We made it. Back in the USA, and it feels so good to be here!
The flight over was uneventful, to say the least. Minor delays--we arrived about an hour late--but smooth sailing otherwise. Doug and Rae picked us up and we went for Mexican food (bliss). Then we crashed out, and it's been non-stop ever since.
I have loads of pictures to post when we get back to the UK, and right now I want to hang with the family. I will update everyone on the trip, and the MASSIVE surprise that my mom had when we walked in their front door, later.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Another quick one...
I need to get in to town to take a few tests and do some shopping, but I wanted to post a quick update.
The people at "The Place" (restaurant where Martin applied for the managers' position) have offered Martin the job. He is going to let them know if he wants to take it by tomorrow, so we have a lot of thinking, talking, and praying to do. I am so proud of him though. He saw something he wanted, and he went for it. It's just a little scary--less job security, more money, more hours, and all that. We'll see. I just want my honey to be happy, and I think that taking this job will ehlp with that.
More later. In the mean time, I hope you all enjoy the pictures.
I need to get in to town to take a few tests and do some shopping, but I wanted to post a quick update.
The people at "The Place" (restaurant where Martin applied for the managers' position) have offered Martin the job. He is going to let them know if he wants to take it by tomorrow, so we have a lot of thinking, talking, and praying to do. I am so proud of him though. He saw something he wanted, and he went for it. It's just a little scary--less job security, more money, more hours, and all that. We'll see. I just want my honey to be happy, and I think that taking this job will ehlp with that.
More later. In the mean time, I hope you all enjoy the pictures.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Ah, the family...
Got to talk to mom, dad, Jace, and Krystle last night. I actually stayed on the phone for nearly an hour, and it was wonderful to be able to chat. Martin actually talked to my mom for as long as I did--something that he hasn't done for a long time. I miss my family.
Strange, though, that I still want to be nearer to them, but England really does feel like home now. Our house felt like home from about our second day here--central heating, plenty of space, and, of course, the mortgage. But the other night we were driving home from Grimsby and it occured to me that the whole of Lincolnshire felt like home. I know where everything is, I know the fast way to get places, I am comfortable driving now, and I feel (almost) like a local.
So this is the first day of my second unemployment stint, and I am in bed. I have been sick for about two weeks, and really just need to rest and let my body recover. Well, that and I need to get some homework done and clean my house, but I am going to do my homework in bed. I am so tired! Last night I slept for nine hours, and I could still happily take an afternoon nap! Anyway, I think I might have a few pictures to post, so I'm going to do that now. I have a feeling that I will be posting more often for the next little while. I love being a housewife!!!
Got to talk to mom, dad, Jace, and Krystle last night. I actually stayed on the phone for nearly an hour, and it was wonderful to be able to chat. Martin actually talked to my mom for as long as I did--something that he hasn't done for a long time. I miss my family.
Strange, though, that I still want to be nearer to them, but England really does feel like home now. Our house felt like home from about our second day here--central heating, plenty of space, and, of course, the mortgage. But the other night we were driving home from Grimsby and it occured to me that the whole of Lincolnshire felt like home. I know where everything is, I know the fast way to get places, I am comfortable driving now, and I feel (almost) like a local.
So this is the first day of my second unemployment stint, and I am in bed. I have been sick for about two weeks, and really just need to rest and let my body recover. Well, that and I need to get some homework done and clean my house, but I am going to do my homework in bed. I am so tired! Last night I slept for nine hours, and I could still happily take an afternoon nap! Anyway, I think I might have a few pictures to post, so I'm going to do that now. I have a feeling that I will be posting more often for the next little while. I love being a housewife!!!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
My last day and Martin's trial day...
My last day at Hewden was yesterday, and I was actually quite sad to go. I had such a good working experience, and I had needed one so desperately. They bought me chocolates and a goodbye card. All I got at Volvo was 30 minutes to clean out my desk. Everyone was so lovely, and I am so ready to go out there and get a new job now. After Volvo I just wanted to hide in my house for the rest of my life.
