weekends are for……..

The Christmas Fair, seeing the river freeze and readying our home for the season.

 

It was another cold weekend but it was a happy one.  We got busy decorating our house but today we went to the Christmas fair.  I picked up some home made goodies.  This Atyrau stocking ornament is one of the little things I got today. I’ve got to admit it’s a different feeling decorating and not sweating, and then to look outside and see the the snow. 

I cannot wait to turn on our Christmas lights.

I hope your weekend was lovely too.

Happy week.

Happy to give thanks!

All month Joshua has been reading and learning about Thanksgiving.  he’s so proud of his art work and loves to tell us about the pilgrims and the turkey and what he’s thankful for.  but he did not want to hear that we had turkey for dinner tonight. I don’t think he wants to think about that!

Well we had a great night tonight at our Thanksgiving dinner with our new family here in Kazakhstan.  It was yummy and there where some delicious desserts!  I’m thankful for so many things tonight but right now at the top of my list – thankful for my new friends and the possibility of some of them being life long friends.

For those of you who are celebrating this holiday – Happy Thanksgiving, and those of you who don’t Happiness to you too.

corner view – a different corner

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

my corner’s have always been warm and sunny and either near a pool or not too far away from the sea.

So being here in Kazakhstan it definitely feels like a very different corner for me.  One that I think will take me sometime to get used too.

As I’m typing this it’s snowing outside.  I’m in awe of it at the moment.  don’t know how I’ll feel though when we get to January  and February when it’s still snowing and  it’s minus something degrees!!

It really does feel like a “different corner”.

For more CV’s start with Francesca.

it could’ve been worse…..

2 weeks ago, a day after her birthday actually Renee came home in tears and in pain.  She told me she was playing – jumping over hedges to be exact and she tripped.  landed on the ground and heard a pop!!

It popped alright!  a clean break is what we were told – a good break if there is ever a choice, this is the kind of break you want.  the bones were not displaced so I guess with a little bit of help the broken body should heal itself. 

It’s been 2 weeks now and she’s doing ok.  She’s able to move her  arm which is great, but I guess it’s having to function with one arm that is the challenge. It could’ve been worse – it could have been her right arm.  It could’ve been displaced and there could’ve been so many other issues so we’re thankful!

Continuing my week of thanksgiving…..

# 41 – 50

41.  the dark blue sky in the morning with the bright new white moon.

42.  having exercise buddies who motivate me and make me accountable

43.  accepting Grace …….again

44.  making progress in my Russian – I’m able to watch some Russian tv now and kind of have an idea of what’s happening.(doesn’t seem so foreign anymore)

45.  after 4 months in this place I’m ok with the change. (of course there are days, cold days when I miss warm/hot Bangkok!)

46.  home made cookies.  just something about eating homemade goodies in this cold weather.

47.  a clean house

48.  having all of Joshua’s friends at the house for a play-date.

49.  watching and hearing Joshua want to help and take care of Renee because of her broken arm.

50.  playing a game of indoor hockey – it was so much fun but I was so tired after it!!

I hope you’re Tuesday was lovely.

gr-attitude

the flowers are gone outside so it’s always nice to be able to have some indoors – even if they aren’t real.

This month I joined the school in their month of being grateful and giving thanks.  they’ve had a wall up where the children can go and write what they are thankful for.  Actually the community is welcome to go and write on it. The children have written some wonderful and simple things that make them happy.  Every time I go to the school to read what’s on the wall – I always leave with a bubbly feeling.  happy and grateful.

  

Well this is Thanksgiving week and I imagine people will be busy travelling to be with family, or planning and preparing meals for thanksgiving day.  Our small community has a Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday and I’m looking forward to it.

I haven’t been keeping up with my blog let alone listing on Monday’s what I’m thankful for, so today and all this week I’ll be giving thanks for……..

# 34 – 40.

34.  snow falling – it’s beautiful.

35.  my girls doing well at school academically

36.  friendships and fellowship

37.  fireplaces and a warm house.

38.  being a mother

39.  spinning classes

40.  hearing my Russian teacher tell me that she read about Papua New Guinea and that my home country interests her.

What are you thankful for today, do share!

Happy week.

weekends are for…..

relaxing.

