IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING ……...

We've had tidal, fluvial, groundwater and flash flooding ….. the whole gamut, over the past eight weeks.

We've had disruptions with trains , flooded homes, landslips, livelihood's under threat and even deaths.

Everyone has been blamed from the Government to God. The Ministry of Defence is deploying equipment and manpower to help those in affected areas by delivering food, transporting people and distributing sandbags.

Even if it stops raining tomorrow, the effects of the floods will continue to be felt for weeks …. months and years for some.

We have been blown to bits with rain and winds of over 100 mph and, more storms are forecast for the coming days.

These horses had to be rescued from rising flood waters near Christchurch, Dorset. Just one example of animals in distress because of the floods.

I cannot imagine what having a flooded home must be like. Thinking of all those who have been affected by so much devastation.

Here's hoping that the rain will stop sooner rather than later.

XXXX

image 1: via dianne documents, image 2: via bbc, image 3: via the daily mail, image 4: via western morning news, image 5: via the guardian, image 6: via the independent, image 7: via bayanablogspot, image 8: via night tattoo, image 9: via we heart it

BY INVITATION ….. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ? ……….

What a question ?!!!!

I do believe that I'm either lucky, boring or just plain lazy !!! I seem to skip through life without many challenges coming my way …… maybe I duck and dive my way around them ? I don't set myself challenges either ….. I simply don't feel the need !! 

For me, my life seems full enough .

I have never swum the channel …..

….. never flown solo around the world …..

….. or composed a symphony.

I have avoided marathons,

and climbing mountains !!

….. and, on a more serious note, I have never had to face the challenge of war

or the challenge of living with a disability. Millions face challenges so big everyday and accept and cope with it. They are brave, scared, sometimes in pain { mentally and physically } and just get on with it. 

Of course, you could say that bringing up children is a challenge but, millions do it everyday.

I think that the little challenges that affect us all everyday are just things that we all accept and get on with. 

Therefore, I really don't think that I can quantify anything that I do as a challenge.

But, here are a few challenges that might make you smile !!!

HANG ON !!!!  

 I've just thought of one major challenge in my life at the moment …..

Playing trains with our grandson for eight hours is a pretty big challenge !!!!!

There are only so many scrapes that Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends can get into !!!!

….. although, crashing is his favourite ….. we have a lot of crashes !!

To hear what challenges other members of the By Invitation group, please pop over to Marsha's  where she has all of the links.

OH ….. and thanks so much for all of your birthday wishes. It's means a lot, even more so when you get to my age !!!!!

XXXX

images 1 & 11: via night tattoo, image 2: via styler, image 3: via a dozen eggs, image 4: via inspiring and dreamy, image 5: via the policy shop, image 6: via burgess-shale, image 7: via dada4yu, image 8: via the telegraph, images 9, 10 & 12: via zsa zsa bellagio, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !!!! ……….

Another year, another birthday.

63 !!

I think that it's back views from now on ….. it's better that way !!!!!

XXXX

UNDER CONTROL ……….

Love this ….. dance around your living room with the vacuum cleaner to this one ….. really loud !!

Yep ….. I think that he's got things pretty much under control !!!!!

image 1: via ladylicious, image 2: video from youtube alesso & calvin harris feat. hurts - under control, image 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 & 11: via pinterest, image 5: via jeffrey and me, image 6: via ella & frank, image 8: via charleykay mayfield, image 12: via broken glass, image 13: via night tattoo, image 14 & 15: via zsa zsa bellagio 

BY INVITATION ….. CHANGE ….. MOVING FORWARD …..

We are now at the beginning of a New Year and, ' By Invitation ' is back again.

To kick off with this year, our subject is 'Change'  - 'Moving On '.

Moving forward may mean ' from now on ', ' in the future ', or even ' now '. It gives a sense of action, purpose and direction that appeals to some. To many of you it may mean a change in career, an ambition fulfilled or maybe a house move.

Every ones future is unpredictable and things aren't always going to go as planned. Much of life is ' groundhog day ' but, interspersed with this are massive moments, proud points in time and touching memories ….. family Christmas mornings, weddings, a hurdle overcome or a poignant gesture.

Because I am pretty happy with my lot and, being older than most of you, I really don't have a need to move on or change in any way so, hopefully for me, there will still be wine ….. 

….. laughter …..

….. cake and chocolate …..

….. there will be friends …..

….. shopping …..

….. there will still be blogging …..

and books.

There will be dining …..

….. and some dreaming.

There will also, inevitably, be thunder and lightening sometimes …..

….. and, rejection …..

….. possibly some sadness …..

but, there is always beauty and …..

….. acts of kindness to balance everything out { although, you may not feel that at the time !! }

There are often a few obstacles to overcome { for some, many } ….. little setbacks to deal with, some huge ones and there will be sparks of darkness in the diamonds …..

….. but, we must move on as there are beautiful memories to be made in 2014 and,

….. there will be change in our family as ….. we will be welcoming another grandchild to the world !

I wish for all of you a bright and beautiful future and that you will change and move on as you wish this year without too many obstacles along the way.

To see how others in our ' By Invitation ' group feel about change and moving on, please pop over to Marsha's blog where she has all of the links.

image 1: via the gifts of life, images 2 & 8: via envers du decor, image 3: via hero.i.am, images 4 & 6: via margadirube, image 5: via la peche fraiche, image 7: via crush cul de sac, image 9: via an exquisite waste of time, image 10: via prettie sweet, image 11: via a touch of delicacy, image 12: via head like an orange, image 13: via heartbeat oz, image 14:  via pinterest, image 15: via bonnard 3, image 16: via ayshfi, image 17: via hqdesktop, image 18: via google images, image 19: via the collage crush, image 20: via zsa zsa bellagio