Following my first fight with breast cancer in 2009 where I was brought face to face with my own mortality - we purchased a Mini Cooper. My dream car since losing my first original Mini which I learnt to drive in and had many adventures. We took delivery of "Cooper Trooper" which is the name I gave him and had a blast. Now he has gone. Basically we have outgrown him and our circumstances have changed so he has gone. Our replacement is a more practical Nissan X-Trail. Many adventures with Cooper Trooper though, many great memories too!
We took Coops to Rhuddlan Castle and then again to the historic Rhuddlan Rocks with The Alarm, Mike Peters. There we actually filmed the crowd end scene to his film "Vinyl".
Coops took us to quite a few Gatherings
He took us to Snowdon Rocks 2012 to raise money for the Love Hope Strength Foundation.
Coops has seen my boys outgrow him - not much room for teenage boys in the back
Coops inspired my friend to make this for me on yet another of our adventures
Outside my home
Our final adventure in him was last Monday to the Albert Docks in Liverpool
South Wales road trip to see 4th Street Traffik at their Halloween bash Its been great having Mini Cooper but its time to move on.
We have just returned home from a fabulous weekend away, my husband, friends and I. We travelled to South Wales in order to celebrate our mutual friends wedding.
We needed somewhere to stay and my friend found this Bread and Breakfast on the Internet.
The Malt House in Talybont-On-Usk was gorgeous. The house itself was old and full of character. It had a large living room which guests were able to use and watch television. There were french doors leading onto a patio and lawned area along with a pleasing water feature and a heated outdoor swimming pool available for use.
The River Usk ran next to the house which was pretty and relaxing to watch and listen too.
The proprietor Mike Bugler and his wife were friendly and accommodating, a real mine of information. They made their own honey and the gardens were pretty although we didn't have the opportunity to explore them fully.
The breakfast in the morning was served between 8am and 10am and consisted of a selection of cereals, yogurts, locally produced apple juice, orange juice, tea/coffee, toast with a selection of accompaniments such as nutella, marmite, marmalade and their own honey, and a full English breakfast. Everything was cooked to perfection and served pleasingly.
We definitely want to return here so that we can explore the area fully. The views were stunning and I would recommend this B&B to anyone wishing to stay in that area.
I thought 2011 was a bad year for me with the sudden death of my much loved Aunty Heather, the tragic death of my best friend Poppy (dog), a so called friend turning out to be nothing of the sort and some online bullying and my fight with depression.
2012 has proved to be a right shiner so far and we are only five months in.......
I found out that I had a second breast cancer, my back has been killing me, my dog was seriously ill, the insurance company is turning down my claim for him, Cola hurt his back and Jason has dislocated his shoulder. I don't think I can take any more!
Having said that alot of good things have happened too so I can't be all gloom and doom!
The first and best was the arrival of Snowy, our white miniature schnauzer and little monkey!!
The Gathering in Pontins was completely awesome and we met some fabulous friends.
....and I have some fab plans for the rest of the year!
I am off to a friends wedding next week and that will mean my meeting up with some superb people. I have gigs booked and am going with an excellant friend "Black Stone Cherry" and "Tyketto", quite possibly "Killing for Company" and I am walking up Snowdon to raise money for the Love Hope Strength Foundation.
Snowdon is one of my most favourite places in the world so I am looking forward to that very much.
Although bad has happened to me this year, good has come from it in a funny kind of way.
Those of you who know me well will know how gutted I was when Killing for Company announced their cessation..... It was dreadful, I felt totally bereft despite the "good news" Greg kept promising.
Well the "family" were patient... very patient and right at the point where we were starting to lose hope, the new band was announced as VICTORY STATION with an album to follow shortly.
The news was like a beacon in my heart and at now there is something to look forward to again..... a new album....... gigs and meeting up with friends!
Of course I do have other bands I am planning to see, funds allowing.... Mike Peters being one of them. He is playing in my home town of Wrexham on the Thursday night and then in Manchester on Friday. I can't afford to do both so have opted for the Manchester option mainly because my best mate M is going and it will be great to meet up with him and enjoy a good gig together..... its been too long since the Ultimate Eagles!!!
Mike Peters is such an amazing musician and I totally love his acoustic tours. I missed his electric tour earlier in the year because it co-incided with the death of my lovely Auntie Heather but this one I am sure will more than make up.
