Day 335 of 365: The Evening's Events

Ian and I watched New Moon last night. I thought it was much better than Twilight, and now I'm kinda looking forward to seeing Eclipse eventually. I think that these films and the books are more for the female gender.....yes, there is action, but really, it's a love story. And I think I'm Team Edward, because there's just something about him.....

Also, my older brother's ex had her baby in the wee hours of the morning. My new nephew - Caden Michael:


7lbs 10 oz. Three weeks early, but healthy. Hopefully we will get to meet him one day.

Day 312 of 365: Lordy Lordy!

Nice swim trunks, honey! :P

Ian and Kathryn are 40!!!

The Husband and K turned 40 today. Can't believe it, really.

They both got lots of cards, K got some lovely treats (like skincare, and massage vouchers, etc). Had a dinner out at the local pub, The Dolphin Inn. It was Ian, Kathryn, Yog, Matt, Carole, Lucy, Chris, Spencer, and I. We also took part in the pub quiz and came in 10th out of 16 teams...although, the Abbey Hotel need to do what The Dolphin does and give EVERYONE a prize. We got some Smarties Easter eggs.

After everything was finished, Ian, K, Yog, Lucy, Chris, and I came back to the house to drink, laugh, and eat some cake.

Was a lovely evening. :)

Day 277 of 365: Non-Eventful Day

Today was a typical day of work. I had a supervision this morning, where I let out some of my feelings and some tears......but that's what I do - my feelings always come out of my eyeballs.

On a lighter note, Ian's cousin Liz had her baby boy on the 7th and emailed out photos of the little guy:



Isn't he a cutie?! :)

Ian and I are going to pop in and visit the little guy, Liz, and her husband Tim Saturday morning for a little bit.

Day 267 of 365: It Makes No Sense....

Rugby, that is....

Went to watch the London Welsh vs. Exeter match this afternoon with Ian, one if his bosses, and his boss's family. And it was bloody FREEZING!!!

I had NO clue what was going on with the match. It's nothing like American football (which I thought it would be). But basically, it was just guys running around in short shorts, some wearing foam helmets (I called them the "special ones"), and dog piling each other.

Oh well...chock this one up to experience!

Afterwards Ian and I went to my SIL, Cheryl's place for tea and some Beatles RockBand (my nephews wanted me to play with them, and yet I only sang one song and the boys wouldn't even let me touch the guitar or drums).

Now, home for bed.

Day 262 of 365: Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas Day today. :) What were some things that you did?

Ian and I had a lovely lie in this morning, then woke up and had a bucks fizz (which, I do not suggest if you are a lightweight drinker AND you've not had anything to eat for over 8 hours due to sleep).

Then we hemmed and hawed as to whether or not to have breakfast (it was a no). We watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, then prepared our Christmas dinner. We had lovely honey glazed ham, veg, roast potatoes, cranberry and cashew stuffing, and I had cranberry sauce and a bit of sweet potato. It was delicious.



Our friend Mel phoned as well today, so big shout out to her! :) Mel and her fiance, Rob, got us a really cute calendar with pictures of the 4 of us throughout the last year or so. VERY cute and sweet, so thanks again, you two!

We watched Elf afterwards. Ian had a little laugh fest. Was nice. :)

After Elf and my shower, we opened presents (yay!). Ian got me some really cool things this year.

Some original Beatles items (woo hoo!):


A couple of CDs, this Weenicon of John Lennon (WAY cute), and a DVD Marilyn Monroe collection (since I didn't bring all of my films over with me, plus the majority from the collection were ones I didn't even have in the States). Then Matt and Carol got me a lovely bath set.

I got Ian new slippers, 4 books, 2 CDs, a Spurs scarf, a lazer gun for the Wii, and the new Call of Duty game (which my sister-in-law, K, went in on with me). Also got him some good smellies from Mary Kay.

