Thanksgiving

Hi there

The whole of the states were on a buzz for Thanksgiving. Everyone busy and lots of people baking.

Children were flying from all over the place to be home and everyone was making an effort to be with family. I really really like this holiday, it's a great celebration and no gifts exchanged at all.
The shops were rocking and you know how we all get when the shops close for one day we might not eat again. Always a few people try take you out with their shopping trolleys.
We ordered the BIRD. The great big BIRD, the turkey. Never done a turkey before so felt challenged in my cooking abilities. They never taught us how to cook a turkey at hotel school.  Always good to call friends in need. We covered the turkey in bacon as done by Melissa's family. We drowned the turkey in chicken broth and made a bed of carrots and herbs like Caroline instructed. I made a frantic call to Jude for the stuffing. What do you do with the filling besides stuff the turkey. Needless to say I burnt the stuffing. We never had enough space in the oven so we fired up one of the many braais and cooked all our vegetables outside. See Melissa a South African can never have too many braai's. Thanks guys for your help.

We had a great day. It really was a true celebration of new friends and old friends. The kids ran around the house laughing and screaming. Never touched on bit of their lunch. They never do anyway. We tried Pumpkin pie which to be honest was very nice. I was making a few smart comments about eating the pie. Even the kids tucked in with gusto. We now have turkey coming out our eyeballs. leftovers any one.

I have made friends with an Israeli lady called Orit. What a fantastic lady. She has chickens at home, bakes all her own bread and just an all round fantastic person. She stopped over on Thanksgiving to give us some homemade bread. I was so chuffed. It's always the very small things which make you feels so special.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is know as Black Friday. Sales and more sales. People queue up at all hours of the morning to get great deals. Had to laugh because the news showed people sitting on the pavements with their big monster of TVs with no way to get them home. The TVs are too big to fit in cabs. There goes all their saving because they now have to hire a van to get the TV home. I hit Gap at 8.30am this morning where every thing was 50% off. I forced myself to try on ladies Gap clothes and was pleasantly surprised I walked out with a few tops. I normally get cross and say all the clothes are for little people I am not interested. The kids got some stuff for Christmas.

The kids and I have been weaving a rocking chair we found at a yard sale. Just love looking at other people's rubbish. I always look at the kids craft section when on my shopping rounds and I stumbled on craft loops which are strips of fabric. Abracadabra it's working and looking semi OK. If the men on the side of the road in South Africa can use recycle stuff I can also make a plan. Took the blinkers off and having fun.

Leon also hit the DIY shop and we now have biltong drying in our basement. Very professional biltong cupboard I have to add. Leon drilled, had a few beers, hit the books, then came back and did more drilling. So in about 5 days we should have biltong. Watch this space I might be making biltong for a living soon. So all in all a great weekend so far.

I celebrate all the fantastic people in our lives. We would not have survived without you all. 

All my love
Heather

Have a look at my blog to see all the pictures



Kara heling clean the house before the friends arrive. Kara does the vacuuming with great style.




Me with the bird.




Leon taking the whole cooking of the turkey very seriously.




Leon in DIY mode. The biltong cupboard is coming on nicely




Thanksgiving table setting. Yes it's red. I just can't help myself.



The Thanksgiving gang. Seth, Kaden, Samuel, Anais, Kara and Victoria



All the mommy's, daddy's and granny




Karina and Thierry in love




Stacey





Mark









The rocking chair.



The biltong cupboard



UBS parade

Hi there

I just love weekends, they are always jam packed and fun. We rush around during the week and because the kids have such a short time at home it's so nice to chill on the weekend. I read all the papers and make down all the events happening in and around Westport for us to explore. Sometimes the dates are not to accurate. Dragged the family last weekend to the supposed Lego expo. We got it right this weekend.

Friday night it was a celebration of the kids success at school. They have done so well in such a short space of time. I asked them if they had done MacDonald's well or a fancy pizza well. Off course Victoria only dreams about MacDonald's because of the horrible toy and french fries. Kara saved the day and gave us a long story on how well they did at school, and how we all needed pizza. Clever girl, you know how to look after your parents. At £40.00 for the cheapest bottle wine it was beers all around. I am really battling with how expensive things are here. Leon told me to take a chill pill and relax.

In Harpenden I had the choice of joining a baby sitting group where you take turns to baby sit for neighbours. Its free and works on point system. Never been my idea of fun but at $20.00per hour for a baby sitter I am thinking I might join the club or form my own one. Anything private is very expensive. Sorry moaning again. i have digested the pill Leon!

