Signs and bulls

Dare I say it...I've started running again.  Not like a mile here or there on the treadmill- more like outside, against the elements, through very muddy trails, at least over 3 miles... a few times a week. There it is out there for everyone to know. Why is it a big deal for people to know or not know?  Because now I will have pressure. When people know you run they ask, "Hey, still running?" or "How are your runs going?" and for the past few years if people asked the answer has been, "Um, no, not so much, here and there, I ran more before the kids....." and I trail off the conversation hoping they don't pay attention and I then have an internal fight about how I should really run more because I enjoy it, but when can I find the time....on and on and on.  See what I mean? Now I've said it and in doing so it will help me keep running. Period.

I should state for the record that I'm not a great runner.  Meaning, my body just wasn't built to run. Flat feet, posture is lacking, I have to think about breathing, I'm not fast and I'm far from graceful.  That being said, I really like it. Mark got me into it 13 years ago and thankfully it has stayed with me.

Lucky for me, I found a friend here, Annie, that has just started to get back into it and we started running together during the week. AND lucky for me (insert sarcasm here), she talked me into a half marathon. Humor aside,  it is a good thing and it isn't until March. I've done half marathons before but it has been a LONG time. Today I ran solo.  It was nice, peaceful and perfect running weather- overcast and 47 degrees. Then I got lost. Not incredibly lost but enough to make me pay attention in the future.  There are several public footpaths that run around and on the Thames, some are clearly defined, others are not.  I took a path that was not well defined (still not sure how it happened). I ended up at a sign on a fence that said:

"ENTER AT OWN RISK. BULL IN FIELD". 

Looked around, I saw a field, no bulls, kept running, turned a corner, and OOOHHHH that is what they meant!!  Twelve feet away there was a bull (cow) with two babies and a few of their ginormous furry friends -staring at me like I was the beef for dinner. I quickly turned around and just ran to another path that looked like a few people had been on and quickly did a Google map search to get bearings. I was going in the wrong direction. Yup- that means back through the bull field I went. Sorry to say I did not stop to take a picture of them for your entertainment.  I was the only human out there and I was not wanted.

However, I did take a picture of one of the locks I ran through on my way back to my car.  I stopped on the top of the bridge to take a picture-and honestly just to shake my nerves a bit, think about life...

I also thought about the sign- shouldn't it have read:

"DO NOT ENTER. BULL IN FIELD"
          (that means you England newbie)

I'm not sure who the sign is intended for, maybe the farmers, maybe for people comfortable with running/walking/biking through live stock. Alas, I am still a city girl still trying to adapt to country life.


Cheerio!

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Sending a warm and happy cheers to all of our family and friends celebrating Thanksgiving this week.  My side of the family celebrated yesterday and I certainly felt a yearning for home.  Although brief, the 3 minute Skype session was worth it.  12 people on one side and 4 people on the other...makes for an interesting conversation and viewing session! We have a lot to be thankful for this year and will be celebrating in our own way. (blog on that later)

Enjoy your turkey, friends, family, pets and football!

We can not wait for Christmas dinner- all of them- when we come home.

Love and miss you,

Beth, Mark, Oliver and Henry

Life is sweet

The last time I saw my sister Stephanie was over 3 months ago- the day before we moved.  It was the second longest time we have gone without seeing each other- and that was when she actually lived abroad in England some 15 plus years ago.  You can see- this is not something we are used to.  I feel fortunate that I have lived close to my family all my life.  In the past I have taken it for granted...but not as of late. Stephanie's visit this past week was just what we needed. The past 4 days went by so fast but we had a lot of fun.  It was very nice having family in the house and we really can't wait for more to come. And now the highlights...

We took her to our park and the boys showed her all around.  The downside about being a photographer is that she is never in the pictures.  But she LOVES taking them so we were spoiled with her talent all weekend long.  Lucky us! 

 

Notice the duck on the left hand side- he walked with us for a long time.  It was really cute. 

 

 

 

 

 

She really knows how to take an ordinary day and make it look beyond amazing!! If you haven't seen Stephanie's work - by all means visit her website!

 

On Saturday I was able to take Stephanie to some of the small villages near my house.  Hambleden, Fingest and Turville.  Anyone remember Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Parts were filmed in Hambleden and in Turville- specifically the windmill: Cobstone Mill.

 

 

The day was chill, picturesque and involved a relaxing pub crawl. THEN Stephanie treated me to dinner that night in Marlow, complete with dessert! Good stuff. 

 

Sunday was equally good brilliant- a lovely day of shopping with Stephanie only to come home to a small birthday party Mark and the boys orchestrated.  Balloons and a happy birthday MUMMY sign included!

 

 

Here she is! She only comes out from behind the camera once and a while.

 

 

 

 

I wish I had a video to illustrate how long it took to blow out this last candle.  It was hilarious.  It took all 4 of us to get the last one out.  Stephanie did get many shots of us trying to get the job done but the photos would go on forever.

 

Multi- tasking.

 

 

 

Cheers to you Mark for such a beautiful night with our family. You have officially spoiled me rotten for my birthday. 

 

 

Thank you Stephanie for making the trip, reading to the boys, playing with them, for my birthday dinner, taking fabulous pictures and spending time with us. Oh and of course, even though your extra day with us was a ginormous error on the airlines part, it was very nice to have you for a little longer.  We love you.

 

 

Really?!?!

Found this today while doing my weekly shop. 

Need I say more? 

These are delicious and thank God they are a seasonal product. 

40

It's coming like a freight train and there is no stopping it.  Turning 30 wasn't a huge deal because let's face it...it was still a long way from 40.  Now it is here.  I'm slowly starting to embrace the number and I certainly warmed up to it over the weekend because my wonderful husband took me away for a night in London.  Who can complain about that?!? Celebrating in London was perfect.

