Thursday 18 June 2015

Five Things About Me . . .



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I don't normally like photographs of myself.  I never have.  This one is an exception however because it was taken at my youngest son's high school graduation about eight years ago now.   I must be getting alzheimers because I can't remember exactly when it was (brain like a sieve) but he's almost 26 now (in December), so it has to be at least that, if not longer.

I don't know why I hate having my photograph taken.  It's always been so, probably since puberty hit.   In almost every photograph of myself after the age of ten, I look uncomfortable.  This one isn't so bad however.   I just look happy to be with my son.   I like that.

And that's number one of this week's Five Things About Me Post!

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I know you probably can't see it.   The print is rather small, but this is one line of my family tree.  I can trace my family tree back to William the Conqueror and beyond.   Rather amazing I think.  He was the first Norman King of England, beating King Harold's armies at Hasting in 1066.  I have quite a few royals in my pedigree (haha love that word), but I would imagine most people do.  Unfortunately none of the titles (or money) trickled it's way down to me!  I'm also related, however distantly, to the Duke of Wesminster who is the richest man in England.  Once you hit royalty in your family tree, the rest of the tree just opens up to you and you can get really far back.   That's probably because really great records of royalty were kept.   My Aunt Freda would have loved this.   She was always our family historian and we spent many hours talking about the subject.


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I like to write and illustrate Children's stories.   This is just one page of one that I did a year or so ago.  It's about a caterpillar that wants to eat pie.  Most of the time my stories rhyme . . .  all of the time pretty much actually.   I think in rhyme.  I've always loved to write rhyming poems.  And especially loved to write them with children in mind . . .  which is rather odd actually because I am not always that comfortable around children per se . . .  probably because I was teased a lot as a child.  Those who are a bit different always are.   It helped to make me stronger however, so it's probably a good thing.



(Scotney Castle in Kent)

I love to visit old homes, castles and gardens.    I could spend hours in them, just looking at everything and drinking it all in.  I am a lover of history anyways (that is one thing Todd and I have in common).  I love photographing flowers and nature.   I was thinking the other day I should try painting some of the photos I have taken . . .  like I could fit one more thing into all that I do with my spare time, lol  I am deeply fascinated with the lives and homes of people in the past.   Actually people fascinate me full stop . . .  which leads me to fact number five  . . .


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I love watching people.  From Wikepedia:

People watching or crowd watching is the act of observing people and their interactions, usually without their knowledge. It involves picking up on idiosyncrasies to try to guess at another person's story. This includes speech in action, relationship interactions, body language, expressions, clothing and activities. Eavesdropping may accompany the activity, though is not required. For some people it is considered a hobby, but for many others it is a subconscious activity they partake in everyday without even realizing.

I hasten to add I am not an eaves dropper, although I do love to imagine what their lives might be like, etc.  Everyone has a story.  I find that fact alone fascinating.   Perhaps it is the artist in me, or the writer . . .  but I just love observing people and their uniqueness.

Some people watch trains.  Some people watch planes.  I watch people.  It's kind of like Bird Watching except that I don't keep a journal.

I hope that doesn't make me creepy . . .  I see myself as just an observer of human behavior.

I don't out and out stare . . .  that would be rude.

And that's my five things about me for this week!

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This cute young couple stopped by last night for a visit.  It was so nice to finally meet Jose in person.   He is even more handsome in person than he is in his photographs.  I told them they are going to have beautiful children together some day and that they will always have a baby sitter!  Mitzie was so excited to see Ariana and she loved Jose.  She was actually sulking when they had to go!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for today . . .

❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
Without exception . . . 
all try their hardest to reach the same goal,
that is,
Joy.
~Augustine
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Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Little Gems with a Creamy Basil Dressing.

Have a wonderful Thursday.  We have a pretty busy one ahead of us.   We are having the Missionary Sisters for supper and then we have a meeting tonight.   Easing our way into the mission slowly . . .  I expect that next week, it will be full steam ahead!

Don't forget!

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And I do too!


