Elizabeth Rhiannon is...

e-Cards

2009-12-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to receive Christmas cards in the mail now and it's always such a fun little mystery to see who sends what...and I save all of them! I have quite a collection. I value the old-fashioned way of sending them through the mail and the anticipation of receiving them and the surprise of opening them up. As you can guess, I'm not a big fan of 'e-cards', although I still appreciate the thought, it certainly lacks in warmth, surprise and feeling. WELL, my extremely talented and artistic sister (the oldest sis) who always finds the most unique and beautiful gifts, sent me a holiday e-card this morning...and I LOVED it! I immediately went to the card artists' site and lost myself in it for a good half hour; clicking away on the different cards, waiting to see what would happen next, laughing at the antics of her animal friends...it certainly put a smile on my face, and isn't that the point?
http://www.jacquielawson.com/
I hope you're all enjoying the bustle of the season...and taking the time to enjoy the quiet beauty of it as well. At some points in my day, I find myself just stopping in my tracks to stare out the window at glittering snow on the ground, dotted with the deepest of cobalt blue Stellar Jays, surrounded by the forest greens and bright azure sky. The other night, I found myself taking the long way home, to look at all of the twinkling lights and holiday decorations. Some are competing for color and show, some are understated and tasteful. It's all in good fun :) and as I drove around my neighborhood, I listened to Christmas music...wouldn't be Christmas without the music. Well, all, I must be off, lots to do...stay well and blessings to you this beautiful season.
~ER~

A Day Like Today

2009-12-11T13:37:00.001-08:00

I have promised to make my 'list' of 15 blog sites for the wonderful award that Johnson presented to me. I promised to have it done this week. Today is Friday. A BUSY Friday and my list isn't complete. I'm afraid it will have to wait until next week. The Christmas season is just too brutal for making time. Can you believe, I haven't even bought one gift...not ONE...as Daniel keeps going to the calender and announcing how many days until Christmas. With snow still covering everything, our current storm (#2 in a series of 3) is all about rain today. It's what I call a grey day...and I love it.
What to do on a day like today???

Hot tea is a must! Besides, it was the tea that made me stop for a minute and sit down for a minute to write this!

Mi-Mi has the right idea...

as does my faithfull, burrowing Bunny.

Okay, tea breaks over! For now, it's getting things in order to sell in the craft room, make out Christmas cards, put items on Craigs List, put weather stripping around the back door, go to the store, do laundry, make dinner...what a glamourous life, awards will have to be presented next week! :)

Stay warm,

~ER~

Dark Weekend Visit, White Snowy Day and a Blog Award!

2009-12-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Son, Brett Jr. and his girlfriend came up for our 'after Thanksgiving visit'...as usual, they're always fun to be around. We decided to take a walk around the lake before the first of three storms pummel us :)

To me, this is perfect weather and thankfully, most So. Californians don't agree and stay indoors. We had the lake path to ourselves!

Daniel and his soccer ball, Brett Jr. and his Erin :) So cute...

Dark clouds race over the lake to usher in the storm...

Winter trees, grey skies and silence...

But today, the storm has arrived and it has been snowing non-stop for about 9 hours. Non-stop, I said...and this is only the beginning, it's due to get heavier as the day goes on.

Knowing this, Brett has planned to stay (reluctantly) down the mtn. overnight. Good call; when the Weather Channel and every news channel warns of 'blizzard like conditions' with blowing snow down to 2000 ft.(!), you'd better heed that warning! This is only the second time in several years that I have been without him for an entire night. Very strange and I don't like it (I say as I cross my arms and stomp my foot).

But I'm doing a great job at keeping myself busy...house decorated for Christmas/Yule (tackling our new tree today!), making homemade potato cheese soup and shoveling, shoveling, shoveling! I'll have to do a Christmas house tour, to show you all the trouble I've gotten myself into :)

In the meantime, thank you, Johnson @ http://lifeinthecotswolds.blogspot.com/for my (surprising) award! As I told him, it never ceases to amaze me that people even look at my blog, let alone give me an award. Geez...I love the internet! Do you remember the first time you discovered it? Haha! I think I was online for 9 hours straight! Amazing how it brings complete strangers from all corners of the world together, but Johnson just happens to be in one of my favorite corners ;)

Blessings friends,

gotta go shovel...

~ER~

P.S.

I will be choosing 15 people later this week to pass my award to...stay tuned :)

Proud To Be An American

2009-12-03T08:43:00.001-08:00

Remember my nephew, Steven?

Nephew Steven and my daughter, Christina
Steven '08

He has just been promoted to Corporal, we couldn't be more proud of him. As I watched the YouTube video, I had tears streaming down my face...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P4M6OgrpLI

Congratulations, Corporal Steven ;)

P.S.

The girl in the video is his wife, Stacy.

Now, Thats What I'm Talkin' About!

2009-12-02T09:38:00.001-08:00

Well, my hubby, Brett dropped a mini bombshell on me the other night; he doesn't want to live/work in London. Ooookaaayyy, that would have saved me days and hours searching online for work/living space and researching areas. So, I am currently searching other areas, areas I know a little better than London and some he's visited and knows he loved. We knew, of course, living in or near London would get us a shoebox sized place on our budget, same in any big city, but I had no idea what we could get in Gloucestershire and Shropshire in our price range! I was dancing around like a fool I was so happy...now, that's what I'm talkin' about! Only two problems with this...the first one is, wonderful houses in a price we can easily afford tells me that hubbies work prospects in the area are slim or nil. Problem two is Brett doesn't want to live in Glos. due to the fact that my ex husband is from the area. His parents are still there, somewhere in the countryside but the ex is here, in Washington, to my last knowledge. Even still, who cares, right? It isn't as if we'd bump into them just because we live in the same county and if we did, another, who cares?! At the moment, my husbands ex wife lives here, in So. California...I've certainly never seen her in these parts and couldn't care less if I did! haha! The funny thing is that he proposed to this ex, I believe, in Shropshire and my ex proposed to me in Glos. I think within a year or two of each other. Funny, to live all the way over here but both have proposed and been proposed to over there at nearly the same time. Strange. Anyhow, here are a few (and I mean only a few) of the properties I have found and saved in our price range that have me dancing and singing...we just need to work on that Glos. thing ;) Silly!