The aftermath of opening presents:

After presents we went to Kathryn and Yog's house for tea/supper. We watched TV (did anyone see Eastenders!!?!!), ate finger foods, and I had a long (but lovely) conversation with Yog's step-mom, Pauline. She asked me lots of questions about America....lol.

Now, we're home, and I'm just waiting to call my Mom and brother back. I had called once and got the answering machine, so needed to wait a bit I think to try back.

So, hope everyone had a lovely day!!! And don't drink TOO much on Boxing Day. :p

Day 213 of 365: Girly Day

Today I was a "lady that lunches" with my SIL, Kathryn.

We went to this little place called Annie's in Timsbury.

LOVELY food. Had a BLT sandwich and some chips.

There was also a wedding lunch going on at the time, so we got to see the bride and groom walk in.

But before I left to pick up K, I took a photo of Miss Fudge sleeping on the back table:

Day 200 of 365: Sunday Family Times

Wow.....I've made it to day 200 already?! Never though I would get here..lol.

Anyway, spent the day with Ian's cousins Jonnie and Sue again.

They came over about 12:30pm today to spend the afternoon and have lunch.

I've eaten SO much today (and this past week) that I seriously need to get on the exercise kick now, and try and lose some weight.

I was showing Sue photos when our wedding, and she noticed how much thinner I was then. *sighs* The joys of not working and eating everything in sight has caught up with me.

Sooooooooo........now I must work my butt off (literally). I feel like a lump.

Buuuutt.....a photo of the family:

Day 199 of 365: "Turn Left at Greenland"

Spent the day with Ian's cousins, Sue and Jonnie. They're from Wigan, but are currently traveling around England to head back to Spain.

Sooo...went and saw them at their camp site (which is in The New Forest and we got to see Shetland ponies), then we went for a carvery.

Afterwards we went for a walk through Ringwood, where we came across a pub with an American flag out front! :)


And as we were walking back to the car, we passed by an old church (and if you know me, you know my love of old churches). Ian saw something crawling around, and look who we saw:


A little hedgehog! The first time I've seen one here. I was able to touch the little fella as well (well, I'm assuming it was a fella). He curled up into his protective ball. And you would think he looks furry, but he felt really hard. Poor little guy was really scared though, because he was still curled up when we left the cemetery.

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 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 160 of 365: It's Just Another Day....

Mum in the garden at King John's House

Spent the day with my MIL today.

Took her to her eye appointment in the morning, then we went to King John's House for a cup of coffee. I had a nice scone with home made fruit jam. Yum. :)

Afterwards we hit the town and the charity shops. My MIL bought some new clothes, since she's been losing weight, and a new umbrella. I just went around trying on weird clothes.

Was a very nice day, and even thought it was grey, it only rained about half the day today.

Day 159 of 365: Words of Love

My nephew James came over again to spend the day.

It was another rainy day, so he, my MIL, and I sat around watching films. James and I baked some chocolate chip cookies, and I made a traditional American lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. They enjoyed it. :)

Then we played Create-a-Word, which is a lot like Scrabble only with some spinner and a few different rules.

I lost big time, buuuttt....on one turn I pulled tiles that spelled out Ian's nickname:

I haven't called him Pugs in FOREVER....lol.

Day 155 of 365: For Tomorrow May Rain so, I'll Follow the Sun

Blue skies for the first time in about two weeks!

The morning was a bit eh, buuuttt....the sun came out and stayed out for hours. :)

And we were even able to put the clothes on the line!


Spent the day with my MIL and nephew. We went to ASDA to do the weekly shop and then hung out at the house the rest of the day.

My nephew helped me mow the lawn (first time ever for him), and then my MIL pulled some weeds.

Day 154 of 365: Happy Graduation

My sister-in-law, K, with James

Congrats to my nephew, James, for finishing primary school today!

Day 146 of 365: Wishing You a Happy Jourey Home

Went into Romsey today to watch and honor the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment's march and ceremony. This group just got back from fighting in Afghanistan.

