Just thought I'd write a quick post before we go, everythings packed and we leave in little over an hour to head to the Airport. Our flight is at 6:30pm so we'll be flying overnight, we've already checked in online and I've even printed off our Boarding Passes which is really neat. It's going to feel really wired heading on the plane with Clayton, this time I'm not saying goodbye to him.

This time tomorrow I'll be home with my family, and I'll be having a British Christmas.

Clayton & I just got back from seeing "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" We both really enjoyed it, very good I was impressed. It took me back to my childhood though, when my dad read me and my sisters the story just before we went to bed. And then when I was about 13 the BBC did a mini TV series of the Book, the BBC did that a lot they'd play a mini TV series about 10wks before Christmas and would end 1wk before. It always got us excited for Christmas.

Today I ordered my British Pounds, I got about 100 pound which is about $195. I still have quite a bit of change here after emigrating so I'll take that too. I also bought my English books for School for when I get back, I'm really looking forward to going back to School but I'm also very nervous.

In other news I had a phone call on Saturday from my friend I used to work with at Kids World. It was nice to chat to her again, we get on really well. She says things are pretty much the same at the Daycare, one of the Kids has gone into Foster care, so she's really doing much better with her new family. That's good to hear. Anyway's she wished us a safe trip, and we are planning on getting together in the new year.

I have to start packing this week, I have Wednesday & Thursday off so I'll do a lot of it then. I've done all of my Christmas shopping so that's good. A week today we'll be up in the air!!

Last week was pretty hectic we did have a lot of snow, it started Tuesday morning and continued pretty much all week. It was really pretty to look at, especially on the Evergreen trees, I took this lovely shot...

The snow is pretty much gone now, and we are back to rain.

This Monday I had an appointment for my Birth Control, I go to 'Planned Parenthood' I normally get it pretty cheap, as Washington State has this type of Insurance called 'Take Charge' that helps young people with low income. I had to re apply for this insurance every year, so I was filling out the form and there was this question about my residency and green card. I could only apply for it if I've been in the US for 5yrs. So I went and asked the lady as they approved my application last time, and she told me basically to say yes and see if they accept me again. I checked with many of the websites and they only say 'If your a resident and have a Green Card' I will be fighting this if it comes back negative as they did approve the first time, and I hadn't even been in the US for 3months then.

After my appointment I went to the Mall to shop for Christmas presents, turns out it was more of a day for me. I had my hair cut and colored, and I also went to have my nails done. So it was a pampering afternoon, I ended up having acrylic nails, which actually look really good. However the lady got all pissed at me, as she thought I wasn't going to give her a tip, she looked at me and said 'Tip, tip" I can't believe how much not giving a tip is frowned upon. I ended up giving her a couple of dollars, I guess I got annoyed as she really shouldn't have assumed that she'll get a tip.

Well only 11 more days until we fly to London, it's really going by so fast I'm looking forward to it. I just put my order in for British pounds, I'll go and collect it now on the 12th.

Thanksgiving is now over with, the Inlaws liked my Gift Baskets, Clayton's mom was all pleased that I had gotten her chocolates that she could eat, as she's allergic to Nuts. I bought Queen Anne Truffles. They did however make me feel very guilty for leaving over Christmas, Clayton's dad constantly made a comment for us being here for Christmas next year. Oh well I can't please everyone.

Today Clayton and I registered for College, so I'll be taking 2 English classes in the winter quarter. The quarter starts the day before we get back from the UK, so we'll miss one day of Classes. I doubt they'll do much the first day, but I'll e mail the tutor just in case. Also went Christmas shopping today, and got quite a few things for the family.

It's bloody cold here it's 4-c tonight, think I'm going to leave my heating on over night on low. We are expecting snow tomorrow and then on Thursday. It's also snowing back in Wales, my sisters called on the weekend and told me it was Snowing heavy on Friday. My mum has said that they are expecting a really bad winter, so you never know I might get a White Christmas in Wales for the first in my life.

3wks today, we'll be flying to London, yey.

Made Gift Baskets over the weekend, for my parent's in law, and Clayton's uncle. I thought we could give them over thanksgiving, as we wouldn't be here for Christmas. There's a Calendar for 2006, some wine in a cute little Fabric Christmas wine carrier. Some Coffee, Chocolates, a Christmas scented Candle, a classical relaxation CD, and a Christmas ornament.



Went down to the Parent's in laws on Sunday for dinner, everything seemed to be okay. They carried on, as though nothing had happened, I was a little apprehensive as this was the first time I had really spoken to them, after what was said. Oh well Thanksgiving is next!

It's funny how people perceive accents, especially Welsh accents. Like today I was at work and was booking a Birthday party and the lady asked "Which part of Sweden are you from" I said "Oh I'm not from Sweden I'm actually Welsh" she replies "Ah so your English, which part of England are you from" "I'm from Wales, it's a separate country next to England." Don't people know the countries in the United Kingdom.

Since I've emigrated I've had people say I'm German, Scottish, Irish and even French. But saying that my sister went into a shop the other day, and the lady asked her "What part of America are you from" my sister said "I'm Welsh lived here all my life" She must be getting some of my American twang through the phone. And yes I do have an American twang, I've had to change the way I speak. It's really strange cause I can turn the American twang on, and just turn it off just like that. I noticed the way American's speak and say my name they say it Nah-a-lie hardly pronouncing the T. I think the Welsh and generally the English to, over pronounce the T.

I don't think I'll ever loose my Welsh Accent it is very strong, although adjusting to the way American's speak is really interesting. It's like learning a whole new language.

Well Clayton's home in an hour and I need to finish cooking dinner, Lemon Chicken with broccoli and Roast potatoes.

New Christmas layout, yes I know I'm a little early. But I'm such a big kid at Christmas time, there's something about Christmas that I just love. Being with family, eating loads of junk food, opening gifts Christmas morning in your nightgown. Having a great Christmas dinner, with crackers and party poppers, and even going down your Grandparents for tea Christmas afternoon, with all your cousin's, aunts & uncles. I love it all! Yeah and you so can't tell that I only have 30 days left till we fly to the UK.

