Posted by
Sille Bliss
It had been awhile since we had a cream tea and after searching Groupon for a bit one day, I found this awesome deal for afternoon tea for two. Oh yeah! Last time we had afternoon tea was on my birthday 2014! So we were definitely due for some.
It was at this cool pink posh looking hotel in Bournemouth called The Norfolk and the cream tea was divine.
There was so much, we tried our hardest to finish it all but at the end we had about 4 full pieces of cakes left that we decided to take one bite of each cake then left the rest. It was some good stuff!
Finding that groupon deal reminded me that I have to go back on there from time to time to find stuff like this on there. It was a great price!
The last week of January we headed out to the Isle of Wight. It's been a little while since we've been so it was nice to hop back on the ferry and head out there for the day. This time we came in through the Lymington to Yarmouth side. It's much shorter to get there since it's at the tip of both ends and we don't have to sail through the long ol' canal in Southampton where we usually get on from. This route is much nicer towards Lymington, and even from where we get off in Yarmouth on the IOW is a nice little route. There is less traffic and more nice scenery both ways. And since we live so much closer to Lymington, I don't see why we'd go to Southampton anyway to catch it.
It was a gloomy day with grey skies, even some rain but the water and views are still beautiful no matter what the weather is like.
It was at this cool pink posh looking hotel in Bournemouth called The Norfolk and the cream tea was divine.
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| The Norfolk Hotel 2016.01.15 |
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| Afternoon Tea for Two Lovers! |
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| One Serious / One Silly |
The last week of January we headed out to the Isle of Wight. It's been a little while since we've been so it was nice to hop back on the ferry and head out there for the day. This time we came in through the Lymington to Yarmouth side. It's much shorter to get there since it's at the tip of both ends and we don't have to sail through the long ol' canal in Southampton where we usually get on from. This route is much nicer towards Lymington, and even from where we get off in Yarmouth on the IOW is a nice little route. There is less traffic and more nice scenery both ways. And since we live so much closer to Lymington, I don't see why we'd go to Southampton anyway to catch it.
It was a gloomy day with grey skies, even some rain but the water and views are still beautiful no matter what the weather is like.
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| Lymington Harbour from Ferry 2016.01.22 |
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| Driving along the coast from Yarmouth to Cowes on the IOW |
The appointment was in Cowes a few miles from Yarmouth. It's usually very busy here in the summer along the esplanade, but during this time of the year with this weather, it was a ghost town.
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| Along the Esplanade. Cowes, IOW 2016.01.22 |
I didn't go out much since it was a drizzling day, so I spent most of my time the car keeping busy. When it wasn't raining I was hanging at the benches facing the channel, but that never lasted too long. It was cold and windy there by the sea, it was much warmer and cozy in the car. Since it was a Friday, we decided to stay the night over and come back the next morning. The next day was just as gloomy as the day before. It was still nice to have a nice cozy romantic night away :)
Oddly enough, two weeks later we were back at the Isle of Wight again.... we've never done visits this close, but as always I was ready. This time the weather wasn't so bad. Still cold yes and still windy as ever but no rain, yah! We were also back in Cowes...
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| Yarmouth Castle - back view |
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| Yarmouth |
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| Lymington Harbour from Ferry on the way back 2016.01.23 |
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| 2016.02.05 |
And back in the same little area... I decided to have a walk along the esplanade... and I wasn't the only one out and about either this time.
Before going for my walk I saw the big ferry from Southampton coming by and had to take a vid of it. What caught my attention was all the alarms from the cars going off. It was quite a windy day so I guess the ferry was moving a little more than usual and had all the cars going crazy.
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| The Titanic saled past this point on 10th April 1912 on her maiden and only voyage. |
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| Cowes Castle, now The Royal Yacht Squadron |
When I got to the castle in Cowes, I found these signs on the walls pretty cool. I wonder if it was really true... guess I'll never really know. :)
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| WARNING - Starting cannon may fire at any time |
Took another short video from my walk... The view was pretty nice and relaxing.. especially the sound of that water.
