tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78945598501523521392024-03-05T19:23:34.449+01:00a Happy Lifea Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-44539275887052689062013-05-07T17:55:00.002+02:002013-05-07T18:28:18.997+02:00Phew!! It's been a while ... German school verses English speakingHi there ... it's been a while since my last blog post!! Where has the time gone? Well I've been busy preparing an <a href="http://elder-jacob-robertson.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">LDS missionary</a> and moving my children from German school back to English speaking. It's been BUSY!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Robertson</td></tr>
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Our children attended the International School Frankfurt for the first three years of living here in Germany. They did really well, however we always had the goal and intention of them integrating into German school after this period of time. We wanted to be apart of the culture etc etc ....<br />
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The time came ... our second son did extremely well socially. We would expect that as he really is a sunshine child and loves people. He was even voted in as 'Schulsprecher' ... Head boy of the school. However academically, with the German school system, he was never going to get the grades he needed for entrance into University. He was our priority to get moved back into the International school as he is in critical years ... Grade 10. He now attends <a href="http://www.fis.edu/" target="_blank">Frankfurt International School Frankfurt</a>. He is excelling and we are very happy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugby match in England with Aunt S and Uncle G</td></tr>
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Our third son didn't do too badly academically at first but socially he struggled at first. Then socially things improved and academically things were not improving enough to be promoted to the next grade. A new European school opened last September - <a href="http://www.es-rm.eu/" target="_blank">European School Rhein Main (ESRM)</a> in Bad Vilbel. This was a solution for him and he was able to carry on in Grade 9 so he wouldn't skip a year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy number 3! </td></tr>
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Then our fourth (and last) son who had attended the local Kindergarten and started at the Grundschule (Primary) school was doing OK, but having seen our other children struggle at High School level, we didn't want to take a chance with him. So guess what? He now attends ESRM too. What a huge difference to his 3 R's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and number 4! </td></tr>
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The thing is we just couldn't sacrifice their futures for wanting to make it work. We tried ... it didn't work ... we found a solution!!<br />
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And as for me? Well I feel a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders. There is nothing worse for a mother than to see her children struggling. Being able to communicate with their teachers and other staff is just an added blessing!<br />
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The important thing to remember is what ever decision you make, it has to be right for your family and not what other people think is right for you. Make a plan and if the plan doesn't work, change the plan. All of the experiences have been for the betterment of my children's characters.<br />
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We are all settled and thriving!! PHEW!! Back to aHappyLife! =) a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-57853594530720634162012-08-02T09:55:00.006+02:002012-08-02T10:04:20.965+02:00Starting School Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our five year old Thomas will be starting school in August. Having three older brothers, he has been waiting for the time to arrive. As it approaches he is getting cold feet. Just recently he has decided he would like to stay in Kindergarten after all!! So to get him warmed up on the idea again I am going to throw a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">'starting school party' </span>with his little German friends who will be transferring to the same school as he will. We will be on holiday in England for 2 out of the 3 weeks holiday they get from Kindergarten - in a little boys life, that is a looooonnnnngggg time! This will be a good way of getting them together before so that we can strengthen their friendships.<br />
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The <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/08/gummy-worm-apple-invitations-starting.html" target="_blank">apple invitations</a> have been made and given out you can read about that <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/08/gummy-worm-apple-invitations-starting.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Here's a quick look at how they turned out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0CLFVdpNoUfthc6IP5MHmiFoUUYBXaimamwhj5aXSI1jNmprSNo8rN57FqRlhyphenhyphenwYDhUDGGDK-O8gt-vShXSJtPeEwhpyysipQ8I2bIJJasIhGRXG4LOAPfnqH4c2yZ8MGwPse6sOWXj5/s1600/580944_4286220204616_358268772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0CLFVdpNoUfthc6IP5MHmiFoUUYBXaimamwhj5aXSI1jNmprSNo8rN57FqRlhyphenhyphenwYDhUDGGDK-O8gt-vShXSJtPeEwhpyysipQ8I2bIJJasIhGRXG4LOAPfnqH4c2yZ8MGwPse6sOWXj5/s320/580944_4286220204616_358268772_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been gathering ideas on Pinterest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936820136/</td></tr>
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I am thinking these would be fun to have as centre pieces and i could have a line hanging across the room and I could peg up their art creations. I am only going to have 6 or 7 kids attending ... I think I can monitor that many so it doesn't transfer onto my white walls. =)<br />
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This idea has to be my favourite ....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936820082/</td></tr>
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This morning I finished the jam that was in a similar shaped jar to this ... so now I have to buy more jam for the jars!! =) I already have the straws.<br />
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I'm in the process of making some bunting ... I'll post more on that as soon as I have time!! </div>
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Have you had any successful starting school parties and would like to share your ideas? </div>
</div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-81202138952062238122012-08-02T09:45:00.000+02:002012-08-02T09:46:05.197+02:00Gummy worm apple invitations - starting school partyI have found some lovely pins on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>for starting school parties and it sparked me into action!! Our youngest son will have his first day of school in a German school and I thought it would be great to get him and his friends together and have a 'Starting School Party' at home. <br />
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I went through a lot of 'shall I, shan't I's?' But in the end I was brave enough to GO FOR IT! The main concern was not being able to communicate with those cute little German kids who frown at me when I try to have a conversation with them. It's a good indicator and sometimes alarm bell telling me that I need to try harder with my language skills. Well to get rid of that worry I enlisted the help of one of one of the mums to take care of the instruction for any games that we will play. Easy peasy ... !! PHEW!!<br />
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Well I have gone with the theme of apples so far.<br />
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I just wanted to tell you quickly about our invitations.<br />
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I wanted to do an apple invitation with the party information on the card leaves. Cute eh? Discussing this with my sister in law and she suggested adding a gummy worm for fun!! I loved this idea. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGH6adXEzBVi-JwZigv_G6OjXdO0F1vSxE9dPefP8agI05Q80bzqG7Nc-Mxt0i5ARSsbeHbjlLu67mEjOmdfiQgs3MZCoy9YNy9yX2GcYAOxglm028ef4tHk8M5KQrt66167iAjZVpeIF/s1600/417377_4298584713721_1437645399_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGH6adXEzBVi-JwZigv_G6OjXdO0F1vSxE9dPefP8agI05Q80bzqG7Nc-Mxt0i5ARSsbeHbjlLu67mEjOmdfiQgs3MZCoy9YNy9yX2GcYAOxglm028ef4tHk8M5KQrt66167iAjZVpeIF/s320/417377_4298584713721_1437645399_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I searched high and low for gummy worms ... I <i>almost</i> gave up!! I eventually found some ... </div>
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Here come the tips!! </div>
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<li>I used a cork screw to make the hole so that it was deep enough to keep the worm in place. Screw in the cork screw and pull it out so that it brings out the apple from the hole with it. </li>
<li>use a drop of lemon juice so that this exposed part of the apple doesn't turn brown.</li>
<li>IMPORTANT TO KNOW!! I prepared these the night before, ready to give out at Kindergarten the next morning. When I looked at them, the acid in the lemon juice had reduced the gummy worm to a goo! I am not sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. The goo seemed to act like a glue to keep the gummy worm in place. =) </li>
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Here's how they looked before we went out of the door.</div>
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For hygiene reasons I decided that I would put them into individual bags to give them out because those little fingers in Kindergarten are attracted to the good stuff .... the gummy worms and not the apples; thus I didn't want all of the other children touching <strike>them to destroy my work of art </strike> the food after having their fingers up their noses and making the party goers sick!! </div>
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The invitations went down a treat - the mums giggled seeing the gummy worms in there and the children loved eating the gummy worm ... not sure if they continued on and ate the apple too - I hope so!! =)</div>
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More to follow as the preparations continue and the day arrives ... only 8 more sleeps!! </div>
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-78315016049856619542012-07-18T10:19:00.002+02:002012-07-18T10:19:57.790+02:00Mum's Memory Book - the gift that keeps on giving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mother's memory is deteriorating. It's quite sad to see her not even keep up with what day it is. As I only get to return to the UK and see her approximately every six months, I notice a big difference in her each time. When I visited home at Christmas it was quite upsetting that even Christmas day, as prominent in the calendar as it is, was confusing her. Shortly after returning home I noticed a lovely idea on Pinterest that a daughter had put together for her father for his birthday. She collected memories from friends and families and presented them in separate envelopes to him. You can read that story <a href="http://nothingbutbonfires.com/2011/06/sixty-years-memories" target="_blank">here</a>. I was so moved when I read it that I wanted to reproduce it myself.<br />
