Eternal Refuge

A few photoos from the wedding here.

It was a lovely day, but very  long & hot!  The 3 of us got to the Church at about 11.30, and I left before them, as I only stayed until 2am!!!  Apparently the Portuguese have a "day" organised ... complete with dancers, caterers etc ... and we had 4 meals in that time.  I have an odd allergy, and Ana had told the cateres that I couldn't have dairy (which is not correct, but an easy explanation) and just as the 3rd course of the main meal was being served another cater suddenly came up to our table and yelled "Stop.  Deborah"  It turned out that what they were serving ad a butter sauce ... but talk about everyone looking at me!  Two of the other 9 know me well enough, but the others just stared!  Anyway, as I have said that I will post the phot out of order as this was our table ... 5 of the 10 work at the hospital, 2 have done, and the others are Martins life-long friend & Ana's friend from Uni & her brother.



Anyway ... lets get to some serive photos.

The Church suprised me as it was modern ...

And here are the 2 bridesmaids who both work at the hospital, and to say they don't like each other is a bit of an understatement!  Ironically, Elena used to live next door to me!

The service started with them arriving, then Lily, the Godfather & an Aunt

Then the Bride & her Mum & Dad



The Priest was lovely with a long welcome in Portuguese, then a Bible reading in English by Martin's step-father.  They then had their wedding vows in English.  Then they did Lily's Christening.  Some in the same location, but some at the font with just the 3 of them, the 2 Godparents & the priest ... that suprised me as I thought part of the service was to promised to support the family.  Anyway, this is them coming back from that part of the service -

Then we had a hymn sung by a trio in Portuguese ... I was standing next to Miguel an ex-work collegue who translated the chorus for me.  Then there was a sermon that the Priest did in Portuguese, then repeated the whole thing in English ... I was very impressed, and he seemed to have a nice relaxed atmosphere about him, as well.
They then went and signed the register while we exited the Church, ready to welcome them -

They then chatted to people and that is where I took this photo ... before being driven to the reception venue.

While waiting for things to start I snapped this photo of Ceri & Juliet as a reminder of how hot it was -


The Bride & Groom had some more official photos like this one -

Before cutting Lily's cake -


We then had the main meal (as I said ealier), and after the 6 courses (I mean we didn't need much as we had already had plates of hors d'oeuvres, so obviously only needed a snack!).  Anyway, after that the caters all did a dance routine, before dragging up the wedding party to re-do it ... amazing fun.


After that we headed outside for assorted games, and dances, and chats -




At about 10.30 we went back into the reception hall for another meal, although only 3 courses this time ... then outside so they could cut the cake -

With all the fireworks there were some more photos taken -


Then back inside for their first dance, and by now it was midnight -

And then, of course, another meal!  This one was buffte so I got some fruit, which was a welcome reprieve.

One thing I hadn't mentioned was that there were 150 guests, as half of Ana's family couldn't make it, and half of Martin's family wouldn't come (apparently there are a lot of family feuds going on ... so sad).  And, to top it all, it was a free bar from start to finish.  So my final question is "Have Ana & Martin started saving for Lily's wedding, yet?"

... But not till then!

Almost 3 years ago I was invited to Ana & Martin's wedding in Portugal (mum & dad of baby lily) ... well Covid, and Covid delayed it ... nd the 3 of us from work fly tomorrow, with the wedding on Friday ... then back again Sunday.  However Monday I am meeting Christine.  So when I get back I will have photos to share (and yes, I have another set to post in a  moment from Brenda's visit.)

So after a day at work yesterday I have no news, but at least I will be up to date with the meme, as well as last weeks photos ...



15. Would you be happier with more control over what happens in your life or more control over your response to what happens?
Maybe I could do with more control over what I do ... but really life is OK. And, after over 2 years of ill health I can honestly look back and realise I both needed that time & learned quite a few things about myself.

