Dolly's Dreamings

a little fall of rain

Well - a little light rain has fallen and apparently more will slowly filter through today - not enough to damp the heath - but some.

I have never known the weather to be quite so perfect in April and May ever. Coincidence? Maybe not.

 

It is new release day at PBP today and I have been working with several of the kits I have been gifted.

 

This one is just so beautiful  and is Beach Adventure by et designs

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Just You and Me by Kathryn Estry  and was perfect for my two still naughty babies

 

 

 

Baking Memories by Lorie M

 

I have scrapped this photo before - yes I am VERY proud of it!

 

 

and this is a gorgeous gorgeous collection by Bellisae called just create and scrap

 

 

 

 

And these edges and frames by PrelestnayP are just gorgeous

 

 

If you shop you can also get this gorgeous Berry Blends kit free with purchase

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a little rain
• almost at the end of a massive massive project (can't wait to share it - hopefully at the weekend)
• baking time - off to make my first coffee and walnut cake now

 

Back to work

Today marked a huge step for us. Whilst I am still firmly furloughed (well not a lot of work for an invigilator when all exams have been cancelled) Nigel returned to some of his work today. It was safe work, outdoors and brief jobs but a little way to travel. But that was Ok as we travelled together and tried to view it - very successfully  - as a day out.

On our way to work we had a beautiful drive through the Dorset countryside. Now here I must stop a while and relay what happened in our gorgeous, quiet county this weekend. We always knew it would be a problem when lockdown was eased. we are blessed to live in a beautiful part of the country (and pay a premium for that) but it makes it very desirable for others to visit with no recourse for what those visits might mean. Dorset is a small and relatively unspoilt county with some 800000 residents. We have no cities, no motorways, in fairness not that many dual carriageways, and we have beautiful historic heathland and villages and miles and miles of beaches and the world heritage Jurassic coastline. It is the county of Thomas Hardy, of sleepy stone built thatched cottages, of farmland and castles and churches and utter beauty. Our large towns are few and even they are not huge, our hospitals are small, matching the size of the county they serve,  and tourism has always been a major industry since Victorian times. And yes, when it is safe we need the hotels and guesthouses, the pubs and campsites to re-open but it is too early and they rightly remain closed.  However, that didn't stop thousands and thousands from descending on the area over the weekend. People from far away. Our roads were congested with traffic usually seen on a summer bank holiday, our beaches were crowded with little recourse for social distancing and our beauty spots were crammed. we had already suffered a local disaster as hectares and hectares of Wareham forest burnt for days as the result of a stupid disposable BBQ that should never have been used. Police stopped 16 such BBQ's in Studland alone at the weekend. The area is all tinder dry. People camped out on the beaches overnight - not allowed. They went through closed roads, parked wherever they fancied on grass verges when the car parks were full. And at Durdle Door on Saturday there were major incidents.

Apologies for more details than some of you would wish for but I want to record this here.

An accurate timeline of exactly what happened at Durdle Door, which saw four injured and thousands forced to gather and then evacuate the beach, is starting to come together.

Coastguard Rescue Team have given an account of the rescue operation at Durdle Door yesterday where at least three people were injured jumping from the Door into the sea - a distance of around 70ft. Two helicopters, coastguard first responders, lifeboat crews, police and land ambulances were on the scene, trying to treat those injured as well as dispersing the thousands of beachgoers who had ventured there for a day in the sun.

This is from the Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team  ....

*CALL OUTS* 25 - 28. 30/05/20

An afternoon none of our team will forget in a hurry.

The pagers sounded at 15:50, Solent asked the team to assist South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust with a casulty who had been pulled from the sea bed after jumping from Durdle Door. Also tasked were Lulworth First Responders Kimmeridge Coastguard, Weymouth Lifeboat, Dorset Police, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175.

Arriving on scene, the team made their way down the steps to the beach, locating the casualty near to the base of the steps.

He was receiving help from the medical professionals already on scene. Lulworth CRT began to create a landing site for the helicopter.

The beach had thousands of people on it and we thank the majority of people who complied with our shouting to clear a helicopter landing site, a very difficult challenge.

Helimed landed on the beach. We were then made aware of a second casualty 2/3 of the way around the beach who had also jumped from the door. Somehow he had managed stagger back to his friends before falling very unwell.

The paramedics deemed his injuries very serious and requested that like the first casualty, he be flown to the major trauma centre in Southampton.

