A LONG ROAD ... BUT HE GOT THERE.

As some of you are aware Mr T's journey towards ordination has been a bit of a rocky one not just for himself but, also, a non-believer, myself. Still, in the words of Tammy Wynette what can a woman do but stand by her man?

And so without further ado I give you four of my favourite ordination pics ...

Any one know how to preserve the Mr T cake topper so kindly made by his vicar? The chair is ginger cake, the Mr T figure, I'm presuming easier to preserve, sugar.

A CLERGY HUSBAND'S SURVIVAL GUIDE.

A CLERGY HUSBAND'S SURVIVAL GUIDE by MATTHEW CAMINER

OR as Mr T's vicar re-titled it .....

BACK COVER BLURB: Women now comprise almost half the priests serving in the Church of England. As a result, there are many male clergy spouses who have had to come to terms with the seismic shift that occurs in family life when a wife embarks on the journey from exploration of vocation - through selection, training and formation - to ordination and a life of ministry.

The author had his own busy career when he suddenly found himself playing second fiddle rather than being the 'doer' in the household. Not only did this subtly affect his marriage, but as friends and acquaintances became 'parishioners', he was required to respect boundaries, to be discreet and often to carry the burden of unsought confidentiality.

Drawing on these experiences and those of many fellow clergy spouses, this volume is a practical, informative and engaging guide to the joys and challenges of being married to a vicar. Part one deals with the process from initial call to ordination and beyond. Part two helps clergy husbands work through what their new role might involve. Part three looks at lifestyle and family issues, while Part four offers support and sensible advice if things go wrong.

FIRST SENTENCE {INTRODUCTION}: One Sunday afternoon a few weeks after Miriam's ordination, the doorbell rang.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Please accept my apologies but for various reasons I won't be including my Memorable Moment.

SOURCE: A gift from Mr T's vicar. Depending on when I get around to posting this, on whether or not it is before or after the 24th of June, Mr T will either (A) be about to be ordained or (B) will have been ordained.

READ FOR: Not applicable.

MY THOUGHTS: A book that though largely aimed at the clergy husband many sections equally apply to the clergy wife as well. Indeed I'd even go as far as to say many will apply to the vicar him/herself. 

Readable (I liked the fact there was no deep theology), humorous yet informative and practical (I particularly liked the chapters dealing with the issues surrounding the identity of being a clergy husband ... or indeed wife) BUT it has to be said some of the content did leave me worrying about things I hadn't thought to worry about before ... and believe me when it came to worrying I thought I had just about every eventuality covered. Then there was the fact that, obviously a Christian himself, the book didn't delve into what happens when your spouse is of a different/no faith or indeed of the same sex ... but then that really is a whole other story.

SEX AFTER 40!

Mr T's new job and our Pearl Anniversary aside (yes we celebrated thirty years of marriage Tuesday gone), this month has been truly horrendous so I thought some light relief was in order, hence the Sex After 40.

Sex After 40?  

Please I'm not that kind of blogger.

Now where was I?

Oh yes, Sex After 40 courtesy of this post over at Joey's Pad.

