Blue poppy...

I have always loved poppies, for as long as I can remember.

I remember seeing my first one when I was very small and I loved it so much, I picked it. It was at the roadside when we stopped on a long car journey. A single red one.
I held onto it all the way home and it wilted right there in my hand before we made it home.

I put it staight in a glass of water but it didn't revive.
That was the first and last time I ever picked a poppy.

On Monday, I went with my friends Berenice and Glenys to somewhere called ''Bodnant Gardens''. It is a dreamy place for anyone who likes flowers...me!

I saw my very first ''blue'' poppy growing wild and just had to take some pics.

We stayed there for almost the whole day and we all took lots of pics. I will share some more of them with you in another post but right now just want to share what I consider to be a treasure of nature. The blue poppy.

Have a good week-end.

Smiles.

I've stopped smoking...at long last.

Well, I didn't post anything sooner about this because I honestly didn't think I could stop for an hour let alone the 9 days it has now been!!!

I have surprised myself. I have been smoking since I was about 14 years old and have only had two breaks, which were my pregnancies...

I have created a new blog called ''Smokeless Ellen''. The link is on the right hand side under ''my other blog''.

I posted the quit meter there too, although it is a bit ''in your face''. I can't find a smaller one so it will have to stay there for now. Ha.

When I started with my weight loss mission, I wrote my blog ''Just Keep Walking'' It really helped and I managed to reach my target weight and have maintained that for 18months now.

I am hoping to have similar success with ''Smokeless Ellen''.

I am having a real struggle with the no smoking business but I have been on other ''quitter'' blogs and have found lots of encouragement and humour too. I am not alone!!!

I can't do anything about all those years of smoking, but I can put a stop to any further damage...so fingers crossed for me.

I am posting a picture of myself, taken last week, on a smoke free day, to keep my spirits up...ha ha. It was taken up the mountain, a place where I always feel free.
I associate my stopping smoking with a sense of freedom and liberation.

Have a good week-end all.

Smiles.

Nicola's R.O.A. Night.

On Friday it was Nicola's R.O.A. night. This is the record of achievement presentation at school when they officially finish before their examinations.
I suppose it could be called ''high-school prom''.
All the young people get dressed up and have a party after the event. This was held in the local theatre.
It was busy,busy, busy here on Friday before the event as Nic had the hairdresser at home, her nails done and lots of other girle things going on.
My friend Ang took her over to school in her new car and Nic's dad, Keith, and me followed half an hour later.

It was a special night, as we all sat there watching our ''so grown up'' 16 year olds be presented with thier awards.

But the fun can't last forever, as next week they start the exams...eeww.

I can remember doing mine, sitting in the school hall, with one exam after another, looking out of the window as the sun beat down.

So good luck Nicola for next week. Just do your best.

Here are some pics of the night...you looked lovely Nicola. Proud of you.

Smiles.