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Daryl Lees © 2009                          This page was last updated: 18/05/2009

***   NEWS AND EVENTS THAT HAPPEN IN MY FAMILY - AND IMPORTANT THINGS AROUND THE WORLD   ***

This is another website that I have set up. It is a totally free-of-charge online site that takes you through very easy steps to get the site up and running. I haven't done much to it yet - but it is early days!

http://daryl-lees.synthasite.com/ - take a look!  It's free, so if you want to set your own site up, get to www.yola.com set your site up and publish it - free - with synthasite, which it sends you to on a free link, when publishing!

It is my great niece's birthday today. Our Natalie turns 19-years-old. She is the daughter of my nephew and godson Christopher and his former partner Patricia.  Natalie is also expecting her first child in July, and then I shall become a Great-Great Uncle!  Oh the ageing of it all!!

Happy Birthday anyway Nats!! xxx

This influenza outbreak has killed 149 people in Mexico (at time of publishing), and two cases have been confirmed in the United Kingdom. There are also outbreaks been detailed in the USA, New Zealand and Spain.

The World Health Organisation [WHO] have raised the threat of it becoming a pandemic (worldwide 'flu outbreak) from 3 to 4, out of a scale of 6. It is looking more and more that a pandemic will occur. The last pandemic of worldwide 'flu was in the 1960s.  In 1918, over 100 million people died of an influenza outbreak following the end of the Great War (World War One: 1914-1918) all over the world - a vast majority more than was killed during the Great War.  I have had my winter 'flu jab, so hopefully will be immune if it becomes a pandemic - well I hope so anyway!

It is St George's Day in England.  Saint George is the Patron Saint of England.  He was famed for famously slaying a mythical dragon in the medieval days.

It is my Aunty Clara's 81st birthday today. I have sent her a birthday card, as I always do.

Aunty Clara is the sister to my late father, William Edward (Ted) Lees, who died on New Year's Eve 2001.

Happy birthday Aunt C!! xx

It is my great-niece Sophie's 9th birthday today. She is the daughter of my nephew Roy and his former partner Lisa. Roy is the youngest son of my twin  sister June.

It is also the birthday of the United Kingdom's Head of State. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turns 83-years-old today.

Happy birthday to you both!! xxx

It is Easter Day today. It is the day that Jesus Christ was supposed to have risen from the grave following his crucifixion on the Cross on Good Friday as the day as become known.

I hope that everyone has had a very happy Easter period - and you haven't eaten too many Easter eggs!

It is my nephew's birthday today. Our Jonathan has turned 35-years-old. He is the surviving son of my eldest twin sister Jill.

Happy birthday Jonboy!

It is two of my great niece's birthdays today. Our Hanah, the daughter of my nephew Roy is 8-years-old and Lauren, the daughter of my niece Jennine, is 15-years-old.  Also, on Tuesday, it was the birthday of our Jennine's son James (known to the family as Jimmy) - he became a teenager (13 obviously!) whilst we were at my Mam and stepfather's caravan.

Happy Birthday to you all, from your old Great Uncle Daryl!! xxx

It is my nephew Kelvin's 24th birthday today. He is the son of my brother Kevin and sister-in-law Sandra.

I am off to my Mam and Mac's for a few days because they have brought a new caravan, and also our Jill and June, my twin sisters, are also down there to spend a few days with them both before the Easter holiday. I am also having one of the buggies that my Mam has never used because Mac has brought himself a new one. I shall be back Wednesday.

Have a great day Kelvin!! xx

It is my honorary nephew's 31st birthday today.  Liam has been a close family friend for many years now, and I have come to look at him as a member of my family and that is why he is my 'honorary' nephew. He is thought of and loved as much as my own nephews and he is a very thoughtful and caring lad - although he can be a sod at times! But in the best possible way. J

Anyway I hope that you have had a wonderful day Liam - Happy Birthday!! xx

It is my nephew Christopher's 37th birthday today. He is also my godson, as he was christened when I was just six years old.

