A Cuppa & A Catch-Up …

Well hello everyone! I feel very guilty about my absence.  It’s simply ages since I’ve bothered to do any bloggin. The twittering idea didn’t work out - couldn’t be bothered if truth be told and all the incoming stuff was trying to sell me something basically - except the Dali Lama of course - now there’s a great guy with some food for thought.

Anyhow - I thought it was time to sit down at the PC with a lovely cuppa tea and give a quick round up of events for anyone looking in.

I’ve found some photos which I forgot to post from last summer - SUMMER!! I hear people cry - what’s that then??? Yes - the photos prove it - it was sunny and warm at some time last summer. We had a trip to the caravan to visit Marie & Stan and went out for a lovely meal at the Queensway Harvester Pub Restaurant. It must have been sometime after my birthday (which as in May) because I’m using a fabulous hippy style bag that my mum gave me as a gift.

Christmas Break ……

Then of course there was Christmas - tree, decorations, gifts, wine, food,

chocolates …. more wine - you can see Stan peeping into the room after a couple of bevvies looking very nosey …. eeeeeeeeeee … ello Stanley!!

Now of course it’s the end of February and no sign of the cold wet windy sleety weather letting up. I’m a bit cheesed off with it all to put it mildly - however - the inability to get out and do anything interesting means we’ve cleared a lot of stuff via eBay and can now see the floor in the alcove - yeahhhhhhhhhh.

So folks …. that was sort of a catch up … nothing too thrilling or shocking I’m afraid but thanks for tuning in.

Chat soon

Lots of love n stuff

Julie xx

January 2010 - the big freeze - no words needed!!

Derek Aston will be greatly missed …

… I write this with tears rolling down my face as I share with you all the very sad news that Derek Aston - a long time and much loved friend has passed away. The obit says: On Saturday, October 17, 2009, peacefully at his home in Thornton, Derek aged 77 years. The beloved husband of Doreen and loving father of Paul. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Derek was in my life nearly everyday when I was a child / teenager - since I was 2 years old and there whilst I was growing up. He was always gentle, kind and considerate.  He used to pick me and Paul up from school with a big smile on his face and out of the blue take us on wonderful ‘trips’ to the Lakes, Fleetwood, the beach, Stanley Park and the Tower. 

One of my favourite memories of us going conkering in Singleton woods and coming home with pockets bulging.  Even if the trip was just to come home from school he made it an adventure somehow - although there was that time we ran over a chicken on Poolfoot Lane …. but I’ll save that tale for another time.

 It was only a couple of days before he passed that we were chatting on the internet - as was our habit.  Derek filled our lives with fun, love and laughter. His jokes, loving messages, news updates and photos rolled in nearly everyday.  Gosh - what a gap his passing has left in this household.  We all thank God for him.

I would like to share with you the last photos he sent to me after his trip to Bath (the Cranford TV Set) and one taken in the summer of him and Doreen.  I’m sure no one will mind.  You will also find him in a previous posting on this link.

Thanks Derek - we all loved you to bits

xxxxx

PS Please feel free to send in your lovely memories of Derek and I will publish them as soon as I can. Thanks xx

The Zone …

… you’re in my zone! …. you’re in my zone!! was the general cry from a friend of mine after recently spending some time out with a guy new to her circle.  I KNOW WHAT SHE MEANS!!!  Have you ever had a guy who WILL insist on walking as if they are attached to your upper arm or shoulder blade??  HOW ANNOYING!! Especially when they are not your ’significant other’.   I’m not sure what school of interpersonal skills or ‘come on signs’ they attended but they seriously need to look at the curriculum.

Gosh - that was a rant wasn’t it … many apols - but when my friend starting telling me about her experience it pushed a few buttons.

It started me thinking about Zones in general and I have noticed that this last few weeks we (meaning me and Brent) have been ‘in the zone’ … totally focused, working hard and not stressing … in fact work has been great fun.  I’ve been corresponding with people all over the world about our products and sending out parcels most days.  Getting up has been something to look  forward to … Weird???

Anyhow - watching balloons made me think about Zones as well and about changes in perspectives.  See the balloon in the first photo on the ground - ti’s enormous … see it 10 minutes later and tis tiny … that’s what life is like me thinks.  Things that seem mega important at one time in life after a while no longer are overwhelmingly important - in fact it is difficult to remember what all the fuss was about …

Well … after that ramble I shall sign off and go do something non important - or I may write to a lovely guy and his wife stationed with the army abroad who have just purchased a book from me on tinternet - now that would be time well spent me thinks !

Chat soon

Love n light

Julie xx

Monthly update …

… well it looks like I’m a once a month blogger doesn’t it?

Hello everyone - thanks for tuning in.

Like I said it seems as if it is my habit to write a little something once a month judging by my previous posts.  It isn’t like anything never happens in my life … just I always seem to be doing ’something else’ whenever it crosses my mind to have a blog.

