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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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It was a beautiful morning running in the park. Crunchy snow underfoot and a clear piercing blue sky - so beautiful but I'd no camera to capture it as is left it in the kit bag in case I fell over and smashed it :( Still, my eyes enjoyed it! 

Also smiled when I'd finished the 5.3+ miles when I looked down and saw the amount of mud on my legs. Compared to others, significantly more! I think it's an inherited trait ;)

And for tea I made sausage risotto, a dish I perfected at uni and a recipe that was then stolen by many friends. The boys loved it and it tasted nearly as good as 24 years ago when I first made it! 

Other smiles:

Wasabi pea overdose as I tried to complete some trying, last minute paperwork. 

End of the week. 

Stories of school from the boys. 

John brought Lindt chocolates back from his travels. 

PS someone called Wendy Webb has posted a picture from the park this morning on Twitter so I've borrowed it! Thanks to @Sutton Observer for the retweet or I'd have missed it. 

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Another exercise related post - HIT this morning was very hard work but very satisfying. I managed to sprint properly this time after being less than 100% for the last two and held my own I think.
Unsuccessful charity shop trawl in search of a costume but I'm sorted now - thank you to those who offered help and encouragement!
Touchwood this afternoon and the obligatory Joe and the Juice visit :)
Curry for tea :)))

And I'm on track with my German and Swedish Duolingo!

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Today's photo is courtesy of Kathy who saw it in a window in Chipping Camden. Thanks! 

And then there was Jude's pizza made in Food Tech - perfect if you don't like cheese!

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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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A smiley ice cream from Thorntons. Delicious too!

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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

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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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Well I didn't have a smiley morning - simmering cabin fever exploded - but I did have a smiley afternoon. 

Wheelchair handling skills have improved although it helped that it had handrails so I could push myself as well! 

The garden centre was full of an assortment of people who caused us amusement as we people watched. 

And I bought two new items of clothing. 

Yummy dinner with Rösti and Grüner Vertliner. 

Oh and I'm going to Switzerland in 3
weeks and so is my 'other half' :)

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Jude made scones at school. 

Delicious! 

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So, The Sound of Music is called Smiles and Tears in Spanish. Interesting!

John went to Canada - that didn't really make me smile, and nor did the doctor telling me that my ear (now blocked and deaf for a month) will get better by itself and to be patient. Humph! And, now I think about it, the ending of Endeavour was certainly not smile inducing.

However, this is a blog about smiles and today I smiled for the following reasons:
the boys looked so uncomfortable walking with me as I drove my Mum's electric wheelchair.
I went to the library and found/borrowed some good books
I managed to cook dinner standing on one leg
Jude and I found that we hadn't finished his huge pink meringue from Saturday and enjoyed it with raspberries and ice-cream.

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Thanks to Kathy for this card sent via FB.  It made me smile! 

As did sushi for tea (although the 'walk' on crutches nearly did me in!) It wasn't the hopping leg; it's carrying the injured foot as that airboot weighs a tonne! Still, it'll keep my thigh toned even if my calf wastes away. 

An Isaac comment about duffle bags, thieves and Paddington Bear amused me  this evening, and I enjoyed Only Connect, especially as I knew that Lisa was an early Apple computer!

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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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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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No post last night as I got 'The Call' from Welford at lunchtime yesterday informing me that Ofsted were coming tomorrow (today). That did not make me smile.

However, my part of it is over so I'm smiling again.

I had a lovely chat with Maurice about languages, teaching, school, England and various other things.

And I had a well deserved glass of Prosecco to celebrate.

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My pancakes obviously didn't look like these hence I didn't bother taking a photograph! They were however delicious.

We had a meeting about Isaac's German exchange this evening - that made me smile as Herr Götschel is a very amusing man!

And I got home in time to have a run before it got dark. Whoop!

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I finished my book last night - and just about everything turned out ok.
It wasn't raining at break so I got to escape the classroom for 15 minutes albeit on duty!
A surprisingly cooperative and mostly engaged Y6 this morning; we may be getting somewhere with them. And I amused them with my punching to demonstrate stress patterns!
A lovely class assembly by Y1 who were adorable - as were Nursery who sat beautifully!
Flatulent cows are hugely amusing of course.
The Jump is proving very entertaining.

Making flags with food also amused me - not as good as these though!

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Cupcakes. 

Friends, human...

And robot!

BETT, TeachmeetBETT and TeachEat all provided plenty of opportunity for smiles whether it was meeting people, presenting on the Brainpop stand, drinking cider and laughing hysterically or deciding that I was taking the use of my cake stand as a frisbee too seriously and should just clip the culprit around the ear!

And then there was the hideous picture of me that amused all my Twitter friends! 

Then there was travelling on the DLR after TeachEat in a group with Tony who had his face painted as tiger; we were asked by fellow travellers how we could have a sensible conversation with him looking like that. Easily we replied - we're used to it!

Glad to be back in my hotel though having had three encounters with drunken men (none known to me and none close thank goodness!)

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Very busy at the moment with BETT approaching, a display to put up, lessons to teach, presentations pending and lots of messages that need answering not to mention managing an eTwinning project in which our bear seems to have had a rocky start and technology is not working as it might. Oh yes, and then there are the cupcakes I promised for TeachMeet.

Still, a very fast blast around the block, up and down some hills has cleared my head and I'm on the case.

Smiles? Yes, plenty of those but none that I can particularly put my finger on. Just been a good day in all the busy-ness.

So, here's a packet of chocolate fingers courtesy of Angela the birthday girl - and thanks to the other birthday girl, Fiona, for the rocky roads!