RESIDENCIES REQUIRED FOR BUDDHA ARTIFACTS

Have been prepping some of the vegetables, ready for when Grace arrives this evening. Six onions in total, my eyes have been streaming, even did them with a spoon sticking out of my mouth. I read somewhere that this stops your eyes watering (not true).

My son and heir, has also phoned, he's coming over on Sunday to leave some products and have lunch with us. My son is a project manager for a line of restaurants and bars. He designs these projects from scratch, and has amazed me how he brings his vision into reality. The restaurants serve food from all over the world, Thai, Italian, Chinese, Indian to name but a few. The chef's are head-hunted from their own countries, by my son. and the owner.
Within the restaurant area of the building each chef has his own work station area. This is ideal for the diner's, not only can they choose their food, they also see how the chefs work their magic. My son has designed solid red granite serving area's for each work station. This contrasts brilliantly with the bar area, which is solid black granite, with cream leather seating.
Throughout the whole building Nat (my son) has created image's of all the countries cuisines that are being served there. I know you will think me bias, but the whole projects have taken my breath away. His most recent one was in Northampton, and when my camera is repaired I will post photos of the end result, and would like to hear your opinion's.

Nat collects artifacts from all over the globe, to use in his work. These have been stored in his penthouse (sounds very grand, its not a huge apartment but it has stunning views across the river). My son is given accommodation in which ever city he is working in, therefore leaving his place empty. He made the decision to let his apartment, thus mummy (me) has to store all his future projects artifacts. My home is not as large as I would like, but now feels even smaller. With my loft and garage bursting with his collection, every nook and cranny in my home displaying Buddhas (I love my Buddhas, but they have been lost within my sons collection). I have posted photos of a few of them, that now have residency in my home.

Grace will be here soon so I must dash.

NEWSFLASH.. The Free Hugs campaign (re my post free hugs for valentine) , has been hugely successful in Australia, trials starting in the UK. Apparently according to the programme on ITV, before anyone would take part, it had to be explained in great detail the benefits of having a hug ( de-stressing after hard day at work, mood lifter, generally getting a good feeling for free, etc, etc) how typically British. Take note when I'm back on Terra Firma, I am going to my nearest town, with the biggest banner. So beware you Brit's you will have a hug!!!

Secondly, radio 2, declared flights to Morocco will be at lower price's this year. So look out

Maryam....

EASTERN PROMISE

Tomorrow night my niece (my younger sisters daughter) is coming to stay for the weekend. She has the skin of a peach, eyes that sparkle like sapphires and to top it all is 5' 10'' (I am a mere 5'5'') tall. There is a very long and heart breaking story behind her, and one day I will post it.
But for now let me explain the agenda for the weekend. Just before Christmas I asked Grace (my niece) what she would like me to give her for a present. She sat and thought about this for a good 10 minutes. Then she looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said ' you know my mummy and daddy cook meals for me everyday, I would really love to cook a meal for them'. How unselfish was that request? and so the plot began.

My younger sister is a district nurse and therefore works rotas, her husband also. So being able to timetable a Saturday night when the pair of them were off together has taken until now.
Grace has never cooked a meal before, so I suggested a simple theme. She decided that they both liked Indian food, so we would go with that. Maths will pick Grace up tomorrow evening, so that all the preparations can be done. She wants to dress the table and dining room in an Eastern manner, so any ideas are more than welcome (I have 3 beautiful pashminas, 2 that Grace and I will be wearing and one for the table).
We have set the menu , there are to be 4 courses, Grace has also informed me its her fathers birthday on the Monday, so could we have a cake as well.

So Saturday will be hectic, and I'm sure my patience will be tested to the limit. I must remember that this is Graces christmas present, and will be a great achievement for her. It may seem unusual that my neice, a woman of 26yrs cannot cook. She can do many things, loving people is so easy for her. Generosity is second nature to her and greed unknown. Unfortunately her special needs, which have enhanced her many gifts, have not helped her to become like Nigella Lawson. But maybe, just maybe, with the assistance of her aunt, she will be the 'hostess with the mostest' on Saturday night.