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| Cowes, Isle of Wight 2016.02.05 |
So after walking around a bit I needed to pee and started looking for the loo There are public toilets everywhere in England, you don't have to look far before you find one but finding one that is clean is more hit or miss. These that I found were not called toilets like all the others, they were called 'Public Conveniences'. I found it pretty funny.
Yes they were convenient but OMG they were freaking filthy. Now usually most of the public toilets I've been to in England are pretty clean, there is always someone coming in throughout the day cleaning them but maybe the cleaners were off for the winter? Ew. Please tell me where the toilet seat is?
This was also weird to me.... who the hell would buy or rent a flat (apartment) with a balcony right across from the public toilets?? That is what this is in the photo below. It's not like you will ever have privacy so you can't open your door or even curtains if you wanted to. And wouldn't it smell? It's so low as well that I'd be scared that someone might try climbing up or something. Such a weird place for a window much less a balcony. When I was coming out of the toilets I could see straight towards the window. Strange!
After all that palava, I went back to my cozy spot in the car and waited for my Babz to get back from his appointment so we could get back home.
Yes they were convenient but OMG they were freaking filthy. Now usually most of the public toilets I've been to in England are pretty clean, there is always someone coming in throughout the day cleaning them but maybe the cleaners were off for the winter? Ew. Please tell me where the toilet seat is?
All I gotta say about that is it's a good thing I don't sit on the toilet seats. But even being close to it was gross to me... needless to say I didn't bother flushing it either (and I didn't use this toilet, I found one a little less gross).
This was also weird to me.... who the hell would buy or rent a flat (apartment) with a balcony right across from the public toilets?? That is what this is in the photo below. It's not like you will ever have privacy so you can't open your door or even curtains if you wanted to. And wouldn't it smell? It's so low as well that I'd be scared that someone might try climbing up or something. Such a weird place for a window much less a balcony. When I was coming out of the toilets I could see straight towards the window. Strange!
After all that palava, I went back to my cozy spot in the car and waited for my Babz to get back from his appointment so we could get back home.
Posted by
Sille Bliss
It's January 2016!!
It's the new year and I'm ready for more!!
Already I have a new interest in darts, who knew? I don't like to play them but I love watching it. This is even more unusual since I would think playing them would be more fun than watching... for me it's not. Babz is into his darts and watching it on the sports channel here and I hadn't really been that much interested in it. But then this world championship came on and I was only watching because he was and so I needed to know how the scoring worked so he explained that to me. Sounded pretty simple, and there I am suddenly waiting for the next competition and had my favorite players I was rooting for. So yeah, darts.... my new thing. :P
I've also started watching Downton Abbey. OH-MY-GOD! What have I been missing!?? I am loving this show! I am binge watching it and I can't stop but I know I have to or else it will finish too fast and I don't want it to. I am so glad I didn't watch it when everyone else was because having to wait a whole week for shit is just too much for me. I die when this happens for me with Game of Thrones and Walking Dead.
Babz and I saw our first movie of 2016 as well already.... The Hateful Eight. I don't consider myself a Tarantino fan at all, yet I've seen all his movies and like most of them too, a lot. But still, I don't feel like I'm a fan. Anyway, Jennifer Jason Leigh killed it. She kicked ass in this role! So there ya go.
Anyway, so we go back on the road for the new year and we are in Cornwall. Oh how I love Cornwall! I never really thought about how lucky I was to go there as often as I do until recently. Most people who live in Britain only get to visit there once a year on their summer holiday. Expats like me probably only ever visit once or a couple of times ever. And the weird thing about it is that it isn't even that far. About 2 1/2 to 3 hours from me, it's about 4 hours from London. Nothing is really too far here. Let's not forget that England fits into Texas about three times! So why everyone thinks places like this are far, I have no idea.
If you don't already know, Cornwall is a county in England. It's not the kind of counties we have in America. You can think of them more like mini states. They have their border lines and even their own flag.
