Hello! My Posts may be very few and far between as the Internet is very expensive over here. Don did some research and we would pay about 4 pounds ($8.00) for ½ hr. of consecutive internet service. But he said if I wanted to write a Post, he’d take it into work and download it for me onto my Blog. It’s a little inefficient, but it works.
First of all, let me say that we’re all getting our exercise. We walk EVERYWHERE, all the time. But the children don’t even complain because it seems like such a European thing to do.
We arrived last Sunday after having some trouble getting through Immigrations. I was afraid the Agent wasn’t going to let us into the country. She detained me for quite a while and asked many questions about the children’s schooling, how long we’d be in the country, etc. We finally got our luggage, found our driver, loaded up, and headed for the hotel. It was about ½ hr. drive from the airport in Manchester to our hotel in Warrington. There was a bit of a mix-up over the room for the children – although the rooms are all non-smoking, someone had been smoking in it, and it smelled like a tobacco factory. With Dane’s asthma, it just wouldn’t work, so they put them one past there, so they’re two doors down from Don, Daelyn and me instead of next door. But it hasn’t really mattered. They’re in our room all the time, anyway. We settled down for a nice nap and woke up when Don came in from work, anxious to get us and head to church.
Monday, the children and I set out to familiarize ourselves with Warrington. We walked all over town, went shopping at the nearest grocery store for milk and bread, paper plates and napkins for our room. We found the bus station and figured out how to use the buses. We rode a double-decker just for the experience – the driver of one that was no longer in service recommended to us that we hide out on the top level and not tell the driver we needed a return, thereby only paying for a one-way ticket but doing the whole circuit. He said that’s what he’d do under the circumstances. Then, when no other double deckers showed up for that route, he motioned to us to get on board and told me he’d take us, although he was supposed to be off work. We had quite the joy ride.
Which brings me to another point. I’ve never met so many nice people in my entire life. The children are spoiled rotten. The maid who cleans our room bought them each several different types of candy so they could try “English treats”. The woman who supervises the dining room downstairs, where we eat breakfast every morning, because it costs 19.99 pounds but is included with our room, bought Advent Calendars for each of the children and brought them into work one morning to give us. They each have their own now (I only do one for the whole family) and Deanna’s runs through New Year’s, with a chocolate for each day, beginning Dec. 1. Our favorite waitress brought them a bag of double chocolate muffins to keep in the room “in case they get ‘ungry, love” and the man that drives the shuttle that goes from our hotel to the bus station is always very kind and has Dane tell him how much we owe him and figure out how much change we need, then makes him count it out to make sure it’s right. It’s like we’re being spoiled by an entire country of people.
We checked out the train station and rode a train out of town on Thursday for a Thanksgiving dinner. One of the Americans that works with Don found a place that was serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal and made reservations for all the remaining Americans in the office, including us. We met there for dinner at 5:30 and had a wonderful adventure. The children and I had to take a train, then a bus to get there.
We also took a bus to Culcheth, a little village outside of Warrington, which is where we’ll be living. Our apartment is undergoing renovations, “refurbishing” to the English. We thought it would be fun to go and have a look as well as figure out the best way to get back and forth from Culcheth to Warrington, which is the City and where we’ll need to come to take trains to just about anywhere. We got off the bus at the library and the librarian copied us a map of the Village (refusing to charge me, although I’m sure it costs for everyone else) and showing us where the park, grocery store and bus stops were near our house. She also asked about the children’s schooling and told me to come and see her once we were moved in and she’d help me find appropriate materials for home-schooling them. We walked to the house and met the painter who encouraged us to look around. The house is lovely, but small – 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 large and one small, and a bathroom. Downstairs is an entrance hall, a “lounge” (VERY small living room), a nice little kitchen with beautiful new cabinets and a lovely range and double sink, and a dining room with tile floors and double French doors going out into the backyard. I need to look it over better once we get moved in this week, but I suspect we might flip the lounge and dining rooms.
