SF girl living in the UK!

I'm missing Bay to Breakers....

The best day in San Francisco is the annual Bay to Breakers marathon.  This would have been my 6th year... I couldn't figure out why I woke up grumpy and depressed and now I figured it out!  All my friends are dressing up in their crazy pink costumes and taking our Port-A-Party down the 6 mile route loaded with alcohol and a boomin sound system.  I know it will be there next year and obviously I've done it 5 times and know how it ends....but it still sucks I'm missing it.  Sitting over here in stupid grey England.  At least I'm coming home for good in only 30 more days!  I can't believe it!  WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

One of my favorite things about B2Brs is the group of people who have fabulous salmon costumes and they run upstream!  They have been doing it for so long they now have kids and they made them little salmon costumes too!  And of course the boys who dress as Elvis and many many other genius costumes that people spend so much time creating.  It is hands down the best day in SF.  The city is alive with 70K walking/jogging the 7 mile route through the city, into the park and out to the ocean.  Sigh.  I think I'll go dig out my pink hat and wear it around the house.........oh shit.  I packed it already!!!!!!  Blah!

The tickets are booked!!!

Just bought mine and Raisins airline tickets yesterday for our flight home!!!  It became all the more real and I was jumping up and down with excitement!  The packing has started since the movers are coming in 2 1/2 weeks.  I can't believe it's finally happening....after living here for 2 long boring years I finally get to go home!

Let's see what else is exciting, oh yesterday I spent the day in Cheddar with my lovely neighbors.  We toured the Cheddar Caves and had a lovely pub lunch complete with Somerset cider!  I even brought some home! 

Oh and let me say how fantastic John Lewis is...the only store in the UK I will miss.  Long story short the MacBook that we bought the boy had problem after problem and during the 18 months since he's had it its been away for repair a total of 80 days!  After the last time he wrote a letter to the store manager complaining.  Well yesterday he went to pick up his brand spanking new MacBook Pro!  They gave him almost all the money back for the old one and he added £500 to buy the Pro.  I'm so jealous.....I want a new Mac now!  He deserves it and he is so excited!!!!  It's pretty freakin amazing....I love Macs!

Oh and we saw Iron Man this past weekend!  LOVED IT!  Robert Downey Jr. was made to play that role, I can't wait for part 2!  Next up is the new Indiana Jones movie...hope it's good.

Here's a picky of the packing corner....complete with my drunk pill popping monkey Milton sitting on top.  He's convinced we are leaving him behind because he's always in so much trouble.  I had to tell him over and over he's coming with us and we are putting him in rehab as soon as we get home!!!

Expat for marriage - part 2

Sorry I didn't finish this sooner!  I've had a few days to think about this now and here's what I've come up with.  Obviously keeping in mind that my experience is just that, mine.  I will say that regardless of how difficult it's been for me, I'm glad I came.  I've learned quite a few things about myself and have had experiences here that I couldn't have had without leaving home.   The best part is I fall more in love every day with my wonderful boy!

So, when I left home I told everyone I was not coming back.  Deep down inside I knew the only way I could leave is if I did it thinking it was forever.  It was hard selling everything I owned (including my business I had for ten years) my car, my furniture...pretty much everything.  I shipped 24 boxes on a barge...all personal items, clothes, kitchen stuff, xmas crap etc.  I think it's very important to bring things that will make you feel at home.  Even if you think some of them are silly or petty, if they are a part of you...bring them!  It was the little things I unpacked when my boxes showed up that made me feel good.

Make an effort to spend as much time as possible with close friends and family before you go.  Intimate dinners, chatting over a glass of wine or even some shopping!  You will reflect on these moments when you are thousands of miles away.   Have dinner at your favorite restaurant, shop at your favorite store, take a long drive and enjoy the scenery.  I remember soaking up as much as I could and it still wasn't enough!

Think about how you will communicate with friends and family.  We already had a SkypeIn number so everyone could call me for free.  I also use instant messenger, emails and text messages.  I'm also big on snail mail, so I send cards often.  Keep in mind...you probably won't hear from people very often.  This was a big surprise for me.  I thought people would call me on Skype, I mean it's freakin free!  But that old saying "outta sight, outta mind" has some truth to it.  My Dad calls me every other day, my sister calls me about once a week.  Only a couple of my friends call, and it's not often.  It hurts, but try to keep in mind it's not personal.  We all get caught up in our own lives and barely have time for friends who live down the street.  When you live in another country, people just kinda forget about you.  Make an effort with those people who are important to you.  You will often feel left out of things, its just part of moving away.  I had to cry many many tears before I came to terms with that. 

