INCOMING.........

Monday morning - big rush. Get breakfasts, make lunches, send those kids to school, wave goodbye and sigh. Have a nice breakfast and read my book. Then a slow get ready, unload the dishwasher, load the washing machine, load the dryer and clean the toilets and off I go to do some food shopping. Not a huge shop today just a few bits and bobs whilst still searching for that $5 secret Santa gift and werewolf gloves. Didn't find either but got some food and came home and put it away. On the way home I stopped at a place to see if I could get a replacement deflector shield for the mower. He said if I got the model number off the back of the mower he would order it for me. When I got home I rang him and it is now on order.

I had lunch and made fish cakes for dinner before going off and having coffee with a lady from the Hamlet. We had a nice chat about the kids where I found out that Smallest entertained some of the kids with the 'smallest show' which sometimes included him telling jokes or dancing - now that doesn't sound like Smallest at school at all. I asked him about it and he said he doesn't do it anymore but he used to do it just to a few friends. She also told me that as a 'Sparkles' leader she once heard all the girls discussing that they had a crush on Smallest. Apparantly him and one other boy are the big heartthrobs of their class. (This is ages 5 and 6 - honestly!).

I came home, tidied the sunroom and put away everybody's summer shoes and tried to dry out Small's football boots which were just left in his boot bag and were wet, muddy and grassy! When the boys came home, Small had forgotten his homework and it was due tomorrow so we got in the car and drove back to school. Small got his stuff and I spoke to both of the boys teachers. Smallest's teacher asked if I would come in for Halloween and carve pumpkins with his class so I got a form from the secretary so I could get a police check here. Small's teacher stopped me too to have a chat. I also spoke to Small's football coach who said they were 1 point away from the final game and would not have to play again. He is trying to set up a house league and wants to get them playing indoors for the winter, he also wants Small to help with leadership with the younger team when he sets it up and is keeping an eye out for Smallest to play later on.

We came home and Small did his homework while Smallest did his maths on the computer. Grandma rang and told us they were booking a visit with us imminently, maybe as soon as this weekend. Well that was unexpected, I better make their bed. I can't do a "how many days" till they are here because they haven't booked yet. Will keep you informed.

Smallest and I played Carcasonne until Huffle came home and we had dinner. We finished our game and then had another one that Huffle joined. Small finished his homework. Tonight I took Smallest to Beavers. There was a bit of a mix-up. As there were no Cubs tonight, the Beavers Leader thought their room would be free until I turned up and told them the Garden Club had it instead. (I knew because I was supposed to go - but I didn't). They had to have the Beavers meeting in the hallway as there was nowhere else. At home, we finished the Carcassonne game. Huffle and I played Table tennis and I won one. Wahoooooo.

Huffle picked up Smallest. Today he had made a catapult.

The boys went to bed and Huffle and I I watched Doc Martin and drank Tea Poo. I hope Grandma has enough time to get us some tea, and the boys were complaining because our chocolate stash has ran out, oh and as soon as the boys heard they were coming they both said "ooooooh goody, wine gums".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY MIAOW (for tomorrow) x : )

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Appley Today*

Last night after I had read to the boys and put them to bed, I came downstairs to get Small his book and a glass of water and slipped down the last three steps of our stairs. I ended in a heap at the bottom and Huffle rushed over and made me stay still. I had a huge carpet burn on my lower back which was so sore and Huffle put Germalene on it. I had twisted my back and felt like I had been kicked by a horse. It was difficult to sit down for ages and I thought I would have trouble sleeping but I was out like a light. This morning I felt much better, the burn had nearly gone (thanks to Huffle's quick actions - he told me to write that) and it just felt a bit bruised. The moral of this story is 'don't wear flopsy slippers that fall off when you use the stairs' (moo is always telling me that!).

Small decided his legs were too achey to go on the Cubs hike this morning so we got to have a small lie-in. We had a very slow morning with Small making us scrambled egg and Smallest making us toast. When we eventually got ready to go out we went on a mission to get things done.

First we took the boys for hair cuts. Huffle went off to get some light bulbs as there was quite a wait in the hairdressers.

The boys came out looking very cute and smart and we went in search of trainers for Small. We got some after being in three different shops and picked up a pair of jeans for Smallest and a fleecy top for Small.

I don't know why Smallest has tried these slippers on!!!

We went out for dinner in a pub we found. We also found a Gelateria but it was closed by the time we had finished.

We found this building that was built in 2014 - yes we travelled to the future today!

We came home, had a cup of tea, skyped Grandma and while the boys played on the computer and IPad, Huffle and I went to the loft and listened to music, knitted (well just me really) and played Carcassonne.

The boys had their tea and we started to watch spider-man 2 until bedtime. Then Huffle cut his hair and I finished it off. All the boys are bobby dazzlers now.

