Mom jeans

Ok, so this is totally shallow and somewhat harsh considering the poverty of the world, BUT to the American, pretty funny....

Mom Jeans Video

Someone sent this to me awhile ago, so I know it's totally old and made the rounds, but I just want to say that recently I bought mom jeans and now I know how it still happens. FYI--this video is not for real--it is a spoof/joke commercial (some people have thought it was for real).

I was jet lagged and just home from England--needing a new pair of jeans, which was exciting b/c the old ones were too big! My friend offered to take me and so we went to Goodwill and that's when it happened.

-I was ready to buys some jeans and tired of thinking about it

-they were like $2

-I didn't want to drag my friend around to a bunch of stores

-I only looked at my profile, not the backside

-something happens in those dressing rooms--"OH, it's not THAT bad..." I should have walked out and shown my friend...

and this, girls was the fatal flaw...

Now, it's been a couple of months and even my "frugal" husband thinks I need to go shopping.

so, that's my confession... yes, in 2010, I bought mom jeans!! Now I am in Dallas hoping for an upscale resale shop and too afraid to go to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

I also have my old jeans, but for the life of me cannot find my belts.... These were my English charity shop purchase--again, I should have had someone with me! They are so cute, but have this one little thing wrong, which is probably WHY they are in the charity shop. They are hipster jeans, but have this V that comes down a bit in the middle of the back of the jeans--I know, what in the world? Even my mom has said she has seen it when I am bending over--these are the worst offenders for not be able to feel when you are sharing yourself with the world!!!

Hmmm....

for Year One!

Hello, Year One! We love and miss you ALL!!!!

Emma Shae and her brother and sister have been traveling and in fact have 2 more places to go--Waco, Texas, where Emma Shae was born and then to Uganda. They are great little travelers and we have seen amazing things and have had a lot of fun!

Well, Emma Shae has been on quite a journey. When she left Liverpool, she went to the great city of Bath for a day and night and then went to the Cotswolds, where it snowed! She made her way to London for 3 days and then flew from London to Houston, Texas! She spent Christmas with her grandparents in Houston.

Then began a small U.S. tour. She visited her Uncle Jeff's family for a second Christmas in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She saw her Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sarah and her cousins, Ryan, Maddie, and Aubrey.

The she drove through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina to Greensboro, North Carolina, which in the northern central part of the state, not far from the Virginia border.

After celebrating with Gammy (whom you met in October!), she went for a couple of days to visit friends in the mountains of Virginia, in a beautiful town called Charlottesville.

Next, she dropped down to Greenville, North Carolina to visit friends and see the place where her brother was born and her mom and dad lived during her dad's medical school! It's the home of the ECU Pirates--that was one of the teams we told you about at Thanksgiving!

After that, she went back to Greensboro for a few days to visit with Gammy and then headed back to Texas. She drove through the mountains of North Carolina, hit a detour because of rock slide (they have also gotten ALOT of snow, like you guys)--this made our journey 20 hours!! We went home through the states of Tennessee, Alabama, spent the night in Meridian, Mississippi and then back through Louisiana and finally back to Grandma and Grandpa's in Houston, Texas.

Whew!

Emma Shae and Year One

All the kids have grown so much in our time here--they have persevered and we are so thankful! Wanted to say that Emma Shae has just flourished in Year One (like American Kindergarten) and here are some pictures. Probably only her grandparents will want to watch videos, but here is a peek of our wonderful school and the happenings of Year One at Waterloo Primary! They are such a precious class and the teachers work so hard to make sure they are learning and having a good time. They worked on nutrition, exercise, helping others, songs, numeracy and literacy!

They have a great website, by the way, with very helpful links for kids--check them out!

Ms. Williams as the kids enter the stage.

The three amigos--Poppy, Emma Shae and Holly
Ms. McCall and Holly describing what they did --she is Florence Nightengale. They also had a visit from one of the mums who is a nurse. Emma Shae had quite a story of going to the A and E with Mrs. Baldwin (the principal) in a taxi--I kept saying to her, why didn't they call me? She was tricking me :).

