The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 70

This week's prompt is - What have you learnt about yourself and your family?

Think back to the question we asked in Week One - Who am I?
Before you look back at the answers you wrote then, answer the question again.
Now compare are there any similarites, it is the same, or have any of the answers changed?
What has made the change?

Now lets look at the wider and original question - What have you learnt about yourself and your family?
Is there anything you still want to write and explore?

Who am I ?  Written today..

1.. I am a wife
2.. a Mother
3.. Grandmother
4.. Friend
5.. Child of God
6.. Family Historian
7..  Childcare giver
8..Lover of books
9.. lover of lights
10.. wanna be cook :)
11.. lover of Christmas
12..Homestay parent..
13.. Sister
14.. Aunt
15.. Introvert
16.. procrastinater
17.. daughter
18.. shy
19.. lover of Autumn
20.. bread maker
21.. people pleaser
22.. Scottish
23.. Canadian
24.. Oldest in family
25... I don't fit in
26.. too sensitive

That's all I can think of at the moment..

Here's what I wrote week 1...


Prompt one is...Who Are You ?
Ask yourself 20 times “Who are you?” Each time you should give yourself a different answer.
so here goes...

1. A wife

2. A Mother
3. Grandmother
4. Childcare giver
5.Sister
6. Friend

7. Lover of everything Christmas

8.lover of Autumn
9. Introvert
10. Family Historian
11. A child of God
12. A listener
13.A procrastinator
14. A lover of books
15.A lover of music
16. Shy
17. Sensitive
18. Scottish
19. Canadian
20.A dreamer
21A daughter

22. A picture taker

It was a little bit harder than I thought... but that is me in a nutshell :)

It was still hard to write again... similarities.. except for a few things, it was almost
all the same..

What have I learned about me, or about my family?
Well, I have a deep love for my family... I learned that I think I'm the only
one really interested in writing and keeping things / stories down
Not sure any of my family ever commented on what I wrote... and that's okay..
not everyone can be interested in family history...
I think I try too hard .. I think and feel too much...   I'm too sensitive
for my own good..
And yes..there's lots I want to still explore.

Since this is the last prompt for this, I want to say how thankful I am for these
prompts, which gave me an outlet, in which to write down things.
It made me go inside myself a bit, and explore how I really am / feel.
I didn't write down exactly everything that I feel for every prompt..
maybe one day I can get the courage to do that.
I learned that I don't have to be a great writer or story teller to keep up with
my family history....  I just have to write.
Looking forward to the next adventure....

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 69

This week's prompt is - What is your most treasured possession?

• This could be something that you have bought from an inheritance
• A gift from a family member
• An item that you have been left by a friend or family member
• How do you plan to secure it's survival with future generations?

My most treasured possession... can I really pick one...

Of course Family.. and friends,, are they really possessions though.. they are
an important part of my life...

I had a ring that was a Redpath family inheritance, but I have already passed
that on..

My photo's and my Genealogy for sure are important... very important to me.
At this point I'm not sure what I'll do with it.
I'm hoping that one of my boys will be interested in having it .. I would hate
to think of it getting put in the garbage once I'm gone.
Hmmm... I should think about that now and  take some action...

Something else I have... I have an accordion file folder box thingy, and in it
I have cards , letters etc from students that we have had.
Sometimes, if I have felt down or unloved, I have took that folder out,
and will pick any card or letter from it...sometimes more than one,
and I read them.  I think of the student that wrote it, and read the beautiful
things they wrote and I feel loved.... even when I had felt unloveable.
 I don't think there is any way to preserve them... they only mean
something to me, and not to anyone else....
I cant really close the folder well anymore... excuse the mess it looks..

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 68

This week's prompt is - Memory Tree.



As we head into the festive / holiday season I want us to think of those who will not be with us for the season. If this was your memory tree who would you put on the tree and why?

This can of course be friends and family, but what about former pets and colleagues.



I have so many choices, and even though this would make
it a HUGE gathering, this is who I would want to have come
and have on my memory tree.

Anne, Debbie, Billy and Karen... they are my half sisters
and brother...  why would I want them on my memory tree ?  I have only met Anne and Karen, and
that was only one time, and was only for a couple of
hours.. Debbie and Billy I have yet to meet.  I wonder what we have in common.. do we have the same sense of humour? I think Karen loves Christmas like I do.   I'm shy and more of an introvert, and I wonder if they are too. I think maybe Anne is the most like me personality wise.
I feel that is because we were both the oldest.  :)

Tricia and Agnes and Anne .... because its been too long since I've seen them.... I would definitely want them on my Christmas memory tree.

My previous students.. I would hug them, and squeeze them... well you get the picture. :)

If I could have my dad there, and my gran and mum, I would want them there also.
I want to talk to them, and hear their voices once more. I want to ask questions.... I want
to laugh and just enjoy their company.. I want more memories with them.
I want more family time with my family.. I want to tell them how much I love them..I just
want to see them again... Christmas would be a perfect time.

