Achy-breaky back.

Since moving into this house... sorry, my home, in September, there has been something I have been dieing to do.
My house has an enormous garden. Enormous...it has fruit trees and everything! It had to be fenced and then I waited till now to pay someone to dig me a H.U.G.E. flower bed. It has to be huge because the enormous garden would look silly with a teeny-tiny one, and I had alot of plants already, sitting around in pots waiting for a flower bed to be planted into.

Flower bed dug, it was time to put in the plants. I spent ages moving them about in the new bed making sure they were all in the right places, sorting out what would flower when, what was evergreen and so be seen in the winter, making sure that the plants that flower the colours with the next plant worked, and ... you know... stuff! This took ages... with lots of stareing, muttering and then moving of plants. I love this bit. Making sure its gonna look just the way I want it to. I know there are going to be things that arent right and I shall probably move things as the year progresses, but I wanted the basic structure to be perfect.

That done I then spent nearly 3 hours digging them in. I did have 2 quick cups of coffee in that time and spent 10 minutes lying flat out on the grass groaning about having a sore back.

This morning I have an achy back..... and the promise of a beautiful garden! Alan would be proud!!


lybxx

Being Brave Enough.

I think the hardest part of being brave is the start..

Taking that deep breath before you say something.
The first step on a difficult journey.
The 'jumping' rather than the landing.

Comfort-Zones-New-Jobage apart I recently took a deep breath and told the truth to a man. About feelings. My feelings.

And you know what? The sky didn't fall in or anything!!



lybxx

Door Men and Black Cabs.

I went to Hugh's and newly ringed up Girlie's party on Sat. It was held in London and so I had to stay in a hotel.

This. I. Love. Hotels....... all lovely linen and deep mattresses and the only thing to do in the room is nothing!!! No washing up... no cleaning... no "have to's"

I got there and the Door man took my bags from the Cabbie and then each time I went in and out of the hotel the Door man was there to hail cabs and light cigerettes and be jolly. He also, when I came back from shopping, wanted to know what I had bought (parental stylie) and was "it shoes??" (obviously it was!)

He walked me to the pub where the party was being held as
a. there was a mysterious absence of cabs.
b. he said it was close.
c. he was on a break and wanted a walk
d. he thought I would break my ankle walking alone in the shoes I was wearing!!

So, the two of us, Me, all shoes hair and chest and Him, all top hat and tails walked arm in arm to a pub. I felt like a princess!! (and it wasnt creepy or anything)

So, as well as having a lovely party and a fantastic hotel I now also love both Black Cabs and Door Men. My weekend wouldn't have been as perfect without them.

lybxx

New Years Resolution...... Tick!

You know the whole New Years Resolution thing, that you make a resolution (actaully I made this resolution in November, but anyway!) and then about a week and a half later you just ever-so-casually slip back to your old behaviour?

Well, I have kept mine. And....and... I have a new job to show for it.

I put myself out of my Comfort Zone filling in an application form and sitting in an interview for 75 minutes. My mouth was so dry when I came out my tongue was sticking to the roof of my mouth and had exhausted myself with talking (which NEVER happens!!)

So, later that day I had a phone call telling me I had a job and managed to not scream "fecking yes!!!" while on the phone.
And I start on tuesday. 9 tennants and a huge staff team to manage.

The fear hits me everytime I think about it. Who's bloody idea was this then???? Why did I think I could achieve this??? I keep asking myself the question~ comfortable comfort zone with bean bags and duvets and hugs or spine chilling terror????

Then I grin. I have a New Job!!!!


Lybxx

Muley Woooooooo

Enter a new member of the family. One that we have known would join us for about 18 months. She is a next step for Small. The Gentleman Jed, although fantastic, is ready for a new family. We too are ready for a new pony. Enter Muley Wooo.

She is brown and white and has the funniest expressions. I have not laughted so much at a pony for a long time. She was previously owned by Janey and has enabled her children (who are very cool) to gain both confidence and knowledge. Small has riden her at Janey's so it wasnt such a shock when Wooo came to live with us.

She has taught children who are at Smalls stage of riding for ever, so for alot of the time she looks a bit 'oh... this again'. She is a bit blonde and keeps forgetting she has 4 feet and has to remember to pick all of them up and put them down in the right order. Its her expressions that are so funny. She doesnt need much encouragement to go quickly and can jump and go fast, so what Small is doing now is a bit boring for her. She keeps looking at whoever is near her and Twinkleing. Then she does something terribly harmless but a bit scarey for Small and them very clearly pisses herself with laughter.

I love her already. So does Small. I can see what she and Small will be able to do in the future. And its all good!



lybxx

1+1

I actually only know 4 couples that I would utter shock at if they spit up. 3 of them are family members and one is 'chosen family' .

My brother Hugh has very recently become engaged. As one this family is delighted (ooo I sound like the Queen) with his choice. She is utterly fantasitc. Funny, intelligent, sparky, thoughtful and someone who 'fits'... not just my brother, but it seems nearly every situation she is in. I have watched her and its a talent I wish I had!

The whole saga of being 'engaged' for them now starts. The choices and decision making about when where and who. They both have big families and so are bound to feel like they have to please other people in these decisions and choices. I hope that they dont forget that they are meant to enjoy this process. That it is meant to be fun. .. and it is, although it doesnt always feel like it!

So, another strong woman joins this family. ... there are alot of us!! Actually, thinking about the couples I know that are bound together forever thats the comman denominator. They all have strong women at their heart, the men, who are all very dear to me and all have charactoristics that I both admire and love, all have strong women to stand beside. And, as Hugh is marrying a woman who not only knows her own mind but has the courage to stand by its convictions this, I think, bodes well for the future. Grin.


lybxx

The Big 1.0.

She's 10. 10!!!!! I cant quite believe it. 10 is *alot* older than 9.... she will always now be in double figures. She has wanted to have her ears pierced for a long time, and I thought that being *so* old was the right sort of time to have them done.

Small had built this up to a really big thing. We got there, chose really small silver studs and she held my hands really tight as they shot them through her ears. Then she cried! ... not for long, but she went really red and her eyes shut tight and then tears appeared.

On the day her Dad and sister came for tea which was lovely. Her sister is 3 and watching her I am reminded of Small in so many ways. We all ate loads, played loudly and sang and talked and it was just as Small wanted it to be.

Happy Big Birthday My Darling.

lyb


Mummy. x