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!