Since we can have pets as well.. I would have Heidi,and AJ, Kernal and Besse...
Having them run around would make it an interesting Christmas for sure.

Christmas Gift

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

 

 

The Book of Me... Writtten by You... Prompt 67

This week's prompt is - What are your priorities?

The American author, Kathleen Winsor owns this quote:

"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do."

So, what do you want to do? how can you achieve that? and why is it important to you?


I love this..I LOVE the quote.. and its making me think.
Yes..What do I want to do ?

Can you believe that I can think of so many things that I DON"T want to do... so I have decided
to go to my bucket list, and write down the things I want to do on that.

I already know what I want to write in the message.... it has to make its way to Britain though
I haven't figured out how that will happen :)

This would be so fun so do

I am going to do this soon

Foe as long as I remember I have wanted to see the Grand Canyon... one day...

I would love to do this... and to see the tree being lit as well

 At my age...I really want to do this...

I would name it after my dad...

I have more things on my bucket list...but these are just a few.

The question at the top says " What are your priorities " ?

Are the things I just put down a priority... no... not all.
I think all the things on my bucket list are important to me though.
Maybe one day I will kiss underneath the Eiffel Tower like I want to, or ride an elephant
or just lay on the grass and stargaze.

Here's a link to the rest of my bucket list..I'm always adding to it.:)
http://www.pinterest.com/noraredpath/bucket-list/

It also asked in the prompt..What are my Priorities?

To have a happy family...
To be Happy...
To make at least one more friend ( I have a lot of acqaintances ) its not the same thing..
To love, to be loved ( I am ) :)
Enjoy life... just enjoy everything
There's more... but maybe for another time.

Remembering.....

As I am sat in the quiet of my living room... I am thinking about how fast time goes.
I remember when I was a young Mother, and was told... time goes by so fast, and
my face was smiling, but in my head I was thinking.. yeah, yeah !!
I got pregnant a year after we were married, I was so ill, but so happy..I
had wanted to be a Mother so badly, and now I was going to be.
When Ryan was born, I felt inadequate.. but so excited to have him.
He has come with challenges, but who doesn't, in some way or another.

Robin came along when Ryan was 18 months... she was the big sister...she's
10 years older.
Its true what they say..she was literally from my heart..my girl..the only
one we would be blessed to have. 
It was tough being a Mother at times to an almost teenager and a toddler.
When we got Robin, I also found out I was pregnant with Paul.

Life became busy...and people said...enjoy it all..time goes by so fast.
There were fingerprints on walls, that would reappear 5 minutes
after being cleaned, there were toys that I would step on in the dark
that were supposed to be cleaned up.. and there were cute hugs, and
I love you's, and " you're the best mommy ever "

And there was another baby boy that came...David..named after my Grandfather.
And life got busier ...and there were days that I wondered if I could
make it through the day.. there were sleepless nights, there were worries about
my teenager girl, and people said enjoy it all...it goes by so fast, and
sometimes I wondered ..

In between there were 5 other pregnancies... babies I lost... but I know
not forever.
And there was love... lots n' lots of love... I love these children of mine.

And time went on... and they grew up... and so did I
I miss the fingerprints..I miss the toys left out...
As I sit here remembering...I realise... time goes by so fast, too fast
And things change... and I wish they were young again..

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 66

This week's prompt is - What do you treasure?

This week I am leaving the prompt wide open.

• You choose on what you treasure, the things, the people, 
• The things that are not seen, 
• The things that are seen yet not obviously treated as a treasure.

It seems so easy to leave the prompt wide open, just for us to decide, but
for some reason its harder for me.  So much is going through my mind..its hard
to concentrate+... so here goes, and I apologise in advance if its
all jumbled up. :)

Some treasures that I have in my home are photo's... Photo's on my walls of my children
and also grandchildren.  There are in some in frames on a desk we have.. they are my treasures.
The other photos I treasure are old photos... pictures of my dad when he was wee..
a photo of my mum and dad.. photo's of grandparents... I yearn for more of these old photo's..
to put a face to a name, has to be the most wonderful feeling.

I treasure the relationships I have... of course, the one I have with my husband is
the most important one.

 

 

The relationship that I have with my children..... some are better than others, but

I treasure them all

I love all my grandchildren, but I do have a treasured relationship

with one especially..

This one grandchild has been so supportive of me..what I mean

is , she has listened to me cry, or whine, and sometimes

gave advice.. most times just listened.

I treasure her advice.. I treasure her

I treasure the beautiful sky... tonight I took these pics of the moon

 

I treasure when get some time ..

