The hills are alive...

A mini blog out of nowhere! What a surprise! I just need to share my excitement, which on the grand scheme of things probably highlights how I need to get out more, but all the same. I literally have butterflies that a mega icon is doing a book signing in my local Barnes and Noble tomorrow. I say mega icon as this person was the star of one of my favourite childhood films, one of THE favourite films of all time, a Christmas classic in fact. Now to narrow it down to stars of my favourite childhood films... I'm never going to meet Judy Garland, I'm not sure whether Tommy Steele is still around either and ET quite clearly was never going to happen. So that leaves the wonderful Julie Andrews!!! I will forgive the fact that for some reason she thinks she is qualified to write children's books and try and queue with the masses to meet Julie Andrews. From what I understand, she is book signing from 4pm and they are handing out wristbands from 11am but you can they go home and return later, so hopefully the queue is do-able with a teething toddler... My only concern is that I will probably just cry with excitement. They just had the Von Trapp children from the film on breakfast TV with Julie (first name terms now) singing 'Doe A Deer' and that made me well up.

Saying that, I'm still recovering from watching Corrie on iplayer and watching Jack go to meet Vera. Oh my goodness. You must be made of stone if that didn't make you shed a tear or two. It was just so beautiful and perfect.

Now m and d have left, it's oh so quiet in Stepford so have been busy cleaning, tidying and putting away the Halloween decorations for next year. I've even had to get rid of one of my pumpkins due to serious squirrel attacks. I've also noticed that the toilet cleaner smells of germolene which I can't work out if I'm happy about or not...

BW and I are off to join our local 'Mommy and Me' group later this morning so hopefully it will go well, and BW won't be the first child in Stepford to get a ban from playgroup.

Wish me luck that I get my wristband. Maybe if I hum some Sound of Music classics they'll put me at the front of the line just to get rid of me. Either that or I'll go dressed as a nun.

It's not called the Fall for nothing, you know...

Slippers. Blankets. Cups of tea with nice biscuits. Favourite pair of jeans. Duvets. Woolly socks. All of these things make me feel comfortable. Not just comfortable in a 'sitting on a comfy chair' type of way, but comfortable in a 'I am at one with the world' type of way. It's rather odd, as I didn't realise that I missed that feeling until I had it back, if that makes sense. As you can probably tell, I am in the middle of 'guest season' and it's made me think of home a bit more than usual. It has been lovely to spend time with people who sometimes know me better than myself. And also, as much as I am loving getting to know my new friends better, it's nice to be back with people where I don't feel I need to be on my best behaviour. And there are some things that can only be shared with friends that you've had for 26 years...

However, having my friends and family over has given me a new burst of energy in settling down in Garden City, which has been likened to Stepford and the town in the Truman Show by my guests over the last two weeks. I've taken my first step in becoming American and signed Boy Wonder and myself up for 'Mommy and Me' group starting next Wednesday and also put BW's name down for preschool starting next September. My friend, Katherine, and I went to do a visit together and it felt great to escape without the children, even for a couple of hours!!

Our guests have been a first time New Yorker, here to do all the main sights, old time New Yorkers and my m and d, who are first time New Yorkers but whose main priority is family time - so a nice mix. Having Sira here was a perfect opportunity to do a 'TV/Movie Location' bus tour, which was great fun but would have been more beneficial if I watched 'Gossip Girl'. I spent most of the time writing down addresses on my iphone so I could tell future guests where all the locations were. What we did learn is that the owner of the Huxtables house from the Cosby Show is a very nice chap who lets you sit on the steps and have your photo taken. Whereas the lady who lives in Will Smith's house in 'I am Legend' is a miserable old mare who has boarded up her lower windows and added a big gate. When I was with Sira I had my picture taken with one of those half naked teenage chaps ('boys' makes it sound sooooo wrong) at the front of Abercrombie and Fitch. Quite clearly that was just for Sira's benefit, not mine. At all. Not even a little bit.

