FREE TO BE YOU AND ME

I think Marlo Thomas wrote a book with this title, I remember the title but not the book. I don't think it was that good - sorry Marlo. Last night I spent a couple of hours with a woman that made me remember the title of that book and all the freedoms that I am allowed in my life.

Keti is a 50 something woman who grew up in Communist Georgia. She's probably about my age but her life has taken its toll on her mind and body. She related her experiences matter-of-factly and without self pity but as I listened to her I added her story to the many that I have seen and heard over the years and that helped me realize in a very real way what an incredible blessing it is to have been born in a country where people expect and enjoy the freedoms that we do.

In conversations with my family sometimes I am accused of being unpatriotic but I would venture to say that I am as patriotic as they come. I think experiences like these have helped me become more empathetic to the hardships and injustice that exists in so many parts of the world but it also reminds me daily of how fortunate I am for the privilege of being born in the country that I call home. I don't always agree with the decisions that the leaders of my country make but the realization that I can say that aloud without fear of repercussion is one that I hold dear.

I expect I will be spending a lot more time with Keti and I hope my heart can take it.

I AM AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BLOG READER

The more I get into blogging the more I learn about blogging and the people that blog. I look forward to that time in the morning when I've finished my class, seen the kids off to school and walked Jeff to work. This is the time that I read my blogs. I should really put exercise before reading, but, what can I say? I'll get to that when I get to it!

I like all kinds of blogs and my eyes are opened to different kinds of blogs every day. I have to say that my favorite blogs are family blogs. They are the people that I'm most interested in. I want to know what is going on in their lives. I don't care if they write the best grammatically, or if their sentence structure is on target. I just want to hear what's going on in their lives that are so far away from mine. Unfortunately, my family is not the best at updating their blogs, with one notable exception and we all know who that is... Before someone bites my head off I want you to know that I count myself among those inconsistent bloggers.

So because I'm just not getting what I need from family I've turned to reading other blogs - sometimes of people that I don't even know or that have no obvious connection to me. At first I felt a little voyeuristic doing this but then I realized that if you have a blog that is really popular and has a big following you probably are counting on frustrated blog readers to puff up your stats a little bit. I have my favorite genres that I like to read but I am expanding my interests and will read about any type of blog that catches my eye or that someone else recommends - at least once.

Next to family my favorite blogs are those of friends and old acquaintances. It's great to see where they are and what they are doing. It's funny how we come across each other and how we can stay feeling connected just by reading a little bit of what's going on in their lives.

I also like foodie blogs and I have some favorites depending on my mood: comfort food, healthy food, eating out food, etc.

I like special interest blogs: Politics, crafts, parenting, movie reviews, book blogs, etc.

Lately I've found some blogs that are just downright entertaining to read. They just have personal insights from their own little world and it's so interesting to see what other people are thinking.

I am a devoted blog reader, I admit it. I sometimes get after my kids for their 'Facebook' obsession but is this really so different? I think not. So I'll enjoy my 30 minutes every morning and let them enjoy theirs - guilt free!

P.S.

It's ten minutes later than my last blog - remember the one about how beautiful the day is? - and it is hailing, yes HAILING! Only in London.

LEFT OR RIGHT - WHICH SHALL IT BE?

I am having a heck of a time uploading pictures today so I'll just settle for the ones that are on here now but I had a fantastic video of the calvary practicing a charge or something in the park this morning. I will still try to find a way to put that on but I am out of time for this little project today. I have a two foot stack of filing waiting for me and a stack of bills. What am I thinking!? So anyway...

My blog for the day is on how different the scenery is if I take a left as I come out of my house or if I take a right as I come out of the house. If I take a left I am usually met with bustling city life. Lots of traffic, lots of people, loud noises and lot of shops.





But today I opted for a right turn. This is what I saw:


The trees are flowering. This happens to be Tay's favorite tree here. When we are in the U.S. (east coast) her favorite tree is the Cherry Blossom tree. This is a close second. But it doesn't stay in bloom long so we enjoy it while we can. Usually sitting on that little bench right there.






The tulips are out! I love the tulips here. I can find tulips here all year long and usually have a vase of them on the table in the front hall. But they looked especially beautiful in the park today. I walked through the rose garden but apparently it isn't quite time for those yet.



As I mentioned I captured a great video of the calvary working on a charge today. I'll keep trying to get that on - If anyone has a hint or two let me know. But I also saw a lot of people just 'riding' through the park today.



This is my window box this year. Now I expect it to get better as time goes on - I will have an update in the next few weeks. But it is filled with rosemary, lavender, white geraniums and purple pansies. Can't wait to see it when it fills out a little bit. Have a great day!

