Post 143: Week 3, down.

Well, Hello again - thought I'd blog a moment and let everyone know how we are doing. We've not been near as busy this week as we were the first two weeks, thankfully. However, we are now currently on 1/2 term - kids are home for a whole week - so I'm sure we will be busy doing all sorts of things.

So what exactly did we do this week? Let me work backwards, because that's "fresher" in my memory. :)

Today is Sunday - and we are planning to go bike riding and enjoy this warm sunny England weather we are experiencing. It's just pure heaven! And that bratty dog woke me up this morning - by climbing up in my bed and curling up as close to me as she could get! Thank God, I gave her a bath yesterday! Brier took a picture for me.Saturday - We did a lot of massive cleaning. It was so nice out and we all wanted to be out there - but the house really needed some attention. So we scrubbed the downstairs and made it shine. It is now pleasant and not embarrassing. It is supposed to rain on Monday - so we will do the upstairs then.

After we finished cleaning, we went up to the base where I bought the kids new bikes. They'd outgrown theirs before we left the states. So instead of bringing them with us and then trying to get rid of them, we left them at Nana's. Now, all the younger grand-children can enjoy them, and we decided to buy new ones for Ashlynn & Brier in England.

We ate dinner in the food court of the BX. Ashlynn is really enjoying ordering her own food. Something I've been making her do when we eat at the food court. She wanted Burger King and Brier and I wanted pizza - so I gave her some money and said "go get it" and Brier and I went and got our pizza. The cashier at Burger King seemed to really enjoy taking her order. It's cute to watch, but it also shows just how grown up my baby is becoming. The first time she didn't want to do it, wanted to play the shy card, but now she's all for it.

Then we went to pick out bikes. Luckily, I'd already browsed the bikes and kinda had an idea of which ones we'd be getting - we got the very ones I'd picked. Of course there wasn't much choice for Ashlynn and Brier well he loves "red" so you can't really go wrong with that.We were able to get Brier a helmet - but they didn't have one that would fit Ash. So we are going to have to look at Outdoor rec - later. We got some things to put on all our bikes that will hold our water bottles. The problem is either you drill a hole in the bike to screw it to the frame or you put a zip tie (I think that's what they are called) on it. I took them next door for Les to look at and he put the zip ties on them - I think they'd stay in place better if we drilled the holes, but I figure I better ask David what he thinks about that before I go drilling holes into a brand new bike.

I also go them this stupid bells to put on their bikes. I'm sure they will annoy me with them - but for as many people as there are here that ride bikes I thought it might be safe to have. This way they can ring the bell to warn someone to get out of their way or that they are behind them. When other kids ride their bikes to school - they ring their little bells for us to move over. So that is the reason I agreed to that insane noise.

I think, I will also take the car to Alfreds (I think that's the name of the store) to be fitted for a bike rack. At least John told me they would do that there for me. This way the kids and I can haul our bikes to some bike trails and enjoy riding them this summer. There is one trail close to the house here that we are going to try out, but later during the summer break we might want to travel to some new locations. I'll probably wait just a bit to get the bike rack - but I think it would be a good investment. You should have seen me trying to put both those bikes in the boot (trunk) of my little British car!

After we got all settled, we were fixing to take Lady and go check out the bike path...well Lady decided she didn't want to go, because she once again went out and rolled in her own poop!!! Between her and those stupid geese - I don't know whose is whose! All I know is she stinks to high heaven! So I thought you know that new stake I bought - here ya go Lady - enjoy this - the kids and I are going for a bike ride.

So I tied her up and took the kids up the street a bit. I sat on the bench by the church and watched them ride their new bikes for about 10-15 minutes. We could hear Lady barking all the way over there the whole time! We came back home, so that I could once again spray her down with the water hose and get her cleaned up. I do not know what has gotten into her lately, she runs off, she rolls in poop, and she drives me crazy!!!

Sherry came over just as I was hooking up the hose to see if everything was okay, because Lady was being so loud. I told her yeah it's fine, she's just mad at me cause I got her chained up out there. I had to do something so the kids could at least enjoy a few moments on their new bikes. She was like oh okay - just wanted to make sure everything was okay. I'm not sure what I make of this woman. She is nice enough, but she's always checking on things. Course she is the community watch person - I've never known one of those before. In the states there are "nosey neighbors" but I don't know about community watch ones.