Team members and police now had to clear a second landing site for Rescue 175 which had been circling the area. The beach was cleared, many day trippers now on Scratchy Bottom beach.

The second helicopter landed, unloaded their paramedic and stretcher before returning to base to refuel. The second casualty was carefully prepared for hospital.

The first helicopter then left scene, flying at best speed to Southampton. The police then declared the beach to be closed. The thousands caught in-between the two landing sites now asked to leave the beach.

Our Senior Coastal Operations Officer had been maintaining communications on high ground when a third casualty made himself known to him. He had also jumped from Durdle Door and had serious injuries to his torso. An ambulance crew (one of five on site) dealt with his injuries and took him to Dorset County Hospital on Dorchester.

Rescue 175 was now back on scene and landed again on the beach. The second casualty was loaded on board, and flown to Southampton. They were met by our colleagues at Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team who assisted with the transfers.

The remaining beach goers were now asked to leave.

The police had to deal with alcohol fuelled minor scuffles, as well as a small but out of control fire from a BBQ.

On returning up the steps, a fourth casualty had identified on high ground above Durdle Door. The lady had a suspected broken ankle and due to gradient of the hill, a stretcher carry out was too risky. Coastgaurd Rescue 187 from St Athan was sent to the area. They dropped their paramedics on top of the hill, and walked down to the lady. She was placed in a rescue strop and winched into the aircraft. They flew her to the top of the hill and transferred her to a land ambulance.

After a debrief, Lulworth and Kimmeridge retuned to their stations at about 21:30.

We understand that four individuals jumped from Durdle Door (some 70ft) yesterday, encouraged by the crowds on the beach.
Two of which are now seriously injured.

Upsetting scenes like we and many others witnessed yesterday illustrate how very dangerous tombstoning is. We couldn’t discourage it enough.

Thank you everyone who helped in one way or another yesterday including the Lulworth Estate staff who, as usual, were integral to keeping traffic flowing aiding emergency vehicles entering the area.

We wish all the casualties the very best.

We would also like to reiterate our thanks to the vast majority of beach goers who were patient and cooperative in what was very difficult situation. Described as a critical incident by police.

If anyone in that crowd had COVID even if they were asymptomatic, the air ambulance would have caused such a downdraft it will have infected so many on that beach.

 

After the incident the roads to Lulworth were closed. People ignore the closure signs and went anyway, flouting the law and this is a report from yesterday!!

*CALL OUT* 29 - 31/05/20

The team have just retired from another call to Durdle Door. Solent Coastguard - Operations Centre requested the team to assist the police in removing people from the arch at 12:50 this afternoon.

The team arrived and worked with the police to clear the high ground that leads to the arch.

With no further persons in trouble, the team were stood down and returned to station.

So you can perhaps understand why we in Dorset are worried. Why we wish there had been a limit put on distance travelled. The South west, which had the lowest incidence rate of COVID in the country has now leaped to the top of the league table for their R rate. Thankfully not the death rate but there could well be a sharp rise in a couple of weeks time. Our council have written to MPs but we know nothing will change and we are all sad and cross and worried.

 

Anyway - I digress. Having given you a bit of history we headed off to the Isle of Purbeck for work today and it was quiet and beautiful and serene and like it usually is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We serviced the petrol stations we were contracted to work in and as one was in Swanage we took our daily walk along a very very quiet beach. It was beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and before we did the Poole garages - well it would have been rude not to visit Starbucks. It was safe as only the drive through is open, we pay by phone which only we need to touch and we have the cups delivered into plastic bags we are holding open and our own straws so nothing is touched and we are happy with that. Normality is slowly returning.

 

 

I have a page to share of our last trip to the beach - not todays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A shocking incident and an unbelievable cost incurred in manpower and resources we can ill afford for the sake of people down from London on a day trip who thought tombstoning would be fun and now lie in Southampton hospital seriously injured and a long way from home.

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for 

• sunshine,
• Dorset in all of it's beauty
• work
• a slow return to normality

 

 

the weather is glorious and we are fine

The coronavirus has been devastating for our world and yet it's impact has also allowed our world to breathe. I am sure it is no coincidence the weather has been exceptional, the waters pf the world are cleaner, the sky is clearer.  The impact on lives, on liberty, on finances has been terrible, but maybe the world needed a re-boot.

 

We had such a fun night with the family last night in a zoom game show night - the virus has helped many people connect a little more I think.

