debris4spike | Entries tagged with upminster

That phrase is one my Grandmother, and then Mum, used all the time. Their theory was that if you tried to do anything silly, or dangerous, or just plain wrong, then someone you knew (or a friend of a friend) would see you.

Well yesterday I had just started my shift when I had to help a lady with dementia for a few minutes. As I was walking back towards my desk I almost bumped into a couple as I walked round the corner, who were on their way in to visit her brother ... and ... they both said "Deborah". As I looked at them I realised I knew them, well. She and I were actually next-door neighbours when we were kids. It was her that did the beautiful picture I have of Jiffy on my lounge wall.

So that was really lovely to see them. We have been trying to meet up for a weekend for ages, but assorted problems have been against us. Now the 3 of us are settling down, it is the brother who has problems. When I was a young teen, he had been diagnosed with leukaemia. This had been fairly under control until recently, so now he is 75, it has been a good run. However he is in hospital awaiting a lower leg amputation for diabetic damage. But, as ever, the 2 problems are "arguing" against each other. Sadly it doesn't help that his partner is an alcoholic who hasn't once visited in the 20+ days he has been in hospital

Anyway, sad news, but still good to see them both ... and will probably see them again when I am at work later. They aim to visit as he is due to have his op on Tuesday.

So, as I said, walk round a corner and all but bump into someone who lives over 250 miles away.

"You can't, can you?"

Right, have shopping and baking to do. This week is going to be quieter which means that I can get all sorts of things done. I want to get the house cleaned, even without Brenda visiting soon, it needs a good sort out. I also want to get things like my fridge-freezer thawed and cleaned.

But, before I head off ...

10 – Don't Step on a Bee Day: is an important reminder that the fate of the common bee lies in the balance – with bee numbers in some countries having halved in the last decade with no apparent cause. Some localities are taking measures to help the bee population, for example, planting wildflowers by the side of roads/on road medians or encouraging residents to move away from a manicured lawn to a yard full of flowers. Are you aware of any such measures where you live? Do you agree that if bees disappear, life would change significantly for humans (and not in a good way)?
I have been pleased to see bees in my garden this summer. I have tubs of flowers and it's nice to see them, but nicer to see bees being busy.
And, on a side note, as my name means "bee", maybe if we lose all bees, we will lose all Deborah's as well ... and that would be a tragedy!!!!!!!!!

Right, on that note, let me get on. I aim to get out first, then come back and check up on you all x

Yes, 2 days of 9+ hours each meant 2 busy days. However I have today off.

Although I have already done my exercise session, been to the Christian book shop to get a couple of cards (one is for Andrew's wedding next week), and have washing on the line. However it is a damp and muggy morning, so hoping that the washing will get to dry later ... although it is just lovely to be able to hang clothes outside. When I bought this house I looked at a flat of a similar size, and cheeper, but said that there was nowhere to hang washing, so I didn't want it. I know some people just use a drier, but even though I have one I can honestly say I have never used it in the 11 years I have lived here, and only rarely when I lived in Bude.

Did any of you see on the news ... or worse still, see in real life any of the fires we have had around England. One of them is actually in the town I grew up in Upminster ... part started near where when I was there there was an Outdoor Adventure Centre as well as a Gypsy camp .... I learnt archery here. Nick learnt to sail and Tim had his first golf lessons. Lots of memories. Part of it has devastated some houses that were built over an area of farm cottages where Dad was born. Most people just know it is affecting the M25 as that is the way the wind is blowing the smoke..

A bit later I am going to do a bit of housework, and then catch up with you all ... maybe even finish editing my Winchester photos. I do have things I need to do, but am still trying to be a good girl and pace my life.

Before I head off ....

18. What is your biggest indulgence?
As I have always earnt very little (personal choice in many ways), sometimes I feel like having ice-cream for pudding is an indulgence.
But I suppose for me it is now travel ... I love it and that's what I think about when I feel tired at work ... money for holiday. It doesn't help as often when I am away I buy jewellery. (For example I bought a pearl & diamond ring and necklace when I was in San Francisco!!)

19. What’s something terrifying that we’ve all come to accept as a fact of life?
Loss ... loosing Mum & Dad, Jiffy, Misty, Perry, Jaykub and DJ (all but |DJ to death) is hard ... but it happens.

20. Are you good at keeping secrets? Is it ever okay to share a secret?
My best friend "knew" no one had organised anything for her 40th as she asked me assorted random questions ... so, yes, I can keep secrets.
There are obvious cases where secrets should not be kept ... but there are specific cases such as abuse, treason etc

Right let's get lunch sorted ... see you later x

... (but as my brother Tim would say - ) "I wouldn't like to paint it!!

Anyway -

I have managed to get back to the gym this week, twice, so am really pleased to be re-focussing again. However yesterday while we had a small water break I was talking to one of the ladies, you know the normal about Christmas, although this year it is more of a "can you do something" due to restrictions etc. Anyway she said she was visiting her daugher, who lived "in the east" ... I asked where and she started with a general town in Suffolk. I hadn't heard of the town, so she mentioned a town in Essex, which I did know as it's near where my Aunt lives. So she then went on to mention other towns, which I knew and eventually said the small town that she lived in ... yes I knew that. She seemed suprised, so I said I grew up in Essex ... and, it turned out we were both born in Ilford, and grew up in Upminster .... so, as I said, "What a small world". She is a couple of years older than me, so we didn't mmeet (in fact we went to different schools)

I have had a pretty good week overall, having to only sleep on one afternoon. I have almost finished my card writing, think I have done all my pressie shopping ... so all in all going pretty well. When I have written this I am going to walk to the post office to get cards sent abroad, so that will be another tick in the box.

This morning I went into Exeter to shop, and met Claire for coffee, which was really lovely ... and we both had a cake, which was super lovely!

Hope that you are all keeping well and safe ... I will try and catch up with you all later today x

Having just typed about my baptism I decided to Google - and thought I would share these very sad photos.

They have brought back the memories - but are sad to see that the money has never been raised. The trouble is that there is a natural spring under the building, so repair is evry expensive. It was originally built in 1800, with a new front being added in 1847

Anyway - here are the remains -