Whilst out Smallest saw a sign that said "apply today......" He thought it said 'Appley (as in eating apple) today - silly boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN PEST FOR TOMORROW

 

 

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Participation and Precipitation

Last night we were kept awake by the Goods train coming past at 11:30pm - Rattling, honking, creaking, straining, sounding like it was coming along our street and then honking at every road it went over. It woke up Small who was not impressed.

This morning we all got up, got changed, had breakfast and were out of the house before 9am. We drove to our destination with ten minutes to spare, waved at Cog's mum who was sitting in the car in the car park. She was actually beckoning to us to come over as we were in the wrong place because the notes sent out were wrong! We had to drive ten minutes away in a different direction. We got there in time for Small to play his first game, except that his first game should have happened at 9am and not 9:35, as stated on the same letter that was sent to us directing us to the wrong place. So we had to forfeit our first game which is a little unfair as it wasn't the players fault (or their parents).

His first game was actually due at 10:45. They practised and warmed up for well over an hour and we found out that the next two games would be 11:30 and 2:15. WHAT?!?!?!? There was a bit of a mix-up. Lots of other players had hockey games planned for the afternoon and parents had left their kids, it was a mess.

Huffle and I played football with Smallest until Small's first game, when we set up our chairs and watched the 25 minutes of non-stop play. Small's team was up the other end so we couldn't shout to him but Huffle shouted plenty at the goal end. We won 8-0 and they played well considering it was their first game and they were only put together a week ago.

At the end of each game they lined up and did high fives whilst saying "good game" except they didn't have enough time so they just said "game!"

Then we had a 45 minutes gap so we all went off to Tim Horton's and had a bagel and a hot chocolate. I have to say that the hot Chocolate is the worst I have ever tasted. It was like drinking syrup it was that sweet. I can't drink their coffee as it is awful too. Next time I go in I will ask for a hot water - surely they can't get that wrong. It is an offence to tell a Canadian you don't like Tim Horton's, but apart from their bagels I haven't ever had anything good there.

While we were in there it started to rain, heavily. Once back at the ground we got our umbrellas, chairs and waterproofs. The footballers did some running around the pitch, passing and exercising and then were back on again at 12:30. It was bucketing down and we were getting very wet and cold. We still played football with Smallest and then watched he second game. We attempted to sit on the wrong side of the pitch and got sent away as only the coaches were allowed that side. We got to talk to some of the parents and met some new ones. Some of the parents were very vocal on the side and actually shouted things even though it was obvious they knew nothing about the game. Huffle said they thought they should shout something so just shouted anything for the sake of it!

The next game was a bit tougher for them but they got a 1-1 draw. We skyped Grandad and he watched some of the game with Huffle commentating. The man next to Huffle didn't know the game well and kept asking questions regarding the throw-ins etc.

They were allowed substitutions throughout the game and the subs were allowed on and off. Small never got subbed and you could tell he wanted to. The next game was supposed to be at 2:15 but one of the teams forfeited because they had other commitments (again unfair as the schedule was originally wrong) so we got pushed into a 1:30 game which we took.

We stood around talking and kicking the ball around until the next game. The rain was coming down really heavily. We set up our chairs again and watched the final game. This time we won 5-0. Small looked exhausted. During the last game, there were a couple of injuries. All the players, on both sides, knelt down on the ground and stayed there until the injury had been dealt with. WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT? Apparently, this is what they do here. It is because they want the other players to rest and so they all kneel down. How ridiculous is that? Can they not rest standing up. Honestly!

They did their whooops, hurrahs and high fives and then went to get their medals. As Small came towards us I said "turn over that medal, it better not say what I think it does!" He turned it over and it said PARTICIPANT. I am sure I will never get used to this participation business. What happened to good old fashioned competitiveness?

We came home and the heating went on, soup and jacket potatoes were cooked and Small went in a hot bath with Epsom salts. Huffle went off to the beer store for beer and coke and Smallest went on his maths programme.

All nicely warm and fed, Small did his Maths with Smallest watching and then we watched the end of Spider-Man. Huffle and I played three games of table tennis and I was hammered convincingly (Huffle edit) The boys went to bed. Small has been invited to go on a morning hike with the Cubs tomorrow but he is going to see how he feels after a sleep. Poor thing has tired legs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR YESTERDAY BOY WONDER

 

 

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PASSED

Huffle didn't sleep well - too much on his mind. I slept better but still woke up a few times, don't know why. It is so dark in the mornings at the moment, no-one seems to get up early. I'm sure it must be that awful time when the clocks go back soon. One of these days I shall write to the Queen and tell her to stop this silly time moving.

HUFFLE HAS PASSED HIS ENGLISH TEST - Well done, we knew he could do it. Well to be honest, born in England, English as his first and only language, lived only in England until we came here - had he not passed, he would have deserved to have been kicked out. We are very proud of him really.