We’re having a wonderful time. We feel like real Warringtonites now. We know the town well and even gave directions to the cab driver who brought us home Thursday night and didn’t know where our hotel was. This past Saturday, we went to Chester which was a Roman walled city and still has the walls going all the way around it. The original walls were built in 70 A.D. and Deanna was intrigued.
We plan on hitting Liverpool next week, but I want to get settled in the house. It’s very difficult to do school in the hotel room, all crammed into a tiny little space.
Next on our Agenda is York (Kelly, if you read this, you never gave me the name of that place where we should have tea – send us an e-mail. Don downloads them from work and brings them home on the laptop.) We’ve done just about everything possible in Warrington. On Sunday, we went shopping after church (St. Elfins has the 3rd largest steeple of any Parish church in England) and then went into Town Centre for the lighting of the Christmas Lights and a town festival. In Chester on Saturday, they were having a German Market in the center of town. Deanna and I had bratwurst and I had gluewine for lunch.
We feel like regular Britishers. We’ve had fish and chips in a Pub and Daelyn even sampled black pudding (blood pudding, for those of you that don’t know). The rest of us knew better, but Daelyn couldn’t believe it really was cooked blood, so he kept trying it. I hope to be able to write again soon, but that’s enough for this Post. Pray for the children – everyone has terrible colds. Dane’s asthma kicked up, but we’ve gotten his coughing under control now. However, Deanna’s has deepened and sounds terrible. I’m afraid we might have to see a doctor soon, which would be terrible. The Chemist (we’d call them Pharmacist) gave me something for “chesty colds” but it hasn’t helped Deanna. And it rains daily and nothing ever really seems to dry out. We’ve gotten fairly accustomed to the rain – you just assume it’s going to rain and set out prepared for it. But I washed my flannel pajamas several nights ago and they haven’t dried out yet. I tried the blowdryer, the heated towel bar, and the pants press, all to no avail. And I desperately need to do wash. I’ve been able to wash underwear and socks in the room, but pants have gotten pretty muddy and we’re all running out of clean clothes. On the Agenda for tomorrow is finding a Laundromat.
Pray for Don’s stamina and the children’s health. Other than that, we’re doing GREAT and loving England – every little thing about it. I still can’t believe we’re here, but I have just to look around at all the Tudor-style buildings and hear the passers-by on the street to recall. God is good and this is such a tremendous blessing to us. I still am in awe of his goodness to us.
I’ll write again soon when I get a chance. Ta-ta for now, luv.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Farewell
I found my password, so I might get a chance to post while we're gone.
I'm already planning to take the Beatle's Magical Mystery Tour which takes you to Eleanor Rigby's grave and Strawberry Fields, as well as many other places mentioned in their songs.
I looked over the map until 1:00 a.m. Thursday night. I have this great map from AAA that shows driving times and distances between major cities as well as all the castles and tourist attractions in red along with a guide to get you there. We'll be living only 15 minutes from Liverpool. Ain't that cool?!
I also found Scarborough, so we can go to Scarborough Faire (parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme). Then, of course, there's Stratfort-upon-Avon, where Anne Hathaway's (Shakespeare's wife) cottage is still standing. The Globe Theater has been reproduced and the Royal Shakespearean Troup performs there.
Anyway, I'm sure we're going to have the time of our lives - once we get there.
And speaking of getting there . . .
I'm already planning to take the Beatle's Magical Mystery Tour which takes you to Eleanor Rigby's grave and Strawberry Fields, as well as many other places mentioned in their songs.
I looked over the map until 1:00 a.m. Thursday night. I have this great map from AAA that shows driving times and distances between major cities as well as all the castles and tourist attractions in red along with a guide to get you there. We'll be living only 15 minutes from Liverpool. Ain't that cool?!
I also found Scarborough, so we can go to Scarborough Faire (parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme). Then, of course, there's Stratfort-upon-Avon, where Anne Hathaway's (Shakespeare's wife) cottage is still standing. The Globe Theater has been reproduced and the Royal Shakespearean Troup performs there.
Anyway, I'm sure we're going to have the time of our lives - once we get there.
And speaking of getting there . . .
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Flying Away!!
