updates on TV license

Well, we got another warning letter from the TV license people. wonder if we will meet them before we leave. Actually, got the letter a few weeks ago and today ANOTHER one came--I'm scared to open it!

We ran out of Wednesday trash bags and I called the Council to see how we get more bags. They will come for the new year next week, when it is Nov., but they will give me some green trash bags to hold me over. Next day, the postal workers are on strike, but the council hand delivered a note telling us to recycle more and they might come and inspect our trash bags to make sure we are recycling properly. Although England is really green, our particular area of service does not recycle plastic OR cardboard (hey, even Waco does THAT!). My friend was appalled and suggested that we call them up and explain we are a family of 5 coming in half year of a flat previously rented--who knows what kind of waste THEY were doing?!

Dude, between the Council and TV license, I hope we can make it out of here by Dec.!

One funny thing about the mail--sadly, they have been striking and I guess I make a big deal to hurry and go to the post office in the middle of negotiations... Mallory, who is 100% on board and ready to go for anything has noticed the crown because it is the Royal Mail -- the other day she said, "Has the Queen picked up our mail?!" Definitely!

A surprise Day

After a stretching week, we had a surprise treat marathon on Saturday!

We went to see a movie on Sat morning--our local vintage theatre called The Plaza does a kids movie every Sat. morning where adults are free with a child ticket. What we didn't know is a play time, dance party starts at 9:30 and the movie starts at 10:30--a true culture shock morning. We are all there with our mouths open watching parents reading their newspapers and kids running like Lord of the Flies at the front of the theatre--we finally lean over and interrupt a newspaper reader and get the scoop. Aaron and Micah go home, but I am cemented to my seat in mild horror watching the kids--then the disco starts and the electric slide amongst other dances. This tiny little girl was in a velvet disco jumpsuit--amazing moves! And then I think--you know who would love this? My friend Patricia. I get a crank in my heart and tears in my eyes--she is made for a party and during my years in Waco helped this uptight white girl loosen up!! While I didn't get down there and dance, to my surprise, Emma Shae jumped up and was all over it! I was so proud of that girl! Honestly, Patricia used to say that Emma Shae is her adopted daughter and that rang true Sat. morning!! They were playing relay games, etc. and there was Emma Shae with sheer joy on her face. Mallory and I cuddled-nice. Micah and Aaron returned (wow--he took out the trash and did the dishes!) Then at 10:30am the lights went dim and The Fantastic Mr. Fox came on! Not sure if it's out in the U.S. or if it already came, but it is such a clever movie!

Then we went to McDonald's down town and to a toy store to buy toys.

Treat Fest 2009. whew!

Oh, one more surprise!

We went to the art gallery (which is FREE) on top of it all--celebrating being healthy!! Just as we got there, they were starting this interactive story. This young woman read a book about a mystery in the art gallery and one of the characters was acted out live as the kids went through the gallery. The point was to teach art. Kind of like a scavenger hunt they went through several rooms and upstairs, etc. Before each artwork was a giant sticker and the storyteller would tell the kids to stand on the sticker and they would! I thought I need these for my house--she never once had to say, "Don't touch the painting or sculpture." Go Liverpool art for kids--totally impressed! Click here to see the gallery. The Walker Art Gallery

On top of it all, it was supposed to be stormy and it was so pleasant and sunny--cold, yet bearable. This English weather keeps you on your toes!!

More National Health System (NHS)

After our friends left, we had the unwelcome guest of strep throat. Mallory got it first and had such a nasty rash that they thought she might have scarlett fever! wow. And so began a week of winding ourselves through the NHS....

On Saturday, Mallory and I went to a walk in clinic, only waited for an hour or so, quick diagnosis and end up having to pay for antibiotic- 7.20 pounds. The reception was shocked--had to ask workers for change b/c they are not used to people paying for medicine.

Monday, Micah shows up with symptoms. We call our GP and I am inspired to finish filling out our registry forms, although still kind of scared to do so.... They don't have an appt. We go back to the walk in clinic, wait for 2 plus hours and the nurse would not let us have antibiotics b/c Micah only had half of strep symptoms. Hmmm.. They don't swab for test, so we can only go by symptoms. No school.

