Christmas in Texas

I am so far behind in blogging. The last month has been so incredibly busy for me. I will have to catch you up on my last few weeks in the UK and my trip to France before I left in the coming weeks.

But for now, I am completely enjoying being home with my family and soaking up the joy of the season. Shopping is done, decorations are up, and even have a few holiday movies under our belts. Alexa is in the Children's Choir at church this year and they are doing the entire service and nativity on Christmas Eve. I am listening to them practice and it is beautiful. I cannot wait for the real thing in just a few days!

I am hoping you all experience the joy of the season as well and look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Belgium

I spent the day Saturday traveling to and from Belgium.  Yes, more time was spent traveling than actually in Belgium - but it was totally worth it!

I woke up at 4 AM and was in a hired car (car service) on my way to Waterloo Station by 4:20 AM.  I waited around at the station for about 45 minutes.  The station is open to the outside obviously and was freezing!  And I mean freezing - it was only 25 degrees F.  At least there was one coffee shop open so I had something warm to drink and an almond croissant.

While waiting for the coach to pick up outside, I met a young couple waiting for the same trip.  The bus picked us up just before 6 AM and we were on our way.  We drove down to Dover and boarded a ferry to cross the English Channel.  We drove right by the edge of the cliffs as we boarded and I saw actual doors - old wooden ones with medieval looking handles - right in the cliff face.  There were only a few and we went by them so fast I was unable to take a picture.  Cool though!  It was also very cool watching the cliffs fade into the distance as the ferry chugged away.

The ride to Calais was fairly smooth.  The water of the channel is more green than blue, but seemed pretty opaque or murky.  You cannot see much below the surface.  As we neared the French side of the channel, there was a fog over the water.  As we moved into it, it was very different than typical fog, it looked like several tiny pockets of mist rising from the water.  It was beautiful and spooky at the same time.  As we pulled into Calais, an older gentleman told me it was sea mist.  In contrast to the English coast, the French coast was all sandy beaches.

We drove another few hours through France and then into Belgium where there was snow covering the trees and ground.  The sky was a beautiful blue and everywhere you looked, it was like a Christmas postcard.  Bruges was even more beautiful.  I cannot describe it exactly, but imagine a medieval town from fairy tales and you would have a pretty accurate idea of what it is like.  The buildings are very old, all of the streets are cobbled and there are canals running through the city.  There is even a large cathedral in the center.  The people are so friendly and there were three Christmas markets with beer and Glühwein running freely.  There was even an ice skating rink in the town center with a giant Christmas tree in the center.

I really enjoyed the markets as well as the local shops.  Of course, a must-have in Bruges is a freshly made waffle.  I had one from a woman selling them out a window.  Mmmmm - it was so yummy and so warm!  Did I mention how COLD it was?

So after 4 hours in Bruges, it was time to board the bus again and we were off again on a long bus ride.  Lucky for me, my new friends had purchased a good quantity of Belgium beer and we started the trip back with a toast to Bruges.  We had excellent conversation and another beer on the ferry.  We made it back to Waterloo around 11:15 PM.  It took me another two hours on public transportation to get home - which I am still having trouble figuring out.  I only took a train to Hampton Wick and a bus to my flat.  I did wait a very long time for a bus in Hampton Wick in the freezing cold though!

Anyway, I have unloaded all of my treasures and cannot wait for Christmas to share them with my family!

(I cannot download any of my pictures until I get home - so I will share them in a later blog.)

Happy Holidays

I sure missed Thanksgiving and Black Friday this year.  It just feels weird to work on Thanksgiving.  I was listening to holiday music Thursday morning and "There's no place like home for the Holidays" came on.  I cried a little as it had so much more meaning than I ever gave it credit for before.

In the end, all my friends at Maxwell Drummond were so thoughtful that we all got together at a traditional English pub, drank beer and had Bangers and Mash for dinner.  So I still got to spend the day with friends being thankful.  While I miss all my family and friends in the US, it was still a very nice Thanksgiving in the UK.

A blank canvas

I love how kids see the world. 

On the bus the other morning, it was so cold outside that the windows fogged up.  Adults usually just think of how cold it is.  But kids see an opportunity. 

