Dum Dum Dee Dum

Well I am back from England... It is good to see friends and family but I miss home (England) more than anyone thinks...

The date has been set - officially we are getting married May 6th!

After that we'll move to PA so I can finish my nanny contract and then it is off to Jolly Old England for a few years while Chris goes to school. 

I feel great about it.... I am excited for the wedding.... and even more excited to live in England.... and the most excited at the prospect of spending forever with Chris....

Photos - Snapshots - Pictures

The photo viewer on the side of my page isnt working... I dont know why....

I put some new photos on of England -- but, you need to access them through the top Photo tab...

Happy Viewing....

A Romantic Story in 3 Sentences....

We were overlooking the River Thames late Friday Night.

He got down on one knee and said, "Will You Marry Me?"

I said, "Yes, of course."

Extended....

Just FYI for all of those expecting me back on the 8th of January -- I'll now be home on the 15th of January instead.... what can I say - I just dont want to leave....

Still in England.... Still Alive....

First I am going to do the usual apologizing for not keeping up on my BLOG like I promised. 

SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY

If I had any idea how full my days would be when I left, I wouldnt have made such promises. 

So here is your update....

Things here in England are WONDERFUL.

We got back from Christmas and I had a day on my own (hence the TESCO story) and then Chris called in sick to work on Thursday and Friday - so we got out and did some sight-seeing and saw some movies etc.  It was great to have him here with me during the days! 

New Years Eve we went into Central London to see the firework show by the London Eye.  It was surreal when we got there.  Big Ben was behind me and in front of me was the River Thames and then across from that was The Eye.  The firework show was really really good and London was an ideal place to ring in the New Year - until we had to get back to the tube station, which was right around the corner, but took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there.  There was a huge crowd of thousands of people and everyone wanted to get in.  It was actually quite scary and although, the fireworks were great.... they werent worth risking my life to get back on the tube, and next year I'll just watch it on TV with Chris instead of going down there.

Sunday we went to  church and had to take 2 busses and walk.  We left at about 9:15 AM and didnt get to church until around 10:15.  This is not normal for this "Utah Mormon".  It was a good service, even if I did end up playing the piano - again.

Monday I finally FINALLY got to meet my good friend John.  John and I met about 6 years ago on the internet and have talked ever since.  He is the one who set me up with Chris.  Monday we hung out with him and his lovely wife and then went to London for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe - Chris and I paying as a thank you for introducing us. 

Tuesday I took a train to Doncaster to visit my good friends Michelle and Daniel and their baby Josh.  It was so good to see them again and spend some time with them.  They are a great family and amazing friends.   Time went by too fast when I was there.  Yesterday we went to the second hand market in the city centre.  I got a cute English teapot and then we went shopping in some stores and I got 3 pairs of shoes for only.........

£14.00.  I think its a bargain..... I even got a pair for £1.00.  I reluctantly said goodbye to Michelle and Daniel and came back home.  Home as in London. 

It is so good to be  back.  I missed Chris more than I thought I would - I mean after all I was only gone for a night. 

For those of you wondering.... things with Chris are good - very, very good. So good in fact that I am probably going to extend my ticket for another week.  When I left America if you would have asked me how things were going to turn out with Chris - this way was the one way I DID NOT expect.  It is a very happy surprise.

And almost as much as I love Chris, I love England.  I havent been homesick - AT ALL.  Do I miss my friends and family - of course!  But, I feel more at home here than I have anywhere else - ever.  And now, as Chris and I move forward with plans for our future - I realize that England is going to be a big part of it - and that makes me very happy.

P.S. If you want Chris' version of the week check out his blog.... the link is on my list of links...

Miracles do Happen....

For anyone who knows me at all... they know that the less work involved in getting somewhere  - the better.  Church is right down the street?  I take a car.  Kim lives a street away - I drive to her house.  Well, as I am happy to report, here in England I did something I would NEVER do in America - I took a BUS to the store.  Chris was sweet and gave me great instructions.  Although, as good of the instructions - it didnt stop me from worrying a little every time I got on the bus - that I was quickly getting lost in LONDON - a town where so much looks the same and there is no rhyme or reason to the streets.  I hear that is how it is in other places - mostly everywhere besides Utah.  At any rate I managed to get the right bus - shop at TESCO... find my way through the new foods (well, new to me) and find good old ingredients for spaghetti.  HURRAY!!!  Then, even after that I managed to keep my purchases down to 4 bags full (unusual for me) and take the correct bus home.  That was a little more difficult then getting there - as I didnt know where the bus stop was so I took a little bit of a stroll to get there - but I got there - that is all that counts!  Now I am home (Chris' home) and waiting for Chris to bring the missionaries over so we can feed them dinner. 

I do love it here.... I love everything about it.   I love the sights and smells and sounds of England.  I always have, and probably always will.  Could I see myself living here (and at that, riding the bus everywhere)?  YES without hesitation - YES!

Hiya From England

Hello friends and family  who are looking to this blog as an update of my life and arent getting one.  I am here, safe and happy in England.  Christmas was so great and today we are headed back down to London.  So far we've been to Oxford street and the Royal Albert Hall.  It has been a good trip, so far.  I forgot how much I love the country - but I remember now that I'm here and I will have a hard time leaving.

Overheard....

"So apparently I'm going to be an excellent husband and father."

"Who told you that?"

"My Chiropractor."

She's down for the count....

I have been performing off and on in front of groups of people since I was 5.  I can sing in a group and not be too nervous, but make me play piano and I am a bundle of nerves.

When I was asked to play a solo in church before I move, I said okay - but procrastinated til 3:00 AM Sunday morning to pick a song. 

So when I got to church and STILL hadnt decided on a song, I picked the easy one and sat down to wait for my turn. 

There were two speakers before me. 

The girl who was going to speak before me got up and started talking... suddenly she turns white as a ghost and says, "well I'm sick so I'm going to..."

And she faints.

Luckily there were people behind her to catch her and break her fall.... they all huddle around her and the crowd starts to whisper. 

Everyone is looking at each other... while I am thinking -- Oh great!  I have to follow that?!!?!? 

One of the men on the stand, stand up and say - "We'll now have a musical performance by Sister Wilcox"

Needless to say there was no reason to be nervous... I could have played any song and no one would have noticed they were too busy whispering about the fainting woman.

Parenting 101

Picture this:  A younger girl comes in to apply for services here at work.  She has a 4 year old with her.  She walks in the building about 8:00 - this is overheard around 9:45 (after TONS of waiting - the child was quite restless -- understandably so).

To her son -

"If you dont get away from those doors I'm going to call the cops and make them come and take you away."

2 minutes of quiet from the boy - then he starts running around again....

"You are such an out of control kid - you'll be that way for the rest of your life and be a bad adult!"