SOF:
We did it! We both passed our driving tests and are now proper legal, like......
We both did some serious swotting last night, I can tell you that stopping distance when travelling at 35mph is 135 feet! And the legally allowed amount of alcohol in your system is 0.08%.....maybe my copper friends can translate that into a comparison for Britain, as the UK do it in ml (i think!), but I ma sure it is higher here.
SO we get to the DMV at 8am, opening time, and there is a queue outside the closed doors,of around 15 people! Welcome to America!
We get in, take a ticket, fill out an application, and 45 minutes I get called. I get served by this sexy man, I mean, sexy voiced man (I duly told him this also....not that it was sexy...that I liked his accent....alot!!) Had a vision test (peer into a box) and a photo taken (hope it was nice - they don't let you see them!) We then had to complete 10 questions about road signs, and 25 questions about general knowledge. It would appear I got the easier questions, and got 100%. Paul got some nasties, but he can tell you about them another time!
We then waited for the test. I was up first. A lovely man met me by my car (you don't need L plates here or anything like that - they should really to cut the learners some slack) checked my lights and horn, and off we went.
Now, when I took my test in the UK (on 2 occasions may I add!) the instructor said NOTHING - only told me where I was to go. This instructor decides to warn me about oncoming traffic from the left when I was turning right....er....hello....I saw them???? Encouraged me to keep looking left when turning right onto a road....er.......no cars?? Need to see where I am going?? And told me to slow down when approaching my turn back to the DMV.....er......was braking already??? I did a complete circle around the block - oh - and I pulled into a space. Nothing else. WHAT A PIECE OF PISS!!!! Although, granted, I would not be laughing now if I had failed!
So there you have it - I have my license for 3 years, Paul, for one. They dont trust hime really, but dont tell him I told you!
And also today, I used my flag on my mailbox for the very first time! Its very exciting having the postman pick up your mail. You must go buy stamps first though - and I got chatted up by the fat postman! Niiiiice! But it was sweet. My accent seems to turn everyone on!! haha!
Apologies in advance for the lack of logs over the next two weeks, as we have Jacob and my mum here. SO VERY EXCITED to see the man after too, too long. oh, and my mum of course! But you know what I mean!
Speak soon xxxx
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
SOF:
Hello y'all!
Wow, so much has happened since Dad first came. What a fabulous time was had by all! Paul has mentioned some of the bits, but he unfortunately had to work for some of it!
We went out on this amazing bike ride (picked up a cheapo bike from Target - thanks Becca for introducing me to that store!) 8 miles down the bike trail is an amazing and picturesque lake called Lake Accotink. You can canoe there, hold parties, all sorts. It was really pretty, and not too hilly to get there! The funniest part was Dad trying to cycle under this tree that was was blocking the path (blew over from a storm probably). He so couldn't, but it was a giggle trying to watch him! I hate watching myself on his camera - I look like a beached whale! So in some respects it was good as I have got my arse into gear to start running again, with the lovely Carrie from up the road (American Football Superbowl?). First time out she took me for a killer 5.5 miler - WOW! How out of condition was I???? It was embarrassing!! But I managed it and pushed myself, so I know I can do it. And if I can run 5.5 miles after a 4 month break.......OK, OK I didn't run the whole way. But I reckon I ran about 4 miles of it!! Haha! She has also taken me to the local running store and I have picked up a superb sports bra (for only $46!). It is an E cup (3 sizes smaller than my normal) but as she pointed out sizes are different here. And hopefully I will only need to wear one bra!! YAY! She has also introduced me to this Sports Glide stuff in lieu of Vaseline........I am so sorry if you don't run - all this stuff must be boring for you!! I will shut up now!
Dad and Paul also made the house look lovely by putting up all of our pictures. It really does look like home now. The sofa is down in the basement and we watched Harry Potter down there the other night. Our DVD that the Munrods kindly gave us doesn't like our UK DVD's, so thank goodness for the PS2! I think we may end up spending our lives down there in summer, as it is so much cooler there. We'll see. The fantastic weather that Paul was talking about has temporarily disappeared. In fact, the weather has been more like British weather this past week....apart from today! Colder, around 13, but predicted at 26 on Friday!!! Someone knows the Boy and Mum are coming!
Nan really enjoyed herself here. She keeps asking Dad when she can come back - bless her! So any takers who do not mind having to escort a 85 year old Italian women with memory problems apply here!