The sky was blue this weekend and the sun came out but it was still cold! 

The snow from a week ago has melted and now I’m waiting anxiously for the next beautiful snowfall.

I hope your weekend was a relaxing one too.

Have an awesome week!

yesterday….

was beautiful. magical.

  

I’ve never experienced falling snow and so it just took my breath away.  I couldn’t get over how pretty it all looked.  Of course it got a little cold for me to be out there while my children played, but it was so worth it. 

 

Yesterday was also my daughter Renee’s birthday.  It was a special day for her and for us.  I’m thankful for her 12 years of life and blessed to have her in my life. 

  

Happy Birthday dear!

a day late (again) corner view – home sweet home

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

I know it’s a day late but, 3 months ago this space was just that, a space while we waited for our shipment to arrive.

 

Thankfully it did all arrive safely and now it’s home sweet home.

you probably recognize my pictures on the wall.  They go with us everywhere, even here where we will now be experiencing 4 seasons.  Winter is upon us and I’m thankful for the fireplace.

For more CV, start with Francesca.  Thanks for the theme Bonnie.

these past eight days……..

• had a small get together to celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday.
• had a couple of meetings for Renee’s planned school trip to somewhere in Europe.
• found out that Renee’s teachers are retiring at the end of this school year (which makes me sad, cause they have been instrumental in helping her settle down so fast)
• had 2 bomb blasts in the city (close to the building where my husband works) and so we have been on edge lately.
• been in contact with my friends in Thailand who have experienced flooding in their own homes, which is just terrible to hear. But at least they are safe.
• Tanysha’s eczema has flared up again, and with the cold weather, not so good.
• and lastly we had some snow.  My kids were super excited, and there is more on the way.

 

weekends are for……

the Halloween carnival, dressing up – twice(once for the kids and the other for the grown up’s party), handing out candy and having fun.  Also for celebrating another year of life.

My husband turned another year older!

 

   Hope your weekend was full of fun too.

corner view - exotic

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

this weeks theme is exotic.  Hmm whenever I think of exotic flowers always come to mind.  these specific flowers actually. Orchids and frangipani's.  Unfortunately they are hard to come by here in Kazakhstan.  But thankfully I have these in my house, to cheer me up.

For more exotic’s around the world, start with Francesca.

and we’re back at home

we’ve been away this past week in London, enjoying ourselves.  Doing all the things that tourists do. The last time we visited London we did Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, The London Eye and the hop on hop off bus.  This time round we walked through the parks, went to the zoo, Legoland and Ripley’s Museum.  The museum sure was interesting!!! And of course we shopped!!

But it’s always great to head back to the comfort of your own home and to sleep in our own beds.  That’s always something to look forward too.

Well now back in Atyrau and it’s freezing.  remember the golden leaves in my last post – well they’re now all gone. 

Winter is coming or is it here already?!

p.s – come back for my  Corner view.

corner view–October

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme. If you'd like to join in, please leave a link to your Corner View post in the comments below, and be sure to visit other participants too.

I’m so unprepared for this weeks corner view. Our surface shipment finally arrived after 2 months and so I’ve been busy opening boxes and putting things in their places.  Our house finally feels more like a home.

Well October here is definitely different to what I’ve been used too.  It’s always been hot, humid and rainy and now the sky is blue, the air is cooler and the leaves – oh the leaves, they just tell you that there is a change coming.

well no matter what month it is – boys will be boys!!

Thanks for going all out with the theme.  I’m loving all the photo’s for this month theme.  CV has some great photo takers.

Thanks again to Francesca for hosting. 

saying good-bye from a far

is never easy. 

yesterday I got news that my last surviving grand parent passed away.  He’s been sick for a while and so it was not surprising, but even knowing that doesn’t make it easier.

my Grandmother passed away a couple of months ago and his own illness took a turn for the worst. Last week they celebrated his 90th birthday.  I’m sad but at the same time at peace because I know now that his aged mind and body is at rest now.  He had a good 90 years of life. 

Bamahuta Bubu Tau.(Good Bye Grandpa)

weekends are for

enjoying the weather, because we know there’s a change coming.  Baking for an evening with with friends having cocktails and desserts.

And just relaxing.

I hope your weekend was a lovely one.