An Empty House

I ran from the hotel to the house last night to check on how the movers did and didn't expect to feel what I felt. Empty. As empty as the house.

Now, keep in mind, this is not the house of my dreams. Maybe if I lived in 1976. But, avacodo toilets are just not for me. Funny enough, over the past 2 1/2 years I've found that I barely notice it anymore. And now here I am, in an empty house listening to Jeb's voice echo throughout the house.

I'm actually very sad to leave here. It's not about the house, but what this empty house now holds - our memories. Aiden sleeping in a big boy bed for the first time, Jacob going to school in his uniform, disco dancing while making meals in the kitchen, many teas with various friends, watching Jeb walk for the first time, and the list goes on and on. I find something with each room that I walk in.

If these walls could speak...they would have a tale to tell. But, the next people to live here will just never know. So, we'll take the memories with us.

Surprise!

Last weekend we got surprised and I really can't believe that our friends pulled it off! We went to our friends, the Martins, after getting picked up by the Clarks, only to be led out into the back garden to all of our British friends! Before I go into the story, let me tell you about how we almost found out.

I must admit that I was feeling a bit down when I spoke to Jane (Martin) a few weeks ago and asked if she wouldn't mind asking 'the girls' if they'd like to have one last dinner out. Little did I know that they were planning something bigger. Then, on Saturday, the boys went to play at a friends house and when I went to pick them up, their mum asked if I'd like a cuppa (that's tea for you yanks). When I said yes, she looked as if she really didn't want me in the house. That is because she was making rice salad for the party (which I told her sounded totally gross!). But, she told a great story and I didn't have a clue. Until I called Sarah (Clark) and told her that we'd walk to the Martins and not to pick us up. She said ok, but I got a text 10 minutes later saying Jane wasn't quite ready and to meet them at the pub. I kind of thought maybe there was a surprise, but pushed it to the back of my mind. And then we arrived...

The night was fantastic! We had such a mix of people - Welsch, Irish, American, Scottish and British. There was a lot of laughs. And then the music started and we moved to the drawing room. It was a disco! Tom even showed off his moves and it's still being talked about a week later! Thanks everyone, we had the BEST time! We love you all!!

The girls

Nicola teaching us how to do the Irish jig

Thanks Jane!

Goodbye to Goldie, Goodbye to the Queen

Last week I got a weird email from Tom saying Goldie, the fish, said her last goodbye. Now, if you don't remember, Goldie is a fish that was won at the fair two years ago, after I told Tom NOT to bring a fish home. Well, two years later Goldie is still around and is huge. I didn't realize that Goldie had become a cherished pet until this email from Tom came to me while I was in the states. I kind of freaked out thinking she went to fishy heaven, but it was just that Tom gave her away while I was gone. Sniff, sniff!

Goldie has a great life now living in a pond in Alfie's, Jacob's mate, back garden. I was a bit sad to see her go, but I must say, she will have a better life. Unless one of the bigger fish gets hungry...

Jacob and Alfie - Goldie's new master

Getting ready to put her in

Freedom, Goldie, Freedom!!

While Tom was in the states, I took the boys on one last trip to London to say goodbye to the Queen. They put on quite a farewell show for us! Marching bands, guards, the whole fanfare! Ok, it wasn't for us, but it was a cool thing to see - the changing of the guard that is. Jeb preferred chasing the ducks in St. James Park. And, thanks to Jacob, we decided to go to the Horse Calvary and happened upon the changing of that also, which was cool. All in all, a great last day in London. Good bye HRH!!

The guard at the Horse Calvary

The horse calvary heading to Buckingham Palace

Changing of the guard

My princes outside of Buckingham Palace

A Few Days Away

There is nothing like a few days away, especially when it's so badly needed. Not that I'm complaining, but I did spend the weekend alone with the boys. Plus the fact that Monday was also a holiday. That makes three days with three high energy boys, with rain each day. We all needed a break from each other in order to appreciate each other a little bit more.

So, off I went to the states to find a house. I'm not real sure that this counts as time away, but I'll take what I can get. I was sooo excited for 8 hours on a plane sans kids. Just me and an abundance of movies to choose from. Ahhh. Then we hit Chicago. Maybe I should have tried to grab a few minutes of shut eye.

Rental cars. Never an easy experience. First I had to wait 1/2 hour. Finally got to the desk and surprisingly, I was quite chipper. The lady must have thought so too cause she upgraded me. Most days, this would have been nice, but the car was a huge Jeep. I was so looking forward to driving a small car and, let's face it, getting away from the Chyrsler family. Ok, I can do this. Keep in mind, it's been 1 1/2 years since I drove on this side of the car and on this side of the street. Think, Joy, think. As long as your body is on the center line, you are fine. Made it to the highway only to find something new - Ipass lanes for the toll way. Yikes, where do I throw my change?? There is something that looks like an exit/cash toll, but GPS lady is telling me not to go there and she will yell if I do this wrong. I go to the right lane. No, I change my mind, I go left. NO! I only see Ipass lanes! And then I proceed to pull right, rocking the big Jeep and cutting off someone. But! I have chosen correctly.

I finally get to the hotel and crash into bed. Now, I have to skip everything that happens the next two days of house hunting. That is simply another blog post and one that actually hasn't come to an end yet. So, I'll take you to Friday.

I end up seeing two schools and decide to risk it and see if I could fly stand-by on an earlier. No-can-do. The woman at the desk informs me that the morning flight to London has been cancelled due to volcanic ash. And mine may be effected too. Please, no! So I make my way to the lounge and wait it out.

Now comes the sad part, and believe me, I was standing there bawling while the others were snapping pics. I had noticed fire trucks gathering by the terminal and when the plane came in, they doused it with water from two trucks. I was intrigued. All the firemen stood standing in a line. The cargo door opened and a coffin emerged. What I hadn't seen before was 5 Marines standing in front of the firemen. They went to the coffin and unwrapped an American flag, draping it over this honored Marine who was coming home for the last time. There are no words for the small ceremony that followed. We have so much because of selfless people who protect us from afar. My stresses as a mom are nothing compared to watching your son come home this way. It puts a whole lot into perspective of needing a few days away...

CRAAACK!

The definition of Murphy's law: "If anything could go wrong, it will go wrong."

Well, this weekend I experienced it. Tom left for the states and hadn't been gone even 24 hours when it happened. I was cooking dinner while Aiden and his mate, Mac, were playing in his bedroom. Jacob was at a friends, so Aiden was showing off a bit. Maybe a little too much. That is what has led to the sound that rung off the walls - 'craaack!' It was immediately followed by, "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" And then I saw the chandelier hanging cracked in half. A chandelier that I've always hated, but we dealt with because it was so hard to replace. So now it will be replaced by us (with the help of an electrician) and I will only enjoy it for 3 more weeks. Yes, Murphy's law.

That, followed up by 'Things always happen in 3s'. The following day, we walked into town to pick up a few things at the grocery store. One was a big bag of toilet paper, which Aiden offered to carry home (bags are a bit different from the states). We went to cross the road and Aiden said that he couldn't carry it anymore. I wasn't really thinking that he'd been dragging it a bit. I just attached it to the handle of the stroller and started to cross. Yep, the bag popped open and all 12 rolls dispersed into the middle of the road.

Things happen in 3s. Aiden, please make the next one small!