Have you ever received this for your wedding anniversary?

Well, we married young, both twenty-one and ready for life.  We both worked and life was, good, we were happy, he had gone to study, and we had bought an older house and were in the process of trying to build it up and put our stamp on the home.

The great part is where is was located we were right next door to my in-laws, which was amazing, we really got on, and Granny was always nearby to help with whatever we were doing.  Whether we all went out or popped down to the shop, we always had a partner in crime, our mom.

It was great for the children, as they could walk between the two homes, and always have one of us around.

Well, the years rolled on and our tenth anniversary was coming up, I was so excited, to think that we had made 10 years.  It was a milestone in my opinion, we had been through lots of things, life changes, and come out the other end, so it was great.

My husband had always believed in giving a gift relevant to the year and these traditional suggestions.  The first year was rice paper, and duly I received a gift which was applicable.

But I had my sights set on the very least a medal, may a diamond, but something that 10 years together sort of warranted in my mind.

Well the evening came I had prepared a really special dinner, with champagne  and the children were sleeping over at Grandma's.

His gift was waiting in the bedroom, all wrapped and specially chosen. It was jewellery (a chain for around his neck, gold)

Well just before we were to sit down, the children came in to wish us and were excited as they were sleeping over. We wished them goodnight and off they went, expectation on my side was absolutely ready to explode, because he had been so secretive,

I had no idea what to expect. I had received the most romantic card ever, so was sure it was going to be an awesome one. The candles were lit, the champagne poured, just the two of us. The starter was served.

The love of my life pulls out his gift,  this elongated, large gift.  Instantly I though we it is too large to be a medal, what could it be?

Well needless to say, it was light it, did not make a noise when I rattled the present. He was so excited and convinced that I would guess what it was..... I truly had no idea at this stage.

What I had not done was refer to the list for marriage - traditional gifts, I was just so convinced.

Lol, well I opened the gift with all the excitement of a toddler with their first Christmas.

As I opened the gift, he had a second layer and when that was uncovered this is what I saw

If I said I was speechless, it was an understatement.  My recovery was remarkable, an Oscar winning performance.

We had a lovely evening, he loved his gift, but berated me for not having stuck to the list. Knowing what I know now, I should have bought the baked beans.......

Mom, arrived with the matching tin as a gift the next morning.... Perhaps a little advise guys, please don't do that.

Traditional and modern anniversary gifts

Year	Traditional (U.S.)	Modern
9th	Pottery	Leather goods
10th	Tin, aluminum	Diamond jewellery
11th	Steel	Fashion jewellery, accessories
12th	Silk	Pearls, colored gems

Lockdown the first hour.....

Well we are ready and lock down can begin, lets get it started.  Its set to start at midnight, well time for bed and those of us who are ready go to bed and to sleep, when we wake up it should be a good few hours into the first section.

As luck would have it, at 12H30 an almighty bang, crash is heard literally outside the house and of course we are all awake and what the heck?

To get outside and a person who should not have been travelling had hit the kerb on the opposite side of road and came straight across the road, into our garden wall, saved by a tree and finishing at the neighbour's wall.

Duly the son is already out there, checking is the person alive or dead, bleeding, etc. (Social distancing, we are all freaking out, be careful, stay away, don't go close......)

Meanwhile, stress central we are phoning 10111, no answer, try the Neighbourhood watch, no answer, 112 no answer.  Panic now what? Who to call, started with the police number again, and success they did arrive very quickly and sorted it out. Took statements, fully masked, gloved and correct. The said person was taken away by them.  He was not supposed to be on the streets.  Car was badly damaged and all four wheels destroyed.  No, blood, guts or broken bones were seen. The street returned to the expectant calm.

Impressive was that while Neighbourhood watch were not available, I got a call back later the morning.  Stunning.

I must admit, I love my country, but have not had that sense of pride for a long time.  But I feel for the frontline people.  Thank you for what you are doing.

Respect to you all, and those of you obeying and complying. Someone made a statement, think as if you have the virus, to change your behaviour;  how would you protect your family and others from the virus?
Be safe

had a Mosquito under the covers?

Well its the season for mosquito's and out comes the roll-on repellents and the sprays. 

Last evening was just like any other, had the shower, got the book and  while getting ready for bed.
put on the repellent on arms and hands, forgot the legs, I just could not wait to get back to my book.

Read for a while and had the room light on, so if there were any mosquito's, my thinking was that  they would be attracted to the main light, away from me........

Well my pooch and I were lying all curled up under the blankets, just my head and one arm holding the book was sticking out, of course I fall asleep while reading. A good Samaritan put off the lights.

Sleep glorious sleep,  I woke up to an itching leg and foot, oh boy, I could not stop scratching.
It was definitely a mosquito bite or two, so irritating, after a few moments of scratching  my legs with no joy, decided to try and sleep again.

Thinking that I must have got warm and had my leg on top of the duvet, it would make sense that mosquito's had bitten me.

Feeling confident that they were not going to bite me again tonight.

I was all in, arms and legs, under the duvet, quite pleased with myself, I had got the better of these mosquito's.

 This itching would not stop. Eventually frustrated I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to soothe the bites...... with toothpaste.  My legs were white with toothpaste and the relief was great.

I put on the light again,  now wide awake to get back into bed, as the blankets were opened up to climb in,  out came this 7kg mosquito with the longest sting, I swear it had a grin on its face, it had been inside the bed, under the sheets.

However, the biggest mistake the mosquito made was to come out of hiding, he came out flying in this triumphant flight of bzzzzz, bzzzzz trying to fly in circles, as he was so heavy from all the feasting he had done.

The slow flight allowed me to whack him to kingdom come.  What a satisfying feeling, knowing that it was not going to bite me anymore.

Now to try and sleep again.