Di at work – Yes it’s true.

Hi Blog.

Who wants to look at me at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I think I managed my two shifts quiet well. These are pictures of my first shift, I was very happy to get this shift, I dread to see the pictures of me working the last shift of the festival. I was a bit tired, a bit drained, a bit jaded and there was no change.

I think I still managed to do quiet well under the circumstances though. I only got upset with one person but still managed to smile so that’s not so bad is it.

Maybe a bar maid would be the perfect job for me or lets say a cocktail waitress. We never served beer, we just served cocktails spirits and wine. It would have to be a job where I could dress up though. Urmm ! Maybe I should just dress up to do the housework or something. I’d like that.

 

 

 

 

I had such a nice time but unfortunately my camera battery ran out so not so many pictures. Hey Ho ! Can’t have it all can we.

Love Di. x

Welcome Home Mum.

Hi Mum,

Well it’s been 4 years today that you passed away and there’s not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. I truly believe that you are resting in peace now. Don’t worry about Julie and I we are getting through and the dust is just about settling. Its been a hard year for us but it was never going to be easy was it. Mum are you proud of me I am we know what we mean don’t we. I love you with all my heart and I have so much understanding.

I’ve been thinking about what song to put here for you and oh I have done the rounds Charie Pride  Jim Reeves and Peters and Lee. I would like to give this song to you today. Its a song from an album you used to have, a Peters and Lee album and the song is Welcome Home. Can you remember we used to sing it to my Dad when he would return home on home leave from the navy.

 

I believe that you are finally at home now Mum. Welcome Home Mum. I love you.

Love Diane xx

Ps. What do you think of Maggie you would  have absolutely loved her and for sure she would have loved love you. Julie and I got Maggie and Bella in memory of you I called Maggie after you ha I know you preferred Margaret and hated Maggie but….. I couldn’t resist – me still a bit naughty Mum but kinda nicely so and I love the name Maggie anyway. x

Isn’t she just the cutess scrufiest mut ever. I love you Mum and I do beautiful things for you every day as you know. I know your at peace now – I just know it.

What do you think of my sweet peas. I know you love them and I have grown then for you its my first time and they are so beautiful and smell just like you.This was the first flower.

Thank-you for being my Mum and loving me. I love rsespect and adore you.

Diane

A sneaky look at my dress.

Hi Blog,

Well its festival time for me again next weekend, its Beatherder and I’m just trying to get some sort of circus outfit together. I’m working in the Trailer Trash bar which this year is in a big top marquee so obviously the theme is a circus theme. The shifts that I have been given to work are the first shift which is fantastic as I will get to welcome all the fresh faces to the festival and I  will be working the last shift to which again will be fantastic as I will be able to say goodbye until next time. Yay !  I feel that I have been given the best shifts to work.This is my dress which costs £21.00 – blummin bargain. I’ve been flashing my knickers to myself all day today in the mirrow ~ smiling I’ve had such fun and have developed some great can can moves. Wey Hey ! Its a rumba dress and I thought that I could jazz it up a bit with a feather bower, some beads and bangles and wait for it … ha ! a beard. For a little bit of a twist I could wear a beard and be a bearded lady from the freek show.

More to follow with full dress attire and festival information.

Love Di.

Now go and sing with the angels Sweet Michael Jackson.

I would like to give the first sweet pea that I have ever grown to Mr.Michael Jackson. It flowered yesterday – it flowered for you Michael and it smells beautiful.  Rest in Peace and Beauty Michael.   

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Your music has touched millions over the deacdes and has inspired great artists. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Go and sing with the angels now darling ~ Rest in Peace Michael. Love Diane x

A Litter Free Summer Solstice 2009.

The Summer Solstice Celebrations that I attended was perfect more than what can be said about the celebrations at Stonehenge. I was absolutely disgusted to read and view the mess that was left at Stonehenge. I can not believe that people won’t and don’t clear up after themselves. What about our beautiful countryside.

Take a look                                                                                                                                            

I am absolutely mortified to see all the rubbish and all the plastic that has been left by people who profess to be people who live for the seasons and the elements and Our Mother Nature. Charlatans that’s what I call them.

