Of marriage and suchlike things...

Things are certainly changing around here. I suddenly find myself with two very important weddings within the next eighteen months or so; Kirsty (child no.3) and Nicky get married 1 September 2017, so we have less than a year for that one, and Siân (child no.2) and Ants tie the knot on 26 January 2017.

This will be a joyous period in our lives except... I have to wear a hat.

This face does not do hats.

Maybe a blue and white bobble hat with the logo SWFC but not wedding type hats. Or fascinators.

Although thinking about it, Siân and Ants are having royal blue and white for their winter wedding colour scheme so maybe the bobble hat would be okay for that one.

Suddenly there are bridal magazines, deep discussions between daughters, bemused looks from future sons-in-law and Dave says can he use the same speech for both daughters? He's promised it will be only two sentences long.

We've looked at awesome cars - I've never seen so many Rolls Royce cars in one place in my life before.

The whole thing is taking over our lives and Slimming World are really profiting by our weddings.

So maybe I need to write more books to finance the alcohol consumption as they're both having the reception in hotels.

And then, of course, we come to us. Oh, we got married a long time ago, 7 January 1967 to be precise.

Which means, if you use a calculator, that we've been married 50 years this January. Celebrations are called for.

Just to throw a spanner in the works we've decided to have open house for a few hours on New Years Day and then disappear probably on my birthday (5 January) to a far flung place where it's hot, and celebrate our anniversary two days later together! Simples! Strangely enough, there are still several members of the original wedding party still with us - two out of our three bridesmaids, best man, bride and groom. We will be raising a glass to the ones who aren't with us; Dave's Mum and Dad, my Dad, Alan, Ray and Mick, our three ushers, and Linda, our bridesmaid.

And my writing? Coming on apace. I'm about half way through Essence of Lavender and already plotting and planning the one that will follow.

Very late last night when I was feeling really miserable because my computer had crashed and wouldn't respond to a thump, I heard a ping on my phone. A lovely lady called Laura Makin had sent me a message on my Facebook page. To close this blog, here's the item that really made my day yesterday;

I have just read Beautiful followed by Angel this week. I have not been able to put them down despite having a full time job I do not know how I have done it. My house is in chaos as all I have done is read. I have never contacted an author before but was moved to send you a message as the books were utterly brilliant. I preferred Angel.I found it much more intense and fast paced. However Beautiful set the characters up so well. As soon as I had finished it I wanted more' you can imagine my delight when I realised there was a sequel. Immediate kindle download! I have preordered your next one and look forward to another good read. I feel as if I know the characters intimately and feel a bit sad I have finished the book! Thanks for a great read, Laura