Rain, Snot and Handbags

I have had a very long and exhausting week.

We held Julie's funeral on Friday. It rained and rained and the weather seemed to reflect how we were all feeling. We said goodbye in a beautiful church and then buried her in the grounds and her plot over looks the reservoir. It is a lovely spot (if there can be such a thing) for the girls to go and visit her when they choose to.

I have produced more tears and snot than I thought was possible but am glad it is all over and her friends and family can begin to move into the future and take happy memories with them.

The let down of so many emotions and being hot and huge and pregnant have left me with poorliness. What I thought was a bout of hay fever on Monday and Tuesday turned into achy bones, headache and sore throat by Wednesday. Unfortunately it is too hot for my usual cold remedy; hot bath, big tracksuit, hot-chocolate and bed! I am feeling a little better now after being left in bed to just sleep yesterday morning by my very lovely husband and children.

I have a new making mojo and have made some shoulder bags for my craft fair at Gawthorpe Hall next Saturday;

Look closely at the one in the middle.......... is it pink with a black lining or black with a pink lining.......

A completely reversible bag!! Quite pleased with this one, might make some more in other colours. In reality all the shoulder bags could be turned inside out and look ok, they usually have plain coloured lining and it would mean that the pockets would be on the outside but this was easy to do with extra pockets.

Some shopping totes;

You can't really see in this pic but the cream/beige(?) coloured fabric has flowers embroidered all over it in silver thread, it looks lovely when it catches the light.

I have been knitting and making flowers on my loom, huge comedy type flowers on huge comedy clips;

I went to bed early the other night and made loads of flowers (very therapeutic and no thought required!) while watching crappy telly. I had to do something with them so attached to plain sliver hair bands;

The girls love them and I think they will look wonderful in a pot on my stall surrounded by all the little sleepie clips I already have.

Anyhoo, off for a walk in the sunshine while the washing finishes and then can hang it out, anyone else get major wahingitis when the sun shines?

Daisie xxx

Julie

I have been neglecting my blog because of general pregnantness and preparations for up and coming fairs.

And now I am having a rest to mourn the loss of my very dear friend who lost her brave fight with leukaemia on Tuesday night. I feel pain for her lovely husband and cannot put into words how sorry I am for her two beautiful daughters.

Am angry, shit seems to happen to the very nicest, most undeserving people.

Goodbye Julie. xxx

A Very Special Day

I would like you all to think really positive thoughts today. Remember my friend Julie, well today she is getting some new stem cells and we're all keeping our fingers crossed that it all goes well and that she recovers quickly and can come home for a big cuddle!!

And in other exciting news; my new bed is being delivered today!!

Daisie xxx

Julie

Today we have been raising funds to help us find a bone marrow match for Julie. Venues need paying, advertising needs to be done and The Anthony Nolan Trust needs more money. So lots of Julie's friends got together under the supervision of the lovely Helen and sold toys, gave away stuff via a tombola and raffle, sold hot dogs and made tea/coffe and generally had a great afternoon!

'Welephant' made an appearance (Julie being married to a fireman we'd expect no less!);



Nathaniel got to go in a BIG fire engine;



The girls got to play with a big hose;

They queued for ages to get their faces painted;

And here is Jemima (Julie's older daughter) to remind us what all the fun is for;

Not sure how much money we managed to raise in total but will let you know.

I have had a blog post ready and waiting in my head for a few days but events have over taken me somewhat this week. Normal service will resume (hopefully) next week and the "Cow Slippers And Football Pants" post will be published!!

Daisie xxx

Daisy Tops, Snow Suits And Favours

Well, we awoke this morning to the sound of Elizabeth barking, very bad cough indeed! We had only been asleep for an hour or so as Nathaniel had cried most of the night or coughed. I hate the lurgy! I feel naff and my lips look as if they may completely flake away at any moment.

My mood was greatly improved when shopping for bread and milk and fruit when I found this delightful daisy top for just £4;



And round the corner a knitted pink dress for Francesca that cost a mere £2.50;



Even though we are feeling so lousy we are not letting our germs spoil the planned outing to Blackpool tonight to see the illuminations! We go every October half-term and have our tea out and get the tram through Blackpool and 'ooh' and 'aah' at the lights. I must say that in recent years it has been the reactions of the children that make the evening so special.

In preparation I have hauled out Nathaniel's snow suit to keep him warm;




As you can see from the photo, he's not impressed!

Not as impressed as he was when he wore this scarf like pink hair;



And not forgetting the favour I mentioned last night......

My friend Julie is very ill at the moment, she has leukemia and is currently undergoing chemo therapy. When I asked her if there was anything I could do she said that I should shout from the roof tops and get as many people as I could to register on the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Donor List. Feeling small and quite useless I enlisted the help of the wonderful Mia at our local children's centre and we have arranged to hold our own recruitment clinic. We will be hosting the event on December 4th and I have made a book for people to sign for Julie, there will be many people there simply because they know her! I ask of my dear blog land friends that you send a card for Julie. None of this will make her better but I think she will find comfort and courage from knowing that so many people wish her well. If you would like to please email me (details on blogger profile) and I will send you my mailing address. My plan is to deliver a box of cards and goodies to her the weekend after the event and let her know how many more people are on the list!

For those not wanting to send card, there will be an e-flyer (soonish) about the event that I would love you to post on your blog until the event, you may not be near but some of your readers might be!

Thanking you all in advance, Daisie xxx