Not a great deal happening here at the moment, I've had a lot of College appointments this page week. Just been planning how long it'll take me to do my degree. It'll take a good 3yrs, maybe more, it's really strange thinking I'll be here in the USA for that long. I know I moved here with the intention of staying here the rest of my life, but we have been thinking of moving back to the UK once we are ready to start a family and settle down. I guess I didn't think I'd miss my family as much as I do, we'll have to see what happens. I was hoping we could start a family sooner than 3-4yrs but once we are both out of school we'll have better jobs, so the timing should be about right.

Okay, so what's the deal with American TV? They keep you in suspense for 3wks, and then when you finally watch the episode they drag it out right to the end where it ends in such a way where they keep you in suspense for yet another week. For the ones who don't know what show I'm talking about I'll tell you, I'm a very hooked fan on the ABC's show "LOST"

Funny how you can get hooked on something in less than 2mths, I wasn't really a fan of the show. Until my sister calls me up and asks me to run to Target and get her the DVD Boxset of LOST Season 1. In her eyes having a sister in the USA is very handy!! So off I go and buy the boxset for her, and I thought what the heck may as well watch the first episode. 4hrs later and the 2nd disc in I was glued to the tv quite literally. I watched the whole boxset in one week, didn't have to wait very long to watch the start of the second season ether.

Okay so let me get back to that all important point I was trying to make in the first paragraph.. American TV is mean, stop keeping us on that long swinging rope!!

This week has been pretty much College oriented I had an assessment test on Monday, to determine what level of classes you should be placed into. I must say I'm rather rusty having not been in school for a good 4yrs, my test results were a little iffy. I mainly got bad grades on the Math, which means that I'm not college level in Maths. I thought I might have to take all 6 Math classes, as my degree has a Math 111 class but turns out I don't have to afterall. My English Essay test was interesting, you had 3 topics to choose from 2 of the topics were very much American oriented. One had to do with American politics and the other had to do with Baseball. The third one was about tv, guess which one I wrote about. They really didn't make it easy for someone who doesn't know much about American politics and Baseball.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the Graphic Design Coordinator to find out more about the course and such, then on Thursday I have an appointment with the counselor to discuss long term future plans. I'm starting to feel a little apprehensive about going back to school, just mainly the "I don't know if I can do it" thought pops into my mind now and again. But as Clayton said the other night "Look at how many times you said I don't know if I can do this Long Distance thing" And we survived that so I can survive and strive through this.

I found this interesting site the other day US/UK it's about the differences between American and British Culture. I was pretty amused at some of the funny stories that were listed here I don't know how many times I've run into the US/UK language barrier. I know it sounds stupid but I still mix up the American money, today I said Pounds when I was counting out the change. You think after a year and 6mths of being here in the USA you'd know the currency by now. Oh and I finally tasted "Candy Corn" hmm for some unknown reason I thought it would taste more of corn. Clayton bought me a bag to try, I had heard about it so many times during Halloween and didn't know what it was like.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween, I was working. We are normally closed on Monday, but a local church had hired the whole place for the day. And we had over 200 kids come in and play. I really enjoyed watching all the kids come in all dressed up, Americans really make a big deal of Halloween, they go all out. Talk about cheating my diet this week, I've had so much candy. Funny I sound all American with the new words I've picked up like, Candy, Geesh, and I'm always saying oh that sucks. I'm sure my family will notice how much I've changed my vocabulary when I'm back home.

My mother was wanting a couple of pictures of the place where I worked, unfortulatly the place doesn't have a website. Which is kind of a good thing, as I could use the practice if I'm going into website design for a proffesion, so maybe I'll set up one. Anyway's I did a search online and actually found some pictures of the place so below are a few shots from Tube Time, thanks to Heather for the pictures. I'll probably try and take some shots of the place this week if I get a chance.

I also found a really great article about Tube Time, you can read about it here. I like the first sentence of that article, "In a climate like ours, where the rain drizzles relentlessly out of the sky for more days out of the year than any of us care to count" Many people have asked me why I have moved to Washington State, when the climate is so simular to the United Kingdom. They laugh when I say it rains more in Wales!

Yeap my life has been pretty busy the last couple of weeks. Working my notice plus my other job, I was literally working two jobs. I worked 7 days this week, did not stop, but I'm glad to say I no longer work at my child care job anymore, my last day was on Friday. It was really sad leaving all the kids, I'll miss them all. I took pictures of all of them so at least I'll have the memories of them. I am glad I left the company though the place wasn't all that great. But if I ever need the money I can always go back as a sub teacher, which I might do for the cash.

I worked at my new job at the weekend, and I work again today, so far the place is really good, I get a long with everyone really well. Alot more people my age there going through college and such. We are decorating for Halloween this week so it's really exciting, I'm having a real fun time there.

It'll be nice to have a little more free time on my hands, yesterday I cleaned the cottage as the housework has been neglected a bit. I'll bet you next week I'll be bored again and want to go back out to work full time, but at least this free time thing isn't for long, just until the new year when we go back to school.

Only another 8wks and we'll be flying to London, looking forward to it.

Oh Joy wanted to know about Stacie, things are going okay for her. I haven't talked to her that much ether she's never online anymore. I talked to her about 3wks ago; she seems to be taking a break from the blogging world. She finished her job that she was working at, because she was missing being with Savannah, she started her own eBay business, "Belles & Beaus Boutique" So she now works from home, which she's enjoying. Alex got his work permit through, so he is now looking for a job. They both haven't heard anything About their Adjustment of Status interview yet. I'll let Stacie know she has everyone asking about her.

I started my new job today, it went pretty well. Everyone was very friendly and a lot were my own age so it was nice to make some friends. I think I'm going to enjoy this a lot better than where I'm working now, I'm looking forward to my last day on Friday. I can't stand the gossiping and bitch fights that go on behind the scenes. At least this place is a lot more friendly and a lot more flexible too.

I'm on the second process of getting my financial Aid processed, there's a lot of paper work to fill out. But at least it'll be worth it, when I have the money to pay for school. I'm looking for a Laptop for school, I'm trying to get a fairly decent priced one, I really can't afford to spend too much money on one. But I do think it would come in handy.

