Aug. 19, 2008 - My God-Daughter's Wedding - 16th August, 2008
At long last, I am posting about my god-daughter, Tamsin's, wedding to James. First of all, we took photographs of myself, Papasmurf and Littlesmurf! I had had my hair done especially and bought a new outfit that was both smart and comfortable. Littlesmurf had also had his hair cut (a bit) and had a new suit and tie especially for the event! Papasmurf had a quick comb through of his hair and a new shirt, suit and tie.
It was only later that we realised that neither of them were wearing their ties!
And here are the new Mr & Mrs Rimmer on their way out of the church!
Then it was a case of lots of the usual photographs taken in the Vicarage garden! It seemed to take hours and hours!
At the Reception, we got some photos of the bride and groom cutting the cake.
Everyone remarked as to how mannerable and polite Littlesmurf was - he sounded so old-fashioned talking to some of the adults, but it was lovely that he behaved in such a way. He was a real credit to us!
It was just unfortunate that I didn't get to have my photograph taken with Tamsin - the last one I had was taken at her siblings' Christening (they are triplets!). Ah well, we've promised to see each other more often in the future.
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Aug. 15, 2008 - Getting an earlier night before a busy day!
I've decided to get to bed earlier tonight, so that I'll be full of "get-up-and-go" in the morning. After breakfast, we'll be off to North Yorkshire for my god-daughter, Tamsin's wedding - hair is done, outfit picked, etc., so we should be a fine sight when we actually get there!
Littlesmurf is quite excited as he gets to dress up in a suit again 
, I'm excited because I haven't seen Tamsin for ages and DH is .... well .... resigned to the fact that he has to drive all the way there and back home again in one day 
!! We're hoping it will be a great day out for us all!
See you when we get back!
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Aug. 13, 2008 - What kind of Flower am I?
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I am a |
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Aug. 9, 2008 - Right Now!
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Jul. 30, 2008 - My Day so far....
My day today has been rather routine,
- I had my monthly injection of Lanreotide (an absolute Godsend!!). This drug helps to control the symptoms associated with my tumour, so I would most definitely be lost without it.
- My son did some "lessons" - decimals, writing a research paper, finding out about the League of Nations and listening to part of our current "Read-Aloud" (Cheaper by the Dozen).
- DH is currently doing the grocery shopping at the local supermarket - he is so good at trying to keep the shopping bill small!
- Later on, Littlesmurf has a "Play Day" at his swimming club - an end of year treat for everyone! He is really looking forward to it this year.
- I have written this blog post - just to keep everyone up-to-date with life at the Murphy's house!
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Jul. 26, 2008 - Visiting Dad
Yesterday, we made the journey to North Wales to visit my Dad. When we got there, we were just so glad to get a drink and sit in a comfortable chair it was ridiculous!!
We spent some time catching up on news and then went to the cemetery where my Mum is buried to take some flowers - it is such a beautiful place! We could see right across the river towards sunny hills (just as if she were really pleased we were there!).
Then it was a quick trip to one of the coastal towns for a walk round and (as always) Dad treated us all to a beautiful meal at a local restaurant. Littlesmurf was able to spend some quality time with his "Taid" - especially as my sister's children weren't around to interrupt (I know that sounds terribly un-Christian, but there are three of them and they are exceptionally "loud" - whereas Littlesmurf is just one, relatively quiet young man).
It was then just about time for us to set off back home again - a short, but sweet visit! We have promised that we will visit again later in the year and, perhaps, stay over, so that things are not quite so rushed!!
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Jul. 22, 2008 - A Sign in Stone?
Littlesmurf has been collecting rocks, minerals and gems over the past months. These are sent to him through the post and form part of a series called "Treasures of the Earth". Last month, he received this gem - called Andalusite. We were amazed to see the pattern on it - to say the least!!
Is this some sort of a sign, or what?
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Jul. 15, 2008 - Hubby Tag!
My friend DeeDeeUK tagged me with this Hubby tag - yes, I do check up on your blog frequently!! So here goes!
1. Who is your man? Robert (PapaSmurf)
2. How long have you been together? 15 years married (almost).
3. How long dated? 5 years
4. How old is your man? 61
5. Who eats more? Him
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did
7. Who is taller? We're both about the same height!
8. Who sings better? He does.
9. Who is smarter? Definitely me!
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine is, unfortunately!
11. Who does the laundry? Both of us
12. Who takes out the garbage? He does
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do (it is closer to the door)
14. Who pays the bills? We both do, but it does depend what the bill is for.
15. Who is better with the computer? I am
16. Who mows the lawn? Lawn?
17. Who cooks dinner? He does - he's a much better cook than I am!
18. Who drives when you are together? Him. I can't drive at all!
19. Who pays when you go out? We both do.
20. Who is most stubborn? He is.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Definitely me
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine (well, my Dad), but, when they were still alive, it was his as they only lived two streets away.