It was a good job that Sara and Pete bought a fantastic selection of English goodies over in their case to make room for the large amount of shopping they took back. I think I impressed them with my cooking skills but it's a good job they didn't stay longer as I used up all of my four recipes... Tom and Boy Wonder did Trick or Treating USA stylee and had a lovely time, although Sara was rather disappointed that Paul didn't wear his Halloween head boppers.

I'm also 'feeling the love' from across the pond at the moment. Not one, but two, tickets for Take That next year (oh yes) so I just HAVE to come back for a short girlie few days in July. But the best thing, the really nicest, loveliest thing, was that Jane took Paul and I to Al's 40th bd party, in the form of large photos stuck on sticks (a scary thought, I know) so I got to snog the bd boy after all, as well as some of my other favourite men and a few newbies. It had the result that I was able to look at Al's photos and smile and laugh, instead of cry because I wanted to be there. Thank you Janey xxxx

As far as I know, our 'photo heads' are heading their way to the Lake District for another 40th bd event (that's you, Phil) and from that point on, will be available for birthdays, weddings and Bar Mitzvahs...

Aah it's nice to be wanted....

Yes yes I know I've been very, very slack on the blogging front recently but I really had lost track of how long it had been. It has been on my to-do list and has sort of been there a while. However, I'm now starting to get people checking that I'm ok as I haven't written my blog. So to put those lovely minds at rest, here I am.

The summer whizzed by in a blur of 100 degree temperatures, visits to the pool and finally getting to the beach. Our beautiful beach, as you can see, takes less than 15 minutes to get to now I have been brave enough to drive on the parkway. Paul's mum was over for three weeks so I was able to go into Manhattan for a couple of 'tourist' days and visit all the places I feel too guilty to take the buggy into. I went and saw the original 'Winnie the Pooh' toys in the New York Library, watched the stars in Grand Central and got the shivers looking at all of the armour suits in the Met (I swear they were looking at me ;-))) ) I even had time to watch my first ever 3D film "Toy Story 3" and am only just recovering from the emotional trauma. Paul and I took the opportunity to drive up to a very pretty wedding in Niagara-on-the-lakes (yes, we did have an invite) which seemed a really good idea until we had to do the drive home in the pissing rain. It also gave us our first taste of driving back into Long Island on a Sunday evening, cue horrendous traffic jams, no visibility and a drive home time of 11 and a half hours. The photo was taken during a lull of rain, just before the heavens opened and Manhattan started to resemble Gotham City.

Since we last spoke, Boy Wonder has had his second birthday and is all grown up now! He seems to have developed a bit of a party obsession but we are quite lucky that he has no understanding of what a party really is. We took him to the sofa shop on Saturday and made a few 'whoop whoop' party noises and he had a great time!!! We had some of the neighbours around for an afternoon tea party and got them all tipsy on Pimms.

We are now approaching the Fall season and everyone is already planning ahead for Halloween. It seems to be a big thing here with lots of houses already getting dressed up. We went to a Halloween Superstore yesterday to get some goodies. By the door they had large moving models and a little girl sitting cross-legged whose head spun around. All very tacky but a bit too similar to Chucky for my liking. I am still having Chucky nightmares after being in the Haunted House at Universal Studios and a real mini-person dressed up as Chucky jumped out from behind a bin and scared me. Looking back, the sensible thing to do would to have realised that it wasn't really Chucky and to have moved on. However, I was absolutely petrified, frozen to the spot screaming, with the Chucky-midget dancing around my knees. It was only after Paul had stopped laughing that he finally pulled me away to safety. I rather enjoy having an over-active imagination until situations like this happen and I don't know what to do with myself. (I'll save my trauma about the ride in the Chamber of Horrors where the people dressed up as mass murderers jump out for another time...) xx

Social Butterfly

As the title of my blog suggests, I have been fluttering all over the place this week. A total of four dates in my diary no less. I am sitting in another coffee shop blogging (so very New York) while Boy Wonder is being hot-housed . When I'm finished I'm off to pay for some swimming lessons and run around some shops. All on my very own.

