The Village Buzzard

This beautiful bird THE BUZZARD has taken up residence in the village over the last couple of months. He flies around the village and sits in the trees sometime watching the traffic as it passes by. He surely is a magnificent bird to watch. Below is a link about Buzzards.

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/buzzard.htm

Funny Stuff from Kids...

If you need a good laugh, try reading through these children's science exam answers :

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? (brilliant, love this!)
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? ( e.g., abdomen)
A: The body is consisted into three parts -- the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does 'varicose' mean? (I do love this one...)
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarian Section.'
A: The Caesarian Section is a district in Rome

Q: What does the word 'benign' mean?'
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.

Kids Are Quick

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________ ________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: ! Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it. ____________________________________________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are. _______________________________________

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is.. TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am' MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.
_________________________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand. ______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher.

NOTE: This stuff is funny.....I wonder why comedians don't just follow kids around and use their material...... It's always good for a laugh and it's clean (usually!)

The Devils Violin

We had a fantastic evening out at Llanfyllin Workhouse. We went to see

THE DEVILS VIOLIN

The devils violin is a mixture of Roma gypsy music and tales from Wales and beyond. Performed by storyteller Daniel Morden and the band. Web site link below :

http://www.thedevilsviolin.co.uk/
The evening started with instrumental performances which were filled with passion. Then the storyteller began with myths and legend funny and scary story's. The first story was of a girl who had befriended a witch The Leaves That Hung But Never Grew did she find love ??? The tale was first written in Denbighshire by a group of gypsies called the Woods.
Here is an interesting link of gypsy history http://www.valleystream.co.uk/romhome.htm
More tales were told during the evening including the Herring king. A tale of mystery and fantasy. The storeys were told with a passion I cant described. They were backed by the instrumental band that created a wonderful atmosphere for the storyteller.
It was a fantastic show which I would recommend to all.

Happy Birthday Nana

Happy Birthday Nana, she was 79 yrs old on the 26th January 09. She had an enjoyable day recieving quite a few presents and cards.
Aaron drew a card for her using the number 79 he used the number nine to draw his nan and then the number 7 as a walking stick. Very imaginative and creative.
Later in the evening we all went out for a birthday meal. Billy came home early and Gaynor came along too. We had a lovely meal at the Highway Man Pub in Oswestry. This pub has lovely meals.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA XXXX

Fantastic Weekend January 09

This weekend some of Billy`s friends travelled up from Liverpool. Some stayed in local B&B and some stayed with us in our home.

Aaron & I entertained Billy`s friend`s Friday afternoon till he came home from work. We all then went out for a meal Aaron included.

On Saturday we all went into Oswestry Town looking around the shops and also the sites we had lunch in the heritage centre. Link Below

http://www.oswestry-welshborders.org.uk/photos/heritage-centre.shtml

We all had a lovely day before heading back to our house to watch the football Man Utd V Tottingham after the match we all had chicken roast dinner.

Next stop was the pub, it is handy living just across the road to one the Penybont Inn. This pub has recently been taken over by a lovely couple. We all had again another great time chatting away and playing pool. Aaron played with the other kids in the pub before he decided to play pool with Billy`s friend`s. John became Aaron`s coach along with Harry and Billy. It was a really nice evening.

Next morning up early again, after a cooked breakfast thanks to Billy & I we headed up the the falls. We parked up in the lay by and taking Fred also we walked up the the falls. This is a spectacular part of wales in the blog below is pictures of the falls and some information.

After giving Fred a good walk we put him back in the car and headed for the tea shop. Here we were told story's of the fall. Again another good day.

We headed home for a short while before we all headed to Llanstanffraid Football Club to watch the Liverpool V Everton game FA cup 5Th round. 1-1 score replay at Goodison Park. After the match everyone headed home Gaynor headed to work poor girl.

It was a busy weekend which we all enjoyed. Aaron enjoyed playing games with Billy & his friends on his WII. The boys all had him a game of ten pin bowl etc. They are all nice people and we all get on really well. A few of them are bikers and have some really nice bikes. The bike that caught my eye the most was the centenary year Suzuki Bandit in GSXR colour.This bike is really nice. Again we enjoyed a fabulous weekend in good company.

