Wednesday 12 November 2014

WOYWW 284 - a little bit of this and that

Welcome along for another What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday... I'll start, this day after Armistice Day, with a closer look at the photo of my Dad that was sitting on the workmat the other week,
together with one of my Mum - that's her, sitting on the top of the Spitfire - she served in the Wrens, as an Air Mechanic, working on the Spitfire. This would have been taken some time after 1944 as that's when her service record shows she was enlisted. Hopefully you can enlarge it to see it a bit closer - I look very like her, though Julia thought I looked like Dad. (I can see lots of my middle nephew in him, the more I look at this photo now)
Dad served both in the Army and Navy. This picture was taken at Christmas 1942, as it is noted on the back, when he was in the Navy.
On my desk proper - well actually not, it's the kitchen counter - some flowers I received at work on Monday, from a grateful client whose mortgage application I had helped process to a happy conclusion. It's so nice to be appreciated and to receive a thank you!  And yes, of course I saved the bow! I nearly saved the pretty cellophane, but had to tear it too much removing it!
 
 the "desk" proper on the floor - my normal place of work, as most of you know (and as is stated in my blog header) - and some more new stamps (yes, Mary Anne, MORE!) I took advantage of a post on Facebook from the Stamp Attic announcing further clearance offers, and - erm - snapped up 5 more sets!! Well, it would have been rude to have ignored such bargains!


Finally, another photo from the Tower of London on Saturday
the stunning poppy installation to commemorate the First World War and the 888,246 British and Colonial servicemen who lost their lives. Several of you have visited the post I published on Saturday  and I make no apology for the number of photos I shared on it!!
This weekend I need to crack on with some more Christmas cards as after my spurt the week before last, I've not done any since!  In the meantime, I will get to as many of your desks as I can.

41 comments:

Jackie said...

Good luck cracking on with the Christmas cards Helen ... I need to do the same !
Jackie 5

RosA said...

The poppy installation is truly amazing!

We had a friend, (through business - recently deceased at 95), who flew Spitfires during the war. He had many stories and actually wrote a book about his life.
RosA # 1

Chrysalis said...

What a lovely post! Thanks for sharing it all, and I look forward to seeing the Christmas cards. Happy WOYWW, Chris # 7

Unknown said...

Hi Helen
What great photos of your Mum and Dad. I have a little album of all sepia photos of Dad that date back to his birth in 1926 and yes he is still going strong. Looking at the fashions back then etc… is amazing. I have visited the Tower to and the poppies were truly amazing too.
Have a happy week
Lynda B 10 X

jill said...

What a great photo of your parents. We saw the poppies last month & brought one also. What a lovely bunch of flowers as well . Happy woyww Jill #23

Robyn Oliver said...

A lovely post Helen, that sea of red poppies is amazing, at home here in Australia I visited the War Memorial in Canberra and was very moved by the walls bearing the names and the red poppies attached to it...I'll edit my post to include. Have a lovely week Cheers RobynO#30

Nikki said...

Got to love the savings on some stamp sites and all those poppies what an amazing sight to see hugs Nikki 17

Annie said...

I will never bore seeing photos of those stunning poppies...I do wonder how many of us bloggers were actually there at some point over the last weekend :-)
Hugs,
Annie x # 26

Tracey said...

Love your photos and the flowers are lovely, as you say, it is so nice to be appreciated. Good luck with the Christmas cards Tracey R No. 20

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Lovely post! I enjoyed hearing about your mum and dad...good for your mum being a mechanic on Spitfires!!
I loved your poppy photos, so emotional. I still can't get over how something so simple could have caught the imagination so much...stunning.
Hugs, LLJ 32 xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Great pics of your mum and dad Helen! More stamps-lucky you, looks like stood bunch too! Your photos were fabulous-glad that you did take as many as you did! Not photographed my desk yet so no number, Chrisx

Lisca said...

Thanks for popping by so early.
Well, you did introduce yourself as a stampaholic! So of course you couldn't resist....
The photos of your mum and dad are precious. Are you going to do a heritage scrapbook page (or do you not do scrapbooking?) The photo of the poppies is so stunning. Many of my friends have been to see the display and have sent me photos. Brings tears to my eyes...
Thanks for letting me look over your shoulder,
Have a good week,
Lisca#36

okienurse said...

love the poppy picture...today is Veterans Day in the states where we celebrate all the soldiers and military personnel that served or are serving. I usually see people selling poppies for your lapel but not this year! Sad changes. Love your post. I am a stamp collector too! I just can't help myself when I find something I just can't live without. Hope you have a great week. Vickie/Okienurse #43

My name is Cindy said...

Lovely to see those photos of your parents and hear the stories - the poppy installation was so brilliant wasn't it? I'm guessing Mary Anne is giving you a hard time about your stash addiction as well (like I can talk) - but who can resist a bargain? I know what you mean about people saying 'thanks' - I had two very nice comments made about me last week, one on an official form - had to say it did make me feel good (even though hate it there LOL, must be managing to keep my feels under wraps!). Happy Weds, Cindy #42

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Wow, you mum looks so cool sitting on the spitfire! What lovely photos to treasure! Fantastic stamps I'm totally jelly (I heard this phrase used yesterday, I thought I'd try it myself, LOL!) I've checked your Saturday link - fantastic photos and you even captured the PM! Thanks for sharing them! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #33

Glenda said...

I love the photos you shared of your Mom and Dad! What wonderful memories! I'm always amazed that you play in the floor. I could get down but probably couldn't get up! Thanks for sharing!
Glenda #48

Angie said...

