04 July 2005
Words of wisdom
Ok, I'm back. Here's the deal--the last week has been hell, and I just haven't had the heart or the strength to write anything. No major catastrophes, just the culmination of lots of little niggly bits that managed to all get worse at the same time. Anyway, I wanted to share some of the things I've learned in the last week:
1. A 7-hr roadtrip is NOT a good idea if you have major bladder problems and are almost out of painkillers.
2. It doesn't matter what the ambient temperature is, outdoor bodies of water in England are COLD. Period.
3. My children will stay in said outdoor bodies of water until they physically turn blue, and then call me mean when I make them get out.
4. My mother-in-law is certifiable. Insane. Completely separated from the real world. Yes, everyone bitches about their MILs, but seriously, this woman should be in a straitjacket.
5. A 10 yr old and a 5 yr old will play together much better than a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old.
6. You really do get stared at if you let your child wear a Power Rangers costume through service areas on British motorways.
7. But it doesn't matter because it really makes him happy.
8. Buying international plane tickets for a family of 4 in July and August is not cheap. To the tune of $6,000 not cheap.
9. You can spend a month in Thailand or two weeks in the south of France, flights and hotels included, for the price of a trip to Iowa.
10. But it doesn't matter because you've made your mom very happy.
11. Being on convalescent leave on and off for six months is NOT fun. Seems like it should be, getting to stay home and not having to work, but it really isn't.
12. Children sitting 2 feet apart in the back of a car on a road trip can be amused for a VERY LONG TIME by talking to each other on their parents' cell phones.
13. My cats don't like being left alone; and they show their displeasure by leaving headless birds in key locations through my house.
14. Celebrating the 4th of July in a foreign country can be many things; fun, interesting, eye-opening--but it is not the same.
15. 20 liters of gasoline (roughly 4 gallons) costs about $40 in Devon, and only gets the momma mobile just above the red zone. Filling it up costs 48 pounds, or almost $100. Gas coupons are a godsend, and we will never again allow ourselves to run out.
16. Sangria isn't very good when made with white zinfandel instead of red wine.
17. July evenings in Cornwall are perfect hot chocolate weather.
18. My 3 yr old is terrified of fireworks. He would prefer to spend the display time rolling down a steep 30-foot hill. That terrifies me.
19. My husband does not like it when said 3 yr old plays with mommy's sparkly make-up.
20. I can actually survive 3 whole days without any computer access whatsoever. Who knew??
That's all folks. Back to normal tomorrow!
posted by Julie at
9:36 PM
6 Comments:
Glad you're back. I cannot imagine having hot chocolate right now! It is SO hot here in central Texas we can't be outside without being in some tepid pool of water. You know its bad when your kids willingly leave just 20 minutes after arriving at the park, just so they can go home and drink ice water. It was 104 here today.
Happy Long Distance Independence Day!
#14 especially when you are celebrating Independence day in the country that we declared our independence from!
#17 what jennifer said about the weather, this was our first weekend of many over 100.
By the way, you were missed.
I'm glad you're back.
What have you done to that child? No fireworks and you can't sing Happy Birthday to him? And you think my kids are weird.... ;-P
When you get all of the birds cleaned up and you've had a chance to charge the phones, give me a call!
$6000!! Yikes!!
Glad to see you back!
wow .. sounds like 4th of july abroad is just as crazy as 4th ofo july in the states.
wow..6,000..it would cost us around 2500 to fly from minneapolis to detriot....but hey,i guess i owuld rather be tortured by long ass boring dirves across Gods country...have a good tim e...
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