Whatever Post

We've been jonesing for IHOP this morning. There really isn't a "breakfast" place like Denny's or IHOP here and we miss it. We didn't go every weekend just every now and then. So Phil made pancakes this morning. It's not the same but it will do. We had lunch out at McDonald's and Phil is making us a lamb roast tonight. I took Lady Jane to a birthday party this afternoon. I'm starting to stress about leaving now. It's less than eight weeks away. How insane is that?

We've spent the last 10 months in England. We haven't really been home, the kids definitely haven't been home. Our house is waiting for us. Our cats minus one are waiting for us. One of our cars is waiting for us. It's hard to imagine that it's almost over. Alright mindless babble over.

For My Lovely Parents

We are all well and waiting patiently and impatiently to come home. Our flights are scheduled. Our landlord has been notified. Phil will be arranging our shipment soon. Oh, the offer is still up if you want to come to England and take some of our crap back home with you. Our friends were nice enough to do that for us. The kids had their pictures taken at school and both are hideous for their own reasons. Lady Jane gave the weirdest "god why are you making me smile" smile and Little Man needs a haircut badly.

This weekend will be haircuts all around. We don't have any other plans besides a birthday party for Lady Jane's friend on Sunday. I've been thinking about a weekend trip up to Edinburgh. We've eliminated a trip to Spain as we'd like to come home with some money. I did miss a Pampered Chef party this evening. I had originally wanted to go, but I haven't been feeling well this week.

Lady Jane no longer talks of marrying her friend at school. Little Man likes a lot of girls in his class, but can't wait to get home and see if one of his girl friends from his old school is still available. :) 8 more weeks.

How to Freak Your Mother Out

So we've decided to stay another year...psyche. Travel accounting is purchasing our tickets home. March 22nd sometime in the evening. I don't have the itinerary yet. It seems so soon but it's still 9 weeks away. It's hard to explain how I feel right now. Torn is the best descripter I've come up with. I want to stay but I want to go. I feel bad for Lady Jane and her best friend. They're really close because they're very alike. A bit rough around the edges and not in with the princess crowd. Lady Jane loves princesses, but she doesn't hang with the princess crowd at school. I'm sure both girls will find another friend or more, but they really are close right now. I vaguely remember my first best friend, I think her name was DeeDee, but memories are just not reliable. We lived in Wyoming and moved back to Illinois when I was 4 years old. My best friend lived in Wyoming. I don't have specific memories of her anymore, just slight feelings.

Fortunately with today's world the girls hopefully will be able to remain friends through snail and e-mail. We'll definitely miss the friends we've made. Here's hoping we can remain friends.

You Belong in 1993

With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Apparently I'm stuck in high school. Oh, well. It was an interesting year for me.

And Much Fun Was Had By All

A little while ago our friends left for their train to the hotel near the airport they'll be flying out of. They spent the majority of four days with us. Friday was a day of rest as their flight was delayed and they arrived at midday instead of morning. We vegged in the evening and they went to bed early. Their little boy had a rough time adjusting to the new schedule but eventually he caught on. Saturday Phil, Little Man and our friends went out to view the Peak District while I took Lady Jane to a birthday party.

Lady Jane was uncharacteristically clingy during the party so I didn't get much of a chance to talk to the other mothers. The guys left for a soccer game and us girls plus toddler boy stayed home. He managed to take a nap while my friend and I got in a nice chat and talked about what we wanted to do the next day. That night we had dinner and then played Puerto Rico. Very fun game with 4 players.

Sunday, we went to Blue John's Cavern. I've decided that I'll not be taking up spelunking anytime soon. It was an interesting cavern though it may not have been the best cave ever. We then drove over to the Durwent Valley Park and everyone but me and the napping toddler got out to see the dam. Lady Jane was told to pet a duck and spent at least fifteen minutes trying to get close enough to pet a duck. She was upset when she was told it was time to go because she still hadn't petted a duck. The evening was spent again with dinner and Puerto Rico. Excellent game.

Today, the kids went to school and we went down to city centre to look at city hall, the millennium galleries, and the cathedral. Phil went to our letting agent to straighten out our lease. Then we went the Horse and Waggon (their spelling not mine) for a not so pubbish lunch from a pub. We played Puerto Rico one last time before dinner and then they had to head to the train station. Yeah, the game is that good.

10 more weeks until we come home. We'll be ready to come home.

11 More Weeks

It seems like such a short amount of time, but I'm sure it won't all fly by. That's how long we have until we return to America. We've been away from home for nine months today. It's been an amazing roller coaster ride. UP It's exciting to be in a foreign country and so close to ancient history. DOWN We've been missing our family and friends.

Speaking of friends, we're getting visitors at the end of this week. Our friends are using their air miles to travel to see us and Sheffield. We're excited and looking forward to having them here. It will be nice to see familiar faces.

We had hoped that more people would have a chance to come over. The kids especially have missed their grandparents. I miss my family and got lucky enough to be able to see them for an evening when I went home to take care of my cat. We had an awesome visit with Phil's parents over the summer. I think everyone is ready to go home, but we'll never forget our experience here in England. The friends we've made. The life we've led. The places we've seen. Simply an amazing year.