Llanrhaeadr Waterfall (Pistyll Rhaeder) Jan 09

ABOUT THE LOCATION
Llanrhaeadr Waterfall (Pistyll Rhaeadr) is regarded as one of the seven Wonders of Wales. At 75 metres it has one of the single highest waterfall drops in Wales and is over 18 metres higher than Niagara Falls in North America. Located in the scenic Tanat Valley, the nearby village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant is well known as the place where Bishop Morgan completed the first Welsh translation of the Bible. The river that tumbles over the falls originates in the heather moorlands of the Berwyn mountains, and the peat gives a rich brown colour to the waterfall which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientic Interest. The falls have an arch half way down their drop and, in all seasons, spectacular photos can be taken of the waterfall and the surrounding area.

FACTS & INFO

Where it is:
The waterfall is about 6 km. north west of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and is signposted in the village.

How to get there:
Turn west off the A483 Oswestry to Welshpool road at Llynclys onto the A495 then follow the signs to Llanrhaeadr YM.

Accommodation:
Hotel and Bed & Breakfast accommodation is available in Llanrhaeadr and there is a small campsite near the base of the waterfall.

WEB SITE .http://www.pistyllrhaeadr.co.uk/

Extra Bikers Needed For Trip Wales - France

A Welsh organisation is looking for keen motorcyclists to join their charity run from North Wales to France.
One way round is an organisation dedicated to raising money through motorcycle riding events. Members over the years have taken part in many motorcycling rides in aid of charity. Most recent was The Long Way Round Britain. This was an endurance ride around the outside of Britain mainland, this covered 3,000 miles in only 5 days. This was a great success.
Now a team of 20 members are planning another ride in June from the UK down to France round the outside of France and back to the UK covering 4,000 miles in 7 to 8 days. This event will involve 12 motorcycles and two support vans covering the distance.
The event is in aid of St Johns Ambulance.
For more details you can visit their web site @@@
www.onewayround.com or contact Rob Lewis on 07967192773 or by email rob@onewayround.com
We no a few people who are with St Johns Ambulance as first aiders Michael, Linda & Luke. They do a wonderful job volunteering their days to help out at local events. To visit St John Ambulance web site click on link below.
http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/

Naked Firemen Calender 2009

You just had to look, didn't you!

Copy & Paste &&&&&&&

Pass this on to the ladies on your e- mailing list

and the men who can use a chuckle.

Here We Go ----------------------------------------------------------------

Get Motivated January 2009

Our family has joined GM TV `s get motivated programme.
I have always enjoyed keep fit. Being a keen horse rider and walker.
We also enjoy swimming. Most of our activities are done as a family. To join get motivated click here http://www.gm.tv/
Having Daniel which invloved lots of heavy work I always kept myself in reasonable shape. Getting motivated is about living a healthy lifestyle. I am a curvey size 14 so I have to watch what I eat on occaasions.
TIME TO GET MOTIVATED

Our Future Helping Others On The Road To Recovery

Having been through so many different experience`s in life. I have been asked if I will help others on the path to recovery.

After asking for input on hospital experience`s with disabled children I was over whelmed with the response.

I would like to hear from people who have been through traumatic times like Aaron & myself. People who have suffered or are suffering domestic abuse to losing a child. How you felt at the time to what makes you feel better now.

I am in the middle of writing a book about my experiences with life which will be a real good read. I am told it will go to No 1 in the charts when published. I am also doing a re fresher course in journalism.

After being asked by a few organisations including Hope House Hospice. I have put together written articles on different experience both myself and my young son`s have been through. These articles are available via email and post. They are also free of charge although the cost of a stamp for postage would be useful. On request of one of the articles a contact number is required which of course will remain confidential. The articles also have links to different web sites and phone numbers that are useful for the topic that is supplied on request.

The articles tell of different experience`s such as :-
1/ the loss of a baby,
2/ loss over an older child,
3/ loss of a close relative or friend,
4/ loss of a much loved pet,
5/ living with abuse both physical, mental and emotional,
6/ living with adultery,
7/ helping a child over come death,
8/ living with disability,
9/ living with a drink problem and drugs,
10/ life as a single parent,
11/ making new friends
12/ look for a prince not a frog, looking for love well don't let it come to you
13/ how not to repeat history, don't repeat patterns
14/ how to move on
15/ the man who takes up with a young girl, young enough to be his daughter half his age
16/ learn to trust again after living with lies
17/ don't be manipulated
18/ don't be a door matt, forget feeling sorry for them
19/ your worth more than that
20/ your child doesn't deserve this put them first
many others will also be available soon.