1. Are you named after someone? Nope. I was going to be called Carol but apparently my parents took one look and decided I looked like a Tracy (not something I've ever forgiven them for).
2. When was the last time you cried? Pick a day these last few weeks when I haven't.
3. Do you like your hand writing? For so many reasons, not least of which is my being out of practice, no.
4. What is your favourite lunch meat? Following a bad bout of chicken induced food poisoning many years ago I don't do meat any more.
5. Do you have kids? No.
6. If you were another person, would you be friends? Friends with me? Hmm ....
7. Do you use sarcasm? I'm English, the same as queuing and talking incessantly about the weather, it's in our blood.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Last time I checked, along with my appendix, yes.
9. Would you bungee jump? Yeah! The bigger the drop the better (Ooh what was that question about sarcasm?) 
10. What is your favourite cereal? Hmm, I don't really have a favourite. Muesli, Shreddies, Crunchy-nut cornflakes, whatever takes my fancy at the time.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? My clog-type shoes (the only type I can now wear because of CRPS) don't have laces.
12. Do you think your strong? Psychologically I'd like to think I'm, err, robust. Physically, not so much.
13. What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Ooh! I am partial to a scoop or two of ice-cream. The flavour that stands out to me, but one I haven't had for a while, being a gorgeous rose flavoured one.
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? If they have a book, I'd note what they are reading. If not? Emm, whether or not they are polite.
15. Red or pink? Well, it definitely isn't pink.
16. What is the least favourite thing you like about yourself? My dislike of confrontation. I'm not saying I'd like to be a seriously confrontational person but there are certain people .... Physically, I would once have said my nose but now I'd have to say my fingernails which get to a certain (not very long) length and curl.
17. What colour pants and shoes are you wearing right now? Pants as in what we call trousers or pants as in what we know as underwear? None if your referring to the first (I don't wear trousers) and, err (just checking), black if your referring to the latter. As for shoes, pale-blue crocs - I know! What can I say?
18. What was the last thing you ate? You really want to know? I'm almost too ashamed but the truth will out. A mayo, beetroot and ready salted crisp sandwich.
19. What are you listening to right now? Nothing other than the click of my finger on the keyboard.
20. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? My favourite colour, a nice, bright yellow.
21. Favourite smell? Freshly washed laundry drying in the sun.
22. Who was the last person you spoke to? The ma-in-law.
23. Favourite sport to watch? I'm not into sports but if I had to pick the one you'd most likely find me watching it would have to be rugby.
24. Hair colour that's real? Blonde(ish) with natural silver hi-light streaks to the sides.
25. Do you wear contact lenses? Glasses for reading and distance. No lenses, I have a phobia about anything near/in my eyes.
26. Favourite food? It varies but Mr T's nut roast with mushrooms, his vegetable and bean lasagne.
27. Scary movie or happy ending? Funny but happy ending.
28. Last movie you watched? A Royal Night Out.
29. What colour shirt are you wearing? None. What did I tell you? I'm not one of those bloggers. Almost 4 pm and I'm still in my night clothes.
30. Summer or winter? Neither. Give me Autumn or Spring.
31. Hugs or kisses? Hmm, hugs or, as we'd say here, cuddles.
32. Favourite sweet food? Ooh! I had the most yummy Eton Mess on Tuesday but, generally speaking, chocolate.
33. What book are you currently reading? Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum by Gregory Funaro.
34. What is on your mouse pad? Hmm, used to using the laptop, its been a while since I last saw the mouse mat but I think its .... 
    
35. What did you last watch on TV? That would be the chat/discussion programme, The Wright Stuff.
36. Favourite sound? Sorry if I'm coming over too gooey but ... Mr T's key in the door.
37. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Neither.
38. What is the farthest you have travelled? Poland, I think. 
39. Do you have a special talent? It depends who you ask. I'd say no BUT Mr T reckons if they gave out degrees in talking about nothing I'd have a masters.
40. Where were you born? The Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle.

I DO: TWENTY EIGHT YEARS LATER.

 To the man who is the ...

Fred to my Wilma

the ...

Micky to my Minnie 

the ... 

Donald to my Daisy ...

Image courtesy of Mike A Atherford.

As has become tradition this year its Mr T's turn to post an anniversary message, click here to view.

TWENTY SEVEN YEARS MARRIED ....

 I've just been given the best wedding anniversary present ever as having found himself in hospital on Sunday evening Husband dearest is being discharged today.


According to About.com/marriage the average age to get married in 1986 was 25.7 for women and 23.1 for men. We were 18.7 and 20.3.

According to ONS (Office of National Statistics) figures couples in their 20's are the most likely to divorce with experts suggesting that .....

"society was no longer comfortable with the concept of life-long marriage in an age in which greater choice and personal ambition are seen as increasingly important " .....

and yet here we are still happily married. That despite all of the things life has thrown at us as you so eloquently said last year ......

It's not been so bad

And lets face it without each other it would have been worse, so much worse.

Which, having written my first verse in many a year, just leaves me to say ......

Thank you for being my husband, my life companion, my best friend.

Its because of you I can be myself, that I don't have to pretend.

Thank you for loving me though my hair its now turning turning quite grey.

Its because of you I can carry on, knowing you'll be here for me tomorrow just as you were yesterday.

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIFT A GLASS WITH US?

Amazed as I am that's its been 26 years since we said I do, I'm even more amazed that despite knowing everything there is to know about me Husband dearest still loves me.

It being his turn to do the honours this year without further ado I invite you all to join us HERE at his blog.

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE PLEASE ...........

And the winners of our Silver wedding anniversary caption competition, in no particular order, are ..........

• Rob Falconer
• NRI Girl
• John McElveen

All three of whom will win a small goodies bag as presented to our guests.