 

sunsets have been enjoyed with evening walks

 

 

 

 

 

There has also been drawing and scrapping

This was another doodle

 

 

 

I photocopied it and coloured it too but I prefer the black and white

 

And these were my latest class pages for a class I taught at ATDML

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the speed of life slowing down and time to take stock
• time to let the earth breathe a little
• staying healthy
• family time
• beautiful sunsets and new dawns

 

 

 

and this is the google video from the day after Elfin's funeral featuring the song we all walked into - spooky cooincidence.

 

My favourites

The weather continues to be glorious and we continue to enjoy it. I have some photos to share

This is our daily walk - a lovely little trail just steps from the house and was actually quite cool int he sunshine.

 

 

we still crack up when we try and do selfies

 

 

 

 

and today we ventured further afield because a friend told us where to see the wonderful poppies and they are my favourite flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was made with a new collection by Natali Designs called Softness 

 

 

 

 

 

This was for the buildings challenge on FTLOPP

 

 

and this was my page as a guest designer on FTLOPP

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• beautiful places close by - sometimes REALLY close by
• good books to read
• being together and laughing a lot
• art and drawing - my lockdown notebook is coming along well.

 

 

Gorgeous weather

The weather is gorgeous - absolutely beautiful; (in fact a little over hot for us)

I am glad the weather is gorgeous because I am a little disenchanted with the world at the moment - well the UK to be precise.

Whatever you may or may not think about Dominic Cummings, to see one man savaged by the media in a kangaroo court was terrible to watch and no person, no matter what they may or may not have done, deserves to be subjected to such a thing. I know, from experience, what a kangaroo court is like and something I have never forgotten nor ever will. It speaks volumes about the people who run it more than the person subjected to it and I am ashamed of all of them. It was despicable.

Consequently, I am staying away from social media, away from the vitriol because that sort of negativity, the politics of envy, the lack of respect for a human being is not something that is healthy for the soul.

What is healthy for the soul is the beauty of the natural world.

 

These photos are literally steps away from my front door - we are truly blessed

 

 

 

 

 

 

and these are a little further afield as we had to come back through the new forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also have some scrapping to share

 

A challenge on UKS using two of my recent doodles (loving doodling)

 

 

a scrappycats challenge - it is lovely that we get together on Saturdays for a zoom chat

 

 

Another UKS challenge and documenting poor Kira's loss of hearing

 

 

And a scraplift of a page by Claire Louise that I loved and just had to have a go at. A fussy cutting spectacle.

 

 

and today - this happened ... homemade cinnamon rolls - YUM

 

 

and to escape from the harshness of the world, alongside natural beauty there is also colouring with my brand new crayons

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the beauty of nature
• baking
• open spaces
• colouring pencils
• home

 

 

 

Beautiful weather

The winds have finally died down and the weather is lovely. We have been for our usual daily walks and enjoyed lunches on the balcony. Life is indeed good. We have no desire to venture out further and are quite content.

 

These two pages were made for challenges on UKS and are for the digital coast to coast album. Actually we now have three full D ring paper albums of the trip and I still have loads to do. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime and so probably good we are not travelling this year.

 

 

 

and this is a scraplift I made today because I fell in love with the original page and just had to have a version in my album. I loved cutting all the houses out. The original was by Claire Louise

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a lovely weekend at home
• sharing together
• a brilliant quiz night with family (well apart from the scavenger hunt where we were utter rubbish - the benefits of a split level house

 

and I love these chalk arts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little bit more normal

I can see why the government have the new slogan of Stay Alert because it is becoming easier to forget we are in a bit of a mess. Until you go our that is!

 

Yesterday we bit the bullet and, as the government now say it is Ok to travel a bit further and to visit the beach we thought we would before the rest of the country descended at the weekend. Oh yes, I am sure we will have a huge influx of people to the area but we will be staying well away.

Anyway I digress - we headed off to the Isle of Purbeck - Dorset at some of it's most beautiful - and went for a lovely walk at Swanage. It was very very quiet when we arrived, though it did get busier and we left a bit earlier than we might have planned because there were more and more people arriving. But it was lovely to go 'out out' to see somewhere different and even have a paddle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dorset is the most beautiful beautiful county - so happy we live here

 

I have some scrapping to share too - made earlier in the month

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a day out
• healing
• a wonderful clean and tidy house - yes a busy day
• a balcony chat with my best friend. I miss her!

 

 

 

 

A fitting Tribute

Yesterday saw a day we always knew would come but we never wanted to face really. It was the funeral for Nigel's mom Elfin. It was always going to be very different in Coronavirus times but in some ways, impossible as it seems, it worked out well.