We discovered some real nice places to eat - in fact I only recently discovered Chipotle - YUM! My new 'fast food' choice......not that I had many to contend it!
My work permit has come thru - lovely picture, even if I do say so myself. I give credit to Jacob for that one as he was with me! We spent 2 hours in the social security office to be given a piece of paper to say our SS numbers will be posted in a week! SO typical of the US - they queue for everything!! But it has come, so I can legally look for a job. Which brings me nicely to my Hooters experience. We had just come back from the movies (Hot Tub Time Machine - so funny - def recommend it! Although we never go when I want to watch something....Avatar....Alice....etc....) and I decided to stop in the Hooters. In fact, I had been putting it off cos I didn't want to face the reality....and what a reality it was!! As all of you know, I love my curves, I really do, but this was silly! All the girls must have been around 18-21 (to young to drink, let alone ID us!!) and super dead skinny. Super skinny. And dumb...well the blond 'Lizzie' who served us was. You know, when she cam up to say Hey and introduce herself and take out order, she didn't look at me AT ALL!!! All focus on Paul. It was hilarious. I could tell Paul knew this too, and was probably expecting me to say something. Plain dumb too - typical airhead if I have to say so! The uniform is kinda cool - tight tank top (thick strap vest top), TINY orange hot pants - arse hanging out, tan tights, white socks and pumps. Thunder thighs need not apply!!
I put this on my Facebook yesterday, and thanks so much to the guys who tell me I rock and I look amazing regardless. Thank you. I love my friends. BUT. Having a sister who works in this 'ogle at women' industry, I know its not the men I need to be worried about - it's the cruel girls who only care about what they look like, and have no room in their heads for something different. We'll see. I may go find another Hooters. They may be different there. But the other thing I wasn't so sure of was the way one of there guys was touching up one of the waitresses, and she didn't look comfortable (maybe he was her bf?). I dunno, but if my boss did that, I'd fucking punch his lights out! Hmmmmmmm. I think I need to mull that one over.
So back to the 2 weeks with Dad. We had fun, going so a walk on the Old Dominion rail track....not, it wasn't a real rail track....converted to a trail. Taking Christine (our red convertible) out for a spin with the hood down. So cool!! So cool in fact that Dad had a fleece on! Catching the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool at night - beautiful, tempered by the fact I thought our car was gonna be towed at any second......
ahhhh, I have both cats next to me. They love me more than outside! Bless. The other day I saw Chaos trying to catch a squirrel. The squirrels love to tease her. It is so funny. They will even jump off the tree to run to another to tease her. Too fast. So I was watching these antics and laughing, when Chaos decides to also climb up the same tree the squirrel had. I burst out in laughter when I realised they were both level with each other, opposite sides of the trunk, hugging the tree, but unable to see each other due to the trunk. Hilarious. Same I didn't have my camera! She has managed to get a quarter of the was up a trunk so far - around up to your bedroom window......that ladder is gonna come in handy soon!
I am getting more pangs of homesickness now. Especially with the family visiting, and not having anything to do in the days, as such. Although I have a dentist appointment today....for a probable root canal. I'm gonna ask her if she can just redo the filling. I do not want a root canal. I think I'd rather have a false implant! Eek!
Our car also was poorly and had to go to the garage. It seems as though the guy who did all the work on her before, in Dec, didn't do a very good job and missed loads of things. Which we then had to pay for. But not before I declared how pants it was and got a 25% discount! And a free hire car for 3 days. But still, money that we didn't want to spend. Purse strings are tighter at the moment, as we have been living on one wage since December. And spending way too much money / savings. At least we will get the opportunity for us to save it back up soon.
So I will leave you on this final note - the Cherry Blossoms. A big thing here. Given to DC by the Japanese 98 years ago, and they hold an annual festival. We went to some of the opening festivities on Saturday and it was great. The blossoms aren't due to fully bloom until next week (just in time for our visitors) but already they are spectacular. We have a magnolia outside our house, and it is starting to bloom too.
Spring is gonna be amazing!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello y'all!
Wow, so much has happened since Dad first came. What a fabulous time was had by all! Paul has mentioned some of the bits, but he unfortunately had to work for some of it!
