Day 346 of 365: It's My Party and I'll Drink if I Want To!

It's Saturday, which that means it's time for our English wedding party!

Since none of our English/European friends and family could make it to the wedding in America last year, Ian and I decided to throw a party so they could enjoy your life together as well.

It was a stressful morning, but it was well worth it in the end.

Jamie and Alan arrived at 11am at our place. We sat around the house for a little over an hour and then made our way down to the New Forest to The White Buck Inn where our party was being held. Ian, bless his heart, had been so focused on making this party not only good for us, but exceptionally good for those that we care about the most. We knew it would be hectic, so we arranged to have a small picnic in the Forest with Jamie, Alan, Reagan, Abel, Jantina, Veerle, Roger, Mel, and Rob. Unfortunately, Veerle was ill on Saturday, so Jan stayed behind at the Inn to look after Lil' V.

Ian and I packed sandwiches, drinks, fruit, and other little nibbles for us to eat. We drove up by the cricket pitch where a game was going on. The meal began when just as we were digging in, a small family of horses came by and ambushed our meal. People scattered everywhere, the younger horse nibbled on my shirt sleeve, and we were trying to salvage as much of the food as we could.

Eventually we were able to settle, chic chat, and whatnot and eat some, until ANOTHER family of horses!


After our picnic, Ian and I went back to the White Buck with everyone except the Forster family who were staying at a local B&B. We had a few drinks, met more family, and then finally I went to take a shower while Ian set up the rest of the things that needed to be done. In the last 20 minutes before the party started I think everyone ran around like crazy finalizing things.

But, I think the party was a great success. People that mean something in our lives got to mingle with others. It was amazing to see everyone I know here in one place at the same time. It was AWESOME! :)

One of the many attempts at a group shot. Thanks, Jamie, for being our photographer!

I did, however, get VERY drunk thanks to The Hubba Bubba working for a brewery and having loads of drinks provided for free! The bed sure did spin when I got in!

So I want to say thank you to anyone and everyone that came to our "do" and made it a wonderful night. We TRULY appreciate it. :)

Day 345 of 365: Two Cool Cats

It's Sunday....that means back to work tomorrow. Bah!

Woke up and Spike and Angel came into the bedroom. Spike was all over the place, but Angel kept his distance a bit.

But when we came downstairs, Angel decided to have his proper hellow.


I had to venture into Romsey this afternoon and get some cat food and litter, and since the little critters poo and everything stinks up the house like crazy, I purchased a new little box with a flap and a filter on top.

It's a bit bigger than the old one, annnnndddddd it's a corner one (hence the flap) so it takes up less space.

We didn't think that the boys would like it or even use it....but Spike proved us wrong:

Day 344 of 365: Sizzling Saturday

The morning started earlier than normal for our Saturdays.

Need to back track a bit though...

Here in England, people have different types of showers. Some have shower "rooms" built into their bathroom, some have electric showers, and some have a shower head attached to the bath taps (which rental agencies call this "shower over the bath"). We have an electric shower. Well, this past Tuesday I was getting in the shower, turned it on, and water was coming out of the bottom of the box (which holds all of the electrics). Me, never having an electric shower before, decided to put my hand under the water pouring out, proceeding to be electrically shocked.

So I shut the shower off after thinking "What the hell???" and took a bath.

Told the landlord. He said he would get someone out to fix it. Nothing for a few days. Ian left a note for our landlord (who is also the butcher) saying I was shocked and could someone please come and fix it. Our landlord's plumber came out and said it was completely knackered, so he would be here Saturday morning at 9am to fit a new one.

He was 45 minutes late this morning, but we got our new shower, which is AMAZING!!!


Our old shower just piddled on us, and now this one actually WASHES us!

And I wanted to take a picture of the plumber because he had this awesome, old school mustache, but of course it would be rude of me. So Ian demonstrated the 'stache using Spike's tail:


After our showers, we headed out to Andover to spend the day shopping with Chris and Lucy. I needed an outfit for our family & friend wedding party next weekend. Lucy had a dress that a friend gave her that is too short for her, so she gave it to me! I kept looking for another outfit, but nothing struck me except for one dress at Debenhams but it was too big and didn't have to next size down. Oh well......

So I got giant "Bridget Jones pants" to wear under the dress that Luce gave me, and that's what I'm going to wear. Now I just need some shoes. :)

After shopping, we went back to Chris and Lucy's and had a BBQ. Vik came over with some kebabs and ribs. Ian had GOOD steak for the first time, and it was just a lovely evening meal. Lucy and I watched Big Brother while the boys talked about war, army, etc. A lovely evening with lovely friends. Good times. :)

ANNNNNNNDDDD I must say that I have the BEST husband in the world, because while Lucy and I were doing our girlie thing, I got a text from Ian saying not to spend TOO much and he would show me when we met up again. He bought us The Beatles RockBand for the Wii!!!! Annnndddddd....it was on an incredible sale!!

My flabber was gasted!!

And of course, Spike had to check it out when we brought it in the house:

So all in all, this Saturday was a lovely day.

Tomorrow it's shopping, laundry, and cleaning for me while my loverly husband watches the British Grand Prix.

And, we only have a 4 day work week this week, then we're off for a little over a week! WOO HOO!!!!

Day 343 of 365: Holy Hairball, Batman!

Right....so when we were getting the boys, the lovely Kim suggested I get the Furminator (click on name for webpage) to groom the little lads.

I have been trying to brush Angel's hair at least once a week. I thought he wouldn't like it, but he absolutely flippin' LOVES it!

It alarms me though at the amount of hair that comes off with only a 10 minute brush:


But it doesn't seem to hurt Angel, and at the moment, Spike's fur is still too short to groom.

Angel seems to be a happy camper though:


OH yes, and the rest of the evening:

-Spoke with Jamie on the phone for about 45 minutes....call to continue tomorrow night. :)
-Watching the Germany vs. Spain football match but with Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave doing commentary.
-Worked out some plans for Girlie Shopping Saturday with Lucy

Now, back to the football!

Day 342 of 365: Happy 4th of July (From England Again)

Isn't it strange how life works out sometimes?

My forefathers fought for freedom from the British, and America was born.

Fast forward about 204 years and I was born.

Then jump ahead 27 yrs. and where do I move to? England.

Now enjoy some Stars and Stripes Forever!

Day 341 of 365: America the Beautiful

Barry, Barbara, Shanthi, James, Saria, Ian, Vik, and Chris..Lucy and I were behind the pillar.

Met up with some of the ladies and lads from BrittaniAmerica today for lunch at Nelson's American Diner out in Newbury. Was a nice afternoon of talking about our experiences, how we wound up in England, etc. It was nice to hear American voices, and want to get together again in Reading.

The food at Nelson's was good:


And we owe the meet up all to Lucy for organizing it! :) Love you, Luce!


And we also love America!!

Day 340 of 365: What An Adventure

No photo today, because it was a bit too busy to take one.

Buuuttt....

Went with Mum to her memory clinic today to see how she's doing. Not too bad, was the result, which is good.

Then had to take the boys to the vet today because Spike has blood in his urine again, and Angel has been throwing up a little bit. So they both had jabs and now are on meds for a few days. That'll be fun giving those to the little hairy boys!

Tomorrow is our American diner meet up! Yay!