I loved watching a ten year old girl on the bus as her face lit up looking at the window.  She stared at it thoughtfully and then began to draw.  Here is her creation...

Fun in Kingston

Went to Kingston for the Gift Fair and to the cinema to see Harry Potter (excellent btw).  At the entrance to the gift fair was a cool marching band and they played some music from Harry Potter.  I loved it!

London Fog

Earlier this week, the fog was intense.  I had dinner in Hampton Hill Monday night and waited for the bus next to the wall surrounding Bushy Park.  I could literally see the fog rolling over the wall and into the street (the picture does not do it justice.) 

The next day everything was white with fog the entire day.  It was a pretty cool sight.

That same night I was in Hampton Hill, I ate dinner at The Duke of Clarence pub.  I sat in a booth next to a print on the wall entitled "Bogey Man".  At first I thought this was something like what we call the Boogey Man in the US.  Then I thought maybe it was a reference to boogers or what they can call bogeys in the UK.  It wasn't until I posted this and looked a little harder that I realized what it is really about.  (I know - kinda ditsy - particularly as I thought I was all clever with the first two ideas.)

You can make of that what you will, but now you know what he looks like.

Missing the family

I am missing my family today - like everyday - so I thought I would post a few pictures I took on our way to the airport last week.

Being goofy in the backseat

Showing off beautiful smiles and a manicure

My handsome husband

I am not sure where we were, but looks like a nice part of town...

I love y'all!

Christmastime in England

I was out and about today and started to feel the holiday spirit.  Of course I have been listening to my Christmas music all weekend and also starting to plan Christmas presents.

But also, it just is starting to feel like the holidays.  As there is no Thanksgiving here, everyone starts thinking about Christmas right after Halloween.  So the decorations are up and lighting ceremonies will begin in the high streets in the next week.  Kingston was all decorated today and the weather was cold and damp - but not too cold yet.  All of the shops are decorating and advertising for Christmas and John Lewis was already lit up.

I love it!  Next weekend I am going to find a Christmas market!

Happy Happy Birthday Mom

Today is a glorious day!  My mother was born on this day and I thank God for her every day!  She is the most wonderful mom and I feel truly blessed that she is mine.

She taught me so much in life that I would never be able to list it all.  Some of my favorites though are:

• How to laugh when you do something silly - not to take life too seriously
• Which leads to the next one -- how to spill stuff on my bosom with grace
• How to make silly faces and noises at babies - (but not in church, Mom)
• How to cook - YUM!  My family thanks you as well
• That the shag haircut is not for me
• The signature Sharon pose
• How to sing freely without being self conscious (not sure if everyone else likes this though)
• To follow my dreams

She also helps me to remember my boss's birthday every year as they share the same birthday.

Thanks Mom - you are the greatest!  I love you and Happy Birthday!

Please take a moment for this moving song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYVfHTajOg&feature=player_embedded

Wish I were home

I am really missing everyone in Texas and the nice warm weather.  But enough about me. 

I just saw this trailer for a new short film called "Letting Madison Go."  Alexa's best friend Lena plays young Mallory.  I am so impressed.  I am sure she is going to be a star one day soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ylWdDwPd3w&feature=player_embedded

Relaxed Weekend

This weekend was a pretty laid back. I slept in Saturday morning and then spent the day watching movies and eating chicken stew. I have never seen the Star Trek movies and they had a marathon on TV. I watched the first three movies and actually found them pretty entertaining. I wanted to watch the fourth - but I was Star Trekked out by that point. Maybe another time.

Today I forced myself to get out of the house. I desperately miss Richard and the girls and could veg all day on the sofa hoping for any chance of communication if I let myself. Instead, I went to Kingston and did some people watching and had some lunch.

I then went to Bushy Park just on the edge of Hampton Hill and was very surprised. I noticed that it said "Beware of Deer" at the gated entrance, but I didn't think any would get that close for me to worry about. I walked in and instantly saw a 13+ point stag lounging in the grass. He was really only 100 yards away from the path. I walked around and got as close as 25 yards and he just sat there watching the people pass by as if they were on parade just for him.

Then I decided to go see the Water Gardens, recently refurbished to their 18th century design.