Christopher is the son of my twin sister June, and her former husband Michael.  Christopher is soon to become a grandfather, as his daughter Natalie is expecting a baby girl. I shall become a great-great uncle in the process!

Happy birthday anyway Chris. xxx

I went to the birthday party of my honorary nephew Liam and Louise's 30th at the Wyvern Club.

I had a good time, and then I walked back home with our Nicola and Natasha back to the Club where I had another drink.  I have been told that I have got to start having more fruit in my diet, so therefore having some cider will fill me with apple juice - which is supposed to be very good for you!  Well I like it anyway!

It isn't Liam's birthday until early April, but it was a belated celebration for his 30th last year and Louise's 30th birthday today.

I hope they both enjoyed themselves and had a great time!

My Mam's 76th birthday started at midnight, when my Mam, Mac and I had a celebratory drink to bring her birthday in.  We got up in the morning and she opened her birthday cards and presents that she had brought her.  I brought her a birthday card and a 'guardian angel' ornament for her in the 'green room'.  Roy and Phil brought her a bottle of whisky.  In the evening we took her round to the Queen Victoria Tavern and we had a few drinks there for her birthday.  Michele and Keith, who own the pub, brought her a drink and also a little Bakewell tart with a candle in it.  We then went back to the bungalow and had a couple more drinks with her before she went to bed, blissfully unaware that she had just celebrated her birthday - bless her.

HAPPY 76TH BIRTHDAY MAM!! xxx

I am going to my Mam and Mac's bungalow for a few days with our Roy and his friend Phil.  My Mam's birthday is on 14 March (Saturday) and we shall be going out with her for that day. Also my Mam and Mac shall be going into their static 8-birth caravan for the summer season in the next village to their bungalow.  My Mam likes her caravanning, and being as though they have only got to travel a couple of miles to go to the coast, they love it very much!  My Mam shall be 76-years-old on Saturday.  I am taking cards from the rest of the family to her for her birthday and also for Mother's Day, which is a week on Sunday. I shall not be there for Mother's Day because I am having double-glazing fitted in my flat and I need to be back home for it, but I shall take my Mam's card with me for her.

It is my great niece Bethany's 2nd birthday today.  I have been to her Dad's flat and given her a birthday card and a badge with the number '2' on it and they did party for her, with cobs, cake and savouries and sweets.  She is a lovely little girl and I love her very much. She has sat on my knee for most of the time I was at the flat, as she gets very jealous when I hold her baby brother Joshua, our Roy and Katie's youngest son.

I hope that she has had a very lovely and innocent second birthday - Happy Birthday Bethany!! xxx

It is my stepfather's birthday today and he is 66-years-old.  Richard McMurdo, known to his family and friends as Mac, has been my stepdad since 1976, when my Mam remarried after divorcing my late father, William Lees, known to family and friends as Ted.

My Mam and Mac are going out for a meal to the Thames Cottage restaurant at the top of their drive in Hogsthorpe.  This evening they are going to go to their local pub, the Queen Victoria Tavern, and have a few drinks to celebrate his birthday.

Hope that you have had a great birthday Mac! xxx

The wedding has taken place of my nephew and godson Christopher, to his long-term partner Diane.  The marriage took place at Skegby Methodist Church at 4.30pm.  I was our Christopher's Best Man.  Today is also the birthday of my brother Kevin, he is 56-years old.  It is also St Valentine's Day, so it is a romantic day for our Christopher to marry his girlfriend.

After the wedding service and photographs, we made our way to the Triple S social club, where a reception was held for the wedding guests and a three-course meal.  After the meal, we made our speeches (mine was good!) and then the room was set out ready for the evening guests to arrive.

We all had a very lovely day. The weather held nice and our Christopher looked very smart with a wedding suite on, and his bald head! The evening ended at 12am, when the taxi came and took us all back home - what a great day we had!

