The British Homemaker - One day at a time

For as long as I can remember I've been easily able to count my blessings in the darkest of times through life, I learned that to be able to do this keeps challenges in perspective, no matter how hard they are. It's also healthy in many other ways to find a positive in a tough time, for one it keeps insanity at bay. I don't mind admitting that I still have tough times accepting my arthritis, how quickly its set in and all the ways it has robbed me of independance. Some days all I want to do is cry with sheer frustration and pain and while now and again I do give in to it, I do pick myself up and carry on. The alternative isn't an option and lets face it, it's not a condition that is terminal, it's just never going to go away so its a life long adjustment process. In 7 months I've gone from limping with knee pain, swelling and weakness to hold myself to being in a wheelchair. Lets talk about this a minute... Getting crutches was the difference between ...

  The first week of the school summer holidays was fun. Friday: I ended the week cutting the grass, strimming, putting up new buntings and lights, getting plants repotted. This ^ is  how hard I worked! Saturday: The kids decided that poor Jake was going to get it again...this time as Baby Jake from a CBeebies programme! Why are these two even watching that channel??? Sunday: We went over to my sisters for dinner, hung out for the afternoon and most the evening and just chilled, ate and laughed. Monday: Kian {nephew} and Charley playing ‘fencing’. Kirsten and my heads were always in danger! Tuesday: We freeze our favourite drinks with a lemon or lime inside, ideal on hot days like today. Wednesday: Preparing for the online craft fair summer sale. Justo ne of the items I’m offering. Thursday was spent packing and travellin...

I have secured one in the past but I’ve never actually put one up from start to finish…till now and guess what? 24 hours later it’s still up! Job done!! These curtains were given to me by my RS President who had 3 pairs of Next sage green ones that were unopened and unused! Anyway, the pair for this room were too small in the length, so using the bottom from a second pair I added a 12” panel to each one and called it sorted. I’m still undecided if I will panel over this with a contrasting and vibrant patterned fabric when I see it, we’ll see. I think I should have ironed them first though….

My BFF is clever, smooth, fun and faithful. I love my sewing machine. She has helped me make and create. She hasn’t given up on my and gets into the smallest of places I need her to get into. What is your favourite today?

   

We all carry our own deal in life according to our choices, reactions and abilities. In many cases we carry the effects of others decisions too and it’s tough to get through the fog in life.  I’m a firm believer that we are only given the challenges that we have the ability to cope with ~ with the assistance and guidance of Jesus Christ. I admit to failing more often than I’m proud to admit and this morning was no different. Sat in Macdonald's with my journal I mulled over the last few days and felt myself just sink into submission. An off the cuff remark yesterday in a business group cut me to the core, my exhaust dropped off the car, a hole was made in it and I now have an added bill of over £100 to get it sorted. Bad timing. It was very late when I got home from the forest of dean and all hell was breaking lose at the place where my kids were. There was no point me trying to explain or defend myself so we just left. Living out of a B&B isn’t the hardest thing to do, but ...

We all have friends, different flavours, different backgrounds, different ages, colours and all that lot….but I am always amazed how friends really step up a level when the going gets tough…over the last few months I have made some really awesome ones who have lifted me when I’ve felt my life was too much, laughed when I tried to be funny, hugged me when I felt alone and assured me when I was feeling insecure. Friendship isn’t always on our wrists or visible for the world to see, we don’t always appreciate them but its when they need us, or we need them that the word friend really kicks in. I love my friends, the young and old, male and female, Lds and other. I am truly blessed to have so many people to inspire, guide, help and encourage me….and best of all…allow me to be in their lives!

On 29th July the kids and I took off to Cardigan in Carmarthenshire for an 8 day camping trip with our fellow Lds Single Adult and families and had a blast of a time. I’ve camped before but not a whole week with limited facilities but I have to say we just totally loved it. The Gellie-Liahona Campsite is owned and run by a fellow Lds family who are awesome, we’ll definitely be going back there again next year! Over the last few years the kids and I have really rethought our lifestyles and realised how materialistic we’d become so going back to basics wasn’t a hardship {though at times it was uncomfortable having dirty hair and limited clean clothes!} but actually freed us of all the things the worldly shackles. Now I am hyped on camping and already have another weekend planned with Single Adults only! We got there around 2ish but late on the night we hit a local beach in New Quay… Charley, along with my friends kids, jumped in the water…only Jules and Michele went in full...

Boys will be boys…enjoy seeing your boy…more to come on Wednesday for ya! :) Oh how I teased them…but they played up to it even more… Hurry up and get him married when he’s home… ;) lol And if you think this is a one off, think again!  These two are always like that!! I left them alone with the camera while I finished up dinner…oh boy, I’m too scared to look at the video they made! Now I’m trying to get it all loaded up so you can see it…but it may need a health warning, all I could hear was them play fighting, singing and messing around!! Lol Gotta love our missionaries!! :) Debs