So … what’s happened this last month.  Well - as you can probably guess from the photo I entered the Race for Life in aid of cancer research AND I completed the course in good time.  I fully expected it to take me well over an hour - if not an hour and a half but I managed to get round in just over 50 minutes.  WHOWEEEE - that’s quite a surprise for me because I’m not the fittest of people AND I’ve never ever done anything like it before in my life…  IT WAS GREAT!!!

One of my bestest mates Gill came with me as support and to also have a go - see other photo - we enjoyed it so much we’re going to have a go next year again all being well.

I’ve also had a birthday!!  A lovely time - Brent cooked me a slap up birthday breakfast, there were presents, phone calls, visits and meals out - BBQ Ribs & Chicken at the Queensway in Lytham - Loverrlllly - just what I like.

So .. that’s it for significant events that I would like to chat about - well - those that I can think of at the moment anyway.  Anything else that comes to mind I’ll let you know.

Signing off with love n stuff

Julie xx

Goldspink Message

Goldspink’s reunion Feb 09

The Goldspinks on mass:

Jean, Roy, Jane, Richard, Andrew, and all the offspring outlaws and inlaws, all sat together having a few bevvies looking at your web site enjoying the memories thinking it’s too long since we have all got together. Missing you all, looking forward to seeing you all. Hope you’re enjoying your Saturday evening as much as we are.

Cheers to you.

Lots of love
The Goldspink family x

Julie wrote:

Thanks for that to the ‘Goldspink Massive’ (Big Grins)

Lovely to hear from you all and glad you are having a good time.

Talking of memories  - we have nothing but good ones when it comes to spending time with you all.

Of course - I now feel prompted to rummage in the photo box and find some embarassing photos to publish.  I’m sure I have a few of Richard (Soz Richard!! - Ju x) in the 80s when he was going through his Durant Durant phase - JUST JOKING ! BIG GRINS & LOLs.

Watch this space eh?  I’m sure I can find something the younger members of the family will find entertaining.

Chat soon - off for a rummage now.

Lots of love n stuff

Julie xoxo

Hold on to your hats folks ….

…. not only because of this wild weather we are having but because …. now wait for it …. I have been learning to bake!!! Yes - you heard right - Julie has been cooking!!! Amazing eh?  For all of those out there that know me really well you will know what a event this is.  Gosh - I’m still amazed myself.

How did it occur?? Well - it was a pure accident really.  Brent has been poorly in bed all week and although we were stocked up to the gills with food we did not have any bread.  Now - I’m not keen on going out in general - especially if it is only to a shop to buy bread so I was driven to look in the store cupboard - and VOILA!!!  The next thing you know I’m mixing, kneading, rising and baking.  Then of course EATING - it must have been good because it all went very quickly.

SO - I made some more!

And that went even quicker ….. SO …. you got it!!! I made some more… Photos shown here.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - well I never

Thanks for reading

Lots of love n stuff

Julie xx

Why are the bees leaving their hives ?

As many of you know I do a little bit of work for a local HE college and the Buzz words for this year are ‘embedding numeracy’ - much to the horror of many students and a fair number of staff as well. It’s EVERYWHERE!!

I’ve just heard this story on the Steve Wright show and have found a link to the full story if anyone would like to have a read. Apparently Bees are BEEING TAUGHT TO COUNT in order to obtain nectar!!! No wonder they are vacating their hives in large numbers to hopefully find pastures new - although I have witnessed quite a few just dropping dead on the walkways in Townley recently - which is perhaps understandable if they have taken on board that they may need to count to more than four in future in order to be fed!

Poor Bees!!

Comments and emails always welcome.

Thanks for reading - much love n stuff - Julie xx

Xena - NOT a Happy Cat!

If a pussycat could huff, puff, sigh and ‘tut’ then I think Xena would have won a medal for that last night.  I keep prattling on and on about how difficult it is to get a good photo of her - so - last night we decided to give it a go.

We each had a camera to hand - waiting for the opportune moment and ‘Voila’ - we managed to get several. Unfortunately most of them seemed to be shots of her lying on the rug looking very ‘dead’ - not a good idea to post those - who knows what people might think!

AT LAST I managed to get two photos I could use - taken on the sofa at the end of the evening when she came to ask for her biscuit supper.

As you can see - the first shot she is NOT happy about the fact that a camera is pointing her way.  However, after a quiet word of encouragement from me she faced the camera full on.

What do you think she is thinking??  I am reluctant to put into words what message I think she is trying to communicate.

Please feel free to post your caption ideas - I think it would be very entertaining.

Chat soon

Julie xx

Students & staff thank Julie Wilkins …

… for all the hard work, overtime and dedication she has given to the Teacher Education programme.

OH!!! Isn’t that lovely??? My time with teacher ed has drawn to a close with much regret - however, as per usual when working for FE part time pay is abismal for the hours your REALLY have to put in to do a decent job.  So … to quote one card it’s onwards and upwards with cambiar.co.uk and my other interests that pay so so so much better.

I would like to say thank you to all the lovely students for their gifts, cards, wine, chocolates and of course lovely festive flowers from Alison Craig.

I will miss you all - stay in touch

Much love n stuff

Julie xx