HOO CLEARS UP

HOO CLEARS UP!

This morning I put on my old clothes and headed down with Marc and Daniel to Hoo village to help with the Hoo Community Clear Up. I have been meaning to go down for the last few months but this has been the first Saturday I have been free enough to help.

The morning started well...Daniel decided, whilst we waited for the rest of the team, that the library was a much better option for Saturday morning entertainment so off he and Marc went leaving me with a Peppa Pig bag and a pick up stick!

The morning was actually a really good and enjoyable occassion, as you can see above there was a fair bit of rubbish around the centre of Hoo but not as much as I anticipated. My best find has to be a pair of bright pink boxer shorts!

The highlight however, the boxer shorts aside, was the conversations, it was really good to be able to chat to people who I haven't met before to find out more about people's lives and to actually help the community.

It was fascinating to hear and engage with the rest of the community as to why we were picking up other people's litter and whether we should be doing it at all. But the main thing I heard being said was that it was all about building up community and working together to make Hoo a better place for everyone.....Couldn't have said it better myself!

The morning finished with our wonderful local councillor providing refreshments for us at the Chequers Pub ( only tea passed my lips!) and off course we were gate crashed by Daniel and Marc who had by then finished at the library.

Today has helped me to remember just how much I enjoy being part of a community and meeting new people but also just being able to help, no matter how simple a task it may seem!.

Thanks to the wonderful Tony Watson and Ronnie Sands for their organisation and any Hoo-ites out there,.,..come get involved next time!



A Time to think

Over the last week my boys have been away visiting the in law side of the family, I couldn't get any extra time off so  Marc took Dan to spend some quality time with the Vallente's. Initially I was very much against the idea...how would i cope? how would I eat? How would I sleep in a house on my own? Then I began to rationalise the idea and decided to not let them go would be selfish on my part...Dan hardly ever gets to see his other grandparents and Marc could do with some quality time with his family.

And I was right I didn't like it, I didn't eat well and I struggled to get a good nights sleep, in fact slept much less than I usually do with a toddler in the house!

What the week alone has taught me is that I am very dependant on my family, they are such a huge part of my world that I am at a total loss without them, I also discovered that I have a serious lack of hobbies and social life! Despite the many meetings scheduled in to get as much work done as possible while the boys were away I still had some time to myself and so what did I do? caught up with Facebook and did more work! ( a very sad state of affairs!)

So what difference has my week alone made to my life? Without making it sound too grand I am determined to create a better work life balance. Obviously with a job like mine I could work all the hours our dear Lord sends and then some but that doesn't create a quality life for my family. I have also realised that I do need to find some time for myself to do something that isn't work related but where I can get out and meet people and have some fun.......

It has been a very LONG week but my boys are back and I appreciate them even more than I did before.

Daniel collecting an egg on his Farm trip



PROUD! (3 Days of contrast!)

I have just haad the most sereal few days possible, from doing my aunty's funeral to a massive family party to help lead a service in aid of cancer research...in the rain!

It really has been a time to reflect on the great wonders and the great sadness of life.

At the funeral my cousins were so composed and dignified and in the way they conducted themselves, the way they had planned the service with me and the way they honoured their mum was a true tribute to them, aunty Chris would have been so proud. The music was emotive with MAke me a channel of your peace to JLS singing about being "Proud" ( if you havent heard it you tube it its a real tear jerker!!) It really was an honour to be able to lead my family in this very important sacrament and i hope in turn I did them proud.

From the funeral I then had to go up to Lancaster to help celebrate my in laws 40th wedding anniversary and my niece's 21st birthday. I have to confess that switching emotions was really very difficult but just to have a cuddle with my baby made it all worth while... The party was a real success with such hard work from my sister in law and MArc the band played the night away and I realised again how emotive music can be, Marc (hubby), Emily (niece) and the rest of the band made me so proud of my extended family and recogise what a talented bunch they are. Going from the sadness of the funeral to the joy of the party was hard but just what was needed!

( Marc and Daniel Guitaring!)

Today has again been a morning of being proud...I have assisted with an outdoor service at Deangate ridge to celebrate the relay for life 24 hour walk in aid of cancer research. I there had to give a testimony of my Aunty Chris....which was almost as emotional as doing her funeral but as I was speaking I could see passing in front of me so many people wearing survivor t shirts or t shirts in memory for someone, but what really moved me was a lady carrying a candle bag with teh picture of a young boy on it. Such a sad image but the people there, walking in the pouring rain havign ahd next to no sleep wanting to show the world how proud they are of their friends and family, how much th ey want to help find a cure and how they just want to spend time amongst others who have been through a similar experience. It makes me proud to be part of a world where people still do actually care about others.





Busyness and Baptisms

Yesterday was a crazy day, I know Sundays are meant to be our "real" working day in some peoples eyes but yesterday was exceptionally busy. After a few early wake up calls thanks to a toilet training toddler i was feeling especially tired and weary and not particularly feelign the Sunday joy I have to confess. However as always God is great in all things and managed to give me the energy and sparkle I needed to do 8am and 10.30am....from then I had to dash back to Hoo to cover a baptism for a family that actually know Marc and Daniel, (The mum runs one of the village toddler groups) The contact so far has been really good, a great pre visit, several inbetween email conversations and then we came to the day. It was so nice to see a little girl so happy even at one clapping and smiling as I spoke and even when I soaked her! The family and friends seemed to engage in what was happening and it was lovely to see one of my air cadets there as a guest.

After the service a few kind people thanked us and we were invited back to the party. As Marc and Dan knew the family we thought it a good opportunity to pop by and share in the celebrations....Now, not to blow my own trumpet but the feed back and encouragement I received wsa astounding, people seemed genuinely pleased, excited and surprised at how much they enjoyed a church service. ( They even asked Marc if they would be able to request me for other services which may upset the vicar!!)

The last week has been hard going and I have put a lot of time and energy into this baptism, not just because it was a family we had a connection with but because it was a service independant of anyother with many non Christians and I wanted it to be the best experience they had ever had of church. Yesterday proved to me that putting in the preparation is definately worth it, being myself and trusting my instincts does pay off and no matter what else is going on God can work within us mightily!!