After helping Daniel live life to the full for 10 yrs. My mission in life is to help others to learn to live with the traumatic times they have experienced which leaves scars in their memories.
You never get over traumatic things that happened in life you have to learn to live with them.
I have created many links over the years both on this blog and on Daniels web site @@ http://www.danelstrustfund.com/ . Hopefully users of all my web sites will find these useful they range from help lines to days out. There is also a forums on the site many people leave messages on here some also leave links to useful web sites. I am grateful for the links some of which are really good.
I would like to help anyone who needs help and would also like to hear from those who have gone up the road of recovery. Please feel free to send me your story's. Maybe one day I could put together another book on different experience`s of life of others.

One of my story`s is after the end of a chapter in my life. The chapter should have ended years earlier. The only reason it didn't was because after the first time I chucked him out back in 2003 I was a sucker for feeling sorry for the person time and time giving chance after chance. He had a way of manipulating me into feeling that way, with lie after lie. It was only after the behaviour of this man started to affect my child that I came to my senses and ended it for good which was the best decision I have ever made. When asking my child how he felt if he was OK he replied he was a bully which was so true but to hear those words coming from a small child it still came as a shock. A spade will always be a spade.
From a very UN-happy, thin, gaunt looking child came like a Phoenix out of the fire, the boy I have today. A happy healthy child. Full of laughter, confidence and smiles.
Life was like being on a roller coast before I had no confidence it was squeezed out of me over many years. Even after Daniels death the lies and manipulation were still heard but this time not just by myself . It happened in front of the counsellors from Hope House Hospice.
At this point I new it was time to shut the door on the past completely. Shut them out for good and don't look back. Treat them like a death gone for good. This was the best thing I ever did. Life is Plato on the level now with no stress. A spade is a spade no matter how much your try to change them. An old saying and one that should be heeded.
I still hear the odd thing like from a neighbour recently, he was seen driving past our home slowly again on more than one occasion, it makes you wonder way he still feels the need to do this, to be in a place he knows he may see us WHY. Sad really They should move on like we have. He is fully aware that his 10 yr old son cant stand him after this young boy has witnessed so much. Why put a child who does not want to know you through that. Again no consideration for his feeling what so ever. Aaron has been counselled by professionals to deal with problems like this, lets face it wanting to be in the same place as we are is just another way of bullying something we don`t tolerate anymore. They have caused this child enough heartache and damage but still want to cause him more. Sick, like leaving cards on Daniel and Callum`s grave more effort should have been made whilst he were alive, but none ever was, it seems both these boys receive more now there dead. I would not like to live with a conscience that some selfish self centred men have to. This is just one of the my story's of real life.
Our road to recovery is now completed.
Now Aaron and I have a wonderful family life how it should be, with my fantastic
husband -to -be Billy.
We all have a happy future ahead of us with security, trust and lots of love. Who knows what the future holds for us but I no its a happy one from now on with the door firmly shut on our past for good.
I HOPE THE WORK I DO IN THE FUTURE HELPS OTHER ON THERE ROAD TO RECOVERY.
any comments or thoughts any useful links etc please either email me @ lesley_powys@talktalk.net or visit Daniel`s web site @ http://www.danielstrustfund.com/ here you can leave your comments and thoughts on the web site forums.The forums have been a good source of information over the last few years.

Football Derby Liverpool V Everton

Last night we had a lovely evening out watching the Derby football game between Liverpool and Everton.

We headed to the venue at Park Hall It is also home to Welsh Premier side The New Saints of Oswestry Town and Llansantffraid Football Club. With it being a football club it has a great atmosphere for watching the football games.

Aaron loves football as does Billy. Aaron and I put on our Liverpool colours / Shirts, Billy with his Everton.

We sat down to watch the game after ordering chips and a pint. Its was a good game Liverpool scored first with Eveton scoring during the last few minutes of the game. Least with a 1 - 1 draw we all went home happy.

When I lived on the Wirral I always used to go to Liverpoool to watch the matches at Anfield. I also went to quite a few away games including football finals at Wembely with my dad and a few Friends. We used to have great times together.

Aaron enjoys both watching and playing football. He is a good little player. Below is a photograph of Aaron in his colours.

It was so nice to watch him enjoying himself last night especially after all the trauma he has had in his life. I know his happiness is due to the fact he now has people around him he can trust.

You should always be honest with children and tell them the truth at all times. With Aaron we have lived though the good and bad times together. He has seen heard and felt all the things I have. We have a very close trusting relationship this makes a happy child.

