Last day in London....

So today I treated myself to lunch at Fortnum & Mason :) and did a little Christmas shopping there before heading back to the flat to start the big pack!

I have just finished packing at 12:15am... and we are waiting to hear that the plane taking me home (hopefully) tomorrow is about to take off from Pearson Airport in about 5 mins..... I say hopefully because for the last 2 days Gatwick has been closed due to snow & ice. They have no deicing equipment. So I have been a little stressed out to say the least. Also we had troubles booking a car to take us to the airport since many companies won't drive in bad weather apparently... AND the Gatwick Express train from Victoria Station hasn't been running also due to ice on the rail lines. Oh what fun little snow does to England!

Anyways so I have left a lot behind for Ben to drop off a children charity shop clothes wise. We are donating, the playpen, the big toys and the Moses basket Ben is going to have it all picked up.
It was very difficult to pack tonight through tears of frustration and sadness now it's all done. plane we HOPE will indeed take off at 9:10am, the airport is hoping to open at 6am.
The car will be here at 4:45am to pick us up since the ride is an hour and a bit in decent weather, not sure what it will be if we get more snow overnight?

So I guess perhaps if I lay down in bed now I will get about 3 hours of sleep. At least Evelyn is sleeping and is happy tonight (so far).

Final thoughts on this home away from home. It was wonderful I loved every minute of it and will miss it all very much. BUT I think I will be back :)

The Queen was home but didn't come to see us...

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

So today was bitterly cold, like seriously the coldest day I have experienced so far. London was warmer than where we went sightseeing today. The wind chill factor I do not know but Stonehenge was freezing, interesting to see but too cold to really take it all in and enjoy. Poor baby had wind burnt cheeks after the day out & about outside.
We left at 7:45am from the flat to be at our pickup point to leave at 8am and off we went on the bus trip first we went to Windsor Castle. The state apartments at Windsor Castle were of course gorgeous as to be expected. The Queen was there but we didn't see her :(
What made the WHOLE trip to this castle simply awesome for me was that I saw the original painting of Queen Elizabeth I when she was still a princess around the age of 14 or so (I have uploaded an image of it below)

I have wanted to see this painting pretty much since I was about 14 or 15 myself and first saw a copy of it in a book I read. I was standing just a foot or so away from it and it was totally stunning.

Then onward we went to Stonehenge. There was snow here in London (it didn't stick) but it was sticking a bit out in the countryside where Stonehenge is. I am affected by the damp and wind here quite a bit and was very cold and wasn't able to enjoy myself properly at times today because of it.

Then we went to Bath. Which was really good. I would have liked more time to wander around the town of Bath. I would defiantly go back there and spend a night and a couple of days visiting. The Roman Baths themselves are very beautiful and I really liked it I think Ben would enjoy it. Oh well next time I guess.....

I am beyond exhausted today after all our sighting seeing and yet ANOTHER NIGHT of being up with the baby pretty much the WHOLE night. I nearly killed her at around 4am. I think I cried around 5:15am when we both fell asleep finally only to hear Ben's alarm go off for work :(
Seriously I need some sleep tonight.

Also most of the day today I carried the baby around in the ergo carrier since it was pretty much all NOT baby stroller friendly. So I can really feel it in my back right now, and just that general feeling of irritation I get with everything and everyone around me when I am overtired. So it's 10:45 and it's really past my bedtime.
Not sure what we are doing tomorrow yet, I need some sleep tonight, and I think the baby needs a rest day and Kristen kinda deciding what she is interested in. Okay I will try and post some photos tomorrow.

Long & cold but good day sightseeing....

So Kristen arrived on Friday and we basically just rested, went grocery shopping and she got adjusted to the time zone difference. Saturday we went shopping on Portobello Road and we went to the Organic Kitchen for lunch. Kristen surprised me by ordering fish n chips I didn't know that she ate fish! Anyways she loved it surprise surprise. (for those who don't know Kristen she's a pretty picky eater)

Sunday Ben had the day off we so went for a drive out to Hampton Court Palace, it's a little ways out of London, so was nice that Ben could drive us all instead of taking London transit and the overground trains. Hampton Court was really good I really enjoyed it quite a bit. Although I think Ben is a bit "castle/palaced out" by now...

Then we went to a pub for a late lunch and then drove back to London. Ben and I went out for a late dinner at Nobu which is a Michelin starred restaurant here in London, it's Japanese and was really incredible! Kristen was nice enough to babysit for us.

Today there was a tube strike here GRRRR.... it really cramped our day :( but we finally made it to Westminster Abbey which was really interesting and both Kristen and I enjoyed it alot. And we also did The London Eye Kristen loved that and I liked it too we went at a different time of day then when I did it with Jeanette, and also it was a lot less crowded so I was able to enjoy it a little more. Plus I just saw different things than the first time.

Tomorrow is our bus day trip to Windsor Caste, Bath & Stonehenge. We have to be up and going pretty early so I really hope the baby sleeps tonight. I was up with her from 1am until 8am EVERY hour rocking her/holding her etc... she is getting over a bit of a cold, teething like crazy and she didn't eat properly yesterday so decided in the middle of the night that she was starving to death. It was a rough night to say the least and I have a bad feeling about tonight too.... still a cranky baby, and still not eating/napping like normal :(

Today was pretty windy and cold, I guess it's the damp here that makes it seem colder than the temperature reads, and also the wind off the river is very biting.

I think tomorrow I will also dress a little warmer than I did today, I didn't expect to be so cold! But although the temperature read a couple degrees above freezing Ben even agreed with me that it feels more like -10 because of the dampness. Also we are all feeling the lack of daylight here... the one thing about home is that it's actually to be daylight for longer! YAY for that :)
The darkness just makes you feel bleh. It's seriously dark here by 4pm right now. Streetlights on and DARK. The shadows get long at 2pm so you feel like heading home and curling up into bed.... weird feeling so early in the day. I am not a fan of such a lack of sun.....

Okay I should really see to the baby and try and to get to bed for our big day ahead....

The last guest arrives...

So I was SO sick Monday & Tuesday. Wednesday started feeling much better thankfully.
I am currently waiting at the flat for Kristen to arrive she is currently in the taxi on her way here from the airport. And then the 3 of us are flying back all together one week from now...... but I AM NOT TALKING about it. That's the official response when anyone starts to ask me questions about going home. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT IT. Possibly because I get really emotional and stressed and start to cry so ya...

So tonight I am having some people over for a simple dinner just to hang out and whatnot because next week is SO busy. I am looking forward to tonight it should be nice a nice and relaxing night in!

Yesterday I took Evelyn to see Santa... it was very disappointing... the santa the setup and the photo omgg horrible gold lamme a flash ick.... and to top it all off the most smiley people loving baby ever cried ! I think I will take her again when I get home to Canada at Yorkdale or something early one morning when other kids are at school and hopefully avoid very much of a line....

Tomorrow we are going to Portobello Rd shopping and have lunch. Then on Sunday Hampton Court Palace. Ben can drive us being his day off. It's out of the city a bit I've been wanting to go for a while and this should hopefully be a nice day out.
Then next week we will do one day- Tower of London another day, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, Big Ben
We have one special day trip planned to Windsor Castle, Bath & Stonehenge.
and Thursday I need to stay home and pack and get organized so I will help Kristen plan her day and I will stay back with Evelyn.

That's pretty much the plan....

Mundane Monday

So I am suffering from a very sore throat and slightly congested... I just hope I don't give it to baby since Ben gave it to me...

Saturday night was a very nice night for dinner with Demitri and his wife Laarni. I really like her, Laarni and I also went out during the day to Portobello Road Market and I started Christmas shopping!

Sunday I woke up feeling like crap as this newest version of the cold hit me... I spent pretty much the whole day in bed. Ben looked after Evelyn which was nice I think for him & her.

Today I managed to get motivated enough to go out and do a much needed grocery shop and came home and started to do a bunch of laundry. Exciting eh?

I will say that I just bought myself a copy of Hello Magazine's souvenir edition of The Royal Engagement! And it has now been carefully packed away with the rest of my England loot to ship/send/pack home as I seriously have not got that all figured out yet.

And also I saw canned hotdogs today in the grocery store ummm ewwww?

The Meltdown....

So being alone today meant I had WAY too much to over think things, get anxious and practically have the hugest meltdown about going home... I think it's going to be very difficult adjustment. I think I will be missing Ben way more than when he first left in May or when I came home from the the first visit in July.
I know my weekends will be busy and many evenings too if I desire to book in visits with friends and family... it will be the weekdays I think that will get me the most and be the loneliest.

I am worried about Evelyn and I adjusting to the time difference. I am worried about the upkeep of the house and the driveway and the SNOW that will be coming! I am worried that the car won't start after sitting in my garage so many months... or just breakdown entirely. I think that these last few months have felt like a holiday in a lot of ways and going home to real life will be a big smack in the face and it's going to kick my butt :(

So to all my friends in the Toronto area distractions (especially during the weekdays are MOST welcome!)

