I am on catch up, big time, but my reasons are good I promise. This weekend my fabulous, gorgeous, funny and just darn lovely Auntie Frieda and cousin Harriet came to visit. My Auntie Frieda lives in Plymouth so we see her a few times a year but Harriet works in Doha in Qatar and we didn’t see her at all last year so it was really great to have some time with her.
Last night MR B cooked an enormous spinach risotto and we ate, drank, chatted and laughed till late.
Misses E and M introduced them to the Umbrella/Gorilla game and they were both so good I was a very proud mummy.
Harriet is just fantastic. She makes time for the girls and is full of fun and humour and a warmth that makes her so easy to get along with and enjoy. She’s travelled all over the world and spent time at Camp America when she was younger, and she now works in the hotel industry. We don’t see her for long stretches of time but when we do she is just the same, and we slide back into an easy comfortableness. Seriously, she is like a fifth sibling.
My Auntie Freida is one of those people who lights up the room. She is warm and vivacious and the kindest person I have ever met. When I was younger I often felt left out and was very low in confidence due to bullying and I suppose just being a very sensitive child. I wasn’t used to attention, cuddles, people looking at me like I was special, not because people didn’t think that, but maybe because I didn’t demand or invite it, but my Auntie Frieda always greeted me with warmth and cuddles.
At times I felt a little awkward about this. I wasn’t used to it, so I found it hard to believe someone could look at me with such love in her eyes and really really mean it. But over the years, when she consistently made time for me and smiled at me and met and held my gaze with mischief twinkling in her eyes I grew to trust this love and welcome it whole heartedly.
I suppose what I’m saying is that she is special.
Even Mr B who doesn’t always find the hustle and bustle of family gatherings easy, is under her spell. She has the same affect I think, she makes him feel good about himself.
So I neglected all of you a little because I had to make the most of her. She’s amazing, a joy and I’m a better person for knowing her and knowing that she loves me.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Oh Jo – not the Umbrella/Gorilla game again?!! I’m relieved to see you have found someone to play it with you, especially as the rest of all say we’d prefer a different party game at the end of our dinner parties and drinking sessions with you! And as you know we always play Truth or Dare, or Spin the Bottle. Maybe next time we would be safer playing the Umbrella/Gorilla game xx
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
sounds like you had a great time, I am glad you got to visit with them
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
What is this game? Is it an English thing? You must teach me.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
is this auntie the inspiration for another thingie you wrote? hmm? she seems absolutely divinely lovely. i’m glad you got to enjoy her some more. i hope you want to see her this summer. cuz cardiff SO is on the way back from plymouth. don’t let those geography experts fool you. what do *they* know?!?! i’ll tell you. big fat zero.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
where did that photo of the boots go? Has google reader given me a glimpse into an alternate world?
Anyway, I was going to say that I could never get on with doc martins. They were always really uncomfortable.
(and thanks for the plug in the comments section of NYCWD)
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
family ALWAYS comes first. No matter what. I am glad you had such a good visit.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
She sounds so lovely Jo! And you know…the way you describe her making you feel, that’s how you make me feel. All loved and accepted no matter what. =)
So glad you got some good visiting in, and I could tell instantly from the picture that she’s the sort of happy, vivacious gal that I’d just adore. Congrats on having someone like that in your life!
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I am so glad to hear what a wonderful time you. I am thrilled that your auntie is so special, and that she is successful at showing you just how special you are as well!
hugs!
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
What a nice warm post, lovely!
Just catching up on your others too, very, very funny.
My piglets are like tea bags y’know…very hot and wrinkly!
June 29th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Just came by via frog in the field – a lovely blog, I’ll drop in again
June 29th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Ingenious, we could play it where you do the most unhealthy meal?? Then we could eat it.
Grace me too, it was wonderful.
Maria, you might be better off not knowing, hee hee.
Holl you know, till you wrote that I hadn’t thought, but yes, there;s definitely some of her in there.
Dan, hee hee, I hit publish by mistake so I went back and changed the date. It will be here tomorrow. And honest, docs are worth persevering with, once you get through the first few days they are forever comfy.
Mie, it does, you’re right.
Kim that is just such a lovely comment. If I could be anything like my Auntie F I would be so happy. You make me feel good too babe, you’re a star.
Corey that’s lovely. Right back atcha hon.
Frof in the Field thanks. ANd tebagy piglets, hee hee, fabulous.
June 29th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi blogthatmama. Thank you so much. I’ll pop over and say hi to you too.