Hello friends,

Due to some security issues with me, I'm going to have to forego sending blog updates. If you'd like to hear from me, please send me an email and I'll make sure I connect person to person. Thanks for your understanding!

~Christie

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello friends! What a wonderful, if incredibly wet weekend this has been! AND Happy Valentine's day to you all! Even though I'm STILL single and this day remains the "National Singles Awareness" day to so many of us, I've always loved Valentine's because it's a day where I can freely and effusively tell people how much I care for them and them not think I'm totally off my nut! I have a ton of pink and red goodies I prepare (anyone can ask my family and they'll attest to this fact) and typically will create items for my co-workers and friends. I've made chocolate heart lollipops and pink and red biscotti. I've thrown pink parties and hosted Valentine's dinner parties. It's just a loving time of year and I love it. Yes, it's over commercialized and yes, it does make one feel a bit awkward talking to a single man on this day. What does one say?

This year has been a little bit different. I didn't make any goodies and the day fell on a Sunday...more about that later. I had the particular joy of spending yesterday with my cousin Rhonda and her little "shavers" (Dalton-10 and Olivia-7) as her and Creg call them. It could not have been a better day! Anyway, I went over to Rhonda's house where she'd prepared a yummy meal of chicken enchiladas and a birthday brownie. Oh, I think I neglected to mention my birthday is on Wednesday...Rhonda and the kids wanted to celebrate with me! I opened presents from them: yummy licorice and a Dairy Milk bar from the REAL Cadbury -- before Kraft's recent hostile takeover. Rhonda got me this charming little "tea for one" set from Poland. It's really quite cute. We went shopping, spent time just visiting, watched a movie, officiated a sibling battle or two. It was a spectacular day! It was wonderful sharing the day with them.

Today was another great day. I had a rough night last night, though. At about 2am, I heard this massive crash. I thought I was being broken in to. I thought the crash came from the lounge/conservatory doors as I hide my ironing board in the curtains coming from the lounge. So, I was thinking someone had gotten in to my conservatory (only windows in that room) and was attempting to get into the main part of the house. As it turns out, it wasn't the ironing board falling from behind the curtains (I keep it there as I iron while watching tv), it was the sound of my shower curtain crashing onto the tub and hitting some candle holders. Because I was scared someone had broken in, I was slowly (but bravely and looking very "Johnny English" ) investigating room to room. Oh, did I mention that all I had to do was to roll into the hallway to see into each room. Alas! It was the shower curtain. Whew. What a relief I didn't have to take on any burglars. My nun chucks skills are rather rusty!!! Anyway, after attempting a few times to get the darn thing back up (even at a much lower height) I went back to bed. 2am is really not a good time to attempt anything with much success!

Nevertheless, nocturnal excitement aside, I got up and went to church this morning and all throughout the service was reminded how very much God loves me. One of the ladies at a prayer meeting before the service had felt the Lord wanted us to really sense God's love for us and His delight in us. Our time of worship was focused on God's "singing over us." National Singles Awareness day? I think NOT! I hope you all had very wonderful Valentine's.

Oh, and as promised, I have some pictures from my pottery factory outing. Here they are: The Burleigh pottery factory shop,



and from the carvery where we had lunch after a "tough" day shopping!



Until next time...have a great day!

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!

House...at least the outside

Hi all,

My parents and I celebrated a magnificent and restful Christmas day. I hope your celebrations were amazing as well! I'm sending out "Christmas cards/change of address cards"...unfortunately most won't likely get to you until at least New Year's Day or later. I didn't order them until I knew my new address and well, I've not been moving too quickly getting them addressed. Check your mailbox early and often...it'll be there soon!

Back to Christmas! Celebrating the amazing birth of our Savior was quiet around here, particularly without the Scaggs kiddos. It was bittersweet celebrations without them. My mom and I made cookies earlier in the week and delivered them to the gate guards on the two bases I frequent routinely. I hope they enjoyed them. I love to bake and it's nice to have a destination for my goodies other than my hips! It was wonderful delivering the goodies and we later had a terrific dinner of standing rib roast with horseradish and a mix of roasted brussels sprouts, parsnips and new potatoes. Yummy! Actually sounds a bit British! My dad is a good cook!!!

Today we joined in the tradition of celebrating "Boxing Day." This traditionally was a day when servants/tenants were given a day off to go visit families and they were given boxes full of gifts and leftover Christmas dinner to take along. We drove to some villages near Stansted Airport as my cousin Rhonda and her family were flying in from a holiday skiing in Austria. We visited a pub and then went to an Indian restaurant for some good food! I had my favorite, chicken Balti. My mom had a wonderful lamb and spinach mix and my dad ate something only those with asbestos tongues should attempt. I don't even know the name for it...I'm pretty sure it translates into English as "burn and then burn some more." He even ordered "chili" naan bread. Let me just say that it took two glasses of water and several hours before I could feel my upper lip again. I don't know how he does it. I enjoyed my plain naan.

Okay so to the meat of this blog. I went over to my bungalow yesterday when we were out and about and took some pictures of the outside of the place. I don't have a key yet so I'll send inside pictures when I can get them... here are a few shots.