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I spoke to my hubby about it and he gave a me a great idea that would suit my mum's circumstances better. It was to create a photobook with the memories collected and then she would have the memory along with photographs all in one place. If I handed her a bunch of letters she would lose most of them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpy9cAaQ5KkBCKf9coSPkKoTPM7H_rSLjdR4ZJ-U1mlf3RG9Ubin9vKOGN5R9Ne56I_lacfc9lb5RggsEIaNYZ3hSklpVerDGBAnNKbEp-dlH8grcZ3tRzpURLmvA09Dox-gHXe55AguW/s1600/DSC00899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpy9cAaQ5KkBCKf9coSPkKoTPM7H_rSLjdR4ZJ-U1mlf3RG9Ubin9vKOGN5R9Ne56I_lacfc9lb5RggsEIaNYZ3hSklpVerDGBAnNKbEp-dlH8grcZ3tRzpURLmvA09Dox-gHXe55AguW/s320/DSC00899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well I got to work. I started by contacting family and friends for memories. As they started feeding in to me, I was loving all of the memories that people were sharing to be included. It was actually a blessing to me to be able to read them. Some sent photographs with their memory and I also enlisted the help of my niece to raid mum's house for her 'older' photos. <br />
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I started putting the photobook together but realised I was quite limited with space in the text box and some of the memories were long letters of love and appreciation. I didn't want to crop them!<br />
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One day I was sharing my idea with a friend who was sharing with me her family year books she puts together in photobooks. (That's another great idea I am going to introduce!) She shared with me a company called <a href="http://www.mypublisher.com/" target="_blank">Mypublisher</a>. <a href="http://www.mypublisher.com/" target="_blank">Here's the link</a> to that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CDol_nVeahyphenhyphenELy572hUzAsl0ax05ZJ31lDB54U7oE_RAwSVV-iqzX-fyEW8XJKQuqJucThQBY6LXGVjzsBtFrsDUcWHC-SPL-LcTy5rifcsrxT2-zAEzBhzW2Y8BnnjUFbJ3vOLSOxGN/s1600/20101119204318ENPRN086003-PRN-MYPUBLISHER-LOGO-n086-1290199398MR-300x147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CDol_nVeahyphenhyphenELy572hUzAsl0ax05ZJ31lDB54U7oE_RAwSVV-iqzX-fyEW8XJKQuqJucThQBY6LXGVjzsBtFrsDUcWHC-SPL-LcTy5rifcsrxT2-zAEzBhzW2Y8BnnjUFbJ3vOLSOxGN/s1600/20101119204318ENPRN086003-PRN-MYPUBLISHER-LOGO-n086-1290199398MR-300x147.jpg" /></a></div>
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You download the software and then off you go. This really allows you to create your own photobook without any restrictions on text box size or how many photo's per page you wish to include. I found it really flexible and easy to use.</div>
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It was worth all of the organising and it was finally ordered and delivered and I couldn't wait to give it to her. We were meeting her the day after her birthday at a train station as we were driving in from Germany and spending the midweek with her at a Centre Parcs. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez1Oz3CnHZvwgndBJgaVSKm9GzcAiCxSrrL3pm86XvsQzzuZWdSnC6Jjn_ymT4kf8YiOBkX1vplkOhDkujDkXNvVM7QJTzQd4V7R09f74kXg-ivYt6ufZN1G5iHmLBOXTieJi_K67Vz7L/s1600/531284_4152182653761_857485837_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez1Oz3CnHZvwgndBJgaVSKm9GzcAiCxSrrL3pm86XvsQzzuZWdSnC6Jjn_ymT4kf8YiOBkX1vplkOhDkujDkXNvVM7QJTzQd4V7R09f74kXg-ivYt6ufZN1G5iHmLBOXTieJi_K67Vz7L/s320/531284_4152182653761_857485837_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We've got Nan!! </b></td></tr>
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This picture was taken as evidence that we had her safely in our possession. One of my nephews had gone part of the way with her to make sure she made her connection in time and didn't get lost in the process too.</div>
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Here's the pics we took of her unwrapping the book and reading and rereading through!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfwKl-uKlk5uLsDod4Jr5BIxMjDDlEJp4PXkYaUy_ubcPDy2_C2szXbQyUT69PpvNLo1vGQcUtr8YvGa6W-v-3ml_1WaYTx8gqkW-lSCFCfLIIYK0BkWmV8KJ2nl19E8furjfgnz7THXV/s1600/DSC00777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfwKl-uKlk5uLsDod4Jr5BIxMjDDlEJp4PXkYaUy_ubcPDy2_C2szXbQyUT69PpvNLo1vGQcUtr8YvGa6W-v-3ml_1WaYTx8gqkW-lSCFCfLIIYK0BkWmV8KJ2nl19E8furjfgnz7THXV/s320/DSC00777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think she thought it was just a picture at this point.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YUa6M4wS6DTdB1xRDTkOMb5CFnFaNLXVXODIis-bgellqvaXCCDEoqWhF9JN-KJOtigJD9gOkRf_ATmAy6mQ0NQd88G4EOQoRxphpykkxEh4kuhNN4fvzG3KJRkCR7UXiGLADCv0Eh7W/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YUa6M4wS6DTdB1xRDTkOMb5CFnFaNLXVXODIis-bgellqvaXCCDEoqWhF9JN-KJOtigJD9gOkRf_ATmAy6mQ0NQd88G4EOQoRxphpykkxEh4kuhNN4fvzG3KJRkCR7UXiGLADCv0Eh7W/s320/DSC00778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Getting a little tearful listening to me read her the messages and memories.</div>
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Both in tears here ... =)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRCBQJZ2GCUI7k2FuyKWW_Z-D1JL-iHfBL6fGopBGQvjOntEKWNAjs2SXgfTsRwS4nxged4cjVZW8FDe8r4TqRpXwJciv13AzzeBeVdU9P_E1CJzHrD-CJB7j94fzxm-o5VCxz4L0vykj/s1600/DSC00797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRCBQJZ2GCUI7k2FuyKWW_Z-D1JL-iHfBL6fGopBGQvjOntEKWNAjs2SXgfTsRwS4nxged4cjVZW8FDe8r4TqRpXwJciv13AzzeBeVdU9P_E1CJzHrD-CJB7j94fzxm-o5VCxz4L0vykj/s320/DSC00797.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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As she is forgetful she would forget that she's already seen and read the pics and messages so when she read them again she would say "I didn't know they had sent me a message!" and then cry all over again. It is a gift that keeps on giving!! Now she can sit and reread it whenever she wants to. </div>
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<br /></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-69067686351347452462012-06-14T10:48:00.000+02:002012-06-14T14:16:09.771+02:00Jubilant Jubilee Party<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dxmidH-QujUYTqZ3LlN-eV2hPepNJTii6wE5C1UoX1k_1SJ9a5Pbx36Me-AmWfV6QFg9TBRcLggjNgPEfAXpiFrFn3P_LtKjWrq8wnK1_ozwCOLCbVhgP9mopBUAt8UK-uV6zxQVI3mo/s1600/Nia+Diamond+Jubilee+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dxmidH-QujUYTqZ3LlN-eV2hPepNJTii6wE5C1UoX1k_1SJ9a5Pbx36Me-AmWfV6QFg9TBRcLggjNgPEfAXpiFrFn3P_LtKjWrq8wnK1_ozwCOLCbVhgP9mopBUAt8UK-uV6zxQVI3mo/s320/Nia+Diamond+Jubilee+web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wanted to share some of our photo's with you from our Diamond Jubilee party here in Germany. I believe I have become more patriotic since living away from the Motherland, but watching the coverage of the Diamond Jubilee events in the UK on the TV - I think most people have become more patriotic; even if they are still living in their home country. It was really fantastic watching Britain and the commonwealth countries unite in celebration.<br />
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The whole idea of having a party started off as a joke with me saying I didn't think we would be seeing many street parties around locally. It was here the idea was born - We can do our own!! A few of us got our heads together and came forward with ideas for the party. It's great when you work with others and end up with a great plan!!<br />
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Here's how it went ...<br />
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The Decorations ... <br />
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Welcome everyone!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8eOvc8Sx6gE0K9_GTmcY9sm1pIMXhXhclVcaVI3i3V_Nc5albNLPjxLx_0pi0oHtURS_rLk879FuZKoNxx7Qbzj0ICWb0losQ6sFo9b9nVOwRhyphenhyphenzXwX3OpzoIrSqwkCrMe5I4DATCMKy/s1600/456859_4032645425405_750210414_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8eOvc8Sx6gE0K9_GTmcY9sm1pIMXhXhclVcaVI3i3V_Nc5albNLPjxLx_0pi0oHtURS_rLk879FuZKoNxx7Qbzj0ICWb0losQ6sFo9b9nVOwRhyphenhyphenzXwX3OpzoIrSqwkCrMe5I4DATCMKy/s320/456859_4032645425405_750210414_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Those of us that were travelling home to the UK were able to purchase Diamond Jubilee bunting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-a4yV_bRUZg8v05XJnn0bbY7lNRL7PZyQ7UDM1zER4WmTlhKxELtijoee-FCegKvgVtQYjkDLty6GGFzQL0_pCgGh1iQ2CueuekPo2_cLb2k_J7Zoho9zGR8YWnGgj5BrlxZp2ZuQs4/s1600/475417_4032668745988_847480863_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-a4yV_bRUZg8v05XJnn0bbY7lNRL7PZyQ7UDM1zER4WmTlhKxELtijoee-FCegKvgVtQYjkDLty6GGFzQL0_pCgGh1iQ2CueuekPo2_cLb2k_J7Zoho9zGR8YWnGgj5BrlxZp2ZuQs4/s320/475417_4032668745988_847480863_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">We posted several pictures of the Queen throughout her life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRpL6djixVYMW5xQFdRqf02HOzNZ-I68KdBU9NUOYSsqr1olSbEaJwa2_B4tTzwpKxACdoGzzH-bmOKu4Yb4zQ17dpnnHCKn0TIv4_qAt6F7Y71gDgMuf7Cv2VJfooi-q_Tap8bMyvjAs/s1600/475871_4032681986319_1196741354_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRpL6djixVYMW5xQFdRqf02HOzNZ-I68KdBU9NUOYSsqr1olSbEaJwa2_B4tTzwpKxACdoGzzH-bmOKu4Yb4zQ17dpnnHCKn0TIv4_qAt6F7Y71gDgMuf7Cv2VJfooi-q_Tap8bMyvjAs/s320/475871_4032681986319_1196741354_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFwiZiJ8oLVASlM3df3fFsx748UpI1ArSvo_EyJyGbgstMVGG1DK3wLOcT7y9oqZBBSiKiVkr7zz6_VDxEM8h2pP_t5Ujc_BkX65oDHoizuwttmXJ5XTdT_lJ1xK5HeK8-oKE8A5aUzP7/s1600/459676_4032641465306_1698232250_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFwiZiJ8oLVASlM3df3fFsx748UpI1ArSvo_EyJyGbgstMVGG1DK3wLOcT7y9oqZBBSiKiVkr7zz6_VDxEM8h2pP_t5Ujc_BkX65oDHoizuwttmXJ5XTdT_lJ1xK5HeK8-oKE8A5aUzP7/s320/459676_4032641465306_1698232250_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More bunting ... and the Union Jack<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRakQuUqTQIAAk8x8ssQnLFT-by-TsF5TAssskrEoNEg2nA46dRETMKzVF5zvoZKK_Lmb_9tc6WLoo_pOP01UhQlJmPzRBst-ZZba7A46QMK595HorNDCvGCWK8O41YHiHhMHJzLsE_cb/s1600/477607_4032671786064_391946633_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRakQuUqTQIAAk8x8ssQnLFT-by-TsF5TAssskrEoNEg2nA46dRETMKzVF5zvoZKK_Lmb_9tc6WLoo_pOP01UhQlJmPzRBst-ZZba7A46QMK595HorNDCvGCWK8O41YHiHhMHJzLsE_cb/s320/477607_4032671786064_391946633_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These were sent over from England ... whispers of a Jubilee Party!! =)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmecL4wqOQiPYVMJDPcPLOCp7BMGuSSbopOrPTT_87kvQN503OLbhZ96Ci3gdgUy1DObgkF1Abz2aC6RRDMLu_fG7FBUGQCSeGcBqH_kg5PvS-NYjFpq2ss63VjRPi-yZ3Ku4cYx8Dad7V/s1600/466611_4032655745663_992674254_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmecL4wqOQiPYVMJDPcPLOCp7BMGuSSbopOrPTT_87kvQN503OLbhZ96Ci3gdgUy1DObgkF1Abz2aC6RRDMLu_fG7FBUGQCSeGcBqH_kg5PvS-NYjFpq2ss63VjRPi-yZ3Ku4cYx8Dad7V/s320/466611_4032655745663_992674254_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starting to take shape!! </div>
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The Food .... decoration in itself! Everyone who attended was asked to bring food for the buffet ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD40lts_Md7Ac4_n_32NHWPPwbKJ4gBqv_m-9B5PS8XpNac3RPNrvXfSYpCdmbiwUNvWWHI3zk4MfdDIfIxYybgrCyIebKYKEUKG7Rd9R7KTpijouutDPuKFHJd1kKjasdLLkBl8__t42/s1600/469121_4032690106522_98765544_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD40lts_Md7Ac4_n_32NHWPPwbKJ4gBqv_m-9B5PS8XpNac3RPNrvXfSYpCdmbiwUNvWWHI3zk4MfdDIfIxYybgrCyIebKYKEUKG7Rd9R7KTpijouutDPuKFHJd1kKjasdLLkBl8__t42/s320/469121_4032690106522_98765544_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This cake turned out far better than I had expected, you can read about the joys of making this <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/06/diamond-jubilee-cake-fit-for-queen.html">here</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2OUul4TYUFZ_4ETuVcc6dO_KgIDhTVbqmy5Xg0QDeCfTm1BYshqv3iWbt6NMdnsu7Ym2qAsG41XboRbb0bri1hXQp2JviyS2H2jkki0dcIPDipF9Vd9zS2QdeNE_HzIzOxr2sQvnJHAi/s1600/560636_4026747517961_998251124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2OUul4TYUFZ_4ETuVcc6dO_KgIDhTVbqmy5Xg0QDeCfTm1BYshqv3iWbt6NMdnsu7Ym2qAsG41XboRbb0bri1hXQp2JviyS2H2jkki0dcIPDipF9Vd9zS2QdeNE_HzIzOxr2sQvnJHAi/s320/560636_4026747517961_998251124_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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People really made an effort ... isn't this cool!!</div>
