31 years ago today...............

I joined the Royal Air Force.  A young 17 years old.  Seems like five minutes ago.

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Started walking again today with some ladies I've met through the Expat group.  This time for exercise.  There is a "Beach Club" locally that has a path around the lakes.  It takes about an hour to walk around it twice.  Some massive houses to look at too.

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The things you see in the local shop!!  This "Moose" was about the size of a deer and made completely of wood.  I don't know if it was for sale but it was pretty cool.

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Today was downstairs dusting before heading up to the school for 2 hours stacking books in the library.

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Today, after 2 hours of line dancing with some really lovely ladies I had a date with the iron.  It seems I hadn't done any ironing for a few days and it was backing up!!

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It's getting closer!!!

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Its been a busy week so I'm on a bit of a catch up today.

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New reading material, in hard copy no less!  "Shifty's War".  Darrell Powers is one of my favourites from Band of Brothers.  He always came across as a very gentle soul who did what he had to.
Since 2006 we have watched Band of Brothers once a year.
The other book is one my mum gave me for my Birthday and is loaded with road trips to take in this part of the USA.  I'm still picking out which ones I want to do first.  I'd like to do New Mexico, the boys want Arizona!!

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My friend Nancy and I went to see the decorated houses at Cross Creek Ranch.  They are all show homes for different builders but are decorated for the coming seasons.  This is my favourite style but at way over half a million dollars I will have to dream a bit longer.

More on the tour in another post.

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On Fridays I now volunteer in the school workroom.  I do photocopying, laminating, binding that kind of thing.  This week was a quiet one so after stocking the machines with paper, sorting out some copying, chatting to some of the staff and putting the coloured paper into matching colours (OCD kicking in there I think) I got to go early.
I love doing it and if a job ever comes up in the school I might just be in the right place at the right time :0)

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We went out for a meal last night and I had told the boys before I went that a photo WOULD be taken!!  John was not very forthcoming with the smiles so I had to take drastic action!!

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Who knew that in a place so humid we would need a humidifier indoors?  Apparently the AC can give you a very dry nose and this unfortunately has led to both John and I being able to smell a cigarette smoke type smell for the last few week.
This fella is now a new member of the family.  He hasn't got a name yet but no doubt he will get one soon!!

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Me on Monday

My Monday consisted of

Having a poorly Teenager at home

Checking what's on the calendar for this week

Having a go at making Custard Creams

Saying "bugger the expense" and buying an old favourite to have at lunch time

Feeling pretty pleased with myself that the Custard Creams turned out OK.

Waiting for the AC engineer to arrive.

Plus the usual looking after sick child, washing, tidying up and general pottering about.

Thanks to Sian at From High in the Sky for her Me On Monday MeMe.

How was your Monday?

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Poorly Teenager today!!  Lots of vomiting overnight (not that you needed to know that)  :0)

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Ready for another Airsoft day.  Hiding in trees seemed to be the way to go today.  No wonder he's aching!!

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Ready for the Homecoming Dance.
When did he grow up?
Did I blink and miss it?
It was his choice to go.  No prompting from me at all.

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Today is the day during Homecoming week when students wear their "Mums and Garters".  Samuel's contribution to the day was to wear a Seven Lakes T-Shirt!!
I have to thank him for doing that and for allowing me to take his photo at 6.50am (hence the grimace)!!

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Spent an hour and a half waiting for the Teenager to have his new patient dental check.

He got a thumbs up :0)  Come back in 6 months.

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Mango Chutney with a Kick

Mango Chutney {recipe}

Fills one 500ml pot or 3 small Texan Mason Jars

Ingredients:

• 2 large, fairly ripe mangoes

• 1 chopped apple, any variety will do (I used a Texas one!)

• A thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

• 300ml white wine vinegar

• 260g of caster sugar

• 1 tsp black onion seeds

• A small shard of cinnamon bark

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp chilli flakes

• ½ tsp chilli powder

• A pinch of salt

Method:

1. The night before you want to make the chutney it is necessary to peel one’s mangoes, cube them and sprinkle them with salt. This draws out some of their moisture and softens them. Make sure to rinse before use!

