Day 304 of 365: Backup Photo

Occasionally I will take a 'backup photo' in preparation of when nothing in particular happened on a certain day. Typically the photo is our cat, Myst. Today's backup is a closeup of our new floral display in the front window. I just think these flowers are so pretty.

...and yeah...I got nothin' else for ya today. Lazy Friday.

Day 303 of 365: Just a Small Shop

It was supposed to be a quick, in-and-out deal, so we opted for the mini-trolley...

...and clearly overloaded it!

Day 302 of 365: It Starts...

Let the reading begin! Oh joy!

Day 301 of 365: Have I or Haven't I?

This is what many refer to as 'Pregnancy Brain' -- where you suddenly lose your otherwise impeccable memory. I can't for the life of me remember if I have taken my folic acid tablet today...to be honest, I can't remember if I couldn't remember earlier and in fact, taken two by mistake by not remembering having taken one the first time.

Poor little memory. You will be missed.

Day 300 of 365: Misty Hills

I snapped this from a nearby car park on the way up to Brierley Hill Town Centre tonight. I went for a walk just before 9pm to look for St. Mary's Catholic Church on High Street. I had forgotten where it was and wanted to start attending mass again before the baby is here so I can see if I will like it enough to want it to be the parish where he will be baptized. (Naturally this sparked a whole session of Matt winding me up over whether or not someone who is Catholic is still Christian. I offered to draw him a Venn Diagram.)

From the car park you can see pretty far into the hills and it looked so cool with the pinkish night-falling sky. I couldn't resist the photo.

Day 299 of 365: MY English Cow

Thank you, Christine and Christine's friend, Paul! Paul drew me this picture, much like the one he drew for Christine a while back (not sure of which post of hers it was). I commented how much I liked the cow he drew for her, so Paul drew me MY VERY OWN little cow!

How cute is HE?!

Luckily I received a text from Christine asking about it because sent me something in the post, and this picture had been inadvertently left in the envelope. He was quickly rescued from his imminent death in the bin and now he sits in front of the PC monitor.

Day 298 of 365: Wonky Wheel

I have lost my freedom in a way. The rear, passenger-side wheel seems to be tilted a bit and thus leaves the Corsa unsafe to drive. Matt said he had been feeling a wobble in the back and I hadn't noticed. The frustrating part is that this was something that should have been fixed by the garage before they passed it for the MOT...so someone there dropped the ball.

Hoping to be up and running again soon, but luckily I'm off for the next couple weeks for tutoring...so it looks like some more walking is in order.

Day 297 of 365: It's A Girl!

My new baby niece, Amy, is here -- born at 3:55am today after being nearly a fortnight overdue. Matt and I had a chance to visit for a bit at the hospital this afternoon and she is so precious!

We wanted Em & Amy to come home to a little surprise so we got some balloons, I made a sign for the door, and we decorated their front room. When you walk in now, it's a sea of pink -- so cute!

In about 4 1/2 months she will have a new cousin to join her!

Day 296 of 365: Go Team Blue!!

We had our scan this afternoon and the tech asked if we wanted to know the sex. We said yes and she asked 'are you sure?' OF COURSE WE ARE!! So, ladies and gentlemen...we're pleased to announce that the Bennett name will live on because we're having a BOY!!! (Good guess, Sevans!!)

For those who need visual aide with the scan photo... (you may have to click it to see the labels)...


So, everything looks to be measuring as it should be and we FINALLY got to hear the heartbeat since we never got the 16-week home visit due to the move and changing GP/midwives. Definitely the best experience so far in this journey!

In other news...we should be hearing more in the next 24-48 hours on the arrival of our niece. *crosses fingers*

What blessings!!

Day 295 of 365: No More!!

No more pack-mule, that is!! I can put these bags away for the next six weeks at least as today was THE last day (for teachers). Since I won't be returning I'll likely go back to supply, which is okay with me. The flexibility is nice.

Also...one final gift I was instructed to open when I returned home...and it is SO very true!


Slow week so far. A false alarm with the arrival of our new niece, but all being well we should be able to welcome her to the world by the week's end. I have my 20-week scan tomorrow at 4pm as well and Matt and I couldn't be more excited!

Any guesses if it will be team pink or team blue?

Day 294 of 365: School's Out for Summer!

It may not be forever...but 6 weeks here in the UK...I'll take what I can get.

These were some of my parting gifts. Not in the photo are the chocolates, key-ring and address book I received. Partly because I devoured nearly the entire box of Maltesers (like Milk Duds). Nom nom!

Oh...and kids LOVED my t-shirt...but Sports Day was canceled...so we spent the whole day playing 'Dance Dance Dance' in the room (similar to Dance Dance Revolution but for the PC).

Good luck to all my students next year!!

Day 293 of 365: We Have a Winner!

My newest purchase for Sports Day tomorrow. A bit last minute, but all my other yellow tees aren't as accommodating for the belly. Let's just hope it's not canceled.

Go team yellow!

Day 292 of 365: Briars-gon Trail

I think my husband might think I am going mad. We're unloading the last bit of things from the old flat (since Matt turns in the keys tomorrow) and I HAD to stop for this little fella. I named him Herman. I just couldn't resist taking a photo before I promptly picked him up from the walking path and placed him with his other snail-friends under the neighbours' bush. The last thing we want is a trod-on snail to track through the house.

It has been raining quite a bit today off and on and the damp weather really seems to bring out these slimy little creatures. I'm forever seeing little snail-trails across the pavement when we come home on a night, but I rarely catch them out unless we have a good downpour.