Earlier in the week, we went to play at our new friend's house. I am trying to arrange a future marriage between Boy Wonder and the lovely Madison. So far it is going well, judging by the huge smooch on the lips that he left her with on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, we sat next to the 'magician man' in the bookshop which, sadly, still remains one of my highlights of the week.

Yesterday we went into Manhattan and had a lovely day, despite the early rain. The boys all had a lovely play so the girlies could have a good chat. The boys even got a free lunch as the Dept of Education are providing a free lunch and breakfast daily to all children under 18 in the open play spaces in NY. Then I had lunch in my first American diner and yes, we did order some blueberry pancakes. It was all very fifties and vinyl looking. Walking through Times Square, I saw the large statue that is drawing the crowds ready for the big 'Pucker Up' snog fest which is happening on Saturday afternoon. There were lots of couples sweeping each other off their feet having their pics taken underneath.

The train journey home turned into a toe-curlingly (is that a word??) embarrassing experience. All was quiet and peaceful, until Boy Wonder turned an alarming shade of crimson and practised his grunting 'going to the toilet' sounds. Rather loudly. For a very long time. Now there is a definite lack of anywhere to change children on the train other than a smelly, pee covered hovel which I was determined to avoid. Not to worry I thought. I'm sure he can cope until we get to the car. Boy Wonder had other ideas. He then started to wail loudly, shouting "Poo! Poo!" at the top of his voice. So the other other passengers who were lucky enough not to smell him, could definitely now hear him. At first I tried the 'denial' approach but his insistent cries of "Poo!' could not be ignored. Somehow, and I'm still not too sure how I managed, I changed him in the toilet on a shelf about 20cm wide. He was not a happy bunny. But the passengers were mightily relieved...

Last night, I went to the neighbour's 'clothing party', which is like a tuppaware party for clothes. I was rather nervous as I didn't know anyone. This was compounded by the fact that I was introduced as the 'new neighbour, Amelia'. It turns out that the host couldn't remember my name so ask our other neighbour who told her I was called Amelia. I don't know whether they think I look like an Amelia or if they think it's a very English name, but either way it's good to know you've made an impact on your new neighbours (!) Anyway, all was going well, rather helped by a nice large glass of wine, until it came to the time to try some of the samples on. Everyone was trying on stuff and coming down to show their friends who 'oohed' and 'aahed' in all the right places. I then took some stuff up to try on but when I had it on was stopped by the thought of 'Who exactly am I going to go down and show??? I don't know anyone! Who will 'ooh' and 'aaah' over me? :-((((( I forced myself to go down and lots of very nice strangers did the 'oohing and aahing' on my behalf. The salesperson from the clothing company then came over to tweak me who said I'd need a smaller size in the top. I told her that I was wearing a XS which she then started pulling about and saying 'My goodness, you really are tiny on top'. Now this really isn't a compliment. On any level. Ever. Needless to say, I didn't buy the bloody horrible top but I did get a long hoodie cardi thing which I'm sure will be all the rage in Garden City this Fall/Winter season.

xx

Sweaty Betty

Well it's all a bit Sweaty Betty here at the mo - the last thermometer check showed 101 degrees. My delicate 'english rose' complexion is taking a bit of a battering as it is constantly being smothered in 50plus factor suncream. Now this may be a positive in terms of sun protection but unfortunately doesn't allow the skin to 'breathe'. Hence, I end up walking around with a permanent halo of sweat forming around my hairline and running down my neck. Clearly this is not a good look and a total contrast to the matt, groomed appearances usually in show in Garden City.

Since we returned from the UK, I've been working hard on my mini-project called 'Challenge - Find Some American Friends'. It's been going rather well so far and I'm pleased to report that I went out on Tuesday evening with my new friend. Yes, just the two of us and we had a lovely dinner, thank you very much. OK, my new friend is Australian not American but has been in the US for a long time (but is also new to the area) We've also been next door for a BBQ with the neighbours and been chatting to a few people at the pool. So the project is still work in progress but going well.

