Yet More Mutterings

I have a book “99 Things that Bring me Joy….and looking through it yesterday I thought it would be fun to share what I have written. Each page has a number and a heading….so here we go.

1)
Childhood Toys I had…
Pamela Bobo, a black doll, got her as a Christmas present when I was a child. She sits on the corner of furniture in the dining room with my 4 medals from Cancer Race For Life around her neck…Piles of magazines to cut out and “play”, dress up paper dolls.Mud pie shops in the garden…Even as a grown-up with 3 kids I used to list celebrities names for all sorts of reasons. Hiding this from hubby…I was sort of obsessed. I stopped when son no1 asked me “what are you doing mum?” (TJ – yup I remember that LOL)

3)
Childhood Books you Treasure…
Having to listen to “Pilgrims Progress” by John Bunyan. Read by the teacher weekly at Junior School, Loved reading “Heidi”, Joined a library as a child. My dad joined me into the one he used. Still have a library ticket, Secret 7 and Famous 5 books by Enid Blyton. All the Harry Potter ones and I discovered “Anne of Green Gables “as an adult.

4)
Games You Loved As Child…
Mud pies in the garden, Cutting out pictures from magazines, Going to the “dene” to play, We were not “allowed” out the front to play but we were allowed to go to the dene. (this Carol did with her own sons too. Hmmm…….!!!!!)

6)
memorable Family Holidays…
Going to stay at an aunt in Wales with my mum, Pagham…with hubby, son no1 and son no 2 just before I fell pregnant with son no 3, Caravan trips up north to South Sheilds when the kids were small.

7)
Your closest  Relatives…
No longer have my parents, my brothers and sister, Sylvia….hubby’s sister, My youngest, who was born on the same day as his Uncle, born on his birthday.

8)
My Oldest friends…
Sheila, Ann and Libby from school days, Pat from Tilford days, Elma, I have not met her but she is very dear to me,6 school friends found through Facebook. You know who you are. (sound ominous LOL – TJ again!)

10)
A Thoughtful gift You Have received…
70 gifts in a shiny box for my 70th birthday from Penny, 60 gifts from my friend Mandy on my 60th birthday, My first advent calendar from lovely Dave my adopted brother.Tealights, Canvas of pictures of people who got the isolation scarves in the lockdown of 2020, My first ever Christmas stocking from Peter.And the lovely handcrafted gifts from friend Jean which I received from Jean last week.

12)
Unforgettable Days in My Life…
My wedding day, the days my children were born, The wedding day son no 3. London Pride with my son no1 and the day my grandson was born.

14)
Things I collect…
Owls, different kinds of journals..have at least 20 waiting for me to write in, in the past..blue and white crockery/blue glass bottles, cross stitch and card making stuff, and in May 2021…wool.

15)
Sentimentalpossesions…
my black doll, my box of completed journals.Steiff rabbit that I want to leave to my grandson.

16)
List of my favourite words…
“Mines a G/T.”  “Return to Dorchester South”.

21)
Devoted Pets…
Penny and Jess..both dogs, Tigger and Shadow both cats…Peter..Grandads Canary and Boo ..grandsons goldfish.

34)
A Daily Ritual I  Relish…
Writing in my journal….putting my worry onto paper getting those thoughts out of my head, settling down into my bed hoping I will go to sleep at once, “me” time on my laptop IPlayer watching and YouTube.

40)
Things That Make Me Feel Healthy…
When I can get through a day without eating anything too sweet.

50)
Television Shows that help me to Escape…
Antique programmes, history programmes, Some soaps, Say Yes to the Dress on youtube, Who Do you Think You Are, watching gory cop shows on IPlayer.

53)
Fictional Character you would like to have as a friend…
Ayla from the Clan of the Cave Bear Series….due to a re-read.

56)
Music I love…
I have lots of favourites but the top of the list is Old country, 60’s music and 60’s Country, David Essex, Pan Pipes,50’s music, some Jazz and Leonard Cohen

58)
Favourite Scents…
Lavender, Rose, Patchouli, Imperial Leather Soap, Brut, Johnsons baby powder and Tiger Balm.

66)
My Secret Talent…..
a very realistic “barking” like a dog

97)
Something I have learned about myself…
Do not think I am as strong as I always thought I was…I  know I hide it a lot. But I cope with whatever is chucked at me.

99)
Blessings you never forget to count…
My friends and family, My hubby this week of 20th Sepy 2019 and close family and friends and neighbours and Facebook friends in these strange times of 2020 and 2021.

That’s it folks see ya next time