Signposts

Has anyone else noticed, that just when you think you've got it sussed, things take a turn?

There have been one or two small happenings in the Starsong household during the last forty eight hours, and once again Starman has pulled my security blanket away from me, and changed direction.

I am looking at the signpost in the hope that I can see in which direction we are headed.  But all I see is this.

It started Thursday morning.  (I know what you are thinking, "Spanky Thursday"!)  But no, not this week.  

"I have lots of things I need to get done today, Ami" Starman told me. "Let's have breakfast and get under way."

I looked at  him meaningfully.  He laughed.  (How I hate that!)

"Not this morning.  I've got...." He reeled off a list of people coming to "do" various jobs around the place both inside and out, as well as his own list of jobs, and also a list of jobs he had decided on for me!

My face must've been a picture.  

"I suppose you're going to take it out of me all day now?" he asked.  "Look, we'll have our session tomorrow morning instead."  And with that he leapt out of bed and made for the bathroom.

I glared and followed him.

"But No 1 son is home tomorrow.  You know that!  They're going to a wedding in the afternoon, and L is coming over to get ready as soon as she has done the horses."

Starman hates being followed into the bathroom.  He says it makes him feel trapped.

He studied my face for a minute.  "Oh I forgot.  Well, never mind, it's not as if I haven't spanked you at all this week.  What about Tuesday?"

"But that was a completely unplanned reminder!"

"Look love, go get breakfast and stop whinging."

Well!  Far be it from me to whinge!  Huh!  I'll show  him, I thought.

So I made breakfast, I cleared up the kitchen, I got on with my job list.  And I didn't whinge once!  Huh!

We were out at supper with a group of friends at a local restaurant in the evening.  We had a great time.  No problems.  (So there!)

Friday morning dawned.  The sun was shining and it woke us up early.  I stretched and tottered downstairs to make our usual morning drinks.

We sat companionably side by side, propped up on pillows, discussing the previous evening and the day ahead of us.  Apart from a fairly low-key fizzing, I felt good.

Starman finished his tea and homed in on my boobs.  Why he finds them so fascinating, I don't know.  But there it is.  

But for once I tried to fend him off.  The low-key fizzing was beginning to climb, and I just wanted to get up, get on, get my laundry started, get some gardening done....

Starman rolled me over on my front and "pinned" me down.  His hands stroked my bottom, then he squeezed my left cheek.  He leant close to my left ear and whispered, "You are mine.  This belongs to me!"

He then proceeded to show me exactly what he meant.

I was speechless.  It was like a sentence out of one of my spanky books.  All I could do was smile, and moan.  Well, I wasn't expecting anything like this, I thought.

No 1 son and girlfriend had the usual "clothing" crisis during the morning.  Actually, it was to be fair, not his girlfriend, she was all sorted out.  But I ended up having to go to his aid ironing a white dress shirt, and then he dashed around shining his shoes and pressing fresh creases into his suit trousers.  They borrowed my car in order to keep themselves clean (turning up at a posh venue in his 'workhorse' of a truck would have ruined the impression!) and off they went.

Starman and I sat on the deck having a leisurely lunch in the sudden peace and quiet.

"So." He turned to me smiling. "I'll have to see to your needs some time today, won't I?"  I'm sure he smirked.

I smiled back.  "Yeah, right." I think I probably replied, before clearing the table and carrying dishes back to the kitchen.

But it's surprising how prickly your butt feels when you think there may be the chance of some action at some point in the near future.  It was a good feeling, but I couldn't help but wonder how good I'd been all week.

It really was a lovely sunny day.  I did loads of laundry and hung it all out to dry, thus pleasing Starman who hates the thought of how much money we pay out to our electricity provider on a daily basis.

Towards supper time, Starman came by the house.  "Right after supper we will be going upstairs" he announced.

My breath caught.  Believe me when I tell you that we have NEVER done this before, NOT EVER!  I even got goose-pimples!

  

Help!

I cooked fresh salmon in white wine, garlic and olive oil, accompanied by a large salad, for supper, and once again we sat relaxing on the deck.