We went out on this amazing bike ride (picked up a cheapo bike from Target - thanks Becca for introducing me to that store!) 8 miles down the bike trail is an amazing and picturesque lake called Lake Accotink. You can canoe there, hold parties, all sorts. It was really pretty, and not too hilly to get there! The funniest part was Dad trying to cycle under this tree that was was blocking the path (blew over from a storm probably). He so couldn't, but it was a giggle trying to watch him! I hate watching myself on his camera - I look like a beached whale! So in some respects it was good as I have got my arse into gear to start running again, with the lovely Carrie from up the road (American Football Superbowl?). First time out she took me for a killer 5.5 miler - WOW! How out of condition was I???? It was embarrassing!! But I managed it and pushed myself, so I know I can do it. And if I can run 5.5 miles after a 4 month break.......OK, OK I didn't run the whole way. But I reckon I ran about 4 miles of it!! Haha! She has also taken me to the local running store and I have picked up a superb sports bra (for only $46!). It is an E cup (3 sizes smaller than my normal) but as she pointed out sizes are different here. And hopefully I will only need to wear one bra!! YAY! She has also introduced me to this Sports Glide stuff in lieu of Vaseline........I am so sorry if you don't run - all this stuff must be boring for you!! I will shut up now!
Dad and Paul also made the house look lovely by putting up all of our pictures. It really does look like home now. The sofa is down in the basement and we watched Harry Potter down there the other night. Our DVD that the Munrods kindly gave us doesn't like our UK DVD's, so thank goodness for the PS2! I think we may end up spending our lives down there in summer, as it is so much cooler there. We'll see. The fantastic weather that Paul was talking about has temporarily disappeared. In fact, the weather has been more like British weather this past week....apart from today! Colder, around 13, but predicted at 26 on Friday!!! Someone knows the Boy and Mum are coming!
Nan really enjoyed herself here. She keeps asking Dad when she can come back - bless her! So any takers who do not mind having to escort a 85 year old Italian women with memory problems apply here!
We discovered some real nice places to eat - in fact I only recently discovered Chipotle - YUM! My new 'fast food' choice......not that I had many to contend it!
My work permit has come thru - lovely picture, even if I do say so myself. I give credit to Jacob for that one as he was with me! We spent 2 hours in the social security office to be given a piece of paper to say our SS numbers will be posted in a week! SO typical of the US - they queue for everything!! But it has come, so I can legally look for a job. Which brings me nicely to my Hooters experience. We had just come back from the movies (Hot Tub Time Machine - so funny - def recommend it! Although we never go when I want to watch something....Avatar....Alice....etc....) and I decided to stop in the Hooters. In fact, I had been putting it off cos I didn't want to face the reality....and what a reality it was!! As all of you know, I love my curves, I really do, but this was silly! All the girls must have been around 18-21 (to young to drink, let alone ID us!!) and super dead skinny. Super skinny. And dumb...well the blond 'Lizzie' who served us was. You know, when she cam up to say Hey and introduce herself and take out order, she didn't look at me AT ALL!!! All focus on Paul. It was hilarious. I could tell Paul knew this too, and was probably expecting me to say something. Plain dumb too - typical airhead if I have to say so! The uniform is kinda cool - tight tank top (thick strap vest top), TINY orange hot pants - arse hanging out, tan tights, white socks and pumps. Thunder thighs need not apply!!
I put this on my Facebook yesterday, and thanks so much to the guys who tell me I rock and I look amazing regardless. Thank you. I love my friends. BUT. Having a sister who works in this 'ogle at women' industry, I know its not the men I need to be worried about - it's the cruel girls who only care about what they look like, and have no room in their heads for something different. We'll see. I may go find another Hooters. They may be different there. But the other thing I wasn't so sure of was the way one of there guys was touching up one of the waitresses, and she didn't look comfortable (maybe he was her bf?). I dunno, but if my boss did that, I'd fucking punch his lights out! Hmmmmmmm. I think I need to mull that one over.
So back to the 2 weeks with Dad. We had fun, going so a walk on the Old Dominion rail track....not, it wasn't a real rail track....converted to a trail. Taking Christine (our red convertible) out for a spin with the hood down. So cool!! So cool in fact that Dad had a fleece on! Catching the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool at night - beautiful, tempered by the fact I thought our car was gonna be towed at any second......
ahhhh, I have both cats next to me. They love me more than outside! Bless. The other day I saw Chaos trying to catch a squirrel. The squirrels love to tease her. It is so funny. They will even jump off the tree to run to another to tease her. Too fast. So I was watching these antics and laughing, when Chaos decides to also climb up the same tree the squirrel had. I burst out in laughter when I realised they were both level with each other, opposite sides of the trunk, hugging the tree, but unable to see each other due to the trunk. Hilarious. Same I didn't have my camera! She has managed to get a quarter of the was up a trunk so far - around up to your bedroom window......that ladder is gonna come in handy soon!