In December I want to get a day ticket to Hard Rock Hell to meet up with M again so that I can see Tyketto live - what a gig to look forward too! It will be my birthday present to myself lol.....
So guys..... the future is bright...... the future is VICTORY STATION!
Anyone who knows me will know just how passionate I am about animals and rock music!
My devotion to The Alarm has spanned almost 30 years.
I first heard their album on my boyfriends turn table and I thought "yeah, yeah, whatever" but shortly after that he took me to see them play in Liverpool and what I saw that night roused a passion in me that other music had or has never done. It was the raw energy on stage, the conviction, the belief in what they were performing. That was it, an Alarm fan was born and an Alarm fan I will die.
Then the Alarm introduced me to Killing for Company and for the first time in almost 30 years my passion was re-ignited by this new band with the same energy, the same magical chemistry and the most amazing vocals from Greg Jones.
My passion for their music has taken me on a couple of brilliant road trips, and has forged friendships even stronger. I have shared many a laugh with Greg on facebook and some great banter has been enjoyed by many. We did become a family and as Greg says on the photo, we did watch out for one another.
The death of Stuart Cable was hard for the band to cope with, his untimely death threw the band into a quandry but with the love and support of their fans/family they continued and the fan base grew.
So as you can imagine, when rumours started to fly around this morning I felt physically sick. Killing for Company - dis-banding? Never!
However at lunch time today my worst fears were confirmed, the band was finished.
The band has brought me alot of personal happiness, so many giggles and laughs and the music has spoken to my soul.
I have been to see many live bands perform in my life..... The Ramones, Big Country, The Damned, Stranglers, The Fall, Wedding Present, Pogues, Men They Couldnt Hang, Inspiral Carpets, The Pigeon Detectives, Edwyn Collins, Depeche Mode, Spear of Destiny plus many more... and yet none of them can hold a torch to Killing for Company.
Killing for Company has brought me back into gigging. At a time when depression, fertility issues, autism, cancer etc got in the way of my life.... they brought it all back for me.
I am so lucky to have a signed album by Stuart and I am amazed it hasnt worn out yet as I have played it so much and even more lucky to have had the privelage of getting to know the band members. They are so kind and caring, always quick to sign something, say hello or have a photo taken with them.
Killing for Company united our family and the fun impish humour of the band made it possible to dabble in a bit of video filming. The band could have gone premadonna on us but they didnt they took the video in the spirit it was intended and we all laughed together.
In the mourning of Killing for Company I take comfort in the history of The Alarm, Mike Peters has resurrected the music so many times.... The Toilets, The Alarm, Mike Peters and the Poets of Justice, The Poets, Coloursound, Dead Men Walking, Mike Peters and The Alarm (new line up)..... I remember the sadness I felt when I found out the Alarm were over, that empty, bereft feeling..... I needed have worried because he is still around after all this time getting bigger and better.
So although I feel immensely sad at the end of the era that was Killing for Company I am extremely proud of what they have achieved and so very grateful for having had them in my life. What is the old saying? "Its better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? pretty apt I would say!
Today we went into Wrexham town to do some shopping. Click on the links to find out more information on the shops and places mentioned, the Queen Square link has a video running. I went in with the boys and my mum and we had a great day. Our first stop was Wrexham Library and the art display there was amazing as were some of the ornaments for sale.
Joe managed to find the book he was after so it was quite a successful visit.
After stopping for cash we paid a visit to the Pebble chip shop on Argyle Street for chip cones, then we sat in Queens Square admiring the trees and flowers and wondering where the Burma Bell has gone???
Wrexham Swimming Baths
Cooks Bridge - Trevalyn Rossett where I keep my pony
Quite a few shops have been hit hard by the recession and so there were alot of closing down sales. A sign of the times to see charity shops and discount stores well frequented.
I also managed to get a fab new handbag for £7, a posh card holder for my personal cards and a dressing gown for under £5 - great bargains.
Once we dropped my mum at home, we stopped off at JayDee Aquatics so that Joe could get his acquarian water tested and purchase some more barbs. The assistant who is the son of the owner plays bass and was quite interested in my badges of The Alarm and Killing for Company....