How I managed to eat I don't know.  Part of me was excited and the other part of me was a little nervous.  Ami Starsong was out of her comfort zone!

Supper was, however, a very pleasant meal.  Just the two of us, watching the fish ripple the pond, swallows flying low, bees humming.  It was over too quickly.

I was almost hyperventilating.  Ladies, I now completely understand what it must be like waiting for a disciplinary spanking!  I don't know how you cope!

All too soon Starman looked at me.  "Right" he said.  "Let's get on with it."  (Well, you know Starman by now.)

I looked at him apprehensively.  "What do you want me to do?" I croaked.

"Go upstairs and take off your jeans and knickers."

I couldn't talk.  My throat had closed up.  I turned and slowly made my way up to our bedroom.  I took off my jeans and found I couldn't go any further.  So I sat on the side of the bed, which faces the wardrobe and waited quietly.

Starman came up the stairs and into the bedroom. 

"Are you hiding?" he asked.

"No.  But I didn't know what you wanted to do" I explained.

By now my heart was beating so loudly I was sure he must be able to hear it.  I watched him as he crossed the bedroom and opened the drawer containing our 'implements'.  The rat kept picking one out, holding it up, slashing the air with it a couple of times, and then putting it back.  He swished the perspex ruler more than a couple of times and I could almost see his mind turning over the options.  Luckily he put it back.  I was so relieved when he picked out our pink leather paddle.  It is by far the easiest of anything we have.  I exhaled in relief.  I had been holding my breath.

I looked at him and he regarded me.  

"Okay Ami.  I want you to bend over the footboard."

I gasped.  We only tried that once ages ago.  After one spank I thought my ribcage would collapse.  This is like our bed

So I had some inspiration.  I gathered up our patchwork quilt and folding it, laid it across the wooden end.

"Over you go, then" Starman pushed me over keeping a hand on the small of my back.  "Hmmm. You didn't take your knickers off Ami."

No, I didn't, I thought.  (Really I was wondering whether he might pull them down for me like in the stories.  I was still in a trance.  But he didn't.)

He pulled them up a bit like a thong.  Then he started spanking.

My first thought was 'No warm up then?' but really, this paddle is what he often uses for a warm up, so I wasn't too concerned.

Geeze!!!!

There were moments when I thought I was horizontal!  My legs developed lives independent of the rest of me.  That blessed paddle has NEVER been used like that before!

I gritted my teeth.  This was good for me, right?  

At one point I had thought I would count.  Well that thought soon disappeared!

I know he was talking, but for the life of me I couldn't tell you what he was saying.  All I know is that he was doing what he does best - spanking again and again on the same spot!  I couldn't stay quiet.  I was yelling Ow! and Whatever I did, I'm sorry! and Oh shit this hurts!

He started spanking across both my cheeks.  My eyes began to water, and I thought that maybe I was going to start howling.  But then he stopped.

"Okay.  That's enough for today.  I've got to get on and mow the lawns."

I stood up furiously rubbing my butt, and blinking, heat spreading all over.  Wow!

No hugs.  Nothing.

"That was a bit quick wasn't it?" I asked him.

He had the effrontery to look smug.

"Exactly three minutes."  He was grinning and I felt a bit like swatting him one.  "I timed it.  See you downstairs."  And he was gone.

Oh.

I stood and craned my neck around and studied my butt in my long mirror.  It looked a bit like glowing coals on a fire!  And there are several welts, where the corner of the paddle landed.

My head was spinning.  Had this just happened?  What was it all about?  Where had it come from?  When had he decided on this type of action?  I was used to the 'going over the knee' type of spanking.

Like this!

Starman had taken the rug and shaken it, and scrambled all of my preconceptions yet again.

So I need to ask you all what is happening - because I don't know.  

What I do know is that Starman is never, ever going to be the type of HOH to enforce rules and regulations.  He's never going to have a set way of spanking.  He won't be pushed and prodded.  He'll dig his heels in all the way.  But left to himself, he will never cease to keep me on my toes.  And I mean that literally, because I kept moving up and down on my toes each time that paddle hit its mark!  