I am getting more pangs of homesickness now. Especially with the family visiting, and not having anything to do in the days, as such. Although I have a dentist appointment today....for a probable root canal. I'm gonna ask her if she can just redo the filling. I do not want a root canal. I think I'd rather have a false implant! Eek!
Our car also was poorly and had to go to the garage. It seems as though the guy who did all the work on her before, in Dec, didn't do a very good job and missed loads of things. Which we then had to pay for. But not before I declared how pants it was and got a 25% discount! And a free hire car for 3 days. But still, money that we didn't want to spend. Purse strings are tighter at the moment, as we have been living on one wage since December. And spending way too much money / savings. At least we will get the opportunity for us to save it back up soon.
So I will leave you on this final note - the Cherry Blossoms. A big thing here. Given to DC by the Japanese 98 years ago, and they hold an annual festival. We went to some of the opening festivities on Saturday and it was great. The blossoms aren't due to fully bloom until next week (just in time for our visitors) but already they are spectacular. We have a magnolia outside our house, and it is starting to bloom too.
Spring is gonna be amazing!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, March 22, 2010
Empty house
PAUL: Well, formal 1st UK visitors have returned to the UK and left a void which will only be filled when the next bunch join us in less than 10 days. Gonna miss having to only cook for two for a while I guess!
John and Nan Giselda joined us for two fun packed and significantly boozy two weeks and they seemed to have a pretty darn fine time. We did a bit of sightseeing but not too much and lots of drinking (approximately 1 litre of Gin lasted two days - Crikey). Been to the zoo and will return with Jacob in a couple of weeks. The place has Pandas and some extremely cool looking big cats. reckon they will get on just fine when I chuck one of the cats in the pen with them (I should probably disguise them with a sack or something, what do you think).
Got something special planned for Jacob when he comes but keeping it secret until he gets here so shhhh!. Apart from that we will continue to weed out the boring sights and identify the good stuff for each subsequent visit of family and friends. The Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool remains one of the most breathtaking sights in the area so that stays on the schedule. Alexandria is pretty so keep that one in. The air and space museum were so good we joined the club...literally. We are Smithsonian members which gives us a few benefits which again we shall investigate over the next few months.
As one group of family disappears I returned to work and have seen the schedule for return to the UK over the next year and it is fewer than I hoped for. Still if I plan them right will still see the right people enough over the few trips back.
Missing the folks back home now that we have tasted the camaraderie of having them over here. I'm sure the feeling is mutual (nudge nudge). Getting really excited by the thought of having J here though so something to look forawrd too.
Getting a real ix of weather now. We've had some blinding hot days over 23 degrees (IN MARCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) and now we have some thunderstorms with torrential rain...cool.
Cats are getting used to the outside world. They go out for about 30 minutes and truly disappear in to the undergrowth out back. Then they come running back with fur standing on end like they have had a meeting with a 5 foot tall squirrel. Chaos still reckons she can take it though. Shes tough as old boots that one.
Loving every minute and miss you all
talk soon me peeps
John and Nan Giselda joined us for two fun packed and significantly boozy two weeks and they seemed to have a pretty darn fine time. We did a bit of sightseeing but not too much and lots of drinking (approximately 1 litre of Gin lasted two days - Crikey). Been to the zoo and will return with Jacob in a couple of weeks. The place has Pandas and some extremely cool looking big cats. reckon they will get on just fine when I chuck one of the cats in the pen with them (I should probably disguise them with a sack or something, what do you think).
Got something special planned for Jacob when he comes but keeping it secret until he gets here so shhhh!. Apart from that we will continue to weed out the boring sights and identify the good stuff for each subsequent visit of family and friends. The Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool remains one of the most breathtaking sights in the area so that stays on the schedule. Alexandria is pretty so keep that one in. The air and space museum were so good we joined the club...literally. We are Smithsonian members which gives us a few benefits which again we shall investigate over the next few months.