Some interesting captions, thanks to all those who contributed. If the winners can get in touch with me by this Friday (the 9th of December) that would be great. My e-mail can be found by clicking on my profile or you can leave your e-mail address in the comment box below. Sadly if I do not hear from you by Friday my panel of esteemed judges will pick another winner(s).

As you may know this caption competition originally formed part of our 25th Wedding Anniversary party entertainment, as a bit of fun I thought I'd post some of the thoughts our guests had on the night. Also posted are my blog winners captions which are highlighted in red.

That's how I met your mother! The End! - NRI Girl.

Is that your ex dressed as a wookie?

What's Star Wars? these are my relatives.

May the 'farce' be with you.

They have only been married a year and she has already talked his head off.

You were the best of the bunch as you were head and shoulders above the rest.

Marriage is no picnic.

Grin and bear it.

I can't wait to see you 'bear'.

It's behind you!

Does my bum look good in this?

After seeing the catering bill, Tracy and Neal decided to leg it.

Quick, dad's got the shotgun.

No, Honest--That's the ONLY part that's the real me!!!!!! - John McElveen.

Are you sure your a doctor?

How much!!!!

I've met a few horrors in my time but!!!!!

You want my hand in marriage? Yes, I won't be needing the rest of you.

William And Kate, The DVD.

There, George - that'll show you it's not only men who can organise a barbecue - Rob Falconer.

She should have read the dress label said highly flammable.

The flame of passion is still burning after 25 years.

Lets drink to a great anniversary.

I see you have seen mum's hat.

POOLEY BRIDGE PICS.

As promised here are some of the photographs from our recent Silver Wedding Anniversary trip spent in Pooley Bridge in the Lake District.

Would you believe this is a shopping centre?

Not just any old shopping centre though, this is the Rheged Centre near Penrith. Carved out into the hillside and very environmentally friendly you would never guess that this impressive building houses not just shops but cafes, play areas, a massive screen showing both 2D and 3D films as well as conference rooms and display areas - we were lucky enough to see some of the costumes from British cinema though sadly we were not allowed to photograph them.

And the best thing about it? Apart from the cake. Husband dearest actually enjoyed the experience.

Anna Versary (my latest teddy, an anniversary gift from Hd).

Here we have Anna settling down for the night in our room at The Sun Inn, Pooley Bridge (click HERE to visit their website)

(Not our photograph, this came courtesy of the website)

Wonderfully clean and very comfortable, the food was great and the staff beyond compare - nothing was too much trouble and they went that extra mile when Hd was taken into hospital, making sure I was ok, they arranged hotel accomadation next to the hospital and provided a shoulder to cry on. Sincere thanks once again to John and Jane and their wonderful team.

Some of the views crossing Ullswater on the steamer.

WELL, WHAT A WEEK IT'S BEEN.

Firstly may Husband dearest and myself thank you all for your kind words, it made our silver anniversary all the more special to think that so many people wished us well.

With regards to the poem, sadly neither of us wrote it and a search has proved fruitless as to who did though it does seem it is often used by those of the Roman Catholic faith.

Anyway .......

What have I been up to since I last posted?

Well, Hd and I did manage a few days away in the Lake District resort of POOLEY BRIDGE - a surprise holiday (I knew we were going away but not where) we stayed in the small hotel that we last stayed in some 25 years ago during our first holiday together ...... very romantic.

At least it would have been if we hadn't spent our actual anniversary with Hd in hospital and me in a hotel room by myself (altogether "aah")

ULLSWATER STEAMERS.

(Photograph courtesy of the Visit Cumbria website.)

Still, we did have a good day couple of days before hand, redoing the lovely steamer boat ride from Pooley Bridge across Ullswater to Glenridding (you can click HERE for some more website pictures though, fingers crossed, we hope to bring you some of our own photos soon) AND Hd, feeling much better, we did manage to make it home for our party on Friday evening.

And what a party it was.

We began with a presentation of our wedding photos, accompanied with the playing of Tracy (what else?) by The Cufflinks before going on to play some party games which was followed by a short quiz on marriage and a caption competition which I may well reproduce in the next day or so - who knows there may well even be a small prize.

This was then followed by a buffet, what wonderful food, thanks CHEESE AND PICKLE CATERING .... even though Hd had catered for what seemed like the whole of Newcastle by the end of the night very little was left ...... and then the cutting of the cake which I have to say was stunning. A 3 tier chocolate confection hand decorated with white and milk chocolate fingers and maltesers, it looked beautiful and tasted divine.

(Cake purcased from Sweetest Sensation - click HERE for website.)