And Martin's trial day--he is going to spend this evening managing "The Place," the restaurant he applied for the job at. They just want to see how he works, and I think that's a really good idea. Part of me really wants him to get the job, and part of me really doesn't. He would be working strange hours again, I don't know how that would affect our home life. But it won't be an issue if I get the day spa job, because I will be working strange hours, too.
Everything seems to be in this strange transitionary phase right now. The weird part is, we are both OK with that. Martin has always been flexible, but I am fairly rigid. I like my traditions and my routines. In fact, Martin's spontanaity (sp?) is one of the things which drew me to him in the first place. But I am really OK with not knowing what the future holds. I know that things will work out for the best, no matter what happens.
Bonfire night was really fun--bonfire weekend for us, actually, since we went to parties on Saturday AND Sunday nights. The fireworks were great, and so was the company. Since (sister-in-law) Cathy split up with her boyfriend, she has been coming to more family things. He didn't like to come, and she stayed behind with him a lot. It's so nice to see more of her. Laurence and Christine managed to not fight for the whole evening, and that made it a good night.
Church stuff is going well. I am absolutely loving my new calling, though I still feel over worked at church. The choir are improving in leaps and bounds, and my heart is so full when I hear them singing something beautifully, and I know that I taught them to use their talents so well. Their sound has deepened, and we are really singing as a group now. On Thursday we learned the parts on "The First Noel." Just the one from the church hymnal, but the arrangement in there is so beautiful. We are doing a Christmas carol service on Sunday the 17th, so our focus is all on Christmas music right now. We split up, men in the Primary room, women in the chapel, and learned our parts. Then we came back together to sing it. I went to the ladies room really quick when everyone was coming back in, and they were singing it when I got back. I have never heard it sung so beautifully. I was quite literally moved to tears. The crazy thing was, they were, too! This group of typically English people, unwilling to show emotions at the most private of times, let alone in public, were visibly moved. I don't think they knew that they would sing together so beautifully until this week. I love it!
The massage course is going well. Just my test to take in Health and Safety, and it should be a piece of cake. I have to take a test on the skeletal system the same day. I am busy and unable to attend class on Wednesday so I have to go in early and take the test. I am also getting plenty of practice--mostly on my friend Emma. Technically, she shouldn't be having massages since she is heavily pregnant and stimulating her pressure points could induce labour. But she has been in so much pain, and she is ready to deliver any day now, and she asked me if I would be willing. So I am careful, use only a light touch, and don't massage the soles of her feet or the palms of her hands, where most danger areas are. I think I am getting pretty good, but it's hard to say. I will be starting to work on paying customers in January. Scary stuff!
Anyway, I need to clean my house as I am hosting a Creative Memories scrap-booking party tonight (my friend Sam is a rep and needs the business--plus it's fun anyway), and I need to make some goodies and clean my house and get a hair cut. And I want to go down to Water's Edge and feed the swans and ducks. Love and miss all my American friends and family, and I will post again soon. I will have more time now that I have a few weeks off.
My last day at Hewden was yesterday, and I was actually quite sad to go. I had such a good working experience, and I had needed one so desperately. They bought me chocolates and a goodbye card. All I got at Volvo was 30 minutes to clean out my desk. Everyone was so lovely, and I am so ready to go out there and get a new job now. After Volvo I just wanted to hide in my house for the rest of my life.
And Martin's trial day--he is going to spend this evening managing "The Place," the restaurant he applied for the job at. They just want to see how he works, and I think that's a really good idea. Part of me really wants him to get the job, and part of me really doesn't. He would be working strange hours again, I don't know how that would affect our home life. But it won't be an issue if I get the day spa job, because I will be working strange hours, too.
Everything seems to be in this strange transitionary phase right now. The weird part is, we are both OK with that. Martin has always been flexible, but I am fairly rigid. I like my traditions and my routines. In fact, Martin's spontanaity (sp?) is one of the things which drew me to him in the first place. But I am really OK with not knowing what the future holds. I know that things will work out for the best, no matter what happens.
