Home again, home again, jiggity-jig. We loved our vacation time in Europe but are very happy to back the good ol' USA. I tried to keep a decent journal during our trip, so I'll be updating with detailed, photo-heavy posts (note: they will be back-dated to the actual day the incidents occurred) but for now I thought I'd give some key numbers:
Nights slept abroad - 15
Countries visited - 2
West End shows attended - 1
Glasses of champagne consumed - 10 each, plus a bottle
Museums visited - 8
Churches/cathedrals/basilicas visited - 13
Eucharists attended/received - 4/3
Evensongs attended - 1
Art pieces correctly identified by Michael - every one he tried
Art identified by Naomi before Michael - none (in my defense, he's a Quiz Bowl nerd who took 3 Art History classes in college, I took AP Humanities in college and can divide art in to 3 categories: Love It!, That's Art? and Meh.)
Dog poop encountered on the sidewalks in Reims - to numerous to quantify
Royal residences (current and former) visited - 4.5 (didn't go in Buckingham)
Books read (not counting travel guides) - 10 (All by me - yes, I admit, most of them were fluff, but I did read a Tale of Two Cities for the first time ever. Figured it was apropos - and man, the French had serious issues!).
Night I started having "digestive issues" - 13
Day I started wishing we were back home - 14
Most miles walked in a day - 6.2
Most miles it felt like we walked in a day - at least 100
Average minutes to get our check after finishing dinner in France - at least 15
Steps up to Sacré Coeur - lots and lots
People the elevator in our Paris apartment held - 3 (clearly not Americans)
Train rides - 7 (it really is an excellent way to travel)
Last moment taxi rides, 3 hours before the flight back to the States - 1
Royal encounters - none
British tabloids with Kate on the cover - every single one, every single day we were in London
Times I've dozed off writing this as I'm still recovering from jet-lag - 3
And so, on that note, I'll call it a day. Be on the lookout for more detailed posts soon!!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Last Traveling Eucharist
And my last daily post for a while since tomorrow . . . I leave. Eeek! Crazy how quickly this moment has come. As I've been telling everyone here, we found out we were moving on June 7, and bought our house in NOVA on Aug 6. Less than 2 months to wrap my brain around moving cross country. My last big move, from CO to TX, I had 9 months to prepare.
Anyway, today was marked by attending my last traveling Eucharist (Communion). Every summer, St. Mark's suspends its Wednesday night programming, but once a month a parishioner will host the Eucharist and a dinner at his house. Michael and I love these events as they combine our two favorite things: wine and a chance to be with "our peeps" (anyone over the age of 40). Sadly, we missed the July one with all the moving activity and Michael obviously missed today's, since he is already in NOVA, but I wasn't about to miss it, especially since I wasn't able to make church on Sunday.
Tonight's Eucharist was held at George and Diane Rienstra's house. George and Diane were some of the first people who welcomed me to St. Mark's when I started attending with Michael. George has since become my "pew buddy" since both our spouses sing in the choir and we are hence left partner-less for the service. They are a super-sweet couple and (cue the broken record for the last time, I promise! . . . maybe) we will certainly miss them!
As always, Traveling Eucharist was a blast, if a bit bittersweet. It was so lovely to chat with everyone while partaking in some excellent food. Towards the end, after most everybody else had left, Father Frank, Betty, George, Diane and I sat around, making a valiant effort to finish off the wine. Perhaps not the best plan the night before starting a 1000 mile road trip, but completely worth it for the memories made. We're going to miss our church community in Beaumont and are praying for the Lord to swiftly bring us to one in NOVA!
That's all, folks! Wish me luck tomorrow!
Anyway, today was marked by attending my last traveling Eucharist (Communion). Every summer, St. Mark's suspends its Wednesday night programming, but once a month a parishioner will host the Eucharist and a dinner at his house. Michael and I love these events as they combine our two favorite things: wine and a chance to be with "our peeps" (anyone over the age of 40). Sadly, we missed the July one with all the moving activity and Michael obviously missed today's, since he is already in NOVA, but I wasn't about to miss it, especially since I wasn't able to make church on Sunday.
Tonight's Eucharist was held at George and Diane Rienstra's house. George and Diane were some of the first people who welcomed me to St. Mark's when I started attending with Michael. George has since become my "pew buddy" since both our spouses sing in the choir and we are hence left partner-less for the service. They are a super-sweet couple and (cue the broken record for the last time, I promise! . . . maybe) we will certainly miss them!
As always, Traveling Eucharist was a blast, if a bit bittersweet. It was so lovely to chat with everyone while partaking in some excellent food. Towards the end, after most everybody else had left, Father Frank, Betty, George, Diane and I sat around, making a valiant effort to finish off the wine. Perhaps not the best plan the night before starting a 1000 mile road trip, but completely worth it for the memories made. We're going to miss our church community in Beaumont and are praying for the Lord to swiftly bring us to one in NOVA!