The evening then ended with some dancing thanks to the wonderful ......

 (Click HERE to visit their website)

.... who proved a great hit with all of our guests both young (18) and not so young (80+)

Enough of my witterings though, thanks once again to all those who made our anniversary such a special event, we really did have an amazing time.

LIGHTING OF THE WEDDING CANDLE - A WEDDING BLESSING.

Having burnt our candle for 25 years now, today we celebrate our silver wedding anniversary.


My light shall be with you on your joint path.
More than a gift am I, a silent witness in the house of your love.
When the sun shines, I do not need to burn,
...but when it gets dark, when storm arises,
then light me.

At the first argument,
when you are secretly crying in pain, then light me.
When the first step has to be taken, and you do not know how,
when you need to talk, but cannot find the words,
when you want to embrace yet your arms seem paralysed, then light me.

My light is a sign in your house, bright and clear.
It speaks a simple language that the other quickly understands.
I am your wedding candle, and I love both of you.
Let me burn, whenever needed and however long it takes,
until you can both extinguish my flame,
cheek to cheek.

     (Would love to know the author of this?)

NOT JUST SPAM.

Smile - It's WORLD SMILE DAY.

Yeah!!!! I'm so pleased. Whilst giving my e-mal box(?) a late, a very late (or is it an early?) spring clean I was delighted to discover that finally I had some spam mail offering me viagra. Having known several people who have been plagued by offers of this -  as well as, ummm, all manner of  'body enhancement' surgery - I was beginning to feel rather left out ..... but not any more.

Anyway, I digress. I also came across several e-mail links that Husband dearest had sent me.

The first being,  the newly developed BEACH HUTS we had discovered whilst at Scarborough last month. I can remember thinking wow they are so colourful and discussing with Hd how much they sold for. The answer? As much as some one bedroomed flats in the town.

The second, whilst talking about our wedding anniversary I mentioned that I did not think I had told my blogger buddies the story of how we got together. "Worry not," said HD, "I covered all that in my anniversary post 3 years ago" (How sweet that he was blogging about this and I didn't even know) and sent THIS LINK - an unbelievably romantic story (not), you have to click on the link for more of this:-

I was working as a trainee in Social Care, my first employment after leaving school and had been there about nine months when a new intake or trainees arrived. Being the resident big-mouth and possibly the most experienced student in the ways of meetings etc. I was by this time the elected trainees representative. Part of this role involved a talk to new trainees as part of their induction, to let them know of my role in representing them, their rights and responsibilities in the workplace etc.. I was rubbish and dying the death of the ill prepared speaker and decided to pick on someone in the audience, have a go at them and divert the audiences ire. She went home crying.

And finally, knowing how much I love my stories about bungling burglars, the link to an article all about a German bank which was 'blown up in a botched raid.'
 

Suspected robbers in Germany appear to have miscalculated the quantity of explosives needed to blow their way into a rural bank.

The building housing the bank in the northern village of Malliss was largely destroyed by an overnight explosion.

The bank's cash machine survived intact and the suspected thieves are not thought to have made away with any money, Germany's Welt Online reported.

(Click HERE for the full story.)

WAIT, WAIT - I'm not finished yet.

I'd like to thank Misha over at My Love Affair With Books for tagging me but as I've only just recently been 'IT' I won't be posting again about the contents of my handbag etc. AND whilst talking of Misha, is anyone out there interested in helping out with her blog? Misha writes:

"With huge amount of college work and upcoming exams, I have realized I cannot manage this blog by myself. I have slowed down on my reviews too. I have realized I need 1-2 more reviewers to help me run "My Love Affair With Books." Apart from reviewing , I would want the selected people to help me with author interviews, contests and other blog related stuff.

Two things I want to make clear -

This is not paid

I won't be providing any books."

So, for anyone who is interested click HERE for further information.

TWENTY FOURTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you." - Hugh Walpole, British dramatist and novelist 1884 - 1941.

And this is how I still feel, my Husband dearest, after 24 years of marriage.

 

And now for what Husband dearest had to say:-

"The following was in the charts the year after my beloved was born. It is possibly the most cheesy 60's record I have ever heard, and also the only track I know of, called 'Tracy'. Its high score on the cheesiness scale however does not obliterate the sentiment expressed, with which I wholeheartedly agree after 24 years manacled together...and so begins our 25th year together in unholy dreadlock."

Click HERE to go visit him and hear this wonderfully cheesy song.

"Tracy,

When I'm with you,

Something you do,

Bounces me off the ceiling."