My Friend Jo

My friend Jo is amazing. And I mean AMAZING.

14 weeks ago she lost her daughter Ella aged just 20 years old to Cancer. The Evil C.

Everyday Jo writes on her blog in the form of letters she has written to Ella. Everyday I read this, take a deep breath and absorb every thoughtful, considered, and beautiful word. These words are also no doubt filtered as I cannot imagine myself for one minute being in Jo's position and being able to find words as graciously as she does.

So today, in writing this, I am kind of writing a letter to Jo.

Jo, I think you're one of the most astonishingly strong women I have ever met, and probably ever likely to meet. Everyday you bring us all memories of Ella through your own, and in turn help us bring our memories forward. You probably don't realise it, but you are keeping Ella alive in our hearts with every word.
Thank you.
Thank you for being you, and inspiring us all to march forward. If you can, we can, and we are ALL right behind you.

All my love,
Peps xxxx

To my wonderful friends.....

Ella spent over 100 nights in hospital whilst she was being treated for cancer.  Too old to be treated on a children's ward she had to be looked after on adult wards where nearly everyone else was significantly older.  She often felt isolated and alone and felt like she stood out - at a time in her life when she wanted to just fade into the background.

Ella was passionate about getting a unit for teenagers set up in Bristol - where young people aged 18-24 could be treated together and the facilities and surroundings would be suitable and supportive for people of that age.

Please sponsor Jo and help Ella's dream come true....

Ella spent over 100 nights in hospital whilst she was being treated for cancer.  Too old to be treated on a childrens ward she had to be looked after on adult wards where nearly everyone else was significantly older.  She often felt isolated and alone and felt like she stood out - at a time in her life when she wanted to just fade into the background.
Ella was passionate about getting a unit for teenagers set up in Bristol - where young people aged 18-24 could be treated together and the facilities and surroundings would be suitable and supportive for people of that age.
Please sponsor me and help Ella's dream come true
- See more at: http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Redman1#sthash.TglchJnx.dpuf

Ella spent over 100 nights in hospital whilst she was being treated for cancer.  Too old to be treated on a childrens ward she had to be looked after on adult wards where nearly everyone else was significantly older.  She often felt isolated and alone and felt like she stood out - at a time in her life when she wanted to just fade into the background.
Ella was passionate about getting a unit for teenagers set up in Bristol - where young people aged 18-24 could be treated together and the facilities and surroundings would be suitable and supportive for people of that age.
Please sponsor me and help Ella's dream come true
- See more at: http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Redman1#sthash.TglchJnx.dpuf

Ella spent over 100 nights in hospital whilst she was being treated for cancer.  Too old to be treated on a childrens ward she had to be looked after on adult wards where nearly everyone else was significantly older.  She often felt isolated and alone and felt like she stood out - at a time in her life when she wanted to just fade into the background.
Ella was passionate about getting a unit for teenagers set up in Bristol - where young people aged 18-24 could be treated together and the facilities and surroundings would be suitable and supportive for people of that age.
Please sponsor me and help Ella's dream come true
- See more at: http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Redman1#sthash.TglchJnx.dpuf

http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Redman1

What?

Today I had a very strange chat with someone at the gym....

Gym-Man: Hi, how was your weekend?
Me: Ah, good thanks. I spent Saturday catching up on a few of the Oscar movies ahead of Sunday.
Gym-Man: Whats an Oscar?
Me: (big pause, mouth open)


This was like he had told me he had never heard of cheese. It was quite a strange thought process I went through to try and find an answer. I explained what they were, but he didn't seem to bothered about it.

How on earth does the Oscars pass anyone by? Even if you do not care about them, you know about them right?

Anyway. I am now thinking about cheese. It happens a lot.

OOh and here's a cheeky mouse in the cheese....

I wouldn't want to end up with him on a cracker !!

;-/

The Fluffy Tailed Fiend

During a much needed relaxing break up in the mountains with some good friends, ...Andy, Shaun, Patty and Barb, we touched base with Andy's family via skype to say hello and catch up. Lots of waving and chatting, plus an update on cousin Jo's holiday home.....

Jo has a holiday cottage in Devon. One of the neighbors by the cottage called Jo at her home in Bristol to let her know of an intruder.
The intruder was a Squirrel.
Jo jumped in the car and drove to Devon to investigate and upon entry it wasn't long before the fluffy tailed intruder was spotted........

.....sat in Gran-ma's armchair, in a pile of ripped up crochet, eating a box of Quality Street.

He had also had a go at the curtains.

After the initial laughter, we were all left wondering if he also left the toffee pennies until last? Or did he lick any of them and put them back?

Box of Kittens

Sometimes the only thing to cheer me up is the thought of a box full of Kittens.

What would I actually do though if I had a box full of kittens?
I wouldnt get any work done.
I'd make high pitch voices with the excitement.
I might even wet myself.

 

 

Or would I just prefer a dog in a shirt to cheer me up?

God Bless Bleach

God bless Bleach. And while I am at it, moist toilet paper wipes.


Since moving here I have tried my best to use eco friendly cleaning products. But, tonight, the worm has turned and I marched into Safeway and purchased bleach.

My bathroom is now lovely and clean. I scrubbed it within and inch of its life and loved every bleachy minute of it. My sinuses are now clear too.
I got so carried away I accidentally burnt the pizza I had in the oven. Time just flew by!


I ate the Pizza, but half way through, ran out of Salad Cream.

Time of a glass of wine.

I haven't mentioned the moist toilet wipes again, because I know you all agree with me.