MAKE AN EFFORT.  I can't say that enough.  I didnt and I think if I had my life here might have been happier.  It's not easy starting new relationships and they take time to grow.  But don't spend everyday sitting inside your house feeling sad and lonely.  Get out there and explore your new city, take the bus...visit museums...treat yourself to lunch.  Check out your local parks, libraries, and even pubs!  I didn't work for the first year I lived here (I planned on taking atleast 6 months off).  I should have made more of an effort to make friends and a life for myself.  Instead I waited everyday for the boy to come home from work.  I explored the hood with the dog for walks and found my way around to the grocery store, dry cleaners etc.  I eventually hopped the bus and went into the city centre alone.  But I wish I would have had friends, and they weren't just going to show up at my door step!  I should have taken a class or joined a club or something to get out and meet people on my own.  Don't just rely on your spouse to keep you entertained.  You need to have some independence or more than likely you will put a strain on your marriage.

Even though I've been unhappy here and basically hate living in England, I have always considered myself a "guest" in this country.  I try to do things the way they are done here, even though they are different to what I'm used to.  I have picked up many little Britishisms but I haven't stopped being my American self!  I still say things like basil, tomato, aluminum and garage just like I would back home (yes they are pronounced differently here!)  But I make an effort to say some things as they are spoken here.  After a bit of time they just start to change naturally.  So, try your best to fit in....but don't forget who you are!

My brain is tired now!  I'll be back for part 3.  Thanks for reading.  :)

Expat for marriage

I've thought about this for quite sometime now, a post about being an expat for marriage.  Moving out of your country and away from your friends and family to marry a foreigner.  Leaving pretty much everything you know because you fell in love.  This is far different than moving to another country for a job or further education or even starting your own business.  Those moves probably mean *temporary visa* and eventually you will have to leave (obviously not EU).  But marriage means you are entitled to a permanent visa and possibly citizenship.  (UK immigration laws)

Ok, so you've met this fabulous someone and you decided to give up your life and move to theirs.  This can be a wonderful change/adventure and most people would welcome the opportunity.  Living in a different country, making new friends, exploring new territory.  How exciting!  Basically you are given the opportunity to start over....all the way down to your credit rating (which is zero since you have no credit rating!)  I've read stories of people who have left children from previous marriages behind, pets, businesses, debt etc.  So, you sell everything you are not bringing with you, say good bye to loved ones and leave the country....

And this new exciting chapter of your life begins.  Did you think of how difficult this might be?  Were you willing to deal with any and all difficulties because you were in love?  Did you just blindly leap into this because you couldn't wait to get away from your past life?  Maybe thinking your new life would be better than what you've had?  After living here for over 2 years I have some advice for those considering doing just as I've done.  Take it for what it's worth...maybe it's nothing you don't already know, maybe not.

back tomorrow to finish this post......me tired.

Spring...oh Spring....where are you?!

So sick of this ridiculous weather.  Rain, wind, grey, wind, rain, grey...day after day.  But tomorrow is supposed to be warmish, fingers crossed that doesn't change.  It's not helping me feel any better thats for sure.  I need sun.  I want to wear my flip flops.  I want to go outside without my Northface jacket on.  Blah.

Some good stuff happening though, we sold our beloved Kettler Elliptical Trainer this weekend.  Got a great price, only £50 less than we originally paid for her.  The guy was really nice, drove up from Reading.  Then I sold a pair of my Seven jeans on Ebay, shipped them to her today.  And to top it off we won £10 on Saturdays lottery!  Hey, every little pound counts!  We are buying my airline ticket in the next week or so, then we can book the dogs. 

Next week I'm going to start packing.  All the stuff we will keep in storage when we get home.  Then I'll slowly start packing everything else.  It's a pain in the ass really because I'll have to have it all boxed up, sealed and the packing list done by the first of June.  But we will be here till the end of June.  It will be weird to live with limited stuff for 4 weeks.  This will take some planning, especially all the kitchen stuff.  We need some of it to eat until we leave!

Tomorrow I'm getting a much needed haircut.  The last 2 haircuts I got here I didn't like.  I got a recommendation for a salon not far from home, hopefully it will be good.  I'm nervous.  I really need a change with my doo, getting sick of the way I've been wearing it.  I hope she has some personality and style and helps me figure something out!

9 MORE WEEKS AND I'LL BE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
(freaking out a bit cause it's coming up so fast and I have lots and lots to do!!!)

Alcohol + depression = nothing good!

