I love the cookbooks that people compile to fundraise for their organisations here. Mom buys them for me and they are so much fun to read. There are some great recipes in them too.
You can tell so much about a community by what they eat and my latest cookbook has been compiled by a hunting group so there are lots of recipes using deer. The great thing about this book is that it includes a Recipe Note for each recipe submitted. They are fantastic. It's everything from 'This is different but yummy' to 'Only a coon-ass could come up with this recipe' to 'This is one of Bubba's favorites'. A lot of times they'll say where the recipe came from and very often it's been passed down from a Grandmother, Great Grandmother or, in one instance, a Great-Great Grandmother.
The recipes are a hoot too. There' s one for Twinkie Surprise which uses Twinkies, Jello Pudding, cherry pie filling and Cool Whip to make a kind of trifle dish. It would probably be delicious but it just might kill you. The majority of the recipes use namebrand products or start off with 'a box of cake mix' or 'a small package of Velveeta'. It's all worlds away from my usual cookbook reading of Nigella Lawson who makes everything from scratch and stresses the importance of fresh, quality ingredients. Nigella does include a recipe using Coke to cook ham (which is one of my all time favorites) but in her book it comes under the jokey chapter heading of 'Trashy'. I've always wondered what Nigella would make of my country cookbooks and have even thought of sending her one. To be honest, I think she would love them. They're such an amazing slice of a community's history and a real peek into a totally different way of life (for Nigella, it's all normal for me of course).
I was very pleased to see they included a recipe for crawfish etoufee (using a can of Campbell's Vegetable Soup). Tobes and I had Cajun for lunch yesterday and it was soooooo good. I've got some friend crawfish stashed in the fridge right now. In fact, I think it's calling my name. Time to run. Got a busy day today. Gotta buy those Twinkies.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Family
I forget how unpredictable my family can be. We're certainly not bound by traditional ideas of waking and sleeping time. Nikki turned up around midnight on Saturday night. When I got up to go to the bathroom around 12.30 I discovered her watching TV in the living room and we sat up until 2.00 talking. Then Mom got up at 3.00 and ran the dishwasher because she couldn't sleep. I don't think Nikki got much sleep that night either.
The next night we all got to bed by midnight but Nikki was up at 4.00 to go to Houston. She's working on a film set this week and had to get there by 7.00.
Last night I fell asleep with Tobes around 8.00 and woke up at 11.00 and couldn't get back to sleep. Then I heard Mom in the kitchen and got up to talk to her. She has a bad cold and couldn't sleep either. I took my new cookbook back to bed (more on that later) and around 1.00 I heard Dad's cellphone ring. A prisoner had died in Houston (Dad is a Lieutenant for the State Prison Service) and Dad had to leave immediately. I got up and talked to him while he made a bucket of coffee for the two hour drive then put the garage door down for him when he left. About 1.30 there was a knock at the door. He had forgotten his camera (I hate to think what he would be photographing with it) but it was no problem because I was still awake. Around 4.00 I turned off the light and I could hear Mom snoring so I think we all were finally asleep about then, except for Dad who was hopefully wide awake while driving down the highway.
It's always been like this. I remember my sleep habits were seen as quite an oddity when we first moved to England. Amazing how easily I can still revert back to it, even after years of sleeping through the night and getting up in the morning. We take a lot of naps and sleep late when we can at Mom and Dad's house.
The next night we all got to bed by midnight but Nikki was up at 4.00 to go to Houston. She's working on a film set this week and had to get there by 7.00.
Last night I fell asleep with Tobes around 8.00 and woke up at 11.00 and couldn't get back to sleep. Then I heard Mom in the kitchen and got up to talk to her. She has a bad cold and couldn't sleep either. I took my new cookbook back to bed (more on that later) and around 1.00 I heard Dad's cellphone ring. A prisoner had died in Houston (Dad is a Lieutenant for the State Prison Service) and Dad had to leave immediately. I got up and talked to him while he made a bucket of coffee for the two hour drive then put the garage door down for him when he left. About 1.30 there was a knock at the door. He had forgotten his camera (I hate to think what he would be photographing with it) but it was no problem because I was still awake. Around 4.00 I turned off the light and I could hear Mom snoring so I think we all were finally asleep about then, except for Dad who was hopefully wide awake while driving down the highway.
It's always been like this. I remember my sleep habits were seen as quite an oddity when we first moved to England. Amazing how easily I can still revert back to it, even after years of sleeping through the night and getting up in the morning. We take a lot of naps and sleep late when we can at Mom and Dad's house.
And as for Grandma, yesterday she decided to tell me in detail about her most recent operation when they removed an artery from her groin and put it in her neck. The wound in her groin still hasn't healed. She chose to tell me this story while I was eating a bowl of pasta in tomato sauce. I swear it was the pasta that made her think of it.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
A Very Texas Day
Biscuits and gravy for breakfast then sat on the patio and watched the squirrels for a bit. Went to Walmart and spent way too much, barbecue for lunch and ate way too much. Then sat on the patio some more and listened to the rain on the tin roof.
Toby is having a great time running wild in Mom and Dad's big yard. His diet has unfortunately consisted of Life cereal, M&Ms and Jello Chocolate Pudding but it is the first day. I'm sure he'll be eating nothing but broccoli tomorrow (yea right).
Toby is having a great time running wild in Mom and Dad's big yard. His diet has unfortunately consisted of Life cereal, M&Ms and Jello Chocolate Pudding but it is the first day. I'm sure he'll be eating nothing but broccoli tomorrow (yea right).
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Off to America...
... at the bumcrack of dawn on Saturday morning so all blogging will depend on access to Mom and Dad's computer for the next three weeks and then on my level of jetlag for at least a week after that.
We're all well. J is recovering nicely and has been off all week, which has been great. He helped out at Toby's school yesterday which was exhausting for him but it sounds like they had a great time. Toby's teacher was all in a flutter because they had never had a Dad help out before and she even brought in her camera to record the event!
I've been getting ready for our trip and still can't believe that it's less than 48 hours away. Since I'll be seeing my Mom I've had my hair coloured, finger and toenails painted, upper lip waxed, etc, etc. I swear it's worse than a first date. I've also dug out some make-up which hasn't touched my face since morning sickness set in two months ago because I know one of the first things Mom will say is 'Baby, why don't you put a little color on your face.' I've done my shopping and have my duty free list all ready (perfume for Mom, wine for Dad, licorice for Grandma...). Now we just have to find the suitcases and try to cram everything into them.
I'll blog when I can!
We're all well. J is recovering nicely and has been off all week, which has been great. He helped out at Toby's school yesterday which was exhausting for him but it sounds like they had a great time. Toby's teacher was all in a flutter because they had never had a Dad help out before and she even brought in her camera to record the event!
I've been getting ready for our trip and still can't believe that it's less than 48 hours away. Since I'll be seeing my Mom I've had my hair coloured, finger and toenails painted, upper lip waxed, etc, etc. I swear it's worse than a first date. I've also dug out some make-up which hasn't touched my face since morning sickness set in two months ago because I know one of the first things Mom will say is 'Baby, why don't you put a little color on your face.' I've done my shopping and have my duty free list all ready (perfume for Mom, wine for Dad, licorice for Grandma...). Now we just have to find the suitcases and try to cram everything into them.
I'll blog when I can!
Monday, May 02, 2005
And speaking of Grandma
My Mom can be just as surreal. This is from a conversation about morning sickness this weekend:
"Well, I didn't have any sickness with you but I had a lot of indigestion with Jon but then he did have a lot of hair when he came out."
And this is what happened when I called Mom and Dad's house a couple of weeks ago:
[Phone is answered but no one says hello. Then I hear Grandma's voice in the background.] "Linda, here's the phone."
Mom: [From further away.] "Well, say hello!"
Grandma: "Naw, it's your phone."
[Sound of my mother's high heels tapping quickly across the tile in the living room and finally a very exasperated..] "Hello."
I'm going to see them on Saturday for almost three weeks. Sometimes it's like going to one of those Murder Mystery weekends where people are putting on a play around you and you're not quite sure who's in on the joke. I just sit back and watch.
"Well, I didn't have any sickness with you but I had a lot of indigestion with Jon but then he did have a lot of hair when he came out."
And this is what happened when I called Mom and Dad's house a couple of weeks ago:
[Phone is answered but no one says hello. Then I hear Grandma's voice in the background.] "Linda, here's the phone."
Mom: [From further away.] "Well, say hello!"
Grandma: "Naw, it's your phone."
[Sound of my mother's high heels tapping quickly across the tile in the living room and finally a very exasperated..] "Hello."
I'm going to see them on Saturday for almost three weeks. Sometimes it's like going to one of those Murder Mystery weekends where people are putting on a play around you and you're not quite sure who's in on the joke. I just sit back and watch.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Grandmas- what would we do without them
I woke up on Tuesday night at about 11.30 and realised that the power had gone out. It was raining pretty hard so I assumed, in my logical mind, that it was just due to the weather. My illogical mind assumed that it was the car thieves we had seen the day before. They had cut our electricity and were either about to break into the house or were already hiding somewhere waiting for me. Geez. I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep until I walked through the house, made sure everything was secure and that the burglar alarm was still on.
J was still in the hospital and I'm not brave enough to get up in the middle of the night and walk around a dark house all by myself. What to do? Ah! I decided to ring someone in the States and keep them on the phone with me while I checked everything out. God bless the time difference. Tried Kellie, not in. Tried Nikki, not in. Uh oh. I was going to have to ring Mom and Dad's house. I knew they were both at work but my grandmother lives with them and I knew Grandma would answer the phone. Grandma, God bless her, can be a bit dingy. It's not just an old age thing, she's always been a bit like that but it has become more pronounced with age. She also has trouble understanding my Texan/English accent so I have to lay on the drawl nice and thick when I talk to her.
Just then I heard a sound downstairs that could've been rain against a window or a glasscutter being used. OK, Grandma it is. So I called, explained the situation and got up to check out the house. Grandma was making conversation in my ear - family news, asking after Jason, etc. Then, just as I started to head down the dark staircase she decided to change topic.
You must imagine this with a thick, elderly Texan accent - 'Did your Mom tell you about the serial killer we had down here?' I stopped on the stairs thinking surely she wasn't going to tell me about their serial killer right now. Yep, she was. 'He'd break into houses where he knew women were home all alone. He killed three but the fourth one, she was a fighter and he didn't kill her.' I continued doing my rounds of the house, desperately trying to tune out the details of Grandma's story. 'She's in the hospital and they think she's gonna live but he got away. They're still looking for him.'
By then I had finished my circuit and everything was shipshape and secure. Time to wrap this conversation up. I went back upstairs and thanked Grandma for her help. She ended the call with 'Don't worry, baby. Jason will be home in a couple of days to keep the boogers away'. I felt like I was about ten and knew that this story would be circulating among our large extended family by dawn.
I said goodnight to Grandma, hung up the phone, got back under the covers and was just about to doze off when I remembered Grandma's voice - 'They're still looking for him'. Somehow I did manage to sleep, but it wasn't easy.
J was still in the hospital and I'm not brave enough to get up in the middle of the night and walk around a dark house all by myself. What to do? Ah! I decided to ring someone in the States and keep them on the phone with me while I checked everything out. God bless the time difference. Tried Kellie, not in. Tried Nikki, not in. Uh oh. I was going to have to ring Mom and Dad's house. I knew they were both at work but my grandmother lives with them and I knew Grandma would answer the phone. Grandma, God bless her, can be a bit dingy. It's not just an old age thing, she's always been a bit like that but it has become more pronounced with age. She also has trouble understanding my Texan/English accent so I have to lay on the drawl nice and thick when I talk to her.
Just then I heard a sound downstairs that could've been rain against a window or a glasscutter being used. OK, Grandma it is. So I called, explained the situation and got up to check out the house. Grandma was making conversation in my ear - family news, asking after Jason, etc. Then, just as I started to head down the dark staircase she decided to change topic.
You must imagine this with a thick, elderly Texan accent - 'Did your Mom tell you about the serial killer we had down here?' I stopped on the stairs thinking surely she wasn't going to tell me about their serial killer right now. Yep, she was. 'He'd break into houses where he knew women were home all alone. He killed three but the fourth one, she was a fighter and he didn't kill her.' I continued doing my rounds of the house, desperately trying to tune out the details of Grandma's story. 'She's in the hospital and they think she's gonna live but he got away. They're still looking for him.'
By then I had finished my circuit and everything was shipshape and secure. Time to wrap this conversation up. I went back upstairs and thanked Grandma for her help. She ended the call with 'Don't worry, baby. Jason will be home in a couple of days to keep the boogers away'. I felt like I was about ten and knew that this story would be circulating among our large extended family by dawn.
I said goodnight to Grandma, hung up the phone, got back under the covers and was just about to doze off when I remembered Grandma's voice - 'They're still looking for him'. Somehow I did manage to sleep, but it wasn't easy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Break out the bubbly!
Time for a ticker tape parade - there's a baby in there and a big healthy one at that!! Everything looks great. They did the nuchal check and checked for a nasal bone (apparently 70% of Downs babies don't have one) and the chance of the baby having Downs is about one in three thousand. They asked if I wanted an amnio since I'm an 'older mother' (I did raise an eyebrow at that comment, but I guess it's probably true) and I said that we wouldn't. I'll have the AFP blood tests to back up today's results but I'm not worried.
It's been a very long, stressful day. Driving on London is such a nightmare. It took almost two hours to drive ten miles and then I had to wait half an hour to get a parking space. My appointment was at 11.30 and they finally called me in at 2.00! You can imagine how frustrated I was and how bored and manic Toby was by then. It was pretty damn hellish but thank goodness the outcome was a positive one.