Tuesday, we get an walk in appt. for our GP and still can't get antibiotics b/c only half the symptoms of strep. I (Wendy) start getting symptoms....Dr. swabs, but no lab on sight--it will be sent to hospital and I can call tomorrow about 4 pm to get result. No school.

Wed. no school. I call and it hasn't come back yet....hmmm...

Thus. send Micah to school with sore throat, but no fever, poor guy.I go to walk in clinic--no wait at all and nurse gives me antibiotics right away b/c 4 people have died this week of some kind of rare strep. Great. It was a different nurse, but he mentioned that he is taking sore throats more seriously this week... I get my medicine--have to pay 7.20 pounds--they don't have change, but a patient does, I almost said "Ta"--because I was so happy to be getting meds so quick! (earlier story about phrases here--Ta can mean thanks, good-bye, hello, etc.) I call again for the test results for Micah , it hasn't come back yet! I lose it, mildly. "what? this is so different, in America, we can do this in 10 minutes and get meds right away!!" Great, so now I am a jerk on top of it all. But I did talk to the Dr. and after babbling about deaths, 2 of us having strep and Micah always gets it bad, wah, wah, wah, she said, "ok, come at half past 4 for the rx. So, we did and took it to Higgins pharmacy and did not have to pay for it!! wow. Thank you, God, Micah got on antibiotics--cleared up right away, as did I!

so, an interesting journey. I kept thinking as I was lugging kids back and forth --taxi sometimes and sometimes walking half mile to train station to save money--at least we are not refugees in a war--those moms have it hard!! praying for you guys--honoring YOUR struggle!

Getting this off my chest!

Ok, one of my favorite things is reading the paper. Since having kids, I have not done that so much, BUT in coming here, it has been reinstated.

Can I just say, I am totally a revolutionary wanna be--I found a funny post card here that says, "I wanted to save the world, but I couldn't find a babysitter" So, true!

Anyway, I find myself ranting and raving through paper and I was reminded of when in college, every Sunday, I would splurge and get The Washington Post ($3!) I would just fuss and fuss and cry over various pictures and for a long time kept a file of photos what would impact me--usually having to do with war or natural disasters and the affect on families.

So, it was in there, buried deep and I find myself ranting, raving and praying through the paper, having since put my faith in the original revolutionary--Jesus!

Ok, so even as I am mad at Disney, China, various corrupt gov't around the world--I realize how hypocritical it would be to even post what I am ranting about--as if the U.S. Gov't doesn't have it's own corruption and problems...plus, I'm scared of liability as a true American past time!

But, it has made me aware again of what IS going to change the world? What is my role? I do think it comes back to as simple as loving your neighbor as yourself--that I can handle. If we all kept tabs on each other as neighbors, then wouldn't the world be a nicer place and there would be less room for the atrocities that are happening in Ohio, Ft. Hood, Congo, China, England, etc???

We are giving over to trying to buy more Fair Trade. My friend Helen who was just here is always such an inspiration to me--she goes to great length to be ethical in all buying and eco in all living and makes it look easy!! She was telling me about how Cadbury started as a group of Quakers back in the day who made chocolate for milk as an alternative drink to beer to combat alcoholism and they paid fair wages, etc. They are not marked fair trade b/c it's just built into their ethos--all out of a Christian conviction to love your neighbor... Then I was recently at an art gallery from the soap giant Lever--apparently from the Wirral (a peninsula near Liverpool)--who knew?--anyway, he went to great lengths to lobby for shorter working hours, built housing for his workers and gave an incredible amount of money back to the community. He built this free art gallery and believed that art was for everybody and all could profit! Click here for the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Pretty cool way to be a millionaire.

So, viva la housewife, viva staying current in news and viva somehow changing the world with it all!

A visit from Nick, Helen, Alex, Ben and little Micah

Well, after Gammy came, we hosted an English family that we first met in Kenya. Wish I had those pictures with me--Micah was 18 mos., their Alex and Ben were 3 and 11 mos. respectively. Now, we have added a Micah to their family and Emma Shae and Mallory to ours.

The kids got a long great--it was hard to say good-bye, but generously, they are hosting us as we leave England via London.

Some highlights from the visit

-hearing Alex read the night time Bible story to all the kids

--Hearing the Lord of the Rings read in proper accent by Nick--wow, that was totally awesome!

