The very lovely Muddling Along Mummy (see her excellent modern proverbs) has given me a Great Read Award! Thank you so much for my first ever blog award! On receipt of this award I have to list ten happy memories. Muddling Along Mummy recently celebrated her 5th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! So picked memories from those five years.
I've listed both specific happy memories and periods of my life that make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Holiday in Provence with my parents- My mum and dad used to rent out a big farmhouse near Avignon, Provence for three weeks every Summer. We always talked about going out and joining them for a week with my brother and his partner, but never actually got around to co-ordinating it. Until 2002. That year, the six of us spent a wonderful week together, eating wonderful food, swimming in the pool, drinking good wine and enjoying each other's company. Two months later mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Six months later she died. I am so very glad I booked those flights to Marseille and we got to spend that wonderful week together which I absolutely treasure in my memory.
Our wedding in Las Vegas- Ed and I decided to ditch any plans of a big traditional wedding so soon after my mum's funeral. Instead, just the two of us ran off to Las Vegas (with everybody's approval.) We got hitched at The Little White Chapel mid morning in a quite personal and touching ceremony and then headed back to the hotel in our limo before setting out for a very boozy lunch which seemed to last for hours. We then indulged in some rather giggly, tipsy Black Jack before spending the evening in our hotel suite with champagne and films, music, dancing and room service. The two of us had a perfect day which was hugely fun.
Louis' and Tilly's birth- Two separate events but both equally special and remarkably similar in terms of length of labour, time of birth and quantities of gas and air consumed. I was fortunate enough to have very positive birth experiences with both of my children, which was followed by an almost ecstatic high. I don't think I got a wink of sleep the first night either time as I have very vivid memories of spending hours curled up next to each of them, staring in awe and wonderment.
Halloween sleepover- I was 13 and my parents let me have ten school friends come and stay the night at our house for a spooky Halloween sleepover. We stayed up until the early hours scaring each other silly with ghost stories, eating sweets and talking about boys.
Christmas- I adored Christmas as a child. All my childhood Christmases were virtually the same, all spent in our family home, with the same relatives, same smell of Christmas tree and turkey and burning logs, same games and the same traditions year in year out which made it so comforting. Now I'm trying to create similar traditions for my own children
My year off- Nope, I didn't go 'round the world. I lived in Hackney for six months working with adults with learning difficulties and met some amazing people and grew up a lot.
Snowy school days- On one day in particular we were sent home early from primary school because of the heavy snowfall. That afternoon it seemed that the whole school congregated in my street for the biggest snowball fight ever and then built a snowman that was almost as big as a house.
Liverpool- I went to Liverpool University and while I don't have many memories of my academic life there, I have a zillion happy memories of the city and my social life there.
Bonfire night-Walking to the local fireworks display with my parents and little brother each year on November 5th, wrapped up in lots of layers and wearing wellies. I love Autumn.
Pavement- Pavement are my all time favourite band and their gigs, records and on occasion, spending a bit of time with them have given me many happy memories. And who knows maybe I'll get to see them again
Ahh enough nostalgia. More happy memories are happening right under my nose.
Ok, so I now pass on the Great Read Award to the lovely Caroline at Whats Happening At My House who had a bit of a rough start to the week. I love reading about her car boot bargains. In fact her blog has motivated me to start a bit of thrifty treasure hunting again.
