A Heart Again


I painted the bathroom all yesterday and the day before
Baby blue with white trim
I never left the house unless it was paint or dog related.
I feel back to normal today.
The shitty time has passed.

At 8 pm on Monday night  Mary and I ambled through an icy Trelawnyd
The village was dark and closed
All except for Auntie Glad's old house which was a beacon of bright light.
Light that shone across the green .

The new owners were scraping old wallpaper from the walls
I met the husband over the weekend, when he spied me with the pack.
" You're John aren't you?" , he said extending his hand " The dogs gave you away"
The new owners are teachers and want to engage...I told them the house used to be an old school.
They are nice people.

It was cold on Monday night ,so we didn't linger. Mary peed quickly due to the icy grass
And as we turned for home we heard the musical tinkle of Children's laughter from Gladys' front room.

How lovely the house has a heart again

179 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're feeling good again John and it's lovely that Auntie Glad's old house is coming back to life again, he sounds like a nice chap.

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  2. Good. Hello. Lovely post.

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  3. Wonderful to see you back! And with a lovely story to boot. Aunt Gladys would be happy to know her home was filled with laughter again.

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    1. I just needed a brief rest and a moment to scold myself x

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  4. Anonymous12:09 am

    Glad to see you back again John and refreshed. Everyone needs 'down time'. S**t happens to us all at some time or another. Does this mean regular postings?

    I'm glad that Aunt Glad's house has a heart again.

    Take care of yourself. You're priceless.

    Joan (Devon)

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  5. you will have to introduce us to the new folk in auntie glad's house. and show us the old/new bathroom makeover.

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  6. Hiya John x

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  7. Still, it bring tears to my eyes that Auntie Glad will never return to her home and once again bake scones to put in a bag and hang on your door! Life goes on and it would probably make her happy to know that children's laughter echoes...!

    Glad you are back for so many reasons! :)

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    1. Thank you dearheart x

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    2. I second your feelings, gale.

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    3. Well said Gale. So happy you feel like writing again John. Thank you and it is good to take care of ones self. Mardy🇨🇦

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  8. I know what you mean about a house having a heart. When we first saw our house,it felt so empty and heartless because it had been empty for a couple of years.-- It took a long time for it to feel like it was a home again.

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  9. So glad you're feeling better. And that Aunt Gladys's home is starting a new life. And that you have a beautiful new blue bathroom in which to contemplate your navel--or for Winnie to contemplate you...Thank you for this post.

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  10. Hey, you're back. Glad to see you've returned refreshed and renewed so quickly. So sorry about the Bachelors.

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  11. We've missed you. Blog at whatever pace and frequency you feel. The thought of that house with a new story atartistis really nice.

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  12. Hi John, I am not a blogger, but a reader of blogs, a 66 year old Australian lady, on my own because my husband decided that the contents of a beer bottle was better company than a wife, so as you can imagine at times I struggle with what life has dealt me.
    Like you, a former nurse, no dogs, but a rabbit and 7 chickens. Your nursing stories really resonate with me as does what happened to the bachelors, we don't have badgers, but on more than one occasion I have had to deal with the heartbreak of finding a fox has murdered all my girls, as I call them.
    The point of all this is, I feel like I know you and the other bloggers, as you are kind and generous enough to share your lives with us, I view you as kindly neighbours who I visit each day, sometimes you are home, sometimes not, but very much appreciated for allowing us to be a part of your life.

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    1. g'day karen; we are all friends and neighbours here; welcome!

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    2. Karen perhaps you should blog. You write beautifully jxx

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    3. Ditto to everyone. I believe John brings out the best in us.

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  13. So good to see your by-line roll past. So good. Keep an eye on Aunt Gladys' house. xxoo

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    1. It was a nice story that came at the right time

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  14. Happy you are walking your way back. You have been zipping around Hear and there, for so many years that walking now will be the new norm. I have missed you but take your time
    Love that aunt Glad's home will be loved again.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I've only been away a couple of days! lol I feel better. Strange as it may seem I did put a lot of pressure on myselftowrite everyday, I've taken that pressure off. Also I feel better about the recent conflict

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  15. Anonymous1:02 am

    So happy to see you’re back! We’re going through our own “shitty times”. I hope it only lasts a few days, too.
    Debbie

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  16. Hey John! I am glad to see you back. You are missed. As someone said, just blog at the speed you like and works best for you. I spend a few hours on the weekend doing what I call "pre-blogging" and getting ideas set up, finding the pics I want to use, etc. It helps.

