Is this our future?

I find myself unable to sleep....the news is just horrific. 3 night of 'riots' seeing children laughing at people smashing in businesses windows....throwing missiles at the police. 

One reporter stopped and ask a girl of no more than 13 why she was looting alcohol from a shop, her response? "cos its funny and there is nuffing else to do" and walks away laughing......shocked is nothing near how I feel when I see the adults of the future showing a complete disregard to any morals, and a total lack of respect for people property and their hard earned businesses.

These are their communities, their people, businesses which serve them.....what is the point? what is the reason? When you see mindless people destroying beautiful parts of London, you can help but ask....what have wronged these people so much, to make this type of destruction justified?

Families in there homes being under attack..... police, firemen, hospital staff all trying to help, calm and assist the victims. Turkish and south Asian communities creating their own police line to protect their areas.....sorry did someone say it is 2011?? 

But then a part of me thinks; when people have no jobs, no respect, no future, do they see this as a way to speak out to get some people to pay attention? 

When the government takes away their benefits which keep these people in food, because there is no work, and education is now coming at a huge cost....what do they have? 

A cry for help, albeit a disgusting one, but we as a nation have to listen to our disillusioned youth....these are our children....they are a direct reflection on our situation, the past neglect which is now our future.

I believe FAMILY is the key, I believe that we need to start from an early age to love our kids, to show them the way of a respectful, moral human being....the world doesn't owe us anything....you have to give something in order to benefit in the future. If we all brought up our kids with simple rules and discipline. Having to work hard for luxuries or pocket money maybe they would start to understand the cost of life, and that nothing should be offered on a plate. That it is far more beautiful when you have worked hard for something.

Mr Cameron you need to stop talking and start listening, realise that your actions and policies affect your people....that people cant survive on nothing.....they need jobs, education and something to be proud of....get you arse back from Tuscany and do your job properly man. We all want to help, we all want to be safe and happy.

You have the power, it's time to use it in the right way.

Images from here with thanks.

Go here for a wonderful blog post, who writes about the riots perfectly.

Loss

Yesterday I went to say goodbye to someone who filled my childhood memories, who lost his way.

A Son, Brother, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, & a Friend.

You will be so missed Christopher.

xxx

Hearts for Holland

This time last year The Wonderful Dutchman and I were in Holland...it was beautiful.....spring is the best time to see Holland in all its glory.

However this weekend we hear of a horrible event in Amsterdam...a shooting...in a shopping mall....on a Saturday. Horrific...My Wonderful Dutchman feels far from his home when something like this happens...in a place where you have friends, a place you know well....his homeland.

Although this world is getting smaller, one act can make you feel so far away....rushed phone calls,  and Facebook messages confirmed everyone was safe...a sigh of relief.

But still the thoughts rattle in your head.....Why does a 24 year old man feel the need to harm others? What has happened in his short life?

It breaks my heart......just how are we bringing up our children?

Our heart goes out to all those affected...we are both sending all our love to friends and family in Holland

xxx

I am Blessed

Sometimes something happens in this glorious, beautiful world of ours which make you remember just how tiny but blessed you are....

Blessed  to be surrounded by loved ones

Blessed  to have someone to hold my hand

Blessed  to have food on my table

Blessed  to have water in my glass

Blessed  to have a roof over my head

Blessed  to have a warm bed

Blessed  to have clothes on my back

Blessed  to have a place called Home

Blessed  to have certainty

Truly Blessed

My heart is breaking for those in Japan, and everyone affected by the nightmare happening across that huge, but humbling ocean.

Please stay safe everyone xxx

Image with huge thanks to Katie Daisy

Need

I am feeling totally content, happy and joyful today... I have everything I need... all is well...

Maybe if you feel the same... you could spare a thought and a bit of your hard earned cash to support the people of Haiti.

Can you imagine what it would feel like to lose everything in a mear 60 seconds? me neither... £10 buys a hygiene packs for a family... £20 will buy 10, 14ltr buckets... £50 will buy 2 latrines to serve 40 people...

I urge you to please donate here.

Thank you x

A Tranformative Moment...Forgiveness

Steven over at The Golden Fish is having 'A Transformative Moment' Meme. He is asking readers to tell each other about a moment that transformed you, your life, your views.

I have been thinking about this for some time...I know the moment...but do I dare to share it? Do I dare to open it up in my lovely happy blog? Then I read Titusthedogs moment...

She was my inspiration...

This piece of writing was written on a secret blog...somewhere I could express myself personally... it was my therapy.