So I forgot in my earlier post to write about my trip to Ben's film set yesterday!
It was awesome AS ALWAYS!!! Sacha Baron Cohen is VERY tall and he looks great in this role, I think the movie is going to be really good. Seriously. Watching him on set yesterday working with Marty was pretty awesome :)
Evelyn stayed at the flat with Hannah being babysat by Amy. Only Henry came along with us cause obviously Chanda is still nursing him. I didn't get to talk to Marty or SBC but that's okay I didn't expect too. So that was a pretty good way to spend the day! I doubt I will get back out to set before going home. Technically the set is "closed" which means you can't just have random visitors so Ben doesn't want to press his luck.

Tomorrow night I am excited about our dinner out... although slightly nervous because I am leaving Evelyn with a new sitter since my reg girl Amy is home for the weekend it's her grans 80th birthday. That might make me not enjoy the dinner out as much then if I knew she was with Amy... but we'll see. Likely my last nice dinner out with Ben until he is home at Christmas....
Well hopefully Ben is home in the next 20 mins or so...

Quiet Again

So Chanda, Nathan & kids got off this afternoon for their flight back home. I home everything goes okay and they have smooth travels.
I think Evelyn already misses Hannah... She seems to love older kids and is really excited by them. The flat was too quiet this afternoon, Evelyn & I had a nap but it wasn't very satisfying. I guess we were both tired but it was a really warm sunny day and I feel that we should have gone out an done something to enjoy it...

So I finally went to Kensington Palace and saw the Enchanted Palace Exhibit the other day. Turns out it was a good suggestion because Chanda LOVED it! It's not a very popular exhibit because it's temporary exhibit while the palace undergoes renovations and it's quite modern. I thought it was okay. It was a nice easy outing close to the flat and different than anything else I have done so far.

We went to the orangery afterward for lunch which was very yummy. I love their tea! Turns out you cant buy it in loose leaf but I was able to buy the bags... I know it won't be as good as when I am at the organery but maybe it will still be enjoyable?

So as it turns out we are not moving from the flat now to the cooperate housing. The sale of the flat fell through, (we were beginning to suspect as much) but we didn't know we would be able to extend the lease. It turns out we can. So I guess that makes my life a bit easier and I don't have to move all the stuff we have accumulated. And Ben will live here when he comes back here in Jan. I was kinda looking forward to the new place though because it has maid service everyday! That was defiantly a bonus. And even if we don't move I have to still pack and decide what we are shipping home to Canada though etc...

What day is it today?

I honestly am loosing track of time these days... I think today is Wednesday...
So lets play catchup since last week when I posted about our Castle weekend.
Last week I mostly recuperated from a very busy last few weeks of guests and Evelyn and I were fighting off a slight cold/sore throat. So there wasn't much exciting to report I suppose it was daily life living here in England, resting and gorging myself on cream desserts and clotted cream with berries :)

I cant believe that I only have 16 days here left :( Kristen arrives in 9 days as her facebook countdown keeps reminding me....

Nathan, Chanda, Hannah & Henry all arrived here Saturday early afternoon. Since they got here they have been on the go, Evelyn and I have taken a more relaxed approach and joining them only when I feel like going on an outing and if it's something I haven't done before. Right now they are at Buckingham Palace watching the changing of the guard.

Sunday we all went (including Ben!) To the Churchill War Rooms & Bunker Museum. It was pretty interesting to see how parliament lived and worked in this underground maze of rooms during WW2. And of course there was lots of information about his personal life etc... I think Ben enjoyed it the most of all of us. Which is good since he hardly gets to do/see anything when he's been working so much.
Sunday night we went out for a nice dinner at e&o. All 3 babies were incredibly well behaved during the entire meal, it was a really nice relaxing dinner out.

Monday Nathan & Chanda plus kids went out to the London Eye & the Aquarium which they had a very good time at. Monday was also Chanda's birthday so she & Nathan went out with an old college friend Ruth & her finance for dinner an I stayed home with Evelyn and Hannah (who was sleeping pretty much the whole time) Ben came home at a decent time and we had delivery food and a nice quiet nice by the fire.

Yesterday Chanda went to Cambridge with Henry to have lunch with her cousin and Nathan, Hannah, Evelyn & I did the Tower of London. This time I did the White Tower Tour which I hadn't had a chance to do last time. And of course I saw the crown jewels again :) Who can get tired of seeing of 530 caret diamond???
And for dinner we went for Indian Food.

Not sure what is on for this afternoon yet, it depends on the weather and how the crew feels when they get back here from Buckingham. Hannah gave them quite the sleepless night last night to they are pretty run down today.

Tomorrow afternoon we are going to visit Ben on set! I am excited to go again. And no before any of you ask Johnny Depp will NOT be there :( Amy my babysitter is coming to watch Hannah & Evelyn and the 3 adults and Henry will go to the set mid afternoon and come home in the evening with Ben.

Friday afternoon Nathan, Chanda and the kids go home. Saturday I am going to Portobello Road (I plan to do some Christmas Shopping!) with Demetri's wife (who is here for a week and a bit visiting) and then the 4 of us of going out for a nice dinner. Evelyn will stay home with the babysitter.
And that's as far ahead as I have planned yet....
Okay I have to get dressed and get ready for my day!

Castle Stay

So my castle stay was amazing.. too short of course but amazing. As predicted Ben was utterly exhausted by the time we got there and we had a late dinner and he basically crashed out by 10pm. Baby & I enjoyed the fire and had some cuddles...

We stayed in the Henry the 8th Suite. I got to see 3 rooms I had my choice of the Pembroke Suite, The Mary I chamber or the one we took.
Photos of the castle & our room are up on facebook.

Sunday morning we explored the castle and the garden, then we went for a Sunday drive through the countryside stopping mid afternoon at Cirencester known as the unofficial capital of the Cotwolds. We had a late lunch at a pub there, walked around the town, viewed the church and the abbey grounds, saw the old Roman Wall and enjoyed the views. The town was the 2nd largest Roman settlement besides London during it's time and there is an amphitheater, town wall, arches, stone remains of a church from 300 AD and a large villa.

Unfortunately Evelyn didn't exactly cooperate during our Castle visit and was up every 2 hours screaming her head off during Saturday night...I don't know why :( Which really tried my patience and ran me down and my body gave in getting Evelyn's cold.
At first I thought it was teething and it could have been, but then I think it turned into a little cold and when I got overtired and run down with stress and having so much company recently I couldn't fight it off. Not that I am complaining about all the company who have come because without them I would be lonely and it's been wonderful to have so many visitors. But this week my body is making me rest and take a break....

Nathan, Chanda, Hannah and baby Henry arrive on Friday so hopefully I am better and over it by then.

Okay bedtime for me....

Thornbury Castle from the driveway

Thornbury view from the gardens

Not perfect but hopefully still enough time to be fun...

So our castle adventure was supposed to begin last night, but at the last minute Ben (and the rest of the crew) got called into work today. BIG BOO. So we had to cancel our reservations for last night and we are going up tonight after Ben is done work instead. I worry that he will be too tired to enjoy any of it and that we will so late arriving this evening that we wont be able to enjoy any of today and really I always feel so rushed the day of checkout when you have to hand in your key by 11am. It seems a shame to drive all that way to be there less than 24 hours....

To help out a little we packed the suitcase and car up last night and I am going to take public transit as far west as it goes to Richmond Station where Ben will pick us up. That should help Ben not having to drive into the city to come and get us and then basically back track.

I told Ben it was okay to cancel but he really wants me to take me to a castle since he knows it's always been a dream of mine since I was little and he has no more weekends off for the rest of my time here in England. Which is really thoughtful so I am trying to not be too disappointed about the sudden change in plans. I just hope Ben can enjoy it too and that work doesn't exhaust him too much today... its not like I can help by sharing the driving!

We plan to drive straight there tonight and enjoy the castle and then tomorrow take a leisurely drive back through the Cotwolds. I hope to see many thatched cottages, picturesque farms and old lovely churches as we drive from village to village stopping for lunch hopefully at a English pub somewhere along the way....

Well I better get going baby needs a bath, need to buy more baby food & diapers and then I need to pack the day bag and catch my bus!

Halloween....

So here is a photo of Evelyn in her Halloween costume. Mummy never did find any wings so the fairy princess became a ballerina. Special thanks to Natalie who picked out and got Evelyn her tutu in Canada and brought it here!




AND in other exciting news Ben booked our stay at a castle today! As it turns out his only weekend off between now and when I go home is this weekend so on VERY short notice we were actually able to book a room at Thornbury Castle. www.thornburycastle.co.uk

We are staying in a Deluxe Suite (because that is what was available at the when booking 4 days ahead) So it's a bit more than we expected/planned to pay but Ben said he really wanted to take me a castle and this was the only weekend left so it was okay :)
YAY SO EXCITED FOR THE CASTLE!