That's all, folks! Wish me luck tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Last Tex-Mex
Went out for margaritas after work tonight with much the same crew that came out painting on Friday and a few additional ladies who weren't able to make it that evening. I was very excited to see Shirley, as she has been away from work for a while with a heart issue. Hopefully the doctors will figure it out soon and she'll be back at work. She's the general maintenance supervisor and we have sorely missed her leadership and her smile.
Post-margaritas, I headed over to Jessica's for a farewell dinner with her. Jessica was my longest lasting roommate before Michael (well, actually, Michael hasn't beat her yet!). Another sweet soul who will be missed.
Sorry for the lack of photos with Jess and fuzzy photos of the margarita-time. No, it's not a reflection of how I felt after drinking one! It's just that my camera battery died just as I was about to use it, so these are cell phone shots I stole off of Shirley's Facebook page!
Post-margaritas, I headed over to Jessica's for a farewell dinner with her. Jessica was my longest lasting roommate before Michael (well, actually, Michael hasn't beat her yet!). Another sweet soul who will be missed.
Sorry for the lack of photos with Jess and fuzzy photos of the margarita-time. No, it's not a reflection of how I felt after drinking one! It's just that my camera battery died just as I was about to use it, so these are cell phone shots I stole off of Shirley's Facebook page!
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Monday, August 6, 2012
Last Week of Work
Well, at the plant, that is!
At work today we had a going away lunch for me, Brandi and Saskia (interns) and Damian (taking a short paternity leave as his baby is scheduled to arrive tomorrow). Cue the broken record, but I will miss this group of folks. I've really enjoyed my time in environmental and I think our group meshes well together - at the very least, we have a lot of fun!
At work today we had a going away lunch for me, Brandi and Saskia (interns) and Damian (taking a short paternity leave as his baby is scheduled to arrive tomorrow). Cue the broken record, but I will miss this group of folks. I've really enjoyed my time in environmental and I think our group meshes well together - at the very least, we have a lot of fun!
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Sunday, August 5, 2012
Naomi and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
. . . That was thankfully redeemed by a lovely dinner with Deanna!
So, after the excitement of yesterday - and considering the fact that we had no bed - Michael and I decamped to the Holiday Inn for the night. Michael was leaving bright and early today to catch his 10:00 am flight out of Houston. He had arranged for the shuttle to pick him up at 6:30, so I didn't have to drive to Houston and back. The plan was for me to roll out of bed, take him to the shuttle pick-up location and return to the Holiday Inn (and bed!) before getting ready for my last service at St. Mark's. That was the plan - but the shuttle never showed. When we finally decided around 6:45 that it wasn't coming and we needed to leave ASAP to get Michael to the airport on time, I lost it. I was a crying mess - and because I was in the driver's seat since I was just going to be dropping him off, I started off driving to Houston. That last about 200 feet before Michael made me pull over and let him drive. It wasn't that I was upset to have the extra time with him, it's just that I was banking on that extra sleep! Fortunately, the drive went smoothly both ways, although all the bakeries I stopped at, hoping for bagels, were closed.
Needless to say, even though I arrived back in Beaumont by 10:00 - early enough to make the 10:15 service - I did not go to church. Considering I had just rolled out of bed and put on yesterday's clothes, I was feeling very grungy and in need of a shower. Checkout wasn't until noon, though, so I had a chance to catch a little shut-eye in addition to freshening up. Still sad to have missed church, though.
Lunch was with Carol at Gino's Pizza and Pasta. I was able to introduce her to calzones, which she had never had before. She was worried that one wouldn't be enough - and quickly revised that thought when the huge pockets of pizza arrived! Once again, another lady I am sad to say goodbye to.
After lunch I headed back to the house for a test pack of all the items that I'll be bringing with me. In addition to the spices, alcohol and my dollhouse that had always been part of the plan (there I go, planning again. Don't know why I bother) I also had to try to fit in two folding chairs and a TV tray. They were in a hall closet that the movers and Michael had missed. No worries, though, Naomi is a Tetris master!
I then headed over to the Opals, who have graciously agreed to host me this last week, since I'm pretty much homeless now. I arrived just in time to say hi and bye to Frank as he headed for Houston for his weekly swing dancing, which meant D and I got to have a girls night. We had fun chatting, walking their two adorable dogs and trying to ignore the flirtatious waiter at Carino's - he was really anxious for a tip! Sorry, no pictures of any of it - though I'm sure the waiter would have been happy to pose!
