The Joys of the British Housewife

Yes, I'm back to being a housewife. Apparently my availability from now 'til Christmas doesn't suit the temp agency, so I'm back to being unemployed until after Christmas. They didn't say that exactly, but I get the feeling that I won't get called now until the New Year. So, what's a girl to do with all this time on her hands? BAKE! I'm doing Christmas cookies this year! Today is day one of my baking spree, and I'm making peanut butter cookies! It's hard to find ingredients, so I started with those as I could find everything I needed. I think before I continue, I'll have to drop by the American food store to pick up some other ingredients!

Next week we're having our annual Jingle Bell Blast that we usually have for all of Mike's team. However, apparently people don't socialize with people they work with here, so I think it's just going to be us expats! Fine by me! I don't think we'll pull out the beer pong table this year, much to our dismay, but it would have to go outside, and it may be a little cold!

What a Nice Surprise!

Yesterday when we came back to the flat and collected our mail, Mike had a note from the Royal Mail that he had a package to pick up. Today I went to get it, wondering what it could be as we weren't expecting anything. Lo and behold it was a package from one of the partners that Mike used to work for in NJ filled with GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!! It was really nice of him to think of us over here across the pond!

I heard from the temp agency today. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) wants me back. After I told her my availability between now and the New Year, she said she'd have to call me back. Well, I haven't heard back from her yet! Between now and Christmas, I'd only be able to work 1 full week, so maybe the passed on that!

This weekend we're going to Berlin from Saturday to Monday, and then in 2 weeks we're going to Helsinki, Finland from Saturday til Monday as well. Doesn't leave much time for me to actually WORK!

What a Whirlwind Weekend!

While I have to say it was WONDERFUL to see everyone at Thanksgiving the toll the trip is taking on me is crazy. We rolled into Peterborough yesterday around 9:30 AM. Mike decided to walk from home, so into the living room and to his computer he went. I, on the other hand, went to bed. I know I should have fought it and stayed up, but there's no way I could have. I slept until 3:00, when Mike woke me up to eat something. He made the American favorite Mac and Cheese for us. I was then determined to stay awake, and lasted until about 6:00PM when I was falling asleep on the couch. Mike sent me to bed for the night. I woke up again around 10PM and was worried I wouldn't sleep through the night again, but took some Benedryl and I was A-okay! Mike keeps telling me that you're not supposed to sleep like that because it will be harder for me to get back on track, but I'm not sure I could have stayed awake even if I tried!

This weekend we are off to Berlin to see their Christmas Bazaar and all the sites the city has to offer. I think we're most excited about seeing the Berlin wall and checkpoint charlie. We get back from Berlin around mid-day on Monday, so it should be a nice trip!

That's all from me for now, I need to go and do some food shopping--we don't have anything in the house!

No Electricity!!!!

This morning, as I was going through my usual routine on the computer, email, myspace, facebook, news. The power went out! I figured it was a normal power outage, and it would come back on shortly. So I waited. Then I called Mike to tell him to call me on the landline if he needed me because the power was out. He directed me to the circuit breaker box. The circuit breaker box is about 8 feet up (yes, we've got very high ceilings) so needless to say when I stood on a chair, I still couldn't reach. I literally had to move the entire kitchen table over to check it out. There weren't any switches flipped to off but the main one, and STUPID me, didn't realize that was a bad thing. I went back to my conclusion that the power had just failed and if I was patient, it would come back on. So I waited, and waited. Finally, about 4 hours later, Mike called to check on me. I told him that all the switches were on "on", but the one that's separate, which I later found out is the main. At this point I called the property management company, and they had an electrician out in about 15 minutes...It helps that it was considered an emergency because our heat is run by electricity. The electrician came and as it turns out, there was one circuit that was a short, the rest were okay, and luckily it's our backyard motion sensor that's out. He's supposed to come back tomorrow to get everything up and running, but for now, at least we have lights and heat! Just when I thought it was going to be a nice relaxing day at home....

Ice Skating at South Kensington

So the expats tried something new last night...something that didn't include alcohol as the main event...though we did hit up the pub afterwards! We went ice skating in South Kensington next to the Natural History Museum. One thing that I learned last night is that I freaking HATE ice skating. I went around the loop a couple of time and I was ready for a nice hot chocolate! I sucked it up for the sake of the group for the entire hour...feet hurting and all! Mike was a show off as usual, spinning and doing everything short of a double sow cow. It was fun, once I got my skates off and had a chance to sit down in a nice warm pub.

Last Day at IMechE...

Or is it...when I was leaving today, they gave me a bottle of champagne and said they would love it if I came back after my holiday. The people there are bloody mad, so it makes going to work interesting so I think I will give them a call when we get back next Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm really excited about having Monday and Tuesday off!

English Word of the Day...revised

So, I have been set straight by Queen Maureen. Bollocks does not mean shit or crap, but "balls". I suppose that it doesn't make much difference in usage.

PS...don't worry mom...no more bad words for awhile!