We live in Dorset, literally 10 minutes outside of Bournemouth. And well, you see where Cornwall is. It's such a beautiful county. So many coves and beaches, dramatic cliffs, never ending moors, breathtaking forests... the list is never ending. There is so much to see and do there. We've probably been about a dozen times since I've been in England and we've still haven't seen and visited all the places I would like to yet.
Once we left Lostwithiel, we headed to a couple of other towns that Steve had appointments in and then we finally settled our heads after a long long day.
It's the new year and I'm ready for more!!
Already I have a new interest in darts, who knew? I don't like to play them but I love watching it. This is even more unusual since I would think playing them would be more fun than watching... for me it's not. Babz is into his darts and watching it on the sports channel here and I hadn't really been that much interested in it. But then this world championship came on and I was only watching because he was and so I needed to know how the scoring worked so he explained that to me. Sounded pretty simple, and there I am suddenly waiting for the next competition and had my favorite players I was rooting for. So yeah, darts.... my new thing. :P
I've also started watching Downton Abbey. OH-MY-GOD! What have I been missing!?? I am loving this show! I am binge watching it and I can't stop but I know I have to or else it will finish too fast and I don't want it to. I am so glad I didn't watch it when everyone else was because having to wait a whole week for shit is just too much for me. I die when this happens for me with Game of Thrones and Walking Dead.
Babz and I saw our first movie of 2016 as well already.... The Hateful Eight. I don't consider myself a Tarantino fan at all, yet I've seen all his movies and like most of them too, a lot. But still, I don't feel like I'm a fan. Anyway, Jennifer Jason Leigh killed it. She kicked ass in this role! So there ya go.
Anyway, so we go back on the road for the new year and we are in Cornwall. Oh how I love Cornwall! I never really thought about how lucky I was to go there as often as I do until recently. Most people who live in Britain only get to visit there once a year on their summer holiday. Expats like me probably only ever visit once or a couple of times ever. And the weird thing about it is that it isn't even that far. About 2 1/2 to 3 hours from me, it's about 4 hours from London. Nothing is really too far here. Let's not forget that England fits into Texas about three times! So why everyone thinks places like this are far, I have no idea.
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| England. |
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| Southwest England County Map |
We live in Dorset, literally 10 minutes outside of Bournemouth. And well, you see where Cornwall is. It's such a beautiful county. So many coves and beaches, dramatic cliffs, never ending moors, breathtaking forests... the list is never ending. There is so much to see and do there. We've probably been about a dozen times since I've been in England and we've still haven't seen and visited all the places I would like to yet.
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| Our route from Poole to Lostwithiel. Roughly 2hours/50mins. |
So we're headed out back there for a couple of days. We weren't going as far out as we had in the past but it's always a long drive especially for the time we have to leave in the morning. Thank god for the gorgeous scenery along the way!
Of course every time we go we are up and out on the road before the sun is even out. Usually we are driving for a whole hour before you start to see the sun peeking outta the sky. It didn't help that it was cold, it was very cold... even icy in some parts! But I was bundled and prepared.
Our first stop would be Lostwithiel. We came down this gorgeous little road to get into the town, I don't even know the name of it but it was about 1-2 miles of peaceful serenity!
The last time I was here was 2 years ago (blog post here) and when I came, I only visited the castle while Steve was in an appointment in the town. This time I would be in the town as well. I walked to the church that wasn't far away from where we parked. I tried to go inside but it was surprisingly locked, unless I just didn't pull the handle correctly.
I made my way to the river that was nearby I wanted to see the town's historic bridge. It was definitely old. According to the sign on the bridge the River Fowey was first bridged by the Normans, who founded Lostwithiel. "The Great Bridge of Lostwithiel" first documented in 1280, had nine arches. The foundations of the four most westerly arches are said to be under the street. The Bridge has undergone changes over the centuries and was rebuilt in the 15th century. It narrowly escaped being blown up by the Parliamentarian Army in 1644 during the English Civil War. Over time the river has changed course and the four easterly arches were added in the 18th century. Until the bypass was opened in 1939 this bridge was the main road between St Austell and Liskeard. Today it still plays a major role in the life of Lostwithiel as a central part of town activities and celebrations.
