Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The most random, unconnected post ever!
There is an outbreak of headlice at the girls' school. What joy! Yesterday's count was 22 kids and it rose again today but I'm not sure by how much. The nurses haven't even gotten round to checking all the kids yet! Unreal! We're keeping a close eye on things here. I got worried cos my scalp has been itchy, really itchy. This CANNOT happen! Robbin just checked me and I've been given the all clear! Yay!........ And my head has stopped itching! Miraculous!
We're trying all the preventative measures that we can. Tea tree oil apparently works to repel lice which is great because it is natural. I dislike the idea of the really strong lice treatments on the kids' hair. Today we got some hair care products from Fairy Tales. We got shampoo, conditioner and a spray. It works like bug spray. It repels the insects. Hopefully it works! I don't want headlice! I also don't want to keep my hair dirty. I hate it when my hair is dirty. It has to be clean........ which, of course, headlice love!! Well, fingers crossed for the shampoo!
Darlington played Bradford last night. It was on Sky and I even got a text from my uncle, Iain, who was watching it in a bar in Tenerife! We won 2-1 which was awesome. It saw the return of Barry Conlon (urgh!!) to Darlington. He drives me up the wall. This photo shows that he really hasn't changed one bit.
He is the guy in not in the black and white (I'm struggling to describe Bradford's colours!). This is the pose that he was constantly using when playing for us. Stop complaining and play football, Barry! Just get on with it!
Lastly, here is a pic of my Mum and Dad at Sophie's 18th ceilidh. Beth said I could use it so thank you, Beth! Don't they look wonderful! I miss them everyday but I spoke to them today so I'm happy!
I'm just wondering where the rest of the people at the party are!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Apples, Apples, and Shepherd's Pie
I have been quite the domesticated little housewife this week (despite the fact that I am actually unmarried!). Usually I don't spend anytime longer than I need to in the kitchen preparing food. It isn't because I don't like it but it is more that there is always someone, whether they be aged 6, 9 or 13, who needs my attention. This week I have spent rather a lot of time in the kitchen and have enjoyed it immensely.
Last Sunday Robbin took the younger girls apple picking (Alex had a softball game in Connecticut so she and Vinny couldn't go). Now I'm sure apple picking is lots of fun. There is just one problem. Apples. We now have what seems like a truck load! So, I had to come up with some apple recipes to use up some. First I made apple sauce (or as I would call it at home, apple puree). It turned out pretty well. I have made this before at home but this was different purely because the recipe called for cinnamon. I didn't use the blender (see previous post!) so left it lumpy which actually was fine.
The next apple recipe was an apple cobbler. I was a bit apprehensive about this one because I have never made a cobbler before in my life. Ever! The recipe was also a bit strange so I took a few liberties with it. I'm not sure that you are meant to do that the first time that you make something but oh well! It turned out GREAT! I'm not even kidding (nor am I humble!). Definitely a keeper and probably the first foray into the world of cobblers. What to try next? Peach?
My apple cobbler. Maybe it doesn't look so appetising but I can tell you, it was delicious!
With my masterpiece. I'm not sure if I should be able to hold it up like that but it doesn't matter cos it tasted good. Got that??
I also made a shepherd's pie this week. Technically it was a cottage pie because I made it with beef and not lamb..... but does it really matter? I love making things with mince (ground meat) because it is a great way to slip all those disliked (and therefore unused) vegetables in the fridge. Chop them up really small and they have absolutely no clue! This week I chopped up courgette (zucchini) and no one had a clue. Mushrooms and carrots are a favourite too. It always pleases me to see kids who don't like mushrooms or courgettes wolf down a portion without realising!! With this shepherd's pie I also mixed sweet potato into the mash. Michella wondered why it was orange and though not liking sweet potato gobbled it all up and told me it was the most delicious mashed potato she had ever had. She never realised about why it was orange. She thought it was food colouring.
I wonder what I'll make next week. Probably it'll just be back to normal and I'll spend as little time in the kitchen as possible!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Hooray for Glasgow
Check out this story on the BBC website. I love Glasgow. It is really a great city. Although I didn't enjoy my time at university there, I loved the city. There is so much going on and something there for everyone.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Big Whoopsie!
The girls had (another!) day off school today. It is Columbus Day. This is (obviously) a holiday that we don't celebrate in Britain so, here are some facts about Christopher Columbus:
Born: 1451 in Genoa
Died: 1506 in Valladolid, Spain
Nationality: Italian (Genovese)
First sea voyage: 1465 aged 14
First voyage across Atlantic: 1492 - arriving in October
Commisioned by: Spanish monarchy (esp Queen Isabella)
He thought he had found a new naval route to India.