I have been to Skegby Methodist Church for the wedding rehearsal of my nephew and godson Christopher to his partner Diane.  As I am his Best Man, I needed to know what I am to do on Saturday and this 'dummy run' was a dry-run for the day in question.

The reverend put all our minds at rest and he was very helpful and kind.  I think that Saturday will go off without a hitch, though knowing our family, something is bound to happen!

Today would've been the 100th birthday of my beloved late grandmother Lilian Frances Greasley.  My 'Mamma' died in January 1997, just a month short of her 88th birthday.  She was the mother to my mother, Jill McMurdo, and my Mam's sister Jean.

God Bless and keep you Mamma. xxx

While most of Great Britain freezes in one of its worst winter spells in over two decades, Australia, and in particular the state of Victoria, has had bush fires, which have been started by a heatwave with temperatures over 50ºC and by arsonists. Strong winds have fanned the fires which has spread into many residential areas in the state of Victoria, and at least 230 people have died and many more injured by the conflagration.

My sympathies go out to the Australian people in their crisis.

After being in hospital for four days, my great nephew Joshua has been allowed home after his temperature has returned to normal and his infection has cleared. The hospital hasn't determined where the infection was but it has now cleared - which is very good news!

My great nephew, Joshua Daryl Ernest, our Roy and Katie's youngest baby is in hospital with a temperature and infection that the doctors haven't been able to establish yet. He was taken in on Tuesday night (after a 999-call, it took three hours for an ambulance to come - but there was bad weather) and he has been kept in for observation until they have established what is causing his temperature.

Bad weather, labelled by the Met Office as an 'extreme weather event' has dumped up to 2-foot of snow in some places across England and Wales. Two climbers, believed to be brothers, have been killed on Mount Snowdon.  London has suffered badly, with the rail, bus and air transport being severely disrupted. An aeroplane has come off the runway at Heathrow Airport after landing safely. The front wheel of the aeroplane got stuck in the ground after the captain of the jet couldn't see the taxiway markings.

The bad weather is due to move north-east up over the Pennine Mountains and into eastern Scotland, with the Midlands and north-west England bearing the brunt of the winter weather to come through tonight.  The 'weather event' has been caused by Siberian winds and cold weather from Russia moving into southern and eastern England.

We have been warned here in the East Midlands that heavy snow and blizzards are forecast for later today (Sunday) and into Monday as well.  It has been really cold these last few days, and we have had the coldest winter period since 1994.

February brings in my brother's birthday on the 14th. Also on this date, my nephew and godson, Christopher, is to marry his long-term girlfriend Diane.  He has two children with her and four children from previous relationships.  I am to be his Best Man. I have my speech ready, and I think he may not like me after I have read it!

I have updated and completed my new website, and after temporarily using another format for my website, I have gone back to my former website designer, which has been upgraded.

Christmas was a pretty poor show!  I was ill from Boxing Day up until the New Year. I went out once and that was for New Year's Eve, the rest of the time I spent in bed with a very bad cold. I have only just got better, after five weeks! 

On New Year's Eve it was the seventh anniversary of my father's death. he died on New Year's Eve 2001, a day short of his 75th birthday. He would've been 82-years-old on New Year's Day.

On 18 January it was my sister-in-law's birthday. Sandra was 48-years-old - Happy birthday!

On 22 January it was my honorary twin nieces' birthdays. Natasha and Nicola were 22-years-old!

On 25 January it was my niece's birthday. Our Jennifer was 34-years-old - Happy Birthday!

Everything is now up-to-date and I will keep track of events and record them here in future.

My youngest niece, Rebecca, youngest child of my twin sister June, has given birth to her first child, a baby daughter she's named Lilly-Anna.  She weighed in at over 6lb, and Rebecca didn't have any relief for the pain, which surprised me because she used to pass out when she pricked her finger!