Killing for Company are a rock band from South Wales. The lead singer, Greg Jones has the most amazing vocals ever and their debut album "Lost Art of Deception" which has not been officially released yet, in my opinion is the BEST album of the year.
The band have a strong personal relationship with each other and this comes through on stage to make an electric performance. They always have time for a smile or a wink and thoroughly enjoy performing.
Sound Check at the Railway, Bolton
Killing for Company Merch
Die So Fluid - the Band Killing for Company were supporting
the lads in action!
The most amazing thing about the band is that they are the most down to earth, polite and considerate bunch of guys. This has got them a loyal following which is growing and growing in numbers. I have made some brilliant friends through the Dukes Army and its awesome to be able to meet up with them at gigs.
The last time I saw the band play was at the Alarms Gathering in Pontins but the sound system was appalling. Credit to them though, despite the bad sound system they still generated alot of interest!
The Railway venue was a small intimate place, must have been the smallest gig venue I have been to in my life. Memories of the Gathering still fresh in our minds, we were sure that the sound system would fail but no worries there, it was amazing.
The lads sang their hearts out and performed with a real passion. No microphone chewing for Greg today although I was quite concerned at one point when he started to wrap the cable around his head.... I felt sure I was going to have to leap on stage to cut the wire off and to give mouth to mouth!!!
Sadly, only six songs but its all about quality and not quantity.
Brilliant band - cannot wait to see them in Birmingham on 3rd May for their first headline date.
So much has happened since my last post so where do I start?
Firstly, I got my 2 year clear from the surgeons, my mammogram was all good which is such a relief. Having the mammo isn't very pleasant on my scarred breast because of the scar tissue which can be painful at times. Talking of painful breasts though, I took the boys swimming on Monday and got kicked directly in the scar so its been sore all week. I am seeing the oncologist in March so I will discuss this injury with him, I do worry about such things, what they might start etc.
At the end of January we were at Pontins in Prestatyn for the Gathering. Oh what a fantastic weekend that was I can tell you! Rock and Roll and good friends, the picture above was taken on the first night and is just a fantastic illustration of the weekend. Killing for Company were totally amazing as always and such a lovely bunch of lads and Mike Peters.....well...... what an awesome man he is. I presented the last cheque to him for Love Hope Strength Foundation, I raised almost £800 with my run in December.
Joe is doing well on his keyboard, I am amazed at how he can pick up tunes so easily and then teach himself to play them. He has just purchased his first harmonica, the one he taught himself to play on was a kiddies one from a toy shop but this one is a Hohner. It came this morning and he has already taught himself to play Star Wars.
Pickles had a small operation a couple of weeks ago to remove a lump from her chest. It turned out to be a fatty tissue and she is fine. Strangely enough her lump was in the same place as my lump was!!!
My hair is almost grown into a bob which I am really pleased about. I can't wait until I can actually tie it up and fiddle with it. You never appreciate things until they are gone and losing my hair was one of the worst parts of cancer treatment.
So tonight I am having a Virgin Vie party as a favour to a friend who has just started out with this venture. It is just and excuse for a get together and a giggle. I have been busy cleaning the house but its hard with 2 kids and 2 mucky pups in tow.
I will try to keep up to date with my blogging from now on.....
First off was a whistle stop visit to Cola before 7am. His stable was quite wet so I ended up removing the shavings and swilling down his rubber matting. Mental note to self: must remember to take thediscinfectant to the yard with me...... He was pleased to see me this early, I think he has clicked that if I am that early he doesn't get ridden just put straight out to grass.
Once that mission was complete it was off to the hospital with Harry for his eye test. He was being tested for Irlen Syndrome, an eye disfunction which can go hand in hand with dyslexia. Sadly, the test was kind of inconclusive because it had to be done using numbers rather than words due to Harry's poor reading standard. Result: he took away a magenta over lay with him for school and at home and they will re-assess him in 3 months time.
Harry
I am now up to date with my paperwork for the boys! Its lucky I have the time and capacity to do these things! I have had to follow up Harry's ADHD assessment in writing..... why do all of these tests take so long? I am also waiting for input from the Education Psychologist with the possibility of investigating dyslexia.
Anyway, I am still suffering the effects of Chemo and when I do too much mental work which I have over the last two days, I suffer with "chemo brain" which is what has hit me this afternoon. I have the luxury of being able to rest when these episodes hit me and that is what I have done today.
