Wish for the New Year

Well another New Year has arrived and I'm quite happy to see the back of 2013 - not one of my best years. 
I don't generally make new year resolutions any more as I just can't keep them - secrets I can keep - resolutions fail miserably.

So instead I'll 'try' to do certain things - 

• I'll try to blog at least once a week
• I'll try to look after myself and get more sleep 
• I'll try to paint or create at least once a week
• I'll try to worry less over silly things
• I'll try to be slightly less chaotic (really tough)
• I'll try to do more of the little things that make the world a little better

I know these might seem like a bit of a 'cop-out' but I'm done with all the pressure and stress from outside and within - if I can lessen the stress I create for myself then hopefully I can deal with the things I don't have any control over.

I wish you all a good New Year and hope that the highs outweigh the lows xxx

Happy Birthday Sue

It's almost three years since my old school friend Sue died. Today would have been her birthday and so I have spent a few minutes in the dusty rooms of my memories opening virtual boxes of faded memories and good times and laughter.
Sue always had much better dress sense and knew how to wear a hat - I remember this moment as though it was only yesterday - we were off to her sister's wedding - such a wonderful weekend and a treasured memory.

Another New Years Eve...

Here we are again, another New Years Eve. Christmas is all but over and in the blink of an eye we have arrived at the last day of 2012. The pine needles have fallen off the Christmas Tree, the chocolates and Christmas cake almost gone and the cats finished off the turkey on Boxing Day.

I'm not a big fan of New Year celebrations, when I was younger I loved a good party but now I'm quite happy with a relatively quiet night in - must be something to do with getting old.

I hope you all have a good 2013 and that you all experience times of joy and happiness x

Winter Solstice 21/12/2012

Well not only is it the Winter Solstice but the 'end of the world' if you read all the scary stories. However it would seem that maybe it is an ending as such but also a beginning - maybe the human race will finally take a good look at itself and it's actions and decide that change is needed, that we need to create and nurture and not consume and destroy - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.


(memegenerator.net) (http://www.grumpycats.com/)

Sarah Joins Etsy

My daughter Sarah has started making bracelets as a hobby but she's just too young to have her own Etsy account so she's sharing mine.
They're fun and easy to wear and she's sold two already!
Have a look at them on Etsy Shop - Catartist

Blaydon Races 150th Anniversary

Blaydon Races brass band version

The Blaydon Races - the unofficial anthem of Geordies celebrates its 150th anniversary today. There is a Blaydon Race taking place now as I write this, following the route described in the song. There is various versions on YouTube so I've picked out a couple. I love this song, it makes me proud to be a Geordie.

Blaydon Races Sir Bobby Robson Tribute

Happy Birthday Mum

If my Mum was still around she would be celebrating her birthday today. She was never one for alcohol, the odd sherry or port and lemon at Christmas and New Year was about it. She always enjoyed a nice cup of tea, so in honour of her birthday I'll celebrate with a cup of tea and a slice of Swiss Roll - Happy Birthday Mum!

Almost Christmas

It's almost Christmas - I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Just before I go to sleep I'll remember those who aren't here anymore but are always in my thoughts - friends and family and cats who will live in my heart always x

30 years in the NHS!

30 years ago today I started working for the NHS - strangely enough I'm now sitting opposite the person I sat opposite on my first day - funny how things go in circles!

December time again

Such a long time since I last posted. I've been busy with major changes at work, not only the splitting up of our department but sending us to another NHS trust and another hospital! Things are slowly beginning to settle down but I don't know if we'll ever be happy where we are at the moment.
Anyway, it's the 1st of December - World Aids Day, the beginning of the Christmas season, the beginning of the frosts and also my birthday month, I'm sure more things will come to mind.
I'm going to try and post almost every day of December - see if I can focus my mind......