I'll put the stats and further info on the baby blog. So glad today went well and J is supposed to come home tomorrow. The new hospital is actually quite nice and very peaceful but he's been bored out of his mind. J is defintely not one to sit and ponder the mysteries of the universe. He's ready to come back to the chaos that makes up our home. I wonder if anyone would notice if I took his place on that quite, peaceful ward. After the stresses of today I think I could use a little rehab.
It's been a very long, stressful day. Driving on London is such a nightmare. It took almost two hours to drive ten miles and then I had to wait half an hour to get a parking space. My appointment was at 11.30 and they finally called me in at 2.00! You can imagine how frustrated I was and how bored and manic Toby was by then. It was pretty damn hellish but thank goodness the outcome was a positive one.
I'll put the stats and further info on the baby blog. So glad today went well and J is supposed to come home tomorrow. The new hospital is actually quite nice and very peaceful but he's been bored out of his mind. J is defintely not one to sit and ponder the mysteries of the universe. He's ready to come back to the chaos that makes up our home. I wonder if anyone would notice if I took his place on that quite, peaceful ward. After the stresses of today I think I could use a little rehab.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Bun in Oven, Cat Out of Bag
Oops. Well, we were planning to wait until we had the results of tomorrow's ultrasound but I let the news slip a little early. We're pregnant!! 12 weeks yesterday. I'm feeling pretty good, had lots of morning sickness which is a good sign and just hoping for the best. I've been keeping a pregnancy blog at www.futersbaby2.blogspot.com and you're welcome to take a peek. I probably sound quite subdued but I think I'm holding my breath until the scan tomorrow. Trying to protect myself a little in case of heartbreak.
Spoke to J this morning and he's doing well but he's bored out of his mind. It looks like he's going to have to stay in the hospital all week because the appendix was gangrenous and perforated and they need to pump him full of antibiotics and make sure he's all cleaned out before he comes home. He's still on water only which is making him a little crazy. Tobes and I took him some fruit and chocolate yesterday thinking he would be eating this morning but he's asked us to take it home today. I think it's just too much temptation.
They're also going to transfer him to another hospital. I'm not sure why that's happening but I'll speak to the docs today. I would guess that he's just recovering and needs monitoring and they need his bed at Farnborough for more serious patients. The Americans reading this will probably be thinking 'What the...?!'. Hospitals in England just aren't as large as the ones we have in the States and the beds are quite limited. The National Health System is also run on a priority basis and now that J is past the worst he's dropped in priority. So he's going to be moved to another hospital that has a bed available. Sounds crazy, and it is.
Spoke to J this morning and he's doing well but he's bored out of his mind. It looks like he's going to have to stay in the hospital all week because the appendix was gangrenous and perforated and they need to pump him full of antibiotics and make sure he's all cleaned out before he comes home. He's still on water only which is making him a little crazy. Tobes and I took him some fruit and chocolate yesterday thinking he would be eating this morning but he's asked us to take it home today. I think it's just too much temptation.
They're also going to transfer him to another hospital. I'm not sure why that's happening but I'll speak to the docs today. I would guess that he's just recovering and needs monitoring and they need his bed at Farnborough for more serious patients. The Americans reading this will probably be thinking 'What the...?!'. Hospitals in England just aren't as large as the ones we have in the States and the beds are quite limited. The National Health System is also run on a priority basis and now that J is past the worst he's dropped in priority. So he's going to be moved to another hospital that has a bed available. Sounds crazy, and it is.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Just thinking about today
As I was putting Tobes down I was thinking about the car thieves we saw today. In the same circumstances in Texas my reaction would've been totally different. Today I just continued walking to our car, past the crime being committed, exchanged a look with the thieves which said 'don't mess with my business and I won't mess with yours' and proceeded to buckle Tobes into his car seat and get myself into the car. In Texas I would've immediately turned around and run towards a group of people or a 'safe' place like into the grocery store.
Why the different reactions? Because in the US one or all of the following things could happen:
A. The thieves would shoot/stab/physically or verbally assault me and Toby just for seeing them commit a crime.
B. They would decide to take our car, since I had the keys in my hand it would be easier than having to break into the steering column.
C. They would take our car with me in it. Or with Tobes in his car seat in the back.
D. Or worse.
I know that these things could happen in England too. The fact is that it's not very likely. The guys today were obviously doing a job. One was in his 40s and quite overweight, the other in his 20s and seemed to be the apprentice as the older guy was telling him what to do. They were stealing a new 4X4 and had no interest in my little Renault Scenic. I would also go so far as to say that there is a genuine code of 'honour among thieves' in England. They saw I had a child, saw that I wasn't going to interfere and so they had no reason to bother me.
It's reasons like this that we stay in England.
Of course, in my imagination the thieves took my licence plate number and have used it to somehow find out where I live. They are now sitting in the white van across the street (yes, the van that I know belongs to our neighbor but they're car thieves so they could, in theory, get into it). Later they will break into the house, tie me and Tobes up and torture us for seeing them not just commit a crime but commit a crime badly. With these thoughts hovering in the back of my mind I have shat myself twice tonight at the sound of car doors slamming outside.
Will anything happen tonight? No. If English criminals are anything like English workmen they would never go to the hassle of doing anything 'extra' like looking up my address or expending energy in torture that will not make them any money. Outside of my line of expertise, luv. I'm just your bog standard car thief you see. Torture's just not my game.
Why the different reactions? Because in the US one or all of the following things could happen:
A. The thieves would shoot/stab/physically or verbally assault me and Toby just for seeing them commit a crime.
B. They would decide to take our car, since I had the keys in my hand it would be easier than having to break into the steering column.
C. They would take our car with me in it. Or with Tobes in his car seat in the back.
D. Or worse.
I know that these things could happen in England too. The fact is that it's not very likely. The guys today were obviously doing a job. One was in his 40s and quite overweight, the other in his 20s and seemed to be the apprentice as the older guy was telling him what to do. They were stealing a new 4X4 and had no interest in my little Renault Scenic. I would also go so far as to say that there is a genuine code of 'honour among thieves' in England. They saw I had a child, saw that I wasn't going to interfere and so they had no reason to bother me.
It's reasons like this that we stay in England.
Of course, in my imagination the thieves took my licence plate number and have used it to somehow find out where I live. They are now sitting in the white van across the street (yes, the van that I know belongs to our neighbor but they're car thieves so they could, in theory, get into it). Later they will break into the house, tie me and Tobes up and torture us for seeing them not just commit a crime but commit a crime badly. With these thoughts hovering in the back of my mind I have shat myself twice tonight at the sound of car doors slamming outside.
Will anything happen tonight? No. If English criminals are anything like English workmen they would never go to the hassle of doing anything 'extra' like looking up my address or expending energy in torture that will not make them any money. Outside of my line of expertise, luv. I'm just your bog standard car thief you see. Torture's just not my game.
Does crazy have a limit?
Went to visit J today and he's doing really well. He's up walking around, is in good spirits and managed a shower, so things are progressing well.
The hospital has a very small car park and Tobes and I arrived just after visiting hours started so the car park was packed and there were cars circling around like vultures. We finally ended up parking in a nearby grocery store parking lot and walking over to the hospital. When we were going back to the car I heard a loud banging noise and looked up to see two guys trying to steal a car! They were trying to get into the steering column and were banging away with a hammer. It was the middle of the day. In a busy grocery store parking lot. I couldn't believe it.
They heard us and looked up. We made eye contact and I just kept walking. My thoughts were to get me and Tobes in the car, lock the doors, drive off a bit and call the police with the licence plate number, descriptions, etc. Just as I was getting Tobes strapped in the owners of the car walked up. You wouldn't believe the audacity of the thieves. They didn't run off, they didn't even stop what they were doing. They said that they were impounding the car due to lack of payments. The owners were having none of that and started calling the police. Once the police were mentioned the thieves jumped into a nearby car and took off, with one of the owners hanging on the hood! I swear it was like being in an episode of Starsky & Hutch.
Needless to say, the thieves got away and the car owners were furious. I spoke to the lady and gave her my name and number. I told her I had gotten a good look at the guys and would do whatever I could to help. Crazy, crazy day.
But J is doing well and will hopefully be home on Tuesday or Wednesday. Tobes and I took him some newspapers and magazines today and I think he's actually enjoying the chance to totally rest. He was still unable to eat anything today but hopefully tomorrow he'll be able to have some small meals.
Now, it's past Toby's bed time and we're both pretty tired so I think we'll both turn in. I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow.
The hospital has a very small car park and Tobes and I arrived just after visiting hours started so the car park was packed and there were cars circling around like vultures. We finally ended up parking in a nearby grocery store parking lot and walking over to the hospital. When we were going back to the car I heard a loud banging noise and looked up to see two guys trying to steal a car! They were trying to get into the steering column and were banging away with a hammer. It was the middle of the day. In a busy grocery store parking lot. I couldn't believe it.
They heard us and looked up. We made eye contact and I just kept walking. My thoughts were to get me and Tobes in the car, lock the doors, drive off a bit and call the police with the licence plate number, descriptions, etc. Just as I was getting Tobes strapped in the owners of the car walked up. You wouldn't believe the audacity of the thieves. They didn't run off, they didn't even stop what they were doing. They said that they were impounding the car due to lack of payments. The owners were having none of that and started calling the police. Once the police were mentioned the thieves jumped into a nearby car and took off, with one of the owners hanging on the hood! I swear it was like being in an episode of Starsky & Hutch.
Needless to say, the thieves got away and the car owners were furious. I spoke to the lady and gave her my name and number. I told her I had gotten a good look at the guys and would do whatever I could to help. Crazy, crazy day.
But J is doing well and will hopefully be home on Tuesday or Wednesday. Tobes and I took him some newspapers and magazines today and I think he's actually enjoying the chance to totally rest. He was still unable to eat anything today but hopefully tomorrow he'll be able to have some small meals.
Now, it's past Toby's bed time and we're both pretty tired so I think we'll both turn in. I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow.
My Goodness
What a day we had yesterday. J woke up in the night with an upset stomach and wasn't feeling better in the morning. We put it down to a bad curry. When he started throwing up we decided it might actually be food poisoning. When he said it was getting worse and the pain was mostly on the right side I started getting dressed before he'd finished his sentence and we took off for the emergency room. Around midnight last night he had his appendix removed.
It's the first time in thirteen years that I've seen J really ill and it scared me. When we first arrived they found him a bed so he could lie down and gave him some morphine to ease the pain and he was able to sleep. I stood by the bed looking at him so pale and feverish, then looked at Tobes playing with his stickers at the hospital table, then at my growing belly and thought 'OK big guy, you better get through this. We need you.'
Thankfully it all went really well. There was a whizkid surgeon on call last night who was able to do the operation via keyhole surgery. They did say that the appendix was gangrenous and punctured which could explain the months of flu symptoms and low energy that J has been having. We were so relieved to hear that as the continuing illness was really getting J down.
So it's a very happy ending to a very long night. I'm so grateful to George for letting Tobes sleep at her house (and wake her up at midnight) so that I could be at the hospital with J. And the staff at Farnborough were great. I'm sure you always feel like things are dragging when someone you love is ill, but they reacted reasonable quickly and did an excellent job. They've also been very kind about me hanging around all night, which doesn't seem to be the norm.
Now it's time for balloons and chocolates so Tobes and I are going to do some shopping and visit J. I've spoken to him twice this morning and he's in good spirits and doing well.
It's the first time in thirteen years that I've seen J really ill and it scared me. When we first arrived they found him a bed so he could lie down and gave him some morphine to ease the pain and he was able to sleep. I stood by the bed looking at him so pale and feverish, then looked at Tobes playing with his stickers at the hospital table, then at my growing belly and thought 'OK big guy, you better get through this. We need you.'
Thankfully it all went really well. There was a whizkid surgeon on call last night who was able to do the operation via keyhole surgery. They did say that the appendix was gangrenous and punctured which could explain the months of flu symptoms and low energy that J has been having. We were so relieved to hear that as the continuing illness was really getting J down.
So it's a very happy ending to a very long night. I'm so grateful to George for letting Tobes sleep at her house (and wake her up at midnight) so that I could be at the hospital with J. And the staff at Farnborough were great. I'm sure you always feel like things are dragging when someone you love is ill, but they reacted reasonable quickly and did an excellent job. They've also been very kind about me hanging around all night, which doesn't seem to be the norm.
Now it's time for balloons and chocolates so Tobes and I are going to do some shopping and visit J. I've spoken to him twice this morning and he's in good spirits and doing well.
Friday, April 22, 2005
We've got a bite!!
The nice couple came back for a second viewing last night and they've made an offer this morning! It's just £5,000 short of our asking price but they're the only people who have viewed the house so far so we said we would wait and see if anyone else would offer the asking price. They then asked if we would take the house off the market if they offered the asking price and we said that we would. Now I'm just waiting to see if they'll go to the asking price.
In England nothing is under contract until the actual contract on the house is exchanged so you get what's called gazumping. A seller will accept an offer on their house but keep it on the market to see if they can get a higher price for it. You can imagine how frustrating that can be for the buyer. You think you're getting a house then after spending money on surveys, searches, etc you get gazumped and are back at square one.
We just want to get the asking price and then we'll be more than happy to take the house off the market and start the process of moving. I've been looking at rental properties online and there are some that look really good. Our plan is to move into the cheapest, smallest thing that we can still be comfortable living in and then save, save, save for the next house. I'd love for the next house to be the last house. Because this couple would like to move quickly we could be moving as early as June!
Now I'm just waiting for that phone to ring....