On my way there, I passed some soccer fields and found another stag equally large. He was much closer to the path (like 10 feet)and had no problem with me taking his picture. I have to say, I was just a little nervous.

When I came back from the Water Garden, this guy looked a little dejected...

I will definitely be exploring this park much more now that I know where it is.

Not a good sign

I was at a bus stop tonight to change buses and I happened to be in front of the Teddington Memorial Hospital. As I look at the entrance to the Hospital walk, I noticed a big monument* with the words GLORIOUS DEAD on the front. Not what I would call the most reassuring message to see while entering the hospital.




(*It was a monument for the fallen soldiers in various wars.)

Promised Weekend fun

As promised, I tried to make my weekend interesting. I slept in - and boy did I need it! Then I bought the new Ken Follett novel Fall of Giants. It is a massive book - looks like an old Websters Dictionary.

I ventured out in the cold rainy weather into London and had a very late lunch at a French cafe in St. Pancras Station. It is my favorite train station. It is so pretty and a perfect mix of old and new.


Then I found my way to the British Museum. I love this museum and have not even come close to seeing everything there. This time around, I saw the Easter Island statue - which is pretty cool - but I just kept waiting for it to come alive and chew some gum.

How many of you have ever seen his back?

I also found a few interesting places on a side street near the museum. First I found a coffee place perfect for Richard. It was called Camera Cafe and they really sold cameras and coffee there. I didn't buy either - but it was an interesting concept and it did draw a larger than average crowd of men for a cafe.

The second made me think of Borgin and Burkes in Harry Potter. I saw the Occult Bookstore. The street was not nearly as narrow and dark and the bookstore was weirdly bright and cheerful for a place specializing in the devil.

That was about the extent of my exciting Saturday and Sunday was even more rainy and wet. I got a little bored on Sunday and even took a nap. Everybody deserves a lazy Sunday sometimes.

Today I went to work and also finalised the details in getting a short term apartment. I am so happy to have a place where I can cook and relax again. I got the keys today and took a suitcase out there after work to get my bearings. It is in a place called Hampton Hills, a very nice little village close to Hampton Court and Teddington.

Afterwards, I took a stroll into the High Street to check it out and to get something to eat. I found a charming old pub, typical of an English High Street and thought I would try it out. When I walked in, it had the old look of a period pub with the velvet benches and stools and oak plank tables.

Then in the back there was a more modern restaurant serving Thai food.

I did not expect that. So I thought I would try it. The chef is from Thailand and it was wonderful. The Fosters was also very good and the bartender is from Russia. I have never seen anything like this place. Very quirky, but also very friendly and excellent food. The weirdest thing though was picture in the restaurant of an Asian man standing in front of a statue and some flowers.

While nice I guess, I just could not see what it all meant - especially the Cannon camera he is holding. Why? I don't know - but it made me smile.

Hope that was interesting for you. I will keep looking for new things. I am sure I will have some new adventures in my new place.

What a couple of weeks...

How crazy is it that we left one house, rented out another to new tenants, signed a lease for a place to live in The Woodlands and found a new corporate apartment in London all in the space of two weeks? Also, the girls started new schools and I flew over 16,000 miles in that time. Whew - makes me tired just thinking about it.

So here I am in London again without my family for the next several weeks. In a hotel for now, but soon to be in a small apartment in Hampton Hill. I miss my family like crazy - but I feel good knowing they will be in a home of their own again soon and that the girls are enjoying school.

I am not sure what I will do this weekend, but I will try to do something of interest that will be blog worthy.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Too busy to remember...

I was on the tube the other morning and saw a man who reminded me of my father. At first I felt a warm feeling thinking of him. Then I realized that I had completely missed Labor Day this year. A huge sadness came over me. How could I forget?

I know, I know, I have a pretty major life change going on with the move and being away from my family and everything - but I cannot believe I got so caught up in it that I could forget the 20th anniversary of my own father's death. I felt guilty.

I guess the good part of this is that I do feel that he is still part of my life and that I focus more on the good memories instead of the sad ones. Still, I cannot help but feel sad. Is that weird to feel sad for not feeling sad?

Anyway, Dad, I love you and miss you - really!

Sunday on a Bank Holiday weekend

Things I experienced today:

Slept in until 11:45 AM! Almost a record.

