12.31.06
My music
Music and singing has always been a part of my life. As a child I was sung to, and I remember that car journeys were always an excuse for family sing-songs. My brother Ian and I used to drive Mum and Dad mad with “There’s a hole in my bucket”, and Dad used to teach us old wartime stuff like “Bless ‘em all”.
When we had our first record player I remember spending hours listening to LP soundtracks of musicals such as “My Fair Lady” and “Fiddler on the Roof”, which Mum and Dad loved so much.
When I got to the age of buying singles with saved-up pocket money, my first ever purchase was “Silence is Golden” by The Tremeloes. I loved The Monkees and The Beatles.
Those years were governed by the “Top Twenty”, Radio Caroline, and Radio Luxembourg, until I joined the school Folk Club. I used to sing, mostly with my friend, Christine Brady, and John Chapple on guitar. We did a mixture of old and new “folk” music, in a very wide sense of the word. We even visited other folk clubs to perform, until a group of us sneaked “Threshing Machine” into the set, and after that we weren’t to be trusted outside of the confines of the school.
During my mid-teens Simon and Garfunkel, Moody Blues and Fleetwood Mac were my favourites of the time. I can still listen to S & G and enjoy the music every bit as much as I did then, though I think that the memories that the songs bring back add to their attraction.
I love this one.
During the years since then, and there are LOTS, I have enjoyed so many different pieces of music from very different genres ranging from classical to heavy metal.
This Limp Bizkit track reminds me of the days when my daughter Jo and her friends used to be heavy metal fans, and used to congregate at our house on Friday evenings to “hang out” and listed to their music. I liked some – not all, I even bought a White Zombie cd and Metallica’s “Loaded”, but I really love this one. George Michael doesn’t even come close. This version is fun.
Two of my all time favourite cd’s are Joshua Tree by U2 and Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette, though I have many all time favourites. I like this track.
The latest band I have added to my list of enjoying listening to is Snow Patrol. This is brilliant, despite being a little on the ”edited” side.
I could go on, but think I’d better save some for another day.
12.30.06
My Family
I took this picture today, 1st January 2007, with Bill’s new webcam.
I am very lucky – I have a brilliant family.
My husband, Bill. I could write a book about him. In fact, I have the title already. “I married a six year old schizophrenic”. He comprises of several different people, all aged six. He is an avid Sunderland fan, plays the guitar and sings at the hint of a request, and loves being the centre of attention. He is the life and soul of any party, and I haven’t stopped laughing since we met, usually at his expense, because his jokes are really bad!!
My daughter
Joanna, is 23, and in her last year at university in Derby studying Shiatsu. She is already a qualified Yoga teacher.
Jo plays the guitar and has a fabulous singing voice. She is very talented, capable, extremely funny, something of an eco warrior, and beautiful. That is not just me being biased, by the way – ask Bill.
My son.
My son, Chris, seen here with his gorgeous fiancee, also called Jo. Chris is 31, and teaches Sports Science at our Grammar School. He is full of energy and enthusiasm for just about everything he does, and I frequently get told that he is an excellent teacher by parents of his pupils. He is extremely happy at the moment having recently become engaged, and he and Jo have just bought themselves a house. Exciting times for them.
My Stepson
This is Bill’s son, David, with his beautiful girlfriend, Mags. David and Mags live in London, and we stayed with them recently when we all went to see a Ralph McTell concert. We had a brilliant time with them. They are great fun, and cliched though it may be, they do seem to be made for each other. We are looking forward to them coming to visit us soon at Kerlan, in February.
My brother.
This is my brother, Ian and his lovely girlfriend Sally. Bill and I spend a lot of time with Ian and Sally, they are really good company and we laugh a lot together. Ian and I have a great relationship, because over the years we have always been there for each other if needed, but never judged or interfered. I call him “Bro” and he calls me “Sis”. I love my Bro.
My Mum
My Mum is called Joan. I call her “Momma”. She lives in Spain, but she visits Guernsey regularly, as she has a flat, which is part of my brother’s house. Momma will be 75 in January 2007, and we are planning a special day for her. She is coming to Guernsey for a few days so that she can celebrate with family and friends. Momma is a very independent lady. She travels all over the place, and is the hostess with the mostest. As a Mum, she taught me a lot, and I am looking forward to giving her a big hug on her birthday.
My Dad
This picture was taken in 1996. My Dad died in 1997. I always remember him as being full of fun. He was very outgoing and made friends easily. He was very clever, very easy going, and everyone liked him. I miss him.
A few more pics ….
Jo, Ian ,Sally and Momma at the party the night before Bill and I got married (and Dennis cooking in the background!)
Jo and Chris, at our wedding.