It was pretty cold out so I took a few more photos and vids and decided to head back to the warm heated seats of the car. :)
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| Somewhere near Bodmin. Cornwall, England. 2016.01.13 |
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| Cornwall Sunrise. Somewhere near Bodmin. |
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| Rise and Shine. Somewhere near Bodmin. |
Our first stop would be Lostwithiel. We came down this gorgeous little road to get into the town, I don't even know the name of it but it was about 1-2 miles of peaceful serenity!
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| Road to Lostwithiel. Cornwall, England. 2016.01.13 |
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| St Bartholomew Church. Lostwithiel. 2016.01.13 |
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| St Bartholomew Church grounds |
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| The River Fowey. Lostwithiel, Cornwall. England |
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| Lostwithiel Bridge. Cornwall, England. |
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| Lostwithiel. Cornwall, England 2016.01.13 |
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| Me ifo the River Fowey and Lostwithiel Bridge. (using this cool app I discovered) |
Once we left Lostwithiel, we headed to a couple of other towns that Steve had appointments in and then we finally settled our heads after a long long day.
Posted by
Sille Bliss
Christmas has never been a favorite holiday of mine. I've always been more of a Halloween type of girl. But for some reason England brings out a little of the Christmas spirit in me. I think it's the olde worlde charm of these festive villages all lit up and the fact that it's actually winter here, a constant cold reminder everyday. It feels more real to me; but I am not sad to see it go. I'm just ready for the holidays to be over with, but until then I had a few more days to go.
A couple of days before Christmas Eve, Steve and I were in Lymington. We don't live too far from this little harbour town and I've only been to the harbour area once so I was ready to check out the other parts of it. Even though it was not the high season here it was still very busy... could be last minute Christmas shopping, there were tons of shops along the High Street selling all kinds of stuff.
That hill was no joke. I walked down it to where I took the photo and down more to where I took the photos below.... That's always the easy part when walking hills, it's the coming back up part that is ass kicking. It was worth the walk though and I needed the exercise that's for sure!
This is where you really gotta work out your legs! This walk up was a bit on the tough side considering it had just finished raining. Even my tennis (with great grip) were slipping a little while walking up, though it seems the man in front of me wasn't having any problems at all. :P
So Christmas Eve was here. Thank god! Finally. We did what we've been doing every year since I've moved here and that was head to the Bournemouth Gardens for the German Christmas Market. There are families and people everywhere, live music, Christmas stalls, food, drink, all that good stuff. It helps that it is so close to home too cause we only stop by for awhile, but it's still always nice to come out.
We always gotta get our sausages and donuts when we come out here too. The German sausages are the BOMB and the donuts are hot and fresh.
A couple of days before Christmas Eve, Steve and I were in Lymington. We don't live too far from this little harbour town and I've only been to the harbour area once so I was ready to check out the other parts of it. Even though it was not the high season here it was still very busy... could be last minute Christmas shopping, there were tons of shops along the High Street selling all kinds of stuff.
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| Lymington, Hampshire. New Forest. England. 2015.12.22 |
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| The cobbled streets of Quay Hill, Lymington 2015.12.22 |
This is where you really gotta work out your legs! This walk up was a bit on the tough side considering it had just finished raining. Even my tennis (with great grip) were slipping a little while walking up, though it seems the man in front of me wasn't having any problems at all. :P
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So Christmas Eve was here. Thank god! Finally. We did what we've been doing every year since I've moved here and that was head to the Bournemouth Gardens for the German Christmas Market. There are families and people everywhere, live music, Christmas stalls, food, drink, all that good stuff. It helps that it is so close to home too cause we only stop by for awhile, but it's still always nice to come out.
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| Bournemouth Christmas Market 2015.12.24 |
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| Merry Christmas Eve 2015 |
Before leaving the market, there was a catholic church nearby so we walked on over just before mass and said a little prayer.
