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happy birthday dear Nan, happy birthday to you

When twilight drops her curtain down and pins it with a star,
remember that you have a friend though she may wander far.
– L M Montgomery25-6-12 - Euan and Granny reading 4B
We’re remembering Nan fondly today on what would have been her 96th birthday. She celebrated more birthdays than anyone else I know but what’s so inspiring about Nan’s long life was that she was born a triplet at a time when multiple births were rarely heard of. Nan’s mother already had 8 living children when she found herself pregnant for the 11th time.  Her husband was away fighting in the first World War and a telegram was sent following the birth informing him ‘‘baby here.  triplets.  2 girls, 1 boy’‘.  I imagine even on war rations he might have been offered a stiff drink to wet the babies heads and recover from the shock!1-6-13 - baby triplets_nan, ethel, freddie 4B
Since becoming a mum myself I’ve often wondered how Nan’s mum coped with having so many children.  When I asked Nan if it was a hard life she simply said ”yes I suppose it was but I don’t think we noticed, it was a lot of fun with so many of us and we were never bored.   We all helped out so even my Mum would probably have said she had it easier than girls today who have to leave their children to go out to work”1-6-13 - baby triplets with mum and matron 4B
Nan’s stories about growing up in the Forest of Dean were captivating.  As one of 14 children she was used to sleeping 6 to a bed; ”you usually woke up with a foot in your face but it was always nice and warm and you never got lonely”.  When visitors came to stay Nan and her twin sister Ethel slept in the bathtub (Freddy sadly died of pneumonia aged 2).  As young girls they scrumped apples from the local orchard and collected them in their knickers.  Nan used to cry laughing at her own memory of the day her knicker elastic snapped and all her apples tumbled out.Garry christening + mum's parents 4B
Nan loved being involved in the lives of all 5 of her grandchildren.  She was 53 when her first grandchild was born (pictured here in 1978 at my brother’s Christening) and 94 when Euan, her youngest great grandchild, was born.  She always lit up when anyone came to visit but especially in the last couple of years when Euan or his cousin Zac climbed up onto her knee.Jim, Zac and Granny 4B
How glad we all are to have photos and videos like these to remind us of Nan’s special sparkle and wit and gorgeous Forest accent. 

update – Fast forward 4 years and we still remember Nan each year on her birthday –  a (would have been) 100th birthday

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16 comments

  • Denise
    September 23, 2013

    Wonderful, have a lump in my throat xxxx oh and a tear in my eye xx

    Reply
  • Nic@nipitinthebud
    September 23, 2013

    ah Denise, I’d managed to keep my lump down and tears in until you said that! Feeling touched that you felt the sparkle too x

    Reply
  • whirlingstone
    September 24, 2013

    Well that made me well up! Amazing memories, well done for being the keeper of them. Thanks for sharing x x

    Reply
  • rainbow soul
    September 24, 2013

    Thank you for sharing the stories of a beautiful life with us Xxx

    Reply
  • Everlovin' Dad
    September 24, 2013

    Good one Nic. Well presented……………with love.

    Reply
  • Maureen
    September 24, 2013

    wonderful Nic, what a lovely tribute to an amazing person

    Reply
  • Jas
    September 24, 2013

    Beautiful post.
    How lovely to have a video of Winnie and Euan together! X

    Reply
  • Jimmy Hayward
    September 24, 2013

    Lovely tribute sis! Great memories and watery eyes;-)

    Reply
  • anitanee
    September 24, 2013

    So beautiful Nic, thank you for sharing your Nan’s story and your memories x

    Reply
  • nic@nipitinthebud
    September 24, 2013

    El – what a lovely description ”memory keeper” is :o) i often find hearing someone’s voice is more emotional than seeing photos.

    Anna – my pleasure to share my beautiful Nan with you x

    Dad – thanks lovely

    Maureen – amazing is always my first choice of word when I think about Nan. Hope someone says the same about me when reach old age (well before then would be nice too!)

    Jas – it’s very special having video clips. What I’ve only just remembered having watched it again just now is that I wasn’t actually there that day, it’s G filming and I was full of cold at home. It was 23rd Dec and we were travelling to G’s folks the next day for Christmas. I didn’t want Nan to miss out on a visit just because I was ill so sent G and Euan off and G came back with this video clip. How funny that I chose this one yesterday as it felt like it was my memory even though it wasn’t!

    Reply
  • ediblethings
    September 25, 2013

    Hi Nic, that church where your Nan is pictured with your brother looks remarkably like my Mum’s church in Brockworth. I doubt it is though, but so funny that your memory post jolted a memory in me, and in a similar part of the world

    Reply
  • nic@nipitinthebud
    September 26, 2013

    Jimmy – here’s a tissue mate x

    Anita – always means alot get writing compliments from you :o)

    Mel – similar neck of the woods! It’s Emmanuel Church in Leckhampton – was built as a school originally.