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Another work of 'food art'!</div>
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Here's our 'big' 5 year old checking out what was on the menu!! </div>
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Food glorious food .... even cucumber sandwiches!! =)</div>
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The Fun ...</div>
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Face painting ...</div>
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Crown decorating ... this little girl was definitely 'Kid of the Party'<br />
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Badminton ...</div>
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Having a Splash ...<br />
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Story telling ...</div>
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Trampolining ...</div>
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Bouncy Castle ...</div>
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We had planned a lot of things we didn't get around to doing, like 3 legged races etc All is not lost as we will use those ideas at our Olympics 2012 party!! =)</div>
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Our friends were so great sharing their garden and all of their outdoor goodies with us all!! The venue really made it a fun party. However it was just lovely to get together and enjoy our Britishness and celebrate our beautiful and hard working Queen Elizabeth II!! God Save the Queen!!<br />
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Did you plan or attend any Diamond Jubilee celebrations?a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-68786247957055501192012-06-12T14:35:00.002+02:002012-06-12T14:35:26.591+02:00How to make marshmallow fondant.The first time I tried this was last year. My husband trained to be a chef before returning to University and setting out on a new career, so basically I don't usually even try to create anything in the kitchen. Anything like birthday cakes and special occasions are left to him.<br />
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Alas my husband was away for a 3 month period on business when our soon to be five year old was inviting every man and his dog (and I include women in that) to his birthday party. He went on and on for a birthday party for forever ... ugh kids ... food .... cake and no husband!! HELP!! I tried to put him off the idea, but our five year old wasn't budging and not any old cake ... a Toy Story cake! ... shreeek!!!<br />
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I couldn't find any ready to roll icing here in Germany so I search on google for how to make it from scratch. Please note this was merely research and was expecting to come to the conclusion of 'that's not easy enough for me .... forget it!!!' Where's Costco when you need it most?!!!<br />
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Well I came across some Youtube clips on how to make the stuff from marshmallows. What???<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936398085/">Here's the clip I used.</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGzIYjVdP6qjTFXC6-PfrQaJzANBpJWr1jYF2L1VIdFx_lHke5tGSccCBqRm-8wQdGPBQ4Pk54Iez8T7hAGvddEUHLeorBARFQzndogFGHsn3YeQJRJYChCwk05DurrDccPJxXl_0xw03/s1600/139400550936398085_yO0bwJh3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGzIYjVdP6qjTFXC6-PfrQaJzANBpJWr1jYF2L1VIdFx_lHke5tGSccCBqRm-8wQdGPBQ4Pk54Iez8T7hAGvddEUHLeorBARFQzndogFGHsn3YeQJRJYChCwk05DurrDccPJxXl_0xw03/s1600/139400550936398085_yO0bwJh3_b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936398085/">Marshmallow fondant</a></td></tr>
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It works great!! Please take notice of when she says grease your hands and anything else!! Remove any jewellery in advance too.</div>
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It works really well and I have so far covered two cakes using this fondant. Here's how the first one turned out.<br />
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The toys are actual toys!! =)</div>
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This is my second cake I decorated using this method. You can read about it <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/06/diamond-jubilee-cake-fit-for-queen.html">here.</a></div>
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Maybe I'll even try another .... haha</div>
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<span id="goog_1221326943"></span><span id="goog_1221326944"></span></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-85107392744602268552012-06-12T13:01:00.000+02:002012-06-12T13:27:41.432+02:00Diamond Jubilee cake ... fit for a queen!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How are the Diamond Jubilee celebrations going? I'd love to hear how you've marked the day wherever you may be living.<br />
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Here in Germany, as a joke, I remarked how there wouldn't be any street parties. It was here that the idea was born to hold our own garden party with the local Brits! Excitement is an understatement! I'll be blogging about that in the next couple of days!<br />
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I set up a facebook event page to invite people and get the information out there. One daily posting on there was of this picture of a crown cake that the royal cake maker made.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Cake Maker crown cake - Daily Mail</td></tr>
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My question was ... who can make this for our centrepiece?? No one came forward!! So I just went on with other postings getting everyone warmed up for the day. My initial suggestion of who could make this cake was thrown back at me ..."Michelle - have a go!!" I don't really enjoy being in kitchen. EEk!! I always used to joke I would have to marry a chef ... and guess what? Yup! I did!! Anyway I got all brave and decided to attempt it. If all else failed we would have a lot of victoria sponge that could end up in trifle!! haha.</div>
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I got to work and made 4 individual victoria sponges to layer up and filled the layers with butter cream and jam filling. </div>
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Look how messy it looks!! I told you ... baking, cooking ... the process is no joy for me!! =) I was so embarressed at how messy it looked that I wanted to get it iced as quickly as I could so my hubby wouldn't see the <strike>imperfections</strike> <b>MESS! </b> In all of my rushing (which I think is my main problem!) it turned out an even bigger mess. Please note I have only iced one other cake in my entire life before so I am new to all of this. Are you hearing my excuses? I had used ready icing (the roll out stuff) and it was too dry, broke up and cracked ... yuck!! </div>
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Then to cover up the disaster of that, I decided if I stuck on mini marshmallows on top of the fondant - it could look better .... mistake number 5,000.</div>
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Look ....</div>
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I took this pic on my iPad so it isn't such good quality. Please don't laugh ... too much! Oh never mind ... just laugh!! I can now!! What's the first thing that pops into your head?? Diamonds maybe? No I didn't think so - independently hubby & I both thought it looked like a tea pot and hubby even thought the marshmallows added the effect of a tea cosy! How creative of me!! </div>
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At this point I wanted him to say it's GREAT .. it'll go down a treat. He didn't!! The silence and deep thought was telling me realistically this cake couldn't go to our jubilee party dressed like this!! </div>
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The next morning I called a British friend who is a cake maker and we went into crisis talks. I knew I could do it better if I could just get hold of purple food colouring paste. I wonder if you can find this stuff over here? Anyhow we met at her son's school, me on bike with wet hair ... desperate!! She has a treasure trove of food colouring pastes and goodies!! I dashed home, stripped the cake back to the sponge and re-buttercreamed it.<br />
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I smoothed it all off and placed it in the fridge for a while. <br />
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I then got to start on my marshmallow fondant. I followed a youtube video that I found last year. Here it is and it makes the most wonderful stuff to cover a cake with. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHGrkzhTz2Nydc8A6MdaSj88VnbysmTgM_bIyLIN0km56gsnQdjIbP9kyfmQeXpehgNeGt4ecyvHIb3VjJeAOlovckT2LQ9lMb7okCsQYvPi9uB43FkKHxMAatvOf8Kd3xYDbSgdfUkyt/s1600/139400550936398085_yO0bwJh3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHGrkzhTz2Nydc8A6MdaSj88VnbysmTgM_bIyLIN0km56gsnQdjIbP9kyfmQeXpehgNeGt4ecyvHIb3VjJeAOlovckT2LQ9lMb7okCsQYvPi9uB43FkKHxMAatvOf8Kd3xYDbSgdfUkyt/s1600/139400550936398085_yO0bwJh3_b.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936398085/">Here is the link</a> to the video on how to make it!</div>
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After following these instructions and adding the purple paste ... I arrived at this stage ...</div>
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Great eh? Except i didn't want an octopus! =) I was starting to feel a lot more confident at this point. And so continued to trim and smooth the fondant and then made the gold stuff the same way; and decorated some more. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPQqC2miYYShEz5-Bnm-Wlq4gFe559FfTpVuiLOw-ksP9XKMfZRYa7n7VX9tBwifpTbGuHmwBxPIFTiJg17ylGttWARoEy5gvnm9umGSttmu5GuHTaLpu7lfMceMOOQIQ53Fp3B05Ap92/s1600/DSC00713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPQqC2miYYShEz5-Bnm-Wlq4gFe559FfTpVuiLOw-ksP9XKMfZRYa7n7VX9tBwifpTbGuHmwBxPIFTiJg17ylGttWARoEy5gvnm9umGSttmu5GuHTaLpu7lfMceMOOQIQ53Fp3B05Ap92/s320/DSC00713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are starting to take shape!! Now I am feeling extremely happy!!</div>
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Then I could add the fun bits ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jlYI_M4qUoXl783Q7otRFchHcjGW7Tb84MEeN8WTCnKuXA2-_WzRyxcu-su6lnS2rw1NYQ0NLmShAjfHtlVg8XEu5y9apiTLjkzIX8aPgncB81O0SfmYr2O-lIj7Obd8iQWwvYEY0Np1/s1600/538660_4055998009205_165239597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jlYI_M4qUoXl783Q7otRFchHcjGW7Tb84MEeN8WTCnKuXA2-_WzRyxcu-su6lnS2rw1NYQ0NLmShAjfHtlVg8XEu5y9apiTLjkzIX8aPgncB81O0SfmYr2O-lIj7Obd8iQWwvYEY0Np1/s320/538660_4055998009205_165239597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the finished result ......</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK_ZIIsJnhVHI9Dm3-1Q6A00uAUo2fC6wWRJnqA9JZld2mbGn8jfS9VX2y5Ht66l8v37cfkheUdwV5apmbnkKDZi6CjDVUIQzYAuNldjAQ_IapamlPfhJh64UfiQF060YCWKOcjxpq605/s1600/DSC00717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK_ZIIsJnhVHI9Dm3-1Q6A00uAUo2fC6wWRJnqA9JZld2mbGn8jfS9VX2y5Ht66l8v37cfkheUdwV5apmbnkKDZi6CjDVUIQzYAuNldjAQ_IapamlPfhJh64UfiQF060YCWKOcjxpq605/s320/DSC00717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What do you think?</div>
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You know what I learned all through this? Is not to give up, not to settle for just OK and mostly as I was reflecting on my first attempt and my disappointment, was how blessed I am to have my hubby and how grateful I am that he doesn't just say things like 'Oh it's fine!!' so that he doesn't hurt my feelings. Rather that he is on my side - <i>always</i> to make me realise I am better than I think I am and help me achieve more than I think is possible. He could have jumped in at anytime and made something much better I am sure. But he didn't, he helped me to grow and achieve something. It's not perfect but you know it doesn't matter. Everyone loved it and it was worth all of the effort!!</div>
