What a week!!

 Taking photos of us in our Grandma jumpers to go in the coffin for Jean's funeral.  Sad, sad times, but family supported each other fantastically, and my brother came down to look after the children, which was a huge weight off my mind.  Family and friends came from all over the country to pay their final respects to her,and many good times were remembered. We visited a local woodland burial place, and I think we are all but decided that this should be the final resting place for her ashes, so peaceful, and full of wildlife, she would have loved it.

And as life has a habit of doing, it carries on, whether we want it to or not.  I have been kept busy with accomodating visitors and ensuring everyone has some food.  Such wonderful business, lovely to see so much family again, I just wish the circumstances were happier.

Lego rock band kept young and old alike entertained, and Ethan drew a lovely picture of it all.

 Stuart found some printouts to make model buildings, so many buldings were made, and no doubt more will be when more ink cartridges arrive!

 Alec and Ethan came racing in very excited the other evening, and insisted I went to watch them.  They had sussed out how to do front flips on the trampoline!

 Luke is definitely in model making mode.  Take a guess what this ruin started out as... go on, bet you can't guess!

 An Abel and Cole box of course!  Sophie saw it and said "oh no, castle broken, dragon blow down castle...huff...puff!"

 And then just to curb any thoughts of a physical summer holidays, Alec managed to take a knock to his little finger on Sunday night, whilst playing football.  By Monday morning it was very swollen and bruised, so a trip to A&E confirmed he had a chipped bone in his little finger.  He now has to wear this for a week, and to take things easy for a further 3 weeks.  He's gutted!!

I too have had to undergo a minor op to remove a mole.  There are at least 20 stitches on the wound!  Which makes me feel squeamish each time I think about it!

I do count my blessings, all that we have been through recently could have been worse, but you know, I would like it very much if things bad things could stop happening now, and let us get back on our feet.

Limbo

 We have felt very much in limbo this last week.  Preparing for Jean's funeral, not really knowing what the future holds for us, but at the same time trying to keep things as normal as possible for the children.  The children had a few days off from school, and went back at varying times last week, as and when they felt able.  One of the days off we got the air drying clay out.  They have made some sculptures to give to their
teachers, and I have been experimenting with an idea for Aisling Designs, my experiment is the next picture.

 I had about a week where the thoughts of doing any crafting just seemed so wrong, and the bunting that I had started just lay there neglcted.  It is coming together now, my crafting has returned for now, here is a glimpse of the order for Sarah.

 What brought the crafting mojo back?  My father in law giving me all of Jean's wool.  I had told myself I would not get any more wool, as I really should be spinning it myself, but I felt so honoured to have Jean's wool.  I then thought it would be lovely to make something for my Father in Law with this wool.  So I have embarked on a mammoth project of a granny stripe blanket.  I'm hoping it will offer him some comfort, as well as being my personal memorial to her.

As for Stuart, he has been looking after his Dad in such a wonderful, caring way.  Staying with him, ensuring everything is dealt with, reminiscing til the early hours of the morning.  Being a wonderful legacy to his Mum.

In other news, Gimli has been making himself very much at home, with plenty of adventures (yes, that's my cello case is sat on top of!) and finding comfort in the many forms, especially a big bag of alpaca fleece!

I know this new normal will be turned upside down again by Friday, which is when Jean's funeral is. I cannot think beyond that at the moment, but have a feeling that flexibility and the here and now is what will be most important.

Jean

This week, our family has suffered a huge loss. Jean, Stuart's Mum, died early Monday morning. Stuart had seen her on Sunday, spoken to her Sunday evening on the phone, and all was well. By the early hours of Monday morning, she had suffered a massive heart attack, and our world was turned upside down.

Jean was a remarkable woman. A talented woman with her painting, knitting, gardening, cooking She was the only person I know who could keep a parlour palm alive, and make them thrive! She would knit at an amazing speed, combining colours in wonderful ways through her fair isle knitting, we are all so proud of our "Grandma jumpers" She had just started going into a local school to help with needlework class, and had been quite a hit with them. She also made the most fabulous scones, through no recipe!

But talents aside, she was so warm and welcoming, gentle and loving, hardworking, and a rock for all those around her. Family was her everything, and she was everything to her family.

It has shocked me that the world is still turning without Jean there, really! And I know I am not alone in that feeling. She truly was an inspirational woman, and will be very, very sorely missed by us all.