It was very fast and very intense.  For the first time ever, I sat VERY gingerly afterwards, and was quite happy to stay on my feet doing little jobs around the house.  I still have small red welts, and my usual two round bruised spots.

Yet all I did, all evening, was smile.  Although it was very different from my usual weekly 'reconnection', I felt yet another barrier disappear between us.  If anything, it seemed to strengthen our connection.  

Whilst consistency is very good, it isn't exciting.  It doesn't keep me on my toes.  It doesn't make my heart race and my breathing intensify.    

I have absolutely no idea whatsoever where we are or where we are going.  I don't think I care any more.  I am just happy living in the moment.

Starman just isn't a 'lovey-dovey' kind of a man, and he won't ever be.  He doesn't walk along holding my hand, or whispering sweet nothings in my ear.  But he holds all of these things in his heart

and I love his unpredictability.  The words I'll never forget are "You are mine."  I don't think I could reasonably ask for more.  

But as to our journey, and the direction we will take.  Well, who knows?!

Friendship

Today I met up with a friend I had never seen before - well, not in the flesh anyway.  It was an amazing experience.  This is her.  She is as lovely as her picture!

Starman knows I "chat" to my friends in Bloggerland.  Usually a mixture of emailing, telephone and "on-line" chatting.  The one thing I hate about it is the difference in time zones.  Invariably when I get the time to read some blogs, everything has moved on so much I feel left behind.  But not today.  Because it was only a short time ago I discovered that another member of our community lives only about an hour from me!  So we agreed that when the half term holiday came around, we would meet up at a half-way point.

But then, Starman suddenly turned into Mr HOH Ivanhoe!

Brandishing his 'virtual' sword he decided he was going to defend me against all odds.  Oh dear!

"But this is English Rose, Starman" I explained.  "You've spoken to her on the telephone."

"Only to say 'Hello'."  He was being a bit implacable.  And believe me, Starman does 'implacable' extremely well.  "She could be anybody Ami.  All these people could be anybody!"

"But only because you won't read about them or try to get to know any of them!"  I was beginning to feel thwarted.  "I speak to her every week, like I do Minelle!"

"Ah, but Minelle lives across an ocean so you're hardly going to get on the train and nip off to see her for lunch."

"No, but I'd like to."  I had to get Starman's 'willing' approval to meeting my friend.  It was no good getting shirty with him.

"Look, honey, I'll take my mobile phone, with me.  I'll leave you the number of her mobile, and also her home phone number.  You can always phone her husband if you are worried."

"But how do I know he's her husband?  You read these things in the papers all the time.  Women like you are lured into 'situations'!"

"Oh for goodness....."  Then I suddenly thought of all the advantages.

I started to grin at Starman - I had this picture in my mind, you know, just laying about all day, being bathed in marble tubs full of rose petals....

Starman saw the grin and wasn't impressed.  

"What do I tell the children if something happens to you?" he wanted to know, despite the fact that the 'children' are both in their thirties!  

"You just tell them I was meeting a friend for lunch and shopping."  My nerves were beginning to shred, but I did reach an agreement, and promptly looked up train times and watched the weather forecast.  (As it happened, it was cold and damp when I left home, so I dressed accordingly, then spent a hot, uncomfortable day whilst Jan looked cool, calm and collected!)

I went to bed that night all excited, with dreams of nice lunches and shopping!

I was awake good and early the next morning.  Unfortunately Starman was awake 'gooder' and 'earlier'.  he was definitely very restless.  I decided to have a quick dash downstairs and make us morning drinks.  Nothing like a strong cup of Yorkshire tea to sooth a troubled man's brow!

Maybe it wasn't quite as posh as this one, but I did make it in his favourite mug.  I thought he would be pleased.  He was.  But unfortunately whilst I'd still been sleeping he'd done some thinking, and the early morning thoughts of a troubled man are the worst kind.

