What is happening to me!??????

......is it lack of sleep? Is it too much to do and not enough time to do it all in? Or is it just stupidity? I´ll let you be the judge!

I have been away on a fantastic weekend with the kids from church. It was our musical weekend. We had soooo much fun practising songs, rehearsing lines and making backgrounds.There was just such a wonderful atmosphere from start to finish. Today was the big day. They would preform in church and they were so nervous and excited as they waited for the curtain to open. They did such a good job. It was really a successful weekend.

So when church was finished I thought I could be home by 1.30pm at the latest. However things don´t always go as planned! I went out to the car to get something from the boot. I opened the boot, set my keys down, found what I needed and closed the boot. The moment I closed the boot I realised my keys were inside and the rest of the car was locked. Aarrrrrghhhhhhh! I tried to break in! No success. I got others to try and break in! Still no success, so there was nothing else for it but to get the train home. I was able to get Leah a ride home, she was sooo tired.

I started to head for home only to discover that I had just missed a bus and it would be another hour before one came. I decided to walk it to the station instead. Half an hour later I was at the station. A quick train ride and then another 20 minutes walk and I finally reached home at 3pm!

( Are some of you asking "Where was Kristian, why didn´t you go home with him? Why didn´t you ring him? Well Kristian was away on the other side of Denmark and would first be home this evening. More about that might come in a later post!)

Then this evening I decided to do some washing. I needed some jeans washed for work tomorrow. I took off the jeans I was wearing and threw them into the wash, Kristian had come home and he was going to take me up to church to get my car. I was rushing about trying to get the wash on before going out with him to the church. I managed to gather a bunch of clothes. I then popped my jeans in among them and I started the machine. I was all proud of my self for being so effective! (Pride always comes before a fall!!) Off I went to collect my car.

Then about ½ hour ago I put my jeans in the dryer only to discover that my mobile phone was still in the back pocket of my jeans!!! ( The phone I am still paying for!!!) Aarrrrrghhhhhhh!!! (I seem to be saying that a lot today!! haha) Yes I washed my phone!!! Aaarrrgghhhhhhhh again!!!

What else can go wrong today??? I´m not sticking around to find out. Off to bed I go before I can do anymore damage! Good night all:-)

A busy weekend awaits.....

yes, it´s a busy weekend for me. I am off with a group of kids from the church. We are having a musical weekend. We are doing the story of Joseph. I am really looking forward to it. It is going to be fun:-)

The kids arrive late Friday afternoon and then the fun begins! We have songs to practise, dances to rehearse, and drama parts to figure out in between all the other things. We are going to be busy. We have from Friday evening until Sunday morning, then on Sunday morning we perform for the whole church. YIKES!!! WILL WE BE READY!???

On Wednesday we started to get some bits and pieces together for the weekend. We needed to make a well for Joseph to be put down. We were wondering how on earth we could do that, when we spotted one of the toys from our mother and toddlers group. A fisherprice climbing frame with slide. We got an idea. The slide came off, the climbing frame got packed in and with a lick of paint it ended up looking like........

......a well. Well I hope you think it looks like a well!! It´s the perfect size for Joseph to be thrown into. I think this weekend is going to be fun!!

Mixed emotions....

So last weekend was filled with all sorts of mixed emotions.

I suppose it started on Friday. I was booked to go to the dentist at noon for a thorough check up of my awful teeth. What on earth was I doing going to the dentist when I had no pain?!! This was ME going of my own free will!! Was I crazy?! These and many more thoughts went through my mind as I got myself ready for the dreaded moment.

Well, glad to say, I survived the visit. She gave me a thorough going over and cleaned my stinky teeth. She told me everything that needed done (now that part I didn´t like!) and said she would send me a letter informing me about how much everything would cost.

The visit to the dentist had not been bad at all! I left there a happy woman, not to mention a little proud (but in a good way!) haha. I had faced my fears and was still around to tell the tale. (oh, ok I know I am a little dramatic!!)

Friday evening Kristian and I had been invited out to our friends, Merete and Palle

for dinner. We had the most delicious food - Shrimp soup, followed by fish and new potatoes done in their skin with a parsley sauce. We ate far too much as usual! It was a lovely relaxing evening, one we really enjoyed.

Saturday morning saw us up at 7.30am and we are NEVER up at 7.30am on a Saturday morning! But we were on a Mission! Kristian´s brother Anders has sold his farm (sob, sob, sob) and they were having a jumble sale to get rid of the last things that were lying around. We were going down to help.

