Apologies and another Birthday!

I really should keep up with this blog more, I concentrate more with my "Live-journal" one.
All goes well in "Jane's World". Mum is controlling her DVT with tablets and regular blood tests. My niece's partner is over in Afghanistan at the moment - he's in the army - but he should be home more permanently soon.
My youngest great nephew - Elliot - celebrates his second birthday today. He's such a comical character. He is picking up everything from his older brother, William, and is a regular chatter-box!

April ramblings

Again, humble apologies for not blogging
Everything goes well in "Jane's world". Mum has more or less recovered from her recent health problems. Although she will be on tablets for life, with the blood clots in her leg, she's managing the clots with the tablets and regular blood tests. Growing old is no fun sometimes!
And my oldest great-nephew - also known as "Prince William" - celbrates his third birthday today. He's a constant join to us all, as is his little brother, Elliot. Elliot is coming on with leaps and bounds, he's a proper little comedian, extremely bright (OK, I know I'm a "little" biased but he is learning things from William, of course). And he's my personal miracle, seeming he was diagnosed with meningitis at seven weeks old, and was very lucky to pull through with no ill-effects. Elliot will be two in two months :)

Long time no Blog

Sorry I haven't updated this blog for about two months! Nothing much new in "Jane's world", excpet that Mum has had a few health problems. She had a blood clot in her leg ten years ago, after a big operation, and she had another one about three years ago. The Clot can be treated with tablets, regular blood tests thankfully. She developed another one in her leg, so this time it looks as if she'll be on tablets for life, and with regular blood tests. But she's managing the clots, that is the most important thing!
The "Princes" are absolutely fine, can not believe that William will be hitting three years old in about two months - I'd love to know where time goes. Young Elliot is also in fine form - he is never still, runs everywhere, and a proper comedian. Their daddy is in the army and if off to Afghanistan tomorrow, we're not sure how long for, but this time he's going to be working on the ground. We all hope he'll be fine.
More updates eventually :-D

Christmas Greetings

I've always loved Christmas, I don't think I'll ever grow out of it :-D And of course Christmas was made even better by the added bonus of the two Princes. William seemed to really "get" Christmas, while Elliot seemed a little bemused, but enjoyed it throughly. They got lots of toy kitchen equipment and also lots of musical instruments :-)

Still Around!

Greetings to all! Sory I have been neglecting this Blog, life has just been a little busy in "Jane's World". Everyone is fine, except for the usual winter coughs and sneezes! The boys never fail to amuse me, especailly Elliot. William is beginning to really "get" Christmas this year, so it should be good fun this year!

Hallowe'en Greetings

Not had a photo of the boys for a while so ...

Our only picture of William, he refused any more photos!

William wore the "spider outfit" this time last year!

Wedding Pictures

The family wedding was wonderful, everybody had a nice time :)




From left to right - my older sister, Mum, Me, my cousin (the Groom's sister) and her little girl :)

Apologies and Ramblings!

I am still around! Everyone is fine in "Jane's world", life has just been a little busy with little house-holdy problems! But a family wedding next weekend is something to really look forward to.
My cousin is getting married, and seeming it is out of town, we're having a two day break! I don't often attend weddings and family get-togethers, for the simple reason that it usually means a disco later, and I don't like noise. If there is a family get-together in a house, that is different :-) My sister and her husband are attending it, and Mum and me are going with them. I am really looking forward to it.
Potter ramblings
DUDLEY DURSLEY born on June 23, 1980.
Dudley Dursley is Harry Potter’s Muggle cousin, and the only son of Vernon and Petunia Dursley of number four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Dudley, in extreme contrast to Harry, was grossly overindulged by both his mother and father. Petunia petted and coddled him and turned a blind eye to his bullying. Vernon, on the other hand, encouraged his son’s manipulations, greed and violent behavior. Dudley attends a private school named Smeltings and spends his school holidays terrorizing Harry and the younger children of the neighborhood with his gang. As Harry grew in power and confidence, however, he became less of an easy mark. Then the summer they were both fifteen, Harry saved Dudley from attacking Dementors, and Dudley got a first-hand taste of uncontrolled evil and of Harry’s bravery. When they part two years later (perhaps forever), Dudley astounded Harry by showing concern for his safety and thanking him for saving his life. Dudley is the only of the Dursleys who has changed for the better!