Emma Shae got a cracker award--came with a crown and medal.
The school has golden awards and golden time to reward good behavior. Students selected for the Golden table get to sit at a round table one day for lunch and eat on real china--what a great idea and an honor for Emma Shae to be able to do this. She was pretty proud :).

Oops--the videos load in the right order, unlike photos.... hmmm... so, the last is first--start at the bottom and work backward, if you would like the correct order.

Narnia

One of the highlights of my time has been to participate in the Narnia--they graciously allowed me to volunteer--even though I got a little too excited about the walkie talkies and wearing these tabards :). Not sure if that's how you spell it or say it, but that's what I heard :).

Narnia was a Christmas performance put on by the ministry In Another Place who worked with local churches and several local ministries. It was incredible--all volunteers and the orchestration was amazing. They had schools come through during the week and then open to the public on Saturdays. They had taken over a huge church that is used for community purposes and turned it to this interactive Narnia play. The sets were amazing! They had several people rotating through the characters, each bringing their own flare and creativity to their roles.

I salut the cast and staff/volunteers of Narnia--it was such an honor to see all of it and these guys remain my heroes!

Basically, you walk into the building and immediately are greeted by people in character welcoming you from being evacuated from London to the Professor's house. You have a safety briefing and then you can either go on a trail as Lucy or as Edmund. So, when the characters talk to you, you make your decisions as one or the other. Then you walk through a wardrobe into Narnia.

If you are Lucy, you meet Mr. Tumnus, then Mrs. Beaver, then Father Christmas, see the White Witch accuse Aslan, goes to the stone table, watch the stone statues come alive to a dance and get crowned kings and queens of Narnia.

Edmund goes in after Lucy (like the book) and then meets the White Witch, Mrs. Beaver, goes to the White Witch's palace, sees the White Witch confront Aslan, goes to the stone table and then to be crowned king and queen of Narnia.

Both trails get to watch the stone table scene with Aslan before going to Cair Paravel. Both trails come out of the wardrobe again and into the Professors study where they hear the Professor summarize the book, talk about themes of the book (temptation, loyalty, hope, gifts, forgiveness, back to life and responsibility) and then discuss comparisons to the real world and the story of Jesus. Then they get to make snow flakes and write a thought on how to use their power and influence as kings and queens or a prayer.

I had several roles stewarding--I was exit steward, marquee steward and ended by running the Edmund trail. The first day I did it, I was with Jenny and she was so sharp and good and multi tasking--it was wonderful. Then I was supposed to take over and she would be my support. I panicked--I tried like heck to get her to take the walkie talkie back, but she held firm and pushed me out there. Then I was fine and happy to do it! Jenny is probably 20 years my junior, but I definitely learned from her and so grateful for her leadership skills :).

At the White Witch's castle.

John, Hannah and Jenny! These guys are with a group called Y kids that work with inner city youth among other things!

Jenny, John and a most excellent Mr. Tumnus.

The White Witch are her sledge with turkish delight. One of my favorite comments to the White Witch was from a mildly mentally retarded girl who had her eye on the witch and when she was called Edmund "brat" and get my fur mantle--she exclaimed, "Cheeky! Lazy Sausage." The girl had a big smile and seemed to enjoy being ordered around.

Mr. Tumnus at his cave.

Mrs. Beaver in her lodge.
The back of the Beaver's lodge, going to the icy waterfall and Queen's castle.

Outside of the Beaver's lodge.
Icy waterfall.
Father Christmas sledge--kids get in and get to watch part of the movie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Stone Statues. This was some of the most moving of the play to me. These guys are all adults with various challenges--Down's Syndrome, etc. and they were just a delight to work with and did an amazing dance. At the end, several of the school groups that came through had severe mental retardation or autism and it was so powerful to see them come through and see the statutes as well as the dance. I would fall apart and cry every time when Mr. Tumnus would crown them as king and queen and ask them to take their rightful place. These things are such a mystery, as is much suffering, but the visual truth and the hope of heaven sure puts it all into perspective--one day!!! Notice the frozen faun in the back....

Cair Paravel
White Witch throne and castle.

