The tears have been mine and D4`s, in equal measure today !
She was happy all morning, even exemplarily well-behaved at her dental check-up...then we went to Woolworths to look at the sale. Still well-behaved.
When we came out of the shop, she asked to go to the coffee-shop :-)
Being as it is her birthday weekend (she will be three on Sunday), we said ok. She chose her ice-cream (raspberry) and a scone, and was happy for about five minutes, until she suddenly started screaming, shouting and lashing out for no apparent reason.
DH reacted as normal, by being mega-embarrassed.
I just told him to sit and drink his coffee, and I marched out, with this screaming Moppet under my arm and told her in no uncertain terms that behaviour like that was totally unacceptable. By this stage she was sobbing for daddy, so I took her back in where she continued to sob quietly until we left.
By the time this denouement took place, I realised to my horror that the two ladies sitting at a table facing away from us were two of the nursery teachers from D3`s school, and therefore the teachers from the class that this screaming little Moppet will be going to next year.
Oh how I wished for the earth to open and swallow me up... :-(((((((
It is just so frustrating to have to face behaviour that ranges from delightful to practically demonic in the space of a few seconds.
It doesn`t help that DH and I have quite different parenting styles, mainly because I am a hard-bitten Mama to another three, and Moppet D4 is his one and only little one. He loves her and cannot bear to see her cry.
I also love her and cannot bear to see her behaviour deteriorating and am fearful of her becoming an obnoxious spoiled little brat.
Bit of an impasse here, folks..........
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Friday, October 15, 2004
More Castles
Daughter 3 went on a school trip to visit more castles today.
Stop number 1 was the glorious and enormous mediaeval Caerphilly castle, complete with a leaning tower , and swans swimming in the moat. It is one of the largest castles in Europe, covering 30 acres.
Stop number 2 was the equally wonderful Castell Coch, ("the Red Castle") , a Victorian folly built in the 1870s by the third Marquess of Bute on the site of a 13th century castle. He used this castle occasionally as a hunting lodge, and it was designed by the hugely talented William Burgess.
D3 went equipped with a disposable camera to take her own photos, but hasn`t finished the film yet. When it is developed, I will publish a few of her pictures :-)
These castles are approx 45 minutes drive away from our home. We are so lucky to live with so much history on our door step !
Stop number 1 was the glorious and enormous mediaeval Caerphilly castle, complete with a leaning tower , and swans swimming in the moat. It is one of the largest castles in Europe, covering 30 acres.
Stop number 2 was the equally wonderful Castell Coch, ("the Red Castle") , a Victorian folly built in the 1870s by the third Marquess of Bute on the site of a 13th century castle. He used this castle occasionally as a hunting lodge, and it was designed by the hugely talented William Burgess.
D3 went equipped with a disposable camera to take her own photos, but hasn`t finished the film yet. When it is developed, I will publish a few of her pictures :-)
These castles are approx 45 minutes drive away from our home. We are so lucky to live with so much history on our door step !
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Despondency
I think it was inevitable that after yesterday`s revelation, that today should see some degree of despondency.
If I make such a poor showing of being a Christian, and my attempts are so feeble, is it worth bothering ?
Should I just throw in the towel and live my life like everyone else does ?
Ironically, when I most feel like this, I find deep in my heart the knowledge and certainty that I cannot turn my back on God, my Faith and the Orthodox Way of Life.
Now I have found the Pearl of Great Price, the Fount of Immortality, the True Faith, how can I turn away from it ? What is left to me if I turn away ?
Nothing.
Just dust and ashes, a meaningless existence where hedonism is the only path that makes sense when there is no certainty of an afterlife, of God, His Grace and His Mercy.
I have lived like that once.
I cannot do so again, it would destroy me.
Thanks be to God for His loving mercy and kindness to me, a sinner.
The only thing needful is for me to pick myself up each and every time I fall, to repent and try again to do better. Over and over again till my dying breath, trusting in God.