There was all sorts of things to buy. From horse equipment to washing machines.....

Toys, to old chairs and TV sets.

People came and went....some bought things, others didn´t. We were a bit disappointed that there wasn´t a huge amount of people all at the one time, we wanted to be busy all day long. But we weren´t. In the end Lis and I went inside and started to pack things in boxes ready for the move. Kristian and Anders watched "the shop."

I was sad leaving them on Saturday evening. This was our last time there. That farm has soooo many precious memories for us. Many special times have been had there with all of Kristian´s family. Many special times have been had there by us as a family. (We have had quite a few family holidays on the farm. We looked after their animals while they went on holiday. We loved it.)

Ah well, a new house awaits with new memories to be made.

That evening, when we arrived home, there was a letter waiting from my dentist. Now at first, Kristian and I thought it was a bill for the work she had already done on my teeth. The price in the letter being 13947,63kr!! (about £1550!!) BUT.... Kristian and I read it as 1394,763 (about £155!) "Well, that isn´t too bad" said Kristian "No, it´s not, I thought for sure it would have been more" I answered him. (Kristian went off to the loo!)

I then looked more closely at the letter and realised it was a quote telling me how much everything that I needed done would cost. My lightening quick brain, realised that something was not right! The numbers on the top of the page did not add up to just 1394,763. It was then I realised what the real price was!! SHOCK AND HORROR followed!

That was not the end. Behind that quote was another quote. The above quote was only for work that needed done immediately!! The other quote was for work needing done within the next 2-3 years. It was for.....wait for it.....17100,kr (about £1900) SHOCK AGAIN!!!

I am seriously considering going toothless!! I could get a wonderful new piano for that money! (Dad leave me your teeth in your will, - will you?!! haha)

So that was my weekend of mixed emotions!!

(Kristian now wishes he had checked out my mouth first, before he agreed to marry me!! haha)

Home from home....

Where exactly is home?

I am home again from home, if you get my drift! We arrived back in Denmark last night at 9.30pm and Kristian was there to pick us up. It was great to see him and Andrew again. Now I just have to settle back to life here again. Good job I have a few days holidays left for that.

Today I decided I would clear up and clear out things here at home. I sorted out my bookc case, sorted out my desk cupboards and drawers, all my teaching stuff plus all our videos and dvds. I also got some cupboards in the kitchen organised too. It sure felt good. Still more sorting out to do tomorrow.

Then this evening I settled down to watch a DVD. It was a film I picked up cheap a while back. I knew nothing about the film but I was not disappointed.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" is the name of the film. It´s about a woman called Evelyn who meets an old woman in an nursing home and develops a friendship with her. At each visit Evelyn hears, from the old lady, stories from her past. The old lady shares an amazing story about a friendship between two girls called Ruth and Idgie. Hearing the story changes Evelyns life. It is really a wonderful film! It will bring a smile to your face, and at times a tear to your eye. Totally recommend it. It is one film that I will watch again. If you liked "The Notebook" you will like this too.

I'm leaving....

....on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again, oh babe I hate to go....tra-la-la (all sing along!! haha)

Yes today we leave. Winnie and Sara have already left. At 7am this morning they took the bus to Dublin and very soon will be on their way to their homeland. They have had a terrific time. Winnie soooo enjoyed being here so I don't think it will be her last time in wee Norn Iron!

Leah and I just have to pack, shower and do a bit of cleaning before we are also on our way to Dublin. We too have had a brilliant time! It was just too short!!

So to end my stay in Ireland I want to share a joke with you. Those of you who saw me when I was home have already heard it. I told it everywhere I went. The funny thing was to see Sara, Winnie and Leah's face when I told it - they didn't understand it but everyone else in the room would burst into laughter. They would sit looking amazed that people could think that this joke was funny. So here goes.....

Mia Farrah and Susan Boyle went to see the Pope. Mia Farrah went in first and when she came out Susan Boyle asked her nervously what you had to do when you went in. Mia explained that you go in, kiss the popes ring, accept a blessing and then give him a gift. Susan looks worried. "I don't have a gift for him" she said. Mia hands her a scarf with silver fringing that she had been wearing and tells her to give this to him. Susan goes in, kisses the popes ring, accepts the blessing and then drapes the scarf around his neck. "What is this?" the Pope askes to which Susan Boyle replies..........

.......wait for it.....................................