It's a done deal. The plane tickets were purchased today. We should receive our e-mail confirmation tomorrow morning and our flight leaves on Saturday. Family will be in and out of our house, with some out-of-town members staying here from time to time. I have a tremendous amount of cleaning to get done, and a little more packing, but I'll be ready to go when the time comes.
Don is really struggling with the cultural differences. He's never traveled abroad and the only time he's been out of the country was when I took him to visit my family in Canada a few years ago.
His complaints run the gammet from the paper being too small, the plates being too small, and the cars being too small to they only put one sheet on his bed, there are no washcloths provided in the hotel, and it's impossible to find a blanket. He says the food is expensive and "Believe me, honey, you will definately lose weight over here. The portions are barely enough to survive on."
Laundry service at the hotel costs $3.00 PER sock (the other items are outrageous, as well - they didn't stop with the sock price). Don's boss e-mailed him and said he was really concerned about Don not having clean underwear ;) and that his college age son says it's not necessary to wash underwear, just invest in a bottle of Febreeze. I can already tell there'll be quite a pile of wash waiting for me when I arrive on Sunday.
I'm sure we're going to have lots of adjustments. But I'm quite impressed with my husband who's already reading a bus schedule like a pro. I plan on getting to know the employee at the train ticket window real fast. I expect I'll be seeing him/her quite often.
They signed the Lease on our apartment today. It's a 2-story, 3 bedroom with a garden shed in the back. It's in a cul-de-sac and I'm hoping we can rent bicycles for myself and the children. The one downer is that there's no fireplace. Don said they have a wooden frame on the wall in the "lounge" (their word for living room) and he thinks they're going to put a picture or mural of a fireplace under the fake mantle. My questions is, do I have to clean out the fireplace after each use?
The apartment is being renovated and won't be finished until 11/27, so we'll be staying in a hotel for the first week. But I couldn't care less. We'll be together - in England. It's hard to imagine much more glorious.
We're praying for a white Christmas. But before than, we need to get through the trip.
I doubt I'll have time to write tomorrow. If I can remember my password, I'll try and post occasionally from across the pond. If not, check for me in February.
Don is really struggling with the cultural differences. He's never traveled abroad and the only time he's been out of the country was when I took him to visit my family in Canada a few years ago.
His complaints run the gammet from the paper being too small, the plates being too small, and the cars being too small to they only put one sheet on his bed, there are no washcloths provided in the hotel, and it's impossible to find a blanket. He says the food is expensive and "Believe me, honey, you will definately lose weight over here. The portions are barely enough to survive on."
Laundry service at the hotel costs $3.00 PER sock (the other items are outrageous, as well - they didn't stop with the sock price). Don's boss e-mailed him and said he was really concerned about Don not having clean underwear ;) and that his college age son says it's not necessary to wash underwear, just invest in a bottle of Febreeze. I can already tell there'll be quite a pile of wash waiting for me when I arrive on Sunday.
I'm sure we're going to have lots of adjustments. But I'm quite impressed with my husband who's already reading a bus schedule like a pro. I plan on getting to know the employee at the train ticket window real fast. I expect I'll be seeing him/her quite often.
They signed the Lease on our apartment today. It's a 2-story, 3 bedroom with a garden shed in the back. It's in a cul-de-sac and I'm hoping we can rent bicycles for myself and the children. The one downer is that there's no fireplace. Don said they have a wooden frame on the wall in the "lounge" (their word for living room) and he thinks they're going to put a picture or mural of a fireplace under the fake mantle. My questions is, do I have to clean out the fireplace after each use?
The apartment is being renovated and won't be finished until 11/27, so we'll be staying in a hotel for the first week. But I couldn't care less. We'll be together - in England. It's hard to imagine much more glorious.
We're praying for a white Christmas. But before than, we need to get through the trip.
I doubt I'll have time to write tomorrow. If I can remember my password, I'll try and post occasionally from across the pond. If not, check for me in February.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Trust for Today
My sister called me late last night. We have both been so busy, we haven't had much of an opportunity to talk. The children were in bed and I was sitting at the kitchen table signing traveler's checks.