On Saturday I think we are going to go to the town of Bath for the day and see that... I have to do a little research on what to do tomorrow.

A great day in London! (and busy)

Natalie & her crew left this morning at 5:15am. They got off okay from here in the car we booked I hope the next 3 parts of the journey home to Leamington the train, plane & car part of the journey aren't too difficult!

So as it turns out tomorrow my Grandpa's cousin Derek and his wife Sue are coming to stay with us for 2 nights/ 3 days. They arrive tomorrow late afternoon. They are the couple my sister went to visit near Lancaster. I am really looking forward to their visit and for them to meet Ben! So I guess I won't have time to get all lonely and homesick this week lol... I am running around today like a crazy person cleaning the flat, washing all the sheets & towels and grocery shopping.

I will try and post some more photos to facebook tonight (if Ben feels up to helping with the baby for a bit tonight when he gets home) or it will have to wait until naptime tomorrow.

So today has been a lovely fall day here in London! It was a bright sunny day and a balmy 16 degrees! I hear that Ottawa has snow (SUCKAS!) and it's been quite cold back home and many a frosty morning. Today has been just gorgeous here... I think I am still waiting for all that cold, damp weather everyone told me to expect??? Maybe the sunshine follows me around lol...

Okay more housework to do and Evelyn is telling me she's hungry RIGHT NOW!

A weird morning...

So Saturday night the clocks changed here. Obviously I didn't really notice it yesterday but today here I am 6:30 awake... Normally the baby would be waking up about now for her morning bottle. But she's still sleeping !!! Why am I up? I need a sleepin day but the other way that is going to happen is a night without the baby.
Ok so who wants Evelyn to come and have a sleepover? Any takers....?

I think tomorrow (Tuesday) will be really tough my flat will be empty and I can feel the dread of homesickness creeping in... It's always the worst right after the flat has been full of people and then goes to empty.

As much as I am looking forward to going home and being in my own house with my things it will of course also be hard because Ben isn't coming with me. I am already torn wanting to be in 2 places at once...

Caden is really good with the babies he is 3 years old. He seems quite attached to Evelyn. And she loves Caden. Marcus is somewhat interesting to her but I think she finds Caden more fun to watch and interact with.
I am "the other mommy" Ben is "egglans daddy" Caden can't actually pronounce her name yet but his version is pretty cute. Egglan is Evelyn. Lol

okay might as well get up and have a coffee...

7 days (so far) with Natalie et all....

So last Sunday morning Natalie, Caden, Marcus & grandma Connie arrived at the flat. I was so excited to see them! Poor Caden had the most difficult time getting his body clock switched around. Their flight over sounded somewhat changeling, it's a good thing that we had nothing planned for Monday except going for a walk around the neighborhood and buying some essentials.

Tuesday we went on a half day bus tour of London, saw the guard change at Buckingham & St. James Palace. Which btw was really awesome. AND Exciting news! We saw Prince Charles and Camilla!

Wednesday we went a day trip to Dover, Canterbury & Leeds.
We drove over the Greenwich meridian. We saw Leeds Castle, then stopped off at the beach in Dover for a foggy view of the Cliffs and the Castle on top. Then onward to Canterbury where we had a tour of the Cathedral and some free time in the town.
It was a big day with the 3 kids, but good one and for the most part the babies did pretty well.

Thursday we hired 2 nannies to come look after the 3 kids for the day and we went to Mason & Fortnum for afternoon tea and shopping! Amazing afternoon and I fell in LOVE with that shop! It's just so amazing google it cause I can't explain it :)

Friday was a trip to the London Aquarium which was super busy due to it being a school holiday but we managed and it was really a fantastic place. The aquarium did not disappoint!

Saturday Natalie & Caden did the Tower of London, Grandma Connie did the market on Portobello Road, and I had a restful day with Ben &
Evelyn, some grocery shopping and cooking for Demetri's Halloween Party. I helped with the food and played a little pseudo hostess since his wife is back in home in Toronto.

Today (Sunday) I am taking Evelyn to a children's Halloween/Birthday party. And all of us have dinner reservations for 6pm. Natalie and her crew are going to High Street Kensingston shopping and to Hyde Park to feed the swans.

Tomorrow (Monday) we are going to the Museum of Natural History and Tuesday very early morning they flew back home. I won't know what to do with myself the flat will be so empty and quiet ;)

Now I have seen it all...

Stirup pants.... Really? Who thought they looked good the first time around? They certainly do NOT look good in 2010! Seriously stirup pants??? I feel ill....

Date Night

So as it turns out Ben came down with something that has been going around the set. Aches, pains, dizzy and a fever :( he came home last night went straight to bed and slept/stayed in bed all day today.
Poor Ben :( We still went out for dinner he didn't want to cancel but it wasn't fun as it could have been if he had been feeling better.... he wouldn't let me take his photo... so I took lots of myself instead!

Even in England I found a truss podium ! This was the entry to the restaurant & club we went to tonight.... Babylon aka the Kennsington Rooftop Gardens.

Self photo at the table :)
Self photo at the bar with our cocktails awaiting our table...


My shoes...

Me posing at the flat :)

I LOVE to shop....

I think I was born to shop :) The shops & markets in London are just so much fun I am going to miss it so much when I have to leave. I think it likely that I will have full on shopping withdrawal. I love all the antique furniture, jewelry, !china and silver! and there are SO many wonderful vintage stalls in the market for clothes, hats & purses a girl like me is in heaven :) And of course mixed in with everything old are lots of new stores too, just to mix it up!

But I do have a few comments to make.... I do not know if these styles are coming in back at home in Canada or not perhaps someone could fill me in?

1. Why oh why are super skinny jeans back? the ones with the ankle zippers otherwise you could not get them on over your foot??? I jut had a baby so there is NO way in hell I can pull off skinny jeans actually being a curvy girl I could not do skinny jeans even pre baby but I am really annoyed that I can't buy any normal jeans here...

2. baggy t-shirts with belts at the waist over stretch leggings. I don't know if I like this super sloppy causal look over stretch leggings... but please ladies at least buy a t-shirt or mini dress that covers your ass if you insist on wearing stretch leggings! Fancy lace tights and sheer'ish leggings are NOT pants!

3. Vintage Fur -(anything pre 1960) now this is a look I do happen to like... why not give an old fur a new life? I happen to have my eye on something from the 1950's in very good condition. It's all the rage here... so much so that lots of stores have new furs for sale (copies of vintage styles) and of course for the budget girl lots of faux fur clothing is out there too. I see alot of capes, vests and short jackets, long fur coats are still totally out.

4. 1920's & 1930's Evening Wear Charleston/Flapper girl dresses with the dropped waist are popular and lots of mini dresses with lots and lots of lace to give it a Victorian romantic feel I am not so big on all the lace but I am a sucker for the comfy chic 20's and 30's dresses....

So basically it's weird to see the 1980's are totally back with leg warmers, neon colours, baggy tops and skinny bottoms at the same time as a resurgence of classy 20's & 30's mixed with Victorian to just give old styles a fresh look.
I am not at all okay with the 80's being back oh nooooo.... but gimme some true vintage shops and I could spend spend spend! (btw which I happen to classify the 80's as retro NOT vintage)

Yes so that was my shopping rant...
Stay tuned for photos of me in my new ultra sparkle 4" shoes and new dress I bought for our date night this Saturday and Ben will be wearing his Dior outfit. We're going to look hawt :) I am going to ask the sitter to take a photo of us before we leave.... I will post photos on Sunday!

Sigh.... not so bad afterall

So as it turns out we won't be selling the house and moving to a condo... I think we will be able to make it work. And I really do love my neighborhood and all the great things it has for Evelyn. Ben and I had a pretty long and productive talk last night.
I feel much better now that a few things have been sorted out.
Still no idea when this job is ending and what the next one is though, but it's always like that so nothing new or surprising there.

So it turns out that Ben has this WHOLE weekend off! Yes 2 glorious days in which he can relax and spend some time with Evelyn and me!
And I just discovered that Hatfield House (Palace) where Queen Elizabeth I grew up is closed for the season!!!!! noooooooo..... it closed Sept 30th. It was super hard to get too on my own with the baby since it's a fair bit outside central London so I was very excited that Ben having the day off on Saturday we could go for the afternoon and take the car... so sad now..... So now I have to find something else to do for the afternoon.A
Suggestions Welcome :)

Then Saturday night we are going to the Kensington Roof Gardens to have dinner at Babylon. See the website: www.roofgardens.virgin.com. Our reservations are for 7:30pm and we have hired the babysitter to come and look after Evelyn for the evening :) it will be my first time eating out here in London WITHOUT the baby! Can you tell I am excited to have a nice night out baby free?