Love for Ludlow

Love the stove, sink, hardwood floors...heaven!

Beautiful Bibury...I remember having pie and tea in a teahouse there while it rained...beautiful town.

Shipton Oliffe, Glos.

Shipton Moyne

Shipton Oliffe (sorry, the Moyne and Oliffe pics got mixed up...I saw 'Shipton' in my pics and put them together, not the same house)

Barn conversion, somewhere in Shropshire...

View from barn conversion, can I say 'heaven' again?

House I am much in love with in Much Wenlock, Shrop.

kitchen

living room, I'm in love with the gothic arches.

Nice and roomy, love the clawfoot tub.

Sweet in Tetbury ;)

Now, if he can only find a job within commutes distance...haha! Needle in a haystack, is what I say...but my hopes are high and we still have until next June to find something. So, I will keep searching.

Love, Love, Love to all...

~ER~

How Was Your Thanksgiving?

2009-11-30T08:57:00.001-08:00

Mine was great!
Wednesday night, daughter Christina arrived safely by bus/train/bus, collected at the station by hubby Brett. A late night; talking and laughing, looking at pictures, opening little gifts (thank you :).

Thursday, Thanksgiving morning was all about prep work...
Apple Brown Betty, anyone?

Daniels little guy made from the left over pie crust :)

One of those funny moments that make a mom laugh; Christina learning about preparing that big bird in front of her...a lot of 'Oh, gross!' and 'What is that?!'

With our belts tightened like the rest of the country, I tried to find economical ways of decorating which included lots of glitter...

A glitter drenched pinecone on my table

Table set!

Lets eat!

After dinner, lots of silliness ensues; Daniel doing a funny dance and Christina lurking around the corner, looks like she's ready to pounce like Mi-Mi...

and speaking of Mi-Mi, after she and Bunny had their own turkey, she did a lot of lounging. She sat like this for nearly a half hour, most likely that full belly. Lots of talking, movies watched...another late night.

Friday was a beautiful clear, bright, windy day...it was perfect. We took a short drive over to a friends and visited with her and her black and chocolate Labs :) Afterwards, across the street in a forest clearing, we collected wood and I snipped a bag of cedar for wreath making...

Lots of fresh-smelling cedar

Saturday night, that wind that blew all day, ushered in our first storm...with snow!

Not too much, but enough to make it magical...

We ate more leftovers throughout the day, lit a fire and I pulled out the containers of Christmas-Yule decorations.

Sunday...

It all went by too quick...so much more to say, but Christina had to leave, said the ticket she held in her hand :( At the bus station, we hugged and said goodbye. I really hated to see her go but glad for the holiday weekend we had. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday...and just to give you an idea of how much we ate, our 20lb. turkey was gone by Sat.!

Blessed be, friends...

~ER~

Thankful Days

2009-11-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to pop in and say I had no idea how busy I would be lately and that I will continue to be until ??? but I will be back as soon as I can to share my holidays with my blogging friends. I look forward to checking out your blogs of holidays spent in your own way, with your family and friends or even in quiet solitude and sharing mine with you as well. My daughter will be on her way at 11:00 this morning for her 7 hour bus and train rides to spend the next 4 days with us...I'm thankful! The oldest son will be here Sunday, possibly overnight Sat. night and we can all be together for the first time since I can't even remember...I'm thankful for that. My family is healthy, happy (most of the time ;), I finally have the man I let go 25 years ago back in my life, this time as my husband and I'm thankful for that and all of those things. Although, I've never met any of my blogging friends face to face, you are friends all the same. Sharing lifes ups and downs, your opinions, offering support, giving me a good laugh every now and then and showing your love and caring ways to complete strangers (myself included)...if that isn't a friend, I don't know what is and I'm thankful for that.
Thank you, Blogger friends for being true to who you are, taking the time that you do to reach out to the rest of the world and share your life, your thoughts, your time...you are truly appreciated.
Although, I am greatly looking forward to spending the next several days being busy, busy, busy, I'll be in much need for some 'me' time at the end of it all to relax and catch up with everyone here...I look forward to it.
Stay well, stay warm, enjoy your holidays (US Bloggers, of course ;) and be thankful...no matter where you are :)
Love and warm thoughts to all,
~ER~
P.S.
Anyone out there have the strength for Black Friday? I don't think I can do it!

Thanksgiving Inspirations

2009-11-16T09:47:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for Thankgsgiving recipe and decor inspirations? Head over to Country Living and Williams-Sonoma sites (WS mainly for recipes). Enough to make you ache with hunger while you count down the days to the family feast. I think I'll add some of these simple pinecone decorations here and there, being that they are so abundant in my area :)

'Pocket Pies' from Williams-Sonoma

Mini apple & pumpkin pies from W-S

All the rest are from Country Livings site...enjoy!

Favorite setting, so far...

Detail of favorite

Aaawww, for me?

I love these plates!

Can't forget that glorious bird

What does your menu include? I'm afraid I can't get too creative and outside-the-box, my husband doesn't like anything 'different'. It's fine with me, it's still all delicious! So far:

~Turkey (not sure how I'll prepare it yet, no giblets though, thats for certain)

~cornbread stuffing

~green beans

~carrots cooked in butter and brown sugar (my grandma Evelyns traditional, but none for

hubby-more for me!:)

~cranberries (cooked with orange zest and cloves)

~homemade mashed potatoes and gravy

~warm rolls

~homemade pumpkin pie

~homemade apple pie

~blackberry pie (Marie Calenders)

~bottles of Martinellis Sparkling Cider is a must!

Not to mention various appetizers and dips and cookies and treats! And I'm still looking for another side-dish (or two:)

Happy planning!

