Day 194 of 365: I'm Walkin', Yes Indeed

It's my first official bank holiday as a working person, and I thankfully had it off. :)

So Ian and I slept in since we got in late last night, then went into Southampton to buy some walking boots.

We want to go out to The New Forest more often, and apparently there are some kind of snake out there that will attack your ankle if you get near it, so boots were much needed.

Plus, we want to get into a routine now with walking. The boots we got are mighty comfy, although I'm afraid mine will stretch out too much since my normal size was too tight and they didn't do half sizes.

And speaking of The New Forest, Ian and I are spending two days with our friends, Mel and Rob, this week with them in the Forest. And they just got engaged yesterday. Woo hoo!

Day 193 of 365: Time To Say Goodbye

Today was our last day at Alan and Jamie's place.

We went for a nice walk in the morning/afternoon, then we went back and had a roast dinner at 1pm.

Afterwards, we all kind of sat around the living room and took a nap...lol.

As the rain fell, we walked to The Cheese (one of the pubs that Jamie works at) and met some of their friends. We also met Alan's uncle, Bob.

After a drink, we went up the road to The King's Lock where we saw a tribute show to Rod Stewart. He was quite good!



Then, as it was getting late, Ian and I said our good byes and headed back to Romsey.

Didn't really want to leave, but we will be seeing Jamie and Alan again for my birthday, which we shall be heading to Liverpool! :)

Day 193 of 365: Let's Hear it for Football!

Our first full day together today with Jamie and Alan.

We went for a walk along the canal this morning and looked a the locks.

Then, we went to Hednesford to watch their football match against Truro City (a team which Alan supports). It was a lot of fun, and the first officially football game that Jamie and I have been to since moving to England.

Truro won 3-2 as well. Alan's voice was a bit weak after 90 minutes of yelling.

But it was well worth it...

...and TONS of fun. :)

Day 192 of 365: Here We Go!

Ian and I made our way up to Middlewich to see Jamie and Alan tonight.

It's really difficult to take a photo of street signs while driving by in the dark...lol.

Day 191 of 365: The Old With the New

It's hard to tell what exactly this photo is of because I had to take it with my phone...

...but Ian and I went to Lidls tonight to price compare shop, and as we were leaving I noticed that building on the right side in the background there. (If you click on the photo you can see what it is much more clearly.)

It used to be an old church, but was bombed in the war. Ian said that the roof was completely blown off, and eventually they rebuilt it, and it was made into flats. So people actually live in there.

I that it was really cool. :)

Day 190 of 365: Moooooooo!!!!

Isn't he a cutie?

Went on a coach ride with the residents for work today and we went to Avington again. Last week we went and spotted these guys, so we went back again today. I got out, and took a photo of the ones laying around in the trees, then I saw this lovely.

Ahhhh....how I love England. :)

Oh, and made it to Sainsbury's all by myself for the first time tonight. Woo hoo! :)

Day 189 of 365: I Got the Toilet Bowl Blues..

So this is the inside of our toilet tank.

Scary, I know.

But it's looked like this for nearly 3 weeks now. Why? Because it hasn't been working. We've had someone come out and look at it twice, and they still haven't fixed it properly. They've replaced the handle twice, and that one you see there is the wrong one. When you flush it lifts the lid of the tank up. So we've removed the lid yet again.

Basically, there isn't enough pressure building up to send the water through to flush. So we have to pump the handle over and over again. It's quite annoying. HOPEFULLY when they come out again on Thursday it'll all be fixed. *fingers crossed*

And this probably seems very wrong to put this in the same blog as one about a toilet...buuttt....

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Hope she's had a wonderful birthday (although I know she's working it). Wish I could be back in the States to celebrate.

Day 187 of 365: I'm Walkin, Yes Indeed...

I walked to the post office today for work. Which was cool because I killed two birds with one stone. A resident needed cigarettes (which the store is a post office/news agent) so I also got to post off the wedding card for Josy and Jason!