In England nothing is under contract until the actual contract on the house is exchanged so you get what's called gazumping. A seller will accept an offer on their house but keep it on the market to see if they can get a higher price for it. You can imagine how frustrating that can be for the buyer. You think you're getting a house then after spending money on surveys, searches, etc you get gazumped and are back at square one.
We just want to get the asking price and then we'll be more than happy to take the house off the market and start the process of moving. I've been looking at rental properties online and there are some that look really good. Our plan is to move into the cheapest, smallest thing that we can still be comfortable living in and then save, save, save for the next house. I'd love for the next house to be the last house. Because this couple would like to move quickly we could be moving as early as June!
Now I'm just waiting for that phone to ring....
Probably not a good sign
Our cleaner of over two years, Karen, came on Wednesday and Toby and I walked over to the grocery store while she was here. When we came back Karen was hoovering downstairs and I could sense an air of tension. Eventually she shut off the hoover, looked at me suspiciously and asked if 'someone else' had been cleaning the house. I explained that we had a viewing the night before and I had done some dusting and cleaning. She looked at me as if I was speaking Greek then said in very dubious tones 'You cleaned?'. I was finally able to reassure her that yes, quite miraculously I had cleaned my own house.
It reminded me of late last year when we went to Jenny and Kieran's and their little boy Jack had a toy hoover. Toby picked it up and I could see that he was confused as to what to do with it. I said 'It's a hoover like Mommy uses to clean the house.' Nope, still looks of confusion. 'Like Karen uses to clean the house.' Ahhhh! The light went on and he proceeded to hoover the carpet.
Must make more of an effort.
It reminded me of late last year when we went to Jenny and Kieran's and their little boy Jack had a toy hoover. Toby picked it up and I could see that he was confused as to what to do with it. I said 'It's a hoover like Mommy uses to clean the house.' Nope, still looks of confusion. 'Like Karen uses to clean the house.' Ahhhh! The light went on and he proceeded to hoover the carpet.
Must make more of an effort.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
We've got a nibble
We had our first viewing last night and it went quite well. They're coming back on Thursday for a second viewing and I'm sure they're going to make an offer. I just hope it's close to our asking price.
They seem like a really nice couple and I'm so glad. I told J I didn't think I'd be able to sell our house to someone I didn't like. I mean, what if they were heavy smokers and planned to smoke in OUR house. I just wouldn't be happy with that. But, these people seemed lovely. They're a young couple, not married, no children but from the way she was looking at Toby I suspect she has plans for the future. They gave the house a really good going over and asked a lot of questions. I suspect they've seen some pretty dire properties because she asked me if we were going to take the oven with us and he seemed thrilled about the new boiler.
I'm discovering that this whole house selling/buying business isn't just about houses. It's about buying or selling a lifestyle. We looked at one flat in Blackheath that seemed to fulfil our needs on paper but we were immediately put off once we saw it. It was owned by a young bachelor who was doing quite well for himself but was still in that slightly immature, wild, twenty-something phase of life. There were black framed photos of celebrities all over the walls and a collection of booze that would rival any pub. Loads of gadgets too like a huge plasma screen TV and a big CD changer on the wall. It was the kind of place where you wouldn't dare open a cupboard or drawer for fear of a strange sex toy or vial of coke falling out. Needless to say, we didn't make an offer.
The house that we did hope to buy wasn't our ideal but the family who lived there was so nice that it made us think twice. They had two children, one about Toby's age, and as soon as we walked in the door Tobes felt right at home. The lady offered him some toys to play with and watched Tobes while J and I looked around the house. It felt like a happy place. Good karma.
Now, I'm not being silly. I wouldn't pass up a property that was great just because the owners weren't to our taste but I do think the atmosphere of a place makes a difference. If you can see yourself living the life of the current owners then it makes the property that bit more attractive. With that in mind, I'm hoping for a nice day for the viewing on Thursday. I thought I would get out the patio furniture and let Tobes play in the garden while I put my feet up and sip a glass of wine. There will be a sheet of homemade cookies cooling in the kitchen and some music playing in the background. That should just about do it.
They seem like a really nice couple and I'm so glad. I told J I didn't think I'd be able to sell our house to someone I didn't like. I mean, what if they were heavy smokers and planned to smoke in OUR house. I just wouldn't be happy with that. But, these people seemed lovely. They're a young couple, not married, no children but from the way she was looking at Toby I suspect she has plans for the future. They gave the house a really good going over and asked a lot of questions. I suspect they've seen some pretty dire properties because she asked me if we were going to take the oven with us and he seemed thrilled about the new boiler.
I'm discovering that this whole house selling/buying business isn't just about houses. It's about buying or selling a lifestyle. We looked at one flat in Blackheath that seemed to fulfil our needs on paper but we were immediately put off once we saw it. It was owned by a young bachelor who was doing quite well for himself but was still in that slightly immature, wild, twenty-something phase of life. There were black framed photos of celebrities all over the walls and a collection of booze that would rival any pub. Loads of gadgets too like a huge plasma screen TV and a big CD changer on the wall. It was the kind of place where you wouldn't dare open a cupboard or drawer for fear of a strange sex toy or vial of coke falling out. Needless to say, we didn't make an offer.
The house that we did hope to buy wasn't our ideal but the family who lived there was so nice that it made us think twice. They had two children, one about Toby's age, and as soon as we walked in the door Tobes felt right at home. The lady offered him some toys to play with and watched Tobes while J and I looked around the house. It felt like a happy place. Good karma.
Now, I'm not being silly. I wouldn't pass up a property that was great just because the owners weren't to our taste but I do think the atmosphere of a place makes a difference. If you can see yourself living the life of the current owners then it makes the property that bit more attractive. With that in mind, I'm hoping for a nice day for the viewing on Thursday. I thought I would get out the patio furniture and let Tobes play in the garden while I put my feet up and sip a glass of wine. There will be a sheet of homemade cookies cooling in the kitchen and some music playing in the background. That should just about do it.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Your own little piece of England
Anyone interested in buying a house?? Built in 1903 and once owned by the Earl of Sandwich.
http://www.georgeproctor.co.uk/viewproperty.asp?adid=305308
I know the owner. I could probably do you a good deal. ;-)
http://www.georgeproctor.co.uk/viewproperty.asp?adid=305308
I know the owner. I could probably do you a good deal. ;-)
Monday, April 18, 2005
The Magic Word
I finally relented and bought Toby some new batteries for his keyboard. He loves the thing but I can only take so much of it so new batteries take a while to purchase (bad Mommy).
The conversation went something like this:
Toby: Mommy, put new batteries in piano.
Me: What's the magic word?
T: [thinking about it] Oh... Mommy, put batteries in piano NOW.
M: No, the other magic word.
T: Mommy, put batteries in piano please... NOW.
M: OK.
Well, you take what you can get.
We're getting into the real honesty phase of childhood now which can be so funny. When my sister was leaving for the airport she said goodbye to Toby and told him that she loved him. As she and I were walking to the door Toby piped up with 'I love you'. I could see that Nikki was touched and said 'I love you too!'. Toby's response - 'No, I love my MOMMY.'
The other night J was tucking Tobes in for the night and Jason said 'I love you very much'. Toby replied 'I love you a little bit, Daddy'.
Toby was playing around instead of eating his dinner recently and I told him he needed to sit down and fill his tummy before bed. He stuck out his stomach and said 'But my tummy already big and fat like yours Mommy.'
So much fun.
The conversation went something like this:
Toby: Mommy, put new batteries in piano.
Me: What's the magic word?
T: [thinking about it] Oh... Mommy, put batteries in piano NOW.
M: No, the other magic word.
T: Mommy, put batteries in piano please... NOW.
M: OK.
Well, you take what you can get.
We're getting into the real honesty phase of childhood now which can be so funny. When my sister was leaving for the airport she said goodbye to Toby and told him that she loved him. As she and I were walking to the door Toby piped up with 'I love you'. I could see that Nikki was touched and said 'I love you too!'. Toby's response - 'No, I love my MOMMY.'
The other night J was tucking Tobes in for the night and Jason said 'I love you very much'. Toby replied 'I love you a little bit, Daddy'.
Toby was playing around instead of eating his dinner recently and I told him he needed to sit down and fill his tummy before bed. He stuck out his stomach and said 'But my tummy already big and fat like yours Mommy.'
So much fun.
We've got our first viewing!
Tomorrow night a lady is coming to see the house. This is our first viewing so I'm feeling a little nervous. I'll show her around and she's bringing her mother so the place needs to be spotless. Feeling very nervous but excited about it.
It's very strange to think of someone else living in our house. We've worked so hard to make it our own. I hope the next owners love it as much as we have.
It's very strange to think of someone else living in our house. We've worked so hard to make it our own. I hope the next owners love it as much as we have.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Feels like ages...
... since I wrote an entry for the blog. Lots has been going on but I'm afraid this will be a short one. We've been out all day seeing Thomas the Tank Engine. Had a brilliant time and Tobes loved it but I'm exhausted!
Our house is on the market now and J said it was in the estate agent's window when he walked by this morning. Viewings haven't started yet but hopefully things will kick into high gear next week. We still haven't found anything we love in Blackheath. Event the four-bed house would've been a compromise and we don't want to spend a ton of money on a compromise. For this reason, we've decided to sell our house here in Chislehurst and rent a place in Blackheath for a year or so. It'll give us a chance to get to know the different neighborhoods and the leisure to wait until we find the right property for us. Of course, if something great comes along soon we'd still consider buying but chances are we'll be renting. We'd like to be there by August or September this year so now the focus is on selling this house.
I think that's about all the energy I can muster right now. I'm off to lie on the couch for a bit.
Our house is on the market now and J said it was in the estate agent's window when he walked by this morning. Viewings haven't started yet but hopefully things will kick into high gear next week. We still haven't found anything we love in Blackheath. Event the four-bed house would've been a compromise and we don't want to spend a ton of money on a compromise. For this reason, we've decided to sell our house here in Chislehurst and rent a place in Blackheath for a year or so. It'll give us a chance to get to know the different neighborhoods and the leisure to wait until we find the right property for us. Of course, if something great comes along soon we'd still consider buying but chances are we'll be renting. We'd like to be there by August or September this year so now the focus is on selling this house.
I think that's about all the energy I can muster right now. I'm off to lie on the couch for a bit.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Another one gets away
On Saturday we saw the four-bed house in Blackheath and really liked it. On Sunday we went to look at it again and decided to make an offer on Monday. Monday morning the estate agent called and the property has gone for the asking price. It was right at our limit so we're not prepared to increase our offer. So it's really gone. Ho hum.
So, we're still looking. Our place is going on the market. They're photographing the outside today and then coming to do the interiors on Wednesday, which means lots of tidying up before then. Time to House Doctor the place, clear away clutter and do a few repairs. We still haven't finished decorating the kitchen but we're both ready to just get the ball rolling. The weather is getting nicer so it's a good time to put the place on the market. Apparently, people buy more when the sun shines.
J and Tobes spent all Sunday afternoon working in the garden, mowing, trimming and sweeping. It does look nice. One thing about seeing so many other properties is that it makes us appreciate our place even more. If only it was a bit bigger... and in Blackheath.
So, we're still looking. Our place is going on the market. They're photographing the outside today and then coming to do the interiors on Wednesday, which means lots of tidying up before then. Time to House Doctor the place, clear away clutter and do a few repairs. We still haven't finished decorating the kitchen but we're both ready to just get the ball rolling. The weather is getting nicer so it's a good time to put the place on the market. Apparently, people buy more when the sun shines.
J and Tobes spent all Sunday afternoon working in the garden, mowing, trimming and sweeping. It does look nice. One thing about seeing so many other properties is that it makes us appreciate our place even more. If only it was a bit bigger... and in Blackheath.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
San Diego wins
Nikki's visit went very well and the visit to St Martins accomplished its goal - she made her decision. Unfortunately, the decision was San Diego. Oh well, I do understand her choice. The London theatre design program is very theoretical. The students don't even build a set. The UC program is very hands-on and Nik will get a lot of valuable experience. The good news is that we'll be going out to San Diego within the next three years to visit. They have a Sea World and, of course, the great zoo so I know Tobes will love it.
Nikki left yesterday and I've felt a bit sad. It was a quick trip but we had a nice day in London. Tobes and I saw the mummies at the British Museum while Nikki was at the school then we all met up for edamame, gyoza and ramen for lunch before hitting the shops on Regent Street.
On her last night we had a tough night with Tobes. His cough has gotten worse and none of us have been getting much sleep. So we went back to the docs and this time Toby was prescribed an inhaler. Last night was the first unbroken sleep I've had in about four months. Thank goodness.
AND we've decided to put the house on the market immediately. I think we're both tired of just talking about it. The kitchen still needs to be finished but it's just a matter of painting and a few tweaks. We're looking at some properties in Blackheath on Saturday including a four-bed house which would be pretty amazing. I don't know what we'd do with all those rooms! I did speak to the estate agent about The Flat and it's been taken off of the market. The owners decided to stay there and sold another property they had outside of London. They were in their 30s and I do wonder if they had that 'we can't have children in the city' frame of mind. I'm sure Tobes running around the place, and any other families that looked at the flat, soon changed their minds. It was a great place but looks like it's not going to be ours.
Nikki left yesterday and I've felt a bit sad. It was a quick trip but we had a nice day in London. Tobes and I saw the mummies at the British Museum while Nikki was at the school then we all met up for edamame, gyoza and ramen for lunch before hitting the shops on Regent Street.
On her last night we had a tough night with Tobes. His cough has gotten worse and none of us have been getting much sleep. So we went back to the docs and this time Toby was prescribed an inhaler. Last night was the first unbroken sleep I've had in about four months. Thank goodness.