Then on Sunday midday Natalie, Caden, Marcus and her grandma Connie arrive for a little over a week to visit and do some sightseeing! Very excited for them to stay!

So this week has been spent mostly preparing for their visit, buying odds and ends to make things comfortable and planning etc... lots of running around!

Okay so it's freezing and after 11:30pm so that means its past my bedtime!!!

Netbook is here and it works!

So I now have a netbook which means I have REAL access to the internet again. Something I have not had since leaving Canada. Its a weird computer though totally different than what I am used too so a bit of a learning curve.

Tomorrow I will try my hand at uploading photos and see how I do. Not going to start the process right now as it's 12:30am and I am in a very bad mood because Ben & I are mad at each other. We each think the other one is too blame about government paperwork, house stuff and things in general that are out of control being as neither of us is living at our house in Toronto.

And I am still trying to get my head around the idea that Ben is most likely going to be home for Christmas for about a week and then gone again until likely May on whatever film comes up next. As much as we would both like him to spend a couple weeks at home that is looking near impossible at this point.
My only thought right now is how can I sell the house and get a new one with Ben out of the country?
What kind of place do I even want to buy and where? Can we sell ours for a decent price? So many things going through my head and I am super upset and stressed out about them all. (note that just a couple short hours ago I was in a good mood)
but now I am upset and stressed out :(

How do I go about buying a new car without him? Another likely event that will have to occur sooner than later.

Just so man things to consider and I know that none of them are on Bens radar.

Mike & Pauline are you back yet?

Okay a better more thorough update tomorrow withe photos I promise!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So it's been a week since my last blog post, sorry! It's just that I was very busy with Jeanette here and then we all got a little sick and we were still trying to make the most of our days.

So last week we went to Preston to visit my grandpas 1st cousin Derek and his wife Sue. We had an amazing time and wish we could have stayed longer! We had the nicest visit with them and they took all around the lake district, Lancaster castle, a Tudor mansion (which was awesome) and it was just a really amazing visit, we were sad to say goodbye.
I hope they are able to come visit me in London for a few days before I go home!

We came home a little overtired and all a little sick. Jeanette had been struggling with her migraines and stomach in Preston and the baby and I caught a cold plus she is really teething now so that maybe contributed to her feeling yucky as well.

Thursday was a sleep in and rest up, do laundry and groceries day. But we did go on the London Eye just before/during sunset and it was really amazing we loved it!

Friday we went to lunch at my new fav restaurant e&o just off Portobello road. We also did a little more shopping an then we dropped Evelyn off with the babysitter and went to see Wicked which was just incredible! Might be the best musical I have ever seen we just enjoyed it so much.

Then Saturday we went for afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kenningston Palace ! It was very yummy I loved the special tea I choose and
the clotted cream with dessert and finger sandwiches. It was just a fun outing. Then we walked around Hyde Park, saw the swans and walked home again.
Sunday we went to the London Dungeon. Which is a spookey experience through Londons dark history but we left the baby at home. We loved it!!!

lol apparently we loved it all because I have used loved it like a million times during this blog I just realized !

Today Jeanette had to fly home I didn't cry when we said goodbye but when I got back to flat I felt an overwhelming homesickness and lonely feeling :(
and I really miss her the flat is too quiet and empty.

So I had a great time with Jeanette we didn't even fight once!!! And shared a whole lot which for how long we were together we would usually have at least one fight or so....
I hope I can post a few photos sometime this week but it depends on when Ben gets home and all last week he had "homework" so he came home from work only to work on the computer for a few hours more :(
speaking of Ben and his work his end date is really up in the air it's anyones guess when they will finish this movie, they are moving really at a snails pace. Nobody has a clue what is happening beyond Dec 22nd.
And offically Ben is now working EVERY Sat and even some Sundays... So much for any weekends away together to Dover or Bath or my overnight castle stay. Very disapointing news.

And to top it all off we the flat has been sold and production didn't try to extend our lease until the deal was done so now we have move out mid November. Don't worry people coming to visit Ben says we will have room at our new place... It won't be as nice it's going to be coperate housing like a glorified hotel but he tells me it will have everything we have here I hope so!!! I am bit upset by this news obviously. But Demetri is living there now (ever since his flat flooded in late Aug) and he likes it okay they have maud service everyday so that's a plus I guess.

So that's all the news for now. More updates sooner than a week I promise!

Catching up and away we go!

Yesterday we went on the hop on hop off bus tour of London. It was really good. Despite a little rain the weather cooperated quite well. It rained the most while we were having fish n chips in a pub and generally didn't rain during the time we were in the bus just a mild spitting now and again and we always got seats up top. Just Jeanette and I went on the tour Ben stayed at the flat with the baby and had some homework to do. When we got home we all went to a nice dinner.

So far it's been great having Jeanette here. We shared lunch (sharing with ones sister what a concept! Lol) and have agreed in everything so far about what we want to do, when and how etc... And of course she's been a great help with the baby.

Today is a travel day - going north on the train to Preston to visit cousins and see when my Grandpa is from. Not sure about Internet access.... Back Wed night!

So soon now!

Jeanette will be here in less than 12 hours!!!! I am not so excited to be meeting her at the airport at 7am though... I hope I can sleep tonight better than last night. There is no denying Evelyn is our child she loves to cuddle and be snuggled in the center between her daddy and me. I could not get her settled in own bed at 2am....

Today was quite cold and rainy but I spent most of the day out and about grocery shopping and trying to get ready for Jeanettes arrival.
I really hope we have a few nice sunny days while she is here.
Ben works tomorrow as per usual. But on Sunday he gets to spend a good part of the day with Evelyn I am going out with Jeanette sightseeing and Ben is going to look after the baby hehehe lol choke gasp lol I hope when I come home they are both still alive and well should be an interesting day I think.....

Okay that's it for today nothing much of interest but I need to go to bed early so I can get Jeanette in the morning!

Stuck!

So it's just after midnight oct 1st (my sister gets here in like 36 hours squeal!) anyways and Ben has taken to snoring recently (what fun) and the baby breathes heavy/noisy. And tonight I have the absolute joy of being stuck in the middle between them. The baby had gone down to sleep easily but then woke up and needed a little cuddle and soother to settle down. And of course she fussed when I tried in her own bed. Out of exhaustation I brought her into mine and of course now she's happy in a deep sleep and I am afraid to move her back into her own bed :( but seriously I am squished between snoring man and heavy breathing baby I can't even roll over just stuck on my back going crazy listening to them. Well I am wide awake now....great.

Lovely Day!

So today was a perfect sunny fall day so I decided to take advantage and go for a nice long walk with Evelyn in the neighbourhood browsing in the shops and taking in the warm sunny weather since there won't be too many more like it!

I had lunch on a little streetside patio on Portobello road, fed Evelyn. Although she decided to have more than just her milk lol. You know the crepe paper they put over table clothes at restaurants? Well the corner kept blowing within her reach and this excited her very much a nd finally she grabbed hold and joyously ripped it off and started to play with it and then of course put it in her mouth! Well being the mean mummy I am I took it away and gave her a toy instead. But while I was eating she got hold of another piece and I suddenly saw her "chewing" so I opened her mouth but she smiled at me happily like wow mum paper is really yummy! Oh well I've eaten paper and as recently as fall 2000 at EORYP (and just so you know I am pretty sure the speaker made me do it and Natalie morse had to eat a piece of paper too) and we are both still here :) so I'm not that worried Evie ate the paper, next year this time it could be sand!

and then during lunch there were 2 men having lunch at the table one over from me and suddenly the one man was shouting and he stood up and poured his drink on the other! To note it was a ceaser I think so tomato juice was everywhere! It was almost a full drink! Talk about excitment! Then the man left and I didn't see him again. I found out from my waiter that the 2 men are regulars and are a couple and apparently the one that had the temper today is ususally in a bad mood and this isn't the first time he has dumped his drink and/or food on his partner, it happens every few weeks with them! Seriously!!!
Anyways after all this Baby and me packed up and carried our way again after our rest and a really good lunch with the entertainment :)

We came home and both of us had a lovely nap together and now baby is playing on her play mat after having a bottle and daddy is on his
way home! It was a really nice day.

It was a dark and rainy night.......

Rain day..... Today was a dark and dreary day but the babysitter Amy came for 3 hours and I went for a massage and my headache is gone! I have been suffering with it for about 3 days continously and on and off for just over a week. And robaxacet (sp?) us by prescription only here. That reminds me mum and Jeanette can you bring me a package of it? Is there any way?
Anyways then I came home and had a really long soak in the tub it was nice.

So I really miss steak like from a good steakhouse like the keg or something I just haven't had a steak and I miss it. I also miss pizza. Pizza here sucks it's like a flatbread pizza that just isn't good. So although they have great cream desserts I am missing some things from home.... Oh and actually I could really go for some Swiss Chalet delivery right now! I think there are other things I have wanted but can't think of them at the moment.