    An old house with wonderful memories, now being filled with new ones. Nothing wrong with that. Gladys would be happy.

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    1. I liked the last episode of The Walking Dead too! Jadis and negan....that surprised me

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  17. Nothing like a day of inhaling paint fumes to get you back on your feet, John. Glad you have good new neighbors in Gladys' house.

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    1. The bathroom now looks presentable to guests

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  18. That was lovely John...so glad you're feeling more settled and that Auntie Glady's house is on to it's next adventure. X

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  19. What a lovely thing to have a young family take over and start making their own memories in that house.

    Glad you're feeling better - you bounce back more quickly than most people, at least it seems so.

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    1. I am seldom down, I forget rows quickly ,
      I think physically I was pretty low and negative people pulled me own further. Now I picked myself by the bra straps

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  20. I enjoyed your last sentiment very much John... I'm glad your back too... Hugs! deb

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. I'm so glad I looked in again before getting offline, I have missed you :)
    And I am happy to hear that the old house will have new people and laughter and children's voices again ..

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    1. Blogger has done something with my name .. making me incognito in a way .. its me NotesFromABroad..

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  23. And once again all is well with the world. Hugs to you!

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  24. That's very heart warming that Auntie Glad's house will be filled with a family again. Were you planning on painting the bathroom anyway, or was it a way of changing things up and putting yourself in a different frame of mind? I'm glad you are back, with whatever frequency you wish to blog. I always look for your posts. -Jenn

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  25. Thank you for taking us on a lovely stroll in your neighborhood. I'm glad that new life is thriving in the house. A house is just a structure. People make houses into homes. And it sounds like you've met some good people.

    I'm sorry about your chickens. It's always hard to lose your loved ones and those you are fond of.

    I am proud of you for banning and deleting that troll. You've made it to the big times when jealous haters desperate for attention try to ruin your day in a sorry, pathetic attempt to make themselves feel like they are better. They're not. Ugly words are a reflection of an ugly soul and ugly person.

    You are a treasure for your kindness and for being you. I enjoy your adventures and the lovely pictures of your charming Welsh village...Torchwood left me with the impression that your entire country is in danger of falling into that time rift at Cardiff.

    Also, for some reason, I keep expecting Merlin (Colin Morgan) from the tv show Merlin to pop up around your village, with Arthur and the Knights close behind.

    Glad to see you back. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Sometimes pulling yourself up by your bra straps is the only way forward

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  26. Glad you're back and feeling better. All good news.

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  27. Welcome back.
    I am glad that the house's heart can beat again.

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    1. I think the owners will restore it to its Georgian grandeur

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  28. Hello. You do know how to keep busy. Isn't painting a wall tonic? Baby blue is very brave, sir - although I painted a loo bright orange once. I likened the effect to visiting the surface of the sun. Very cheery, it was.

    Nice to know your village has some more children, it keeps a place fresh. Do let them know you're a seasoned babysitter! They already sound like they're a lovely family.

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    1. The bathroom has bounced back into a nicer room, I've just put daffodils in a case in there

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  29. I've been popping by regularly in the hope you were healed and hearty. Welcome back! I enjoyed your first post... visualising your village in the cold, warm breath from you and Mary in the air and the lights on at Aunt Glad's. Very happy the house will be a new home for a new family..life moves onward. Glad they recognised you ...as I'm sure we all would, because of the dogs. Blog when and if you want to... I will still be here, popping in.

    Jo in Auckland, NZ

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    1. It's always nice to be recognised!
      ( I'm so shallow x)

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  30. Anonymous2:47 am

    Very pleased to hear you like your new neighbours in Aunty Glad's house.

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  31. So good that you are feeling well again, and there is some happy news from your village.

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  32. Hey there. Glad your doing better. Warms my heart that there is life going on in Aunt Glads home.

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    1. I think she'd be happy that a new family has moved in. Shame her memory won't allow the fact to stay in her head

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  33. Glad to read your blog today! It is bittersweet that Aunty Glad's house has life in it again. I hope the new family builds many happy memories. We moved into my husband's parents house after they passed. I found them difficult people and it has been hard to settle in here because oft times I have felt like an intruder. Time is making it better.

