New Years Resolution #20647854

Write more on my blog.... check back often... there should be WAY more updates, and if my resolutions in years past are anything to go by, there should be more often updates for at least a month :)

But seriously - I am going to try harder, especially after all the feedback I got on my trip about people who read my blog.

Check back soon!!!

A Series of Unfortunate (typical Jamie) Events

Hello Faithful Blog Readers...
I am a slacker, I know, but to my defense I have had a string of unfortunate accidents that has caused me to be a slacker - kind of...
First - Chris and I went blackberry picking and as I was getting into the car, the door shut on my neck (I know you are thinking, only me) well anyway it gave really tight muscles and damaged something so I had MAJOR migraines.  One week off....
Second - I got a throat infection, knocked me out cold.  Felt a little rough on a Wednesday night and by Thursday morning I was completely overcome.  By Sunday I was feeling a little better after A LOT of pain relief and some antibiotics.
Third - Thursday at work I stood up and got a little bit of a pain in my back.  By Thursday night I couldn't walk.  We called the NHS help line and the nurse transferred my call to a doctor who said, "It is a back spasm, keep really hot heat on it and don't lay down, sleep sitting up."  One problem, I have a hard time sleeping laying down, yet alone sitting up.  After a LONG sleepless night of watching the Discovery Health channel, I broke down and had Chris call the doctor for a home visit (yes, they do that here).  The doctor came over and said I had sprained my back and gave me FOUR prescriptions and said I had to rest and be off work for 10 days.  In the mean time I walk like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, when I can actually suffer the pain and walk. 
So here I sit, in PAIN, but feeling quite guilty at my lack of writing, and for you Internet, I'll suffer. 
So it seems as if my string of bad luck - is quite a long string...  But it all ends November 19th when - I COME TO UTAH!!!!!  Whoooo Hoooooo!!!!
Would some pictures make up for my neglect???
I don't know if you even care about random pictures... how about you leave a message and let me know... should I keep adding pictures or stop?!?!?  YES or NO!??!?
      
Chris "gambling" at the sea side - yes we only live 45 minutes away from a beach, crazy for this Utah girl.
       
Dead Crab at the Sea Side               The Beach                                    The Sea Side

     
The Fish and Chips Restaurant                       The BEST fish and chips I've EVER had!

     
England had HUGE Spiders          Halloween Decorations                   More Decorations - not much...
Awwww Internet, I love that you read my blog... don't give up on me... I'll try to do better!!!

An Update of Sorts...

*  I have been feeling sick.  Migraines,  Migraines, and more Migraines -- even the Codeine isn't working anymore - any hints?!?!?
*  The haircut went well, haven't dyed my hair yet - but pictures will follow as soon as I talk Chris into it (not taking the picture but actually DYING my hair).
*   In response to a recent email from an unnamed friend (rhymes with my name), to her I say:   YES IT WAS YOU WHO SMASHED MY THUMB and NO I WILL NOT RETRACT MY ENTRY - SO DEAL WITH IT!
*  Went to Chili's again over the weekend (second time). It was expensive as ever but made me look forward to all the yummy food soon to be consumed by me back in America. 
*  In response to a much nicer friends email - Pictures of English Supermarkets coming soon!
*  We are coming to America and I cant wait...  2 months today!!!  Whooo Hooo!!! 
* But wait.... first comes my birthday and yes, to all of you wondering I will be turning 25....

The Big Change....

Well the time has come.... I haven't cut my hair since last June - yes you read right - LAST JUNE.  I have just not had the time, I wrote that without thinking -- I've had plenty of time, just not money but I bought some Herbal Essence shampoo and if you sent in the proof of purchase, the receipt, a stamped envelope and the form, you got a coupon for a free haircut -- 3 months later the coupon came in the post and when I called the salon about 2 weeks ago they told me they wouldn't honor my coupon.  So through a few other (A LOT) loops to jump though - I got an appointment.
I was hoping I'd get it cut at the beginning of summer to keep cool, but now it is the end and I cant STAND my long hair anymore... and when I say long I mean L-O-N-G.  Straight it reaches the small of my back and curly it is quite close...
So I am CHOPPING it off...
Now I'd like to highlight it as well but considering I have NO friends - none - here in England to help me, and Chris is out of town, I might have to do it on my own...
Whether the results are good or bad... pictures will follow.
Wish me luck....
Great, now I'm nervous.... 

Manna

Dictionary says:
A miraculous food which sustained the Israelites in the wilderness.
Change Israelites to "This American Girl" and change wilderness to "March, England" and the definition is spot on!

Appropriate...

Today at church I walked into the "classroom" (I say classroom and I mean plastic chairs and shabby dividers) for Sunday School and sat down.
I hate, HATE the branch I am in - don't get me wrong, LOVE the church I belong to, hate the branch - I was trying to decide if I should say in class or wait in the hallway.
As I was thinking I saw "the stocks" that the special needs kids made in woodshop class...

A medieval torture device -  and I thought to myself -- How appropriate.