Potter ramblings - Piers Polkiss

We hardly know anything about Piers. He was one of Dudley Dursley's "little friends", part of his gang. I think we only heard him and seen him in book one (visiting the zoo with Dudley and Harry, as well as Vernon and Petunia) and briefly in book five. Although he was very much a background character I was intrigued by him pre-Hallows, for the simple reason: HOW did he know Harry had spoken to the Boa Constrictor? Also his initials P.P. were interesting, seeming they were the same as Peter Pettigrew's. In fact I hoped that Piers was going to be the one who did magic late in life - but Jo changed her mind and didn't have anyone. Still intriguing at the time though!

Potter rambles

A little ramble about some of my favourite Harry Potter characters, and also to keep my Blogger going :)

"After all, death is but the next great adventure"

Of course, this post is dedicated to one of the greatest wizards around, Professor Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore. I thought he was great as soon as he entered Privet Drive way back in the first chapter of Book one. He was definately a mentor to Harry and all the teachers seemed to respect him - excepting Dolores and a few others! I loved the way Dumbledore developed through the series.
Of course all fictional characters have flaws, and Dumbledore was no exception. I didn't like the way he hid things from Harry, about Horcruxes, Hallows and how he would be able to defeat Voldemort eventually, if he was strong enough. Of course, we see now why Dumbledore was so secretive, and if he wasn't, the series wouldn't be as good, for me.
It was painful to hear the Dumbledore family backstory, especailly Ariana's. It is obvious to me what Dumbledore was "seeing" as he drunk the potion in book 6, and he had to deal with the fear that he killed his sister for many years. The biggest revealation, of course, about Dumbledore - that he was gay - was revealed after the series was over. Lots of fans were in uproar, but although it had never occured to me, it didn't bother me in the least. There was no need to reveal it during the series, it would have taken the series point away from Harry's story. I didn't lose any respect for Dumbledore, for me, his flaws made him more human :)

Before and after pictures

Yesterday I mentioned how it was seven years since I more or less changed my lifestyle. And today - photos speak louder than words ...



2003 - I might look happy enough, but look closer. There's someone with constant aches and pains, someone who went to the doctor's more or less every week.



2010 - about 2 hours ago. And I'm roughly the same weight as twelve months ago - so Happy Dance time :)

August Ponderings!

I am still around! Everything goes well in "Jane's World", and Elliot is now walking around a lot more steadily. Quite amusing to see such a tiny tot to be walking about!
Tomorrow - 22nd August - is a pretty big milestone for me. Sevn years since I chose my healthy lifestyle. Rewind to 2003 - a almost 30 year old, 13 stone, weakness for chocolate and pastries, absolutely zero energy and using a manual wheelchair on most shopping trips, and a pretty low self-esteem. I had no quality of life really. I could never have just "one" biscuit - oh no, it had to be at least two or three. And then, after a blood test - which took some time for me to have, seeming my Boggart would definately be a injection - I was told I had borderline diabetes. If I didn't change my eating habits radically, I was going to be diabetic. injecting myself every single day. So I chose the "easier" option.
It is hard not to have chocolate and "goodies" every day - even now! But I treat myself on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and bank holidays and week ends) in moderation. A treat three days a week isn't a bad as eating them 7 days a week! The best thing is to keep "goodies" either out of sight (and our outhouse/shed is very handy, especailly when there are Christmas goodies) or not to have them in the house at all. Dad was so so proud of me. I am a shade under nine stone now, which is four stone in seven years. It's not easy, but even if a few pounds slide on over Christmas etc, I am determained never to be as bad as I was. Each year, on my "anniversary", Mum takes a picture, just to show how much weight I have loast. So pictures will be forthcoming in the next few days

Rambles!

Been a few weeks since I Blogged, just been soooooo busy, with little Elliot's birthday and then spending the best five days EVER in Jersey.
It was my first time on a aeroplane, and we went through a lot of red-tape just to get my passport! Mum and me went by airplane, my sis and her husband were meeting us in Jersey (they went on a cruise first and arrived in Jersey two days before us), and they took or suitcases etc, so we only had hand luggage. The flight was totally amazing, although we were both extremely apprehensive. When we arrived, there was a massive surprise for us. Not only were we going to be holidaying with my sister and brother-in-law - but also my two nieces, one of my niece's friend, and (more importantly!) my two favourite little boys! We had the time of our lifes, visiting Jersey's attractions - the Shell Garden, the German War Hospital and the Durrell zoo - as well as me and Mum meeting a "virtual friend" from a trivia forum.
The boys had so much fun on holiday - they really did make my holiday! Elliot has been gradually finding his feet, and at almost thirteen months, he is walking much steadier! He also has .... curls!

I plan to post more soon, about various Potter characters, how they have developed etc, and particular quotes!

Birthday Boy!