All the boys had breakfast together and Smallest got very confused and thought it was Saturday even though I was making their school lunches. Huffle went off to play golf ..........

.......and the boys went to school. I had breakfast and then got ready to go to knitting. I did a small shop on the way as I am still looking for additions for Small's Halloween costume and I picked up a little something for Smallest for Christmas.

When I got to knitting DP was in charge as El was busy. She said she remembered it was Friday and thought "oh no, Famfa will be here with her socks!". Ahhh I can't help it. She was right though I was in a mess. She told me to undo the whole heel and then we sat in front of YouTube and figured out where I went wrong. All is well now. We had a good laugh as usual and while I was there I got a text from Huffle to say he was finished and did I want to go to lunch? oh yes please.

We went to the lovely Tin Mill.

As we hadn't reserved we had to sit in a room with a table of about 15 older people who were very very noisy. In fact as we sat down a woman at the noisy table said something to me but I couldn't hear. She had to repeat it three times before I realised she was saying "sorry we are noisy". We had a lovely meal and then went to Huffle's favourite charity shop where he bought a couple of shirts and I found a Ravioli attachment that I thought might fit our pasta machine (it did - 50c). There was also a Halloween shop upstairs so we had a look in there. I bought the kids a funny mummy thing for 10c and Huffle bought a Darth Vader mask for 25c. big spenders today.

We came home and Huffle went off and did some painting on the pool deck. I did some more knitting and made Small's dinner for later as he came home from school, went swimming and then went straight to his cubs so he had to eat in the car.

The kids had a quick play before we all scooted off to swimming lessons. The house across from swimming had even more Halloween decorations and Huffle told me to go and photograph it. However, whilst taking a few photos a boy appeared. I said hello. A dog appeared and then a lady. I said "hello I am just admiring your work". WHAT? She said. "I'm just admiring your decorations" said I. I JUST DONT WANT THE DOG GOING ONTO THE ROAD she snarled. Right then put a fence up, say thank you when someone says something nice to you and don't put up garish decorations if you don't want people gawping at them!!!!!! Is what I wanted to say.

Smallest had an excellent lesson and seemed to be swimming much better and faster. Small appeared tired and weary but still very smiley. We drove home past all the lovely autumnal colours of the trees and made Small change his stinky socks and trainers and then Small and I walked down to the Beer Store where Small was due to stand with some other cubs and give out apples to thank the community for something and get them to pay for the apples so the cubs have money to spend. Mr Wazowski was there with his bitey son and another boy and he said he would stay with the three boys but that they wouldn't be there for long as the main rush was over.

Smallest had his dinner and then did his computer maths. Small came home after selling lots of apples (including three apples for $5) and went on his maths programme and then they settled in front of the Tv before bed.

Huffle and I spent most of our evening getting ready for tomorrow. Small is at his football tournament and we need to be out of the house before 9am and the weather is looking rainy!!!

The fire is on. It is cold tonight!

 

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Mummy's Mowing Mishaps

Huffle and I had a terrible night's sleep. Huffle - probably had a lot on his mind due to work and I think I kept him awake. Me - was so damn hot. Windows were opened, quilt chucked off but I was burning. At some point during the morning I noticed my temperature was back to normal and I curled up under the quilt. So very tired today but not feeling so bad so that's good.

Huffle went to work as soon as he was certain he didn't need to stay and look after me (bless him). The kids went to school but nearly missed the bus as we were too busy chatting at the door - it was early today.

I cancelled my exercise class and my walk with NoCustard (who still has a problem with her knee), but had a forty minute workout in the basement (not a hard one) whilst watching two episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Then I had breakfast and read my book. I had a quick chat with Grandma and I went out and raked some leaves onto the veggie beds and came in and skyped Moo. We had a good chat while I made my salad for lunch and then I ate it relaxing in front of The Good Wife. I was supposed to have a quick nap (Moo said) but I was quite awake after lunch.

This afternoon I mowed the grass, or more accurately I shredded the leaves. Today I had three little mishaps. The first one was when I was mowing alongside the veg beds and the mower got caught on a nail and pulled the bed, horse poo and all the leaves, all over the grass Arrrgghhhhhh. The mower was stuck and I had to literally pick up the mower (it's heavy!). I put the bed back as best I could and piled the poo and leaves back in. The next thing I did was to mow too close to a tree and partly ripped off the Deflector Shield that covers the cutting blades. This wasn't a huge problem until I realised it was chucking all the grass up to my face, whoops. The third thing I did was to mow into the hedge. When there are leaves everywhere, the tyres drag them along until there is a huge lot at the front of the wheels, therefore not enabling the wheels to turn AARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH. Worst of all was the look on Huffle's face when I told him. OH DEAR!

