it would’ve been a happy birthday!

today was a sad day for me. my sadness is not because my father did not live a good life but that he went too soon. what I consider to be still young.  Oh how cruel cancer can be……

My dad would have turned 61 today. it’s his birthday and we would’ve celebrated it.  not with a big party or anything but I know my brother and sisters would have made him a cake and gathered everyone together to sing him and wish him a happy birthday.

I would’ve called him and had my children sing him happy birthday over the phone and then we would’ve talked  about anything and everything and then I’d have wished him a very happy birthday.

Because that’s what we always did.

there is an ache in my heart knowing that I can’t do that anymore. 

But today I chose to celebrate him and his life and remember it all. I called home, spoke with my sisters and we shared some memories. I had hoped to speak to mum but she wasn’t available.  I know this day would have been a difficult one for her.

we remembered together and we celebrated you Dad………..…

Happy Birthday!

it would’ve been a happy birthday!

today was a sad day for me. my sadness is not because my father did not live a good life but that he went too soon. what I consider to be still young.  Oh how cruel cancer can be……

My dad would have turned 61 today. it’s his birthday and we would’ve celebrated it.  not with a big party or anything but I know my brother and sisters would have made him a cake and gathered everyone together to sing him and wish him a happy birthday.

I would’ve called him and had my children sing him happy birthday over the phone and then we would’ve talked  about anything and everything and then I’d have wished him a very happy birthday.

Because that’s what we always did.

there is an ache in my heart knowing that I can’t do that anymore. 

But today I chose to celebrate him and his life and remember it all. I called home, spoke with my sisters and we shared some memories. I had hoped to speak to mum but she wasn’t available.  I know this day would have been a difficult one for her.

we remembered together and we celebrated you Dad………..…

Happy Birthday!

this weekend

was full of waffles, cakes and international food.

Saturday night was the International Food Fair (IFF).  this event is the school’s major fundraiser. We have booths from South America, Africa, Japan, China, Israel, Netherlands, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, the USA and of course Thailand.  It’s the one night where you can be in one place and taste the world – I love it.

It’s safe to say that this weekend was all about the food. My cakes above where my contribution to a cake walk game that we gym parents were hosting.  We received 80 cakes and they were all played for.

On the home front – there are some changes are coming, and I feel ready. I’ll share more later.

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend.

How do you feel about change? do you welcome it?

this weekend

was full of waffles, cakes and international food.

Saturday night was the International Food Fair (IFF).  this event is the school’s major fundraiser. We have booths from South America, Africa, Japan, China, Israel, Netherlands, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, the USA and of course Thailand.  It’s the one night where you can be in one place and taste the world – I love it.

It’s safe to say that this weekend was all about the food. My cakes above where my contribution to a cake walk game that we gym parents were hosting.  We received 80 cakes and they were all played for.

On the home front – there are some changes are coming, and I feel ready. I’ll share more later.

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend.

How do you feel about change? do you welcome it?

corner view–blue

A couple of years ago Tanysha asked me what my favorite color was and I told her it was blue.  She’d then look at me funny and say why blue – that’s a boy color, girls are suppose to like pink!

well today she likes that I like the color blue and I’m realizing that she has issues with stereo types!!

For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved blue – all shades of the color blue! It’s my go to color. I find that it relaxes me and calms me down!

And in case you’re wondering what color Tanysha likes well that would be brown…..

For more blues’s head on over to Theresa’s our Corner View host.

corner view–blue

A couple of years ago Tanysha asked me what my favorite color was and I told her it was blue.  She’d then look at me funny and say why blue – that’s a boy color, girls are suppose to like pink!

well today she likes that I like the color blue and I’m realizing that she has issues with stereo types!!

For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved blue – all shades of the color blue! It’s my go to color. I find that it relaxes me and calms me down!

And in case you’re wondering what color Tanysha likes well that would be brown…..

For more blues’s head on over to Theresa’s our Corner View host.

the weekend

we worked this past weekend.  we got our hands dirty, broke out a sweat and used muscles that we hardly use. Yeah I’m a little sore, but looking back on the weekend I’m so glad I did it.

for so long I’ve used Joshua as an excuse and yeah maybe he is a bit young to be out there on a building site but he was so good – he managed to entertain himself with the village kids and stayed away from danger.

I’m thankful that I got to experience this.  I know the families are grateful that we went and helped build their houses and hand them their keys.  It was pure joy.  But I know that I also received, nothing material or physical but I know I received something.

I’m learning that It’s a beautiful thing when we give our time and ourselves to others and for others. we’re blessed, and blessed richly.  It’s almost therapeutic that I ask myself why I don’t do it often enough.

