Dear Grandad...

Dear Grandad,

Today we said our last goodbye and I can't believe how hard it was. It didn't hit me until now that I'm never going to see you again.

You've been the best Grandad I could ever wish for. You've given us all so many happy memories and been a real inspiration to me as I've grown up. I'll never forget you walking me to school every day for seven years, taking Stacey, me and the dogs to Finchle Abbey, strawberry picking with you and Grandma, our holidays to Scarborough (particularly Primrose Valley) and Great Yarmouth, and teaching me to play the trumpet.

You were such an amazing trumpet player with so much knowledge and experience to share. I'm glad you shared some of it with me. We found a video of you playing at a WI concert in 1996 the other week, with a bit of modern technology we managed to make a medley of all the songs from that night together and played it as part of the service today. It ended with I'm the King of the Swingers. And you definitely were. You were up there with the greats in my opinion.

I'm sorry I upset you by giving up music. I had an a great ten years playing in the bands, and competing at Blackpool was an amazing experience, but my enjoyment for that lifestyle faded as I got older. My priorities changed and I had to give it up if I wanted to concentrate on uni, work and enjoying my life. I'm sure you understood why I had to do what I did, and you're proud of how I turned out.

I am so thankful that I got to know you and spend 23 amazing years with you. You were a great man who put his family before everything else, and I hope that you and Grandma are looking down on us all smiling. I hope I make you proud and that if I ever have a family of my own, I raise them just as well as you raised us.

I love you and miss you so much.

Sarah x

My Spring Wishlist

Friday was the first day of Spring, and to mark the occassion here's my Spring Wishlist.

1. Opi Gel Nail Polish - Warm Me Up - £15.39

I love this colour so much. It's a beautiful browny/grey colour that changes depending on the light and what you're wearing with it. Some times its very dark, almost black. Other times its got a more purple/copper tinge to it. It's my go to colour when I get my nails done at my salon back home, but having the ability to do it at home would be perfect.

2. Jack Wills - Tinsbury Crew - £59.50

I love my Jack Wills jumpers...I have four already. But the colour of this one is great for summer, so light and bright, and it'll be nice and warm on those cold days we're bound to still get. 

3. Hedgehog Love Mug - £13.39

I'm a bit behind the times, and only recently discovered Etsy but since I have I'm addicted. This is a recent find that I love. It's such a cute design.

4. Oasis - Printed 2 Part Flat Shoes - £20 (currently in the sale, originally £28)

I've been eyeing up these shoes for ages thinking they'd be great for spring/summer. Lovely colours and pattern, and brilliant for day or night. Now that they're in the sale for £20 I'm definitely going to have to purchase....as soon as the website lets me.

5. Mango - Flecked Cotton Dress - £49.99

Mango isn't somewhere I'd normally think of looking in for clothes, but on a desperate search for a black dress the other week I ventured in and fell in love with this dress. It's a great style, super soft, and a brilliant length for work. I'd have bought it the day I saw it if it'd had been in my size. Unfortunately it wasn't, but I have it on order and I can't wait for it to arrive.

6. Next - Ceramic Tealights - £12

Next is brilliant for it's home range, there's always lovely accessories to suit all different room styles and colour schemes. These would be brilliant in my bedroom. The colours would go perfectly and the  'Love' theme is so cute.

7. Brita Maxtra Filter - £16

This is probably the least exciting item on my wish list, but it's really high on my to purchase list. I've been spoilt at my parents as they have a fridge with built in water cooler and ice maker. Now that it's getting a bit warmer I'm really missing having cold water to drink so will be treating myself to one of these very soon.

8. Three Diamond Ring - £202.83

This is definitely an if I win the lottery purchase, but it's so pretty! I like very simple and subtle jewellery, and when I saw this I fell in love. It's looks so delicate and worth a lot more than it is. I love Etsy for finding things like this.

9. Always Tank Top - £15.13

This is another of my favourite Etsy finds. I'm a big Harry Potter fan and already have a Deathly Hallows phone case, but this t-shirt takes it a step further combining the Deathly Hallows sign with 'Always', the phrase which changed everyone's outlook on Snape. It'll be perfect with a pair of jeans/shorts in the summer, or for wearing to dance or to cover up with by the pool on holiday. When I reach my target weight, this is going to be my treat to myself.

Sarah x

Song Sunday - Gresford

Gresford

Written by Robert Saint

Played by Black Dyke Band

This week I lost the greatest Grandad in the world. He passed away peacefully in hospital after suffering with cancer and a respiratory infection. He was a great man known well in our local area for his musical talent, and for being a wheelman at the pit. In memory of him, my song sunday is The Miner's Hymn, Gresford. I will always love you Grandad.

Sarah x