Easy to say, hard to do, but there simply is no other option....
Father Seraphim, pray for us all that God may grant us constancy and steadfastness to do His Will.
If I make such a poor showing of being a Christian, and my attempts are so feeble, is it worth bothering ?
Should I just throw in the towel and live my life like everyone else does ?
Ironically, when I most feel like this, I find deep in my heart the knowledge and certainty that I cannot turn my back on God, my Faith and the Orthodox Way of Life.
Now I have found the Pearl of Great Price, the Fount of Immortality, the True Faith, how can I turn away from it ? What is left to me if I turn away ?
Nothing.
Just dust and ashes, a meaningless existence where hedonism is the only path that makes sense when there is no certainty of an afterlife, of God, His Grace and His Mercy.
I have lived like that once.
I cannot do so again, it would destroy me.
Thanks be to God for His loving mercy and kindness to me, a sinner.
The only thing needful is for me to pick myself up each and every time I fall, to repent and try again to do better. Over and over again till my dying breath, trusting in God.
Easy to say, hard to do, but there simply is no other option....
Father Seraphim, pray for us all that God may grant us constancy and steadfastness to do His Will.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Fr Seraphim Rose
I am avidly reading the Life of Fr Seraphim Rose.
What a truly incredible man !
I had no idea he was so pivotal in bringing the Life of the glorious St Herman of Alaska back to public and ecclesiastical attention in modern times..... I have an icon of St Herman on my desk as I type.
Fr Seraphim was involved with two of the saints I revere, St Herman and St John of San Francisco, and I didn`t know........
On the other hand, this book is profoundly disturbing.
I do not even know whether I dare call myself Christian any more, after reading about Fr Seraphim`s conversion to Christ and subsequent life.
He was so single-minded, so whole-hearted in his love for Christ and his determination to lead a truly Christian existence that I feel utterly ashamed of my own halting, pitiful and inadequate attempts to lead a Christian life .
If I met Christ in the flesh today, would I willingly give up my material pleasures to follow him ?
I know my podvig is to be a wife and mother, but do I treat it as a podvig, as a means of grace, a labour of love and sacrifice, as a chance always to put others first and myself last ?
Some days I treat my family as though they are an inconvenience, a hindrance to my life, not as a truly great blessing and the means by which I can work out my salvation with fear and trembling.
I am ashamed.
May God have mercy upon me and allow me time for repentance and for me to at least make a *start* of beginning to do good........
What a truly incredible man !
I had no idea he was so pivotal in bringing the Life of the glorious St Herman of Alaska back to public and ecclesiastical attention in modern times..... I have an icon of St Herman on my desk as I type.
Fr Seraphim was involved with two of the saints I revere, St Herman and St John of San Francisco, and I didn`t know........
On the other hand, this book is profoundly disturbing.
I do not even know whether I dare call myself Christian any more, after reading about Fr Seraphim`s conversion to Christ and subsequent life.
He was so single-minded, so whole-hearted in his love for Christ and his determination to lead a truly Christian existence that I feel utterly ashamed of my own halting, pitiful and inadequate attempts to lead a Christian life .
If I met Christ in the flesh today, would I willingly give up my material pleasures to follow him ?
I like to think that I would, but am I *sure*, in my heart of hearts ?
I know my podvig is to be a wife and mother, but do I treat it as a podvig, as a means of grace, a labour of love and sacrifice, as a chance always to put others first and myself last ?
If I truly loved my family, I would not put my own wants, needs and desires first and foremost. It seems that the way I live my life just goes to show that I love myself more than I do anyone else.
I love my husband and children enough to risk my life for them if they were in danger, so why do I not daily and willingly "lay down my life" for them ?
Some days I treat my family as though they are an inconvenience, a hindrance to my life, not as a truly great blessing and the means by which I can work out my salvation with fear and trembling.
I am ashamed.
