Frank and Josie's House

Last week the older kids had half-term. It’s wasn’t half-term in the Japanese school system so, because it would be quiet, I decided to take the kids away for a week. This was partly to keep them busy, partly to explore this beautiful country which we are lucky to live in and partly to give husband-mine a break so he could concentrate on work and his friends because he’s always putting us first (he’s a good boy). So the youngest was excused from pre-school and we packed our bags and the car and off we went. I had thought about getting the train as I’m not always keen on being the sole driver on long journeys as I get really tired driving a long way and also find it a little boring. But, knowing we were going to be walking the whole week (and we did - oh so much walking) I chose the car for flexibility and ease and comfort in the midst of a pandemic. Also, this meant that I could plan a couple of outings on the two long journeys, one going there and one coming back. I’ve so many places ...

Good morning/evening/afternoon* (*delete as applicable), Today I am preaching self-love. I don't usually preach as I'm never sure it has the desired affect but today I am. Why? Because I've changed , man! (Insert appropriate sufer-dude accent here). Actually I feel like I've woken up. For years, and I really do mean years, my husband has been telling me to "take it easy" or "take it steady, my love". Whenever I say I feel like I've failed at something he simply looks me in the eye and says "Chronic illness!". In short he does his best to encourage a little self-love and self-care every now and then. For years my poor husband has been taking this stance with me. He never makes me feel guilty for not washing up or doing the washing because he knows my energy levels have a mind of their own. In fact I make myself feel guilty. Sometimes he even comes home and tells me off for having done housework. He knows that if I spend energy on mundane...

Dear Santa/ Father Christmas/ Pére Nöel/ Saint Nic/ Holly King, I know I Don't usually write to you but this year is special. I have been a faithful elf in your service for many years now and all I ask in return is one thing: I would love to spend Christmas with my family in the UK. I would love to hug my parents and sister. I would love to tell my nieces and nephews how much they've grown. I would love to see our kids play with their family. When we decided to move abroad one thing we knew we were sacrificing was contact with family. Sure we speak to them on the phone and regularly on whatsapp etc but there's nothing quite like seeing someone you love in person. One of our concerns, Santa, was that our parents are getting older. We knew Japan was far but given the deal my husband got from his employer we thought getting flights 'home' wouldn't be an issue. Little did we know, when we chose to remain in Japan for Christmas last year, that a pandemic was about to...

There’s so much going on in the world right now that I’m going to focus on one thing today: crochet. It’s been so bloody long since I’ve posted about just crochet in one post that I felt like have a little moment in my own crochet world. I have finally finished the crochet unicorn I promised for my eldest (you know, the equine crazy lass) for, wait for it, CHRISTMAS! So it’s a little late but I’ve been informed by my children that it’s not my most delayed gift. Here she is (name yet to be decided) So this little cutie came about due to my big girl’s love of the equine world. I think she would actually be a horse if she could! She definitely wants to own one and keeps telling us so but as we have nowhere to put a pony (let alone afford one) I thought I’d give her a different equine creature - a unicorn. I came across this pattern in a pattern book free with a Mollie Makes issue and it seemed the perfect gift for Christmas, you know, magical gift at a magical time of year. But I massivel...

Hi there, It’s been a couple of weeks and a couple of weeks in which loads has happened. Firstly my husband has had to see loads of colleagues and friends leave work. Due to the downsizing of the company many expats have returned or will return to their home countries. A lot of people within our community here have been affected by the downsizing. A few are looking on the positive side with one of our closer friends determined to make the best of it. Being in a furlough situation in a country they love which they haven’t finished exploring yet means this family has taken the positive view that it’s a golden opportunity - they have an income and are able to explore a new and exciting country. Whether they’ll stay until the end of the furlough is unknown, as is so much, but for now they’re purely positive which is great to see. Another couple we know have bought a camper van and are off. I’m a little jealous and I know my husband is! A lot of people just aren’t sure. Having never been in...

Hey my beautiful, eldest daughter, This is my open letter to you. I want you to be able to go back and read things again and again. Plus, I know you prefer reading to listening to me! So I thought I’d get it all down digitally and then you can look at it whenever you like. And you never know, it may help somebody who’s just like you. Why am I writing this now? Because you’re going through a lot of changes, not just physically but mentally too. You’re becoming a wonderful young woman and it’s fabulous to see how amazing you will become. This is partly for you now and partly for future you. I love who your role models are currently. J.K. Rowling has another fan and has shown you just what girls and women can do. Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood are your friends and peers. Emma Watson shows your the woman behind the girl you currently are. Your love of horse riding has led to another role model and idolisation of  Esme (an equestrian YouTuber).  I’m sure there are others you ha...

Sometimes you just need to breathe. Two weeks ago now my husband, for all his stress and worries, told me I was getting a day off. He booked out today as holiday and here I am, on my own, not having to worry about anybody else (though do we ever stop worrying about our families? My day told me very much “no” this week.) and generally doing what I want. So I booked an appointment to sort out my Chewbacca length of leg and armpit hair and thought about the various shops, gardens and cafes I’d visit along the way, just little old me. Now a couple of times this week I’ve thought my day off might be in danger. I was considering cancelling everything and just having a normal day. You may remember from last week that husband-mine was having a very uncertain time at work. Well, I can reveal a little more though nothing too juicy can go into print just yet I’m afraid. The long and the short of it is that many people have been put onto furlough.  My husband himself is safe in his job fo...