Passing the time of day!

Camelia in the garden

• Conversation over the garden wall about bird watching with a gentleman who it turns out is recently widowed and appreciates the conversation.I now have to research Skylarks !
• Appreciating the waft of lily of the valley as I walk out the kitchen door.
• Welcoming our new neighbours with a home made card and some newly laid eggs!

Funny Things!

Hi there!Would you mind letting me out?

• One little boy wrapped up with his dog in a duvet!
• A husband sitting in front of the computer in his furry tracker hat on a warm April evening.
• Laughing with a friend who got into the cot of her autistic child to help him get to sleep and then couldn't climb out again!

The Specialness of one to one time!

Two men and their dog!

• Chatting to my fifteen year old in the kitchen on a rainy spring morning whilst he cooks me eggy fried bread, bacon and baked beans for breakfast.
• Listening to two little boys giggling upstairs as they spend time on the X box together.
• Digging up some teasel plants from my garden for my friend as she wants them and I'll be glad to get rid!

Open the Windows and let the sun shine in!

Sports relief 2012

Just a little Note!

I had a lovely surprise yesterday, a wonderful home-made birthday card from a dear friend I haven't seen for several years. It was totally unexpected and wonderful to hear news of her family and mutual friends! Letters are special, especially those where extra time and trouble have been taken to make them with you in mind. I always enjoy my Christmas letters too. I've given up on the commercialised Christmas cards bearing the words "from the ...family" often from acquaintances who don't even know the children's names. I'd much rather curl up with a coffee and savour the news of my real friends who keep in touch with a letter despite the physical distance between us. Emails are not the same. I'm guilty of sending them too often as they're quick and cheap but I have to admit the "old fashioned way" is better.A letter can be picked up time and time again to read and re-read and to hand to friends when they visit. I've resolved to turn over a new leaf! I've already started making my own cards whenever possible , failing that I've discovered that they can often be bought quite cheaply in charity shops and at Craft fayres. I've been lax with thank you letters too. It isn't intentional but family life has so often got in the way and before you know it its the next birthday or Christmas and you haven't written! So as from now I've decided to turn over a new leaf and start writing more. Meanwhile here are the lovely cards I received from very dear friends!

The Value of Friendship

As we came away from my little boy's friends birthday party yesterday he sank thoughtfully into his seat and said 'Well that was nice!' Very special words for a little boy with Aspergers who struggles to socialise and was too stressed to go on his own. I was touched by the thoughtfulness and kindness which had gone into the invitation and the preparations which had been made to ensure that he had a good time. My son had been prepared for all eventualities. He knew what food they were going to eat, the games they might play and most of all he was the only guest. They realised you see how intimidated he would be if there were too many excited children. My son's friend didn't comment when my son arrived with his computer 'just in case'. He just accepted him as any friend would for who he is! I am deeply grateful to that family for what they did yesterday because they made my little boy smile!