May God have mercy upon me and allow me time for repentance and for me to at least make a *start* of beginning to do good........
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
The Love of Books
Some new books arrived today :-)
The largest is an 1142 page biography of the life and works of Fr Seraphim Rose.
Now, I would be the first to admit that I know very little about him, let alone his connection to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco...so imagine my delight when I found several wonderful black and white photos of my dear St John in the book !
I am so far up to page 179, and I am enjoying it immensely.
The other items were "The St Nicholas Secret", the current issue of the Handmaiden, an illustrated children`s Life of St Nicholas and the Conciliar Press booklet about Confession by Jim Forrest, all of which I have devoured today.
Housework :2 jobs
Devotional reading :4 books
What does worry me is how much is appropriate for me to spend on buying Orthodox devotional reading. Today`s books cost £48.84p.
Most books I buy, I read repeatedly, and those I no longer want, I pass on to the local library so other people may be exposed to Orthodoxy. My eldest daughter is a catechumen so she reads them too.
The problem is that many Orthodox books are not cheap.....the book about Fr Seraphim was 22.99 pounds sterling. To me, that is great value for money.....but for my DH, that is an enormous amount of money to spend on a book :-)
I don`t even think I can justify how much I spend by claiming there is an increase in godliness and virtue in my life, more`s the pity........
The largest is an 1142 page biography of the life and works of Fr Seraphim Rose.
Now, I would be the first to admit that I know very little about him, let alone his connection to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco...so imagine my delight when I found several wonderful black and white photos of my dear St John in the book !
I am so far up to page 179, and I am enjoying it immensely.
The other items were "The St Nicholas Secret", the current issue of the Handmaiden, an illustrated children`s Life of St Nicholas and the Conciliar Press booklet about Confession by Jim Forrest, all of which I have devoured today.
Housework :2 jobs
Devotional reading :4 books
What does worry me is how much is appropriate for me to spend on buying Orthodox devotional reading. Today`s books cost £48.84p.
Most books I buy, I read repeatedly, and those I no longer want, I pass on to the local library so other people may be exposed to Orthodoxy. My eldest daughter is a catechumen so she reads them too.
The problem is that many Orthodox books are not cheap.....the book about Fr Seraphim was 22.99 pounds sterling. To me, that is great value for money.....but for my DH, that is an enormous amount of money to spend on a book :-)
I don`t even think I can justify how much I spend by claiming there is an increase in godliness and virtue in my life, more`s the pity........
Monday, October 11, 2004
The Blustery Day
It was really blustery today, but we decided the children needed a good walk, so we went to the beach.
It took about half an hour to walk there, with the wind picking up as we got nearer.
It was cold enough for DH and I to be in need of a reviving cappucino at the local cafe, and of course the two little ones wanted cold drinks :-)
We did venture onto the beach, but it was like being in a surreal sci-fi movie........we were literally being blown along the beach at speed, and and the sand was being swirled up in rivers along the beach. I wish I had taken the camera with me, as I have never seen anything like it .
It was cold enough for us to be ready to go back after 5 minutes, to screams of disapproval from D3 who would have stayed there all day given half a chance. Unfortunately the rivers of dust were just at D4`s eye level, and we didn`t want to risk her getting sand blown in her eyes.
So D3 protested loudly all the way home...........It was a really good drying day for the washing in my garden though :-)
It took about half an hour to walk there, with the wind picking up as we got nearer.
It was cold enough for DH and I to be in need of a reviving cappucino at the local cafe, and of course the two little ones wanted cold drinks :-)
We did venture onto the beach, but it was like being in a surreal sci-fi movie........we were literally being blown along the beach at speed, and and the sand was being swirled up in rivers along the beach. I wish I had taken the camera with me, as I have never seen anything like it .
It was cold enough for us to be ready to go back after 5 minutes, to screams of disapproval from D3 who would have stayed there all day given half a chance. Unfortunately the rivers of dust were just at D4`s eye level, and we didn`t want to risk her getting sand blown in her eyes.