I came in and started making soups for dinner. Three different ones again all from the same base of Tomato and Carrot. Nice and warming, though today has been a lovely day until evening when it rained and got cooler.

I raked the leaves on the front and waited for Smallest to come home as Small was football (soccer) training. Smallest and I sat on the porch and he read his two reading books to me. He is such a lovely reader though I did notice he said Garraaarrge but he looked at me and pulled a face when he said it.

This little (I think it's a Nuthatch) bird was busily feeding right in front of us.

Then we ran off to get Small. He had a good training session and is playing in Defence. He should have training tomorrow but he has his swimming lesson. The big tournament is Saturday. They both did their maths on the computer and Small did his French revision for his test, then they both played on the Computer and IPad.

Huffle came home. Another terrible day but he is having the day off tomorrow to play golf. Good for him. We had dinner, discussed football and then investigated the damage I did on the mower. The boys watched TV. Everyone is very tired so it is an early night for us all tonight.

 

 

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Hilda Ogden's Flying Ducks

Huffle went off to work an hour earlier than usual. Today was the day he had to let forty of his people go. He made them redundant. It has been a tough time for him and it was a very long day. He has been through being made redundant himself so he knows how awful it is. We were supposed to go out after he finished work but we had a take away instead in front of Spider-man.

When I woke up this morning it was still dark (7:30am) and I felt awful. At first I thought I had poisoned us with the fish I cooked yesterday but no-one else was ill. I don't know if it's the antibiotics or a virus. I have been hot and cold, nauseous, headachey and generally feeling yuck!

I went shopping after the boys went to school. I went to five different shops in search of things on my list, then came home and put the things away and had lunch.

This afternoon I cleaned a bit, ironed some of Huffle's Teeshirts, did some washing and bed changing and watched Downton Abbey.

When the boys came home they did their computer homework (this is a new thing they are both doing where it poses maths questions and the quicker they answer, the better their score. Once they complete a task they get to play a maths game. They are supposed to do it three times a week but so far they are doing it everyday. It tells them when they have reached their daily requirement too). They had their showers and then played on the computer and IPad.

It has been a rainy day today. It is definitely getting cooler as we have started to get mice in the house again. Huffle has caught three so far.

Thank you to those who gave suggestions for my Secret Santa present, I got some very interesting replies.

 

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Handmade vs Bought

It was a struggle getting up this morning after so many lie-ins lately, but we all managed it. Huffle went off to work. A scary day beckons tomorrow for him. The boys went off to school. I went to work. When I got there the gates were closed and no-one else was there. I let myself in and sat in the car listening to the radio. After half an hour I was just considering leaving and Jan arrived. There had been a big accident and her and Jeff and DM were behind it all. It wasn't long before they arrived and we got on with planting up the new garden we made last week. We moved a few things and planted lots of new stuff. Next week will be bulb planting. At coffee time we stopped for Pecan Pie squares (ummmmm) and then it was time for me to go.

A sneaky peak of the garden before we planted (I forgot to take one after, will take one next week). .....and Jeff left!

I went home, quickly skyped Moo whilst getting changed and then drove to the Doctors where I gave them a new sample to be tested. I picked up a prescription and then made appointments at the dentist for all of us. Then I scooted off to ex-pat Bex's house where I had a lovely cup of tea, a cuddle with her baby and a good old English chat.

I had about 15 minutes to spare before the boys got home and I had a mad dash emptying and filling the dishwasher and tidying the kitchen.

Small had got his science test back and got a A+ and a project/test he did about creating a festival with a score of B+. Very proud. They had both had good days and did a bit of homework on the computer and then played on the IPads while I got dinner.

Huffle came home and we all ate and then went to the library.

I have noticed a distinct difference today between UK and Canada. Small told his friends at school that we had started to make a Halloween costume. One of them said "you're making it? Didn't you make it last year as well?". It seems the majority like to purchase their costumes and find making them 'cheap' and 'not as cool', whereas in the UK making them would seem much more 'inventive' and 'fun'. I know I can't speak for all Canadians or all British - it was just an observation.

The beginnings of his costume

Every day, the first thing I do when I get downstairs is to put the radio on. BBC radio one. It is a little slice of 'home' I cannot live without. For the last two days though I haven't been able to get it. We have an Internet/Digital/FM radio which we brought with us. We don't get Digital here but we have always been able to use the Internet radio. Today when I set Huffle the challenge to set me back up with Radio 1, he failed. I can get it on my phone but not on anything else. STRANGE?! We may have to move back! ....(Only joking Yahoo don't get excited!).

I have been invited to a British Christmas Pot Luck at the end of November and there will be a Secret Santa. We have to purchase a gift that is obscure and British and cost $5. HELP. Any ideas?

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