Friday’s Fave Five # 49

Wow Friday already, it’s hard to believe.  It’s been a tough week for me.  I received news that my father isn’t doing too well and has been in and out of the hospital these past two weeks. If you’ve followed me on this blog you know that my Dad was diagnosed with cancer.   His  chemotherapy  worked but I’m learning that you just never with cancer and why it comes back for some people and not others.

But even so there are some good things that happened this week and for which I am thankful for.

1. Spontaneous hugs from my kids.  Even from my 10 year old who is at that age/grade where she wants to be all grown up and independent but still likes to be hugged back.

2.  Electricity.  This may be a strange one but with the storm that happened and the power outages because of the storm it’s hard to imagine what things would be like without electricity.  You don’t really think about these things until it’s off…..for a couple of hours.   Oh and the heat and humidity here does not help at all!

3.  Still losing weight.  I’m an emotional eater and with the news from home I thought I would just loose control over my eating but thankfully that did not happen.  I weighed in and I lost another 2 pounds.  I’m doing something right!!

4.  Rain.  I love it when it rains. And this week the heavens opened and it poured down heavily.  It’s always great to get some rain here but the heat that follows it – well that’s not something to be too happy about.

5.  My husband. As I mentioned it’s been a tough week for me,  trying not too think too much about my father and what’s happening at home and not being able to do much. And my dear husband has been great.  Just listening to me and loving me and assuring me that whatever I need or my Dad needs, we will find a way to get done what needs to be done. 

What have you been up too and what’s your favorites for this week.

Thanks Susanne for FFF.

Happy Weekend.

p.s. I’ll be away for the weekend so I’ll visit your blogs later.

Friday’s Fave Five # 49

Wow Friday already, it’s hard to believe.  It’s been a tough week for me.  I received news that my father isn’t doing too well and has been in and out of the hospital these past two weeks. If you’ve followed me on this blog you know that my Dad was diagnosed with cancer.   His  chemotherapy  worked but I’m learning that you just never with cancer and why it comes back for some people and not others.

But even so there are some good things that happened this week and for which I am thankful for.

1. Spontaneous hugs from my kids.  Even from my 10 year old who is at that age/grade where she wants to be all grown up and independent but still likes to be hugged back.

2.  Electricity.  This may be a strange one but with the storm that happened and the power outages because of the storm it’s hard to imagine what things would be like without electricity.  You don’t really think about these things until it’s off…..for a couple of hours.   Oh and the heat and humidity here does not help at all!

3.  Still losing weight.  I’m an emotional eater and with the news from home I thought I would just loose control over my eating but thankfully that did not happen.  I weighed in and I lost another 2 pounds.  I’m doing something right!!

4.  Rain.  I love it when it rains. And this week the heavens opened and it poured down heavily.  It’s always great to get some rain here but the heat that follows it – well that’s not something to be too happy about.

5.  My husband. As I mentioned it’s been a tough week for me,  trying not too think too much about my father and what’s happening at home and not being able to do much. And my dear husband has been great.  Just listening to me and loving me and assuring me that whatever I need or my Dad needs, we will find a way to get done what needs to be done. 

What have you been up too and what’s your favorites for this week.

Thanks Susanne for FFF.

Happy Weekend.

p.s. I’ll be away for the weekend so I’ll visit your blogs later.

Broken Pot

Remember my front door……   see that pot with the bamboo sticks in it……….. well this is what happened to it yesterday.

It broke! The heavens opened and there was a heavy down pouring of rain accompanied by some very strong winds that the pot just fell over. 

There were many branches and some trees that fell over.   There was a big clean up today!  And on top of that there have been  power outages throughout the day and in this heat and humidity that’s never a good thing. You’re better off spending your time at a mall!

I’ve kept the pot for now, I’m trying to think how I can re-use it . It’s a pretty big pot.

Any ideas?

Broken Pot

Remember my front door……   see that pot with the bamboo sticks in it……….. well this is what happened to it yesterday.

It broke! The heavens opened and there was a heavy down pouring of rain accompanied by some very strong winds that the pot just fell over. 

There were many branches and some trees that fell over.   There was a big clean up today!  And on top of that there have been  power outages throughout the day and in this heat and humidity that’s never a good thing. You’re better off spending your time at a mall!

I’ve kept the pot for now, I’m trying to think how I can re-use it . It’s a pretty big pot.