So D3 protested loudly all the way home...........It was a really good drying day for the washing in my garden though :-)
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Passport to goodness knows where.....
D1 needed to renew her passport in view of her upcoming trip to the USA in December to see her boyfriend. Because her appearance has changed substantially since her first passport was issued aged 13, she needed to have new photographs, and for one of them , along with her application form, to be countersigned by an adult of goodstanding outside the family who has known her for more than two years. That bit was easy; she just asked her best friend`s father, who has known us all for 10 years.
I also needed to have my passport amended from my previous married name to my new married name. Ok, I know it has been quite a few years, but I hadn`t been abroad since my second marriage and didn`t see much point in shelling out £42.00 just for the sake of it :-)
So dear Allan came to the rescue and signed my form and photo too.
Armed with my debit card, I trundled up to the post office to get the forms checked and given priority treatment. That cost another £6.00 each.
The poor cashier seemed a little bemused, and read every single word on the form with great care. And I mean great care. I think that this was possibly the first set of passport applications which she has processed.
I was just so glad the post office was quiet and there was no queue behind me, or I had visions of a lynch mob forming...........
When it came to checking my documents, she looked even more puzzled. I pointed out that I had enclosed my birth certificate, my first marriage certificate and my divorce papers, and my second marriage certificate, which showed the name I want my new passport to be issued in.
The supervisor had to be called. Why had I enclosed both marriage certificates and my divorce papers ? I explained that this was as per the passport office official guide to filling in the forms, in my particular situation.
"You have to show what happened to your first marriage in order for them to issue a passport in a new married name" I explained.
Blank looks.
I tried again : "You have to show that your first husband either died - when you would send their death certificate- or you got divorced, when you send them your decree absolute. Otherwise, you could be committing bigamy and fraud."
Faces lit up. It was agreed that I was right to include all my documents in that case.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
But then they couldn`t find what box to tick on the form to show I had enclosed my decree absolute. The supervisor was called again. Then the enormous Post Office Rule Book was consulted. It was established that the correct box for a decree absolute was ...............divd. Aaagh, Clear as mud.
At last, I was given a receipt for my applications, and the bill..........£99.00 sterling.
Only three more children to provide new passports for............I wonder if the kids would accept passports in lieu of Christmas presents ..... :-))))))))))
I also needed to have my passport amended from my previous married name to my new married name. Ok, I know it has been quite a few years, but I hadn`t been abroad since my second marriage and didn`t see much point in shelling out £42.00 just for the sake of it :-)
So dear Allan came to the rescue and signed my form and photo too.
Armed with my debit card, I trundled up to the post office to get the forms checked and given priority treatment. That cost another £6.00 each.
The poor cashier seemed a little bemused, and read every single word on the form with great care. And I mean great care. I think that this was possibly the first set of passport applications which she has processed.
I was just so glad the post office was quiet and there was no queue behind me, or I had visions of a lynch mob forming...........
When it came to checking my documents, she looked even more puzzled. I pointed out that I had enclosed my birth certificate, my first marriage certificate and my divorce papers, and my second marriage certificate, which showed the name I want my new passport to be issued in.
The supervisor had to be called. Why had I enclosed both marriage certificates and my divorce papers ? I explained that this was as per the passport office official guide to filling in the forms, in my particular situation.
"You have to show what happened to your first marriage in order for them to issue a passport in a new married name" I explained.
Blank looks.
I tried again : "You have to show that your first husband either died - when you would send their death certificate- or you got divorced, when you send them your decree absolute. Otherwise, you could be committing bigamy and fraud."
Faces lit up. It was agreed that I was right to include all my documents in that case.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
But then they couldn`t find what box to tick on the form to show I had enclosed my decree absolute. The supervisor was called again. Then the enormous Post Office Rule Book was consulted. It was established that the correct box for a decree absolute was ...............divd. Aaagh, Clear as mud.