I feel for children that grow up in a world of deceit and lies. They grow up with clouded minds only to find out the truth later in life which destroys their world. Now or in the future both Aaron and I would not hesitate to tell it how it was or how it is. We lived for many years with lies and deceit. The truth will always be told in our family now matter what.

Happy trusting truthful relationships make happy children. My boy is a very happy little man.

My little boy is proud of his mum, like I am so proud of him. he is a star in his own right. Some children in this world are not so lucky are they.

Our Weekend January 09

We had a long weekend this week with Billy on a flexy Friday.

We visited Oswestry Town having lunch and a look around the shops. It is such a shame to see so many of the shops shut down. Still we had a pleasant couple of hours together.

Also this weekend we went on lovely family walk with Fred our dog . I had my stitches out late last week after an operation to remove one of my tumours. We were hoping it loosened my knee of as it has been quite tight since. It worked.



With the road being shut we left the car a Pentre. Aaron rode his bicycle. We took a slow walk up to the park and then a slow walk around. Both Billy and I took some wonderful photographs of the views surrounding park and the the animals. The river was quite wild and high so Fred ended up back on his lead we didn't fancy a swim today to rescue him from the torrents far to cold.

It was a fairly nice afternoon before the weather started to turn becoming cloudy and windy.

We got back to the car just in time before the rain started. We then headed home for tea, Lemon garlic chicken roast. I love to cook and bake for my family experimenting with new recipes all the time.

Sunday Aaron was off on a social event to a local birthday party. Billy and I enjoyed each others company as we always do.

It was a really nice relaxing weekend.

Photographs are views from Ty Mawr Country Park. For more photographs please click on link below.

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww187/penybont-stores/

THE ANIMALS Ty Mawr Country Park January 09

TY MAWR COUNTRY PARK NR WREXHAM THE ANIMALS

Here are some of the animals from Ty Mawr Country Park.

There are different breeds of donkey. The two old boys above and the hairy donkeys from the Pyrenees mountains in France. At Ty Mawr there are ducks, geese, hens, Pygmy goats and pigs. There are also a wide variety of different breeds of sheep. Above are just some of the photographs of the animals. Below is a link for information on the park.

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/leisure_tourism/TyMawrCountryPark.htm

Women to Women Chill At Home Coffee Break Time

Sometimes it just great to chill at home. We live in a beautiful part of Wales Tanat Valley. Very relaxed place surrounded by the green hills and mountains of Wales, with streams and wild country rivers. A mass of wildlife from the country fox, woolly sheep to the house sparrow and harris hawk. Many People often drive into the lovely countryside for there Sunday days out we just have to open the curtains of a morning to see the wonderful views.

We bought a box set CD recently Women to Women a 3 box set with songs from women artists.

Aaron especially enjoys one of the CD`s in particular. Doing the house work and sitting chilling with a cup of coffee we listen to the music.

Some of our favourite songs our Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive. This is a very powerful Ballard and we love singing along to it Aaron has also made up his own words to sing along to this song. We also like The Only Way Is Up by Yazz.

Life has certainly got much better for us now. The door has been closed on certain parts of the past which was the best thing we ever did. The door will always remain closed now as we now what it is like to remove rubbish form our lives. I wish we had done it a lot sooner. Life used to be a roller coaster of ups and downs with many downs but now it is Plato.

The only thing we feel sad about is losing our precious Daniel that will remain foremost in our thoughts for life. Also losing baby Callum. Both deaths could have been avoided which makes it even more tragic.

Anyway there is nothing more powerful than music to bring back memories both good and bad. Music also lifts your mood making you feel much happier. Aaron and I love to dance and sing along to the songs we listen to. Aaron is a fab dancer and singer we also have a Karaoke machine and love to sing along to Abba songs. Billy thinks were mad although he is a brilliant dancer especially when it comes to jiving and the twist.

Aaron wants Billy and I to get married and so do all my friends and family. You will have to wait and see. Least with this wonderful man I cant go wrong. A Man in a Million.

One of the songs we sing too is very right after losing Daniel we hit an all time low, rock bottom and yes you guessed THE ONLY WAY IS UP. Daniel would want that for us.



For women I have set up a links on this blog for women. For Women Coffee Break time links just for us girls. The links can be found on the right of you under the above category

Scouts Aarons Invested Jan 09

Billy & I were so proud of Aaron this week looking very smart in his new scout uniform. He was invested by the scouts. He was brought forward by the scout leader and his own troop leader.

