No Blue Skies or Sunshine Today

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The sun has left the Cornish coast and left in its place that wet thing called rain. Where a cloudless blue sky was my view for nearly a week grey skies have decided to visit. Yet I mustn't complain because we have been lucky with the weather. I hope the sun shines again over Easter though, rain does spoil a good Easter Egg Hunt..lol..

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What a busy time I had last week. All my good intentions to blog before now were hindered by the many things that kept me busy. The highlight of my week was a visit to the hospital last Tuesday because I got to see all three grandees...I had travelled by train and bus to get to the hospital (at times like this I wish I could drive). While sat outside waiting for my family to arrive I was reading a book and sipping hot chololate when suddenly a voice alerted me. 'Nanny, Nanny' shouted one excited two-year old who couldn't get to me fast enough. The sight of a child with such pleasure on his face warms my heart. Well for the next half-hour Dylan and I had a super time just one to one which is rare....

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My next stop was the neo-natal unit to visit my youngest grandee Blake and this time I got to hold him. What a joy to see him progressing so well with no tubes other that the feeding one at this time. He now feeds independently and could well be home next week. I feel that is too soon as he is not yet 5lbs but that is how they do it today...

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Poor little mite had just been a little sick so clean clothes

were called for but after photos..lol..

Hasn't he done well in such a short time. He has pulled the

tube out his nose once or twice..lol..

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Next stop was to go and collect my grandaughter from nursery. She didn't know I would be there. When she first saw daddy she smiled but when I stepped from behind him she jumped up and with a beaming smile proudly proclaimed to every one 'That's my Nanny' and proceeded to run towards me. I scooped her into my arms where I was rewarded with a big hug and lots of smiles. Moments like this are priceless and the joy I felt today with my three grandees more than makes up for all the stress of late....

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Next stop was for a Mcdonalds for the grandees & co and as you can see by the photos below they enjoyed it. I just wish that the little ones had a plate or something but hey....

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'This is good'

What a mischievous smile!!

That Smile! Ever the Comedium **********************

I know it's obvious that I love my grandees to bits..lol.. but I would like to show who else does, their daddy. The photos below are some of my favourites because they show the bond and love my son and his children have. Soon Blake will also have a photo like this...

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Korenza's 3rd Birthday

Taken August 2010

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As you know I am a family historian but for sometime I have not done anything. Well, that changed after watching Who Do You Think You Are USA. It only set me off again and I have been updating my Ballaam family. Thank goodness I'm a member of ancestry.co.uk, its invaluable with many, many records. The last person I was researching was a Ernest Sidney Doncaster, the son of my gt. aunt Eliza Jane Doncaster nee Ballaam. Ernest is my mum's first cousin but unfortunately died in WW1 aged 20. I would like to introduce you to him by way of showing his photograph here....

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Ernest Sidney Doncaster 1898-1918

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Talking of history I recently discovered a piece of history on the street where I live. I have only walked passed this spot many times over the last 12 years and never noticed it!!! It was only when a new splash of blue caught my eye that I stop to read the plaque. After reading about 'a national long distant milestone' I only started to look around to see where it was, what a nit-wit I am. Obviously the plaque would have been placed next to it..lol..You'll see by the photos how close!!...

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Not far from the newly sited plaque!!!

Part of a series running through Cornwall to Land's End. Early 19th century and one of four in Hayle

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Another day last week was spent with my very good friend Hilary and the weather being what it was we went for a leisurely walk and finished with a visit to a very small garden centre. It is actually in someone's garden and conveniently just behind my house.......

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Just around the corner, literally, from where I live

To the right are the greenhouses and where the

owner prepares her plants

What a great idea for an old chair

Bits n Bobs among the flower pots

Any container will do..lol..

Nice box. I have a watering can like this

Sunshine and flowers

What a great hide-away

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It's certainly been a mixed bag today but life would be boring if each day was the same. Until next time take care..Hugs Chrissy xx

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Happy Mothering Sunday & A New Grandson For Me

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Hello Everyone, I hope you had a good Mothering Sunday. I have never been one for fuss on this day and I got all I needed when my son telephoned me to say 'Happy Mother's Day'

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What I did with my day however was very productive. I attempted to post here much earlier and sat down with a coffee to do so. Then I realized that one of the postcards I wanted was no where to be seen......So off I went to look through my piles of paperwork, etc, waiting to be sorted. Well, four hours later after re-arranging drawers, material, paperwork, etc I finally found the postcard. It was a job needing doing but not planned for today. So for the want of a postcard I tackled some jobs and felt good afterwards...

