado warning! I think possibly the rain and wind woke me..it was coming in sideways..I had left the Florida room windows open to let some fresh air in...so I quickly closed them and then turned the TV on and that's when I saw the warnings...most people slept through it..I would have normally...I am just glad everyone is okay and we were lucky..this time...

My friend Jen that I have talked about on here many times was admitted to the hospital last night..she has a lot of medical issues and does not take care of herself the way she should...yesterday her toes turned purple ..she is diabetic and has vascular disease in her legs...they are pretty worried about her as am I..well between the Tornadoes and Jen I have been doing some serious thinking..I need to take better care of myself and get out and exercise more...I have become too sedentary and that's not good..I am way too young to not be moving while I can...there will come a time when I can't..also the Tornado scare made me realize what's truly important to me and that is my loved ones...things are not right between my hubby and me...on the outside we seem fine but he and I both know things are bad..and I am going to make a conscious effort to put things right between us...I love him with all my heart and don't want to lose him...

So there you have it...I need to make some changes...thanks for listening..;-)

L xx

DAY 17 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

What a busy day! Went to the Commissary ...came home put all the groceries away...did the laundry...cleaned house...gave the dog a much needed bath...then cleaned the pool..got all the leaves out..sat outside and read my book by the pool.. then grilled burgers and hot dogs for supper...what a wonderful day!! The sun was in and out and it was really windy but we reached 65F..felt so good!!

I have decided that writing every day just for the sake of it is not really doing anyone any good...I don't get many comments and I don't have a lot to say so I will write when I have something to say rather than trying to do an entry every day...but I did manage to write every day for over 2 weeks so that's an accomplishment in its self!!

Have a great week!!

L xx

DAY 16 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

To nights entry is dedicated to the latest member of the Hatfield family born tonight at 11.15 pm in England..her name is Bailee Mae Hatfield and she weighed in at 6 lb 15 oz..Mum and baby doing well..my nephew is over the moon and totally in love with his little girl...they already have a little boy called Shay...

I am a great Aunty again!! woo hoo!!

L xx

DAY 15 2010

Good Evening Campers!

Busy day today...up at 4.30 to take my sons girlfriend to the airport because her parents didn't want to get up that early (?)..home for a quick shower then over to Jens to pick her up and take her daughter to school because her hubby was out of town in their only car...ran errands all day...had breakfast at Denny's...oh so bad for you but oh so good...

Another double murder suicide in our community..the third one in as many months...a sign of the times?? this one was a father who shot his daughter on her 23rd birthday then turned the gun on himself...so tragic..and you hear about that girl who threw her baby in the dumpster?? some days I just don't know..she could have left that child at any safe haven with no consequence but she chose to throw it away like trash.... this is why I don't watch the news..but tonight I was tired and sat down to hear all this...

Well that's going on in my head tonight...I'm tired so I'm going to call it a night and go read in bed...have a great weekend!!

L xx

DAY 14 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

I am so happy to report that the sun was shining today and the temperatures hit the high 50's!! It felt so good to putter around in the yard a little bit and sit on the deck and feel the sun on my face...I sat out there for a good hour and felt really warm for the first time in ages...one of my simple pleasures reading my book outside...even the "kids" were out there throwing the football around..gotta love it..we are in for some rain this weekend but that's okay we need it...I was looking around out there today and there is an awful lot of work to be done but I am ready...I like nothing more than working out in the yard and then rewarding myself with a cold beer and a dip in the pool..I realize that's a long way off but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel..

So yesterday was weird...I kept having someone ring the doorbell and run away...I didn't think kids did that anymore....my driveway is pretty long and whoever it was could run pretty quick to not be seen on on my street..I put a pic up above so you can see how long my driveway is and where my front door is...oh well kids will be kids..nothing today so guess they had their fun and moved on...LOL...

I have a busy day tomorrow..going to run errands and hang out with Jen...her hubby is taking their only car out of state for the day so I said I would pick her up and we will go run and do whatever needs doing...of course we will have lunch somewhere and a bit of shopping no doubt....

Who is watching American Idol? I was flicking back and forth last night..I gotta admit the auditions make me cringe!

I made spaghetti and meatballs for supper...just FYI..LOL

Have a good night...

L xx

DAY 13 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

Wild things Wednesday!!

Wild (ish) things I have done...

Went Para sailing...
Horseback riding on the beach...
Ab sailing down a mountain..
Exploring in caves...
Emigrated to America with $500 in my pocket...
Went flying in a small plane with my F.I.L. as the pilot...
Skinny dipping..
Entered and won a wet t shirt competition..
Entered a hot legs competition...
got two tattoos..

what "wild" things have you done??