On the way back, I stopped at St. Mary's church which is across the street from the T junction when I leave work.


I read a few of the headstones, and of course lots were dated to over a century ago. I still find it fascinating whenever I see an old church and the headstones.


Annnddd the all crazy signs that I adore in England. First time I've seen this one in the flesh:

Day 186 of 365: We Are the Champions

You can barely tell from the photo, but Ian and I spent the day watching England beat Australia in The Ashes cricket series. Thank goodness we won!

I did, however, fall asleep for a little bit...only because I was tired, and feeling lazy. Ian said I'm a cat.

And for those of you that don't know the history of The Ashes, you can read up on it here.

Tomorrow it's back to work for the week. But Friday Ian and I head to Jamie and Alan's for the weekend....woot! Let the countdown begin!

Day 185 of 365: Bang Bang, They Shot Me Down

It's Saturday!

Ian and I slept in until about 11am today. Was real nice.

We went online and figured out something to do. We were going to go to the Southsea Castle, but then decided on the D-Day Museum instead. Was all right. But I love the photo of Ian and I above. So if you've seen it on Facebook, I'm sorry...lol.

Afterwards we walked around, then we went to a place called Mozzarella Joe's and ate WAAAAAYYYY too much really good food. :)

Stuffed to the gill now.

Day 184 of 365: Thank God It's Friday Night....

Sitting at an intersection just outside the center of Winchester heading home from work. Don't worry, the light was red for quite a long time, and I was stopped.

Grey skies rolled in too, and shortly after I took this, it started to rain.

Thank goodness it's the weekend now!

Day 183 of 365: Cool for Cats

Was going out to the car to head to ASDA for our weekly shop, when Fudge came by to say hello.

Then Domino followed.

I wish I could keep these kitties. :)

Day 182 of 365: Trees, Swaying In The Summer Breeze

This is a small shot of Ampfield Conservatory. I drive past it every day to and from work. It's gorgeous in the morning when the sun is just breaking through the leaves, and I can't wait to see it in the autumn.

Day 181 of 365: Oops I Did It Again

Forgot to take a photo! AHHH!!!

Day 180 of 365: We're Goin' Bowlin', So Don't Lose Her In Solon....

Ian finished work pretty early since he had a really early start this morning, so he suggested we go bowling.

I beat him 120 to 86 the first game, and he beat me 114 to 112 the second. It was fun. :) Especially after the really irritating kids that was sharing the pair with us left.

Day 179 of 365: Sugar...Awwww Honey Honey

Another gorgeous meal prepared by my gorgeous husband.

Day 178 of 365: Work Work Work

A book that I shall be diving into here real soon.

I work this weekend, which some people were actually shocked about.

But apparently the residents don't do activities on the weekends. That shall change a.s.a.p.

I must say though, it's a bit strange working a weekend again since I haven't since March.

Not complaining though. :)

They also offered me a full time position on Thursday before I left, and I accepted it yesterday. So, I am now a full time employee! :)

Day 177 of 365: For Christine

Ask and yee shall receive!

The sign that hangs in the back of our car so if I happen to goof up just a little bit while driving, people can understand. :)

And it's on the driver's side, Christine, so I can barely see it in the back window while driving. Just makes me feel a bit more relaxed on the road. Which is strange because it's just a little sign!

Although, I don't know about anyone else, but I feel that I drive better as an American than any of the elderly that are still driving. I mean, roundabouts have been around since the 50s...you'd think that they would understand them better than Americans do.

Day 176 of 365: Take a Walk on the Wild Side

I've only seen one preview for this new show starting on BBC One soon, but this video of the preview is absolutely HILARIOUS! Can't wait for this to start. :)

Day 175 of 365: Crying, WAITING, Hoping...

Sitting in the car park waiting to go into work.

No matter what time I leave, I always get to work too early.