 

Usually, I just seem to run in a million directions, but

when I get some time just relax, or just have a hot

shower... its wonderful

 

I treasure my Genealogy...its so important to me..
Some more things I treasure is
: snow filled days
:Sunny skies
:beautiful sunsets
:surprises
: Christmas
:A Heavenly Father who loves Me... despite me
:my camera, so I can capture the things that make me happy
: I treasure friends that have been by my side
I treasure these prompts, and the work that goes into
preparing them each week
I treasure the times I can sit in a dark room with just
Christmas lights on, and just think

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 65

This week's prompt is - Colleges & University

• Did you go to college and / or University
• if not, did you want to or did you not want to?
• did you perhaps change your mind at a later date?
• What did you study?
• Was your studying vocational or a step on the ladder to another profession?
• What was the educational path you took to get to University or college?
• Where did you go? & why there?
• Regrets of study choice?
• Did you belong to clubs there?
• Friends?
• Pictures?

I did not go to any University or College... not that I never thought about it
at times..but once married and having a family, that was the more important
thing in my life to do.

There have been times this year that I have thought about doing my level one
in childcare, but I have still not done anything about it.
Part of me feels too old to do it, actually a BIG part of me feels like that.. and
I also feel so tired these days, the thought of adding just more thing to
the load I have... well... maybe not a good idea.
It doesn't mean I wont ever get to it though. its not something
I have given up on.  Why would I want to do this ?  I want to have
something to be proud of.. I want my grandchildren to be proud of me too

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 64

This week's prompt is - Jobs and Careers

• Did you have a Saturday job, holiday job?
• Where was it?
• What did you do?
• Can you recall who you worked for and with?
• What was the biggest / most important thing you learnt here?
• Did it inspire your future?
• Do you have any pictures / photos / clippings?
• Did you have full / part time job?
• Job or career
• Does it not matter?
• Is it the same?
• Did you enjoy what you did? - Why?
• Was it a passion or a means to an end?
• Who did you work with?
• Did you have work place reviews?
• • Did they fit with your personal plan?
  • Did you have a career / employment work plan?
• Did you stay at home?
• • Or did you really want to?
• Did you have employment hopes and dreams
• Regrets

I did not have a Saturday job... a holiday job.. not really, although
one Summer I worked at Butlins holiday camp.
I worked at a place called Minehead Butlins. I was between Nanny jobs
when I lived in England, and so did that. 
I can't remember the title of the job, but parents would get their children asleep
and then would go for a night out to enjoy themselves... they would leave their name, and I ( and other girls )would walk around outside the rooms listening for any children crying.
It wasn't a great job, and I didn't work directly with kids, and to be honest,
I was glad when I was done.

When I first left school, I worked at a place called Wovenair.. I actually
liked it. The people were good to work with. I remember music playing through
the speakers and singing away while working.... lots of people did that.

I left there to go to England as a nanny, I then came to Canada doing the same thing.

Almost our whole married life I have had a dayhome..looking after children in our home.
I am still doing it now..and have just started taking care of babies again.

I definitely feel my time as a nanny has helped me to do this.... children
is all I know.

I did have other hopes and dreams... I had wanted to be a nurse, to take
care of people, but in a way that is what I do...
I don't have any regrets...
I can feel myself slowing down, and wondering how much longer I will
continue to do this.. I have a timeline in mind, but I know it could be
sooner... maybe later.. who knows.
I'd like to think that maybe... just maybe... I made a difference in
their wee lives.  I love seeing some of the kids I used to have on Facebook..
they are all grown up. Some are starting families of their own.. some have travelled,
most are just getting on with their life...all are as lovely now, as they were then.
I feel blessed..lucky in so many ways to have had them.
I guess my career isn't as grand as most people, but honestly, it has made
me happy... and that's what really matters

The Book of Me.... Written by You.. Prompt 63

This week's prompt is - Addresses and Locations

• Are there addresses and locations from your childhood you can recall?
• Can you remember your next door neighbours?
• Their name
• What they looked like
• What car they drove (if any)
• Addresses of family and friends
• Describe the houses
• Shops
• Clubs
• Do you have any pictures - houses, street signs etc

 The first address I remember is...we lived at my grandparents
(David and Cathy Newman ) and their address was
11 Belville Avenue
Greenock
This is a picture of my brother and sister Andrew and Patricia, and
they are standing in front of my grandparents house.
( see the budgie cage in front of the window )

They lived in a tenement building on the bottom floor.
When you walked into the close, they were on the left hand side
Our neighbour here were Mr and Mrs Cousins, and they had a son George
My Gran and Mrs Cousins were really good friends.
I have wondered over the years how George is... he was older than me.. if he
had brothers and sisters, I don't remember them.
I lived here from the age of 5 till I was 7

