looking after my skin

I decided to post an article on skin care, as I have had to change my routine because of the heat and I thought it might be interesting to some of you out there..if it is not, skip this and I apologise.

When I arrived in Austin, I kept up my same skin care regime, and it did not take long for me to realise this was not working as I had spots popping up all the time, and I was determined to work this out. One day I just walked up to a stranger in the skincare aisle of HEB, and asked the question..'How do you look after your skin, because my skin is not reacting the same way as it did in England?'....and I got two excellent pieces of advice..first only use a moisturiser that has a Sun protection factor in it, so you are not putting any other sunscreen on your face..which might not be designed for faces specifically..and use Toner many times in a day to remove the sheen from all the heat, humidity, that will happen every time you walk outside. the toner trick is a good one, and I do not need to use it in the winter, which is not as hot and is mild in the mornings and evenings, but by now I am already wading through the toner, and I have found it helps keep the skin much happier..

Well I hope this article is of some interest, it is a new concept for me to post things that are different in this way, I usually keep the posts about the family or visitors, but thought it might be of some interest to read differences in life from UK to TX..anyway, let me know in the comments section and I can come up with lots of challenges we have over had to overcome from schooling, buying cars, how cars are taxed/insured, medical situations, food names, well just loads of things..so let me know if that is of interest.

Dad has arrived

Good morning world, it is a lovely morning here in Texas, and Ben and I are sitting on the decking enjoying the early morning..why do children get up earlier on the weekend than school days...one of those mysteries of life!!
dad arrived yesterday, he came via Atlanta to Austin, we have had Houston, Chicago, Toronto and Minnesota( Fran if you read this, do correct me if you did not change there..getting old, poor memory).
Anyway, back to dad, he had a good journey, enjoyed the banter with the Home land security and arrived early in Austin, we went home and had a bowl of SpagBol, wine and a wander arrived the garden, before dad decided that 24 hours was enough for one day!!!
Today we are having lunch at The Saltlick , so I will post photo later of dad's first real day, he has promised to go in the pool as well, last night as Alex and Ben cooled off in the pool, yelling 'come on granddad'...so he had to promise he would go in the pool today...photo's of him and the boys will follow.

Alex field trip

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Ben's school trip to Austin zoo

Yesterday, may 11th I helped the first grade teacher, Mrs Higgins with Ben's class on a field trip to Austin Zoo, it was fun and quiet a few parents came, so it was not difficult to enjoy it.
The day was very warm, with temperatures in the 80f, and humid which makes it more challenging when you have a slight cold like me, hey ho.

The Zoo was not large and not at all fancy, but it held the childrens interest for the day, we also went on a train ride, which was rather strange , as it took us past no animals at all and had cut out Aliens and space ships..which really did the zoo no favours in my mind. I think at Christmas it is lit, as there were strings of lights everywhere, but it just look very tired and sad on that train ride...not sure i will be rushing to take visitors there, although I would take Alex so he can see the animals, as he will not be going there on a school field trip..tomorrow I am going with Alex class to the Texas state cemetery..photo's and thoughts to follow soon on that school trip.

The chess tournament

I will go on to the main computer and give you all more details.. Alex and Ben are part of the Baranoff chess club and I help every week, so the trophy is very welcome each time. We present them to the principal of Baranoff elementary at assembly, the kids go up on stage and hand it over.. They love it.











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My new bike

I thought you would like to see my new bike.. It is used daily for school runs, jazzercise and a variety of jaunts. Isn't it beautiful.. My birthday present from my dad.


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am off to bed

i have just spent three hours updating the blog and need to get some sleep before that alarm clock rings and I start the next day...i hope this has updated you all, i will try and put some of the chess tournament on as well..i have been to two more of them and we came 4th in the Region VI this last weekend..may 1st, so am very proud of the boys..Ben even has a ranking in the American chess federation..he is rated 103..