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  34. show us the paint job!

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  35. Good to see you John. And it is so good to hear that Auntie Glad's house has been brought back to life with a happy young family! The heart of the house has been healed with the life and warmth of a family. It reminds me of Joyce Kilmer's poem "The House With Nobody In It".

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    1. Whenever I walk to Suffern along the Erie track
      I go by a poor old farmhouse with its shingles broken and black.
      I suppose I've passed it a hundred times, but I always stop for a minute
      And look at the house, the tragic house, the house with nobody in it.

      I never have seen a haunted house, but I hear there are such things;
      That they hold the talk of spirits, their mirth and sorrowings.
      I know this house isn't haunted, and I wish it were, I do;
      For it wouldn't be so lonely if it had a ghost or two.

      This house on the road to Suffern needs a dozen panes of glass,
      And somebody ought to weed the walk and take a scythe to the grass.
      It needs new paint and shingles, and the vines should be trimmed and tied;
      But what it needs the most of all is some people living inside.

      If I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid
      I'd put a gang of men to work with brush and saw and spade.
      I'd buy that place and fix it up the way it used to be
      And I'd find some people who wanted a home and give it to them free.

      Now, a new house standing empty, with staring window and door,
      Looks idle, perhaps, and foolish, like a hat on its block in the store.
      But there's nothing mournful about it; it cannot be sad and lone
      For the lack of something within it that it has never known.

      But a house that has done what a house should do,
      a house that has sheltered life,
      That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife,
      A house that has echoed a baby's laugh and held up his stumbling feet,
      Is the saddest sight, when it's left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.

      So whenever I go to Suffern along the Erie track
      I never go by the empty house without stopping and looking back,
      Yet it hurts me to look at the crumbling roof and the shutters fallen apart,
      For I can't help thinking the poor old house is a house with a broken heart.
      Short Poems Lyrics Biography Index Picture
      Asphalt Shingles Black Block Broken

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  36. Oh, good, John is back. xoxoxoxo

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  37. Good to hear that Auntie Glad’s house is again a home and it is occupied with lovely people who will soon be you friends and part of your blog. Life moves on.

    I do love blue walls. The color is soothing to the mind and is good in a room where one likes to contemplate life.

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    1. I clean the bathroom from top to bottom, that helped too

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  38. I am smiling after reading about your Aunties house and I bet you are too .

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    1. I was smiling when I heard the children

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  39. Glad the leader of your pack is back on track again. You've had more than a few tough breaks recently. Hope things just keep getting better.

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  40. Lovely to see you blogging again.

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  41. Oh how bittersweet...your words went straight to my heart <3 !

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  42. Aunt Gladys will be so pleased the house is being lovingly restored, and by a family too. I was impressed they are a "do it yourself" team too - all to often 'the Professionals' seem to be brought in, and every house looks the same ... grey, lighter grey ... darker grey ....

    And, of course, you have the skills and vision to be able to do your own bathroom. I love blues in a bathroom. The friends of ours who used a VERY expensive architect ended up with a grey stone bathroom, with the humungous free-standing bath standing way too close to the door of the shower to be able to open the shower door properly!! - they'd measured from the base of the bath, not the top edge ... rolling of eyes....

    Looking forward to seeing the photos. If it's half as successful l as your lovely kitchen I think I'm coming to live with you!

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    1. Not with my toilet habits you wouldn't ! Lol

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  43. Very glad you're feeling better.

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  44. Welcome back John, I'm so glad you're restored. I missed you....as did we all.

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  45. This post shines in positivity. I am very happy to see you back again John!
    Greetings Maria xx

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  46. Glad your back. Just maybe having a bit of you time and getting well was what was needed. Trolls are very sad people and best ignored. Whose got time to be so nasty? Well I wait with bated breath for your next blog and in case you don't think we want you to continue to blog we do. I love reading about your daily life at the cottage. X

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    1. The conflict is now over. Well and truly over

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  47. I'm so glad you're feeling brighter now John, and just a bit happy that there are nice people in Aunty Glad's house. X

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    1. I like tge fact they are teachers......especially as the house was originally a school

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  48. Gladys would be thrilled. New owners just proves the theory that life goes on, a new chapter opens, a new start, new plans. All is good in the village. xxx

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  49. I have no cliches or profound thoughts to proffer but I am so glad you're back. All good wishes. X

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  50. Thanks for a lovely glimpse of village life. Three little boys have moved in next door to me. I know the names of two. The third is the good one, his name is never screeched across the garden.

