Happy New Year!

So – here it is, almost 2007, another year past, so much to mention – and so much to look forward to next year!

We started 2006 in sunny (?!) Seattle, setting the tone for a year of fireworks and excitement…

Which really kicked off in February, when, fuelled by ½ bottle of free wine and the sleepifying effects of pasta (thanks Strada of Barnes!), Ashley proposed, and I, similarly fuelled, accepted. Laughing, crying, and all manner of phonecalls ensued (‘Have you told your sister? Call your sister, and then tell her to call me right back when she knows!’) (And no, though it was February, it was not a Valentine’s Day proposal, that would be too cliché…) What it was, however, was incredibly sweet and special moment, and to stop my typical cynical joking for a minute, was an event that has already changed my life for the better, knowing I have such a fantastic, helpful, considerate partner by my side.

Save that for the wedding speech! I hear you cry… we want more fun & adventure in 2006!!

Ok – what else? Starting the year on another continent clearly kicked off the travelling bug for 2006: we were fortunate to make several trips again this year, both UK and further afield. From Las Vegas to Cinque Terre, Hastings to Dublin (this time a girlie trip for me & some friends), and of course Seattle one more time, we racked up a few more carbon emissions & collected a few more airmiles. (Must remember to plant a tree or two…)



Many of these trips were about seeing family, which of course is wonderful… we were so happy to be able to make it to LA for Rachel’s Bat Mitzvah, getting all the grandkids together [and one great-grandkid!]. This is still one of my favourite pictures from that trip… We love you and miss you Grandpa Bob & always will…

And thanks again to all the family that gathered again in Seattle for our ‘Pacific Northwest Wedding / Engagement Reception’ / Mom’s surprise birthday – I guess we’re lucky to have so many joyous and happy occasions to get people flying ‘round the world for. I only wish I could’ve flown back just a few weeks later – to see the youngest member of the family, darling little Beruria Esther (Kara – I hope I spelled that right!!). My little niece joined the family less than a month ago – welcome, and I look forward to seeing you when you take your first transatlantic flight next May.

We also had some grand adventures at home – not the least of which included Ashley’s summer of cricket glory (and my one day of ‘doing the tea’ – very nerve-wracking being responsible for tea & food for both teams, but the sandwiches and cheese biscuits seemed to go down well, and I let Ashley make the tea!). The cricket season was capped by our stunning 1-point victory in the Stonor Cricket Club annual quiz night (with friends Olly & Lee, Duncan & Sabine) Phew!

Of course, my favourite quiz night this year would have to be the one next door with a special guest appearance by MY MOM. We certainly wouldn’t’ve come in a near-first place without you! We had a fantastic week with you here Mom, and look forward to more visits (and I promise not to go off to Nigeria for a business trip the next time you visit!)
And of course, I certainly won’t be going to Nigeria the next time you visit. Because that will be for what we in our humble minds think of as the main event of 2007: (drum roll, please) the PlanetWulfagar Wedding. And I plan to stick around here for that!

not as hungry as i thought...

So I'm having these standard blood tests this morning (no, I'm not sick, there's nothing wrong or unusual - I just thought it would be a good idea to check my cholesterol, etc.) -- and I have to fast for 12 hours. Luckily (well, not luckily - they do it on purpose) - it's in the morning, so most of the fasting was overnight. I figured - no problem, settle into some cross stitch at night (where I never eat - don't want oils on the canvas!), sleep, wake up just in time for the appointment, and done.

But no - just as the clock hit 'no more eating', some friends who'd been skating at Kew popped over. And next door to the pub we went. I didn't mind just sipping water while they had their drinks. However, the smell of the cheesy fries ordered to accompany said drinks was a little more painful!

But I persevered, and now that I'm awake, I just miss my coffee. *Such* a tough life I lead, I know.

November 11th -special day

For the past 30+ years I've known November 11th was a particularly special day - more than just that Veterans' Day thingie.

