Joyeux Noël !

Had a great Christmas in Paris. We woke up around 8 and had breakfast at a small bakery across the street from the hotel. A chocolate croissant and a cafe o lay (lol can't spell). We then walked up to sacre coeur. Wondered around a bit but did not really get lost on the way there. Walked around the church and admired the view. Wondered through the streets again on the way back towards the metro. Stopped off in Moulin Rouge to book a table for the evening performance.
Then jumped on the metro to go to the notre dame. Walked around the islands area and saw the church and the flower market. Most big sights were open but lots of the little shops were closed. Has lunch at a little cafe.
Back on the metro to the Eiffel tower. Came off the metro above it looking down on the area. There was a Christmas market and ice skating area at the water fountains before it. Was interesting seeing all the seasonal food available. Then the long wait. We stood in line for about an hour before going up in the Eiffel tower. Unfortunately the top was closed due to ice but we got to go up to the third floor. The view was still amazing. It was so cold up there with such a long wait, I don't know if we would have gone all the way up anyway. We then wondered around a bit again and made our way back to the hotel.
We changed into fancier clothes for the show and went out to dinner. Ate at a little restaurant on the corner called La Marmite. The food was wonderful. Our best meal here. I even tried a snail for the first time. We then walked over to Moulin Rouge. The show was interesting. Bob enjoyed it more than I did. It was very entertaining though and i'm glad we went.
No pics to post yet as we're hoping I left the charger for my camera battery in the car. I remember seeing it in Bristol so hopefully it's not lost. Today off to the Louvre. Fly home at 9pm then about a 2-3 hour drive home probably in the ice, yuck.
Hope everyone is having a great Christmas!!

Traveling to Paris

So we left plenty of time to get to Bristol, we though. With the snow and how slow people drive / amt of wrecks, by the time we parked in long term and walked into the terminal we were 6 minutes past last check in time. After getting in line and waiting we were 12 min past check in time and they said sorry... only other flight out is tomorrow night and that will be another 90 pounds. No choice so that is what we did. Stayed in a tavern near the airport that had a cheap room (no heat and twin beds) and cheap parking to leave our car while were here. Spent today at the aquarium and drove around Bristol. It was fun and since the Imax was not working got free tickets to go back. It was nice to just sit and watch the fish. Our favorite was watching the Congo eels.
The flight to Paris was quick. It mad us made that we should have had plenty of time to board yesterday. We had checked in at 5:32 and our flight today did not finish boarding till 6:10. It was quick getting out of the airport as they barley looked at our passports and we had no luggage. Hopped a bus to the Opera district....which ended up being the wrong area so took a short cab to the hotel. It's a nice place. Small and actually quiet considering the area. Had dinner at a nearby braisser and now off to bed. Will update tomorrow night too.

I found horses!

So Mon and Tue I got to go riding. Cyd found me a place where I can help exercise the hunt horses. I don't even half to muck stalls! Both days I went there at 8:30am. It's about a 30min drive. I ride two horses with the other girls and then head home around 12:30. The horses are Irish Warmbloods that are trained for the Hunt. We go out riding through the villages on the street walking and trotting. The girl in charge is Laura and I really like her. She is going to take me with her to drop off horses so I can see the hunt. The pictures look really cool. All the horses are super clean and before the hunt they get braided and spiffed up real good. She clips their coats every three weeks so it's real easy to keep them clean.

The heat went out on Sunday. Bob could not fix it so he called the rental company Tue after work. The landlord is supposed to give us a call and then come fix it, but nothing yet. Burr it's cold in here. I have to bake and do laundry constantly to keep just the kitchen warm.

But at least Bob's happy about the food. Yesterday I made banana bread, apple sauce, and for dinner curried chicken with couscous. Today I am going to make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, zucchini bread, and maybe lasagna for dinner.

Indian Food

Bob and I had a "date night" last night and went out to eat at a really nice Indian Food restaurant. The food was fabulous. Then came home and watch a movie. Today the weather looks ok so we are going to spend some time fixing up the backyard.

Pictures from Halloween

The last pic is of Carolina and John Stinson, some of Bob's good friends. Carolina, a bunch of the girls and I are going to the mall today. We plan on getting together to scrapbook soon.
Cyd, a British friend from Fort Bragg, might have found me a place to ride!!!!!!

Fish Saloon

So they have little fish bar/saloons here which are like fish and chip fast food places. Wanted a quick dinner last night so tried one. We had cod and chips. Not bad, but could make it cheaper and better at home. They eat their chips (thick french fries) with salt and vinegar. They do have "tomato sauce" at some places.

Went to the dentist this morning. Said my teeth are just traumatized by the work that was done and I have to give them more time to heal. Had lunch with the ammo wives on base. Was fun to see them all out of their Halloween costumes. Went to the library afterwords with Carolina. A few of us are meeting up tomorrow and going to the mall. Stopped at a nursery on the way home. Picked up some winter pansy's for a pot that was in the backyard here. Will be interesting to see how they do in this weather.

My pony's having fun

Cynthia posted this on Facebook. It really made my day. I love to see my horse happy!

So bought a gps last night, finally made it to base to the dental clinic, they said oh I told your husband there were no appts available that day. We can just make you a appt for tomorrow. Another wasted trip. But at least I made it!