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And ... it even tasted good! That's a bonus right?? </div>
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Have you had any failures and successes with baking? Please share! =)</div>
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<span id="goog_585126232"></span><span id="goog_585126233"></span></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-91632773909140483832012-05-14T12:48:00.001+02:002012-05-14T13:01:37.464+02:00Mother's Day<br />
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Germany celebrates Mother's Day on the same day as the USA. So whilst my family and friends in the UK have long said goodbye to this special day, yesterday was my turn to have a nice day with my husband and children. I received flowers and a few gifts but the most special ones are those that are hand made or produced!! =)<br />
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Jacob our oldest gave me some of his International Baccalaureate (IB) exam pieces. I was really happy because I'd had my eye on a couple for a little while!! =)<br />
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Here are the pieces. I love this first one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a tree 'growing' from a book.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roots and book in more detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leaves made from leaves of a book!</td></tr>
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You will notice that the wall is very bare there. This is where I would like hubby to build me a home library and I think this art piece would go really well on display in there. I'll keep you posted <strike>if </strike> when it happens!! =)</div>
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I was also jammy in getting this rose from him which he has made from wire. For now it's sitting in an old olive oil bottle until I find something that will house it better.</div>
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My second eldest son, Heber also got to thinking how he could use his talents to make his mother happy on mother's day. I knew something was brewing with the smiling entrances and exits into the living room and playing his guitar in the basement when I'd sent them to bed! (usually they at least stay upstairs!) To confirm my suspicions, our youngest who's 5 couldn't keep a secret for too long and told me Heber had a surprise song for me. haha</div>
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Well I waited all day to see this come into fruition and it was worth the wait. </div>
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I hope you like it ... because I love it!! What a treasure this boy is!!</div>
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Some of the lyrics are 'I would have made you breakfast in bed, but I would probably eat it first!' Very typical of our son who has the best appetite ever!! He also sang he was very grateful for me and the things I have taught him and what would he do without me? SOB SOB right there!!! haha<br />
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Our third son, Matthew is really the most thoughtful out of all of our family and always budgets well to give to others in our family. He is such a lovely young man. The words in his cards are really personal and well thought out.<br />
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Then there is Thomas our 4th son. He was so great in singing to me in Relief Society with the rest of the Primary kids and some Young Women. As I use my iPad (which now has a new screen - click <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/03/ipad-2-screen-cracked-i-cried-hubby.html">here</a> to see my post on that!) in class so I have access to German and English scriptures, manuals and google translate, I had a camera to hand to get this sneeky shot of him!! Oh he's a character!! He provided the other sisters with a lot of laughs - but I was bursting with love for this little boy!!<br />
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Hope you all had a great Mother's day too!<br />
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<br /></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-89295828271721243712012-05-05T21:37:00.002+02:002012-05-07T13:45:05.730+02:00How to grab a button for your blogAs I am fairly new to blogland, I have so many questions. <br />
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I am grateful for the more experienced bloggers out there for sharing their knowledge with the rest of us.
This evening I wanted to 'grab a button!' from <a href="http://womeninthescriptures.blogspot.de/2009/12/women-in-scripture-challenge.html">this blog</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF9T1yeePI5W-4GCz3kXDA2zls5rawCpoyC0NEOzMrmz7mNMnltJPgTHzJcEg5hwXesgzUTbZvpfzpevPyOZhAZZ9L8CSmgRVisO-nRqx_GP_0cGPDtdMqDBbJGrglcmPIIH0JcAR784x/s1600/finalchallenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF9T1yeePI5W-4GCz3kXDA2zls5rawCpoyC0NEOzMrmz7mNMnltJPgTHzJcEg5hwXesgzUTbZvpfzpevPyOZhAZZ9L8CSmgRVisO-nRqx_GP_0cGPDtdMqDBbJGrglcmPIIH0JcAR784x/s1600/finalchallenge.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the button I wanted.</td></tr>
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which lead to the search of 'How do I grab a button?' If this is something you are also asking yourself <a href="http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2011/04/grab-button.html">click here</a> to view the blog Kanelstrand simple living for human beings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYXWQjjfHuL-4GDjn_014dNjsoBZgVyNujmtdEd5Ua0vbhJbd9PNighJLG1J-C7ahpfSfTlMsbajfhbaJrYrDkbEHHoBKLnxvpMPNfpF_4KSJ2Q4MtusDSlUYE22AnwumPFc-_5O-f741/s1600/kanelstrand-7_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYXWQjjfHuL-4GDjn_014dNjsoBZgVyNujmtdEd5Ua0vbhJbd9PNighJLG1J-C7ahpfSfTlMsbajfhbaJrYrDkbEHHoBKLnxvpMPNfpF_4KSJ2Q4MtusDSlUYE22AnwumPFc-_5O-f741/s320/kanelstrand-7_1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The blog post on this topic is clear and precise and it works!! Here's a preview of what one of the information boxes look like.<br />
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Even I could follow the steps and successfully grabbed the button!! =)<br />
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Hope this helps!!<br />
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-84343243838964591992012-05-04T10:12:00.003+02:002012-05-07T13:37:36.742+02:00Scripture Hero PostersWe bought a scripture hero poster from a church bookstore whilst on holiday in the US. My older boys wanted two but I insisted that we only had wall space for one. So we bought one ... this one.<br />
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These posters are great for constant reminders of real hero's, great righteous examples. I wanted to frame it so that it wouldn't get all dog eared and torn. I purchased this frame from IKEA.<br />
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You can view it on the Ikea website <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30132527/">here</a>. Once we placed the poster in the frame we noticed that the mat inside the frame was going to cover the scriptural reference and the other writing. I could have removed the mat - but it didn't look as good. I WANTED IT ALL!! The mat, the font, the picture. </div>
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My hubby looking on could see the down turned mouth I had whilst trying to figure out how to make it work. He <strike>was</strike> is a genius and gave me the idea to call on my friend who has a vinyl cutting machine to print out some text and scripture for me. Here's how it turned out!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXMkrdcqEu_HZTf1cMSlb7BgTErbKn77f4nL9nlUwE0uCZ04sOJSnuG_skuNHCp50mJts0k5LRqCXoCP7Tak58uSV47tJbWsxvcmndZBuPX5hC60plK52b1XoDq4ME4B9g-Lw6LG9SNL2/s1600/DSC00463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXMkrdcqEu_HZTf1cMSlb7BgTErbKn77f4nL9nlUwE0uCZ04sOJSnuG_skuNHCp50mJts0k5LRqCXoCP7Tak58uSV47tJbWsxvcmndZBuPX5hC60plK52b1XoDq4ME4B9g-Lw6LG9SNL2/s320/DSC00463.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well I was right - we only had enough wall space for one!! Well I<i> was</i> right until we changed their beds and had a move around in their bedroom. Guess what? I needed another poster!! haha. My oldest son chose Enos. </div>
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Here's the poster ....</div>
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Again we were in the same situation that the writing on the poster would be covered by the mat in the frame - so we already had the solution and here's how that turned out.</div>
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I really love them and so do my teenagers, infact my 5 year old had requested one of his own too!! They look GREAT in their room. We have each of them above their beds and hope they remind them to be good men, to follow every command with exactness like the sons of Helaman and like Enos, remember to pray, knowing who to turn to for a remission of their sins. I love my sons ... all four of them and hope that they are successful in that they can stand with confidence in the presence of God.</div>
<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-55354156869227750462012-05-04T09:18:00.001+02:002012-05-04T14:22:57.197+02:00Scrabble FAMILY decor.Last week I spent the morning with a friend who was helping me with my latest craft idea. We spent most of the time catching up and discussing other projects we would like to do. We had almost redesigned her whole garden in our heads. It's great when women get together and inspire each other. <br />
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This project caught my eye whilst scanning the vast cyber space of Pinterest. It was love at first sight!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVqDcA_Fj7A_7DdPDFpIFr4QKvHa0yW7qSx8CLU6rwjFuKBJeIJAydhc0GOE14k2wdko733bCgTpdMHvks6xN06oedUGGbgrYazduM_ZWBNroht7ObxGi-80rsVFHceBeqf7CCs7q0XdN/s1600/DSC00457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVqDcA_Fj7A_7DdPDFpIFr4QKvHa0yW7qSx8CLU6rwjFuKBJeIJAydhc0GOE14k2wdko733bCgTpdMHvks6xN06oedUGGbgrYazduM_ZWBNroht7ObxGi-80rsVFHceBeqf7CCs7q0XdN/s320/DSC00457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I need to learn to take pics of things I create in their stages ... I get so caught up in what I am doing that I always forget. Basically to make this I had one large plank of wood. It measured 15cm wide. I used that as my starting point. To make the scrabble tiles I marked out a square of 15 x 15 ... so easy!! I cut the wood to size. My husband has a work bench with clamps so that helped keep the wood in place. I used a hand saw but if you are comfortable using power tools you have that choice too. I needed 6 for F A M I L Y. As I did a 'good' job of cutting the wood and didn't need to cover much up ... well no more than would hide comfortably in the corners that over lap each other - I decided to keep the wood finish rather than painting. I did think about painting the wood cream in colour to look more like original scrabble tiles, obviously I didn't follow through with that idea.<br />
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Hubby helped me to line them up and screw them together. We used two screws for each side so that they would be more secure and not twist as it hung on the wall. We secured some picture hooks on the back and attached some craft wire to hang it. <br />
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I made sure all of the other jobs were done first so that the vinyl wouldn't be damaged whilst screwing the wood together and turning it backwards and forwards. Then it was time to add the final touches with vinyl. My friend had cut the vinyl for me on her vinyl machine thingy!! (I am very technical!! haha) It is very easy to apply.<br />