Craft area and professor's study at far end--it was so cute inside, but their were people in there, so I didn't take a picture. It looked down to detail like a study!

Accents, what kids say and other tid bits

We often get asked are the kids picking up accents?

Emma Shae was the first. She just has really embraced living here. She kind of comes and goes with an accent now--for awhile, she would only whine in it.... Now, when she is around her friends or our British friends, she will slip into her accent.

Mallory has recently started with her accent--of course, with the whining! Early on she was so cute, she would turn to me and say, "It's a lovely day, mom." She liked going on the train and especially listening as the announcer announced different stops. Her favorite is "Bootle New Strand." For awhile she would ask to go and one time we just went b/c she was so cute. I

enjoyed watching her walk along and look at all the buildings.

Last week, she said, "this is a lovely dinner, mom." Mallory, you can have whatever you want :).

Last week, she said matter of factly, "Mom, they don't say orange, they say 'ginger'." I love that, too. Instead of red-head, they say ginger or he has a ginger beard. When we went to Kenya and the first time I saw a Masaai, I just wept. It was like National Geographic, but live and I couldn't believe the incredible privilege of seeing these people in person. I have found myself in the same heart with red haired people or different British looking people--my heart just swells with the honor of seeing people in their element! One of the girls I am volunteering with is a ginger from Northern Ireland and she told me to "think Ginger" today as I was taking her place as a steward. I had to ask her about it to make sure (yes, another dullard from America) b/c I thought Ginger from Gilligan's island and then Ginger the Cat from the Last Battle.... but, now I'm ready...

Micah came home singing, "ABC, easy as one two, three." The Michael Jackson movie, This is It was showing at the local theatre and I guess all the kids are mimicking? He was doing the moon walk, etc. We were dying laughing--he came to England to learn about Michael Jackson. "It doesn't matter if you're black or white..."

2 weeks ago, Emma Shae came home singing "what would you do if.... I get by with a little help from my friends..." Mom, we're learning about the Beatles--do you know about them? she knew the whole song, except, I don't think they sang the part of getting high--I don't know the song, but Aaron did and he noticed she didn't sing that part!

The other funny thing about Emma Shae is how she has embraced Fair Trade--she is into it! I took an advent picture--noticed later she's pointing out the fair trade! Mom, they're helping people! Then, she comes home retelling all these rhymes they learn--my favorite is, "Healthy heating, healthy sleeping, healthy exercise..." ok, so I am blanking on the rest, but she is so, so emphatic and cute saying it!

Emma Shae came home last week saying Owen was a "cheeky monkey," or so and so is such a cheeky monkey-ha!

So far, Micah has not picked up an accent, but is learning great manners and lots of other cool stuff. He is really keen on phrases and food and other customs.

One thing that is funny is "I'm going to tell on you" is "I'm going to tell off you!" Or something like that--I haven't verified this, but it's what our kids are copying... They come marching in indignantly and it's hard to keep a straight face. Or they like to bully each other in a British whine, "Give me that doll or I'll tell off youuuuuuuu"

Tonight, Aaron was playing with Mallory. He said, "ho, ho, ho, what's your name little girl?" She said, "It's Mallory, Christmas guy." where does she get this?

So, you think you speak English

Really enjoying the nuances of British English

Sort it out...

I'll just get...

he pinched my food (pinch=stole)

I had to que all day

You all right? or you all right, luv? (opening greeting--like our how's it going?)

I 'ave to have me constitution...(my friend said that when she was going for a smoke)

Quiz

1. I'm all made up!

a. I have make up on

b. I'm really proud of my outfit

c. I'm really happy

2. I have to run my rubbish to the tick

a. I have to take my recycling to the center

b. I have to go to the dump

c. I said a bunch of embarrassing things

Thanksgiving 2009

Diary of Thanksgiving....

October

bought a big pumpkin to roast and freeze for Thanksgiving--tried to bring cans in August, but forgot you can't carry that stuff on any more!

Pumpkin too big for oven.

Bought 2 little pumpkins, but they rotted before I could get them roasted, then magically after Halloween, all the pumpkins were nowhere to be found.

Shoot--no canned pumpkin either.

