Twenty one years ago

We have had Very Big Winds here and the phone lines are affected. The internet cuts off every few minutes making prolonged use impossible. BT have been informed, but I am not hopeful. Today it is still and calm, so I am going to risk a post.
Today is Martha's Twentyfirst Birthday.
Here she is about 18 months, having a tea party with the cat.

She is celebrating her 21st in Helsinki, but I will be remembering the day as it unfolds and all the landmarks of a labour that ended so beautifully with the birth of my darling girl. (about 5pm GMT if anyone wants to get thoughtful with me). She was an angelic baby. I felt sorry for other mothers - their babies looked like piglets dressed up in baby clothes compared with the exquisite child I had produced.

Anyway - while I have been having connection problems, I have been busy with a felt making day (forgot my camera) the Hexham Christmas Market (forgot it again) two knitting days (we sneaked in a Saturday to catch up on some of this CHRISTMAS KNITTING!)

Oh - and work - lets not forget work!
Last monday I was on the panel of a 'Question and Answer' session for a group of orthodox Jewish women in Gateshead, about 60 of them. That was interesting to say the least!
And The Parent Education Department (me and Catherine)  hosted a Christmas Party. A lot of hard work, but worth it  for the happy people.  I am always amazed by how grateful people can be for a sausage on a stick and a cream bun.

The Christmas production at Owen's school is My Fair Lady. For the last several years we have had someone in the play at the end of term - but now that John has left and no longer entertains us with his theatricals, we go to see Owen who sits on the lighting rigging with a set of headphones on. Last night it was magnificent. I grew up with my Mum and Dad singing those songs - I don't think of Audrey Hepburn singing 'All I want is a room somewhere', but my Mum, who didn't have to manufacture a cockeny accent, she could just dig into her recent past and produce an authentic one. Blooming Loverly.

Christmas preparations are slow. I can't believe how little I have done this year. I am usually in a frenzy of activity about now, with the house all decorated and the presents hidden. This year there is Nothing Going On At All and it feels more like October than the week before Christmas. I did make some sweetie garlands the other day.

But with the last posting day on Tuesday I need to get going if we are to have Christmas in this house!

So what am I doing today? Going to a clothes swap in Alnwick? Very seasonal!

Twenty one years ago at this very moment, I was eating a bit of Weetabix and half a banana to keep my strength up and wondering how much more painful contractions could get....... 'a lot' was the answer to that one.

Happy Saturday bloggers!

Comments

[islaygirl]

i love the pic of martha. my wee one has been very into tea parties with the pets lately. animals can be ~very~ patient. happy birthday martha!

[melissa]

lovely pic of Martha. What a sweet girl! Congratulations to you, too, for 21 years as her Mum.
About the piglets dressed up in baby clothes- that made me burst out laughing. A mother who tells it like it is!

[littlejennywren]

Happy 21st to Martha and to you. There are a lot of piglets around aren't there. Thank goodness none of them are mine.

[Sheila]

Congratulations Martha, my, where does time go? I bet you can't believe it can you?
I think you must have a longer day than me, where do you find the hours to fit it all in?
Happy remembering M.....
Love Sheila

[martha]

had a lovely day. lovely lovely- see you in the night tomorrow. Naomi's taken some pictures so you can maybe see. lots of love to you x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

[wendy]

Happy Birthday Martha. Funny about those piglets there were loads when I had Lucy 21 years ago. It must have been something in the air :0)

[Julie]

I love your comment about the piglets, made me snort in my tea. Your picture of Martha is adorable - I love the little fuzzy patch at the back of her hair - Amy had one exactly the same at the same age. Hope she had a very happy 21st.

[katie]

thank you all for your lovely comments - I really like that you appreciate the piglet reference - there is nothing more beautiful than your own baby. She comes home tomorrow!

[carolyn]

Happy 21st!

[Gigi]

How we remember our children's births! Helsinki is very far away. Farther away for me. When you are not able to visit, it doesn't matter how far away it is. Distance is distance. My daughter is going there for six months and will be celebrating her birthday there in the spring. At least there is Vonage!