23. Who kissed who first? Can't remember!
24. Who asked who out? It just sort of happened.
25. Who proposed? Him
26. Who is more sensitive? Me
27. Who has more friends? He does.
28. Who has more siblings? He does (beats me 4 to 1)
29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does
30. How did you meet? At College - I was studying to be a teacher, he was a mature student!
So, who to tag? I tag kympossible, melissal89, loobylou, and Mommyto3inAZ.
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Jul. 12, 2008 - Slow Dance
This was sent to me this morning. I think it makes it very clear that we should slow down and take the time to appreciate what we have got. My way of slowing down is to pray and thank God for all the good things that I have - this makes it so much clearer and easier to appreciate and make the most of the present (which is a gift from God!).
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
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Jul. 9, 2008 - Good News Day!
Over the past few weeks, DH and I have been thinking about getting a new car on the Motability Scheme (leasing a car for 3 years at a special rate for recipients of Disability Living Allowance). We had looked at several models and literally fell "in love" with one in particular. The only thing was, it was such a new model that it hadn't been added to the Scheme yet!
Well, this morning, we got a phone call from the dealer - the car we want is now on the list!!!! We have been praying for this for ages as the car we have now is just getting too old - it was bought around the time that Littlesmurf was born. DH is desperately excited and cannot wait to get our old car cleaned up ready for trading in - whatever the dealer will give us for it will make up a large part of the down-payment for the new one!
All I can say is - Thank you, Lord for providing us with the chance to get a new car. I would much prefer to have my health back in full - but this will make life so much easier!
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Jul. 8, 2008 - A little bit of fun!
Hey, everyone needs a bit of fun, right? My bloggy friend, DeeDee, posted this tag on her blog the other day. It looked like fun, so I thought I'd have a go as well!
If you feel like joining in, just let me know. I'm not up to tagging anyone!
So here are the rules: All of the answers must be just ONE word.
1. Where is your cell phone? n/a
2. Your significant other? out
3. Your hair? dark
4. Your mother? passed
5. Your father? retired
6. Your favorite thing? coffee
7. Your dream last night? quiet
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? healing
10. The room you’re in? study
11. Your church? big
12. Your fear? heights
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive!
14. Where were you last night? bed
15. What you’re not? healthy
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? car
18. Where you grew up? Wales
19. The last thing you did? read
20. What are you wearing? t-shirt
21. Your TV? quiet
22. Your pets? none
23. Your computer? working
24. Your life? busy!
25. Your mood? happy
26. Missing someone? Mum
27. Your car? old
28. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? LiDL
30. Your summer? busy
31. Like(love) someone? lots!
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? last week
35. Who will re post this? unsure
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Jun. 25, 2008 - Not the Best of Days!
It all started at about 8 am - I had this really uncomfortable feeling in a really intimate area. Turns out I have a bladder infection! So I'm drinking either glass after glass of water or glass after glass of cranberry juice - I'm also starting to feel much better, which is a sign that God has been listening to my prayers.
Things went quite well then, until Littlesmurf was working on his Maths - he suddenly started crying and wouldn't tell me what was the matter (are all teenagers like this?). It didn't help that I wasn't feeling my best anyway and I lost my temper! He had to go and sit quietly on the sofa until he'd calmed down enough to tell me what was wrong. He did calm down, but I'm still waiting for a clear answer.
At this point his Dad had gone to the supermarket to do the grocery shopping. When he got back, the first words out of Littlesmurf's mouth were, "Well, what's for lunch, then?" That did not go down well at all.
After lunch, he did some art work on the computer and got very frustrated that he couldn't get one particular tool to work the way he wanted it to. I told him to undo the last part he'd done and re-do it - result was, I got my head bitten off! I suppose we should have called it a day that minute but, no, we're gluttons for punishment in this house! We took him to the Library to get some books for a research project he's doing. Everything was fine until we were leaving - he decided to leave me to look at some leaflets and to go back to his Dad and give him a sharp tap on the shoulder! DH very nearly layed an egg!!
What can we learn from a day like today, I wonder? Perhaps to stop what we're doing and to throw in the towel? But, is that the right thing to do? Won't Littlesmurf see this as a weakness on our part?
I think we need to have a "down time" and talk about how he needs to show more respect for his parents. He's usually very polite and willing - but today was just "one of those days" when his behaviour didn't quite hit the mark. I think an early night is called for - not just for Littlesmurf, but for his Dad and me as well!
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Jun. 21, 2008 - To my child/children
I received this poem through one of my home education email lists this morning. It reminds me of how my son, Littlesmurf, treats me now that he is older and I am unable to do the things I used to do with him when he was little. The words also made me think of how I used to (sometimes) take my Mum for granted.
