The Junk Lady

I have a making and doing (up) mentality.  I love salerooms and can hardly walk past a skip without wanting to trawl through it for goodies to revamp- so sad.  The only thing that really stops me gathering more 'treasures' (okay, junk to some) is lack of space. I love making arty farty bits and pieces too, it was almost an obsession but weekly counselling and drug (wine) therapy helped me. I'm joking..........a bit.

I am managing this new chemotherapy quite well but it does sap my energy so, for now, I'm doing less hiking, having fewer days out (oh, the joy of not working full time!) and hardly any visits to wine bars. Rest assured though, I will make up for it in the New Year! Instead, I have the tidiest drawers and cupboards ever. I rediscovered boxes of arty materials along the way too and I have been having lots of fun using them - well as much as you can have on your own that is, I don't want to sound too sad! I've made cards, Christmas decs, brooches and painted pieces of furniture. 

Before the dastardly cancer started, I was in the throes of a new business which was all about arts/crafts/creativity, alongside the link with better health and well-being. Whilst all these activities are fun, the bigger picture is that spending time being creative (and that includes a whole range of things from music to D.I.Y. too)  is good for the soul and our health. Time flies when you are involved in the process and it can be very calming. Art is therapy, certainly for me.

So, as Christmas is looming, why not bring out the paint and glitter, raid the garden for foliage to make arrangements, get the children to make those lovely paper chains, make yummy sweets, visit one of those fab places where you can all paint ceramics or make some cards instead of buying then? Go on, you know you want to!

PS I'm adding a shop and a gallery in the New Year, mainly for cards and prints of my photographs and maybe the odd piece found in that skip too, ha!

LIVERPOOL LIBRARY - MORE THAN JUST WORDS. A MENTION FOR JOE TOO.

Hi folks

I usually blog about the Wirral but as a Liverpool lass by birth, I do love the place and even more now it has been skilfully revitalised. So today, I hope to encourage all of you to visit the newly refurbished Liverpool Library, it is wonderful!  They have combined the old and the new beautifully and it is very welcoming with activities, facilities and information for all ages.  Parts of it are noisier than libraries once were too, but in a good way! They had some interesting art installations when I was in a few weeks ago. 

In case you don't actually know where the library is (as if!) then Lime Street is the nearest station.  Look out at St George's Hall (too big to miss!) and then go to the right (where the Walker Art Gallery is too) of it, walk across those lovely old cobbles and hey presto, you are there.  This is the entrance, fab eh?

This first collage is a general one.  It will enlarge if you want to see more details. There is a guy lying on the floor, reading. Imagine doing that years ago - not! The old chap with the hat reminds me of our dad.  He loved the place and even wrote a poem about it which I'll dig out sometime.

This second collage includes part of a fabulous exhibition, all paper of course, which was showing when I visited.  Zoom in and look at the middle, longer photo, my favourite. It is simply a large box fashioned (I think) as the place Shakespeare wrote his works and the black figure is the man himself. Those painstakingly made paper scrolls have the names of his plays on them. I love it! Note the size of the feather 'quill' too. I am jealous of all this creativity.......but in a nice way of course!

When you are done at the library, take yourself to the Walker Art Gallery just up the road or see if St George's Hall is open to visitors that day.  You will have a great time, especially if you then walk over to the Liverpool One for some delicious food and drink to finish the day.  Okay, maybe a spot of shopping too!

In conclusion then, can I just say..................Get yer arse down there now!

AND.......... my son Joe, completed a 37 mile ultra marathon in the Lakes (well, the mountains really) yesterday, raising lots of money for Zoe's Place in Liverpool.  Thanks to all those who sponsored him too.  He is currently recovering, slowly.  Can I just say how chuffed I am and so very proud of him and this achievement. I don't have a photo to download yet though but hopefully next time - next blog, not marathon that is! This photo of Joe with his lovely wife Jo, was taken after the Liverpool Marathon (only 26 miles!!!) this summer. Jo, a big hug to you too for all your support, motivation and keeping him well nourished! xxxxx

In Praise of Sheds and Workshops

There is something special about sheds, particularly the ones which double as workshops. To me, they are places of creativity, problem solving opportunities, peace and fun. We grew up surrounded by valves, resistors, soldering irons and all the paraphernalia our dad would need to use his incredibly inventive mind to make a living or just for fun. Unfortunately for our mum, this all took place at home, in a room that also housed a full train set! How patient she was.

Me, posing in front of a 'spaghetti junction' of wires and with my first screwdriver - not that I'm much good at DIY today.

To the untrained eye, these dens may look like chaotic, untidy places. Surely not, you say! But look again and you will see organised chaos from whence nothing shall be moved....in case it alters a very important, creative thought process........or gets lost.

At only 20 or so, my first husband built and fixed motorcycles so his workroom (in his mum and dad's home) housed a large array of equipment, including random pieces of old bikes, lathes and welding gear. With those days long gone, together with a pal, he has had a furniture restoration business for years now.  I find their workshop fascinating and exactly as I would expect it to be - chaotic, messy but very productive and 'arty' in it's own way, just like the first one was.