I can't believe it's less than 2mths to go before we leave for Wales, I really can't wait I'm looking forward to seeming my family.

Other than that, not a whole lot has been going on, better go and finish my laundry. Only 5 Days to go, and then I'll be free from that miserable place, I will miss my kids that I've been looking after though. I've really gotten attached to some of them, I think I might take my Camera in this week to take a few pictures of them.

Maybe I over reacted, I talked to Clayton's uncle tonight about what was said, and he thinks I took it the wrong way, he didn't think it was personal as my name wasn't mentioned, and the rule would apply to any women he'd married, as that money was set aside just for him. Clayton talked to his dad and he apologized if that was the way it sounded, but he didn't mean it that way. Clayton's uncle offered that I could use some of the other money that was set aside for family things. But I didn't want to use it, if Clayton's parents had a problem with it. And apparently they don't.

I don't know how to take things, I feel very conflicted about the issue. In some ways I feel a bit embarrassed, especially if this wasn't meant to sound that way at all. I guess we'll play it by here and see what happens, I'll use the money I get from financial aid to help in college as I don't want to cause any problems.

Thanks for the comments on the issue, it's nice just to write what your feeling down. As I was telling my mum today, I had no one to talk to about the issue other than Clayton, all my family were sleeping six thousand miles away. So it was nice to write what I felt.

Do you ever have those day's where you've been on a high all day and you know where you life is heading and your looking forward to your future. But then someone says something that knocks you right back down into the ground. Well that's been my day, the day started off great I had my second Interview and I got the Job I was really thrilled. I handed in my resignation at the place I work in now, and finish a week Friday. I start my other job for training this Sunday. Everything was looking up for us, going back to school and everything.

Clayton phones his parents to tell them I got the job, he also mentions that when we go back to School if I could use some of his College Education money to go back also, the reply came back as "Well we'd been thinking about that and the money was for you not for who ever you married" Now does that sound like a comment where they are accepting me into their family? or does that sound like a comment where it makes me out to be some money hungry wife?? It wasn't as though we were asking for it all, I can understand if they wouldn't give me any of it, as it was Clayton's money. But I didn't expect a comment like that! Let's just hope financial aid will cover most of my College costs.

I've never felt so unwelcome in a family in all my life. I've always gotten a long with my friends families back home, always fitted in without a problem. I really don't know what the problem is, but the more these comments come up the more I think why should we stay in the US when we have no family that even cares or supports us in what we do. At least back in Wales we have a big family who cares and loves us, and will do anything to help us with our futures.

My Interview went really well on Wednesday, I hadn't heard anything by the end of the week and I was getting really annoyed so I went to check in on Friday afternoon after work to see what was going on. The lady said "Oh well we hired someone a couple of days ago" My heart sank, as I really thought I had a good chance at getting the position, I was crushed that they'd given me faulse hopes. I thought I'd call the boss of the place just to make sure, I got a call back on Saturday and he's giving me another interview tomorrow at noon. So there's still a good chance I can get the position.

Last night we went to my in-laws for a BBQ, the night went alright. I think I'm finally starting to be apart of the family, it's taken a long time but things are starting to get a bit better. Everyone mentioned we should have a family meal more often just to start getting to know each other a bit more. I don't mind getting to know the family more, just as long as there's no criticism towards Clayton and I and our actions and decisions in our life.

I'm looking for a Laptop for School at the moment we need a good one to go back. I think I might wait until the day after Thanksgiving as apparently that's a super sale day here in the USA.

I'm so looking forward to going back to Wales for Christmas, my sister has arranged a Clubbing night out for us sisters. We'll be going on a double decker party bus with all the drink we can drink, and then tickets to a couple of night clubs, and a Limo home. Looking forward to partying Welsh style.

Well I've decided I'm going to go for it, I'm going to go back to College. I've applied to the local Community College, and I've been accepted. Which means I'm looking for a part time job, and I think I've found the perfect one. A couple of weeks ago I found a PT Job going at a place called "Tube Time" it's like a Jungle gym for kids. I forgot to apply for it, and on Monday I remembered so I called the place and they said they had about 80 applicants already, but your okay to drop off a resume. I gave my resume to the man there, and thought I very much doubt I'd get a call back. Tonight I get home and the man had left a message wanting me to come in for an Interview, I just got off the phone with the him and he was so nice. Funny he even said I was over qualified for the position, I had a feeling most of the 80 applicants didn't have day care experience. The man said that most of the girls who work there are students, and they are really flexible with like finals and stuff. Anyways I have an interview tomorrow at noon on my lunch hour so wish me luck. The only thing I'm worried about is saying that I have tickets for the UK in December I hope they are okay about that.

Hmm I hope I'm making the right decision in leaving a full time job to go back to school. I know I'll be working towards a better future for us, but am I giving up a good thing. On the other hand the job I'm doing now isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and it's not even good pay. I just hope I'm doing the right thing.

Been a while since I last posted, the last week I've been doing a lot of Soul Searching on what I'd like to do in my life. My Job isn't going as well as I hoped, let's just say the company isn't all that great and I ended up buying about $20 worth of toys at the weekend cause the daycare won't provide anything for the little ones. Next time I will be researching the company more before I start.

As everyone knows I was thinking of going back to School, well I had a meeting with the counselor at the college today and looked at what I can do. There's an associates Degree in Arts and Graphic Design that would have a lot of what I enjoy in there, like Web Design, Html classes, and Paint Shop Pro Graphic classes. But the first half to the degree is general Art Classes, now anyone who knows me knows that I can't draw at all. But I'm pretty good at doing Graphics in Paint Shop Pro, and would like to learn more. So I'm in two minds on what to do, go for the Degree and struggle with the Drawing side of things. Or don't do the Degree, and just do the Classes I want to do. I have a lot of thinking to do, any insights to this would help me a great deal.

Clayton's also going back to College to finish his AA Degree, then he'll be going to do his Bachelors in History, as that's what he wants to do.

That's about it really...... roll on Christmas, I want my bloody Fish n Chips. :D

We booked our tickets for Christmas, we are leaving Seattle on a British Airways flight bound for London Heathrow on December 19th, we arrive in London on the 2oth as it's a day over. It's a straight through flight which is nice but it's still 9hrs 30mins, we travel back on the 4th January. We are taking a Shuttle Bus from the Airport to Wales which is another 4hr drive.