At last, I was given a receipt for my applications, and the bill..........£99.00 sterling.
Only three more children to provide new passports for............I wonder if the kids would accept passports in lieu of Christmas presents ..... :-))))))))))
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Window Clutter
I talk so much about the view from my beloved garden window that I thought this might raise a smile........
The sunrise was truly glorious this morning, and I thought about taking a photo of it to post here.
Then I looked at the clutter on the window sill (window shelf) and thought maybe not :-)
On the window sill as I type, there are:-
The sunrise was truly glorious this morning, and I thought about taking a photo of it to post here.
Then I looked at the clutter on the window sill (window shelf) and thought maybe not :-)
On the window sill as I type, there are:-
- Husband`s green lava lamp with orange blobs
- One pen tidy full to overflowing with pens (only two of which work) and worn-down unusable pencils.
- Several money-off vouchers for our local supermarket (so I don`t forget where they are !)
- One photo of D4 aged 11 months
- One photo of D3 aged 3years and 4 months, holding D4 aged 15 hours.
- A framed poem called "The Art of Marriage" given to us on our Crowning Day
- A pair of lovely spiral pewter candlesticks given to me by a friend at a very low point in my life to cheer me up
- A bottle of all-natural headlice combing solution (!)
From the sublime to the ridiculous in only four feet of space.................a bit like life, really :-)
Friday, October 08, 2004
Windows !
Not the Micro$oft Win~doze, but real windows :-)
We have had two of our windows replaced with double-glazed units this morning.
They cost an arm and a leg, but are really, really nice. The fitters asked my DH and I to inspect them, which we did. One window was fine, but DH found a flaw in the glass of the upper pane in the second one.
There was a flurry of phone calls between the manufacturer and us, and the result is that they have made a new sealed glass unit today which will be fitted in a few days. I was hoping to have had it all wrapped up today, but never mind. As DH says, "worse things happen at sea !"
Thank you all for your kind messages about the death of Auntie Gladys. She was a lovely lady, full of love, fun, humour and wise advice. She will be sadly missed...............
Memory Eternal !!
We have been told that our beloved Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain will be visiting our parish in a few months. I wasn`t able to go the last time he was here for the Akathist in the Dormition Fast, so it will be wonderful to see him again and receive his blessing.
There isn`t much else to say today......no news is good news :-)
We have had two of our windows replaced with double-glazed units this morning.
They cost an arm and a leg, but are really, really nice. The fitters asked my DH and I to inspect them, which we did. One window was fine, but DH found a flaw in the glass of the upper pane in the second one.
There was a flurry of phone calls between the manufacturer and us, and the result is that they have made a new sealed glass unit today which will be fitted in a few days. I was hoping to have had it all wrapped up today, but never mind. As DH says, "worse things happen at sea !"
Thank you all for your kind messages about the death of Auntie Gladys. She was a lovely lady, full of love, fun, humour and wise advice. She will be sadly missed...............
Memory Eternal !!
We have been told that our beloved Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain will be visiting our parish in a few months. I wasn`t able to go the last time he was here for the Akathist in the Dormition Fast, so it will be wonderful to see him again and receive his blessing.
There isn`t much else to say today......no news is good news :-)
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Sad News
I had some very sad news last night.
My Great-aunt Gladys died peacefully at the age of 93. She was a wonderful, redoubtable old lady, who cared for her disabled daughter until the day before her death.
Of your charity, please pray for the repose of Gladys, and for her grieving daughter Ray, and for our family.
This will be our third family funeral in eight weeks.........
Lord, have mercy.
My Great-aunt Gladys died peacefully at the age of 93. She was a wonderful, redoubtable old lady, who cared for her disabled daughter until the day before her death.
Of your charity, please pray for the repose of Gladys, and for her grieving daughter Ray, and for our family.
This will be our third family funeral in eight weeks.........
Lord, have mercy.
Kitchen Heaven......