After we talked for a few minutes, she asked about Donovan.
Sis: "Do you have anybody to take care of the dog yet?"
Me: "Nope. Not yet."
Sis: "Doesn't that stress you out a little? It's getting a little late, isn't it?"
Me: "You know, I don't understand WHY I'm so peaceful, but I am. Somehow, I just know in the depths of my spirit that the Lord is going to take care of this situation for us and I don't even have to do anything about it. He's just going to lay it in my lap."
Sis: "That IS strange, alright. I hope it all works out for you."
The truth is, I have been strangely peaceful - at least about this issue. When we first found out we were going, I made about 30 calls, all to no avail. Finally, I just laid it at the feet of the Lord and a peace came over me. I can't even explain it, but it's as if, in the middle of the fever pitch of our lives right now, God carved out this little area of peace and tranquility for me. I didn't have to worry about Donovan, our little love. The Lord would take care of him.
Last night, I got a phone call, out of the blue, from people I've known for many years but am not particularly close to in this season in my life. They asked if I had anyone to keep Donovan yet. I responded in the negative and the woman said they were interested. She explained that they have a very old female dog who uses a doggy door to get out into their fenced-in yard. She's welcome in the house. The wife and husband both work, but the grandchildren, who are about the same ages as my children, frequently visit and the wife's elderly father lives with them and is nearly always home. We agreed that I would bring Donovan over this afternoon for a trial run.
I was a little concerned. Donovan has never successfully navigated a doggy door. My in-laws have one and he can get back into the house from outside but won't use it to go out. Don discussed this with me before he left and said that he felt sure Donovan was old enough now to "get" the doggy door thing. But I was concerned, all the same.
Within five minutes of our arrival, Donovan was running in and out of the doggy door like an old pro. He had checked the entire house out and the wife's father seemed pleased with the companionship. Their dog is sweet and got along fine with Donovan, although he wore her plumb out and she nipped at him a little to get him to leave her alone. (She's going to have to do way more than that to slow him down.)
We came home, fully convinced that this WAS the perfect situation for Donovan. And, as Deanna pointed out, the Lord dropped it directly in our laps. We had to do nothing. It was truly miraculous.
The wife commented that Donovan is still a puppy and asked how old he was. I explained that his birthday is on Christmas and she announced that they'd have a party for him. I think he's going to be spoiled rotten by the time we get home, and I really can't imagine anything better for him, other than us never leaving.
God is good. He loves us enough to lay the answer in our laps when we trust Him. He took this burden completely off my shoulders and I can rest securely tonight knowing that my baby has a wonderful place to stay for his 3-month vacation.
Now if we can just get our plane tickets!!
After we talked for a few minutes, she asked about Donovan.
Sis: "Do you have anybody to take care of the dog yet?"
Me: "Nope. Not yet."
Sis: "Doesn't that stress you out a little? It's getting a little late, isn't it?"
Me: "You know, I don't understand WHY I'm so peaceful, but I am. Somehow, I just know in the depths of my spirit that the Lord is going to take care of this situation for us and I don't even have to do anything about it. He's just going to lay it in my lap."
Sis: "That IS strange, alright. I hope it all works out for you."
The truth is, I have been strangely peaceful - at least about this issue. When we first found out we were going, I made about 30 calls, all to no avail. Finally, I just laid it at the feet of the Lord and a peace came over me. I can't even explain it, but it's as if, in the middle of the fever pitch of our lives right now, God carved out this little area of peace and tranquility for me. I didn't have to worry about Donovan, our little love. The Lord would take care of him.
Last night, I got a phone call, out of the blue, from people I've known for many years but am not particularly close to in this season in my life. They asked if I had anyone to keep Donovan yet. I responded in the negative and the woman said they were interested. She explained that they have a very old female dog who uses a doggy door to get out into their fenced-in yard. She's welcome in the house. The wife and husband both work, but the grandchildren, who are about the same ages as my children, frequently visit and the wife's elderly father lives with them and is nearly always home. We agreed that I would bring Donovan over this afternoon for a trial run.