As one group of family disappears I returned to work and have seen the schedule for return to the UK over the next year and it is fewer than I hoped for. Still if I plan them right will still see the right people enough over the few trips back.
Missing the folks back home now that we have tasted the camaraderie of having them over here. I'm sure the feeling is mutual (nudge nudge). Getting really excited by the thought of having J here though so something to look forawrd too.
Getting a real ix of weather now. We've had some blinding hot days over 23 degrees (IN MARCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) and now we have some thunderstorms with torrential rain...cool.
Cats are getting used to the outside world. They go out for about 30 minutes and truly disappear in to the undergrowth out back. Then they come running back with fur standing on end like they have had a meeting with a 5 foot tall squirrel. Chaos still reckons she can take it though. Shes tough as old boots that one.
Loving every minute and miss you all
talk soon me peeps
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Apologies.....
Sof:
This Alien Life is going from one extreme to the next - first having nothing to do then having a heinous amount of things going on in our lives!!
The first fab thing is that I have my Dad and Nan with me right now (and a G&T!) - one of the main reasons no blogs have been forthcoming - they came on the 4th march.
So, on the 4th March, I decide to take a visit to the British Embassy, to collect an important letter Paul needs to get his Virginia Driving License (I can't get mine until I get my Social Security number) and to pick up some cheap booze. I also needed to drop back the 'get you in pack' of plates/cups etc.
Getting to the Embassy posed no problems, thanks to the GPS. I discovered how amazingly cheap spirits are - I paid $48 for these 5, 1-liter bottles - Tanqueray gin, Bombay Sapphire Gin, VSOP Brandy, Absolut vodka and Captain Morgans Spiced Rum. PARTEEEEEEEE!!
However, I got very lost trying to return back home to go to the airport to pick up the family. I ended up going North West, instead of South West, the GPS breaking down and me frantically worrying that I wouldn't be able to get to the airport in time!! Argh - DC is a nasty place to loose your bearings! I made it back, finally, and then ended up waiting 2 hours for them to come through security!! I even got there 30 mins after they landed so I wouldn't have to wait too long. Bloody security. So I had everyone with me, and we proceed to go home.........and here is where it got interesting - the cops pulled me over! I originally thought it was cos I tried to cut them up (not realising they were cops) but realised that the car was going too fast so didn't try it. They put the blues and twos on and pulled me over. I was crapping myself - what had i done? Will they shoot me?? I was totally irrational in my head, whilst maintaining a serene exterior for the father. After 10 minutes of waiting - and yes they keep you waiting an age here - she finally came up. It transpired that my plates were out of date and the car needed an emissions test (which is also reflected on the plates). Phew!! I hastily explained that the car couldn't be registered yet due to the letter only being received into my hands earlier that day and we had only just moved here and i don't have an US license and I'm really sorry and we will sort it ASAP, please don't shoot me officer - yes, my friends, all in one breath! Probably more was said. So she was cool, and let us carry on.
Of course, Paul feels that I have lost the 'bet'. I don't think this is fair, as it was because the plates were out of date and the emissions stickers on the plates were clearly out of date. I think that the bet should be lost when one of us gets stopped for a real reason - like Becca!! What do you people think? Please let us know!!
So due to the needing to register ASAP, we discovered the joys of the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) on a Saturday. Never again! Our predecessor had signed the Title in the wrong place and wanted us to get home to sign this piece of paper saying he has signed the Title in the wrong place (??), to which we replied he is in the UK with no way of contacting him. They were cagey about the I.D we had cos our phone company had spelled our name Brycack. This is the only bill we pay which is in our name. Luckily, as we obviously looked so flippin desperate, she allowed our indiscretions to pass and issued us new plates. This whole process took around 2 and a half hours. Never going back on a Saturday!
So in other news, we have purchased a full sized pool/billiard table, with table tennis top. This was fun putting together.......or was watching the men bring it in more Benny Hill style fun.....?? Our basement is officially our games room now, with the pool table in one corner and the Wii/PS2 in the other. We have the running machine in the other corner, and intend to bring down one of the spare sofas, and get a dart board cabinet for our dart board. Remember this room has functioning kitchen and toilet/bathroom too, so I think the optic measure may also find it's way down here too!
I have soooooo much more to write, but I don't want to fill up this blog - it would take you too long to read in one sitting. SO I will finish up by saying my first trip to the dentist wasn't as scary as it seems. My dentist thinks I have beautiful eyes and great teeth - including a great dentist in the UK - thanks Ronald! Does everyone suck up to you over here....oh yes, wait, I remember. Everything is a business over here, including teeth! I like to think she meant it about my eyes......