-Alex, Ben and Little Micah (he's 5) introduced Micah (and sort of Emma Shae) to the wonderful game and hobby of Match Attax--the football (soccer) player collecting game. It has now become a family favorite--I just want it to be know that even though I had no idea what I was doing or even what a striker is--I slaughtered Micah on the first and last time I played the game!! No wonder the kids are so competitive :) A pack of cards is 50P or pocket money as they like to say and you can pick them up in most news stands--they are very popular and we actually have only been able to buy them once, even though we are trying to follow our friend's tradition of once a week pocket money purchase... hmm... at least we are trying If you can click on Match Attax, you can take a peek at what we are talking about!

--Visiting Anfield, the Liverpool Football Club stadium

We also took a great hike and relaxed on the infamous Red Squirrel Reserve--did not see any red squirrels, but had a great time!

Mallory, Little Micah and Emma Shae after a picnic--the reserve is on the edge of a beautiful beach.

Big Micah, Alex and Ben plotting to take over the world!

Little Micah and Mallory building sand castles.

Emma Shae and beach rope extensions--lovely!

Helen reading to the girls--she is a GREAT reader as well as Nick and it was funny to hear her reading ballet books right when she is used to reading "boy" books!

It was such a good visit--Nick and Helen also introduced us to our first Balti--when the English are getting Indian take out--they say something like, "shall we go for curry?" So, we went for curry and found a new love--Indian take out!

It has been so great to keep in touch with these guys over 8 years! and to see them in their home culture --like specimens.... ha! Just kidding, but it was one of the "extras" we were really hoping for in coming to England! They are some of our heroes and still are!

November and resurfacing

Well, last we wrote, it was the day before Aaron's mom came--and we have had quite a bit of excitement since then!

I keep trying to get Aaron to write, but I guess he has a good excuse, like, learning life saving information to use in Uganda! He's off the hook!

So, here are the things we did to enjoy Gammy's visit--it was so surreal to have her with us and so nice to share with Mom!

We had high tea at the Maritime museum--it was a GREAT museum, but for some reason did not hold the attention of the kids. They did enjoy all the sweets with the tea and we had a good view of the famous Mersey River.

Went back to the Chatsworth because it's that cool and got to go with a classmate of Aaron's--Dr. Peter. Wendy and Mallory did not get to go b/c Mallory was sick and we ended up missing the excitement of Emma Shae getting car sick :). Gammy reported she was impressed and relieved that Peter and Aaron jumped to the clean up and took care of it all--way to go, guys! Doctors with a heart.
Betty and I got a half day out--so much fun. We had a good time going to a free art museum, but the main exhibit was Rothco, which I grew up with in Houston. It was pretty fun--we also enjoyed tea and scones at a fancy dept. store with a good view. A rare treat!
Day one, we took Gammy to the Crosby Beach with the famous Iron Man--check out the artist website and def. look at the pictures. I have at times been able to run on the beach and feel thankful for artists and how they invoke things from us--it's powerful!
Emma Shae's teacher surprised us and pulled Gammy into the classroom for a great big welcome--she was so sweet and generous--I got red cheeked and I know Gammy was pleased and surprised, as well. She had the kids welcome her and then tell what she should see in Liverpool. They almost all said the art museum, with a few votes for the fair :). We didn't get to go the art museum until after she left--hard to do it all!
We took Gammy back to Chester because it was awesome! We went while Aaron was in school, but had a good time anyway! Thankfully, the weather held off. On the train....
On the wall, knocking on history's door...
Under a store--Roman ruins!
We took her to Llangollan, Wales (yes, we did do SOMETHING different) I took 40 millions pictures of Thomas--I think Micah being the first born--Thomas must have been a true partner to this first time Mom :). I wanted to go hug him!!!
Yes, a beautiful rainbow in Wales and sheep--this is in front of Chirk castle in Wales.
We were so excited about this one--a REAL, in use aquaduct--we walked alongside for a bit. They travel on this--can go all the way up to Liverpool. In Llangollen, where Thomas was, they have these horse drawn barges that you can go on -- very narrow canals-- they also go up to Liverpool. Too bad we drove!
Oh, Chirk Castle--from 1310 when King Charles or was it Edward? was doing all this fortifying to fight the Irish. This castle is amazing on the inside--it looks like the Halls that we love so much because up until 1980 a bunch of nobles have lived in it--now it is with the National Trust.
Eating at a wonderful, historic Corn Mill on the banks of some river in Llangollen, Wales

Activist and generosity--thoughts from Wendy

One of the things I am falling in love with the English is that they are activists! I love it!