Any ideas?

Corner View Animals.

We don’t have any household pets – right now. But we love animals.  Both big and small. 

Since living in Thailand we’ve fallen in love with the elephants. We’ve been up close and personal with them and now have a soft spot for them.   

So for today’s theme I’m reposting an old post I did sometime ago about these amazing animals.

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Don’t you think this  painting is  great?  Okay, okay  you’ve probably seen better artwork.    

But what if I told you that these were done by this little (I mean big big) guy.

I never knew elephants could do this. 

Actually I’ve never seen any elephant do this.  I was so impressed that day it brought tears to my eyes.

This painting  was also done by another elephant.  What’s even more impressive, the paper used is made of elephant dung.  All the  paintings are sold and the money is used to save the elephants here in Asia. 

After seeing this I’m totally convinced that elephants are very very intelligent animals.

For more pets – both big and small, visit Jane.  Thanks Joyce for stepping in for Jane.

Corner View Animals.

We don’t have any household pets – right now. But we love animals.  Both big and small. 

Since living in Thailand we’ve fallen in love with the elephants. We’ve been up close and personal with them and now have a soft spot for them.   

So for today’s theme I’m reposting an old post I did sometime ago about these amazing animals.

**********************************************************

Don’t you think this  painting is  great?  Okay, okay  you’ve probably seen better artwork.    

But what if I told you that these were done by this little (I mean big big) guy.

I never knew elephants could do this. 

Actually I’ve never seen any elephant do this.  I was so impressed that day it brought tears to my eyes.

This painting  was also done by another elephant.  What’s even more impressive, the paper used is made of elephant dung.  All the  paintings are sold and the money is used to save the elephants here in Asia. 

After seeing this I’m totally convinced that elephants are very very intelligent animals.

For more pets – both big and small, visit Jane.  Thanks Joyce for stepping in for Jane.

Ida’s Challenge – Stranger # 12

Ida’s 12 weeks of strangers ends today.  I cannot believe that I did it.  I took photo’s of 12 strangers and posted them.  It’s been fun to people watch.  To be aware of them and to have my camera with me to take candid shots of people.

In all my photo’s though I’ve not had the courage to ask them if I could take their pictures but I’m sure they were very aware of me pointing my camera at them.

Thanks Ida for the idea.  It’s been fun.

So to close this challenge out here is my last stranger.

She’s praying/meditating near a spirit house.  There are many spirit houses every where you go and you will often see people stopping and praying.

I took this photo from the car.   

And as we came around I took another shot. The picture below made me laugh – because of the body in the background!!

Thanks again Ida and everyone else who played along.

Ida’s Challenge – Stranger # 12

Ida’s 12 weeks of strangers ends today.  I cannot believe that I did it.  I took photo’s of 12 strangers and posted them.  It’s been fun to people watch.  To be aware of them and to have my camera with me to take candid shots of people.

In all my photo’s though I’ve not had the courage to ask them if I could take their pictures but I’m sure they were very aware of me pointing my camera at them.

Thanks Ida for the idea.  It’s been fun.

So to close this challenge out here is my last stranger.

She’s praying/meditating near a spirit house.  There are many spirit houses every where you go and you will often see people stopping and praying.

I took this photo from the car.   

And as we came around I took another shot. The picture below made me laugh – because of the body in the background!!

Thanks again Ida and everyone else who played along.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

A couple of weeks ago Renee had to choose her electives for middle school and one of them she chose was the school Band.  Yesterday at school was the Beginning Band drive.  All the kids who signed up had to list 3 instruments try them out and then choose.

The 3 instruments she chose was  the oboe, the saxophone and the trumpet.

She tried them all and then made her choice.  

And that would be the Trumpet. 

I was secretly hoping that she choose the saxophone but here is where I’ve got to bite my tongue, step back and allow her to make her own choices. 

I was surprised that she had some pretty big pipes to get the sound out.  I think she’s going to enjoy it very much and so will I!

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

A couple of weeks ago Renee had to choose her electives for middle school and one of them she chose was the school Band.  Yesterday at school was the Beginning Band drive.  All the kids who signed up had to list 3 instruments try them out and then choose.

The 3 instruments she chose was  the oboe, the saxophone and the trumpet.

She tried them all and then made her choice.  