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Hope you like it!! I have put it in our family room in the basement. Not everyone gets to see it down there, but I think it's the prefect place for it!a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-67765072977472378562012-05-04T08:57:00.002+02:002012-05-04T08:58:13.629+02:00Rainbow birthday cardI have been so busy lately, that I have had no time to write! Yesterday I made a card for a friends birthday. It is very simple, just using buttons. I love using buttons on cards. Here's a picture of it ... I hope you like it! x<br />
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-58192447280901098522012-04-19T10:01:00.001+02:002012-04-19T10:01:17.973+02:00I love you mumA couple of evenings ago most of our family were busy at a Youth activity and so our five year old and myself were left to our own devices. That can sometimes be dangerous!! The weather was quite warm instead of wet so we decided a visit to the local park would be a good idea. I thought it would wear him out for bed too!! Shhh As we were walking there, chatting away I looked down to him and realised how tall he had grown. It seemed like even in the last five minutes he had grown into a giant of a boy! In between chatting to him, I was reflecting on how quickly time was rolling by and how important it was to make every minute count. We arrived at the park and we had it all to ourselves. Thomas ran ahead and jumped on a swing. I pushed him a little and then he just took off swinging himself. When did he learn to do that? Well I asked him and he's learnt that at Kindergarten. Again it got me on the thought process of how he is really growing up and becoming more and more independent (when he feels like it of course!) Don't you know he is a BIG 5 Year old now?!! =)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is a year old. <br />
I am going to take my camera with me more often so I can capture THE moment!!</td></tr>
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I stepped away from him and watched him giggling and enjoying himself and then from the heights (probably too high) of swinging he hollowed "I LOVE YOU MUM!" My heart melted, lump in the throat and that was it right there, THAT is what really makes this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">a Happy Life .... </span>those small but precious moments. Isn't it the best when they tell you they love you first!!<br />
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I got this book for Christmas. </div>
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I have flicked through and admittedly there are ideas in this book that are either too American to do in Germany ie run a lemonade stand, and others that are very expensive to do - however there are LOTS of great ideas to do with your children that don't cost a penny or are at least affordable. For the ones that don't<i> fit </i>into our family, I am just going to make up my own!! I am going to enjoy working through these with our children so we can make memories and enjoy each others company before they start to fly the nest!! Our oldest has at most a year with us before he leaves home and so this has given me a wake up call to get working on these things. Someone pass me a tissue - or maybe the whole box!! haha</div>
<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-9158138379323115702012-04-16T11:02:00.002+02:002012-04-16T11:02:10.157+02:00missing my mother ...Let me introduce you to my lovely mum ... I was trying to think of a catchy title, but I can't grab one from anywhere!!<br />
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This photograph was taken in 2010 on her first visit to Germany. She had been hesitant to visit but once she was here, she loved it. She loved how clean it was and how nice the locals were to her. We had a lovely summer that year and that always has the feel good factor too. She even tried to speak some German too ... she amazes me!! She would say Thanka schön (Danke schön) to the postman. We did have some sniggering going on from all of us after that. haha<br />
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This is one of the hardest things about living in Germany - being so far away from her. She is at the stage in her life were her memory is starting to fade. Not just names and birthdays ... but has progressed to having blank outs and not knowing where she is or where she should be going. I am sooo grateful to family back there who watch out for her, but it really isn't the same as being there and being hands on myself. I spoke to someone the other day and she complained to me about doing something for her mother and it pulled at my heart strings. I would love to be close enough to run simple errands for my mum and just nip out for lunch together. I know being here is limiting the memories we can make at the moment. I think this makes the memories we do have even more precious. I am grateful that geographically we can travel back to the UK whilst we still have our nearest and dearest with us to enjoy.</div>
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When we were discussing our move to Germany as a family, I was excited to call my mum and tell her what was going on but was expecting a very different response from her. Surprisingly she was very supportive and encouraged us to do what was best for my husband's career and that the children would be fine regardless. I expected her to say ... "You can't go - it's too far!!" Her support made the move so much easier to make. She has always been a very supportive mother regardless of the choices in life I have made.<br />
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Like I said in 2010, two years after we had relocated she came to visit us, and I suspect it will be her one and only visit. She does ask when she can visit again but I don't think she's well enough to make the journey. Deep down I think she knows that too. I feel it's so important to be grateful for what I have and have had, rather than dwelling on what I haven't .... </div>
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Here we are together ... twins? haha<br />
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Look at that beautiful blue German sky!! Oh I am so looking forward to the summer!! We had a lovely morning together on this particular morning visiting some local places nearby. </div>
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One of the hardest things is seeing her health deteriorate. Although she has survived heart attacks and a major stroke, watching her memory fading is really difficult. And we are really only just scraping at the surface. Thankfully she is accepting help from her doctor and is undergoing some tests to see if there is anything that can be done to slow down the memory loss. I will keep you posted on how that goes.<br />
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This is my favourite photograph of us both. We don't have many photographs really so this one is precious to me! It certainly depicts the following saying;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoS7srCiRTOTR8jFuIRD_cW1PKIxINuYHkpuw3pF7Jxkk28hqKK2JYMTXadHTN2R1iVHIIqK40usSvmr19tryhZRL9N_xEMRGMLF5J6Z9RRVF-y-Ir9jKXsN5vYFK4UlJ5Bd5UH6Z4Y3Y/s1600/4857085_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoS7srCiRTOTR8jFuIRD_cW1PKIxINuYHkpuw3pF7Jxkk28hqKK2JYMTXadHTN2R1iVHIIqK40usSvmr19tryhZRL9N_xEMRGMLF5J6Z9RRVF-y-Ir9jKXsN5vYFK4UlJ5Bd5UH6Z4Y3Y/s320/4857085_f520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am so grateful for her!! Roll on the summer months when we can visit again. This year we have chosen to take her on holiday with us so we get to spend some quality time together. I am so looking foward to that!! Just adding the pieces bit by bit to make it .... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">a Happy Life. </span> </div>
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<br /></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-91954303482893769632012-04-08T21:33:00.001+02:002012-04-11T12:18:39.168+02:00Language lessons - something you should know about Rosetta Stone.Moving to a different country that speaks your own language still has cultural differences, but when moving to a country with a whole new language brings with it some further challenges. <br />
Some embrace the language and seem to be naturally gifted in this area, whilst others really work hard to achieve what they know. Some are happy to just not even give it a go! I say you have to do what you feel happy doing. Feeling pressured to do anything isn't the best motivation for me. Well I, myself, don't fall any of the categories I mention. Maybe I am happy to put other people in boxes and not myself! haha Well, I am certainly not naturally gifted and I do not work anywhere near hard enough to achieve a level of communication I would love to have!! Although when I look back to how I started over three years ago - I have come a long way!<br />
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I've attended classes almost from the moment we arrived here in Germany. In the first year we had quite a few changes of teacher and some teachers were better than others. My favourite is Evelyn Holzmann. I have been one of her students (I wonder if I really deserve the title of student!? ... anyhow) at Bad Homburg Volkshochschule (local college to me). I like her style of teaching, although I am aware that it isn't for everyone. For a list of their courses <a href="http://www.vhs-badhomburg.de/">click here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Homburg Volkshochschule</td></tr>
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I like the classroom environment, I like to meet people from all over the world trying to figure out this foreign language! haha I think a classroom environment gives the advantages of widening your vocabulary and the opportunity to practice conversation in a 'safe' environment. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Evelyn with some of our class. <br />
(This was before I found a good hairdresser!! Mwaahhh)</td></tr>
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However saying that, I also find that learning at home from software also has helped me. I learn by repetition as most of us do. I found a great piece of software online. There is a lot to download for free. It's from a company called Transparent Language. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B1EtV64wF_wvZDHcEN4-v0eKz48VE38sGnrhWg7wbfabiQUgzvhSuSS04rmhmpRHhxP7SOK7kzsTVRBgiZNCtjLiNUMmvUjAMNOgtBIW7_d_Q9dccAZg26b1h57DeSPBRcIuTmDpChg-/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B1EtV64wF_wvZDHcEN4-v0eKz48VE38sGnrhWg7wbfabiQUgzvhSuSS04rmhmpRHhxP7SOK7kzsTVRBgiZNCtjLiNUMmvUjAMNOgtBIW7_d_Q9dccAZg26b1h57DeSPBRcIuTmDpChg-/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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The acronym BYKI means 'before you know it!' Giving us the confidence that we'll be speaking the local lingo before you know it!! The phrases and vocab I have learned <i>and used </i>from my software have really stuck!! I like that you see it, you hear it, you repeat it, and you produce it by typing it ... so exposure from different angles really helps me to retain the information. There are also games and tracking available on there. Click on <a href="http://www.byki.com/">this link</a>, where you can get the <b>free</b> downloads. They give you so much to learn from for free. I didn't finish all of the free stuff before I wanted to buy the software itself. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfanE0Go9lYczdmWqNEJ6MOEhYSbDdK7oY9iGuetTpw2gLdPGHSNNLgNVI6I9qYhyJ0mHATAwlfBtyteJs5KPJsHkDCtUz54ZTUw0_dpcNIZ-_iCcAw1BV2qjcFt7HnZuB7HthvtIhyzC/s1600/transparent_german_complete_edition-484589-1326786197.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfanE0Go9lYczdmWqNEJ6MOEhYSbDdK7oY9iGuetTpw2gLdPGHSNNLgNVI6I9qYhyJ0mHATAwlfBtyteJs5KPJsHkDCtUz54ZTUw0_dpcNIZ-_iCcAw1BV2qjcFt7HnZuB7HthvtIhyzC/s1600/transparent_german_complete_edition-484589-1326786197.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