My next address was 18 Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow
I have to admit that I loved it there.
When my dad married my step mum, this is where she lived.
My Aunt Cathy and Uncle Donald also lived there for a short time,
and their wee baby ( my cousin , ) Margaret.
Kelburn Terrace was beside the River Clyde...
My days were so free and easy here.
This was also a tenement building, and we lived on the top floor.
There were landings with windows at each floor.
I HATE daddy long legs, and they used to go in the corner of the stairs
ALL the way up, and would be floating up and down the windows at each landing.
I was petrified, and would run as fast as I could up those stairs ( and there
were a lot ) till I got to my house.
My heart would be racing by the time I got there...its racing now just
thinking about it... haha
Our next door neighbours were the Diamonds.
Helen Diamond and I became friends easily..
There was Mary, Alister, Alec and Paul also.
Lovely , lovely family, and very kind to me.
I am still friends with them, and thankful to be so. We don't keep in
touch as much, but the friendship is still there.
In Kelburn, in the back greens, there were fences separating each area, there
were also big midden bins ( garbage bins ) not really bins, just a bricked area
that you would put your garbage bin inside. Well Helen and I climbed up on these
midden bins and were taking turns jumping down.
I went first, and there was broken glass there, Helen thought I had left
and she jumped...landed on me..and my face went into the glass.
I still have the scar to this day.. on my chin.
Also we were jumping over the fences..I had a frock on, and was dressed
up to go somewhere...I was told not to get dirty ( cough, cough )
Anyway, jumping over the fence ( each part of the fence came to a point )
I mis judged and my frock got caught on the pointy bit of the fence and
ripped... not a wee bit, but all the way from top to bottom.
Was I in trouble when I got home... Helen was laughing so hard !!  haha

I have to say that even though many families lived in each tenement building,
how the mailman knew where to deliver mail to is..each door had their own
nameplate.  Some people really had lovely ones.
So on our door our nameplate said A. Newman..( my dad's name is Archie )
I wonder if they still have nameplates nowadays?

Living in Kelburn, we used to have some lovely bonfires on Guy Fawkes night.
We could also see the bonfires across the water..and the fireworks.
I also remember a friend called Shirley Jardine... wondered what happened to her.

We moved from Kelburn Terrace to
28 Pleasantside Avenue, still in Port Glasgow.
We were no longer in a tenement building, but actually I don't know what they are called.
Kind of like a duplex but with two houses upstairs, and two underneath.
I didn't really know my neighbours here...not like in Kelburn.

My friend Jean lived on the same street, just up a wee bit.

Can you see the River Clyde in the background?

We would go out skipping ropes, or playing elastics...the boys would

play football in the street.

I would go to my friend Jean's house and listen to music..we were

big Osmond fans

Here I am...  :)

There were three bedrooms.. it was actually a nice wee hoose, but I did spend

a lot of time at Jean's.

I remember Jean's mum loved Jim Reeves.. can remember

singing them with her.. she was sure a lot of fun.

I wish I could remember Jean's house number, but it was also

on Pleasantside Avenue.

There were three Avenues there... Sunnyside, Pleasantside and Brightside Avenue

One above the other..I think Pleasantside was in the middle.

At the end of these avenues was the cemetery.

It never bothered me to be that close to the cemetery

Close by was a chippy...Mnnnnn

Fish and chips..and maybe a pickled onion with it,

all wrapped up in newspaper.

I had a great life

I love these memories

The Avenues were on a steep hill.. that I remember.

 

 

 

 

 

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 62

Family that are like friends

Family that are like acquaintances

Friends that are like family

Friends that are new, but seem old ones!

Family members that are like strangers

Emotional links to generations past?

Does it matter how we feel about the friends and family we have?

Is it a case of when the times comes family comes first?
Define good friends
How do you distinguish friends -

• real
• virtual 
• colleagues
• long term friends
• does it not matter

So this prompt  has made me emotional.. I know... again...
I kind of carry my emotions on my sleeve.

I LOVE my friends...
First : Family that are like friends..

I would say my cousin Agnes...  growing up I didn't really know her
that well. I mean , I knew she was my cousin and everything, but I was still
younger when she got married and moved to the States.
Since I got married and lived in Canada, and I cant remember how I
found her, but maybe her dad ( my Uncle George ) gave me her number,
and I called her. Since then, I feel a connection with her..I love her like
the family she is, but she has also listened to me, when I just needed someone
to listen.. like a friend..so I also love her like a friend..its great to have both.
In saying all of this.. not sure if she feels that same closeness that I do, and
we haven't seen each other since we were young.. but did I say I LOVE HER !!

:)                                              This is Agnes now.. so kind

 This is when she was younger... beautiful either way .

 

Family that are like acquaintances :

 

Of course I have family that are like acquaintances..don't we all.

Its family we don't know as well.

I wish I knew all my family well, that wasn't the hand I was dealt..

 

Friends that are like Family :

 

I would have to say that Heather is like family..