Life Got in the Way

2009-11-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

How self-centered of me to think that anyone may have noticed my absence :) But I have been taken away lately (figuratively) by so many things, that before you know it, a few days have gone by, a week...
Our local stores are already shouting 'Christmas!' at me, so that has me making lists and checking them twice...

but I'm still relishing in autumn, thank you very much and crazy with excitement that daughter Christina has decided to bless us with her presence for the Thanksgiving holiday :) :) :)

Although, we had planned a 4 day trip up to my parents for the holiday, family drama (always involving a certain sister & my parents) has made me re-think those plans. I, unfortunately let this drama suck me in (once again and never again!) and I let it consume much of my personal time that only left me feeling drained, angry, frustrated...all negatives. As I backed out gracefully (as gracefully as I could, anyhow), I was lashed-out at even for that. So, I believe my absence has also been part of getting back on track, priorities straight, getting grounded and realizing what I can and can't change in my life and going forward with that. I'm at peace now and looking forward to my Christina coming up and gorging on turkey dinner with all the fixin's and spending crisp autumn days walking around the lake, laughing and talking, blessed to have her if only for a few days.

So, in between Daniels band lessons, school...

soccer practice, games, pizza night (for their wins!)...

and trying to get some of my hoarded items together for an ebay sale...

little precious bundles of autumn babies are being born into our large, sometimes-dysfunctional-but-never-dull family...

sometimes two at a time! Still, another waiting in the wings...any day now :)

Meanwhile, we've gone and done something crazy...my husband has applied for his first London job. Although, I know the chances are slim (like a snowball-in-hell, kind of slim) because they are experiencing nearly the same troubled economy as we are (meaning layoffs). So, even though it is unlikely, it feels good to make that first step and know that even if it is very slim, we've put ourselves out there for a snowball-in-hell kind of chance...and that still feels very good :)

So, I've been spending my time looking at a lot of these.

Also, going through the house, taking stock in what we'd sell, what we'd ship, how much it will cost, cats needing micro-chips, etc. etc. etc.

Meanwhile, this is what Bunny is doing.
Hope all my friends are healthy and happy.

Blessings,

~ER~

Duchess Mi-Mi Papelbon

2009-11-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

Halloween, Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Celtic New Year

2009-10-29T10:47:00.001-07:00

Whatever you call it, however you celebrate...I can't wait and as usual, am so looking forward to Halloween/Samhain, as I do every year. I will take Daniel and a couple friends trick or treating, in the cold mountain night then home to a warm stew and to watch my traditional "Nightmare Before Christmas". Hopefully, there will be an interesting documentary on Halloween as well. I know, I'm boring to some, but it keeps me out of trouble ;) Before the night is over, I will honor my deceased loved ones, reflect on the year and the future, meditate and get in tune with the spiritual celebration. Being as I may be off my Blogger page until after the day of Samhain, I wanted to wish you all a wonderful, upcoming day of quiet (or not-so-quiet) celebration...
"Spooky Halloween" by Will Moses

Victorian Halloween postcard

October/Samhain page from Llewellyn calendar

To all my nature-worshipping, animal-loving, sky-watching friends from myself, Bunny (aka Piglet) Pyewacket and Duchess Mi-Mi Papelbon...we wish you a wonderfully Blessed Samhain :)

~ER~

Feasting of Every Kind!

2009-10-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

I had been wanting to make pumpkin bread for the past few weeks, finally the time came Friday and here are two, warm spicy pumpkin loaves :) Aawww, foodie heaven with a bit of butter...

Then hubby comes home (also, Friday) from work with a cake box. Being that his birthday was Sat. his staff gave him a 4 layer rich fudge birthday cake, complete with a miniture chocolate covered football cake made of Rice Krispy treats! Okay, I'm feeling a bit nauseous at this point...

Sunday, we purchase this lovely beast at Costco for, well, more holiday baking, cooking and treats! Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas but I don't think I can look at it for awhile, at least not until all that sugar is out of my system.

The next feast is of a different kind...

My husbands university (work and alma mater) is holding it's 62cnd 'Feast of Lights'.

"The renowned University Choir opens the service with a candlelight procession. Three tableaux are presented, representing the Annunciation, the Birth in Bethlehem , and the Revelation to the Shepherds. The birth of the Messiah, the Rejoicing and the Ceremony of Candle lighting continue with readings and great music of the season.
The Feast ends with the Procession of Adoration and the majestic Christmas hymn, Adeste Fidelis. After the Blessing, the congregation sings the first verse of Silent Night with the choir, slowly leaving the historic Memorial Chapel together, walking across the illuminated University Quad-as the sounds of the music slowly fade into the winter night." -Inland Empire News

Neither my husband nor I are religious people, we do however appreciate the beauty and the symbolism of other religions. Also having grown up and raised with 'Christmas' and all the usual traditions, it's still a part of us for sentimental reasons, although our personal beliefs are quite different.

(Scenes from the university chapel)

Nevertheless, it will be a beautiful winter evening at the university, beautiful choir voices (I'm partial to choirs, having sung for 6 years), beautiful music and re-enactments...all with my charming hubby.

My usual dilemma is what to wear. No, I'm not the stereo-typical woman who loves shopping and owns 100 pair of shoes. I hate clothes shopping and loathe shoe shopping. I tend to buy very non-descript styles and hopefully some classics that won't go out of style, in high quality makers and fabrics so that I won't have to do it so often! I have a long, black, straight simple sort of dress and thought for the holiday event, I'd wear red with it. So, my brain has been stuck on a red, velvet jacket. Much harder to find than I thought. Oh, hey! Guess what...I found one! It's perfect! Without ever having seen this style and color, it's exactly what I envisioned! Now, how often does that happen? Oh, okay...lets see, the price?

Uuuughhh, never mind. Guess I'd better keep looking! Did I mention I hate clothes shopping?

