Always look on the bright side of life!

It's quite a few months since my last Blog (Remember, I used to do a Blog?) but, what experiences I have had in that time! Some family matters have affected me in ways that I will not discuss but have led me to discontinue with Facebook. Sorry. I miss the banter, conversation, laughs and sadness that FB brings but there are other things that I don't like and they have overwhelmed my thoughts. Thank you for all the conversations I have had with you all.
One other reason I miss FB is the information I find on there that helped me with my Nickisson Family Tree. Information about birthdays, weddings etc. that enabled me to update, amend, cross out and add to, but more about the family tree later.

Always look on the bright side of life; A blonde wanting to earn some extra money for the summer, decided to hire herself out as a 'handy woman' and started canvassing a nearby well-to-do neighbourhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to do.
"Well I guess I could use somebody to paint the porch' he said, "How much will you charge me?"
Delighted, the girl quickly responded, "How about $50?"
The man agreed and told her that the paint, brushes and everything she would need were in the garage.
The man's wife, hearing the conversation, said to her husband, "Does she realise that our porch goes all the way around the house?"
"That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" he responded.
The wife replied, "you're right. I guess I'm starting to believe all those dumb blonde jokes."
A few hours later the blonde came to collect her money...
"You're finished already??" the startled husband asked.
"Yes," the blonde replied, "and I even had enough paint left over so I gave it two coats."
Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her along with a $10 tip.

"Thank you," the blonde said, "And, by the way, it's not a Porch, it's an Audi."

YES. Always look on the bright side of life.... that's what needs to happen and plenty of happiness has come my way over the last five Blogless months.

I don't know if you remember but I did a Blog last year (Surprise, Surprise) when my grandson Joseph arrived in Australia and I wasn't aware that he was coming over. Then, the surprises continued when, unknown to me, Sue arranged a trip to England to surprise her mum on her 70th birthday.
Well the surprises continued this year when Sue arranged a holiday to Singapore in July to co-inside with Stoke City playing in the Asia Trophy competition. Never been to Singapore before and it was a really fantastic place to visit, definitely go again.

Some of the places we visited.

Some of the famous people we met

I don't know what Sue intended to do with Mr Beckham???








But it put a smile on her face!!!!!!!

And then we saw my football team, Stoke City

Brilliant holiday

The bright side of life; An elderly couple had just learned how to send text messages on their mobile phones. The wife was a romantic type and the husband was more of a no-nonsense guy.
One afternoon the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee. She decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote:

"If  you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you."

The husband texted back to her: "I'm on the toilet. Please advise."

In August we went to Penang, Malaysia for a week, again a new place to visit and it was a very relaxing holiday, much needed to escape the emotions of family life. Although we visited a few tourist attractions it was good to stay by the hotel pool and chill out.

It was also our 20th wedding anniversary whilst we were there.
Another brilliant holiday, thank you Sue.

Yes, definitely. Always look on the bright side of life....... It's so true, we may not think so at the time, but life is so much better when you do.

Talking about wedding anniversaries; A married couple in their early 60s are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet romantic restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table.
She said, "for being such an exemplary married couple and for being so loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish."
The wife answered, "Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband."
The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary 11 appeared in her hand.
The husband thought for a moment: "Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me."
The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.!
So the fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! -

The husband became 92 years old.

I only have to look around my garden to be happy about life. I have really enjoyed the last 3 years getting it to look how it does.

The front garden

My favourite flower at the moment - Leucospermum Cordifolium 'Yellow'.

The back Garden

And the 'allotment' 

Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Lettuce, Radish, Turnips, Strawberries, Spring Onions, Chillies, Peppers, Cucumber and Leeks are growing really well. Spring has warmed the soil up and the early summer days are now with us so it is ideal conditions for plants to grow. Days are about 25-30 Deg's dropping in the evenings to 10-12 Deg's. I was also growing Cabbage and Cauliflower but the warmer weather caused them to bolt before they were suitable for eating. Since I have raised the beds and added over 60 bags of good compost, the plants have grown far better, looking forward to harvesting the remaining crops.

Just the bright side of life; A man on his motorcycle was riding along a California beach highway when suddenly the heavens open up above him and in a booming voice, God said “because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish”

The Biker pulled over and said “build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride there anytime I want”

God replied, “your request is materialistic; think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking: supports required reaching the bottom of the pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! I can do it but hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind.”