We are both looking forward now, I can't believe I'm going home for Christmas I'm so excited to see everyone again, it's been a year and half now. You know the first thing I'm going to have on the way back to my Mum & Dads?? ........a big bag of Fish n Chips from the chippy down the road.

Had a pretty good weekend, spent a lot of time at home fixing a computer that Clayton brought back from the local train museum. After a lot of pondering and Coffee I got it up and running, after that I worked on the Museum website, as I'm now the Website Co-coordinator. You can look at the website here. Been thinking a lot about going to College out here, and doing a degree in Website design. I think I really have a gift at working with computers, and I really think I'd enjoy it. Clayton's uncle said I could use the college education money that was set aside for Clayton. So looks like we'll both be going to college, I'll be making an appointment with the counselor shortly to discuss or options.

Clayton's friend Chris has been send to help out with the aftermath of Katrina, with FEMA. I have no idea when he'll be back, but last time he went out to help out with the last hurricane it was a good month or so. I donated to the Hurricane relief fund the other day for a memorial graphic.

Work hasn't been to bad, quite low in numbers in our class. 2 of our kids are moving up to the next class so we'll have 12 total. I'll be having my Health Insurance by Friday so that's good.

Clayton and I have been doing really well on our diets, I've lost 15lbs and Clayton's lost 13lbs. I've been drinking a lot of water during the day, strange really I'm not really a water drinker but with me working I drink a lot more than normal. We've also been keeping away from all the sodas and fizzy drinks, and just drinking ether orange juice or water. I've been going to Curves at least 3 times a week too which is good, sometimes I only go twice a week as my muscles tend to ache, but that's a good thing really. Last week I went to be measured and I'd lost 3 inches off my waist and 1 inch of my thighs and 1/2 inch on my arms, so I'm losing weight everywhere. I really feel so much better for doing all this, I feel healthy, hopefully if I keep up the good work I'll be back down to the weight I was when Clayton and I first met. :)

Got this at Sanna's Site ....

10 years ago: I was 12yrs old, and still in Primary School.

5 years ago: I had just met Clayton online, we were sending e mails to one another every couple of days. I had just sat my G.C.S.E's, (High School Exams) and got the results in August.

1 year ago: Enjoying Married life with my new Husband and adjusting to life in the States without my family near by.

Yesterday: I was in work all day, then went to Curves for my Work Out, came home and made Pasta and Watched The Wedding Date.

5 snacks I enjoy: Cookies, Chocolate, crackers & Cheese, Apples, bananas

5 songs i know all the words to: Lonestar's I'm already there, Daniel Bedingfield If your not the one, Delta Goodrem Born to Try, Diamond Rio How your love makes me feel. And the last one that is in my head right now is the Crazy Frog song. Everyone in the UK apparently wants to kill the frog!!!

5 things i would do with $100 million dollars: Buy a nice house, Buy my family a house and fly them out to the USA so we could all be together, Pay off all our bills, Donate some to Charity, Invest.

5 things i would never wear: Bikini, Mini Skirt, High Heel Shoes, Tank Tops, Shorts.

5 favorite TV shows: Most Haunted, Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, X Files.

5 biggest joys: Clayton, Family, Friends, Our Cat Liza, & Our Health.

5 fav. toys: Computer, Internet, Playstation (Tomb Raider), Digital Camera, Multi Region DVD Player (To play UK DVD's)

5 people I tag: Sarah (Me sis), Stef, Lydia, Juls, Gabriela.

Well, yet another new blog template. Thought I'd go for something a little different and go for a Starbucks Coffee theme. I'm obsessed with Starbucks, I tell you Starbucks is my friend!!! There's a Starbucks right next to my work and I always go there for lunch.

It's been a while since I posted so I'll try and remember all of what's happened since the 21st of August. We ended up getting a new Long Distance phone service, as the 10 10 987 company cut us off for not paying a bill that did not have a due date on it. I was going to pay the bill that week, we hadn't long had the bill and it said upon receipt so I thought they wouldn't mind it a week late. Apparently I was wrong, they didn't even bother calling or informing us that they were going to cut the service. I only realized when I tried calling my mum one morning and it wouldn't go through, I was really annoyed with them. Anyway's I found this great calling card online called One Suite it's only 2.2¢ to the U.K with no connection charges, so it's working out a lot cheaper.

My health insurance has been a little bit of an issue lately, I'm signed up on Clayton's Insurance and he took care of most of that in March when I was able to be put on his. I've been to the Drs about 2, 3 times since March as well as a couple of Birth Control appointments . So when I had a bill through the mail the other day for over $200 I was a little bit worried, Clayton called his Insurance and it turns out the plan only has about $500 for Doctors visits, which is hardly anything since each doctors visit is $112 here. I started to panic as I wouldn't be able to see my Dr for my Birth Control and such. But luckily I am entitled for my Health Insurance in work on the 15th September since I've been there for 3mths now. Although that doesn't help me with the $200 bill I have to pay now. I was really upset while all this was going on, as I wouldn't have this problem in the United Kingdom, it's just really hard to deal with.

It's been so nice the last few days I had Monday off and I also had today off so all in all I had a 4 day break. On Saturday we went to the Outdoor Cinema as they played Raiders of the Lost Ark it rained a little bit but not much. On Sunday I cleaned house from top to bottom as the In Laws were coming over for tea in the evening, they've never really come down our place that much, so I was a little nervous. Everything went okay, no murders to report yet. On Monday we had another family event, as Clayton's uncle had a BBQ so we also survived that too. It wasn't that bad, nice food, no blood spilled. Today was spend lazing around the house and working on this template, I go back to work tomorrow.

Clayton got vacation time off for Christmas, so we both have time off now. We are looking into flights at the moment, and you know the cheapest one is a straight through flight from Seattle to London Heathrow on British Airways. You wouldn't really think that British Airways was the cheapest, but it is. If anyone knows of any cheap Airline sites please let me know.

And that concludes our drama from the last 2wks.