Last year, sadly both dad and uncle Rao died. In his working life, uncle had been an engineer with British Airways and he had a proper shed, back in the day. Latterly, it housed all his tools; old boxes of nuts, bolts, screws; his paint splattered overalls and rusty tins of dried up paint, bless.  He also had wooden stepladders in various sizes - as you do! Of course, I took a couple of sets and they are now painted and being used again. Clearing the house was difficult but thinking about clearing the shed felt worse somehow. Thankfully, the new owner was a DIY guy and wanted to keep many things, which was brilliant for us. 

As for me, well I've always had somewhere to play, think, work or hide too.  My workshops were full of all my arty farty work 'unfinished masterpieces' which must never be thrown out - just in case I did ever finish them. Even better are the things we keep because 'this will come in handy one day' but I 'm not  sure when that will be....ah, happy days.  

Right, I'm off to buy a shed - or some new shelves at least!

Just for info, the blog is being updated soon and I am probably going to add a shop and a photo gallery. I'm excited!

Long and Winding Roads

Hi everyone

Another few weeks has flown past but I've managed to cram a fair bit of travel into the time!  I've been to Scotland and Worcester so here are a few photos.  Bit rushed but will write more soon. Oh, and the 'long and winding roads' title refers to the journey to Kentallen, near Glencoe.  Now those are long and winding roads!

We did so much on each trip.  My sister, Karen, has moved to Worcs and another dear pal, Lesley joined us there for a few days.  We went to the 3 Counties Show which was fantastic, full of interesting stalls, exhibitions and people.  We forgaged too, what a laugh and how informative Owen, our guide, was.  We only had a bit of a high from the mushrooms, we kept laughing and jumping up and down..........only joking, as if!! In Worcester Catherdral, the organist was practicing for a recital that evening and it was a privilege to listen to such wonderous music. And don't you love the colour of the door!

We do most trips on the cheap but always have great fun and you can cram so much into a few days, hours even.  So, pack that picnic (egg mayo, soggy tomato?) and get out in them there hills, dales and the odd pub of course! xx

Seeking Beauty..............everywhere.

Firstly, the new photo.....is called 'Shark Baby' because my brother, John, calls it 'Hammerhead Baby' .....mean sod, ha. My mum thought the hat was lovely, bless.  Oh, and Hammerhead won't fit in the title!

I really have no time to blog..........well maybe a short one..........I am going to Scotland tomorrow and still have loads to do – but I won't panic, it’s just a holiday!  Of course, going to somewhere warm is much easier, I only took hand luggage for seven days in Tenerife for God’s sake! Going to Scotland (for five days) means you need to take warm, layers of clothing.  Waterproofs, hat, scarf, gloves, big boots, socks, even a vest – well you have to look after the ol’ chest…….  Oh, and then there’s a ‘nice frock’ for the fun nights out!  Maybe clean jeans will do??? Maybe I will be too knackered anyway after all the walking? Then there are the chargers, phone, books and food.  I know they have shops up there too but will they have gojo berries and couscous – ha, gotcha! I have to be up at 5.30am tomorrow and as I can’t remember what that looks like anymore, there will be bloody bells going off everywhere – ha! This was a scene from the last visit, rather splendid eh?

Do I have time for a quick rant? Yeah, ‘course I do!  Well, Nadine Dorris (MP, from Liverpool) is writing a ‘rags to something’ book and had a substantial piece written about her in the Sunday Times the other week. Of course, there was the usual, awful photo of derelict, boarded up houses (yawn, yawn) with a contrasting ‘lady in red’ Nadine posing in the front. I am sure she is very nice but without writing an essay, can I just say that I wish prominent people from here would, when they have the opportunity, also try to show the very beautiful parts of Liverpool too (of which there are many) as a balance to these dark, dismal examples.  There are more listed building here than anyway outside of London and so many wonderful ‘firsts’ to be proud of.  Could she not, for the sake of balance, have found other places to include, in addition to her home street as it is now? Of course not, she is trying to sell a book…………….

In some small way, I would like to try and redress the balance and so I have included a few photos taken last year, mainly around the Aigburth area. There is beauty everywhere and you really don't have to look too hard to find it.  Oh, and do feel free to comment, I am sure there are many differing opinions on this!

And finally, back to Scotland. I’m also taking my lovely pal, Annie, the Thelma to my Louise, or the Patsy to my Edwina!  Well, strictly speaking, as the driver, she is taking me and I bet she is organised and packed already! Let the holiday begin…………….xxx

Where does all the time go.....................

Hi there

I find it hard to believe that it is almost TWO years since I posted on this blog. For those of you who don't know me (yet!) I spent the time from Easter 2012 until November that year either having chemo, an operation or recovering from same. This was followed by almost twelve months free from cancer, until it came back again last October - I wasn't a happy bunny. Coming to terms with the disappointment and shock of having cancer was far harder the second time than it was the first time.  But, you have to get on with it and so once again, more treatment and recovery time ensued, which brings me right up to date. Thankfully, the cancer is currently at bay again.....yeahh!!!! The NHS are pretty amazing but then so are my family, friends and even me on occasions, if I do say so myself!  If anyone has questions about the actual cancer (diagnosis, treatment, observations etc) then rather than discuss it here, feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to chat. Oh, it is Primary Peritoneal, quite a rare cancer but it is treated similarly to Ovarian.