So Saturday was the correct day for the Lego expo . Victoria is really into Lego and nagging, bribing big time for Lego. I was given Lego from a friend I met when we first arrived in the UK and was staying in Kensington. The kids never played with it so it was shipped off to the charity shop. Also the picking up of the tiny nasty pieces drove me mad. Now the kids are old enough where you can bark orders for them to clean up, Lego has now come back to our household. It's like those awful plastic balls the kids like to play with. They never pick up the things, so you spend your evening looking under furniture for plastic balls. So got three containers of bits and bobs of Lego and we all jumped in playing Lego. It was great fun and really nice to see the kids imagination work.

The big event for the weekend was the UBS parade. They had huge big inflatables and marching bands parading through Stamford. It was great fun. We hit Dunkin Doughnuts, which America lives on. Where ever you go Americans are drinking coffees. Even doing the shopping they carry coffee containers around. lots of people in the parade chewing gum??? I sound like a real old lady now. Cadets in tip top uniforms chewing gum?????

We are cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving. Melissa please won't you cook it for me? I feel scared the thought of this huge bird in my oven. Must be positive, the turkey will be nice and edible???????? Still can't get my head around pumpkin pie which is a big tradition. Leon bought pumpkin ice-cream. Had a few mouthful but Leon is on his own for his midnight feasts. NASTY stuff!

Great weekend. Off to swim tomorrow. I was told the other day am I doing well in my swimming and by the end of the year I will be almost OK. I still moan and groan about the pain and why we have to do this nasty stuff exercise. I can honestly tell its been a life saver for me. It keeps me on the straight and narrow emotionally and I get to talk to people. OK not to much talking but an odd Hello. Still makes me laugh people think I am English. So I sound like all my posh friends in Harpenden do I????? Got the passport ladies.

I like Thanksgiving. It's a good holiday. It really is a celebration of Thanks. I also like it because no gifts are exchanged. So I will for sure be celebrating all the very special in my life.

Lots of love




Lego fun. Victoria kept reminding me not to pack the pieces away. Leon was very good at building Lego houses!




The UBS parade



Always good to find some steps to have a bit to eat and drink. On this occasion it was Dunkin Doughnuts. Lorna I did think of you lots.

Chocolate face Victoria. I took Victoria out for a bit of mommy time last week and we got parked in. We did 4x4 over the pavement to get out. Well the laughter was huge from Victoria and myself actually. I have done a lot worse in a 4x4 so a pavement was easy. All in the name of good fun and been naught with your kids every now and again.

Jam Doughnut Girl. The other day Kara was sitting quietly in the back of the car been a lovely little lady and out popped a gem. Some weird lady was messing about in my lane and Kara popped up with "stop sitting there like a plate of old pudding, get a move on". Thanks to one of Kara's teachers who helped her along with the saying. A true classic. as you would have guessed she never got that one from Leon or myself

Consultation

Hi there

Yesterday we saw 3 deer strolling through our gardens and again this morning. Have no idea where they go when all the cars start waking up in the morning. They have Lyme disease here which is from ticks, so everyone warns us about checking your toes and creases for ticks. Do you think this is an excuse not to rake up any more leaves. The bloody things are still falling off the trees. 50 bags so far. The idea of those nice boots are starting to loose there appeal.

This week was conference / consultation week so they close the school early because the teachers are not allowed to work over time. Must be strong unions here. I quite like the half day week as we got to do fun things after school. Victoria is doing really well at school and settled in nicely. She is very adaptable and will play with anyone and any game, her interests are wide. Did have to have a laugh because while chatting to the Victoria's teacher she every now and again would blow a bubble with her gum. Is that relaxed or rude? I had to laugh because can you imagine one of the Harpenden teachers acting like that? Still battle to get my head around how they teach the kids to read here in the US. I have to make myself take a back step and remember we are in the US and must do as the Americans do.

Kara was allowed to be present at her consultation which was very nice. Her teacher believes we talking about the child why can't they be present and here things first hand. Kara had to write Leon and I a letter to explain what she is good at and where she needs to improve. Beautiful letter. Kara says she is good at spelling, which she is and will be correcting me soon. She said her weakness was to participate more in class (put her hand up). Leon says she is shy but I am not quite sure. Kara is now not the new kid in class any more and fits in well. I did get told the kids from the UK all have a good spelling base. I also got told Kara can't read a calendar!! All in all wonderful kids and doing well. For me the most important is the social side.

I did the moms night out last night. Got the kit on and lip stick. Was pretty nervous to go but really forced myself. Need to make an effort and maybe be able to meet someone I can go and have a drink with and not be around kids. Love them to bits but hey its nice to be a Heather sometimes. It was awful. I stood by myself for a while and knew no one. Tried to join in conversations and not successful. Lets eat and be merry. So I ate. That was 2 seconds, now what. Should I leave. Someone came to talk to me, great, nice. Then a mom from Victoria's class came and we talked. Had enough with all the small talk so left. OK evening, done it and don't think I will do it again. Rather party with Leon. Will still keep looking for that "movie night group".

