Help!

Hi all,

I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed at work. What was I thinking? Can I jump back into this work? I read and read and read and read some more today. I'm not sure I'm absorbing everything! Whoa!

Sorry, that was my little panic attack. I am wiped out at work. There is so much to learn and I'm definitely drinking from a fire hose. Of course it doesn't help that just when I started this job the world seemed to catch on fire. I'm putting in some overtime as they are expecting so much from me. The folks have been wonderful and are giving me breathing space to learn but I know what's at stake...I need your prayers. I can do this, right? Come on Christie! I could sure use some encouragement about now (that was a hint...emails accepted anytime).

My house is coming along. They redid the floors today so I no longer have stretched, lumpy linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom. My interior doors are all finished. The exterior doors/ramps will be put in, beginning on the 28th. I do fine in the entry door (it's tight but workable). I got a freezer yesterday. It's huge! Well, compared to my refrigerator, it's huge. It's about as big as a dorm fridge...actually, so is my FRIDGE! The freezer will go in the garage once the kitchen door and garage door are finished.

When I say garage, let me disabuse you of the notion that a car will ever be parked in there. British garages are not meant for cars...well, maybe matchbox cars, or a smart car, but really! Actually, my neighbor parks his Toyota in his garage...I watched him get out of the car, tuck in the side mirrors, then back in. I don't know how he gets out of the car once inside; he must be an excellent shimmy-er. Mine will be a great storage space, however. I've already got a plastic "wardrobe" set up in there for my summer clothes and other stuff. That'll keep the freezer company.

I'm also happy to report that I'm getting a tumble dryer. My house came only with a washer. It's very odd and is in my kitchen. I've learned some new and very useful skills. Did you know that until I moved here, I'd never hung clothes out on a line before. It's not terribly difficult but all my things come out "crispy." I don't remember the crispy-ness and the commercials of "fresh linen" never mention that. My towels are especially uncomfortable. I'll be in dream land when the dryer arrives. Fabric softener will be my friend! I think the dryer should arrive tomorrow or soon thereafter.

Sydney is loving it here. I'm not sure if it's the cool air (freezing, that is), the new smells or what. She was very unsettled for a while after moving so many times in so many months. She's laying here dreaming as I type. I love this dog! She is definitely the hit of the office. Everyone loves her. They have a policy that they can all bring in their dogs on Fridays. Isn't that cool? Sydney will be in heaven. Of course she is now as all the guys are just entranced by her.

I've got no pictures right now. Something has gone awry with my camera. I'll work on fixing that over the weekend and hope it can be "sorted out" soon. I have photos from my pottery shopping this past Saturday with my cousin Rhonda. You may not be aware but much like the majority of our manufacturing, the famous pottery factories (Royal Doulton, Port Merion, Spode, etc.) are sending their work to China. I wanted to get a tea set from a company that still manufactures it here! I went to several factories this weekend. I fell in love with a pattern (and factory) called Burleigh. I went to their seconds shop and got a set whose pattern was designed for "Laura Ashley." I love it. Now I've really got to take up tea drinking! Anyway, I'll send pictures from our adventures as soon as I can fix the camera. Also, as soon as the house is finished and not a construction zone, I'll take and send pictures of this lovely little place. Did I mention it was little? As a matter of fact, I can plug my vacuum into the hall outlet and vacuum the entire house without ever changing where the plug goes. Isn't that awesome? I really do love it!

As you can read, I am truly on my way to settling in here. I spent yesterday (Martin Luther King Day) walking (rolling) around the village I live in registering for a general practitioner (doctor's office) with the British National Health System (it's free, even for me!), going to a bakery, visiting a charity shop, a mobility shop and attempting to go to a veterinarian. The veterinarian had two steps in and the mobility shop (they sell wheelchairs, scooters, canes, walkers, and the like) didn't have what I needed. I then went to a "home depot" type store (I broke one of the arms on Sydney's crate) trying to find a work around. I think I've got an idea but need some tools (or more preferably, someone WITH tools.) Where is "Todd the Marine" when I need him??? Gayle, any ideas?

I'm exhausted right now but all is going really well (save the minor panic about my brain having shrunk a lot)...my Dad said that it just needs to be stretched a bit as the only thing I've had to analyze over the past few years was the outcome of "Pride and Prejudice." He's a funny guy but he's right...

More soon (with pics I hope)

Cheers from the UK

~Christie

House inside...before the chaos arrived!

Hi everyone! I realize it's been a few days since I updated. I got some photos of the inside of the house moments before the movers arrived. My parents were a HUGE help getting me settled in to this little bungalow. And I must give yet another shout out to my cousin (and her VERY handy husband) for all the great help they were hanging all my worldly goods on the walls and ceilings. You KNOW what I'm talking about Creg! I'll get pictures of the finished product to you all soon...right now it's a bit torn up as I've got tradesmen here widening doors. There are a few other jobs yet to be done but it's coming along quite smoothly. Here are a few pictures!

First we have the bathroom. It's a lovely room but I'm not a terribly huge fan of plain black and white. The zebra blind is quite impressive, am I right?! You'll see I've made a few changes...next blog post...

Okay, with three big steps, you've covered the entire length of my house...here's the hall showing that...for this picture my mom is in the bathroom!

This is the picture of my lounge. I tell you, it's a small room but has quickly become my favorite. I'm not sure if it's because the TV and the computer is in here or if it's just a really cozy room...speaking of TVs, I have to get this off my chest: I have to PAY to have a TV license here. If I want to receive a TV signal, I have to pay for the license. Is that crazy or what? Okay, I feel better...

Here's my refrigerator. Can I just say there will be NO Costco shopping here? I am promised a freezer that will go into my conservatory...see next photo...

I am pretty convinced when the sun is high in the sky (versus not ever getting above 45 degrees off the horizon) I'm going to LOVE my conservatory. But I must say, I cannot shake the, "Colonel Mustard, in the conservatory, with the lead pipe" droning in my brain!

Finally, I thought I'd show you the washer...this one is only a washer. I've been promised a "washer dryer combo" that will take up the same space. Who'd a thunk of having the washer in the kitchen???

Okay enough about the house for now...I started work (finally). I love the job and am very excited about the "account" I'll be working. I can't go into details so you'll have to come visit so I can communicate face to face on that! The people are wonderful. In fact, in addition to my coworkers, I have a small team of engineers working with me to make all the locations around the base wheelchair accessible! I am overwhelmed by this! One co worker told me I was blazing trail for those who might follow me! Hmmm. I suppose I can handle that. Seems like I've been there before...

I will say, it's REALLY snowed two times since I arrived...that's two more times than I care for! It's not supposed to snow here. I could have moved back to DC if I wanted to live in the snow. I froze my behind off getting into work this morning! It's a long haul from my parking space into the building (thank goodness this is only temporary and my car to building commute in my regular building is uber short! Love it!) I have to complain again. As I was rolling in the snow this morning I picked up the salt they were laying to melt the snow. I have the worst salt burns on my arms and my hips. They're calling for more snow all week! YUCK! Please pray we're coming close to the end of this weather. I can handle most things but these burns are killing me. I hope they don't last long. Would you please pray for an extraordinary solution to this very painful problem?! Thanks

Well, just wanted to let you know I'm loving my job and loving my new place. I'll try to get the "finished product" photos up as soon as they finish the "product." I miss you all and look forward to hearing from you!