And yet another weekend passes, and another week begins. Last week wasn't too bad, pretty hectic work wise it's very hard to look after 14 toddlers. I will be talking to my boss about getting another person in the classroom it's just getting ridiculous, especially when your trying to get diapers done or get beds ready for nap time. In good news my boss said I will have Christmas off for me to go to the Wales for Christmas, I'm all excited. Now we have to wait and see if Clayton can get the time off, I'm sure it won't be a problem though, I've been looking into prices to go back, a little pricey so I'm trying to find some cheaper ones.

Had a really good weekend, Friday night we went to the Northwest Washington Country Fair. Clayton's parents gave us tickets for the concert for Clay's B-day. Diamond Rio were playing which is a famous Country Band, and Clayton really likes their music, I quite like them too. Clayton sang me quite a few of their songs while we were dating online, so it brought back some memories. Before the concert began there was a horse show, with the Canadian Rangers they did a parade, which was really good.

Below are some photos from the Concert...


Canadian Horse Show


Diamond Rio


Diamond Rio.

The concert didn't end till 10:30pm, and then we walked around the fair for a bit, and went on the Ferris Wheel. We didn't get back till gone midnight, we had a really fun time. On Saturday we had a lazy morning, and then after a chat with my Mum and Grandparents, we decided to go out to the Movies. We saw Red Eye which is really good I was on the edge of my seat all the way through, a really good movie. I then stopped in GoodWill and bought a nice throw for my Sofa for $7.99 and a nice 16 piece dinner set for $7.99, I love that store.

That's about all the news here time for bed, as morning will be here before you know it.

Well the job turned out to be a pretty good position, although I didn't take it. The lady called me on Friday, as I didn't get a chance to talk to her on Thursday. She said it was a clerical position for a local company, 40hr week good pay, and I would be hired on permanently after 90days. It sounded great, but there was just one catch they wanted me to start on the Monday, which was today. I couldn't exactly gave the daycare half a day's notice, it's not really fair so I turned down the position. They wouldn't even extended it till 2wks for me to give my notice in they needed someone for Monday. Oh well doesn't matter I'll keep trying.

Today wasn't so bad, had 10 kids I'm glad the other 4 didn't show up or otherwise it would have been hectic, we'll probably have a full class tomorrow though.

Our weekend was good, had a nice relaxing Saturday went out Saturday evening to an outdoor Cinema it was so cool. Our local town has a Village Green with like a cinema screen on a building so they can project movies on during the summer. They hold big events a local music artists performs before the movie starts at sundown. The Green was packed, everyone was there with their blankets including Clayton and I, we got there really early so we got a nice spot.

We had a nice meal before at a local cafe, so we were all set for the movie and snuggling under the stars. The movie that was playing was Field of Dreams, a baseball movie which Clayton really enjoyed. I liked it too, just don't understand a lot about the sport and the famous players. Some old romantic movie is playing this Saturday I think we'll go just for the fun of it.

Below is a picture of the Green and the Cinema Screen on the building, they've even painted a picture scene on the building too.


Village Green, Outdoor Cinema.

Well after a good 3mths of waiting Express Personnel the temping agency I applied to wants me to start work, they called and left a message so they must have a job for me. I'm going to go down tomorrow and talk to them in my lunch hour. I don't know what do to really, I mean if they have a permanent office job for me with good pay I'm thinking I might take that. Seeming the pay in my Day Care isn't that great, I mean I really enjoy working with the kids, but I love working with Computers too. I have qualifications with each, but I think I'd get more out of a Computer Administrative job, in the sense of challenges. I'm also looking at pay and the benefits too. Hmm I guess I'll see what they say tomorrow, what does everyone else think?

In other news I've lost 10lbs in the first week of my strict exercise and diet routine, I think I've lost about 2lbs this week, which is still very good. I feel a lot better in myself; hopefully soon I can get back into my denim skirts.

On Saturday was our 3rd year Anniversary of our first meeting, and on Tuesday was also our 3rd year anniversary of getting engaged. I can't believe it's been 3yrs already.

Thank god it's Friday tomorrow, this week has been hard going, it's weeks like these where I have to rethink the number of Children I'd like to have. We now have 14 kids enrolled in our class, I'd say about half of them haven't even turned 1 yet. The rest are nearly 2 give or take a few months. I enjoy working with the kids but I didn't think we'd have this many, and we may get more. My co-worker Jessica isn't really pleased with the company as we were told we'd have a 5-1 ratio. It's hard to watch out for them all, we really need another person in there to help out.

I really feel sorry for a lot of these kids, they are having a real tough time. I won't go into to much detail as a lot of stuff I've heard may upset some people. But few come from Drug and alcohol abusive families. I mean I knew this stuff happens all the time but I just didn't think I'd come across it so openly. I sometimes wonder why these people even had kids. Like Tuesday I finished work and one of my kids was leaving the same time as me, he's about 18mths and his mom just put him in the back seat of the car with just the seat belt on. No Child Safety chair nothing, I was like you do realize that's against the law and your endangering your child. And she turned round and said "It's my child, not yours so back off" I was so shocked and upset. I did go and talk to my supervisor about it, and she said she'd look into it.

We also had a case of a foster child that came in, he's been homeless most of his life and he's about 15mths old. He was biting a lot of kids for no reason, I mean some of the kids bite out of frustration although it's not okay you can still understand why they do it. But this little guy was biting for no reason and was really hurting the other kids. The Physiologist who was treating him did mention that his biting could be because of malnutrition. Unfortunately he had to leave as in the last 19 days he's attempted 60 bites and bitten 25 bites on the children. I really hope he does okay, as he's such a sweet little guy.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, too bad it's nearly over.

Just to annoy my sister Sarah I thought I'd post about my Gardening attempts, as her green fingers are very poor, as seen in her last post. Take a peek at my planted pots, I planted these back in Febuaray. The Flowers in the first Pot are.. Black Eyed Susans, (that's the Yellow Sun flower type one) The Pink ones left to right are Ultra Rose Star Petunia, & Geranium Rose. The Second pot has the Geranium Rose & some of the Ultra Rose Star Petunia's.

