So the plumbers came and fixed the leak. Poor people who own the flat upstairs they had to rip out the whole floor of the bathroom to find the problem it was a join in the fresh water supply for the toilet that was giving way. Anyways leak is fixed now the owner of our flat now needs to figure out about repairs to the ceiling....

I'm here really!

Sorry to have disapeared and that the last couple if posts said nothing of interest!

Demitri got mugged near our flat sat night, ( he's ok he was punched in the ribs) he was out very late at night after having been out with a friend drinking etc.... He likely looked like an easy target. But Ben says muggings are a real problem here in London. over 150 muggings happen in this city everyday! Ben now knows a couple guys he works with who have been mugged. Ben also told me how Dimetris muse house was broken into while his wife and kids were there! The muse house was near the mall the next neighbourhood over from us. And then the muse house flooded so he living in a hotel again. His wife and kids are back home going to school and he doesn't want to move again. Poor Dimetri he has some pretty bad luck. But all this makes Canada/Toronto so safe in comparison!

So water issues follow me everywhere :( the pipes from the flat upstairs caused a leak and some ceiling water damage in our master bedroom here at the flat. Thankfully this is not my issue to deal with. The landlords, rental mang company and Ben production company all get to deal with it and if we need someace to stay we get another flat or hotel etc... But anyways it's being fixed so we will see what happens tomorrow.

So Jeanette arrives here at 6:30am on Saturday morning! I am pretty excited. And we are going to Preston to visit my grandpas cousins and see where he grew up etc... It will be nice to get out of London and see something new!

So sad news to report due to being behind schedule (alot) and overbudget Johnny Depps cameo has been cut :( they are doing script rewrites taking out anything "extra" to try and get things back on track. Yes very sad news for me. Devastated sooooo close yet so far! Johnny is here in London shooting at Pinewood right now stuff for Pirates 4 apparently.

Bleh Day

So Evelyn is over her cold but for some reason woke up crying 3 times last night. I am struggling this week to say the least. To add Ben seems to have had a very bad day I don't know what happened he wouldn't talk about it but it was obvilious he was very upset.
This week has been pretty sucky :( I am so tired and a little low on patience.
Ben works this Saturday no surprise there. Even my new Jodi Piccoult book House Rules is sucky would you believe the "twist" is so boring and obvilious that I totally figured it out before the lawyer characters have been introduced? Ugh....
Well I am really overtired. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

What a day!

So basically last night after being up until 1am on the damn computer and trying to upload photos I finally went to bed only to settle in and hear the baby. She was breathing weird and loudly and I couldn't sleep, then whimpering and gasping and choking :( Then I finally realized how congested she was and her poor little runny nose and thatshe was having a hard time breathing on her back. Anyways itgit worse as the night went on until finally was sitting upright in bed holding her at an angle she could sleep. It's been a challenge for her to eat and sleep today and I have a headache from over exhaustation.

So my new babysitter Amy comes on Thursday afternoon to watch Evelyn I hope to make myself a list of what I would like to do In the next couple of days.... Next week I plan to go see an attraction that would otherwise not happen with the baby. But this week I just want an outing.

The Goodwood Revival, Seaside in Worthing and Arundel Castle!

It was a really busy weekend but a great one!
So first of all I have spent the last 2 hours trying to "be" online! I am not at all impressed. I haven't been able to keep a decent enough connection to upload photos or keep my blog or facebook pages from reloading BLANK ARGH!
So the photo is from the Goodwood Revival we are a mix of early 1930's to late 1940's costumes.
From left to right:
Tash, Demritri, Dora, Ben and me!


Then we went to the seaside and stayed at the Chatsowrth Hotel in Worthing, then on Sunday we went to Arundel castle which was really amazing! Sigh I would like to upload more photos to the blog but the connection isn't "with me" tonight and it's nearing on midnight :(
I would love to talk more about my weekend but if you will have to tune into facebook for more photos and commentary finally that seems to be working at least it's better than nothing but for now I give up seriously I want to smash the damn computer.

A weekend out of London!

Just writing a quick blog as I lay here in bed after packing for our weekend away from London. This is one of three weekends Ben has both Saturday and Sunday off until his last day of work until Christmas break which is Dec 20 th.

Anyways so off to the Goodwood Revival tomorrow morning leaving at 8:30am. Then after spending the day at the revival we are driving to Worthing to stay at the Chatsworth Hotel on the seaside where on Sunday we will have a full English breakfast!

Then on our drive home to London I want to stop at the Bignor Roman Villa. It's from the 3rd AD and sounds very cool google it mom it's also right in Sussex.

My outfit for the revival is pretty awesome!!! The shoes and hat in particular are amazing and cherry bomb red! Bens outfit looks great too I can't believe the wardrobe dept fitted us sooooo well! Don't worry I will take lots of photos I am soooo excited and happy that Ben seems so excited and into the whole costume thing too!

Oh and happy 5 months to my sweet baby Evelyn!!!

It's been too long I know but.....

Internet is really non existant right now Ben takes the computer to work and when he gets home it's so late and I am tired. And can't take baby to an Internet place just too hard. And I was sick at the start of the week feeling better now though.
I had all these great things I wanted to say but most if them gone now.... Sigh

So last Saturday night I went to dinner with his work friends it was good, then
after we had dinner to do a little Sweet Home Alabama w/ Reese Witherspoon reference with ya Jeanette and Val ..... We had a baby .... In a bar! There are photos to prove this I shall be sure to post one :) they didn't kick us out but we did get a lot of weird looks from some people.

Today I had sushi from a place where it goes by you on a conveyer belt weird, though fast andconveinent was good, although pricey.

Okay so this weekend apparently Ben has both days off and we are going to the goodwood revival in 1930s costume with people from work... Details are slow in coming to like none.... Geesh camera dept people get your shit together! I am looking forward to it and I think it wibe fun going to Sussex.

Ugg

So I was going to write a couple of blog posts today, but then I didn't feel that well and actually tonight I feel even worse...Which sucks on Ben's only day off :(
So I am still here and alive and have been taking lots of cute pictures of Evelyn which I was also going to try and upload originally today.... but seriously the computer screen is hurting my eyes so it will all have to wait! Maybe tomorrow evening if Ben gets home at a decent time with the computer and doesn't need it for work.
Until then....

What I am in need of.....

Please send me some maple syrup! I have no idea why I did not bring any with me..... mom can Jet just pick some up from the dutyfree? the containers are good to travel with.

Also just thinking... should we take something to Preston like a billet gift for Derek & Sue? Maybe send along some maple syrup for them and anything else Canadian and small... and I can make it nice. What do you think?
Mum what are we to do in Preston again??? I can't remember.... I am really looking forward to my side trip there Jet.

Aside note for everyone else my Grandpa Sandham grew up in Preston and Derek is a cousin of his. And they came to visit us in Canada a few years back and we are going to drop in on them in early October! We are staying at the tickled trout hotel cause they have only a one bedroom cottage but the hotel is just 5 mins down the main road and they are going to take us around Preston and feed us :) And Sue is quite the cook my mum says!

Does anyone know when the next clinque bonus time is? I need some products and I just need to dispatch mum to get round and pick them up for me (but only once bonus time has arrived!)

I had a wonderful day along Portobello Road and had lunch at the Organic Kitchen for 10 pounds including a glass of house wine. I had salmon and haddock fishcakes with a lovely cucumber & tomato salad!

I miss Mike & Pauline. I miss having someone other than the baby to talk too... I talked to alot of the shop people today... lucky for me I have a cute baby who everyone wants to touch and play with and ask me where I am from and how do I like it here etc... I never get tired of repeating myself cause it's someone to talk too.

Okay well bedtime for me I am pretty tired tonight, even though I had a nap with the baby this afternoon after our walk.

Not a good start :(

I have spent the last hour and a bit trying to access the Internet so feel connected to life as well asI pay some bills online etc.... It's been a very frustrating experience which if production would stop screwing Ben around could be easily fixed argh!

At least the baby has been good. Sleepy but that's fine. I can't remember what I was going to do today..... Poof my brain exploded over the whole stupid Internet thing. So now I am in a bit of a crappy mood. Also it's freezing here today! Ugh what did I want to do outdoors again? Well I meant to be doing my blog and email during breakfast but with all the technical issues that has long since past so now I need to see to the baby and get going with my day. Hopefully I can get back on tonight.

Calm & Resting....

My day today was insane! I did like 4 loads of laundry, dishes, each toy was put away and every paper sorted and put in its place. a trip to the boots to buy some baby products and shampoo stuff etc...

It was a busy day with a baby who would not let me put her down without screaming. I did put her down and sometimes it was okay if I was in the same room with her but it was exhausting. Finally Ben came home and took over. He's seems to be in a decent mood although tired but he's always tired.