We used to talk every day, but these days we don't.

I thought the older we got, the more life slowed down..I would

have to say for me, its been the opposite.

 

This is Heather with her youngest grandchild..

 

She has to be the kindest, most forgiving person you will ever meet.

I'm so happy she's my friend..

She has stood by me, even when I was unloveable, she

cared about me anyway

We have a joke that when we die, we will have a cell phone in

our coffin, so we can still talk to each other.. :)

 

I also have a group of friends from way back when..

There names are,,,

Rosina, Stacy, Jean, Jim, Ken, Tom, Lisa, Agnes, Dawn, Ailene ,Malcolm.

Helen, Tina, May, Chris, Vivian, Tin, Mun

I hope I haven't missed anyone..if I have, I'm sorry..

Also.. from way back  (in Canada )..

Pam, Jim, Gary, Elinor, Karen, Heather, Marcio, Ted

I know there's more, and I will add later..

There's a saying that people come into your life for a reason

or a season.. and isn't that the way it is...

I am so Thankful for the things I have learned from

the friends I have  /  had.. all have taught me

something.. ALL have a special place in my heart..

I love them.

 

Family members who are like strangers :

 

I envy the families who are all so close.. its what I've

always yearned for.. its what I still yearn for.

but reality isn't like that.

Strangers or not, I am still so glad that they are

my family.. I would still want the closeness, but

as I said before, life doesn't always go the way we want.

 

Emotional links to Generations past :

 

I absolutely have emotional links to generations past.

My McCulloch grandparents that I grew up not

really knowing, but wish I did.

My dad's real mum, that I also didn't know.

My McGowan Great Grandparents.

I have this sense of family whenever I think of them all.

Like , even though I don't know them.. I feel this

closeness.. this warm feeling that starts in my

heart, and goes through my whole body.

They are my Family.. part of them flows in me.

I know I have used the word Love a lot here..

and I'm really not using it lightly

I Love Them All......

 

Does it matter how we feel about the friends and family we have?

Yes it matters.. it matters about the relationship we have with each other.
It matters if its a good or a bad relationship.
It can hurt us terribly when things are not good.. it changes
who we are, and changes how we feel. If its not good,
it makes us angry, resentful, and that's not good for our relationship
with each other.
 

Is it a case of when the times comes family comes first?

Depending on the situation, or what is going on..
but yes.. family comes first...

Define good friends:

 "A good friend is a single soul, dwelling in two bodies "

It is someone you trust, you love, that you can be yourself with.
Someone you can pour your heart out to and knowing
you wont be judged.. its someone who wont intentionally
hurt you..

How do you distinguish friends :

• real
• virtual 
• colleagues
• long term friends
• does it not matter

I would say all of the above.

I am so thankful for the many friends I have had in my life..
I'm a lucky girl

 

 

 

 

 

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 61

This week's prompt is - How do you measure success?

• Can success be measured?
• Medals or Trophies
• Money or reward
• Status
• Personal Knowledge
• Achievements
• How others view you?

Can success be measured.. good question..
It depends really.. success is more of a journey than a destination.
If you're doing better than you were yesterday, then you're successful.
If you're kinder than you were yesterday, if you look for opportunities
to be kind , or to be helpful, then in my eyes you're a success.

I personally don't judge success by how much money someone makes or
has, although...good for them. :) I'm sure they work hard for that.

Medals and Trophies... you have worked hard to achieve them..absolutely
something to be proud of.

Personal Knowledge.. I have a friend who has gone back to school.. its hard,
but they are doing it.. I am so proud of them ..and yes, I feel that they are
successful.

How others view me... to be honest, I care too much.
No-one wants to be judged, and I get hurt easily by how I think
someone feels about me.
Would I like to change my way of thinking..I really, really would , because
when all is said and done, it shouldn't really matter how someone views me..
it should only really matter what I think, and what I think is, if I'm a wee
bit better than I was yesterday, if I'm kinder than I was 2 days ago, if my dreams
are a bit closer than 6 months ago.. if I'm happy, and those around me
are happy.. if  I made a goal, and can say in my heart, YES !! I've done it,
then maybe, just maybe I'm a success...

The Book of Me.... Written by You... Prompt 60

This week's prompt is - Family Traits

Do you exhibit any family traits?
Do you even recognise them or simply accept them as face value?
Do traits exist or are they simply a coincidence?

Is worry a family trait???  If it is, then I absolutely exhibit that.
My Dad was somewhat of a worrier.
I heard from my Aunt Doris that I kind of pick at my nails the way my Mum did.
I do wonder who I got my chocolate loving habit from..I know for sure that I have
passed that along to my own kids .. sorry kids !!

I wonder who I got my blue eyes from..  thank you to whomever it is..

I think traits exist..   you know my boys didn't know my dad or brother..but..
Paul walks like them..that is definitely a trait that is carried on..