So, my beer belly and I will say goodnight. Yes, my alcohol; intake has increased dramatically.......
Sweet dreams xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This Alien Life is going from one extreme to the next - first having nothing to do then having a heinous amount of things going on in our lives!!
The first fab thing is that I have my Dad and Nan with me right now (and a G&T!) - one of the main reasons no blogs have been forthcoming - they came on the 4th march.
So, on the 4th March, I decide to take a visit to the British Embassy, to collect an important letter Paul needs to get his Virginia Driving License (I can't get mine until I get my Social Security number) and to pick up some cheap booze. I also needed to drop back the 'get you in pack' of plates/cups etc.
Getting to the Embassy posed no problems, thanks to the GPS. I discovered how amazingly cheap spirits are - I paid $48 for these 5, 1-liter bottles - Tanqueray gin, Bombay Sapphire Gin, VSOP Brandy, Absolut vodka and Captain Morgans Spiced Rum. PARTEEEEEEEE!!
However, I got very lost trying to return back home to go to the airport to pick up the family. I ended up going North West, instead of South West, the GPS breaking down and me frantically worrying that I wouldn't be able to get to the airport in time!! Argh - DC is a nasty place to loose your bearings! I made it back, finally, and then ended up waiting 2 hours for them to come through security!! I even got there 30 mins after they landed so I wouldn't have to wait too long. Bloody security. So I had everyone with me, and we proceed to go home.........and here is where it got interesting - the cops pulled me over! I originally thought it was cos I tried to cut them up (not realising they were cops) but realised that the car was going too fast so didn't try it. They put the blues and twos on and pulled me over. I was crapping myself - what had i done? Will they shoot me?? I was totally irrational in my head, whilst maintaining a serene exterior for the father. After 10 minutes of waiting - and yes they keep you waiting an age here - she finally came up. It transpired that my plates were out of date and the car needed an emissions test (which is also reflected on the plates). Phew!! I hastily explained that the car couldn't be registered yet due to the letter only being received into my hands earlier that day and we had only just moved here and i don't have an US license and I'm really sorry and we will sort it ASAP, please don't shoot me officer - yes, my friends, all in one breath! Probably more was said. So she was cool, and let us carry on.
Of course, Paul feels that I have lost the 'bet'. I don't think this is fair, as it was because the plates were out of date and the emissions stickers on the plates were clearly out of date. I think that the bet should be lost when one of us gets stopped for a real reason - like Becca!! What do you people think? Please let us know!!
So due to the needing to register ASAP, we discovered the joys of the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) on a Saturday. Never again! Our predecessor had signed the Title in the wrong place and wanted us to get home to sign this piece of paper saying he has signed the Title in the wrong place (??), to which we replied he is in the UK with no way of contacting him. They were cagey about the I.D we had cos our phone company had spelled our name Brycack. This is the only bill we pay which is in our name. Luckily, as we obviously looked so flippin desperate, she allowed our indiscretions to pass and issued us new plates. This whole process took around 2 and a half hours. Never going back on a Saturday!
So in other news, we have purchased a full sized pool/billiard table, with table tennis top. This was fun putting together.......or was watching the men bring it in more Benny Hill style fun.....?? Our basement is officially our games room now, with the pool table in one corner and the Wii/PS2 in the other. We have the running machine in the other corner, and intend to bring down one of the spare sofas, and get a dart board cabinet for our dart board. Remember this room has functioning kitchen and toilet/bathroom too, so I think the optic measure may also find it's way down here too!
I have soooooo much more to write, but I don't want to fill up this blog - it would take you too long to read in one sitting. SO I will finish up by saying my first trip to the dentist wasn't as scary as it seems. My dentist thinks I have beautiful eyes and great teeth - including a great dentist in the UK - thanks Ronald! Does everyone suck up to you over here....oh yes, wait, I remember. Everything is a business over here, including teeth! I like to think she meant it about my eyes......
So, my beer belly and I will say goodnight. Yes, my alcohol; intake has increased dramatically.......
Sweet dreams xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
New Wave
PAUL:
Hi people, been totally hectic for the last week really. Have just returned from my first on-the-road excursion in to deepest Virginia (Via most of the east side of Maryland). I can officially confirm there are some absolutely stunning views down the stretch of countryside and coast I traversed today. A couple of bridges that put the Severn bridge to shame for length and glory and quite a lot closer to the river Potomac too.