He crossed the Atlantic 4 times in 10 years.
No one knows for sure where he is buried.
Not, it has to be said, that I heard anything about Christopher Columbus at all today.
The younger girls mostly played with Barbies.... pretty much all day. I did take them geocaching and we found two - of course we were helped by HSM Sharpay doll. Always in need of extra pairs of eyes when geocaching!
I had my first major accident in the kitchen today. It happened with a blender while making smoothies. Nope, no digits missing and nope, the smoothie didn't shoot out the top of the blender like it does in the movies (although this is actually possible with this blender. I know. I've tried.). Apparently, I didn't secure the bottom of the blender so when I lifted it up to pour it..........
Well, needless to say, it went EVERYWHERE!!! It didn't help that there were blueberries in it so when it got on the carpet, it was insanely difficult to get out! It didn't help that dinner was ready at that precise moment and, you know, we couldn't have overcooked broccoli.
It all ended well. The mess was cleared up, the carpet de-blueberried, and dinner served on time with no soggy broccoli. I made some more smoothies. I was nervous but you know what they say, if you fall off the horse you get straight back in the saddle! The new batch did make it to the glasses but wasn't as good as the first. No more blueberries!
Not sure what lessons were learnt.... maybe just that not everything is like it is in the movies!
Born: 1451 in Genoa
Died: 1506 in Valladolid, Spain
Nationality: Italian (Genovese)
First sea voyage: 1465 aged 14
First voyage across Atlantic: 1492 - arriving in October
Commisioned by: Spanish monarchy (esp Queen Isabella)
He thought he had found a new naval route to India.
He crossed the Atlantic 4 times in 10 years.
No one knows for sure where he is buried.
Not, it has to be said, that I heard anything about Christopher Columbus at all today.
The younger girls mostly played with Barbies.... pretty much all day. I did take them geocaching and we found two - of course we were helped by HSM Sharpay doll. Always in need of extra pairs of eyes when geocaching!
I had my first major accident in the kitchen today. It happened with a blender while making smoothies. Nope, no digits missing and nope, the smoothie didn't shoot out the top of the blender like it does in the movies (although this is actually possible with this blender. I know. I've tried.). Apparently, I didn't secure the bottom of the blender so when I lifted it up to pour it..........
Well, needless to say, it went EVERYWHERE!!! It didn't help that there were blueberries in it so when it got on the carpet, it was insanely difficult to get out! It didn't help that dinner was ready at that precise moment and, you know, we couldn't have overcooked broccoli.
It all ended well. The mess was cleared up, the carpet de-blueberried, and dinner served on time with no soggy broccoli. I made some more smoothies. I was nervous but you know what they say, if you fall off the horse you get straight back in the saddle! The new batch did make it to the glasses but wasn't as good as the first. No more blueberries!
Not sure what lessons were learnt.... maybe just that not everything is like it is in the movies!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Hallowed Harold
When you work with kids stuff happens that you really just couldn't make up.
Michella has just started to take CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - yup I looked it up on Wikipedia because I had no idea what it stood for either! Actually, I still don't understand it!) which she was very excited about because it means that on Wednesdays she gets signed out of school early, like Julianna does. She even gets CCD homework and we were going over it one afternoon. They have started by teaching them the Lord's Prayer which they are having to memorise.
So here is how it went:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
HAROLD be thy name..........
Nope, you just can't make this stuff up. It certainly gave me a giggle!
Michella has just started to take CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - yup I looked it up on Wikipedia because I had no idea what it stood for either! Actually, I still don't understand it!) which she was very excited about because it means that on Wednesdays she gets signed out of school early, like Julianna does. She even gets CCD homework and we were going over it one afternoon. They have started by teaching them the Lord's Prayer which they are having to memorise.
So here is how it went:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
HAROLD be thy name..........
Nope, you just can't make this stuff up. It certainly gave me a giggle!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
The Jeans of Humility
Yesterday I came to the realisation that I have very few clothes to wear. With the cold weather (oh, so cold!) and the fact that I had pretty much worn out last years cold weather clothes, a shopping trip was definitely on the cards. I took myself off to Cross County Mall and there the damage was done!