Note to self, don't drink a half bottle of red wine then several pints of cider thinking it will make you feel better.  Luckily I have a wonderful husband who takes wonderful care of me, drunk or sober.  We went out on Friday for lunch then stopped at a pub on the way home.  I cried the entire bus ride/walk home.  Sobbing hysterically about how sad and lonely I am, apparently I kept saying over and over "I'm done...game over!"  Then we got home, I had some macaroni & cheese (I never eat that!) then had some Thorntons chocolate caramel square thingies.  Then stripped naked in the living room, crawled up the stairs into the bathroom to pee.  The boy followed me up, got me into my jammies, made sure I took my contacts out then put me to bed.  With a bottle of water next to me!  Man oh man, now I know it's good to let things out and obviously I needed to vent all those emotions I've been holding inside.  But that was ridiculous!  I did some silly stuff that I don't even remember, like knocked the toaster off the counter and crumbs went flying everywhere.  He had to vacuum them all up.  I even asked him to feed me my last few bites of mac & cheese cause I was to tired to feed myself!  How pathetic!  I am done drinking for a while.  My poor stomach was so fcuked up the next day from the cider.  It takes me a day or two to get back to normal after that.  I ain't no young spring chicken thats for sure!!!

Not much else to report.  Oh we watched 27 DRESSES  over the weekend, really cute and funny.  The boy is also hooked on the show, Freaks & Geeks.  He watched a bunch of season one already. 

Back to my lunges & squats today, I had to hold off on doing the 1 legged squats for another couple weeks.  They are an assss killer and I need a bit more strength before I do those again!  It takes me 60 minutes to do a full body workout then an extra 10 minutes for stretching.  Tomorrow is all about cardio.  Maybe if we're lucky the sun will shine for more than ten minutes so I can go for a jog.  Today was sun, wind, rain, sun, wind, rain....BLAH!  Stupid English weather!

The ball is rolling...

Well, the US Embassy has debited our credit card and I received an email confirmation.  So, the visa ball is underway!  It felt really good to know it has begun.  Every day is a day closer to getting the hell out of this country. 

Our lovely wonderful fabulous neighbor came over and mowed the lawn today.  Soooo nice of him as the boy can't do it without killing his shoulder.  I will miss him and Raisin will probably be depressed for months.  Honestly, he is the one thing I will miss about England.

Not much else to say really.  Been keeping up with my workouts.  Got back to using my dumbbells, forgot how much I enjoyed lifting weights.  The lunges and squats are literally kicking my ass!!!  Still doing my jog/walks but have not been down to the pool.  Will get back to it couple days a week soon.

I just finished reading Naked by David Sedaris, he is one funny mofo!  Oh and I watched The Orphanage over the weekend.  Not something I would add to our ever growing DVD collection but I did enjoy it.

Well, thats all I've got for now.  I'm off to eat some din, ratatouille and tofu are calling my name.

Stress and worry, worry and stress...

Well, this is my 111th post. 1's are lucky numbers for me. I don't feel very lucky at this very particular moment in time. Maybe I will feel lucky later....

The definition of worry.......a: mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxiety b: an instance or occurrence of such distress or agitation

The definition of stress......Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another. Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Ok, so I'm worried and stressed, can you tell?! I'm not overeating or abusing drugs and alcohol but I can't freakin sleep very well at night and I worry and stress alllll dayyyy longgggg. I remember how stressed I was trying to uproot my life, sell everything I own and move to a foreign country. Now I'm leaving said foreign country and finally moving home. You'd think I would be thrilled! But you know, it's always that one thing we all worry and stress about.......MONEY. or lack there of. Blah. I know it will all work out in the long run, as it usually does. I feel soo fortunate to have what I have, which is a great deal more than many many people around the world. I try to tell myself this when I start to have a mini panic attack.

Visa is completed and being sent out tomorrow. This is just the first round. Another batch of forms will go out later with more money, then he will have a medical exam in London, then he will have his interview at the embassy in London. I will be home by then, so he will be doing all that alone. Unfortunately due to the visa process, his job (which is excellent so not complaining about that) and money he will be staying in the UK until September, then flying home to SF. 3 months apart we can handle because once he gets there all this is over, FINALLY!!!!!

Oh and the clocks here went forward this weekend, yay for SPRING!!! More and more flowers are starting to bloom, it's lovely too see. Oh and mommy swan is sitting on her nest over at the MOD lake! Can't wait for those babies to hatch....they are too adorable. :)

3 more months!

Just a quick post before bed......