Random Thoughts for April

First, it was a beautiful day yesterday. Surprisingly so, it started out with the same conversation I have with Jeff most mornings at the front door:

Jeff: Should I take my umbrella today?
Suz: It looks a little overcast - maybe you should take it.
Jeff: Maybe I'll just live dangerously.

OR

Jeff: Should I take my umbrella today?
Suz: No, it looks beautiful outside.
Jeff: Maybe I'll take it anyway - just in case.

Why do I have this crazy conversation with him everyday? I think we are in a conversation rut and the next time we are saying goodbye at the front door and this umbrella thing comes up (tomorrow) I'm going to say "you decide!" That ought to stir things up a little bit.

Next, we regularly make book orders at our house. There are libraries around here but they are not convenient and my daughter (Tay) tells me that they don't have the things that she needs - which I assume she is talking about one of her favorite reading genres - Manga. So we bite the bullet and make a fairly regular book order. Sometimes I get a little concerned about how much time Tay spends reading her Manga. But yesterday our book order came in and along with the two new Manga's that came in for Tay she ordered Paradise Lost by Milton and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Her reading tastes are certainly eclectic and I'm going to just relax and just be glad that she likes to read.

And last, but not least, I promise (and I don't make promises lightly) that I will put some pictures on my blog of some of the gardens in Hyde Park and my new window boxes that are filled with Rosemary, Lavendar, pansies and geraniums.

Have a wonderful day - and by the way did M & D go golfing yesterday?

Removal Day

She's been waiting a long time (and we've paid a LOT of money) in anticipation of "REMOVAL DAY." Today was the day. Andrea got to stay home from school for the whole day as it takes two visits to the orthodontist for 'removals'. She couldn't sleep last night she was so excited. Our appointment was for 9:30. We tried to find a cab but couldn't so we jumped on the bus and ran the rest of the way - to make sure we didn't lose our place in line or something like that. We took before and after pictures - some with friends and some without. We memorialized the stairs up to the office - hopefully we won't be going back there much after this. And we headed straight to Starbucks after for a hot chocolate to celebrate. What more could a 14 year old ask for. She has mentioned that she is pretty happy several times today...

Congratulations Anny - you look Sensational!

By the way - Happy Birthday Auntie Julia! What a great day all around. Hope your day is as good as A's.

Still Making Soup

I usually herald the arrival of Spring with a change in cuisine. Instead of soup, stews, and meaty casseroles I turn to a lighter menu - salads and more vegetarian options. But this year I find that I'm still making soups. That may have something to do with the frigid air outside or the feeling that spring just has not sprung! Last night we ate split pea soup. Definitely a winter menu item. When is it going to be Spring!!?? I'm going to the park today to see if I can conjure up some spring feelings. Adios...

p.s. I'm making apple crisp as we speak - can it get any more Fallish?

It's Snowing

It's snowing here in London...



I thought that curse... er um blessing was reserved for SLC on conference weekend.

Eat the Seasons

I have a few favorite websites that I check out every week and one of them is ' Eat the Seasons'. This week is crab! I'm on the hunt... They also have a US version. Give it a look if you are in the mood - eattheseasons.co.uk

Buying the Graduation Dress

Andrea announced that she needed the 'Graduation Dress' for Tuesday pictures. She told me on Wednesday and I thought "no problem - we have almost a week." Andrea, on the other hand, was stressed. So we started on Thursday. Now there is no shortage of places to look around here - we are in the middle of retail heaven. So we begin, unfortunately A is in that middle ground, not quite in adult sizes but doesn't want to have anything to do with children's sizes (or should I say styles). I'm of the opinion that you should try on pretty much anything and everything. I can't tell you how many times I've said to my kids "how 'bout this?" And they say - "eeeeewwwww, never!" Then they put it on and what do you know they love it. So it's my policy to try on anything you can find in your size. Too big, too little, too womany, too kiddy, too LOW, too not there - I could see that Andrea was right to be stressed. Nothing happened on Thursday except the one dress that we found that we both found acceptable cost 360 pounds - that's over 700 dollars folks. I said how can THAT cost 360 pounds and Andrea pointed to a little insignia on the collar made of cubic zirconia. Apparently Armani can charge 360 pounds for a little dress. Unbelievable!

Friday was the last day to look considering the rest of the weekend was packed so we decided to take along reinforcements. Our reinforcement was also looking for a dress. Now we had two young ladies who had stayed up all night long talking and giggling looking for dresses. They got tired quick but I was desperate - keep looking.

We went home empty handed.

Today, I sent out super shopper (Jeff) he plans his minutes, making sure he is in the store for the least possible time. He had exactly two hours to spend with her and in 1 1/2 hours they came home with a dress! How does he do that?