Ate breakfast at 1 PM - I think that is a record.

Went into London mid-day and the trains were almost empty - had my pick of seats.

Found out that Waterloo Station pipes in classical music on Sundays.

Felt like a rock star on the down escalators in the tube station. When no one is in front of you, wind blows up from the tunnels and blows your hair back from your face.

Found all of the annoying horns and whistles from the World Cup in South Africa had moved to Nottting Hill for the weekend for Carnival.

Found Harrow Cemetery and walked uneasily along the 20 foot high brick wall surrounding it that is about to topple over(a part of the wall has already fallen.) The cemetery was quite beautiful even if it is run down a bit.

(this is how they are propping the wall up) Even scarier as it is not even 21st Century Scaffolding.

Saw the Kensington Fire Brigade outside their station taking pictures with Carnival revelers.

Felt my whole body vibrate to the deep bass thump thump of the amplifiers at Carnival. It was like moving from concert to concert as you walk down the street with people stopping to dance spontaneously in the the middle of it all.

Got on the wrong train for the first time ever and ended up in Wembley. Nothing was there on a random Sunday - so I just got on another train to get me home.

One more thing - it felt like fall today - wind blowing wildly at times, a few leaves falling from the trees, a brief afternoon shower and cool but comfortable temperatures. Probably still felt like summer to Londoners, but felt like fall to a Texan.

In transition

While I promised to blog more, our lives got just a bit crazier. The girls finished school on July 23rd and the next day we all hopped on a plane to Houston for the summer. I could only stay 3 weeks, but Richard and the girls were going to stay the whole summer.

First few weeks in we spent dealing with our house as our renters had just moved out. This is definitely the part I do NOT like about being a landlord. So much work and fixing of things that were not approved. Takes up lots of time and money!


We had some great family time with both sides of the family and it was so wonderful to see everyone. Also, we ate so much wonderful food - barbecue, Mexican, burgers, etc. I think food is what we miss most - as simple as muffins from HEB, precooked microwave sausage, flavored coffee and creamer and Diet Dr Pepper.

Then week three came along and my company asked me to come back to Houston out of the blue. It is definitely a great opportunity and one that is good for my career and for the company. It just threw us for a loop at first. While we are very excited to return to Texas, we are very sad to leave England so soon. I feel like half of my heart is in Texas and half is in London. The hardest parts are leaving our friends and leaving the plans we had made for the next few years (school, travel, etc.)

Now we are in "future planning" mode while we are also in "treasure every moment" mode. I am back in Surbiton for a few days before Richard and the girls get back. I am cleaning and preparing for the move while I am also trying to take advantage of being here - exploring the city and appreciating all of the little things I will miss about this place. So you may begin to see random England photos of things as simple as a flower to big pieces of architecture to our wonderful friends. Somehow, I am going to try to capture as much as I can.

Amber says these words from a song sum it up best and I agree: "It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life."

I think we have all had the time of our lives!

Aberdeen

I spent half of the week in somewhat sunny Aberdeen this week. It was actually really nice in Aberdeen as the days I was there were somewhat sunny and warm. I love the sun in Aberdeen because it makes all of the buildings sparkle a little (they are all made of granite.) What seemed weird though is that it gets dark really late at night. Even though the sun goes down, it doesn't get really dark until like 1:30 AM or 2:00 AM in the morning. And then it is light again around 3:45 AM.

Another quirky thing I found was a bakery open all night. I am sure there are places like this in New York and even Houston, but in Europe I have found very little stays open all night and I have never seen a bakery open past mid-afternoon. After arriving in Aberdeen at 9:30 PM, checking into my hotel and calling the family, I asked the front desk if there was anywhere open where I could get some dinner (since I hadn't eaten since lunch.) They told me about the bakery across the street and said it was open all night for the cabbies. Sure enough it was and I had a bacon roll - mmmm.