I miss my gran and would love to hear her voice on the other side of the phone. To hear her be kind and understanding. Think about her often.

We off to celebrate the kids success tonight and make them feel special. They do love getting tarted up. Kara will pack her bag with the whole world and be totally organised. Victoria on the other hand will attempt it but get it all wrong and moan because she has nothing of value in her bag. Shame the small person of the family, you have to love them.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hearts close.

Lots of love

Friendships and our family bond

The winter is coming and the light is slowly fading away. It's dark at 4.30pm and its dark at 6.30am. Still the temperatures are reasonable. Karina was in Canada recently and said it was very very very cold there. Westport is good at the moment. The leaves are still falling. Now I am getting pissed off with raking. I am on about 40 bags and bought another 10 today. Lets move a long, the leaves were beautiful and I made cards with them and hey the arm muscles are looking pretty good recently. Move on to snow. Jude what do you recon is better snow or leaves?

The mind frame has not been good to write recently, the tears flowing. Poor Leon has been so kind and accommodating. Us woman and the hormones are weird. When we do see each other it's good. Leon is not the study type kind of guy. It took him bloody ages to get his degree but he did get it. There were too many parities on in those days. Anyway Leon is making up for all those years of meant to be studying now. Not long now, the exam is on the 2 December. I will have company again.  Caroline I recon you and Marley need to come visit us. The beaches are open for the dogs.

I have been spending a lot of time at the school recently. Lots going on.  The fund raising is strong and aggressive. Mr Buckle the head master recons I should join the pay roll i am there as much as he is. Not ready to join that pay roll just yet.

Kara and I are learning to knit, thank goodness for utude. We have a granny on line giving us instructions. The knitting shop wanted to charge us $15.00 for half hour to knit. Not in a million years. it's quite good fun. Victoria on the other hand also wants to join in. Our "gentle"  has no idea of her strength on a string of wool or knitting needles. Very tight knots!

I was looking after my Irish friends kids because her mom and sister were up / down / across from Ireland. Clocking up some favours. The kids played so nicely. We have recently had a few not so good play dates. Three is never good and Kara was the odd one out. Victoria had a few punches in the back. I have tried to explain to Kara and Victoria when we leave friends we must always feel on top of the world. Friends make us shine not feel low. I think when you don't have friends the judgement is maybe clouded and you accept things more easily. God must have been looking out for us all because we were invited to Tracy's house who has one little girl called Grace. We felt so comfortable been there. Tracy gave the kids her clothes to dress up in. Kara and Victoria looked gorgeous in high heel boots and fancy dresses. I told them they had better get stuck in there because I don't have clothes or shoes like that. The wine was flowing, kids laughing from the bottom of their stomachs and great company for the mommy's. It felt so good to be around people who were interested from where you come from. They wanted to find out about you.

I look forward to having the gang around at our house. Not dressing up. No fancy shoes.

Yes we hit the beach again this weekend. The gas braai was fired up and the burgers we fantastic. Not bad or a November weekend.

Miss you madly. Tired now.

Lots of love



Yes this is Leon! The wind was blowing and making Leon's ears cold so he made a plan.




Kara and I trying to write a poem for her homework. It was a beach poem.




Madam Kara pretending to ignore the camera.




Victoria's camping chair broke so she was happy to take the sledge to the beach. Whatever floats your boat.





My mom and gran. Kate had to wear a dress which was bad so the deal was  you can wear your dock boots.



Look we all in a "lovely" staright line. Just perfect!

Wedding Anniversary

Hi There

Today is the day, 15 years ago Leon and I got married. Wow we look so young from the pictures. So our plan for tonight is a celebration and yes it will be shared with our "darlings" Kara and Victoria. It's quite sweet because they are quite excited. I have made a slide show from all our wedding photos and added music. I had such fun making the slide show.  Our wedding pictures are terrible. We all are standing in straight rows. I am booking Kate, my sister now for when Kara and Victoria get married. Thanks Kate hope you don't mind. So sweet, darling Kara set the table champagne glasses and all. We made a cake and put a bride and groom on top. Aaaar shame, so sweet!!!!!! The kids are in their element.

We got a quote to get all the leaves picked up and boy are there a lot of leaves. It will cost $350.00, which is huge. So I am now racking up leaves. Every time I start getting fed up I think of my nice fancy winter boots I am going to buy. Admiring the beauty of the leaves sure has a price to pay.




There are 20 bags there and I have bought another 20 bags

The school had Thula Sizwe, which is an African capella singing group.

http://www.thulasizwe.com/index.php

Thula Sizwe is an a capella singing group composed of eleven voices ranging from the deepest bass to the highest of tenors.  They sing in the traditional Zulu call-and-response style.  And while they sing, they dance.  They dance to the drum, to clapping hands, and to the sounds of their own voices.

