Smiles 151:365

Another farewell brunch today, and I have to award Henriette the prize for innovative use of a pot plant. That amused me but I made it worse by thinking I was flushing the toilet and flushing the urinal instead. (I swiftly rescued the plant from being drowned!)

And this infographic is lovely too.

Other things that made me smile today
Whilst working in the library, a little boy (5 years old) needed the toilet so I had to accompany him. However Mr Robinson didn't know this and looked rather puzzled as he came down the corridor as to why I was standing outside the boys toilets gazing in! I did explain!
Another child looked up from their book and asked me in all seriousness - 'What's a bogey?'
Being offered a lift back from school which saved us from getting absolutely soaked.
Isaac finished his exams. week.
I finished reading a lovely book - with a happy ending.

I've been neglecting my languages recently, but returning today -

Say cheese in other languagesIn Hungarian, you say Csíz [tʃi:z] which means small bird. 

Smiles 150:365

Dew on leaves.

An arty picture of Steinbergasse in Winterthur.

And Jude pretending to be Howard being Prince Charming in Big Bang Theory. Plenty of smiles on a grey day with a poorly boy.


One more thing - Postman Pat now has two vans, a motorbike and a helicopter. Recession? Not in Greendale!

Smiles 149:365

Having found myself in Kreuzlingen, today I saw this one. I'd rather not if it's all the same to you.

Another smile came from the weather forecast being wrong! It was pouring this morning and we decided to cancel Mums Running Club, but I didn't get changed out of my gear as I was determined to go for a run at some point. At 11am it was still raining but less heavily so off I went. And then the sun came out as I emerged from the shower. Hurrah!

Smiles 148:365

After a drizzly start ("it won't rain until 5pm' said my usually very reliable weatherman!) the sun came out = :o)

And look what I nearly cycled over. It was playing dead - or may actually have been dead - and had disappeared by the time the boys came past later. Disappointing.


There was much smiling this evening as Jude told us about his 'boys only' lesson today. The conversation included talk of Speedos, rudders and sharks, and was unrepeatable but very funny.

Smiles 147:365

I liked this poster shared on FB today.

And I liked that the sun came out, even if it was only the afternoon. That's what the end of May should be like!

Smiles 146:365

I did it! Winterthur Half Marathon completed - such relief! I thought my legs were going to give out with about 4km to go and only the thought of being overtaken kept me running. 

2:01:35 isn't the sub-2 hour of which I dream but I didn't care - I was so glad to have kept going and made it to the finish in a decent time.

At the finish with the lovely Sharon with whom I played cat and mouse throughout the race. Funny face due to a mouth full of banana! (thanks John!)

Thank you to my boys for coming and supporting me - and my friends - and for taking photos. And thanks for all the messages on FB too.

Now have a huge smile on my face as I have a glass of wine - first in over a week (and I have needed a glass several times in the last few days!)

A summary in film and photos -

Smiles 145:366

A trip to Konstanz this morning began with these very nicely presented - and very tasty! - beverages, and continued with lots of productive shopping.

And then this evening, we went into Zürich to watch the Champions League final in the Kaiser Franz pub. Except we watched it from outside as the people inside were spilling out of the door. Good view of the screen though!
And as we stood on the pavement, a load of Italian Catholics processed down the road, celebrating a saint's day (we think!)

Carb loading now ready for tomorrow...

Smiles 144:365

Lisa Pickup is an angel.

That is all!

Smiles 143:365

A grey day but the sun did come out and the lake was beautiful on the way home with the sun shining behind the snowy mountains. Picture doesn't do the

brightness and light any justice.

A lovely day working at ISZL and a glimmer of hope in a seemingly hopeless situation made me smile today.

And Jude discovered Big Bang Theory tonight. That made us laugh!

Smiles 142:365

I have to say that I am currently far from smiley but this is about finding smiles in every day even when you don't feel like it so here's today's picture. "The escape party" with the photos organized by Carmen and signed by everyone there.

And Hello Kitty played her part too. 

Smiles 141:365

Focussing on the good things in life seems to be theme of the day.

A friend on FB shared a story of kindness on the Tube in London that makes him smile, and another friend shared this clip from Youtube.

And amongst all the carnage in Moore, this news report made me smile - and cry! Btw if you want to send a message of support to Moore and the surrounding area via Twitter, why not use #Moorehugs and look at Wes Fryer's post.

Smiles 140:365

Today's picture comes from Smile! Things that look like faces 

Love the colour and the huuge smile!

Things that made me smile today

@nunferno on Twitter - a spoof of Dan Brown's Inferno. Had us all chortling loudly on the train to Flughafen today.

And then this infographic from Buzzfeed about how to become Dan Brown.

A very fast run after a slightly stressful afternoon.

Kind messages on Twitter and FB.

Good news that I can't share yet - but it made me smile :o)

The sight of a team on Only connect trying to find some mystical connection between pictures of the Teletubbies' antenna!

*This post is brought to you by the letter W and the number 2 (cryptic eh?)*

Smiles 139:365

My smiling boys. 

They make me smile. 

All the time.

Love you Isaac and Jude xx

That is all!

Smiles 138:365

We visited the Reichenbachfall today.

The Föhn wind was very very strong today and at times I was rather concerned that between vertigo and the wind I might not survive, but all turned out well and it was a good day. Even Jude who started to feel poorly around lunchtime enjoyed himself. Especially the ice cream at the top!

Train up the mountain - don't look down!

 Elementary my dear Watson!

