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Raisie Bay

pumpkins

My Sunday Photo – Pumpkins

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Pumpkins

three scary pumpkins in a row, lit up in the dark

I know Halloween is over now but I just wanted to share a photo of the Pumpkins carved by my three lit up in the dark.

We went to the Pumpkin Parlour on Wednesday and carved our pumpkins surrounded by witches and a Dracula and to a spooky soundtrack.

Then on Halloween we put the pumpkins on the doorstep to let the locals know we were happy to accept Trick or Treaters. It’s a unwritten rule in our neighbourhood, if there are pumpkins or Halloween decorations it’s okay to call. Otherwise, they pass on by. It means the elderly people or those that don’t want to be disturbed don’t get any callers.

The pumpkins outside lighting tthe door step

Halloween

The kid’s didn’t go out this Halloween. They had no interest in dressing up and calling from door to door for sweets they don’t really like. My kids are weird, they like certain types of lollipops and some chocolate, preferably with no filling. We gave out sweets up until about 8pm then they stopped calling. Boo was the main door answerer. She darted to the door whenever it was knocked and handed out sweets to the callers. She was so lovely, complimenting everyone on their outfits and wishing them a Happy Halloween. I just stood in the back ground and let her get on with it.

We had a scavenger hunt which I’d downloaded. I hid the things, mostly upstairs and the kids did the hunt by torchlight. I was surprised at how much they enjoyed it, but they were really quick and it wore me out quickly as I couldn’t keep up. The final prize was three tombstones which they had to find in the garden. I’d made them into cardboard boxes and filled them wtih their favourite chocolate.

Next up, Christmas!

I saw people complaining that Christmas ads started as soon as Halloween was over, but hey, it’s November and there are not that many paydays until Christmas, especially if you get paid Monthly! Time to get those presents sorted. September is way too early, October is early, but November…I don’t mind, bring on Christmas. Especially the 3rd of December when I’m taking the girls to see The Nutcracker for their first time. I can’t wait! Oh, and while I watch this I’m watching The Polar Express!

When do you start getting ready for Christmas?

My sunday snapshot

Word of the Week #44 October Half Term

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Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week, a nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is October Half Term and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase but please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Since adding this link up party to a directory I’ve noticed a lot of posts, in particular, recipe posts, that do not fit in with the theme of this linky. I have made the decision to remove these posts from further link ups. So please don’t link up anything unless it includes a summary of your week or events in your life. Thank you for your understanding

There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK

October Half Term or if you prefer OHT

October Half Term - OHT

A term this week rather than a word, but that’s allowed 🙂 I guess I could just call it OHT, but it looks too muc like HOT which it most definitely has not been this week.

The Pumpkin Carving Parlour was particularly cold but thankfully Facebook reminded me of the spasm I’d had after attending last year because of getting too cold. So I wrapped up really warm and this year I survived.

It’s actually been a pretty good half term so far. I wasn’t well the weekend but the kids were ok winding down after school. On Monday I managed to do some cooking with the Little Man. We made some waffles in our waffle maker and he likes to experiment with flavours. The banana ones didn’t turn out too good but we had some chocolate ones as back up.

Tuesday we went pottery painting. We always love the pottery painting activity when we go on holiday, so we were excited to do this. We all chose our pieces and spent ages painting them carefully. Last time the Little Man got bored half way through, but this time he actually painted two pieces. Boo got upset when her painting went a little wrong and we had some sulking. So I let her do another one and rescued her previous one. I’ll post some photos when they’ve been fired.

Then on Wednesday we went out for lunch before going to the Pumpkin Parlour to carve our pumpkins. It was another lovely day.

Today it’s Halloween and we are not trick or treating but have a bucket load of sweeties for anyone who calls. I also have a Scavenger Hunt sheet which I downloaded from Justins Juggles which we are doing once it’s dark. I’m still short of a tombestone though…wonder where I can find one at short notice ??

Tomorrow the girls are going out with their older brother to go and buy some new manga. I’d rather them read ‘normal’ books, but they do love their manga and will read them over and over, then start practicing their own drawings. For those who don’t know, manga are Japanese style cartoon books with lots of art work. They generally read the Japanese way from back to front and right to left. I’ve read a few but I find the story moves too slow.

I’ll be staying home and the Little Man is going out with his Dad to buy a calendar from the pet rescue centre as they have chosen a photo of our Cat, Ash to appear in it.

We may have friends over tonight…(I’m writing this on Thursday, so I will have to see how I’m feeling.) Then the weekend will be resting and catching up with the rest of the kids homework.

So, that was our October half term and it was OHT!

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Her Indoors!

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I know I spend too much time inside. The days go by and pass into weeks and I start to get cabin fever as I get fed up of my four walls! 

I had plans to go out but one time I’d forgotten to charge my wheelchair, another I’d forgotten the girls were coming home from school early and I’d not left enough time, and finally, plans were scuppered when my eldest had to go and buy new glasses instead after breaking hers in a fall.

If I’m honest, I’ve not been feeling too good and it’s much nicer to sit cosy on my settee with my book and crochet. Or maybe I have been too lazy?

This week is half term and today we took the kids to the local farm to carve their pumpkins. It was a lovely day, the kids had fun and I was happy for a while that I’d made it out. 

The Little Man concentrating on his pumpkin

Going Out is Not All it’s Cracked up to Be!

The hour in the tent for the pumpkin carving passed by quickly. The kids then did a treasure hunt in the farm shop where they had to hunt for clues in return for a little bag of  sweet treats. I do love the farm shop, they sell some lovely things from fruit and veg, meat and cheese, to chocolate, wine and really nice gifts. Today, I just wasn’t feeling up to shopping though, so we rushed around with the kids and they collected their treats before we left.

Outside in the car park we discovered that someone had hit our car! It was only a small bump, but the damage was visible. This is not actually ‘our’ car but the brand new courtesy car that we have while ours is being fixed. I actually felt sick. 

We got home and while walking through the door I felt a massive pain in my back which set off a spasm and I went stiff and unable to move. It took my two adult children to hold me up while Graham fetched my wheelchair. 

Now, I’m wishing we hadn’t gone out at all. I can only hope the pain eases soon. 

And Graham is faced with calling the car hire company about the bump.

Other News

We’ve had some friends going through a tough time this week and we’ve done our best to be there for them. This means countless hours on the phone and having them around twice in one week when we normally see them about once every three months. Hopefully they are through the worst though and things will get better for them now.

We have another friend that had to go into hospital for an operation, she’s home and recovering now. 

And my eldest daughter fell on a loose slab outside the university smashing up her face as well as her glasses. 

All in all, it’s not really been the best of weeks, but things can only get better. Can’t they?

Debs Random Writings