I was a little concerned. Donovan has never successfully navigated a doggy door. My in-laws have one and he can get back into the house from outside but won't use it to go out. Don discussed this with me before he left and said that he felt sure Donovan was old enough now to "get" the doggy door thing. But I was concerned, all the same.
Within five minutes of our arrival, Donovan was running in and out of the doggy door like an old pro. He had checked the entire house out and the wife's father seemed pleased with the companionship. Their dog is sweet and got along fine with Donovan, although he wore her plumb out and she nipped at him a little to get him to leave her alone. (She's going to have to do way more than that to slow him down.)
We came home, fully convinced that this WAS the perfect situation for Donovan. And, as Deanna pointed out, the Lord dropped it directly in our laps. We had to do nothing. It was truly miraculous.
The wife commented that Donovan is still a puppy and asked how old he was. I explained that his birthday is on Christmas and she announced that they'd have a party for him. I think he's going to be spoiled rotten by the time we get home, and I really can't imagine anything better for him, other than us never leaving.
God is good. He loves us enough to lay the answer in our laps when we trust Him. He took this burden completely off my shoulders and I can rest securely tonight knowing that my baby has a wonderful place to stay for his 3-month vacation.
Now if we can just get our plane tickets!!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Peace, despite ...
By last night, I was at the heighth of frustration with the whole "moving to England" situation. We know nothing! Don's over there, I'm separated from my husband, my children and even the dog miss their daddy, and we have NO IDEA when we'll be leaving. I talked to Don on the phone for an hour last night. He explained that he should have his work permit by early next week.
Don: "When I have it in my hand, I'll go talk to the H.R. Woman and ask her about getting an address. You have to have an address to enter the country. Then, once they've got a place for us to live, we'll see about tickets to get you over here. But I don't know how much lead-time they need for tickets. I know the longer they have, the cheaper they are. So it might still be a couple of weeks."
Me, screaming at the top of my lungs: "WEEKS!!! Did you say WEEKS?"
Don: "Well, honey, first things first."
Me: "What do you mean?!? Can't they be doing some of these things simultaneously. Can't they go ahead and get our plane reservations and look for an apartment while they're waiting on the Work Permit?"
Don: "They'll get to it in due time."
Me: "How about, you give me their number and I'll call and talk to them!"
Don: "I don't think so, honey. Just be patient."
Patience. HA! Easy for him to say. He's working 12 - 14 hours a day. He has no time for anything but WORK. I'm the one left behind with 3 children, chomping at the bit to see England and be re-united with Daddy.
I breathed a prayer asking the Lord to give me peace. I admitted that I want to be in the center of His will.
This morning, my devotion during my prayertime was Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him."
Alright, Lord, could you be any clearer? I'll try...really hard. But could all you out there say a prayer for me, as well, to be content to wait on the Lord and to desire to be in the center of his timetable, not my own.
Sigh. So much to learn.
Don: "When I have it in my hand, I'll go talk to the H.R. Woman and ask her about getting an address. You have to have an address to enter the country. Then, once they've got a place for us to live, we'll see about tickets to get you over here. But I don't know how much lead-time they need for tickets. I know the longer they have, the cheaper they are. So it might still be a couple of weeks."
Me, screaming at the top of my lungs: "WEEKS!!! Did you say WEEKS?"
Don: "Well, honey, first things first."
Me: "What do you mean?!? Can't they be doing some of these things simultaneously. Can't they go ahead and get our plane reservations and look for an apartment while they're waiting on the Work Permit?"
Don: "They'll get to it in due time."
Me: "How about, you give me their number and I'll call and talk to them!"
Don: "I don't think so, honey. Just be patient."
Patience. HA! Easy for him to say. He's working 12 - 14 hours a day. He has no time for anything but WORK. I'm the one left behind with 3 children, chomping at the bit to see England and be re-united with Daddy.
I breathed a prayer asking the Lord to give me peace. I admitted that I want to be in the center of His will.
This morning, my devotion during my prayertime was Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him."