I had finished my coffee and had snuggled back down under the covers.  After all, it wasn't even 7.30 am!  I didn't notice him sitting up and making himself comfortable.  I could vaguely feel him stroking my left thigh.

Then!!!

The sneaky snake!!  I was hoicked into position over his lap and he was stroking my bottom instead of my thigh!  My view was of the floorboards (once again!) and he started to explain his worries and to give me instructions.  (It wasn't all bad, because he does wondrous things up and down my spine with the tips of his fingers and I end up purring!)

But then I felt a blaze of heat lap across my right cheek!  It was repeated on my left!

"What are you doing?!" I shrieked and did my best to roll over.  The wonderful stroky hand was now my worst enemy as it pinned me effectively across his lap.

Starman kept spanking, neither too fast nor too slow.  Just a pleasant rhythm from side to side, ensuring a rise in temperature.

"I decided that it would be wrong to prevent you from meeting you friend.  But that I could ensure a few safety measures."

"So it would be in your best interests to pay attention to what I have to say," he went on.  "I will take you down to the station and help you get a return ticket.  I will see you on to the train, ensuring that your ticket is an 'any time' return.  I will expect you to text me when you sit down for lunch.  I will expect you to text me when you are on the train ready for the homeward journey, and I will expect you to text me when you get to D--- (a town ten minutes down the line from our station) so that I can be at the station in time to meet you off the train."

He spanked steadily.  The heat wasn't just building.  It had built!  I cannot possibly describe how much harder and more confident his hands seem after six months of practice!

"And you better not miss that train home, Ami.  I mean that."

His hand spanked me right across my bottom stinging me, well, you know where!!!  Wow that felt like an ever recurring wasp sting!  The rat!  I know I am never sore for long, but I knew at that point that it was going to be just the right length of "long"!  Sitting for lunch wouldn't be fun on a hard chair!

"I won't miss the train," I assured him, trying to nod my head, (which is very difficult upside down) and thinking to myself that if this was just a little reminder, then I certainly wouldn't want to incur a 'correction'.  

"Good.  I feel much happier now."  He hauled my upright and sat me across his lap.  Hmmm.  My hand went back to rub gingerly at my rump.  But actually, maybe reminders are a good idea.  I had just the right amount of burn.  

Interval!!

We then had a fascinating post coital discussion about old Victorian spanking knickers.  Please do not ask me how this conversation came about.  I think it was because I told him I was going underwear shopping yet again, and he said I didn't need them to be spanked, and I said that some husbands started spanking their wives over their knickers and then pulled them down, and I had never had the experience, and then somehow we were talking about knickers like these:

I would prefer a prettier ribbon myself!

But I could see the benefits.

And Starman liked the thought of these the most!  Aren't new horizons wonderful things to be travelling towards?!

Hey!  I didn't mean new horizons like this!!

The time between breakfast and me catching the train seemed to fly by.  I was so happy that Starman put me on the train.  I'm not the most confident person around trains, and have been known to get on the wretched things going in the wrong direction in the London underground.  However, this journey was so much easier.  But I did worry, just a little, that Jan may have changed her mind about meeting me, or that I wouldn't recognise her, or her me.

However, Jan met me at the station and I recognised her straight away because she looks just like her picture.

We got on immediately, and the trouble is that we had so much to talk about that we abandoned shopping in favour of an early lunch in the end.  So no armfuls of carrier bags.

We found an empty table with comfortable chairs (bliss!) and sat down opposite each other.  We had a lovely, and healthy lunch in a large department store, and were soon deep in conversation about our favourite topic - spanking!  That is, until an elderly couple came and sat one on either side of us!  We couldn't believe it.  It certainly cramped out style!  Luckily they didn't stay too long.  Probably the whispered conversation got to them!

No, no, I swear we didn't give this  impression!  More like this

It was such a relief to be able to chat with a like-minded friend.  We talked about all sorts of things, not just spanking situations, but of course that little topic was pretty near the top of our agenda.