"IT'S THE SASH MIA FARRAH WORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" HAHAHAHA

anybody reading this who doesn't get it, don't worry, it's not because you're thick, you just have to have grown up in Northern Ireland to understand it.

Yesterday Leah and I.....

.....had a day out together. Sara and Winnie went off with my brother for the day. They had a fantastic day. Leah and I headed out together to town. We met my cousin Lorraine in town and went and had a bit of lunch. It was lovely to see her and catch up.

Then it was off shopping once again. Leah went to Primark and I headed to Bargin Books, followed by Easons, Faith Mission Bookshop and ending in Family Books. It was wonderful but the time went by too quickly so I think another visit is needed today!

I bought a few books to keep me going over the next few months. One being the follow up book to the one I read in the summer by Francine Rivers.

It was then home, late afternoon to spend time with dad. We made dinner and then headed out to get the girls and head down to my sister-in-laws house. We had a great night there. Ate far too much as usual!!! Gillian (my sister-in-laws) aunty was there. She and I did CEF camps together over 20 years ago. It was great to see her too.

All in all, another great day.

A full day

Yesterday was a full day!


We started off heading down to my old church. It turned out that my old minister, Mr Anderson, was back as the visiting speaker for harvest. The church was looking lovely with all the flowers, vegetables and fruit around the place. It was great to see lots of "old" friends.




After church we headed to KFC for lunch. While eating lunch Sara asked how Winnie and Billy were. Winnie and Billy are dads good friends, I grew up with them and Sara remembers them too from her visits home when she was small. She hasn't seen them in years, so since we were heading out their direction we decided to pop by their place and see them and their family. It was lovely to catch up but we only stayed about 15 minutes as we were heading out to other friends for afternoon coffee and tea.



At Sharon and Jeff's place, friends were gathered and we had a great afternoon together, talking, laughing and eating delicious cakes!!

So after taking the traditional "family photo" for the blog we discovered that Jeff had grown horns!! How we laughed!

I just had to get a close up! hahaha

We were home 15 minutes and then out again to church (and Sunday is meant to be a day of rest?!!!) After church my brother came by for supper. We got out the old hymn books and had a bit of a sing song, like the good old days in the mission hall! It was a full but lovely day:-)

A broken down record....

...is what I sound like everytime I come to Ireland!! I only seem to have the same thing to report - and that is," WE WENT SHOPPING IN PRIMARK!!" and guess what? This time is no different!

One thing that is different is that Sara's friend Winnie is here with us. It's her first time in Northern Ireland and she is really enjoying herself.

Sara and Winnie arrived on Wednesday afternoon and have been enjoying themselves shopping, visiting family and visiting the local area to act like two posers!

Leah and I arrived on Friday evening 10pm! We flew with SAS and had a lovely flight. However just before boarding they announced that the flight was over booked and they needed 2 people to stay an extra night in Copenhagen.

The two unfortunate souls that would have to give up their seat would receive a free night in a hotel, free taxi service there and back, plus a 500 euro (about £430) voucher that could be exchanged to cash! (and I believe it was each person that got a voucher!)

Well, I was sooo tempted to take it but with only having 4 full days in Ireland it would have meant even shorter time here. I stood weighing up the pluses and minuses and at the same time, trying to work out in my head how much 500 euros actually was in kroner or pounds. By the time I finally realised what a good deal it was the couple in front of us had spoken up and had taken SAS up on their offer.

Leah and I have been kicking ourselves since!!! All day walking around Primark we were talking about what we could have bought with £400 in our pocket!! (or could that have been £800!! aaarrrghhh) hahaha

Ah well, it wasn't meant to be.

Anyway, it's great to see dad again. He is looking really well and doing really well too.

So today we got up and headed into town. We shopped in Primark, and didn't make it anywhere else! No, I tell a lie, I got about 20 minutes in HMV and a walk through Boots.

At lunchtime we met up with some of the family.I got to try mussels for the first time......

...they tasted good. Really rather yummy and delicious! I was surprised.

So we were in town from 11am to 5.30pm with a small break for lunch.

But all you who follow this blog could have written this post yourself! You always know what our first day is like when we come to Belfast. Like I said..."a broken down record!"

By the way, anybody who wants to see us while we are here - just hang out at Primark in Belfast! hahaha

Let´s make a date mate....

...well that´s the advice I`m always giving to others!

"Keep romance alive!" "Make dates!" you will hear me say. Well, last night I decided to listen to myself and I put into action some of my own advice!!I arranged a date with hubby!