The Biker thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, “God I wish that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she’s thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing’s wrong, why she snaps and complains when I try and help, and how I can truly make a woman truly happy.”

God replied: "you want four lanes or six on that bridge...?"

Now the warmer weather is with us, the pool has been cleaned and the cover is back on to warm the water up ready for the first plunge of the season, perhaps this weekend?



Another, bright side of life.


One of the advantages of the Autumn/Winter months is that, although the days are still quite warm, we spend more time inside the house and this has given me the chance to spend more time on the Nickisson Family Tree. I mentioned in my last Blog that I needed to buy some certificates to help me get the suitable information that will hopefully help me to overcome some 'brick walls'. Nine certificates purchased and received, any help with those brick walls?

Marriage Certificate for Agnes Fryer and Harold Banks:
I wanted this one because I had no information on Harold Banks before he married Agnes. The marriage certificate gave me his father's name and occupation which enabled me to find out when Harold was born and the correct 1901 and 1911 census records to show where he lived and what his occupation was. Further more, I also found that he served in the First World War through his service record.
Marriage Certificate for Fanny Emily Nickisson and John Harvey:
This again was to find out more information about John Harvey's previous life before marrying Fanny Emily. Although I have more information to help me, I'm still researching this one. One success with this marriage certificate was that one of the witnesses to the wedding is a Polly Nickisson. She is one of my 'brick walls' and because of this information, I now know that she was still alive at a later date than previously thought.
Marriage Certificate for Graham Brookes Chadwick and Catherine M Smith:
Marriage Certificate for Louisa (Louie) Nickisson and Claude Sydney Phipps:
Marriage Certificate for Lancelot Chadwick and Elizabeth Mountford:
The information from this certificates cleared up all my outstanding issues for each of these persons.
Death Certificate for William Davies:
Again, cleared up all my questions about William but gave me a few extra ones about his wife, Margaret Devlin. I believe she was born in Northern Ireland around 1910. Anyone out there know anymore?
Death Certificate for Ethel (Briggs) Nickisson:
This helped me with all outstanding issues for Ethel and also her husband John William Nickisson.
Birth Certificate for James Nickisson:
This was my one and only failure. It concluded that James did not belong to my Nickisson Family Tree.
Death Certificate for Ralph (Steel) Steele:
This was probably the most successful certificate for gathering information. It gave me his date of death, where he was living at the time which enabled me to find out where his wife, Sarah Tipper, spent the rest of her life.

Lots of questions answered, a few more questions raised but a very successful outcome.

One of the outcomes from above was the information on Sarah Tipper. For a very long time I have been researching my Great Great Grandmother, Ann Tipper, and this information helped me to knock down another 'brick wall'. More on that in my next Blog.

A Vicar goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday after he gets his new teeth, his sermon only lasts for eight minutes.
The second Sunday, he talks for only ten minutes. The following Sunday, he talks for 2 hours and 48 minutes.
The congregation had to help him to get him down from the pulpit and they asked him what happened.
The Vicar explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn't talk for more than 8 minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes.

But, the third Sunday, he put his wife's' teeth in by mistake and he couldn't shut up...........................

Yes, Always look on the bright side of life. Reading through this Blog after I had finished it, really proved to me that there is more to life than dwelling on those down times.

What next?

We are really looking forward to Diane (Sue's mum) and Allan coming over to Oz to spend Christmas with us.

What will next year bring........ More surprises?

Speak to you soon

Remember, I used to do a Blog???????

My last Blog (Surprise, Surprise?) was in August last year  Where does the time go?
Have I been too busy? No.........
Nothing to Blog about? No.........
Computer broken? No.........
Excuses? No............

Well, I'm ready to Blog again. Oh no, some of you might say, or think. Hopefully, you have missed my stories, my thoughts, my waffling. Stories about my life, my family and my past family. Well here goes anyway........

Remember? Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

In my last Blog I told you about my Grandson, Joseph, surprising me with his visit to Australia. Fantastic few weeks. Well the surprises didn't stop there.

For my birthday, (6th August, if you want to put it in your diary) Sue surprised me with a present that I really didn't look at properly, It was a home made invitation announcing that we were going on holiday back home to England.
Yes, I knew we were, sometime in 2015.
"No, read it properly Gazza" was the response (plus a few choice words), "in a few months time." I had a few tears, I don't mind saying.