Boy Wonder had now started at his little pre-school on a Monday and Friday morning and so far has come back exhausted from each session. Hopefully he can develop his 'sharing skills' a bit as well as continuing to bring home the best art work ever seen for his proud M and D. So good, in fact, that I made a special trip to ikea earlier to buy lots of colourful frames to display his masterpieces. Sam sent me a link the other day to a story about a seven year old boy who sold some of his paintings for 150,000 pounds so maybe that's how BW will find his fortune.

People are already making plans to come over next year so if you are thinking of coming at some point let me know as soon as you can. Joanna and Sara are already booked to come over by cruise next August - how exciting!! I'd love to come by cruise at some point. Maybe I can convince Paul to bring BW back on the plane and I'll join them five days later... I've recently discovered that our local mall is the fifth largest in the US (not quite sure how I didn't notice this before last Friday!) and is full of all the shops that you find in the city, including Bloomingdales, Macy's, JCPenney, Anthropologie (Joe - can you believe how excited I was?) So those of you who do stay may have to leave just a little extra space in your luggage for goodies home...

What I loved about our trip home...

* The lovely BA staff who made Boy Wonder a bed when he didn't fit into the cot...

* Having a hug and a tear with Jane at the airport

* Enjoying my first proper curry since March courtesy of The Viceroy in Bourne End

* Buying toiletries in Boots

* Girly pizza lunch with Sira

* Sharing Holly's birthday and the excitement of being 9

* Watching Boy Wonder sit with the 'big children' for the birthday tea

* Eating Yum Yums with Joanna and Sara

* Finally getting to cuddle two beautiful new babies and their yummy mummy's

* Sara handing me a Pink French Fancy cake

* Jane's homemade chocolate brownies

* Going out in public on a Friday night!!!

* Dinner with Sam and John

* Hot Chocolate with marshmallows

* Getting through a large amount of Cathedral Cheddar over lunch with Alex, Holly and Boy Wonder

* Arriving at Hogfest and seeing Sara, Pete, Tom, Ben and Sam D already there, having chosen

the best shady spot

* Catching up with the lovely Rachel

* Getting a beautiful wedding invite from Shelli and Matt, even though they know we won't be

able to make it :-(

* Joe's Daisy Duke's and Pete's six pack

* Joe's singing and being proud of her all over again

* Katy Bell turning up as a surprise guest

* Sam and John looking after Boy Wonder so Paul and I could go to a 10 year Wedding Blessing

* Paul and Al laughing like schoolboys when singing 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'

* Seeing faces from the Towers that I never thought I's see again

* Watching 'Celebrity Four Weddings' with Jane and thinking Pete from Big Brother is strangely attractive

* Having a clear run to m and d's

* Sunny BBQ at the Flying Fish

* Family outing to Eastbourne and finding the Monsoon Sale starts tomorrow

* Finding the new Peter James and Lynda La Plante books at Sussex Bookstore

* Liver, bacon and onion gravy cooked by Dad

* Catching up with with Corrie

* Going to 'just one shop' with mum and returning three hours later

* Dragging Daniel around Brighton in the hope of finding a dress (and failing)

* All my friends who responded to my facebook plea to solve the dress problem

* Sam - who will be my personal shopper when I can pay her

* Finding the dresses that I liked were half price in the Joules sale so I bought both

* Being in the same country as Sara when she got her good news

* Getting to Blackburn in just over three hours

* Nibbles and wine with Ed and Becky

* A very English picnic in the rain with the family Walmsley

* Angie winding up Phil

* Arriving back at J and A's with BBQ prep in full swing

* Watching Alex making his special marinade

* Realising Jane has made Banofee Pie for pudding

* Running my fingers through Dom's curls

* Leigh turning up in his pilot uniform just for me (I think)

* Watching Dan finally succumb to holding baby Sophia

* Harrassing Dom until he started playing the guitar

* Dom's look of surprise when Julie started singing, 'Wow, you really can sing!'