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It is good to be back blogging and I hope to be back on track generally with the way my life was before 35 months ago...yes I counted the months from when our string of bad luck began. Many, Many things have happened and unfortunately are still occuring but I have mentally placed myself in a more positive place. The latest thing to occur was a visit to the vets with my cat yesterday, my dog to the vets last week and the car breaking down the week before. This is nothing to what has occurred prior to this but too many to mention. The most worring however was illnesses for both hubby & I. Andy had a heart attack in October 2010 followed by myself being treated for a suspected deep vein thrombosis. Fortunately Andy is ok though on meds for the rest of his life. I have been pretty poorly since with falls, hospital procedures & generally not my usual self.......but as I said I've put that behind me & here I am..lol...

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I would like to take this opportunity to say sorry to some very dear friends in Australia & the US for not being in touch for some time. You have been in my thoughts and I will write & explain.....

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Well, less of the doom and gloom and let me tell you my news. I am a nana again for the third time. Blake Christopher Cal-el Doyle was born March 20 at 7:19 pm by emergency section and weighing 4lbs 8ozs. Despite being 8 weeks prem he is doing really well. I haven't seen him for nearly 2 weeks due to my having a cold & chesty cough so obviously could not visit the neo-natal unit. I hope to see him tomorrow.....

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Here's the little man snug in the womb before he decided to come early

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My son was with his partner for 24 hours before the section was performed. Me & grandad had the other two little ones. Below is a picture of my son in scrubs with his daughter looking very confused. It was funny afterwards because she saw someone else later wearing scrubs & called him daddy..lol..

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'Is this my Daddy?'

Blake but two hours old

Holding his own, bless him

'Is that my baby brother Blake'

Blake in daddy's arms at 9 days old, no tubes! Hurray...

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I do not envy my son the work with three young children but hes a great dad who loves his kids. I'm very proud of him.....

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PRATT'S MARKET RE-OPENS

I don't know if you recall when I posted about the fire at Pratt's Market.....I know I can hear you say that I have not posted many times in the last twelve months so how could you..lol..

In February 2010 the place caught fire and although the front part of it opened before Christmas the rear part of the building didn't. Begining of March all of the units were opened for business once again with a new look....

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Pratt's Market March 2011. Former Methodist Chapel

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At the rear of the building are three units designed just for me..lol....Beauticians, Charity Shop and tearooms. What more could a girl ask for. I enter Beautiful U for my treatments (eyebrow wax & electrolosis, painful I know!!!). Then nip into Brother Wolf charity shop. I have to support them, Sally who owns this rescues cats....I do take things in as well, honest..lol..

After all this I need a coffee & lunch. Couldn't resist if I wanted to, the aromas from this place are heavenly. Sonia, the proprietor of Duckies Vintage Tearooms, makes everything from scratch...yummy..So every Wednesday from 11 am this is where you'll find me....

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If you follow me I will take you on a tour of Pratts Market's lower floor....

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Duckies Tearooms, Brother Wolf & Beautiful U

Beautiful U

Brother Wolf

Duckies Vintage Tearooms

Sonia mumbling under her breath (she doesn't like her photo being taken!)

Tearoom Menu

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Now to the other units on the lower floor

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This unit was a sweet shop until recently.....good old traditional ones!!!

The sweet shop becomes The Sleepy Hollow, owned by my friend Allie & hubby

(I will be posting more photos for this on my blog Away With The Faerys')

The Wool & Material Shop (photo taken in December)

Very useful now I'm knitting again for the grandees..

Jewlery Shop

KUSH Kids

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Now to my all time favourite shop......And you'll see why

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Shelly is Sonia's mum...

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I have more photos of the inside of the shop but I will save that for another day. There are other units upstairs but I have not had chance to take any photos of them....

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It's great to be back and until next time take care....Hugs Chrissy xx

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