Here's a collage of photos to show some of the lovely things that have been going on during (almost) two years. I intend to get back to photographing and blogging about the places I love and whatever else takes my fancy, or I think is worth chatting about. If you know a place which is interesting and ripe to be photographed and shared, then please do let me know.



I have been about a bit! The collage includes photos from trips to France, Tenerife, Criccieth (for the best rainbows), glorious Malvern, Birkenhead Priory (too close to the docks) various National Trust properties and beautiful Cheshire. David is photographed playing in Liverpool One and Joe after completing the half marathon in Conwy. Ah, they make me proud. We had weddings ......and we have new babies too............. watch this space!

Do look down the left hand side if you want to see previous blogs. For some bizarre reason I can't quite work out, the tags 'Nin' and 'War' have attached themselves to completely unrelated blogs. I will try to sort it but for now.....sorry!

Please come and visit again. See you soon.
xxxxxxx

Weapons of Mass Destruction.....but real ones!

I thought I would tell you what I'm doing to defeat this cancer. There is nothing like illness to focus the mind and for me, this is a war.  I have been invaded, I am really pi**ed off and I have to find my own army to defeat the invaders.  I want to be pro-active and have found an alter-ego but not sure what to name her?? Try searching internet for Warrior Women........OMG!!!  

Firstly though, I have to say that the power of science and the progress being made with some cancers is truly amazing.  Perhaps not so much in mine but I give thanks every day for  the skills and expertise of the medical profession.  I don't consider my drugs to be toxic but instead refer to them as a 'golden elixir' which is flowing though me, killing those ba***rd cancer cells but leaving the 'good' cells alone. Shifting the focus makes me feel better.  However, the chemo can mess with your immune system (as can other things in life such as prolonged stress) and it is this which has to be in tip top condition to fight back, so keeping it strong is paramount.  Other 'weapons' include:

• Not reading the statistics because I am me............ and they can be depressing.  That doesn't mean I am being ostrich-like about this but I know what they are (negative) but don't need them reinforcing, thank you. I am not a statistic.
• I am keeping away from people who are negative/downbeat/moaning.  I know too that the medics have to tell you the bad stuff but really, by the time one of them was only part way through the list of side effects I would probably have, I had to stop her and ask for any good news!  I said I would take the booklets home to read and get back to her if necessary.  I have had two lots of chemo over six weeks and hardly any side effects at all. This situation may change but every day I don't have any is a bonus for which I am extremely grateful. Okay, so I have lost my hair but honestly, it doesn't cause me any pain or discomfort and will grow back. I have heard some really uplifting stories and that's what they do, lift me!  If something or something is draining/depressing you then clear it out of your life without delay, don't wait until you are ill!
• I generally do eat well but for now I am being extra diligent. This includes cutting out (as much as possible) dairy, red meat, alcohol, replacing whites with browns (bread, pasta) and bringing in even more  fresh fruit and vegetables that ever, more cereals, nuts and seeds.  Generally speaking, we are what we eat.
• Exercise.  I was doing lots of walking until November last, but am starting to get back into it again, albeit not the 10/12 miles I was doing a few times a week then.  I am also aware that I don't feel so physically strong so need to work on that.  Maybe weights or pilates?? 
• Laughing a lot!  This isn't difficult for me with my lot really, but I have even bought some comedy DVD's to tickle the 'funny muscles' even more, when they aren't around!
• Music.  I have a very eclectic taste in music but at the moment I try to listen to really upbeat stuff every day.  For me this means soul, r&b and dance - as loud as possible!  I feel it deep in the pit of my stomach so surely the cancer cells in my peritoneum will be rocked to pieces and make a quick exit?  Imagine them being chased out by Earth, Wind and Fire or Beyonce - ha! Last Night a DJ Saved My Life might just prove true for me.....  Without a doubt, music is good for the soul, so put some music on and dance around the house!
• Plans and goals for the future.  Currently these include Joe and Jo's wedding in September, Christmas (which I love!) and then I want to go on holiday somewhere warm and splendid in January or February, where I will throw myself into a warm ocean - bliss!  Everyone should have something to look forward to, no matter how small.
• The continuing joy of being cocooned, supported and loved by dear family and friends.  I rarely take people for granted but I have never appreciated them all, more than I do now.  If you haven't done so lately, then tell someone close to you that you love and appreciate them. Big hugs all round!
• I am also having hypnosis and reflexology.  I do guided imagery and visualisation and find them all helpful in keeping me focussed and positive.  Hypnosis helped me a few years ago when I was having panic attacks about public speaking.  It works for me.

I am still feeling okay which is great.  I had my head shaved (thanks Annie) and it gets cold easily!  I have the next chemo on the 11th but will try and do a couple of blogs before if possible    but you know how I like to be out and about. See, it's still all me, me me!


Finally, whilst I haven't done any photography for a while, I thought I would leave you with this one from a time when children played outside all day and got very mucky - great knees!!