It’s hard for me to explain exactly what I’m feeling now but I know I received for my heart and soul. 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

p.s more photos over at my 365 photo blog.

the weekend

we worked this past weekend.  we got our hands dirty, broke out a sweat and used muscles that we hardly use. Yeah I’m a little sore, but looking back on the weekend I’m so glad I did it.

for so long I’ve used Joshua as an excuse and yeah maybe he is a bit young to be out there on a building site but he was so good – he managed to entertain himself with the village kids and stayed away from danger.

I’m thankful that I got to experience this.  I know the families are grateful that we went and helped build their houses and hand them their keys.  It was pure joy.  But I know that I also received, nothing material or physical but I know I received something.

I’m learning that It’s a beautiful thing when we give our time and ourselves to others and for others. we’re blessed, and blessed richly.  It’s almost therapeutic that I ask myself why I don’t do it often enough.

It’s hard for me to explain exactly what I’m feeling now but I know I received for my heart and soul. 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

p.s more photos over at my 365 photo blog.

love is……….

We had been dating or a while, maybe a couple of months – I can’t remember exactly. anyway, one day while we were just sitting, not doing anything in particular but just sitting and enjoying each other’s company I asked him……..

”do people fall in love or learn to love?”

He looked at me strangely and thought, this must be some kind of trick question. She must be testing me to see how I’ll answer. Well it wasn’t.

I was just curious.

I had seen couples so in love and then not in love, I’d witnessed marriages slow down, lose their flame and even lose love and I’d think to myself – what happened? Surely they must have fallen in love and that’s why they got engaged and married. I’m sure they fell head over heels for each other and that’s why they took that next step isn’t it – but what happened?

It’s hard to say, hard to understand…. but it happens.

I fell in love. Yes I was like that little puppy head over heels. Even after we married, our early years of marriage, I still was! 3 children later, a mortgage, worries, the grind of daily living I’m still in love but I have moved myself to the path of learning to love.

We’re so different. Of course he’s a man and I’m a woman. The way we were brought up makes us different, the way we think makes us different, the way we react to situations is different but isn’t that the beauty of marriage, of love?

Isn’t it here, in the safety of that marriage that we learn to love, embrace and accept those differences? Isn’t here where we see the big picture and choose to get on and stay on that learning to love path.

I’ve learnt that it’s a choice. And to make that choice is love……. And it is a choice that needs to be made daily.

He did eventually answer me – he said both. I think we fall in love first and then to make it work we learn to love……daily!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13.

love is……….

We had been dating or a while, maybe a couple of months – I can’t remember exactly. anyway, one day while we were just sitting, not doing anything in particular but just sitting and enjoying each other’s company I asked him……..

”do people fall in love or learn to love?”

He looked at me strangely and thought, this must be some kind of trick question. She must be testing me to see how I’ll answer. Well it wasn’t.

I was just curious.

I had seen couples so in love and then not in love, I’d witnessed marriages slow down, lose their flame and even lose love and I’d think to myself – what happened? Surely they must have fallen in love and that’s why they got engaged and married. I’m sure they fell head over heels for each other and that’s why they took that next step isn’t it – but what happened?

It’s hard to say, hard to understand…. but it happens.

I fell in love. Yes I was like that little puppy head over heels. Even after we married, our early years of marriage, I still was! 3 children later, a mortgage, worries, the grind of daily living I’m still in love but I have moved myself to the path of learning to love.

We’re so different. Of course he’s a man and I’m a woman. The way we were brought up makes us different, the way we think makes us different, the way we react to situations is different but isn’t that the beauty of marriage, of love?

Isn’t it here, in the safety of that marriage that we learn to love, embrace and accept those differences? Isn’t here where we see the big picture and choose to get on and stay on that learning to love path.

I’ve learnt that it’s a choice. And to make that choice is love……. And it is a choice that needs to be made daily.

He did eventually answer me – he said both. I think we fall in love first and then to make it work we learn to love……daily!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13.

corner view–favorite actor

it’s hard for me to just pick one actor, because I don’t just have one, I have many. And there are many because I love movies.  I love going to the cinema getting popcorn and soda and then getting involved in a story and being transported to wherever it may be……

I loved Shawshank Redemption with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.  I also enjoyed Invictus with Morgan Freeman again and Matt Damon. Another movie I really enjoyed was the Other Boylen Girl. 

Here’s a trailer if you are interested:

 

But for today’s corner view I’ll pick one…. and right now that actor would have to be Johnny Depp.