At last, my cooker`s main oven has been mended and I have an oven that no longer cremates food :-)
I have celebrated by cooking Pizza, and D1 is busy making her favourite Coca Cola cakes.
Our repertoire of cookable food is expanding now that we can bake things again !
Despite the truly awful rain today, it has been a good day, with nice baking smells wafting through the house............................. domestic bliss :-)
D3 started folkdancing classes at school today. Much as I love my daughter, she has the grace and elegance of a fairy elephant, and I did wonder whether she would enjoy it. She most certainly did enjoy it, and can`t wait for next week. Perhaps she will become less of a tomboy now....though I doubt it !
I have celebrated by cooking Pizza, and D1 is busy making her favourite Coca Cola cakes.
Our repertoire of cookable food is expanding now that we can bake things again !
Despite the truly awful rain today, it has been a good day, with nice baking smells wafting through the house............................. domestic bliss :-)
D3 started folkdancing classes at school today. Much as I love my daughter, she has the grace and elegance of a fairy elephant, and I did wonder whether she would enjoy it. She most certainly did enjoy it, and can`t wait for next week. Perhaps she will become less of a tomboy now....though I doubt it !
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Confession
I was thinking about Confession today, mainly because I was looking at an orthodox book catalogue and I saw a title which I don`t have on my bookshelves.
I always know when I desperately need to go to Confession.
It is usually when I least want to go, when everything and everyone is getting me down, life seems tough and I am feeling low. This is when I realise I am in dire need of spiritual medicine.
There is nothing like a thorough examination of my life and my conscience prior to Confession to make me realise just how much God has blessed me, and how very much I have to be thankful for. It always raises me out of the doldrums.
When I go to Confession, after the prayers are said, my priest stands me in front of the Icon of Christ and tells me to confess my sins without fear to Christ, who already knows them and is just waiting for me to acknowledge my sins and ask for forgiveness.
It is surprisingly hard to meet the eyes of the Christ the Judge depicted in the icon with the sorry tale of my failings and misdeeds on my sinful lips. The feeling of shame can be almost unbearable sometimes.......
Father offers me advice and consolation regarding what I have confessed, and his loving gentleness always makes me tearful.
How can I describe the incredible feeling of my priest placing his epitrachelion on my head, making the sign of the Cross and assuring me of God`s forgiveness, both in this world and the next ? It is the most blessed and liberating feeling, to know that I have faced my many sins, confronted them, acknowledged them in front of a witness and asked for forgiveness.
To know that that forgivness has been granted, and my burdens lifted , is such a great blessing and a truly humbling experience.
The most amazing thing of all is that after my confession is ended, Father looks me in the eye, smiles and gives me the threefold kiss.
No matter what I have had to confess, however awful it has been, his unconditional love for me as his daughter in Christ shines out.
This is the priest who knows more about me than possibly any person alive, who knows my faults, my failings, my sins, my worries, my fears......who hears about the very worst of me, yet who loves me and cares deeply for the welfare and salvation of my soul, and can still look me in the eye, smile and care for me.
It makes me realise just how far *I* have to go to be able to truly love others, warts and failings and all.
What virtue is there in loving people who are easy to love ? Almost everyone does that.
It is much harder to show love for the unpleasant folk who may sometimes cross our path.
Now that is a real test of our ability to love all of our neighbours as ourselves........
I always know when I desperately need to go to Confession.
It is usually when I least want to go, when everything and everyone is getting me down, life seems tough and I am feeling low. This is when I realise I am in dire need of spiritual medicine.
There is nothing like a thorough examination of my life and my conscience prior to Confession to make me realise just how much God has blessed me, and how very much I have to be thankful for. It always raises me out of the doldrums.
When I go to Confession, after the prayers are said, my priest stands me in front of the Icon of Christ and tells me to confess my sins without fear to Christ, who already knows them and is just waiting for me to acknowledge my sins and ask for forgiveness.
