Someone asked me if I was planning to do it - and I said that really I should begin with January 2009 - because in the past eleven years things have changed significantly for us...
We went back to visit Norfolk for a New Year Party arranged by Marian my SIL.I remember little of the event - but I know I chatted to a friendly conveyancing solicitor called Joy, who told me she helped people buy houses - and I said "I probably will never need your services" Then a week or two later, Bob suddenly said "We should buy somewhere to live in retirement" [and I did need Joy after all]
Then we were living in Leicestershire, happily involved with a village chapel where we had been since 1995 - but five years ago we moved to Dorset and now equally busy with a friendly, growing church here.
Then, back in 2009, I belonged to a fortnightly knitting group - we met in the Borders Bookshop [now sadly closed] I was doing lots of supply teaching, running a sewing club, lay preaching all over the place and generally pretty busy. I made play costumes every summer, and nativity costumes every Christmas. I organised Holiday Club Crafts every July, and told tales in my Story Tent at the Village Fun Day. I happily climbed on the pillion of Bob's huge Honda.We had a collie cross rescue dog called Charlie - and Liz had a cat called Monty. Both girls were living and working in London
Now I'm not doing any supply teaching, nor involved in sewing or knitting clubs [but I do go along to Craft'n'Coffee once a month at church] I'm still preaching - and still churning out play costumes - and now making Memory Bears [so far I have made 4, and I have 3 on order] I am still doing KIds Club Crafts and the Story Tent- but for the past five years I've been involved in Christmas Tree Festivals too. The motorbike was sold, and now there is a large lathe in the garage.Sadly Charlie and Monty are no longer with us - but Steph and Gaz have two rabbits, Jeff and Jim.
If you had asked me at that party, where I thought I would be now, this would honestly be beyond my wildest dreams. Still happily supporting Bob's ministry [but annoyed at the Government for moving the pension threshold. I am a WASPI Woman]
But to find ourselves the owners of a property - having paid off the mortgage two years early [despite my drop in income since moving to Ferndown] that is unbelievable.
And blessed with two wonderful daughters [and their men] of whom we are incredibly proud, and being grandparents as well, with 40 years of marriage behind us. It's all amazing. Life was pretty good back then - but I can truly say it is just as wonderful now. God has been very gracious to us - as the Psalmist says "The lines have fallen in pleasant places for me"
I suppose I ought to post those comparison pictures. Here's the pair of us then arriving at that New Year's party December 31st 2008 - and now here's me about to go out to a party on January 11th 2020.
I can honestly say you look the same in your then and now pictures! Your hair was a bit longer, then, but that is all! How wonderful that your life continues to be abundantly blessed, that you can look back and say, "Life was good then, but, it is just as wonderful now!" I hope it continues to be that way!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless
DeleteWhat's a WASPI? Something to do with work and pensions? It's brilliant how you've managed to buy and pay off your home (God makes things possible). I'm glad that things are good for your girls. So many positive changes.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is about pensions. [check out waspi.co.uk] Women born between 1954 and 1956 have been really caught out by the government's sliding scale to push back the age for claiming State Pension. When we bought Cornerstones in 2009, I was 54, and I'd already received TWO letters about my state pension. One saying I would get it at 60, then another saying it would be 65. Two years later, I had another letter saying I would be 66. For hundreds of women, we've had less than ten years to prepare for this change. I feel the Govt has been unfair, and many women [esp those without husbands] are really struggling. But I know God will provide - and I trust HIM even if I do not trust Boris & his cronies
DeleteWomen Against State Pension Increase - I know because I'm one too!
DeleteA wonderful and blessed 11 years and you are still smiling - and such a lovely smile. Sometimes when you look back over 10 years you wonder how you fit everything in.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how it all fitted in either!
DeleteHard to see any difference in you, Angela and your heart is just as full as it was back then, I have no doubt. I declined from that challenge because I didn't want to give people nightmares when they see the way I look now. It's been a tough 10 years for me and yes, I'm still working, although I have deferred my state pension since last May, my actual retirement date. Apparently, it garners another £500 per year if you defer, that's assuming you don't pop your clogs in the meantime, which is what the Government are banking on, I wager you!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot afford to defer - there is very little work for supply teachers here, and I am not sure I'm well enough anyway.
DeleteAgree with you about lack of trust in certain politicians. I was one of the fortunate ones who had a pension at 60.
ReplyDeleteYou look even better in the 'Now' photo Angela!