Eldest

Today I have to say goodbye to my eldest - Josh, aged 25. He is going back to Korea to work and be with his serious girlfriend, Jisook. He has agonized over the decision to go back so soon and not stay for the holidays. He and I have had several deep conversations about him leaving. I have cried privately and with him as I will miss him so much.
Each of my sons occupy a room in my heart. When one leaves, as Josh did for college six years ago, it is like the light in the room in my heart goes dim. They are still very much adored in my heart but now they are far away, living out their own lives and adventures. They are not a part of my daily mayhem and madness. I used to gaze at Josh's childhood pictures as I dusted them and say. "where are you now? What are you doing? I miss you." I broke down the first time Josh walked away from us in an airport on his way to school in Minnesota. I cried so hard it scared me. He was my first born, my baby boy that came with much celebration after two years of three miscarriages. I am very proud of the men that both he and Jonny have become - strong, hard-working, God-fearing. We can argue, cry and laugh (oh can we laugh!!) All my sons are my finest achievements of my time here on earth.
So, today, again, I have to watch Josh walk away from us in Heathrow airport. When will we see each other again? I am not sure. I know God will watch over him.

Poor coconut

When you go to buy shredded coconut at the store it is called, tragically, "desiccated coconut."
That's a little harsh, don't you think? We were discussing this at dinner and had to add some substitute words: decimated, decapitated, desecrated, devastated, and Josh's suggestion: defecated. None really add appeal to the poor coconut. I think they should go with a kinder and gentler adjective such as: flaked, which brings to mind happy snowflakes. I do notice on the bag that it is a product of a muslim nation. Maybe this is a sinister message to all infidels -" don't mess with us. See what we do to mere coconuts? No mercy!!!"

Or maybe not.
Poor coconut.

Cold nights

Long underwear - or thermal underpants, as they are called here - are most lovely. So are hot water bottles, and duvets. We live in a big wonky old house with three stories and we are really trying to keep heating bills down. It is heated by radiators which are heated with gas. Over the summer I collected used heaters for several rooms, we just turn them on when we go in the room, but that leaves the halls quite chilly. Our bedroom is especially cold. There is this old seventies style built in unit in the bay window and there must not be any insulation behind it because you can feel the cold air coming from both it and the window. Last winter we could see the wind moving the curtains through the cracks in the window casings. Brrrrr! I do have some material to make thicker curtains - but no time to make them! I want to get them done before it really gets cold. I do have this awesome little heater that warms the room up enough to fall asleep, but then you wake up and the room is really cold. That is why that morning cup of tea is so important.
The kids sleep in the attic and it can be very chilly also - but I got them all duvets for their beds and that really makes a difference.

One more thing - last night was Halloween and nobody goes trick or treating in Wythall. No one. On the news they said that more than 50% of parents in Britain were not letting their children trick or treat because it has just gotten too dangerous. The news also said to be very careful about opening your door to people. Crickey!!! Is it really that dangerous around here? It's too cold for danger. We should all stay inside, under covers, drinking tea and watching telly.