~ER~

Million Dollar Smiles

2009-10-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the poor quality of the picture but we never connected our scanner since moving in and I'm taking pictures of pictures. The glossy one's never come out right :) and no, I didn't get permission from my daughter to post this but guess what, Christina? I'm the mom! I can do that!
~By the way, Christina has informed me that this picture is only a loan, I need to get my own copy made! You'd think after being in labor for 32 hours with this girl, she could at least give me the picture! :)~
Anyhow, I love this picture, for a few reasons...
Of course, I get to see my beautiful girl, newly turned 20 years old. I don't get to see her very often...look at that Libra smile :)
Also, my closest sisters son is in it, my nephew Steven, another Libra :) possibly deploying to Afghanistan soon, now that his second child has just been born.
Lastly, this picture was taken on a day that I'll always remember, my Fino's funeral (my Spanish grandma). This day turned out beautifully in a way she deserved to be honored and remembered :) I love my Fino.
So, again, I apologize for the poor picture quality but just thought I'd share a picture of Love :)

~ER~

P.S. Thank you, Fete for the award. Coming from you, it's quite an honor :) today is also my dad's birthday. He's old-school, doesn't believe in owning a computer, haha! So, even though he won't see it....Happy Birthday anyway, old man :)

Letterboxing Weekend

2009-10-19T09:21:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful, blustery fall weekend. A weekend of soccer, football games (yes, USC won:) and getting out for letterboxing. I accidentally discovered letterboxing several months ago and love it, although yesterday was only my first day. Daniels second. I love the idea though! I love the hunt, the adventure, the mystery and of course anything that involves travel and adventure is a sure hit with me :)

Fall trees at Saturdays soccer game...

Sundays first letterboxing quest. My favorite area of the mountain, on 'the Rim' (cliffside, valley view below) with gusting winds and flying leaves!

We followed the clues and dug up pine needles and dirt to no avail :( Letterbox M.I.A....

but digging around at the base of this beautiful giant, I looked up and was blessed with it's branchy webs...

not a wasted effort, nature is always the greatest gift. Why is it that people who drink beer in the great outdoors cannot put their empty bottles in the trash can, 10 feet away? I picked up beer bottles and put them in the bear-proof trash cans and we were off to the next destination...

near the small lake bordering the golf course, a result! Yay! My first found letterbox...

and my first stamping. Aaawww :) My stamp is rather large and covered the entire page. This example is colored in, my letterboxing version is not. Yes, that is ~ER~ at the bottom ;)

The view wasn't too shabby either...but, on to the next box! Unfortunately, the next site had been cleared for a new chunk of high end homes. Yes! That's what our poor, over-populated mountain needs, more homes! So, the letterbox, 16 paces right, up the path, across the dry river bed, 30 paces right again, 15 paces left, wedged in the largest fallen tree...put us in the middle of a cleared out, flat lot! Another M.I.A. :( ...

but Daniel found a tree frog and gently picked him up for a photo opp :)

Dirty hands are the sign of a happy boy :)
So, our letterboxing wasn't a complete waste...I'm dissapointed that the boxes were missing because of land development and who knows what happened to the other! We enjoyed our time together, out in nature in such a beautiful time of year...that's what counts.

For today, it's 'Hello 1974'! I am soooo very grateful to have this...my sister gave this small wallpaper remnant to me. She found it in my grandma's garage after she passed away. For some reason, my grandma saved small rolls of wallpaper remnants from the house I grew up in (2 from our entryway and this one). It was a found treasure. This was in my bedroom, well, our bedroom when we were kids. After our oldest brother moved back home for a short while, my sister and I had to share a bedroom, which gave my mom a reason to re-decorate, as if she ever needed a reason (hm, wonder where I get it from?).

At Michaels, I found this cheery-yellow organza ribbon with raised, white polka dots which perfectly match the ruffled bedspreads we used to have in our room! I plan on making 2 hardcover notebooks, with this wallpaper on the cover and the ribbon used in some way (maybe as a tie closure) and lining it with light olive green paper (that matches the green in the wallpaper) because our nightstands were painted this color. Although my sister and I don't really speak anymore, I know she is the only person who could appreciate this vintage peice of wallpaper. It holds a lot of memories. One book for her, one for me :)

Before I go...ugh! I know, I really shouldn't have even posted this pic, you can't see anything! Just beyond that brick column were a pair of my coyote friends. Again, I stoppped, they stopped. I didn't have time to let the camera focus because one coyote was already walking away. That was on the way to drop Daniel off at school. On my way back (a couple miles from this spot) another one walked in front of me! I was on a curve and thought it best not to stop and linger. Not too fond of being crashed into, ya know. Just thought I'd share my 2 coyote sightings...in one morning! Oh, the result of our 'serious talk' over the weekend; if Brett receives the chance by next June/July to go over to the UK for work, he will take it, we will go (we agree, this is highly unlikely). If not, our plan B looks as if to be Connecticut or Pennsylvania. As he says, 'baby steps' :) True. It will put us half way to the UK in distance anyhow, which cuts travel time in half and will cut down immensely on plane fares! Besides, we'll be as far from California as we can get within the US. I know I'll miss my Golden State but I'm just so hurt and saddened to see things change and not for the better. I have to mention the housing prices! Goodness! An example...
$330,000 3 bed/2 bath, no garage in Lake Arrowhead (note: the land just around your house-usually on a steep hill at this price-is all you get)...

$330,000 5 bed/4 bath, 3 car garage on 1 acre in Pennsylvania. Not that we would want or need a house this big, but just as a comparison. Of course, there's the small issue of JOB. This is the current research I'm doing online this week. If we can find something even near what hubby makes here (of course we won't find anything in the range he makes here) but even if it's close... then it's a 'GO'. I'm excited. It's green, it's beautiful, it's affordable, room to roam, room for dogs and cats, LAND! How wonderful would that be? Well, off on a new quest...until next time, take care friends. Hope your weekend was wonderful, even if in small ways...sometimes they are the most important ways :)
~ER~

"Let the Wild Rumpus Start!"

2009-10-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

I had always loved this book. Daniel and I used to read it together and to each other when he was a 'little' boy (he's a big boy of eleven now, excuse me!). So, you can imagine that we were pretty excited when we heard they were making a movie. Well, actually, I wasn't that excited at first. In my experience, the movie never turns out how I envision the story while reading it, but then again this is nearly a picture book...if they couldn't make the movie mimic the book, then they have real problems! I was pleasantly surprised (then excited) when I saw the commercials. It looks just like the book and it looks as if the boy they chose to play Max will be a perfect fit. I hope I'm right, I've been waiting...or we've been waiting for it to come out and today's the day! Let the wild rumpus start! :)

Oh yes...and let's not forget rumpus of another kind...the collegiate kind, that is...