We started the evening by going out to eat. We needed a place that was cheap but we also wanted somewhere nice, so the chinese restaurant won. Value for money, cosy and delicious food as well!

It was sooo great to be out together. Even after 20 years of seeing each other day in and day out, I still enjoy going out on dates and just hanging out with Kristian. We always have fun. (Ok you can now go get a bucket and throw up!!haha) But it was especially nice to be out last night as the last few months have been crazy for us both, so it was nice to take time out for each other.

When dinner was finished we headed to the cinema. Our mobile telephone company do special VIP film nights. Two people can get into the cinema for the price of one. The film we went to see was called "The Town". We didn´t know much about it, (just that it was cheap ticket night!!) I actually thought we were going in to see some spy/action film, but I was wrong!! It turned out to be a good film. Some action and a little love. Not one I would watch again but it was ok for our evening out. ( I enjoy funny movies or movies that make you feel good when they are over.)

So now I think I am going to take my own advice a little more often and make more date nights, more often! Anyone else up for the challenge?!!

Time out....

....it´s "time out" week at school so I have no teaching this week. The classrooms are all locked and we are all spending time outside the classroom! (and I´m not complaining!)

So far it has been a great week. The day starts with all the children gathering for Assembly. We sing a song, listen to a Bible reading and thought and end with prayer. Then 400 children do a morning warm up dance. Now that´s an amazing sight seeing 400 children stretching and dancing together. (and what energy you get from doing it!)

So yesterday I was together with 3 other teachers and 49 children. Our group were making kites before heading out to the beach to fly them. The weather was gorgeous and everything went according to plan. (I couldn´t believe I was getting paid for a day at the beach!!) We had a great time with the children. It really was time out!!

Then today the children were divided into different groups. They had to visit different workshops around the school. The workshop I was involved in was Zumba. (Zumba is an aerobic workout that uses Latin dance moves mixed with a little hip hop - it´s great fun and a great way to keep fit!) A student at school is fantastic at Zumba, so we had her teach our Zumba class today.

We had three different sessions and I was involved in all three sessions along with my two colleagues. I had to laugh at one of my colleagues. Just twenty minutes into the first session she looked at the clock and sighed,(it was only 9.20am and we were doing Zumba until 1.30pm with just a few short breaks inbetween!) her face said it all! It was going to be a loooong morning for her! hahaha

I must say I really enjoyed it! It was fun but it was hard work too. My legs are absolutely killing me even though I stretched out after each session!! I know, I know, it must be old age! :-(

What a wonderful world...

....made up of lots of wonderful people from many different cultures and walks of life. A few of those wonderful people were gathered together at our home this evening.

Do you remember one night a few months ago, Kristian went out to throw away a few bags of rubbish and came back with 3 people who were lost? Well, to-night we met up with them again. They came for dinner and brought along another classmate. We had a fantastic evening with them! Six nationalities gathered under the one roof - it sure was fun! They are such a jolly bunch of people who we enjoy being with. I´m sure it will not be the last time we all get together!!

Lean On Me

Kristian introduced me to Kirk Franklin. This is one of his songs that I have been listening to over the past week. Just thought I would share it, hope you enjoy:-)

Here is one for the weekend....

....a story that will (hopefully) put a smile on your face!

Ever since I was a child I´ve always had a fear of someone being under my bed at night. So I went to a shrink and told him, "I´ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there´s somebody under it. I´m scared! I think I´m going crazy!"'

"Just put yourself in my hands for one year," said the shrink. "Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears."

'How much do you charge?' I asked.

'Eighty dollars per visit,' replied the doctor.

'I'll sleep on it,' I said.

Six months later the doctor met me on the street. 'Why didn't you come to see me about those fears you were having?' he asked.

'Well, Eighty bucks a visit three times a week for a year is an awful lot of money! A bartender cured me for $10. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went and bought me a new pickup!''

'Is that so!' With a bit of an attitude he said, 'and how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?'

'He told me to cut the legs off the bed! - Ain't nobody under there now!!!'


FORGET THE SHRINKS, TALK TO A BARTENDER! hahaha

May your troubles be less, Your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door!

A weekend with nothing.....

turned into a weekend of driving!!

I ended up driving 260km over the weekend!! With Kristian away in Sweden, I was the only taxi driver at home and so I had to drive Leah to her cousin´s house on the Saturday. It was an hours drive there and another one home. It was a real autumn day - cool, gray and windy! That made the drive even more perfect, especially with good music blasting from the loudspeakers!