You may have seen the many photo's and comments on Facebook and I apologies for repeating just a few, but here goes..........

The surprise for Sue's mum on her 70th birthday, she didn't know anything about our visit to England.

Some of our Family and Friends

Sorry if I missed a photo of you, I really couldn't put all the photo's on my Blog, but I want to thank all of you for making it a fantastic holiday in England. A special thank you to Lorraine, John and the boys for putting us up (or putting up with us) for those weeks.

Cheers to you all 

Remember? Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you are a mile away and you have their shoes.

Whilst in England I had to visit my football team, Stoke City, and managed to see a few games at the Britannia Stadium.

I also went to see a Blackburn game, but the least said about that!!!!!!!!!!

Remember? New product available. Corduroy pillows: They're making headlines!

We came back home to Australia in November and prepared for Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

Remember? Honk if you love peace and quiet.

Christmas came and went

Don't ask!!

And the New Year was here 

Goodbye 2014. Welcome 2015

Remember? Barbie? If she was so popular, why did you have to buy her friends?

My 'Allotment': I mentioned in my last Blog about the 'Square Foot Garden Bed' System for growing vegetables. I have now moved this to my veggie patch area as it gets a little more shade. I have also put shade cloth over the area to try and reduce the effect of the suns rays.
With all this and the middle of summer (December/January), and the weather averaging around 38-40 degrees, everything in the vegetable garden has struggled to grow. I have also noticed that fruit and veg grown above ground, such as Lettuce, Beetroot, Cucumber, Chillies, Peppers etc. grow better. I think this is because most of the 'soil' is really sand, very compact and doesn't allow other vegetables (carrots, potatoes for example) to thrive.

The one good thing about being in the garden during this hot weather, time for a dip. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We are now into Autumn and the weather is cooler, 25-30 deg's with the nights even cooler. I have now decided to raise the walls around the 'allotment' and add better garden soil/compost so hopefully I can produce better crops.I'll let you know how it goes.

Remember? Wear short sleeves! Support your right to bare arms!

Meanwhile; The rest of the garden is really growing well. The native Australian plants love the hot weather and give a really good display.

Remember? There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.

I mentioned that we are now in Autumn and the cooler days and nights are upon us in Australia. As I will be doing less outside in the garden etc. this is my opportunity to sit at my desk and look closer at the Nickisson Family Tree.
Information continues to come from many sources to allow me to update the family tree and this has been ongoing throughout the summer. Facebook is a source that helps me in many ways, adding dates to a birth that where I previously had only just the year. Marriage details, such as dates and locations and the sadness of a death in the family. I remember particularly my Auntie Muriel who died in March this year.
Other online genealogy sites continue to update their websites so there is always opportunities to find new or additional information. I also have a list of various certificates to buy that will help me to update the Nickisson Family Tree. Looking forward to it.

Remember? Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener.

This year we are going on holiday to Penang, Malaysia in August for our 20th wedding anniversary. Another story to tell!

Remember?
A couple was preparing to head out to their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration.
"You get your purse and coat, I'll pull the car out front and lock up the garage" says hubby, thoughtfully.
When his bride comes out onto the front porch, she sees him leaning against the car staring wistfully at the front of the house. She walks over to him.
"What are you looking at?" she asks.
"Oh, I was just looking at those bushes over there... Remembering."
"Remembering what?" she asks'
"Well, you remember the time your dad caught us in the bushes? He pulled me out by the scruff of my neck, threw me against the wall and said, "Either you're gonna do the right thing and marry my daughter or you'll spend the next fifty years in jail!" he answers.
"Yes, I remember it well. what about it?" she said, with a twinkle in her eye.
"Well," he replies, "I was just thinking". I'd be getting out of jail about now'"

Diane (Sue's mum) and Allan will be visiting us again for Christmas this year, looking forward to it. Again, another story to tell.

Remember?
A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o'clock in the morning by a loud knocking on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband, " it is 3 o'clock in the morning!" He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked the wife.
"Just some drunk guy asking for a push" he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks.
:No, I did not, It's 3 o'clock in the morning and it's pouring rain out there!"
"Well, you have a short memory" says the wife. "Don't you remember, about three months ago when we broke down, and those guys helped us? I think you should help him and you should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man does as he is told, gets dressed and goes out into the pouring rain.
He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes" comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?" calls the husband.
"Yes please" comes the reply from the dark.
"Where are you?" asks the husband.
The drunk replies, "over here -- on the swing!"