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My husband opted for the well known Rosetta Stone (RS). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRptrcVl_sJkd4dM6NR75TJlhxfx_iYWPSkGZAFxuJMbXgze4oDnBLn-EqXU_B75I0pQcHwpj-rN60H8O28Jfg0aH3v9VnYM410ytcwS9rxB4IgGrtERdQwsXpvyEXONprvWJufUe0bTwT/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRptrcVl_sJkd4dM6NR75TJlhxfx_iYWPSkGZAFxuJMbXgze4oDnBLn-EqXU_B75I0pQcHwpj-rN60H8O28Jfg0aH3v9VnYM410ytcwS9rxB4IgGrtERdQwsXpvyEXONprvWJufUe0bTwT/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
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This is pleasing to the eye and user friendly if you are fortunate to get it activated and don't change your computer or have a computer crash on you. You must make sure if you do change your computer that you <b>DEACTIVATE</b> this software first. Rosetta Stone only give you two chances to activate their software, after that you can face losing a lot of money. This is also worthwhile knowing if you are purchasing this second hand. After my hubby had some changes made to his lap top, where he had loaded the RS software, he tried to reinstall it again onto the same machine only to find it wouldn't work. Now he has problems regarding getting this loaded again. I searched the internet for solutions but came across a lot of information about negative experiences people have afterwards with the rules of Rosetta Stone. Hubby is still awaiting the outcome of his situation but it could mean that almost £500 worth of software isn't usable. <br />
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Here's a link that gave us some insight. The comments below are very helpful too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.groubal.com/rosetta-stone-activation-issue/">http://www.groubal.com/rosetta-stone-activation-issue/</a><br />
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Besides all of the technical side of learning a language - it is a real sense of achievement to be able to have a conversation with your neighbour - no matter how small!! One of my favourite moments with the language was being able to understand a joke a stranger had made to me about pulling my son on his sledge. I loved understanding what had been said and being able to share a smile and a chuckle in return!! It also provides others with a chuckle. We were invited to a friend's home on Monday and to help us get some practice with our German they suggested we speak German at dinner. I ended up telling her that I had had eggs and dice to eat earlier in the day instead of eggs and sausage!! haha<br />
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<b>Wurst = sausage</b></div>
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<b>Würfel = dice</b></div>
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-27731708477684924012012-04-03T15:10:00.001+02:002012-04-03T18:54:22.642+02:00What I love most ...Living away from things familiar such as your extended family, friends, and your own home etc really makes you look at what's important in life. When we first moved to Germany I noticed how close we became as a unit. Not that we weren't a close family before, it's just that we had to rely on each other more than ever as we were in this big change TOGETHER!!<br />
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My greatest blessing in life is my husband. This year we will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. He is my best friend!! Life is happier for me when we are together, I <i>think </i>he would say the same! =) My next greatest blessing is being the mother to our four children. I am amazed at their strength and commitment to making life work - even when the going gets tough.<br />
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Of course leaving familiarity behind is OK for a while but I really have this need to make a house a home. That's not so easy when renting with restrictions on what you can and can't do. Don't get me wrong, we have been so blessed in renting this home as families are generally smaller here. Usually a family has a maximum of two children, so landlords would gasp at renting their home to a family of six! So to have a roof over our heads is a huge blessing. But this quote really sums me up at the moment.<br />
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It will sum me up <i><b>even </b></i>when we purchase our own pad and we get stuck into making it our home too ... I promise!! But I am so ready to get stuck into the DIY - that would be a synonym for DO IT YOURSELF, not <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">destroy it yourself</span>!! hee hee. </i><br />
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We are still at the crossroads of deciding to stay local or move out a little further. You know more land, more house possibilities. I am confident whatever we decide we will find somewhere to call HOME. Watch this space!!a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-29602175714434068652012-04-03T14:32:00.001+02:002012-05-07T11:39:51.935+02:00The Blessing of a Smile!Living<a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">a Happy Life</span></a> is not the result of everything going smoothly. I am so impressed and inspired by people who live happy lives amidst the hardest of trials. Recently I heard the news of a young LDS missionary who was hit by a bus whilst in full time missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can read this story <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765561469/LDS-missionary-in-Brazil-injured-in-bus-mishap.html">here</a> at Deseret News.<br />
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The accident has left Elder Britton Schenk with severe injuries, with the outlook initially not being very good. However his family have remained full of faith. The family have put together a blog about <a href="http://elderbrittenschenk.blogspot.de/">Elder Britten Schenk's</a> progress which you can read <a href="http://elderbrittenschenk.blogspot.de/">here</a>. Have tissues at the ready. Miracles are unfolding every day and yesterday he even smiled at his mum! As I was in tears reading this it reminded me of how much I take for granted - that small smile from one of your children is priceless! xx<br />
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Today 16 April 2012, I have just revisited the blog to catch up on Elder Schenk's progress and he is at home in the US - so grateful that he was strong enough to make the journey. What miracles they as a family are continuing to receive and witness. Make the most of today with your loved ones!! To read his progress first hand <a href="http://elderbrittenschenk.blogspot.de/">click here.</a>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-60046530928580393142012-03-27T20:36:00.002+02:002012-03-27T20:45:18.340+02:00Germany's News .... in EnglishGuten Abend!!!<br />
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When we first moved to Germany we watched, well <b><i>tried </i></b>to watch German tv. We all found it very <strike>difficult</strike> tiresome. It was just like hearing a load of NOISE. I know a lot of people advise you to watch tv to learn a new language, but it didn't suit our family! As a result of this we missed out on a lot of news, both local & worldwide. It had it's benefits as the news isn't always the most uplifting, however being totally oblivious isn't the best situation to be in either. This may have added to the fact that everything seems safer here. I wasn't afraid to run through the forest at the back of our home alone, and did so 2, 3, 4 times a week. At home, in the UK, you wouldn't have seen me step foot in a woods or forest alone. But here seemed different, lots of people use the forest for Nordic walking, walking dogs, running, cycling, walking to school or work. It is so serene despite the traffic and to be honest the only time I have been afraid is when a big dog has come too close to me! Shriek!! After about a year or so of running -<i> alone</i> - through the forest ....<br />
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... I noticed a few - well actually quite a few posters nailed to trees & stuck on lampposts of a man. Curious to find out what they were for, I searched the internet for information. That's when I first discovered <a href="http://www.thelocal.de/">The Local</a>. It's the local news of Germany online (you can even sign up for other European countries such as France, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland) but in <b>ENGLISH</b>!! <br />
Here's what the opening page looks like ... obviously with different pics depending on the news. ;)<br />
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Not only is it good to read what's going on - but actually very important to. It turned out the man on the poster was Germany's most wanted at that time in 2009/10 ... and he'd only been hiding out in our beautiful, safe (apart from wild boar ... we'll save that story for a later post), serene forest! Yikes!!! He was captured later, further north of Germany. But hey ...it really taught me that keeping up to date with the news is important. So to the expats out there in Europe, take a look at the link and learn what is happening around you, not for the purposes of scaremongering but I believe a little knowledge can be a huge protection also. <br />
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Today's news tells us about a dentist having one of his fingers cut off by a couple of robbers. How disgusting is that??? You can read that <a href="http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120327-41595.html">here.</a> Although this post isn't a chirpy post, I hope it makes you aware so that you can live <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">a Happy Life</span> - being aware of your local news. <br />
<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-90939918733119496862012-03-25T17:47:00.001+02:002012-03-25T17:47:46.576+02:00iPad 2 Screen cracked, I cried, hubby fixed it!!My lovely husband bought me an iPad 2, just like this one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am a very lucky girl!! <br />Picture courtesy of ...<br />http://poshonabudget.com/2012/03/refurbished-electronics-deals-wireless-laptops-ipadsoreck-and-more.html</td></tr>
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A month or so ago I took my car into the garage for it's annual service! As I walked inside, my bag slipped off my shoulder & onto the floor ... No biggy!!! It wasn't until I placed it back on my shoulder, I suddenly remembered that my iPad 2 was in there. I was so scared to look inside to see what the damage was. I told myself not to look until I got home. I didn't want any tears or tantrums whilst out in public! Well it turns out I don't listen to myself and as soon as I sat down I unzipped my bag & saw the fanned cracks across the screen. My dread had become a reality!<br />
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This is how the corner looked and the fanned cracks ran over all the screen ...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so bad eh? sniff sniff</td></tr>
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It was still usable with no damage to any of the other workings. I was very hopeful. I contacted Apple hoping they would say 'don't worry - come in & we'll replace the screen ...' I thought it may cost about 100€ and that I was prepared to pay. So I started my research on the internet. Some people were saying they had had theirs replaced by Apple for free as a goodwill thing and as I read on further down the forum streams, others were reporting that they hadn't been so fortunate. I didn't mind paying for a repair - I had dropped it after all, there was no fault on Apple's part!! I called them up to be told that the cost for my particular model would be 410€ & then I would get a refurbished model back, not my own particular one!!