Or maybe forget to tie my shoe,
Please be patient and perhaps reminisce
About the many hours I spent with you.
When I taught you how to eat with care,
Plus tying laces and your numbers too,
Dressing yourself and combing your hair,
Those were precious hours spent with you.
So when I forget what I was about to say,
Just give me a minute or two,
It probably wasn`t important anyway,
And I would much rather listen to you.
If I tell the story one more time,
And you know the ending through and through,
Please remember your first nursery rhyme
When I rehearsed a hundred times with you.
When my legs are tired and it`s hard to stand
Of walk the steady pace I would like to do,
Please take me carefully by my hand,
And guide me now as I so often did for you.
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Jun. 4, 2008 - Another Day in the Murphy house!
The day started with my monthly visit to the Clinic for my injection of Lanreotide . It was a rather painful process today, but nothing that I couldn't cope with!
Then it was back home to do some Maths with Littlesmurf - Least Common Multiples today - despite being a bit confused at first, he quickly picked up the concept and did some excellent work.
We also read and talked about God's omniscience. Littlesmurf got a bit "spooked" at the thought that God knew everything he was thinking of and was also watching everything he did. However, he was reassured to know that God was not just watching him - He was watching everybody!
After reading the first few chapters of "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and revising this week's vocabulary words, I let him have a break (it helped that his "Young Archaeologist" magazine had arrived earlier in the morning - he sat and read that for a while).
Later, we did some History, a comprehension based on the book "Caddie Woodlawn" and found out about Desktop Publishing (DTP). The day ended with prayers.
Of course, the day hadn't really ended as Littlesmurf had a swimming class before supper - a different instructor today (much to Littlesmurf's delight!) who said that his front crawl is really improving.
During the day, DH went and did the supermarket shopping. He also managed to listen to the goings on at the Space Station on his radio - he really enjoyed that!
Supper was chicken breast with Jersey new potatoes and cauliflower cheese. Littlesmurf was not too keen on the cauliflower - would you believe that he absolutely loved it when he was a baby! Funny how children can get more fussy about food as they get older - or is it just him?
So, that's been our day - pretty humdrum, eh?
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Mar. 31, 2008 - Prayer Request - My Uncle John
Over this past weekend, we have been visiting my father in Wales. Whilst we were there, he took me to visit his eldest brother, my Uncle John (Jones), who is currently living in a "Care Home" for the elderly.
I would ask that you pray for my uncle as he is a very ill man. He has been having treatment for a skin cancer above one eye for several years, but it has now spread to the lower lid and to the eye itself. This is further complicated by the fact that the original tumour has become infected by MRSA.
Uncle John is also losing weight rapidly and the Matron of the home is very concerned by this, especially as all the usual reasons for weight loss have been ruled out by various tests. She, and his doctor, believe that there is another tumour somewhere which is causing this weight loss.
Another reason for prayer, is that Uncle John is not a believer. On his behalf, I pray that the Lord will release him from his pain and lead his doctors towards an answer. John, himself, has just about had enough - he is almost 90 years old and does not feel strong enough to cope with any further "prodding and poking" by doctors.
Please pray for John - I was so shocked to see how small he had become since I last saw him. To me, he was always "John Mawr" (Big John) a strapping man who led a healthy outdoor life - he is nothing like that now!
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Mar. 20, 2008 - This week's Birthday Celebration
First of all, I would like to thank those of your who visited my son's 13th Birthday "Virtual" Party page and left a comment - he will be sending you his own thanks soon, I promise.
As a family, we deicided to spend the day doing the things he likes the best. First of all, of course, there were the cards and presents to open! He had a good lot of cards from family and friends and presents from us and from his Grandfather (Taid). We gave him a mobile phone - he isn't often away from home alone, but we thought it would be one step along the way to independence for him. When he's at a friend's house, for instance, he can ring us up if he's going to be late home instead of having to ask to use their home phone. His Taid sent him money - he used some of it to buy yet another book - and is saving the rest to use when he sees something he really likes!
At lunch-time, he wanted to go to Pizza Hut for their special Buffet meal - we don't go there very often, so it was pronounced to be a very good idea! A great time was had by all - including our waiter who wanted to decorate Littlesmurf's seat with balloons! He was told very politely, "No way, Jose!!".
Here are some photographs that we took of the special occasion!
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Mar. 17, 2008 - Littlesmurf's 13th Birthday
It isn't his birthday yet - that big day happens tomorrow - 18th March 2008!
However, I have posted a special celebration page for him on his blog in readiness for the big day! If you would like to add a comment, the page in question can be found at - Happy 13th Birthday, Littlesmurf. Thanks for your help!
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Mar. 14, 2008 - So, You REALLY want to see my desk??
My pal, Arby, sent me a tag a few weeks ago and I am only just getting around to posting it! (Sorry, Arby!).