Speak to you soon

Surprise, Surprise?

I get up in the morning and normally have a plan for the day. Sometimes that changes, perhaps because of the weather, not fitting everything in, asked to do something extra and the occasional surprise.

24th July was one of those surprise days, if you're one of my Facebook friends you would know what happened. I had just collected my two grandchildren from their school, Sue was home early from work, (that's a surprise in itself, but nice). My son Dean and Rachel arrive, I presume to take home Charlotte and Jacob, I have a beer in my hand when in walks Joseph. My Grandson had just arrived from England, everyone else knew about it except me. What a great surprise, happy to admit I cried.


*I was surprised when reading an article last night about fathers and sons, how memories came flooding back of the time I took my son out for his first pint.
Got him a XXXX ..... he didn't like it - so I had it.
Then I got him a Tooheys & then a VB .... he didn't like them either so I had them too..
It was the same with the Kilkenny & Guinness..
By the time we got to the whisky I could hardly push the pram home.

We had some great times while Joe was with us........

After just over four weeks with us, Joe went back home this week,

we really had a good time.

Will miss him, thank you Joe for the surprise.

*I was surprised to read in the paper about this dwarf that got pick pocketed... How could anyone stoop so low..?

I mentioned in my last Blog Questions? Answers?, (can't believe it was 3 months ago) that Sue entered a competition and we were very surprised that she won. The prize was two Square Foot Garden Bed systems and they were installed a few weeks later.

Two months later!!!!! Must be good compost.

Cabbage, varieties of Lettuce, Broccoli, Kale, Peas, Beetroot, Onions, Garlic etc.

Really surprised how well it has grown with it being winter. Although the days have

been around 18-23 deg's, the nights dropped to around 6-8 deg's.

My 'allotment' has been slightly neglected because of the contents of the above, but the Potatoes, Lettuce etc. are doing well but not as well as the 'Square Gardens' system.


*I just read an article on the dangers of drinking. I was so surprised, it scared me!
So that's it!
After today; no more reading.


Over the last few months the Nickisson Family Tree hasn't been growing as well as the vegies above. I have been looking at my outstanding list of 'things to do' and I have just received some certificates ordered a few weeks ago from England.

What surprises (or disappointments) will they bring?

Just opening the first envelope;
Death certificate for Frederick Nickisson, why did I need it? Right, I know he died in 1839 and I'm trying to find more information about his birth.
Marriage certificate for Agnes Fryer. I was searching for her death around 1944 when I found a possible second marriage. Is this the same person?
Emma Nickisson Death certificate. There is conflicting information on the year she died and a quick glance at the certificate, looks as though I got it right. She was only three when she died.
Marriage certificate for James Dobson. This is a complicated issue around his possible desertion from his wife and his possible second marriage. This could be an item for the next Blog as someone out there may be able to help with this one.
The last three certificates are connected to Hannah Nickisson. A few weeks ago I was surprised, but pleased, to have a comment made on a previous Blog from February 2012. Thank you Michael (a relation of Hannah) for correcting me on the date of death and informing me that after Hannah's husband died, she married again. The certificates show more detail about this new information.

It shows that I can be wrong on information added to the Nickisson Family Tree and I appreciate anyone contacting me to allow me to correct/add/change any of that information.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch, I'm happy to be surprised.

I wonder what future surprises will bring?

*The mother-in-law arrives home from shopping and was surprised to find her son-in-law Paddy in a steaming rage and hurriedly packing his suitcase.

"What happened Paddy?" she asked anxiously..

"What happened!! I'll tell you what happened. I sent an email to my wife (your daughter) telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home... and guess what I found? Yes, your daughter, my wife Jean, naked with Joe Murphy in our marital bed! This is unforgivable, the end of our marriage. I'm done. I'm leaving forever!"

"Ah now, calm down, calm down Paddy!" says his mother-in-law. "There is something very odd going on here. My daughter would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I'll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened!"

Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile.

"Paddy. I told you there must be a simple explanation ....... she never got your email".

Speak to you soon