Friends

Through the beauty of Facebook I have been able to reconnect with some old friends. But who knew that it would take me moving to London to see them. The Reiboldt's used to live in Shreveport. They were there until 1994 and then moved to Atlanta. I haven't seen them since. They just happened to be in London the same time I was there. Their youngest son, Mark, was graduating from Business school. When I last saw him he was in 7th grade. Now he is married and has a 1 year old. How fast time flies and how old it makes me feel. 

Dinner at Antanella and Warren's place a few weeks ago. It was a blast and the food was great!!

Our beautiful Host'sCassie and Duncan Jon and I. Not sure what he was laughing at but it doesn't look nice.

One Month In

So far so good. A month in and I am still here. I will post more writings soon, I have them already written just need to post them. As for now here are some photos of what I have been up to. I will be sending these in a few different posts as to not overload you with picture after picture. I promise to keep up with my blog more often. I know I have been slacking for a month so here is a little something for you in the meantime. 

Every Saturday morning Jon and I have "Lips" contest, it's a singing game on X-Box. We compete just the two of us every weekend. So much that we tend to loose our voices. One weekend we had guests over to compete with us. 
In March it was Jon's Birthday. We out with the crew to Mango Tree, a Thai restaurant close to Buckingham Palace. It was lovely. 

Duncan and CassieAntanella and Warren (aka The Woz)Amanda and Eddie (Jon's roommate)Anna and Zander (they are expecting in a month)Here is the new statue of the Queens Mum. It was getting dark out so it's not lit the best. How odd to be royalty. I can't imagine living that life. 

Walking through Hyde Park and ran into baby ducks. Oh so cute! 

We went to Harrods and had high tea. It was delicious. The Crumpets were a delight and i could not stop eating them. Yes, I am having tea every night now. 

I swear that I will blog more and write more. Jon just got home from work and we are having steaks tonight so I need to give him attention and get dinner started. I am a regular Donna Reid it seems.

One week down, 11 more to go...

So I arrived a week ago and had time to get all settled in. Jon was kind enough to make room in his closets for all my stuff and I have found away to hide all my shoes without overwhelming him every day. 

So far things have been going ok. It has taken a little to get use to the fact that I am not leaving after 10 days and I guess a little scary.  We have had a few moments of bickering and I now realize that it was all due to me. I have been a little particular (for the lack of a better word). I have been getting on him for everything. It's not normally like me. I feel like all of a sudden I have lost my sense of humor. I guess i was more stressed out and nervous than I thought. Hopefully it will go away soon so I can get back to myself. 

He, of course, has been a sweetheart. Even though I haven't been the easiest person to live with he has just been as sweet as can be. Bringing me flowers, champagne, dinner, Starbucks. I guess I have really picked a good one. 

I promise to take pictures soon. This week has been getting on a normal sleep schedule and getting work situated (I am still working my NYC job from over here). This week I am hoping to get out a little more. Tonight we are going out with a big group for Jon's 31st birthday. 

Ok, so  I'm off to go to the store to get the rest of the goodies for Jon's Bday gift. Just wanted to update you all on my whereabouts. Hope all is well with all of you. 

Packing for a lifetime...

Yes of course I have waited till the last minute to start packing. I have no idea why but I like the rush and stress of it all down to the last week. I have list after list of to-do's. It seems like it keeps growing. I am subletting my room out to a friend while I am gone so I have to empty out my closet and drawers so that she can use them. I have made three piles on my bed of clothes: Yes, No Maybe. At first I was trying to not take as much but soon starting realizing that I was running out of storage space under my bed for the huge NO pile. So then the YES pile began getting bigger and bigger and then I run out of suitcase room. UGH! My goal is to bring 2 suitcases and 2 carry on bags. We will see if I stay according to plan. I have already used an entire suitcase for just shoes. 

I bought the vacuum pack storage bags to try to save room for all my clothes. I decided to test one out. I was SHOCKED when I saw how much i could get in there. I go back into my room to get more clothes for the next bag. When I walk back in the living room what do I find??? It's Bailey sitting on the top of a the vacuum bag back FULL OF AIR!!! She had just crawled right on top and punctured a hole in it with her claw. UGH! Looks like I am back to the store to buy more tomorrow. 