It started with a leisurely walk around Soho, Carnaby Street to be exact. Great shopping and a ton of restaurants. All of the Christmas lights are starting to go up and it looks amazing.

 

 

This was the "hey, I'm turning 40, must buy a new black dress" dress. If anything a birthday gives you an excuse to shop.

 

 

We stayed at The Courthouse Hotel.  It once jailed Mick Jagger and John Lennon. They now rent the jail cells for private parties. Very cool place in a fantastic location.

 

 

We then ate an amazing meal at The Ivy. I would venture to say one of the best meals I've ever had. Steak tartar and spicy barbaque duck salad to start followed by Thai sea bass with green beans and bacon and rocket and parmesan salad. It was perfect from start to finish. I, of course, ended it with a chocolate bomb. To. die. for.  Ever have one? It is a hollow ball of chocolate with vanilla ice cream inside. The waiter then pours hot chocolate fudge on top and you watch it implode. Watching it was fun, eating it was beyond.

 

 

Now, I knew we were going to a show but he didn't tell me which one until we were at dinner.  I was so excited as I have always wanted to see it and still two days later this musical has an effect on me.  It was such a moving performance that at the end I was crying, clapping and cheering all at the same time. I was sad when it was over. To see this in London was beyond a treat.  The singing was amazing, the acting was brilliant. If you ever get the chance to see Les Misérables, do it.  

 

After the play, we took a bicycle taxi back to the hotel. By the way, those are fun! We had one more cocktail and called it a night. We were quite knackered.

 

Mark, you planned everything perfectly. Thank you for such an amazing day and night.

Your next!

 

 

 

 

Guy Fawkes Night

The history:

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure. (wiki)

What this means for the Bowers family:

Obviously fireworks and bonfires. Everywhere.  For an entire week there have been listings of towns all around us having bonfire/firework night.  There were a few different reasons why we didn't drag the kids to any one of these nights- either Mark and I were out, it was pouring, the kids had school the next day or it was going to be a pain to get there.  We resolved to do it next year. Kids a year older, be more organized....you know.  However, that was not meant to be and thankfully so.  We received a text from our neighbor saying that the SAS building behind us was having fireworks tonight - literally in our back yard, sorry, garden.  They weren't staring until 7pm. Fine. We kept them up, scampered around and got coats, wellies, hats, mittens, etc.  Good to go and we sat outside- and nothing.  But look how excited they were!

 

 

We then thought we heard ones in the front of the house and could see the clouds get bright and flicker so we ran to the front and down the driveway. Nothing.

 

Back in the house and got a message that it wasn't happening until 7:30. We waited and nothing.

 

Disappointed, we all went upstairs to get ready them ready for bed.  I said good night and left the room and Mark tucked them in. Then I hear Mark yell for me to come back up.  Low and behold the fireworks started and we had the perfect place to view them.  The boys bedroom. They were amazing- like Esplanade amazing.  Next year we are having a party if any one wants to come. 

 

 

Don't you Remember,
The Fifth of November,
'Twas Gunpowder Treason Day,
I let off my gun,
And made'em all run.
And Stole all their Bonfire away. (1742)

 

 

A familiar face

The past three months have brought various feelings upon us. Sometimes it feels as if we are living in a bubble. We have this new (new to us) house, new surroundings, new experiences almost every day...somehow time has gone by in such a way that you forget how long it has been since you have seen someone familiar.  This past weekend we had our first visitor from the States and it really hit home how long it has been since we've seen our friends and family.  Our friend Rob made a stop over from Taipei on his way home.  Yes, he could have gone in the other direction but decided to spend a few days with us. Mark took Rob into London to see some sites and imbibe at a few fine establishments. The two characters before they left for London.  No after pictures will be shown here.

 

Sunday we all (kids included) went to a pub down the road for a Sunday roast.  The boys were excited to have a familiar face at our house too.  They were constantly asking him to read stories and telling him all sorts of things about their life. And showed him every single item in the house. Literally. 

It was a nice visit and it made us anxious for more visitors and anxious to see our loved ones when we come home for Christmas. Thanks for making the trip Rob!

Seven more days Stephanie- you're next!  Please note that anything you say or do may be used against you on this blog :)

Happy Halloween

A few days late of course.  My apologies!

You will be happy to know that Halloween in the UK is very close to what we do back in the US- but still not the same.  You won't see any kids dressed up as cute lambs, ballerina's, lady bugs or Spiderman and Batman. They all dress up in spooky costumes- skeletons, scary looking dolls, witches, ghosts, vampires, etc.  Our boys were the only ones in character costumes- Buzz Light Year and Woody.  And although they stood out like a sore thumb, everyone commented on how cute they were and that they LOVED their costume.  Maybe we were able to convert some other parents into giving it a try! Another difference is if they do not have a lit up pumpkin outside, you do not knock.  The boys understood this rule straight away and we covered a lot of ground.  We were invited to a friends house for a little pre-trick or treat party and the boys had a good time with their new friend- Ollie.  This is the second friend named Ollie that they have.  It is beginning to get a little confusing.

All in all a very successful night!

 

Us adults even got in the spirit this year.

 

Mark rockin' the cowboy hat.

 

To infinity and BEYOND!

Look at me!

Takin' it to the streets...

 

 

We did miss the little cousin get together back home - my nieces are always so cute- then put a costume on them- forget about it.  Big kisses to each of you. It is hard being away from these peanuts during times like this. Especially birthdays- Miss Annabeth just turned 4 last week! I hope they know how many squeezes are coming their way at Christmas time.