ANNIVERSARY

36 years ago today I said "I DO" 36 years on I'm so happy I did. Where did the years go?

They went into building a marriage, bringing two wonderful daughters into the world and over the years helping them grow into the wonderful women they are today. Over the last few years I have seen both of them married, I have 2 son in laws who are perfect for my girls, couldn't have picked better myself and 2 amazing grandsons, a teenager and toddler who bring so much joy to our lives. And looking forward to new baby later in the year.

We've travelled, had the fortune to be able to live in other countries for periods of time. We've built a network of wonderful friends all over the world.

The best thing about all of this? I did it with my best friend.

Let's hope there are more wonderful years ahead.

SPRING CLEAN

As I find myself cleaning the shower with a toothbrush trying to get into all those small awkward areas, I ponder the thought, I'm I mad, do I have too much time on my hands or more likely have I turned into my mother?

After a few minutes I decide all of these statements are probably true to a certain degree, but the real truth of the matter is that a man designed this shower unit! A man who never in his life will have to keep it clean. Surely no woman would design something which was so difficult to maintain.

Again and again I am amazed that there are appliances which defy the cleaning tactic of a cloth or humble sponge, corners where dirt lingers in defiance of any spray, despite what the ads claim. The slime lies there defying all my best efforts. This is when my trusty toothbrush comes into it's own.

But the question remains as to why this is necessary. I tell myself before I buy anything new I will check the cleanability of the item, but again and again I fail to spot the danger area. I am seduced by the shiny surface, and all the switches and buttons! Yes soon I will find myself once again reaching for the toothbrush tucked in the corner of my basket of cleaning materials and cursing the day I bought it.

My daughters mock my determination to get into all the nooks and crannies. They say anything that requires such effort is just not worth having. Their day will come. They will be on thee knees struggling with the defiant corner, or trying to get under the switches on the hob when they find themselves reaching for a toothbrush! I will smile and say "I told you so"

Please note no toothbrush is harmed during my cleaning fits, and they never again are used for their original purpose.Just in case anyone was wondering.

Happy Spring Cleaning.

NO ENTRY

No entry it said on the door. No problem. No entry it said, no problem, I didn't want to go in, I wanted to leave the store! Logical thinking or what?
Am I alone in thinking it should have said no exit?
Or maybe I really am losing my mind.

NEW FRIENDSHIPS

Yesterday I had coffee with a friend. No big deal you may say, people do this every day, but for me it was a big deal. Why? Because having arrived here after living overseas for the past six years I find myself once again friendless, a stranger in a new city. This happens to me every five years, give or take a year. I am not complaining as I keep finding myself in new countries, sometimes new cultures with wonderful opportunities I may not otherwise have had.

But the biggest thing is starting again with new friends. Generally my husband will be really busy with his new project for the first few months, no time for socialising with work people, although this, I know form past experiences, will eventually happen. But I cannot sit around waiting. So I have to find a way to find like minded people.

This move I decided to join a supper club I found in a magazine, Woman and Home. I checked, and there was one operating in my area. The first night I went along with a bit of trepidation, and I don't mind admitting, a whole lot of fear, and only after an agonising search through my wardrobe wondering what to wear! What can be worse than joining a group of women who all know each other? A bit like being the new kid in the class. However, I needn't have worried. I found myself in a group of wonderful women. All very different, at different stages of life and all looking to this group for friendship. As we are a "supper club" then to start we all have a common interest, food. Some like cooking and others just enjoy the eating out experience, so we are off to a good start.

After the first few meetings I knew there were a couple of women I wanted to get to know bit better. I felt sure there were some real friendships to be made. A couple of more meetings, more time of getting to know them a bit better and I had arranged a coffee date with a lady, who like myself wasn't in full time employment and spent time alone because of her husband's work commitments. I was happy. Could I have found my first real connection to the area, my first friend?

Several hours and a few coffees later we knew a whole lot more about each other. Already we were making plans of things we could do together. I knew I had found a friend. I was so happy to have made this connection and look forward to spending time with her and getting to know her family.

It is so easy to sit back and complain about situations in life, but my experiences have taught me that no one comes knocking asking if you will play with them, you have to go and ask to join in the game. This has worked for me many times now. I keep wondering if my luck will run out. Fortunately it hasn't run out this time, and I'm sure this is only the start. I can now start my new life with new friends. But one thing I never forget the wonderful friends I have been fortunate to meet wherever I've gone. I am one lucky lady with friends all around the world. I never this for granted.

THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING

Today made me realise that suddenly I prefer to be referred to as "having a blonde moment" as the alternative now seems to be as "having a senior moment". How times change. Not too long ago I would have thrown my hands up in horror at such a slight, now, well, times they are are changing.

What brought me to this realisation? Quite simply I tried to pack, the charity box at my local Tesco Store with my shopping. Please understand I was sans spectacles, I am hanging on to the readers, but for how much longer, I wonder. Fortunately it was chained to the counter. The rattle of chains should have alerted me!!!!!!

A friendly smiling lady of similar age nodded in sympathy. I laughed, said something about hormones and fled to the street. It did make me laugh though.

A couple of texts to my daughters brought replies from one saying her one year old regularly does this and accuses me of teaching him the habit! The other tells me it's almost time for the Greyhound bus. For anyone who isn't familiar with this, it is rumoured that in USA old people are turning up in places without ID and without any idea of where they've come from or of indeed who they are, via the Greyhound Bus. Apparently when families have nowhere to turn, and no money for care for aging relatives, this is the option they are turning to. Not sure this isn't an urban myth, and I think I am some way away from being at that stage, but to be on the safe side I am seriously considering having my name and address tattooed somewhere on my body!

With the arrival of Spring, the appearance of the Spring flowers, there really is nothing to worry about. Life is good, whatever your age.