I liked him in his 21 Jump Street Days and I still like him today.  I love how he doesn’t just fit into one particular type of movie but that he can do so many different things. Remember Edward Scissor hands? (not one of his best but still!!)

I’m looking forward to Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

thanks Skylar for the theme, thanks Theresa for hosting. 

Want to see who the CV favorites are start with Theresa.

corner view–favorite actor

it’s hard for me to just pick one actor, because I don’t just have one, I have many. And there are many because I love movies.  I love going to the cinema getting popcorn and soda and then getting involved in a story and being transported to wherever it may be……

I loved Shawshank Redemption with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.  I also enjoyed Invictus with Morgan Freeman again and Matt Damon. Another movie I really enjoyed was the Other Boylen Girl. 

Here’s a trailer if you are interested:

 

But for today’s corner view I’ll pick one…. and right now that actor would have to be Johnny Depp.

I liked him in his 21 Jump Street Days and I still like him today.  I love how he doesn’t just fit into one particular type of movie but that he can do so many different things. Remember Edward Scissor hands? (not one of his best but still!!)

I’m looking forward to Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

thanks Skylar for the theme, thanks Theresa for hosting. 

Want to see who the CV favorites are start with Theresa.

missing my baby

I thought I’d be ok.  That I would be that mom who is totally fine with their child travelling away from home and having them be away for a couple of nights ………….well apparently I’m not.

It’s past midday, the kids would be coming home from school soon and I’m missing my baby.

I’m wondering if she’s okay, whether or not if she’s having fun with her friends (actually she didn’t look too happy this morning while waiting to get on the bus, and I’m thinking maybe because her friends were on a different bus) and if she’s missing home!

Well whatever it is I’m missing her.  it’s a different feeling and not a very pleasant one.

Gosh what am I going to do when Renee really wants to try out boarding school!! She’s talked about it and I love that she’s open to it but I’m not.  I went to boarding school and I totally loved it.  And I do think because of it I’m able to handle living away from family and home so well, but my baby……..that’s a totally different story!

missing my baby

I thought I’d be ok.  That I would be that mom who is totally fine with their child travelling away from home and having them be away for a couple of nights ………….well apparently I’m not.

It’s past midday, the kids would be coming home from school soon and I’m missing my baby.

I’m wondering if she’s okay, whether or not if she’s having fun with her friends (actually she didn’t look too happy this morning while waiting to get on the bus, and I’m thinking maybe because her friends were on a different bus) and if she’s missing home!

Well whatever it is I’m missing her.  it’s a different feeling and not a very pleasant one.

Gosh what am I going to do when Renee really wants to try out boarding school!! She’s talked about it and I love that she’s open to it but I’m not.  I went to boarding school and I totally loved it.  And I do think because of it I’m able to handle living away from family and home so well, but my baby……..that’s a totally different story!

thank you is all you should say

today I was given a compliment!

a compliment that should have had me thrilled instead I was like oh no I still need too loose some more weight, I’m not where I want to be and on and on and on…..

when really all I should have said was ‘thank you”.

I’m still learning to graciously accept compliments and just respond with a thank you.  I still find that hard to do.  The bible study I’m doing is shedding some light on my self talk and how it can either be constructive, destructive, ineffective or powerful.

Maybe because the words I speak to myself are not often positive that when kind and positive words are spoken to me I find them difficult to accept.

I’m working on my thought closet!!

Anyway my friend and I had lunch today and she told me that I looked great and that I didn’t need to loose anymore weight.  I have lost 6 pounds and I do feel good!  So thank you Shamita!

How do you respond to compliments?

thank you is all you should say

today I was given a compliment!

a compliment that should have had me thrilled instead I was like oh no I still need too loose some more weight, I’m not where I want to be and on and on and on…..

when really all I should have said was ‘thank you”.

I’m still learning to graciously accept compliments and just respond with a thank you.  I still find that hard to do.  The bible study I’m doing is shedding some light on my self talk and how it can either be constructive, destructive, ineffective or powerful.

Maybe because the words I speak to myself are not often positive that when kind and positive words are spoken to me I find them difficult to accept.

I’m working on my thought closet!!

Anyway my friend and I had lunch today and she told me that I looked great and that I didn’t need to loose anymore weight.  I have lost 6 pounds and I do feel good!  So thank you Shamita!

How do you respond to compliments?

burnt and hoarse

spent the whole day in the sun cheering on Renee’s soccer team at the championship games.