It was an amazing site to see. Flags everywhere, Union Jack balloons, and a veteran helped Kathryn and I hang a St. George's Cross flag out the window at the Chamber office (which Kathryn was ever so nice to let me go up there and watch high above the rest of the crowd).

I wore my sparkly American flag hat, and one of the troops said he really liked it.

But I really enjoyed it. I wanted to cry at one point. Plus it was cool to see the mayor of Romsey and his fancy dress.

Thank you, lads, for fighting for our freedom.

Day 143 of 365: Purple Rain

Ian and Yog put on the first layer of paint today, while Kathryn and I cleared out most of the front room.

Then we spent 2 hours at Ikea! YAY!

Then the four of us went to The Mandarin Chef...yum.

It also rained all day.

Day 137 of 365: Happy Happy Brithday, Baby

Today is my MIL's 76th birthday.

After getting in from Brixham at 3am, Ian and I were completely shattered today. Our bodies were killing us from the walk the day before, and we just didn't want to do anything, but the whole family went to Canada Commons in West Wellow for my MIL's birthday party.

The nephews were not wonderfully behaved, but we were all too knackered to deal with it.

And I had one of the coolest experiences today. The donkeys were out in full force today, coming up to the families that were having picnics and whatnot. This wonderful, and VERY pregnant donkey, came RIGHT up to us, wanting some food. We tried to feed her some cucumbers, but she wasn't having it. She ate the popcorn though, and then since grass had blown into the potato salad, I fed it to her. She was very tame, and nice, and let all of us pet her and love her. I never thought I would feed a donkey in my life!


A note: There are signs EVERYWHERE in the New Forest telling you not to feed the wild animals. I did not know this and had never seen one of the signs, thus why I was feeding the donkey. If you visit the forest, do not do what I did. You CAN get in trouble for it if a warden catches you.

After that, and a MUCH needed nap, Ian and I went to the pub quiz.

I was too exhausted to fight Ian and Carole off, and they took advantage of that AND my leg, and drew all over me.


Lovely.

Day 130 of 365: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Can't tell what's in the bag?

They're new "unmentionables" (my Mom used to call them that when I was growing up). :)

I went to the large shopping mall/high street, West Quay, today with my sister-in-law Kathryn.

She needed to get out and have a good laugh, and I needed girl time like you wouldn't believe.

She and my brother-in-law, Yog, picked me up on time, and we headed off on the hot, humid day.

The mall wasn't HEAVING, which is good.

K and I had bra fittings done, because I had been told that my size could possibly be different here, and since I didn't have that much time to pack before moving to England, and needing to save money, my underwear collection was dying, and dying fast.

So, since I had been good on funds and still feverishly looking for a job, I was given an allowance and was told to treat myself by my darling husband. :)

For the first time in my life I now own not one, but TWO matching bra/panties sets. WOOT!

I also bought a cotton, khaki (or kharki as they call it here) dress from H&M. And it has pockets, which is a MAJOR bonus. :D

Then at the quiz this evening, our team came in 3rd of 11 teams, which is REALLY good for us. The pub was packed, we could barely hear, and everyone was in good spirits.

Great day all in all. :)

Day 107 of 365: We Are Family

My nephew, James, had a school assembly dedicated to D-Day this morning. Ventured to see it with my MIL. Ian dropped us off by a shortcut, but the gate was closed. Oh well, nothing like a bit of a walk at 8am to get the blood moving.

Day 106 of 365: And When The Sun Is Out, I've Got Something I Can Laugh About...

Spent the day with my MIL, sister-in-law, and nephew.


He did NOT want to jump on the mini trampoline in the park with me. Noooooooo way.

Auntie Patty was good for only one thing, and that was pushing him on the swings and other spinny things.

He is once heck of a cute kid though.



And now I need a nap...lol.