Is it Fall?

OK so the warmer weather is here but what the heck....why should I feel the need to be wearing a fleece?

It's just not right! Did Mother Nature forget the summer season?

NH summers are normally hot in the 90's and humid......he hmmmmm where are you?

We are having cool breezes and 60-70 degree weather. We are being jipped! As for rain bucketloads!

We suffer the 6 months of icy snow and then bask in the hot sun during the 3 months of summer trying to warm up our old bones.

Not this year.

Maybe it is time to move somewhere with a kinder climate......oh yes I forgot that there is a recession on i.e. everything has gone up in price except for the wages that have come down.

Number 2 is off camping I would have packed his ski jacket for warmth except that he lost it in the Spring the rotter!

Wish me luck I am taking number one & my niece to the Mall....now there is a stressful scenario!

Good Books.

Now that summer is here I am dissolving myself in a mountain of books. All the ones that I have meant to read or just "not got around to" are actually being read & then shelved.

Here are a few of my recommendations:

1. Firefly Lane by Kristan Hannah.

Folks if you fancy having a reminisce and a good cry this is the book for you. A definite "I cannot put down" type of book.

Here is a quick synopsis from her website: Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you…and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget…one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

2. Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay.

Yet again a "I cannot put it down" type of book. This is so sad yet riveting. It stresses the strength of sibling love from such an early age. This is about the Holocaust and how it affects a family. It jumps between the present day and the past as a woman becomes obsessed with revealing the truth about what happened to the Holocaust family. A tear jerker with historical facts that again is very,very difficult to put down i.e. boxed mac & cheese for dinner!

3. Still Me by Christopher Reeve.

This is Superman's autobiography which gives a deep insight into his accident, his old lifestyle and how he adapts to his new situation. It is very moving, a little too in depth about medical stuff at times but good when you need a change from an easier read. I am still reading this one as I have to be in the mood for it, if you know what I mean?

I would love to hear from anybody who can recommend a good book.....I know those with babies & full time jobs are probably laughing at that one!

Happy Reading & please let me know if you agree/disagree with my opinions of the above.

Happy Summer!

It's here!

Yippee the sun is here today...off to the lake or a darn good dunking.....if its warm enough!

Summer days where are you?

Oh my this weather is a killer! Summer in NH is supposed to be hot lazy days at the beach, jumping in the lake as you are so, so, so hot, BBQ's, margarita's, day trips to the ocean, playing croquet on the lawn, wiffle ball, large family parties & just trying to stay cool.

Not this year!

I believe that we have had rain 23 out of 26 days and not just a drizzly rain. The kind of holy moly look at the floods kind of rain.

Needless to say we are all a little damp & heading towards the doldrums. I also have guests from the UK so I am trying hard to invent stuff to do every day.

Yesterday it was the movies...today maybe we will paint pottery? Hiking is out as the mosquito's are in full breed mode & the English need a trip to the pharmacy for every bite! We did pick strawberries however they are a little mushy!

So what is everybody else doing in this lousy weather? My age range to keep amused is aged 6-14 years old which is also a wee bit challenging!

Come on sun!

My Mum

Today is the anniversary of my mums death.

This is dedicated to my mum to let her know how much she was loved and is still desperately missed.

It is a shock to realise that you have been gone for a whole year.

Its more of a shock how my sister, brother and I have coped in your absence.

Every day I think of you mum.

The children all had superb report cards this year and you were not there to share them.

My daffodils that you advised me to pull up as they had not flowered for 3 years suddenly came into bloom in the woods......I thought of you.

Number 3 became the State Champion in the 2oo metres and I picked the phone up to call you.

Our new puppy Molly is so loving you would love her. I remember how good you were with Hamlet.

I am knitting a beast of a jumper and get into such a tangle yet I am determined to complete this monstrosity as I have no mentor to advise me over the phone.

I went to number 3's Kindergarten concert and had a flashback as you were here for the other two's concert. I had a good cry before I left and then thought of you and went to pick up a lady who has no car & took her to the concert to watch her niece....the sort of thing that you would do.

"Your view" over the lake is a constant reminder of your presence which I find comforting.

My garden is a jungle of tangled weeds, overgrown plants and STUFF...I need your advice on making it into an English cottage garden.

The children will all be in full time school in the fall .......I feel old!

Their wardrobes are going down hill rapidly since you were the main "tasteful" shopper.

Number 1 needs a fashion advisor...apparently I cannot fill this role!

I cannot reproduce your cheese and onion flan!

Number 3's blankie is deteriorating rapidly...there is no-one to mend it.

The recession is still in full force......is it due to you not shopping anymore I wonder?

Michael Jackson has just died.......can you remember when my heart had been broken and I played "One Day In your life for weeks non stop on the record player?" I still have the single yet of course no record player!

Sadly Farah Fawcett too has died....do you remember that I WAS Sabrina?

I promise that I will always wear lipstick & keep my standards up!

Mum you were a great inspiration to me and I only hope that I can follow in your footsteps.

I love you mum & miss you more than words can say.

XXX

Answers.

OK.

1. "I've been framed mummy!" This is actually part of his sisters laundry basket that gave up trying to hold 3 weeks worth of dirty laundry & collapsed!

2. There are 3 frogs in the bug box that are learning how to handle heights!

3. Again it is the frog family and one of them is about to have a swimming lesson in a puddle.

4. Two Jedi's in training. Apparently (as per my eldest) the reason for the bag on the head is so the youngest can "learn to feel the force." Hmm not too sure myself, sounds more like the eldest one wants to win desperately. Amazing how gullible the youngest one is at times!!!

For all animal rights people we allow the kids to watch wildlife, bug box them & release them at the end of the day.

Guess what is happening in the following photo's...

I love encouraging the imagination in young children e.g. when I push them on a swing I send them to the top of Tinkerbell's castle, to the monkeys in the trees or to bounce on the moon.

Needless to say I was brought up reading Enid Blyton's books which are superb for fantasy and stimulating the imagination.

I guess it is rubbing off on my youngest at the moment:

Try & guess what this imaginative Kindergardener is doing in the photo's above?

Answers will follow in the next day or so..

One clue the big box has frogs in hmmm .......................still none the wiser are you?