Tuesday evening was rather fun. We all played Scrabble. Joshua declared that he had a terrific word and proceeded to spell it out on the board: A-S-U. "What in the world is 'asu'?" we all ask. Joshua proudly announces, "It's what you say when you sneeze. ASU!". Hahahahaha. We all had a good laugh about that one. Soon after Joshua's failed word attempt, Grandpa tried his hand at a word: O-W. "That's not a word", said Joshua. "Oh, yes it is", proclaimed Rob. Dave was sitting near the computer and quickly got onto one of those sites that audibly pronounce the word that one is inquiring about. "OW", the computer sayed in a high-pitched technical voice. "OW", the computer sayed again. Joshua found this to be the funniest thing in the world and continued to repeat the computer for the rest of the evening.
Yesterday, Wednesday, we took it easy in the morning and then had Rob drop us at Uncle John and Aunty Laura's house. We didn't know that they were not aware we were with Rob. They had no idea we were in the country! So as we were getting out of the car and they were standing at the door, they got quite the little surprise. "Aye, what's this?", said in the most Geordie of accents, "It's as if you dropped out of the sky!".
It was really nice to see them again. They seem to be doing very well for two people in the late 70's/early 80's. Aunty Laura made sure we were all well fed, as usual, and Uncle John entertained us with old stories and jokes. Aunty Laura was marveling at how much Daniel looked like Joshua at that age. She also remembered the last time we were here how Joshua kept putting a cinnamon stick in his mouth; she called it his 'cigar'.
We left there and walked the short distance down to Gramps's house. He had just returned from the market and was looking very handsome! He fed the boys some pretend yoghurt (it's made with whipped cream or something like that). Joshua got out a gooseberry first, but then decided it wasn't his favourite so he gave that one to Daniel, who gobbled it up quickly, and got out a lemon. The lemon evidently didn't suit his fancy either because he soon passed it off to me.... lucky me!... it was sooooo yummmmyyyyyy!
We didn't stay at Gramps's long as Daniel was getting a little cranky. In order to get back to the house from Gramps's we had to cross a huge field that also had several levels so there were about 3 big slopes. Joshua thought it would be fun to roll down the first one. He was wearing a bright yellow hoodie that made him look like he was a giant banana rolling down the hill. The next hill Dave suggested that he try rolling head-over-heals, so Joshua somersaulted all the way down and thought it was so fun that he continued somersaulting all the way to the end of the field! By the end of it all he was sick to his stomach with a bit of a headache.... boys ;)
When we got back to the house, Mark, Louise, and Katie were there. Daniel, already in a cranky state, spent most of the time trying to run away from Katie.
Mark and his family only stayed for a short time since Louise wasn't feeling so well and also they had with them a fellow coworker of Mark's.
That evening Joshua and Daniel spent some fun time with their Gogs since she was leaving in the morning and they would not see her for a couple of weeks.
Here Joshua and Gogs had just finished a game of Ludo and were in the middle of a ticklefest.
So sweet!!!!
While the lovefest was happening, Rob and Dave were hard at work to find us a car. After looking at the prices of car hire versus bus and train fair versus purchasing a vehicle, we decided that the purchase was the way to go. They had believed to have found one, but needed to call the insurance company the next day for the final decision.
Dave and I were up late, even until it was time for the prayer to begin at Life Community Church. We were really wishing that we could be there, but we could only be there in spirit. Dave read something to me that is fitting for where we are right now. God takes us to the mountain tops so we can be prepared for when we go through the valley.
I am very much looking forward to finding a church body here of like mindedness. I am realizing that we have been quite sheltered for some time now, but this present moment is not the time for that.... hmmmm..... not sure what I think about that, but I guess God doesn't really need my opinion, now does He?!
Thursday morning broke and Rob took Liz to the airport bright and early. After all the rest of us had breakfast, Dave and Rob tried very hard to change the fridge door. Here they are slaving away......
Unfortunately, all of their efforts were in vain because the parts that are supposed to be able to flip and be used both ways were not the universal type and could only be used one way. Sorry Liz!
Soon they packed up their tools and went to purchase the car they had looked at last night.
While the men were busy with the car, Joshua kept Daniel entertained with a floral hat.....
Soon the men returned with our car. Here is the beauty....
We picked her up for only 250 pounds (that's about $400) which is way cheaper than we could have hired a car for 2 months.
Now those of you who know the Handysides well know that we name our cars. Our black car is named Sybil due to her multiple personalities (Kelly Cox can attest to this!). Our former cadillac was named Thomas due to his train engine sounding horn (from the children's tv show, 'Thomas the Tank Engine'). We have yet to name the mini-van, but this car obviously didn't want to be left out because she already came with a name.
T - R - A - C - E - (Y)
Tracey is quite the looker and is full of all those things one desires in a car. Such as....
a steering wheel.....
a sun roof.....
and wolverine seat covers...
After enjoying the wonders of Tracey, Rob soon had to be off to a student (he is a driving instructor). Our stomachs also began to scream at us so we thought fish and chips sounded nice. "Proper Fish & Chips", says Handyside.
Yummy, yummy the fish is now in my tummy!!!
As we were eating I asked Joshua and David to make a face that showed how they felt about the food. It's pretty obvious that Dave is happy about it, but Joshua.... hmmmm.....
I think tonight we are just going to settle and relax at the house. Daniel seems to be very unsettled today. He's been sleeping a bunch and when he is awake he is pretty much miserable, so we are hoping he will just fall asleep and continue sleeping for the rest of the night.
Hope you are all having a nice warm summer... I must admit that today I am quite jealous of the warmth as it is rather cold.
I suppose this is where I'll end for now.... Adios!