I have so much to do and so little time. I think I have it all mapped out on when I will attack my list but I just know come Saturday morning at 5AM when I am on my way to the airport I will have forgotten something important, like my passport. If anyone wants to come over and do all of this for me let me know. I am all for giving up control. 

PS: I would have taken photos of all the craziness that is my room but my camera is somewhere under it all.

PSS: My cousin Heidi just had another baby girl. Check out how adorable on her blog.

It's Official....

I am moving to London for 3 months. I leave the last day in February and come back May 31st. I will still be able to work a little but I will be looking for work while I'm there as well. That will determine me moving there permanently or not. That and if I can get along with Jon for 3 months. ;)

The next few weeks will be all about getting everything in order here in NYC for my leave. Bailey will be staying here and my roommate will be taking care of her. This will be the longest I have been away from her in 10 years. I hope she doesn't forget me. 

I also have to figure out what to pack. I bought the vacuum travel bags to try to pack as much as possible. My mom reminded me that even though I will have more room the weight will still be the same. I am prepared to go over the weight limit for sure.  

I am subletting my room out while I am gone so I will not have to pay rent. BUT i will have to empty out my closet, shelves and dresser to make room for my friend staying. That will consist of me cramming everything I own under my bed with everything else already under there. I have a feeling my bed will be lifted a few feet.

Ugh, the idea of so much to do in so little time overwhelms me. 

So... if anyone wants to take a trip to the UK in the next few months you have a friend to come see. 

It's My Party, I Can Cry If I Want To...

This year I was NOT excited about my birthday. For some reason I was having a problem with turning 33. I don't know what it was about that age that freaked me out. If any of you know me you know that I am usually over the top excited about my bday. My mom always planned the nicest and best birthday parties for me and then once I was 18 on I have planned my own parties. I liked the attention, I'm not gonna lie. I have always thought that you should feel special on YOUR day. And I always did. Until this one. 

I thought that if I didn't talk about it then no one would know and that would mean that it would never happen. So I pouted and cried (when alone) and complained about turning 33. Little did I know that my friends had something to get me out of the mood I was in.

Meredith had planned a surprise party at one of our regular hang outs, Lucky Strike in Soho. Everyone met there and the night went one to be one of the best birthdays that I have had as an adult. (Just so you know, I became an adult at 30)

Bethany brought me this to make me feel special. It used to say Bachlorette but she broke off all the letters to spell this.  Thanks B!

Here is most of everyone that came. A few came later and didn't make the group picture. 

They even had a cake for me. They were great planners. 

Bustin' a move and gettin' jiggy with it.

The night is never complete without a dance off. Patrick put up a good fight. Besides, I have a routine to every song out there, it's not that fair.
A moment when I was caught getting upset about the age thing. I really have no idea why. Everyone else I have talked to have said that they had trouble with 33 as well. So maybe it's something about the age.
But then I bounced back and took some crowd shots.

33 so far has been OK. Nothing to cry about but also nothing to celebrate about other than the fact that I am alive and healthy, which is a great thing to be thankful for. I am hoping that next year will not be as bad. 

Thanks to all my NYC friends who came out that night. You made it one of the best NYC memories to date.

Ode to Duncan

I have a friend. He is unlike any friend I have. His name is Duncan Elmer. 

Duncan always knows how to have a good time and make everyone laugh, even though he's British.
Duncan is the type of person that is always there for you and helps you through all your troubles.  (here he is on the right with some random guy)

Enjoying tasty beverages are always in hand. He will even try them for you to make sure that there is not poison in it. A true hero.

Because he is such a special person he has many friends. He befriends the type of people that don't usually have friends and makes them feel important. He changes lives.

Everyday is a day to celebrate. When you are with Duncan everyday is a holiday. There is always joyful singing and hugs all around.
So here's to you Duncan Elmer. I raise my glass and thank the stars above that you are someone I can call Friend!!