What's on your desk?
You can tell a lot about a person by the state of their desk and what they keep on it. So, share what's on your desk. You can take pictures, take an inventory, or do both. Don't have a desk? That's okay, just give us a glimpse into the space where you pay bills, write letters, grade papers, study, or work on the computer.
When you've finished your photos or inventory, post it on your blog and tag five more people to do the same. Don't forget to share the rules with those you tag and ask them to share their posts with you when they are done.
Well, here goes!! As they say, "A picture paints a thousand words", so here's a picture of "the family desk" (we all use it at different times and for very different reasons!).
As you can see, we have just finished the day's homeschooling and Littlesmurf's Nature Notebook is set in the middle of the workspace along with his pencil, scissors, ruler and his Biblical Greek flashcards (it's obviously a Tuesday as that is when we study Greek!).
Under his Notebook is a plastic coated Map of the World (very useful!) which also has the flags of each country at the bottom.
Other paraphernalia on the desktop - pencil sharpener, tubs of colouring pencils and various scissors, a calculator, my case of pens, two balloon inflators, some badges, a roll of Sellotape and a box labelled "Ship Ahoy!". This box used to contain a kit for putting a ship inside a bottle (what a disaster that was!!), but now contains several of Littlesmurf's "treasures" - only the things an almost 13 year-old would see as being precious, may I add! Its contents are strictly out of bounds to adults!
There are other things on the desk itself but I just couldn't go through them all. Above the work area are shelves on which are Littlesmurf's reading books for this year as well as various reference books. Under the desk are kept some ringbinder files, a laminator and a set of drawers for keeping everything else we can't put on top of the desk!
At the end of each day, I use the desk for planning the next day's "work" in more detail and, when I've finished with it, my husband uses it for writing his University assignments or when he needs to use his new laptop!
Is my mind as untidy as my desk? Probably, as my thoughts flit from one thought to another very quickly - a butterfly mind, if you will! At the end of each 4-week stint of homeschooling (we follow a 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off pattern), the desk top gets a thorough tidying up and dusting down - if we didn't do this every now and again, it would soon be buried under a massive pile of "useful things" or collapse under the strain!
I've decided to let those who would like to do this "Tag" choose to do it themselves - I'm hopeless at choosing who should do tags! All I ask is that they leave me a comment if they do decide to do it!
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Feb. 23, 2008 - Reasons not to Blog!
I had fully intended to add an entry yesterday, but several things prevented me from doing so!
1. DS wanted to go outside for a nature walk - we're going to be starting posting about these as part of our Green Hour Challenge in a few days - so, we went outside, had a look at some of the signs of new life in our very small front garden and then had a look at the trees growing on the "Green" in front of the house. It was cold and damp, but fun! Anyway, more about that in another post!
2. DH was in "computer-mode" last night. I cannot blame him, he is very busy studying his OU course and needed the computer to try out some of the software that is involved in his studies!
3. The overriding reason just had to be that I was absolutely exhausted virtually all day! I was literally falling asleep as soon as I sat down - in fact, DS did say that I "looked as though I was asleep on my feet!". Unfortunately for him, being so tired also makes me incredibly snappy - I would bite his head off with some cutting remark for the slightest reason (and then feel incredibly guilty about it!). As well as the tiredness, I had a headache, and nothing would shift it. All in all, yesterday was one of those days I'd have been better off staying in bed - but then I'd have missed out on so much fun we had outside! Swings and roundabouts, eh?
Anyway, today I am feeling much better - DS and DH are out at DS's Explorers club and I have some time to rest up a bit. As soon as I've finished typing this, I'm off back to bed for a lazy lie-in!
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Feb. 16, 2008 - Doing some Blog-dusting!!
Well, DH is out all morning at a Day School at the University and DS is happily ensconced on his video game machine in his bedroom, so I'm taking some time out to do some "Blog-dusting"! I'm fiddling around with my template today - nothing major, just sorting out my sidebar!
It must be my week for getting things sorted out - we had a major clearout of outgrown clothes at the beginning of the week (what a job!). Some went to a friend with younger boys, some went to a Charity (Thrift) Shop and some were so bedraggled, they just got thrown out!!
That got me to thinking about clearing out my life of unwanted/unnecessary things. The important things get to stay - love, faith, hope and fun! Some things that have just been outgrown but are still important can be shared with friends/family. Other things can be shared with the needy - the poor, the sick, the old, etc. And then, the things which have lost their importance can just be thrown out - they are of little or no use to anybody!
I think we all benefit from "having a clear-out" in our lives from time to time. Looking at the things we have and deciding whether we really "need" them or not! Looking at the things we are involved with - do they really matter? Looking at the things we believe - do they fit in with God's teachings? It can be hard, but such a "clear-out" is definitely good for the soul!
Well, back to the "blog-dusting"!!
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