This Old House

So in its final… er, um good riddance… our adorable rental house has decided to fall apart on us, starting  a few weeks ago with the roof.
It was the first time it had rained (and I mean REALLY rained) in several weeks and water was coming through the roof,  into the attic space on the [...]

Everyone Needs a Christmas Break

In the midst of moving, the LAST thing I wanted to deal with was two weeks of holiday house guests… even if said “house guests” were my family.

It’s not that I didn’t want to see them… or didn’t miss them like crazy.
After having gone from seeing them all the time to never ever, nothing could [...]

Happy Boxing Day

There’s been some debate at my house over what the heck is Boxing Day, which just so happens to be TODAY!

My sister says it’s the day we’re supposed to box up all of the Christmas decorations. I say it’s the day you give the servants gifts and the day off.
Since I neither have servants nor [...]

Glad Tiddings To You And Yours…

Four days ago, my parents, my two younger sisters, and one sister’s boyfriend flew in from Texas to celebrate our first (and presumably LAST) London Christmas with us.
The past few days have been a whirlwind of eating, sightseeing, eating, laughing. eating, shopping, eating… and well, more eating… and it has been FAN-TASTIC!
Of course, when my [...]

The Anglification of Mr. A

While Avery hasn’t exactly developed a British accent, he has managed to pick up hundreds of little words and nuances. Here are a few of my favorites.
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To pass the time spent waiting for trains and buses, I quiz Avery on his numbers, letters, colo(u)rs, etc…
One day, we came across this…
Me: What letter is that?
Avery: ZED!
Ah, [...]

Do You Have An Abortion Quota or Is This Just Prenatal Care in the UK?

I think it’s so obnoxious strange when people ask if a pregnancy was “planned” or “expected”, especially since we all know where babies come from… ahem! ahem!
Oh no! How ever could this have happened… eek!
Planned or unplanned, we are no less THRILLED about the it and that’s all there is to know.
However, it did take [...]

A Reason for Everything

I’m a big believer that there’s a reason for everything. God has a larger plan for all of us and the like, but I just could not understand the reason for sending us back to the States so soon.
I mean, the “bigger” reason… beyond visas and global economic collapses.
Sure, Mike has a great job waiting [...]

Toddler Versus Solid Wood. Solid Wood Loses.

If I’m approximately four weeks away from moving overseas, why am I at Ikea?
I’ll tell you.
I’m a neglectful mommy and my child has the power to bend solid wood. You see this cutting board?

It used to lie flat against the counter until it tangled with Avery…
I left him in front of the TV for about…umm, [...]

Paris In Photos – Part Une

This is our second day home from Paris and piles of laundry are being ignored because I am STILL going through all of our photos from our trip…
… all ONE THOUSAND of them. Literally.
Thank goodness for digital. I’ve deleted most of the duplicate/blurry/”someone walked right in front of us” shots, but there’s still way too [...]

Bringing The Indian to the First Thanksgiving

Wow! SO politically incorrect, except I really am talking about Indian (spices) and this was my very first Thanksgiving to do the cooking.
There’s some irony in the fact that I had to move to England (i.e. the land pilgrims were escaping) to finally roast my first turkey.
I was a little apprehensive, especially when I woke [...]