Maybe tomorrow I will take some more shots of Killing for Company's infamous "stickers" - where will the next one appear?????
I haven't posted a blog since 19th August and so much has happened in that time.
My eldest son Joe has started Darland High School, he is pictured above in the smart green blazer. My youngest son Harry has entered year 5 of primary school. I have to keep pinching myself.... where did all of those years go? It doesn't help that psychologically I have "lost" a year in my life. Yesterday we took Joe's hamster "Blossom" to the vet and I presented a 6 month old hamster, Joe reminded me that it was her first birthday LAST May so she was 18 months old! Sadly, Blossom had to be put to sleep because she had a growth in her tummy which was making her very sore and unhappy.
I had an appointment with the breast surgeon, I think I must have been called in by accident. I was expecting to see the oncologist but saw the surgeon instead. I was glad I saw him though because he was able to answer my questions more clearly. It turns out that I only had 3 lymph nodes removed which is why (touch wood) I haven't had lymphodema, the aches in my hands are due to the countless canulas I have had over the last 2 years, in his words "your veins are knackered" but eventually they should heal, the swelling to my fingers is most likely down to the herceptin so hopefully by 2011 I will be able to wear my wedding ring again (yipee!) and when I mentioned my bad back for which my GP had given me pain killers, he sent me for a bone scan immediately just to make sure everything was ok. I went for that almost a week ago and am waiting for the results but I am certain that they are good.
This week is the first full week that the children have been back at school and I am on a high with all of the physical exercise I am getting through running, riding Cola and walking the dogs.
On 18th September, my friend and I are going on a road trip down to Swansea to see friends and to watch an amazing band called Killing for Company. I am so excited!
At the moment, life is good and I am aiming to keep it that way. I am busy preparing for my 10K race in December so if you are reading this, please consider following my just giving link and sponsoring me, every pound or dollar helps and will certainly help me get through that 10K!!!
The children are now on their summer break and as if on queue, the weather turns for the worst. Last week we had horrendous downfalls of rain which lead to localised flooding (luckily not in my village). It has done the grass some good and weeding my ponies paddock is alot easier so I can't and won't grumble (too much).
Oh yes, just looked outside and its raining again!
This weekend was spent on the welsh mountains at our friends house. She took me to see a wonderful cottage which would be my dream place but sadly its only up for rent. It has land, it is massive with 4 bedrooms and a utility room which could be converted into a grooming parlour. Best of all, no neighbours so I wouldn't have to worry about the dogs excessive barking, the kids could go out to play without worrying about poeples gardens, the children being too noisy, and best of all we would have peace... Its good to have dreams.
I did a silly thing! I used the self checkout machine at the supermarket and only went and left my debit card there so today I need to take a trip out there to pick it up. On the way, I will take my kids for a walk somewhere so we will go prepared with wellies and waterproofs. Watch out for a posting with photographs.
I won in my fight to stop the selling off of Darland High School Tennis Courts, just by the by, thought you would like to know that! I raised a petition of 673 signatures and the plans were dismissed by a respectful majority. If you are interested in hearing more then I will do a seperate blog.
If you are reading this, please could you do me a favour........ log onto Amazon and download a single. It is by a band called Killing for Company and the name of the single is Former Mining Town. The band has recently lost its drummer, Stuart Cable who died suddenly at the age of 40. An amazing person who was full of life, the single has been released in his honour. The proceeds will be split between two great charities which are The Teenage Cancer Trust and Ty Hafan which is a charity caring for children with terminal illnesses. The single only costs 79 pence, so its not much is it but it would help the band, Stuarts family and friends come to terms with their shocking loss whilst supporting two brilliant charities.
The following videos are as a tribute to Stuart Cable. The first one is by his former band The Stereophonics but personally I LOVE the last video "Born Yesterday" where you can see just how passionate Stuart was about his music.
Yesterday, 7th June 2010, Stuart Cable, drummer of Killing for Company and ex member of the Stereophonics died aged just 40.
I had just received the bands first album, signed and limited edition. I saw them perform at the Alarms Gathering 2010 and in Liverpool 02 supporting the Alarm.
An amazing new band; energetic, powerful, rock and roll! The album is superb with Greg Jones depth of voice, a quality one rarely finds these days.
A sad, sad loss to those who are passionate about rock!