I had some things in mind to buy - a body warmer, a fleece, some jeans and maybe a couple of shirts. Most things I got and duly wore them to pick up the girls from school.
My new jeans are a really dark wash, a size smaller than the last pair I got and fit really nicely. I felt so smart and I decided to wear my boots with them for added effect! So I'm strutting along... pick up Michella and then walk to the other end of the school to pick up Julianna. I was chatting to one of the mums.... for no less than 10 minutes!!..... all the while feeling really great about myself when she goes, 'Hang on a sec' and peels a label off my jeans. It was one of those long sticky labels which helps you find the size in the shop. Unfortunately it also helps other people see the size that you recently bought when you forget to peel the label off. Ooops!!! Most embarrassing and certainly put me back in my place!
What can I say? Pride surely does come before a fall!
I had some things in mind to buy - a body warmer, a fleece, some jeans and maybe a couple of shirts. Most things I got and duly wore them to pick up the girls from school.
My new jeans are a really dark wash, a size smaller than the last pair I got and fit really nicely. I felt so smart and I decided to wear my boots with them for added effect! So I'm strutting along... pick up Michella and then walk to the other end of the school to pick up Julianna. I was chatting to one of the mums.... for no less than 10 minutes!!..... all the while feeling really great about myself when she goes, 'Hang on a sec' and peels a label off my jeans. It was one of those long sticky labels which helps you find the size in the shop. Unfortunately it also helps other people see the size that you recently bought when you forget to peel the label off. Ooops!!! Most embarrassing and certainly put me back in my place!
What can I say? Pride surely does come before a fall!
Monday, October 06, 2008
God The All
O God whose will conquers all,
There is no comfort in anything
apart from enjoying thee
and being engaged in thy service;
Thou art All in all, and all enjoyments are what to me
thou makest them, and no more.
I am well pleased with thy will, whatever it is,
or should be in all respects,
And if thou bidst me decide for myself in any affair
I would choose to refer all to thee,
for thou art infinitely wise and cannot do amiss,
as I am in danger of doing.
I rejoice to think that all things are at thy disposal,
and it delights me to leave them there.
Then prayer turns wholly into praise,
and all I can do is to adore and bless thee.
What shall I give thee for all thy benefits?
I am in a strait betwixt two, knowing not what to do;
I long to make some return, but have nothing to offer,
and can only rejoice that thou doest all,
that none in heaven or on earth shares thy honour;
I can of myself do nothing to glorify thy blessed name,
but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to thee,
I know that thou art the author and finisher of faith,
that the whole work of redemption is thine alone,
that every good work or thought found in me
is the effect of thy power and grace,
that thy sole motive in working in me to will and to do
is for thy good pleasure.
O God, it is amazing that men can talk so much
about man's creaturely power and goodness,
when, if thou didst not hold us back every moment,
we should be devils incarnate.
This, by bitter experience, thou hast taught me concerning myself.
Taken from The Valley of Vision - Arthur Bennett
'I can of myself do nothing to glorify thy blessed name, but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to thee' This is something that I am learning...... learning slowly, but still learning.
There is no comfort in anything
apart from enjoying thee
and being engaged in thy service;
Thou art All in all, and all enjoyments are what to me
thou makest them, and no more.
I am well pleased with thy will, whatever it is,
or should be in all respects,
And if thou bidst me decide for myself in any affair
I would choose to refer all to thee,
for thou art infinitely wise and cannot do amiss,
as I am in danger of doing.
I rejoice to think that all things are at thy disposal,
and it delights me to leave them there.
Then prayer turns wholly into praise,
and all I can do is to adore and bless thee.
What shall I give thee for all thy benefits?
I am in a strait betwixt two, knowing not what to do;
I long to make some return, but have nothing to offer,
and can only rejoice that thou doest all,
that none in heaven or on earth shares thy honour;
I can of myself do nothing to glorify thy blessed name,
but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to thee,
I know that thou art the author and finisher of faith,
that the whole work of redemption is thine alone,
that every good work or thought found in me
is the effect of thy power and grace,
that thy sole motive in working in me to will and to do
is for thy good pleasure.
O God, it is amazing that men can talk so much
about man's creaturely power and goodness,
when, if thou didst not hold us back every moment,
we should be devils incarnate.
This, by bitter experience, thou hast taught me concerning myself.
Taken from The Valley of Vision - Arthur Bennett
'I can of myself do nothing to glorify thy blessed name, but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to thee' This is something that I am learning...... learning slowly, but still learning.
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