But I just discovered that there is yet another event associated with it - almost nearly as exciting and important as my lovely sister's birthday.

Yes, it is the annual meeting of the Corduroy Appreciation Club. And it's held every year on November 11. Otherwise known as 11 - 11. Which looks remarkably like... yes - corduroy. Or rather, the wales that make up corduroy.

And how do I know this? Step forward, NPR Popular Culture Podcast. How MUCH do I love this show??!! I wish it were on daily, not weekly. The best thing through my headphones these days, that's for sure. And more than worth the price of the ipod! (well, considering my ipod was a gift, that's a bit unfair, but you know what I mean...) In the past few episodes I've heard about Battlestar Galactica, the significance of 11 - 11 (as above), and, um, some diner in Rhode Island. Fabulous and highly recommended! (The show, I mean, not the diner, though that's also probably pretty good...)

Restless leg syndrome online!

I hope the massage chair is helping your legs mom - I'd hate to see THIS happen in the condo every day!

It's snowing!!

make your own snowlflake HERE... hours of fun & entertainment!

A new worry

Great - now I need to worry about being fat even if I'm thin!

Are you 'avin' a laugh? Is 'e 'avin' a laugh?

How many of the top 100 TV catch phrases can you guess? (thanks TV Land...) (and I'm the headline of this blog entry is *not* on the list - though it deserves to be! Maybe they'll do a british version over here...)

Happy Birth-Day Fluff!!

Congratulations and Mazel-Tov to my lovely sister on the birth of baby number 2, AKA Fluff... (and congrats to her lovely husband too - I guess he had something to do with it...)

Pictures when I get some!

still Seattle-bound?

Ok, clearly we're no longer still Seattle-bound*, but I've been miserable about updating the site since we left... SO - in a brief update, some highlights of the trip (aside from of course the obvious great time seeing friends & family and celebrating my favourite holiday, Thanksgiving!):

**YUM. Best. Non-Philly. Cheesteak. Ever. Thanks Mom for suggesting Tat's!

**A few sunny breaks in amongst the clouds -- despite it being the wettest November since records began.

**Breakfast at the Crocodile. Pancakes and a mimosa... No - I didn't have the Trailer Trash breakfast, but I'm sure it won't surprise any readers that Ashley did! Shame we didn't make it back for an evening show...

**A freeeeeeezing walk in the sleet, with no break in the clouds -- but lots of laughs, and a few dog sightings (no, Ashley, we cannot adopt that one, no matter how cute!)

**Purchasing wedding rings (ack!!) from the lovely friendly people at E. E. Robbins

**And our first wedding gift (double ack!)

**Macy's Parade(s) -- Awww... the commercial-filled national one on TV, complete with Broadway musicals, Santa Claus, and my new favourite, "Healthy Mr Potato Head"; and the homier, marching-band and drill-team filled one through downtown Seattle (luckily during one of those sunny periods)

**Holiday spirit - dogs 'n' all...

**Introducing Toby to the 'power nap' ... and every other minute giggling with the cutest nephew in the world

**Catching up on a few more Law & Orders with my number-one TV-watching friend, my MOM! (shame we never got to the Tony Bennett special!)

Checking out a new bar with 'the boys', but leaving them to it after one drink (not, however, a bramble. Next trip to Seattle I'm making sure that bartender knows how to make one!)

Chowda and more chowda... first at Duke's with the Wright clan (followed by a trip to the aquarium - eat first, then observe them live?), then at the airport... when will I ever learn that I can never finish that sourdough bowl. But boy does it taste good!

Speaking of food - how about that 17 course meal at Rover's? [ok, slight exaggeration... but if you count each charcuterie separately...] With the will o' the wisp parking space...

And, and, and... Ahh... no wonder the time flew by so quickly!!!

*on the other hand, you could say we're perpetually Seattle-bound, because we'll be back!!