Never really been much of a Gardner, didn't really have much of a Garden back in Wales, but I guess it didn't help when it was always raining there. I'd say that's your excuse sis ;)

Anyway in other news I start taking a Diet Pill I was prescribed by the Doctor, back in the UK I was prescribed the pill Reductil/Meridia and I lost a good amount of weight on it. But since emigrating I've put a lot of that weight back on, and I'm miserable. I know a lot of you may think that taking pills really isn't the answer, but I've tried everything in my power to try and lose weight over the years and nothings worked. The Doctor even thought I should try Gastric bypass Surgery. I don't really want to go that far, I've heard a lot of bad stuff about that kinda surgery. Anyways these pills have to be followed by a Calorie Controlled Diet, and a tight exercise regime, so here's hoping I lose something.

Yesterday was nice we went out for a long drive, it was a lovely sunny day. We stopped at a local English Tea Room that I noticed in passing. It wasn't as good as the other English Tea Rooms I had been too, but it was nice to have some tea and a Scone.

Tomorrow Clayton and I will put in our time off for our Christmas Vacation to the UK. Hopefully we'll both get the time off, I'll let you all know. I know everyone back home is looking forward to our visit.

New Blog Layout, what does everyone think? I'm not sure on it, I think it's a little bit plain, I liked the other one a lot, but I fancied a change.

Our weekend was good, did a bit of Gardening while the weather was nice. I'm planning on getting a white picket fence to go around our Cottage, then making a little Gravel stepping stone garden with some flowers. I can't wait till it's all done, it'll look so pretty. I'll post pics when it's all done, I'm waiting on Clayton's dad to get back to me about making a fence for us. I doubt he'll help us though, as MIL is worrying yet again about our money situation. I know their concerned, but it's our personal business.

I wasn't well on Monday, I went to bed on Sunday night with a headache. And woke up with one Monday morning with dizziness and feeling nausea. I had a feeling I knew what it was as I had this before back in the UK, Vertigo which is like a kind of motion sickness. Anyways I phoned the pharmacy to see if they can give me anything, and they said I had to see a Dr first. So I had to call in sick in work, not that I was really up to it anyway. Then headed to the Drs, I told the Dr what I thought it was and he was like well I'm still a little concerned about the headache, I'm gonna send you down for a CT Scan. I have to say American Drs will do anything for you if you have health Insurance, they'll run all the tests in the world. Only problem is I'm gonna spend the next 4mths paying for it now, as my Insurance only pays half and I have to pay a co-payment. My scans came back fine, and low and behold, it was Vertigo. In some respects the US Health system is better than the UK, I'd be still waiting for my CT scan back there, saying that they'd probably wouldn't even bother sending me to have one. Ah well I'm much better now, really tired though as the drugs they gave me, make me sleepy.

Wow it's been about a week since my last post, I really need to start posting more. Hehe my life is pretty boring since I started working! Work is going good getting used to the long days now, and I'm even getting more organized with my House work. My cottage is looking relatively clean these days, Clayton's been really good at helping me out with the house work though which is so nice.

Didn't really do much over the weekend, did some shopping at CostCo which is a wholesale place. Clayton likes to buy in bulk, I'm not too keen on that, but I'm all for saving money. Sunday Clayton's parent's stopped by with their old BBQ they had bought a new one, so we got their old one, which is nice.

I had a surprise the other day, Clayton's friend from work gave me a Welsh Plate that she had found at a Consignment store the other day. It's a really nice looking plate with the Welsh Dragon see the pic below...

















The Welsh writing on the plate means... "The Red Dragon inspires action"

I think I'm going to start a patriotic cupboard full of American and Welsh stuff that we've both collected over the years.

A big Happy Birthday too my Mother her Birthday is tomorrow, miss you loads mum.

Our weekend was good, although I came home early from work on Friday with a stomach bug and a high fever, must have been a 24hr thing cause I was fine on Saturday. I'm going to have to start taking muti vitamins, as I'll probably pick up a lot of colds and bugs from the children, that's probably why I got sick, as a lot of kids had it that week. Anyway went to see Dark Water in the movies on Saturday, it was good I really enjoyed it. There's some cool movies coming out this summer, I'm really looking forward to a lot of them.

Work is going good, I'm getting the hang of it now, it is a bit annoying when I'm being transported back and forth to different class rooms. As I don't have my Clearance from my background check yet, I can't be alone with children, so I move around a lot. Hopefully it won't be to long before I get my clearance back.

Clayton's seriously thinking of going back to college to finish his degree, the Real Estate isn't going as well as we both hoped. We are paying out all this money and we aren't getting anything back, so we are thinking maybe we'll put it on hold for a while and try it again in the future. It's too bad because it's a really great market out there, wish we had a piece of the pie.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been affected by the terrorist bombings in London today. There are no words to express how we all feel, terrorism must stop!

Today is our 1yr Wedding Anniversary, I can't believe it's been a year already time does fly. I'm glad we didn't get married this year, today the weather is terrible all rainy and windy. Last year was perfect in many ways, today we both had the day off and so we headed up to the place where we were married to reminisce about our special day. Then this evening we went to a nice restaurant by the Mariner and had a nice romantic meal together with our Wedding cake for desert. Clayton bought me this very sweet Glass Angel ornament that says "To my Wife, your smile was created by angels your heart made in heaven, you will always be part of my life"

Below are a few shot's of our Anniversary... unfortunatley the picture in the restaurant didn't turn out as well as I hoped, there's not a lot of light.


Anniversary Dinner with our Wedding Cake for Desert.


My Anniversary Gift off Clayton.

Thank you all who have given us congrats for the day, it was really nice to read all those messages. Been reading my Wedding section of my website, and it brought a tear to my eye just remembering the whole day. Roll on many more wonderful and happy years together.

Hey all I'm still alive & kicking, work is going good. The days are going by so quickly, I'm really tired when I get home though. Tomorrow I have my CPR and First Aid class at 6:30pm, so I get off at 5:30pm have a little bit of food and then head there. Looking forward to my long weekend this week, as Monday is 4th July we are closed and I get the day off.

