What made me happy this week - 21/52

Nothing makes me happier than being beside the ocean.  I am not fussed about what the weather is doing especially when I go out to Raglan, which is what I did the other day.  I enjoy the drive and spending time mooching about on my own, calling in to the shops I love, grabbing a coffee and some lunch to eat at the beach.  This time I sat in the car as it was wet and wild.  I shared the crusts off my sarnie with the bird life.

 Like this one footed seagull that swooped in and hopped about.

The waves were crashing and smashing onto the rocks

sending the spray of ocean into the air

getting me wet more than once,

while the sun tried to break through the stormy sky.

 

 I sat high above Manu Bay watching the rain getting closer and closer.

Because I know you will ask what did I buy, here we go with the show and tell.

Going clockwise: Recycled sari woven into a blanket from Zinnia, Faces from the seconds table at The Monster Company, A good old fashioned kiwi book full of fabulous tips from the shop next to Monster, and three pieces of Pottery from the seconds table at Tony Sly.

And some very naughty Pencils!!

Also bought from Zinnia.

I also ordered and paid for some very nice shoes at Soul

another of my favourite shops.

"MOTIVATION"

 

 

What made me happy this week - 20/52

A ROYAL WEDDING!!!

I love watching pretty much anything Royal on the TV so I was quite excited about the nuptials of our Harry and the lovely American Megan. I knew it wouldn't be a typical Royal Wedding and I wasn't disappointed.

I made sure my Tiara still fitted and I dragged out all my Pearls!!  

Like most females the dilemma of Tiara or Hat,

Tiara or Hat?

(worn with slippers of course)

TOF buggered off to bed so these were my viewing companions, and they either left the room or fell asleep, it is so hard to get good company for such events!

So with the very best seat in the house (as somehow my invite didn't arrive in time) I settled in for the SHOW!

Once the pre chat things had ended Megan left the hotel with her mother in a posh English car for the 30minute drive to the venue, where Harry and Wils were patiently waiting.

The weather was outstanding and the venue Windsor was magical.

Queen Liz and Phillip were the last Royals to arrive before the bridal party and Liz looked stunning.

And that bridal party was just so adorable. I would have been a Bridesmaid but apparently 10 small children are easier to handle than me!!!

"Here comes the bride.......not fair fat or wide,

but GORGEOUS!!!"

I think it was a lovely mix of Traditional Royal and Traditional, the American Preacher got slightly wound up and caused some looks in the crowd but it was great. Both choirs were amazing.....the list goes on.

There was a mix of British and American Celebs,

even one of Harry's ex girlfriends was there?

When it was all done and dusted the happy couple walked out into the sunshine and had a quick snog on the steps!!

Then it was time for the long horse drawn carriage ride past all the adoring fans (Queens royal subjects) to the after do.

We all know that the Brits do Pomp and Ceremony the best, it looks so well organised but, "user friendly", although I did see Police with big GUNS.  I guess these days you have to be prepared for anything or anyone.

The Reception would have been positively Grand but I bet the "After Do" would have been FANTASTIC, with some very sore heads this morning!!

A Funny to end on:

Too soon??

 

What made me happy this week - 19/52

Crikey a Birthday and Mothers Day all in one week,

that is a double bubble amount of happiness!

Eye Spy so many things that make me happy in the garden every day, the return of the bees, Fungi looking like a village, and those stunning coloured leaves that are falling off the trees.

As a mum to two beautiful young men I am also mum to all those pets of mine.  Dear old Joan enjoyed a moment with me today.  I have a feeling she is not going to be with us for much longer, so I took the time to have cuddles and she just about nodded off in my arms in a slither of sunlight popping through the trees.

Speaking of those beautiful sons of mine, today I went to a Cat Show with their gorgeous girlfriends, we all LOVE CATS!!!  I really love the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cats, both huge and fabulous.

A lady I know was there showing her beautiful boy Murphy, a Norwegian Forest Cat, I am pretty sure he scored himself a third. Of course there were still the razzle dazzle decorated cages with fluffy cats reclined on satin beds!!

 "BEE Happy this week"

 

Instead of regretting the past, create the future.

It is all about letting go of those things you cannot change and looking ahead to any opportunity to live a happy good life.  With TOF well on the road to full recovery my life is getting back to my sort of normal.  That lovely balance of part time work and the rest is made up on a daily basis of scheduled things and quite a bit of winging it!!!

The new thing around at the moment seems to be Mindfulness.  I think I have been practicing this for a few years now and not actually knowing it, mostly out in my garden. Who knew? Not me that is for sure.

I managed to get a pre Winter pruning session in with the ever present assistant of mine making sure I was on task.

This Mantis crawled out of the bin so I moved it to a safer part of the garden.

TOF despises my tall trees that shed leaves daily, so I have been the 'good wife' and daily rake them up leaving a lovely clear lawn.

But it's not all work and gardening for me.  Over the last couple of months I have managed to slip into the odd op shop on my way home and been pleasantly rewarded with STUFF!!  Once TOF is back at work those Op shops will be back on regular visits. 

I was a Mall Whore the other day and went to one with Sue W who was in town.  I found this wicked sheer embroidered over dress in a Sale and I love it.  Not everything I buy is second hand, just most!

As most things in the garden are packing up for Winter the odd burst of floral colour is still coming through.  Those crazy animals of mine are spending as much time out doors with me while we are still getting mild days, we all know it will not last.

Speaking of Crazy pets, half my flock, lead by Mrs Wickham (above right), think sleeping in the trees at night instead of two beautiful warm coops is the deal.  I give it another month and the tree dwellers will retreat as those temperatures will drop at night.

I removed the tall plants that had finished doing their thing in the 'Flower Bed' and decided to add colour by moving my pottery garden art around.

I have found myself rescuing insects from the ground like this Monarch that Toebee had played with.  Thankfully there are numerous higher safer spots for them to be moved to.

Safer from Toebee,

although he is always on the look

for something else

to play with!

I celebrated another over 50 and getting closer to 60 birthday mid week and had a really lovely day.  The lads at work made me a sign because that is what Sign Writers do best!!  They got to enjoy a Banana and white chocolate cake I made them and an entire batch of Russian Fudge that TOF made.  At work the birthday person does a morning tea shout.

Before I leave you all, this is the current positions held by the furry ones.  They are either spread out on the floor in front of the heater or snuggled up on the couch with or near me. You are never ever alone when you have pets that is for sure.

 

 So get out there

and

create the future.

******YOURS!******