Priceless...

I was speaking with a car mechanic friend of mine today and the conversation went as follows:

Mechanic:  Yeah I should have been a gynaecologist!

Me:  Why's that?

Mechanic:  Because if I was I wouldn't have people always asking me to look at something for them on the weekend.

Just Jumping On...

Hello Internet I am struggling with that to write so, I am going to copy MANY other people talking about what jobs they've had and jump on that bandwagon...
Kids of Camelot: This was my first job and I was really lucky to get it.  I only go it because I knew someone who worked there.  I started out working every afternoon with my very own group of 2 year olds.  I loved planning the lessons and watching them learn.  I worked there for a year.  After that year I had worked with all the other age groups and did summer camp.  I only quit because I had quite a lot of commitments with Madrigals.
Children's Garden:  I really enjoyed this job - for the most part - I started out working with the babies and within 2 months of getting hired I was promoted to Assistant Director.  I really enjoyed that because I got to be in charge - except the whole nasty business of firing people.  I got to show parents around the day care and put together a lovely Christmas program.  I got this job straight out of high school.  I left quite suddenly with a turn of events.  I was sad to go.  One of the best things about that job was that one day when I had just started my 6th grade teacher came in and it turns out I was watching her son.  I also loved that once I left quite a few parents took their kids out and within a few months the daycare closed.
Salt Lake Orthopaedic Centre:  I HATED this job.  I had a huge problem with the boss and I only stayed a few weeks.   Horrible!  I cant remember much about... I think I've blocked it out.
Lane Bryant:  I worked here one summer before I left for college.  I hated the job -- too much folding... but LOVED the discount.
Sear's Nanny:  This has been the very best job, and one of the best things to happen to me in my life.  I worked for an amazing family in Farmington, UT and several years later in Hershey, PA.  It was a very difficult job, at times - but the rewards of it were worth it.  When I started there were four kids - Bradford 8, Joseph 6, Abigail 4, Spencer 18 months... then baby Andrew who was born after I started.  I grew to love those kids more than I ever thought.  Now the kids are (this year) turning - 15, 13, 11, 9, and 7!  I love them like my own family and miss them tons!!!
Department of Workforce Services:   I was an accountant - I think that the title was the most shocking thing about the job. Crappy job... GREAT co-workers.  This is the longest job I have ever had.  Lots of drama, but I met some of the best people ever at this job.  I look back with very fond memories. 
Buttercup Day Nursery:  This has been my first job here in England and I can honestly say - MOST days I really love my job.  I like the people I work with a lot.  I work in the baby room so most of the time I get to cuddle babies all day -- it is great.
There you go... hope that wasn't too boring... but I might jump on this "tell all" theme more often.

Update... and some Pictures

Hello Internet... as promised this should be a bit more exciting than the last entry... sorry about that.  I am really in a strange place mentally and have quite a lot on my mind but dont know what I want the Internet to know.
Anyway...
I have had a fantastic weekend!  Here in England we get a 4 day weekend for Easter - Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday and, AND Bank Holiday Monday.  It is great to have the extra time off of work.  Friday I didn't do much of anything, but we did have my brother and sister-in law over for dinner and games.  We attempted to play some "Scene It" games but the DVD player decided to give up... so we carried on playing the Disney game with just the cards, which I proper killed everyone at (are you surprised?!!?).
Saturday we had a wedding at the chapel in Peterborough for some new members in our branch.  The lead up to the wedding was full of rumour and speculation...  I think the words Jerry Springer entered our vocabulary quite often.  It turned out to be entertaining if nothing else.
We had hardly any food at the reception, everyone dressed immodestly, a bride and groom who spent NO time in the reception, the bride drinking fizzy drinks straight out of the bottle (no brown bag included) and she was sitting on someone lap -- not the groom I might add, and I have the pictures to prove it.  All in all it was good only because of the company we had.  We have made some great friends in the branch and LOVE hanging out with them.  So we all sat at a table and entertained ourselves.  At one point Netty and I decided we needed some chocolate and nipped out to the store.  We couldn't find it and after an hour with Pepsi and chocolate in hand we pulled into the car park to find 3 cars.  We knew it was a horrible party but didn't expect that.  So we got in and everything was being put away.  I asked Chris what was going on and he said that the Branch President went home ill so he was in charge and he wasn't waiting around for it to end.  The worst part of the night happened next....  I was standing there trying to look like I was contributing to the clean up effort... and BAM!  Some stupid little girl who was messing around with the large plastic fold down tables dropped one of them right on the top of my foot...  "Oh sorry!" she says and walks away...  I turn and look at Netty who looks horrified and she says, "are you okay?" "Oh yeah I'm fine."  I say back - holding back tears.  I hobble into the kitchen and take a few deep breaths and try not to burst out crying and limp back into the hall.  I, today, have the beginnings of a very sweet bruise and was lucky she didn't break my foot.  After we had cleaned up we -- meaning me and Chris and the two other couples went to KFC to have some real food.  It was great.  The couples are a little older than me and Chris... have teenagers and are in totally different places in their lives but it is so great to have our own friends.  It makes me feel like a real adult with real adult friends.  They are the ones keeping us sane in the branch.
And today - today was a good day.  I woke up to this...