Clayton and I were talking and we are definitely going back to the UK for Christmas with me working full time, we will have enough money to pay off our bills, and save up to go over for about 2-3wks Christmas time. I'm excited I think I really need a trip back home to see everyone, I'm missing everyone so much.

As you can see I added an Anniversary countdown on my page, next Wednesday is our 1 year Wedding Anniversary, I can't believe it's been a year already. I'm hoping to get the day off on that Wednesday as Clayton has the day off and we can spend the day together.

Okay I thought I'd better update before my daily readers get inpatient hehe. Well things are still going really well in the Daycare I'm enjoying it, and settling in really well. It's a bit odd trying to change everyday British Toddler words to American ones such as..

American

Diaper
Pacifier
Bandaid

British

Nappy

Dummy

Plaster

I've gotten used to saying all the other words it's hard to change, I really have to think before I speak because the children just don't know what I mean.

Joy asked if there were any behavior differences between American toddlers and English Toddlers, I've noticed a few, but not many. The Toddlers seem to be very loving they always want hugs and kisses, they are never shy all are full of confidence; I think that's just an American thing really I've found that most American's are full of confidence and are outgoing. I have also noticed that they are all so bright/intelligent the first day I was there they all noticed that my voice was different. Most of them had said "Your voice is funny" or "Funny Voice", I tried to explain to them that I wasn't from this country that I was from the place where the Queen was from. Some of the older ones understood what I had said, and now they think I'm a Princess.

Discipline procedures are a little different to the UK, I know a lot of Playschools/Daycares in the UK send children to the Naughty Corner or the Naughty Chair when they've done something wrong. But here I'm not allowed to say the word Naughty it's kinda forbidden, if the kids have done something wrong apparently they take a "Time Out".

I'm actually getting used to the longer day's, it's not so bad. It's hard trying to keep up with house cleaning though, as when you get home you don't really want to do anything. I'll have to try and get everything done on the weekends.

For some reason I've felt a little homesick over the weekend, I think being in a Daycare got me thinking of the future and when we're ready to start a family. I've been thinking really hard about going back to the UK when we are both ready to settle down. I want my family close to me when we have kids; I know my sisters and parent's really want to see my children grow up. But on the other hand I love being in the US and would love to stay here. Guess I didn't think my family wouldn't be around when I had kids, I always imagined them being close by. Hmm guess I should have thought about all this before I emigrated huh?

Thanks for all the congrats on the new job, things are going really well with it. I started Wednesday the day was long with filling out forms, and orientation. I'm an Assistant Toddler Teacher and I'm in a class with about 12 Toddlers, they are all so cute. The first day was really trying in the sense that the Center had 2 Fire Drills something was wrong with the fire alarm. So we had to gather all the children out, and me not knowing all the routine and most of the children's names, yeah I was a little clueless. At the end of the day I came home and just went to bed I was so tired.

Today wasn't as bad, it was fun to just be around kids, although we did have an incident with one of the kids biting another. I'm getting to know all the children now, they are all so sweet and they all want to cuddle with me. When I left at 5:30pm one of the girls Justice was crying as she wanted me to stay. I was like awwww.

Clayton was telling me that now I'm working in a Day Care this should hold off my maternal craving for a while, I was like I don't know it's making it worse hehe. I am really tired; it's hard to get back into an 8hr day. Next week will be hard doing the whole week. I'm sure once I get used to it, things will be fine.

That's about it for now, will update on the weekend.

Good News, I got a job at a Day Care called Kids World Full time 40hrs a week. Monday-Friday 8:30am -5:30pm. They just called and offered me the job, I am so happy no more small hour jobs. I start Wednesday, I have to go down and fill out some paper work and have orientation. I have a good feeling about this place, something tells me this is the one.

Thanks for all the Birthday Wishes it was really nice. The last week has been very trying, I'm back to being unemployed again. The Interviews last week went well, I know I didn't get the Hallmark one, as they called already. Haven't heard from the others yet. I took the Housekeeping job and was starting on Tuesday at 9am, my shedule came out for Bath & Body works for that week and I was working all week morning shifts from 9am till noon. I was like what the, I'd been getting like 2hrs a week and now they spring up to 12. So I called Bath & Body and told them that I had a new job I was starting, and the manager understood that I needed more hours. I said I could work in the afternoon and evenings and she was like well I have plenty of people for those shifts. She ended up letting me go so I no longer work there anymore.

So I was all set to start the housekeeping job, I started 9am Tuesday. From the time I started to the time I left I hated it. The whole time I was there I wanted to leave, I thought to myself why am I here? I have really good knowledge in Computers, I should be doing something that at least uses my talents. This morning I got up and said I'm not going back there, I called them and told them the job wasn't for me.

So now I'm back looking for a job, and I'm more determined now than I ever have been to look for something in the Office/Computer field. This morning Clayton and I went to sign up with Express Personnel. Hopefully soon I'll have an Interview with them, and they can help me look for an Office job. I'm also sending out my resumes where and when I can, I have an Interview tomorrow, so I'm hoping things go well there. I'm going to find something!!

On some happier news, I had a wonderful Birthday. Clayton and I spend the day together. My mum paid for me to have my hair cut and colored for my Birthday, I now have Red/Blonde highlights, see the pic below. We then went out for dinner at a buffet place, mmm all you can eat. For presents I had the Charmed Boxset from Clayton, I also had a James Masters Autograph (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) from my sisters Eloise & Emily. I had a big care package from my sister Sarah and my niece & nephew with loads of British chocolate, and Walkers crisps. I really got spoiled with the British Chocolate I got so much Dairy Milk.


My new hair cut. Blonde/Red highlights.  


James Masters Autograph and Charmed Boxset.  


A small selection of my British goodies.  

The Robin Chicks finally hatched, sadly one died. I got a really good picture of them when they were first born. And I took a photo of them today, and they have grown a lot bigger.


New Born Robin Chicks.  


Robin Chicks 5 Days old. 

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Natalie,
Happy Birthday to you.