Okey ! I understand that a record 36.000 people attended the celebrations and I’m presuming that it must have been hard to man them but come on….. I can’t believe that people won’t pick their own rubbish up. Do people just drop things and think fuck it I’m not picking it up ? They must do. I could understand that mentality at a football match or something but not at Stonehenge and what really screws my head up is the fact that Pagan People and followers of alternative lifestyles don’t practice what they preach.

What does the Summer Solstice mean ?

The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer, is the time when the sun appears farthest north of the earth’s equator and occurs approximately June 21st of every year in the northern hemisphere.
The Sun’s Descent

For most people, this day is the first day of summer.  However, earlier cultures and some today still consider May 1st the beginning of summer.  They noticed that the earth begins to tilt the northern hemisphere away from the sun at this time; thus beginning the descent into the darker half of the year.

Modern Pagan Traditions

For many Pagans, it is a celebration of the god aspect at his peak and the earth goddess at her most fertile.  Wiccans call this holiday Litha and honor the dying god theme as the Oak King is overcome by the Holly King.  Many in Norse traditions celebrate the sungoddess Sunna, also known as Sol, as she drives the chariot carrying the sun across the sky.

Solstice Rituals

There are as many ways to celebrate the summer solstice as there are Pagans.  Some use the darkness returning aspect of this holiday as a metaphor to do inward journeying.  As the earth turns to darkness, they look at what needs to settle down in their lives or what issues need introspection.

Rituals can be as simple as sitting in the summer grass contemplating the changing season or as elaborate as a full Wiccan circle casting.  Celebrations are often held outside and include picnics, dancing and bonfires.  Offerings of summer flowers and food can be given to the land and home spirits as well as to the earth and honored deities as gratitude for the fertility, lightness and lusty spirit of the season.

 

Our Celebrations at the Pendle Witch Camp in Trawden Colne Lancashire ran well. The weather stayed dry and the 200 people or so that attended were respectful and kind to each other and to Our Mother Nature. We didn’t rubbish our countryside with litter. No, we just simply put litter in bins and bags and took it home with us to dispose off… Easy. Anyway enough of my rant, I’m happy that I never went to Stonehenge and that I celebrated our Summer Solstice of 2009 with close friends and family and a small gathering of beautiful people.

Would you like to take a look.

 

This is my green and pleasant land. As you all know I’m from this area off the world and find it really soothing when we hold a festival of sorts here. I’m a great lover of Pendle Hill as all of us that are from this area are. We have the story of the Pendle Witches which I won’t go into today and the Pendle area is kinda dominated by that story.

We might all be witches you know but I kinda think of myself to be more fairy than witch if we look through stereotypical glasses. Smiling. I think we’re all very special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love festivals and small gatherings where my daughter is present – not to keen when she brings her partner as they always end up in a row and he goes home and then I’m all worried for a while. Hey ho ! Some people just aren’t meant to go to festivals together are they even if they are your partner. I was so pleased that she brought along her best friend Jo this time, she was great and has never experienced anything quiet like this aww ! She told us it was her best week-end ever. 

I was so happy that Kerri and Jo were part of this circle and felt all the collective energy that circles of people have to offer.

 

 

Look  no litter anywhere.

 

 

 I love this picture Kerri and the Sunrise of June 21st 2009.

So…. What I’m saying here is can we all just take a look at the picture of our beautiful Stonehenge and the state that it was left in and think on for next year eh !

Love Di.

Love for Sam.

 

For Dr. Sam Warner. I love you with all my heart. The book launch will be fantastic don’t worry.

Love

Di.

Ps. Alongside my speech I’ve also been asked to take pictures of the night. Yay ! How cool is that. Pictures to follow. Big love goes out to Sam today for her book. Understanding the effects of child sex abuse.

The book.

This is the book that I’ve been thanked in.

Understanding the effects of child sex abuse draws on feminism and post-structuralism to critically examine current perceptions of women, girls and child sex abuse in psychology,physchiatry and the mass media. The book demonstrates the need to question the use of formulaic methods in working with abused women and girls and calls for an explicit concern with ploitcs, principles and ethics in the related areas of theory, research and practice.

Using research into women who have been sexually abused in childhood, and who are detained in maximum security mental health care, Sam Warner explores and identifys key principles for practice. A social recovery model of intervention is developed, and case study examples are used to illustrate how this approach can be used in a variety of practice contexts including abuse psychotherapy, therapy in child care and therapy with women and girls in secure care units.