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My Christmas dinner was amazing, let me tell you that! It was the best Christmas dinner I have made since I've been here. It better have been, I was in the kitchen all day long! We had our 5 meat roast, dressing, sprouts, cheesy cauliflower, broccoli casserole, Yorkshire pudding, pea salad, roasted potatoes.... oh did I mention the dessert? Bread pudding and custard! Everything homemade and everything the bomb! Thank you Pinterest!! ;)
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New Year's Eve 2015.12.31
The only thing we did this new year's eve was go out for our last meal of the year, and boy did we do it right! All this was for just us two, needless to say we took a lot home and had as a midnight snack!
The first time I ever tried Indian food was when I came to England and though I did like it a lot, it wasn't anything I loved and craved like most of the people do in Britain. They grew up with it, I get it. To them it's like the Mexican food to the everyone who isn't Mexican in the US. But for me it just wasn't like that... until I came here, it was soo good. After a week or so, I was craving more. Mmm!
So here we are, midnight and another year bites the dust. It was a good year and I can always find the blessings we get, just to live another healthy and safe year is enough. Myself, Steve and our families & friends. The only sad thing that happened this year was my Love's passing, and I can't complain about that either. She had to leave this world, her lungs were done, her body was broken, the cancer was spread everywhere. It was time for her to go with the lord and be with her family in heaven. She left this world pain free without pain meds that would of controlled her judgement of who was all around her to tell her goodbye. She got to see everyone she loved and tell everyone goodbye. We all were blessed that God did that for us. Most people do not get the opportunity to tell their loved ones goodbye before they pass. We did, and I'm so grateful we were all able to be there with here. So, yes it was a good year. I pray and hope next year is another good year... I hope we all take care of ourselves and God watches over all my family and friends. Happy New Year!
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| New Year's Eve 2015 |
Wishing all our family and friends around the world a Happy New Year full of love, good health and happiness! May 2016 be a great one for us all! We love you! 
Posted by
Sille Bliss
I always told myself that when I could read the post I wrote about my Love's rings without crying, then that would be when I am ready to wear them. But I think no matter what, I'll always feel like crying when I read that post.
It's going on 6 months since my Love has passed away and for awhile now I have been really thinking a lot about it. I know if my Love could talk to me now, seeing that I kept her rings in my bedside drawer and them never being worn, she'd be pretty pissed off. She'd say in her loud almost mad sounding voice, "Mija, I told you I wanted you to have these rings when I died so you could wear them! Not keep them put away like that!" Then she'd half roll her eyes, look one way, then look back at me and give me her sweet playful smile letting me know she really wasn't mad, but was very serious.
So, I have decided to get them fitted asap. My Love also wanted Steve & I to use her rings when we got married, but we had already had our own at the time so we were not able to.
It's going on 6 months since my Love has passed away and for awhile now I have been really thinking a lot about it. I know if my Love could talk to me now, seeing that I kept her rings in my bedside drawer and them never being worn, she'd be pretty pissed off. She'd say in her loud almost mad sounding voice, "Mija, I told you I wanted you to have these rings when I died so you could wear them! Not keep them put away like that!" Then she'd half roll her eyes, look one way, then look back at me and give me her sweet playful smile letting me know she really wasn't mad, but was very serious.
So, I have decided to get them fitted asap. My Love also wanted Steve & I to use her rings when we got married, but we had already had our own at the time so we were not able to.
Well now, Steve and I have decided to have our marriage blessed in the church soon. The first idea that pops in my mind is that we will use her rings to do this. I'm so excited! And to be using her rings just as she wanted makes me even more happy! I know she will be there with us celebrating this special moment.
But even before that happens, I could not keep those rings sitting in that drawer not one day longer! Luckily I found a place that does ring sizing AS YOU WAIT and this afternoon we went and did that. They came out perfect and beautiful!
I'm proud and happy to finally be wearing my Love's rings. I already feel more closer to her with them on and I know she is happy.