2. Tip the apple, ginger, garlic, vinegar, sugar, onion seeds, cinnamon, turmeric, chilli flakes and chilli powder into a pan. Heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the mango and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Simmer the chutney for 30-40 minutes until it has achieved a thick, sticky consistency. Season to taste. While waiting for the magic to happen one should sterilize one’s vessel to ensure the chutney stays good for at least a couple of weeks. 

Once the chutney is done transfer it to the jar and allow to cool before applying the lid. Allowing the chutney to mature for a couple of days will only increase the pleasure it gives your mouth.

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The Teenager had a late start at school today and didn't need to be there till 10.45.  Perfect for making sure he ate before he went .
A few pancakes will keep him going for a few hours.

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Peacock Christmas Tree anyone?  It's a little OTT for my liking.

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I passed my driving test - Yay :0)

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Today I had a stab at making my own Mango Chutney (recipe to follow).  You can't buy a descent jar of the stuff over here.  It all seems to be Mango Pickle which is NOT the same thing.

I have to say it tastes delicious and I will be making more.

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What a laugh we had today.  I haven't laughed so much in ages.  Good job I wasn't wearing any mascara!!
We went to the local Halloween store as The Teenager wanted to find something to wear for dress up day at school next week.  He chose what he wanted and like all kids wanted to wear it home!!

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We did get some strange looks from people in other cars.  They were nudging their passengers and pointing.  When he waved at one guy I just about wet myself :0)

I can't understand why they'd stare..................

Doesn't everyone have a horse in their car?

 Neeeiighhhhh????

That boy is a nut case  :0)

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Look what we found in the garden today.  John just about freaked out saying it was a Black Widow (and would probably eat him alive!!).  Turns out it's not.  As far as we can make out it's a Venusta Orchard Weaver Spider and they are fluorescent when annoyed.  I found that out when I caught the web with the camera!!
John was nowhere to be seen by that point!!

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My finished picture.  It's about 10" x 8" and is in a frame with the glass taken out.  I couldn't find a frame that wouldn't squash the butterflies so went for the next best thing.  It looks quite bonny hanging in my "half bathroom" or to you and me "the downstairs loo"!!

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My first trip out alone in the car and I end up in Michaels!!  Maybe Mossy was on automatic pilot :0)

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Me and my new car.  She's a white Nissan Rogue called Mossy, as that's the name of the garage we got her from and the name of our lovely black lab who's no longer with us.  :0)  :0(

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The Teenager and I walked up to school today at 6.30am for a 7am meeting with his Guidance Counsellor!!  They start early here in Texas.
The walk there was quite cool but it had warmed up a bit by 7.45.  I don't mind the walk.  What I mind is the Teenager telling me that he's left his keys at home and needs them later as I'll be at the dentist, so could I drop them off later!!
Home by 8.15.  Quick cool down then another walk to school to drop of keys.  I was a dripping sweaty mess by the time I got back at 10am!!

Roll on picking up my car :0)

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Later in the day I had the dentist to have a wisdom tooth taken out :0(  Another walk, this time only 20 minutes.  It was nice walking home as a breeze had gotten up and it cooled me down after sitting in a dentist chair for an hour!!

Here's me taking a selfie to check I still had a nose as it was numb from the one of the 4 injections I had.  Seems to still be there :0)

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A little bit of fishing on the pond opposite the house.  It was a beautiful, warm and sunny afternoon.  I didn't catch anything  :0(

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We only went out for a loaf and ended up in the sports bar for a swift half.  A very nice lady called Rhonda offered (actually she jumped at the chance) to take our photo.  I think it may have had something to do with the Tequila she was drinking!!

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I've had to give in and put the summer weight quilt on the bed.  It's getting a little chilly at night for just a sheet.

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It's a hard life

Make yourself at home why don't you?  It's a hard life being a rabbit in our garden!!

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I finally got around to doing some crafting.  It's not finished yet.  It's a work in progress :0)

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Speaks for itself :0)

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