It felt more like Christmas than Easter.  It was the most snow this area has seen in quite a while.  We got ready for church (I had to give a talk - that I prepared this morning).  I went and picked up Naomi and Georgia and got to church.  They cancelled all the meetings except sacrament.  So after a half attempt at a talk (in a big hall with no microphone).  We came home missionaries in tow and I made them some American pancakes while they got up to this....
 
It was so nice to watch them, and Chris have a great time in the snow.  They were like kids throwing snowballs, building forts and making snowmen.  On the way taking them back to their house the yards and parks were littered with snowmen of all shapes and sizes.  Snow... so simple but yet it brought tons of happiness and fun. 

It was a great day. 
By the way....  here are some pictures from an old church Chris and I came upon on the drive home from his birthday lunch.  It is a church in a small village called Terrington St. John.  The church, we found out when we got home, was built in 1423.  I have a good friend called Tara who, when showing me pictures of her trip to London, explained that the one where she was laying on the sidewalk was because someone told her to do that because of all the history it held.  I didn't lay on the ground of the church but you cant help but put your hand on it and just try to imagine what history it holds.  You can tell by the pictures of the headstones how old it really is.


 
So there you go....
By the way... is it boring that I just post pictures of old churches and scenery and no kids???  I am the boring blogger because of my lack of offspring?  Just wondering....

In Retrospect...

I have a lovely family.  My youngest sister is going to be graduating from High School this June. I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  Thinking about what was going on when I graduated from High School, who I was friends with and who my held my heart, and thinking about what advice, if any, I would have wanted or taken.  Thinking of such advice has led me on a long, thought provoking walk down "memory lane".  I have had so many different feelings and thoughts these past few days I struggle to put them in a blog, because some of them seem deeply personal to me.  It has been quite fun to remember some of the things that I did that I really enjoyed and it has been quite refreshing to re-read through journal entries and realize that some of the pain I went though, that at the time I didn't think would EVER dull, has.  It has also given me the reassurance that I am a lot stronger than I often give myself credit for.  But, I have learned that the knowledge of strength is something that only comes AFTER the situation.
I know this entry is vague, but I just didn't want you to think I have forgotten about you Internet -- more interesting blogs to come.

Again I realise I am not in America...

