Funny Things

There have been so many simple things that are lost in translation even in the English language. The older, A, went to school and asked for an eraser. The rest of the class said "A whaaaa???" The teacher knew what she needed. Here it's called a rubber! So A comes home and says Mummy, what's a rubber?!??! Well....... that depends on where you are dear child. If you go back to The States and say teacher I need a rubber, I'll get a call from the principal..  These are the difference we are learning.. There are no "restrooms" here only toilets. Fries are chips, chips are crisps, cookies are biscuits are biscuits just don't exists here. I think if I could create a true, really bonafide biscuit and gravy here in the UK, I'd be a bizillionaire. Biscuits are are so savory and delicious with warm butter and jam. Anywho! yes, it's a toilet and no it's not a rubber,.

Pub Problems

Rest assured if I'm blogging it's from one of two places; a pub or my couch. The pubs in the UK are beautiful. I do however miss the good 'ole American sports bar. Being a mother doesn't allow me a lot of down time except for the fact they are both in school here! It's been an odd mix of emotions. I've never been a stay-at-home mom without having a kid at home to tend to. I have also worked the vast majority of my married life. My experience is varied greatly from child care to telecommunications. My degrees are in marketing and education so you can see how it all comes together.

Moving to England has allowed me to slow down a bit. The girls go to school year 'round which means every six weeks they are out of school for a week for half term break. That poses a problem when wanting to work. Often child care costs negate any income I would have made. I do realize there are other benefits to working besides money but that also comes with additional stress. That stress is often taken out on my kids or husband. Being able to slow down and really see someplace for its value is amazing. I don't think I was able to appreciate The US for everything it offers because we were so busy. Here we make sure that we are exploring the land and meeting people. Of course we arrived in December which made it a challenge to get out. It does rain a good bit here and the weather is cold. The biggest challenge was all the wind. It hasn't been anything totally unbearable though. Now that it is warming up I expect us to get out even more.

Wales is on my to-do list soon. Then we will make our way up to Scotland. Eventually we will get to Ireland, France, Spain, Germany and all the other wonderful places in Europe. It would be such a disservice NOT to see them since we are so close.

Sometimes I still have "pinch me, this can't be real" moments about living here. I mean, really this is my life. I never in a million years dreamed of living in the UK. When this journey is over I want to look back and know without a doubt that I lived it to the fullest.

Long Hiatus

I'm not great at consistency unless it comes to food, alcohol or sex. Those three things I seem to do really well and very consistently! I always have thoughts in my head but always at the wrong moment like in the shower or driving. I can't imagine being a writer and having the most amazing idea come to you while you are on the toilet. I've heard that "those people" carry a little notebook all the time to jot down those thoughts. Now, if I was an octopus with a few extra arms I may be able to add that to the list of things I already carry around.

Nevertheless, I love to write. I have journals that I would write in from age 12 until about 20. Books upon books of funny memories, boys I loved, boys I planned on marrying, cheerleading mishaps, friend quarrels, you name it.. it was written down in the life of a teenager. So, one would think that as I got older and my memory started to fail by adding children, husband, moving 13 times I would write that shit down. Nope. I haven't. I hate the excuse I do not have time.  In reality, we all have the time for anything we choose to make the time for. It just isn't as important as it should be. I always wanted to write a journal for my daughters and give it to them later in life. I have 4 brand new beautiful notebooks that all have a beginning with a page or two written then are blank.

So, here I am again starting a blog, journal, timeline. In all sincerity, I'm 34 and having trouble recalling events from just a year ago. I wasn't kidding when I said we've moved 13 times in 7 years. It may be more but I've stopped counting because I like the number 13 and where we are living now.

We do live in England, just outside London about an hour. It's the great experience thus far of my little life. We adore London because there is so much to see and do.  It is really hard to see everything to its fullest. As routine and bills start to settle in our exploration has slowed a little, not much but some. Anytime you take a family of 4 out in one of the most expensive places on the planet, you should be prepared to spend a bit. Our first obstacle to overcome was converting money. The US Dollar goes a lot further than Americans think, well in America. Bring that dollar to the UK and it goes no where! So, we'd go out for pizza and a couple of beers. Our "bill" not tab would be around £50 (or 50 quid as the locals call it). That's not a bad bill for a family of 4 however when you pay with your American debit card and see $83.13 on your bank statement you kind of have a mini stroke. I mean it was PIZZA, good pizza but still pizza. So, we HAD to stop converting everything in our head as well as get UK accounts.

This country has some many wonderful and amazing things to offer. The quality of food is amazing even at McDonald's. However you will spend more and get less. This could have something to do with any Americans are fat. In the US you get a 32 oz soda for $1 in the UK you get a 16oz soda for £1.30. That's a massive difference. I'm not complaining, just observing.

The experiences of how the American culture is very much that of instant gratification. When Americans want something they want it now and they want it right. We like to be able to walk into a store pick something out and have it delivered the same day. That just does't happen in in the UK. I wanted to buy dining chairs for this amazing 1930's antique table I was given here. It was going to take at least 6 weeks before any chairs could be delivered.

I'm learning as much about the American culture as I am about the English. The education system is very different as well. Today was my first day volunteering in the classroom. I sat for 3 hours listening to year 1 students read. As someone with an education degree, I never get tired of seeing and hearing kids learn. It's such a beautiful process.

My challenge now is to stay focused and keep up with this blog. We shall see! I'm not making promises. Hopefully I will surprise myself.

Until next time..
~Wife

In the beginning..

I created a blog. I've tried this many times before only to fail. I'm not sure why this time is any different other than I need a place to clear my head. I've tried keeling a journal on paper but that too only lasts a few days. I've fallen victim of the tech age and don't like to use paper and to write anymore.

So many things to say and I'm sure I'll get there- eventually. Today is the day of realizations. Realizing I can and will be a better mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, and person. I need to be the me I know I can be. The me that I always saw myself being. I don't consider myself a disappointment just a huge work-in-progress that keeps hindering the progress.

I need to stay focused. I need a reminder about the things that I really want in life. When I was about 11 I stated keeping journals. I would write in their nightly without fail. It's so fun to look back and read exactly what I liked, wanted, achieved and overcame. Some of it was very petty in the grand scheme of life but at 15 was a big deal. This is the reason for this blog.

I've found myself a mother to two amazing girls. They are now 5 & 8, both beautiful and healthy.  I am also 6 years married to a great man. A man that pushes me past my comfort level and often get mad at for that. However, I have a husband that is one phenomenal father. He is a husband that loves to explore the world which become challenging and exhausting at times. There are times when I just want to be still. I want to listen, laugh but be still in the moment. He's not one for being still- ever.

Anyway, this will be my ramblings. Some odd, some funny, some just words that may not make any sense!

Welcome to my world.
~Wife