MOM when I call you tomorrow (Friday) can you remind to ask you about your sanctuary facial cleasner stuff??? and when the clinque bonus comes on I need some products maybe you can pickup for me when the bonus is one and hold them for me until I get back or send them with Jeanette.... or something.... If I don't write it down right now I will forget by tomorrow my brain is mush.....

Okay I NEED to go to bed now. I am just exhausted.
Pauline please let me know when you get to Toronto..... How did getting to the airport go? How was the flight?
Is my house all in one piece does everything look okay??? I'm sure it is but of course I am just worried I need assurance.
GOODNIGHT!

After a nights sleep.....

Well soon as Evelyn finishes her bottle we are both going back to bed since much more sleep is needed before this day can really begin.
Ben seemed himself for the 5mins we saw him and I guess after some sleep I feel a little better too.
But still there are issues that need some attention.
Lots of tears this morning when Mike and Pauline left for the airport. I am going to really miss them until Jeanette gets here Oct 1st !
Okay I need more sleep......

Angry and sad and having trouble letting it go......

I came home from Chicago (which was fabulous!) to find my husband had been replaced by a grumpy unhappy man I did not recognize :( sometimes I hate what this job does to him and thus our family!

I was in such an excellent mood, happy after having a great night with Pauline at the show and we had a glass of champagne each yes they let you eat and drink in the theatre! anyways it was wonderful we had a great time and it ended Pauline's trip to London on a high note I think.

UNTIL WE CAME HOME..... and there sat Ben grumpy as can be and not very nice at all. I mean I get that it was a long day and I asked him one question and he barked at me and glared at me with that look I hate so much like I same some stupid child. It just makes me so angry and now I am all stirred up about it.

Of course he's gone to bed and we won't get a chance to talk about it. He is working this Saturday, Sunday being his only down day :( It just breaks my heart that we are here and still we hardly get a chance to be together.

There are times (like this one) when I would trade all the, pay, little additional perks and travel for him to have a 9-5 job in one city we would call home.

It doesn't even sound like he helped with Evelyn and let his dad do all the work, I hope that isn't true and he did play with her and help feed and put her to bed but I think grandpa did it.....

I am so pissed off I could not possibly sleep now!

And of course Mike & Pauline are leaving tomorrow morning at 7am... so the whole house will be up at 6am... I hate this feeling and being unable to resolve what is wrong.

It's lonely nights like this when I sit here crying my eyes out alone and blog to the world about my feelings because Ben is too tired and unavailable to deal with me and my silly tears. And when I see him Sunday I won't want to bring up any issues or problems in case it spoils our only day together as a family.
The pendulum has swung back the opposite way today after my great day on set with him Tuesday.

I haven't even told him I posted a notice for a babysitter or that I have lined up 6 girls to interview next week....
Gawd I just want to be home curled up in my own bed with my baby.

For my dear friend Elaine....

So Elaine sent me a message asking me about this cream I like so much so I shall give some additional details....
It is double thick English clotted cream (usually about 45% fat) and one tablespoon is 134 calories! YIKES thanks for making me curious enough to read the package Elaine :)
and a serving suggestion is one tablespoon and I can say I have had about 8 tablespoons today alone..... a spoonful of cream for whole strawberry pretty much....

And from time to time I have seen it for sale in the grocery stores in Canada a brand called Double Devon which and it's great cream, but hard to find and not cheap like it is here!

Mmmmm cream!

So I have just come back from grocery shopping and errand running with Evelyn she is fed and now catnapping and I am enjoying from fresh berries with extra thick double cream!

Pauline and Mike went to see Westminister Abbey and try to squeeze in a trip on the London Eye. They should be back soon for dinner as Pauline and I have tickets to see Chicago tonight. We are both very excited and really looking forward it.
Evelyn will stay with Mike and Daddy (whenever he gets home) Pauline and I will not be home until midnight I expect,

Tomorrow Mike and Pauline fly out back to Canada. Mom I will call you tomorrow evening my time before Ben gets home so mid afternoon your time abouts...
Oh ya and what is that hand cream you want that Sue got you hooked on? Is it called sanctuary?

Internet connection is just horrible takes me so long to get a connection and I loose it so often it's becoming really difficult to keep up the blog, Facebook and my email. My gmail account has been suffering the most. But yes mum I got your note about going to Preston to see Derek and Sue. I can bring the baby car seat with me if you try to order a crib for the baby they will not understand try the word "cot".

I have fallen love with a wedge wood pattern called polka dot it's so lovely but sadly also so much money one cup and saucer was 26 pound the mini 2 teir cake plate 56 pound.

Oh looks like I just got home in time to miss the downpour of rain that just began! We've had quite a but more rain than when I was here in July. Wow now thunder too think this is the worst I have seen!

I am dreading Pauline and Mike leaving tomorrow I think I might be lonely......
So people hurry up and book your tickets to see me!

Evelyn makes it big with Marty

So today we went to set to visit Ben. They were shooting the train station in Paris set in the studio. What a fantastic set, so much detail so beautiful you forget it's not really the Paris train station in the 1930's. The clothing the extras wore just topped it all off!
And of course Marty was there (which is cool because well he's Martin Scorsee need I say more.) in his tent.

So get this..... I was in the hallway outside the set because Evelyn was a being a bit fussy and I couldn't have her making noises on set when Marty walked by with his entourage. The first AD Chris asked what her name was and whose baby she was of course I said Evelyn and that she was Ben's daughter the 3d guy. Then Marty stops too and says what a lovely baby she is, big blue eyes and then what does Evelyn do she breaks into a huge smile! And Marty says "oh she is laughing at me" and he laughed and then walked onto the set!
It was pretty cool considering the rules on set about Marty and how he lives in his tent with his monitors and his minions and doesn't talk to regular crew.

It was a good day but I am exhausted! So bedtime for me :)

Time to settle in

Okay here I am! It's been a bit harder to adjust to everything this time around. Leaving home was harder knowing I was going to be gone for so long and there wasn't the same excitement getting here as the first time.

Ben has been working a lot of long hours and also has started working a 6 day week, so he only had yesterday off (Sunday) so we haven't had any time to connect as a couple yet anc get all themany issues out on the table we need to discuss and figure out where we each stand and where we go from here.

It has been nice having Mike and Pauline here been less lonely for me while Ben is at work and obviously they help out alot with Evelyn. They have been doing lots of sightseeing, I don't go with them all the time though it's just too much for me with the baby. But I get to hear how each place was and they tell me how easy or hard it would be to do with the baby and what kind of facilities they have etc....

I took Pauline along Portobello Road shopping one afternoon she was as in love as I was and we went to the mall with the champagne bar she loved the village with all the designer shops I think especially Tiffanys!

Yesterday we all went to the Tower of London. I have wanted to visit there my whole life and it did not disappoint! The baby was pretty good considering we dragged her around all day without a proper nap. She catnapped in her carrier though pretty well, we did not attempt to bring the pram.

It was a lovely day weather wise partly sunny high of 20 and no rain so a perfect day to be outside all day touring around.
Oh my the crown jewels!!!!! I picked out what I would like :) Evelyn loved them too she was just darting her eyes everywhere and lots of big smiles! She is mommys girl !!!!

We all enjoyed the tour with the beefeater he was fantastic and funny! I will have no problems going back there with any other friends and family who come to visit since I didn't get to see everything and I could never get tired if seeing those jewels!


M & P also did Buckingham Palace and Kenningston Palace too. Today they are going to do a bus tour. I am going to stay back with the baby we both need a recovery day. Although we hope to get tickets to see the show Chicago either for tonight or tomorrow.....

Overtired, cranky & sick

Today was a horrible day for me. I was sick when I woke up this morning, and everything annoyed me today. I am just so tired and I think the stress from everything that has been going on in recent weeks just caught up to me.
Mike & Pauline went sightseeing I stayed home and slept the whole day and felt like shit.
I got upsetting news from Ben just 5 mins ago that he will be working 6 Days a week from now on. He will only get 4 - 2 day weekends the rest of the time I will be here.
So I think I am going to go cry now. I am just feeling like a piece of crap and not happy at all.
The production/landlord or estate agents have screwed Ben over on some items that would make my life a easier and less lonely. And So I am pretty fucking pissed off right now.
so ya goodnight hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Andrea

We are here!

Planes, trains and automobiles but we finally made it to the flat before noon on Wednesday. Flying scross the pond though is EXHAUSTING!!! I seriously feellike I was hit by a bus :(
We all went for a little nap once we got to the flat, After we woke up we made a trip to the grocery store, came home, then Ben arrived home from work and then we ate some dinner and fell into bed again.
Today we got up went to the mall to stock up on some items, came home, had a little nap, then went back out to St. Pauls cathedral and saw a free organ concert it was really quite amazing. Mike stayed home with the baby while I went with Pauline. Then we came home and Ben was here and we went out for a nice dinner all of us. And I am falling sleep right now as I type so I am off to bed!

