Blogazine Guest from Kissed By An Angel!

As most of you know I have been having our blogger friends send me a story to share about their lives or about what ever they want to talk about. Today we cross the ocean to visit with  sweet, Janice. who is the lovely person behind  Kissed By An Angel!




First thing’s first I would like to thank Maggie for asking me to share ‘my story’ I truly feel it is an honour to have been asked. So thank you Maggie I hope I don’t disappoint!

I don't really know where to start, being asked to write ‘my story’ seemed a daunting task ‘what should I write about?’, and ‘I have nothing to say’. When I told my Daughter I had been asked to write my story and voiced my worries to her she laughed and said ‘just write about you!’

Makes sense really, so that is what I’m going to do! A walk down memory lane, and I invite you all to join me.
I think I'll start with writing a bit about my blog though, because without that I'd never have found Maggie and her wonderful words that we all love so much!!!

I called my blog 'Kissed by an Angel', not because I think I am an angel, nor am I particularly religious, but because my life is and has been so blessed!

I have never really suffered terrible hardships, and most things go 'my way'! If sometimes things seem bad I can always see a light at the end of the tunnel and things always seem to end up working themselves out for the best!

Yes I have had sad moments, worries and upsets but I consider myself lucky that I have never suffered like some people in this world. I truly believe I have been blessed!

I was born just outside London in the UK a few years after the Second World War. We didn't have much, but we weren't poor either. We always had plenty of food and a warm home and clothes on our backs (we were far more fortunate than a lot of people at the time, who struggled awfully).

I was an only child until I was seven when my parents presented me with a Sister! My parents bought our first home the year my Sister was born; it was a little cottage between my Grandparents and Great Grandmother's house and, with the rest of our relatives living within a few miles, we were a close knit family.

I attended local schools, and left when I was fifteen. From school I, followed in my Dad’s footsteps and went to work for a large bank.

When I was 16 I met a boy, the boy! His name was Martin and I adored him! He had a scooter and we were Mods (For those of you not familiar with Mod and Rockers this means we dressed smartly, in an Italian/French style, and were well groomed, we worked, and the boys rode scooters) We were very happy!

Then when I was just eighteen (a very young eighteen at that) my Father's company moved to Poole in Dorset and he was offered a wonderful promotion! I was devastated, because I decided not to go, I really wasn't ready to move into a home of my own or on my own, I still wanted my parents but I couldn’t bear the thought of breaking up with Martin. Luckily Lou Lou - my Great Grandmother came to the rescue and said that I could move in with her. It was a good solution for everyone and, although I found it hard sometimes, I lived with Lou Lou for almost four years!!

When I was twenty one Martin and I married at our local church with all our family around us, and moved into our own home!! Our house was a Victorian end of terrace house that needed complete renovation! It was hard work but luckily we had owned it for a year before we married so it was all ready for us when we got back from our honeymoon! This honeymoon was to the Veneto region in Venice, Italy and began a lifelong love (and several holiday homes!) of that area.

We lived in our first home for a couple of years and then we moved to our current home to start our family!

After a year in our new home I gave up work to become a stay at home Mum, and gave birth to a beautiful daughter – Kelly. We were so happy!!

On our sixth wedding anniversary two and a half years after we had Kelly, I gave birth to a tiny son – Lee was 6 weeks early and so small I could hold him with one hand. But again I was blessed and my little boy was strong and overcame his early birth (I can hardly believe how tiny he was when I see the strapping rugby player he has become today!)

We were delighted!!! Just what we wanted - one of each!!!

Unfortunately our happy news was overshadowed when my poor Dad passed away. He had been terminally ill and eventually just 6 weeks after the birth of our son he was released from his suffering. I am ever grateful that my father got to meet my son and treasure the photos I have of my children with him.

18 Years later My Mum went to join my dad, thankfully she didn’t suffer. We were very sad because her passing was so unexpected but took comfort from a letter she had written and left with the solicitor to tell us that she loved us all but we should not be sad because she was back with the love of her life! It truly was a blessing to know she was happy!



Apart from some health glitches with the kids the next eighteen years passed far too quickly, we were happy most of the time and my children, as well as brother and sister are good friends (I couldn’t ask for more!)

Both Kelly and Lee did really well at school (we did wonder at times about Lee, he struggled and just hated school, this worried me and I got him through day by day!).

Kelly got herself a BA Hons (Degree) in English and History (the first member of our family to go to university!) She also studied while working and got an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering!

Lee finished school with really good exam results and obtained an apprenticeship with London Underground as a Signal Apprentice following in his father’s footsteps! He also studied and got an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering!!

Kelly joined London Underground too, also in Signalling (the only female at the time!)! They are both now Signalling Managers and their father and I are immensely proud of them



When Lee was Eighteen, I got really bored with doing housework, I'm not a crafter, I love to bake and cook - but we watch our weight! I can knit and, lately, crochet!! But, I couldn't do this all the time!! I went back to work, and where else could I go - that's right London Underground! I was just an administrator but strangely I loved it!! There have been a few changes over the years, but, 13 years later, I still love it and the lifestyle we have achieved as a result of my working.

With the advent of me going back to work, the kids both working and subsequently getting homes of their own, (Kelly’s in the same street and lee just over the road!) Martin and I found a love of travel!!

We have always had, since Kelly was one (and still do have) our family summer holidays to Italy (where we honeymooned all those years ago!) But when Martin was 50 we discovered America!!!! Obviously not literally!!!



We went to Florida - Orlando and loved it so much that within ten minutes of entering our first theme park we decided to bring the kids the following year!! Which we did, and have done every year since - except this year - because of my op (I have had to have a hip replacement and more recently my left knee has been replaced)

For out thirtieth wedding anniversary we decided to go to Key West and Naples!!! Wow, fabulous!! Then Las Vegas, wow, wow!!! Fandabbidosi!!!







There are loads more places in the US that I will visit in the future:

Texas

Arizona

Georgia

North and South Carolina

California

And loads more!!



In 2005 we ventured to Australia, which was love at first sight too!! We went back in 2006 and 2009!!! It's so beautiful!! Later this year we are off to Hong Kong and Thailand!!

So you can see how wonderful my life has been, I have a loving husband, wonderful close loving family and a great lifestyle!! I have no complaints!

Thank you Janice for sharing your life with all of us. You really have been Kissed by an Angel... Remember to just email me your story and a picture you want to include with the story to grandmayellowhair@gmail.com..

After yesterday and riding on the Big Yellow Thing for a while and on the tractor the rest of the day...I feel like I played football against  Kate from the blog Auntie Cakes and lost ! This ole grandma can hardly move this morning and the Lord blessed us with rain during the night so it saved me from climbing back on the tractor today and mowing...I actually am feeling my age today!

Love to all

Maggie