Thankful for ..............

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

We awoke to beautiful sunshine which was nice after a whole day of rain yesterday.  After a slow breakfast, Huffle made a picnic for us (and I started to make cookies to take but we ran out of eggs) and we headed off to the forest.  Today we went to one we discovered when we first arrived.  It looks totally different when not covered in snow.  We have walked here many times and brought most of our visitors here.  We reminisced and remembered HB jumping in the snow and us trying to take photos of us all looking like we were flying.  Moo slipped over here and took Smallest down with her.  Aunty A climbed high above the trees with us here.  The boys particularly like this one because they have secret paths they can follow alongside the normal track.  In the snow they slide down the slopes on their bottoms.  Today, of course, there were many leaves, lots of cyclists who liked to shout out how many of them there were and a few walkers.

 on the way

We started on the main trail (and secret paths) to the Troll bridge where we played Pooh Sticks and ate a wine gum and then veered into the forest to follow a very windy (not blowy windy, that was later) path through a lot of very tall straight trees and lots of lovely coloured leaves.  We picked up leaves and sticks and climbed very high right above the trees where we could see the many changing colours of the Maples.  It was very beautiful.

 the view was 'awesome'

Our lunch was deep in the forest sat on a log.  We had egg sandwiches and we wondered if any of the cyclists would sniff and hurry away, but mainly they just went past saying "Hello, we are three!'  or "there is another one behind us".  One cyclist did tell us our sandwiches looked good and another one asked us not to applaud but because we noticed he was British, we did.

Lots of walking brought us out of the forest and into a large group of Chinese who we called "Daycare" and told the boys not to dilly dally else they would be caught up in their group and we would have to pay for them being in their care for the rest of the day.  We made Smallest walk faster by telling him the girls would want to kiss him.  He moved pretty swiftly.  At one point we sat on a bench high up taking in the view and letting the Chinese Daycare pass us with lots of 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' but then unlucky for us (they were very noisy and called us the crazy people ahead or behind) we caught up with them so we took another path.

We had a lovely walk and the boys enjoyed it too.  We decided on a whim to take a different way home and came across the place where we sledge in the Winter.  We wanted eggs, so stopped.  They were selling apples in 1/2 pecks (what is a peck?) so we bought some with our eggs and picked up a warm butter tart each and sat and ate it.  Imagine our surprise when we spotted a Silver haired Elvis singing his heart out.  Huffle's response to seeing this all-white-clad-elderly-Elvis was "SH!T".  The crowd (ten people) seemed to love him.  We sat through two songs and left with our purchases.  The boys wanted to scrump apples off the tree but we didn't let them (this time) and came home.

Viva Las Vegas

Once home, the boys played football while I finished making the cookies and baked them and then we sat on the porch with a cup of tea (the boys had hot chocolate) and a warm oatmeal cookie.  ummmm.

I read in the sunshine while the boys and Huffle played football and then I joined them.  Small tried out his new boots and we practised passing to each other.  Huffle and I cleared some leaves and then came in and made dinner.  Pasta and Turkey Meatballs.

amazingly there are still some flowers trying to bloom for a second time.  loving the sunshine.

Well it is Thanksgiving!

The boys got the Halloween costumes out and worked out what they were going to wear for Trick or Treating (Well it is only 16 days away!!).

Gorillas in the mist

Last night when I went in to check on the sleeping boys, I pulled Smallest's blanket from underneath him and he opened his eyes and waved at me. I asked him if he was okay and he shouted "caramel"! He has no recollection of this.

We awoke to rain. Lashings of rain which carried on all day. After breakfast the boys had their showers. They have to use the same shower as no-one wants to use mine because it's too pink!!, so Small went first and then Smallest. The smoke alarm went off while Smallest was in there. Huffle went up to check and he said it was like "Gorillas in the Mist" up there. No extractor fan on or any windows open!!

Because of the rain, we decided on a 'list day' with competition. We played card battleship, pictureka, Pig Goes Pop, Prehistoric Park, Yahtzee, Carcasonne, Tumblin' Monkeys, Upset, Pop up Pirate, Jenga, Fishing game, junior Scrabble and Hide and Seek.

We had lunch and dinner in between and watched half of Back to the Future 3 and I finished Small's Christmas socks.

At dinner time the scores were Huffle with 10, Small and Smallest with 9, me with 8 and Moo was last due to her participation in Pig Goes Pop (our scores were from the whole weekend).

After dinner we finished our film and then it was time for stories and bed.

It is supposed to be a better weather day tomorrow, well it is Thanksgiving.

 

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In search of Cleats

Everyone slept nicely all through the night. Weekend was here and the sun was shining beautifully. After a slow morning of eating breakfast, Skyping Grandma and Grandad, trying on football boots and shin pads (mine) and a bit of cleaning, we got ourselves dressed and headed out to the lake.

We took a snack and drink in case we got lost ha ha, parked the car and started the longish nature walk to the lake. This is a place we first discovered nearly two years ago and everytime we come here the car park is bursting and there are lots of people milling about. However, not many of them make the whole walk down to the beach so we get to have it all to ourselves. Which in our book, is lovely.