And that would be the Trumpet. 

I was secretly hoping that she choose the saxophone but here is where I’ve got to bite my tongue, step back and allow her to make her own choices. 

I was surprised that she had some pretty big pipes to get the sound out.  I think she’s going to enjoy it very much and so will I!

A Late Photo Hunters

right now my addiction is to spicy hot food. 

When we first came to Thailand I couldn’t handle the spice of the wonderful Thai food but as time has gone by I find myself having to have every dish with a little if not a lot of spice. 

For more addictions head on over to TNChick.

A Late Photo Hunters

right now my addiction is to spicy hot food. 

When we first came to Thailand I couldn’t handle the spice of the wonderful Thai food but as time has gone by I find myself having to have every dish with a little if not a lot of spice. 

For more addictions head on over to TNChick.

Friday’s Fave Five – # 48

It’s been a while since I’ve been at Friday’s Fave Five.  Friday’s just have been busy and I’ve found it hard to sit and blog but today I’ve actually got the time.  And it’s good to be back.

Thanks Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five.  Click here for details if you’re wondering what Fave Five is..

Here are my Five for this week:

1.  A full week of school.  I know this might be a little strange but the girls have had school days cancelled due to the protesting here in Thailand so it was good to get through a week of school.

2.  Disney Land.  I don’t know how this place is  always able to make grown ups feel like kids.  I love it. And I know my kids will always love it.  But you know they have this smile on their faces when they see me and my husband genuinely enjoying  it like they are.   We spent a couple of days there last week and it was wonderful. Hong Kong was lovely too.

JJ just loving Pluto. 

3. Still bike riding.  Although it’s really really hot in Thailand now I’ve still been able to get on the bike with Joshua and cycle around the lake in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoons.  It’s a great way to exercise and best of all Joshua loves it.

4. Loosing weight.  It’s slow but steady.  And I have to keep telling myself that steady is good.  The experts say it’s the best  way and healthy way to loose weight and that the weight stays off.  So it’s one day at a time. 

5.  The LA Lakers.  They’re in the playoffs again which makes me happy.  I don’t think they go in as favorites but at least they’ve given themselves another shot at winning it all.  I was hoping that I would be writing this post boasting that they are 3-0 in their best of 7 series against the Oklahoma Thunder but they lost and so it’s now 2-1.   Before I go I wanted to give you this link.  I love the story and the courage of this little guy – you just gotta love Ezra Frech. ( I hope you are able to watch the video).

Happy Weekend Everyone.  For those of you in Australia and New Zealand – Happy Anzac Day!

Friday’s Fave Five – # 48

It’s been a while since I’ve been at Friday’s Fave Five.  Friday’s just have been busy and I’ve found it hard to sit and blog but today I’ve actually got the time.  And it’s good to be back.

Thanks Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five.  Click here for details if you’re wondering what Fave Five is..

Here are my Five for this week:

1.  A full week of school.  I know this might be a little strange but the girls have had school days cancelled due to the protesting here in Thailand so it was good to get through a week of school.

2.  Disney Land.  I don’t know how this place is  always able to make grown ups feel like kids.  I love it. And I know my kids will always love it.  But you know they have this smile on their faces when they see me and my husband genuinely enjoying  it like they are.   We spent a couple of days there last week and it was wonderful. Hong Kong was lovely too.

JJ just loving Pluto. 

3. Still bike riding.  Although it’s really really hot in Thailand now I’ve still been able to get on the bike with Joshua and cycle around the lake in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoons.  It’s a great way to exercise and best of all Joshua loves it.

4. Loosing weight.  It’s slow but steady.  And I have to keep telling myself that steady is good.  The experts say it’s the best  way and healthy way to loose weight and that the weight stays off.  So it’s one day at a time. 

5.  The LA Lakers.  They’re in the playoffs again which makes me happy.  I don’t think they go in as favorites but at least they’ve given themselves another shot at winning it all.  I was hoping that I would be writing this post boasting that they are 3-0 in their best of 7 series against the Oklahoma Thunder but they lost and so it’s now 2-1.   Before I go I wanted to give you this link.  I love the story and the courage of this little guy – you just gotta love Ezra Frech. ( I hope you are able to watch the video).

Happy Weekend Everyone.  For those of you in Australia and New Zealand – Happy Anzac Day!