 The Reichenbach Falls (the fight between Holmes and Moriarty was on the left hand side, marked by a white star)

And a cow! So many lovely cows!

Tonight is Eurovision; always good for a laugh!

Smiles 137:365

Thanks to Doug for todays' 'smile'.
A very happy flower!

And to Innocent Smoothie for a happy rainbow!

Too tired for more today. I have smiled lots though. Not least recalling last night's antics!

Smiles 136:365

Wahay! Mum's night out. I'm not sure that Sanook in Winterthur was quite ready for the us but we had a great time!
Too late for much more than photos but we smiled LOTS!

Smiles 135:365

Watching Hong Kong Phooey with Jude :0) Rubbish photo as we were lying on my bed and the room was lit with a smelly candle!

Lost of smiles from M and M when I gave them their TopTrumps that I'd bought in England.

Running this morning made me smile too - everyone ran for longer than usual :o)

In other news today, I found this TED video that supports my love of smiling.

Smiles 134:365

Had a very busy day - cycled to and from school 3 times, cleaned, shopped and vacuumed. Oh yes, and between all that I read a book this afternoon. 

No time to take pictures so here's a favourite from my phone. Taken a year ago - both boys have certainly grown since then!

Amused by a letter from school about Jude's 'field day' on Friday. The list of equipment includes normal things like waterproof and water bottle but also a change of clothes and a Swiss Army knife! Sounds like a fun trip. 

Also smiled when The One Show featured a segment about the paternoster lift at Sheffield University. Although the thing scared me to death and the only time I travelled in it i neatly passed out and had to be manhandled out again at my floor, it did make me all nostalgic!

Smiles 133:365

I bought this book to be delivered to my Mum's for when I arrived in Englsnd last week as we decided to read it for ISW Mums Book Club. It duly arrived and I started reading it on the way home in the plane. Sadly I left it on my seat and therefore didn't finish it before Book Club today. 

However, after we'd discussed the book this morning, Katrin lent it to me so I could finish it. And I now have. 

It was very interesting, especially finding out about "good names." 

I learn something new every day! And that keeps me happy.

Also causing smiles today -

I was given a tennis dress.

I am on the way to conquering limescale (believe me, this is a major accomplishment!)

My Twitter timeline was full of Mr Men characters as many people changed their avatars in support of Russel Tarr who was unjustly 'picked on' by Michael Gove. (I'm Little Miss Naughty!)

Say cheese in other languages 
In Hindi you can also say डट दिखाओ (dat dikhao) - show your teeth!

Smiles 132:365

Today was Muttertag in Switzerland so I had breakfast in bed, presents, homemade cards and lots of love!

And these lovely yellow roses. Always remind me of my Dad. So I smiled double!

I am somewhat bothered by the fact that they seem to celebrate Muttertag not with a sumptuous chocolate cake but with a pork (veal actually!) pie bar! 

Say cheese in other languages

In Hindi, you say हसो (haso) - laugh!

Smiles 131:365

We went to Ballenberg today - the open air museum of Swiss history and heritage. It has buildings from all over Switzerland and celebrates traditional crafts. There are demonstrations and you can try your hand at woodwork. 

Jude was transfixed by the sawmill cutting planks from a log.

Really enjoyed watching the craftsmen too. 

And of course, I loved dressing up!

(bit small for my head!)

All photos courtesy of John!

Smiles 130:365

Back in Switzerland - lovely to see Jude and John and catch up on their adventures including driving home in a Mobility car that was declaring that the engine might blow up! Above is Jude yesterday when they went exploring Aareschlucht.

Smiled - and was very very grateful - when a man came over to help me get the petrol cap underdone so that I could refuel the hire car. Unlike the other cars at the petrol station who just glared and/or enjoyed my struggling, this gentleman did something. Bless him!
Didn't smile when I left my book on the plane though. Grrr!
And more smiles when I got home and found that I'd been welcomed in the Welford Primary newsletter this week!

Smiles 129:365

Two 'trees' today that made me smile. 

The totem pole in Sutton Park...

...and this "tree in a cardigan" that John and Jude saw today in Brienz. 

Huge smiles when I visited Whitehouse Common - it was lovely to see so many familiar faces and be welcomed so warmly. 

And Isaac and I have continued to find my Mum getting in and out of the Fiat 500 very amusing; she insists on sitting in the back and it only has 2 doors!

Smiles 128:365

Meet Fergie. He's not mine - just borrowed to get us around in England but I'm sure he'd love to meet Bertie and all his ISW friends in Switzerland! He's a cheerful little chap and I'm already rather find of him.

This afternoon I spent time with my nephews. Couldn't capture Harry on film as he was busy playing with Isaac but Robert snuggled up for some extended iPad time with Auntie PigBird :0)

More smiles today:

Visiting Welford Primary and getting a great welcome. 

Kids pumping arms when they heard I'd be teaching Spanish. 

Being hugged because I'm an ADE!

School dinner - curry!

Isaac survived his exams. Now to await the verdict...

Chocolate digestives 

Smiles 127:365

That's my boy. Always makes me smile.

Very impressed with your artwork Isaac!

We're  in England and we have Crabbies! 

:0)

Smiles 126:365

I have to drink lots to keep more kidney stones at bay and whilst water is great, sometimes I fancy a change. This made me smile when I was in Migros so I bought some to try.
It's rather delicious and quite popular with the whole family so that's a winner!

I'm also smiling today because tomorrow I'll be in UK and I can have Crabbies!!!