16. If you were a role model to millions of children who closely followed you and your life choices, how would you change your behavior?
I don't think there was much I would change ... mabe go back to my daily walks which seem to have dissappeared over the last couple of years

17. Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube or roll it? What’s the advantage of your method?
Squeeze
Although I do like the "posh" pump ones that do the work for you

18. Using only one word per person, what was your first impression of each person present with you now?
There's only me!

19. What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I have a load of history books that I want to look at ... both related to my recent trip to France, as well as my upcoming one to Turkey
But I have loads "to read" on both my shelves, as well as my Kindle

20. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep, toss and turn, or get up and try to do something productive?
I pray
But if I am really awake I will turn my Kindle on and read some fan-fic

21. Which do you do more often: hum or whistle?
Only ever have whistled when I was riding ... Toni's horses were taught to wee at the sound of whistling!
I often hum as I walk home from work ... wonder why!

22. When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?
Would love to be barefoot, but with the back injury 40 years ago I wear a heal-lift, so have to have shoes/slippers ... or as of today, flip-flops



Right that's me up to date ... I am going to post photos, then I have some letters to write, before finishing packing.

Then, I'm off .... see you in a week x

I should have been working today, but after an hour one of the other workers arrived ... so I came home. It gave me a chance to try to sort out things for the weekend, as I am away from Friday (thus all the questions of the meme below!). Claire (the boss there) is working on a new shift pattern for those with contracts, and thus muddled me ... she is going to sort out regular shifts for me, without contract, so that is great. Even though I have only worked there a couple of times she has always kept me up to date with any changes ... unlike the Matron of the dept that I do the urology clinics in. Soosie is a "lovely" person! I have worked for the dept for about 8 years with regular shifts, and there are going to be some major changes (probably) next year, yet she has never mentioned anything. Sadly I have worked with Matrons throughout the hospital like her ... some just treat me as a nurse doing my job. But some like Soosie don't look at people of a low grade ... no worries for me, just so frustrating when in the end of the day we are meant to be working to help patients, not to see who has the correct colour uniform!

Rant over!

As I said, I am working tomorrow, and Friday morning ... then heading off to near Nick & Brenda's for Andrew & Jess's wedding. Hope to be back on Monday with lots of photos, but Jess is not great at being near a camera ... hope she realises this is one day where we all need to see her!

This afternoon I need to get a new front tyre, so looks like the time off has worked for me. But, before I go -


27. Who was the last person to make you angry?
I do hve a quick temper, but it disappears as quickly, so can't remember.

28. When was the last time you properly cleaned out your refrigerator?
Oh, are we meant to clean them!!!!!!!!!!!! Dad used to do theirs every couple of months, but I tend to only get round to it every so often ... as you can tell it really does need to get done soon.

29. Is there anything you regularly lie about?
The reason a clinic is running late! I will say the physiologist is on the phone ... whereas they are possibly just finishing their coffee

30. Do you mostly do specific chores on specific days each week (e.g. groceries on Saturday, laundry on Wednesday, etc.)?
A day off means shopping. Only Sunday is a set day for me.
Mum had strict routines to the end of her life ... Mondays was wash day, whereas for me, washing is when the basket is full

31. Of this month's questions, which was your favourite?
Good question - if I remembered what they all were!



Right.
I am uploading some photos from Winchester that I forget to post, so hope to get those up at some point ... but basically I am off until Monday, now.

Enjoy the rest of your week x

Yes, I ended up working for 11 hours on Thursday, and then a 7 hour day yesterday.  So came home exhausted on Thur and tired yesterday.  So, on both days I was a good girl ... yes, I know, hard to believe.  I went straight to bed on Thur, and then yesterday sat and watched some TV and did a crossword puzzle before an early night, as well.

Then this morning I didn't turn my alarm on, and yes had a 12 hour sleep.

So when I went to the shops I was again lazy and took the car rather than walk the couple of miles there.  Lazy, but am trying to have a truly lazy day today.

Tomorrow I have Church as always, but after that I am actually "breaking" my "rule" in that I am meeting a friend and walking into the city with her ... it is Ana's hen do.  They both know it isn't something I would normally do, but am happy to celebrate with her ... especially as out of the 12 people invited 7 people are busy, although a couple of the excuses were defianately vague.  So that makes me doubly glad that I said "yes" ... to me supporting friends is something that I think is important.  Mind you, I shall feel ancient as all the others are 1/2 my age!  We are going to an escape room (don't know what happens there, so can let you know), and then for a pizza (with the groom, as he has Lily for the missing time).  Ana is breast-feeding, thus the low-key day.