November

Thankfully, Mom and Dad mailed my pumpkin can anyway even though I had told her I found fresh ones. Thanks, Mom and Dad!!

2 weeks and counting...Turkeys go on half price and I spontaneously buy one--a small one to fit in our oven. I thought we might just have deli turkey, but decided to risk it.

spotted cranberries in the store--grabbed them and froze them--oh, they are from Canada, how nice.

One week and counting...I email friends to plea for a Reynolds bag--never cook a turkey w/o reynolds.

put pumpkin out to trash, but doesn't get picked up--got smashed while we were away for the week-end, so I am stalked by pumpkin bits laughing at me as I walk down our street--will we have pumpkin pie? not sure.

Week of...

Break down and buy square baking dish for pies--can't find a pie tin anywhere and no Pillsbury in sight--shoot! (find out on Saturday, they bake shortbread crusts and they use a fluted pie dish, which was everywhere--that's the pie dish. awww, man!) Also, when looking for the pie tin, I found mixing bowls AND measuring cups--where were these in August?

I think they put things out closer to Christmas?

Monday decide rest of menu -- no Velveeta, so we settled on a healthy, real version of broccoli and cheese and rice casserole. We invited 4 people over--one couple (husband from VA and wife from PA) and a brother/sister from Canada--they were bringing mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, Heidi ended up bringing these awesome After Eight sticks and caramel and green apples. We had turkey, ready made sage and onion dressing (no Pepperidge farm or stove top....), cranberry sauce, in addition to what's been mentioned--really did taste like home!

Wed panic--3rd or 4th trip to store to get little things you forget and don't have on hand in a foreign country--ginger, stuffing, pkt gravy!!!

Turkey bag arrives in mail and Mallory and I do the turkey bag dance--whew! Thanks, Susan!!! She also sent a nice prayer of Thanksgiving, which we said.

See a turkey bag for sale when I was looking for the meat therm. I can't believe this!! where was, it 2 weeks ago when I was scouring arggghhhh!

Pop in local bakery and ask about pecan pies--almost forgot. The lady says, oh, you mean "pea-cun" (say it fast) ewww... ok, never mind. they don't have those anyway. How about ready made crusts? Why yes, Sainsbury's has them.

3:30pm kids and I walk 45 minutes in wind and cold to get pie crust--yes, they had them and I bought 10 and almost cussed the check out lady out as she non chalantly threw them down--don't break those crusts!!!!! took a taxi back with my precious......

whew--all is well, pumpkin pies were made and they were perfect and although we couldn't find a meat therm, no one died from the Turkey and it was perfect thanks to Reynolds!

Thursday was a full day-- in the pm got to go to Emma Shae's class and read a book that their Gammy (Aaron's mom) had sent. It was a neat Thanksgiving book which talked about history--great story. Thanks, Gammy! At the last minute, the other year one class wanted to come in--so, I was reading to about 60 kids! I had brought Micah's UT and ECU t-shirts to talk about American football and I also brought in one pie for them to taste. The recipe should make 2 pies, but pies are smaller here and it made 5!

It was such a treat and honor to share Thanksgiving with Emma Shae's class--one of the grandmothers in the school yard wished my Happy Thanksgiving--made my heart sing :).

It was also a fun evening--someone about 11:30pm said, what time is it? Then everyone rushed out to catch the last train back into town (we live 15 min by train from the city centre) It was like out of a movie! It's funny what you miss and how this crazed mission came over me to get Thanksgiving dinner whipped out, but in the end it was very nice. We have a lot to be thankful for, don't we?

Reading to Emma Shae's class-she is right in front, by my knees.

Mom would be proud--they wanted to see the pie.

I taught them Hook 'Em Horns. Emma Shae told me that the next day when they were eating pumpkin pie, one of the teachers said, "Hook 'Em Horns!" Yes! I also held up the ECU Pirates shirt and taught them "Go Pirates" and "Purple, Gold"

Proud and relieved hosts--what a fun night to share!
Mallory didn't make it to dinner--it ended up being late as we waited on one of the guests to get home from a soccer match--she gave up and put herself to bed!