The other day Chris and I were driving back up to our apartment from town.  We were stuck in traffic on the High Street (Main Street) and we had come to a complete stop.  Now, I learned long ago, that it is best for me to take my camera with me wherever I go because I never know what I might see, but of course I didnt bring it with me just into town.  Anyway...  We are stuck in traffic and all of the sudden what do I see coming down the street opposite of me?  A funeral procession.  But, not just any funeral procession an important, English procession. 
At the beginning of the procession there is a man dressed in a suit and top hat, walking down the street, very slowly, with a cane in his hand.  Behind him a horse drawn hearse.  This hearse is drawn by black horses.  The hearse itself is glass and you can see the coffin in the glass carriage.  Behind that we come back to the 21st century with the car with the family following slowly behind the hearse. 
Whoever this was that has passed away must have been important because just as we were pulling into the car park, we saw the town Mayor and a lot of important city Councillors, walking behind the hearse.
By now I was kicking myself for not having my camera because it is so traditional, so English that I wanted to share it with everyone back in America.  One of those things that you'd NEVER see on the street in America.  So we hurried back to the apartment.  Chris said, "Maybe they'll come back to the church." (We live next to a church).  "Oh yeah," I said, "They'll just make a U-turn in town and head back."  This was said quite sarcastically.
About 5 minutes later what happens?  They procession comes back to the church next door - I just hate when he is right!  So I tried to take pictures from the window... If you look close you might see the woman dressed in a red robe, with a black hat, and a big medallion around her neck -- that's the Mayor.
So after much persuasion, and a few promises... Chris walked town to the car park again and took some pictures of the hearse.
The history here in England and the tradition of everything is one of the things I absolutely LOVE about England.  One of those things I wish I could catch in a bottle and keep to share with my friends and family back in America and hopefully, one day, share with my children...  after all it will be part of who they are.

Happy Birthday to Chris, Happy Birthday to Chris....

Hello Internet!  Today is a very special day because... (as if you cant tell) ITS CHRIS BIRTHDAY!
Chris is turning 29.  He was born in Gateshead, England (that is where he got his lovely "geordie" accent).  Chris is the oldest in his family, but displays none of the typical "oldest" traits (bossiness, loudness, always having to be right"ness") like his wife.

Chris and I met face to face in October of 2004.  I picked him up for our blind date and was immediately drawn to how comfortable I felt around him.  He was awkward and shy was very genuine and I found out quite quickly he was a man who knew what he wanted.
I love Chris for so many reasons....  one of the reasons is that he loves me in a way that I didnt think I was worthy to be loved.  After a really rough go at dating and relationships in general I always thought that I deserved so much less that what Chris gives me.  He is kind, loving, and understanding.  He lets me be horrible to him one minute and hugs me and tells me he loves me the next.  He is quick to forgive and very VERY slow to anger.

Chris loves the church.  He wasnt always active but, he has always been a good example to me of what it means to be a member.  He spends a lot of his time teaching with the missionaries, going home teaching, and all the other things associated with his calling.  The people in the branch love Chris, they love his ability to talk to people, his ability to make people laugh, and his testimony. 

The kids love him too... all kids...  He was a lifesaver at times when I was a nanny - cutting out 30 butterflies while I slept off a migraine, played endless games with them and even had heart to heart talks with them when they were sad.  Now back in England his nieces and nephews LOVE him.  Alfie loves seeing the trains with him and last week wouldn't even go to his mom because he was sitting by Uncle Chris.  Georgia loves him too... they have always had a bond because from the time she was very young Chris and I took care of her.... and Chris jumped right in the deep end with that - doing everything but changing nappies (diapers).  He would feed her, dress her, put her to sleep, and play with her.  She loves her Uncle Chris - so much in fact it is her new word. 
Chris is great with children and will make a wonderful father someday.  That is another thing I was looking for and I definitely got it with him.

I lucked out with Chris for sure.  After all the horrible things I had to go though with other "men" and I just happened to stumble across Chris, I am thankful for that stumble.  We have gone through so much already in our short marriage... and the trials just keep coming.  I am glad Chris never wants to give up on us and I am glad he has so much patience!
Today is special because, today was the day, 29 years ago, that the best man I have ever met was born.  I hope that he knows and can sort out through everything that I love him and that I am so glad he was born and I am so glad he didnt give up on me and I am so glad that I have the chance to spend many, MANY more birthdays with him.

I love you Chris!!!!

A Change, maybe...