Anyway, congratulations to my niece Rebecca and her partner Danny, on the birth of your baby daughter! xx

I am going to my Mam and Mac's for a couple of days to sort things out for them at their end, ready for them coming for the Christmas and New Year holidays.  I shall be back on Wednesday, because I have got to finish my Christmas shopping for the adults in my family and friends, and also write on all my cards to send out as well. God, doesn't Christmas get on your nerves? Well the build-up does anyway!

Also today the death has been announced of Kathy Staff, who starred in Last of the Summer Wine as Nora Batty.  She was 80-years-old but had been ill for some time.  I have announced her death in the Famous Deaths section of my website

It is my youngest niece's 18th birthday today.  Rebecca is the daughter to my twin sister June, and her late partner Ian Baillie, who died in 2005.

We are having a party for her at our local Club this afternoon, and we shall all have a drink to celebrate!

Happy 18th birthday Becky!! xx

It is my great nephew's 16th birthday today.  Ricky Lee Hayes is the son of my niece Jennifer and her ex-partner Jason.  Jennifer is the daughter of my twin sister June.  On the 21 November, it was also one of my other great nephew's 16th birthday. Jamie Michael Nunn is the eldest son of my nephew and godson Christopher and his former partner Patricia.  Christopher is the eldest son of my twin sister June.

Today is also the 36th anniversary of the death of my grandfather Frank Greasley.  He was the father to my Mam, Jill McMurdo.  Although I was only 7 years old when my grandad died, I still have some very fond memories of him.

Happy Birthday to the two of you and congratulations! xxxx

The United States of America has elected its first black President in their 232-year history of presidencies.

Senator Barack Obama (Democrat) won the election against Republican Senator John McCain.  Now elected the President-Elect, he will take Office on 20 January 2009, when President George W Bush hands over the power of the Commander-in-Chief to President-Elect Obama.

Congratulations to the USA on their historic and memorable vote for change - let's  hope that it is for the good nor only of the USA, but also the world in general.

It is the 32nd wedding anniversary of my Mam and Mac today.  They married at Mansfield Registry Office on a sunny but cold autumn morning.  After they married, all the family went for a meal at a steak house in Forest Town.  Also, it was my Mam's sister and her husband's silver wedding anniversary on the day they got married.  My Aunty Jean and Uncle Dave have been married 57 years today.  Congratulations to both my Mam and Mac and my Aunty Jean and Uncle Dave.  My love to you all! xxx

I have been to the Ashfield's pub for a meal with our Liam and Sam, our Nicola, our Carl and Gavin.  I had the usual meal that I have there, Hickory Dickory Chicken, and the others all had different meals.  At 10.30pm, we all went back to the Coronation Club, where we spent the rest of the night, before our Kelvin walked me back home about midnight.  I had a really lovely time with all of them.

A special thank you has got to go to our Liam.  His generosity for allowing me to go tonight will always be appreciated by me and I love him very much for it - and for being Liam!

I am going to my Mam and Mac's caravan today until Monday, as I am going on a race trip with them to Market Rasen, which they have paid for, on Sunday.

While I am away for the two days, our Roy is going to do and complete the glossing for me in my living room - I hope it is finished by the time that I get back.

Well the living room has now been completed, all by the glossing, and it really looks nice.  I have got a main green wall, with the other walls in a lilac/grey colour.  I have got the top part of the walls a mixture of the main green wall colour and the other colours from the other walls, mixed with a hint of white emulsion.  It has turned out a lovely colour.

Liam and Kelvin have worked really hard - bless them - and I am very grateful to the pair of them, I would not have got it completed without their help.

We have made a start on decorating my living room, ready for the winter approaching.  I have had my colour scheme changed from red and it is going to be a lilac and pastel green colour - I have got to get more paint tomorrow - to finish it off.

Our Kelvin and Liam are doing the hard work for me because I obviously cannot do any decorating - but I am instructing well!