The place is brand new so it needs some vegetation and a window box/hanging planter or something! I'll work on that later! You can see in one picture a little glass room. That is the "conservatory." In Texas we'd melt there most of the time but here, on a sunny day, I could probably warm my entire 500 square feet, er, bungalow. Also you may note that my house number is ONE (1). I think that's pretty cool.

Well, it's after midnight here and I'm going to have to get in bed. Soon, I'll be out of holiday/move mode and will have to get up at the crack of dawn (hours before it actually, as the sun isn't rising til 8am right now...makes for a short day 8am to about 3:45pm).

I hope you all had amazing, wonder filled Christmases. When you think how incredible it is that God sent His Son in human flesh you should feel nothing BUT awe.

Until next time,

Cheers from Christie and Sydney

What "wintering" on a farm brings...

Hi everyone!

I'm happy to report that I have found a house. It's a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom bungalow in the town of Thrapston. Some of you may recall my desire to stay at the Nene Valley Cottages when I was looking for temporary lodging. They wouldn't allow Sydney to stay there...but this town is about 2 miles from those cottages. A wonderful location for work and sight seeing! It's a brand new place but they've not got the access quite right. I've made an agreement with the owner that I'll pay for modifications up front but he'll pay me back if I'm in the place more than 18 months. It seems fair...and frankly for him, we're bringing the place into compliance with UK law regarding new builds. It's a win-win situation. I just need patience regarding timing and all. Here is what they are doing (it's a major list...) Widening the front door and making the threshold flat. Right now there is a lot of wasted space around the door frame. They're also widening the door from the kitchen to the garden and building a ramp to it so I can get in and out via a second exit. They're leveling the french doorway from the lounge (living room) to the conservatory (sun room). Right now they've (and every set of french patio-type doors here seems to have them) got what I call "knee knocker" doors. If you've ever been on a navy ship, you'll know what I mean. It's not just a step up or down to the next room but a step "up and over." They are also widening all interior doors. (I fit through them now barely...I'd scrape all the paint off the doors and that would get old). The garden gate is about 12 inches wide! There was no way I could use that door. The agent I've been working with has been terrific! He thought up making the gate doors set on an angle so we could work a wider doorway. And right now along the pathway there are only 16-18 inch concrete steps. They're going to double those from the gate to the kitchen doorway and on around the back garden. UPDATE: I just found out that we (owner on my behalf) could be eligible for grants to make these modifications. That would be much cheaper for both of us!!! Pray, please.

On another front...


We've been visited by a family of farm/field mice. I wouldn't particularly care that they are here if they'd stay away from me. However, their desire to become closer friends is what has put me off. I'm finding that mice are prolific on a farm. As you may recall, the owners here were a little concerned about Sydney coming and bothering the "working cats." Well, I'm not convinced Sydney's even noticed them. BUT, they've definitely noticed her and I fear she may be keeping the cats from working near my cottage. After having one mouse crawl out of the garbage bag I was taking out and onto my lap, leg, foot, then floor; one scurrying mouse get caught under my wheelchair, and one running into the guest bathroom when I opened the hallway door, I've decided to take the bull by the horns. Okay, I called the owner. In my defense, she picked up one full trap but was weirded out by a second and had to call her husband for reinforcement. The mousetrap he gathered up was near a hole. The little guy must have been snapped but not immediately killed as he was still able to reach the opening of a hole.

Yes, and it only gets worse. The owners laid two empty traps under the counters and then went back to their home. Minutes later, we heard a "snap!" Then for nearly 10 minutes we heard the poor thing scurring around under there. It was horrific! I gave them my introduction speech when I first met them..."Stay in your territory and not invade mine, you're good. But come to me, I'll have to 'take dominion' over you." Sigh. I have had horror dreams that a trapped mouse was able to "thump thump drag" himself to my bedroom to get me. Needless to say, I slept (??) with one eye open last night. Regardless, I still feel like a mouse murderer.

Just thought you might want to know how much fun I'm having!

New Car!!!

Hi everyone, I thought I'd share with you my amazing new car! It's an 1999 Audi A6 station wagon -- called an "estate" here in jolly ol' England. I love it! The door opens almost to 90 degrees and it's much easier for me to get in and out of!



And, as my parents have been here since Thursday afternoon, they've been able to just roll my chair into the back "boot."



I'm also just about set on a new home. We are deciding between two bungalows. I have a favorite that is just 7 miles from work (and very close to the cottages I had originally wanted to stay at...). I'm waiting for the "door guy" to let me know he can refit all the exterior doors (here their patio doors have a 3 inch "up and over" threshold...). The agent and owner have agreed to do whatever it takes to make the place accessible, which is fabulous! The contract will state that I pay for any changes up front and, if I'm there for more than 18 months, they'll repay that money. I think that is incredibly fair! So, I'll hear back on Monday about these changes. Please pray for a good outcome! I've already found a good pub, fish and chips place, and an Tandoori (Indian) Balti house there!!!

If that one doesn't work out, there is another great bungalow about 7 miles from the one I'm hoping to get. I'll take pics and let you know which I'm getting as soon as I know!