Jan had brought me a lovely pressie to hang on the wall near my computer.  I've done my best to photograph it.  It was so well chosen.  Thank you very much Jan!

It reads "Friends are like stars, You don't have to see them to know they are there!"  What a kind thought!

We found we had many similarities in our dynamics, and of course there were things we did differently.  But it was the camaraderie, the understanding of something shared, that was so heart warming.  It is only when you meet in the flesh that you realise how isolated we all are, and how very important our little community is.  The friends I have made here mean a great deal to me.

We chatted so much that lunch was suddenly 'afternoon tea'.  This is where I cross my fingers and put my hands behind my back and mutter the word cake!  I know, I know - sadly I ate far too much.  It looked so nice, and I just succumbed.

Yet another black mark on my list of shortcomings for the week!  But before you ask, yes, I did remember to text Starman.  I told him that we were having a lovely lunch and not to worry as I was obviously considered too old and intimidating to warrant the risk of adding me to some far away harem.  All he replied was "Good."

So our afternoon slid rapidly towards the time when I had to return to catch my train.  We did, however, manage to visit a shop or two, and yes, I was able to add to my collection of lacy knickers!  (As if I wouldn't!)  I did, however, buy practical and comfortable ones, without a back seam.  (I wonder why that is?!)  And I got three pairs for the price of two!

We caught a taxi back to the station, and Jan went to collect her car from the car park before the ticket ran out.  We are definitely going to meet up again - but next time we both hope we won't have to sit on sore bottoms!  

I got on the train and texted Starman to say I was safely aboard.  He replied "Good."

When the train reached D---, I again texted him and he replied "Good."

So I texted him and said "Just 'Good'?"

He replied "Gooooooooood!"

I tried again "I love you.  XXXXXXXXX."

He replied "Good."

I sat quietly watching the countryside drift past.  Then my phone went.  Another text.

"It's raining cats and dogs here.  When you get off the train, don't go across the bridge, go through the gap in the wall and down the steps to the car park at the back, and I'll meet you with an umbrella!"

I texted back "Good!"

In fact, I couldn't believe my luck.  The carriage I was travelling in stopped right opposite the gap.  I fumbled madly with the door.  In the UK you have to wind down the window, then lean out and turn the handle on the 'outside' of the door in order to leave the train.  I got in such a flap!  Luckily a boy of about 15 waded in to help, and then (horrors) took my arm like an old lady and helped me down the step and on to the platform.  (I'm still mortified!)

I ran through the rain, quickly down the steps and into Starman's arms.  It felt so good to be met.  I had gotten into such a panic that the door wasn't opening and I would end up miles down the line at another station!

But now I was back in the place I felt the safest.  I felt very cherished and cared for.

I am soooo glad my husband is my bestest friend of all!

Spreading Sunshine - Creative and Positive Inspiration

Completely out of the blue, Minelle has nominated me for "The Sunshine Award".

I am reliably informed that the idea is for bloggers to present the sun-loving flower to other bloggers who "creatively and positively inspire others in the blogosphere".  I don't know why you think I deserve it, but very many thanks.

Minelle has become my very good friend.  Despite great differences in our time zones, we manage to chat most weekends.  In fact, I was once on the phone so long and so late, that I got to the "final warning" stage.  

We talk about all sorts of things and often end up just putting the world to rights.  

Sometimes her Scotsman conducts a 'three-way' conversation in the background, and if her little dogs don't bark, I enquire as to their health!  

She is fun and supportive - and she is an artist and I can honestly tell you that her paintings are VERY GOOD!

If you want to join in the fun, the rules for the SUNSHINE AWARD are to:

1  Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.

2  Complete the Q & A below in your blog post.

3  Pass on the award to 10-12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.

Here are the Sunny Questions implied for answering:

(I NEVER follow rules, then ALWAYS stress and panic, and then ALWAYS end up getting bitten in the bum!)

Favourite Colour:  Pinks, blues and lavenders.  I especially love flowers in these colours.  