I wish I had more to say, but since I don't know much about what traits
I've inherited from anyone... this is it :)

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 59

This week's prompt is - Task Reflections

• Write a list of each task you undertake for any given day. 
• Include the fine details of the tasks
• taking milk out of the fridge to add to a drink - what was the milk in? a jug, quart container?
• Compare those tasks to an ancestor - someone born in the late 19th Century or early 20th Century and preferably someone that you knew or remember. 
• Record and discuss the differences
• What of those discoveries has impacted on you?

Here's a list of some of my tasks...

Make my bed... smooth out the bottom sheet, pull up top sheet, blanket and quilt..fold over at the top, tuck everything in. Fold up pj's and either put under my pillow or leave at bottom of the bed.

Wash the dishes...  I either rinse them off and then load them in the dishwasher, but I mostly wash them by hand, and let them dry on the draining board, and then put them away

Vacuum.. pretty straight forward.. I get the vacuum out, plug it in , turn it on and vacuum the carpets.

Clean bathroom(s) I get my cleaning supplies.. clean the bathroom mirror, put the toilet stuff in around the rim and let sit while I clean the sink and countertops, get the toilet brush and clean inside toilet.. get paper towels and cleaning supply for the outside.

Cook dinner.. well first decide what's for dinner, take something out the freezer.. if didn't take it out in time, then defrost in microwave ( I know, I know ) :)  Tonight its pork chops.  Then cook on the stove or in the oven..

Do laundry.. sort the clothes into different piles. eg: whites, darks, towels etc   put one load at a time in the washing machine on the correct setting. Put the laundry detergent in and turn on machine.  When done, put in the dryer with a bounce sheet and turn on dryer.

Comparing  doing the laundry in my grandparents day and doing it now..

It was so much harder.. washing in the big tub by hand.. and afterwards
putting it through a wringer..

It took a lot of time and hard work to do it.. the laundry would be
wet and heavy.  They didn't have dryers, so it would be hung on a washing
line outside.

I can remember even doing this when I was younger.. it makes the clothes
smell fresh... but having the convenience of a dryer is so much easier.
Don't have to iron afterwards... less work.. :)
Its amazing how much has changed... even in my lifetime.
There were no dishwashers... water would be put on the stove to warm up
just to be able to wash the dishes, or to even have a bath.

There were no inside bathrooms either, just outhouses... I'm glad
I didn't experience that. To have to go outside in the middle of the night
when it was dark and cold...
We are lucky in so many ways

The Book of Me... Written by You.... Prompt 58

This week's prompt is - What do you See?

 

Having seen the image what is the thing you thought? Write that down.

Does what you have written have any resemblance to how you view life?

• Half full or half empty

Describe how you feel after you have reflected. Does that differ from your immediate thoughts?

The first thing I thought was... the glass is half full....

Well, I'm glad that I didn't read anything else till I wrote down the first
thing that I thought...

You know I do try to view life that way, but... I know that I don't always.
Sometimes I have a pity party with only one invited.. Me !!  :)

How do I feel now that I have reflected ?   Actually, I know that I try
hard to be more positive, because looking at the glass, and what we think
when we see it means either negative or positive.
I know the older I get, the harder I try, because... well , lets face it.. life can
get to you.  I know that .. I hope will all the stresses of life that I can
feel ( almost always ) that the glass is half full, because even with everyone
that goes on in the world... we have a lot to be thankful for x

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 57

This week's prompt is - Life Chapters

• Is your life divided into chapters?
• How has that happened? Has it naturally evolved?
• Can you easily reflect where one chapter ends and another begins?
• Are there any surprises?
• Are those Chapters determined by people and / or places / or significant events?

I would say everyone's life would be divided into chapters..so yes.. mine is also.
My life chapters I feel are determined mostly by events, but by
people also..

Chapter one :  I Nora was born .. my name on my birth certificate
is Norah Greves Newman.  Of course I didn't know it then, but my dad
would be the one I would be closer too.
I don't remember when my brother was born, but my sister I remember.
I had an uneventful life really, till the age of 5.
That's when Chapter two begins..

My parents broke up... I remember my mum leaving. .I
remember my dad crying..I remember crying myself.
We moved from Dundee to Greenock.. I would say that's when
Chapter Three begins..