He said his scout promise without fault whilst holding the scout flag and saluting the leader.

Scout Promise

On My Honour, I promise that I will do y best

To do my duty to God and to the Queen

To help other people

And to keep the Scout Law

along with the scout law.

1. A Scout s to be trusted.

2. A Scout is loyal.

3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.

5. A Scout has courage in all difficlties.

6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and propety.

7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

He was then given his official troop neckchief scarf and troop badgers for his uniform.

When I was his age I was a brownie guide myself and a member of the woodcraft folk. Scouts like the brownies ect are great groups for young children to join. Aaron will now be able to do a range of activites connected with his scout group and with this will learn many life skills.

Aaron has turned into a lovely young man and a very happy child now with a fun filled social life.

Here is a link to the official scout web site - http://scouts.org.uk/

One for the girls Brownie Guides - www.girlguiding.org.uk/brownies/

Woodcraft Folk - http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/

Doggy Paradise - Lake District

Recently I was reading an article about holidays with you dog. Some dogs get distressed leaving them behind especially when sent into kennels. My dog was ill treated and kept in a kennel. Therefore kennels is not an option he either comes with us or is cared for in our own home.
The article was about doggy paradise for dogs and dog lovers in Cumbria Lake District. The Lakes is one of the most beautiful parks of the UK with plenty of walks for you and your pet.
I thought I would share this information.
Best villages for walks etc NR Buttermere and Cockermouth. Many Trails have been well maintained. So owned by National Trust.
Dog owners and walkers need to be aware that you need to follow the country code at all time to the livestock especially the sheep. Below is a link to learn about the countryside rules. http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code
Travel Facts travel hosts - Cumbria Tourism 015398 22222
Lake District accommodation booking line 0845 450 1199
www.golakes.co.uk www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk
for dog friendly cottages go to Southwaite Green eco www.southwaitegreen.co.uk or call 01900 821055
for lovely hot meal on arrival and take away delivery service to find out more about the Wonderful ant the Wicked Catering Company call 07721 956 737
The Lakes is certainly a place we will be visiting in the summer. We as a family are very keen countryside walkers along with Fred our dog.

Grace & Darcey`s Party - Darcey`s Christening

Last weekend we headed to the Wirral for a birthday party. Two special little girls and very pretty ones at that share the same birthday. Grace Lilly is 5yrs old and Darcey Mae is 1 today. A special day also for Darcey as she is getting christened.

Stopping at Mc Donalds for breakfast we then headed towards Queensferry dropping down onto the Old Chester Road. We had a pit stop at Water World and the garden centre. We had a good look around both places Aaron loves looking at the animals especially the fish.

We then headed to visit the boys grave. Here we all tidyed up the grave removing some rubbish that had been put on just before Christmas along with the flowers that had wilted.

After placing all the rubbish in the bin we headed to the church for the christening Moreton Parish. The church dates back to the 18Th century. I was christened here also. The ceremony was lovely. Afterwards we all headed off to the Arrow Park Hotel for the party.

Darcey is a very pretty little girl with her blonde locks. She is a very happy little girl full of smiles Below is a photograph of her she is the spitting image of Aaron when he was her age

We all had a great time party games and songs. A disco and really nice buffet. Billy got on well with all our family and went down a treat. He is a very handsome man dark with gorgeous brown eyes you`d die for. What a hunk.

Aaron played with his cousins James and Ross all three getting up to mischief. Missiles form straws naughty naughty. Even Billy was getting up to mischief. Aaron giggled with delight. Lovely to see Aaron with such a wonderful father figure in his life.

It was a lovely day out over to soon it wasn't long before we were headed back home to beautiful Wales.

Wildlife On Our Doorstep ( Visitors For Breakfast )

On a cold and frosty weekend morning we sat in the window of our home and watched the wild life around us.

The pictures on this blog are just a few of the animals & birds that come to our home every morning for breakfast.

They range from the local flock of sheep to coming down from the hills to birds swooping down for there fill.

The birds range scavengers of the skys black crows, house sparrows, beautiful red breast robins and the zebra finch.

A cock pheasant also comes from the hills followed by two female companians. Both Aaron and I enjoy watching the animals that live around us and walking over the field joined by Billy, our dog Fred and pony Jingle. Wales is the best place in the world to live.