This through investigation of this emotive issue provides a clear theoretical and practice framework for understanding and coping with child sexual abuse. This book will be of intrest with anybody that works with children and adults who have been sexually abused. This includes clinical psycholigists, therapists and other proffessionals that work in mental health, psychotherapy and social services: and legal settings within both community and secure care contexts. it should also be essential reading for students and acedemics in that area.

Right… Yup this is the book.

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/1134899385-76986350/title~content=t778980570

I’ve been trying to write a speech  but I think I’m trying to hard to try to fit in with the other people who will be speaking. Sam has allocated 15 minutes for each speaker. I’m going to throw the speech that took me 9 hours to write yesterday in the bin. I’m just going to speak from my heart about our years friendship. I guess it will be a pretty personal speech. I can’t worry about trying to fit in with the other speakers – I worry about my levels of intelligence compared to others but one great thing that Sam and I know is that I’m probably one of Sam’s most stupidest friends ( not putting myself down there I’m really not ) and I will open or close my speech with the fact that even if your really stupid you may get thanked in a really intelligent book. Hehe !!

Lets all have a lovely day today. My head is very busy with all this but I’m quiet enjoying the busyness.

Love in Books & Friends

Di

Need my flow for Friday.

Hi blog,

Well….Long time no write. I think that I have lost the ability to write hey no ! I didn’t had the ability to write in the first place my ability was to flow  to let my fingers tap my head without thought, I used to be very good at it. Oh the writings used to flow big time for me pages and pages of it. I’ve had a very tortured busy head for the last few years and my release has been to write it to just let what comes come and boy did it come. Phew ! Where did it all come from and more to the point where has it all gone.

I must admit I do like having a quieter head but with this new found quiet head my morning ( middle of the night ) routine is somewhat different. For the past few years I have written as the sunrises, the best part of my flows flow at this time of day. Its such a beautiful time of day and I’m so pleased that God thought me worthy to keep him company as the majority of England sleeps.

There have been a lot of changes in Di some real noticeable ones and the one that I’m feeling the most right now is my quiet head. Its a welcomed relief you know and I’m thinking  I never really realised just how busy my head was – no that’s a lie, its drove me crazy these last few years – real crazy and its drove some of my friends crazy to. I’ve been a lot quieter verbally to which also is a welcomed relief for me and all who love me BUT I have a speech to present this week at my friends book launch and I need my flow for Friday.

No way can I write a speech I’ve just got to let it come from my heart I’ve got to relay on the flow. The book is called Understanding Child Sex Abuse and I will be speaking with and alongside some really intelligent people you know the type. Them there academic types. Hehe !! Di doesn’t even know what academic means I just have a best friend who writes really intelligent books and shes thanked me in this one so I’ve got to say a few words haven’t I. In fact I will love to  I feel totally honoured – just a bit scared though.

I’m scared of looking foolish in front of all those different types of people to me. I know I shouldn’t type cast – me bad - its not their fault that their intelligent is it. Urm ! I may have to write some pointers of what I want to say trouble is I never know what I’m going to say. I’ve always relied on my flow in situations like this one. More to follow as I prepare.

Heres hoping for my flow for Friday.

Love in Flows

Di

Happy 4th Birthday Oliver.

Yay ! It’s Oliver’s birthday today.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you happy birthday dear Oliver happy birthday to you. Yay !

 

It’s Oliver’s birthday today however we had his party last Sunday at the Rugby club. We all had a great time with Oliver to celebrate his 4th year of  this life.

We hired a children’s entertainer, he was very good we got him last year to and  felt totally fulfilled and happy with his little set.

He was very expensive but Di thinks that everything over 100 quid is expensive. 140 quid for 90 minuites. It wasn’t so bad as my sister and I helped with the money.

We loved the party. I think kids party’s are just the best. It was great, all his little friends came to celebrate with him and had a ball.

 

Big love goes out to Oliver today. Oh my goodness I can’t believe I’m a grandmother I struggle believing that I’m a mother and I’ve been one for 25 years now. Hehe !!

Got to go now I have a  little family birthday tea party to sort out. Kerri only allowed Oliver to open two of his presents at his party on Sunday so he has tons of presents to open today. Yay another little party today.

Again Happy Birthday Oliver with so much love coming your way

Grandma Di. x

Theres a party on the hill – can you come?