So, after the excitement of yesterday - and considering the fact that we had no bed - Michael and I decamped to the Holiday Inn for the night. Michael was leaving bright and early today to catch his 10:00 am flight out of Houston. He had arranged for the shuttle to pick him up at 6:30, so I didn't have to drive to Houston and back. The plan was for me to roll out of bed, take him to the shuttle pick-up location and return to the Holiday Inn (and bed!) before getting ready for my last service at St. Mark's. That was the plan - but the shuttle never showed. When we finally decided around 6:45 that it wasn't coming and we needed to leave ASAP to get Michael to the airport on time, I lost it. I was a crying mess - and because I was in the driver's seat since I was just going to be dropping him off, I started off driving to Houston. That last about 200 feet before Michael made me pull over and let him drive. It wasn't that I was upset to have the extra time with him, it's just that I was banking on that extra sleep! Fortunately, the drive went smoothly both ways, although all the bakeries I stopped at, hoping for bagels, were closed.
Needless to say, even though I arrived back in Beaumont by 10:00 - early enough to make the 10:15 service - I did not go to church. Considering I had just rolled out of bed and put on yesterday's clothes, I was feeling very grungy and in need of a shower. Checkout wasn't until noon, though, so I had a chance to catch a little shut-eye in addition to freshening up. Still sad to have missed church, though.
Lunch was with Carol at Gino's Pizza and Pasta. I was able to introduce her to calzones, which she had never had before. She was worried that one wouldn't be enough - and quickly revised that thought when the huge pockets of pizza arrived! Once again, another lady I am sad to say goodbye to.
After lunch I headed back to the house for a test pack of all the items that I'll be bringing with me. In addition to the spices, alcohol and my dollhouse that had always been part of the plan (there I go, planning again. Don't know why I bother) I also had to try to fit in two folding chairs and a TV tray. They were in a hall closet that the movers and Michael had missed. No worries, though, Naomi is a Tetris master!
I then headed over to the Opals, who have graciously agreed to host me this last week, since I'm pretty much homeless now. I arrived just in time to say hi and bye to Frank as he headed for Houston for his weekly swing dancing, which meant D and I got to have a girls night. We had fun chatting, walking their two adorable dogs and trying to ignore the flirtatious waiter at Carino's - he was really anxious for a tip! Sorry, no pictures of any of it - though I'm sure the waiter would have been happy to pose!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
More Goodbyes
Today was loading day. After having our house reduced to boxes on Wednesday, now it was time to see how much space we could take up in the big truck. We asked them to wait until 10:00 to come, though, as we had scheduled a breakfast with our good friends, Steph and Elijah. They are some of the first folks I came to know down here in Beaumont, as Elijah was instrumental in creating and leading the worship and devotional group that I stumbled upon (or, more accurately, was led by God to) when I first moved here. Over the years, I've watched with joy as God brought them together and grows their family and they've done the same with Michael and me (well, not the "grow the family" bit - yet!). Elijah was transferred to Houston in January and we have missed our weekly get-togethers and will miss them even more now that a weekend meetup will no longer be quite so easy! I am so thankful we were able to meet for breakfast, particularly since they brought along their newest addition, sweet little miss Eden!
After breakfast, we headed back home, just in time for the movers to show up with a massive truck. Yep, I don't think we even took up a third of it, although I wasn't around to see the final loading. I was gracious enough to leave that pleasure to Michael as Nylah came and picked me up for Elizabeth's baby shower at 1:00. According to Michael, they finished up around 3:00, so it took them 5 hours total.
At Elizabeth's shower we were able to celebrate the impending arrival of Lily. So sad I will not be around to meet her as a baby, although hopefully we'll see each other again once we're all in Houston. At the party, I ended up sitting between Elizabeth's mom and aunt. They're twins and they were a hoot! So fun.
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After breakfast, we headed back home, just in time for the movers to show up with a massive truck. Yep, I don't think we even took up a third of it, although I wasn't around to see the final loading. I was gracious enough to leave that pleasure to Michael as Nylah came and picked me up for Elizabeth's baby shower at 1:00. According to Michael, they finished up around 3:00, so it took them 5 hours total.
At Elizabeth's shower we were able to celebrate the impending arrival of Lily. So sad I will not be around to meet her as a baby, although hopefully we'll see each other again once we're all in Houston. At the party, I ended up sitting between Elizabeth's mom and aunt. They're twins and they were a hoot! So fun.
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Last Painting with a Twist
Tonight was a social/networking event for the women's interest group at work. It was held at Painting with a Twist, an incarnation of the popular concept to mix painting with drinking - which I must say, is brilliant! Because only with a little wine am I going to feel comfortable breaking out my drawing skills - and be crazy enough to think they produce anything like art!!! Anyway, although I was not as successful as last year, I still had a blast hanging out with all the ladies. I know one of the main things I will miss while working from home is the people and these people in particular.
In other news, Michael went to a poker night - and (like normal, I'm proud to say) won both games!
In other news, Michael went to a poker night - and (like normal, I'm proud to say) won both games!
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