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  51. Gladys would love to know there is a family in her house, bringing it to life again. No doubt the thought of it empty and forlorn would have weighed on her mind.

    Nice to see you back, I'm glad your shitty time has passed ��

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  52. Well......it has all been said already......I, too, am pleased that you are back and feeling better. That infection really laid you low!

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    1. It did Frances and it allowed other things to get under my skin

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  53. So glad to see you back - and great to hear that Aunty Glad's house is becoming a home again.

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  54. Welcome back. I like this post so much.

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  55. Ey up Chuck, nice to see you're feeling better! X

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  56. Well, hello again! So glad you are back and feeling more positive. Hearing your daily stories about life in Trelawnyd is very much like The Archers. I haven't a clue what these people look like but I feel I know them all and am part of the village. I am already prepping my next 'vegetable' for the Flower Show.
    Onwards and upwards John (or as we used to say in showbiz 'tits and teeth, darling, tits and teeth) xxxxxxx

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  57. So glad you're back and very happy to hear about Aunt Gladys house coming back to life xx

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  58. Anonymous9:32 am

    Hello John!!,Lovely to see you!.It must have been so nice to see the lights from your Aunties house.And hearing the children!.Its so nice when a house has new life in lt,I hate to see them standing empty.Take care and may be see you tomorrow,next week or when ever you feel like blogging.We will all be around!,Debi,xx

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  59. How lovely to hear the sound of children in Aunty Glad's house as it will always be known. I wonder how old they are and if they will make friends with the girls you sometimes collect from school x

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    1. They were boys by the sound of it! And the girls live just around the corner

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  60. Welcome back, everyone's already said it. x

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  61. Well, hello there....glad you're back.

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  62. Glad your breather has worked.
    Happy to hear about the new life in Gladys' house..new life for the village too, carrying on the flow

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    1. I've said it on another comment. I have stopped pressure on myself to write everyday!

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  63. There is something soothing about painting a room . . . good to hear about life in the village.

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  64. Ah good. All is well in Newmarket, I hope.

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  65. Good to hear of your day(s) It has been a fierce Winter and I think we will have a severe one too in the southern hemisphere.
    Weather is all over the place having 40+ degrees and bushfires in Autumn, not unheard of but it is unusual - so many people have lost their homes in just 2 days!
    Aunt Gladys would be happy her home is in loving hands and retains it soul.. she will be like a gentle breeze that wafts through those rooms when she dreams of home - I don't think we ever really leave the homes we love or felt loved and safe within.
    Sending hugs to you and pats all round.. good to have you back :)

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  66. So glad you are back. I missed you!

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  67. Missed you. So glad you are feeling better and refreshed xx

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  68. Very heartwarming to hear about Aunt Glad's house. The way it should be. And so happy you're back!

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    1. I was never really gone, just slightly fed up

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  69. Wendy1:06 pm

    I've been following your blog for a few months now- and didn't realise how I would miss it until you said you were taking a break- so I'm so glad you are back!

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  70. glad to see you back and glad for Auntie Glad's old house. having to re-do three rooms since they got flooded last August. bathroom is next and last and it will also be blue and white.

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    1. I cleaned the tiles with sugar soap , they've come up a treat

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  71. Hurrah! Lovely to see that you are back - did miss you. Hope all fine now, and that you are feeling refreshed and ready with more stories of your interesting and entertaining life; as others have said, be it a weekly blog or whenever you wish. xx

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    1. You were not gone long, but long enough to make everyone who reads your blog everyday realize how much we depend on your wacky, funny and heart warming words start off our day on the right foot(or left!). You have a job in this life, still providing comfort.

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  72. I love painting but am rubbish at it, Husband hates it but paints like B&Qs own Turner! Glad you're back x

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  73. Anonymous3:05 pm

    Welcome back. I also think your readers (us out here) will now not take it for granted there will be a daily GG blog.......but will be very happy when there is one there. (I’ll put my hand up to say guilty of that). Maggie B

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  74. Anonymous3:12 pm

    So happy to have you back! You were missed! Your blog is the first one I read every morning. Angela from Pittsburgh, PA

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    1. Hello Angela..I love Pittsburgh stayed at squirrel hill!