    Reply
  • me and mine {September family portrait} | Nip it in the bud
    September 30, 2013

    […] college reunion in Lancaster.  And last week two birthdays; E’s cousin Zac’s 2nd and remembering Nan on what would have been her 90th birthday. Zac’s celebrations saw little party goers transformed into animals (miraculously so in 2 […]

    Reply
  • making the most of our National Trust membership | Nip it in the bud
    June 7, 2015

    […] edible plants. I felt a little wistful for my lost allotment love and found myself thinking of my Nan momentarily. Just as quickly I was pulled back into the present by E calling ”Mum, come and […]

    Reply
  • a porcelain wedding anniversary | Nip it in the bud
    September 4, 2016

    […] died in 2013 when E was 15 months old – she would have been 99 this month.  I love how she is still very real to E through the stories we share when he looks at […]

    Reply
  • a (would have been) 100th birthday | Nip it in the bud
    September 23, 2017

    […] wrote a little bit of Nan’s life story in a post to mark her 96th birthday, the first birthday we had without her.  She was born a triplet and one of 14 children so […]

    Reply

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Home learning was less painful today after spendin Home learning was less painful today after spending some time crafting first.  Euan loves Dav Pilkey's Dogman books and in the back of the latest one Grime and Punishment are instructions for making your own lunch bag monster.  Euan just got straight onto making his monster and I enjoyed making Luca's.  Munchy then went on a rampage at the park 😆
Home learning might be a headache but no objection Home learning might be a headache but no objections here to easy dinner inspired by Euan's Ancient Greeks theme (none of it home made or ancient!). 
Thank you Lidl!  #standardsslipping 🙈
9 years of loving this gorgeous soul. Happy Birth 9 years of loving this gorgeous soul.  Happy Birthday darling Euan ❤️
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We made origami spiders! Who needs school when yo We made origami spiders! 
Who needs school when you've got Art for Kids hub 💕
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#childhoodunplugged #gloucesterlife
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The open book is the Bosch recipe book so really interested in vegetarian/vegan suggestions too x
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front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘 front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘
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One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Chris One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Christmas was freeing up space on my phone for photos 🙈. So rationed to just one picture you get 50% of the Moorey's wishing you a Merry Christmas.  Sending love and hugs out to all corners of the world and sharing the stories of Christmas past to remember those no longer with us.  Lots of love x
Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve but loss has been such a big part of this year and the opportunity to remember loved ones together is so comforting.  We don't have candles at home since a near accident with a cat tail many moons ago so  Luca and I dashed off into the rain this morning to get some beautiful vegan plant wax candles from @idunspirit .  We'll join the circle of light remembering loved ones tomorrow at 7pm. 
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My Mum passed away peacefully at @sueryderleckhampton 2 years ago and I was touched by the idea of a shared remembrance on Christmas Eve.  I bought a candle for my Dad and dear friend who will be missing her Mum too. 
.
Sending love and courage to all who are heavy hearted missing  loved ones this Christmas.  Especially to those who are missing a parent, sibling or child.  3 friends have lost Dad's in the last week and the pain of wondering how to make sense of life without them is the journey they now face.  Lean in to support and feel all the feels.  Huge hugs dear ones x
.
(Please comment below if you're remembering someone.  The boys have asked to join me to remember Nana as well as their beloved cats Poppet and Mikey and we'd happily include a tribute to your loved ones in our thoughts)
We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday a We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday and my friend said "ooh I'm just going to pick up some of the fallen greenery for my Christmas wreath". What a good idea I thought as we've never made one (with a house opening on to the pavement i always presumed it would soon  disappear if I did make or buy one!). 
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#gloucesterlife #christmascrafting #wreathmaking
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Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view? Su Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view?  Such a gorgeous bright day yesterday for a walk, made all the more lovely for the company of a dear friend
#nofilter #lovenature
For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm h For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm have been on the hunt for painted advent pebbles.  Each Sunday parishioners from St Catharine's church have hidden them and a buzz begins about where they might be found. 
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Today after school we went up to Hillfield Gardens to find an angel for Luca.  We'd already resolved to make some ourselves if we weren't lucky enough to find one.  We now how our official @stcatsglos nativity set and our newly growing Moorey version which includes a duck and a rocket (of course!). I love how this act of community is sparking new conversations and growing friendships through rock swaps and rehides. 
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= New blog post = . Find out what happened when L = New blog post =
 .
Find out what happened when Luca was let loose on a Boredom Bag (link in bio) 
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He made:
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We still have activities to work through!  For more details visit Ellie's page @boredombagsuk 
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#gloucesterlife #boredombags #childhoodunplugged #creativity #craftingwithkids
Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Canc Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Cancer Support and Therapy Centre in Gloucester.  Jo who runs the centre is the first person outside of my family to receive an aromatherapy massage from me.  Jo  experienced the soothing effects of a wild rose facial and hand massage in the tranquil surroundings of her own treatment room! 
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I don't have a therapy space at home so Jo is kindly letting me use her treatment room when Charlie's is closed on Fridays.  If you'd like to take advantage of free hands-on wellbeing support I'm asking for a £10 donation to Charlie's in exchange for the beautiful space.  I already have my 11am slots booked out but if you're local and can be in the centre of Gloucester at 9.30am do get in touch (I'll be working my way through my volunteers list so don't worry if you've already told me you're interested). 
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I came back from college on Saturday to this lovel I came back from college on Saturday to this lovely gift from Euan.  He'd spent most of the day making my "Happy Messages" advent calendar.  How lucky am I to have such a kind hearted boy 💗
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