At least I know this little guy is safe and sound and out of harm's way...for now.

Day 291 of 365: ...How Does Your Garden Grow?

These are my favourites!

Day 290 of 365: Road Rules?

Do they EXIST here?? What is the point in painting arrows to indicate which direction each lane is intended to go if people don't follow them?! This flatbed driver is an asshat or a moron, I have determined, as he either didn't know what the 'TURN RIGHT' arrow meant in his lane, or completely IGNORED it.

Not only did he go straight instead of turning right, but he then forced himself past me AND the car ahead of me and cut into the traffic queue!

Not the best move to pull on a pregnant chick to end a long commute home on a Friday. Too bad I didn't get a picture of exactly what stupid (behind the wheel) looks like...jerk!

Day 289 of 365: I Demand Fuss!

Ignoring him isn't an option.

Day 288 of 365: Not Going Anywhere for a While?

I didn't make it back tonight until about 10 minutes to eight. My very first Parents' Evening wasn't as intimidating as I expected. I think when you join a class once the year is nearly over, you worry that the parents may not like you or think you're not good enough to teach their child. This was a concern of mine, but as I learned, an invalid one. The parents I met (some for the first time) were so supportive and friendly -- a big change from the schools where I taught in North Carolina. To be fair, as expected, the ones I "needed" to speak to on more serious matters didn't show...but the ones I did meet were just lovely.

It's so nice to have such positive feedback. The only sad part is that I won't be returning to the same school this Autumn because the upcoming class is so small, they're combining classes and won't need the additional staff member. A shame for me, really, because I have grown attached to the children in the short amount of time I've been there. I'm lucky to have had such a great year group.

Best of luck to my Year 5'ers!! x

Day 287 of 365: Tis the Season

It's that time, folks! The end of the school year here in Britain is nigh and what else does that mean but time for GIFTS!

This little treasure was given me by a smart little cookie in my maths class. She casually mentioned yesterday that she had something for me and low and behold...here it was in all it's crystal goosy and gold-wing/beak glory.

Click on the photo for a closer gander, if you'd like.

When I asked her where she got it, she replied, "from home."

Hmm, so is this where I plan to hide in the cupboard for parents' evening tomorrow night in case her mom discovers that part of the contents of her curio cabinet now sit proudly on my teacher desk?

Day 286 of 365: Rain, Rain...Go Away!

Rain, rain go away...I want my students OUT for play!

Day 285 of 365: Keeping it in the Family

Any woman who has had a pregnancy in England should notice this familiar bundle of joy...the green patient pregnancy notes!

I was looking through mine recently and I noticed a bit of a mistake in the paperwork. If you look closely you will see there is a missing tick for the box asking 'Is your partner the baby's father.' Then below that, the next question is 'Is the baby's father a blood relation' to which the last midwife ticked 'yes.'

Uhm...can I get some correction fluid please? I see a BIIIIIG oopsie.

Day 284 of 365: FEED ME!

Pregnancy Craving of the Week: Wraps with cucumber, tomato, chicken, feta cheese and Caesar dressing.

I'm a beast!

Day 283 of 365: Posies-a-Plenty

It's aliiiiive!!

Day 282 of 365: Cancellation

As I pulled on to the car park at school today, I was greeted by several staff who kindly notified me that school would be closed for the day due to flood. Apparently some pipes burst and flooded a classroom and a room with some electricals, so 'not safe for the kiddos' was the verdict.

Fine by me.

How lucky that I packed a lunch and had a ginormous bag of salt & vinegar twists to tide me over as well. Good call on bringing those home last night, Matt!

Day 281 of 365: Traffic Jam When You're Already Late

Thank you, bin-men!

I suppose it doesn't help that one ENTIRE lane of a 2-lane road is used solely for friggin PARKING!!

What the poo?!

Day 280 of 365: Myst's Mousie

Although seemingly not evident from this particular photo...he loves this thing.

Day 279 of 365: It's LET Already!

Dear Property Shop,

You can take down your sign now.

Love,

Meg

Day 278 of 365: New Threads!

What has two thumbs and a new favourite top?!

*points thumbs towards self*

THIS GIRL!!

Day 277 of 365: No Parking, Baby...

No, this wasn't referring to any dance floor...but I got told off today at Merry Hill. Matt had to run in to Matalan to pick up a few things while I was up the road in Staples. We were on a bit of a time crunch, so rather than try to swim upstream through the encircling vultures (motorists looking for someone's parking spot), I thought I would just edge up temporarily along double yellows until I saw the whites of Matt's eyes emerge from inside.

Yes, I know what you're thinking...it is illegal to park on double yellow lines. Very true. My defense, however, was that I was staying in my vehicle and could easily move if need be.

Well, need be it was. Was I asked by the Parking Enforcement (aka Rent-a-cop) to move because I was parked like the cars in the picture, on double yellows? Oh no! I was asked to move because the nose of the car was a bit too far into the zebra crossing!!

ABSURD!!

Happy 4th, by the way, fellow Americans out there!!

Day 276 of 365: To the Bat-cave!

After a bit of doubt from hubby, it is confirmed we have cute little bats in the area. They have provided much amusement throughout the week.

Day 275 of 365: Feelin' Hot, Hot, HOT!

Humidity is definitely rising...however, it is absolutely NOT raining men!

Day 274 of 365: Green Thumb: FAIL

To be fair...I wasn't expecting the humidity to have such a negative effect on them.

I will do my best to rescue what is left, but it doesn't look like I should make horticulture my new career move.