AND we've decided to put the house on the market immediately. I think we're both tired of just talking about it. The kitchen still needs to be finished but it's just a matter of painting and a few tweaks. We're looking at some properties in Blackheath on Saturday including a four-bed house which would be pretty amazing. I don't know what we'd do with all those rooms! I did speak to the estate agent about The Flat and it's been taken off of the market. The owners decided to stay there and sold another property they had outside of London. They were in their 30s and I do wonder if they had that 'we can't have children in the city' frame of mind. I'm sure Tobes running around the place, and any other families that looked at the flat, soon changed their minds. It was a great place but looks like it's not going to be ours.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
I can hear my brain working
Went to the doc's yesterday for a hearing test. About six months ago I started hearing a high pitched static sound all the time. It's been driving me crazy so I went to the GP and was referred to a specialist. Saw the specialist yesterday.
My GP had suggested tinnitis, which surprised me. Even as a teenager I was always careful not to turn my Walkman up too loud because I didn't want to damage my hearing (yes, I've always been a nerd). The only thing I could think of were the many, many..... many nights at Club A in my late teens. Was I really going to lose my hearing from dancing to Erasure at top volume?!
Well, I don't have tinnitis. To put it as succinctly as possible - the noise I hear is the sound of my brain working. Apparently, it happens sometimes that a person is able to tune into their subconscious and hear the background noise of neural activity. Often this happens in times of stress or anxiety. It started with me after the second miscarriage. The prescription? Ignore it and eventually I'll top noticing it and it'll disappear into my subconscious again.
Very weird.
Jason has been so supportive. When I told him what the doc said he asked me if the sound of my brain working was a ticking sound like a clock and if it was getting slower. Even better, Mary asked me if it sounded like a squeak as the hamster ran on its wheel. Nothing like the care and support of family and friends.
My GP had suggested tinnitis, which surprised me. Even as a teenager I was always careful not to turn my Walkman up too loud because I didn't want to damage my hearing (yes, I've always been a nerd). The only thing I could think of were the many, many..... many nights at Club A in my late teens. Was I really going to lose my hearing from dancing to Erasure at top volume?!
Well, I don't have tinnitis. To put it as succinctly as possible - the noise I hear is the sound of my brain working. Apparently, it happens sometimes that a person is able to tune into their subconscious and hear the background noise of neural activity. Often this happens in times of stress or anxiety. It started with me after the second miscarriage. The prescription? Ignore it and eventually I'll top noticing it and it'll disappear into my subconscious again.
Very weird.
Jason has been so supportive. When I told him what the doc said he asked me if the sound of my brain working was a ticking sound like a clock and if it was getting slower. Even better, Mary asked me if it sounded like a squeak as the hamster ran on its wheel. Nothing like the care and support of family and friends.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
My sister is coming... and other stuff
Nikki is coming on Sunday! Unfortunately, she's leaving on Tuesday so it's a flying visit but I can't wait to see her. She arrives Sunday morning and I'm planning for us all to have lunch in the village and just hang out. Then on Monday Nikki is visiting St Martins so Tobes and I are going to go into London with her. The school is in Bloomsbury and I'm thinking we'll have lunch at Wagamama then Toby and I can hang out at the British Museum or Coram's Fields until Nikki is done with her visit. If we're still feeling energetic we might go over to my old stomping grounds in South Kensington and try to catch the arts and crafts exhibition at the V&A. They have four room mock-ups that I'd love to see. Then maybe dinner at Piereno's and home.
Very ambitious plans considering that I haven't been feeling very well. (Ugh, Ugh and double Ugh). Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit better and we can have a nice day out.
Had a very peaceful Easter holiday. The Easter Bunny left some treats for Tobes and we went to the local park and met up with some friends. We had an egg hunt and the kids played on the playground with their dads while us moms sat on the sidelines and gossiped. We came home and coloured some eggs so now I have a dozen multicoloured boiled eggs in the fridge. No idea what I'm going to do with them.
My two closest friends here in Chislehurst are moving! Mary and Nigel are moving in just a few weeks out to Reigate and George and Tim are moving deeper into Southern Kent. They have to vacate their rented house by October but they're hoping to find a place to buy and move before then. Eek! This has made us more focussed on our own move. The goal is to finish the house and get it on the market by the end of April. Still haven't seen anything great in Blackheath but we'll keep looking.
Very ambitious plans considering that I haven't been feeling very well. (Ugh, Ugh and double Ugh). Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit better and we can have a nice day out.
Had a very peaceful Easter holiday. The Easter Bunny left some treats for Tobes and we went to the local park and met up with some friends. We had an egg hunt and the kids played on the playground with their dads while us moms sat on the sidelines and gossiped. We came home and coloured some eggs so now I have a dozen multicoloured boiled eggs in the fridge. No idea what I'm going to do with them.
My two closest friends here in Chislehurst are moving! Mary and Nigel are moving in just a few weeks out to Reigate and George and Tim are moving deeper into Southern Kent. They have to vacate their rented house by October but they're hoping to find a place to buy and move before then. Eek! This has made us more focussed on our own move. The goal is to finish the house and get it on the market by the end of April. Still haven't seen anything great in Blackheath but we'll keep looking.
My sister is coming... and other stuff
Nikki is coming on Sunday! Unfortunately, she's leaving on Tuesday so it's a flying visit but I can't wait to see her. She arrives Sunday morning and I'm planning for us all to have lunch in the village and just hang out. Then on Monday Nikki is visiting St Martins so Tobes and I are going to go into London with her. The school is in Bloomsbury and I'm thinking we'll have lunch at Wagamama then Toby and I can hang out at the British Museum or Coram's Fields until Nikki is done with her visit. If we're still feeling energetic we might go over to my old stomping grounds in South Kensington and try to catch the arts and crafts exhibition at the V&A. They have four room mock-ups that I'd love to see. Then maybe dinner at Piereno's and home.
Very ambitious plans considering that I haven't been feeling very well. (Ugh, Ugh and double Ugh). Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit better and we can have a nice day out.
Had a very peaceful Easter holiday. The Easter Bunny left some treats for Tobes and we went to the local park and met up with some friends. We had an egg hunt and the kids played on the playground with their dads while us moms sat on the sidelines and gossiped. We came home and coloured some eggs so now I have a dozen multicoloured boiled eggs in the fridge. No idea what I'm going to do with them.
My two closest friends here in Chislehurst are moving! Mary and Nigel are moving in just a few weeks out to Reigate and George and Tim are moving deeper into Southern Kent. They have to vacate their rented house by October but they're hoping to find a place to buy and move before then. Eek! This has made us more focussed on our own move. The goal is to finish the house and get it on the market by the end of April. Still haven't seen anything great in Blackheath but we'll keep looking.
Very ambitious plans considering that I haven't been feeling very well. (Ugh, Ugh and double Ugh). Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit better and we can have a nice day out.
Had a very peaceful Easter holiday. The Easter Bunny left some treats for Tobes and we went to the local park and met up with some friends. We had an egg hunt and the kids played on the playground with their dads while us moms sat on the sidelines and gossiped. We came home and coloured some eggs so now I have a dozen multicoloured boiled eggs in the fridge. No idea what I'm going to do with them.
My two closest friends here in Chislehurst are moving! Mary and Nigel are moving in just a few weeks out to Reigate and George and Tim are moving deeper into Southern Kent. They have to vacate their rented house by October but they're hoping to find a place to buy and move before then. Eek! This has made us more focussed on our own move. The goal is to finish the house and get it on the market by the end of April. Still haven't seen anything great in Blackheath but we'll keep looking.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
If you're a parent you'll understand
We have a great ad campaign here for a children's medicine called Calpol. It's the equivalent to Children's Tylenol in the States. The commercial shows kids running around like loons and being incredibly naughty under the headings of 'Tonsillitis', 'Fever of 102', 'Chicken Pox', etc. The tagline is 'If you're a parent you'll understand'. Believe me, I understand. Toby is still quite ill and we're going back to the doctor's this afternoon.... that is, if he survives until then. In the last few days his cough has gotten worse, he's started producing green snot and his fever has been up and down.
He has also:
He has also:
- Stripped our bed, including fitted sheet and mattress pad and poured a cup of water and a packet of cookies into the middle of it.
- Insisted that he wanted to eat my piece of toast even though he had the exact same thing on his plate. When I agreed and switched the pieces of toast he then came over and said 'No, I want the one on YOUR plate.'
- Dumped his legos, train set, puzzle pieces and leftover cereal in the middle of the living room floor and mixed the whole thing up with his hands like he was tossing a giant salad. I walked in during the salad phase of the fun.
- Pulled off one sock and shoved it under the couch then screamed at me for losing his sock.
I know there's more but the sleep deprivation provides a comforting form of amnesia. Probably some kind of survival instinct.
Monday, March 21, 2005
On a happier note
Thirteen years ago last night I was standing in Louie's Backyard, an open-air bar in South Padre Island, Texas. I was 21 years old and there with my best friend. We had come for a cheap vacation but were feeling a bit bored with the scene. It was Spring Break and we had done it all before in highschool and were a bit older than most of the people there. I decided to spice things up by seeking out the most attractive guy in the bar (and there were over a hundred people there that night) and try to chat him up.
Kellie and I walked a circuit, checking everyone out. Then I saw him. Tall, dark and interesting looking. Not drunk and slobbering like so many of the guys that night and by far the most handsome man there. He was standing with a friend watching people bungee jump off the pier. Kellie and I walked over, I leaned against the railing trying to look my most alluring, pointed to the bungee jumpers and said 'Are you going to do it?'. He turned to look at me, quickly said 'Not tonight' and then turned away again.
Kellie and I exchanged a glance. This was going to be harder than I thought but, never one to back down from a challenge, I tried again. 'So where are you from?' 'England', he said.
Kellie and I walked a circuit, checking everyone out. Then I saw him. Tall, dark and interesting looking. Not drunk and slobbering like so many of the guys that night and by far the most handsome man there. He was standing with a friend watching people bungee jump off the pier. Kellie and I walked over, I leaned against the railing trying to look my most alluring, pointed to the bungee jumpers and said 'Are you going to do it?'. He turned to look at me, quickly said 'Not tonight' and then turned away again.
Kellie and I exchanged a glance. This was going to be harder than I thought but, never one to back down from a challenge, I tried again. 'So where are you from?' 'England', he said.
We're still alive
Toby's croup has passed for the most part though the trip to ER was very frustrating. The doctor basically said that Tobes wasn't ill enough for treatment. 'Bring him back if he goes limp or starts to make choking noises.' Sometimes I want to bang the NHS across its proverbial head with a dictionary open to the page with the word PREVENTION in bold letters. Thankfully, Toby did not go limp or start choking but we have had a very rough couple of nights.
J is better and back at work but I'm still struggling. I'm better though and that's something. Just want to keep things going in a positive direction.
J is better and back at work but I'm still struggling. I'm better though and that's something. Just want to keep things going in a positive direction.
Friday, March 18, 2005
J just rang
They've checked into Casualty and are in the waiting room. I talked to Tobes on the phone and he's so hoarse and wheezy but J said he wanted to play with the toys there so he must be feeling better than he sounds. There's only two or three people in the children's section so J thinks it won't be a very long wait. After our eight hour experience we switched hospitals. It's a longer drive but the last time we had to take Tobes in we were in and out within two hours and they used a croup syrup rather than the inhaler that was used at the previous hospital. So much easier to give Tobes a dose of medicine than to try to get him to inhale something for half an hour. The results lasted longer too. Fingers crossed it goes well and they're home quickly.
J has just left for the emergency room
Toby has croup and it's the worst I've ever heard it. He gets it almost every time he gets sick and we can usually deal with it at home but it was very bad tonight. He was very wheezy and coughing. I'm stuck at home because I'm still so ill that I would've just slowed them down. Went back to the docs today and was given an inhaler for my cough. It's getting ridiculous. I'm waiting for a limb to fall off next.
I know Tobes will be fine but I hate just sitting here waiting for news. In these situations I'm usually the one pushing to the front of the queue, demanding attention and using every ounce of my Texan attitude to get those NHS butts in gear. It can be an absolute nightmare. One day we spent almost eight hours in emergency with Toby's croup. They're all so overworked and understaffed. I understand their frustration but when my baby is sick I really don't give a crap about staff shortages. I just want for him to be taken care of.
I know Tobes will be fine but I hate just sitting here waiting for news. In these situations I'm usually the one pushing to the front of the queue, demanding attention and using every ounce of my Texan attitude to get those NHS butts in gear. It can be an absolute nightmare. One day we spent almost eight hours in emergency with Toby's croup. They're all so overworked and understaffed. I understand their frustration but when my baby is sick I really don't give a crap about staff shortages. I just want for him to be taken care of.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Hot snot
Producing a shocking amount of mucous at the moment. J and Tobes are much better but I'm taking a bit longer to get well. Completely miserable being so ill, especially when the weather is getting nicer.
Took Tobes to school this morning and we didn't even need our coats. He's still having a great time. They talked about fire safety today and Tobes came home telling me about fire drills and smoke detectors.
J was off work Monday and Tuesday because he was still ill and because I was very ill and needed to rest moreso J took care of Toby. Tobes loved having J around and this morning he said 'Was nice with Daddy around more and you not around more'. Oh right. Thanks for that, dear.
Took Tobes to school this morning and we didn't even need our coats. He's still having a great time. They talked about fire safety today and Tobes came home telling me about fire drills and smoke detectors.
J was off work Monday and Tuesday because he was still ill and because I was very ill and needed to rest moreso J took care of Toby. Tobes loved having J around and this morning he said 'Was nice with Daddy around more and you not around more'. Oh right. Thanks for that, dear.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Still ill
But we had a restful weekend and I think we're all on the mend. J stayed home from work today and we're just relaxing. Toby and I made cookies the lazy way - premade dough. Toby 'helped' which means he came in, scooped up a ball of dough, then dashed off to eat it in the living room. Wouldn't get too many cookies made using the Toby process but the dough does taste good.