We sat on a log and watched the water. It was quite wavy today as the wind was coming from the East. It wasn't very sheltered so the boys started building a shelter out of rocks though didn't get too far. Huffle, Smallest and I walked on up the beach into the wind and left Small throwing in stones and picking up sticks. We actually lost him at one point because he found a bench to sit on and 'drum'. We turned round, walked back, found a few stones to take home (as you do) and found Small. Then we carried on walking till we found the tree that was still growing but was horizontal. This is the tree I always photograph when it is icy. We all climbed the tree precariously and sat on it for a while.

We walked back and saw 'boob man' who looked like Alberto Del Rio apparantly, man who stood too close and had no coins, many chipmunks (sorry Mrs Chappo, couldn't catch one), lots of caterpillars which we had to try and rescue and a lot of birds. As we were all hungry we drove to the Fish and Chip shop where they had a great deal on. Haddock and Chips for just $5 plus kids eat free, so we ordered an extra meal so the kids would have more fish. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

We popped into Michaels and bought a couple of frames and then went to the sports shop and bought Small some football boots for next weekend, a football for the garden and a bluejays top for Huffle for Christmas.

We came home and the boys decided to get the Halloween decorations out. Oh boy. We have CAUTION tape around our porch, a bat with flashing lights, signs, half a leg, a rat, other scary things hanging from the trees, spiders in webs. Lovely.

Huffle and I decided to start raking the leaves on the drive and the boys scooted and cycled into the big pile. They loved it. We didn't have time to wheelbarrow them all so we left a huge pile the other side of our big gate hoping they won't blow around too much.

The boys came in and had tea in front of the TV while Huffle did some computing and I wrote a letter.

The boys are in bed, stories read and Huffle and I are sitting with our teapot and a plate of toast and jam. Oh and the fire is on.

 

 

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Barry Beaver Bellyflops

Another day of feeling yucky. Huffle had a trying day of working at home, possibly not helped by us being there too.

We had just finished breakfast and written a list of things we were going to do (the boys and I) when Cog rang and Small went off to his house to play leaving Smallest and me to play on the Wii and then Pig Goes Pop. We skyped Moo and she played one game with us too but she lost and not because we cheated like she said! He also entertained us with a puppet show.

And we had to pay for our ticket. He said he wanted a dollar but I gave him 25c as it said it was 20p a ticket. I am certain that 20p does not convert into $1.

Small came home and we had lunch and watched part of Toy Story2. The boys played on the IPads and played football .................

Smallest

Small

The boys

............before rushing off to swimming lessons. The house across the road from swimming always has good Halloween decorations and Huffle sent me this photo...........

.........as he took them and I was allowed a half an hour rest in front of Downton Abbey before I made dinner.

When all my boys got home we sat and ate and watched Back to the Future 2. By the end it was bedtime for the littles and Huffle and I relaxed and drank tea.

The docs rang today to say that the sample I left for analysis yesterday was no good as they need to send it next week so I have to go in on Tuesday to do another one. Well that's rather annoying. It means I have wait ages for any results. Mind you, the antibiotics seem to be kicking in now so hopefully I am on the mend.

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What's up Doc?

I woke up feeling sick, tired and with stomach cramps. I toyed with the idea of NOT going to Circuit Training this morning but decided to go and come away if I needed to. I cycled there and back and just so you know.............

I promise this isn't the same photo each time. It is a ride-by bicycle shot which is not easy with all the bumps in the road.

I didn't come away until the very end. It was really hard and tough but I enjoyed it and am glad I went. I still felt awful but I met NoCustard at the forest and we did a smallish walk. We walked for about 40 minutes. She had hurt her knee so we took it easy. It was lovely and calming and beautiful as usual. Leaves and pine needles everywhere and we saw a woodpecker knocking on a tree and a caterpillar crossing our path.

We said our goodbyes and I came home and had lunch. I gave up bread this week and so far lasted but I craved an egg and couldn't find anything to have it on even though I cycled to the local shop to get some Rye, of course they didn't have any so I came home and had a many grain bread. I will cut it out again tomorrow and for the weekend if I can.

I felt considerably worse and phoned the doctors who suggested I went to their walk-in after 5pm this evening. I made a Roasted Butternut Soup and sat on the porch waiting for the boys. As soon as they got home they started a wrestling match. I had to stop it after a while as it was getting a bit rough. Small came in and did his homework and Smallest watched and then played in his room.

Huffle came home early so I could get to the doctors and they all had their soup. They played football and there was a funny story about it but I didn't really understand it. Maybe I'll ask smallest tomorrow.

At the doctors I explained my symptoms (basically I thought I had a water infection - usual ongoing thing with me, but when they tested me I hadn't got one), I explained my ongoing problems, treatments etc and the doctor gave me some antibiotics which he said will probably not work, as nothing seems to these days, and then he will send my sample off for more analysis and probably treat me for inflammation instead. Still feel really rubbish and so very tired. The boys are off tomorrow for PA day and Huffle is working from home.