(from Wikipedia)~

The Notre Dame – USC rivalry is the college football rivalry between the University of Notre Dame located in Notre Dame, Indiana (an incorporated part of South Bend, Indiana), and the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, CA.
Notre Dame and USC are among the most elite programs in college football, with each school winning 11 national championships [1] and 7 Heisman Trophies.[2] This football rivalry, which began in 1926, is considered one of the most important rivalries in college football[3], and is often called greatest intersectional rivalry in college football[4][5][6][7][8]

The USC-Notre Dame game is this Saturday. When Brett attended USC, we went to this highly anticipated game in 1984. It poured rain, freezing rain! Cold but fun :)

The wild rumpus before the home games...a pretty spectacular party.

Best of luck to our 'SC....Fight on, Trojans!

Somewhere in between Daniels soccer game, the movie, the 'SC game, hubby and I are scheduled to have a serious talk this weekend about moving. The subject of England comes up alot lately (not initiated by me, believe it or not), so I think I'll head over to the UK-Yankee website and ask a couple of questions about sponsorship, housing areas to live, schools, etc. because I feel something is brewing....hmmmm. Wish me luck...or wish us luck!

Have a great weekend everyone!

~ER~

P.S.

If anyone knows the London area like the back of their hand (and the outskirts of London) and you wouldn't mind me asking questions about certain areas, etc. please, let me know! Maybe even point me in the right direction, anything can help. Thanks :)

Daylight Turns to Moonlight...

2009-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

and I'm at my best, yeah...Style Council, it's a song...never mind. Yes, I've been absent for a few days and I'll blame it on the rain. WE. HAD. RAIN. Our first real Southern California rain of the season (for 3 days!) and I happily stayed inside, warm and dry, keeping myself busy like a little squirrel. After being indoors and not seeing a soul (except hubby and son), I do look rather like a squirrel :) Unfortunately, the fog, wind and rain ended yesterday evening and the skies cleared just in time for sunset. It was beautiful. House clean, laundry done, dinner on the stove, I buried myself in the craft/guest room again...at the end of the day.

Last weekend, I accompanied hubby for some well-needed suit shopping down the mtn. (oooohhh and does he look great in suits), knowing we'd be within a stones throw of Michaels...I just had to stop in! I have been searching high and low for brown and copper glitter. I tried our little local mountain scrapbooking store to no avail but of course, found it at crafting giant, Michaels. Although I think Martha Stewart, as a person, borders on psychotic, she makes great glitter! I can't get enough of these colors and yes, there is glitter all over my house (and in my hair :)...again.

I also bought pressed paper, ribbons, etc. and made different templates and cut out acorns, oak leafs and halloween themes...punched a hole, drenched it in glitter, ran a ribbon through it, fastened it to another length of ribbon for a fall garland. My list of garlands to make includes halloween skulls and bats, winter snowflakes, Yuletide holly and pinecones, Valentine hearts and cupids...etc., etc., etc., just fun stuff! But you can safely bet, they'll all be drenched in Martha Stewarts glitters :) which equals months to come of glitter all over the house, the cats, Daniel, my hair, my husband...

I actually went just outside the window in the background and plucked an oak leaf for this template :)

In love with the copper glitter...so autumn.

The Autumn Garland (I love it so much I don't want to sell it)

My semi-hidden crafting closet. This is actually a guest room, so I try to keep the crafting madness contained, but it's spilling out.

Madness...in a plastic container.

During the 3 glorious rainy days, I had a complete tidy-up in the craft room...everything got organized!

I found some of my 'recycled' notebooks I had made some time ago and just stored away. Why? I have no idea why I make things then store them away. This one has nicely browned edges that doesn't show up very well in the lighting, but it has a very antique-y look. The picture is actually the Swan Hotel in Bibury, England when it was first built...

complete with aged-looking, parchment style paper.

Spring Day in Lincolnshire notebook. A little cartoon type map showing Lincolnshire on the front, flocked polka dot cover, ribbon tie closure...complete with it's own pastel tinted, crinkly paper. I feel like having a glass of lemonade when I look at it :)

Some time, during the rain and wind storm, I would just sit on the cozy bed and listen, relax, ponder, imagine...

then there were always two of the most gorgeous feline companions to muse upon. The lovely Mi-Mi...

Mi-Mi in warp speed (more like macro).

Reflection of the 8 or so wreaths finally completed.

Other projects in line...

With all the wonderful rain, I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic for, you guessed...England.

I pulled out my daughters old Beatrix Potter stories and fell in love all over again. I remember going into this actual shop in Gloucester and being amazed to see that there was an actual shop, just as shown in Potters stories. I remember coming home from our last trip to England and Scotland (this past March?), I watched the film, Miss Potter on the plane. My heart would race when they showed the sweeping countryside and a tear in my eye knowing we were going home, not knowing when I'd be back. So, my days couped up with the sound of rain on my roof had me back on the computer, looking at the UK visa site, looking at properties, webcams...I started to sink. Feeling it was never going to happen...but funny thing, the sun in shining today and my attitude has changed. I feel positive about things. Yes, sunshine is good...in doses. I guess it's that old 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' thing :)

Back to the craft room...even my straight pins look interesting in macro...as Daniel says, "Mom, what are you doing???"

As daylight turns to moonlight and dinner simmers on the stove, I can saturate myself (again) in the latest Ballard catalogue...

but only after Daniel and I play a few rounds of Uno before dinner :)

That was last night! Today-bright, shining, crisp, colorful! The trees are showing off their fall colors like proud peacocks! So, on the way to school this morning, I couldn't resist all the lively colors...

So much more vibrant in person than on my little camera. No, I was not actually moving when I took this pic. There was a long stretch behind me, with no one coming for quite a ways, I stopped and snapped and moved on!

After dropping Daniel off, I just had to pull over and try to capture the steam! Steaming rocks, steaming trees, steaming roof tops...magical and beautiful! Natures way of recycling :) I'd have to say my only regret not having been on Blogger the past few days was missing my favorite blogs. I love reading everyones posts about their day, their art, their natural surroundings and their posts on fall and autumn and the pictures! I love it! I will try to catch up as best I can but I need to soak up this fall morning while it's here. Hope all my friends are well and enjoying all these beautiful fleeting moments while they last :)

Autumn Blessings,

~ER~

20 Years Ago Today...

2009-10-12T09:03:00.001-07:00

in the middle of an October night, on Columbus Day, my Princess was born...
with spunk, Personality (yes, that's a capital 'P'), a boundless sense of curiosity, love and humor (oh yeah, and she's a cutie ;)

My little girl, in pink, so animated, full of love and adventure, born on the day of another great adventurer...

