The one with the bitter sweetness

So, Sly turned 15 this week. A cause for celebration one might think but for me it is always a bittersweet time.

I'm always torn between being totally elated that he's a year older and the fact that no one knows how his heart is going to end up. And let me stress that as far as we know his likkle ticker is doing brilliantly. His surgeries were corrective, leaving him with just very, very mild valve leakage. His cardio appointments are down to 1 every 2 years - yay! But no one knows what tomorrow brings do they? Hence the bittersweetness.

Sometimes I think it's just my silly brain going into overdrive, anxiety sits on my shoulders like a small child with tired little legs, all mardy from walking too far...

Actually I'm fairly certain it's my silly brain trying to see how hard it has to prod me before I break a little...

So, my Sly is now a 15 year old, with a fine moustache already adorning his top lip (that's them thar Indian genes!), his love for video games knows no bounds and he is going to make a fine young man with decent morals and general goodness abound.

And I'm going to try and remember to celebrate each year of his that passes and party like it's 1999...

Sly- you're well loved.

Silly brain- go away.

Top hat and cane- you are very probably Sly's bestest presents this year. xx

The one where the awesome husband is awesome

Awesome husband.

So, the dude that I am married to is awesome. Not your normal kind of awesome that is used to describe great cake or a pretty picture. I'm talking monumentally awesome, right up there with histories great painters and true love and REALLY great cake.

I call him "the best anti depressant" cos whenever I'm near him I'm happy. No need for mind altering drugs when you've got an awesome husband.

I guess I'm all soppy about him because we're coming up to out 18th wedding anniversary. 18 years and it only feels like 5 minutes.

Sometimes I have to think hard when I turn around and see 2 young adults in the house, I forget my children are practically all growd up. And fine people they are too.

Jitsuqueen with all her talent and beauty. She doesn't realise that she's like the sun and people want to be near her just because she's got such a happy, sunny disposition. People are drawn in like moths to a flame and they find they just want to stay there shimmering in her golden sunlight.

Sly, don't get me started on this young man. Seriously. He was born a superstar and just keeps growing into a bigger superstar. And man oh man is he funny, he has us in stitches just by being himself. I see him struggle with difficulties that you or I would find a breeze, life doesn't sit easily with him but he battles on with his 'emergency cola and maltesers' (stashed away in his lair) for when he can't cope anymore. I love to hear other momma's moan about how sugar makes their kids hyper, not at my house baby! Sugar is the king of all calmness here at the The Shire.

Do you know what?? I'm all sorts of lucky.

The one for Jitsuqueen

Dearest Jitsuqueen,
I have just had an epiphany about you and college (& to some extent my school days also)
Anyhoo, you know all the teen movies they make - I am number 4, Mean Girls, The Craft, Pretty in Pink, Real Genius, and all the 80's teen classics, all the 90's teen classics.

In fact ALL the movies about school/college/growing up, the thing they all have in common is that the one who doesn't fit in, the one who stands out, who gets picked on, who is the nicer person (even though they aren't the popular stereotypical prom queen.)
WELL THESE ODD ONES OUT, THEY ARE ALWAYS THE ONES WHO COME OUT ON TOP AND WHO HAVE THE LAST LAUGH AND WHO SUCCEED IN LIFE AND ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD AND KEEP ON LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX.

So, even though the thoughts of going back to college are a bit daunting and nerve wracking - the people who are nob heads there are now probably having the time of their tiny, little lives with nothing to look forward to. They will spend the rest of their days thinking how great school and college were....That's because they aren't living for the brighter, bigger future they were meant to have- it's because they decided to blow it all now.

You are the odd one out, the pretty one who is intelligent too - brains AND beauty!!! The one who has to sit on her own at lunch instead of with all the nobs (cos you are not a sheep and you don't follow the herd), you are the one they pick on because they all know you will be passing them by, on the way up, as their lives are sliding down. They are jealous of all that you'll be.

We all love you (even Litha).

Have a great year at college and remember that it doesn't matter who talks to you or doesn't talk to you, cos right now - these very minutes that are passing by - you are starring in your very own John Hughes movie classic. Make it all count.

Love you,

MM xx

The one with a bit of info

So, out with the old and in with the new....

Out: Jitsuqueen's old boyfriend. In: The new boyfriend, whom I shall call Chachi as the 2 of them remind me of Joanie and Chachi from Happy Days.

Out: Ideas of only having 2 dogs. In: The new Newfie puppy called Sprocket AKA fluffmeister.

Out: The old driveway and steps. In: Brand. Spanking. New. Shiny. Happy. Building. Work.

Also we had us a little ol' 3rd wedding. Not content with the 2 original ones, we decided to renew our vows with a few close family and friends.

In-between all that we have had normal daily life with Jitsuqueen starting at college (makes me feel old!), dog walks, work, fun, fire pit nights, laughs, cinema trips, lovely food, firm friends,happiness, sadness, challenges, sleeeeeep, music. And a bit more besides.

Joanie loves Chachi...

Sprocket the Newfie at 13 weeks.

Sprocket @ 18 weeks.

6 months.

7 months & looking slick....

Sly and his big dawg..

Builders doing their thing.

Scene of awesome wedding vow renewals.

Outstanding nephew Grant.

Momma & Sly.

Joanie <3's Chachie (again....)


Amazing husband is amazing!!!!

Just our normal selves.

Favourite restaurant who outdid themselves.

So good we wed it thrice...