At Home

It has been hard to think of anything to write on my blog these past few weeks.  Mainly as worry about my father is all consuming and everything else in comparison is insignificant.  But really there is so much to write about my father.  I am so happy to be back in Canada to spend this time with the family and especially him.  He is such a special man and has touched so many lives.  There has been so many phone calls, drops in's, email's etc wishing my Dad well and telling him how he has touched their lives.  I will not pretend these last few days have been easy on us, there has been little sleep and a lot of worry.  But I would not want to be anywhere else in the world.

The Liverpool-Chelsea game, my Dad's favourite team, well actually the family's favourite team.  I love watching him watch these games, usually slightly critical of the managers decisions but fully enjoying the game.  I love this picture, even Freda can't take her eyes off the match the match. 

I do not think it is possible to ever put into words how much I love this man.

The Bajan Fam

Just got a hold of this fabulous photo of all the Cozier family (well at that time).  It put quite a smile on my face, a small picture, but so great to see.  We have sadly lost quite a few of these people, my Grandparents, my mum, her brother and her brother in law.  I miss them all.

Small Post

I think this is probably one of my longest stretches of no posts.  I am a bit of an addict and can usually think of something to come up with every couple of days.  But lately, I have been a little uninspired, such is life.  I will be back shortly with some updates on life of me and my L's.  In the mean time I will share some photos of a beach we discovered on Saturday morning before our chores began.  Oh and a vegan roast, I am trying to go vegan and this was delicious.

 There are some amazing spots that we know we have still not discovered on this island.  This one was lovely, and some time in the future we will go back for the day.

A friend who is always going veggie shared this delicious vegan roast with us.  I really wish I was a more inspired cook.

Birthday Celebrations

We had a big night planned for Lola, a few hours on the beach followed by cake and presents.  What we should have done was cake presents and then beach.  By the time we got home from the beach she was so tired that she could not have cared less about her doggie cake or stacks of presents.

 I love this photo of her.  It is not easy to capture her standing still on the beach, there are far too many crabs to dig for.

 This is her hunting pose, ready for the chase.

 Her cake that she was not very interested in (even when I blew out the candles), all she wanted to do was sleep.

Her first set of presents that she turned her nose up at... The good thing is she has loads more to open, extending her birthday.  Maybe she is just super clever and does not want everything all at once.  A lovely day celebrating wonderful Lola Cola.

12 on the 12th

Happiest Happiest of birthdays to Lola Cola!  I cannot believe she is 12!!!  But like all of the Garwood's she looks very young for her age, not a day past 8 I would say.  She has had a great birthday weekend so far, lots of beach walks, cuddles and treats.  However, the real celebration is tomorrow as Luis is working today.

 The two top pictures are from Lola at just 8 months.  Look how super posh she is even as a puppy!

This is one from our days in the Swiss Alps, she is 8 here looking as regal as ever.

This one is from her 10th birthday, sun bathing on our patio in Ecuador

Which brings us to today, still looking as cute as always and now sporting her new bandana from Daddy.  It has been the best 12 years and I cannot wait for the next 12, I love my girl with all my heart and cannot wait for celebrations tomorrow :)

Proper Wine Tasting

Last night Jacqui put on a different kind of wine night, at a local bar, a proper organised tasting.  I was more than a little tired but was happy to go and see these lovely ladies.

 Small but great group.

It was a nice idea, and a change from our regular wine nights.  Nice catching up with these ladies.

Back in Phuket

After a thirty hour horrendous plane journey, I arrived back for a couple hours sleep (literally two) before heading off to school.  Although, it was certainly not my best day of teaching, I still managed to make some sense to the kids and did not fall a sleep once.  But I am not complaining as it was worth every hour on that plane, and every painful teaching hour yesterday to spend that ten days with my family.  Freda is pretty much the best baby ever.  And for the record, it is not just me that says this (in case one thinks I might be biased) but every single person who meets her says the same.  

She is just amazing and I cannot wait to see her and her wonderful parents in six weeks.

It was wonderful also to see the fabulous five (clearly this picture only has three of the five), who do so much for my family it is beyond ridiculous.  I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life.

Then there is my Dad, who makes a thirty hour flight totally worth it.  In fact, I would fly 90 hours just for a few days with him.  He continues to be an inspiration to me and I loved hearing more stories from his past (like a near miss court marshall and accidental shooting (albeit blanks) incident).

I am now back in Phuket, looking out my window at another glorious day (I will tell you what I do not miss about Canada is the weather, I am pretty happy in every day thirty plus conditions).  I am pretty much caught up on my sleep and although would love to be back in Canada right now (cold weather and all), I cannot say that I am not happy to see my L's whom I missed loads.  

Super Fam!

It has been wonderful to be here hanging with the family, not doing much, just being together.  Superman (otherwise known as my Dad) is battling his second cancer in the past two years.  The first one he kicked aside pretty quickly so maybe this one has been sent to be more of a challenge (or more likely because General Electric did not take care of their employees as they should, a huge understatement actually).   Luckily Superman comes with a super family who are all here to support, love and help him fight a bigger cancer.  

 How sweet is she (they I mean they! Babies always think they can steal the show)!

 Nicola, Paddy and Freda

Superman (also known as Dad, Grandpa, Gus, Robert, Henry and Bob) and his gals!  Paddy has left today and we are all looking forward to meeting again in six weeks for Christmas with Luis too. 

Astronaut Freda K

Happy Halloween! It has been at least 25 years since I have been out trick or treating and probably 18 since I have been in Canada for Halloween.  So it was great to be here for Freda's first trick or treating night and not only because she can not eat all the chocolate that she got but because I got to see this adorable astronaut in person.

 Freda K surrounded in the night sky.  By far the cutest costume out there tonight.  

 Halloween is so big in North America and really such a great community event.  So many houses get right in the spirit with loads of decorations and very few are closed off to trick or treaters.

 Some scary pumpkin cut outs, I should have got more of the houses and some of the other children but to be fair...

 Freda K stole the show

 Dad with one of the treats, Oh Henry for Henry

 It is probably the best time to take her out trick or treating as there is no need to try and bribe her for some candy.  As she is a little small to have it we will just have to help her out.  Great costume Nicola and Paddy!