Alright, Lord, could you be any clearer? I'll try...really hard. But could all you out there say a prayer for me, as well, to be content to wait on the Lord and to desire to be in the center of his timetable, not my own.
Sigh. So much to learn.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Scent of Love
Dane is lying on the floor with Donovan standing on top of him, licking his face. Daelyn's shrieking with laughter. He yells, "He just can't get enough of you, Daney."
It's the sad, sad truth. Dane must have some chemical or odor on his skin that Donovan is attracted to, because if he gets anywhere near Dane, he begins to lick him. He licks in his ears, up his nose ... you get the picture.
Donovan, while only 16 inches tall, has very long legs. He's a hunting dog, breeded for digging fox out of their holes, so his paws are HUGE. He has this lo-o-o-o-ong appendage at the end of his legs - the joint that separates his paw from his leg is about 8 inches from the end of the paw. (Perhaps a SLIGHT exageration.)
Several weeks ago, Dane was kneeling on the floor in the den playing. I walked in from the kitchen and noticed Donovan had stood up on his hind legs, put his front paws on Dane's shoulders and was licking his face, head-on. Dane sat quietly while his puppy thoroughly cleaned him. When Dane had had enough, he gently began leaning backwards, trying to break the contact without upsetting Donovan (Daney really is a sweet child). When Donovan realized Dane was trying to pull away, he just slid his legs upward, turned them inward, and wrapped his long paws around Dane's neck, holding it in place. He continued to lick while Dane laughed.
UCK! It's not very smart to open your mouth, even in laughter, while Donovan's licking your face.
The funny thing is, he doesn't do this with anybody else. Deanna tries desperately to get her puppy to love on her. Night before last, I found him on her bed as she was straightening her room, all curled up in a ball. Deanna had a huge smile on her face and was puttering around her room, singing. But the reason for the smile and song was this is unusual. Donovan typically ignores Daelyn and Deanna. He follows me around the house but, when I want lovin' from him, he's never willing to "pony-up".
Who would've thought a dog was fickle. But you'd never know by watching him with Dane.
Gotta get me some of that Dane scent.
It's the sad, sad truth. Dane must have some chemical or odor on his skin that Donovan is attracted to, because if he gets anywhere near Dane, he begins to lick him. He licks in his ears, up his nose ... you get the picture.
Donovan, while only 16 inches tall, has very long legs. He's a hunting dog, breeded for digging fox out of their holes, so his paws are HUGE. He has this lo-o-o-o-ong appendage at the end of his legs - the joint that separates his paw from his leg is about 8 inches from the end of the paw. (Perhaps a SLIGHT exageration.)
Several weeks ago, Dane was kneeling on the floor in the den playing. I walked in from the kitchen and noticed Donovan had stood up on his hind legs, put his front paws on Dane's shoulders and was licking his face, head-on. Dane sat quietly while his puppy thoroughly cleaned him. When Dane had had enough, he gently began leaning backwards, trying to break the contact without upsetting Donovan (Daney really is a sweet child). When Donovan realized Dane was trying to pull away, he just slid his legs upward, turned them inward, and wrapped his long paws around Dane's neck, holding it in place. He continued to lick while Dane laughed.
UCK! It's not very smart to open your mouth, even in laughter, while Donovan's licking your face.
The funny thing is, he doesn't do this with anybody else. Deanna tries desperately to get her puppy to love on her. Night before last, I found him on her bed as she was straightening her room, all curled up in a ball. Deanna had a huge smile on her face and was puttering around her room, singing. But the reason for the smile and song was this is unusual. Donovan typically ignores Daelyn and Deanna. He follows me around the house but, when I want lovin' from him, he's never willing to "pony-up".
Who would've thought a dog was fickle. But you'd never know by watching him with Dane.
Gotta get me some of that Dane scent.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
And the Hits Just Keep on Coming ...
We put Don on the plane yesterday afternoon. It was very emotional. He was so sweet. He talked individually with each of the children. He told Deanna to not lock herself in her bedroom listening to her music and to help me. He told Dane that I needed lots of help and that he should do everything he could to assist me with packing and the dog. I didn't hear his conversation with Daelyn.