L xx

DAY 12 2010

Something different today...

Terrific Tuesday..

Things I think are terrific...

Warmer temps..
Feeling the sun on my face today...
Good books...
Starbucks...
Yankee Candles..
Sausages for supper...
My cute yorkie ..
My kids...
American Idol!!!!!!! here we go again!!
Laughing out loud...
Hearing my son playing online with my nephew in the UK...
Mailing books to a new friend..
Face book...
Sugar free vanilla Cappuchino..
Sleeping with my window cracked..
Hot showers...
My new boots...
Gift cards...
My Florida room...
My DVR..

All of you reading this...;-)

L xx

DAY 11 2010

Good Evening Campers...

How is everyone??

Well I discovered this morning that the hard freeze had caused a pin hole crack in the pipe that feeds our sprinkler system..I totally forgot about that pipe being exposed as it is above ground....luckily it's only a tiny hole and I have cut the water off to it and covered it with an old blanket and will get it fixed once the weather breaks....could have been so much worse...

Filled the car with gas (petrol)...it is creeping back up again..today it was $2.69 a gallon...

I am waiting on a CD to come in the mail so I can get my CEU's and get my license renewed..then I can look for a job...actually it doesn't have to be in the medical field but I need to keep my license up anyway...I just want a job that I look forward to going to and that will keep me busy and get me out the house...sounds easy enough huh?? ;-)

F.I.L. is home and doing okay..they got him a hospital bed which should help him keep his leg elevated..I don't know if I told you he has an Ulcer on his foot too and being a diabetic it is taking forever to heal...Hospice has not yet been contacted..he goes to his GP next week and I guess he will be the one to determine that...

Spoke to hubby via phone a couple of times over the weekend and today...he is doing okay..he gets pretty bored I think during his down time..no honey-do list...
;-)) they do have nice golf courses there though...

Well that's it for me again....

Take Care...

L xx

DAY TEN 2010

Good Evening Campers...

Today was a good day..I got to sit outside and feel the sun on my face..it was really cold but if you sat in a sheltered area it was wonderful..I feel human again! Amazing what a little vitamin D will do for ya!!

So I returned that useless Turbo Snake...they didn't even question me..I guess they weren't surprised...lol

I made a Beef stew in the crock pot....it was pretty good...stick to ya ribs good...;-)

It was a lazy Sunday...nothing really to write about...oh one thing..you'll laugh at this...I had put lotion on my legs and I guess it hadn't all soaked in and my jeans had rubbed against it..well I looked at my legs and thought I had developed Varicose veins...LOL!! They were blue! I panicked for a minute..then I rubbed my leg and the blue came off...;-) Phew!

Alright I am outta here...

Take Care...

L xx

DAY NINE 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

It's me again...;-)

So Sonya asked what had grabbed my attention in the book "Mrs Kimble"..I guess it was like peeking in the window of your neighbour...the detail of these women's lives is fascinating..it was one of those books that you don't want to put down...another one I just finished which I also couldn't put down was "Eating Heaven" by Jennie Shortridge... just a couple of really good books to help pass the time while we are snuggled up inside...;-)) I am now reading a whimsical but delightful book called "Garden Spells"..reminds me of "Practical Magic"

So we've all seen those TV ads...Billy Mays used to do a lot of them and now there is this English bloke..forget his name but anyway he has a commercial for the "snake" ..well today True Beauty and I were killing some time in Walmart and saw the TV section where they have all the "deals" off the telly...so I bought the Snake drain opener...True Beauty has long hair that clogs the drains ALL the time ...well it did NOT work...lol...down the plug it went and got stuck...my son pulled it out..minus the hook which is now down the drain with the hair...so I shall be taking that back tomorrow and using the money to by some good old drano...LOL..

Other than wasting my money at Wally World today has been a stay inside and stay warm kind of a day..the temps never got above 32F here ..Lifetime has been playing chick flicks all day..I have also done some reading..played on the computer and spoke to hubby in Guam where it is already Sunday....

Oh and has anyone seen the People magazine cover of Kate Gosselins new hair do?? I think one should not get hair extensions when you still have short hair sticking out...it looks beyond ridiculous....I hear she is coming out with a new show....I shan't be watching....but then again i shouldn't look at train wrecks either....;-)

I think I need to get out more.... cabin fever makes me punch drunk...LOL

Take care...

L xx

DAY EIGHT 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

So I have a couple of new followers..it says I have 181 now...LOL..where are they then?? If you are new to my blog please leave me a comment and introduce yourself....I don't bite!!

