What Did You Do Today?

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

Hi Gayle! It sounds like you had an amazing trip!!! Lol, Scott and I still say "Mind the gap" to each other. Our hotel in London also had a talking elevator and it would say "Going up!" "Fourth Floor" "Please mind the door" etc. So whenever Scott and I are on an elevator, we say those things in a British accent lol! We are nerds. Hi Lindsey! We had a talking elevator too, and I Abigail always did the talking too, in a British accent! I know when we are together, we'll be doing it too!

I really wanted to take the train through the chunnel!!! I've watched a bunch of shows about the building of the chunnel and it's something I really want to do someday! Since we were on a bus tour, we just took the ferry between Dover and Calais. I loved the train, but I would also like to go on the ferry!

That is crazy you were the only English speakers in the tour group! Was the tour done in French? We had headphones and you could choose your language. That was good because I speak a tiny bit of french but couldn't have understood a tour

I didn't like Paris as much as London, We didn't like Paris as well as London either - but like you, we didn't have as much time therebut we had more time in London so that might be why. I didn't really get to explore Paris much. I also found the people more rude and pushy. Scott and I know a bit of French so we tried to speak some there when we could, but it didn't really make a difference! We stayed in a Paris apartment owned by an American couple and there was a book with some tips on negotiating Paris. One tip was that the French are not rude, just very formal (I still think they are a bit rude, HA!). The book suggested that whenever you interact with a Parisian, you be VERY polite and begin your conversation with Bonjour Madame/Monsiour, etc, and alway say ci vous plait before and after your request. I do think it helped a bit. We did go to different little towns around the French countryside and people were much nicer there, but of course, did not speak English at all!

I would LOVE to go to the English and French countryside more than we did. If I ever get to go back with my friend who grew up in England, we will do that

[DIANE W]

Yes Gayle, i think there are some very lovely places for you to visit if you come back to UK. I have only been to France one time, and i found them very very rude, they are happy for you to be a tourist and spending, but really they dont want to be polite or civil.

[Lindsey]

Gayle, I'm happy to know you and Abigail are just as nerdy as Scott and I Somehow, I had a feeling we were similar lol!

The ferry is something I would probably not do again! It was really cool because I've never been on a ferry that big before! There were shops and restaurants and everything, BUT on our first ride I got so seasick I was green! The waters were extremely rough that day and the ferry was rocking a lot.

Oh I remember those headphones!!! We used them a lot on our tour too!

When we were in Paris, at least once we were actually PUSHED by French people! We tried to be very polite and would always say "excusez-moi" while trying to get by people, and most of them pretended to ignore us. When we were on a boat tour on the Siene, one family pushed right past us and muttered something about "American" I wanted to scream first of all, I'm not American! Lol and also, there is some sort of stigma against Americans there that I don't totally understand. I did know about that before we went though, and we had big maple leaf patches on our backpacks. Obviously we weren't wearing them that day, or maybe they hated Canadians too! But the counryside was so amazing! The little towns with cobblestone roads and stone buildings were out of a fairy tale! And everyone was so nice there! I definitely recommend doing that next time

[Lindsey]

I am working from home today, which is a nice break. My office is having a golf tournament, but I really hate golf. I'd go for fun, but $60 is a little too much for me. I'd feel more comfortable with Scott there, but bringing a spouse costs $120. Yikes! So I am at home instead!

I took Layla to the vet this morning because I thought she had an ear infection. It turns out she just had a huge wax build-up in her ears, so that was a relief! The vet cleaned it all out. On my way home I decided to stop at the post office. I had a parcel, so I went to pick it up, and it was a large envelope from my professional organization I applied to earlier this year. It's official - I'm a professional now!!!! I get initials behind my name. Now, I'm kind of a big deal hahaha

Oh, and yesterday, we finally got checks in the mail for our travel insurance. I don't know if I got into how big of a headache that was!!! We filed the claim when we got back from Africa, in March. We missed a day of safari because of a cancelled flight, and had to pay for a bush plane to catch us up to the group. Anyways, we called to check multiple times and every time there was something more we needed to submit. Our email itineraries were not enough for the flights because they don't accept emailed documents, they needed originals. Well, when we book online, we only get emails! So we had to call every airline we used, we had to call the safari company and have them issue a statement of incurred costs, we had to prove everything. The insurance company dragged their feet for months, but we finally got paid!!!! We were out about $1200 from all of that, so it is really nice to finally have it back!

Tonight, we are attending our town's grad ceremony. Our three German girls will be taking part (even though they don't technically graduate because this year doesn't count for them). They leave on Saturday!!!! I can't believe it. When we first met them, they were all homesick, and now they are all sad about leaving!!!