It is surprisingly hard to meet the eyes of the Christ the Judge depicted in the icon with the sorry tale of my failings and misdeeds on my sinful lips. The feeling of shame can be almost unbearable sometimes.......
Father offers me advice and consolation regarding what I have confessed, and his loving gentleness always makes me tearful.
How can I describe the incredible feeling of my priest placing his epitrachelion on my head, making the sign of the Cross and assuring me of God`s forgiveness, both in this world and the next ? It is the most blessed and liberating feeling, to know that I have faced my many sins, confronted them, acknowledged them in front of a witness and asked for forgiveness.
To know that that forgivness has been granted, and my burdens lifted , is such a great blessing and a truly humbling experience.
The most amazing thing of all is that after my confession is ended, Father looks me in the eye, smiles and gives me the threefold kiss.
No matter what I have had to confess, however awful it has been, his unconditional love for me as his daughter in Christ shines out.
This is the priest who knows more about me than possibly any person alive, who knows my faults, my failings, my sins, my worries, my fears......who hears about the very worst of me, yet who loves me and cares deeply for the welfare and salvation of my soul, and can still look me in the eye, smile and care for me.
It makes me realise just how far *I* have to go to be able to truly love others, warts and failings and all.
What virtue is there in loving people who are easy to love ? Almost everyone does that.
It is much harder to show love for the unpleasant folk who may sometimes cross our path.
Now that is a real test of our ability to love all of our neighbours as ourselves........
Monday, October 04, 2004
Castle in the Rain
Today, we went to visit a castle.
This was prompted mainly by the fact that DD3 is studying castles in her history lessons, and living in the land of castles, it is easy to find them :-)
We actually have at least 4 castles within 12 minutes drive of our home, so we went to the biggest and possibly best preserved of them.
Coity Castle was built firstly in timber in 1126 and then in stone in 1180.
It was left uninhabited when the owner, the heiress Barbara Gamage, married Sir Philip Sydney, Earl of Leicester in 1584 and moved to his home in Kent, leaving the castle to decay.....it is still very spectacular even now, as I hope the photos will reveal.
It was, of course, raining when we went :-)
Enjoy.......
This was prompted mainly by the fact that DD3 is studying castles in her history lessons, and living in the land of castles, it is easy to find them :-)
We actually have at least 4 castles within 12 minutes drive of our home, so we went to the biggest and possibly best preserved of them.
Coity Castle was built firstly in timber in 1126 and then in stone in 1180.
It was left uninhabited when the owner, the heiress Barbara Gamage, married Sir Philip Sydney, Earl of Leicester in 1584 and moved to his home in Kent, leaving the castle to decay.....it is still very spectacular even now, as I hope the photos will reveal.
It was, of course, raining when we went :-)
Enjoy.......
Sunday, October 03, 2004
New Image
Don`t panic, I have not done anything dreadful to the blog ! :-0
I did, however, go to the hairdresser today. My hair is past shoulder length, but was in dire need of a trim. Added to that, I needed to renew my passport and didn`t want to get photos done of my hair looking a mess....hence the trip to the hairdresser and afterwards to the photobooth.
I was only going to have a trim, but decided to have quite a lot cut off, and it is now a short bob.
Now, DH really loves my hair long. I was in some trepidation walking up the garden path in case he really hated it.............however, he quite liked it. So did DD1, 2 and 3.
D4 did not.
She climbed on my lap, ran both hands through my hair, lifted it up, looked appalled and shouted at me "That naughty, Mummy ! Not Mummy"
I obviously look very different to her eyes, yet still recognisable as Mummy.
Several hours later, she has adapted happily to the new image Mummy, much to my relief.
It amazes me how quickly we can adapt to people changing appearances and accept the new look as normal :-)
I can vaguely think of something theological here, but it is not well enough thought out for me to be able to communicate it clearly yet, so I will sleep on it tonight.