12 comments:

  1. Good morning Marie,

    It sounds like you have a busy day ahead. Enjoy it thoroughly.

    I am so pleased that Ariana and Jose came to visit. I am sure they will have the most wonderful family.

    Today broke with fog that burned away to reveal a lovley day. So I drove to the bay to have lunch by the water and to take a nice walk. Pip read and coloured while I did that. Mum read too.

    God bless.

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  2. I will Suzan. Oh, it does sound as if you have had a truly lovely day also. Lunch out is always fun. Walks by the water are nice also. God bless you also. xoxo

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  3. I do love history and it's wonderful that you live there where this is so much of it to enjoy. Here we are a rather new country compared to yours, but still there is a lot of history too, just a bit different. Glad your newly wed friends stopped in to visit. I've family in from out of town and it is busy busy. If I don't comment now and then in the next few days, that will be why. Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

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  4. They really are so cute:)

    Hate having my photo taken for the last 6 years.HATE.
    LOVE taking pictures;)
    Not a history buff at all..nor geography..but Jacques sure is..

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  5. Pam, I do so hope that you enjoy your family's visit! I am just so happy for you! I wish my family would come to visit me here. I can understand why they don't though, it is a very expensive proposition! I can think of lots of things I would like to see in America, the Lincoln Memorial, The Smithsonian, etc. I know there are lots and lots of old homes to view, maybe not as old as over here, but still interesting nonetheless! xoxo

    I think so too Monique. They are so clearly in love and Jose is absolutely head over heels. He never stops smiling, neither does she for that matter. We are so happy for them! We love geography as well! History and geography, although I did not like either when I was at school. It was too boring the way it was taught! Have you seen the Michael Palin series on travel? Very well done! xoxo

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  6. Congratulations on your new mission! You have waited so long for this opportunity, and I want you to know that I am proud of you. I am sure you will do fantastic.
    I wish you all the best!
    Arianna and Jose are so lucky to have you there.

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  7. Hi Helen! Thanks so much! I did try to find a place for you to stay down near Stanstead Airport, but I wasn't able to find anyone. I am sorry about that! xoxo

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  8. Well Marie I am a bit later commenting today...reason was after I chatted to my friend on FaceTime I actually fell asleep !!...It is always good to read new things about you...you are really a wonderful friend...Glad that the new weds came to visit you...I laughed at the idea of you baby sitting....they will hopefully have a few years to get fully used to each other before that happens...Is Arianne going back to her nursing? And what about Jose has he got anything in mind....work is so hard to come by..poor Peter is still filling in applications today it was another 3..We took Masy to vet today for her yearly jab. And check up.She is I tip top condition..Her weight is good only 3.2kls.....I think that's what she said...

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  9. I love the picture of your son and you. You are such a lovely and beautiful daughter of God. I have a daughter in law that hates having her picture taken so i struggle to get a good family picture of them.
    I am sure we are related through your ancestor. It is fun to think about how connected we all are.
    I love that you write children's stories. I am sure I would love your books.
    I would love to visit England someday. My maiden name is Gledhill and there is a Gledhill mansion there.
    I too am a people watcher. When I was young my parents liked to go downtown and park and watch people going by.
    I do find people really interesting.
    This was a fun post and I always enjoy your thoughts.
    Blessings and hugs!

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  10. I am so glad to hear from you Sybil. I was worried when I did not, thinking you had had another bad turn! Ariana will still be nursing and they will be looking for a job for Jose. It will probably not be as difficult for him because he is young and a foreigner. Sad but true. Hooray for Masy! I am afraid that when we take Mitzie we are going to get told off! xoxo

    Thanks LeAnn! It sure would be fun to discover our mutual ancestor! Now my brain is ticking! xoxo

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  11. It's ok Marie.Things here are very difficult,so uncertain and stressful right now. Although it's been my keen desire for years to travel to UK, under the present circumstances I can't even imagine going on a trip anywhere.
    Anyway, thank you for trying!

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  12. Helen, I have several good friends in Greece, including yourself and my heart and prayers are with you all daily. I hope everything works out well for you all. xoxo

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!