Unaware

Recently I was reminded how unaware we can be of what people around us suffer. Mom and I were down at the lovely Muncaster Castle to enjoy the gardens as were many other people. We oooed and ahhed over the vibrant rhodedenrons, looking at the wildlife, enjoying the amazing view. Indeed the blue bells and other flowers were so pretty.

Sadly, while we were doing that the family inside was mourning the loss of their precious mother, wife, 'Alla' and friend - Phyllida Gordon Duff Pennington, who had passed away that night. I only met her once but she was warm and friendly, quite interested in others, humble and all smiles. Her daughter, Iona and granddaughter Isla are just like her! Absolutely lovely.It just struck me as we walked around with other people milling about how we go through life not knowing people's story and yet making assumptions about them.

Do you think people wondered why the Muncaster flag was flying half mast or the dog was left barking in the kennel out front or there why there were so many cars parked outside of the private residence part of the castle itself? Did they even notice? I think not. I think they just went about their business enjoying their day totally unaware of the personal sadness of the family who provided the venue for their day out.

It got me thinking how we go about our days rubbing up against people, often making judgements about them without really knowing what their night was like or even their morning. Perhaps we should be more gracious, extending the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we should ask how they are doing, really doing. Regardless, we should not assume as we are often... unaware.

Do Something Funny for Money

England does a superb job getting people young and old involved with charities. From primary school through adult life, the English help raise money for local and worldwide charities. The country has a major nationwide campaign called Red Nose Day where you get people to sponsor your silly actions so you can 'do something funny for money'. St. Bees School has a non uniform day where kids pay £2 to not wear the school uniform and either dress up funny or just wear regular clothes. This year they also raised £500 to see their headmaster dye his head red in the campaign - 'The Head Goes Red'

Not to be outdone, the Low Level Waste Respository hosted a moustache contest as part of Red Nose Day. 40 guys agreed to not shave for one month, raising funds through facial hair. To add a little energy and creativity, Dennis let people vote for one of 8 facial hair options for the 'New Dennis Thompson' look.

It was neck and neck between FuManchu and Franz Josef but in the end Franz Josef won. Thursday morning after a thorough search on the internet, Dennis shaved his beard into the Prussian Emperor Franz Josef's look.

People at work then voted for the best moustache of the 40 men in the contest. Dennis won by a whisker and now holds the

coveted Mr. Potato Head trophy. They raised over one thousand pounds with this campaign for Children in Need. Though I think he actually looks quite handsome with the beard - I am just too easily distracted by the prickery feeling of the whiskers and don't enjoy kissing him. Sunday night, after showing the youth group his new face, the Franz Josef look will go back into the pages of history leaving only a photo in my album and money in the Red Nose Day campaign.

Autumn Term 2010

Though autumn term is the longest of the three school terms, it was fast paced from before it even began. The weekend before school started Dennis took off for Dublin to see Jonathan and Crystal Stamberg who were over there working on an internship for seminary. On the Bank Holiday Monday, we were ableto go on an all day bike ride around beautiful Coniston Lake as our last hooray of summer. We had a few glitches that tempted us to grumble as Dennis' tire was flat when we arrived requiring an hour detour to go find a bike shop where we could get a new tube. Unfortunately, early on Nathan decided to try holding the handlebars a funky way and ended up wiped out in the road. He won't ride like that again I am sure. The bike ride ended with a crisp ride in the dusk with a sky dotted in hot air balloons.

In early September, we enjoyed several cookouts or 'barbeques' with neighbors, Julieanne's class, and the youth group. Thankfully we had good weather for each one and could use the volleyball net and swing ball in the garden.

Dennis made good on a year old promise to reward the girls' good grades with a daddy-daughter trip to London to take in a show. They made the most of their weekend dragging Dad to all the shops on the high street. Phantom of the Opera was terrific but all three

especially enjoyed church at All Soul's.

I had been working on a committee for over a year to coordinate and host a school/alumni/community ball in early September. It was quite time consuming but proved to be a great way to make friends with other parents at the school.

Three kids on three different teams at school kept me busy attending games and snapping pictures. AC was excited to

play in defense on varsity again this year while Julieanne was co-captain on the under 15s team.

Nathan got his first real taste of rugby and is a new fan.

He continues to play on his football (soccer) team outside of school. They experienced the new phenomenon of winning after three years of only an occasional victory. He was instrumental in their win during a penalty shoot out saving the ball to ensure their advantage.

One day before a varsity match, the moms and staff challenged the girls to a hockey match. It was a great laugh giving me new appreciation for how difficult it is to defend such a large area on the pitch.

Over the term we have enjoyed some memorable moments with the youth group like mobile phone treasure hunt (cell phone scavenger hunt around town), air band competition, soup supper to raise money for the Dalit children of India, Christmas dinner, One Way youth service and the Christianity Explored video series.

For Children in Need day at school the students were told they could donate £2 to dress up in a costume that started with the letter of their last name for non-uniform day. AC chose to be the Tooth-fairy, JA was a Christmas Tree, and Na was Mr. T. The school does a great job staying involved in charitable events. Other moments to dress up came for Julieanne and Na at the Junior Christmas Ball and for Anna Catherine at the Senior Christmas Ball.

All of the kids have enjoyed moments with their friends though they have remained busy playing sports and keeping up with school work. Each has had academic challenges.