My dad and I lived with my grandparents ( his parents ).
I remember how happy I was then... my Uncle David also lived
at home still. My Gran had a budgie ( Peter Pan ) it was blue, and
was in a cage by the window... my Grandfather had a dog
named Laddie.
I was still living there when my grandfather died.. I remember seeing
him lying on the bathroom floor... I remember the neighbour ( called
Mrs Cousins ) took me to her house. I remember my Uncle George
coming over, and my Gran crying.
I got to sleep in my Gran's bed with her after that... I love my Gran,
and I still miss her now.
When I was about 7 years old is when Chapter Four begins

My dad got remarried... my step mum's name was Bridget ( Bridie )
She used to work on the buses..I don't know how my dad met her.
I loved her... she was good to me
I remember her sister My Aunt Cathy and her husband my Uncle Donald.
And they had the cutest wee baby.. my cousin Margaret, who I felt
close to... would take her everywhere , and we would go in the photo
booths and get our picture taken... they were all black and white.
Life was pretty good.. I had good friends, I had a boyfriend ( off and on )
When I was 17.. things changed... that's when Chapter Five begins...

I was looking into changing my religion... my step mum told my dad
I had to leave.. I basically lost my family... this was another tough time for me. 
Looking back..I understand why my step mum felt like she did.. its not her
fault, but at the time, it was one of the more difficult times in my life.
Mrs Diamond took me in for a bit.. she had to be the most
non judgemental person I know... she was also my friend Helen's mum.
This photo is Helen and I....

I had new friends also that without knowing it ( because I
didn't tell them ) were also my lifesaver... so even though it was a
sad time.. they made it a happy time.
I lived with my friend Stacy and her family in Kilmacolm.. they were leaving
soon to go back to the USA though... at that time I found a Nanny job
in Edgeware, England.. thus begins Chapter six...

I moved to England.. I was only 18 years old...
Rosina also got a Nanny job there as well... and Lisa and Agnes too..
I have to say that living in England has some of the fondest memories for me.

This is Rosina and I .. ( I'm the dark haired one... Rosina is the pretty one )  :)
This is when we were in England...
This was such a fun time... I LOVED it there..
We made the loveliest friends... I also fell in love... kind of  ( and no, I didn't have a boyfriend)
No explanations either.... :)

Chapter Seven...  I came to Canada as a nanny .. went to Toronto.. I was 20 years
old.  I was so scared coming so far across the ocean.
It was 1976 ( January ) I had never seen roads so wide.. trying to cross them was
a nightmare.. and the cold !!!
In March, I met my husband, we were engaged in July and married in November
I remember sending a wedding invitation to my parents, but got
no response...that was tough
The next year, I went back on holiday and decided one day to go and see them..
it was all they needed.. they saw that I was okay and welcomed me..
I felt in a way that, that was a new chapter in my life... my relationship
with my parents was on the mend..

Chapter Eight would have to be when we started our family..including
adopting my daughter... we went from 0ne to three kids that year (1980 - 81' )
We had one more after that :)

Chapter Nine would have to be when my dad died... my passport had
expired and I hadn't renewed it yet.. I couldn't leave the country,so
wasn't able to go back to Scotland.. I still beat myself up over that.
I would have to say because I wasn't able to go over, that I have
never really got over the death of my Father... and I cant put into
words how much I miss him.. it was 1988

Chapter Ten.. I found my mum... she was living in South Africa, with finding
her I found out I had another brother and 3 other sisters, which made me the
oldest of SEVEN !!  I love them..  That year I also found my sister..
My life sounds so complicated !!  I also got to meet my mum, something
I thought I would never be able to do.
That same year my brother was killed in a fire, and also his 5 year old
daughter Emma. It was 1993.. This time I did go back for the funeral.
My nieces and nephew were hurt and in the hospital.. my heart was hurting..
You know just a few days before he died, he called me to tell me
he loves me.... I will never forget....

Chapter Eleven.. would be the rest of my life so far...
Lots of ups and downs, but a good life... I would have to say that everyone
has the ups and downs.
I have grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, and I find myself
wondering what the rest of this chapter has in store..
I hope a lot of good  x x

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 56

This week's prompt is - Clubs and Societies

• Do you belong to any?
• Do you have to belong to any?
• Are there any you belonged to and now don't?
• What made you join them (and perhaps leave)?
• What were they about?
• Do you have membership details of organisations that family members belonged to?
• What does it mean to belong to group / society / organisation?

Now this is a difficult one... so will be short and sweet..

I don't belong to any clubs or societies.. well unless you count Relief Society :)
Relief Society is for the women at church... but it is definitely not a club...so
I still say No...  :)

My dad used to go to the Legion, and as far as I know, he was in, or used to be in the Masonic Lodge... which is also a Freemason.
 To be honest, I know nothing about it, and since my dad
has passed, I can't ask him either.  As far as I know, it was like some secret club
or something... I may be wrong in that also.
As you can see... I'm just grasping at straws here.. I cant really write
about what I don't know about....  That is all !!  ( unless I find out more info )
Oh dear... I have managed to write a wee bit about absolutely nothing :)

The Book of Me.... Written by You.... Prompt 55

This week's prompt is - Movies

• What is your feel good movie?
• Can you remember the first time you went to the cinema?
• What did you see?
• Can you remember the price?
• Who did you go with?
• Recall those magical movie moments?
• What is your favourite movie or favourite genre?