It is a year ago today that my honorary niece and nephew, Nicola and Carl, got married at St Wilfred's Church, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

We had such a lovely day on their wedding, that I thought I would post a couple of pictures of them in the Photo Album section.

Congratulations, and much love to both of you! xxx

It is my eldest niece's birthday today.  'Baby' Jill (as we in the family call her) is 38-years-old today.  Jill is the eldest daughter of my twin sister Jill, and her first husband, the late William John Fox, who was known as Bill.

Jill has one child, Abigail, with her partner Robert, known as Rob.  

Hope you have a great day Jill! xxx

It is 7 years ago today that the World Trade Center and its twin towers were destroyed, part of the Pentagon demolished and an aeroplane crashed into a field in Pittsburgh, killing all its passengers on board.  Terrorists hijacked all the aeroplanes and caused widespread loss of life in New York and the Pentagon.  Nearly 3,000 people were killed on that tragic day, not everyone that died were US citizens, but people from all over the world.

The people that died and their families left behind, the brave heroes that risked, and lost, their lives will always be remembered on this anniversary day.

Following on the birthday theme from yesterday, today is the birthday of my niece Susan, who has turned 35-years-old.  Susan is the daughter of my twin sister June and her former husband Mick.  Susan has two daughters Charlotte and Alishia and her partner's name is Chris.

Have a lovely birthday sweetheart! xxx

Today is the 28th birthday of my nephew Peter.  He is the son of my sister Karen and her former husband Pete.  Karen also has two daughters.

Happy birthday Peter!

I am going to my Mam and Mac's caravan for a few days until Friday to see to some of their paperwork and to have a little break (yes I know it isn't long ago that I came from Blackpool!).

Our Roy is coming with me until tomorrow.  He is going in his car, but his friend is driving us there, and Roy is bringing his mum (my sister June) back with them tomorrow.  I shall come back on my own on Friday using my bus pass.  It is quite a comfortable ride back from Skegness, so it doesn't hurt the old bones - too much!

It is 11 years ago today that Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in a tunnel in Paris, France - she was 36-years-old.  Her partner Dodi Fayed (son of Harrod's owner Mohammed Fayed) was also killed along with their chauffeur Henri Paul.  It was discovered at his postmortem that he was drunk in charge of the car that killed them all.  Only one person survived, Dodi's bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones.

In 2008 an inquest was held into the Princess' death, and it was decided by jury that she died of injuries sustained in the car crash and that she was unlawfully killed by the driver Henri Paul.  The inquest into her death took 11 years to setup! 

Beijing has officially handed over to Great Britain as hosts of the Olympics for 2012, in their official Closing Ceremony.

Great Britain will host the Olympic Games in London in 2012.  We have had our best Olympic Games in over 100 years, coming fourth on the medals table.

In a truly spectacular Closing Ceremony, amid many firework displays and the vast amount of Chinese people taking part, the Olympic flag was passed by the IOC President to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Today is the 16th birthday of my great-niece Charlotte Lynch, who has turned 16-years old today - and her GCSE examination results are due as well!  It is also the birthday of my uncle-in-law David Bolter, who turns 82-years old.  He is the husband of my Mam's sister, my Aunty Jean.

Congratulations and happy birthday to both of you!!

17 August 2008 (Birthday: Lisa Pearce - Niece - 31-years old

It is our Lisa's 31st birthday today.  Lisa is the youngest daughter of my sister Karen and her ex-husband Pete.  Lisa has a son named Jacob and a daughter named Rebecca.

My Mam has sent over with Thomas Taylor her old walker/seat that she has used because she has brought a new one, and let me have the old one, so as I can do my shopping in Kirkby, and have a rest when I get tired.  I shall be able to put more shopping on it and bring more up home instead of having to keep getting my shopping in stages.  I shall also be able to go to the park with it and take the kids and I shall always have a seat!