I knew Lady was being loud, but for 10 minutes I didn't care! She could bark her bloody head off for all I cared!! I was furious with her and the kids were so excited to try out their new bikes that I couldn't say "No" because Lady had to go make a mess of herself.

After I got her showered off and cleaned up, I sat outside with her while I talked to my Grandma on the phone, so that Lady could dry. Grandma calls at the oddest times. Once off the phone the kids wanted to know if we could ride the bikes one more time before it got too dark. So I put Lady on the lead and we went to the same spot. The street the Church is on is fairly quiet and a good close location for the kids to ride their bikes with no major worries. Thankfully, there is a bench where Lady and I can sit and read a book while they ride. Too bad I finished my book last night! Guess I'll have to start a new one :)

They had a really good time for riding their bikes. Ashlynn said, "It feels so good to ride a bike again!" They were so excited to finally have a bike again - they even told me "Thank you"! I usually have to remind them to tell David that when ever he gets them something special, so I was kind of surprised they remembered to say thanks on their own. Makes me proud.

Friday - I went shopping. Brier has decided he wants a birthday party - he gave me a 10 day notice! So I went to the base in search of party favors for the treat bags, to rent a bouncy castle, get a few groceries, and pick up some prescriptions and the mail. I finally made it back home around 1. Shortly after that James came by to show me is make-shit gate to keep Lady from running off when she is out in the back garden (yard).

He says it's temporary, but it should work. There's a gate that used to be on the front part of the walk-way, but it broke off before we moved in and has yet to be repaired. It seems the hinges are missing - so I don't know his plans for it, but this should keep her from running off.The only thing I need to see now is if she can or will crawl under the large gate. If she does - I'm going to have to do something about that...she's becoming a headache lately.

I did buy a stake and a 20 ft cable at the BX today - just to hook her to it when she is out in the back garden with the kids - so that she can be out there, enjoy some space, and the kids don't have to fear her running off. I didn't know James was coming by to try to fix up something to keep her from running off - but the stake can still come in handy. We already tied her to it a few times. She don't care much for it - but keeps her in the garden.

Just as James was getting ready to leave, Andrew the plumber showed up to fix the leak we had. I guess it was coming from the upstairs toilet - who knew! Chaz had told me that I had a leak, cause you could see it outside the house coming off this pipe. So I mentioned it to Janet and she mentioned it to James and now it's fixed. These people are great! They take such good care of us. I feel like I've gotten my self an adopted British family. I'm just not sure what to call them! The Office People & the Pub? haha

Thursday - I didn't really do much at all. I cleaned up the kitchen, talked with Janet - took some pictures of the beautiful roses I'm seeing all over the back garden, so I could show David. I'm in pure heaven - there is this one BIG yellow rose bush! Yellow Roses are my most favorite! I can't wait to see what this place looks like completely in bloom. I wish I knew what was a plant and what wasn't - I'd clean it up some. Pull some weeds and things. I'd have to get some good gloves though - those stingy neddles are horrid!

That afternoon I found my way to a Tag Ruby tournament. Does anyone know what Tag Rugby is? David says that it is similar to Flag football, just less physical contact - I think. Anyway - let me see if I can describe it. You were this Velcro belt and you have 2 tags that you attach to each side of you. Then both teams line up across the field facing each other - like in football - just not as close to each other. Then one person from the team with the ball is in front of their team, when the whistle blows they have to pass the ball backwards - you have to hold the ball with both hands at all times - who ever catches it has to run with it and try to make a goal, but if someone from the other team pulls the their tag off, they immediately have to pass the ball to one of their team-mates behind them. If their team-mate missed and the other team grabs it, then they have to try to get it back - obviously. You have to set the ball down in the goal zone with both hands, no sliding or nothing. It was very interesting and it actually looks like a lot of fun.

Ashlynn seems to really enjoy it - which is odd, since she's more of a softball chick! She did really good though. She is so tiny, next to other kids that she fears getting ran over, but it doesn't stop her from getting in there and stealing tags off people! She was really good at that. She had the ball once and was dodging people and hopping over them and nearly made it to the goal, but someone grabbed her tag. Her teacher called her "tinkle toes!" It was a fun thing to watch. David would have really enjoyed it. I'm glad I went though - maybe will figure out a way to play in it our back garden - Lord knows we've enough room for it!