We've just about decided to put the house on the market in April. We're all away to various places in May (me and Tobes to Texas and J is off to Australia, Arizona and Texas) and we thought it would be a good time to do viewings while we're away. I really like the estate agents we're going with. They've sold this house eleven times. Sounds like a lot but that's over a hundred year period remember. They're a nice, established firm with a lot of integrity. Some of the agents here are just so incredibly rude. I don't want to have to deal with a lot of attitude along with all the stresses of buying and selling at the same time.
This will be move number eleven for us and eleven is my lucky number. Our previous moves have been:
June '92 - Moved into our one bed apartment in Austin. Hired a Uhaul which I had to drive since J didn't have a US licence. No one lost their lives though my brother probably wished he was dead when he turned up five hours late to help us move. Luckily my temper has mellowed (slightly) over the years.
Dec '93 - Moved to England with $500, no jobs, too many of my clothes and very few belongings. God bless youth and ignorance.
June '94 - After bouncing around from J's parents house to a friend's house, where J and I slept together on a twin bed for two months, we moved into a furnished two bed flat in Cambridge. When Nikki visited us she thought the building was condemned. We were so broke we had no TV or stereo but I managed to buy a transistor radio by saving cereal box tops. Woo hoo!
June '96 - Decided to move to the country and lived in a beautiful 250 year old cottage in Stow-cum-Quy. This was our first unfurnished home and we spent quite a long period of time with lawn chairs in the living room and the TV on the floor. Within a year the lack of central heating and abundance of Ninja-trained mice drove us back into Cambridge.
July '97 - Moved into a two-bed almost brand new flat in Cambridge. This was the start of one of the happiest times of our lives. Jenny and Kieran moved in across the hall and we spent many evenings meeting up at the Seattle Coffee House, riding our bikes through Cambridge and just hanging out. It was a lovely, gentle time of life.
January '00 - The Millenium brought big changes. We moved to a tiny one-bed flat in Barnes in SW London. I changed jobs and was deliriously happy. Six months later we had the offer to move to Tokyo.
January '01 - Off again, this time to a one-bed flat in Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo. Just down the road from the Imperial Palace. What an adventure! Very hard work at times but made some very special friends and came back to England a year later pregnant with Toby. Yes, he can say he really was 'Made in Japan'.
March '02 - After six weeks of staying in a hotel in Cambridge and looking for a flat there we decided that our place was still in London and moved into a lovely two-bed flat back in Barnes. Loved that flat and I think we've tried to recreate it as much as possible in this house. Even the fireplace we bought is the same!
March '03 - Growing restless for a place to put down roots. Barnes was lovely but really not quite right for us. We visit George and Tim in Chislehurst and after seeing the price of property here we move into a three-bed flat and start looking for a home to buy. The flat is on the second floor (that's third floor in American) and J almost cries during the move, it's such hard work. After this we decide to always use a moving company to do the work for us. We were in this flat for just over six months but Toby took his first steps here and we had his first birthday party in this flat. After almost ten years, Mom and Dad visit again and this is where we're living at the time. So much to happen in such a temporary place.
October '03 - We move into the first home we've owned! A tiny but lovely two-bed Victorian terraced house in Chislehurst. We virtually gut the place and renovate from top to bottom so it's well and truly ours. Once the dust settles we realise that we miss London and decide to move back into town. Good lord.
We've just about decided to put the house on the market in April. We're all away to various places in May (me and Tobes to Texas and J is off to Australia, Arizona and Texas) and we thought it would be a good time to do viewings while we're away. I really like the estate agents we're going with. They've sold this house eleven times. Sounds like a lot but that's over a hundred year period remember. They're a nice, established firm with a lot of integrity. Some of the agents here are just so incredibly rude. I don't want to have to deal with a lot of attitude along with all the stresses of buying and selling at the same time.
This will be move number eleven for us and eleven is my lucky number. Our previous moves have been:
June '92 - Moved into our one bed apartment in Austin. Hired a Uhaul which I had to drive since J didn't have a US licence. No one lost their lives though my brother probably wished he was dead when he turned up five hours late to help us move. Luckily my temper has mellowed (slightly) over the years.
Dec '93 - Moved to England with $500, no jobs, too many of my clothes and very few belongings. God bless youth and ignorance.
June '94 - After bouncing around from J's parents house to a friend's house, where J and I slept together on a twin bed for two months, we moved into a furnished two bed flat in Cambridge. When Nikki visited us she thought the building was condemned. We were so broke we had no TV or stereo but I managed to buy a transistor radio by saving cereal box tops. Woo hoo!
June '96 - Decided to move to the country and lived in a beautiful 250 year old cottage in Stow-cum-Quy. This was our first unfurnished home and we spent quite a long period of time with lawn chairs in the living room and the TV on the floor. Within a year the lack of central heating and abundance of Ninja-trained mice drove us back into Cambridge.
July '97 - Moved into a two-bed almost brand new flat in Cambridge. This was the start of one of the happiest times of our lives. Jenny and Kieran moved in across the hall and we spent many evenings meeting up at the Seattle Coffee House, riding our bikes through Cambridge and just hanging out. It was a lovely, gentle time of life.
January '00 - The Millenium brought big changes. We moved to a tiny one-bed flat in Barnes in SW London. I changed jobs and was deliriously happy. Six months later we had the offer to move to Tokyo.
January '01 - Off again, this time to a one-bed flat in Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo. Just down the road from the Imperial Palace. What an adventure! Very hard work at times but made some very special friends and came back to England a year later pregnant with Toby. Yes, he can say he really was 'Made in Japan'.
March '02 - After six weeks of staying in a hotel in Cambridge and looking for a flat there we decided that our place was still in London and moved into a lovely two-bed flat back in Barnes. Loved that flat and I think we've tried to recreate it as much as possible in this house. Even the fireplace we bought is the same!
March '03 - Growing restless for a place to put down roots. Barnes was lovely but really not quite right for us. We visit George and Tim in Chislehurst and after seeing the price of property here we move into a three-bed flat and start looking for a home to buy. The flat is on the second floor (that's third floor in American) and J almost cries during the move, it's such hard work. After this we decide to always use a moving company to do the work for us. We were in this flat for just over six months but Toby took his first steps here and we had his first birthday party in this flat. After almost ten years, Mom and Dad visit again and this is where we're living at the time. So much to happen in such a temporary place.
October '03 - We move into the first home we've owned! A tiny but lovely two-bed Victorian terraced house in Chislehurst. We virtually gut the place and renovate from top to bottom so it's well and truly ours. Once the dust settles we realise that we miss London and decide to move back into town. Good lord.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Ill again
We all went to the doctor yesterday and the diagnoses went like this:
Toby: upper respiratory infection - antibiotics
Katherine: upper respiratory infection, sore throat - antibiotics
Jason: sinus infection that has moved into the eyes in the form of conjunctivitis (ewwww!) plus an upper respiratory infection - antibiotics and eye drops.
Oh joy.
Actually, we're doing OK. There comes a time when you just have to surrender and that's what we've done. J cancelled his trip to the States next week, I cancelled the viewings for this weekend and we are cocooning and resting.
Got a great link from Annelouise's website today. Does everyone know the Numa Numa Numa Hey song? It's from some Eastern European group and it's very catchy. I love it but if I'm watching the video I always change the channel when J comes into the room or else he will tease me mercilessly. The link is http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/numa.php and it's obviously a fellow lover of the song. Really got me giggling and dancing around this morning.
And other great news - Nikki got accepted at Central St Martins!! She's coming over in a few weeks to visit the school. She trying to decide between St Martins and UC San Diego. I can't imagine what it would be like to actually have family nearby. Fingers crossed that St Martins knows how to impress her.
OK, I'm going to go have another peanut butter and banana sandwich, take my medicine and rest.
Toby: upper respiratory infection - antibiotics
Katherine: upper respiratory infection, sore throat - antibiotics
Jason: sinus infection that has moved into the eyes in the form of conjunctivitis (ewwww!) plus an upper respiratory infection - antibiotics and eye drops.
Oh joy.
Actually, we're doing OK. There comes a time when you just have to surrender and that's what we've done. J cancelled his trip to the States next week, I cancelled the viewings for this weekend and we are cocooning and resting.
Got a great link from Annelouise's website today. Does everyone know the Numa Numa Numa Hey song? It's from some Eastern European group and it's very catchy. I love it but if I'm watching the video I always change the channel when J comes into the room or else he will tease me mercilessly. The link is http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/numa.php and it's obviously a fellow lover of the song. Really got me giggling and dancing around this morning.
And other great news - Nikki got accepted at Central St Martins!! She's coming over in a few weeks to visit the school. She trying to decide between St Martins and UC San Diego. I can't imagine what it would be like to actually have family nearby. Fingers crossed that St Martins knows how to impress her.
OK, I'm going to go have another peanut butter and banana sandwich, take my medicine and rest.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Ugh
Exhausting day today. I made the mistake of letting Tobes nap yesterday which meant that he didn't go to sleep until 9.30 last night. Fine. Then he can sleep a bit later in the morning. You would think. Nope, he was up at the ungodly hour of 5.30am. I managed to get him to sleep again from 7.30-8.30 but then I had to wake him up to get ready for school. He was not a happy chappie.
And that pretty much set the tone for the whole day. We're both tired and cranky and it's been very hard work. Went to see some friends this afternoon and I had to wrestle Tobes into his shoes and coat at the end of the visit with him screaming and trying to kick me. Of course, this was after half an hour of gentle persuasion first.
J's out tonight so I'm going to get Tobes down by 7.00 and then I'm going to crash. I'm helping out at preschool tomorrow and we're getting the house valued tomorrow afternoon. So, no rest for the wicked it seems.
And that pretty much set the tone for the whole day. We're both tired and cranky and it's been very hard work. Went to see some friends this afternoon and I had to wrestle Tobes into his shoes and coat at the end of the visit with him screaming and trying to kick me. Of course, this was after half an hour of gentle persuasion first.
J's out tonight so I'm going to get Tobes down by 7.00 and then I'm going to crash. I'm helping out at preschool tomorrow and we're getting the house valued tomorrow afternoon. So, no rest for the wicked it seems.
Monday, March 07, 2005
A few things I've learned in England
A cup of tea makes everything better.
Money is not a measure of success.
Baked beans go with everything.
What you do is not the same as who you are.
A little dust never killed anyone.
The ability to have an intelligent conversation is more important than what you look like, wear or drive.
Youth passes but character lasts forever.
Spotted Dick, Toad in the Hole and Bubble & Squeak are actually delicious dishes and not situations which require a doctor.
Imperfection is interesting.
Bad things happen but life goes on.
There's always time for a cup of tea.
Money is not a measure of success.
Baked beans go with everything.
What you do is not the same as who you are.
A little dust never killed anyone.
The ability to have an intelligent conversation is more important than what you look like, wear or drive.
Youth passes but character lasts forever.
Spotted Dick, Toad in the Hole and Bubble & Squeak are actually delicious dishes and not situations which require a doctor.
Imperfection is interesting.
Bad things happen but life goes on.
There's always time for a cup of tea.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Every Saturday...
...Jason gets up with Toby so I can sleep in. I return the favour on Sunday mornings. On Saturdays they get up and go to breakfast at our local greasy spoon, the Chestnut Cafe, then go to Tumble Tots. This morning I had an early hair appointment in the village and asked if I could tag along for breakfast. When we walked into the cafe it was like Norm walking into Cheers. Almost every person in the room turned and said 'Hey, it's Toby!' and a little girl ran over and offered Tobes a lollipop. I felt like I was with a movie star. Very strange when your children have a social life you know nothing about.
We looked at another flat in Blackheath today but it wasn't right either. I think we've just about decided to stay in Chislehurst until the new year. We're both feeling quite tired at the moment and just want to step back from The Move and focus on something else for a while. I'm sure I'll still check the property sites at least once a week and I still want for J to see The Flat if/when it comes back on the market, but we're going to mentally step back for a bit.
And, tomorrow is UK Mother's Day. Why March instead of May like in the States? Well, I've actually thought about this and wonder if there's a religious connection. If Jesus's birthday is 25 December then wouldn't the annunciation (when Mary became pregnant) have been around mid-March? Just a theory of mine, totally unproven, but I think it could have some merit. I don't think I've ever heard a date for the annunciation before but in paintings it often seems to be springtime. Anyone have any idea?
For my Mother's Day I don't plan to be visited by angels, unless you count Toby and Mary Catherine, but we're meeting up with Elizabeth, Andrew and MC at Chilli's at Canary Wharf. It's going to be a Mother's Day/Texas Independence Day celebration. Cannot wait. I hope they still do the Awesome Blossom. I giant fried onion would really hit the spot.
We looked at another flat in Blackheath today but it wasn't right either. I think we've just about decided to stay in Chislehurst until the new year. We're both feeling quite tired at the moment and just want to step back from The Move and focus on something else for a while. I'm sure I'll still check the property sites at least once a week and I still want for J to see The Flat if/when it comes back on the market, but we're going to mentally step back for a bit.
And, tomorrow is UK Mother's Day. Why March instead of May like in the States? Well, I've actually thought about this and wonder if there's a religious connection. If Jesus's birthday is 25 December then wouldn't the annunciation (when Mary became pregnant) have been around mid-March? Just a theory of mine, totally unproven, but I think it could have some merit. I don't think I've ever heard a date for the annunciation before but in paintings it often seems to be springtime. Anyone have any idea?