11 August 2008 (Birthday: Katrina Harris - Niece - 26-years old)

It is our Katrina's birthday today.  She is 26-years old.  Katrina is the daughter of my brother Kevin and his wife Sandra.  She is married to Martin and has two children, Elizabeth and James.

Baby Josh seems to be getting along fine.  Although he is a sickly baby, the midwife has said there is no cause for concern as most babies feed like he does.  It seems he needs to be fed little, but quite often instead of too much feed in one go.  I held him today and winded him, and he seemed quite pleasant for about 10-minutes after that.  Bethany, who is only 1-year old, was wanting to be on my knee with her arms up to me to pick her up, just in case I was going to leave her out!  Bless her!

In the early hours of this Tuesday morning it is the annual Leonid Meteor showers.  However, it is very cloudy outside, so there isn't much chance of seeing any 'shooting stars' in the night sky tonight.  Last year we had a spectacular view (Roy, Kelvin and me) on my back garden.  We were up drinking tea all night - but no such luck tonight though!

8 August 2008 (Birth of my Great Nephew Josh Nunn)

Special Family Event: Click here for more details!

Our Roy's girlfriend Katie gave birth to their son this afternoon at around 1pm.  Josh weighed in at 6lb 5oz and he is doing fine.  He is our Roy's first son.  He is our Sophie and Hanah's first brother.

My Mam and Mac have gone back to the caravan today.  They were here to find out that they have a new great grandson by our Roy and his girlfriend Katie.

It is the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing, China today.  I haven't really had much time to see it due to other events happening!

Well, we have all been to Blackpool for 10 days, and although the weather wasn't too bad at all, I went lots of walks with my Mam and Roy, and the meals were lovely there at the Cornhill Hotel, I was glad to come home.

My hotel room leaked through whenever we had rain - I had to have a wastepaper basket in the middle of the room - and one in the passage outside - the emersion tank was just above my room for the hot water, so at about 5am in the morning when people started getting up and having their showers and washes, until about 1am in the morning the tank of water was constantly on the go and the beer was lousy there this time.  I had just three pints of shandy there all week!

My Mam and me went plenty of walks though - we took our time, both of us being disabled, but the weather was really nice throughout the 10-days so we didn't mind doing too much at all.

Today is the 90th birthday of probably the most famous prisoner-turned President in the world.

Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison, because of the apartheid rule in South Africa, where only white people could govern.  In the 1990s, the government of South Africa had a change of heart, and Nelson Mandela was released from prison.  Within a few years, his party, the African National Congress (ANC) party won the general election, and Mr Mandela was elected the first black President of South Africa.

I hope her has many more years to come and that he has a happy day with his immediate family and friends.  Happy 90th birthday, Nelson Mandela!

Today is the 1st birthday of my great-niece Alishia.  She is the daughter of my niece Susan and my nephew Chris.  We had a party for her on Saturday, where more-or-less all the family turned up and we all had a lovely time at our Susan and Chris' house.  Susan put on a lovely buffet and she brought me a bottle of my favourite cider - so I was well-set for the afternoon!

Hope that you have had a lovely 1st birthday, my baby Alishia! xxx

5 July 2008 (1st birthday party for my great-niece Alishia)

I have been to the first birthday party for my great-niece Alishia today.  She is the daughter of my niece Susan and nephew Chris.  Almost all of the family family turned up at our Susan's house and we have had a lovely afternoon.  The weather has held nice and we have been sat outside under the canopy, enjoying a drink and a chat with all my family, some of whom I haven't seen for quite a few years.

Our Alishia's birthday isn't until Tuesday 8 July, but we have celebrated it today because of work commitments by some members of the family.

What a lovely day I have had!

4 July 2008 (USA Independence Day)

Today is the United States Independence Day.  It is a national holiday to celebrate the USA breaking away from British Colonial rule in the Americas.

Congratulations to all our friends in the United States of America.  Enjoy your national day!