After picking up some take-out for dinner, we headed back to the airport to watch his plane fly overhead and WERE HIT by a pick-up truck. The van is totalled but we're all alright - bruised and scratched up, but fine. It truly was a miracle. We were traveling at about 55, going through a green light, when an elderly man turned right into us. The entire front end of the van is crushed in, but it did it's job and our guardian angels did theirs.
So, in addition to buying and wrapping Christmas presents, sorting through all our decorations in the attic and finding a few to take with us, meeting with the children's teachers to get their school work, making all our other arrangements and packing, I now have to deal with insurance companies and a body shop.
Big sigh. Oh, well, I'll have three months free from worry to rest up. Jolly old England, here we come.
After picking up some take-out for dinner, we headed back to the airport to watch his plane fly overhead and WERE HIT by a pick-up truck. The van is totalled but we're all alright - bruised and scratched up, but fine. It truly was a miracle. We were traveling at about 55, going through a green light, when an elderly man turned right into us. The entire front end of the van is crushed in, but it did it's job and our guardian angels did theirs.
So, in addition to buying and wrapping Christmas presents, sorting through all our decorations in the attic and finding a few to take with us, meeting with the children's teachers to get their school work, making all our other arrangements and packing, I now have to deal with insurance companies and a body shop.
Big sigh. Oh, well, I'll have three months free from worry to rest up. Jolly old England, here we come.
Friday, November 03, 2006
The Trip
Well, we're going!!! Don leaves Monday afternoon (after all) and we have to wait for him to get a work permit and the children's passports to arrive, then we're off, as well.
We have lots of plans to make in just a few short days. Don and I have got to discuss Christmas (what we'll take, what we'll leave behind), where we want to travel while there so we can get rail passes (which you can only purchase in the U.S. before the trip), how we'll do our banking and make purchases while there (everybody charges a surcharge to exchange money - the trick is to find who charges the LEAST), and lots of other family business before he leaves us for 2 weeks and I prepare to follow.
Not to mention getting him packed and buying any clothes/shoes/misc. he might need for the trip. The good thing is, we'll be at home still for 1 1/2 weeks after he's already there, so if he discovers he needs things, he can always call and we can bring them with us.
I want to take some food items, like his Krystal Lite and fruit roll-ups for the kids. I expect these kinds of "American" items might be hard to find and very expensive if we do. I've started a list of what I need to take.
I've got to call the airlines and find out about any restrictions, including weight, on our luggage. Then I've got to gather enough pieces to transport all our stuff.
Pray for us. There are still LOTS of arrangements to make and even more possible glitches. But we'll be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the home of Kings and Queens, Bards and Playwrights - God willing.
We have lots of plans to make in just a few short days. Don and I have got to discuss Christmas (what we'll take, what we'll leave behind), where we want to travel while there so we can get rail passes (which you can only purchase in the U.S. before the trip), how we'll do our banking and make purchases while there (everybody charges a surcharge to exchange money - the trick is to find who charges the LEAST), and lots of other family business before he leaves us for 2 weeks and I prepare to follow.
Not to mention getting him packed and buying any clothes/shoes/misc. he might need for the trip. The good thing is, we'll be at home still for 1 1/2 weeks after he's already there, so if he discovers he needs things, he can always call and we can bring them with us.
I want to take some food items, like his Krystal Lite and fruit roll-ups for the kids. I expect these kinds of "American" items might be hard to find and very expensive if we do. I've started a list of what I need to take.
I've got to call the airlines and find out about any restrictions, including weight, on our luggage. Then I've got to gather enough pieces to transport all our stuff.
Pray for us. There are still LOTS of arrangements to make and even more possible glitches. But we'll be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the home of Kings and Queens, Bards and Playwrights - God willing.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Travel Crisis
Life has been exciting at the Doughty house this week. I saw the doctor on Monday, while Deanna was seeing the President, and he told me I needed to rest if I'm ever going to get over this viral junk I have.
Deanna got home with her news about shaking the President's hand and, within two hours, Don called from work to say that he'd been offered a temporary assignment in England for 3 months. We decided to try and work out the details to go.