CAN YOU BELIEVE I WILL BE BACK HOME IN GLORIOUS CALIFORNIA IN ONLY 3 MORE MONTHS!!?? I can't believe it's only 3 more months. We have been busy lately....making lists, working on business plans, filing out visa application (almost done, will be sending off this week), shipping quote, blah blah blah. I did this once moving over here and I'm doing it again! Damn good thing I'm not working right now. This week is getting the visa rolling, next week is making lists of what we are selling. I already listed the elliptical trainer. After that is planning the packing, thats a pain in the ass. Moving over here I knew I was unpacking every box. This time around we are keeping over half in storage, so I need to strategically plan the packing. Lots to do, lots to do.

The boy has a cold and is still hurting but he is getting better. No more steroids, and we are really hoping he can quit this Methotrexate crap. Hopefully just taking the Idomethicin and Tramadol when he needs them will be enough. I'm trying to get him to start more positive thinking because lately he has been more lazy and down. I keep telling him to think of my father when he feels low. My dad is one of those amazing people who always sees the good in everything, and thinks positive 24/7. I keep reminding the boy he needs to take better care of himself, eat better and get exercise. I want him to feel better and I can only do so much for him.

I'm still exercising daily and even getting in my 2 liters of water. I increased my protein and I actually feel like I have more energy. I also started cutting back on carbs again, not drastic but no bread, pasta, rice, grains or starchy veggies. Walked 5 miles in 70 minutes today, gotta get back to the jogging though.

Ok, my quick post before bed wasn't so quick! Off to do my evening stretching then to bed, I'm half way though Naked by David Sedaris. He and his sister are so flippin funny!

OH!!! We watched the entire first season of Showtime's Californication this weekend, we are HOOKED!

You know you had a good weekend when...

You get depressed when it's over. Blah.

Friday night in Cardiff was so much fun, I really need to get out more often. Great music, dirty club and fun with my crazy German friend, P. The boy spoiled me, arranging for a taxi to take us back to my house at 4am. That was expensive, but worth it since I really needed a night out. Stayed up till 8am talking, had 2 hours sleep then lazed around all day watching movies. It was nice but now I'm sad and depressed.

A good thing that will keep me going is fitting into my old jeans. Jeans I haven't worn since 2004. I've lost 14 pounds since last September........kick ass! I'm finally feeling it and seeing it. Back to the grind tomorrow with yoga and a jog later.

This week we are finally sending off the forms for the boys US visa. I know we have everything we need to file but it still makes me nervous. I will start sleeping better when I am back home and all this moving milarky is done and dusted. Then I'll be worrying about other things! Sheesh....when does the worrying in life stop?

Back in the game!

Well, after stretching several times a day and moving around often I'm finally getting over this stupid pain in my back and legs. My cleanse was a success, I'm almost wishing I would have gone longer, but 7 days was good. Got out today for a 2 mile/30 minute walk which was good and some yoga. Eating mostly raw foods and my veggie soup. I made a screamin smoothie today, 2 cups spinach, 1 mango, 1/4 cup raspberries and 1/4 cup OJ. Damn it was so good! Great way to get in your greens. Tomorrow I'm going to try kale, blueberries, banana and almond milk.

The boy got his contract extended until end of June, which we knew was coming. Great news also that his company wants him to continue working for them when he moves to SF in August! More on that in a few months, but it's lookin good! I'm so proud of him, he is such an amazing man. He works so hard and always keeps a smile on his face. Through all this pain, he has just amazed me in every way. Love is grand...

Doggy is doing well, totally freaked out tonight because of these crazy storms we are having. Shes such a chicken, she is even afraid of the dark when she goes out in the garden! I just adore her. The meds she is on are working, so far so good. Still giving her half rice/half food twice a day, she loves it! I add some veggie stock for some flavor and she goes bananas! I have to start researching a new vet for her when we get home. I'm not taking her to the place I did before. I want a small family neighborhood type vet, just like I have now. Even if I have to drive her a ways to get there, it's worth it.

Oh and one of the several movies I watched in the last week was IN THE HANDS OF GODS such an awesome movie! We both just loved it, those boys kept me entertained and I don't even like football (soccer!)

Sciatica?

You know, I always thought sciatica was just some crazy word people used when they had a back ache. Well it is!!!! SCIATICA is the longest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve runs from your pelvis through your buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg. It controls many of the muscles in your lower legs and provides feeling to your thighs, legs and feet. The term "sciatica" refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve — from your back into your buttock and leg. So, I'm not sure exactly what I could have done but after much reading you can irritate it just by laying or sitting too long. I got this on the 3rd day of my cleanse, after doing nothing but laying & sitting around on the sofa. I've also had this happen a couple times now, never knowing what caused it. Last time I thought sitting on our woody Ikea chairs in the dining room caused it, they are hard and uncomfortable! Anywho, it sucks. I think it's getting better, I've been softly stretching and walking daily and moving around the house lots. I even watch TV standing up and moving around the room!

