Monday 28 August 2006

remembering

I love to sit back and let my mind wander to the days long gone when I lived at home with my brothers and sisters ~ Our brothers were very protective of us girls ~ where ever we went in the City we would always come across one of them making sure they knew we were safe ~ we would meet up at a cafe' in Prince of Wales Road for a cup of tea before going home for Sunday Lunch

Sunday was very different then as everything was closed except the Museum ~ and the odd cafe ~ Thinking back to those days we had wonderful Christmas's Mum and Dad didn't have much cash to throw around but they did give us all the love we needed ~

when you think they had eight children but not one of us lacked the knowledge of knowing we were all loved ~ Dad was so patient with us all even when my brothers would borrow one of his shirts or his best jacket ~ or even his best pair of shoes ~ and Mum had a knack of being able to stop us dead with one of her looks if we did anything that didn't meet with her approval ~ I wish I had inherited that knack ~

my brother Tony who is 5 years older than me went to Heigham House School before Joy and me but he was terrible for playing traunt from school Mum would have to take him to the Front gate and see him in ~ but what Mum didn't know was the back entrance was always open and Tony would go in the front gate and immediately go to the back gate and leave the school premises ~

the funny thing was that he was the only one of us to attend the school reunions ~ which never ceased to make us laugh ~ I hope our teachers were pleased to see him as they very rarely got that privaledge during his school years ~

 going back to our Christmas's we used to join together these chains to decorate the ceiling of our house and had many happy nights getting ready for Christmas ~ Mum would bake mince pies sausage rolls and all the other goodies that made our christmas ~ but would have to lock them away from us kids as we would have eaten them all if they had been in the pantry ~

such happy memories I am glad to have the ability to remember them all and to remember my parents for the love and understanding they gave us I know my brothers and sisters would approve of me writing this as they were all like me very glad to have had such wonderful parents

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

your brother sounds so funny Ally!!!! I want a cuddly ehoor! ;love Joanne

Anonymous said...

the very simple pleasure of paper chains.............
life was better then wasn't it - it's not an illusion of age?

Anonymous said...

Would love a couple of knitted toys for the boys if your niece takes orders?  Let me know so I can get the money to her.
Yes, paper chains, what memories those bring back and sticking cotton wool on the classroom windows to represent snow although we did used to get snow in those days.  Lovely entry.

Anonymous said...

hi Ally...

love this entry, my mum and dad did'nt have much money either,i'm talking about the 1950's, but we did have some fun at christmas time we made the paper chains for decoration and blow up balloons. they are lovely memories,life seemed simple and people were content in those days, not like today...have a good day Ally!

Astra!

Anonymous said...

Mum used to relish sitting us 3 down to make paper chains.  Such peace!  Big treat for Xmas dinner was chicken, which we never had any other time of year.  Mum always decorated tree but we were allowed to chuck bits of cotton wool at it for 'snow'.  We thought it looked lovely!  Oh I do love a good trip down memory lane.....Angie, x

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry Ally! :-)

Anonymous said...

I did laugh about your brother being the only one to attend school reunions! Typical...he probably now says they were the best days of his life!! Love Conniex

Anonymous said...

How awesome that you have such wonderful memories of your family growing up.  I enjoyed reading it.  And I have a brother named Tony too. : )  Hugs and GBU, Shelly

Anonymous said...

sounds so nice. i bet your whole childhood was wonderful. i dont have any real memories of my christmas's.

Anonymous said...

Could you get me the pattern for ee oor ,would love to make one ? your christmas reminded me of ours when life was so much more simple and yes paper chains we all remember them fondly ,your brothers story made me laugh ,.,.,.,Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry Ally....what great memories you have.
I always wanted a brother.  I remember feeling most unpleased when I was told I had a baby sister!!
Hugs,
Ains xxx

Anonymous said...

Memories such as these are very precious.  I love going back in my mind to my childhood with my Grandparents...when you have unconditional love in your life it's something that you remember all your life.....Sandi

Anonymous said...

Its lovely to share all you memories. It must have been great to be one of a big family often think I missed out being an only child. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.  I always wished I'd grown up with a lot of brothers and sisters.  There was my brother and myself  and he's 8 years younger than me.  So my childhood was much different than yours.  Then I turned around and did the same to my kids...they are almost 10 years apart.  Linda in WA

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally,  I`m so happy for you that you had such a happy childhood, I would`ve loved to be surrounded by brothers and sisters.  Thank you for sharing some of your happiest memories with us. :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

I too was blessed with a good childhood
Terrie

Anonymous said...

What a great childhood you had. I am jealous. Bill

Anonymous said...

Such simple times and so easy to have fun. I remember the paper chains that you had to make yourself, we made them every Christmas.
Thanks for the memories Ally. B. x

Anonymous said...