My " feel good " movie is usually a romantic comedy... something like
While you were Sleeping, or You've got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle. or my favourite.. Serendipity.....

 

 

Other feel good movies are usually Christmas movies... my favourites are
A Wonderful Life, Polar Express, Elf to name a few ( probably almost all of them )  :)

I KNOW I must have gone to movies in Scotland, but what I saw, I
cant remember.... I do remember going to one movie there with
Stacy, Jim, Ken, there were a bunch of us...I think Rosina may have
been there too, and also Ann and Heather ??
I honestly cant remember what movie we went to see...I do remember
the fun we had afterwards, when the movie was over.
We were all a wee bit goofy, and I mean that in the nicest way.. :)

The movie that I do remember seeing that far back was a James Bond
movie...Ken and I went to see it, we weren't married that long.
Even today, when a new James Bond movie comes to the theatre, we
always go and see it.

 

These days, I still LOVE these kind of movies, but I also love some
Action / Adventure / Thriller type movies as well.
Things like The Bourne Adventure type of movies... by myself I'll still
watch Christmas ( any time of year :)  ) or the romantic comedy ones.
That's just me in a nutshell.....  :)

The Book of Me... Written by You... Prompt 54

This week's prompt is - School Trips

• Did you go on any school trips?
• Where did you go?
• Memories and trinkets of those special days?

Another one to make me think, which would be okay, if only my
memory was better...

Yes, I know I went on some school trips, but the only one that I can
remember was going to see a boat being launched.
It is such an awesome experience to go there, and to see this massive ship
towering over you. I remember the excitement there, with all my school
mates, and the teachers ( of course )
I don't remember the name of the ship, or anything else about it, but
can remember the bottle of ( I assume champagne ) getting hit on the
side of the ship, and everyone yelling out ( like a hooray ) and the ship
slowly moving into the water.  
It was exciting to see..

And in her own words :

 

Fantastic photo of the launch of the Comet in 1962. I guess Health and Safety were not around then when you look at where all the folk were standing to get a good view!!! I remember I was on the edge of the dock and there was no barrier in front of us! Port Glasgow had a marvellous day and evening celebrating this event. The whole town came out to support it and I can still remember the massive buzz there was then.

Avril Braidwood

I will have to add more as I remember

The Book of Me.... Written by You... Prompt 53

This week's prompt is - Your Home Town

We all have one, perhaps it is where we were born, perhaps it where we lived for that special time in our lives, or perhaps it is where we now live.

Wherever it is, why not tell us about it.

Explain where it is, don't forget we are across the world!
What is it that makes your "place" special?
Do you feel a nice comfy emotional connection?


I was born in Dundee, Scotland, lived there until around the age of 5 years old,
then moved to Greenock ( Scotland ), only lived there a couple of years, and
then lived in Port Glasgow, the rest of my growing up years.
Greenock and Port Glasgow are side by side... they are towns...

I for sure think of Port Glasgow as my hometown, that is where I
spent my growing up years, where I went to school, made friends,
happy / sad memories.

 

Port Glasgow is around 30 miles away from Glasgow..

It was a shipbuilding town, as was Greenock, ..

I found this write up about it online

By the 19th century, Port Glasgow had become a centre of shipbuilding. The Comet was built in the town in 1812 and was the first commercial steam vessel in Europe. A replica of the Comet and a plaque commemorating the actual site of construction are situated in Port Glasgow town centre.

PS Comet, Europe's first commercially successful steamboat, was built in Port Glasgow, and a replica of her made by shipyard apprentices now stands in the town centre.

Port Glasgow became a burgh in 1833, but around this time, the River Clyde up to Glasgow was deepened and new road and rail links meant that the town was no longer needed much as a port. The shipbuilding industry then took over as the main source of employment and prosperity. Port Glasgow has been responsible for about a quarter of the total tonnage of ships launched on the Clyde. However like the rest of Inverclyde this industry has all but gone and only Ferguson Shipbuilders yard remains in the town today and is one of the last privately owned shipyards left in Scotland.

 

 

This picture is going into the Town Centre, the photo was taken by Paul McKee.

Port Glasgow has the River Clyde... its beautiful there, but of course, I
didn't appreciate that when I lived there.
There is even a song about The River Clyde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZX0h4X7s1c

Here's another photo..

 

You can see The River Clyde in the background....

 

There is also a castle in Port Glasgow... its called Newark Castle

 

 

I do feel a nice, comfy emotional connection to my Hometown...
I miss it there... it was a great place to grow up... but... my life
is here now ( Canada ) My heart is in 2 places.. I have my fond memories of
there... I still keep in touch with friends there, but for sure I have made
a life where I am now.. I'm still proud to call Port Glasgow my Hometown.