I'm on the last day of my cleanse, still blogging about it HERE. Tomorrow is orange juice and vegetable broth in the evening. I'm so excited to make veggie soup tomorrow! It's been nice not having to cook for the past week or clean up dishes. But I do love cooking, so it will be nice to get back in my routine. I also can't wait to get back into the pool and my 5 mile power walks.

I'M GETTING SICK OF FREAKIN LIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring cleaning!

Well, it's that time of year again....I'm starting the Master Cleanse on Sunday. This time around only 6 days with 1 day of juice before veggie soup. I chose next week because the boy is back in Dublin for work, so it's perfect timing. I need him to be gone! No food around, no distractions, no smells of things cooking. I will be blogging about it daily as usual HERE. I've started a list of things I want to do next week, mostly stuff for the move. And of course, CLEANING! Major cleaning......bathroom, kitchen, living rooms and my bedroom. I'm not even going into the den, it's a total mess! That's the boys room for work stuff and random boxes I don't feel safe keeping in the garage. Yoga everyday and after the first 2 days I'll get out for my walks. Everyday this week I have been doing a 5 mile power walk, takes me about 75 minutes. Google maps are awesome because you can create your own maps and figure out the distance. I also went swimming today to break up the walking. Did you know when your body adapts to one sort of cardio activity it burns less calories?! Stupid calories...

Raisin's health is improving. She had a very bad belly two weeks ago, my vet was out of town and I put her on a strict rice only diet with a tiny bit of low-sodium veggie broth to flavor it up a bit. She immediately improved and when he returned we put her back on antibiotics and will start the Medrone again. She is very happy about the rice and is super frisky for her daily walks. Fingers crossed she stays well.

And now to the boys health (gee, I'm living with 2 sickies!) he is on week 3 of the Methotrexate and it seems the side effects of it the next day are subsiding. It's a once-a-week pill that he takes on Fridays and the next day he feels like he got run over by a truck. This past weekend was a bit easier on him, so hopefully it's starting to get into his system and he will see some results soon. It's been a rough 3 months, but things are lookin' up! Oh and he is almost off the Prednisone, about 20 more days of weaning off them, YAY!

We are off to the movies tomorrow with the boys to see There Will Be Blood, I can't wait! Falafels before at this tiny shack in the city centre by the theatre, they make super tasty falafels!

Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins!

Did you know that blueberries are packed with antioxidants? They are one of the true superfoods!!! I have made this muffin recipe several times now, mostly for the boy to take his meds. They are his favorite and they are healthy! Amazing! Thought I would share my recipe with you. You can use applesauce or butter, I've used both and both are tasty. Way less calories and fat by using the applesauce. Also, you can use applesauce in place of any oils when baking.

OATMEAL BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup soy milk (or regular milk)
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (whole meal flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup butter or applesauce
1 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Combine oats and milk in small bowl; set aside and let stand.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, brown sugar, stir well. Add egg and melted butter/applesauce to oats.

Rinse and pat dry the blueberries and toss in flour, it prevents them from sinking in the muffins!

Add dry ingredients and stir just until all is moistened. Gently fold in blueberries. Spoon into muffin pan until three-quarters full each.

Bake for 17 to 20 minutes.

Nutritional info for 8 large muffins (using applesauce):
Calories 183, fat 2.1g, carbs 36.3g, protein 5.1g, fiber 3.4g

I use large silicone muffin pans, so I only get 8 muffins because they are so big. You can use any size you like, obviously the nutritional content will change with size. Very tasty and healthy muffins, ENJOY!!!!!

Beautiful music

It's Valentines Day, which is to me pretty much a commercial "Hallmark" holiday. But the hopeless romantic in me always buys my sweetie something sweet, this year I'm baking him Lemon Bars. I got him a lovely card and he's getting a lush organic PIE for dinner tomorrow with roasted mashed potatoes and beef gravy. (Of course I didn't make a meat PIE or the gravy!)

Anywho, back to the title of my post. You may recognize this from many things, from an American soap opera, to several movies (including Atonement which I just watched tonight) To me, it's one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. I found this video, thought I would share with all my wonderful readers. I hope you'll take a minute out of your busy day to listen.

Debussy's Claire de Lune

I had the craziest movie day....it started with Love Story, super sappy classic tear jerker (1970!) followed by the first half hour of The Notebook which I've seen about 5 times. Then I watched Atonement, which was actually quite stunning, left me feeling very sad though. Then guess what I'm watching now?! SECRETARY! Talk about one extreme to another! LOL!