For Earth Day

Planet earth is beautiful and she’s counting us on to make those big and small changes to keep her beautiful.

I’ve always loved this song and just love love love Sting.

For Earth Day!

For Earth Day

Planet earth is beautiful and she’s counting us on to make those big and small changes to keep her beautiful.

I’ve always loved this song and just love love love Sting.

For Earth Day!

Corner View Earth Day

Earth Day is this weeks theme.

For me it’s all about changing the way we do things.  Not just on Earth Day  but everyday.  And it’s the small things. Things like turning off the lights when they are not needed, using our dryers efficiently,  managing food waste, remembering to carry bags to the grocery shop so we don’t use plastic bags,  shorter showers, recycling everything that can be recycled, using our bikes and list goes on and on.

I did a post sometime ago about the Banyan Tree.  Click here to see it again.  It’s a beautiful way to save a tree and I think appropriate for this theme.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

Happy Earth Day!!

for more views visit here.

Congratulations to Jewel and Francesca.  They are the lucky winners of the CV Giveaway!!

Corner View Earth Day

Earth Day is this weeks theme.

For me it’s all about changing the way we do things.  Not just on Earth Day  but everyday.  And it’s the small things. Things like turning off the lights when they are not needed, using our dryers efficiently,  managing food waste, remembering to carry bags to the grocery shop so we don’t use plastic bags,  shorter showers, recycling everything that can be recycled, using our bikes and list goes on and on.

I did a post sometime ago about the Banyan Tree.  Click here to see it again.  It’s a beautiful way to save a tree and I think appropriate for this theme.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

Happy Earth Day!!

for more views visit here.

Congratulations to Jewel and Francesca.  They are the lucky winners of the CV Giveaway!!

Corner View Anniversary Giveaway Winner(s)

Drum roll please…..

And the winner is …………………. Jewel from the armpit of America ! (that made me laugh Jewel – never heard that before).

and because Tanysha also had to pull a name from the hat I’ve decided to have a a second winner. And that person is…….. Francesca at Fuori Borgo in the middle of nowhere in Italy!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Thanks for playing along.  It was fun.

Jewel and Francesca email me your details and I’ll ship out your goodies as soon as possible.

Corner View Anniversary Giveaway Winner(s)

Drum roll please…..

And the winner is …………………. Jewel from the armpit of America ! (that made me laugh Jewel – never heard that before).

and because Tanysha also had to pull a name from the hat I’ve decided to have a a second winner. And that person is…….. Francesca at Fuori Borgo in the middle of nowhere in Italy!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Thanks for playing along.  It was fun.

Jewel and Francesca email me your details and I’ll ship out your goodies as soon as possible.

Ida’s Challenge – Stranger # 11

Here is my stranger for week 11 of Ida’s challenge.  He was part of Alice in Wonderland’s float from the Disney Parade.

He reminded me of a book I read so long ago – The Day of the Triffids. Oh that book messed with my mind…

Anyone else read the book? A book about flesh eating plants.

To see more strangers check out Ida’s blog to see who else is playing.  

Ida’s Challenge – Stranger # 11

Here is my stranger for week 11 of Ida’s challenge.  He was part of Alice in Wonderland’s float from the Disney Parade.

He reminded me of a book I read so long ago – The Day of the Triffids. Oh that book messed with my mind…

Anyone else read the book? A book about flesh eating plants.

To see more strangers check out Ida’s blog to see who else is playing.  

Back to Normal.

Our time at Disney Hong Kong was lovely. It was cold but it was a welcome break from the heat we are use to in Thailand. The kids had so much fun, especially Joshua.  He just loved it.

 

The girls went back to school today but I don’t know how long for.  There are still protests here in Bangkok and now the yellow shirts plan on gathering too.  It’s unfortunate but they are exercising their democratic right.

Don’t forget the giveaway.  entries close tomorrow 12 midnight, Bangkok time.

Back to Normal.

Our time at Disney Hong Kong was lovely. It was cold but it was a welcome break from the heat we are use to in Thailand. The kids had so much fun, especially Joshua.  He just loved it.

 

The girls went back to school today but I don’t know how long for.  There are still protests here in Bangkok and now the yellow shirts plan on gathering too.  It’s unfortunate but they are exercising their democratic right.

Don’t forget the giveaway.  entries close tomorrow 12 midnight, Bangkok time.