For my Mother's Day I don't plan to be visited by angels, unless you count Toby and Mary Catherine, but we're meeting up with Elizabeth, Andrew and MC at Chilli's at Canary Wharf. It's going to be a Mother's Day/Texas Independence Day celebration. Cannot wait. I hope they still do the Awesome Blossom. I giant fried onion would really hit the spot.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Bye Bye Hewlitt Packard
I wrote a long entry on Wednesday, tried to upload it and everything crashed. My computer is on its last legs. I've got it running this morning but I will keep this short to try to prevent another day without an entry.
Needless to say, I'll probably be a bit quiet until we get a new computer sorted out. Do let me know if you have any recommendations. I'll be able to check email and post updates with J's computer.
Hope you're all well. Will be back soon!
Needless to say, I'll probably be a bit quiet until we get a new computer sorted out. Do let me know if you have any recommendations. I'll be able to check email and post updates with J's computer.
Hope you're all well. Will be back soon!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Had a very nice weekend
Tumble Tots and Matthew & Evie's birthday party on Saturday, then looked at a creepy flat in Blackheath on Sunday. They had converted the attic and the ceilings upstairs were eaved to the point where even I couldn't stand up straight in the hallway. Ridiculous and the price they were asking for it was obscene. So, not for us.
Still keeping an eye on The Flat and waiting for it to come back on the market. J and I have come up with various plans to get the current owners to move such as egging the building and do the old bag-of-poo-on-fire trick. My personal favourite is using a crane to lower me onto the roof terrace with a sheet over my head to convince them that the flat is haunted and they must move immediately, selling it for less than the asking price.... or else. BoooOOOooo!
Still keeping an eye on The Flat and waiting for it to come back on the market. J and I have come up with various plans to get the current owners to move such as egging the building and do the old bag-of-poo-on-fire trick. My personal favourite is using a crane to lower me onto the roof terrace with a sheet over my head to convince them that the flat is haunted and they must move immediately, selling it for less than the asking price.... or else. BoooOOOooo!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Oops again
Just cannot get those photo links to work. The link is here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeANGTNq1ZuGzCBA
Just a few pics I took hanging out of the upstairs window and in our garden. Not terribly interesting but you can check out our street and see the lovely snow.
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeANGTNq1ZuGzCBA
Just a few pics I took hanging out of the upstairs window and in our garden. Not terribly interesting but you can check out our street and see the lovely snow.
Snow Day
Woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. Beautiful, but it meant we had to cancel plans to see Elizabeth and MC today. After I saw a few cars skating down our street I decided not to risk it. I'm hardly the World's Greatest Driver at the best of times.
All for the best anyway as Toby suddenly developed a weird rash on his right forearm. It looked very strange to me and, being the well-trained Mom that I am, I did the glass trick. I'm sure all you parents know just what I mean. You press a glass against the rash and if you can still see the rash through the glass you hightail it to the hospital. Well, I could still see the rash.
I stripped Tobes down and couldn't find the rash anywhere else. I frantically ran upstairs for my meningitis information card and read through the symptoms while turning Toby this was and that, getting him to touch his chin to his chest, etc. The fact that I had to keep chasing him around the room was probably a good sign that he didn't have meningitis.
So, I didn't run to casualty but I did call the doc and I cancelled Toby's appointment for his development check. We got a Dr's appointment for two hours later but the receptionist recommended I call NHS Direct immediately (the National Health advice hotline) or take Toby to the hospital. I burst into tears. We took the appointment and I called NHS Direct. We went through the symptoms again and they said he sounded fine but to keep my doctors appointment.
Needless to say, Toby does not have meningitis. The doctor couldn't say for sure what the rash was but apparently there are many types of 'non-fading' rash, ie rashes that fail the glass test. I did not know that. It was finally put down to an allergic reaction to something but we were told to watch the rash and watch Toby for any other signs of meningitis.
What a morning.
All for the best anyway as Toby suddenly developed a weird rash on his right forearm. It looked very strange to me and, being the well-trained Mom that I am, I did the glass trick. I'm sure all you parents know just what I mean. You press a glass against the rash and if you can still see the rash through the glass you hightail it to the hospital. Well, I could still see the rash.
I stripped Tobes down and couldn't find the rash anywhere else. I frantically ran upstairs for my meningitis information card and read through the symptoms while turning Toby this was and that, getting him to touch his chin to his chest, etc. The fact that I had to keep chasing him around the room was probably a good sign that he didn't have meningitis.
So, I didn't run to casualty but I did call the doc and I cancelled Toby's appointment for his development check. We got a Dr's appointment for two hours later but the receptionist recommended I call NHS Direct immediately (the National Health advice hotline) or take Toby to the hospital. I burst into tears. We took the appointment and I called NHS Direct. We went through the symptoms again and they said he sounded fine but to keep my doctors appointment.
Needless to say, Toby does not have meningitis. The doctor couldn't say for sure what the rash was but apparently there are many types of 'non-fading' rash, ie rashes that fail the glass test. I did not know that. It was finally put down to an allergic reaction to something but we were told to watch the rash and watch Toby for any other signs of meningitis.
What a morning.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Feeling indigo
Just did another pregnancy test and got another negative. I think that's it for this month and I'm absolutely gutted. I really thought it was happening and was even daring to let myself daydream a little bit. I think I'm reaching the end of my rope and have made an appointment with the doctor to talk about it all. It's been almost a year since we started trying for No 2 and I'm ready to take some tests and maybe get some answers.
This is one of those situations where the NHS is a nightmare. I'm not sick, I'm certainly not dying so it will be considered low priority. Because we already have Toby I know I'm going to have to fight for any attention. I'm dreading the whole experience but I think it's time to just do something. I've booked my appointment with a doctor at our practice who I know has quad boys via IVF so I'm hoping that he'll be understanding. Either that or he'll just think I'm being frivolous. I can't imagine what he and his wife went through before finally having IVF. It's not like in the US where it's so readily available.
I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow or even tonight after pizza and cake for dinner. I think it's just been so hard this month because I really believed it was happening.
This is one of those situations where the NHS is a nightmare. I'm not sick, I'm certainly not dying so it will be considered low priority. Because we already have Toby I know I'm going to have to fight for any attention. I'm dreading the whole experience but I think it's time to just do something. I've booked my appointment with a doctor at our practice who I know has quad boys via IVF so I'm hoping that he'll be understanding. Either that or he'll just think I'm being frivolous. I can't imagine what he and his wife went through before finally having IVF. It's not like in the US where it's so readily available.
I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow or even tonight after pizza and cake for dinner. I think it's just been so hard this month because I really believed it was happening.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Our schoolboy
Well, Toby is a schoolboy now. He had his second morning of preschool today and he's really enjoying it. Yesterday, I stayed for about an hour in the morning at the request of the Headteacher to help 'settle' Toby into preschool life. Toby took very little notice of me and I ended up sitting/squatting on a tiny chair in the corner watching him play with the other children. I arrived to pick him up fifteen minutes early, again at the request of the Headteacher, and arrived just as Tobes was getting upset about not getting a second biscuit. The children get a biscuit and a drink (milk or water) as a snack and Toby wanted more. Yep, that's my boy!
This morning Tobes ran into the classroom, chucked his coat and scarf in my general direction and didn't even look up when I said goodbye. Just waved over his shoulder as if swatting away a fly and said 'Bye, Mama!'. OK, I know my place.
The best bit was when I went to pick him up and he came running over to see me, arms outstretched, big smile on his face. My God, that made up for every sleepless night, every cookie crumb in my bed, everytime we went out and I realised that I had forgotten to brush my teeth because the morning had been so stressful. That's the only time this week that I really thought I was going to cry, and it was from absolute joy.
Still haven't abandoned my little obsession though and have been using up my stash of pregnancy tests. Five so far and five negatives. I did find a brilliant website that proves that some women are even more crazy than I am. The site is www.peeonastick.com and it's for POAS addicts like me. It even includes tips on dismantling tests to make ABSOLUTELY sure there is no line. Hilarious.
This morning Tobes ran into the classroom, chucked his coat and scarf in my general direction and didn't even look up when I said goodbye. Just waved over his shoulder as if swatting away a fly and said 'Bye, Mama!'. OK, I know my place.
The best bit was when I went to pick him up and he came running over to see me, arms outstretched, big smile on his face. My God, that made up for every sleepless night, every cookie crumb in my bed, everytime we went out and I realised that I had forgotten to brush my teeth because the morning had been so stressful. That's the only time this week that I really thought I was going to cry, and it was from absolute joy.
Still haven't abandoned my little obsession though and have been using up my stash of pregnancy tests. Five so far and five negatives. I did find a brilliant website that proves that some women are even more crazy than I am. The site is www.peeonastick.com and it's for POAS addicts like me. It even includes tips on dismantling tests to make ABSOLUTELY sure there is no line. Hilarious.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Monday, February 21, 2005
The minds of children
This morning I asked Toby if he could do me a favour and bring me the phone. He said 'I do you favour, Mama? You want vanilla?'.
Think about it.
Think about it.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Lecithin is our friend
Went to Blackheath this morning to see The Flat. I rang the estate agent to double-check our appointment only to be told that the owners had decided to 'put everything on hold' for a while. Hmmmm, in estate-agent-speak I think that means that after the stampede of people wanting to view the flat they've decided to take it off the market for a while and then put it back on at a higher price. I was afraid it was too good to be true and it looks like I was right.
Thank goodness we had something else to look forward to today. Elizabeth (fellow Southern gal) and Andrew had invited us over for what can only be described as a feast. Elizabeth's Mom and Dad came over from Georgia and very kindly brought over some of my most favourite American delicacies. Now, when I say delicacies what I mean is American 'foodstuff' that probably wouldn't actually qualify as food under the European Trades Description Act. I'm talking Velveeta cheese, Hamburger Helper, Ranch Dressing, Jello Chocolate Pudding with Dream Whip and Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip cookies. So bad, but sooooooo good. Perfect comfort food after a disappointing morning.
So we ate and talked and laughed a lot and I lost all trace of my pseudo English accent as I enjoyed the friendly, open, uniquely Americaness of the evening. Heaven.
Nana & Grumpa and Elizabeth & Andrew - A great big Thank You!!
And just for anyone who might be counting:
Number of pregnancy tests so far: 2
Number of positives: 0
Still early days though.
Thank goodness we had something else to look forward to today. Elizabeth (fellow Southern gal) and Andrew had invited us over for what can only be described as a feast. Elizabeth's Mom and Dad came over from Georgia and very kindly brought over some of my most favourite American delicacies. Now, when I say delicacies what I mean is American 'foodstuff' that probably wouldn't actually qualify as food under the European Trades Description Act. I'm talking Velveeta cheese, Hamburger Helper, Ranch Dressing, Jello Chocolate Pudding with Dream Whip and Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip cookies. So bad, but sooooooo good. Perfect comfort food after a disappointing morning.
So we ate and talked and laughed a lot and I lost all trace of my pseudo English accent as I enjoyed the friendly, open, uniquely Americaness of the evening. Heaven.
Nana & Grumpa and Elizabeth & Andrew - A great big Thank You!!
And just for anyone who might be counting:
Number of pregnancy tests so far: 2
Number of positives: 0
Still early days though.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
I Love London
Had the most fantastic day in London. I made a picnic lunch for the train then we decided to splurge and rather than tackle the Underground we took a taxi to the theatre. Postman Pat was really cute. Tobes was a bit reticent when he heard there was a dragon in the play, but after the interval he was singing along with the other children.
After the play we took another taxi to Covent Garden. I love it there. We watched the street performers on the cobbled square and then, as if by magic, it started to snow! It was a perfect London moment.
We ducked into the warmth of Porters for a dinner of pie and chips for J, suet pudding and veg for me and chicken, chips and baked beans for Tobes with a chocolate chip pudding and chocolate custard for dessert. It was all wonderful. By the end of the evening we were talking about moving to Covent Garden.
Once we got back to Chislehurst we decided to do a drive-by at the flat in Blackheath. We wanted to see it at night and see how busy and noisy things were on a Saturday night in Blackheath. J fell in love with the flat too! Now we're both desperate to get it. We go for another viewing at 11.30 tomorrow and, if J likes the inside as much as he likes the outside, we'll make an offer. I'm so excited but so nervous too.
OK, going to go spend some time with J now that Tobes is down for the night. We took some pics today and I'll post them ASAP.
After the play we took another taxi to Covent Garden. I love it there. We watched the street performers on the cobbled square and then, as if by magic, it started to snow! It was a perfect London moment.
We ducked into the warmth of Porters for a dinner of pie and chips for J, suet pudding and veg for me and chicken, chips and baked beans for Tobes with a chocolate chip pudding and chocolate custard for dessert. It was all wonderful. By the end of the evening we were talking about moving to Covent Garden.
Once we got back to Chislehurst we decided to do a drive-by at the flat in Blackheath. We wanted to see it at night and see how busy and noisy things were on a Saturday night in Blackheath. J fell in love with the flat too! Now we're both desperate to get it. We go for another viewing at 11.30 tomorrow and, if J likes the inside as much as he likes the outside, we'll make an offer. I'm so excited but so nervous too.
OK, going to go spend some time with J now that Tobes is down for the night. We took some pics today and I'll post them ASAP.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Has it been a whole month already?
Just about time to start peeing on sticks again! This is the best time when we're trying for a baby. That time in between 'trying' and knowing for sure if we are or not. Right now, I can dream that I do have a little one in there snuggling in for a nine month stay. In a few days and few hundred tests I'll know for sure.