Had to pick up a work VIP and take them to a trip to one of our US colleagues. Turned out to be a pretty decent trip all round. Good meeting and no additional snow (ha ha). We even both managed to get along despite the wonderful Sat Nav telling me to turn right when I was in the middle of a motorway with no exits for about two miles??? Once I missed the turning it told me to do a U-turn for a while too, brilliant.
Last weekend we went out to do a hunt for some personal stuff to populate the house with. Number one on Sofs list was a pool table. One of the neighbours pointed us in the direction of a place that was having an end of season sale (on pool tables....what season is that then?). We safely negotiated ourselves there but discovered that a new pool table was gonna set us back $2000 at least. As a result it might have to wait a bit until the finances have settled in to a more strict regime.
We are spending a bit more than we thought we would but it is getting closer to a rhythm where we don't have to buy any of the start up stuff any more (apart from bloody spices for cooking...God will it never end getting rosemary or Oregano all at ridiculous prices). I'm going to have to prepare food for an Italian this week and I cannot flavour a bolognese properly...I'm gonna be shot, argh!
And therein lies the next big piece of news. We are about to receive our first UK visitors, hurrah. Sofs dad arrives on Thursday along with Nan Giselda. We have singularly failed to visit any of the tourist attractions in the area so we haven't vetted out what is crap and what isn't. John will be pleased when we take him to the exhibits of the first cross-stitching done in the state of Virginia (apparently Delaware beat them in antiquity by around seven months and therefore claim to be the oldest, new continent, cross stitchers...but I digress). We have looked up a few candidates but will keep them secret lest we be told off for taking you all to the same place when any of you come to visit.
Still I must return to the task du jour, unpacking our unaccompanied baggage. 90 odd boxes stuff with Sof&Paul-abilia. The task will not end until a home has been found for every book (for those of you in the know that should be about Christmas) and a hook inserted for all the cracking photos of our family and chums.
back soon I promise. XXX
Hi people, been totally hectic for the last week really. Have just returned from my first on-the-road excursion in to deepest Virginia (Via most of the east side of Maryland). I can officially confirm there are some absolutely stunning views down the stretch of countryside and coast I traversed today. A couple of bridges that put the Severn bridge to shame for length and glory and quite a lot closer to the river Potomac too.
Had to pick up a work VIP and take them to a trip to one of our US colleagues. Turned out to be a pretty decent trip all round. Good meeting and no additional snow (ha ha). We even both managed to get along despite the wonderful Sat Nav telling me to turn right when I was in the middle of a motorway with no exits for about two miles??? Once I missed the turning it told me to do a U-turn for a while too, brilliant.
Last weekend we went out to do a hunt for some personal stuff to populate the house with. Number one on Sofs list was a pool table. One of the neighbours pointed us in the direction of a place that was having an end of season sale (on pool tables....what season is that then?). We safely negotiated ourselves there but discovered that a new pool table was gonna set us back $2000 at least. As a result it might have to wait a bit until the finances have settled in to a more strict regime.
We are spending a bit more than we thought we would but it is getting closer to a rhythm where we don't have to buy any of the start up stuff any more (apart from bloody spices for cooking...God will it never end getting rosemary or Oregano all at ridiculous prices). I'm going to have to prepare food for an Italian this week and I cannot flavour a bolognese properly...I'm gonna be shot, argh!
And therein lies the next big piece of news. We are about to receive our first UK visitors, hurrah. Sofs dad arrives on Thursday along with Nan Giselda. We have singularly failed to visit any of the tourist attractions in the area so we haven't vetted out what is crap and what isn't. John will be pleased when we take him to the exhibits of the first cross-stitching done in the state of Virginia (apparently Delaware beat them in antiquity by around seven months and therefore claim to be the oldest, new continent, cross stitchers...but I digress). We have looked up a few candidates but will keep them secret lest we be told off for taking you all to the same place when any of you come to visit.
Still I must return to the task du jour, unpacking our unaccompanied baggage. 90 odd boxes stuff with Sof&Paul-abilia. The task will not end until a home has been found for every book (for those of you in the know that should be about Christmas) and a hook inserted for all the cracking photos of our family and chums.
back soon I promise. XXX
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