Yikes, that's really not that far off the price of a new iPad. Saying I was disappointed was an understatement. I had quickly grown to love the convenience of having/using it.<br />
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I was eager to find a solution before reporting to hubby that I had <strike>dropped</strike>, <strike>destroyed</strike>, smashed this gift he had given me. I researched further & found a great YouTube clip on how to replace the screen yourself, now known as the digitizer! You can watch this clip <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnE5ULjpEQ">here</a>. There was hope! I had found a solution ... hubby would fix it!! hahhaa ... except I still wasn't laughing at this point.<br />
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To go down the avenue of replacing this ourselves was voiding any warrantee we had with Apple - but I wasn't concerned with that. I sourced a digitiser and I chose to go with <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/">amazon.co.uk</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjrHhXbVRVjdFkxvw0F72TxfDac0dNGM65ANC55t0v8oijSmUtkHJnS0n4UU56jRT_99-Lf2VqorLEnq7qSaMRv7FZ6eQbhyRWNoLMlDBJgkejOtZu9dI-tQztatO2OJrPidZcklEjfO-/s1600/amazon.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjrHhXbVRVjdFkxvw0F72TxfDac0dNGM65ANC55t0v8oijSmUtkHJnS0n4UU56jRT_99-Lf2VqorLEnq7qSaMRv7FZ6eQbhyRWNoLMlDBJgkejOtZu9dI-tQztatO2OJrPidZcklEjfO-/s200/amazon.co.uk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Usually I find amazon deliver to Germany from the UK and I don't have to concentrate or worry about getting the wrong end of the stick with the German language as I can do on amazon.de.</div>
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I am blessed in the fact that my hubby can pretty much turn his hand to anything and create or fix and repair. After watching the youtube clip I mentioned earlier, he was happy to give it a go. I purchased the digitizer from a company selling through amazon.co.uk called ConsoleParts4U. Here's the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005OHWVHE/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details">link</a> to their actual product. </div>
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Their service was reliable in terms of costs, quality, communication and delivery prices and times. So I would highly recommend them. Another reason I was impressed with this deal was it came with a tool kit to do the job and also with the pre-cut adhesive strips to glue this back on. Some companies were charging £5 for these adhesive strips alone.</div>
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When the digitizer arrived he made sure he had plenty of time set aside so he didn't have to rush. And off he went .... Unfortunately I didn't document any of it - I don't think of photographs when the stress levels are high!! The information on the youtube clip is pretty much how it went ... except for .... the wifi antenna!! We damaged that removing the digitizer. This is what that part looks like.<br />
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Seemingly 9/10 people damage this when removing the original digitizer. If I had read that before maybe I would have purchased one to have on standby - but I found out after we had damaged ours. So after almost being in tears with dread of losing the iPad 2 altogether, I began researching on the internet again and came across this information on Youtube. You can watch about replacing the wifi antenna <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26liR46z7qo">here.</a> These tips on the internet are invaluable!! </div>
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I found a company who would deliver to Germany. I've just checked their site to share the link with you and can't find the product I ordered, so I must have bought the last one!! It is called an iPad 2 bluetooth antenna as I have the 3G model. Check which item you need to purchase for your particular model. Search the internet and I am sure you will find another company selling these. It was really cheap and only cost about £5. Phew!!</div>
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It arrived and again we waited until we had extra time so as not to rush the job! Hubby replaced the antenna and connected the digitizer. We tried to get some power to the iPad before we stuck down the digitizer just incase we needed to do anything else ... and guess what???????? NOTHING!! I was so gutted!!! Neither hubby or I could see anything else that was damaged ... my fingers jumped on my keyboard and I searched forum after forum to see what could be the problem. I finally found the answer. Hold down the home button and the power button until the apple lights up .... duhhhhh!!!</div>
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Needless to say it has worked and I have a fully operational iPad 2 once again!! I am one happy girl!! I hope this blog post has helped someone out there in BLOGLAND!! </div>
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<br /></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-59904276644928838202012-03-21T16:45:00.001+01:002012-03-22T06:58:00.248+01:00Gifts made with fruit & love ...I mentioned the shopping in Germany is very different to that of 'home'. You can read that post <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/03/shopping-in-deutschland-ugh.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Because of this I find I don't enjoy shopping ... I know! It's a crime right?!! At home in the UK I would know which shops to go for specific gifts for specific friends and family members. Because of missing this familiarity, I decided I would start to make a few gifts instead of stressing about where to purchase things. Over the past few years I have made a few <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139400550936017592/" target="_blank">fruit bouquets</a> as gifts and I have really enjoyed creating something and giving it as a gift to be enjoyed!<br />
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Here are a few I have done! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZPSJ-za5QO_6GJeKTi967cJ33xBz5NAPHLXE4QkBmavyoSwdov0zHfv2OA8UklH7iVAJflFLyhzOgF1psitMP8o-3rrDDisd8Y4VHuArHRfftCoVETRO6kJ1Xw1vMbJk69JIL44cewI/s1600/47046_1534476572745_269294_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lZPSJ-za5QO_6GJeKTi967cJ33xBz5NAPHLXE4QkBmavyoSwdov0zHfv2OA8UklH7iVAJflFLyhzOgF1psitMP8o-3rrDDisd8Y4VHuArHRfftCoVETRO6kJ1Xw1vMbJk69JIL44cewI/s320/47046_1534476572745_269294_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one was one of the first ones I made ... this was for my husbands birthday and I delivered it to his work place. He and his colleagues enjoyed the fruit amongst the cakes I took in too! =) It's all about balance!</div>
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This one was made for friends on the safe arrival of their baby boy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo53NESwf1kgKuznaobQQrt9YePfNyx43cDDIEXkyCMGURtQbJnr9IfrcPBjOK1MU8Qi265wEiro_oIc2KaDHTGyUgLy8Xt1kfzQjlap4s7-oTLvoXHSgr44QfvgPFX2t9upXtWK-G6FhS/s1600/P8160636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo53NESwf1kgKuznaobQQrt9YePfNyx43cDDIEXkyCMGURtQbJnr9IfrcPBjOK1MU8Qi265wEiro_oIc2KaDHTGyUgLy8Xt1kfzQjlap4s7-oTLvoXHSgr44QfvgPFX2t9upXtWK-G6FhS/s320/P8160636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one I made as part of our refreshments when some friends came over to craft!! Kind of a mini 'time out for women!' =)</div>
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I have just purchased nice tins or baskets and then put melon in there or grapefruit (in their peel or skin) whatever fits the shape of tin and use that as the base to secure the skewers in. Using good quality cookie cutters you can prepare the fruit shapes. I like hearts ... so I have used them in each one!! For the baby one I used a duck, bottle and pushchair shape also to make it more specific to the celebration. Thread the grapes, strawberries and blueberries onto skewers as fillers in between the shapes. It's really a case of watching the bouquet take shape as you produce your work of food art!! Have a go!! It all contributes to making it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">a Happy Life</span>!! </div>
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<br /></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-6665905831066941212012-03-20T16:29:00.001+01:002012-03-21T10:47:02.822+01:00oh to understand the post!!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Many goals we set ourselves include life time pursuits such
as mountain climbing, starting a business or becoming debt free. My goal
since living in Germany is to simply read my post and understand it. What
a joy that would be. We take so much for granted until we are taken away
from, or move outside of our comfort zones. </span>Simple things like answering the
telephone, chatting with neighbours, locating something you want to purchase in
a shop or reading your own post seem near impossible.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I often enlist the help of <a href="http://translate.google.com/#" target="_blank">google translate</a>. Sometimes I hear people knock it but I really rely on it. Although there are grammatical errors etc, I find most of the time it helps me to understand the general subject and the request that is being made from the sender. At other times we have to enlist the help of friends and work colleagues to help us to understand and what response is necessary. It makes you feel like this ....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAW5NTei3VI6bvY0P45PCnIwvpsBGn9YR5ISaOrQbp5GJsl__LrRYHJMWqPYHn0Pg6j-DnoMdPGSDFjAo_5SupjaoE4yN1Ng5Lip_Pfl43p25jCzIensSTEmZximSkOjyfCfwNBjqNQZX/s1600/132477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAW5NTei3VI6bvY0P45PCnIwvpsBGn9YR5ISaOrQbp5GJsl__LrRYHJMWqPYHn0Pg6j-DnoMdPGSDFjAo_5SupjaoE4yN1Ng5Lip_Pfl43p25jCzIensSTEmZximSkOjyfCfwNBjqNQZX/s320/132477.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the image from http://www.strangecosmos.com </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... except he's a lot cuter!! haha </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It certainly makes you humble in the aspect of needing help for the simplest of tasks. I feel it helps friendships form and service is given and definitely appreciated. One day I will love reading for someone else. Often people joke and ask me to translate for them, but I yearn to be able to offer that service to others. I am amazed at how well my children have picked up the language and often translate for me nowadays. Even our 5 year old translates little Kindergarten conversations with his friends for me. How thoughtful is that??? I mostly understand his little interactions in German but I never tell him to stop translating because that is a skill he will use all of his life and I don't want to dampen that. It will help him in his progress and understanding of the language.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday I had a little conversation with a Kindergarten teacher who is leaving. We will be sorry to see her leave but I was excited to tell my hubby that I'd been able to do it. You certainly learn to appreciate the simple things in life. Counting these little blessing makes life happier. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span></div>a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-83051337319554583942012-03-17T17:33:00.001+01:002012-03-21T09:03:37.630+01:00Flip flops ....Here comes the sun!!! The sun is shining on us in Germany. Yippee!! I was going to talk to you about <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.de/2012/03/shopping-in-deutschland-ugh.html" target="_blank">watermelons</a> again but today's weather has <strike>forced</strike> guided me to another topic. The sun just shouts to me FLIP FLOPS!! I am not in control ... the sun really compels me to wear them on my feet!! Who else has a <strike>compulsion,</strike> love of flip flops? Not my hubby - well to be fair, if it was summertime - his opinion would be different but he just disagrees with the <strike>desire,</strike> need to wear them when it is technically still winter!! mwahhhhh.<br />
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This morning we were on our way out of the front door and he noticed (DRAT) my footwear. <br />
"Are you going out in those?" (flip flops)<br />
"Ermmmm YES!" (me grinning)<br />
"But it's still cold outside!" (raised eyebrow)<br />
"But the sun is shining!" (grinning some more)<br />
Roll of the eyes and into our multivan we go! snigger snigger. There's a slight breeze, but I love feeling that between my toes. Just realised this might not be the best post for those feet hating peeps out there! SORRY!! ...<br />
It is getting warmer too ... so more flip flop weather on the way!! YahooOo!! I'm not sure if anything else makes me feel so happy!<br />
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These are my favourites ....I bought a pair for my step mother-in-law from <a href="http://www.spartoo.co.uk/Columbia-KEA-x36577.php" target="_blank">here</a> from the UK. She liked the idea of the comfort around the toe ... I like the fact they hide my very long big toes!! I got really great service.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhzpN0iBaz-NWa0LZuPpf_50kpkm25gsQJfOw0A1ZCoXatQKB7N3MO0e9OgfuOc5TZX2bgCXTa5ecwaY6KHLiVv4TeUnwU0uOzoxpgRdWpPj6TyEhSKzpulbnL4hHv86Hitv3ryUtMovn/s1600/Columbia-KEA-36577_350_A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhzpN0iBaz-NWa0LZuPpf_50kpkm25gsQJfOw0A1ZCoXatQKB7N3MO0e9OgfuOc5TZX2bgCXTa5ecwaY6KHLiVv4TeUnwU0uOzoxpgRdWpPj6TyEhSKzpulbnL4hHv86Hitv3ryUtMovn/s320/Columbia-KEA-36577_350_A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I first fell in love with these in 2010 on our family holiday in Florida. I am not kidding, as soon as I tried them on I knew we were meant for each other!! They joined me on this photo ... oh and so did my son!! hahah ... here they are brand new. =) SIGH!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty, mum & FLIP FLOPS - Universal Studios Florida</td></tr>