She grew to be a big girl but still very much my little princess...

I wanted to give her everything a princess should have. I tried, but it takes more than crowns and carriages for little princesses to grow up into young ladies...

(Coach bag cake ;)

Now, she's turning into a woman with plans and goals for her future. It's hard to let go but I suppose as a parent, you never really do.

Happy 20th Birthday, my Christina...my big-girl Princess...I wish I could be there today but I can't wait to see you over Thanksgiving. I love and miss you!!!!

A poem for my Princess Christina...

Happy Birthday, Dearest One

Happy birthday, dearest one,

Sweet child of my heart!

We've become one family,

Of which you are a part.

And so I sing out equally

To all of those who are

Mine by blood or fortune blessed,

No more, no less my star!

We are one in love and joy,

In fondness and in worth,

And so as one we celebrate

This day, your day of birth!

~ Nicholas Gordon

Happy Birthday, Bon Anniversaire, Glücklicher Geburtstag, с днем рождения, Cumpleaños Feliz,

2009-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

At this exact time, 41 years ago, my mom was in the delivery room thinking, "Why am I doing this again?" :) haha! Thanks mom (0h, okay...and dad too :) ...meanwhile, marvel at these amazing cake creations from http://www.pinkcakebox.com/. Now, it goes without saying, they can't ship cakes via mail but if you live anywhere near New Jersey, lucky you!

Fitting for me, born year of the Monkey ;)

P.S.

If you want to give me a little birthday present, do me a favor...get up and do a little dance to my music on the Playlist. C'monnnn, eat a little cake for me and do a little dance...every day is a reason to celebrate, right? Today is no different, well, it is for me...so, turn your speakers on, get up! :)

Random Weekend Pictures

2009-10-05T10:11:00.001-07:00

Saturday...
Well, the day started out as one of those crisp, brilliant, beautiful fall days as we headed further up our mountain to the town of Running Springs for Daniels weekend soccer game. As we headed up the twisting, turning Highway 18, I silently kept track of the time...we were running a few minutes late, as Daniel and Brett went over game strategies and such. Then around a sharp curve, we came to a halt in a line of traffic!

Apparently, a minute or two ahead of us, a major head-on collision had just happened...

it made me so grateful for running late. Unfortunately, this happens every week, every weekend; head-on collisions or cars going over the side of the mountain. Number One rule...slow down!!!

As we waited in a line of cars, people walked along the road letting us know what happened and that the highway would remain closed for several hours due to Haz-Mat clean-up. As we looked around at the other cars, we realized most of Daniels team, including his coach, were among the idle cars. Coach called the AYSO (soccer org.)...result: games cancelled! Accident victims were air lifted to a hospital down the hill, still don't know if there were any fatalities. (note: I did not take the pictures, they were sent to our local news site).

Well, without a game to attend to fill our morning, Daniel and I hit a few yard sales...

no, I didn't buy these but took the pic for my mom, who used to own a similar lamp that burned in their house fire in 2000. Thinking I would send the pic to her, asking if she'd like me to buy them for her...ummm, she doesn't own a computer, what was I thinking???

After picking up several Christmas decor finds (for near nothing!), I came home and devoted my afternoon to crafting goodies that I will soon sell. Above, Thanksgiving holiday/fall themed tags...decoupaged, lightly gold-glittered and be-ribboned...

Wall hangings for a little princess...

a found princess hat that must have been left behind in the night by a fairie, so I made a frame for it :)

As I worked furiously, excited by the ideas that were coming to me, I noticed the room darkened, as if the sun were becoming clouded over. I thought, 'well, we are experiencing high wind warnings with clouds and drizzle later'...so, it made sense. But then I noticed that everything, once again, had that surreal orange, Maxfield Parrish-painting tint to it. Uh oh...

I walked out front and this it what I saw...

Those aren't clouds, it's smoke! So, I ask Daniel if he'd like to accompany me on my 'fire quest'. We jump in the car and find a few good look-out points to try to pinpoint the source. On our way, we pass several other people with the same frantic looks of 'uh-oh' on their faces...

Turns out this fire is on the mountain range next to us, near the Wrightwood ski resort. It's close enough, especially with those high winds! We've had further fires that reached our mountain because of winds...feeling a little nervous again.

Sunday...
A day spent travelling to Orange County for shoes! Yes, all this way for shoes. Brett is in desperate need for work shoes. Unfortunately, they cost the size of a small country. Since he was sent an e-mail last week for a sale on his shoes, off we went to South Coast Plaza (to our old hometown) to take advantage of those lower prices!

60 mile, one-way trip to OC...but at last! I forgot how lush and green Orange County can be. It was a mild, slightly cool yet balmy beautiful day.

Walking through South Coast Plaza...

finally reaching his shoe destination. A half hour or so, deliberating over colors, styles, fits and then, matching belts...important if you're spending that amount of money, I suppose. (psst...the store across is the Porsche store :)

Brett and the store employee go around the corner to add up the damage...I get sneaky and snap a shot of myself. I laughed to myself and noticed someone window shopping was watching me, haha!

Shoes, check!

Across the street to Chipotle for lunch (stock i'net photo). For me, a burrito bowl: barbacoa meat, black beans, white rice, the hottest salsa they had, lettuce, sour cream, cheese and guacamole...mmmmm! Foodie-heaven.

(New York Times photo)

After lunch, we said good-bye to our old hometown of Orange County and made our way back to (as I make an unpleasant face)...the Inland Empire. Once inside the sprawling bustle of Costco, we make note of the vast differences in Orange County and the Inland Empire. It's times like these (when we have to go down the mountain) that have me re-thinking a move to Orange County. Uuugghhhh....

Making our way back up the mountain, loaded with giant boxes of cereal, bulk tubs of margarine and other gigantic food items, I take a few shots of the increasingly dark sky. I love leaving that sunny, bright, loud world behind as we climb up a dark-capped mountain...

the city below as we start the climb to 6000 feet...