Next time Andrea tells me that it won't be that easy I'm sending Jeff in the first reconnaissance mission and I'll follow-up.

I'll put on a picture as soon as she tries it on for me...

Where To Start...

We had a sense-sational time in Mexico. After living there for a decade and returning after 6 long years our senses were accosted with memories. Moments after stepping off the plane we smelled that salty ocean air and felt that steamy humidity soaking into our bones and our memories came flooding back. Some things had changed a lot and some not at all. It's bigger, that was immediately noticeable. But had our favorite restaurants survived the encroachment of tourism? Was our little school still there? Were the people that we worked with, our friends and neighbors - were they still around? We would soon find out.























Friday - Went to hotel and met up with Meg... had a great suite with an adjoining room with an incredible view of that amazingly blue ocean. Caught up with Meg - checked out new swimming suits and went to bed. It had been a long flight.

Saturday - Had chilequiles for breakfast. Been looking forward to that for a long time. Spent the day at the beach. The girls filled up on strawberry pina coladas and limonada. Andrea wanted to get her tan back??? Read a good book. Laid in the sun, worked on that jet lag.

Saturday night we took the bus to town to check on our favorite taco place. It took forever to get there and we were shocked at how many hotels had gone up and how much traffic there was in the city. All the restaurants were packed - but when we got to our little taqueria it was just us and a few locals. Sigh of relief...

Sunday - First stop - church. Great to see old friends. Some of our favorites were on vacation and were not there but we got to see the Garrido family who has grown up over the years. I guess that happens. All I heard was - WOW - Andrea was just "this big" last time I saw here. They remembered my brownies and they all remembered Jeff and all the great things that he brought to this little part of the world. They welcomed us 'home' and it truly felt like we had come home.

Monday - Went to the beach - again... I decided to give the kids ample warning that my beach laying days were coming to an end so beware! They were still working on their tans and having fun by the pool and, last but not least, diving head first into the cool blue waves. Beach was destroyed - hurricane troubles but there was a way to get to the water.

Tuesday - Last hotel beach day. I was being patient and to be honest I was having a great time. We all needed a little R & R and this was just the ticket.

Wednesday - I warned them... Left early for Valladolid, Ek Balam and Rio Lagartos. Found a great little palapa to eat lunch under and then we went to the ruins. Zipped through, around, up and down and then headed further north to Rio Lagartos. A lazy little town that has a flamingo reserve situated close by. Hired a boat and went to check out the birds, alligators, birds and more birds. It was beautiful. The flamingos will start nesting this month.

We went back through Valladolid to eat dinner and pick up a hamaca and some mexican candy.

Thursday - We were going to spend the last day on the beach but I decided to rent the car for one more day. We started out our journey by scouting out all of our old houses and the school that the kids went to - Communidad Educativa del Sol. Still there - bigger and better. We stopped off at the local Commercial Mexicana and bought some fresh, hot off the griddle, tortillas and pan dulce. En route, I was stopped by a policeman for 'speeding.' Although I wasn't thrilled about the whole thing it did bring back funny memories. I used to get stopped every week when I lived in Cancun. I knew the policemen then and we would just chat and he would eventually let me go. Sometimes he would ask for favors and I would always say "give me the ticket." After a while it was just what we did. This day I didn't get off so easy and 200 pesos later we set off to what is now affectionately know as the Riviera Maya, the beach south of Cancun and North of Tulum. It was a bittersweet day and we all agreed that we were glad that we had seen it in it's more pristine state 16 years ago. Things were not the same. But we did scout out a proper beach and spent enough time there to bury Tay in the sand and walk along the beach.

Fridiay we had time to spend out by the water before we caught our flight to Mexico City.

Flew on to Mexico City later that afternoon and took a taxi to Polanco. Checked into the hotel and once again had a great room. So many familiar faces - so many great memories.

Saturday - we went to Bazaar Sabado where we found some of our favorite artists. Meghan bought another painting. Later that evening we met up with some friends at our favorite taco place Lago de los Cisnes. Filled up on tacos and great conversation. Couldn't miss our other fav place - Churros. That was dessert.

Sunday - went to church. Great people! So kind, generous and warm. Delivered Cadbury Easter Eggs to the kids - made a big mess. What was I thinking? Went to dinner again with friends. Closed the restaurant and headed back to the hotel. When we got back to the hotel we were surprised and delighted to find an old friend - Alex - staying at the hotel also. We spent the rest of the evening talking to him - a great end to a great day.

Monday - caught that long flight back to London with enough great memories to keep us company and hold us over until our next visit to one of our favorite countries. We will be back and hopefully it won't take us six years.

p.s. Double click on that boat picture - freaky!