I also had a "buttery". I think that it how it is spelled. Say it with a Scottish accent and you will see what it sounds like anyway. It is a sweet, buttery, salty pastry. It is sorta like croissant texture, only round and more condensed. You can only find it in Aberdeen. No-one in Aberdeen will give me the recipe - but here is what I found on Google written with a Scottish accent:

Butteries are named after their high lard content. They are also known as morning rolls and rowies and are a traditional Aberdeen roll. The best way to describe their look and taste is a saltier, flatter and greasier Croissant. Which doesnae sound nice, but rowies are really delicious and filling for breakfast. Aberdeen butteries can be eaten cold and many shops, garages etc sell them pre buttered for anyone snatching an on the go breakfast.

Ingredients For Aberdeen Butteries:

250g butter
125g lard
1 tablespoon soft brown sugar
500g flour
2 teaspoons of dried yeast
450ml warm water
Pinch of salt

Baking Directions For Aberdeen Butteries:

1. Make a paste from the yeast, sugar and a wee bit of the warm water and set aside.
2. Mix the flour and the salt together. Once the yeast has bubbled up add this and mix well to a dough and leave to rise.
3. Cream the butter and lard and divide into three portions.
4. Once the dough has doubled in size give it a good knead then roll into a rectangle about 1cm thick.
5. Then spread one portion of the butter mixture over two thirds of the dough.
6. Fold the remaining third of the dough over onto the butter mixture and fold the other bit over - giving three layers. Roll this back to the original size.
7. Allow to cool for 40 minutes.
8. Repeat stages 5-7 twice more.
9. Cut the dough into 16 pieces and shape each to a rough circle and place on baking trays.
10. Set aside to rise for about 45 minutes then bake at 200c for 15 minutes.

There - now you can enjoy too of you are that ambitious.

Happy Father's Day!

I hope everyone has taken some time out to honor all of the wonderful fathers out there, both living and in heaven.

We have had a nice lazy Sunday with a big pancake and eggs breakfast. Then we sat around and reminisced, remembering Grandpa Tony and Papa and relishing the time we now have with Richard. We had a picnic in the park and played some volleyball and soccer. Now relaxing in the back garden (yard). Richard has requested Chicken Korma for dinner - yum! And then we will have family movie night.

The weather in England now is absolutely beautiful and the English roses are all in bloom. Days are about 75 degrees and nights get down in the low 60's. Lots of sunshine and fluffy clouds. It gets light somewhere around 4 AM and stays light until around 10 PM. It is hard to determine what time of day it is anymore and we have to use our blackout blinds to not be woken up too early in the morning.

I have been absolutely full tilt with work since before I was in Houston last month. I am hoping it will even out soon - at least by the time we get back to Houston for summer vacation. Instead of coming home at Christmas, we are going to visit in the summer when we can spend more time there. The girls are going to stay a full 5 weeks!

Amber and Alexa have five weeks of school left for the year. Amber has been taking the standardised testing over the last few weeks and things are starting to wind down. Amber tried out for the school talent show and made it. She is going to be singing "2 AM" with acoustic guitar back-up. Alexa is trying out for her school talent show this week with two other girls. They are doing a dance to "Parachute." Yeah - I am completely out of the loop because I had no idea what that song was. It is pretty good though.

Anyway, I will try to stay in touch a little better going forward. Happy Father's Day Dads!

Happy Anniversary Richard

Good Morning Richard,

I am so excited that today we celebrate 19 years of blessed marriage to one another! I remember that day at the altar and how even then I was relying on you with all my body and soul as I fainted at your feet. I knew as I stood on that altar that as long as I could hold onto you and look into your eyes, that everything would be alright – I would be OK – we would be OK. I feel that same way now, all these years later. You are my everything and life is always better when you are with me.

Thank you, Richard, for the last 19 years we have shared together. We have helped each other through the tough times and celebrated together all of the good times, including welcoming our beautiful daughters into our lives. I am so thankful for the love and family that we have had and will have. I am looking forward to the next 19 years with you – the love of my life!

Happy Anniversary! I love you – always!

Love,
Mary

Stairs

I came home from work today and as always, we shared the interesting parts of our day. My turn came and I said, "Guess what I did today? I fell down the stairs at work." Amber asked, "Again?"

I know, it really is crazy how often I fall down the stairs. At least it is different every time. Today, the heel of my shoe snagged in the bow on the toe of my other shoe and down I went. What are the odds? It really is almost comical now.