I turn back and take a shot of a smoke-covered sun dipping behind the Wrightwood area mountains. My heart goes out to them and the fire-fighters...

~ER~

A Glittery Fall Morning

2009-10-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Playing with the macro setting on my camera, I thought yesterdays glitter mess looked rather pretty in this mornings sun. Lately, I've had a hankering for a magical forest setting of some kind and my bird nests are the result. They will be mounted in frames, hung by ribbon...just quirky, little magical things. The kind of things that speak to children and adults that understand, believe, dream...

And for mi amigo, en España, Fete Vidal (@ debiahacerlo.blogspot.com) ...my 'Uggs' http://www.uggaustralia.com/index.aspx. The warmest, most comfortable sheepskin boots you will ever wear. Give them a try! :)

Until Monday, my friends, stay warm and take time to notice the magic all around you ;)

~ER~

P.S.

Yes, there is glitter all over the house now. The cats walked through my mini photo shoot, right through the glitter! It's on my face, in my hair and as I showed my husband this morning, it was even in my coffee!

October

2009-10-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

"Listen! The wind is rising and the air is wild with leaves.
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"
~Humbert Wolfe

Sun-Libra
Rising-Scorpio
Moon-Taurus
Mercury-Libra
Venus-Scorpio
Mars-Virgo and all that good stuff...

As you may have heard, I love autumn. More specifically, October. It is my month, a Libra (with a heavy veil of Scorpio in my chart). Also, my husbands month, a true Scorpio (with a lethal dose of Libra charm). Not to mention a long list of other family members, including daughter Christina, my dad, mother-in-law...I think I've gone into this long list already, so I'll spare you. Although, I do have to mention that today is my neices birthday, who is due to have her little Libra sometime soon :) But it's not for birthdays, but for the cold, crisp air, pumpkins, apples, Halloween, longer nights, October winds, fall leaves, hiking, exploring, baking, cuddling. The past 2 days have been our first, actual fall weather here in Southern California and being in the mountains, I have the pleasure of nights in the 30 degree range and days in the high 60's-low 70's accompanied by the occasional gusty winds. I love it! To usher it all in, I made a roast the night before then with the leftovers, I made a stew last night, complete with biscuits. Mmmmmm! I've been stocking up and replacing outdated baking supplies. I took out my big, plastic container that houses all of my sweaters and scarves. I'm wearing my Uggs :) and pulling out the big, thick fuzzy blankets that I love! On another note, I also welcome the time of being reflective, quiet, staying indoors and listening to rain on the windows and the sound of wet tires pass on the street outside. I'm a strange mix of extrovert and introvert, but leaning towards the latter the older I become. So, I suppose it makes sense that the older I become, the more I love autumn. Which is fitting. I am taking one more step into my 40's. It is that middle time in life, one's 'autumn', I guess you could say...and I'd have to say, I'm really enjoying it. So, for you, wherever you may be in this world, enjoy some fine photography and art with all the crispness and color of Autumn...

October

Art nouveau-October-Scorpio

Edward Poynter-Libra and Her Sparrow

Baogui Zhang -Autumn Mist

Ann Garrett-Autumn Fire

Georgia O Keeffe-Lake George Autumn-1927

Adam Jones-Autumn View of Fog from Morton Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA

Hung Juihsia-Cats in Late Autumn

Jim Mcguire-Pumpkins in Snow

Jan Kessel-Autumn

Jim Brandenburg-Autumn Passage

Jodi Cobb-Fog Hangs Over Trees Decorated with Autumn Colors in a West Virginia Valley, USA

Jules Cowan-Autumn Colors in New Hampshire,USA

Mark Carlson-Maple Leaf Floating on Water Surface with Autumn Reflections, Michigan, USA

Untitled

Peter Ellenshaw-Winnie the Pooh, Autumn Leaves

Pihua Hsu-Golden Age

Vincent Van Gogh-Autumn Garden

William Hook-Mountain Pond

Happy, blessed, warm October wishes to you

~ER~

Porsche Heaven

2009-09-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

WARNING:
If you're not a Porsche enthusiast, skip this post ;)
This weekend was our annual 'Porsche Timeline' at the Lake Arrowhead Village. We made an early start to admire these pretties before going to son Daniels soccer game (sadly, they lost...or as Daniel puts it, they were killed, demolished, and other words of doom and destruction).
Out in the parking lot before viewing the 'timeline'...

911 is by far, my favorite.

Hey, there's that #8 jersey!

Eye candy

The timeline begins with the oldest Porsche at the show. Sadly, I wasn't able to catch what year it was because the owner was standing next to the sign that listed all the details, as he chatted 'boy stuff' with another enthusiast. I do know that the first Porsche '64' was developed in 1939, but for those who consider the 356 the first true Porsche, they were road certified in 1948.

As we walked away, he and the other enthusiast finally stepped away, I at least got this full shot.

'Bathtub' 356 Porsche...I believe this is a 1963. I didn't keep track of all of them, so forgive me if I'm wrong. My dad is currently looking for one like this :)

Hubby liked this one

A beautiful day at the lake...boaters and oglers...

Of course, Daniel liked the modified, race-y looking one. I think it looks ruined! Well, it's meant for racing...

The timeline wraps around the shallow waters of the day-use docks at the lake. Now we're getting into the 1970's-1980's (I spot a boy in a green jersey ;)

I believe this was a replica for a film (?)

This shot was, of course, so much better in person. With the sparkling lake in the background, the sun shining through the leaves and this black beauty in the center of it all. (1990's-2000's)

Into the 2000's

Bright blues...hey! There's the #8 jersey again!

Oh! I love this one, I'll take it!

The Grand Finale, the 2009 911 GT!

It was a well spent hour, making ourselves ache with want and desire. Hey, that almost rhymed ;) Until next time friends, stay well, be positive and be an inspiration to others...