I love you sweetie always,
Clayton.
XXX

Okay well I start the Housekeeping job at The Days Inn on Sunday, I know it's not what I really want to do, but anything will help right now seeming we need the money. I'm still going to keep applying for Office Jobs, and Day Care Jobs, hopefully something better will come by. I do have those Interviews on Friday so fingers crossed, I also just applied for a FT Position at the YMCA for an Assistant Toddler Teacher, which actually they just called to arrange an Interview for. Ooh tomorrow is gonna be fun I have one Interview at 10am, one at 12noon and then one at 3pm, Clayton has an Interview also at 12:30. So we're gonna be all over town.

In other news guess what I found the other day, a Robins nest right by our drain pipe. At first I didn't think it was a Robin as British Robins are very different to American Robins. But Clayton assured me that it was a Robin so I researched it online. See the following links.. British Robins American Robins. Found out that the nest also has 3 eggs in it. Clayton took an amazing picture of the eggs, below are a few shots.


Female Robin incubating her eggs.  


Robin Eggs. 

I'm watching them everyday to see if they are hatched it takes about 2wks for them to hatch. I think they are about a week in, so I have to wait about another week. The male Robin is up on the branch near by, protecting the female and her nest. I don't want to disturb them to much, because I've heard if you disturb the mother quite a lot then she'll just leave the nest and won't come back. So I'm being careful, but it's just neat to watch.

Ugh I don't know what to do, things don't look good for this Day Care Center job. My first day was today, I was given shifts for this week, 3:30 to 6:30pm, what's with the 3hr shifts? Anyway I told the manager of the place, look I don't have a car this place isn't on a bus route and I have to work around my husband's work schedule. Is there anyway I can have like 3 8hr days, she kept dodging the question and never gave me a real answer. She said we'd talk about it tomorrow on my other shift, and then she left. One of the other girls that work there said that the manager was always like that, and she'd never give you a real answer.

Okay so while I was there I got to know the other girls a little, and they started telling me, that I wouldn't get full time hours and that the manager hadn't employed anyone full time for over a year. The job was advertised as full time. Okay so one of the other girls had said that she was leaving because they wouldn't give her full time hours or longer hours as she lives all the way out in town, and couldn't afford to travel with the gas prices the way they are.

During the time I was there I got to play with most of the kids, it was fun I really enjoyed being around children again. 5:30pm came and I was told I could go as there were only a handful of kids left. Depending on how many Children are in the Class gets to determine my hours and such. Okay this sucks I've only been here 2hrs and I'm being sent home.

So now I have a decision to make whether to stick it out in this place, or go for the housekeeping job. The housekeeping job guarantees 30hrs a week, and I'll have a steady schedule from 9am till about 2 or 3pm. The housekeeping job isn't what I really want to do, I'd probably enjoy the day care job. But then the day care job comes with all the complicated scheduling, and trying to even get there. I'm also looking at the money, both jobs are minimum wage, but I'd get more hours = more money at the housekeeping job.

On another note I have 2 Interviews on Friday, one for a Receptionist position and one for the Hallmark store. So even if I quit the day care job and go for the housekeeping one, I might not be able to go to those interviews. Unless I say I can't start till Saturday.

Ugh I don't know what to do, any advice?

Just when I thought I had hit rock bottom, something happens to shoot me back on top of the world again. I was offered 2 jobs today, one was at the Day's Inn as a House Keeper, and the other was a Toddler Teacher for a day care center. Wanna know which one I'm taking..... I accepted the Toddler Teacher position. I'm very happy, I get to work with kids, something that I've been wanting to do for a while. This job is part time, but I also have my job at Bath & Body Works too.

I just hope this job is long term, and I don't lose it because of transportation. The Day Care is in the Middle of no where, with no bus route. Clayton or his uncle will have to give me rides. I have been thinking of learning to Drive but so many of the schools are really expensive, which we really can't afford right now.

I'm so glad that something good came out of all my perseverance.

If you could travel back in time what would you change? Would you change a little thing, or would you change a big thing that could shape the rest of your future. I've just been thinking on what things I would change, and those changes could have shaped a better future for Clayton and I.

Today my vacuum cleaner broke, evidently it was my fault but lets not get into that. Pondering on what to do, I looked over our bank statements to see if we had any cash to buy a new one. Low and behold no money, Clayton says 'Don't worry hun it's pay day tomorrow' and I say hun 'That money is already gone on bills' then hubby gets all down that there's no money, and starts putting himself down in the process. His Real Estate business hasn't taken off like we hoped, we are paying $100 a month on the business fees, and nothing is coming back from it. He thinks he's a bad husband, and I think I'm a bad wife so I guess we're even there.

No hope on the job front for ether one of us, half the people I applied too never even called me back for an interview. I guess you really have to have a Graduate Degree to get anywhere in this world. I keep going back to that I told you so from MIL "If you waited 3yrs to be together Clayton would have a good degree and you would have been stable."

Many people have said to me that the first years of Marriage are always the hardest and it's the money you'll fight over. I wonder if this happens with Couples who have great jobs, and money isn't a problem for them.

Or am I being to melodramatic cause in all reality you can't take your money with you when you die.

Blogger has been acting up the last few days, I haven't been able to post. Our weekend away was great, it was so nice to get away and relax and not worry about Jobs and such. We left Friday morning to catch the 12:30pm Ferry, I got a little sea sick again, feeling dizzy. I don't know how I can be sea sick though, back in August 2001 when Clayton and I first met, we went on a dinner cruise and I was fine then. Strange that I'd get sick now, Clayton did say that the waters are the roughest around the area.

We got to the B&B at around 2pm, and Olaf the guy who runs the place took us round all 4 Caboose's I was amazed to see how they were all laid out. Clayton want's to go back to the Cowboy Themed one, we'll have to save up a little. Anyway we were in the 'Orient Express' Caboose. See pics below..


Clayton showing off the Caboose we were in.  


Whirl Pool Tub.  


All aboard!!  

In the morning we had breakfast in the Dining Car "The Silver Eagle", below is the picture inside the car, as well as our Breakfast Menu.


Inside The Breakfast Dining Car. 


Our Breakfast Menu 

We then headed back to the Ferry town to head home, but it turned out there was a Parade and Carnival on so we decided to stay for the Parade. We both had fun watching the Parade, all the floats were amazing. Below are a few shots of the Parade.


Fairy Tale Land 


Bagpipes