LisasMiles 32:365

8.5 miles with an average pace 9.49 min/mile - that's worth a big smile, especially as it felt very hard work for the first 2 miles. 

And I saw the beautiful ponies, managing to capture a picture before my phone inexplicably decided to 'run out of battery' with 49% battery left... Quite annoying as there were other sights I wanted to capture, including more ponies and the sun going down over the lake. 

The battery on my iPod Shuffle ran out with 3 miles to go and I quite enjoyed listening to myself breathing and the park sounds. It was quite soothing but no sure I'd have enjoyed it as much if I'd be struggling at that point. 

Nice to see Bob Alex and Harry this morning accompanying 'Uncle' Charlie to church. Worship group were particularly appreciative of Bob clapping our rehearsal! 

In other news, I think I'm becoming addicted to Wasabi peas!

LisaSmiles 31:365

As John's been away all week we went out for dinner to the Cock Inn (still makes us smirk despite the amount of times we've been!) Delicious food and great entertainment from the boys! Ended the day nicely. 

And, although I slept badly, the day proper began well with a notification that Mark Pentleton had answered my request and recorded the Dogtanian and the three Muskahounds theme tune as part of his 2015 piano challenge! Thank you! It's the sign of a good theme tune or a misspemt youth that I can recall all the words!

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We went out for an 'we survived the first week back' meal this evening. 

A little umbrella in my dessert made me smile - so twee! 

I stuck two in my hair and Isaac told me I looked "like some weird umbrella rabbit". 

When we left, Isaac got into the back of the car where Jude wanted to sit so, before Isaac even had time to make full contact with the seat, Jude cannonballed him over to the other side of the car, taking possession of the preferred seat. 

Earlier in the day I went for a bike ride, smiling at a cat, a mouse (or rat - it ran across the path too quickly and it was quite dark!) a fox, five dogs and three swans. 

And watching Would I lie to you? over lunch made us all laugh, especially Lee Mack and the spider, and David Mitchell and the goldfish. 

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A loooong day but a good one. Lots of marbles awarded and only 1 lost - an achievement for a Wednesday afternoon! I even had groans from some when I told them it was time to pack away, and that's not usual!

I had a laugh as I played pied piper to an assortment of children who needed picking up; I seemed to gather more as I walked along, starting with 4, losing 2 then ending up with 6 by the time we reached our destination. I'll take my recorder next week!
And we all ending up in hysterics in Isaac's room earlier whilst he was trying hard to do his homework; can't remember why we were there and what was so funny but I remember the laughing!

Six years ago today I posted this picture with the caption 'I'm surrounded my lazy men!' 

Times have changed! Have to say that none of us have been on the WiiFit for ages but John cycles, Isaac cycles and rows and Jude goes to his spinning / exercise class every week as well as Boys Brigade so they're not so bad! 

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Marshmallow toasting over the bonfire with lanterns hung in the tree.

Park Run this morning was wet and muddy but a sense of achievement to get up and running! 

An addition to the lounge made up for taking down the Christmas decorations. 

And I thoroughly enjoyed the last liqueur cherry in dark chocolate, and the last Lindt truffle. 

LisaSmiles 2:365

We've been doing some tidying today and came across Isaac's books from Nursery and Reception. We had a giggle at his pictures and wonky spelling and then I found this which made me smile and cry!

I love you too!

And some words of wisdom too. 

(In case you can't read the first piece, it says:

"My mummy likes to play games with me. We are playing snakas and ladders. I love Mummy so much that I waod like to cuddle her.")

LisaSmiles 1:365

Today's smiles:

A lie in. 

I made biscuits and everyone liked them. 

Being deafened by husband and youngest as Tottenham scored five TES against Chelsea. 

My nephew is here for a sleepover and enjoyed his dinner including 8 carrots! 

Watching a film together.  

Twitter conversations with people I haven't spoken to in ages. 

A tidy desk! 

And I know I've shared this already on my website but this comment from a 104 year old Spanish lady when talking about good and bad things in life strikes a chord - 

"Lo importante es sencillamente eso - vivir."

(The most important is simply this - to live)

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I don't like it when John works away but there are advantages I guess.

Someone needs to finish the bottle of red wine he'd nearly finished - and the boys are underage.

And the boys don't like my delicious rhubarb and apple crumble which is only half eaten.

I get a whole bed to myself - which is good when you have an ankle that can't quite decide if it's comfortable or not.

I compensate by buying the boys treats - so frappuccinos all round this afternoon. 

And if he's away a long time, presents!

But most of all, it makes me appreciate how much better life is when he's around. 

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Sunshine in the garden reading a book (finished it too)

Lunch at The Pear Tree Creperie - delicious! 

Boy smiles - Jude made us smile suggesting someone might be taking a leap year before going to Uni. We knew what he meant! 

