Darryl took this of me and Justin at dads on Christmas Day. My hair has really grown! Three years ago my hair was shaved to a number one on the back and sides, and the longest setting on the top... I have no idea what that number is, lol.
I also made a card today, shock horror!!! I'd cut out some Christmassy shapes with the Cricut E and sat and glittered them. I then made ONE card... I still can't believe how much stuff you have to get out just to make one card, and all the mess... or maybe it's just me that makes all the mess, lol. I need a craft room... 
Justin's dad and step mum were down at the weekend, and Saturday we spent at a local park. We had a lovely walk through the woods and the lake, and laughed at some dogs chasing each other into the lake. The second picture shows some "play" equipment that resembles gym equipment!! I thought it was amazing, lol. We all had a go on most things. I found the one where you sit down and hoist yourself up and down a bit hard, lol. We also had a cup of tea in the little cafe there as well. It was a great day, rounded off by dinner at Frankie and Bennys in the evening. 
His letters were normally full of enthusiasm and excitement. In July 1918 he
wrote, "As you see, I am still alive and well, and as usual enjoying life to the full."
It is only in his very last letter, on 1 September 1918, that he revealed his more
reflective side.
The next day Frank Earley suffered a serious wound to his chest and died
some hours later. He was 19.
Sunday afternoon, 1 Sep, 1918.
My dear Father,
It is a strange feeling to me but a very real one,
that every letter now that I write home to you
or to the little sisters may be the last that I shall
write or you read. I do not want you to think that
I am depressed; indeed on the contrary, I am
very cheerful. But out here, in odd moments the
realisation comes to me of how close death is to us.
A week ago I was talking with a man, a catholic,
from Preston, who had been out here for nearly
four years, untouched. He was looking forward
with certainty to going on leave soon. And now
he is dead - killed in a moment during our last
advance. Well it was God's will.
I say this to you because I hope that you will
realise, as I do, the possibility of the like happening
to myself. I feel very glad myself that I can look the
fact in the face without fear or misgiving. Much as
I hope to live thro' it all for your sakes and my little
sisters! I am quite prepared to give my life as so many
have done before me. All I can do is put myself in
God's hands for him to decide, and you and the little
ones pray for me to the Sacred Heart and Our Lady.
I hope that you will not move out of the old house yet.
Write and let me know when anything happens. I see
that you went to Preston a few days ago. It seems
years and years since I tried to get drowned in the canal.
Well I have not much time left and I must end.
With my dear love. Pray for me.
Your son
Frank.
Frank Earley is buried at Bac-de-Sud Military Cemetery, Bailleulval, nr Arras.
His letters are held by the documents library at the Imperial War Museum.
Extracts appear in 1918 Year of Victory by Malcolm Brown.
28th May, 1918, Dear Father, Just a few lines in answer to your letter which I received today.Yes I have got used to the puttees, as they have shaped to my legs by now. And I am getting used to my other things now, as I have been dished out with a rifle and bayonet, and now when I go on parade I have got to wear my belt, bayonet and cartridge pouch and also take the rifle. They have been teaching us bayonet fighting today and I can tell you it makes your arms ache, when you make a point that is, when you lunge out at imaginary enemy, with the rifle at arms length. I think with this hard training they will either make a man of me or kill me. You ought to see me in my Shrapnel Helmet and Gas Mask, it would make you laugh, especially as the helmet wobbles from side to side, every time I walk. Yes I got my food alright and you can have supper if you like to go for it, and you can bet I always go for supper. I am taking your advice and eating all I can. Yes I did remember Dolly's birthday and I have sent her a little badge of my Regiment which she asked for and which I expect you have received by now. You will have to tell Miss Farmer that I think she will have to wait another two months before she sees me on leave. I will see the officer about the allowance in a day or so, as I have heard today that two or three boys mothers are receiving an allowance, but I don't know how much. Well, I think I will have to close now. As I haven't anything more to say just at present. Hoping you are quite well. From your loving son, Ted. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PS. Love to Dolly and Frank After the war Ted Poole's family erected a headstone which bore the inscription, "Out of the stress of the doing, into the peace of the done". He is buried at Naves Communal Extension Cemetery, near Cambrai in France. EJ Poole's letters are held in the documents library at the Imperial War Museum. Extracts are also published in Malcolm Brown's book 1918 Year of Victory.
The above letters were taken from the BBC website Special Report.Letters home: Becoming a man
EJ 'Ted' Poole was the younger brother of a soldier who was killed at the third battle of Ypres in 1917. The young Ted was conscripted in May 1918 and trained at Aldershot, from where the letter below was posted. It is clear he was replying to the concerned enquiries of his father, who, having already lost one son, wanted Ted to become a good soldier in the hope that it would improve his chances of survival. Ted, who was sent to France in August 1918, wrote that he sure that the training would "either make a man of me or kill me". Scarcely two months later, on 13 October, he was killed in action. He was 18.
I made this tonight using our Halloween photos from last night, and a Fright Night Brag Book which can be FREELY downloaded from Just So Scrappy. You have to scroll to the end of the post to get to the picture and the download link, but hurry, I don't know when the link will expire!! 
Here is the first Halloween cake that I've ever made, and the first attempt at piping all over a cake as well, lol, it tastes good, so it was a good effort. Darryl says he could eat the whole thing himself!
Above is Matthew waiting for his first victims to turn up at the door... and they started early this year - 5pm, so it was still half an hour away from getting dark. We went our at 6.40pm, in our street to just three houses, and then on to Merce's but she wasn't in, then on to his friend Jack's street where his mum told us to go to about another 5 or 6 houses, then we walked through the next street to ours and he got some more goodies. It was a good night. We only had 3 lots of kids turn up; I think they came while we were out for half an hour. We even moved the pumpkin to the window so people could see we were participating!
And now there's me and Matthew when we'd been out trick or treating... it's the first time I'd put any Halloween make up on myself... I know it's just a little bit of fake blood, but I felt more the part, lol.
Above is Matthew and his dad being daft - both tucking into the new goodies!