When I arrived home on the Saturday I decided to make Irish stew! It was delicious! Just what was needed on a cold Saturday evening.

Sara arrived home along with her cousin and so we all got cosy, ready to enjoy a Saturday evening at home. Sara and her cousin had a lot of fun together making silly movies. and I ended up watching a film called "My date with Drew" (if you haven´t seen it, I totally recommend it. Sooooo sweet!)

After church on Sunday I was once again off driving, this time to collect Leah from her cousins. Then we headed back to our church for a concert. Jimmy Needham (an upcoming American singer) was giving a concert. It was soooo good. He was sooo down to earth and shared alot about himself, his faith and his life in between his songs. I not only loved his music but I also loved his sense of humour! It was a fantastic afternoon!

Yet again, the week has gone by soooo fast! We had Junior club on Tuesday evening. This time we were doing something different - we were having a film night. We watched Alvin and the Chipmonks. It was a really cute film that the kids all enjoyed.

I had tried to set the room up like a cinema. We had raised one of the sofa´s up on a stage, and had another one, in front just a bit lower down. I had tickets for the kids and there was a shop "selling" popcorn and soda. The room was locked till it was time for the movie and it was all darkened just like a real cinema. They loved it and were totally into it.

Tomorrow it´s Friday again. My last day of teaching for 2 whole weeks!! It´s going to be great not having any preparation!! Next week is "Time-out" week at school. The whole school is involved in a project, it´s about taking time out to get healthy. There are lots of activities taking place. The kids are in different groups and teams, there is even an iron man race for the oldest kids (16 year olds) . I am involved in it all week. On Monday we are going off to the beach with 49 children. We will make kites and fly them. (hopefully!) On Tuesday I am dancing Zumba all day long with the kids. By Wednesday I will probably be dead!!! haha

Then the week after that I have holiday. The whole school is closed for autumn break. Leah and I will head to Ireland, but it´s only for 4 days, so unfortunately this time I won´t have time to arrange a Richview Reunion:-(

Sara and her friend Winnie are going too, however they fly over on Wednesday of next week, so they arrive a few days before us. Leah and I arrive on Friday evening and we all fly out again on the following Wednesday.

So that´s all my news for this time. If anybody wants to get a taste of the concert you can check out the video below. (It´s actually a well known song that he sings.) He was just having a bit of fun at this stage of the concert. He was talking about the sort of music he grew up listening to and he thought he would give us a taste of it. (If you want to check out more of his music look him up at www.youtube.com)

Nothing....

For the first time in weeks, I have a weekend with nothing planned! It´s wonderful:-)

Kristian is off tomorrow morning to Sweden for "The Swedish Historic Grand Prix". Leah left this evening for a sleep over at church. Then tomorrow she heads off to spend a night with her cousin Annie. Sara is working all day tomorrow at the go-kart track, so it is just Andrew and me at home. I am planning a very relaxing day. I only have Sunday school to prepare and one English lesson for Monday, after that I can relax! Oh what bliss!!!

Must say that it has been a blissful few days. Yesterday I met up with my friend Rhona. I haven´t seen her in months!! (how can I let soooo much time go by without seeing her???!!!) But she is the sort of friend that you relax with. We always just continue from where we left off, last time we were together.

It was sooooo good to see her, to chat, catch up and to laugh. I have really missed her. When our kids were small we were together nearly every day! Yesterday we went for hot chocolate and it was wonderful - the company I mean, but the chocolate was also rather good!! Must say I was on a bit of a high when I got home. I couldn´t stop smiling. Kristian was laughing at me cause all I kept saying was "Oh it was sooo good to see Rhona again!!"

To-day I had a fantastic day of teaching. I am learning that no two days are the same in the teaching world!! Two weeks ago I came home on a Friday afternoon and sat and cried my eyes out! I was about to give the whole thing up (but a good nights sleep helped me with my drama queen outburst!) Since then I have had 2 fantastic weeks of teaching. I still enjoy it, even though it´s hard. The kids can be impossible one minute and wonderful the next.

Appreciate the work that teachers do with your children!! Back them up - they soooo deserve it!!! I appreciate all the work my colleagues do. I only teach 5 classes a week and I think that´s hard - but compared to my colleagues it´s nothing. So I take my hat off to them (well, I would if I had one on!!)

Ok I´m off to bed to read. Whatever you are doing this weekend enjoy it! Remember to take some time to relax!!