Cycling smiles - Cav won the final stage of Tour of California - but only just as he celebrated as he approached the line and was nearly caught. And Wiggo won the whole thing. 

Shopping smiles - a SeaSalt sale shop proved too exciting to resist although I wish I'd found it before my size was virtually sold out - or that I could fit in an 8! 

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Balloons courtesy of John tomorrow in Melbourne. 

Delicious lunch at Mum's. 

Didn't get soaked in the way home. 

Helpful boys. 

Used up all my elastic bands on bracelets and various embellishments for cuddly animals!

In bed by 10 and watching TV feeling snoozy. 

Night x

MoreSmiles 129:365

A meeting of mobility scooters made me smile - I met Mum coming in the opposite direction and we caused a few raised eyebrows (mine newly threaded) as we had a chat. 

A jet lagged John trying to help me clothes shop from the other side of the world via Whatsapp also amused me. 

And conquering (well beginning to conquer!) writing reports on SPTO made me smile. It's a teacher thing!

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Dinner at The Cock Inn.  That made me smile - delicious and no washing up! 

Particularly enjoyed the Camembert starter.

I did think about howuch fun it'd be to swing off this! 

Other smiles included Jude's French test that I've already shared on Twitter and FB, Languages Today arriving and reading in the sunshine. 

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Inspired by the lovely Fátima, I made cupcakes or buns as my Mum would call them. Coffee with chocolate chip on the left (for the boys) and plain with raisin and cranberry on the right (for the adults)

Smiles all around. 

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Thank you to my little sister who came today armed with nail varnish to paint my toenails red to match my cast. Very pretty they are too - and the other foot matches!

Family lunch and time listening to Bob saying Hello and oooooo! repeatedly made me smile. In fact Bob could make me smile just by being him!

Enjoying the programme about BBC2 - lots of memories!

And Liverpool won! #WeGoAgain

MoreSmiles 109:365

Today I discovered that, as comfortable as a wheelchair may be, I hate being pushed around. And, if momentarily vacated by the injured party, said wheelchair makes a great gaming chair fora  tired 12 year old!
A churros stand in Solihull made me smile - I'll be back next time there's a market for more! As did Jude's face as he tasted his 'ginger latte' - so ginger that it burnt the back of your mouth.  We'll stick to your juices next time, Joe!
Sunderland's win made me smile broadly as did Jose Mourinho's post match interview as he is something else!

And this time last year...

I miss Zumba - and 'the girls!'

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Smile 1 - I slept last night.
Smile 2 - Jude has arrived safely in Belgium.
Smile 3 - I haven't fallen over (yet) on my crutches.
Smile 4 - I've done lots of blogging and not been too bored today.
Smile 5 - flowers from John.
Smile 6 - lovely messages on Twitter and Facebook about my predicament.
Smile 7 - a parcel with new things including unifix cubes

Smile 8 - a new series of Only Connect

Smile 9 - a small monkey in a tabard keeping me company

MoreSmiles 102:365

Lots of jobs done today. New blinds and curtains for Jude, tidy drawers and 'too small' clothes discarded, emergency new undies, and a new pillow for John.

Maurice has arrived home safely and sent a lovely message - as has his Mum. 

And ponies in the park. I saw them yesterday but forgot the picture in my post-Maurice moroseness.

Curry and Prosecco for tea. 

The boys only threatened to have me put away once today. Which is an improvement. 

And the sun shone. 

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I am currently sad as we've just said goodbye to Maurice after a lovely week. However, memories of the week make me smile -
tales of sheep in battle formation and chucking stones into streams
Yorkshire puddings
chats after school with "Austauschmutti"
Banoffee Pie that wasn't eaten as we were always too full
stories of Drayton Manor and the 'Schwingding'
and mostly, a lovely polite young man who I hope will visit again soon.

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Jude made his first cake today - not bad given his teacher ;) and it was delicious.

The boys gave me a lovely necklace for Mothers Day and made me several cups of tea. And their cards were hilarious. 

Liverpool won 4-0 (half the house are unamused by the result) and are top of the league. 

And Jude's tweet a fortnight ago about a poster in M&S has been retweeted over 30 times this evening for some reason. Possibly helped by it being retweeted by Phil Willis from Radio5! Jude is very chuffed! (At time of publishing , 36 retweets and 11 favourites!)h

ttps://twitter.com/themightyjot/status/444866705651933184

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A beautiful sunny day.

A challenging run in the sunshine. And lots done before as well.

A core class at which I actually managed to do everything quite successfully (although I am definitely lopsided!)

Lunch in the sun and then planning in the garden with my (soon to be patented) "Bootbox laptop sunshade"

And then the boys came home, and then John came home.

All smiles :)