Got up to an empty house for once so I took advantage of it and cleaned the whole house from top to bottom and got all the laundry done..then I met Jen for lunch and tried finding some Duraflame logs for the fireplace but everyone was sold out.. so I lit my large four wick candle in the fireplace..it looks so pretty...almost as good as a fire but not as warm of course....

Don't really have any plans this weekend..it's still very cold for us Floridians...I will probably get stuck into a book...a movie sounds good too...

I am sure I am boring the pants off you..my life is not very exciting these days...

have a great weekend...

L xx

DAY SEVEN 2010

Good Evening Campers!!


Feeling pretty good tonight..had a headache earlier..I don't like the dry forced heat we have over here...it's just air blowing out the vents in the ceiling but it seems to dry me out..I even woke up with a nose bleed the other morning and I feel like I am drying up like an old prune..I keep moisturizing and putting on chap stick but I still feel dry..ugh!!

Went to see F.I.L. in the hospital again today...good news he is doing a lot better and will be coming home tomorrow...his Pneumonia has cleared up...he has a lot of Chronic issues though but at least for now he is doing better..I think from here on in we will be taking it one day at a time....

Spent an hour outside in the sunshine today..it was still pretty cold but it felt good to get some fresh air and feel the warmth on my face..can you believe they are saying we might actually get snow here on Saturday?? crazzzzzyyyy!!!!



Spoke with hubby on the phone...didn't go into details with him regarding his Dad..just told him that he was doing better and coming home..which is the truth...I will say more if I think he needs to hear it...

Hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago it was Christmas Eve...seems longer than that..I am glad I haven't suffered the usual post holiday blues...I really enjoyed Christmas but was not sad to pack all the clutter away and move on...

Well folks that's all from the Brit tonight...I am kinda liking this writing a little every day.... ;-)

Take care...

L xx

DAY SIX 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

Greetings from freezing Florida!! LOL..

Yesterday I went to see my F.I.L. in the hospital..he's not doing so well..when he comes out he will getting hospice care at home which we all know what that means...to me he seems to have lost his fighting spirit and has been reminiscing about the past a lot..and he told me he thinks his body is shutting down.. it will be very hard when he goes..his kids are scattered all over the world...I was the one who told my hubby his Mum had passed and it looks like I will be the one to tell him about his Dad.... I'm trying to decide how much to tell hubby..I want him to be able to say goodbye to his Dad in person but we have no way of predicting when he will go...oh such a difficult time...

I went to the mall today to spend my gift cards at my two favourite places..Yankee Candle and Booksamillion...I got 4 books..will have to give you the titles later...and a bunch or tarts for my burners and one large Jar candle that was $15 instead of $24...my house smells lovely right now...

That's all from me tonight..off to watch some telly and maybe read a little..staying inside where it's warm and cozy...

take care..

L xx

DAY 5 2010

Good Evening Campers!!

Are you sick of me yet? Ha!

Not a whole lot to write about but anything is better than nothing right? ;-)

I hate to sound like my Dad and talk about the weather all the time but my god it is freezing here!! This is the fourth day in a row that we have had freezing temps overnight..and we have about 10 more days to go...everything is looking very bare and reminds me of England..which is kinda nice...

Yesterday I did some shopping and met Jen for lunch..then I started a new book and couldn't put it down.."Mrs Kimble" by Jennifer Haigh..I finished it today.. I thoroughly recommend it...

Well that's all I got tonight folks..stay warm...

L xx

DAY FOUR 2010

Good Afternoon Campers!!

Day four of the new year (looks at Ora)..yesterday was a lovely day..went up the hospital to see my F.I.L..then to the movies with my beautiful daughter..we saw "It's Complicated"..fabulous movie about chicks my age who still have it! LOL...it is hilarious and you come out of there feeling good..what more could you ask for from a movie? ..;-) After the movie we went for Japanese food for lunch they have a special if you eat before 4..soup..salad and two combination meat with fried rice and veggies for $11.95..I had the Chicken and Shrimp..it was delish!! I finished my book and spent the evening in front of the telly...it is so cold here...temps not getting our of the 40's and dipping into the teens overnight....we had to wrap our pipes outside last night as were going to have a freeze for more than 4 hours....my blood must have thinned since living in Florida because I am freezing! But I don't mind the cold for a while..we get to wear our winter clothes and before you know it it will be hot and humid again here...

Hope everyone is staying warm and not feeling the post holiday blues too much...I am feel pretty pumped myself..I always like the fresh new feeling of the New Year...

L xx