Favourite Animal:  I have to say horses.  I'll love them forever!  My last horse, Troubadour, (or Toby) was the love of my life and I was so devastated when he died, that I have never had a horse since.  Luckily my son's girl friend teaches riding and equitation and I am able to visit her horses whenever I want.  Both dogs and cats come highly on my list as well, although we only have one vagabond, black, witch's cat at present.

Favourite Number:  7

Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink:  Costa Coffee Latte.  I also drink several glasses of 'spring' water every day.  Strangely I wasn't asked what alcoholic drink I prefer!  I wonder why!

Facebook or Twitter:  Facebook - I don't twitter.  I can only cope with so much technology!  It took me an eternity to learn how to create a blogsite, and all I ever do is ask for help with it!

Your Passion:  I love my husband and my family with passion, but I am passionate about writing, painting, gardening, riding horses and driving fast cars.  I've just discovered the art of patchwork, and am fast becoming addicted to Blogland.  When I first typed the word 'Spanking' into Google, little did I know where it would lead me!  It has changed my life and my outlook on it!

Giving or Getting Presents:  It has to be 'giving' presents. I adore looking for 'special' things that 'fit' the person, and I adore wrapping them in pretty paper with unusual ribbons and glittery bits.  I'm always the last to open my presents at Christmas, because I get all my enjoyment out of watching other people open theirs.

Favourite Day:  For me this is a difficult one to answer.  I love the first real day of summer, when the sun sears its way across a sky so blue you could drown in it.  Then I love the first time it really snows and covers the ground with sparkly white, and the flakes are big and fat and the sky looks grey and heavy - and I am inside in the kitchen baking!  I also love Christmas Day, in particular Christmas morning, when we break open the champagne and have smoked salmon for breakfast, although it was nicer when the kids were little and they used to drag in their stockings at five in the morning and shriek with excitement!

Favourite Flowers:  I adore old-fashioned roses, and they mostly come in mouth-watering shades of pink and white, and I love it when our garden is awash with bluebells and Queen Anne's lace, and the lavender bushes are in bloom and the scent wafts when you walk past them, scattering the butterflies.  I love blousey pale pink peonies too!

Now on to the nominations...

Truthfully, Starman and I have had, and continue to have, so much support, from so many people here during this stressful time, that I really feel like nominating you all!

Sara:  Sara has been there for me from the very start!  She's ignored some of my 'stranger' comments, she's mentored me through each and every 'sticky patch', and she has offered us both continual kindness and support.  Every so often I refer back to her blog for advice - it's like having a cup of coffee with a friend.  We have much in common, and I am forever grateful for her friendship and understanding.

SUNSHINE!

Lillie:  I will never forget how both Lillie and Ian offered support and advice when Starman and I first ventured into TTWD.  Hers were some of the very first posts I ever read out to him - and believe me, he seemed to take a lot of persuading back then.  (Funny how things change?!!)  

She also helped us more than she can ever know, by supporting us when we learned Starman had prostate cancer, and by asking their daughter questions on our behalf, which helped us to make informed decisions.  

I am still horribly envious of their quarter horses, and am one day determined to meet up just so they can let me ride one of them, regardless of the possibility that it may just earn me a spanking for shaking Starman's nerve!  And I must tell you, Lillie, that when a deer leapt right across the road in front of us on our way home from visiting our daughter, last night, I immediately thought of you!

SUNSHINE!

Mick:  I will always remember the first time I started reading Mick's blog!  I wrote him endlessly long emails and he always answered them!  His post entitled 'letter to my husband' was sheer genius and I wonder how many aspiring TTWD wives have used it to broach the subject of spanking?!  He has been a real inspiration to Starman and I!  (Even if he does lure Lynda into a 'closet' every once in a while!)

And, hey, Mick is also an avid Star Trek fan!  That makes us friends immediately!  I hope he has seen the new film - I haven't yet, but I fully intend to as soon as it does the rounds.

SUNSHINE!