A few years ago, Richard and the girls dressed up and took me the the Glass Menagerie for a fancy dinner. As we walked down the main staircase to the dining room, I was reminding the girls that they need to use their manners in such a nice place. "No farting, no burping..." Yep, it was at that point that I fell down the stairs in my cocktail dress - right in front of the entire dining room. Classic.

Interesting week across the pond

Wow - what a week! Who knew a volcano in Iceland could cause such chaos!

My week was already a busy one as a few of my colleagues from Houston were in town and we would be in meetings Monday through Wednesday for a major project. This included late hours, dinners and happy hours Monday through Wednesday. I spent Wednesday night with my family before an all day trip to Paris on Thursday for client meetings.

On Thursday morning, I left the house at 6 AM to make it to the airport for an 8:30 AM flight to Paris. I heard that a volcanic eruption in Iceland from Wednesday had already caused the Aberdeen airport to close and thought that was kind of weird. The cab driver said that the ash could spread as far as London, but it would just depend on the wind. I just laughed it off. Our flight took off on time and we made it into Paris by 10:30 AM.

Once we were on our way in a taxi, I checked my blackberry and had several missed calls and an e-mail from our London office that my flight back that evening had already been cancelled and the airport was closed. I do not think I could ever be imaginative enough to think up an excuse like this one for staying in Paris.

I stayed the night in Paris while our executive administrator and lifesaver, Rochelle, worked her magic in finding a way home for me. Obviously all flights were now cancelled and/or fully booked for days. All trains to London from Paris were completely full. Being the resourceful genius that she is, Rochelle booked me a ticket to Brussels on Friday afternoon, a hotel in Brussels for the night and a train from Brussels to London for Saturday morning.

My colleagues from Houston, on the other hand, are still in Paris with no real solution in sight. They did have return tickets for Friday. When that flight was cancelled, they were able to book new tickets for Monday. Those were just cancelled today - so there is no telling when they might leave. We also have a colleague from South Africa in London who is also stranded here.

Of course, there are definitely worse places to be stuck than Paris or Brussels. Our hotel in Paris was in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower - which is just cool! Paris was really pretty too with the new leaves on the trees and flowers everywhere.

Brussels was really nice as well. Lots of beer and chocolate and excellent food. Friday night I checked out the main square and saw street performers and lots of cool shops. The streets are all cobbled and there were tons of places to eat and drink. You could smell the wonderful aromas from restaurants and waffle stands and of course beer. Everyone was happy and smiling and so friendly!

Saturday morning, I was up early and took a stroll around the square again. At 8 AM, the sun was just coming over the buildings. It was very quiet, except for the bottles being picked up by the trash men. There were a few little restaurants open for breakfast with really just locals inside. The flower stands were just setting up. The smells were a little different from the night before. Now it smelled of coffee, waffles and a faint odor of urine coming from the cobbles.

Anyway, it was interesting and I wish I had someone to share it with. Here are a few pics from my iPhone.
This is where I ate dinner. I had Flemish Beef Stew and it was really good, but the Creme Brulee was absolutely divine! (Also, this guy thought he looked like Sarcosi.)

This is a beautiful old square near my hotel.



In the square above there was this small little metal framed board with a few post-it notes stuck inside. There is no glass on it - so anyone can put something there. In it were four post-it notes simply signed - World Leader. I thought it was quirky and unexpected, so I leave you with the messages below:

Fun in Hyde Park

Had a great day today!

Woke up around 9 AM and had some coffee and coffee cake with Amber and eventually Richard and Alexa. Richard and Amber played the guitar for us some.

Then we grabbed a train into London and had a picnic lunch in Hyde Park. Richard shot some photos of us all while we were there. The weather was so nice in the upper 50's and lower 60's with blue skies and sunshine.

We had pizza for dinner and are just settling in for a little bit of dessert and review of the photos today.

