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Sunday 14 April 2013

Sunday Snaps!

Well, here we are on a Sunday once again.  A Sunday when we had high hopes of a lovely weekend weatherwise.  We were promised that the temperatures were definitely going to be on the up.  Well, I'm afraid that hasn't happened, and we are still here with cold, heavy rain :(

I managed to survive another birthday yesterday! Can't believe that another year has gone by, but, then, we all say that, don't we?!  Personally, I am just grateful to be here, with the blessings of family and friends, and to have the health and strength to do the things I do.

You will see by a couple of my birthday presents, that people really are wishing the sunshine for me, and an end to the rain!!








Here is a little selection of the birthday cards I received


Eli and Ruby slept on Friday evening, so I took a couple of photos of them (with apologies to my facebook friends who have already seen them!).






The following photo is of Eleanor.  She is always attending United Nations Conferences with the school, where she represents different Countries, and they have to argue their case.  She absolutely loves this, and she was even on the Security Council last year.  This time she was representing Russia on their Human Rights Programme.  We did tell her that she might find that rather difficult!  Here she is with a couple of her friends, who were representing Italy and Brazil.


Eleanor is in the middle!

As I face the start of  another year in my life, I thought I would come up with a few quotes on ageing!  I think I rather like number 3!!

"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art."

--Eleanor Roosevelt

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."


"There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."

-- Author Unknown

"Old age is no place for sissies."

-- Bette Davis

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent--that is to triumph over old age."

-- Thomas Bailey Aldrich

See you all again soon.  Take care.










16 comments:

Claudia Moser said...

So happy for you, it looks like you got some lovely gifts, and it looks like we both like Cacharel :) you should tell me if you liked the book, I am looking for some new entries in my mind ;) sending you smiles, I's rather take rays but not that powerful I'm afraid!

Unknown said...

Hi Diane

Great pictures, lovely presents and cards, hope your weather improves soon, ours is a bit better.

Like your quotes, think the last one is good.

Blessings Nita x

Unknown said...

Hi Diane,

So many lovely gifts on your day, hope the weather will improve for us soon, it is very windy over here today.

Eli and Ruby are so cute, I bet they loved spending the night with you.

Eleanor seems to enjoy her task very much :-)

Enjoy your day! Hugs x

Grammy Goodwill said...

I hope your weather will soon improve. It makes it hard for me to brag on what a beautiful few days we've had. (smiles)
I know your best gift was those two little darlings spending the night with you. And do you foresee a diplomatic future for Eleanor?
I always enjoy your posts so much.

Shelly said...

What a lovely celebration for a lovely woman! I'm so glad it was filled with the things you love, and I do hope the sunshine will be paying you an extended visit. Your grandkids are gloriously beautiful, and Eleanor looks so grown up!

Celebrate your birthday for the whole rest of the month!

Manzanita said...

What a neat, well thought out post. And belated Birthday greetings. Another year, another buck. Oh, maybe you don't have bucks over there. You must have had a fun day, opening all the presents and reading cards and arranging flowers. You family is adorable and your daughter with her friends. How nice for her to be getting all that life experience. Have a great weekend of rest after all that celebrating.
Manzi

Shady Del Knight said...

Hallo, dear Thisisme, and once again happy birthday to you! I remember the year when you were hinting that your birthday had something to do with a Beatles song "When I'm --." Time flies when you're having fun and even when you're not having fun, don't you think? Another Beatles song, "Good Day Sunshine" seems to be the prevailing theme of Southhamsdarling. You spread a great deal of sunshine into the lives of others. It's about time the sun shines down on you over there in deepest, darkest Devonshire.

The picture of all the flowers and cards you received and your lovely garden in the background is magnificent. Never doubt for a moment that people around the world love you and care about you.

It funny, now that I've heard Ruby speak in that video your posted, I can imagine her carrying on conversations in her charming "English accent." I have created a voice for Eli, too, and imagine him singing:

"I'm Hen-er-ee the 8th I am
Hen-er-ee the 8th I am, I am!"

I am very excited about the track Eleanor is on. It is an extremely beneficial process for her to learn about other countries, come to understand their positions on global issues and enter into mock debates with other young people doing the same type of research. Eleanor is headed for a life of leadership and public service and I am thrilled for her and for her family.

I like the Bette Davis quote about old age. Every day I find myself quietly smiling as I gear up for the fight against aging. It is a challenge I am eager to accept because the alternative is to give up and fade away.

With that in mind, Dear Thisisme, I ask that you mark your calendar for this Thursday, April 18. It will be a very special day on my blog. Our dear friend Margaret Schneider, Kathleen's mother, is turning 101 years of age and I hope you will remember to come by and wish that remarkable lady a happy birthday. Thank you, dear friend Thisisme!

Linda O'Connell said...

Diane, you have so much to be thankful for and your great attitude shines. I do hope the sun spotlights you very soon.

Olive said...

Happy Birthday Sweet one. I want Jennifer Worth's book- I love that series on so many levels. One because I am a nurse but also the nuns display the Love and Compassion of God in a way that is not often shown on TV.

Alessandra said...

Happy Birthday, lovely pics, hopefully you will get some sunshine soon! :)

Darlene said...

Happy belated birthday, dear Diane. Your birthday is the day before my oldest son. Lovely pictures of your cards and gifts, and family. I like the sunshine theme, too! We are getting some sunshine over here, but it is a little breezy. That's ok. I'll take sunshine however it comes!

SkippyMom said...

I think I am remiss in not having said a proper Happy Birthday to you, one of my dearest Tadpoles. I'm sorry - I am sucking at the blogosphere here lately, hee. It looks as tho' you had a glorious one, with an added bonus of grandkids! YAY!

And Squirrel did the Model UN in high school too. She LOVED it too. In fact it steered her towards her minor in college. She is going to be a biologist with her mind set on developing sustainable crops for third world countries [or something like that - SHE'S the scientist, alas, not her Momma] And I remember those days of prep for the conferences, like the one beautiful Eleanor is attending, well.

Time for a nap! I will be dreaming and hoping warmer temps for you. You must be able to enjoy that garden now, shouldn't you! Hugs and much love my friend. 6? looks FABULOUS on you. xo Skip

Bethe77 said...

Truly just love coming over and visiting and dont seem to get over here enough any more. Love all the lovely cards and gifts you received. Really love that coffee cup. I relate to the rain and no sunshine. Seems we maybe having the same weather pattern. Always love seeing the pictures of Ruby and Eli! Even when I have seen them already! What a joy having them over for a sleep over. This grandma needs another visit for her sleep over. :) I think I must agree with #3. Blessing for a rich year ahead and love and prayers sent your way.
Blessings my friend
Beth

Sush said...

Never tire of seeing those beautiful grandchildren! So glad you had a lovely birthday...one of these days we should get all our bloggy bunch together for a birthday group bash!
Eleanor is quite a force, I can't wait to see what she does with her life!
Loves~

Kiran Palwasha said...

Lovely blog indeed. I visit here for first time but i am hoping to have you. I like the energy. A sophisticated lady you. I wish you good day. The kids are really soo sweet.
Blessings
Kiran

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane,
So sorry for my belated comment , my dear friend and Happy Happy birthday to you♡♡♡
How wonderful to see you are loved from so many people; I enjoyed to see all the gifts and the cards♬♬♬ Of course wonderful to see you doing fine with the lovely picture.
Your grandchildren looks so sweet as usual and proud of your daughter and blessing to her future.
Wishing sunshine to you like today here, my friend(*^_^*)
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*