Bonfire night was really fun--bonfire weekend for us, actually, since we went to parties on Saturday AND Sunday nights. The fireworks were great, and so was the company. Since (sister-in-law) Cathy split up with her boyfriend, she has been coming to more family things. He didn't like to come, and she stayed behind with him a lot. It's so nice to see more of her. Laurence and Christine managed to not fight for the whole evening, and that made it a good night.
Church stuff is going well. I am absolutely loving my new calling, though I still feel over worked at church. The choir are improving in leaps and bounds, and my heart is so full when I hear them singing something beautifully, and I know that I taught them to use their talents so well. Their sound has deepened, and we are really singing as a group now. On Thursday we learned the parts on "The First Noel." Just the one from the church hymnal, but the arrangement in there is so beautiful. We are doing a Christmas carol service on Sunday the 17th, so our focus is all on Christmas music right now. We split up, men in the Primary room, women in the chapel, and learned our parts. Then we came back together to sing it. I went to the ladies room really quick when everyone was coming back in, and they were singing it when I got back. I have never heard it sung so beautifully. I was quite literally moved to tears. The crazy thing was, they were, too! This group of typically English people, unwilling to show emotions at the most private of times, let alone in public, were visibly moved. I don't think they knew that they would sing together so beautifully until this week. I love it!
The massage course is going well. Just my test to take in Health and Safety, and it should be a piece of cake. I have to take a test on the skeletal system the same day. I am busy and unable to attend class on Wednesday so I have to go in early and take the test. I am also getting plenty of practice--mostly on my friend Emma. Technically, she shouldn't be having massages since she is heavily pregnant and stimulating her pressure points could induce labour. But she has been in so much pain, and she is ready to deliver any day now, and she asked me if I would be willing. So I am careful, use only a light touch, and don't massage the soles of her feet or the palms of her hands, where most danger areas are. I think I am getting pretty good, but it's hard to say. I will be starting to work on paying customers in January. Scary stuff!
Anyway, I need to clean my house as I am hosting a Creative Memories scrap-booking party tonight (my friend Sam is a rep and needs the business--plus it's fun anyway), and I need to make some goodies and clean my house and get a hair cut. And I want to go down to Water's Edge and feed the swans and ducks. Love and miss all my American friends and family, and I will post again soon. I will have more time now that I have a few weeks off.
Friday, November 03, 2006
A rare visit from the master of the house this evening, but Jamie asked me to keep everyone posted on some exciting news! Since we moved in to our wonderful abode, it has been listed as two seperate properties because before we moved in the house was two flats. Now, once we moved in, they still wanted us to pay the property tax on two residences which seemed kind of silly to us. So anyway, we had to submit an application to the council to have them list us as one house otherwise we would have to keep paying 2 lots of council tax, which we weren't particulary pleased about. Anyway, we are now pleased to announce we are just one house! YAY! which is nice.
In addition, I now have a random interview for the manager of a restaurant right here in lovely Barton! My mum told me about it, and i decided to call and they said to come along and so I am off on an adventure on monday.
This weekend is that most wonderful of occasions here in England - Bonfire night! In this interesting event we burn an effigy of a man who attempted to blow up the houses of parliament 400 years ago! So basically we are the celebrating the capture, torture and execution of a terrorist. Fun for all the family! But it really is great as we have a nice warming bonfire on a chilly night as well as fireworks and sparklers. The actual event is the 5th of november but we are going to a party at a friend's family home and then to a little gathering at my mum and dad's. So that's about all to tell. more exciting news to divulge in upcoming weeks.
In addition, I now have a random interview for the manager of a restaurant right here in lovely Barton! My mum told me about it, and i decided to call and they said to come along and so I am off on an adventure on monday.
This weekend is that most wonderful of occasions here in England - Bonfire night! In this interesting event we burn an effigy of a man who attempted to blow up the houses of parliament 400 years ago! So basically we are the celebrating the capture, torture and execution of a terrorist. Fun for all the family! But it really is great as we have a nice warming bonfire on a chilly night as well as fireworks and sparklers. The actual event is the 5th of november but we are going to a party at a friend's family home and then to a little gathering at my mum and dad's. So that's about all to tell. more exciting news to divulge in upcoming weeks.
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