It was fantastic. I just wanted to run away and go back to South Africa. Even Kara's teacher who is usually reserved and no emotion type of lady ran up to me and asked how I was feeling. I did get a bit annoyed about the American guy helping the group get set up, as he kept going on about the apartheid. So all in all a great morning.



Look at the fancy auditorium the kids have. No sitting on a dusty hall floor.

Those beautiful rustling leaves are calling my name.

Lots of love

Break through

Saturday we loaded up the kids and all the jackets, gloves, hats for our day trip. We headed out to Stonington Borough which is an area listed as one of the top 50 places to go and see in Connecticut. I resume my position in passenger seat and talk to Leon for a whole 10 minutes then sleep the rest of the way. Can never go long without a power nap. Stonington was pretty but not that exciting.

Next it was Mystic and that was fantastic. My friend Jude, living in France told me about Mystic. My research is terrible. Anyway Julia Roberts starred in a early film called "Mystic Pizza" and it was filmed in Mystic, Connecticut. Guess what we are watching soon. Next time we go back we will go to the famous pizza restaurant. It felt good been out and about as a family again. It almost feels like we are starting to settle.

Lucy and Greg when you come over in april we can head out that way. So watch the film. There are retail outlets on the way too.

I hit the Gap sale, which was giving 40% off when we got back. I refuse to pay full price for Gap clothes, so when there is a chance I take advantage. When you have a GAP card here you get 45% discount, which does not help as they won't give us one as we don't have enough credit history. Sorry off the track.

Sunday the sun was out but cold. Wow I love this sunshine, I can't tell you what a difference it makes to your life. We went exploring at Earth Place,which is a fancy place for a walk in the woods. The area is beautiful and we all had a great laugh. Once again fresh air and sunshine. We played with the American football in the park afterwards. The stomachs were rumbling so we had Five guy burgers and ate them at the beach. The air was too oooo cold to sit out sit so we now have a grease car and it stinks as well.

My swimming training is coming on nicely. We worked it out the other day and we swimming about 98 lengths at a time in a 45 minute time frame. The exercise is so good for the mental mind. It has helped so much keep me on the straight and narrow. Still can't keep up with these ladies. Every now and again I hate been the under dog so swim with fins on. I even got asked today for my email address as they were going out on Thursday. The smiling, saying thank you has maybe paid off.

I have signed myself up for ice skating lessons from the 1 December. Should be interesting. Not sure if I mentioned but they change the tennis courts into ice rinks. I have also signed up to redo my swimming teaching again. The US wont recognise my qualifications. I feel positive about doing it again as I will meet people and net work doll??????

On Thursday the school have organised a moms night out. I said to Leon it feels like a work do, but I must go and make an effort. I might just meet one person who will become a friend for life. Lets hope.

Everyone is on a high now for Thanksgiving. It looks like we will have it here. Mark, Stacey with Stacey mom and kids will stay over and our new friends Karina and Thierry who are from the Uk (French Canadian) will come over too with kids. Can't have anyone been on their own. Caroline, still time to book a flight to come over. You are more than welcome.

We got our first taste of snow on Monday. It's coming.

Miss you all dearly.
Lots of love
Heather



Pull in girls. Chips, vinegar and tomato sauce in the car. It's nice to be naughty and do different things




Connecticut sunset




Leon also joining in the fun:)




Earth Place. I like the name. You are not allowed to cycle here which is quite boring. Walking is good.



Stonington Borough and Mystic

We hit the road early and headed out to Stonington Borough. We thought best get out and explore before the weather gets too cold. It felt good to be out and about. Leon and I have been on different wave lengths lately. I sit at home all day and the kids and Leon are busy. They want to chill and have lazy days and I want to party. So we had a lazy day out and about. You are meant to see the three states from the "Point": Rode Island, Connecticut and New York. We could not find any of the states. We did try though.

Then we headed out to Mystic, which was beauitful and we will for sure go back.



Only in America!



Winslow park

Hi There

You have those days where you want to run a mile and feel like the world is angry at you. Well mine came yesterday.  One of the worst feelings about moving country are the insecurities you experience personally. That feeling of not quite rooted in your surrounding and have not established friendships where you can yell I need help. Basically I felt sorry for myself and did not want to play this new adventure game.

One thing England taught me was when the sun is out you get out and make the absolute most of it. So the sun shone brightly for me and I headed off to Winslow park which allows dogs to run free with no leads. The dogs were so happy, so why can't I smile and be happy. Well I sorted myself out. Victoria rode on her bike and collected sticks and Kara roller skated.