So today I sat and listening to the Chris Moyles' show, even though he's on holiday.

Day 174 of 365: I've Been Driving In My Car

On my way home from work. The cars in front of me started moving.....but it was kind of cool to not have anyone honk behind me.

Maybe it's my "Caution New Driver!" sign that Ian bought for me?

Day 173 of 365: Food Food, Glorious Food!

Ian has been spoiling me lately since I've gone back to work.

Tonight he made his version of a Shepard's pie. It was DEEEEE-licious!!

172 of 365: Why's It Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me?

Lazy Sundays mean a nap will happen.

Since the sun is over powering in our bedroom now since the council tore down two trees outside of our house, we've had to invest in sleep masks because our curtains aren't even thick enough.

This morning I woke up to these eyes, and then Ian decided to have an afternoon nap with them on.

Too freaky for me! lol

Day 171 of 365: And I Love Him....

It's hard to tell what this photo actually is, but it's of Ian laying in bed watching TV.

He's on call this weekend, so another lazy weekend is to be had.

But, I was just looking at him before I took this photo and was overwhelmed by love. So, HAD to snap my honey.

Day 170 of 365: Slow Ride, Take It Easy

Went out with Ian real quick this evening through The New Forest, and we were slowed down quite a bit by horses in the road.

And, unfortunately, people fly through the Forest even though there are slower speed limits because these horses roam free.

Can't wait to go there with Mel and Rob in a few weeks time though!

Day 169 of 365: Is it Worth It? Let Me Work It....

This is the key to my locker at work.

My first real piece of evidence of my new job.

Day 168 of 365: Please Talk to Strangers

Stained glass of St. George

My last day of unemployment is today, so I decided that since I kept meaning to go into Romsey Abbey, I would FINALLY do that today.

And I'm glad I did. There were lots of little artifacts that fascinated me.

I was in the section where Lord Mountbatten is buried, and I met a woman named Heather. She is 82 yrs. old and used to be a tour guide for the Abbey. She was just stopping by to see the Abbey, and tends to go in every now and then just to touch a pillar that is the oldest part of the Abbey.

So she and I got to talking, and she gave me my own private tour. I will be showing Ian this weekend what I learned from Heather.

A very interesting woman, and she made being in the Abbey more educational. I walked her out eventually, and we stood in the car park for an hour chatting....I spent 2 hours with a complete stranger! lol

Buuuttt..I really enjoyed myself.

I also had coffee with Kathryn before my visit.

So all and all, I have had a lovely last day of unemployment. :)

Day 167 of 365: I Forgot to Remember to Forget

WHOOP!

Forgot to take a photo today!

But, the day's events:

-Went into Romsey with my MIL
-Took a drive out to the nursing home where I'll be starting on Thursday to learn the route better.
-Watched Big Brother with The Hubba Bubba after making pizza for tea.

Day 166 of 365: What a Day For a Daydream....

The weather was gorgeous today.

Warm, breezy, and sunny.

But I was afraid to leave the house incase I missed the all important call about my start date for my new job.

So I did laundry.

I hung out with Fudge....



...and Domino.



And I discovered Yearbook Yourself. I know, I'm a bit behind on it....but it's great.



HA!

And P.S. I got the call from my new manager, and I start on Thursday. WOO HOO!

Day 165 of 365: Cha Cha Boom!

Our uniform at the pub quiz tonight.

But, unfortunately, we came in 5th...lol.

It was fun while it lasted.

Day 164 of 365: I'll Be Lovin' You Forever...

Today is a cheat day, because no pictures were taken.

Ian and I spent the day in bed watching films.

Hellboy II...



...and The Cleaner.

I liked Hellboy more, and hadn't seen the first one. I thought I'd be completely lost with the second one, but I actually really enjoyed it. And Abe (the fish man) was probably my favorite character.

I really wanted a day of just he and I. No computers, or texting, or things like that...just he and I, snuggling. So what's what we did. :)