Poppies are stunning! I've not bought new stamps in quite a while. Sort of on the use what I've got kick!
Angie #53

voodoo vixen said...

Love the photos of your Mum and Dad, it must have made going to see the Tower Poppies even more moving for you. More stamps eh? I am sure you needed them... LOL Annette #31

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Helen, what glorious nostalgic photos. Those poppies too are simply amazing to see, I agree. And yes, it is considered the height of rudeness not to buy when someone has a sale, rofl!At least, thats my excuse. Have a great week, hugs, Shaz #20xx

Artatag said...

What a nice interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Gabriele 28

Lindart said...

No reason to apologize for more stamps - you found some great sets! At my last count of stamps and UM sets, I was nearing 2,000, and I'm still buying more! Beautiful post, most grateful thanks to both your parents for serving, and the poppy installation is breathtaking! Lindart #63

Krisha said...

What a great heritage! Both parents serving.

I try never to be rude when there is a stamp sale either. Just isn't right!

I would love to see the sea of Poppies, there were pictures posted last year too, so gorgeous.

Thanks for popping by my blog this week.
Krisha #12

Claire Grantham said...

Hi Helen, thanks for visiting me earlier. Winter Sun is always a must :) I am sad that I am not home in London this year to see the Poppies. I love the photo of your Mum on top of a Spitfire! Awesome. Desk looks like it has some fun things going on too. Cx #19

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Helen the poppies are wonderful, wish we had been able to visit.
Good luck with the Christmas cards too. Happy crafting, Angela x 39

Laura said...

Aren't the poppies stunning?
re. the stamps - yes, it would have been rude to ignore ;) Have fun with them
Happy Wednesday
Laura
47

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What wonderful photos of your parents. They look so young... mere children defending our countries. You are so right that it would be rude to not buy things from the further clearance sale. Good thing you were there for them! Judy #73

Sunshine Girl said...

Great pictures - good luck with the cards I seem to have stopped making mine in August! oh well. I also those Tim stamps with the numbers on - really must get round to using them! Have a great week - Sunshine Girl 27

Robyn said...

wonderful photos.
I had to laugh about you working on the floor- when the kids were little and they came upon me working in the garden they would ask if I was planting or praying!
thanks for visiting
Robyn 6

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen, so nice to meet you and your creative work desk, er, floor! :D I love those photos of your parents, especially you Mom sitting on top of that spitfire! Wow, to have memorabilia like that is golden! I just joined WOYWW and am visiting as many of the creative goodness linked desks as I can! I have just become your newest follower so I will be back after I visit more blogs in the WOYWW today. I hope you get the chance to pop over to my blog sometime to say hi and see what I'm up to, which is very eclectic so be prepared for lots of diversity over time! lol!
Hugs from a new sister in art,
Beth P

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab pics, those flowers are lush. Love the pics of your mum and dad too. Take care Zo xx 80

Lori said...

What great pics of your Mom and Dad! The flowers are lovely, it is nice to be appreciated!!!

Kirsten said...

Great photos of your parents & you could never post too many of the poppies installation. Excellent WOYWW blog post.

Anonymous said...

Well I did have a look after your post last week but didn't see the two sets I really wanted. Maybe I should pop back. It's nit like I *need* more stamps (I seem to struggle to find the time to play lately) but as you say, really it would be rude to leave them just sitting there.... :)

Happy (late again) WOYWW!
Mary Anne (2)
PS thank you for number verification only :)

Neet said...

First of all Helen, a BIG Thank You for all the photos you have shown over time of the poppies in London. I enjoyed them from the comfort of my home but would have loved to have seen the for real. However, one thing and another I didn't make it so I enjoyed seeing them through your eyes instead.
I agree with Julia that you look like your dad (from photos I have seen of you) but then I cannot see your mum too closely but you certainly have some of your dad in you.
Lovely to see the stamps you have bought, who could resist a collection like that - not me.
Hugs, Neet xx (later each week doh!)

fairy thoughts said...

I think you look like your dad too. Lovely picture. Good luck with the cracking on ... I need to crack open and start for this year. After thus weekend s Christmas sewing workshop is over I can finally think sbout my own stuff.
Have a good week and try and find time to play
Janet@16

Julia Dunnit said...

I'm right, you are like your Dad. But also, you're like your Mum! Great pics, am so happy that someone anotated the photos too, they can be so hard to date and place! Well donre on the work front, the flowers are a gorgeous lift, how lovely. Bet it was a devil of a mortgage to handle though!
Am religiously turning my head away from bargain announcements, and trying really hard..so don't stop - you allow me to purchase vicariously!!

JoelMcBride said...

Thanks for visiting and sharing photos of your folks!

Joel McBride (aka, Barf Snoodlefart) #15

Lynne said...

Hi Helen
Hadn't seen that pic of your Dad before! WOW he does look so much like Peter!

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos Helen! Can't really see your mum, but can definitely see your dad in you.
Nice little sale haul there too!
Alison x

Kyla said...

What fabulous photos of your parents, especially the one of your mum....Health and safety would go spare these days!! :-)

I have loved seeing all your photos of the poppies as they developed over the past months, as you know your blog posts convinced me and my hubby to go and visit in October, it is truly a sight.

Thanks for visiting my desk already

kyla

Mrs.D said...

Helen, such lovely pictures of your parents, and the picture of the poppies brings tears to my eyes. The way they are'poured out' is so moving, so thank you for sharing and thanks for visiting my page last week.
Chris #8