We had some drama yesterday here at the Flattley household.  We are struggling to not let things get to us and to forgive.  Two things which are very difficult when the things that we are working on involve people who are very close to us.
I was very, VERY lucky to grow up in a loving family.  One that used to fight when we were little, but, now loves to spend time together.  We spent the good part of my holiday playing games, laughing with, and just enjoying being together.
I know Chris and I are our own family now - with or without kids - and lately we feel like we have to defend that "family" to others. 
So now comes the time to decide - should we move?  Right now we have lived in our apartment for almost a year to the date.  We do love the apartment, but Chris is struggling to find a job in this small town and I think we need to break away and start a life of our own - far enough away from family that we can be our own family, but close enough to be around when needed. 
But I struggle.  I want to go back to America.  Maybe not move to Utah, but move back (I think I hear the East Coast calling our name).  We need to be around people who love us and can give us the emotional support we need.  And moving somewhere else in England makes that dream further and further away...
But.... I want to start school.  Once I get my visa here (June) I can take a 2 year midwifery course - free of charge.  What a great opportunity!  So that would make the move worth it... right?
I think I am getting to the point where I have to honest with myself and stop trying to trick myself.... "Jamie you are not going to be able to move back to America anytime soon, you dont have the money or the resources in America." 
And dont you think I should start to live in the moment... not live in the "When I get back to America" moment?  Sometimes I look back at the time I've been in England and I get quite frustrated that I've wasted so much time - looking too far ahead to make NOW as good as it could be.
Maybe it is about time to realize that England is my home - now... maybe not forever... but now, and I should take advantage of it and enjoy it.
That makes sense, you know... Thanks for the chat Internet....

Tiny Entry ...

I started off the "Tiny Moments" project thinking I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, and eventually (by eventually I mean within the first few days) I would get sick of finding, or run out, of tiny moments of my life.  I have impressed myself, and I am sure a few close friends, with the fact that I did every day without fail....
It just goes to show I can do it. 
As a result I have had more views and hopefully picked up more readers.
Yesterday and today as I went to bed I had that feeling like, "I should post my tiny moment!"  Internet, I think blogging has become a happy habit!
In response to all the positive feedback I think I will start to do a "Tiny Moment" a week (probably on Friday, but I'm not committing myself).
I have missed writing though.  So much has been going on in my life - something I didn't think anyone I knew could relate to, but as I continue to read YOUR blogs, I have found some of you do.
I guess "Tiny Moments" was quite self-indulgent really.  It was all about me - my life, but I loved sharing it, those things with you. 
You'll be hearing more from me... and if I start slacking again.... send me a message because I would hate to disappoint any of you!
Have a good weekend Internet.

Tiny Moment ... Day 30

The corridor, in the building where we meet for church.  If only you could smell it too... it is awful!

Tiny Moments ... Day 29

Our new t.v. -- a lady in our branch got this t.v. for us -- just because... so nice!  And of course I had to try it out with the best show HBO has EVER made!

Tiny Moments ... Day 28

I used to believe that I couldn't keep a plant alive -- but after the Valentines Day Plant (see archives) and this plant, I've changed my mind.  This one is growing out of control and it happened all of the sudden.

Tiny Moments ... Day 27

When I woke up this morning at 8:00 the sun was shining, the birds were singing....  Today we opened the windows and let the nice breeze in...  We went grocery shopping and I noticed it was a little cold.  We got home and had all the windows open.  I was sitting at the computer, and felt quite cold - which I thought was strange - after all it was so sunny... I turned and looked out the window and found this.  It lasted for about 15 minutes, the clouds cleared and the rest of the day was bright and sunny. 

Tiny Moments ... Day 26

Today was Mothering Sunday here in England (English equivalent to Mothers Day).  It was a very difficult day for many reasons but 2 being, I miss my mom and hearing everyone talk about their mom is difficult knowing I am so far from mine, and second Mothers Day is always difficult without children, but now, with our ability to have children in "limbo" it was a lot like salt in the wound... and a whole bunch of other stuff on top of that (dont even get me started).  After church we went to my in-laws to have lunch.  The whole family was there and it was so nice to be around all the cute kids and just have a good laugh.  I was taking pictures of all the kids and by chance caught this picture of Alfie and Georgia.  Just being around the kids made the day a whole lot better.  I must say they are some CUTE kids (plus you should hear them talk with their accents... so cute!).

Tiny Moments ... Day 25

Enough said....