There’s a party on the hill – Can you come ? …. Yes                                                                                  

Bring your own bread and butter and your own current bun …. Can’t afford it.

Urmm !! I can’t remember the rest of this childhood riddle but it was some sort of game we used to play – anyway – Yay ! ! Off we go looking for a party in the woods.

Wanna come ?

This is Sunday morning about 9 and what a glorious morning it was. My friends and I had been to our monthly night out and had heard of this free party in the woods so we though we travel the distance and go to try and find it.

None of us had had any sleep, we’d danced all night, our nights out don’t generally start until midnight. A night out to Di means all the night. Its great. I’ve always liked to stay out all night. Its not 8 till 12 for me it’s 12 till 6 but this great morning we decided to not go home we decided to drive and find the party in the woods.

 

I love not going home sometimes.

Here are the woods.

This place is amazing  its a small  place called Todmerden in the North of England and what a treck to find the party but I’ve trekked worse terrain so it wasn’t so bad.

 

Yay ! Some cars ahead, must be near now.

This first sign of life we saw was this beautiful dog like wolf type creature. I love this shot, wish I got a shot of its tounge, I’ve never seen as tongue as large as this doggies, never mind  next time if ever there’s a next time.

 

 

Sylvie looked like a film star just relaxing looking all beautiful in the coral pink colour. She always does to me. Butterflies were landing on a flower she had clipped to her, you can see it  the red one but again guttered I never caught the shot of the butterfly landing.

 

 We had such a lovely couple of hours at the party and then decided to go back to the van for cups of coffee and tea. Its great when Mick comes out with his van and all the facilities, one of the reasons we all decided to stay out, we can always sleep in the comfort of his van and the mattresses and quilts. Mike is great with the supply of coffee. Mike is just great anyway. hes a man of many jokes and boy can he tell a good joke. He kept us all entertained beyound belief.

Aww !! The text message I got of him when we all got home read. ‘ Diane, it was just perfect – thank you’. It was, it was perfect. We all felt the benefit of the laughter and the easiness. Aww ! Perfect times feeds my soul for months.

This is Annie and Sylvie coming back down the roughy hill down to the van. These women are 50 and 60 and are still going strong….so strong. I love my nights out with these two. They inspire me,Annie is great  especially with expression. She has amazing animated facial and body expressions. Shes funny but she doesn’t mean to be, – get me. She keeps me entertained big time..

 

 

 

 

 

Annie’s head scarfs were really useful, they got used for all sorts of stuff  that I will leave to your imagination. It was fun to wear them with her. I found them to be as versatile as a sarong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was good to get back to the van, we stayed here on the roadside for another 8 hours, just with own own company, we did have some neighbours who I tried to include into own little scene but I don’t  think they wanted the bother, they were quiet happy to just be entertained by us, how-ever I did love trying to get them involved. You can see me sat in the van here with them. Hehe ! I wonder if they thought I was as funny as I did. Ha !                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know…I wish my friends would get the same sort of quality to thier shots of me as I do of my shots of them.

Look !! All blurred but still supporting my wristband from the night out. Come what may I could not get these men in this van out of the van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phew Party Picture Posts are sooo tiring  especially when you’ve been up all night..hehe !!

Hey quess what, I got some video footage but don’t bloody know how to post a video or edit it or anything yet. Oh its so funny. We’re just laughing all the way. Aww my poor friends, I’m sure they just humour me with my picture taking, the’re really great  having to put up with me and my camera  but I’m not to sure about video’s ummm !! I’ll have to see.

I have loads of pictures of our Sunday morning special time but I better stop now. I’ll end on a picture of Adrain and Mick and Janet and Angie their girlfriends, they sure know how to keep the ladies laughing. We spent the whole night together dancing, then the whole day together laughing – can’t be bad can it. It was  one of those times that we all came together and loved every minuite of each other.

Hope you enjoyed the party. Well it was more of a Sunday chill out in the woods really,for like minded people who have been up all the night and for the not so like minded to. Smiling. xx

Love in Woods and Partys and Friends.

Di.

 

This party is for my friend Annie, shes not here and I never knew it was her party until about five minuites ago. Hehe !! What a beautiful slant to the party. I love my blog and I love my life and celebrations.

Lets all celebrate each other. xx

For Annie. x

Again Love

Diane x