Monday16th Jan 012

Another birthday, this one is my first husband's birthday and although we are fairly cordial to each other amd meet at social family gatherings, I do not have his address to send a card... which is a shame, because he will always be the first man I ever loved and he gave me these five wonderful kids,so I would have liked to have sent a card. We met when I was 19 and he was 18 and after a couple of years we were married with Daniel on the way to join us. We had no money, he was studying at the University of Sussex, newly established then..  and then London University and boy were we poor... we muddled through, somehow, I don't really know how... but when you are in your early 20's you just get on with it... he was the only one married amonst his friends at Uni, and he did find it hard and as the years grew and we had more kids join us, as he climbed the corporate ladder successfully, he found it hard to keep a lid on things and finally we ended up after 23 years going our separate ways.. but he will always have a very special place in my heart forever. So whereever you are , Happy Birthday**

Its a glorious day outside although the frost was even harder last night and took ages for the car to be warm enough to drive out. I posted some stuff and have more to do this afternoon... then went for my favourite jaunt around the local charity shops.. or thrift shops... I swear with out them I could never have furnished this huge house without them! I also love to car boot, visit and selling, but haven't done that for almost two years now.. so this year going to get all active and do some more..
 I have loads of things Iwant to do, and painting furniture is one of them, and  learning how to use my electric sewing machine that I bought new last year and still haven't dared turn it on!!! I am like this with electrical gadgets, they have to sit around until I am ready to use them, then I wonder why it took so long... but sewing is different... a- because I haven't used one since I was 15 and then it was only one hour a week learning... and b- I have os many projects that would have to be done and could be completed much quicker than hand sewing.. which is how I have coped before..
 around 17 years ago I bought another sewing machine new and rather than use it gave it to my son and his wife to use, which they did and then it was passed on to another son and wife and until it finally gave up the ghost without me ever using it... so this time I am going to really get to grips with it!!!!!
I am waiting to learn how to put up pics/photos, then I will show you my house in all its glory and the projects I need to make it even better and more beautiful.. it is georgian and has great space... we moved from a 4 bed to this, which is 8 beds, spread over two houses, the little one next door, was separated off for the curate, the asst to the Rector here in the  1940's.. it has three beds in that side, and we have 5 in our side.. As John and I both work from home, we use two of the five beds for offices, and the two extra for guests when family or friends stay over. It is pretty basic yet, with one family bathroom and separate toilet, no ensuites and a downstairs toilet.. But we like it this way and doesn't present problems even with guests staying.. 
All in all, its turning out to be quite a positive day for me, and I am sure its all to do with this office being much more organised!!S0  on that note I shall finish here until I think of something else to say!!