But even before that happens, I could not keep those rings sitting in that drawer not one day longer! Luckily I found a place that does ring sizing AS YOU WAIT and this afternoon we went and did that. They came out perfect and beautiful!
From now on I will do my best to only think of the fun and happy times we had. There were soooo many of these fun moments we had together and I know she would not want me to be sad every time I missed her. Not only was she the best grandma in the world, she was also one cool and awesome little lady!
Posted by
Sille Bliss
My little lady was put in her final place of rest today. I wasn't there in person but I was definitely there in my thoughts. I can't wait to go and visit her when I'm in Houston. I'm happy she is now settled in her new home...
I miss you Love. ღ
I miss you Love. ღ
Posted by
Sille Bliss
Ever since I was a little girl, my grandma would say to me, "Mija when I die, I'm going to let you have my wedding rings." It's not so bad hearing that when the person telling you is healthy enough to know they got a long way to go; and even then you really don't hear the death part of it and just think about how beautiful the rings are. But then when the time comes near, it really isn't something you wanna accept or even hear. You stop thinking about how beautiful the rings are and more about the death part becoming a reality.
Up to her last stay in the hospital when I called to speak with her and while with her the day before her passing, she was still wanting to make sure I was going to "get her rings." I don't think it set in even then because my first feeling was to laugh and think she was so silly for even bringing it up.
The day my Popo came to my mom's house, I thought it was only to tell Steve and I goodbye cause we were leaving back to England the next day, but he also had my Love's wedding rings.
Before she passed I knew my grandpa would give them to me eventually, maybe when we came back to visit again. I don't know, it wasn't something I was really thinking about, even with my grandma constantly talking about it.
But there they were, safe in a little box with my name written on it; and I felt so sad. The day was here when I no longer had my Love and all that I had left were her wedding rings she always talked about me having. And all I could think was that I wanted my Love back.
I know I have so many amazing memories with my Love; so many fun times. I am lucky we even got to live with them on and off throughout my childhood and teenage years, and to have always lived less than 5 minutes away from her, even as close as just across the street for the past 15 years till now was pretty awesome too; but I still can't help wishing if I could of only had her a little longer. Once she left, all those years suddenly felt like they flew right by, in the blink of an eye.
I haven't got the rings fitted so I can wear them yet. Just looking at them in the box gets me upset. I feel like once I start wearing them I will cry even more throughout the days then I do already. I don't know.
What I do know is that I miss my Love and it really sucks that I'll never be able to see her, hug her and kiss her again for the rest of my life.
Posted by
Sille Bliss
Elida R. Balandran, 74, was born on February 5, 1941 in Houston, Texas and went to be home with her "Lord and Savior" on May 21, 2015 in Houston Texas. Preceded in death by her beloved Parents, Arturo and Emilia Ramirez. Elida is survived by her Husband of 56 years, Domingo V. Balandran; her 2 Sons and 2 Daughters, 8 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.
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I'm happy to have had so many memories with my Love. I know she will be watching over me, and she might even haunt me from time to time. I hope so... she said she would.
There was this one story she told me, I use to make her tell it to me once in a while. She said when she was young, her and her sister Lela were at a store. I think it was like a Woolworth or something. They saw a bag in the middle of the store, I think maybe in one of the aisles; just there by itself. They were at a distance where they could see it and wanted to run and grab it but were scared they'd get caught stealing if they took it, but no one was around. So they were deciding who should take it, her or her sister. Finally they just ran to it, got it and ran off to the store's bathroom. When they opened it to see what was inside, it was all their own stuff. The bag they took was their own bag. She said they busted out laughing so hard. They couldn't believe they were so scared, only for it to be their own bag they stole. Silly girls. That story was so funny to me... I loved hearing all her little stories.
I'm going to miss that little lady of mine; but I know now that she is comfortable and happy with her mommy and daddy, chillin' on a cloud in heaven, watching over us all, patiently waiting for us to join them.
21.05.2015 - 18:37
