reasons to be cheerful

Well I very rarely do doubles, and this is a TP kit and i think you have seen it before, I think mum has already done that kit, but I thought I'd show you anyway. It was such fun to do what with the bunting and the pinwheels and all the inking (Ive often wondered how to do those pinwheels, they will be appearing everywhere now) and Im so pleased with myself for getting it to line up properly.

The photo was taken at a very dire time last year, Ken was in the hospice and we were playing that horrid waiting game, but on this occasion mum and I went down to the seafront and it was so restorative, all full of families having fun. Mum wanted the fishing net for getting the weed out of her pond, and mum had a good old laugh with me cos I was paranoid about not sitting on the deck chairs in case the man came to collect the money, and mum kept saying 'oh yes, there he is' etc when i was in the chair. Ive written all this on the back of the layout cos I cant be cluttering it up even more with it.

The layout is an inspiration to me that you CAN find good bits even in the darkest hours.
(blimey Id better hurry up and post it before I start sobbing)

Maria, that is just lovely! Sometimes we need to remember that scrapping is not just about recording the good times, but life in it's entirety!

Lovely, and it's nice to have a happy memory from such a sad time.

Yes, like it or not there are some parts of life that just go on, regardless of the chaos around us.
I think it's time I started doing a few bittersweet LO's too. Pics that look fine to those who don't know the story behind them.
It's a lovely kit and you've done a grand job with it, Ken would have wnated you to carry on as usual anyway, so raise a glass to that,

Thank you little girl of mine. We (Kenny and me too) are very proud of how you handled that awful, awful time. I love this layout - and I love the photos as it WAS a happy restorative time down there on the beach. When I do my seafront walk, I always smile at the Deck Chair attendant for you!!!!

Love it. And it is a huge point that the sad times need to be scrapped
as well as all the happy and fun ones.

So lovely, was getting a bit choked up reading the story behind it and I dont know the full story, if you didnt write what you did I think I would have said what a lovely cheerful, bright layout, although it still is but with meaning, thanks for sharing

Thank you for the nice comments. The layout will always be a 'landmark' one for me but looks 'normal' to the rest of the world, thats why ive written it all on the back.

Mum, but is there REALLY one? I mean have you actually ever seen him? the attendant I mean.

That's a smasher, Maria.

Yes Mia, of COURSE there are attendants. How else do you suppose Southend Council make their money in the summer? It's about £2 a session too, so that rakes in loads.

Gorgeous, one of your best, love that kit

Excellent. Did you make the bunting yourself too. I love the rectangles in the background, looks so smart with the cornes rounded.