28 June 2008 (My niece Jennine's 33rd birthday)

Today is the 33rd birthday of my niece Jennine.  She is the daughter of my oldest twin sister Jill.

I have posted her a birthday card and spoke to her on the telephone and wished her 'Happy Birthday'.

Here's hoping you have a great day Jennine! xx

7 June 2008 (My twin sisters (Jill and June) 57th birthday)

Today is the birthday of our Jill and June. My twin sisters have turned 57 today.

Jill is at the caravan with my Mam and Mac for the week and our June has stayed here in Kirkby.

I have sent both of them a card.

Happy 57th birthday to the both of you!! xx

27 May 2008 (My Mam and Mac stay with me for the week)

My Mam and Mac have come over to Kirkby for the week and have stayed with me here at the flat. They have mainly come over to see the family but on 30 May we went to a party to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of my late father’s sister Duck and her husband Tony. All the Lees’ family members turned up and it was nice to see them all for a change.

We only seem to get together just lately for family funerals, so it was nice to be together for a happy occasion for a change.

24 May 2008 (My Niece Carla’s 33rd birthday)

It is my niece Carla’s birthday today and she turns 33 years old. Carla is the daughter of my sister Karen and her first husband Pete. I haven’t been able to send her a birthday card because my foot has swollen up again and I haven’t been able to get out and send it.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Carla!

13 May 2008 (My Sister Karen’s 53rd Birthday)

Today is my sister’s birthday. Karen has turned 53 years old today. I poster her birthday card yesterday so she should’ve received it in time.

12 May 2008 (Chinese Earthquake)

It has been announced that there has been an earthquake in China. It measured 7.2 on the Richter Scale.

It has been estimated that nearly 15,000 people have been killed and many more left homeless in the southern region of China.

Edit: as of today’s date (15 May) the death toll has now reached 50,000 people and over 10 million affected by the devastation in the province.

8 May 2008 (Over 100,000 people feared dead in cyclone)

It has been announced that at least 100,000 people have been killed in the cyclone that hit the south coast of Burma, according to the United States and the United Nations.

Burma has a military junta in charge of all politics and have so far not accepted any help from any of the countries that is considers hostile to its regime.

5 May 2008 (Bank holiday Monday - May Day)

Today is bank holiday Monday for the May Day holiday celebrations that various parts of the United Kingdom take part in.  May Day itself is actually the 1st May, but the first Monday in May is always taken as the holiday.

I hate bank holidays!  They just seem to me like another boring Sunday - long, drawn-out, boring days!

1 May 2008 (My great-niece's 18th birthday)

Today is the 18th birthday of my great-niece Natalie.  She is the daughter of my nephew and godson Christopher, and his former partner Patricia.

Congratulations on becoming an 'adult' Nats!

23 April 2008 (My Aunty Clara's 80th birthday)

Today is the 80th birthday of my Aunty Clara.  She is the sister of my late father, Ted.  I have sent her a birthday card through the post and a letter keeping her up-to-date with our family's activities.  I hope she has a great birthday.

Congratulations Aunty Clara!

21 April 2008 (Sophie's 8th birthday and Queen Elizabeth II's 82nd birthday)

It is our Sophie's 8th birthday today.  I have given her a birthday card and put a couple of pounds in it as well.

Today is also the birthday of our head-of-state, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  She is 82-years old.

10 April 2008 (Return from my holidays at Mam and Mac's caravan)

I have come back from my Mam and Mac's caravan after spending a week there.  I went on buses all the way there and all the way back again.  It seemed a long time this last week and I am glad to be home, although my Mam doesn't like it when I come back home and leave her, but it not be long before I am back there again.

Yesterday was our Hanah's 7th birthday.  I left her a card before I went to my Mam and Mac's and I put her a couple of pounds in it.

5 April 2008 (My Nephew Kelvin's 23rd Birthday)

It was our Kelvin's 23rd birthday today, and I forgot to mention this at the appropriate time, so I have inserted this entry at a later date.