Elisa:  Elisa's comments and emails are inspirational!  We share so many thoughts and feelings on various topics.  She has cheered me up during 'down' moments and made me feel that she is always there in case I need to talk.  

I am very happy to count her amongst my friends!

SUNSHINE!

Jan:  I love our chats back and forth.  Jan makes me laugh with her hilarious descriptions concerning things like carpets and wooden paddles!  It's lovely having Jan so near - how amazing is that!

Jan has been so very encouraging about Starman's impending medical trials. She's not had an easy time herself yet is always happy and cheerful.  We share a very similar sense of humour, and that helps too!

SUNSHINE!

Quiet Sara:  Sara and I have shared several emails.  She is a sweetie!  We have a great deal in common and she has been very supportive to me.  

I feel as if she has been around blogland for much longer than she has.  She fits right in!  I loved her memorable post about the 'different' positions for spanking - but I think I'll stay with what I know - I am not as flexible as I thought I was anymore!  I wish you

SUNSHINE!

Terpsicore:  Terps and I share a common approach to many things.  Her emails are kind and chatty and have offered support throughout.

Her glowing description of her 'Rose Paddle' was all the recommendation I needed to order one of the same.  (I am still waiting for it to arrive!)

Every now and again she will just 'check up' on me and I would to thank her for her kindness.

SUNSHINE!

Betsy:  Betsy was one of the first people to email me with support when we discovered Starman had cancer.  She offered me such good advice and I am forever grateful.

We have emailed occasionally since then and it is so good to know I have yet another good friend out there!  Thank you Betsy.

SUNSHINE!

Roz:  Roz lives a long way away!  However, she is humorous, supportive and happy to share experiences, which is so important when you are starting out.  

I have really enjoyed getting together to do the post we did!  Perhaps another time?!

SUNSHINE!

Dana:  Dana also brought comfort to me when Starman and I first heard the news.  She was full of offers to help and answer any questions I might have.  She fully understood how devastated we both were.  So Dana, here's some

SUNSHINE!

This is where I go "off piste", as there are people I desperately want to nominate due to their outstanding kindness and support over the last few months!

Because they have already been nominated by other people, I asked Minelle whether it would matter if I 'seconded' their nominations.  She said she didn't think so!  So here they are:

Minelle:  I can't explain what it is like having Minelle as a friend.  She is magic.  We usually manage one long (very long) distance phone call a week which goes on well into the second hour!  She makes me shriek with laughter.  Where she is, is usually early morning, so I don't know how she does it, and where I am is usually evening or even night time.  

We talk about all and everything.  We have so many things in common that it is spooky.  I adore the sounds of her household in the background as we converse.  

She has been, and is constantly supportive and never makes negative comments about anyone!

She is a star!

SUNSHINE!

Cat:  When I first heard Cat's drawl, I was lost!  I will never tire of listening to it!  Her sense of humour is second to none, and she has me in stitches.  I love the way she is a 'straight talker' and always truthful.  

Despite her own problems, difficulties and sadness, she is always supportive and full of humour.  And she also sorts me out on my blogsite!  I've threatened to turn up on her doorstep with my son and go sort out her fallen trees down by the creek!  Can you imagine getting a chainsaw on British Airways?!  Blessings right at you Cat!

SUNSHINE!

Sunny:  Sunny has quietly supported Starman and I throughout.  I love her little comments and emails, and I adore reading her stories.  I just want to thank you Sunny!

SUNSHINE!

Willie:  Willie has never failed to cheer me up when I've felt ready to cave in.  She was the very first to reach out and 'come out' to me, and I still treasure the photos she sent me around Christmas time when I was longing for snow!  Little did I realise that we were about to be dumped on for the next three months!

She ceaselessly rallies her troops, and I have enjoyed countless emails and chat sessions with her.  I am very envious of her beautiful Facebook picture profile!  I love her sense of humour, even if it does stretch the bounds of credibility at times!

SUNSHINE!

I'm not sure what I do now - or what the rules say about notifying people of the Award.  No doubt Minelle will come to my rescue before long!

Thank you everyone for reading!

Ami