Bad start to the week

Well today I planned on going to the dentist on base and sitting around hoping they would see me. My teeth still hurt from the dentist and I am taking 10-12 ibuprofen every day to keep the agony away. It started off well. Bob had left me the car so I got up and successfully navigated the turns through Banbury. Made it Alderbury and started watching for my next turn. Never found it. Went through another little town and then hit a two lane road that I don't think I have see before. Went back and looked again but finally gave up. I really need a gps. Think tonight I will go down to Halfords and buy one. This is ridiculous. Driving here is still quite difficult. I need to have all my attention on that, not getting lost.
My day has improved as I stayed home and made a good smelling dinner. We will see what it taste like. I bought a butternut squash wanting something else. But since I had it I went online to Betty Crocker and found a recipe with it, turkey, baked beans and stewed tomatoes in the crock pot. We will see...
I did sent out lots of e-mail looking for a horsey job. I have sent out about 20 e-mails and only had one stable reply which only wanted me on the weekends. Sent out more e-mails today and had one reply back wanting to talk to me. They sound like a great place with upper end Dressage. It is about 30min away but is on the highway which is a easier drive. I called but the guy was taking his cat to the vet and is going to call back later. Now keeping my fingers crossed!

The weekend

Had a fun time at the Halloween party Sat night. Met loads of people...hard to remember their names. Sun Bob and I went to Ikea and bought some fun stuff. Some things are cheaper there than in the states. That was shocking. I bought a orchid to remind me of home and it was ₤3.50, half the price of in the US. Had dinner and a movie at Clint and Suzy Erd's house. I had meet them in Turkey before so was nice to see someone I already knew.

Maybe I can cook?

So a few days ago I made snickerdoodles and baked fish with veges and it was fantastic. Today I made custom spaghetti sauce with fresh veges for lunch. Then for the Halloween party tonight I made three cheese vege pizza and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.
I have not cooked this much in forever!

Busy Busy

So lets see, two nights ago had dinner at the Stinson's. John called me in the afternoon to invite us over and had a nice conversation. Friendly People!!! Had a nice dinner. John and Carolina have three kids, Bella 9 John Michael 6ish Gabby 5ish. They offered to take me to Lakenheath the next day.
So yesterday we went to Lakenheath. It is the other military base location in England and it is big. There are several little smaller bases surrounding it and it's the place to go for American type shopping. So we went to the BX and I got some Tupperware, bowls and baking stuff. Then off to the furniture store. We spent a long time wondering around there and they bought a new couch, recliner, coffee table, tv stand and mattress. Wow, we spent a long time in there. As the base is about 2.5 - 3 hrs away it was time to go home. We didn't get back till almost 8pm. Bob and I were supposed to go to a friends house for dinner but had to reschedule for Sunday. And as it was Friday night I had homework due. Late to bed.
So slept in this morning. Bid on some sofa's on ebay. Now going...to start my homework. I have a report due today. Then off to the local base's commissary to get a few things. Then in to the local store in Banbury. Bob needs a few thing for his costume. Tonight 6pm Halloween party at the Stinson's. Should meet a lot of new people.

Out to the pub

Went to the pub last night for the first time. It is about a 5min drive or a 15min walk from the house. Bob is good friends with the next door neighbor Sam. Sam's girlfriend Nikola's dad Nick owns the place. Had a glass of wine and got to meet all of them. The pub was built in like the 1600's. Is a cool looking place. Nick is the cook and makes great food. Maybe next time we will go for dinner. (They put cucumbers on their burgers and vinegar on their fry's "chips")
Picked up my first item off of ebay. A clothing rack type things with a clothing bar and three shelves. I am making one of the small rooms into a closet as Bob has a lot of clothes and needs both closets in the bedroom. lol. It was fun to go for a drive and see some of the local area. It is hard trying to navigate with directions from Google maps. Most of the streets don't have street signs. Also hard to find the numbers on the houses. Can't wait to buy a gps!

Dinner with new friends

Went over to Ryan and Beverly Eland's house for dinner tonight. They have two children about the correct ages for my paper in child development. Was a fun night playing with the kids. Tomorrow Beverly is going to take me on base to the commissary to go shopping.
I was brave on the way home and drove for the first time. It went fine but I hate the really narrow streets with cars parked in my lane. You have to swerve into the other lane to get around the parked cars. Bit unnerving and you have to go fast cause there are cars coming at you.
Hopefully we will get a gps my this weekend so I will be more comfortable driving places alone.

Can't Sleep

Well it's 3:30am and I have not gone to sleep yet. On the plus side Bob got up at 3am to get ready for the gym. At least I have company now.

Ebay is so much fun over here. There is all sorts of great used stuff.

Sent off an e-mail about a Dressage position. Would hopefully be work and exercising horses in exchange for lessons.

Our "pets"

Well in the states you find stray cats in the back yard, here we have foxes! There were two and now we have only one but he/she comes to visit and takes a nap in the grass. If you open the door really slow you can go outside to take a look.
Spent most of the day cleaning and organizing. Sent a e-mail to a barn about 20min away that specializes in Dressage asking if they have any positions open. Keeping my fingers crossed. There are two other prospects if not.

I'm in England

Well after about 12 hours of flying and about 16 hours total travel time I made it. First though, burr. It's cold here. Was about 38 degrees F when I arrived at 6am. It's great seeing Bob again. We had a nice drive home. It was cool that I still remember my way around town. Took a long nap. I did not sleep much on the flight. Then got up and went to Tescos (target / walmart type place) for some food ect. Now Bob's cooking and I am about to do my homework. Thank goodness no more planes for awhile.