* Dom refusing to sing any Elton John (boo) but redeeming himself with 'American Pie'

* Holly not noticing when Jane fast forwarded 'Mamma Mia' so she could stay up late and watch the end...

* Extra long cuddles with Sophia

* Hot chocolate with Liv and not discussing New York for an hour

* Meeting Sam for lunch and finding out she'd printed out a whole load of photos for me

* Moules and frites

* Seeing how much Jack has grown

* Jane's roast dinner

* Watching 'Britain's Next Top Model' and thinking they must have been struggling for girls this year

* Finding out that Alex has a 'sm-eyes' game

* Dating in the Dark - genius

* Having a better night's sleep Monday night than Sunday

* The BA check in man changing our seats so we were all together

* Boy Wonder being a total star on the plane

* Arriving back at Poplar Street and it feeling like we were home

Not long now....

I saw this dentist when I was in the city on Thursday morning and it amused me. I hate the dentist and even I would be persuaded to visit that one. I met the NY posse in a lovely park and we let the boys run wild. Elaine went to get cup cakes and drinks and came back with them all in lovely bags which made them all the more satisfying. We saw both sides of NY taxi drivers too. Elaine's driver was a miserable git who begrudgingly moved some of his boxes to fit her buggy in the boot, then couldn't do it and wanted Elaine and her son to get out. She stayed put and the buggy fitted in. The taxi driver that Katie and I had couldn't have been more helpful and helped us with the buggies without us even asking.

I went into town on Thursday instead of Wednesday as I have been busy watching the tennis this week. It actually worked out well as our air conditioners had broken and our landlord's brother, Brian, came to fix them. It turned out that they hadn't actually broken at all but in our English ignorance hadn't actually been using them properly. These are big units which fit into your window frame and it seems we were quite lucky they hadn't fallen out as they should have be screwed in to the window frame. Brian and I then went down in the basement as he wanted to explain how he had organised the laundry area. 'Do you wear stockings?' he asked. My first thought was, 'Ooh that's random' and my second was, 'That's a bit forward.' But it turns out he was talking about me covering the end of the washing machine hose with some tights to catch all of the fluff. Paul has grand plans to create a den down in the basement but this is definitely on the 'to do' list. I still can't come up the basement stairs without speeding up as I get to the top and my heartbeart quickening.

My Wimbledon experience ended yesterday with a bit of a deflated note. I hadn't realised that the channel I was watching wasn't actually showing the Andy Murray game live. They had shown the first game live so I just assumed that the second one would be and I didn't pay any attention to the clock on the scoreboard. During the second set, I got an email from Paul's mum which finished off by saying that Andy Murray was two sets down. I just assumed she was mistaken. I was then talking with Sara on Skype and Sara made a comment about Andy Murray losing and I said I thought he might get the second set. Then I went online and saw an article about the lovely David Beckham supporting Andy Murray still wasn't enough to help him win. That's a bit premature, I thought. Then I did actually look at the sports page and realised that the match had actually finished and hour and a half earlier. Made watching the third set a bit of an anti-climax really.

We finally got our pool passes sorted and spent the morning at the Garden City Community Pool. The toddler pool was full of happy toddlers playing, apart from Boy Wonder who stubbed his big toe after being there 30 minutes and wasn't a happy bunny at all. I can imagine that we will spend most of weekends there for the rest of the 'pool season' so Paul can top up his tan. Boy Wonder and I will go there during the week too (purely for BW's benefit, of course) I think it will also be a good place to meet other people as I got chatting with the woman who is organising the local playgroups that we'll be going to. I have finally made contact about joining the 'Welcoming Club of Garden City' so watch this space for details of 'movie nights' and how I hijack their 'Book Club'.

Am really looking forward to our whirlwind visit to the UK. Now is the time to let me know if you have any urges for Hershey bars, Reece's pieces or Smucker's Hot Fudge sauce!