The Plant that Wouldn't Stop Growing...

Once upon a time Chris and I bought a can with a "magic seed" in it, that when grown would have, imprinted on the shell, "I love you".  We watered it and took really, REALLY good care of it and low and behold this happened....
  It grew, not only grew but flourished, now most people would throw it away seeing that the seed really said I love you, but not me.  I watered it and continued to take really, REALLY good care of it and then this happened....
This is the plant just 6 months later.  It took over our window and had a mind of its own...  and it also grew these...

Yes those are pods and yes that is a regular size pencil. 
Then just the other day I couldn't handle it anymore - I cut it all down and threw it into the garbage bin.

Shall I show you one more thing??
A Long, Long time ago on a Halloween night in the church parking lot, a friend of mine smashed my thumb in the suburban and the thumbnail fell off and grew back.  The nail was a little oddly shaped but that was its only problem, until last December and its gotten worse and worse until now it is this:

Don't worry all the doctors say it is fine and I just have to "deal with it".

Would you like to see some pictures of where I live??
Take a look at the new picture albums to see pictures of my room and some other things.

Forget Paris...

Chris and I have now been home from Paris since LATE Tuesday night.
We left for Paris on Saturday.  We got down to London on the first day by coach (bus) it was a LONG ride.  We sat at the back but didn't realize that by sitting at the back we would be right next to the toilet.  Needless to say with that smell and the 3 hour drive I was not feeling too well when we got to the hotel.  Chris did let me get a taxi from the station so we didn't have to take the tube.  We got to the hotel at 2:30 and they wouldn't let us check in so we had to wait for 3:00 and then got into our room.  It was in the basement.  The only window had bars on it and looked UP to the sidewalk.  It was miserable hot and I went up to get a room upgrade and he wouldn't help so we just got a fan and that helped a little.  I slept a little and then we went to dinner and went to Hyde Park and Chris and I just talked until it got dark. 
It took us about 3 hours to get to Paris via Eurostar. We got there and couldn't check in until 3:00 and so we went to lunch at a corner cafe and then checked in.  I slept some more (don't I sound like fun to go on holiday with?) while Chris went out and explored.  He got back to the hotel and we went on a cruise on the River Seine.  It was really nice and relaxing.  It was the first time I got to see the Eiffel Tower - surreal. 
The next day it RAINED AND RAINED.  I have to say it is probably my fault.  I HATE the heat and the day before it was roasting so I said to myself over and over... I hope it rains just a little to cool things down -- and it did! 
After the rain slowed we took an open bus tour of the city seeing all the major sights (see pictures).  We got about halfway through the tour and I was trying to turn my camera to black and white and by accident I erased all of my pictures so we had to go on the tour again and re-take all the pictures.
We went back to the hotel and later decided to go and see the light show at the Tower.  That was really nice and worth it. 
The next day we took another tour and had plans for the day because the train didn't leave till 6:00 that night.  Well, the weather was HOT again and I got a migraine.  We did one tour and then decided to try to find some pizza - and couldn't - at all... FINALLY we did and by then I was in misery.  We attempted to buy souvenirs, and I attempted not to die, and we decided to make our way to the station (taxi again, THANK GOODNESS!)
While at the station, I needed some pills for my migraine and sweet Chris walked out of the station and down the street and got me some pills.  Upon his return, there in the waiting area I barfed into my souvenir bag.  We went through check in (Got my passport stamped 3 times - the whole reason for the trip so I can drive) and really, after that it is fuzzy.  I was so sick and drugged by that point.
I can start to remember when we were about in England. 
And then the strangest thing happened...
I was so excited to be HOME.  Yes, home in England.  It was the first time I've considered England my home and not Utah.  It was the best feeling ever to know I finally felt that for this country.  I was impatient to get back to my apartment and my town - and it wasn't anywhere in Utah. 
The trip was worth it if only for that feeling.
So let me sum things up:
Things about Paris I learned:
* They like their cigarettes.
* There really are cafe's on every corner.
* Fellow Americans take Note -- they don't like us much ESPECIALLY when you are loud and rude (made me embarrassed several times).
*  It is good to go to Paris ONCE but it isn't like the movies and if you expect that it is - you'll just be let down.
It was a very nice break.  It was good to go.  But I am glad to be home.
** New Pictures Added
**  Check out Chris' blog for another version http://www.theflattleys.co.uk/ and follow the links to Chris' blog.
**  New videos from Paris coming soon ... look for updates on http://www.theflattleys.co.uk/

Oooo La La - a.k.a. The Perks of Living in the Part of the World...

Off to Paris on holiday.  I will be leaving Saturday and coming back Wednesday.  More later!

Thanks, Mr. Man...

Old Man.
Bald Man..
Late 60's...
Big Beer Belly....
Waddling Along the Shop.....
Food crumbs hanging onto his mustache......
Blowing his nose with a dirty handkerchief.......
Short Shorts and Sandals with socks........
Hot pink - tight, shirt that reads:
                                          "Love Machine, Satisfaction Guaranteed!"