Elliot enjoying a toy from his favourite Auntie!



One of his Birthday cakes - he also had a standard Victoria Sponge.

And finally ...


William with the musical cake cutting knife!

Long time no Blog!

Humble apologies for not posting in almost four months - no I haven't dropped off the face of the earth!
All goes reasonably well with Jane. The boys are fine, although Elliot ended up in hospital again,which turned out to be a bad reaction to a bug he and William picked up from the nursery. And Elliot is going to be ONE tomorrow, so a Blog post tomorrow, or the next few days, with pictures of "the youngest Prince".
Also, me and Mum are off on Holiday two weeks today, to Jersey (the Channel Islands). We are going by plane - my first ever flight, took a lot of time to get my passport - although Mum has flown before. It is only a hour's flight anyway. We are meeting my sister and her husband in Jersey - they are going on a cruise first, then to Jersey - and I am really looking forward to it!

Two Years ago

Two years ago, a little boy entered my life and he has changed my life - as well as Mum's, and all our family! William Patrick was born on April 19th 2008, and celebrates his second birthday today!!



His Daddy is abroad at the moment, and couldn't celebrate it with us, but he seemed to enjoy all the fuss!
Elliot is fine too. He's fighting a virius at the moment but I am sure he will soon be back to full health! He is now pulling himself on things so you need lots of eyes on him!

Ramblings

"Oh Grandma, what big teeth you have ...


Elliot hasn't quite got the hang of reading, but he'll learn!

Just a few recent pics of the boys. Obviously they are thriving, and William has just got over the nasty virus what knocked him out for a few days. Unfortunately, Mum also got the same nasty virus. She spent a few days in bed, and only just beginning to feel better. She said that she really hopes I never get it.

Ramblings

A few weeks since I blogged. Everything is going fairly Ok in Jane's world. My niece is settling into work two and a half days a week, Elliot is enjoying nursery with his big brother two days a week and their Daddy is home for a few weeks too. There seems to be a bug flying around, as William has been off colour since Tuesday. He's just been lying on the couch, and hardly moving. Of course they pick up all the bugs at nursery, but this has totally wiped William out. He's only just beginning to move about and play a little bit, and that definately isn't William. He also isn't eating, so here's hoping he picks up in the next few days. He's been kept off nursery, but Elliot has been going. We only hope little Elliot doesn't get the same bug .... :(

Happy Birthday, best friend!!

Mum is celebrating her 70th birthday today, although she has had "two birthdays" this year! Me and Mum were invited to go next door, on Saturday, for dinner, with my sister and my brother in law, my two nieces and the boys too. We usually do this at Christmas etc, so it was going to be lovely.
About half an hour before we went in, my sister told me that she had arranged three of Mum's brothers and three of her sisters to be next door to celebrate with us too (and of course, their wifes and husbands too!) so me and my nieces were told to keep Mum away from the window, while everyone arrived. By the time we went next door, everyone was in, and ready. When Mum opened the door, she was totally shocked.
The ages ranged from 87 (Mum's eldest sister) to 7 months (obviously Elliot!) and it was really lovely. My sister, brother-in-law, one of my nieces and the boys will be calling in tonight, and probably a few other guests too. I can't think of anyone who deserves a nicer day. Happy Birthday Mum xxxx

Still around!

I really should concentrate on updating this blog more!
Nearly the end of Fenruary. All is as well as can be expected in "Jane's world", though both me and Mum have suffered from a cold. Mum has also been troubled, for about six months, with pains in his arm and her knee. After various blood tests and various visits to the Doctor, she's been diagnosed with osteoarthrist (And I know thats a rubbish spelling!) The best she can do is to lose some weight (not easy to do!) and take painkillers, and do exercises.
Mum will be celebrating her 70th birthday this coming Tuesday. I am so so blessed to have such a wonderful set of parents. We are going to my sister's for a pre-birthday meal today (because it is the only time my niece can get home) and we'll probably have a little celebration on her "official" birthday too.
My other niece (the boys Mum) will be starting work part time next week, so the boys will go to nursery two days a week. Elliot went for a check up after his scare with menegitis in September, two weeks ago. All seems fine, although they want to give him a brain scan, to check it out, as his head is a little large. However, Mum, my sister, and the boy's Mum have large heads, so we're not overly concerned. Obviously, when he has had the scan, I shall update the blog :-)
Elliot is coming on with leaps and bounds. He's seven months old now, and very very nearly crawling. William never fails to brighten up my days, when he comes to see me and Mum. He's 22 months old now (hard to believe!) and is saying all sorts of different things!