Don't want to say Goodbye

My favourite aunty goes home on Saturday. Lana will be flying back to Australia and I am really going to miss her. I know she's in a quandry because as much as she wants to go home to her family she doesn't want to leave her English family. It will be hard for all of us to say goodbye.
Lana is very special to us because she lived with us when we were children and was like a big sister. She had a big influence on our lives for many years and we loved her dearly.
She taught me how to put my makeup on properly, how to dress with style and told me never to refuse to dance with a boy because it took a lot of courage for them to ask. That piece of advice meant I always had a partner for the last dance at school when many of my friends had to sit it out!
When Lana left to go to Australia, thirty two years ago, it was like losing a limb. She was a confidante, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, to tell secrets to and the best friend I'd ever had. Then came the wonderful invention of email and we could keep in touch regularly again. But nothing compares with the opportunity to meet her again. I've realised she is still that funny, big sister, best friend, beloved aunty she has always been in my memory, that the years may have changed her in some ways but in all those important things she is still the same.
I will miss her all over again but I wouldn't have given up this chance to get to know her again for all the tea in China. We love you Lana, God speed till we meet again!

Here Comes the Snow!

We've had some snow! We haven't had snow this often for a long time. Apparently, it's the coldest winter since 1992. All I know is it's COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD. I hate snow, I really hate it. I hate driving in it, I hate walking in it BUT I love to look at it, from behind the window in my warm, cosy house. There's nothing quite as pretty as a winter snow scene before anybody's walked on it. I've always wished I could paint because I've always wanted to have a painting of a snow scene. Anybody out there who can donate one? No? I'll have to be satisfied with my amateur photo's then, I suppose.

Another Year

Well. we're into another year again. It's true what they say about how the years pass quicker as you grow older. I can't think where this last year has gone.

Anyway we had a great christmas. Jim and the kids stayed with us for four weeks. It was so nice to have them here and get to know some of my brother's kids, who were really great. Jamie loved them being with us. Our aunty Lana came over with them. She is mum's youngest sister and has been in Australia over thirty years now. She is still here, staying with mum until March 5th. Having her here is such a treat for us. We love her so much. She was like a sister to us kids when we were growing up and we miss her a lot.

Mum and dad celebrated their Golden Wedding on 27th December. We had a party, a really fantastic family occasion. Most of the family attended and we had a proper knees up.

The Douglas/Mcgovern clan

Mum and Dad, cutting their cake

John had his eye operated on but had to go all the way to Cambridge to get it done. He's still got a long way to go with healing. He still can't open his eye and any light shining in it causes him pain. His healing process will be long but at least he is healing.

He can see blurry images which is a good thing so he may just get some sight back.

Hopefully this year will pass without any mishaps!