~ER~

For My Love

2009-09-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

"I'll Follow You Into the Dark"
by Death Cab for Cutie

Love of mine some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark

No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks

Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark

Friends Lost, Soccer, Crafts, Porsches...a Mixed Bag, Really

2009-09-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

You know, the main reason...the only reason I was debating our move to England several months ago was timing. It was only for my son, who was raised here, in our Lake Arrowhead area and attended the same school with the same friends, that I was concerned about. He was at that age where he had already made deep attachments, what I thought were lifelong friends. Well, that is how I grew up anyhow; in the same neighborhood, same school district and same friends my entire childhood. Now, I don't want to peg him into any holes, but he is a Taurus and true to his nature doesn't like change, well, mainly emotional change. His first best friend (we'll call him 'M'), a few years ago was an awesome kid, he and Daniel were inseperable. Then, something happened to 'M' that was quite private to their family and Daniels friend turned into a recluse, they even had to call in a counselor to get 'M' to go to school. It was such a shame, I can only imagine, but he was a wonderful friend to Daniel and then he was gone. His next best friend, another awesome kid (we'll call him 'T')...respectful, intelligent, imagnitive, great parents that focus on the kids, etc. well, they were victims of the economy and lost their house to the bank, ended up moving to Los Angeles about 2 months ago to live with family, needless to say, we don't see 'T' anymore. Daniel was devastated. Now, there has been a constant best friend throughout all of this ('C'), someone who has been there for years, someone he always knew would be there. They were always making plans for high school and beyond; a band they would form, road trips they would take with friends, etc. I just found out from 'C's mom, that they are giving their house back to the bank and moving to Montana. Daniel doesn't know yet and again, he will be devastated, more so than before. 'C' has always been a constant. So much for life-long friends, huh? My little Taurus. I hope these trials only prove to make him stronger and not weaken him. It's a fine line to let him know I'm here but to let go to be that growing boy, soon-to-be-young-man.

Daniel 2008 Long Beach, California

Daniel in the red as the Grim Reaper (looking awfully friendly, that Reaper :) and his best (soon, to be moving) friend 'C', Halloween 2006 :)

Well, hopefully our weekend will bring a win for the Vortex team! Last weekend, they lost but Daniel scored one of the goals, he was beaming! I know it can't replace the news, but it would sure help :)

Besides our soccer game this weekend, I plan to have playtime in my craft room. Now, I tell ya, I love those Taurus folks ;) My wonderfully sweet, caring, always-thinking-of-other-people Taurus sister sent me this treasure trove of crafts a couple days ago. She just had a clear out and instead of selling it or doing the easy thing and giving it to her daughters, she packaged it up and spent the $10 it took to ship it me! Most of the items are new and I'm estimating (because the price tags are on most of them), there is about $150-$200 worth of crafting supplies! I'm so excited and oh so grateful...

but, before all of this takes place this weekend we will be at the Lake Arrowhead Village Saturday morning before the soccer game to gaze lovingly on our favorite machines...

We've been waiting months for this. Porsche has always been a favorite of mine and my husbands. My love for them started before I even met Brett. When I was about 14 or 15, my dad bought a 1978 911SC...

identical to this one I found online. I used to wash it...for free, just so that I could run my hands over it and be near it. I would also detail the inside. True love, I tell ya. I'll never forget the smell of the leather interior as I would sink deep into that low seat and that deep, finely tuned groowwwwl it would make when the key was turned. Precision. I'm not a car person, don't get me wrong. I don't hang out with mechanics and talk about crank shafts and gaskets. I only know the basics, but the Porsche, to me is perfection. The only reason I know how to drive manuel (stickshift) is the promise my dad made to me. After my frustration at not being able to master it, he told me if I did, he'd let me drive the Porsche when I turned 16. I think I learned that day :) Then he sold the damn thing. Aawww well, I'm glad I know, so when that day comes to buy my own (huge smile).

These pics courtesy of the Riverside Porsche Club that I believe, arranges this show every year.

Early-riser, Porsche enthusiasts at the Village before the crowds arrive...

Hey, here's an idea...maybe you'll see me, as a tiny little speck on the Village webcam this Saturday (I'll be in a sun-blocking, straw hat)! I believe it's being held in the parking lot featured on the webcam, either way, you can see the Porsches and the beautiful blue lake in the background, maybe even Hugh Laurie ;)

http://mountaininfo.com/arrowheadcamera.html

Happy Trails

~ER~

We're Still On

2009-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

for England, that is. My husband said something curious over the weekend. As I've been silently (well, silently at home, not on my blog :) trying to get our 'big move' out of my mind, at least for a few years, my husband comes out with this on our lazy Sunday afternoon...
Brett: What if I were to get a job offer right now (in England), would you want to go?
Me: YES! I'm ready, no hesitations this time (I hesitated last time, then the visa requirement changed while I was debating)
Brett: We'd have to sell a lot of stuff...
Me: Yes
Brett: But we're taking our bed!
Me: I doubt we'll find many flats that we could fit a California King bed in, comfortably anyway
Brett: That armoire has to go
Me: *look of shock on my face* Nooooo, I love the armoire!
Brett: I'd have to walk to the tube station to get to work
Me: Soooo, we're thinking London?
Brett: Yes, I'd have to, for work...

So, this conversation went on for about 20 minutes. Funny thing, because my husband works at a university, last year I secretly signed up to receive e-mails for job openings at Cambridge University for him but I had them sent to me. I fessed up that I had done this and he couldn't believe it...he had done the same thing! haha! Anyhow, I still receive e-mails from Cambridge and apparently, he is still wanting to move, but this is just one attempt and a weak one at that. To be serious, he'd have to get in touch with several recruiters, etc, get his name out there and really work at it because without the proper requirements (at the moment), we can only go over if he has a job offer/sponsor. Either way, it's nice to know he's still pushing for it...weakly, but it's still there and that gives me a lot of hope :)

I'd just love to get away from it all and live in a picturesque, country setting...

and my only worries would be about taking the dogs for walks and maintaining my garden...

enjoying my cozy cottage...

Ooooh, this one's nice :)

What a wonderful place...

Our love of tudors (this is Anne Hathaways :)

As the countryside calls to our souls, the city owns them. Those cottages in the country require money! London (so far) is the only city I would consider living in, so that works out well ;)

Don't think we could afford to live in any of these places unless it were the size of a coat closet! Hard to find a 2 bed./2 bath, much less find one close to central London that won't require we sign our lives away. Like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it is a challenge I would gladly take on...

Yes, would be nice...

So, it's still on...maybe not at a full boil, more like a weak simmer :)