We've got more details than you have time, so suffice it to say that we still know nothing. It's been a whirlwind last 3 days and we're all beginning to suffer the effects of lack of sleep, excitement, and uncertainty.
Last night, Don held in his hand his Itinerary for his trip, leaving this coming Monday evening and arriving Tuesday morning. We were to follow the following Monday (Nov. 13). However, we found out that the man arranging the trip was using the Corporate Policy, not the Site Policy where Don works, which is a DOE Facility. Everything has had to be scrapped, the appropriate procedures for "government work" followed, and now everything must be signed before we can begin this process all over again. We have no idea how long this is going to take or, even, if it's going to happen. In the meantime, I try and do everything to prepare that I can without actually accomplishing anything. It's all very frustrating.
I mentioned we're all showing signs of wear. In addition to not getting any sleep, I needed additional sleep this week to recover from my virus. I've been grumpy and irritable. The children are much worse than me.
I spent the day Tuesday cooking and serving lunch to a crowd of 30. After school, I worked to get the children ready for an All Saint's Eve Celebration they were going to attend. Thank goodness for Grandma. She came down and helped. Then she and Grandpa took the children to the festival so I could sleep. I woke up from my nap without the headache that had been nauseating me and nagging me for 2 days.
Yesterday, I picked them up from school and we headed out to get Passport photos, then went shopping for boots. Daelyn and I had spent several hours in the morning shopping for appropriate heavy winter clothes. I've been advised to dress the children in layers, so we looked for turtlenecks and sweaters as well as lined pants. Even if we never make it to England, most of these clothes are things they can wear this winter, anyway.
Today we all needed a break. I subbed in Deanna's class from 10:30 to 2:00. Then Grandma came over to stay with Daelyn while he napped so I could pick the other two up from school without having to wake the little guy. We're working on homework (trying to get caught up) and I'm doing laundry.
We all need a little break. Hopefully, this weekend will afford us a little more.
Deanna got home with her news about shaking the President's hand and, within two hours, Don called from work to say that he'd been offered a temporary assignment in England for 3 months. We decided to try and work out the details to go.
We've got more details than you have time, so suffice it to say that we still know nothing. It's been a whirlwind last 3 days and we're all beginning to suffer the effects of lack of sleep, excitement, and uncertainty.
Last night, Don held in his hand his Itinerary for his trip, leaving this coming Monday evening and arriving Tuesday morning. We were to follow the following Monday (Nov. 13). However, we found out that the man arranging the trip was using the Corporate Policy, not the Site Policy where Don works, which is a DOE Facility. Everything has had to be scrapped, the appropriate procedures for "government work" followed, and now everything must be signed before we can begin this process all over again. We have no idea how long this is going to take or, even, if it's going to happen. In the meantime, I try and do everything to prepare that I can without actually accomplishing anything. It's all very frustrating.
I mentioned we're all showing signs of wear. In addition to not getting any sleep, I needed additional sleep this week to recover from my virus. I've been grumpy and irritable. The children are much worse than me.
I spent the day Tuesday cooking and serving lunch to a crowd of 30. After school, I worked to get the children ready for an All Saint's Eve Celebration they were going to attend. Thank goodness for Grandma. She came down and helped. Then she and Grandpa took the children to the festival so I could sleep. I woke up from my nap without the headache that had been nauseating me and nagging me for 2 days.
Yesterday, I picked them up from school and we headed out to get Passport photos, then went shopping for boots. Daelyn and I had spent several hours in the morning shopping for appropriate heavy winter clothes. I've been advised to dress the children in layers, so we looked for turtlenecks and sweaters as well as lined pants. Even if we never make it to England, most of these clothes are things they can wear this winter, anyway.
Today we all needed a break. I subbed in Deanna's class from 10:30 to 2:00. Then Grandma came over to stay with Daelyn while he napped so I could pick the other two up from school without having to wake the little guy. We're working on homework (trying to get caught up) and I'm doing laundry.
We all need a little break. Hopefully, this weekend will afford us a little more.
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