If anyone of you can see what I am trying to say, please tell me ! :-))))))
I did, however, go to the hairdresser today. My hair is past shoulder length, but was in dire need of a trim. Added to that, I needed to renew my passport and didn`t want to get photos done of my hair looking a mess....hence the trip to the hairdresser and afterwards to the photobooth.
I was only going to have a trim, but decided to have quite a lot cut off, and it is now a short bob.
Now, DH really loves my hair long. I was in some trepidation walking up the garden path in case he really hated it.............however, he quite liked it. So did DD1, 2 and 3.
D4 did not.
She climbed on my lap, ran both hands through my hair, lifted it up, looked appalled and shouted at me "That naughty, Mummy ! Not Mummy"
I obviously look very different to her eyes, yet still recognisable as Mummy.
Several hours later, she has adapted happily to the new image Mummy, much to my relief.
It amazes me how quickly we can adapt to people changing appearances and accept the new look as normal :-)
I can vaguely think of something theological here, but it is not well enough thought out for me to be able to communicate it clearly yet, so I will sleep on it tonight.
If anyone of you can see what I am trying to say, please tell me ! :-))))))
Saturday, October 02, 2004
An Ordinary Day
A quiet day on the family front :-)
We went shopping, to the greengrocer`s and to the supermarket , and returned with the car full of food.
DH continues to strip old wallpaper from one of the bedrooms.
I pottered around, did housework and looked after D4.
Oh, D3 got full marks in her spelling test today, so honour is restored................she is happy.
Other than that, it has been a very quiet day.
The undoubted highlight is today being the N.S. Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, who is our family`s unoffical patron, and the Icon of the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos has an honoured place in our icon corner wherever we live.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us and save us, O Lord !!!
We went shopping, to the greengrocer`s and to the supermarket , and returned with the car full of food.
DH continues to strip old wallpaper from one of the bedrooms.
I pottered around, did housework and looked after D4.
Oh, D3 got full marks in her spelling test today, so honour is restored................she is happy.
Other than that, it has been a very quiet day.
The undoubted highlight is today being the N.S. Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, who is our family`s unoffical patron, and the Icon of the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos has an honoured place in our icon corner wherever we live.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us and save us, O Lord !!!
Friday, October 01, 2004
Birthday Shopping
DH and I went shopping today for D4`s birthday presents. We hadn`t intended to, but there was a huge half-price toy sale on at Woolworth`s.
Her birthday is on Oct17th and she will be three.
We have now got her a large toy kitchen, which was reduced to approx £20, a zip up sqare case filled with pens, pencils and chalks, and a wooden frame filled with wooden blocks which you can spin round to show pictures , words, letters and numbers. This is something which she has played with in the waiting room at each hospital appointment she has been to, which is three so far this year, and with another appt scheduled before Christmas. She always loves playing with it, so I am hoping she will like to have it at home too.
I do wonder how much of what we buy for others is just wish fulfillment from our own childhood........personally, I am looking forward to her being old enough for a train set.
My brother is seven years older than me, and would never let me play with his Scalextrix set nor his train set for fear of me damaging it in my exuberance.......perhaps at 40 I am old enough now to have one of my very own :-))))))
Her birthday is on Oct17th and she will be three.
We have now got her a large toy kitchen, which was reduced to approx £20, a zip up sqare case filled with pens, pencils and chalks, and a wooden frame filled with wooden blocks which you can spin round to show pictures , words, letters and numbers. This is something which she has played with in the waiting room at each hospital appointment she has been to, which is three so far this year, and with another appt scheduled before Christmas. She always loves playing with it, so I am hoping she will like to have it at home too.
I do wonder how much of what we buy for others is just wish fulfillment from our own childhood........personally, I am looking forward to her being old enough for a train set.
My brother is seven years older than me, and would never let me play with his Scalextrix set nor his train set for fear of me damaging it in my exuberance.......perhaps at 40 I am old enough now to have one of my very own :-))))))
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