"Can you forgive and forget? Will forgiving a person make you feel better? or is forgiveness a form of weakness?

I was in a relationship with an older man, who was at the start wonderful, things were rosy. He seemed like a fun, handsome, run of the mill type of guy. We moved in together quite quickly, and all as good. But once you scratched the surface, all was dark and worrying.

He had spent 15 years in the Army, and fought in Iraq. Seen things no-one should have to see. But like too many people who have seen war, didn't get, or was offered any help after to help him understand or cope with the horror.

He would have vivid dreams, wake covered in sweat, screaming, the pain relived in sleep. There was no escape. I tried to help, but as I have now come to understand, and with a great deal of hindsight, I could never really help. He needed to get help - He needed to want it...In simple terms the boy was messed up.

He went into the army to escape and he had been running from his problems long before I ever set eyes on him. No amount of me wanting to help him was going to make him change. He just hid behind walls of secrets and stories.

It turns out he was controlling, hurtful, but most of all he was angry. Angry with himself, angry with his life,the lies, angry that he was just like the man he despised. He didn't know when to back down, he had no control, and the anger was always present when drink was. Take away the drink and you saw a glimpse of the kind, quiet, sensitive, loving man - the man I fell in love with.

A lot happened in our relationship, most not so happy, but I hoped he would change, that I could help him change, and with time things would get better. Until you have walked in my shoes you wont begin to understand it - how love can make you blind.

Things came to an end, when my family saw and experienced the angry man lurking behind the wall. All my family saw what was going on behind closed doors. I was humiliated, and so very sad, but I knew no amounts of "sorry's" would work, and that I could never take him back. He had worn me down, but I knew I would be a fool to not see this as the moment to walk away.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. but I couldn't carry on being in this abusive environment. I was bombarded with calls, text messages, letters. He would follow me home from work to try and talk to me. My mobile constantly on silent because it would ring off the hook. True to form he got angry, threats were made and the police called, it was all so ugly. Then one day it stopped, it was like he vanished into the night, which to be honest is a nice way of saying that he ran away, from the pain, the heartache, off to be behind that wall again.

Even though he had put me through pain and suffering, the only way I could move on was to forgive him. If you forgive you can get over it, move on with your life. The weight lifted, the pain eased.

I understand that it was him, not me who did wrong. He was still this messed up little boy, who never got over the horror and pain of his childhood, who went on to live only more horror. I feel sorrow for that boy, sadness about his inability to accept and seek help. Therefore I forgive him. Thank him for showing me that first you must love yourself, before you can love anyone else.

So Thank you. I wish with all my heart that you are now happy. I forgive you and I understand. Thank you for teaching me this wonderful lesson; I can't change anyone but myself....... I only hope you have learnt it too. "

That was my life changing moment...I transformed...I faced the moon and thanked my lucky stars.

Hurt...

I don't make a habit of being negative in my fun, beautiful, lovely, happy world. My life is wonderful, but sometimes someone comes along and makes that life a little sad for a while.

This blog is a great thing for me, it means I can express myself, and I hope you will lend me an ear for a while.

My aim for Vintage Magpie was simple...to follow my bliss and to live my dreams. But last night I found something that has hurt me, made me sad, made me angry.

Basically someone has stolen Vintage Magpie's, words, work, and style... I feel abused, I feel like someone has taken my baby and slapped their face, right in front of my eyes. This beautiful thing I have created and worked so hard for...my dream.

One woman who doesn't have the ability to be original or to put in any hard work. One woman who claims she is creative...

How can you be creative and offer a "unique" bouquet? How can you make a brides day when you know in your heart that the work you have "created" is a lie and a blatant copy?

I really do not understand, do you not have a conscience?

You say you have a creative flair... what for...copying? Do you not have any ideas of your own? After 20 years of floristry I find that hard to believe... I feel ashamed for you... can you not come up with a style of your own? Or have you always pinched other talented peoples ideas?

That page you have 'cut and pasted' was months of my work. I spent days coming up with just the right words to express my work... they are my words NOT yours.

I hope your brides come to understand that you are nothing short of a plagiarist, a copy cat, and in my eyes, a down right low and dishonest person.

In your stupidity you have hurt and upset someone you don't even know, but someone who you obviously admire...

Vintage Magpie is my world and I will fight for my baby. I'm proud of my work and know that the Love and Passion that I put into my bouquets will ALWAYS out~shine, out~sparkle, be more chic and ooze more style than any lame attempt to copy.

My conscience is clean, lovely and 100% Vintage Magpie.