The Final Countdown

In less than 48 hours I will be on a plane with my inlaws and the baby flying back to London! There is so much to do in such a short time. But at least having Mike and Pauline here will be quite helpful in getting the long chore list of things that need to be done before we leave.
I am excited to see Ben and for him to see all the new things Evelyn does now !

Today was Evelyns Baptism, she was a perfect baby :) both the minister and the many of the congergation said that she was the most cooperative and smiley baby they have seen during a Christening! It's true she is a very good baby I was so proud of her today.

Although it was a bit sad that Ben was absent the church arranged for the service to be recorded and we have a copy of DVD! It won't be amazing quality but it was so nice of them to do that for us so I could take a copy with me for Ben to see
I will be bringing it to Pembroke at Christmas for Bens family members who couldn't travel the distance today so they can view it as well.

Being at the cottage on Lake Erie for this happy event with so many family made for a wonderful way to close the last weekend of summer.
And I am really looking forward to the fall as we begin another chapter of our adventures living abroad!

Happy Birthday to Ben!

So today is Ben's 34th Birthday. He is in Paris right now until the 29th of August shooting location scenes for the film. I hope he's able to get out and see some of Paris while he is there, I so loved Paris when I went a few years back with Kerry Creelman. Oh today is also one year since Evelyn started cooking! ;)

So I just realized that today is only 16 days away from when we fly back to London!!! Wow the time here back at home has gone very quickly. This time when we fly back I am travelling with Ben's parents (Mike & Pauline) they are coming for a little visit. So going through the airport should be a bit easier with the extra sets of hands available and it also will be nice to have the help with the baby and the company to do some of the London sights along with too.

Oh and another Ben Shocker! (the shopping at Dior being the other one) Ben went to the 10 year shooting anniversary of the Harry Potter movies.
They have now been making those films for 10 years so any cast & crew who had worked on any of the movies was invited to a big party in London. So some of the crew on this movie, worked on a Harry Potter in the past and so Ben got to tag along as someone's plus one.

I guess it was quite the big deal and a very fun party because Ben did not go home until 7am! Yes 7am, he was awake and partying until 7am last Saturday night. I told him he was too old to do that these days, he somewhat agreed because he was hurting pretty bad when I talked to him on Sunday the day after..... although he said he had a very good time.
I am still in stunned shock because in all the years I have known Ben he has NEVER partied until 7 in the morning! I think perhaps 4am might have been latest before this.

1 Week Later

So we have now been home one week from England. But it feels MUCH longer :(

So a couple things I wanted to mention was on the drive from our flat to the airport I saw a bit more of London than I had the entire time I was there lol... I saw the Thames River, a decorative bridge, lots of lovely streets & homes, as well as a traditional thatched cottage! Yes it made me very excited.

Now yes I had driven with Ben the route before when we arrived in England but for me it was like 5am my time so I slept the whole drive from the airport and missed seeing everything.
So it was nice to see it all this last time.

I also found out that sitting in the front passenger seat is FREAKY and very stressful I can't do it. It makes me feel very ill. Interesting that it wasn't the driving on the opposite side of the road that bothered me but more the feeling of sitting in the spot I usually drive from and not being in control of the car. Oh and round abouts are scary I don't understand them at all. Ben is a very good driver though and loves them!

I miss Ben. And adjusting to the time zone change was really tough on me! Evelyn did pretty good. But I really dragged and felt kinda crappy most of the week.

I have booked our tickets back to England we leave Aug 31st and come back Dec 3rd.

Unfortunately it looks like the movie will be going quite a bit overtime and Ben will be working there until the end of Jan 2011 :( Good news is at least they will pay for all the North American Crew to fly home for Christmas so Ben should have about 10 days off to come back here and be with Evelyn for her first Christmas as a family.

That's about it - Oh I have finally created a "Living in England" photo album on facebook so there are lots more photos of the flat and a few other randoms from the trip click: England Photos to see them!

home

We are home safe and sound, BUT exhausted... my eyes are no longer focusing and I feel a headache coming on. I have many little things to blog but it will have to wait until after a much needed sleep! Now I am going to bed and taking my baby with me :)

16 days .....

In less than 24 hours I will be home and sleeping in my own bed. But it will be much more lonely than before I think. I might have to bring in Evelyn and let her sleep with me tomorrow night just so I will have someone to cuddle and starve off the loneliness.

Leaving in the morning will be hard. Last time when Ben and I parted we thought it would only be a week so it wasn't difficult at all to say goodbye. This time I know it will be September before we see him again. I already had a few tears tonight about it.

I think Ben will have a hard time this week without us here at the flat to come home too, even though many nights he was exhausted and only spent a few minutes with us, there was always a little kiss and cuddle with baby, and a hug and smile hello from me.

I hope Evelyn is good on the plane again tomorrow like she was on the flight over.... I do not think I will be as lucky though, as last time it was the redeye and she slept through most of the flight because it was her actual sleeping time.... Now our sleep schedules are completely off and I do not exactly know how we will both do tomorrow. It's 4am and she woke me at 2:30am to play and just now is bugging me for a bottle and looking a little sleepy again....

Okay Evelyn now has a bottle. I am so proud she is laying here next to me on the couch holding the bottle like a big girl! She has a little help (bottle propping with a blanket) but she has 2 hands on it and is holding it about 50% I would say is her!

So today I made 3 Strawberry Rhubarb Pies and put them in the freezer. I told Ben one is his birthday pie and he can cook it up whenever his wants and eat the whole thing or share it with whomever. But I asked him to save the other 2 until I get back and we have company. He was good with that.

Ben and I went out to dinner tonight at a nice seafood restaurant near the flat and we had oysters! so yummy it was a really good dinner I keep forgetting we on an island and the ocean is close by and so they do fish/seafood well here!

Then home to the flat and I packed up pretty much everything we are taking home with us to Toronto. I am leaving a bunch of things here though. I am looking forward to returning in the fall and using the fireplace! Already the late evenings are cool down to 12 degrees tonight. So weird that's hot and humid in the day like mid 20's and then so cool at night now.

Ben says this last week has been more typical weather for England and the uk crew members have been saying the heat wave and summer are over now and here comes the fall weather.... summer is really short here. But the fall/spring weather last a long time. I guess we will find out for ourselves!

I will continue to blog at home in Toronto over the next weeks as we prepare for our long stay in England and to give updates on how and what Ben is doing. So please continue to check in and read the blog!

Ben will be spending his birthday filming in Paris! I am sad to miss out on going with him but likely it would have been difficult to go with him and Evelyn and it sounds like he is looking forward to spending some down time partying with his camera crew. Already his friends on the crew are planning his birthday eve festivities.

Okay Evie has finished her bottle and is smiling in her sleep.... she looks like Ben right now I think.... Mostly I see my sister and myself when I look at her and then times like now I see Ben all over..... Time to put her back to bed and try to catch some more sleep myself!

Oh and I have a ride from the airport home tomorrow! Thank you Hannah! Next time I blog will be home in Toronto....

Quickie b/c I'm tired. and want to get up a decent time tomorrow....

Thanks Pauline for the ingredient listing & amounts for the pies. Yes I am still going to make and freeze pies when you come visit you can have some with double cream too!

Okay so today I walked to and in Hyde Park and Kennigston Gardens and saw the palace. Didn't go into the palace just walked the grounds.

It was a really nice park and a really nice walk and we stopped by the pond and watched the ducks and swans and I fed Evelyn.

okay seriously the guy who lives in the flat above us is playing Rockband with at least one other friend on drums. They started with Eye of the Tiger which was downright hilarious, then a modest mouse song and now weezer. But really it's getting old and not as humorous anymore it's 1:30 and it's a little loud... I know it's Friday night but I need to go to bed so I can get up tomorrow and spend my last day here (for a while) with Ben and I won't be able to sleep listening to them sing and butcher every song....

Today was cool & grey but it didn't rain. I guess today was typical British weather I was told.

Okay if they play another song I am going to go up and ask them to turn it down......
To be honest I wouldnt't buy an old flat in London because of this very issue I mean if I am going to spend 1.39 million pounds I shouldn't have to ask the guy upstairs to turn down the volume of his tv and video game right?
Man I'd kill to play some rockband right now actually...... I'd buy it for the wii if anyone I knew would ever come over to play with me.... hey Ange & Phil want to Rockband sometime in August? lol....

Okay going upstairs to knock on the door....... brb
Okay so the guy said he was really sorry had no idea that it was coming through that clearly. I said I wouldn't care if it wasn't so late and I was afraid it would wake the baby etc.... He seemed a little embarrassed when I said Eye of the Tiger was great lol.... so quiet again.

Okay seriously I need to cut this short and go to bed so tomorrow won't be wasted with sleeping in too late!

random thoughts on my day.....