I guess I’m a soccer mom, one of those who can’t sit and watch. Instead I walk up and down the side lines and really get into the game.  I think my daughter’s ok with it cause she hasn’t told me to sit down……yet.   All season long the girls weren’t able to win a single game but today they turned up.  they only lost one game in their division, and so had a chance to play off for the championship game.  Unfortunately they lost that game and had to settle for third.

I’m so proud of Renee and her team.  they really showed some heart today.  And well I got really burnt and my voice is hoarse tonight.

I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!!

burnt and hoarse

spent the whole day in the sun cheering on Renee’s soccer team at the championship games.

I guess I’m a soccer mom, one of those who can’t sit and watch. Instead I walk up and down the side lines and really get into the game.  I think my daughter’s ok with it cause she hasn’t told me to sit down……yet.   All season long the girls weren’t able to win a single game but today they turned up.  they only lost one game in their division, and so had a chance to play off for the championship game.  Unfortunately they lost that game and had to settle for third.

I’m so proud of Renee and her team.  they really showed some heart today.  And well I got really burnt and my voice is hoarse tonight.

I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!!

Friday’s Fave Five # 65

It’s Friday and it’s time to look back on the week.  Many good things, bad things even some ugly moments – yep a lot happens in a week.  Life is never boring!

Anyway here are the things/moments that made my week, in particular order, here they are:

1. Meeting new people.  I love the opportunity to meet new people and the possibilities out there to make some new friendships. This week I met some new people to the community and it was lovely.

2. Generous people.  We’re raising funds for a habitat for humanity trip that we are joining and Tanysha wanted to have a go at selling some bricks! Well she came home one afternoon and was so excited that she was able to sell. She made 1500 baht which is around 46 US Dollars.  I was so proud of her and thank you to those ladies who bought from her.

3. Receiving mail. the books that I ordered arrive during the week, along with the Time magazine, Better Homes and gardens mag and the Woman’s day mag.  I love it!!  I’ve started both books at the same time and I’m really enjoying them.

here’s one of the books I ordered.

4.  A new bible study.  This week our bible study classes began and I think I’m going to enjoy my study.  It’s about our minds and how we talk to ourselves and what we say  to ourselves and about ourselves.  I need a makeover!  I know it may make me feel uncomfortable but I always believe that it’s a good thing to help me grow in my faith and hopefully become a better person.

 

5.  And finally a new painting.  I wasn’t too sure how this painting that I wanted done for me would turn out, but I’m so happy with the result.  I’m so looking forward to picking it up on the weekend and hanging it on my wall that has been bare for like forever!!  It may look familiar to some of you out there.

Well I hope you all had a great week and are ready for the weekend.

For more fave fives make sure to visit Susanne our gracious host.

Friday’s Fave Five # 65

It’s Friday and it’s time to look back on the week.  Many good things, bad things even some ugly moments – yep a lot happens in a week.  Life is never boring!

Anyway here are the things/moments that made my week, in particular order, here they are:

1. Meeting new people.  I love the opportunity to meet new people and the possibilities out there to make some new friendships. This week I met some new people to the community and it was lovely.

2. Generous people.  We’re raising funds for a habitat for humanity trip that we are joining and Tanysha wanted to have a go at selling some bricks! Well she came home one afternoon and was so excited that she was able to sell. She made 1500 baht which is around 46 US Dollars.  I was so proud of her and thank you to those ladies who bought from her.

3. Receiving mail. the books that I ordered arrive during the week, along with the Time magazine, Better Homes and gardens mag and the Woman’s day mag.  I love it!!  I’ve started both books at the same time and I’m really enjoying them.

here’s one of the books I ordered.

4.  A new bible study.  This week our bible study classes began and I think I’m going to enjoy my study.  It’s about our minds and how we talk to ourselves and what we say  to ourselves and about ourselves.  I need a makeover!  I know it may make me feel uncomfortable but I always believe that it’s a good thing to help me grow in my faith and hopefully become a better person.

 

5.  And finally a new painting.  I wasn’t too sure how this painting that I wanted done for me would turn out, but I’m so happy with the result.  I’m so looking forward to picking it up on the weekend and hanging it on my wall that has been bare for like forever!!  It may look familiar to some of you out there.

Well I hope you all had a great week and are ready for the weekend.

For more fave fives make sure to visit Susanne our gracious host.

corner view–evening sky

I took these photo’s from a recent trip to Koh Chang.  they are of the same evening, same sky, just different setting on my camera.  I love digital cameras and how you’re able to take so many photos and delete the ones that don’t turn out nice.

I think it’s interesting how each photo sets a different kind of tone and mood.  I’m still working at trying to get the most from my camera.

For more evening skies head on over to Theresa’s.