Saw a flat in Blackheath today and totally fell in love with it! It's a bit more than we were thinking of paying (isn't it always) but it's immaculate. We could move in and not do a thing to the place. After virtually rebuilding this house that sounds like heaven. It has three good-sized bedrooms, a huge bathroom and.... drumroll please..... a utility room with space for a dryer!! It's a dream home! The only issue is that the living room and kitchen are open plan, which I like, but there's no dining room and not a lot of space for a dining table. We'd have to get creative. It's a flat, so no garden, but it does have a roof terrace and it's about ten yards from the heath which is a huge park. I looooooove it. J is going to see it on Sunday and I know he's going to love it too. There have already been thirteen viewings though so I think we'll be in for a battle for it. I feel like we probably won't get it just because we haven't even put our house on the market yet and I would guess that someone else could move faster. I do think it's going to become the measuring stick against which we compare every other place we see from now on.
Toby starts preschool on Tuesday. They changed his days to Tuesday and Wednesday, which is fine. It gives us a day at home to rest after the weekend before we get busy again. I've got to write his name on all of his clothes, shoes, wellies, etc this weekend. Years and years ago Jason's mum gave me some tiny labels that say 'Futers'. She used them to label Jason's clothes when he was at school and now I'm going to use them for Toby's. I've had them in a drawer for so long and I used to get them out and dream about the child who might use them one day. Now he's here!
Tobes is getting excited about school. I received the information pack and this term they're going to be learning about shapes. We've been talking about what he'll do at school and about his teacher and going to the potty at school. Potty training has, unfortunately, come to a standstill. Toby started getting tense about it so I backed off. Hopefully once he sees the other kids using the bathroom he'll want to do the same.
OK, time to hit the grocery store. My Valentine treat for the guys is a trip to the theatre tomorrow. We're going to see a groundbreaking production of.... Postman Pat! I think Toby will love it. It's at Sadlers Wells and we're going to have dinner at Porter's in Covent Garden afterwards. Toby has Tumbletots in the morning so the poor guy is going to crash tomorrow night!
Saw a flat in Blackheath today and totally fell in love with it! It's a bit more than we were thinking of paying (isn't it always) but it's immaculate. We could move in and not do a thing to the place. After virtually rebuilding this house that sounds like heaven. It has three good-sized bedrooms, a huge bathroom and.... drumroll please..... a utility room with space for a dryer!! It's a dream home! The only issue is that the living room and kitchen are open plan, which I like, but there's no dining room and not a lot of space for a dining table. We'd have to get creative. It's a flat, so no garden, but it does have a roof terrace and it's about ten yards from the heath which is a huge park. I looooooove it. J is going to see it on Sunday and I know he's going to love it too. There have already been thirteen viewings though so I think we'll be in for a battle for it. I feel like we probably won't get it just because we haven't even put our house on the market yet and I would guess that someone else could move faster. I do think it's going to become the measuring stick against which we compare every other place we see from now on.
Toby starts preschool on Tuesday. They changed his days to Tuesday and Wednesday, which is fine. It gives us a day at home to rest after the weekend before we get busy again. I've got to write his name on all of his clothes, shoes, wellies, etc this weekend. Years and years ago Jason's mum gave me some tiny labels that say 'Futers'. She used them to label Jason's clothes when he was at school and now I'm going to use them for Toby's. I've had them in a drawer for so long and I used to get them out and dream about the child who might use them one day. Now he's here!
Tobes is getting excited about school. I received the information pack and this term they're going to be learning about shapes. We've been talking about what he'll do at school and about his teacher and going to the potty at school. Potty training has, unfortunately, come to a standstill. Toby started getting tense about it so I backed off. Hopefully once he sees the other kids using the bathroom he'll want to do the same.
OK, time to hit the grocery store. My Valentine treat for the guys is a trip to the theatre tomorrow. We're going to see a groundbreaking production of.... Postman Pat! I think Toby will love it. It's at Sadlers Wells and we're going to have dinner at Porter's in Covent Garden afterwards. Toby has Tumbletots in the morning so the poor guy is going to crash tomorrow night!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Isn't it funny...
how our children reflect our lives and priorities, especially in these early years when they still have some respect for their parents. Today Tobes and I walked down to Cafe Rouge for lunch and as we were leaving Toby pointed to a parking space right in front of the restaurant and said 'That's a great space for you, Mommy'. Hmmm, I guess that comes from not having off-street parking at the house and spending the better part of many afternoons circling the block looking for a space.
I remember once when Tobes was about 18 months old and we were out having lunch, the waiter brought the bill and Toby picked up his Crayola to sign it. You would think I might cut back on our lunches out after that, wouldn't you?
I think it's even worse when you hear your own words spoken back to you. Yesterday was a tough day, the grocery order was over two hours late, Tobes was cranky as hell after all the sugar the day before and potty training is not going so smoothly. I had just managed to wrestle Tobes down on the floor to change his nappy when the doorbell rang, the grocery order had finally arrived. I admit that an expletive did pass my lips as I got up to answer the door. I was in a foul mood. When I came back to Tobes he had on his 'telling off' face and said very matter-of-factly while shaking his head 'Naughty Mommy said a bad word. We don't say 'f**k', we say 'crikey'.' Well, what can you say to that. He has a point.
I remember once when Tobes was about 18 months old and we were out having lunch, the waiter brought the bill and Toby picked up his Crayola to sign it. You would think I might cut back on our lunches out after that, wouldn't you?
I think it's even worse when you hear your own words spoken back to you. Yesterday was a tough day, the grocery order was over two hours late, Tobes was cranky as hell after all the sugar the day before and potty training is not going so smoothly. I had just managed to wrestle Tobes down on the floor to change his nappy when the doorbell rang, the grocery order had finally arrived. I admit that an expletive did pass my lips as I got up to answer the door. I was in a foul mood. When I came back to Tobes he had on his 'telling off' face and said very matter-of-factly while shaking his head 'Naughty Mommy said a bad word. We don't say 'f**k', we say 'crikey'.' Well, what can you say to that. He has a point.
Monday, February 14, 2005
A dream coming true??
I'm so excited. Our friends Jim & Kellie might be moving to Houston and they wanted to know if we would be interested in buying a beach house in Galveston with them! They have two job offers and they'll either be in Houston or Chicago and they're trying to weigh it all up now. Having a beach house would definitely be one in the 'pro' column for Houston. Kellie and I have been scouring realtor websites and talking about furniture and decorating. It will be very cool if it happens.
Ever since Toby was born I've wanted to be able to spend 'real' time in the US. Not just vacation time, but real time living an American life. I want for it to all be normal to Tobes and not some novelty item in his heritage. J and I have talked about a holiday home for years and this could be a great solution. It's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.
We had a nice weekend. Went to the mall and movies on Saturday, then went out to Blackheath to look around and have lunch on Sunday before going to one of Toby's friend's birthday party. We exchanged Valentine cards and chocs on Sunday too and Tobes was on the sugar roller coaster all day. Such a nightmare. We really should know better. Today is a No Sugar day. Gotta try to detox the kiddo a little bit.
Ever since Toby was born I've wanted to be able to spend 'real' time in the US. Not just vacation time, but real time living an American life. I want for it to all be normal to Tobes and not some novelty item in his heritage. J and I have talked about a holiday home for years and this could be a great solution. It's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.
We had a nice weekend. Went to the mall and movies on Saturday, then went out to Blackheath to look around and have lunch on Sunday before going to one of Toby's friend's birthday party. We exchanged Valentine cards and chocs on Sunday too and Tobes was on the sugar roller coaster all day. Such a nightmare. We really should know better. Today is a No Sugar day. Gotta try to detox the kiddo a little bit.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
My boy wants to potty all the time...
Feeling so much better so I thought I would tackle the mountain of chores, errands, things 'to do' that have piled up while we've been ill. First thing was the laundry which, for reasons discussed in my earlier message, is always a huge pain. I've managed to do four loads now - one is being cooked in the 'dryer' and three are dispersed around the house and steaming on the radiators.
Next, a good tidy-up, organise the recycling, sort out Toby's toys and find something for dinner that will be gentle on the stomach.
And the final task... the one I've been dreading... start potty training. Toby is actually supposed to be fully toilet trained before he starts preschool on the 21st but, because it's a new school and they need students, they're willing to be a little flexible. He can start in a Pull-Up but we have to start training now in the hope that once he sees the other kids using the bathroom he'll want to do the same.
Now, here's the problem. Tobes has always loved his potty and for months now he's been quite happy to sit on it and produce a dribble of wee or even a tiny poo a couple of times. The part he doesn't understand is NOT weeing and pooing in his pants. He doesn't seem to understand that he should hold it in and then put it all in the potty. I've been trying to communicate this to him but it's just not getting through and I fear the house will start smelling like the stairwell of an Underground station soon, if it doesn't already.
Oh well, I'm willing to test the limits of the school's fexibility on this issue. I don't want for it to become a big stessful thing for Toby (or me!) so we'll just take it as it comes.
Next, a good tidy-up, organise the recycling, sort out Toby's toys and find something for dinner that will be gentle on the stomach.
And the final task... the one I've been dreading... start potty training. Toby is actually supposed to be fully toilet trained before he starts preschool on the 21st but, because it's a new school and they need students, they're willing to be a little flexible. He can start in a Pull-Up but we have to start training now in the hope that once he sees the other kids using the bathroom he'll want to do the same.
Now, here's the problem. Tobes has always loved his potty and for months now he's been quite happy to sit on it and produce a dribble of wee or even a tiny poo a couple of times. The part he doesn't understand is NOT weeing and pooing in his pants. He doesn't seem to understand that he should hold it in and then put it all in the potty. I've been trying to communicate this to him but it's just not getting through and I fear the house will start smelling like the stairwell of an Underground station soon, if it doesn't already.
Oh well, I'm willing to test the limits of the school's fexibility on this issue. I don't want for it to become a big stessful thing for Toby (or me!) so we'll just take it as it comes.
Oddities of Britain I
I love living in England but sometimes I just have to vent. Do feel free to add your own observations!
- Ice, or the lack of it in cold drinks. I know this is an easy shot but it does irritate me. Tobes and I went to McDonalds recently and my Diet Coke didn't have a bit of ice in it and it wasn't even very cold. I've heard the whole climate argument - not hot here so people don't care about ice, etc - but come on, it's not about temperature it's about taste. Coke tastes so much better ice cold and yet I have lots of English friends who keep their Coke on the counter or in a cabinet and drink it at room temperature! It even says on the bottle 'Best served ice cold' so it's really just a matter of following instructions. You wouldn't drink a mug of cold tea or coffee so why drink a lukewarm Coke??
- Electric windows in cars on the front two windows only. It seems strange to me to have both electric and crank windows in one car but if you're going to do this then shouldn't the electric windows be in the back? If the driver is the only person in the car he or she can always lean across and crank down the passenger window but they would have to be a contortionist to reach around and crank down the back windows. I know because I've tried and I am definitely no contortionist. Just doesn't make sense to me.
- This is a big one - lorries (semis) on the M25 during rush hour. I wish I had a pound for the number of times I've sit in parking lot traffic on the M25 surrounded by lorries. Remove the trucks and it would make a HUGE difference. In Texas most things are shipped by truck overnight so you don't get these huge vehicles clogging up the roads all day. Here it seems that truck drivers work 9-5 like everyone else which means that the roads are packed with lorries all day while everyone else is trying to get to work and back again. There should be restricted hours for shipping, at least during rush hour but preferably making all shipping an overnight job. Jason says that it would cost the companies too much because they would have to pay the drivers extra to work 'unsociable' hours. I say the government should supplement that money to make it possible. It would greatly improve the traffic situation and probably save money in the end because they wouldn't need to build new roads. Someone elect me Mayor of London please!
- Not having a clothes dryer. Yes, they do have dryers in England but you don't see them very often. First, you need to have room for one. If you're lucky enough to have a good-sized kitchen you'll probably go for a dishwasher in the extra space rather than a dryer (and often there's not even room for a dishwasher). I've seen people with a dryer in their dining room, but I wouldn't like that. We have a combination washer/dryer in our kitchen which means that the dryer part is a condensation dryer and isn't vented so it basically cooks the clothes dry and it takes quite literally HOURS to dry a very tiny load of clothes. So what you generally get is loads of damp laundry hanging up on all the radiators and any available hanging space inside the house (so often it's too cold or wet to hang them outside). It just seems so Victorian and silly in the 21st century to have clothes hanging up all over the house. What I wouldn't give for a separate utility room with a big top-loading washer and huge vented dryer. Ahhhhh, now that's luxury.
I knew it had to happen
Tuesday night, or more correctly very early Wednesday morning, I was up taking care of Toby and started feeling nauseous. I thought it was just exhaustion but a few hours later I was tossing my cookies. J had gone back to work but I had to ring him by 9.30 and ask him to come home. Oh yuck.
Spent all day yesterday in bed and feel better this morning though still a bit fragile. I sincerely hope that this it and the Futers household is done with illness for quite a while.
Spent all day yesterday in bed and feel better this morning though still a bit fragile. I sincerely hope that this it and the Futers household is done with illness for quite a while.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Katherine Nightingale
Oh dear, Tobes is ill. Pancake party cancelled. Went to the doc's and they say he has a virus so we just have to ride it out. J is still ill too. He went to the doc's yesterday and was very lucky to get one of the better doctors. The Dr said J should've had antibiotics for his tooth and that he also had an upper respiratory infection, gastritis and was basically knackered. So J is on antibiotics, something else for his stomach and bedrest. Miraculously I'm still well so I'm playing nursemaid.
Oh well, we can freeze the pancakes I made last night and have them later in the week or even sometime next week.
Off to make tea and toast for Poorly Guy Number 1 and juice and biscuits for Poorly Guy Number 2.
Oh well, we can freeze the pancakes I made last night and have them later in the week or even sometime next week.
Off to make tea and toast for Poorly Guy Number 1 and juice and biscuits for Poorly Guy Number 2.