I first encountered this in Kenya when we shared a duplex with a British family. We are actually going to see them next week, Lord willing!

I remember being so impressed out how they conserved water, compost, etc.--it really put me to shame. I have already confessed that I am a total hypocrite when it comes to materialism--I despise it and am a follower. I was outed when we moved and had so much stuff!

Anyway, I love our church! The second week we were there, they had a car free Sunday--encouraging people to walk. They sell and promote fair trade products at the church. There is this great organization called Traidcraft click on the word to check it out. We first heard of it b/c our pastors wife has a brother who works for them. Their family just got back from South American and they went on a mission trip/holiday and part of it was set up as a holiday to support the poor and to visit a Traidcraft factory--they promote fair wages, among other things. Impressive.

Then, the first week-end of October was called Harvest. We brought flowers, candy, fruit and visited the elderly and shut in of the church and heard from a man from the organization A Rocha click on the word to find out more about them. He spoke about stewardship of the earth and we all know that God gave us the earth to tend. Our church has a great vision for the grounds as a place of beauty, peace and binding the community and they are active in community conservation right on the church grounds. They share God's love through this program and it really challenged me to rethink conservation and it's importance.

Even the Bishop of Canterbury has piped in..

see article here

As with everything, now many developing countries depend on exports to developed countries. So, in encouraging one moral response, families should do their own gardening to reduce carbon footprint, it turns out Kenyans rely on income from crops they export to England. Unintended consequences drive me mad!

It seems the whole country is keen on being eco friendly, which is so refreshing. Micah and Emma Shae both can recognize the fair trade symbol and ask for those products and to American credit--Micah said he learned about fair trade at school--go Live Oak!!

The city even picks up composting--wow! Although, our area does recycle plastic or cardboard curbside--but I was shocked and impressed when our landlord fussed about this! Also, it is a common site to see recycling in the "boot" of our friends cars. Most people carry cloth bags for their shopping around--we are getting there in America.

Oh, and they have tons of charity shops--each on supports a different cause--from cancer, to pet care to preservation of the local historic cinema. This is when I realized that I shop as recreation--I found myself going in there just to look and almost always coming out with something interesting. I just don't go in now unless I need to--things are dirt cheap!

I also cannot say enough about English generosity! In one of the charity shops, a lady gave Mallory a stuffed toy--our first week here and Mallory needed cheering up as she missed her brother and sister. Our doctor family friends that I have mentioned before-- met us, invited us over and offered their car, older kids to babysit and now helped us through Micah's asthma attack--more on English hospitals coming soon on Micah's blog. Another friend brought us toys, another had us over all day for Sunday lunch and gave the children books and walked us all the way home. When there are school gatherings and public transportation might be an issue, any of Aaron's colleagues offer to come get us.

They really go the extra mile here. They also call you love -- a lot . I like that! Other terms we are getting familiar with--ta (said tahhhhh--going up high pitched by ladies or tah briefly by the lads) Cheers. Anyone with information, would be greatly appreciated--Ta and Cheers appear to be a way of thanking AND saying good-bye. More on this as we remember to ask someone about it without looking like uptight white people in the grocery store....

Finally, save the red squirrel. This has made Aaron and I chuckle a lot--shows our cruel, American anti animal hearts (just kidding--we love animals). Usually, the squirrel is not something that would move us, but not so around here--it's a BIG deal. You can get a library card with a red squirrel on it and there is a reserve near us in a town called Formby--with pine trees--honestly, I was not excited about this b/c coming from Texas and North Carolina--we have tons of pine trees. But, now I feel bad and my heart is softening....

Save the Red Squirrel.

On another note--we have a friend named Tim Dale and he is from England although has a perfect American accent and demeanor due to growing up in America... Tim Dale is the only squirrel doctor in Great Britain...

Hmmm.... are they the same?! Article If you click on article, you can check it out--too bad there's no picture of Dr. Dale... Red Squirrel click on the red squirrel link if you want to check out the save the squirrels in Formby or donate...

So, well done England!!

Good show, old bean (said in your best, robust English accent)!! This our new favorite phrase our friend Esther taught us and it is appropriate!