You have an Eaww Christopher Robbin would be proud of, he's lovely and looks plush and soft.  Wonderful memories Ally......wouldn't it be great to redo those times all over agan :) Rache

Anonymous said...

sounds  a lovely childhood Ally. . eight of you!! Bet you had some great times.

Anonymous said...

Aren't memories wonderful? Yours are interesting to read. Wouldn't it be fun to go back for a few days? Paula

Anonymous said...

What a funny tale about your brother Ally I had to chuckle.The paper chains were great to make wern't they.I have also encouraged my grandchildren to make these chains over the last few yrs.They love me to show them the old things we did with our mums and dads I bought my grandaughter last yr a Whip and Top and she loved it.We used to chalk patterns on the Top and see what they looked like when spinning.LOL!!MEMORIES nothing like them.Take Care
Astoriasand.

Anonymous said...

It is always nice when we can think back on our memories and smile!  Thanks for sharing them with us all!

Kara

Anonymous said...

Wonderful memories of your family and holiday time.  It's so funny that your bother played truant so much but is the one to go to all the reunions.  I enjoyed this glimpse into your past.
Sam

Anonymous said...

Ally, many times I think back to my youth.  Life was so much easier then.  We had such little expectations for material things and made our own fun.  My children have such a different life.  I feel bad sometimes that they will never know a life that was carefree and times when we made our own things.  I just love trips down memory lane.  The US was very much similar to the UK then also.  xx  Chris

Anonymous said...

HI,What a lovely entry, I was the only girl , had three brothers, but sadly my lovely middle brother died a few years ago, but I will always remember the beautiful garden he and mum shared, sadly they died within a few years of each other, so we have a family grave with mum and Johnathan.Memories of better days always lift my spirits.
Rach.xxx

Anonymous said...

Yes, memories do make for good thoughts. Many there be many more to remember. Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

we used to make chains at xmas ohh that took me back hun xxzoexx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/zoepaul6968/DomesticAbuse/

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a very blessed childhood.  The story about your brother, Tony, cracked me up.  I have been missing your comments in my Country Living Southern Style journal.  I just wrote about getting a dang speeding ticket.  ::sigh::  First one I ever had.

Have a great day!~

Blessings!~

Susan

Anonymous said...

enjoyed your pics. Ally, that brought back loads of memories, thanks for that! those paper chains..... Tony sounds so funny, going to the reunions! lol Linda xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindachapmanuk/metamorphing/

Anonymous said...

Memories.....the stuff of life...what would we do without them...they sure make some gloomy days brighter....specially when we find a quiet spot by ourselves and let our mind roam down memory lane....Hugs from KY....Ora

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally what a truly lovely entry of those marvellous memories  when money wasn't what Christmas was all about .Funny your Brother ecaping through the back gates at school.I bought some paper chains for my grandchildren to make last year and they enjoyed doing it ,simple pleasures.....Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally what a lovely trip down memeory lane, it got me thinking about some of my childhood memories and the  christmas fun we used to have when we were all at home.
take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally!

What wonderful memories you have!  That's funny about your brother wanting to go to his reunions now!  We had a student where I worked that never came to class half the time. Either her teacher or I would have to call her to get her to class. But then after she graduated I would see her mother, and she said she always fussed and whined because she missed her teachers and going to school!  People are so hilarious!

I remember Christmas oranges and english walnuts!  Only time of the year we could afford them.  Ohhhhh they tasted so good!

Hugs!
Darlene
http://journals.aol.com/djohn52/AgeingGracefullyWithAllTheHelpIC/

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally,

I just wanted to stop by and say hello..loved hearing your memories..my Dad loves to do the same..he sits for hours and re-lives all the good times.. I must admit I have started to do the same.. I have such fond memories of Christmas too..and the paper chains!!  thanks for the "trip" this morning...by the way I haven't been getting alerts ...hence the lack of comments on my part...

hugz
Lyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Ally - i love meandering down 'childhood alley', my eldest brother and i like to talk about and re live our childhood christmases!    Like the pic of your Lane :o)
Luv Jayne x

Anonymous said...

Hello Ally !  Long time since I've been able to visit, and I enjoyed catching up.  I loved reading about your memories with your family.  It sounds so familiar, and I am lucky to have such wonderful memories, too.  I got a good laugh about your Mother stopping you in your tracks with 'The Look' ... my Mother had that gift, too ... which I did not inherit, unfortunately !  All she had to do was send one of those looks my way and I knew immediately what it meant.  LOL      Tina

Anonymous said...

I don't think I had my alerts on when you posted this one. It's a lovely entry Ally, I love to remember back to those carefree old days when life was so simple and we had fun without hurting anybody else! Jeannette xx