[Janet]

Today the courthouse closes at noon, so I'm home enjoying the peace and quiet. Did do a couple loads of laundry, but now I'm getting a little sleepy and a nap is looking better all the time. It's so hot and humid out so staying inside is not a disappointment at all.

[gja1000]

Lindsey, I had to file travel insurance once too. I had a conference that took place on a 3 day cruise and Gary had open heart surgery the day I was to leave. I remember having to get multiple original documents, etc etc. but eventually I got my money back too.

I don't care for golf either, so I would have stayed home too. I'm glad Layla didn't have an ear infection.

Janet, it was nice to have half a day off, wasn't it! Are you still working short hours now, even though school is out? Do you think you might get on full time at the court house?

[Janet]

Yes, still working short hours. Department heads are only allowed so much time to spend. I can get up to 28 hours, but I'm scheduled for 21 hours. This week I'll have a couple more hours because one girl is out. The extra money will be nice and I don't mind. I really like working there and the more I work, the more I'll learn. I don't think I can go full time until someone leaves. The county recorder still has 3.5 years left of her term and then she's retiring. So it will be at least that long unless the other girl quits and that's not likely.

[DianaB]

Again.......I'll catch up later on the other posts. Things have been crazy here!! Glen's planting in full force......and Dae Lynn's driving the tractor so I've had the kids from morning until bedtime. That makes for a really long day! At first it was pretty nice outside and I was still trying to plant flowers and plants but the last couple of days it's turned off really hot......plus I'm dealing with Jaci and the baby as well.

Glen let Dae Lynn off the day that Jaci gave birth so I didn't have to worry about the kids......but yesterday they were back. I took them to Chanute and they spent the afternoon with Damon's neice. Today Dae Lynn's sick......Karlie has Fifth's disease, and Dean was sick yesterday. It's a good thing that I don't have them because Jaci is coming home today and I need to go over. I feel like I've been in a dead run this whole week!!! Crazy!!!

Oh....and this morning I have a doctor's appointment........a follow up on my diabetes (which has been doing really well). More running!!!

Love ya'll!! I hope you're having a great summer!!

Oh.....and my cell phone died and I lost all of my numbers. I'd appreciate it if you'd text me your numbers again!!!

[Lindsey]

Janet, I'm glad you are still liking your job. Some hours is better than none at all!

Diana, you have been so busy!!!

I only worked for an hour yesterday and took the rest of the day off. I decided to pull weeds in our front yard because it looks AWFUL! I was out for about 4 hours, and filled up one of those huge lawn and garden bags with weeds! I only got about halfway done. Yikes! I also forgot to wear sunscreen and got burned on my shoulders and back

Grad last night was really great. The girls looked so beautiful!!! One of them is incredibly independent, and after half of her class had walked in and were announced with their escorts, she was announced alone. She walked in alone, totally confident, and it was just so her! I just thought "You go girl!!" in my mind lol! The other exchange student who was walking with the grads did have an escort and that was great for her too! She had issues in the beginning making friends because she is so quiet. I was just so proud of them all! I will be really sad to see them go. We got to go down and talk with them a bit before we headed home, and they were crying and hugging everyone. They are so sad that it's all coming to an end. But it was such a great experience for everyone involved!

I love that I took yesterday off, because getting up to go to work this morning felt like a Monday, and there is nothing better than thinking it's Monday and realizing it's actually Friday lol!!!! And not just any Friday, but Friday of a long weekend!!!!! Canada Day is on Monday

[DianaB]

Gayle, your trip sounds like it was so wonderful!! I'm so glad that you got to go!!

Lindsey, Congratulations on becoming a Professional!! I'm so happy for you!! And I'm so glad that Layla didn't have any problems. I think that she is such a special little dog and I hate to think of her having any more problems.

Janet, I'm so glad that you're liking your job. I love that you have freedom to take off once in a while!

Went to the doctor........and she is amazed at how well my blood sugar is. In fact I've been tapering off of my meds and she wants me to taper off a little more!! She is puzzled over why it went so high in the first place and thinks that maybe the meds jump started my pancreas into working again........Who knows! Of course, I've been watching my diet and I've been doing it long enough that it is becoming a life style (and I have to say that I do cheat.......a little.....very little). Nuts and cheese are my friends!!

[Janet]

So good to know your health is in check Diana. It's great you're taking care of yourself.

[gja1000]

Diana, I'm really glad to hear that your blood sugar is doing much better. Hormones can whack out your blood sugar, so maybe that is what was going on. I hope things are going well with the new baby. Can't wait to see pictures.

Janet, I'm so glad that you got on at the courthouse. I come from a little town and so many people worked at the court house, retired from there, and so I have very fond memories of our courthouse.