Okay first things first. Ben just came home and told me that Johnny Depp is coming to the set in the fall to visit because he is an executive producer for the movie and is going to do some small part in the film as well. SQUEAL!

I honestly got so excited I couldn't eat when he told me and now thinking about it I can't breath properly at the thought of being on set with him! He's the only actor I have ever REALLY wanted to meet/see and I just can't stop thinking about it. Ben has said when I come back in the fall he will let me visit set. He was going to let me come this week, but then everything went badly this week so it had to be postponed. omg omg omg omfg JOHNNY DEPP... I know I'm seriously a giddy teenaged girl about this. But it's Johnny Depp gimme a break :)

Ben had a better day today than the rest of the week. Bob (the DP) tried to start the morning off being an ass but I guess Ben and Demetri (they are team working for Pace on the 3D unit) were really sick of taking shit from him over things that are non issues.

A little background on Bob. He's quite the hard guy to work with Bob is, he's a nit picker and a hard ass and somewhat of a self admitted alcoholic (but seems to like it?) is what Ben has been told...so he has very bad mood swings, but he's also brilliant and has won 2 oscars for cinematography and been nominated countless times and Ben really does admire his work.

Bob's resume includes but not limited too the following all as the director of photography (which is why Ben feels so privileged to be working with him and all in all is happy with his career right now)

1. Shutter Island (2010)
   
2. Inglourious Basterds (2009) nominated for Oscar
3. The Good Shepherd (2006)
4. The Aviator (2004) Won Oscar
   
5. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
   
6. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
   
7. Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) nominated for Oscar
   
8. The Horse Whisperer (1998)
9. Wag the Dog (1997)
10. Nixon (1995)
    
11. Casino (1995)
12. Natural Born Killers (1994)
13. A Few Good Men (1992)
14. JFK (1991) Won Oscar
    
15. Platoon (1986) nominated for Oscar

Okay so I am really proud of Ben and I am bragging but I really happy for him but also hate to him stressed out and today he looked himself again but the rest of the week he looked like someone had hit him with a truck.

I guess today Bob thanked him and said he was doing a good job over the "Bob Com"
What is "Bob Com" you ask?
Bob has his very own communication walkies just for the camera, grip & lighting depts. It's a one way channel though just they can hear him crew can't talk back on it. Ben actually wears three communication devices. ear bud with the "Bob Com" A telex unit ear piece for the 3D unit and the regular set walkies headset for the whole crew. So it was a big deal to be thanked over the "Bob Com" with 50 + other crew listening in especially after being abused over it the last few days.

Okay back to my day now that I have explained Bens!

I went into Marks & Spencer today and the meat and produce look much better than the reg grocery stores here and I treated myself to a couple of things from the bakery to indulge myself with some British blueberries and double thick cream!

It was cool outside today so decided to opp for lightweight pants which happened to be ones I got in the early stages of pregnancy last fall. And would you believe that they were too loose in the bum/thighs and were falling down a bit!? This is WONDERFUL news to actually some progress in the weight loss of those areas where I put on most of the weight. So I decided that I could defiantly treat myself to cream & berries with my tea this afternoon after my walk.

Lots of fruit is local and in season here right now, (which surprised me) blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in particular I've been getting every few days. And today it hit me that I should make and freeze some here pies!

So I went looking for Rhubarb so I could make Ben his favourite pie Strawberry Rhubarb.
which reminds me ....
PAULINE could you please send a quick reminder on the recipe for pie crust and SR pie? I think I know/remember most of it off by heart but don't want to mess it up with a mistake.
Turns out I can order in Rhubarb from Planet Organic. So I did! I'm going to do pies hopefully tomorrow evening & Sat morning.

hmmm I need to buy a rolling pin and shortening.... I forgot those items today when I was buying the pastry cutter and other items i was missing.

Oh ya and I need comment on these horrible sticky trees they have here all over the place. They line the street we live on. They ooze and drop this goo, that is REALLY sticky much worse than pine sap and it makes the sidewalks feel like you have stepped in huge wads of gum! There is quite a lot of it and it really sticks to your shoes for a while :(

Anyways they resurfaced the road we live on today. So the buses outside our house were rerouted a block away cause he street was closed. They had pylons blocking off the street and HUGE yellow signage all over the bus stop area saying there was no bus stop today and yet SO many people stood outside our flat at the bus stop waiting for the bus to come. It was quite laughable really.

Oh I have a clever baby! She is playing with a new toy I got her this week. It's the caterpillar from the Eric Carle book. With things hanging off it and beads and such for her to grab and she's getting REALLY good at it! She is really liking it! oh my cute baby :) I just broke away from this post to take photos of her playing with it.

Actually this post has taken me over 2 hours to write because Evelyn is wide awake and needed changed and fed and played with etc... so I've had to keep stopping.

Wow this post is long! Hope it was interesting :)

A Question to my lovely Toronto friends....

To my Toronto area friends is anyone willing and able to pick up Evelyn and I from the airport on Sunday around 3pm??? Just wondering......

If you are able and would like to help but carless lemme know I can arrange for you to pick up my car keys at the house and use it to come get me :)

Just a baby day.....

Evelyn is definatly teething, the drooling has increased and she's been much more cranky than normal, she's been a bit hard to handle at times. I would like a little break. But I don't think I am going to get one until Saturday IF Ben doesn't have to go into work.... Otherwise it will be Monday when I am home in Toronto and my wonderful doula Jennifer comes at 8am-noon before I get some real me time... I admit I AM SO looking forward to those 4 hours of bliss....

Ben worked until very late AGAIN tonight, some major issues apparently. He's stressed to the max and it's sad that he hasn't seen the baby or awake since Sunday for more than 5 mins. I hate to see him so used up at the end of the day, and dreading the morning.

I did take a a wee bit of time for myself tonight and had a bath in our giant bath tub I have no idea why I haven't taken a bath before today, it was lovely. But it was also only 10 mins long since Evelyn was fussing. The teething is also causing her not to sleep well like usual as well. Which means I am not sleeping well, and am tired so I have not been up for sightseeing at all... sigh....

I had hoped to do/see something interesting and different this week. Instead today I spent the day cat napping with the baby until 1pm then got up and went to the "pound store" (like the dollarama) and got a few kitchen & bathroom type things we needed.

I bought Evelyn a Paddington bear and the original story book. Which she promptly threw up on uggg :( Lucky he is a nice washable kind, the lady recommended this one because of Evelyn's age and she's a grandma and said this is what she give to her grandkids at this age. She was right, this Paddington is quite resilient and washable :)

It was mostly a lovely sunny day, but with a nice cool breeze so it wasn't too hot or humid today. I enjoyed the walk to the pound store and to the shop that sells the Paddington bears, I had been eyeing the shop since the first night we went down Portobello road, and had gone in a few times, but hadn't yet decided what to buy until today.

I also went to Green Baby to buy Evelyn some more cloth bibs this whole teething and drooling thing kinda grosses me out so I feel the need to wipe up after her and change her clothes or bib often, to see it sopping wet with goo just won't do. I got some nice cotton organic ones that are particularly for catching the drool of teething babies.

I looked in the mirror today and think that all my walking around the neighborhood has been paying off. I think I have lost some more baby weight. So that was pleasing.

I really can't get over how often people comment on Evelyn and her blue eyes and how lovely she is. I mean I think she's lovely but I'm her mummy. Everyone thinks her blue eyes are stunning. I should try and take some more photos of them along with her big smiles!

So I guess nothing new or that exciting to report today. I guess it was a pretty average living in London kind of day.

where we live.....

So the owner was trying to sell the flat she has bought a property in the countryside somewhere..... This is the description as found on the listing real esate website about our flat.
1,395.00 pounds is the asking selling price of the flat.
The furniture is a little differnent now, but there is a lot the same too.

This stunning apartment occupies the entire first floor of a substantial double fronted house, built by renowned 19th century architect, William Radford. It offers ideal indoor/outdoor entertaining space with a generous reception room leading to a conservatory dining room which then opens on to a large south facing terrace, as does the charming kitchen/breakfast room. Additionally there is a large master bedroom suite with small balcony, a second double bedroom and additional shower room.


Okay so this is the front of the house. We live on the 2nd Floor. The balcony you see is off of our bedroom. The window (partly behind the tree) to the right of the balcony is the ensuite bathroom. The window to the left of the balcony is still the masterbedroom, the next window (little bay window) to the left is the guest bedroom.


This is our bedroom. The chair and desk aren't there, so we have room to put Evelyn's playpen in here instead.

This is the back terrance. There are 2 ways to access the terrance, one through the kitchen and one through the conservatory dining room.

This is the living room (aka) reception room and also showing the conservatory.


inside the conservatory....

I will also post photos that I have taken once I get home too.... I will take better/newer photos :) but in the meantime here is an idea of where we are living!!!