HARDEST TO DO LOVE

Love is in the air, champagne chilling, chocolate melting (ready for dipping the strawberries). Sade's dulcet tones in the background. Long luxurious bath, with ylang ylang orange blossom oil. Hair blow-dried, lippie and mascara applied (legs waxed yesterday 'ouch'). This babe is ready for romancing.
I have been browsing through my favorite blogs, and reading some of the most emotional posts (I was crying at some of them). There were happy endings, sad endings, new relationships starting to bud, long standing ones that have fully bloomed. I thought 'come on Queenie make an effort'. I have felt ancient lately, what with being stuck in the home, the painkillers and all the other moanie things I rattle on about. So feeling inspired by my blogger pals, here I am all done up like a dogs dinner, waiting for Math to come home.
This is the LOVE I have the biggest problem with, loving 'ME'. I know all the sayings 'you have to love yourself first, love yourself and others will follow... ' There are libraries full of books written about the subject, but still I have trouble with it. I am trying though, honest I am, (had my legs waxed didn't I, that must count). One day I will grasp the nettle, and love me for myself, just you wait and see.
Have heard a car pull onto the drive, have to go now. Happy valentine day to you all...

THE BIG ONE

Maths just phoned, to say he will be late home(meeting with his business partner). I know this is unavoidable, but it makes for a long lonely day. Can't wait until I can start some form of work again, or at least drive (moan over).
Have been browsing through some of my blog contacts. 'akelamal' has listed all the wonderful places she has visited. This made me realise its not long now until the spring and summer, I am definitely a sunshine person. Then 'la bellina mammina', has given a book entitled 'Sky Burial' a fantastic review, which is going on to my purchase list.

Well its the big day tomorrow, there will be cards send and cards received. A chance for some to openly show their love, for others the opportunity to declare a secret desire. For my part, I have made Math a card. Its not fancy or complex, its just a simple statement of my love for him.
My posts have been about all the loves we experience in our lifetime, the strongest comments came about the love we have for our children. What then about the person we hope to grow old with???
Some people when they have made their choice, wish to celebrate this union, by making vows/promises, to their faith or each other. This can be a huge elaborate affair or a private tranquil exchange. I made my promises in a church, but rightly or wrongly they were made to Math, more importantly to myself. I say this because, the preacher, God, and everyone else there to share our union (or have a free meal, sorry I can be cynical at times) would not be there for the bad times, the sad times, the happy and carefree times. No, it would be me and Math at the end of each journey, so it was significant that I made the oath to myself (did I really say till death do us part?).
If I was to do it all again, it would a private affair. Out in the open somewhere (a white sun soaked beach), with friends and family I know (not folks I haven't seen since my christening), and who have been there for our ups and downs. There have been some ups and downs, show me a relationship were there hasn't, and they are either telling fibs or have a very boring life. Anyway it was our silver anniversary last December, that's 25yrs. So I'm still here keeping my promises, getting to know him, trying to understand him, as the years now fly by. Wanting to grow old (older) with him. Hoping he feels the same way about me (although it does feel he's having his fare share of the sickness and health bit with me).
So I guess the life long relationship love thing is a real biggy. Its like a scientific experiment , all those chemicals to make it work or explode.
1. Visual attraction
2. Physical attraction
3. Compatibility
4. Sexual compatibility
5. The list is never ending, there are no exact measurements, each couple and persons amounts varies. These measurement's can alter at different stages in life (7 yr itch, mid life crisis etc)
My goodness is there any wonder some folks prefer to stay single?

Now I wonder what my Valentine card will be like (will I get one?)? will there be roses (or a kiss on the cheek)? Suppose Ill just have to wait till tomorrow......

COMING AROUND AGAIN

Spent the whole day visiting my mother today. My eldest sister called to join us for lunch (my mother had 4 girls in total). It was a most enjoyable day , as I don't see my sister that often. Unfortunately, I don't get to any of my sisters that often, what with work commitments, distance, etc, etc. Even so, I love them all, with their unique, individual characters. Its that love thing again isn't it?
We have so many variations of love to give and receive. The love for parents, siblings, and grandparents for example, can mould and shape your life. Without you ever consciously knowing the hold it has over you.
Then the reversal when you are the parent, I only have to watch a T.V program about the lioness in the wilderness, watching over her cubs. That's me, when it comes to my son, there are no boundaries, its my contract to protect him from the wilderness. Once he has grown, you hope that he has learned good and healthy lessons to look after his cubs. I then become the grandparent (frightening isn't it), and so this circle goes on and on. Carley Simons sang ' Nothing stays the same, but if your willing to play the game it will be coming around again. I believe in love'.......