Oh yeah - then we have to do our taxes. :(

Easter sayings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. We had a nice day although we all really missed being with our larger family. I thought I would share some of the things that were said in the McIntyre house on Easter Sunday in chronological order:

Are we Canadian? - Alexa

If you stop talking, you can hear me fart on Mom. - Alexa

Ha! He doesn't know the answer. (pause) I don't know the answer either. - Mary

Ach! Men! - Alexa

Easter wouldn't be complete without a chocolate bunny. - Mary
And a guilt trip. - Amber

Put the chocolate carrot down. Step away from the carrot. - Richard

I am gonna eat this bunny's butt. - Alexa
You can't just gnaw on his butt. - Richard

Does anyone know what just happened? No? I farted. - Alexa

Wasn't my fault. - Alexa

There's my Easter Egg! - Alexa

I'll give you ten bucks if you stand in the middle of that water. - Richard

I didn't cut the cheese, by the way. - Alexa

I'm not licking yogurt off of my foot! - Amber
I would. - Alexa

What did you do with the milk?! - Mary

Men! Can't talk to them. Can't marry them. Can't live with them. - Alexa

Here is what happened before Easter. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to pay something like taxes because the government said to. They could not find a hotel, but a guy said they could stay in his stable. Then Jesus was born. Then when he was 28 it was Easter. - Alexa


I am not sure that last one reflects very well on us as religious educators. In any case, I did set the record straight and we discussed a few other things that happened in between Christmas and Easter.

Here is a picture Richard took of me and the girls yesterday too.

Religion section in the bookstore

While I am aware that the religion section in any Barnes and Noble is much smaller than the Fiction section, I remember it being at least a couple good size aisles. I went to the main bookstore in the UK today - Waterstones - to look for some Easter gifts for the girls. I like to get them something religious and associated with Easter.

First, I went to the Kids section thinking they might have something there for Alexa. I could not find anything! Then I began searching for Religion in general. I found it, but just two small sections on an aisle dedicated mostly to Philosophy. Not only that, but this was all religions - so only about a fourth of it was dedicated to Christianity and about one fifth of that was more about whether Jesus is God or not.

Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against other religions and I am happy to see equal opportunity for all religions. It was just a little weird for me. Usually there are even extra Christian books around Easter in the the US bookstores and I felt caught out a little unaware.

The good news is that I did find something for both girls after much searching.

I hope everyone has a beautiful Easter!

New advertising campaign in the London tube stations

I have recently seen some new advertising posters in tube stations all around London and thought I would share a sample. I think it is a very clever campaign and probably gets quite a lot of attention from both men and women.



In case you are curious - the website is here.

Stuck in Aberdeen

What a week. Tuesday, I left work early with a colleague and flew to Aberdeen to work in our office there for a few days. I will be working closely with some of our team there on a global project. Unfortunately, the weather was grey and rainy the whole time which leaves Aberdeen grey as well as the entire city is made of granite.

It was really great to work with the team in Aberdeen. It is a fun and relaxed office and I really look forward to working with them more. They are also a very caring office. I became very ill on Thursday and everyone was so kind in trying to help me feel better. I must have picked up a stomach bug or a case of food poisoning.

We were scheduled to head back to London Thursday night. At about 3 in the afternoon, the fog set in off the North Sea and only got worse as we headed to the airport that evening. After sitting and waiting on our flight, the airport shut down and all flights were cancelled. We were lucky to get rooms at the same hotel we had stayed at the previous night and our colleagues in Houston helped us get reservations on a train back to London on Friday.

The good news is I was able to get to bed earlier and my nausea settled down over night. On Friday, I got some sleep on the train to nurse the remaining headache I had. I also got to see some of Scotland's amazing coastline and bridges as well as a quick look at Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Finally, after 10 hours of travel, I am back at home and beginning to recover. There is no place like home!

My Mother's Day gift from Alexa

Mother's Day

Mary, you're as beautiful as can be
Oh, yes, you work the hardest
There you are wonderful woman
Have some coffee, will you, you deserve it
Each love you give me is as precious as can be
Radiant you are
Speechless you make me
Dazzling you, you're the best mom of all
Angel you can fly down and keep me safe
You are very young

Things I am thankful for on Mother's Day in the UK.

It is weird having Mother's Day in March. It poses a dilemma - should I wish my own mother a Happy Mother's Day in the US - or wait until Mother's Day happens in the US in May? Well - why not both I guess. Happy Mother's Day to Mom and all of the other mothers out there.