The arrangements were actually easy to make and I have to shout our George Scott Funeral Directors who were utterly wonderful in all they said and did. They were the company we used when we buried my Daddy in 2001 and were wonderful then. They are a family firm and they give very kind and personal service. I am not sure if anyone watched the wonderful TV series William and Mary about an undertaker and a midwife. George Scott are just like that. We remember the episode when William was going to leave and Mary said no, he had to be there because when people lost someone they love they just want an angel to come along and sort it all out and he was the angel. George Scott convey that feeling. When you contact them when you are just so suddenly and recently bereaved they are just so reassuring and take all the stress and worry away in such a lovely way.

Obviously, in Cobid 19 times, funerals are restricted and so only 10 mourners are allowed and the service can only be 20 minutes (plus the burial obviously) We knew that sadly Nigel's brother Jim in the USA could not attend as with the restrictions on travel it wouldn't be possible. We were also worried about Nigel's nephew facing a very very long journey there and back in a  day. So the physical attendes were Nigel and I, his brother Sean and wife Viv and our niece Fiona and her husband Dave. However, the funeral really felt like everyone else was there too. We were able to live stream it and Nigel made sure people watching from home were mentioned first of all by the priest at the start of the service. Nigel and I had sorted out the service making and order of service and we were able to send the order of service to all family and friends ahead of the funeral (along with the music files Nigel also created as they told us the music could not be broadcast though in fact it was. As a result we had friends and family watching across the UK, in California, in Oregon, in Massachusettes, in Florida and in Rome. It was a much larger funeral than it wqould ordinarily have been.

 

We chose the music with care and were thrilled that the brothers were happy with our suggestion for the opening music. It is a favourite verson of ours performed by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole ... I do hope you will listen to it ... although you may have heard it already today. Imagine my surprise when I logged on this morning and google home page came up with this song as it is his 65th birthday. It is almost like the world knew!

 

 

Download TRACK 1 Over the Rainbow

 

The final song was one that we had all watched Elfin dance to at the pavillion and as a lifelong dancer it was so perfect for her.

 

Download TRACK 3 I just wanna dance with you

We also used one of our favourite hymns as the words were so perfect - Shine Jesus Shine.

 

 

Download TRACK 2 Shine Jesus Shine

Jim organised beautiful flowers for the top of the coffin and Nigel and I went to the funeral directors and followed the hearse to the cemetery. Father Andrew, the priest from The Sacred Heart, led the service and the burial and I was proud - but nervous - to read the beautiful poem Jim had written back in December.

 

It felt very odd taking photos on such an occasion but we wanted Jim to see the bits not streamed and, with the blessing of the funeral directors, I filmed the burial as that bit was not streamed.

 

 

 

Nigel gave the most wonderful eulogy - I was so proud of him. This is what he said

When I was a little boy I thought my Mum was an Angel! - Sent from heaven to look after me and my brothers .. She could fix anything. Whether it be a broken toy, feeling poorly or providing a lap to shelter in during a thunder storm...I could go to Mum and somehow, later on, like magic, it would always be alright… Of course….. in reality she was born just like everybody else.

    It was probably cold in Oxford in Jan 1925, when she arrived.  It was there that she grew up in the care of her parents Dick and Freda – The only grandparents we ever knew as children.

    She was given her mother's name Elfreda, but the midwife looked into this child's eyes and called her Elfin by which she has been known ever since.  She was only fourteen when the Second World War began.  Her teenage memories were of black-outs and nights in a bomb shelter, while her father patrolled the streets as an air-raid warden.  By the time the war ended she was already twenty years old.

Gran and Granddad told us that she never had much interest in boyfriends growing up… However in Granddad’s words… they “Forgot about the Irish!”

   She met my Irish father, Ricky, at the end of the war, when they were performing in musical revues around Oxford.  She was a ballet dancer, he was a comedian.  They briefly formed a double act, but it was motherhood that was her true calling, fulfilled first with the birth of my brother Sean in 1950.

    When their second baby was conceived Mum was advised that complications with the pregnancy created a real risk to her life if she didn’t terminate, it proved the ultimate act of faith and love when, undeterred, she gave birth to my brother Jim in 1952 and Mum and baby survived.

As a family of four, now, they all eagerly welcomed me into the world three years later.

For Mum, …..Ricky and her three boys became the centre of her universe. 