The term ended with a cold snap but treating us to snow. The kids were quick to get outside making snowmen, snow angels and snowballs.

Back in October, Julieanne joined her dramatic classmates as 'Rosie' in their production of 'Cider with Rosie'. Anna Catherine enjoyed her role as Genie of the Lamp in the senior panto, 'Aladdin', an English Christmas tradition.

The autumn term ended mid December with all three kids tired but having been rewarded with a house tie for Julieanne and a cravat for Anna Catherine.

Good for the Soul

Initially homeschool co-op buddies, Katie and Julieanne's friendship goes back to third grade. The girls hit it off immediately when they were little seeing each other at church and co-op but then as life would have it, paths diverged and Katie's family went to a different co-op. About that time, our pending move to England was looming. We then left Augusta in 6th grade for the green hills of the Lake District promising to stay in touch. The girls kept up with each other and enjoyed reconnecting when we went home the next summer but then a job change took Katie's family to Connecticut. Julieanne was able to visit Katie last spring - even got to go to school and NYC together.

Katie's family has moved to

Frankfurt making visits more of a possibility. In November, we had the chance to have Katie with us, even managing a day at St. Bees School complete

with school uniform.

It was great fun to watch the girls enjoy being together again with no problem keeping the conversation flowing. Only problem was that it was too short. Julieanne said she felt like she only had time to catch up but not go deeper. We are planning to take the Chapman family up on their offer to have us over to Germany. Maybe the girls will get the chance to do more than catch up. Seeing old friends is nourishing to the soul.

Now you seem them....now you don't

April 2008 Julieanne had her braces put on to correct a serious overbite as well ascrowding. Two and a half years later with many trips to the orthodontist inbetween, they are now off!! Braces or not, JA is a girl of many faces and loads of personality - her antics keep us giggling.

School Begins

It seems that I missed a few months in there as I now stand one month into the new school year. This school year welcomes a senior, a freshman and 6th grader from the Thompson family - all at the same school. The three Thompson kids have not been in school together since AC was in 5th, JA in 2nd, and Na in pre-K back in ourhomeschooling days.

The school year started the weekend before school with a Gaudeamus concert in Carlisle Cathedral for Julieanne, a prefect planning time and hockey pre season training for AC. It hasn't let up ever since. This is the reason Anna Catherine wrote all of her university applications in August as there is little time for anything else at the moment.

Nathan went from keeping up with about five subjects to fourteen to so he has had major transitions. He said he loves school but hates the classes. Hmmm. We knew once we got to this place it would bring a fresh amount of work along with new challenges in organization. He's having to learn that just because he doesn't have written homework for the next day, there are probably still assignments he is supposed to be working

on. He is enjoying the chance to play rugby and basketball at St. Bees while knowing many students already in Anna Catherine and Julieanne's classes. He is taking golf lessons and drum lessons during the school day as well which is a bonus.

Julieanne is taking the usual core subjects of Math, English, French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Religious studies, health and then her electives for GCSE of history, geography and PE. She

is in the school play and enjoying field hockey again. Living on house one night a week as a house monitor has brought its challenges of keeping up with her own

school work while trying to keep others on track as well. She overslept one morning on duty and was 10 minutes late ringing the wake up bell which upset a few people thus upsetting her. Mrs. Williams, the house mother, said all monitors sleep thru a bell and Julieanne just got hers over with at the beginning.

Anna Catherine has started her senior year with gusto - planning activities for the senior girls' house and getting to know

the girls from other countries. She stays over two nights a week with some rotating extra duty nights. Living on house a few nights a week has brought the beginning of the transition away from home that will inevitably come next year when she goes off to university. She is juggling an enormous school load along with hockey, cello, youth group and combined cadet forces so next year might actually be easier.

Responsibility

Dictionary.com tells me that responsible meansanswerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management.

Nathan was able

to learn that when you break a window you are

accountable. Actually, it wasn't his first broken window - he actually broke a neighbors window in Augusta on accident years ago before the Hitchcock's lived behind us. This time, Nathan was kicking his soccer ball and thought it a good idea to aim for the little plastic chairs you see in the photo. Only problem was he forgot to calculate a miss on his target. Oops! What seemed like fun turned into a not so good idea when the window was smashed. Thankfully, he came in and told us immediately, taking full responsibility. Often our kids, and their parents alike, want to explain away our mistakes or blame someone else for their part in our demise. We are in the process of teaching all three to see their weaknesses more clearly and own them. It is tough going as we are so easily deceived, forever making excuses and shifting blame. Nathan only had to pay £6 to fix this problem as his dad happens to be very handy and didn't charge for labor which could have drained his savings.

On a different side of the responsibility coin, Julieanne has been answerable to paint the fence that separates the main house we live in from the two flats. She has been earning a little extra money doing the Tom Sawyer thing. It is not a fun job as there are no friends to share the load nor is it entertaining but completing the task regardless of the fun factor is a valuable lesson.

The summer has been full of fun: army camp, Spain, Cumbria Christian Youth Camp, Summerfest, family outings, people over for meals, youth group outings, etc. Often the kids have a hard time transitioning from the fun to the mundane of life. Actually, most of life is made of the mundane. It requires 'plodding' as my father in law calls it - just being faithful to the little tasks. I feel like we give our kids plenty of chores to keep them grounded in reality but even still they can think that life has to be all entertainment which is very dangerous.