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  75. Adding my ‘Welcome Back’ to all the others. The blue bathroom with yellow daffs must look lovely. That is a cheer up all on its own.
    A scritch for each of your animals from me.

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  76. Good that you are feeling better and that aunt Glad's house has a new family! Take care. Sheila

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  77. So glad you're feeling better and welcome back.

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  78. Woke up this morning to see you have returned and blog world has gone giddy with joy. Good feeling.

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  79. Welcome back. Starting the day without you just doesn't feel right.
    Jocelyn

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  80. After reading the comments I realise it’s all been said but I just wanted to add my own ‘welcome back’ and I’m glad you’re feeling more like your old self. Did you know that it can take quite a time to adjust to retirement, by the way?

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  81. Glad you are feeling better John and are back with us. How wonderful that Auntie Glads house is 'alive' again.

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  82. Yay, you’re back! So pleased you’re feeling more your old self. The bathroom with daffs sounds lovely and springlike. Rosie

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  83. And that is just as it should be.

    Glad the shitty time has passed and you are up and running again. Much love. x

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  84. So happy you are back! I'm a new follower and my day always begins with a cup of coffee and now your blog. :)

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  85. adrienne5:04 pm

    Glad you're back and feeling better x

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  86. Very glad you're back. It's true that it wasn't a long time but felt longer for us readers I think.
    New family, new stories I hope. (new chickies? maybe?).
    Take care, xx
    Susan (back in shitsville)

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  87. So pleased to see you back here John - still sending hugs just incase you might need one ☺☺ xxx

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  88. Hurrah!!!!!!! You are back!!!!! Everything that everyone else has said......xxxxxxxxxxx

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  89. Time marches on and batons are exchanged. I would like to think that Aunt Gladys might be pleased to know that a nice family now occupies the rooms in which she lived for so many years. Nothing lasts for ever.

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  90. Sending love, glad you are feeling better x

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  91. Anonymous9:12 pm

    So glad you’re feeling a bit by better John. I’ve had a shitty week too so decided to come to our caravan for some r&r. Had a lovely walk all my the front at Prestatyn tonight, popped into m&s for a couple of ready meals then called into a new craft beer bar called Dove bar which is a micro brewery. Chris had a beer, I had a coffee and was offered free refills which was nice. There were guys getting up playing acoustic and as soon as we sat down someone came over and put a bowl of tortilla chips on the table for us. Lovely atmosphere would recommend it if you fancy an hour out. Always love a bar that has a sign saying dogs welcome, children tolerated. �� Jules xxx

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    1. Hi jules. Where is the five bar ! ( love the thought you are only a stonesthrow away x)

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    2. Dove bar! It's in Rhyl isn't it?

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  92. Beautiful sentiment of life back in dear old Gladys's house...welcome back John, glad your hiatus was short lived xxx

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  93. Oh, goody, sooooo glad you’re back, to misquote Mr Bennett “you’ve not delighted us enough”. Teresa

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  94. What a lovely surprise I just checked in to see if you were in and as luck would have it all is well with the world, I love your stories about village life, I won't take it for granted that you will post on a daily basis but will enjoy the snippets here and there, be well John.

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  95. I second all the lovely comments! So glad you are back.

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  96. Thank you all....I tried to answer you all but I need to go to bed x

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  97. Anonymous3:46 am

    Loved this thought John . . .
    “Gladys’ home has a Heart again . . .”
    I am sure Glayd’s would be very happy too . . .

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  98. Welcome back and a home with a heart again. Thanks.

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  99. You're back!! Hooray! I missed you hugely even though it was only a short while. Great news on Aunt Gladys house; such a good thing for the house and village and they sound like nice people. xx

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  100. I tried to answer you all but I need to go to bedสมัคร D2BET

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  101. Thank you John! I think there must be something in the water - lately I've wanted to chuck a bunch of things in that I can't (like work) or that I know I will regret (like performing) and I just have to sit on the impulse and let it pass. Thank goodness for being over fifty and wise enough to know that these things will pass eventually. I'm pleased it passed for you too - and if you ever need a break or to blog less often you just do it, we are lucky to have you on any terms <3

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes