Emma Rose

I have been so busy this summer! I did not realise that I have not told you about my Granddaughter....

Emma was born in June. She is so beautiful! When I first saw her, she was just over 2 weeks old! I was amazed to see her trying to lift herself up, while laying on her back! She rolled from her back onto her side, she smiled, then she made sounds as she looked at her daddy! Some of you may know I am a trained Nursery nurse and I did not think babies did all those things, so early!
We went up to Chorley to see the family last Friday and I was amazed again as Emma had not only grown (as you would expect)
but she has developed a lovely little laugh! (and only 2 months old!)
It was so lovely to see her focusing fully on us, we could see that she could see us clearly. There was a lovely moment when Emma peeped around her dad so that she could see me! Ah!
We have had the usual conversations about who does she look like!
I think she looks a bit like my son and a bit like my daughter-in-law.
The other grandma thinks she looks like ME! Ooh! Maybe she does a bit...time will tell!
I just think she is my most beautiful granddaughter Emma Rose..and I love her with all my heart...

photo taken in June 2010 in Chorley, Lancs

Being diagnosed with Osteoarthritis

My X-ray results show I have Osteoarthritis..

I was shocked to find I have Osteoarthritis..I also have Stenosis which is a narrowing of my spinal column. I knew I had that, I found that out 25 years ago, when I also found out that I had a weakness in my back and needed to be careful how I lifted anything. What I did not know that it could collapse..Oh!
I have had a flare-up of my symptoms which led me to have an
 X-ray, which shows I have mild Osteoarthritis. I have lived for all these years with pain in my bones which I have coped with and learned to live with. What I did not know was if I was not careful about how I lift things I could end up in hospital needing an emergency operation, gulp!
I am one of these people who have a few days in shock then make a stand, get up and dust myself off and get on with life.
I am o.k. I have God. I can walk, I can move, I am alive. My pain and inflammation has died down and I refuse to let it take over my life and consume me. God has a plan for me and giving up is not an option!I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to..I have plans!
My new Baby granddaughter is due on 11th June..I can't wait to cuddle her and tell her how much I love her..
What else can I say? It is not the end of my world! Yes, I need to think about how I lift things but it's not going to stop me getting on with my life..there's so much to do and enjoy!
Thanks be to God for getting my attention and helping me focus on what is important.

Sport Reief, Spring. Aching Bones...and laughter!

Sport Relief,Spring,Aching bones....and laughter!
I really enjoyed doing the Sport relief mile,it seems a long time ago!  I had great fun warming up beforehand and it was good to see Dick and Dom. I also saw some family there, which was great. I managed to raise around £70 and I am pleased with that. The money has gone towards helping so many people and that is very good.

Chris is still off from work after his operation and is waiting to go back to hospital as things don't appear to be o.k. I am now also having pain in my hips/back and waiting to see what the outcome will be. You might think that we are down and miserable, but we are not as we have God to help us through and each other.

 Spring is a lovely time of year, not one for feeling down in! I love to see all the buds on the trees and plants and hear the birds singing as they try to attract a mate! There are so many different birds to listen for. I could take up bird watching if I did not have so many other things to do! Why should we worry, when God has blessed us with all these lovely seasons? There is always a reason to be positive..for me, after I have struggled to stand I manage to walk and that is positive. I walked the sport relief mile, I did it, even though there was some pain. We are alive and  as a christian I believe God gave us life and we should always thank him for everything he does for us each and every day. For me without him I do not know where I would be...

Top photo taken at the Sport relief mile, Nottingham 2010,Second photo taken  at Georgina's house in Derbyshire, April 2010.

February almost gone!

I need to do a new post as February is almost out!...
This year is already going quite fast! last Tuesday was my birthday..still 50 something!
Chris is going to have his op this coming Tuesday and Mothers day and St Patricks day is following close behind! (not forgetting Chris's birthday!) Soon it will be Spring then Easter and we will be a quarter of the way through the year...almost!
It all feels a bit like a race!

I have entered to do the sport relief mile in Nottingham, walking it!
I am doing the one mile. I do hope some of you will sponsor me or even come and join me..it will be a great time!

I was greatly encouraged by a lady called Rachel Hickson, who came to talk to the ladies of the (church) house on Friday. If you get the chance to hear her speak, do go you will be blessed!

Hopefully longer blog next time, God willing!

My thoughts on the snow

I am starting to think the snow is not going to go..ever...

About 30 years ago, I remember the weather people saying we were going to get a small amount of snow..what came was the heaviest snowfall in years and it caused chaos because the roads were not gritted!

As the roads are having less grit put down I am thinking we will be all at a standstill! I went out to work earlier yesterday and could not believe just how cold it felt, it was a strange feeling. I did not shiver but I was aware that being outside was not good! Last night there were a lot of young adults throwing snowballs at each other! It was 11:15 pm!!!

I think it is quite strange seeing all this snow and ice. We have got used to not seeing snow and I thought we would not see any snow ...then we had a heavy fall in February 2009 and I thought that was a fluke!
Look at it now! Snow, ice, icicles!! More heavy snow is forcast for tomorrow and no sign of it warming up soon!

I feel sad when I hear of people dying because of it. If you have a someone near by who may need some help, do check on them. They may need some shopping or hot food. I am praying our power does not go off and it warms up very soon.

Photo taken December 2009 in my front garden, Nottingham.