Lindsey, I hope things are going well for you now. I'm glad to know that Layla and your other pups are doing well at this time. I hope your trip to NO goes really well. I know you are excited! NO is a really cool place to visit.

I'll be going to Oklahoma tomorrow for the whole week. i'm going to see my cousin and go museum hopping with her one day and then spend the rest of the week at the lake with Gary's family. It's supposed to cool off in the 80's up there for the whole week. We've had temps of 100-106 this past week and that is NO FUN! I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday!

[DianaB]

If the weather is anything like what we've been having you may need a jacket for the 4th of July!! Our weather has been just beautiful.......with really cool nights! It makes me worry a little for the crops because they need the warmer weather and sun!

I spent several days with Jaci. She was so teary that when I talked to her on her way home I headed right over. She was so nervous and when I think about it she's never been around a lot of babies and isn't very comfortable alone with one. So I went over on Friday and ended up having to watch Dean on Saturday because Dae Lynn had to drive the tractor. I planned on taking Dean home and when I got ready to leave Jaci was in tears so I grabbed some clothes and ended up going back and spent a couple more days. While I was there I cleaned and kept things picked up....oh, and watered the plants outside. Sunday Jaci had EVERYONE come to visit. Poor Nate had to work on wheat harvest and wasn't able to be around much......and he wasn't happy about it either!! While Tammy was visiting Jaci was able to ask some questions......and had a doctor's appointment for the baby on Monday morning.....and again asked some questions that were bothering her. After that she felt a lot more confident about caring for Ali. I told her that I was only a phone call away if she needed me or is welcome to come over. I've been keeping in touch to make sure things are going well. Ali seems to be a really good baby and I think that once Jaci gets the hang of things that they'll get along great!!

Jaci's taking Ali into her old work to show her off and to visit some family then they'll both be here!! I can't wait!! It's so hard to believe how much I've missed that little girl in the last couple of days!! It will be her first time to Grandma's house!!

Also....I've been working in the yard......still!! I've added an old bathtub to my flower bed!! Having your own junk yard has it's own rewards!!! I've found some really cool stuff!! I'm planning on putting in a water garden with a water feature. I'm so excited!!

We're going to Dae Lynn's tommorrow for the 4th. She's so excited to show off her place......and it's so perfect to sit and watch fireworks and have a picnic at!! Happy 4th of July to all of you!!!

[Lindsey]

Happy 4th of July, my American friends!

Because it's a short week this week, I thought it would fly by. I was wrong! I woke up this morning thinking it was already Friday, but it is only Thursday Ugh.

Last night I finished painting the Noah's Ark lamp I made for my niece's baptism this weekend. I'll attach pictures. Tonight I will need to spray it, and I want to write a little note for her on the bottom.

Our friend Brian just applied for a job at both my office, and Scott's. He got offers from both, and decided to go with mine. We told him either way, when he gets a new job, we'd have him out for steaks at our house! He wanted to do it this Friday (tomorrow) so we'll have to go grocery shopping after work today. I think I'll just do roasted potatoes and a salad with it. I don't think he really cares about anything besides the steak lol!

On Saturday we are leaving for Scott's parents' city. We have a hotel booked for the night because our anniversary is Sunday and we wanted some alone time. I think we will be going out to eat, just the two of us, that night too. We have to work around the baptism rehearsal Saturday night, and we still don't know what time that is. Sunday morning we'll do the baptism, go out for family brunch, and then hopefully head home! We have the top tier of our cake to eat, and that might take me all day lol! It's really good cake, but it's a lot for two of us!

We decided to get a bond for our niece (besides the lamp) for a gift for her baptism. It is what my Godparents did for me, and I suggested it to Scott when he and his sister were Godparents to another nephew, and that's what they did as well. His parents always buy the religious kind of gifts, and we wanted to do something more practical (nobody else in his family goes to church or has anything to do with religion). So we called the bank, and apparently bonds are only available in September and October! We will just get a card and let them know we will get a bond in her name as soon as they are available.

[Janet]

It will all come together really quick for Jaci. With her wonderful mother and sisters to help her...she'll do great.

Planning on working in the yard tomorrow since we have no plans for the 4th. I need to trim the shrubs and since I mowed last night, Ricky will be using the lawn sweeper. We've had so much rain that the grass had gotten out of control a bit. Then I think I'll need to clean the house and get ready to shampoo the carpets over the weekend.

I did find some flooring I like and Rick likes it too. Now we just need to measure and see what it will cost to have it installed. A past friend had some in her kitchen (her husband laid it) and he didn't do a very good job so I want it done right. Plus, it was a cheaper laminate and some of the corners are up a bit because of spills from a water bowl.

I'm in no hurry as long as it's done before winter.