Monday, February 07, 2005
House moves and ill hubbies
I've been thinking about my feeling of unease and I think it's because we're talking about moving AGAIN. In the last five years we've moved five times, and usually big moves - Cambridge to London, London to Tokyo and back again, London to a flat in Chislehurst and then six months later we moved into our house. We've been here just over a year and now we're talking about moving back into London to an area called Blackheath. We miss London and I think it would be the right move for us but.... GAHHHD! It makes me tired just thinking about it.
I need a hometown, an anchor. I like feeling a part of a community and, now that I'm sure we'll leave Chislehurst, I don't want to invest myself too much here. So we're just floating. Trying to find a place to put down roots. I think there's more urgency now that we have Toby. I lived in the same small suburb of Dallas from the age of 4 - 20 and it was great. I want the same for Tobes. My parents live about four hours drive away from Dallas now and I think that contributes to my feeling of being disconnected. When we visit them it's not my old home, just the place where my parents live.
But all of that is a huge and probably lifelong issue. I'll worry about it for a few days then put it back in its box ready to come out another day.
The lunch yesterday went really well. It was great to see Pete and Philippa and the food all turned out really nice (God bless Nigella). Then around midnight last night J woke up, went to the loo and was violently sick. I don't think it was the food though because Tobes and I have felt fine. Jason has been ill off and on for about six weeks but hasn't stopped long enough to really recover. He had a wisdom tooth pulled on Wednesday and I think that's just pushed his body over the limit. Poor guy is upstairs sleeping now and will see the doc this afternoon. Hope they can help but I think rest is going to be his best medicine.
Going back to his tooth, I was very surprised that they didn't stitch it. He just has an open hole where the tooth used to be. They also didn't give him any antibiotics to combat infection and no painkillers either. It's been a long time but when I worked for a dentist in Dallas he always put in a couple of stitches, prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. Have things changed or is this a British/National Health difference? I hate things like that. Cutting corners to save money. I had to fight for J's doctor's appointment today too. Our practice here is completely crap to be perfectly honest. I don't think I've seen the same doctor twice and half the time it's just temporary locums with no investment in the practice or local community. Grrrrrrr, drives me crazy.
I talked to Mom and Dad last night and Nik is doing well in Chicago. She's been doing a lot of sightseeing and getting to know the city. Sounds like she's having a good time.
And tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Mardi Gras in Texas - with drinking, crawfish, music and King cakes - and is Pancake Day in England - with, uh, pancakes. I do like Pancake Day though and we're having Toby's playgroup over to eat pancakes and make Valentine's Day cards. Traditionally the English pancakes are more what I would call a crepe - very thin cakes that you roll and serve with lemon juice and sugar. I thought it would be easier to eat Amercan-style silver dollar pancakes, which are very small ones. I'm going to do blueberry and banana with a little sugar on top and we can have them with our tea in the afternoon after all the strenuous card making. Really looking forward to it.
I need a hometown, an anchor. I like feeling a part of a community and, now that I'm sure we'll leave Chislehurst, I don't want to invest myself too much here. So we're just floating. Trying to find a place to put down roots. I think there's more urgency now that we have Toby. I lived in the same small suburb of Dallas from the age of 4 - 20 and it was great. I want the same for Tobes. My parents live about four hours drive away from Dallas now and I think that contributes to my feeling of being disconnected. When we visit them it's not my old home, just the place where my parents live.
But all of that is a huge and probably lifelong issue. I'll worry about it for a few days then put it back in its box ready to come out another day.
The lunch yesterday went really well. It was great to see Pete and Philippa and the food all turned out really nice (God bless Nigella). Then around midnight last night J woke up, went to the loo and was violently sick. I don't think it was the food though because Tobes and I have felt fine. Jason has been ill off and on for about six weeks but hasn't stopped long enough to really recover. He had a wisdom tooth pulled on Wednesday and I think that's just pushed his body over the limit. Poor guy is upstairs sleeping now and will see the doc this afternoon. Hope they can help but I think rest is going to be his best medicine.
Going back to his tooth, I was very surprised that they didn't stitch it. He just has an open hole where the tooth used to be. They also didn't give him any antibiotics to combat infection and no painkillers either. It's been a long time but when I worked for a dentist in Dallas he always put in a couple of stitches, prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. Have things changed or is this a British/National Health difference? I hate things like that. Cutting corners to save money. I had to fight for J's doctor's appointment today too. Our practice here is completely crap to be perfectly honest. I don't think I've seen the same doctor twice and half the time it's just temporary locums with no investment in the practice or local community. Grrrrrrr, drives me crazy.
I talked to Mom and Dad last night and Nik is doing well in Chicago. She's been doing a lot of sightseeing and getting to know the city. Sounds like she's having a good time.
And tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Mardi Gras in Texas - with drinking, crawfish, music and King cakes - and is Pancake Day in England - with, uh, pancakes. I do like Pancake Day though and we're having Toby's playgroup over to eat pancakes and make Valentine's Day cards. Traditionally the English pancakes are more what I would call a crepe - very thin cakes that you roll and serve with lemon juice and sugar. I thought it would be easier to eat Amercan-style silver dollar pancakes, which are very small ones. I'm going to do blueberry and banana with a little sugar on top and we can have them with our tea in the afternoon after all the strenuous card making. Really looking forward to it.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Why am I awake?
I should definitely be sleeping. We're having friends over for lunch tomorrow and I'm doing the full English Sunday lunch - roast beef, roast potatoes and honey roasted parsnips, various veg and even Yorkshire puds. I need to be well-rested. I went a bit mad with the beef. I always worry about not having enough and ended up hauling about half a cow home. J will be eating roast beef sandwiches for lunch all week.
Had an unsettling dream last night and woke up with the blues this morning. In the dream I realised that we should be living in the US and it all seemed so clear and straightforward. Didn't seem simple in the light of day, still the same complicated, difficult decisions. Anyone reading this has probably heard me say this before but, when you love two countries you never really feel at home in either one. You're always missing the other one. Ugh. So true.
On a happier note, my sister is in Chicago now at a post-grad fair thingy. Lots of universities meet up and interview potential post-grad students and my sister is one of the students attending. Her first degree is in stage design and she wants to take it further with a Masters. I'm so excited for her. UC San Diego are flying her out for an interview later this month and I know she'll get lots of interest at the fair. She's also applied to St Martins here in London (how much would I love that!!) and in a couple of years I'm sure you'll be seeing her work on Broadway... or the West End in London... or anywhere there's groundbreaking theatre design. She's so cool. I wish I had half of her confidence.
I remember when Nikki was little and in pee wee drill team. She must've been about 9 so I was about 18. They were doing officer try outs and the girls were put into groups of two or three to audition. It worked out that Nikki would have to audition on her own. I was suddenly gripped with anxiety for her. The thought of dancing on my own in front of a bunch of judges and an audience of my peers would've made me wet my pants and probably throw up at the same time. When I asked Nikki if she was OK with it she smiled a big smile and said, 'Yea, it's great! It means they'll only be looking at me.' What a gal!
And now I must try to sleep. Got to build up my strength to cook Ermintrude tomorrow. Hope the Yorkshires turn out OK. This is the first time I've made them. Night night!
Had an unsettling dream last night and woke up with the blues this morning. In the dream I realised that we should be living in the US and it all seemed so clear and straightforward. Didn't seem simple in the light of day, still the same complicated, difficult decisions. Anyone reading this has probably heard me say this before but, when you love two countries you never really feel at home in either one. You're always missing the other one. Ugh. So true.
On a happier note, my sister is in Chicago now at a post-grad fair thingy. Lots of universities meet up and interview potential post-grad students and my sister is one of the students attending. Her first degree is in stage design and she wants to take it further with a Masters. I'm so excited for her. UC San Diego are flying her out for an interview later this month and I know she'll get lots of interest at the fair. She's also applied to St Martins here in London (how much would I love that!!) and in a couple of years I'm sure you'll be seeing her work on Broadway... or the West End in London... or anywhere there's groundbreaking theatre design. She's so cool. I wish I had half of her confidence.
I remember when Nikki was little and in pee wee drill team. She must've been about 9 so I was about 18. They were doing officer try outs and the girls were put into groups of two or three to audition. It worked out that Nikki would have to audition on her own. I was suddenly gripped with anxiety for her. The thought of dancing on my own in front of a bunch of judges and an audience of my peers would've made me wet my pants and probably throw up at the same time. When I asked Nikki if she was OK with it she smiled a big smile and said, 'Yea, it's great! It means they'll only be looking at me.' What a gal!
And now I must try to sleep. Got to build up my strength to cook Ermintrude tomorrow. Hope the Yorkshires turn out OK. This is the first time I've made them. Night night!
Friday, February 04, 2005
Bits and pieces
A few snippets from yesterday:
- Looked at a quite charming house in Blackheath but was put off by the dozen or so tower blocks of government housing surrounding it.
- Finished the eagerly awaited Sue Grafton detective novel 'R is for Ricochet' and was sadly disappointed with it.
- Walking down the street in Blackheath Toby turns to me and says in a very loud and clear voice, 'MAMA, MY DINNER IS COMING OUT MY BOTTOM.'
- Woke up in the middle of the night last night and realised that Toby's preschool is run by a. pedophiles, b. kidnappers, c. people with anger management issues, d. drug dealers or e. all of the above. Think I'm starting to have some separation anxiety.
And that was Thursday.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Busy day
Got up feeling very rested and cheerful so Tobes and I decided to make pancakes. American pancakes. Big, fluffy, thick golden discs that fill you up for a week and a half. Unfortunately, we didn't have any buttermilk but they still turned out yummy. Not great for the diet but does wonders for the soul.
Then we visited a preschool right down the street from us and got Tobes all signed up. He starts on Monday 21 February!! I'm so excited. He's still on the list for the great school in September and this school is only OK but I think it will do him a world of good. The facilities aren't great but the teachers were enthusiastic and the kids looked happy and played together nicely. Tobes had a brilliant time during our visit and I think he'll really enjoy going. It's literally about six doors down from us so it'll be so easy. I could even walk him down in my PJs if I wanted to, don't think I will though but you never know. He'll go two mornings a week from 9.30 - 12.30. I think this will be a very good thing for both of us.
Then we went to the mall and I bought myself a pair of Converse sneakers. It's been well over a decade since I wore Converse but I used to love them and I felt it was time to enjoy them again. I don't wear trainers very often though and I do feel a bit like Jerry Seinfeld with the big white toes poking out from under my jeans but I'm sure I'll wear them until they fall apart.
Then we went to see Toby's friend Matthew whose birthday is today. Matthew is two today and today was just a little impromptu get-together. He's having the full blown Thomas the Tank Engine party in a couple of weeks. It was a nice afternoon. Matthew's mum, George, had some arts and crafts for the kids to do so Tobes was in heaven, then they played trains and took turns with Matthew's new Dyson toy hoover. So I'm sure Tobes will sleep well tonight.
And that's all from us. Just going to start rummaging around for something for dinner and settle down for the evening.
Here's our pancake recipe from this morning. I'm afraid it's in the British metric measurements but it's from Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' and her books in the States are all converted to US measures if you really want to try it.
225g flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
30g butter, melted and cooled
300ml milk
Just mix it all together for your batter until reasonably smooth and cook them on a skillet or on a flat griddle in a little butter until golden brown on both sides. I up the sugar to a tablespoon and I don't wait for the butter to cool which doesn't seem to make much difference. You just don't want it so hot that you end up with scrambled eggs in your batter. A few blueberries or banana slices added to the uncooked side before you flip a pancake is gorgeous. As is adding a bit of cinnamon to the batter. I love my pancakes, can you tell?
Then we visited a preschool right down the street from us and got Tobes all signed up. He starts on Monday 21 February!! I'm so excited. He's still on the list for the great school in September and this school is only OK but I think it will do him a world of good. The facilities aren't great but the teachers were enthusiastic and the kids looked happy and played together nicely. Tobes had a brilliant time during our visit and I think he'll really enjoy going. It's literally about six doors down from us so it'll be so easy. I could even walk him down in my PJs if I wanted to, don't think I will though but you never know. He'll go two mornings a week from 9.30 - 12.30. I think this will be a very good thing for both of us.
Then we went to the mall and I bought myself a pair of Converse sneakers. It's been well over a decade since I wore Converse but I used to love them and I felt it was time to enjoy them again. I don't wear trainers very often though and I do feel a bit like Jerry Seinfeld with the big white toes poking out from under my jeans but I'm sure I'll wear them until they fall apart.
Then we went to see Toby's friend Matthew whose birthday is today. Matthew is two today and today was just a little impromptu get-together. He's having the full blown Thomas the Tank Engine party in a couple of weeks. It was a nice afternoon. Matthew's mum, George, had some arts and crafts for the kids to do so Tobes was in heaven, then they played trains and took turns with Matthew's new Dyson toy hoover. So I'm sure Tobes will sleep well tonight.
And that's all from us. Just going to start rummaging around for something for dinner and settle down for the evening.
Here's our pancake recipe from this morning. I'm afraid it's in the British metric measurements but it's from Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' and her books in the States are all converted to US measures if you really want to try it.
225g flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
30g butter, melted and cooled
300ml milk
Just mix it all together for your batter until reasonably smooth and cook them on a skillet or on a flat griddle in a little butter until golden brown on both sides. I up the sugar to a tablespoon and I don't wait for the butter to cool which doesn't seem to make much difference. You just don't want it so hot that you end up with scrambled eggs in your batter. A few blueberries or banana slices added to the uncooked side before you flip a pancake is gorgeous. As is adding a bit of cinnamon to the batter. I love my pancakes, can you tell?
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