February 7, 2008
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Little Bits of Nonsense
The upstairs bathroom has a pull chain to flush the toilet. Even though we’ve been here almost a month, I still reach for the flush cord to turn off the light and for the light switch to flush the toilet.
I accidentally bought potato waffles thinking they were Eggo waffles made with potato bread batter. They are not. They are a mix between hash browns and a potato pancake (in the shape of a waffle with holes in it). I love them and eat two almost every day for lunch. (With my Diet Caffeine Free Coke and an apple)
My mom mailed us a 56 ounce bag of peanut M-n-Ms. I have hidden them in my desk drawer and have not told anyone. Slowly, the bag is disappearing. (Shhh…don’t tell my family.)
We’ve set a routine to our days. Monday is “Hunter and Wit Go to Youth Group Night.” Tuesday is “Field Trip Day.” Wednesday is “Sleep In Late Because We Are Wiped Out From Field Trip Day.” Thursday is “Pizza, Soda, and Movie Night.” Friday is “LibbyK and Gockle Go to Youth Group Night.” Saturday is “Bookmobile and Something Field-Trippy in Cambridge Day.” Sunday is “Go to Church and Eat Lunch Out Day.”
Every day is “Happy Day,” of course.
The boys brought Nerf guns with them. They took up an entire suitcase, but Gockle decided to sacrifice clothes for guns. (ha ha) What a great thing they’ve been. They play a game called One-Shot. They make the upstairs as dark as they can, and one person hides. The others wait downstairs for the call of “Ready!” They get one Nerf dart per gun. The idea is to shoot the hiding one before he shoots you. They have taken mattresses off beds to make bunkers, climbed in suitcases to hide, and propped up a gun in the linen closet to fool the others into firing their one shot.
I’m getting used to the taste of the cheese balls here.
I am not sure how many little thrift stores there are in Cambridge, but I have counted 12 so far. These are just in the downtown area. And, they all sell books. Wheee!
It seems like every toddler/preschool girl I see resembles a Wooden Soldier catalog model with chubby, rosy cheeks and curly hair. She is usually wearing a darling wool coat. Why is this? Don’t they have ordinary-looking, straight-haired children with polar fleece in England?
I’m sure I’ll think of more bits later. Ta!
Comments (25)
Used book stores in England…sounds like a little piece of heaven.
LOL @ the nerf gun wars. my youth group guys are obsessed with nerf guns right now. I’ll have to tell them about One-Shot. Since they’re going away for a Guys Overnighter at a remote cabin this weekend, I have a feeling a War is in the making.
*sigh* Books are my vice. (if that’s possible).
One shot = brilliant game!
Maybe its the same chubby faced little girl walking around the block a few times….
It sounds like you’re having lots of fun. God bless you Mary!
Everybody needs a chocolate stash.
lol Most children aren’t ugly!
Indiana’s primary isn’t till May either. Which is why this is so unfair….
You changed it? Oh no, I didn’t mean to criticize your choice of words! I just had to laugh about that.
Your schedule sounds great! And who knows, when you come back here, you may hide a little bag of English cheese balls in your desk drawer…maybe. Too funny that you have a secret stash of peanut M&Ms. I won’t tell. Glad you all are having fun. The game your kids play sounds way cool!
Hmm…if I could I would dress Brie like a Wooden Solider model, but I live in Texas; if I did that Brie would be the odd one out!
Potatoes Waffle sounds like something that I would like.. Hmm, tempting and now thinking what it really taste like.. Those nerf game thing sounds like my sons would have enjoy that the most.
Haha! I almost got coffee on my keyboard! Hiding M&M’s from your family! That is so DandelionBallish!
I think you must be a great mother. I don’t think I ever allowed my children to take apart their beds to play a game and I don’t know why. It surely doesn’t hurt anything, does it? Before you think me too terrible, I did give them tons of blankets and rearranged livingroom furniture to build indoor forts.
It’s good to have chocolate and to have it in a good hiding place so no one else eats it. Amusing post.
so it seems that u’re getting used to life in England…. and their cheesballs! haha lol all good things!! hehe
I’m pretty sure I take M ‘n’ Ms for granted.
I love reading your little bits Mary. I love your wonderful descriptions. Keep ‘em coming
And I believe you are going to have me craving M&Ms again
RYC: Thank you so much for your comments and the soup. I hope to be back to myself soon
another fascinating post. it seems you are enjoying your “vacation”. and when you get back to PA you’ll find things you miss from england. ration those m&m’s carefully….
THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT DAY PLAYING BOGGLE! I LOVED THIS BLOG, AND CAN PICTURE IT ALL. LISA
What do you mean, ‘ordinary-looking’??? I’m back in the US and I can’t get over how AMERICAN everyone looks!! It’s really jarring! And I keep catching myself from saying something when I hear someone speak in an American accent! Aie! I feel so out of place here… it would be so much easier to be back in Cambridge where I feel comfortable!!!
Enjoy it…
It is fun for me to hear the things that you find interesting or that stand out to you, in England. They are all so normal to me now I wouldn’t think twice… but you’re reminding me of the culture shock I went through 5 years ago.
Hang in there, you will grow accustomed to Cambridge-life – you might even love it in the end!!
I hope your “LibbyK and Gockle Go to Youth Group Night” day is going well.
I have to say that I was thinking of your family the other day because one of the Postum-like drinks, which I’m trying to find my mom, is made in England. So, you may not have all of the American foods, but apparently you have a drink, in England, that some Americans say can work instead of Postum. Why, oh way, did Kraft discontinue Postum – I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom so sad over a drink’s demise.
Have you tried Smarties? They’re similar to M&M’s. Just think, though, what decadent chocolates you can get over in England from European countries that you can’t in the US. And the marmalades! Think of the marmalades!
And cheeses! They all have to be pasteurized to be brought into the US, so they’ll taste differently in their countries of origin.
Have some delicious curry from one of those (many) Indian takeaway places for dinner some night for me, will you?
Nerf guns… is this your extra piece of luggage?
Thrift stores and books! yay!
What we has trouble finding in England was teenagers.
You’re a “True” member! Congratulations! (Do you know how they picked you?)
Sounds like a great way to spend a few months, referring to your schedule and the nerf night. To add to the effect, those little preschoolers probably speak with a British accent, don’t they?
i love your posts.