    ….Apart from thinking she was an Angel …My own early memories include our family holidays to Bournemouth whereupon Dad would take Sean & Jim to the summer shows of an evening but poor Mum got stuck with me who’s greatest desire was to go on a trolleybus ride. We would share the front seat on the top deck and travel end to end on the longest routes we could find. She always told me she was happy with the deal.. but I still felt she missed seeing the likes of Bob Monkhouse and Des O’ Conner those summers… Oh! Well, maybe not so bad then?

    Mum and Dad had a blissful marriage and served as impeccable role models for us.

They moved to Bournemouth permanently in 1964 and may well have had a fourth child – A girl possibly – but sadly a miscarriage put an end to their dream.

    They both worked hard and long to provide a modest and happy home for us boys – and most importantly they filled it with love.

Mum established herself as an accomplished manager of a town centre bakery. She rose to the top of the tree and won numerous awards and commendations. I think all three of us sons worked for her at various times and we all felt pride in her many achievments.

Around this time another personal favourite memory was how Mum.. who had a full driving licence, despite being too terrified to ever get behind the wheel herself… used to sacrifice evenings to sit with me in my car as she could be the “Experienced driver” just so I could practice and pass my test.   

     When dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at just 66 in 1982 it rocked the family to the core. - Mum was a widow at just 57 – unthinkable to me now in my sixties.

I was still at home so Mum had some company but her loss was profound and there was never going to be any one else for Elfin.

    She experienced Joy again with the birth of her Grandson Ryan to Sean and Viv in January 1986. Ryan would carry Dad’s initial . R Leahy .His young life just beginning made her think of us boys all over again.

    She had previously felt the loss of each of my brothers as they forged their own lives away from the family home and I was the last to leave in 1986 when Karen Joined the family thru our marriage.

Mum truly WAS on her own now, It was difficult too.. for during married life she was happy to take a back seat to my Dad who somehow was the front man of their double act …although I know she provided the invisible strength which sustained him. ….They were each others best friends there wasn’t anyone else in the equation ….so, for her, it was like starting a new life all over again.

    Another grandchild from Sean and Viv brought Fiona to us in August 1988. At last a girl!

Mum just loved being a gran and the love that Ryan and Fiona have shown in return has been some of her greatest sources of pleasure

    Mum developed her own friendships, independently now … she learned to paint and returned to her former love of dancing .. she was never frightened to explore a new activity or two. Of course one constant companion was her Mother. Incredibly, when Mum celebrated her 70^th Birthday her own Mum was by her side as a 92 year old. They both looked so good that night that staff at the party venue mistook my gran for the birthday girl!

    In 1997 she moved to a small flat in St Peters Court in the centre of town – at 72 years of age she organized a mortgage for herself and began a new lease of life. She became the social centre of the building and the residents looked up to her and admired her.. She was now her own Front man!

Her dancing became a firm hobby and included teaching the class when the tutor was absent.

Ironically, she was the BEST at remembering all the steps! Her fitness was amazing and she loved to take long walks too!

She loved her new found life despite missing Ricky but her family were never far away and they were frequent visitors. Mum filled her time with her walks and made full use of her bus pass. She wrote poetry and was an expert crossword solver and enjoyed organizing social events and coffee mornings for residents at St Peters Court.

Right up to age 89 she was able to travel single handedly all the way to America and spent many holiday visits with Jim and his wife Diane there and they loved having her close by.

She always loved her extended family now with the addition of Viv, Diane and Karen as wives to us boys and was very happy to know that Ryan and Fiona had found loving partners in John and Dave.

    She was always enthusiastic about all of our pursuits despite the fact that we had differing passions and she supported us in everything we did and would TELL of her pride in each of us.

She enjoyed good health into her 90^th year and even fulfilled her wish to DANCE on her 90^th birthday.

    It was later that year we noticed some changes and life’s journey took a fateful turn. Becoming increasingly confused she needed more support through her dementia. The family rallied and were there for her. Jim and Diane gave up all their vacation time from the USA to be with her. Sean and his family made countless visits and I repaid those trolleybus rides by taking her with me when I was working around town in the car.

    We were blessed to find the most incredible care home where staff loved and cared for her for the last 18 months at White Lodge. Of course we knew we were witnessing that long goodbye as more and more of our Mum began to fade away. But she was always content and, as always, never complained. She never lost her family connection she knew and loved us all even towards the end  …She never stopped telling us she loved us all …….and I know SHE knew she was loved back….

When the end came suddenly we were just relieved to see that she was free.  …………

……..When I was a little boy I thought my Mum was an Angel – 10 days ago I finally KNEW she was!