Happy Birthday Kelvin!!  IS THAT BETTER!! Love you really... xxx

2 April 2008 (holiday to my Mam & Mac's caravan)

I am going to my Mam and Mac's caravan for the week to be with them on my own.  Our Roy isn't coming with me and he is staying at the flat,

I am going on the bus all the way there and back to this time.  My disabled bus pass has come and the new pass enables me to free travel on any timetabled bus throughout England, so I am travelling from Kirkby-in-Ashfield to Chapel-St-Leonards on service buses.  It shall take a few hours - each way - but it will not cost me a penny in travel.  I one way I am looking forward to doing it - however my right foot is very swollen, so it will be a bit painful.

21 March - 24 March 2008 (Easter Holidays)

Nothing much really happened over the Easter holiday period.  I really had quite a peaceful time!

Good Friday felt like a boring Sunday.  Easter Sunday was just like any other Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday felt like another Sunday as well!  Three Sunday-feelings in three days!  I think you can tell that I hate Sundays!

14 March 2008 (My Mam's 75th Birthday)

We have celebrated my Mam's 75th birthday today.  We all went to her home in a village just off the East Coast of Skegness.  We then went to their new caravan at Chapel-St-Leonards where we went out for the night as part of her birthday celebrations.

Her birthday celebrations started at midnight at her home when Mac, Jill, June, Roy, Jimmy and myself had a drink to bring her 75th birthday in.  When we got up in the morning of her birthday after a bit of breakfast we made our way to their new caravan in Chapel.  We cleared all the rubbish out that had been packed in it for the winter and then I made all the beds for us all ready for the night time.

We then all went for a meal to the Gingham restaurant.  While we were there, Lindsay, the restaurant owner came and seen us all, and because we have known her for many years, she brought a bottle of wine to the table for us all to have a drink and celebrate my Mam's birthday.  After the meal, my Mam, Roy and myself went for a walk up to the seafront where we had about 10 minutes before setting off back and calling in the Bellbank pub for a drink.  I brought my Mam a drink for her birthday and then we made our way back to the caravan where we had a rest for about an hour before setting off for the evening of birthday celebrations.

We first went to the Arches pub, where I brought my Mam another drink for her birthday and then we made our way to the Happy Days Club, where we made ourselves members for the year and spent the rest of the evening there.  I made a banner for my Mam and put it above where she sat in the club.  The banner read 'Happy 75th Jill'.  On our way back at night we called to the Gingham chip shop where we all had some supper and took it back to the caravan, afterwards we all collapsed into bed after a very long but thoroughly enjoyable day!

10 March 2008 (Bethany's first birthday)

Today is our Bethany's 1st birthday.  I have given Roy her birthday card to give to her. Bethany is the youngest of his three children.

We did a birthday party for her on Saturday so as most of her family could attend because people would be working today.  I catered for 30 people, including the children that attended the party, and all the food got eaten which made it all the more worthwhile.  I left when everyone started coming to Katie's house because there was too many people arriving and there wasn't that much room in the house.

2 March 2008 (Mother's Day)

Today is Mother's Day and my Mam received her Mother's Day card when Mac received his birthday card.  I have telephoned her this morning to wish her a happy day.

She has been to the Thames Cottage Restaurant for a meal with Mac and then they spent the rest of the day quietly because they went out last night to celebrate Mac's 65th birthday.

1 March 2008 (Mac's 65th Birthday)

Today is my stepfather's 65th birthday.  He has become an old age pensioner today!

I posted his birthday card last Wednesday so that I knew that he would get his birthday card in time.  I also posted my Mam's Mother's Day card as well, as that is tomorrow.

Mac became my stepfather when my Mam married him in October 1976.  His real name is Richard Arthur McMurdo.  He has been like a father to me, even though I had my own Dad - I have always looked up to him as a dad as well.

Happy 65th birthday Mac - you old OAP!!