A bit of tonight's sky.

 

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Hair we go!

The house was left empty today as everyone went off and did their 'thang'. I picked up Mrs Royal and we went off to the other side of the World (well an hour away) to get our hair cut. We haven't seen each other properly to talk to for ages so we had a good catching up session. In fact I don't think we stopped chatting all day.

We arrive at the lovely Smoothie's house where we had a coffee, a biscuit and a chat before she got on with colouring Mrs Royal's hair. Then I had mine cut. I haven't had my hair cut since last December (eeeeekkkk) so it needing cutting and I had a lot off. She made it look lovely with her fabulous hair drying skills and not a straightner in sight. Wish I could do that! Shame I have to go exercising tomorrow and ruin it all. We all talked and caught up and gossiped and left three hours later looking fabulous.

Not a great shot but I always get told to show myself more.

We decided to drive home the scenic way, which actually took 1.5 hours but it was a nice drive. Once home I found a package on the doorstep. It was really heavy and was from Jamaica. I took it outside and rang Huffle to see if he wanted me to open it, which was when I realised it wasn't for us but for someone else miles away. We also had a note to say there was a recorded letter waiting at the shop for us. I hopped on my bike, caught up with the posty lady and gave the parcel back. I also told her that the previous owner no longer lived here and could she do something about the fact that we get a lot of post for them. She said she would sort it. I cycled to the shop, picked up the letter and cycled back past my favourite cornfield.

There will be another one of these tomorrow as I go past on my way to Circuit Training.

As it was nearly time for the boys to come home, I sat on the porch and waited for them. Another gorgeous day. Plenty of leaves falling but sunny and warm.

Once home, they started playing basketball and then building a leaf fort. They raked all the leaves, from the big pile I made a few days ago, half way down the garden, loaded them into the wheelbarrow many times and wheeled them to near the veggies. Then they moved the leaves and made corridors, rooms and doorways for their fort. It was very good and I helped to move leaves for them. I also moved a load of pine needles from th grass onto our veg path, then I I went in and started dinner.

I bought a chicken for Thanksgiving which is this weekend but I decided to cook it tonight instead as it was fresher so we haven't got a thanksgiving dinner now. I was texting my friend Everett and told her we would go to the chippy instead. We love that advert that appears on British TV. Chips for Tea.

Huffle came home and we had a lovely dinner. He and the boys played football and I wrote a few letters.

The boys went to bed and Huffle and I watched the The Wrong Mans - we like this, it's funny.

A bit of loveliness from our garden.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUSIN D FOR TOMORROW x

 

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WATCH IT!

I didn't want to to wake up this morning. I was just so cosy and warm and sleepy. Still, Huffle went off to work and I'm sure he didn't want to go. The boys went to school and I went to work, still in my shorts but armed with a hoody for extra protection. Today and the rest of the week are looking good weatherwise. Jan and I cleared another bed today of Lamium, violets, geranium (of which I I brought some home) and Flox (which I also brought home). We also made a new bit of garden.

Jan had made Pumpkin shortbread which was amazing. Jeff had gone out and got me an extra copy of the newspaper and there I was on the front page.

There are even more photos on here. FAME!

Once I finished at work I drove to uxbridge to the cinema to see if they had my watch but it was closed and not open until 6:30pm. No way of contacting them. No letterbox to push a note through. AAARRRGGHHH. So I went to the charity shop and this was the conversation.

ME: hello I I lost my watch on Saturday and I am retracing my steps

WOMEN: oh

ME : so has one been handed in? I don't want you to find it and sell it.

WOMEN: Well yes we could.

ME: so, have you found one?

WOMEN: well it was a while ago. There are lots of people who work here.

ME: can I leave my number in case you find it?

WOMEN: they stare at each other non-comittingly

ME: is there anywhere you would put things if you found them?

WOMEN: you can look in the watches?

ME: I look in the watches! it isn't there. They carry on serving people.

ME: right. Well thanks then!

I could have cried. I felt so frustrated. Was that such a hard thing to do? So it could have been found and it could have been sold. GREAT. I came home, made lunch and skyped Moo. While I was chatting to her. I had a phone call on my mobile - I had won yet another cruise to the Bahamas. Wahooooo. I win one a month at the moment.

After chatting I planted the plants from work and then a couple from the weekend and popped round to the Royals.

Some plants from our garden and the bottoms left is from The Royals.

The boys came home and we cycled to the library. I sat and wrote to a friend while they changed their books and played on the library computer. It was very noisy in there today, normally there is no-one but us in there. We cycled back and the boys wrestled outside while I got dinner.

I called them in and they did homework, showers and a quick game of battleships. Huffle came home and we all ate. While the boys played we planted some more stuff in the garden and hung up the sunflowers for the birds to eat.

Small got into the school football (soccer) team and plays his first game on Saturday though he hasn't got any footy boots yet!!! WELL DONE SMALL.

 

 

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