To celebrate my own Mother's Day then, I thought I would share a few things I am thankful for as a mother:
* Of course first must be the big obvious ones of my beautiful and thoughtful daughters, Amber & Alexa.
* My wonderful husband, Richard, without whom I would not be a mother.
* Snuggles and cuddling.
* Two girlfirends who will always watch chick flicks with me.
* Watching my daughters take up causes and actually make a difference in the world.
* Being needed and loved unconditionally.
* Having my mind opened to new ways of thinking.
* My children's laughter and sharing in their joys.
* Being able to help them through their sorrows.
* Hugs.
* Being the most Awesome mother in the universe.  Yeah I said it. (okay Richard is typing this part)

 

To Wally

Today would have been my father-in-law's 71st birthday. I miss him so much - especially not being able to share with him our new adventure and seeing how proud he would be of Richard following his dreams. Wally was a second father to me - picking up right where my father left off by telling me himself that my dad had passed away. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a few of the things and events I remember and loved about Wally:

* He had an amazing sense of humour.
* The way he held my daughters for the first time - and all the times afterwards.
* How he loved football and baseball and so many other sports.
* How he loved and respected his wife.
* The picnics we would have in the heat of the Texas summer with barbeque chicken and playing catch.
* Family Football Competition - I loved how he and Frances always wore team shirts.
* Hugs
* The nicknames he gave his grandchildren.
* The pride he had in his children and grandchildren.
* The pure joy on his face as he watched his kids and grandchildren play.
* How he loved his dogs.
* His encouragement and support to his family and friends.
* That he always found the best in others.
* His laugh.
* His love of life - he truly lived the motto: Love Laugh Live






Miss you Wally - Happy Birthday.

Amber

Richard took Amber to a skate park at South Bank this past Sunday to practice portrait photography and fashion photography. I cannot believe how grown-up Amber looks in the pictures! What happened to that cute little baby?

Spring is on the way

It has been so rainy and so cold that I finally get what all the British have been telling me about London - that it is always gloomy and gray. It really is not always gloomy and gray - but it has felt that way for the last two months anyway. I have really missed the big blue Texas skies.

But now March is here and the sun is shining again! Monday morning we awoke to the sun streaming in Alexa's windows at 6:45 AM in the morning. I am really enjoying it! The bad part is that we feel like it should be warmer because the sun is out and we haven't been bundling up enough. It is still REALLY cold outside!

The tulips are breaking through the ground in Green Park and should be opening up in the next few weeks. I will try to get a picture for you when they are blooming.

Happy Springtime!

Paris in Winter

Paris in Winter is fun - but also really cold! Anyway - we had a wonderful time! Paris is wonderful and liberal and diverse. It is completely different from anywhere else and we loved it. For a quick overview and some pics - take a look at Richard's vacation blog.

I won't go through the whole trip, just some highlights. The Eiffel Tower is truly beautiful and much more impressive in person.

We walked along the Seine and shopped along the Champs-Elysees. We stood by the Arc de Triomphe and took an open top bus tour of the city. We walked through Notre Dame and soaked in the history and beauty.

My favorite place of all was the Louvre. This is currently my favorite museum of all time! We saw the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa - two of the most famous women in art ever!


We also saw some amazing portraits by the likes of Van Dyke and Carot. I saw a fresco by Botacelli
and a hall of Rubens.

We saw amazing statues, including two by Michaelangelo. I could spend days and days there.


Amber turned 15 years old in Paris - how cool is that?
She met up with a friend she knew in 4th grade at Notre Dame. She has since moved to Germany and was in Paris for her 15th birthday too. What a small world it really is!

Alexa loved the Mona Lisa - but was a little weirded out by it too since it looks like she is looking at you no matter where you stand. We have decided Mona Lisa looks like a very sweet woman with a wicked sense of humour. Alexa also now believes she was Mona Lisa in a past life.


One of the first places we ate was a local restaurant on a side street recommended to us by the lady at the hotel. I thought it was wonderful and it was everything you would imagine a local French cafe would be. The waiter was so nice and helped us with our French. There was a definite local atmosphere to the place.
Just before we left, I went to use the bathroom. It was one bathroom/stall for both genders. No big deal right? Well think again - here is what the toilet looked like...

Luckily, this was the only place we went with this type of toilet.