 

 

I was proud to have designed the cover for the order of service... Nigel asked me to as he said he knew I would do it nicely!

 

 

Entrance

Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true

Someday, I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can't I?

 

Welcome by Father Andrew Wagstaff

 

Poem by Jim Leahy read by Karen Leahy

 

To my mother in the nursing home

Going gently Into that good night

Day by day by day your memory wanes.

Life at 95! Is that what this is?

The words have disappeared, the love remains.

You do not rage against your aches and pains,

Or dwell upon the losses and the misses,

As day by day by day your memory wanes

And even in the losses, there are gains.

You gaze at me and seem to tell that bliss is

Found beyond the words, for love remains.

You watch the world beyond your windowpane,

No longer knowing what to reminisce is,

And all is now, as slowly memory wanes.

The telephone no longer appertains.

I video-call and wave and blow you kisses

Now words have disappeared.  Still love remains.

You’re full of grace, despite the loss and pains.

Your gratitude and courage teach us, this is

A way to walk each day as memory wanes

And words have disappeared.   Yet love remains.

Jim Leahy, December 2019

 

Eulogy by Nigel Leahy

Hymn

Shine Jesus Shine

Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Prayers

 

Reading 1                        1 Thessalonians, Chapter 4

Reading  2                     The Gospel according to John, Chapter 14

Prayers

Commendation

 

I Just Wanna Dance with You by George Strait

I don't want to be the kind to hesitate
Be too shy, wait to late
I don't care what they say other lovers do
I just want to dance with you

I got a feeling that you have a heart like mine
So, let it show, let it shine
If we have a chance to make one heart of two
I just want to dance with you

I want to dance with you
Twirl you all around the floor
That's what they intended dancing for
I just want to dance with you
I want to dance with you
Hold you in my arms once more
That's what they invented dancing for
I just want to dance with you

I caught you looking at me when I looked at you
Yes, I did; ain't that true?
You won't get embarrassed by the things I do
I just want to dance with you

Oh, the boys are playing softly, and the girls are too
So am I, and so are you
If this was a movie, we'd be right on cue
I just want to dance with you

I want to dance with you
Twirl you all around the floor
That's what they invented dancing for
I just want to dance with you

I want to dance with you
Hold you in my arms once more
That's what they intended dancing for
I just want to dance with you

 

Following the service, there will be a committal ceremony and interment at the graveside.

 

I feel that her family really did her proud and when we came home we felt a sense of comfort that the funeral had gone well and that she was back with Ricky and in God's care.

 

New releases - Berry Big Deals

Oh my goodness - I know you are all going to love the colour scheme for this month's Berry Big Deals over at Pickleberrypop. They are so beautiful.

 

They are all on offer from right now until the end of Thursday so it is a great chance to snap up a bargain either with individual packs or the fabulous $8 bundles which are absolutely stuffed full of loveliness.

 

In the interests of transparency, I am on the Pickleberrypop Creative Team and get to play with these goodies for free in order to create examples for the designers.

 

The first is

Voice of the Sea Bundle by Palvinka Designs

 

 

 

Moments Like these Bundle by Lorie M Designs

 

 

Missing my bestie - balcony chats don't replace hugs!

 

 

My Happy Place Bundle by et Designs

 

 

 

 

Positive Vibes Bundle by TirAmisu Designs

 

 

 

Water of Life bundle by Dita B Designs

 

 

 

Do go and check them out in the store HERE

 

 

I will be back later with a blog about yesterday as we laid Nigel's Mom to rest in a beautiful service. x

 

The sea restores the soul

It has been very hard living so close to the sea but just not quite close enough to walk to it and so it has been out of bounds for lockdown. restrictions have now changed and if Joe Public from anywhere in the country can come and visit our beautiful Dorset Coast then I am sure it is OK for us. So we went to Sandbanks today and walked around the harbour and along the beach. It was very quiet, very safe and oh my did it feel good to lick my lips and taste salt. It really did lift us enormously. I am not meant to be without the ocean for so long

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and on the way home we even did this - very very carefully - the drive in is open. It's been almost 2 months since our last Starbucks

 

 

I still have pages from the FTLOPP crop to share

First a digital one which was for a PBP challenge - my beautiful mommy

 

 

A pretty little girl cat!

 

 

 

 

lockdown silliness

 

 

 

and three patriotic ones from the 75th anniversary of VE day

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the ocean - I could never live too far away from it
• a lovely walk