So, I caught up with you on Wednesday ... but need to do that agin later, as well.  Before I sign off, for now -




21. If babies are considered innocent, when do people cease to be innocent?
Once they begin to think and make decisions for themselves

22. What would you genetically change about humans to make them a better species?
Nothing

23. Have you ever worked retail?
My first Saturday job was when I was 16 1/2 and I ina Health Food Store until I was 18
Thene while at college I worked in an independant Departmental Store, Saturdays & holidays. I worked on the linen, toys, china & electrical depts. The last one for 3 of the 4 years. During my holidays I could be moved anywhere though, and in fact one morning worked with Mum who did her 4 years on the jewellery dept.

24. A robot wrote this entire article . Another wrote and performed poetry. Should we be scared?
I work in a hospital where they do a few robotic surgeries. So robots have their uses ... but I think we are a long way from creating a new STNG Data.



Right I am going to sign off so the computer use is off & on as I am being a good, but lazy, girl

Hope you are all having a good weekend x

I have just skimmed through my friends lists (while I am meant to be ironing!!!), and spotted that tellshannon815 had sneaked a question from another blog prompt. I decided I would post here, rather than answer on her post.  It will make a change from my many photo posts ... another coming up soon (and I stll haven't posted my Flanders pictures).  So, the question -

Do you know how your grandparents met?

My Mum's parents were older than my Dad's, so will start with them.

My Grandma Alice Victoria was born in June 1892, in Toronto (as her father moved around USA, Canada and England).  My Granddad, Charles William (whose story I followed in Flanders), was born in December 1896.

Grandma worked as a VAD during the war, and then went back to working in the shoe factory that she had been in before the war.  In 1919, as part of Granddad's rehab, they were shown around varying job oppertunities , and thus the factory was first on the tour (as Northamptonshire was a shoe (& leather) centre.  Grandma was one of the tour guides, having been a VAD, and they got chatting ... the rest is history!

26/12/1920



My Granddad John, was born in 1900, so only joined up as the was was closing, so served in 1919, then he joined the Coldstream Guards as a regular soldier and was based in London (having been born in Lincolnshire), and my Grandma Ada Victoria Francis was born the day Queen Victoria died in 1901.  During the war she worked as a "Canary" in the East End .... ie she worked in an ammunition factory (they turned yellow working with the TNT).

After the war Grandma was the original Essex girl!  She took a day off work (and lost her job because of it), and she and her friend went up to the city to see who they could meet ... and on spotting a couple of Guards walking to duty, they stopped them, and chatted them up.  Yes, Grandma picked up her soldier!!

8/02/1924

dragonflylady77


Comments by ZingerBug.com

I hope that you and Emma will be very happy as you start your married life.

Best wishes for a wonderful future for you and the kids.
God Bless.


.

.... You know the rest of the phrase!

I realise that some weeks ago I promised you whatever pictures you wanted, and quite a few asked me if I had ever been a bridesmaid ...Yes!

1)  1989 - In Northville, Michigan, for Annemarie.  I was Maid of Honour.

2)  1990 - In Plymouth, Devon, for Claire.  I was her Chief Bridesmaid.

3)  1992 - In Croydon, London, for Brenda.  I was a Bridesmaid.

( .... Never the Bride )

What other photos do people want of me?

The Official Announcement as seen in - People

James Marsters has appeared on many TV shows that involve special powers, but now the actor has discovered a real-life power of his own – love.

The former Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor, 48, tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Patricia Rahman Marsters, 25, in a private L.A. civil ceremony on Jan. 14, the actor's rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Of their first meeting, Marsters, who also starred in Angel, told PEOPLE in 2006, "I met her backstage and got her phone number, but then my jeans were cleaned out by the crew and they threw it out."

He continued, "I'd given her my number, but she took down one digit wrong. It took her six months to call all of the different combinations."

Patricia, a student of fashion design from Trier, Germany, and James announced their engagement last year.

This is a second marriage for James, who has a son with his ex


Thanks to Civilized James for the link

Have just seen the news that James has announced that he and Patricia are married - don't know when, where etc ... but just wanted to pass on the news, for those who didn't know it.

I pray that he will be truly happy ... that this will bring him the real peace, love and support that he deserves.

Have a truly happy life ... and hoping that the day itself had been really special.