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I've been so <strike>mad</strike>, fortunate to get another 3 pairs (well I need to have stand by's!) in different colours last October. I joined my hubby for a week of his 3 month long business trip to Salt Lake City and hit the outlets as soon as I landed. I can honestly say these are the most comfortable things I have EVERRRRRRR worn on my feet. I love them and they seem to love me!! =)<br />
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-3161691244557526182012-03-15T16:48:00.000+01:002012-03-16T06:43:05.398+01:00Shopping for a watermelon??One of our BIGGEST dislikes of moving to Germany was buying food. I know some of you may gasp because of your love for all of that stinky sausage stuff ... but it just doesn't get my taste buds leaping - I can't stand the look, the smell and here's the confession ... I haven't even tasted it!! mwahhhh Is that bad? So there won't be any picture of that stuff here!! Anyhow the supermarkets aren't like back 'home' or abroad either for that matter. Almost four years into our stay here, we still miss ASDA & Sainsbury's and the like. SIGH!! I kid you not, when we travel home to England and enter one of these supermarkets, I feel this urge to touch everything and an even bigger urge to leave with it all too!!<br />
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I prefer a one stop shop & that is <strike>near</strike> impossible here. Our first food shop was the day after we had arrived in the country as residents. We lived in an area called Bad Vilbel for the first six weeks. It was at the local Lidl there that we realised things were never going to be the same!! <br />
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We picked up some groceries for a family of 6 to get by with for a few days!! We loaded our stuff onto the belt for it to be scanned, we started to 'pack' (as you would normally!)... well that wasn't going to work. She scanned that food through so fast like her life depended on it. The space at the end of the till was comparable to a postage stamp. Some of the items didn't make it to the trolley without touching the floor first, never mind attempting to put it in bags. It was so alien to us. Hubby & I glanced at each other and started to grin. I glanced down the line, expecting to see raised eyebrows and smiling faces in empathy of our experience, only to see that no one else thought it was amusing or even batting an eye. To them it was just every day-to-day life and it is - they expect, infact demand, such efficiency! Then came time to pay the cashier. I handed my visa debit card over to make payment and she refused to take it. "Keine Kredit Karten!" (no credit cards) she snarled at me! 'It is not a credit card, it's a debit card!' came the reply - anyhow we weren't going to win regardless of how much explaining we tried, so luckily there was a bank across the road and my hubby ran across, got some cash and we were able to pay for the food. Phew ... glad to get out in one piece!! haha It was like stepping back in time! We just had to laugh!</div>
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The amusing thing is now we are so used to this speed and lack of "can I help you with your packing?" kind of service now, that when we go back to the UK and experience some customer service and a bit of light hearted chatter with the cashier, as well as scanning through the items SO <strike>patiently</strike> slowly, I feel like asking them to hurry up! Especially if we are on our 'stock up' shop just before we reach the Eurotunnel on our return to Germany! OH how the worm turns!! =)<br />
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Not too long after this initial experience we tried out a Tegut grocery shop. The sign on the watermelon said 1.99€, thinking that was a great price, we picked it up and headed for the cashier. Except it came up at 11.00€ in total and was infact quite the opposite. The price we had seen was price per kilo. Duh!! Then say so!! Not knowing the language, we were too embarrassed to even attempt to explain that we had misunderstood the pricing and would leave it. We walked out - watermelon in hand, grinning once again at our experience, hoping that it would be worth it once the kids started to devour it!!<br />
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I wonder if this experience was the birth of making the most of a watermelon? Since then I've enjoyed doing some watermelon carvings. This was my first attempt! <br />
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It was for our youngest son's 5th birthday party. What do you think? I was so pleased with the outcome. Here's what I used:<br />
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A large watermelon<br />
green and red grapes<br />
2 limes (cut in half for the feet)<br />
two sizes of melon baller<br />
raisins for the nostrils on the snout and to layer the grape eyes.<br />
A cookie cutter to cut out the snout.<br />
Cocktail sticks to hold the feet, snout, ears, eyes and tail in place.<br />
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I had so much fun creating this pig. I got the idea some time before, after watching <a href="http://www.annabelkarmel.com/" target="_blank">Annabel Karmel</a> carving it with some children on a television program. I searched 'youtube' for that particular clip but couldn't find THE one. I did come across <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylIK5OHAm0k" target="_blank">this fun tutorial</a> and off to work I went. It is easier than it might look! Try it and share your results with me! It was a joy to see them excited to eat the good stuff!! <br />
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I have found some great ideas on Pinterest and have plans to do a lot more of these fun designs when the watermelon gets to a good price this summer. I will share them with you here. If you would like an invitation to join Pinterest, please leave me your email address in the comments section below. If you would like to follow me on Pinterest click <a href="http://pinterest.com/shellbob/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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I am in no way affiliated with Pinterest ... only a slight addiction!! It's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">a Happy Life!</span></div>
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-30679136189677481252012-03-13T13:56:00.002+01:002012-03-13T21:52:53.390+01:00what a boy!<br />
I mentioned in my <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-love-this-quote-grass-certainly-is.html" target="_blank">last post</a> that our children's schooling was my main concern when we were facing our new adventure to live in Deutschland. I have also talked about how education makes huge differences in our lives, opens doors and is real <a href="http://shellbob-ahappylife.blogspot.com/2012/03/todays-landmark.html" target="_blank">privilege</a>!<br />
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Our relocation package from my husband's employer covered school fees for the first three years. This meant our two middle boys would transfer to German school after this time. This time came last August and saw these two sons starting their new challenge - German school. They have both had different challenges, I am going to tell you about our 13 year old, Matthew's experience. <br />
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Not long after he had started school, I began to get little stories from his older brothers he had been confiding in, about some unkind things going on at school. I asked him what I could do to help, but his reply always came back with "it's OK, I can cope!" He didn't seem anxious and never asked to stay at home rather than go to school. <i><b>He was coping extremely well!</b></i> As things escalated he opened up to me more and shared things that mums dread to hear, such as:<br />
"They tell me to go back to my own country and I have no right to be here."<br />
"I won the race at school today mum, but they told me I have no right to come first!" (seemingly I got this bit wrong and he came second and the winner was the one who told him he had no right to come first. I stand corrected!! haha<br />
"They told me to go away and not stand with them ..."<br />
"They lock me out of the classroom until the teacher comes ..."<br />
"They hit me today ..."<br />
"They threw all of my things on the floor ..."<br />
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It was so heart wrenching for me. He was still determined for me not to do anything yet. One morning we discussed things again and he said it had got to the point that he needed some help. Things had started to taste a little sour!!<br />
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We both felt we should address it at school and enlist the help of his class teacher. He is an English teacher and so we were able to speak English together. (I didn't want to be emotional and at the same time have to try to find the correct vocab - let alone the correct grammar.) He was a very good listener and was horrified at our report. He reassured us he would address the situation with the whole class straight away and did just as he had promised. I am so glad that to their credit, those boys involved, stopped immediately. Were they all of a sudden friends? No, they just let him be. I felt his teacher handled the situation perfectly. <br />
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Matthew was and still is a wonderful example to all of us on how to respond in difficult situations and how not to react negatively. He never let their <strike>bullying</strike> (I am so reluctant to label them as bullies) negative behaviour, affect the good decisions he had to make. His attitude was amazing, never feeling the need for revenge. His energy was spent on his own happiness not on hateful comments or reactions. When we discussed the situation at home, we discussed how he would grow from these experiences and how they were preparing him for challenges he might face in the adult world. Boys will be boys and wrong choices will be made. I hope those boys have also learned lessons from this that will help them to become good men! The world needs good men.<br />
Matthew has shown such strength of character during a really tough time. Well done Matty!! We love you!! xx<br />
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p.s. he is now starting to make friends! =)<br />
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<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894559850152352139.post-70181285656115886392012-03-12T10:59:00.001+01:002012-03-15T16:04:49.889+01:00The grass is greener ...<br />
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I love this quote! The grass certainly is greener where you water it.This frame of mind has helped our family since we relocated from the UK to Germany in 2008. Only a year or so before our actual departure, we had bought a new home (well new to us!) and we were enjoying making a house a home. We both had jobs we enjoyed and the children were settled in school and we all had good friends. Life was good! We had anticipated we would live in the UK forEVER!<br />
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Then we found ourselves facing a new challenge in our lives. My husband's employer was consolidating two European areas and the main office would be in Frankfurt. We thought and prayed over the decisions we were facing. My main worry was the children's education. It's strange how your outlook can change so quickly. Initially, our oldest and most cautious of all of us, wouldn't discuss the matter until we knew we were definitely going. Our second son and I were getting really excited and ready to start a new adventure. Within months of getting an inclination we could be moving, we found ourselves boarding a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, Germany ... <i>HOME</i>, to start a new chapter in our lives. It all happened SO fast!!<br />
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We arrived on a Friday and starting the following Monday morning, our children were catapulted into starting their new school routine with an early start of 5.45am. I recall the blue Taxibus pulling up outside of our temporary accommodation and watching my boys get into this taxi with a complete stranger and knowing nothing of the language other than Hallo!! My stomach was doing summersaults!! The days really felt long for me at first and I missed the older children so much. Our youngest was almost 2 at the time ... My husband's place of work had changed and he was covering a larger area, but he was familiar with most of the people and the work already, so it was <strike>a breeze</strike> a comfortable transition for him! hahaha<br />
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Hessen Park</td></tr>
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Despite these long days for our children, usually returning home at 6.30pm, I cannot recall one of our older three boys, aged 14, 12 & 10 at the time, complaining. They took it all in their stride! Their attitude towards this transition was such a blessing to us all! We made new friends and got used to the new culture ... well actually there are some things we are still trying to get used to! ;) On the whole, it is a great blessing for all of us. Is it challenge free? No, of course not. But it's how we face and work through the challenges that makes all of the difference! My main challenge is still the language. I must sound like google translate half of the time, but I am sure it is improving all of the time ... cough cough! In my next few posts I will share some of our experiences & culture shocks of our transition with you! Some I have found really funny and others heart wrenching. Just like the lawn at home needs constant watering and nourishment not to dry out or get ruined by unwanted weeds and moss - and so it is with our lives and challenges we face ... it takes effort and constant 'watering' to make it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">a</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Happy Life!</span><br />
<br />a Happy Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09523417610940813626noreply@blogger.com0