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22:30:00 o'clock BST
Hello all! I've been reading some of my past entries and they all seem to start with reasons I haven't posted for a long time! This time I'm not going to apologise, I shall just carry on as though I write regular entries - who knows, one day I might even manage to write one a week!
As usual we've had a lot going on in our lives, is it because we have a large family I wonder? I wouldn't change them for the world of course but I can never plan a day and KNOW that it will turn out as it was meant to! Today I looked after Rhiannon's three little ones, they came early enough for breakfast and at 12.30 Rhiannon came and we went to daughter Leigh's house for a barbecue.
Sofia enjoying her Coco-pops! Our beautiful ceanothus bush can be seen through the open French doors.
Another picture of the ceanothus!
Recently we went to France for two weeks, the first in Provence and the second in the Alsace. The weather was very kind to us but unfortunately we didn't see as much of the south of France as we would have liked - but that's a story for another time! I particularly loved the markets, we went to two and they were nothing like our English ones, I'm pleased to say! The smells as you walked round were something else! I wish I'd taken photos of the olive stalls, the cheese stalls and also one of the man who had made a giant paella complete with prawns hanging over the edge! I think if we had markets like that in England I'd spend a fortune! Saying that, we do sometimes get a French market in Bexleyheath where I go for most of my non-food shopping; it's really expensive though and because we know how cheap it is in France it rather puts me off buying from them but of course they have to pay their transport costs. While in Provence I looked for a colourful tablecloth that I've wanted for a long time for the garden table, they have them with olives, sunflowers and lavender on them, amongst other things, lots of reds, yellows and orange colours and so very particular to the area. The second market we went to had a stall selling them and there were so many to choose from! The stall was manned by a lovely little old Frenchman who didn't stop smiling, he was so sweet! I ended up buying two tablecloths, a 6 foot long one for the main garden table and a round one for the smaller table we have on the grass (I'd love to be able to call it a lawn but I'd be lying, it needs so much work doing to it!). As I was leaving the stall I saw lots of aprons hanging up, they were only 6 Euros and came in the same lovely bright designs, I just had to have one! As I gave the little man the money, he held on to my hand and gave me back the 1 Euro coin that I'd handed him with the 5 Euro note, he then said I could have it for 5 Euros as I had bought the two tablecloths! He was so sweet, I ended up stroking his cheek as I was thanking him, all the time he had this lovely smile on his face! I really wish I'd taken a photo of him and the colourful stall that he stood behind.
Taken in a small village in the south of France, a very pretty place but I'd hate to go there in the height of summer, it would be too crowded!
I've been quite busy at work since we've been back, my colleague went on annual leave to America as I came back from France, she's back on Monday though and I'll be really pleased to see her, not because of the work but because she is such a lovely person, I've really missed not seeing her for a month!
In future weeks we have a 25th wedding anniversary, a big family re-union party, my grand-daughter's 18th birthday party and in September a trip to Valencia to see little Isabella and Sofia as bridesmaids to their daddy's cousin! Oh I forgot, a cousin's daughter (my God-daughter) is having a 'Ladies Day' at her house, just cousins, 2nd cousins and their children, no men allowed! It was another cousin's funeral in January and as usual we all said that the only time we seem to get together is weddings and funerals so we're now rectifying that by having two family get-togethers within a month of each other! As my mum was one of 13 children you can imagine how many of us there are!
Time now for me to close, I think I've more than said enough! Oh I forgot to say, I joined Weightwatchers last week and on Friday I was pleased to find I'd lost 3 lbs...happy me!
Love to you all, hope your weekend is going well!
Pat
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It seems you enjoyed your recent holiday. I enjoy the small markets, as well.
Thanks for stopping by my journal. Stop by anytime.
Jimmy
http://journals.aol.com/jimsulliv3/jimmys-journal/ -
Hello Pat,
What an incredible coincidence! My name is also Pat and I have a journal
called "Roses rambling" on aol. I live in America and I am a 67 year old widow.
I have a gentleman friend for 5 years now and I may marry him soon. If you
would like to visit my journal or e-mail, I would like that very much. I guess
great minds think alike, LOL, don't you? Smiles, from Pat (krmprm@aol.com) -
Hi Pat, It`s lovely to hear from you again, you won`t believe it but only last week I wondered when you`d post another entry, I must have known you were about to! Your photos are lovely and Sofia`s such a pretty little girl. Your Ceanothus is one of the nicest I have ever seen, it`s so beautiful. :o)
Love Sandra xxxx
http://journals.aol.com/labdancer51/SandrasScribbles/ -
So good to see your post and enjoyed hearing of your trip and all the good family times. I have been able to have more family time as I started camping on weekends with two of my children and their families. My Mom and Dad both came from families of 10 each so I know what it is like to have so many relatives. It seems I don't see too much of them as none are close by. Funerals and weddings are what seems to draw us closer together. Breifly though. The lilacs have been outstanding here this year also. Beautiful picture. 'On Ya' - ma
17/05/08 13:03
Lyn
http://journals.aol.com/ukgal