That evening we played the WII FIT and I talked a bit with my little sister - please continue to keep her and my Mom in your prayers. They are doing better, but they've a long way to go yet, I know. Cayenne has started reading the Bible and asking questions - so I'm just praying that she finds a relationship with our Savior and begins to see his hand in her life.

Wednesday - my memory is now fading, haha. I've no clue what we did on Wednesday!!! I do know that evening after the kids were in bed I went next door to the Pub to visit for a bit and enjoy listening to a little Karaoke. I really like that - the Pub is just next door. I can come back and forth checking on the kids and still feel like I'm getting out or having a break for the evening. It's just nice. Plus - everybody in there gets worried if they don't see me for at least 5 minutes!

Wait!!! Wait!!! Wait!!! Ashlynn just reminded me what we did on Wednesday - see I keep her around for good reasons! We went to that crazy Hearts Apart dinner! It was Asian themed, interesting - to say the least. Amanda had wanted to go and check it out - so we agreed to go with her. I've been a military wife for nearly 10 years and that's the first one of those things I've ever been to! Anyway - I knew my kids wouldn't really eat anything and I was a little worried about what I would even eat.

I did try one noodle type dish that had chicken in it - was pretty good - but I couldn't tell you what it was called. The kids had rice and chips and the rice was something not to be desired. It was very dry and very stuck together! I got this beef stuff that looked good - but tasted horrible. Amanda seemed to really like it though, she even knew the name of it! I can't tell you the name of it, cause I thought she said, "Blue Doggy" and I'm still not sure what she did exactly say.

They also had some Asian entertainment, some of it was pretty neat - some of it you needed ear plugs for. They had a couple really cute, neat dances, but they also had this one lady dressed up in all this Asian stuff, doing these slow boring dances to the sound of these massively high pitched wind chimes. I'm not sure if they were wind chimes - but that is what the music reminded you of. I had my fingers in my ears praying for it to end! Apparently, that was dance to welcome royalty. Thank God, I am not Asian royalty or any other kind of royalty. Now, I remember why I stayed at the Pub longer than usually - I was trying to block out those wind chimes!

Ashlynn would like to go again if they are going to have "Mexican" food. So we will see - I pray it's on a Wednesday night, so I can go recoup at the Pub afterwards!

Oh yeah - for those of you who do not know what "Hearts Apart" is - let me tell you - it's this program they have for the spouses who's spouse is deployed. Every person at the dinner, has a spouse deployed. I thought it might be a good way to make friends - but nobody other than Amanda and the kids spoke to me - so oh well. It was loud with that wind chime music anyway. If I find a definition for "Hearts Apart" better than what I've just given - I'll let you know.

And we went to the base to order Brier's, Ben 10 Birthday cake before going to the dinner.

Tuesday - Neither of us can remember - guess I may have to blog mid-week and end of week! Oh well. It must not have been nothing exciting.

Monday - I joined Weight Watchers! I'm so proud of myself - I went up there all by myself and I didn't get discouraged and give up after I missed the turn for it twice! So now, I've just got to figure out all this WW stuff and see if I can't reach my goal by the time David returns home. Between the WII FIT, the WII ACTIVE, the BIKE riding, walking Lady, and WW - I should see some changes, correct? I hope so!!!

Alright, well there you have it - yet another week under our belts. Please continue to Pray for David, he's doing better, but I don't think he is enjoying it too much over there - course who would?

Anyway - nearly a month down...only 3 more to go. And my Mom will be here in 8 weeks!!! I'm so excited that she is coming! It's going to be so great to show her around England. She's never even been out of the country...so this is going to be completely new for her. I really can't wait to see here, it's been nearly a year since I last saw her! The kids and I've so many plans of things to go and do while she is here. Her visit is really going to help out with the Summer break and keeping the kids busy. We can't wait for her to get here! It's wonderful to have things to look forward too! And after she leaves it will only be like a month til David comes home!!!

Well - the kids want to go ride those bikes - so guess better stop talking and get to moving! Will write again soon...maybe one Wednesday! :)

Tonya